First in the Nation
Year of the Tiger
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1688-0120 http://global.seoul.go.kr
Outdated Basic Law
Hampers Globalization
By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter
National Assembly Speaker
Kim Hyong-o said destructive
confrontations and wrangling
between rival parties will contin-
ue to dominate the country’s
political scene if there is no
amendment to the Constitution.
“Despite the fact that many of
the Korean lawmakers have a
magnetic personality and a bril-
liant academic and professional
career, each one of them acts
like a complete fool here at the
Assembly,” Kim said in an inter-
view with The Korea Times at
his office Monday.
“The parliamentary system
has repeatedly failed to carry out
its task of checking the govern-
ment and drawing up legislation
through dialogue and negotia-
tions as parties are always pitted
against each other.”
He attributed the problem to
the current basic law, which he
claims creates an imperial presi-
dency. Kim said, without change,
lawmakers of the ruling and
opposition parties are prone to
clash over every issue.
Kim also claimed that Korea
should address the problems
resulting from the concentration
of the president‘s power and the
weakening of political responsi-
bility resulting from a single five-
year presidency.
“Too much power is concen-
trated in the hands of the presi-
dent, which makes political par-
ties entirely focus on grabbing
power in the presidential elec-
tion,” Kim said.
Alternatives
He said Korea should actively
seek an alternative system to
replace the current presidential
system, which often results in a
No Paper Tomorrow
Today’s edition of The
Korea Times is 28 pages since
the paper will not be published
tomorrow. We will resume
publication on Monday.
2
www.koreatimes.co.kr
Kim Hyong-o
National Assembly Speaker
winner-take-all situation.
A parliamentary advisory
committee proposed shifting to a
bicameral legislature or adopting
a U.S.-style presidency, allowing
a maximum two four-year-term
presidency.
The committee, comprised of
law professors from various uni-
versities and created by the
Assembly speaker in September
2008, pointed out that more
power should be given to the
prime minister.
The time is ripe for revamping
the political system as there has
been a growing consensus on the
need to reform the political sys-
tem among politicians and the
public who have developed a
mature sense of social and civic
responsibility, Kim said.
Embracing New Social Demand
He noted that the current Con-
stitution, last revised in 1987,
cannot meet the new demands of
the times.
“I believe the Basic Law
should be revised so that it can
keep up with the three irre-
versible, age-defining trends of
globalization, informatization
and decentralization,” Kim said.
He said Korea needs a Consti-
tution which calls for a spread of
power, ensuring the proper func-
tioning of the checks and balance
system and keeping up with the
fast changing world.
See Basic Law on Page 10
Victim of ‘Invisible Hand’
2010 Will Be Hailed as Year
of Good Fortune, Vigor –– Page 11
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
The Korea Times’ History Goes With Nation’s Fortune
This year marks the 60th
anniversary of the outbreak of
the Korean War and also the
foundation of The Korea Times.
The shared anniversary is
symbolic indeed, considering
the nation’s first English daily
was born in the midst of the
first and biggest crisis the
Republic of Korea has confront-
ed, in order to make the adver-
sity the young nation was
undergoing better known to the
world.
It is only natural, therefore,
that The Korea Times has
served as the most faithful eye-
witness and recorder of Korea’s
rags-to-riches history over the
past six decades, during which
time this country has accom-
plished both democracy and
industrialization.
This does not mean, howev-
er, we have served for those in
power, as the truth is just the
opposite. Although born by the
need and with the help of the
government, it took less than
two years for this paper to start
criticizing the authoritarian
Syngman Rhee administration
Korea’s supersonic aircraft welcome New Year:
Nakdong River near the southeastern city of Busan, Thursday. The T-50 is Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft. It was built
by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin of the United States.
Next 60 Years
and be forced to stand on its
own financially. It is ironic that
this paper’s undaunted pursuit
of true journalism gave birth to
its pro-government rival, the
Korean Republic, the predeces-
sor of the Korea Herald, three
years later. The latter could
only be privatized after an addi-
tional 30 years.
It is a small surprise then that
the democracy fighter-turned-
President Kim Dae-jung honed
his self-taught English using
The Korea Times, setting an
early — and landmark —
example of the use of English
Newspapers In Education, or
ENIE.
Uncompromising Journalism
Just as Korea has fought
against a lack of money, know-
how and experience in the
course of its breakneck industri-
alization, The Korea Times has
struggled with a high language
barrier here, one of the most
barren soils for English journal-
ism in the world, and to main-
tain a strong sense of mission to
T-50 trainer jets fly in formation over the
Regulators Kick Out
KB Chairman Nominee –– Page 2
Established 1950, No. 18384
Editorial
meet journalism’s fundamental
duty despite an adverse envi-
ronment. The death of former
Managing Editor Choi Byeong-
woo while covering the Taiwan
Strait crisis in the 1950s, and
the torture of another ex-man-
aging editor, Hong Soon-il, by
the state spy agency in the early
1970s in relation to a foreign-
er’s contribution are but a few
cases that demonstrate this
paper’s uncompromising prac-
tice of what journalism should
be.
Being critical of undemocrat-
ic governments never kept this
paper from serving the country
and people whenever occasion
required it to do so, most
notably by playing the role of
an official newspaper in almost
all major international events
the nation has hosted, includ-
ing the 1988 Seoul Olympics,
the 2002 Korea-Japan World
Cup Finals and the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation Summit
in 2005.
Korea Times
Given the enthusiasm and
experiences this paper has
shown in the past, we are both
hopeful and confident to have a
similar opportunity again this
November, when the top lead-
ers of 20 major economies will
fly into Seoul for the epochal
G20 summit.
This country now stands at a
crucial juncture for another
takeoff, not just economically
but also diplomatically and cul-
turally. Its emergence as the
world’s 14th-largest economy
over the course of only a half
century has earned Korea the
admiration of the international
community, but Seoul will need
to develop its “soft power” —
culture, mainstream awareness
and global citizenship — to turn
the awe into respect and drasti-
cally improve the nation’s
“brand power,” or national dig-
nity.
The Lee Myung-bak adminis-
tration, after racking its brains
over how to give part of the
great favors Korea has received
back to the international com-
munity, namely, our less devel-
Majority Backs Revision
of Sejong City Project
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
About 51.3 percent of the peo-
ple support President Lee
Myung-bak’s alternative plan to
replace the previous administra-
tion’s project to relocate nine
ministries and four government
agencies from Seoul to the
Chungcheong area.
But 58.7 percent called for
either scaling back or halting the
administration’s four-river refur-
bishment project in the latest
public opinion survey.
President Lee Myung-bak
scored a job approval rating of
49.6 percent — a higher score
than his predecessors — in his
700 Won ★★★ City Edition
oped neighbors, has decided —
quite rightly — to sharply
increase its contribution to
global peace, development and
the environment by, specifical-
ly: expanding its presence in
global peacekeeping operations
(PKO), jacking up its donations
of official development aid
(ODA) and taking the lead in cli-
mate change cooperation. As
we have often witnessed, how-
ever, even good intentions can
go awry if the methods and
processes are less than perfect.
Confident but Not Complacent
This paper will be keeping a
close watch on the govern-
ment’s performance to see that
both the Korean people, as
givers, and their foreign friends,
as receivers, end up winners. In
other words, The Korea Times
will continue to be criticizers,
but not cavilers, to encourage
the government and people
alike to remain confident but
not complacent.
See Times’ History on Page 2
second year in office.
The Hankook Ilbo-The Korea
Times poll of 1,000 people also
found that voters will not factor
their positive assessment of Lee’s
performance into their picks for
the local elections slated for June 2.
Those who answered they
would vote for the governing
Grand National Party (GNP) in
the elections were almost neck
and neck with those who said
they would go for the main oppo-
sition Democratic Party (DP).
The poll was conducted over
the weekend and had a margin
of error of plus or minus 3.1 per-
centage points.
See Sejong City on Page 2
2 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Regulators Kick Out KB Chairman Nominee
By Kim Tae-gyu
Staff Reporter
Kang Chung-won, the newly-
nominated head of KB Financial
Group (KBFG), withdrew his
nomination Thursday after the
financial regulator’s unusually-
tough investigation of the group
and its outside directors. Many
believe the probe by the Finan-
cial Supervisory Service (FSS)
has taken the country’s financial
regulatory policy back to where it
was over two decades ago.
Typically, the invisible hand
refers to the mystical forces of
the market, which decides indus-
trial output and prices by coordi-
nating schedules from both the
supply and demand sides.
But in Korea the invisible hand
seemingly alludes to the mandate
of the financial regulators since
this back-door pressure by the
Kang Chung-won
KB President
FSS is suspected of having trig-
gered Kang’s move.
He was supposed to have been
approved as head of KBFG at a
shareholders’ meeting slated for
Jan. 7, which now has also been
cancelled.
Kang convened an unscheduled
meeting of executives at the
group’s flagship Kookmin Bank
(KB), the country’s leading lender,
in the morning before withdraw-
ing from the KBFG chairmanship
in an unscheduled board of direc-
tors meeting in the afternoon.
However, he will retain his
posts as CEO of the bank and
vice chairman at KB Financial.
Before a new chairman is
picked, the 60-year-old will also
serve as acting chairman, the
post he assumed after former
head Hwang Young-key was
forced to quit this September due
to investment losses he incurred
while at the helm of Woori Bank.
“I accepted the will of the direc-
tors who picked me as a candi-
date for KBFG chairman to mini-
mize the negative effects caused
by the vacancy of the official
chairman,” Kang said in a press
release after his withdrawal.
“But I concluded that it would
not best serve the interests of
KBFG, its shareholders and
clients if I stick to the chairman-
ship in the face of public criticism
that the selection was unfair.”
Kang, often known as Mr.
Market-Oriented Clean, helped
KB weather the global financial
crisis through his rigorous risk
management.
The heavy-handed regulators
were unable to find any concrete
evidence that Kang has abused
his power for personal gain.
Market watchers point out that
his withdrawal will dent banking
autonomy while the FSS will
come under fire because it is
accused of forcing his hand.
The FSS is suspected of having
staged overly tough investiga-
tions into KBFG and KB last
month — even questioning
National
Global Etiquette
MANNERS (1)
Smoking in restrooms
Kang’s chauffer and confiscating
a dozen computers. Many Korean smokers feel the need to smoke while in the
KBFG was reportedly asked to restroom. This is especially true in tall buildings where it might be
postpone the selection of the
inconvenient to go outside for a “smoke break.” This often makes
chairman with two of three final
contenders dropping out of the it an unpleasant experience for non-smokers to come in and use
race, but the group’s directors the facilities. Recent smoking regulations in some buildings have
stuck to its original schedule and helped curb this problem, although many still choose to ignore
picked Kang.
the signs!
“Many think that the financial
regulator flexed its muscles to
sway the management of private
entities. It will not be the news
that bureaucrats want to see in
reports,” said a Seoul analyst
who declined to be named.
“I don’t know who is the ulti-
mate figure masterminding this
process. But the bottom line is that
whoever is behind the scenes has
attempted to control private man-
agement and it has worked. These
are the things that take place in
Asia’s fourth-largest economy.” This article is based on the book, “Ugly Koreans Ugly Americans”
voc200@koreatimes.co.kr by BCM U-Phone (www.shallwetalk.co.kr), available at all major book stores.
Please share your own experiences of cultural differences by sending them
to ukua@bcm.co.kr

Ruling Party Passes W292

Tril. Budget, Amid Protests
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
The National Assembly passed
the 292-trillion-won (approxi-
mately $251 billion) budget for
this year, Thursday, amid
protests from opposition law-
makers.
The governing Grand National
Party (GNP) railroaded the bill in
a plenary session. Lawmakers of
the main opposition Democratic
Party (DP) tried to block the pas-
sage of the budget proposal by
barricading the speaker’s podi-
um.
The DP legislators entered the
Assembly main chamber min-
utes before the session started
and tried to prevent the govern-
ing party from going ahead with-
thevote.
The session was delayed sev-
eral times due to the inter-party
dispute over the four-river refur-
bishment project.
The GNP cut approximately
430 billion won from the project,
but the framework of the refur-
bishment plan remained intact.
Baseball Players Angry Over Illicit Use of Names
By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Professional baseball players
are taking a swing at CJ Internet,
accusing the computer games
publisher for using their names
and characters without consent
on its popular online baseball
game.
“Magu Magu” has been one of
CJ Internet’s most popular prod-
Compared with the original
government proposal, more
financial resources were set
aside for social services, job cre-
ation for senior citizens, student
loans, dentures for elderly citi-
zens, and international events.
The fiscal year starts on Jan.1.
Earlier in the day, the GNP
approved the spending plan at
the Assembly Special Committee
on Budget and Accounts.
The vote at the committee took
place with the participation of
only GNP lawmakers.
The legislators initially
attempted to vote on the meas-
ure in the committee’s confer-
ence room, which was occupied
by DP lawmakers.
They moved to a nearby room
and approved the modified pro-
posal within five minutes. Oppo-
sition parties, including the DP,
accused the GNP of the unilateral
vote at the committee.
DP floor leader Lee Kang-rae
DP contended that a procedural
flaw occurred in the committee
vote.
hkang@koreatimes.co.kr
ucts, with gamers being
intrigued by a game based on
real players and teams.
The company claims it has the
rights to use game characters
based on active players and
retired stars, citing an agreement
over portrait rights with the
KBOP, a marketing subsidiary of
the Korea Baseball Organization
(KBO).
thkim@koreatimes.co.kr
Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) surround the podium in the main chamber of the National Assembly,
Thursday, to block the ruling party’s unilateral passage of the government’s budget plan for 2010. Korea Times Photo by Won Yu-hun
Satellites to Monitor Rice Growth Progress
By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter
A pilot program using satellites
to monitor the growth of rice will
be introduced here this year.
The Ministry of Food, Agricul-
ture, Forestry and Fisheries said
Thursday that the overall size of
rice paddies, as well as grain
harvests, will be measured
through photographs taken from
the satellites.
The new method will also
enable it to forecast the size of a
harvest more efficiently and pre-
cisely, it said. Statistics on rice
cultivation are currently record-
ed through surveys on 30,000
paddies across the country.
It will take several years for
the satellite system to be fully
effective, as its use is likely to be
expanded in phases.
The system will address the
growing criticism the govern-
ment has faced lately regarding
its allegedly poor handling of the
rice supply, as harvests have far
exceeded its forecasts for the last
two years.
In November last year, the
government said it would pur-
chase an additional 230,000 tons
of rice from farmers after a fore-
cast by Statistics Korea that the
annual production would
amount to 4.91 million tons, up
1.5 percent from 2008.
The increasing stockpile of the
grain is emerging as a daunting
problem for policymakers — last
year, the overall amount was
estimated to be over 1.5 million
tons, but there is currently no
particular measure to use the
oversupply except for a small
amount designated for use in
making alcoholic drinks.
Korea launched its first satel-
lite, the KITSAT-1, in 1992 and
currently has seven in operation.
Lagging behind most advanced
countries in space science, Korea
aims to raise its status to world’s
top level within five years.
hckim@koreatimes.co.kr
Prosperity, Peace Key
Words for New Year
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Some 200 Korean professors
and scholars Thursday selected
“康衢燃月” — a Chinese idiom
that means “a ray of moon light
brightening a prosperous vil-
lage” to wish for peace and pros-
perity for 2010, the Year of the
Tiger.
The selection was made by the
Kyosu Newspaper, a weekly
paper for professors and schol-
ars, through a survey of its 216
members.
The paper said the idiom is
used in China to describe “a
wealthy village where people live
without concern.”
“This reflects our wish that
Korea will become a country
where people live not with
unnecessary social discord, but
only with a series of happy
events in the coming year,” said
Prof. Yoon Min-joong of Choong-
nam National University. “We
expect the country to tackle not
only the economic downturn but
also social problems such as
unemployment among young
people.”
In early December, the paper
selected “ 旁岐曲逕 ” meaning
“side road, winding road” as the
Idiom of 2009. It describes a sit-
uation in which people take ille-
gal or unjustifiable measures in
the pursuit of their personal
interests.
It selected the idiom to criticize
politicians in the ruling and
opposition parties, and bureau-
crats for their failure to resolve a
set of controversial issues this
year in a harmonious manner.
Among the issues the paper
noted were the conflicts over the
development of Sejong City in
South Chungcheong Province,
the project to restore the coun-
try’s four major rivers and the
amendment of media industry-
related laws.
The Chinese characters can
also be interpreted to represent
our high expectations to see oth-
er issues resolved in a peaceful
manner, the professor said.
The ruling Grand National
Party and the main opposition
Democratic Party are showing no
signs of narrowing their differ-
ences over the Sejong City devel-
opment plan.
The plan, initiated by the late
former President Roh Moo-hyun,
has faced a hurdle this year after
incumbent President Lee Myung-
bak raised skepticism over its
economic efficiency.
However, the four-river refur-
bishment project, initiated by
President Lee, has also come
under fire for the alleged nega-
tive impact it could have on the
environment, and its high budg-
et.
The administration’s move to
revamp the media industry,
which some say was to favor
pro-government outlets, also
triggered public outcry earlier
this year.
pss@koreatimes.co.kr

Times’ History
It will step up efforts to serve
as a “bridge within a bridge,” by
linking the world to Korea, a
country trying to connect the
developed world with developing
ones.
Nothing illustrates such efforts
better than this paper’s time-
honored tradition of its Modern
Literature Translation Awards,
and Thoughts of The Times, a
two-way forum for giving a voice
to the voiceless.
In today’s world, it is hard for
old industries to survive, harder
for old media outlets that are
bearing the brunt of rapid tech-
nological and social changes,
and hardest for newspapers try-
ing to maintain both journalistic
and financial integrity.
The Korea Times will spare
From Page 1
no efforts in following that tortu-
ous path through ceaseless self-
transformation but with an
unchanging sense of mission to
serve the widest scope of citi-
zens possible, with the confi-
dence that our readers will rec-
ognize and support such a strug-
gle, as they have done in the
past.
In Oriental philosophy, the
60th birthday carries a peculiar
significance of returning to the
very year one was born after
passing a full sexagenarian
cycle.
This means the time has come
for this newspaper to be born
again as a more mature, respect-
ed but modest guardian and
watchman of this society.
With our readers’ unswerving
support, we will surely succeed
in these efforts.
Sejong City
About 76.6 percent chose job
creation and economic growth as
two major policies on which the
government should place top pri-
orities this year.
Only 23.6 percent said priority
should be placed on the expan-
sion of social services.
With regards to Lee’s stance
on North Korea, 52.1 percent
approved while 41.6 percent dis-
approved, a clue that the public
supports his position on the
North’s nuclear programs.
In the poll, support for the
GNP stood at 36 percent, while
that of the DP was 23.4 percent.
Support for candidates from the
two parties in the local elections
was close — 24.6 percent said they
would cast their votes for the GNP,
while 20.6 percent answered they
would choose the DP.
Rep. Park Geun-hye was unri-
valed in popularity among poten-
tial presidential candidates. Sup-
port for the former GNP chair-
woman stood at 31.7 percent, dis-
tancing herself from other possi-
ble candidates by a wide margin.
Rhyu Si-min, a former health
minister under the previous Roh
Moo-hyun administration, came
in second with 8.7 percent, fol-
lowed by Mayor of Seoul Oh Se-
hoon (5.1 percent) and former
Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-
kyu (4.5 percent).
Those who described their
political orientation as moderate
stood at 49.3 percent. Self-
described conservatives marked
26.4 percent, while those who
characterized themselves as lib-
erals totaled 22.7 percent.
hkang@koreatimes.co.kr

Lee's Job Approval Rating Thumbs Up and Down

for Lee's Major Initiatives
(%)
39.6
30.7

51.3% 58.7%
14
10.2
5.6

Very good Good Bad Very Bad Don't Know Sejong City Project Four-River Project
 National FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 3

Korea to Send 1,000 Troops for PKO

By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
South Korea plans to send
more than 1,000 troops to par-
ticipate in U.N. peacekeeping
operations (PKO) in 2010, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade said Thursday.
In a report to President Lee
Myung-bak on its policies for the
New Year, Minister Yu Myung-
hwan also vowed to make the
G20 Summit in Seoul in Novem-
ber a success.
“Given its international status,
it is appropriate to send more
than 1,000 troops for PKO
duties,” a ministry official said,
requesting anonymity.
He said that disputed areas in
Africa were being reviewed for
operations, but details on the
exact numbers and locations will
Currently, Korea has 401
troops, the 39th largest among
U.N. member countries, sta-
tioned in more than 10 countries
including Lebanon, India and
Pakistan.
The ministry also plans to
place emphasis on the G20 Sum-
mit, a meeting of the world’s 19
largest economies and the Euro-
pean Union.
It will appoint embassy offi-
cials to participating nations to
encourage local entrepreneurs to
support the summit.
President Lee will broaden his
summit diplomacy toward the
Middle East, Africa and Latin
America, the report said.
Yu Myung-hwan “Lee focused on upgrading
Foreign Minister partnerships with four powers in
his first year in office, and in
be determined after consulta- 2009, he placed the emphasis on
tions with the U.N. Asia,” the official said.
“But this year’s summit diplo-
macy will be centered on the oth-
er three regions,” he added.
Additionally, Lee will promote
a tripartite summit with China
and Japan in May and negotia-
tions for free trade agreements
with the two neighboring coun-
tries.
The ministry will increase its
Official Development Assistance
(ODA) in a bid to extend its role
in international society.
“We are seeking to increase
ODA to 0.13 percent of GNI
(gross national income) from the
current 0.1 percent in 2009, and
to 0.25 percent in 2015,” the offi-
cial said.
Korea joined the Development
Assistance Committee of the
OECD, a group of donors, last
month.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

President Lee Myung-bak, center in the background, speaks, while Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, left, listens, during a joint poli- S. Korea-Germany Ministerial Forum on Unification Planned
cy briefing on foreign affairs and security at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, Thursday. At right is Kim Hyo-seon, a jet
fighter pilot. Yonhap By Kim Sue-young many over unification policy. expected to join as well, he tion in the North,” the official
Staff Reporter “We plan to have a gathering on added. said.

Lee Pledges Efforts to Make Korea Greater Korea is moving to hold an

By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak
pledged Thursday that he would
focus on laying a solid founda-
tion in 2010 for Korea to become
an advanced country.
“We saw a ray of light from
the darkness in 2009. We made
a lot of achievements, but the
most important one is that we
regained confidence,” Lee said
his New Year’s message to the
nation. “In the New Year, I and
the government will make
utmost efforts to make a stronger
and bigger Korea.”
Last year, the country won the
rights to host the G20 Summit,
slated for November, which has
replaced the more elite G8 as the
world’s premier economic
forum.
It joined the OECD Develop-
ment Assistance Committee, a
club of major donor countries, in
November, and announced a
plan to triple its economic aid to
poor countries to 0.25 percent of
gross national income (GNI) by
2015 to help achieve more bal-
anced global growth.
South Korean firms also won
a deal worth $40 billion to build
and operate nuclear plants in
the United Arab Emirates,
paving the way for Korea to
become a major energy facilities
exporter.
“The achievements were pos-
sible because people supported
us,” Lee said. “The country is
now standing at the threshold of
becoming an advanced nation.
I’m confident that we can
achieve that goal soon.”
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
international meeting inviting
world leaders and scholars as
part of efforts to secure interna-
tional support for its future unifi-
cation, according to the Ministry
of Unification Thursday.
In a report to President Lee
Myung-bak on its policies for
2010, the ministry also revealed
its plan to hold ministerial talks
between South Korea and Ger-
a regular basis with world leaders
and internationally acclaimed
scholars to discuss the unification
issue,” a ministry official said,
asking to remain anonymous.
“The inaugural meeting is
scheduled to take place in Seoul
in autumn with government offi-
cials and international relations
experts from neighboring coun-
tries participating.”
Researchers from civic and
state-sponsored institutes are
Additionally, the ministry is
seeking to hold ministerial-level
talks to share experiences with
Germany on the occasion of the
20th anniversary of German uni-
fication.
Safety measures for South
Koreans visiting North Korea are
also likely to be strengthened.
“We will fix an inter-Korean
agreement and stipulate basic
rights that the people can benefit
from if they are under investiga-
A South Korean man working
in the joint Gaeseong Industrial
Complex in North Korea was
released in August from a 137-
day detention in the North over
derogatory comments he made
about the North Korean regime.
He was not allowed to meet
with South Korean officials or
lawyers before the release and
thus, the government was urged
to revise the agreement.
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

