Thursday, March 31, 2011

Incheon Airport marks 10th anniversary




Incheon International Airport held a ceremony on March 29 to mark its tenth anniversary. Since opening, Incheon Airport has consistently been recognized for its outstanding quality of service, winning the award for Best Airport Worldwide in Airport Service Quality six years in a row. The airport also ranks eighth in the world for the number of passengers and second in the world in terms of trade volume, thanks to efficient, customer oriented management.
Due to the efficient management of its facilities, Incheon Airport has been able to cooperate with other facilities to shorten the time it takes for immigration checks. Currently, it takes only 16 minutes to be processed for departure and 12 minutes for arrival documents to be processed, well below the 60 and 45 averages reported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This is partially because Korea has eliminated departure forms and rentry stamps for Korean citizens and simplified the forms for foreigners seeking entry. Additionally, the airport has installed automated entry and departure machines to reduce times even further.
The airport has also reduced the time needed to complete the ticket issuing process. Fifty-five self check-in machines have been installed in the airport, further streamlining the process of getting passengers through the airport.

Incheon Airport has taken several steps to make even the briefest visit pleasant, with various programs to introduce Korean culture to visitors.
Traditional music, jazz and classical concerts have been held, and the fourth floor has a space dedicated to providing cultural experiences.
Furthermore, the airport’s duty-free mall ranks third in sales world, following Dubai International Airport and London’s Heathrow International Airport.
Incheon Airport has taken several steps to make even the briefest visit pleasant, with various programs to introduce Korean culture to visitors.

Traditional music, jazz and classical concerts have been held, and the fourth floor has a space dedicated to providing cultural experiences. “I will do my best to make Incheon Airport a hub for Northeast Asia and the best airport in the world,” said CEO Lee Chae-wook.
Link:http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=54131

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Daegu a rising center for international conventions, tourism


EXCO (courtesy of Daegu Metropolitan Government)

EXCO, a mega convention center in Daegu, is playing a key role in the city’s rise as a large-scale convention and tourism center.

The third largest city in Korea is currently preparing to host several major international conventions and expositions, including the IAAF World Championships in May 2011, the International Congress of Entomology in 2012 and the World Energy Congress in 2013.

Scheduled to reopen next month after the ongoing extension construction, EXCO is expected to play an essential part in the successful hosting of these events.

The new EXCO is capable of hosting more than three large expositions at once and accommodating up to 1,500 booths. Since opening ten years ago, EXCO has brought more than 100 billion won into the local economy through conventions and expos.
EXCO previously hosted the International Green Energy Expo Korea, Fire and Safety EXPO Korea, Korea International Textile Machinery Exhibition and Daegu International Machinery Industry Expo. The International Green Energy Expo Korea was first held in 2004 and has become a large-scale international event with more than 1,500 booths for firms from more than 20 different countries. The Fire and Safety EXPO is held yearly in Daegu to commemorate a tragic subway fire eight years ago, and has become one of the leading safety expos in Asia.

EXCO has had positive effects on tourism marketing, as well. This year is "Visit Daegu Year," and the city is expected to attract more than 300,000 overseas tourists. It has also brought Daegu into greater prominence and helped it attract large international events like the Asia Song Festival. The city has also focused on improving tourism and transportation infrastructure, upgrading accommodations, shopping and other related facilities to increase convenience for overseas tourists.

The city plans to develop a series of tourism packages related to medical infrastructure and and international conventions. Daegu plans to develop heritage tourism packages that take advantage of its strategic location near several UNESCO World Heritage sites including Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, the Gyeongju Historic Area, Haeinsa Temple, and the traditional villages of Hahoe and Yangdong.

Daegu further aims to develop industrial tourism packages by using industrial complexes located close to the city, which is a fashion and textile center. Industrial complexes for steel, petrochemical goods, automobiles, machinery and electric goods are located in the nearby cities of Pohang, Ulsan, Gumi and Changwon.
Link:http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=54082

Busan opens new global center


Busan Metropolitan City opened its first global center branch in close partnership with Busan Foundation for International Activities (BFIA) on March 28. The new global center aims to help newcomers from overseas, as well as expatriates and transnational immigrants living in Busan, enjoy a trouble-free life through its counseling services and free language programs.

The Busan Global Center will provide a wide range of services tailored to the many different needs of foreign-born residents in the region. Busan welcomes over 2.2 million foreign each year and has approximately 50,000 foreign residents.

This one-stop service center offers a variety of information services and consultation on topics such as immigration, employment, medical care, transportation, taxes, insurance and banking. It also extends call center services currently run by BFIA and increases the number of languages available to include: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian and Uzbeki. Phone consultations are available from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Another important mission of the Busan Global Center is to create a more multi-cultural environment. The Busan Global Center will run a 10-week course titled “World Cultural Class” Starting on March 28. Each week, foreign-born residents from 12 different countries will host sessions to talk about their own country and culture in English or Korean. The participation fee is 10,000 won.

The Busan Global Center is located across from City Hall in the National Pension Service Building in Yeonsan-dong. The lounge is open from 9.30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

For more information, please call 1577-7716 or visit their official website at: www.bfia.or.kr/renewal/english/main.html (Korean and English).

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Korean literature receives spotlight at international book fairs






Korean literature is increasing its global reach, with more and more publishers participating in international book fairs around the world. In March, Korean literature enjoyed heightened international exposure and more requests for copyright trade through representation at two important book fairs: The 2011 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Market Focus at the 2011 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

Korea was invited to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair as this year’s “Market Focus” country, and will have a special booth entitled, “Korean Collective Stand.” The fair, which wrapped up March 20 after six-day run, brought together international readers, as well as experts in the field and trade visitors. Market Focus, aimed at providing insight on industry trends to exhibitors, traders and inquisitive professionals, is an instrumental program for extending networks in the Middle East and North African region.
The “Market Focus: Korea” booth was operated by the Korean Publishers Association and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. At this year’s fair, a number of acclaimed Korean publishers joined the Korean Collective Stand. Representatives from the Korean publishing industry showcased and promoted Korean publications and discussed trade with attending professionals. Also featured in the booth were a selection of translations of Korean literature and books on Korean culture.

On the first day of the event, the Korea Literature Translation Institute hosted a discussion forum session titled “Middle East Meets Far East - A Literary Bridge between the UAE and Korea.” The panel was composed of three renowned Korean writers who talked about their own oeuvre and urged Arab institutions to translate more Korean publications into Arabic to help bridge the cultural gap between Far East and Middle East. The authors who spoke at the session included Yi Munyol, author of “Our Twisted Hero,” novelist Kim Joo-young and poet Kim Min-jeong.
The Korea team donated a selection of Korean literature translations in English, French, and Arabic to the National Library in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai branch of Zayed University to increase awareness of Korean literature. The Korean Publishers Association also successfully held the Business Breakfast on March 16 at which the director of International Project Department, Moon Seung-hyun, gave an overview of the Korean book industry.

For more information, please visit the official website at: www.adbookfair.com/cms (English and Arabic).

Korea participates at Bologna Children’s Book Fair

The Korean Publishers Association is currently participating in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, from March 28 to 31, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
This year’s fair has been very encouraging for Korean publications. For the first time, a Korean author won grand prize at the Bologna Ragazzi Award for non-fiction. Kim Hee-Kyung’s “A House of the Mind: Maum” was highly praised and Gang Gyeong-su’s “The Stories Shouldn’t be True” also earned mention in the same category. In addition, five Korean artists were acknowledged for their work as illustrators.
The Korean Publishers Association is promoting 27 Korean publishers, with a focus on Korean children’s content, by showcasing their editorial production in the international marketplace and assisting them with rights trade in one of the most prestigious children’s book fairs. Approximately 700 books were on display to meet the growing demand for Korean children’s books. The organization will provide an in-depth look at the current state of publishing in Korea at a forum on March 29.

In conjunction with the fair, the Korea Literature Translation Institute is also hosting a “Fantasy in Korean Picture Books” event accompanied by a series of lectures on Korean children’s books at three designated Italian cities: Bologna, Rome and Venice.
The 48th Bologna Children’s Book Fair is for professionals dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry. Every spring, some 5,000 publishers, illustrators, field experts and registered press from over 70 nations attend the prestigious annual event.

For more information, please visit the official website at: www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en (English and Italian)

មហន្តរាយ​នុយក្លេអ៊ែរ​ជប៉ុន ៖ អ្វី​ជា​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​សម្រាប់​សុខភាព ?

គ្រោះ​រញ្ជួយ​ដី និង​រលក​យក្ស​ស៊ូណាមី ថ្ងៃ​ទី ១១​មីនា ២០១១ នៅ​ជប៉ុន បាន​បង្កការ​​បាត់​បង់​ជីវិត​មនុស្ស​ជា​ច្រើន​ពាន់​នាក់ ព្រម​ទាំង​ការ​ខូច​ខាត​សម្ភារៈ​យ៉ាង​សម្បើម។ ធ្ងន់​ធ្ងរ​ជាង​​នេះ​ទៅ​ទៀត គឺ​ការ​ខូចខាត​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលនុយក្លេអ៊ែរ ហ្វ៊ូគូស្ហ៊ីម៉ា ដែល​ធ្លាយ​ប្រេះ​ បញ្ចេញ​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ក្នុង​លំហ​បរិយាកាស។ ជា​សំណាង​ល្អ​ដែល​អាជ្ញាធរ​អាច​គ្រប់​គ្រប​មិន​ឲ្យ​មាន​ការ​ផ្ទុះ​ស្នូល​កណ្តាល​នៃ​ម៉ាស៊ីន​ប្រតិកម្ម។ ប៉ុន្តែ​ការ​ធ្លាយ​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ប៉ុណ្ណេះ​ វា​គ្រប់​គ្រាន់​ល្មម​នឹង​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​ពិភពលោ​ក​ទាំង​មូល​ព្រួយ​បារម្ភ​ និង​ចោទ​សួរ​ពី​វិបត្តិ​នុយក្លេអ៊ែរ​ចំពោះ​សុខភាព។ តើ​អ្វី​ទៅ​ជា​​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​ ក្នុង​ពេល​ភ្លាម និង​ទៅ​អនាគត នៅ​ពេល​បាន​ប្រឈម​នឹង​ឬ​បាន​ទទួល​រង​សារធាតុវិទ្យុ​សកម្ម ? តើ​សារធាតុ​អ៊ីយ៉ូត​ ជា​អ្វី ? សូម​ស្តាប់​អៀង សុខម៉ិញ ដោយ​មាន​បទ​អន្តរាគមន៍​ពី​​វេជ្ជបណ្ឌិត​សាស្ត្រាចារ្យ Pr Martin Schlumberger ប្រធាន​ផ្នែក​វេជ្ជសាស្ត្រ​នុយក្លេអ៊ែរ នៅ​ Gustave Roussy ក្រុង​ Paris។



ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ (​អ៊ីយ៉ូត ១៣១ និង​សេយ៉ូម១៣៧) ដែល​ធ្លាយ​ចេញ​ពី​ការ​ផ្ទុះ​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​នុយក្លេអ៊ែរ សុទ្ធ​តែ​​បង្ក​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​ ដល់​សុខភាព​ទាំង​អស់ មិន​ថា​ធាតុ​នោះ​ហោះហើរ​ក្នុង​លំហ​អាកាស ឬ តោង​ជាប់​នៅ​នឹង​ដី ឬ ស្រូប​ចូល​តាម​ផ្លូវដង្ហើម ឬ​តាម​មាត់ តាម​ចំណី​អាហារ​ទេ។ លក្ខណៈ​ពិសេស​នៃ​សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម គឺ​វា​មាន​អំណាច​ជះ​ឥទ្ធិពល​ សាយភាយ បាញ់​ដោយ​ត្រង់​និង​ជុំ​វិញ​ខ្លួន​វា​ គឺ​ប្រៀប​ដូច​ជា​​កាំរស្មី ព្រះ​អាទិត្យ​ ដែល​គេ​ហៅ​ថា កាំរស្មី​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​។ កាំ​រស្មី​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​មាន​ច្រើន​​ដូច​ជា​ អាល់ហ្វា បេតា និង​ហ្កាម៉ា ។ល។ និង​។ល។ កាំរស្មី​ដែល​គេ​ស្គាល់​ច្រើន​ជាង​គេ​គឺ​ កាំរស្មី​ ​X។

សុខភាព​ របស់​មនុស្ស​យើង​ទទួល​​រង​ផល​វិបាក គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់ ​ ​ តិចតួច​ ឬ​ច្រើន​ទៅ​តាម​កំរិត​ និង​ទៅ​តាម​ប្រភេទ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម។

សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម មាន​ឥទ្ធិពល​ខ្លាំង​ ភ្លាមៗ ​ទៅ​តោង​ជាប់​​​នឹង បន្លែ​ប្រភេទ​ស្លឹក​ពណ៌បៃតង ពីរ​បី​ថ្ងៃ​ក្រោយ​នឹង​ឆ្លង​ដល់​ទឹក​ដោះ​គោ និង​ទៅ​ដល់​សាច់​សត្វ​នៅ​រយៈ​ពេល​ពីរទៅ​បី​សប្តាហ៍​ក្រោយ។ បន្ទាប់​ពី​ការ​សាយ​ភាយឆ្លង​ខ្លាំងនេះមក ​កម្លាំង​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុសកម្ម​នឹង​ចុះ​ថយ​បន្តិច​ម្តងៗ លឿន​ឬ​យឺត​ទៅ​តាម​ប្រភេទ។

សារធាតុវិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​​សេយ៉ូម ច្រើន​តែ​មាន​កំរិត​តិច​តួច​ មិន​សូវ​បង្ក​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​ទេដល់​សុខភាព​យើង​ ប៉ុន្តែ​សារធាតុ​អ៊ីយ៉ូត​វិញ ទោះ​បី​ជា​ការ​ចម្លង​សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ ​ ទោះ​បី​ជា​មាន​ចំនួន​អាតូម​តិច​តួច​ក្តី ក៏​វា​ល្មម​គ្រប់​គ្រាន់​នឹង​អាច​បង្ក​ឲ្យ​​មាន​បញ្ហាដល់​សុខភាព ខូច​ខាត​ជាលិកា រលាក​ស្បែក ​ដែល​​អាច​ស្លាប់​បាន និង​ប៉ះពាល់​ដល់​សរីរាង្គ​ផ្សេងទៀត​មាន​ជាអាទិ៍​​ក្រពេញ​ ទីរ៉ូអ៊ីត (Thyroïde) ព្រម​ទាំង​ធ្វើ​ឲ្យ​កោសិកា​អាច​បំផ្លែង​​ទៅ​ជា​កោសិកា​មហារីក។



តាម​​ពិត នៅ​ក្នុងជីវិត​រស់​នៅ​ប្រចាំ​ថ្ងៃ​ មនុស្ស​ស្ទើរ​តែ​គ្រប់រូប​សុទ្ធ​តែ​បាន​ទទួល​រង​​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​គ្រប់​គ្នា។

​នៅ​ប្រទេស​បារាំង​ ប្រជាជន​ម្នាក់​ទទួល​សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ក្នុង​កំរិត ប្រមាណ 2 ទៅ​ 3 មីល្លី​ស៊ីវែរ ក្នុងមួយ​ឆ្នាំ (រង្វាស់​បរិមាណ​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម ដែល​បាញ់​​ត្រង់​ចំ​លើ​សរីរាង្គ​ណាមួយ​ក្នុង​មួយ​វិនាទី)។ ​នៅ​ពេល​ ​យើង​ ថត​បំពង់​អាហារ យើង​ទទួល​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ប្រមាណ​ មួយឬ​ពីរ​ មីល្លី​ស៊ីវែរ។ ឬ ថត​ស្កានប្រមាណ​ ១០​ ទៅ ២០ មីល្លី​ស៊ីវែរ។

ការ​សិក្សា​មួយ​បាន​បង្ហាញ​ថា ប្រសិន​បើ​មនុស្សម្នាក់​ទទួល​បាន​សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ ក្រោម​ ១០០ មីល្លី​ស៊ីវែរ នោះ​គេ​នឹង​គ្មានគ្រោះ​កើត​ជំងឺ​មហារីកទេ។ ឡើង​ចាប់​ពី​១០០​ទៅ ​គេ​អាច​​​ប្រឈម​នឹងគ្រោះ​​កើត​​ជំងឺ​មហារីក​។ លើស​​ពី​១០០០​ mSv (millisievert) ​គ្រោះកើត​ជំងឺ​មហារីក​ ៖ ​មហារីក​ទីរ៉ូអ៊ីត ឬ​មហារីកឈាម​ ​មាន​ជា​ប្រាកដ។

អ៊ីយ៉ូតវិទ្យុ​សកម្ម ឬ​អ៊ីយ៉ូត ១៣១ ​វា​ស្រាល នៅ​ពេល​មាន​ធ្លាយ​បន្តិច​បន្តួច​វា​នឹង​ហោះ​ហើរ​លាយ​ពេញ​លំហ​​អាកាស។ ដូច្នេះ​វា​នឹង​ទៅ​ចម្លង​ដល់​​ការរស់​នៅ​ និង​ប្រជាជន​នៅ​ជុំវិញ។

ដូច្នេះ​ដើម្បី​ចៀសវៀង​កុំ​ឲ្យ​មាន​ទទួល​រង​វិទ្យុសកម្ម បើ​ក្នុង​ករណី​​ដែល​បរិយាកាស​​មាន​ឆ្លង​សារធាតុ​អ៊ីយ៉ូតវិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ហើយ មាន​មធ្យោបាយ​បី​យ៉ាង​ គួរ​ប្រតិបត្តិ ៖
- បិទទ្វារ​ បិទបង្អួច​ ដើម្បី​កុំ​ឲ្យ​មាន​ខ្យល់ក្រៅ​បក់​​ចូលក្នុ​ង​ផ្ទះ។ កុំ​ចេញ​ដើរ​ហើយ​នៅ​ក្រៅ​ផ្ទះ
- សូម​កុំ​បរិភោគ​អាហារ​ដែល​មាន​ឆ្លង​សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុសកម្ម
- ទីបី​ត្រូវ​ទទួល​ទាន​ថ្នាំ អ៊ីយ៉ូត​ដឺប៉ូតាស្យូម ដែល​ជា​អ៊ីយ៉ូត​ធម្មតា មិ​ន​មែន​ជា​អ៊ីយ៉ូត​វិទ្យុសកម្ម។ អ៊ីយូតដឺប៉ូតាស្យូម​នេះ នឹង​ទៅ​ទប់​ក្រពេញ​Thyroide កុំ​ឲ្យ​ធ្វើ​បណ្តុំ​ជាមួយ​នឹង​អ៊ីយ៉ូត ១៣១។ វិធានការ​នេះ​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព​ណាស់ ព្រោះ​វា​អាច​កាត់​បន្ថយ​ ការបណ្តុំ​​បាន​៨៥% ប៉ុន្តែ​ត្រូវ​ទទួល​ទាន​ក្នុង​កំរិត​ត្រឹម​ត្រូវ និង​ឲ្យ​បាន​មុន​ពេល​ឆ្លង​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម យ៉ាង​ហោច​ណាស់​ក៏​មួយ​ម៉ោងមុន​ដែរ។

អ៊ីយ៉ូត​ដឺប៉ូតាស្យូម មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព​តែ​រយៈ​ពេល​ពីរ​ទៅ​បី​ថ្ងៃប៉ុណ្ណោះ ដូច្នេះ​វា​គ្មាន​ប្រយោជន៍​អ្វី​ដែល​ត្រូវ​លេប​ថ្នាំ​នេះ ដោយ​គ្មានការ​បញ្ជា​ពី​អាជ្ញាធរ​មានស​មត្ថកិច្ច​ទេ។ ហើយ​សូម​ចងចាំ​ថា គ្រោះ​កើ​ត​ជំងឺមហារីក​ក្រពេញ​ Thyroide ដោយ​សារ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្មនេះ​​ មាន​តែ​ចំពោះ​កុមារ​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ។​​ ចាប់​ពី​អាយុ ១៥ ទៅ​២០​ឆ្នាំ​ឡើង​ទៅ គេ​អាច​និយាយ​បាន​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​មាន​កំរិតស្ទើរ​តែ​សូន្យ។ ចាប់​ពី​អាយុ​៤៥​ឆ្នាំ​ឡើង​ទៅ គ្មា​ន​ហេតុ​ផល​អ្វី​ទាល់​សោះ​ដែល​ត្រូវ​លេប​ថ្នាំ​អ៊ីយ៉ូតដឺប៉ូតាស្យូម​ទេ។

ក្នុង​ករណី​ដែល​ទទួលទាន​ថ្នាំ​នេះ​ច្រើនជ្រុល​វិញ ប្រសិន​បើ​អ្នក​ធ្លាប់​មាន​បញ្ហា​ក្រពេញ​Thyroide ស្រាប់​ហើយ​ នឹង​បង្ក​ឲ្យ​មាន​ជំងឺ​ Hyper Thyroidie ប៉ុន្តែ​ជំងឺ​នេះ​គ្មាន​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​សម្រាប់​កុមារ​ទេ លើក​លែង​តែ​មនុស្ស​ចាស់។

ដើម្បី​អាច​ចេញ​អនុសាសន៍​ឲ្យ​ទទួល​ទាន​ថ្នាំ​អ៊ីយ៉ូត​បាន​ លុះ​ណា​តែ​ក្រុម​អ្នក​ឯកទេស​រក​ឃើញ​ថា​មាន​សារធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ ដល់​កំរិត​ បង្ក​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់ ១០០mSv៕​
Link: http://www.khmer.rfi.fr/Healht%20and%20radioactive

Monday, March 28, 2011

បញ្ហា​ប្រើ​ទង់ជាតិ​បរទេស​បូក​ទាំង​ទង់​ជាតិ​កម្ពុជា​ផង ចោទ​ជា​ថ្មី​នៅ​រុស្ស៊ី


មូលហេតុ មកពី​ព្រឹកមិញ កាណាល់​ទូរទស្សន៍​រដ្ឋ ដ៏​សំខាន់​បំផុត​នៅ​រុស្ស៊ី គឺ ប៉ុស្តិ៍​លេខ១ បាន​ផ្សាយ​បទយកការណ៍​យ៉ាង​ធំ អំពី​ការ​ចាប់​បាន​កប៉ាល់​មួយ​គ្រឿង​ទៀត​ហើយ ដែល​លើក​នេះ គឺ​ក្រោម​ទង់​ប្រទេស Belize ដោយ​មាន​តឹកតាង​ជា​សំអាង​ស​ឲ្យ​ឃើញ​ពី​ការ​នេសាទ​ខុស​ច្បាប់ ក្នុង​ដែន​ទឹក​ឯ​ចុង​បូព៌ា​ប្រទេស​រុស្ស៊ី ប៉ុន្តែ​បទយកការណ៍​នោះ សង្កត់​ធ្ងន់​ថា ចាប់​បាន​ច្រើន​ជាង​គេ គឺ​កប៉ាល់​ក្រោម​ទង់​ជាតិ​កម្ពុជា​តែ​ម្តង។

