Korea aims to earn $10b from tourism next year

Korea aims to attract 7.5 million inbound travelers and rake in $10 billion in profits next year through a marketing push despite the economic slump, the Korea Tourism Organization said yesterday.

By facilitating the tourism industry, it hopes to help the nation survive the economic crunch and create new jobs, the organization said.

Korea enjoyed relatively prosperous tourism this year, with the tourism deficit volume expected to shrink by half from $100 billion last year.

In a report to President Lee Myung-bak at Cheong Wa Dae on its 2009 plans, KTO explained that the marketing will focus on fostering high-end tourism products such as medical travel.

For this, the organization has cooperated with such corporations as Herbal Life and Amway to bring in 35,000 and 13,000 travelers, respectively.

Medical travel refers to attracting foreign nationals to visit for the purpose of medical treatment that could range from plastic surgery to health checkups.

The tourism organization said it will also take advantage of the weakening won to lure in travelers through expansive campaigns.

To promote domestic travel and support municipal economies, KTO said it will work to replace overseas travel demands, especially among honeymooners and golfers by developing high-quality local tourism packages.

More than 10,000 travel-related signposts will be replaced nationwide, while inventing new ways to promote special local dishes.

The year 2009 will also focus on endorsing "green travel" by developing new travel items connected to the country`s four major rivers and other cultural assets. They would also include the demilitarized zone, Suncheon Bay and Upo swamp.

Regions with competitive green travel destinations, meanwhile, will be promoted as part of the "Slow City" movement.

The Slow City movement was started in 1999 in Italy, when the mayors agreed to define the attributes that define a slow city.

Slow cities generally must meet a 54-point charter that outlines the goals of the movement.

Candidate cities must have less than 50,000 residents and be willing to work toward accomplishing such measures as promoting organic agriculture, urban revitalization and historic preservation, among other things.

KTO has established a new team to take charge of green tourism.

To create new tourism-related jobs, the organization said it will vastly expand youth internship programs for various international conferences held in Korea. About 5,000 youths are likely to benefit from the new measure. The organization`s overseas offices will also offer employment information at their base countries for job seekers here, it said.

One of the largest investment plans by KTO is creating a tourism complex in Hwawon, Haenam, of South Jeolla Province as well as a resort in Mount Naejang in North Jeolla Province. More than 79 percent of the investment budget for these regions will be enacted within the first half of next year.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced a plan to develop premium tourism content, most of which overlaps with the organization`s report to the president.

The Seoul government aims to attract 10 million travelers from overseas, creating value added worth 1 trillion won as well as 390,000 new jobs by 2012. This will enable Korea to become the world`s 20th-ranked travel and tourism competitive country by that year, from its current rant of 35, according to the ministry.

By Lee Joo-hee

(angiely@heraldm.com)

[출처 : 코리아헤럴드]

Is SKT Dominance Under Threat?

By Kim Tong-hyung

Staff Reporter

SK Telecom is the biggest fish in the mobile telephony pond, but bitter rivals complain that the company's dominance has more to do with its exclusive use of a ``quality spectrum'' rather than successful business strategies.

Now the government is moving to end SK Telecom's monopoly, allowing KTF, LG Telecom and a possible fourth wireless operator to access low-frequency bands from 2011, although it bears further watching whether the new licenses will be enough to change the equation.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC), the country's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, said it will redistribute 40 megahertz (MHz) of bandwidth between the 800 MHz and 900 MHz frequencies to the smaller carriers to use for third-generation (3G) or other advanced wireless services.

The licenses will be handed out next year, the KCC said, with the carriers enabled to use the spectrums in July 2011, bringing an end to SK Telecom's monopoly of the 800MHz frequency band, which dates back to 1984.

The government will retake 20mhz from SK Telecom, which currently uses two blocks combining 50MHz with 800MHz frequency bandwidth. The company's current 800MHz frequency license expires in June 2011.

The other half of the available bandwidth comes from the 900 MHz frequency band, which is currently used for FM radio and public operations.

The spectrum up for grabs enables better voice quality and coverage than the 1.8 gigahertz (GHz) frequency bandwidths used by KTF and LG Telecom.