President Says
NK Policy Is in
Right Direction
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak said
Thursday there was little
progress in inter-Korean rela-
tions in 2009, but his govern-
ment has laid the groundwork
for developing relations in a posi-
tive direction.
“We’ve seen a lot of changes in
the diplomatic, security and
defense fields over the past year.
The government worked suc-
cessfully to brace for a paradigm
shift,” Lee said during a joint
briefing by ministries on next
year’s defense and North Korea
policies.
“There are few signs of
improvement in inter-Korean
relations, but I firmly believe we
are moving in the right direction.”
Lee has maintained a hard-
line stance toward the reclusive
country, saying the South will not
resume inter-Korean exchanges
unless the North drops its
nuclear program.
“It will be hard to achieve a
breakthrough in stalled inter-
Korean relations without
resolving the North Korean
nuclear issue,” Lee said at the
meeting.
In September, President Lee
proposed a “grand bargain” with
North Korea to achieve a quick
resolution of the nuclear issue in
exchange for economic aid,
which was immediately rejected
by the North.
Lee said South Korea became
a more responsible member of
the international community in
2009 by winning the rights to
host the G20 Summit, slated for
November in Seoul.
The policy briefing was held at
the Korea Institute for Defense
Analyses in Seoul. Lee became
the first president to visit the
institute since the late President
Park Chung-hee.
Thursday’s meeting marked
the last of the briefings by gov-
ernment offices on policy objec-
tives for the new year.
The briefings had usually tak-
en place at the beginning of the
year under previous govern-
ments, but Lee hurried to finish
the process before the year’s end
to ensure quick implementation
of government spending pro-
grams.
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
Nationline
China Likely to Replace Ambassador in Seoul
China is expected to appoint
Yang Houlan, a career diplo-
mat in charge of affairs on the
Korean Peninsula, as its new
ambassador to Seoul, a diplo-
matic source said Thursday,
but both governments kept
mum on the possible replace-
ment.
Yang is the most likely figure
to succeed Amb. Cheng
Yonghua, who may be
assigned to the post of Bei-
jing’s top envoy in Tokyo,
according to the source.
China reportedly plans to
name its current ambassador
to Japan Cui Tianka as top
nuclear negotiator to replace
Vice Foreign Minister Wu
Dawei, who currently chairs
the six-party talks aimed at
resolving the North Korean
nuclear crisis.
Lee to Deliver New Year’s Address Monday
President Lee Myung-bak
will deliver a New Year’s
address at 10 a.m. Monday to
outline key administrative poli-
cies in 2010, Cheong Wa Dae
said Thursday.
In the 20-minute address,
which will be broadcast live
through major television net-
works, Lee is expected to appeal
for support for the government
in preparing for the G20 Seoul
Summit in November.
He also may announce new
‘Activist’s Detention Not to Affect Efforts for Talks’
The United States expressed
hope Wednesday that the ille-
gal entry of an American mis-
sionary into North Korea on a
human rights crusade will not
affect U.S. efforts to bring the
North back to the six-party
talks on ending its nuclear
ambitions.
“We consider this to be a
consular issue unrelated to any
security or political issues,” the
State Department said in a
statement.
The U.S. government is still
seeking consular access to
Robert Park, 28, through the
Swedish mission in Pyong-
yang, the statement said.
Washington does not have
diplomatic relations with
Pyongyang, and the Swedes
According to a media report,
Cheng will succeed Cui. Cheng,
who has served in Seoul for 14
months, is known for his
expertise in Japanese affairs.
But a South Korean foreign
ministry official said there has
been no formal notice from
China on the reported appoint-
ment.
“We have not received any
information from China on
Amb. Cheng Yonhua’s succes-
sor,” the official said, request-
ing anonymity.
The Chinese Embassy here
also declined to comment.
Yang studied in the United
States and worked as Beijing’s
ambassador to Afghanistan
from March 2007 until April
this year. He is well-versed in
Korean affairs, the source said.
(Yonhap)
economic policy initiatives
aimed at creating jobs and
spurring recovery, according to
a presidential spokesman.
“As President Lee enters his
third year in office in 2010, he
will talk about the achieve-
ments the country has made
over the past two years and
announce a new vision to ele-
vate the country’s international
status,” spokesman Park Sun-
kyu said.
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
handle consular affairs involv-
ing Americans in North
Korea.
Park, of Tucson, Arizona,
entered the North on Christ-
mas Day to call for improve-
ment in human rights in the
reclusive communist state, des-
ignated by the U.S. as one of
the worst rights violators in the
world.
North Korea Tuesday con-
firmed the detention of an
American citizen who “illegally
entered the DPRK through the
DPRK-China border on Dec.
24,” without naming him, and
said that an investigation is
under way.
The incident comes amid
efforts by the U.S. to resume
the six-party talks. (Yonhap)
4 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Cold Spell to Continue
Through New Year’s Day
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The cold spell that gripped
the nation early this week is
expected to continue through
New Year’s Day and over the
weekend.
According to the Korea Mete-
orological Administration
(KMA), the morning’s low is
expected to be minus 11
degrees Celsius with a daytime
high of around -3 degrees.
Thursday saw the lowest
A citizen looks out of a bus window covered white with morning frost in Seoul,
Thursday, when the temperature dropped to 13 degrees Celsius below zero.
Why Do Forecasts
Sometimes Go Wrong?
Weather forecasts are wrong
sometimes.
The KMA predicted 10 cen-
timeters of snow for Tuesday,
which failed to materialize.
The actual snowfall that
night came to just one centime-
ter. “I canceled a year-end par-
ty with friends because of the
forecast,” Yoon Woo-young, a
corporate worker, complained.
“Mistakes are so frequent that I
cannot trust the KMA’s fore-
casts anymore.”
The KMA apologized for the
inaccurate forecast, Wednes-
day, saying that 100 percent
accurate weather forecasting is
impossible with current tech-
nology.
The weather agency said the
delayed formation of clouds
capable of producing heavy
snow was attributable to the
inaccuracy.
“We had expected a collision
of a warm air band from the
south and a cold one over the
central part of the nation Tues-
day, but the two bands passed
one after the other. So, we
Yeongdeungpo Multicultural
Center Offers Free Courses
The Multicultural Village Cen-
ter in the Yeongdeungpo District
of western Seoul will offer free
educational courses for expatri-
ates in January.
The center opened in August
to serve the needs of foreigners,
especially migrant workers living
in the district.
The multicultural center offers
courses in the Korean language,
computer education and driving,
and will start three new courses
— English, Chinese and under-
standing Korean culture next year.
Sex Counseling for Senior Citizens Needed, Survey Shows
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
About one third of people aged 65 or older con-
tinue to be sexually active, but they are not well-
educated on the matter.
Seoul City and the University of Seoul inter-
viewed 1,022 elderly citizens — 441 men and 581
women — 65 years old or older and 28 percent of
them have sex at least once per month.
Most of their partners were their spouses,
accounting for 76 percent.
Another 16 percent said they have sex with
friends of the opposite sex who they mostly meet at
senior citizen centers.
Some 82 percent do not use sexual stimulant
daytime temperatures this win-
ter — Seoul saw the mercury
drop to -13 degrees in the
morning. The nation will see
clear skies Friday morning
except in western parts but it
will be cloudy at night.
The entire country, excluding
the eastern part of Gangwon
Province, will be cloudy Satur-
day.
“The freezing cold will con-
tinue until the beginning of
next week,” the weather
agency said.
Korea Times Photo by Cho Young-ho
didn’t have much snow,” KMA
spokesman Kim Seung-bae
said.
Kim said, “It’s also true that
modern technology limits make
error-free forecasts impossi-
ble.”
A total of 3,500 public ser-
vants, including 700 in Incheon
and 300 in Gyeonggi Province,
were placed on alert at their
offices all night long.
Particularly in Seoul, the city
sprayed tons of calcium chlo-
ride worth two billion won on
major thoroughfares ahead of
the expected snow, while 200
million wons worth was sprin-
kled in Gyeonggi Province.
Last year, the KMA faced
unprecedented public criti-
cism for repeated inaccurate
forecasts, leading to the state
agency’s first ever employ-
ment of an American weather
expert, Kenneth Crawford, to
overhaul the current system
and restore public confidence.
So far, the Crawford experi-
ment is viewed as a success.
pss@koreatimes.co.kr
Married immigrant spouses and
other foreigners can apply for the
programs and will be accepted on
a first-come-first-served basis.
It will accept applications from
Jan. 2 to 17 and those who want
to enroll can apply by phone or
at the center. The tuition is free.
Fifty-nine students who suc-
cessfully completed a six-month
Korean language course and a
three-month computer education
course received certificates
Wednesday. For more informa-
tion, call (02) 2670-3800.
drugs, but 12 percent said that they do.
Two percent said that they use lubricants.
The survey said 16 percent of the elderly had
been with a prostitute. However, the majority, or
67 percent, said they had not. The rest chose not to
answer the question.
Prostitution is emerging as a key reason seniors
catch venereal diseases.
One out of 10 seniors has contracted sexually
transmitted diseases with the cause of infection for
65 percent of them being sleeping with a prosti-
tute.
Researchers from Goteborg University of Swe-
den interviewed people in their 70s in 1971 and
2001. The 2001 survey showed 68 percent of older
married men said they have sexual intercourse,
3 tigers bring big laughter: Calligrapher Do Jeong-ho writes the Chinese character for a tiger three times, or "ho, ho, ho," making it sound like hearty laugh-
ter, at the entrance to a Seoul department store Thursday, in an event to celebrate the new year, which is the Year of the Tiger, according to the Oriental Zodiac.
Union Group Threatens Strike
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
The Korean Confederation of Trade
Unions (KCTU) displayed strong opposition
Thursday to a set of bills that it fears will
weaken the labor movement.
The National Assembly Environment and
Labor Committee endorsed a bill Wednesday
that would permit multiple unions at a single
workplace and ban wage payments to full-
time union leaders by companies starting on
July 1, 2010.
Of the 15 committee members, eight law-
makers of the governing Grand National Par-
ty (GNP) voted for the bill in the presence of
Rep. Choo Mi-ae, chairwoman of the panel.
The bill will become law if it is approved at
the Legislations and Judiciary Committee
and then passed by the Assembly during a
plenary session.
The KCTU, which is the more militant of
the nation’s two umbrella labor groups, said
that some 800,000 of its members will stage
a walkout by April 15 should the Assembly
ultimately pass the bill.
The union also denounced Choo for rail-
roading the bill. “It is unacceptable that the
committee chairwoman pushed for the bill
without consent from all members and has
ignored our position,” said KCTU President
Lim Sung-kyu at a press conference in Yeoui-
do, Seoul.
“We will exert all efforts to stop the pas-
sage of the bill, which would annihilate the
labor movement.” The KCTU said that all of
its members were fully prepared to stage a
walkout.
The Korea Employers Foundation also
expressed regret over the bill.
Six Schools Grapple With Historic Stigma
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The heads of six private uni-
versities in Seoul have sent a let-
ter asking President Lee Myung-
bak and Education Minister Ahn
Byong-man to drop their
founders from the government-
compiled list of collaborators
who worked for Japan during its
colonial occupation of Korea.
They claimed their schools’
founders had contributed to the
establishment of institutes of
higher education throughout the
20th century and that their inclu-
sion on the list of “traitors” is
unfairly tainting the schools’ rep-
National
Native
English
Teachers
to List ‘Bad’
Schools
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
A group of native English
teachers are organizing
themselves to come up with
a blacklist of schools that
they say don’t treat teachers
fairly.
According to the Web site
of the Independent Registry
of Schools in Korea (IRSK),
the organization was created
by Charles Hill and some
other foreign teachers work-
ing in public schools here to
rate schools in Korea.
The Web site says, “If you
are considering employment
in Korea at a public school,
please visit our ‘Watch List’
page first before accepting
Korea Times Photo by Ryu Hyo-jin any offers, to ensure you
won’t end up working for a
school that has earned a
negative reputation for acts
done to foreigners previously
employed at that school.”
Membership is free and
banned from paying full-time union officials members can post reviews
from July next year, and a multiple-union on schools that they have
system will go into full effect starting in July worked for. So far, no
2011. reviews have been posted.
The original implementation had been set Earlier, the government
for Friday.
Due to fierce opposition from both labor
and management, the government has on
moved to make a black list of
native English teachers and
track schools that have vio-
three occasions delayed implementing the
bill, originally legislated back in 1997.
lated labor laws or contracts.
Currently, the IRSK does not
Under the planned changes, all unions will track “hagwon,” or private
have to express their views via one coordi- learning institutes, but it
nated body during labor-management nego- plans to create a section to
tiations. If they fail to reach an agreement a do so.
first time, the union with the most members The site is not only to
will have the right to bargain on behalf of the report “bad” schools, but
other unions. also to share positive experi-
If labor unions demand collective negotia- ences among the native
tions without forming a single channel, teachers.
employers can reject the bargaining proposal Education authorities have
and will not be punished for unfair labor showed no reaction to the
practices. Web site. “I have no idea
Employees working for a labor union in about the blacklist of schools
addition to their regular job can be partly but we are here to help
subject to paid leave only when their union schools work with native
activities are considered as “related to the English speakers for better
improvement of the labor-management rela- classes,” said Keum Yong-
tionship.” han, an official dealing with
The main opposition Democratic Party foreign teachers at the Min-
Lim Sung-kyu, center, head of the Korean Confedera- claims the adjusted plans give “special istry of Education, Science
tion of Trade Unions, speaks about the umbrella union's favors” to business groups. and Technology.
plan, in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday, to fight a revision on “We claim the vote null and void,” said Early this week, the min-
the labor law that was endorsed Wednesday by a party member Kim Jae-yoon after the bill istry announced a plan to
National Assembly panel. Korea Times was passed by the parliamentary committee. form an association of offi-
Despite the objection from opposition par- cials from city and provincial
“The bill undermines the agreement previ- ties, the revised bill will likely win parliamen- education offices nationwide
ously made among labor groups, manage- tary approval, with the ruling party control- to chart policy regarding
ment and the government,” the foundation ling a majority of 169 seats in the 298-mem- native English speakers. The
said in a statement. ber unicameral house. group will report “incompe-
The bill stipulates that firms will be jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr tent” foreign teachers and
ask immigration authorities
not to reissue English-teach-
ing or E-2 visas to them.
They will also help schools
utations. (1895-1960), founder of Yonsei A spokesman for one of the
share information regarding
individual evaluations of for-
“We are trying to become University; Bae Sang-myung universities, who declined to be eign teachers. About 23,000
global schools. However, we are (1906-1986), founder of named, said the letter is intended foreign English instructors
extremely concerned that the list Sangmyung University; Lee to draw attention to the toil and are working in Korea, and
will hamper our efforts,” they Sook-jong (1904-1985), founder effort of the founders of the edu- among them some 8,000 are
said. of Sungshin Women’s University; cation field here. at public schools, according
The list released by the Presi- and Koh Hwang-kyung (1906- When first released, the list to the ministry.
dential Committee for the Inspec- 2000). drew fire from descendents, kswho@koreatimes.co.kr
tion of Collaborations for Japan- They are among the 1,000 some of whom are taking legal
ese Imperialism in November plus names on the list. action to delist their ancestors.
includes Kim Sung-soo, head of
Bosung Professional College
These educators are listed for
their activities in support and
Korea University founder
Kim Sung-soo and Helen Kim
Use of Stem Cell
(1922-1945), which later became
Korea University, and founder of
praise of imperial Japan, when
Korea was under occupation.
are also included in The Dictio-
nary of Collaborators by
Lines Requires
the Donga Ilbo; Helen Kim
(1899-1970), the female pioneer
Some of them encouraged
young Koreans to volunteer for
Research on Collaborationist
Activists, which was compiled
State Approval
educator-journalist and first the Japanese army fighting the by a group of scholars, released
Korean president of Ewha Wom- Allied forces in the Pacific theater in November. The government said Thurs-
ans University; Paik Nak-jun during the Second World War. bjs@koreatimes.co.kr day it will require people to seek
official approval before using or
providing embryonic stem cell
lines, seen as a promising tool to
treat incurable diseases.
The rule will take effect start-
while in 1971 only 52 percent did. as their physical strength and sexual capability ing Friday as part of efforts to
Experts say the sexual desire of seniors should weaken. “However, healthy males can have a sex enhance transparency in dealing
be seen as positive. life even in their 80s,” Kim said. with stem cell lines and ease
Bae Jeong-weon, director of the Yonsei Sexu- For elderly females, psychological factors and bioethical disputes while facilitat-
al Health Center, said more than 80 percent of inconvenience due to menopause are the main rea- ing data sharing among
the elderly visiting the center have sexual son for avoiding sex. researchers, according to the
desires. “Sexual energy does not decline, but “This can be relieved by hormone therapy or Ministry for Health, Welfare and
seniors have fewer opportunities to have sex,” using a lubricant,” Kim Sook-hee, an obstetrician, Family Affairs.
Bae said. said. Scientists say that embryonic
As the average life span increases and more The city is planning on developing sex education stem cells have the potential to
seniors live healthily thanks to high-quality med- programs and consulting for seniors. develop into other kinds of cells
ical services, there needs to be more investigation “The research showed only 18 percent of the that could possibly be used to
and research on senior citizens’ sex life, Bae elderly have received any kind of sex education. treat chronic ailments such as
added. We will enhance such programs at senior welfare heart failure, Alzheimer’s and
Kim Sae-chul, professor of urology at Chung-Ang centers,” a city official said. Parkinson’s disease.
University, said elderly males lose self-confidence meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr (Yonhap)
 Calendar
Major Events in
4 — Samsung Engineering & Construction to complete super-tall Burj Dubai
11 — The government plans to announce a new Sejong City plan
27-31 — Davos Forum to be held in Switzerland
18-21 — Buddhism Exhibition, Daegu
26 — The 100th anniversary of the death of
independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun
1 — World Expo opens in Shanghai
18 — 30th anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization
Movement
18-19 — Registration of candidates for local elections
23-26 — International Association of Science Parks general
meeting to be held in Daejeon
29 — The 100th anniversary of famed poet Pi Cheon-deuk’s
birth.
15-25 — Puchon (Bucheon) International
Fantastic Film Festival
28 — Byelections
Also scheduled:IMF Asia Conference
Grand National Party convention
Democratic Party convention
3 — Gwangju Biennale
11 — Busan Beinnale
Sept. 16-Oct. 5 — 2010 World Oriental Medicine-Bio
EXPO in Jecheon
Sept.-Oct. — Seoul Theater Olympics
Sept.-Nov. — Seoul Performing Arts Festival
September-October — Seoul International Dance Festival
Sept. 17-Oct. 7 — World Design Capital 2010 Seoul
G20 Summit in Seoul (Date Undecided)
13-14 — Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting to
be held in Yokohama, Japan
Also scheduled: Chagall Exhibition
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 5
2010
13 — Vancouver Winter Olympics Opens
for 17 days
12-15 — G20 vice finance ministers meeting to be
held in Incheon
25 — The 2nd anniversary of President Lee Myung-
bak’s inauguration
12-13 — A nuclear security summit is to be held in the United States
19 — The 50th anniversary of April 19 Student Uprising
23-26 — World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Association to
hold conference in Daejeon
April 29-May 7 — Jeonju International Film Festival
April 2-May 9 — World Photonics Expo in Gwangju
April 30 -August — Rodin Exhibition at Seoul
Museum of Art
2 — Local government elections across the nation
11 — FIFA World Cup in South Africa opens
25 — The 60th anniversary of the Korean War
June 26-July 4 — World Taekwondo Cultural Festival
Also scheduled: Fourth G20 Summit opens in Canada
18-21 — World Firefighters Games, Daegu
18-29 — International Fire Chief’s Association of Asia
29 — 100th anniversary of Japan’s forced annexation of Korea
Also scheduled: Asia Doggaebi (monster) Festival
in Mt. Songni
4-5 — ASEM Summit is to be held in Brussels
7-15 — Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF)
Oct. 25-Dec. 12 — Formula 1 Korea Grand Prix/Thai-
land-Gyeongju World Cultural Expo
Also scheduled: Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Conference
2 — Deadline for 2011 budget deliberation at the
National Assembly
19 — Third anniversary of presidential election
winning by Grand National Party
21 — Total lunar eclipse
6 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Airline Attack Could Lead to More Scanners
WASHINGTON (AP) — The
Christmas Day attack on a jetliner
over Detroit, combined with tech-
nological improvements to protect
people’s sense of modesty, could
lead to dramatically wider use of
full-body scanners that can see
through travelers’ clothing.
Dutch officials said Wednesday
they will immediately begin using
the machines at Amsterdam’s air-
port, where the Nigerian accused
of trying to blow up the Northwest
Airlines plane began his flight.
And a key European lawmaker
also called for greater use of the
scanners, which are designed to
spot explosives and other non-
metallic objects that a metal
detector would miss.
In the U.S., the Transportation
Security Administration has not
said whether it will accelerate its
plans to roll out the machines.
TSA already operates 40 of them
in U.S. airports, has bought an
additional 150 and plans to buy
300 more.
That covers only a small slice of
the 2,100 security lanes at the
United States’ 450 airports. But
TSA could find the climate more
favorable for an expansion.
At least one congressman who
has pushed for restrictions on full-
body scanners said he would
moderate his stance if the tech-
nology could better respect priva-
cy. According to several compa-
nies that make full-body scanners,
software — rather than human
screeners — eventually could be
capable of detecting suspicious
objects on travelers’ bodies as
they pass through the machines.
‘Iranian Opposition
Leaders Flee Tehran’
Karroubi’s Son
Denies Report
TEHRAN (AFP) — Hundreds
of thousands of government sup-
porters took to Iran’s streets on
Wednesday in a show of force
against the opposition, with a
senior cleric telling their leaders
to repent or face death.
Just hours later, state news
agency IRNA reported that top
opposition leaders Mir Hossein
Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi
had fled the capital fearing for
their lives, but this claim quickly
came under suspicion.
“Two of the chiefs of the sedi-
tion left Tehran for the north of
Iran after learning that the popu-
lation was increasingly angry
and demanding their punish-
ment,” IRNA said.
They were said to be in the
locality of Kelar-Abad, in the
northern Mazandaran province
on the Caspian Sea.
But Karroubi’s son, Hossein,
denied the report and said he saw
his father on Wednesday evening.
“Some are trying to create a
climate of fear and terror ... by
spreading information about the
arrest or exile (of my father) to
put pressure on him,” he said in
a statement posted on Mehdi
Karroubi’s website Sahamnews.
Later, the semi-official Fars
news agency said “informed
sources have denied that the chiefs
of the sedition left Tehran, saying
this false information came from
elements within the sedition.”
For its part, opposition website
This file image made from an Arab satel-
lite news network broadcast on Feb. 26,
2008 purportedly shows Peter Moore
who was taken hostage in May 2007 by
militants disguised as Iraqi policemen.
AP-Yonhap
An employee of Schiphol stands inside a body scanner during a demonstration at a press briefing at Schiphol airport, Nether-
lands, Monday. On display the highlighted area shows an alert on possible forbidden items. The newest models do not show the
gender of the passenger, but you can see if someone carries liquids, weapons or other objects.
“This is a solution everyone can
live with,” said Republican U.S.
Congressman Jason Chaffetz,
who sponsored a measure that
would prohibit the use of whole-
body imaging for “primary”
screening, in place of metal detec-
tors. The House approved the
measure 310-118, and it is pend-
ing in the Senate. “The goal
should be to be more effective,
but less invasive.”
Body scanners that peer
through clothing have been avail-
able for years, but their introduc-
Former Iranian Former Iranian
Parliament Speaker Premier Mir
Mehdi Karroubi Hossein Mousavi
Rahebsabz said Karroubi and
Mousavi were taken into custody
by the authorities for their own
protection, citing a special IRNA
wire report devoted to govern-
ment officials.
“Members of the Revolution-
ary Guards and the intelligence
ministry picked up Mousavi and
Karroubi in the city of Kelar-
Abad to protect them from the
anger of the people.”
Then shortly afterwards
Rahebsabz recanted. It said its
report was “false,” but did not
give details.
Earlier, television footage
showed crowds in areas includ-
ing Tehran’s Enghelab Square,
chanting slogans and waving
pro-regime placards.
“O free-willed leader, we are
ready, we are ready,” they shout-
ed in reference to supreme
leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The rallies were called in
response to a series of opposition
protests against President Mah-
moud Ahmadinejad’s disputed
June re-election — in which
Mousavi and Karroubi were the
main challengers.
Briton Held for Over 2 Years in Iraq Released
BAGHDAD (AP) — A British
contractor was freed Wednesday
and in good health more than
two years after he was abducted,
apparently the only survivor of a
group of five Britons abducted in
a daring raid outside Iraq’s
Finance Ministry in 2007.
His release came as a bombing
in the country’s western Anbar
province killed 23 people and
narrowly missed the province’s
governor. The high-profile attack
in what used to be a stronghold
of the insurgency was a sign of
the tenuousness of the security in
Iraq.
Computer consultant Peter
Moore, who was handed over to
Iraqi authorities Wednesday
tion has been slowed by objec-
tions from privacy advocates such
as the American Civil Liberties
Union, which has denounced the
machines as a “virtual strip
search” because they display the
body’s contours on a computer
screen with great clarity.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab,
the passenger who authorities say
concealed explosives in his under-
wear and tried to ignite them as
his plane was coming in for a
landing in Detroit, did not go
through such a scan at Amster-
A female Iranian demonstrator holds a poster of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a pro-government rally at the Enqelab
(Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday.
4 Dead in Finland Shooting Spree
HELSINKI (AFP) –– Four peo-
ple were killed after a lone gun-
man dressed in black opened fire
at a shopping center near the
Finnish capital Helsinki on
Thursday, police said.
They said three men and a
woman were shot dead by a 43-
year-old suspect whose identity
was known and who was still
being sought.
“I can confirm that four people
are dead,” local police chief
Jyrkky Kallio told AFP.
“But we do not know yet
whether there are other casual-
ties and how many there are.
“We also do not know as yet
morning, was abducted in May
2007 along with his four British
bodyguards. All the bodyguards
are believed dead.
Foreign Secretary David
Miliband said Moore, 36, was in
good health at the British
Embassy in Baghdad and would
soon return to Britain. He said
no concessions had been made
to the hostage-takers and that
Moore’s release was the result of
the reconciliation process
between Iraq’s government and
armed groups willing to
renounce violence.
Moore’s release, however,
coincided with the transfer of the
head of the militant group
behind the kidnapping, Asaib
AP-Yonhap
dam’s Schiphol airport. The Euro-
pean Parliament voted last year
against using such machines.
New software, however, can
protect travelers’ privacy by pro-
ducing a stylized image of the
body instead of a more detailed
picture.
In announcing the govern-
ment’s change in policy, Dutch
Interior Minister Guusje Ter Horst
said full-body scanners probably
would have spotted the explosives
on Abdulmutallab.
“Our view now is that the use of
the whereabouts of the gunman
but we know who he is,” he
added, refusing to disclose fur-
ther details ahead of a press con-
ference scheduled for later in the
morning.
Several ambulances rushed to
the scene in the suburb of Espoo
after the shooting erupted at
around 10:20 a.m.
Security services evacuated the
shopping center then cordoned
off the area. Public transport
services were rerouted.
Media reports said that the
suspect opened fire with a 9 mm
hand gun.
“Everyone was in a panic.
Ahl al-Haq, or League of the
Righteous, from U.S. to Iraqi cus-
tody.
Qais al-Khazali, along with
his brother, were accused of
organizing a daring attack on a
local government headquarters
in the city of Karbala that killed
five U.S. soldiers on Jan. 20,
2007.
Moore’s kidnappers had
demanded his release along
with that of several Shiite mili-
tiaman held by U.S. forces. The
militant group in August prom-
ised to lay down its weapons
and join the political process,
which had raised hopes for
Moore’s release.
In London, a spokeswoman
millimeter wave scanners would
certainly have helped detect that
he had something on his body,
but you can never give 100 per-
cent guarantees,” she said.
Fifteen full-body scanners with
privacy-protecting software will
be used at the Amsterdam airport
to screen passengers boarding
flights to the U.S., authorities said.
The 15 scanners will not be
enough to handle all such passen-
gers, so some people will need to
be patted down. Schiphol is wait-
ing for a government directive on
whether to buy more machines,
airport spokeswoman Kathelijn
Vermeulen said. Full-body scan-
ners can cost between $130,000
and $200,000.
The broader European opposi-
tion to such decisions seemed to
be fading Wednesday as Peter
van Dalen, vice chairman of the
European Parliament’s transport
committee, said a demonstration
of the newer technology showed
the scanners do not violate travel-
ers’ privacy. He urged the installa-
tion of the equipment across the
27-nation bloc.
TSA wouldn’t comment on
whether it plans to adopt some-
thing like the software that Ams-
terdam officials praised.
However, some manufacturers,
including Rapiscan Systems and
L-3 Communications Holdings
Inc., already offer privacy
enhancements such as blurred
faces or bodily images that look
like chalk outlines. TSA just
bought 150 machines from Rapis-
can, and L-3 makes scanners used
in Amsterdam and the U.S.
AP-Yonhap
They didn’t know what was hap-
pening and some were crying,”
one witness told radio station
Yle.
Earlier, witnesses told Fin-
land’s STT news agency they
had seen at least one person
lying on the ground following the
shooting.
This is the third major shoot-
ing incident in the past two years
in Finland where gun crime has
become a major issue and gun
ownership is widespread.
Eleven people were killed in
September 2008 when a 22-
year-old gunman burst into a
school classroom.
for Britain’s Foreign Office told
The Associated Press that U.S.
forces transferred al-Khazali to
Iraqi custody on Wednesday but
denied any connection with
Moore. She spoke on condition of
anonymity in keeping with
department regulations.
In Baghdad, a representative
of al-Khazali’s group and an
Iraqi member of the negotiating
team that helped secure Moore’s
release said al-Khazali was
transferred, but they said it took
place about a week ago.
Neither would say explicitly
that there was a deal, but they
added that the militant group did
not release Moore until it con-
firmed the transfer.
World
US Boosts Yemen’s
Economic, Military Aid
WASHINGTON (AFP) —
The United States is sharply
increasing military and eco-
nomic aid to Yemen, as it has
been doing in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, to fight a growing
threat from al-Qaida, officials
said Wednesday.
The threat has been high-
lighted by the case of Umar
Farouk Abdulmutallab, the
Nigerian man who reportedly
confessed to being trained by an
al-Qaida bomb maker in Yemen
for his alleged mission to blow
up a U.S.-bound jet over Detroit.
“To a certain extent you can
argue that the airline incident
on Christmas day brought
attention, public attention to
Yemen,” a senior State
Department official told AFP
on the condition of anonymity.
But “certainly within this
government and certainly oth-
er governments around the
world... we have been quite
sensitive to what’s happening
in Yemen,” the official said.
“Over the last year or so,
there has been a renewed
focus on what can we do, how
can we really speed up the
(aid) process,” the official said.
In the 2010 fiscal year, U.S.
development and security
assistance to Yemen is expect-
ed to rise to $63 million from
a total of $40.3 million in the
2009 fiscal year, said Darby
Holladay, a State Department
spokesman.
“This amount represents a
56 percent increase over FY-
2009 and a 225 percent
increase over FY-2008 levels,”
Holladay told AFP.
“Development assistance
works to address some of the
conditions that terrorists
exploit for recruitment,” he
said in an email exchange.
Holladay said the funds do
not include so-called 1206
counterterrorism funds, which
Worldline
World’s Fastest Train Stopped by Smoker
BEIJING (AFP) — China’s
newly unveiled rail link, which
it claims is the fastest in the
world, came to a screeching
halt this week when a passen-
ger lit up in a train toilet.
The cigarette smoke trig-
gered a fire alarm Tuesday on
the train connecting the
southern economic hub of
Guangzhou to the central city
of Wuhan — a journey now
made at an average speed of
Honduras Declares State of Emergency
TEGUCIGALPA (AFP) —
Honduras declared a state of
emergency in the capital
Tegucigalpa Wednesday, as
the government reported a
severe water shortage
because of the “El Nino” cli-
mate phenomenon.
Rafael Pineda, the minister
of the presidency, said the
government would tap 10
Kazakhstan, Iran Deny Uranium Deal
ASTANA (AFP) — Kaza-
khstan angrily denied on
Wednesday that it planned to
sell purified uranium ore to Iran,
calling media reports to this
effect “groundless insinuations.”
The story was also denied
by Tehran, which called it
“utterly fabricated and base-
less.”
Kazakhstan “categorically
Cambodian ’Jungle Woman’ Starts Speaking
PHNOM PENH (AFP) —
Cambodia’s “jungle woman,”
whose story gripped the
country after she apparently
spent 18 years living in a for-
est, has begun speaking nor-
mally instead of making ani-
mal-type noises, her father
said.
Rochom P’ngieng, now 28,
went missing as a little girl in
1989 while herding water buf-
falo in Ratanakkiri province
around 600 kilometers (400
miles) northeast of the capital
are programmed during the
year. “No determination has
been made as to the use of
these funds in 2010. In 2009,
Yemen was authorized 67 mil-
lion dollars in equipment and
assistance via 1206 funds to
support its counterterrorist
and border control forces.”
A Pentagon official said the
Pentagon, through the 1206
funds, has been helping
Yemen since 2006 to train
and equip its security forces,
including providing them
radios, helicopter spare parts,
trucks and patrol boats.
Such military aid should
increase in the coming year,
the official said on the condi-
tion of anonymity.
Both countries are also
sharing intelligence and the
United States is widely sus-
pected of having helped
Yemeni forces conduct air
strikes against al-Qaida targets
in the last few weeks.
U.S. media have also
reported that U.S. special
forces have been training their
Yemeni counterparts.
The senior State Department
official said providing aid is all
the more urgent as Yemen, the
poorest Arab country, tackles
dire economic problems in
addition to increasing attacks
from al-Qaida and a Shiite
rebellion. The United States is
running programs aimed at
increasing jobs, helping farm-
ers, building schools and
improving health care for
Yemenis who lack adequate
services in remote regions,
according to the official.
“One of the reasons al-Qai-
da has been able to function in
Yemen is because the govern-
ment has not necessarily had
control of areas, that it has not
had the resources and the
ability... to deliver the servic-
es,” the official said.
350 kilometers (217 miles) an
hour.
The train, which was still in
the station when the incident
occurred, was able to leave
Guangzhou two-and-a-half
hours later after a series of
safety checks, the official Xin-
hua news agency reported
late Wednesday.
The departures of several
other trains were delayed as
well, the report said.
new water wells to meet
shortages experienced by the
city’s 1.5 million residents.
Pineda said the drought has
been caused by “El Nino,” a
band of unusually warm
weather over the eastern Pacif-
ic, which in the past has been
linked to numerous floods,
droughts and bush fires from
South America to Australia.
repudiates certain news
media reports alleging Kaza-
khstan’s connection to a pos-
sible deal to supply uranium
to the Islamic Republic of
Iran,” the country’s foreign
ministry said.
The government “considers
them groundless insinuations
damaging the reputation of
our country.”
Phnom Penh.
In early 2007 the woman
was brought from the jungle,
naked and dirty, after being
caught trying to steal food
from a farmer. She was
hunched over like a monkey,
scavenging on the ground for
pieces of dried rice.
She could not utter a word
of any intelligible language,
instead making what Sal
Lou, the man who says he is
her father, calls “animal
noises.”
 World FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 7

N. Korea to Ban Use

of Foreign Currency
BEIJING (AP) — North Korea
will ban the use of foreign cur-
rency for purchases among both
its citizens and foreigners begin-
ning Jan. 1, Chinese state televi-
sion reported Wednesday, anoth-
er sign the communist govern-
ment is intent on reasserting
control over the economy.
North Korean citizens “will be
forbidden from directly using
dollars, euros and other foreign
currencies in shops, restaurants
and other outlets,” CCTV said in
a brief report on its main
evening news program.
Foreigners must exchange for-
eign currency for North Korean
won in order to purchase items,
the report said.
The order, issued by North
Korea’s state security bureau,
aims to “forbid the circulation of
foreign currency,” it said.
No other details were given.
The reported order comes weeks
after the hard-line communist
government said that it would
redenominate the won as part of
a far-reaching currency overhaul
aimed at curbing runaway infla-
tion and reasserting government
control over the economy.
Daily NK, a Seoul-based online
news outlet that reports on North
Korean affairs, said the order
banned all individuals and
organizations apart from banks
from possessing foreign currency
— an indication that the govern-
ment plans to exert total control
over all reserves.
It said the decree was issued
on Dec. 26 and went into effect
on Dec. 28.
Although one of the world’s
most isolated countries, North
Korea has long allowed foreign
money to be used at specially
designated outlets, which helped
generate hard currency for the
regime. The new order appar-
ently would end that practice.
The restrictions come as North
Korea faces increasing economic
sanctions over its nuclear activi-
ties, curtailing arms exports and
other traditional sources of hard
currency.
Unable to feed its 24 million
people, the government began
allowing some markets in 2002,
including some permitting farm-
ers to trade in produce.
While an economic success,
the markets also sold banned
goods such as movies and soap
operas from rival South Korea,
posing a threat to the totalitarian
rule of leader Kim Jong Il. The
country’s largest wholesale mar-
ket in Pyongyang was reportedly
shut down in mid-June.
The won revaluation reported-
ly sparked deep anger among
North Koreans who are limited
in the amount of old North Kore-
an currency they can exchange
for new bills. The remainder
must be deposited in banks and
many North Koreans apparently
believe they will never be able to
withdraw such deposits.
Soon after the revaluation,
authorities ordered border guards
to open fire on anyone who cross-
es its border without permission,
an apparent attempt to thwart
defections by people disgruntled
over the currency reform.
In addition to controlling black
markets and inflation, the ban on
foreign currency holdings could
also be calculated to dissuade
people from attempting to flee
across the border into China.
Americans Most Admire Obama, Clinton
USA Today
WASHINGTON — President
Obama is the man Americans
admired most in 2009, a USA
TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, while
Secretary of State Hillary Rod-
ham Clinton and former Alaska
governor Sarah Palin are virtu-
ally tied as the most-admired
woman.
The close finish by Clinton,
named by 16 percent in the
open-ended survey, and Palin,
named by 15 percent, reflects
the nation’s partisan divide.
Clinton was cited by nearly 3 in
10 Democrats but only 6 per-
cent of Republicans, Palin by a
third of Republicans but less
than 1 percent of Democrats.
Obama dominates the field
among men at 30%, though his
support also shows a partisan
split. He was named by more
Bush in second. with Tiger Woods, the golfer
2001, in the South African leader Nelson engulfed in scandal. Elin Norde-
aftermath of Mandela is third and conser- gren Woods, the athlete’s wife,
the Sept. 11 vative commentator Glenn ties with German Chancellor
attacks, and Beck fourth. Evangelist Billy Angela Merkel as the ninth
J o h n Graham, who has been on the most-admired woman.
Kennedy in top-10 list every year the sur- The poll of 1,025 adults, tak-
1961. vey has been taken since en Dec. 11-13, has a margin of
First lady 1955, is sixth, just after Pope error of +/– 4 percentage
Michelle Oba- Benedict XVI. points.
ma ranks as Among women, Clinton con- Over the years, the list has
the fourth tinues an unprecedented 17- reflected women’s changing
Barack Obama Hillary Rodham Clinton m o s t - year run as the first or second roles. In 1948, the top-10 list
admired most-admired woman. She included presidential daughter
than half of Democrats but just woman, behind Oprah Winfrey. first led the list in 1993 as first Margaret Truman and Princess
7% of Republicans. The survey, taken by Gallup lady and has held the top spot Elizabeth of England as well as
While the president’s job- almost every year since 1948, for the past eight years as a their mothers. Only one, for-
approval rating has eroded dur- shows the nation’s broad judg- New York senator and, now, mer House member Clare
ing his first year in office, his ment — and name recall — of the nation’s top diplomat. She Boothe Luce, had held elective
standing as the most-admired politicians, popes and talk- lost a bid for the Democratic office.
man demonstrates “a very show hosts. Presidents often nomination last year. Palin was Now, it includes three current
strong fan base,” says Frank lead the list, though as presi- the GOP vice presidential nomi- or former heads of state, two
Newport, Gallup’s editor in dent-elect, Obama swamped nee. U.S. secretaries of State, a for-
chief. The only past presidents Bush in 2008. This year, as Among men, former presi- mer governor and a writer,
to score higher were George W. last, Bush finished a distant dent Bill Clinton ties for 10th Maya Angelou.
76 Journalists
Killed in 2009
PARIS (AFP) — The number of
journalists killed because of their
work rose to 76 this year from
60 in 2008, the media rights
watchdog Reporters Without
Borders said Tuesday.
“Wars and elections have been
the main threats to journalists in
2009”, said Jean-Francois Jul-
liard, secretary general of the
watchdog group (Reporters sans
frontieres - RSF).
“Violence committed against
journalists pre- or post-election
have been especially high in
2009 in countries with weak
democracies.”

Facebook, Twitter to Face The year also saw an increase in

the number of journalists kidnapped
(33 compared witho 29 in 2008)

More Sophisticated Attacks and physically attacked or threat-

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Social
networks will face increasingly
sophisticated hacker attacks in
2010 but law enforcement is
expected to make strides in fight-
ing cybercrime, according to
Web security firm McAfee Labs.
“The explosion of applications
on Facebook and other services
will be an ideal vector for cyber-
criminals, who will take advan-
tage of friends trusting friends to
click links they might otherwise
treat cautiously,” McAfee said.
In its 2010 Threat Predictions
report, McAfee also said it expect-
ed to see increased threats to
banking security and a rise in the
use of “botnets,” armies of infect-
ed computers used to spread
malicious software or malware.
“However, in 2010 we expect
to see an increase in the effec-
tiveness of law enforcement to
fight back against cybercrime,”
the Santa Clara, California, com-
puter security firm said in the
report released on Tuesday.
McAfee said Adobe products
were likely to come under
increasing threat next year and
the release by Google of its
Chrome computer operating sys-
tem would “create another
opportunity for malware writers
to prey on users.”
“Cybercriminals have long
picked on Microsoft products due
to their popularity,” the report
said. “In 2010, we anticipate
Adobe software, especially Acro-
bat Reader and Flash, will take
the top spot.”
“Based on the current trends,
we expect that in 2010 Adobe
product exploitation is likely to
surpass that of Microsoft Office
applications in the number of
desktop PCs being attacked,” it
said.
McAfee said hackers were
expected to try to take advantage
of the proliferation of URL short-
ening services such as bit.ly and
tinyurl.com.
“These services now appear in
all sorts of communications —
making it easier than ever to
mask the URLs that users are
asked to click,” it said.
“This trick will play a more
predominant role in 2010; it’s
the perfect avenue to direct users
to websites that they would nor-
mally be wary about visiting.
“As users’ expectations of their
Web 2.0 services evolve, we
expect to see many rogue servic-
es set up with the hidden pur-
pose of capturing credentials and
data,” McAfee said.
McAfee also said email
remained vulnerable.
“Email is increasing in popu-
larity as the preferred method for
targeting attacks against individ-
ual users, corporations, and gov-
ernment institutions,” it said.
Ready for New Year: Balloons fly over Sao Paulo's downtown area after members of the city's Commerce Association released them to celebrate the end of the
year, Wednesday.
Taiwan to Restore Partial Ban on US Beef
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Tai-
wan’s two main political parties
agreed Tuesday to reinstate a
ban on some kinds of U.S. beef
imports amid growing public
concern that the government
lacks adequate safeguards
against mad cow disease.
The decision has alarmed U.S.
officials as it will likely result in
the reversal of President Ma
Ying-jeou’s contentious decision
in late October to lift a ban on
imports of ground U.S. beef, offal
and bone-in beef such as t-bone
steaks and ribs.
Since Ma lifted the ban, pro-
testers have staged rallies
against the move, demanding to
have a referendum on the issue
out of the fear that the new U.S.
beef imports could bring in mad
cow disease.
On Tuesday, Ma’s ruling
Nationalist party reached an
agreement with the main opposi-
tion Democratic Progressive Par-
ty to restore the previous ban on
ground U.S. beef and offal.
The decision is expected to be
voted into a law Jan. 5, Legisla-
tive Speaker Wang Jin-pyng said.
He said that lawmakers will also
vote on the same day on whether
to restore the ban on bone-in
beef, as only the DPP supports
the motion. The DPP is a minori-
ty in the legislature.
Deputy U.S. Trade Representa-
tive Demetrios Marantis and
Undersecretary Jim Miller of the
U.S. Department of Agriculture said
in a joint statement that they were
“deeply concerned and disappoint-
ed” by the Taiwanese move.
“The Taiwan authorities
Sat
Jan. 2
should consider very carefully
the impact that passage of the
(decision) would have on Tai-
wan’s reputation as a reliable
trading partner and responsible
member of the international
community,” they said.
To alleviate public fear, Ma has
repeatedly reassured Taiwanese
people that all U.S. beef is safe.
Taiwan’s National Security Council
Chairman Su Chi, a key foreign
policy adviser to Ma, has also
warned Taiwan’s relations with
Washington could be hurt if law-
makers decide to reinstate the ban.
The presidential office said it
will respect lawmakers’ decision.
“The government will commu-
nicate (the decision) with the U.S.
and hopefully minimize damage
to avoid overwhelming impact
on the Taiwan-U.S. relations,” it
Sun Mon
Jan. 3 Jan. 4
AP-Yonhap
said in a statement.
Some believe that the Ma
administration removed the ban
as a concession aimed at restart-
ing talks on a free trade pact
with the U.S. In 2007, talks on
the deal were halted, primarily
because of Taiwan’s refusal to lift
the bone-in-beef ban.
Tue
Jan. 5
ened (1,456 compared with 929)
and more bloggers were censored
(151 in 2009 against 59 in 2008).
Repression has increased on the
Internet, as the number of countries
affected by censorship nearly dou-
bled from 37 in 2008 to 60 in 2009.
“Each time the Internet or new
media (social networking web-
sites, mobile telephones, etc.) play
a major role in the circulation of
information, the consequences
are severe,” Julliard said.
He added that the main con-
cern for 2009 was from the mas-
sive exodus of journalists in coun-
tries such as Iran or Sri Lanka.
“The authorities in these coun-
tries have understood that by
encouraging journalists to leave,
they considerably reduced the
pluralism of ideas and the level
of criticism,” he said.