បទយកការណ៍​នោះ​បង្ហាញ​ឲ្យ​ឃើញ​ពេល​ដែល​ពួក​យោធា​នៃ​កង​ការពារ​ដែន​សមុទ្រ​រុស្ស៊ី របស់​ក្រសួង​សន្តិសុខ កំពុង​លើក​បោះ​ទម្លាក់ ទៅ​ក្នុង​ទឹក​វិញ ក្តាម​សមុទ្រ​ធំៗ​ណា ដែល​នៅ​រស់​នៅ​ឡើយ គេ​រាប់​ទៅ​ឃើញ​ដល់ ចំនួន ៥.៦២០ក្តាម ឯណោះ ​ដែល​នីមួយៗ​គ្រាន់​តែ​ជើង​វា​មាន​ប្រវែង​មិន​តិច​ជាង ៣​តឹក​ឡើយ។​ ជា​សរុប គឺ​ទម្ងន់​ប្រមាណ​៦​តោន។ មិនតែ​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ​សមត្ថកិច្ច​រុស្ស៊ី បាន​រក​ឃើញ​មាន​លាក់​ទុក​នៅ​ក្នុង​បន្ទប់ ខាង​បាត​កប៉ាល់ គឺ​ក្តាម​៣០​តោន​ទៀត។

កប៉ាល់​នេសាទ​ខុស​ច្បាប់​នោះ ដែល​ដោត​ដោយ​ទង់ជាតិ​ប្រទេស Belize បន្ទាប់មក​បាន​ត្រូវ​នាវា​ល្បាត​ព្រំដែន​រុស្ស៊ី ក្រៀក​ឲ្យ​បើក​ទៅ​សំចត​នៅ​ឯ​បាង​សមុទ្រ​ជិត​កំពង់ផែ ឈ្មោះ Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski ដែល​ជា​ទីរួម​ខេត្ត Kamchatka នៅ​ចុង​បូព៌ា​បង្អស់​នៃ​ប្រទេស​រុស្ស៊ី។

គឺពេលនោះ​ឯង ដែល​អ្នក​ឆ្លើយឆ្លង​នៃ​កាណាល់​ទូរទស្សន៍​រដ្ឋ ប៉ុស្តិ៍​លេខ១ បាន​បរិយាយ​រំលឹក​ថា ឥឡូវ​នៅ​ជាប់​ក្នុង​ការឃាត់​ខ្លួន​ត្រង់​បាង​សមុទ្រ​នេះ មិន​ឲ្យ​ដំណើរការ​ក្នុង​ដែន​ទឹក​រុស្ស៊ី​ទៀត​ឡើយ ​គឺ​កប៉ាល់​ដល់​ទៅ​រាប់​សិប​គ្រឿង​ពី​ក្នុង​នោះ​ភាគ​ច្រើន គឺ​កប៉ាល់​ក្រោម​ទង់ជាតិ​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា​តែម្តង។ បទយកការណ៍​នោះ​លម្អិត​ថា ក្រៅពី​នេះ​ក៏​មាន​កប៉ាល់​ក្រោម​ទង់ជាតិ ប្រទេស​បែប​យ៉ាង Panama Honduras ហើយ​គួរ​ឲ្យ​អស្ចារ្យ ដែល​នាពេល ចុង​ក្រោយ ថែម​ទាំង​មាន​ទង់ជាតិ​ម៉ុងហ្គោលី​ទៅ​ផង ប្រទេស​ដែល​គ្មាន​ច្រក​ចេញ​ទៅ​សមុទ្រ​សោះ។

អ្នកកាសែត​រុស្ស៊ី ដាក់​ឈ្មោះ​ដល់​ទង់ជាតិ​បែប​នេះ​ ថា​ជា “ទង់ជាតិ​ងាយ​ប្រើ” ដើម្បី​ទទួល​សិទ្ធិ​​ចុះ​បញ្ជី​សម្រាប់​ជា​ទី​សំចត​អចិន្ត្រៃយ៍​នៃ​កប៉ាល់ រួច​ចំពោះ​ការ​ប្រើ​នោះ​ ម្ចាស់​កប៉ាល់​​ជា​ជាតិ​បរទេស ត្រូវ​បង់​ឲ្យ​ទៅ​ប្រទេស​ប្រគល់​សិទ្ធិ​នោះ គឺ​ទឹកប្រាក់​មិន​ជាច្រើន​ទេ ម្តុំ​៣​ពាន់-​៤​ពាន់​ដុល្លារ​អាមេរិក​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ។

Business នេះ តាម​ការបំភ្លឺ​ឲ្យ​ដឹង​នៃ​អ្នក​កាសែត​រុស្ស៊ី ត្រូវ​គេ​អនុវត្ត​យ៉ាង​ទូលំទូលាយ គឺ​នៅ​រាជធានី​កម្ពុជា ក្រុង​ផែ​ភ្នំពេញ និង នៅ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង ក្រុង​ផែ Pusan ជាទី​ដែល​ទង់ជាតិ​ដ៏​សម្បូណ៌​បែប​រមែង​ដាក់​ឲ្យ​អតិថិជន​ជ្រើស​យក​ ហើយ​ក្រដាស​ស្នាម​សោត​ត្រូវ​គេ​ចេញ​ឲ្យ​យ៉ាង​លឿន​មិន​សាំញ៉ាំ​ទេ។ ចំណែក​ក្រុម​អ្នក​ដើរ​កប៉ាល់​វិញ គឺ​ត្រូវ​គេ​ជ្រើសរើស​នៅ​ប្រទេស​រុស្ស៊ី​ផ្ទាល់។​ ក្នុង​ករណី​ដែល​កប៉ាល់​នេសាទ​ខុស​ច្បាប់​នេះ ​ស្រាប់តែ ធ្លាក់​ក្នុង​ភាព​ឃាត់​ខ្លួន ម្ចាស់វា​ជាទូទៅ គឺ​គេច​ខ្លួន​បាត់។

បទយកការណ៍​នោះ​បញ្ចប់​សេចក្តី​ថា ក្តាម​សមុទ្រ​ដែល​មាន​នេសាទ​បាន ដោយ​ខុស​ច្បាប់​តែង​ត្រូវ​គេ​លក់​នៅ​តាម​ប្រទេស​ភូម៌ភាគ​អាស៊ី​អាគ្នេយ៍ ហេតុ​ដែល​នាំ​ឲ្យ​ប្រទេស​រុស្ស៊ី​ខាតបង់​ក្នុង​មួយ​ឆ្នាំៗ អស់​រាប់​ពាន់​លាន​ដុល្លារ​អាមេរិក៕
Link: http://www.khmer.rfi.fr/Report%20fish%20baot%20illegal%20in%20Russia

A cooling sip of water at Gyeongbok Palace




Visitors drinking water from a well built during the Joseon Dynasty at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul on March 28. The water is purified to make it safe to drink.
Trackback : http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=54044

Sunday, March 27, 2011

មាតុភូមិ​និវត្តន៍​នៃ​ជនជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​២៧នាក់​ដែល​បាន​ស្ថិត​នៅ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ដោយ​ចៃដន្យ


ជន​២៧​នាក់​ក្នុង​ចំណោម​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​៣១នាក់​ដែល​កប៉ាល់​ នេសាទ​បាន​រសាត់​អណ្តែត​ទៅ​កាន់​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ ទើប​នឹង​ចាក​ចេញ​ទៅ​កាន់​ប្រទេស​កុម្មុយនិស្ត​របស់​ខ្លួន​វិញ​ ដោយ​បន្សល់​ទុក​គ្នីគ្នា​ខ្លួន​៤នាក់​ នៅ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​។​ការវិល​ត្រឡប់​របស់​គេ​ខ័ណ្ឌ​បញ្ចប់​ការតថ្លៃ​គ្នា​ យ៉ាង​តឹង​សរសៃ​ក​ជិត​២​ខែ​រវាង​រដ្ឋការ​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​និង​សេអ៊ូល​។

គឺ​នៅ​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃ​នេះ​ហើយ​ដែល​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​២៧​នាក់​បាន​វិល​ត្រឡប់​ទៅ​កាន់​ប្រទេស​ជាតិ​ខ្លួន​វិញ​ -ស្រប​តាម​បណ្តាញ​ទូរទស្សន៍​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ YTN​ ។​គេ​បាន​ជិះ​កប៉ាល់​នេសាទ​ដ៏​កញ្ចាស់​ធ្វើ​ពី​ឈើ​ដែល​ម៉ាស៊ីន​ខូច​លែង​ដើរ​បាន​ធ្វើ​ឱ្យ​គេ​រសាត់​អណ្តែត​រហូត​មក​ដល់​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​៥​កុម្ភៈ​មុន​។​ក្នុង​ចំណោម​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​៣១​នាក់​ ​ មាន​៤​នាក់​រួម​ទាំង​មេ​កប៉ាល់​នេសាទ​ផង​ បាន​សុំ​សិទ្ធិ​ជ្រក​កោន​នយោបាយ​នៅ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​។​សំណូម​ពរ​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​អាជ្ញាធរ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ព្រម​ទទួល​យក​។

រឿង​រ៉ាវ​នេះ​បាន​បណ្តាល​ឱ្យ​កើត​មាន​វិបត្តិ​ថ្មី​រវាង​ប្រទេស​កូរ៉េ​ទាំង​ពីរ​។​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​ទាម​ទារ​តម្រូវ​ឱ្យ​អាណិក​ជន​ខ្លួន​ទាំង​អស់​វិល​ត្រឡប់​ចូល​ស្រុក​ទេស​វិញ​និង​ចោទ​រដ្ឋការ​សេអ៊ូល​ថា​ ឃាត់​គេ​ទុក​ផ្ទុយ​នឹង​ឆន្ទៈ​របស់​គេ​។​របប​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​រហូត​ដល់​ទៅ​ចុះ​ផ្សាយ​តាម​គេហទំព័រ​អាំងទែរណេត​នូវ​រូបថត​វីដេអូ​និង​សំបុត្រ​នៃ​សមាជិក​គ្រួសារ​របស់​គេ​ដែល​អង្វរ​-ករ​សូម​ឱ្យ​គេ​វិល​ត្រឡប់​មក​វិញ​។​គឺ​ជា​ការគំរាម​សម្លុត​ពោរពេញ​ទៅ​ដោយ​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​ ​ ដ្បិត​សាច់​ញាតិ​របស់​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​ដែល​បាន​រត់​ចោល​ស្រុក​ទេស​ខ្លួន​ ជា​ទូទៅ​ ត្រូវ​បាន​អាជ្ញាធរ​បញ្ជួន​ទៅ​កាន់​ជំរំ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ទាំង​បង្ខិត​បង្ខំ​។

