UIJEONGBU, Republic of Korea - Soldiers arriving for duty in United States Army Garrison-Red Cloud were introduced to South Korea's largest province and most popular martial art during a Tae Kwon Do demonstration given by children 5 to 12 years old in Gyeong-gi Province's governor's building June 3.
"This was a nice and welcoming experience," said Spc. Tyrone Wells, "This is my second deployment to Korea. The first time I didn't have this experience. I thought about Tae Kwon Do before when I was in Korea, but I have no plans to learn it this time. It looks dangerous."
The Chung Ang, Sung Shin Tae Kwon Do School's more than 15 little warriors led by Master Kim, Nam Kyung, kicked and punched their way through well choreographed and executed Tae Kwon Do maneuvers for an hour.
"This school is among the best in Gyeong-gi Province," said Kim, Gun Jung, director of Gyeong-gi Province military and government cooperation division. "Every year more than 6,000 U.S. Army Soldiers come to Korea, so we wanted to bring our best example of Korean martial arts, Tae Kwon Do, to entertain the Soldiers. Now, Tae Kwon Do is an Olympic sport, so it will help those new to Korea understand our culture."
South Korea's culture was not the only information on display during the show. The Military and Government Cooperation Division office played a film titled "Attractive Gyeong-gi-do at your side," pointing out the major attractions to the province, including industry and entertainment.
"We provide new Soldiers to Korea an introduction to Gyeong-gi-do twice every week," Kim said. "We entertained new Soldiers more than 100 times this year. On Mondays we show them traditional Korean dance and on Wednesdays we show them Tae Kwon Do."
At times, when they are available, the provincial office brings Korea's favorite Broadway style plays and comedies like "Nanta" (a rhythmic mime comedy about Kim Chi making) to perform for new Soldiers, Kim said. "These are programs in which Soldiers can take part, not just observe," Kim said. "We always want Soldiers to experience the best first hand."
The programs did not always feature performances by professional and amateur entertainers, Kim continued.
"We started this type of programming Feb. 11," he said. "Before we welcomed the Soldiers new to Korea entertained by childrennew Soldiers and showed them the basic features of Gyeong-gi-do, but we didn't have the added shows. We feel Soldiers get a more complete look at Korean culture when we offer popular artistic entertainment. With programs such as this and the Good Neighbor Program in particular, we Koreans and Americans find common ground and understanding between our cultures."
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