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(123) MOBILE PHONES (II)

(122) MOBILE PHONES (I)

Writers to Release Latest Anthology

The work of 18 foreign and Korean authors makes up the second anthology from an English-language writing group, set to be launched Saturday. Seoul Writers Workshop, set up in 2007, will unveil the work, ``Every Second Sunday 2009,'' at Berlin Caf? & Lounge in Itaewon, Yongsan, during a brunch party at 1 p.m. Chris Sanders, one of the group founders, said the pieces appearing in the anthology were selected by committees in order to ensure a high-quality product, with the writers all current residents of Korea. The launch party will feature readings by the authors alongside modern Asian cuisine. The event will continue into the night at Tony's Aussie Bar & Bistro, located opposite Berlin, at 8 p.m. Proceeds from sales of the book, priced 8,000 won, are to be donated to the Korea Sexual Violence Center and animal welfare charity Moonbears.org. It will be available through Amazon and local bookstores. For more details on the anthology and the launch party, visit seoulwriters.wordpress.com. community@koreatimes.co.kr

KOTESOL Conference Starts Oct. 24

A host of top speakers will take the stage at the Korea Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (KOTESOL) 2009 international conference later this month at Sookmyung Women's University. Among them are professor Marc Helgesen of the department of intercultural studies at Miyagi Gakuin Women's University, Sendai, Japan, and world-renowned linguist David Nunan of Anaheim University, Anaheim, Calif., in the United States. Officially called the 17th annual Korea TESOL International Conference, the gathering is being held from Oct. 24 to 25. For further details, contact www.kotesol.org. community@koreatimes.co.kr

Indian Guru Plans to Enlighten

A renowned Indian spiritual leader who founded a charity that helps people turn away from violence and crime is to give two workshops focused on the art of living next week. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who is visiting Korea to take part in the World Knowledge Forum next Wednesday, will hold the events at the YMCA in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday and Tuesday. The Monday workshop, which is free, is a public talk on the concept he developed called the art of living, also the name of his foundation, and runs from 7 to 9 p.m. The following day, the guru will focus on health and happiness in an event running from 7 to 10 p.m. It will feature a combination of yoga, breathing exercises and meditation, and costs 20,000 won. Born in 1956 in southern India, Sri Sri's appeal is said to transcend class, race, religion and nationality. community@koreatimes.co.kr

1,000 Plays to Kick Off Saturday

The Seoul Players Theater Group production ``Night of the 1,000 Plays'' is ready to roll on the evenings of the next two Saturdays. A series of what are called ``short-short'' pieces ― a maximum of three minutes long ― are being performed over Saturday night and Oct. 17. This is the second successive year the popular expat group is staging the show, with organizers promising they will cram as many as possible into the show. Earlier, there had been worries over the low number of script submissions for the performances, but a late surge saw the producers forced to select from over 100 submissions. There will be a total of 40 plays put on show, put together by eight directors and more than 50 actors. But group spokeswoman Pamela Munoz said entries picked up after a sluggish start. The event takes place at Roofers bar in Itaewon, Yongsan, with both shows kicking off at 8 p.m. No reservations are necessary, with tickets (10,000 won, or 15,000 won for both nights if bought on Oct. 10) available at the door. For more information, contact info@seoulplayers.com. commun

Hamsters Among Blessed

By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter British Ambassador to Korea Martin Uden and his dog Hanso were among the participants in the annual St. Francistide Blessing of the Animals at Seoul Anglican Cathedral, Sunday. Rev. Paul Mooney, who conducted the service, had invited along animals of all persuasions, along with their human companions. And his words were heeded as about 20 people and their pets participated in the service, which took place in the cathedral courtyard. The lineup included cats, dogs and hamsters, said Rev. Mooney. Ambassador Uden brought along his adopted pet Hanso, who is a former guide dog, to join in the event. This is the third time that the annual animal blessings have taken place at the cathedral, and though they are held elsewhere in the world, Rev. Mooney is the first vicar to have done so in South Korea. ``It is a very simple, short service. People gather with their pets and animals and we say a few short prayers,'' he explained. ``We use it to remind ourselves of our fellow creatures and our duties toward them.'' The event is timed to coinci

3D Workers Bear Brunt of Abuse

Southeast Asians, who take up a large chunk of the so-called 3Ds jobs in Korea, are at the rough end of racism here, say observers. Working in the dirty, difficult and dangerous sectors of the economy ― much of it factory work, construction and other forms of hard, manual labor ― they encounter harsh treatment that often goes unnoticed due to many of them being illegal, they add. Rebenson Recana, a factory worker and head of the Filipino EPS Workers Association (FEWA) newsletter, says he has been roughed up by a superior and seen few privileges. "On Sunday they force us to work, but they do not force Koreans to work," said the four-year resident. "For Chuseok, some employers gave Koreans money, but not to foreign workers. We are not treated like human beings." However, Recana admitted that it has not been all-bad, and on one occasion when he wrote a letter of complaint to the director of his company over mistreatment at the hands of a superior, the latter was eventually reprimanded. "The government must do something about the situation … there must be education about

Problem Rife, Say Locals

The much-publicized court case won by Indian man Bonojit Hussain has sparked a wide-ranging debate on the existence of racism in Korea. In recent weeks, The Korea Times has sought to turn the spotlight on the issue, asking members of different segments of the foreign community here for their views on the matter. Today, three other demographic groups speak out on the issue: those who make up a large chunk of the so-called 3D jobs of the Korean economy; foreigners who are heavily integrated into Korean society; and Koreans themselves. By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter A racially homogenous society, old ways of thinking, fear, the education system, and a history of conflict ― these were among the reasons given by a group of Koreans to explain why their brethren may be seen as racist. One thing they all agreed upon: Racism is exists, to a greater or lesser degree, in Korean society. But, some argue, the country is changing, and growing more accepting of members of the foreign community. Yet, some admit preferential treatment is often given to white people, and Southeast Asians

Ditch Nationalism

By Bryan Kay Staff Reporter Nationalism will become an increasing problem for Korea as the country continues to emerge in ``global society,'' according to one long-time resident journalist. Brit Andrew Salmon, who has been in the country for 11 years, said the issue of racism here is better defined as nationalism and believes this will be a real cause for concern as Korea becomes a major nation in international society. ``As Korea and Koreans become more integrated in global society this 'us' and 'them' sentiment will not be helpful,'' said Salmon. He reckons that racism in Korea is the result of recent industrialization, similar to other recently developed Asian nations. ``In the West it used to be desirable to have pale skin, because peasants had darker skin from working all day outside. With the industrial revolution, it changed; peasants moved to the cities and worked inside all day, so they became pale. Since then it has become fashionable to have darker, tanned skin,'' said Salmon. ``Korea's industrialization came 200 years later, so it is still the fash