Dynamic Korea and Korean Culture

Kim Sang-sool Jakarta

Traces of Korean history date back over half a million years ago. First century B.C. saw three kingdoms of Guguryeo, Baekje, and Silla rule the Korean peninsula and some part of Manchuria.

The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the North Eastern part of the Asian Continent. The Peninsula is currently divided into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the North, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the South. To the West of the Peninsula lies the Yellow Sea, with China on the other side. To its east is the East Sea; and the Pacific Ocean lies in the South. The Peninsula features so many scenic mountains and rivers that Koreans have often likened their country to a beautifully embroidered brocade.

Korea enjoys four seasons and a variety of different weather types. Spring and autumn are rather short, summer is hot and humid and winter is cold and dry with abundant snowfall. Those four distinct seasons offer perfect opportunities for all types of sports and outdoor activities.

Koreans take great pride in their cultural heritage. The tangible and intangible cultural treasures listed by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) shed some light on Korea's creative history in science and art. Korea has seven items on the World Cultural Heritage List, five items on the Memory of the World Register and two items on the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list.

The World Heritage Committee decides which cultural and natural properties from around the world should be inscribed on the World Heritage lists. The treasures from Korea designated as part of the World Cultural Heritage include Seokguram and Bulguksa Temple, Jongmyo Shrine, Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa Temple, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeongju Historic Area and Dolmen Sites in Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa.

UNESCO launched the Memory of the World Program in 1992 to preserve and disseminate the valuable archival holdings and library collections from around the world. These include important documents, transcripts, oral traditions, and audio and visual materials. Korea has five items registered on the Memory of the World Register: Huminjeongeum (Correct Sounds from Instructing the People, an explanation of the alphabet published when it was promulgated), Joseon Wangjo Sillok (the Annals of the Joseon Kingdom), Jikjisimcheyojeol (The Selected Sermons of Buddhist Sages and Seon Masters) and Seungjeongwon Ilgi (Diaries of the Royal Secretariat).

Since 1998, UNESCO has designated products of human creative talent, such as endangered languages, literature, music, dance, plays, rituals and handicrafts, as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in an effort to safeguard cultural diversity and traditions of all countries. Jongmyo Jerye (Royal Ancestral Shrine Rites) and Jongmyo Jeryeak (Royal Ancestral Shrine Music), and Pansori (long, solo epic song) have been registered as Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

In addition to the above, more symbols of Korean culture are better known around the world. They are Hanbok, Korea's national costume; Kimchi and Pulgogi, spicy fermented vegetables and grilled marinated meat; Han-gul, the Korean alphabet; t'alch'um, mask dance-dramas; Taekwondo, a Korean martial art; Korean ginseng; Mt. Soraksan and the world renowned artists of Korean origin.

Numerous historic sites and objects will never fail to impress international tourists. Last year, the number of foreigners who visited Korea was 5.75 million.

Korea was able to rise from the ashes of the Korean War (1950- 1953) and create such remarkable growth, attracting world attention in just 50 years, despite a lack of natural resources. Credit for this feat goes to the indomitable endeavors of many people.

Much of the nation's growth is derived from external trade, and the nation cannot stop this trend, a situation that compels Korea to bolster to efforts to pursue prosperity along with other countries as a member of the global community. Now, the Republic of Korea ranks 12th in the world trade. Exports in 2004 came to US$254 billion, representing 61.6 percent of the nation's gross domestic product.

Korea has already become a leading information technology powerhouse. The widespread super-speed internet network has made it one of the most wired countries in the world. Korea had 31.6 million internet users at the end of 2004: 17.06 million men and 14.52 million women. Ubiquitous computers and other portable electronic devices have made Korean lifestyles very resourceful, open and connected.

The nation's economic policy is focused on developing 10 major industrial growth engines that will lead economic and technological progress in the new age. The major growth engines include, among others, information, knowledge, and culture industries as well as life sciences.

Young and old are joining forces to make the growth engines more powerful and viable. Close collaboration between industry and academia is a win-win formula. Through this cooperative arrangement, industries are able to sharpen their competitive edge, while colleges enhance standards in basic sciences.

On-line games are flourishing, and millions of games are experiencing virtual reality every day. In many countries, talented Korean video and filmmakers as well as singers and dancers have touched off a Korean pop culture phenomenon being described as the "Korean Fad". Both traditional and contemporary Korean artists and stage performers have drawn "oohs" and "ahs" from numerous international audiences. Winter Sonata, for example, was first released in Korea in January 2002 and becoming one of the most popular shows on TV in several Asian countries, including Indonesia. Due to its popular demand, it was aired again in 2003.

Scientific ingenuity is found in the tasty and healthy traditional cuisine. Kimchi, the internationally famous cabbage dish fermented usually together with chili pepper, for example, is consumed by Koreans almost everyday. Other popular and healthy Korean dishes include bibimbap, a mixture of rice, vegetables, egg and chili sauce; bulgogi, thin strips marinated then grilled beef, and samgyetang, stewed whole chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng. Ginseng is well known all over the world for its healing properties and beneficial side effects.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone, the symbol of national division over the past half a century, has taken a new meaning. Hope is rising that the national division of Korean Peninsula will end in the not too distant future. In its place, peace and reconciliation will prevail.

Koreans are making big strides towards permanent peace. To bring about world peace, the people of Korea intend to work together diligently with all other nations. Now that dialogues and compromise are preferred, the people of Korea have opted for a new National Administration dubbed the Participatory Government.

The Republic of Korea was the venue of the 1988 Olympic Games and was a co-host of the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, the first FIFA World Cup of the 21st century consisted of a total of 64 matches and was safely completed without any hooliganism or terrorism that was feared might occur. They were times of true national unity, passion and joy. More than anything, those were times for bonding with the whole global family.

Korea 5,000 year-old history boasts a rich and distinct culture. Koreans, however, are open to change and dynamism and are catching up with global trends. The Republic of Korea believes in both traditional value and progress, the balance between humanity and technology, and in harmonious relation between cities and their natural surroundings. They are just national images of the Republic of Korea. Nowadays, many people in the world call Korea as "Dynamic Korea." Dynamic Korea accurately reflects the vibrant scenes of Korea, such as Korea's economic and industrial development. So, it is widely recognized as a national brand that shows Korea great growth potential.

The beautiful natural environment and rich cultural heritage offer Koreans fertile ground for developing ahead. The Korean people have taken advantage of their rich cultural legacy to develop the country.

The friendly people of Korea are reaching out to you with warm, compassionate hearts. The writer is the press and cultural attache at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Jakarta