CULTURE: Korean society, human values, arts, current and historical perspectives
Asia Society: Asia Society is one of the leading global organizations working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. They seek to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts, and culture. They maintain integrated background listing on most Asian nations, including DPRK and ROK.
http://www.asiasociety.org/
http://www.asiasociety.org/countries-history/country-profiles/north-korea
http://www.asiasociety.org/countries-history/country-profiles/south-korea
Cultural Heritage Administration (ROK). The (ROK) Cultural Properties Administration works to Preserve and maintain ROK cultural heritage in its original condition, Cultivate tourism resources through promoting value of cultural properties, Enhance people's enjoyment of cultural heritage and promote Korean traditional culture in the world.
http://english.cha.go.kr/
International Cultural Service Club (ICSC) site, focusing on those wishing to take land tours of the DMZ but also containing useful general ecological information.
http://www.tourdmz.com/english/main.php
http://www.tourdmz.com/english/02dmz/p4-1.php
Korean Culture, inaugurated in 1979 under the authority of the Korean Consulate General in New York, the Korean Cultural Service works to broaden understanding of Korea and Korea-U.S. relations through cultural and academic activities. The Cultural Service sponsors and hosts many different types of activities, including art exhibits, film screenings, traditional Korean music and dance events, Korean food festivals, lectures, youth activities, and sporting events. The Cultural Service also provides information on Korea - U.S. relations and assists exchange programs between the two countries.
http://www.koreanculture.org/
Korea Society: The Korea Society is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization with individual and corporate members that is dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea.
http://www.koreasociety.org/
National Trust of Korea (NTK) is a privately-funded NGO dedicated to permanently protecting and preserving environmental and historical relics and features of national heritage and cultural significance, commonly through acquiring and stewarding.
http://www.nationaltrust.or.kr/eng/sub_01.asp
National website of government of South Korea (ROK) provides a great deal of information on Korean culture, arts, literature, UNESCO treasures and much more.
http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=T09
Some important landscape features and ecosystem components of the Korean DMZ that also hold important cultural significance:
Mt. Kemgang-san (or Geumgang-san, Diamond Mountain) at 1,638 m, one of the pinnacles of the DMZ region, Geumgangsan shows so distinctly different views by seasons that it has been called by 4 unique names. It's called Geumgangsan in spring, Bongnaesan in summer, Pungaksan in autumn and Gaegolsan in winter. An important cultural feature historically and currently a major tourist destination for South Koreans; the natural beauty of this heavily forested region represents a unique and precious arena for peoples of all nations to come together to celebrate nature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumgangsan
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/tv_old/koreavod/detail.htm?vod_code=51&lang=e
Mt. Seorak-san, is the highest point (1,708 m) in the Taebak mountain range, which runs along the eastern edge of the Korean peninsula. It is a national park, a Natural Monument a symbol of great cultural significance to the Korean people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoraksan
http://www.koreanculture.org/06about_korea/symbols/09seoraksan.htm
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Seoraksan
Seorak Cultural Festival, held every year in October.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seorak_Cultural_Festival
Cheorwon Plains (also Cheolwon)is a rich and important agricultural and rice producing area within the central portions of the DMZ. Comprised of an inter- connected matrix of wetlands and low-lands, this region important habitat and resources to migratory flocks of rare and endangered birds and cranes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheolwon
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/dmz/dmz.cfm?Subject=central
http://www.dmzkorea.net/ecology.html
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_4_16_5.jsp
http://www.cwg.go.kr/cheorwon/Foreign_Language/board/fsboard.asp?id=
engcontents&mode=view&idx=9&pos=146
ROK Dept. of Tourism website, containing a great deal of very useful information and context on visiting and working within ROK
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto