(EN) Gwangju News April 2014 #146

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www.gwangjunewsgic.com

April 2014 Issue No. 146

Michael Simning 1974-2014 Gwangju’s foreign community organizer passes

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Meet Our Contributors:

GIC Gwangju News Team Period 2013

Kim I-seul: Having experience staying overseas for a year, I can understand more than most how foreigners can worry while staying in Gwangju. I thought maybe that it would become gloomy for them, living in Korea, and I wanted for them to have good memories in Gwangju with me. So, GIC, Adios and so on. I participated thoroughly and through group activities was able to make good memories.

I became good friends with many of the people I met, and I am sorry to leave, but I will keep these happy memories.

Jeon Se-na: I am so happy to have volunteered at the GIC. I met many globalized, energetic people here and learned a lot from them. Also, I am determined to be a person who can contribute to the world, like Dr. Shin, Professor Grotjohn and Joey Nunez. They always seem like they are pouring their heart into GIC work. Even after my six months of regular volunteer work is finished, I will continue to help the GIC become a world-class international center! I will miss these moments. Thank you, GIC. An Se-in: I was so glad to have met these awesome people: my volunteer team, coordinators, interns, and GN contributors. The six months I spent as a GIC volunteer have produced some of the most precious memories of my life. Thanks to all of you for letting me contribute to Gwangju News. It has been an honor to volunteer here. Goodbye GN and GIC!

Kim I-seul

Park Seong-yeop

Jeon Se-na

P a r k S e o n g - y e o p : It was an unforgettable experience for me to write recipes introducing Korean food, not only for foreigners in Gwangju, but also for people all around the world, and meeting the people at Gwangju News and sharing ideas during my volunteering period.

An Se-in

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editorial team

#146

April 2014 First Issue Publication Date: May 1, 2001 This Issue Publication Date: March 24, 2014

ON THE COVER The Life of Michael Simning Photograph courtesy of Gwangju Foreigners’ Network (GFN)

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 Logos (Phone +82-62-444-8800)

Gwangju News is a monthly English magazine written and edited by volunteers. We welcome your contributions for proofreading, copy editing, administration, layout/design and distribution. Please write to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr to tell us your area of interest.

THE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher: Dr. Shin Gyonggu

Gwangju News also welcomes letters to the editor regarding articles and issues. Articles and submissions may be edited for reasons of clarity or space.

GWANGJU NEWS PRINT Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Robert Grotjohn Editor: Adam Volle Layout Editor: Karina Prananto Coordinators: Karina Prananto, Kim Minsu Photo Editors: Karina Prananto, Simon Bond Chief Proofreader: Bradley Weiss Copy Editors: Heinrich Hattingh, Kaley LaQuea, Joey Nunez, Jon Ozelton, Samantha Richter, Jenn Tinoco Proofreaders: Timm Berg, Christie Fargher, Brian Fitzroy, Don Gariepy, Jannies Le, Joey Nunez, SS Puri, Pete Schandall, Teri Venable, Gilda Wilson Creative Consultant: Warren Parsons Researchers: An Se-in, Jeon Se-na, Jung Sujin, Kim I-seul, Park Seong-yeop

Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center Address: Samho Center 1-2 Fl. 5, Jungang-ro 196beon-gil (Geumnam-ro 3 Ga) Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-023, South Korea Phone: +82-62-226-2733~4 Fax: +82-62-226-2731 Website: www.gic.or.kr E-mail: gic@gic.or.kr

GWANGJU NEWS ONLINE Editor: Ana Traynin Online Administrator: Carl Hedinger Online Editorial Assistants: Brittany Baker, Rebecca Weber

ADVERTISING For advertising enquiries, please contact: Karina Prananto at karina@gic.or.kr or 062-226-2733~34

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

Copyright by the 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 publishers.

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contents

contents Cover Story 2 6 8 11 15 16

11 Michael Simning June 4, 1974 - February 28, 2014

16 Jane Jeong Trenka: Adoptee Activist Author to Talk on Writing for Change

18 Corporal Punishments in Schools

18 20 21 22 24 26 28 29 30 32 34

35 36 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

Meet Our Contributors Gwangju City Hall News Upcoming Events Michael Simning: June 4, 1974 - February 28, 2014 Gwangju Talks: Michael Simning In Their Memories Jane Jeong Trenka: Adoptee Activist Author to Talk on Writing for Change Corporal Punishment in Schools Help Prevent Child Abuse Through Art GIC May Concert: Inspiring Patriotism and Protest Songs of the World Gwangju: Striving to be a 'Human Rights City' National Pension Q & A Gwangju's Sister City: Guangzhou, China Photo of the Month: Gwangju Blue Hour Shutter Speed Photo Essay: Jaypee Capiral Photography GIC Tour Preview: Naju and the Youngsan River GIC Talk Preview: The Risk of “Indigeneity” and a Realization of Human Rights GIC Talk April 2014 Schedule Korea In The World: Guatemala Health Hacks Birds Korea: April Korean Myths: Does Eating Pork Protect You From Pollution?

Korean Sayings: The Flea and the Axe FashOn: Spring In Your Step What Korea Thinks about Sochi 2014 My Korea: Jong-ro, Insa-dong, Samcheon-dong KOTESOL: Troubleshooting Speaking: What To Do When Your Students Won't Speak Korean Poetry Gwangju Writes: Star Death Gwangju Eats: Yangdong Market Chicken Gwangju Cooks: Tofu Meatballs Self Introduction Crossword Community Board

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news

Gwangju City Hall News Words by Carl Hedinger Compiled by An Se-in, Jeon Se-na, Kim I-seul and Park Seong-yeop Photos courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City

Culture Cities Hold Opening Ceremonies

Gwangju, one of the three 2014 East Asia Culture Cities, held its opening ceremony in the Grand Theater of the Gwangju Culture and Art Center on March 18, kicking off eight months of cultural exchange with its two partners. Famous art groups performed to represent not only Korean but also Chinese and Japanese culture.

The East Asia Culture City Committee revealed its theme to be “Music Transcending Three Cities.”

Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city with a population of over three million, is widely known to opera lovers as the city of Madam Butterfly. It held its opening ceremony on February 25. Yokohama's opening followed that of Quanzhou's on February 13. Quanzhou is an ancient trading port in the southern Fujian Province of China and has a population of more than eight million. It is also famous for its cultural heritage of traditional art.

Top: Opening performance on March 18 in Gwangju Culture and Art Center Photo ⓒ Gwangju Ilbo Bottom: Pacifico Yokohama, the main venue for East Asia Culture Cities Opening Ceremony in Japan

This cultural interaction is based on a joint agreement made at a conference in September 2013.

New Bus Line from Cheomdan 2 to Sangmu

Gwangju declared a new Sangmu 22 bus route from Buk-gu's Cheomdan 2 district, where city buses are lacking. This new line will run though the neighborhoods of Munheung, Ochi, Ilgok, Yangsan, Cheomdan 1 and 2, Dongrim, and Sangmu.

Passengers should expect 11-13 minute intervals with the bus running over 160 times each day.

Transportation authorities hope this bus route will specifically help students and workers long in need of a direct line from Munheung to Cheomdan and people living in the soon-to-be-completed Cheomdan 2 district.

At Cheomdan 2's completion, about 7,400 households are expected to be filled with 21,000 people. Additional commercial facilities and factories are also nearing completion. As one city official has said, “Gwangju will put its best efforts to improve service and manage bus interval times based on future needs.”

Bus No. 22 will run from Sangmu district to the Cheomdan and Ochi areas in Buk-gu Photo ⓒ Newsway

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news City Supports Public Assisted Rental Housing

Gwangju is lending a hand to those in need by providing public assistance to low-income singleparent families, teenagers, and the unmarried.

Mayor Kang announced that this city co-op will support a total of eight rental houses and occupants will be invited as early as March 4th.

Occupants will be chosen by a screening committee, which will investigate factors such as tenants' previous rental history and their selfreliance. This investigation will account for half of the examination process while a final interview will make up the remainder.

Successful applicants can receive up to 100% of their rent and their security deposit towards housing provided by the co-op. The plan intends to help a single family be financially independent by granting roughly nine million won of support for two years.

Supported households can also partake in various educational and cultural programs administered by Dong-gu's Healthy Family Support Center.

For more information, call the corresponding Woman and Children Division in your area.

- Gwangju City: 613-2282 - Dong-gu: 608-2654 - Seo-gu: 360-7958 - Nam-gu: 607-3513 - Buk-gu: 410-8279 - Gwangsan-gu: 960-8383.

Spend a Day with Culture Each Month

The government recently designated the last Wednesday of each month in 2014 as “A Day with Culture” and Gwangju is extending this opportunity to its citizens. To expose people to local culture, the city is extending opening hours of museums, galleries and libraries, as well as offering free admission. Some major movie theaters are also discounting ticket fees. City officials hope to start small but plan to expand the “Day with Culture” to more facilities throughout Gwangju. Stay tuned for more.

For more news on Gwangju please scan the QR Code

Top: Gwangju Museum of Art’s Art Library Photo ⓒ Gwangju Museum of Art Bottom: Parents with elementary school child learn together in an educational environment Photo ⓒ Gwangju National Museum

Educational Experiences for Elementary Families

Two new and exciting opportunities are being offered in Gwangju. First, the city's National Museum has been managing an educational program for elementary school students and their families to provide fun yet informative experiences at the museum on Saturdays. The museum has planned more interactive-oriented programs for 2014, such as map-making of the Shinan Sea Route, experiencing Confucian culture, metal crafts, and painting on hanji (traditional paper) in concordance with special exhibitions.

The program started on February 15th and will continue until the 20th of December. It will take place on every first and third Saturday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with one hour for study and the second for activities. Any families with elementary school-age children can join. Those interested must apply beforehand through this webpage (http://gwangju.museum.go.kr). The first 30 families will be allowed to participate on a firstcome, first-served basis.

While this leaves the second and fourth Saturdays open, Gwangju's Museum of Art has you covered for the remainder of each month. The GMA is running a class that also started on February 15th but will finish in November. Attendees can partake in a folklore craft class, learn about local trees, and explore the ecological folklore village. Visit http://gwangju.go.kr to sign up. As with the National Museum, this class is available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Please try to join as soon as possible so you don't miss out on this great opportunity!

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upcoming events

Upcoming Events April 2014 Compiled by An Se-in, Jeon Se-na, Kim I-seul, Park Seong-yeop and Karina Prananto

Movies @ the Gwangju Theater Address: Chungjang-no 5-ga (two blocks behind NC WAVE) Phone: 062-224-5858 Admission: 8,000 won per person per film.

Check online for the theater’s calendar and prices at: http://cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju (Korean) Films change weekly to bi-weekly.

Stories We Tell 우리가 들려줄 이야기 [15, PG-13]

Genre: Documentary Director: Sarah Polley Starring: Rebecca Jenkins, Michael Polley, John Buchan, Mark Polley Language: English Synopsis: The movie explores the relationship between Polley's parents and includes interviews with her relatives and friends. Michael Polley, Sarah's father, narrates his memoir.

Philomena 필로미나의 기적 [12, PG-13]

Genre: Drama Director: Stephen Frears Starring: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan Language: English Synopsis: Philomena is a mother whose son was taken away from her when she was a teenage inmate of a Catholic convent. Martin Sixsmith, a former journalist, meets the woman and then goes on a search for Philomena's son to discover his fate.

A Touch of Sin 천주정 天注定 [18]

Han Gong-ju 한공주

Genre: Drama Director: Lee Su-jin Genre: Drama Director: Jia Zhangke Starring: Cheon Woo-hee, Jeong InStarring: Wu Jiang, Luo Lanshan, Li Meng seon, Kim So-yeong, Lee Yeong-ran Language: Chinese Language: Korean Synopsis: The movie revolves around four Synopsis: After transferring to a new independent stories set in modern China, school, Gong-ju becomes friends from the with Eun-hee, who metropolitan convinces her to join Guangzhou to rural Shanxi. The four main an a cappella club.

This new opportunity characters all unveils Gong-ju's struggle in their lives troubled past. and experience tragedies due to random acts of violence.

Performances 2014 Jo Su-mi Voice Of Spring 조수미 콘서트– 광주 Venue: Gwangju Culture and Art Center Grand Theater Date: April 22 Time: 7:30 p.m.

Directions: Using buses 16, 18, 27, 58, 63, 83, 84, 85 or 192, get off at the Gwangju Culture and Art Center Entrance Bus Stop.

Admission: VIP Seats 150,000/R Seats 130,000 won / S Seats 100,000 won/ A Seats 80,000 won/ B Seats 60,000 Website: http://ticket.interpark.com/

Dabba 런치박스 [12, PG]

Genres: Drama, Romance Director: Ritesh Batra Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui Languages: Hindi, English Synopsis: The movie tells a story about a man who has been grieving after his wife's passing, and about a woman who wants to rekindle her love with her husband through cooking. Both characters accidentally meet after a series of “unfortunate” events.

Asia Art Theater Community Performertivity 아시아예술극장 커뮤니티 퍼포머티비티 Venue: Gwangju Culture and Art Center Grand Theater Date: April 19~20 Time: April 19 7:00 p.m./ April 20 3:00p.m.

