Photos - The Korea Times

King Sejong Station

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The South Pole is one of the few places on Earth untouched by development or pollution. It is mankind's last hope, a last reservoir of resources. Sejong Base Camp, located on Antarctica's King George Island, some 17,240 kilometers from Seoul, celebrated its 20th anniversary Feb. 17. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, King Sejong Station was expanded, improving its facilities to accommodate up to 100 researchers, up from the current 60. Also, the Korea Polar Research Institute plans to commission an ice-breaking research vessel in 2009 and pursue in earnest its plan to build a base on Antarctica. South Korea began to pursue a base after becoming the 33rd signatory to the Antarctic Treaty in November 1986. Sejong Base Camp, its resident science camp, was completed Feb. 17, 1988. Numerous researchers who have worked at the camp have achieved many scientific feats. In 2003, a natural gas reservoir with a capacity that exceeds by 300-fold South Korea's annual consumption, was found in the Antarctic seas. Research into plankton in the Anta

Feb 21, 2008

`Ghost Busters’ Beat the Cold

By Jung Sung-ki, Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporters ``Snowfall and bitter cold put the mountain in a deep freeze, but failed to do in the Ghost Busters.'' The 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of South Korea's 1st Marine Division took part in an annual winter season drill on Mount Hwangbyeong in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The month-long training that began Jan. 14 was designed to enhance the battalion's combat abilities in extremely cold weather and heavy snowfall. The drill involved various physical fitness training sessions, skiing maneuvers, evacuation training, reconnaissance skills, tactical maneuvering schemes and first aid skills, Marine officials said. The winter training ended Thursday after a two week 400-kilometer march, they said. ``We have confidence in accomplishing our missions at any time to become the eyes and ears of the Marine Corps by spearheading our landing operations under any circumstances,'' said Lt. Col. Lim Sang-jin, chief of the battalion. The reconnaissance unit is the main combat force of the 25,000-strong South Korean Marine C

Feb 14, 2008

Korean Traditional Totem Pole

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Found at the entrance of an old village or in the middle of a mountain path in the countryside, savage-looking wooden poles stare down at visitors. Usually presented as a pair ― a male and female general ― these are ``jangseung'' or Korean traditional totem poles. With enlarged eyes, a bulbous nose and buckteeth, most jangseung express exaggerated depictions of the humorous sides of people. Though the origin of jangseung is not clear, they might go back to the prehistoric age when people resided near trees or rocks. Placed at the edges of villages, the main function of jangseung is to mark the village boundaries. Jangseung were also used as mileposts. The wooden totem poles were also erected to protect the village against evil spirits, fire or other disasters and to be worshipped as village guardian deities. The womenfolk prayed to jangseung for a male child. In addition to the main pair of jangseung, commonly other old jangseung stand around it. This is because old ones are not taken away when the new ones replace them. Male jan

Jan 31, 2008

Armored Brigade Holds Cold-Weather Training

By Jung Sung-ki, Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporters Two tank battalions of the Army's 5th armored brigade began five days of day-and-night field training exercise Jan. 23 to hone their combat capabilities in extreme weather conditions. The exercise, which took place near the Hantan River in Yeoncheon (150 kilometers northeast of Seoul) involved about 100 tanks, armored infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers and attack helicopters. Training was meant to simulate the capture of enemy positions across the river. Upon command, about 25 K1A1 South Korean tanks began firing 105mm high velocity cannons and M60 machine guns (under the cover of K-55 self-propelled howitzers and AH-1S Cobra helicopters) against ``enemy fortresses'' across the river. Commanders of the friendly forces direct operation oversaw the exercise by monitoring the Army Tactical Command Information System (ATCIS), a real-time battlefield command-control system. After several hours the mission was completed once forces successfully conquered enemy positions. ``Training is designed

Jan 24, 2008

Seoul Full of Attractions

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Seoul has emerged as one of the most exciting and attractive spots in Asia for tourists. It is well blended with modernity represented by high information technology juxtaposed with hundreds of years of history. Palaces in the city allow visitors to enjoy their rich cultural heritage, which harmonizes with modern buildings. The restored Cheonggye Stream has upgraded the city’s image. Also, with development of the city’s iconic Han River underway, there will be more on offer for travelers to see and enjoy. Citizens and travelers can use water taxis on the river to take a quick trip between the areas divided by the river and green parks on the river banks provide them with a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of life in the city. The city government will also hold its “Hi Seoul Festival” throughout the year, previously held only during spring. In spring, the festival will offer visitors a chance to learn the city’s history and traditional culture. The summer festival will be themed “Miracle of the Han River” with various even