នៅ​ទី​បំផុត​ទៅ​ ​ រដ្ឋការ​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​ព្រម​ទទួល​យក​ការវិល​ត្រឡប់​នៃ​អាណិក​ជន​ជាតិ​ខ្លួន​តែ​២៧​នាក់​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ​។​ជា​កាយ​វិការ​សុឆន្ទៈ​មួយ​ នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​របប​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​ក្នុង​ខណៈ​នេះ​កំពុង​ស្វែង​រក​ការអនុគ្រោះ​ពី​ខាង​រដ្ឋការ​សេអ៊ូល​និង​វ៉ាស៊ិនតោន​ ​ ដើម្បី​ទទួល​ជំនួយ​មនុស្សធម៌​ដ៏​ក្រាស់​ក្រែល​។​ស្រប​តាម​កម្មវិធី​អាហារូបត្ថម្ភ​ពិភព​លោក​របស់​អ.ស.ប.​ បណ្តាជន​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​ចំនួន​១/៤​ក្នុង​ពេល​បន្តិច​ទៀត​ ប្រហែល​អាច​នឹង​ទទួល​រង​គ្រោះ​ខ្លាំង​ក្នុង​កង្វះ​អាហារ​៕
Link: ជន​២៧​នាក់​ក្នុង​ចំណោម​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​៣១នាក់​ដែល​កប៉ាល់​ នេសាទ​បាន​រសាត់​អណ្តែត​ទៅ​កាន់​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ ទើប​នឹង​ចាក​ចេញ​ទៅ​កាន់​ប្រទេស​កុម្មុយនិស្ត​របស់​ខ្លួន​វិញ​ ដោយ​បន្សល់​ទុក​គ្នីគ្នា​ខ្លួន​៤នាក់​ នៅ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​។​ការវិល​ត្រឡប់​របស់​គេ​ខ័ណ្ឌ​បញ្ចប់​ការតថ្លៃ​គ្នា​ យ៉ាង​តឹង​សរសៃ​ក​ជិត​២​ខែ​រវាង​រដ្ឋការ​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​និង​សេអ៊ូល​។

គឺ​នៅ​ព្រឹក​ថ្ងៃ​នេះ​ហើយ​ដែល​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​២៧​នាក់​បាន​វិល​ត្រឡប់​ទៅ​កាន់​ប្រទេស​ជាតិ​ខ្លួន​វិញ​ -ស្រប​តាម​បណ្តាញ​ទូរទស្សន៍​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ YTN​ ។​គេ​បាន​ជិះ​កប៉ាល់​នេសាទ​ដ៏​កញ្ចាស់​ធ្វើ​ពី​ឈើ​ដែល​ម៉ាស៊ីន​ខូច​លែង​ដើរ​បាន​ធ្វើ​ឱ្យ​គេ​រសាត់​អណ្តែត​រហូត​មក​ដល់​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ កាល​ពី​ថ្ងៃ​៥​កុម្ភៈ​មុន​។​ក្នុង​ចំណោម​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​៣១​នាក់​ ​ មាន​៤​នាក់​រួម​ទាំង​មេ​កប៉ាល់​នេសាទ​ផង​ បាន​សុំ​សិទ្ធិ​ជ្រក​កោន​នយោបាយ​នៅ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​។​សំណូម​ពរ​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​អាជ្ញាធរ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ព្រម​ទទួល​យក​។

រឿង​រ៉ាវ​នេះ​បាន​បណ្តាល​ឱ្យ​កើត​មាន​វិបត្តិ​ថ្មី​រវាង​ប្រទេស​កូរ៉េ​ទាំង​ពីរ​។​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​ទាម​ទារ​តម្រូវ​ឱ្យ​អាណិក​ជន​ខ្លួន​ទាំង​អស់​វិល​ត្រឡប់​ចូល​ស្រុក​ទេស​វិញ​និង​ចោទ​រដ្ឋការ​សេអ៊ូល​ថា​ ឃាត់​គេ​ទុក​ផ្ទុយ​នឹង​ឆន្ទៈ​របស់​គេ​។​របប​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​រហូត​ដល់​ទៅ​ចុះ​ផ្សាយ​តាម​គេហទំព័រ​អាំងទែរណេត​នូវ​រូបថត​វីដេអូ​និង​សំបុត្រ​នៃ​សមាជិក​គ្រួសារ​របស់​គេ​ដែល​អង្វរ​-ករ​សូម​ឱ្យ​គេ​វិល​ត្រឡប់​មក​វិញ​។​គឺ​ជា​ការគំរាម​សម្លុត​ពោរពេញ​ទៅ​ដោយ​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​ ​ ដ្បិត​សាច់​ញាតិ​របស់​ជន​ជាតិ​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​ដែល​បាន​រត់​ចោល​ស្រុក​ទេស​ខ្លួន​ ជា​ទូទៅ​ ត្រូវ​បាន​អាជ្ញាធរ​បញ្ជួន​ទៅ​កាន់​ជំរំ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ទាំង​បង្ខិត​បង្ខំ​។

នៅ​ទី​បំផុត​ទៅ​ ​ រដ្ឋការ​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​ព្រម​ទទួល​យក​ការវិល​ត្រឡប់​នៃ​អាណិក​ជន​ជាតិ​ខ្លួន​តែ​២៧​នាក់​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ​។​ជា​កាយ​វិការ​សុឆន្ទៈ​មួយ​ នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​របប​ព្យុងយ៉ាង​ក្នុង​ខណៈ​នេះ​កំពុង​ស្វែង​រក​ការអនុគ្រោះ​ពី​ខាង​រដ្ឋការ​សេអ៊ូល​និង​វ៉ាស៊ិនតោន​ ​ ដើម្បី​ទទួល​ជំនួយ​មនុស្សធម៌​ដ៏​ក្រាស់​ក្រែល​។​ស្រប​តាម​កម្មវិធី​អាហារូបត្ថម្ភ​ពិភព​លោក​របស់​អ.ស.ប.​ បណ្តាជន​កូរ៉េ​ខាង​ជើង​ចំនួន​១/៤​ក្នុង​ពេល​បន្តិច​ទៀត​ ប្រហែល​អាច​នឹង​ទទួល​រង​គ្រោះ​ខ្លាំង​ក្នុង​កង្វះ​អាហារ​៕
Link: http://www.khmer.rfi.fr/north-korean-fishermen-return-back-home

Seoul Grand Park Holds Spring Flower Festival

Seoul Grand Park is holding a spring flower festival under a folk tales theme.

The exhibition is open at the botanical garden in the park until May 10, showing more than 8,000 flowers of 260 species as well as environmental art works.

At the entrance to the botanical garden, which serves as the festival’s main stage, visitors will encounter a rabbit-themed garden to mark the Year of the Rabbit.


A four-meter-high flower pagoda named Pegasus after the flying horse from Greek mythology has been installed on each side of the entrance.

Visitors to the Orchid Pavilion will find an exhibition themed under the asterisms Aries, Leo and Taurus.

The festival also features a variety of creative activities, including handprint painting on T-shirts, topiary and mini-flowerpot making, natural soap and cosmetics making and flower pressing.
Link: http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/23/2011032301089.html

Seoul Ranks 16th in Financial Services Competitiveness

Seoul ranks 16th out of 75 major cities worldwide in terms of the competitiveness of financial services on the Global Financial Centres Index compiled by British consulting group Z/Yen. The Seoul metropolitan government said Monday the city rose eight notches from 24th in September last year.

Cities are evaluated in five main categories -- people, business environment, market access, infrastructure and general competitiveness, based on online surveys of global financial experts. The results of the evaluations are announced in March and September each year.

Seoul ranked third after Shanghai and Singapore in terms of the greatest potential to develop into a financial hub. It came fourth after Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore as the city foreign investment banks would consider for new branches within the next few years.

The city government said the rise was the result of efforts to bolster financial infrastructure such as construction of the Seoul International Finance Center in Yeouido and other business centers catering to foreign investors. Seoul's rank has risen steadily since 2009 when the city ranked 53rd. London came first in the latest GFCI survey, followed by New York and Hong Kong.
Link: http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/22/2011032201104.html

Friday, March 25, 2011

Visitors to Korea Can Travel With Confidence” Korea Safe from Japanese Radiation


Radioactive leakage from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan has raised concerns among travelers as to whether or not Korea is still a safe travel destination. Korea is approximately 12,000 km away from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and has NOT been affected by radiation from the recent crisis.

Following recent events in Japan, scientists have been hard at work conducting research to analyze the possibility of radioactive materials spreading to Korea. After careful analysis of the findings, experts agree that there is little chance that radioactive materials would reach Korea due to a variety of factors, including the fact that the predominant winds blow from west to east.

Experts have assured both residents and visitors that Korea is SAFE from the threat of radiation from Japan.

Below are the results of a simulation conducted by the Korea Meteorological Administration to analyze any possible impact on Korea in case of a radiation leakage from the damaged Japanese nuclear power plant.

1. Winds closer to the Earth’s surface blow from west to east (from Korean to Japan) and do not reach the high speeds that would be necessary to carry radioactive materials for a distance greater than 1,000 km. Even if ground winds were able to reach these incredibly high speeds, radioactive partials would be blocked by geographical obstacles, such as Japan’s mountainous terrain.

2. For any radioactive particles to be carried over a distance of more than 1,000 km, they would need to be carried by the strong winds higher up into the atmosphere (~2km). At this level of altitude, the prevailing winds are the Westerlies, which blow from west to east all year round.

3. If radioactive materials were to be shot up into the air (such as in an explosion) and reached the jet stream 10 km above the surface, they could flow into Korea only after circling the entire Earth from west to east and returning back to Korea.

According to an expert at the Korea Meteorological Administration, radiation from Fukushima is in gaseous form, making it highly unlikely that it could rise so far up into the air. Even in the off chance that radiation could make its way into the jet stream, it would pose no threat since most of the radiation would be lost during the 2 weeks it would take for the particles to circle the Earth back to Korea.

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has said that no radioactive materials were found in any of the rain samples collected from twelve locations nationwide on March 12th. The Integrated Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network with its 70 monitoring stations nationwide is checking the nation’s real-time radiation levels and reporting the results twice daily at 2:00 and 14:00. As of March 25th 9 a.m. the radiation level in Korea remains normal and shows no signs of being affected by the radioactive materials released from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Meanwhile, Korea is making active fundraising and rescue efforts for the victims of the earthquake in Japan. An increasing number of foreigners in Japan are seeking refuge in Korea after the nuclear crisis, and Korea remains an environmentally safe travel destination for tourists.
Link: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1243045

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival" will open on April 8 2011


Every year nearly 4 million people visit the Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, one of the most famous festivals in Seoul. This year (2011) the festival is scheduled to run for 16 days, from April 8 (Friday) to April 19 (Tuesday).

During the festival period some 90,000 spring flowers (18 species) will be in full bloom, including cherry trees, azaleas, forsythia, and royal azaleas. Cars will have limited access to the roads around the National Assembly building during the festival period, allowing visitors more room to walk along the street, enjoy the cherry blossoms, and get a wide-open view of the nearby Hangang River. At night, special LED lights will set a gentle glow over the cherry blossoms and during the day, visitors will be entertained by a wide range of street performances and exhibitions.

