이현석 동시통역사 EBS 방송 진행자 유학 대비 영어

이현석 동시통역사, EBS 방송 진행자 유학 대비 영어 특강 Presenting Korean Culture and History in English 중앙공무원교육원(과천) (현) EBS FM Radio <입이 트이는 영어> 집필 및 진행 (현) EBSe TV <EBSe 생활영어> / <EBSe 영어회화> 집필 및 진행 (현) EBSlang <리얼라이프 스피킹> 집필 및 진행

Korean Politics

한국의 통치 체계 Korea follows a presidential governing system. The President gets a five-year single term and is elected through a direct vote. Though the President doesn’t rule alone, he/she does have the ultimate say in who gets to rule alongside him/her. The President appoints the Prime Minister and the Ministers of each Ministry. The President also determines who will run the major government agencies, such as the intelligence agency or the tax service. The National Assembly acts as the legislative body in the central government. There a total of 299 members of parliament that are elected every four years. The Grand National Party (GNP) is currently the ruling party, holding over half of the parliamentary seats. The Democratic Party (DP) is the largest opposition party. The judicial body, on the other hand, is completely independent from the two branches of government.

국회 The Korean National Assembly is the legislative body of Korea. It issues bills, sets national budgets, holds parliamentary hearings, and inspects the state administration. There are 299 lawmakers in the National Assembly, 243 of whom are elected by direct vote from electoral districts. The rest is elected through proportional representation. The proportional representation system distributes seats to the different parties based on the percentage of total votes that they win. Any Korean citizen over the age of 25 can run for a seat in the National Assembly. Members of parliament serve a four-year term, so the elections are held accordingly. The major parties in the Assembly are the Grand National Party and the top opposition Democratic Party. Regular sessions are held on September 1 st of every year for no more than 100 days.

선거 The presidential election in Korea takes place every five years. The Korean president is elected through direct vote and gets a five-year single term. Korean parliamentary elections are held every four years, in the same year as the Summer Olympics. Local elections are conducted every four years in the year of the FIFA World Cup. The election will elect mayors, provincial governors, and regional office chiefs.

Stars and Stripes

태극기

태극기 The Korean flag, called “tae-guk-gee, ” is simple but packed with meaning. Essentially, there are three parts that make up the flag: a white background, a blue and red yin-yang circle, and four black trigrams. The circle in the middle is called the “tae-guk” and symbolizes the source of all that exists in the universe. The four trigrams at the corners are made of solid and broken bars. They are each called “gun, gon, gam, li, ” and represent the sky, the earth, the moon, and the sun respectively. They also mean justice, abundance, life, and wisdom. But remember, the trigram with the three solid bars should always be in the upper left-hand corner. Hanging it correctly is just as important as the flag itself! On national holidays, such as Korea’s Liberation Day(August 15) Koreans proudly hang the flag from the balconies of their apartments, their front doors, and throughout the city streets.

애국가 Korea’s national anthem, Ae-guk-ga, literally translates into “the song of patriotism. ” It has up to verse 4 and was written by composer Ahn Ik-tae. It is sung to kick official events or sports matches, and television stations also play it to mark the beginning and ending of the day’s broadcasts. What is it with the national anthem that makes the Olympic gold medalist shed a tear on the podium? The Ae-guk-ga melody and lyrics conjure up a sense of belonging and unity. The first line begins by saying: “Let God protect this country, until the East Sea dries up and Mt. Baekdu is worn away. Long live our country (the Republic of Korea)!” The chorus goes: The Rose of Sharon (Korea’s national flower) and 3, 000 lis of brilliant rivers and mountains! Long live Koreans in this wonderful country. ”

무궁화 The 무궁화, known as the Rose of Sharon to Westerners, is the national flower of Korea. The Korean name 무궁화 translates something into “immortal flower. ” The flower has been mentioned in Korean history for thousands of years. However, it was officially recognized as our national flower in the early 1900 s. That was when Korea’s national anthem was born. You can hear 무궁화 being mentioned in the chorus of the national anthem. A type of train in Korea was also named after the flower. The flower comes in white, pink, red and violet. The Rose of Sharon can withstand diseases and insects pretty well. Such characteristic symbolizes Korea’s resilience because the country has also gone through many difficult times in history.

Korean History

한국전쟁 Exactly 61 years ago today, North Korea invaded South Korea, initiating a full-blown war. Before the invasion, there was political division along the Korean peninsula with the US troops overseeing the southern half and the Soviet troops overseeing the northern half. The division between the two sides continued to become more pronounced. The 38 th Parallel became the divider between the upper and lower halves. Reunification negotiations continued but to no avail. The North and South fought fiercely for three years. Foreign powers joined in to help each side turning the civil war into a proxy war. The two Koreas finally signed an armistice treaty in July of 1953, which is still in effect as of today. Technically, the two countries are still at war.

이산가족 Many Korean families have been ripped apart in the aftermath of the Korean War back in the 50 s. Families were unwillingly separated and remain separated even to this day. It’s already been 60 years since the war, but many families are still dealing with the repercussions. Communication between individuals across the border is very difficult. After the first Inter-Korean Summit took place in 2000, sporadic family reunions and letter exchanges have taken place. Unfortunately, these reunions were only for a strictly limited number of people. They only covered a small fraction of those affected by the war. Plus, those reunions were halted whenever tension between the two Koreas rose. Because the survivors of the Korean War are getting extremely old, time is running out.

한일 관계 Korea’s history has been intertwined with Japan for as long as anyone can remember. One significant turning point between the two countries took place between 1910 and 1945. That’s when Japan colonized Korea and committed some horrific war crimes. One example would be the use of Korean women as sex slaves at military brothels during World War II. Many Koreans are angry that Japan has yet to formally apologize for its wartime atrocities. The two countries have come a long way in working out their differences. However, this is not to say that relations between them are perfect. There is still a major dispute over which country rightfully owns the Dokdo islets located in the East Sea. Japan calls the islets Takeshima, and claims it’s their territory located in what they call the Sea of Japan.

