The Gwangju News is the first English monthly magazine for the general public in Korea, first published in 2001. Each monthly issue covers local and regional issues, with a focus on the roles and activities of the international residents and local Englishspeaking communities.
The Gwangju News is published by the Gwangju International Center: Jungang-ro 196-beon-gil 5 (Geumnam-ro 3-ga), Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea
Tel: (+82)-62-226-2733 Fax: (+82)-62-226-2731
Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com
From the Editor
As the cherry blossoms open across the peninsula and the spring rains flow into our streams and rivers, the most recent issue of the Gwangju News flows into our month of April. Beginning with this April issue, we have a fresh and fortified group of writers and staff members contributing to this unique publication. We thank them wholeheartedly for stepping forward.
April is elections month in Korea. Seats for the 22nd National Assembly will be determined, and what the next Assembly will look like is very much uncertain – but very much on the minds of voters. Read our feature interview with Cho Jung-Kwan for some analysis.
Gwangju is still a one-line subway. When will Line 2 go into operation? Why isn’t it already on line? Is it because of costs? The pandemic? Safety regulations? Will Line 2 come on line in stages? What are the prospects for a future Line 3? Get answers to these questions and more in our feature on The Gwangju Subway Extension.
If you have ever been around a construction site in the area, large or small, you are sure to have seen “Koryo Cement” printed on those brown cement bags. For over six decades, this cement has been produced at a huge plant located in Jangseong, just north of Gwangju. But that is about to change. Learn about the demise of the Koryo Cement manufacturing plant in Lost in Honam.
If you allowed March to slip by without making the short trip to Gwangyang, you sadly missed the spectacular show of plum blossoms that the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival offers every spring. But do not fret, our reporter was there to capture the particulars for you this year so that you can make the trip in person next year.
For volunteering and article submission inquiries, please contact the editor at gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
Special thanks to Gwangju City and all of our sponsors.
And this issue of the Gwangju News offers so much more. In our movie review of Dune: Part 2, the plot only thickens. If you think the mystery-shrouded cults of South Korea are inconsequential, think again! If you’re hard pressed to respond to “What goes into a good language lesson?” get your answer in Language Teaching. And we have prepared for you the latest on the recorded music scene and April’s upcoming events that you won’t want to miss!
Enjoy the spring, and enjoy it with this month’s issue of the Gwangju News!
David E. Shaffer
Editor-in-Chief Gwangju News
Cover Photo
Photo
Gwangju & South Jeolla International
In a dance of delicate pink and white, Cherry blossoms whisper the return of light.
Petals on winds, in tender flight, Celebrate spring’s soft, fragrant rite.
The Photographer Dhivyaa S. P., an AI master's student at Chonnam National University, blends coding innovation with her passion for photographing flowers, hiking, and savoring green tea lattes.
Gwangju City News
Gwangju Opens Foreign Worker Support Center
Gwangju plans to start operating as a Foreign Workers’ Support Center in April. To this end, Gwangju is selecting a private consignment business to operate the support center for foreign worker support. Selection results will be available at the end of March, with the center set to operate from April 1. The location is the same as that of the former Foreign Workers Support Center located in Heukseok-dong in Gwangsan District.
The center will operate flexibly using private networks such as interpreters, medical care, lawrelated volunteers, and various sponsorships. Korean language education and grievance counseling are provided on weekends to help foreign workers adapt to domestic life in Korea. The center will provide comprehensive services using a network that connects local residents, support organizations, and foreigners, as well as cultural and welfare programs. In addition, it will operate systematic support programs, such as job consulting for smooth manpower supply and demand, human rights education for improving foreigners’ awareness, and visa conversion counseling for skilled workers. Gwangju supports foreign workers to settle down as healthy members of society through the operation of this institution.
More information: Department of Foreign Residents (062-613-1440)
Dong-gu Opens Eco-Friendly Resource Circulation Center
Dong-gu opened an eco-friendly resource circulation center to solve the problem of waste. In particular, on the first floor, there is the first Donggurami store, which converts recycling into points.
Recycling items include transparent PETs, plastics, cans, paper, textiles, and ice packs. Points that are converted for each item are different. Points can be accumulated on the smartphone “Donggurami On” application. Accumulated points can be used as a transportation card, converted into cash, and are converted into cash from 2,000 points. It is possible to make the switch from May 2024.
The eco-friendly resource circulation center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except weekends and holidays, but the first Donggurami store is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. excluding weekends and holidays. The first Donggurami
store is located on the first floor of the Donggurami Eco-friendly Resource Circulation Center (17 Pilmun-daero 159-beon-gil). The Donggurami store is also opening at three additional sites. The second store is at 524-5 in Sotae-dong, Donggu (Monday and Friday, 9:00-12:00), the third store is at 92-9 in Dongmyeong-dong (Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00-12:00), and the fourth store is at 519-4 in Sansu-dong, Dong-gu (Wednesday, 9:00-12:00).
The Eco-Friendly Resource Center has not only Donggurami store on the first floor, but also a cafe, education room for program operation, and carpentry and repair rooms on the second and third floors. If you apply in advance, you can experience the program and use it as a resting place. More information: 062-608-2523
The Gwangju International Students Supporters Launched
The Gwangju International Students Supporters have been launched to promote various aspects of Gwangju from the perspective of foreigners.
On the 22nd, Gwangju City announced that the 2024 Gwangju International Student Supporters Inauguration Ceremony was held at City Hall.
The supporters consist of 22 students from 18 countries, including Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Japan, and China, currently enrolled in universities in Gwangju.
They will participate in promotional events for Gwangju and local universities and utilize social networking services (SNS) to promote student life and other aspects.
Gwangju City will provide them with monthly activity allowances and plans to award
commendations to outstanding supporters who actively participate in activities at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, over 5,800 international students are studying at 15 universities in the Gwangju area.
Gwangsan-gu Expands Citizen Safety Insurance
Gwangsan-gu has expanded the substantive coverage items of citizen safety insurance to mitigate the burden of damages on citizens resulting from accidents and disasters in daily life. Please verify the updated contents of Gwangsangu’s civil safety insurance.
• Support Target: Regardless of where the accident occurs, any citizen of Gwangsan-gu. (All residents and registered foreigners residing in Gwangsan-gu.)
• Enrollment process: Automatically enrolled without any separate registration process.
• Insurance coverage period: Within 3 years from the date of the accident. (Even if you are enrolled in other insurance, overlapping coverage is possible.)
• Insurance coverage:
- The addition of coverage for practical items closely related to daily life, such as medical expenses for injuries during public transportation use and lump-sum payments for accident diagnoses, has been made.
- Elimination of duplicate items overlapping with the Gwangju Citizen Safety Insurance, such as death or disability during public transportation use.
- The coverage for several items including explosion, fire, collapse, landslide, electrical shock injuries, and gas accidents has been adjusted downward.
• Insurance enrollment period: Until February 10, 2025.
• Insurance Claims: Submit the insurance claim form and supporting documents to the insurance company.
• Application Inquiries: Insurance company (1522-3556) or Gwangsan-gu Civil Safety Department (062-960-8588)
Summaries and translations by Lee Hwadahm.
Korea’s 22nd General Election
Where Will the Public Sentiment Head?
Interviewd by Park Yeonju
On April 10, 2024, a new wind will again blow in the Republic of Korea. This day is the day of the 22nd National Assembly elections. Two years after the change in the national administration, how will those two years with the new government affect the people’s choice in the upcoming general election? In the 21st National Assembly elections in 2020, the Democratic Party created a super-ruling party with 180 seats, enough to enact legislation on their own. This was the result of winning three fifths of the National Assembly seats, which was unprecedented since democratization in 1987. However, in 2022, the then-ruling People Power Party became the opposition party and the
nerve-wracking politics of divided government continued.
There’s been a deluge of favorable bills by one party and a torrent of vetoes from the president – is this really desirable parliamentary politics? It’s been a tense confrontation between one party’s control of the Assembly, fueled by their numbers of seats, and the president being armed with veto power. The fatigue and damage caused by this two-year confrontation is now in the people’s hands. The time has come for the people, who have been walking in the maze of dizzy politics, to express their viewpoints. Will this election lean towards the present
administration or towards the opposition party?
There are also several issues worth paying attention to in Gwangju. Lee Nak-yeon's declaration of his candidacy in Gwangju has drawn public attention. He left the Democratic Party and founded a new party called the New Future Party. He signaled a clear change in the political line by making Gwangju his constituency. Lee Nak-yeon, also served as prime minister and lead a splendid political career. He is from Yeonggwang in Jeollanam-do and spent his high school years in Gwangju, so he has ties to this region. But the point is that, as always, politics is not determined by a single thing. In Gwangju, where political unity is strongest, than any other region, will Lee Nakyeon be able to capture the public sentiment of Honam?
I was able to get the opinion of an expert so that this article about the general election could encompass a deeper analysis. For this article, I interviewed Prof. Cho Jung-Kwan of the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Chonnam National University. He received has PhD in political science from Yale University in 2000. His responses to the following interview questions serve to create an outline of the upcoming general election.
