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Holidays
Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
Jan. 1 Seollal: Lunar New Year’s Day
(Lunar calendar) The days immediately before and after Seollal
also make up this 3-day holiday
Welcome to
Korea
Facts and Figures
Seoraksan (Mountain)
Gayasan (Mountain)
Jirisan (Mountain)
Land and Climate
Hangeul
Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, is composed of 10 vowels and 14
consonants. King Sejong the Great and his scholars created this
writing system in 1443, because Koreans were relying on Chinese
characters to study, teach and communicate in written form, even
while they spoke a language different from Chinese.
Hanbok
Hanbok has been Korea’s traditional costume for
thousands of years. Before the adoption of
Western clothing about 100 years ago, Hanbok
used to be everyday attire for most people. Men
wore a jeogori (jacket) with baji (trousers) while
women wore a jeogori and a chima (wrap-around
skirt). Today, Hanbok is mainly worn on days of
celebration or special occasions such as weddings,
60th or 70th birthdays, and Seollal or Chuseok.
A special ceremony inaugurating the Republic of
Korea Government on August 15. 1948.
Constitution and
Government
Seoul has been the capital of Korea for about 600 years, since the
time of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
Seoul is a teeming metropolis with a population of over 10 million. The
Hangang (Han River) runs through the heart of the city.
It is a fascinating city, where the past and the present coexist.
Centuries-old palaces, gates, royal tombs and shrines are juxtaposed
with soaring skyscrapers, a high-tech infrastructure and bustling
businesses. Within a 10-minute walk from City Hall are palaces of the
last royal dynasty, like Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung,
Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung. Seoul Tower, on top of
Namsan mountain, is one of the major landmarks of the city. The
stream Cheonggyecheon was restored in 2005 and now flows roughly
west-east through the historic center of Seoul. Insa-dong street
showcases art galleries and traditional craft shops. Mountains are all
around the city, providing the people with beautiful sights and natural
comfort.
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Korea's trade volume for 2008 amounted to US$857 billion. The volume
in the previous year stood at US$728 billion, ranking 11th in the world.
Korea joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) in 1996. Korea’s past economic development
is attributed to strong government support of business, an export-
oriented growth strategy, emphasis on high-tech industries, and an
abundance of highly skilled and educated labor.
Korea’s history started from Gojoseon (2333 B.C.). Through its 5,000-
year history, Korea has developed a truly distinct culture, even while
interacting with the larger nations surrounding it.
UNESCO has so far named eight Korean sites to the World Heritage
List: Bulguksa (Temple) and Seokguram Grotto, Jongmyo Shrine,
Haeinsa (Temple) Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the
Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks, Changdeokgung (Palace) Complex,
Hwaseong Fortress, Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites,
Gyeongju Historic Area and Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.
Bulguksa in Gyeongju was built in 774 during the Silla period. Its
architectural design has become the standard for temple construction.
Hwaseong Fortress
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes together comprise three sites
that make up 18,846 ha. The site, of outstanding aesthetic beauty,
also bears testimony to the history of the planet, its features and
geologic processes.
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growing interest in Korean pop and
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traditional culture across Asia, Europe, the
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Middle East and the Americas.
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Korean entertainment personalities, including Bae
Yong-joon, the star of “Winter Sonata,” have become the hottest
entertainment personalities in Japan, China and other countries. The
most recent hit, the charming 16th century court drama “Daejanggeum”
(Jewel in the Palace), is said to have provoked a new level of interest in
traditional Korean clothing, herbal medicine and Korean royal court
cuisine.
Korea’s booming film industry and Korean pop music have also been
forces intensifying the popularity of the Korean Wave.
Paik Nam-june has led the world in pioneering the new medium of
video art. In the field of music, composer Yun Isang, violinist Chung
Kyung-wha, conductor-pianist Chung Myung-whun, violin prodigy Jang
Young-ju and vocalist Jo Su-mi have won the hearts of audiences all
over the world.
Bibimbap
Most Koreans are avid sports lovers. Korea is known for its
successful hosting of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and co-hosting
of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Korea became the first Asian country to
advance to the semifinals during the 2002 World Cup.
Today Koreans compete well among the top athletes in the Olympics
and other major international events, such as baseball, golf, archery,
shooting, table tennis, short-track speed skating, figure skating and
swimming.