Korea Study Trip Proposal 2-8-07 - FINAL

________
South Korea Study Trip

Proposal
2/9/2007
________
Stanford Graduate School of Business
South Korea Study Trip 2007
Introduction
We are excited to propose a ten-day study trip to South Korea from Saturday,
December 15th through Monday, December 24th. We are eager to lead the first study
trip to the Korean Peninsula in this decade. Since the last study trip in 1998, South
Korea has developed at an impressive pace to become a global technology leader
and a major player in a politically-charged region of the world.
Drawing on our diverse backgrounds, we developed a proposal that promises to
create a first-class global immersion experience for GSB students. We would like to
create an opportunity for our classmates to examine the Korean politics, culture and
business with a special emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship. Above all, we
share a passion for Korea that we would like to share with the GSB community.
Michal Bortnik
Seungbin Kwak
Wook Lee
Gregory McKeown
Mike Mortensen
Gun Ho Roh
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Table of Contents
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
A.
B.
C.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
A.
B.
C.
D.
STUDY TRIP OBJECTIVES............................................................................4

HOW THIS STUDY TRIP SUPPORTS THE GSBS MISSION....................................5
WHY KOREA? WHY NOW?.........................................................................6
ABOUT KOREA.........................................................................................7
ITINERARY............................................................................................10
COMPANIES...........................................................................................12
POLITICS & GOVERNMENT........................................................................15
CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS & SIGHTSEEING...................................................17
BUDGET...............................................................................................19
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING...................................................................20
VACCINATIONS.......................................................................................21
VISAS..................................................................................................21
SECURITY.............................................................................................22
STUDENT INTEREST................................................................................25
Appendix.............................................................................................26
Korean History....................................................................................26
Seoul..................................................................................................28
Demilitarized Zone...............................................................................28
Gyeongju.............................................................................................31
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I. STUDY TRIP OBJECTIVES

To ensure a focused study trip to Korea we have developed a unifying theme,
supported by three objectives. The theme Korea 2.0 works on various levels and
will be explained below.
Technology. First, we want everyone participating in this trip to experience a
society on the cutting edge of technology. Korea is a leading player in the
technology boom. In a recent display of mobile muscle, a few Samsung executives
were given a taste of things to come: a 100 megabit stream of data while moving at
60 kilometers per hour. That is enough for video on demand, a live broadcast, and
web surfing simultaneously. And that is not all - when they were stationary it was 10
times faster, enough for 32 HD channels of streaming video at the same time.
Experiencing Korea 2.0 means experiencing the latest in technology.
Culture. Second, we want everyone participating in this trip to experience the
cultural evolution taking place in Korea. After years of absorbing cultural forces from
the U.S., Japan, and China, South Korea has become a major exporter of television,
movies and music. The Korean Wave was coined in China in 2001 by Beijing
journalists startled by the growing popularity of South Koreans and South Korean
goods in China. But the wave is not limited to pop culture. Recent years have seen
an increase in interest in the Korean language, Korean cuisine and Hanbok, the
traditional Korean dress. Experiencing Korea 2.0 means experiencing this Korean
cultural evolution.
Leadership. Third, we want participants on this study trip to make relationships
with the business and political leaders of the modern Korea. Experiencing Korea 2.0
means meeting the people who are leading the change.
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II. HOW
THIS
STUDY TRIP SUPPORTS
THE
GSBS MISSION
The GSBs mission is [t]o create ideas that deepen and enhance the understanding
of management, and with these ideas develop innovative, principled, and insightful
leaders who change the world.
In support of this mission we are building an itinerary which includes meeting the top
tier business, cultural and political leaders of Korea.
The GSB has stated its interest in global awareness this way: [a] key to succeeding
in the global economy is knowing what it takes to be a world-class organization and
how to build one that spans multiple countries, cultures, and economic or political
systems. We want to ensure that all our graduates clearly understand the
significance of the globalization of the world's economies, are attuned to the
challenges of operating businesses in this atmosphere, and are prepared to lead their
organizations to success in the international environment.
The experience of being in Korea directly contributes to the GSBs intention to
develop leaders who are globally aware. In addition, the preparation, which will
include high-quality education into Korea and the region, will go along way to
increasing students international perspective.
With the introduction of the Global Requirement for the incoming GSB students we
see this trip as especially timely.
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III.WHY KOREA? WHY NOW?

Things Have Changed.
It has been almost 10 years since Stanford GSB students visited Korea as part of an
official study trip. In the recent past Korea has changed tremendously.
The South Korean economy has advanced rapidly since the 1950s, when Korea was
one of the poorest countries in the world, to become the 11th largest economy in the
world. Looking to the future, Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2025 Korea will be the
third wealthiest country in the world in terms of income per capita, outperformed
only by the United States and Japan.
We strongly believe that GSB students will gain much insight from experiencing
Koreas passionate culture and unique economy, and the best timing to revisit Korea
is now. Here are examples of the interesting aspects of Korea we can experience
through study trip:
Korea is one of the world's most technologically advanced and

digitally-connected countries; it has the third most broadband Internet
users among OECD countries and is a global leader in electronics,
digital displays, and mobile phones.
Korea developed both very unique and successful business model;
Korea is the world leader in fast growing new industries such as online
game, online community service, and mobile service industry.
A number of successful foreign companies such as Google, E-Bay, WalMart, and Motorola failed after undergoing hard times in Korea;
Understanding why is a must for future global business leaders.
Korean cultural products are influencing incredibly fast over many
Asian markets such as Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. In China in
2006, Korean programs on government TV networks accounted for
more than all other foreign programs combined. Korean male
celebrities are now among the highest-paid actors outside Hollywood;
Understanding popular Korean culture will help GSB students
understand upcoming trends in Asia and throughout the world.
Things Are Changing.

This is the year to visit Korea, but why is the trip planned for right before Christmas
in 2007?
First, the Korean elections will take place the week of the trip. We will be there while
the people of Korea chose a new president, since presidents are limited to a single
term in office. Students on this study trip will be living history.
On a practical note, many Korean companies will have their official vacation between
Christmas and the New Year. If we go after Christmas we will have a more difficult
time scheduling high-quality meetings with business leaders.
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IV.
ABOUT KOREA
The Republic of Korea is populated by 48.28 million people as of 2004.

Administratively, Korea consists of nine provinces, one special municipality - Seoul,
and the six metropolitan cities of Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejon and
Ulsan. Seoul, the capital of Korea, is divided into 25 gu, or wards.
The Republic of Korea (South Korea) shares borders to the north with the
demilitarized zone, separating it from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, to
the east with the Sea of Japan (East Sea), to the south with the Korea Strait
(separating it from Japan), and to the west with the Yellow Sea.
There are many islands, bays and peninsulas in the Korea Strait. The volcanic island
of Cheju-do lies off the southwest coast. Most of the country consists of hills and
mountains and the 30 percent of flat plain contains the majority of the population
and cultivation. Most rivers rise in the mountains to the east, flowing west and south
to the Yellow Sea. The Naktong River flows into the Korea Strait near the southern
port of Busan. The eastern coast is rocky and steep with mountains rising from the
sea.
Korea is a mountainous peninsular, which boasts breathtaking mountain scenery and
a ruggedly scenic coastline. Seouls many attractions and excellent transport links
make it the country's number one destination for foreign visitors and the logical
place from which to embark on a tour of the country. The country also has several
dozen National and Provincial Parks, renowned for their natural beauty and numerous
temples.
Finally, The Republic of Korea also has considerable experience in hosting major
international sporting events, notably the 1986 Asian Games, the 1988 Olympic
Games in Seoul, the 2002 Asian Games and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which it cohosted together with Japan the first time this major sporting event has taken place
in an Asian country. Visitors will benefit from sports facilities of a generally high
standard, particularly in Seoul and in the larger cities.
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CULTURE, GEOGRAPHY
AND
LANGUAGE
Taegeukgi (National Flag)

The Korean flag is called Taegeukgi.
Its design symbolizes the principles
of Eum and Yang in Oriental
philosophy. The circle in the center of
the flag is divided into two equal
parts. The upper red section
represents the positive cosmic forces
of Yang, while the lower blue section
represents the negative cosmic
forces of Eum. These two forces
together embody the concepts of
continual movement, balance and
harmony that characterize infinity.
The circle is surrounded by four
trigrams, one in each corner.
Each trigram symbolizes one of the four universal elements: heaven, earth, sun (or
fire) and moon (or water). The white background represents peace, and also stands
for the purity and homogeneity of the Korean people.
Mugunghwa (National Flower)
The national flower of Korea is the
rose of Sharon, or Mugunghwa as it
is called in Korean. Every year from
July to October, a profusion of
Mugunghwa graces the entire
country. They are remarkably
tenacious and able to withstand both
blight and insects. Mugung means
immortality, and hwa means flower,
thus it is a flower symbolizing the
immortality, determination and
perseverance of the Korean people.
National Geography
The Korean Peninsula, which lies on the northeastern edge of the Asian continent,
shares its northern border with China and Russia and juts toward Japan to the
southeast. The highest peak is Baekdu mountain in North Korea, which rises 2,744
meters above sea level along the northern border facing China. This mountain is
regarded as an important symbol of the Korean spirit and is featured in Koreas
national anthem.
-8-
Korea is roughly 1,000 kilometers long

and encompasses a total of 222,154
square kilometers (South Korea 99,392 sq. km; North Korea - 122,762
sq. km). It is nearly the same size as
Britain and a little larger than Portugal.
Excluding some plains in the
southwestern area, approximately 70
percent of South Korea is mountainous.
Along the southern and western coasts,
the mountains descend gradually to the
coastal plains.
Language (Hangeul-Korean Alphabet)

In 1443, King Sejong promoted the creation of an alphabet for writing that could
simply and accurately convey the sound of the spoken language. Originally known as
Hunminjeongeum, or the correct sounds for the instruction of the people, it is an
easy-to-learn phonetic alphabet that enabled the common people to express
themselves in writing. Hangeul, as the alphabet has come to be known, is unique
among the worlds writing systems as its creation is well documented, including the
date it originated and the names of the people who invented it. And it was created
without any direct influence from already existing writing systems to become the
national written language. Hangeul has contributed greatly to enriching Korean
literature.
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V. ITINERARY
Schedules
1) 15, December ~ 19, December
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2) 20, December ~ 24, December
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A. COMPANIES
Company
JoongAng
Meida
Interviewee
Vice
President
Samsung
Electronics
C.E.O
LG Electronics
C.E.O
SK Telecom
C.E.O
Company info
The JoongAng Media Network (JMnet) is Korea's
leading comprehensive media group. The JMnet
tells the stories of the world through various forms
of media, encompassing print, broadcasting, and
the Internet, with newspapers serving as our
anchor.
Samsung Electronics is the world's largest
electronics company headquartered in Seoul,
South Korea and is part of the Korean Samsung
Group with a revenue of around $79.7 billion. It
operates in approximately over 100 countries and
has over 65,500 employees worldwide. As a chip
maker, the semiconductor division of Samsung
Electronics is the world's number 1 manufacturer
in all key areas of semiconductors such as DRAM,
SRAM, Flash Memory, NAND Flash Memory and
Display Driver IC.
LG Electronics is an affiliate of the South Korean
LG Group which produces electronic products. LG is
now a company focused on the design factor of
their products. The company was picked as the
design team of the year by the Red Dot Design
Award in 2006-2007. The company is focused on
creating a brand image and has one of the largest
design teams in Korea. Many products like the
Chocolate and X-Note laptops have received design
awards, highlighting the importance of LG as a
leader in design. In the recent years, LG has been
called the new Apple or the new Sony by many
people in the industry and internet communities.
SK Telecom is a South Korean telecommunications
and mobile phone operator controlled by the SK
Group, one of the country's largest chaebol.
SK Telecom is the leading provider of mobile
service in Korea, with around 50% of the market
share as of 2005. It was branded as Speed 012 in
the age of the pager, as the SK Telecom pagers
had the area code 012. This was changed to Speed
011 when mobile phones became more popular
around 1998, again 011 being the area code for SK
phones. Currently, newly registered mobile phones
in Korea start with the area code 010 regardless of
service provider. This was partly because SK
Telecom had achieved such market dominance that
the 011 number became a brand in itself and was
considered a case of implicit advertising/product
placement, which is banned in Korea. SK Telecom
had to be separated from SK Teletech, because SK
Teletech's Sky mobile phones were configured only
for SK Telecom service.
- 12 -
Cyworld
Manufacturing
Site
Hyundai Motors
Site
Managers
Vice
President
Venture
Capitals
Ohmynews.co
m
C.E.O
(Founder)
Ventures
Founders
SK Telecom also offers a variety of internet

services, many through its subsidiary SK
Communications.
Cyworld is one of the most popular blogging
services in South Korea and NateOn is one of the
most popular instant messengers.
Samsung Electronics LCD MFG Plant
Or Samsung Electronics Semiconductor MFG.
The Hyundai Motor Company, a division of the
Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, is South Korea's
largest car maker. It is headquartered in Seoul,
South Korea. In 2005, the combined sales of the
Hyundai Kia Automotive Group made it the world's
sixth largest vehicle manufacturer. In Ulsan, South
Korea Hyundai operates the world's largest
integrated automobile manufacturing facility which
is capable of producing 1.6 million units annually.
The Hyundai logo, a slanted, stylized 'H', is
symbolic of two people (the company and
customer) shaking hands and its official global
tagline slogan is "Drive your way."
Visit some of the most dynamic VCs in Korea
(KTB Networks, STIC, SVIC, Dongwon Venture)
OhmyNews is a South Korean online newspaper
with the motto "Every Citizen is a Reporter." It was
founded by Oh Yeon Ho on February 22, 2000.
It is the first website in the world to accept, edit
and publish articles from its readers, in an open
source style of news reporting. About 20% of the
site's content is written by the 55-person staff
while the majority of articles are written by other
freelance contributors who are mostly ordinary
citizens.
OhmyNews was influential in determining the
outcome of the South Korean presidential elections
in December 2002 with the election of Roh Moo
Hyun. After being elected, Roh granted his first
interview to OhmyNews.
The OhmyNews International page features "citizen
reporter" articles written in English from all over
the globe.
A similar open source perspective on news
reporting has been explored by Wikinews, with the
added distinction that any user can edit articles at
any time, rather than having to submit articles to
be vetted by paid staff.
Visit some of the most active venture companies in
Korea. (Teheran Valley)
- 13 -