북한 정권 North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is one of the few countries in the world that is under a military dictatorship. Its political system is based on the Juche ideology of self-reliance, first brought into practice by Kim Il-sung ruled the country until his death in 1994. The current head of state is his son Kim Jong-il. With Kim Jong-il’s failing health in recent years, the whole world has been keenly interested in who would become the next successor of the North Korean regime. In October of 2010, news surfaced that his son, Kim Jong-eun, was appointed as the heir-apparent. Meanwhile, North Korea is the most militarized nation in the world with roughly 12 million active, reserve, and paramilitary personnel. Despite it being a very isolated and reclusive nation, the DPRK has always had close ties with China and Russia.

광주 민주화 운동 The May 18 th movement, also known as the Gwangju Massacre or the Gwangju Democratization Movement, was a popular uprising that took place in Gwangju in May of 1980. This year marks the 30 th anniversary of the incident. Citizens protested against Chun Doo-hwan's military dictatorship. They called for a number of reforms that included democratization, an end to martial law, and freedom of press. They took up weapons to defend themselves and took control of the city. However, they were violently crushed by the military, which opened fire on citizens. Hundreds were killed and thousands more were wounded. The movement was depicted as a rebellion instigated by communist sympathizers during that time. But today, the movement is celebrated as a symbol of the long fight for democracy in Korea.

태권도 Taekwondo is Korea’s representative martial art. It differentiates itself from other martial arts by its emphasis on kicking techniques. In addition, taekwondo seeks the harmony of mental and physical strength. Gyeokpa in taekwondo is known as board-breaking. Sparring in taekwondo is called gyeorugi. Pumsae, which means form or pattern, is a memorized sequence of moves. You have to master a certain pumsae to advance to the next. Students of taekwondo have ranks distinguished by the color of their belts. Beginners start off with a white belt and gradually work up to black. Once you earn a black belt, further advancement is indicated by dan, or degrees. Taekwondo was adopted as an official event at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

Korean Society

군 복무 Korea has a mandatory draft system under which men have to serve two years in the military. Most men serve as ordinary soldiers in the army, navy, air force or the marine corps and are discharged when they become sergeant. One can also serve as a non -commissioned officer, in which case, the duration of service is four years. Officers, on the other hand, have to graduate from military school and become carrier officers. College students who finished their ROTC training serve three years as officers after they graduate. Meanwhile, doctors can serve as public health doctors for three years to fulfill their military duty. People who passed the Korean bar exam can serve as military lawyers for three years.

예비군 훈련 Korean males are required to dedicate two years of their lives serving in the military. Once those two years are up, they’re not exactly in the clear. After they finish their service, they are automatically assigned to the army reserve for seven years. There are mandatory reserve army training sessions annually. Depending on the type of training, it can last for a single day or three full days. The army reserve members go through drills to brush up on their combat skills. This is done through basic military training, liveammunition shooting practice and tactics training through survival games. They also refresh their memories on the rules of engagement. Accommodations are made for college students. They can attend an eight-hour cram training session once a year. Once the reserve army duties are completed, men move on to become members of civil defense units.

법적 연령 Due to a civil law revision bill that was submitted recently, Koreans will be considered to be a legal adult when they reach their 19 th birthday from July of 2013. It has been the 20 th birthday up until now. When you hit this coming-of-age milestone, one can engage in all economic activity without the permission of one’s parents. You can legally purchase property or get a credit card issued on your own. However, another piece of legislation called the Protection of Minors Act governs the legal age for the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. The Act defines adults as people who will become 19 that year. So, if you are 18 but will become 19 that year, you are legally allowed to purchase alcohol or enter bars. You are allowed to vote if you are fully 19 before election day. Plus, you must be at least 25 to run for public office and 40 to run for president. On the other hand, one becomes eligible for a driver’s license in Korea when your 18 th birthday has passed.

저출산율 South Korea’s birthrate is among the lowest in the world. South Korean women give birth to 1. 2 babies on average. As a result, the nation’s population is predicted to peak around 2018 and then start to decline after that. This low birthrate paired with the Korea’s rapidly aging population is expected to lower domestic consumption and create a labor shortage. This will end up reducing the country’s economic productivity. Faced with an impending economic and social crisis, the government is busy trying to come up with different measures to boost the birthrate. Recent policies include giving subsidies to expectant mothers, and giving tax benefits for families with three or more children when they buy cars or homes.

쓰레기 종량제 Ten plus years ago, Korea adopted the “volume-based” or “pay-as-you-go” garbage system. It’s pretty straightforward as the name would suggest. The more trash you produce, the more you have to pay. You can’t just dump your trash in any old bag either. Regulation garbage bags must be purchased at supermarkets or convenience stores. Otherwise, you can face a fine. These plastic bags come in several sizes, and prices vary according to size. Recycling is also very well practiced throughout Korea. We separate recyclables into groups of plastic, glass, aluminum, and paper. This may seem like a pain to foreigners, but Koreans are used to it. One thing they’re not used to, however, is the concept of garbage disposals under the kitchen sink. Koreans throw away food waste separately in designated outdoor containers.

국민연금/국민건강보험 When it comes to health insurance in Korea, almost everyone is covered under a universal system. It’s sponsored by a government agency. The monthly insurance fee is determined by factors such as your income, property value, and even what kind of car you drive. The benefits at clinics, hospitals, or drug stores are all the same though. There is a different category of private health insurance policies too. These mainly target life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. Korea also has a national pension system. Most people with an income are bound by law to join this pension system. There are separate pension funds for civil servants, private school teachers, and military personnel. In addition, most companies provide their employees with some sort of medical benefits as well.

국가고시 Some of the most competitive jobs in Korea require the passing of a state exam. This goes for diplomats, lawyers, senior-level government officials, and public school teachers. If one wants to become a diplomat, he/she has to pass the wae-moo-go-shi. This test is similar to the foreign service exam in the U. S. Anyone who wants to practice law as a profession must pass the sa-bub-shi-hum. Think of the bar exam required for lawyers in the States. This test will die out in the very near future because Korea adopted a new law school system. People who want to work in senior-level government posts go through cutthroat competition to pass the heng-jung-go-shi. One last example of a major state exam is the im-yong-go-shi. This exam is for anyone wanting to become a public school teacher.

