[EN] Gwangju News September 2017 #187

Gwangju and South Jeolla International Magazine I September Issue #187 I Lee Hui-ho: First Class First Lady

3:16:21

2017-08-31

.indd 1

_

2017 9

2017 9

_

.indd 2

2017-08-31

3:16:22

1

Healing Happiness Health

A variety of things worth watching and enjoying!

Do you need to heal your body and mind, while escaping from the daily routine?

Please try to feel at home in Gwangju City and Jeollanam-do’s abundant clean air!

Korea’s Top 25 Wellness Tour Attractions

Templestay

Cypress Hyosogung

Cypress Forest Woodland

Suncheon Bay

MEDIWELL GWANGJU 6 Reasons Why You Should Choose Mediwell Gwangju:

Tel: +82-62-714-1730 Web: http://mediwellgj.kr mediwellgwangju

2017�9��.indd 1

September 2017

Photo Source: KTO: 온석원, Jeungsimsa Temple

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

1. The largest number of medical personnel by percentage of population.

2. World-class medical technology and state-of the art medical facilities and equipment.

3. Highly qualified resident professionals by treatment.

4. Inspection by dedicated specialist and prompt treatment result.

5. Pursuing customized inspection program.

6. Reasonable Expense compared to Seoul and other cities.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:26

2

Letter from the Editor

G

September 2017, Issue No. 187 Published: September 1, 2017 Cover Photo: Courtesy of Kim Dae-jung Peace Center Cover Art & Design: Karina Prananto

THE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editors Online Editorial Team Chief Proofreader Creative Advisor Layout Editor Photo Editor Copy Editors Proofreaders Researchers

Dr. Shin Gyonggu Dr. David E. Shaffer Eden Jones, Anastasia Traynin Nathan Fulkerson, Karina Prananto, Nguyen Huong (Sen) Eden Jones Joe Wabe Karina Prananto Lorryn Smit Brian Fitzroy, Gabrielle Nygaard, Lauren Reyes Dr. David E. Shaffer, Eden Jones Jung Yu-jin, Kim Mi-yeon, Kwak Ji-young Lee Hyo-jeong, Nguyen Huong (Sen)

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

Gwangju News is the first public English magazine 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 English-speaking communities.

Copyright by Gwangju International Center. All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by this copyright may be reproduced in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without the written consent of the publisher.

Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center Jungang-ro 196-beon-gil 5 (Geumnam-ro 3-ga), Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea Tel: (+82)-62-226-2733~34 Fax: (+82)-62-226-2731 Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com E-mail: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr Registration No. 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315) Registration Date: February 22, 2010 Printed by Join Adcom 조인애드컴 (+82)-62-367-7702 For volunteering and article submission inquiries, please contact the Editor at: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr For advertising and subscription inquiries, contact karina@gic.or.kr

2017�9��.indd 2

Special thanks to the City of Gwangju and all of our sponsors.

reetings Gwangju!

Hey, thanks for picking up the September issue of the Gwangju News!

The publication you hold in your hands represents many hours of toil by our amazing volunteer team of writers, researchers, translators, photographers, and editors. We work hard to ensure that our publication is a valuable resource to you, our readers, whether you are a migrant, expat, local, or a visitor just passing through. Our theme for this month is Human Rights, and we’ve got an amazing line-up of related people, events, stories, and places to introduce you to.

First up is the subject of our cover story, Mrs. Lee Hui-ho, widow of Korea’s 8th president, Kim Daejung. Reading this exclusive interview, direct from Mrs. Lee Hui-ho herself, you’ll learn just what an incredibly accomplished woman this special lady remains today and the important role she has played in Korean society.

Also in this issue, you’ll find a plethora of information about Gwangju’s upcoming World Human Rights Cities Forum, an important event that will draw guests and speakers from many corners of the world.

In our op-eds, you’ll read some very relevant discussions on the current state of our society and issues related to current events such as whether or not we can trust the media and doing a selfevaluation about whether we really live in a state of peace as individuals.

If none of the above articles piques your interest, then this next one is sure to. One of our writers recently returned from a trip to North Korea. In the recount of his adventure, he uncovers what it is really like on the other side of that border.

Of course, there’s also so much more juicy information to discover within these pages, but as I’m at my word limit, I’ll have to leave the discovering to you. Enjoy!

Eden Jones Gwangju News Managing Editor

GwangjuNews gwangjunews GwangjuNewsGIC

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:28

Contents

3

September 2017 #187

08 First Class First Lady 20

30

34

COMMUNITY 34. Misub Hur: The Journey of a Jeweler 36. Hanbok Designer Park Hyun-chul and His Upcoming Fashion Show 48. Expat Living: Stop the Mold!

FEATURE 08. First Class First Lady 13. Human Rights and Democracy from Around Asia and Africa: Four Students Debut CNU’s First Global NGO Master’s Program 16. World Human Rights Cities Forum: What You Need to Know

ARTS & CULTURE 39. Gwangju Writes: Aliens 40. Photo Essay: Still Photographs Keep Memories Alive!

42. Photo of the Month 44. Book Review: Human Acts by Han Kang 45. Movie Review: Revisiting To Kill a Mockingbird: A Great American Classic

TRAVEL 18. Top 5 Places to Add to Your Bucket List in Gwangju 25. Around Korea: Anyang Art Park 28. Here Be Dragons!

A Summer Vacation North of the 38th Parallel 32. Traveling to Saga City in Japan on a Whim: Saga-wa Saiko-desu (Saga is Awesome)!

2017�9��.indd 3

EDUCATION 46. KOTESOL: “I Know How to Teach” 48. Talk to Me in Korean: Hospitals OPINION 50. Do We Live in Peace?

52. Stop THAAD 54. Preserving Democracy

September 2017

FOOD & DRINKS 20. Kitchen Stories: Japchae 22. Where to Eat: Belly Bao 24. A Smack of Chimaek (Part 2)

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

GWANGJU NEWS 03. Gwangju City News 04. Upcoming Events: September 06. Gwangju Theater Schedule 56. Community Board

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:29

4

Upcoming Events Compiled by Nguyen Huong (Sen)

GWANGJU NEWS

Performance

Exhibition

The B-Side

2017 Gwangju Design Biennale

비-사이드

광주 디자인비엔날레

Date & Time: September 23, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

September 24, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: Asia Culture Center Theater 2 38 Munhwajeondang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 광주광역시 문화전당

Telephone: Website:

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

The B-Side Wooster Group from New York is coming for its very first performance in Korea featuring “Negro Folklore from Texas State Prison.” They will introduce their latest work and the history behind it through music and performances. The Wooster Group was established in1975 and has been performing through various media arts for the past 40 years.

Admission:

2017�9��.indd 4

September

동구

문화전당로

38,

아시아

A seats 30,000 won, S seats 50,000 won, R seats 70,000 won 1899-5566 https://www.acc.go.kr/board/schedule/ performance/1591

With the aim of expanding our views on the aesthetics, practicality, and the economic value of design along with exploring the fresh interpretation of futuristic designs, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Gwangju Design Center present the festival of design complex. Gwangju Design Biennale is the first of its kind in the world and has been organized every other year since 2005. The design festival, consisting of multiple exhibitions, will appear in three locations: the Gwangju Museum of Art, the Asia Culture Center, and the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall.

Date: Address:

September 8 – October 23 Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall: 111 Biennale-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 광주 북구 비엔날레로 11 비엔날레전시관

Gwangju Museum of Art: 52 Haseo-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 광주 북구 하서로 52

Asia Culture Center: 38 Munhwajeondangro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 광주광역시 동구 문화전당로 38, 아시아 문화전당

Admission: Adults: 12,000 won on site, 2,000 won discount on reserved tickets Youth: 6,000 won on site, 1,000 won discount on reserved tickets Children: 4,000 won on site, 1,000 won discount on reserved tickets Telephone: 062-611-5171/ 5141 Website: www.gdb.or.kr

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:30

r

5

Festivals

Gimje Horizon Festival

Wanju Wild Food Festival

김제 지평선축제

완주 와일드푸드축제

The Gimje Horizon Festival promises to offer a diverse mix of fun programs to all festival-goers to come together and celebrate the value of Korea’s farming culture under the theme of “Sky and Land Converging on the Horizon.”

Held in Wanju city, the festival is the ultimate destination for experiencing the Korean wilderness. One featured activity visitors can experience is fishing by hand. What makes the Wanju Wild Food Festival a hit is that it gives a food-from-the-past sentiment through a range of various experimental food programs in the context of beautiful nature.

Date: Address:

September 20 – 24 442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do 전북 김제시 부량면 벽골제로 442

Admission: Telephone: Website:

Date: Address:

Free 063-540-3031 http://festival.gimje.go.kr/index.gimje

September 22 – 24 Gosan Recreational Forest Area, Osan-ri 808-beonji, Gosan-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 전라북도 완주군 고산면 오산리 808번지 고산자연휴양림

Admission: Telephone: Website:

Free 063-290-3939 www.wildfoodfestival.kr

2017 광주 사운드파크 페스티벌 Gwangju Sajik Park Music Festival introduces its new title: Gwangju Soundpark Festival! This festival invites you to enjoy “walking in the music” in the cool, green areas of Sajik Park.

Various artists from Korea and abroad will showcase their talent and serenade you with music while you are accompanied by the cool breeze of early autumn.

Admission: Telephone: Website:

2017�9��.indd 5

September 2–3, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

49 Sajik-gil, Sajik Park, Nam-gu, Gwangju 광주 남구 사직길 49

1-Day General Ticket: 33,000 won, 2-Day General Ticket: 55,000 won 062-654-3622 peakmusic.co.kr

September 2017

Date: Address:

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

2017 Gwangju Soundpark Festival

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:32

Gwangju THEATER

6

62 Chungjang-no 5-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju (two blocks behind NC WAVE) TICKETS: 8,000 won INFORMATION: 062-224-5858 For more information, please visit: http://cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju * Synopses excerpted from Wikipedia and Hancinema

ROBERT DOISNEAU: THROUGH THE LENS 파리 시청 앞에서의 키스 Genre: Documentary Director: Clémentine Deroudille Film Length: 81 minutes Starring: Clémentine Deroudille, Éric Caravaca, Sabine Azéma Summary: The movie tells the story of how Robert Doisneau as a kid from a poor suburb turned into a renowned photographer. It draws the intimate portrait of the life and work – being so closely interwoven – of an artist fiercely determined to be a purveyor of happiness.

The first episode is about a conversation between an actress and her ex-boyfriend, the second is the meeting of a man and woman who go traveling together after a one-night stand, and the third episode is the story of a woman who meets the woman who will play her mother at her sham wedding. The final episode focuses on a woman about to marry, suggesting her ex-boyfriend will be seeing her right up to her wedding day.

THE BEGUILED 매혹당한 사람들 Genres: Drama, Thriller Director: Sofia Coppola Film Length: 94 minutes Starring: Collin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning Summary: An injured Union soldier finds himself on the run as a deserter during the Civil War. He seeks refuge at an all-female Southern boarding school where the teachers and students seem more than willing to help. Soon, sexual tensions lead to dangerous rivalries as the women tend to his wounded leg while offering him comfort and companionship.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

THE TABLE 더 테이블 Genre: Drama Director: Kim Jong-kwan Film Length: 71 minutes Starring: Jung Yu-mi, Jeong Eunchae, Im Su-jung Summary: “The Table” follows a conversation between two people in a café.

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY 공범자들 Genre: Documentary Director: Choi Seung-ho Film Length: 106 minutes Starring: Choi Seung-ho Summary: “Criminal Conspiracy” explores how Korea’s public broadcasting has changed over the last ten years and the fact that now it is on the wrong track; i.e., from imported beef from the US, expresident Lee Myung-bak’s FourRivers Policy, Sewol-ho to Choi Sun-sil’s scandal.

2017�9��.indd 6

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:33

7

Gwangju City

News

Compiled by Jung Yu-jin and Karina Prananto Photographed by Ryan and Stephanie Hedger

Gwangju–Jeonnam Suffers from Continuous Heat According to a recently released report by the Gwangju Meteorological Administration, July’s average temperature for the Gwangju– Jeollanamdo region reached 26.9 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees higher than the seasonal average of 24.7 degrees Celsius. It is the third highest record for the region since records began in 1973.

Meanwhile, the continuous heat wave has brought a great burden to animals in Jeollanamdo. Since July 11, when the first heat wave warning was put into effect for the province, some 200,395 head of livestock, including 182,000 chickens, 70,825 ducks and 569 pigs, have died due to the heat.

GWANGJU NEWS

Average daytime highs for July stood at 30.6 degrees Celsius, while average lows reached 24 degrees Celsius, the highest record ever seen in the region.

Namdo Pass to Launch in August for Gwangju–Jeonnam Travel

▲ Damyang Metasequioa Street

Sunchang County of Jeollabukdo said on August 25 that it has secured a three-billionwon budget for a project connecting the county to Damyang County of Jeollanamdo.

The project will help the two counties cooperate in building a better tourism exchange.

Test operation will begin in August for some 100 member stores in Gwangju, Mokpo, Yeosu, Suncheon, Jangheung, Gangjin, and Jangseong. The pass is available for purchase at IBK (Industrial Bank of Korea) in bulk amounts of 100,000, 300,000, and 500,000 won.

Gwangju Begins Preparation for Subway Line 2 Construction On August 28, Gwangju Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation signed an agreement for system engineering with the Gwangju Metropolitan Subway Construction Headquarters.

Sunchang and Damyang are also planning to run a tour bus around the metasequoia street and develop various programs to attract more visitors to the region.

Based on the agreement, the corporation will provide information and knowledge learned from operating the city’s subway line 1 to the headquarters for the next 10 years to bring up operational credibility.

2017�9��.indd 7

September 2017

The project beginning next year will create a 9.6 km-long metasequoia street on National Highway No. 24 between the two counties.

System engineering refers to the consulting business that pre-verifies and controls systematic integration management and performance from design and construction to operation, as well as technical linkage between subway systems such as vehicles, signals, inspection, electricity, communications, and trajectories.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Longest Metasequoia Street in the Nation to Connect Sunchang and Damyang

Namdo Pass, a prepaid discount card for travel around Gwangju and Jeollanamdo, will launch in August. According to the Jeollanamdo provincial government, the Namdo Pass will provide 10–20% discounts on major tourist attractions, accommodations, and restaurants.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:35

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

FEATURE

8

2017�9��.indd 8

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:36

9

First Class First Lady Written by Douglas Baumwoll Photographs courtesy of Kim Dae-jung Peace Center Translations by Jung Jinho and Kwak Ji-young Special thanks to Dr. Shin Gyonggu and Harsh Kumar Mishra

N

2017�9��.indd 9

Hello, First Lady Mrs. Lee. My name is Douglas Baumwoll. I am from the United States and have been living in Korea for seven years. I currently train Korean public school teachers in the art of teaching language.

Before that, back in the United States, I worked for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Korea has been very kind to me, and I appreciate very much its culture and my life here. I thank you sincerely for granting us this interview. I personally feel the work that you and your husband have done is truly noble and historic, and I thank you as a fellow public servant and human being. Thank you in advance for your time and sincerity in responding to

Regarding your long history of work in human rights and for social justice for children and women, please tell us about one of your most satisfying accomplishments.

Now, the status of women has improved a lot compared to before.

Men and women can receive equal education and various laws have been created and enforced to protect children regardless of their gender.

In the past, women did not even know about the marriage registration laws because there were only few opportunities for women to receive a proper education. Therefore, being YWCA general secretary, I joined the campaign for marriage report and the anti-concubine movement with several women organizations. I still remember the time when I used to organize pickets and protest.

Regarding President Kim Dae-jung and his presidency, can you tell us how you advised him as a friend and wife while living in the Blue House?

