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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Border-area tourism hit by inter-Korean tension

Seen is a telescope placed at Imjingak Pavilion near the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The city, which has attracted many tourists with its border-area tourism programs, has been facing difficulties due to outbreaks of African swine fever and COVID-19 in addition to growing inter-Korean tensions. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jun Ji-hyeResidents of Paju near the inter-Korean border are expressing concerns over possible further damage to their income as the heightened inter-Korean tension over anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets has led some to question when the city's tourist sites will be able open to visitors again, city officials said Friday.The city in Gyeonggi Province has attracted many foreign and local tourists with tour programs in the region, such as tours to the Joint Security Area (JSA). But life for those in the border city has been getting harder following a series of difficulties starting last year, such as the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, the COVID-19 outbreak and the tension-ridden inter-Korean relations.The borde

Jun 19, 2020
Border-area tourism hit by inter-Korean tension
  • North Korea strengthens internal solidarity by criticizing external enemies

Pastry chef strives to deliver fullest flavor in desserts

Lee Shi-yoon, a pastry chef of Park Hyatt Seoul / Courtesy of Park Hyatt SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeLee Shi-yoon, a pastry chef of Park Hyatt Seoul, focuses on using locally grown seasonal produce when developing dessert ideas and menu items, based on the belief that local ingredients offer unbeatable flavor. The veteran patissier also emphasizes the creative mixing and matching of flavors, as any single flavor has the potential to be paired with a wide variety of others. “As a pastry chef and a pastry lover, my main focus is on taste. In every dessert I make, I am committed to delivering the best, fullest flavor,” Lee said in an interview with The Korea Times. “It's essential that a good dessert brings pleasure to the palate, not just to the eyes.”Lee joined Park Hyatt Seoul last September after building her career for about a decade at various five-star hotels in Australia, including Hyatt Regency Sydney and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.Desserts in the summer afternoon tea set presented by Park Hyatt Seoul / Courtesy of Park Hyatt SeoulShe obtained a Bachelor of Busi

Jun 19, 2020
Pastry chef strives to deliver fullest flavor in desserts

Divers invited to explore the Marianas' waters

By Jun Ji-hyeDiving is a way to encounter the natural world, where people can directly feel the tranquility and unique wonders of the sea.Saipan, Tinian and Rota of the Mariana Islands are famous for their incredible diving spots that are often visited by professional divers. For people who are itching to travel again as soon as they can move around without anxiety over COVID-19 infections, the Marianas Visitors Authority Korea introduced the four best diving spots to inspire people to visit after the public health crisis comes to an end.Saipan Oban BeachOban Beach / Courtesy of Marianas Visitors Authority KoreaOban Beach is the best beach diving point in Saipan. It is the ideal place for snorkeling as travelers can experience unbelievable sea water with sea eels, sea turtles and colorful coral.According to the Guinness Book of Records, Saipan has the world's most equable temperature, averaging 27 degrees Celsius year-round, allowing travelers to enjoy the mild tropical climate any time of year. The even the temperature and the fresh sea breeze makes diving trips more comfortable. Mo

Jun 17, 2020
Divers invited to explore the Marianas' waters

Hotel Lobby

By Jun Ji-hyeGrand InterContinental Seoul Parnas collaborates with Royal Copenhagen The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas is presenting a unique collaboration this summer with Royal Copenhagen, a Danish royal porcelain brand renowned for its 245 years of history and tradition. After the successful first collaboration with the brand last year in celebration of the hotel's 30th anniversary, it is bringing back the chance to experience both brands together once more. Retro mugwort bingsu, prepared by the hotel's patissier with the herb mugwort as a key ingredient, is served in an exquisite bowl from Royal Copenhagen.The tableware to be featured in this bingsu collaboration is from the Blue Mega line, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The line boasts a modern charm with big flower motifs. Retro mugwort bingsu is a healthy bingsu dessert in which subtle mugwort flavors create a harmony with the mild sweetness of milk and adzuki beans. It is decorated with mugwort jelly, mugwort-flavored fresh choco

Jun 17, 2020
Hotel Lobby

Greece is 'ready to welcome tourists', says prime minister

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visits the town of Fira, following the easing of measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the island of Santorini, Greece, June 13, 2020. ReutersFrom the emblematic island of Santorini, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday that Greece is "ready to welcome tourists" in complete safety after the coronavirus lockdown, whose impact on tourism will be "significant"."Greek tourism is back," said Mitsotakis, two days before the reopening of the tourist season.The return of tourists to Greece from around 30 countries by air, sea and land, begins on Monday."Everything is ready in terms of making sure that we ensure the proper social distancing guidelines, said Mitsotakis, adding that safety and health is "our number 1 priority"."We want visitors to feel safe. I am not interested in making Greece the number one destination in Europe. "I am interested in making Greece the safest destination in Europe." Greece has been relatively unscathed by the virus with just 183 deaths. After stopping at Fira hospital, where he agai

