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Get bent, 2024: Top 10 news stories for Korea's foreign community this year

As the New Year approaches, 2024 feels like it flew by. But when you stop and think about all the stuff that happened this year, it doesn't seem quite that breakneck.

Dec 30, 2024By Jon Dunbar

Get bent, 2024: Top 10 news stories for Korea's foreign community this year

Expansion of foreign nanny program delayed

After the end of an experimental foreign nanny program in February 2025, Korean officials were going to expand it into a nationwide initiative, extending its availability beyond Seoul to include an additional 1,100 workers recruited from more partner nations.

Dec 30, 2024By Jung Min-ho

Expansion of foreign nanny program delayed

FRIENDS OF KOREA What it was like teaching English for a semester in Danyang in 1978

This contribution contains journal entries written in real time in 1978 and additional commentary written in March 2010 in time for the Peace Corps Revisit Tour in Seoul. December 1977. A Peace Corps offer arrived in the mail today. It is most interesting and exciting. I can actually live in Korea for two years and pursue an educational direction. However, the nature of the political situation, the country’s double standard in human rights, the pervasive American military influence, the Korean congressional bribery scandal and the imminent American troop withdrawal tend to make me want to decline this invitation. Jan. 22, 1978. Well, I’ve got my airplane tickets and I’ve got my itinerary to the Far East. I’m excited about the prospect. Feb. 19, 1978. We heard from the program staff about what our function will be for the next two years, namely to 1) teach Korean students English using the Peace Corps methodology for ESL; 2) teach Korean teachers a new teaching methodology and help them to improve their English communication skills; and 3) teach a small group of gifted Korean mid

Dec 25, 2024By Lenny Trudo

[FRIENDS OF KOREA] What it was like teaching English for a semester in Danyang in 1978

Pyeongchang's White Crow brews beer in nature

White Crow Brewing, located in the serene mountains of Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, offers more than just beer — it delivers an experience crafted from passion, nature and a dedication to quality.

Dec 24, 2024By Bereket Alemayehu

Pyeongchang's White Crow brews beer in nature

EPS-TOPIK textbook revamped for E-9 visa holders' job needs

Korea's official textbook for the EPS-TOPIK, a language proficiency test for foreigners seeking employment in the country, has been updated for the first time in 11 years to focus more on work-related content, officials said Monday.

Dec 23, 2024By Jung Min-ho

EPS-TOPIK textbook revamped for E-9 visa holders' job needs

130,000 foreign workers to be allowed in Korea on E-9 visas next year

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Was that the best chow mein I've had in Korea?

There's very little that's authentic about North American-style Chinese food. It's typically overly sweet, greasy and often overpriced — plus, the quality can vary wildly from restaurant to restaurant or even within the same place. But it's still one of my most important comfort foods, dammit.

Dec 23, 2024By Jon Dunbar

[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Was that the best chow mein I've had in Korea?

Foreign residents to exhibit photographic impressions of Ulsan, from dawn to dusk

Ulsan might not be Korea's most-visited destination, but the southeastern industrial city, Korea's eighth-largest, still has its own charms.

Dec 22, 2024By Jon Dunbar

Foreign residents to exhibit photographic impressions of Ulsan, from dawn to dusk

KOREAN TEMPLE ADVENTURES Gwanseeum-bosal, the Bodhisattva of Compassion

The different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can be quite confusing to identify. There is an entire pantheon of these figures in Korean Buddhism. On top of it, there are various shaman deities like the popular Sanshin (Mountain Spirit), Dokseong (Lonely Saint) and Chilseong (Seven Stars) to contend with, as well. However, probably the most striking image of the lot is the figure of Gwanseeum-bosal (Bodhisattva of Compassion). And with the troubles and difficulties facing the world today, she might be what the world needs a little more of in the New Year ahead.

Dec 21, 2024By Dale Quarrington

[KOREAN TEMPLE ADVENTURES] Gwanseeum-bosal, the Bodhisattva of Compassion

Gov't decides to accept 207,000 nonprofessional foreign workers in 2025

Korea has decided to accept 207,000 nonprofessional foreign workers into the country next year under a program aimed to cope with labor shortages in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, according to officials Friday.

Dec 20, 2024By Yonhap

Gov't decides to accept 207,000 nonprofessional foreign workers in 2025

130,000 foreign workers to be allowed in Korea on E-9 visas next year

Korea will allow up to 130,000 foreign nationals to work in the country in 2025 under a permit system that enables Korean employers to hire workers from abroad in specific industries facing labor shortages.

Dec 20, 2024By Jung Min-ho

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