Photo News

Hanji Koreas traditional paper

By Shim Hyun-chul Hanji is traditional Korean paper, made from the bark of paper mulberry. It is strong and long-lasting, known for not discoloring, even after some 1,000 years. The paper is mainly used for literary purpose, but also popular as a construction material for window and door since it is good for lagging. The traditional paper is also used in handicrafts, such as hanji dresses, paper dolls. In the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), ordinary people used scraps of paper to make folk art. “Korean Traditional Paper Craft Exhibition,” an exhibition on hanji, is currently at Namsangol Hanok Village, central Seoul. Three hanji craftsmen, Lee Soon-jae, Oh Jeong-bong and Oh Yung-jae, are displaying their artworks based on making techniques. The paper is reborn as flowers and birds by folding repeatedly. They also twist and weave long, narrow sheets of paper to create geometric patterns. The exhibition is free of charge and open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through February. Call (02) 2266-6923 for more information.

Image of PyeongChang PyeongChang residents welcome IOC delegates

By Yoon Chul PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission members seem to have confirmed the passion of PyeongChang residents in the city’s bid to host the 2018 Winter Games. During the second day of their stay in the city, the delegates encountered residents in the streets who warmly welcomed the delegates by waving national flags and those of the IOC expressing their ardent hopes that PyeongChang will be selected to host the Winter Olympics in 2018. The residents’ passion has gained further impetus with strong support from the Korean government and high profile figures such as President Lee Myung-bak and former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo who also served as the chairman of the bid committee for the 2014 Winter Games. Amid warm hospitality from the bid committee and the citizens, the inspection members seem to be carrying out their inspection in a comfortable atmosphere.

Snowboard FIS World Cup in PyeongChang

By Yoon Chul Snowboarding has quickly established itself in Korea, gaining popularity with many, especially the younger generation. But snowboarding enthusiasts here rarely see world-class boarders in action. On Wednesday, the Snowboard FIS World Cup was held at Yongpyong Resort in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province. The world’s top snowboarders including current world No. 1 Benjamin Karl of Austria competed in the parallel slalom (PSL) event. To the delight of the fans, the competitors took the races seriously and seemed to enjoy the run. A sporting spirit prevailed; the winners were congratulated by their peers with big smiles and warm handshakes. Their sportsmanship also shone on the slope. When Kentaro Yoshioka of Japan collided with Meinhard Erlacher of Italy, their disappointment was evident. But it ended in smiles once the riders picked themselves up.. In front of hundreds of spectators Austria’s Karl won in the men’s PSL race with Marion Kreiner triumphant in the women’s event.

Lunar New Years Day

By Shim Hyun-chul Seollal, Lunar New Year’s Day, is drawing near. The big holiday falls on Feb. 3 this year, and Koreans are preparing for a long weekend of family gatherings to share handed-down recipes and customs. On Seollal, one traditionally prepares ``seolbim,’’ or a brand new ``hanbok’’ (traditional Korean costume), in order to pay respects to late ancestors (``charye’’) and surviving elders (``saebae’’). One usually performs deep bows during both ceremonies, and exchange ``deokdam’’ or New Year’s greetings wishing one another good health and fortune. Elders usually give out ``saebaetdon’’ or New Year’s allowances for good luck. Festivities are never complete without a feast, and Seollal is all about ``tteokguk’’ or rice cake soup. Rice dough is thinly sliced into soup seasoned with pork broth, anchovies or oysters (depending on the region and household). Eating tteokguk means turning a year older. Afterward, family members gather around for various folk games, such as a board game using ``yutnori’’ sticks. Players try their best to yield the highest combi

Aaninka: rhythmic vision of Africa

By Lee Hyo-won A powerful percussion beat sets the stage for a maddening display of hip-gyration ― making the body part look like it’s a separate organism altogether ― crowned by far-projecting vocals and the occasional howl. It’s none other than Aaninka, a popular dance and music performance troupe from Cote d’Ivoire. The group has been taking the country by storm ― battling against top K-pop group dancers on the talent show ``Star King’’ and mixing ``Arirang’’ spirit into their repertoire. Their pulsating performance invites onlookers to let loose and feel the rhythm, and moreover, acts as a window into the culture of Cote d’Ivoire. ``The image of Africa is often negative ― political conflicts, refugees, AIDS. But there is also joy and life,’’ Sea Made Yul, founder-director of Aaninka, told The Korea Times in a recent interview at the troupe’s residential theater in Gyeonggi Province. ``That’s why we’re called Aaninka ― it means `new vision.’ We want to give people a new vision of Africa,’’ said Yul. The troupe stages long-handed down traditional dance sequen

Special forces undergo extreme winter drills

By Shim hyun-chul Freezing winter temperatures are no excuse for Special Forces soldiers in their sleek black berets to skip the brutal military training. With the thermometer hovering around minus 20 degrees Celsius, shirtless soldiers break the thick ice and submerge themselves in the icy water without a moment of hesitation. One team is given a mission to infiltrate enemy territory, while the other team carries out the task of building shelters, ambushing and deterring enemies in a surprise attack in the snow-covered mountain. Troops of the Special Warfare Command have begun their nine days of grueling training in the mountains of northeastern Gangwon Province. Their winter exercise also includes combat skiing in full gear weighing more than 30 kilograms. The snowy survival drill is held every year to improve the ability of the Special Forces to function in extreme weather. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Sang-Ki also participated in the exercise, eating MREs (meal, ready to eat) and skiing together with the young soldiers, in an attempt to boost the

Snow Flower Festival

By Shim Hyun-chul Amid the snowy trails and chilly winds, there is a unique event being held at the Namsangol Hanok Village. Snowy flowers have sprung up at the famous tourist and traditional hanok, or Korean traditional houses, site. The Namsangol Snow Flower Festival is being held at the Cheonwugak Square which is located at the heart of the village, attracting both passersby and tourists. The square has been transformed into a winter wonderland, thanks to the various themes of ice sculptures displayed for visitors to see. As soon as visitors walk into the square, they can find ice sculptures depicting Hangeul, or the Korean alphabet, while the igloos and Eskimo sculptures may have them feeling like they are in the North Pole. Inside the exhibition, there is also the beautiful hanok on display. The festival will be held through Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Merry Christmas!

Thatched roof of Changdeok Palace

By Shim Hyun-chul What, a humble grass-roof in the middle of a palace? Amid the elegant tile-roofed architecture in Changdeok Palace stands Cheonguijeong, a round thatch-roofed structure with a square floor measuring 15 square meters. Cheonguijeong, the only such edifice within the royal grounds, was built so that the king could empathize with his subjects. During the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), rice was planted in the small batch of farmland (about 20 square meters) in front of Cheonguijeong, as a means of watching prospects for the season’s harvest and the grass from the field was used to thatch the roof. The roof-thatching ceremony was reenacted on Dec. 7, inviting many tourists and passersby to stop and watch the entire process. The event was organized by the Rural Development Administration and Changdeok Palace attaches of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea. ``This year the Cheonguijeong farm had a good harvest but all the rice sheaves were destroyed by the typhoon,’’ said a staff member of the palace. ``And so we used grass provided by the Rural Develo

Cheonggyecheon Berlin Square

By Shim Hyun-chul With the winter chill in full swing, and the relations between North and South Korea entering a cold spell much like the frozen waters of Cheonggye Stream due to recent cross-border shelling, the Korean Peninsula is experiencing some of the highest tensions since the 1953 armistice. Being one of the world’s only divided countries, Korea knows firsthand the pain of war and separation, and so the times call for peaceful, prudent solutions. It might help to search for possible solutions outside the peninsula. Germany was able to stand back up on its own after a devastating world war, and South Korea was able to realize ``the miracle on the Han River,’’ becoming the only country in the world to become an aid-giving nation from an aid recipient. In terms of reunification, unlike the fall of the Berlin Wall, the elimination of the demarcation line here seems an increasingly elusive one. A part of the Berlin Wall can be found at the southern end of Cheonggye Stream’s Jangtong Bridge. These were installed in 2005 as a symbolic gesture wishing peace and reunif