Gwangju News (GN): What do you think is the main issue in this general election?
Prof. Cho: The so-called “regime judgment” versus “party judgment” is the core issue. The opposition party denies the legitimacy of the current government, and the current government is engaging in politics that are not considered to be the will of the people. This demonstrates that Korea is becoming a democracy in decay.
In this general election, we can look at three agendas: opposition judgment, regime judgment, and “floating votes.” “Floating votes” are those of 20–30 percent of voters who don’t like either party. They don’t like the current government, and the politics of protecting only “certain individuals” along with the opposition’s undemocratic and messy nominations increases
the number of “floating-vote” independents. Currently, elections are held in small electoral districts, and proportional representation is only one-sixth of the total seats. The small electoral district system provides no choice but to create a two-major-party system, and it is not common to select a party for proportional representation that is different from the party winning the district. Therefore, it is a difficult structure for floating voters to exercise their political will.
The extremes of politics are similar around the world. The so-called “internet-based communication,” or “SNS politics,” makes it difficult for political parties to hold discussions and be able to talk about policies because most people select to follow political opinion that agrees with their own views. In reality, a third force or a third party that can inform the people on policies through discussions and show the possibility of becoming a political force is difficult. In terms of political technology and publicity, incitement politics using social media is prevalent and fandom politics is widespread, whether in Korea or the U.S.
The two major parties have to look at the moderate voter, but they are playing a game of winning votes based only on their own supporters. Political parties that should be discussing the direction of policy and communicating with the people are only engaged in stimulating emotions and slandering each other. So, it is hard to find a national agenda vision in the general election. Korean politics is led by two major parties and cartel politics. It can be said that the leaders who lead the party are largely accountable for this situation.
Amid stimulation and agitation, Lee Jae-myung creates the impression of “I am constantly oppressed” and draws support and empathy from enthusiastic supporters. Also, Yoon SukYeol, as president, should be conscious of the moderate voters and try to unite the people, but he approaches the situation in a conflicting way through divide-and-rule politics. He creates the scenario of “Those who oppose me are bad, too.” Neither Lee Jae-myung nor Yoon Suk- Yeol are
campaigning in a normal manner that would attract moderate voters. They’re only engaging in politics that think of the other side as the enemy. They’re not paying attention to the most important policy issues.
Yoon Suk-Yeol is engaged in pork-barrel politics that abuses the government’s budget for bigmoney projects in one’s own district rather than pursuing national policies. This is a strategy to gather votes by region. The Democratic Party keeps making empty pledges to curry favor with voters and putting forward populist policies even though they don’t have the required financial resources. During elections, the voters become their bait, which is not normal policy-based politics. “We won the election by attracting only our side” is becoming a self-indulgent trend. The quality of democracy is dropping in Korea, similar to the U.S., which exhibits a division of Trump versus anti-Trump.
GN: Where do you think the vote of the swing voter in their 20s and 30s is headed?
Prof. Cho: The 20s-and-30s age group are practical voters. It is believed that the proportion of fandom politics is less in the 20–30 age group than that in any other age group. They’re interested in issues related to their lives: the military service extra-point system, feminism, the job search, the economy, security, etc. But the problem is that the political community isn’t interested in these issues. An important feature of those in their 20s and 30s is that party loyalty is low while turnout is also low. On the other hand, those in their 40s and 50s tend to be progressive and those in their 60s and 70s tend to be conservative, forming an allout confrontational structure. They can’t work together.
What is noteworthy in the 20–30 political arena is that the people who lead youth politics, such as conservative Lee Joon-seok and progressive Ryu Ho-jeong, are losing power. They left their camps, but they left without building their power. Therefore, both sides have lost their influence, and I doesn’t think there is much prospect for them in this election. They do not
have the leadership to embrace and lead the existing older generation culturally. Because they’ve only engaged in politics of conflict and shouting, what kind of votes will they garner when their newly created party intervenes between the two major parties? This will be a topic of increasing importance.
GN: What do you think of Lee Nak-yeon’s candidacy in Gwangju”?
Prof. Cho: It is proper to reform the Democratic Party by receiving votes from Honam. But this strategy was implemented so late that not many Democratic Party people came out to join it. Also, the question is whether Honam will accept Lee Nak-yeon. Honam voters are used to fandom politics and think they will die if they are divided.
Currently, the Democratic Party is only seen as the party of Lee Jae-myung. In the Democratic Party, people who are devoted to Lee Jae-myung are in the mainstream. Democracy within the party has collapsed, and it has become a fandom party. It is impossible to reform the Democratic Party by competing in the democratic process. Even if those nominated lose the election, they will continue to be loyal to the Democratic Party of Lee Jae-myung.
Lee Nak-yeon intends to reform this area by receiving Honam votes. The district in which he is running is Gwangsan Eul. Actually, this is the district of Min Hyung-bae, who is pro-Lee Jae-myung. Will Gwangju citizens choose the existing Democratic Party or Lee Nak-yeon who has made a politically outstanding move? This is the most notable question in the Gwangju general election.
Lee Nak-yeon believes that the current Democratic Party must change to win the next presidential election. But politics doesn’t have only one aspect, and the voters’ ideas aren’t very far-reaching either. The biggest stumbling block in Gwangju politics is that Gwangju citizens do not tolerate diversity. They think they should always bring their votes together for one candidate.
GN: What else should we pay attention to this general election in Gwangju?
Prof. Cho: Originally, the approval rate of the conservative party in Gwangju was very low under the small electoral district system after democratization. However, as generations are gradually changing, the People Power Party is also forming a policy of embracing Honam. Actually, after the Moon Jae-in administration, there has been an increase in anger against the left-wing government.
In the 2022 presidential and local elections, the People Power Party’s vote in Gwangju was about 15 percent. It is also worth watching whether the vote will be as high in the general election as in the presidential and local elections. However, the Conservative Party won’t have as few votes as they used to. If not as many as 15 percent, they are expected to garner 10–15 percent.
The People Power Party in this general election is evident in that they are making efforts by nominating candidates to eight constituencies in Gwangju. They have nominated candidates in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, namely, the Honam constituencies. Still, it reveals a movement to promote themselves. Actually, this is because the proportional representation vote rate also increases only when there are candidates in small electoral constituencies.
Gwangju and Jeollanam-do have rallied strongly behind the Democratic Party. However, in the electoral district of Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, the conservative party candidate Lee Jung-hyun was elected, revealing that the Democratic Party’s grip could be broken. Actually, the reason why the conservative party got attention in Suncheon was that the Democratic Party was poor at nominating a good candidate. As a result, independents and other parties were able to gain good results in the elections. The Suncheon Bay National Garden, which is recognized for its status, is also the result of promotion by Lee Jung-hyun and other independents. There are many workers from conglomerates in Suncheon and Gwangyang. Therefore, the concerns of this constituency are practical, and fewer people are
loyal to the Democratic Party compared to other Honam constituencies. Against this backdrop, it is also worth watching to see whether candidate Lee Jung-hyun of the People Power Party will be elected again and whether he will again be able to open the door of conservatism in Honam.
An Afterword
This interview has provided a chance to look at the issues of this election and how to look at the general election in Gwangju. An election is called the “flower of democracy,” but as Prof. Cho says, I also don’t think this election is that democratic. It is not an election that can listen to the voices of the people and drive diversity but a banner-grabbing game by the two major political parties. Since society is noisy these days over various issues, attention is being drawn to the impending results of this general election. At a time when the heat is hottest because the general election is just around the corner, I hope this article will help clear up readers’ perspectives of the general election.
To sum up by quoting Prof. Cho, “The problem with the Korean election is that it is fundamentally a small electoral system with an extreme political culture and a media that further inflames the fight. On top of that, there is still a deficit in the people’s level of political understanding.” All of these things are chronic problems of Korean politics. But still, if we, the masters of the country, give up on picking someone to lead this country, the future will also be dark. Therefore, everyone, please establish your position and make your vote count in the 22nd general election on April 10, 2024. Your one vote may cause a change in Korea and cause a new wind to blow.
The Interviewer
Park Yeonju is an undergraduate at Chonnam National University, majoring in political science and diplomacy as well as Chinese language and literature. She was born and raised in Gwangju and wants to promote the colorfulness of the city that she has been a part of for so long. Also, she wants to deliver various voices of the world. It is her dream to become a true journalist by inheriting the spirit of May 18.
The Gwangju Subway Extension Where It Currently Stands and What to Expect
By David Jona Richter
If I were to ask anyone who has spent some amount of time in Gwangju over the past few years whether or not they know about Gwangju building a second subway line, I am sure most people would say that they are indeed aware of it, be it because they read about it, heard about it from friends or family, or simply because they were stuck in traffic in their bus or car because of all the construction happening all over the city –nonstop. Long story short, it is nearly impossible to not be made aware of the subway expansion on a daily basis.
