Vol. IV No. 88 May 2013

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By Darren Southcott

Just a couple of days before the inter-view I received an email - Rohit Talwar, renowned futurist, was calling off his visit to Jeju. The conflict with North Korea suddenly seemed a lot more real.

“I want to set the record straight here - our insurers told us, “if you travel some-where where there is an open declaration of war, we cannot insure you,” said Talwar. “As a business and family man, I had no choice.”

Luckily, that same day, a local insurer

was found. It displayed the kind of approach that Londoner Talwar says is essential at successful MICE events: “that was smart thinking, it was incredibly flexible and resolved the same day.”

Talwar talks a lot about being smart - and he should know. According to the London Independent he is a “crystal-ball gazer” and the man to ask if you want to know “What will happen if Britain is hit by an asteroid in the year 3000.” He introduces himself on website Speakers’ Corner as, “a global futurist who helps clients understand and respond to the trends and forces shaping the future.”

He specializes in thinking differently, acting fast and being first, “inspiring audiences with cutting edge insights and practical ‘how-to’ advice.” He is the founder of Fast Future Research, analyzing future trends, drivers and shocks. If you’re moving forward, he is the man you should have on board.

He touched down on Jeju for SMART MICE Week 2013 [see “What is MICE?” on page 2] at the Grand Hotel, Jeju City. Before arriving, Talwar knew little of Jeju as a destination and he sees this as its “profile-raising challenge:”

“There are so many places now com-

peting for the attention of the event-buyer. You have to tie in events with the key sectors you already have, such as tourism, wellness, food, the energy sector. This generates value locally and connects to the global industry.”

MICE events have been on the rise for a number of years now in Jeju with some high profile catches such as the World Conservation Congress in 2012. Talwar sees these specialized events as crucial to developing the Jeju brand.

“It’s about having the right type of event. There is a strong tourism sector here and you could also hold energy conferences. In my view, ‘SMART M I C E ’ i s a b o u t having a clear strat-egy about combining the business and leisure aspects. It’s about targeting the Continued on page 2

attention of the event-to tie in events with the already have, such as ess, food, the energy erates value locally and lobal industry.”ave been on the rise for a

now in Jeju with some hes such as the World ongress in 2012. ese specialized

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Jeju seeks advantage in game of cat and MICE

Photo cour-tesy

02 May 2013Jeju MICE The Jeju Weekly

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A life full of cultureA happy Korea

Thriving culturePlentiful happiness

Through culture, open your mind,revive the economy, build self-esteem,and make a happy Korea

Continued from page 1 events and measuring the long-term impacts.”

“Brand” is important for Talwar but he is clear that substance is the proof of the pudding. Island residents know that great effort is put into the Jeju image, but delivery is not always on a par. Talwar shared what this might mean for MICE events being held here.

“You need to get underneath slogans and say ‘what does this mean in practice?’ They are great for giving a focus to things...but the words aren’t enough. What is the detail and what are the mechanisms by which we can make these happen? The slogan is a brand promise and customers will get hold of that. If you deliver, people go back and tell that story,” he said.

The latest story Jeju is telling is “The world comes to Jeju and Jeju goes to the world.” Talwar insists this branding must be part of a strategic approach, philos-ophy and deep-rooted change.

“How do we understand that? Well, we

need to break it down and find the elements of it. What does it mean for an event holder? What will people expect from it? What is the journey like for an event owner, for sponsors, for delegates, for attendees? You need to deliver from arrival to departure and that starts at the airport.”

This “storytelling challenge” means Jeju promoting what it can offer the world. Talwar’s Jeju story before arriving was “infrastructure...natural attractions and strong eco-credentials,“ but - and it’s that word again - Jeju must be “smart” to take full advantage.

“Being smart is a mindset and philos-ophy...you need to respond ad hoc to what people want...because the booking window is getting shorter and shorter. Smartness is about being geared up to deliver events quickly.”

Despite the talk about future-proofing events, it is debateable whether the MICE industry itself is sustainable. Is it "smart" to meet at luxury destinations and fly in delegates from all corners of the world?

“Yes, there is a carbon footprint associ-ated with holding an event, [but] being smart...means working systematically to reduce [and offset] it...then beyond carbon looking at how to reduce consumption and waste,” said Talwar.

“It is about starting to think holistically and ensuring staff-ownership. They know what they are throwing away [and] getting them to pick out 50 or 60 exam-ples across an event where there is wastage. A very sustainable footprint [is achievable] by getting people to think about these things,” he added.

Talwar believes Korea has been smart so far and has told its story well, and Jeju has a chapter of its own there. Combining the storytelling with practice on the ground is not something all destinations are doing well: “Some of Asia is behind the game. They talk a good game but they have not followed through.”

Korea doesn’t have this problem, according to Talwar.

“Korea’s got a very strong brand glob-ally and...has become a focal point in the

world of technology and innovation - it has become a design leader...It is an economic miracle in a sense. If you came here six years ago there was a lot of willingness but not necessarily the capability. Now that is moving towards a much more professional service. Whether it is organizers or hoteliers, it is all moving along nicely. There are still things to fix, but Korea is on the right path.”

Jeju, now building its own distinct brand as a free international city, will be hoping that Talwar has helped in some way to guide it along that same elusive path of brand excellence.

Photo courtesy

What is the MICE industry?Definition of MICE = Meetings, Incentives, Conferences [or Conventions], and Exhibitions [or Events].

MICE events involve large groups being brought together for some particular purpose. MICE tourism usually consists of a well planned agenda centered around a particular theme, such as a hobby, a profession, or an educational topic.