Directions: Using buses 16, 18, 27, 58, 63, 83, 84, 85 or 192, get off at the Gwangju Culture and Art Center Entrance Bus Stop.

Admission: R Seats 50,000 won / S Seats 30,000 won/ A Seats 20,000 won Website: http://ticket.interpark.com/

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Welcome to April!

Here's what's happening at Holiday Inn Gwangju.

Lobby Lounge - Happy Hour

Exhibitions Young Artist Exhibition 청년작가초대전 Venue: Gallery Jino (Jino Building 5th Floor, 1294-25 Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu) Dates: February 15 - April 15 Times: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Directions: Using buses 19, 20, 62, 69, 73, 160, 270, get off at Chonnam High School Entrance Admission: Free Phone: 062-384-0500 SIN CHUN JUNG DAM 신춘정담 Venue: Lotte Gallery Dates: March 20 - April 19 Times: 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Directions: Using buses 19, 38, 57, 70, 160, 170, 184 or 1187, get off at the Lotte Department Store. The gallery is located on the first floor of the main office of Kwangju Bank, which is located next to the Lotte Department Store.

Admission: Free Phone: 062-221-1807~8 'Vestiges of the Memoria' 금속공예가 3人의 아트주얼리展 Venue: 515 Gallery Date: March 24 - April 22 Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. / closed on Sundays Directions: Using buses 55, get off at the Hak gang Elementary School, or by using buses 01, 17, 25, 27, 48, 59, 76, 95 or 98, get off at the Yangrim Humansia Apartment Station.

Admission: Free Phone: 062-654-3003 Website: http://www.maum515.com

Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

29,700 won per person, including the snack buffet and unlimited wine, local beer and soft drinks.

Lobby Lounge Lobster Promotion Dinner

Experience some of the finest lobster dishes featured as well as excellent parings of food and wine.

Enjoy sautéed lobster meat deglaze with vodka and tomato comfit on linguini.

This for only 29,700 won.

Or enjoy grilled Beef Filet Mignon topped with lobster meat ‘Thermidor’ style for 49,500 won.

When you enjoy a food and wine pairing with the lobster dish, then we have a special price offer on a bottle of Misiones De Rengo Chardonnay 2011 from Chile's Central Valley for just 45,000 won.

All prices above include 10 % tax.

To make reservations and for more information, please contact: 062-610-7000 or www.holidayinngwangju.com

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upcoming events

Sports April Home Match Schedule

April Home Match Schedule Date

Match Team

Time

Date

Match Team

Time

5 27

Chungju Hummel FC Ansan Korean Police

2 p.m.

2 p.m.

1-3 11 12 13 15 - 17 29 - 30

NC Dinos Lotte Giants Lotte Giants Lotte Giants Hanhwa Eagles SK Wyverns

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

2 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Venue: Gwangju World Cup Stadium (광주월드컵경기장) Directions: Using buses 6, 16, 20, 26, 47 or 74, get off at the World Cup Stadium bus stop.

Admission: Season tickets: 40,000 won (adults), 20,000 won (youth), Individual tickets: 5,000 won (adults), 3,000 won (youth) For more information, visit: www.gwangjufc.com

Festivals Jindo Miracle Sea Festival (Jindo Sea Parting Festival) 제36회 진도신비의바닷길 축제 Venue: Hoedong-ri, Gogun-myeon, Jindo, Jeollanam-do Dates: March 30 - April 2 Programs: Performances, torch parades, vessel parades, traditional cultural activities and the Jindo dog experience.

Directions: Using bus to Jindo from the Gwangcheon Bus Terminal (the trip takes 2 hours, with a bus fare of 12,200 won). From the Jindo Bus Terminal, take a local bus bound for Gogun-myeon.

Phone: 061-544-0151 Website: http://miraclesea.jindo.go.kr/ Wando Seaweeds Expo 2014 완도국제해조류박람회 Venue: Wando Harbor, Beach Park, Wando, Jeollanam-do Dates: April 11 - May 11 Times: Weekdays: 9 a.m.

- 7 p.m., Weekends: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Programs: seaweed craft art, sea life culture zone, seafood cuisine experience.

Directions: Using bus to Jindo from the Gwangcheon Bus Terminal (the trip takes 2 hours, with a bus fare of 16,500 won). From the Wando Bus Terminal, walk towards the Beach Park.

Admission: Adults 8,000 won, Youth 5,000 won, Children 4,000 won Phone: 061-550-5047 Website: http://en.wandoexpo.com

Venue: KIA Champions Field Directions: Using buses 16, 38, 51, 53, 89, 95, 98 or 151 and get off at the Mudeung Baseball Stadium Bus Stop Admission: Weekdays: Adults 8,000 won/ Children 3,000 won Weekends: Adults 9,000 won/ Children 4,000 won (Get 1,000 won discount if you come with a bicycle) Website: www.tigers.co.kr Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival 2014 영암왕인문화축제 Venue: The Historical site of Dr. Wangin, 440 Wangin-ro, Gunseomyeon, Yeongam, Jeollanam-do Dates: April 4 - 7 Programs: Original play street performances, Dr. Wangin symposium, Wangin activities, Wolchul Mountain tracking, foreigner K-pop contest and traditional games.

Directions: Using bus to Yeongam from the Gwangcheon Bus Terminal (the trip takes one hour and twenty minutes, with a bus fare of 6,900 won).

From the Yeongam Bus Terminal, take a local bus bound for the historical site of Dr. Wangin.

Phone: 061-470-2347~2350 Website: http://wanginfs.yeongam.go.kr/ Shinan Tulip Festival 제7회 신안튤립축제 Venue: Shinan Tulip Festival Area (Daegwang Beach), Imja-myeon, Shinan, Jeollanam-do Dates: April 18 - 27 Programs: Tulip exhibition, tulip activities, traditional performances and kite making.

Directions: Using bus to Jido Jeonnam from the Gwangcheon Bus Terminal. From the Jido Jeonnam Dock, take a ferry to Imja island, and then take a shuttle bus to the Tulip Festival Area.

Phone: 061-240-4041~4043 Website: http://www.shinantulip.co.kr/

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The Life of Michael Simning June 4, 1974 - February 28, 2014 Words by C. Adam Volle Photos courtesy of GFN With thanks to Margaret Law, David Simning, Derek Hannon, Tim Whitman, Billie Pritchett, Kim Mi-young, Professor Shin Gyonggu, and Kim Singsing

R

elatively few of Gwangju's citizens are aware that in addition to 5.18 Park and a nearby bamboo forest, their city is known among Korea's English-speaking population for having a particularly close community of native English teachers. Those who do know it often credit one man in particular: Michael Simning, a Canadian who somehow found the time during his 11 years in Gwangju to involve himself in a dizzying number of business and charity projects.

“I hear it all the time from visitors,” says Derek Hannon, owner of the bar Speakeasy. “'What is it

about Gwangju that makes you all so friendly?' He created the community that we have here…

There isn't a single community thing that happened in the last 10 years that he didn't have his hand in.”

No clearer illustration of his reach exists than the reaction to his passing on February 28. As of this writing, mourners have added over 180 tribute posts to his Facebook timeline, and a scholarship fund created in his honor is on track to donate $5000 toward high school education in Kenya.

Two events to remember him have been held. The

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feature Gwangju Foreigners’ Network (GFN) radio station ran a 10-minute tribute. His mother Margaret Law mused after the funeral, “People have asked me, 'How does it feel to be the mother of someone famous?'”

“But it wasn't about him,” she added. Whatever fame came to him came as an indirect consequence of a simple motivation, one he explained in 2009 to the Chosun Ilbo. He said, “I want to help foreigners live harmoniously with Koreans in various ways."

Here is how he did it.

Origin Story When David Simning moved to Seoul in 1994 to teach English, nobody expected his younger brother Michael to follow him the next year; in fact nobody expected the 19-year-old to move too far from Lacombe, the farming town where he had grown up. As Margaret Law recalls, “Michael didn't like to travel. Buses, trains, and boats – Michael hated them all, even cars.”

More than that, he hated change. By middle school, he had established a strong preference for a lifestyle of familiar comfort, and in no aspect of Michael Simning was this preference more manifest than in his clothes. While many of his peers grew up changing their styles to either match or reject popular fashion, he wore the same outfit in Grade 7 that he would choose for the rest of his life: a short-sleeved and unbuttoned shirt over a t-shirt, above a pair of baggy shorts.

What truly distinguished young Michael Simning, however, was not his love of comfort but his comfort with himself. He was un-athletic – “Never ran anywhere,” his brother remembers – and obsessed with science fiction stories like Star Trek. Yet he possessed none of the fear so common to similar children. Like his father Terry, he was direct with people, and he was “funny, even as a little kid.” He always had a girlfriend.

He developed, in summary, into what one of his old customers approvingly calls “a lad: very funny, rude, and extremely helpful.”

First Contact Even today, the living arrangement that David Simning found for his brother in 1995 would be considered strange in Korea. The job was fine – Michael Simning taught at an English academy in Kimcheon, a little town near Daejeon – but he

shared an apartment with another foreign teacher his age and a young Korean woman, also his age.

As it turned out, the unusual situation would be fateful; he and the woman fell in love. Michael Simning married Ko Young-mi in 1997. They said their vows in a wedding hall ceremony in Anyang. That same year, Simning graduated Seoul National University's program in the Korean language, and the couple returned to Canada to pursue degrees at the University of Alberta, a mere hour's drive from Lacombe. Simning chose to study Chinese History, the nearest subject offered at that institution to his real interest in Korea. They would return after Ko Young-mi's graduation in 2003, to settle near her parents in her hometown of Gwangju.

Speakeasy Michael Simning's first six years' worth of working days in Gwangju would not particularly interest you. He taught English at Salesio Girls' High School and Gwangju Science High School, eventually joining the Ministry of Education's official English program, EPIK, in August of 2005.

Off the clock, however, Michael Simning immediately became one of Gwangju's most visible foreigners, and this article does not have enough pages to describe everything he did which would interest you. He offered his services as a translator to the police. He organized a team of ten teachers to offer free weekly lessons at Sungbin Orphanage. He sponsored Gwangju's foreign baseball team. He attended and eventually gave GIC Talks at the Gwangju International Center (GIC), where he first met its executive director, Prof. Shin Gyonggu. Prof. Shin remembers, “I was quite impressed with his initiative… When the GIC moved, he mobilized [others] to help us.”

But Simning found his passion in 2006, when he and another Canadian named Dave Martin teamed up to start the first foreign-owned bar in Gwangju, Speakeasy.

“The original idea of the bar was a sort of clubhouse,” says Derek Hannon, who worked as Speakeasy's bartender before buying the establishment. “Dave was a musician and wanted a place to play music. So Dave brought the live music to Gwangju and Mike brought the community.”

“Michael had an incredible sense of what

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Left: Having fun with Tim Whitman, his partner at The First Alleyway Right: Michael as a host for GIC Day, 2006

people wanted,” is how Margaret Law puts it.

“The business part was not his strong point; the idea of what people would want was what he was brilliant at.”

Most of the time, anyway; Derek Hannon laughs when he recalls some of Simning's stranger ideas. “He made a bacon vodka one day. 'Try this! It tastes just like bacon!' Mad experiments, but Mike was always the guy saying, 'Why don't we add this?' [So our] beer selection was pretty much unheard-of at its time. Speakeasy was the only place you could get stuff.”

Family-Friendly Gwangju needed more places where foreigners could “get stuff.” In 2007, stores like HomePlus and E-Mart still did not have foreign food sections. According to the Gwangju Blog (another now-popular creation of Simning), foreigners who wanted imported items like halal meat, granola bars, or canned beans had to go all the way to Seoul, or at least the Costco in Daejeon. So only a year after opening Speakeasy, Simning asked another Canadian he had met at the Immigration Office if he was serious about wanting to open a grocery store.

Tim Whitman said he was and together the two men started a hole-in-the-wall foreign foods mart called The Underground Grocers. Despite choosing only to advertise through word-ofmouth, interest swiftly forced the pair into a series of larger locations. As Simning himself would later tell The Korea Times, “We got too

much attention. People wanted to check things and hang around.”

And of course, they were allowed to hang around. Gwangju Blog writes in a September 12, 2012 post that The Underground Grocers “served as a community building place for the foreigners of Gwangju. [There were] multiple activities, including large-scale baking projects, yoga, gaming, storage and general socializing.”

Response to the mart might have helped point out a solution to one of Michael Simning's problems. 2008 brought him a daughter, whom he and his wife named Tiberia Eun-sol Simning (a reference to the hero of his beloved Star Trek stories, James Tiberius Kirk). Michael Simning was now a family man, which did not mix well with working all day at a school and running a bar late into the night.

“Mike got it in his head to start The First Alleyway,” Tim Whitman recalls. It would be a “British-style pub restaurant,” in the words of The Korea Times – the sort of place where foreigners could still talk about their problems over beer, but where a little girl could safely run around. He sold his share of Speakeasy to pay for the restaurant's startup costs and opened for business in early 2010.

The City of Light “I'm Michael Simning and this is Gwangju!” he announced over the radio in March of 2009.

