Industrial output jumped in Feb., consumption emerged from 11-month slump
By Sim Sung-tae
Despite lingering uncertainties at home and abroad, the Korean economy is showing clear signs of recovery thanks to continued robust exports, government data showed yesterday.
Industrial production experienced record year-on-year growth in the 42 months leading to February, while consumption finally emerged from its 11-month slump. Manufacturing companies also operated at their highest utilization rates since 1987.
"Although consumption improved only slightly last month, data suggests that the economy is on a recovery track," said Shin Seong-woo, director of the National Statistical Office`s industrial statistics division. "But we need a clear rebound in consumption to see a full-pledged recovery."
According to data from the NSO, industrial output jumped 16.6 percent from a year earlier in February, the highest since the 22.2 percent recorded in August 2000. On a month-on-month basis, the figure stood at 2.9 percent, the biggest gain in six months. Industrial output should see an annual average increase of more than 5 percent on-year to meet Korea`s predicted economic growth rate of 5-6 percent.
Semiconductor production, which accounts for about 15 percent of the country`s exports, grew by 65.1 percent on-year last month, while automobiles made a turnaround from a contraction to 19.7 percent growth.
The total goods shipments also shot up 14.3 percent year-on-year last month, while the shipments of export goods alone achieved higher growth of 27.7 percent.
Facility investment was up 2.1 percent from a year ago, the first increase since June last year, while the utilization rates at factories, mines and utilities reached 83.5 percent, the highest since 83.9 percent in October 1987. A utilization rate of more than 80 percent indicates that the economy is beginning a full recovery, the statistics office said.
On the consumption front, wholesale and retail sales rose slightly by 2.4 percent from a year earlier in February, their first increase in 12 months. From a month earlier, sales fell a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent after rising a revised 1.9 percent in January.
The composite index showing trends in current industrial activity penetrated the 100-mark for the first time in 11 months to 100.4 last month. The preceeding general index, which is a barometer of industrial activity for the next six months, also rose 3.5 percent on-year, up for the seventh consecutive month in a row.
Exports, which account for about 60 percent of Korea`s gross domestic product, rose 45 percent from a year earlier in February and 46 percent in the first 20 days of March, the Commerce Ministry reported.
The government is counting on rising overseas sales to drive economic growth as domestic demand remains sluggish after a credit boom left many households unable to meet debt payments
Rising overseas sales helped Asia`s fourth-largest economy achieve a $3.1 billion current account surplus last month, its largest in five years, the Bank of Korea said separately yesterday.
Notably, the trade surplus, the biggest part of the current account, increased to $3.2 billion in February from $499.2 million a year earlier. The services account deficit, which measures the flow of travel, transport costs and royalties, narrowed to $464 million from $740 million last year.
A widening surplus for the current account, which measures the flow of goods, services and money across borders, may cause the Korean won to strengthen, possibly hurting exports by making Korean products more expensive overseas.
(saintsim@heraldm.com)
장기화되고 있는 국내외 불확실성에도 불구하고 한국경제는 계속적인 수출강세에 힘입어 확실한 회복의 조짐을 보이고 있는 것으로 어제 정부 자료에 나타났다.
2월까지의 산업생산은 42개월만에 전년대비 최고치의 성장을 기록했고 소비는 드디어 11개월 동안의 부진에서 벗어났다. 제조업체들 역시 1987년 이후 최고 가동률을 보이고 있다.
“지난 달에 소비가 약간 좋아진 것뿐이지만 자료상으로는 경제가 회복국면에 접어들었음을 시사하고 있다”고 통계청 신성우 산업통계국장이 말했다. “하지만 경제가 본격적으로 회복되려면 소비가 확실한 증가세를 보여야 한다.”
통계청의 자료에 따르면 2월의 산업생산은 1년 전에 비해 16.6퍼센트가 증가했는데 이는 2000년 8월에 기록했던 22.2퍼센트 이후 최고치다. 월별 증가율로는 2.9퍼센트가 되는데 6개월만에 최고치다. 한국의 예상 경제성장률 5 내지 6퍼센트를 달성하려면 연평균 산업생산이 전년대비 5퍼센트 이상 증가해야 한다.
지난 달에 한국 수출의 약 15퍼센트를 점하는 반도체 생산은 전년보다 65.1퍼센트가 증가했으며 자동차는 감소세에서 19.7퍼센트 증가로 돌아섰다.
지난 달에 총수출 역시 전년대비 14.3퍼센트 증가했고 상품 수출만도 27.7퍼센트라는 높은 증가세를 보였다.
설비투자는 1년 전보다 2.1퍼센트가 증가해 지난 해 6월 이후 처음으로 증가했고 공장, 광산, 유틸리티 가동률은 83.5퍼센트로 1987년 10월의 83.9퍼센트 이후 최고치를 기록했다. 가동률이 80퍼센트 이상이면 경제가 본격적으로 회복국면에 접어들었음을 의미한다고 통계청이 밝혔다.
소비 쪽을 보면 도소매 판매가 2월에는 1년 전보다 2.4퍼센트 소폭 증가하면서 12개월만에 처음으로 증가세를 나타냈다. 전월과 비교해 보면 계절요인을 감안하여 1월에는 1.9퍼센트 증가했던 판매가 0.4퍼센트 감소했다.
현재의 산업활동 추세를 나타내는 종합지수는 지난 달에 11개월만에 처음으로 100선을 넘어선 100.4를 기록했다. 향후 산업활동의 바로미터가 되는 선행종합지수 역시 전년보다 3.5퍼센트가 증가해 7개월째 계속해서 증가세를 보이고 있다.
한국 국내총생산의 약 60퍼센트를 차지하는 수출은 1년 전에 비해 2월에는 45퍼센트, 그리고 3월 20일까지의 20일 동안에는 47퍼센트가 증가했다고 산업자원부가 발표했다.
정부는 신용거품으로 인해 수많은 가구가 부채를 상환하지 못 함에 따라 내수는 지지부진한 가운데 수출강세가 경제성장을 이끌 원동력으로 기대하고 있다.
수출증가로 아시아 4위의 경제국인 한국은 지난 달에 31억불의 경상수지 흑자를 기록했는데 이는 5년 이래 가장 높은 수치라고 어제 한국은행이 별도로 발표했다.
특히 주목할만한 점은 경상수지에서 가장 큰 부분을 차지하는 무역흑자가 2월에 1년 전의 4억 9920만불에서 32억불로 늘어난 점이다. 여행, 운송비, 로열티의 유출입을 측정하는 서비스계정 적자는 지난 해의 7억 4000만불에서 4억 6400만불로 줄어 들었다.
상품, 서비스, 해외송금의 유출입을 측정하는 경상수지의 흑자 폭이 확대됨에 따라 한국원화 가치가 상승하여 한국산 제품의 해외시장 가격이 올라가 수출에 지장을 초래하는 것도 예상된다.
[번역]Bullet train begins with fanfare
고속철, 개통 축하행사
About 1,800 government officials and dignitaries celebrated the launch of the nation`s first high-speed rail service yesterday.
They expect the new rail service, which will allow travel from Seoul to the southern port city of Busan in just 160 minutes, to provide a platform to make Korea a more vigorous and dynamic economy.
"I hope the start of the Seoul-Busan high-speed train will be an opportunity for the country to advance toward the era of $20,000 per capita GDP and grow as a new Korea with better welfare," Acting President Goh Kun said during the opening ceremony at Seoul Station.
The first official trip between Seoul and Busan is scheduled to run on April 1 at 5:30 a.m. The new rail service, dubbed Korea Train Express, or KTX, will cut the current four hours and 10 minutes travel time from Seoul to Busan to two hours and 40 minutes.
The operation of the 300-kilometers-per-hour bullet train is the world`s fifth of its kind, after Japan, France, Germany and Spain.
It is expected to bring sweeping changes to Koreans` life and business styles, foster the tourism and leisure industry and even influence regional development along the route, experts said.
"The high-speed train is a symbol of national competitiveness and lays the ground for our prosperity. From daily lifestyles to businesses, we will experience a range of benefits from the speed revolution," Goh said.
During the first phase of construction that began in 1992, 292.4 kilometers of rail line was laid between Seoul and East Daegu, and an existing line between Daegu and Busan was upgraded for the high-speed service.
When the second phase of construction is completed in 2010, the travel time between the two cities will be cut again to one hour and 56 minutes, according to the Korean National Railroad, the train`s operator.
(smkim@heraldm.com)
By Kim Sung-mi
어제 1,800여명의 공무원과 저명인사가 모여 한국 최초의 고속철도 출범을 축하했다.
이들은 서울에서 부산까지 불과 160분에 주파하게 될 이 새로운 철도가 개통되면 한국경제가 더욱 활력에 넘치고 다이나믹해질 것으로 기대하고 있다.
“서울-부산간 고속철도의 개통이 일인당 국민소득 2만불 시대를 앞당기고 한국이 더 나은 복지국가로 나아가는 기회가 되기를 바란다”고 고건 대통령 권한대행이 서울역사에서 열린 개통식에서 말했다.
서울-부산간 첫 공식 운행은 4월 1일 오전 5시 30분으로 예정되어 있다. 한국고속철도 또는 KTX로 불리는 새로운 철도 서비스는 현재 4시간 10분 걸리는 서울-부산간을 2시간 40분으로 단축하게 된다.
시속 300킬로미터의 고속열차는 일본, 프랑스, 독일, 스페인에 이어 세계에서 다섯번째로 운행하게 된다. 이로써 한국의 생활 및 사업형태가 크게 달라지고 관광과 레저산업이 육성되며 심지어는 철도를 따라 있는 지방도시의 발전에도 영향을 미칠 것으로 보인다고 전문가들은 말했다.
[번역]Woman power shapes politics
정치계, ‘여성천하’ 시대
Though women are employed in every part of Korea`s labor force, the leadership roles in politics have been off limits to them until recently.
When two women were suddenly voted into the top chairs of the nation`s largest political parties, many saw this as a beginning of a new era. But others are skeptical of the motivation behind these acts and say that the parties are not being sincere.
Last week, Park Geun-hye, the late President Park Chung-hee`s daughter, was selected as the chairwoman of the conservative Grand National Party. Some voters were quick to criticize.
"I don`t think she is competitive enough to be a true politician," said Kim Sun-hee, 48, a housewife, in Daegu. "She became famous on her father`s coattails. As an independent politician, she cannot stand on her own."
However, many people welcomed her to the new post, saying that, at least, it will reform the turbulent opposition party.
"These days, all political parties are crying out for reform. However, there is no bigger reform than Park`s election," GNP spokeswoman Jun Yeo-ok told the Korea Herald.
She added that, historically, the Korean government has been like a watchful "big brother," or a strict father, to its people. But the times are changing. People do not want a dictatorial and autocratic government any more. So women politicians` advancement in the local political world corresponds to this desire, according to Jun.
In her historic appointment Park was joined by another prominent female politician, Choo Mi-ae, who is often dubbed "Joan of Arc" because of her convictions and stubbornness. She was selected as the Millennium Democratic Party`s chief campaigner for the April 15 general election, pushing aside party chairman Chough Soon-hyung.
Moreover, major political parties are handing their publicity jobs over to women. As well as GNP`s Jun, MDP`s Lee Seung-hee and Uri Party`s Park Young-sun have been appointed as their party`s spokeswomen.
Meanwhile, the Uri Party has put up 11 female candidates as its constituency representatives at the upcoming general election as part of each party`s race to achieve gender balance. Cho Bae-sook, who built her career as a lawyer, lawmaker Kim Hee-sun and lawmaker Lee Mi-kyung are reportedly strong candidates for the positions.
"We will get out of this corrupt-tainted political world with the help of female politicians," Uri Party Chairman Chung Dong-young said at the news conference last week. "If the Uri Party becomes the majority party, it will be indebted to women power."
"I met many people during this election campaign and most of them are very favorable to the female candidates," said Kim Jin-ai, a Uri Party candidate and a celebrated architect.
Many Koreans are tired of corrupt politicians and disgusted with political strife, said Kim. "People who support female candidates may believe women politicians can be an alternative solution for cleaner politics," she added.
Lee Chung-hee, a professor of politics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, agreed that women`s leadership in politics is a significant sign of change. "Women politicians are taking an active role worldwide, as well as in Korea, and I think it is a natural and desirable situation," he said.
Women`s increased education opportunities and the changed social atmosphere which promotes females` social activities both support "women`s power" in the political world, he commented.
"Until a few years ago, the important political issues were confined to the armies and national security. But these days, public welfare, stabilization of the economy and security have also became important political issues and people have come to feel that politics is related to their everyday lives," Lee analyzed. He added that the break from political authoritarianism has increased the number of female politicians in Korea.
However, Korea has a long way to go to before it opens a new chapter and has female leaders, said Prof. Lee Han-young at Hanshin University.
Unless female politicians can be competitive and competent, this phenomenon may be a one time event, he warned.
Prof. Kwon Sang-hee at Sungkyunkwan University agrees with Lee. "The major political parties want to show obvious reform ahead of the April 15 general election. Putting women in leadership roles is good for publicity," he said.
(younhee@heraldm.com)
국내 여성의 사회 참여가 확산되고 있음에도 불구하고 정당 대표직은 최근까지 여성 금지구역이었다.
두 명의 여성이 최근 국내 최대 정당의 대표로 선출되면서 많은 국민들은 이를 두고 새로운 시대의 서막으로 보고 있다. 그러나 이에 대한 동기에 회의감을 갖고 있는 사람들은 정당들이 진실되지 못하다고 말하고 있다.
지난 주 고 박정희 대통령의 맏딸인 박근혜 의원이 한나라당의 대표로 선출되었다. 일부 유권자들은 즉각 이를 비난하고 나섰다.
대구에 사는 가정주부인 김선희(48)씨는 “저는 박 의원이 진정한 정치인이 될만큼 경쟁력이 있다고 보지 않습니다”라고 말했다. “박 의원은 아버지의 후광을 입고 유명해진 겁니다. 독립된 정치인으로써 그녀는 혼자 설 수 없습니다.”
그러나 많은 수의 국민은 그녀가 부패한 야당을 개혁시킬 거라 말하며 그녀의 대표직 선출을 반겼다.
“요즘 모든 정당들은 저마다 개혁을 외치고 있습니다. 그러나 박 의원의 대표 당선보다 더 큰 개혁은 없다고 봅니다”라고 전여옥 한나라당 대변인은 코리아헤럴드에 말했다.
그녀는 한국 정부가 전통적으로 항상 국민을 감시하는 “큰 형”이나 엄격한 아버지와 같은 역할을 해 왔다고 덧붙였다. 그러나 시대는 변하고 있습니다. 국민들은 더 이상 독재적이거나 전제적인 정부를 원치 않고 있습니다. 따라서 국내 정치계에서 여성 정치인의 도약은 이 같은 국민 여망에 부응한 것입니다라고 그녀는 말했다.
박 의원의 대표직 선출에 이어 정치적 신념과 고집으로 인해 종종 잔다르크라고 불리는 또 다른 유명 여성정치인인 추미애 의원이 이에 가세하고 나섰다. 추 의원은 민주당의 선거위원장으로 추대되며 실질적으로 조순형 대표를 밀어냈다.
게다가 주요 정당들은 당 대변인직을 여성들에게 맡기고 있다. 한나라당이 전여옥씨를 대변인으로 내세운 데 이어 민주당과 우리당도 이승희씨와 박영선씨를 당 대변인으로 임명했다.
[번역]Parties, candidates shift into high gear
정당과 입후보자, 총선 준비 돌입
Parliamentary candidates will register their bids with the state-run election management commission from today as each major party rushes to reorganize its campaign machine.
After the end of the two-day candidate registration process, the parliamentary hopefuls will hit the ground running to get votes for the April 15 parliamentary elections.
They should disclose their military and tax records with the National Elections Commission when they register their candidacies.
Major political parties were busy finalizing their battle lines for the elections.
The opposition Millennium Democratic Party launched its campaign team at Imjingak, a pavilion near the heavily fortified inter-Korean border. The opinion favorite pro-government Uri Party and the main opposition Grand National Party already launched their campaign teams.
Rep. Choo Mi-ae, head of the campaign team, said her party hopes those who advocate democracy and inter-Korean peace will stand behind the MDP banner in the elections.
It was an apparent tactic to appeal to followers of former President Kim Dae-jung, who founded the MDP in 2000 and promoted inter-Korean reconciliation.
Many voters in the nation`s southwestern region of Jeolla still respect him, said mass media Prof. Kwon Hyok-nam of Chonbuk National University. Residents in Jeolla Province had been true-blood supporters for the MDP, but recent opinion polls indicated they were moving to the Uri Party.
"I am sure that a stern judgment of history will be given to those who undermined the sunshine policy of engaging North Korea," Choo said in a statement released to the media.
The nation`s second largest political bloc in parliament has seen its chances of winning votes diminish after they moved to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun March 12.
The GNP, which was also severely hit by its support for the impeachment motion, set out its lists of candidates to be elected under the proportional representation system.
Kim Ae-sil, a female economics professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, topped the party`s list in a symbolic move on the party`s promise to revive the nation`s sluggish economy, party officials said.
Park Se-il, former head of a parliament-affiliated political reform committee, received second place in the proportional seats, which are distributed to the parties based on how many votes each party receives.
In the meantime, the NEC is tightening its noose on candidates and its campaign members to reduce any violations.
Between January and March 29, the election watchdog found 2,257 cases of irregularities, the NEC said in its news release.
The election agency said it has so far brought 329 cases to the prosecution for investigation and issued warnings against 1,909 others.
The Uri Party allegedly violated the law in 637 cases, the GNP in 484 cases, and the MDP in 313 cases, and the Democratic Labor Party in 100 cases.
(smjoo@heraldm.com)
각 정당이 선거본부 개편을 서두르는 가운데 국회의원 후보들은 오늘부터 선거관리위원회 등록에 나서고 있다.
이틀간의 입후보자 등록이 끝나면 국회의원 출마자들은 4.15 총선에서의 득표 운동에 나서게 된다.
이들은 입후보자 등록을 할 때 군복무와 세금납부 기록을 선관위에 공개해야 한다.
주요 정당들은 선거에 나설 전열을 마무리하느라 분주했다.
야당인 민주당은 중무장한 휴전선 가까이에 있는 정자인 임진각에서 선대위를 출범했다. 여론에서 우세를 보이고 있는 여당인 우리당과 제1야당인 한나라당은 이미 선대위 출범을 마쳤다.