E-mart
C.E.O
NCsoft
C.E.O
E-mart is a large discount store chain located and

founded in South Korea and is a subsidiary of
Shinsegae. Domestically, E-mart is one of the
major discount store chains along with Carrefour
(now Homever) and Home Plus.
In late May 2006, Shinsegae revealed plans to buy
all 16 of the Wal-Mart locations in Korea. The
country's Wal-Mart outlets were re-branded as Emart on October, 2006
NCsoft is a South Korean based online computer
game company. NCsoft produced Lineage, a
massively multiplayer online role-playing game.
NCsoft was originally founded in March 1997 by
Tak Jin Kim, author of a Korean word processor
program called Hangul, a business software
developer. One of the company's first products was
NC HTML Editor. In September 1998, NCsoft
launched its first and most popular game, Lineage.
The success of this game helped the company
expand to locations in Taiwan, China, Japan, and
the United States.
- 14 -
B.POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Agency
US Embassy
Interviewee
Alexander
Vershbow
(US
Ambassador)
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
And Trade
Minister of
Foreign
Affairs and
Trade
Overview
Alexander Vershbow was sworn in as
Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on October
14, 2005 and took up his duties on October 17,
2005. He is a career member of the Foreign
Service, with rank of Career Minister, and has
extensive experience in East-West relations, nonproliferation and European security affairs.
From July 2001 to July 2005, Ambassador
Vershbow served as U.S. Ambassador to the
Russian Federation. During his tenure, the
Ambassador worked to promote U.S.-Russian
cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism and
counter-proliferation, and to expand the agenda
to encompass new challenges such as HIV/AIDS.
He was a consistent advocate for the causes of
democracy, human rights, and rule of law in
Russia, and received the American Bar
Associations 2004 Ambassadors Award for these
efforts. He also promoted U.S. business interests
in Russia, advancing American trade, exports and
investment during a period of unprecedented
Russian economic growth, while campaigning for
the protection of intellectual property rights.
As a part of the government organization reforms
in 1998, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was
reorganized as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade with the incorporation of the newly
established Office of the Minister for Trade, so as
to comprehensively establish and conduct foreign
policies on trade, trade negotiations and foreign
economic affairs according to Presidential Decree
No. 15710 of February 28 and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade Decree No. 8377 of March 3.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in
charge of the following: establishment and
conduct of foreign policies; establishment,
conduct, generalization and regulation of foreign
policies on trade, trade negotiations and external
economic affairs; treaties and other international
agreements; cultural cooperation, overseas
promotion; protection and support for overseas
Korean nationals; international situation analysis
and consular affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has
continuously unfolded complementary measures
for such as readjustment of manpower and
budget befitting the changes in the diplomatic
environment the pursuit of substantial diplomacy
to maximize the national interest of the ROK in
- 15 -
The American
Chamber of
Commerce in
Korea
Ministry of
Information &
Communication
William
Oberlin
(President)
Minister
of I & C
Ministry of
Reunification
Minister
Of
Reunification
Cheong Wa
Dae
(The
Presidential
Palace)
The President
Of
Korea
The National
Assembly
Speaker
(Chairman)
Of
Assembly
the midst of a highly competitive international

environment.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea,
better known as AMCHAM, was founded in 1953
with a broad mandate to encourage the
development of trade and commerce between
Korea and the United States. Our membership
has grown to over 2,300 members and includes
over 1,000 member companies.
The Ministry of Information and Communication
or MIC is a ministry of the government of South
Korea. Its headquarters are located in Jongnogu, central Seoul. The current minister is Rho
Jun-hyong, who began serving in March 2006.
The Ministry of Unification is a branch of the
South Korean government that is charged with
working toward the reunification of Korea. It was
first established in 1969 as the National
Unification Board, under the rule of Park Chunghee. It gained its current status in 1998. The
current minister is Lee Jong-seok. The ministry
also supports several university programs in
unification studies.
Cheong Wa Dae (or the Blue House) is the
executive office and official residence of the
South Korean head of state, the President of the
Republic of Korea. Both the English and Korean
names refer to the building's blue-green roof.
The Korean name has the literal meaning "house
of the blue roof tiles." Cheong Wa Dae is in fact a
complex of buildings, built largely in the
traditional Korean style with some modern
elements.
At present, Cheong Wa Dae consists of the main
office building, the official Presidential residence,
Yeongbin-gwan or the guest house, the
Chunchugwan press hall, and the secretariat
buildings. The entire complex covers 76,685
pyeong (about 250,000 m).
The National Assembly of South Korea is a 299member unicameral legislature. The latest
parliamentary elections were held on April 15,
2004. Single-member constituencies comprise
243 of the National Assembly's seats, while the
remaining 46 are allocated by proportional
representation. Members serve four-year terms.
- 16 -
C. CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS & SIGHTSEEING

Place
Old Downtown of
Seoul
Myeong-dong
Traditional Korean
Housing
Presidential Election
Campaign on the
street
Gyeongju National
Museum
Overview
There is a saying that Korea's economic performance
cannot be gauged without first understanding the money
flow in Myeong-dong. Headed by the Bank of Korea, and
the headquarters of all the major banks of Korea, including
Kookmin, Seoul, and Korea Exchange, are located in
Myeong-dong, which attests to the significance of the
neighborhood as a center of Korean finance.
Another characteristic of Myeong-dong, is its cultural
richness and prosperity, evidenced by the skyscrapers and
the huge number of passers-by that crowd the streets.
Fashion boutiques abound in this neighborhood, along with
well-known cafes and small stages that hold live concerts.
Restaurants are plentiful and varied, to suit the tastes of
any customer. On an average day it is estimated that two
million shoppers visit Myeong-dong.
A traditional Korean house is called hanok, which is sought
to create a living space based on the coexistence of nature
and humans. Accordingly, the natural aspects of a
traditional Korean house range from the structures inner
layout to the building materials which were used. Another
unique feature of traditional houses is their special design
for cooling the interior in the summer and heating the
interior in the winter. Since Korea has hot summers and
cold winters, the ondol gudeul, a floor-based heating
system and daecheng, a cool wooden-floor style of hall,
were devised long ago to help Koreans survive the frigid
winters and to make the sweltering and humid summers
bearable. These primitive types of heating and airconditioning were so efficient that they are still in use in
many homes today.
The Presidential Election will take place on 19th of
December, 2007. We will visit the last minute, on-street
election campaign at the heart of Seoul.
The Gyeongju National Museum, a treasure house of Silla
Kingdom's one thousand year culture, has been loved by
Korean people and has attracted great interest from people
all over the world. Recently, we have opened the Art Hall
and renovated the Archaeology Hall, the Anapji Hall and
the Special Exhibition Hall. So far, we have been
concentrating on expansion of the hardware: improving the
galleries and other facilities for visitors' convenience. From
now on, we will put more effort into developing the
software related to operation of the Museum and life-long
learning.
In this age of change and innovation, the Museum needs to
have a management strategy of its own. It is time for the
Gyeongju National Museum to establish a mid- and longterm development plan to realize the Museum's identity.
- 17 -
DMZ
Traditional Market
Namdaemun
Gyeongbokgung
The Gyeongju National Museum, a pivotal cultural center in