If I were to ask about details related to the expansion, then I think most people would have a much harder time – as I did – giving detailed answers. Information, especially if you read your news primarily in English, is somewhat sparse and not as easy to find as one might like, particularly for a project that will have such an impact on so many residents’ everyday lives. And to top it all off, a lot of information is now also outdated and quite convoluted.
With all that being said, I will try to give you an updated overview of where we currently stand and what we can expect regarding the Gwangju subway extension going forward.
As of right now, Gwangju’s subway “system,” if you can call it that, consists of a singular line running
from east to west and vice versa, with stations at Gwangju Songjeong Station in the west, the airport, the Kim Daejung Convention Center, a station about a ten-minute walk from the bus terminal, stations downtown (Geumnam-ro) and at Chosun University in the east. Anyone familiar with the city of Gwangju will notice that while Line 1 does indeed service a number of relevant locations across the city, it fails to be of real use to a vast majority of the city’s residents (an estimated 250,000 residents are currently benefiting from being able to use Line 1). Anyone living in the northern part of Gwangju will most likely barely find the current subway useful to them, with Line 1 running farther south for all of its stops. But the far south also lacks connectivity. With that being said, loads of residents can not really use the subway conveniently and many locations that attract thousands of commuters daily are also without a stop to this day (Chonnam National University, Gwangju National University of Education, Gwangju University, Gwangju Station, the World Cup Stadium, and the surrounding sports complex, etc.)
This is where Line 2 comes into play. Line 2 creates a loop that spans all of the city, from north to east to south to west, while also providing services to the locations listed above. Admittedly, this expansion fails to address the “central” part of the city for the most part, but one would
Map depicting location of planned first, second, and third stages of Subway Line 2.
have to assume that a station should be within a short bus ride for most people, nevertheless, as Gwangju bus lines are also undergoing a rework in accordance with the second subway line.
On top of the loop, the second line will also have a linear branchout going all the way south to Gwangju University. With the addition of the second line, the city estimates that 70 percent
of Gwangju’s residents will now be positively impacted by the Subway Lines 1 and 2.
To get a detailed overview of all stops introduced in the Line 2 expansion (see map).
When searching for information about when and how the second line will start operation, the information becomes sparser and starts varying a
lot more. Originally the subway was slated to be opened in three stages (the southern part of the loop being Stage 1, the northern half being Stage 2, and the southern linear stations making up the third stage). Stage 1 was intended to be opened in 2023, the second stage was set to follow a year later, with the entirety of Line 2 being opened to the public in 2025. It is April of 2024 now, and I would be extremely surprised if anyone has already ridden Line 2 to work, as we are still years from completion, meaning these original dates have been missed and by quite a bit.
While it seems as if construction started on time in 2019, the opening dates have now been pushed back to 2026, 2029, and a later date for the first, second, and third stages (more on the third stage later), respectively, with the city’s homepage listing 2030 as the final completion date. While COVID-19 might have played a role in these delays (even though at the time reports stated that construction was progressing smoothly despite the epidemic), that alone could not be the cause for this five-year pushback. Changes in the way the subway should be constructed, higher safety standards, as well as increased costs have also contributed to the increased delay that we are now experiencing. But then again, this should not come as a big surprise to anyone, because when has a construction project, especially one of this size, ever been finished on time?
It should also not be surprising to hear that the project is also having some financial problems, which, as stated earlier, are already contributing to the current delay. Phase 2 of the project, the northern half-loop, has yet to start construction (although a groundbreaking ceremony was held last December), also on the basis of the project bids exceeding the budget, three of the subsections are still up for bid (meaning those subsections are not being worked on at all to this day). This comes after a request for increased funding was granted at only 70 percent of the requested amount. And the financial troubles are also threatening the third stage altogether. Stage 3 was intended to cost 200 billion won originally, but it’s now expected to be three times that amount. On top of this, only around 500
million won is now being allocated for the third stage. This has led to talks over whether or not the third stage will be constructed at all. Talks are scheduled for sometime this year (alternatives to Stage 3 being the incorporation of that part of track into a future Line 3, or replacing it with a different rail system all together, e.g., hydrogen powered trams).
Currently Line 1 includes a total of 20 stations along a 20.6 kilometer track, which was constructed in two stages between 1996 and 2007, with the first stage being opened in 2004 and the second one following suit in 2008. Line 2, as it is being built now, deviates from the original five-line plan that was supposed to be built along Line 1 years ago but was eventually scrapped due to the financial crisis that hit Korea. The new version of Line 2 will eventually span across 41.8 additional kilometers, consisting of 44 stations (of which 4.8 km and 6 stations would belong to the southern “Hyocheon” section). A third line is currently being conceptualized, with plans expected to be finalized this December.
All in all, the answer to the question for more details about the subway expansion remains a tricky one. Many things are still somewhat up in the air (some more than others). As with so many other things, it seems as if all we can do is wait and see where this whole thing will go.
The Author
David Jona Richter, born and raised in the very south of Germany, is a current graduate student at Chonnam National University. Before coming to Korea in late 2022, he spent about three years in the U.S. midwest in Chicago. Besides his studies, he tries to engage in local communities in Gwangju and Korea.
The End of Koryo Cement
By Isaiah Winters
Jangseong’s Concrete Giant Shutters After 61 Years, Raising New Questions for the Site’s Future
Established in 1962, Koryo Cement (고려
시멘트) in Jangseong is finally closing its doors to mixed fanfare. In this edition of “Lost,” I’ll take a look at what the cement plant’s closure means for the factory’s sprawling site and explore one of the area’s abandoned relics with my good friend Ryan Berkebile on our last urban exploring adventure together in Korea before his permanent return home to the United States.
If you’ve ever traversed the highway tunnel connecting Gwangju to Jangseong, you’ve surely seen the pair of bleak, industrial cement facilities flanking the Jangseong Overpass (장성육교). Appearing like a cold, clunky anachronism, the imposing plant had long been on my radar for high risk of closure, and after recently researching a nearby ruin, it seems that day has finally come.
Koryo Cement as it stands today.
My curiosity was sparked after a recent trip to the area with Ryan, where I brought him to a massive ancestral shrine made of concrete that I’d been saving for his final urbex farewell. It’s certainly the largest abandoned shrine I’ve ever found, and its reliance overwhelmingly on concrete rather than the usual assortment of wood, brick, and concrete as construction materials got me wondering if there was a connection to the towering concrete plant just up the road. After finding virtually no clues on site, I expected my Google-fu would later fill in the gaps.
Before I could rush home to research the structure in detail, my mind conjured up all sorts of potential backstories, like some moneyed concrete baron constructing the shrine in his heyday as an ostentatious display of wealth and influence to impress the other concrete tycoons in his social circle. Unfortunately, as much as I’d hoped to discover some breathless tale behind the rise and fall of this unprecedentedly large abandonment, my search turned up absolutely
nothing – just a dead-end address. However, one thing my search did hit upon was the end of Koryo Cement’s 61-year operation in the area, so we’ll run with that.
Koryo Cement began under the name Seoul Cement Manufacturing in 1962 and switched to its current name in 1970, which is around the time when it expanded its facilities to include what was then the largest kiln furnace in all of Korea. Though the plant brought stable jobs to the area, it perturbed many of Jangseong’s residents with its history of blasting operations up in the hills, which created dust, vibrations, and noise. The added annoyance of heavy industrial traffic in the area has led some residents to call for compensation for damages incurred over time, though seemingly to no avail.
Apparently, the company used explosives to access the hillside’s limestone, which is a common material for cement manufacturing. However, the limestone in Jangseong is said to
The scale of Jangseong’s abandoned concrete behemoth is unlike that of any other shrine I’ve found.
be inferior to that of Hwasun and elsewhere in the region, and production processes involving limestone are the least carbon neutral, emitting more than 60 percent of cement companies’ total greenhouse gas emissions.1 As a result, Koryo Cement switched to mainly processing limestone collected from other regions rather than mining and excavating it locally, so the need for the aging facility to remain in Jangseong decreased year by year, while pressure to shut it down persisted.
In July 2023, after marathon negotiations between management and union workers, Koryo Cement was officially closed, with its 80 unionized workers given 22 months’ salary as compensation on condition of retirement.2 The remaining 40 or so irregular workers were fired overnight without compensation.3 Some of the unionized workers may be rehired once the company’s relocation to the Daebul Industrial Complex near Mokpo is complete, but just how many will make the cut is still undecided. For now, the Jangseong plant still has a local mining permit until May 2024, so future plans for workers and the shuttered facility will likely be decided after then.
One proposal for the Jangseong facility’s redevelopment includes a mix of residential, commercial, tourism, and recreational facilities that would be funded half by Koryo Cement and half by Jangseong County.2 This is the most likely way forward, though everything’s still up in the air for now. As for efforts to preserve some of the old cement factory’s long and checkered history, one idea is to turn the site’s underground tunnels into a tourist site,1 while another idea is to go even further by preserving part of the factory’s ugly infrastructure and turning it over to the local culture and arts community so they can make something of it.4 I’m more attracted to the latter two ideas, which pretty much guarantees they won’t happen. So, visit Jangseong soon and bask in the rusty glory of the old Koryo Cement factory before the eyesore is gone for good.
to its immense size, the concrete shrine is unique for its loyalty to hanok-inspired motifs.
