Global Community

Expats want friendlier Seoul

Foreign residents gather at City Hall, Wednesday, to propose policies to improve living conditions for the growing foreign population in Seoul. / YonhapBy You Soo-sunForeign residents of Seoul gathered at City Hall, Wednesday, to propose policies to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on behalf of foreign residents of Seoul. It was the third time the Seoul City Foreign Residents Council, consisting of 38 residents from 23 countries, held a general meeting since its launch in December 2015.Eleven policies were proposed, of which five were presented at the meeting. The proposals arose from the 11 meetings held this year separately by each division: human rights and cultural diversity, capacity building and improvement of living conditions.Taraki Mari, 27, from Switzerland proposed establishing prayer rooms for Muslims, who are obligated to pray five times a day at certain times of the day. She has been a resident here for seven years, and has found it difficult to practice her religion here.“There were times when I prayed at corners of the subway station or on the emergency st

(1650) Nap cafe

(1649) Lack of sleep and relaxation

Korea is home of first PTPI national chapter

By John RedmondJohn Maloney, director of operations at People to People International (PTPI) world headquartersJohn Maloney, director of operations at People to People International (PTPI) world headquarters, said Korea is home to the first PTPI chapter founded outside the U.S.He said PTPI Korea national headquarters is a perfect example of a mission-driven origination with over 1,000 members. He added the national HQ will help lead the entire Asia-Pacific region into the future. Maloney made the remarks after PTPI wrapped up its Asia Pacific Regional Conference.Participants from the 10 member nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal, the U.S., Mongolia, Pakistan, Japan, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia and Taiwan, toured the Demilitarized Zone and Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul before attending a farewell dinner at Insadong Art Center, Saturday.Maloney flew to Seoul from PTPI world headquarters in Kansas to join the conference.Maloney, from Grandview, Missouri, was asked by the president and CEO of PTPI world headquarters, Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of U.S. President Dwight D.

Companies join campaign against underage drinking

By John RedmondThe Responsible Drinking Alliance (RDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BGF Retail at the company’s Seoul headquarters, Wednesday, to promote programs halting underage drinking.The RDA is an alliance formed by the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) and global alcoholic beverage manufacturers, to promote a responsible drinking culture in Korea.BGF Retail is the operator of Korea’s largest convenience store chain CU.The signing ceremony was attended by alliance representatives including ECCK President Christoph Heider, Diageo Korea CEO Cho Kil-soo, Edrington Korea Managing Director Kim Joo-ho and Heineken Korea General Manager Kylie Wallbridge, as well as managing directors of BGF Retail.“Within the scope of this agreement, the RDA and BGF Retail have decided to create and promote campaigns and programs to prevent underage drinking, and to pursue employee training on prohibiting sales of alcoholic beverages to minors,” the group said in a statement.“Through signing of the MOU, the RDA with BGF Retail looks forward t

Australia ambassador pitches trade, tourism

By John RedmondAustralian Ambassador James ChoiAustralian Ambassador James Choi stressed the importance of cooperation between Korean and Australia in the fields of trade and tourism Friday.At the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham) Mid-Year Sundowner at the Australia Centre in Seoul, Ambassador Choi spoke of successful talks between President Moon Jae-in and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on issues of trade and tourism at the recent G20 summit in Germany.Attended by 100 representatives of local and international businesses, the evening saw a chance for the ambassador to welcome and congratulate the business community for its efforts in improving trade between Korea and Australia.“We have companies taking the lead in looking at export opportunities in the Korean market,” Choi said, “enhancing the awareness of Australia here in the Korean market and building those people-to-people links that  become the bridge, the foundation of a future relationship.”Choi highlighted the 30,000 Korean students currently studying in Australian sc

(1648) Perilla leaf (II)

(1647) Perilla leaf (I)

INTERVIEW 'Jesus' speaks on gay pride, Christian protesters

/ Courtesy of Rachel StineBy Jon DunbarAn ironic image ended up embodying this year's Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF). Standing in front of a line of Christian protesters bearing a banner reading "Homosexuality is sin! Return to Jesus!" was a bearded white male in robes, clearly dressed as “Jesus,” holding a rainbow-colored sign reading "I'm cool with it." The image went viral, making the front page of Reddit Tuesday morning."It's been a wild ride these last few days. I thoroughly enjoy reading the comments everywhere though," said Robert Evans, 27, the American seen in the picture.He recalls the picture was taken right before the pride parade departed Seoul Square. The festivalgoers were corralled by riot police, protecting them from Christian protesters. The protesters were gathered in front of the Hwangudan gate right next to the gate leading to the street where the parade would start."There were thousands and thousands of people just outside the frame of this photo but I guess nobody wanted to get too close to the protesters," Evans said. "I took the opportunity t

International recruiter highlights Korea's labor issues

By John RedmondInternational agency Robert Walters, a leading bilingual specialist professional recruitment consultancy, released the results of its Korean Employee Insights Survey 2017 last Friday.The company found in its survey of 755 professionals in Korea that Korean workers view youth unemployment and working the longest hours in the OECD as critical labor-related social issues that need rapid improvement.“Regarding long working hours, 21 percent of the respondents said that it’s a problem which needs to be fixed quickly, regardless of whether they work for a domestic or an international firm,” the company said in a statement.“The respondents replied that the government should take measures to improve working conditions such as monitoring actual working hours on the job.”Twenty-one percent picked youth employment as the most important labor market concerns, followed by lack of quality jobs with 19 percent and polarization between large and small firms with 15 percent.And 21 percent ranked reforming chaebol and fostering the competitiveness of small