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Tibetan Activist Dampens Activities Out of Fear

A prominent Tibetan political activist in Korea has deemed it too dangerous to continue his efforts to shed light on human rights abuses occurring in his homeland over fears of the current Korean administration. D.P. Lama, better known locally as "Minsu," believes Korea has become too precarious a place for him to carry on his protests. "I don't protest at the moment because of fear of the government," said the 33-year-old in an interview with The Korea Times, Monday. He believes there is a realistic prospect that he might end up being detained because of what he claims is the hardline approach of the Lee-Myung-bak administration toward migrants and activism. He said his family's well-being would then be at stake, leaving them without their main breadwinner. The mass protest held as the Olympic torch for the Beijing Olympics came through Seoul last year was a result of actions by Minsu, who attracted support after he staged a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul. Although he still continues activist work alongside other protesters over Tibet-related

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NK Rights Group Turns to Screen

By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter A North Korean human rights group will screen a motion picture depicting the life of a North Korean defector in an effort to spread their message of unification. Unify Korea, made up of foreigners and Koreans from both the South and the North, is holding the screening of the film "Crossing" on Saturday, hoping that the vivid portrayal of the secretive state will move people to the cause. "I believe (people) who see it will want to take action," said American Lauren Walker, an organizer involved with the group. The film, released last year in Korea, was directed by Kim Tae-gyun and featured Korean actor Cha In-pyo, who starred as the main character. Cha initially refused to appear in the work, saying that the subject of North Korean refugees was not appealing to South Koreans, but was later moved by images of the country and decided to take the role. Yoo Sang-jun, on whose life the film is based, is now an activist based in Seoul, and has spent four months in a Chinese prison for his involvement in assisting North Korean defectors.

Controversial Rights Center for Muslims Abandoned

By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter A Muslim human rights center at the core of a feud with Seoul Central Masjid appears to have been abandoned. The site, set up earlier this year, has remained sealed for large chunks of time during which it previously said it would be open. The Center for the Protection of Muslim Human Rights, located in Itaewon, Seoul, opposite the mosque, was set up at the beginning of the summer with promises to help Muslims from overseas resolve work-related grievances and visa problems. Representatives told a Korea Times reporter in late July that the center would be open every day from 9 a.m. until late. But several recent visits ― over the last few weeks ― have found the office shut and increasing signs of abandonment inside. Attempts to contact those behind the center by telephone were also unsuccessful. One worker reached said he had not been at the site for a month. When asked whether it had been shut down, he responded by saying he did not know. Some members of the Islamic community said last month that the facility didn't appear to be li

Foreigners to Get Free Medical Help

Free medical treatment and legal advice will be available for foreign residents this weekend when the Korea Immigration Service holds its special consultation session at Guro District Office in Seoul. The event, bringing together representatives from various government agencies and other organizations, will take place over Sunday and Monday. Designed to provide consultations on various issues and basic medical services, the ministries of education, justice, labor and health are to be among those represented. Non-government bodies attending include the Korean Bar Association and Seoul Women's Development Institute. Consultations will cover issues such as acquisition of citizenship, Korean-language education, children's education, health insurance, labor problems and daily living difficulties. There will also be free legal consultation, free medical treatment, and immigrant spouse employment consultation services. The free medical treatment is being offered on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., while the free legal consultations will take place on Sunday and Monday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Seoul Film Festival Draws Foreign Movies

By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter Foreign cinema will be showcased in a new special section at this year's Seoul International Family Film Festival (SIFFF). The two countries to feature in the debut of the program are Australia and Denmark, from where native producers and directors have contributed productions. "We are so proud to present the films in Korea," Busik Park, program team manager, told The Korea Times in a telephone interview. "We would like our festival to be a platform." From Australia there are five feature films and five shorts, including "Broken Hill", "In My Father's Country" and "Accidents Happen," starring Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis. Work has also been contributed by Danish director Nils Malmros, who has put together four films set in his home city of Aarhus, Denmark. Malmros, who gained international recognition from films such as "Tree of Knowledge" and "Arhus by Night," is also a practicing doctor. "Beautiful Change" is the chosen theme for the 3rd edition of SIFFF, where 117 films from 24 countries will be screened, running from

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