August 2004

ICTC
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TRAINING CENTER
NEWSLETTER
Korean Tradition - Masks and Mask Dance
asks are known as “Tal” in Korean,
M
periodically with rites in which offerings
they all share fundamental characteristics.
but they are also known by many
were made. Other religious masks were
They derive essentially from a sense of
other names such as “gamyon”, “kwang-
used to ward off evil spirits.
rebellion felt by the common people
dae”, “chorani”, and “talbagaji”. A “talchum”
toward the reality of their lives.
is really more than its literal meaning of
Artistic masks were mostly used in
“mask dance,” but is also a drama in which
dance and drama. However, these also
With regional variations, the mask
persons, animals or supernatural beings
had religious functions to some extent. Of
dance-drama was generally performed on
are portrayed through the media of masks
special note are the masks featured in a
the First Full Moon, Buddha’s Birthday on
and dance.
mask dance-drama developed in the
the Eighth of the Fourth Moon, Dano Festi-
Hahoe region.
val and Chuseok. It was also performed at
Masks and mask dances developed in
festive occasions of the state or at rituals
Korea in prehistoric times. Traditional
Mask dance-dramas are basically
to supplicate for rain. Many of the roles do
masks fall into two categories: religious
forms of folk art which developed naturally
not have any dialogue of their own but act
masks and artistic masks. Some religious
among the common people of the Joseon
out their part in pantomime, their extraordi-
masks were considered sacred, the focus
Dynasty (1392-1910). They vary slightly
narily stylized masks conveying the dra-
of worship in shaman shrines and revered
according to region and the performer but
matic impact of their characters.
The dance enlivens the drama and
serves to round off each scene but is also
performed without any regard to the
progress of the plot. The most remarkable
feature of Korean mask dance-drama in its
traditional form is the enthusiastic participation of the audience. With the encouragement of the players, toward the end of
a performance there is little distinction
between them and the audience as they
join together in robust dance and bring it to
a truly affirmative life-enhancing finale.
< This articles are quoted from Invest Korea
Journal. >
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Korean Tradition - Masks and Mask Dance
2. Development Issue - Digital Darwinism in International Trade : e-Trade
3. Training Institute - Korea International Trade Association(KITA), World Trade Academy
4. Voice of the Participants
6. Alumni News - Paraguay
8. KOICA Bulletin
Issue 8, August 2004 ISSN 1229~4926 • Editor Kim Sang-Tae, Lee Soo-Kwang, Song In-Yeup, Kim Ji-Hoon • Publisher Korea International
Cooperation Agency(KOICA) • Mailing Address Training Program Planning Team, International Cooperation Training Center(ICTC), 304-3 Yumgokdong Seocho-ku Seoul, Korea 137-170 • Phone 82-2-3460-6114 • Fax 82-2-3460-5920 • E-mail training@koica.go.kr • Website http://ictc.koica.go.kr
Cooperation for a Better World
DEVELOPMENT ISSUE
Digital Darwinism
in International Trade: e-Trade
T
he rapid development of information technologies(IT),
tion policies for e-Trade.
especially represented by the Internet, have changed
Korea Trade Network (www.ktnet.co.kr: KTNET) has
the business paradigm to e-Commerce or e-Business.
been a driving engine for the enhancement of Korea’s trade
Now, global sourcing to get the most economical prod-
competitiveness for the past 10 years. Since its foundation
ucts on a real-time basis is becoming a major trend, and e-
in 1991, KTNET has sought “paperless” trade automation
Trade as a new paradigm in international trade is moving
strongly supported by Korean government, to simplify trade
toward an important axis to support the global e-Business of
procedures, reduce trade-related costs, and increase trade
enterprises. e-Trade deals with all kinds of trade businesses,
productivity, all of which ultimately bolster competitiveness
such as marketing, negotiation, contract, raw material sup-
for individual enterprises and the nation.
ply, transportation and payment, and do so efficiently and
KTNET relay and transmit various e-documents and
economically without the limitations of time and space.