Sources
1 Jangseong Citizens Solidarity. (2023, July 1). 영욕의 역사 60년... 고려시멘트 항구적 영업종료 [60-year history of glory and shame... Koryo Cement permanently closes business]. https:// www.jssimin.org/news/articleView.html?idxno=1600
2 Sisa Journal. (2023, July 5). ‘50년 역사’ 고려시멘트 장성공장 내달 문 닫는다 [‘50-year history’ Koryo Cement Jangseong factory closes next month]. https://www.sisajournal.com/news/ articleView.html?idxno=267258
3 Byeon, D. (2023, July 9). 고려시멘트 7월 말 완전 폐쇄, 노사합의 [Koryo Cement to close completely at end of July, labor-management agreement]. Jangseong Citizens Newspaper. http://www.jsnews.co.kr/ news/articleView.html?idxno=206742
4 Choi, H. (2024, February 5).세심원지기변동해“고려시멘트부지보존해야” [Sesimwon manager changes, “Koryo Cement site must be preserved”]. Jangseong Today. http://www.jstnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno =9667
The Author Hailing from Chino, California, Isaiah Winters is a pixel-stained wretch who loves writing about Gwangju and Honam, warts and all. He’s grateful to have written for the Gwangju News for over six years. More of his unique finds can be seen on Instagram @d.p.r.kwangju and YouTube at Lost in Honam.
In addition
A view of the shrine’s main building beyond the front gate.
Gwangyang’s Plum Blossom Festival
A Celebration of Spring and Sustainability
By Zhang Jiuzhou
The plum (maehwa) blossom festivals are a symbol of spring, and the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival opens the door to spring, marking the beginning of spring celebrations in South Korea. It is held centered around the Seomjin Riverside Plum Farm. With over 300,000 square meters of plum blossom clusters, it creates a fantastic spectacle, with beautiful white plum blossoms blooming on every branch.
The event attracts over a million visitors every year. The 23rd Gwangyang Maehwa Festival this year took place from March 8 to 17. Despite the still cold March weather, the plum blossoms here were still in full bloom, filling the air with spring vibes. The themes for this year were “Gwangyang Plum Blossoms, Containing K-Culture” and “With the Arrival of Plum Blossoms, Spring Has Come.” Tickets were priced at 5,000 won and could be fully used as a voucher for goods.
Traveling along the Seomjin River, villages with plum trees can be seen everywhere. Farmers plant plum trees in the mountains instead of grains. When March comes, white plum blossoms bloom spectacularly, resembling a snowfall, creating a stunning sight. The gentle river breeze and clear mist make it suitable for plum tree cultivation. Plums are a clean fruit that does not require pesticides. Each village produces over 100 tons of plums annually. Plum Farm is the earliest largescale plum tree orchard in Korea, with a wellestablished plum tree community.
On the Saturday schedule, between 1 and 2 pm, was an activity in front of the Plum Blossom Cultural Center involving a barefoot standing competition on ice and advocated by environmentalists. By standing on the ice – symbolizing glacier melt – it aimed to raise awareness of the seriousness of global warming
and its impact on the Earth and its environment. Last year, Gwangyang City passed the Carbon Neutrality and Green Development Basic Plan, hoping to become a sustainable development city by achieving carbon neutrality, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 2018 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
It is said that international environmental activist Cho Seung-hwan broke the world record by successfully standing barefoot on the ice for 4 hours and 50 minutes at the opening ceremony of the Maehwa Festival on the 8th. All visitors can register onsite, and winners can receive exquisite souvenirs provided by the event organizer. Participants take turns standing on the crystalclear ice blocks, challenging their limits of cold endurance.
Most participants persisted for about 20 minutes, completing the required maximum time. Among them were visitors of all ages, who, through their actions, fulfilled the pursuit of carbon neutrality. Couples, fathers and daughters, successively took to the stage, encouraging each other to complete this glorious and noble challenge.
The event host worked hard to liven up the atmosphere, trying to concentrate the participants’ attention to get them as close to their limits as possible while reminding them to gauge their capabilities for their safety and health.
Nearby, the Maehwa Cultural Center records the history of Gwangyang and Korea’s plum blossoms – plum blossoms, along with orchids, chrysanthemums, and bamboo, are collectively known as the Four Gentlemen, symbolizing the integrity of a righteous person. This is because plum blossoms bloom in early spring, braving the cold. In the Joseon Dynasty period, the famous poet Kim Si-seup (1435–1493), pennamed Maewoldang (매월당), wrote a renowned poem about plum blossoms. The 1,000-won bill features a portrait of Toegye, Yi Hwang and a plum blossom pattern. The back of the 50,000won bill features a portrait of Sin Saimdang and the Wolmae-do (월매도, plum blossom painting)
by the mid-Joseon calligrapher Eom Mongryong.
Walking up the mountain from the Maehwa Cultural Center, it’s all plum blossoms along the way. Bring a camera; this is a great place for photography. There’s a pavilion halfway up the mountain, hanging onto the mountain and overlooking the array of the plum blossoms below. To leave a memory here, a hundred people patiently wait in line nearby.
Apart from the culinary journey experience, there’s also a direct sales market for agricultural products at the festival site, where you can purchase fresh farm products at low prices.
If there’s a suggestion for improvement for the event, it would be the common problem of largescale events: parking congestion. Although there are traffic guides onsite, there isn’t a reasonable and timely plan for parking positions and methods. The distance between cars leads to a lot of wasted space. Also, because the festival provides walking avenues for visitors, the road directly from the event site to downtown Gwangyang is blocked, forcing visitors to detour through Hadong, adding about an hour to the journey. It’s hoped that the relevant departments can make adjustments to allow the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival to attract more attention from foreigners and attract more visitors in the future.
Gwangyang Maehwa Festival (광양매화축제)
Address: Maehwa Village, Daab-myeon, Gwangyang 광양 다압면 매화마을 일원
The Author Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius) is from Harbin, China. He began writing in 2022 and has contributed to the Chinese media in Gwangju. He is pursuing a master’s degree in media and communication, and is responsible for the Chinese Students Association at Chonnam National University.
Dune: Part Two
Review by Julien Laheurt
One and Indivisible
Dune: Part Two opens where the first opus left off, with Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) having been accepted by Stilgar (Javier Bardem) into his group of Fremen warriors. Unlike the previous movie, which mainly focuses on the downfall of House Atreides, this second opus immerses us in the Fremen, the indigenous society of Arakkis. At the beginning of Part Two, Paul has fallen down the social ladder, from the legitimate heir of Arakkis to a mere fugitive trying to survive in a new and hostile environment. The movie explores at least two main themes: belief, through one of its multiple modalities; religion; and identity, through the journey of Paul Atreides, an Anakin Skywalkerin-disguise and the principal protagonist of the movie.
Paul, Muad’dib, and the Kwisatz Haderach
One of the main themes explored in Part Two is Paul Atreides’s quest for identity and purpose. Paul is the son of Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), Duke of House Atreides, who was sent in Part One to Arakkis by the Emperor Shaddam IV to oversee the “spice” (name given to a precious narcotic only found on this planet) industry. After the death of Leto, killed during a blitz orchestrated by the Harkonnen (rival house to the Atreides) to seize control of the planet, Paul is left fatherless, without a home to dwell in or a fiefdom to rule.
Stranded in the desert with his mother Jessica, the second survivor of House Atreides, they are eventually rescued by the Fremen, who view Paul as “Lisan al-Gaib,” a prophesied figure who is to liberate Arakkis from its colonizers and return the planet to them. However, Paul rejects this role,
as he only desires to assimilate with Fremen by espousing their customs, learning the “way of the desert,” and thus, abandoning his duties as heir to House Atreides. He is encouraged to follow this path by Chani (Zendaya), a Fremen who develops a sentimental relationship with him and comes from a clan that does not believe in the Lisan al-Gaib prophecy. Gradually earning the trust of even the most skeptical Fremen, Paul is fully embraced by them and adopts his own Fremen name: Muad’dib, the “desert mouse.”
Paul, now reborn as Muad’dib, eventually becomes the leader of a guerilla resistance against Harkonnen rule in Arakkis, posing a threat to the spice industry. Meanwhile, Jessica, having undergone the “spice agony” (a ritual that consists
of drinking sandworm blood, referred to as the “water of life” in Fremen society), becomes the new Reverend Mother of Arakkis and flees to the southern part of the planet where she embraces her newfound position as a religious leader. From her sanctuary, she urges Paul, still engaged in battle in the north against the Harkonnen, to join her to undergo the same ritual she endured, as it is a crucial step to fulfill another prophecy – that of the Kwisatz Haderach.
