Lifestyle - The Korea Times

INTERVIEW Korea pursues two-track strategy in tourism

KTO chief vows strategic expansion in Southeast AsiaBy Kim Jae-kyoung Jung Chang-sooSINGAPORE ― The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will beef up its two-pronged growth strategy by developing Southeast Asia as a key market, while seeking to sustain growth in China, according to CEO Jung Chang-soo.His approach is seen as a strategy aimed at diversifying incoming tourist markets following China’s retaliation against the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, and ensuring sustainable growth of the nation’s tourism industry.“We have to develop new markets not to reduce dependence on China but to ensure sustainable growth of Korean’s tourism industry and emerge as a global tourism power,” Jung said in an interview.“Southeast Asia is a market with great potential for Korea because of its geological proximity and Southeast Asian people’s strong interest in Korean culture and food.”In order to strengthen its regional networks and promotional capabilities, the KTO signed a contract with eight international travel agenci

May 1, 2017

[INTERVIEW] Korea pursues two-track strategy in tourism

New cooking library excites all five senses

Hyundai Card Cooking Library in southern Seoul offers some 10,000 books related to food and cooking. / Courtesy of Hyundai CardBy Kwon Mee-yooThe latest addition to Hyundai Card’s famous library series hits the bullseye once again with a cutting-edge space for the global trend, gastronomy.The Hyundai Card Cooking Library, located near Dosan Park in southern Seoul, opened Friday, is going to be a hot place where people can enjoy and experience all things food.Lee Mee-young, vice president of the company’s brand division, said the four-story library aims to organically connect diverse experiences of cooking gratifying the five senses.The library has a deli on the first floor, a library on the second and third floors, kitchens on the third and fourth floors and a greenhouse-themed dining space on the fourth floor.The building, designed by Choi Wook of One O One Architects, who also designed the company's Design Library, aims to maximize the sensory experiences of cooking.“Hyundai Card wanted to create a space where people read books, smell savory food and see cooking a

Apr 28, 2017

New cooking library excites all five senses

Insect as food growing popular in Korea

  “Sundaegukbap” or Korean blood sausage and rice soup made with mealworm ground powder is on offer at Global Food's Park Nam-gyu’s restaurant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. / Courtesy of Global FoodMore restaurants advance in integrating insects into Korean foodBy Kim Ji-sooEverything futuristic, like new types of products and new types of cars, is trending throughout the world. This trend includes a new food item — insects.Cookies and pasta made from insects have been gaining popularity in Seoul through a restaurant called Papillon’s Kitchen, which was opened by Kim Young-wook, CEO of KEIL Co. and Korean Edible Insect Laboratory.As more consumers embrace insects as food, it is expanding into snack shop for pets and cafe for humans. Television shows such as “Law of the Jungle,” a Korean reality program where celebrities at times end up having to eat insects while they stay on remote islands, are pushing the trend.But come to think of it, in the past, Koreans have enjoyed insects in their food, although not recently.

Apr 28, 2017

Exploring life before civilization

Visitors take a photo during the Paleolithic Festival last year at Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of Yeoncheon County OfficeYeoncheon to host Paleolithic Festival May 3-7By Jung Min-hoYEONCHEON, Gyeonggi Province ― Bullets and tension are among the words that used to be associated with Yeoncheon County, which was part of North Korea before the 1950-53 Korean War.But the city with a population of only a little more than 40,000 has successfully turned itself into one of the most interesting places to visit during spring with a colorful event.The 25th Paleolithic Festival will be held at Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site, May 3 to 7. The annual event offers a glimpse into what it was like to live in an era without anything artificial other than polished stones.“About 140,000 people came for the festival last year, which is more than three times the number living here,” said Chung Se-mi, an event organizer. “We are expecting more visitors this year.”The most popular program, especially for children, is “eating like a

Apr 27, 2017

How to follow footsteps of Martin Luther

Statue of Martin Luther / Courtesy of the German National Tourist BoardBy Jung Min-hoFive hundred years ago, Martin Luther promulgated his 95 theses and criticized the Roman Catholic Church for its critical theological errors and institutional sins.Luther, then an obscure priest, nailed his proposals to the church door at Wittenberg and stood up against religious leaders who claimed freedom from God’s punishment for sin could be purchased with money.By doing so, he sparked not just the Protestant Reformation that would forever change the direction of Christianity but also breathed new life into the Christian faith, including Roman Catholicism.This year, travelers to Germany will encounter a plethora of interesting events to celebrate the 500th anniversary of his “95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” across the country.Nancy Choi, a PR representative of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) for Koreans, said she expects more Koreans to visit Germany.Korea, in which 30 percent of its population identify themselves as Christians, is one of the target

Apr 27, 2017

How to follow footsteps of Martin Luther

Seoul to expand tourist maps, signs to 7 languages

By Lee Han-sooThe Bukchon tourist map in front of the Bukchon Cultural Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan GovernmentTourist maps and signboards in Seoul, which were limited to English, Japanese and Chinese, will soon feature the Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indonesian languages.City officials said over 48 tourist signboards will be installed by the end of August in six autonomous districts -- Jung-gu, Gangnam-gu, Mapo-gu, Yongsan-gu, Eunpyeong-gu and Gwangjin-gu -- that get the most tourists.“By displaying additional languages in areas that are frequented by Southeast Asian tourists, we not only hope to improve tourist information for the tourists, but they also will have a more welcoming feeling,” a Seoul city official said. “The smart tourist guide signboards will allow visitors to search for various information, such as restaurants, sightseeing spots and local hot spots, in multiple languages.” 

