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RAS Korea James Scarth Gale: Literary Giant, Steadfast Missionary Educator

By Steven L. Shieldsroyalasiatickorea@gmail.com James Scarth Gale's graduation photo, University of Toronto, 1888 / Courtesy Yoo Young-sik Korean historians have not been kind to the Rev. Dr. James Scarth Gale (1863-1937). Some have either ignorantly or deliberately misinterpreted or mistranslated Gale's writings. Such is true especially regarding the Japanese takeover of the Korean Empire in 1905-10. These same Korean historians had a clear agenda. They wanted all Western missionaries in Korea to be overtly anti-Japanese or outright independence fighters. In truth, Western missionaries could not be either and still be faithful to the pastoral care of their flocks, many of whom were first-generation Christians. The missionaries were placed in an awkward position. For example, Homer B. Hulbert, an early missionary and educator, has been lionized at the expense of others. Hulbert was vocally anti-Japan, but having been deported from Korea in 1907 by the Japanese authori

Nov 1, 2022By Jon Dunbar

[RAS Korea] James Scarth Gale: Literary Giant, Steadfast Missionary Educator

Among the survivors in Itaewon's disaster zone

A police investigator gathers personal belongings of victims of a deadly crowd accident in an alley in Seoul's Itaewon, early Oct. 30, a little over two hours after the accident occurred. / Korea Times photo by Jon DunbarBy Jon DunbarWhen I first heard what was going on in Itaewon on Saturday night, I didn't know what to believe. Someone showed me a video of emergency workers performing CPR on a row of nearly naked young women lying in the street, while the party seemed to be continuing in the background, and I didn't think it could be real. I was at a Halloween event in nearby Haebangchon at the time, which also had surprisingly huge crowds that night, but nowhere near as unmanageable as Itaewon. People around me were speculating wildly based on breaking news articles, which also had conflicting information about the seriousness of the incident. Were there deaths? Why were victims initially only reported as suffering cardiac arrest? The prevailing narrative was that there was a stampede toward or inside one bar where a celebrity had been rumored to be making an appearance. One frien

Oct 31, 2022By Jon Dunbar

Among the survivors in Itaewon's disaster zone

Tales of five Korean Americans who ran for US Congress in 2020

Korean American residents of Los Angeles gather in front of burnt down stores in the wake of the LA riots on April 29, 1992. Korea Times fileDocumentary “Chosen” tells stories of Korean Americans of different political stripes who yearn for representation in US politicsBy Lee Yeon-wooJoseph Juhn's 2022 documentary, “Chosen,” tells the stories of five Korean Americans who ran for U.S. Congress in 2020. The documentary tries to untangle the motives behind their pursuit of American politics. The five are Young Kim, Andy Kim, Michelle Park Steel, Marilyn Strickland and David Kim. Four of them, except David Kim, successfully entered U.S. politics. “Chosen” zooms in on when and how Korean Americans came to take representation seriously. Rep. Young Kim, a Republican representative of California's 39th district, pointed to the tragic L.A. riots in 1992 as a watershed event that triggered Korean Americans to think that they need representation to make their voice heard in U.S. politics. “Koreans were fighting because the police were not there. That's

Oct 27, 2022By Lee Yeon-woo

Tales of five Korean Americans who ran for US Congress in 2020

Interview Korean American attorney wants to become voice of voiceless

Where to celebrate Halloween in Korea

Halloween decorations are on sale in Namdaemun Market, Oct. 14. / Korea Times photo by Jon DunbarBy Jon Dunbar and Chantal TerblancheHalloween is no longer a holiday celebrated primarily by foreign nationals in Korea. Decorations go up all over the place, including at convenience stores, traditional markets and medical clinics. That said, an adult wearing a costume will probably still look out of place in most parts of the country outside of three big areas for nightlife in Seoul ― Hongdae, Itaewon and Gangnam ― where you can expect to see hordes of revelers roaming the streets. Events for Halloween this year are plentiful, although many are already filling up with RSVPs. Where to find costumes?Shopping for costumes can be done online, but considering that Halloween weekend is coming up this weekend, selection might be limited based on delivery dates. It might be safer to visit a costume store in person before it's too late. Shops specializing in party favors can be found throughout the city, and they probably do the most business during this time of year. One helpful place to visit

Oct 25, 2022By Jon Dunbar

Reggae recordings made in Korea released in Denmark

The cover image for Philip K's "Blood in the Sand" / Courtesy of Philip K By Jon DunbarDanish reggae singer Philip K left Korea five years ago, but he has finally released a new album with many songs recorded while still living here. In August this year, he released the 11-song album, “Blood in the Sand.” “Actually, we already had more than enough finished material by the end of 2016, when I was still living in Seoul,” he told The Korea Times. “My last year in Korea was spent producing Korean singles and releasing them, one by one.” He originally began recording seven songs on the album while living in Seoul from 2013 to 2017 with his wife, who was posted here as a diplomat, and their two teenage children. He first started working on the songs in a music room he set up in their apartment as his workspace, and by the time he left he was getting pretty productive. Danish r