When God Turns into a Monster
In a convergence of prophecies, Paul “Muad’dib” Atreides emerges as not only the Lisan al-Gaib of the Fremen, but also the Kwisatz Haderach, a messiah bred by the Bene Gesserit to rule the Empire. The Kwisatz Haderach is a demiurge deity, able to foretell the future and comprehend the past of all humanity. Jessica, herself a member of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood and Paul’s mother, is tasked with guiding him to drink the sacred “water of life” to awaken his abilities. Despite the skepticism of many Fremen, including his mate Chadi, Paul embarks on a journey southward to reunite with his mother. There, he undergoes the ordeal of the water of life, unlocking his power and proving he is indeed the messiah.
Paul’s ascension to the Kwisatz Haderach marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, presenting him with a moral dilemma: fighting for the freedom of the Fremen, as Paul/Muad’dib against the rule of the Harkonnen colonizers on Arakkis, or embracing his destiny as a messiah, by overthrowing the emperor, then entering into a holy war against unbelievers in the name of the Bene Gesserit.
Opting for the latter, Paul becomes the religious and political leader of the Fremen, leveraging the Lisan al-Gaib prophecy to induce them to fight a holy army before launching a decisive assault against the troops of the Harkonnen and the Empire. Emerging victorious from battle, he coerces the abdication of the current emperor, Shaddam IV, by threatening to halt all spice production. To seal his newly obtained grasp on power, he demands the hand of the former emperor’s daughter in marriage, a decision that causes a rupture with
Chadi. After that, he eventually leads a devastating holy war, causing the death of 61 million persons, including many Fremens he was originally supposed to protect.
The Authors
Julien Laheurte is a French literary translator who has been residing in South Korea for the past two years. After the completion of his master’s degree in Seoul, he moved to Gwangju with the intention of delving deeper into the history of the May 1980 democracy movement. His goal is to translate literary works that shed light on this pivotal moment in Korean history.
Thank You, Good Samaritans!
By Park Nahm-Sheik
We all owe ever so much to good Samaritans. Without them, we’d all be lonesome and miserable. It would be like we are left abandoned in the middle of a desert. Fortunately for us, Samaritans are always there for us whenever we are in dire straits. When need is highest, help is sure to be nighest.
In my prime, I used to think that there was nothing I couldn’t possibly handle all by myself. I must have been a very cocky guy. That sort of arrogant persona certainly must have been quite off-putting. Not many people, especially youngsters of my age, would have cared to be friends with me.
Doing good can be a twoway street so that we can be either the beneficiary of the good deed in question or the benefactor.
“ “
Going back to the main topic now, I should like to recall a bit about a few Samaritans who have crossed paths with me over the last sixty years or so. My teens ranging over the 1950s were a turbulent period riddled with all sorts of hardships. Abject poverty was the norm throughout. In the first place, food was scarce and hard to come by most of the time. We often had to do without a decent meal for days on end. Handouts were often all we had to count on and be content with.
Relief clothing from abroad was about all we could afford to put on our backs going to school. Thankfully, it helped protect us from the elements. Hand-me-downs, usually of the hand-sewn kind, were among clothes of choice for those who were a little better off.
Relief food also played a key part in helping relieve us from the shackle of hunger. Especially welcome
The Good Samaritan, 1633 by Rembrandt.
were relief packages containing corned beef, chicken, and canned fish. Particularly welcome to school-age children were chewing gum, cookies, candy, and milk. It should be clear from what’s been said here that most of the good Samaritans in question were from outside of Korea.
Early in the third decade of my life, which overlapped the 1960s, I got called up for service in the Korean military. As an army recruit, I lucked out and got a rather comfy assignment as an in-person English-language tutor for the commanding general of my division and his spouse. Fortunately for me, the CG and his wife found me and my English to their liking. Early on, the empathetic CG wished to know if I had any plans to pursue advanced studies in the United States. Of course, a chance like that would have been a godsend. And I said as much, except that one insurmountable hurdle stood in my way, which was guilt by association.
In those “days of yore,” a single left-leaning member of a family was enough to render the rest of the family officially left-leaning too. And being thus deemed left of center by itself automatically disqualified the “guilty party,” from any fair shot at anything held in high esteem in Korean society.
Moved by the checkered story of my life up to that point, the general offered to be my savior of his own accord. He promised on the spot to help release me from the guilt-by-association shackle asap. Sure enough, the clearance was forthcoming in short order. With that clearance secured, I was able to proceed to file papers for studies in the United States on a U.S. government scholarship grant.
Before long, I was able to go to the University of Hawaii at Manoa on an East-West Center fellowship. Luckily, I was able to link up with a dozen or so elite scholars from Korea, including two from Seoul National University. Later on, they made up my “trumpet section” with the Personnel Committee on Academic Appointments at SNU. They did so of their own volition, of course.
Without the commanding general and the two SNU academics, I never could have imagined making it across the huge gulf between SNU and myself. Without this trio of good Samaritans, an SNU professorship would have forever been mere pie in the sky for me.
By the way, doing good can be a two-way street so that we can be either the beneficiary of the good deed in question or the benefactor. In this context, the Bible teaches us the precious wisdom of it being far more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). “Give and send, and God will send” is a popular saying that communicates essentially the same message. It may be one of the points where the spiritual realm intersects with the nonspiritual.
Doing good for fellow human beings is a supreme virtue. It is also doing good for everyone around us. Doing good, therefore, turns out to be its own reward at the end of the day and is a one-of-a-kind fountain head of charity for all humanity, which consistently nourishes and enriches the global environment as well.
Countless Samaritans have crossed my path over some eighty-five years of my life as a planetary wanderer. I will be forever grateful that I, just an ordinary earthling, have been blessed with such profuse divine grace all my life. Let me always be mindful that as long as good Samaritans are on board my fleet, everything will be A-okay, and I’ll be able to securely navigate the path of my life.
The Author
Park Nahm-sheik has a BA in English from Chonnam National University, an MA in linguistics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, U.S.A., and a PhD in applied linguistics from Georgetown University. He is now professor emeritus after a long and illustrious career at Seoul National University as well as president emeritus of the International Graduate School of English in Seoul.
GFN’s K-Pop Fiesta Towards an International Gwangju
By Yousra Feriel Drioua
The Gwangju News has continuously made efforts to introduce foreign-friendly entities in Gwangju. One of the most prominently documented ones in our magazine is GFN, the Gwangju Foreign Language Network. GFN aims to foster a positive and welcoming community for expats residing in Gwangju specifically and in Korea overall. It is Gwangju’s representative English radio station, which has both local and international staff. We have recently conducted an interview with one of the newer GFN team members, Miss Seon Hyemin. It went as follows:
Yousra: I heard that you’ve recently joined the GFN team. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Seon: Well, it’s been almost three years. I work as a producer at GFN on the music program K-Pop Fiesta.
Yousra: Can you talk to us about your show? What is it about, and what do you believe sets it apart from other shows?
Seon: Alongside my wonderful colleagues Dave and Lindsey, we produce a live music show every day from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. during lunchtime, where we talk about everything related to K-pop for our listeners. GFN is a radio station broadcasting in the Gwangju–Jeollanam-do region, but our K-Pop Fiesta show is broadcast nationwide through Seoul TBS eFM and Busan beFM. It’s an engaging program that covers not only the latest news in K-pop but also stories about lesser-known aspects of K-pop that captivate the audience.
Yousra: What excites you the most about your role at GFN, and what makes radio broadcasting so special to you? Is there any story behind it?
Seon: It’s most exciting and motivating for me to know that many people, living in different parts of the country and unrelated to each other, spend their lunchtime listening to our program as part of their daily routine. It makes our team happy when many listeners share their opinions about their favorite K-pop artists and request some lesser-known K-pop music.
Yousra: What are some of the goals you’ve set for your show? What do you wish to achieve through it?
On the air at GFN Gwangju.
Seon: I hope our program gains more recognition and evolves into a popular show where we can invite actual K-pop stars or engage in conversations with them.
Yousra: In an ever-evolving media landscape, especially considering the rising popularity of podcasts and music streaming services, how is GFN keeping its programming fresh for its listeners?
Seon: With the advancement of podcasts and music streaming services, some argue that there’s less need for traditional radio broadcasting. However, the appeal of radio broadcasting lies in its real-time interaction between listeners, hosts, and producers from anywhere. It’s not just about one-way information delivery but also about asking questions, exchanging opinions about K-pop, and enjoying music together.
Yousra: The Gwangju News has conducted a few interviews with previous GFN personnel and staff. Something they all agree on is that GFN strives to create a sense of connection and understanding among Korean and expat communities. Based on your observations, how do you believe GFN is carrying this message?
Seon: Through radio programs and local events hosted by GFN, there’s a significant presence of foreign exchange students and expatriates in the Gwangju area. The relationship between the foreign community and GFN can be considered quite strong, given our efforts to create broadcasts with a local flavor and provide information about events, news, and updates in various languages to foreigners. I believe GFN plays an essential role in transforming Gwangju into an international city.
