Global Community

(190) TRADITIONAL FOLK GAMES I

(189) NEW YEARS DAY II

Former UK Detective on Korean Mission

By J.R. Breen Contributing Writer A former British detective is on a one-man mission to shake both foreign and Korean child sex offenders out of Korea - because he says the government isn't capable of doing it on their own. Anthony Hegarty, 45, claims inadequate screening means Korea has become an attractive safe haven for pedophiles. He has set up a non-profit organization - called Safe Schools - in a bid to collate information on child sex offenders trying to access children in Korea. "Ninety percent of pedophiles do not have criminal records. (Written letters to prove innocence) would not show cautions or warnings, a method by which many such offenders are now dealt with," said Hegarty, who lives on a farm in Daegu with his Korean wife. "We hope to reduce the risk through thorough background screening and providing education to parents and employers," Hegarty said. "We also use our resources to track offenders in the wider Asia region who could essentially target Korean children." Safe Schools, established in Korea, is an online database of information on child

Valentines Punk Rock Ball Saturday

Rock Ball Saturday This Saturday will see a Valentine's event fitting for rock joint Ole Stompers in Itaewon. Five bands will play at this year's Valentine's Punk Rock Ball. The lineup of First Round Heroes, The Tremors, Seoul City Suicides, Captain Bootbois and Whatever That Means promises a great night's entertainment. These bands offer a mix of hard rocking styles to keep you on your feet all night long The music kicks off at 10 p.m. and will continue into the small hours. A 20,000 won all-you-can-drink special runs from 9 p.m. to midnight and there is no cover charge for the show. Whether you're looking to rock out with a significant other or just hear some fantastic music, the Valentine's Punk Rock Ball promises to be a good night out. To get to Ole Stompers Rock Spot from Itaewon station, exit 3: walk straight and take the first right at Dunkin' Donuts. Take the first left after 7-11. Stompers is at the top of the hill, the last bar on the left.

Legendary Rugby Player to Speak at NZ Chamber of Commerce

Legendary New Zealand rugby player John Kirwan will be at the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 18, and will speak about his life. Kirwan, currently coach of the Japan Rugby Union national team, will deliver a keynote speech at the event "A Night of Rugby with John Kirwan." He will speak on both personal matters and his life as an athlete. He is well known in the world of rugby for his appearances for New Zealand's national rugby team, the All Blacks. He won a total of 63 caps and was a key member of the 1987 World Cup winning team scoring a try in the final. Throughout his career as a professional sportsman, Kirwan suffered periods of depression; he know has become well known in his home country as a public spokesperson for depression awareness and recovery - he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for his work in the field. The event will include a three-course dinner of traditional New Zealand cuisine accompanied by native alcoholic beverages. In addition, there will be an auction of All Black and John Kirwan-autographed memorabilia. A Night of Rugby

(188) NEW YEARS DAY I

New Guidebook for Expatriates

By J.R. Breen Contributing Writer An expatriate moving to Korea usually comes armed with a guidebook. But because they are aimed at backpackers and short-term visitors, they don't help in the search for a house, a car and other basic survival situations the average tourist would probably never encounter. Writer Jonathan Hopfner hopes to plug that gap with his "Expat Guide to Korea," part of a new series of Moon guide books -- Living Abroad -- aimed at people looking to live for a while or settle overseas. "The book is intended as a how-to guide for expatriates looking to settle in Korea for the medium to long term," Hopfner said. Hopfner, an editor at the Thomson Reuters Seoul bureau, said the series is aimed at a brand new market. "It's part of a series that Moon Handbooks launched a couple of years ago to serve the growing number of people who are leaving their home countries for reasons of work or choice," he said. "It covers a host of things that would only be of interest to longer-term residents (like) finding housing, banking, taxation, education and employm

Free English Lessons With a Catch

By Teke Wiggin Contributing Writer Almost every day, Jared Turley and Spencer Gunnel wake up at 6:30 a.m. to face a 15-hour workday dedicated to spreading the message of the book of Mormon in Korea. And almost every day that means a lot of teaching English. They are Mormon missionaries, followers of the Church of Latter Day Saints. The religious institution is known for giving free English lessons in countries all over the world. But here in Korea, they have a captive audience: a local population with an incessant desire to learn English and hourly bills of as much as $65 per hour. Turley and Gunnel are harnessing this opportunity to convert locals grappling with huge private tutoring bills into believers. The pair, known as "Elders," admitted that about 80 percent of Koreans who call the mission to set up appointments are only interested in the English element of the lessons. Their motivation is to help those interested in the church progress towards baptism, devoting the first half of classes to English tutoring. Turley said that although some attende

(187) BOOKS

(186) NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES