KOREA TO SET UP ASEAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION
Tel: (04) 473-9073, Address: L11 ASB Bank Tower, 2 Hunter St, Wellington Email: researcher@koreanembassy.org.nz, www.koreanembassy.org.nz
KOREAN EMBASSY NEWSLETTER
21 November 2011
Korea will establish a mission dedicated to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Jakarta in Myung-bak said at the 2011 ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on 17 November. “In order to strengthen economic cooperation with the increasingly important ASEAN, I will dispatch an Ambassador to Jakarta who will deal
The ASEAN diplomatic mission is expected to be set up under the Korean Embassy to Indonesia in Jakarta where the ASEAN secretariat is located.
President Lee speaks at the ASEAN Business
& Investment Summit in Indonesia on 17 November
President Lee also said that he will make use of the free trade agreement
between Korea and ASEAN to achieve the US$150 billion bilateral trade volume
target earlier than the initially scheduled in 2015. The FTA between the two
took effect in 2007 and trade volume between Korea and ASEAN grew 13 percent
on average annually. ASEAN is Korea’s second largest trade partner after China
and the second largest investment destination after the European Union.
Ambassador Park meets with GNS Science officials on 17 November
On 17 November, Ambassador Mr Yongkyu Park visited New Zealand’s Earth, geoscience and isotope research agency GNS Science located in Lower Hutt. He had a meeting with Prof Alex Malahoff, Chief Executive and other GNS officials. They discussed about ways to cooperate on development of geothermal and renewable energy, mineral resources exploration, and Antarctic research through Korea's icebreaker, Araon.
During the discussion, the GNS Science officials mentioned that New Zealand has the fourth largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world, covering approximately 500 million sqm of the offshore area, and their oceans basins have significant amount of oil, gas and mineral reserves.
GNS officials also hoped that Korea would take a part in developing these natural resources.
Currently, Korea's Hyundai Hysco is participating in exploring oil reserves in Tarakani deepwater.
AMBASSADOR PARK VISITS GNS SCIENCE IN LOWER HUTT
[Left]: Mr Chung’s benevolence has been introduced by New Zealand media. The Press newspapers covered his story in December last year.
[Above]: Homeless poeple in Christchurch line up to receive free lunch.
A Korean kiwi living in Christchurch Mr Daniel (Shinkee) Chung and his family members are known as good samaritans. For the last four years, Chung’s family has been offering free meals to over 100 homeless people in Christchurch every Sunday. Mr Chung’s job is a taxi driver and his desire to help people started when he heard that two homeless people died at night.
Although he is not a millionaire or rich person himself, Mr Chung has spent his own money to help others in need every week.
On 14 November, Ambassador Park sent a letter to Chung’s family praising their benevolent activities that has enhanced the image of Koreans in New Zealand.
In the past few years, Chung’s story has been introduced a number of times by the New Zealand media. On 13 November, a national television programme NZ Stories of TVONE also broadcasted his moving story.
BENEVOLENCE OF A KOREAN COMMUNITY MEMBER IN CHRISTCHURCH
RECOGNISED BY AMBASSADOR PARK AND NEW ZEALAND MEDIA
A concert by the world renowned Korean soprano Sumi Jo will be held in Auckland at 7pm on 7 December. Praised for the remarkable ability, precision, warm voice, and for her outstanding musicianship, Sumi Jo has established herself as one of her generation’s most sought-after sopranos. She is consistently greeted with exceptional accolades, by public and critics alike, for her performances at opera houses and concert halls throughout the world. She has performed roles in La traviata, Bellini’s I Puritani, Fra Diavolo, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Rossini’s Il Turco in Italia and Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. In 2011, she celebrated her 25th anniversary of International Opera Debut.
This past season has seen Sumi Jo perform as Marie in La Fille du Regiment in Chile, and Elvira in I Puritani in Brussels and Amsterdam.
New additions to her repertoire in recent years have been Delibes’ Lakeme, Meyerbeer’s Dinorah and I Capuleti e i Montecchi. She has performed as part of the Olympic games in Beijing, a Christmas concert with Jose Carreras in Barcelona as well as solo concerts and recital tours in Asia, Canada, United States, Europe and Australia.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see her live accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra for one night only!
SOPRANO SUMI JO CONCERT TO BE HELD IN AUCKLAND
Date : 7 December Time: 7pm
(Times are approximate and subject to change)
Venue: Auckland Town Hall Ticket Price:
- Premium ($300.00) - A Reserve ($200.00 ) - B Reserve ($150.00)
SUMI JO GRAND CONCERT IN AUCKLAND
For ticketing, please contact the Korean Society in Auckland (09) 489-5700, or visit its website (www.nzkorea.org) or THE EDGE (www.the-edge.co.nz).
ENGLISH TEACHER POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN KOREA !
Have you ever wanted to teach English in Korea and experience the culture? The Korean Government is offering two kinds of English teaching positions in Korea; English Programme in Korea (EPIK) and Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK). Please check your eligibility to apply for the programme today!