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Earlier that year, employees of the brand-new GFN had stopped by The Underground Grocers to ask if they could post flyers; they were hiring the station's first show hosts. The station's manager, Kim Mi-young, recalls being skeptical when Michael Simning asked if he could apply.

“I thought, 'A grocery store owner? It's not a good idea.' But when he had an audition, he was great!” she laughs now. She gave him the station's flagship program, The City of Light. He hated the show's name but loved the job, in which he offered tips on living in Korea and varied news to Gwangju's expat population.

Hosting The City of Light was in many ways a natural extension – or perhaps the epitome – of all his previous efforts. Now, explaining to foreigners how they could live more harmoniously with Koreans was his primary occupation.

This particularly happy period, in which all his jobs were outlets for his passion, lasted only a little more than a year. In the summer of 2010, Michael Simning became pale and had difficulty breathing. Like many of his friends and family, Kim Mi-young asked him to see a doctor, but he said he never went to hospitals and was afraid to do so. Unlike his friends and family, however, Kim Mi-young could – and did – threaten to fire him if he did not go. Michael Simning visited Gwangju Christian Hospital and was swiftly transferred for treatment of his developing leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow.

A grateful community helped him find the rare B- blood he needed for a transfusion. For a while, the First Alleyway ran on volunteers, with Tim Whitman as manager. Chemotherapy eventually removed the cancer and by the spring of 2013, Michael Simning was involving himself in the community again. He started returning to GFN (Kim Mi-young: “He was so happy to come back.”) and taking part in GIC Day (“Even though at that time he was still not in a good condition,” says GIC Managing Director Kim Singsing).

The treatments had weakened his body, however, and an illness led to his rehospitalization that same year. He passed away a few months later, in the dark morning hours of February 28. Margaret Law, who was already in Gwangju caring for her son, traveled that same day to Seoul to obtain his death certificate from the Canadian embassy. When the clerk saw the name on the top of her paperwork, she cried out “Michael!” and burst into tears. It was another telling example of how many people her son had touched. For a man who hated change, Michael Simning had made quite a lot of it.

To donate to The Michael Simning Ndwara Scholarship Fund, visit: www.gofundme.com/Mike-SimningScholarship.

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[Gwangju Talks] Each month, a select panel of Gwangju residents gathers to discuss a topic of interest. What topics would you like to see discussed, and from what viewpoint? E-mail your requests to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.

Michael Simning In Their Memories Kim Singsing (GIC Managing Director) “I always let him know about GIC programs and events so that he could spread the word through his connections… He was GIC's No. 1 PR Ambassador.

For me and the GIC staff, we want to work with non-Koreans for our programs, but many times we felt it was difficult working with non-Korean volunteers because of the language barrier and the culture differences.

However, Michael made those things easy, and now thanks to him, the GIC has more international volunteers and interns, even a staff member, Joey Nunez from this March. That is all possible because Michael connected the GIC and the international community in Gwangju. I still can't believe he is gone now.”

“Mike's thing was community, community, community. If you weren't tight with your community, what was the point?” ~ Derek Hannon (owner of Speakeasy) Jon Ozelton (Lecturer at Gwangju Health University, former editor of Gwangju News) In the world there are six degrees of separation, but in the Gwangju community there was just one: Mike. Everyone knew him, and pretty much everyone has a story or two about how he's helped them out at some point. He was always involved, always making things happen, and always looking out for people. I can't yet comprehend or accept that he's gone. I'm still expecting to bump into him at the next community day, to ask him when he's getting back on the radio. He'll be sorely missed, and Gwangju a poorer place without him.

Kim Mi-young (GFN station manager) “He made a good relationship between the Koreans of Gwangju and the expats of Gwangju. He was a bridge. We were, I think, very lucky to have him for the station. If we didn't have him I think it would have been very hard to start the radio programs at the time.

When we started it was only four hours a day, but we struggled to find content. He gave advice to the expat and Korean staff…

“I hope people will remember the happy moments with Michael, not just the sad ones.”

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Jane Jeong Trenka: Adoptee Activist Author to Talk on Writing for Change Words by Kaley LaQuea Photos by Raphaël Bourgeois

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his month, author and adoptee activist Jane Jeong Trenka will be giving a talk at Chonnam National University, “Writing for Personal and Social Transformation” on Wednesday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m. in Jinligwan (진 리관) 402.

Trenka has published three books about her experiences as a Korean-American adoptee, with material ranging from memoirs to research essays to poetry. Trenka recounted her initial journey into the writing process as a method of personal healing, one that grew into a pursuit for social justice and change.

“I think I first started [writing] because I would've just died from sadness and probably committed suicide or something like that,” Trenka said. “I started writing after my Korean mother died and my sister didn't want to come to the memorial service with me, my adoptive parents didn't want to come. I was so sad and needed to find a way to address that. Making it into book form was powerfully healing for me. At book readings I felt so lucky; people empathized with me, shared their stories and made me feel better. It was good for my selfesteem and it gave me courage and more room to be more generous.”

Trenka, living in Korea since 2004, has been instrumental with the group TRACK (Truth and Reconciliation for the Adoption Community of Korea). Trenka explained how she used writing as a tool for both personal healing as well as a way to learn about herself and shape her future.

“It kind of taught me how to conceive of the future; my writing is about the past, so you think about the person you want to be. It taught me

about myself, and also the saying is you should write the book you want to read; in order to do that you have to do research.”

Trenka's experiences within the public sphere after publishing her first book, The Language of Blood, aided her desire to assist others who related to her experiences. She decided to edit a second book, Outsiders Within, as a result.

“I encountered other people – maybe Korean maybe not – who related to me, and I realized

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[that I] have an 'in' to publishing services and should use them to help get others’ stories out,” Trenka explained when asked how her initial publication helped her to be more giving. This topic, combined with anger and frustration at the injustice of the Korean adoption system and the complexities surrounding international and multi-racial adoption, will encompass the 'social transformation' portion of Trenka's discussion next month. Trenka stresses the “power of words to go and heal the social situation” surrounding adoption and human rights.

“In Korean society, people have all kinds of secrets and they can't tell anyone as people might discriminate. Korea would be a way better place if people would just let it all hang out. That's my goal: Koreans, get your freak on,” Trenka laughs.

Trenka referenced a recent Saturday Night Live Korea skit that depicts a young man, adopted internationally, who returns to Korea. In the scene he meets his Korean birth mother and attempts to speak Korean as his mother listens and either laughs or cries (her reaction is not shown to the viewer). The skit portrays an emotional and often painful situation for an international Korean adoptee as comedic.

According to Trenka and other members of the

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adoption community, the bit is extremely offensive and in poor taste. She paused thoughtfully for a moment after mentioning the skit, adding, “I understand why people are very closeted about all kinds of things in this society.”

Her books describe the grief and confusion she has experienced throughout her journey as an international adoptee and the discussion will center on how the writing process has helped her grow in spite of those experiences. Trenka's talk will focus on her understanding of writing as a craft and tool to affect interpersonal growth as well as positive social change.

Trenka adds, “I hope people feel more free to share their own stories. This sounds so pedestrian, but just having someone listen to you, you find courage to tell your own story. When someone listens to you, it's a step toward personal healing.”

Books by Jane Jeong Trenka: - The Language of Blood, a memoir of her upbringing in Minnesota and the search for her Korean mother (Graywolf, 2005).

- Fugitive Visions, a memoir of her life in Korea (Graywolf, 2009).

- Outsiders Within: Writing on Transracial Adoption, edited with Julia Chinyere Oparah and Sun Yung Shin, a collection of writing by adoptees from around the world (South End, 2006).

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No models were harmed during this photo shoot

Corporal Punishment in Schools Words by Bradley Weiss Photos by Jeremy Azurin, Naver and Daum blogs Special thanks to Catherina Takoh, Edd Ryewin, Reza Mirhard, and Dinh Nu Ha My

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orporal punishment has been a controversial issue in Korea for a long time. When it comes to laws regarding discipline and corporal punishment in schools, there are not any specific regulations, but people generally agree that corporal punishment should be allowed to some degree.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act stipulates that the school principal can discipline students in accordance with the laws and school regulations when necessary for educational purposes. Revised in 2011, the Act also prohibits direct corporal punishments that inflict physical pain on students with tools or body parts, but the Act still allows indirect punishments, such as squat walking, that cause physical distress.

Before the law was changed in 2011, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act stipulated that the school principal could discipline students in ways that did not inflict physical pain except in “inevitable circumstances” for education, which could be interpreted as permission to punish students when it was “inevitable.”

Unfortunately, the laws regarding discipline in Korea are considered insufficient compared to those of international human rights standards. In Korea, corporal punishments have been regarded as natural ways of teaching children for centuries.

However, laws and general awareness have changed in a positive way. The ordinances for students' human rights, which took effect in 2012 in Seoul, prohibit all kinds of corporal punishment, including physical and verbal violence.

Here are some thoughts on the issue from a few Gwangju's teachers.

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feature Mrs. Kim (45) I am against school corporal punishment. I have raised two children, and they grew well without corporal punishment. As a mother and the educator of my children, I taught them to realize their own faults. The purpose of giving corporal punishment is basically to help kids realize their faults, isn't it?

However, corporal punishment should have limits. At the moment when they are in front of a stick, they may realize their faults and promise not to let it happen again. Act. That's the limit of it. We oppress children with fearful implements. Personally, I think raising the rod is a lower way of teaching students.

Mr. Park (52) Well, how have I felt about these days' school atmosphere? I am worrying about the teachers' rights rather than the students' ones. After declaring students' rights, students are only using their power for their freedom; they do not care about their duties.

As one simple example, teachers cannot give students corporal punishment. A long time ago, corporal punishment existed and also students had rights. After officially declaring students' rights without any proper alternative to corporal punishment, students are acting like they are kings of their schools. Until now, most teachers have controlled their students with suitable punishment. It was like a carrot and stick.

However, our donkeys are going relentlessly on the ways that they want without fear.

Ms. Kim (25) When I was little, when I didn't listen to my parents or my teachers, they used to punish me by using a rod or making me raise my hands for a long time, so that I could reflect on my wrong behavior. But after punishing me, they always let me know how they loved me and what they thought of me, so I could grow up in the right way and so I could appreciate them. So when it comes to being under the age of 15 and not yet being mature enough, I think sometimes they can be punished by adults at home as well as school when they do something wrong.

But sometimes there are news reports that teachers at school punish students very extremely to such an extent as to send them to the hospital, and I think that is wrong. I think it's not a punishment, it's just violent.

So of course such actions should be punished by law. But although the punishments can cause a lot of problems, I still subscribe to the opinion that students can be punished by their parents or by their teachers. In the U.S., the school has strict regulations so when students do something wrong, they are punished according to school rules. But in Korea, even if the school has strict regulations like the U.S. schools have, many Korean schools do not often practice those regulations, like being suspended from school or being expelled from school because school administrators are afraid of what problems may occur to those children. The students will have disadvantages after graduating from school in the future as they become adults. So parents and teachers are trying to educate students without practicing regulations, so I think that's why they use physical force, which is what the student fears most. Thus, I think parents at home and teachers at school, both of them, can punish students with physical force to an extent, but not too much.

Mr. Song (37) I have taught in high school. I think the idea of many men using physical punishments is the proper physical punishment that is needed for students. Of course inhuman corporal punishment becomes a problem but the physical punishment in the established rules will help students' character development. The teenagers who cannot be mature are easy to think of as being more emotional than rational, whether what they have to make is any kind of decision and action.

So if you can solve a problem by talking, a limit will have them because these things increase like they ignore the advice of teacher and break the rules. As a result, recently, teacher's authority in Korean society has fallen. Accordingly there is the obligation to inform the society of the rules, and I feel that I have to teach human nature with a little more powerful rules through corporal punishment.

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community

Help Prevent Child Abuse Through Art Words and photos by Karina Prananto Special thanks to Song Gi-hee

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nyone who passed by Art Street, in downtown Gwangju, last month would not have missed the Hyundai Handicraft Exhibition, a special exhibition organized by Gwangju MBC to raise funds for child abuse prevention while also boosting the local crafts industry.

More than 10,000 cases of child abuse are reported yearly and the number of suffering children is said to be increasing each year.

Through the Hyundai Crafts Exhibition, the Gwangju MBC aimed to raise awareness about child abuse, which often occurs within the home.

This modern craft exhibition was held from February 27 to March 5 in three venues: Mudeung Gallery, Art Town Gallery and Won Gallery. Fifty artists from the Gwangju area participated. The exhibition itself displayed all kinds of art materials: fabric, leather, wood, silver and so on. The result: a diverse kind of display which catered to all interests.

Each gallery carried a specific material theme.

Mudeung Gallery, for example, displayed art works made of fabric, silver jewelries and soap.

Art Town Gallery carried art works made of wood, in forms of traditional to modern furniture.

The Won Gallery displayed African-style art works.

Several artists who participated in this special event have already established their names in the Gwangju art community. If you are interested in seeing more of their works or wondering how they were made, some of the artists give open classes. Yun Soap holds a oneday class on how to make handcraft soap, Merry Quilt House has beginner to advanced quilt lessons and Yedeum Handcrafts offers Hanji making lessons. You may inquire at GIC for more details.