The lower frequencies have superior coverage and stronger wave diffraction, allowing signals to travel better through interfering objects such as hills and buildings, and the smaller carriers were required to invest more in base stations and repeaters to compete with SK Telecom.

The government hasn't decided how to redistribute the spectrums, although an auction a likely solution despite resistance from KTF and LG Telecom.

``We believe that the KCC's plans to redistribute the low-frequency bands may improve efficiency in the use of radio frequencies and improve the environment for fair competition,'' a KTF spokesman said.

The inevitable has become a reality for SK Telecom, but the top mobile carrier will look for compensation by acquiring more bandwidth within the 2.1 GHz frequency currently used for third-generation (3G) services.

With more mobile-phone users switching to data-enabled handsets, both SK Telecom and KTF are in need of more 3G bandwidth, and since LG Telecom returned its 2.1 GHz licenses after giving up on WCDMA, there is some room left to mingle.

KTF is planning to use its cut in the low-frequency band mainly to support its 3G network, and is pressing policymakers to hand out the licenses as quickly as possible to build the new network.

LG Telecom, the smallest of the three carriers, is planning to use the newly acquired bandwidth for fourth-generation (4G) services. In a news conference earlier this month, LG Telecom chief executive Jung Il-jae said the company plans to start commercial 4G services in 2013 after completing a nationwide network.

Although it's too early too tell how 4G would look, it's roughly thought as advanced wireless technology that provides data download speeds that are three to six times faster than the 14.4 megabytes per second (Mbps) to 3G services.

WiMAX, backed by companies such as Intel and Samsung Electronics, and Long Term Evolution (LTE), finding support among European vendors and wireless carriers, are the two competing technologies in the 4G standards race.

However, the smaller wireless carriers may find competition from cable system operators, who are looking for growth beyond the saturated pay-T.V. market and moving into mobile telecommunications.

An official from the Korea Cable Television Association (KCTA) said interest among cable operators to access the low-frequency band is high.

``Reallocating the spectrums to existing carriers wouldn't mean much, and it would be better to give new carriers the advantage in picking bandwidth to promote competition in the industry and lower consumer rates,'' said Seong Ki-hyeon, the KCTA's secretary general.

[출처 : 코리아타임스]

Best places for New Year

Ringing in the new year never seemed so mixed in emotion. While it is a relief to end a troubled year filled with economic and political whirlwinds, it seems next year is also likely to bring vast changes and hiccups with the unwinding of the financial crisis.

Nevertheless, the end of one year and the start of another is the perfect opportunity to reflect and restore hope.

To this end, the Korea Tourism Organization has selected four lesser known spots across the nation that are worth a visit to watch the first sunrise of 2009 and make New Year`s resolutions.

Under the theme, "places that will make your dreams come true," the KTO chose Samcheok of Gangwon Province, Uljin of North Gyeongsang Province, Anyang of Gyeonggi Province and Goheung of South Jeolla Province.

Here are a few details of what you can find there.

Samcheok,

Gangwon Province

Samcheok boasts one of the country`s best sunrise views. Drive through the 4 km Saecheonnyeon road along the east coast. The "tower of wish" located next to the Saecheonnyeon road is a popular rest stop for couples and families to write up their New Year`s resolutions on the rocks that make up the tower.

Also in Samcheok is Yonmun rock situated inside the Jukseoru tower, which is said to be overseen by the spirit of King Munmu of the Silla Dynasty.

Haeshindang temple in Sinnam village is also a famous praying spot for couples wishing to have children. Other travel destinations in Samcheok include Jangho Port, Hwanseon cave, dating back some 500 million years, and a tour along Daegeum cave.

A good dish to have during the trip is Samcheok`s famous moray soup. For information on Samcheok, call the city`s tourism division on (033) 570-3545-3846.

Uljin, North

Gyeongsang Province

In the southern beach of Uljin, there is a pavilion named Weolsongjeong.

Go through a thick forest and reach the beach, where you will see the two-story arbor.

The east side of the pavilion affords excellent views of the sea and the sunrise, where travelers can stopover to make a wish. The pavilion was reportedly frequented by artists of the Silla Dynasty.

