Korea is a completely different world. And when we say this, we are not exaggerating - these 10 shocking facts about Korea and Koreans will change your idea of normality!
In Korea, the counting of years at birth traditionally starts at one year. Therefore, if a Korean tells you that he is 25 years old, you need to subtract one year and you will get the real number of years. In addition, it is customary to calculate age not by birthday, but by the change of year - for example, a child born in December will already be a year older in January. And one more caveat: the countdown begins not from the birthday, but three months after it. Thus, the child spends the first nine months in the womb, and after another three months he is already a year old.
Under no circumstances should you write the name of your Korean friend in red ink, as he will think that you wish him dead. A signature in red ink can easily ruin any gift, even a very valuable one.
In terms of working hours, Koreans are second only to the Japanese. It is common practice here to work 14 hours a day. Corporate traditions are such that the company where an employee works is considered his family, and many literally live at work. Very often, men come to a real family only to spend the night.
Valentine's Day in South Korea It is called Red Day, and it is customary to give gifts on this day only to men. Girls are waiting for White Day, which is celebrated on March 14th. In addition, Koreans have not forgotten about bachelors - for them there is a Black Day, which is celebrated on April 14. On this day, the latter please themselves by dining alone on traditional Black Day noodles with black sauce.
In Korea, traditionally, the oldest person receives the most respect in society. It is customary to listen and follow the example of elders. Therefore, a mother may prohibit her 30-year-old son from dating a girl, for example, because she is of a different nationality. And often parents make dates for their children, who, due to a busy school schedule, lose all communication skills with the opposite sex.
If in Europe they have already stopped looking askance at men leaving a spa or nail salon, then in Korea a man with light makeup is a common sight. What exactly is this? Koreans pay attention to their appearance - so much so that many men resort to cosmetics. How to do makeup famous personalities, as well as ordinary citizens trying to please their boss or make an impression at an interview.
In business centers, cafes, restaurants, hospitals and clinics you can find modern toilets, the seats of which will warm you during the entire time you are in the restroom. Often, due to the large number of people who want to sit in the toilet and because of the large number of people who do not want to get up from a warm seat, real queues arise. There is evidence that in some places they even organize an electronic queue for the toilet.
Strictly speaking, this is not news. The tradition is still alive, but modern Koreans are increasingly abandoning this habit in favor of more cosmopolitan food. In addition, for Koreans, eating a pet is as wild as eating dogs in the eyes of a European. Only meat of a certain breed is eaten. So now you know that dogs are not only eaten in China.
This number is considered unlucky, even if you use it in combination with others. Therefore, many hotels and business centers exclude the numbering of the fourth floor from the elevator panel, as well as 14, 24, 34, 42, etc. Often the fourth floor is replaced by floor 3A. They try not to mention the number 4 during family holidays or when one of the relatives is sick, it is difficult to find it in phone numbers and on business cards, the value of real estate can fall by several tens of thousands of dollars just because there is a four in the address.
In Korea, there is a belief that a fan running above a bed can lead to the death of a sleeping person, and there are supposedly even reports of 20 such cases. One way or another, the Consumer Protection Society has issued a warning that sleeping with a fan on is dangerous to life. If we analyze the situation logically, the ban does not seem meaningless, since a fan, unlike an air conditioner, does not affect air quality in any way. Meanwhile, summer in Korea is hot and humid, so it is quite uncomfortable for cores to be with the windows closed.
The demilitarized zone is an area 4 km wide, dividing the Korean Peninsula into approximately two equal parts: northern and southern. It was officially recorded on July 27, 1953. The DMZ is the last remnant of the Cold War, the second to last being the Berlin Wall, which was destroyed on November 9, 1989.
Citizens of South Korea are prohibited from entering the North, and northerners are prohibited from entering the South. In fact, a piece of land 4 km wide. belongs to neither one nor the other. But here is the only place where delegations of both countries can meet - the village of Panmunjom. The structure for negotiations is designed in such a way that southerners and northerners each sit on their side of the peninsula, without crossing the border.
A symbolic sculpture has been installed on the territory of the DMZ: two families are trying to connect the halves of a disintegrating ball, in the section of which there is a map of the Korean Peninsula.
At the moment, 17 underground passages are known, dug from North Korea to South Korea. In 1978, a particularly large tunnel with a length of 1635 m was found at a depth of 73 meters. 30 thousand heavily armed North Korean soldiers in full uniform can overcome it in an hour and exit only 44 km. from Seoul. Today the tunnel is a safe place for tourists to visit - a concrete wall has been installed exactly on the border with its northern neighbor.
For those who want to look at North Korea, the Dorasan observation platform was built on the territory of the DMZ: if you look closely, you can see the city of Kaesong from here. A common economic zone was once created on its territory. 15 South Korean companies located their high-tech (peaceful!) production there, and North Koreans contributed in the form of labor. But after another test of North Korean missiles this year, the island of peace was closed.
The most northern station on the territory of the South Korean Peninsula - Dorasan railway station. Its appearance confuses all tourists: ticket office, gift shop, waiting room - everything functions perfectly. It feels like you can buy a ticket and go to Pyongyang. Southerners are confident that the station will not forever remain an extreme point and will again connect not only South and North Korea, but also the Korean Peninsula with China, Russia and Europe.
The people and government of South Korea are very eager to unite with the brotherly people, so much so that officials have already been appointed who will take office immediately after the unification of the two Koreas.
Have you ever been to Montmartre in Paris? This is a real street mecca French cuisine: roasted chestnuts, vanilla-flavored waffles, the thinnest pancakes with Nutella, world-famous baguettes with various fillings...
Well, Korean street food cannot even compare with European street food - you will not find such variety anywhere else. You come to Myeongdong in Seoul (it’s something like our Moscow Arbat) and drown in culinary polyphony...
Going to Korea and not trying street food is the same as coming to Minsk and not trying potato pancakes with sour cream, being passing through Kyiv and refusing borscht with dumplings... In general, a gastronomic crime! Today we will talk about those street dishes that every self-respecting tourist should try.
Kimbap, Korean rolls, is the easiest way to have a tasty and inexpensive snack. Usually the roll contains 4-5 favorite colors of Koreans - red, green, yellow, white and black. Looks very cheerful. Kimbap differs from Japanese rolls in that often a beaten egg, fried like a pancake, is used as a filling. And kim (algae) does not envelop the roll like a snail, but only “bandages” it from the outside.
Tteokbokki is a spicy rice flour cake (similar to a dumpling) that is usually simmered with vegetables and gochujang hot sauce. By the way, for Koreans, the spicier the tteokbokii, the tastier it is, as, in fact, with all other food. So be careful and don’t look at the Korean schoolchildren who happily snack on it on the street and don’t spew fire - they’re used to it.
So meat lovers will like kkochi. It’s also perfect for soju (this is Korean vodka, although it’s not very strong). Chicken pieces fried over a fire, served with a variety of sauces: sweet and sour, spicy... You will definitely come back for more.
If you come to Seoul in winter, don’t miss the wonderful carp-shaped pies (punoppan). Their floury interior hides an unusual red bean filling, very popular in Korea. Real jam!
And in the summer, phatpinsu is especially popular - a dessert made from ice flakes, again red beans, various fruits, rice flour cakes with filling and ice cream, all this splendor is generously poured with syrups and cream. They also sell ice cream cones on the streets (sometimes up to 30 centimeters in height - eating such a masterpiece alone is a real challenge). And exotic lovers can try ice cream in huge corn tubes.
Oh yes, we almost forgot about the manta ray. Simply put, manti. Koreans also love them very much. Only, unlike ours, the filling is based not on meat, but on vegetables or noodles. They are prepared from a variety of ingredients: wheat and buckwheat flour, pumpkin, fish, meat, vegetables.
In general, if you drink it in St. Petersburg, then you definitely have it in Korea. Come visit us, we will be glad to see you!
The National Tourism Organization of Korea (NOTK) took part in the 24th Moscow International Exhibition MITT “Travel and Tourism”, which was held from March 14 to 16, 2017 at the Expocenter Fairgrounds. Most of the South Korean stand was dedicated to the features of medical (health) tourism, which last years is gaining great popularity and has high potential in the international arena.
As part of the MITT exhibition, representatives of 17 leading Korean clinics worked at the stand: plastic surgeons and cosmetologists, specialists in the field of modern and traditional medicine. Among the doctors are real world luminaries: Kim Ha-neul, rehabilitation doctor of oriental medicine, doctor medical sciences, chief physician of the international clinic of the center of Korean medicine "Jasen", Kang Yong Lee, professor of colorectal surgery, head of the department for improvement and quality management of medical services at the medical college of Yonsei University and other eminent doctors.
In addition, doctors made presentations as part of a medical seminar, which took place at the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University on March 17.
Part of Korea's stand was also dedicated to the 2018 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Pyeongchang, Korea. The capital of the Olympics is part of the province of Gangwon, whose representatives could be seen at the Korean stand. In order for visitors to be able to plunge deeper into the atmosphere of the upcoming Olympics, an interactive structure equipped with virtual reality glasses was installed at the Korean stand: everyone could feel like a real skier.
“Discover your Korea!” – this is one of the slogans of our stand. We put a lot of meaning into these words, because we are sure that Korea is such an amazing and multifaceted country that everyone will find something of their own in it: beautiful historical sights, the possibility of quality treatment, business connections, sports resorts, amazing gastronomy,” says Ekaterina Lopukhina, marketing manager of the Moscow representative office of NOTK.
Reference
National Tourism Organization of Korea was founded in 1962 and currently has 26 offices around the world.
MITT– the largest international tourism exhibition in Russia, annually gathering the best representatives tourism business Russia and the whole world. It has been held since 1994 and has been awarded the sign of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). For 20 years, industry experts have recognized the MITT exhibition as the main event of the country's tourism industry.
The wonderful aromas of Korean cuisine attract tourists not only from neighboring Asian countries, but also from all over the world. What's so special about it? Let's figure it out.
The basis of the basics of Korean national cuisine is rice, or “pub” in Korean. And not a single meal is complete without numerous snacks (“panchhan”). Sometimes there are so many of them that tourists, dazed from satiety, are surprised that 5 more options for “second” and “third”, dessert and even compote await them!
The most famous Korean dish is kimchi - pickled Chinese cabbage. Travel the length and breadth of the Korean peninsula and you will not find two identical kimchi. A comparison with borscht is begging: how many housewives - so many tastes. Kimchi is a hot, spicy snack that can whet the appetite of even the most sophisticated gastronomic tourist.