☞ Date: April 8, 2011 (Fri.) – April 19, 2011 (Tue.)
☞ Venue: Yeouiseo-ro area (behind the National Assembly Building)
☞ Transportation:
15-min. walk from Exit #4 of Dangsan Station (Subway Line 2)
20 –min. walk from Exit #1 - #3 of Yeouinaru Station (Subway Line 5)
25-min. walk from Exit #1 of Yeouido Station (Subway Line 5)
☞ 1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Link: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1242051

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​នៅ​លីប៊ី​ធ្វើ​ហួស​ពីអ្វី​ដែល​បាន​សម្រេច​ដោយ​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា​

ពីរថ្ងៃ​កន្លងមក​ហើយ ដែល​កងទ័ព​សម្ព័ន្ធមិត្ត​ ដឹកនាំ​ដោយ​បារាំង អង់គ្លេស និង​អាមេរិក បាន​បើក​ធ្វើ​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​នៅ​លីប៊ី។ ក្រុមសម្ព័ន្ធមិត្ត​បាន​ប្រើ​យន្តហោះ និង​មីស៊ីល​ទំនើបៗ​រាប់រយ​ដើម ​វាយប្រហារ​ទៅលើ​កងរថក្រោះ ទីតាំង​រ៉ាដា ទីតាំង​មីស៊ីល​ប្រឆាំង​យន្តហោះ និង​ទីបញ្ជាការ​នៃ​កងកម្លាំង​របស់​លោក​កាដាហ្វ៊ី។ សហព័ន្ធ​អារ៉ាប់ ដែល​ជា​អ្នក​បាន​ស្នើសុំ​ឲ្យ​មាន​អន្តរាគមន៍​យោធា​​នៅលីប៊ី​នោះ បែរ​ជា​បានរិះគន់​​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​របស់​កងទ័ព​សម្ព័ន្ធមិត្ត​ទៅវិញ ដោយ​លើកឡើង​ថា ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​នេះ​បាន​ធ្វើ​ហួស​ពី​ការកំណត់​របស់​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា​សន្តិសុខ។

ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​នៅលីប៊ី​បាន​ចាប់ផ្តើម​ធ្វើ​ឡើង កាល​ពីថ្ងៃ​សៅរ៍ ១៩ មីនា ២០១១។ កងទ័ព​ដែល​ចេញ​ធ្វើ​សកម្មភាព​មុនគេ គឺ​កងទ័ព​អាកាស​របស់​បារាំង។ យន្តហោះ​ចម្បាំង​របស់​បារាំង​ប្រមាណ​ ២០​គ្រឿង​បាន​ហោះ​ក្រវែល​ពីលើ​ទីក្រុង Benghazi ដែល​ជា​ជម្រក​ចុងក្រោយ​របស់​ចលនា​បដិវត្តន៍​លីប៊ី។ នៅពេល​ល្ងាច យន្តហោះ​បារាំង​ក៏​បាន​ធ្វើការ​វាយប្រហារ​ទៅលើ​កងរថក្រោះ​របស់​លោក​ កាដាហ្វ៊ី ដែល​ព្យាយាម​វាយលុក​ចូល​ក្នុង​ក្រុង​ Benghazi ។
នៅយប់ថ្ងៃ​សៅរ៍ កងទ័ព​អាមេរិក និង​កងទ័ព​អង់គ្លេស​ក៏​បាន​ចាប់ផ្តើម​បើក​ការវាយប្រហារ​ទៅលើ​ទីតាំង​រ៉ាដា និង​ទីតាំង​មីស៊ីល​បាញ់​យន្តហោះ​របស់​លោក​កាដាហ្វ៊ី ដែល​ស្ថិត​នៅ​ជុំវិញ​រដ្ឋធានី​ទ្រីប៉ូលី។ ​មីស៊ីល​ ប្រភេទ​ Tomahawk ជាង​មួយរយ​ដើម ត្រូវ​បាន​កងទ័ព​អាមេរិក​បាញ់​ចេញ​ពី​នាវា​ពិឃាដ (Destroyer) និង​នាវា​មុជទឹក ដែល​កំពុង​ឈរជើង នៅក្នុង​សមុទ្រ​មេឌីទេរ៉ានេ។

នៅថ្ងៃ​អាទិត្យ នៅក្នុងពេល​ដែល​យន្តហោះ​បារាំង​ហោះល្បាត​ដែន​អាកាស​លីប៊ី យន្តហោះ​ប្រភេទ B-2 របស់​អាមេរិក និង​យន្តហោះ​ប្រភេទ Tornado របស់​អង់គ្លេស បាន​ទម្លាក់​គ្រាប់បែក​រាប់សិប​គ្រាប់ ​​ទៅលើ​ព្រលានយន្តហោះ​យោធា​លីប៊ី។ នៅយប់ថ្ងៃ​អាទិត្យ ទីបញ្ជាការ​យោធា ដែល​ស្ថិត​នៅ​ក្នុង​បរិវេណ​ផ្ទះ​របស់​លោក​កាដាហ្វ៊ី​ត្រូវ​បាន​កម្ទេច​ដោយ​ មីស៊ីល​របស់​អាមេរិក។

កាលពីថ្ងៃ​អាទិត្យ ម្សិលមិញ​នេះ អគ្គលេខា​ធិការ​សហព័ន្ធ​អារ៉ាប់​បាន​រិះគន់​​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​របស់​លោក​ ខាងលិច​ថា បាន​ធ្វើ​ហួស​ពី​​ការកំណត់​របស់​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា​សន្តិសុខ​អ.ស.ប.។ ក៏ប៉ុន្តែ មន្រ្តីយោធា​អាមេរិក​បាន​ធ្វើការ​ឆ្លើយតប​មកវិញ​ដោយ​ប្រយោលថា សេចក្តីសម្រេច​លេខ ១៩៧៣ របស់​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា​សន្តិសុខ​​បាន​អនុញ្ញាត​ឲ្យ​ "ចាត់រាល់​វិធានការ​ចាំបាច់” ដើម្បី​ការពារ​ជនស៊ីវិល ដែល​មានន័យថា អាច​ជាការ​បង្កើត​តំបន់​ហាមឃាត់​ការហោះហើរ និង​អាច​ជា​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​ក្នុង​រូបភាពផ្សេងទៀត លើកលែង​តែ​ការ​ប្រើ​កងទ័ព​ជើងគោក​ចូល​កាន់កាប់​ប្រទេស​លីប៊ី ដែល​ត្រូវ​ហាមឃាត់។ បារាំង និង​អង់គ្លេស​ក៏​បាន​ថ្លែងការពារ​ខ្លួន​ស្រដៀងគ្នា​ដែរ​ថា ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​នៅលីប៊ី គឺ​ធ្វើ​ស្របតាម​សេចក្តី​សម្រេច​​របស់​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា​សន្តិសុខ​ទាំងស្រុង។

គួរ​បញ្ជាក់ថា ក្នុងពេល​ដែល​អគ្គលេខាធិការ​សហព័ន្ធ​អារ៉ាប់​រិះគន់​លោកខាងលិច ប្រទេស​កាតារ និង​អេមីរ៉ាត​អារ៉ាប់រួម ដែល​ជា​សមាជិក​សហព័ន្ធ​អារ៉ាប់​ បាន​គាំទ្រ និង​សន្យា​ចូល​រួម​ក្នុង​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​យោធា​នៅលីប៊ី។ កាតារ​បាន​បញ្ជូន​យន្តហោះ​ចម្បាំង ៤​គ្រឿង ឲ្យ​មក​ចូលរួម​ហោះល្បាត​ដែន​អាកាស​លីប៊ី ជាមួយ​យន្តហោះ​បារាំង។

នៅថ្ងៃចន្ទ​នេះ ក្នុង​​ពេល​ជួប​​​ជាមួយ​លោក​បាន គីមូន អគ្គលេខាធិការ​អ.ស.ប. លោក​អគ្គលេខាធិការ​​សហព័ន្ធ​អារ៉ាប់​ហាក់ដូចជា​បាន​កែប្រែជំហរ​មកវិញ ដោយ​បាន​​​ថ្លែង​ថា សហព័ន្ធអារ៉ាប់​គាំទ្រ​ទាំងស្រុង​នូវ​សេចក្តីសម្រេច​លេខ ១៩៧៣ របស់​ក្រុមប្រឹក្សា​សន្តិសុខ។ លោក​ក៏បាន​បញ្ជាក់ផងដែរ​ថា ពាក្យសម្តី​របស់​លោក កាលពីថ្ងៃ​អាទិត្យ ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​យក​ទៅ​បកស្រាយ​ខុស​។ អ្វី​ដែល​លោក​ចង់​និយាយ គឺ​​គ្រាន់តែ​ចង់​សម្តែង​នូវ​ការ​ព្រួយបារម្ភ​ខ្លាច​មាន​ជនស៊ីវិល​ត្រូវ​ រងគ្រោះ ដោយ​ការ​ទម្លាក់​គ្រាប់បែក​របស់​កងកម្លាំង​សម្ព័ន្ធមិត្ត​តែប៉ុណ្ណោះ៕
Link: http://www.khmer.rfi.fr/arab-league-criticizes-air-strike-on-libya

ជប៉ុន​ខ្លាច​បារម្ភ​ធ្លាក់​ភ្លៀង​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម

ភ្លៀង​ដែល​ធ្លាក់​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​ចន្ទ​២១​មីនា​នេះ​ នៅ​Fukushima​ និង​Tokyo​ធ្វើ​ឱ្យ​បណ្តាជន​ខ្លាច​បារម្ភ​ធ្លាក់​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម។​ ប្រសិន​បើ​នៅ​Tokyo​ ភ្លៀង​ទំនង​ជា​មិន​បង្ហាញ​ជា​គ្រោះថ្នាក់​សំរាប់​សុខភាព​ទេ​ នោះ​ក្រសួង​សុខាភិបាល​ទូន្មាន​កុំ​ឱ្យ​បណ្តាជន​នៅ​Fukushima​ ផឹក​ទឹក​ចេញ​ពី​ក្បាល​ម៉ាស៊ីន​ទឹក។​ ចាប់​ពី​អំណើះ​ត​ទៅ​ បណ្តាជន​ទុក​ចិត្ត​លើ​កងទ័ព​ជាង​លើ​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ដែល​ត្រូវ​គេ​ទិតៀន​ រិះ​គន់​ នៅ​ក្នុង​ការប្រឈម​មុខ​នឹង​វិបត្តិ។


មាន​ភ្លៀង​ធ្លាក់​រលឹម​នៅ​រោង​ចក្រ​អគ្គិសនី​ដើរ​ដោយ​ថាមពល​នុយក្លេអ៊ែរ​ នៅ​Fukushima។​ នៅ​Tokyo​ក៏​មាន​ភ្លៀង​ធ្លាក់​រលឹម​ដែរ។​ខ្យល់​បក់​រុញ​ច្រាន​ការសាយភាយ​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ចេញ​ពី​ម៉ាស៊ីន​ប្រតិកម្ម​រង​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​ឆ្ពោះ​ទៅ​ទិស​ខាង​ត្បូង​គឺថា​ទៅ​កាន់​Tokyo។​ នៅ​ជុំវិញ​Fukushima​និង​Tokyo​ ចុណ្ណភាគ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​រក​ឃើញ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទឹក​ចេញ​ពី​ក្បាល​ម៉ាស៊ីន​ទឹក។​ នៅ​Fukushima​​ ក្រសួង​សុខាភិបាល​ទូន្មាន​កុំ​ឱ្យ​បណ្តាជន​ខ្លួន​ផឹក​ទឹក​នេះ។​ នៅ​Tokyo​ គេ​ខ្លាច​បារម្ភ​ទឹក​ភ្លៀង​មាន​បង្កប់​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម។

នៅ​លើ​ដំបូល​ស្ថានទូត​ខ្លះ​ ​ គេ​បាន​ដាក់​ឩបករណ៍​សំរាប់​វាស់​កំរិត​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម។​កំរិត​ធាតុ​វិទ្យុ​សកម្ម​ចុះ​ផ្សាយ​ដោយ​ក្រសួង​ឩស្សាហកម្ម​ត្រូវ​គេ​យក​មក​ប្រៀប​ធៀប​គ្នា។ ​វា​ត្រូវ​នឹង​កំរិត​ស្រង់​ដោយ​ស្ថានទូត។ ​នៅ​ខណៈ​នេះ​ ​ ភ្លៀង​មិន​បង្ហាញ​ជា​គ្រោះ​ថ្នាក់​សំរាប់​សុខភាព​មនុស្ស​ទេ។

