By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Seongbuk-dong in central Seoul serves as home to residences of many ambassadors, foreign corporate executives and other foreign residents. They are among about 8,500 foreigners residing in Seongbuk-gu, the district to which Seongbuk-dong belongs.
Last Sunday was a memorable moment to the residents in this upscale area with one of them being selected as honorary ``dongjang'' or chief of ``dong,'' the smallest administrative unit. The title comes with his appointment as chief officer of the Seongbuk Multicultural Village Center ― a foreigner help center.
Their dongjang is Hans-Alexander Kneider, 53, a professor of the German Department and Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
In his capacity, Kneider wants to connect more closely with the rest of Korean society, while promoting the interest of the residents.
``I want to establish real multiculturalism in Seongbuk-gu. We can teach Korean culture to foreigners while introducing our cultures to Koreans,'' he said during an interview with The Korea Times.
He praised Seongbuk-gu as a perfect area to live in.
``This is an ideal place. There are mountains, clean air and the Seoul Fortress wall with beautiful lighting in the evening,'' he said. ``We have many advantages here. The ward chief does so many things to make the district attractive to foreigners.''
For instance, the district holds international food festival and kimchi-making charity events for foreigners. The ``Memorable Evening'' inviting all ambassadors residing in the district is also well-known. Seongbuk-gu was the first district to establish external cooperation support division to aid foreigners' problems as well.
Kneider got interested in Korea when he met a Korean student studying in his home country. His parents wanted him to study medicine and pursue the family business, but he chose Koreanology instead. He came to Korea in 1982 for three months and later came back to study Korean Studies at Seoul Nation University on a government scholarship.
In a separate interview, Seo Chan-kyo, the head of Seongbuk-gu, said Kneider was the right man for the center chief. ``He speaks three languages ― Korean, German and English. I thought he could represent a variety of expatriates living in the district,'' Seo said. ``He will participate in meetings of chief officers representing all foreign residents.''