October 16 , 2002

The Instant Noodle of Champions
Instant ramyeon was the favorite food of athletes at the Asian Games. The manager of the restaurant in Athletes' Village announced that the three most popular foods of the Asian Games are instant ramyeon, fried shrimp, and fruit.There were approximately 8,000 athletes participating in the Asian Games. On average, the athletes consumed 8,000 cups of ramyeon, 200kg of fried shrimp, 5,000 apples, 1,000kg of grapes, 600 oranges, and 500kg of bananas each day. The five most popular traditional Korean foods amongst foreign athletes are kimchi, bulgogi, galbi jjim, kimchi gook, and yookgaejang. Many athletes wanted to take instant foods, such as ramyeon, home with them. One employee of the athletes' restaurant stated that theses foods might be gifts for their families.
Translated by Ha SunHa


Gold medal disappears

Minutes after it was won, Moon Ui Jae's gold medal disappeared after he placed it on a table in the dope testing room while being tested. Moon Ui Jae won the medal on Oct 7th in the 84kg wrestling competition.
The AG authorities announced the disappearance over the auditorium loudspeaker, but nobody turned in the medal and no witnesses came forward. It is suspected that another athlete took the medal, as the test room is restricted to athletes being tested. Choi In Tae, the director of award management for the Games, stated that it would not be possible to replace the lost medal.
Translated by Kim JeongMin


Busan Asian Games participants and fans enjoy shopping in Korea

A new sport has emerged at the Asian Games – bargaining. You can witness this sporting event at places such as Kookje Market, the Seomyeon underground market, and many local supermarkets.

Bargaining is definitely a spectator sport. Foreigners devise cunning strategies in order to succeed in their attacks, such as using different facial expressions and body language; however, the merchants’ defense was strong, so the foreigners often lost.

Although many foreigners complained about high prices, they continued to shop and attempt to bargain with the merchants.

Some foreigners are unaware of Korean shopping customs because they rely on misinformation in guidebooks and hearsay.

In an interview, one merchant stated that her business has made a lot of money since the beginning of the Asian Games.

Mount Jiri is capable of sustaining 400 moon bears.

The Nature and Ecology Research Institute, run by the National Park Management Department, found that from 241 to 400 moon bears could inhabit Mount Jiri without negative environmental impact.

The National Department of the Environment will expand the size of the bears’ preserve from 106 square km to 159 square km. They also plan to increase the number of moon bears that inhabit the area from 5 to 50 by 2011.

According to the institute, moon bears usually eat plants and mammals in the spring, insects in the summer, and acorns in the fall. Acorns provide moon bears with enough nutrients to last them throughout winter hibernation.

Gwangan Bridge opens to public

Gwangan Bridge temporary opened to the public on Sep. 29th.
This event was in conjunction with the Busan Asian Games.
So many people turned out to see the bridge that the
five-minute drive took more than 30 minutes. Citizens took
pictures or pulled over along the edge of Busan’s newest
suspension bridge and climbed the parapet to look at the
sea.
On the suspended section of the bridge heading from
Haeundae to Gwangan, only two lanes are opened to the
public so far. This part of the bridge therefore has the
worst traffic congestion.
Police officers did not control these people, even though
some of their actions were dangerous or illegal. One police
officer in Nambu Police station said, "This is the bridge
on the sea. So it hasn't been decided yet who will control
this area. But before long, it will be decided."
Ha Sun-ha

Authorities confront rise in illegal merchandise

Imitation foreign-made goods are abundant in Busan during international events like the World Cup and the Asian
Games. According to the Busan prosecutor’s office in its October 9 report, as of August, cases of indictment for
suspicions of selling imitation foreign-made goods have increased from 24 to 57, and the number of people
indicted has risen from 29 to 64. These criminals—from about 10 different organizations—are
working secretly in Gukje Market, on Texas Street in front of Busan Station, and around the Busan University
area.
These shops connect with certain guides (who receive around 20% of the profit) in order to sell a lot of
merchandise to foreign tour groups. A person named Park set up two shoe stores at Gukje Market and sold about 1000 fake "Nike" shoes (valued at 100 million won). A person named Bae sold about 325,000 fake “Hello Kitty” brand bags, hair pins, and key cases (valued at one billion won).