MICE tourism is a specialized area with its own trade shows (IMEX) and practices. MICE events are normally bid on by specialized “convention” bureaus located in particular countries and cities and established for the purpose of bidding on MICE activities.

Source: http://micepoint.com

Selected MICE Events in Jeju2013 - 3rd Asia-Pacific Geopark Jeju

Symposium2012 - IUCN World Conservation Congress2011 - World Congress 36th World Small

Animal Veterinary Association World Congress

2010 - Amway Korea 2010 Leadership Seminar

2009 - PVSEC 19th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference

2008 - The 7th World Korean Business Convention

By Petroc Kernow

Rising between Shin Jeju and Gu Jeju, the Hancheon (river) inconspicuously rises south, to the rear of Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal. Easing the rains and snowmelt seaward, the river is largely dry, defined by steep canyon-like walls and wooded glades.

Thankfully light on North-Face hordes, your delight is doubled when you realise your hideaway is smack bang - yet hidden - in urban Jeju.

Although you might not yet know the name, you know the river: all have to cross the Hancheon when travelling between Shin Jeju and Gu Jeju. Many

surely imagine trekking the riverbed as the bus trundles over into the old part of town.

This walking path is also an aspiring Olle, lacking official designation. The local citizenry of Ora went to work constructing the path, perhaps resulting in its schizophrenic nature. Ora Olle, Bangseonmun Valley Course, the Hancheon Course, the Exile’s Path, or even the Temple Way are all the same beast, at one point or another.

The genius of the path is its variety: one moment you are in shaded glades with open vistas of Mt. Halla, and the next you are towered over by basalt columns which cast the riverbed into shadow. Often, you find your feet submerged in the Hancheon itself.

The valley is also renowned for the more than fifty “ma-ae-myeong” - engravings - at the course end. The “yeong-gak” - poems - and “myeong-gak” - names - were etched into the towering rocks by Joseon-era scholars between 1609 and 1750. In recognition it was designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province as a National Cultur-al Property.

Immediately upon entering the course, the urban environs are obvious: you stoop under a rumbling bridge, head low; there is no country breeze, nor the treat of birdsong. In fact, visual treats include a rubbish tip lovingly fostered by con-structors working along Bokji-ro; waste shamefully drips down the rapidly eroding riverside.

As you progress upriver, however, the river rises and the land around becomes wooded and rural. Snakes call this terrain home and the air freshens as you leave the road behind.

Many rocks have been named: “Baby Rock” - a submerged spine in a watery grave - and “Chipmunk Rock” - decidely rock-like - make you wonder how much these owe to tradition, or to Jeju’s love-affair with “concepts.”

The valley passes behind Jeju Halla Library, providing a perfect point of rest (or embarkation). A series of benches have kindly been provided with images of the course you are walking.

You learn that every May the riverbed comes alive with stringed instruments and refined arts for the Bangseonmun Festival (see left). The festival site is at the natural amphitheater at the course end. The rocks, taller here than else-where, boast the Joseon-era “yeong-gak” and “myeong-gak.”

People congregate, some rest silently, others share a gimbap on a boulder. A few clamber the rocks and gaze at the lofty inscriptions, pondering, “how did he get up there?”

Bangseonmun is thus part of Jeju’s exile culture, yet you needn’t be away from home, exiled or even scholastic to take a moment’s pause to admire the scenery.

The Gateway to the Gods is due south - behind the bus terminal.

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The Jeju Weekly

The 10th Bangseonmun FestivalMay 11 (Sat) - 12 (Sun) Bangseonmun ValleySinging contestLighting candles and traditional rites to wish for the preservation of Bangseonmun and Jeju as an environmental capitalHiking along the Bangseonmun ValleyFor more information, call 728-4801~2

The 14th Yongyeon Aboard ConcertMay 25 (Sat) 19:30 ~ 21:00 Yongyeon port230 artist participantsAnsan municipal Korean traditional orchestraJeju provincial choir, Jeju municipal choir and more. Student writing contest, street parade, aboard concertFor more information, call 729-2711

Heaven’s scenic flower gardenYongyeon Aboard Concert on the HancheonIn May, the queen of seasons, enjoy an art and culture festival at Bangseonmun and Yongyeon valleys

The “Gateway to the Gods” starts at the bus terminal

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04 May 2013Jeju MICE The Jeju Weekly

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Jeju Forum 2013: headline event

approaches By The Jeju Weekly

Jeju Forum for Peace and Pros-perity 2013 will be held May 29-31 at Haevichi Hotel, Seongsan. The Forum is billed as “one of Asia’s most comprehensive international forums where political, business, cultural and academic leaders gather together in Jeju, “Island of World Peace” to exchange opinions and to discuss ideas of multilateral cooperation for common peace and prosperity in the region.”

The theme for 2013 is “New Waves in Asia” and the event is hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province with the International Peace Founda-tion, East Asia Foundation and The JoongAng Ilbo.

The Forum is now entering its 12th year and 7th forum (initially being under the Jeju Development Insti-tute). Previously a peace forum, 2013 sees it being held under the ‘pros-perity’ banner, broadening to include economics, environment and culture. JPI President Moon Tae-young sees the change as positive:

“The challenges and paradigm of our times are in a state of flux and totally different from the ones when the Forum was first started in 2001. We cannot rely on the frameworks of the past. I think peace issues should be dealt with in a comprehensive

way, which includes environmental, gender, economical and cultural aspects,” said Moon.

Waves are inherently in flux and Moon feels the “New Waves in Asia” theme reflects the political realities of 2013.

