My Impression of Korea - Korea.net
My Impression of Korea - Korea.net My Impression of Korea - Korea.net
BOOKS (From left) Korean-English, Vietnamese and Mongolian versions of Hunminjeongeum Jiphyeonjeon, meaning the hall of worthies in Korean, is where Joseon scholars created and studied Hangeul (top) and the ceremony to declare the creation of Hangeul Hunminjeongeum Translated into Four Languages Author: The National Institute of Korean Language Publisher: Thinking Tree Pages: 160 The National Institute of Korean Language has launched the Korean document “Hunminjeongeum” in four languages: English, Chinese, Mongolian and Vietnamese. Huminjeongeum, meaning “correct sounds to instruct the people,” is Korea’s first instruction book on Hangeul, Korean unique writing system, published in 1446 by King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) who also created the characters. Korea celebrated its 562nd anniversary of the creation of Hangeul on Oct. 9. As the original copy of the book is written in classical Chinese characters with Hangeul additions, it has been even harder for foreigners to approach. The latest editions include extra explanation that details the characteristics of the book and its value from the per- The portrait of King Sejong the Great spective of linguistic study. Attached to the original text is a modern Korean translation in Hangeul. The book also includes the “Haeryebon” version (explanation and examples of correct sounds to teach people), that details how each Hangeul character is supposed to be pronounced. Professor Kim Joo-won and Lee Sang-eok of Seoul National University were put in charge of writing the explanation for Hunmingjeongeum. The Hangeul translation of the original was done by honorary professor Shin Sang of Chonnam National University. “Aside from English we have also published it in Chinese, Mongolian and Vietnamese versions as these countries show a big interest in Korean culture and demands are higher than in other areas,” one official from the institute explained. “In the long run we plan to publish books in French, German, Russian, Spanish and other languages to promote the book that marked the birth of Korea’s very own writing system.” The English version will be distributed to Korean cultural centers worldwide and offered to overseas scholars in related fields. It is also currently on display at local bookstores. ■ 62 KOREA NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER 2008 KOREA 63
BOOKS Korea: Impossible to Possible Publisher: Korean Culture and Information Service Pages: 255 Not for Sale Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched a collection Chinese Ceramics at the National Museum of Korea Publisher: National Museum of Korea Page: 474 Price: 100,000 won The National Museum of Korea has launched a book introducing its collection of Chinese ceramics. This book will be helpful to look at the relationship between Korea and China in a cultural perspective. Kim Hong-nam, director of the museum, wrote in the preface, “There is no doubt that these Chinese ceramic objects are invaluable materials for study of Korean-Chinese relations as well as Korean ceramic history.” This book also reveals 254 masterpieces which have been partly exposed to public view. The book introduces almost 20,000 ceramic wares from Goryeo and Joseon periods, which had been found in ancient tombs around Gaeseong, the old capital of Goryeo, and major Buddhist temples around the country, and salvaged from under the sea. The book presents Chinese ceramics classified according to where they were originally baked including some famous Chinese imperial kilns. English and Chinese explanations and articles are available along with photographs of each ceramic piece. ■ Cizhou Kiln’s “Vase with sgraffito in iron black on white slip” Longquan Kiln’s “Celadon Vase” Intro Korea An Electronic Catalog of Information on Korea Intro Korea is a comprehensive digital catalog on Korea compiled by the Korean Culture and Information Service. This catalogs approximately 310 public and private publications on every aspect of Korea within nine main categories and 21 sub-categories. The DVD’s online version is also available on the Korean Government’s official English website at www.korea.net. ■ of articles on various aspects of Korea that were contributed by 21 internationally renowned authors. French journalist Guy Sorman, who is a member of “global advisors” for the Lee Myung-bak administration, ponders the national identity of Korea from a broad perspective. Mikhail Gorbachev, who is the last head of state of the USSR and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, emphasizes the role of Korea in East Asia. Also attached are panoramic photographs that will be helpful for overseas readers to look at the nation’s historic moments during the last 60 years. For more information on the book, contact with the Korean Culture and Information Service or visit its website at http:// kois.go.kr/kois_main_en.asp. ■ 64 KOREA NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER 2008 KOREA 65
