The Korea Times

Kim tells of bleakness in ’Heuksan’

By Kim Ji-soo Kim Hoon is a celebrated writer, whose new books are eagerly anticipated and once they are out, book signings are immediately scheduled. Much is the same with his new book “Heuksan,” (Black Mountain) which deals with the religious persecution of Catholics in 1801. Kim, who has dealt with significant historical events in his previous books, offers yet another mix of the real and the fictional from early 19th century Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The novel starts after the persecution has begun and respective sentences have been handed down to members of the literati family of the Jeong brothers for their beliefs or “dalliance” in Catholicism. The names of the ruling elite that appear as protagonists are real. The Jeong brothers — Yak-hyeon, Yak-jeon, Yak-jong and Yak-yong — and Hwang Sa-young, the son-in-law of the eldest Jeong. Fictional are several low-class protagonists — a groom, a servant, a low-class merchant, a low-level clerical worker and a former court lady. And together, these figures’ lives intertwine to tell a sorrowful t

Oct 28, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

Books

Recent books

Zen Ko Un; Kimyoungsa: 704 pp., 25,000 won After an interval of 16 years, Poet Ko Un, 78, has recently republished his novel “Zen” with stories on China’s Zen (Seon) masters seeking truth. The book contains the history of China’s six famed Buddhist monks including Bodhidharma who first spread Zen thought to China, followed by Dazu Huike and four other masters. Against all odds, Bodhidharma, who was born in southern India, rushed to China eager to convey the Zen thought. His journey to China, which took place around the 470s via both sea and land, was plagued by tremendous hardships but he never gave up as he was full of compassion with a high degree of generosity and flexibility to embrace all people and environments. He suggested a new direction of Buddhism from Hinayana (inferior vehicle) to Mahayana (great vehicle). Regarding the way of practicing Buddhism, he also recommended Zen methods of meditation instead of India’s conventional Vipassana. His practicing focuses on sudden enlightenment rather than the gradual way of reaching nirvana. Bodhidharma’s way of practi

Oct 28, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

Sports

Cho expects world will enjoy athletics in Daegu

By Kim Ji-soo DAEGU — Cho Hae-nyoung, co-president of the Organizing Committee for the 2011 World Athletics Championships Daegu, spoke through the smoke of his umpteenth cigarette of the day at his makeshift office at Daegu Stadium. With just a few days to the start of the 13th IAAF World Championships Saturday, Cho said he was filled half with anticipation and half with anxiety, a mood that permeated throughout the venue as staff, security and journalists were already there roaming about. There were also a lot of volunteers and support staff on site. “We have a lot of volunteers — about 6,000 — and we also have the Citizen Supporters, who number about 17,000. These are Daegu citizens assisiting the athletes and related officials. They are a tremendous help in our preparations,” said Cho, speaking in his office at the outer ring of the Daegu Main Stadium. As host to one of the world’s top three sporting events, Korea’s third largest city is dotted with enormous banners carrying images of the athletes and the main mascot Sarbi. “This is a once-in

Aug 24, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

Sports

WTF, PCNB sign agreement to further globalize martial art

By Kim Ji-soo The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the Presidential Council on Nation Branding (PCNB) agreed to further globalize taekwondo and enhance its value as one of the nation’s representative brands. WTF President Choue Chung-won and Lee Bae-yong, chair of the PCNB, signed the memorandum of understanding Thursday in Seoul. Also attending the ceremony was WTF Secretary General Yang Jin-suk and Choi Dae-yong, assistant chairman of the PCNB. Taekwondo, which originated in Korea as a martial art, has spread worldwide over the years and became an Olympic sport in 2000. Under the pact, the two organizations will fully cooperate on branding projects for taekwondo and actively participate in overseas volunteer activities, especially in developing countries. The two parties also agreed to fully cooperate to contribute to the promotion of global peace and serve the international community through taekwondo. In addition, they agreed to jointly push other projects, if deemed necessary. Shortly after the signing, there was a 20-minute taekwondo display by the WTF

Jul 22, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

Sports

’PyeongChang Olympics will upgrade country’

By Kim Ji-soo, Yoon Chul He read over his presentation dozens of times, working on his pronunciation and eye-contact. He also found out for the first time in his life that he wasn’t getting his “v”s and “b”s quite right. But practice made perfect for Park Yong-sung, 71, president of the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC), and he even cracked a joke about Prince Albert II of Monaco having to spend his honeymoon at PyeongChang’s July 6 presentation in South Africa. “When you practice that much, you just come to memorize it, and you become comfortable speaking in a dialogue-style rather than in the manner of a speech,” Park said in an interview at the KOC building in southern Seoul. And when PyeongChang was announced as the host city for the 2018 Winter Games, he knew that Korea had made it onto the global stage once again. “We did it,” said Park, smiling broadly. “The bid committee all worked so hard as a team, and everyone practiced so much.” The PyeongChang Games will definitely be a chance to upgrade the country, just as the 1988 Olympics did, Park said, adding that t

