LF Energy and Infrastructure Frontier Asset Management and is aimed at the procurement of raw materials procuring carbon credits and project financing the first commercial-scale green methanol plant in Korea will be built in the former coal mining city of Taebaek which will be transformed into a carbon-neutral clean energy centre Korea National Coal Corporation closed its Jangseong Mine in Taebaek City in June and people have been leaving the city over several years during the period of decline of the mine with the population now numbering 38,702 whereas it was 120,000 some twenty years ago “With the decline of the coal mining industry the risk of urban extinction is rapidly spreading” said Mayor Lee Sang-ho “The industrial base for green methanol production which will be a touchstone for the realisation of carbon neutrality and balanced regional development Taebaek City is considered to be an optimal location for green methanol production due to its abundance of forest residues and renewable energy (wind power) infrastructure A preliminary feasibility study is currently underway being carried out by the Ministery of Economy and Finance focused on the construction of a 100,000 tons per year green methanol industrial complex and a 22,000 tons per year green methanol production plant the risk of the city's disappearance is rapidly spreading” added Mayor Lee Sang-ho Government support is expected to enable the construction of the plant to proceed smoothly It will produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide using forest residues through a catalytic chemical reaction with water vapour in a high-temperature system of over 800 degrees This will then be synthesised to produce green methanol each ton of green methanol displaces 5.5 tons of carbon dioxide The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted the 2023 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy aiming to reduce carbon emissions from international shipping reaching net zero by 2050 and planning to introduce regulations from 2027 Global shipping companies have consequently begun to order methanol-powered ships fuelled by green methanol The South Korean Government announced cooperation with the United States to build the world’s first green shipping corridor at COP27 in 2022 The container ship and car carrier corridors between Busan-Ulsan Port and Seattle-Tacoma Port in the US are being promoted with the goal of a pilot in 2027 The green methanol produced in Taebaek City will be supplied as fuel for ships on the US-Korea Green Shipping Corridor The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is aiming to produce 500,000 tons of green methanol per year by 2030 100,000 tons per year of that figure is expected to be produced in Taebaek City by 2030 representing 20 percent of the domestic green methanol production target contributing significantly to the revitalisation of the local economy and national energy security Plagen YIMBY mindsets take hold in small-town Korea as local populations age and shrink People would joke that even dog carried 10,000-won ($7) bills we probably have fewer than 30,000 when excluding the ‘ghost population,’" he said referring to people who are registered here but actually live elsewhere “I haven’t heard a baby cry in years,” he added “I’m really afraid my city might disappear or be merged into a neighboring one Located about 180 kilometers from the capital Taebaek once powered South Korea’s coal industry the city’s population had shrunk to just 37,000 — the lowest of any city in the country More than 30 percent of residents are aged 65 or older Taebaek’s only higher education institution is one of the few young adults who returned to Taebaek he was born here and initially found work elsewhere he has been dispatched by his company to work on wind power generators near his hometown “The only decent one is Kangwon Land,” referring to the state-run casino and resort — the only place in South Korea where local citizens are allowed to gamble — built to revive the post-mining economy virtually the only place in Taebaek to hang out “There really aren’t any young people,” he said Seo said even coffee shops close as early as 8 or 9 p.m who runs a women’s clothing shop in Hwangji-dong said most of her clientele are older although she sells women’s clothing designed for customers in their 40s and 50s “When the Janseong mine and the local university were still around professors and officials would visit the area it’s rare to see even those in their 40s,” she said In a bold move to counter its population crisis More than 10,000 residents signed a petition in support Over 100 celebratory placards were put up around the city “We were so desperate we had to do something — anything — to save the city,” then-Mayor Ryu Tae-ho said A report by the state-run Gangwon Institute estimated the facility could bring in up to 2,700 people What matters is reviving the local economy,” Park said and that means more business for hotels and restaurants South Korea’s record-low birthrate and population concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area have left many regions teetering on the edge of extinction the Ministry