Yousra: Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of GFN, both in terms of its programming and its role within the Gwangju community?
Seon: GFN serves as a platform to showcase the unique culture and charm of the Gwangju region to the nation and the world. Amidst the changing media landscape, we’re striving to reach out to more citizens not only through radio but also
through new media content, aiming for greater accessibility. Additionally, we’re preparing shortform educational content to improve the language skills of local citizens.
Yousra: Last but not least, what are your longterm aspirations for your career at GFN, and how do you see yourself evolving as a producer and host in the years to come?
Seon: Firstly, I aim to elevate the K-Pop Fiesta program I currently manage into a nationally recognized K-pop specialist program. Through this, I hope to expand the influence of Gwangju media by developing it into a broadcasting platform where various foreign listeners in Gwangju and nationwide can communicate about K-pop.
Yousra: To wrap it all up, is there any personal advice you’d like to leave for those readers who are looking to kick off their career in broadcasting or journalism?
Seon: For those aspiring to pursue careers in journalism or broadcasting, I’d like to emphasize that every experience, no matter what it is, contributes to content production. I believe that the more you read, watch, meet, and learn, the better you become as a producer.
That is it for Miss Seon’s take on K-Pop Fiesta at GFN. As hinted at during the interview, efforts made by each entity that welcomes foreigners or works to enhance their experience in Gwangju can truly transform the city into an international one. No matter which part of Korea you’re in as you read this piece, I hope you’ve enjoyed it and that you’ll tune in to K-Pop Fiesta at lunchtime!
The Author
Yousra Feriel Drioua is a 24-year-old Algerian living in South Korea. She’s a GKS-G scholar majoring in mass communication and journalism. She refers to herself as a global citizen and is an active community member. In her free time, she enjoys barista training, writing, having intriguing conversations, and going on adventures. Instagram: @myyilgi
Shrouded in Mystery The Enigmatic Cults of South Korea
By Kidest Tefera
Beneath the glamour of K-pop and the zeal of technological advancement, in the bustling metropolises and serene countryside of South Korea, is a lesser-known aspect of society – the mysterious realm of cults. Cults in Korea have captivated the attention of many with their intricate histories, captivating leaders, and loyal adherents; nonetheless, they continue to be surrounded by mystery and controversy.
According to one estimate, there are at least 300 cults in existence in South Korea, an astonishing figure that illustrates the extent of their power. In the early 2000s, there were an estimated 300,000 adherents to roughly 100 pseudo-religious cults in South Korea, according to the Korean National Council of Churches. A few of these
cults have been charged with defrauding their adherents of substantial quantities of money and utilizing violence to enforce conformity among its members. Religious organizations with clear, compelling beliefs that provided consolation and redemption during periods of extreme unpredictability have found success in South Korea. A unique understanding of the way to both material and spiritual wealth has been professed in more recent iterations; this message strikes a chord in a culture that fiercely values status and competition.
“There are at least 300 cults in existence in South Korea, an astonishing figure that illustrates the extent of their power.”
In South Korea, a technologically advanced country, religious devotion is common. The majority are members of mainstream churches, which have the power to amass riches and power when tens of thousands of members give up to 10 percent of their earnings in donations. However, there are also many fringe groups in the nation. Analysts estimate that some 60 people believe they are divine, and some of these groups have been linked to force, fraud, indoctrination, and other practices common to cults around the world.
The number of cults in South Korea today is unknown, but estimates of the number of fringe churches and groups that have been labeled as such range from dozens to several hundred. The most evil have been connected to crimes as terrible as rape committed in a systematic manner. Numerous groups espouse a kind of spiritual nationalism that views Koreans as God’s chosen people and are messianic, with a charismatic leader claiming godlike status. They are also strongly Korea-centric.
The head of the Korea Christian Heresy Research Institute, Park Hyung-tak, estimates that two million individuals belong to cults. He stated, “There are about sixty Christian-based cult leaders in this nation who declare themselves to be God or the second coming of Jesus Christ. … Many cults use megachurches embroiled in scandals and corruption to draw attention to themselves and emphasize their own purported purity.” Professor of religious studies at Seoul National University, Sung Hae-young defended the groups, arguing that their adherents have the freedom to practice their beliefs, preach, and proselytize as they see fit. Sung claims that “established churches with so-called traditional theologies use the terms ‘cult’ and ‘pseudoreligion’ to denounce sects and organizations that hold different doctrines from their own.”
But there is a darker side to religious passion and spiritual aspirations that lies beneath the surface. As a current college attendee, I have personally observed the deceptive strategies employed by
cult recruiters on campus. They prey on tourists and newcomers by approaching students under the pretense of being English study partners or hosting exclusive events for foreigners in an effort to grow their numbers. It is imperative that visitors and foreign students who are unfamiliar with the city approach such people with care and mistrust.
“There is a darker side to religious passion and spiritual aspirations that lies beneath the surface.”
It’s important to stay on the lookout for these groups’ motives and maintain vigilance despite their attraction of joining and salvation. Numerous resources are accessible for people who want to learn more about the subject. Numerous educational movies explaining the inner workings of Korean cults can be found on YouTube. Furthermore, the Netflix documentary “In the Name of God, A Holy Betrayal” provides insightful information about the debates and complexities surrounding cults in the nation. The phenomena of cults continues to serve as a devastating reminder of the force of belief and the perils of unbridled influence as Korea struggles with the interaction between tradition and modernity. Society can only expect to traverse the muddy seas of cult activity and protect its members from possible harm by increasing knowledge, education, and vigilance.
The Author Kidest Tefera, an MBA student at Chonnam National University, has resided in Gwangju for a year and a half. Hailing from Ethiopia, she delves into literature, cultural exploration, and sociology, passionately immersing herself in Korean culture’s societal intricacies.
Visit Pyeongchon: The Village of Villages
By Nguyen Doan Truc Anh “Anne”
Gwangju, a city famous for its natural ecosystems, has been on a transformative journey to elevate the Pyeongchon Village to a designated “ecotourism destination.” This project integrates the village’s outstanding natural beauty with nearby treasures such as the Buncheong Ceramics Exhibition Hall, the Hwanbyeok-dang garden pavilion, and Soswaewon garden, establishing it as a center for ecological exploration.
“It is clear that this village, within the city limits, holds a treasure trove of hidden charms waiting to be discovered.”
Gwangju’s village of Pyeongchon, situated on the northern slopes of Mudeung Mountain, stands as a peaceful stop just 30 minutes away from the bustling city center of Gwangju. Located within the forested embrace of the mountain, Pyeongchon (평촌) offers a combination of serenity and cultural richness. Dongnim, Daman, Useong, and Dangmoe are the four separate villages that make up this small community. Despite its small size – with only 113 friendly folks living in 44 households – this village is packed with charm and unique experiences.
This place has earned recognition for its commitment to environmental preservation, cultivating eco-friendly rice fields, and hosting the Punam-cheon stream, which serves as a
haven for otters and fireflies. The village proudly upholds its historical significance as a former producer of grayish-blue-powdered celadon during the Joseon Dynasty period, continuing the tradition of pottery-making to this day. On a village street corner, the Mudol-gil (무돌길) shelter offers a peaceful spot for tourists to relax before heading to Mudeung Mountain.
Once arrived, visitors are greeted by the warm hospitality of the local community and the village’s distinctive architectural features, which reflect its rich historical background. One of the standout attractions of Pyeongchon is the variety of hands-on experiences it offers, providing visitors with the opportunity to engage in traditional crafts and cultural activities. From pottery-making workshops at the pottery studio to immersive one-day tours showcasing rural life and seasonal agricultural practices, there is something to captivate every traveler’s interest. Whether participating in the ancient art of seokbakji (섞박지, radish kimchi) preparation or
savoring the aromatic flavors of freshly brewed floral teas, visitors can discover the village’s cultural heritage and culinary delights. While some activities require a minimum of twenty participants and advanced booking, others welcome smaller groups or individual travelers.
Depending on the weather, Pyeongchon’s cherry blossom season usually begins in late March or early April. The trees are at their most beautiful at this time of year, releasing petals like confetti and heralding the arrival of warmer days to come. What makes Pyeongchon special during this time of year isn’t just the cherry blossoms themselves but the setting they’re in. Pictureperfect Baekun-san forms a stunning mountain backdrop, enhancing the beauty of the blossoms against its verdant slopes. As you wander through Pyeongchon during this season, you will be greeted by more than just pretty flowers. The air carries the scent of spring, mingled with the earthy aroma of freshly picked greens. Along the village streets, locals sell baskets overflowing
with wild herbs and vegetables, a testament to the village’s deep connection to nature and its bounty.
It is clear that this village, within the city limits, holds a treasure trove of hidden charms waiting to be discovered. Whether you are wandering through the cherry blossom-lined streets, savoring the flavors of local cuisine, or immersing yourself in cultural experiences, Pyeongchon invites you to slow down, connect with nature, and embrace the simple pleasures of life.
