The Korea Times

Ugandan talks about challenges facing refugee single mothers in Korea

Christine Kyomugisha’s life took many unexpected turns, which led her to flee her native Uganda. Now finding herself living as a single mother of two children halfway around the world in Korea, she faces legal, economic, social and emotional hardships, while occasionally also suffering discrimination and xenophobia, which is especially difficult for many single mothers. On top of how she deals with daily parenting struggles, her story reflects the myriad challenges refugee single mothers in Korea face. She gave a talk recently on these issues during an art event titled “Provisional Government for All” at KOTE in Insa-dong on Sept. 7. “Before I came to Korea in 2015, I had a stable family in Uganda,” she said. “I married a military officer who was falsely accused and arrested of being involved in a coup against the government. I was also arrested as a collaborator. My husband died while he was in prison, and I was forced to leave my country, leaving my first child behind.” While living in Korea in 2021, Christine gave birth to her second child, who is on the autism spectrum,

Sep 26, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Ugandan talks about challenges facing refugee single mothers in Korea

Global Community

Tunisian artist Ahmed Laroussi opens solo exhibition in Korea

Tunisian visual artist Ahmed Laroussi opened his first solo exhibition in Korea at Verger Art Gallery in western Seoul on Sept. 12. Titled "Beyond Horizons," the exhibition explores themes of imagination, technology and the infinite possibilities of the future. Laroussi, who works between Korea, Tunisia and France, began his artistic journey at a young age. "My artistic journey began at the age of 4, when my older sister and I started drawing scenes from cartoons we used to watch on television. At the age of 7, I held my first exhibition at school, organized by the school administration," he told The Korea Times. “From early on, drawing gave me a sense of uniqueness, a quiet confidence in doing something no one else around me could. Over the years, art became a safe refuge, a place I could escape to during times of pressure or emotional weight. Today, painting is my way of expressing my vision of the world and addressing issues and emotions that are often difficult to articulate in words.” He works across multiple mediums, including pencil drawing and acrylic painting, both oil and wa

Sep 16, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Tunisian artist Ahmed Laroussi opens solo exhibition in Korea

Global Community

Omar and the Eastern Power proves music has no borders

Omar Benassila, a musician originally from Morocco, has always amazed me with his passion for music. Probably, many people who know him feel the same way. Since 2007, he has been an integral part of Korea’s music scene. With a career that spans continents and cultures, he has established a name for himself through his band, Omar and the Eastern Power, and his solo electronic project, Seed Le Moor. He first arrived in Korea nearly two decades ago, spending seven and a half years in Seoul before relocating to Jeju Island, where he lived for 12 years. However, he recently decided to return to the capital. “There were personal reasons, of course, but also, after COVID-19, I became more musically active. The music market really happens in the big cities, so I was always traveling back and forth. I wanted to be closer to the heart of what’s happening. Seoul is vibrant and dynamic, and I felt I needed that energy again," he told The Korea Times. “Life in Jeju was beautiful and relaxing, but maybe a little too comfortable. I needed to step out of my comfort zone and return to the concret

Sep 12, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Omar and the Eastern Power proves music has no borders

Global Community

Pyeongtaek to host Alexander Sheykin’s accordion concert on Saturday

“Becoming the Wind to the World,” a storytelling-style music concert that invites audiences on a musical journey around the world through the accordion, will take place at 5 p.m. this Saturday at the Grand Theater of the Pyeongtaek Nambu Arts Center in southern Gyeonggi Province. At the heart of the performance is Alexander Sheykin, a master accordionist born in Uzbekistan to Russian parents, who has lived for two decades in Korea and has been actively performing across the country and internationally. With his versatile techniques and deep musical interpretation, he has devoted himself to showcasing the beauty of the accordion. According to the organizer, Acco Entertainment, this concert goes beyond a simple performance — it weaves together the music of Russia, France, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland and Korea into a single narrative through the lens of the accordion. Each country’s musical characteristics will be introduced with explanations, offering audiences an immersive experience of the accordion’s historical journey and emotional range. Sheykin grew up in a household whe

Sep 1, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Pyeongtaek to host Alexander Sheykin’s accordion concert on Saturday

Global Community

Korean pianist-composer Eunhye Jeong bridges cultures through music

Eunhye Jeong is a Korean pianist, composer, improviser and writer based in Seoul. Her artistry thrives on exploration, cultural reflection and fearless improvisation in jazz music. She is also a published writer known for her critical mind and diligent research. She continues to expand her musical world through collaborations with legendary artists and her own experimental projects. She has performed with Wadada Leo Smith, the multiple award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated composer and trumpeter, as part of the N’da Kulture ensemble, which revisited one of Smith’s most celebrated albums, “Divine Love,” at the third CREATE Festival in 2019. Jeong’s versatility is also evident in duo performances with acclaimed cellist and improviser Okkyung Lee and recordings with pansori master Bae Il-dong. As a composer, she co-wrote the score for the short film “Ancestry” alongside Munyungo Jackson, Stevie Wonder’s percussionist. Her performances have taken her to distinguished venues such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the U.N. headquarters in New York and institutions in

Aug 27, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Korean pianist-composer Eunhye Jeong bridges cultures through music

