Global Community

Indian Embassy to hold Sarang-Festival

By John RedmondThe Indian Embassy will host the third edition of the Sarang-Festival of India across Korea from Oct. 20 to Nov. 18.This year’s event celebrates the 70th anniversary of India’s independence ― which fell on Aug. 15, the same day as Korea’s liberation from Japan.Sarang will introduce a range of India’s culture and diversity through music, dance, film, food and art in Seoul, Busan, Seosan, Miryang and Gimhae.The festival features world-famous flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia and Grammy Award winner Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, who will introduce Korean audiences to classical Indian music.The event will also feature a collaborative performance of Indian modern dance by Astad Deboo performed with Korean the percussion group Noreum Machi ensemble and the Indian percussion group Trayam.The Rattle and Hum Music Society from Nagaland in northeast India and Purulia Chhau dance from East India will also present India's unique cultural heritage.Indian cuisine prepared by Indian chefs will be showcased at the Millennium Seoul Hilton.India’s film art can be see

Korea TESOL to host 25th annual conference

By John RedmondThe 25th Annual Korea TESOL (KOTESOL) International Conference kicks off its two-day conference for teachers, educators and researchers at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Oct. 21.One of the largest teaching conferences in Asia, it attracts over 1,000 attendees each year from Korea, Asia and beyond.This year the conference is being held in conjunction with the Pan-Asian Consortium of Language Teaching Societies (PAC), of which Korea TESOL is a founding member.TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.The conference theme is “Why are we here? Analog learning in the digital era.”The theme provokes thought and discussion on the relevance of in-classroom teaching when there are now so many digital alternatives.The goal of the conference is to support KOTESOL’s mission to “assist teachers in self-development and improve ELT in Korea.”Experts in the field of English language teaching, such as Andy Curtis of Anaheim University and Nicky Hockly from The Consultants-E, will conduct numerous presentations, workshop

HBC music festival marks 12th year

Musicians perform at Thunderhorse Tavern at last year’s HBC Fest in Haebangchon, Seoul. / Courtesy of Alecia JaneiroBy John RedmondThe 12th installment of the Hae Bang Chon Fall Music Festival (HBC Fest) will take place on Oct. 20 to 21.The popular international music fest is made up entirely of independent musicians from Korea and a host of other countries.Lance Reegan-Diehl and James Gaynor started the festival in 2006 as a showcase for expat musicians to perform to larger crowds.HBC, located in Yongsan-gu, is the main street that has become famous as a local expat hangout.The festival has made the entire area blossom into a busy place for all kinds of businesses, as more people find it an attractive neighborhood to be in.“The festival has always adapted to the demands of both musicians and venues,” Reegan-Diehl said.“The festival is known for the up-close, small venue and intimate feeling you get from watching the variety of people perform.”This fall festival venues and supporters comprise Hair Of The Dog, Chimac Life, Phillies Pub, Bedrock, The Cave,

14,189 Korean-born adoptees in US undocumented

By Kim Hyo-jinOne out of 10 Korean-born adoptees in the United States does not have U.S. citizenship, according to a ruling party lawmaker, Tuesday.Of 111,148 ethnic Koreans legally adopted into American families, 14,189, or 12.8 percent, have failed to obtain American citizenship and are left vulnerable to deportation, said Rep. Shim Jae-kwon of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).“While 91,719 adoptees from South Korea are confirmed to have won U.S. citizenship, the status of the remaining 14,189 adoptees is left undocumented,” said the lawmaker, who heads the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification committee, citing reports from Korea’s welfare ministry.Since 2001, the U.S. has implemented the Child Citizen Act (CCA) that grants citizenship automatically to children adopted by U.S. citizens. But the act was not retroactively applied to adoptees that had already become legal adults.Adoptees born before 1983, those who were not subject to the CCA, can secure U.S. citizenship only when their adoptive parents voluntarily apply with the authorities.T

(1683) Ups and downs, good and bad

(1682) Traditional sugar cookie (II)

(1681) Traditional sugar cookie (I)

(1680) To feel inferior

(1679) Thick legs, large calves

AMCHAM holds 11th innovation camp on Sept. 20

By John RedmondThe American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea) held The 11th AMCHAM Innovation Camp in partnership with eBay Korea at Ajou University, Sept. 20.Eight AMCHAM delegates from leading American and Korean companies, met with around 100 Ajou University students to share insights into how to improve their prospects in the global job market.Prior to the event, Lee Joong-bok, eBay Korea’s Team Leader of Cross-Border Trade (CBT) made a presentation on the topic of “Access to the Global Marketplace with eBay.” The presentation covered global and crossborder e-commerce as well as opportunities for businesses to expand exports using online channels, such as eBay.The main event began with opening remarks by acting President Ryu Hee-sug of Ajou University, as well as congratulatory remarks by James Kim, chairman and CEO of AMCHAM, and Lee O-eun, head of government relations at eBay Korea.“I hope today’s lecture on online commerce will help nurture the young entrepreneurs towards the global market,” Lee stated.Jeffrey Jones, chairman of AM