We hope that similar exhibitions will return in the future with more artists and crafts on display. To learn more about how to prevent child abuse, visit the Green Umbrella Children Foundation 초 록 우 산 어 린 이 재 단 at 062-385-1391 or www. cyber1391.or.kr (Gwangju branch).

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community

GIC May Concert:

Inspiring Patriotism and Protest Songs of the World Words by Lee Boram Photos by Relja Kojic

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he songs sung in civic movements from around 1980 to 1990 are called "protest songs". They usually have themes about human rights, labor, democracy, world peace, and unification of the Korean peninsula.

Consequently, protest songs sometimes seem hostile towards the government, but in the Korean Language Dictionary, a "protest song" is simply defined as one everyone can sing together, with one goal and one mind.

We have decided to gather the world's one aim and mind for peace in one place, to share in Gwangju this May as a reminder of Gwangju's soul in the 1980s. The protest songs featured at this year's May Concert will be from all over the world, to highlight each country's culture and history.

The May Concert will be held on Sunday, May 11th and will introduce great patriotic protest songs, including “La Marseillaise,” which became the French national anthem after revolution; "I am Australian," which tells us about the country's history and culture; and an English version of "Marching for Our Beloved,” which is similar in meaning to the United States' “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and is one of the most famous songs in Korea.

If you want to join the event and feel the world's one aim and mind, while hearing a variety of languages' patriotic songs, do not miss this concert.

GIC May Concert Date and Time: May 11 (Sunday); 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Venue: Bitgoeul Citizens’ Cultural Hall (빛고을 시민문화관) Directions: Using bus 59 and get off Gwangju Park (광주공원) or buses 06, 07, 12, 45, 74, 170 and get off at Gwangju Confucian School (향교입구) Admission: All seats 10,000 won (Tickets may be purchased in advance at the GIC) For more information: gic@gic.or.kr

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Gwangju: Striving to be a 'Human Rights City' Words by Blake Bouchard Photos courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City

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ll repressive laws must be revoked, and laws introduced to protect the rights of the people.”

- Aung San Suu Kyi

Gwangju appears to be taking these words to heart as it moves from the violent uprisings of May 18th towards its current goal of becoming a human rights city. Perhaps a true human rights city would be the ultimate fulfillment of Aung San Suu Kyi's sentiment.

But then, what is a human rights city? According to the “Gwangju Declaration on Human Rights City”, it is “both a local community and sociopolitical process in a local context where human rights play a key role as fundamental values and guiding principles.” However, Gwangju's “Basic Ordinance for Human Rights” defines a human rights city as “the model city, which succeeds, develops, and realizes the historicity and spirit of democracy and human rights in the local community, and spreads them widely.”

Regardless, the heart of the message is to become a city where human rights are understood and serve as the bedrock for policy development and decision-making.

Other cities such as Edmonton, Canada and organizations like PDHRE (an NGO consultant on human rights to the UN) have different definitions of a human rights city. It is worth noting that in comparison to Gwangju's version, these other defintions tend to focus more on the individual. In short, there is no single accepted definition, but the purpose is universal: an attempt to raise human rights awareness and apply the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the ground through policy development and/or outreach programs.

From the Donghak Rebellion of 1894 to the May 18 battle against South Korea's military junta, the

people of South Jeolla have historically resisted oppression. Though the mechanisms have changed, this tradition has continued into the present, with Gwangju increasingly engaged in the global human rights conversation. According to Gwangju's “Basic Action Plan for a Human Rights City,” the city leadership's long term vision involves developing: “Gwangju as the world human rights city and contribut[ing] to world peace and human rights improvements through a new understanding of the historicity of Gwangju, the spirit of democracy, human rights, and peace.”

This is part of a fifteen-year trend of Gwangju steadily increasing its global exposure in the human rights arena. Having high profile individuals such as Xanana Gusmao – the leader of the East Timor resistance against the Indonesian occupation – receive the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (established in 2000) has certainly brought more publicity.

Since 2007 Gwangju has also turned its attention inward by implementing a series of policies, including the “Gwangju Human Rights Charter,” to establish a solid human rights foundation for the city. City officials have also begun outreach programs, including the development of a human rights online portal, the establishment of a human rights ombudsman, and the early stages of a public education program.

Perhaps the crown jewel of Gwangju's efforts is the World Human Rights City Forum. First held in 2011, it drew over 100 participants to discuss the future role of human rights cities. Organized in conjunction with the May 18 commemorative ceremonies, this forum has brought Gwangju and Gwangju's history of fighting against oppression into the spotlight.

Attendees of the 2011 forum signed the “Gwangju Declaration on Human Rights City,” committing to

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2 1. Forum participants are invited for a visit to the May 18 National Cemetery.

2. “Gwangju as Human Rights City” workshop.

3. 2013 Gwangju Asia Forum Workshop.

4. Main figures of the Human Rights Cities Forum.

5. The overseas participants will also be entertained with Korean traditional performances to celebrate May 18 in downtown Gwangju.

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the development of effective training/education programs to make human rights a reality on the ground as well as continuing to strengthen international ties between human rights cities. To this end, they have recommended that Gwangju continue to organize the World Human Rights Cities Forum, and to this day the forum continues to grow.

Each May 15-18 since 2011, Gwangju has organized and hosted this increasingly popular forum. Last year's forum had over 300 participants and included a keynote speech by Getache Engida, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO.

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With Dr. Park Kyung-suh, the first South Korean ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission, as the chair of this year's promotion committee, the 2014 forum promises to continue impressing. Its theme “Towards a Global Alliance of Human Rights Cities for All” places a firm emphasis on global cooperation as it relates to the concept of a human rights city and includes workshops on “Local Government and Human Rights” and “Gwangju Principles for a Human Rights City.” Korean and international residents have been selected to represent Gwangju citizens at the forum.

Gwangju's forum is now firmly established as a part of the global human rights landscape, serving as a reminder that Gwangju continues to keep the May 18th spirit alive. For those intrigued by this forum, keep an eye on the GIC webpage for updates and detailed schedules.

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living tips

National Pension Q&A

Words by National Pension Service

Q

I am a French worker at an auto company and have been at my job for over a year now. I pay the contribution each month (4.5% of my salary). Until recently, my salary was 3 million won per month, so I paid 135,000 won a month in pension contributions. For the past few months my salary has been at 3.7 million won per month, but I am still paying only the original 135,000 won. Because my salary has increased, should I not be paying 166,500 won? My company argues that the NPS determines the deduction rates. Is this right?

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As you know, for employer-based insured persons, the contribution is 9% of the standard monthly income. Of this 4.5 % is paid by the insured person and the other 4.5% is paid by their employer.

Please note that the standard monthly income is different from the actual earnings received by the insured person in any given month.

What does this mean?

The standard monthly income is calculated by dividing the insured person's total annual income from the previous calendar year by 365 (total days in a year). That total is then multiplied by 30 (days in a month). The resulting figure is the standard monthly income (non-taxable income is excluded from the calculation of standard monthly income).

The insured person's standard monthly income is applied from July of any one year through June of the following year, regardless of any changes in the insured person's real monthly earnings.

When a foreigner starts work for a company in Korea, there obviously is no previous year's income to report so the income as written in the contract is used as the basis for NPS contributions. However, in June of the following year, the person's standard monthly income will be re-calculated by dividing their total income received in that year by the total number of calendar days in the period of their employment. As above, this will be applied from July of that year through June of the following year. Please feel free to contact the NPS (www.nps.or.kr) if you have any questions about your pension status.

Q

As a New Zealand citizen, am I able to get a lump-sum payment of my pension contributions when I leave Korea? I am hearing conflicting opinions on this subject. Please clarify for me. Thank you.

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Foreign insured persons under the national pension scheme are treated in the same manner as an insured Korean citizen. If a foreigner becomes eligible to receive an old-age, survivor or disability pension, he/she can receive his/her pension benefits under the Korean National Pension Act. There is, however, a certain and unique distinction regarding the lump-sum refund. In general, a lumpsum refund is not paid to foreigners leaving Korea after having been covered under the scheme.

However, foreigners who meet any of the following conditions may be eligible to receive the lump-sum refund: In cases where a foreigner whose home country grants Koreans a benefit corresponding to the lump-sum refund under the National Pension Scheme, based on the principle of the reciprocity.

At present, the U.K, New Zealand and Russia, among others, are not engaged in such reciprocity with Korea and their citizens are thus not eligible for a lump sum refund.

In cases where a foreigner whose home country has concluded a social security agreement with Korea regarding the payment of the lump-sum refund (As of January 2012, these are the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Belgium, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Denmark, India).

Regardless of nationality, in cases where a foreigner who has been covered under the national pension scheme, with an E-8 (Employment for Training), E-9 (Non-professional Employment), or H-2 (Visiting Employment) visa returns to his/her home country.

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living tips

Q A

I have been teaching English at an elementary school in Gwangju for the past 24 months and I am planning on returning home at the end of my second contract. Could you please explain how I apply for the lump-sum refund of my pension contributions? Can I receive the money at the airport on the day of departure? Thanks.

You must first visit one of our regional offices and bring with you several documents. These are: your Alien Registration Card, your passport, an airline ticket to confirm your emigration from Korea (the date of departure must be less than one month from the date of your claim), and a bank book (or a bank statement, or voided check) for the account to which you wish your refund to be transferred.

You can also receive the refund in cash at Incheon Airport before you leave Korea. To do so, please first visit one of our regional offices and bring with you the aforementioned documents. You will need to submit one copy each, of our "Application for Lump-Sum Refund" and of our "Application for Lump-Sum Refund at the Airport," and then receive a filing receipt. Please note that the hours of all regional NPS offices are 09:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Airport payment is possible only in case your ex-employer files a termination of employment notice with NPS at least one day before your departure date.

Finally, you should visit our Incheon Airport office located in front of entrance gate A (East side) on the 1st floor and receive the "Receipt of Currency Exchange." You may then receive your cash refund at Shinhan Bank in the airport. Our Incheon Airport office hours are: 09:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In order to receive your lump sum refund at the airport, you must depart on a weekday (as our office is closed on weekends and holidays) and between 11:00 a.m. and 24:00. We recommend, however, that you arrive at our airport office before 4:30 p.m., as it takes time for our staff to receive and process your documents.

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travel

Gwangju Sister City:

Guangzhou, China Part One of a Six-Part Series on Gwangju’s Sister Cities

Words and photos by Lianne Bronzo

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lso known as Canton, Guangzhou is the thirdlargest city in China, after Beijing and Shanghai. As a port city, Guangzhou is an economic center of southeastern China with a sizeable international community. Guangzhou's pronunciation is not only strikingly similar to Gwangju, but it has been Gwangju's sister city since 1996. The two sister cities have maintained communication to increase economic and cultural exchange.

Guangzhou is a bustling metropolis with no shortage of people, tall buildings, shopping and interesting street foods. You will also find authentic Chinese architecture and culture. Surprisingly, palm trees are ubiquitous, giving it a strange Floridian vibe.

It costs a few hundred dollars for Americans to obtain a month-long tourist visa to explore the gigantic land that is China. Luckily, as of 2013, it is free for up to 72 hours for those passing through either Beijing or Shanghai (depending on your nationality). Though that is not enough time to get well-acquainted with the world's largest nation, it is a decent opportunity to get a taste of China without breaking the bank. With its subtropical climate, the ideal months to visit Guangzhou are between October and December.

Adventurous dining is the most recommended activity in this city of 12 million. Dim sum is a must-eat in Guangzhou. Usually enjoyed in the morning, the meal is consumed slowly along while engaging in friendly conversation. Patrons can nibble on several bite-sized dishes for over two hours.

Our CouchSurfing host took my friend and me to what is supposedly the best dim sum place in the city. The restaurant, cleverly named Guangzhou

Restaurant, is the most famous chain. With several branches scattered throughout the city, Guangzhou Restaurant offers authentic Cantonese-style cuisine. The entire menu is in Chinese, so be prepared to make some adventurous choices. We enjoyed porridges, mango coconut pudding, dumpling-like rice rolls, sushi-like rolls with crunchy onions and several bitesized dishes, one at a time. The servers were eager to give us at least a dozen free tea refills. The waitress used only one hand to pour the hot water into the teapot full of tea leaves and then strained the tea into yet another pot before pouring one more time into the tiny individual cups. In order to thank someone for pouring your tea, simply tap two fingers on the table. Even though the prices are a bit higher than other restaurants, diners can be satisfied for about $10 USD each.

In the afternoon, we headed to the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Road. The busy shopping area is lined with unique historical architecture based on European and Chinese styles. Scattered between traditional and modern stores are hidden street food gems. Along the ride, we visited a handful of street food stalls and ate what our hosts put in front of us. Some of the unique dishes included fish skin with peanuts, pig feet, pig blood, durian ice cream, candied fruit sticks, turtle gel, sweet custard and other new eats. Taking little samples of the culture by sharing a meal with locals is a great way to get acquainted with Guangzhou.

The Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Road is a must-do for adventurers looking to feed their brains with new stimuli; there are plenty of things there fighting for your attention.

To escape from the chaos, take a brief walk over

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1. Taoist Temple complex in the Huadu District of Guangzhou 2. Street food stall at the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Road 3. One of the many unique street foods at the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Road: Fish Skin 4. Visit the tranquil Shamian Island to escape the bustling citylife 5. Take stroll along the Pearl River 6. Two of the many delicious bite-sized dishes at Guangzhou Restaurant

to Shamian Island (literally, “sandy surface island�).

Tourists might initially think they have shimmied over to a small French island with architecture reminiscent of New Orleans, Louisiana or Charleston, South Carolina in the U.S. The quiet neighborhood with European architecture and tree-lined roads serves as a reminder a period of European colonization. Situated near the Pearl River, Shamian Island served as a main port of trade for centuries. It also served as a defense point during the Opium Wars. Currently, the area is a tourist destination for lodging, dining and souvenir shopping while visitors gaze at lovely churches, buildings and statues. Shamian Island is a perfect escape for a stroll; with strict traffic control, honking cars and exhaust gas-laden air are nonexistent.

One of Guangzhou's most famous landmarks is the Canton Tower. Towering 600 meters, the tower was the tallest in the world until the Tokyo Skytree was built in 2011. Canton's slender, hourglass-like structure still remains the tallest tower in China. For a hefty price, tourists can venture to the observatory deck for a 360 degree view of the city.

The optimal time for a visit is at nighttime when the laser lights dance along the tower. Canton Tower also contains indoor entertainment such as 3D movies, museums, restaurants and an arcade.

This dynamic city has so much more to offer: art museums, parks, a nearby mountain, Pearl River cruises, theme parks, temples, a vibrant nightlife.

Having a local to show you around is an added bonus, so it is recommended to connect with one of the many CouchSurfers in the area.

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photography

Photo of the Month

“Gwangju Blue Hour�

By Al Case http://www.traveljapanblog.com/ flickr.com/photos/60035031@N06/ Al Case is an amateur photographer and a university professor from Ashland, Oregon. He taught for the Chonnam National University Global MBA Program in the summer of 2013, when he took this photo from the roof of his apartment building on campus. He has taught courses in seven different countries.

This summer he will be teaching in Mexico. You can view more of his photography at:traveljapanblog.com or at: flickr.com/photos/60035031@N06/

Share your photography in Gwangju News!

Interested in having the spot for Gwangju News' Photo Of The Month? Send your pictures of Korea and background information to gwangjunewsphotos@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing what you have captured on film!

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photography

Shutter Speed

Words and photos by Simon Bond

Simon Bond is a professional photographer living in Suncheon, South Jeolla. He has traveled throughout Asia, and his work has been published in multiple publications. This article and others are available online by visiting Simon's website: www.simonbondphotography.com.

I

n previous editions of this column, I have talked about aperture, and the effects that can be produced, such as bokeh. This month I will discuss the other main control you have on your camera, the shutter speed. The shutter speed controls how long the camera lets light into the camera, and this can range from 1/8000th of a second of exposure to several minutes. In this column I will take a look at the fast, semi-slow and slow shutter speeds.

Fast shutter speed > 1/200th - 1/8000th If you want to freeze the action, then using a fast shutter speed is the best option. The likelihood is that you will be using a higher ISO. A big aperture and a fast shutter speed is ideal for sports photography or for freezing water droplets.

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the subject as sharp as possible.

Slow shutter speed > 2 seconds – several minutes This type of work is often called long exposure, and for this technique having a tripod is important. Shoot at dusk with the longer exposure, or shoot in the night using cityscapes or car light trails. It is possible to shoot longer exposure shots during the day, but what is needed is a strong, neutral density filter, such as the ND1000. A favorite long exposure subject that is found during the day is running water. Waterfalls and waves crashing onto the beach are excellent subjects.

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If you want to avoid shaking the camera and you are using a long focal length like 300mm, you will need to use an equivalent fast shutter speed. The rule is when one has a focal length of 300mm, use a shutter speed of 1/300th, and when one has a focal length of 50mm, use a shutter speed 1/50th.

Semi-slow shutter speed > 1/8th - 1/40th You might need to use a tripod with these shutter speeds, depending on the effects you want to produce. At these shutter speeds, using a tripod normally means there is a desire not only to have a sharp background but also to show some motion in the photo as well, typically in the form of people moving through the frame. The other main technique used at these shutter speeds is called panning – blurring the background while keeping

3 1. Semi slow - A sense of motion is given to these trams in Hong Kong by a semi-long exposure.

2. Slow - The water has been flattened by the long exposure, giving it a serene feel.

3. Fast - The waves have been frozen as they crash against the rock, giving a more dynamic feel to the image.

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photo essay

Jaypee Capiral Photography Words and photos by Jaypee Capiral

I

am Jaypee Capiral from the Philippines. Luck coupled with strong determination brought me here to South Korea in 2011 through the Employment Permit System (EPS). More than two years ago, I started doing photography here in South Korea, and this has become my hobby.

It all started when I saw my friends using a bulky camera, the DSLR. They were so generous that when they perceived that I was interested in learning photography, they allowed me to try using their camera, since I did not yet have one of my own at the time. From then on, I enjoyed doing the work, so I was convinced to buy my own. The quality of pictures captured with a DSLR camera was also a factor for me to fall in love with photography. I tried to explore the beauty of photography until I found enjoyment in it. But because I didn't have enough technical know-how and understanding of the basics of photography, I sought the help of my friends, until I joined the Photography Club known as JPEG (Junior

Photographer Explorers of Gwangu) and the FILIPOS (Filipino Photographers of South Korea).

I learned a lot of insights from joining these two clubs. However, I knew there was more to be learned about photography, so I started attending workshops and photo shoot sessions. At first, I only knew how to shoot landscapes and still life portraits. Shooting portraits made me enjoy this endeavor, and I was able to mingle with other people, making my circle of friends bigger.

Through all of these factors, photography as a hobby has become my passion. As such, I had to improve my craft. So aside from attending workshops, I also read books on photography and visited websites that offer free information about portrait photography, like 121clicks.com. I have also spent time viewing photographs of famous photographers. All of these inspired me to do better. As a result of constant practice and application of all my learning from various sources, I can say I am equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills which a good photographer must possess. In fact, I am now able to produce washed-out style, over-exposed, and vintagelooking photographs, as well as black and white.

When doing photo shoots, it is imperative to always look for leading lines, patterns and interesting backgounds for the subject, so as to make my work a masterpiece.

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photography

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travel

[GIC Culture Tour] GIC Culture Tour

Naju and the Youngsan River Words and photos by Warren Parsons

Date: April 26 (Saturday) Price: GIC Members 55,000 won/ Non-members 65,000 won Itinerary: Youngsan Port - “Hwangpo” Boat Cruise - Naju Natural Dyeing Center - Lunch @ Naju Old City Hanok Café - Naju National Museum Registration: Please sign up at the GIC website (www.gic.or.kr) by April 20 (Sun.) For more information, e-mail: gictour@gic.or.kr

A

pril is here again and with it another great GIC Culture Tour to Naju! For five consecutive years, Naju has pleased visitors with its spring blossoms, outstanding heritage, and delicious food. This year's updated itinerary focuses on the culture and history of South Jeolla Province's main waterway, the Youngsan River.

Starting in Youngsan Port, Naju's historic port area, the tour boards a Hwangpo boat for a short cruise downstream. Built as a replica of the river sailboats that used to carry people and goods to and from the sea, this vessel allows participants to get a taste of the old way of traveling while taking in the surrounding countryside. Passengers will disembark just past Gujin Port, another of city's former ports, at the Naju Natural Dyeing Center where they will learn about the art of dyeing and have the opportunity to color their own work. There will be two colors available: gold made from onions,

and burgundy from the bodies of cacti-eating insects. Using these royal colors, single dips, double dips, tie and folded dips will produce multi-colored items to take home and wear!

Afterwards, while the scarves, shirts, and other fabrics are drying, the adjacent museum provides a visual explanation of natural dyeing colors, techniques, and products. There is also a lovely gifts shop if just one item is not enough!

From the Natural Dyeing Center, the tour transfers by bus to the old city of Naju for a robust lunch of bulgogi. With generous portions and a succulent sweet marinade, this dish made from local beef is a rare treat. After lunch participants will have a short walking tour of the historic town on the way to a unique hanok café. This traditional Korean house was lovingly restored by its architect owner and has been the subject of study for its blend of authenticity and modern design. Besides the excellent coffee, this house is also special for being the

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Previous page: Naju Natural Dyeing Center This page: Top: Youngsan River Bottom: Delicious lunch: bulgogi at Naju Old City

childhood home of Korea's first astronaut, Yi So-yeon.

Finally, the tour heads deep into the country along the plains of the Youngsan River to the newly established Naju National Museum. The ultra-modern structure is surrounded by two-millenniaold tombs from the Mahan Period and inside, a superlative exhibition hall houses the contents of these massive tumuli.

Starting in prehistory, through the stone, bronze, and iron ages, the artifacts move in chronological order on to the later Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Highlights include a royal gilt crown, beautiful jade jewelry, and an assortment of large burial jars. The galleries are immaculately curated, concise, and well explained in English and Korea; not only that, two museum experts will be on hand to fill in details and to field questions.

Naju and the Youngsan River are at the heart of the province and never cease to please.

So come out this month for some river adventure, color-coded fun, and a voyage into the past with the GIC Culture Tour!

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34

community [This Month’s GIC Talk]

The Risk of “Indigeneity” and a Realization of Human Rights Words and photo by Wilson Melbostad

M

edia and globalization have brought both blessings and curses, in that they have greatly opened up the rest of the world to information but also created clashes of moral values, beliefs, and customs. These clashes can and often do turn into conflict of interests, which means information becomes harder to share with more people with varying perspectives. The growing population of the world enables a metaphoric claustrophobia, and advancements in media and technology further globalize our already-teeming planet, creating even closer international quarters.

In modern society, we have incorporated devices of supervision over each other, such as international law, seemingly to prevent the m argi n al i zat ion of ind ig e nous c ult ur es. The disenfranchising of so many cultures that has defined the world's Colonial Era is supposedly behind us. The capabilities that stem from society's industrial progress should provide enough information for the world community to prevent the same disappearances of small indigenous groups, yet cultural standardization is still rampant.

In an era where the modernist tools of globalization advertise accessibility to anywhere in the world, we are still remarkably unaware of the homogenization that our society is undergoing. This unawareness is in part because the globalization model assumes identical foundations of knowledge across the board (i.e. a universal push for westernization).

However, the world is far from it. With increasing international pressure to industrialize and modernize so as to not be left behind, globalization and media fit directly into the definitions of imperialism.

This precarious situation is called the “risk of indigeneity,” or the strategic transformation of a local identity into a wider conversation.

Until the model can adjust to the fact that different peoples have different systems of values and material priorities, globalization will serve as a

Multiculturalism in Southeast Asia, from the writer’s trip to Cambodia in 2009.

colonial force leaving many indigenous cultures with no other option but to abandon their beliefs and join the massive homogenizing movement.

I hope to help construct a legal infrastructure that proves straying from cultural-specific tendencies need not be necessary. Members of the world have quite a bit to learn from one another, and while I am not interested in forcing ideologies upon anyone, I am dedicated to preserving the fabric of these regional ways of thinking.

During my talk I will share various examples of these cultural skirmishes from Hawaii, the Philippines, Malaysia and Korea. Additionally, we will take a look at the prospects of maintaining one's indigeneity in the backdrop of our globalized world. This talk will include identifying mechanisms that facilitate the disappearance of cultures, but also will regard the ever-changing methods people are now adopting to preserve ethnic identities. Participation will be strongly encouraged, as there will be an interactive seminar for all shortly following the talk. I look forward to seeing you there!

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community

[ GIC Upcoming Talks ] Schedule for April Time & Place: Every Saturday, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m., The New GIC Talk room (Samho Center 1st Floor) For more information visit www.gic.or.kr or contact gic@gic.or.kr Watch highlight clips of previous GIC Talks at www.youtube.com/GICTALK Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/GICTALK GIC Talks welcome your proposals for presentations on topics, such as society, culture, politics, science, education or any topic of your interest. If you would like to be a presenter, please contact us at gictalk@gic.or.kr / +82-(0)62-226-2734.

April 5 Speaker: Jacob Lotinga Invited Professor of the English Education Department, Chonnam National University Foreign Expert at Sichuan University EPIK Participant at EPIK (English Program in Korea) English Lecturer at Taishan Medical University

Topic: My Great Wall Tour: Korean Fortresses from Suwon to Jinju Although China's Great Wall is better known, South Korea is dotted with fortress walls that are fantastic to visit. Jacob Lotinga's new slideshow on South Korea's great walls will transport you from Suwon's Hwaseong (“Glorious Fortress”) to Jinju Fortress. The speaker will discuss a total of eight Korean fortresses, including those found in Buyeo, Gongju, Gochang and Nagan. During this slide presentation, there will be brief opportunities for English discussion. All of the walls that Jacob will introduce are accessible from Gwangju as weekend trips.

