NEW YORK, October 18, 2005 - The Korean Cultural Service (KCS) and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) of New York, are pleased to announce the second event in the “A Taste of Korea” series designed to educate Americans on Korean cuisine and culture. Chef Hyang-Hwa Kim of Kori Korean Restaurant in Tribeca will prepare the “Beyond Barbecue” press dinner showcasing medicinal ingredients incorporated into traditional Korean vegetarian dishes.

While Korean cuisine is world-renowned for its barbecue dishes, this mountainous, maritime country also offers a host of unusual vegetarian ingredients which are deemed to be healthful according to Asian medical traditions: ginseng, wild sesame leaves, wood ear mushrooms, duh duk (related to ginseng), bell flower roots, fern, soy sprouts and kelp. Dinner will be paired with “soju,” Korea's own distillate of sweet potatoes and barley, as well as plum and rice wines.

Ambassador Bong-Joo Moon of the Republic of Korea will welcome attendees. Special guest David Rosengarten, TV food personality and editor of The Rosengarten Report, a long-time Korean cuisine enthusiast, will present his insights into the growing popularity of this robust ethnic cooking.

Dinner will be followed by a fashion show that celebrates the hanbok (Korea’s traditional dress) in both contemporary and time-honored designs by award-winning designer Lee Young Hee.

“We are excited that our second Taste of Korea event will be showcasing a lesser-known aspect of Korean cuisine. Our vegetarian dishes, which evolved over centuries, utilize fascinating ingredients that both delight the palate and promote good health,” said Jin Y. Woo, President of the Korean Cultural Service of New York. “Americans are now discovering the charms of Korean cooking and we are proud to have food authority David Rosengarten share his thoughts on the future of this cuisine in the U.S.”

“We hope this Taste of Korea event will whet the appetite of the U.S. media to discover Korea as a unique travel destination,” said Young-Gyu Park, Director of the Korea Tourism Organization NY Office. “The wonderful tasting menu, coupled with a hanbok fashion show, highlights some of the many intriguing experiences Korea offers.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
About the Chef: Hyang-Hwa Kim
Chef Hyang-Hwa Kim is the owner and head chef of Kori Restaurant in Tribeca. The New York Times described the restaurant as “Up-to-date and appealing to Americans, but tied to Korean traditions.” Chef Kim’s cooking skills come from her background of being the wife of the eldest son in a large Korean family. Traditionally, the wife of the eldest son is in charge of the kitchen for the whole family, which is a challenging task, given the need to meet the demands and satisfactions of everyone’s taste buds. The New York Times also noted, “As Korean restaurants navigate their way into the mainstream, some stay too close to home, while others cut off ties to the past. Kori manages to bridge the gulf successfully.”

About the Designer: Lee Young Hee
Award-winning Korean designer Lee Young Hee specializes in Korean classical dress, or hanbok. The first Korean designer to participate in France's Pret-a-Porter, (she has since participated 22 times for 11 years), she is currently the Chairperson of Maison de Lee Young Hee, Co., Ltd. as well as the founder and president of the Mirae Munhwa Foundation. Lee’s numerous shows and exhibits have garnered numerous awards. The Lee Young Hee Korea Museum in New York features costumes, personal ornaments, and traditional items from the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), offering an excellent insight
into the traditional lifestyle of the Korean people.

About Ambassador Bong-Joo Moon
Ambassador Bong-Joo Moon is the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in New York. He has served the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the past 30 years, holding various positions worldwide including the Consul of the Korean Consulate General in San Francisco, Minister and DCM of the Korean Embassy to Washington, D.C., First Secretary of the Korean Embassy to both Libreville, Gabon and Japan, Counselor of the Korean Mission in Geneva, Minister of the Korean Embassy to China, Ambassador to the Korean Embassy to New Zealand, and the Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Affairs Bureau, M.F.A. Moon has also served as Director of the Northeast Asia Division and
Ambassador-at-large of MOFAT.

Korean Cultural Service, New York
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.

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)
The Korea Tourism Organization works to increase international tourism to Korea through the establishment of overseas offices across the globe, the creation of promotional tourism-related activities and the support of tourism professionals and international tourism organizations. KTO also provides support for international conferences held in Korea, assists in enhancing tourist
destinations, conducts research on the Korean tourism industry and offers assistance and information to travelers in Korea.

For more information regarding this event, or regarding travel to Korea, please contact Luis A. Maravi at 201-585-0909 or luism@kntoamerica.com