Kimchi also has its own worthy competitor– white Korean radish (“kaktuggi”). It has been noticed: as soon as this dish appears on the table, tourists become like Pavlov’s dog. By the way, they don’t eat dogs in Korea for a long time; even in Seoul you won’t find such establishments during the day.
The second “gastronomic myth” is Korean carrot(in Korean “koryo-saram”). The legendary snack, which is sold in all supermarkets in our country, has nothing in common with Korean national cuisine- This is a dish of “Soviet Koreans”. The fact is that the Koreans deported to the USSR really missed their native kimchi, and in the country of the Soviets with Chinese cabbage it was tight, so they invented a kind of replacement for it from what they had.
But let’s leave the country of victorious socialism and return to Korea. There is a fundamental rule in gastronomic tourism: eat what the locals eat. But every rule has an exception, in our case it is “bibimbap”. The dish is boiled rice, on which vegetables and fried meat are laid out, then mixed and generously seasoned with hot gochujang pepper paste. Simply put - spicy pilaf.
But you can devote an entire poem to Korean soups. These are real works of gastronomic art. Imagine a cauldron. Mentally put a chicken carcass in it, fill it with rice, garlic, generously sprinkle with seasonings and add ginseng root as a “cherry”. Yes, yes, just a piece of root - you can’t go wrong. Fill it all with aromatic broth, add fresh herbs, throw in a couple of chestnuts. Now eat. Yes, all this splendor is for you alone - the national Korean soup “samgyetang” is ready.
If soup is a poem, then Korean beef is a four-volume novel. Try bulgogi and you will forever become a hostage to this delicious dish. Close your eyes and imagine: thinly sliced pieces of marbled beef, pre-soaked in a sweet marinade consisting of soy sauce, honey, green onions and garlic, fried over fire until golden brown. Can you smell it? How are you still not impressed? Then here’s a fact for you: beef grown in the fields of the country of morning freshness costs 2 times more than beef imported from Australia. And this, for a moment, is 10 hours by plane!
So pack your bags and head to South Korea the next time you want to try something special. Gastronomic ecstasy guaranteed!
Fact 1: Kimchiiiiiz!
When Koreans take pictures, instead of the “syyyyr” that Europeans are used to, they say “kimchiiii.” And not a single photo is complete without traditional Korean gestures: “piss” or a heart on the top of the head.
Fact 2: Fun arithmetic
A newly born baby is considered nine months old by Koreans, and a three month old baby by European standards is considered one year old.
Fact 3: Hey, what did you eat?
When meeting a friend, it is customary for Koreans to ask their interlocutor about his age, and when meeting a friend, it is considered good form to ask, “How did you eat today?”
Fact 4: Sit down and sit!
A Korean employee will never leave the office before his boss, even if he is at work until midnight.
Fact 5: Protectionism the Korean way
Koreans do not have the right to hire a foreigner unless they can prove that the required specialist is not available in their country.
Fact 6: South Korea? No, we haven't heard
Koreans call their country “Hanguk,” which translates as “First State.”
Fact 7. They like it hot
Koreans practically do not salt their food, but they never skimp on pepper.
Fact 8: Big Boss is watching you
Residents of the country of morning freshness calmly leave expensive phones, tablets, wallets on restaurant tables, and do not even lock their cars. And all because in Korea it is very rare to steal, since there are cameras everywhere. It usually takes only a couple of hours to apprehend a thief who stole someone else's iPhone.
Fact 9: All cities are like cities, and Vladivostok is European
Vladivostok in South Korea is considered a European city.
Fact 10: Capital Capital
Seoul is transferred from Korean language as "capital". Original, right?
A year later, in February 2018, the XXIII Winter Olympic Games will start in South Korea. The successor to the crowned Sochi will be the city of Pyeongchang, located in the Gangwon province, famous for its ski resorts. Pyeongchang has nominated itself three times to host the Winter Olympics. In 2011, it beat out the French Annecy and the German Munich and was chosen by the International Olympic Committee as the capital of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Interestingly, unlike France and Germany, where residents opposed the Olympic Games, Koreans enthusiastically embraced the idea. It must be said that they had serious motivation: Gangwon-do province is considered one of the laggards in the country - its infrastructure is far from ideal, and the Olympics will help improve it.
Korea has already hosted major sporting events twice: in 1988, the country hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, and in 2002, the FIFA World Cup (together with Japan). The head of the Organizing Committee of the 2018 Olympic Games, Lee Hee-beom, is confident that if the 1988 Olympics was a turning point in turning Korea into an attractive country for tourists, then the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang is designed to take Korea's attractiveness for tourists to a new level.
The largest and most interesting infrastructure innovation concerns the construction of a new railway. Now the journey from Incheon International Airport to the Olympic venues takes more than 4-5 hours by bus, and from Seoul at least 3 hours. In the second half of this year, high-speed rail trains will be launched to connect Seoul and Pyeongchang - the journey will take only 70 minutes, and from Incheon to Pyeongchang can be reached in 110 minutes.
The leadership of the Olympic Committee hopes that the 2018 Olympics will allow winter sports in Asia to reach a new level, and the high-speed railway will work for the benefit of tourism development: tourists from Singapore, Malaysia and other nearby countries, for whom snow is a wonder, will flock to Pyeongchang. also Europeans and Americans. By the way, the Olympic slogan Passion. Connected meets this vision perfectly: the passion for winter sports truly unites.