Seoul/Gyeonggi -6/0 -8/0 -5/0 -9/-5

Junggangjin Gangneung/Gangwon -3/4 -2/5 0/4 -2/1

-30~-17 C
(-22~1 F)) Daejeon/Chungcheong -5/2 -5/3 -3/2 -8/-1

Ham
amh
am
mhe
mheung
mh
-1
-11~-2 C Mokpo/Jeolla -2/5 -2/4 0/3 -2/1
Pyon
ong
ngy
ngyang
ng
-14~-6
-6
6 C (12~28 F)
(6~21 F)) Busan/Gyeongsang 0/9 -1/7 1/7 -2/6
Haeju Gangneung
-9~-2 C -8~2 C Jeju 5/9 6/8 7/8 3/5
(15~28
8 F)
F (17~35
35
5FF)
Seoul
oul Cheongju
-13~-4 C -
-10~-1 C Sunrise 07:47 / Sunset 17:24 Moonrise 17:58 / Moonset 08:03
(8~24 F) ((14~30 F)
Daejeon
-9~-1 C Daegu Berlin Moscow Beijing Singa Taipei Tokyo L.A. Chicago New
pore York
(15~30 F) -8~3 C
((17~37 F)
Jeonju
1~2 c -7~-5 c -11~0 c 25~34 c 12~17 c -1~7 c 11~24 c -6~0 c -1~4 c
-8~1 C Busan
B
(17~33 F))
-5~5 C Cape Hono Rio de
Mokpo (23~41 F) London Paris Rome town Calcutta Sydney lulu Janeiro Mexico

-5~2 C
Freezing swimming: Swimmers, many wearing costumes, take part in (23~35 F)
Jeju
an annual swim in the cold waters off the coast of Usedom Island, Wednesday. 3~7 C 0~1 c -2~1 c 9~13 c 17~27 c 13~25 c 22~31 c 20~26 c 23~29 c 12~25 c
(37~44 F)
Heavy snowfall has reached most parts of the country and is forecast to intensify
into the New Year. AFP-Yonhap
8 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 Opinion

EDITORIAL Poison Pill Is Not Necessary

By Um Joon-ho agement as If we have in addition to the
Hope for New Year hostile by the Guest Column above a system of further man-

Let’s Work Together to Make Better Future
Today marks the start of the Year of the
Tiger. It is also the beginning of the second
decade of the 21st century. It is natural for peo-
ple to have high expectations for a better life in
the days to come. Therefore, it is more than im-
portant for the nation to live up to public aspira-
tion for prosperity and happiness. Most of all,
every member of Korean society is required to
join hands with hope and courage to reinvent
the nation.
New Vision for Future
The nation went through many twists and
turns last year amid the unprecedented global
economic crisis, outdated local politics and esca-
lating tensions with North Korea. However, it is
safe to say that the country has so far shown a
better-than-expected performance to get out of
the economic turbulence. South Korea is expect-
ed to become one of the world’s fastest-recover-
ing economies with its growth increasing 4 to 5
percent in 2010. Its current account surplus was
estimated to hit a record high of $43 billion in
2009.
Most economic statistics indicate that ev-
erything looks fine — even though it couldn’t
be better taking into account the worldwide
crisis. The consumer price index has stabi-
lized at the 2 percent level and the jobless
rate is still low in the 3 percent range. But the
figures are often tricky enough to ignore the
stark reality in which people are under
mounting inflationary pressure for their daily
necessities with massive job losses. In other
words, the economy is rapidly recovering but
people’s living conditions are not taking a
turn for the better.
Thus, it is necessary for the nation to adopt a
new economic paradigm to take a new leap for-
ward and bring real benefits to the people. For
this, the political leadership should present a
new vision for the nation’s future. President Lee
Myung-bak has often vowed to implement poli-
cies to improve people’s living standards, espe-
cially the poor and underprivileged. This is easi-
er said than done. But he must pay more heed
to public criticism that he has only talked too
much and taken little action. We urge him to do
his best to make good on his people-oriented
pledges.
In December, a consortium led by the state-
run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO)
snatched a $20 billion deal with the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) to construct nuclear power
plants in the Middle East country. The contract
has raised hope for the nation that it can make
another success story with its technological
breakthrough in nuclear power generation.
Seoul is scheduled to host a G20 summit of
world’s major economies in November. The na-
tion can take advantage of the event to elevate
its international status and move toward becom-
ing an advanced country.
Overseas Comment
T
here has recently been a media, so let it agement protection via poison
renewed discussion and be for now. take a real trip to the meeting in pills, one may conclude the equi-
media play about “poison b) Most indi- person. ty market will suffer further valu-
pill” system to be enacted in Ko- viduals and And here are some technical ation discounts. Korea would not
Better Communication rea. Those who argue for further other minority issues often missed by many, in- benefit from such actions as a
protection of management via shareholders cluding the media: discounted equity market has
There are growing calls for the politics of dia- this mechanism insist Korea rarely vote during shareholder 1) In order to execute an unso- many negative implications, in-
logue and compromise as the nation suffered needs one and compares the ab- meetings and those who voice licited takeover bid (TOB), one cluding higher real interest rates
from a political setback last year due to ever-in- sence of such protection to those differing opinions are often cast needs to have a brokerage to act and thus higher costs borne by
tensifying confrontation between governing and countries that have them, such as “weird/strange” and “time- as the main coordinator in the the ultimate sufferers of such re-
opposition camps. It is no exaggeration to say as the United States. wasters”. process of gathering shares from sults — the individual con-
that violent clashes between rival political parties I will openly say that the Unit- c) Management often increase those who support such deals. sumers, the common folks.
have become the order of the day at the National ed States and Korea are very dif- their holdings via quasi-legal But in Korea all major broker- In other words, adding more
Assembly. The standoff over President Lee’s ferent in terms of shareholder means such as having their rela- ages so far refuse to do such protection to the already well-
four-river refurbishment project and his bid to structure and shareholder ac- tives buy discounted convertible work due to fear that acting as protected management of listed
scrap his predecessor’s plan on a new adminis- tivism or to pick a better word — notes (e.g. BW and CB) whenever main brokerage executing an un- companies is de facto pro-elite
trative town has only divided the nation sharply. shareholder participation. In ad- they like to. This practice, while le- solicited TOB against manage- action and anti-average citizen
It has fostered political and social conflicts dition to the above, in Korea we gal or not, happens in real life in ment would tarnish their image, action. After all, humans tend to
among different parties and groups. have a social value system which Korea ultimately diluting, or also and in the long-run limit their behave their best when they
The real problem is that all members of our does not necessarily prohibit but known as “stealing” from minority business with chaebol. In other know their actions may have
society don’t know how to communicate with does strongly discourage dissent shareholders. But let’s avoid such words, TOB is fully legal in paper consequences.
each other. Since his inauguration, President Lee and open criticism; traits that mean words from hereon. in Korea but in practice they Management will behave better
has been under attack for his inability to com- work against shareholder partic- d) The Confucian culture was must be pre-organized and pre- and cleaner if they know they can
municate with opposition leaders and the people. ipation in many cases. adapted to an extreme in Korea, agreed upon with management and will be shown the exit door
Sticking to his bulldozer-style leadership, Lee has I will be as brief as possible sometimes having strange conse- not ones by uninvited entities. by minority shareholders. And
not done well to humbly hear the voices of the within my ability to compress quences. In the investment 2) Stock for stock offers are al- management should not worry
people. Politics has long been far behind the thought, so please bear with me: world, it means most Korean in- so not recognized in Korea, a about being asked to go out if they
economy and other fields in Korea. The nation a) Most good publicly listed dividuals who hold shares of list- practice common in markets did their best in the first place —
can never have a bright future without political companies (i.e. not empty ed companies are unlikely to such as the U.S. In other words, and let the shareholders recog-
reform. Local elections are scheduled for June to “shells”) have a very high insider voice their discontent even if offers needs to be cash only, in nize this and make a judgment.
elect governors, majors and council members. holdings structure and cross-hold- their mind says so clearly. Korean accounts, limiting the “Trust the shareholders.”
The polls must serve as a catalyst to usher in a ings in Korea unlike the U.S., thus Most will just wash it out over range of suitors for the targeted In closing, Korea may some
new political culture which will promote social preventing any realizable “hos- a dinner with “soju” with friends companies. day need a poison pill (as we do
cohesion and national unity. tile” attack by mere potential vot- but rarely actually vote their In addition to the above, there not know what the future brings
People are also urged to actively work together ing percentage. I dislike the word thoughts in shareholder meet- are more but I will skip them as us), but clearly not today.
to usher in clean politics by kicking out corrupt hostile since it implies the insider ings nor bother to even attend. they are of less import. The key
politicians. They need to heal the wounds arising management is necessarily the In fact, in many shareholder takeaway here is that one of the The writer is working at Fidelis Magnus,
from ideological confrontation between the right “good” guys (since in many cases meetings the majority of atten- reasons the Korean stock market LLC. and has been an investment banker
and the left, social conflicts and regional antago- they are not, clearly ... often dees are either company employ- is relatively cheap in valuation is and fund manager for over 16 years with
nism. Besides, they have to respect such values as tramping upon minority share- ees or bodyguards invited by the the high insider holdings and actual M&A experience, mostly in the
forgiveness, tolerance and sharing to make the holder rights) but in Korea we call company just in case some limited shareholder participa- U.S. market. He can be reached at joon-
country a better place. And then, they should do anyone who disagrees with man- “strange” shareholders decide to tion, I would say. ho.um.wh92@wharton.upenn.edu.
more to tackle many social problems, including
the widening gap between the rich and the poor,
rampant corruption and raging crimes against Today in History
children and women.
Today is Friday, January 1,
National Reconciliation the first day of 2010. There are
364 days left in the year.
The inter-Korean relations have rapidly deterio-
rated since the installation of the conservative Lee 4714 B.C. — The Origin of Ju-
administration in 2008. Of course, North Korea is lian Period (Year 0)
totally accountable for escalating tensions on the 1788 — London’s Daily Univer-
peninsula by launching long-range missiles and sal Register becomes The Times
conducting a second atomic bomb test early last 1801 — Ireland and the Great
year. But now, the government had better make its Britain (England and Scotland)
utmost effort to help mend ties with the North and form the United Kingdom
solve a dispute over the isolated country’s nuclear 1861 — President Lincoln de-
program. Where is the spirit of national reconcilia- clares slavery in Confederate
tion and cooperation that had culminated following states unlawful
the historic summit between leaders of the two Ko- 1912 — Sun Yat-sen forms the
reas in 2000 and a subsequent one in 2007? Chinese Republic
We have too many things to do in 2010. And 1923 — The Union of Socialist
we have to bring significant changes to the na- Soviet Republics established
tion so that we can create a better future. Peo- 1946 — Emperor Hirohito of
ple’s support and active participation are essen- Japan announces he is not a god
tial to rebuilding the nation in the globalized 1958 — The European Eco-
world. nomic Community (Common
Market) starts operation
1979 — The U.S. and (People’s
Republic of) China begin diplo-
matic relations

Living With Guantanamo

Scripps Howard News Service:
It looks like the Guantanamo
Bay prison will remain a re-
proach to the United States and a
rallying point for Islamic extrem-
ists for at least another year and
million, the largely vacant 1,600-
cell Thomson Correctional Facili-
ty in western Illinois. The plan
had both state and local support
for the 3,000 jobs it would bring
and the cost of operating Thom-
son, about $75 million a year,
And then, authorities tell The
Thoughts of The Times
New York Times, it will take
eight to 10 months to install se-
curity upgrades.
The problem with that timetable
Dear President Obama
is that voting would be close to the By Choi Tae-hwan He went on I wonder if you know how tence, as well as the non-exis-
2010 congressional elections and to say, “Korean many students there are in a typi- tence of any Nobel Prize laure-

perhaps longer.
Barack Obama had commit-
ted, as one of his first acts as
president, to closing the prison
by Jan. 22. He has conceded he
will not meet that deadline.
And now a sensible plan for
closing Guantanamo — housing
the remaining 211 detainees in
a new state prison in Illinois
that never fully opened because
of budget problems — is bogged
down by political opposition,
funding issues at the federal lev-
el and the congressional calen-
dar.
Obama had instructed the U.S.
Bureau of Prisons to buy, for a
price believed to be around $150
ESTABLISHED 1950 MAIN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Chairman
Chang Jae-ku
President-Publisher Business Desk: (02) 724-2344
Park Moo-jong
Managing Editor
Lee Chang-sup
2
was half that of Guantanamo
Bay.
But the congressional leader-
ship refused to include $200 mil-
lion for the deal in a defense-
spending bill and later struck
$100 million to at least start the
process from the same bill.
The next chance the Obama ad-
ministration will have to pay for
the move will be a supplemental
war-funding bill that Congress will
take up in March or April.
If that doesn’t work, the prison
purchase will have to go through
the regular appropriations pro-
cess, which, even if it’s success-
ful, means the money won’t be
available until next fall or winter.
43, 3-ga, Chungmuro, Chung-gu, Seoul (Postal code 100-013).
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The Korea Times observes the Press Code of Ethics and the Standard of Conduct of Newspapermen.
not many lawmakers want to run
on bringing alleged terrorists to the
heartland, even if the heartland
wants them.
This would put any transfer of
the detainees from Guantanamo
Bay to Thomson well into 2011.
Meanwhile Guantanamo will re-
main as a monument to the time
America forsook its commitment
to human rights, due process and
the moral high ground. The only
beneficiaries of keeping the prison
open, aside from the terrorist re-
cruiters, are the remaining de-
tainees.
It is said that no matter how bad
life at Guantanamo Bay may be, life
in a federal supermax is worse.
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M
r. President, you have of-
ten eulogized about Ko-
rea’s education system.
What would you say, however,
if American children were driven
into a hell of private tutoring,
juggling their time by going to
four or five different private insti-
tutes for piano, Taekwondo,
math, English and writing
lessons after school?
What if American middle and
high school students were not
only forced to memorize a great
number of Spanish words and
grammatical sentence structures,
but were also trained to pick out
correct answers for the sole pur-
pose of obtaining high scores
without learning how to actually
speak the language at all?
What if American high school
students were obliged to remain
and study at their schools for ob-
taining high scores and entering
good universities from the early
morning (7 a.m.) till midnight al-
most every day? What if there
were no sports and creative ac-
tivities taught at the elementary
and secondary levels?
“I just want to mention the im-
portance not only of students but
also of parents, as in the case of
South Korea,” President Obama
stated at a forum in Washington,
D.C. on the “Educate to Inno-
vate” campaign for U.S. excel-
lence in science, technology, en-
gineering and math education.
students don’t
spend much
time playing
video games
and watching
TV programs
and they endeavor to study
math, science and foreign lan-
guages. They also study at
schools one month more than
American students.”
He added, “And so Americans
have to envy the hard studying of
Korean students at schools and
the enthusiasm and fever for
children displayed by Korean
parents.”
A few weeks ago, I was sur-
prised and pleased to hear that
you also lauded Korean parents
for their enthusiasm for children’s
education and Korean students for
their zeal and perseverance to at-
tain high scores and to enter good
high schools and universities, in
triggering the same campaign.
What an embarrassment for
the President of the United
States, the most powerful coun-
try in the world, to tout the Kore-
an educational system! But was I
truly pleased or embarrassed to
watch this proclamation on TV?
Dear President Obama, is it
okay if I were to ask you how
much you really understand the
Korean educational system or
the real circumstances surround-
ing English language classes in
Korea?
cal English classroom in Korea.
Do you think it is possible for one
teacher to effectively teach one-
to-one interaction for the purpose
of learning communicative com-
petence with more than forty stu-
dents in a class?
Do you realize that Koreans are
some of the poorest in the world
at effectively communicating in
English even though they are ex-
posed to English classes for more
than 10 years during their ele-
mentary and secondary school ed-
ucation? Do you know why Kore-
ans are so poor at English speak-
ing? I wonder if you know that
Korea has had no Nobel Prize lau-
reates in science till now.
It is well known that Korean
high school students are driven in-
to an exam hell of cramming and
memorization rather than creativi-
ty and humanity because Korea is
thought to be preoccupied with be-
coming a society of test-oriented,
product-based, memorization-cen-
tered education as opposed to a
humanity-oriented, process-based,
creativity-centered education.
As a result, Korean students
are trained to become like robots
for achieving high scores on ex-
ams, as opposed to being excel-
lent English communicators and
problem solvers, which is said to
have resulted in a lack of motiva-
tion and proficiency in creative
thinking and learning, poor lan-
guage communicative compe-
ates in science.
Mr. President! Is it true that
you consider Korea to be a good
role model for American educa-
tional innovation? Do you really
want American foreign language
classrooms to be jammed with
more than 40 students?
Are you willing to spend a
great deal of money on your chil-
dren’s private tutoring for so
many hours every day? Do you
hope American students will be
trained to be exam machines for
high scores through sacrificing
their creativity and humanity?
I wish I could be pleased to
hear that Americans are envious
of the Korean educational system
and environment because it pro-
motes motivation, creativity and
humanity rather than focusing
on memorization, cramming and
exam scores.
Then Korea would truly be-
come an international hub for
promoting all aspects of the
economy, education and society
in the 21st century.
The writer is an English teacher at Jeon-
nam Middle School in Gwangju. He can
be reached at cth0707@hanmail.net.
The Korea Times
News on Internet
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
 Opinion FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 9

Rethinking Consent to Adoption

By Jennifer Kwon Dobbs, deliberation,
Jane Jeong Trenka and Tobias Hubinette the ministry
proposes 72
Times Forum

W
hile international adop-
tions to the U.S. hit a
13-year low in 2009,
South Korea stands out as the
only country — besides Ethiopia
— that increased international
adoptions to the U.S. over this
past year.
With the international trend
clearly turning toward domestic
solutions and family preserva-
tion, we may wonder why over
1,080 babies went to the U.S.
from South Korea this year for
adoption.
The answer lies in Korea’s
adoption laws, which have been
in the process of being revised by
the Ministry for Health, Welfare
and Family for the past year. On
Dec. 29, the ministry held its
final public hearing on its draft
bill to revise the Special Adoption
Law that governs international
adoptions.
These laws have enabled the
world’s oldest and longest con-
tinuously running overseas adop-
tion program in the world to
send up to 200,000 children
overseas.
The fact that 89 percent of
children adopted overseas were
born to unwed mothers in 2008
is an indication that the adoption
hours after works of hospitals and unwed
birth for mothers’ homes, it is impossible
domestic for mothers to make fully
adoption, fol- informed decisions for herself
lowed by a and her baby.
court proce- Jennifer Kwon Dobbs Jane Jeong Trenka Tobias Hubinette Parental rights should not be
dure. For severed from a hospital bed, a
international adoption, no court occurred, they would do the privatized adoption agency, or
procedure is necessary. same thing as any other mother an unwed mothers’ home that
Activists disagree with the — call for help. serves as a supply source for
ministry, for two reasons: First, The children who are being international adoption agen-
72 hours would continue to give sent for adoption are almost all cies.
the legal base for preferring coming from unwed mothers’ Korea should write its adop-
domestic adoption over family homes, and of these mothers, tion laws to meet the highest
preservation. Second, there is 766 out of 1,114 mothers in standards, and it should take as
nothing in the bill that changes 2008 were at least 20 years old. its model not the U.S. — where
the way overseas adoptions are We can reasonably assume that the poverty rate is higher than
conducted. mothers who went to shelters or Korea’s according to the latest
This means that overseas who are over the age of 20 are OECD statistics, and where one
adoptions are again being pre- capable of making an emergency in five children suffer from
ferred over domestic adoption, phone call. hunger, according to the most
which is itself being preferred The matter of relinquishing a recent report by the U.S. Depart-
over family preservation. child for adoption is a grave and ment of Agriculture (USDA).
This hierarchy is exactly the life-altering matter. Mothers Instead, Korea should bench-
opposite of recommendations by must have adequate counseling mark smaller European coun-
international laws on child wel- and time to deliberate before tries that truly practice just social
fare, which state that family their legal relationship to their welfare policy. But as it stands
preservation must come first, fol- child is severed. Even 72 hours is right now, babies sent for inter-
lowed by domestic adoption, and not enough. national adoption will not have
finally international adoption as At a different public hearing even the most basic safeguard of
a last resort. on the Special Adoption Law
While the ministry is basing its held Nov. 10 at the National
ideas on the American model, Assembly and sponsored by Rep.
the court. Is it any wonder that
Korea has sent so many children
abroad when adoptions can be
Remembering 2009
even better models for a small Choi Young-hee of the main expedited so easily? By Gwynne Dyer knowing that Western countries now, because that makes them
country like Korea are Germany, opposition Democratic Party Korea must create just laws will go crazy again if they do. But look like foreigners’ puppets.

agencies’ system, which the law
oversees, targets a certain popu-
lation to meet the demand for
adoption.
One major point that both the
government and activists agree
upon is the need to lengthen the
deliberation period during which
it is illegal for a mother to relin-
quish her child for adoption —
currently, mothers may relin-
quish a child while still in the
womb.
However, the opinions of
activists and the ministry differ
greatly on the amount of time
that mothers are required to
deliberate before making a life-
altering decision for herself,
her baby and future genera-
tions.
While the bill drafted by
adoptees and unwed mothers
demands 30 days after birth for
That Was the Year That Was — Thank Heavens
By Dale McFeatters
Scripps Howard News Service
T
which allows mothers a mini- (DP), Kwon Hee-jung of the Kore- domestically if it is ever to raise he year 2009 was most it didn’t happen in 2009. In Iraq Prime Minister Nouri
mum of eight weeks for a single an Unwed Mothers Support Net- itself up to international stan- notable for the three bad What did finally happen at the al-Maliki emerged as a genuine
child or 12 weeks for twins to work said one mother who came dards and ethics for adoption things that didn’t happen. beginning of 2009 was the long- strongman, centralizing power in
consent, or Sweden, where to her group wanted to get her and erase its “stigma” as an Firstly, the financial meltdown of overdue departure of the Bush his own office, staffed by his own
mothers may take six weeks to child back after she quickly con- “orphan-exporting country.” late 2008 did not plunge us all administration. party and clan.
decide. sented to adoption. Korea must finally move into a 1930s-style depression, Almost everybody outside the In Afghanistan another Ameri-
In Germany and Sweden, as While she did finally get her beyond its shame and guilt about although there were plenty of United States, and many people can nominee, President Hamid
well as many other developed baby back, the adoption agency the international adoption pro- pundits predicting that less than within it, were profoundly Karzai, embarrassed his patrons
European countries and Aus- forced her to pay a large sum of gram and proactively formulate a year ago. relieved by that, but it imposed a by rigging his re-election last
tralia, relinquishing children for money before giving back the laws that preserve families and As Stephen Schwarzman, huge burden of expectation on August too blatantly, but they
domestic adoption is rare child. The sum was so large that stop targeting unwed mothers head of the private equity com- the shoulders of his successor as had to accept him in the end.
because there are adequate legal she didn’t have enough money. when they are at their most vul- pany Blackstone Group, said last president, Barack Obama. And in Fantasyland-on-the-
and economic protections for She asked to pay by credit card, nerable. March: “Between 40 and 45 per- It has been a difficult first year Gulf, aka Dubai, they could not
single-parent families. but the agency demanded cash. cent of the world’s wealth has for Obama, who presumably make interest payments on some
In the past, the ministry has A collection was taken up among Jennifer Kwon Dobbs, Ph.D., is assistant been destroyed in little more expected to have both his health- $50 billion in loans until Abu
argued that child should be able friends, and finally the baby professor of English at St. Olaf College in than a year and a half.” care reforms and a climate Dhabi bailed them out.
to be relinquished immediately could go home. Northfield, Minn. She can be reached at But all he was really saying change bill through Congress by The principal political events
after birth, arguing that the Unfortunately, stories such as www.jkwondobbs.com. Jane Jeong was that a very specific kind of now. His problems with in Asia were the Indian election
child’s safety may be in jeop- these are all too common in the Trenka is president of the Truth and financial bubble had burst. All Afghanistan, however, are large- in May, which gave the ruling
ardy. adoption community. As long as Reconciliation for the Adoption Commu- the land and houses are still ly of his own making. Congress Party a resounding
But mothers who care enough mothers are not given enough nity of Korea (TRACK, www.adoptionjus- there, and so are most of the fac- Calling Afghanistan the “good vote of confidence, and the
about their babies to have stayed time to deliberate, or are pres- tice.com). Tobias Hubinette, Ph.D., is a tories and jobs. war” (in contrast to Iraq) during August election in Japan, which
in an unwed mothers’ home say sured or coerced by adoption researcher at the Multicultural Centre, There has certainly been a the election campaign was a use- brought the opposition Demo-
that if a medical emergency agencies and their vast net- Sweden. deep recession in the developed ful tactic to deflect accusations cratic Party to power after 52
countries, and the current slow that he was too peace-loving, but years of almost uninterrupted
recovery may be a false dawn: a now he’s stuck with it. He has rule by the Liberal Democratic
double-dip recession is still already ordered a doubling of Party.
entirely possible.
Moreover, the vast amounts of
U.S. troop numbers in
Afghanistan, and he is now on a
But there was almost no con-
nection between these two elec-
money spent by Western govern- very slippery slope. This war is tions in anybody’s mind: Asia is
ments to save the banks have left unwinnable, and it could destroy still little more than a geographi-
them with a staggering burden of him politically. cal expression.

I
t is safe to say that when the
ball drops and we ring in
the new year no one is
going to doff their party hat
and proclaim, “Hey, wouldn’t
it be great if the country could
relive 2009?”
The sooner we close the
book on the past year, the bet-
ter and, arithmetical accuracy
aside, it might not be a bad
idea to declare the first decade
of the 21st century over and
get a fresh start on the next
one.
The year began on such a
high note. The largest, happi-
est and best-behaved crowd in
the history of the national cap-
ital gathered to witness the
inauguration of our first black
president.
And that month had the
year’s feel-good moment
when Capt. Sully Sullenberger
landed a crippled U.S. Air jet
on the Hudson River, all 155
on board safe.
But when Barack Obama
went back down Capitol Hill all
the problems that had vexed
his predecessor — a recession
threatening to become a
depression, two wars, a body
politic acrimoniously divided
on partisan lines — were wait-
ing for him at the White
House.
Perhaps a better omen of
what was to come was the Illi-
nois Senate voting unanimous-
ly to remove Gov. Rod Blagoje-
vich from office for attempting
to sell Obama’s old U.S. Senate
seat. The dilemma then of how
to fill that seat was solved by
installing a political hack.
Obama’s hopes of biparti-
sanship, however unrealistic in
the first place, were dashed
when congressional Republi-
cans unsubtly announced that
their legislative agenda consist-
1
ed almost solely of destroying
his. Obama’s Democratic lieu-
tenants in Congress seemed
more than willing to reply in
kind.
As a child in Hawaii, Obama
perhaps never had every boy’s
dream of growing up to run a
car company. Obama ended
up by default effectively run-
ning two of them, GM and
Chrysler.
In desperate efforts to try
something, anything, to re-fire
the economy, the administra-
tion came up with a truly
bizarre $3 billion government
program called Cash for
Clunkers in which the feds
offered up to $4,500 to people
trading in gas guzzlers.
In a tribute to the common
sense of the American public,
people rushed to take advan-
tage of it. Unfortunately the
cars they bought were the
products of solvent — and for-
eign-owned — automakers.
One of the most recognizable
names and faces of 2009 was
Bernie Madoff, an obscure
financier who bilked his clients
out of a truly breathtaking
amount of money, as much as
$65 billion.
The hoax of the year, in a
year that seemed to have a lot
of them, was a small boy sup-
posedly trapped in a runaway
silver balloon. It was perpetrat-
ed for that most 2009 of rea-
sons: His parents wanted to be
on a reality TV show.
Obama left town for Christ-
mas vacation on a high note —
Senate passage of health-care
reform — but had no time to
savor it. Criticized for being
constantly on TV he was criti-
cized for not getting in front of
a camera fast enough after a
Nigerian nut job tried to blow a
hole in an airliner.
The disease that we worried
about was not gazelle flu or
bird of paradise flu but H1N1,
the prosaically named swine
flu. It was that kind of year.
All the signs are that 2010
will be a much better year. It
can’t be worse.
Dale McFeatters is an editorial writer
of Scripps Howard News Service
(www.scrippsnews.com).
The Korea Times
News on Internet
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
debt. But the worst has been
avoided, and in the developing
countries there was scarcely
even a recession.
The second predicted disaster
that did not come to pass was a
killer global pandemic like the
1918 strain of influenza. Some-
thing of that order is probably
still lying in wait for us down the
road, but the swine flu turned
out to be much less lethal than
was initially feared.
Considerable credit should go
to those who made a vaccine
available much faster than was
thought possible, but basically
we just got lucky.
And the third bad thing that
didn’t happen? The same bad
thing that hasn’t happened every
year since 2001. There was no
mass loss of life (by which I
mean more than a thousand
people murdered in a single inci-
dent) due to terrorist action in
any Western country.
Even a relatively large death
toll like that should not be a rea-
son for any government to go
berserk and start invading for-
eign countries. A thousand peo-
ple are a lot to lose, but it really
isn’t the end of the world.
A thousand people die of natu-
ral and accidental causes in the
United States (to pick a country
not entirely at random) about
every three hours. Terrorism is
different, of course, but a rational
and measured response is still
required.
You know very well that it
would be neither rational nor
measured. Although an overre-
action is precisely what the ter-
rorists are seeking to provoke,
domestic political realities in the
target country still make it likely
that the response would be huge-
ly stupid and violent.
So we go from year to year
waiting for the terrorists to suc-
ceed again on the scale of 9/11,
In the meantime, Obama does
small but useful things that do
not require Congressional assent,
like cancelling the Bush plan to
put a missile defense system in
Eastern Europe.
Or at least that do not need
Congressional assent in advance,
like a new and better Strategic
Arms Reduction Treaty with
Russia (although that is still
being negotiated). He even tried
to launch a new Middle East
peace initiative, although that
was doomed from the start.
Iran was hardly ever out of the
news in 2009. The old question
of whether or not it is seeking
nuclear weapons stayed high on
the international agenda, but it
was overtaken by the new ques-
tion of whether the present lead-
ership could stay in power.
President Mahmoud
Ahmedinejad’s implausibly high
level of voter support in the June
election ignited protests that
have shaken the regime’s hold
on power.
If it is a revolution, it’s a very
slow-motion one: the protesters
are not out on the streets every
day, or even every month. Most
of them do not even want to
overthrow the Islamic system;
just to reform it.
But they keep coming out,
most recently just this week, and
they are not deterred by mass
arrests and systematic rape of
detainees, nor by Revolutionary
Guards shooting to kill in the
streets.
This is the way that the Shah
was overthrown: by slow
degrees, over a period of many
months. It may not end the same
way this time and the best thing
everybody else can do is not to
meddle.
Iranian protesters do not need
foreign support, and they cer-
tainly do not need foreign trade
sanctions to be applied right
Elsewhere in Asia, the most
important military events were
the Sri Lankan government’s
decisive victory over the Tamil
Tiger insurgency in May, which
brought a 26-year civil war to an
end, and the North Korean
nuclear weapons test in the same
month.
The North Korean regime was
mainly using the test as a way to
blackmail the major powers into
guaranteeing its future, and
those powers are playing along
as usual. They have no choice.
Thailand is caught up in a
deepening struggle between the
poor majority and the old royal-
ist anti-democratic elites, incar-
nated in the recurrent street
clashes between the Red Shirts
and the Yellow Shirts.
In Myanmar (Burma), pro-
democracy leader Aung Sang
Suu Kyi, though still under house
arrest, has supported efforts by
the United States to open up
channels of communication with
the military junta. A military
mutiny was successfully put
down in Bangladesh in Febru-
ary.
China’s emergence as a world
player continued, with attention
focused in particular on its
expanding investments in Africa.
The ex-imperial powers saw this
as neo-imperialism, but the ex-
colonies themselves mostly took
a different view.
They understood that China
was trying to secure long-term
supplies of food, fuel and miner-
als for a future in which it
believed that all those commodi-
ties would be scarcer, but at
least the Chinese paid well and
didn’t subject their suppliers to
hypocritical lectures on human
rights.
Gwynne Dyer is a London-based inde-
pendent journalist whose articles are
published in 45 countries.
10 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 Interview

Korea to Witness Emergence of Global Newspaper

By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter

National Assembly
N
ational Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o
has expressed his optimism that The
Korea Times, which marks its 60th Speaker Kim Hyong-o
anniversary this year, will become a global news-
paper in line with growing worldwide demand said that
for reliable, in-depth information about Korea.
Kim also expressed his hope that The Korea The Korea Times
Times will help narrow the deepening “English
divide.” will bear greater
“Unlike wealthy families, low-income earners
cannot afford to educate their children in English- responsibility
speaking countries or allow them to frequently
interact with native English speakers,” the 63-year- as Korea is
old said in an exclusive interview with the paper at
his office Monday. increasingly
He suggested that the government should
directly subsidize the subscription fee of local becoming a
English newspapers to children of low-income
families as a solution to the growing educational multicultural society;
problem.
“The Korea Times, which was born with the struggling to cope with
historic task of telling the world the truth about
the 1950-1953 Korean War, has vividly recorded an “English divide”
the ups and downs of the country’s modern his-
tory,” Kim said. between the haves
The Korea Times published its first issue on
Nov. 1, 1950, about four months after the out- and have-nots;
break of the fratricidal war, and has since been
the country’s longest running independent Eng- and preparing for
lish daily.
Kim, a five-term lawmaker who was formerly the first overseas
a journalist, said The Korea Times is now widely
regarded as one of the most reliable Korean absentee voting in
news media outlets by the foreign press, think
tanks and government agencies around the the 2012 National
globe.
“Over the past six decades, The Korea Times Assembly elections
has not only played the role as a window to
Korea, but has also grown into an international and presidential poll
newspaper read by half a million global citizens
every day,” he said. among 2.5 million
He pointed out that a bright future lies ahead
for the paper as it has a rich experience and Koreans residing
know-how in appealing to the global market, and National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o speaks in an interview with The Korea Times at his office, Monday. Kim expressed his hope that The Korea Times will help narrow the deepening Eng-
is active in incorporating new technologies in its lish divide, suggesting that the government should directly subsidize the subscription fee of local English newspapers to the children of low-income families as a solution to the growing educa- abroad.
news content. tional problem. Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul
The Korea Times has recently launched a
mobile edition that allows 35 million iPhone and
iPod users worldwide to read the paper in a PDF
format on their handsets. Last year, it launched From Page 1
an online text to speech service, which enables
readers to listen to all of its articles.
Kim said that the paper will bear greater
Basic Law Assembly, especially the incident
involving hammers, which made the
stitution should be substantially
extended.
their spending plans for next year to
the National Assembly in October.
Branding National Assembly

“I’m sure journalists working for

responsibility as Korea is increasingly becoming a
multicultural society; struggling to cope with an
“English divide” between the haves and have-
nots; and preparing for the first overseas absen-
tee voting in the 2012 National Assembly elec-
tions and presidential poll among 2.5 million
Koreans residing abroad.
“A recent U.N. report projects Korea’s immi-
grant population to exceed 11.5 million, or 21
percent of the total population, by 2050,” Kim
said.
The parliamentary leader noted that this
demographic shift will bring profound changes to
society, making the country enter a new era of
multiculturalism.
“If Korea cannot resist the change, it should
better adjust itself to cope with the evolving cir-
cumstances,” Kim said, adding that The Korea
Times should become the voice of migrants and
minorities here.
leeth@koreatimes.co.kr
“One of the biggest problems with
the current Constitution is that it does
not reflect the changes Korea has
undergone since 1987 through rapid
industrialization and pro-democracy
movements.”
Violence in National Assembly
“I’d like to offer my heartfelt apolo-
gy for the persistent violence, as
speaker and a legislator who has
been engaged in politics for more
than 20 years,” Kim said.
He also expressed deep regret over
not being able to prevent Korea’s pol-
itics from turning into a subject for
gossip and mockery.
“I feel completely devastated when-
ever I think of the scuffles and physi-
cal violence that have occurred at the eration period stipulated in the Con-
headlines in the international press.”
Kim pointed out the recurring
problem arises from the systemic
flaws in Korean politics, along with
immaturity of its political culture.
However, he argued that Korea
should address the systemic prob-
lems first.
“Korea should not ignore the two
major causes that undermine the
soundness of its politics,” Kim said.
“But it should be noted that changing
culture takes much time, whereas
the systemic changes can be made
right away if politicians make biparti-
san efforts.”
Budget Deliberation Deadlock
Kim said the 60-day budget delib-
The Assembly failed to meet the
Dec. 2 constitutional deadline for the
passage of the budget bill for the sev-
enth consecutive year in 2009.
“Even the very first Constitutional
National Assembly of Korea had 120
days for fiscal budget deliberations,”
Kim said. “The parliamentary delib-
eration period for the budget was
contracted to 60 days when the Con-
stitution was last amended in 1987,
when annual state spending was
only 28 trillion won ($2.4 billion).”
The parliamentary leader said it
has become virtually impossible for
lawmakers to thoroughly deliberate
the state-budget which has jumped
more than 10 times, nearing 300 tril-
lion won.
“The Constitution stipulates that
government ministries must submit
Simply put, it is too short a time for
politicians to reach a consensus
through dialogue before the dead-
line,” Kim said.
Last month, the main opposition
Democratic Party (DP) occupied the
chamber of the Special Committee on
Budget and Accounts amid fears that
the governing Grand National Party
would railroad the budget after the
two parties failed to meet the deadline.
As a result, the DP occupied the
chamber for two weeks, breaking the
previous record of four days set in
1985 during the authoritarian Chun
Doo-hwan administration.
The journalist-turned-politician
said that Korea’s national image will
improve when journalists here report
the truth as it is, including the ugly
sides of the National Assembly.
the local English media are often
faced with a dilemma over whether
to report the dark sides of Korean
society, such as physical clashes at
the legislature, or only to shed light
on the bright sides,” Kim said.
“I believe that artificial and distort-
ed articles about Korea cannot do
any good for the country, whereas
accurate and unbiased reports will
eventually improve the nation’s
image, even if it reveals the gloomy
sides of it.”
Kim said Korea will be able to
further solidify trust from the inter-
national community and its society
will become healthier, if reporters
in Korea work with strict journalis-
tic ethics and do not bend the
truth.
leeth@koreatimes.co.kr