of the Interior and Safety designated 89 of the country’s 229 municipalities as “at risk of disappearing.” The designation is based on multiple factors the government launched a 10-year “Local Extinction Response Fund,” allocating 10 trillion won from 2022 through 2031 The fund is used to expand local infrastructure and improve living conditions within the region reversing the trend of migration to Seoul for education employment and better amenities is proving difficult The Seoul metropolitan area — comprising Seoul Incheon and Gyeonggi Province — accounts for just 12 percent of the nation’s land but is home to more than half the population the population gap between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas reached a record high: 26.01 million versus 25.31 million traditional “not in my backyard” attitudes are giving way to “yes in my backyard” (YIMBY) sentiments Cheongsong County in North Gyeongsang Province residents objected so strongly that the facility didn’t even carry the district’s name But attitudes began to change when a 54-unit apartment complex for correctional officers was moved into Jinbo-myeon The relocation spurred local consumption and infrastructure development Cheongsong’s population has remained relatively stable Franchise stores like Paris Baguette and Mom’s Touch have even opened near the Jinbo Bus Terminal — a rarity in such areas the county hosts four correctional facilities and is bidding to host a fifth — a women’s prison then-Justice Minister Park Beom-kye was told by Gov Youn Kyung-hee that female inmates tend to receive more visitors than male inmates “The prison is one of the biggest clients for agricultural products here,” one resident told local media “We’ve come to realize prisons are not a disgrace but an opportunity to prevent our town from disappearing.” The county’s population fell from 24,441 in 2017 to 23,099 in 2023 — a smaller decline than Taebaek’s which dropped from 44,733 to 38,435 in the same period Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province held a competitive bid to host an incineration plant offering 6 billion won in support funds and 20 percent of plant revenue to the host village and Daeya-ri was chosen with 97 percent resident support six villages competed to host a funeral facility three regions applied to host an incinerator four districts are vying to attract a military base nearly half of the 23,000 residents signed a petition to bring in military infrastructure “Public facilities once considered undesirable are now seen as vital assets,” said Heo Chang-deok a sociology professor at Yeungnam University this reversal of the NIMBY mindset will likely continue.” a professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management agreed: “Facilities that were once avoided are now viewed as opportunities to stimulate population growth and attract public investment.” Lee Jae-myung leads in hypothetical three-way race with Han Duck-soo the presidential candidate of South Korea’s main liberal Democratic Party holds a lead in a potential three-way race for the country’s next election 15% of Korean wage workers have flexible work schedules: data Azerbaijan urges Korean firms to invest in Alat FEZ UAE seeks Korean partnerships in water management 'Smile at me': Cancer-fighting senior influencer inspires with strength Respect wanes: Teaching no longer highly coveted job in S As unused homes increase in rural South Korea Supreme Court’s verdict sours Lee Jae-myung’s presidential bid Korean mothers are opting for C-sections at record rates South Koreans get creative with Parents’ Day gifts Costco’s steep membership hike tests loyalty of Korean shoppers A woman visits the 20th Taebaek Sunflower festival in Taebaek-city The festival runs from July 19 to August 15 A man takes photo at the 20th Taebaek Sunflower festival in Taebaek-city A woman poses for photos at the 20th Taebaek Sunflower festival in Taebaek-city People visit the 20th Taebaek Sunflower festival in Taebaek-city South Korea plans to transform the former mining city of Taebaek into a national testing ground for lunar resource exploration leveraging the city’s abandoned coal mines as proving grounds for space mining technologies that could one day help extract helium-3 and rare metals from the moon’s surface This initiative was highlighted last Friday when the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) conducted a demonstration inside a defunct tunnel of the former Hamtae mine in Taebaek The event showcased rover prototypes equipped with autonomous navigation and excavation technologies - tools that could eventually be deployed on the moon to collect valuable resources Three unmanned rovers maneuvered through steep uneven slopes during the demonstration by using wheels capable of 360-degree rotation One rover emitted a laser toward the ground with a monitor immediately displaying the composition and proportion of elements in the soil Another rover extended a thumbnail-sized scoop gently collected one gram of sand from a rough surface and stored it inside an onboard compartment The same procedure is expected to be replicated 380,000 kilometers away on the lunar surface