PyeongChang Special Section #2
The Olympics are now in your hands! Go to Korea.net to read more. www.korea.net
Peace Olympics Come True
Performers form a candle-lit dove, emblematic of peace, during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium in Gangwon-do Province on Feb. 9. (Yonhap News)
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Countdown to PyeongChang Opening Ceremony
President Moon, NK delegation watch inter-Korean ice hockey game
Time for a walk across Gangwon
President Moon gets invitation from North leader 01
Inter-Korean athletes march together under one flag adorned with a blue map of the Korean Peninsula during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium on Feb. 9. (Yonhap News)
Countdown to PyeongChang Opening Ceremony by Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team
“The much-anticipated PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games finally began with an Opening Ceremony on Feb. 9.” The much-anticipated PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony has officially begun. On Feb. 9, the streets leading up to PyeongChang’s Olympic Stadium were buzzing with incredible energy. Despite the frosty temperatures, athletes and their families, as well as Olympic organizers and regular spectators, were full of excitement, waiting in line by the Olympic Plaza. Everyone had their reason for coming to Pyeongchang for the Games, but they had one thing in common: they had come to join in the global festival. There were families that had come to support their sons, daughters, sisters and brothers who are participating in the PyeongChang Olympics. Among the crowd were badge collectors, journalists and organizers from around the world. Korea.net took the opportunity to talk to some people on the streets in the hours leadings up the Opening Ceremony. The enthusiasm of families supporting their loved ones at the Olympics was hard to miss. Parents and siblings of Canadian luger Mitchel Malyk were decked out in support of their number one Olympian. “The Olympics is a truly awesome event because you can see world cultures coming together as one. Tomorrow is our son’s first match, so please give him your support,” said John Malyk, father of the Canadian luger. At the Olympic Plaza, it was easy to see some 02
amazing Olympic fanatics, too. Isa Dursan from Turkey, who said PyeongChang was her 12th Olympics, said that, “The Games are a meeting place for the world’s cultures. I have tickets to see the ice hockey, ski jump and biathlon events,” he said. Korea.net was able to meet an avid pin collector from the U.S., too. Douglas Todd from San Diego has been to every Olympic event since the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics. Todd, who now has more than 100,000 Olympic pins in his collection, said that he had managed to get his hands on the Olympic mascot Soohorang at this year’s Olympics. People were keen to see the inter-Korean team march into the Opening Ceremony together. They were also curious about the final torch bearer in the Olympic relay. Munkhbayar Damdinsuren from Mongolia said that he looked forward to the inter-Korean team’s entrance, while Asaad Mahmoud from the U.S. said that he was really looking forward to the Opening Ceremony, and hoped to take back many good memories from this year’s Olympics. Chen Cheng, a Chinese singer and cosmetics company CEO who was chosen as a PyeongChang torchbearer, said that he was very honored to take part in the ceremony. “I hope that Team China performs well in PyeongChang. I also look forward to meeting everyone again in China for the 2022 Winter Olympics,” he added. French NOC Secretary General Jean-Michel Yves Brun said, “I’ve visited many countries around the world, but Pyeongchang has been especially welcoming. I’m positive that a country like Korea, with such creativity, will put on a show worth remembering for the Opening Ceremony.” hlee10@korea.kr
U.S. couple Krizza Balderrama (left) and John Dempsey stand in line for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 9. (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
A Korean-Russian family of four (Left), a couple from Germany (Top right), and a group of friends from Russia smile for the camera while waiting in line for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony on Feb. 9. (Korea.net Team)
PyeongChang Special Section #2
President Moon, NK delegation watch inter-Korean ice hockey game
Supporters become one for Team Korea
President Moon Jae-in (fourth from left, third row), President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (fifth from left, third row), President Kim Yong-nam of North Koreaʼs Presidium of the Supreme Peopleʼs Assembly (sixth from left, third row) and Kim Yo-jong (seventh from left, third row), deputy director of the ruling Workersʼ Partyʼs Department of Propaganda and Agitation, watch the joint Korean womenʼs ice hockey team play against Switzerland in a Group B match, at the Kwandong Hockey Center in Gangneung on Feb. 10. (Hyojadong Studio)
Excited supporters raise the unified Korea flag and shout, ‘We are one!’ while watching a televised screening of the first Olympic match for the inter-Korean womenʼs ice hockey team, at Gangneungʼs Hwang Young-cho Gymnasium on Feb. 10. (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
by Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team by Sohn JiAe
President Moon Jae-in, Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea’s Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, and Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Department of Propaganda and Agitation, joined in with the chants and claps of the crowd that gathered to watch a historic Olympic ice hockey match unfold at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games on Feb. 10. President Moon and the North Korean delegation, including Choi Hwi, chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, and Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Central Committee of the Peaceful Reunification of the Country of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, watched together the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey teamplay in its first historic Olympic match against Switzerland, at the Kwandong Hockey Center in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province. As the joint team took to the ice, decked in jerseys with the five English letters of “KOREA” and a light blue Korean Peninsula emblazoned on their