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 INSIDE WEEKENDER

Movies
Hotel/Airline Page 13
“Wedding Dress” Image of Korea Pages 14-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Around Town Pages 16-17

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 11

2010 Year of Tiger

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The tiger may well be Korea’s most
beloved animal throughout its history.
The country was once dubbed the
“nation of tigers” as it has mountain-
ous areas that provided them with a
good habitat.
The animal has been a symbol of
bravery, strength and dignity, and
hence 2010, the Year of the Tiger,
according to Chinese astrology, will be
fervently hailed as a year of good for-
tune and vigor.
Tiger as Time, Space and Zodiac Sign
The tiger is the third sign in the Chi-
nese zodiac of 12 animals. It is also
represented by the month “inwol,” the
first month of the year; and the hour
“insi,” the 3rd in the 24 hour clock —
03:00-5:00 a.m. in the lunar calendar.
It also points to the bearing east-north-
east. The white tiger is one of the four
guardian gods — the others are the
blue dragon, the red bird and the black
tortoise. They protect the four major
directions with the tiger taking care of
the west.
Chest insignia with tiger
major duties of the tiger. “It means the
animal keeps away bad luck and evil
spirits and draws in good luck. So our
ancestors made talismans, using pat-
terns shaped like a tiger.”
The tiger and the falcon have three
heads on talismans as defense against
three years of misfortune and natural
disasters caused by water, fire and
wind. Also people sought protection
from evil things using paraphernalia
that had tiger patterns such as tiger
skin on a bride’s palanquin, tiger skin
folding screens, tiger leg shapes for
dining trays, and ornaments with tiger
claw pendants.
“Also, we can see many stone tiger
sculptures installed around royal
tombs in the belief that they guarded
the dead,” said Gu.
He said that because of its strongly
positive image, historical relics related
to tigers have remained relatively large
in number compared to others.
Presently, the tiger is favorably used
as a model for commercial products.
After the animal was symbolized as the
cute and adorable “hodori,” the mascot
for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the
tiger has been used as an emblem and
symbol of universities and at sports
events.
negative sides to its character.
The beast is used in satire about the
human world in the stories “A Tiger
Repays Kindness,” “A Filial Son,” and
“A Virtuous Woman Catches a Scary
Tiger.”
Having a tiger pattern on military
uniform’s chest insignia during the
closely the images of the tiger are con-
nected with us in everyday life,” said
Gu.
The exhibition displays various
items related to the tiger such as “Eo,”
the tiger-shaped wooden percussion
instrument, stamps as talismen and
the bride’s palanquin and blankets
with tiger-patterned designs and folk
paintings. For more information, call
(02) 3704-3152.
Gallery I presents a special exhibi-
tion of tiger folk paintings by Nam
Jung-ye through Jan. 12. The gallery
showcases the artist’s experimental
works that blend traditional subjects
with modern touches. Tigers are
portrayed in diverse spectrums in
the folk paintings. For more infor-
mation, call (02) 733-3695.
The Seongnam Culture Founda-
tion will hold an exhibition of
“bokjumeoni,” Korean traditional
coin purses to represent good for-
tune, at the outdoor plaza of the
Seongnam Art Center through Feb.
28. Visitors can also view installa-
tion artwork inspired by the animal
and folktales. For more details, call
(031) 783-8000.
The Lotte Department Store’s
Avenuel Gallery offers a tiger exhi-
bition through Jan. 27. Renowned
folk painter Suh Gong-im’s works,
including a painting of a tiger 530
centimeters wide, which was shown
during the Beijing Olympic Games in
China last year, are on display. For
more information, call (02) 726-4428.
Famous Tiger People

The year 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, according

“Jakhodo,” painting of magpie and tiger
From Myth to Everyday Life
People’s perception of tigers has
changed over time — in the past, they
feared becoming prey to them, but
nowadays they probably only see tigers
in a zoo.
But the process of that change is
interlaced with mysticism. The tiger, a
vicious and ferocious beast, is also con-
sidered a mystical creature that keeps
away evil spirits.
“In ancient times, the tiger was
deemed a scary animal, but our ances-
tors weren’t consumed by that fear.
What is rather mystifying is that people
also saw it as a guardian that drove
away evil spirits, keeping peace and
well-being in the village,” Gu Mun-hoe,
curator of the National Folk Museum of
Korea, said.
Gu said that in their daily lives,
warding off evil spirits was one of the
19th-century tiger stamp talisman
Tiger in Folk Belief
In Korean fairy tales, the image of
the tiger traditionally symbolized the
people’s spirit. In folk stories, it
appears as a scary tiger, a tiger return-
ing a favor, a foolish tiger and a violent
tiger, having equally both positive and
Tiger statue of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals
Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) symbol-
ized wealth and fame.
A painting of a hunting scene
“Horyeopdo” is one of the ways to
express the bravery of the officers.
“Jakhodo,” the painting of a magpie
and a tiger shows the joy of the New
Year and the warding off evil spirits.
Also, in books on geomantic guide-
lines, the shape of a tiger lying down is
one of the most fortunate places from a
topographical point of view.
Exhibitions Featuring Year of Tiger
The National Folk Museum of Korea
is holding a special exhibition titled
“From Myth to Everyday Life” to show-
case about 100 tiger-related relics
through March 1.
The event looks into the transition of
the tiger, as a symbol of Korean culture
and history through the Year of the
Tiger. “With this, we can find out how
A bride’s palanquin and blanket with tiger-pat-
terned design
Tigers are believed to be coura-
geous, active and self-assured, opti-
mistic, passionate and independent but
sometimes they are rebellious, unpre-
dictable and quick-tempered.
In the Korean traditional belief,
people who were born in the year of
the tiger are believed to have such
traits.
Male idol stars are among the stars
born in the Year of the Tiger: Micky,
Hero, U-Know of the top idol group
TVXQ, Kim Hyun-joong from SS501
were born in 1986, the year of the tiger.
to Chinese astrology. The tiger is the third sign
in the Chinese zodiac of 12 animals.
Korea Times File
Celebrities who turn 37 this year
include actors Uhm Tae-woong, Shin
Ha-gyun, Joo Jin-mo, Moon So-ri and
Kim Ji-young, who were born in
1974.
Also, stars born in 1962, Choi Min-sik,
Choi Min-su, Choi Soo-jong, Choi Yang- Ornamental tiger with
rak and Choi Myung-gil are tigers. claw pendant
Top singer Cho Yong-pil was also Courtesy of National Folk
born in the year of the tiger in 1950. Museum of Korea
chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

Stars Born in Year of Tiger

U-Know of pop group TVXQ Micky of pop group TVXQ Kim Hyun-joong of pop group SS501 Actor Choi Min-su Actress Choi Myung-gil Actor Choi Soo-jong Singer Cho Yong-pil

1
12 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010

Now Showing
Nine
From the makers of “Chicago” comes a new musical movie. Guido, a
world-famous film director (Daniel Day-Lewis), while struggling to find a
new script and deal with a mid-life crisis, must balance his relationship
with the women in his life: his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Pene-
lope Cruz), his muse (Nicole Kidman), a journalist (Kate Hudson), his
costume designer (Judi Dench), a prostitute from his youth (Fergie) and
his mother (Sophia Loren). 15 and over. 118 minutes.
Cinus G Gangnam (02-530-8400) near exit 5 of Gangnam Station on subway line 2
CGV Gangdong (1544-1122) near exit 2 of Gangdong-gu Office Station on subway line 8
Primus Sillim (1544-5522) near exit 7 of Sillim Station on subway line 2

Management
Mike (Steve Zahn), a laid back motel manager, and Sue (Jennifer Annis-
ton), an uptight sales representative, briefly cross paths during Sue’s
business trip. Convinced that Sue is the woman of his dreams, Mike pur-
sues her across the country, bringing chaos — though not an entirely
unpleasant one — into Sue’s orderly life. 15 and over. 94 minutes.
Megabox Coex (1544-0600) inside Coex Mall near exits 5 and 6 of Samseong Sta-
tion on subway line 2
Joongang Cinema (02-776-8866) near Euljiro 1-ga exit of Euljiro 3-ga Station in
subway line 3

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Actresses Song Yoon-ah, left, and Kim Hyang-gi star in a heartfelt story about a precocious young girl who prepares to part with her cancer-struck mother.
In this sequel, the world-famous singing chipmunk trio — Alvin, Simon and Courtesy of Sidus FNH
Theodore — return to school. In order to save the school’s music program,

On Mother-Daughter Bonding
they have to battle other bands to win a $25,000 prize. But they unexpected-
ly meet their match in an all-girl trio, The Chipettes, comprised of Brittany,
Eleanor and Jeanette. How will the chipmunks handle the situation, amid the
pressures of academics, fame and rivalry? All ages. 88 minutes.
Cinecity (02-540-2500) near exit 3 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3
Artreon Sinchon (1644-2208) near exit 4 of Sinchon Station on subway line 2 By Lee Hyo-won ly running around to correct mis- will never get to see. thereof — of her immature single
Seoul Cinema (02-2277-3014) near exit 14 of Jongno 3-ga Station on subway lines Staff Reporter takes than working with chiffon. So-ra is preoccupied with her mom, and begins to shy away
1, 3 and 5 (The amiable actress, who is own problems, having to deal with from kissing her; but naturally,
Amid the speedy, adventure- more familiar in more elegant a borderline case of obsessive she cannot live without her.
Woochi packed film releases, “Wedding roles, is at times surprisingly irri- compulsive disorder, which causes The movie’s heartfelt moments
This modern reinterpretation of the Jeon U-chi chronicles takes viewers Dress,” a mellow family drama tating as the scatterbrained her to refuse to share food with are rooted in So-ra’s coming-of-
back to the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), when Taoist wizards and evil with an andante tempo, seeks to woman). others. She is ostracized at school age as she pretends to be oblivious
goblins fought over a magic flute. Woochi (Kang Dong-won) is a trouble- provoke a different sensibility — Nevertheless, the young wid- and even cuts ballet class, finding to her mother’s condition while
making ascetic-in-training who abuses his Taoist magic to play pranks. to gently pull at the heartstrings ow manages to make ends meet refuge in hanging out at the neigh- trying to make the best of their lim-
When Woochi and his sidekick Choraengi are framed for murdering their of sometimes over-stimulated for herself and her loving, boring “taekgyeon” (a Korean ited time together, by fulfilling her
master, they are banished to live inside paintings. But when the goblins viewers. though rather cheeky, little martial art) class. mother’s wishes one by one.
return for the flute in modern-day Seoul, Taoist wizards summon Woochi The teary mother-daughter daughter So-ra (Kim). She may Local screens, both big and The movie follows in the foot-
back. 12 and over. 136 minutes. No English subtitles available. story may be more appropriate not be the most adept parent but small, has been dominated lately steps of films that highlight famil-
Cinecity (02-540-2500) near exit 3 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3 for a May release in time for is most certainly the most loving, by deeply flawed personalities, ial love that flows upstream, from
Cinus G Gangnam (02-530-8400) near exit 5 of Gangnam Station on subway line 2 Family Month, and it would have and never forgets to pick up an both fictional and real. So-ra, child to parent, while dealing
greatly benefitted from some umbrella-less So-ra from school adorable as she is, exhibits a rela- with premature death. A notable
heavy editing to speed up the when it’s pouring outside. tively mild case of unpleasant fits candidate for comparison is
Sherlock Holmes painful crawling pace and Meanwhile, Go-un — or rather compared to other “national brats” “Aeja,” about a bickering mother
Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner Dr. straight-to-DVD movie quality. the pitchy-voiced Song — in the media, but the film’s comic and daughter who learn to bond
Watson (Jude Law) wrap up yet another successful case by catching Nevertheless, compelling child redeems herself by revealing that relief mostly revolves around So-ra in the face of terminal illness.
the evil Lord Blackwood. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns actress Kim Hyang-gi turns her exaggerated efforts at mak- being less-than-pleasant to her “Wedding Dress” may have
from the grave to resume his killings, the duo must stop him from cliched predictability into some- ing everyone around her happy enthusiastic mother. been stonger and delivered the
threatening all of England. In the process, they become entangled in a thing tastefully classic, and the are simply a means of preparing So-ra, who has learned to look narrative more effectively had it
web of murder, black magic and the seduction of the beautiful Irene movie will undoubtedly become for her death (though the movie after herself from a young age, is shown the entire story from the
Adler. 12 and over. 128 minutes. a steady cable TV movie listing makes no secret of the fact that always pouting if not also mum- child’s perspective. But its dramat-
Cinecity (02-540-2500) near exit 3 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3 for the general audience. she has cancer). The film’s title bling her nagging comments to ic quality is at the same time
CGV Gangnam (1544-2280) connected to Gangnam Station on subway line 2 Song Yoon-ah plays the role of alludes to Go-un’s ultimate part- her mother. The precocious heightened by the switch in per-
Go-un, a wedding dress designer ing gift, a special dress for her young girl may have grown up spective. In theaters Jan.14.
Fantastic Mr. Fox who is more often seen frantical- daughter’s wedding, which she too fast under the care — or lack hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
Roald Dahl’s story comes to the big screen as an animation. Despite his

‘Nine’ Is Short on Dialogue, Music

vows to become more responsible, Mr. Fox ends up stealing chickens,
turkeys and cider from three mean farmers — Boggis, Bunce and Bean —
to provide for his family. But the farmers, tired of sharing their food with the
fox, set out to catch him once and for all. All ages admitted. 87 minutes.
CGV Apgujeong (1544-1122) near exit 3 of Apgujeong Station on subway line 3
CGV Gangbyeon (1544-1122) near exit 1 of Gangbyeon Station on subway line 2 By Claudia Puig The cast members’ musical tal-
CGV Gunja (1544-1122) near exit 7 of Gunja Station on subway line 5 and 7 USA Today ents are markedly uneven. Day-
Lewis’ Italian accent works in
We’d all like to live in an Ital- speech, but when he sings, he
Movies on Cable TV ian movie. So says a character in
Nine, and it’s probably the best
sounds strangely like the Count
from Sesame Street. The best per-
line in this musical misfire. formers are Cotillard (who won an
Nine has glamour. Rome looks Oscar portraying Edith Piaf in “La
fabulous, as does Daniel Day- Vie en Rose”) and Stacy Ferguson
Lewis, zipping around in his Fiat (aka Fergie), whose powerful voice
in dark shades, skinny tie and works well in a small but distinc-
slicked-back hair. But there’s no tive part as sensuous Saraghina.
substance beneath the gloss. For Judi Dench, as Contini’s cos-
an homage to director Federico tume designer, sings capably in a
Fellini, who made such psycho- French accent in her Folies Berg-
logically complex and poetic ere-inspired number. Cruz does
Jurassic Park: The Lost Rush Hour 3 Street Kings films, it’s surprisingly vapid. A scene from “Nine,” starring Daniel Day-Lewis a steamy song and dance, but
World OCN 5:10 P.M., SATURDAY AFTERNOON OCN 10:00 P.M., SUNDAY NIGHT Director Rob Marshall (“Chica- her acting is strangely carica-
OCN 9:10 A.M., FRIDAY MORNING When ambassador Han, who Tom, a veteran detective, strug- go”) has adapted the 1982 Broad- blocked. Distracted and anxious, You’ll hear his first name tured. Kate Hudson appears in
After Jurassic Park closes knows secrets about the Tri- gles after the death of his wife. way musical based on Fellini’s he dallies with his mistress (Pene- repeated — mostly in song — over her head in her extravagant
down, John Hammond ads, is blackmailed, cop duo When he is framed for the seminal 1963 film, “8 1/2.” But lope Cruz), reassures his wife about 50 times, as if absorbing it musical sequence, and Sophia
returns to document the area. Lee and Carter head to Paris to murder of his former partner, rather than capturing the neo-real- (Marion Cotillard), placates his pro- will give a deeper sense of him. Loren talk-sings her role.
But he soon finds that some protect a woman who also has he goes on a wild and wreck- ist director’s singularly offbeat ducer (Ricky Tognazzi) and seeks The dialogue is surprisingly lack- Unlike Chicago, there are no
dinosaurs have survived. information about the Triads. less 60-hour quest to track vision, he peppers the film with inspiration from his muse (Nicole luster, given that the screenplay showstopping musical numbers
Directed by Steven Spielberg. Directed by Brett Ratner. Star- down the real killers. Directed superficial images from Fellini’s Kidman). He takes refuge in rever- was written by Michael Tolkin here. It takes a couple viewings/lis-
Starring Jeff Goldblum and ring Chris Tucker, Jackie Chan by David Ayer. Starring Keanu work. ie, even turning to his dead mother (“The Player”) and the late Anthony tenings to appreciate — or even
Julianne Moore. and Max von Sydow. Reeves and Forest Whitaker. Day-Lewis plays Guido Contini, (Sophia Loren) and influential Minghella (“The English Patient”). distinguish — its songs. (Be Italian
a filmmaker who is creatively memories from his youth. And then there’s the music. is the most notable.)

ge
Central Seoul Fantaseum Gangnam & COEX rid
Theater list gs
u
B

Dongsoong
Dongsoong Apgujeong on
- Central Seoul Se
Cinematheque
Cinematheque Spongehouse
Seoul Art Cinema (02) 741-9782 www.artsonje.org Kukje Gallery
Cine Cube (02) 20(02)7770 www.cinecube.net Hyehwa Cine
Cine Plus
Plus
Jeongdok
Flim Forum (02)-764-6236 www.filmforum.co.kr Gyeongbok Palace Changdeok Palace Sinsa
Public Library
Anse Cine City
CGV 1544-1122 www.cgv.co.kr Changgyeong Palace Hospital
Artsonje Center
Joongang Cinema (02) 776-8866 www.joongangcinema.co.kr Cinema OZ Broadway
/Seoul Art Cinema
Scara (02) 2277-4151 www.cinecine.co.kr
Daehan Cinema (02) 3393-3500 www.daehancinema.co.kr Anguk Lumiere
Gyeongbokgung
Myungbo Plaza (02) 2274-2121 www.myungbo.com Yulgokno Megamax
Seoul Cinema (02) 2277-3014 www.seoulcinema.com City Movie Theater
Sponge House (02) 2285-2090 www.spongehouse.com Jongmyo Shrine
Insa-dong
1588-1907 USA
Dansungsa Cinema www.dansungsa.com Sejong Center for
Gangnam Yeoksam Seonneung
Embassy
Piccadilly Cinema (02) 3676-7942 www.thepicca.co.kr the Performing Arts Hollywood Dongdaemun
Gwanghwamun Piccadilly Jongno 5-ga
Dongsoong Cinemateque (02) 741-3991 www.dsartcenter.co.kr Cinema Cinema Dansungsa Sinchon
MMC (02) 2268-9111 www.mmc24.co.kr Cinema Ewha
Jonggak
Womans Univ.
- Gangnam Cine Cube Bosingak Jongno 3-ga
Broadway 1544-9150 www.bc5.co.kr
Sponge MMC
House Seoul
Lumiere (02) 545-3800 www.lumiere.co.kr Deoksu Palace
Cinema
Megabox 1544-0600 www.megabox.co.kr City Hall Euljiro 4-ga
Euljiro 1-ga
Dongdaemun
City Movie Theater (02) 561-3388 www.citycinema.co.kr
Joongang Euljiro 3-ga Stadium
Cine City 1644-0757 www.icinecity.co.kr City Hall Myungbo Artreon
Cinema
CGV Plaza
- Sinchon Myeongdong 5 Sinchon
Megabox Sinchon 1544-0600 www.megabox.co.kr Myeongdong Scara Jung-gu Office Ewha Womans
Univ.
Sinchon Grand Cinema (02) 320-2500 www.cinecine.co.kr Namdaemun
Artreon 1644-2208 www.artreon.co.kr Cats21
Market
Myeongdong Chungmuro Daehan Cinema Yonghwa Nara