In addition, 12 new facilities were built specifically for the Winter Olympics in Korea, which are planned to be tested in 26 test competitions, most of which have already taken place successfully. According to Mr. Bohm, the results of tests conducted by international experts showed high quality snow and tracks.
Certainly, summer olympics In many respects, 1988 cannot be compared with the upcoming winter season. Most of its facilities were built from scratch and subsequently, after the event, large costs were required to maintain the built infrastructure. As for the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, most of the sports facilities were already functioning successfully at the time the decision was made to hold the Olympics, and the management of the 2018 Olympic Games is confident that the new Olympic facilities will not only be actively used, but will also become a catalyst in the promotion of Asia and South Korea, in particular , as a convenient and high-tech place for winter sports.
Drawing on the accumulated experience of the 1988 Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the organizers plan to surpass the success of these two events, both in terms of payback and in terms of raising the prestige of South Korea among visitors from around the world.
About what attractions and festivals to visit in Gangwon Province and Seoul, what authentic dishes to try, at which ski resorts to try out new skis during the Olympics and at other times, read the following articles on our blog. Do not miss!
In the meantime, check out our fascinating infographic dedicated to the Olympic Games 2018
The XXIII Winter Olympic Games will start in February 2018 in the Korean city of Pyeongchang. Very soon, tourists from all over the world will go to the land of morning freshness to not only watch the Olympic Games, but also enjoy the multifaceted Korean culture, taste national delicacies and forever be imbued with love for Asia. We took this opportunity to talk with the Head of the Department for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games of the National Tourism Organization of Korea, Park Cheol-hyun, about preparations for the Olympics.
Mr. Park, please tell us about how Korea is preparing for the Olympic Games?
The construction of the stadiums is going according to plan and is currently in its final stages. Test competitions are held one after another to check and improve the performance of finished objects. We strive to make the facilities as convenient as possible for both athletes and spectators.
Construction of the Ice Arena in Gangneung (a city in Gangwon Province), which will host short track speed skating and figure skating, ended in December last year, and at the moment the test competitions have already been successfully completed.
The Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium and other facilities are 96.4% complete. Olympic Plaza, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held, the International Broadcasting Center (IBC) and other supporting facilities are scheduled to be completed by September and we are currently on schedule.
Of the 12 stadiums (7 in the mountain cluster, 5 in the coastal cluster), 6 are under construction, and 6 additional stadiums are being built. As of February 2017, the average progress rate for the construction of all 12 stadiums is 96% (progress for the construction of 6 new stadiums is 98%).
Since the countdown began on February 9, the Olympic torch relay has started, ticket sales for the competition will soon open, and events dedicated to the countdown to the Olympics will be held in Korea and other countries.
Why was it so important for your country to host the Olympics (PyeongChang was nominated 3 times)?
Gangwon Province, where Pyeongchang is located, lagged behind other regions of the country in terms of infrastructure. Residents of the province hoped that hosting the Olympics would allow the region to reach a new level.
Winter Olympic sports were less popular than summer sports, but thanks to the success of figure skater Kim Young Ah, interest in winter sports began to grow in Korea. We will increase the potential and status of Korea in winter sports through the use of high technology during the Winter Olympics. The Korean government and the entire nation are now working to rediscover the world of Korea, known from the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
What hopes do you have for the Olympics? How will it affect the tourism industry?
At the national and regional level, hosting the Olympics will primarily help strengthen the country’s brand; Korea will have the opportunity to join the ranks of developed countries and strengthen diplomatic relations through sports.
An important goal is the uniform development and dissemination of innovative infrastructure throughout the country: construction of roads, railway systems, stadiums and related infrastructure. Since preparations for the Olympics began, a large number of jobs have been created. Increasing the value of the local brand will provide an opportunity to increase private investment, as well as qualitatively improve the development of the recreation and sports industry.
In 2016, 17 million 240 thousand people visited South Korea, this figure is a record. Our goal for 2018 is 20 million tourists.
How do you assess the economic efficiency of the upcoming Olympics?
The economic efficiency of holding the Olympics in Korea, according to the Hyundai Center for Economic Research, is estimated at USD 56.6 billion. The direct effect of investments in the Olympics (construction of stadiums, organization of a transport system, housing construction, increase in consumption, etc.) will be USD 18.4 billion, indirect effect (increased influx of tourists, improved image of the country, etc.) - USD 38.2 billion.
Are you familiar with the Sochi experience? Will you be using it in any way?
The Olympics in Sochi cemented the title of Russia as a cultural power in the minds of viewers around the world, showing not only beautiful nature, but also history and centuries-old traditions. It should be noted that thanks to thorough planning and powerful state support Sochi, previously known as a summer resort, has been reborn in a new capacity - a resort that is attractive to tourists all year round.
I heard that the mountains where the mountain cluster stadiums were located had an excellent view of the sea. And from Olympic Village the ice arena could be reached by bus in just 15 minutes. I also know that it was cold on the ski slopes in the mountains, but down in the coastal cluster it was quite warm, which ensured comfortable viewing of the competition.
Using the experience of Sochi, we plan to raise the status of Korea on the international stage, demonstrating our magnificent culture and traditions, arts, cuisine, and modern technologies. We will also organize a variety of cultural events after the Olympics to increase the attractiveness of PyeongChang as a tourist city.
Please tell us more about the new technologies that were used in the preparation of the Olympic venues?
