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Provincial news 600 makgeolli varieties offer taste of the good life

By Woo Ji-wonIf you believe a good festival always includes good drinks, then get ready to drink till you drop during the first week of September.The“Jara Island Makgeolli Festival,” sponsored by the Korean Makgeolli Association and Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province, will be held from Sep. 1-3 ― the third such event since 2015.The nation’s only festival introducing Korean traditional rice-fermented liquor will feature drinks from 150  breweries across the country offering up to 600 craft-brewed makgeolli varieties.Local food specialties include galbi (Korean-style barbecue) in Idong, salted mackerel in Andong, jjageuri (boiled pork soup) in Cheongju, and nut-crusted chicken skewers in Gapyeong.The festival features guitar performances by “oldies” in their 50s to 60s, a cooking contest for campers, a kettle-squashing competition, lessons on how to make bread out of makgeolli, and quizzes about the drinks.Promoting the liquor as a drink for outdoor camping, the three-day festival is held next to a 30,000-square-meter camping ground. A cam

Aug 22, 2017
[Provincial news] 600 makgeolli varieties offer taste of the good life

My Seoul Story Nostalgic allure of Yongma Land

The author in a race car at Yongma Land / Courtesy of Jericho LiThis is the fifth in a series of contributions about Seoul’s charms as seen from foreigners’ points of view. ― ED. By Jericho LiIf you’ve already visited Seoul’s popular tourist sites, and you are neither a K-pop fanatic nor an indulgent shopper, what else is there to do or see that’s unique?I had the chance to go with friends to visit Yongma Land, a closed amusement park on the east end of the city. After a 90-minute bus ride from Hongik University Station where I was staying to Woorim Market in Jungnang-gu and about a 10-minute walk uphill, we arrived at our destination. Paying a 5,000 won entrance fee to the property owner, we were free to explore this dilapidated wonderland.The moment I saw those defunct old rides including bumper cars, turbo drop, miniature railroad and space fighters, as well as recognizable fictional characters such as Son Goku, Sailor Moon, Papa Smurf and Dumbo, the whole atmosphere reminded me so much of the neighborhood amusement park in China m

Aug 17, 2017
[My Seoul Story] Nostalgic allure of Yongma Land

S. Korean president hails hosting of World Scout Jamboree, vows all-out support

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday welcomed the World Scout Jamboree set to be held on the country's western coast, promising full government support to make it a successful event.In a letter to a joint committee on hosting the global event, the president wished for the 2023 event in Saemangeum to be a successful and memorable event for all participants."I promise the government too will do its utmost for the successful hosting of the 2023 World Jamboree," he said.The letter came one day after the country was named the host nation of the 2023 event. Saemangeum is a reclaimed land along the western coast."Saemangeum is a land of challenge and exploration," Moon said, noting South Korea will become the world's sixth nation to have hosted the World Scout Jamboree more than once. "I am confident it will be the best place for all scouts from around the world to explore their potentials and nurture their dreams." (Yonhap)

Aug 17, 2017

Korea to host 2023 World Scout Jamboree

North Jeolla Governor Song Ha-jin and others cheer after Korea won its bid to host the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. / YonhapBy You Soo-sunKorea will host the 2023 World Scout Jamboree for the second time at Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. The decision came Wednesday as Korea beat out Poland after a tight race, winning 365 of 607 votes from over 160 participating countries at the World Scout Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.Held every four years, the World Scout Jamboree is the largest support event for young people aiming to expose scouting to various cultures and promote friendships extending worldwide. A record number of 50,000 participants from 168 countries are expected to attend the 12-day event at Saemangeum in 2023, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.The event was founded in London in 1920 and was held in Korea for the first time in 1991 in Goseong, Gangwon Province. In a bid to host the event again, many government officials from different ministries worked to gain support of member countries. North Jeolla province offi

Aug 17, 2017
Korea to host 2023 World Scout Jamboree

My Seoul Story Nostalgic allure of Yongma Land

The author on a race car at Yongma Land / Courtesy of Jericho LiThis is the fifth in a series of contributions about Seoul’s charms as seen from foreigners’ points of view. ― ED.By Jericho LiIf you’ve already visited Seoul’s popular tourist sites, and you are neither a K-pop fanatic nor an indulgent shopper, what else is there to do or see that’s unique?I had the chance to go with friends to visit Yongma Land, a closed amusement park on the east end of the city. After a 90-minute bus ride from Hongik University Station where I was staying to Jungnang-gu and about a 10-minute walk uphill, we arrived at our destination. Paying a 5,000 won entrance fee to the property owner, we were free to explore this dilapidated wonderland.The moment I saw those defunct old rides including bumper cars, turbo drop, miniature railroad and space fighters, as well as recognizable fictional characters such as Son Goku, Sailor Moon, Papa Smurf and Dumbo, the whole atmosphere reminded me so much of the neighborhood amusement park in China my mom used to take me t