April 12 Speaker: Leroy Kucia English Teacher at Gosil Elementary School, Gwangju M.F.A. in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design, B.F.A. in Interactive Media Design from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago

Topic: Edward Hopper – City life, Isolation and Unfinished Narratives Edward Hopper was unlike many painters of his era. He was unfazed by European ideals and international schools of thought in the art world. Hopper was a driving force in shaping American Art in the 20th century. Primarily a Realist and Genre painter, Hopper's work was both evocative and captivating. His approach to figurative painting was unconventional for his time, yet his work continues to endure and impress. Edward Hopper's work can best be described as an incomplete narrative that forces the observer to become engaged with the work and thoughts introspectively, in order to establish their own conclusions about the scenes that are taking place before them.

April 19 Speaker: Andreas Kim Birds Korea, Representative from the Mokpo region and website

For you to cut out and keep handy!

manager M.A. in Information Technology from University of Applied Science from Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel

Topic: Insects and spiders, small beauties we usually ignore Invertebrates, the biggest part of biodiversity on our plane that is everywhere around us, have been largely undervalued and disliked in daily life, even while scientists have found a lot of solutions from their existence. This year the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP) will be held on October 6-17, 2014 in Pyeongchang and this will be a good opportunity to present images and ideas for how one can look at insects and spiders as enrichment to our lives in several ways. To do so we need to slow down and stop our hectic rhythms and take a close look. Then we can experience a world of small and incredible beautiful creatures.

April 26 Speaker: Wilson Melbostad Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and World Arts and Culture, UCLA Kindergarten Teacher, Songjeong-dong

Topic: The Risk of “Indigeneity” and a Realization of Human Rights There is no doubt we are living in a quickly-globalizing world, and such a rapid pace of development gives rise to the demand of accompanying geopolitical policies. Media and globalization have been offered both blessings and curses, in the sense that they have greatly opened up the world to one another, but they have also created cultural clashes. In response to these conflicts, devices of joint supervision have surfaced, such as International Human Rights Law, to prevent the marginalization of indigenous cultures. A large obstacle that many ethnic enclaves face is the fact that they are at “risk of indigeneity, or the strategic transformation of local identity into a wider conversation.” Local identities are too often strained to sacrifice their nuanced practices only for the purpose of being taken seriously by international communities. The speaker hopes to help construct a legal infrastructure that proves straying from cultural-specific tendencies that are not necessary. Members of the world have quite a bit to learn from one another, and while the speaker is not interested in forcing ideologies upon anyone, he is dedicated to preserving the fabric of these regional ways of thinking. Participation will be strongly encouraged as there will be an interactive seminar for all shortly following the talk.

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travel

[Korea: in the World]

Guatemala

Words by Jenn Tinoco Photos contributed by Esther Hyejin Chung

“D

on't you like my Guatemalaness?” is a famous quote from the film The Bird Cage, starring Robin Williams and Gene Hackman, but its meaning goes deeper than many appreciate to those who have resided in the Central American country of Guatemala.

Esther Hyejin Chung is one of the rare Koreans who will carry a piece of Guatemala in their hearts forever. Chung is Korean-American; she was born in 1989 in Orange County, California to her South Korean parents. Her father was born in 1938 and her mother was born in 1948. They both migrated to Southern California in the 1960s and crossed paths in the late 1980s.

Life can be sweet, sunny and filled with amazing Spanish food and language in most of California.

With that said, Esther's parents worked full-time when she was young. She had a Puerto Rican nanny at home who taught her to speak Spanish.

Her mother would come by after work and speak to her in Korean, while her father spoke to her in English. Three languages and three cultures filled her soul, but it wasn't until age six that Esther would experience one of those worlds.

Esther's parents decided to re-locate to Guatemala in 1996 in order to start an embroidery company in Guatemala City. They still reside there. They are very active with nonprofit organizations, says Chung. “I started the first grade and finished high school there, but we stayed because my father got involved with a church in the city, and he made a commitment to better the community.”

Koreans in Guatemala form one of the newest and fastest-growing Korean communities in Latin America, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Latin American Studies Association of Korea states that the very first Koreans to migrate to Guatemala did not arrive in the country until the mid-1980s, more than 20 years after the mass migration from South Korea to all of Latin America began. Currently there are more than 9,000 Korean-born expats residing in

Guatemala, making the country the fourth mostpopular destination for Korean immigrants after Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.

Despite the fact that countries such as Guatemala are high-risk zones for kidnapping, theft and the murder of foreigners and the wealthy, Esther is tremendously thankful to have grown up in such a beautiful and loving country.

“I think I was exposed to many more different ways of thought and life than I would have been aware of growing up in the U. S.,” Chung explained. “My father encouraged me to serve my community as far back as I can remember, so I was introduced to how poverty can be. I owe who I am now to this country. That is where I learned how important it is to improve the community through health, education, and different policy implementations.”

Violence was still unavoidable for Esther growing up. She was not allowed to go out without some kind of supervision because of the kidnappings. Life was especially harsh for those who did not look Latino.

“Although nothing ever happened to me, I did live in fear compared to when living or visiting the U.S and Korea,” stated Esther. She still managed to live a normal childhood, facing the universal struggles that other kids face such as school and peer pressure. “My dad has had two cars stolen and has been held at gunpoint seven times. Also, the politics in Guatemala (including the police and other institutions) are very corrupt, and it is hard to keep people accountable, and it is still the same today.”

Chung still visits Guatemala once or twice a year.

Her parents have a life there, and she has friends who love her and a country that means a lot to her. The country itself has changed and progressed

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travel

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3

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1. Esther and her South Korean parents in Antigua, 2010.

2. Esther and her boyfriend Seth in Antigua, Guatemala in 2012. They met there in the summer of 2007.

3 Esther, aged two, and her father.

4. Esther in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2012.

5. Esther during her time as a student of arts at Honkik University, Seoul in 2012.

in infrastructure and technology, but crime rates and corruption are still high.

Chung has visited neighboring countries such as Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico and El Salvador but feels safe in Guatemala because she knows exactly what she is dealing with there. Her favorite place in Central America is between Antigua, Guatemala and Caye Caulker, Belize.

“I love Antigua because it has a very Spanish colonial vibe and it is in a very quaint area,” Chung gushed. “Caye Caulker, Belize, on the other hand, is a total beach paradise. You can probably bike across it in 10 minutes! I love relaxing on the white beach sands and partaking in some scuba diving. On my most recent trip to there, I took a boat ride to the Blue Hole and had an amazing scuba dive experience.”

Chung made her move back to America in 2007 in order to get her Bachelors of Arts Degree at Michigan State University. Her transition back was

very easy; although she had lived in Latin America for over 12 years, she never applied to become a resident there, and usually attended summer school in the U.S. Despite her U.S. citizenship and Latin American background, Chung has had a very Korean upbringing. She grew up eating Korean food, going to a Korean academy in Guatemala on Saturdays and a Korean church service on Sundays. She has had the privilege to visit Korea many times. She studied at the Korean Language Institute of Yonsei in 2010. Two years later, she came back to attend Hongik University, studying Korean Art and Language.

Chung currently resides in Oakland, California and loves it. She double-majored at Michigan State University in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy as well as Social Relations and Policy.

Her ideal job would be to work at an NGO. Perhaps one day she will find one helping her childhood home of Guatemala.

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health

Health Hacks Words by Kristal Lee

P

eople on the internet have become fascinated with making life a little simpler with quick tips they term “life hacks”. Unfortunately, along with the clever ones (such as using the camera on your phone to see more clearly when trying to locate your glasses) there are a number of highly dubious tips online as well.

Gwangju News presents to you a few honest “Health Hacks,” along with why they work. Go on ahead and try some for yourself!

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community

April Words by Dr. Nial Moores Photo by Andreas Kim

W

inter is now easing into spring, in a blizzard of scented cherry blossoms and an explosion of insect life. Millions of birds too are flowing northward across Asia, including shorebirds. Perfectly adapted to the natural world, these shorebirds will be arriving this month after incredible journeys, many flying non-stop for thousands of kilometres from winter homes in Australasia. Once here, they will search tidalflats for crabs, worms and shellfish – vital food to fuel the remainder of their flights north towards Arctic breeding grounds. And there, in the summer, another generation will be born – soon to take its place in the extraordinary ebb and flow of migration.

This annual cycle of abundance is a powerful reminder that spring is a time of regeneration and hope. However, it is also the season in which T.S. Eliot's well-worn line from The Waste Land increasingly comes to mind: “April is the cruellest month.”

Our world is full of opportunity and possibility, but it is also undergoing massive change. Many of the landscapes that evolved naturally over millennia have been modified in only a few decades. And the resultant decline of biodiversity and natural ecosystem function is combining to help drive climate change, leading to further declines.

Consider the tidal-flats that shorebirds and other waterbirds depend on. These brown grey expanses of mud and sand that once lined the coast are carbon sinks. Natural processes within them convert dead matter into new plant and animal life, fuelling abundance. However, already three-quarters of the nation's tidal-flats have been impounded. Many have been converted to man-made wasteland. The dying tidal-flats release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. And shorebirds arriving here exhausted by migration can find no food.

The human-driven degradation of habitat is

leading to rapid species loss and a decline in ecosystem function and resilience. The IUCN reports that, “rates of decline of waterbird species…are among the highest of any ecological system on the planet… Fisheries and vital ecological services are collapsing and ecological disasters increasing, with concomitant implications for human livelihoods.” (MacKinnon et al. 2012).

We need to conserve biodiversity and abundance – both for their intrinsic values and for the human generations that will come after us. For their sake, we need to slow down and take the time to understand the marvellous, vibrant web of life that surrounds and supports us.

Spring, with its remarkable abundance, is the perfect season for taking time to seek out and learn about other species, both great and small. Spring can be – and indeed needs to be – the season of growth and restoration, both of our own minds and of the natural world around us.

For more on biodiversity conservation in Korea and for full references, please see; birdskorea.org

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culture

Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition “Behind the Myth” explains the origins of Korean myths and traditions.

Does Eating Pork Protect You From Pollution?

Words by C. Adam Volle Photos by Christian Oey and Yvan Christian

W

ith lead-laced fog continuing to roll into South Korea from China in 2014, some people are hoping so. According to a story published last month in The Korea Times, E-Mart alone sold 48.3 percent more pork from Feb. 14th to Feb. 27th.

The idea of eating pork to purify the body is a uniquely Korean home remedy, an idea born of tradition rather than science. The Korea Times' story suggests that the belief became popular when Korean miners – frequent inhalers of unhealthy dust – supposedly started eating pork after they emerged from their tunnels.

Proponents of the cure have attempted to explain scientifically why they think pork works. One livestock supplier has suggested to The Seoul Economic Daily that unsaturated heavy acids, of which pork has many, help to expel the heavy metal particles that make Chinese air so concerning. In a December 2013 story, The South China Morning Post wrote that many Koreans believe samgyeopsal is a “health food rich in vitamin B that can lower cholesterol, detoxify the lungs and cleanse the skin.”

Respectable nutritionists unanimously agree, though, that the opposite is true: eating pork introduces more toxins into the system, can block already-present toxins from escaping, and is certainly not good for anyone's skin. Not eating pork at all would be much healthier than eating the amount of pork consumed by the average Korean.

The main reason has to do with the source of pork, the pig. Unlike many other animals (and people), pigs do not spend much time digesting their food, so there is no chance for the pigs' bodies to remove the toxins they have ingested. Moreover, there is no place for the toxins to go; pigs do not sweat, so everything they absorb goes into their tissues – which we eat.

Two famous Korean pork dishes: Top: Bossam Photo by Christian Oey Bottom: Jeyuk Bokkeum Photo by Yvan Christian

And while a grill full of samgyeopsal will not create new acne, it may worsen any preexisting skin conditions. Like all meat, pork will raises a body's insulin levels and its acidity, both of which cause acne-aggravating inflammation.

You are better off eating a pear, another Korean home remedy against pollution. It will not help against the Chinese dust either, but it will be healthier for you, and it will not worsen your skin.

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culture

Korean Sayings

“Korean Sayings” expresses the meaning behind traditional Korean phrases.

The Fleas and The Axe Words by Won Hea-ran Photo from Wikimedia Commons

To eat the flea's liver 벼룩의 간을 먹는다

To cut your feet by a trusted axe 믿는 도끼에 발등찍힌다

Once upon a time there was a miser snoring in one of his garages full of d w e n j a n g ( s o y b e a n paste). A fly caught the smell and sat on one of his pots.

The fly diligently rubbed its front feet in preparation for taking some dwenjang while Scrooge McDuck, infamously known the miser slept as the stingiest character on earth undisturbed. At just that moment, the miser woke up. Looking at the fly, he complained that the fly had taken all his doenjang, and he chased the fly through the kitchen and into the backyard. However, when he caught the fly, he could not remove the dwenjang sticking to the fly's leg. After thinking carefully, the miser decided to tear off the fly's legs instead to putting it in his soup. The poor fly shouted, “Why don't you just eat the liver of a flea? How much did I eat to make you rip off my leg?”

Once upon a time, there was a horse that ran like the wind. The horse was not good-looking, but it could disturb and confuse the enemy camp with its speed. The army's general was saved many times by the horse, so they became great partners. However, one day when the horse was eating his fodder after the battle, he heard the generals from the capital of Hanyang saying, “Oh my god, that horse is eating a thorn bush! He will die soon enough!

