Hello. We're Korea National Souvenir Center. 

It looks like the Olympic torch relay for Pyeongchang began not long ago, 

the opening ceremony is already close at hand.

Thinking about the Pyeongchang Olympics is exciting, 

but thinking about the athletes makes me feel overwhelmed. How nervous they must be.

Would you like to feel the athletes ' passionate enthusiasm?

Then, do you have to remember the game schedule.

The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics to open on February 9, 

2018 can be met with a total of 15 events and 102 detailed events. 

The Winter Olympics is the largest ever gold medal event ever, with many events going on.

Let's take a look.

https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/ko/

2018 PYEONGCHANG

Snow sports

 Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, Nordic Combined, ski jumping, snowboard.

Ice sports 

Curling, speed skating. Short track speed skating, ice hockey, figure skating. 

 Sliding

 Luge, Bobsleigh, Skeleton

Before explaining the schedule of the 2018 Winter Olympics, one should know the types of events.

There are 15 total sports and they are divided into snow, ice, and sliding events.
Korea will participate in all of the above 15 events with 121 athletes participating.

Let's start with the snow sports. 
In the snow events, Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, 
Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, and Snowboarding.

1. Alpine skiing

Alpine skiing is a sport in which the skis with fixed heels slide down the snowy slope. 
The competition consists of two main categories ; speed and technical.

2. biathlon

Biathlon is a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. 
Players ski with guns on their backs for a certain distance and shoot at a set range.

3. cross-country skiing’

Cross-Country skiing is the race of running through a snowy field. 
The course is divided by one-third, with the percentage of hill ups, flat down and downhill and the competitors must use both classical and free techniques.

4. freestyle skiing

Freestyle skiing is a competition in which athletes compete for artistry through aerial acrobatics while freely sliding down the slopes, also called a snow circus. Unlike alpine ski that compete for speed, the most important characteristic is to see the splendid air skills of competitors such as backplip and twist.

5. Nordic Combined

Nordic Combined is a race for cross-country skiing and jumping.
It is said that the events began with the combined cross-country skiing and jumping by the athletes at the ski festival in Norway in the 19th century and were adopted as official events from the first Winter Olympics.

6. ski jumping

Ski jumping is a competition in which a ski slope (35 - 37 °) is downhill from a steep slope (90 km/h or more) and then lands the furthest and reliably from the takeoff to landing. The DH and flight are so beautiful that it is also called the flower of the ski race.

7. Snowboarding.

Snowboarding is an event that uses the board to run down the slope.
In the 1960s, it developed into a sports that can be enjoyed by men, women 

and children in all countries around the world 
It was selected as an official event at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics in Japan.

We looked at seven events in the snow. 
Let's take a look at the schedule of events in the snow.

In the case of snow sports, the games will be held in Pyeongchang and Jeongseon Olympic Stadium.
There are many stadiums in Pyeongchang and Jeongseon.

In addition, Pyeongchang and Jeongseon where the snow games are held, a total of 70 gold medals will be fought.

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018 is coming up.

A world wide harmony festival opens.

Have you heard about the Korea Tour Card?

If  foreigners get a Korean tour card, they can get 47 benefits from 25 companies.

The Korea Tour Card was created by the Korea Visit Committee, a foundations company, in partnership with private companies. It is a debit card that offers a wide range of benefits, including sightseeing, shopping,
K-pop and performances, while individual travelers stay in the country. 

It also includes the ' T-money, ' a transportation card used in South Korea, so it is easy to use public transportation when traveling around the country. The balance of use can be refunded at convenience stores before departure.

If you use a Korean Tour Card, the National Museum of Contemporary Art can get in at half price and Petit France discounts you 2,000 won on adults. Lotte World and Everland are also given 30 % discount. 

There are similar cards overseas. It is Hong Kong's Octopus Card and Japan's Swiss Card. 

However, the reason why Korea Tour Card is most popular is that it has specialized services and benefits only for foreign tourists, such as discounts on tourist attractions and shopping. 

Introduced in January 2017, Korea Tour Card sold more than 10,000 tickets in its first two months. And they were very popular with foreign tourists. Meanwhile, the Korea Tour Card can be used for two years from 2016 to 2018, the year of the visit to Korea, and is available only to foreigners.

The cards are sold to convenience stores and airport railway travel centers. 

Recently, they can be purchased from Seoul Metro (Line 1-4) and an airport railway vending machine.

Procedure for purchasing is as follows.

1. Buy it at convenience store. 

2. Buy through a vending machine in the subway.

It is not the end here. 

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics and the Paralympics are coming up soon. 
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Tourism Organization, 

Korea Railroad and the Korea Travel Commission, will reportedly present an Olympic limited edition pass 

that combines tourism and transportation benefits.

There are customized train passes and KTX passes for foreigners, and five day passes, seven days and

 two types of passes. The product is available from February 1, 2018 to May 25, 2018.

The types of passes are divided into adult, child, group, and youth, and available until January 31, 2018.

There are a number of benefits to using Pyeongchang Korail Pass. 

1. Incheon Airport is discounted from 8000 won to 6,900 won per train.
2. The convenient transportation card is charged 5000 won.
3. A coupon for a free city tour of Seoul, Daegu, Jeju, Busan, Incheon, and Gyeongju is provided. Etc

 

Various benefits and purchases of PyeongChang's Korail pass can be made at the following site :

http://www.letskorail.com/pyeongchang

Hello, we are Korea Souvenir Center. 

The Seoul city operates free shuttle buses along with the company Wisdom
to and from Seoul Plaza to Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics
(2.10. - 2.25) and Paralympics (3.9. - 3.18.).

The free shuttle bus service was proposed to the Seoul city by Wisdom Corp., operator of official
on-demand transportation services at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. It was carried out as the Seoul city pledged administrative support, including a departure point, parking and boarding wait areas.
The entire shuttle bus service, including the vehicles, is controlled by Wisdom Ltd., Inc.

Seoul to run free shuttle buses

to host cities during Olympics 

Anyone with an Olympic ticket or a cultural Olympic ticket to Pyeongchang or Gangneung can get on board on a first-come-first-served reservation using an Internet or smart phone. Advance reservations will begin on the 26th at 11:00 a.m. You can search the portal site for Pyeongchang e-bus or go directly to the reservation site at http://www.ebusnvan.com and make a reservation.

There are four free shuttle buses. Leaving Seoul for Gangneung (departing Seoul Plaza at 9:30 a.m.) From Pyeongchang to Seoul (departing Seoul Plaza at 9:30 a.m.) To Seoul (departing Seoul Plaza at 20:30 a.m.) From Pyeongchang to Seoul (departing Seoul Cafe Street) The service runs from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 30 units per day, considering the reservation status.

All passengers using the free shuttle bus are provided with a welcome kit, consisting of a guide to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and a tour guide to Seoul and Gangwon-do. For more information, call (www.ebusnvan.com) or call (☎166-9964).

Thank you

Hello, We are Korea National Souvenir Center. 

Operation of the second passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport began on January 18, 2018.
If you're planning a trip this year, I think you'd better know. 
That’s why I've prepared this post.

(from : Incheon International Airport)

The second passenger terminal was built to give passengers a pleasant lounge,
premium service, smart and convenient.

S. Korea's main gateway opens up new luxurious passenger terminal

(from. http://www.ajudaily.com)

From the above article, we can see that the airlines covered
by the first and second passenger terminals are different.

The first terminal is equipped with several other airlines,
including Asiana Airlines, Jeju Airlines, Jin-Air, T-way, Esta Airlines and Air Seoul.

For the second passenger terminal, Korean Air, Air France Airlines,
KLM Airlines and Melta Airlines are equipped.

There are three ways to move from one to two passenger terminal :
It takes about 15 minutes to get on the shuttle bus, 15 minutes by taxi, and 6 minutes by air line.

I hope you enjoy your trip.

Thank you.

Hello this is Korean Souvenir Center. (♡' v '♡)

‘Is this too much heavy?’ or,
‘Is this not good enough?’ (◔‸◔ )

You might have thought like this when you buy corporate gift for your clients!

Neither ‘too heavy’ nor ‘too light’ is not good for client gift.