uniforms, President Moon and the North Korean delegates cheered and clapped together. Sitting behind a squadron of identically dressed North Korean cheerleaders, all waving the united Korea flag and chanting for both the South and North Korean athletes, and “Go Korea!” the president and the North Korean delegation rooted for the joint team as they gracefully slid close to the net, and reacted with great sighs when the team failed to score. Although the unified Korean team was hammered 8-0 (3-0, 3-0, 2-3) by the Swiss team, ranked sixth in the world, President Moon and the North Korean delegation rose from their seats and continued to clap for the dispirited athletes. They then stepped down to the ice to meet the Korean players and to give them some words of encouragement in-person. Shaking hands with each player, President Moon said, “Take a good rest for the next game. Please stay hopeful and give us hope.” The inter-Korean team will face off against Sweden on Feb. 12 and then Japan on Feb. 14. jiae5853@korea.kr
PyeongChang Games kick off 17-day peace journey
The PyeongChang Olympic flame blazes in front of a grandiose firework show at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium in Gangwon-do Province on Feb. 9, announcing the opening of the Winter Games. (POCOG)
by Sohn JiAe
A dazzling opening ceremony kicked off a 17-day sports party at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games on Feb. 9. Held at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, the ceremony welcomed the world to PyeongChang, where 2,920 Olympians from a total of 92 countries, the largest in Winter Olympics history, will compete over the next 17 days. The two-hour showcase of the host nation’s traditional and modern heritages -- the playing of traditional musical instruments and the performing of modern dance and mime, with media artworks as props -- was weaved into one core message: peace. From the resonating ancient Bell of Peace to the countdown to start the ceremony, and a story of five children on a journey for the meaning of peace, to “candlelight of peace” being shared with each other,
the story of peace was the prelude to the beginning of an Olympics of Peace that will unfold across Gangwon-do Province until Feb. 25. Bringing the show of peace to its climax was the joint march of athletes from the two Koreas. South Korean bobsleigh pilot Won Yun-jong and North Korean women’s hockey player Hwang Chung-gum were the flag bearers leading the march, a sight that sent to the world a powerful message, as President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) noted, too. “In PyeongChang, the athletes from the teams of the South and North Koreas, by marching together, send a powerful message of peace to the world,” said the IOC president in his congratulatory speech. “All the athletes around me, all the spectators here in the stadium and all Olympic fans watching around the world, we are all touched by this wonderful gesture. Let us share this Olympic experience with the world,” he said as he wrapped up his remarks in Korean. “Hamggye Gayo, PyeongChang! (함께 가요,평창!, Let’s go together, PyeongChang!).” As President Moon Jae-in stated, “I declare the 23rd Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang open,” the ceremony continued and reached the highlight of the show. The so-called “queen of figure skating” Kim Yuna slid gracefully on the ice and ignited the Olympic flame atop a torch platform shaped like a traditional moon-shaped jar. The flame flared up into the sky of Pyeongchang and will light the host city for the next 17 days. The 220-strong Team Korea with 145 athletes is the largest-ever in Korean history. It hopes to finish in fourth place in the final medal standings, and the team’s official goal is a total of 20 medals: eight gold, four silver and eight bronze medals. Stay tuned to see what unfolds. jiae5853@korea.kr
“We are one!” Crowds cheering for the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team during its first Olympic match were just as passionate outside the walls of the stadium. Over 1,000 supporters gathered at Gangneung’s Hwang Young-cho Gymnasium to watch live the match between Team Korea and Switzerland, which took place at the Kwandong Hockey Center on Feb. 10. The impassioned cheers of these supporters echoed across the gymnasium as they raised their flags, yelling words of encouragement to their team. Among the crowd were local residents of Gangneung, families with relatives across the border in North Korea, and Koreans who live abroad in places like the U.S. or Japan. As their voices all joined in unison, in support of a common goal, supporters shared smiles as well as happy tears. “The last time I came to Korea was back in 2002, during the Busan Asian Games. Back then, I entered the stadium waving the unification flag, too,” said Kim Jonghae, a member of Chong Ryon, a group for North
Korean residents in Japan. “I visited South Korea this time because I wanted to be a part of a festival that will unlock the door to unification,” said Kim, saying that the inter-Korean hockey team would be capable of achieving great things if they combine their strengths. Kim Kong Su, another member of the Chong Ryon group, said, “The creation of an inter-Korean team is a historic event, and ethnic Koreans living in Japan are definitely paying attention. Now that I’m here in South Korea, I feel that unification is drawing near.” “As a Korean-American living in the U.S., I came to the Olympics because I could feel an atmosphere of reconciliation between the two Koreas,” said Kang Chuleun, co-head of the Washington branch of 615, a private organization that campaigns for Korean unification. “I’m thankful for the new administration, and the efforts that have been made to make interKorean dialogue possible,” he said. In the days ahead, inter-Korean cheering squads will get together at locations all over Gangneung in support of the inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team. Upcoming matches include a game against Sweden on Feb. 12, and one against Japan on Feb. 14. xuaiy@korea.kr