ភ្លៀង​បាន​រារាំង​មិន​ឱ្យ​លោក​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ណាអូតូ​ កាន​ អញ្ជើញ​ទៅ​កាន់​ទី​ជិត​ខាង​នឹង​រោងចក្រ​នៅ​Fukushima។​ នេះ​ប្រហែល​អាច​ជា​ការអភ័យ​ទោស​មួយ​ឱ្យ​គាត់។ ​ពួក​អ្នក​នៅ​រួច​រស់​ជីវិត​ផុត​ពី​​ការស្លាប់​មិន​ចង់​ឃើញ​មុខ​នាយក​រដ្ឋ​មន្ត្រី​ទៀត​ទេ។​ គេ​វិនិច្ឆ័យ​អំពី​របៀប​ដោះស្រាយ​វិបត្តិ​របស់​គាត់​ថា​នាំ​ឱ្យ​ហិន​ហោច​អន្តរាយ​ទៅ​វិញ។​ កងទ័ព​ទទួល​បន្ទុក​ខាង​រោង​ចក្រ​នៅ​Fukushima​ជា​ទី​ដែល​អគ្គិសនី​ត្រូវ​បាន​ស្តារ​ឱ្យ​មាន​ឡើង​វិញ​ នៅ​ក្នុង​សាល​ត្រួត​ពិនិត្យ​បី។​ សព្វថ្ងៃ​ ពួក​អ្នក​នៅ​រួច​រស់​ជីវិត​ផុត​ពី​ការស្លាប់​ផ្តល់​ទំនុក​ទុក​ចិត្ត​របស់​ខ្លួន​ច្រើន​ជាង​ពី​មុន​ទៅ​ទៀត​ទៅ​លើ​កងទ័ព៕
Link: http://www.khmer.rfi.fr/Japan%20warring%20rain%20radioactive

Monday, March 21, 2011

Take a walk through modern history at 'Korean Rhapsody'


"Reflection Reflection" by Cho Duck-hyun / Courtesy of Leeum

The dynamic history of 20th-century Korea has inspired a museum exhibition, featuring some 80 artworks in various forms ranging from Japanese “ukiyoe” and paintings from the period to contemporary media art.

“Korean Rhapsody: A Montage of History and Memory,” ongoing at the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, in Hannam-dong, Seoul, sheds new light on the country’s modern history with a creative fresh perspective.

“Koreans miss places where memories were made and this is related to social amnesia,” Lee Joon, deputy director of Leeum, said. “The contemporary history of Korea embodies both the past as well as the present, so we placed 100-year-old works next to contemporary artists’ work, juxtaposing our histories side-by-side.”

Seemingly odd matches of old and new works direct the viewer’s attention to Korea’s tumultuous past.

The exhibition is presented in two sections. The Black Box of Leeum hosts the first part in “Symbols of Modernity,” portraying the time from when ports were opened to foreigners to when Korea was liberated from Japan in 1945¬ .

It begins with two landscapes of Seoul, one by Hubert Vos and another by Ahn Joong-sik, providing the contrasting views of a foreigner and a local artist. Also featured is artist Jung Yeon-doo’s video clip, “A Day in the Life of Gubo,” which reconstructs Seoul in the 1890s and 1930s through miniature sets based on the 1934 novel “A Day of Novelist Gu Bo.”

“Since not many artworks from before the 1930s have survived, we brought in ‘ukiyoe,’ Japanese woodblock prints, to show the life of people in the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) from a Japanese point of view,” Lee said.

Cho Duck-hyun’s 2011 work “Reflection Reflection” combines the image of a 1930s modern woman with that of the artist’s daughter in retro costumes, and visualizes the lapse of time by featuring mirrors standing face-to-face.

The section also displays an archive of photographs and video clips of dancer Choi Seung-hee and poet Yi Sang.

Continuing in the Ground Gallery, the second section of the exhibition “Unfamiliar Hopes,” features the period around 1945 up to the present.

Lee Que-de’s “Liberation Notice” (1948), Byeon Yeong-won’s “Anti-Communist Spirit” (1952) and Lee Jung-seop’s “Fighting Bulls” (1956) demonstrate the hardships Korean artists experienced during the Korean War (1950-53) though vivid, dynamic paintings.

A series of three photographic works by Koo Bohn-chang, “Park Weayeon, Age 101, She Lost Her Son during Korean War,” “A Letter to Mother” and “A Steel Helmet” speak volumes about the war.

Video artists Jo Seub’s “When the Day Comes,” however, unravels the story of war in a rather light, humorous way while sculptor Song Young-su expresses it in an abstract form through “Work 59-2.”

“The keyword of this exhibition is ‘memory’ and we wanted to show how people remember the same thing in different ways,” Lee said.

The timeline continues onto industrialization and Lee Jong-sang’s 1962 painting “Work” and Kim Chul-hyun’s “Industrial Picture Project” (1992-2001) portray the diligent people that devoted themselves to the economic development of Korea.

The trend of abstract painting settled down in Korea in the 1980s, amid the rise of new media and diverse artistic trends. Oh Yoon’s “Marketing” (1981) series and Paik Nam-june’s “Korea Relief” (1991) are examples of such movements.

Suh Do-ho’s “Uni-form/s: Self Portrait/s: My 39 Years” (2006) shows the artist’s way of portraying his identity in a synthetic, symbolic way through the uniforms he wore. Oh Hein-kuhn’s “Ajumma” (1997) series explores the identity of middle-aged Korean women — wearing a pearl necklace, a tiger fur print dress or a flower print scarf.

The exhibition is on view through June 5. Tickets cost from 4,000 to 13,000 won.

The docent program is available at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. every day and English explanations are offered at 2 p.m. on weekends. The museum is closed on Mondays. Visit www.leeum.org for more information.
Link: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/03/148_83385.html

What you should know about chronic coughing

A female patient visited the clinic after two months of persistent coughing. Initially she assumed that she had caught a common cold, but it was getting worse and made her lose bladder control now and again. She became worried that she might have lung cancer and decided to consult a doctor.

Coughing is a common symptom of most respiratory disorders and is a common reason for patients of all ages to consult their doctor. Chronic coughing has been estimated to affect up to 23 percent of nonsmoking adults in the United States, where it appears to be the fifth most common symptom seen in outpatient clinics.

Coughing is normally a physiological reflex to remove foreign elements such as environmental pollutants or endogenous elements such as excess mucus that may obstruct the throat. Physiological coughs usually disappear when the causal stimuli are removed. Many people accept coughing as one of the vagaries of living, while others consult a physician. In many cases, patients visit the doctor when they feel “something is wrong.”

A chronic cough is a cough persisting for more than eight weeks, a sub-acute cough is one lasting from three to eight weeks, and an acute cough lasts less than three weeks.

The most common cause of acute and sub-acute coughs is the common cold. Less common causes include pneumonia and acute bronchitis.

For chronic coughs, upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and acid reflux are responsible for 90 percent of cases in non-smokers.

Upper airway cough syndrome, the most common cause of chronic coughs, is caused by irritation from secretion in the upper airway due to rhinitis or sinusitis. Typical symptoms are frequent nasal discharge, the sensation of liquid dripping into the back of the throat or frequent throat clearing. But it can happen with coughing as the only symptom. The symptom usually improves within two to three weeks with antihistamines and decongestants, with or without intranasal corticosteroid or intranasal antihistamine. Sometimes, a sinus x-ray and antibiotics are required for sinusitis.

The second common cause of chronic coughing is asthma. It commonly comes with wheezing and shortness of breath, but coughing could again be the only symptom. Asthma patients tend to have family history of allergy or asthma and worsening symptoms after exposure to cold, dust, or certain fumes. It can be diagnosed by careful history-taking and an adequate provocation test, called a bronchial provocation challenge test. Asthma is confirmed as the cause if the patient shows improvement with appropriate asthma treatment.

The next cause is acid reflux, which comes with heartburn or a sour taste but can also come with coughing. Acidity in lower esophagus can be checked by Ph monitoring, to diagnose or monitor improvement.

Drugs can also cause chronic coughs. Eliminating an anti-hypertensive medicine called ACE inhibitor ― which is used for blood pressure control, heart failure or kidney disease ― may resolve coughing.

In smokers, evaluation of bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis is needed and pulmonary tuberculosis is not an uncommon cause if you live in a high tuberculosis prevalence area like Korea.

Lung cancer, the most feared disease, causes less than two percent of chronic coughs, but a chest radiograph is recommended for coughs persisting for more than eight weeks.

Persistent vigorous coughing may cause complications like headaches, insomnia, dizziness, tiredness, and urinary incontinence. Cough-induced rib fracture is another painful and potentially serious complication. Women with decreased bone density are at high risk of suffering a cough-induced rib fracture but it can also occur in patients with normal bone density.

Fortunately, with proper tests and treatment, most chronic coughs can get better.

In the aforementioned patient’s case, she was diagnosed with asthma after provocation and sputum tests, and stopped coughing within one week of treatment.

If you have a persistent cough, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. You could be free from both the nagging cough and your worries with simple medicine.

By Choi Dong-chull MD., PhD.

Choi Dong-chull
The author is a doctor at the Department of Allergy of the Samsung Medical Center. ― Ed.
Link: http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110317000965

Big Bang puts name to clothing line

Super trendy K-pop group Big Bang is showcasing its first-ever fashion line.

The boy band designed T-shirts and jackets, as well as smartphone and laptop accessories in collaboration with 10 CORSO COMO SEOUL, a lifestyle concept store which sells fashion items by various, usually foreign, designers.

“We hope to become Asia’s fashion mecca and Seoul’s landmark by collaborating with Big Bang, who are today’s fashion icons and the core of hallyu (the Korean wave). We plan to start a new fashion trend in Korea as well as introduce foreign brands,” said 10 CORSO COMO SEOUL in a press statement.

A baseball jacket designed by Big Bang

The key motif of the limited edition items by the group is a skull. Their offbeat ideas shine in these items, such as the baseball jacket which the wearer can customize by adding or taking off different badges.

All Big Bang members are big fans of the shop and they enthusiastically participated in the project, according to the press release. They discussed everything to the smallest details, even the store display, with their stylist.

K-pop group Big Bang (10 CORSO COMO SEOUL)

The group recently released the mini-album “Tonight” which ranked third on the Billboard Chart’s World Albums after topping South Korea’s major online music charts.

The limited edition collection by Big Bang will be available at 10 CORSO COMO SEOUL located in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, starting Thursday.
Link: http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110321000747

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Shamrocks and shenanigans in Seoul

Not many countries can claim their national days to be truly international celebrations, but Ireland makes a pretty convincing case.

From London to New York, March 17 sees people deck out in green ― and the Guinness flowing into the early hours.

Seoul may not have the history of Irish immigration of the U.S. or much of Europe, but that hasn’t stopped the city celebrating all things Irish in recent years. Despite the lack of obvious historical links between Korea and Ireland, much has been made of what they have in common: the experience of living in the shadow of a larger, more powerful country and a people famous for their love of song and drink.

So whether you are as Irish as a character straight out of Ulysses, have a great-great grandmother from Tipperary or just want to soak up the atmosphere, here is a roundup of what’s on offer in Seoul.