Jul 21, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

South Korea

Kim Jin-sun - true hero of PyeongChang’s success

By Kim Ji-soo, Yi Whan-woo There is a Korean saying that 10 years will change mountains and rivers. Perhaps that’s what unfolded, along with the trials and errors of Korea’s Winter Games’ bids, in Kim Jin-sun’s mind on July 6 in Durban, South Africa. “I cried for some time. People said to me don’t cry. I remember so many thoughts going through my mind. So many people who made sacrifices,” said Kim, special ambassador of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games Bid Committee and a three-time Gangwon Province governor who was with the bid from the outset. He closed his eyes for a minute, as if the feelings were still raw in an interview Wednesday. Kim was pictured crying, his face in his hands, when PyeongChang was announced the winner. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the innumerable people who worked to make this happen. I learned that deep sincerity will move heaven,” the 64-year-old said. “I would also like to thank the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the IOC members for giving overwhelming support for PyeongChang.” The idea to host th

Jul 17, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

Ex-gov. offers tips for local gov’t in hosting int’l events

Books

For those between 30 and 40 ...

By Kim Ji-soo The first thing that catches one’s eye about this book is the title, “Between 30 and 40, How One Should Work.” Amid a plethora of books targeting a larger audience of let’s say those in their 20s, 30s or 40s, this one focuses on that specific age range. It’s a range where your average salaried worker may well face a conundrum about their job or career. It’s also a stage in the usual career path where the worker is in a middle-management position, having to supervise yet be supervised. More importantly, it’s a period in life when angst about a middle-life crisis creeps in, and naturally prompts one to revisit and readjust life’s goals. The author Kim Joon-hee, chief executive officer of Neungyule Education Inc., addresses these concerns. Kim has worked in several other education/publishing companies, serving as chief of Woongjin Think Big Co. (2002-2008). A successful corporate CEO, he also has a background of engaging in student movements when at college. He draws from his life experiences and his long career in publishing, touching on specific situatio

Jul 15, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

South Korea

Lee urges N. Korea to reform, open up

By Kim Ji-soo President Lee Friday urged North Korea to to join the world “through reform and openness and to come forward onto the path of prosperity. Speaking on the eve of the 61st anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War (1950-1953), the President also thanked those who gave their lives for the country more than six decades ago. “I bow to pay my deepest respect to those who have given their lives and minds for the country,” Lee said during a reception the government hosted at the War Memorial of Korea. The President also thanked foreign veterans. “ I express my deepest respect for the invaluable sacrifice of having given your youth for an unfamiliar country,” he said. Lee also said that the country will not forget the prisoners of war who have yet to return to the South after being captured. South Korea estimates that about 500 South Korean prisoners of war are still alive in the North while the Stalinist state claims that there are no POWs and that all former South Korean soldiers voluntarily defected. Yoo Yeong-bok, a former prisoner of war who fled

Jun 24, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

South Korea

9 N. Koreans defect to South aboard boat

By Kang Hyun-kyung, Chung Min-uck Nine North Koreans aboard a small boat defected to the South last Saturday after crossing the maritime border in the West Sea, a government official said Wednesday. A joint team, consisting of the National Intelligence Service, National Police Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Security Command, is now questioning them. The nine arrived at Udo, a deserted island next to Yeonpyeong Island, aboard the small-size vessel around 6:05 a.m. Saturday. They declared their intention to defect when the South Korean military spotted them approaching the maritime border in the West Sea. A government official said the North Koreans were comprised of three men, two women and four children. A military officer who initially spotted them was quoted as saying that “the North Koreans were waving their hands in a peaceful manner.” It’s been more than four months since the last defections when four out of 31 North Koreans who drifted into the South’s water on Feb. 5 expressed their desire to stay here. The remaining 27 were sent back to

Jun 15, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

South Korea

Expect fiery Sohn-Park competition?

By Kim Ji-soo Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, who returned to the National Assembly with a win at the April 27 by-elections, will serve on the Strategy and Finance Committee. That brings him in a straight competitive mode with Rep. Park Geun-hye, former party chairwoman and his main rival in the presidential bid. Park serves on the committee as well. “It’s important that that we address the social divide that worsens because of high prices, high housing fees and household debts through a virtuous cycle of welfare and economy,”Sohn said Friday in a meeting with party officials, expanding on why he chose to work in the Strategy and Finance Committee.

May 27, 2011By Kim Ji-soo

Kim Ji-soo

Read more

Kim tells of bleakness in ’Heuksan’

Recent books

Cho expects world will enjoy athletics in Daegu

WTF, PCNB sign agreement to further globalize martial art

’PyeongChang Olympics will upgrade country’

Kim Jin-sun - true hero of PyeongChang’s success

For those between 30 and 40 ...

Lee urges N. Korea to reform, open up

9 N. Koreans defect to South aboard boat

Expect fiery Sohn-Park competition?

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