Olympic monument symbolizes peace, truce
North Korea’s Vice Sports Minister Won Kil-u (second from left) signs the Truce Mural during its unveiling ceremony at the PyeongChang Olympic Village in Gangwon-do Province on Feb. 5. (POCOG)
by Xu Aiying and Kim Young Shin
“ The Olympic Truce Mural symbolizes support for the Olympic Truce and the resolution to bring forward the Games of Peace.” The Olympic Truce Mural was unveiled at the PyeongChang Olympic Village in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 5. The monument symbolizes support for the Olympic Truce and the resolution to bring forward the “Games of peace” that will foster peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world. Olympic Truce Murals have been built at Olympic Villages ever since the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, to physically symbolize the
Olympic spirit to halt wars and to establish peace through conversation and reconciliation during the Games. Inspired by Pope Francis’ message to “build bridges, not walls,” artist Yi Je-seok designed and built this year’s Truce Mural, titled “Building Bridges.” The 3-m-high and 6.5-m-wide concrete wall is bending over partly, horizontally, to form a bridge. The mural is placed in both the PyeongChang Olympic Village and the Gangneung Olympic Village. At the unveiling ceremony were President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), UNHCR supporter Yiech Pur Biel, North Korean IOC member Chang Ung, North Korea’s Vice Sports Minister Won Kil-u, PyeongChang Organizing Committee President Lee Hee-beom and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan. The dignitaries signed the Truce Mural, ensuring an “Olympics of peace.” “I hope that the families of every participant in the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the media and the audience become the heroes and heroines that break down walls of conflict and dispute around the world and build bridges of communication, reconciliation, harmony and peace,” said Minister Do. The Olympic Truce Mural will be decorated with signatures from Olympic athletes during the Games. After the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the walls will each be on display at the PyeongChang Olympic Plaza and at the Gangneung Olympic Park. xuaiy@korea.kr 03
8-language Olympic call center now open at “1330” by Kang Gahui and Son Gina Chief of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Counter-Terrorism and Safety Measures Headquarters (CTSM HQ) Mun Yeong Gi explains the wide network of counter-terrorism and terrorist alert systems that will be in place during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, at the Government Complex Seoul on Dec. 7. (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
‘Counter-Terrorism and Safety Measures HQ’ is ready for PyeongChang by Cho A-la and Lee Hana
“The role of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Counter-Terrorism and Safety Measures HQ (CTSM HQ) is to act as the control tower for countermeasures related to any and all terrorist or terror-like incidents at the PyeongChang Olympics,” said Mun Yeong Gi, chief of the CTSM HQ. Launched in November 2016, the CTSM HQ is an umbrella organization comprised of 19 different government ministries and other institutions directly involved in counter-terrorism and law enforcement. In preparation for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the CTSM HQ has been overseeing all counterterrorism and security measures. During the Games, it is the head of all operations, delegating tasks to subordinate bodies and monitoring all activities from the field command center. Korea.net met with Mun, chief of the CTSM HQ, to learn more about his organization’s roles and activities, at the Government Complex Seoul on Dec. 7. What’s the main role of the CTSM HQ? The CTSM HQ formulates all security measures. It also allocates security guards to areas surrounding all the major sporting events, all while managing the inflow of traffic. Based on the duties and functions of each ministry that the CTSM HQ oversees, we will also be responsible for fire prevention and extinguishment, as well as rescue operations in the case of any emergency situation.
How will you control everything that takes place during the PyeongChang Olympics? The sports venues and athletes’ dormitories are located in Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon. As it’s necessary to ensure safety and security at each of the major venues, we have set up 18 field command centers. At these centers, you'll be able to find at least one or two professionals from each of the 19 government ministries in the CTSM HQ network, such as the National Counter-Terrorism Center, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of National Defense, the National Fire Service and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. How will you comprehensively manage all the field command centers, scattered as they are in so many different areas? In October 2017, we set up an integrated security information center that will be the control tower for the 18 field command centers. In addition to carrying out daily functions, this control tower will send out important updates should a terrorist attack or other security-related event occur during the PyeongChang Games. It will regulate and control all activities of the other field command centers. Our integrated security information center will be closely aligned with the PyeongChang Organizing Committee. How are you preparing for a possible terrorist attack? The first step involves strengthening immigration control.