선대본부장 추미래 의원은 민주주의와 남북한 평화를 지지하는 사람들은 선거에서 민주당 깃발 뒤에 모이기를 희망한다고 말했다.
이는 2000년에 민주당을 창당하고 남북한 화해를 도모했던 김대중 전 대통령의 추종자들에게 호소하기 위한 수단임이 분명했다.
전라도 지역의 많은 유권자들은 아직도 그를 존경하고 있다고 전북대학교 매스미디어과 권혁남 교수가 말했다. 전라도 주민들은 민주당의 정통적인 지지층이었으나 최근 여론조사에서는 우리당으로 옮겨가고 있는 것으로 나타났다.
“북한을 끌어들이는 햇볕정책을 와해시켰던 자들에게 역사의 엄중한 심판이 있을 것임을 확신한다”고 추 의원은 언론에 공개된 발표문에서 말했다.
한국 제2의 야당인 민주당은 3월 12일에 노무현 대통령 탄핵에 앞장섬으로써 득표 가능성이 낮아지고 있다.
탄핵소추를 지지했다가 마찬가지로 심한 타격을 받은 한나라당은 비례대표제에 의거 선출될 후보자 명단을 작성했다.
한국외국어대학교 경제학과 김애실 교수는 한나라당의 명단이 한국의 부진한 경제를 되살리기 위한 약속을 상징한다고 말했다고 한나라당 당직자가 말했다.
박세일 전 국회 정치개혁위원회 위원장은 비례대표제에서 2순위를 부여받았는데 비례대표제는 각당의 득표수에 따라 각당에 배분되는 제도다.
한편 선관위는 선거법 위반을 줄이기 위해 후보자와 선거운동원들에 대한 감시를 강화하고 있다.
1월부터 3월 29일 사이에 선관위는 모두 2,257건의 위반사례를 적발했다고 보도자료에서 밝혔다.
선관위는 지금까지 모두 329건에 대해 검찰의 조사를 요청했고 1,909건에 대해서는 경고처분했다.
우리당이 637건으로 선거법 위반이 가장 많은 것으로 나타났고 한나라당 484건, 민주당 313건 그리고 자민련은 100건이었다.
[번역]Korea, France agree on IT cooperation
한국-프랑스, IT 협력각서 체결
Korea and France have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the information technology sector, a government statement said yesterday.
The agreement was reached between Korea`s Information and Communication Minister Chin Dae-je and France`s Minister of Industry Nicole Fontaine, the Communication Ministry said in a statement.
The French minister was in Seoul to attend the opening ceremony yesterday for the country`s first bullet-train built with French technology.
Among the areas of cooperation discussed was collaboration in IT policy and technology, joint research and development as well as human resources development, the statement said.
한국과 프랑스는 IT 분야의 협력을 강화한다는 데 합의했다고 정부가 어제 밝혔다.
진대제 정보통신부 장관은 프랑스의 니콜 퐁텐느 경제재정 산업부 산업 담당 장관과 한국과 프랑스간 IT 협력 각서를 체결했다.
퐁텐느 장관은 프랑스 기술로 설계된 고속철도 개통식에 참석하기 위해 우리나라를 방문 중이다.
논의된 협력 분야 중에는 IT 정책과 테크놀러지 협력, 공동 연구개발, 인적자원 개발 등이 포함되었다고 정통부는 밝혔다.
[번역]Dance combines rock, roll of the dice
락과 주사위가 어울러진 댄스
Contemporary dance has its random moments but there are few performances that stake their entire evening on a roll of the dice.
The element of chance is what drives much of Merce Cunningham`s choreography, especially in "Split Sides," a work that mixes and matches two different sets of choreography, set designs, lighting, costumes and music by contemporary rock icons Radiohead and Sigur Ros.
"Split Sides" will be one of the two works performed by the world-renowned Merce Cunningham Dance Company at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on April 15-17. The performance will also mark the appearance of the 84-year-old dance legend, whose ideas about movement and music have had a far-reaching influence on the visual and performing arts in the 20th century.
In "Split Sides," for instance, the individual parts that comprise a traditional dance performance each take on lives of their own.
For the music, Sigur Ros and Radiohead each recorded a 20-minute improvised set that reveal their adventurous blend of rock and electronica. Meanwhile, Cunningham choreographed two separate dances independent of either musical number. So "Dance A" could be paired up with either "Music A" or "Music B" and vice versa.
"Split Sides" also presents two lighting concepts by James Ingalls, two sets of costumes - one black and white and the other color - by James Hall, and one backdrop each from photographers Robert Heishman and Catherine Yass.
In all, "Split Sides" can produce 32 different results on any given night of performance. In the past, ceremonial rolls of the dice presented before audiences determined how "Split Sides" would be performed that evening.
The choreography can take on different meanings within the ever-changing context. Though the effect may seem jarring, critics have praised "Split Sides" in particular for its synthesis of various viewpoints into one coherent and compelling whole. And by separating choreography from music in pieces throughout his career, Cunningham is also noted for breaking preconceived notions about how sound and movement relate to one another in contemporary dance.
"Split Sides" premiered in October in New York City for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company`s 50th anniversary gala at which Radiohead and Sigur Ros took on the unaccustomed role of live pit musicians.
On April 15 and 16, the program will also include "Ground Level Overlay" (1995) and on April 17, "Pond Way" (1998) with music by Brian Eno and scenes by Roy Lichtenstein.
Dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham has been the leading pioneer of avant-garde dance in the United States. He began as a dancer for Martha Graham in the 1940s and formed his own company in 1953. He composed more than 200 works of choreography that featured a highly abstract, non-narrative style and the use of chance techniques such as coin tosses and computers.
Cunningham was also the artistic and life partner of the late composer John Cage, with whom he began his experiments in music and dance. His many other collaborators include artists Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.
Though the popular English band Radiohead will not be coming to Korea this time around, the Icelandic quartet Sigur Ros will perform live here for the first time. Virtually unknown in Korea, they have made a mark in Europe and in the United States with their atmospheric, effects-laden rock that evokes the chilling beauty of their home country. Past albums include the 2000 release "Agaetis Byrjun."
Merce Cunningham last visited Korea in 1984 with John Cage and his upcoming appearance is expected by many to be his last in Seoul.
The Merce Cunningham Dance Company will perform April 15-17 at the Sejong Center, located near Gwanghwamun Station, Subway Line No. 5, Exit 7. April 15 and 17 performances are at 6 p.m.; Friday`s performance is at 8 p.m. Tickets start at 40,000 won and can be purchased by calling (02) 1588-7890 or (02) 1544-1555.
(warrenlee@heraldm.com)
현대무용 공연이 들쑥날쑥하긴 하지만 하루 저녁 공연 전체가 주사위 던지기에 의해 결정된 적은 거의 없었다.
이런 기회성의 본질이 바로 머서 커닝햄의 안무에서 많은 부분을 이끄는 원동력인데, 특히 두 종의 안무와 세트 디자인, 조명, 현대락의 아이콘인 라디오 헤드와 시규어 로스의 의상과 음악으로 뒤섞여진 작품인 “스플릿 사이즈”에서 더욱 그러하다.
“스플릿 사이즈”는 세계적으로 유명한 머서 커닝햄 댄스단이 세종문화회관에서 4월 15일부터 17일까지 공연하는 두개의 작품 중 하나다. 이 공연에는 전설적인 84세의 노무용가도 출연하는데 춤사위와 음악에 대한 그의 아이디어는 20세기 시각 및 공연예술에 엄청난 영향을 미쳤다.
가령 “스플릿 사이즈”에서는 전통적 댄스 공연이 포함된 각 장마다 개별적인 생명력을 가진다. 음악은 시규어 로스와 라디오 헤드가 각각 20분씩 녹음했는데 이들의 모험적인 락과 엘렉트로니카의 합성을 보여준다. 한편 커닝햄은 서로 음악적으로 독립된 두 편의 무용을 안무했다. 말하자면 “무용 A”는 “음악 A” 또는 “음악 B” 또는 그 반대로 짝을 지을 수 있는 것이다.
“스플릿 사이즈”는 또 제임스 잉갈스의 두 편의 조명 컨셉과 제임스 홀의 하나는 흑백이고 다른 하나는 천연색인 두 세트의 의상 그리고 사진작가 로버트 하이시먼과 카트린 야스의 배경을 각각 보여준다.
[번역]Music industry emits static on MP3 phones
음악저작권단체-휴대폰 생산업체간 갈등 표면화
The newest battle line between old and new technology can be held in the palm of a hand.
Roiled by technology that allows consumers free access to Internet music files, the entertainment industry wants to lower the sound on MP3 mobile phones.
The music industry is demanding that the new phones only be capable of playing music at radio-level sound quality, but MP3 phone makers oppose the restriction.
Today, Samsung Electronics was expected to unveil its MP3 Anycall phone. But yesterday, instead of anticipating entry to a hot market, the world`s No. 3 cell phone maker was enmeshed with record producers and government officials over the operational features of the phone and decided to delay the launch.
MP3 is a format for compressing a sound sequence into a very small file while preserving the original level of sound quality. It allows consumers to download unauthorized music files from the Internet.
Between 2000 and 2003, MP3 players along with pirate copies of compact discs and tapes have nearly cut in half the value of Korea`s music recording market.
When LG Electronics, the fifth-largest mobile phone maker in the world, and Samsung Electronics announced plans to release MP3 phones this year, alarm bells went off at groups claiming music copyrights such as the Korea Association of Phonogram Producers and Korea Music Copyright Association.
In a nation where more than half the population carries a mobile phone, the potential for downloading illegal music files is huge in Korea.
All of the major handset phone makers are ramping up their product line. Overall, about 150 mobile phones are expected to debut in Korea this year and with discriminate consumers demanding more and more features, the MP3 option is viewed as a likely favorite. LG`s Cyon MP3 phone already is for sale.
"Our industry has been in a nose-dive since the release of MP3 players in 2000. At that time, we felt hopeless because Korean people were insensitive to copyright issues and we did not have any unified organization that could cope with the situation," said Yoon Seong-woo, a director of the Korea Association of Phonogram Producers. "Because the MP3 phone market is big enough to destroy the music industry, we`re Istruggling to defend it."
On the other hand, MP3 phone makers are worried that nobody wants to pay for something that they can download over the Internet for nothing.
In an MP3 player market where 95 percent of songs are illegally downloaded, an MP3 phone that can play only paid music files is unlikely to appeal to consumers.
After fierce debate over the new mp3 phone, the two parties have found some common ground by agreeing that MP3 phones can play illegal music files, but only at low sound quality.
Illegally downloaded music files will only be available for three days at the original high quality speeds until the technology of transmitting illegal music files at a low speed is developed, which will possibly take two months.
However, the controversy is still raging with Samsung Electronics insisting that record producers should eventually let them have at least 96kbps.
Without an agreed solution with KAPP, Samsung Electronics was inclined to still move ahead with its MP3 phone release. But the Korea Association of Phonogram Producers said to withhold songs on Internet pages related to Samsung Electronics.
It also said it would consider not releasing any recent songs to mobile carriers and gradually stop providing songs that have been already transmitted to the mobile carriers via a content provider.
Overall, producers` association is trying to protect artists` rights by discouraging consumers from downloading music files without payment. MP3 producers and mobile carriers` interests are diametrically opposed, as they are trying to attract many consumers by letting them download free mp3 music files.
But some companies have overcome such problems. Apple Computer`s iPod portable music player is an example of an MP3 player that works successfully with a paid-for on-line music store. At iPod`s website, called itunes, iPod users can download music files for about 99 cents a time and it carries more than 500,000 songs.
For the iPod mini that was released last month, Apple had advance orders for more than 100,000 units - representing sales of $25 million even before its launch.
Korean MP3 producers are still working on providing a music service in collaboration with music portal sites.
ReignComm, the biggest MP3 producer in Korea is also planning to start an online music service through its subsidiary, Uricomm. Samsung Electronics is seeking a coalition with an online music portal to provide songs for its MP3 players.
However, as long as free peer-to-peer music websites like Kazza and Soribada still seduce the fans, artists are hardly going to be rewarded for their music.
Digital sales of download and subscription services are estimated to increase 20-fold and amount to $1.8 billion by 2008.
The prospects for the music industry are still bleak, however, as the peer-to peer file-sharing services will take away $4.7 billion in revenues from the music industry in 2008.
(hjjin@heraldm.com)
MP3폰 출시를 앞두고 기존 기술과 신 기술간 갈등이 빚어지고 있다.
소비자로 하여금 인터넷 음악 파일을 무료로 사용하게 해주는 기술에 대해 음악산업은 MP3폰의 음질을 저하시켜 주기를 희망하고 있다.
음악저작권 단체는 MP3폰의 음질을 라디오 수준으로 떨어뜨릴 것을 요구하는 데 반해 MP3폰 제조업체들은 그러한 제한에 반대하고 있다.
오늘 삼성전자는 애니콜 MP3폰을 출시할 예정이었다. 그러나 어제 제품 출시를 앞둔 세계 3위의 휴대폰 생산업체인 삼성전자는 MP3폰의 작동 기능을 둘러싼 레코드 제작업체와 정부 관리의 불만에 휘말려 MP3폰 출시를 연기하기로 결정했다.
MP3는 음질을 원래 수준으로 보존시키면서 음원을 초소형 파일로 압축하는 방식을 말한다. 소비자들은 이를 통해 인터넷에서 허가받지 않은 음악 파일을 다운로드 받을 수 있다.
2000년부터 2003년 사이에 CD와 테이프 불법 복제와 더불어 MP3 플레이어로 인해 국내 음반산업은 그 규모가 절반으로 줄어들었다.
세계 5위의 휴대폰 생산업체인 LG전자와 삼성전자가 올해 MP3폰의 출시 계획을 발표하자 음원제작자협회, 음악저작권협회 등을 비롯한 음악저작권 단체들은 이에 거세게 항의하고 나섰다.
인구의 절반 이상이 휴대폰을 보유하고 있는 우리나라의 경우 불법 음악 파일을 다운로드 받을 가능성은 매우 높다.
거의 모든 휴대폰 생산업체들은 생산 라인을 업그레이드 하고 있다. 전체적으로 올해 약 150가지 휴대폰 모델이 출시될 예정인 데 보다 많은 기능을 요구하고 있는 까다로운 소비자에게 있어 MP3폰은 히트 상품이 될 것으로 간주되고 있다. LG전자의 사이언 MP3폰은 이미 시판 중에 있다.
[번역]GM drives to put cleaner cars on streets
GM, 저공해 차량 생산 박차
Cleaner burning and fuel-efficient cars. These are the top priorities of General Motors Corp. as it seeks to make driving an environmentally conscious part of life, says Elizabeth A. Lowery, Vice President of the global carmaker`s Environment & Energy.
Although only about 12 percent of the world`s population owns personal transportation, the level of pollution due to car emissions has risen to alarming levels, causing carmakers to become more concerned than ever about environmental issues.
Worldwide, auto manufacturers are pursuing new technologies to address the problem and although the Detroit-based carmaker declined to reveal specifics, it stressed that GM Daewoo Auto & Technology is working closely with headquarters to develop its own solutions.
GM Daewoo was created after GM purchased the core assets of bankrupt Daewoo Motor in 2002.
"We constantly have the goal of improving engines," says the GM energy expert.
This is where fuel cells step in.
GM, the world`s largest automaker followed by Ford Motor and Japan`s Toyota, has been avidly exploring fuel cell technology, an electrochemical energy conversion device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, producing electricity and heat in the process.
Fuel cells are very much like batteries, but instead of using electricity, they rely on hydrogen and oxygen to recharge.
Some in academia, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists in the U.S., warn against heavy dependence on hydrogen fuel cells, as it would take at least two decades to have any impact. But automakers are keen on development.
"We feel that the fuel-cell running hydrogen, developing hydrogen from renewable sources, is one solution to environmental issues," said Lowery.
Until more long-term technologies are developed, hybrid vehicles would serve as a bridge to reduce pollution and ease dependence on fossil fuels .
"We consider today`s engines to be very good at performance and economy, but we are working hard on clean diesel engines and advanced hybrid technologies," Lowery said.
In Korea, Lowery said a gradual but effective phasing in of environmental regulations and more incentives for advanced technologies could be possible solutions for reducing pollution and the reliance on fossil fuels.
Toyota, one of GM`s main competitors, has also been actively promoting hybrid engines, selling up to 180,000 units worldwide, with about one-sixth sold in the United States, GM`s home turf.
GM has sold fewer, but Lowery emphasized that instead of passenger cars, the company simply chose to take a different approach by focusing on vehicles with greater fuel consumption: the advanced hybrid system in the 235 buses running in Seattle are equivalent to about 8,000 smaller cars.
Pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles fitted with the hybrid system may also be seen on U.S. roads, depending on customer acceptance.
Citing image as the biggest factor for marketing its products, GM will focus on making more Koreans familiar with the carmaker`s products, adds Rob Leggat, vice president of GM Daewoo`s Seoul office.
Success stories like GM`s Cadillac marque epitomize the image that the automaker hopes to establish in Korea. "Cadillacs are enjoying a boom in the U.S. and the world, and we need to get this message across to Korea," he said.
(jemmie@heraldm.com)
연소가스를 덜 배출하고 연료효율이 높은 자동차. 이는 환경을 고려하는 자동차생활을 추구하는 제너럴모터스의 최우선과제라고 GM 자동차 환경에너지부의 엘리자베스 로어리 부사장이 말한다.
자가용을 가진 사람은 전세계 인구의 약 12퍼센트에 불과하지만 자동차 배기가스로 인한 공해는 우려할 수준에까지 도달해 자동차회사들은 그 어느 때보다도 환경문제에 관심을 가지고 있다.
세계 각지의 자동차회사들이 공해를 해결할 수 있는 신기술을 개발하기 위해 애쓰고 있는 상황에서 디트로이트에 본사를 둔 GM자동차는 상세한 내용은 밝히기를 거부하면서도 GM대우자동차가 본사와의 긴밀한 협조 아래 자체 기술을 개발하고 있음을 강조했다.
GM 대우차는 GM이 2002년에 파산한 대우자동차의 주요자산을 매수하면서 설립되었다.
GM의 에너지 전문가는 “엔진의 향상은 우리의 영원한 목표”라고 말한다.
여기서 연료전지의 존재가 부각되기 시작한다.