Oct 24, 2022By Jon Dunbar

Reggae recordings made in Korea released in Denmark

Foreign festival delights City of Light

Foreign buskers perform at the Gwangju International Day festival, Oct. 15. / Courtesy of Park Tae-sang By Arlo MatiszWrapping up Gwangju International Week and overlapping with the opening of the city's representative Chungjang Festival, the weekend of Oct. 15 and 16 saw Gwangju International Day, one of its most popular celebrations for foreign residents, stretch into a full weekend of food and fun. Under clear blue skies, the festive atmosphere warmed by the shining sun, cooking ranges and the hearts of the community stretched around the block at the Asia Culture Center. A gate declaring “Immigration to Global Gwangju” served as a border between the multicultural hub of the International Day celebrations and the boisterous Chungjang Festival next door. Gwangju International Day festivities are held next to the Chungjang Festival, Oct. 16. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz

Oct 21, 2022By Jon Dunbar

HBC Festival celebrates belated 15th anniversary

Lance Reegan-Diehl / Courtesy of Lance Reegan-DiehlBy Jon DunbarHae Bang Chon (HBC) Music Festival could have marked its 15th year earlier, but we all know what got in the way for the last couple years. Lance Reegan-Diehl, who cofounded HBC Fest in 2006 with Jim Gaynor, came out of the woodwork last month to announce the resumption of the biannual festival, which had its most recent run in October 2019.It will take place over three days from Friday to Sunday, spread out through Seoul's Haebangchon and Gyeongnidan neighborhoods at nine venues. Saturday will be the main day, and Reegan-Diehl emphasized to The Korea Times that the police have given their permission and will be controlling traffic in the area. The festival is known for offering a wide selection of mainly solo singer-songwriter performances at participating bars and restaurants that can host live acts. At its peak, it involved over 100 individual acts. This year's event showcases about 55 performances. EARL, left, performs at Revolucion in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 17. He will close the night at Phillies on Sat

Oct 18, 2022By Jon Dunbar

HBC Festival celebrates belated 15th anniversary

Cities meet in Gwangju to discuss climate crisis, human rights

Participants at the 12th World Human Rights Cities Forum pose together on stage in Gwangju, Oct. 10. / Courtesy of Arlo Matisz By Arlo Matisz The sun broke through the clouds to shine on the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju on the afternoon of Oct. 10, putting an end to a chilly rain that had threatened to darken the mood at the 12th World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF). The grim theme of “Climate Crisis and Human Rights,” combined with dark suits and jetlag, could have demoralized any crowd. Instead, the heavens offered a ray of hope, one badly needed with serious issues at stake.The opening ceremony and ensuing first plenary session included a gathering of dignitaries from near and far, in person and digital, to share their outlooks and experiences regarding this year's subject. A cello quartet's heartwarming performance of Western and Korean songs “Heal the World” and “Don't Worry, My Dear” set an inspirational tone for the evening and indeed the week's

Oct 14, 2022By Jon Dunbar

Cities meet in Gwangju to discuss climate crisis, human rights

INTERVIEW Migration offers solution to Korea's shrinking workforce: IOM deputy chief

Amy Pope, deputy director general for management and reform at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the IOM Seoul office in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul UN migration agency calls for action on climate change-induced displacementsBy Lee Hyo-jinInclusive immigration policies could be a major solution to address Korea's aging population and shrinking labor force, says Amy Pope, deputy director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who stressed that the country should establish fair labor practices to protect migrant workers' rights. “Immigration is one of the best tools that we have out there in terms of responding to the demographic challenges of the moment. It helps fulfill critical labor shortages here in Korea, which, frankly, we are seeing around the world,” Pope said during an interview with The Korea Times during her visit to Seoul, Wednesday. “Lo

Oct 14, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin

[INTERVIEW] Migration offers solution to Korea's shrinking workforce: IOM deputy chief

SPECIAL REPORT Filipina's Korean dream dashed by trafficking, sexual coercion

Nica (pseudonym), performs at a bar in Ilagan, Isabela Province, located in the northeastern region of the Philippines' Luzon Island, Sept. 5, where she works as a part-time singer. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulThis is the second in a four-part series of stories on 'artist and entertainer' visa holders in Korea supported by the Korea Press Foundation. This interactive digital journalism project features articles, photography and short documentary films that expose the systematic loopholes in Korea's E-6 visa management practices that are easily used to exploit foreign artists who come to the country with hopes to be part of the nation's arts and entertainment scene.Thousands of foreign women seeking to become singers, dancers in Korea fall victim to abuses by talent agencies, bar owners By Lee Hyo-jin ISABELA PROVINCE, Philippines ― On the evening of Sept. 5, Nica's powerful voice filled the dimly lit live music bar located on a roadside in Ilagan, the capital city of Isabela Province, in the northeastern region of Luzon Island. Nica is a pseudonym given to the victim for safet

Oct 12, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin

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