charge of conservation and exhibition of, and investigation
and research into Silla culture, will promote a variety of
planned exhibitions, international exchanges, and social
education programs, with a view to upgrading to a major
comprehensive culture center in East Asia.
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) is a strip of land
running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer
zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the
Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel
on an acute angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying
south of the parallel and the east end lying north of it. It is
248km/155 miles long and approximately 4km/2.5 miles
wide, and is the most heavily armed border in the world.
As Korea's largest and oldest traditional market,
Namdaemun is a barometer of Seoul's economic situation
and where Seoulites can comparison shop for the lowest
prices on all sorts of goods. It is also a world-famous
shopping paradise and an attraction that tourists should
not miss. At Namdaemun, a great deal of effort has been
made to foster a tourist-friendly atmosphere. Information
is available for local residents and tourists and free
interpretation services (both in English and in Japanese)
are readily offered to foreign tourists.
Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, the fourth year
of the reign of King Taejo. The palace, named 'Gyeongbok'
or 'shining happiness' was built as a tribute to the
permanent happiness and prosperity of Korea's kings, their
children and the people of the nation. It was burnt down
during the Japanese invasion of 1592, and was left in ruins
until being rebuilt in 1865, during the 2nd year of the reign
of Prince Regent Daewongun.
Many of the buildings at the palace were demolished during
the Japanese colonial period. However, in the 1990s, the
government launched restoration of the palace, and it has
now been restored to its original state. On the site stand
Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru, Hyangwonjeong, and
Amisan Chimney, all in their original states.
The palace will allow visitors to get a better understanding
of the culture and heritage of Korea.
- 18 -
VI. BUDGET
Based on our preliminary estimates, we expect the cost per student to be
approximately $3,220 per person (before any GSB subsidy).
Korea Study Trip Budget
Some of the estimated line items will be further adjusted prior to the Study Trip BBL
to give trip participants the most accurate estimated budget as the hotel rates,
airfare, and transportation expenses can be further negotiated and cannot be
finalized at this point.
- 19 -
VII. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

The focus of the educational program will be to provide trip participants with an
understanding of Koreas history, culture, and customs. A secondary goal will be to
introduce these elements and our experience in Korea to the Stanford GSB
community.
Early in our education process, we will visit a traditional Korean restaurant to
introduce trip participants to the food and culture of Korea. At the restaurant, we will
explain about the food and the service, as well as what participants should expect
while dining in Korea.
To involve the greater GSB community as we prepare for our trip, we will host a
movie night where we will showcase a popular Korean film.
As a final wrap-up of everything we learned on the trip, we will write a detailed aftertrip summary report and host a BBL. At the BBL, we will present a slideshow of the
places we went and talk briefly about the companies and politicians we met.
Basic research
History
o Relations with China, Japan, and United States
o Conflict with North Korea
o Economic history and development
Political system
o Overview, including current leaders
Sensitive issues
o North Korea, Japan
Culture
o Traditions
o Eating and drinking customs
o Business Etiquette
o Trends in the Korean Wave
o Emergence of film industry
o Korean pop culture
Language
o Survival phrases
o Alphabet
Research of our itinerary
Companies
Cultural sites
Speakers / Panels
Entrepreneurship / doing business in Korea panel
Professors (Jin Whang)
- 20 -
VIII.VACCINATIONS
No vaccination is required by CDC to visit Korea.
For the recommended vaccinations, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm#vaccines
IX. VISAS
Any foreign visitors wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have a valid
passport and obtain a Korean visa before coming. But people of 99 countries who
want to visit Korea temporarily are permitted to enter without a visa according to
visa-exemption agreements (Table 1), or in accordance with principles reciprocity or
national interest (Table 2).
Application for Visas
- Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad.
- It is required for the visa applicants to submit passport, application forms, a recent
passport-style color photograph, and such other documents as determined by the
status of stay.
- Visa application fee: USD30 (Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days)
[Table1] Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements
- 21 -
[Table2] Countries or Regions under principles of reciprocity and national

interest
More information on:

- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea: http://www.mofat.go.kr
- Immigration Bureau of Korea: http://www.immigration.go.kr
X. SECURITY
U.S. Department of State has no travel warnings for South Korea. While the war in
Iraq has made travel abroad less safe in general, there are no special concerns about
traveling in South Korea, which is an ally of the U.S.
According to the Consular Information Sheet, the crime rate in Korea is low and an
English-language emergency phone line for victims of a crime operates on a twentyfour-hour, seven-day-a-week basis.
- 22 -
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Michal Bortnik
mbortnik@stanford.edu
206.734.5277
Personal Motivation
As a co-host of the 2002 World Cup, Korea was the
destination of devoted soccer fans, including myself. As I
traveled across Korea to watch spectacular athletic feats, I
discovered a welcoming and progressive culture. It soon
became clear that just as the Korean team competed for
the top spots in the tournament, the Korean society was
vying for global leadership as one of the most
technologically advanced nations. Now Im excited to help
create a Korea adventure for his classmates.
Outside Obligations
Board Fellow, Club participant
Seungbin Kwak
kwak@stanford.edu
650.799.1531
Relevant Experience
Five years of Program Management experience, proficiency
in video games, borderline addiction for Korean food
(Kalbi)
Personal Motivation
As one of the few Korean GSBers, I kept thinking about
ways to contribute to make our experience better. I finally
found that I would be able to let my friends experience
and understand my countrys fast growing IT industries
and unique culture which are now in the center of Asian
society. I strongly believe that this
trip to Korea will lead us to a better understanding of
future IT industries and to an exiting experience of the
most dynamic culture in Asia.
Outside Obligations
A wife! And my lovely Xbox 360.
Kang-Wook Lee
klee3@stanford.edu
650.575.1374
Relevant Experience
Five and a half years in Samsung Electronics/Working with
several on-line game companies and VCs/Traveled a lot
(including 27 times to Shanghai)
Personal Motivation
As a part of GSB community, I always want to share my
knowledge and experience in Korea. After I found the level
of understanding about Korea was very limited in this GSB
community, I was really driven by this study trip.
I believe Korean unique culture and business environment
will be very beneficial to all GSB student who has interest
in global management.
Outside Obligations
Club participant, A wife
Relevant Experience
Lived in Korea over 28 years. have many experiences
in developing strategies for both Korean companies and
- 23 -
foreign companies entering Korea.

