General Information

The Republic of Korea, once known as the “Land of the Morning Calm,” is now the world’s 11th largest economy and the gateway to Northeast Asia. Its natural beauty, combined with unique cultural heritage preserved for thousands of years and amiable people, attracts visitors from all over the world. Its natural beauty, combined with unique cultural heritage preserved for thousands of years and amiable people, attracts visitors from all over the world.

Land

The Korean Peninsula extends about 1,000km from the Asian continent into the Pacific Ocean with more than 3,000 islands dotting the coastline. Mountains cover almost 70 percent of the land mass. Administratively, Korea consists of nine provinces with 77 small cities and 88 counties.

Climate

Korea lies in a temperate zone and has four distinct seasons.

Spring : March ~ May
Summer : June ~ August
Autumn : September ~ November
Winter : December ~ February

History

The first kingdom of Gojoseon was formed in 2333 B.C. By the first century B.C., Korea’s three ancient kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla ruled the entire Korean Peninsula. In 676, the Silla Kingdom took over the other two and united the peninsula. After the United Silla period(676 - 935), the Goryeo Dynasty came in and Buddhism as the state religion had great influence on political and cultural spheres. During the Joseon Dynasty(1392 - 1910), Confucianism was adopted as state ideology and Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, was invented in 1443. Since its foundation in 1948, the Republic of Korea has become one of the most economically advanced countries in the world and is a member of the OECD.

Culture

Although Korea has undergone rapid modernization, Korean people still cherish their 5,000-year long culture and Confucian values. Most Koreans share a cultural and linguistic heritage and the population is one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous in the world.

Food

Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi, a fermented, spicy vegetable dish is usually served at every meal. Korean cuisine usually involves rich seasoning with sesame oil, doenjang(fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, and gochujang(red chili paste).

Economy

Korea has also achieved the “Miracle of the Han River. As early as the 1960s, when the country's five-year economic development plan was first implemented, the Korean economy has relentlessly shown signs of exponential growth.

Since 2004, Korean-made semi-conductors, automobiles, and wireless telecom devices have accounted for over 30% of the country's total trade volume. Major IT export items include memory chips, mobile phones, LCD monitors, PCs, and satellite broadcasting receivers. Korea 's semi-conductor industry, in particular, has achieved tremendous growth over the past two decades and is the third largest in the world.

“Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism Conference Korea is organized in partnership between KHIDI and MTA. MTA is not responsible or involved with any registration fees or monies, sponsorship or exhibitor fees or monies.KHIDI is collecting and handling all monies in relation to this conference, and attendees, sponsors or exhibitors shall solely deal with KHIDI in regards to any payments or refunds.”