포드와 일본의 도요타에 이은 세계 3위의 자동차회사인 GM은 연료전지 기술의 개발을 적극적으로 추진해 왔는데 연료전지란 수소와 산소를 물로 변환시키는 과정에서 전기와 열을 발생시키는 전기화학 에너지 변환장치를 일컫는다.
연료전지는 축전지와 아주 흡사한데 충전 시에 전기 대신에 수소와 산소에 의존한다.
미국의 걱정하는 과학자협회 등 학계의 일부 인사들은 수소 연료전지의 결과가 나타나려면 최소한 20년이 걸린다면서 수소 연료전지에 대한 과다한 의존은 금물이라고 경고했다. 하지만 자동차회사들은 개발에 촉각을 곤두세우고 있다.
“수소로 움직이는 연료전지와 재생가능한 재료에서 수소를 만들어 내는 것이 환경문제 해결책의 하나가 될 것으로 보고 있다”고 로어리는 말했다.
보다 더 장기적인 기술이 개발되기 전까지는 하이브리드 자동차가 공해를 줄이고 화석연료 의존도를 줄이는 가교 역할을 할 것이다.
“지금의 엔진이 성능이나 경제성면에서 매우 뛰어나다고 보지만 깨끗한 디젤엔진과 발전한 하이브리드 기술 개발에 전력을 쏟고 있다”고 로어리는 말했다.
[번역]South Korea to face Maldives today
한국-몰디브 오늘 월드컵 예선전
Second World Cup qualifying match expected to be a blowout victory
By Kim Kyung-ho
South Korea will meet the Maldives in a 2006 World Cup qualifier today, expecting a crushing defeat of the Indian Ocean islands with a population of only around 300,000 people.
This is the second match for the 2002 World Cup semifinalists in Group 7, which also includes Lebanon and Vietnam. South Korea beat Lebanon 2-0 at home in February.
A total of 32 Asian countries, divided into eight groups, are competing in the second stage of regional qualifying for the next World Cup in Germany.
South Korea, the top seed in its group, is regarded as heavy favorites against the Maldives tonight at 8 p.m. (Korean time), who were crushed 4-0 by Vietnam in their opener.
The Red Devils are expected to press the Maldives players in today`s away match with the attacking 3-4-3 formation installed by coach Humberto Coelho.
Coelho, who succeeded Guus Hiddink as South Korea`s head coach, summoned a host of foreign-based players for the match.
The move appears to reflect his resolve to allow no more surprise defeats for his team.
South Korea suffered humiliating setbacks against Vietnam and Oman last year in the qualifying rounds for the 2004 Asian Cup, which almost cost Coelho his job. The Korea Football Association executives, however, decided to give the Portuguese coach one more chance to prove what he could do.
Ahn Jung-hwan, who plays for the J-League`s Yokohama F-Marinos in Japan, will lead the South Korean attack along with wingers Kim Dae-ui and Chung Kyung-ho.
Coelho said before leaving for the Maldives on Saturday that his side will have no other choice but to cut in from the sides because the Maldives is certain to build a thick defensive wall in its half of the field.
Anderlecht striker Seol Ki-hyeon, who fractured a cheek-bone in an accidental collision with a teammate against Lebanon, will be a substitute for one of the two wingers. Seol is one of the four European-based players Coelho picked for today`s match. The others are Cha Du-ri of Germany`s Arminia Bielefeld, Song Chong-gug of Feyenoord and Lee Young-pyo of PSV Eindhoven, both of the Netherlands.
Cha is a game time decision because of a foot injury.
Yoo Sang-chul, a powerful midfielder with Yokohama in Japan, will also be kept from the match due to a knee injury.
Yoo, who played a key role in South Korea`s surprise semifinal run in the 2002 World Cup, asked his teammates to take the match against the Maldives seriously.
"We have to stop thinking these games are walkovers and prepare properly," Yoo said in an interview with a news agency.
In its next match, South Korea seeks revenge against Vietnam for its humiliating 1-0 defeat last year when they host them June 9.
(khkim@heraldm.com)
Chronology of Hyundai-KCC feud
Aug. 4, 2003: Hyundai Group Chairman Chung Mong-hun commits suicide
Aug. 18: KCC and allies acquire 16.2 percent stake in Hyundai Elevator
Oct. 21: Hyun Chung-eun takes office as Hyundai Elevator chairwoman
Nov. 4: Chung Sang-young buys 12.82 percent stake in Hyundai Elevator
Nov. 7: KCC buys 7.5 percent stake in Hyundai Elevator
Nov. 14: KCC claims control over Hyundai Group
Nov. 17: Hyun Chung-eun announces rights offering by Hyundai Elevator
Dec. 12: A Suwon court bans Hyundai Elevator rights offering
Feb. 8, 2004: KCC announces three candidates for Hyundai Elevator board
Feb. 11: Securities and Futures Committee orders KCC to sell 20.78 percent stake in Hyundai Elevator
Feb. 12: KCC announces plan to buy 8 percent stake from the stock market
March 8: Hyundai Elevator announces Hyun Chung-eun and two other candidates for Hyundai Elevator board
March 18: Minority shareholders announce support for Hyun Chung-eun
March 19: Hyun Chung-eun receives Hyundai Asan board appointment
March 23: Shareholders elect Hyun Chung-eun to Hyundai Merchant Marine board
March 26: Minority shareholders withdraw support for Hyun Chung-eun, declare neutrality
March 29: Seoul District Court bans KCC from exercising voting rights of 7.35 percent stake in Hyundai Elevator
March 30: Shareholders elect Hyun Chung-eun to Hyundai Elevator board
한국 축구대표팀이 오늘 인구 30만의 인도양의 섬나라 몰디브와 2006 독일월드컵 아시아 2차 예선전을 갖는다.
이번 경기는 레바논, 베트남이 포함된 7조의 아시아 예선 2차전이다. 한국은 지난 2월 레바논을 홈 경기에서 2대 0으로 물리친 바 있다.
모두 32개의 아시아 국가들이 8조로 나뉘어 차기 독일 월드컵 아시아지역 2차 예선을 벌이고 있다.
7조에서 제 1번 시드를 부여받은 한국은 가장 유력한 1위 후보로 오늘 밤 저녁 8시 (한국시간) 몰디브와 경기를 갖는다. 몰디브는 베트남과의 1차전에서 0-4로 대패한 바 있다.