I believe the development of democratization to be the most important contribution of my husband. In addition, I respect him for what he has done as President of South Korea, such as summiting with North Korea for the improvement of inter-Korean relations and efforts

September 2017

The subject of our cover story this month, however, is not Kim Dae-

Introduction from the Writer

these questions. Our readers will be very appreciative of your thoughts.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Now, the life story of Kim Dae-jung, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 2000 for his famous “Sunshine Policy” instituting open dialogue and political relations with North Korea, is a fascinating one. Kim, a populist and talented orator, dubbed “the Nelson Mandela of Asia,” won the presidency on his fourth bid to do so. Prior to that, “Kim was tortured, imprisoned, kidnapped, sentenced to death, exiled, and regularly held under house arrest,” not to mention “surviving several assassination attempts.” This is truly the life story of a hero who literally put his life on the line for his love of democracy, equality, and country. His legacy is memorialized through the Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library and Museum (at Yonsei University in Seoul) and the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center.

jung, but rather his extraordinary wife, First Lady Lee Hui-ho.

Although I was unable to meet with her in person during her time here in Gwangju attending the World Human Rights Cities forum, she graciously accepted our request to grant a written interview. Below, you will find the text of my original email to her along with her written responses, as translated by the folks credited above. This was a real team effort, and I am confident very little content was lost in translation. I have decided not to edit the text at all, and just let the words speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy.

FEATURE

inety-five years ago, a very special baby girl was born in Seoul. Growing up in Japanese-occupied Korea, she would go on to be a history-making first lady and a frontier-shattering pioneer for the rights of both children and women in her patria. In 1962, she would marry Kim Dae-jung, a political dissident who, in 1998, would become the president of Korea for five years.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:36

10

▲ Left: The wedding of Kim Dae-jung and Lee Hui-ho in 1962. Right: On his first visit to China in 1994, President Kim Dae-jung with Lee Hui-ho climbed the Great Wall.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

for peace on the Korean peninsula. I did not say anything helpful to him because he did well by himself. I worked on my own, by myself. At the time of the election, I went to many places and visited places to serve where people were in need. I did not specifically inform my husband about these activities. We cheered each other silently as we did well on our individual projects.

Regarding President Kim Daejung, what would you like his legacy to be for Korean students learning about peace, democracy, and humanitarianism?

He forgave the people, even though he had suffered all sort of hardship, including abductions, a death sentence, and life threats. It is not easy for anyone to forgive someone who is trying to kill you. He tried to practice Jesus’ teachings in his life. I hope forgiveness and reconciliation will bring peace to the Korean Peninsula one day.

Regarding yourself and lifelong accomplishments,

2017�9��.indd 10

your what

would you like your legacy to be for Korean students over the next 20 years?

I have tried to live my life according to the teachings of Jesus. Love and forgiveness were the most important things. I hope that young people can also forgive those who wrong them and love everyone.

Can you tell us the most exciting projects currently in motion at the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center?

I started this work out of great concern for the poor after I joined as chairman of the Kim-Dae Jung Peace Center. Every December, we gather the money received from the Nobel Peace Prize and donations and deliver rice to orphanages, nursing homes, and homeless shelters recommended by four different organizations. We have already been doing this for eight years. We are also promoting the deposition of donations and donation of goods. I hope that more people will come together to help those who are in need.

Another Forum theme is “Do

we live in peace?” What are your thoughts on international conflict in today’s world? In particular, what are your hopes for the outcome of Korea’s relations with North Korea, given the events of the last few years and your husband’s legacy of the “Sunshine Policy”?

We’re facing economic difficulties, corruption, and the breaking of families, which are threatening our lives. Parents abuse their children and children are starting to hate their parents. These things are great threats for our society. For the peace of our society, we must restore the values we’re losing. For the happiness of the family and practice of social justice, people in society should respect each other and love each other. But from all of the above, I would first like to encourage and help those who are weak.

Regarding President Kim Daejung’s Sunshine Policy, can you tell us how you celebrated as a family when you found out that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000?

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:37

11 I watched the announcement of my husband winning the Nobel Peace Prize on TV together with him. I was so happy that I embraced and congratulated him. He said that he’d give the honor of winning the Nobel Peace Prize to our people. I think the Nobel Peace Prize has also been given to the people of our country who have struggled together to achieve democracy of Korea.

2017�9��.indd 11

As you look back on your long, accomplished life, what one piece of advice would you offer to Korean

▲ Top: At the inauguration ceremony as the 15th President of the Republic of Korea in 1998.

Bottom: President Kim Dae-jung and Lee Hui-ho in the Presidential House (Cheongwadae) surounded by the full bloom of royal azalea flowers in 1999.

September 2017

I sometimes work with Korean elementary school teachers. One of them was curious about what type of reforms you would like to see, if any, in the Korean elementary school system.

During the Fourth Industrial Revolution, much more information and knowledge is being acquired from outside . . . Therefore, I think that elementary schools, which teach the foundations of education, should

I notice that you are a woman of religious faith. You attended Lambuth College in the United States, and earned your master’s degree from Scarritt College for Christian Workers. Many humanitarian workers are connected to and motivated by faith. What would you say to Koreans today, of all ages, who

are not actively religious about performing humanitarian or volunteer work?

Today we are not following the teachings of Jesus Christ. His teaching is to practice love. The love that Jesus Christ talked about is love for the poor and the needy. Helping the weak is the duty of a Christian.

It is more important to practice these teachings of Jesus Christ than to stress religion in Korean society.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

One of my teacher trainees asked me to ask you the following: With the “4th Wave of Technology” and artificial intelligence, which many predict will be led by Asia, what human rights issues do you see arising?

In the past, it was possible to block information by the media. The dictatorial regime used the media to control and suppress people.

However, as we have entered the information age, people can receive news by one-to-one media. My husband is the one who said that the disclosure of information and transparency must be ensured. And he said that because the citizens of our country have fought for democracy, with more technological development, a better democratic society can be made. I also think that the development of technology will enhance the transparency of information in society. Artificial intelligence technology will develop especially to protect the weak people who are still living lives that go unnoticed.

teach students wisdom for living in the world. We should help them be able to acquire the basic attitudes to live in the world through wider character education.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:38

12

▲ Left: Current president at that time, Roh Mu-hyun and his wife visited the residence of former president Kim Dae-jung in 2006. Roh was the first incumbent president to visit the house of President Kim Dae-jung. Right: After the passing of her husband, Lee still hopes for reconciliation and peace for the Korean Peninsula.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

women entering university today?

And to the men?

Discrimination in the right of education is disappearing; men and women are getting equal education.

Furthermore, as the world is becoming an information-friendly society, it has become easier to learn about many things. In my opinion, reading books is the best way to expand your knowledge about things.

I would personally recommend both young women and men to read as many books as possible.

As a 95-year-old woman who will be remembered by future generations for her outstanding and interesting life, what do you do to simply enjoy yourself on a typical day in your life?

I usually spend my day reading books and watching the news at home. But the thing I like most and enjoy doing is helping others. After my husband passed, I made myself busy working as chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center and continuing to visit nursing homes and orphanages. The most enjoyable thing is to be able to help the needy with the little I can do.

2017�9��.indd 12

If you could live your life over again, tell us about one decision you would change, if any.

I would not want to change any of my decisions, even if I could live again.

However, I regret not taking good care of my deceased parents. No matter how busy you are in your life, one should look after their elderly parents.

Having seen what you have seen in your life, from being born under Japanese occupation to being welleducated and well-traveled to working for the United Nations and the Asia Pacific Peace Foundation, what is your ideal vision of Korean society for today’s Korean children when they grow up?

Although children live in society with materialistic abundance nowadays, they suffer from mental poverty. Home training subtly effects the education of children.

Children refer to actions taken by their parents. The rights of children are very important. Keeping them from psychological difficulties will strengthen the future of our society.

To do this, parents must fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Education in the home should be upright.

Once again, thank you so much for your time. I hope you enjoy the Human Rights Cities Forum and your time in our city of Gwangju!

Well, that’s it. I hope you have gained an insight into this exceptional woman’s thoughts and perspectives, which were truly ahead of their time. To read an excellent article on President Kim’s life, see The Guardian, August 18, 2009.

THE AUTHOR

Doug Baumwoll, a professional writer and editor for 25 years, trains inservice teachers in writing skills and methodology. His personal writing interests include visionary and speculative fiction, climate change, energy, and social justice. He is the founder of SavetheHumanz.com.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:39

13

Human Rights and Democracy from Around Asia and Africa Four Students Debut CNU’s First Global NGO Master’s Program Written by Anastasia Traynin Photograph courtesy of Shahed Kayes, Class Leader

D

yet rarely receive the attention they deserve. Here I’ll introduce the individual stories of my classmates coming to our city as the August 2016 inaugural class of the university’s two-year Global NGO Master’s Program (GNMP), supported by the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

The four students were chosen from across Asia and Africa for their basic human rights knowledge and on-theground activist experience in their respective countries.

SHAHED KAYES, BANGLADESH Published poet, prose writer, and human rights / environmental activist Shahed Kayes can often be seen at various human rights-related gatherings around Gwangju.

Back in Bangladesh in 2003, he founded the Subornogram Foundation, an organization working to educate children in marginalized communities, as well as promoting human rights, and environmental and public health awareness.

FEATURE

uring the first semester of 2017, this writer had the opportunity to take an elective class with American writer, scholar, and longtime social movement activist Professor George Katsiaficas. In the course, I studied Katsiaficas’s two-volume book Asia’s Unknown Uprisings at Chonnam National University’s May 18 Institute. My four classmates came from various countries that possess histories of democratic uprisings, such as Gwangju’s May 18 (1980),

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

2017�9��.indd 13

September 2017

▲ The four Global NGO Master’s Program students arrive at Gwangju Airport to fly to Jeju Island. From left: Tao Don Tajaroensuk, Stéphie Mélina Kabre, Shahed Kayes, and Dinesh KC.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:40

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

14 Out of the four students, Kayes has lived in Gwangju the longest, starting as an international intern at the May 18 Memorial Foundation in August 2015. Over the course of five months, Kayes’ co-edited book The Laureates of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award: Who Really They Are? was published and his internship extended to twelve months, after which he was offered a job at the Foundation. For one month, he worked in the Archives of the Research Center before receiving the GNMP scholarship and moving on to be a full-time master’s student.

Most recently, he completed a summer internship at the Gwangju International Center (GIC), where he currently continues as a multicultural researcher.

Bangladeshi diaspora, Kayes keeps up with and spreads awareness of the unfolding situation in his home country, which has seen an escalation in human rights violations in recent years and has led him to travel and work abroad in several countries, before settling for his current stint in Korea.

“As a human rights defender [in Bangladesh], I had experiences in my field,” Kayes said. “However, sociology, human rights in Asia, forced migration – different types of ideology, neoliberalism. I didn’t have the theoretical knowledge. It was a great opportunity for me to get information about how the world is running. This understanding will help me to improve my work in the field of human rights and democracy.

Even though I was a creative writer, I got to know how to do academic, scientific, and thesis writing. It will help me in the future.”

TAO DON TAJAROENSUK, THAILAND Human rights activist and musician Tao Don Tajaroensuk has become a regular fixture in Gwangju, with weekly performances at venues such as the Dreamers Space at the Saturday Daein Art Market, Speakeasy’s Gwangju Live, and open mic events at Tequilaz downtown and Corona’s at Chonnam University’s back gate.

Beyond theoretical learning, the human element has also been important for Kayes.

“When studying together with friends from other countries, I came to know them very closely. For more than two years, it has been a great opportunity to learn about Korean culture, history, and especially the democratic movement of May 1980.

In the last candlelight vigil, I was involved. It gives better insight into my country, into my work.”

While living abroad as part of the

2017�9��.indd 14

“There are several warrants against me. If the situation changes, of course, I will go back. While I’m abroad, I work for the Subornogram Foundation: I keep writing on social media, through Skype. I’m trying to do my best.” (Keep up with the Subornogram Foundation through their Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/subornogram. foundation/)

Many could imagine that Tajaroensuk has lived in the city for several years, yet he, known simply as “Don” by his friends and classmates, only arrived in Gwangju in August 2016 for the start of the first semester of the GNMP. After meeting May 18 Memorial Foundation Executive Director Kim Yang-rae while working in Thailand and receiving an email about the new program, the budding activist decided to apply, as his home country has no academic NGO programs.

“First, I wanted to improve myself.

Second, while I was working in a human rights organization, there were many tasks to do and understand such as management, finance, and networking, for instance. Activists

in our century should be better and have more knowledge than previous activist generations. Third, I had been in the USA for one year, and I also wanted to experience another country, such as Korea, related to international globalization.”

Echoing his classmate Shahed Kayes’ thoughts, Don also recognizes the importance of direct experience as a supplement to theory and book learning, an approach that has led him to the world of music and beyond.

“I realize and strongly believe that music is the one of the tools to connect with people. After starting to play music with local people in Gwangju, I have seen many opportunities to get involved with Gwangju and the South Korean community. I have many friends to help and support me to get free Korean classes, and I have close relationships with local Korean people, even though I cannot speak Korean so well.”

Meeting local people has invariably led to discussions about political and economic issues, and the opportunity to meet his fellow Thai countrymen as legal and illegal migrant workers in Korea.

Interactions with other foreigners from Southeast Asia and the USA has also broadened Tajaroensuk’s scope of understanding.

“I can link all of the problems in terms of international conflict.

Anyways, I really enjoy my life here in Gwangju. I wish to say this is my second hometown. Gwangju is a wonderful city where wonderful people are living. Love you all!”

After finishing the GNMP, Tajaroensuk plans to return to Thailand and work in the human rights field for five years before entering the political sphere, as he believes creating new policies is the best way to improve his country,

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:40

15 beyond mere talking and advocating within activism.

“I want to motivate young people to realize and stand up to do something for their country. In Thailand, we have many commentators, but we don’t have many people who sacrifice themselves for society. I have seen many NGOs working to help people by providing stuff, and sometimes NGOs just work on advocacy, but after that, they do nothing, and I don’t agree with that. I strongly believe that changing a country’s policies is the best way to help people widely. I have focused to help the poor people in my country, at least to support them with basic needs such as healthcare, education, housing, and food. I don’t know what might happen in the future, but this is my aim, and I know I can do my best on that.”

Tajaroensuk was recently a summer intern at the Universal Cultural Center, working especially with Thai migrant workers.

As a youth activist, Dinesh has faced many challenges and struggles, yet plans to continue working in the field.

“It’s my prime responsibility to support my society. At the same

2017�9��.indd 15

“As you know, Nepal’s economy is totally dependent on remittance, and migrant workers are the key players to sustain their own country’s economy. What they are getting as salary, they are sending back to their country to feed their family and friends. At the same time, they are directly or indirectly supporting their country’s development as well.

My major concern is to find the reality of migrants working here. I have found many migrant workers here are facing a lot of problems.

I don’t know much in Korea, but I have heard in other countries, they are living on minimum wage, no health insurance. I’m still working.

I need to take more time to figure it out.”

STÉPHIE MÉLINA KABRE, BURKINA FASO Many people outside of the region do not seem to know Burkina Faso as the name of a prominent West African nation, with its own strong history of democratic uprising. Stephie Melina Kabre was completing an internship at the United Nations branch in her home country and was looking for a human rights program to expand her knowledge. She was encouraged to join the GNMP through one of

“In Africa, I’ve traveled to many countries, but outside of Africa, it’s the first time,” Kabre said. “In Africa, we have this welcoming culture. You can go to people and get in people’s houses, but Koreans are really closed, keeping their privacy. They don’t share intimate things. I was really a bit shocked. I’ve met negative people, but I’ve also met positive people, like people coming to you on the street and asking you questions about Africa, trying to know you, just randomly. I really feel that Gwangju people, some of them, have this welcoming culture, they feel this kind of solidarity. That’s what I love in Gwangju.”

While she has experienced racism from older people on the bus and some fellow students at the university, Kabre has learned over time to ignore everyday incidents and live her life as normal. At the same time, she is volunteering with a language exchange at the Gwangju Youth International Center in an effort to bring awareness to Korean students, as well as working on an upcoming partnership with the Universal Culture Center (UCC).

“It’s less about language and more about culture, so that the Korean youth will be used to African people.

Also, we have the UNESCO UCC Program starting in September with Mukul Basu. It’s UCC, but he’s doing the program under the UNESCO banner, going to high schools and middle schools to share about our cultures.”