Apr 27, 2017

Seoul to expand tourist maps, signs to 7 languages

New DMZ tour program to be launched in June

Paro Lake / Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jung Min-hoThe DMZ Peace Tour will give tourists a more intimate portrait of Korea’s division, starting in June.According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Monday, the program will guide tourists through key spots in South Korean cities close to the North.Tourists will begin their journey at Chuncheon Station. Once they reach the Seven Star Observatory in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, a bus will take them around other spots, including Paro Lake that runs through Hwacheon and Yanggu.Much of the area used to be part of North Korea before the Korean War (1950-53). The program may be interesting to those who want to learn about the violent confrontation between the South and North.The KTO expects the program to promote the value of peace and draw more tourists to the area in the coming years.The KTO plans to promote the program by inviting journalists, tour agents and international students to take the tour between May 3 and 13. 

Apr 24, 2017

New DMZ tour program to be launched in June

hotel briefs

Conrad Seoul’s outdoor sky lounge VVertigo opened on Wednesday after renovations. The lounge is offering a variety of food and beverages. Alcoholic beverages include cocktails, wine and beer. It opens at 3 p.m. until midnight from Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, it opens until 1 a.m. and on Sunday until midnight. Live music is available every Thursday. The place can accommodate up to 120 guests, with private seats for couples. VVertigo doesn’t take reservations. For more information, call (02) 6137-7766.Park Hyatt Seoul’s The Lounge is offering a green tea promotion until April 23. Guests can try a selection of premium green tea for two, chosen from the Woojeon, Gokwoo and Sejag varieties, served with special hwajeon, a sticky rice snack with flower petals. Woojeon refers to leaves picked in early spring, Gokwoo leaves picked for seven days starting from April 20, Sejag, leaves picked in late spring for eight to 10 days after Gokwoo. Tea will be served in the traditional tea ceremony style.The tea promotion costs 42,000 won for two, including tax an

Apr 20, 2017

Seoul hotels offer family packages for May

THE PLAZA is offering the “Hello Jadoo! Hello” package between April 29 and May 7, featuring Jadoo, a beloved animated TV character./ Courtesy of THE PLAZABy Kim Se-jeong Early May this year has many national holidays ― Labor Day on May 1, Children’s Day on May 5 and the presidential election on May 9 ― making it a perfect time for a short vacation.Thus, hotels in Seoul are offering a variety of family packages for those who are looking to spend time with beloved ones in the city.Sheraton Seoul D Cube City HotelSheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel’s “All for My Kids” package is for families with babies. The package includes a one-night stay in a Deluxe Room, Disney baby bath products, such as Mickey Mouse slippers and a Disney character bucket and basket, as well as a bath ball and the Sheraton signature D-bear. It also comes with free access to the gym and swimming pool, and three muffins. The package costs 265,000 won, excluding tax and is available in the entire month of May. For more information and reservations, call (02) 2211-2100.

Apr 20, 2017

Seoul hotels offer family packages for May

What makes Chinese chef at Grand Ambassador Seoul special

Lu Ching LaiBy Kim Se-jeong“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall”“Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” is the name of a Chinese soup, named so because, according to ancient Chinese history, it was so delicious that a vegetarian Buddha had to jump over the wall to eat the soup.Hong Bo Gak, the Chinese restaurant at Grand Ambassador Seoul, is one of the few places the city where guests can taste the Chinese delicacy that originated from Fujian Province.Instead of using shark fins, Lu Ching Lai, Chinese-Korean chef and the owner of the restaurant, uses a variety of seafood, beef and pork to accommodate the taste of Koreans. The soup is one of the most popular dishes at his place. “I make Koreanized Chinese food,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times. “There are many good authentic Chinese dishes, but if they fail to attract local Koreans, the reputation and recognition (of the restaurant) are meaningless.”The soup costs 99,000 won, but the restaurant serves a couple of dozen of it every day.With this philosophy, he also serves other dishes b

Apr 20, 2017

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

INTERVIEW Korea pursues two-track strategy in tourism

New cooking library excites all five senses

Insect as food growing popular in Korea

Exploring life before civilization

How to follow footsteps of Martin Luther

Seoul to expand tourist maps, signs to 7 languages

New DMZ tour program to be launched in June

hotel briefs

Seoul hotels offer family packages for May

What makes Chinese chef at Grand Ambassador Seoul special

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