where just one gram of soil could yield future energy resources for humanity situated at an average elevation of 900 meters is Korea’s highest city and symbolically its closest point to outer space The environmental conditions inside its abandoned mines - complete darkness and limited visibility due to fine dust - closely resemble those of the lunar south pole making the area ideal as a pre-deployment test site of lunar exploration equipment KIGAM signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Taebaek in February 2025 and plans to use the mines as long-term research sites for space resource technology development This marks the first known global attempt to test lunar mining systems within an underground mine The moon is believed to contain over a million tons of helium-3 and more than 15 types of rare metals with an estimated total value of $38 trillion Just one gram of helium-3 can produce as much energy as 40 kilograms of coal offering a potentially revolutionary energy source for future generations Korea must develop space resource technologies independently,” Kim Kyeong-ja head of Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Center at KIGAM “This requires mobilizing national capabilities via the collaboration of multiple institutions It is not something that a single researcher or institute can achieve alone.” A total of 28 organizations - including KIGAM and the Korea Institute of Energy Research alongside other domestic and international entities - are forming a group to jointly advance large-scale research The consortium has applied for government funding under the Global TOP Strategic Research Program and is awaiting the results Participating institutions unveiled advanced exploration technologies at the demonstration event The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute presented a laser-based wireless power transmission system that can send electricity over one kilometer with 50 percent efficiency KAIST aerospace engineering professor Bang Hyo-choong introduced a low-orbit CubeSat that will orbit 10 to 50 kilometers above the lunar surface to conduct detailed resource mapping “The coal that was once mined in Taebaek fueled Korea’s industrialization during the 1960s,” KIGAM President Lee Pyeong-koo said “We are now beginning a new mission to explore energy resources for future generations- and we are once again starting in Taebaek.” SK telecom shares fall on new subscription freeze LIG Nex1 wins contract for next-generation weather satellite Monopoly concerns continue as Korean Air-Asiana merger nears.. Korea’s inflation rises 2.1% in April KEPCO to unveil first 5-year power distribution plan by mid-.. DRAM prices rise for first time in six months POSCO Holdings issues $700mn in green bonds Korean housing loans shift as bank lending dips Hanwha Ocean shares plunge nearly 10% on KDB stake sale news K-food counts more young Vietnamese consumers as fans Samsung smart farm tech boosts mango yields, cuts costs in J.. LK Samyang launches superwide zoom lens with German partner Musinsa’s beauty business surges 130% in Q1 Luxury watches, jewelry rise as new growth engine for depart.. KakaoMap launches indoor navigation for 54 major train stati.. Daemyung Sono to sell entire stake in Air Premia LG CNS partners with KAIST to train AI transformation expert.. item.tmx : Math.floor(item.tmn)+'/'+Math.floor(item.tmx)) +'℃ Samsung’s Bespoke AI Combo hits 100,000 sales milestone LG Energy Solution seeks global talent in U.S. LG Electronics rolls out tumbler washer MyCup LG Elec installs LED scoreboard at Boston Red Sox stadium HD Hyundai Heavy holds ceremony for Philippine patrol ship LG unveils 2025 OLED Evo TV Samsung unveils gaming monitor with glasses-free 3D technology KITA Chief meets Texas Governor to discuss semiconductor subsidies KB Kookmin Bank, KCS to enhance forex monitoring system LG Electronics’ AI Washtower optimizes laundry in 3 seconds Korea.net hosts networking event for Honorary Reporters Accord with Japan to protect both nations' people abroad A bilateral agreement with Japan will bolster cooperation in protecting the nationals of both nations abroad Click here to read more about the latest summit between leaders of both countries Talks with NZ seek to upgrade ties to strategic partnership Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded in 2006 to a comprehensive strategic partnership Mixed boccia pair to face Hong Kong for Paralympic gold the Jeong-Kang pair will face in the final Hong Kong in mixed pair BC3 boccia 🌕 S-Tier food for Chuseok 🌕 | K-Cuisine Relay | Ep.28 Galbijjim & Samsaeknamul “Reading is so sexy!” — Headlined by The Guardian (UK)　| Balance Talk | Ep Korean German architect in Seoul seeks to innovate Hanok Grassroots group seeks to clean up trash from Jeju waters Polish capital hosts Korean cultural event at Breakfast Market Hanbok-clad children play traditional games President Yoon attends opening of Cyber Summit Korea Descendants of Korean War veterans attend event in Incheon Multicultural families attend Chuseok event Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol on the 79th Liberation Day Keynote Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the NATO Public Forum K-pop management innovation changes global music industry Korea-French friendship to drive future partnership Denmark's digital strategy to preserve global democracy 10th workshop of European Association for Korean Language Education (EAKLE) PNP launches TOP COP special class to enhance tourist safety K-Culture Extravaganza Lights Up Jozi: Korean Cultural Centre Unveils ‘Travelling Korea’ Korean Restaurant to open soon in Abuja-Envoy Jusung Gabriel Park & Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page ShareSaveInnovationScienceWinter Olympics Geology: Perfect Ski Slopes Are The Results Of 250 Million Years Of Earth's HistoryByDavid Bressan The Korean peninsula is part of a two billion years old Chinese craton remains of the first solid crust covering the Earth During the Mesozoic (about 252 to 66 million years ago) smaller terrains were pushed against the Chinese craton and merging together formed most of the modern Korean landmass The Nogam-Formation forms mostly plains and hills the ski slopes are formed by the Daebo-granite one of the most common rock types found on the Korean Peninsula The Daebo-granite formed about 170 million years ago when the Pacific Plate subducted under the Asian continent into Earth's mantle partially melted and large plumes of magma moved up to the surface Due to the high viscosity of the partially molten rocks the plumes remained stuck in the upper crust Almost 30 million years ago, the Japanese Islands became detached from the Asian continent. Tectonic movements associated with the opening of the Japanese Sea uplifted 28 to 20 million years ago the Nogam-Formation and the Daebo-granite batholithe Erosion removed the metamorphic rocks covering the granite exposing it on the surface and forming the modern Olympics sites was inspired by lead actors Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo of the hit KBS series "Descendants of The Sun" (2016) who met while filming and tied the knot in 2017 held in July 2018 at the Descendants of the Sun Park in Taebaek Siberian tiger Taebaek in Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon South Korea’s Kangwon Land has outlined plans to build a new slot machine manufacturing plant in nearby Taebaek City The only casino in South Korea at which locals are allowed to gamble, Kangwon Land also owns its own slot machine brand called KL Saberi, distributed globally and across some Asian markets The company announced this week that it is in discussions with Taebaek City authorities over development of the manufacturing plant which is seen as an important regional cooperation project Kangwon Land CEO Lee Sam-geol met with Taebaek City mayor Lee Sang-ho on Tuesday with a view to signing an agreement An internal report on the state of the company’s slot business is also due to be handed down next week “The plan for the establishment of a slot machine manufacturing plant is being prepared as a regional cooperation project that can be done with Taebaek City,” a Kangwon Land representative said Kangwon Land also revealed plans recently to expand its footprint via a US$24 million revamp of its casino including expansion of the casino floor by 10% to 15,486 square meters This after South Korea’s government last year voted to extend Kangwon Land’s casino license for an extra 20 years until 2045 in return for certain adjustments to its tax rate Located 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Seoul Kangwon Land was borne out of Korea’s conversion to gas and oil for energy leading to the closure of mines in Gangwon province in 1989 Legislation in 1995 encouraged redevelopment of abandoned mining areas provincial and national authorities to found Kangwon Land Inc which is 51% government owned and overseen by the national Ministry of Knowledge Economy Thailand’s Entertainment Complex journey is at a critical point with the success or failure of the initiative to be determined.. 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Citigroup’s monthly Macau premium mass table survey took place during this year’s May Day Golden Week holiday with analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau claiming to have witnessed a number of all-time survey records Macau welcomed a total of 850,034 visitor arrivals during the five-day Labour Day holiday at an average of just over 170,000 visitors per day This year’s May Golden Week ran from 1 to 5 May © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2005-2024 Inside Asian Gaming The naming ceremony for the gas carrier Taebaek Explorer was held at the Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co shipyard in Yeongam The vessel is the first of two dual-fuel LPG newbuild very large gas carriers (VLGC) built for Hyundai Glovis that will be on long-term charter with Trafigura The vessels has an 86,000 cubic metres (cbm) capacity for LPG and/or ammonia Trafigura said the new vessels will ‘play a key role’ in expanding its ammonia carrying capacity ‘facilitating the transportation of both blue and green ammonia globally and to support the development of a global ammonia bunkering infrastructure network’ There are about 50 gas carriers that can ship