1

Chef Introduces Year’s Favorite Dishes
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Going over favorite episodes or
incidents may be a good way to
wrap up a year. For a hotel
restaurant, the best way might
be presenting some of the most
popular dishes of the year.
The Korea Times looked into
the most sold items of the Park
Hyatt Seoul’s signature restau-
rant, Cornerstone, and talked
with the executive chef Stefano
Di Salvo about them.
“Koreans tend to eat less salt
and less spice. That was the
most important thing in drawing
up a menu. Other than that, they
are very open and flexible to
changes and it was easy to pre-
sent different menus in different
styles — the hotel presents differ-
ent menus according to seasonal
changes,” he said.
As he picked the hotel’s best
sellers or sold-out items, he said
they had one thing in common.
“The dishes are simple and
unique but still maintain original
characters that wow even the
pickiest gourmets. Many of them
are the hybrid of my favorite
recipes and the season’s best
ingredients,” he said. Such dish-
es had two merits — the ingredi-
ents were fresh enough and
cooking was easy enough to con-
trol the quality. “Maybe that’s
why they are loved,” he said.
Di Salvo picked the crab cake
with mango salsa, duck liver
with persimmon chutney and
goat cheese with bell pepper as
the best entrees. The soft yet
chewy texture of crab cake and
Di Salvo’s favorite ingredient
duck liver make a deep and rich
taste that rolled on the tongue.
“People may find duck liver too
rich and expensive for Koreans
but I thought there could be oth-
er ways to enjoy it,” he said.
Qatar Airways to Start Incheon-Doha Service
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
Qatar Airways unveiled plans
Monday to launch direct services
between Incheon and Doha,
Qatar in March 2010. Previously,
the airline provided an Incheon-
Doha route that involved a trans-
fer in Osaka, Japan and took a
total of 14 hours and 30 minutes.
The new direct route will
shorten travel time by 5 hours
and operate seven times a week.
“The service is expected to
increase the number of travelers
from the Korean market choos-
ing to fly with Qatar Airways,” a
publicist with the airline said. “In
terms of flight duration and
price, the new route is beneficial
for travelers to the Middle East,
Africa and Europe.”
Qatar Airways flies to 85 cities
in Europe, the Middle East,
Africa, India and the Americas,
and plans to expand its destina-
tions to 120 cities by 2013.
It is one of the fastest growing
airlines in the world, recording
almost 40 percent annual growth
Sujeonggwa
(Semi-Dried Persimmons With Cinnamon in Ginger Broth)
New Year’s Day is not com-
plete without “sujeonggwa.”
Good quality semi-dried per-
simmons have a slightly thick
white skin outside but are soft
inside.
Traditionally, the dried per-
simmons are soaked in a large
quantity of syrup, but I changed
the ingredients in order to
enhance the taste of the per-
simmons.
You can use any sweet liquor
to soak the persimmons.
Although you need to start
preparing this dessert a week
in advance, the process itself is
quite easy.
INGREDIENTS (serves 4)
6 whole semi-dried PERSIM-
MONS (8 oz/ 225 g)
1 1/2 cup PLUM WINE, RUM
1
Park Hyatt Seoul’s executive chef Stefano Di Salvo
A seafood soup with garlic dates
back to his days in Tuscany, Italy.
He presented the view of “when
the seas met the bread” in the
bowl of soup. From shrimps to
clams and mussels, the soup rep-
resents the golden beach of his
hometown with plenty of seafood.
With toasted bread one can feel
full but fresh at the same time.
The Australian lamb chop pre-
sented with asparagus rolled in
pancetta, sweet potatoes and
green peppercorn sauce is also
Qatar Airways will launch direct services between Incheon and Doha, Qatar in
March 2010.
since 1997. It has ordered more
than 220 large aircrafts as part
of efforts to increase its profile as
one of the world’s premier air-
lines. News of the new Incheon-
Doha route comes just days after
Qatar Airways announced plans
to launch flights to Bengaluru
(Bangalore) in southern India;
Ankara, Turkey; and Tokyo,
or GRAND MARNIER
3 cups WATER
2 oz/56 g GINGER, peeled
and cut in half
3 heaping tablespoons HON-
EY
1/3 teaspoons POWDERED
CINNAMON
1 heaping tablespoon PINE
NUTS
1. Cover the persimmons with
sweet liquor (plum wine, rum or
Grand Marnier). Keep them in a
covered jar for a week. The fruit
soaks up the liquor as it softens.
2. Bring the water to a boil in a
pot with ginger pieces and gently
simmer for 4-5 minutes.
Let it cool. Discard the ginger
pieces and add honey and cinna-
mon to the broth. You should be
able to distinctively taste the gin-
one of the chef’s favorite. Lamb,
which wasn’t really cherished by
Koreans for quite a long time,
became one of the most loved
items. Asparagus rolled with Ital-
ian pancetta brings a fresh yet
different taste — the vegetable
softens the rich flavor of the
pork. “I feel quite proud that the
dish was well received not only
by foreign guests but also by
Koreans,” Di Salvo said.
The Australian Wagyu tender-
loin with truffle cream cheese,
Courtesy of Qatar Airways
starting in February 2010. The
airline also plans to launch
flights to Sydney, its second Aus-
tralian destination, in 2010.
Additionally, the airline
announced Sunday that Copen-
hagen and Barcelona will join
the airline’s ever-expanding
route network during its summer
schedule, which begins at the
ger and cinnamon.
3. Chill well in the refrigerator
for at least 4-5 hours. When
ready to serve, gently pour the
broth into the individual bowls,
being careful to leave behind the
sediment that has collected at the
bottom of the pot.
Add the persimmons to the
bowls, either in bite-sized or larg-
er pieces. Sprinkle with pine nuts.
This is an excerpt from “Korean
Cuisine: Healthy Food, Full of Fla-
vor” (Yekyong Publishing, 224
pp., 28,000 won). The book is on
sale at major bookstores such as
Kyobo Bookstore, Youngpoong
Bookstore and Bandi & Luni’s. –
ED.
Crab cake with mango salsa, duck liver with persimmon chutney and goat cheese
with bell pepper
Australian Wagyu tenderloin with truffle cream cheese, roasted polenta and mush-
rooms ragout and sauce riche
roasted polenta, mushroom ragout
and rich sauce is also a source of
pride for Di Salvo. “It is a pity that
Korean beef prices soared and we
weren’t able to use it anymore.
The Australian beef is fine, too.
The truffle cream, which brings a
woody, deep and unique flavor,
adds weight to the relatively soft
texture of the meat,” he said.
Di Salvo, highly accredited for
his simple but sophisticated cui-
sine, has more things to show
Koreans next year. One of his
philosophies is to reflect the local
end of March 2010.
The commencement of four
weekly flights to Copenhagen will
see the airline significantly
increase its presence in Scandi-
navia. Qatar Airways currently
serves Stockholm non-stop from
Doha, a route launched two
years ago.
The airline also recently
announced that it will run daily
flights on its Stockholm route from
March next year. With Copen-
hagen being added, Qatar Airways
will further strengthen its opera-
tions in Scandinavia, cementing its
place as the only carrier from a
Gulf Cooperation Council country
to serve the region.
Barcelona will become the sec-
ond Spanish city served by Qatar
Airlines, after Madrid, when dai-
ly services commence to the pop-
ular Mediterranean port city.
The new route underscores a
growing commitment by the air-
line to the Spanish market fol-
lowing earlier capacity increases
to the country’s capital city.
As Spain’s second largest city,
Barcelona is a popular tourist
Kim Yong-ja
Sujeonggwa, or semi-dried persimmons with cinnamon in ginger broth
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
food and its spirit to his pallet.
“I am a chef and I travel
around the world. It is a privilege
to come across various culture
and cuisines that reflects the
national spirit. It would be wrong
to ignore them,” he said.
The hotel spokeswoman Janet
Lim said Di Salvo is passionate
about introducing Korean
berries, rice and many others to
Western style desserts.
“Wait and see what will be list-
ed next year,” she said.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
destination. It is home to one of
Europe’s main ports and is a
thriving hub for finance, com-
merce, media, entertainment,
arts and international trade.
“The addition of Copenhagen
and Barcelona, along with
Ankara, which we announced a
few days ago, follows the air-
line’s strategy to expand its oper-
ations to diverse and under-
served cities from the Gulf,”
Qatar Airways Chief Executive
Officer Akbar Al Baker said.
“By adding these three cities to
our route network, we are
demonstrating our commitment
to expanding our presence in
Europe and introducing new
travelers to our award-winning
five-star services, as well as to
provide our existing passengers
with even more destinations and
convenient travel options.
“The airline’s business model
continues to prove successful
and Qatar Airways is looking for-
ward to yet another eventful
year, with 2010 shaping up to
being one of our busiest.”
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
13
and skin.
The promotion is available
from Jan. 1 to Feb 28.
The price starts from 15,000
won for a la carte dishes and
110,000 won for set menus,
The Grand Hilton Seoul’s exclusive of tax.
Chinese restaurant, Yeohyang, For more information, call
will present new season leeks, (02) 2287-8787.
a healthy and delicious compo-
nent of traditional Chinese cui-
sine. The special dishes, avail-
able for lunch and dinner, are
sauteed Chinese chives with
jellyfish, sauteed Chinese
chives with shrimp and
sauteed Chinese chives with
abalone. The set menu also
features a new dish, “Buldo-
jang,” which includes a variety
of seafood such as shark’s fin,
abalone and sea cucumber,
known to be good for the eyes
exclusive of tax.
At the hotel’s Chinese
restaurant, Chunsan, guests
will be given a red envelope
with 8 yuan in it to wish them
good luck.
Both promotions run until
Feb. 28., exclusive of week-
ends and public holidays. For
The Imperial Palace Hotel’s more information, call (02)
Japanese restaurant, Manyo, 3440-8000.
presents “Osechi Bento,” tradi-
tional Japanese cuisine for
New Year’s Day.
Dishes are comprised of lob-
sters, Namas sushi, eel,
smoked duck, chicken, ume-
boshi, beans, shrimps and 22
other delicacies symbolizing
longevity, prosper, wisdom
and other health benefits. The
bento is priced at 65,000 won,
The Westin Chosun Seoul’s sweet red bean porridge as
Japanese restaurant, Sushi
Cho, presents “Live Oden”
with homemade oden and
soup every weekend. Home-
well as homemade oden.
Warm sake is prepared in
tokkuri for 24,000 won and
26,000 won to complement
made oden and sushi are Sushi Cho’s homemade oden.
available on weekend set The promotion is available
menus at 60,000 and 80,000 by the end of February and all
won, respectively, for lunch prices are exclusive of tax.
,and 100,000 and 120,000 For more information, call
won for dinner. 02) 317-0373.
“Oden” is one of the most
popular winter foods made
with dried tuna and kelp, sea-
soned with soy sauce and
boiled with kamaboko made of
pureed white fish, radish, kon-
jac and eggs. Guests can
choose their favorite ingredi-
ents for oden.
The weekend set menus also
include boiled globefish salad,
oyster salad with yuzu sauce,
shirako steak, hamaguri (clam)
with fermented tuna sauce and
won.
Various a la carte items,
including crab cocktail, mari-
nated crab legs, Singaporean-
style chili crab, king crab New-
burg puff and many more are
The JW Marriott Seoul’s offered.
JW’s Grill holds a special The Alaskan king crab chef’s
event, where guests can enjoy set menu is priced at 90,000
the chef’s set menu discounted won and a la carte dishes
by 50 percent, through Feb. range from 13,000 to 55,000
28. The event runs from 6 won. Offered from 6:00 to 9:00
p.m. to 9 p.m. every day. p.m., the chef’s set menu is
If guests order one of the a priced at 45,000 won. All
la carte entrees featured in the prices are exclusive of tax.
promotion, one king crab For more information, call
starter such as the king crab (02) 6282-6759.
salad or a king crab cocktail
will be offered on the house.
Also the chef’s four-course set
menu will be offered at half the
normal rate — the chef’s set
menu is usually 90,000 won
but during this special time-
line, it is on offer at 45,000
Cornerstone, the Park Hyatt chocolates,” ideal for a late
Seoul’s main restaurant, will lunch. The dishes are served
present “Weekend Desserts” with freshly squeezed juices,
every weekend afternoon in smoothies, premium coffee or
January. The “Weekend organic tea to complement the
Desserts” features a table full endless array of sweets and
of mini-savories and delicacies, delicacies.
including ham croissants and The package is priced at
smoked salmon croque mon- 25,000 won, exclusive of tax,
sieur, Lavoche bread with and is available from 3 p.m. to
camembert cheese, homemade 5 p.m.
ice-cream sundaes, fresh oven- For more information, call
baked scones, cakes, maca- (02) 2016-1234 or (02)2016-
roons, tarts, cookies and 1220.
14 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Subway inspectors pose with a railroad inspection train dubbed “Dr. Find” at a Seoul depot. From left, Lee Won-dae, Jin Cho-hwan, Cho Young-man,
Jeong Ki-hun and An Kyung-ho.
00:35 a.m.
The mercury dropped to minus eight
degrees Celsius in Suseo station on line
No. 3 in southern Seoul, Tuesday. An
eight-lane road and the sidewalk near the
station were icy following the snowfall
that covered the city a day earlier. A
group of people, seemingly on their way
back home from a year-end party, were
huddling together, trying to catch a taxi.
At the same time, some five wide-
shouldered, masculine men began to car-
ry dozens of cement sacks piled up beside
the crossroad down to the station. “They
are to be used to install screen doors in
the subway platform,” a worker said.
It was announced that the last subway
bound for the station will arrive at 01:39
a.m., thirty minutes later than usual after
additional services aimed at aiding the
snow-hit road traffic.
“Our work starts after the last train
leaves the station. And it continues until
the arrival of the first subway for tomor-
row,” another worker said. “The deadline
to complete the installation has already
passed. So we have to make it as early as
possible. But such an extended operation
makes it tougher for us to do so.”
A woman cleans the tracks using a machine at Hakyeoul station.
01:17 a.m.
The second to last train arrived
and dozens of passengers, including
faltering ones, walked out of the
train. Workers sitting on benches
alongside the platform stood up and
began to arrange grinders, shovels
and welding machines on the floor. It
took just minutes for the platform,
crowded with passengers during the
day to turn into a virtual “construc-
tion site.” Ear-splitting noise from the
grinders sporadically shattered the
tranquility of the station.
Some ten women in their late 40s
and early 50s were crouching down
on the floor and plugging gaps
between marble tiles with cements.
Chill winds from subway tunnels
radically dropped the temperature of
the station, but it did nothing to halt
the progress.
“It’s so cold. But I do it to make a
living,” a female worker said, smirk-
ing.
Subway 15
25th Hour on
Seoul Metro
Two subway inspectors check out the operation system The first train, which departs exactly at 5:08 a.m., passes through a subway tunnel Tuesday.
before the first subway train departs on Tuesday at a depot
in southern Seoul. Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul
01:39 a.m. 02:00 a.m. 03:10 a.m. 04:23 a.m.
When Last Train Comes Into Depot,
“This is the last stop for this train. Jin Cho-hwan started the engine of The Dr. Find arrived at Hakyeoul The cold spell froze many things. The sub-
Please leave the train,” Yoon Seok- a railroad inspection train, named station after finding nothing wrong. way was no exception. Inspector Kim young-
bong, the driver of the last train, No. “Dr. Find.” It was scheduled to Workers at Hakyeoul were just as ryong and Park Duk-soo, who were checking
327, spoke into his microphone upon inspect railroad conditions between busy as those at others stations the operation systems of train No. 331 —
arrival. After checking out that all the Suseo and Hakyeoul station. installing screen doors and cleaning Tuesday’s first train, scheduled to depart at
carriages were empty, he exchanged A total of five engineers hopped the platforms. 05:08 a.m. — made an emergency call to the
Army of Workers Arises
pleasantries with a driver on the into the 50-ton, 19-meter-long vehi- Five workers seemingly in their administration center.
opposite side of the tracks. cle, produced by Mer Mec in Italy. 50s were sprinkling water on the “We need another train to replace it. No.
Then he slowly drove the vehicle to “It can inspect dozens of factors on floor using a hose and rubbing the 331 has a system problem,” Park said into a
a regional base located one kilometer the railroad on a real time basis,” he floor with an electric cleaning walkie-talkie. The office took immediate
away from the station, where dozens proudly said. “It can detect problems machine. action by changing the trains.
of trains and other heavy equipment to within a 0.1 millimeter margin of A woman operating the machine “If the departure of the first train is
are stationed. error.” said, “It takes nearly four hours to delayed, it has an enormous trickle-down
The first train bound for Daehwa, Seoul Metro operates subway lines wipe the entire floor of a station.” effect. The operation timetable for today
another base located nearly 40 kilo- By Park Si-soo, Shim Hyun-chul of the railroad network and hundreds of subway trains, every single No. 1, 2, 3 and 4, with the total She refused to answer additional would be comprehensively modified and
meters northwestern from here, is Staff Reporters night. length of railroad it has totaling questions, saying “Time is running countless passengers would be affected,”
scheduled to leave the base at “exact- It’s obvious that their overnight dedication has made it possible for an 276.95 kilometers. It checks the out. The work should be completed Kim said.
U
ly” 05:08 a.m. and arrive at Dogok NDERGROUND SEOUL — At around 1 a.m., when Seoul, the city estimated 4.5 million people to enjoy safe, clean and convenient under- entire railroad four times a year. by 04:30 a.m.” Nearly two thirds of The two drivers for Tuesday’s first train —
station, five stops away, at 05:28 of 12 million people, is heading to bed, some 1,400 people are ground travel every single day. The train left the base and trundled the floor remained untouched. Min Kyung-sik and Lee Dae-nam — arrived
a.m. starting their morning, putting on their hard hats and getting their But not many citizens are aware of this. to Hakyeoul station. “Driving the On way back to the base, Jin said, at newly-assigned train No. 326 at 04:30
“I feel happy when I wrap up the toolboxes, in order to ensure a smooth and safe tomorrow for millions of Ahead of New Year’s Day, The Korea Times spent a night with the sub- train at this time is much more risky “Frankly, night work is tough. I was a.m. and the inspectors wished them good
operation as scheduled without any commuters using the megacity’s spider web of subways. way workers, often described as “morning breakers,” at two subway sta- than during the day time,” said Jin told that overnight work would morning and handed over the key.
trouble,” Yoon said, smiling. They clean up, inspect and repair a total of 290 subway stations scat- tions and a regional base, catching a glimpse of their overnight duties. who has been engaged in this field shorten my life span. But I do this job “We usually wake up one hour ahead of
tered around Seoul and its neighboring areas, the hundreds of kilometers pss@koreatimes.co.kr for fifteen years. “During the day for a feeling of satisfaction that I can- departure,” said Min, who has operated sub-
time, the subway tunnels are free not get elsewhere. way trains since 1985.
from people, but it’s not the case at “You don’t know the feeling we A briefcase he was holding was packed
night. Many inspectors patrol the get when we see the subway run- with a roll of newspapers and toilet paper.
tunnel to locate any problems with ning smoothly with the rising sun as “These are must-have items for subway
the walls, tracks or the power lines.” the backdrop. I think this is my call- drivers,” he said. “We will have no time to
He frequently sounds the horn in ing.” go to the restroom for up to three hours.
warning and pays greater attention This is for emergencies.”
when the train approaches a curbed Lee, who has done this job for 13 years,
line or a station under construction. added, “All subway drivers will understand
“In the 1980s, all inspection prac- this.”
tices were conducted by foot patrols. Min stressed that the first drivers are
It was common at that time for peo- responsible for the train departing as sched-
ple with heavy equipment to be uled and arriving at stations on time.
walking alongside the tracks all night “The first subway has more significance
long,” he said. than the following ones,” he said. “It’s like
the first steps in life. If we do this right, the
rest of the day will go smoothly. If not, how-
ever, major efforts will be added to get it
back on the right track.
“Subway staff should put work ahead of
their private life and entertainment for the
Two subway drivers for general public. In particular, we work longer
Tuesday’s first train on holidays and during this time of year. But
bound for Daehwa An inspector checks the satisfaction we get doing this job is much
check the operation sys- to ensure that the stronger.”
tem ahead of its depar- doors of a subway At around 4:50 a.m. when the train
ture from a regional train are working arrived at Chungmuro station in central
base in southern Seoul. properly. Seoul, its ten carriages capable of carrying
up to 3,500 passengers were already crowd-
ed.
Trains are parked with their lights on at a Seoul depot at nighttime to avoid mechanical problems from the cold weather. Subway drivers and inspectors check the carriages.
14 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Subway inspectors pose with a railroad inspection train dubbed “Dr. Find” at a Seoul depot. From left, Lee Won-dae, Jin Cho-hwan, Cho Young-man,
Jeong Ki-hun and An Kyung-ho.
00:35 a.m.
The mercury dropped to minus eight
degrees Celsius in Suseo station on line
No. 3 in southern Seoul, Tuesday. An
eight-lane road and the sidewalk near the
station were icy following the snowfall
that covered the city a day earlier. A
group of people, seemingly on their way
back home from a year-end party, were
huddling together, trying to catch a taxi.
At the same time, some five wide-
shouldered, masculine men began to car-
ry dozens of cement sacks piled up beside
the crossroad down to the station. “They
are to be used to install screen doors in
the subway platform,” a worker said.
It was announced that the last subway
bound for the station will arrive at 01:39
a.m., thirty minutes later than usual after
additional services aimed at aiding the
snow-hit road traffic.
“Our work starts after the last train
leaves the station. And it continues until
the arrival of the first subway for tomor-
row,” another worker said. “The deadline
to complete the installation has already
passed. So we have to make it as early as
possible. But such an extended operation
makes it tougher for us to do so.”
A woman cleans the tracks using a machine at Hakyeoul station.
01:17 a.m.
The second to last train arrived
and dozens of passengers, including
faltering ones, walked out of the
train. Workers sitting on benches
alongside the platform stood up and
began to arrange grinders, shovels
and welding machines on the floor. It
took just minutes for the platform,
crowded with passengers during the
day to turn into a virtual “construc-
tion site.” Ear-splitting noise from the
grinders sporadically shattered the
tranquility of the station.
Some ten women in their late 40s
and early 50s were crouching down
on the floor and plugging gaps
between marble tiles with cements.
Chill winds from subway tunnels
radically dropped the temperature of
the station, but it did nothing to halt
the progress.
“It’s so cold. But I do it to make a
living,” a female worker said, smirk-
ing.
Subway 15
25th Hour on
Seoul Metro
Two subway inspectors check out the operation system The first train, which departs exactly at 5:08 a.m., passes through a subway tunnel Tuesday.
before the first subway train departs on Tuesday at a depot
in southern Seoul. Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul
01:39 a.m. 02:00 a.m. 03:10 a.m. 04:23 a.m.
When Last Train Comes Into Depot,
“This is the last stop for this train. Jin Cho-hwan started the engine of The Dr. Find arrived at Hakyeoul The cold spell froze many things. The sub-
Please leave the train,” Yoon Seok- a railroad inspection train, named station after finding nothing wrong. way was no exception. Inspector Kim young-
bong, the driver of the last train, No. “Dr. Find.” It was scheduled to Workers at Hakyeoul were just as ryong and Park Duk-soo, who were checking
327, spoke into his microphone upon inspect railroad conditions between busy as those at others stations the operation systems of train No. 331 —
arrival. After checking out that all the Suseo and Hakyeoul station. installing screen doors and cleaning Tuesday’s first train, scheduled to depart at
carriages were empty, he exchanged A total of five engineers hopped the platforms. 05:08 a.m. — made an emergency call to the
Army of Workers Arises
pleasantries with a driver on the into the 50-ton, 19-meter-long vehi- Five workers seemingly in their administration center.
opposite side of the tracks. cle, produced by Mer Mec in Italy. 50s were sprinkling water on the “We need another train to replace it. No.
Then he slowly drove the vehicle to “It can inspect dozens of factors on floor using a hose and rubbing the 331 has a system problem,” Park said into a
a regional base located one kilometer the railroad on a real time basis,” he floor with an electric cleaning walkie-talkie. The office took immediate
away from the station, where dozens proudly said. “It can detect problems machine. action by changing the trains.
of trains and other heavy equipment to within a 0.1 millimeter margin of A woman operating the machine “If the departure of the first train is
are stationed. error.” said, “It takes nearly four hours to delayed, it has an enormous trickle-down
The first train bound for Daehwa, Seoul Metro operates subway lines wipe the entire floor of a station.” effect. The operation timetable for today
another base located nearly 40 kilo- By Park Si-soo, Shim Hyun-chul of the railroad network and hundreds of subway trains, every single No. 1, 2, 3 and 4, with the total She refused to answer additional would be comprehensively modified and
meters northwestern from here, is Staff Reporters night. length of railroad it has totaling questions, saying “Time is running countless passengers would be affected,”
scheduled to leave the base at “exact- It’s obvious that their overnight dedication has made it possible for an 276.95 kilometers. It checks the out. The work should be completed Kim said.
U
ly” 05:08 a.m. and arrive at Dogok NDERGROUND SEOUL — At around 1 a.m., when Seoul, the city estimated 4.5 million people to enjoy safe, clean and convenient under- entire railroad four times a year. by 04:30 a.m.” Nearly two thirds of The two drivers for Tuesday’s first train —
station, five stops away, at 05:28 of 12 million people, is heading to bed, some 1,400 people are ground travel every single day. The train left the base and trundled the floor remained untouched. Min Kyung-sik and Lee Dae-nam — arrived
a.m. starting their morning, putting on their hard hats and getting their But not many citizens are aware of this. to Hakyeoul station. “Driving the On way back to the base, Jin said, at newly-assigned train No. 326 at 04:30
“I feel happy when I wrap up the toolboxes, in order to ensure a smooth and safe tomorrow for millions of Ahead of New Year’s Day, The Korea Times spent a night with the sub- train at this time is much more risky “Frankly, night work is tough. I was a.m. and the inspectors wished them good
operation as scheduled without any commuters using the megacity’s spider web of subways. way workers, often described as “morning breakers,” at two subway sta- than during the day time,” said Jin told that overnight work would morning and handed over the key.
trouble,” Yoon said, smiling. They clean up, inspect and repair a total of 290 subway stations scat- tions and a regional base, catching a glimpse of their overnight duties. who has been engaged in this field shorten my life span. But I do this job “We usually wake up one hour ahead of
tered around Seoul and its neighboring areas, the hundreds of kilometers pss@koreatimes.co.kr for fifteen years. “During the day for a feeling of satisfaction that I can- departure,” said Min, who has operated sub-
time, the subway tunnels are free not get elsewhere. way trains since 1985.
from people, but it’s not the case at “You don’t know the feeling we A briefcase he was holding was packed
night. Many inspectors patrol the get when we see the subway run- with a roll of newspapers and toilet paper.
tunnel to locate any problems with ning smoothly with the rising sun as “These are must-have items for subway
the walls, tracks or the power lines.” the backdrop. I think this is my call- drivers,” he said. “We will have no time to
He frequently sounds the horn in ing.” go to the restroom for up to three hours.
warning and pays greater attention This is for emergencies.”
when the train approaches a curbed Lee, who has done this job for 13 years,
line or a station under construction. added, “All subway drivers will understand
“In the 1980s, all inspection prac- this.”
tices were conducted by foot patrols. Min stressed that the first drivers are
It was common at that time for peo- responsible for the train departing as sched-
ple with heavy equipment to be uled and arriving at stations on time.
walking alongside the tracks all night “The first subway has more significance
long,” he said. than the following ones,” he said. “It’s like
the first steps in life. If we do this right, the
rest of the day will go smoothly. If not, how-
ever, major efforts will be added to get it
back on the right track.
“Subway staff should put work ahead of
their private life and entertainment for the
Two subway drivers for general public. In particular, we work longer
Tuesday’s first train on holidays and during this time of year. But
bound for Daehwa An inspector checks the satisfaction we get doing this job is much
check the operation sys- to ensure that the stronger.”
tem ahead of its depar- doors of a subway At around 4:50 a.m. when the train
ture from a regional train are working arrived at Chungmuro station in central
base in southern Seoul. properly. Seoul, its ten carriages capable of carrying
up to 3,500 passengers were already crowd-
ed.
Trains are parked with their lights on at a Seoul depot at nighttime to avoid mechanical problems from the cold weather. Subway drivers and inspectors check the carriages.
16 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Classical Concerts
Hyun Jae-hee & Lee Min-jung Duo
Piano Recital
Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing
Arts
Jan. 3
Pianists Hyun Jae-hee and Lee Min-
jung will hold a duo recital featuring
Mozart’s “Sonata in D major for Two
Pianos K.448,” Infante’s “Musiques
d’Espagne pour Deux Pianos” and Bol-
com’s “The Garden of Eden, Four Rags
for Two Pianos.” All tickets cost 20,000
won. For more information, visit
ticket.interpark.com of call (02) 2265-
9235. Located near exits 1 and 8 of
Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5.
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s
New Year’s Concert
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing
Arts
Jan. 6
The orchestra’s New Year’s Concert
at the Sejong Center will be projected
in Gwanghwamun. The program fea-
tures Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto in
D major, Op. 35” with rising violinist
Shin Hyun-su, Debussy’s “La Mer” and
Ravel’s “La Valse.” Tickets cost from
10,000 to 50,000 won. For more infor-
mation, visit ticket.interpark.com of
call (02) 3700-6300. Located near exits
1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on
subway line 5.
Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orches-
tra’s New Year’s Concert
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Perform-
ing Arts
Jan. 9
The Seoul Metropolitan Youth
Orchestra will offer Beethoven’s Over-
ture “Namensfeier” in C Major Op.115,
Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in G Minor
and Beethoven’s “Symphony No.9
‘Choral’ in D Minor Op.125” with Seoul
Metropolitan Junior Chorus. Tickets
cost from 5,000 to 25,000 won. For
more information, visit ticket.inter-
park.com or call 15441887. Located
near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun
Station on subway line 5.
Park Jong-hae’s Piano Recital
Kumho Art Hall
Jan. 9
Young pianist Park Jong-hae will perform on
Jan. 9 at Kumho Art Hall in Seoul.
Park Jong-hae will give a recital in
the first of the Kumho Young Artist
Concert Series. He will play sonatas by
Mozart (C major, K.330), as well as
those by Schubert (D.784), Scriabin
(No. 4 in F-sharp major, Op. 30) and
Liszt (“Dante Sonata”). All tickets cost
10,000 won. For more information,
visit www.kumhoarthall.com or call
(02) 6303-7700. Located near exit 7 of
Gwanghwamun Station on subway line
5.
KBS Symphony Orchestra’s New
Year’s Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 9
Violinist Chen Xi presents a New
Year’s concert with the KBS Symphony
Orchestra, conducted by Ham Shin-ik.
Chen Xi will perform Chaikovsky’s
“Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35.”
Tickets costs from 10,000 to 50,000
won. For more information, visit
icket.interpark.com or call (02) 781-
2243. Located near exits 4 and 5 of
Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line
3.
Kim Han’s Clarinet Recital
Kumho Art Hall
Jan. 9
The 13-year-old prodigy clarinetist
Kim Han will start the 2010 Kumho
Prodigy Concert series playing
Debussy’s “Rhapsody No. 1 for Clarinet
and Piano,” Saint-Saens’s “Sonata for
Clarinet and Piano” and Stockhausen’s
“In Freundschaft.” All tickets cost
8,000 won. For more information, visit
1
www.kumhoarthall.com or call (02)
6303-7700. Located near exit 7 of
Gwanghwamun Station on subway line
5.
Seongnam Philharmonic Orches-
tra’s New Year’s Concert
Concert Hall, Seongnam Art Center
Jan. 15
The Seongnam Philharmonic
Orchestra will offer a New Year’s con-
cert featuring scores including Verdi’s
“La Forza del Destino,” Strauss’s “Blue
Danube” and “Voices of Spring.” All
tickets cost 10,000 won. Visit
ticket.interpark.com or call (031) 705-
8177. Located near exit 1 of Imae Sta-
tion on the Bundang line.
2010 I Musici’s New Year’s Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 22
I Musici, the renowned Italian cham-
ber ensemble will perform a New
Year’s Concert in Seoul. The orchestra
will play their representative reper-
toire, Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”
Tickets range from 40,000 to 120,000
won. For more information, visit tick-
et.interpark.com or call (02) 732-3090.
Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu
Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
2010 New Year’s Concert With
Sejong Soloists
Hoam Art Hall
Jan. 22
Year’s concert titled “Dear Linda” fea-
turing Handel’s “Concerto Grosso Op.6
No.1” and Mendelssohn’s “Concerto for
Violin and Piano in D Minor.” Tickets
range from 30,000 to 50,000 won. For
more information, visit www.clubbal-
cony.com or call 1577-5266. Located
near exit 9 of City Hall Station on sub-
way line 1 and 2.
Opera ‘Idomeneo’
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 21-24
Mozart’s opera “Idomeneo” will be
on stage, conducted by Chung Myung-
whun and featuring tenor Alfredo Kim
and Lee Sung-eun in the title role. Tick-
ets cost from 20,000 to 150,000 won.
For more information, visit
www.nationalopera.org or call (02)
586-5282. Located near exits 4 and 5
of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway
line 3.
2010 Vienna Boys Choir New Year’s
Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 23-24
The Vienna Boys Choir, one of the
best-known children’s choirs in the
world, will hold a New Year’s concert in
Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 to
100,000 won. For more information,
visit www.clubbalcony.com or call
1544-5266. Located near exits 4 and 5
of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line
3.
Kim Sun-wook’s Piano Recital
Kumho Art Hall
Jan. 7
Star pianist Kim Sun-wook will hold
a recital featuring Schubert’s “Fantasia
for Piano in C major, D. 760, Op.15
(’Wanderer’)” and “Four Impromptus,
D.899, Op. 90,” the Asia premiere of
Dai Fujikura’s “Joule” and Mus-
sorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
All tickets cost 30,000 won. For more
information, visit
www.kumhoarthall.com or call (02)
6303-7700. Located near exit 7 of
Gwanghwamun Station on subway line
5.
Overture to 2010
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 17
Conductor Yun Gi-yeon will stage
timeless overtures featured in school
music textbooks such as Suppe’s
“Overture to Die Leichte Kavallerie,”
Bizet’s “Overture to Carmen,”
Beethoven’s “Overture to Egmont” and
Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture.”
Tickets cost from 15,000 to 25,000
won. For more information, visit
www.educoncert.co.kr or call (02)
3141-0651. Located near exits 4 and 5
of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway
line 3.
Big Tickets
Etoile Ballet Gala
Opera Theater, Seoul Arts Center
Jan. 12-13
The Etoile Ballet will stage a gala
show featuring beloved ballet works,
including “Don Quixote” and “The
Dying Swan,” with piano prodigy Kim
Sun-wook. Tickets cost from 30,000 to
American alternative band The Killers will perform on Feb. 6 at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park in southern Seoul.
150,000 won. For more information,
visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02)
599-5743. Located near exits 4 and 5
of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway
line 3.
Korean Chamber Orchestra’s 45th
Anniversary Concert
Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
Mar. 16
The Korean Chamber Orchestra,
which specializes in Baroque music,
will offer a concert celebrating its 45th
anniversary. Conductor Piotr Borkows-
ki, violinist Kim So-Ock, saxophonist
Greg Banaszak, oboist Satoki Aoyama,
clarinetist Hidemi Mikai, hornist Mako-
to Kanaboshi and bassoonist Motoko
Kawamura will take the stage. Tickets
cost from 20,000 to 150,000 won. For
more information, visit www.kco.or.kr
or call (02) 592-5728. Located near
exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal
on subway line 3.
Museums
Museums
The Great Myth and Mystery of
Peruvian Civilization, Inca
National Museum of Korea
Through March 28
Visitors are invited to explore the
ancient Peruvian civilization, from the
Chavin culture to the Inca Empire, and
become immersed in an exotic and
mysterious, yet strikingly scientific,
world. All tickets cost 10,000 won. For
more information, visit ticket.inter-
park.com or call 1588-7862. Located
near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway
line 4.
Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance:
Frescoes
Hangaram Art Museum
Through Feb. 21
Hangaram Art Museum will offer an
exhibition showcasing masterpiece
frescoes of the Italian Renaissance,
including works of Leonardo,
Michelangelo and Raffaello. Tickets
cost from 8,000 to 13,000 won. For
more information, visit www.sac.or.kr
or call (02) 580-1300. Located near
exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal
on subway line 3.
Exhibition ’Ahn Jung-geun’
Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum
Through Jan. 24
The Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum
is offering an exhibition commemorat-
ing the 100th anniversary of Korean
independence activist Ahn Jung-geun’s
death. He was best known for his
assassination of the Japanese resident-
general of Korea, Ito Hirobumi, follow-
ing the signing of the Eulsa Treaty,
with Korea on the verge of annexation
by Japan. Tickets cost from 5,000 to
7,000 won. For more information, visit
www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.
Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu
Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Dance
Dance
Todes
Walkerhill Theater, The Walkerhill Hotel
Open Run
Russian dance group Todes is bring-
ing its energetic performance — from
ballet to break dancing to flamenco —
complete with colorful costumes, stage
settings and music. Tickets cost from
70,000 to 300,000 won. Visit
www.sheraton-walkerhill.com or call
(02) 455-5000. Located at the Sheraton
Grande Walkerhill. Shuttle buses are
available from Gangbyeon and
Gwanghwamun Stations on subways
line 2 and 5.
Pop & Jazz
Muse: The Resistance Tour in Seoul
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park
Jan. 7
British rock group Muse returns to
Seoul for a long-awaited concert. Com-
prised of Matthew Bellamy, Chris Wol-
stenholme and Dominic Howard, the
band is best known for their hits “Time
is Running Out,” “Knights of Cydonia,”
“Starlight” and “Supermassive Black
Hole.” Tickets range from 55,000 to
99,000 won. For more information,
visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-
1555. Located near exit 3 of Olympic
Park Station on subway line 5.
M’s Suite Room
Samsung Hall, Ewha Womans University
Jan. 16-17
Pop singer Lee Min-woo, a member
of the idol group Shinhwa and also
known as M, is holding a concert titled
“Home Sweet Home.” All tickets cost
66,000 won. For more information,
visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-
1555. Located near exits 2 or 3 of E-
dae Station on subway line 2.
Lee Seung-chul
Gyeonggi Arts Center
Jan. 24
Lee Seung-chul will put on a show
“Romantica,” with a lineup featuring
hit numbers from his 10 albums and
also from various original soundtracks
he’s worked on over the past few
years. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to
99,000 won. For more information,
visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1644-
0488. Located near Suwon Station on
subway line 1.
Psy & Kim Jang-hun
Incheon Samsan World Stadium
Jan. 30
Singers Psy and Kim Jang-hun are
holding a joint concert. The two are
among the best entertainers in Korea,
famous for their exciting and creative
shows that have included a water
show, flying around the stage on
wires and never-ending encores.
Tickets cost from 66,000 to 110,000
won. For more information, visit tick-
et.interpark.com or call 1644-1702.
Located near exit 2 of Bupyeong-gu
Office Station on Incheon subway line
1.
The Killers Live in Seoul
Olympic Hall, Olympic Park
Feb. 6
American alternative rock band The
Killers will put on an electrifying stage
performance in Seoul this coming Feb-
ruary. They have promised to display
some of the band’s hometown vibe
when they perform. Tickets cost from
77,000 to 99,000 won. For more infor-
mation, visit ticket.interpark.com or call
1544-1555. Located near exit 3 of
Olympic Park Station on subway line 5.
Plays & Musicals
Queen Seondeok
Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park
Jan. 5-31
The popular TV series “The Great
Queen Seondeok” has been adapted for
the stage, and will feature veteran
musical actors and stage artists. The
musical will team up top actress Lee
So-jung and rising star Kang Tae-eul
with world-renowned designer Lie
Sang-bong for the stage costumes.
Tickets range from 40,000 to 130,000
won. For more information, visit tick-
et.interpark.com or call (02) 789-4884.
Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park
Station on subway line 5.
The Gifts of the Magi
Live Theater, Daehangno
Jan. 7 - Feb. 24
The musical, based on O. Henry’s
short stories, will premiere here in
Korea for the first time. Rising musical
actors Jung Ji-hwan, Park Jin-pyo,
Jung Jae-hoon and Kim Ji-yeon will
perform in this Korean version. Tickets
cost from 30,000 to 40,000 won. For
more information, call (02) 548-1141.
Located near Located near exit 2 of
Hyehwa Station on subway line 4.
Take Care of My Mom
M Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing
Arts
Jan. 29 - March 23
The novel-turned-play “Take Care of My Mom”
will go on stage at Sejong Center for the Per-
forming Arts from Jan. 29 to March 23.
The book written by celebrated
author Shin Kyung-sook, which recent-
ly set a record by selling 1.2 million
copies, will be produced as a play.
Tickets range from 40,000 to 60,000
won. For more information, visit tick-
et.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.
Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwangh-
wamun Station on subway line 5.
Quiz Show
Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center
Through Jan. 2
Kim Young-ha’s novel “Quiz Show” is
being staged as a musical. The story
portrays 20-somethings who share
secretive words via keyboards and fall
in love with anonymous people through
the Internet. Tickets cost 40,000 to
60,000 won. For more information, visit
ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-
1987. Located near exits 4 and 5 of
Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3.
Contact
LG Art Center
Jan. 8-18
Starring celebrated ballerina Kim
Joo-won, the “musical” will be present-
ed only through dance without songs.
Tickets range from 40,000 to 100,000
won. For more information, visit tick-
et.interpark.com or call 1588-5212.
Located near exit 7 of Yeoksam Station
on subway line 2.
Mozart!
Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Perform-
ing Arts
Jan. 20 - Feb. 21
The Austrian musical will be made
into a local rendition with the starry cast-
ing of Xiah of TVXQ, Im Tae-kyung, Park
Kun-hyung and Park Eun-tae who will
alternate playing Mozart. Tickets cost
from 20,000 to 130,000 won. For more
information, visit ticket.interpark.com or
call (02) 6391-6333. Located near exits 1
and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on sub-
way line 5.
Spring Awakening
Doosan Art Center
Through Jan. 10
The Korean version of the Tony
Award-winning musical is on stage for
the first time with a Korean cast of
stars, including Kim Mu-yeol, Cho
Jung-seok and Kim Yu-young. Tickets
range from 30,000 to 80,000 won. Vis-
it ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 744-
4011. Located near exit 1 of Jongno
5ga Station on subway line 1.
Hairspray
KEPCO Art Center
Through Feb. 7
A big hit on Broadway, the musical
“Hairspray” is now on the Korean stage.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to
80,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com
or call 1544-1555. Located near exit 1
of Yangjae Station on subway line 3.
Hedwig
KT & G Sang Sang Art Hall
Through Feb. 28
The musical revolves around Hed-
wig, an East German transgendered
rock musician, who chases after an ex-
lover who plagiarized her songs. Tick-
ets cost from 45,000 to 60,000 won.
For more information, visit ticket.inter-
park.com or call (02) 3485-8700.
Located near exit 2 of Samseong Sta-
tion on subway line 2.
Wedding Singer
Grand Hall, Chungmu Art Hall
Through Jan. 31
This is the Korean rendition of “The
Wedding Singer,” the Broadway musi-
cal based on the 1998 film by the same
name starring Adam Sandler and
Drew Barrymore. The local premiere
stars popular actors Hwang Jung-min
and Park Gun-hyung. Tickets cost from
40,000 to 100,000 won. Visit
ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 501-
7888. Located near exit 9 of Sindang
Station on subway line 6.
Jack the Ripper
Universal Arts Center
Through Jan. 31
The musical is based on a story
about “Jack the Ripper,” the serial
killer that terrified late 19th-century
London. Tickets cost from 60,000 to
120,000 won. Visit
ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 501-
7888. Located near exit 4 of Achasan
Station on subway line 5.
The Phantom of the Opera
Charlotte Theater
Through Aug. 8
This Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
is one of the world’s best-selling Broad-
way hits and has prompted huge
growth in the Korean musical industry.
The show has come back to Seoul after
eight years. Tickets cost from 40,000 to
130,000 won. Visit
theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call (02) 501-
7888. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Sta-
tion on subway lines 2 and 8.
Legally Blonde
COEX Artium
Through Feb. 28
The Amanda Brown novel that
inspired the hit film of the same name
comes to life as a musical. After a pre-
Broadway trial run in San Francisco,
the musical opened in New York to
positive reviews. Korean fans can
enjoy the Asian premiere of the show.
Tickets cost from 35,000 to 70,000
won. For more information, visit tick-
et.interpark.com or call (02) 738-8289.
Located near exit 6 of Samseong Sta-
tion on subway line 2.