Domestically, we have all possible forms of terrorlike situations under control. So in the days leading up to the opening, and during the actual event, we will focus our attention on managing the entry of potentially dangerous persons into the country from abroad. Obviously, this is part of the protocol for prevention. In the event of a terrorist attack, it’s crucial that we execute the action plan in a swift manner. I want to assure you that we are preparing for every worst-case scenario. We are ready to face chemical terrorism, bioterrorism, and nuclear provocations. There are 7 km of evacuation facilities for over 2,000 people and some cars. Evacuation facilities at airports, ports, train stations and along the highway are also fully equipped and ready for any type of terrorist attack. Do you have any words for people around the world who are eagerly awaiting the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games? Korea was chosen as one of the countries with the least risk of terrorism in a map of “countries facing the greatest threat from terrorism,” published by The Telegraph in 2016. In the Global Terrorism Index 2017, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Korea ranked 103rd out of 163 countries in the study, meaning that Korea is one of the countries with the lowest risk of terrorism. Given that the U.S. ranked 32nd, the U.K. 35th, and Japan 58th, we can conclude that Korea is quite safe from terrorism. Moreover, Korea has hosted a number of international events, including the Seoul 1988 Olympic Summer Games, the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 G20 Seoul summit. These events have all been successfully held. There is no need to worry about safety. Pyeongchang is ready to host one of the world's biggest festivals. I look forward to meeting you at the PyeongChang Games in February. hlee10@korea.kr
If you ask in Russian, “Are there any rooms available for less than KRW 150,000 per night in Gangneung on Feb. 10?” the operator will answer you in proficient Russian and give you the contact information for some accommodations in that price range, in that city, on that day. The 1330 call center is an information hotline operated by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). If you were to dial 1330 in Korea, without any area code or other prefix, you were able to get in touch with the KTO’s Tour Guide Service in four languages: Korean, English, Japanese and Mandarin. The 1330 Special Olympic Call Center is now being operated in honor of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It started on Dec. 7, last year and will operate until March 18, the final day of the Paralympic Winter Games. This new Special Olympic Call Center has added Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malaysian / Indonesian to the existing four languages, so that tourists will be able to obtain detailed information in a total eight languages concerning accommodations, food, transportation and cultural events. The service is free of charge. The KTO said that the added language services will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to begin with and that it plans to expand operations in all eight languages to 24 hours a day. kgh89@korea.kr
A new call center -- the phone number is 1330 -- provides Olympic information in eight languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Malaysian / Indonesian . It will be in operation until March 18, the last day of the Paralympic Winter Games. (KTO)
Website offers real-time Pyeongchang weather
Seoul to offer public transport support for Olympic visitors The PyeongChang 2018 Smart Weather Service, launched on Feb. 5 by the Korea Meteorological Administration, allows Olympic-goers to check weather forecasts in the PyeongChang Olympic host cities. (KMA)
by Hur SomEe and Yoon Sojung
Free shuttle buses are in operation between the host cities of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and Seoul throughout the Games. The Seoul Metropolitan City is running free electric buses between Seoul and Gangneung and Pyeongchang between Feb. 10 and 25, and then again between March 9 and 18. The buses will run along four routes -- from Seoul to Gangneung, from Seoul to Pyeongchang, from Gangneung to Seoul, and from Pyeongchang to Seoul. The city will run from 10 to 30 buses every day on each of the four routes. Those who have tickets to Olympic or cultural events in Pyeongchang or Gangneung can book their buses on their desired date. Reservations can be made online via a smartphone or a desktop. Those who wish to use the bus can search for “Pyeongchang eBus” or simply visit the reservation website that has services in Korean, English, simplified Chinese and Japanese. http://www.ebusnvan.com Those who wish to book bus tickets need to check their reservation period, as they’re required to make a reservation on a designated date, depending on their 04
by Kim Eun-young and Sohn JiAe
Free shuttle buses will operate between Seoul and Pyeongchang and Gangneung during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The photo shows the shuttle bus route maps. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)
date of travel. People who need a bus between Feb. 10 and 14 should book tickets after Jan. 26. If you travel to the two Olympic host cities between Feb. 15 and 19, you should book your bus tickets only after Feb. 2. If you need to travel between Feb. 20 and 25, you will need to book your tickets after Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. Ticket reservations can be made until 10 a.m. of the day before your travel date. Operating hours for the last buses of the day will be extended during the Olympics. You will be able to use the final bus until 2 a.m. along the seven bus routes that pass by a KTX train station -- either Sangbong or Seoul station – and the
East Seoul Terminal. Buses that travel past Cheongnyangni Station will operate until 2:50 a.m. Buses that travel to the Express Bus Terminal will operate until 2:40 a.m. These plans were part of the five support measures announced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Feb. 1. These measures are designed to help with the successful hosting of the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The announced five measures include public transportation support, customized support for non-Korean tourists, cleaning up major tourist attractions, and cracking down on illegal overcharging of tourists. sehp91@korea.kr
The PyeongChang 2018 Smart Weather Service kicked off on Feb. 5 and provides real-time weather forecasts in the three Olympic host cities of Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon, and also in Seoul, Incheon and Yangyang. Visit the website http://pc2018.kma.go.kr, run by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), and you'll have access to updates of temperature, snowfall, wind speed and humidity at 13 Olympic venues, including one for the Opening and Closing ceremonies. The weather forecasts are offered three ways: in 24-hours real-time, a three-day short-term and a five-day mid-term forecast. Satellite and radar images of snow and cloud movement will add visual effects, too. Alongside the weather forecasts, the website also offers earthquake alerts. This service is available in Korean and English until March 18, when the PyeongChang Paralympic Games come to an end. eykim86@korea.kr
PyeongChang Special Section #2
Time for a walk across Gangwon
Woljeongsa Temple, founded in 643, is one of the representative Buddhist temples in Gangwon-do Province and a must-visit for tourists to Pyeongchang-gun County. The photo above shows the temple on a snowy day on March 25, 2016. (Korea.net DB)
by Kang Gahui and Yoon Sojung
“Step away from the Games for a moment to enjoy some of the breathtaking winter beauty of Gangwon-do Province. There’s more to see than just the sports.” Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon are the three host cities of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. These cities are already well-known tourist destinations in Korea, and now they have the chance to go global. Here we’d like to introduce you to 10 great walking routes that take you all across Gangwon-do Province. These are the “Pre-Visit to PyeongChang 2018 Tour Routes.”
