International students and professors have a study trip at the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation in Seoul
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Jun 22, 2012
A group listening to Dongwoo Animation's explanation
A group of International students and professors have a trip at the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation( KICOX) in Seoul on Jun 22, 2012. They have learned how South Korea has developed miracle economic through its nation industrialization. Just before inspecting each industry, a group had a photo shooting with KICOX president Kyong Soo Kim at before their office building.
KICOX was established in 2000 for the purpose of attracting high-tech and knowledge industries located at the Guro Industrial Complex, Seoul. KICOX has members 71,497 companies across the country more than 90% of a total company in South Korea.
KICOX president Kyong Soo Kim(R)
For the first site, the group moved to Dongwoo Animation, which is a leading company of the animation industry in Korea, which is accumulated as a subcontractor of the US and Japanese production. Its products are Bristol Expedition, New Dooly, Kaasan Mom’s Life, Zoobles, etc.
The next site is Crenova, which is a digital entertainment venture business, provides entertainment solutions and games for diverse platforms, including online, arcade, mobile and consoles. This company product was eyes on by many musicians.
The third site is Combustech, which provided excellent educational and visual display solutions completed with unique touch-sensitive interfaces and imaging technologies. For examples, 3D educational contents and animations, 3D e-boards, etc.
The group’s last site is Acetel, it products digital broadcasting, terrestrial broadcasting, cable TVs, IPTVs, smart media and media arts.
In 1960, South Korea per capital was just GDP $79, now in 2011, it’s per capital GDP is $22,700, a very rapid growth country. In this 2012, the corporation has main focuses on eco-friendly Green company.
------------------------
South Korea
Limpio - natural health for your life
By John S ThangMar. 1, 2012
Limpio's CEO, MinKyoung Hong at her exibition shop
Limpio, the original Spanish name, means clean, pure, and eco-friendly. MinKyoung Hong, the founder and CEO, started working for the company 7 years ago. The company was given the official name “Limpio” in 2011. Limpio is based in South Korea and produces handmade products. The products are natural handmade aroma candles, soap, and handicraft items.
The interesting thing about Limpio is that it produces eco-friendly products, that are environmentally non-hazardous, to create a healthier living environment for people. Furthermore, Limpio is also a professional education company and, according to Hong, its products also reflect Korean culture and life.
Miss Hong often teaches high school students about the efficiency of handmade products, such as candles and cosmetics amongst other things.
Their candles are produced from soy wax (imported from America) and bees wax (sourced locally in Korea).
Natural Handmade Candles
The candles are surprising and delightful; they include handmade lavender DolHareubang Soy Candles, Natural Handmade Lavender Soy Candles, Korean Sushi (Gimbap) Beeswax Candles, Ice Coke gel candles, under the sea Aroma Candles, and Christmas gel Candles. You can also buy a pretty sheep candle making kit with a ‘bag of tricks’. These are inexpensive packages of high-quality materials. They are both a clever gift idea and a money-saver, she elaborated. Hong explained that putting romantic candles in your home will bring you dreams.
For example, a candle package DIY Kit includes a white wax character body, 15g of soft white wax, 5g of soft orange wax, 5g of soft (black or red or green) wax, and a bag of tricks.
Another of her product is soap. She has 30 kinds of soaps they are produced from vegetable. The soaps are categories in many, which include Organic vegetable sponge in the scrubby moisturizer soap, Organic beauty scrubby moisturizer soap gift set, and Lavender/Mandarin handmade Dolhareubang soap.
Her company can produce soap orders within a month. The other items, DIY packages, handicraft items, and candles can be produced within a week. At her company, she has more than 20 items of handmade products.
Natural Handmade Soaps
She also exports her handmade products abroad, mainly to the US. Her sales mainly come from online shopping; she has 10 shops and 1 supplier shop. There are only two such kinds of handmade companies, one in Korea and another in the US, she said.
As they provide services abroad, she currently has an average of 4 overseas customers and an average of 34 Korean customers a month. Amongst her products soap is the biggest seller. She earned approximately 3 million Won profit last year (during 4 months), and she expects to earn 50 million Won profit this year.
She explained one of the advantages of handmade products is they are better for our health. They are especially good for those who have poor health and skin trouble. Limpio products will help improve problematic skin conditions and some health issues. Even a sad person can become a happy one, she kept telling me. As an example her face and skin still look young even though she is 35.
She has 20 employees at her company all trained by her. She also does research and studies potential new products. She still has plans to produce many more different kinds of soaps and other items.
Her message for Global Digest readers is that, “my product is eco-friendly, which will be valuable for your family and friends. It can heal your health problems and lead to a better life.”
She has also exhibited her products at Seoul Metropolitan Government office last year.
She is a design graduate from Kimchen University in South Korea. She worked as a webmaster and studied in New Zealand for a year. She is single and stays with her parents and brother.