“The year 2013 can be defined as a year of political transition...We don’t know that the changes in balance of power in the region will bring about changes in the international order of the Asia-Pacific area, as well,” Moon said.

There will be 50 concurrent ses-sions at Jeju Forum under the follow-ing key agendas:

- "In Search of Cooperative Leadership"

- "Common Prosperity beyond Crisis: from Turbulence to Excellence"

- "Natural Environment and Human Well-being"

- "Cultural Exchange and Global Coop-eration"

- "Vision for the Future of Jeju”

Key speakers include Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister of Malaysia and Hatoyama Yukio, former prime minister of Japan.

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May 29-31, 2013Haevichi hotel & resort, Jeju, Korea

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The Jeju Weekly

By Anne Hilty

“We are not dealing in medicine, but dealing with humanity.”

Those words represent the philosophy of Kim Han-joo, pharmacist of traditional medicine and scholar of Jeju’s medicinal plants. In the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him, Dr. Kim’s work is grounded in empathy for his fellow human beings – work he hopes one day to pass on to a fourth generation.

“I’m only 74,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “which is young by Jeju stand-ards; I have a long time yet to practice.”

Indeed, as suggested by the lecture series he is presently delivering on the longevity for which Jeju is renowned, he is in the prime of his life.

Dr. Kim’s grandfather opened the family practice in 1911. During the prior Joseon era the practice of Korean traditional medicine was encouraged, and numerous scholars studied same. Under Japanese rule, a system of licensing for doctors of Korean medicine was established, and the senior Dr. Kim, originally titled “hanyak chongsang” (Korean pharmacology specialist), became a “han-uisa,” or doctor of Korean traditional pharmacology.

When he died at the time of liberation in 1945, the business was passed to his son, the current Dr. Kim’s father, who ran it until his death in 1970. During this time, Western medicine took firm hold in Korea, and traditional Korean medicine suffered and was discouraged. Many such

practices closed, and the Kims’ business moved to its second and current location – just a few doors away from the first.

Somewhat surprisingly, Dr. Kim recounts that during the Park Chung-hee administration with its “Saemaeul Undong” or New Villages policy of eco-nomic reform under which traditional ways were renounced in favor of mod-ernity, traditional Korean medicine was not targeted but regained its status; this is likely due to the strong national identity favored at that time.

Upon his father’s death, Dr. Kim assumed full responsibility for what would be highlighted in 1974 by Joong-ang Daily, in a series of articles on family-owned businesses, as the premier example in its field throughout Korea. The people of Jeju over the years have not only relied on this family for medical treatment, but have also frequently brought local plants to be identified and studied, enhancing the family’s ongoing tradition of research.

Dr. Kim was originally educated in Western pharmacology at Seoul National University. He gained a comprehensive knowledge of Korean and Chinese pharmacology from his father and other mentors.

In 2004, in endeavor to preserve the knowledge of Jeju’s traditional medicine and medicinal plant species as well as the local vocabulary related to this field, Dr. Kim obtained a PhD in biology/life science from Jeju National University (JNU) – at the age of 67.

His thesis, “Studies on the Medicinal Resource Plants on Jeju Island,” contains

a 125-page chart detailing 173 biomedical plants that grow on Jeju, including the scientific Latin name, name in standard Korean and (if different) in Jeju dialect, crude drug name, part(s) used, constit-uents, medicinal action, folklore, prescription, area of distribution, and relevant literature. Further, he developed a table which groups these plants by their uses according to the diagnostic methods of Oriental Medicine. In addition, he charted 203 Jeju plants not yet used medicinally but with potential for same.

To say that Dr. Kim’s body of work represents a gift to the people of Jeju and to the medical field itself would be an understatement. This is perhaps his opus magnum, for which he received recognition from Korea’s Ministry of Environment.

He continues to conduct research with colleagues at JNU, currently focused on the uses of Jeju’s medicinal botany. Last year, he developed a series of video lectures on this topic, filmed in honor of the World Conservation Congress (WCC) of the International Union for Conser-vation of Nature (IUCN) which took place on Jeju.

The aforementioned lecture series on longevity is being delivered at the Agriculture Technical Institute located in TechnoPark, as a special project under the Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) program. The field of medicinal plants has been identified as one of the country’s growth industries, and Jeju is a major exporter of same.

Two of Dr. Kim’s descendants, a son and a daughter, are doctors of western medicine, and a few of his nephews are also doctors, one of western and two in Korean medicine. In Busan there is a specialized four-year graduate program for those educated in western medicine to also become doctors of Korean medicine, and Dr. Kim trusts that one of the young doctors in his family will follow this path and continue the family business.

Insoodang Pharmacy is located in Ido-1dong, near the southeast corner of the Jungang-no intersection. Although Dr. Kim speaks moderate English, one must be accompanied by an interpreter for comprehensive consultation.

History, and the riches of traditional medicine, live on in this family-owned “hanyak-guk” – and in Dr. Kim Han-joo.

Dr. Hilty is a cultural psychologist from New York who now makes Jeju her home.

By The Jeju Weekly

Jeju provincial government finally announced on April 12 that investment for the Myths and History Theme Park had been secured from China’s Landing Group.

The 900 billion won project is split into two developments: Site H will include the Myths and History Theme Park, with Jeju and Norse mythology, plus water gardens and a hotel; Site J will include a luxury villa complex. The total site covers 1.42 million square meters of land in Seogwang-ri, Andeok-myeon.

An MOA-signing ceremony, held at Jeju provincial government office, was attended by Jeju Governor Woo Geun-min, local government officials, Jeju Development Corporation officials,

village representatives and Landing Group. Landing Group, with 1200 employees, has assets of 1.44 trillion won and last-year profits of 900 billion won from projects such as apartments, hotels and finance.

The agreement dates back to an investment fair held by Jeju provincial government in Shanghai in August 2012. Group officials were also present at Governor Woo’s recent Foreign Invest-ment Promotion Committee convention in March, when potential overseas investors were hosted at the Jeju Grand Hotel and taken to the Jeju Fire Festival.

Landing Group consented to Jeju’s overtures after the local government offered investment incentives and permits for a project that had struggled to attract funding. Further assistance will also be offered during construction.

In response to Jeju citizens’ concerns,

an assessment began in February investi-gating Landing Group’s credit situation, investment credibility and suitability for the project. Only once this had been satisfied was the group approved for the project.

Jeju officials are keen to show transpar-ency around foreign investment and this is the first Chinese project to have gone through the provincial government’s

assessment process. The pace of develop-ment in the province, particularly from overseas investors, has led to conflict with locals who feel there is a lack of transparency.

Negotiation between Landing Group and the Jeju authorities will continue before a construction start date is set for the Myths and History Theme Park.

A century of healing - Insoodang Pharmacy and

Dr. Han-joo Kim

Landing Group lands landmark Jeju deal

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06 May 2013Global Jeju The Jeju Weekly

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By Matt Harris

The Korean government, both local and national, has set up several websites aimed at helping foreign residents through the trials and tribulations of life in Korea. I am going to look at how useful they are and what more they could do to ease the transition into life in the Orient.

The three websites I’ll be looking at are Jeju's english.jeju.go.kr, the Seoul equivalent english.seoul.go.kr and the national www.hikorea.go.kr.

I thought that I’d start with a fairly mundane inquiry to test the three: how do you deal with refuse in Korea? This is a question that has vexed many a “waygook” over the years as they try and remove the first few weeks’ debris (often a depressing litany of soju bottles and Macdonald’s packaging) from their cramped apartments.

I typed “garbage” into the internal search engines of all three websites. Hi Korea came up with results about some green initiatives and Seoul’s website let me know about a landfill site that is now a nature park. Jeju’s, however, took me straight to where I needed to go, giving me every single refuse disposal regulation known to man.

Once I spent a couple more minutes digging around the Seoul website I did find the requisite information which was more concise and easy to digest than on the Jeju site. As for Hi Korea, after a good 10 minutes of searching I still couldn’t find what I was looking for. (However, this could easily be due to my own incompetence.)

Although this might seem a relatively flippant way of evaluating the websites, the way the websites deal with a question like this is pretty representative of how they deal with general questions about

functioning in Korea.On the whole they do this well: infor-

mation on the basic necessities of life (medical, housing, transport, food) is easy enough to access as are lots of important phone numbers (emergency services, embassies etc). The websites do a solid, if unspectacular, job at providing information to help fresh-of-the-boat (and not-so-fresh) waygooks through their daily grind.

A word about Hi Korea: the reasons I found it difficult to locate information

are probably twofold - one being that I’m not very internet savvy and the second being that Hi Korea seems to be geared more towards visa issues than anything else. The information regarding immi-gration, jobs and visas is both well organized and comprehensive and if you have any questions along those lines it’s definitely the place to go.

What could be done to improve these websites? I think there are a couple of changes that would make both the Jeju and Seoul websites easier to use and

more effective at transmitting infor-mation.

First I would have clearer lines of demarcation between the “Living in Korea” sections and the tourism sections, perhaps even two separate websites. The benefits of this would be: 1. A less cluttered website that was easier to navigate; 2. A more focused website giving more detailed information.

Second, and most pertinently, I would involve some longer term foreign residents in the content creation for the websites. Most foreign residents encounter the same problems during their time in Korea, so the perspective of people who have lived here for five, six, seven plus years would be an invaluable resource for those who arrived more recently.

I think an ideal resource would be a “Korea survival guide,” a collaborative effort between both Koreans and non-Koreans available online and regularly updated as laws and regulations change.

There is of course an attempt to do something of this sort in the ‘Jeju Life Guidebook,’ but that is pretty dry and only targets the teachers at the Jeju Global Education City. They of course are a completely different animal to your average split-shift hagwon monkey and this diversity of needs is not catered for in what is an uninspiring roll call of facts, with little ‘inside information.’

That being said in four years in Korea I haven’t used any of these websites: what I have used is word-of-mouth advice from experienced expats and websites such as Waygook.org, run by expats.

If sources of information such as these could be concentrated into one user-friendly, simple, concise website then many more people would use it and it would probably save Koreans and foreigners alike a lot of hassle.

Expat internet services improve, but still wanting

Reddot design award winner 2013Hallasu

Another wonderHallasu is coming to youJeju Island, New7Wonders of NatureThe world’s treasure Island and guardian of water! HallasuLaunching

07May 2013 Sportsw

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The Jeju Weekly

By Matt Harris

April 13 and 14 saw the annual Jeju Dirty Dozens Ultimate Frisbee tournament return to the Kang Chang Hak Stadium in Seogwipo City. The tournament is renowned throughout the nation among frisbee enthusiasts and as always it was an awesome weekend, even for a five-year veteran like myself.

The sun shone, hucks were thrown, beer was drunk, flicks were flicked and lay outs were laid out. Another tournament veteran Sean Ferguson said that it gave him “camaraderie, focus, and drive that I haven’t felt since high school sports.” Emily Baker, a newcomer who has only played the sport for one month, said the weekend was “outstanding” and that she was impressed that the “spirit of the game was completely different

from any team sport I’ve ever played.”

