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Kwon Mee-yoo

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.

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Music

Shamanic folk-pop band ADG7 goes on US tour as pandemic wanes

Korean fusion folk-pop band ADG7 holds a North America tour in November. Courtesy of SORI ArtistsBy Kwon Mee-yooKorean folk-pop group Ak Dan Gwang Chil, also known as ADG7 internationally, has embarked on a North America tour this month, resuming live concerts as the COVID-19 pandemic situation settles.The nine-member band combines music used for Korea's shamanic "gut" ritual and "minyo" (folk songs) from Hwanghae Province, now in North Korea, to create a new style of traditionally minded Korean music for contemporary audiences. "Ak Dan" from the group's name means troupe and “Chil” means seven, as the band was established in 2015 when Korea commemorated the 70th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Unlike other Korean folk fusion bands which are open to the use of electronic instruments, ADG7 only uses traditional Korean instruments such as "gayageum" (12-string plucked zither), "daegeum" (bamboo flute) and "piri" (double-reed instrument). The band has received much attention both domestically and globally, reflecting the rising popularity of Korean mus

Nov 10, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Shamanic folk-pop band ADG7 goes on US tour as pandemic wanes
Foreign Affairs

Hanok-inspired Swiss Embassy opens up for photo exhibition

Artist Yoo Young-jin's "Nowhere" series is on display at the Swiss Embassy in Seoul, which is open to the public for the "Breathing Walls" exhibition through Nov. 10. Courtesy of Embassy of Switzerland in KoreaBy Kwon Mee-yooMost embassies are designed with security as top priority, considering their diplomatic significance. Often surrounded by high walls and guards on alert, it is not easy for the general public to visit embassies without a purpose or advance appointment. However, the Embassy of Switzerland in Seoul, located in the historic Donuimun area near Gyeonghui Palace, offers the "Breathing Walls" exhibition, open to the public through Nov. 10."We always wanted to be an embassy open to the city. Embassies are no longer fully-closed high security compounds. This is an embassy of a democratic state in a democratic country. So we thought we could really use the central courtyard as a platform for showcasing Switzerland but also as a platform for meaningful cooperation," Linus von Castelmur, ambassador of Switzerland to Korea, told The Korea Times.The Swiss government purchased

Nov 8, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Hanok-inspired Swiss Embassy opens up for photo exhibition
Foreign Affairs

Why US is sitting on appointing ambassador to Seoul

By Kwon Mee-yooAbout nine months into his presidency, U.S. President Joe Biden has yet to name a new ambassador to South Korea, despite the importance of the post in bilateral relations as well as the significance of Seoul as an important ally in East Asian geopolitics. “America is back, diplomacy is back,” Biden said in February, distancing himself from his predecessor Donald Trump who made "America First" his main policy. However the message hasn't sunk in yet as about half of U.S. ambassadorial posts still remain vacant ― with South Korea being one of them.According to the American Foreign Service Association, 95 out of 189 positions were vacant as of Nov. 4.Only seven of Biden's ambassadorial appointees have been confirmed since he took office, while 63 are stalled in the Senate, according to the Partnership for Public Service, Nov. 2. South Korea falls into the remaining 25 positions that do not have nominations.Former Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris, who was appointed by Trump, resigned Jan. 20 after President Biden took office.After Harris's departure, Robert Raps

Nov 7, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Why US is sitting on appointing ambassador to Seoul
Politics

Opinions divided over pardons for ex-presidents

Former Presidents Lee Myung-bak, left, and Park Geun-hye / Korea Times fileBy Kwon Mee-yooOpinions are divided regarding a hypothetical pardoning of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye who have been behind bars after being found guilty in respective corruption scandals, according to poll results released Friday. The survey conducted by Gallup Korea on 1,000 adults nationwide from Tuesday through Thursday, showed that 48 percent of respondents opposed granting pardons to the two former presidents, while 44 percent were in favor. The remaining 8 percent did not give an answerLee is currently serving a 17-year prison term for embezzlement and bribery, while Park is serving 20 years for abuse of power, bribery and embezzlement.The proportion of people in favor of providing amnesty to Lee and Park has increased.When Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader, mentioned the idea of President Moon Jae-in granting pardons to the two former presidents in January, opinion polls showed 54 percent were against the idea, while 37 percent sup

Nov 5, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Opinions divided over pardons for ex-presidents
Foreign Affairs

18th century Hungarian map describes 'East Sea'

First lady Kim Jung-sook, center, examines an ancient Hungarian map describing the sea on the east side of the Korean Peninsula as "Small East Sea" at the National Archives of Hungary in Budapest, Wednesday (local time). The 1730 map, portraying the Russian Empire and the Tartary region, shows that the waters east of Korea were perceived as "East Sea" in Europe in the 18th century. Yonhap

Nov 4, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
18th century Hungarian map describes 'East Sea'
Foreign Affairs