Korean Culture

한국인들의 국민성 One Korean word that doesn’t have an exact English translation is jung. Jung is a sort of emotional attachment or bond that one feels for a person. It can be a combination of love, affection, and loyalty. One thing that really sets apart the Korean people with others is jung. Jung typically develops over the course of a relationship as the person gradually grows on you. This explains why Koreans are extra happy to meet a friend from their hometown. The funny thing is that you don’t even have to like a person to feel jung for them. Koreans call this a case of mi-oon jung. Similarly, you can develop jung for a place or thing over time. It’s kind of like you being sad to let go of your old cell phone for a new one. That’s because you developed jung toward it. The same goes to a school you attended for many years.

정(情) One Korean word that doesn’t have an exact English translation is jung. Jung is a sort of emotional attachment or bond that one feels for a person. It can be a combination of love, affection, and loyalty. One thing that really sets apart the Korean people with others is jung. Jung typically develops over the course of a relationship as the person gradually grows on you. This explains why Koreans are extra happy to meet a friend from their hometown. The funny thing is that you don’t even have to like a person to feel jung for them. Koreans call this a case of mi-oon jung. Similarly, you can develop jung for a place or thing over time. It’s kind of like you being sad to let go of your old cell phone for a new one. That’s because you developed jung toward it. The same goes to a school you attended for many years.

한국 나이 Koreans have a different system from Western countries when it comes to calculating their age. Koreans say that they’re a year older than they would be according to the Western aging system. This is partially because Koreans consider the time spent in a mother’s womb to be a year. This is why a newborn would already be considered a oneyear old. People’s birthdays can also change every year if they go by the lunar calendar. Many people actually choose to follow the lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar. This may sound confusing for some people, but it’s a system that has worked just fine for Koreans for ages. Your best bet in calculating someone’s age more accurately is to ask them for their birth year. This is why it’s common for people in Korea to ask for someone’s year of birth rather than their age.

한국 이름 Korean names most typically consist of three syllables. First comes the family name, which is almost always one syllable. There are people who have a two-syllable surname as in 남궁 or 황보. The given name always goes after the family name, and usually consists of two syllables. For example, if a person’s name is 임보경. 임 is her family name, and 보경 is her given name. Each letter in most Korean names is based on a Chinese character. Same names can have different meanings depending on which Chinese characters are used. Koreans place great importance on their names. Parents will often consult with a fortune teller at a namemaking place called a 작명소. There are even cases of adults changing their names for better luck in their lives.

한국의 결혼식 At a typical Korean wedding, tables are set up on each side of the entrance—one for the groom and one for the bride. Depending on who they’re there to see, wedding guests drop money gifts off at the right table in white envelopes. A friend of the groom usually emcees the ceremony. An older distinguished acquaintance of the family officiates the wedding. Often there’s a special song sung in dedication to the happy couple. There also things that happen the behind the scenes before the wedding. Traditionally, the man buys or rents the house and the bride-to-be the hone-soo, or what goes in the house. There’s also ye-mool, which are gifts exchanged between the couple. Common ye-mool items are rings, jewelry, or his-and-her watches. The future missus also has the ye-dan to worry about. Ye-dan is basically a dowry for her future in-laws.

한국의 장례식 Unlike western cultures where the funeral service lasts for a couple hours, a Korean funeral goes on for several days. The family members normally rent out a funeral parlor in a hospital. Mourners come to pay their respects to the person who has passed away. The person’s picture will be set up and people who visit perform a ceremonial bow. The family members usually stay throughout the entire duration of the wake, day and night. Funeral-goers express their sympathy to the family members and eat the food and drinks offered there. After a couple of days, the body will then be taken to either the burial site or the crematorium. More and more people are choosing cremation these days because there aren’t enough burial grounds. (columbarium : 납골당)

회식 Koreans are known to enjoy their alcohol. So much so that it’s hard to get through a week without at least one drinking session. Sometimes I also have to attend what’s called a hwe-shik in Korean. Hwe-shiks are company gatherings with your co-workers and upper management for dinner and drinks. It’s hard not to get at least a little drunk at hwe-shiks because it’s considered slightly rude to turn down a drink offered by your superior. Luckily, I can handle my alcohol pretty well. Even when I do drink too much, I’m not that bad of a drunk. I simply get a bit more talkative, but that’s pretty much it. The worst-case scenario would be that I would start dozing off. However, I can usually pick up on when I’m about to hit that point, and try to sober up a little.

한류 Hallyu refers to the popularity of Korean entertainment in surrounding Asian countries. Korean pop culture blew up in the early 2000 s with the immensely popular Korean TV dramas. Stars like Bae Yong-joon, Lee Young-ae, and Choi Jiwoo enjoy tremendous popularity in countries like Japan. However, recently Hallyu has started to take a new form. Kpop music has been blowing new life into the Hallyu wave. This is through talented young girl and boy bands. Groups like Girls Generation and KARA have massive followings in Japan. Their faces can be seen on billboards and advertisements quite frequently. There are even some Korean stars who enjoy more popularity overseas than in Korea. The new Hallyu wave has been helping Korean businesses as well. As Asians get more familiar with the Korean pop-culture, it’s easier for companies to sell their products abroad.

개고기 문화 One Korean dish that many Westerners are uncomfortable with is boshintang. Boshintang is basically a stew made out of dog meat. It is believed to boost one’s energy level and stamina in Korea. Many people eat it when they’re feeling weak or during the extremely hot summer season. It should be noted that there is a specific type of dog bred on farms for the meat. Boshintang isn’t made from the dogs that people keep as pets. Westerners also think that all Korean people eat dogs, but this is far from the truth. With so many dog lovers in Korea, there are many Koreans who can’t stand the idea of eating dog. Only a small fraction of the population regularly enjoys this dish. All in all, boshintang is simply one aspect of the Korean dining culture, dating back to hundreds of years ago.

대리운전 The driver-for-hire service in Korea comes in handy when you’ve had too much to drink. It’s called dae-ri un-jeon in Korean. It’s basically a service that provides a driver to drive your car home. You simply call the agency, tell them where you are, and they’ll send a driver to you. The driver will safely take you home. The service doesn’t cost much either. Of course it depends on how far your destination is, but the cost is almost similar to a taxi ride. The driver-for-hire has been around for several years. It has created a new part-time job sector and helps society practice safe-drinking habits. There are tons of different agencies to choose from. Services circulate fliers and advertise all over the place so you can find the number to one quite easily.

퀵 서비스 There’s a speedy delivery service in Korea called quick service. New Yorkers may be familiar with this service because it’s similar to their bike couriers. However, the delivery people in Korea use motorcycles rather than bikes to ensure even speedier service. Motorcycles can zip around avoid congested areas. You can choose from many quick service places depending on their service and rates. You first call them to tell them where you are and what you need delivered. A delivery person will come and pick up your package and take it to your desired destination immediately. You can choose to either pay before or have the receiver pay on arrival. They are very reliable as you can call for their help 24/7.

공중 목욕탕 There are several different types of public baths in Korea. They’re called 목욕탕, 찜질방, 한증막, or a sauna. You can think of a 찜질방 as a Korean-style mega-sauna. The bathing areas are split up for each sex. Here you can choose from different tubs or saunas to enjoy. There’s also a common area open to both sexes to mingle and socialize. You can kick back and enjoy a good TV show or movie as well. If you simply want to sleep, there also designated quiet rooms for that. Plus, you can order hot snacks, steamed eggs, rice and soup at the food corners. You get all of these services for an unlimited amount of time for about 10, 000 won! The beauty about these establishments is that many places are open around the clock.

때밀이 Koreans are no strangers to skin exfoliation. Many of them get their skin exfoliated regularly through a body scrub. There a plethora of public bath houses all over the country where you can do this. You can go with your close family members or friends. First, you soak yourself in a hot tub to get your skin nice and soft. Then grab a scrub towel and use some elbow grease to start scrubbing. These scrub towels are called ttae-mi-ree soo-geon in Korean. Stocking up on these towels won’t set you back much because they’re only about 500 won. After scrubbing your entire body, rinse off all the dead skin that’s left behind with water. Then enjoy a nice shower to finish squeaky clean. Don’t be freaked out if your skin turns red after an exfoliation session. It’ll soon fade and you’ll be left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!

한국 전통 놀이 Long before video and computer games, there were a variety of popular traditional games in Korea. One classic example is go-moo-jool, which means “rubber band” in Korean. Go-moojool is the Korean version of long jump-roping. Large rubber bands are stretched out and wrapped around players’ ankles. Other players then do step routines set to songs, jumping over the bands. Girls also used to enjoy gong-ginori, a game similar to Western-style jacks. Players go around tossing one gong-gi piece up and trying to scoop up the other pieces before it comes down. Another game popular with the boys is jae-gi-cha-gi. It’s like hacky-sack using a shuttlecock-like toy. Boys also used to enjoy ddak-ji-chi-gi, which is similar to the game of Pog. You basically try to flip over your opponent’s game piece by slapping your own piece down on it. Koreans have their own version of top spinning as well. It’s called Paengi-chi-gi. It involves whipping a thin rope at a top to keep it spinning.

PC 방 If you’re an internet junkie, Korea is one of the best places to be at. You can get access to high-speed internet at internet cafés that are basically on every street corner. We call them “PC bang” in Korean, which translates to “PC room”. You may be wondering why people would pay money to use the internet when they have internet access at home. Internet cafes come in handy when you’re on the go without a laptop. Most internet café users are young computer game players. They usually come in in groups to play multiplayer games together. Non-game players can do plenty of other stuff like update their social networking sites. These cafés are the perfect place to just kill some time when you have nothing better to do. There’s a law that bans minors from staying past 10 PM though.

노래방 Westerners are more used to karaoke bars where one has to come on stage to sing. Koreans are more used to room-settings when it comes to singing. A Korean karaoke room is called a norae-bang. Norae-bangs are practically on every street corner. If you go inside the separate norae-bang rooms, there is a karaoke machine, a table, and places to sit down. When you’re out to paint the town red, stopping at a norae-bang is almost a ritual. It’s typically the second or third stop after dinner and drinks. Of course, alcohol helps people to be loosened up to belt out song after song. The singing and dancing help colleagues let their guards down and bond with one another. Norae-bangs can hype up the mood, but it can also help wind down the night. People can sit back and sing some of their favorite tunes to sober up.

고스톱 The Western card deck has four suits and 13 cards per suit, for a total of 52 cards. Go-stop cards have 12 different suits, with four to a suit. Poker cards use shapes to differentiate each suit, while go-stop cards resort to the numbers one through 12. However, there are designs on each card that are similar for the four that share the same suit. The point of the game is to match your cards to the cards that are laid out in front of you. You can flip an extra card from a stack in the middle whenever it’s your turn. There are several sets of cards you have to get to earn extra points, such as hong-dan, chung-dan, cho-dan and godori. In go-stop, there can be no more than three players per round. It’s called go-stop because you can decide whether you want to “go” or “stop” once you score three or more points.

당구 Korean guys are much more used to playing carom billiards than regular pool. There are two red balls and two white balls. Each player gets their own white ball. The goal is to hit the white ball into the two red balls, while avoiding the other white ball. You earn a point and can continue playing if you do that. If you hit the other person’s white ball, you get a penalty. You want to create different angles for the white ball by using the banks as much as possible. I’m just an average player shooting around 150. That means that I have to hit both red balls 15 times before getting my chance for the finishing shot. To finish up the game, you have to hit both red balls one final time, managing to hit three banks in between.

존댓말 Honorifics are one of the biggest characteristics of the Korean language. It’s a way of showing your respect through your speech. You typically use honorifics for people who are older than you or in higher positions of authority. You almost always use honorifics when meeting someone for the first time. The only exception would be if they’re significantly younger than you. There also different levels of honorifics. You can roughly differentiate the levels by listening to the end of a sentence. If it ends with yo, that’s the casual form of honorifics, whereas if it ends with ni-da, it’s more formal. Once you get closer to the person, you naturally lose the honorifics. There also special ways you should address people who are older than you, which roughly translate into “big brother” or “older sister”.

