Wednesday, November 10, 2010

G20 Business Summit Experience, Seoul, South Korea

21-28 October 2010
Pre-G20 Activity - Mystery Bus Passenger

and

10-11 November 2010
G20 Business Summit Seoul, South Korea - G20 Press Tour

Welcome to the G20 Business Summit, South Korea 2010.

Last month, I happen to see a post indicating that the Seoul City Hall is needing some help on checking or rather auditing the Seoul City Buses in preparation for the G20 Business Summit. We were briefed on what to do which is to ride certain buses in certain places and routes and evaluate the bus' cleanliness, drivers' friendliness, bus stops' visibility, etc.

During our meeting with Seoul City Hall...

Some new amazing bus stops in Gangnam which has become a "tourist spot" for those Foreign Press.

Some of the bus stops are like this - its physical condition is not as good as expected. On the other hand, all of the bus stations' signs are in Korean. There are selected places in the routes that are in English - those places where there are many foreigners.

The bus stops are normally hidden behind a post or small convenience stores which makes the bus stop really hard to find. Most of the bus drivers are friendly enough but one thing is common - language barrier. The bus drivers cannot speak English, so if you are a foreigner - it is impossible to communicate or ask many questions. The most they will do is call you when you have to get off if you informed them your destination. Etc. Etc. Etc.

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In July this year, I was an English interviewer for those who applied to be a volunteer for the G20 Summit. Before becoming an English interviewer, I already have applied myself being a volunteer as well. To be a volunteer takes a lot of process, since there were more than 10,000 of applicants who applied to be a volunteer. First, you have to apply online. Next, is to be interviewed with the language you are able to speak to and Korean is a must. This is the pre-screening criteria. When you have passed this, you have to go through a seminar, online education and exam. The online education is around 50 pages or more, all in Korean characters. After this, you will receive an advice whether to volunteer or not and which department you will volunteer at. So, I was assigned to the G20 Press Tour Division. Until the week before the G20 Business Summit, I still have not received any advice on what I will do. Finally on November 4, got SMS that there is a training and orientation on November 6; however, due to the short notice, I cannot make it since I have prior appointment. A good friend of mine was kind enough to help me out... Thanks to Elliot.
Anyhow, there was a lot of sudden preparations, confusions and announcements being sent. Finally, I volunteered on November 10-11, 2010 for G20 Press Tour.
G20 Press Tour is a tour especially designed for the international media/press to know and understand more about Korea.


A lot of things have been done just for the G20 Business Summit. Including the Electric Peanut Bus below:

My precious G20 Business Summit Volunteer ID.

Ready to go to the tour!!!!




I was assigned in the Course 8 Bus, which goes to Bongeun Temple (in front of COEX where the G20 Business Summit is held), Shinsadong (where all the flashing high end shops and brands can be seen) and Cheongdamdong.

In Hyundai Department Store, there is a Traditional Food Festival where the Foreign Press/Media fortunately can see and enjoy.

These food cannot really be eaten regularly and anywhere. Most of these foods are the food of the Royal families.

More companies welcoming the G20 Business Summit and its delegates.

Bongeun Temple in front of COEX.

U-Shelter in Gangnam Area. This is basically a highly computerized technology of the Bus Stops. I believe this has been made especially for the G20 as well. Though they are already planning to make this universal to other bus stops. In a U-shelter, passengers waiting can see how far the buses are. Passengers can also see the traffic conditions in a selected area. Yes, there are cameras everywhere. There is even a TV when you are bored waiting for your bus.

Media Pole in Gangnam area where you can view news as well as taking you photos where you are standing and design it as you want. This was made just few weeks or months ago and I think this is a project too in preparation for G20. It is a good project to continue hopefully.

On our way to the Royal Tomb of the 9th and 11th King of the Joseon Dynasty, we can see all the police around the area.

This is the Royal Tomb of the 9th or 11th King of the Joseon Dynasty. It is located in downtown Gangnam district - the high-end business district in Seoul.


Next, is the Kukkiwon. This is the best Taekwondo Academy in South Korea.

Samsung headquarters welcoming the G20 Business Summit and its delegates.

Finally, this is the main venue of the G20 Business Summit in Seoul, South Korea, 2010 - COEX. The place is well guarded. It is really hard to get through...

Korea has prepared too much for this event, I do hope everything goes well as planned. And I do hope that these developments will continue to be there in the succeeding days, months and years and not only exist because of G20.

Being present in the country hosting the G20 Business Summit this 2010, I can feel that Korea is really proud of being the host. Coming from the reason that they are still one developing country yet has been granted this much of a responsibility. In all fairness to Korea, they prepared enough. Though there are certain small lapses internally, they have handled and executed well I think.


12 November 2010
10:04am Korea Time

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