Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Landmarks of Yeosu Expo
[Yeosu Expo] K-POP Stars "Let's Gather Around in Yeosu"
K-Pop stars, such as Super Junior, Shinee, Beast, 2PM and Wondergirls, will get together in Yeosu.
'12 Yeosu Expo Organization Committee stated that various performances ranging from K-Pop and World Pop to Classic will take place during Expo period, and revealed detailed lineup on May 8th.
'The Big Wave Concert', which is a special K-pop concert, will begin on 12th, the grand opening day, with Wonder Girls and Dynamic Duo, and will go on every week with other K-pop stars such as Shinee and Super Junior.
On June 15th, Busker Busker will perform 'Yeosu Night Sea', which rercently have caused a sensation.
In addition to Big Wave Concert, total of 16 shows, at least one show per week, will be performed on Big O afloat stage.
In addition to orean popular singers including 015B, Kim Jo-Han, Boohwal, DJ DOC and Kim Kyung-Ho, foreign stars such as world-famous R&B singer John Legend, classic idol star Ensemble Ditto and Mason Bates, a popular DJ and composer, will also participate in Yeosu Expo.
Yeosu Expo show schedules are posted on its homepage(www.expo2012.kr)
All shows including Big Wave Concert are free to every ticket holders. Tickets are available on its homepage or Interpart Ticket.
Organization Committee official said "Besides exhibition, diverse shows can make Expo merrily. Especially, I think cheap K-Pop concerts(available to everyone with ticket which is approximately 30,000 won) will be very popular among tourists from overseas."
Yeosu Expo is a second Expo to be held in Korea following 1993 Daejeon Expo, and is chosen as 'one of the tourist destination that one should visit this year' by various eminent presses including CNN and Lonely Planet.
K-POP Water Show, Expectation High
Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea opens on the 12th and expectation on the K-POP Water Show is high.
According to the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea Organizing Committee, Wonder Girls, Dinamic Duo, and Simon D will appear in the special concert "Big Wave Concert". Also large wooden dolls and marine life characters will appear in the water show.
Wonders Girls who topped the K-POP chart with "Be My Baby" will show its Korean Wave again in the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea Water Show.
Dynamic Duo and Simon D who is leading the Korean Hiphop globalization will move not only the Korean fans but also the foreigners.
Big Wave Concert will open that day and continue in 26th, June 16th and 30th, July 7th and 14th, April 4th from 7:30 to 8:30.
Spectators will enjoy the day because there are many performances and events being prepared besides K-POP show.
At 2:00 PM, theme performance of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea called the "Flowering Sea" water show will be held for 70 minutes.
Main charater "Sea Flower Girl" and "Coast Boy" will show a thrilling performance along the marine life charater.
153 people will perform in the water show, and road performance, clown performance, water stunt, art circus will be be combined in the water show.
You will regret it if you miss the night water screen Big oh show using "The-O".
For the first time in the world, a hologram image will be penetrated through the water, and water fountain show as wells as flame show will move the spectators.
In the tent theater, Buhwal's first concert will be held at 8:20 PM for an hour.
K-Pop Festa is relay-concert form to be held throughout May, in which Korean famous artists such as Bu Hwal, Jeok-woo, 015B, Kim Cho-han, DJ.DOC, Geomi, Kim Kyeong-ho, will appear.
The historical reunion stage to be performed by Shin Hae-cheol and Shin Dae-cheol is particularly interesting.
At the tent theater, 12 types of special stages called 'Dancing Hero' which includes Hip-hop, Modern dance, Break Dance and Pop dance, will be provided between 12 pm to 1 pm. And the world's first silent comedy 'Gamarchoba' will be provided between 4 pm to 5 pm.
Dancing Hero and Gamarchoba will be shown till 1st July and 18th May individually.
At the children's theater, experienceable performances 'Nanta for children' and 'Garuya Garuya' will be open. Also many other children's performances like goblin band with natural sound 'Beatle Goblin', 'Bumped Apple', 'Tum-tum Bang-bang', 'Teeth', 'Who shat on my head?', will be performed.
The participant nations' cultural performances will also be provided everyday.
On the first day of the Expo, Indonesian and Cambodian performances will be played at 12:30 pm and 4 pm individually at the Ocean Square.
Besides, street and traditional performances will be provided for the audiences waiting in line of the exhibition. And Coast guard's training ship, russian sailboat 'Hagemga', Coreana, cargo vessel anchored at the ship exhibition dock, will provide boarding experience.