Going back to Burkina Faso after finishing the program, Kabre originally had plans to open a

September 2017

“I want to say that I am lucky because our batch is the first batch,” Dinesh said. “The GNMP has originally been made to promote human rights throughout the world, with the youth especially. As a human rights activist from an undeveloped, very poor country, it’s very tough for me.”

As Dinesh’s classmate, Don, has interacted with Thai migrant workers in Korea, so Dinesh has been learning of the difficulties of Nepalese workers, most recently through his summer internship at the Gwangju Nepali Center. Outside of his studies in the GNMP, he considers supporting the workers as one of his main objectives while staying in Korea.

her university professors, who was in touch with Gwangju University: Professor Thona from the Republic of the Congo and known as the first recognized refugee in Korea. So in August 2016, she joined the other three GNMP students in Gwangju.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

DINESH KC, NEPAL Dinesh KC comes from a country with over a decade of political unrest and instability. He has worked on the ground in the human rights sector since 2005 and came to Gwangju in August 2016 for the start of the GNMP.

time, I have seen many youth, they are demotivated because of the political environment, the lack of [employment] and lots of [negative] rituals that are going on, like untouchability, caste, culture, religion, still going on. People are polarized in society.”

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:40

16 women’s shelter, but decided that a lack of finances meant that she could have more impact as an educator of young people on issues related to women and domestic violence.

“The education rate in my country is too low, so I really want to give [students] some motivation to study, to keep learning – maybe by showing them my pictures in South Korea, to show them ‘you see, through school you can visit the world and do everything.’ I’m trying to collect a few things from here that I can use, like microphones – some donations. I don’t want money; I just want the materials. I just want to ask for physical things.”

Kabre’s interest in women’s issues has led to her summer internship at the Regional Future Institute focusing on women’s development.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

The second batch of GNMP students recently arrived in Gwangju, with three students from Malaysia and Indonesia. Stay tuned for their profiles in a later issue of the Gwangju News. Check this page for more information on the GNMP course: http://cnu518.jnu. ac.kr/bbs/content.php?co_id=en_ gnmp THE AUTHOR

Anastasia Traynin (Ana) is the comanaging editor of Gwangju News.

She has been a contributor to the magazine since fall 2013 and has been living in Gwangju since spring of that year. After teaching for three years at Hanbitt High School, she became a GIC coordinator in May 2016. She has passions for Korean social movements, alternative education, live music, languages, and writing.

2017�9��.indd 16

World Human Rights Cities Forum What You Need to Know

Compiled by the GIC Forum Promotion Team with an intro by Eden Jones Photograph courtesy of WHRCF Secretariat

T

he 2017 World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) will be held in Gwangju, September 14–17 at the Kimdaejung Convention Center.

The theme of the Forum is “Do We Live in Peace?”

What a relevant question to be

asking. If you take a look around and consider the missile threats from the North, riots and tensions between races (with a somber nod to Charlottesville, USA), as well as the ongoing issues everywhere in the world, such as crime, poverty, and environmental health decline, you are likely to answer, no. We

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:41

17 theme: “Various Efforts Made by Numerous Cities to Overcome the Gender Gap Index.” This session will focus on how leading countries in the Gender Gap Index (GGI), announced at the World Economic Forum 2016, close the gap between genders through their policies and will propose a vision for how Korea should respond.

Various attempts have been made everywhere to qualitatively improve people’s lives and human rights through the vitalization of communities. With this in mind, the “Social Economy” session chose the theme of “Social Economy and Community Vitalization” to consider not only the roles and meaning of social economy but also various attempts to better the quality of local residents’ living. This session will take place on September 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The thematic session of “Gender,” which begins at 1 p.m. on the second day of the Forum, will center on the

“The Elderly” thematic session will discuss the meaning of an age-

2017�9��.indd 17

The “Migrants/Refugees” and “Disability” sessions will follow in the afternoon, with the themes, “Are We Living in Peace with Migrants and Refugees?” and “Please Make It Easily Readable for Our Voting!” respectively. The “Migrants/Refugees” session will emphasize the necessity for the enactment of migrant human rights-related laws by suggesting laws and systems for peaceful coexistence between migrants and local residents. In the “Disability” session, the reality of guaranteeing the right of access to information for voters with disabilities will be addressed through the experiences of voters with disabilities during the 19th national election. Moreover, the upcoming 2018 regional election will be discussed by primarily focusing on the right of access to information.

September 2017

There will be thematic sessions in nine areas, including (1) gender, (2) state violence, (3) environment, (4) social economy, (5) migrants/ refugees, (6) disability, (7) the elderly, (8) children/youth, and (9) village communities. Each session sets up a topic for each area related to the theme of the 2017 Forum, “Do We Live in Peace? Human Rights City, Democracy, and Practice.”

Presentations and discussions will be held on this topic in each session.

The “Village” session will take place at the same time as the “Child/Youth” session. This session will consider a “Village and Grassroots-Based Citizen Participation Platform,” focusing on village communities where the importance of grassroots democracy can be achieved by expanding local autonomy and participation.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

are not living in peace. And if this is a concern of yours (and it should be), you may want to make plans to attend the Forum to see what is being done to address these issues as they relate to human rights around the world and in Korea. Below, you will find more detailed information on what will be discussed in each session of the Forum.

“Is Urban Energy Seeking Peace?” is the theme of the “Environment” session. In this meeting, through fundamental questions and specific examples as to whether or not our city’s energy system is aimed at a peaceful, sustainable city, phased and feasible alternatives will be verified.

This session will be offered at the same time as the “State Violence” session.

In the morning of the last day of the Forum, the “Child/Youth” session will be offered under the theme, “School, Space Composition, and Democracy.” Although schools are places where students spend most of their time in their life, school facilities are still functionalistic and have authoritarian structures designed for discipline, management, and control. This session will serve as a venue to discover the meaning and importance of school’s space composition.

FEATURE

The thematic session on “State Violence” will proceed for three hours from 1 p.m. on September 16. This session will consider new challenges of the candlelight vigils and directions for Korean democracy by evaluating accomplishments of Korean democracy and the meaning and value of previous candlelight vigils. With the attendance of Korean and international researchers, the theme “New Challenges and Solutions for Korean Democracy” will be discussed.

friendly city, and the changes in local communities and the elderly through the question “Gwangju as an AgeFriendly City?” This session will be held at 1 p.m. on September 15.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:42

TRAVEL

18

Top 5 Places to Add to Your Bucket List in Gwangju

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

Written and photographed by Lea Moreau

▲ Clockwise from top left: Mudeungsan Cable Car; Voyagers Cinema; Yangnim-dong; Cheongchun Balsan Village.

2017�9��.indd 18

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:43

G

wangju is perhaps Korea’s most underrated city. Living here for more than a year and half, I’m still amazed by its bursting energy, its culture, and its impactful history. I can proudly say there are tons of great places to visit nearby!

Gwangju has more to offer than most people realize and as a travel specialist and globetrotter, I can tell that The City of Light sits apart from the rest of Korea. I found in the city an incredible tourism potential with magnificent historical cultural treasures, numerous attractions, and amazing personalities. And now, I’d like to share with you my “Top 5” favorite places you should add on your bucket list when coming to Gwangju.

1

Let’s start with the Hotel Mudeung Park Lift, known to be the only cable car in Mudeung Mountain National Park. It’s the perfect place for a date, and this is, as well, a nontouristic attraction that many will enjoy and feel refreshed by. Next to the Mudeung Hotel, you will easily find the office where you can buy a ticket for the cable car.

My second recommendation is Cheongchun Balsan Village. Opposite Gwangjucheon Stream, Balsan Village was used to welcome the Jeonnam Textile Factory and was considered as one of the poorest parts

2017�9��.indd 19

3

In third position, is Yangnimdong! The best adventure is to stroll through the small neighborhood in the evening. Not only can you find nice coffee shops, but you will be able to admire the picturesque traditional hanok (traditional Korean houses) aside some of the missionaries’ western-influenced houses! It’s a perfect place to highlight the change between Korean modern history and the late Joseon Dynasty.

Yangnim-dong offers a unique atmosphere, and what I particularly love to do is to walk up the hill to reach the Sajik Park Observation Tower and admire the sunset. Also, you have to know that you can enjoy the 1930 Salon de Yangnim event on the last Wednesday of every month, which is organized for people to enjoy cultural events, music, and different art activities.

4

Now, let’s get off the beaten track and discover the Jeungsimsa Temple area. Not only is the temple beautiful, but I particularly like the surroundings! The best way to access this place is to take a bus from downtown. From there, you will have different options!

You can take a walk to the temple or enjoy a picnic near the closest mountain stream. You can also admire the view from the rooftop of the Starbucks café, located near the

bus stop. Finally, after a nice hike in Mudeungsan National Park, my best tip is to visit Sujata, the best vegetarian buffet of your life! This Buddhist vegetarian restaurant is run by monks and is located at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by beautiful scenery. For 7,000 won, this is an all-you-can-eat buffet, which is sure to become your new paradise!

5

Last but not least, for every travel addict, I would recommend the Voyagers Rooftop Cinema. It’s a project I’ve been working on for more than a year, and I finally could make it real. Voyagers Café (in Ssangchondong) organizes a free cinema night every Friday starting in September.

It’s on the rooftop of the building and offers an amazing experience. All you have to do is to buy a drink (ALERT: There is wine!) and you can watch a travel movie under the stars! It’s a great opportunity to meet new travelers and locals based in Gwangju. I highly recommend you to visit Voyagers Café on Friday night!

You can follow Lea on Facebook: Leadventure and on YouTube: Leadventure For more information about Jeolla Travel, check out Lea’s other channel: Jeolla Go THE AUTHOR

Lea is a French travel specialist currently based in Gwangju.

She has traveled to 27 countries so far, and has also created her own YouTube chanel in order to share her passion for travel and tourism, giving useful tips and advice.

September 2017

2

of Gwangju in the 1970s. Young people in search of jobs from all over the country were working at the factory, and to find a cheap place to live, they climbed up the hill where no one was living. Recently, young artists have come into Balsan Village and have started to make gardens as well as street art! This makes the entire village so interesting, and it doesn’t have anything to envy of Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan!

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Gwangju’s Hotel Mudeung Park Lift was created in 1984 and it was called an extreme cable chair ride in the old days. When reaching the top, you can climb a little bit further up to access an observatory. There, Mudeungsan offers its magnificent view of the city.

It’s a scenery you can’t forget, and it allows you to understand fully how the city was built through the years.

You can also just stop there, and enjoy the traditional drink, makgeolli, with some pajeon (Korean egg pancake).

19

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:43

20 20 Kitchen Stories

Japchae Written and photographed by Karly Pierre

TRAVEL

SWEET POTATO NOODLES (JAPCHAE) This is Mrs. Choi’s signature dish that she cooks for her family.

Ingredients: 1 bag of sweet potato starch noodles, 1 yellow onion, 1 carrot, 200 grams of thinly cut pork strips, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of sugar, black pepper, salt, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 bunch of spinach

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

Noodle Sauce: 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon crushed sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons green onion, 1 teaspoon sesame oil

2017�9��.indd 20

Cooking Instructions: 1. Soak the sweet potato noodles in warm water for 2–3 hours.

2. Put ½ tablespoon of minced garlic, soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and pork into a bowl and mix. Marinade for at least 10 minutes, then pan fry the pork. Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Thinly cut one onion and thinly julienne one carrot.

Stir fry carrot and onion in oil, then remove from pan and set aside.

4. Add salt to a pot of water, and bring to a boil. Lightly blanch the spinach, then rinse in cold water. Lightly squeeze out water. Place spinach in a bowl with ½ tablespoon of minced garlic, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix and set aside.

5. Drain the potato starch noodles and pan fry the noodles on medium heat. Place the cooked noodles in a bowl. Mix sauce and pour the sauce on the noodles.

Mix sauce into the noodles. Then add onions, carrots, pork, black pepper, and spinach, and continue mixing well.

6. Garnish with more sesame seeds and green onions if you like.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:44

“M

y husband always tells me to stop working and relax,” says Mrs. Choi. “But I love my students and I love working.”

The woman confidently grips the steering wheel as she drives through a winding shortcut to the Chinese restaurant. Her husband smiles softly and nods.

Today is something of a reunion almost two years in the making. My husband and I were students in Mrs. Choi’s Korean class before we were married, and she witnessed our evolving relationship.

“It happened when they were taking my class,” Mrs. Choi proudly tells her husband, referring to our engagement.

“I need to lose weight,” she says with a vibrant laugh. Her husband adamantly disagrees.

At 58, she still has a boundless energy and plucky optimism that is infectious. It’s not difficult to imagine her as the tomboy she claims to have been.

“I played with boys a lot, and my mother always said I was a sweet girl,” says Choi. “I would always win when we played ddakji (딱지, a Korean origami game), marbles, jegichagi (제기차기, hacky sack), jump rope, and …”

“Hopscotch!” my husband yells out.

“I was the best,” she says, settling back into her chair.

“Sometimes I would teach the girls how to beat the boys at games, too. In the past, classes were big – around 60 students. I was always the captain when I played with my group of friends.”

“No one else in my family was vegetarian, and I’m not sure why, but I didn’t like meat when I was young,” says Choi. “I only ate kimchi, namul (나물, seasoned leaves or herbal dishes), and rice. My favorite food was any kind of

2017�9��.indd 21

“My mother was a great cook,” says Choi. ”She made many kinds of jeon (전, Korean egg pancake), bulgogi (불고기, marinated beef or pork), vegetables, susu juk (수 수죽, sorghum porridge), and dongji juk (동지죽, winter solstice red bean porridge).”

“On special holidays my mother, my brother’s wife, and I made food together in the kitchen. We would make more than ten dishes. I’m a very efficient cook, very quick. But my brother’s wife was a little slower, and my mother liked to stop and talk.” Choi laughs. “Anyway, those were good memories.”

Though she is modest about her cooking skills, her husband is effusive with praise.

“In Korea, we say a good cook like her has big hands…

When I met her, I was really skinny, just 61 or 62 kilograms…”

Mrs. Choi interjects. “When my family saw him, they thought he was sick,” she jokes.

“Yes! But I gained ten kilograms in the first year after we married,” he says. “I love everything that she makes, especially her japchae (잡채, sweet potato noodles). It has a unique taste.”

As we prepare to leave the restaurant, a sadness passes over Mrs. Choi’s eyes. Talking about food reminds her of her mother, who died last year. In a way, the taste of the meals she prepares for her father, now in his 90’s, is a trace of her mother’s spirit.

“I remember my father would always laugh and smile when my mother cooked and say how delicious it was,” says Choi. “She cooked better than me, but as she got older, she couldn’t do it anymore... My father is very picky about food. Sometimes he complains, but he prefers my food to anyone else’s.”

When Mrs. Choi drops us off back at our apartment, she gets out of the car to give us a hug. So much time has passed since the four of us last met. But today has reminded me to always make time for good food and good people.

September 2017

Choi grew up in downtown Gwangju as the only daughter of a middle school principal and a devoted housewife. As a child, she was a vegetarian.

Her mother began teaching her how to cook when she was about 11. Her first lesson was kimchi.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

She doesn’t know the word in English, so she jumps up from the table to demonstrate. She laughs as she hops from one imaginary square to another with surprising agility.

namul. So I was very thin. My mother would often say, ‘Oh you are giving me a headache [because of your picky eating habits].’ I liked fish, too, so she would make a jjorim (braised) fish with potatoes and radish.”

FOOD & DRINKS

Inside the restaurant, while the four of us sit at the restaurant table, Mrs. Choi adeptly ladles plump, sweet, and spicy fried shrimp into bowls and, like any attentive mother would, gives me and my husband the largest portions. She serves herself only two shrimp.