You’d be extremely hard pressed to find anyone who has anything but praise for what remains the best weekend of the year on Jeju, even with the competition there is in that department.

The party on Saturday night was typically raucous and after a long day playing hard it was no surprise that many partied harder. One island exile even felt it necessary to

fling a frock around his head into the early hours.

Despite the sore heads come Sunday the competition to win each bracket was as keen as ever. In the end Jeju teams were able to take both the B and C championships with Access the Dragon and Harriscary Elephants winning each, respectively.The A championship game was an exciting affair with Seoul A eventually triumphing over Seoul B.

Spirit abounds on and off the field at Dirty Dozens 2013

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08 May 2013Jeju Now The Jeju Weekly

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By Darren Southcott

Things are heating up on the Korean Penin-sula. The Western media revel in this environment, trading Orientalisms for Occidentalisms with the North Korean regime. While the regime’s KCNA warns of a “merci-

less war,” John Sweeney of the BBC responds with, “The regime is mad, bad and silly, all at the same time.”

Koreans have lived their whole lives with these threats but many observers have noted the tension-ratcheting reaching new levels of bellicoseness. The BBC relayed this from Pyeongyang’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee:

“The situation on the Korean peninsula is

heading for a thermo-nuclear war. In the event of war, we don’t want foreigners living in South Korea to get hurt.” The KCNA also requested foreigners to “take measures for shelter and evacuation in advance for their safety.”

How seriously should these threats be taken? The Jeju Weekly caught up with some inter-national residents of Jeju Island and asked if they were affected by the situation.

Conflict looms:“know your enemy” or just

“Gangnam Style”?

Frank Hardee (UK, Seogwipo City)“Most of my family and friends in the UK are worried because they have been reading the western press. I was in Seoul two days ago and people were more interested in Psy’s new single than in North Korea. That's my attitude, it's all just over the top rhetoric. Chill out and Gangnam style!”

Andrew Elwood (US, Seogwipo City)“Even in light of the fact that this round of bellicose threats from Pyongyang is in some ways different from past outbursts...I would be very surprised if this recent tantrum results in anything more than the domestic and foreign political posturing that typified the DPRK's previous leader's rule.”

Jonathon Richardson (UK, Jeju City)It's a vanity exercise that benefits North Korea and America, domestically...What both parties want is the opportunity to talk and negotiate. The sooner this happens the better: maybe that will make the concerned emails from friends and family cease. It might also mean that a day can pass without me seeing the phrase 'bellicose rhetoric' in a newspaper.

James Hill (UK, Seogwipo City)It seems to me the problem here is not that the situation with North Korea has changed...but [the international attention has] increased the feeling of urgency around Pyeongyang's threats. Missile launches and nuclear tests are nothing new, the North has been a nuclear state for a long time now, and they've so far managed to resist the urge to blow up small sections of Seoul. Of course, if they up the ante too far and the South does something stupid, it could all change, but as it stands? No worries. If they start shelling islands again, I'll reconsider my position.

Alexis Oesterle (US, Jeju City)Life has gone on as normal here. I do believe most of our friends/families in our home countries are more concerned than we are. I think the media certainly plays a part in the hype. However, I would also say that most of my friends and I have registered with our embassies for "just-in-case" reasons.

Viktoria Safarian (US, Jeju City)With something as horrific as a nuclear war, I think my mind creates a cognitive dissonance against the possibility. We go on with daily life as if nothing is threatening us but every time we glance at a world news outlet, we remember that, in fact, dire threats have been made. How can one prepare for a nuclear war? Many of us rationalize North Korea's recent announcements to be empty threats because we simply cannot imagine the consequences of taking them seriously. Shall we leave Korea and our lives behind? I just made the decision to stay in Jeju for at least another year. Of course, thinking about what could happen fills me with dread but I refuse to be confined by fear.

Mary Rager (US, Jeju City)At first, it was typical ruckus. As it's escalated, we have planned what we would do if things become more serious. Personally, I feel safe in my everyday life but I feel that those who "laugh it off" are being a bit ignorant. No drastic measures need to be taken right now; however, we should not underestimate our enemies. Be aware. Be conscious. Be knowledgeable in what is going on and why. Be smart.

Kimberly Morgan (US, Jeju City)I was worried and now I am just annoyed. I refuse to take suggestions from a dictatorship on making my life decisions. I refuse to use fear as my decision-making method. Whatever happens, I feel better about doing what I want to do than contributing any more of my emotional energy to this fear-mongering b*******. I can be informed, but I refuse to let it affect my course of action at this point.

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The Jeju Weekly

Weapons and culture collide at the Jeju Mokgwana

By Ryan MacDonald

Sunday afternoons are not known for swinging razor sharp weapons, but that’s what transpires at the Jeju Mokgwana during the traditional Korean martial arts and weaponry performances. Spectators are treated to an exciting exhibition of Korean culture, including electrifying displays of precision archery, sublime spear wielding, and keen swords-manship, slightly more exciting than your

typical Sunday walk in the park.Put on by the Jeju Traditional Culture

Group, performances are being held at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. until Oct. 6 (excluding the hot season of July 1 to Aug. 31). There is no charge and the show lasts half an hour. Afterwards, audience members are encouraged to try their hand at shooting the bows and arrows, brandishing the swords and spears, and receive brief instruction from the performers, provid-ing an excellent photo opportunity unsurprisingly seized by many.

The brand of martial arts being per-formed is revered for being particularly rich in history. Having often withstood invasion throughout history, Korean soldiers adopted martial arts and battle tactics from various different enemies, creating their own diverse and unique methodology, with the resulting system being both a composite of other cultures and intimately Korean.