The Gangneung Speed Skating Stadium is the country's first structure without central pillars, and it is also the country's first indoor stadium with "theater" seating in a zigzag shape, providing perfect review from any point in the spectator stand.
We are the second in the world after Calgary (Canada) to build an indoor training complex for sports such as bobsleigh, skeleton (97 m track), luge (64 m track).
At the Union Hockey Center in Gangneung, for the first time in the country, each of the spectator seats (9,310 pieces) in the back will be equipped with a heating source, which will ensure the most comfortable viewing of the competition.
During the construction of the tracks of the Alpensia Luge Center, we replaced the usual technologies with factory ones, which allowed us to reduce the construction time to 18 months. We also increased the efficiency of artificial ice production.
How do you plan to use the facilities after the Olympics?
Sports facilities are the main legacy of the Olympics; they become an important part of local culture, tourism, and economy. We will actively develop them after the games are over.
Previously, there were precedents when, due to insufficiently competent management of large sports facilities, financial difficulties arose for states and local governments after the competition.
However, an extensive exchange of experience in organizing large-scale sporting events between Korea, China, Japan and Russia will make the practical use of the Olympic venues in Pyeongchang more effective.
Korea is known for its mild climate, will there be any problems organizing the Olympics in such weather conditions?
In February, when the Olympics begin, average temperature in Korea is from -8 to -3 degrees, so holding competitions in mountain sports, such as skiing, which will be held in Pyeongchang, will be comfortable. On the other hand, in Gangneung, where the coastal cluster is located and the ice competitions will be held, the climate is much milder, the temperature in February is above zero.
The climatic and geographical features of Pyeongchang and Gangneung, which will host the Olympics, made it possible to clearly divide the territory into clusters. We hope that athletes and spectators will enjoy the competition in venues appropriate to the nature of the competition itself.
Will doping tests be tightened due to recent events?
The Korean Government and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee are in ongoing discussions with the IOC on doping program issues relating to the operation and management of the doping control center, recruitment and training of personnel, improvement of the quality of sample analysis, development of the doping control plan, and ongoing thorough preparation to comply with WADA rules.
The doping control center will be located in Pyeongchang, and we also plan to place one doping laboratory at each of the Olympic venues. We plan to appoint the most experienced doping officers to control during test events in order to improve their level.
How do you assess your athletes' preparation for the Olympics? Are you in contention for gold medals? In what sports?
There is only a year left before the start of the Olympics. And I am very glad that in the latest winter sports competitions our athletes showed good results. At the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships held in Gangneung last December, our athletes competed with Victor Ahn (Ahn Hyun Soo), and therefore the interest was enormous.
The Korean team this time expects 8 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze medals and 4th place in the medal standings. The total number of gold medals in short track and speed skating that we are counting on is 7. This is not an easy task at all, but we believe that hosting the Olympics in our country will allow athletes to show the best results.
What new sports will be included in the 2018 Olympics program?
For the first time, the Olympic program will include snowboarding big air competitions. As far as I know, big air is the most popular competition all over the world. For the first time in Asia, such competitions were held in 2009 in Seoul. Recently, as part of test competitions, we held the Snowboard World Cup in Big Air, and now we are trying to hold as many quality training infrastructure and services for the convenience of athletes.
What sports are most popular in Korea?
Korea performs well in speed skating, short track speed skating and other ice sports, which ensures great popularity among fans. Figure skating is especially loved, thanks to the success of athletes Kim Young Ah and Cha Jun Hwan.
Thanks to good achievements in recent international bobsleigh and skeleton competitions, Koreans have become interested in these sports. We also expect that sports that are little known in Korea, such as skiing, snowboarding, curling and others, will be appreciated and become popular in our country.
How many guests is the country ready to receive at the Olympics? Tell us where they will be located, will additional facilities be built for this?
Providing comfortable and pleasant accommodation and food along with improving and expanding the tourism infrastructure will revitalize the economy of the region, at the moment we are at the stage of improving this system.
In the cities where the games will be directly held - Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, Gangneung, as well as Yangyang, Wonju, Sokcho and others located within an hour's drive - there are about 5,000 hotels, which amounts to about 85,000 hotel rooms. The Organizing Committee plans to complete the construction of 21,000 rooms for participating teams, IOC and IPC representatives, journalists and other Olympic participants by the end of 2017.
By the end of 2017, it is planned to launch direct KTX rail service on the route Incheon Airport - Pyeongchang - Gangneung. If now this journey takes about 4-5 hours, then KTX will allow you to get there in 1.5 hours. The Korean government provides full support to the Olympic cities of PyeongChang, Gangneung and the surrounding regions with the aim of transforming them into popular tourist areas where you can relax throughout the year. Just a 2-hour plane ride from PyeongChang, 1 billion Asians live. Considering the scale economic development Asia, as well as population growth, PyeongChang has the potential to become a winter sports mecca in Asia.
Also, for the convenience of tourists, we are developing a special mobile app, through which you can get all the necessary information about housing, nearby attractions, restaurants and cafes, transport and much more. Information on the app will be available in Korean, Chinese, English and Japanese, avoiding inconvenience that tourists may encounter.
What would you advise those who come to watch the Olympics to visit, besides the Olympic facilities?
In addition to the Olympic venues, Gangwon Province has 18 interesting cities. Important tourist attractions include the one-of-a-kind Demilitarized Zone, the Changneung Royal Tomb in Yongwol-gun County, a World Cultural Heritage site, and the city of Taebaek, popularized by the TV series Descendants of the Sun.
