Incheon Games seen as chance to promote country, redeem reputation in sports, boost ties with N. Korea

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok hopes to catapult the western port city onto the world map in the coming years. Although he is widely considered a close associate of the president ― a factor that carries much weight in local politics ― Yoo is faced with big tasks that range from handling the city’s 12 trillion won ($11.6 billion) debt and increasing investment in the free economic zone to successfully hosting the upcoming Incheon Asian Games. The Incheon mayor, however, is likely to have more than a

University of Utah president David Pershing (fourth from left) and Ghent University president Anne De Paepe (fifth from left) cut the ribbon at the joint opening ceremony on Monday at the Songdo Global University Campus in Incheon. Joining the two school chiefs are Han In-suk (third from left), president of the University of Utah Asia Campus; and Lee Jong-cheol (far right), commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. (University of Utah)With renowned universities opening up campuse

The Incheon Free Economic Zone has gained momentum through attracting foreign investment and international firms to the area, stepping closer to its goal of becoming a major Northeast Asian economic hub. The IFEZ, South Korea’s first free economic zone, has strengthened its foothold as an international business-friendly zone for knowledge and technology-based business, tourism and the service industry since it was designated in 2003. “It certainly has been transformed from empty reclaimed land i

With a diverse portfolio of international organizations, Songdo is seeking to become a leading business, tourism and logistics destination in Northeast Asia. Long known for its seaside amusement park, the reclaimed island is the linchpin of the Incheon Free Economic Zone, which, since its 2003 inception, has been grappling with budget woes, flagging foreign investment and a moribund property market. The launch of U.N. offices and other multinational bodies in recent years was deemed a much-neede

Traditional holiday customs scaled down as family values undergo changes

JANGSU, North Jeolla Province ― This year’s Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving Day, falls in the second week of September, the earliest in 38 years. Chuseok, one of the major traditional Korean holidays, celebrates the fall harvest and abundance on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. The moon is said to look fuller on Chuseok than on any other day.But the early Chuseok this year has advanced the harvesttime and delivery start for products and gifts by two weeks to a month. Chuseok

In kitchens across the nation, families gather together to make traditional Korean dishes for Chuseok, one of South Korea’s largest annual holidays. This Sunday, households will be busy crafting songpyeon, half-moon-shaped rice cakes, and other delicacies to offer up to ancestors in appreciation of a good harvest this coming Monday morning. Those ceremonial tables, loaded to bursting with carefully prepared food, will vary from home to home, serving as edible symbols of the foodways of each fami

Chuseok, oftentimes referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the country’s most celebrated holidays and ushers in the fall season. Traditionally a time to spend at home with family members and loved ones, Chuseok is all about sharing in the riches of good company and good eats. However, for those looking for ways to spend the upcoming holiday outside the home, Seoul has countless destinations that are offering wide-ranging events and activities for both locals and expats alike. These opport

This year’s exceptionally early Chuseok holidays mark the first time the “substitute holiday system,” which guarantees an extra day off in lieu of public holidays that fall on a Sunday, will be implemented. As expected, all government organizations and most large companies will observe the extra holiday, whereas many small and medium-sized businesses cannot afford to offer a day off, to the dismay of their employees.The departure terminal of Incheon International Airport is crowded with travelle

Koreans view looming centenarian society with mix of hope, concern

South Korea’s population is rapidly aging, but the government appears to lack policies to deal with the demographic change.According to Moody’s, a global credit rating agency, a total of 13 countries including Korea will be categorized as “super aged” societies by 2030, meaning that more than one-fifth of the population will be over the age of 65. Last year, more than 12 percent of Korea’s 50 million people were in this age bracket. The impact of such aging on the global economy would be tremend

Specialized hospital care for elderly patients on the rise but concerns of safety remain

During the Stone Age, working until dying was the most common retirement plan. Many simply never lived past 40. In South Korea today, many retirees are choosing the same path, but not because life ends before retirement, but because life continues after retirement. The life expectancy for South Koreans born in 2012 is 81, according to the World Health Organization. The figure is expected to reach 100 in the coming years.For some, the answer to figuring out what to do with this extra time comes n

Industries catering to senior citizens in Korea have been expanding at a rapid pace in recent years as the pensionable population grows.The market for goods and services geared toward the elderly is projected to grow at an annual average rate of 12.9 percent until 2020, according to a report by the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry, while the average overall growth rate is estimated to stay at about 4.7 percent.The Ministry of Health and Welfare also projects the scale of silver businesses wo