The Author
Anh Nguyen (Anne) has been living in Gwangju for almost five years now, studying journalism and communication at Chosun University. She fell in love with the city’s beautiful views, rich history, diverse culture, and delicious food. Her goal is to share her love of Gwangju and introduce its stunning natural scenery and attractions to everyone.
The Anatomy of a Good Lesson
By David Shaffer
Amajor part of any teacher’s activities is preparing and teaching lessons. But if pressed with the question “What makes up a good, well-rounded EFL lesson?” one might be hard-pressed to come up with a satisfactory response. Just saying something like “Well, for today, that would be Lesson 3 in the coursebook” is inadequate. Here we will consider several of the components that a good, well-structured lesson would contain – an anatomical exploration of sorts.
Warm-up Activity
The purpose of a warm-up activity is not to present new material; it’s to get the learners into the right mindset to work in English from the beginning of the class – sort of like letting a car engine warm up before shifting into a gear.
The warm-up activity should also set a positive participatory mood for learning. The activity should be engaging, relevant to the lesson topic, and help activate students’ background knowledge or language skills.
Let’s say that the core coursebook lesson deals with dining at a restaurant. One possible warmup activity focusing on vocabulary and related to food would be a word-association activity. Simply write “food” on the board and elicit different foods from the learners. As the learners are volunteering foods (e.g., pasta, soup, kimchi, bananas, hamburger), the teacher writes the words on the board, placing them in groups. Next, the teacher can ask why the learner offered the word they did, hoping for sentential responses.
Another, even simpler, warm-up that I have often employed, when taking class attendance is required, is to have the students answer with something other than “here” when calling the roll. For example, the roll-call prompt could be “Give me one or two adjectives that describe your weekend.” To make it a bit more challenging, you can tell them not to repeat any of their classmates’ responses. Such vocabulary warm-ups as these can produce words and structures new or yet unlearned by some classmates.
Review of Previous Material
Next in conducting a well-organized lesson comes a review of previously introduced material.
Creating a lesson plan. (AI-generated graphic)
There are numerous reasons for a review of material in previous lessons. For one, it reinforces learning. Reviewing previous material helps reinforce the language skills (e.g., pronunciation, vocabulary, structures) and concepts (e.g., tenses, imperatives, conditionals) that learners have already been introduced to. Repetition is key to language acquisition, and revisiting previously learned material helps solidify understanding and retention. In addition, it aids in the retention of knowledge and building upon a foundation. By reviewing previous material, learners can retain and recall important linguistic structures and vocabulary more effectively.
Revisiting somewhat familiar material can also boost learners’ confidence in their language abilities. It provides them with opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and mastery of previously learned concepts, and confidence is always a big motivator for learners to continue their learning. Regular review is also helpful to teachers in that it allows them an opportunity to monitor the progress of their learners. The teacher can assess class and individual learners’ progress and identify areas where they may need additional support.
An interactive and engaging activity that we might employ for the review of previous material is one that we can call Verbal Charades. A set of verbs, each in, say, present participle form (e.g., dancing, strolling, sleeping) can be written on pieces of paper. The class forms teams and one team member acts out the word. If the team guesses the word within the time limit, they earn a point. Try to include review words that may also be useful in the upcoming restaurant lesson (e.g., eating, cooking, sitting, buying). Be sure to address any learner questions or uncertainties that might arise from material in the previous lesson.
Introduction of New Material
It goes without saying that introducing new material is of key importance in a lesson plan. There are numerous excellent ways that new material can be introduced: Conceptualization is
one. By employing conceptualization techniques, teachers can provide students with meaningful contexts and experiences that enhance comprehension, retention, and application of the new language material. In introducing the p–f pronunciation dichotomy, for example, minimal pairs can be introduced (e.g., pan/fan, pin/fin, pork/fork). In addition to allowing the learners to hear the difference in pronunciation, the pronunciation can be accompanied with pictures of the item being articulated.
Pictures and other visual aids (charts, videos, infographics, etc.) are another effective way of introducing new material. For the p–f distinction, we could show the class picture pairs and have them say “This is a pan” “That is a fan.” Or where feasible, we could bring in realia rather than settle for pictures. Bring in a real pan and a real fan, and if the lesson is food-related, you can bring in actual foods. The more realistic or authentic the materials are, the more senses are activated, and the more retention of the new material takes place.
Interactive activities play an important role in introducing new material as well as in other parts of a well-organized lesson. This includes interaction between and among the learners, as well as between the teacher and the class. Pair work, group work, role-plays, games, and group discussions are all excellent interactive activities. For our very simple p–f discrimination activity, we could do pair work where the dyad members take turns pronouncing the pictures and/or realia, talk about them, and then pass them on to the next dyad. Interactive activities encourage active participation and create opportunities for students to practice using the new language in context, creating learner interest and new material retention.
New material should be presented in its aural form first. (After all, in learning our L1, didn’t we first hear new language before attempting to say it?) In the classroom, the teacher can, and should, model the new material for the students: “pan – fan,” “pork – fork”; “This is my pork –That is my fork.” This helps the students to better
understand the correct usage/pronunciation and builds confidence in their own abilities. Let’s now go one step further to a related technique of introducing new material: storytelling. Tell a story – real or made up – or an anecdote that incorporates the language or concepts that the students will be learning: “Then he ate his pork with his fork,” “I saw the pan beside the fan.” Stories capture students’ interest, stimulate the imagination, and provide meaningful context for the new material.
Making comparisons is another technique that we can draw on to introduce new material. These comparisons relate the new material to the students’ existing knowledge to facilitate understanding (e.g., “How are a fast food restaurant, a buffet restaurant, and a fine dining restaurant different? How are they similar?”). When possible, comparisons can also be drawn between an item in English and one in the students L1 (e.g., English fork and Korean pok for the same eating utensil).
In our discussion of a good EFL lesson, we have gone from the beginning-of-the-lesson warmup all the way through the presentation of the new material, but if our lesson is to be a “good” lesson, we cannot conclude here. There is much more to be done – various types of practice, feedback, closing, and assessment. However, the metaphorical bell is ringing on this lesson, and our discussion will have to be continued at a later date. Thus endeth our anatomical exploration for today.
Gwangju-Jeonnam
KOTESOL
Upcoming Events
Monthly Chapter Workshop
· Date: April 13, 2024 (Saturday)
· Venue: Gwangju National University of Education
Korea TESOL International Conference
· Date: April 27–28, 2024 (Sat.–Sun.)
· Venue: Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul
· Website: https://www.koreatesol.org/IC2024
· #KOTESOL2024
The Author
David Shaffer, PhD, has been involved in TEFL, teacher training, writing, and research in Gwangju for many years as a professor at Chosun University. As vice-president of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter of KOTESOL, he invites you to participate in the chapter’s monthly teacher development workshops and in KOTESOL activities in general. Dr. Shaffer is a past president of KOTESOL and is the editor-in-chief of the Gwangju News
Check the chapter’s webpages and Facebook group periodically for updates on chapter events and additional in-person and online KOTESOL activities.
For full event details:
· Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju
· Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL
Top of the Drop
By Daniel J. Springer
This is our monthly installment of soon-todrop and recently dropped releases from the music world. The best of the best that may not yet be on your radar, sly favorites and audio gems selected by “Danno,” longtime host of GFN’s The Drop with Danno. — Ed.
Lunar Isles – “Dissolve”
Seoul-based Scottish expat artist David Skimming has announced his fourth career LP, out this summer and titled Parasol. For those unfamiliar, Skimming has been making some extremely high quality guitar-centric surfinspired indie completely independently, having dropped three albums and two EP’s in just three years’ time. There’s a new single dropping every month until the album comes out in late June, and Skimming says that Parasol “is very much a summer album, with the idea of it being something you listen to while you’re chilling outside with a beer in the sun or a drive along the coast.” Perfection.
Ibibio Sound Machine – “Pull the Rope”
For those that are familiar, this band really turned heads with their last album Electricity, a stellar collection of dance music and Afrofuturism, released in 2022. This is the title track to their next album, out May 3. The Eno Williams and Max Grunhardled outfit still have that trademark sound but per a press release stating that the connection they aim to foster has shifted venues from the sunny buoyancy of a sunlit festival to a sweat-soaked, all-night dance club. This one’s gritty edge could not capture that more perfectly.
Jordan Rakei – “Learning”
There is no doubt that the quality that Jordan Rakei has been putting out the past few years is catching on, with the Aussie-Kiwi artist scheduled to perform a headliner show at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall later this year. “Learning” is Rakei at his pensive best, with the artist’s lower end falsetto perfectly accompanied by an arrangement that is both easy and bursting with a strength that is remarkable. The song debuted live on BBC March 1, and is part of Rakei’s new album The Loop, which drops May 10 and was inspired by the artist’s newfound fatherhood.