ammonia from around the world Ships monthly is published every month and has a cover price of £4.99 All Headlines North Korea Sports Top News Most Viewed Korean Newspaper Headlines Today in Korean History Yonhap News Summary Editorials from Korean Dailies once a booming coal mine area but now known for a snow festival appears to have made the same mistake of the Japanese town of Yubari by turning the remnants of the fading coal industry into a tourist destination a city established in 1981 by merging the towns of Jangseong and Hwangji in South Korea's northeast province of Gangwon prospered as one of the leading coal-mining areas in the country from 1957 to 1989 when the central government began to implement a restructuring program for the coal industry as part of efforts to shift energy policy toward oil The city's population was 51,028 in 2008 but was down to 44,858 in late 2018 before slipping below the 50,000 line in 2012 the production of coal in the area dropped almost 71 percent to 279,598 tons with the number of coal mine workers falling to 750 from 1,663 In a bid to find a new economic model to sustain the local economy the Taebaek municipal government has made efforts to turn the city into a tourism spot by taking advantage of its scenic landscape The city holds Mount Taebaek Snow Festival every winter the city opened a coal-mining-themed museum at the foot of Mount Taebaek as the first project to promote the new industry and Yongyeon Cave in October the same year It also created a park as an experience site made of closed mines the Paleozoic Museum in 2010 and Taebaek 365 Safe Town More than 240 billion won (around US$213.33 million) was spent on the construction of the tourist sites But the number of tourists to the city has almost remained flat since 2013 This undated file photo shows the grounds of the Coal Museum in Taebaek a city in South Korea's northeast province of Gangwon Data obtained from the Taebaek Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows the number of tourists to the mountain the Paleozoic Museum and the theme park came to 891,000 in 2018 As a model for its establishment of a tourist infrastructure located in the central region of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido once the center of a booming coal mining industry launched a series of projects to make it a mecca of tourism from the 1980s when it built a theme park called 'History Village of Coal,' and invested in hotels and skiing grounds a delegation from Taebaek visited the Japanese town's tourism facilities and came up with a report that said Yubari turned itself to a place of tourism and recreation from a coal mining area But Yubari was effectively declared bankrupt in March 2007 with a steep budget deficit that accumulated in part due to money-losing tourist facilities The South Korean city also has tourist facilities that have been hemorrhaging money since their opening which led to the comparison with Yubari's failure The chief of the Taebaek-based Institute for Social Studies of Mining Area "It is obvious that the city has failed to accomplish the objectives of rejuvenating the local economy through the promotion of the tourism industry." A delegation from the private think tank visited the Japanese town to obtain materials for reference related to the region's development in 1994 two years after the Taebaek delegation's benchmarking trip to Yubari the institute called the Yubari model "not successful at all," a far cry from the municipal government's evaluation This undated file photo shows a park as an experience site made of closed mines in Taebaek All News National Economy/Finance Biz Culture/K-pop Images Videos Korean Newspaper Headlines Korea in Brief Useful Links Weather Advertise with Yonhap News Agency The 18th annual Taebaek Sunflower Festival is currently underway in the Guwau Village of Taebaek When the Hankyoreh paid a visit to the village on Sunday festival-goers could be seen strolling through seas of yellow petals the sunflower festival returns after a three-year hiatus on account of the COVID-19 pandemic the 66,000 square meters (16 acres) of sunflower fields in Guwau are filled with an estimated 1 million blossoms We’ve gathered some photos of the festival grounds here Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr] a first-class Siberian tiger born in May 2018 and living in Seoul Grand Park Seoul Grand Park announced on the 22nd that Taebaek has been receiving medical treatment since February due to poor bowel conditions who is becoming more lethargic and emaciated as time goes by has tried to eat with various foods and methods along with drug treatment the amount of food consumed became insignificant treatment and medical examination through general anesthesia were decided on the 15th." "As a result of confirmation through imaging and hematologic analysis it was confirmed that the biliary system and liver function were significantly reduced and drug and fluid treatment were carried out accordingly," he said Acute hepatic disease is a disease that can occur in cats of various ages continuous general anesthesia and active fluid treatment are difficult Taebaek died without improving his health despite constant treatment are having a hard time at the news of Taebaek's sudden death," adding "We would like to express our gratitude and consolation to everyone who has shown affection and interest in Taebaek." Taebaek's memorial space will be set up in front of the tiger's room for 7 days from April 22 (Mon) to 28 (Sun) There are nine tigers living in Seoul Grand Park Seoul Grand Park conducted an autopsy to determine the cause of Taebaek's death and is conducting a thorough examination in cooperation with external organizations the Siberian tiger "Suho" died at Seoul Grand Park "The cause of death was heart disease (myocardial fibrosis) and heat stroke caused by high temperature exposure in lethargic conditions." ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool The Taebaek Jangseong Mining Plant in Gangwon Province which boasted the largest scale in Korea due to the decline of the coal industry This is following the closure of the Hwasun Mining Plant in Jeollanam-do According to Gangwon Province and others on the 6th Korea Coal Corporation will close the Taebaek Jangseong Mining Plant in June The coal mining was already completed in March and the withdrawal of mine equipment such as light vehicles is currently underway Samcheok Dogye Mining Plant is also planned to close in June next year there were 171 coal mines in Gangwon Province but most of them were closed due to the declining coal industry The Taebaek Jangseong Mine is the largest coal mine in Korea with two shafts (vertical shafts) in the country and the second shaft was completed in 1985 it produced up to 2.27 million tons of coal a year It was the cornerstone of economic development and the driving force behind the promotion to Taebaek-si by integrating Jangseong-eup and Hwangji-eup in Samcheok-gun in the past as the coal industry entered a declining path due to changes in energy consumption patterns it eventually disappeared into history like other coal mines The Hwasun Mining Plant in South Jeolla Province (registered with mining rights in 1905) was also closed in June last year for the first time in 118 years The sense of crisis in Taebaek and Samcheok coal mines have been closed one after another causing the local economy to collapse and accelerating population outflow and aging If the remaining two mining sites are closed According to the research service conducted by Gangwon Province gross regional product (GRDP) is expected to decrease by 13.6% in Taebaek and 9.6% in Samcheok The estimated amount of economic damage is 3.3 trillion won in Taebaek and 5.6 trillion won in Samcheok Mass unemployment is also expected to be inevitable The Taebaek Jangseong Mining Company alone currently has about 400 workers Gangwon Province and Taebaek and Samcheok are preparing to apply for the designation of an "employment crisis area" amid growing concerns over mass unemployment and regional extinction When designating an employment crisis area employment promotion support funds and customized job project expenses can be provided with state funds for up to five years Pyeongtaek (Ssangyong Motor Restructuring) Mokpo and Yeongam (shipbuilding restructuring) have been designated as employment crisis areas Taebaek and Samcheok do not meet the criteria in some quantitative indicators but they plan to win with a qualitative evaluation of the reality of abandoned mines Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-tae said at a recent press conference "The abandoned mine does not currently meet the requirements due to the impact of continuously reducing the size of the project for decades but we will persuade the government through qualitative evaluation." If the designation of the employment crisis area is confirmed Gangwon-do plans to consult with Taebaek and Samcheok to push for an application for the designation of the "Special Response Area to the Industrial Crisis." This is a project to provide more than 1 trillion won in state funds to foster alternative industries in areas where large-scale shutdowns and economic downturns are feared due to the crisis in specific industries "We will make all-out efforts to make a leap forward again by changing the ecosystem from the coal industry to the new industry." Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea. Recommended Contents For YouTaboola 후원링크 Visitors view large snow sculptures at the Mt might not think it is even necessary in the first place tens of thousands of travelers take a trip to this land of snow -- with or without the festival People risk a frosty climb up the surrounding peaks and admire nature's magic that transforms bare trees and leafless branches into a snow-laden spectacle is located about 270 kilometers east of Seoul and sits at an average altitude of 800 meters people climb up Mount Taebaek to enjoy the snow-covered landscape This photo provided by Taebaek City on Dec shows a snow-covered Mount Taebaek (Yonhap) in thick winter jackets and some in full hiking gear were busy taking pictures in front of dozens of giant snow sculptures in various shapes obviously the most entertained group among them all to capture the moment on their smartphones Traditional art