대학교 엠티 Korean College students are all familiar with something that’s called an “MT”. MT stands for “membership training” and it’s a time when a group of college students take off for a quick overnighter. Rarely do these MTs last for longer than one night. The people who attend are not just a clique of friends taking a trip somewhere. Instead, they are students from the same department or club. The whole point of an MT is for the students to get to know each other better. In that sense, every aspect of the trip is done as a group effort. Students shop together for the necessary food and supplies, cook together at the site, and eat and drink together all night. All in all, MTs are great opportunities to bond. Many people look back on their college years and say that some of their fondest memories took place at MTs.

Korean Education

한국의 학년 편제 Korean children start elementary school when they turn 8 years old Korean age. Children attend six years of elementary school where they learn all the different subjects from one teacher. Next comes three years of middle school, which is mandatory. Students start to have different teachers for different subjects. Then comes three years of high school, which is optional. An important career related decision must be made in high school. Students face a fork in the road during their second year where they have to choose from the humanities track or the science track. Students can also choose to attend a special type of high school. Such schools include foreign language, international, science, and art schools. In Korea, the first semester runs from March to July followed by the second semester lasting from August to February.

대학수학능력고사 Korea’s college entrance exam is the Korean version of the SATs and it can make or break a student’s academic career. The results of this exam will potentially determine what university the student will get in to, that is, if they even get in at all. Korean students study well over twelve hours a day in high school hoping to get accepted into their first-choice university. Students typically take about nine hours to complete the Korean SAT in various subjects. The test consists of tests in Korean, math, English, sciences, social sciences, and foreign languages. Students can choose what subjects they wish to be tested on. Up until now, high school seniors were only allowed to take the exam once a year. However, the government passed a new bill this past August. Starting from 2014, students will be able to take the test twice a year and choose the better score.

학내 체벌 In the latter half of 2010, corporal punishment was banned at schools in Seoul. The same will happen in Gyeonggi Province this year, and other provinces may follow suit. Korean teachers have taken to the rod as a method of discipline for as long as anyone can remember. This age-old method was put in question after a series of incidents where some teachers used excessive force on students. The ban provoked mixed reactions from teachers on the ground. Those for the ban argue that students do not have to be physically punished to learn a lesson. Those against it say that the ban will only further undermine teachers’ authority in classrooms. Ever since spankings were outlawed, there have been cases of disruptive students making the headlines. Many teachers have been complaining that it’s impossible to maintain order in the absence of corporal punishment. Many are calling for alternatives teachers can resort to.

한국의 영어 교육 The English-learning craze in Korea shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Students start their English studies from as early as kindergarten, lasting all the way into college. Many parents will sacrifice other expenses to send their children to private language institutes. In 2009 alone, roughly 7 trillion won (or $7 billion) was spent on private English education in Korea. Adults aren’t exempt from the English fever either. Those fresh out of college continue to study English for better career prospects. Many in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s study the language just for the fun of it.

교실 청소 Korean students all chip in to do their part to keep their classrooms spic and span. From elementary school all the way up to high school, students clean up their own classrooms. The entire class is split into groups and the workload is then divvied up. Normally the groups go around cleaning in turns, unless some students are assigned to clean as their punishment. First the desk and chairs are shoved into the back corner of the classroom. This makes it easier to sweep and mop the floors. The windows and window frames require maintenance as well. There are students designated for the restrooms and hallways, too. Aside from that, there are two students picked to be the “joobun” every week. Their responsibility is to clean the blackboards and keep the classroom nice and clean at all times.

체육대회와 신체검사 Korean schools typically have a sports day in the fall. The entire school is split up into two teams: the blue team and the white team. There is excitement in the air as students compete to win points for their team. There a number of events that take place such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, kickball, dodge ball, Korean wrestling, and tug of war. When all is said and done, the side with more points wins the competition. On a slightly related note, another day is set aside for students to be tested on their basic athletic abilities. Students are tested on their ability to run, jump, throw, and how many pull-ups or sit-ups they can do. There’s also a day designated for school physicals. On that day, students get their height, weight, eyesight, and other physical traits measured.

Korean Holidays

새해 일출 Koreans like to celebrate New Year’s Day by catching the first sunrise of the year. People flock to coastal areas or mountains, trying to secure a good spot to watch the sunrise in the morning. Jung -dong-jin on the East coast is a good example that gets packed with locals and tourists. While witnessing the sun make its anticipated rise, Koreans make wishes for the coming year. A common wish is the health and prosperity for friends and family. Some also make more specific resolutions for themselves. Koreans look at these New Year’s Day trips as a chance to reflect on the past as well as welcome the future.

추석 One of the biggest family holidays in Korea is Chuseok. It’s equivalent to the Thanksgiving Day holiday that’s observed by Western countries. It typically lasts for three days sometime during the month of September or October. There is no exact set date for Chuseok because it follows the lunar calendar. During Chuseok, people visit their hometowns to gather with their entire extended family. People also visit the graves of deceased ancestors to pay their respects - a custom known as Seong-mo in Korean. Plus, people engage in an age-old ritual called Charye during which food is prepared for the dead and traditional bows are performed. There’s a full moon on the evening of Chuseok, which we then make wishes on.

어린이날 May 5 th, Children’s Day, is an eagerly awaited holiday for children all around Korea. Parents usually plan the day around their children. They take them on special outings to popular places like parks, zoos or amusement parks. However, if you are a parent, you should beware. There always traffic jams and large crowds near these places, and you might find yourself stuck in a car or a line with cranky kids. Nowadays many parents also take their children to see plays or musicals specially designed for children. Children also receive gifts from their parents or grandparents such as toys or money. All in all, it’s a special day for children, and almost everyone has special Children’s Day memories from their childhood.