The production itself begins with several rows of young children and adolescents, both male and female, executing a synchronized spear routine while wearing traditional warrior uniforms, evoking the kind of scene that would have been commonplace inside palace walls of past dynasties. The hanok-style roofs of the Mokgwana, live drumming, and a pre-recorded sound-track consisting of ominous music, narration, and the occasional “clang” of weapons, ensures an atmospheric back-drop for proceedings.

After the youth have finished the opening act, which establishes that the tradition is in good hands for years to come, the older masters show off the skills they’ve been honing for a lifetime. This pattern is repeated throughout the program for each new phase of the art or weapon demonstrated, giving the audience insight into what the tradition means to those practicing it at different points in their lives.

The youngest children are wrought with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment; whereas the teenagers start to show a more controlled and reserved approach, culminating in the stoic discipline of the older generation.

The spectators also come in all ages. There are older tourists, married couples, and families with children. Frequent gasps and awes exude from the crowd, with the most unbridled exclamations of delight coming from the youngest onlookers, who can also be seen mim-icking the performers during the choreographed sword fights.

Some of the highlights are the archery and sword demonstrations. Archers stand in a row simultaneously and accurately fire arrows at a target in a series of different poses. Then later, the swordsmen set up an obstacle course of bamboo sticks and proceed to slice and carve them as though they were twigs. For the grand finale, a row of several large bottles of Sam Da Soo are placed on a table and expertly cut in half.

The performances provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to observe and participate in an important aspect of Korean history and tradition. Jeju Mokgwana, where the combination of lethal weaponry and ancient culture makes for a decidedly pleasant Korean Sunday afternoon.

Photo courtesy

By Anne Hilty

An art exhibit of some magnitude is currently on display in Jeju.

“My Chagall, Your Picasso,” displaying the works of more than 50 of the western world's masters, is unprecedented on this island. In celebration of the museum's 4th anniversary, it is by a margin the largest and most remarkable display that either JMoA or any other Jeju museum has offered to date.

Genres represented in the exhibit include Cubism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Ecole de Paris, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and more, representing 19th~ 20th century artists primarily from western Europe and the Americas.

The show is on loan in its entirety from the Venezuela National Museum of Art Foundation, co-sponsored by the govern-ments of Jeju and Venezuela and under-written by Nonghyup and Jeju banks. The collection was first exhibited late last year at Chonbuk National University Museum in North Jeolla Province, where new JMoA director and artist Kim Hyun Sook and colleagues saw it and were inspired to bring it to Jeju.

Experts from the museum in Venezuela traveled to Jeju in order to personally

hang the show, instructing the local museum staff in proper climate, lighting and other control. The foundation that owns the paintings is understandably cautious with its care and display.

Placement and lighting of the exhibit's works is flawless, though the prescribed traffic pattern, while its practicality and necessity are understood, is somewhat more controlled than one might like. The works are displayed through the entire two floors of the museum with a good deal of space and flow which preclude

any sense of crowding.For those familiar with western art, this

can feel like a visit with old friends, as works of virtually all expected masters are included. For others, the show can give the impression of a visit to any num-ber of museums in Paris, London, Barce-lona or New York.

Wall descriptions of each genre are offered in English, Chinese and Japanese as well as Korean. Audio guide headsets are provided in Korean language only, as is the show's brochure, and the attractive

program book for sale in the gift shop. Director Kim expressed regret that their budget for the exhibit did not allow for the inclusion of more translated materials.

The show opened on March 19 with an admission price of 10 thousand won, and attendance in the first two weeks exceeded 10 thousand. It will run through July 14.

Dr. Hilty is a cultural psychologist from New York who now makes Jeju Island her home.

“My Chagall, Your Picasso” World Art Masters exhibition at Jeju Museum of Art

Photo by

10 May 2013Sports/JDC Junior Journalists The Jeju Weekly

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United dominate Gangwon but lack steel at Pohang By Dave Cunning

Jeju United had a week to think about the defeat to Jeonbuk Motors on April 6 before taking on Gangwon FC in front of 4,773 fans in Seogwipo, April 13. The 4-0 home win suggests Jeju were keen to bounce back in style.

The match started out evenly, with neither side garnering any true advantage in the early stages. Jeju broke the ice in the 31st minute, as Jae-Won Heo tracked down a rebound off the crossbar, and buried it behind Gangwon’s goalkeeper from inside the six-yard box. Heo’s first goal of the year gave United a 1-0 lead.

Jeju fed off their mounting momentum, generating more and more quality scoring opportunities. Minutes after Jeju’s first goal, Pedro nearly ran the entire length of the field with the ball, bobbing and weaving through Gangwon’s defenders with ease, only to be upended just before the goal.

As the game wore on, Gangwon’s resist-ance to Jeju’s attacks began to wane. Their best scoring chances came from free and corner kicks, and the few opportunities they were able to create during regular play were intercepted and skillfully turned aside by Jeju’s goal-keeper, Jun-Hyuk Park. The visitors were lucky to escape the first half only down by one goal.

As both teams returned to action for the second half, Jeju began to assert their dominance over K-League Classic’s last place team. United opened the floodgates in the 59th minute, as Pedro cut through the middle of the field to the edge of the

penalty area and pounded a strong shot into the right of the net, putting Jeju ahead 2-0.

Not even a minute later, Soo-Il Kang directed a shot on net that knocked Gangwon’s goalkeeper off his marks, and induced a juicy rebound that Pedro was somehow able to backheel into the back of the net. Pedro’s second of the game increased the home team’s lead to 3-0. The sequential goals were Pedro’s third and fourth of the season.

