Korea will host a Group of 20 summit in November next year according to a decision reached at the third G20 meeting held in Pitts- burgh, President Lee Myung-bak said at a joint press conference in Pittsburgh on Sep.
25.
“The decision to have Korea host the November 2010 meeting was reached by the G20 leaders unanimously, thanks to Korean peopleís keen desire for it,“ Lee said.
Canada will host the fourth meeting in June 2010, and Korea will host the fifth. The previous three rounds were held in Washing- ton, D.C. (Nov. 2008), London (Apr. 2009), and Pittsburgh, in that order.
Hosting the meeting of the worldís most powerful economies, Korea will start playing a crucial role in the international economic
The National Foundation Day of the Republic of Korea
spheres.
Ahead of the G20 meeting, President Lee attended UN meetings in New York and had several bilateral summits from Sep. 20 to 24.
At a joint interview in Pittsburg, Presi- dent Lee emphasized the significance of the third G20 summit in the U.S. Lee said that global financial institutions had agreed to take full responsibility for the latest financial turmoil and that the G20 summit in the fu- ture would play a central role in uniting glo- bal efforts to recover from the economic cri- sis.
The President stressed that a balanced and sustained economic growth is important for the world economy to stay robust even after the financial crisis is over. He also em- phasized that Korea should actively support
Korea to host 5 th G20 Summit
the development of emerging economies and try to represent their voice at the future G20 summit meetings.
As to the Korean economy’s outlook for the remaining days of 2009, the President forecast that it would record a one percent contraction. The economy will mark about four percent growth in the following year, he expected.
Meeting with his key officials back in Korea, the President hoped that Korea’s hosting of the G20 summit in 2010 would work as a great opportunity to foster the country’s economic and political system as well as to promote the country’s enhanced national image abroad.
The United Nations Environment Pro- gram (UNEP), which is taking the lead in the Green Economy Initiative of the United Na- tions, has selected the Republic of Korea as the first case study in a series of policy analy- ses.
Korea has been recognized as an exem- plary country going well beyond the level recommended by the UNEP. The country has formulated systematic and bold investment plans in the area of green infrastructure, in- cluding the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project and the development of green tech- nologies.
The UN organization highly valued the fact that Korea is pursuing a policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of its green growth strategy. It also expected that the success of Korea’s strategy would bring about desirable changes in the economic system, thereby enabling the country to achieve growth and cope with climate change at the same time.
Korea’s green growth strategy is focused on sweeping reforms on a wide range of
policy prescriptions for a green economy, in- cluding deregulation as well as tax and fis- cal reforms. The successful implementation of such a strategy is expected to reap con- siderable results.
Executive Director Achim Steiner of the United Nations Environment Program an- nounced a UNEP Policy Brief at an interna- tional press conference held at 4 o’clock this afternoon at the Lotte Hotel, Seoul. This re- port introduces Korea’s green growth poli- cies and contains the UNEP’s evaluation.
As part of the Green Economy Initiative to seek policy directions for sustainable de- velopment in the wake of the current eco- nomic crisis, the UNEP published the Global Green New Deal Policy Brief (GGND) in March 2009. This general policy report recom- mended that countries around the world make bold investments in the infrastructure for a green economy.
As a follow-up to the GGND, the UNEP is now planning to publish policy briefs in- troducing and analyzing each country’s green economy policies. It has selected Korea’s Supplement of The Nation
UNEP Says Korea Is Taking the Lead in Green Growth in the World Economy
green growth initiative for its first analysis.
Noting that the Republic has become the first country to choose green growth as a core national development strategy, the policy brief introduces Korea’s concrete plans to realize the national vision. Among other things, the brief first delineates the Green New Deal policy laid out in January 2009 with the aim of surmounting the current economic crisis and creating more jobs. On top of this, it also presents the five-year green growth plans and strategy, which was announced as the mid- and long-term green growth mas- ter plan in July 2009.
