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The fabled Haechi, a lion-like horned creature, has been chosen as the symbol representing Seoul, while the ¡°Hi Seoul¡± slogan promoting the city from many years will be replaced by either ¡°Soul Seoul¡± or ¡°Soul of Seoul.¡± An official who participated in choosing new symbols for the capital said Thursday the final choice was made based on the opinions of Seoulites -- Koreans and foreigners alike -- gathered for the last six months. Seoul will be advertised as ¡°the City of Haechi¡± and its images will be spread around the world, he said.
Haechi is the original name for the creature better known as Haetae, a legendary animal that can discern good from evil and defend justice. The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to set up two statues of Haechi in the Gwanghwamun Plaza, which is scheduled to be open in June 2009. A digital Haechi will also be installed near the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, who destroyed the Japanese Navy during Hideyoshi Toyotomi¡¯s invasions of Korea in the 16th century, and in a park near the Koreana Hotel in Gwanghwamun.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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