Ha Sun-ha

Number of new Busan corporations decrease

The number of new corporations in Busan has steadily decreased over the past six months.

According to Busan Commerce, there were 231 new corporations in September. This is a decrease of 13.8% in comparison to August 2002, and a 26% decrease compared to last September.

The decrease in the number of new corporations since August was attributed to the Chuseok holiday and the unstable economic conditions worldwide.

Anti-discrimination education

University students, volunteers, and private organizations are working together to educate the public about the problems that disabled people, poor children, and foreign laborers are encountering in Korea.

Last month, an anti-discrimination bicycle parade was held in Busan. The purpose of the parade was to inform the public of the difficulties that foreign laborers and disabled people might face when attempting to attend the Asian Games.

The Busan AG publicity team is posting anti-discrimination literature on the Internet.

The Nanum volunteer group at Dong-Ah University wants to take people with disabilities, autism, and cerebral palsy to the AG.

OCA President suddenly leaves Korea

Sake Al Saba, the president of the Olympic Council of Asia, suddenly left Korea to return to Kuwait nine days before the end of the Asian Games.

OCA officials stated that the president suddenly changed his schedule and left in his personal plane, but they were not aware of what prompted his departure.

The AG committee is concerned that Al Saba’s sudden departure will negatively reflect on the Asian Games.

Sake Al Saba had a meeting with Iranian vice president Mosen Mehralzadei at the Busan Lotte Hotel at 11:00 in the morning on the 9th. They discussed and exchanged views on the situation between Iraq and America.

Former president of BAGOC didn’t attend the opening ceremony

IOC member Kim Un Yong, former president of the Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee, didn’t attend the opening ceremony of the Busan Asian Games. A BAGOC official stated that Kim Un Yong informed him that he would be unable to attend the ceremony because the IOC office was scheduled for inspection. He will attend the closing ceremony.

President Kim Dae Jung and First Lady Lee Hee Ho attended the opening ceremony. Also in attendance were the four presidential candidates: Lee Hoi Chang of the Grand National Party, Roh Moo Hyun of the Millennium Democratic Party, independent law maker Chung Mong Joon, and Gweon Young Gil. The president of the KOC, Lee Yeon Taeg, and IOC member Lee Geon Hye were also at the ceremony.

Prince did not participate in AG

The Prince of Brunei, after applying to compete in billiards at the Asian Games, did not participate in the event. He arrived in Busan with the intention of competing, but he disappeared. According to rumors, he had to return to Brunei either because he was sick, or because he was needed at home.

An official stated that the prince and other high-ranking officials of Brunei enjoy playing billiards as a hobby.

Missing Athletes

As the Asian Games continue, some athletes are escaping their supervisors.

On October 3rd at 9:00 pm, eight Nepalese players went out to “buy some beer” and never returned. The police are searching for the missing players, but their efforts have been unsuccessful.

The police are concerned about similar events occurring during the AG.

The only method of preventing these incidents is to have the army patrol the areas where the athletes are staying.

The Busan AG Organizing Committee stated that each nation’s NOC committee must keep their players under strict supervision and ensure that they are not remaining in Korea illegally.

Athletes’ Village Hospital has a waiting list

As the Asian Games continue, the Athletes’ Village hospital is becoming an extremely busy place. In fact, 27,000 people are on the waiting list for admission.

When the hospital opened on September 23rd, there were 60 patients treated on an outpatient basis. On October 4th, 500 patients were treated.

The increase in admissions is due to the fact that many athletes from poor countries are visiting the hospital for previously existing health problems. Furthermore, the hospital has offered Asian Games participants free glasses, and some people have returned for several pairs.

A hospital official reported that athletes from Pakistan, Mongolia, and Afghanistan visit the hospital most often, whereas Japanese athletes rarely go to the hospital because they have team doctors.

The hospital offers both herbal and western medicine. Some athletes had never tried herbal medicine, but now claim to prefer herbal treatments. Between 70 and 80 patients are given herbal remedies each day.

