The Korean Overseas Information Service (KOIS) has published a catalog of materials to promote Korea overseas, giving foreigners a handy list of English publications about Korea.

The catalog, titled “2005 Intro Korea,” contains a collection of various publications from the central government and local authorities and state-funded agencies of all sectors of Korean society.

The 184-page list covers a wide range of topics and issues, including culture, economy and education, and the catalog is expected to promote Korea overseas.

KOIS distributed about 2,000 copies of the catalog to foreign opinion leaders, major international organizations, central and local governments and Korean diplomatic missions abroad.

The catalog is also available online on Korea.net (www.korea.net), the official Web site of the Korean government.

The catalog will function as a database for government and state-run organizations’ English publications. The KOIS will update it on a regular basis.

KOIS, which is affiliated with the Government Information Agency, was established in 1971 to promote international understanding of Korean culture and its people