The World On arirang

Republic of Korea's trade volume topped US$1 trillion in the shortest time this year. The country also renewed records in exports and trade surplus. Korea is set to post exports of US$575 billion, imports of US$530 billion and a trade surplus of US$45 billion this year. It has grown into a country with the world's 8th largest trade volume. We will look into the secrets to its trade surplus and find out what its flagship sectors are.

A special summit was held in Busan's BEXCO on December 11 and 12. The 2014 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit took place to celebrate the 25th year since the two sides have established diplomatic ties. During the meeting, the two sides moved up their relationship by a notch to a strategic partnership. What bilateral economic cooperation has taken place in the past 25 years and how big has its economic impact been? And, what is the potential value of the improved relations? We will talk about the possible bilateral economic cooperation through the outcome of the latest summit.

South Korean researchers have developed the world's first technology that mixes water and oil without adding surfactants. Using their own "focused ultrasound device", the technology disperses oil into tiny particles sized tens of nanometers by shooting super-high frequencies. This technology can be used in various ways in real life such as in cosmetics, detergent, medicine and beverage, so it could have a large ripple effect on the economy. We will check out the technology using focused ultrasound device.

Advertising display boards have been providing same advertisement to the unspecified individuals. But now, they are changing. They are offering tailor-made advertisements by user. The new advertisement displays include those that suggest books suitable to users via recognition of their faces. There are also vending machines that normally function as advertising displays that show advertisements tailor-made to individuals by detecting bluetooth signals from their smartphones. They transform into vending machines when users run certain smartphone apps. We introduce you to smart media advertising that offers tailor-made advertisements to individuals.

North Korea has recently been trying to foster its tourism industry to earn foreign money. As a result, the communist nation, which has been behind the veil, is being introduced more and more to the outside world by foreign tourists visiting the country. What does the planned city Pyongyang look like now? The North Korean regime claims it to be a paradise on earth. We will take a look at the unfamiliar and vivid images of Pyongyang through the eyes of foreign tourists.