Pyeongchang, 2018 Winter Olympic Games host city If you travel to Pyeongchang, where both the Opening and Closing ceremonies are taking place, as well as most of the ski races, check out the naturethemed walking trails there. Pyeongchang is known for its natural beauty that epitomizes the harmony that exists between the mountains and the river. The city is itself beautiful, especially in winter, as it receives some of the most snow in Korea most years. The main Pyeongchang walking trails include pristine nature and forest walks. Concerning nature, you can enjoy clean and picturesque views of Gangwon-do’s greenery by visiting Eoreumchi Village, the Donggang Freshwater Fish Eco Center, or go spelunking along the 1.8-km Baengnyong Cave. You can also find some rare fish species that can only be found in the cleanest mountain waters. Longing for some snow? Head to the fir tree forest
walkway at Woljeongsa Temple. If you have enough time and energy, walk along the 8.1-km Woljeongsa Temple Seonjae Trail that connects that temple and Sangwonsa Temple. You can take some time for rejuvenation while walking along the trail and breathing in the clean air, with a lot of anions and phytoncides generated from as many as 1,700 fir trees. Gangneung, home to Olympic ice skating The city of Pyeongchang may be the first to come to mind when you think about the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, but in fact some of the most popular skating disciplines, such as short track and figure skating, will take place in the nearby city of Gangneung. When in Gangneung, make sure to visit the local heritage- and art-themed walking trails, where you can learn about past and present artists from the city, and also make time for a cup of artisan coffee. The art-themed trail begins at the Ojukheon, where tourists can learn more about the wisdom of our ancestors. The Ojukheon is the birthplace of the renowned Joseon Confucian scholar Yi Yi (1536-1584) and of his mother, the famous scholar, writer and painter Sin Saimdang (1504-1551). Also known by his pen name Yulgok, Yi Yi can be found on the KRW 5,000 currency note, about $5. However, his mother’s visage is found on the KRW 50,000 note, about $50. At the Ojukheon, visitors can learn about some of Sin Saimdang’s poems and her calligraphy and paintings. You can also take some time to visit other museums nearby, such as the Yulgok Memorial Hall, the Municipal Museum and the Daegwallyeong Museum. From there, it takes about three minutes on foot to get to the Gangneung Artists’ Village and the Museum of Oriental Embroidery. In the artists’ village, you can make your own work of art alongside local artists. At the embroidery museum, you can appreciate traditional, high-quality embroidery works in various sizes and shapes. For many people, the sea is the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Gangneung. However, the city actually has another charm, too: coffee. The city is the first place where coffee trees, mostly grown in the tropics around the equator, were cultivated in
Korea and where coffee beans were produced for commercial purposes for the first time. In Gangneung, coffee farms, coffee museums and about 400 cafes attract visitors with their unique coffee aroma. Since 2009, the city has been also hosting the Gangneung Coffee Festival every October. It takes five minutes by car from the South Gangneung Interchange to get to the Terarosa Coffee Factory. Visitors there can taste some wonderful coffee brewed from fresh coffee beans by top Korean coffee masters. Another attraction is the Anmok Coffee Street where cafes are lined up for your pleasure. You can sip your coffee while enjoying the sea view. Jeongseon, come for the Olympic downhill skiing Jeongseon is home to one of the most famous versions of the folksong “Arirang,” a traditional Korean folksong that’s listed as an official intangible heritage item with UNESCO. A tour of Jeongseon begins at the Auraji, the birthplace of the Jeongseon “Arirang” song. At the Arari Village and Arirang Market, sightseers can learn more about the story behind the song and enjoy some of the scenic views of the town of Jeongseon. You can also enjoy various activities such as a sky walk and a rail bike at the observatory platform, all against the backdrop of the Auraji. Don’t forget to visit the Jeongseon Arirang 5-day Market where you can see a real traditional market. You can sample some roasted pig trotters seasoned with Oriental herbs and other spices (hwanggji jokbal), enjoy some rice seasoned with mountain herbs (gondeure bap), sample the red bean pancakes (susu bukkumi) or taste the delicious buckwheat crepes (memil jeonbyeong). The area around the former mine also features some unique experiences. This walking trail goes by the old coal mine, called the “Untangodo,” and brings you to the Taebaek Coal Museum where visitors can learn more about the history of the local coal mining industry. More information about the 10 selected walking trails can be found at the “Pre-Visit to PyeongChang 2018 Tour Routes” website. http://www.nowpyeongchang.com See you on the trail. kgh89@korea.kr
Korean recipes for PyeongChang 2018
Modern Bulgogi by Yoon Sojung