In particular, the policy brief has spot- lighted the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, which is a key project of the Green New Deal and five-year plan. It also forecast that the successful completion of the project would enable Korea to secure sufficient wa- ter sources and, in turn, properly tackle wa- ter shortages and droughts caused by climate change.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said, “An increasing number of countries are embracing green investments as part of their economic stimulus packages. Particularly, green investments by Asian countries, includ- ing Korea, Japan and China, account for two thirds of the global total of such investments.
As such, these counties are now leading glo- bal green investments.”
He added, “Korea’s green growth strat- egy encompasses a wide range of areas, in- cluding new and renewable energy, waste management, transportation, fresh water management and forestation. The true sig- nificance of the strategy lies in the fact that it underscores policy goals that the UNEP hopes to share with countries around the world. They include the promotion of global economic recovery, transition to green econo- mies and new directions for development.”
Korea, a country located in the east end of Asia having four distinct seasons, has a fascinating historical legitimacy, cultural beauty, passion, and diversely characteristic people.
Seoul
Seoul, the capital of Korea for 600 years since the Joseon Dynasty, is a metropolitan city with a population of 10 million. Seoul is an attractive city, where the past and the present coexist, having hundreds of years old palaces, gates, and temples, together with high-tech skyscrapers, symbolizing active business of Korea. A 10-minute walk from City Hall will lead you to old palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, such as Gyeongbok Palace, Deoksu Palace, Changdeok Palace,
The Story of Korea
Message from the Ambassador of the
Republic of Korea
Cheong Gye Cheon in the heart of metropolitan Seoul.
Delegates at the G20 Meeting in Pittsburgh, USA, last September.
Today, October 3, 2009, marks the 4341st anni- versary of the National Foundation Day of the Republic of Korea. Today, the nation and people of the Republic of Korea, come together to celebrate the proud and shin- ing achievements that we, the Korean people, have made over a long span of history.
On this auspicious occasion, I would like to con- vey the warmest greetings from the Korean people to the great people of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Thai- land, as partners, have journeyed together for the com- mon cause of freedom, democracy and co prosperity.
This marvelous partnership, that was forged in war, has grown to be multifaceted relationships.
The degree of economic integration and interde- pendence between our two countries have been deep- ened and broadened over the years. The vibrant cultural and academic exchanges have immeasurably solidified and enriched the bilateral ties. The mutually beneficial partnership based upon common values and mutual interest have placed our relations on a stronger and higher plateau.
Now, the Republic of Korea and the Kingdom of Thailand have become a force for peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia and beyond. Our two countries are readier to take on added responsibilities for the com- mon good of humanity.
Our two countries are participating as responsible stakeholders in the evolving regional cooperative archi- tectures, such as ASEAN+3 and East Asia Summit. The two countries need to march forward to further enhance cooperation on the East Asian level.
The Republic of Korea will join hands with the King- dom of Thailand and other member states of ASEAN in helping generate the most successful outcome from the ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and East Asia Summit which Thai- land as the chair of ASEAN is going to host at Hua Hin from 24-25 October this year.
What is more, it is noteworthy that the first-ever Summit meeting between Korea and ASEAN was held on June 1-2 this year, in Jeju, Korea, while Thailand was serving as the chair of ASEAN.
The Summit was organized to commemorate the 20th anniversary of dialogue partnership between Ko- rea and ASEAN. Thailand as the chair of ASEAN contrib- uted in no small measure to the successful outcome of the Summit. The joint statement issued at the conclu- sion of the Summit serves as a blueprint for the partner- ship to move forward toward the next twenty years with the firm conviction to build a salient feature in the ever expanding relations.
During the Jeju Summit, Korea shared its strategy of Green Growth designed to achieve sustainable growth and cope with climate change at the same time.
Korea has been recognized by UNEP as an exem- plary country going well for taking the lead in the Green Economy Initiative. Korea has formulated systematic and bold investment plans in the area of green infrastruc- ture including the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project and the development of green technologies.