Jeju did not let up, and added their fourth goal of the game only seven minutes later. A tremendous effort by

Il-Hwan Bae allowed him to move from the corner to the top of the penalty area with the ball, and then wire a shot past Gangwon’s goalkeeper, much like Pedro did earlier in the match. It was Bae’s first goal of the year.

A testament to their dominance of the game, Jeju stayed committed to defense even in the closing minutes of the game, and thwarted even the most threatening of Gangwon’s scoring chances with ease. The visitors appeared to finally get on the board in the 87th minute, but the goal was ruled offside. In what seemed to be a play of desperation, a Gangwon player

threw up a bicycle kick in the fading moments of the match, but the shot failed to hit Jeju’s net.

Gangwon made a valiant push to score towards the end of the game, but their efforts were both too little and too late, and Jeju’s 4-0 lead held up.

“The beginning of the match was difficult,” said Jeju midfielder, Soon-Hyung Kwon after the game. “As time went on, we focused on scoring goals so we could win. I hope we will be victorious next game as well.”

The next game took Jeju to Pohang Steelers, a team flying high at the top of the K-League Classic. As with other games on the road this year, it was a tight affair decided by a late goal.

With seven minutes left United gave away a free kick just outside their own box. Pohang substitute Jin-ho Shin stepped up and curled off the underside of Jun-hyuk Park’s crossbar. The defense should have dealt with the rebound off the crossbar, but it fell kindly to Myeong-ju Lee who drilled it home.

The result left Jeju seventh on 11 points while Pohang are in top spot on 18 points. Jeju will fancy their chances in their next game on April 27 as they visit lowly Daegu, a team propping up the table without a win all season.

Dave Cunning is a freelance writer from Kelowna, BC, Canada. Read his blog http://davecunning.wordpress.com and follow him on Twitter: @davecunning

[Interview translation provided by Barnabas Han]

Photo courtesy

By Ko Ji Yeon

No one can live without food. People all over the world have adapted themselves to their own environment and produced unique local food. Therefore, food is not only vital to life, it is also part of the tradition of the local area.

Jeju is an island with unique customs and its own peculiar food traditions. The most typical feature is the bland-

ness of the food. The reason for this relates to Jeju’s many gods. To offer food to the gods, they used just a small amount of salt. However, like the Jeju dialect, food recipes and spices have changed with influences that have spread from the capital, Seoul.

In addition, the natural environment was too hard for rice farming so in the olden days Jeju people ate barley or buckwheat.On top of all of that, Jeju people must have gone through various hardships since they were very poor. Due to these three main factors,

Jeju’s food culture is very distinct from other areas in Korea.

This hallmark distinctiveness may be unfamilliar to other people, but if we promote such characterastics in a positive way they might globalize. Mr. Ko Kyeong Chan, a professional cook, said: “standardization is the most important thing for globalization.” He selected bingddeok as the most suit-able to appeal to foriegners, because it is very portable and easy to promote at the same time.

Bingddeok is a kind of rolled pan-cake, something familiar to other food cultures. Its ingredients are very easy to find in Jeju and just by using a small amount of buckwheat plenty of bingddeok can be made. They are made individually, so our forebears on Jeju could easily share them with each other.

“Team ‘TIVE” from the 4th JDC Junior Journalist Program experi-enced making bingddeok. Compared to other kinds of food, it didn’t require any specialized skills. However, as the Junior Journalists are not very good at

cooking and it was their first time to make bingddeok, they could’t make them perfectly. But with more practice they could surely improve!

Here is the recipe for bingddeok:Ingredients: two cups of buckwheat,

two teaspoonful of salt, two cups of water, raddish 200g, 1 tablespoonful of ground welsh onion, 1 tablespoonful of ground garlic, 1 teaspoonful of ground sesame mixed with salt, 1 teaspoonful of sesame oil.

Recipe :1. Wash and “Julienne” the radish and parboil

it in salt water. Season it with ground Welsh onion, ground garlic, and ground sesame mixed with salt and sesame oil.

2. Mix the buckwheat flour with the salt and water.3. Heat up oil in the frying pan.and fry the

buckwheat flour mix to make thin pancakes.4. Place the seasoned radish from step one on to

the pancakes and roll.

With this recipe, you can enjoy the bingddeok taste and also experience the Jeju people’s poverty, hardship and toil through their culinary culture.

JDC Junior Journalists

Jeju food: a product of local tradition and culture

11May 2013 News Briefsw

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The Jeju Weekly

Sandorong“Sandorong” means “cool” in Jeju dialect.Jeju tangerines are sweet and sour,and they are also “Sandorong.”So, can you guess what “Maendorong” means?

To contact the artist, email greamarts@gmail.com, or connect with “GREAM” on Facebook.

Roe Deer Observation Center visitor information

The Roe Deer Observation Center announced its admission fee details and changed operation regulations. From May 1 visitors to the Observation Center are required to pay an admission and activities fee.

Admission fee: Adult tickets are 1,000 won while youth tickets are 600 won

Activities: Making a deer toy costs 3000 won per toy and feeding the deer costs 1000 won for each person.

Opening hours: The center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday until October and the time of last entry is 5 p.m. For the activities, feeding of the deer takes place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and making roe deer toys is available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Airport expansion study to be conducted in June

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport will investigate air traffic demands at Jeju airport in June of this year. The investigation will include a base benchmark measured against the differentiated demands of each airport in the nation.

