South Korea - The Korea Times

David Dolinger granted Gwangju honorary citizenship in recognition of 5.18 role

GWANGJU — On May 14, the city of Gwangju conferred honorary citizenship on David Dolinger (Im Dae-eun), a former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer who played a critical role during the Gwangju Uprising that began on May 18, 1980. The recognition is one of the highest civic honors Gwangju can bestow, and it is an exceedingly rare one for a foreign national who directly participated in the city’s darkest and most defiant chapter, one that led the way to democratic freedom. “I have been applauded for what I did in May of 1980 and in subsequent years concerning 5.18, Korean human rights and Korean democracy,” Dolinger told the audience at the ceremony. “But I have not done enough and I will never be able to do enough. I wish I had been smarter, braver, more aware and a little more of everything.” Dolinger’s recognition is part of a broader, years-long effort to reframe the Gwangju Uprising not merely as a local or national event, but as one with international resonance. On May 2, a new special exhibition titled "Witness: Beyond Borders" opened at Jeonil Building 245, a 10-story stru

May 18, 2025By Jack Greenberg

David Dolinger granted Gwangju honorary citizenship in recognition of 5.18 role

MORNING CALM TALES Gangnam's style circa 1990

Long before Korean singer Psy turned Gangnam into a global catchphrase with his 2012 viral smash “Gangnam Style,” the district south of the Han River in Seoul was already coming into its own. Encompassing Apgujeong-dong, Sinsa-dong, Yeoksam-dong and several other neighborhoods, its heart beat the strongest, at least for me, around Gangnam Station on Seoul Metro Line 2 (and now the Shinbundang Line as well). Back in 1990, this trendy hub buzzed with language institutes, cram schools, coffee shops, discotheques and a variety of restaurants. In those days, private English language academies were sprouting up like wildflowers, especially in Gangnam and downtown Seoul's Jongno. My school, ELSI (English Language Schools International), had two branches: one in the Sisa-Yong-o-sa building in Jongno and another in Gangnam. I taught at the latter from 1990 to 1992, in a building just 50 meters off Teheran-ro that had once been a hospital. Behind it, perched on a modest hill, stood the headquarters of the Korean Taekwondo Association. Outside our institute, the area around the subway station

May 17, 2025By Jeffrey Miller

[MORNING CALM TALES] Gangnam's style circa 1990

Immigrant communities urge presidential candidates to adopt more inclusive policies

An alliance of immigrants and civic groups is calling on presidential candidates of all parties to adopt policies to better protect the rights and inclusion of immigrant communities. The national multicultural voters’ alliance unveiled 10 key policy proposals ahead of the June 3 presidential election, as it seeks greater political recognition for Korea’s increasingly diverse population. The alliance, comprised of 20 groups, including the Seoul YMCA and the Korean Immigrant Women’s Voter Network, said the election is a critical opportunity to empower multicultural voters. With over 500,000 voters believed to be from immigrant or multicultural backgrounds, the alliance emphasized that this demographic could become a meaningful force in Korean democracy. “We may look different, but we stand united,” the alliance said in a joint statement. “This election must mark a shift in how multicultural citizens are seen, not just as recipients of support services, but as active participants in shaping public policy.” The 10 proposals address a wide range of issues. Among them is a call fo

May 16, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Immigrant communities urge presidential candidates to adopt more inclusive policies

Fashion brand launches crowdfunding campaign for cruelty-free KAE Backpack

In today’s fashion landscape, looking good and doing good are no longer separate goals — they walk the same runway. Recently, conscious consumer demand has been rising in Korea. A new wave of designers and brands have responded with items and collections that are not only stylish, but also made from vegan materials and committed to meaningful causes. From cruelty-free materials to proceeds that support humanitarian efforts, these initiatives show that fashion can be a form of activism — one item at a time One notable brand is KAESA, a Korean fashion brand committed to eco-friendly innovation. It launched a new crowdfunding campaign on the Korean platform Wadiz to bring to life its latest creation: the KAE Backpack. The company describes it as sleek, versatile and purpose-driven, an item that wants to both help the customer and inspire change for both the planet and community. More than just a stylish and functional accessory, the KAE Backpack represents KAESA’s mission: to make sustainable fashion the standard while supporting the underprivileged and vulnerable communities of Ko

May 15, 2025By Antonia Giordano

E-9 visa holders allowed to work as restaurant servers, parcel sorters

E-9 visa holders in Korea are now permitted to serve customers at restaurants and sort parcels at fulfillment centers, as the government relaxes restrictions on the types of work they can do — roles that were previously reserved mostly for citizens. The Foreign Workforce Policy Committee, which is responsible for shaping major policies for foreign workers, decided on Thursday to allow holders of E-9 or non-professional employment visas to work as restaurant servers and parcel sorters at logistics firms, to address rising labor shortages. This means more than 300,000 foreign workers who have come here under the Employment Permit System on E-9 visas can now help fill that labor shortage. Previously, restaurant owners were only allowed to hire E-9 visa holders as kitchen assistants. At logistics companies, foreign workers could load and unload parcels, but were not permitted to sort them. These restrictions remained in place due to concerns among many Koreans about losing jobs to foreign labor. “But in reality, employees serve food and do kitchen work whenever necessary, especially in s