and singing performances filled the crisp air of the otherwise quiet valley that echoed back the sounds Visitors take photos in front of a snow sculpture during the Mount Taebaek Snow Festival on Jan Travelers enjoy the Mount Taebaek Snow Festival "I had a vague image of Taebaek being empty and barren not to mention being so freezing cold," Park Young-eun told Yonhap News Agency on Monday afternoon she organized a family trip with her two sisters and parents we love the organizers of the festival here being so kind to visitors," she said said it would be nicer if the organizers turned down the music blaring from the main outdoor stage A singer was performing there in front of a handful of people who braved the elements to listen to it "I wish singing wasn't allowed at a festival like this I came here to feel and hear the nature," she complained stopped her moves and immediately countered back: "Don't be silly trees in Mount Taebaek are covered in snow This file photo shows a view from Mount Taebaek at sunrise Nestled in the deep valley of Mount Taebaek The brutally cold winter lasts until cherry blossoms give way to green sprouts in other parts of the country beans and potatoes -- substitutes for rice -- in dry paddies Aside from the lack of food and hostile weather the city used to be a mecca of the mining industry from the '60s to the early '80s the city's population peaked at more than 130,000 the city launched the annual snow festival as it struggled to turn around the slow local economy dragged down by declining coal consumption nationwide and make the best of the city's clean nature and its main gift: heavy snow the main festival zone is set up at the foot of Taebaeksan National Park a memorial service takes place at the religious altar located at the top of Mount Taebaek Taebaek has other distinctive geological features worth checking out: Hwangji Pond and Geomryongso that are believed to be the source of the Nakdong River and the Han River The rivers are the two most important sources of water of the country the city government used the water from the pond It was enough for 50,000 people for 2 1/2 months," said Yi Hea-ryan a school teacher who volunteers at the pond as the city's tourism and culture guide She said up to 5,000 tons of water daily flow from the pond the longest river in the country at 510 kilometers A 1.4-kilometer leisurely walk along one of the Mount Taebaek trails leads to Geomryongso The spring seems too small to possibly be the source of the Han River a trail of Mount Taebaek is covered in snow Climbing the mountain will become more interesting when visitors learn the symbolic meaning of the peninsula-long Mount Taebaek Ridge along the east coast invincible spirits of the Korean people in literature and social contexts the mountain is widely revered as it is believed to be the home of the country's founding father Dangun On the country's National Foundation Day of Oct a shamanic memorial service takes place at the religious altar located at the top of the mountain for the country's well-being and prosperity The guide Yi pointed out Taekbaek's unique seasonal features "The only one big-scale resort here is famous for not having an air conditioner Everyone will know why after a night's sleep," she said "You can still enjoy snow and spring flowers here when they are all gone in other parts of the country." another group of travelers were cautiously crossing the icy arch bridge to the Dangun Shrine located not very far from the festival's main stage said she didn't feel the festival was worth a long-distance trip from the southeastern port city of Busan train this morning and had to transfer to a bus It took us more than four hours," she said I am a bit disappointed that there isn't much snow here I expected to explore the area in knee-deep snow!" For nature lovers and adventurers like Seo the festival might be no more than an additional feast for the eyes Enjoying the pure nature itself -- a snow-covered landscape clean air and crystal-clear streams -- is more than enough to make the trip This file photo shows Mount Taebaek at dawn Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Time Out straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Seoul not only flowers from the fire but little sprouts that suddenly appear when I go on trains,” wrote poet the National Railway Museum was built in his honor and is laced with his poetry as his train travels were often the windows for his words I had imagined the five-hour O-Trainto be quiet and pensive like my muse for this trip—the Bergen Railway it turned out to be filled with a bipolar pop music playlist and cheery train attendants who also doubled as the hosts of a game show aired throughout the train Rain and fallen branches on the tracks meant a two-hour delay in Buncheon where we were scheduled to transfer from the O-Train to the V-Train we bought fresh dongdongju and apples from the 55-year old convenience store named Hwang-su Super until cheering from hiking-gear dressed ajummas and ajusshis signaled the V-Train’s departure where we rode with the windows down as it wove in and out of tunnels built into the soft mountain hills wet with