The Global Digest editor Barry Welsh edited to this story.
------------------------
South Korea
Business Tour in Seoul to discover Gift and Home ware industry
By Salai ThangStaff reporter
Feb. 26, 2012
Foreign visitors at the Business Tour in Seoul
An annual Business tour for foreign entrepreneurs planning or running businesses in Seoul was held on Feb. 25, 2012. This tour is an exceptional opportunity to discover and to find unique items relating to the gift, it was organized by GLOBAL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER at COEX in southern Seoul.
The tour sites, where home ware industry and other popular areas, are such as a Bangsan market, Cheongwadae sarangchae, Namdaemun market and Myeongdong shopping mall.
GLOBAL BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER is also provided incubation office for foreign business man or woman who is initiating business in Seoul.
A group of Sigaporean visitors at the tour
At the SGBSC center, you can access helpful information, conferences, seminars, and workshops. The information includes lists of business items, as well as various programs to assist in establishing a business. The center director Mr. Simon Hong advises that legal consulting services regarding rules and regulations about tax, labor, real estate, cost of investment and duration policies are also provided.
Further contact SGBSC Director Mr. Simon Hong: Tel. 6001-7240
------------------------
Sri Lankan Rupee on free fall
Special ContributionBy Massey Subra
Feb. 23, 2012
A thousand note Srilanka's Rupee
Will accelerate in coming months- Hang on to your hard currencies
“Every one dollar must bring in at least $1.35 in investment return, but tourism is negative investment, for every dollar invested it brings in only about US$0.85. That is why tourist countries are eternally poor”
Finally, under heavy tutelage from IMF, central bank has to abandon the policy of defend rupee at any cost and let it float. We said this will happen. We are not dumb headed politicians we are business people and we see what happens when the economy is dry and drifting, military is expanding and spending with out producing, Rajapaksa is promising but cannot provide, ultimately it is bound to happen.
So folks, whoever who have hard currencies, hang on to it and force the rupee down and down and let India and China come to their rescue.
The best action Sri Lanka can do is to replace rupee with US dollar and let the real value of the economy support the level it can support.
Every one dollar must bring in at least $1.35 in investment return, but tourism is negative investment, for every dollar invested it brings in only about US$0.85. That is why tourist countries are eternally poor.
------------------------
South Korea
The Global Friendship Club meets a Realtor in Gangchon town
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Jan. 24, 2012
A Realtor Mr. Lee Dong-han and his wife(c) in-front of their office
South Korea based the Global Friendship Club promotes Korea-Dokdo-Love across the country, and occasionally they do travel to different provinces. In this time, they went to Chunchoon city, and meet a Realtor in Gangchon town on Jan. 6, 2012.
Mr. Lee Dong-han, 40, owner of Donghan consulting and construction, explained the Global Digest about his business at his office in Gangchon town. His business is about sale and purchase of houses, plots and lands, as well as, he is a constructor and as a real estate dealer. He has approximately 30 customers every month. The price of land in Gangchon area is approximately $1500-2000 per 1 meter square. He explained that the price is much cheaper than in Seoul.
Mr. Lee and Kimsatgat shook hands at the Mr. Lee’s office
Actually, Mr. Lee hometown is in Ichon city and he studied Bencher IT subject at Hoyseong University, in Cheonan city.
Mr. Lee and kimsatgat know each other for about 10 years. Two of them met the first time at nearby the bank of Han River in Gangnam. Mr. Lee expressed that he strongly supports for Korea-Dokdo-Love, and he appreciated Kimsatgat, a comedian, for earnestly involved in such movement.
Global Friendship Club chairman Mr. Sunngon Oh and Kimsatgat in-front of Kimsatgat’s house
Likewise, the Global Friendship Club chairman Mr. Sunngon Oh and Kimsatgat knows each other for 9 years. Gangchon town is also a location of Kimsatgat’s temporary art center. The Global Friendship Club members visited there for repairing Kimsatgat’s temporary art center.
A comedian Kimsatgat repeatedly expressed as his slogans are:
1) We don’t like war
2) We want democracy, peace, freedom
3) Love one another and harmony in society
------------------------
South Korea
ART-A Trading Company, export, import and Manufacture: New products for the year 2012
By Salai ThangStaff reporter
Dec. 30, 2011
Mr. Hong and his wife at ART-A office
The Global Digest has interview with a Korean businessman Mr. Hong in the capital Seoul city. Mr. Hong has a business in export, import and manufacturing, called ART-A Trading Company. ART-A company, ART stands for Article (“all things are under God and God controls them all”) and A stands for Alpha (God is Alpha).
Originally ART-A company was trading mainly for sock to European market. Socks are multiple size and various kinds of pattern. Mr Hong has a line-up company in China; they have a yearly contract for products. Mr. Hong main trading place are European countries, such as Poland, Germany, Chez and Slovakia, and Ukraine. 15 years ago Mr Hawng used to export approximately 100 of containers yearly to Europe. And he had to run 600 sock machines for 24 hours a day for a large number of customers’ demand.