Let's go!”

Although there is no actual liver inside the flea's body, the phrase “eat the liver of a flea,” is used to describe extreme stinginess. It is used to describe one's actions. If a person refuses to give up even a tiny bit of his/her property, you might say, “You'd rather eat a flea's liver!”

Sometimes you might feel betrayed like the poor general, who said to the horse, “How could you do this to me when I have trusted you so much?” The term these days is usually used to describe the betrayal of trusted politicians and friends.

The horse finally realized what they meant. He was okay when he walked slowly, but when he ran, the thorns inside his stomach poked him and made him run wildly. He also realized that he had been mistaken in thinking that all horses graze on thorn bushes and that all horses therefore experienced pain like him.

The next day, the horse went to the battlefield again. However, the horse and the general had to retreat, for the number of enemy soldiers outnumbered their own. When the enemy chased them, the general whipped the horse to run faster so it would run like the wind once more. However, the horse was slow, now that he no longer suffered from thorns inside his stomach. In the end, the general was caught and was executed due to the horse's betrayal.

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fashion

Fash-On with xxl jjdp

Spring In Your Step Words and photos by jjdp Shot on Location around Gwangju

S

pring is the time for renewal, a breath of fresh air and a time to reinvent. So too with your wardrobe, but for many, spending tons of money on everything new is just not an option. Why not try changing just one thing, then, such as some new comfortable sneakers to make your old look feel brand-new?

But before treating your wardrobe to new shoes, take some time out for your feet. After a harsh winter you might have ended up with some dry, rough and cracked patches on your feet. Do they need a bit of loving? I am sure that they do. We often forget that our feet have been hiding in heavy socks and shoes all winter and that pretty soon they will have to see the light of day when sandal season comes around. And for many, when this realization hits, it is too late. Stop procrastinating and start using a great product from The Face Shop: the Smile Foot Peeling Pack, which works wonders. Just use the treatment and in about a week all the dead skin will peel off your feet. After the peeling, just moisturize, and you will not have to worry about having scaly and cracked feet anymore.

Once you have taken care of moisturizing, it is time to dress your feet in something really comfortable. I am kind of a shoe/sneaker collector and once I own a pair, I own them for life. Additionally, if I find a brand that I really do love, I become a loyal follower. I love to change up my look, and sometimes a simple signature sneaker is all you need to make your black jeans and black T-shirt outfit stand out. Shoes and sneakers can be the one thing that can make or break an outfit, so pay more attention to them. This month I take a look at unisex shoe brands that work for all.

Firstly, gear up comfortably with a classic pair of sneakers that I would call “go-to sneakers� for everyone. I think you already know which ones I am talking about. Could they be anything but a faithful pair of Converse or Chuck Taylor's? I have to ashamedly say that I only bought my first pair at 21. I really do not have any idea as to why I waited so long; let us just say I am in love with them and own about 15 pairs. They are simple, easy to clean and come in all colors and designs.

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fashion

If you are new to the Con-Universe, start off with a simple, solid black pair or the classic whites with red and blue trim. And do not worry if they get dirty or smudgy – this just adds to the extra street cred and “lived-in comfort” that these sneaks ooze. They come in high tops, low-cuts and other limited editions, and are as comfortable as can be. So if you have not already tried them, then go, go, go. There are numerous stores downtown which sell them, including an official Converse store for more specialized and limited editions, but I always see them on sale at ABC Mart and Footlocker for discount prices.

The next brand that I really love, and that also comes in amazing colors and styles while basically keeping to the same design, is Vans. A favorite with the skateboard crew, these unisex essentials can also comfortably ease into your wardrobe. They instantly add some allure to dark denim jeans and there are some great varieties in different colors for women, as well as for work wear during the day but also for something unusual in the evening. Check out the new designs in stores now. I have some in dark denim and I wear them everywhere.

Finally, I have also fallen in love with Nike hightops. I bought a pair in a bright and vibrant teal, which I love. Again, I don't need to do much when wearing them. Just a simple pair of jeans and T-shirt combo will do. One of my other new favorites are a suede outdoor pair, stylish yet functional. They are great for the outdoors and have an added zipper on the inside ankle for ease in adding form and function.

So change up your look one step at a time.

Have fun sneaker shopping! peace, xxl jjdp [SHOES] Converse - Converse store, Downtown Nike - Shinsegae Department Store U-Square Vans - ABC Mart

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44

sports

What Korea Thinks about Sochi 2014 Words by Shay Meinecke

T

he expectations were high: a top 10 finish was desired and expected by every Korean.

So when Korea finished the Olympic Games with a medal count of 3 Golds, 3 Silvers, and 2 Bronzes – a grand total of 8, giving Korea a 13th-place finish – many people wondered exactly what Koreans thought of the Games.

It was naturally assumed there would be a lot of down faces in Korea. Some even expected that most Koreans would be upset and bewildered about their less-than-expected finish.

1

In the Land of the Morning Calm, however, many people were proud of their athletes and their accomplishments. Eun-gwang, a resident of Gwangju, praised the athletes, saying, “What they did is a big accomplishment. Just getting there in the first place is something to be proud of.” He additionally mentioned, “The training is intense and requires a lot of self-discipline. There is no shame in that.”

He is exactly right. The training that most of these athletes endure is nothing short of extraordinary.

Most athletes start at a young age and continue with their full-time, round-the-clock training right up to the day of competition. They diet. They train. They live and breathe their sports.

Kim Yuna, who has trained for most of her career at public ice rinks in which the poor ice and freezing temperatures can often lead to injuries, received a silver medal in Sochi. While most of the media has focused on the medal controversy, Yuna is happy that the Games were over and is looking forward to new challenges.

President Park Geun Hye also said she was pleased with all the athletes and is quoted as saying, “I am so proud of your indomitable spirit and courage. You showed us how precious and beautiful you are when doing your best and facing the challenges, despite the tough

2

3

1. Korea won gold for Short Track Relay Speedskating Photo ⓒ Hanstar 2. Lee Sang-hwa won gold for Long Track Speedskating Photo ⓒ Economy Today 3. Kim Yuna won silver for Ladies Single Figure Skating Photo ⓒ Reuters

conditions.”

Even though in the eyes of some, Korea appears to have had a poor showing, everyone in Korea appreciates the athletes.

Moreover, everyone in Korea is excited to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. The event will be held in the Gangwon Provice, 110 miles east of Seoul. The event will be scheduled between 9-25 of February. There is massive construction activity in preparation for the Games. Korea is ready to be proud of their athletes all over again.

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travel

My Korea My Korea is a column representing anyone who is eager to share his/her stories and experiences within Korea.

Jong-ro, Insa-dong, Samcheong-dong Words and photos by Kim Sumi

I

was born in Seoul. With Seoul's development, it just does not look like it did in the old days. But some places still keep their past appearance and the places I like have a double-sided character, just as Korea's old-world grace meets new-world vitality. They give a comfortable impression. I feel affectionate toward, and spend more of my time in, these areas than any other places: Jong-ro (종로), Insa-dong (인사동), and Samcheong-dong (삼천동).

These areas are close to my house and their buildings stand close together, roof to roof, so I can hang out anytime. The academies are concentrated in Jong-ro; I attend one of them.

After finishing classes, I usually stay there, do my homework, study languages, read books, eat lunch and do whatever I want. There are not only students but also businessmen here, and it is always crowded.

Cheonggye River runs along one side of Jong-ro. When I want to get out in the air, I walk along Cheonggye River and listen to music. When I get weary, I drink beer at night near the river. It makes me refreshed.

Sometimes I can see a busker on the road.

Across from Jongro is Insa-dong.

Actually, Insadong is just the street going to Samcheong-

dong. Because so many visitors and foreigners come to sightsee, every day is busy and messy.

One day I went to a gallery by chance and looked around at some art pieces. They were really good. I could not figure out all of the pieces, but I learned every gallery in Insa-dong is free and has a wide variety of art.

Samcheong-dong is about 20 minutes from Insa-dong on foot.

So many coffee shops and restaurants in Samcheong-dong have a good atmosphere.

That is why it is a destination for dating couples as well. After finishing my job, I see international movies and have lunch. One of my favorite instant noodle stores is located there. This store is called Ramyeon DDaengineun Nal (라면 땡기는 날; The Day I Really Want to Eat Noodles). They offer some really spicy seafood ramen. It is really hot and spicy, but once you eat it, it is so addictive!

These areas are already so famous to people and every day they are so crowded that it is easy to walk and enjoy my own time alone.

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46

language teaching

Troubleshooting Speaking: What To Do When Your Students Won't Speak Words by Lindsay Herron

I

t's a language teacher's nightmare: a conversation class in which students don't speak. Confronted by blank stares and a deafening silence broken only by your own voice, what's a teacher to do? Here are a few questions you might ask yourself, and you can use the answers to help pinpoint and troubleshoot the problem. Your students will be chatty in no time!

pronunciation. If a student is speaking too softly for others to hear, don't repeat it for them; instead, walk away from the student and from a distance, ask him or her to say it again, more loudly this time.

Am I talking too much?

Do you believe a teacher must be at the center of activities in order to maintain control? That you must be communicating information at all times, or it's not really teaching? Do you fill uncomfortable silences after you ask a question, or do you repeat everything the students say? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be talking too much.

c) Remember to KISS: Keep It Short and Simple.

Strip down your sentences so they're less complicated – but don't compromise grammar to do so. It's also worth planning out your instructions in advance so they are as short and clear as possible. Remember that gestures and modeling can go a long way! Student models can also help communicate meaning. Instead of endlessly, fruitlessly repeating your instructions, indicate students who are doing what you've asked, and simply say, “Like this.” Once the meaning is clear, you can use that instruction more easily in the future.

This is one of the hardest lessons for teachers to learn, because it feels so counter-intuitive; but really, sometimes teachers need to just shut up.

Here are some easy ways to reduce your teacher talk time:

d) Stop answering your own questions. Students need time to process and formulate an answer.

You might have to wait up to ninety seconds for a response, but it'll come – as long as the students have understood the question.

a) If students can say it, let them say it. Instead of the teacher counting off students to make new groups, why not let the students say the numbers/animals/colors while the teacher just gestures? Instead of the teacher naming each picture on the flashcards, why not ask, “What's this?” and try to elicit the word from the students? (Better yet, hand the flashcards to a student, and let the student take on the teacher's role.) Are you naming the characters in the story you're creating, or is that something the students could do? Look for places in your lesson where you're telling instead of asking; you might be surprised how often it's possible to elicit from the students!

Are the topics interesting and relevant to students?

This might seem obvious, but it's vital enough to bear repeating: if students aren't interested, they're less likely to be motivated to talk.

Personalizing the topic can help with this. Who cares how many brothers and sisters “Tom” has?

How many brothers and sisters do your students have?

b) Stop parroting. When students say something, don't repeat it unless you're intentionally rephrasing their answer to fix grammar or

Related to this is the idea of accessibility. The topic and ideas must be accessible and relevant in order for students to connect with them meaningfully. For example, my university's English textbook has a lesson called “Would you mind?” that involves talking about chores such as mowing the lawn and raking the yard. My students understand the meaning, but these tasks are generally outside the realm of my

April2014 2014.3.243:22PM Page47

language teaching students' experience. They're less likely to engage with these concepts than something that has meaning to them. As much as possible, try personalizing the topics, bringing in your students' interests, culture, and home life. Your students probably have a lot to say about these topics!

Am I giving the students time to reflect and practice?

You might need to give your students more time to think and/or an opportunity to practice with a partner before speaking in front of the class.

Many teachers use a “think-pair-share” formulation, which gives students time to think about their answer alone, discuss their ideas with a partner, and then share their answers with the class. This can be very effective; if a student has practiced their response or compared their answers with a partner, they'll be more confident and thus more willing to speak in front of the class. After all, if they're wrong, their partner is wrong, too, so the responsibility is shared.

Do the students understand what I'm asking them to do?

So you've got an interesting topic, you're routinely asking and eliciting instead of telling, and now you're patiently waiting for an answer to your question. And waiting. And waiting.... The trouble in this case might be that students don't understand what you're asking. They might not even understand that you've just asked them a question! Make sure your question is clear and simple (see “Remember to KISS,” above), and you might wish to preface it with, “I've got a question.” If there's still no response, you might try

letting the students discuss the question in pairs.

That will let them check their understanding of the question, privately ask for clarification, and begin to craft an answer they can be confident about.

Gwangju-Jeonnam April Chapter Meeting Date & Time: April 12 (Saturday), 1:45 pm Place: Chosun University, Main Building, Left Wing Featured Presentations o Montessori Method for ELT - Seneca Ryan o Communicative Activities for Large Classes - Matt Stonham Swap-Shop: Share your teaching ideas and activities with the group.

Details at: http://www.koreatesol.org/content/gwangjujeonnam Admission: No Charge Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Website : http://koreatesol.org/gwangju Email : gwangju@koreatesol.org Twitter : @GwangjuKOTESOL Lindsay Herron is Treasurer of the GwangjuJeonnam Chapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL). On behalf of the Chapter, she invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings and special events. Lindsay is a visiting professor at Gwangju National University of Education, where she has taught for the past six years. She is also presently the National Membership Committee Chair of KOTESOL and a chair on the International Conference Committee.