Six government organizations, including the Korean Food Promotion Institute, formerly known as the Korean Food Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, introduced their “10 Korean Recipes Loved Around the World” in September 2016, targeting nonKorean tourists who are visiting Korea for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The aim is to help tourists enjoy Korean cuisine and widen their understanding of Korean culinary heritage. The 10 selected dishes constitute a Korean menu that contains the essential identity of Korean cuisine, while improving each dish's individual taste, convenience and appearance. Bulgogi was the most popular Korean dish among non-Korean tourists visiting Korea, based on a recent survey conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization. People enjoy bulgogi by grilling thinlysliced marinated beef strips with vegetables and ample juice from the delicious meat. However, there are other methods to enjoy the dish, too. For example, in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do Province, or in Eonyang, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, many people
enjoy the dish by grilling the meat without the meat juices. Modern bulgogi, introduced as one of the 10 official dishes for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is yet another bulgogi recipe, which includes making and roasting marinated beef patties. This helps to keep the meat juices, while adding more taste, too, by roasting the meat to crispy perfection. Director Yoon Sook-ja of the Institute of Traditional Korean Food says, “Modern bulgogi has a slightly different taste from existing bulgogi recipes, as the beef holds the juices inside the marinated and battered meat. You can enjoy this dish when enjoying the Olympic events in the stadium.” arete@korea.kr
Modern bulgogi is a dish where one enjoys marinated beef with bread and fresh vegetables (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
Recipe for modern bulgogi “Cook some modern bulgogi for yourself to enjoy during the Winter Olympics.” Ingredients (four servings)
Ground beef (sirloin) 600g Marinade: pear 100g, onion 30g, kiwi 8g, minced garlic 3 tablespoons (48g), minced green onions 4 tablespoons (56g), sugar 3 tablespoons (36g), Cheongju refined rice wine 30ml, soy sauce 2 tablespoons (36g), crushed peppers 1/8 teaspoons (1g), rice grain syrup 2 tablespoons (38g), slices of bread, fresh lettuce leaves, baby lettuce leaves (handful)
Instructions 1. Put the pear, kiwi and onions into a blender to purée. 2. Mix the purée with the soy sauce, sugar and the rest of the ingredients to make the marinade. 3. Marinate the ground beef and let it sit for about 1 hour. 4. Cut the bread into round pieces using a cookie cutter or other mold. Buns, buckwheat crepes or cooked rice can be also used. 5. Shape the marinated ground beef into bite-sized meatballs. Roast the meat on a heated pan over medium heat. 6. Toast the round bread circles until the surface gets slightly crispy. Place the meat and vegetables on each of the bread circles.
The ingredients of modern bulgogi include sirloin beef strips, onions, pears, garlic, green onions, soy sauce and a bit of kiwi for the marinade and bread. (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
Director Yoon Sook-ja of the Institute of Traditional Korean Food prepares the pear, onions, kiwi fruit and other ingredients for the bulgogi marinade. (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
05
President Moon gets invitation from North leader
Kim Yo-jong (left), deputy director of the ruling Workersʼ Partyʼs Department of Propaganda and Agitation, President Moon Jae-in (center), and Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme Peopleʼs Assembly of North Korea, pose for a photo at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 10. (Cheong Wa Dae) (Left) / Kim Yo-jong (left), the leader of the North Korean high-level delegation currently in South Korea, shakes hands with President Moon Jae-in after delivering a signed letter from her brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, to the president, at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 10. (Cheong Wa Dae)
by Yoon Sojung
President Moon Jae-in received an invitation to North Korea from Kim Jong-un, the chairman of the Workersʼ Party of North Korea, via his sister, Kim Yo-jong, announced Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom on Feb. 10. Kim Yo-jong, deputy director for the Workers’ Party’s Department of Propaganda and Agitation, and the North Korean leader’s sister, visited South Korea to lead the high-level North Korean delegation as a special envoy from her brother. During a meeting between President Moon and the delegation, she delivered a signed
letter from Kim Jong-un to the South Korean president and conveyed a verbal invitation from her brother, too, who said he is “willing to meet President Moon Jae-in at the earliest date possible.” President Moon responded that he would try to make it happen by creating the appropriate conditions in the future. He also said that, “Dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. is required for further development in inter-Korean relations,” urging Pyongyang to show more willingness to talk with Washington. President Moon highlighted the meaning of North Korean athletes’ participation in the
PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, saying that they offered an opportunity for the Games to become a “Peace Olympics,” to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and to improve SeoulPyongyang ties. Presidential spokesperson Kim said that the president and the North Korean delegation shared the common understanding that the mood for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula created through the Olympics should continue, and that both sides need to engage in talks, exchanges and cooperation in an active manner. arete@korea.kr
Swiss, German, Polish leaders support Korea’s ‘Peace Olympics’.
