South Korea - The Korea Times

New lounge BDBD brings retrofuturism to Itaewon

The upstairs level of BDBD / Courtesy of Night Sounds MediaBy Agnes YuFurther expanding his empire of libation, Korean American entrepreneur Wendell Louie has introduced his latest contribution to Seoul's lounge and bar scene, just as social distancing measures are being opened up. With BDBD, Louie offers new hope in Itaewon's entertainment landscape. Named after the peculiar vocalizations of the robot character Twiki from the 1979-81 sci-fi series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” he offers patrons a retrofuturistic setting where they can pull up a stool and grab a drink. BDBD offers a multi-floor open space that is ready to provide patrons with an exceptional experience beyond any other venues of its kind. Every corner is designed with attention to detail, from the interior's ceiling, dotted with fiber-optic stars, similar to those found in the roofs of Rolls-Royce cars, to the color-coded staff uniforms inspired by “Star Trek” (yellow for hall staff, silver for bartenders, blue for barbacks and red for part-timers). BDBD workers wear color-coded uniforms.

Apr 5, 2022

New lounge BDBD brings retrofuturism to Itaewon

Korea to issue travel documents for Ukrainians of Korean descent

A group of Koryoin, who successfully fled from Ukraine, arrive at the Incheon International Airport, March 30. YonhapSouth Korea has decided to issue travel documents for Ukrainians of Korean descent and other locals with families in South Korea, even if they have no passports, a related ministry said Monday.The measure is meant to support their entry into South Korea from the humanitarian perspective amid the Ukraine-Russia war, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.It said the government will simplify the entry procedure for Ukrainians without a passport or visa, as the issuance of passports has been suspended since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Earlier this month, South Korea simplified the visa application process for ethnic Koreans in Ukraine, who are called "Koryoin," and families of Ukrainians staying here. But those without passports have not benefited from the program. (Yonhap)

Apr 4, 2022

Korea to issue travel documents for Ukrainians of Korean descent

Over 12,000 migrant workers to enter Korea in H1: gov't

gettyimagesbankMore than 12,000 migrant workers will enter Korea in the first half of this year to relieve labor shortage in farming and fishing areas, the justice ministry said Monday. Of the total of 12,330 migrant workers invited to the country, 100 from the Philippines first arrived here on Monday, with 200 more expected to come by Wednesday. The 300 Filipino workers have been invited by the Yanggu county government in the eastern Gangwon Province ahead of the busy farming season.Last week, the justice ministry also decided to grant stay extensions to over 130,000 migrant workers and 950 foreign fishing ship crewmen in the country. The ministry said it plans to help local industries expected to suffer manpower shortages, such as fish processors, in the second half of this year to employ migrant workers. (Yonhap)

Apr 4, 2022

Over 12,000 migrant workers to enter Korea in H1: gov't

RAS Korea Militarized Nonsan also offers scenic tourist spots

A view of downtown “Seoul” as imagined by the set designers of “Mr. Sunshine” / Courtesy of Steven L. ShieldsBy Steven L. ShieldsNonsan is famous for two things: Strawberries and the ROK Army basic training center. Few would imagine that there is a pleasant day trip of scenic beauty and television drama fame to be had here. Nonsan region has a rich history from before the Three Kingdoms Era. An important battle during Silla times was fought in the area. Now Nonsan is part of the greater Daejeon metropolitan area and is easily accessible by train, bus or car. I went to Nonsan in February, just as the strawberries (all grown in hothouses these days) were coming onto the market. Of course, I couldn't resist buying (and later eating) a box (shared with friends). The day was clear and bright, and the weather was cool but not cold. My trip began at the south end of the course I had chosen.My first stop was at the Sunshine Studio, not far from the military training center and adjacent to a “Military Experience” hall. The courtyard of the hall displays wea

Mar 29, 2022

Pro Wrestling Society returns to Seoul for 'Pub Brawl'

Gustav hoists Shiho over his head at a 2017 event in Itaewon. / Courtesy of Robert Michael EvansBy Jon DunbarKorea's own homegrown pro wrestling crew, Pro Wrestling Society (PWS), is returning to Seoul, finally, after more than two years away. But they're dead set on showing everybody that they haven't been in hibernation during the pandemic. This Friday, the action will be at Rabbithole Arcade Pub, a basement venue in Haebangchon known mainly for drag and burlesque shows. It may seem like an odd place for PWS' “Pub Brawl” event, but Shiho, one of PWS' main wrestlers, says otherwise. “Giving people new perceptions of pro wrestling as an art form is my biggest vision, not as a bloodthirsty sport, as many people think,” he told The Korea Times. “People can laugh at it, but to me, pro wrestling is art. It is one of the most mixed art forms that has elements of theater, musical, combat sports and music. People feel catharsis with the mixture of action, music, storytelling and our passion. We express our pain, joy, sorrow, pleasure, all different kinds of emo

