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Women's Networking in GangnamWeWork Gangnam Station, a coworking space, hosts a networking event for women tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event brings together “women who want to connect, women who want to support each other, women who want to make new friends, women who have their own businesses or want to start their own businesses.” Free beer and snacks are offered. WeWork Gangnam is near exits 6 and 7 of Gangnam Station on Line 2 and the Shinbundang Line. Visit fb.com/WeWorkGangnamStation for more information. RASKB looks at PyeongChang OlympicsBonnie Tilland of Yonsei University lectures on national hopes and new directions in Korean globalization surrounding the PyeongChang Winter Olympimcs earlier this year, specifically through the youth volunteers who worked for hours without rest or pay. She suggests the young South Korean Olympic volunteers are held to certain national expectations of globalized behavior, but they selectively subvert these expectations based on their experiences as global citizens.The lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 in the second-floo

Oct 9, 2018By Kim Ji-soo

Global Community

Joseon Images: Korea's earliest female cyclists

Joseon Images: Korea's earliest female cyclistsIn the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bicycles became a trendy and popular form of transportation in Korea. The first known bicyclists included an American naval officer named Lieutenant Philip V. Lansdale who visited the capital in the latter part of 1884, but it wasn't until the 1890s that bicycles became a relatively common sight on the streets of Seoul. Muriel Lewis, an American schoolteacher at the Unsan gold mines in northern Korea in 1935. An annual bicycle license was required and cost 10 yen (about $2.70 in silver dollars at the time). / Courtesy of Jan Downing By Robert NeffIn the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bicycles became a trendy and popular form of transportation in Korea. The first known bicyclists included an American naval officer named Lt. Philip V. Lansdale who visited the capital in the latter part of 1884, but it wasn't until the 1890s that bicycles became a relatively common sight on th

Oct 9, 2018By Kim Ji-soo

Politics

S. Korea, UK sign MOU for expanded trade partnership

South Korea's trade promotion agency said Sunday it has reached an initial agreement with Britain to expand the two countries' already-strong partnership. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said its CEO, Kwon Pyung-oh, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Britain's International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, for a strategic partnership in bilateral investments, trade information exchanges, and joint overseas projects."Britain is the world's fifth-biggest economy in terms of gross domestic product and is home to startups with advanced technologies. As Britain prepares for its exit from the European Union, it is looking at more collaboration with major trading partners, such as Korea," Kwon said in the statement.Trade volume between the two countries jumped 64 percent to US$14.4 billion in 2017 from $8.79 billion in 2011. As of 2017, Korean investment in Britain reached $16.79 billion, while Britain's investments in Korea stood at $2.22 billion, it said. (Yonhap)

Oct 9, 2018By Kim Ji-soo

Others

Yoga - a make-up of exercise, nature and camaraderie

An image of the outdoor yoga studio at a retreat in Casteo Giorgio, Umbria, Italy/ Courtesy of a participantBy Kim Ji-sooEvery layman's discipline has its heyday. All types of yoga, and yoga-inspired pilates, are highly popular in Korea, as people living in stress-filled times seek to alleviate stress and seek unity of body, mind and spirit. For yoga devotees, going on a yoga retreat is an ideal holiday, one that removes oneself from the mundane and the familiar, to lunge into hours of yoga every day. South Korea's Jeju Island boasts a few yoga retreats, but that is still too close to home, or the familiar and the mundane. There are retreats to choose from in India, the birthplace of yoga, as well as the United States, Portugal, Thailand and Cambodia.One yoga retreat took place in the Umbria region in Italy, which I took part of. The promises of Italian sun, food, the pastoral landscape and yoga tempted this yogi.Italy or Rome is about a 12-and-a-half-hour flight away from Seoul. The Umbria region is about two hours north by drive from Rome, Lazio. There are some winding roads and pi

Oct 5, 2018By Kim Ji-soo

Yoga - a make-up of exercise, nature and camaraderie

People & Events

Lee Jong-ki dreams of making world-class product

Master blender Lee Jong-kiBy Kim Ji-sooOmija ― the berry’s unusual name, vivid blood-red color and nutritional benefits conjures positive images of health and well-being. Also known by its scientific names maximowiczia typica and schisandra chinensis, it is widely used in summer drinks, tea and Oriental medicine.But not many thought it could be made into wine or liquor, except for Lee Jong-ki.Last week, master blender Lee introduced Gowoon Dar, a 52-percent-alcohol distilled liqueur made from omija.“I feel confident about this product,” said Lee, 60, in an interview with The Korea Times, flashing his signature smile and the curiosity in his eyes that has got him so far in the local industry. “I used traditional Korean ingredients and world-class methods for fermenting, distilling, maturing and blending,” he said.Among these steps, blending is the most crucial part.“Blending is an art rather than a science,” said Lee, head of JL Co., consultant and professor. He is also known as Johnnie Lee. He said he draws from his five senses and more than

