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Korea ready to bridge gaps among G20 nations

Upon arriving at the office of Sakong Il in Samcheong-dong near Cheong Wa Dae for an interview, it didn’t take long to realize that the G20 Seoul Summit is just around the corner. His reception room was full of government officials and related guests lining up to see the chairman of the Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit. Everyone there looked tense as if the international gathering was just one week away. Before the interview began, his spokesperson asked us to keep the interview quick, claiming his tight schedule. But Sakong gave lengthy responses to every issue, mindless of his next appointment. The following is the complete transcript of the interview. ― ED. By Kim Jae-kyoung, Lee Tae-hoon Q: Tell us about the progress in preparation for the forthcoming G20 Summit and challenges it faces. The Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit has been working closely with relevant government ministries, as well as private institutions and experts at home and abroad to develop the agenda for the G20 Seoul Summit and make Seoul a successful host of the event. The Com

Seoul attracts ‘all-star’ lineup of CEOs

Private sector expects increasing role in strengthening economic recovery By Kim Tong-hyung It’s a lock that Barack Obama will be the most powerful individual visiting Seoul this year. But it remains to be seen whether he will be the most influential, as organizers of the Group of 20 meetings here anxiously await RSVPs from Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. With or without the American technology icons, many of the world’s most powerful corporate leaders are to assemble in Seoul in November to discuss the priorities of the global business community and advise world leaders and finance ministers gathered for the G20 summit. The all-star cast of chief executives (CEOs) will likely use the platform to air their concerns about protectionism and the possibility of “excessive” regulations on banks and other financial institutions, according to business officials here. Their meeting, dubbed the “G20 Seoul Business Summit,” is slated for Nov. 10-11 at COEX, a major business convention center in southern Seoul, ahead of the G20 summit slated for Nov. 11-12 at the same venue. The nu

Keep security tight, make protocols perfect

By Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Think of how complicated it would be to host an important housewarming party, with guest lists and RSVP notices, not to mention the safety warning about the broken staircase. Now imagine organizing a large-scale international conference like the G20 summit, where VIPs from 19 major countries and the European Union, as well as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, will gather in one place. Much work behind-the-scenes is necessary to ensure a safe, seamless order of events. Here is a peek into the security measures and diplomatic protocols being drawn up _ though it is important to note that certain details have been withheld for your own safety. 24-hour eagle eye Some 3,600 police forces will be employed as 24-hour watchdogs, and various plans of action have been mapped out. First of all, each delegate will be lodging in different venues for security reasons; U.S. President Barack Obama, for example, is due to be a special guest at the Seoul Hyatt Hotel. These hotels scattered around the city have been selected in careful consideration

G20 aims to meet expectations as global finance savior

By Kim Tong-hyung Staff reporter South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will undoubtedly be a happy host when he welcomes world leaders to Seoul for the G20 Summit in November, which is clearly the most important business event the country has ever hosted. Whether the G20 arrangement ever lives up to its massive early expectations as the rebuilder of global finance, as well as continuing to maintain its relevance as the main vehicle for designing and implementing international economic policies, however, remains to be seen. Since its first meeting in Washington in 2008, the G20 has moved to replace the narrower, Western-dominated G8 as the primary global forum for economic policy. And the meeting in Seoul between the G20 leaders slated for Nov. 11 and 12 doubles as a deadline to produce an outcome that goes beyond diplomatic blather and provides a detailed set of measures to inject new life into the world economy, and fix global financing. The Seoul meeting represents the fifth G20 summit, following the fourth held in Toronto in June, and is hoped to provide an import

Inside his notebook - keywords for Seoul Summit

l Summit will focus on fixing financial system By Cho Jin-seo Staff reporter No time for empty talk on world peace. No time for monologues with political ambitions. “Let’s put it simple, straight, and do what we have to do,” Korean president Lee Myung-bak, may remind other participants when he hosts the roundtable meeting. The Seoul Summit of G20 will be, and should be focused on one issue: the economy. With only a day to spend together, they cannot afford distractions to politics or diplomacy. In theory, the presidents, prime ministers and a king only need to confirm the draft of the “communique,” as the G20 official announcement is often called, which will be pre-arranged by their finance ministers and central bankers. But in practice, this process has not always been so smooth. We may expect some last-minute scuffle in Seoul. As the G20 does not have a permanent administrative body, it is the host country’s job to set the agenda and mediate between countries of differing interest. Seoul’s G20 Preparation Committee has been doing the job since last year. Sakong

Korean cuisine: the undiscovered flavor

By Kim Yong-ja The Korean cooking method is rather simple despite its appearance of being complicated to prepare. The delicious flavors and health benefits of Korean food come from the spices, fermented sauce and paste we use, which are full of vitamin C, antioxidants and protein. Since vegetables are a significant portion of our diet as well, we stay healthy and slim! Change of taste As Korea moves further into the global spotlight as a strong economic power, Korean food is gaining momentum as a world cuisine. The globalization of Korean food has been in fast progress amid growing global interest in health. Korean food has taken root, showcasing its taste in eateries and in-flight cuisine services. Makkeolli, Korea’s traditional rice wine, has often been seen of late during banquets for heads of state. Prosperity and attention to food often coexist. Until about a decade ago, Americans and Europeans alike jumped at the notion of anything spicy. But the global population has become much more open-minded as world travel became more affordable, the Internet sprea