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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Yemeni refugees' fate tested on Jeju Island

Jeju Immigration Office in Jeju Island is filled with Yemenis applying for refugee status in South Korea. Online communityBy Ko Dong-hwanRefugees displaced from war-torn Yemen have had two opposite reactions on Jeju Islands. While the self-governing body of the tourism-centric southern island of South Korea held public sessions teaching them Korean and introducing jobs in the local fishing industry, local citizens unhappy about the refugees' influx have begun online campaigns demanding authorities rein in the newcomers. The situation basically represents a clash between the island's friendly stance toward the refugees and residents wary about predominately Muslims from the Middle East.On Saturday, more than 40 Yemeni refugees attended a Jeju Immigration Office class to learn basic Korean language. The class was to prepare them to work on fishing boats and fish farms, a local industry that has been suffering from a shortage of workers.An official from the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives told YTN Saturday it would be “encouraging for fishing boat operators if the re

Jun 17, 2018
Yemeni refugees' fate tested on Jeju Island
  • No. of Yemenis seeking asylum on Jeju Island surges

Hanyang University entices foreign K-pop fans with summer camp

Students perform at 2018 Spring Festival of Hanyang University ERICA Campus. Hanyang University ERICABy Ko Dong-hwanHanyang University has rolled out a K-pop summer camp in July for foreigners to experience what it takes to become a K-pop star.“ERICA Summer K-POP Camp 2018,” held at the school's ERICA campus in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, from July 16-28, aims to teach applicants basic techniques ranging from pronunciation and breathing tips to dance moves and choreography. The students will also learn how to apply cosmetic make-up like the stars. The program, with lessons from Monday to Friday eight hours a day, allows the students to let off steam by offering tours of trendy Seoul hotspots like Daehangno Street and Hongik University Street on weekends. Each student will complete the camp by performing a choreographed song. The camp will hold a graduation concert of the students on July 27. The students will leave with a certificate and a flash drive containing records of their training.Hanyang University says its practical music and dance programs are “the nation's

Jun 17, 2018
Hanyang University entices foreign K-pop fans with summer camp

Famed Buddhist monk Pomnyun to host Q&A-style meditation session for expats

By Park Si-soo Reputed South Korean Buddhist monk Pomnyun will host a Q&A-style meditation session in English for expats.It will take place at the Memorial Hall of Korean Buddhist History and Culture in Jongro, downtown Seoul, 7-9 p.m. Friday. The session will begin with Pomnyun's brief sermon and then he will take questions. The monk has built fame with his unique way of engaging with people ― off-the-cuff Q&As on a wide range of issues, including secular ones. Some of his mind-blowing comments have gone viral on social media, even drawing attention from followers of other religions. For more information, call 010-2059-2604 (English) or 010-3055-8192 (Korean).

Jun 14, 2018
Famed Buddhist monk Pomnyun to host Q&A-style meditation session for expats

Royal Asiatic Society celebrates 118 years in Korea

The residence of the British Ambassador to Korea, built in 1890 in Jeong-dong, central Seoul, hosts the 118th anniversary garden party of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch. / Image by Jon Dunbar By Jon DunbarThe world's oldest Korean studies group held its annual garden party at the British Embassy in central Seoul to celebrate 118 years since its creation in 1900. The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch welcomed over 180 guests onto the lawn behind the British Ambassador's residence, constructed in 1890 in Jeong-dong, seeing a healthy mix of foreign members, Korean members and those somewhere in between. Quite a lot of its members are long-term foreign residents of Korea, while others live overseas and return periodically. Several are Korea Times contributors. Some arrived in strollers and others using a cane. The only ones in short supply were boring people. Attend

Jun 12, 2018
Royal Asiatic Society celebrates 118 years in Korea

HBC Festival goes south

By Jon DunbarAs the U.S. military relocation from Seoul to Pyeongtaek is well underway, the area surrounding Seoul's Yongsan Garrison is becoming unrecognizable. Not just soldiers have moved on, but also businesses that serve them, including real estate agents, health services, restaurants and now musicians, even if for one weekend. This Saturday, Seoul's Hae Bang Chon (HBC) Festival moves south to Anjeong-ri, the area outside Camp Humphreys, for a full day of music at six participating venues in the “Ville.” The area is full of businesses catering to soldiers, similar to what Itaewon once was when the main garrison was next door. “I think the character and vibe in each participating venue will be reminiscent of Old Itaewon at times, and the current HBC Fest vibe, which I hope to transfer and infuse in the HBC South event,” festival organizer Lance Reegan-Diehl told The Korea Times. The event starts around 2 p.m., with music going into the night. Many of the acts are HBC Festival regulars, such as John Patrick Starling, Christian Whelan and Tracy Scott. &ldquo