The organizing committee of Yeosu Expo's Cutural Event department head Kim Kwang-yong said "Yeosu Expo's cultural performances will be on the ocean with the ocean as the stage" and "You can learn about the ocean through the exhibitions and enjoy about the ocean through the performances".
The opening ceremony of Yeosu Expo will be played with 'Dreaming Ocean' as the theme at the Ocean Stage at 6 pm on 11th, the day before the opening.
At the opening ceremony, the Jeolla provincial governor Park Jun-young, the chairman of BIE, the chairman of the organizing committee, the member of Parliament, the representatives of participating nations and international organizations, the leaders of the Green Growth Summit, etc. will attend. And the First day will be a simple ceremony at the entrance of Expo Digital Gallery at 8 am on 12th.
Yeosu Expo will be open for 93 days from 12th May till 12th August with the theme of 'Living Ocean, Breathing Coast'.
It will be the world-class festival with 80 special exhibitions where you can learn about the importance of the ocean and enjoy various cultural performances. 104 nations and 10 international organizations will participate.
3. "Travelled around the world to visit Yeosu Expo"
Operating personnel of Joint Pavilion's 56 participating nations were invited for 7 days of training, and experienced Korea.
65 foreigners from 56 'small' nations of 3 oceans gathered at Yeosu Expo on 26th. Operating personnel of Joint Pavilion's participating nations, Africa, South America, Asian developing countries and South Pacific Islands, were invited for the 7 days training program to learn about the Expo and Korean culture.
105 nations will participate at Yeosu Expo's International Pavilion, 50 nations through Individual National Pavilion and 56 nations through Joint Pavilion. This program was intended for the 56 nations which will participate through Joint Pavilion, such as East Timor, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Maldives, El Salvador, etc.
The participants stayed at the Expo Town, the expo's staff accommodation, and learned about visa and stay, commercial activities in the Expo, IT services, operation of exhibition, customs and transportation, national day event, etc. Based on these learnings, they will manage each nation's exhibition and promote their displays throughout the Expo period(12.05~12.08).
Most of the participants visited Korea for the first time. Ecuadorian participant Antonella Carrascozuffi, who arrived late night on 23rd, said, "I wish to promote Galapagos islands, Ecuador's attraction and marine sanctuary, through the Expo and experience Korean cultures like K-Pop", and "As I visited the Expo sites, the venue, built beside ocean was splendid and i am proud to work there"
On 26th, the participants looked around the facilities and their exhibition halls, and experienced Korean cultures like Mask Dance. They participated in the rehearsal of Yeosu Expo on 28th(Sat), and explored Yeosu suburbs such as Suncheon Bay and Nakan Castle on 29th(Sun).
The Joint Pavilion is divided into 3 ocean clusters that are the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, with the participations mainly comprised of developing countries. The Atlantic Pavilion comprises 30 nations including Gambia, the Pacific Pavilion comprises 16 nations including Papua New Guinea, and the Indian Ocean Pavilion comprises 10 nations including Kenya. A small island state of Caricom Antigua and Barbuda , fantastic islands Tuvalu and Nauru, and a world class attraction although a small island Seychelles, will also participate.
The director of International Pavilion Kim Young-seok said, "the Individual National Pavilions which will provide high-tech and fancy displays will be wonderful, but the Joint Pavilion where you can experience the cultures and ocean stories of unfamiliar countries will also be very attractive".
2. Yeosu ready to welcome expo guests
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2012/05/123_110081.html
Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea will run from May 12 through Aug. 12, under the theme, ``The Living Ocean and Coast.’’
The organizing committee said 105 countries and 10 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the largest global event ever hosted by the coastal city.
The committee expects to attract a total of 10 million visitors, including 550,000 from overseas. About 300,000 Chinese are expected, followed by 200,000 from Japan. Those from Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas will account for the remainder.
``We had initially expected about 100 nations to take part in the Yeosu Expo. But the figure has reached 105. This shows the upcoming festival has attracted a great deal of attention from the global community,’’ said Kang Dong-suk, chairman of the organizing committee.
``We completed the construction of the exhibition pavilions and support facilities by March. Since the beginning of April, we have started test-operating all the facilities and plan to provide a perfect service to visitors,’’ Kang said.
Organizers have been operating about 80 exhibition facilities and rehearsing a variety of cultural performances, while recruiting thousands of mock visitors to have them provide feedback.
``Based on their opinions, we have modified our programs and improved facilities to offer visitors services second to none,’’ the chairman said. ``We have been working hard for the past four years to make preparations for the Yeosu Expo. We are confident the upcoming festival will be one of the world’s most successful.’’
