South Korea

As both Rotary and Lions clubs travel to Asia for both of their 2012 International Conventions, another country keeps coming up as a logical and affordable side trip…namely Singapore. Frankly, it is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever been in, and is such a model for the future economic growth in SE Asia, that it is a most interesting and worthwhile area to visit. But, many folks in the US know very little about this dramatic world center…so here is some basic information.

Singapore is a small country on a small island, but with just over five million people it is a fairly crowded city and in fact second only to Monaco as the world’s most densely populated country. However, unlike many other densely populated countries, Singapore has over 50% of its area covered by greenery and with over 50 major parks and 4 nature reserves, it is an enchanting garden city. Large self-contained residential towns mushroomed all over the island, around the clean and modern city center. The center of the city located in the south — consisting roughly of the Orchard road shopping area, the Riverside, the new downtown Marina Bay area and also the skyscrapers-filled Shenton way financial district known in acronym-loving Singapore as the CBD (Central Business District).

The Districts are, in a sense, a small city…within a City. All in all, the tropical beauty alongside one of the largest ports in the World makes Singapore an ideal vacation destination, if only for a few days. You will never forget Singapore once you travel there.

As the Lions Club International plans for its Annual International Convention…this year being in Korea, many people in the US have a vague memory of the Korean War….clearly a changing point in history in terms of limiting the sweeping wave of Communism in Asia.  American forces, joined by many other countries, came to the aid of South Korea and freedom, and although the cost to all was great, freedom prevailed, and today we have a prosperous South Korea and a vibrant Asia in general. Korea’s history is rich, and as we travel there, it is important to understand what has transpired over the years to make this great country what it is today.

For over five thousand years, the Korean people have managed to maintain their exceptional culture despite numerous acts of aggression from its powerful neighbors including China, Russia and Japan. Knowing that the last 100 years of Korean history includes invasion, occupation, war and dictatorship, visitors to the country are almost always amazed at just how quickly Korea was able to recover and become a leading democratic economic power. The recovery is known as the Miracle on the Han (river), but once you come to Korea and feel it’s energy, you will know that it’s no miracle. There is a sense of energy that exists in Korean consciousness, regardless of whether an individual is Buddhist or Christian, or atheist. Most Korean people attribute the success of their country to this energy, which is divided into three types: Gi, Heung and Jeong. Grasping these important principles of the Korean belief system will surely instill a deep understanding of Korean culture.

So, as Lions from all over the world travel to Busan, in South Korea…..take a moment and appreciate this great country and the history that it brings to the world.

Korea is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world, racially and linguistically. It has its own culture, language, dress             and cuisine, separate and distinct from its neighboring countries.  Hard work, filial piety and modesty are characteristics esteemed by Koreans. They are proud of their traditional culture and their modern economic success. Education is highly valued as the path to  status, money and success.

Lions International Convention will be in Busan, Korea in June 2012…and it will be a great convention. For discount air fare prices, e-mail   ronlargent@yahoo.com

We are offering prices below the discount offered by United and Star Alliance…and give very personalized service with individual trip planning….and we offer this from many cities in the US.

The contemporary culture of South Korea developed from the traditional culture of Korea, and on its own path away from North Korean culture since the division of Korea in 1948. The industrialization and urbanization of South Korea, especially Seoul, have brought many changes to the way Korean people live. Changing economics and lifestyles have led to a concentration of population in major cities (and depopulation of the rural countryside), with multi-generational households separating into nuclear family living arrangements.

The Lions International Convention will be in Busan, Korea in June of 2012, and we are offering discount air fares from most major US cities.  e-mail   ronlargent@yahoo.com for details, prices, flights, and other information on Busan and South Korea.

The history of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BC.^[1] But humans have occupied the area now as Seoul since Paleolithic Age. Counting from now, Seoul has been a major settlement for over 2,000 years. It has been the capital of numerous kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula since it was established.