21

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:45

22 Where to Eat

Belly Bao Written and photographed by Justin Ramsay

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

FOOD & DRINKS

T

2017�9��.indd 22

his has been the hottest summer I can remember in my five years of living in Korea. The only real respite we’ve had is in the evenings once the sweltering ball of fire in the sky is no longer present. As soon as the temperature becomes bearable, I’m out the door and taking a walk around the neighborhood to stave off cabin fever and get a bit of exercise. A number of weeks back, on one of these evening walks, I noticed a large sign on one of the empty storefronts advertising a new restaurant on its way to this neighborhood full of trendy eateries. The sign briefly detailed that this restaurant, called Belly Bao, would be a Hong Kong-Asian fusion style restaurant, with a chef and owner who has spent a good part of the last ten years working at top Michelin-style restaurants abroad, mostly in Melbourne, Australia (even appearing on MasterChef Australia). This big sign promised much, and I was eager to try what they had on offer, so I made a habit of checking whether or not it had opened yet whenever I was nearby.

After weeks of finding it closed, my wife and I were lucky enough to walk by on its first night open and, without a second thought, changed our dinner plans and went straight in.

The interior of the restaurant had a clean layout with a few flags and posters around and colorful, pink wooden tables with simple chairs. Once we were seated, we found that the placemats already set on the table doubled as menus. This was a welcome change from sharing one menu amongst a table of people, which is often standard in Korea. The kitchen was purposely visible from the dining area with a large, long window allowing the chef/owner to keep an eye on everything. This is also great as the customers can see where and how their food is being prepared. The menu was small and simple, but varied with only around 10 items, which I like, as often lengthy menus can lead to subpar food and ingredients. Within a few moments of looking at

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:46

23 my menu, the chef/owner (Terry) came from behind the line and greeted me with a hearty “G’day mate! Where you from?” Once he had introduced himself, Terry told me that Gwangju was his hometown, but he had been living and working in Australia for a long time and wanted to bring home what he had learnt and open a restaurant in Gwangju. After this friendly welcome, he explained the menu and made a few recommendations before going back into the kitchen. This was a very nice, personal touch in this land of bballi, bballi (빨리 빨리, quick quick).

We ordered the cured salmon salad, Belly Bao dim sum (Chinese cuisine prepared as small, bite-sized portions), pork belly Bao Bao, Hong Kong chicken wings, and Singapore crispy egg noodles, along with Tsingtao beer and a cocktail called Blue Singapore. We received our drinks quickly and only had a short wait before the first dish was served. The salmon salad looked beautiful and vibrant, with a number of different greens served on a bed of almost purple-colored cured salmon with capers, nuts, and a tasty sauce. After taking a quick picture, we dug in and were happy that the salad tasted even better than it looked. The cured salmon had a unique taste and a consistency which, though easy to pick up, melted in your mouth almost as soon as you started chewing.

After this exquisite first course came the Belly Bao dim sum, which was served in the traditional jing lung (bamboo steamer). The dim sum were bite-sized pockets of pork and vegetables steamed in dumpling cases. They were tasty without being overly filled, and made a good appetizer for a table of people sharing.

The pork belly Bao Bao and egg noodles arrived at around

Once we were done with our meals, the chef came out to ask how it was and offer us a dessert. There are two dessert options: Mango ice cream bao and salted caramel ice cream bao. We were very full and debated whether we should get a dessert or not. Thankfully, we did. Terry brought our salted caramel ice cream bao to our table and explained that the ice cream, fried bao, and caramel sauce were all hand-made. He was eager to hear our opinions.

I had to be honest and say, “This is not only the best dessert I’ve eaten in Gwangju but the best dessert I’ve had anywhere.” The fried bao was crispy and sweet; the ice cream was creamy, milky, and incredibly smooth; and the salted caramel sauce was divine. This unique dessert was the perfect cherry on top of an already excellent meal.

BELLY BAO 벨리바오 Address: 광주 동구 동계천로 135-3 101, Donggecheonro 135-3, Donggu, Gwangju Telephone: 010-4630-7224 Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. - late Price Range: 8,000 – 20, 000 won per person

2017�9��.indd 23

September 2017

If you’re in the mood for something different and want to eat some great food without breaking the bank, then you should definitely stop by Belly Bao, say hi, and get some tasty goodness in your belly.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Next came the Hong Kong chicken wings which, again, looked good on the plate and came served with a nice salad topped with nuts. The chicken was full of flavor and less oily than most fried chicken; the meat just fell from the bones with ease – delicious!

the same time as the chicken. We were already becoming quite full, but knew that if these next two dishes were as tasty as what came before, we would have little trouble polishing them off. Bao is Chinese for “bread,” and generally, this comes in the form of a steamed bun.

The bao resembled a hamburger with juicy pork belly, romaine lettuce, and sauce sandwiched between a soft, bouncy steamed bun and served with fries and tangy sauce. The bao was delicious and the various textures of its contents made it a joy to eat. The sauce that was served with the fries and bao was excellent. The Singapore Crispy Egg Noodles were very crispy and the broth that it was served in was flavorful and had a clean, natural taste. The peppers, shrimp, calamari, and mussels that were in the dish were also perfectly cooked and not rubbery at all.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:47

24 Korean Food 24

A Smack of Chimaek (Part 2) Written by Cho Namhee

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

FOOD FOOD& &DRINKS DRINKS

C

ontinuing from last month’s issue, this article will not only give you some more information on how big the Korean fried chicken market is, but it will also serve as a guide for a more important question: What kind of chicken should you get tonight, and what beer should you pair it with?

Here are some more fun facts about the Korean fried chicken market. The size of the market is reaching upwards to approximately three trillion won (approximately 2.6 billion USD) annually, according to the KB Financial Holdings Management Institute. But what’s even more surprising is that the market is far from reaching its pinnacle (and any future decline of the market is not yet predicted). Referring to the statistics of the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), the average person in Korea consumes 15.4kg of chicken per year, which is only about half of the average of the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and only one third of the average of people in the U.S., where fried chicken originated.

It may not appear in the statistics because of how they are calculated, but the Korean numbers for fried chicken (as opposed to total chicken) consumption would be at the very top of the table.

Now, getting down to more practical facts for your pleasant evening of poultry-eating indulgence. The total number of fried chicken brands in

2017�9��.indd 24

Korea is around three hundred, and with that, there are more than three hundred ways of cooking or frying chicken in Korea. Major chicken franchises are the top five in sales: Kyochon (교촌치킨), BHC, BBQ, Goobne (굽네), and Nene (네네).

These restaurants can be found everywhere. All franchises have the original fried and yangnyeom (seasoned) chicken, but if you prefer sweet soy sauce, Gyochon is famous for it since it specializes in sweet soy sauce-flavored chicken. If you prefer fried chicken without batter, Goobne chicken is the one you’ll want. If you would like to try a local franchise, Ajuker (아주커) and Suil Chicken ( 수일통닭) are two of the many wellknown local franchises available.

Flavors and recipes vary greatly among fried chicken franchises, and it is almost impossible to list them all. In brief, first you need to choose between plain fried or flavored, and between chicken with bones or without. Then you must choose between: original fried, spicy batter, spicy flavor, sweet flavor, and possibly other eccentric recipes that come as the consequences of innovative research and development in chicken flavoring. Due to each type of fried chicken having its own unique flavor and recipe, it is recommended that you try each of them and compare them in order to find the ultimate dish for you.

And now for the “maek” portion of “chimaek” and of our deliberation.

(“Chimaek” is combined from “chi” of “chicken” and “maek” or “maekju”/beer.) It was not until the early 2010s that drink fridges at restaurants started to fill up with international brand beers. Thanks to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Korea and the EU and the U.S., international beers (which are often regarded as more tasty and genuine) are now commercialized in a similar price range as domestic beer. In other words, international draft beer is now available in diners, but is a little more pricy than standard Korean brand beers like Cass and Hite. Fried chicken restaurants offer draft beer deliveries as well, however, they are limited to domestic beer, and it might be more economical for you to get your favorite beer at one of the supermarkets or convenience stores citywide.

On a slight side-note, news about chicken and egg crises (e.g., avian influenza) are common these days in Korea, and as a result, the market tends to fluctuate as we react to dietary threats. It is recommended that you be careful regarding consumption in those periods when warnings are sent out and in effect. But, other than those days, fried chicken will likely remain the most popular choice for supper.

THE AUTHOR

Cho Namhee currently studies communication at Chonnam National University.

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:54

Around Korea

25

TRAVEL TRAVEL

Written and photographed by Stephanie and Ryan Hedger

THE RIVER For those lucky enough to visit the Art Park during the

2017�9��.indd 25

high heat of summer, make sure to wear sandals and (for those spirited individuals out there) a swimsuit. Though mostly frequented by children and their parents, the cool waters of the river flowing through the middle of the Anyang Art Park are especially inviting during the sweltering days of South Korea’s summer months. As an added bonus, at a wide point in the river is a sculpture that moves and sprays jets of water in different directions to mist and entertain visitors. Apart from the cooling effects of the water itself, the river has been decorated with art and modern bridges. By water or by land, the central river of the park acts as the glue that bonds all of

September 2017

H

idden just beyond the line that divides Seoul from Gyeonggi-do is one of our favorite places in all of Korea. The Anyang Art Park is unlike any other park we’ve found in Korea, and it’s a place we find ourselves returning to whenever we get the chance.

Filled with enough art, food, and entertainment to easily fill a spring, summer, or autumn day, the Anyang Art Park is an unsung oasis for those weary of the typical destinations of Seoul or the greater Seoul metro area.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Anyang Art Park

2017-09-01 �� 10:28:56

FOOD & DRINKS

26

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

this area’s unique and intriguing elements together.

ART INSTALLATIONS True to its name, the Anyang Art Park is filled with tasteful, yet intriguing art installations of varying mediums. A walk in the woods will reveal mirror mazes, hybrid animal sculptures, and exciting areas for groups to lounge and enjoy nature. Along the river, you’ll find walls covered in flowers year-round, man-made waterfalls, and the visually stunning Anyang Peak. The peak is a modern sculpture that climbs asymmetrically into the sky to provide wonderful views of the Art Park as well as the towering peaks of the nearby Gwanak Mountains. It’s hard to go more than a minute or two in this area without stumbling upon some other artistic element, and they are often as practical as they are aesthetically pleasing!

FOOD AND DRINK Hungry travelers, rejoice! The Anyang Art Park is littered with enough restaurants and cafés to satisfy even the most discerning visitor. At a hanok-style (traditional Korean

2017�9��.indd 26

style house) restaurant near the river, we have had some of the most satisfying kimchi-jeon (Korean kimchi pancake) we’ve ever found. Traditional restaurants in this area are the most common sights, with no chains whatsoever.

The best restaurant in the area, in our opinion, is located on the right side of the main street after you cross the river. Named “Pokposu,” this restaurant is split between regular floor tables and plastic tables and chairs situated in a man-made, shin-deep, slow-moving river. With your feet in cool water and delicious food on the table, Pokposu is required dining for all who visit this park in the summertime.

SHOPPING Truly an area with something for everyone, the Anyang Art Park is filled with shopping for anyone with energy left after exploring the more notable installations. Being nestled in a valley surrounded by some great mountains and hiking trails, it will come as no surprise to most people that the area is loaded to the teeth with hiking and camping stores. After outfitting your next expedition, be

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:00

27

2017�9��.indd 27

Ryan and Stephanie have lived, traveled, and worked in South Korea since 2013. Based out of Yeosu, they are the duo behind Hedgers Abroad, their blog, which documents their lives through photography, videos, and shared stories. They freelance in their spare time and are on the road constantly.

Blog: www.hedgersabroad.com Facebook: /hedgersabroad Instagram: /hedgersabroad

September 2017

HIDDEN WONDERLAND This park might just be a revamped and rejuvenated version of the Anyang Resort, which was popular in the 1970s, but it is also an amazing departure from the ordinary in Korea. For the nature lover who finds him- or herself trapped in the confines of city life and looking for something new, the Anyang Art Park is an oasis of relaxed atmosphere, art, nature, food, and entertainment. Found near Gwanak Station on Line 1 near Anyang, a trip to this park just might be the perfect destination for escaping the heat of summer.

THE AUTHORS

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

sure to eat at a camping-themed restaurant to recharge your shopping batteries for visiting some art and pottery shops before sunset.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:04

TRAVEL

28

! s n o g a r D e B rallel a P h t Here 8 3 e North of th p h o to g ra p h ed W ri tt en an d

im b y F a b io Ta rd

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

Vacation r e m m u S A

2017�9��.indd 28

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:05

N

orth Korea is sometimes perceived a little like those unknown lands of legend: with old maps and where all sorts of perils waited for those who ventured there. A sojourn up north wouldn’t typically be in most people’s travel plans for Asia, and it was with a bit of anxiety, curiosity, and excitement that I embarked on a trip of five days to North Korea this August. It certainly involves a little bit of planning (just getting your visa sorted out can be a bit time-consuming), but other than that, getting to North Korea is a rather straight-forward process.

2017�9��.indd 29

ENTERING NORTH KOREA As the train crosses Friendship Bridge towards Sinuiju on the other side, the contrasts start to show. The train station in Sinuiju is impeccably clean, though a little bit run-down, without any shops or people for that matter. There are plenty of soldiers on the platform and a massive portrait of their deceased leaders looks down on you from the top of the station as the soldiers go through your luggage and documents.

My train crossed the border rather late, and after a few hours of waiting for customs and immigration, it finally left towards Pyongyang. On the other side of the Yalu River, in China, Dandong’s many skyscrapers gleamed, resembling some sort of Las Vegas, while Sinuiju was in total darkness (very few places in North Korea have streetlights and electricity shortage is part of everyday life).

The train ride takes about four to five hours, and it is a great opportunity to talk with some locals in the dining car while drinking (Japanese) beer.

I found that most of the Koreans

FIRST STOP: PYONGYANG Pyongyang is perhaps the definitive totalitarian capital in the world.

After being practically obliterated by the U.S. during the Korean War, it was rebuilt from scratch in typical Soviet fashion. Everywhere you look, you see the neat axial symmetry, repeating geometric forms, deeply recessed windows, and the liberal use of concrete and marble. What makes the scenery slightly unusual is the way that the buildings have all different colors, creating a rather contrastingly beautiful picture – those who ever played SimCity would find it slightly familiar.

On the first day, my group got to know our tour guides. They were both women from Pyongyang, and they started by setting the rules straight.

Essentially, we could take pictures at any time, but never of military buildings or construction sites. If you took pictures of the leaders, you could not frame it in a way that didn’t show the statue or portrait in full. The country did not encourage religion, and we were not to spread any. We should never disrespect the leaders. Finally, we were not allowed to leave the hotel on our own, and wherever we went outside the hotel, we had to be with our guides.

Sightseeing in one of these tours is basically about the grandiose and achievements of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Kim family, and the country’s ideology. A tour of the city consists of visiting the Triumphal Arch (proudly taller than the French one), the tower of Juche ideology, the bronze statues of the deceased leaders in the Mansudae Grand Monument, and a

September 2017

Since I am an enthusiast of train traveling, I chose to go to Dandong.

It is worth mentioning that Dandong itself is quite a nice place to travel to and one can even visit a beautiful

Before boarding the train, I met my tour operator, a Chinese man who happened to have lived in Ireland for seven years. In a frank conversation, I revealed my anxiety to the man, at which he reassured me that there was nothing to worry about. His job was to organize these tours mainly for Chinese citizens, and he sends dozens of tourists across the border every day.

traveling on the train lived in China and were just visiting relatives back in their country. Apart from a dozen westerners, there were two other big groups of Chinese tourists that I would be bumping into for the rest of my stay in the country.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

JOIN THE TOUR The only way to get your visa and enter North Korea is by signing up for a tour. Several agencies operate these tours, and they are mainly in China, but there are a few in Europe as well. You are told before you join the tour that all tours are heavily organized and preplanned, so everything you will see and do is already defined. After deciding which tour suits you best, you either have to make your way to the border town of Dandong in China and get a train to Pyongyang, or you can fly directly from Beijing via Air Koryo.

part of the Great Wall that runs on the border with North Korea. The Chinese town is also full of all things Korean, and many North Koreans work there – it is one of the best places to actually have a genuine interaction with the country’s people.

I thought it’d be quite an interesting place for Koreans from the South to see since they are not allowed to visit the North itself.