Clubs
Underlounge Seoul
Hongdae or Hongik University Area
This is the local club of a hip Japan-
ese chain that’s also to be found in
Shanghai. Located in the famous club-
bing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with
loud music and lights. Spacious, with a
supersized crystal ball hanging over
your head, DJs from near and far
make music while you can hang out at
the bar or classy private rooms. Locat-
ed near the main entrance of Hongik
Univ. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit
www.underlounge.kr.
Club M2
Hongdae
M2 features top DJs from home and
abroad. The dance floor and the DJ are
in the center of the club, which attracts
a trendy crowd along with models and
celebrities. Packed on the weekends.
Check www.ohoo.net.
Cafe Mou
Sinsa-dong
This cafe has a rich ethnic interior
that mixes inspirations that its owner
got from travels to such places as
Morocco and France. Its menu is limit-
ed, but features desserts. It’s located at
the edge of Dosan Park. 650-9 Park
View Building, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam,
near the Cine City Theater in Apgu-
jeongdong. Call (02) 3444-6069.
Club Heaven
Yeoksam-dong
Located next to the Renaissance Seoul
Hotel, Heaven is gaining a reputation as
a clubber’s paradise with star DJs and a
celebrity clientele. Electronic music is
the main menu, with laser light and
paper confetti shows aplenty on the
side. The club caters to partying at any
hour of the night: the “main stage” on
the first floor is open until 6:30 a.m.,
while club hoppers can enter the upper
level’s “after stage” after 4:30 a.m. Call
1644-8466.
Platoon Kunsthalle
Apgujeong-dong
Platoon Kunsthalle
Platoon Kunsthalle is a cultural space
where visitors can enjoy various facili-
ties, including an event hall, library
lounge, art studios and a bar and
restaurant. Open from Monday to Satur-
day from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. DJ nights
on Thursday and Friday from 10 p.m.
Located near exit 10 of Hakdong Station
on subway line 7. Visit www.kun-
sthalle.com or www.platoon.org.
Le Nuit Blanche
Cheongdam-dong
Formerly Club Answer, Le Nuit
Blanche is introduced as a posh restau-
rant, theater and club. Located in front
of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, Le
Nuit Blanche offers Cirque du Soleil-
type performances at its theater
restaurant. World class DJs from all
over the world are invited to perform
at the club. Call (02) 514-4311 or visit
www.lenuitblanche.com.
Gachi
Apgujeong-dong
Salsa music enthusiasts can dance
the night away here. The beat of salsa
music will lead you to the club. To go to
Gachi, get off at Apgujeong Line 3 and
go out exit 5. After walking past six
streets, look for Matilda Club and Bar
on the seventh street and turn left and
look for Gachi’s red and white sign.
Gachi is open from Mondays to Fridays
6 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday to Sunday, 2
p.m.-12 a.m. Call (02) 540 7087.
St.102
Hongdae
This hip-hop club often has special
parties and performances. There are
many Korean homies here with do-
1
rags, dreads and baseball caps turned
sideways. Visit st102.cyworld.com.
360-18 Seogyo-dong, Hongdae or call
(02) 335-7166.
Moonyang Bar
Hongdae
This place is an Asian-inspired
lounge on the third floor of a building on
Parking Lot street in the Hongdae area.
The stone walls feature photographs
and rusted steel plates cover the win-
dows. This place is in Mapo at Seogyo-
dong, 366-17. Call (02) 338-1523.
Rocky Mountain Tavern
Itaewon
A down-to-earth place, the club was
started by a couple of Canadians. With
a spacious, woody bar, the tavern is
spread out over two floors. Find it on
Itaewon’s main drag across from the
International Clinic. Located near exit
5 of Itaewon Station on subway line 6.
Naos Nova
Itaewon
A wine bar and restaurant with a
design so stunning, that it was featured
in several interior design magazines
before its doors even opened to the
public. Its location across from Nam-
san Park gives it a wonderful, cool
atmosphere. Visit www.naosnova.com
(448-120 Huam-dong Yongsan-gu,
Seoul) or call (02) 754-2202.
Funky Funky
Hongdae
This live music venue features all
kinds of music. Depending on the
night, they feature funk, punk, rock, or
pop. Funky Funky attracts an eclectic
mix of people. Walk down to the alley
with Club Tool on the corner and turn
right. Visit clubff.cyworld.com.
Above
Itaewon
This medium-sized wine bar in the
alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, is one
of Itaewon’s swankiest hangouts. The
candlelight, tiled indoor pond and the
designs on the door seem Moorish.
Located at 19-25 Itaewon-dong store
22-ho. Call (02) 749-0717.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong-dong
Once in a Blue Moon is one of the
best known jazz clubs in the city. It fea-
tures live jazz sets from two different
bands every night usually starting at 7:
30 p.m. The place exudes an elegant,
sophisticated atmosphere which is per-
fect for a romantic date. It is located on
the street between the Hakdong inter-
section and the Galleria intersection in
Apgujeong-dong. Call (02) 549-5490 or
www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.
The Spot
Hongdae
If you like punk or alternative music,
then you should hit The Spot. It is a live
music venue located next to the play-
ground near Hongik University. The
Spot is a small basement bar, and it is
a mainly standing room-only place.
Visit www.clubspot.co.kr or call (02)
322-5956, (02) 3141-6876.
Casa Del Vino
Cheongdam-dong
This dark, intimate bar offers a
great selection of wine, and it’s a great
place to chill out. It’s near the Salvatore
Ferragamo and Prada buildings in
Cheongdam-dong. Call (02) 542-8003.
Traditional
Folk Performances
The Korea House
Open Run
The Korea House will be holding a
series of traditional performances. The
entrance fee is 29,000 won. Each per-
formance includes a traditional Korean
dinner. Visit www.koreahouse.or.kr or
call (02) 2266-9101. Located near exit
3 of Chungmuro Station, subway lines
3 and 4.
Art Exhibitions
Decentered
Arko Art Center
Through Jan. 31
“Decentered” features 21 artists
from different parts of Korea chosen by
curators from Arko Art Center, the
Busan Museum of Art and Gwangju
Museum of Art. It is aimed at promot-
“Collision 1” is part of artist Kim Tae-ye's solo exhibition “Gamut of Collision” at Gallery Em, Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul.
ing networking among the museums
and introducing local artists to a wider
audience. Admission is 2,000 won for
adults and 1,000 won for children. Vis-
it www.arkoartcenter.or.kr or call (02)
760-4850-2.
Hand Made in Italy
Chosun Ilbo Art Museum
Jan. 14-17
Italy is considered an international
capital of fashion and style, and this
globe-trotting photo exhibition event
zooms into the world of luxurious Ital-
ian leather. Famed fashion photogra-
pher Oliviero Toscani presents over 40
large-sized works that capture their
spirit and texture. Located near exit 6
of Gwanghwamun Station on subway
line 5. Call (02) 724-6328.
Megacity Network: Contemporary
Korean Architecture
National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea
Through March 7
This exhibition at the National Muse-
um of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon,
Gyeonggi Province, highlights contem-
porary Korean architecture. Tickets
range from 1,500 to 3,000 won. Visit
www.moca.go.kr.
Kang Suk-moon Solo Exhibition
Gallery Ssamzie
Through Jan. 10
Kang Suk-moon is holding a solo
show at Gallery Ssamzie, which is
located in the basement of Ssamziegil,
Insa-dong. Visit www.ssamziegil.com.
Art in Haje
Gallery Bundo
Through Jan. 23
A group exhibition of nine artists is
being held at Gallery Bundo, Jung-gu,
Daegu. Visit www.bundoart.com.
Monet to Picasso
Hangaram Art Museum
Through March 28
Artworks from the Philadelphia
Museum of Art are on display at the
Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts
Center. The exhibition features master-
pieces by Claude Monet, Vincent Van
Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse,
Edgar Degas and Pablo Picasso. Tick-
ets range from 7,000 to 13,000 won.
Visit www.sac.or.kr.
99 Variations
Sungkok Art Museum
Through Jan. 24
Kang Young-ho, one of the most
popular commercial photographers in
Korea, is holding a solo show at
Sungkok Art Museum. He has shot
over 1,200 advertisements for compa-
nies like Samsung, Giordano and Lotte.
Kang is known as the “grooving pho-
tographer” because he takes pictures
while grooving to background music.
Tickets are 5,000 won for adults and
4,000 won for students. Visit
www.sungkokmuseum.com or call (02)
737-8999.
Ryosuke Cohen
Jay Gallery
Through Jan. 4
Japanese mail artist Ryosuke Cohen
is internationally known for the “Brain
Cell” and “Fractal” projects. From the
mail he receives, he takes some parts,
recreates it into a unique Brain Cell
image and sends it to his network of
participants all over the world. The
exhibition is on-going at Jay Gallery,
located in the basement of SK Hub
Plaza (located near Anguk Station line
3). Call (02) 2666-4450.
Georges Rouault: Le sacre et le pro-
fane
Hangaram Art Museum
Through March 28
This exhibition showcases 170
paintings by the French expressionist
painter Georges Rouault. Among the
most famous works are “Parade,”
“L’Apprenti-ouvrier” and “Clown
blesse,” as well as Rouault’s unfinished
works that have not been seen outside
France’s Pompidou Center since 1970.
Tickets range from 8,000 to 12,000
won. Visit www.sac.or.kr.
Amador Creuer
Michael Schultz Gallery Seoul
Through Feb. 5
Michael Schultz Gallery Seoul is
holding an exhibition of works by
Amador Creuer. Visit www.schutlz-
gallery.co.kr.
One Day
Total Museum of Contemporary Art
Through Jan. 13
Ahn Doo-jin is holding a solo show at
The Room, Total Museum of Contempo-
rary Art in Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno.
Visit theroomtotal.blogspot.com.
Rustic Rainbow
Brain Factory
Through Jan. 10
Six Korean artists are participating in
a year-end group exhibition “Rustic
Rainbow” at Brain Factory, Tongui-
dong, Jongno. Visit
www.brainfactory.org.
Transformation in Art
Savina Museum of Contemporary Art
Through Jan. 30
This exhibition explores the theme of
transformation, as seen in artwork by
Korean artists. It is divided into four
parts: Evolution, Mask, Things and
Media Team Project. Savina Museum
of Contemporary Art is located near
Anguk Station line 3 exit 6.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Courtesy of Gallery Em
Kang Suk-moon Solo Exhibition
Gallery Ssamzie
Through Jan. 10
Kang Suk-moon is holding a solo
exhibition at Gallery Ssamzie, located
in the basement of Ssamziegil, Insa-
dong. Visit www.ssamziegil.com.
One Man Theater
Gallery Kong
Through Jan. 16
“One Man Theater #19” is one of Jun So-jung's
works on display at Gallery Kong.
Courtesy of Gallery Kong
Artist Jun So-jung returns for anoth-
er exhibition of works featuring scenes
from a one-man theater production. E-
mail info@gallerykong.com or call (02)
738-7776.
Guignol’s Dust
One and J Gallery
Through Jan. 16
Young French artist Jerome Zonder is
showing his experimental drawings at
his first solo show in Korea at One and J
Gallery. He has increasingly diversified
his works, which elicit emotional reac-
tions from viewers. Visit
www.oneandj.com or call 02-745-1644.
Allegorille (What am I looking at?)
Youngeun Museum #4 Exhibition Hall
Through Jan. 31
Kwon Owen is holding a solo show at
Youngeun Museum of Contemporary
Art. Visit www.youngeunmuseum.org.
L—i—n—k—e—d: New Yorkers
Meet Londoners
Keumsan Gallery, Blue Gallery
Through Jan. 10
This exhibition focuses on young
Korean artists and their friends living
in New York and London. It takes a
look at the new networks created by
Korean artists abroad, and how they
stay connected to their home country.
17
Keumsan Gallery and Blume Gallery
are located in Heyri Art Valley, Paju,
Gyeonggi Province. Visit www.keum-
san.org or blog.naver.com/heyri-
blume.com.
About Time
Gallery Plant
Through Jan. 21
Gallery Plant, located in Hwadong,
Jongno, is hosting a solo show of
works by artist Rho Jae-oon. Visit
www.galleryplant.kr.
Gamut of Collision
Gallery Em
Through Jan. 16
Kim Tae-ye is holding a solo exhibi-
tion of her paintings, with the theme
“Gamut of Collision” at Gallery Em.
Visit www.galleryem.co.kr or call (02)
544-8145.
Winter Special: Oddinary Days
PKM Trinity Gallery
Through Jan. 5
Nine artists— Kim Jan-di, Jena H.
Kim, Moon Jung-ki, Park Eun-young, Oh
Jae-woo, Jung Woo-chul, Cha Young-
seok, Lee Je and Suzanne Song — are
participating in this special winter exhibi-
tion. Visit www.pkmgallery.com or call
(02) 515-9496.
Andy Warhol, the Greatest
Seoul Museum of Art
Through April 4
Enjoy the Pop Art works of Ameri-
can legend Andy Warhol at the Seoul
Museum of Art, through April 4. The
works are from The Andy Warhol
Museum. Tickets are 12,000 won for
adults, 10,000 won for 13 to 18 year
olds and 8,000 won for 7 to 12 year
olds. Free for those under 7 or above
65. Visit www.warhol.co.kr or
www.maxticket.com.
Kids
iRobot
Soma Museum of Art
Through March14
Soma Museum of Art has prepared a
collection of robots, including works by
celebrated video art pioneer Paik Nam-
june, Japanese artist Kubota Shigeko
and 14 other Korean artists. Tickets
cost from 1,000 to 3,000 won. For
more information, visit www.somamu-
seum.org or call (02) 425-1077. Locat-
ed near exit 1 of Mongchontoseong
Station on subway line 8.
Family Musical “The Nutcracker”
Grand Theater, Seoul Kyoyuk Munhwa Hoekwan
Through Feb. 7
This musical set to the music of
Tchaikovsky is designed for the whole
family. The tale centers around Marie -
the heroine of the story - who receives
a present from her father on Christmas
Eve. Tickets cost from 30,000 to
50,000 won. For more information,
visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02)
738-8289. Located near exit 7 of Yang-
jae Station on subway line 3.
Sports Games
Basketball
Saturday, Jan. 2
Dongbu Promy vs. SK Knights
Wonju Chiak Stadium at 3 p.m.
LG Sakers vs. KCC Egis
Changwon Indoor Stadium at 3:00
p.m.
Daegu Orions vs. ET Land Elephants
Daegu Indoor Stadium at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 3
Ulsan Mobis vs. Samsung Thunders
Ulsan Dongcheon Stadium at 3 p.m.
SK Knights vs. KT Sonic Boom
Jamsil Student Indoor Stadium at 3
p.m.
KCC Egis vs. KT&G Kites
Jeonju Indoor Stadium at 5 p.m.
Horseracing
Gwacheon Seoul Race Track
The Gwacheon Seoul Race Track
holds races from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10
p.m., every Saturday and Sunday. Get
off at Seoul Racecourse Station, sub-
way line 4, exit 3. For more informa-
tion, call (02)509-1114 or visit at
www.kra.co.kr.
18 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 Economic Outlook

Korea to Show V-Shaped Rebound in 2010

2010
Economic Outlook

By Lee Hyo-sik debts for households and small busi- and other negatives,”
nesses.” Lee said.

Bulls May Overwhelm

Staff Reporter
The economist stressed the impor- In the aftermath of

T
he Korean economy is expected tance of deregulating the service sector the collapse of Lehman
to experience a V-shaped in order to jumpstart the economy and Brothers in September

rebound in 2010 on the back of
strong exports and recovering private
consumption and domestic demand.
However, analysts say that the
nation should remain vigilant against a
number of downside risks at home and
abroad, as well as make more efforts
to prop up the sluggish job market and
create jobs, adding the government
should lower the entry barrier in the
service industry and foster the startup
of new businesses.
Samsung Economic Research Insti-
tute (SERI) economist Hwang In-seong
echoed Lim’s view, saying Korea
should advance the service sector and
Bears in 2010
last year, international
investors dumped local
stocks and bonds, and
took dollars out of
Korea en masse, send-
ing share prices and the By Kim Tae-gyu upgraded in the Morgan Stanley Cap- plummet 8.6 percent on average dur-
Korean won into a Staff Reporter ital International (MSCI), the buying ing the third year of their terms.
nosedive. spree would be accelerated.” This compares to the average sec-

O
improve fiscal soundness in order to find new growth engines as soon as Many foreign n the Seoul ond-year performance — share
achieve sustainable growth down the possible to enter the league of investors and media bourse, Overseas Players prices rocketed by more than 30 per-
road. advanced economies. outlets said the country optimists cent. President Lee also enjoyed up
They also suggest that Asia’s fourth- “Domestic businesses need to boost would be the hardest- are easily spotted The MSCI is a renowned equity to a 50-percent rise in share prices in
largest economy should nurture new their risk management and constantly hit Asian nation, citing these days as a index compiler that opted not to 2009, his second year.
growth engines in the areas of renew- monitor changes in the global market its huge short-term majority of econo- upgrade Korea to a developed mar- Obviously, the current administra-
able energy development and other against a number of remaining down- borrowing from mists came up ket this June. But a reclassification tion would not be happy if this jinx
“green” growth sectors, and lower the side risks. The Korean won will likely abroad, the sharp with rosy predic- review is scheduled for next year. holds true for President Lee’s third
entry barrier across service-oriented continue to strengthen against the dol- depreciation of the local currency and tions, while pessimists are hard to Being upgraded on global indexes year in 2010.
businesses and support competitive lar next year, weakening local other unfavorable conditions. They locate as far as stock price forecasts typically attracts foreign funds, as a “Traditionally, presidents have
small firms. exporters’ price competitiveness, with even raised the possibility that the are concerned. host of international equity funds are boosted the stock markets in their
But analysts differ over the timing of rising crude oil and other raw material country could face a recurrence of the Most domestic brokerages project only allowed to invest in developed first years through generous stimulus
an “exit strategy,” with some urging prices,” he said. foreign exchange crisis. that the benchmark KOSPI, which markets. packages. But the momentum starts
the government and the central bank In contrast to KDI economist Lim’s The Korean economy contracted by has moved between 1600 and 1700 Such an effect was experienced to disappear over the third year and
to discontinue extraordinary monetary view, Hwang said the government 5.1 percent in the fourth quarter of of late, will experience an upward this year when the Financial Times this prompts a bearish run,” Shinhan
and fiscal measures enacted in the should maintain its expansionary policy 2008 from the previous three-month trend and climb to the vicinity of Stock Exchange (FTSE) elevated Investment Corp. analyst Lee Sun-
wake of the global financial meltdown, stance for the time being to bolster the period and grew only by 0.1 percent in 2000. Korea’s status to an advanced mar- yup said.
citing a possible property the following quarter. Foreign-based securities firms are ket in September. Thanks in no small “However, things might be differ-
market bubble and other However, the nation much more optimistic, including part to the upgrade, the country has ent this time around because equities
potential side effects. “We think the ongoing rebound will has emerged as one of Goldman Sachs, which said that the attracted more than 30 trillion won prices have been overwhelmingly
But others say that a the fastest recovering KOSPI could skyrocket to as high as to the Seoul bourse this year. influenced by the global financial cri-
range of special measures continue to gain pace down the road economies in the world 2700 points under the best-case sce- “If the MSCI follows the FTSE in sis rather than political business
should remain in place for since the second quarter nario. advancing Korea into the developed cycles.”
the time being to facilitate
and the extent of the fiscal stimulus will of 2009, thanks largely This would require the index to market category, the step would
the ongoing recovery, weaken. But there is no need for the to the timely government surge 60 percent next year after crank up investment in the Seoul Where Did the Pessimists Go?
adding that the private stimulus package and jumping more than 50 percent this capital markets,” Korea Financial
sector’s activities will not government and the BOK to rush to stronger-than-expected year. Investment Association Chairman A year ago, the Seoul bourse was
be strong enough next withdraw expansionary steps. They outbound shipments. “The gross domestic product (GDP) Hwang Kun-ho said. inundated by gloomy predictions.
year to make up for the Gross domestic prod- is expected to expand around 5 per- “The domestic markets are closer Such extreme forecasts said that the
waning fiscal stimulus should do this in accordance with their uct (GDP) expanded 3.2 cent — pretty high for the developed to the advanced ones, considering of KOSPI would plunge to around 500
package. foreign counterparts.” percent in the third economy. But the Bank of Korea may their rich liquidity, vigorous transac- points under the worst-case scenario.
“We think that the quarter from the second keep the interest rate low in fear of a tions in both futures and spot mar- The atmosphere is different now
economy has entered a quarter, the largest double dip,” Shin Young Securities kets as well as dynamic economic but all the pessimists have not disap-
full-fledged recovery phase since July. ongoing economic recovery. “We expect quarterly growth since the first quar- analyst Kim Se-jung said. infrastructure.” peared.
We expect the country’s GDP to the economy to expand 4.3 percent in ter of 2002, when output rose 3.8 per- “This rare combination of robust Government organizations such as “Basically, we think the stock mar-
expand 5.5 percent in 2010, following 2010 from this year. Private sector cent. economic expansion and low interest the Financial Services Commission ket will be in a slump early next year
a 0.2 percent gain this year. Against activities — domestic consumption and It also grew 0.9 percent from July to rates will underpin the stock markets (FSC) have also been pulling out all because the U.S. economy has yet to
this backdrop, now is the time for the investment — will likely continue to September from the same period last next year. We think the KOSPI will the stops for the promotion. demonstrate clear signs of recovery
government to strategize on how to remain weak throughout 2010, not to year, the first year-on-year increase approach the 2000-point plateau.” “We are working hard to make in consumption and employment,”
effectively move away from the steps it mention the stagnant job market condi- since the third quarter of 2008. The government as well as most progress in the areas specified by the Woori Investment & Securities econ-
took to minimize the economic down- tions. Without fiscal spending, the econ- Reflecting a faster-than-expected private think tanks have projected MSCI. We hope that such efforts will omist Lawrence Kim said.
turn, in order to head off the after- omy may fall back again.” growth over the past two quarters, the that Asia’s fourth-largest economy enable us to advance to developed “In addition, the appreciating
shock of the expansionary measures or LG Economic Research Institute government has become substantially will expand by approximately 5 per- market status next year,” said FSC Korean won is feared to undercut the
a real property bubble,” Korea Devel- economist Lee Geun-tae echoed more upbeat about next year’s eco- cent in 2010 on a year-on-year basis. Director Lee Hyun-cheol, who leads bottom lines of Korean exporters,
opment Institute (KDI) economist Lim Hwang’s view, saying the government nomic outlook, while private economic The central bank cut the bench- the Capital Market Division. which have single-handedly propped
Kyung-mook said. should continue to spend more than it research institutes at home and abroad mark interest rate to a record-low 2 Daishin Securities expects foreign- up the economy.”
But policymakers and central earns next year and that the central have also rushed to revise upward percent early this year and did not ers to net around 20 trillion won in Indeed, the won-dollar exchange
bankers have pledged to continue bank should keep its key policy rate at Korea’s growth projections for this surrender to the continual requests purchases next year based on the rates have been high throughout this
expansionary fiscal and monetary poli- 2 percent for the foreseeable future to year and the next. of critics that the rate should be lifted investment portfolio of global hedge year, offering price competitiveness
cies until they see a sustainable recov- promote the recovery. The government projects the econo- to counter inflationary pressure or funds. for Korean companies.
ery, citing slowing growth momentum “We think the ongoing rebound will my will expand by 5 percent in 2010 the threat of asset price bubbles. In March, the rate once
and growing external uncertainties, continue to gain pace down the road from a year earlier, with the Bank of “Exporters will continue to record Third-Year Jinx approached 1,600 won per dollar.
such as Dubai’s recent debt problem. and the extent of the fiscal stimulus Korea (BOK) setting the 2010 growth respectable performances next year. But it headed downward there-
Lim then said Korea should will weaken. But there is no need for forecast at 4.6 percent. This will buoy the share prices. In Ever since the five-year presiden- after to below the 1,200 won mark.
strengthen its monitoring of the global the government and the BOK to rush Last month, the OECD raised its my view, the KOSPI has a shot at tial term was introduced in 1988, the Most economists expect the rate will
financial market to more effectively to withdraw expansionary steps. They 2010 growth projection for the nation leaping to about 2070 points next Korean stock markets have faced a further go down, to below the 1,100
cope with a range of potential down- should do this in accordance with to 4.4 percent from the previous 3.5 year,” IBK Securities strategist Oh strange jinx that the share prices won milestone, which would be bad
side risks. “Some Eastern European their foreign counterparts. For busi- percent, with the International Mone- Jae-youl said. struggle in the middle of the tenure. news for Korean exporters such as
countries could fall into deep trouble nesses, they should make an all-out tary Fund (IMF) boosting Korea’s 2010 “In addition, overseas investors The previous four presidents Samsung Electronics and Hyundai
over rising debts, on top of the contin- effort to enhance their competitiveness outlook to 3.6 percent from the previ- are expected to continue to be in a before incumbent President Lee Motor.
ued U.S. market jitters. At home, we and develop new markets to cope with ous 2.5 percent. buying mode. Should Korea be Myung-bak have seen share prices voc200@koreatimes.co.kr
should watch out for snowballing the strengthening of the local currency leehs@koreatimes.co.kr

Interview
‘Risk-Based Capital’
to Change Paradigm
of Insurance Industry
By Yoon Ja-young
Staff Reporter
T
he adoption of risk-based capital
(RBC), an evaluation system
designed to provide a capital
adequacy standard related to risks and
to raise a safety net for insurers, will
change the paradigm of the insurance
industry, Allianz Life Insurance CEO
said.
“The adoption of RBC means much
more than the strengthening of regula-
tions on insurers’ solvency ratio. It
means the paradigm of the whole
industry would change,” said Cheong
Mun-kuk, president & CEO of Allianz
Life Insurance, in an interview with
The Korea Times. Solvency ratios are
measures to assess a company’s ability
to meet its long-term obligations.
Currently, the regulator simply
assesses insurers’ ability to pay out
insurance money. With the adoption of
RBC system, however, the regulator
will be assessing the level of risk each
insurance firm faces in asset manage-
ment from 2011.
The new rule, which is used to set
capital requirements considering the
size and degree of risk taken by the
insurer, is likely to pull up the solvency
ratio of Allianz, which has managed its
assets conservatively.
“In the past, it was OK to do busi-
ness in a risky way as long as you gen-
erated profit. It won’t be so anymore.
The insurers will have to think about
risk,” Cheong said. As the risk will be
linked with capital, risky management
will result in shareholders having to
pay more as companies will need to
hold more capital.
Risk Management Key of Insurers
Cheong said that Allianz’s solvency
Meet The CEO
Beyond the Pitch
ratio in terms of RBC stands at 361.1
percent as of September, 142.4 per-
centage points higher than the industry
average of 218.7 percent. In fact,
Allianz adopted a strict risk manage-
ment system of its own in 2002, watch-
ing the duration of liability, cash flow
and the interest rate of each product
and liability.
“Insurance is a long-term product that
lasts for decades. You get pension insur-
ance after retirement. Financial stability
matters more than anything else to pay
the insurance money one has promised
to customers,” Cheong said.
Cheong expected Allianz to have the
best risk management system in the
country in 2011 when the RBC system
will become obligatory.
He added that Allianz Group, the
global insurer based in Germany, rose
to the top of the world in market cap
without getting any government sup-
port, while some global giants faltered
amid the global financial crisis. “It
shows that Allianz Group was good at
risk management,” Cheong said.
He added that as an insurance CEO,
he would choose things that benefit
Allianz in the long-term perspective
rather than focus on short-term profit.
“Obsessing on short-term performance
could eat into growth engines in the
longer term. I don’t think it’s the right
strategy for the insurance business,
which should be managed conserva-
tively and last for longer periods of
time.” Hence, Allianz refrained from
headhunting competition when other
life insurers only concentrated on
increasing the number of salespeople,
on the determination that it would do
harm in the long-term perspective.
He added that insurers should stick
to their core business. “Allianz, for
example, sold Dresdner Bank to Com-
merzbank before the outbreak of the
global financial crisis. There was some
talk about diversification, but the key
should be concentrating on one’s core
business,” he said.
He added that insurance companies
should also put more weight on tradi-
tional insurance products rather than
on investment products like derivative
insurances. “Non-savings insurance
such as whole-life insurance should be
the very first, and only then should the
rest of the products come.”
Insurance Should Turn Customer-Oriented
Cheong pointed out that the financial
market in Korea had been supplier-
focused rather than customer-oriented,
unlike the manufacturing industry
where customer satisfaction is the key
for each process of the business.
“It is, however, changing. NGOs,
including consumer groups, are active-
ly making their voices heard, and con-
sumers are becoming more sophisti-
cated, knowing how to voice their
demand on products. Only those who
adapt to these changes in the financial
market will survive,” Cheong said.
The CEO believes whole-life insur-
ance and annuity insurance will lead
the market.
Regarding whole-life insurance,
Cheong said the market isn’t saturated
yet. Though many people have sub-
scribed to whole-life insurance for their
family, the return is still too low.
“Whole-life insurance aims at guaran-
teeing the financial stability of the fami-
ly when the subscriber passes away.
However, the average payout the fami-
ly can get stands at far less than 100
million won here. Few people would
say it is enough to sustain a family.
There is still room for more subscrip-
tions.”
He attributed the low insurance cov-
erage to the seller-oriented market. “It
wouldn’t have been easy for salespeo-
ple to convince the subscribers that
they need, say, 500 to 600 million won
insurance money for their family since
the premium would go up. They didn’t
think about the consumer’s needs.
They just wanted to sell,” he added.
Allianz focuses on up-selling, or sell-
ing additional insurance products to
its old subscribers through tailored
marketing and customer manage-
ment. “How to secure a loyal customer
base would determine the competitive
edge of the insurance businesses. I ask
sales managers to continue studying
portfolios of subscribers to provide
them with adequate products and ser-
vices.”
Annuity Insurance to Lead Market
Cheong said that the market is likely
to need annuity insurance most.
“Korea is one of the most rapidly aging
societies in the world, and the birth
rate is historically low. The baby
boomers, who were born between
1956 and 1963, are about to retire.”
He said Koreans are not prepared
for retirement. “In other developed
countries, insurance and annuity take
between 30 and 40 percent of people’s
financial assets. In Korea, however,
they take only around 17 to 18 per-
cent.
“People would want to maintain the
level of life they enjoyed before retire-
ment, but they can’t do that with only
national and corporate pensions. The
best way to create income for then is
annuity insurance,” Cheong said,
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Allianz Life Insurance CEO, Cheong Mun-kuk
stressing that the money for retirement
should be managed safely.
The CEO said retirement planning
and old age provision seem to have
become the main theme of the global
insurance market. A new silver market
is being formed in products such as
long-term care insurance policies.
He added that as a global insurer,
Allianz has a stock of experience
regarding the retirement market from
its experience in Germany and the
United States. Its “Powerdex Annuity
Insurance,” which is linked to the stock
market index, was first launched by
Allianz in the United States, and later
introduced to the Korean market with
success. Cheong has also subscribed to
the retirement product.
Diversification of Sales Channel
The insurance industry has seen a
diversification of the sales channels.
Bancassurance, or insurances sold at
banks, telemarketing, and general
agencies led the market while tradi-
tional models depending on salespeo-
ple are slowing down.
While some insurance companies
regard such new channels as threats,
Cheong said the diversification of chan-
nels means more access to customers.
“In other words, consumers have more
access to insurance products,” he said.
He explained that the diversification
enabled Allianz to dig up a new cus-
tomer base. “The bancassurance cus-
tomers, for example, are mostly
wealthy private banking (PB) cus-
tomers. They were hardly accessible to
salespeople,” he said, adding that it
means a new customer group for the
insurer.
The CEO thus believes there should
be ‘‘innovative management.” “It is
about who attracts wealthy customers,
19
loyal customers. There were only six
life insurance companies when I start-
ed my career in the business, but now
there are 22. Insurers also have to
compete with other financial business-
es like banks and investment compa-
nies over the retirement market.”
He said that Allianz should differen-
tiate itself from others to win the com-
petition, citing “Powerdex Annuity
Insurance” as a prime example.
chizpizza@koreatimes.co.kr
Who Is Cheong Mun-kuk?
Cheong is the first Korean CEO to
lead Allianz in Korea, which was set
up by the global insurance giant
Allianz Group based in Germany.
Born in Busan in 1959, Cheong
spent most of his career in the insur-
ance industry after majoring in Dutch
at Hankook University of Foreign
Studies.
He started his career in the field
by joining Jeil Life Insurance in 1984,
which was later acquired by Allianz
Group. He later moved to global
firms, serving as CEO of Hudson
International Advisors between 1999
and 2001 and as CEO of AIG Global
Investment Korea from 2001 to
2003.
He returned to Allianz in 2004 as
the executive in charge of its new
sales channel. He was promoted to
CEO of Allianz in Korea in February
2007.
Cheong is especially known as a
CEO who emphasizes communica-
tion with workers. He regularly visits
sales fields and shares morning cof-
fee with employees to listen to their
views.

2010 Outlook Upbeat for Steel, Semiconductors
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
As the year-end countdown
begins, the nation’s biggest busi-
ness lobby group revealed which
of the nation’s key industries are
looking up and which aren’t for
the coming year.
Based on the projections made
by the Korea Chamber of Com-
merce and Industry (KCCI),
South Korea’s steel, machinery,
semiconductors and electronics
industries are set to enjoy solid
sales growth in 2010 as overseas
demand is likely to rise.
The global financial crisis
dampened demand for steel
across the world this year as
major steel-consuming indus-
tries, such as consumer goods,
construction and automotives,
took a hit. But in 2010, demand
is expected to rebound as both
domestic and overseas consump-
tion will likely recover.
“Major local infrastructure
projects and expanded facilities
investments made by some of
the world’s largest industries are
going to help prop up sales of
Samsung’s Haptic Pop
Most Wanted Cellphone
“Haptic Pop” by Samsung
Electronics and “Cookie” by LG
Electronics were among South
Korea’s most popular cell phone
models in 2009, industry data
said Thursday.
Samsung’s Haptic Pop was the
most popular phone this year for
subscribers of SK Telecom,
South Korea’s largest mobile car-
rier by subscribers. Samsung
sold about 550,000 Haptic Pops
this year via SK Telecom, accord-
ing to SK.
Samsung’s cellphones were
ranked among the four most
popular phones to SK sub-
scribers, followed by LG’s Cookie
and Lollipop.
LG shipped 325,000 Cookie
phones and 200,000 Lollipops in
2009.
Motorola Inc. was the only
non-Korean maker of mobile
handsets that made into the top
seven. About 175,000 RAZR
Luks by Motorola were
shipped.
KT said their top three most
popular phones were made by
Samsung. (Yonhap)
4 Oil Refiners Ordered
to Pay $169 Million
Four oil refiners were ordered
to pay 196 billion won ($168.5
million) in compensation to the
government for damages caused
by their price collusion for mili-
tary procurement, an appellate
court said.
The lawsuit against SK Ener-
gy, GS Caltex, Hyundai Oilbank
and S-Oil was filed by the Min-
istry of Defense in 2001 after the
nation’s fair trade regulators
found that they had fixed high
prices for military procurement
from 1998-2000.
In the ruling Wednesday, the
Seoul High Court said the oil
refiners must pay 130.9 billion
won plus interest for the past
nine years to the ministry, total-
ing 196 billion won. (Yonhap)
Lunchbox with love: Hyundai Engineering & Construction CEO Kim Joong-kyum, right, and actress Goh Doo-shim,
second from right, a goodwill ambassador of the Childfund Korea, prepare lunch boxes for children in low-income households
with employees of the construction company in front of the charity organization’s headquarters in central Seoul, Wednesday.
2
2010 Industry Outlook
Semiconductor
Steel
Machinery
Textile
Petrochemical
Automobile
Shipbuilding
Construction
Korean steel goods,” the report steel industry will produce 51.4
said. million tons next year, up 12.2
The KCCI forecast that the percent compared to this year.
Fuel cell industrial complex: Cho Sung-sik, third from left, chief executive of Posco Power, the electrical power-generating unit of steel giant POSCO, joins
North Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kwan-yong, second from left, and Pohang Mayor Park Seung-ho, right, after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to
build a fuel-cell-related industrial complex near the Yeongil New Port of Pohang, which is being groomed by regional authorities as an industrial hub.
Mobile Penetration Rate to Hit Triple Digits
By Kim Tong-hyung “With the mobile penetration
Staff Reporter rate exceeding 100 percent, the
subscriber market will be satu-
Korea will have more mobile rated, and the competition will
phones than heads by the end of increase among wireless carriers
next year, according to research to provide differentiated ser-
by the country’s biggest tele- vices,” said the Digieco report.
phone company. “The mobile voice market will
Digieco, a research institute continue to struggle, as a contrac-
run by KT, the country’s No. 2 tion of 1.8 percent is expected
mobile telephony operator, pre- next year. However, this will be
dicts that 49 million handsets compensated by a 16.5 percent
will be in use by local wireless growth in mobile Internet, as the
users in 2010, representing a focus on the market continues to
penetration rate of about 101 move from voice to data.”
percent. Statistics Korea, former- Wireless carriers KT and SK
ly the National Statistical Office Telecom, the industry kingpins
(NSO), estimates the country’s that have more than 50 percent
population will reach 48.8 mil- of Korean mobile telephony
lion during the year. users as subscribers, have been
The number of mobile telepho- struggling to keep growth alive in
ny subscribers is expected to the maturing voice market.
grow to about 49.5 million by the However, with smartphones
end of next year, from the pro- — which provide Web browsing
jected 48.2 million for 2009, and multimedia atop of voice
according to government figures. functions — becoming more pop-
Korea Times Photo by Son Yong-seok
The semiconductor industry is
also likely to see a boom in sales in
2010 as exports are expected to
climb 24.4 percent year-on-year to
$38.5 billion next year on the back
of rising demand for DRAMs.
“The outlook is bright with
Samsung Electronics and Hynix
continuing to lead the market,” it
said.
The machinery and electronics
industries are headed up as well
thanks to rising demand in
emerging markets, including Chi-
na, India and the Middle East,
the annual forecast predicted.
“Machinery companies suf-
fered a double-digit sales drop
this year from the ripple effects of
the economic crisis,” the report
said, “but a general recovery in
facilities investment is going to
help boost the sagging industry.”
The KCCI projected that global
facilities investment is going to
increase by at least 10 percent in
2010.
It added that the thawing con-
sumer sentiment will gradually
lift the consumer electronics
market, which means the sales
of products including refrigera-
ular and the carriers offering a
larger variety of fixed-rate
monthly data plans, Digieco
claims that the long-awaited
mobile Internet explosion just
might become a reality next
year.
Although smartphones were a
tough sell in previous years, the
mobile market now has intrigu-
ing devices such as the iPhone
3GS and T-Omnia II that are
proving to be game changers.
The iPhone, Apple’s do-it-all
smartphone that was released
locally by KT at the end of
November, needed just a week to
establish itself as the country’s
most popular new handset, with
the company managing to sell
nearly 70,000 through Dec. 6.
Mobile carriers have also been
lowering their data rates and
offering a larger variety of
monthly fixed-rate plans to
encourage subscribers to use the
LG Electronics to Skip Biggest Telecom Show
By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
LG Electronics has decided not
to participate in the “Mobile
World Congress (MWC) 2010” to
be held in Barcelona, Spain in
February.
“Due to higher costs of hiring a
pavilion and chronic worries
over copyright-related issues, LG
has decided to skip the 2010
event,” a spokesman for the
world’s third-biggest handset
vendor said.
“Chinese handset manufactur-
ers have copied LG products,
which have been exhibited at the
show, in just a few months, cost-
ing us heavily,” the official said,
adding top company executives
have reached a broad consensus
tors, televisions and mobile
phones are going to start recov-
ering faster.
By contrast, the business lobby
group forecasted that the ship-
building and construction sectors
will continue to struggle as new
orders are likely to continue to
fall in 2010.
The report predicted that over-
all production in the shipbuilding
industry will drop by 7.7 percent
year-on-year, while export rev-
enues will sink 6.5 percent to
$43 billion.
“Order cancellations are likely
to dog shipbuilders in the coming
year at a time when virtually no
new orders are being made,”
KCCI said.
It added that the construction
industry will see a 0.9 percent
drop in orders as the public sec-
tor cuts back on new projects.
Textile makers and petro-
chemical companies are going to
face cutthroat competition from
rivals in emerging markets, but
the KCCI said improved quality
and strategic marketing will help
prop up the sectors.
jhan@koreatimes.co.kr
Korea Times
mobile Internet more, which will
be critical for them to get better
returns on their massive third-
generation (3G) investments.
Despite the projected decline
in the voice market, the mobile
telephony market will grow 1.8
percent year-on-year to reach
22.5 trillion won (some $19.4 bil-
lion) in 2010, the Digieco study
said, driven by a dramatic
growth in data usage.
The market for fixed-line tele-
phony, which is increasingly
looking like a decaying business
model, will be worth around
13.6 trillion won next year,
according to the report.
However, the number of sub-
scribers for fixed-line phones is
predicted to increase 5.7 percent
to 27.74 million next year, due
to an expected 70 percent
increase of Internet telephony
customers.
thkim@koreatimes.co.kr
over minimal effects in returns
for participation in the show.
LG’s mobile business is cur-
rently led by Ahn Seung-kwon.
Ahn, who has significantly
helped LG’s Chocolate-branded
devices become a global hit, will
continue in the top job for a sec-
ond-term after a recent manage-
ment reshuffle.
MWC is the world’s biggest
telecommunication show. The
annual event is the venue for
handset vendors and parts sup-
pliers to show off their designs
and technology-featured digital
devices.
LG’s latest decision would be
another painful punch for the
show organizer. Industry leader
Nokia and the world’s No. 5 ven-
dor Sony-Ericsson earlier
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
Battle for Coffee Crown
Enters New Round
By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Koreans are certainly getting
an extra jolt these days, with
coffee shops sprouting across
urban areas with jungle-like
density. And the number of
cafes on the streets won’t be
dipping anytime soon, with
major franchises expecting to
spend even more money this
year to expand the size of their
kingdoms.
CJ Foodville and SPC would
each describe the other as a
hated rival, as the two compa-
nies have been competing fero-
ciously in the markets of bak-
eries and ice cream chains
over the years.
Now, it appears that coffee
shops have emerged as the
most heated battle field for the
two food industry giants.
CJ Foodville was operating
just 24 outlets of its Twosome
Place coffee franchise at the
start of 2009. The company
now has 60 and plans to add
70 more outlets this year,
which would be enough for
Twosome Place to secure its
spot as a top-10 coffee chain.
SPC, the operator of Pascuc-
ci, is intent on matching the
moves of its rival. There are
currently 48 Pascucci coffee
shops in the country, but SPC
expects to see 100 outlets by
the end of this year.
“So far, most Pascucci coffee
shops have been directly built
in the past seven years, but we
are now looking to take it a
Businessline
HHI Misses 2009 Order Target
Hyundai Heavy Industries
(HHI), the world’s biggest ship-
builder, said Thursday it won
orders valued at 10.6 billion
this year, vastly undershooting
its full-year target of $21.1 bil-
lion as the global credit crisis
and decreased trade reduced
demand for new ships.
Hyundai Heavy’s new con-
tracts were also down 61 per-
cent from a year earlier, the
company said in a regulatory
filing.
Its full-year sales rose 6.9
percent to 21.3 trillion won
($18 billion), but fell short of its
yearly target of 23 trillion won.
Biz Sentiment Erodes for 4th Straight Month
Major companies’ business
sentiment for January of next
year eroded for the fourth
straight month, a private sur-
vey showed.
The decline was mainly due
to lingering uncertainties over
the government’s economic
policy for the new year and
fears of declining investments
and employment, the Federa-
tion of Korean Industries said
in the survey of business con-
fidence among 556 large
firms.
scrapped their plans to attend
the show.
“Our stance hasn’t changed.
Nokia will skip next year’s MWC.
Nothing has been decided yet
over our plans to launch new
handsets,” an official at Nokia
Korea said.
In contrast, runner-up to
Nokia, Samsung Electronics
plans to go to the show installing
its biggest-ever exhibition booth.
“Samsung will attend the event
as planned. Samsung’s booth will
be the biggest. Inside we will
unveil wholly new telecommuni-
cation-related products,” a Sam-
sung Electronics spokesman said.
Although only two out of five
big handset manufacturers are to
appear at the upcoming event, it
is expected to gain momentum
20
step further into converting the
business under a franchise
chain system. We are also con-
sidering having take-out joints
at airports and other venues as
well,” said an SPC executive.
Of course, neither Twosome
Place nor Pascucci have a
prayer at competing with Star-
bucks, at least not in the near
future. Starbucks Korea, the
local unit of the Seattle-based
coffee giant, is operating 310
outlets, the most among any
major coffee chain with nation-
wide coverage.
Local franchise Angel-In-Us,
which is operated by Lotte,
recently edged Hollys, another
Korean brand, for second place
with 232 outlets, compared to
Hollys’ 218.
Angel-In-Us certainly has
been the quickest riser in the
rankings, as the franchise had
only 91 outlets at the start of
2009.
Coffee Bean, an American
brand, comes in fourth with
188 outlets, followed by Tom N
Toms, which has 160 outlets.
The local market for coffee
retailers was valued at 1.9 tril-
lion won (about $1.6 billion) in
2008, and sales from the 11
major coffee chains accounted
for about 29 percent, or 550
billion won.
Industry watchers estimate
the coffee market was worth
around 2.3 trillion won in
2009, considering the increase
in imported coffee beans and
other factors.
thkim@koreatimes.co.kr
Hyundai Heavy’s perfor-
mance reflected a worldwide
trend. Global contracts for new
vessels in the first 11 months of
the year plunged 83 percent
from a year earlier, according
to London-based market
researcher Clarkson Plc.
South Korea, home to seven
of the world’s top 10 shipyards,
has clinched record-high
orders in the past few years on
strong demand for crude carri-
ers and offshore exploration
equipment amid lofty oil prices.
But orders for new vessels
have sunk since the third quar-
ter of 2008.
The monthly business senti-
ment, an indicator of compa-
nies’ outlook for the coming
month, was 103.1 in January,
compared with 105.1 the
month before, it said.
The figure marked the low-
est level since last September,
when it stood at 117.0.
The January index remained
above 100, however, meaning
that a majority of companies
are anticipating that business
conditions will improve rather
than deteriorate.
as vendors are ready to intro-
duce Google’s Android-powered
mobile phones, according to
company officials.
Meanwhile, advanced versions
of the next-generation mobile
technology called long-term evo-
lution (LTE) will also be exhibited
at the telecom fair.
Samsung Electronics, which
plans to increase the portion of
phones with Android platforms
by 30 percent in 2010, will
exhibit camera- and AM OLED-
featured phones.
“With a series of new Android
mobiles, Samsung is moving to
explain its own mobile platform
— Bana — which means ocean
in Korean, to contents develop-
ers,” the official added.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

Local Banks Face
Huge Losses
From Kumho Fiasco
By Yoon Ja-young
Staff Reporter
The liquidity trouble of
Kumho Asiana Group has hit
not only its subsidiaries but
also banks, which will
inevitably face losses.
Along with Kumho Asiana
Group, shares of banks plum-
meted on the stock market,
Wednesday, after it was
announced that Kumho Indus-
trial and Kumho Tire were to
undergo workout programs.
Both Kumho subsidiaries
plummeted to their daily limit
down upon the opening of the
stock market — Kumho Indus-
trial closing at 8,330 won and
Kumho Tires at 3,605 won.
Creditor banks of Kumho
Asiana Group also saw their
stocks plunge.
Woori Financial, which is
known to be one of the biggest
creditors of the group, plunged
by 4.15 percent. Woori has
lent 1.35 trillion won to the
Kumho Asiana Group and its
project financing with the
group amounts to 1 trillion
won.
Hana Financial, which lent
around 600 billion won, fell by
1.64 percent. KB is estimated
to have over 500 billion won
outstanding with Kumho.
According to the Financial
Supervisory Service, Kumho
has borrowed 15.7 trillion
won from local lenders.
Analysts say that bank
Banks Seek to Find
New Revenue Source
By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter
Local banks are rolling up
their sleeves to find new revenue
sources as lingering economic
uncertainties and financial regu-
lators’ moves to strengthen regu-
lations are expected to continue
weighing on them in 2010.
The Financial Supervisory Ser-
vices (FSS) recently announced
that from 2010, they will beef up
supervision of the big four
lenders — Kookmin, Woori,
Shinhan and Hana — by carry-
ing out a comprehensive audit on
the four and their parent finan-
cial groups every year.
The financial watchdog also
plans to make it a rule to open
banks’ spreads levied on mort-
gages to the public, which mar-
ket experts believe will pressure
lenders into keeping their rates
low. It also plans to regulate
banks’ loan-to-deposit ratios.
Since such regulations are
likely to squeeze their profitabili-
ty, banks are seeking to find new
revenue sources, such as retire-
ment pensions and “green
finance,” while solidifying their
stronger business lines.
Many banks are seeing the
retirement pension market as a
blue ocean as people’s interest in
retirement is growing due to
aging population and expanding
lifespan. “The retirement pen-
sion market can be a new
growth engine. We will do our
Overseas discount service
service for cardholders traveling abroad by signing an alliance with overseas busi-
nesses. Cardholders can get a discount of up to 40 percent at famous tourist attrac-
tions in several countries, including England and France.
Finance
shares are likely to be sluggish
for some time due to the
“Kumho shock.”
“Even if Kumho succeeds in
selling Daewoo Engineering &
Construction, its financial sta-
bility would worsen when
reflecting the loss incurred by
the put back option. It is
inevitable for creditors to face
losses,” said Prudential Invest-
ment & Securities analyst
Sung Byung-soo.
Kumho Industrial and
Kumho Tire signed a put back
option with 18 financial
investors when the group
acquired Daewoo E&C back in
2006. They promised to buy
back the shares of Daewoo at
31,500 won per share on Dec.
15, 2009 if investors wanted
to sell their stake. However, as
Daewoo shares plunged to
below 13,000 won, the big
M&A deal turned into a disas-
ter.
Creditor banks will have to
pile up reserve for the loss.
Sung expects at least 19 per-
cent of their reserves will be
needed for the workout.
“That will be bearable for
most of the banks, but it will
be a blow to some of them,”
he added.
The top financial regulator
estimates the additional pileup
of the reserves by banks at 1.2
trillion won, and 1.7 trillion
won for the whole financial
industry.
chizpizza@koreatimes.co.kr
best to get the upper hand in the
promising market,” an executive
of Kookmin said. The market
was estimated at 10 trillion won
as of November, but is expected
to grow drastically.
Banks also plan to expand
investment in eco-friendly busi-
nesses, known as green finance.
Shinhan Bank has introduced
a wide variety of environment-
friendly financial products. The
lender is offering its “Shinhan
Energy Installment Savings” to
motivate customers to join an
energy saving campaign.
The product offers prime rates
based on transaction records.
The outstanding balance of the
product stood at 770 billion won
at the end of July.
In February, the bank intro-
duced a new loan product, the
“Shinhan Solar Power Loan,” in
order to supply funds for the con-
struction of solar power plants.
The product was designed to
enable developers to pay off
debts in installments. The matu-
rity of the loan is up to 15 years.
Woori Bank has placed a pri-
ority in strengthening its deposit
base to maintain its loan-to-
deposit ratio at around 100 per-
cent, the level recommended by
the financial watchdog.
“We plan to increase our
deposit base seven percent next
year compared to 2009. We will
manage assets at this range,” an
official of the lender said.
shosta@koreatimes.co.kr
: Shinhan Card has launched a discount
Courtesy of Shinhan Card
Korea Opens New Decade With Promising Signs
By Kim Tae-gyu
Staff Reporter
Korea’s economy opens the
second decade of the millennium
with a series of promising signs,
putting the unprecedented global
financial crisis in the rearview
mirror.
According to Statistics Korea,
the country’s industrial output
has increased for five months in
a row since July. In particular,
the growth rate reached 17.8
percent in November, its highest
in 38 months.
Investment in facilities also
jumped at a double-digit pace,
10.3 percent, in November from
the previous month thanks to
brisk expenditure in sectors such
as automobiles, semiconductors
and machinery.
“Despite some signs of an eco-
nomic rebound, a pair of factors
CEO’s surprise visit : Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) CEO Larry Klane, third from left, poses with a foreign customer and
bank staff at the lender’s Hannam-dong branch in Seoul, Thursday, after making a surprise visit to cheer up employees.
Renewable Energy Use Lowest in Key Nations
By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff Reporter
The Lee Myung-bak Adminis-
tration has been promoting the
use of wind, solar and other
sources of renewable energy to
cut carbon emissions and nur-
ture them as a new growth
engine.
But the country still has a long
way to go to catch up with
advanced countries in the use
and development of renewable
energy as it continues to heavily
rely on fossil fuels and nuclear
energy to generate electricity,
power industrial plants and heat
homes.
According to Statistics Korea
Thursday, recyclable energy
accounted to only 1.4 percent of
Korea’s total energy supply in
2007, ranking at the bottom
among the world’s 30 major
economies. Iceland topped the
list as it met 75.5 percent of its
energy needs through wind,
solar, water, geothermal heat,
bio-fuel and other renewable
Consumer Price Growth Hits 8-Month High
By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff Reporter
Consumer prices in December
grew at the fastest pace in eight
months, with higher prices for
agricultural and fishery goods
raising the cost of various goods
and services here.
But for the entire 2009, infla-
tion grew at a slower rate of 2.8
percent, down from a 4.7 per-
cent jump in 2008, thanks to
tamed crude oil and other
imported raw material prices
amid the global economic down-
turn. Compared to a year ago
when the global crude prices
soared close to $150 per barrel
on surging demand from China
and other developing countries,
coupled with speculative buying,
prices today have declined
sharply, hovering at around $70
have prompted worries — lack-
luster investment and the high
unemployment rate,” Shinhan
Investment Corp. economist Lee
Sun-yup said.
“Yet, facility investments are
rising as Statistics Korea data
demonstrate. In addition, the job
markets are expected to improve
next year as companies are
ready to hire,” he said.
Optimists project that employ-
ment will improve based on a
survey conducted by the Ministry
of Labor on more than 30,000
companies that employ more
than five workers.
Those companies were found
to be planning to recruit 236,000
through the second quarter of
next year, up 13.4 percent from
the prior survey in April.
The country’s business senti-
ment is also on an upward trend
— The Bank of Korea said that
Ratio of Renewable
Energy to Total in 2007
(Unit: %)
1 Iceland
2 Norway
3 New Zealand
4 Sweden
5 Austria
10 Canada
12 Mexico
20 Slovakia
23 U.S.
26 Japan
29 Britain
30 Korea
Source: Statistics Korea
energy sources.
Norway came in second at
50.4 percent, followed by New
Zealand (31 percent) and Swe-
den (30 percent). Even Turkey
and Mexico showed a greater
use of renewable energy than
Korea at 9.6 percent and 9.3
to 80 per barrel.
Statistics Korea said Thursday
that consumer prices rose 2.8
percent last month from a year
ago, the highest increase since
April 2009 when inflation was
3.6 percent. But in general, infla-
tion growth has been on a down-
ward curve after peaking at 5.9
percent in July 2008. Seasonally
adjusted consumer prices rose
0.4 percent from November.
“December’s figure hit an
eight-month high, due mainly to
rising prices of agricultural and
fishery products as a result of
seasonal factors. But thanks to
tamed international oil prices
this year, we were able to meet
the central bank’s inflation tar-
get,” Statistics Korea official
Yang Dong-hee said.
But he projected consumer
prices will likely head upward in
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 21
the business sentiment index
(BSI) for manufacturers stood at
90 in January, up 5 points from
not a bed of roses as there are
some pieces of bad news includ-
ing the plight of Kumho Asiana
might be hidden behind the
scenes.
Another potential headache
a month ago.
The central bank comes up
with the index by interviewing
Group, one of main conglomer-
ates here.
Earlier this week, Kumho filed
comes in the form of rising debt,
as household arrears have sur-
passed the 700 trillion won
thousands of businesses across with its creditors for debt repay- mark this year for the first time
the nation. ment programs for its struggling ever.
The index measures how Kumho Industrial and Kumho When interest rates start to go
businesspeople see the future Tire affiliates, while selling two up, they might wreak havoc on
prospects of the economy. other units — Daewoo Engineer- households.
Readings above 100 means ing & Construction and Kumho “People here are shouldering a
sentiment is positive and vice Life Insurance. lot of debt. The country’s mid-
versa. Its founding family members sized companies also owe a lot.
“The index has yet to surpass promised to use their personal When interest rates rise, they are
the benchmark 100 plateau but wealth to bail out the cash- feared to face trouble,” SC First
it is on the increase. A majority strapped group and policymak- Bank senior economist Oh Suk-
of experts hope the BSI will con- ers are playing down the possi- tae said.
tinue to rise next year if the bility that the case will weigh on The country’s interest rates
economy fares well,” a Seoul the economy. have remained low throughout
analyst said. But some market watchers the year as the central bank has
worry that the Kumho case is kept the benchmark rate at a
Dark Side of Korea Inc. just the tip of a huge iceberg. record-low 2 percent to cope
They mean that a bigger malaise with the economic turmoil.
However, the new decade is in Asia’s fourth-largest economy voc200@koreatimes.co.kr
Central Bank to Keep
Credit-Easing Policy
By Yoon Ja-young
Staff Reporter
The nation’s top central
banker said Thursday that he
will continue to keep borrowing
costs low to support economic
recovery, hinting that there will
be no drastic rate hikes in the
near future.
“The key rate will be managed
to help the economy recover for
the time being,” Bank of Korea
Governor Lee Seong-tae said in a
new year’s speech, Thursday.
He added that due to the uncer-
tainties in the economic growth,
the easy-money policy should Lee Seong-tae
continue to boost the growth
engine in the private sector.
Lee pointed to the delay in the
BOK Governor
recovery for developed
economies and recurring prob-
lems in the global financial mar-
ket as some of the uncertainties
for the local economy. “The
macroeconomic policy should
focus on bolstering the economic
Courtesy of KEB recovery,” he stressed.
The Financial Supervisory Ser-
vice Governor Kim Jong-chang
also said that there remain risk
factors for the economy. “Exter-
percent, respectively. Japan’s uti- nally, there is concern that the
lization of renewable energy recovery will be delayed in major
stood at 3.1 percent. developed economies and that
Over the past decade, the there could occur further prob-
5.5 nation’s use of renewable energy lems in the financial market. The Kim Jong-chang
50.4 has been growing at a snail’s asset bubble in the newly devel- FSS Governor
pace. In 2000, only 0.9 percent oping economies and the coun-
31
of Korea’s energy needs came tries with excessive debt still Financial Supervisory Service
30 from various sources of renew- remain as problems,” Kim said Governor Kim added that the
23.2 able energy. The figure increased in a new year’s speech. emergency measures taken dur-
to 1 percent in 2001, 1.1 percent Internally, he pointed out that ing the crisis would be halted
16.5
in 2003, 1.2 percent in 2005 and the growing debt of small- and step by step. “The support pro-
9.3 1.3 percent in 2006. medium-sized businesses and the gram for small- and medium-
5.4
Against this backdrop, the snowballing household debt could sized firms will be scrapped over
government has recently begun be a burden on the economy. time, but we will take special
5 introducing a wide range of poli- The central bank governor, heed so that the ones with good
3.1 cy measures, including tax incen- meanwhile, also said that the potential won’t fall into trouble,”
tives, to encourage the utilization policy should focus on the possi- the governor said.
2.3
and development of recyclable bility of economic imbalances fol- He added that the corporate
1.4 energy. lowing an easy-money policy. restructuring would continue.
“Low-carbon and green “We will moderate the monetary “We will continue efforts to set
growth is the key to Korea’s policy by considering external up a regular restructuring pro-
prosperous future. To achieve it, and internal financial and eco- gram that works on the market
we need to invest more in the nomic conditions,” the governor system,” he added.
use and development of renew- said. He said the financial regulator
able energy, making it our He added that special attention would help people with poor
largest source of energy,” an offi- should be paid to the household credit ratings find ways to bor-
cial at the Ministry of Strategy debt and asset market when con- row money. Illegal private
and Finance said. sidering that the global financial lenders, meanwhile, should be
leehs@koreatimes.co.kr crisis was triggered by the exces- rooted out from the market, he
sive expansion of credit and the added.
bubble in the asset market. chizpizza@koreatimes.co.kr
Foreign Exchange Rates
2010 in line with the economic
rebound, which will increase the
Seoul (in won) Dec. 31
demand for oil and other raw
materials. T/T Cash Basic
The cost of living index con- Currency Rate
Buying Selling Buying Selling
sisting of 152 food and other dai-
ly necessities grew 3.3 percent U.S. Dollar 1,143.00 1,165.00 1,133.81 1,174.19 1,154.00
from a year earlier. It also Japanese Yen (100) 1,237.60 1,261.58 1,227.73 1,271.45 1,249.59
increased 0.4 percent from the Euro 1,642.05 1,674.55 1,625.47 1,691.13 1,658.30
previous month. British Pound 1,837.22 1,873.58 1,818.67 1,892.13 1,855.40
Core inflation, which excludes Swiss Franc 1,104.38 1,126.22 1,093.22 1,137.38 1,115.30
volatile food and fuel prices from Canadian Dollar 1,085.80 1,107.28 1,074.83 1,118.25 1,096.54
the consumer price index, rose Australian Dollar 1,025.11 1,045.39 1,014.76 1,055.74 1,035.25
2.2 percent year-on-year. New Zealand Dollar 829.82 846.24 821.44 854.62 838.03
Prices of vegetables and other Hong Kong Dollar 147.36 150.26 145.87 151.75 148.81
fresh food items expanded 5.8 Swedish Krone 160.00 163.22 157.57 165.65 161.61
Danish Krone 220.64 225.08 217.29 228.43 222.86
percent from the previous year,
Norwegian Krone 197.64 201.62 194.64 204.62 199.63
and compared to a month ago
Saudi Riyal 304.61 310.75 299.99 315.37 307.68
prices jumped 5.6 percent. Beef
Kuwait Dinar 3,980.71 4,061.11 3,920.39 4,121.43 4,020.91
surged 23.9 percent from a year
Bahrain Dinar 3,031.21 3,092.43 2,985.28 3,138.36 3,061.82
earlier, while retail prices of rice Singapore Dollar 814.06 830.16 805.84 838.38 822.11
and onions dropped 9.9 percent China Yuan 167.36 170.74 158.91 179.19 169.05
and 23.7 percent, respectively.
leehs@koreatimes.co.kr Source: Banks may charge different rates. They are quoted several times a day.
22 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010
US Imposes New Duties on Chinese Steel
WASHINGTON (AP) — The
U.S. government is imposing
new duties on imports of steel
pipes from China, the latest sign
of trade tensions between the
two countries.
The case is the largest steel
trade dispute in U.S. history and
will affect about $2.8 billion
worth of Chinese imports.
A group of U.S. steelmakers and
the United Steelworkers union
sought the duties in April, arguing
that the Chinese steel industry was
flooding the U.S. market with
pipes sold at unfairly low prices, a
practice known as “dumping.”
The Chinese companies also
benefited from government sub-
sidies, the U.S. industry said.
U.S. Steel, one of the eight
companies that brought the com-
plaint, said in an e-mailed state-
US Takes Controlling
Stake in GMAC Bailout
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The
U.S. government on Wednesday
threw troubled GMAC a third
lifeline of $3.8 billion, and took a
controlling stake in a bid to turn
around the mortgage and auto
lender.
The Treasury said the move
would raise its equity stake in
GMAC to 56 percent from 35
percent.
The ailing former finance arm
of General Motors became a
bank holding company a year
ago to access federal aid amid
the global financial meltdown.
“Due to a variety of factors,
including that the restructurings
of General Motors and Chrysler
were accomplished with less dis-
ruption to GMAC than banking
supervisors initially projected,
Treasury will commit $3.8 billion
of new capital to GMAC rather
than the $5.6 billion originally
announced,” the Treasury said in
a statement.
It had injected a total of $12.5
1
ment that it is “pleased” with the
decision. The company noted
that imports from China tripled
from 2006 to 2008.
“This enormous surge of
unfairly traded goods resulted in
an overhang of inventory that
crippled the domestic industry,”
the statement said.
U.S. production of steel pipe
fell by about 70 percent in
response and almost 40 percent
of the industry’s work force was
laid off, U.S. Steel said.
The U.S. International Trade
Commission voted Wednesday to
impose duties between 10.36
percent and 15.78 percent on the
pipes, which are mostly used in
the oil and gas industries. Those
duties are intended to offset the
government subsidies that the
U.S. government says China pro-
billion in capital into GMAC in
two installments. The bailout
funds are part of the $700 bil-
lion Troubled Asset Relief Pro-
gram (TARP) which the Trea-
sury can use to stabilize the U.S.
financial system through Octo-
ber 2010.
The Treasury, headed by Sec-
retary Timothy Geithner, also
announced a restructuring of its
investment in GMAC “to protect
taxpayers and put GMAC in a
position to raise private capital
and pay back taxpayers as soon
as practicable.”
“These actions offer the best
chance for GMAC to complete its
overall restructuring plan and
return to the private capital mar-
kets for its debt financing and
capital needs in 2010,” it said.
The $3.8 billion taxpayer-
funded capital injection will be in
the form of $2.54 billion of trust
preferred securities and $1.25
billion of mandatory convertible
preferred (MCP) stock.
vides its steelmakers.
The ITC will decide in the
spring whether to impose addi-
tional tariffs of up to 96 percent
to penalize Chinese steelmakers
for dumping.
Roger Schagrin, counsel for
the United Steelworkers and five
steel manufacturers, said the
decision could enable the U.S.
steel industry to ramp up pro-
duction and re-hire workers by
the second half of next year, once
current inventories of steel pipe
are sold off.
Prices for steel pipe fell by half
from their peak in 2008 through
September 2009, he said, driven
down by low-priced Chinese
imports.
The six-member ITC voted
unanimously that the U.S. indus-
try was harmed or threatened
Preparing for the future:
Parliament in Berlin, Germany, in this file photo. Merkel warned that the country’s worst post-war recession would drag into 2010,
in a New Year’s television address to be broadcast Thursday. “I tell you very openly: We cannot expect the economic downturn
to be over quickly,” she said, according to a manuscript released by her office. “Some things will initially be more difficult next
year before they can improve.”
with harm by the imports.
But Daniel Porter, a lawyer
representing the Chinese steel
exporters, said the U.S. industry
was hurt by a boom-and-bust
cycle that resulted when the
price of oil soared to about $140
a barrel in the summer of 2008,
only to drop below $50 less than
a year later.
Higher oil prices spurred more
drilling, which caused oil compa-
nies to order more of the pipes.
Those orders dried up when
prices fell, Porter said.
“If demand collapses, that
affects everyone,” he said. “It has
nothing to do with imports.”
Porter wouldn’t comment on
whether the Chinese exporters
will appeal the ruling. The com-
panies could appeal to the U.S.
Court of International Trade in
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is seen during her speech at the German Federal
World Business
New York, or China’s govern-
ment could take the fight to the
World Trade Organization.
The Chinese embassy couldn’t
be reached for comment.
In addition to the USW and
U.S. Steel, the complaint was
filed by V&M Star LP; V&M
Tubular Corp.; TMK IPSCO;
Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel;
Wheatland Tube Corp.; Maverick
Tube Corp.; and Northwest Pipe.
China and the U.S. are
engaged in several trade disputes
over market access for goods
ranging from poultry and tires to
Hollywood movies.
In another steel dispute, the
Commerce Department said Tues-
day that it may impose antidump-
ing tariffs of 14 percent to 145
percent on $91 million of steel
grating imported from China.
AP-Yonhap
Fannie, Freddie
Too Big to Shrink
WASHINGTON (AP) — The
government’s Christmas Eve
pledge of unlimited financial
aid to mortgage giants Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac is
aimed at making sure the
housing market doesn’t take
another turn for the worse
and cause the economic
recovery to unravel.
This insurance policy taken
out by the Treasury Depart-
ment will help keep mortgage
rates low, and may wind up
being a gift of sorts to strug-
gling homeowners and banks.
But there’s a catch: the hous-
ing crisis is now likely to cost
taxpayers much more.
Businessline
AIG Says General Counsel Resigns Over Pay
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) —
American International Group
Inc. has lost a top executive
due to the government’s limits
on executive pay.
AIG said Wednesday that
vice chairman and general
counsel Anastasia Kelly has
resigned, effective immediately.
Kelly left because of the
reduction in her base salary
that was mandated by the
government’s pay czar, Ken-
Iceland Approves Icesave Compensation
REYKJAVIK (AFP) — Iceland
parliament approved Wednes-
day paying nearly 4 billion euros
to Britain and the Netherlands,
which had compensated more
than 320,000 of their savers in a
failed Icelandic bank.
Although the measure has
stirred up resentment among
many ordinary Icelanders hard
hit by their country’s financial
meltdown in 2008, lawmakers
The Obama administration’s
latest lifeline to Fannie and
Freddie will cover unlimited
losses through 2012, lifting an
earlier cap of $400 billion. It also
eases restrictions on the size of
the companies’ investment port-
folios. That’s a reversal of the
Bush administration’s Septem-
ber 2008 plan to shrink the size
of the companies’ holdings of
mortgage-backed securities.
The action, which didn’t need
the approval of Congress, could
position Fannie and Freddie to
get more aggressive in dealing
with the housing crisis, perhaps
taking troubled mortgage
investments off banks’ books.
neth Feinberg, AIG said.
Companies like AIG that
hold government bailout
funds are subject to restric-
tions including limits on exec-
utive pay; in AIG’s case, that’s
the insurer’s 100 highest-paid
employees. The government
has given AIG a bailout pack-
age worth up to $182.5 billion
in exchange for an 80 percent
stake in the New York-based
company.
approved the measure by a
vote of 33 to 30 as the issue
had become a major obstacle
in the small Atlantic island
nation’s bid to join the EU.
The measure approves the
payout of 3.8 billion euros ($5.4
billion) to the British and Dutch
governments, which had par-
tially compensated their savers
who lost money in the collapse
of the Icesave online bank.
E-mail: ktmkt@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-722-2760, 724-2827-8 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 23

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24 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 People

Seven Women Reach South

Pole After 562-Mile Ski Trek
WELLINGTON, New Zealand days into the journey which at Patriot Hills base camp in an
(AP) — Seven women on a 562- began Nov. 23, forcing her to area of Antarctica overseen by
mile (900 kilometer) Antarctic ski leave the expedition. Argentina. The women had to
trek reached the South Pole The group faced blinding bliz- borrow tents while they sewed
Thursday, 38 days after patches on their own.
they began their adven- “We’re all incredibly
ture to mark the 60th happy and we’re standing
anniversary of the found- here, seven women at the
ing of the Common- bottom of the planet, with
wealth. a biggest smiles on our
“I’m incredibly proud faces right now,” Aston
of the team and I think ... said.
Ko Hyun-jung, the winner of top MBC Drama Award
if we can do this then you After the tough trek
can do anything that you across the frozen land-

Ko Hyun-jung like to and that’s the

message that we really
want to send to every-
scape, their priorities were
“first of all ... to get a good
sleep and to have some-

Wins Top MBC one,” team leader Felicity

Actress Kim Nam-joo
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Red carpets were rolled out
for some of the most anticipat-
ed year-end award ceremonies,
and top stars, including Ko
Hyun-jung, Lee Hyo-ri and Yoo
Jae-suk, took home grand
prizes.
MBC Drama Awards
Ko Hyun-jung, who rose
back to superstardom as a
femme fatale in the epic soap
opera “Queen Seondeok,” won
the Grand Prize at the MBC
Drama Awards, Wednesday.
“When I took the role of Misil
in ‘Queen Seondeok,’ I was nerv-
ous because it was my first peri-
od piece... I hope my children
are watching this,” she said,
wanting to share the honor.
The 38-year-old actress is
set to appear as the nation’s
first female president in the
upcoming SBS TV series,
“Daemul,” reported Yonhap
News, quoting Ko’s manage-
ment agency. The production
Drama Award
Comedian Yoo Jae-suk
date for the show has not yet
been decided.
Meanwhile, Ko’s “Queen
Seondeok” co-stars Eum Tae-
woong and Lee Yo-won were
named Best Actor and Actress,
respectively.
“My Wife Is a Superwoman”
stars Yoon Sang-hyun and Kim
Nam-joo also won the Best
Actor and Actress awards.
Yoon, who became widely pop-
ular through his role in the
drama, is also debuting in
Singer Lee Hyo-ri
Japan as a singer.
“Queen Seondeok” was cho-
sen by TV viewers as the Dra-
ma of the Year. The show’s
explosive popularity has led to
a musical adaptation, which
will be staged Jan. 5 to 31 at
Olympic Park, Seoul.
SBS Entertainment Awards
The Grand Prize for the SBS
Entertainment Awards, held
Wednesday evening, went to
Actress Lee Yo-won
comedian Yoo Jae-suk, 37, and
singer Lee Hyo-ri, 30, for their
work on the popular show
“Family Outing.”
Yoo received the honor for
the second consecutive year; he
also grabbed the Grand Prize
at the MBC Entertainment
Awards on Tuesday, becoming
the first celebrity to win a
grand prize from major net-
works for five years in a row.
Lee, who is simultaneously a
top sex symbol and a tomboy-
ish TV personality, teamed up
with Yoo and other stars to get
back in touch with nature by
working on farms and cooking
for themselves in the country-
side. The makers of the pro-
gram also won the Best Team-
work Award.
The awards for Best MC
went to comedians Kim Won-
hee and Kim Yong-man while
the awards for the Variety
Show section went to comedi-
ans Shin Bong-sun and Cho
Hae-ryun, and singer Jang
Yoon-jung, hosts of “The Gold
Miss Are Coming.”
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
Aston said in a message
from South Pole Thurs-
thing really good to eat,”
she said.
They will then be airlift-
day.
Skiing six to 10 hours
a day, the Common-
ed from the pole back to
their starting point, a com-
mercial expedition base at
wealth Women’s Antarc- Patriot Hills in east Antarc-
tic Expedition trekked an tica, near the bottom of
average of 15 miles (24 South America, and then
kilometers) a day, each The Commonwealth Women’s Antarctic Expedition trekked to fly back to London via
hauling a 176-pound (80 an average of 15 miles (24 kilometers) a day, each hauling a Chile.
kilogram) sled of provi- 176-pound (80 kilogram) sled of provisions to reach the On the return journey
sions and shelter to reach United States-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole Sta- the women will take their
the United States-operat- tion science base. AP-Yonhap first showers since Novem-
ed Amundsen-Scott ber.
South Pole Station science base. zards, winds in excess of 80 miles Amundsen-Scott Station hon-
The expedition comprised (130 kilometers) an hour, hidden ors polar explorers Roald
women from Brunei, Cyprus, crevasses and temperatures that Amundsen, who reached South
Ghana, India, New Zealand, Sin- plummeted to minus 42 degrees Pole in December 1911, and
gapore and Britain. Fahrenheit (minus 40 degrees Robert F. Scott who reached the
Frostbite blackened the fingers Celsius), its Web site said. pole the following month.
of one of the original team of The expedition had an inaus- The 53-nation Commonwealth
eight, Kim-Marie Spence, from picious start when new tents links together mainly former
Kingston, Jamaica, just three were damaged by a roaring gale colonies of Britain.
Sheens Want to Reconcile Despite Arrest
DENVER (AP) — Actor Charlie have ex-police I can hire who
Sheen and his wife Brooke want know how to get the job done
to reconcile, their lawyers said and they won’t leave any trace.”
Wednesday, even though she In an audio recording of a 911
told police he put a knife to her call, a woman who identifies her-
throat and threatened to kill her self as Brooke tells the dispatcher
less than a week ago. that Charlie Sheen threatened
“They’re very much in love. her with a knife and added, “I
They want to try to work it out thought I was gonna die for one
and want to have the best shot at hour.”She said at least five times
doing that,” Brooke Sheen’s during the four-minute call that
attorney, Yale Galanter, told The she wanted to file a report. “It’s

Big Bang
Associated Press. happened before,” she said,
Charlie Sheen’s attorney, according to the affidavit.
Richard Cummins, confirmed his Galanter said Brooke Sheen

Sweeps
client wants to reconcile. Cum- hired him “because she is a wit-
mins filed a court motion ness against her husband and
Wednesday asking a judge to dis- Actor Charlie Sheen and his wife Brooke she wants him to continue being