한국의 붉은 악마 응원단은 오늘 원정 경기에서 열띤 응원을 펼칠 것으로 기대된다. 코엘류 감독은 이번 경기에서 3-4-3 포메이션을 사용할 것으로 보인다.
[번역]Second hearing on Roh set for April 2
2차 변론, 다음 달 2일 열기로
President fails to appear in court
By Kim So-young
A historic Constitutional Court hearing on Korea`s first presidential impeachment ended in just 20 minutes yesterday as President Roh Moo-hyun failed to appear.
Court President Yun Young-chul announced the second hearing would take place on Friday and would proceed with or without the president.
The early timetable is being interpreted by political analysts as reflecting the court`s intention to make a swift ruling on the unprecedented case in view of the continuing political confusion caused by the leadership vacuum following Roh`s impeachment.
"As the defendant failed to attend, we delay the hearing until Friday 2 p.m.," Yun said.
Responding to the announcement, Rep. Kim Ki-choon, chairman of the National Assembly`s Judiciary and Legislation Committee and chief prosecutor in the case, demanded that the court delay the planned second round to a later date.
"We need more time to review the case and submit our views," Kim said. "And I have to prepare for the general elections, so I want a later schedule."
Kim also renewed his demand for the president to appear in the second hearing, saying he needed to question the president to obtain more evidence.
But Ha Kyung-chul, Roh`s attorney and former Constitutional Court President, said he saw no reason for the president to face the opposition`s questioning.
"Parliament has already suspended the powers of a president who was directly elected by the people. If they now need more evidence, it means that they did such a thing for not good enough reasons."
He expressed satisfaction about the date of the next hearing. "We are grateful that the court scheduled an early hearing. I hope the court makes continuous efforts to resolve today`s emergency quickly."
About 55 citizens were allowed to attend yesterday`s hearing, which was the first step in a process that will determine Roh`s political future.
After the 20-minute public hearing, Moon Jae-in, former presidential secretary for civil affairs and Roh`s attorney, told The Korea Herald, "I am satisfied that the court scheduled an early date for the second hearing."
"We have already prepared what we would say for today`s hearing, so there is no problem with the early schedule. This is a crisis so we need a quick decision," Moon said.
Yesterday`s hearing came 18 days after opposition lawmakers voted 193-2 to impeach Roh for campaigning for the pro-government Uri Party ahead of next month`s general elections. According to the election law, he was supposed to remain neutral.
His powers are suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold the impeachment, which it must do within six months.
Meanwhile, police tightened security around the court yesterday, deploying more than 200 troops to the usually quiet and peaceful area as a precaution against possible clashes between citizens.
Scores of people, who had failed to acquire tickets to attend the public hearing, gathered outside the court and exchanged barbed comments while the presidential side and the opposition lawmakers were doing the same inside the court.
A 72-year-old woman from Gyeonggi Province said, "The opposition party is trying to kill the president for political reasons. Everyone knows that."
"The turmoil, the problems are not the president`s fault. How could he fix all that within just one year?" said the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous.
But Lee Wan-jae, 64, defended the opposition. "April 2 is way too soon for a proper trial to take place." "I have been unemployed for six years since the economic crisis. The Roh government has done nothing for people like me."
(soyoung@heraldm.com)
헌정사상 첫 대통령 탄핵심판 사건에 대한 헌법재판소의 첫 공개변론은 노무현 대통령이 불참함에 따라 불과 20분만에 마무리됐다.
재판장 윤영철 헌재소장은 금요일 다시 공개변론을 열겠다고 밝혔다. 윤 재판장은 다음 기일에도 대통령이 출석하지 않으면 피청구인의 출석 없이 심판절차를 진행하겠다고 덧붙였다.
첫 변론후 3일만에 2차 변론기일을 지정한 것은 노 대통령 탄핵에 따른 리더십 공백으로 인한 국정 혼란을 고려해 조속히 심리를 마무리짓겠다는 재판부 의중이 반영된 것이라고 정치 분석가들은 평가하고 있다.
이날 심판정에서 윤 재판장은 “이 사건의 피청구인이 출석하지 않았기 때문에 다음 변론을 4월 2일 금요일 오후 2시로 지정한다”라고 말했다.
소추위원인 김기춘 법사위원장은 재판부에 대한 의견 개진을 통해 재판부가 여유있게 기일을 정해 줄 것을 요청했다.
김 위원장은 “피청구인의 답변서 검토와 이에 따른 의견 제출에 시간이 필요하며, 소추위원이 국회의원 선거와 관련해 시간이 필요한 점을 감안해 달라”고 2차 기일 연기를 요청했다.
또 김 위원장은 추가 증거 확보를 위해 대통령에 대한 심문이 필요하다며 노 대통령이 2차 기일에는 출석해 줄 것을 재차 요구했다.
이에 대해 노 대통령쪽 대리인이자 전 헌재 재판관인 하경철 변호사는 노 대통령이 야당의 심문을 받아야 할 아무런 이유가 없다고 말했다.
하 변호사는 “국회는 이미 국민이 직접 선출한 대통령의 권한을 정지시켰습니다. 심판절차에 와서야 심리를 하겠다는 것은 부당합니다”라고 말했다.
하 변호사는 재판부가 기일을 연기하면서 조속한 기일을 지정한데 대해 감사의 뜻을 표하며 헌재의 지속적인 노력으로 현재의 비상 시국이 조기에 해결되기를 희망했다.
약 55명의 시민들이 노 대통령의 정치적 미래를 결정할 첫 번째 절차인 어제 변론에 참석했다.
20분간의 변론이 끝난 후 문재인 청와대 전 민정수석이자 노 대통령 변호사는 "헌재가 2차 기일을 빨리 지정한 것에 대해 만족한다"고 코리아헤럴드에 말했다.
"심리를 대비해 많은 준비를 해왔기 때문에 다음 기일에 심리를 진행하는 데는 아무런 문제가 없다. 위기 상황 타개를 위해 조속한 판결이 필요하다"고 문 변호사는 자신감을 피력했다.
어제 변론은 다음 달 총선을 앞 두고 야당이 노 대통령이 열린우리당을 지지하는 발언을 했다는 이유로 탄핵안을 찬성 193표, 반대 2표로 통과시킨 지 18일만에 열린 것이다. 현행 선거법 하에서 대통령은 중립을 지키도록 되어 있다.