trade information on a 24-hour non-stop basis by linking
Export marketing activities, including discovery of buy-
trading firms with trade-related agencies organically for all
ers, negotiation, and contract, are done via e-Marketplace(e-
trade procedures. As a result, KTNET has realized 100%
MP). All trade procedures after conclusion of contract, from
automation in the customs-clearance sector and 30% utiliza-
commerce & trade, logistics, customs clearance to settle-
tion ratio in the commerce and foreign exchange sectors,
ment, are processed over the Internet. It is expected that
reducing auxiliary trade expenses by 5.4 trillion won annual-
online transactions of digitized products, including the deliv-
ly. After conversion of the present EDI(Electronic Data Inter-
ery of goods over the Internet, will be greatly increased.
change)-centered system to an Internet-based system,
The age in which “trade means e-Trade” will arrive soon-
KTNET is now expanding e-Trade networks across the six
er or later. Companies and countries that cannot respond
continents and five oceans to build a silk road for the new
actively to the Internet-based new trade paradigm will fall
millennium with the strong legal support by Korean govern-
behind in the 21st-century global competition. Now we are in
ment.
the Digital Darwinism.
They cover Korea-U.S.A. Customs declaration network
for quota items; PAA (Pan Asian e-commerce Alliance) pro-
n Korea, IT-based process innovation has been regarded
I
ject involving eight Asian countries such as Korea, Japan,
as a new competition tool. Labor resources, price, quality
China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and
and technology that have led the Korean economy to date
Macau; Korea-Japan e-Trade Hub establishment project;
can no longer be the factors that will maintain the nation’s
and ASEM e-Trade network involving EU member countries
superiority.
such as Germany and the U.K.
Accordingly, Korea has set the groundwork for competition in terms of world-class communication infrastructure,
by Professor Sang-Ryul Shim
trade automation system, legal support, and various promo-
Dept. of International Trade & e-Business, Kwangwoon University
<Figure 1> Paperless e-Trade System
<Figure 2> Global e-Trade Vision
ICTC Newsletter
2
August 2004
Cooperation for a Better World
TRAINING INSTITUTE
Korea International Trade Association(KITA),
World Trade Academy
he Korea International Trade Association (KITA) is a
marketing, business, finance, IT, foreign language and other
major economic organization with a membership of
fields. In addition to short-term courses, WTA offers Master’s
more than 85,000 companies, consisting of trade and manu-
Course of one-year period for graduate students in e-trade
facturing enterprises and firms from other sectors. KITA’s
and IT specialties. KITA’s e-trade campus offers more than
main mission is to support and promote import, export and
100 on-line contents that provide the same educational
investment activities of its members. Among the tools that
opportunity as its off-line program without the limitation of
KITA employ to carry out its mission are hosting of interna-
time and place.
T
tional exhibitions, organizing participation in overseas exhibitions, dispatching trade delegations around the world and
There are many joint programs with other institutes and
providing local assistance to foreign enterprises pursuing
organizations: Global Leadership Program (GLP) is an
trade with Korean companies or investment in Korea.
industry-academic cooperation program between KITA’s
WTA and Seoul National University for the education of
One of the important role of supporting member compa-
CEOs of business entities. WTA is also operating joint Mas-
nies of KITA is to offer trade education program tailored to
ter’s Degree Program in MSEC and MSIT with Carnegie
meet the specific needs of students and international trading
Mellon University of U.S.A. WTA is conducting joint coopera-
companies through the World Trade Academy (WTA). Over
tive program with Korea International Cooperation
the past 40 years, WTA has provided the domestic and
Agency(KOICA) for government officials from developing
overseas business community with more than 200,000
countries. And there are other special joint programs with
international trade specialists.
universities of several South East Asian countries for local
students in Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar.
KITA’s World Trade Academy (www.tradecampus.com)
is Korea’s representative field-oriented professional educa-
WTA always tries to improve and diversify its education-
tional institute, cultivating customer-tailored trade specialists
al programs. It has joined hands with world-class universities
for international trading companies.
here in Korea and abroad, operating programs together to
promote globalization.
WTA produces about 13,000 trade specialists annually
through its on-line and off-line programs comprised of trade,
ICTC Newsletter
3
August 2004
Cooperation for a Better World
VOICE OF THE PARTICIPANTS
2003 KOICA LONG TERM TRAINING COURSE ON KOREAN LANGUAGE
2/27/2003-2/15/2004
F
irst of all, I thank KOICA for giving me a chance to brief my feeling about the Long Term
Korean Language Course.
During my stay in Korea for this course, I was able to have a lot of useful time for myself
although the purpose of this course was to advance Korean language proficiency.
Mr. Bounsoung BOUPHA,
Official, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Laos
Before I came to Korea, I had no knowledge in Korean language, but after about a year
that I spent studying Korean at IIE of Kyung Hee University, I improved little by little. Now, I
have a basic knowledge in Korean, thanks to the curriculum of this school which was suitable
for me among other conditions that were important.
One thing that I cannot forget are the professors at IIE who always attentively taught and
helped students to improve. There were also people who were kind and friendly, who made
me feel happy and helped me enjoy studying. I was able to study and understand more as a
result.
Besides studying Korean language, I also had a chance to learn and understand more
about Korean culture from field trips which were arranged by KOICA, Kyung Hee University
and the Korean Government. All of the places that I visited enabled me to know more about
the Korean history, culture, and economy, which were valuable and worth studying for.
I also have many fond memories which made my stay in Korea pleasant, such as my
Home stay hosts who always took good care of me and helped me every times, especially
when I had some problems. They made me happy and have nice time, although I had to stay
far from my family.
And thanks to KOICA and Kyung Hee University, I could enjoy living and studying during
the times at school because of the good dormitory I stayed at, which helped me concentrate
on my study.
Finally, I wish the Director, all staff members of KOICA, all teachers, and Home stay hosts
to have good health and success in their lives. Thank you for giving me a good chance to get
the best out of myself. I strongly hope that in the future I will be able to improve my Korean language to the most of my ability and contribute in increasing cooperation between Korea and
Laos.
ICTC Newsletter
4
August 2004
Cooperation for a Better World
VOICE OF THE PARTICIPANTS
KOICA TRAINING COURSE ON
5TH IT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
3/11/2004-4/24/2004
rom the first moment I landed on Korea to the last day I stayed and studied at Jeonbuk
Institute, we received a lot of considerate attentions, kind and warm welcome from many
Koreans: the KOICA officials, the ICTC staffs, students and guards of Jeonbuk Institute and
especially, the Korean Professors who taught our course.
F
Mr. Tran Hong Lam,
Researcher, Industrial
Machinery and Instruments
Holding, Vietnam
Besides the continuous efforts of Korean professors, the good studying facilities and training services, such as technical books, computers, advance PLC lab, pneumatic lab and
hydraulic lab have assisted so much in our knowledge acquisition. The interesting and useful
theoretical lessons, practical works of PLC and pneumatic and hydraulic control will help me
very much to develop design skills for factory automation control.
It is no doubt that KOICA and ICTC as well as Jeonbuk Institute have succeeded in holding
cultural visits and field trips. By travelling to memorable historical places, viewing nice and lovely landscapes and participating in exciting social events, such as Cherry Blossom Festival or
visiting modern and advanced factories, all of the participants could learn more about Korea
and the Korean people of the past as well as present.
From this training course, we have not only understood thoroughly about Korea and its
people, but also learned about culture and people of other countries represented in the course.
It is hard to express all the personal feelings and impressions, but one important thing I
want to say is “thank you all again for everything you-- the KOICA staff, ICTC staff, Jeonbuk
staff and my professors--have done for us.”
MESSAGE FROM UZBEKISTAN
KOICA TRAINING COURSE ON SECURITIES CUSTODY AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM
2/22/2004-3/6/2004
n behalf of Uzbekistan State Central Securities Depository and delegation in the training
program of “Securities Custody and Settlement System” provided by KOICA from February to March 2004, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the excellent organization of
the program and hospitality which we witnessed during our visit to Korea.