The Diasonics – “Take One”
While many give anything Russian nowadays the silent treatment due to the ongoing horror show in Ukraine, we’re not ones to blame the people, especially those fighting the good fight independently like this band. For those that like that get-down instrumental soul, this one is a spicy nugget, and we cannot recommend their 2022 debut album Origin of Forms highly enough. Very much a band to watch out for.
Ian Chung (feat. Akito Goto) – “All the Little Lights in Tokyo”
Korean composer Ian Chung has been a lot of places in his life, having grown up in Korea and spending extended periods in Ireland, Canada, and Australia to boot. The constant as far as music inspiration is his adoration for Ryuichi Sakamoto, the famed composer and inspiration to so much electronic music that we take for granted nowadays. To show his love for the dearly departed Sakamoto, Chung has released this single in collaboration with London-based Akito Goto, a truly sparkling tribute to a colossus.
April 2024 Upcoming Events
MUSIC CONCERTS
Ghibli & Disney Movie Music Festa
지브리&디즈니 영화음악 FESTA
Date & Time: April 27 (Sat), 6:00 p.m.
(Running time: 120 min.)
Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater
Admission: VIP seats 88,000 won, R seats 66,000 won, S seats 44,000 won, A seats 33,000 won
Phone: 02-525-4420
EXHIBITIONS
2024 Ilya Rashkovsky, Rachmaninoff Three
Piano Concertos
2024 일리야 라쉬코프스키, 라흐마니노프
3개의 피아노협주곡
Date & Time: April 11 (Thu), 7:30 p.m.
(Running time: 120 min.)
Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater
Admission: VIP seats 110,000 won, R seats 90,000 won, S seats 60,000 won, A seats 40,000 won
Phone: 02-6292-9368 & 9370
Gwangju City Symphony Orchestra 383rd
Regular Concert [Babi Yar]
광주시립교향악단 383회 정기연주회 [Babi Yar]
Date & Time: April 24 (Wed), 7:30 p.m.
(Running time: 100 min.)
Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater
Admission: R seats 30,000 won, S seats 20,000 won, A seats 10,000 won
Phone: 062-613-8241
Shinkai Makoto Film Music Concert
신카이 마코토 영화음악 콘서트
Date & Time: April 28 (Sun), 2:00 p.m.
(Running time: 130 min.)
Venue: Gwangju Arts Center, Grand Theater
Admission: VIP seats 110,000 won, R seats 90,000 won, S seats 70,000 won, A seats 50,000 won
Phone: 02-525-4420
EXHIBITIONS
The Path of the Arabian Nights
천일야화의 길
Period: Jan. 8 (Mon) – Dec. 31 (Tue)
Time: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wed & Sat 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Asia Culture Center, Asia Culture Museum
Admission: Free
Phone: 1899-5566
PERFORMANCE
Geoff Sobelle’s Food 제프 소벨의 푸드
Period: April. 19 (Fri) – April. 21 (Sun)
Time: Friday 7:30 p.m. (No intermission)
Saturday 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Asia Culture Center, Theater 1
Admission: R seats 40,000 won, S seats 30,000 won (Table seats sold out)
Venue: Hwasun Dolmen Sites (Hyosan-ri, Dogokmyeon and Daishin-ri, Chunyang-myeon)
Phone: 061-379-3575
Hampyeong Butterfly Festival
Period: April 26 (Fri) – May 6 (Mon)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Hampyeong Expo Park
Admission: Adults 7,000 won, Adolescents and Soldiers 5,000 won, Seniors and Children 3,000 won
Pre-Booking Period: Until April 25 (Thu) / 10% discount on pre-booking Phone: 061-379-3575
Suncheon Bay National Garden Reopening
Crossword
The Suncheon Bay National Garden opens anew on April 1 after a six-month maintenance period. The theme of the renewed Suncheon Bay National Garden
Puzzle Answers for the March Issue
is “Suncheon, Where Astronauts Also Come to Play,” showcasing the National Garden that now combines artificial intelligence, digital technology, and animation elements.
The key focus of the reopened Suncheon Bay National Garden is a combination of digital and cutting-edge technologies. Even the landmark “Dream Bridge” has been transformed into a fusion of analog and digital elements. Spaces like the “Sunset Garden” and the “Kids’ Garden,” featuring animated elements, and the popular attraction “Secret Garden,” have been converted into experiential areas. You can also explore a variety of newly transformed spaces.
You will be able to experience various technologies in the new gardens. Also, the Suncheon City Tour will be operated for a fee for the month of April. More details are available on the Suncheon website. Suncheon Bay National Garden will be a great place to go out and experience this coming spring.
Complied by Lee Hwadahm.
Cultural Gift Certificate for 5,000 won
The first three people to complete the crossword puzzle correctly and send us a photo of the completed puzzle will receive a cultural gift certificate for 5,000 won!
The prize winners will be announced in the May issue of the Gwangju News, and the gift certificate will be sent online on the 5th of the following month. - Email via gwangjunews@gic.or.kr or DM via Instagram at
Center
Ready to Make a Difference? Explore
Volunteering Opportunities!
By Dhivyaa S. P.
Did you know that foreigners can participate in volunteering activities across South Korea?
The website https://www.1365.go.kr is the official portal for the 1365 Volunteer Service, a platform organized by the South Korean government. The number 1365 means “commit to volunteer work all 365 days of the year.” The website facilitates a wide range of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups across various sectors. It offers a user-friendly interface to find, register for, and document volunteer activities. The main aim of this site is to foster a culture of volunteering and community service throughout South Korea.
Engaging in volunteer work serves as a method for me to alleviate stress. I discovered the 1365 volunteering website in December 2022 and have been an active volunteer since then. My experiences range from educational services at the Gwangju Science Museum to supporting event preparations for the Migrant Women’s Association and the Chaekdori Library (책돌이도서관), among others. Doing volunteer work is not only about serving others; it’s also about the opportunities that we get to experience. For instance, during a talent volunteer activity, we did calligraphy on tumblers to create an awareness to reduce disposable products. And the best part of it was that I learnt how to do Korean calligraphy, also known as seoye (서예).1 This experience has been deeply rewarding, illustrating how volunteering not only serves others but also fosters personal development and educational opportunities.
In addition to these activities, I’m passionate about participating in environmental cleanup efforts, notably the “Our neighborhood trash treasure hunt flocking” events. This initiative
allowed me to connect with individuals of diverse age groups, all united by a shared commitment to environmental protection. Their enthusiasm and dedication to safeguarding the Earth greatly impressed me, highlighting the community’s collective effort towards a cleaner, greener planet.
During my volunteering experiences, I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness of people I met. Despite my limited Korean, organizers and volunteers were incredibly patient, speaking slowly and explaining tasks clearly. They even offered snacks and coffee, creating a welcoming atmosphere. A particularly memorable encounter was with a lady in her early 60s; despite our language barrier and my basic Korean, she was patient and eager to communicate. After our volunteer work, she warmly invited me to lunch at her favourite Chinese restaurant, a gesture that deeply touched my heart.
If you’re keen on volunteering? Here are some practical tips:
• Sign up on the 1365 website, which also offers an English option for ease of use.
• When you apply for volunteer work, please read the service date, volunteering hours, and activity details thoroughly.
• In some cases, they might mention to be sure to contact the person in charge in advance before making a visit after registering. So don’t forget to call the person in charge.
• Most importantly, if you are unable to participate in volunteer activities after application due to unavoidable circumstances, please contact the person in charge.
• Be punctual and wear suitable clothing based on the type of volunteering activity.
Happy Volunteering!
Created by Jon Dunbar
nay
58 “Move ___ better things” (2 words)
59 Opposite of feral
60 Something K-pop trainees watch closely
61 Major festival in Austin
62 Puppy sounds
63 A long period of time
1 Road usage fee
2 “___’Clock Jump”
3 Sijo writer
4 Make a heap
5 4G
6 Operates
7 Korean dumplings
8 American pitcher Crowe
9 Pawn
10 Womans University in Seoul
11 Hit this with a nail
17 Indigenous Japanese group
19 Local baseball team
23 Roadside boobytrap
25 Storage room
26 League for 19 down
27 Dog noise
28 “The Marvels” director DaCosta
29 Dakota Johnson movie “Madame ___”
31 Rastafarian god
32 “What was ___ was saying?” (2 words)
33 Japanese broadcaster
36 Cat’s pyjamas
39 Drain problem
41 “It’s ___ fault” (2 words)
43 Oxidized metal
45 Many Alexisonfire fans
46 Wildcat
47 Clicks of disapproval
49 Language most spoken in Bangkok
51 BTS label
52 Auntie, or at least a restaurant server
53 Jung Ji-hoon
55 “It’s ___ or never”
56 Little devil
For only 50,000 won/year, you help the GIC provide a space for exchanges for the local and international communities to learn and experience various cultures from around the world and to promote respect for diversity and inclusivity.
Bene�its as a GIC member:
Receive the Gwangju News every month by email. Priority for participation in programs. Get discounts on paid programs and space rentals. Borrow books and materials from the GIC Library. Get receipts for contributions provided for year-end tax settlement.