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48

poetry

Korean Poetry Words and photos by Bom Dae-soon Translated by Park Yeon-seong Bom Dae-soon, a native resident of Gwangju, is an English literature scholar, poet, and emeritus professor of Chonnam National University. He has published 15 books of poetry and eight other books of criticism, academic study and translation, winning poetry and essay prizes from Denison University, the Korean Poets' Association, Kumho Academy and the Gwangju Citizens.

The Cemetery of W. H. Auden He lived such a liberal life but He lay there after taking his freedom off.

When he went away, quiet sorrow is left only with Spender, Isherwood, Kallman, Osborne, Medelson.

Following his last will, W. H. Auden, looking the same As he was, lay himself down, At the church backyard of Kirchstetten, a quiet village, Like a deep hamlet on the Alps, by the ochercolored Danube Side by side with unknown villagers.

But the only difference lies in that Their tombs were noted with angels and tombstones, but His tomb was visible with the red iron plate in his name and dates.

'In the prison of his days Teach the free man how to praise,' The lines were written On the stone floor of poets corner of Westminster.

Auden had a good appetite, always young, Moved to Iceland, China, Spain, America, England and lastly Austria, Living now as wild grass by the Danube.

I liked him since I was 17.

Due to him I was on the brink of death in the Korean War. Now by Mt. Mudeung my age is 83, Confessing I'm happy because of you.

W. H. 오든 묘지 그렇게 자유롭게 살았지만은 그러나 그렇게 그는 거기 자유를 벗고 누워 있다 간 날 다만 스펜더, 이샤우드, 칼먼, 오스번, 맨델손 등 에게 그의 최후는 조용히 슬픔을 남겼다 그의 뜻대로 알프스 산중만큼이나 호젓한 마을 그를 닮은 황토물이 흐르는 다뉴브 강가 강변마을 킬흐스테텐 작은 성당 뒤뜰에 W. H. 오든 묘지 생긴 그대로 누워 있다 무명한 동네 사람들과 나란히 그러나 동네 사람들과 다른 것은 그들의 묘는 천사나 묘비로 눈에 띄었고 오든은 다만 녹슨 철판에 이름과 연대만 있다 '사는 동안의 그 감옥 속에서 그는 자유인들에게 칭송하는 방법을 가르쳤다' 웨스트민스터 사원 포에츠 코너 돌바닥에 그의 이름과 같이 새겨진 그의 말이다 그는 잡식성으로 식욕이 좋았고 평생 젊었고 아이슬란드로 중국으로 스페인으로 미국으로 다시 영국으로 그리고 마침내 오스트리아 다뉴브 강가에 뿌리 깊은 잡초로 그는 살아 있다 나는 열일곱 살부터 그를 좋아했다 한국전쟁 때 그 때문에 죽을 뻔한 일도 있다 그리고 지금 무등산 여든세 살 당신 때문에 행복하다고 고백하고 있다

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Gwangju writes

Star Death Words by Maria Lammy Photo by Simon Bond

Star Death I had never known myself until I saw you– burnt copper hair curling against your parchment skin, ice-gray eyes observing me from your infinitely distant, isolated self. I was an anomaly shining from the deep space of our world and floating before your telescope vision, laughing and twisting my hair over high shoulders before turning from the sun into my own shadow.

I turned to you. Whispering under the low hum of an airplane engine, I felt my harshly painted colors seeping out of me, sucked slowly into the gravity of your empathetic black hole.

I had become only the choice: to inhale the power of others or to pull them through me, to push them to the other side transformed.

Maria Lammy majored in English and is a graduate of Ohio State University. She recently taught English in Gwangju for two years before returning to the U.S. for graduate school, where she will study Clinical Counseling. She enjoys traveling, reading and learning languages.

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50

Gwangju eats

Yangdong Market Chicken Words by Jenn Tinoco Photos by Mason Robinson

F

ried chicken in Korea is a food category of its own, since it is usually served whole, seasoned with sugar, salt, spices and fried not once but twice. Are you regretting your chicken consummation yet? Please, do not. You need to stroll along the Yangdong Market and see it for yourself, because double the fry is double the crunch!

Yangdong Market Yangdong Market is the biggest and most traditionally-famous outdoor market in Gwangju.

It was first erected in 1910 under the Gwangjugyo Bridge, and did not move to its current location until the 1940s according to the Korea Tourism Organization. With more than 350 shops to try, the ever-so-clever Yangdong Whole Chicken (양동 통 닭) and its wonderful chicken fare is something you cannot miss.

Directions The market is about a 15-minute walk heading northwest away from the downtown area. Visible street signs will guide you to the market. On the left side of the river, you can see the fried chicken alleyway.

Yangdong Chicken Alley There are various joints to choose from, but the best chicken can be found in the “no-name” mom-andpop shops. One of the community favorites is the very first one on the right. The employees can be easily spotted soaking, marinating and de-flouring the chicken into baskets and re-frying it outside. Let yourself be guided by the amazing smell.

Atmosphere & Sevice "Welcome, Yangdong Whole Chicken” (in Korean) is displayed on a green and white sign on the front door as soon as you enter. In business for just over 30 years, they pride themselves on serving fresh chicken as soon as you order it. But plan accordingly, since the restaurant may already have a few waiting patrons filling up the 30 seats inside.

Food So have you ever really eaten an entire chicken?

There are two types of chicken is served at the market. Keep in mind that this is one full chicken, fresh from the market, cut and battered in dough and fried to perfection, not once, but twice. The first dish is the usual fried chicken, which is crunchy

but not greasy standard Korean fried chicken.

Gizzards and liver are thrown in (not fried), as well as fried chicken feet and the neck. Scrumptious!

The second dish is the other half of the same chicken, and it is their specialty. This second half is served in sweet chilli sauce with a few peanuts sprinkled on top.

Prices There is one simple menu on the wall, accompanied by various media photos and Korean Television interviews featured in SBS Morning Wide and KBS Network, making sure you know that this spot is too legit to quit. The first menu item, one "whole chicken" for 16,000 won, consists of both the regular double-fried chicken and the other half tossed in the tangy red sauce. If you prefer one or the other, you can request your preference. Beer and soju are priced at 2,000 won and up. Bon appetit!

Yangdong Whole Chicken 양동 통닭 Address: 262 Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju alongside the river, across from Gwangju Jeil High School. (광주 서구 천변좌로 262) Hours: Daily 10 a.m. - 12 midnight (no off-days) Phone: 062-365-5410

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Gwangju cooks

Tofu Meatballs 두부 떡갈비 Words and photos by Park Seong-yeop

W

ant to cook a simple homemade food? If you have pork (or beef) and tofu, here is the chance to make delicious meatballs at home! And this is just a start: by adding some vegetables and other ingredients, you can make your meatballs any way you want!

Things to prepare (serves 1 - 2 persons) Pork (or beef) 300g Tofu 100g Salt- ½ teaspoon Sugar- ½ teaspoon Black pepper- ¼ teaspoon Sesame oil - ¼ teaspoon

Preparation and Cooking Steps 1

Chop up the meat, mash the tofu and mix together.

4

Line a pan with foil, spread cooking oil on the foil and place the meatballs on the pan.

2

Add salt, sugar, black pepper, and sesame oil.

5

Roast the meatballs until the inside is well cooked.

3

Knead the meat several times, and divide into small sizes.

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52

language study

Self Introduction 자기소개 Words by Karina Prananto and Park Yang-im Photos by Jeremy Azurin Special thanks to Dinh Nu Ha My and Yun Nami The new school term has started; you will surely meet many new people and make new acquaintances. This edition we will help you introduce yourself to your new friends in simple Korean.

My name is

제 이름은...

(Je ireumeun...)

I come from...

...(country name)...~에서 왔어요. (....~eseo wasseoyo.)

Ex: USA: 미국 (Miguk) Canada 캐나다 (Kaenada) Vietnam 베트남 (Beteunam) The Philippines 필리핀 (Pillipin) United Kingdom 영국 (Yeongguk)

I am ....years old

....(native Korean number system)... 살 입니다. (...sal imnida.)

Ex: Twenty 스무 (seumu) Twenty five 스물다섯 (seumul daseot) Twenty seven 스물일곱 (seumul ilgob) Thirty 서른 (seoreun)

I work at...

.....에서 일해요. (....eseo ilhaeyo.)

Ex: English Academy 학원 (Hakwon)

I study at....

에서 공부해요. (...eseo gongbuhaeyo.)

Ex: University ...대학교 (...daehakgyo)

I will be in Korea for..

... 동안 있을 거에요. (...dongan isseul geoyeyo.)

Ex: One year 일년 (il-nyeon) Two years 이년 (i-nyeon) Six months 육개월 (yuk gae wol)

I come to Korea for ...(purpose)...

한국에 ...하러 왔어요.

(Hangu-ke... hareo wasseoyo.)

Ex: Travel 관광 (gwan-gwang) Study 공부 (gongbu) Work 일 (il) * Marriage 결혼해서 왔어요. (gyeolhon haeseo wasseoyo.) * Reside 살러 왔어요. (salreo wasseoyo.)

And always end your introduction with:

만나서 반갑습니다!

(Mannaseo bangapseumnida!)

Enjoy your stay in Korea!

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crossword

CROSSWORD

By Mike Schroeder

Across

Down

6.

8.

10.

11.

14.

15.

16.

18.

21.

22.

24.

26.

27.

29.

30.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

7.

9.

12.

13.

17.

19.

20.

21.

23.

25.

28.

Big screen name Wicked Ohno on skates Criminals on cop shows Avant-garde Andy Beef juice Descend on ropes Almost time for TGIF Foreigner Secluded valley Painfully frank Home of the Arches National Park There’s a chance Put out of action None

Total amount Gangster rap pioneer Other Nevada city Wheel to wheel rod Smack two palms Masked man behind plate 2007 Best Picture winner Airport pizza chain A long way Paying customer Boston Marathon, etc.

Baseline on a graph Cowboy Bebop genre They have four suits Selfless person Large volumes

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crossword

advertisement

[CROSSWORD] Last Month’s Answers

Gwangju Guidebook Korean Version Available Soon!

Gwangju Guidebook provides information about living in Gwangju and was first published in 2009. To date, Gwangju Guidebook has been released in English and Chinese.

The Gwangju Guidebook will soon be available in Korean!

Compact and easy to use for those comfortable reading Korean, the Gwangju Guidebook offers the most upto-date information about Gwangju!

For accessing the Guide online, please visit: www.gwangjuguide.or.kr

April2014 2014.3.243:22PM Page55

community board

advertisement

55

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

Gwangju News’ community board provides a space for the community to announce club’s activity, special events and so on.

Please send us the information to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr

UNESCO KONA Volunteers UNESCO KONA Volunteers is a registered organization that helps underprivileged kids by teaching English through storybooks.

We are looking for long-term volunteers who desire to enrich their lives. We are asking volunteering to commit to helping at least once a month: one Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon per month. Foreign volunteers who are interested in practicing their Korean and learning more about Korean culture are welcome to stay at the center on any Saturday afternoon for a short cultural exchange.

If you have any picture books, storybooks, puppets or any educational items, we accept all donations in order to distribute them to the local children's homes or community children's centers in Gwangju.

We also accept any used storybooks and educational items For more information, please visit: 1) http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers, 2) www.facebook.com (UNESCO KONA Volunteers) 3) contact Kona (Kim Young-Im) at 062-434-9887 or at konacenter@gmail.com.

Wanted: Expat Stories: Accounts of your experiences living and working in Korea are requested: encounters of comedy, tragedy and anything in-between. The stories will be used in an ongoing documentary project entitled “Expat Asia.”

I am Jacques Sheard, a photographer/filmmaker and a former resident of Gwangju, now based in Melbourne, Australia. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Please send all correspondence, including any questions to jacquessheard@hotmail.com.

COMMUNITY CLUBS Photo Gwangju Plus For photographers, Google+ has become a tool and part of their overall social media strategy. There is a lot to love. If you are an aspiring photographer that is looking for inspiration, education and other individuals to connect with and share your passion for photography, we have an opportunity for you. If you are serious about photography and want to walk a couple steps higher, there is a community that shares pictures that you are more than welcome to join. For more information, please visit “Photo Gwangju Plus” at #photogwangjuplus

Gwangju Ice Hockey Team Looking for men and women of all ages to join us every Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Yeomju Ice Rink near World Cup Stadium.

If you are interested, contact Andrew Dunne at atdunne@gmail.com

Gwangju Inter FC The Gwangju international soccer team (Gwangju Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend.

If you are interested in playing, e-mail: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search ‘Gwangju Inter FC’ on Facebook.

April2014 2014.3.243:22PM Page56

Rank Institution

Country

core

1

Weizmann Institute of Science

Israel

100

2

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

United States

100 100

3

Rockefeller University

United States

4

Harvard University

United States

100

5

Stanford University

United States

100

6

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

South Korea

100

7

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

United States

100

8

University of California, San Francisco

United States

100

9

Karolinska Institute

Sweden

100

10

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

United States

99.9