Other recommended stops in Uljin include the ports of Hupo and Jukbyeon, where one can enjoy king-crabs. Spa services are also available at hot springs of Deokgu and Baekam.

For children there is a museum for fresh-water fish and the Seongryu cave.

For information, call Uljin county office at (054) 789-6903.

Anyang,

Gyeonggi Province

Closer to Seoul is Anyang City. Just 4 km from Anyang`s downtown is the Catholic holy place of Mount Suri, where the grave of Saint Choi Gyeong-hwan (1805-1839), father of Korea`s second priest Choi Yang-up, is located. The house of Choi is preserved and is also used as a church.

The area is quiet and surrounded by mountains, making it a good spot to take a walk and meditate.

Other destinations in the region include the Dolsuk Museum of Ceramic Wares, and the Anyang Art Park where the works of renowned Korean and foreign artists are on display.

Hiking up Mount Gwanak also gives spectacular views of the city.

For more information, call the Catholic Holy Place (031) 449-2842, or Anyang City Hall (031) 892-2064.

Goheung,

South Jeolla Province

Namyeol beach in Goheung, Jeolla Province, offers a breathtaking view of the archipelago of the Southern Sea. Standing on the white-sand beach and watching the sunrise, one will feel encouraged to change in the new year.

After watching the sunrise, a visit to Mount Palyeong, and the thousand-year-old temple of Neunggasa is recommended. The town is also home to Naro Space Center, where Korea`s first satellite was launched. For information, contact Guncheong country office (061) 830-5305.

By Lee Joo-hee

(angiely@heraldm.com)

[출처 : 코리아헤럴드]

France to Kick Off Working Holiday Program for Koreans

By Kim Se-jeong

Staff Reporter

One year of working and traveling in France officially begins for Koreans from Jan. 1.

And those who wish to make sure they get a visa had better hurry, for it will be the first 2,000 applicants who will receive one.

The Working Holiday Program, signed between Korea and France early this year, is available to everyone between 18 and 30 years of age.

What makes the program more appealing is that there are no language requirements.

Unlike countries that demand language skills, "There's no language requirement to apply. It is to work and to travel," Jean-Yves Lavoir from the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Development Partnership told reporters in Seoul earlier this month.

Applicants are expected to submit documentation including health insurance and proof of 2,600 Euro in support funds, but a complete list of detailed requirements isn't yet available, and the embassy staff told applicants to contact the French consular office in Seoul.

Lavoir, head of the ministry's professional immigration international affairs, reiterated the program doesn't suit those who wish to study in France.

"For those who wish to study in France in the future, I wouldn't recommend the working holiday program," Lavoir said.

The permit will expire within a year meaning participants must leave the country regardless of their status.

Furthermore, participants are forbidden from studying at any higher institute of higher education while participating in the program, he emphasized.

He added students with student visas would now have many advantages during their post-graduate period, being allowed to work.

The Working Holiday Permit is part of an upheaval within the French government, spearheaded by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to attract more professional immigrant workers and effectively control illegal immigration.

Under the refined immigration policy, international students ― non-EU students enrolled in French high education ― are now given a six-month period for job-hunting in their fields of study and a year to work.

And their status can be renewed after a year, sometimes transferable to a "Skills and Talent" permit, depending on the level of their skills and professions. During their study, students are permitted to work a maximum of 80 hours per month.

Three-year Skills and Talent permit is aimed to facilitate the life for foreign skilled workers and their families, and one can renew it endlessly.

Another new immigration policy is the "Intra-company transfer" permit, aiming at facilitating the mobility of workers who are with international groups or companies.

For example, Korean workers of Samsung, LG, Daewoo, or French companies who are sent to France to work for a few years, would benefit from the permit, which will allow visa holders to stay three years ― currently one year ― and they are renewable.

Lavoir said they are a strong gesture from the French side that it would welcome not only tourists but also workers who wish to work legally in France.

France marks the first European country with which Korea operates the program. Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada are the four existing partners, and the Work English Study and Travel (WEST) Program with the United States will commence next spring.

France has also agreed to working holiday permit with Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand, making Korea its fifth working holiday partner.

The French Embassy can be reached by calling (02) 3149-4300 or emailing consulat@ambafrance-kr.org

[출처 : 코리아타임스]