A new product various kind of gloves
Unfortunately, from 4 years ago, his Chinese trader competitors started exporting the same products for cheaper prize than he did, so, his customers were declined, and eventually he had to stop trading a sock business, Mr. Hong lamented.
Moreover, the information of his export and the numbers of containers were known by his competitors before a wholesale was done. Since then, he could able to focused sock business in local Korea market only.
Although he lost market in Europe, he has still confidence, because he know very well his clients in Europe and has gained enough experiences, Mr. Hong said. He believes he can recovery back his market in across Europe. Since Chinese products quality is poor, he hopes his customers will return back to his high quality products soon. He said his products material is different from the Chinese counterpart’s.
A new product various kind of shoes
At the moment, Mr Hong is producing a new product such as glove and joking shoes. He is gearing to restart his high quality products in the year of 2012. He strongly believes he can rejoins sock business again with his European clients.
The interesting thing is a businessman Mr Hong is a God feared person. He has faith in Christ. He was now 66 and ever blessed by his wife, and has a son and a daughter.
------------------------
South Korea
A Foreign Student runs a small business in Korea
Special ReportBy Muhammad Senoyodha
Nov. 6, 2011
An Indonesian student Muhammad Senoyodha Brennaf
Muhammad Senoyodha Brennaf, 22 years old, a foreign student in South Korea has succeeded to gain a small business as a side job, called PULSAAKU.COM, an online calling card shop. This college student from Indonesia also has succeeded to increase his income up to 500% just in 8 months by applying a business trend named: Zero Enemy Business.
Brennaf called Yodha that founded his business PULSAAKU.COM and nowadays he has had six partners working together in his business. He has succeeded to make his small business and gained number of customers more than 180 people and 30 resellers that spreads across South Korea and keep increasing. When he was asked what his tricks was, “The secret is: Zero Enemy Business,” he answered.
What is Zero Enemy Business?
“Zero Enemy Business" is a business trend without knowing enemy or competitor. In Zero Enemy Business, all organizations and companies are our partners. When it was applied, it seemed impossible, but in fact the impact of this business trend is very useful and important for my company,” he said clearly.
Next, he said that Zero Enemy Business can also be thought as relative-connection business. We must keep the relation with our customers, it can be by just “say Hi”, by e-mail, or also by having lunch together, even though there is no expectation to sell our products. So, customers would feel comfortable and open themselves that would affect to their reliance and selling process. “Business is not something that always about making money, but business is something that has to get many advantages for other people needs. So, let’s do business by using heart,” he explained.
He added, “PULSAAKU.COM is an online business targeting foreigners in South Korea, but its headquarters is in Indonesia. I placed the headquarters in my country because I hope that PULSAAKU.COM not only comes to South Korea, but also to other country in the world.”
On this coming November 12, 2011, PULSAAKU.COM will have its first anniversary. When Yodha was asked, what he would do, he answered, “In this second year I have a vision to develop this business, enlarge the market, get more link of network, and perhaps it will expand to other country, like Japan, China, and Taiwan.”
If you are interested in PULSAAKU.COM or want to join the network? Visit our website PULSAAKU.COM at www.pulsaaku.com for more information.
------------------------
South Korea
KWALUS “We help companies tell stories. What’s your story?”
By Salai ThangStaff Reporter
Oct. 29, 2011
Liam Lusk
Liam Lusk is a co-founder of “KWALUS”. Their services include Presentation Design, Video marketing and helping companies use Social Media.
Born in Scotland in the UK Liam originally wanted to be a classical dancer and trained for just that but due to an injury his career was cut short. He then pursued a career in the theatre as a theatre manager where he stayed for 12 years – 8 of which were at the world famous London Palladium.
After a successful career in London he felt he wanted to be an entrepreneur and develop his own business, to do something different. At the time, a German friend of his Kai Maurer suggested teaching English in Korea, so he quit his job and sold his house in-order to come to Korea. In South Korea, he taught English communication, offered business consultation and presentation design help to the Business community.
Liam has been in Korea for 10 years now even though his original plan was to stay only a year.
He met his business partner, Carl Kwan, four years ago while coaching a company in presentation design. They decided to work together and created PresentationExpressions.com a site that helps people learn how to present effectively. Through this experience their interest grew in video marketing, social media and presentation design. They then founded KWALUS.
As a company KWALUS help companies tell their stories through video and social media.
He strongly believes and said that if we over deliver to people then you can gain something later. And he kept saying, if you believe something, don't be shy, tell people, go out and do it. And don't be part of the crowd, think outside the box.
Liam has a daughter with a Korean wife, he is now 41.