New Munch Museum offers unseen side of Norwegian artist

The Munch Museum in Norway, dedicated to Edvard Munch, opened its new building in Oslo's seaside Bjorvika neighborhood, Oct. 22. Courtesy of Munch MuseumPlans for another Munch exhibit in KoreaBy Kwon Mee-yooStein Olav Henrichsen, director of Munch Museum / Courtesy of Munch MuseumThe Munch Museum, or MUNCH, in Oslo, Norway, opened its highly-anticipated new building to the public last month, and it lived up to expectations. The museum, home to some 27,000 works of art by the Norwegian expressionist painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944), originally opened in Toyen, Oslo. It recently moved to the 13-story building dedicated to the artist in the neighborhood of Bjorvika.Frode Solberg, Norwegian Ambassador to Korea, spoke about the significance of Munch to Norway as well as to the world."As Norwegians, we find this very important, of course, but I think also as global citizens. I think Edvard Munch belongs to the greatest, not only the greatest Norwegians, perhaps also among the greatest artists. His works, as you probably know, are among the most valuable and highly-priced artworks out ther

Nov 4, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
New Munch Museum offers unseen side of Norwegian artist
Foreign Affairs

Korea, ASEAN countries to increase exchanges in F&B industry

Kim Hae-yong, secretary general of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, delivers opening remarks during the “Webinar on Trade Facilitation for F&B Industry between ASEAN and Korea,” Wednesday. Courtesy of the ASEAN-Korea CentreBy Kwon Mee-yooThe ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) hosted a webinar on strengthening cooperation in the food and beverage (F&B) industry last week. Held in collaboration with the Korea Importers Association, the webinar discussed ways to exchange information and provide new opportunities for F&B companies in ASEAN countries and Korea.Kim Hae-yong, secretary general of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, emphasized the importance of the food sector to the ASEAN region, where the food value chain generates over $500 billion, accounting for some 17 percent of ASEAN's total GDP. "Meanwhile, Korea's agri-food imports from ASEAN have more than tripled over the last decade from less than $1 billion in 2010 to approximately $3.2 billion in 2020. We have been witnessing a steady growth of trade between ASEAN and Korea in the F&B sector lately," Kim said.From Korea, Song Mi-

Nov 1, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Korea, ASEAN countries to increase exchanges in F&B industry
Foreign Affairs

Colombian guitarist shares 'beautiful mixture' of Colombian music

Colombian guitarist Nilko Andreas Guarin teaches Colombian songs and about various musical instruments at Sundukwon Orphanage in Seoul, Oct. 28. The instruments were donated to the orphanage by First Lady of Colombia Maria Juliana Ruiz when she visited Korea in August. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yooBy Kwon Mee-yooColombian guitarist Nilko Andreas Guarin was greeted by the twinkling eyes of girls at the Sundukwon Orphanage in Seoul when he visited there last Thursday to introduce the charm of Colombian music. Andreas taught them a Colombian song, “El Pescador” (The Fisherman), and how to play some Colombian instruments, the tambora, the maracas, the marimba and the guiro, which were donated to the orphanage by First Lady of Colombia Maria Juliana Ruiz when she visited Korea in August.The girls were shy at first, but soon their hands were up in the air, trying to play the exotic instruments with the musician who came from halfway around the world. After learning the Cumbia, a type of Colombian rhythm, and singing and playing a song, they were given the title of “Cu

Nov 1, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Colombian guitarist shares 'beautiful mixture' of Colombian music
Politics

Jongno by-election to draw as much attention as presidential poll

Former presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok, right, speaks during local elections in support of Park Soo-hyun of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in this April 2020 file photo. Im is considered a possible candidate for the ruling DPK to run in the Jongno by-election next March. Korea Times fileBy Kwon Mee-yooThe legislative by-elections for two constituencies in Seoul, to be held in March along with the presidential election, are gaining attention, with several political heavyweights being mentioned as potential candidates.Currently, the two National Assembly seats representing Jongno and Seocho are empty. Of them, the one for Jongno, located in the heart of Seoul, has remained vacant since former ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon gave up the post in September to focus on campaigning for the party's presidential primary. However, he lost the primary race to Lee Jae-myung.Jongno has political significance, as winning the central Seoul constituency has given a foothold for the winner to become a national-level politician with a higher chance of running

Oct 31, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Jongno by-election to draw as much attention as presidential poll
Foreign Affairs

Cambodia hopes to attract more investment via Korea-Cambodia FTA

Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, right, and his Cambodian counterpart, Pan Sorasak, on screen, pose after signing the two nations' free trade agreement in a virtual ceremony, Oct. 26. Courtesy of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy By Kwon Mee-yooKorea and Cambodia inked a free trade agreement (FTA), Oct. 26, paving the way for strengthened ties between the two countries as well as helping the economic recovery from the pandemic. The signing ceremony was held via videoconferencing amid the COVID-19 situation. Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak expressed regrets over being unable to celebrate the special occasion in person. "Today's signing will be another milestone in strengthening Korea-Cambodia relations despite the difficult challenges of the pandemic," Minister Pan said during the ceremony. "It is also the desire of both parties that this collateral FTA will further enhance and deepen the partnership between our two economies by optimizing our regi

Oct 28, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo
Cambodia hopes to attract more investment via Korea-Cambodia FTA
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