Gregory McKeown
gmckeown@stanford.edu
650.388.0330
Mike Mortensen
mikem1@stanford.edu
206.353.5214
Personal Motivation
When I met Gun Ho Roh on a study trip I immediately
started to think about how we could create a trip to Korea.
My particular interest is in developing life-long
relationships with some of the architects of Korea 2.0.
Outside Obligations
A wife and three children!
Relevant Experience
I have spent the last decade leading change in complex
organizations. As both a student and practitioner of
human systems thinking I look forward to understanding
the last divided nation on earth. Korea is a place of
opposites: North and South; ancient and modern; rich and
pooreven their flag demonstrates it.
Personal Motivation
When I visited Korea for a week last summer, I was
surprised to find such a flourishing and advanced
economy. I believe many Americans similarly
misunderstand the importance of Korea to Asia and the
world. After a wonderful experience on the China Study
Trip during winter break, I am excited for another
memorable trip and feel I can leverage my experience
from the China Study Trip to help make the Korean Study
Trip hugely successful.
Outside Obligations
Winter/Spring S356 project, Board Fellows, possibly STEP
Relevant Experience
Background in economics and linguistics, extensive travel
experience, and focus on high-tech.
Gun Ho Roh
gunhoroh@stanford.edu
650.862.8824
Personal Motivation
I have always been looking for what I can do to contribute
for GSB communities. My background and experience in
politic area and IT as a young generation Korean led me to
introduce and initiate this Korea Study Trip
Outside Obligations
A wife and a daughter
Relevant Experience
Needless to say, Im so familiar with Korea as a Korean
- 24 -
XI. STUDENT INTEREST