You can visit the KWALUS website at: www.kwalus.com or Presentation Expressions at: http://presentationexpressions.com
------------------------
South Korea
Seoul Global Business Support Center held gathering of special lecturers on entrepreneurship
John S ThangOct. 13, 2011
Professor Peter Bryant
IE Business School professors delivered a seminar in Seoul on Oct. 10, 2011. Businessmen, scholars and experts made up the crowd of nearly 100 attendees.
“If you want your business to succeed and to develop, which is to innovate, IE Business School is the place,” Professor William Davila shared with the audience. In his introduction, he said, “IE does innovation as the entrepreneurship,”
An Australian former entrepreneur and current professor, Peter Bryant, gave a presentation on "the Entrepreneur’s Mind" at the seminar. “This subject is part of neurophysiology and neuroscience,” he indicated.
He has worked in the promotion of entrepreneurship at the Qabtas IT group, an internal management part of the St. George Bank, and the risk consulting group at Deloitte. In addition, he worked two and a half years for Allen & Buckeridge, and was a professor at the University of Sydney where he created various companies such as AOS (treatment for eye problems). He also worked at the Innovation Capital group, and at the Cellmid Corporation for the treatment for paints, and at VAST audio. Currently, he is a professor at the internationalized IE business school.
He described examples of entrepreneurs such as Samsung Company founder, Lee Byung Chull, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg. He included one pop singer, Madonna, because she created herself as a product.
The participants at the Seminar
Professor Peter Bryant explained that entrepreneurial thinking is open to new ideas and open minds, connections and risks; subsequently it becomes creative and creates social value.
He believes entrepreneurship can be taught and learned, although, there were many entrepreneurs who dropped out from universities.
Another major aspect of entrepreneurship is to act in a competitive environment. Kodak Film was bankrupted which was beaten by Nikon digital film, because Kodak didn't see an opportunity in the new digital technology.
Therefore, entrepreneurs need to see opportunities as well as create social value. “Actually, entrepreneurship is adding to, and meeting the challenges of society, their problems, crisis and demands,” Prof. Bryant concluded.
IE Business School was ranked as the 3rd best international MBA program in Europe, and 8th best worldwide by the Financial Times rankings for 2011. IE is renowned for its innovative and diverse commitment to education and would like to invite you to come and experience this first hand by visiting their campus in the heart of Madrid.
To visit the IE website: www.ie.edu
Contact SGBC: Simon Hong (Director) 02-6001-7243
The Global Digest editor Layne Hartsell edited to this story.
------------------------
South Korea
A Western Man in Oriental Medicine at Jaseng Hospital: Interview with Dr. Raimund Royer
John S ThangMay 27, 2011
Dr. Raimund Royer in his office at Jaseng Hospital
Jaseng Hospital is for oriental medical treatments, specializing in non-surgical spine and evidence-based care. Jaseng is focused on self-healing, rooted in Korean traditional medicine, said Dr. Royer.
Oriental treatment is holistic but he doesn’t think it will overtake western medicine at this time, Dr. Royer continued. He has found that oriental medicine is very good medicine and an alternative option in the medical field.
Since Jaseng Hospital started over 20 years ago, its goal has been to help people live healthier and happier lives. At the hospital, the most popular treatment is for back problems. In this specific case, oriental medical treatment is much better than western medicine, Dr. Raimund said.
Spinal diseases such as bulging or protruding discs result mainly because of weakened muscles and ligaments. Other ailments result from the misaligned spine. Jaseng’s non-surgical treatment eliminates the root causes by using Chuna medication therapy and acupuncture therapy, which strengthen the muscles and ligaments; and Chuna manipulation therapy to realign the spine.
Korean word “Chu” means to push and “na” means to pull. Chuna medication is effective in eliminating inflammation and restoring damaged bones, discs, muscles, ligaments and tissues around the spine.
Additionally, herbal acupuncture (Phamacopuncture) contains herbal extracts which are extracted from indigenous materials such as deer antler, Ginseng radix, Carthamus tinctorius among others. The extracts are injected into the proper acupoints.
Over the years, the hospital developed a combination method from both oriental and western medical traditions. Western medical treatments use state-of-art diagnostic equipment, such as MRI, CT scan, X ray, Ultrasound, Bone Densitometry and Blood Stasis Analysis. Many scientific studies are included, Dr. Raimund explained.
In the case of Dr. Royer’s treatments, at least 90% of his patients were completely recovered from their symptoms, he confirmed. It takes time depending on each ailment. For a complete decrease in pain, it required at least six months of treatment.
Currently, he sees approximately 20 patients everyday at his center. Among the patients he sees each day, 15 will be foreign patients.
Jaseng Hospital has nine branches, two of which are overseas branches located in the US. The hospital group has received a request to open branches in Moscow, and also there is a plan to expand branches into the Middle East (Dubai) and Europe (London).
