South Korea - The Korea Times

Staying safe at live music events

A member of the hardcore punk band Polluter plays guitar at GBN Live House last Aug. 15. / Korea Times photo by Jon DunbarBy Jon DunbarIt's inevitable that the drop in new COVID-19 cases will lead the government to lower the social distancing measures, in an attempt to reward or placate voters, and most likely cases will soon shoot up again. But it's possible Korea's struggling live music scene will get a chance to come out of hibernation again, even if only for a few weeks. And that's irresistible to anyone who knows what they're missing. The venues that have had to stay closed for the last couple of months deserve support, but caution is needed. While it's heartbreaking to see venues closing one after another, the worst-case scenario would be an outbreak at a show.Below are tips for anyone going to shows, as well as for venue owners, promoters and musicians. Buy tickets in advanceLast time shows were happening, venues were limiting entry to 50 or even as low as 30 paying customers. And shows were consistently selling out, something we couldn't expect to see very often before the pa

Jan 26, 2021By Jon Dunbar

Seoul city gov't to launch 3rd council of foreign residents

GettyimagesbankThe Seoul city government plans to launch a new council of foreign residents Tuesday as part of efforts to improve their quality of life here.The council, the third of its kind, will comprise 30 residents aged 18 or older from 20 countries, including the United States, France, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, the city government said in a press release. China accounts for the largest number with five members.The city government said it selected the members based on nationality, type of stay and other criteria from a pool of people who have lived in South Korea for over a year and in Seoul for more than 90 days."We have had a foreign residents council to ensure the lives of some 460,000 foreigners (in the city) are comfortable by listening to their opinions and reflecting them in our policies," Song Da-young, a senior official who oversees the city's women and family-related policies, said.The council plans to create subcommittees to handle various agendas and make policy recommendations to the city government.Previous editions of the council, which was first created in 2015

Jan 26, 2021

Seoul city gov't to launch 3rd council of foreign residents

Goodwill Cooperation Service International holds board of directors meeting for 2021

The 2021 GCS International's board of directors meeting was held Jan. 21 at the organization's headquarters in Seoul's Jongno District, and saw four board members reappointed to serve for another three years. They include GCS International President Choue Chung-won, third from left, and The Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho, fourth from left. Courtesy of GCS International By Ko Dong-hwanGlobal philanthropic campaigner Goodwill Cooperation Service International's board of directors meeting for this year was held at the organization's headquarters in Seoul's Jongno District, Jan 21.GCS International President Choue Chung-won said in the meeting's opening remarks that 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the U.N. International Day of Peace, and the organization plans to organize several commemorative events. Choue, also the president of World Taekwondo, said the projected taekwondo-Korean language online training program for GCS International's mem

Jan 22, 2021By Ko Dong-hwan

Goodwill Cooperation Service International holds board of directors meeting for 2021

International students to be included in mandatory health insurance program

GettyimagesbankBy Lee Hyo-jin Foreign students who stay in Korea for over six months will be included in the mandatory state health insurance program starting from March, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Wednesday.Earlier this week, the ministry announced the planned implementation of compulsory registration for international students to the state healthcare system. So far, foreign students here have usually been covered by private medical insurance programs matched by their host university or educational institution. The government changed this in July 2019, making it mandatory for all foreign nationals, including students, who stay longer than six months, to sign up for the state program run by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). But the scheme faced a backlash, as students would have to pay a higher monthly premium for the state-run insurance than that of private insurance programs. So the government exempted international students from the plan until Feb. 28, 2021.Following the expiry of the exemption period, starting March 1, foreign students who enter

Jan 21, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin

International students to be included in mandatory health insurance program

Extra Noir brings musical texture to Euljiro's alleys

A colorful corner of Euljiro in downtown Seoul / Courtesy of Extra Noir By Jon DunbarA walk through the alleys of central Seoul's Euljiro neighborhood led a foreign professor on a musical journey. Andrew Wilbur, an associate professor at Seoul National University originally from the U.S., found his way to some of the area's older record shops, where he picked up a number of mysterious vinyl records from several decades in Korea's past. “Some of them had little information about the artists, and while a number were full of instrumental covers of pop hits of the 60s and 70s, others seemed to feature original compositions on electric organs,” Wilbur, who together with his wife Laura Francescangeli runs an indie record label and hosts a podcast, both named “Extra Noir,” told The Korea Times. “I fell in love with these and used a few tracks on the podcast but decided that I wanted to do something more with them.”