In Gangneung, you can visit the birthplace of the poetess Heo Nansolheon, Ojukheon, where the artist Sin Saimdang lived, as well as a former coal mine, now a museum.
It is worth highlighting business card Gangwon Province - the ancient Buddhist temple of Woljeongsa, whose history goes back more than 1000 years, as well as a path in the fir forest that leads to this temple from the very first temple gate. The picturesque grounds of the temple, as well as the Templestay program held there, will allow tourists to look inside themselves and give peace of mind.
Exactly one year later, in February 2018, the XXIII Winter Olympic Games will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Now in Korea, preparations for the Olympics are in full swing: the construction of facilities is currently 96% complete, and test competitions are being held to check and improve the performance of finished facilities.
Korea, famous for its innovative technologies, brought them to the Olympic venues. For example, the Koreans were the second in the world after Canada to build an indoor training complex for bobsleigh, skeleton and luge competitions. The speed skating stadium in Gangneung (a city in Gangwon Province, one of the tourist centers of South Korea) became the first structure in the country built without central pillars.
In the run-up to the Olympics, the Korean authorities have taken the currently pressing issue of doping seriously: the Korean Government and the PyeongChang Organizing Olympic Committee are constantly negotiating with the IOC on doping issues, trying to comply with WADA rules.
According to the Head of the Department for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games of the National Tourism Organization of Korea, Mr. Park Cheolhyun, 17 million 240 thousand people visited South Korea in 2016, and 20 million tourists are expected in 2018. In cities located near the Olympic capital, there are now about 85 thousand hotel rooms, and it is planned to build another 21 thousand by the beginning of the Olympics.
“By the end of 2017, it is planned to launch direct railway service KTX (Korean High Speed Railway) on the route Ncheon Airport - Pyeongchang - Gangneung. If now this journey takes about 4-5 hours, then KTX will allow you to get there in 1.5 hours,” said Mr. Park.
According to the Hyundai Center for Economic Research, the economic efficiency of holding the Olympics in Korea is estimated at USD 56.6 billion.
Mr. Park also believes that holding the Olympics in Korea will allow local athletes to show the best results and count on 8 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze medals and 4th place in the medal standings.
Reference
Pyeongchang applied to host the Olympics three times, this time the city beat out the French Annecy and the German Munich. South Korea's application reached the final vote three times: in 2014, Pyeongchang lost only 4 votes to Sochi, and in 2010 it was 3 votes behind Vancouver, Canada.
Gangwon Province, where Pyeongchang is located, lagged significantly behind other regions in infrastructure development. Unlike the French and Germans, who opposed the Olympics, the Koreans happily accepted this opportunity, hoping that hosting the Olympics would allow the Gangwon region to reach a new level and become an international ski resort.
And we invite our readers today to feel like passengers on the Seoul-Busan train, albeit under more pleasant circumstances. And our guide on the trip will be the President of the Busan Regional Tourism Office, Sim Jong-Bo, who will tell in detail about the features of Korean railway communication.
Mr. Sim Jong-Bo, please tell us what type of transport do Koreans prefer to use? How do they usually get to Busan? Are the high-speed trains to Busan popular with foreigners?
Koreans' transport preferences are the same as in most countries: they usually travel short distances by subway or city buses, and for travel outside the city they use trains, planes, high-speed and suburban buses. To travel to Busan, you usually choose high-speed trains because the journey takes only 2.5 hours.
Foreigners, of course, more often fly to South Korea by plane. As of September 2016, 800 thousand foreigners arrived in Busan by plane, 600 thousand by sea transport and another 800 thousand by other means of transport, including by train. Since Busan has convenient access to Incheon International Airport, many foreigners travel from Busan to Seoul and back by rail.
Please tell me what type of train is shown in the movie "Train to Busan"?
In the movie "Train to Busan" you can see the KTX high-speed train, which can accommodate 930 passengers. It can reach speeds of over 300 km/h. Today, KTX trains make 133 trips per day on the Seoul-Busan route.
What interesting things can you tell us about the history of Busan Railway Station? How long has it been around? What is its passenger flow? Where do Busan residents go most often to travel? How many personnel are employed in servicing the station? How often do the trains run?
The official opening of Busan Station took place on January 1, 1905, but due to severe fires the station burned to the ground. As I already said, many of the city’s attractions are located not far from it. I also recommend that you take part in one of the many excursion tours, you can purchase a ticket for which you can directly at the station building.
On average, the station's passenger traffic is 60,000 people per day. Busan Station has a staff of 100 people.
You can buy a train ticket directly at the nearest station ticket office, through the KoRailTalk mobile application and on the company’s official website (English, Chinese and Japanese languages). I would recommend that you buy your ticket online to avoid queues and unexpected situations.
Are there any special features at Busan Station?
The main advantage of Busan Station is that it is very convenient to get to the main attractions of the city, such as Haeundae and Gwanalli beaches and the Jagalchi fish market.
The director of the film "International Market", which was watched by more than 10 million viewers, does not leave Busan Station indifferent. It features famous attractions such as Yeongdo Bridge, Hinyeul Cultural Village, Songdo Beach and Gamcheon Cultural Village. I highly recommend taking the train to Busan Station. This is where you can see Korea's past, present and future all at once.