President Moon Jae-in (right) holds a summit meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 8. (Cheong Wa Dae)
by Yoon Sojung
“In the run-up to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, President Moon Jae-in held a series of summits with world leaders, all in Korea to attend the Games. ” President Moon Jae-in held a series of summits with leaders from Switzerland, Germany and Poland at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 8. During the meetings, President Moon and the other heads of state discussed cooperation on the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, issues involving the Korean Peninsula and bilateral cooperation. Earlier that day, President Moon hosted Swiss President Alain Berset. In the meeting, President Moon told his Swiss counterpart that, “The joint South-North Korean women’s ice hockey team will pave a new path for peace and harmony,” while wishing good luck to both the joint Korean 06
President Moon Jae-in (right) greets German President FrankWalter Steinmeier at Cheong Wa Dae on Feb. 8.(Cheong Wa Dae) (Top) / President Moon Jae-in (right) on Feb. 8 shakes hands with Polish President Andrzej Duda at Cheong Wa Dae. (Cheong Wa Dae) (Bottom)
team and to the Swiss team, which met each other in the preliminary rounds of the women’s ice hockey competition on Feb. 10. Hoping for a success of the Winter Olympics, the Swiss president said, “Dialogue must continue in order to build a peace structure, even after the end of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.” After meeting with the Swiss leader, President Moon met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. President Moon said, “As Germany successfully overcame its division, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Korea holds significance amid a time of high hopes for improvement in inter-Korean relations and for the ‘Peace Olympics,’ backed by the participation of North Korean athletes.” President Steinmeier said he will always support President Moon’s endeavors toward making the Korean Peninsula a peaceful region, while highlighting the importance of humanitarian exchanges, such as
meetings between separated families and visits among the peoples of the two Koreas. In the meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda later that day, President Moon also underlined the importance of peace on the Korean Peninsula. President Moon said that Poland has been contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC). He thanked the country for actively supporting Seoul’s North Korean policy by issuing a statement that welcomed the resumption of South-North Korean dialogue. President Moon asked for continued support from Poland so that the recent mood of dialogue and reconciliation between the two Koreas could last even after the end of the Winter Olympics, and develop into dialogue that would lead to the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear weapons issue. arete@korea.kr
North Korean art troupe comes to Korea after 15 years
Performers in North Koreaʼs Samjiyon Orchestra perform in a special celebration for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. (Yonhap News)
by Hur SomEe and Yoon Sojung
“A North Korean performance troupe, decked out in bright colors and rainbow light displays, played some famous folk songs and popclassical music in South Korea in honor of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.” A group of North Korean performers, the Samjiyon North Korean Orchestra, staged a special performance at the Saimdang Hall at the Gangneung Art Center in Gangneung City, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 8. Their visit is in honor of the North Korean athletes’ participation in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This is now the first time for the troupe of North Korean artists and performers to visit Korea in more than 15 years. Led by Hyon Song-wol, the orchestra began its performance by singing the North Korean song “Nice To Meet You” (반갑습니다). Then they performed a couple of South Korean songs, like “Men Are Boats, Women Are Ports,” some other North Korean songs, and a medley of Western classical music, such as “Swan Lake.” A North Korean emcee said during the concert that, “It's so touching and happy that it feels like I'm meeting my separated parents and brothers. I'm on stage with true emotion that reminds us we are all one united people.” “I send a warm thanks and greeting to you all,” said the emcee, expressing hope that, “A new era of unification will come true!” More than 800 people packed into the art center to see the show. The audience included 252 figures who were specially invited, from the South Korean government, culture and arts circles. The audience also included 560 South Koreans who won the chance to attend the concert in an online raffle. Baek Seung-bu, who went to the concert with his daughter, said that, “I had high expectations before the concert, and it was indeed a very satisfactory performance.” He also hoped that both sides could have more exchanges in the future, not just during the onetime event of the Olympics. Yi Yeong-hui, who came to the concert from Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, said, “The performers sang many popular songs,” mentioning South Korean songs such as “Maze of Love,” “Arirang” and “Cha Cha Cha.” The 140-strong Samjiyon Orchestra was specially re-formed for this concert. It has about 80 musicians, solo singers, a choir and dancers. The Samjiyon Orchestra had its second performance on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Haeoreum Theater at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul. sehp91@korea.kr
PyeongChang Special Section #2
South, North Korean athletes enter Olympic Village by Kim Young Shin
“Athletes from South Korea and North Korea took up residence at the Gangneung Olympic Village on Feb. 7 and 8, respectively. South Korea has 145 athletes competing in the Games this year; the North has 22. ” South Korean athletes attended a welcoming ceremony at the Gangneung Olympic Village on Feb. 7, two days before the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Team Korea, consisting of 145 athletes and 75 officials, will stay in both the Pyeongchang Olympic Village and the Gangneung Olympic Village during the Winter Games.