TRAVEL

It is important to say that what you are about to read is totally based on my personal experience and I do not intend to write about North Korean politics. I believe that we often receive demonized images of the country that are far from reality. That does not mean, though, that there are not serious problems up there. Maybe all the criticism is justifiable, but as an individual who did not (and still does not) know the whole picture, I am quite pleased to have been able to see part of what makes this hermit country so unique.

29

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:05

30

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

short ride in the deepest subway in the world. While these are certainly very impressive monuments, they are all a solid display of the country’s heavy proliferation of all things glorifying unconditional patriotism.

After only a day in North Korea, you realize that pictures of the past leaders adorn almost any building worth something, from stadiums to train stations, including public squares and the odd residential block – and they are one of the few things lit at night.

The tour was always on a tight schedule, and we went from place to place relying on one of the few vehicles in the city – our rather old bus. As our vehicle roamed around Pyongyang, it was quite puzzling to see such wide roads almost without any cars. They were not empty though, as there are waves of people walking and cycling. It makes a surreal picture, especially at nighttime, when you can barely see anything and there are flocks of people walking out there. Also, I don’t think I have seen so many people cycling anywhere in the world, not even in Amsterdam.

STROLLING AROUND THE

2017�9��.indd 30

CAPITAL Perhaps the most rewarding experience took place on the following day in Pyongyang. Early in the morning, we left our isolated monolithic 30-floor hotel in the west corner of the city for a walking tour. It was Sunday, so there were not many people walking or cycling around.

It was during this walk through some leafy streets and parks that I got a glimpse of everyday life and leisure in the city: families having picnics, kids swimming in ponds, couples kissing each other, and some people playing music while others danced happily.

Not to mention groups of men here or there who were playing some sort of game and drinking soju. It may seem obvious, but it was nice to see that the people there were as normal and ordinary as anyone else, and they were just carrying on with their lives as such.

Later on that same day, I visited the eerie, gigantic, Kumsusan Sun Memorial Place. It was Kim Il-Sung’s home and now houses the embalmed corpses of both father and son. The place is enormous and there are a lot of visitors – mainly locals. It takes ages just to go from the entrance to

the building itself, while one patiently has to wait to move from one painfully slow travellator to another to get to the viewing chamber. It is quite surreal and an experience in itself going through huge, empty hallways and plazas until you can finally bow three times in front of the leaders. It is all very serious and ceremonial, and visitors have to be dressed smartly to be allowed in.

Absolutely no pictures!

KAESEONG AND THE DMZ Finally, by the end of the day, we took the Reunification Highway towards the South. It is a massive highway that goes from Pyongyang’s city center all the way to the DMZ. Needless to say, the highway is totally empty and the journey is only disturbed by the many military checkpoints. That said, it’s a fantastic chance to see a bit of life in the countryside. Poverty and scantiness become a little more obvious as in village after village, you can see the state of the buildings and the lack of infrastructure. Electricity is also in short supply, and little solar panels are a common sight.

Kaeseong itself is a lovely place just off the highway and a few kilometers

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:06

31 existing under this kind of Orwellian enchantment (officially called “Juche”).

In North Korea, you’re always aware that you’re only being given one picture when, out there, a multitude of stories exist in every street and town that you won’t be allowed to see. That said, I genuinely felt that the North Koreans I interacted with were nice, sincere, considerate, very humorous, and often sentimental. We drank many beers together, laughed at jokes (mainly about Russia), and talked about many things – even politics sometimes.

Visiting that place is like taking a time machine to the 1970s, where you won’t have Internet and everyone dresses in a very similar way. North Korea is an obsolete country where Confucianism seems to thrive, and it provides an experience like no other. You won’t see the whole picture, but at least you know that it’s no dragon’s lair.

THE AUTHOR

before the DMZ. The town is more compact and still has a lot of its traditional buildings standing in the old quarter. In spite of that, it is also a modern place built on the image of most Soviet cities and dominated by the now very well-known bronze statues of the omnipresent leaders. All in all, in this short trip it was in Kaeseong that I felt more in contact with the difficult reality of life in the country. There was no electricity during the day, running water was sometimes unavailable, and no cars or vehicles were around whatsoever.

Being in North Korea is, in some ways, like going to a magical kingdom, in the sense that everyone is under a spell. As such, the country is full of ordinary folks just

2017�9��.indd 31

(former Body&Soul Clinic)

The International Clinic in Gwangju Family Medicine, Health Screening, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Minor Surgery, Travel Medicine, Vaccination, Complementary Medicine, Pre-employment Health Screening, Laboratory Test (Blood, Urine, Pap, STD), X-ray & Ultrasound, Prescription Refill, Nutrition (Intravenous Vitamins & Minerals), Detox (Chelation & Fasting), Anti Aging, Immune Booster, Weight Management.

For More Info: Phone: 062-525-0606 www.geomedclinic.com ** The best landmark for our clinic is “Buk-gu District Office” ** On the 1st Floor of our building, there is a “Paris Baguette”. Our clinic is located on the 5th Floor.

September 2017

FINAL THOUGHTS Upon leaving the country on another train journey, I was relieved to arrive at Dandong and felt as if I had reached the bastion of freedom in the world. The feeling was certainly the result of my pre-conceptions of the country mixed with the constant state of surveillance of the paranoid military state I had been under.

Since 2000

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

After a short tour around Kaeseong and a few shots of Arak-ju (aka soju), we headed to the DMZ. A soldier presented a one-sided account of the history of the country – nothing unusual. After glancing over at the South and thankfully sending a few text messages (as my phone picked up the signal from the “other side”) we heard our soldier-guide tell us that, and I quote, “If the American imperialists start another war, we will destroy the whole of the U.S.A. and its puppets.” It’s all a show though, followed by smiles and pictures with the tourists.

Fabio got bit by the travel-bug very early in life and has since set off to travel the world.

He has contributed features to many travel magazines out there. Nowadays he lives in Korea and enjoys his free time traveling around Asia as often as possible.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:07

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

TRAVEL

32

2017�9��.indd 32

佐賀市 2017-09-01 �� 10:29:10

33

Traveling to Saga City in Japan on a Whim Saga-wa Saiko-desu (Saga is Awesome)!

Written and photographed by Kim Dong-hun (8ball)

I

don’t describe myself as an otaku (a Japanese term meaning “a person with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and manga”), but I have always had a thing for Japan. My fascination with the country has prompted me to go visit numerous places there, such as Yokohama, Nagoya, Toyohashi, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Yufuin, and Amagase, to find out more about this geographically close but emotionally distant country. Now I am adding one more location to this list: “Saga” City.

So then, where on earth is Saga?

2017�9��.indd 33

Personally, I found it quite convenient to walk around the city, because almost all parts of it can be seen within a day, which helps you save money on transportation. It does not even matter if you have a poor sense of direction because most tourist attractions are in the south and located close to each other, including Saga Prefectural Honmaru History Museum, Saga Prefectural Historical Museum, Saga Prefectural Office (with an observation deck on the top floor offering the nighttime, indoor “Saga Night of Light” show), Saga Shrine, Saga Balloon Museum, and others.

You might not be intrigued to visit Saga, but if you want to travel to Japan on a low budget for only a couple of days, Saga seems to be a perfect choice! Unlike other crowded and bustling areas in Japan, you can enjoy a relatively tranquil ambience and peace there. Of course, you can also snack or gorge on some yummy Japanese dishes. So why don’t you book a trip to Saga and enjoy what it has to offer you? A final word of advice: If you learn some basic Japanese expressions, it will be a big plus.

THE AUTHOR

Kim Dong-hun (8ball) is a free spirit working at the GIC. His major hobby is visiting different countries in the world and of all the 30-ish countries he has visited so far, his favorite country is Taiwan.

September 2017

Frankly, I clicked on and off repeatedly for a few days before confirming my flight ticket, hesitating and weighing all the pros and cons of this trip before making a final decision. In retrospect, I do not regret my decision at all. The flight time from Incheon to Saga was less than 1.5 hours. Upon arriving there, I was startled to see the size of Saga Airport, which was so tiny that only one airplane seemed to take off or

Once I stepped outside the airport, waiting for a bus to the downtown area, a Japanese lady speaking fluent Korean approached me and asked whether I wanted to purchase a bus ticket, which is 1,000 yen (around 10,000 won) for a round-trip fare.

It only takes 30 to 35 minutes from Saga Airport to JR Saga Station (the final stop). Although I went in July, I strongly recommend that you go there between October and November, when the Saga International Balloon Fiesta is held. In addition, it gets scorching hot during summer, and I literally got drenched in sweat walking around the city. Therefore, if you are not a fan of hot weather, I advise you to go there in autumn.

I am not completely sure, but I would say it is not easy to access free Wi-Fi in Japan. However, you can find several indoor/outdoor spots with free WiFi here, deeming it unnecessary to enable your mobile data. If you like hot springs (onsen in Japanese), there are several available nearby. Among those, I chose to go to Takeo Onsen, which took about an hour by train. However, if you feel shy or uncomfortable with being naked among other people in the public bath, then you can simply skip it or try a private hot spring bath.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

For those who do not know anything about Saga (which I guess is most of you, and honestly, I had not heard about it until I went there), Saga is the capital city of Saga Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu with an estimated 234,453 people residing there. Although I did not know this city at the time and this trip had not been pre-planned, I ended up visiting this small city in July because I accidentally and luckily found a cheap airline ticket that cost me 78,000 won.

This unexpected opportunity led to a two-night, three-day journey to Saga.

land at a time. All the passengers were ushered through passport control and immigration by surprisingly polite staff communicating with us in Korean.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:10

34 34 Local Enterpreneur

Misub Hur

The Journey of a Jeweler

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

TRAVEL COMMUNITY

Written and photographed by Josh Garcia

A

s I approached Misub Hur’s workshop on an overcast Saturday afternoon, the first thing I noticed was the assortment of plants potted in sneakers on the front porch of the building. I walked in, following a mutual friend, and caught a glance of Misub in the back of his shop, handling some sort of machinery. A few other locals were in the room as well, getting ready for their usual jewelry workshop where Misub teaches them how to make their own rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings every Saturday afternoon.

He knew that I was coming to interview him that day but was fairly uninterested in talking about himself.

Dawning a pair of magnifying eye glasses, he shifted to a nearby table to zero in on the details of a new ring. Fortunately, a good friend of his, Vanessa McClellen, was there and helped in my effort to learn the backstory of this artist’s rarely talked about past. Essentially, Vanessa conducted the interview, and I had the pleasure of being a fly on the wall as Misub’s tale unfolded.

Vanessa began by explaining to me, that Misub started the Saturday

2017�9��.indd 34

workshops about two years ago to break up his seven-day work week with some socializing and teaching to whomever was interested in spending the afternoon there at the shop.

Students would begin on the anvil, melting silver to create ring bands in the traditional way. Now, more of the carving and sculpting techniques are practiced on wax before students move on to using torches for molding metals. Buffing and polishing are taught near the end of their training.

A native from Japan, Misub first came to Korea at age 12. His father had passed away when he was young, and his mother had remarried a Korean man that she met while the two were working at the same factory. The family moved to Naju, but Misub and his step-brother moved away to Gwangju to attend middle school, where they would face daily harassment, threats, and attacks from school mates because of their Japanese lineage. Misub jokes around about those times, saying that the other kids at school really only attacked him because he was so handsome, but he also admits through chuckles that he was a short, skinny kid. The antagonism was relentless.

He recalls one fight where another

boy hit him so hard on the ear that it caused permanent damage. Taking it in stride and opening up a bit more, he laughs and mocks himself trying to have a conversation on the phone using his deaf ear.

Misub and his step-brother soldiered on through middle school, but after about seven months of his first year in high school Misub dropped out, got his GED, and entered into a vocational school to learn about jewelry making. He was tired of being poor and hungry, and attributes praise to a high school teacher whose friend helped him enroll in the vocational school. His drive to work hard and learn carried him through three and a half years of training at this school, but as someone who comes from nine generations of jewelers, the creative edge was in his blood. He graduated and began to work on private projects for various people in Gwangju.

In 1985, Misub was Gwangju’s representative for jewelry making in the International Vocational Training Competition in Seoul. You can think of this contest as essentially the Olympics for vocational fields. Misub’s ring designs took home the gold medal

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:11

35

◀ ▲ Previous page: Rings crafted by Misub Hur on display at his shop. This page: more of Misub’s jewelry and Misub himself at work in his shop.

2017�9��.indd 35

Since then, he and his wife have transferred some of their previous store inventory to a website and continue to steadily provide handcrafted, but still affordable, jewelry for the people of Gwangju. He says that after 38 years in the business, he still loves designing and creating jewelry. He has evolved with the times to incorporate computer programs, such as CAD, and 3D printers to construct his designs these days, and he shows no signs of stopping.

By the end of the interview, Misub has warmed up quite a bit and is playing jokes on the workshop attendees, hiding their phones and teasing them about whatever topic is at hand. He finishes up some of the rings he’s been working on and asks everyone if they would like to go grab a beer. The jewelers in training begin to pack up and organize their stations so that the shop can go back to its usual function.

Misub tells me that his uncle in Tokyo is 84 years old and still working as a jeweler today. He plans to follow in those steps, and I have no doubt that he will. 금빵아제 Phone: 010-2979-5527

THE AUTHOR Josh Garcia is an English teacher who lives in Gwangju. He is a native Texan and uses most of his free time playing music and enjoying the outdoors.

September 2017

At age 24, Misub obtained a full scholarship to study jewelry design in Tokyo, where he would obtain a master’s degree and begin his PhD. He was also working for his uncle’s jewelry company during this time, holding a position among the top three jewelers out of the 800 within the company. However, his studies were left unfinished as he returned to Seoul to take a job teaching at Sungshin University. After three years of teaching, Misub found himself longing to be in Gwangju once again to simply focus on private jewelry work. This move led him to meeting his wife, who is also an expert potter.

She suggested that they start a jewelry shop together, and their popularity soon led to five different shops throughout Gwangju. The shops were thriving until problems with Misub’s heart brought upon a very serious surgery, resulting in the closure of some of the shops. Determined and tenacious in his efforts to help his wife run the stores, Misub only rested in the hospital for ten days after his heart surgery before returning to work.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

for all of Korea and advanced him to the international championships! His success here was not only important as a representative from Gwangju, but as a spotlight for everything he had overcome. He had made his country proud, and continued to do so by serving in the Korean Marines for 36 months shortly thereafter.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:13

36 Local Enterpreneur

Hanbok Designer Park Hyun-chul and His Upcoming Fashion Show

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

COMMUNITY

Written by Stephen Schelling Photographed by Lorryn Smit Interpretation by Cho Nam-hee

2017�9��.indd 36

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:17

37

“T

2017�9��.indd 37

Before Hyun-chul began designing, he researched Korean history and studied literature. “I think it is important to study the whole era of Korean history since what I am making now is the clothing that people wore in the past,” he said.

“Not only do I have to know how to make hanbok (한복 , traditional Korean clothing) but I also have to understand people in history and their lives.”

Hyun-chul’s designs are inspired by the history found in the excavated costume artifacts of the Chosun Dynasty (조선시대 ). It is in the realization of those designs that Hyun-chul also imbues his family’s personal history into his work, as his grandmother also designed and crafted hanbok. When Hyun-chul’s grandmother passed away, she left

him her fabric and silk. It is with this sense of familial duty and purpose that Hyun-chul designs and creates his hanbok.

“It is my entire self,” he said. “The tasks I do and my behavior, my tone, my thoughts in relationships with people, and the sense of color – everything is the legacy of my beloved grandmother. She did not leave a picture behind, but she gave me her treasured silk. I feel her when I touch the silk she used, cut it with scissors, and sew it with thread. I experience this illusion: It is as if the flow of air changes and goes back to the times when she was alive.”

