Issue #18 Jan 17 2014
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
http://can-ottawa.mofa.go.kr newsletter@koreanembassy.ca
"If 3-year economic innovation plans are carried out successfully, the potential growth of the Korean
economy will jump by 4%
and our per capita income will exceed $30,000"
-President Park Geun-hye January 6, 2014
Culture Corner
Recruiting New e-Reporters for the ‘Korea-Canada Blog’
Due to the great success of the 'Korea-Canada 50th Anniversary Blog', the Embassy has decided to continue the blog indefinitely and will re-launch the site as the ‘Korea-Canada Blog’. To that end, the Embassy is recruiting new volunteer e-Reporters who have a passion for Korea-Canada relations and are committed to contributing stories on a regular basis. If you are passionate about Korea and are dedicated to reaching out to the online community, we would like to invite you to join the ‘Korea-Canada Blog’!
Kim's Convenience
'Kim's Convenience', written by Korean-Canadian author Ins Choi, is an award-winning play about intergenerational clashes in a Korean-Canadian family, set in a Korean-owned convenience store in Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood. It is a play based on Mr.
Choi's own personal experience, thereby giving it a feeling of integrity and authenticity. It is being performed at the NAC Theatre in Ottawa from January 22 - February 8, 2014.
Korean Animated Film Opens in North America
'The Nut Job' is a 2014 Canadian-Korean-American 3D computer animated comedy film. The movie depicts the adventure of Seolli, a
squirrel, and his friend, who hatch a plot to rob a nearby nut store to help feed the starving rodent community in anticipation of winter.
It is expected to open in 3,000 theaters in North America, making it the biggest release ever for a Korean movie. It is also the most expensive animated film co-produced in Korea, according to Korea's culture ministry.
Political Affairs
President Emphasizes Economy and Unification
President Park Geun-hye held her official New Year’s annual press conference on January 6 and expressed her will to promote economic innovation and to improve both inter-Korean relations and the welfare of the people. “I will spend the new year making every effort to help the economy take great strides forward and to bring vitality and growth to the country and the people,” said the president at the press conference.
Joint Remarks by Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se &
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se participated in a ROK-US Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry on January 7. The two sides discussed a range of issues, including ways to develop the ROK-US alliance, situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and strengthening a global partnership.
Assessment of North Korea’s 2014 New Year's Address
Last year North Korea claimed that the policy of confrontation should be discarded and the path of reconciliation, national unity, and reunification should be pursued. However, North Korea continued to hinder inter-Korean relations with its nuclear test, military threats, unilateral suspension of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, and slanderous verbal attacks.
Economic Update
Samsung Electronics Announces First Canadian R&D
Centre
Samsung Electronics, a global leader in innovation in consumer electronics and IT technology, announced the opening of its first Canadian R&D Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. The exciting new venture will focus on developing Samsung’s enterprise security solutions, while also providing global technical support for the company’s diverse B2B customers.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
30
Jan
Korean Movie Night
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea cordially invites you to join us at our 15th Korean Movie Night on Thursday, January 30th at 18:00.
The title of the critically-acclaimed film is 'Punch' and it was released in 2011, earning a top box-office position for the year. The screening will take place in the auditorium at the Embassy, located at 150 Boteler Street in Ottawa. Light refreshments will also be served. We look forward to seeing you there.
Read more
VISIT KOREA
EPIK and TaLK Programs
Gain international teaching experience through two nationally recognized public school programs supporting and strengthening English education in South Korea: English Program in Korea (EPIK) and Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK).
Find out more
Working Holiday Program
Korea has bilateral Working Holiday Visa programs with seventeen countries worldwide, including Canada. This program allows you to have an extended holiday, immersing yourself in Korean language and culture, while supplementing your funds with short-term work in Korea.
Find out more
DID YOU KNOW?
The Korean Flag, meaning Taegeukgi, represents peace and purity. The red and blue circle illustrates yin and yang, and together represent the principle of movement and harmony. Each trigram represents one of the four classical elements: heaven, earth, water, and fire.
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