Mar 29, 2022By Jon Dunbar

Pro Wrestling Society returns to Seoul for 'Pub Brawl'

Gov't to expand family invitations for Ukrainians in Korea amid Russian invasion

People stage a rally against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, near the Russian Embassy in Seoul, March 27. AP-Yonhap Ukrainian nationals, including those of Korean descent, will be able to invite more family members to Korea amid the Ukraine-Russia war, the justice ministry said Tuesday.Until now, family invitations were only given to parents, spouses and underage children, but the ministry decided to expand the invitations to siblings and grandparents.Ukrainian nationals staying in Korea with a short-term visa of 90 or fewer days will also be allowed a long-term stay here until the hostilities in their home country are resolved, according to the ministry. Earlier this month, the government simplified the visa application process for Ukrainians of Korean descent and families of Ukrainians staying in Korea for an extended amount of time.Under the measure, the number of Ukrainians who had received an entry visa to Korea had increased to 220 as of Sunday. Of them, 164 had

Mar 29, 2022

Gov't to expand family invitations for Ukrainians in Korea amid Russian invasion

Over 130,000 migrant workers to get visa extension in Korea

gettyimagesbankThe government has decided to grant stay extensions to over 130,000 migrant workers in the country to relieve labor shortage at farms and small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Monday.Of some 132,000 workers whose stay permits end between April 13 and Dec. 31, those who receive stay extensions for the first time will be able to stay in Korea for another year, according to the labor and justice ministries. A 50-day extension will be given to those whose permit expires between April 13 and June 30 after previously extending their stay here for a year.Foreign workers will get an automatic extension of their stay, but employers must apply for an extension of employment online or through local employment centers. (Yonhap)

Mar 28, 2022

Over 130,000 migrant workers to get visa extension in Korea

Cityscapes Urban explorers connected worldwide despite pandemic

A visiting urban explorer walks carefully down the rooftop stairs after a snowfall, January 2014. / Courtesy of Ron BandunBy Ron BandunUrban exploration is a global network. There are communities in nations around the world, especially in the West, but also in nearby China which has a huge community spread out across the country, from Beijing and Shanghai to Hong Kong and Shenzhen and Japan where it enjoys mainstream respectability. In Korea, the community of people who scale rooftops, explore abandonments and plumb the depths of underground spaces is considerably smaller, for whatever reasons. This is despite the abundance of urban exploring sites here, even if they change rapidly over time. I've observed that local Koreans aren't so much turning a blind eye toward these spaces, as they are finding other ways to explore and make use of them while relying on different frameworks than the one that urban exploration provides, and their methods result in unique artistic outputs as well as sustainable repurposing of forgotten sites, often into galleries or cafes. But urban exploration wo

Mar 22, 2022

[Cityscapes] Urban explorers connected worldwide despite pandemic

Afghan children in Ulsan to start school on Monday

Parents at Seoboo Elementary School in Ulsan hold a rally protesting the government's decision to send Afghan children to the school, Feb. 9. NewsisBy Lee Hyo-jin Afghan children in Ulsan, who have not been able to attend school yet due to fierce protests from some Korean parents, will finally begin their school life next Monday, according to the local education office, Friday. The children of “Afghan special contributors” who were evacuated to Korea last August after their homeland was taken over by the Taliban, settled in the southeastern port city of Ulsan in February after their parent got jobs there.A total of 28 children aged between seven and 13 were enrolled at Seoboo Elementary School in Dong District, but their admission has been left in limbo due to protests by some Korean parents. Ulsan's education office announced Friday that the students will begin their school life on March 21, and they will be offered separate education programs depending on their Korean language skills.The students will be divided into three groups based on language skills, with each clas

Mar 19, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin

Afghan children in Ulsan to start school on Monday

Romanian nun awarded Korean citizenship for helping migrants, refugees

Sister Cristina Evelina Gal poses with children from multicultural backgrounds in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province in this undated photo. Courtesty of Sister Cristina Evelina GalBy Lee Hyo-jin Romanian nun, Sister Cristina Evelina Gal, has been awarded with Korean citizenship after her 15 years of dedication to supporting immigrants and refugees in the country.“I feel so grateful. I was very surprised to hear that I was selected as the awardee. I didn't expect to be rewarded for fulfilling my duty, helping those in need,” the 46-year-old nun said during a phone interview with The Korea Times.Sister Gal was among three foreign religious activists selected by the Ministry of Justice earlier in February as “special contributors,” in recognition for their years-long contributions to Korean society. While it is mandatory for naturalized Korean citizens to renounce their existing citizenship, the awardees are granted the privilege of dual citizenship.When Sister Gal was dispatched to Korea in 2007 by the Missionary Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit, she didn't speak any K

Mar 16, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin

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