raindrops and trickling valley rivers Though supposedly most beautiful in winter the occasional white flowering perennials speckled like snow showcased the mountain’s appeal even off-season we walked around the Coal Mine History Town—a preserved collection of buildings from the ‘40s to the ‘60s made even more realistic by the gray weather life-size replicas from the not-so-distant past remain with written explanations about Cheoram’s history The plaques on the walls were not half as interesting as Kim Geun-bae our bus driver and Taebaek-teacher abroad Bus 4 to Taebaek Market who welcomed every passenger with a personalized hello and provided a detailed account of every building we passed “It’s such a pity to me all the sights that are missed out on just because people don’t know.” A hearty Taebaek special of hanwoo beef cooked over yeontan coals at Hyundai Silbi carried us over until our arrival atRockitsuda a contemporary-style pension in nearby Jeongseon county the beauty of Taebaek—I felt it during winter train rides here.” Will Arndt8:15am – Take the O-Train from Seoul Station 3:00pm – Take the V-Train to Cheoram Station 5:00pm – Take the bus to Taebaek Market 8:00pm – Take a taxi to the multipurpose Rockitsuda Café and have a cup of tea  we strolled past the gaudy plastic Santa Village surrounding Buncheon Station on our way to the unassuming village nearby mild brew of the label-less bottle of dongdongju and cheap and crisp apples from a local vendor were the perfect way to pass the time as a light drizzle fell onto the train car I discovered another treasure in the station’s waiting room where a small library and an old-fashioned conductor’s uniform await travelers and while foreign tourists may not benefit from the detailed stories shared over the speakers (for example Yangwon Station is the nation’s smallest) and dark tunnels build a sense of anticipation for the next scene Brief whistle-stops give a chance to breathe in some country air or grab a cup of makgeolli and a plate of spicy pork skins from a trackside farmer’s stand It isn’t just dramatic scenery greeted with a chorus of oohs and ahhs but a total experience of a slower and perhaps antiquated way of life in the Korean countryside Thanks for subscribing! 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About us Contact us A 60-minute ferry trip around the Han River gets you close to the many species of migratory birds that stop over in Korea Song Joongki and Song Hye Kyo at Baeksang Awards in 2016 (Photo from Yonhap) Hallyu couple Song Joongki and Song Hye Kyo were reportedly asked to have their much awaited wedding ceremony at the Descendants of the Sun theme park Taebaek officials expressed their hopes to Song Joong Ki’s agency where the drama was not only filmed but also a special place where both actors’ love story began The officials paid a special visit to the agency to personally make their request on behalf of the city’s residents “I and 50,000 citizens of Taebaek sincerely hope the wedding takes place at the ‘Descendants of the Sun’ theme park where the TV drama was filmed and the love between the two blossomed.” They even presented a detailed outline of the support that Taebaek City will provide for the wedding honeymoon accommodations as well as the officiant’s message Kissing statue of Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki at “Descendants of the Sun” theme park in Taebaek The Descendants of the Sun theme park is a popular tourist attraction in Gangwon Province featuring the “Urk” church and a kissing statue of Song-Song couple reproduced from one of the most unforgettable scenes in the drama The theme park was completed in June, a month before the surprise wedding announcement of Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" better known to fans as Yeri of Red Velvet is officially beginning a new chapter in.. Netflix is set to launch its first Korean original animated film A2O MAY’s debut single “Under My Skin” charts on U.S Big Ocean Marks Debut Anniversary with a Bold New Era in ‘Underwater.’ One year after their debut The Taebaek filming set of Descendants of the Sun has been attracting a large number of visitors The city experienced a massive increase in tourists following its opening to the public last August 12 Tourists are flocking this isolated city in Gangwon Province to check out the filming site and relive the scenes of the immensely popular KBS2 TV drama that aired simultaneously in Korea and China from February to April of this year a total of 7,810 visitors came in to visit the site This figure soared by more than 60 percent to 12,997 since it opened on August 12 making the total visitor count exceed the 20,000 mark The Taebaek site is where most of the scenes of the series were filmed It features the medical camp (Medicube) of Kang Mo Yeon’s team (Song Hye Kyo) and the Taebaek military base (Urk) of Captain Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki) The filming location has been restored as the drama became a major hit One official of the city mentioned that around 1,000 foreign tourists came during April-August They expect more visitors when the series broadcasts in East Asian countries