Tuesday August 28th, 7:30 pm: Lecture by Dr. Yang Sung-chul (distinguished prof at Korea University & etc, ROK’s Ambassador to the United States 2000~2003, Member of the National Assembly from 1996 to 2000 and the author of several noted books on N-S Korean political systems & relations). His topic: “The Future of Korea and U.S. Relations and East Asia” — gee, have we ever discussed that on this blog?
He will dwell upon the contrasts and continuities of Clinton and Bush administrations, especially their respective policy regarding the North Korean question in general and its nuclear issue in particular. In so doing, he will identify several critical myths in Korea-U.S. relations from the Korean perspective which tend to distort the realities and, thus, negatively affect the conduct of foreign policy of both nations. Finally, Dr. Yang will explore the desirable future political, economic and security environment in Northeast Asia and the preferable role for the United States in realizing this.
As usual, 2nd-floor Resident’s Lounge of the Somerset Palace, Anguk-dong, downtown Seoul. Tomorrow evening!
Sat Sept 1st: Icheon City CERAMIC KILN Tour — one of our best “visual art” tours! A trip to the kilns of the masters to watch them create masterpieces from clay to celadon and porcelain in Icheon area. We’ll also visit an onggi (kimchi jar) workshop on our way back.
Sun Sept 2nd: CHEONGPYEONG LAKE Cruise-Tour – a pleasant and relaxing boat-cruise around Gyeonggi Province’s Lake Cheongpyeong (less than an hour from Seoul), followed by a BBQ lunch (included in the cost) with time for some swimming and hiking around the forested shores.
Sat Sept 8th: NAEJANG-SAN and NAEJANG-SA Temple Tour — We have this opportunity to visit the beautiful Naejang-san National Park. Within this park, we will see the famous and ancient Naejang-sa Buddhist Temple, and have some time to walk around enjoying the superb scenery.
Sun Sept 9th: DONG-GANG RIVER Rafting Tour — an exciting 13 km white water rafting trip to the Dong-gang (a remote upper section of the South Han River) in a remote area of Yeongwol County in Gangwon Province. Guided by conservationists, this tour is an extraordinary treat for both nature-lovers and adventurers.
Sat~Tues Sept 22~26: CHUSEOK HOLIDAY Tour to BEIJING, XIAN and SHANGHAI — plan ahead to make good use of your holidays in this excellent way! – Our itinerary takes us to Beijing and northern environs, including the Great Wall, and fly to Xian, home of the 7000 life-sized terracotta soldiers and the dominant heart of Chinese civilization until the North China Plain was lost in the Song Dynasty, and to Shanghai, the city which was once called the “Paris of the East”. This is a time of ideal weather to visit northern China, a great opportunity.
Contact Info: http://www.raskb.com/ 763-9483 or raskb@kornet.net
and yet MORE September activities are listed in comment #1…
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Tuesday September 11th, 7:30 pm: Lecture Meeting with our own Dr. Andrei Lankov, on “North Koreans in the Borderland: Chinese North East and North Korea, from the 1980s to the Present”. Residents Lounge Somerset Palace.
Sat-Sun Sept 15-16th: WANDO and JINDO ISLANDS TOUR — a great weekend spent in the unspoiled and rural extreme southern tip of the Korean peninsula, visiting the scenic islands of Wan-do, Bogil-do and Jin-do. On the return trip, we will visit the venerable Daeheung-sa Temple.
Sat Sept 15th: 1-day TOUR TO BUSAN CITY by KTX train — this trip takes us to Yongdu-san Park which offers great views, then the famously dynamic Jagalchi Fish market, the Taejongdae Cliffs Park, the UN Memorial Cemetery, the City Museum and Haeundae (the most famous beach in Korea) with a visit to the APEC Conference Hall located on a very scenic peninsula near the beach.
Sun Sept 16th: Walking-Tour of DOSEON-SA TEMPLE in BUKHAN-SAN NATIONAL PARK — originally supposed to be guided by my own bad self, but unfortunately the date will be postponed or another guide designated, as something urgent has come up.
BUKCHON WALKING TOUR
SEPT 29 (SAT) – Strolling for a few hours through the neighborhood of traditional are remodeled Korean houses (hanok) just north of downtown Seoul, guided by an expert in its history. We will visit the new Bukchon Culture Center to learn about the preservation projects, the Gahoe Folk-Art Museum, a few great old hanoks and some traditional artisans who operate workshops there. Led by Professor David Mason.
SEPT 29-30 (Sat-Sun): JEOLLA PROVINCES TOUR: BYEONSAN-BANDO NATIONAL PARK, TAMYANG BAMBOO MUSEUM and UNJU-SA PAGODA VALLEY - We will spend the first day in Byeonsan Peninsula National Park with its spectacular scenery, fine views of the Yellow Sea and lovely Byeonsan Beach, and near here we will also be able to visit the famous Seonun-sa temple. The next day we will go to Tamyang for a visit to the bamboo museum before continuing our journey to mysterious Unju-sa in Pagoda Valley, with its dozens of unique-styled millennium-old stone Buddhist artworks.
SEPT 29-30 (Sat-Sun): CHUNGMU PORT (TONGYEONG CITY) and GEOJE-DO ISLAND TOUR - A chance to learn and explore some of Korea’s most outstanding scenery - the beautiful island and seas of Geoje-do and the Hallyo Waterway National Park.
OCT 5-8 (Fri-Mon): HONSHU JAPAN TOUR - This trip to Japan’s main island focuses on the industrial and historical Kansai region. The tour begins in Osaka, moves on to Asuka and Nara, the eighth century Japanese capital, and continues to Kyoto, the capital up until 1868. Castles, shrines, temples and museums insure a varied experience of Japan.
Dunno who said that, but ‘t was a dude with access to some righteous ganja. And today of course the comparison is even more ridiculous…