An Austrian native, Dr. Raimund Royer has been living in Korea for 23 years and he has been serving as the medical director of the international clinic at Jaseng Hospital for five years. He graduated with a PhD in Oriental Medicine at Daegu Haang University. He is multilingual in Korean, German, and English, which make his patients from around the world very comfortable. He has a wife and two children.
The Global Digest editor Layne Hartsell edited to this story.
------------------------
South Korea
Seminar on “Future trends and Challenges” held in Seoul
The future of human life expectancy reaches 100 years
Mar. 22, 2011
Seminar attendees at the IGM building in Seoul
A liberal Professor William Davila predicted the increase of human life expectancy up-to 100 years or more through biotechnology, during the seminar held in Seoul Mar. 16, 2011.
Biotechnology such as medicine and agriculture sectors made astonish improvement of health, Mr. William said. He also cover various topics including digital and nano-technology, nuclear crisis and political issues. He argued how predictions and trends of the future are developed and evolve over time.
Mr. William described the relationship between emotions and decision-making especially when involving a transaction. The role of emotions in establishing such as a connection is something that is becoming more important in a world where information is a commodity and options are infinite. This relationship plays even a more important role when talking about politics. In the seminar, he also toughed security issues, and mentioned about more than 100 nations increased after 1945 WWII, in the past a half century alone.
William Davila
Mr. Davila is currently serving as an International Development Director for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa at IE University, Madrid. His past experiences are Director of Development and Innovation for specialized programs (2004-7) at IE Business School, Madrid; Corporate Development Director (2002-4) for Executive Education at IE Executive Education, Madrid; Strategic Consultant (2001-2) at IE, Madrid; and Treasury Trader at Orinoco Bank, Caracas (1997-98). He graduated Master in International Relations, The Fletcher School Of Law & Diplomacy, Tuft University, Medford, MA, USA in2008; International MBA, at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration, Helsinki, Finland and IE Business School, Madrid, Spain in 2001; and Bachelor in Systems Engineering at Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas, Venezuela in1997. Currently, he is working in his PhD dissertation.
The event was organizes by the Seoul Global Business Support Center (SGBSC). SGBSC is serving the flourishing of foreigners’ businesses in Korea through legal consulting services regarding rules and regulations about tax, labor, real estate, cost of investment and duration policies and other. The seminar was attended by scholars, experts, businessmen and students.
Further contact SGBSC Director Mr. Simon Hong: 6001-7240
------------------------
South Korea
New technology and quality crystal products now available through the Korean firm Duffy
John S ThangStaff writer
Mar. 18, 2011
Duffy President Mr. K. S. Lee
The Korean company Duffy shows off its latest new technology and quality crystal products at the market.
Duffy’s products are digital speakers, USB hubs, clocks and LEDs. They have upgraded products with new ideas, designs and technologies. These products now boast new extra materials and more options. Generally, the company does remixing and upgrading of old products starting from the year 2000.
The products not only have better quality, with smaller sizes, but are more powerful; even for those that are only 0.5 Watts, the quality is tremendous. Only a few companies have such capacity to produce, Duffy president, Mr. K. S. Lee said with enthusiasm.
Moreover, Duffy provides a guarantee of products for 1 – 2 years, plus spare parts, given free of cost.
Duffy means simply to give digitalized sound with a better quality and a nice appearance. They had been experimenting with the products for the past several years, but now they are ready to produce and deliver them to customers.
Most of Duffy’s clients are pharmaceutical and conglomerate companies, while others come through general advertising (insurance firms and universities, Mitsubishi of Japan, etc.). We can supply various customer orders; even for a new sample design. The company has the capacity to design and produce a new product on the spur of the moment, Mr. Lee said.
Duffy’s products Light Speakers with Auto-Scan FM Radio(top), Mushroom Speakers (2nd from top) and Crystal Speakers(3rd from top).
The most popular among products was speakers. The secret is - good quality with user convenience. This crystal speaker has two LED lights for a decorative effect, acrylic or crystal cubes for decorative light reflection and refraction, laser engraving of a 3D logo inside a crystal cube (optional), and a built-in rechargeable Lithium battery (compatible with any audio player with 3.5mm audio output jack). Speaker output is 0.5W, including a USB cable and audio cable, optional LED colors and optional Mono or stereo speaker setup are all available. The size is just 32(W) x 32(D) x 96(H) mm.
The company targeted markets with 300,000 pieces for Korean customers last year, and some products were sent to overseas branches, India, Japan and other countries. After their first purchase of Duffy products, 80% of customers became repeat customers, said Mr. Lee.
He wishes to make Duffy famous throughout the world by creating better designs, and a “culture” for customers.
Mr. Lee enjoys the Duffy business very much, and he is determined to keep active in the it until he reaches 50.
Duffy has 20 staff members in Korea and 80 workers at factories in China. Mr. Lee spends much of his free time researching websites for different items and designs, comparing his products with other companies, and communicating with his colleagues in other countries, such as in India and Japan. Occasionally he enjoys a night out with his friends.