Aug 16, 2017

Mysterious tourism boom in Yeosu

A panoramic view from the observatory at Dolsan Park / Courtesy of Yeosu City GovernmentOfficials struggle to understand why tourists flock to the coastal cityBy Jung Min-hoYEOSU, South Jeolla Province ― There is no doubt that Yeosu, with its beautiful shoreline and exotic dishes, is a cool city to visit.Even so, a recent tourism boom there has many people scratching their heads, including those who promote tourism in the city.“It used to be a quiet place. The lights were turned off in the early evening and few people would walk the streets late at night. But now, the scene has changed a lot,” said Kim Kwang-joong, director general of the Yeosu City Government’s tourism department. “And frankly, we do not know why everyone has suddenly fallen in love with Yeosu.”In 2009, the number of visitors to Yeosu was 7 million. This year, it is expected to surpass 15 million, up more than 20 percent from 2016.One reason, the official noted, might be the 2012 Yeosu Expo, which attracted fewer visitors than expected but nevertheless helped the city improve infrastruc

Aug 16, 2017
Mysterious tourism boom in Yeosu

24th Korean Air travel photo contest

By Jung Min-hoTaken some fascinating photos during your travels? / Courtesy of Korean AirKorean Air and the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, are now looking for the best travel photos of this year.To participate in the annual Korean Air-Hankook Ilbo travel photo contest, applicants should submit their pictures to photo.koreanair.com by Sept. 1.Anyone ― Koreans and foreigners ― can participate, with photos that have not been used for other contests.Sixty winners will be selected.The Grand Prix winner will receive a trophy and two Prestige Class round-trip tickets to any Korean Air destination and two domestic Economy Class round-trip tickets.The Gold Prize winner will be given a trophy and two Prestige Class round-trip tickets, while two Silver Prize winners will be awarded a trophy and two Economy Class round-trip tickets.Their photos will be used to promote Korean Air and tourism.The names of the winners will be announced Oct. 12 and the awards ceremony will be held Oct. 19. 

Aug 16, 2017
24th Korean Air travel photo contest

Muslim prayer room opens at Lotte Dep't Store

Market shifts toward Muslim tourists   A woman prays inside a Muslim prayer room at the Lotte Department Store branch in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul. The room was made available for Muslim tourists, Wednesday. / YonhapBy You Soo-sunA prayer room is now available for Muslim tourists at Avenuel's World Tower Branch of Lotte Department Store in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul, reflecting the growing trend among businesses in Korea to attract more Muslim tourists here.On Wednesday, three winners of an Indonesian beauty pageant visited the room ― located on the 11th floor of the building ― the first of its kind to be set up by a local retailer here.“Having this room makes me feel respected in this country,” Syifa Fatimah, the final winner of the beauty contest, told The Korea Times after she finished praying. “It feels like home. All of the facilities are in place ― almost as well-equipped as the prayer rooms in Indonesia.”The 49.6-square-meter room consists of three parts. At the center is a tub where visitors may wash their feet, a ritual

Aug 16, 2017
Muslim prayer room opens at Lotte Dep't Store

Lionsgate signs to open 'Hunger Games' theme park on Jeju Island

By Ko Dong-hwanAudiences that raved about novel-based science fiction adventure film franchise “Hunger Games” will be able to experience the thrill at a theme park on Jeju Island.Landing Jeju Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of Landing International Development Limited, said Wednesday it signed with the United States’ Lionsgate, the franchise’s distributor, to build “Lionsgate Movie World” as part of recreational resort complex Jeju Shinhwa World now under construction.The theme park, built over 122,000 square meters, will be Lionsgate’s first branded outdoor park and the biggest among the studio’s location-based entertainment businesses.The park will have seven zones, each themed around different blockbuster movies and featuring reproduced streets and towns, rides, 4D experience halls, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and entertainment performances. The thematic movies include the “Hunger Games,” “Twilight Saga” and “Now You See Me” franchises and “Robin Hood,” to be released next

Aug 16, 2017
Lionsgate signs to open 'Hunger Games' theme park on Jeju Island

My Seoul Story History alive: Royal Asiatic Society walking tours

This is the fourth in a series of contributions about Seoul's charms as seen from foreigners' points of view. ― ED.By Cheryl Magnant Hanyang AKA Seoul, the pulsing vibrant capital of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and of modern Korea, mixes traditional architecture of the past with soaring tower constructions of the present. Vestigial artifacts of the 500-year-long dynasty are virtually hidden amidst the skyscrapers of capitalism. And yet, the old structures whisper history for those willing to listen.Cheryl Magnant with her catIn my 20+ years living in Korea, I’ve read books on its history, but it’s been the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) walking tours led by historians that have opened my eyes to the many historical treasures nestled in Seoul’s downtown landscape.While I read that Bosingak Belfry was the timekeeper of Joseon and the bell was rung 33 times at 4 a.m. and 28 times at 10 p.m. to signal the opening and closing of the great gates and marketplaces, I learned in walking tours that the belfry was totally destroyed in the Korean War and the bell virtually

Aug 10, 2017
[My Seoul Story] History alive: Royal Asiatic Society walking tours
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