Jun 14, 2020
Greece is 'ready to welcome tourists', says prime minister

'Wellness vacation' spots offer remedy for tired soul

People lean back against trees and have a moment of meditation at the Jangseong Soopchewon in South Jeolla Province. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has selected nine “wellness vacation" spots worth visiting in 2020 to refresh tired bodies and minds, as people's mental fatigue has worsened due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.Wellness tourism is a relatively new concept referring to travel promoting personal health and wellbeing through relaxing activities such as thermal springs, thalassotherapy, spas and meditation. This concept is different from medical tourism where people travel for medical treatment or surgery.The state-run tourism promotion agency selected the nine spots after reviewing 37 candidates recommended by its local offices, considering their content originality, accessibility and potential for development, among other criteria.The wellness vacation spots selected by the KTO are categorized into four themes ― nature and forest; beauty and spas; healing and meditation; and oriental medicine. Those catego

Jun 10, 2020
'Wellness vacation' spots offer remedy for tired soul

Hotel Lobby

By Jun Ji-hyeInterContinental launches summer package The InterContinental Seoul COEX is showcasing a “Frozen Summer Package” through August to offer “3B” elements for an ideal summer hotel staycation at the reasonable price of just under 200,000 won ($167).The 3Bs refers to bed, breakfast and bingsu (shaved ice dessert).In particular, premium bingsu served in the lobby lounge, a perfect spot for taking memorable photos to celebrate summer, comes with three options that guests can choose from during their stay ― mango bingsu that is packed with fresh mango sherbet and juicy mango pulp; honey grain bingsu that contains black bean ice cream, black rice popcorn and other healthy grains; and classic bingsu which features green tea ice cream to offer an extra-intense flavor.Guests also have complimentary access to the pleasant 25-meter-long indoor swimming pool, complete with natural lighting and the rich green scenery offered by Bongeun Temple. In addition, a 20 percent discount is provided at restaurants includin

Jun 10, 2020
Hotel Lobby

From Turkey to Korea: restaurateur finds success in Korea

Oh Sinan Ozturk, founder and chairman of Kervan Group, holds an interview with The Korea Times at Kervan in Itaewon, Monday. / Courtesy of Kervan GroupBy Jun Ji-hyeOh Sinan Ozturk, who was born in Turkey, first came to Korea in 1997 as a student on a scholarship from a Turkish car company and transferred to Seoul National University's Department of Industrial Engineering.Instead of returning to his home country after finishing his studies, he decided to stay in Korea, and established Kervan Group here. The group now operates 16 restaurants presenting Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, with its head shop located in Itaewon, a multicultural district in Seoul. After living in Korea for more than 20 years and doing business for about a decade, he realized there are not many chances for foreign entrepreneurs to interact with Koreans.This revelation led him to set up the Global Business Alliance (GBA), which offers opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs from over 60 countries around the world, along with diplomats and trade counselors, to share their knowledge and experience with Koreans,

Jun 5, 2020By Jun Ji-hye
From Turkey to Korea: restaurateur finds success in Korea

Park Hyatt Seoul presents 'Experience More' to mark reopening

Park Hyatt Seoul offers the “Experience More” package to celebrate its reopening scheduled for June 9, after the temporary shutdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. / Courtesy of Park Hyatt SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyePark Hyatt Seoul is presenting the “Experience More” package, a celebratory promotion to mark the hotel's official reopening on June 9.Park Hyatt Seoul was shut down temporarily, March 27, to ensure the health and safety of guests and associates, following a visit by a guest confirmed to have COVID-19. The Experience More package features a relaxing breakfast for two served in-room, a room upgrade and a Park Hyatt Seoul signature teddy bear, all at the lowest available room rate. A unique gift of a children's bath robe will also be offered to guests staying with children. Package guests can enjoy complimentary use of the hotel swimming pool and fitness studio.Park Hyatt Seoul's stunning indoor infinity pool is located on the uppermost 24th floor of the hotel, offering captivating views of the city. At sunset, the pool is bathed in a red evening glow, conjuring

Jun 3, 2020By Jun Ji-hye
Park Hyatt Seoul presents 'Experience More' to mark reopening

INTERVIEW Marathoner monk's 5,255km US challenge cut short by COVID-19

Ven. Jino from Maha Buddha Temple in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, is sun-burnt and carrying a stroller containing his daily necessities of foods and clothes during his 5,255-kilomter fundraising marathon from Huntington Beach in Los Angeles, California, to the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Courtesy of People Making Dreams Come True By Ko Dong-hwan Venerable Jino, a Korean Buddhist monk, could have been one of the exceptional athletic talents to run from Los Angeles to New York City ― over 5,200 kilometers. Unfortunately, the challenge, which began Feb. 7 from Huntington Beach in Los Angeles, California, ended after 39 days in Oklahoma due to the coronavirus pandemic that started sweeping the United States. This persuaded him that his goal of reaching the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan was no longer a viable proposition.With his charity mission to raise $1 for every kilometer he ran put on indefinite hold, he returned to Los Angeles, fle

Jun 3, 2020By Ko Dong-hwan
[INTERVIEW] Marathoner monk's 5,255km US challenge cut short by COVID-19
  • INTERVIEW Korean Forest Gump's race for Vietnam
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