The project will decide whether to expand existing airport facilities or construct a new airport in preparation for increased numbers of tourists.

Jeju is in the running to be selected for new airport construction as reflected in the fifth airport development long-term plan to be reviewed at the end of 2015.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport forecasts that Jeju International Airport will become overcrowded, and is expected to peak in 2019, six years earlier than previous estimates.

President Park Geun-hye pledged to expand Jeju International Airport or construct a new facility during her presidential campaign last year. In addition, at the Supreme Council held in Jeju in February, the ruling Saenuri Party stated the project was a top priority.

Taxi fare hike for JejuJeju taxi fares, frozen since 2009, are set for a hike

after the drivers’ union pushed for a change. For smaller taxis, fares will rise from 1,900 won to 2,200 won, while medium-sized vehicles will see fares rise from 2,200 won to 2,800 won. Large taxis will go from 3,300 won to 3,800 won. The Traffic System Improvement Committee plans for the rise to become effective from June.

10 cities and provinces have already raised the basic taxi rate, such as Busan, Daegu, Gwangju and Chungnam and Jeonnam. A local government official said: “Despite other cities and provinces already raising, or planning to raise the basic taxi fare, Jeju has frozen taxi fares for the last four years. Raising the basic taxi fare in Jeju is inevitable.”

Taxi type Number Current basic fare (won)

Planned rise (won)

Small 1 1900 2200Medium (carries four) 5397 2200 2800Large (people carriers or minivans) 35 3300 3800

Jeoji Artists’ Village By Kim Jinmi

Jeoji Artists’ Village was designated a cultural district on March 8, 2010. After Daehakro, Insadong, Incheon Gaehangjang and Heyri villiage, it is only the fifth such designation nationwide. The area covers 325,100 square meters in Jeoji-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju-si. Jeju provincial government regulates and manages the village.

The designation aimed to revitalize the village and in Sept. 2007 the Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art was opened on a 1,774 square-meter site. There are also a number of other galleries and other art installations throughout the village, as detailed on the map (left).

A Jeju Museum of Contemporary ArtB Outdoor performance theater C Art residency

Public parking lot E Public toilet F Kim Heung-su atelier G Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art -

Annex H Art walking path

1 Dolhareubang (stone grandfather) stonemason, Lee Chang-won

2 Gallery Nori, Lee Myeong-bok3 Wild flowers

4 Korean painting, Kim Hyun-suk5 Comic strips, Kim Kyung-su6 Wild world botanic garden, Bang

Han-suk7 Issac convenience store8 JIN gallery, Park Gwang-jin JIN9 Sculpter, Park Seok-won10 Yeongoje, Min Yi-sik11 Calligraphy workshop, Hyun Byeong-

chan12 Tammukwon, Jo Su-ho13 Dongil gallery, Lee Jong-yeol 14 Paper house, Kim Kyung15 Page U, Yu Hyun-su

16 Ink fragrance sharing site, Jo Jong-suk17 Ink fragrance hall, Jo Jong-suk18 Sunjangheon, the home ofYang Ui-

suk’s house19 Folk art, An Yeong-mo20 Songroeheon, Lee Song-ja21 Mongsengyi, Yang Sun-ja22 Architect, Kim Se-yi23 Painter, Park Seo-bo24 Sosim sarang, In Min-a25 The gallery, HYUN, Kim Hyeon-suk26 Western-style painter, Ko Yeong-hun27 Bonsai cultivator, Ko Kyung-ho

FOUR SEASONSThe best skin care in Jeju

Tel: 82-64-744-7682 Email: ejejuchiro@hanmail.net

12 May 2013Calendar The Jeju Weekly

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Community CalendarJeju Education Meetups

Korean-English Language Exchange

Jeju Foreign Language Club (English)

Performance and Festivals

Nanta

“Action Drawing Hero” performance art

A Saturday Walk in the MuseumWith Great Escape Tour concert

Exhibitions

Buddha’s smile in Jeju

Beyond Realism exhibition

Kim Heung-su’s Jeju haeyeo exhibition

April 3rd memorial events

Recreation

Free Movies at Jeju Movie Culture Art Center

http://blog.naver.com/jmoviecenter/

Fesitvals

The 10th Bangseonmun Festival : Scenic heaven’s flower garden, Yeong-guchunhwa

Jeju City AnnouncementsAdvice to prevent AI infection in humans (respiratory disease infection)

Jeju City Tour Bus

Seogwipo City AnnouncementsThe 3th Seogwipo Culture Festival with village art project “Utopiaro”

The 5th Gapado Green Barley Festival

Connecting with The Jeju Weekly

Contacting the Editor

Advertizing

Picking up The Jeju Weekly

Homemade-style Mexican restaurant!

Boss Tacos

Jeju traditional and five-dday marketsDongmun traditional market - dailySeomun traditional market - daailytJeju City 5-day Market2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, and 277th of each monthHallim 5-day Market4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, and 29tth of each monthSehwa 5-day Market5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, and 300 of each monthHamduk 5-day Market1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, and 26thh of each month

Seogwipo traditional andd five-day marketsSeogwipo Maeil Olle Market - ddailytJungmun Rural Five-Day MarkketOpen: 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of each monthSeogwipo Rural Five-Day MarkketOpen: 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th, aand 29th of each month.Seongsan Five-Day Market, DDaejeong Five-Day MarketOpen: 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, 21st, aand 26th of each month.Pyoseon Five-Day MarketOpen: 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, and 27th of each monthMoseulpo Jungang market - dailyMoseulpo Saturday Market -t EEvery Saturday from 10 a.m

Traditional five-day markets