Jan 17, 2008

Beauty of Upo Wetland

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The Upo Wetland is one of the largest natural wetlands in Korea and also a place where people can find a variety of animals and plant life flourishing together. It is spread across approximately 2.31 kilometers of Ibang-myeon and Daehab-myeon of Changnyeong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, created as the Soha stream starts to narrow down before it meets the Nakdong River. Perhaps because the wetland was created so long ago ― 140 million years ― it still holds the mysterious and natural beauty of primitive times. The wetland consists of four swamps: the Upo, the Mokpo, the Sajipo and the Jjokjibeol. The Upo, the largest of the four, was also known as the ``So-beol'' (or Cow-beol), due to its shape that looked as if a cow was drinking from it. The Mokpo and Sajipo were also called the ``Namu (tree)-beol'' and ``Morae (sand)-beol,'' all due to the abundance of pine trees and sand. Jjokjibeol was named because it was relatively smaller than the others (``jjokji'' means a small memo in Korean). During the winter, there are a vast number an

Jan 10, 2008

Mount Seorak - National Parks of Korea (1)

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The stone steps were endless. Climbing them brought back memories of happiness, sadness and regret. When it became even hard to think, blue sky shone through the thick forest. Cold, clear air signals arriving at the peak. Mount Seorak, or Seoraksan National Park, is known for its stunning peaks, beautiful valleys and fantastic rocks and stones. The highest peak on Mount Seorak, Daecheong Peak, is 1,708-meters, the third highest in Korea. The national park is located near Sokcho, Yangyang and Inje in Gangwon Province. Mount Seorak can be divided into three parts: Outer Seorak in the East near the East Sea, Inner Seorak in the West and South Seorak. Outer Seorak has steep slopes and is renowned for its waterfalls. Cable cars are in place from Sogongwon to Gwongeumseong allowing people to enjoy the superb view of the mountain with ease. Inner Seorak has many eye-catching falls such as 88-meter tall Daeseong Falls, the highest falls in Korea. Baekdamsa Temple, famous for being the dwelling place of prominent poet Han Yong-un, is also s

Jan 3, 2008

New Year Revellers

Jan 1, 2008

National Institute of Biological Resources

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Many of us must have the childhood memory of running through the grass and trees to catch dragonflies, grasshoppers or cicadas after reading Entomological Souvenirs by Fabre. The National Institute of Biological Resources in Incheon brings back these memories for adults and provides children with the experience of seeing Korean wildlife up close, with its impressive display of taxidermies. The institute exhibits 985 kinds of insects and animals native to Korea. The nation’s largest collection of preserved mammals has 22 native mammals on display, including a wild fox that is rarely seen . Also visitors can see a photo exhibition for animals on the verge of extinction, alerting people to the dangers of extinction for wildlife. An oil spill in seas off Taean, South Chungcheong Province, devastated the marine ecological system and wildlife as well. What will become of nature and wild animals? All can be seen in exhibition rooms at the institute where many road-kill animals show man’s ruining of the environment. The institute is

Dec 27, 2007

Glittering Christmas Spirit

By Shim Hyun-chul, Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporters Christmas is just around the corner ― yet with their busy lives many may find themselves somewhat indifferent to the Christmas decorations year after year. Those who don't have time to decorate their own Christmas trees should go out into the streets where they can see all sorts of trees filled with little bells and twinkling lights. Elaborately lit Christmas trees and buildings adorned with ornate light displays can be found all over town. Luminarie, the light festival, in the heart of the city draws many people as one of the top tourist spots. An outdoor skating rink enclosed with a magnificent light display is the highlight of this Luminarie. A giant Christmas tree stands in front of City Hall lighting up the spirit of the holidays as well. Follow the trees decked with blue lights to the Cheonggyecheon, the restored downtown stream, to find another fabulous light show. Department stores and hotels in the city center have also taken part in the decorations. Around this time of the year, hotels and department stores v

Dec 20, 2007

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