What to see
The Yeosu Expo boasts 80 exhibition facilities, including the Korea Pavilion, the International Pavilion and seven corporate pavilions.
There are also four must-see thematic facilities. First, the Big-O will be a venue to experience the theme of Yeosu Expo.
Expo Digital Gallery will be the main thoroughfare, passing through the heart of the International Pavilion. Visitors will feel like they are walking under the sea by viewing various digitalized marine creatures swimming on a large screen installed overhead.
The Marine Life Pavilion is also hoped to be one of the most visited during the three-month fair. It will exhibit diverse marine ecosystems of the five oceans.
Sky Tower, abandoned silos that have been turned into an observation deck, provides a great view of the entire expo site and its surrounding area.
``When the expo comes to an end after its three-month run, we will tear down most of the structures. But the Big-O and Sky Tower will remain intact to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to Yeosu for many years to come,’’ Kang said.
Transportation & accommodation
``Korail, the state-run railroad operator, now operates a bullet train between Yeosu and Seoul, reducing travel time significantly,’’ he said.
The chairman added visitors will be able to come to the expo site via sea as ferries will link Yeosu with Busan and Jeju. ``For foreign visitors from China and Japan, they can take ferries and dock at the port, which is right next to the expo venue.’’
Kang said there are about 1,000 hotel rooms in Yeosu and the nearby area, including the newly-constructed MVL hotel at the expo site that has 331 rooms.
To ease the expected shortage of rooms, the chairman said the organizing committee has been in talks with travel agencies to have foreign guests stay in Busan, Gwangju and other large cities nearby, and shuttle them back and forth.
1. Yeosu, offers more than expo
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2012/05/123_110080.html
When thinking of Yeosu, the song immediately comes to mind, especially for young people. The song “Nightscape at Yeosu Seashore”, recently released by Busker Busker, has attracted many visitors, boosting tourism there and helping to promote the 2012 Yeosu Expo.
The nightscape along Yeosu beach is impressive to many.
It takes about three hours from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to Yeosu Expo Station by KTX. Those visiting the Yeosu Expo may easily view the ocean from the Expo site.
About 30,000 people traveled through Yeosu Expo Station located near the Expo site in Yeosu city, South Jeolla Province, since the end of last month when the album was released, according to the station authorities. It marks an increase by 10,000 from the same period last year.
Scenic places in Yeosu
There are 10 main scenic places around Yeosu, designated by the city. Out of the 10, however, there are two must-see sights. These are Dolsan Bridge and Odong-do or Odong Island. Dolsan Bridge connects Yeosu with Dolsan Island. It can be best viewed from Dolsan Park.
The bridge is most beautiful at night when the 50 different colors of lights decorate the bridge. After crossing the bridge, take a stroll along the trails around Dolsan Park. The walkway provides a full view of Yeosu city and may refresh your mind too.
If you have enough time, visit Odong Island located right next to the expo site. To visit the island, you must walk across the breakwater that connects the mainland to the island. The breakwater that leads to the island is a romantic pathway that is also one of the 100 most beautiful walkways in Korea. For more information, visit http://www.odongdo.go.kr/en/.
Accomodation
Expo Camp Town
Expo Camp Town will provide lodging for about 1,661 Korean and overseas visitors. The site will be available for stay starting from May 1. There are 35 units for caravans, 250 tents, and 40 units for auto-camping. For more information, visit http://www.2012expo-camptown.com/.
A diverse selection of accommodations, such as hanok (traditional Korean houses), temple stay, bed & breakfast in farms and fishing villages and mobile cabin homes, will also be available for international visitors.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Full text of Seoul Communique
We, the leaders, gathered in Seoul on March 26-27 renew the political commitments generated from the 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit to work toward strengthening nuclear security, reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism, and preventing terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorised actors from acquiring nuclear materials. Nuclear terrorism continues to be one of the most challenging threats to international security. Defeating this threat requires strong national measures and international cooperation given its potential global political, economic, social, and psychological consequences.
We reaffirm our shared goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Committed to seeking a safer world for all, we also all share the objective of nuclear security. We recognise that the Nuclear Security Summit is a valuable process at the highest political level, supporting our joint call to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years. In this regard, we welcome the substantive progress being made on the political commitments of participating States since the Washington Summit.
We stress the fundamental responsibility of States, consistent with their respective national and international obligations, to maintain effective security of all nuclear material, which includes nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control, and to prevent non-state actors from acquiring such materials and from obtaining information or technology required to use them for malicious purposes. We likewise recognise the fundamental responsibility of States to maintain effective security of other radioactive materials.