Global Community

At global peace forum in Seoul, youth share stories of independence

While Koreans marked the 80th anniversary of National Liberation Day last Friday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government organized a youth forum at City Hall the same day. Titled Global Voice for Peace Youth Forum, the event brought together 68 young participants representing dozens of countries to celebrate the historical day and connect global youth who share a passion for peace, freedom and cultural exchange. It was held in collaboration with Funday Korea Networks, a social enterprise that operates various programs to help young people from over 80 countries better understand Korean culture. Ahead of the forum, on Aug. 9 participants visited historic sites connected to Korea’s independence movement under Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, deepening their appreciation for the country’s history and struggle for freedom. In his welcoming speech, Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Kim Byung-min said the day marked a historic turning point when many nations around the world moved beyond the era of imperialism and reclaimed their sovereignty. “On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea

Aug 18, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

At global peace forum in Seoul, youth share stories of independence

Global Community

Gimpo celebrates International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

GIMPO, Gyeonggi Province — More than 250 guests from various countries came together at Yanggok Middle School in Gimpo, Sunday, to mark the 2nd International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebrated in Korea. The event showcased the richness of diverse cultures, the uniqueness of Indigenous identities and the beauty of distinct traditions, creating a vibrant space for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. Hosted by the Jumma Peoples Network Korea, a cultural organization of the Bangladesh Jumma Indigenous people established in 2002, and Dream of Nations Myanmar Community, an organization for Myanmarese Indigenous refugees resettled in Korea. The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Aug. 9 was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994. This year's celebration recognizes and honors the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures, and acknowledges historical injustices, ongoing struggles and their contributions to humanity. It has been said that Korea has become home to many Indigenous peoples from around the world, including the

Aug 12, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Gimpo celebrates International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Global Community

African Dinner Club prepares Zambian dishes in Seoul

Have you been looking for African food and cultures in Korea? This Saturday afternoon, you have a chance to experience a little Zambia at Uplift, a recently opened bar in central Seoul's multicultural Gyeongnidan neighborhood. The Mwaiseni African Dinner Club is hosting its third pop-up dinner experience, bringing the heart of Africa to Seoul. Mwaiseni means “Welcome” in the Zambian language, and that’s what the organizers hope to offer, in a warm, vibrant space where people can come together and experience the richness of African culture through food, music and networking. This intimate cultural gathering invites guests to enjoy at least eight authentic African dishes, including peri-peri chicken (grilled chicken served with a spicy chili-based sauce), kapenta (crispy fried small fish) and guava and mango salad. Chungsil Kunda, the dinner club's co-founder, is from Zambia and has lived in Korea for 15 years. She came here for school and completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at a Korean university. “At the beginning of this year, just before taking a break from work af

Aug 4, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

African Dinner Club prepares Zambian dishes in Seoul

Global Community

3rd World Arte Festival brings 150 global artists to Jeongseon

The mountain village of Ararichon in Jeongseon, Gangwon County, will transform into a vibrant stage for international artistic exchange and healing programs from Aug. 1 to 3, as the World Arte Festival welcomes over 150 artists from 22 countries under the slogan, “Hear the World, Heal the World.” Now in its third year, the festival was founded by Company Deullim CEO Choi Youn-young, a musician, entrepreneur and cultural visionary who has dedicated her life to preserving and modernizing Korea’s rich folk heritage. A folk singer from Korea's southeastern Gyeongsang region, she won the grand prize in the folk song category at the KBS Korean Traditional Music Awards in 2015 and 2018. Music director Sun-jae Clemente Min told The Korea Times that the festival features exhibitions of visual and performing arts to foster a deeper sense of collaboration, with artists from Japan, Bangladesh, Colombia and Germany among the many invited. The festival invites about 150 artists each year, including musicians, painters, performers and creators, who collaborate across genres and mediums. Accordin

Jul 28, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

3rd World Arte Festival brings 150 global artists to Jeongseon

Global Community

Swiss ambassador reflects on 4 transformative years in Korea

Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli is nearing the end of her time as Switzerland’s ambassador to Korea, four transformative years marked by diplomacy, cultural exchange and personal discovery. From milestone moments like the 60th anniversary of Switzerland-Korea diplomatic ties to quiet walks on Mount Inwang, the ambassador shared vivid memories, thoughtful insights and the lessons she will carry forward as she prepares to bid farewell to the country that has left a lasting mark on both her professional journey and family life. She spoke to The Korea Times on June 3. Below are some of her comments. Q. Looking back at your time here, what moment stands out most vividly to you, both personally and professionally? A. Among the many milestones during my time here, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023 was one of the most significant. It served as a cornerstone for deepening our bilateral engagement, marked by high-level exchanges, a rich cultural program and an MoU (memorandum of understanding) aimed at enhancing cooperation in research fields such as life sciences, digital innovation and q

Jul 23, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

Bereket Alemayehu

Read more

Ugandan talks about challenges facing refugee single mothers in Korea

Tunisian artist Ahmed Laroussi opens solo exhibition in Korea

Omar and the Eastern Power proves music has no borders

Pyeongtaek to host Alexander Sheykin’s accordion concert on Saturday

Korean pianist-composer Eunhye Jeong bridges cultures through music

At global peace forum in Seoul, youth share stories of independence

Gimpo celebrates International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

African Dinner Club prepares Zambian dishes in Seoul

3rd World Arte Festival brings 150 global artists to Jeongseon

Swiss ambassador reflects on 4 transformative years in Korea

Top 5 stories