May 15, 2025By Jung Min-ho

E-9 visa holders allowed to work as restaurant servers, parcel sorters

Transparent event series builds chosen family for trans community

On a warm afternoon in Itaewon, amid the hum of conversation and music spilling from the terrace of Kockiri bar, a unique gathering takes shape. It’s not just another weekend party, it’s Transparent, a celebration of trans lives, community and visibility in Korea. Founded in March 2022, Transparent has grown from a small idea into a space of connection for trans people and allies in Seoul. The mind behind Transparent is Jungle, a Seoul-based trans woman who started the project during a personal turning point. “I began HRT (hormone replacement therapy) in May 2021,” she recalled. “At the time, I only had a few other trans friends, mostly through drag. Naturally, I got curious about how other trans people in Seoul were living and wanted to meet them in person, to talk, to share our stories and to not feel so alone.” From this longing, Transparent was born — not just as a party, but as a grassroots initiative to build a family. “Being a trans person can feel incredibly isolating,” she explained. “We often have to parent ourselves or parent each other. That’s where th

May 13, 2025By Nilesh Kumar

Transparent event series builds chosen family for trans community

Reform Party candidate pledges separate minimum wage system for foreign workers

Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the minor conservative Reform Party, has vowed to introduce a separate minimum wage system for foreign workers in Korea as he seeks to bring back more manufacturing jobs from overseas. According to the list of his top 10 policy priorities unveiled ahead of the June 3 election, Lee, 40, aims to bring back the production of goods by offering more affordable labor for Korean manufacturers currently operating in countries like China and Vietnam, where labor costs are lower. If those companies decide to relocate their main manufacturing facilities to one of the state-designated national industrial parks in Ulsan, Yeosu, Changwon, Gumi and other areas, they would be exempt from the obligation of paying the national minimum wage to workers for up to 10 years. “The goal of this policy is to motivate companies to return here by offering a separate wage system for foreign workers and easing other regulations so that companies can maintain the same level of labor expenses,” Lee said in his policy list, which became available Monday on the National El

May 13, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Reform Party candidate pledges separate minimum wage system for foreign workers

KOREA ENCOUNTERS How Park Chung-hee used fall of Saigon to justify repression

The fall of Saigon 50 years ago marked the reunification of Vietnam by the communist North and the end of the Vietnam War. Meanwhile, the collapse of South Vietnam also contributed to one of the most repressive eras in South Korean history. After only narrowly defeating Kim Dae-jung in the 1971 presidential election, Park Chung-hee declared martial law in October 1972 and imposed the new Yushin ("revitalization") Constitution which neutered the National Assembly and all but made Park president for life. Slowly, students, intellectuals and church leaders began to protest this suspension of democracy, to which the KCIA responded with stunning ferocity, arresting and torturing anyone who spoke out. Its most audacious act was kidnapping Kim Dae-jung from a Tokyo hotel with the intent of throwing him from a boat into the East Sea — a fate averted by the U.S. State Department condemning the kidnapping as an “act of terrorism” and U.S. Ambassador Philip Habib offering the Park regime the face-saving understanding that a “rogue KCIA faction” had carried out the abduction. Under the re

May 13, 2025By Matt VanVolkenburg

[KOREA ENCOUNTERS] How Park Chung-hee used fall of Saigon to justify repression

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Jovy’s Grill offers Filipino dining experience in Seoul

There aren’t that many Filipino restaurants in Seoul. Jovy’s Grill, located in the quiet Seongbuk-dong neighborhood, is one of the few places. For Filipino food newbies, Jovy’s Grill is a good introduction because it serves classic dishes that stay true to local Filipino flavors. The first time I went to Jovy’s Grill was in autumn 2023 to celebrate my birthday. It had been just two months since I arrived in Seoul to pursue graduate studies here and homesickness was creeping in. I wanted something familiar, so I made dinner plans with a couple of Filipino friends based in Seoul to eat the food we missed the most. Walking toward the restaurant, you can spot its window adorned by nipa palm leaves, drawing inspiration from the “bahay kubo,” or the traditional Filipino house. Going inside feels like being transported to tropical Philippines with its themed furniture and decorations. On this first visit, we ordered "sisig," "adobo," "kangkong" (water spinach), garlic rice and of course "pansit canton," a noodle dish often eaten during birthdays as a symbol for long life. The sisig,

May 12, 2025By Ana Roa

[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Jovy’s Grill offers Filipino dining experience in Seoul

Visiting comedian Hans Kim brings spice to Stand Up Seoul

Korean American comedian Hans Kim is set to bring his sharp, offbeat humor to Seoul, headlining the upcoming "Laughs & Layovers" show this Thursday. The event, presented by Stand Up Seoul, will take place at Lit Lounge in Itaewon, promising an evening of unfiltered comedy. Kim, a regular on the popular live podcast "Kill Tony," gained recognition in the U.S. for his quick-witted, observational style and deadpan delivery. He has toured alongside comedy heavyweights like Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe, steadily building a reputation as one of the most exciting emerging voices in stand-up. The Korea Times caught up with Kim on a virtual call to learn more about the comedian and his upcoming visit to Korea. A second-generation Korean American, Kim admitted that he got into comedy when he strayed off the beaten path of getting a secure nine-to-five job. “I was studying to be an engineer just because that was what the school was into, but I really wasn't that dedicated to it," he said. "I was kind of disillusioned and not really paying attention. I graduated and got a job but wasn't very g

May 12, 2025By Alice Hong

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