Seo Chan-kyo
Head of Seongbuk District |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Korea's national flag and those of 34 countries line both sides of a one-kilometer street that runs from Hansung University Subway Station to Seongbuk Elementary School in the Seongbuk district of downtown Seoul.
The 34 flags of other nations are there to represent the embassies and residences of ambassadors located in this district. The idea was conceived in 2007 by Moosa Hamdan Al Taee, then the Oman ambassador to Korea.
The flags also symbolize the diversity of Seoul. And the district's range of cultures is more than just a large presence of foreign missions ― it's the pride of the district.
"When envoys move in to our district, we fly their flag," Seo Chan-kyo, the head of Seongbuk District, said.
He said foreigners living in the district vary in status. Ambassadors, migrant workers, foreign students, spouses of Korean nationals and businesspeople are among the some 8,500 living in the district.
"Generally, multicultural districts mostly offer various programs, but we try to raise the overall quality of life. In other words, we seek communication," Seo said. "By this I mean the communication among foreigners living in the district as well as between foreigners and the government."
Seo emphasizes a "live-and-feel" style of diplomacy. "We are open to foreigners' ideas on district administration," he said. "For instance, we developed trail routes as we found that they like walking and added lights to the Seoul Fortress to make the night view more spectacular."
The district has a special team to help foreigners live more comfortably. The district was the first administrative unit in the city to establish a division to tackle problems foreigners face. They have addressed issues ranging from transportation to health problems.
"We publicized the unit to embassies and they ask us various questions, such as how to separate garbage or deal with sewage problems," Chun Hyun-soon, who works in the unit, said.
In November, the district opened a multicultural center for expatriates. "We want to make the center a self-governing body for non-Koreans," the ward chief said.
Seo named Hans-Alexander Kneider, 53, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, as the head of the center.
In January, Kneider will join district meetings twice a month on behalf of all foreigners living there. "I will relay the opinions of expatriates living here regarding issues such as shuttle buses and a food festival held by foreigners," Kneider said.
Though Kneider was selected by the district chief, the next head of the center will be chosen by foreigners themselves.
The district also holds its "Memorable Evening" party for foreigners every year. "In 2002, I realized expatriates in our district do not have communities and thought we could hold a year-end party for them to get together," Seo said.
The party started in December 2003 but the date has been changed to October, as there are major personnel shifts from November to January in the diplomatic community.
"We held it as a neighborhood meeting, not something mandatory. Ambassadors, families and other embassy staff members spent some free and open time together at the party," he said. "They liked the party and asked us to continue it as a community program."
The party and other events, such as an international food festival and a kimchi-making charity event, are gaining popularity among foreigners, especially diplomats.
The newest embassy residence in the district is that of Brazil, which moved there in October. The ambassador decided to move there after participating in its second Multicultural Food Festival in May.
"I think what is important is understanding," Seo said. "The promise between foreigners and us is important. We will continue our existing projects for foreigners.
"When we communicate with foreigners, we can provide a better environment for them."
meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
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