Global Community

Korean writer explores Paris

By John RedmondWriter Jeong Nack Seuk poses with his book “K Parisian, Koreans in Paris” in Seoul. / Courtesy of John RedmondParis-based Korean writer Jeong Nack Seuk has returned to Korea to further his passion for promoting artistic exchanges between Korea and France.In his recently published book, “K Parisian, Koreans in Paris,” Jeong details the lives of Koreans who have chosen to relocate to France to live and study there.Tracing the histories of people including pioneer Hong Jong-u, who worked for the Musee Guimet in Paris in 1895, to modern concert pianist Paik Kun-woo, “Parisian” explores the lives of both the old and new generations’ assimilation of Korean Parisians.Currently, more than 15,000 Koreans live in Paris pursuing a variety of occupations and lifestyles, most working and studying in the arts.The book also explores the changes in French and Korean cultural identities, the growth of past and present Korean cultural status and a view to future artistic links between the two countries.In 1998, at age 41, Jeong moved to France a

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Foreign Community events this week

Cannonball Statman tours AsiaCannonball Statman, a musician from New York who is currently touring Asia, will play at Strange Fruit tonight at 9 p.m. at an event hosted by Loose Union. Grey Watson, an American musician and a permanent fixture of Seoul’s expat music scene, will join him. Visit facebook.com/LooseUnion for more information.Seoul GSC ‘Enternship’ FairSeoul Global Startup Center will host an “Enternship” Fair and networking event on Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at its building in Yongsan. The event is geared towards those who want to work for a startup or become founders themselves. The Enternship Fair is a place where startups and individuals can connect and share ideas.Visit facebook.com/seoulgsc for more information.AustCham Year-End Sundowner AustCham Korea will be holding its annual Year-End Sundowner on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Australian Embassy’s Australia Centre. The event is free for members and guests. They will serve finger food and beer but guests are encouraged to bring wine. There will also be a charity raffle on the ni

British Society hosts first charity ball

By John RedmondThe Busan British Society (BBS) will hold its first-ever Annual Christmas Fundraiser and Networking event at the Gorilla Brewing Company at Gwangalli Beach on Saturday. Guests will be treated to musical performances from the British Music School between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.Participants can also enjoy specially brewed festive Gorilla beer, homemade mulled wine, British mince pies and a chance to network with new friends from the U.K. and Korea. BBS organizers will also hold a charity raffle offering prizes and help raise money for a local charity.British Ambassador to Korea Charles Hay will attend the event, as will many other honored guests.The BBS is a nonprofit organization that aims to represent the interests of the U.K. expat community in and around Busan, promote U.K. culture in Korea and support and develop relations between the U.K. and Korea. The group works closely with local businesses and partners to create networking opportunities within the community, support local and overseas charities and promote educational opportunities both domestic and international. E

Hiking group offers glimpse North Korea spy trail

By John RedmondThe Seoul Hiking and Nature group offers an evening hiking tour of central Seoul on Thursday including a visit to a North Korean spy route.The tour will start along Seoul City Wall, continue through Ihwa Mural Village and finish at the so-called Kim Shin-jo North Korean spy route on Mt. Bugak.With a distance of six kilometers, the hike takes about two hours, depending on snow and ice.Kim Shin-jo is one of two survivors of the 31-person team of North Korean commandos sent to assassinate President Park Chung Hee in the Blue House Raid of January 1968.The group will meet outside exit 6 of Dongdaemun Station at 6:30 p.m. sharp.Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes and prepare an extra layer of clothes.Instruction will be provided on pace, hiking and night photography tips.The Seoul Hiking and Nature group was founded by Warren Kim in 2009 to help visitors experience Korean culture.The fee is 5,000 won cash on the day.Visit facebook.com/seoulhikingnature to RSVP and for future events.

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Indian, Latvian envoys win Korea CQ Award

Choi Jung-wha, second from left, president of the Corea Image Communication Institute, stands with Korea CQ awardees at Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel on Dec. 7. From left, Bang Eu-gene, country head director of DBS Bank Korea; Latvian Ambassador to Seoul Peteris Vaivars and Erwan Vilfeu, CEO of Nestle Korea. / Courtesy of CICIBy Park Si-sooTwo foreign envoys here and two business executives won Korea CQ awards for their contribution to promoting South Korea overseas, said the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), a Seoul-based NGO.Korea CQ is the name of a forum CICI launched in 2006 to promote Korean culture and business to foreign opinion leaders here. CICI hosts 10 forums a year.Indian Ambassador to Seoul Vikram Doraiswami won the CQ Communication Award, while the CQ Cooperation Award went to Latvian Ambassador to Seoul Peteris Vaivars.Erwan Vilfeu, CEO of Nestle Korea, received the CQ Hand-in-Hand Award. The CQ Friendship Award went to Bang Eu-gene, country head director of DBS Bank KoreaThe award ceremony was held at Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel in the evening of Dec. 7, featuring qu

(1718) Songdo International Business District (II)

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Fear of war doesn't deter foreigners' DMZ trips

By Park Si-soo North Korea’s tenacious pursuit of developing nuclear weapons continues to escalate fears of military conflict.Hawkish U.S. congressmen pitched the need to strike Pyongyang preemptively to derail the program, while dovish people, including South Korean President Moon Jae-in, try to thwart it with sanctions and diplomacy. North Korea claims nothing can stop the program, threatening military action should there be an attack. No matter how the situation unfolds, it seems that the raging geopolitical crisis is not holding back foreign travelers’ desire to visit the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ), a demarcation line dividing the two Koreas. Perhaps the tension has strengthened their desire. According to tour agencies, the number of foreigners buying travel tickets to the DMZ showed double-digit growth in recent months. Cosmo.Jin Tour, a foreigner-only tour agency, said 2.8 times more foreigners than the same month last year visited the DMZ in November alone. The demand for DMZ tours peaked after U.S. President Donald Trump visited Seoul early last mo