What is Jikji?

Movable metal type printing is known worldwide and is considered the most important invention in human history. knowledge which was only for the upper class was spread to everyone through the invention of the printing technology. Printing technology not only allowed common people to be able to receive education, it is also recognized as an invention that caused revolutionary and historical changes.

Johannes Gutenberg, was a German goldsmith, who is acknowledged as the inventor of the metal type printing. Many people believe that Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible was the first book printed with movable technology. However, in 1377 there was a Korean book named Jikji 78 years earlier than the printing of Gutenberg.

Jikji is evidence of what was the printing technology in East Asia. There are even documents that prove Japan learned bronze and wooden movable type printing from Korea.There is also the world’s oldest book printed from woodblocks called Mugujeonggwang Daedaranigyeong.

Then how did Gutenberg get an idea of the metal type printing?

Gutenberg met a papal delegation before his invention of the printing technology. The papal delegation visited the Korean kingdom and brought back some documents that illustrated Korea’s movable metal type.

VANK is motivated to promote the truth about the movable metal type printing technology. Just as how Gutenberg is widely known globally, Jikji and Korea should also now be acknowledged for being the first to invent this technology.

Young Koreans Change the History of the Global Village

Korean history includes 30 plus years of Japanese occupation and 3 years of the Korean War. After so many tragedies many people wondered if this country would recover. However, for 50 years Korea kept striving economically and now has had remarkable success. Korea is one of the first countries to have come from receiving international help to giving aid. Now that the Korean government is in a stable position, it is sharing its knowhow of economic growth around the world, while providing aid to developing countries.

All over the world some families only have little to eat or children are working instead of going to school. To make an effort for change the international community and national leaders are making an effort. However, not only can diplomats and leaders make changes in the world, everyday people like you and me can as well.

To leave foot prints on history here are the three conditions

1. Find a problem and provide a vision to solve it

 2. Find people to realize the vision

Despite any challenges, stay committed to your goals

A Countries Food

Countries such as France, China, and Turkey are known to have the three best cuisines in the world. However, there is another country you may not be familiar with that also has a unique food culture. Traditionally people in this country have regarded food has medicine and to this day people in this country still eat certain foods as a source of medicine. This country’s cuisine is also known for fermented and natural foods. U.S. Health magazine released a list of the world’s top 5 healthiest foods, and Kimchi, this countries popular fermented food was picked.

Korean people have been making Kimchi for thousands of years. Kimchi has been engraved in the lives of Korean people. It has become an image to represent a country and one of the foods that foreigners most want to try. There are also over 200 different kinds of Kimchi, including cabbage kimchi the most well-known, radish kimchi, and white kimchi.

Korean ancestors would make bundles and batches of kimchi in the fall to prepare for the long winter. This process is called kimjang. It’s a process still practiced to this day and brings family and neighbors together. It is said that kimjang kimchi is has the best quality in taste because it was fermented right before winter.

 

Obang colors, yellow, blue, white, red, and black represent Korea’s second treasured food bibimbap. The obang colors reflect the yin-yang theory, which is a foundation of Eastern philosophy. Bibimbap is not only a healthy traditional Korean food; it stimulates appetites with its beautiful combination of colors. The bottom consists of rice and it is piled with different colored vegetables and meat, and then lastly in the center is an egg.

In Korea, food is not just something that is eaten. Food has a deeper meaning in Korea it harmonizes with nature and brings peace to people.

 

 

 

Taegeukgi (the National flag of Korea) Sticker Set

VANK’S Taegeukgi Stickers! 

Experience the different colors of Korea through this Taegeukgi sticker set. The stickers come in different sizes which is perfect to decorate anywhere.

1. Taegeukgi 

Taegeukgi is Korea’s national flag. It has a white background with a red and blue Taegeuk circle in the center and trigrams in all four corners. The Taegeuk circle represents harmony between yin (blue) and yang (red), reflecting the Korean people’s traditional belief that the creation and evolution of all things in the universe resulted from the interaction between yin and yang. The four trigrams stand for heaven, earth, water and fire.

2. Mugunghwa 

source: daum.blog

Mugunghwa is Korea’s national flower. It has been grown on the Korean peninsula for thousands of years. The Korean people have developed a special attachment to this flower, and Mugunghwa was naturally chosen to represent Korea. Mugung means eternity, which symbolizes the people’s patience and tenacity that enabled the nation to survive and prosper for 5000 years. Mugunghwa blossoms in various shades, such as white and pink, usually from July to October.

3. Hanok 

Korea’s traditional Hanok housing emphasizes harmony with nature. Hanok buildings were built of natural materials, such as wood, soil, and stone, with careful consideration not to damage the surrounding natural landscape.

you can also download these stickers HERE

http://data.prkorea.com/?p=4900

Public Diplomacy for Korean Unification

Korea is the last country in the world to be divided. When the world thinks about Korea, usually a divided country is what comes to mind. Korean people are tired of waiting for a unification to happen, so now they are voicing their opinions. Ambassadors of VANK are promoting the Unification of Korea not just in Korea but globally. If we take the unification of Germany an example, Korea may learn from Germany’s experiences.

The unification of Germany did not happen overnight. There was a bipartisan agreement on unification policy, German people’s strong desire for unification, and also they had international support.

A United Korea

There are many neighboring countries that have concerns when it comes to the unification of Korea.

First off, the United States are concerned that with a unified Korea, it could lead to Korea leaning towards China. The unification of Korea will not only contribute in solving poverty but it will also help solve the human rights issues in North Korea. The United States do not need to worry about a unified Korea leaning towards China, because Korea will focus on promoting democracy and peace in Asia.

China has also voiced its concerns on the unification. China is worried that there will be instability in China-Korea border areas after the unification. However, Korea does not intend there to be tension rather after the unification there will be no territorial dispute or military tension on our borders. The border areas will be an economic cooperation zone where we work together to develop Northeast China.

Lastly Japan’s concerns are that with a unified country, Korea might move into becoming an extreme nationalist country. Historically, a unified Korean nation led to friendly relationships with its neighboring countries in Northeast Asia. Also, a Korean unification will strengthen Korea’s national power. However, a unified Korea will never use the power to threaten its neighbors.

Korea will commit to promoting peace in Northeast Asia and will deliver a message of hope to other countries in conflict.