O
We completed the training program prepared and assisted by KOICA, and we are now
making efforts to further develop Uzbekistan securities market. The skills and knowledge we
have gained during the program are referred to enhance the efficiency of the system.
Mr. Dilshod Musaev,
Director General, Central
Securities Depository,
Uzbekistan
Subsequently, we value greatly the opportunity to learn the basis of Korean securities market’s function and its infrastructure, and the cultural program prepared by KOICA and KSD.
The field trips allowed the delegates to learn basic facts about Korean culture, history and
social life.
On behalf of Uzbekistan delegation, I would like to express our appreciation to you and all
KOICA staff for the high-quality seminar and hospitality shown to us during our stay in Korea.
It is our strong belief that this form of cooperation between our organizations has a positive
impact not only on integration of our stock markets, but also on strengthening friendship
between our nations.
ICTC Newsletter
5
August 2004
Cooperation for a Better World
ALUMNI NEWS
Paraguay KOICA Alumni Meeting
on November 28, 2003 at Gran Hotel del Paraguay
This year was a busy year for the Alumni Association
from the
with the annual event which was held for five days for the
Ambassador’s Address
first time. With participants’ voluntary participation, academic
seminar was tried for three days, Korean movie was shown,
and list of Association’s members was published and distributed.
KOICA Participants,
I know that you are leaders of Paraguay in diverse social
H.E. CHUNG Young-koo
Korean Ambassador to Paraguay
sectors and have an important role for the development of
Paraguay. I am pleased that you are actively contributing to
I am very pleased to meet all of you participants today,
your country as government officials from the ministries of
who have visited Korea through the invitation of the Korean
Finance, Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Economic Plan-
government.
ning; as university professors; as lawyers; and experts in
economic and political arena.
When KOICA was established in April, 1991, the Korean
government initiated its effort to promote the socio-economic
With this opportunity of coming together in one place, I
development of Paraguay by inviting two trainees from
hope that you will work further to promote friendship
Paraguay. Since then, a total of 93 trainees, which is not a
between Korea and Paraguay. Please remember that the
small number, visited Korea to take part in KOICA training
Korean government and the embassy is continuously sup-
program during the past 12 years, until this year.
porting and cheering you.
Korea’s development experience confirms the impor-
Also, I want to ask you to actively apply what you have
tance of qualified human resources for the socio-economic
seen, learnt and felt during your stay in Korea in the field you
advancement of a country. In this light, I believe that
are involved in.
Paraguay, which has outstanding work forces, should concentrate on Human Resource Development (HRD) to make
Finally, I hope that with today’s meeting, you will contin-
them engine of economic development. In this sense, I am
ue to maintain bonds with the Korean Embassy, KOICA and
proud to say that KOICA’s invitation of trainees program has
Alumni Association Secretariat. Thank you.
contributed to Paraguay’s HRD.
On the other hand, I feel it is very important to exchange
training experiences among KOICA participants and maintain close ties in order to sustain impact of the training. In
this regard, KOICA Alumni Association of Paraguay was
founded on December 12, 2000, and it is laying a milestone
for friendly relations between the two countries, and is sharing and expanding their training experiences in Korea to the
people of Paraguay.
ICTC Newsletter
6
August 2004
Cooperation for a Better World
ALUMNI NEWS
”Cooperation for a Better World,” and a step forward
step forward to work in a bilateral agenda between
Paraguay and Korea, adhering to the principles of mutual
benefit for a more mature partnership in various fields. The
Alumni Association needs to support this effort, encompassing not only training, but economic and technological cooperation as well as exchanges of culture. This has been one
Ms. Veronica Rodriguez Alcala
President of the KOICA Alumni
Association of Paraguay
of the objectives in establishing the Association.