Duffy was changed from its previous name AdArt, in 2009. AdArt was founded in 2001 as a promotional company with its partner and agent or German firm, Burger Design Pen. Later, during 2003 - 2006, partnership agreements were made with firms in Italy, Poland, France, Turkey and the U.S.
The Global Digest editor Layne Hartsell edited to this story.
------------------------
South Korea
Do you want to start a business in Seoul?
Seoul Global Business Support Center is there for you
John S ThangStaff writer
Mar. 15. 2011
SGBSC Director Mr. Simon Hong
One of the fastest economic developing countries in Asia, South Korea is being eyed by businessmen across the globe.
If you intend to start a business in Seoul make your first step contacting Seoul Global Business Support Center (SGBSC). SGBSC is the gateway to a successful business, providing direction and advice on starting a business in Seoul.
At the SGBSC center, you can access helpful information, conferences, seminars, and workshops. The information includes lists of business items, as well as various programs to assist in establishing a business. The center director Mr. Simon Hong advises that legal consulting services regarding rules and regulations about tax, labor, real estate, cost of investment and duration policies are also provided.
SGBSC organized Free field trip at wholesale and retail shops in Mamdaemun market
The SGBSC aims to create a thriving business community as part of Seoul city’s globalization. They do so by trying to help foreign business entrepreneurship in Seoul.
According to Mr. Simon, who has worked for this program the last 10 years, import and export entrepreneurship is the easiest route, compared to other types of business such as e-commerce, intellectual rights etc. In the case of a new restaurant business, they need Food and Drug Association authorization, such as food safety and hygiene. This can be a very complex process.
The basic requirement for entrepreneurship in Seoul is you have to prove the prospective business has a minimum KRW 100 million to start trading.
In the last year, the center received 2000 consultations request, among them approximately 20 people were able to establish their entrepreneurship. This year will likely see an increase in requests for consultations.
SGBSC poster at the 2nd floor of COEX building
The SGBSC upcoming program:
On March 16, a special guest speaker Mr. William Davila from IE Business School will present a seminar titled “Future trends and Challenges". In mid April, there will be IP rights seminar, and the last week in April will have a meeting with officers from the Finance minister’s office. In June a business networking program is to be launched.
SGBSC started in May 2010 under the initiative of the Seoul Metropolitan government. This is the first center to offer such kinds of business support services in South Korea. At the moment, the center has 3 staffs, one each for English, Japanese and Chinese consultations respectively.
Further contact: 6001-7240
The Global Digest editor Barry Welsh edited to this story.
------------------------
India
WHAT IS THE “POWER” OF YOUR CLOTHES?
Special ContributionBy Saraswati Kavula
Feb. 22, 2011
Preparing the warp by Indian man
Surprised? Yes, you clothes reflect power – not the power you have, but the “power” you have used.
Did you know that the clothes we wear are also polluting our rivers, destroying crops, making dead zones in the seas and most importantly, increasing global warming?
How is this happening?
Clothes and other textiles can affect the environment to varying degrees throughout their life cycles. Before textiles reach the consumer, they have gone through many different chemical processes. They may be treated with chemicals to dye them, make them more hardwearing or wrinkle-resistant, or less flammable. Some flame retardants that are used in certain textiles contain organic bromine compounds that break down very slowly in the environment, hence last much longer.
Some of these chemicals are carcinogenic or may cause harm to children even before birth. Others may trigger allergic reactions in some people.
All textiles processes have an impact on the environment. The industry uses large amounts of natural resources such as water, while many operations use chemicals and solvents. All companies use energy, produce solid waste, discharge effluent and emit dust, and toxic gases into the atmosphere.
The clothes we wear like everything else we use today in the modern day – use power or electricity and also energy – in the making of the thread / yarn, the making of the cloth, packaging, marketing, merchandising until it comes to you.
That would mean, use of gas and coal for making electricity to run the machines, making plastic for packaging and use of petrol for transportation; which in turn means more coal mining, oil drilling, more thermal power plants or nuclear power plants or large dams to produce more “power” or electricity and to have more “power” for transportation.
And what does all this mean? Increase in Green house Gases and Global Warming. The greatest problem that each and every one of us is facing today is Global Warming.
Weaving the floor mats-carpets
The planet is in peril – the green house gases Carbon dioxide and Methane among others are increasing day by day, trapping the sun’s heat on the earth. Thus, the earth is warming up. Our glaciers are melting and if this goes on unchecked very soon, i.e., within the next twenty years or so, our perennial rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra will dry out. The sea levels are already rising and will rise further submerging the coastal areas. In many parts of India and even in Andhra Pradesh, coastal villages have started to disappear under the sea. Not just this, flash floods have increased and as we saw last year, lakhs of acres of crops were lost under water. If this continues we will be facing a water and food crisis. And future wars will be fought for water and the day may not be far when we see people killing each other for a morsel of food.