Insa-dong

The Irish Association of Korea’s 11th St. Patrick’s Day festival won’t feature a parade this year. Instead, the focus of the main event this time around is on music and dance, centered in Seoul’s traditional district.

“This year we had a retrenching of who we are and what we are trying to do and also we are looking at what is available resource-wise,” explained IAK’s Tom Coyner, who said that sponsorship had proved tighter than in previous years. “On the other hand, to balance that out we will have not one, but two big hooleys this year,” he added.

The Insa-dong celebrations start at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday with an open-air concert in Daesung Plaza, featuring a line-up of traditional Irish music and dance, and a display of Irish sport.

Things kick off with a display of Gaelic Football, a sport unique to Ireland, followed by the U.S. 8th Army Band performing Irish marches and an opening address by Irish Ambassador to Korea Dr. Eamonn McKee.

Those who bring their dancing shoes can participate in Irish dancing later in the afternoon, and jigs and reels played on traditional instruments will give a feel of the old-style ceilis that made up a typical night’s entertainment in Ireland not so long ago.

Things are scheduled to finish up around 5 p.m., at which point those wanting to wet their palates can seek out a pint of the black stuff at one of the venues listed below.


Revellers celebrate during last year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. (Tom Coyner)

Itaewon

No St. Patrick’s Day celebrations would be complete without song and dance well into the night. Also organized by IKA, “The Hooley” from 6:30 p.m. at JR Bar is just the ticket for traditional music lovers who don’t fancy going home just because the sun has gone down.

Banu and Exiles will play traditional Irish music, with Erik Custer providing a dose of folk. The night comes to a close at around 1 a.m. with Irish folk rock by Fotla. Entrance is 10,000 won person and there will be special offers on drinks during the night.

Also in Seoul’s most multicultural spot, The Wolfhound Irish pub is having St. Patrick’s Day-themed nights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Late on Saturday, the popular Irish hangout will be screening Ireland’s Rugby Six Nations clash with England live. Expect a tense atmosphere ― and be sure to leave any white clothing at home.

Gangnam

Irish “trad” has its fans, but some people’s idea of Irish music is more Thin Lizzy than The Dubliners. If ― as Bono at his cheesiest might put it ― you still haven’t found what you are looking for after some Irish airs, The Dublin Terrace may be just the spot.

Not only will Fotla and Dead End Friends be on hand with Irish folk and contemporary rock, but for 50,000 won a head you can avail of unlimited drinks, including Guinness, and food. For those looking to take it a little easier, 30,000 won gets you two pints of Guinness, plus one other drink and food. Doors are at 7 p.m. Wearing green is not mandatory, but judging by past years is recommended.

Hongdae

If you can’t wait until Saturday, Club FF is holding its St. Patrick’s “Go Green” party on Friday ― and offering two free drinks to everyone who dons the color. Green beer will be served as bands including Blue & Blue, Cobalt Blue, Yaya, Yisun & The Moonwalkers and Ildan Junseoks provide the soundtrack.

If that isn’t enough, those with superman-like stamina can do it again at the same venue on Saturday, when a long lineup of bands will pay tribute to Irish music legends. Expect to hear U2, Ash, The Cranberries, The Script and Thin Lizzy among others. Both events start at 7 p.m. Entry is 15,000 won, with 5,000 won discount if you confirm your attendance on Club FF’s Facebook page.

By John Power (john.power@heraldm.com )

Schedule

The following events will take place on Saturday, March 19th at Daesung Plaza in Insa-dong

11:30-11:45 Video showing Irish dance and sports performances

11:45-12:15 U.S. 8th Army Musical Performance

12:15-12:30 Festival opens — Introductory Speech by Irish Ambassador, Dr. Eamonn McKee

12:30-1:00 Traditional Irish Music by Banú

1:00-1:15 Irish folk dancing display

1:15-1:45 Irish folk dancing — with audience participation

1:45-2:00 Intermission performance

2:00-2:30 Deafening Street —U2 cover band

2:30-2:45 Intermission performance

2:45-3:15 Traditional Irish music by Bard

3:15-3:30 Irish folk dancing display

3:30-3:45 Irish folk dancing —with audience participation

3:45-4:15 Fotla — Irish rockmusic group

4:15-4:30 Intermission performance

4:30-5:00 Finale — all musicians gather on stage and people dancing
Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110315000399

Korea vows full support for its resort island's bid for 'New7Wonders of Nature'

JEJU ISLAND (Yonhap) -- South Korea promised Friday its full support to help its southern resort island win global recognition as an awe-inspiring natural site.

Jeju Island has been vying against 27 other natural sites to become one of the "New7Wonders of Nature," a project initiated by the New7Wonders Foundation, a Switzerland-based nonprofit organization, in 2007.

The finalists include the Grand Canyon of the United States, the Black Forest of Germany, Halong Bay of Vietnam and Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Public voting to select the seven new natural wonders is under way around the world online and by telephone, and will continue until Nov. 10 this year. Winners will be declared the following day.

The title represents global recognition as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world, a prospect that could have long-term economic benefits by attracting tourists.

"I hope every one of you will participate in the voting for the Wonders of Nature to help Jeju draw many tourists from across the world," said former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan.

Chung, who now heads a committee aimed at promoting the island, said the countries with sites selected as New7Wonders of the World have been enjoying a notable increase in foreign visitors. He did not give any details.

The Swiss organization designated the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu of Peru among the New7Wonders of the World in 2007.

In a symbolic show of Seoul's commitment, President Lee Myung-bak voted for Jeju and the parliament has adopted a resolution on Jeju's bid, said Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug.

"The government has put Jeju's bid on the top of the national agenda and is leading the promotion campaigns," said Choung.

The volcanic island was named a World Natural Heritage site by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2007. UNESCO also designated Jeju a Biosphere Reserve in 2002 and a Global Geopark in 2010.
Link: http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110319000029

Samsung sending additonal relief aid

Samsung Group said Sunday it will make an additional donation of supplies to Japan amid a near rush by businesses here to help people in the neighboring country hit by the powerful earthquake and tsunami.

The nation’s largest business group earlier gave 100 million yen ($1.23 million) and 2,000 sets of emergency relief supplies, worth about 30 million yen, to Japan’s Red Cross Society.

The group will provide an additional 490 million yen worth of supplies, including some 28,000 items of clothing and 2,400 units of its Galaxy Tab tablet compur, to 2,400 shelters in Japan, group officials said.

Lotte Group, the country’s fifth-largest conglomerate, is also going all-out to help the Japanese people, hit by the 9.0-magnitude quake and ensuing tsunami on March 11 that are believed to have killed at least thousands of people while displacing tens of thousands more.

The group donated 100 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross with its liquor-beverage unit Lotte Chilsung delivering 117,000 bottles of spring water to Japan, according to their officials.

“We are sorry to see the Japanese people continuing to suffer due to aftershocks and the radiation crisis,” a group official said. “We sincerely hope Japan will quickly recover from the disaster.”
Link: http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110320000058

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Why rice is king of the Korean table

Quality grains boast serious pedigree, new varieties not far behind

For centuries, rice has reigned supreme at the Korean dining table, acting as an anchor to the traditional spread of banchan (Korean side dishes).

In short, rice is crucial to the daily diet and is taken seriously here. Like wines, grains from certain regions are lauded above others. Rice aficionados even prefer specific varieties over others.

For example, the trifecta of rice-growing areas within Gyeonggi Province ― Icheon City, Yeoju County and Gimpo City ― are famed for producing some of the nation’s finest grains, not simply because all three areas boast ideal climates, soil and water for rice cultivation, but also because they sport legendary pedigrees.

Rice from Icheon City and Yeoju County graced the monarch’s table during the Joseon Dynasty, while Gimpo is believed to have started growing rice 5,000 years ago.

Aside from Gyeonggi Province, Odae rice from Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province also currently has a huge following. Representatives of both Lotte Mart and Home plus confirmed it is one of their most popular brands.

“It is the most expensive and comes from an unpolluted area,” Gangchon Ssam Bap owner Ham Sook-nyeo explained why the restaurant uses Cheorwon Odae Rice to make its famous dolsot (stone pot) rice.

Part of the hype comes from the fact that some of the rice is grown in the Demilitarized Zone, which, according to a Cheorwon County Office rice marketing spokesperson, boasts cleaner air and water.

The image of pure grains growing in a swath of land and water virtually untouched by man definitely has its draw. One spoonful of Gangchon Ssam Bap’s dolsot rice confirms the hype is not unfounded.

Gangcheon Ssam Bap’s dolsot (stone pot) rice is made from grains hailing from
Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, and is cooked to order with a smattering of gingko
nuts, black beans and a thick slice of sweet potato. Rice comes with around six sides,
including fragrant slices of boiled pork, a mountain of greens and soybean paste stew.
(Kim Myung-sub/The Korea Herald)

Glossy, chewy orbs impart a sweet nuttiness to the palate, giving way only slightly to the pressure of teeth, yielding that oft-sought for combination of softness and granular definition.

For now, areas like Cheorwon and Icheon still seem to be playing an influential role in determining the quality of rice. However, the variety of rice planted also matters, says Yang Chang-ihn, a rice cultivar (variety) developer at the rice research division of the Rural Development Administration’s National Institute of Crop Science.

“Before, the quality of the rice varied greatly based on where it was grown,” Yang, who works for an institute that develops new rice varieties, explained via e-mail.

Now, says Yang, even if rice is grown in the same area, its quality changes depending on what cultivar is used.

Korean rice, believe it or not, is not sourced from one sole variety. Even prior to the Japanese colonial period, up to 1,451 different varieties were documented. Today, new varieties are being developed, because, says Yang, climate and the rice farming environment are subject to change and there is always demand for better quality plants that yield more rice.

“Consumer preferences change,” he added. “They will want more upscale rice and will pay more for rice that is rich in nutrients and healthier.”

What, then, does Yang mean when he says upscale rice? He seems to be referring, in part, to taste. After all, consumers do not want to part with cash for health benefits alone. They also want to pay for palate-pleasing flavors.

For South Koreans ― who are accustomed to sticky, short-grained rice rather than long-grained basmati rice ― good rice should be white, translucent and shiny, says Yang. Each grain should be intact, a whole sphere of perfection, bearing no fissures or white spots in its center.

When cooked right, rice should be chewy and glutinous. It should be glossy and soft but not mushy.

“In our country, we prefer rice that does not exhibit strong flavors or fragrances because it needs to complement various banchan,” he added.

For better tasting rice, freshly harvested or freshly milled grains are recommended.

According to Yang, once the chaff and bran have been removed ― in other words, once the rice has been milled ― the outer layer of the grain becomes oxidized over time and can easily develop cracks. Furthermore, enzyme activity decreases, leading to a loss in flavor and aroma.

This may sound very scientific, but it appears that the average South Korean consumer is well aware of the benefits of getting freshly milled rice. Most of Lotte Mart’s and all of Home plus’ and E-Mart’s outlets allow customers to have rice milled on the spot, a sure sign that the general population knows what Yang is talking about.

How rice is milled is just the beginning, however. How it is cooked also plays a crucial role in how good it tastes. Though high pressure rice cookers are the norm, cast iron cauldrons or stone pots not only maintain an aura of nostalgic allure but also create delicious rice, because, says Yang, they distribute heat at high temperatures evenly to each grain.

Translated into simpler terms, if you use stone pots or cauldrons you can get fluffy rice, plus that classic Korean delicacy ― “nurungji” ― the golden crust of rice that forms along the bottom of the pot.