(1) English Programme in Korea (EPIK)
EPIK is a programme offered by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which invites English speakers to gain teaching experience while sharing knowledge and culture with students and teachers of primary and secondary public schools in Korea.
(ELIGIBILITY): Applicants must be under 55 years old and have completed a bachelor's degree in any discipline, be a NZ citizen, and be fluent & proficient in the English language
(BENEFITS): Monthly salary (1.8~3 million KRW = approx. NZ$2,000~3,400 depends on experience and education), free single furnished housing (utilities not included), entrance allowance (1.3 million Korean Won) & settlement allowance (300,000 Korean Won), exit allowance (1.3 million Korean Won), severance pay (about 1 month's salary), paid vacation for 18 working days
For more information about EPIK programme or download the application form, please visit EPIK website (www.epik.go.kr).
(2) Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK)
TaLK is a Korean government scholarship programme that strenghthens public English education in rural areas of Korea. Over the past 3 years, about 2,000 individuals have been awarded the TaLK scholarship for teaching English to Korea's rural primary school students.
(ELIGIBILITY): (1) Nationality: NZ citizen, or Korean nationals with NZ permanent residency, or Korean nationals with temporary NZ residency who have resided for at least eight years and have completed primary and secondary education in NZ, (2) Education: Bachelor's degree candidates who have completed at least two years of undergraduate study, or associate's degree recipients, Recent four-year college graduates and graduate students, or overseas Koreans in their 1st or 2nd year of undergraduate study if they quality for the F4 visa
(BENEFITS): Round-trip air ticket, Accommodation, health insurance, one-month training to develop teaching skills, vacation leave, opportunities for cultural experiences, government scholarship certificate, KRW 1,500,000 (approx. NZ$1,700) monthly stipend, KRW 300,000 one-time settlement allowance
To apply online, please visit TaLK (www.talk.go.kr), or contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea
KOREA IN FOCUS
E
ducators who went to the 2011 Korean Studies Workshop in Seoul are unanimous about its highlights – the Korean people, the homestays with families, and a visit to the demilitarised zone.And – to their surprise – the university lectures.
Spreading the Word about Korea
Though some participants said they were initially less than excited about this part of the programme, the talks on topics such as Korean history, art and politics proved to be high points.
“I have to admit to not looking forward to this part of the experience, as my memories of lecture theatres are not favourites,” said principal Peter Ahern, from St Joseph’s School in Upper Hutt. “So you can imagine my reaction as I found myself engrossed in listening to the top-quality lecturers and the lessons they had to share.”
Ten principals and teachers travelled to Korea in July for the workshop, which is designed to expand participants’ knowledge of Korea, so they can then share that knowledge with their schools and wider communities.
That’s how it worked for Janine Irvine, the principal of Cornwall Park District School in Auckland. “Allowing me to be immersed in an Asian culture has sparked a much greater personal interest in Asia. I now want to find out more. And even though I have always believed that our children need to be Asia Aware, this workshop has given me a more solid foundation to build that on. It has also reinforced the idea that hands-on experiences are much better than words.”
Since returning, participants have found a diverse range of ways to share their experiences. Irvine chose to write about different aspects of her trip in the school’s newsletter and presented a slideshow to the school assembly. Her school is also looking at setting up a Cultural Appreciation Team, to help make sure that cultural awareness and appreciation is built into all programmes, as well as the school’s everyday life.
Janine Irvine, Lydia Chen and Kate Christie at a lecture at Yonggil High School
Others have brought Korea into the classroom by playing Korean music, using Korean greetings and sharing Korean folk stories. Long-term plans include creating teaching units on Korea, introducing Korean language lessons for students, and creating sister school relationships with Korean counterparts.
“More than anything, this workshop has instilled confidence in my ability to help our students become Asia-literate,” said Kate Christie, from Eastern Hutt School in Wellington. In 2012, the school will look at broadening its Asia Aware Framework – for example, by adding to the cultural festivals that it already celebrates.
Despite it being four months since the workshop, the educators are still turning to each other for support and suggestions.
“One of the fantastic things about the workshop was meeting other teachers and principals from throughout New Zealand. The professional discussions that we had, and still continue to have via email, have broadened my horizons,” said Carmel Jolly, at teacher at George Street Normal School in Dunedin.
For Ahern, the trip reinforced the need for New Zealand to strengthen its connections with Asia.
“The big question remains, why are schools teaching French and German rather than Korean and Mandarin at NCEA level? Korean and Mandarin would help our students relate better with these emerging powers in Asia, especially when it comes time for them to join the workforce.
“Asia is also a potential income stream for many New Zealand schools, and we need to be adjusting our curriculum and preparedness to better assimilate and understand their cultures.”
The Korean Studies Workshop was offered by Asia:NZ in partnership with Korea Foundation and Ewha Womans University, Seoul.
[Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation Article (21 November 2011)]
NZ and Australian workshop participants in traditional Korean dress.