Jun 12, 2018

Canadian art rock band Suuns rise on Seoul

Canadian art rock band Suuns / Image courtesy of SuunsBy Jon SteinCanadian art rockers Suuns will take to the stage at HanaTour V Hall in the Hongik University area on Sunday, June 17, together with Detroit post-punk outfit Protomartyr and Korea's own indie darlings, 3rd Line Butterfly. Suuns (pronounced “Soons”) formed in 2007. Their sound is fairly eclectic, blending elements of electronic music and jazz improvisation, but Shemie, the lead singer, maintains that at heart they're a rock band. “At the end of the day, we're four guys with guitars and drums and synths” he told The Korea Times while relaxing in Paris before embarking on the band's Asian tour. “The band has a certain energy to it, a rock band attitude.” To date, the band has four studio albums, with the most recent, “Felt,” being released earlier this year. They tour frequently, especially around Europe, where they have a dedicated fan base. Shemie attributes part of their success as a band to their hometown of Montreal, Quebec. “It's an excellent place to be a band.

Jun 12, 2018
Canadian art rock band Suuns rise on Seoul

Foreign Line

By Hallie BradleyFrench chef offers pasta pop-upKnown for producing some of the most authentic French cuisine in Seoul, La Marmite chef Kevin Attal will be doing something just a bit different on Tuesday, June 19, at El Pino 323. Inspired by cultures around the world, The Pasta Shop pop-up event will feature handcrafted pastas and sauces made from scratch.Menu items include Bolognese lasagna, duck a l'orange pappardelle and carnitas & mole ravioli. Walk-ins are welcome but reserving a spot is highly encouraged for seating at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Pay just 15,000 won and indulge in some delicious eats.Zen master leads casual conversationRenowned for his humanitarian efforts, Ven. Pomnyun is the head master of the Jungto Society of Korea, an organization that promotes a life of sharing and peace through Buddhist teachings. The social activist promotes ecological awareness, human rights and world peace and has founded a number of agencies, think tanks and organizations for these causes. He is well-known for engaging with his audiences during discussions on Buddhist teachings. On F

Jun 12, 2018

Hastily arranged international marriages 'must end'

At the Korea Vietnam Culture Communication Center in Guro-gu, Seoul, November 2011, Vietnamese women who migrated to marry Korean men sing the national anthems of both countries after graduating from a class where they learned about Korean culture and language. Korea Times fileBy Ko Dong-hwanFewer international marriages in South Korea are ending in divorces. Often hastily arranged marriages are arranged through agencies, usually involving Korean men and foreign women. There can be a high risk of a split because of cultural barriers that couples cannot overcome before wedlock. But thanks to an international marriage guide program that the Ministry of Justice introduced in 2011, the divorce rate has fallen from 115,000 to 7,100 in 2017. First tested for six months in October 2010, the program was officially launched in March 2011. Korea's immigration laws now state that Koreans who want to marry citizens of China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Thailand, or invite them to Korea after marrying them, must attend the four-hour program offered at one of 15 im

Jun 8, 2018
Hastily arranged international marriages 'must end'

Government toughens health insurance rules on foreigners

By Kang Seung-wooForeigners must stay in Korea for at least six months if they want to benefit from the state-run healthcare system, the government said, Thursday.The measure comes as more foreigners and overseas Koreans visit here temporarily to receive expensive medical services at lower prices thanks to the public insurance, and return home after in a case of what the government calls a “moral hazard.”“If foreigners want to be subject to the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), they have to stay in Korea for more than six months,” an official of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said.In addition, the government will make the NHIS subscription mandatory for those who meet the “length of stay” requirement.It is expected to take effect in the second half of the year.Currently, foreigners can sign up for the NHIS after spending three months here, which had been optional.“The current requirements of voluntary enrollment and relatively short period of stay have led to cases of moral hazard as they stayed here for a short term and signed up

Jun 7, 2018

Daegu Immigration Office struggles to cope with foreigner influx

Visitors to the Daegu Immigration Office fill out forms and wait their turn on June 4. The office usually sees a high volume of visitors but there is only a handful of officers to serve them, creating a bottleneck. / Courtesy of Maeil IlboBy Ko Dong-hwanDaegu is regarded as one of South Korea's “international cities” ― with its airport offering overseas connections, and a rising population of foreign residents. But the city isn't living up to its reputation. Foreign residents in the North Gyeongsang Province city haven't been happy visiting the immigration offices because the seriously short-staffed authority is struggling to handle the rapidly growing expat population. The city recorded almost 39,000 foreign residents while the province had almost 75,000 at the end of 2015, according to the Dongbuk Regional Statistics Office. The city and province showed a 38 percent and 48 percent increase, respectively, on 2011 figures. That growth is continuing.But the city immigration office has reduced staff, from 49 in 2010 to 45 in 2017. As of this month, those handling civic comp

Jun 6, 2018
Daegu Immigration Office struggles to cope with foreigner influx
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