In particular, UNEP has spotlighted the Four Ma- jor Rivers Restoration Project, the successful comple- tion of which would enable Korea to secure sufficient water sources and, in turn, properly tackle water short- ages and droughts caused by climate change. Korea and Thailand have common interest in expanding Green Economy.
The partnership between our two countries has been conspicuous in pooling together our wisdom, political capital and diplomatic skill in trying to cope with the worst financial and economic crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s. The spirit of solidarity has brought our two nations to close cooperation within the framework of the Group of 20 countries in a global bid to address the on- going financial and economic challenges.
Now, the Group of 20 countries has been recog- nized as the premier forum for international economic cooperation and coordination. Korea will host the Sum- mit of the group of 20 countries in November next year.
Korea is committed to work with Thailand and other ASEAN member countries to develop and implement effective strategies that will ensure a sustainable and balanced growth of global economy.
Finally, I would like to wish His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej a long life, good health. May Thai- land continue to prosper and be peaceful under the reign of His Majesty for the benefit and happiness of the Thai people. And also may Korea and Thailand enjoy afflu- ence and prosperity, the ever-growing friendship and cooperation between our two peoples last forever.
October 3, 2009 Chung Hae Moon
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Thailand
Changgyeong Palace, and Gyeonghee Pal- ace.
Namsan Tower is one the major sym- bols of Seoul, and Cheonggyecheon, which was restored in 2005, is a stream that flows through the heart of Seoul. At Insadong Street, you can see art galleries and tradi- tional industrial art shops. Not only that, Seoul is surrounded by mountains, provid- ing beautiful scenery and nature.
Hangeul (Korean Alphabet)
Hangeul is a unique Korean alphabet, consisting of 10 vowels and 14 consonants.
When King Saejong and his scholars created Hangeul in 1443, Koreans could at last write down words as they pronounced them us- ing Hangeul, no longer having to use the Chinese alphabet, Hanja. Hangeul played an important role in developing and recording knowledge and cultures, and functioned as an easy and convenient communication means. Today, 70 million South Koreans and North Koreans, and 7 million Koreans living abroad use Hangeul.
Hanbok (Korean traditional costume)
Hanbok is the traditional Korean cos- tume handed down from thousands of years ago. Until western clothes were introduced one hundred years ago, Koreans wore
Sports
From the early times, Koreans have en- joyed playing traditional sports such as Taekwondo and Ssireum (Korean wrestling).
Taekwondo is the Korean national sport, which was designated as an official Olympic sport at the2000 Sydney Olympics. Korea became well-known to the international com- Hanbok in their daily lives. Men wore Jeogori
(Korean jacket) and trousers, and women wore Jeogori and skirts. Today, Koreans wear Hanbok on festive holidays like Chuseok (Ko- rean Thanksgiving day), or on special occa- sions such as weddings, and Hoigap (a person’s 60th birthday).
Hansik (Korean food)
The special thing about Korean food is that it is highly nutritious. There are many fermented foods. Korean foods are well known to suppress cancer. The most popular Korean food, Kimchi is made by fermenting salted cabbage. Koreans eat Kimchi at every meal. Kimchi has abundant vitamins and minerals. The best-known main dishes to for- eigners are Galbi and Bulgogi. Galbi is lean meat of short ribs roasted on a charcoal fire, and Bulgogi, known as Korean barbeque, is made by roasting fillet meat dipped for a time in a sauce made of soy source, sesame oil, garlic, and other dressings.
Other famous Korean dishes are Bibimbab, bean paste pot stew, naengmyeon (cold noodles), and Samgyetang (chicken broth with ginseng).
munity since successfully holding the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 World Cup. The Korean soccer team managed to be in the final four in the 2002 World Cup. Today, Ko- rean sports players are doing well in various international sports competitions such as baseball, golf, archery, shooting, table ten- nis, ski jumping, short track speed skating, figure skating, and swimming.