- Page 3 and 4: Opening a communicative space betwe
- Page 5 and 6: COVER Information on Autumn Festiva
- Page 7 and 8: DIPLOMACY Yonhap Yonhap President L
- Page 9 and 10: GLOBAL KOREA Gugak performance at t
- Page 11 and 12: NATIONAL (From top) Visitors look a
- Page 13 and 14: SCIENCE World’s Largest Solar Pow
- Page 15 and 16: SBS Actors Park Shin-yang (left) an
- Page 17 and 18: CULTURE The dog (gae) A legendary f
- Page 19 and 20: PEOPLE Jung Sung-ha Korean Guitar P
- Page 21 and 22: PEOPLE Yonhap Lim performs a tradit
- Page 23 and 24: TRAVEL Samcheong-dong is a sweet an
- Page 25 and 26: TRAVEL A Trip Back to Olden Times S
- Page 27 and 28: FOOD 1 3 2 Omegisul master Kim Eul-
- Page 29 and 30: EVENTS Charity Market Turns into Mu
- Page 31: EVENTS Biennale Transforms Busan in
BOOKS<br />
<strong>Korea</strong>:<br />
Impossible to<br />
Possible<br />
Publisher: <strong>Korea</strong>n Culture and<br />
Information Service<br />
Pages: 255<br />
Not for Sale<br />
Celebrating the 60th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong>, the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Culture,<br />
Sports and Tourism has launched a collection<br />
Chinese Ceramics<br />
at the National<br />
Museum <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong><br />
Publisher: National Museum <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong><br />
Page: 474<br />
Price: 100,000 won<br />
The National Museum <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong> has launched<br />
a book introducing its collection <strong>of</strong> Chinese<br />
ceramics. This book will be helpful to look at<br />
the relationship between <strong>Korea</strong> and China in<br />
a cultural perspective.<br />
Kim Hong-nam, director <strong>of</strong> the museum,<br />
wrote in the preface, “There is no doubt that<br />
these Chinese ceramic objects are invaluable<br />
materials for study <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong>n-Chinese relations<br />
as well as <strong>Korea</strong>n ceramic history.” This<br />
book also reveals 254 masterpieces which<br />
have been partly exposed to public view.<br />
The book introduces almost 20,000 ceramic<br />
wares from Goryeo and Joseon periods,<br />
which had been found in ancient tombs<br />
around Gaeseong, the old capital <strong>of</strong> Goryeo,<br />
and major Buddhist temples around the<br />
country, and salvaged from under the sea.<br />
The book presents Chinese ceramics classified<br />
according to where they were originally<br />
baked including some famous Chinese imperial<br />
kilns. English and Chinese explanations<br />
and articles are available along with photographs<br />
<strong>of</strong> each ceramic piece. ■<br />
Cizhou Kiln’s “Vase with sgraffito<br />
in iron black on white slip”<br />
Longquan Kiln’s “Celadon Vase”<br />
Intro <strong>Korea</strong><br />
An Electronic Catalog <strong>of</strong> Information on <strong>Korea</strong><br />
Intro <strong>Korea</strong> is a comprehensive digital catalog on <strong>Korea</strong> compiled<br />
by the <strong>Korea</strong>n Culture and Information Service. This catalogs approximately<br />
310 public and private publications on every aspect <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Korea</strong> within nine main categories and 21 sub-categories. The<br />
DVD’s online version is also available on the <strong>Korea</strong>n Government’s<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficial English website at www.korea.<strong>net</strong>. ■<br />
<strong>of</strong> articles on various aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong> that<br />
were contributed by 21 internationally<br />
renowned authors.<br />
French journalist Guy Sorman, who is a<br />
member <strong>of</strong> “global advisors” for the Lee<br />
<strong>My</strong>ung-bak administration, ponders the national<br />
identity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Korea</strong> from a broad perspective.<br />
Mikhail Gorbachev, who is the last head<br />
<strong>of</strong> state <strong>of</strong> the USSR and won the Nobel<br />
Peace Prize in 1990, emphasizes the role <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Korea</strong> in East Asia.<br />
Also attached are panoramic photographs<br />
that will be helpful for overseas readers to<br />
look at the nation’s historic moments during<br />
the last 60 years.<br />
For more information on the book, contact<br />
with the <strong>Korea</strong>n Culture and Information<br />
Service or visit its website at http://<br />
kois.go.kr/kois_main_en.asp. ■<br />
64 KOREA NOVEMBER 2008<br />
NOVEMBER 2008 KOREA 65
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