성년의 날 There’s a day in Korea that recognizes people who are turning 20 that year. It is called Coming-of. Age Day and falls on the third Monday of May. 20 is the age that one is considered to be a legal adult in Korea. This year, Coming-of-Age Day happens to fall on May 16 th. Those who have turned 20 or will be turning 20 this year can expect many gifts on this day. Friends and family members will buy gifts symbolic or useful for one who becomes an adult. Many stores offer special gifts for those celebrating their adulthood on that day. Some common gifts for women are roses or perfume. Meanwhile, there is currently a pending bill that will change the official adult age to 19 from 2013.

Korean Food

한식 식사 There are three basic components for a typical Korean meal. There’s first your bowl of rice, one of Korea’s staple foods. You then have your bowl of soup, which can be made from meat, fish, or vegetables. The soup base is usually made from soybean paste, red pepper paste, or soy sauce. You then have a colorful array of side dishes called banchan. The most common side dish is of course, kimchee. Kimchee comes in all different shapes and sizes, made from different ingredients. One thing to note is that Korean meals aren’t divided into courses like some Western meals. For dessert, rather than cakes and pies, Koreans finish off their meals with fruits or a dessert drink, such as shikhae or soo-jung-ga.

좌식 식사 문화 Unlike eating at tables with chairs in the West, Koreans often sit cross-legged on the floor when they eat. The food is served on low tables. At restaurants that serve their food this way, customers are required to remove their shoes. These days, more restaurants are giving customers the choice of floor seating or Western-style seating. There’s also some that offer the best of both worlds: floor seating with a slight ditch underneath the table so that you can hang your legs over the edge comfortably. When it comes to floor-sitting, women wearing skirts may struggle a bit due to the possibility of flashing other diners. However, an apron or large napkin draped over their laps can fix the problem. Foreigners who are new to the concept of sitting Indian-style while eating may find it uncomfortable.

음식 배달 Korea’s food delivery system is second to none. You can order pretty much anything under the sun and have it delivered right to your door. We’re talking Korean, Chinese, Japanese food, pig trotters, pizza, and even fast food. Believe it or not, even Mc. Donald’s delivers hamburgers door-to-door in some locations in Seoul. You name it, they will deliver it! You simply call the restaurant or delivery service, place your order, and wait for your food to arrive. Because Korea’s not really a tipping culture, you don’t necessarily have to tip the delivery person. The delivery time for most foods is less than 30 minutes. Most delivery people use scooters to zip around through even the busiest of streets. While, some restaurants use disposable dishware, others use reusable ones to deliver their food. If it’s the latter, you simply place your finished dishes outside your door.

김치 Korean families typically get together to make kimchi sometime in November. The making of kimchi at this time of year is called ‘kimjang’. The kimchi you make during ‘kimjang’ would last for the whole winter. Making kimchi is quite a labor intensive job. There’s a lot of work involved, so it is normally done in a group. First of all, Chinese cabbages are soaked in saltwater for a while. Then, the filling for the kimchi is made. Radishes are shred up and mixed with garlic, ginger, red pepper powder and other ingredients. After that, the filling is spread into every cabbage leaf individually so that the flavor can be absorbed. ‘Kimjang’ is a traditional custom of the Korean kimchi culture.

김밥 One of the most convenient and delicious snacks in Korea is kimbab. Kimbab can be best described as Korean-style rolls. A kimbab roll is made from spreading rice onto a sheet of dried seaweed. You then place various ingredients such as thinly sliced fried eggs, carrots, ham, cucumbers, and yellow pickled radish neatly on top. A bamboo mat is used to roll the kimbab into a nice round shape. The finishing touch would be some sesame oil lightly brushed on the surface. You can then cut the kimbab into bite-sized rolls to make it ready to serve! If you want a more savory flavor, you can add other ingredients such as beef, tuna, kimchi, or even cheese. Kimbab is a great on-the-go meal when you are going for an outing.

잡채 Japchae is one of Korea’s more representative party dishes. You’re almost guaranteed to run into japchae at a Korean house party. It’s popular among foreigners too because it’s not spicy. It’s basically a combination of glass noodles, veggies, mushrooms, and thinly sliced beef all stir-fried in sesame oil. The Chinese character for “잡(雜)” means “mix” while “채(菜)” means “vegetables”. Although japchae is technically a side dish, it sometimes can be passed off as a main dish as well. Chinese restaurants serve japchae over rice as a main dish. Although japchae is full of flavor, it’s not as difficult to make as one would expect. There are slight variations of japchae including those that have seafood in it. The beauty about japchae is that you can be a bit creative when you make it.

주도 The Korean culture is very big on drinking. There are unspoken rules one should follow when drinking in Korea. One of the most important rules is to refrain from pouring your own drink or allowing someone else to pour theirs. The second you see an empty glass, you should immediately offer to refill it. Now this is where another rule comes into play. Use both hands to pour a drink for someone who’s older than you or who you’re not that close with. This is also the case when you’re receiving a drink from such a person. The only time this rule doesn’t apply is when you’re with your close friend or when you’re significantly older than the other person. In extremely formal situations, you may even want to turn your head away from the table when drinking. Last but not least, Koreans are known to make a lot of toasts when they drink.

소주 I would say that the ultimate, most representative drink in Korea is soju. Soju is a clear alcoholic drink made from sweet potatoes. You could drink soju all night long, and it would still be cheaper than one bottle of hard liquor. It’s about 1, 000 won in stores and maybe 3, 000 to 4, 000 won at bars or restaurants. Its alcohol content is somewhere between roughly 17 to 25 degrees. So, it’s weaker than whisky, but definitely stronger than beer. Soju is drunk icy cold in shot glasses and goes well with many Korean dishes. People’s favorite is the combo of soju and samgyeopsal, or Korean-style grilled bacon. If it’s too strong for your taste, you can order flavored cocktail soju, which goes down a lot more easy. Some common flavors of cocktail soju are lemon, grape, apple, and pineapple.