If it’s too heavy, your client might feel uncomfortable.

And your wallet can be in trouble.

But if it’s too light, your wallet is safe,

but your client can be disappointed.

So, I’m going to introduce some Luxury & Unique business gifts, but not very expensive.

Those gifts are Business Card Cases that you've never seen before!

Yes, what I’m going to introduce is Korean traditional-but-modern things.
And if you click each picture, you can go to the shopping mall where you can buy it! :^)

Korean Luxury & Unique business gift (below 25$) : for your client and corporate office mates!

:-D

1. Business card cases /11.77 USD

▲ Business card Case (Design: Lotus)

▲ Business card case

(Design: Irworobongdo - The painting of Sun, Moon and Five Peaks)

▲ Business Card Case (Design: Hangul - Korean character)

▲ Business Card Case (Peony Flower)

2. Business card cases made by Iron /14.71 USD

▲ Business card case made by Iron (Design: Three-legged crow)

▲ Business card case made by Iron (Design: Dragon)

▲ Business card case made by Iron (Design: Korean goblin )

3. A set of business card case and pen made with

Mother-of-pearl lacquer /24.51 USD

▲ A set of business card case and pen with Mother-of-pearl lacquer

▲ A set of business card case and pen with Mother-of-pearl lacquer

Hope my information was useful for you,

Thank you! :^)

Hello. We are Korea National Souvenir Center. 

Free transportation is being used in Seoul. Because fine dust concentration is
forecast to be ' poor ' Public transportation is free until Wednesday, following yesterday's Tuesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that they will efforts to reduce ultra-fine dust.

Commuters during the morning (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and evening (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) hours
won't be charged for using buses or trains. 

Unfortunately, as the province of Kyung-gi and Incheon do not participate,
people who use public transportation in Gyeonggi-do and Incheon must pay
the public transportation fees.

Here a article that will be help you to understand this situation.

"We cannot just blame China for ultra-fine dust. We should do something to solve the issue. It is better to overdo than do nothing," Deputy Mayor Yun Jun-byeong said.

The city spent about 4.8 billion won ($4.5 million) for Monday's waiver of public transport fees. The traffic volume on roads that day was reduced by 1.8 percent.

(from.http://www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Fine dust is a compound that is caused by the release of most of the car's exhaust fumes. Exposure to particulate matter can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and increase the mortality.

Prevention includes staying out, not exercising on the road, wearing a mask,
and washing your nose and hands after going out.

※  Even though public transportation is free, they say that you must take 

a transportation card or credit card. 

Thank you. 

 Hello. We are Korea National Souvenir Center.

Following the previous transportation, I prepared the second part, 

Pyeongchang Olympics restaurants, and accommodation.

If you're curious about transportation,

All about Pyeongchang's Olympic

Pyeongchang Olympics is only one month away. 
I think I have to get full before I can enjoy the Olympics. 
Pyeongchang, Gangneung and Jeongseon, the host city of Pyeongchang's Winter Olympics, 
are also one of the most delicious cities in Gangwon-DO. 
It would be fun to visit various restaurants during the Pyeongchang Olympics.

1. restaurants.

Oh, my god, Is this jjambbong?

Bongpyeong China, located in Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, 

Korea has galbi jjambbong) that sell only 50 bowls per day. 

The jjambbong with beef ribs and whole hills on top of the mussels piled high in a bowl is said
to have a clean and aromatic flavor.  Every Wednesday is a regular holiday !

In Hoenggye-ri, you can enjoy a sweet and sour pork named Jintaewon.
The sweet and sour pork of this house is freshly fried. I'm impressed with the heaps of leeks and cabbages
that are stacked on top of the pork.

If you went to Pyeongchang Olympics, wouldn't it be basic to visit Pyeongchang restaurants??

Do you want to feel the traditions of Gangwon-do?

These days, the Cirsium setidens are becoming popular as more and more health-conscious people.
Jeongseon is a district famous for its Cirsium setidens. Located in Jeongseon-eup, ' ArI Dinner ' is a local beloved Cirsium Setidens restaurant. Here the food is prepared in advance and is not served to customers. As soon as the order is placed, fry the Cirsium setidens in oil to make rice. So it is more delicious. In addition to rice with a cup of rice, ' Yeongyangdolkobap, ' with a jujube, a chestnut bank, is also popular. How about tasting both? ?