There is a healthy interest in the South Korea trip, judging both on the results of the
survey as well as the number of people who have personally approached us to
request a spot on the trip.
We believe that interest in the trip will increase further after students see the
objectives and the itinerary for the trip and understand the unique position in the
world that South Korea enjoys today.
- 25 -
XII. Appendix
In this section we will review important cultural and historical for Korea, Seoul, the
Demilitarized Zone and the city of Gyeongju.
A. Korean History
Dawn of Statehood
Although Koreas first kingdom, Gojoseon, was founded in 2333 B.C., it is presumed
that humans began to inhabit the Korean Peninsula several centuries earlier. The
ideology of the Gojoseon Kingdom was characterized by devotion to the welfare of
mankind. Gojoseons rule of the peninsula lasted some 2,400 years.
The Three Kingdoms and the Unified Silla Period
Data available to date indicates that the Three Kingdoms-Goguryeo, Baekje and
Silla-lasted from 57 B.C. to 668 A.D. Goguryeo, which was the first to be founded,
occupied the largest part of the peninsula. Its territory encompassed the northern
part of the peninsula, which is now North Korea, and Manchuria. As such, Goguryeo
was the most powerful of the Three Kingdoms. Baekje and Silla were established in
the central and southern parts of the peninsula that is now South Korea. Wiryeseong,
the capital of Baekje, was established in the area that is now Seongnam, a satellite
city southeast of Seoul. Silla unified the kingdoms of the central and southern part of
the peninsula later, ushering in the Unified Silla period. Bulguksa Temple and
Seokguram were built during the Unified Silla period. Meanwhile, Balhae, the
kingdom that succeeded Goguryeo in part of Manchuria and the northern part of the
peninsula, lasted for some 230 years.
Goryeo Dynasty
Goryeo was founded in 918 after the fall of Unified Silla. The name Korea comes
from Goryeo, as foreigners began to call the kingdom Korea The peninsula suffered
frequent foreign invasions after Goryeo developed relations with other countries. Of
particular note, Mongols and Khitans invaded on many occasions. Among the many
cultural legacies of the Goryeo Dynasty are the internationally renowned blue-green
inlaid celadon pottery and the world s very first metal type.
Joseon Dynasty
The Joseon Dynasty was established in 1392 after the fall of Goryeo. Joseon adopted
Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology. It put in place acentralized political structure
based on the yangban (noble) class. Class distinction between the upper and lower
classes was strictly enforced.
The vast majority of the population belonged to the so-called middle class.
The hereditary system of these people was again divided into peasants, artisans and
merchants. Moral, ethical and social principles prescribed by Neo-Confucian codes of
conduct were enforced along the extended family system to strengthen the status of
the yangban class. The family system and moral and social codes were thoroughly
based on Confucian codes of conduct. Under the extended family system, the head of
a family exerted absolute control over his family in line with Confucian traditions. The
head of the family represented and controlled his family and performed rites for his
ancestors.
Because Buddhism was suppressed, few Buddhist works of art, such as those
produced during the Silla and Goryeo periods, were created during the Joseon era.
- 26 -
However, Joseons political and social stability, along with the buildup of national
strength, enabled the kingdom to produce outstanding cultural and academic
achievements. Of special note, academic activities in this era made significant
headway as Neo-Confucianism became a source of politics, society and culture.
Colonial Rule
After emerging victorious from the Sino-Japanese War, Japan set its sights on taking
over Korea. Korea lost its sovereignty with Japans annexation of the country in
1910. Korea regained its independence in 1945 with Japans defeat in World War II.
During the 19th century, Korea became a geopolitical pawn in the burgeoning
regional competition between China, Japan and the encroaching European powers
(plus the USA). After the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the First SinoJapanese war, Japan established a firm hegemony over Korea. Over the next 15
years, Korea entered one of the darkest periods of its history. The deep suspicion
which continues to affect Japanese-Korean relations to this day dates from this
period.
At the end of World War II, as Japan was stripped of its colonial territories, the
Soviets and Americans agreed to divide Korea along latitude 38N (the 38th
parallel). As the Cold War evolved, the Korean border one of the few direct meeting
points between the Soviet and American spheres of influence became a key
flashpoint. Cross-border incursions increased until full-scale war broke out between
the two sides in 1950. The three-year war which followed engaged all the major
powers and came closer than is often realised to provoking a nuclear conflagration.
By 1953, a stalemate had been reached and an armistice was signed (although the
war was never officially brought to an end). For the next three decades, locked into
opposing Cold War blocs, the two Koreas went their separate ways. Relations with its
northern neighbor remain a major concern in Seoul and the border between the two
countries is closed.
- 27 -
B.Seoul
Seoul (Sul) is the capital and largest city of South Korea (Republic of Korea). The
city was the capital of Baekje (18 BCE 660 CE) and the Joseon Dynasty (13921910). Upon the establishment of the South Korea in 1948, Seoul became its capital
and designated the nation's only Special City. Residents of Seoul are referred to as
"Seoulites".
With over ten million people living within its city limits, Seoul is one of the largest
cities in the world. With an area of only 605 square kilometers, smaller than London
or New York City, it is one of the most densely populated major cities. Seoul's
population density has allowed it to become one of the world's most digitallyconnected cities. It also has more than three million registered vehicles which often
cause widespread traffic jams.
The larger Seoul National Capital Area and commuter belt, which includes the major
port city of Incheon, has almost 23 million inhabitants. This makes it the second
most populous metropolitan area in the world, after Greater Tokyo. Almost one half
of South Korea's entire population lives in Seoul and its environs. The city is the
country's political, cultural, and economic center, as well as an international business
center, and is considered one of the top 20 "world-class cities".
As the symbol of the "Miracle on the Han River", Seoul has played a key role in South
Korea's economic development. In recent years, the metropolitan government has
carried out an extensive cleanup of the city's air and water pollution. The revival of
Cheonggyecheon, a stream that flows through downtown Seoul, has been lauded as
a major success in urban renewal and beautification.
Seoul is located in the northwest of South Korea on the Han River, only about 30
miles (~50 km) from the de-militarized zone (DMZ) border shared with North Korea.
The history of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BCE, when it was established as
the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. It has thereafter been the capital of various states
on the Korean Peninsula. In the Goryeo Dynasty, it was called Hanseong. It became
the permanent capital in the Joseon Dynasty. In the Japanese colonization period,
many historical parts of Seoul were demolished. The city was almost entirely
destroyed in the Korean War, but an aggressive economic policy in the 1960s and
1970s helped to rebuild the city very rapidly. In the 1990s, some important historical
buildings were restored, including Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the
Joseon dynasty.
C. Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) is a strip of land running across the Korean
Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ
cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an acute
angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and the east end lying
north of it. It is 248km/155 miles long and approximately 4km/2.5 miles wide, and is
the most heavily armed border in the world
History
- 28 -
A South Korean / US military base situated on the opposite edge of the demilitarized
zone, taken from a North Korean bunker
The 38th parallel north which cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half was the
original boundary between the U.S.-controlled and Soviet-controlled areas of Korea
at the end of World War II. Upon the creation of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea and the Republic of Korea in 1948, it became a de facto international border
and one of the tensest fronts in the Cold War (see Division of Korea for more
details).
Both the North and the South remained heavily dependent on their sponsor states
the Soviet Union and the United States, respectively from 1948 through to the
outbreak of the Korean War. The devastating conflict, which went on to claim over
three million lives and saw the Korean Peninsula effectively divided along ideological
lines, commenced in 1950 with a Soviet-sponsored DPRK invasion across the DMZ,
and ended in 1953 after Chinese intervention pushed the front of the war back to
near the 38th parallel. In the ceasefire of July 27, 1953, the DMZ was created as
each side agreed in the armistice to move their troops back 2,000 meters from the
front line, creating a buffer zone four kilometers wide. The Military Demarcation Line
(MDL) goes right down the center of the DMZ and indicates exactly where the front
was when the agreement was signed. The armistice agreement was never followed
by a peace treaty and technically the two Koreas are still at war.
Owing to this theoretical stalemate, and genuine hostility between the North and the
South, large numbers of troops are still stationed along both sides of the line, each
side guarding against potential aggression from the other side. The armistice
agreement explains exactly how many military personnel and what kind of weapons
are allowed in the DMZ itself. Soldiers from both sides do patrols inside the DMZ, but
they may not cross the MDL.
Joint Security Area
Inside the DMZ, near the western coast of the peninsula, is a place called
Panmunjeom, home of the Joint Security Area; it is the only place where North and
South connect.
There are a number of buildings on both the north and the south side of the MDL,
and a few which are built right on top of the MDL. The Joint Security Area is the
location where all negotiations since 1953 have been held, including a number of
statements of Korean solidarity, which have generally amounted to little except a
slight decline of tensions. The MDL goes right through the conference rooms, right
down the middle of the conference tables where the North Koreans and the United
Nations Command (primarily South Koreans and Americans) meet face to face.
Though generally calm, the DMZ has been the scene of much sabre-rattling between
the two Koreas over the years. A number of small skirmishes have occurred within
the Joint Security Area since 1953. The Axe Murder Incident in August 1976 involved
the attempted chopping down of a poplar tree which resulted in two deaths and
Operation Paul Bunyan. Before this time, the soldiers of both sides were permitted to
go back and forth across the MDL inside of the JSA, a privilege since revoked as a
result of this incident.
Another incident occurred later when a Soviet dignitary, who was part of an official
trip to the JSA (hosted by the North), ran across the MDL yelling that he wanted to
defect. North Korean troops opened fire and chased him across the line. South
Korean troops, protecting the defector, fired back and eventually surrounded the
North Koreans. One South Korean soldier was killed in the incident. The defector
expressed joy in his successful attempt, but was saddened by the loss of life. Since
this incident, the North Korean soldiers face one another so defectors cannot come
- 29 -
upon them from behind. They are ordered to shoot anyone who attempts to defect
before they get to the line.
Incursion tunnels
Starting on November 15, 1974, the South discovered four tunnels leading under the
DMZ, by use of water-filled pipes dug vertically into the ground near areas of
suspected tunneling activity. The first of the tunnels is believed to be about 45
meters below surface, with a total length of about 3.5 kilometers, penetrating over
1,000 meters into the DMZ. When the first tunnel was discovered, it featured electric
lines and lamps, and railways and paths for vehicles. The second was discovered on
March 19, 1975, and is of similar length and between 50 and 160 meters below
ground. The third tunnel was discovered on October 17, 1978. Like the previous two,
the third tunnel was discovered following a tip off from a North Korean defector. This
tunnel is about 1,600 meters long and about 150 meters below ground. The fourth
tunnel was discovered on March 3, 1990. It is almost identical in structure to the
second and the third tunnel.
The north-south directions of the four tunnels, the fact that they do not branch, the
progressively more advanced planning of each one (for example, the third tunnel