Some examples of achievement among members of the
Few years ago, when the KOICA Alumni Association of
Alumni include:
Paraguay was established, members seriously considered
- There are trainees who have applied their new knowl-
“KOICA PARADIGM, FOR A BETTER WORLD” as one of
edge in favor of the welfare of their own communities, like a
the principles directing our path.
University professor trained by KOICA, who internalized
books and contents used in his training course for his faculty
As Alumni Association, we understood from the begin-
classes, or another KOICA trainee who designed an elec-
ning, what our mission was: to integrate broad issues and
tronic traffic light in the way learnt in Korea which is used in
much more contents to the traditional focus of the interna-
a countryside town.
< continued on page 8 >
tional bilateral cooperation. Considering the present world
trade liberalization and the globalization process, we as
members, must play a new and bigger leadership role in the
country’s development.
We have to recognize too, that traditional focus of
international cooperation related to professional training
exchange for enhancing human capital, has been of great
benefit for a country like Paraguay. But the current conditions has much more global issues to consider, calling for a
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
KOICA Training Course on Small&Medium Enterprises Promotion
My experience in Korea has been remarkable. I have had the opportunity to achieve excellent relationship with Korean people, since we spent 30 days full of educational, social, and
diplomatic activities. Not many people have the chance to experience them as our group did.
My stay in Korea, and the chance I had to know its people, their values, and their authorities, have given me a strong impression that a country is made up by clear and well-defined objectives that satisfy questions such as “Where do people want to go?” “How are these people going to get there?” “How long will it take them to
get there? And finally, “Once they get there, in what direction are they going to go to continue moving forward?”
I am grateful to the Korean Government and KOICA for this “unforgettable experience”.
Mr. Gerardo Max Peyrat, Paraguay
ICTC Newsletter
7
August 2004
Cooperation for a Better World
KOICA BULLETIN
NOTICE TO KOICA ALUMNI
PHILIPPINE KOICA FELLOWS
ASSOCIATION
PHILKOFA, INC.
Just click, and through the internet, you can now meet your
old friends, refresh your memories at KOICA, and learn
what’s new in KOICA Alumni.
Are you not yet registered to KOICA Community?
KOICA Community looks forward to securing 1,000 members by the end of this year.
As part of KOICA’s efforts to maintain friendly relations
between Korea and participating countries, and to fulfill our
objective of creating a network of support and friendship
among former participants, KOICA continues to develop and
create new items and service through the KOICA Community.
So, if you have not yet joined the Community, visit the web-
Philippine KOICA fellows Association (PHILKOFA, Inc.)
site at http://ictc.koica.go.kr and register as former partici-
launched their own website in February 2004.
pant in order to login and enjoy the full benefits of membership.
PHIKOFA website (http://www.philkofa.org) is designed to
Now, just click!! There is a new world just for you and the
introduce the history of the association, activities, projects
KOICA Alumni.
and members’ profiles, as well as making updates and
announcement of future plans and linking to other relevant
website.
“The PHILKOFA, Inc. is an internationally recognized service-oriented self-sustaining, competent organization of
KOICA scholars, committed to promote heightened technical and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and the
Republic of Korea, dedicated to promote relevant services to
its members and the community.”
ALUMNI NEWS
< from page 7 >
tion of Paraguay as well as on our web page (www.becar-
- Regarding more broad issues, alumni has implement-
ioscorea.org.py), which seeks to deepen mutual under-
ed a project in fine ceramics designed by a high-level pro-
standing and promote bilateral agenda of cooperation
fessional trained in Korea thanks to KOICA. Another project
between the two countries.
to be implemented is an initiative called “PARAGUAY
KOREA: Opportunities for Cooperation and Integration” (see
We believe in mutual cooperation ties and will continue
website) for sustainable development and growth, which will
working with a wide focus, generating activities, dialogue
bring economic and social benefit to mitigate poverty.
channels, project ideas and its implementation with KOICA,
as our partner, for a more constructive integration which will
These examples and many others are presented in the
benefit both nations.
E-Bulletin published regularly by the KOICA Alumni AssociaICTC Newsletter
8
August 2004