해장 I’ve seen many Westerners drinking coffee or having something greasy to deal with hangovers. Korea has its own list of hangover remedies. First off, there are little tonic bottles sold in stores that you can take before drinking to ease the aftereffects. If those don’t do the trick, there also drinks to knock down the next morning to help sober up. Other age-old remedies are having Korean-style stews or soups. The most typical one is haejanggook. Haejanggook literally means “hangover relief soup” and helps to soothe your stomach after drinking. They come in various forms including the likes of spicy pork rib stew, blood pudding soup, bean sprout soup, and dried Pollack soup. I usually dump a bowl of rice into the soup, which is served in a piping hot clay bowl.

Korean Places

한국의 지리적 위치 Korea is a peninsula in eastern Asia. North and South Korea is separated by the armistice line at the 38 th parallel. A strip of land between the two countries serves as a buffer zone. It is called the demilitarized zone, or DMZ. It is one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world. Even the surrounding oceans are claimed by each country, divided by the Northern Limit Line. Speaking of oceans, there are three seas that touch Korea. To the west is the Yellow Sea, to the east is the East Sea, and the East China Sea is down south. Because these oceans are shared with the neighboring countries of China and Japan, there are territorial disputes over some of the islands in them. A case in point is the Dokdo Islets, which Korea and Japan both claim ownership over. Korea is also known for its mountains that cover 70 percent of the peninsula.

비무장 지대 The border between North and South Korea is one of the most heavily militarized in the world. The demilitarized zone, or the DMZ, is a strip of land between North and South Korea that serves as a buffer zone between the two countries. The area between the fences on each side is off limits to humans. The area is very dangerous as it is still covered with landmines. With no humans around, though, it has become a haven for wildlife. As a matter of fact, there are plans to keep it as a nature reserve even after reunification. Foreign tourists are come to the DMZ to get guided tours. The DMZ was also the site for one of Korea’s most successful movies, JSA.

서울의 고궁 Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, remarkably wellpreserved pieces of history lie in the heart of Seoul. The “Five Grand Palaces” were built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty and offer the perfect getaway from modernity. The five palaces are Gyeongbok Palace, Deoksu Palace, Changdeok Palace, Changgyung Palace and Kyung-hee Palace. Gyeongbok Palace used to be the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty and is often considered the grandest palace of them all. It covers a lot of ground and boasts a beautiful pavilion. Deoksu Palace is especially known for its stone-wall road, statue of King Sejong the Great, and beautiful architecture that has a touch of Western influence. Meanwhile, Changdeok Palace is arguably the nicest, reportedly having been many of the kings’ favorite palace. Its architecture blends perfectly with its surroundings and the secret garden of biwon is definitely a must-see.

세종로 Sejongno is the busiest boulevard in Seoul. Its downtown location and importance in history make it Seoul’s most prominent street. It is surrounded by important buildings. The government complex, Sejong Culture Center, American Embassy, Kyobo bookstore, and the Donga Ilbo Newspaper buildings are all on Sejongno. Most important of all, at the far end of the boulevard is Gyeongbok Palace, which was where the royals used to live in the Chosun Dynasty. A famous Sejongno landmark is the statue of the Korean general Yi Sun-shin, who bravely fought against the Japanese invasion in history. Recently, a statue of King Sejong the Great was erected at Gwanghwamun square, which is also on Sejongno is also where millions of Seoulites poured out onto the streets to cheer for the Korean national team in the 2002 World Cup.

인사동 Sejongno is the busiest boulevard in Seoul. Its downtown location and importance in history make it Seoul’s most prominent street. It is surrounded by important buildings. The government complex, Sejong Culture Center, American Embassy, Kyobo bookstore, and the Donga Ilbo Newspaper buildings are all on Sejongno. Most important of all, at the far end of the boulevard is Gyeongbok Palace, which was where the royals used to live in the Chosun Dynasty. A famous Sejongno landmark is the statue of the Korean general Yi Sun-shin, who bravely fought against the Japanese invasion in history. Recently, a statue of King Sejong the Great was erected at Gwanghwamun square, which is also on Sejongno is also where millions of Seoulites poured out onto the streets to cheer for the Korean national team in the 2002 World Cup.

과천시 First established as a municipal city in 1986, Gwacheon is located on the outskirts of Seoul in Gyeonggi province. In fact, it’s so close to Seoul that it uses the same telephone area code 02. Gwacheon is most famous for its major governmental administrative center. The city is set against the backdrop of the majestic Gwanak and Cheonggye mountains. It is also home to many landmarks such as The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul Land, Seoul Grand Park, The National Gwacheon Science Museum, and the Gwacheon Horserace Park. Especially during the spring season, the Seoul Grand Park is a must-visit location filled with beautiful cherry blossoms. For these reasons and more, Gwacheon is often noted as one of the best places to live in the country.

한강 다리 The Han River runs through Seoul from the East to the West, and flows into the Yellow Sea. The Han River is about 514 kilometers long, and spans more than a kilometer at its widest point. Currently, twenty-seven bridges intersect the Han River, allowing buses, cars, bicycles and people to cross. Subway lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 also cross the river via the bridges. The western most bridge is called the Ilsan Bridge, and the eastern most bridge is the Paldang Bridge. Seongsu Bridge became infamous when it collapsed in October of 1994 due to poor construction, killing 32 people. It was rebuilt in August of 1997. Banpo Bridge is well-known as the only double-deck bridge. The bridges that cross the Han River create a magnificent view at night as they are lit up with beautiful lights.

숭례문(남대문) Sungnyemun was originally completed in 1398 as the southern gate of the city walls that once surrounded Seoul. This well-known landmark was designated as Korea’s National Treasure No. 1 in 1962. However, it was burnt down by an arsonist in February of 2008. Koreans everywhere watched helplessly for hours as the structure was completely burned down. Two years after its destruction, the reconstruction of Sungnyemun began this past February. The gate will be restored as close to its original form as possible. The walls on both sides of the gate will also be extended. The restoration work will be conducted using traditional construction methods and tools. The workers will also be wearing traditional Korean hanbok. The restoration is set to be completed by 2012.

Korean Economy

한국의 경제 성장 Korea has been known to be one of the world’s fastest growing economies during the past few decades. It’s no understatement to say that Korea’s economy went from nothing to a force to be reckoned with internationally. After the Korean War in the 50 s, the country was left in ruins. However, in the following six decades, many Korean brands such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG have become household names all around the world. That’s not to say that there were a couple of serious hiccups along the way. For example, Korea had to ask for help from the IMF during the Asian financial crisis in 1997. Korea’s economy posted a minus growth of 6. 9% in 1998. However, the country bounced right back up to grow 9. 5% in 1999 and 8. 5% in 2000. More recently, in the aftermath of the global recession that hit 2008, Korea recovered relatively quickly. Korea’s GDP posted a 6. 1% growth in 2010 and is projected to grow 4. 6% in 2011.

IT 강국 Korea has been leading the pack when it comes to the global IT industry. The technological advancements made by our domestic IT companies are quite outstanding. One big reason Korea has become a global IT powerhouse is that Koreans are very tech-savvy. Many Koreans are truly early adopters. Korea’s cell phone usage is a good sign of the nation’s IT growth. Having a cell phone in Korea is considered a given. Smart phones are fast on that track to becoming just as popular. We can’t forget that Korea also has the fastest Internet connection in the world. The nation’s high-speed Internet penetration rate is also the world’s highest. That’s probably why there are so many bloggers and social networking site users.

한국 화폐 Korea’s official monetary unit is the won. There are coins for 10, 50, 100, and 500 won denominations. For larger denominations, there are bills for 1, 000, 5, 000, 10, 000, and most recently, 50, 000 won. Each note can be differentiated by its color and design. The 1, 000 won note is blue with a picture of the well-known Confucian scholar, Lee Hwang. Another Confucian scholar, Lee Yulgok, is printed on the orange 5, 000 won bill. One of the greatest kings of all, King Sejong the Great, is printed on the green 10, 000 won banknote. In June of 2009, the 50, 000 won banknote was introduced, featuring Lee Yulgok’s mother, Shin Saimdang was the first woman to be printed on Korean currency. She was a prominent writer, calligrapher, and artist during the Joseon Dynasty.

자동차 산업 Korea’s automotive industry currently ranks fifth in the world in terms of production. That’s quite an astonishing ranking for a relatively small country that has made cars for a little over three decades. It’s also remarkable that Korean auto companies are faring very well when major car companies around the world have been struggling in recent years. In the past, Korean auto brands used to be typically considered the small fish in the big pond up against major Japanese, American, and European brands. However, as of late, people have been taking notice of the improving quality of Korean cars. There are five domestic auto companies: Hyundai Motors, Kia Motors, GM Daewoo, Ssangyong Motors, and Renault Samsung Motors. These companies do more than just assemble cars. They are one of main engines of the Korean economy.

철강 산업 One of the major locomotives of the Korean economy is the steel industry. In some ways, it can be considered the backbone of the booming shipbuilding and automobile industries in Korea. Without steel, how can ships be built and cars be manufactured? To meet the needs of these other industries, the government built the POSCO steel mill in the 1970 s. There are currently two steel mills belonging to the company located in Pohang and Gwangyang. The steel giant played a role in the gradual growth of Korea’s steel industry. Korea was ranked sixth in the global steel industry as of 2009. Zoning in on the big players of the industry, as of 2010, POSCO is the fourth largest steel producer in the world. In 2010 alone, Korea’s total steel production grew to 52. 5 million tons.

조선업계 One of the driving forces of the Korean economy is the shipbuilding industry. Korea is home to seven out of the top ten shipbuilding companies in the world. These companies have helped Korea become a shipbuilding powerhouse. The industry really started to expand in the early 90 s when shipyards tripled their shipbuilding capacities. Korea eventually attained leadership of the market in the late 90 s. The country’s success was achieved through government subsidies, highly advanced technology and the strong work ethics of the labor force. Korea’s shipbuilding yards are also noted to be highly productive and efficient. Unfortunately, there is strong competition coming from countries like China. Regardless, Korea’s still one of the top players in the shipbuilding industry.

디스플레이 패널 산업 One of the main engines of the Korean economy is the display panel industry. Display panels are used in so many of our everyday devices. Your cell phone, computer screen, PDA, TV, laptop, and tablet PC all require display panels. In this digital and electronics era, demand is higher than ever. Korea is not just a major player in this industry, but the number one manufacturer of LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and PDPs (plasma display panels) in the world. It’s not like Korea has hit its peak either. Experts forecast that the panel parts industry is expected to grow to $130 billion by 2017. The Korean-produced OLEDs (organic lightemitting diodes), which are installed in cell phones and other portable devices, are also expected to blow up even more than now. The government hopes that the country will control 45% of market share by 2017.

Korean Weather

삼복더위 There are three days called sambok that mark the dog days of summer in Korea. Sambok is in accordance with the lunar calendar, so the dates are slightly different every year. We have the first dog day, chobok, the second called joongbok, and the third called malbok. There are ten days between each dog day for a total of 20 days of scorching heat. Koreans take a very unique approach to cooling off on these days. Rather than enjoying something cold and refreshing, it’s customary to eat piping hot foods. Koreans believe that the best way to beat the heat is to “fight fire with fire”. Basically, if the inside of your body feels hot, than the outside will feel a bit cooler. A popular dish that Koreans eat on sambok is samgyetang. It is the Korean version of chicken soup filled with nutrients great for restoring vitality.

장마철 The monsoon season, called jang-ma, brings lots of rain to Korea in the summer. The rainy season hits Korea during the months of June and July. In fact, Korea gets more than half of its annual precipitation during this time. What happens is a wet weather front forms from the collision of the North Pacific Air Mass down south with the Okhotsk High up north. The air from the south is warm and moist, while the air from the north is cooler. The severity of precipitation varies depending on the strengths of the cool and warm air masses. Heavy rainfall is often accompanied by thunder and lightning. The areas typically hit hardest are the southern coastal belts. Korea must brace itself for potential damage from typhoons during this time.

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이현석 동시통역사, EBS 방송 진행자 유학 대비 영어 특강 Presenting Korean Culture and History in English 중앙공무원교육원(과천) koala 22@dreamwiz. com www. twitter. com/hyunsuk 96 www. facebook. com/hyunsuk 96