slopes upward slightly as it progresses southward, so that water does not stagnate),
and the orientation of the blasting lines within each one indicate that North Korea
dug the tunnels, and that their purpose was for invasion, and not coal mining, as the
North claimed upon their discovery (no coal can be found in the tunnels, which are
dug through granite, but some of the tunnel walls were at some point painted black
to give the appearance of coal). The tunnels are each large enough to permit the
passage of an entire division in one hour.
Today, it is possible to visit some of the tunnels as part of guided tours from the
South. Some of the famous tunnel tours include the Third Tunnel of Aggression which
was discovered in the 1970's
Current status
Apart from Panmunjeom, the Joint Security Area and two model villages, the DMZ is
devoid of humans and their machinery, other than a large number of landmines. Both
Koreas deploy the majority of their military personnel and technology within 160
kilometers of the Military Demarcation Line that runs through the middle of the DMZ.
In practical terms this represents over one million troops on either side, plus large
numbers of tanks, long-range artillery, and armored personnel carriers. The DMZ is
in many ways the last front of the Cold War.
Villages in the Demilitarized Zone
Within the DMZ there are two villages: one run by the North and the other by the
South. Daeseong-dong, found on the southern side of the DMZ, is a traditional
village and strictly controlled by the South Korean government. For instance, one
must have ancestral connections to the village in order to live there. These
restrictions serve to keep the population of the village very small. In the North,
Gijeong-dong, or as it is called in North Korea, "Peace Village" has only a small
caretaker population. Through the armistice agreement the North felt that it should
be allowed a town within the borders of the DMZ since the South already had one.
UN troops call this Propaganda Village because only a small group of people cleaning
and turning on lights reside within the village. Although from afar it appears to be a
modern village, one can tell with binoculars that there is no glass within the windows
of the buildings. In the past, North Korean propaganda was sent out by loudspeaker
across to Daeseong-dong for as much as 20 hours a day, and reciprocal pop music
- 30 -
and South Korean exhortations blasted back. These broadcasts ceased by mutual
agreement in 2004.
During the 1980s, the South Korean government built a 98.4 meters (328 ft) tall
flagpole in Daeseong-dong. The North Korean government responded by building a
taller one the tallest in the world at 157.5 meters (525 ft) - in Gijeong-dong. The
North Korean flag at the top weighs around 270 kg (595 lb) when dry and must be
taken down the instant it starts raining, as the tower cannot support its weight when
it is wet[citation needed].
Wildlife
One of many signs which mark the MDL
Except in the area around the truce village of Panmunjeom and more recently on the
Donghae Bukbu Line on the east coast, humans for the most part have not entered
the DMZ in the last fifty years. This isolation has created as a byproduct one of the
most well-preserved pieces of temperate land in the world. Environmentalists hope
that if reunification occurs the former DMZ will become a wildlife refuge. However,
there will be significant obstacles to maintaining the site because of the high
concentration of landmines across the area.
D. Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a city (see Subdivisions of South Korea) and prominent tourist
destination in eastern South Korea. It lies in the far southeastern corner of North
Gyeongsang Province, on the coast of the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Nearby cities
include the industrial centers Ulsan and Pohang. Numerous low mountains, outliers of
the Taebaek range, are scattered throughout the city.
Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, a fact to which it owes its
present-day prominence. The Silla kingdom arose at the turn of the 1st millennium,
and ruled most of the Korean Peninsula from the 7th to the 9th centuries. A vast
number of sites from this period remain in the city today. After the kingdom fell, the
city gradually declined in importance.
Today Gyeongju is a typical medium-sized city, having shared in the economic,
demographic, and social trends that have shaped modern South Korea. However,
amidst these trends the city has retained a distinctive identity. In tourism, it is one of
South Korea's best-known destinations. In manufacturing, it profits from its
proximity to major industrial centers such as Ulsan. Gyeongju is connected to
nationwide rail and expressway networks, which facilitate both industrial and tourist
traffic
Geography and climate
Gyeongju lies in the southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, and is
therefore bounded by the metropolitan city of Ulsan on the south. Within the
province, its neighbors include Pohang on the north, Cheongdo County on the
southwest, and Yeongcheon on the northwest. To the east, it has no neighbor but the
sea.
Low mountains are widespread throughout Gyeongju. The highest of these are the
Taebaek Mountains, which run along the city's western border. Gyeongju's highest
point, Munbok Mountain, is 1013 meters above sea level. This peak lies in Sannaemyeon, on the border with Cheongdo. East of the Taebaek range, other western
peaks lie within the Jusa subrange. The city's eastern peaks, such as Toham
Mountain, belong to the Dongdae Mountains, another minor subrange.
Gyeongju's drainage patterns are shaped by these lines of mountains. The Dongdae
Mountains divide a narrow piedmont area on their east, and various internal river
- 31 -
systems to the west. Most of the city's interior is drained by the small Hyeongsan
River, which flows north from Ulsan and meets the sea at Pohang Harbor. The
Hyeongsan's chief tributaries include the Bukcheon and Namcheon, which join it in
Gyeongju Basin. The southwestern corner of Gyeongju, on the far side of the
Taebaek range, drains into the Geumho River, which then flows into the Nakdong. A
small area of the south, just west of the Dongdae range, drains into the Taehwa
River, which flows into the Bay of Ulsan.
The Gyeongju coastline runs for 33 kilometers between Pohang in the north and
Ulsan in the south. There are no islands or large bays, only the small indentations
made by the small streams flowing off of the Dongdae ridgeline. Because of this, the
city has no significant ports. However, there are 12 small harbors. One such harbor
in Gyeongju's southeast corner is home to the Ulsan base of the National Maritime
Police. This base is responsible for security over a wide area of South Korea's eastcentral coast.
Thanks to its coastal location, Gyeongju has a slightly milder and wetter climate than
more inland regions of Korea. In general, however, the city's climate is typical of
South Korea. It has hot summers and cool winters, with a monsoon season between
late June and early August. As on the rest of Korea's east coast, autumn typhoons
are not uncommon. The average annual rainfall is 1,091 millimeters, and the average
annual temperature is 12.2C.
Gyeongju's historic city center lies on the banks of the Hyeongsan in Gyeongju Basin.
This lowlying area has been subject to repeated flooding throughout recorded
history, often as a result of typhoons. On average, chronicles report a major flood
every 27.9 years, beginning in the first century. Modern flood control mechanisms
brought about a dramatic reduction in flooding in the later 20th century. The last
major flood occurred in 1991, when the Deokdong Lake reservoir overflowed due to
Typhoon Gladys
History
The early history of Gyeongju is closely tied to that of the Silla kingdom, of which it
was the capital. Gyeongju first enters non-Korean records as Saro-guk, during the
Samhan period in the early Common Era. Korean records, probably based on the
dynastic chronicles of Silla, record that Saro-guk was established in 57 BCE, when six
small villages in the Gyeongju area united under Bak Hyeokgeose. As the kingdom
expanded, it changed its name to Silla.
After the unification of the peninsula in the mid-7th century, Gyeongju became the
center of Korean political and cultural life. The city was home to the Silla court, and
the great majority of the kingdom's elite. Its prosperity became legendary, and was
reported as far away as Egypt. The population probably exceeded one million. Many
of Gyeongju's most famous sites date from this Unified Silla period, which ended in
the late ninth century.
Under the subsequent Goryeo (935-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) dynasties,
Gyeongju was no longer of national importance. However, it remained a regional
center. The city was made the seat of Yeongnam Province in the 10th century. It had
jurisdiction over a wide area, including much of east-central Yeongnam, although this
area was greatly reduced in the 13th century. In 1601, the city ceased to be the
provincial capital.
Over these centuries, the city's relics suffered numerous assaults. In the 13th
century, Mongol forces destroyed a nine-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa.
During the Seven Year War, Japanese forces burned the wooden structures at
Bulguksa. Not all damage was due to invasions, however. In the early Joseon period,
a great deal of damage was done to Buddhist sculptures on Namsan by NeoConfucian radicals, who hacked arms and heads off of statuary.
- 32 -
In the 20th century the city has remained relatively small, no longer ranking among
the major cities of Korea. In the early 20th century many archaeological excavations
took place, mostly on the many tombs which survived the centuries fairly well. A
museum, the forerunner of the present-day Gyeongju National Museum, was set up
in 1915 to exhibit the finds.
Gyeongju emerged as a railroad junction in the later years of the Japanese
Occupation, as the Donghae Nambu Line and Jungang Line were established. Thanks
to these improved connections, the town began to emerge as a center of tourism. In
the 1970s, Korea saw substantial industrial development, much of it centered in the
Yeongnam region of which Gyeongju is a part. The POSCO steel mill in neighboring
Pohang commenced operations in 1973, and the chemical manufacturing complex in
Ulsan emerged in the same year. These developments helped to support the
emergence of Gyeongju's manufacturing sector.
People & Culture
Gyeongju has produced notable individuals throughout its history. Notable Gyeongju
residents in the Silla period included most of the kingdom's leading figures, not only
rulers but scholars such as Choe Chi-won and generals like Kim Yu-sin. The city
continued to contribute to traditional Korean thought in subsequent dynasties.
Relatives of Choe Chi-won played an important role in establishing the structures of
early Goryeo. In the Joseon period, Gyeongju joined the rest of Gyeongsang in
becoming a hotbed of the conservative Sarim faction. Notable Gyeongju members of
this faction included the 15th-century intellectual Yi Eon-jeok. In modern times the
city produced writer Park Mok-wol, who did a great deal to popularize the region's
culture, as well as Choe Jun, a wealthy businessman who established the Yeungnam
University Foundation.
Many Korean family clans trace their origins to Gyeongju, often to the ruling elites of
Silla. For example, the Gyeongju Kim clan claims descent from the rulers of later
Silla. The Gyeongju Park and Gyeongju Seok clans trace their ancestry to Silla's
earlier ruling families. These three royal clans played a strong role in preserving the
historical precincts of Gyeongju into modern times. The Gyeongju Choe and Lee clans
also trace their ancestry to the Silla elites. However, not all Gyeongju clans date to
the Silla period; for instance, the Gyeongju Bing clan was founded in the early
Joseon Dynasty. (For more information on the Korean clan structure, see the main
article on Korean names.)
The city remains an important centre of Korean Buddhism. East of the downtown lies
Bulguksa, one of South Korea's largest Buddhist temples; nearby is Seokguram, a
famed Buddhist shrine. Traditional prayer locations are found on mountains
throughout Gyeongju. Such mountains include Namsan in the city center, Danseoksan and Obong-san in the west, and the low peak of Hyeong-san on the GyeongjuPohang border. Namsan in particular is often referred to as "the sacred mountain,"
due to the Buddhist shrines and statues which cover its slopes.
The city has a distinctive dialect, which it shares with northern portions of Ulsan. This
dialect is similar to the general Gyeongsang dialect, but retains distinctive features of
its own. Some linguists have treated the distinctive characteristics of the Gyeongju
dialect as vestiges of the Silla language. For instance, the contrast between the local
dialect form "" (sonaegi) and the standard "" (sonagi, meaning
"rainshower"), has been seen as reflecting the ancient phonemic character of the
Silla language.
Gyeongju's cuisine is largely identical with general Korean cuisine. However, the city
is known for some local specialties. The most famous of these is "Gyeongju bread," a
red-bean pastry first baked in 1939 and now sold throughout the country. Local
- 33 -
specialties with a somewhat longer pedigree include beopju, a traditional Korean