Jan 19, 2021By Jon Dunbar

Cityscapes 'Fire Flower' grows at Yongsan Disaster site

The "Fire Flower" during creation, in front of Hyosung Harrington Place next to Sinyongsan Station as seen July 14, 2020, stands about five meters from the former site of Namildang, where a forced eviction resulted in a fire that killed five evictees and a riot police officer on Jan. 20, 2009. / Courtesy of Ron BandunBy Ron BandunIf you're in the Sinyongsan area, just east of Yongsan Station, you might notice a red sculpture that wasn't there a year ago. It looks sort of like a tulip, or a red flame, standing in front of the recently opened Hyosung Harrington Place building. A plaque identifies it as the “Fire Flower” by Han Jin-su, and it seems to be an accidental memorial to a tragic fire that took place almost exactly on the spot. No more than five meters away from the installation is the site of a deadly urban renewal battle on the morning of Jan. 20, 2009. If you were in Korea back then, you may remember the images of fire burning early in the morning on top of a small commercial building called Namildang, with a cargo container crammed with police swaying at the end

Jan 19, 2021

Friends of Korea Returning to Korea to serve in Peace Corps

A couple of students from Sam Chun Po Boys' Middle School in 1973 / Courtesy of Bruce KimBy Bruce KimMy grandmother immigrated to Hawaii at the turn of the 20th century. She and her family signed up to work on a Hawaiian plantation and suffered many hardships. Like others in the Korean diaspora, she focused on surviving and keeping her family intact. I am sure she despaired over the plight of her homeland and the family she left behind. Children were born. She kept her family together and adapted to her new island home. As the years passed, returning to her homeland seemed more and more remote. She left the plantation and moved to the city of Honolulu, where she established a new life. Through hard work and her own indomitable spirit, she raised her children and even prospered. My father grew up in Honolulu during the Depression and attended college in Hawaii. After graduation, he worked at whatever jobs he could find. World War II exploded with the attack on Pearl Harbor. He volunteered to fight and became a navigator-bombardier with the U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. He flew 60 com

Jan 12, 2021

5 ways to cope with homesickness in Korea

Getty Images BankBy Yolissma VanceLast year was definitely one for the books. Everyone who had big plans for 2020 experienced new levels of disappointment. Forced to separate our needs from our wants, we all had to stop, recalibrate and learn to be better at being grateful. We found ways to offer support for each other through online counseling and talking through our tough times with those closest to us.Especially for foreigners in Korea, the isolation brought on by social distancing can take its toll and increase feelings of homesickness. So here are five tips for staying safe, healthy and mentally and spiritually sound in 2021. Home-cooked mealsPreparing my own food has helped me cope with being away from U.S. Southern home-cooking. It's also good if you're on a budget or just want to save money. You're able to season food to your liking plus enhance your cooking skills. It can be hard to find some ingredients for reasonable prices, but the results are definitely worth it. Another alternative is eating at restaurants that make the food you enjoyed at home. Many restaurants serve f

Jan 12, 2021

5 ways to cope with homesickness in Korea

Rights groups criticize revision to Refugee Act

Asylum seekers and refugees participate in a rally held in Seoul's Jongno District and organized by Amnesty International and NANCEN, a refugee rights group based in Eunpyeong District, calling for better treatment and support in this September 2018 photo. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk'Korea needs better refugee screening, not stricter application rules' By Lee Hyo-jin Darwish Musab, 28, was granted refugee status in Korea in April 2018. But, like many thousands of asylum seekers, he had to go through a long process as his application was initially denied.The civic activist from Egypt and his wife entered the country in May 2016 seeking political asylum. But the Seoul Immigration Office rejected their application after a 30-minute interview. He launched an appeal regarding the decision but was again rejected. He then took the case to the administrative court, where it was revealed that a written translation of his testimony had been deliberately mis-interpreted with fabrications. The document described Darwish as a construction worker who came here for money. Only after the tri

Jan 7, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin

Rights groups criticize revision to Refugee Act

'Dad, I miss you': Teen refugee's tearful tribute touches Koreans' hearts

Wanyiwah, a 14-year-old contestant on KBS' audition show “National Trot Championships,” smiles during a Korea Times interview on Dec. 24. Performing under the stage name Martha Htoowah, she is already a popular singer in Myanmar. Both her parents are from Myanmar's Karen ethnic minority. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulMyanmar's Karen ethnic minority family finds home in Korea with the help of warm-hearted people By Kang Hyun-kyungWanyiwah, 14, took the stage as her name was called as the next contestant on KBS' hit audition show, “National Trot Championships,” which aired on Dec. 5. Representing Myanmar's Karen ethnic minority, the teen refugee shared a tragic story about her father which motivated her to choose the Korean song “Surprise Lily” to perform on national TV. “As you know, the song that I'm going to perform is about the people who miss their loved ones but cannot see them again,” she said. “My dad passed away when I was very young. He's in heaven now. I miss him but can't meet him in person. The song lyrics and m

Jan 7, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

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