Yahoo! Features Korea

Korea Tourism Organization President Mr. Charm Lee talks to Yahoo! Southeast Asia about the attractions in South Korea. Report by Jason Domantay of Yahoo! Southeast Asia. Video produced by Yahoo! Southeast Asia and loQal.


Check this out: 
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/video/newsoriginals-26883186/finding-inspiration-in-korea-27597503.html

King Sejong



"The most important element in ruling a country is showing trust."
(from Annals of Sejong, July 3, 1423)



King Sejong's name is Yi Do and his courtesy name is Won Jeong. He was born in Junsubang, Hanyang (currently around Yeongchumun, Gyeongbokgung, Tongin-dong, Seoul). He was born in April 10, 1397 and died February 17, 1450. He reigned for 31 years and 6 months. His important contribution to South Korea is the creation of the Korean alphabet or Hangul, contribution to the development of science, music and technology, and territorial expression.

What struck me most during my visit to the Underground Gwanghwanmun Square in Seoul where King Sejong's achievements are exhibited was his love for his people whether they are rich or poor. The yearly party for the old people during his reign allowed poor subjects to mingle with the rich.  

Eating My Way Through the Land of the Morning Calm

Local food is always in the top of my list when travelling. Eating or trying a local cuisine or delicacy can be an eye opener to a culture strange to ones own. However, to me, Korean food is no longer alien. I've been hosting Korean students for 5 years and managing a dorm full of Korean for another 5 years so I get to sample, taste and cook Korean dishes. In all honesty, I find it easy to prepare Korean food than Filipino food. Really!

Landing in the Land of the Morning Calm, it is in my utmost list to eat the originals...... different kinds of kimchi, eat meals prepared by azzumas. Anyway, here are the pictures of what I ate during my six days travel in South Korea.



Dokkbuki with kimbap, boiled eggs, kimchi jeon, mandu.
Pickled radish is served as a side dish. 
That's my yummy lunch at Seogwipo Market in Jeju-do.
Okay, this meal can also be found in the streets of a metropolitan city like Seoul.




Kimchi Bukeom




A Korean meal is not complete without side dishes.
We had seven (7) side dishes with our kimchi bukeom meal. 



Korean rice with shrimp and vegetables and
topped with fried egg and spring onions at Westin Chosun, Busan-si

I also had two (2) samgyupsal dinner. The first one was served with beef and mushroom (my first time to eat samgyupsal with mushroom) and the last samgyupsal meal, duck was served, and as I understand it, duck for samgyupsal is special. I also was able to eat at a Kimchi tchigae specialty restaurant in Jeju-do. All I can say is that I'm just too damned comfortable in there with the food, culture and all. Yum!

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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

The National Museum of Korea is a three storey building located at Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu in Seoul. The museum currently houses the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Donations Gallery, Sculpture and Crafts Gallery and Asia Gallery.

Admission is free to the Permanent Exhibition Hall and Children's Museum. If you don't understand Hangul (of which I do) one can rent a Digital Device (PDA or MP3 with an earphone) where you can get an English Mobile Tour Guide. Make sure that you have an ID to leave with the counter staff. Rental cost for the PDA is 3,000Won and MP3 is 1,000Won. Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge in the Great Hall. 

Entrance to the National Museum

Overlooking the ground and second floor

The Imperial Throne during the days of old

The Korean century old bell

The view outside the exhibition hall

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Street Food of South Korea

Street food as I presume will always be present anywhere in the world. During my travel in South Korea, I found out that street food is also making good business there. Street food in Jeju Island can also be bought in the Seoul albeit a difference in prices depending on locations.