We reaffirm that measures to strengthen nuclear security will not hamper the rights of States to develop and utilise nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Noting the essential role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in facilitating international cooperation and supporting the efforts of States to fulfill their nuclear security responsibilities, we further stress the importance of regional and international cooperation, and encourage States to promote cooperation with and outreach activities to international partners.
Noting the Fukushima accident of March 2011 and the nexus between nuclear security and nuclear safety, we consider that sustained efforts are required to address the issues of nuclear safety and nuclear security in a coherent manner that will help ensure the safe and secure peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
We will continue to use the Washington Communiqué and work plan as a basis for our future work in advancing our nuclear security objectives. At this Seoul Summit, we agree that we will make every possible effort to achieve further progress in the following important areas.
Global Nuclear Security Architecture
We recognise the importance of multilateral instruments that address nuclear security, such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism [ Images ]. We therefore encourage the universal adherence to these conventions. We urge states in a position to do so to accelerate their domestic approval of the 2005 Amendment to the CPPNM, seeking to bring the Amendment into force by 2014. We acknowledge the important role of the United Nations in promoting nuclear security, support the UN Security Council Resolutions 1540 and 1977 in strengthening global nuclear security, and welcome the extension of its mandate. We will strive to use the IAEA Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities document and related Nuclear Security Series documents, and reflect them into national practice.
We recognise the contributions since the 2010 Summit of international initiatives and processes such as the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and Global Partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, within their respective mandates and memberships. We welcome the wider participation in the GICNT and the Global Partnership and value its extension beyond 2012. Noting the importance of strengthening coordination and complementarity among nuclear security activities, we welcome the proposal of the IAEA to organise an international conference in 2013. We welcome contributions from the industry, academia, institutes and civil society that promote nuclear security.
Role of the IAEA
We reaffirm the essential responsibility and central role of the IAEA in strengthening the international nuclear security framework, and recognize the value of the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan 2010-2013. We will work to ensure that the IAEA continues to have the appropriate structure, resources and expertise needed to support the implementation of nuclear security objectives. To this end, we encourage States in a position to do so and the nuclear industry to increase voluntary contributions to the IAEA's Nuclear Security Fund, as well as in-kind contributions. We also encourage continued IAEA activities to assist, upon request, national efforts to establish and enhance nuclear security infrastructure through its various support programs, and encourage States to make use of these IAEA resources.
Nuclear materials
Recognising that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium require special precautions, we reemphasise the importance of appropriately securing, accounting for and consolidating these materials. We also encourage States to consider the safe, secure and timely removal and disposition of nuclear materials from facilities no longer using them, as appropriate, and consistent with national security considerations and development objectives.
We recognise that the development, within the framework of the IAEA, of options for national policies on HEU management will advance nuclear security objectives. We encourage States to take measures to minimise the use of HEU, including through the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium fuel, where technically and economically feasible, taking into account the need for assured supplies of medical isotopes, and encourage States in a position to do so, by the end of 2013, to announce voluntary specific actions intended to minimize the use of HEU. We also encourage States to promote the use of LEU fuels and targets in commercial applications such as isotope production, and in this regard, welcome relevant international cooperation on high-density LEU fuel to support the conversion of research and test reactors.
Radioactive sources
Taking into account that radioactive sources are widely used and can be vulnerable to malicious acts, we urge States to secure these materials, while bearing in mind their uses in industrial, medical, agricultural and research applications. To this end, we encourage States in a position to do so to continue to work towards the process of ratifying or acceding to the ICSANT; reflect into national practices relevant IAEA nuclear security series documents, the IAEA code of conduct on the safety and security of radioactive sources and its supplementary document on the IAEA guidance on the import and export of radioactive sources; and establish national registers of high-activity radioactive sources where required. We also commit to work closely with the IAEA to encourage cooperation on advanced technologies and systems, share best practices on the management of radioactive sources, and provide technical assistance to States upon their request. In addition, we encourage continued national efforts and international cooperation to recover lost, missing or stolen sources and to maintain control over disused sources.
Nuclear security and safety
Acknowledging that safety measures and security measures have in common the aim of protecting human life and health and the environment, we affirm that nuclear security and nuclear safety measures should be designed, implemented and managed in nuclear facilities in a coherent and synergistic manner. We also affirm the need to maintain effective emergency preparedness, response and mitigation capabilities in a manner that addresses both nuclear security and nuclear safety. In this regard, we welcome the efforts of the IAEA to organise meetings to provide relevant recommendations on the interface between nuclear security and nuclear safety so that neither security nor safety is compromised. We also welcome the convening of the high level meeting on nuclear safety and security initiated by the UN secretary-general, held in New York on 22 September 2011. Noting that the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials also includes spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, we encourage States to consider establishing appropriate plans for the management of these materials.