Hyun-chul’s grandmother likewise thought of her fellow person and the importance that her work carried with it. “She did not neglect a single piece of cloth,” said Hyunchul, “and she only made clothes for those she liked the most with

September 2017

Hyun-chul’s own words express a similar sentiment. “I do not make clothes to make money. I just wish for people to be happy with my clothes.” It is a sentiment he speaks with sincerity, and perhaps it goes deeper than the present. Hyun-chul approaches his work as a spiritual preoccupation with respect for

nature, reverence for Korea’s history, and filial piety.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

he true artist does not create art as an end in itself; he creates art for human beings.

Humanity is the goal.” This was said

by Jewish-Polish violinist, Bronislaw Huberman, an early 20th century artist who was known for his tone, expressiveness, and individualistic and personal interpretations.

Both Huberman’s words and the descriptions of his artistic style can be applied to a local artist and craftsman here in Gwangju, traditional Korean clothing designer Park Hyun-chul ( 박현철 ), who will have an exhibition of his works in Gwangju this month.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:19

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

COMMUNITY

38

sincerity. She thought of her and her customer’s attitudes and sacred hearts and the importance of that when it came to making their hanbok.” Hyun-chul remembers some of his grandmother’s venerable wisdom: “Don’t make clothes with bad feelings, don’t make clothes for money, [and] focus on the person who will wear the clothes.”

Hyun-chul has adopted his grandmother’s ideas and hopes to continue in her spirit. “I want to be like her and hand down her spirit to my descendants,” he said. He suggested imagining a story like this: “There was a grandmother who made such clothes, and her grandson, a man who was noble-minded and warm-hearted with skilled hands, took over her work.”

2017�9��.indd 38

It is this heartfelt heritage, along with an understanding of Korean history, that has informed Hyunchul’s artistry. After first looking to the past, Hyun-chul then looked to nature to find and hone his design style. “I am mainly inspired by the setting sun, wilting flowers, the forest on a wet day, and fallen leaves,” he said. “Also, I get colors for hanbok from old traditional Korean houses, wooden furniture, and from remaining cultural assets. When the colors pass through my hands, they become skirts, jackets, and pants worn by people.”

Hyun-chul makes extensive use of muted earth tones with small flourishes of richer, more vibrant colors. Reserved floral designs further accent the toned-down colors.

His designs appear simple in their

arrangement. The colors and nature designs create a subtle harmony that, from a design standpoint, is actually quite complex to create. Again, Hyun-chul first turns toward history for inspiration.

“I like colors and fabrics that have stayed in for years,” he said. “It seems like those senses of color come naturally. Our ancestors made fabric from nature, dyed out of grass, and threaded silk.” He humbly continued, “In fact, I do not have new innovative designs. I only follow the traces left by our ancestors and mix old fabrics together with modern fabrics.”

Hyun-chul then elaborated on his personal design style. “Simple design and colors are my preference.

I believe color restraints stand out since the hanbok constitutes more

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:23

elements than Western clothing, and the silhouette of a hanbok tightened near the chest spreads toward the bottom in a sudden manner. Often, those who prefer my clothes call them ‘well-controlled clothes.’”

Aliens

Movie Review Gwangju Writes

39 39

Written by J.L. Clarke

Hyun-chul’s mother always told him to be careful when leaving a mark on one’s life. It is a sentiment that his grandmother took seriously, and so does Hyun-chul.

With his understanding of hanbok in Korean history and his ancestral profundity, Hyun-chul’s ultimate desire as a hanbok artist and craftsman is expressed through his deeply felt reverence to the craft and his altruistic desire to share it with others.

Those interested in commissioning a personal and unique design from Park Hyun-chul may contact him through his Instagram, #눈썹달주단.

THE AUTHOR Stephen Schelling is a writer and teacher, a pickler, and an Eagle Scout from America with a B.A. in journalism from Marshall University.

2017�9��.indd 39

It was once said that we humans crave what is most forbidden.

And what is more forbidden than those we once trusted turning us away? In a confusing twist, we find that those we once trusted are now playing hard to get. They don’t want us.

So what do we do when we find ourselves estranged? We try our damnedest to get noticed. To be accepted. But not a one knows. It is our own folly. Our own pain, not to be shared with those who inflict it. Or is the aching self-inflicted? Something we bring upon ourselves because we get comfortable with pain, and it comes as no surprise when joy is followed by a sting. One has to wonder, does bitterness sprout from hurt, or is it a quiet and resolute acceptance of what will simply be?

In the end we’ll raise a glass along with those who have alienated us, not allowing them in or letting them see our pain, but showing them that we are stronger than they would have guessed. We are braver than we would think. We are.

September 2017

Park Hyun-chul’s fashion show will be held at the Gwangju Theatre (영화의 집, the cinema house next to the theatre) on Saturday, September 23, at 6:00 p.m.

I cannot explain the anxiety that comes with a sudden competition to keep something that no one should ever have to fear losing: things like love and security. Then there’s the further premonitions we get regarding our fears. And then our fears come true, and we find ourselves in exactly the position we somehow expected all along. What can we do when we have no choice but to accept fate? Most would find us paranoid, that we’re making waves out of ripples. But the pain goes beyond the space in our heads. It becomes something vaster than we, ourselves, could understand.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

“Hanbok is very precious for me,” he said, “and I want it to be the same for my clients.”

I

t amazes me, the varied amounts of pain we humans can feel, how deep and personal and unknown betrayal can be, how we have the capability of hiding our inner turmoil so deep that not even those we once held dear can detect it.

ARTS & CULTURE

“If you don’t make the clothes in good faith, it will always come back,” he said.

“I think clothing is something that I have to make with the most honest, transparent, and purest mind. I think it’s because the clothes touch our skin first. I feel a spiritual bond between the client and myself from the moment they pick up my clothes and enter the showroom, as if I have known them for a very long time. The smile of my client at the final fitting after the production makes me happy.”

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:25

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

ARTS & CULTURE

40 Photo Essay

2017�9��.indd 40

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:26

Still Photographs Keep Memories Alive!

Written and photographed by Fahima Mukta

I

t’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love to take pictures. Photography is a beautiful way to express our thoughts about any situation, and it is said that a beautiful photograph can say more than a thousand words.

Showing beauty to others is something many of us humans love to do, and photography is one way we can share that beauty.

Some people do photography as a profession, while others just like to snap pictures to capture their memories. In our daily life, we experience many things that we want to capture. Carrying and managing a professional camera all the time can be overbearing: this is why cellphone cameras are gaining popularity.

Many of us are constantly taking random photos using our phone’s cameras, but we don’t realize that these cameras can turn out legitimate, quality photos.

Just a few weeks ago, I too was ignorant about what my phone’s camera could do. However, I was lucky enough to join Lorryn Smit’s Smartphone Photography Workshop in August, and this has opened my eyes to the world of photographic possibilities using my smartphone.

I’ve always liked to capture pictures using my phone, but before attending the workshop, I did everything without really having any idea what I was doing.

I would simply use the filters my phone’s photo application offered – but I didn’t know that this would actually sometimes make my pictures look fake or unappealing. I didn’t know the actual meaning of a lot of the technical terms or how and where I should make changes when editing my photos. This class gave me a clear overview about the technical terms and the methods of using photo editing applications on my phone.

The class also helped me a lot to crop my pictures in a professional way. I think the tips I learned will help me to make my pictures more realistic and beautiful. The most interesting part of this class was the hands-on session after the lecture, which gave those who attended the class the opportunity to apply the methods we had learned in the presentation and compare their effectiveness to our previous photography. Taking outdoor pictures with renewed enthusiasm was very refreshing and enjoyable.

In summary, Lorryn’s Smartphone Photography Workshop was very interesting and helpful to me, and I hope it will help others who are interested in learning about the basics of smartphone photography.

2017�9��.indd 41

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:26

Gwangju Writes 42 Book Review

Photo of the Month

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

ARTS & CULTURE

Written and photographed by Maria Lisak

2017�9��.indd 42

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:27

43

2017�9��.indd 43

Do you have any photos that you would like to show to Gwangju (and the world)?

Gwangju News features a photo of the month to create more opportunities to promote more photographers based in the Jeollanam-do region and to show off our beautiful province from different areas and angles. Submissions can be posted in the “Photography in the South” Facebook group throughout the preceding month. Alternatively, you can also send your submissions to the editor by email: photos@ gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

Tucked behind Wongaksa temple in downtown Gwangju is an alley that runs along the larger Geumnam Street, just off Chungjangno. After attending the Gwangju News Smartphone Photography Workshop by Lorryn Smit, I chose this alley, a part of town I’ve been to many times, yet a city block that I have never explored. Thirteen years ago, I came to Wongaksa to do 108 bows. At that time, the temple grounds were all under construction and the alley was blocked off and inaccessible.

My walk down the small alley on this sticky, late afternoon in August reminds me of the ever-changing backdrop of the city streets of Gwangju. This alley at the back of the temple shows how it connects its own Zen brick and tile work to the neighboring asphalt, metal, and electrical wires of the busy downtown. The darkening evening sky gave me a moment of profound serenity in the alley, epitomizing the juxtaposition of modern and traditional Gwangju street life.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

▲

▲ Photo by Matt Furlane

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:28

44

s ’ g n a Han K Human Acts

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

ARTS & CULTURE

Written by Amy Badenhorst

I

never fully understood the sadness, violence, and blood shed that occurred during the 5.18 Gwangju uprising until I read Human Acts by Han Kang.

This book is a riveting, poetic, and powerful examination of humanity at its most appalling and its most hopeful.

In a sequence of interconnected chapters, the victims and the bereaved encounter censorship, denial, forgiveness, and the echoing agony of the original trauma of 5.18 (May 18, 1980).

Human Acts is told from the viewpoints of different characters, all connected to Dong-ho, a 15-year-old boy looking for his best friend’s dead body. Dong-ho ends up volunteering at a gymnasium where many bodies of victims to the 5.18 trauma are being temporarily kept.

Dong-ho’s best friend, Jeong-dae (who is himself just a boy) narrates after his own death from a rotting pile of corpses stacked in the shape of a cross. Eun-sook and Seon-ju, also two volunteers at the gymnasium, have chapters, as do Dong-ho’s mother and a writer who serves as a stand-in for Han Kang. As a whole, these sections make up a psychological autopsy of Gwangju and its victims, many of whom survived the massacre only to lose themselves in the tides of trauma. The characters, when speaking, frequently address an unnamed “you.”

Sometimes “you” is the dead, occasionally it is the reader, but often, and most disturbingly, “you” is who each person was before dying in the violence and whom the speaker has now become irrevocably exiled from.

The final chapter of this novel is about the author’s own connection to the uprising. Gwangju is Han’s hometown; her family had moved to Seoul by the time of the uprising, although none of her relatives were killed. The result is torturously compelling: a relentless portrait of death

2017�9��.indd 44

and agony that never lets you look away. Han’s prose, as translated by Deborah Smith, is both spare and dreamy, full of haunting images in echoing languages. Choosing the novel as her form, Han then allows it to do what it does best: take readers to the very center of life that is not their own.

Human Acts is a radically brave novel about an atrocious episode in Korean history, but it is also a universal book, utterly modern but profoundly timeless.

THE AUTHOR

Amy is from South Africa but has lived in Gwangju for six years and considers it her home. She is a freelance English tutor and has written for the Gwangju News on and off for over 4 years. In her free time, she enjoys walking around the Pungam-dong Lake with her dog Benji and reading anything written

by Han Kang or Malcolm Gladwell. For inspiration, she drinks whiskey neat while listening to Keith Jarrett.

GWANGJU ANIMAL SHELTER VOLUNTEERING Every Sunday. Meet at The First Alleyway at 12 for brunch and carpool to the shelter.

Walk dogs between 1–4 pm.

Please wear comfortable clothing.

See you there!

Facebook: Gwangju Animal Shelter Volunteering

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:28

D

uring the 1930s in Alabama, USA, racism was alive and rife throughout the area. It was illegal for people of different races to marry or pursue a relationship of any kind. Bathrooms, swimming pools, and exits were clearly labeled “Colored Only” or “Whites Only.” It was into this time that Harper Lee was born. Growing up in the Deep South, she had a front-row seat to the prejudice and unnecessary hate of racial bigotry. When Lee was in her twenties, she penned one of the most remarkable books of all time: To Kill a Mockingbird.

Written by Natale Ryan

This film highlights many themes such as the atrocities of racial, gender, or economic biases. In the movie, the Finch family is middle class, but they are friends with lower-class individuals that have been severely impacted by the stock-market crash.

Through Scout’s eyes, we can see the innocence of not understanding why some people are embarrassed by their income. An example of gender bias can be seen when Scout voices her hatred for the dresses she has to wear to school (when she would much rather wear jeans like her brother).

The use of audio track in the movie is excellent. The editor and director knew when to use a subtle musical score and when not to. For instance, in one scene there is no music, which highlights the nervousness of the characters involved, and the only audible sound is footsteps crunching dead leaves. The most impressive use of sound in this film is in the opening scene. It involves Scout opening her box of treasures. She begins to hum and color, tracing out the title of the film with her crayon. In this one scene, we feel everything about the movie.

We hear the innocence of a child, and we hear the ticking of a pocket-watch, indicating the passing of time.

This film won multiple awards, and Gregory Peck took home the Best Actor award at the 1963 Oscars. This is one of my favorite films of all time.

It is a mixture of drama, suspense, and light comedy. It is a family film, as well as Scout’s coming-of-age story.

Harper Lee passed away in 2016, but her mark on literary history will last for eternity. If you too are a hardcore To Kill a Mockingbird fan, you should visit the town of Monroeville, Alabama.

There, they have annual “Mockingbird Festivals,” where a stage performance of the novel is performed, and you can visit the historic courthouse from the film. If you haven’t seen this film, I recommend you add it to the top of your watch list.

September 2017

2017�9��.indd 45

At the same time, there are two side stories occurring within the movie’s plot. The father of the plaintiff (the white woman involved in the case), Mr. Ewell, is furious at Atticus and accuses the lawyer of betraying his race and setting a poor example for his children. There are moments in the film where it is clear that Ewell is planning on targeting the Finch family. Concurrently, Scout and her brother, Jem, are enthralled by the story of the mysterious next door neighbor’s son, Boo Radley. The children begin to try and peek into the home, and they have exchanges with

Radley that I won’t spoil here!

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Revisiting To Kill a Mockingbird: A Great American Classic

Two years after the release of her very well-received novel, a movie adaptation was released by Universal Pictures. The movie starred Gregory Peck as the main protagonist, Atticus Finch. Finch is a widowed lawyer who is raising two children as a single father. His daughter, Scout, is the narrator of the story. The central tale revolves around a black man named Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of attacking a white woman. It is clear in the movie that the accusations are false, but during that period of time, the illegality of whites and blacks together convinced the accused white woman to lie and hide her attraction to Robinson from the public eye.

Finch is appointed as Robinson’s lawyer and accepts the job because it is the honorable thing to do.

45

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:29

46 KOTESOL

EDUCATION

“I Know How to Teach” Text and photographs by Dr. David Shaffer

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

I

t wasn’t so long ago that I was downtown at a restaurant-cumtavern when a nice young lady walked up to me. She said hi and told me that she recognized me as part of Korea TESOL. She said that she was an English teacher in Gwangju and, somewhat apologetically, expressed her regret for not coming to our monthly meetings (of the GwangjuJeonnam Chapter of KOTESOL). She then went on to defend her admitted absence from meetings: “There’s just so many things going on in Gwangju on weekends,” “I sometimes have to work on Saturdays,” etc. Then, she added an excuse that struck me and has stuck with me: “Besides, I’ve been here three, four years now, so I know how to teach.”

“I know how to teach.” She was dead serious; no humor intended. I have lived in this city and taught English for more years than I like to reveal, but I would find it very difficult to declare, “I know how to teach!” Call it “modesty” – maybe. But I attribute my reluctance

2017�9��.indd 46

to proclaim “I know how to teach” more to accumulated awareness – an awareness that tells me that the more I know about teaching English in Korea, the more I know there is to know. I don’t like to let myself feel too content because I know there’s always more to learn.

I hope this young lady knows how to teach better than I did when I had three years of experience under my belt. (That was a time when “TESOL” and “EFL” were newly born acronyms, and classrooms didn’t have course book tapes or even tape recorders to put them in!) With three years of teaching behind me, I was sorely aware that I needed to learn how to be a better teacher, but there was a paucity of books available on teaching English as a foreign language, no Internet, no Amazon, no KOTESOL, no help.

If I were to have only three years of teaching to put on my résumé today, I wouldn’t have the excuses I had back in the dark ages. There are just so many options available today to help one

become a better teacher – one just needs to know where to find them and have the oomph to go after them.

One of these options is KOTESOL. Korea TESOL has been around for two-and-a-half decades now, and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter has existed for just about as long. Because she has never attended a meeting, the young lady at the restaurant probably isn’t aware of what a KOTESOL chapter meeting is or how helpful they can be to an English teacher.

KOTESOL chapter meetings usually consist of two 50-minute sessions, either talks or workshops on a wide variety of informative teaching topics, such as differentiated instruction, flipped classrooms, elicitation techniques, cognitive load, project work, and the ever-evolving tech landscape, to name a few. The presenters are chapter members, other KOTESOL members, or other teachers in the community.

Other times, we will have a collaborative

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:30

47 (October 21–22 this year). It is annually the biggest ELT event in Korea, attracting a thousand attendees, over 200 presentations, and a dozen expert speakers invited from around the world. This conference offers takeaways for everyone, no matter what aspect of ELT an attendee is interested in. It will be held in Seoul at Sookmyung Women’s University this year.

◀ ▲ Previous page: Attendees at a recent KOTESOL international conference session. Above: The hands-on workshop on “Creativity in the Classroom” at the August meeting of GwangjuJeonnam KOTESOL.

session of sorts where attendees will work in small groups and pool their expertise to discuss or solve some teaching problem that they are given.

After the main sessions, we always have what we call a “swap-shop session,” where anyone in attendance can take a few minutes to share with the group a teaching idea that they have, a language learning activity or teaching technique that worked well for them, or an app that can be adapted to the classroom.

2017�9��.indd 47

David E. Shaffer is Vice-President of the GwangjuJeonnam Chapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL).

On behalf of the Chapter, he invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings (always on a Saturday). For many years, Dr. Shaffer has been a professor of English Language at Chosun University, where he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses. He is a long-time member of KOTESOL and a holder of various KOTESOL positions, including First VicePresident and Publications Committee Chair. Dr. Shaffer credits KOTESOL for much of his professional development in English language teaching. He is also editor-in-chief of Gwangju News.

GWANGJU-JEONNAM KOTESOL MONTHLY MEETING Date: September 9 (Saturday) Place: Gwangju National University of Education Two Presentations on ELT topics SwapShop – Share with the group an activity or teaching idea that you have.

For full event details: Website: koreatesol.org/gwangju Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL

September 2017

There is much more to KOTESOL than the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter.

KOTESOL is a national organization with nine chapters around the country, and each chapter has its own meetings and events on different weekends of

As a national organization, KOTESOL hosts multiple national events. Each spring it holds a national conference that attracts hundreds of English teachers from around the country.

This year’s conference featured “neuroELT” presentations, topics on an emerging field that KOTESOL introduced to Korea. Lastly, the main event of the year for KOTESOL is its autumn international conference

THE AUTHOR

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

To top things off, most months we have a Reflective Practice SIG (special interest group) that meets in the mornings of meeting day for attending teachers to discuss and reflect on their own teaching practices and how they can be improved on. These are inwardlooking, inward-searching, insightful sessions that can even be therapeutic.

Additionally, the chapter has an annual conference every spring that features a full day of speakers and concurrent workshop presentations on all things TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language). The KOTESOL slogan is “Teachers Helping Teachers,” and our chapter events attempt to emanate this.

the month. There are national SIGs for KOTESOL members: the Multimedia and CALL SIG, the Reflective Practice SIG, the Christian Teachers SIG, the Social Justice SIG, and more – all of which have their own events. Of these, by the way, the Christian Teachers SIG is having its annual symposium in Pohang on September 23 and the Reflective Practice SIG is having a “Day of Reflection” series of workshops featuring Dr. Thomas Farrell in Seoul on September 30.

Why am I saying all this about KOTESOL? Well, it’s all in the hope that the young lady in the restaurant who said “I know how to teach” might realize that there are things out there that she could do to make her an even better teacher – that KOTESOL has much to offer beyond the basics, that it has something for everyone.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:30

48 Expat Living

Stop the M

old!

P ra n a n t o y K a ri n a b n e tt ri W

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

COMMUNITY

S

ummertime in Korea is hot and humid. The monsoon season that comes with it also makes it damp, and thus, a perfect opportunity for mold to manifest itself in our homes. Mold grows well in paper and wood products, so it usually is visible in Korean homes as most walls are lined with wallpaper. Mold is not only an eyesore, but harmful to our health as well.

Mold is said to have numerous negative effects on our bodies, including • Headache, nausea, fatigue, cough, atopy, and difficulty in breathing.

• It triggers more severe allergic reactions in our respiratory system and causes nasal inflammation.

Mold is especially dangerous for babies and small children, and for people who have asthma and various other allergies.

• Prolonged exposure to a moldy environment can foster hemorrhages and even cancer.

• When left for a very long time, mold can make a building’s walls weak, possibly causing them to eventually collapse.

Since mold occurs naturally, it is not possible to completely stop the growth of mold, but we can control it by following these easy steps: 1. Using germicide (살균제) A general way to get rid of mold is by using a germicide or mold remover. These are sold in all large and smaller marts, especially during the summer season. As it is very easy for mold to appear, before using germicide, you will need to remove the wallpaper on which the mold has manifested itself and then paste new wallpaper over it.

Spray the germicide over the mold-affected areas and then wipe them after leaving it for 2–3 hours.

2.Using oxygen bleaching (산소 표백제) Using bleach is not highly recommended as it is bad for the health, but should you need to use bleach, opt for oxygen bleach instead. This can also be bought in large marts. Only use the bleach on the parts of the wallpaper infected with mold and then dry using a hair dryer. If you see that not much mold is removed, mix baking

2017�9��.indd 48

soda with the bleach to st re ng t he n its cleaning properties.

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners because it can create toxic fumes and be fatal.

3. Using vinegar This method is the most convenient and cheapest to use.

It is also the most environmentally friendly and causes the least harm to health. Using cotton or a paper towel, mix vinegar with germicide, and use the solution to wipe the mold from the wall.

Sound like too much work? Alternatively, you could hire professionals to wipe out the mold for you. This is our recommended professional cleaner: Korea Clean (K크린) Address: 204 Sudeung-ro, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Operating Hours: Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Weekends: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Telephone: 1855-0432, 070-7178-8450 Website: http://케이크린전남.com/index.php Prices range from 180,000 won and up (depending on your house size) Prevention is always better than curing. Lessen the chance for mold to appear in your house by always allowing for a good circulation of fresh air, cleaning your air conditioner regularly, and basically keeping the humidity as low as you can by using a dehumidifier. Keep ventilation open to damp areas in your house like the kitchen and bathroom.

Follow these steps and say goodbye to mold!

(Special thanks goes out to Kwak Ji-young for assistance on this article.)

THE AUTHOR Karina is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been calling Gwangju home for 11 years. She loves mystery books, is obsessed with cleanliness, and always reads horror books before going to sleep.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:31

Survival Korean includes the most essential Korean phrases you need to know while traveling or living in Korea. The expressions come with detailed explanations as well as fun and useful information about the situations in which they are used.

Talk to Me In Korean

49

Hospitals

Talk To Me In Korean and Seoulistic are proud to present to you

Survival Korean!

Make your stay in Korea much easier and enjoy it to the fullest with Survival Korean!

Whether you are just traveling or living in Korea, this book, the perfect size that can fit right in your purse, will come in handy whenever you want something.

접수 reception [jeop-ssu]

Typically at larger hospitals, someone at the front desk will ask you what the problem is and direct you to a specific section of the hospital to receive the proper care.

주사 injection, shot [ju-sa]

In Korea, injections in the buttocks are common, even for non-buttocksrelated illnesses such as the flu.

진료 examination [jil-lyo]

This word refers to when the doctor examines a patient to find the problem.

응급실 emergency room [eung-geup-ssil]

Emergency rooms in Korea are not private rooms. Instead of walls, there are curtains between beds to offer a bit of privacy. Medical consultation with the doctors often take place with the curtains drawn. As every resident in Korea is required to be enrolled for the National Health Insurance, health care is relatively affordable for most people, even in emergency rooms. For those uninsured, however, emergency room visits can be as high as 200,000 won or even higher, depending on the nature of the visit.

진단서 medical certificate, (written) diagnosis; doctor’s note [jin-dan-seo]

Sometimes, a medical certificate that proves you were in the hospital is necessary for school, work, or insurance. The cost for issuing this document can vary depending on the hospital and can be requested at the reception desk of the hospital.

Other Useful Vocabulary

내과 [nae-kkwa] internal medicine — akin to general practice 안과 [an-kkwa] ophthalmology (eyes) 치과 [chi-kkwa] dental 이비인후과 [i-bi-in-hu-kkwa] ear, nose, throat 정형외과 [jeong-hyeong-oe-kkwa] orthopedics 성형외과 [seong-hyeong-oe-kkwa] plastic surgery 소아과 [so-a-kkwa] pediatrics

주사실 [ju-sa-sil] injection room 진료비 [jil-lyo-bi] hospital bill, medical expense 증상 [jeung-sang] symptom 입원 [i-bwon] hospitalization 입원하다 [i-bwon-ha-da] is the verb for “to be hospitalized.” 퇴원 [toe-won] discharge (after being hospitalized) 퇴원하다 [toe-won-ha-da] is the verb for “to be discharged (from a hospital).”

This book extract from Survival Korean is available at MyKoreanStore.com

2017�9��.indd 49

September 2017

Department Names

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

의사 means “doctor” and 선생님 means “teacher.” When you put these two words together, this is one way to address a doctor, but most of the time it is shortened to 선생님.

EDUCATION

의사 선생님 doctor [ui-sa seon-saeng-nim]

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:31

50

Do We Live in Peace?

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

OPINION

Written by the Douglas Baumwoll

T

he 2017 World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) will be held in Gwangju, September 14–17 at the Kimdaejung Convention Center. The theme of the forum is “Do We Live in Peace?”

This is the central theme of this year’s World Human Rights Cities Forum taking place here in Gwangju this month. The forum will consider this question as it applies to cities, however, I will consider it here somewhat more philosophically (as I do hold a degree in that practice). To me, the real question is “Do we live in relative peace?” or “Why don’t we live in peace?” A better question yet, “Can we all get along?” as Rodney King famously asked the American public in 1992 following the Los Angeles riots that killed 62, sparked by his unfathomable beating at the hands of police. More than that, the question of this article begs two additional ones: who, precisely, is “we”; and what, exactly, constitutes “peace”?

PEACE AMONG PEOPLE Let’s start with the second question: What is peace? Regarding individuals’

2017�9��.indd 50

behavior, my life is fairly hunky-dory.

I mean, I haven’t been personally assaulted lately. Nor has my home been broken into. I have not been a victim of domestic violence. Nor has anyone I know, on all these counts. Then again, as I watched the news about the vehicular homicides recently perpetrated in Charlottesville, Virginia (USA), and Barcelona, Spain, it seems some people really can’t get along with the rest of us. And why were these acts of wanton violence committed? Bad ideology, misguided belief, and extreme malcontent.

Another troubling fact is “intentional homicide.” The United Nations reports that in 2012 roughly 500,000 people were murdered worldwide, and the number of victims extends into the millions when we consider the suffering of immediate and extended family members. I’ll spare you the global statistics on rape, aggravated assault, domestic violence, nonfatal shootings, and the Mexican Drug Wars.

Not very peaceful, really.

PEACE AMONG NATIONS Governments, that is, nations, have behaved particularly immorally over the last 120 years (if you consider intentionally killing people in the name of the state as an immoral act). Estimates vary, but during the 20th century an incomprehensible 123,000,000 of our fellow human beings perished due to wars. The Korean War alone cost 1.6 million civilian lives and 1.2 million combatants’ lives. Humans seemingly have fared better this century: war has killed 1,000,000 of our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and sons and daughters. Syria alone has lost between 325,000 and 475,000 of her citizens since just 2011.

Today, there are 10 “official” wars in the world, along with armed “military conflicts” involving 64 nations and 576 separatist and militia groups.

Why all the bloodshed? Again, it’s really a very simple answer: ideology.

Ideologies born of religion, tribalism, political theory, and straight-out landand-natural-resource-grabbing, all of which date back to the Romans and Mongols. Ideologies of domination,

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:32

51 superiority, intolerance, ambivalence, hatred: all are manifestations of human belief. The good news is, of course, so are collaboration, acceptance, brotherhood/sisterhood, empathy, and love.

WE Do we live in peace? The implication is “do we live in peace with one another?” But who is “we”? I mean, we need to consider the idea of “Do we each live in peace with ourselves?”

Hmm. Do I live in peace with myself?

Well, I certainly cogitate on the notion that I absolutely need to lose weight, exercise more, be vegetarian more than one or two days a week, and be less judgmental of hypocrites and liars and Trump supporters. Failing at this causes me some degree of guilt and inquietude; therefore, I do not live in total peace with myself. We all love Homer J. Simpson’s complete inner peace as he dupes other people for his own personal gain or wraps a pancake around an entire stick of butter and then mindfully chows it down. But even Homer suffers a conscience sometimes, engages in self-reflection, and then acts morally toward himself and others. Of course, there are plenty of very bad people in the world who commit very bad acts and are at total peace with themselves. For now, I am leaving them out of the equation.

2017�9��.indd 51

SO? We, as a race, need to work on the whole living-in-peace deal. Humanity has achieved many milestones in terms of art, beauty, science, sociology, and charity. Nevertheless, war, violence, and domination live on vigorously. The wealthy dominate the poor. Owners exploit workers.

The distribution of wealth within and among societies is wacked. The company store and the company town thrive, albeit in evolved forms.

Humans voraciously consume nonrenewable natural resources while at the same time dumping

And there is outright war against the planet. Humanity has added its last 1 billion players to the game in just the last 12 years. We will number 9.7 billion by 2050, and everyone will want the natural-resource consuming, toxic-waste-generating lifestyle that we enjoy today in the G20 nations.

Current human beliefs drive current human actions. Nations are extensions of individuals, and nations’ behaviors reflect those of its individual citizens.

Once individuals act peacefully, it follows that nations will as well. How do we get there? We must each reach a state of inner peace. We must tame our doubts, fears, aggressions, and angers.

We need meditation. Self-reflection.

Introspection. Self-enquiry as to “who am I?” Conversation. Socratic questioning. These techniques result in inner quietude. And from quietude, our individual actions will flow from a place of tolerance, understanding, empathy, love, and compassion toward all people, animals, and the Earth.

Could the answer really be so simple?

I don’t know. But it seems to me we’d better try something. And quick.

THE AUTHOR Doug Baumwoll, a professional writer and editor for 25 years, trains in-service teachers in writing skills and methodology.

His personal writing interests include visionary and speculative fiction, climate change, energy, and social justice. He is the founder of SavetheHumanz.com.

As is always true of our Op-Ed pieces, the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gwangju News, the GIC, or the Gwangju city government. — Eds.

September 2017

Where do your beliefs come from?

How were they formed? When were they formed? Try an exercise: state a

The Dalai Lama told The Wall Street Journal that “meditation in general is good for humanity.” I trust him on this. I personally have witnessed this, in myself and in others. There is now a documented “neuroscience of meditation,” which reveals, scientifically, all kinds of physical and mental health effects from meditation.

The point here is this: “we,” as in individual human beings, will never be able to live in peace with one another until we live in peace within ourselves. Michael Jackson told us this years ago, when he advised us it all starts with “the man [or woman] in the mirror.”

astronomical quantities of wastes into the air, water, and soil. Conventional war continues. Predatory lending abounds. Credit card debt is rife.