For the average South Korean, the pastoral scene of a heavy black cauldron powered by a fire underneath is a familiar sight. It is, in essence, the quintessential image of rice in its most authentic and delicious state.

It is the moment before the lid is lifted, before each steaming, snowy kernel is heaped high into bowls. It is the prelude to the moment when, after all the rice has been scooped out, hot water is poured over the “nurungji” to create a refreshing and delicious porridge-like dish, a dish so good it even has its own name ― “sungnyung.”

To experience this moment yourself, it is best to find a restaurant that specializes in dolsot (stone pot) rice.

At Gangchon Ssam Bap ― a mom-and-pop establishment perched halfway up a hill in scenic Pyeongchang-dong, Seoul ― patrons can dig into rice cooked-to-order in small stone pots.

The menu is limited to the Gangchon Ssam Bap course set and boiled pork slices, a positive indication that this restaurant is taking its food seriously and has great faith in what it has to offer.

The course set (10,000 won) includes a whole pot of Cheorwon Odae Rice, around six sides, including a platter of fragrant boiled pork slices, a huge bed of what appears to be 20 different greens, and a small stone pot of doenjang (soybean paste) stew.

The rice arrives covered with a wooden lid, allowing the customer to indulge in the pleasure of lifting the lid and breathing in the fragrance of the freshly cooked grains.

To get the full experience, scoop out each grain of rice into the empty bowl provided. Then pick up the huge metal kettle filled with dungulle (Solomon’s Seal) tea and pour it over the golden crust of rice stuck to the bottom of the pot. Cover with the wooden lid and wait until the meal has nearly ended to dig into the nutty stew of softened rice and tea.

Opening hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. To get there go to Gyeongbok Palace Subway Station Line 3, Exit 3 and take buses 1711 or 1020 to the Lotte Apartment bus stop. Cross the street and walk up the hill. Gangchon Ssam Bap is to the left. For more information, call (02) 395-6467.
Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110311000813

Radiation detectors installed at airport


A flight passenger from Japan passes through a radiation-detecting gate at Incheon International Airport on Thursday. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)

The detector, which had already been used during the G20 Seoul summit in November, carries out a thorough inspection and is capable of detecting even small amounts of radiation, officials said.

In the first day of inspection, passengers from Japan, most of them wearing white protection masks, seemed nervous for the less than 10 seconds it takes to wait for the detector to indicate that radiation levels are normal.

“I considering getting tested in Korea after hearing that the radiation level in the Yamagata Prefecture (which is adjacent to the Miyagi region) was higher than other regions,” said Kang Min-ah, a Korean living in Japan.

“I was more worried because I’m pregnant. I feel relieved now,” she said after being confirmed OK by the detector.

When an abnormal levels of radiation is detected, the passenger is to be tested with a separate machine for further inspection. No suspected cases of contamination were found as of Thursday morning.

The government plans to install more detector gates at the Gimhae International Airport that frequent fliers between Korea and Japan prefer to use.
Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110317000837

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Donations for Earthquake Victims Pour in from Korean Stars


From left, KARA, Song Seung-hun and Choi Ji-woo

Donations for Japanese earthquake victims continued to pour in Tuesday from Korean stars like Choi Ji-woo, Song Seung-hun and K-pop girl band KARA. Choi donated W200 million (US$1=W1,134) to the Korean Red Cross, her own management agency C,JW Company said. "I wanted to make a small contribution from my heart to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami who have lost everything," it quoted Choi as saying.

On her website Choi wrote Sunday, "I am so shocked by the news of the disaster, I am at a loss what to do and dare not even ask how the people are doing." Choi is active in charity work and took part in a project to help children in Swaziland in March last year.
Song donated W200 million to the Salvation Army. The organization's Korean branch said Song called its offices after learning that it had for the first time in their 83-year history in Korea set up donation boxes in March that are usually seen in the streets at the end of the year and personally wired the donation to its account. "I hope that my small donation can provide some solace for the Japanese people. I hope that more people will take part," Song said.

KARA will be donating the entire proceeds from their new single to disaster relief efforts in Japan. DSP Media, which manages KARA, said the proceeds from the upcoming album "Jet Coaster Love," KARA's third album in Japan set for release on March 23, will go to helping earthquake victims. The agency said the donations will go to a relief agency in Japan through their Japanese distributor Universal Japan.

DPS said the band are "heartbroken at the pain suffered by Japanese fans who have given them so much love and hope that recovery efforts progress quickly."
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/16/2011031600581.html

Bae Yong-joon Gives W1 Billion for Japanese Earthquake Victims


Korean actor Bae Yong-joon donated W1 billion to the Japanese government on Monday to help the victims of Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami (US$1=W1,130). Bae's agency KEYEAST said the actor made the decision when he heard that there was a shortage of relief supplies and recovery equipment "and will look for more ways to help."

Bae (39) became hugely popular in Japan with the soap "Winter Sonata."

His colleague Ryu Si-won (39) donated W200 million through his Japanese management agency. R's Company, his agency in Korea, said Ryu plans to visit Sendai, which was hit the hardest, and volunteer in relief efforts.

Kim Hyun-joong (25) of the popular boy band SS501, donated W100 million for relief efforts and actor Jang Keun-suk (24) 10 million yen or around W140 million to the Japanese Red Cross.
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/15/2011031500655.html

Monday, March 14, 2011

Korea Signs Major Oil Deal with UAE


President Lee Myung-bak shakes his hand with his UAE counterpart Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi after signing a memorandum of understanding on oil development projects on Sunday.

Korea and the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday that guarantees Korean companies to join in oil development projects in Abu Dhabi with projected production of at least one billion barrels. Korea also secured sole rights to develop three unexplored oil fields in UAE.

In the presence of President Lee Myung-bak and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan, the two sides on Sunday signed the MOU on oil and gas development and separate head of terms agreements on the exploration of the three oil fields between the Korea National Oil Corp. and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
As part of Korea's energy security plan, the two sides agreed to store six million barrels of Abu Dhabi crude oil in a facility in Korea for emergency use, and allow Korea the priority right to buy up to 300,000 barrels a day in future production of crude oil.
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/14/2011031400609.html

How Japan Quake Will Impact Korean Business

Korea's industry is expected to feel the ripple effects from the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan on Friday. Some automakers will probably have problems as they use Japanese parts, and Korean electronics firms are highly dependent on Japanese components. According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, industrial parts worth US$38.1 billion were imported from Japan last year, accounting for 25 percent of total parts imports.

But some sectors may benefit. The domestic electronics, semiconductor and auto industries may be able to take some of the global market from their Japanese competitors or take a break from fierce competition for the time being, pundits say. And once Japan starts rebuilding, Korean builders and steel companies could make inroads into the Japanese market.

◆ The Auto Industry

Production at Renault Samsung and GM Korea is expected to hit a snag. Renault Samsung depends entirely on Nissan for six-cylinder engines and imports some of the core parts for the four-cylinder engines from Japan. GM Korea imports transmitters for the Chevrolet Spark and the old Lacetti for the Eastern European market.

But the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group is likely to suffer very little damage and may even benefit in the global market now that Japanese carmakers including Toyota halted production, according to the Hyundai Securities Research Center.

◆ Semiconductors and Displays

The electronics and LCD sectors are also likely to benefit as the world’s No. 3 non-memory chip maker Renesas Electronics has stopped production and ports and roads in Japan suffer disruptions. Toshiba, which dominates more than 30 percent of the global market is highly likely to experience problems exporting products, probably causing chip prices to bounce back after sharp fall since last year.

The oil refining and steel industries may also benefit as five plants in Japan have halted operation. "The impact on the steel industry there will be relatively small," an industry insider said, "but once Japan starts rebuilding, Korean construction firms are expected to see exports to Japan rise."

◆ Airlines, Shipping and Travel

Airlines and travel companies here are nervous since the earthquake hit Japan ahead of the peak seasons. Some 3 million Japanese tourists accounted for 35 percent of foreign visitors here in 2010. Japan may be off the list of travel destinations for Korean holidaymakers for the time being.

"Korean Air offers about 70 daily services on Japanese routes," an airline industry insider said. "Domestic airlines are expected to be hit hard since they have a high proportion of services between the two countries."
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/14/2011031401141.html

Korea Joins in Relief Efforts for Japan

Korea is joining in the international efforts to send help to Japan following Friday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Seoul on Sunday evening dispatched three C-130 aircraft with 102 rescue workers, including six medical staff and six interpreters, to Sendai, one of the areas hit hardest by the disaster.

Min Dong-seok, second vice minister of foreign affairs and trade, said Korea will send more rescue teams after further discussions with Japan.
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/14/2011031400839.html

Seoul Has a Duty to N.Korean Orphans

An estimated 20,000 North Korean children are orphaned and adrift in other countries because their parents died while escaping the North or because they were abandoned by their North Korean mothers and fathers from third countries, mainly China. Only 100 of them have been brought to South Korea and recognized so they can receive medical and educational benefits. Neither South Korea nor the countries of their fathers are interested in caring for them.

Meanwhile the U.S. Senate has introduced for two straight years a bill seeking to help Americans adopt these stateless orphans. Han Sang-man (66), who was adopted by an American when he was orphaned during the 1950-53 Korean War, said, "It's my mission to get these North Korean orphans to meet a nice American family like I did." Han created a foundation to support the cause and is active in efforts to bring North Korean orphans to the U.S.

North Korea is rounding up people fleeing across its border to escape hunger and sending them to political prison camps, and it is full of starving homeless children wandering around begging for food. There is no way North Korea would show even an iota of interest in saving the children drifting around overseas, and it would also be useless to expect any compassion from countries like China, which has been forcefully returning any North Korean defector caught within its borders. South Korea is the only country that can and must save these children by providing them with food and education.

Yet neither the government nor the National Assembly has conducted a single study of the number of North Korean orphans adrift abroad. The North Korea human rights bill, which was tabled in the National Assembly to aid defectors, has been awaiting ratification for six years due to concerns that the move could upset the North. Since the Korean War, 200,000 Korean orphans have been adopted overseas, including children who lost their parents during the war, and half of them found new homes in the U.S. It would be a shame for South Korea if it were to let the international community take care of Korean orphans once again.

The government and National Assembly must hurry up and grasp the plight of stateless North Korean orphans adrift abroad by cooperating with international aid groups and other agencies. And they must get to work finding ways to help them.
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/11/2011031101279.html

No Threat to Korea from Japanese Nuclear Fallout

Radioactive fallout from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is unlikely to do serious damage in Korea, scientists say. Strong westerly winds blow in the upper atmosphere several kilometers above the surface of areas in the middle latitudes like Korea due to the Earth's rotation, so radioactive particles move westwards away from Korea.

An explosion occurred at the nuclear power plant on Saturday in the wake of a massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated the island country. Radioactive particles would have moved toward the Pacific because southwesterly winds blew in the atmosphere 1.5 km above the surface as well as in the upper atmosphere, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.

The KMA concluded that Korea is out of harm's way.

Experts do not believe the repercussions will be as serious as in the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, when radioactive fallout from the accident at the Ukrainian nuclear plant affected countries as far afield as Western Europe and contaminated 22 percent of what is now Belarus.

But parts of the U.S. and Canada, on the other side of the Pacific, could be slightly affected due to the westerly winds.

Radioactive matter is expected to spread to Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula about 2,000 km from Fukushima around Monday or Tuesday, the KMA predicted, but the extent is unclear.

"We won't know the effect of the fallout until the Japanese government makes data like the amount of leaked radioactive material public," said Dr. Kim Seung-bum of the National Institute of Meteorological Research.
Link : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/14/2011031400374.html