There is a restaurant famous for its ' buckwheat soup ' as well as a rice dinner. It is a small restaurant next to the supermarket with only three tables, called Beonyeong Restaurant. Even the name of the buckwheat soup is unfamiliar to people but it is a traditional dish. To make buckwheat soup, we have to steamed buckwheat with dried,
boil the rice, potato tofu, and bean sprouts in the boiled water to complete. My mouth is already watering.

Would you like to try Korean food properly?

If you want to enjoy Korean traditional cuisine, let's visit ‘과객’ located in Geumsan-ri, then learn how to enjoy the dishes. 
The restaurant, decorated with traditional Hanok, is fresh using local ingredients based on the market of the 500 year old and older Kangnung Kim's restaurant. More than 20 different types of side dishes including grilled pollack and beef,
boiled with dried pollack and wheat plaice are placed on one table and closed on Sundays.

If you want to enjoy fusion food, why don't you go to the Wolhwa Pungmul Market? 
I put pizza, spicy Jeyuk bokkeum, and Gangneung specialty, dureub as topping.

What is the Olympic athletes village menu?

The rest areas of the Yeongdong Expressway via Pyeongchang and Gangneung are busy preparing z

to host an Olympic guest via massive renovations by the end of last year.
In particular, the nearby areas of Hoengseong, Pyeongchang, and Gangneung Daegwanryeong Rest Area have turned z

into " restaurants on the road. "

1. Gangneung Daegwallyeong Rest Area (2-way) 

Customers and experts can enjoy premium dishes that are best in the country : tofu and poolside.
It is the selected Best food at the national lounge. I tried it, too, but it tasted great. 

2. Pyeongchang Rest Area (2-way) 

At the Pyeongchang Rest Area, you can taste the Olympic athletes village's diet. Shinsegye Food, the branch office of Pyeongchang rest stop, is in charge of running the athletes village cafeteria. 
If you are curious about the athletes ' village's diet, it would be a good idea to stop by and try it. 

3. Munmak-eup Rest Area (Pyeongchang, Gangneung) 

Gonu Steak, a Korean beef steak sushi restaurant, also offers entertainment and board game rental services. If you are curious about it, I think it would be a good idea to stop by.

2. accommodation.

If you are not watching the Olympics on a day, you should definitely reserve a place to stay in Pyeongchang. 
There is good news for these people. The National Olympic Office in Gangwon said, " The price of accommodation is dropping in areas near Pyeongchang's Olympic Stadium. "
According to Gangwon Province, pension rates in Gangneung, which used to soar to reach 500,000 won, have now dropped by half to 240,000 won. The price of pension in Pyeongchang dropped from 400,000 won to 200,000 won, and pension in Jeongseon area dropped from 250,000 won to 130,000 won. Did you all finish your reservation? ?

Gangwon-do has operated a special call center for the 1330, Pyeongchang Winter Olympics since last month
to help make accommodations with the Korea Tourism Organization.
When you make a request to call the call center counselor, call local authorities to find a suitable location. 
Even dialogue between the owners of the hotels is translated into foreign tourists.
The call center will operate free of charge 24 hours until the end of the Pyeongchang Paralympics on March 18.

THANK YOU. 

Hello. We are Korea National Souvenir Center. 

With Pyeongchang's Olympic Games just around the corner, interest in the Games is growing.

It would be more convenient to know about Pyeongchang than to go there 

without knowing anything. I'm ready for you who knows nothing.

Here are all about transportation.

The road to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is more convenient than ever.
With the Kyung-gang Line KTX being opened on July 22, it took about two hours and 12 minutes
from Incheon International Airport to Gangneung, where the ice rink takes place, and from Seoul Station
to Gangneung Station in one hour and 36 minutes. Even if you live in Seoul, you can take the train
to Gangneung in the morning and return home in the late evening after watching the Olympics.

