The Republic of Korea (herein after Korea) is a country visited by approximately ten million international travelers every year. With its long history in culture and tradition, the country has a lot to offer to travelers. Continue reading to learn general information about Korea before visiting.
Where is Korea?
The Korean peninsula, roughly 1,030 km long and 175 km at its narrowest point, has a total land area of 100,033 km2 and is located in Northeast Asia. With Seoul as its capital city, Korea is neighbored by Japan to the east, China to the west and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) across the northern border.
Culture
‘Hangeul’, Korean Alphabet
Hangeul, one of the most unique creations of Korea, was introduced in 1443 by King Sejong, the 4th king of the Joseon dynasty. To help all commoners to easily read and write this alphabet, Hunminjeongeum (meaning ‘Proper sounds to instruct the people’ in Korean) was created. The UNESCO inscribed Hunminjeongeum Haerye; The Hangeul Manuscript, on the Memory of the World Register in 1997.
‘Hanbok’, Korean Traditional Clothes
Hanbok is the traditional attire of the Korean people. Worn daily up until just 100 years ago, hanbok comes in various shapes and colors, reflecting the culture and lifestyle of the its time. Nowadays, it is only worn on special occasions or anniversaries. The core of hanbok is its graceful shape and vibrant colors, which have had a major impact on the modern fashion industry.
‘Hansik’, Korean Traditional Food
Hansik refers to traditional Korean food, centered on rice, served alongside a bowl of soup and a variety of side dishes. Most dishes use meat and vegetables as the main ingredients, boiled or steamed in brine or water rather than fried in oil, making hansik very healthy. Hansik's most outstanding feature is the fermented foods. The most well-known are kimchi (fermented cabbage).
‘Hallyu’, Korean Pop Culture
Korea has been risen not only in the field of technology and engineering, but also in the field of culture. Hallyu, which refers to the increase in popularity of Korean culture, has been expanded nationwide. Ranging in genres from K-pop to the larger Hallyu entertainment business and culture, Korea’s cultural influence has been increasing to Asia and to the world.
For tourism information, please refer the following websites:
Gyeongju, the city with two thousand years of history.
Gyeongju, located in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula, was the capital of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57-AD 935) for almost a thousand years.
The entire city was designated a National Park by the government in honor of the historic temples, ruins, monuments and artifacts that can be found throughout the area. Most prominently, it is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas, and the historic village of Yangdong.
Gyeongju embraces Buddhism, science, and vibrant ancient culture that blossomed by the artistry of the Silla people, and the great spirits of Hwarangdo that enabled the unification of the three kingdoms. Thus, Gyeongju is a UNESCO-designated city which should be preserved by the public. The evergreen spirit of Silla has been alive here for nearly a thousand years, and with that spirit, Gyeongju can be truly called as a museum without a roof.
These days, Gyeongju is a popular tourist destination for visitors from Korea and abroad who flock to see the famed foliage in the fall or cherry blossoms in the spring.
Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO)
HICO (Hwabaek International Convention Center)
Address
ZIP(38116), 507 Bomun-ro Gyeongju-si, North Gyeongsang Province
