Global Community

Korean adoptees converge in Seoul

By Kim Young-jin Staff reporter Korean adoptees from around the world are converging in Seoul this week for what could be the largest such gathering ever. Hosted by the International Korean Adoptees Associations (IKAA), the event aims to build community and promote dialogue and understanding between adoptees and Korean society. The gathering, which meets every three years, is known as the most internationally inclusive and largest Korean adoptee conference in the world. Organizers expect some 800 participants this year, which would be its best turnout ever. The festivities, held at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul, kicked off yesterday and will conclude with a closing ceremony Sunday. The IKAA Gathering 2010 will feature a comprehensive range of workshops, forums, and presentations, as well as fun events such as an “Adoptee Amazing Race” and the ever-popular Adoptee World Cup soccer match. A mini-film festival and art gathering will also be held. This year’s activities will focus on bridging gaps between the adoptee and Korean communities by encouraging partici

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Busan whips up sea festival The Busan Sea Festival is underway at Haeundae and five other beaches and also at the Busan Yachting Center. It will run through Aug. 9. The festival consists of 40 programs including high-quality cultural performances. The opening ceremony features Korean celebrities and the Busan Municipal Art Troupe, who will join together to hold a large-scale concert along with a brilliant fireworks showcase lighting up the night sky over Haeundae Beach. The event alsoconsists of various programs and cultural performances showing the city’s attractions. Programs include an international beach dance festival, a rock festival, an international beach skateboard competition, hip-hop and magic festivals and activities such as swimming, yachting and windsurfing. Admission is free. For information call 051- 888-3392~7 (Korean only) or KTO’s 02-1330 (English, Chinese, Japanese). Also visit http://seafestival.co.kr. To get there, it takes three hours from Seoul Station to Busan by KTX. Take Busan Subway Station Line No.1 and transfer to Line No.2 at Seomyeon

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LP bars bring back music of the ’60s

By Kim Young-jin Staff reporter Take an evening stroll through Hongdae, Seoul, and one encounters a diverse smorgasbord of music ― punk blaring from underground, house beats from the clubs, the ubiquitous sound of K-pop emanating from storefronts. There’s even the occasional street troubadour, strumming popular numbers on an acoustic guitar. The musical mash-up, especially in warm weather, elicits that elusive feeling Bob Dylan once described by singing “... there was music in the cafes at night and revolution in the air.” This sense of freedom was widely celebrated in the popular music of the 1960s and early ‘70s by artists such as Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Band, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell and many others. In the ultra-hip Hongdae area, the musical flame of that revolutionary era still burns bright. Though they may be tricky to find, a number of retro music bars – dives with DJs and extensive collections of LPs ― are spinning the absolute best of the period. Whether you’re a vinyl archeologist or an urban dweller seeking shelter from the storm, these spots likely have

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SIWA Newcomers Meeting The Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA) is to host an event to welcome new members at the Seoul Club on Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. SIWA welcomes all newcomers to Seoul to share their experiences concerning obstacles, problems, solutions and recommendations regarding their recent relocation. “Please join and support us in a relaxing atmosphere ― and make new friends.” The Seoul Club is located between Hotel Shilla and Tower Hotel. Near exit 6 of Dongguk University Situation on Subway Line 3. A yellow bus stop is just around the corner and it will take you up the hill, past the Seoul Club driveway to the National University. Walk back down the hill and cross at the lights. The Seoul Club is on the left hand side. The address is Seoul Club, 208 Janchung-dong 2ga, Jung-gu. Visit, http://www.seoulclub.org/ or telephone 02-2238-7666 For newcomers RSVP to newcomers@siwapage.com and visit http://www.siwapage.com Sacheon International Percussion Festival Sacheon International Percussion Festival will take place in Gyeongsangnam-do from Thursda

Koreans volunteer in Senegal as part of government’s KIV program

By John Redmond Contributing writer Lee Ju-young, a 30-year-old Korean fluent in French and English, left Korea two weeks ago to volunteer in Senegal as part of the Korean government’s volunteer program, Korea Internet Volunteers (KIV). Rather than the usual food or medical programs most often associated with volunteering, the aim of KIV is to bridge the “digital divide.” KIV is a governmental volunteer program supported by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) and the Ministry of Information and Communication. It was established in 2001. The aim of the group is to reduce the digital divide among nations. The organization believes new technology is the key to development. In other words, the IT gap divides the world into two ― countries with a high level of technology and those still waiting for the digital revolution. Each summer, about 500 young Koreans are selected as members of KIV in order to provide education and training in these developing countries. The aim is to work with local students. “Due to our activities, we can help different local popul

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