According to sources, Daegu and Daejeon stations were involved in the filming of the film. Can you tell us something about them? How far are they from Busan?
Daegu is a metropolis that is considered the third largest regional center after Busan and Ulsan. The time it takes to get there will depend on the type of train. For example, KTX will take you to Daegu in 50 minutes, and to Daejeon in 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you are planning to go to KTX, be sure to visit these two cities.
Daegu is not only the largest industrial city in the Republic of Korea and the center of Buddhist culture, but also the country’s oldest transport hub (it acquired this status back in 757, when the Yeongnam Great Road ran through Daegu, along which travelers from Seoul to Busan moved). Daejeon is also a major industrial city and a center of modern Korean art and technology. Located near Daejeon ancient city Pue and resort area Yuseong, where the annual medicinal hot springs festival takes place.
Are there any bonuses for foreign tourists when traveling by train to Busan?
For foreign tourists there is a special travel ticket from the Korail company (korail pass). The travel document is the most profitable with economic point vision: it provides the owner with an unlimited number of trips and transfers within a pre-selected travel period. To find out more about the types of passes, prices and other information you are interested in, please visit the company’s official website (www.letskorail.com). The site is available in English.
Where would you advise a person visiting Busan for the first time to go?
Busan has so much interesting places that it would be very difficult to recommend just one. Since Busan is a maritime city, I advise you to go to the sea, in particular to the most famous and picturesque beaches - Haeundae and Gwanalli. There are a total of 7 beaches in Busan, which form a single coastline. Each of the beaches has its own charm. In addition to admiring the scenery, you can surf at Seongjeong Beach or sail on a yacht at Gwanalli Beach. The view of Busan at night from the sea is an unforgettable sight. I recommend that you take a night ride on a yacht along the coast and enjoy the view of the metropolis shining with lights.
On weekends, I usually walk along the Kalmet-Kil and Khepkharan-Kil walking paths. During these walks, I feel my mind and body heal and my mood immediately improves. In my opinion, the most charming thing about Busan, along with the cultural aspect of the city, is the combination of the sea and the coastal landscape.
Fact 1: Kimchiiiiiz!
When Koreans take pictures, instead of the “syyyyr” that Europeans are used to, they say “kimchiiii.” And not a single photo is complete without traditional Korean gestures: “piss” or a heart on the top of the head.
Fact 2: Fun arithmetic
A newly born baby is considered nine months old by Koreans, and a three month old baby by European standards is considered one year old.
Fact 3: Hey, what did you eat?
When meeting a friend, it is customary for Koreans to ask their interlocutor about his age, and when meeting a friend, it is considered good form to ask, “How did you eat today?”
Fact 4: Sit down and sit!
A Korean employee will never leave the office before his boss, even if he is at work until midnight.
Fact 5: Protectionism the Korean way
Koreans do not have the right to hire a foreigner unless they can prove that the required specialist is not available in their country.
Fact 6: South Korea? No, we haven't heard
Koreans call their country “Hanguk,” which translates as “First State.”
Fact 7. They like it hot
Koreans practically do not salt their food, but they never skimp on pepper.
Fact 8: Big Boss is watching you
Residents of the country of morning freshness calmly leave expensive phones, tablets, wallets on restaurant tables, and do not even lock their cars. And all because in Korea it is very rare to steal, since there are cameras everywhere. It usually takes only a couple of hours to apprehend a thief who stole someone else's iPhone.
Fact 9: All cities are like cities, and Vladivostok is European
Vladivostok in South Korea is considered a European city.
Fact 10: Capital Capital
Seoul is translated from Korean as “capital”. Original, right?
But even far beyond its borders there are those who are in love with Korean cuisine, music, films, and TV shows. In 2013 Boston Consulting Group appropriated South Korea title of the most innovative country in the world. This is quite good, considering that South Korea has existed as a state since 1948. And this country is full of interesting customs and facts.
Well, are you ready to test how much you know about Korea?
1. Seoul - capital South Korea. The city's population is about 10.5 million people. According to this indicator Seoul is on the 9th place in the ranking of the most populated cities in the world. (Read )
There are a huge number of amazing and interesting countries in the world that attract thousands of tourists every year from all over the planet. South Korea is no exception. In addition, it belongs to the influential countries of the world and is equal to Japan or China. South Korea boasts innovative inventions that are popular around the world. This is a young country that is constantly developing and keeps pace with technological progress. Not bad at all for a country that was only founded in 1948. Next, we suggest reading interesting and amazing facts about South Korea.
1.South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world.
2.If a crime occurs in South Korea, it is covered in local newspapers throughout the week.
3. The territory of this state is quite small, and therefore civilization is everywhere.
4.Baseball is the most popular sport in South Korea.
5. Golf ranks second among South Korean sports games.
6.Koreans like to wander through the mountains because it is their hobby.
7.90% of South Koreans are nearsighted, so they have to wear contact lenses or glasses.
8.Internet Explorer- this is the browser that is used in South Korea, which is why all the sites in this country are created for this browser and they may not work in another.
9. In South Korea, coffee shops can be found at every turn, because Koreans are great coffee lovers.
10.You can find free Internet in almost any institution in South Korea.
11. South Korea supports domestic producers with particular confidence.
12.Most important industry South Korea's economy is dominated by agriculture.
13. In South Korea, dental services are considered quite expensive, so residents of this country carefully monitor their oral health.