Economic monopoly exists, despite anti-trust laws.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

ANALYTIC MEDITATION The Dalai Lama advocates many forms of meditation, but recently he’s been speaking of “analytic meditation,” the analyzing of information and views on a given topic using “human intelligence.” He believes this to be an indispensable tool in the fight against the “prevalent violence and anger across the globe.” Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle knew this 2,500 years ago.

Socrates died for his belief in asking incisive questions. I think we all need to get on this bandwagon once again.

belief you have and then analyze it.

Choose a belief about a stereotype you hold involving such concepts as these: driving a car, where electricity comes from, how gasoline gets from crude oil to the pump, why people commit crimes, the environmental impact of raising cattle, the number of companies owned by PepsiCo., or the number of people living below the poverty line in the USA (it’s over 40 million). You and I may not be murdering people, hating people due to race, or causing international armed conflicts, but we still have a responsibility to question our beliefs daily on the most mundane issues and the status quo. Question the statements by press and politicians passed along as fact.

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:32

OPINION

52 Op-Ed

Stop THAAD!

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

Written by Peter Gallo Photographs courtesy of STOPTHAAD.org

I

’m tired of hearing about the North Korean missile crisis, too. But who is the real aggressor? Antiwar action groups say that it is the U.S. and that the deployment of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system along with the U.S.-South Korea war games are what’s driving the confrontation.

A U.S. Peace-Solidarity Delegation led by some colorful, if controversial, figures visited South Korea at the end of July.

They have brought some much-needed attention to the grassroots-led “Stop THAAD” movement here in South Korea, as well as a “Yes to Peace Through Dialogue” solution to the crisis. The delegates included Jill Stein (former Green Party presidential candidate during the 2016 U.S. election), Medea Benjamin (CODEPINK), Reece Chenault (U.S. Labor Against War), and Will Griffin (Veterans for Peace).

These delegates represent the Task Force to Stop THAAD in Korea and Militarism in Asia and the Pacific, which calls for the removal of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system from South Korea… but there are additional demands. For example: an end to the U.S.-South Korea War Games in exchange for a freeze of North Korea’s nuclear weapons

2017�9��.indd 52

and missile programs, the replacement of the Korean War armistice with a peace treaty, and the peaceful reunification of Korea. These are ambitious but very relevant goals, I would argue. The delegation has shared its message of solidarity with villagers of Seongju, Soseong-ri, and Gimcheon, where the THAAD interceptors are deployed, and also with a broad spectrum of peace activists in Seoul.

The coordinator of the delegation, Juyeon Rhee, who is Korean-American, was blocked from traveling with the delegation by South Korea. Supporters are urged to join a petition to reverse this, and it seems likely that the Moon administration will. During their July 22–28 stay, the delegation met with women opposed to the THAAD system deployed in their communities. Delegates also attended rallies and have even met with the South Korean chair of the National Assembly Committee.

To help get the perspective of the local activists about these happenings, I spoke to a researcher (who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons) who recently spent three weeks in Seongju. Through this interview, I learned more

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:32

53 at the proposed site every day since the deployment was announced, last year. Let’s support them by joining in saying “Stop THAAD.” As for the delegates, I’m not going to argue that they are perfectly suited for the kind of leadership needed right now, but they have managed to get over 270 individuals of significance and nearly 90 organizations to sign on to the demands of the Task Force.

I’m also aware that, put into practice, these proposals would eventually radically transform the Korean Peninsula as we know it. Take a look at the list of supporters for yourself and consider joining them.

To view the solidarity statement, and an impressive list of its supporters, search the stopthaad.org homepage for “No to THAAD in Korea, Yes to Peace through Dialogue.”

◀ Previous page: “Stop THAAD,” from the July 23rd NPA (National People’s Action to Stop the Deployment of THAAD in South Korea) rally. ▲ Above: U.S. Peace Delegation (from left: Will Griffin, Veterans for Peace; Reece Chenault, U.S. Labor Against War; Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK; Jill Stein, Green Party U.S.A.); arrives in Seoul, Korea, to unite with villagers protesting the deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system in South Korea.

THE AUTHOR Peter Gallo regularly contributes to the Gwangju News and is documenting his life in Korea at anjeongchingu.com, and also shares his writings with the Facebook group with the same name.

As is always true of our Op-Ed pieces, the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gwangju News, the GIC, or the Gwangju city government. — Eds.

about why so many people oppose THAAD. According to my source, the delegation’s two-night stay in Seongju included a day that overlapped with a larger anti-THAAD protest in Seosong-ri. Members of the delegation were able to talk with villagers, my source tells me, thanks in great part to two “very competent translators that are peace activists in their own right.”

According to stopthaad.org, there have been demonstrators

2017�9��.indd 53

September 2017

Given the reality of North Korea’s ongoing missile testing, the need to deploy THAAD as a defensive technology would seem obvious, but what I learned during my stay in Seongju was that, for the people who oppose the system, THAAD is an issue of undemocratic politics. [There is a] critical lack of transparency surrounding the deployment under Park, and now under Moon. Following the opinion of various experts, they view the technology as essentially useless to defend South Korea and see it as a symbol of how the South Korean government yields too easily to U.S. pressures while inflaming tensions with the North. They are also concerned about the health and environmental impacts of the system’s powerful radar, and they are concerned about their area becoming a target for future military actions by the North.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

So, what are some of the actual arguments against THAAD that are being expressed by the activists? The THAAD researcher I interviewed had this to say:

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:33

54 Op-Ed

“Preserving Democracy” Written and photographed by Matt Furlane

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

OPINION

T

his past July, I had the opportunity to attend the GIC Talk by Shahed Kayes from Bangladesh. He is a writer and human rights activist currently studying for a master’s degree in human rights and democracy (GNMP) at Chonam University. In the talk, he detailed his struggles confronting authoritarianism in his country and how he risked his life for democratic freedoms. He is a reminder to both Koreans and to me, as an American, to not take democracy for granted.

In May, South Korea conducted a peaceful presidential election that was won by liberal candidate Moon Jae-in with 41 percent of the vote in a field of 13 candidates. Although there were previous protests against former president Park Geun Hye and growing political unrest in 2016, Korea’s democratic transfer of power in 2017 occurred without major incident. It was an example of a healthy democracy.

But around the world, this kind of political stability is being challenged, and democracies are increasingly being threatened by numerous enemies of freedom. For example, Venezuela is in complete disarray with a collapsing economy, domestic instability, and increased violence in the streets. Its economy and former democratic leanings have all but collapsed under the weight of the authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro. And in Hong Kong, citizens are desperately struggling against the Chinese Communist Party as it tries to suppress free speech and undermine free and fair elections with political candidates that are approved only by the government.

But surprisingly, in the United States after the 2016 election, there has been growing concern about the integrity of our own democracy, not only because of possible Russian interference but due to the even more dangerous rise of “fake news,” skewed polling, and collusion between major media outlets with undisclosed organizations both foreign and domestic. These threats have been recently exposed by former CBS investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson whose books Stonewalled and The Smear have shed light on the growing antidemocratic activities of the media, the U.S. government, and political organizations over the last eight years. These examples and many others indicate that

2017�9��.indd 54

real democracy in the modern era is by no means certain.

So what can we do to ensure freedom in the 21st century?

How can we, as ordinary citizens, ensure that all are equally represented – liberal, conservative, independent, or even dissident? What can we do to preserve democracy?

Personally, I believe much can be done by citizens, groups, and community organizations, but it will take a coordinated effort and a willingness to build bridges between various political groups around common issues of concern (i.e., free speech, privacy, and security). I think several actions can be taken to move people toward the goal of essential unity and preserving democratic integrity around the world.

First, because so many western media outlets are compromised (dark money, conflicts of corporate interest, use of “anonymous sources”), the rise of citizen and independent journalism has become critical to informing the public. Whether it’s using WikiLeaks, VPNs, encrypted apps, or posting on Twitter, the Internet has become the de facto lifeline for truth and justice. During his GIC talk, Kayes cited it as being very important to getting out the news about the corruption in his own country and the ability to communicate truth despite government interference. I spoke to him later, and he stated, “Facebook and email are important for organizing. And there are many bloggers, but about 18 freethinkers, bloggers, and moderate Muslims were killed within 15 months by the government (maybe in collaboration with religious extremists) between 2013 and June 2015.”

Whether it’s in southeast Asia or America, it is of utmost importance for people to communicate their ideas freely on the web and to allow the natural give-and-take of ideas that has occurred throughout history to exist without suppression by anyone. For example, in America, I escape the grip of “fake news” by watching multiple independent YouTube news outlets from different political perspectives including “liberal”-leaning outlets like Vox, Vice News, and The Rubin Report, as well as “conservative” leaning outlets like 1791L, Freedomain Radio, and even the U.K.’s

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:33

55 Nigel Farage LBC. As popular as CNN and Fox News used to be, the reality is that more and more Americans are looking to the Internet for “real” news, and people around the world should do the same.

Secondly, we should publicly expose government suppression of free speech and support dissidents.

One of the classic ways governments undermine freedom is to attack the messengers and try to discredit anyone providing a counter-narrative to propaganda.

For example, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was immediately accused of sexual misconduct in order to discredit him when he leaked government information, but the accusations were never verified. After the fake charges were dropped, Assange stated, “Detained for seven years without charge while my children grew up and my name was slandered. I do not forgive or forget.”

The reason Assange has survived for so long is because the U.K. newspaper, The Guardian, has stood by him and free speech advocates have seen him as a champion of independent journalism.

And in America, reporter Sharyl Attkisson had her career derailed, was hacked, and had her privacy violated by domestic intelligence organizations, yet she risked everything to publish her books and expose corruption.

Because she has defenders of free speech supporting her, she has become a voice for preserving democracy in America. Who do you know that is fighting for freedom?

Will you stand by them when they are slandered?

Independent news outlets, citizens, and human rights groups must join together to stand up for people who are risking their jobs, families, and lives for free speech and democracy.

As we approach the next decade and the world becomes even more connected than ever before, I believe it is critical for citizens all over the world to fight back against the ongoing threats to democracy and work towards political unity by protecting speech, supporting independent news sources, and defending those who would sacrifice everything to help defend democracy. If we join together, Gwangju can be part of a new “uprising,” not just for Korea but for the freedom of the world.

THE AUTHOR

Matt is an English teacher from the United States.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and an associate’s degree in electronics engineering. He took up photography and journalism after he graduated and still relies heavily on a spell checker for words like “necessary” and “Mississippi.

As is always true of our Op-Ed pieces, the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gwangju News, the GIC, or the Gwangju city government. — Eds.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

Lastly, a healthy democracy depends on free and accurate information. If truth and public policy are to survive the inevitable changes in attitude and turnover in government leadership, then they must be rooted in information properly sourced, collected, and analyzed. This includes access to government documents. For example, journalist Tim Shorrock was able to do honest research about the

5.18 Gwangju Uprising because he was able to gain access to 4,000 declassified U.S. government documents. By using this valuable data, he could do real research, counter any propaganda coming out of the Korean or U.S. governments, and preserve the real history for all Gwangju residents. But a healthy democracy also depends on access to polling information and “Big Data.” For example, during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the public was lead to believe that Hillary was ahead by a wide margin. But if the polling data had been reported accurately, a more honest picture of a very tight political contest would have been revealed to the public. We cannot accept blindly what every poll says.

Citizens must have access to the data about who, where, and how many people were polled. “Big Data” must not only be used; it must be examined carefully for accuracy and bias. Otherwise, it will only create future public and political instability.

September 2017

2017�9��.indd 55

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:33

56

Community Board Have something you want to share with the community?

Gwangju News Community Board provides a space for the community to announce club activities and special events.

Please contact gwangjunews@gic.or.kr for more information.

UNESCO KONA VOLUNTEERS KONA Storybook Center (KSC) is a registered small public library supported by UNESCO KONA Volunteers (UKV). UKV is a registered organization that helps disadvantaged children to learn English independently through storybooks and story-maps. We guide the family and children to develop a love of reading storybooks in English. We also give guidance to volunteers in using storybooks. We are looking for long-term volunteers who desire to enrich their lives. We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at least once a month.

The days for KONA volunteering and the facilities are as follows: 1. KONA Storybook Center: Every Saturday, 3–5 pm 2. Gwangju Children’s Home: 1st, 2nd, and 4th Saturday, 3rd Sunday, 3–5 pm 3. Grandmother’s Community Children’s Center: 4th Friday, 4–6 pm

VOLUNTEER TEACHERS NEEDED for the the Gwangju UCC (Universal Cultural Center). Any levels of experience, English teachers here in the Gwangju area during 2017 can participate. UCC has a Facebook profile if you would like to see what kind of other services are available. To participate in the international cultural exchange programs, you may email peter.j.gallo@gmail. com or phone/ text 010-9490-4258.

GIC ZUMBA WITH THANDO GIC Hall, 1st Floor, GIC 7:00–8:00 pm, Thursdays Facebook: GIC Zumba with Thando Zumba is BACK at the GIC! It is a fun-filled cardio class that fits all levels, no experience needed. Come get the body back for summer and have fun while you are at it. Midweek fitness party. Dress comfortably and be ready to sweat. Also, bring along water and a towel.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

September 2017

For more information, please visit http://cafe.daum. net/konavolunteers or our Facebook pages for KONA Storybook Center and UNESCO KONA Volunteers, or contact Kim Young-Im 062-434-9887, or email konacenter@gmail.com.

GWANGJU FILIPINO ENGLISH TEACHERS (GFET) Every 3rd Tuesday of the month 10 am – 12 noon, GIC, Room 3 (2F) We are a group of Filipino English teachers in Gwangju who conduct regular accent training and lectures to help fellow English teachers to become better educators.

GWANGJU INTER FC The Gwangju International Soccer Team (Gwangju Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend. If you are interested in playing, email gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search “Gwangju Inter FC” on Facebook.

TUESDAY NIGHT YOGA GIC Hall, 1st Floor 7:00–8:00 pm, Tuesdays Facebook: Gwangju Yoga with Emily This is a weekly class appropriate for all levels. Beginners and advanced practitioners alike are encouraged to join.

2017�9��.indd 56

2017-09-01 �� 10:29:34

Attorney Attorney Park’s Park’s Law Law Firm Firm We're ready to serve your best interests in legal disputes.

We provide affordable consultation & representation.

▶ Areas of Specialty contracts, torts, family law, immigration, labor ▶ Civil & Criminal Attorney Park, Duckhee

former judge, GIC board member Services available in Korean, English & Chinese

#402 Simsan Bldg, 342-13 Jisan-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju Location: next to Gwangju District Court

2017 9

_

.indd 3

Tel: 062) 222-0011 Fax: 062)222-0013 duckheepark@hanmail.net

2017-08-31

3:16:23

asiacultureforum.org

Asia Culture Forum 2017 아시아문화포럼 청년캠프 International Youth Camp 2017 “A Cultural City Made by New Generation Youth”

Sunday, November 12 ~ Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Orientation: Saturday, October 14 / Online activities: Monday, September 25 ~ Saturday, November 11

Venue: Asia Culture Center and May 18 Education Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea Asia Culture Forum International Youth Camp 2017, part of Asia Culture Forum is a platform where international youth from various countries will come together to discuss on the topic of “A Cultural City Made by New Generation Youth.” All young participants will participate in workshops and online activities, receive mentoring from experts and attend the Asia Culture Forum. By participating they will propose ideas and models for Gwangju city’s festivals and events.

Application procedure · Application form at the ACF website · Submission to sh@gic.or.kr · Application deadline: September 17, 2017 · Acceptance notification: September 22, 2017

Prize and award: · The 1st Best Project Team Award

by Mayor, Gwangju Metropolitan City with a trip to one of the culture cities in Asia · The 2nd Best Project Team Award

by President, Hub City of Asian Culture Forum Partcipation fee: 30,000 won

Eligibility · Ages between 19 and 29 years

Benefits

· Proficiency in English

· A certificate of participation

· Participation in online and offline activities

· Accommodation and meals during the camp · Gwangju souvenir Contact information: JEONG Sohee (sh@gic.or.kr / +82-62-226-2733)

Hosts

2017 9

_

.indd 4

Organizers

2017-08-31

3:16:29