So, is there a way out?
Yes, there is – Reducing our carbon foot prints – using low energy alternatives – Handloom and Khadi.
While Handloom clothes use mill made yarn, the rest of the process is entirely hand made, Khadi is a totally hand made cloth – right from spinning of the yarn to production of the cloth. Thus, low energy or no energy is used in this entire process.
Besides being eco-friendly, these clothes generate employment. Handloom is one of the three largest Employment generating sectors in India along with agriculture and retail. There is a total of 3 crore people dependent on Handloom sector.
Indian Handloom fabrics, were extremely famous the world over and were considered the best fabrics the world ever produced. However, today, Handloom is not valued by our own people. The market for Handloom is shrinking, forcing many skilled craftsmen and women to seek labour work elsewhere and some others, unable to bear the poverty are committing suicides. So, if we switch our choice to Handloom and Khadi, not only do we save these lives, but we can encourage more people to take up this craft.
We, the consumers, have the “power” to change the situation – to better their lives and to protect our environment and thus, our own Future. By using low energy Handloom and Khadi, we reduce the need to produce more Electricity, meaning, we need not set up more Power projects, need not displace any more people, need not disturb our environment, nor destroy people’s lives.
Make a Choice Today
Use your “Power” to Save lives &
Save our future.
USE HANDLOOM & KHADI
Issued in Public Interest
Call Phone - 9866887299 /9989830711/ 9849718364
-------------------------
South Korea
Precaution an illegally cloned mobile phone
Korean government’s Central Radio Management OfficeFeb. 09, 2011
CRMO office in Seoul
An illegally cloned mobile phone—using mobile phones by cloning the electronic serial numbers (ESN) found in one’s or other’s mobile phone to another mobile phone. Somebody used illegally to others phones, such as hacking phone; especially foreigners can frequently faced those problems, said Mr. Sung, Suk Ham, director of radio planning division.
Therefore, CRMO makes precautions for subscription and use of mobile phones:
When subscribing to mobile phone in retail stores, distributors or sales stores of mobile phone operators, make sure to check if the mobile phone model name shown in the application form for subscription is the same as the one you’ve actually received.
If the actually received mobile phone model name is different from what is shown in the application form or if the mobile phone is being purchased for use from another person without normal subscription from distributors etc. of mobile phone operators.
About CRMO
Radio Management Command & Control is executing radio frequency management services effectively; the RMCC keeps track of the radio monitoring across the nation while runs a quick command & control system in preparation for emergencies at the same time.
Its main functions are complete control of the national integrated radio frequency monitoring network, command and control of fixed and mobile direction finders, detection of illegal frequencies and quality measurement of radio frequencies. Also, they are monitoring the status of radio stations and their license contents.
CRMO is working their utmost to enhance their radio monitoring capabilities and join the ranks of advanced information-oriented countries in the upcoming 21st century by investing extra resources in R&D and computerized monitoring facilities with the establishment of a satellite radio-monitoring center.
Mr. Sung said Korean’s CRMO monitoring system is similar to other countries system. But 10 years ago there was no such system so they had to use from German, US and other countries. Now, they have their own system, techniques and methods.
CRMO serves mainly for domestic. It has 200 staff members in Seoul office alone. CRMO has counseling center. If you have problems or want to counseling about cloning phones, please call:
Tel: +82-80-700-0074 (free of charge)
Tel: +82-2-518-1112
-------------------------
South Korea
The latest and the best energy consumption, Drive Natural Gas Vehicle
Promoting environmental— Purer, bluer, cleaner earthJohn S Thang
Staff Writer
Feb. 5, 2011
A Natural Gas vehicle in South Korea
The only Natural Gas vehicles promoter, Korean Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (KANGV) is promoting environmental rights, using the natural gas vehicle reduced emission and reserves air quality, as well as, reduced much of energy prices.
Korean Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (KANGV) is a combination of Korea Gas Coporation, Deokyang Energen Corporation, Joongbu CNG, Chungnam City Gas, SK E&S and other organizations.
KANGV tasks are to improve automobile related environmental pollution, technology development, natural gas stations, and technical equipments. Also, it is conducting research and public advocacy tasks, and exchanging and cooperating with International partners.
Moreover, KANGV provides training and consultation to its member organization about natural gas services. Consultation with the government, promote and draft rules and regulations related to natural gas vehicles issues.
Up-to date, there are 28,000 natural gas vehicles in South Korea. Among them, 26,000 vehicles are public buses and just only 2000 vehicles are passenger’s vehicles.
KANGV Int’l Cooperation manager Mr. Seungki Kim
If you want to convert gasoline vehicle to natural gas vehicle, it will only cost approximately $3000. However, those expenses can be recovering back within two years after you drive 40,000 km distances, said KANGV Int’l Cooperation manager Mr. Seungki Kim.