Jun 20, 2016By Kim Ji-soo

Lee Jong-ki dreams of making world-class product

People & Events

Busan Vice Mayor Cho Don-young shares knowledge on inviting foreign investment

 Cho Don-young, Busan vice mayor for investment policy / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul  By Kim Ji-soo The seaside city of Busan is largely known for its port logistics, good people and international film festival. Lately, it has made news after being named the host for Microsoft’s new data center, which will be built to better service users of Office 365 and the cloud platform Azure.Microsoft Korea said that it will build two data centers, in Seoul and Busan respectively, in the near future.One of the key man behind the move is Cho Don-young, vice mayor of Busan who is also in charge of investment policy. He and the city government are working to turn the city of 3.6 million people into a viable Northeast Asian investment hub.A long-time international salesman, Cho, 68, had served as vice president of Renault Samsung Motors for nine years from 2001 through 2010. In August 2010, he was appointed as Busan’s new investment chief. And before that, the graduate of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and the University of Southern California graduate

Jun 1, 2016By Kim Ji-soo

Busan Vice Mayor Cho Don-young shares knowledge on inviting foreign investment

South Korea

Ahn Cheol-soo quits NPAD

By Kim Ji-sooAhn Cheol-soo, former co-chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) said Sunday that he is leaving the party.“I requested for a bold decision to be taken, but there is a strong will (within the party) to retain the status quo,” said Ahn at a press conference he called at the National Assembly in Yeouido. “Therefore, I have chosen to take a difficult road. I will be the founder of a political force that can change the leadership in government.” He did not elaborate further on how or when this will be pursued.  Ahn’s departure follows an 11th-hour attempt between him and Moon Jae-in, NPAD chairman, to mend their differences before preparations begin for the April 13 general election next year.  In an attempt to stop Ahn from leaving, Moon visited his house late on Saturday, but the two only met briefly.Ahn had requested a national convention be held to revamp the party leadership in order to alleviate deepening factional strife, but Moon rejected this proposal, claiming that it would only cause further

Dec 13, 2015By Kim Ji-soo

Economy

BOK drops 2015 growth outlook to 2.7 percent

The Bank of Korea cut its growth outlook for 2015 and 2016, Thursday, citing sluggish domestic demand and falling exports.The central bank's latest growth forecast for 2015 is 2.7 percent, down from 2.8 percent in July. This is the third consecutive cut since April when the initial 3.4 percent was lowered to 3.1 percent.The figure for 2016 also was scaled down to 3.2 percent from 3.3 percent.BOK Governor Lee Ju-Yeol attributed the cut to weak domestic consumption and declining exports in the third quarter.Exports have been falling every month since the beginning of this year.Amid such circumstances, the bank kept the key interest rate at 1.5 percent for October.

Oct 15, 2015By Kim Ji-soo

BOK drops 2015 growth outlook to 2.7 percent

South Korea

Man sets himself ablaze in front of Japanese embassy in Seoul

An elderly man set himself on fire in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday as the civic group representing former comfort women held its weekly rally. The comfort women refer to the women who were forced to serve as sex slaves for Japan during the World War II.The man, in his 80s, identified only as Choi, set himself ablaze as the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan gathered.The man was rushed to hospital.About 1,000 people were at the site when the incident happened.The incident also comes three days before Korea marks the 70th anniversary of its liberation from Japan. 

Aug 12, 2015By Kim Ji-soo

Man sets himself ablaze in front of Japanese embassy in Seoul

Shows & Dramas

Seo Taiji to sing out on Liberation Day

Singer Seo TaijiIt does not have to be all solemn on the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, which falls on Saturday.Top singer Seo Taiji has announced he will perform Saturday and Sunday at Yes24.com’s Muvhall in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, near the Hongik University neighborhood.Seo recently performed at the Pentaport Rock Festival in Songdo, Incheon.The former leader of Seo Taiji & the Boys released his ninth album last year, “Quiet Night,” proving he still reigns in Korean music. 

Aug 12, 2015By Kim Ji-soo

Kim Ji-soo

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Foreign Line

Joseon Images: Korea's earliest female cyclists

S. Korea, UK sign MOU for expanded trade partnership

Yoga - a make-up of exercise, nature and camaraderie

Lee Jong-ki dreams of making world-class product

Busan Vice Mayor Cho Don-young shares knowledge on inviting foreign investment

Ahn Cheol-soo quits NPAD

BOK drops 2015 growth outlook to 2.7 percent

Man sets himself ablaze in front of Japanese embassy in Seoul

Seo Taiji to sing out on Liberation Day

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