Transportation security
We will continue efforts to enhance the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials while in domestic and international transport, and encourage States to share best practices and cooperate in acquiring the necessary technologies to this end. Recognising the importance of a national layered defense against the loss or theft of nuclear and other radioactive materials, we encourage the establishment of effective national nuclear material inventory management and domestic tracking mechanisms, where required, that enable States to take appropriate measures to recover lost and stolen materials.
Combating illicit trafficking
We underscore the need to develop national capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and prosecute illicit nuclear trafficking. In this regard, we encourage action-oriented coordination among national capacities to combat illicit trafficking, consistent with national laws and regulations. We will work to enhance technical capabilities in the field of national inspection and detection of nuclear and other radioactive materials at the borders. Noting that several countries have passed export control laws to regulate nuclear transfers, we encourage further utilization of legal, intelligence and financial tools to effectively prosecute offenses, as appropriate and consistent with national laws. In addition, we encourage States to participate in the IAEA illicit trafficking database programme and to provide necessary information relating to nuclear and other radioactive materials outside of regulatory control. We will work to strengthen cooperation among States and encourage them to share information, consistent with national regulations, on individuals involved in trafficking offenses of nuclear and other radioactive materials, including through Interpol's radiological and nuclear terrorism prevention unit and the world customs organisation.
Nuclear forensics
We recognise that nuclear forensics can be an effective tool in determining the origin of detected nuclear and other radioactive materials and in providing evidence for the prosecution of acts of illicit trafficking and malicious uses. In this regard, we encourage States to work with one another, as well as with the IAEA, to develop and enhance nuclear forensics capabilities. In this regard, they may combine the skills of both traditional and nuclear forensics through the development of a common set of definitions and standards, undertake research and share information and best practices, as appropriate. We also underscore the importance of international cooperation both in technology and human resource development to advance nuclear forensics.
Nuclear security culture
Recognising that investment in human capacity building is fundamental to promoting and sustaining a strong nuclear security culture, we encourage States to share best practices and build national capabilities, including through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. At the national level, we encourage all stakeholders, including the government, regulatory bodies, industry, academia, non-governmental organisations and the media, to fully commit to enhancing security culture and to maintain robust communication and coordination of activities. We also encourage States to promote human resource development through education and training. In this regard, we welcome the establishment of Centers of Excellence and other nuclear security training and support centers since the Washington Summit, and encourage the establishment of new centers. Furthermore, we welcome the effort by the IAEA to promote networking among such centers to share experience and lessons learned and to optimise available resources. We also note the holding of the Nuclear Industry Summit and the Nuclear Security Symposium on the eve of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.
Information security
We recognise the importance of preventing non-state actors from obtaining information, technology or expertise required to acquire or use nuclear materials for malicious purposes, or to disrupt information technology based control systems at nuclear facilities. We therefore encourage States to: continue to develop and strengthen national and facility-level measures for the effective management of such information, including information on the procedures and protocols to protect nuclear materials and facilities; to support relevant capacity building projects; and to enhance cyber security measures concerning nuclear facilities, consistent with the IAEA General Conference Resolution on Nuclear Security and bearing in mind the International Telecommunication Union Resolution 174. We also encourage States to: promote a security culture that emphasises the need to protect nuclear security related information; engage with scientific, industrial and academic communities in the pursuit of common solutions; and support the IAEA in producing and disseminating improved guidance on protecting information.
International cooperation
We encourage all States to enhance their physical protection of and accounting system for nuclear materials, emergency preparedness and response capabilities and relevant legal and regulatory framework. In this context, we encourage the international community to increase international cooperation and to provide assistance, upon request, to countries in need on a bilateral, regional, and multilateral level, as appropriate. In particular, we welcome the intent by the IAEA to continue to lead efforts to assist States, upon request. We also reaffirm the need for various public diplomacy and outreach efforts to enhance public awareness of actions taken and capacities built to address threats to nuclear security, including the threat of nuclear terrorism.
We will continue to make voluntary and substantive efforts toward strengthening nuclear security and implementing political commitments made in this regard. We welcome the information on the progress made in the field of nuclear security since the Washington Summit provided by the participants at this Seoul Summit. The next Nuclear Security Summit will be held in (the Netherlands) in 2014.
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