The Beat November 2002

Old fishing boats to become artificial reef

Busan is promoting a plan to convert old fishing boats into a fishing reef. This plan would cut back on budget costs and put the boats to effective use. The plan comes in light of South Korea's fishery agreements with Japan and China, which requires the restructuring of the industry and the closing of many fishing businesses.
According to a study by the local government, using fishing boats to create artificial reefs, will save disposal costs (up to 10 million won per boat) and help stimulate the local fishing industry.
Translated by Kim Hye-jin

Snakehead fish farming business in danger

The largest gamulchi (snakehead fish) farming operation in Busan is in danger of closing because the price of fish food has risen and fish farmers are not able to offer competitive prices.
According to the Gamulchi Fish Farming Union, the price of gamulchi has dropped by 20 - 30% because of competition with low priced imported fish. As a result, almost 40 market stalls around the Nakdong River area are experiencing financial difficulties and are on the verge of closing down. Kim Yong Su, the president of the Gamulchi Fish Farming Union, stated that gamulchi is the most nutritious fish at the old market. Snakehead fish have recently gained notoriety in the U.S. as imported Chinese snakefish began devouring indigenous fish in several states.
Translated by Choi SooHee

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 poor may be shivering this winter
According to the Korea Coal Association and the government of Busan, coal consumption has gradually decreased over the past five years, which may lead to cold homes for the poor this winter. Because of the decrease in coal consumption, 28 out of 80 briquette factories across Korea have gone bankrupt, including one of the largest factories in Busan. In Busan, only two factories remain open. Authorities stated that coal consumption has decreased because briquettes have been replaced by gas and oil, and this decrease may make it difficult for the poor to purchase briquettes. The government of Busan stated that they are aware of this potential problem, which is exacerbated by the fact that some places sell coal mainly to greenhouses. They also said that they intend to help the poor with the briquette shortage this winter.
Translated by Park Joobin

Busanites demand deferred payment for transportation cards
Pusan Bank has released a combination credit card and transportation card which combines the former BC Credit Card and Digital Busan Card. To date however, only about 2,000 cards have been issued, because Busan uses a prepayment system instead of a deferred payment system, which is used in Seoul. Busan's prepayment system limits citizens' choice, so Busan consumers insist that they need the combination system of prepayment and deferred payment, like Seoul.
According to Busan City, transportation cards are used by 60 % of the subway users and 69% of bus users. Officials of the Kookmin Card (which serves as a deferred payment system in the greater Seoul area) say that they are working with Busan's bus union and public transportation! corporation to implement deferred payment system in Busan.
Translated by Song Ji-mi


Kwangan Bridge - popular, but illegal, fishing spot

Kwang-an Bridge is gaining popularity with fishermen, despite the fact that it is illegal to fish from the bridge. On Oct. 8th at around five o'clock, approximately 10 fishermen
were leaning over a parapet of the lower layer of the bridge. As they were completely
absorbed in fishing, they failed to notice that a police officer was approaching
them.

When the police officer told the fishermen to leave the bridge, the fishermen packed up their fishing bags and took their buckets, filled with 20 to 30 centimeter long fish, home.

It is illegal for people to walk across, park on, or stop their cars on Kwangan Bridge, so, naturally, it is illegal to fish off the side of the bridge. Usually police officers give warnings to people who violate these laws, but if it is a recurring problem, they issue tickets.

A police officer stated that they issued parking tickets to fishermen who were parked on the bridge, so now many fishermen walk or ride a bicycle to the bridge. He said that although
he understands the fishermen's behavior, that they should not come on the bridge
for safety reasons.
Translated by Kim DongChan

Busan's 10 point post-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