A complimentary shuttle bus

It is said that the city of Pyeongchang and Gangneung are free bus services during the Olympics.
The Pyeongchang Organizing Committee plans to use 700 large shuttle buses every day to draw passengers
and deploy 44 low-powered buses for the disabled and the elderly who are unable to move.
Three train stations (Pyeongchang, Ulsan, Gangneung) and four bus terminals (Jeongseon, Jangpyeong, Jangpyeong,
Jinbu-myeon, and Gangneung) are equipped with shuttle buses, each with an interval of 5 to 10 minutes between trips.
And there are 27 routes. It is also available free of charge without trains or bus tickets.

Transfer Parking Lot and Vehicle Quadrain

I'm sure there are spectators who want to tour the Olympic area as well as the games.
Those people can easily get a look at it by car! The Pyeongchang organizing committee will run seven transit parking lots,
totaling 10,300 cars. Transfer parking lot hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. If there is a night competition, i
t will be extended to the end of the competition 2 hours. The second subhead of the car is also planned for the Olympics.
On even date, a vehicle with an even number plate end point may be driven.
Pyeongchang will voluntarily host a second subhead. Visitors who do not go to stadiums
during the Olympics will have to pay a penalty if they do not follow suit.

Other things to be careful !!

For the smooth movement of athletes and Olympic officials, the Olympic bus lanes will run for one month 

from February 1 to 28. The private lanes will restrict the movement of general vehicles other than Olympic vehicles and buses.

The final news is ' Go Pyeongchang, ' a transportation application planned for release next week. The app provides an opportunity to check the best route to the stadium, bus routes, and time to get to the stadium by reservation, payment, and so on.

THANK YOU. 

Hello, this is Korean national souvenir center :-)

 On January 5^th, it was the coldest day of the year in Korea. Did you guys prepare for the cold?

Now we have only one Korean solar term left during 24 terms of the year, that means winter is coming to an end.

Sounds good that there’s no more cold weather from now on, but I don’t know why it feels a little bit sad to say goodbye to this winter :-(

So today I'd like to share with you some information about winter snow travel, where you can enjoy the winter untill the end!

Let's find out how to enjoy the winter!

# 1. Taebaek Snowface Festival to Go by KTX Snowface Train

How about taking a winter train, what we call a snow train to see enough snow?

The area of Gangwon-do where you can see winter sights has a variety of winter festivals around this time.

Among them, I will tell you information about Taebaeksan Snow Festival.

Taebaek Snow Festival runs for 10 days from January 13 to 22, from a snow sledging for children to a starlight festival in the HwangjI Pond,

showing off igloo, ice sculptures and beautiful night views!

Since there are plenty of things to see and experience,

why don’t you spend your holiday at the festival with your family?

Here’s a link

http://festival.taebaek.go.kr/snow/

For those of you who love mountain climbing, hiking snowy Deogyusan in winter is well known by all!

It is the best time to feel the real taste of the winter in Jeollabuk-do, which is called the Snow Country.

The view from the top of Mt. Deokyu Hyangjeok is magnificent, also it must be very beautiful to see the white peaks while climbing!

 In addition, gondola to the top of the mountain will help you take a rest and go up the mountain to enjoy the winter.

There are some interesting festival in the air that can beat the cold.

Did you all know that the polar Bear Swimming Festival was 

held in Haeundae, Busan on January 7 ?

About 4,500 people attended the Polar Bear Swimming Festival, 

which marks its 31st time this year.

( Most people tend to think of these scenery when they heard about winter sea. )

Visitors to Busan will have a chance to plunge into the cold sea, 

swim and roar like a polar bear in the city's annual winter event.

It is impressive to see participants throwing themselves freely

 into the icy winter sea and shaking their arms.

Plunge like a polar bear in Busan

from. http://koreatimes.co.kr

I wanted to go to the sea too, seeing picture taking and waterside with friends, 

colleagues and family who join.

The Polar Bear Festival started in 1998 when the Seoul Olympics were held.

It is widely known as one of the world's top 10 winter sports by BBC World's TV station, and many foreigners also participate in this festival.

In particular, the event was attended by people who aged 3 to 84.

Try out the polar bear swimming festival that overcame the cold when you come to Korea.