Street food at Namdaemun (South Korea's version of Divisoria) pajeon,  chapchae, samgyupsal meal, soju, etc. 
this particular store is a like an outdoor carinderia
where you eat under a tent

 



In Incheon- corn on the cob, hotdog, sausage, dak ggochi, ddeokbockyi (rice cake) 

  


Coffee Lady at Incheon's Freedom Park
Cost of one (1) cup of coffee 1,000Won

 

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Korean Folk Village



Entrance to the Folk Village



My boss brought me to Korean Folk Village on my 4^th day in South Korea. Located in Yong-In City, it is a 243 acres expanse that has 260 traditional houses from the different regions of South Korea. The village also has museums, sculpture garden, bazaar that sells traditional Korean food and live performances can be viewed around the village. 



Dae Jang Geum
the movie "Jewel in the Palace" (2003)
apparently was shot here



The ACROBATICS ON A TIGHTROPE SHOW
Can be seen from Tuesdays to Sundays
at 11:30AM & 3:30PM



The Traditional Wedding Ceremony held every 12:00NN, daily at the Nobleman's Mansion





The Equestrian Feats
kids will enjoy watching these horseback riding people
Shown daily, 1PM & 2:30PM at the Performing Arena



There are a lot of wonderful things to see at the Folk Village so going there one must wear shoes for walking. 243 acres is a big area and I get to tour maybe only 70%, prepare to spend 3-4 hours at the village. 

Entrance cost 15,000Won per person, around P600 in Philippine Peso. Credit cards are accepted.

You may also want to visit their website  at www.koreanfolk.co.kr

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Appreciating Sidewalks in South Korea

When there’s a road, there should always be a sidewalk. Cemented, clean and wide roads are for cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles and rubberized, brick, cemented sidewalks and pathways are for the people.

SIDEWALK AT GIMPO

On my first day in South Korea, I can’t help but noticed how their government took pains of providing a wide enough sidewalk for the people to walk on, with matching gardens and tree lined pathways.  Anywhere, one can walk with ease without fear of getting bump off or hit by passing vehicles. Crossing the street can be done without fear of getting hit by cars beating the red light since traffic rules are being followed religiously (whew!). Even at midnight when cars are few and nobody’s looking, pedestrian lights are strictly followed.

RUBBER WALK  ATTHE DONGBAEK ISLAND IN BUSAN

Concern for safety on the road is evident anywhere in South Korea, even in parks and mountain areas. Of which I salute the South Korean government for making sure that their citizens are taken care of while they are on city streets or rural areas.

RUBBER WALK AT SANGUMBURI CRATER

I think road safety should not be taken for granted especially for pedestrians. Sadly though, in the Philippines laws are needed to improve facilities on roads with the safety of its walking citizenry in mind.

google.com, pub-5749341205139411, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

Steps to get a South Korea Tourist Visa

As expected, when I got my passport I was immediately thrown into the responsibility of processing my visa for South Korea. This is since my hosts have been waiting for me for a long time already to visit them ^^

It took me a few days really to have the courage to prepare the documents. It's just that the "fear of the unknown" had kicked in and I have to muster some courage to face them.

Here are the documents I prepared based on the blogs I've read and of course from the website of the South Korean embassy :

1. Visa Application Form (can be downloaded thru the website of the embassy)
2. Passport (original and photocopy of photo page)
3. Current ITR duly stamped by the BIR
4. Employment Certificate with compensation, if you are employed
5. Bank Certificate (to show your savings)
6. Invitation Letter (preferrably notarized in Korea)
7. 2x2 or passport size pictures ( I submitted 4 pcs.)

My invitation letter is not notarized, I am maybe just plain lucky since the South Korean government encourages tourists to visit their country at the moment.

If you are applying for a tourist visa, there is no need for an interview. In my case, I asked my brother to submit my documents for me with an authorization letter of course. There were some kinks but my brother was able to hurdle them and the lady consul stapled my documents and gave my brother a return stub for the passport.

As expected, one has to go early in the morning preferably before 7am. My brother told me that there were plenty of people lining up already when he arrived around that time. 

I did not pay any visa fee since I will be just staying for a few days. My passport with South Korean visa was released 10 working days after.

I found this blog before I left for Korea and it proves to be very helpful. You might want to check it out - http://www.buhaykorea.com/south-korea-tourist-visa-filipinos/