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Korea moves to limit E-9 visa extensions for foreign workers

In this Sep. 20, 2015, photo, 56 Nepalese workers ― with tags containing company names and contact numbers ― board a Korean Air flight bound for South Korea at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. / Korea Times fileBy Ko Dong-hwanForeign workers who hold the E-9 non-professional employment visa will no longer be able to have unlimited extensions under new Korean government rules.Applicants will only be able to extend the visa once, with a maximum stay of four years and 10 months, the Ministry of Justice said, according to Yonhap news agency Thursday. The ministry is working with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to shape the policy. No date was given for its introduction.The existing rules allow foreign workers to live in Korea for up to four years and 10 months on their first E-9 visa. They could then return to their home country and do a Korean ability test. If they passed, they received a work permit and could renew the visa for another four years and 10 months. There was no limit to the number of renewals.The new policy is designed to stop foreign workers takin

(1653) Clocks and time (I)

Indie-pop trio Nice Legs returns to Seoul

Henry Demos, left, and Lew of Nice Legs jump into the audience during a performance at Freebird Cosmic Live for their farewell show in Seoul, Jan. 27. / Courtesy of Jon DunbarBy Jon DunbarExpat Indie-pop band Nice Legs will return for one more show to offer a reunion, a farewell and a 40th birthday at Strange Fruit near Hongik University in western Seoul, Saturday.Its two founding members Henry Demos and Lewtrakimou recently relocated to Japan. They will be back in Korea this weekend, in time for the 40th birthday of Nice Legs superfan Douglas Vautour, a Canadian photographer based here.They will also give a farewell party for Vautour’s houseguest, Kendra Van Nyhuis, who has spent the last few years studying Korean indie music. Van Nyhuis is a Fulbright scholar on a junior research grant.She first discovered Korean music and instruments while working at the National Music Museum in South Dakota. This led her to do her master’s readings at UC Berkeley on pansori. Later, she chose to work on a dissertation about Korea’s modern underground music scene.“I hav

Forum to raise awareness about N. Korea refugee issues

Ken Eom speaks at a Teach North Korean Refugees speech contest in Myeong-dong, Seoul, in February. / Courtesy of John RedmondBy John RedmondTeach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) and Seoul University of Foreign Studies (SUFS) will co-host the third “Stories from the North” forum at the university on Aug. 5.The joint forum offers speeches by two North Korean refugees who have been studying English and public speaking with TNKR since 2015.North Korean refugee Ken Eom will discuss his life as a college student in North Korea. Eom is a rare graduate of a North Korean university who is now in graduate studies in South Korea. He was recently named to TNKR’s board of directors, one of three refugees on the five-member board.The second refugee speaker is Helen, a refugee undergraduate student who will discuss her escape from North Korea. She joined TNKR in late 2015 as a beginning learner. In 2016, she had 70 one-on-one tutoring sessions with TNKR volunteer tutors. This is her second public speech in English.Hwang In-cheol, a South Korean national, will discuss his 15-year effo

Exhibition shows different narratives of Korea

In this photo Yangbantal, an anonymous contributor appearing in the first issue of Korea Photo Review, kneels atop a crane in 2010 during construction of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. The magazine showcases Korea through visual storytelling. / Courtesy of Korea Photo ReviewBy Celeste KrielThe first issue of Korea Photo Review, a new quarterly magazine sharing diverse stories and experiences about Korea through visual storytelling, comes out this Saturday at an event in G-15 Sonnendeck in Itaewon, Seoul, celebrating its first publication.The exhibition of Korean and foreign contributing photographers’ works weaves diverse narratives of Korea through contrasting lenses, from urban exploration to street photography.The first issue introduces eight featured photographers and nine contributors from all over the world ― including Seoul, New York and Hong Kong. The issue, which will be available at the event, showcases both up-and-coming as well as established photographers whose works reflect life in Korea.The magazine highlights artists with different styles of storytelling

Busan to host international magic festival Aug. 3-6

The Busan International Magic Festival will take place at Kyungsung University Concert Hall in Busan from Aug. 3 to 6.Billed as Asia’s largest magic festival and taking place on Haeundae Beach, and at Kyungsung University concert hall and small theaters, this year's festival is expected to introduce magicians from around the world.“Fans of magic will have a chance to interact with night magic gala shows, Busan International Magic Contest, lectures by noted magicians, a global kids magic show, magic dramas and more, making this a unique type of magic festival,” the event organizer says on its website.Highlights include the Busan International Magic Competition at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday and the Night Gala Show at 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday, the R.G.B Show at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday.The opening ceremony is at Kyungsung University Concert Hall from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Tickets for a three day pass cost 280,000 won. Individual show prices range from 10,000 won to 40,000 won.To get to Kyungsung University Concert Hall, leave exit 2, 4 or 6 of Kyun

Jeonju to host international music festival

Swiss band 69 ChambersThe Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival (JUMF) will feature classic local acts and international bands at the Jeonju Sports Complex from Aug. 4 to 6.JUMF features a line-up of artists including the hottest rock bands of the 1980s­­ ― the golden age of Korean rock, the first-generation indie bands of the 1990s, and the sensational idol groups that created the Korean wave.Special international guests include Japanese rock band, Hanato Chiruran and the Swiss heavy metal trio 69 Chambers.Tokyo act Hanato Chiruran recently performed at SXSW in Texas as part of a world tour.69 Chambers, fronted by Nina Treml, born in Seoul to Swiss parents, had its international debut at Incheon Pentaport Festival in 2007.The JUMF New Song Open Competition and performances by legendary Korean popular music artists are planned for the first day of the festival.Tickets cost 105,000 won ($94) for a three-day pass, 85,000 won for a two-day pass and 65,000 won for a day pass.For more information and ticketing, visit jumf.co.kr or call 1330, KTO’s helpline.

(1652) Boryeong Mud Festival (II)

Korail streamlines ticketing for foreign visitors

Korail’s KTX-Sancheon train for Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, waits to depart from Seoul Station. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Ko Dong-hwanKorea’s state-run railway operator Korail will simplify seat reservation options for foreign customers.The new service will allow customers to buy six different Korail passes ― vouchers designed for use on all trains Korail operates ― with the same price and validity period. It was launched Tuesday, Korail said.Previously, foreign customers paid a different price for the pass depending on when they entered Korea. The validity also differed based on the entry date.And foreigners can now book seats through the Korail website.The company said about 53,000 foreign visitors bought Korail passes last year, up 60 percent from 2015. 

(1651) Boryeong Mud Festival (I)