14.Koreans play an important role in studying, because they study from morning until late evening.
15.There is no vacation in South Korea.
16.In this country there are 2 main big holiday. This is New Year and Autumn Festival. On these days, Koreans rest for 3 days.
17. In South Korea it is rare to meet a person who is overweight.
18.Only presidents can fire teachers from South Korea.
19. A huge number of Korean women have flat butts and small breasts.
20. South Korean girls are confidently ready to show off their legs, but not their bust.
21. When graduating from college or school, most Korean women give themselves a gift: an eyelid or nose correction.
22. South Korean women know how to take care of their hair and their own skin, which is why it’s hard to imagine them without makeup.
23. Many people say that Korean women are much more beautiful than Japanese women, despite the fact that their beauty is artificially created.
24. In South Korea, everyone has a cell phone, even homeless people.
25. Despite the fact that South Korea is a clean country, it is rare to see an urn there.
26.Every resident of South Korea prefers to sing, so karaoke is their main hobby.
27.The height of shopping in South Korea begins around 7 pm.
28.Motels in South Korea are located next to churches.
29. Koreans are not allowed to bring a girl into their house, so there are many motels in this country.
30. Every guy, except the disabled, is required to undergo military service in South Korea.
31.South Korea has a cult of food.
32. Koreans, instead of asking about a friend’s life, ask: “Did you eat well?”
33.A resident of this country will say about every dish from South Korea that it is healthy.
34. South Koreans drink much more than Russians.
35.Every resident of Korea knows a hundred fun table entertainments.
36.25% of Korean women provide intimate services; they are prostitutes.
37.Korean married men cheating on their own spouses.
38. A huge number of women from South Korea who have a husband do not work.
39.Older women in South Korea have approximately the same appearance.
40. There are no stray animals in South Korea.
41.Foreigners in South Korea are divided into 2 types: English teachers and exchange students.
42. South Koreans prefer to sit on the floor rather than on a chair or sofa.
43.It is impossible to catch a Korean by surprise in the rain.
44.Korean music is mainly pop music.
45.Because of the rain, South Korea often experiences floods.
46.There are no squares in South Korea.
47. Many Korean bars offer snacks to go with beer.
48. When meeting someone, Koreans first ask about their age.
49. Young South Koreans make romantic relationships the same as in films.
50.Smoking is allowed almost everywhere in this state.
51.There are very few women who smoke in Korea.
52. In South Korea, almost no one is called by name.
53.South Korea is exactly that state that is located in the middle of East Asia.
54.The Korean language is the most original.
55.This state is one of the five largest car manufacturers.
56.South Korea is one of many states that are densely populated.
57.There are more than 20 national parks on the territory of this state.
58.All professional competitions in the video game segment originated in South Korea.
59.The Hangan is the longest river in South Korea.
60.Taekwondo, which is a martial art, also originated in this country.
61.Alcohol is a long-time enemy of South Korea.
62.To avoid seeming rude, shaking hands in South Korea follows the rules.
63.South Korea is a conservative state.
64.Before 1979, women's clothing was strictly controlled in South Korea. At that time, not only the length of the skirt was regulated, but also the length of the hair.
65.South Korea is famous for its theme parks.
66. In South Korea, a park of toilets was created, where a variety of things from toilets from different eras were presented.
67.Korea also has its own specifics, because bulls must drink alcohol before the fight.
68.South Korea is the most interesting country all over the globe.
69.Koreans are afraid of the color red.
70.South Korean students are distinguished by their extraordinary intelligence.
71.A huge number of South Korean restaurants deliver food to your home.
72.Korean men love cosmetics; they are just as obsessed with makeup as women.
73.Since 1998, a mud festival has been held in South Korea, which was initially considered a regular advertisement.
74.In South Korea, Valentine's Day is celebrated with a special twist. This day is dedicated to the representatives of the stronger sex.
75.In 1981, the country succeeded in creating the Korean Baseball Organization, which allowed young people to let off steam.
76.Blood in South Korea helps determine identity.
77.Seoul is the center of fashion and the capital of South Korea.
78.In Korea, the sizes of underwear, clothes and shoes are considered completely different.
79.Soju is the most favorite alcohol of Koreans.
80.The least popular procedure in South Korea is hair straightening in beauty salons.
81.It was the Koreans who came up with the idea of pushing a camera into the front of mobile phones.
82. Selfie also came from South Korea.
83.Residents of South Korea are ready to give a lot of money so that their child will become a doctor in the future.
84.Meeting Koreans holding hands on the street is a completely adequate phenomenon.
85.Koreans can laugh for hours without any particular reason.
86.In South Korea there is a park filled with sculptures of male genital organs.
87.Cellular communications in this country are not cheap.
88.You can always get free water in a South Korean canteen.
89. Koreans have difficulty pronouncing the letters “F” and “R”.
90. South Koreans, especially women, slurp at the table.
91. Koreans in the club do not dance, but jump.
92.In South Korea they love and treat tourists well.
93.Until 1960, Korea was considered one of the poorest countries.
94.There is practically no drug addiction in South Korea.
95.Dairy products are considered chic in this country.
96.The Dharani scroll, which was found in South Korea, is considered the oldest printed publication.
97.Koreans are obsessed with their own photos.
98. In South Korea, it is customary to treat elders well and greet even strangers.
99. South Koreans are the most hardworking people in the world.