When gasoline vehicle expense 600,000 Won a month, natural gas vehicle will expense only 300,000 Won a month. 50% is cheaper, he added.
The reason of why natural gas vehicle still less users in South Korea is, simply, its competitor gasoline companies make stronger influences over the customers. Gasoline Company has been dominated for longtime and it has a huge capacity, so it is very influential, said Mr. Kim.
He believes one-day Korean people will realize how much its cheapness and helpful for environmental by using natural gas vehicle.
He further said, of course, it is a need of education on public awareness. Also, it is a need of natural gas stations to setup widely in South Korea.
South Korea has only imported natural gases. But South Korea has technology and method to refine raw gases with their own refinery factories. They collected raw gases and refined it and redistributed refined gases around the world.
KANGV started in 2000, and it has 6 persons staff members right now. KANGV received its general funds from its members and its research funds from the Korean government. Korean Gas Company is the biggest and the strongest among its members.
-------------------------
Norway ‘Funding Abuse’ in Burma
16 December 2010
Burmese forced labors
Norway’s state-owned pension fund is investing in companies that continue to do highly controversial business in Burma, according to a damning report released today.
The Washington DC and Thailand-based EarthRights International (ERI) says in the report that there is “a high likelihood that the Fund is contributing to grave unethical actions in Burma through its holdings in the Fund”.
The Norwegian pension fund is a sovereign wealth fund founded on the country’s North Sea oil wealth. It is estimated to be worth some $US500 billion and holds the largest number of stocks and shares in Europe, owning approximately one percent of global equity markets.
Its size means that it has channelled approximately $US4.5 billion into companies doing business in Burma, which includes “a cumulative $US450 million invested in companies participating in the controversial Shwe gas and oil transport pipeline project” to China, according to the report.
As of December last year, investments worth $50 million were concentrated in three companies who owned the majority of the Shwe project, off- and onshore: South Korea’s Daewoo International, GAIL of India Ltd., and Korea Gas Corp.
On top of this, the Fund had a $US244 million stake in POSCO, which owns the majority of Daewoo, and approximately $US12 million invested in Hyundai Heavy Industries, which is a construction subcontractor on the project.
Furthermore, around $US90 million is invested in PetroChina and $US58 million invested in Kunlun Energy Co Ltd., the distributors in the project. It also holds a $US168 million stake in Transocean Inc, the Swiss-American drilling company implicated in BP’s Gulf of Mexico disaster, which has also been used for offshore in Burmese waters.
ERI Senior Consultant Matthew Smith, who co-authored the report, says that the investment “puts the Norwegian people in an inconvenient position of complicity in grave human rights abuses in Burma”.
Indeed multiple NGOs, activists and residents are keen to point out that the Shwe project, which is set to net the Burmese junta $US30 billion over the next three decades, is being built with forced labour on land cleared of inhabitants by the military, and with little environmental or social impact assessments.
The Fund has a set of ethical guidelines which, ERI believes, such investments contravene. “The Norwegian peoples’ money is invested in corporate human rights abuses while the Ethical Guidelines go unapplied,” Smith said. “This report presents a distinct opportunity for Norway to do what is intended by its Ethical Guidelines.
“Now is the time for the Council on Ethics to recommend that the Ministry of Finance act on these companies and restore Norway to its position as a global leader in ethical investment,” he added.
Gro Nysteun, the chair of the Council on Ethics, an independent body that looks into investments by the Fund, said that while the findings of the report would be investigated, it would not make the Fund reconsider the stakes it holds in these companies.
“We don’t disagree on the situation in Burma but we can only exclude companies form the pension fund when the companies themselves are actively participating in the violations of norms,” she said.
“If we were to divest from all of the companies that have activities in Burma it would be the same as an economic boycott, and the signal would be that all of those companies cannot operate in Burma at all.”
The Shwe gas pipeline is a huge multinational project that will transport not only much of Burma’s natural gas wealth to China, but a portion of their oil imports from the Middle East and Africa.
As well as the Shwe project, the report is critical of the Fund’s continued investment in the French oil giant, Total, which runs the Yadana gas pipeline carrying natural gas to Thailand. The report says that in 2005 the Fund’s ethical committee surmised that the Yadana pipeline was no longer violating human rights and was therefore not an unethical investment.
ERI claims however that in February it documented two targeted killings close to the Yadana site that were carried out by a Burmese army battalion providing security for Total projects.
“[ERI] continues to document widespread forced labour and other violations by the Burmese Army on behalf of Total and its partners. In five of the last ten years, EarthRights International has documented targeted extrajudicial killings of villagers in the project area by Burmese Army battalions providing security for the Yadana pipeline, and the Yetagun pipeline that runs alongside it.”
It claims the Norwegian pension fund “has $US3.6 billion invested in five companies involved in the Yadana and Yetagun projects”.
--------------------------------------