Prizes
miss a restraining order that pre- her husband.”
vents the couple from having Brooke Sheen is standing by the He called it “a very interesting
contact. The couple’s desire to account she gave police, but he legal conundrum.... Events

in Japan
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
K-pop group Big Bang won
another prize at the 51st Japan
Record Awards Wednesday,
crowning its successful overseas
debut.
The five-member boy band
was named Best New Artist at
the event, becoming the first
Koreans to do so.
The coveted award goes to one
of four recipients of the New
Artist Award, which was won
this year by Big Bang and three
Japanese artists — Maya Sakura,
Scandal and Hilchryme.
Big Bang recently won the
Best Newcomer Award at anoth-
er music award ceremony, the
Japan Cable Broadcasting
Awards (Nihon Yusen Taisho).
The group released its first
Japanese single “My Heaven” in
June, followed by another single
“Gara Gara Go!”
All of their recordings, includ-
ing their first album and third
single “Koe Wo Kikasete,” made
the Top 5 on the Japanese Ori-
con Music Chart.
In November, they won the
Gold Artist Award at the Best Hit
music program on Nihon TV.
They also appeared in
yearend award ceremonies on
TV Asahi and Fuji TV.
The group will hold its concert
“Big Show” from Jan. 29 to 31
at the Gymnastic Stadium,
Olympic Park, Seoul.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
The Korea Times
News on Internet
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
1
K-pop group Big Bang’s lead vocalist, Tae Yang, speaks after the group won Best New Artist at the 51st Japan Record Awards at
a theater in Tokyo, Wednesday.
Patrick Stewart of ‘Star Trek’ Gets Knighthood
LONDON (AP) — There’s an
especially starry knight in
Britain’s latest round of royal
honors.
Patrick Stewart — “Star Trek:
The Next Generation’s” Capt.
Jean-Luc Picard — becomes Sir
Patrick in Queen Elizabeth II’s
New Year honors list, which also
includes a knighthood for theater
and film director Nicholas Hyt-
ner.
“This is an honor that
embraces those actors, directors
and creative teams who have in
these recent years helped fill my
life with inspiration, companion-
ship and sheer fun,” said 69-
year-old Stewart, who recently
returned to the British stage fol-
lowing a long career in Holly-
wood that included playing Pro-
fessor Charles Xavier in three
“X-Men” films.
Erich Reich, a refugee from
Nazi-occupied Europe who
organized last year’s 70th
anniversary of the “Kindertrans-
port,” which brought 10,000
Patrick Stewart — “Star Trek: The Next
Generation’s” Capt. Jean-Luc Picard —
becomes Sir Patrick in Queen Elizabeth
II’s New Year honors list. AP-Yonhap
children to wartime Britain, also
received a knighthood.
A separate honors list in New
Zealand bestowed a knighthood
on the king of Middle Earth —
“Lord of the Rings” filmmaker
Peter Jackson.
Yonhap
Jackson, 53, was knighted in
New Zealand, his native land
and the filming location for the
trilogy, which collected 17 Acad-
emy Awards. The New Zealand
award is approved by the queen,
the country’s head of state.
Jackson is currently is working
on the two-movie prequel “The
Hobbit,” also based on a book by
J.R.R. Tolkien, with Mexican
director Guillermo del Toro.
In Britain, lesser honors went
to Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi
of the rock group Status Quo.
They were named Officers of the
Order of the British Empire, or
OBE, in recognition of a four-
decade, three-chord career that
has seen them score 64 British
hit singles, including “Rockin’ All
Over the World.”
Parfitt, 61, said he’d given up
hope of an honor because of his
wild past. “If they’d reviewed
some of my old newspaper cut-
tings!” he said.
Phyllida Lloyd, who directed
“Mamma Mia!” — the most
reconcile was first reported by
TMZ.com.
Charlie Sheen, 44, was arrest-
ed on Christmas Day in Aspen,
where the couple was on vaca-
tion. Brooke Sheen, 32, told
police he threatened her during
an argument that started when
she said she wanted a divorce.
Charlie Sheen told police the
couple slapped each other and
that he snapped two pairs of her
eyeglasses in front of her, but he
denied threatening her with a
knife. He faces charges of felony
menacing, domestic violence,
second-degree assault and crimi-
nal mischief and is free on
$8,500 bond. A hearing is sched-
uled for Feb. 8 in Aspen.
Galanter said Wednesday that
financially successful British film
of all time — was named Com-
mander of the Order of the
British Empire, or CBE.
CBEs also went to artist Maggi
Hambling and Olivier Award-
winning actress Margaret Tyza-
ck. There also were honors for
Formula I racing champion
Jensen Button, who received an
MBE; children’s author Dick
King-Smith (OBE), who wrote the
book which became the film
“Babe”; and opera star Sarah
Connolly (CBE).
Hytner, 53, was honored for
his work as artistic director of
the National Theatre, where his
hit productions have included
Alan Bennett’s “The History
Boys” and “War Horse.”
He also stirred controversy by
putting on “Jerry Springer: The
Opera,” a production that attract-
ed protests from some Christian
groups.
Reich, 74, was chairman of the
Kindertransport Group of the
Association of Jewish Refugees.
said she didn’t understand at the
time that it would lead to her
husband’s arrest.
“Wives think the cops are
going to break something up and
they don’t realize the husband is
going to be taken to jail,”
Galanter said.
“I will tell you that both parties
want to attempt to work this out.
Whatever was said and whatev-
er happened, I’m chalking it up
as one really bad night,”
Galanter said.
An arrest affidavit quoted
Brooke Sheen as saying her hus-
band pinned her on a bed, held a
knife to her throat and told her,
“You better be in fear. If you tell
anybody, I’ll kill you. Your moth-
er’s money means nothing, I
Man Kills Dog, Streaks,
Pours Coffee on Head
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP)
— A man savagely killed a
dog, ran naked through a ten-
nis club and poured hot coffee
on his head before he was
finally arrested early Wednes-
day, Orange County sheriff’s
deputies said.
Bayron Reyes Lopez, 26, of
San Clemente, was hospital-
ized after being captured at
the tennis club where he
worked as a maintenance
man, sheriff’s spokesman Jim
Amormino said.
Deputies got the first call
about the man at 4:30 a.m.
Wednesday when there were
reports of a loud radio at his
apartment. Amormino said
deputies believe he jumped
from a third-story window to
get away, and was unhurt.
Just after 6 a.m. Judy Don-
nelley called to say a “strange”
occurred. She gave a sworn
statement to a law enforcement
officer. She wants to work on her
marriage and she wants to hon-
or her legal obligations.”
Asked if she would testify
against her husband, Galanter
said, “It’s not going to come
down to that.” He declined to
elaborate.
Galanter also declined to com-
ment on Charlie Sheen’s state-
ment to police that his wife abus-
es alcohol. Galanter said Brooke
Sheen was still in Aspen on
Wednesday with the couple’s
twin boys, who were born in
March. Galanter said he was not
concerned that social services
might intervene out of concern
for the children.
man had approached her, and
when her 5-year-old mini
schnauzer named Coco inter-
vened, the man killed the dog,
hitting, choking and “repeat-
edly beating her on asphalt in
front of me.” “She saved my
life,” Donnelley told KCAL-TV.
“I don’t know how to thank
her.” She put flowers on the
street where her dog died.
Minutes later, other callers
reported a naked man run-
ning through the Rancho San
Clemente Tennis Club and
pouring hot coffee on his head.
That’s where deputies caught
up with him, Amormino said.
He was initially hospitalized
but “will be, at the least,
booked for cruelty to animals,”
Amormino said. He was being
tested to determine if he was
under the influence of any
drugs or narcotics.
 Lifestyle/TV Programs FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 25

New Year Offers Each of Us Chance for a Fresh Start

DEAR ABBY
by Abigail Van Buren
DEAR READERS: Can you
believe it’s 2010? It’s the 10th
anniversary of Y2K. It seems
like only yesterday.... But a new
year has arrived, bringing with
it our chance for a new begin-
ning.
Today is the day we discard
destructive old habits for
healthy new ones, so with that
in mind, I will share Dear
Abby’s often-requested list of
New Year’s Resolutions —
which were adapted by my
mother, Pauline Phillips, from
the original credo of Al-Anon.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will live
through this day only. I will not
brood about yesterday or
obsess about tomorrow. I will
not set far-reaching goals or try
to overcome all of my problems
at once.
I know that I can do some-
thing for 24 hours that would
overwhelm me if I had to keep
it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will be
happy. I will not dwell on
thoughts that depress me. If my
mind fills with clouds, I will
chase them away and fill it with
sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will
accept what is. I will face reali-
ty. I will correct those things
that I can correct and accept
those I cannot.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will
improve my mind. I will read
something that requires effort,
thought and concentration. I
will not be a mental loafer.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will
make a conscious effort to be
agreeable. I will be kind and
courteous to those who cross
my path, and I’ll not speak ill of
others. I will improve my
appearance, speak softly, and
not interrupt when someone
else is talking.
Just for today, I will refrain
from improving anybody but
myself.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will do
something positive to improve
my health. If I’m a smoker, I’ll
quit. If I am overweight, I will
eat healthfully — if only just for
today. And not only that, I will
get off the couch and take a
brisk walk, even if it’s only
around the block.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will
gather the courage to do what is
right and take responsibility for
my own actions.
And now, Dear Readers, I
would like to share an item that
was sent to me by I.J. Bhatia, a
reader who lives in New Delhi,
India:
DEAR ABBY: This year, no
resolutions, only some guide-
lines. The Holy Vedas say, “Man
has subjected himself to thou-
sands of self-inflicted bondages.
Wisdom comes to a man who
lives according to the true eter-
nal laws of nature.”
The prayer of St. Francis (of
which there are several ver-
sions) contains a powerful mes-
sage:
“Lord, make me an instru-
ment of your peace:
“where there is hatred, let
me sow love,
“where there is injury, par-
don;
“where there is doubt, faith;
“where there is despair,
hope;
“where there is darkness,
light;
“and where there is sadness,
joy.
“O Divine Master,
“grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled as to
console;
“to be understood, as to
understand;
“to be loved, as to love;
“for it is in giving that we
receive,
“it is in pardoning that we
are pardoned,
“and it is in dying that we
are born to Eternal Life.”
And so, Dear Readers, may
this new year bring with it Grandfather Frost: Ded Moroz, the Russian Santa Claus, waves upon his
peace and joy to all of you. arrival at St. Petersburg’s Ladozhsky railway station, Wednesday. Ded Moroz, or
Love, ABBY Grandfather Frost, brings gifts to children at New Year’s celebrations instead of the
Russian Orthodox Christmas, which falls on Jan. 7. ITAR-Tass-Yonhap

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 Television Programs TV schedules are subject to change without prior notice

EBS Arirang CNN BBC Star Sports OBS OCN KBS 1 KBS 2 MBC SBS
06:00—EBS e English 10:00—W 24/7 09:30—Autumn of Change 10:00—World News 09:00—NBA Regular 08:40—Entertainment 06:40—Connected 05:30—Program (R) 06:00—Documentary 06:00—MBC News 06:00—Morning Wide
Conversation 10:30—Hand in Hand 10:00—Untold Stories 10:30—5 Minutes With Season 20009/10 Magazine 09:10—The Lost World: 06:00—KBS News Plaza Mountain Today 08:40—Morning
06:30—Real Experiment 11:00—Heart to Heart 10:30—World Sport 11:00—World News 11:30—Barclays 10:05—Mini Documentary Jurassic Park 07:50—Human Theater 06:30—Live Today 07:50—Live Today Drama
Project X 11:30—Arirang Today 11:00—World Report 11:30—Thinking Big Premier League 10:15—OBS News 950 12:00—Miracle of a 08:25—Morning Forum Morning Morning 09:20—Good
07:10—Children’s 12:30—Showbiz Extra 11:30—Screening Room 12:00—World News 13:30—Game 10:25—Music & Movie Giving Fool 09:30—KBS News 08:00—KBS 8 Morning 08:50—One Fine Day Morning
Program 13:00—Pops in Seoul 12:00—Anderson 12:30—Our World 14:00—Australian Open 10:55—The Country 14:20—Ong Bak 2 10:00—Power of Korea News Time 10:15—HD 10:30—Drama (R)
12:20—EBS Space- 13:30—Documentary Cooper 360 13:00—World News 2009 Official Film They Dream Of 16:30—The Forbidden 12:00—KBS News 12 09:00—Give Everything Documentary 12:40—SBS News
Sympathy 14:00—Arirang Today 13:00—New Year’s Eve 13:30—Changing Climate 15:00—Wimbledon 11:55—OBS News Kingdom 13:00—Program (R) 09:30—Happy 12:15—MBC News 12:50—Encore SBS
13:10—Hopeful Scenery 15:00—Heart to Heart Anderson Cooper 14:00—World News Official Film 2009 12:10—TV Call 18:50—Blood Diamond 14:00—KBS News Donation 12:25—Program (R) Special
13:40—Korean Show 15:30—Travelog 14:30—Back Story /World Business 16:00—Game 13:10—Dancing Princess 21:50—Chaos 14:10—09-10 V-League 10:40—Our School E.T. 16:00—MBC News 13:50—Program (R)
14:10—Love Literature e 16:00—Arirang News 15:00—World Report 16:00—World News 16:30—Glitch Special 15:10—Madam’s Table 00:00—Jeong Yag-yong 16:30—Program (R) 12:45—Star Golden 16:50—Infinate 16:30—SBS News
14:15—Children’s 16:30—Documentary 15:30—Autumn of Change 16:30—5 Minutes With 17:00—Cev Beach 15:40—Mini Documentary 01:20—Temptation Of 17:00—KBS News 5 Bell Challenge 2010 16:40—Program (R)
Program 17:00—Hand in Hand 16:00—World Report 17:00—World News Volleyball 15:50—OBS News Eve 17:15—Animal World 13:50—Program (R) Calendar 17:30—Live Today
20:30—EBS News 17:30—Edward’s Live 16:30—World Sport 17:30—Amazon Oil Rush European Tour 16:00—Live To You 03:00—Starship 17:40—World is Wide 17:30—Living Show Special 18:25—Back to the
20:45—Knowledge Kitchen 17:00—Another Day 18:00—World News 18:00—2009 Masters 17:50—Ani-World Troopers 18:00—6 O’clock 18:30—Music Bank 18:35—Daily Sitcom Farm
Channel e 18:00—Showbiz Extra 18:00—CNN Marketplace 18:30—Changing Climate Tournament 18:15—Amor Hero OCN Action Hometown 20:00—KBS 8 News New Year 19:15—Wife Is Back
20:50—Real Experiment 18:30—Pops in Seoul Middle East 19:00—World News 19:00—Behind the Baseline 18:45—Mini Documentary 19:00—KBS News Time Special 20:00—SBS 8 News
Project X 19:00—Arirang News 18:30—The Best of 19:30—5 Minutes With 19:30—2009 Hannspree 18:55—Dreaming U 08:00—Les Formidables 19:10—Power of Korea 20:35—Sports Time 20:15—Daily Drama 20:50—World Cup
21:30—Korea Travel 19:30—Documentary BackStory 20:00—World News FIM Superbike 19:55—OBS News 755 10:20—Rats 20:25—ChaChaCha 20:50—Sponge 2.0 20:55—MBC News Story
21:50—Professional 20:00—W 24/7 19:00—Future 20:30—Click World H/L 20:35—TV Explore 12:20—The Bodyguard 21:00—KBS News 9 21:55—VJ Envoys Desk 21:55—Best Friend’s
Doctor 20:30—My Happy Korea 20:00—2009 21:00—World News 20:30—Australian Open World’s Tastes From Beijing 22:10—Power of Korea 23:05—Show 21:55—MBC Sports Note 2
22:40—Hopeful Scenery 21:00—Adventure Club 21:00—World Report 21:30—Amazon Oil Rush 2009 Official Film 21:30—Entertainment 15:00—Rush Hour 3 00:00—KBS News Program News 23:05—Star Married
23:10—Cinema World 21:30—Heart to Heart 21:30—Autumn of Change 22:00—World News 21:30—Wimbledon News 17:00—Elizabeth: The 00:10—To the First Class 00:15—Sketchbook 22:00—Section TV Couple
00:00—Love Literature e 22:00—Arirang News 22:00—Amanpour 22:30—Click Official Film 2009 22:00—Best Star Music Golden Age 01:00—KBS News 01:45—Mission Entertainment 00:15—SBS Sisa
00:05—Knowledge 23:00—W 24/7 22:30—The Best of 23:00—World News 22:30—Score Tonight Show 19:30—UFC Express 01:10—Sports Sports Possible: 23:00—MBC Special Debate
Channel e 23:30—Swap Asia- BackStory 23:30—Changing Climate 23:00—NBA Regular 23:10—Criminal Mind 23:00—GP506 01:20—South Of The Kidnapping 23:55—The Bourne 01:45—SBS Night Line
00:10—New Year Uzbekistan 23:00—2009 00:00—World News Season 2009/10 00:10—Shanghai 01:30—The Sweet Sex Border Granny K Ultimatum 02:00—Game Show
Documentary 00:00—e-Sports 00:00—Another Day 00:30—Our World 01:00—Simply The Best Knights And Love

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2 Notice: (R) Replay (K) Korean Movie

EBS Arirang CNN BBC Star Sports OBS OCN KBS 1 KBS 2 MBC SBS
06:00—Korean Show 10:00—W 24/7 10:00—Wootton Bassett 10:30—Click 05:30—Cev Beach 07:00—Ancient Mystery 07:20—The Green Mile 07:35—Window to the 06:00—Documentary 06:00—News Today 06:00—Morning Wide
06:30—How to Study 10:30—My Happy Korea 10:30—World Sport 11:00—World News Volleyball 08:00—Wonderful 11:00—Kung Fu Master South and North Mountain 07:25—Global Report 08:45—Life Master Best
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1
 26
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010

Forgetting 2009: 5 Who Hope 2010 Will Be Better

1. Park Tae-hwan
What a difference a year
The Korea Times presents four athletes and one makes. After soaring to new
heights in capturing Olympic
team that didn’t fare so well in 2009 and will be look- gold at the Beijing Olympics in
2008, a year later many were
ing to rebound in 2010, starting with the Beijing questioning whether Park Tae-
hwan would ever return to his
Olympic golden boy, swimmer Park Tae-hwan. old form after a disastrous
world championships in Rome
By Yoon Chul, Staff Reporter in July.
The 20-year-old didn’t make
the final in the 200-, 400- or
1,500-meter freestyle and his
times were all much slower than
the competition’s best.
After Beijing, Park became a
star in television commercials
and in magazines and was
highly sought after by the
media.
After the world champi-
onships, he faced a backlash of
criticism from fans who said he
didn’t do his best. However,
there was more than enough
blame to go around, and a lot of
it went to his sponsor team and
the national swimming team,
who squabbled over his train-
ing strategies and schedules,
resulting in a disorganized,
unfocused year in the pool for
Park.
But among the five on our list,
Park may have the best chance
of rebounding in 2010 now that
his two teams have come
together on a strategy and hired
him a new foreign coach.
Also, Park did not use high-
tech swimsuits in 2009 — while
many others did — in prepara-
tion for the ban which comes
into effect this year.
With the playing field leveled,
Park could again find himself
topping the podium.

4. Hanwha Eagles
The Daejeon-based Eagles were the Korea
Baseball Organization’s bottom dog for the
first time in 23 years in 2009.
Since the Binggrae Eagles finished last in
1986, the franchise has been one of the
league’s most competitive teams, winning the
Korean Series for the first time in 1999 and
making the postseason each year from 2005
2. Park Ji-sung
3. Lee Seung-yeop
It wasn’t a great year for Korean football icon Park Ji-sung in 2009,
particularly the 2009-2010 season in the English Premier League. The slow decline of Korean slugger Lee Seung-yeop of
This season should have been one of opportunity for Park to take a the Yomiuri Giants reached a new low in 2009 after a few
bigger role, with Manchester United losing attacking midfielder Cris- seasons of battling injuries. However, Lee couldn’t blame
tiano Ronaldo, who was transferred to Real Madrid. his troubles in 2009 on his thumb and back ailments after
However, many questioned whether Park has the talent to put the declaring himself healthy and full of confidence early in the
ball in the back of the net. Park had been known for his playmaking season.
ability and for his unselfish play but not for his scoring touch. He also skipped the World Baseball Classic in the spring
Park missed 12 consecutive games near the start of the season, to focus instead on resurrecting his career in Nippon Pro-
due in part to a minor knee injury suffered during a World Cup quali- fessional Baseball.
fying match. The 33-year-old played well in exhibition games at the
Even now that he has returned, his role has significantly dimin- start of the season, but as the campaign went on, his play
ished but in his few appearances since his injury, the 28-year-old has declined again. And with Giants import slugger Alex
played a different style, taking more shots when the opportunities Ramirez tearing up the league, the press began compar-
present themselves, instead of setting up his teammates. ing the two players — an unfavorable comparison for
Park’s decline has coincided with the emergence of Korean Lee Lee.
Chung-yong of Bolton Wanderers, who has scored three goals in his Lee ended up spending most of the 2009 season in
first year in the English Premier League. the minors and hit just .248 with eight home runs
However, Park still remains Korea’s best player and the nation’s and 27 RBIs in 45 games in NPB.
biggest football star and certainly has the talent to rebound. Lee said that he wanted to help the team
win the championship but by the time
the playoffs rolled around, his role
until 2007, including a second-place finish in had hoped, with only Ryu Hyun-jin having a had significantly diminished. The
2006. good season. Giants still won the Japan
But the following year, the Eagles col- New boss Han Dae-hwa takes over a Series, but it came with little
lapsed after the Beijing Olympics and missed team that has recently lost its two top hit- help from Lee.
the playoffs, finishing fifth. ters — Kim and Lee — to Japanese profes- Lee, who holds the Asian
Under manager Kim In-sik, the team sional teams. But the Eagles have acquired record for most home runs in
rebounded early last season but after losing two former Major League Baseball (MLB) a season with 56, at one time
Kim Tae-kyun to a concussion and Lee Bum- pitchers for their rotation, and batters Kim hoped to make the move
ho to a knee injury, the Eagles faded. Tae-wan and Song Kwang-min will attempt across the Pacific to Major
Making matters worse, their young to fill the void left by the two departed slug- League Baseball. But now, Lee
starters did not perform as their manager gers. needs to first prove he still
belongs in the Japanese league.

5. Choi Kyoung-ju
The name K.J. Choi was not mentioned too
often on the PGA Tour in 2009. Choi Kyoung-ju,
who was for many years Korea’s finest golfer
on the world’s best tour, was eclipsed by the
likes of Yang Yong-eun, Kevin Na and Charlie
Wie among Koreans.
After years among the world’s best, Choi didn’t
win a tournament in 2009. But he had a few
excuses. Choi claims he spent last season revamp-
ing his game, changing his form and his clubs, in
preparation for the next few years. He says he’ll
be stronger in 2010 and beyond as a result.
While Yang’s rise to golf’s elite may serve as
motivation for Choi, the 39-year-old will at least
have a fellow Korean to travel with to all the
major tournaments.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr

Olympics Approaching Quickly for Yu-na

By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
With the Vancouver Winter
Olympics just around the corner,
South Korean figure skating star Kim
Yu-na is preparing in the hopes that
she will give the performance she has
always dreamed of on the world’s
biggest stage.
“I cannot believe that the Vancou-
ver Olympics are less than (44) days
away,” Kim said through her agency
Thursday.
“I am glad that I will compete on
the Olympic stage just as I always
hoped, but it also makes me nerv-
ous.
“I will try my best for the rest of the
time that I have left, to make sure I do
everything I can.”
Kim is training in Toronto with
coach Brian Orser, a two-time
Olympic silver medalist.
She will be the heavy favorite to
win the gold medal, which would be a
first in figure skating in Korean Win-
ter Olympics history. She won all five
events in which she competed in
2009 — the Four Continents Champi-
onships, World Championships, two
World Grand Prix and the Grand Prix
Final.
Once again, Kim’s major competi-
tion will be Mao Asada of Japan.
The two skaters, born 20 days
apart in September 1990, have built
an intense rivalry since Kim entered
the senior stage in 2006, one year
after Asada.
Asada fell into a slump this year,
which forced her out of the Grand Prix
Final for the first time, but she has
secured an Olympic berth after win-
ning the national title last week.
“As always, I think that my biggest
rival is myself. I want to concentrate
on how I spend my time until the
Olympics,” Kim said.
“No matter who participates (in the
Olympics), I perform to the music
alone on the ice.”
For the Olympics, Kim has been
working on a new gala program,
switching her music to “Meditation
from Thais” by Jules Massenet from
“Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna.
“I wanted to do a program which
can deliver a deeper message at the
Olympics. Given that, I like it and look
forward to it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kim picked the World
Championships as her biggest
moment of 2009.
Kim, who won bronze in 2007
and 2008, claimed the elusive title
en route to becoming the first
female skater to surpass the 200-
point mark (207.71) in her overall
score.
“During the award ceremony, I
burst into tears as the national
anthem played,” she said. “I can still
remember the moment.”
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr Korean figure skating star Kim Yu-na

2

Wigan Athletic midfielder Cho Won-hee, left, challenges Manchester United
midfielder Park Ji-sung during their English Premier League match in Man-
chester, England, Wednesday. Park was named one of 11 football heroes of
the past decade by CNN.
Park Ji-sung Among CNN’s
Football Heroes of the Decade
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Manchester United winger
Park Ji-sung was named to
CNN’s list of 11 football
heroes from the past decade.
The 28-year-old Korean
joined football greats Zinedine
Zidane, David Beckham, Cris-
tiano Ronaldo, Marta, Ronal-
do, Paolo Maldini, Lionel Mes-
si, Thierry Henry, Samuel
Eto’o and Luis Figo on the list
released Thursday.
Park was named to the list
for his role as a trailblazer for
Asian players. He was the first
Sportsline
Canada Releases
Hockey Roster
PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Sidney Crosby, the
youngest captain in NHL
history to win a Stanley
Cup, was chosen Wednes-
day for Canada’s Olympic
hockey team, four years
after being left off the
underachieving squad that
finished seventh in Turin,
Italy.
Crosby was among the
easiest picks for executive
director Steve Yzerman,
the longtime Red Wings
captain whose choices have
been debated and evaluat-
ed for months in hockey-
obsessed Canada, which
virtually shut down for the
announcement.
Among those selected
were goaltender Martin
Brodeur, who recently set
the NHL record with his
104th career shutout;
defensemen Scott Nieder-
mayer and Chris Pronger;
forward Jarome Iginla, the
star of Canada’s 2002 gold-
medal winning team; Joe
Thornton, the NHL scoring
leader; and Corey Perry
and Ryan Getzlaf, a pair of
24-year-old Anaheim
Ducks teammates.
Niedermayer is the cap-
tain, with Pronger, Crosby
and Iginla as alternate cap-
tains.
Thornton’s San Jose
teammates, Dany Heatley
and Patrick Marleau, were
also named.
The Korea Times
News on Internet
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
1
Sports
Reuters-Yonhap
player from the continent to
play in the Champions League
final when Manchester United
lost 2-0 to Barcelona earlier
this year.
“His tireless displays for
the English champions
marked him down as the
finest player from that conti-
nent and he has played 84
times for South Korea, help-
ing them to South Africa
2010. The energetic midfield-
er helped United to three
domestic titles and a Champi-
ons League trophy in 2008,”
the article said.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
Beckham Hoping to Replicate Success With AC Milan
MILAN (AP) — David Beckham hopes his
second spell with AC Milan will be as good as
the five months he spent on loan with the
Italian club in 2009.
The England midfielder passed a medical
Tuesday and has spent the past two days
training with his new teammates.
AC Milan resumes play Jan. 6 against
Genoa.
“My experience with the club was so spe-
cial,” Beckham said Wednesday. “I missed
the club. I missed playing for it, I missed the
players and everybody associated with the
club.
“It was a very special experience. It was
good last time and I hope it will be as good
this time.”
Beckham scored twice in 18 games for
Milan from January to May 2009 while on
loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS. He
has repeated the move in a bid to secure his
place at the 2010 World Cup.
After a slow start, new Milan coach
Plenty Still at Stake As NFL Season Concludes
NEW YORK (AP) — Even
though 10 teams have made the
NFL playoffs and only two berths
are still open, a
truckload
games in this
of
weekend’s last
round of the reg-
ular season
could affect the
postseason lineup.
All six playoff participants in
the NFC have been already
decided but the the conference is
pretty spicy, with the East crown
about to be decided in Dallas, the
Minnesota Vikings capable of
being seeded second, third or
fourth in the playoffs, and the
top-ranked New Orleans Saints
suddenly struggling.
The AFC already has all four
division winners and has con-
centrated its frenzy on the wild-
card race, which has seven
teams still in the scramble. The
Baltimore Ravens and New York
Jets are in control, but if either
slips, the Denver Broncos, Pitts-
burgh Steelers, Jacksonville
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010 27
Man U, Arsenal Edge Closer to Chelsea
LONDON (AP) — Manchester
United thrashed Wigan 5-0 and
Arsenal beat Portsmouth 4-1 on
Wednesday to
diminish Chelsea’s
advantage at the top
of the English Pre-
mier League going
into 2010.
Wayne Rooney’s
15th goal of the season started
the rout that moved second-place
United to within two points of
Chelsea.
“It was an excellent perform-
ance,” United manager Alex Fer-
guson said. “Rooney was
absolutely fantastic; the energy
he shows and desire to win is
marvelous.”
Like Rooney, Eduardo da Silva
also scored first for Arsenal in
the 28th minute as the London
club cemented its title credentials
at the expense of bottom-place
Portsmouth, which was fighting
to prevent bankruptcy.
Arsenal is two points behind
United, but has a game in hand
over Chelsea and the 18-time
English champions.
“We’re up for it, the commit-
ment is there and the talent is
there,” Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger said. “We’ll fight and
this team is ready to give every-
thing.”
United, though, was targeting
a fourth straight title, and a sign
of the strength of Ferguson’s
squad was that he fielded a dif-
ferent lineup for a 99th consecu-
tive match.
Rooney was unstoppable
against Wigan. The England
striker connected with defender Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney reacts after scoring against Wigan during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednes-
Rafael Da Silva’s low cross at the day. Manchester United won 5-0. AP-Yonhap
near post in the 28th and
steered the ball beyond Chris Kirkland was forced off injured “The play, movement and the cash-strapped 2008 FA Cup after receiving the ball from
Kirkland. at halftime and his replacement, tempo of the game was great for winners face bankruptcy unless Aaron Ramsey’s flick-on.
United quickly doubled its Mike Pollitt, was beaten after five us,” Ferguson said. “They kept they can clear debts to the Ramsey got on the scoresheet
advantage when former Wigan minutes. Valencia skipped past the momentum going for us all British government by February. himself in the 69th, taking the
winger Antonio Valencia cut the Maynor Figueroa and crossed night and you never know how Pompey’s miserable plight was ball off Vanden Borre and charg-
ball back for Michael Carrick to into the penalty area where important the goal difference reflected in Arsenal’s opening ing past Frederic Piquionne
sweep home. Hendry Thomas had been could be, although Chelsea still goal with Eduardo’s free kick before lashing in a left-foot shot
A third came on the stroke of defending before the Wigan play- have two more than us.” taking a huge deflection off from the edge of the box.
halftime when Darren Fletcher er slipped. While Arsenal chases a first defender Younes Kaboul to float Nadir Belhadj pulled one back
found Rafael on the edge of the Having created three goals, league title since 2004, past static goalkeeper Hermann for Pompey but Alex Song’s
area and the Brazilian drilled a Valencia piled more misery on Portsmouth was fighting for sur- Hreidarsson at the right-hand header from Nasri’s right-wing
low shot past Kirkland and ran his former club when he lofted vival — not only in the Premier post. cross killed off the match in the
across to the bench to celebrate the ball over the onrushing Pollitt League, but for its very existence. Samir Nasri scored another for 81st with Arsenal’s 51st goal of
with twin brother Fabio. in the 75th. It emerged earlier in the day that Arsenal just before the break the season.
“Milan can certainly win the title,” Beck-
ham said. “It will be difficult because Inter
and Juventus are great teams, but we have a
good squad.
“All I am thinking about is the next six
months here. I want to enjoy myself and help
Milan win the championship.”
Beckham will return to Old Trafford in
February for the first time since leaving Man-
chester United in 2003, after Milan was
drawn against Manchester United in the
Champions League.
It will be the first time he has played in
the competition since 2007, when Real
Madrid lost to Bayern Munich in the second
round.
“When I found about the draw, I was near-
Midfielder David Beckham ly in tears,” he said. “It is a special place for
me and I haven’t played there for nearly sev-
Leonardo has been praised for an attacking en years. I have a lot of friends at the club
philosophy that has taken his team into sec- and a great rapport with the fans. It will be a
ond place, eight points behind Inter Milan special evening, but we will be trying to win
but with a game in hand. the match.”
Jaguars, Houston Texans and same situation a year ago in the Jones said. “For us to have an
Miami Dolphins remain possibili- wild-card race, went into opportunity to even get in the Qatar player Hamed Ismail, left, vies for the ball with North Korean defender Ryang Myong-
ties. Denver has 10 scenarios by Philadelphia and were smashed playoffs at this point in the season il during the 9th International Friendship Tournament in Doha, Wednesday. AFP-Yonhap
which it can get a wild card, half 44-6. says a lot about our coaching
of those not even requiring the
Broncos to win on Sunday
An Eagles victory earns them
that bye. Dallas needs a win and
staff, says a lot about Rex and the
commitment that they have to us. North Korea Beats Qatar
against Kansas City. losses by Minnesota and Arizona It says a lot about the character of
Most intriguing are the Dallas
Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles,
to get the week off.
Most people, including Jets
our team and guys not giving up.”
It also says a lot about having
1-0 at Friendly Tournament
and the Jets vs. Cincinnati Ben- coach Rex Ryan, thought the Jets a favorable schedule at the end By Yoon Chul whose header found the net
gals. would have the postseason off of the season. Staff Reporter over the Qatari goalie and a
Dallas won 20-16 at Philadel- after a loss to Atlanta two weeks How badly will the defending defender.
phia on Nov. 8, seemingly taking ago. Then everything New York Super Bowl champion Steelers North Korea won its second Hong, who plays with FC Ros-
charge of the division. But the required to remain viable for the be kicking themselves if they straight game at the 9th Interna- tov in Russia, also scored the
Cowboys went 4-3 after that, playoffs happened last weekend beat Miami, finish with a 9-7 tional Friendship tournament in game’s only goal against Mali.
while Philadelphia went 6-1 to — including the Indianapolis record and get left out of the Qatar, Thursday (KST), beating Once the East Asians had
take the NFC East lead. Sunday’s Colts waving an unbeaten season playoffs parade? A five-game host Qatar 1-0 in Doha on a taken the lead, they locked
winner gets the division title and goodbye by sitting nearly every slump, including losses to door- header by Hong Yong-jo. down defensively and got the
perhaps a bye in the first round starter in the third quarter of a mats Kansas City and Oakland, The 2010 World Cup qualifier win.
of the playoffs. close game. The Jets rallied to will become the identity marker also defeated Mali 1-0 earlier The tournament leader will
“It’s a perfect picture right hand Indianapolis its first loss, for 2009 — at least for those this week and sits in first place face Iran, which lost to Mali 2-1
now,” Cowboys cornerback Mike and with a victory on Sunday who have short memories and out of four teams in the tourna- on the same day, on Sunday in
Jenkins said. “I think it was set over the AFC North champion overlook what happened back in ment. the final game of the tourna-
up real great. We’re in a good Bengals, who also might rest early February. After a scoreless first half, in ment.
situation to go in and show their regulars, New York gets in. Miami won the AFC East a the 59th minute, forward Cho The total prize money for the
everybody what we’re made of. “We had a lot of tough games year ago by riding the wildcat Kum-chol penetrated into the International Friendship tour-
Doing it (against the Eagles) is this year, a lot of tough losses, and protecting the ball. The wild- right corner of the box past a nament is $600,000, with the
even better. We’re in a great sit- games that we thought we would cat pretty much has disappeared Qatar defender. He sent a loop- winner earning a $250,000
uation.” win and we ended up coming up and the Dolphins have suffered ing cross that linked with share.
Of course, they were in the short,” running back Thomas from turnovers. North Korean captain Hong, yc@koreatimes.co.kr
28 FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 1-3, 2010