liquor.
Demographics
In recent years, Gyeongju has followed the same trends that have affected the rest
of South Korea. Like the country as a whole, Gyeongju has seen its population age
and the size of families shrink. For instance, the mean household size is 2.8. Because
this has fallen in recent years, there are more households in the city now (100,514)
than there were in 1999, even though the population has fallen.
Like most of South Korea's smaller cities, Gyeongju has seen a steady drop in
population in recent years. From 1999 to 2003, the city lost 9,500 people. The
primary reason for this is the number of people leaving the city, mostly seeking jobs
in major cities. In the early 2000s, about 4,000 more people moved away from the
city each year than moved in. During the same period, births exceeded deaths by
roughly 1,000 per year, a significant number but not enough to offset the losses due
to migration. Gyeongju has a small but growing population of non-Koreans. In 2003,
there were 1,778 foreigners living in Gyeongju. This number, although still a tiny
fraction of the total population, was nearly double the number resident there in
1999. The growth was largely in immigrants from other Asian countries, many of
whom are employed in the automotive parts industry. Countries of origin whose
numbers have risen include the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The number of residents from Japan, the United States, and Canada fell significantly
in the 1999-2003 period.
Tourism
Gyeongju is a major tourist destination for South Koreans, and also for visitors from
abroad. A great deal of this is due to the city's status as a center of Silla heritage. In
addition, the city government has successfully parlayed its historic status into a basis
for other tourism-related developments such as conferences, festivals, and resorts.
Many Silla sites are included in Gyeongju National Park. These include a number of
profoundly symbolic sites, including the Royal Tomb Complex, the Cheomseongdae
observatory, the Anapji pond, and the Gyerim forest. In addition, the Gyeongju
National Museum hosts many artifacts from the Silla kingdom which have been
excavated from sites within the city and surrounding areas, including several royal
crowns and other national treasures.
Some of Gyeongju's most famous sites relate to the Silla government's patronage of
Buddhism. The grotto of Seokguram and the temple of Bulguksa were the first
Korean sites to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in 1995. In addition,
the ruins of the old Hwangnyongsa temple, said to have been Korean's largest, are
preserved on the slopes of Toham Mountain. Various Silla-era stone carvings of
Buddhas and bodhisattvas are found on mountainsides throughout the city,
particularly on Namsan.
A significant portion of Gyeongju's tourist traffic is due to the city's successful
promotion of itself as a site for various festivals, conferences, and competitions.
Every year since 1962 a Silla cultural festival has been held in October to celebrate
and honour the dynasty's history and culture. It is one of the major festivals of
Korea. It features athletic events, folk games, music, dance, literary contests and
Buddhist religious ceremonies. Other festivals include the Cherry Blossom Marathon
in April, the Korean Traditional Liquor and Cake festival in March, and memorial
ceremonies for the founders of the Silla Dynasty and General Kim Yu-sin.
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South Korea Study Trip

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

STUDY TRIP OBJECTIVES............................................................................4

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

I. STUDY TRIP OBJECTIVES

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

STUDY TRIP SUPPORTS

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

III.WHY KOREA? WHY NOW?

Korea is one of the world's most technologically advanced and

Things Are Changing.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

The Republic of Korea is populated by 48.28 million people as of 2004.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Taegeukgi (National Flag)

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Korea is roughly 1,000 kilometers long

Language (Hangeul-Korean Alphabet)

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

2) 20, December ~ 24, December

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

SK Telecom also offers a variety of internet

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

E-mart is a large discount store chain located and

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

B.POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

the midst of a highly competitive international

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

C. CULTURAL EXPLORATIONS & SIGHTSEEING

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

The Gyeongju National Museum, a pivotal cultural center in

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

VII. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007

Stanford Graduate School of Business

South Korea Study Trip 2007