Harbor officials worry about overcrowding

Busan harbor authorities are concerned that lack of space for ships may cause disorder in the harbor.

The concern arises from the fact that an American court ordered a temporarily closed California harbor to reopen as of October 9. Officials fear that many vessels will sail to Busan harbor terminal, causing overcrowding.
According to a survey, American materials occupy 49.7% of the total material in the Kamman Terminal, and the American ships occupy 97.2% of the space there. The Busan Ocean Marine Agency therefore worries about lack of space.
So the agency has sent a request for cooperation. If many American ships arrive in the harbor at a time, they will be able to use the Shinsundae Terminal, which is near Kamman Terminal. This solution should alleviate the overcrowding.

Song Ji-mi

Booming hotel industry in Busan

Thanks to the Asian Games and the upcoming World Choir Olympics, Pusan International Film Festival, and the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled, the hotel industry in Busan is booming.

First class hotels in Haeundae are preparing to welcome guests attending the upcoming events.

Westin Chosun workers are preparing to receive guests who have made reservations from Germany, France, Denmark, and many other countries. VIPs and members of the World Choir Olympics Committee are planning to stay in suites until Oct. 28th, and famous musicians are expected to arrive throughout the WCO.

Hotel Paradise, which is the appointed headquarters of FESPIC and PIFF, is ready to welcome its guests. On Oct. 18th, the Busan FESPIC Organizing Committee’s office opened at the hotel, and all conferences related to the events will be held here.

Hotel Paradise workers are preparing for the conferences by attempting to minimize inconveniences that disabled people may encounter while staying at the hotel.

The Grand Hotel and the Marriott redecorated and installed cable television in rooms in order to welcome their guests.

New apartment structures in Busan

Tower shaped (Y-shaped) apartments will replace the standard apartments that are now common in Busan.

In Seoul, tower shaped apartments are common, but the construction of Centum Park Apartments in Haeundae will mark the beginning of a new trend in architecture in Busan.

Hanra Construction designed the structure of tower shaped apartments, which consist of three underground floors for parking, 35 floors above ground, and an outdoor park area.
These apartments have more floors than standard high-rise apartments, and are expected to be in high demand because they offer good views and lighting.

SK and Yoorim Construction plan to begin selling tower apartments in November.

Relocation of briquette factory will likely be canceled

Busan’s downtown coal briquette factory may not be moved to Gangseo district as scheduled. An officer of Gangseo district stated that the factory would not be profitable and would have many negative side effects. Therefore, he believes that that the Construction and Transportation Ministry should re-examine this project.

Busan officials promoted the relocation of the briquette factory because they expected that five percent of people would use briquettes as their primary source of energy, but briquette consumption decreased sharply to one percent in 2000. As a result, Gangseo district is no longer interested in the project.

Busan officials insist that a briquette factory is necessary because briquettes are a common energy source for poor people who would face an energy crisis if briquette manufacturing were discontinued. They have admitted, however, that fewer factories are needed than they had initially anticipated, and have not yet indicated what they plan to do with the remaining land.

Slight increase in subway use during AG

Despite the fact that driving was restricted during the Asian Games, subway use only increased slightly.

Cars could only be driven on alternating workdays, according to their license plate numbers, but the number of subway passengers only increased by 3 percent.

The Public Traffic Corporation analyzed the situation and found several reasons for the modest increase of subway passengers. First of all, the recent opening of Gwang An Bridge has eased many traffic problems, so some people may have chosen to take taxis to work or risked driving their own cars despite the driving restrictions. Furthermore, some people may have preferred to take buses to work.

VIP real estate marketing

As new apartments are increasing in size and becoming more luxurious, the real estate business is adopting a VIP marketing strategy to appeal to the upper class.

Hyundai Construction built 390 luxury apartments ranging in size from 69 to 88 pyong in Suyeong bay. Each pyong is worth from 9.3 to 10.5 billion won, and the highest priced apartment is valued at 900 million won. A model home was opened on Oct. 19th, and Hyundai sent invitations to view the home to 2000 businessmen. People are not permitted to view the home unless they have an invitation or have scheduled an appointment.