One of the 145 athletes is mogul skier Kim Jihyon, who earned the ticket to Pyeongchang on Feb. 5, just four days before the Opening Ceremony, after a Swiss skier confirmed that he could not come to PyeongChang because of an injury. Athletes from North Korea also had a welcoming ceremony at the Gangneung Olympic Village on Feb. 8. A North Korean press corps and cheering squad also attended the ceremony. Team North Korea is comprised of 24 officials and 22 athletes: 12 women’s ice hockey players, three alpine skiers, three cross-country skiers, two figure skaters and two short-track speed skaters. ysk1111@korea.kr
South Korean athletes pose with the Taegeukgi national flag after a welcoming ceremony at the Gangenung Olympic Village on Feb. 7. (Yonhap News)
PyeongChang VIP reception serves
PyeongChang VIPs enjoy
up Olympic Spirit
Korean tourism
Head Chef Kim Song Ki, kitchen director at Lotte Hotels & Resorts, poses for the camera holding the main dish that was served at the pre-Opening Ceremony reception for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, in Gangwon-do on Feb. 9. (Kim Sunjoo / Korea.net) (Left) / A pre-Opening Ceremony reception for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games is held at the Yongpyong Resort Bliss Hill Stay on Feb. 9. The three-course menu for VIP guests drew inspiration from the Olympic spirit of celebration, harmony and hope. (Kim Sunjoo / Korea.net) (Right)
by Lee Hana
A pre-Opening Ceremony reception for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games has harnessed the Olympic spirit in every dish served. Hosted by President Moon Jae-in, the reception took place at the Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang on Feb. 9. The three-course meal embodied the Olympic aspirations of celebration, harmony and hope. The appetizer, “A Plate of Celebration,” featured buckwheat crepe rolls filled with kimchi, zucchini, yellow paprika, crab meat and beef, ingredients whose colors represent the colors of the Olympic rings. Smoked rainbow trout, fresh from Gangwon-do Province, as well as soft chodang sunbudu tofu accompanied the dish. The main dish, “A Plate of Harmony,” had grilled local beef tenderloin steaks, with baked potatoes and asparagus from Gangwondo as sides. Rice with seasoned thistle from Taebaeksan Mountain and soy sauce with horseradish grown in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) were also served. Finally, for dessert, “A Plate of Hope” was brought to the table. A blue chocolate in the shape of the Korean Peninsula took center stage in the middle of the dish, on top of which was placed a wired fence made of dark chocolate, representing the DMZ demarcation line. Gaeseongjuak, a type of North Korean fried sweet cake, and a sorbet made from Korean
persimmons were served on either side of the centerpiece. Before the dessert was plated, hot white chocolate was poured on top of the symbolic wired fence dividing the Korean Peninsula so that guests could watch the division melt away before their eyes at the dinner table. This special performance symbolized the hope for interKorean peace and harmony in the days to come. Head Chef Kim Song Ki, kitchen director for Lotte Hotels & Resorts, the mastermind behind the three-course meal, said that his team devoted a lot of time and effort to developing a menu that truly embodied the Olympic Spirit. “In preparing the dishes, we paid close attention to keywords, like harmony and prosperity,” he said. “It was a great honor to take part in creating the dinner menu for the reception. I’ve taken part in many VIP events in the past, but this one was especially meaningful, given that the PyeongChang Olympics were a cherished event for the whole country. I’m happy to participate and to be able to showcase Korean cuisine to so many esteemed guests from around the world,” he added. President Moon and first lady Kim Jungsook, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Kim Yong-nam of North Korea’s Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, among other guests, attended the reception. hlee10@korea.kr
Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis visits the Ojukheon House in Gangneung on Feb. 9 and gets a tour of the Mongryong-sil building that houses a portrait of Sin Saimdang, a famous Joseon writer and artist. (Jeon Han / Korea.net)
by Korea.net PyeongChang Olympics Team
“ Heads of state from 21 countries are in Korea to enjoy the PyeongChang Winter Games, and many of them are setting aside time away from the Games to take in some of Gangwondo's famous tourist sites.” Heads of state from 21 countries, currently in Korea for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, have been setting aside time to visit some local attractions. Henri, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, headed straight to Gangneung’s coffee factories on Feb. 8. While visiting the Terarosa Coffee Factory, the grand duke had a go at coffee cupping, which is the practice of observing the tastes and aromas of brewed coffee. He then spent time questioning the baristas about Gangneung’s specialty coffees.
Corrections:
An article in Korea.net’s first PyeongChang special supplementary issue, published last week, included several erroneous pieces of information. 1.) In the “A turning point in tech history” article about IT on offer at the PyeongChang Games, we misidentified the Sync View service as being useable in both ski jumping and bobsledding. The technology is only available for bobsledding. 2.) The article said that 5G-equipped buses are running in Pyeongchang and other areas of Gangwon-do Province. In fact, the buses are only in operation in the city of Gangneung.
Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis toured the Ojukheon House in Gangneung on the morning of Feb. 9, the day of the Opening Ceremony. The president showed a lot of interest in the historical figures that made Ojukheon famous: artist and poet Sin Saimdang (신사임당, 申師任堂)(1504-1551) and her son, the Confucian scholar Yulgok Yi Yi (율곡 이이, 栗谷 李珥) (1536-1584). Slovakian President Andrej Kiska attended the opening ceremony for Slovakia House, located in Gangneung, on Feb. 9. Addressing his guests, the president said, “The Olympic Games are a moment where people are united, regardless of race or religion. It’s a festival that’s great for our planet.” That same day, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite visited the historic Woljeongsa Temple, located in a forested valley east of Odaesan Mountain. Finally, on Feb. 10, Polish President Andrzej Duda took time to hit the slopes in Gangwon-do Province. jesimin@korea.kr 3.) The article also misstated that a smart mobile wristband would allow wearers to easily pay for their bill at certain accommodations or food trucks. The smart band, in fact, doesn’t have any payment functions. 4.) Robots, which the article implied were in operation as interpreters for non-Korean tourists and journalists, cannot actually interpret. 5.) Finally, the article misidentified that people would be able to enjoy Winter Olympic sports like ski jumping, snowboarding and bobsledding in VR at the PyeongChang ICT Pavilion. They actually only have snowboarding and bobsledding in VR at the venue. 07
PyeongChang Special Section #2
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