Last July, Woosin Construction employed the same marketing strategy when selling officetels (bachelor apartments attached to offices) ranging from 66 to 80 pyong. Posco Construction is considering employing a similar marketing strategy for its luxury apartments.

Officials worry about Harbor shortcomings

The strike at an American harbor in California may have negative effects on Busan Harbor. The estimated goal of handling about 9,000,000 TEU containers in Busan Harbor in the fourth quarter may not be reached because of the strike.
According to Busan Ocean Marine Agency, Busan Harbor dealt with 6,638,587 TEU containers as of September. It shows an increase of 11% compared with last year’s record 5,979,678 TEU containers during the same period. Of this increase, foreign cargo is 2,711,088 TEU. It shows an increase of 25.1% compared with last year’s record of 2,167,483 TEU.

For these reasons, the authorities expected 9,000,000 TEU during the months of October to December. However, although the closed California Harbor was reopened on Oct. 9, officials worry about the failure of their expectations. They also pledge to do their best to solve this problem.

Song Ji-mi

Virtual shopping and education

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry have created Plus Mall (www.plus.or.kr), a collective shopping mall information site, which will support and run internet shopping malls.

CCI expects Plus Mall will offer diverse services, including publicity of local shopping malls and goods, and educational support in professional marketing training and development skills.

Tongyeong City bids for Triathlon World Cup

Tongyeong City, Kyeongnam has announced that it will be applying to host the Triathlon World Cup in June 2003.

According to city officials, they will submit the application to the ITU (International Triathlon Union) early in November. City authorities worked with KTU (Korea Triathlon Union) to attract the event, with plans such as expansion of roads and accommodations.
Several organizations, including Tongyeong City authorities, city metropolitan assembly, and KTU have discussed the event at length. They finally decided to hold the Triathlon World Cup in Hansan Island, where Admiral Yi Sun-shin gained his great victory during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592.
One officer said, "Hansan Island is an eminent beauty spot and an environmentally friendly place. So we don't need any car control. We think the lure of the triathlon will be certain."

Ha Sun-ha

Busan's 10 pointpost-Asian Games Plan
Following Busan's debut on the world stage during the Asian Games, city officials unveiled the following measures in hopes of continuing its march toward becoming a 'world class city' .
1. Building Asiad Tower
Busan metropolitan city will build an international standard Asiad Tower near Mt. Whangnung by 2006. This could become a major Busan landmark along the lines of the CN tower in Toronto, Canada which is currently the tallest tower in the world.

2. Unification Asiad Park
Busan city will build a 3000 pyung Unification Asiad Park near the Dadea International Ferry Terminal and build a unification monument near there.

3. Building an International sport contest memorial hall.
Near the Busan sports complex in Sajik-dong, Busan city decided to invest 71 billion won to make an 8000 pyung memorial hall that will exhibit pictures, historical records, and preserve the Asian Games flame forever.

4. Marketing the "Busan Brand"
Because of the Busan Asian Games, Busan city has become better known to the world, so Busan city will recommend to local companies that they open up more to the foreign market.

5. Cooperation between North and South Korea
Busan metropolitan city has decided to try to cooperate with North Korea on economic, siteseeing, and sports related projects and to create a sister city relationship with a North Korean city.

6. Establishment of Asiad International Interchange Foundation.
To uphold and develop the ideal of the Busan Asian Games ("New Vision, New Asia"), Busan city will establish an Asiad International Exchange Foundation and collect funds of about 300 billion won.

7. Starting of Busan Volunteer group
Busan city will try to keep in touch with volunteers of the Busan Asian Games and work with them to provide voluntary support programs to promote public interest on various matters.

8. "Busan Foreign Representative Committee"
Busan city will create a "Foreign Representative Committee" comprised of 40 members, and the committee will deal with problems related to foreign workers in Busan.

9. Creation of a sports complex for local residents
Busan city will convert six new local stadiums into sports complexes for local residents

10. Attract the Summer Olympics in 2016
Busan city will begin the process of putting together a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics
Translated by KimDongChan

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