(EN) Gwangju News November 2010 #105

Gwangju News International Magazine for Gwangju and Jeollanam-do

November 2010 Issue No. 105

Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt German Ambassador for the Rep. of Korea

2010 GIC 6th Korean Language Class Saturday Classes

Weekday Classes Level

Days

Textbook

Level

Textbook

Beginner 1-1

Tuesday & Thursday

서강한국어 1A (Pre-lesson ~ Lesson 1)

Beginner 1-1

서강한국어 1A (Pre-lesson ~ Lesson 1)

Beginner 1-2

Tuesday & Thursday

서강한국어 1A (Lesson 2 ~ Lesson 6)

Beginner 1-2

서강한국어 1A (Lesson 2 ~ Lesson 6)

Beginner 2-1

Monday & Wednesday

서강한국어 1B (Lesson 1 ~ Lesson 4)

Beginner 2-1

서강한국어 1B (Lesson 1 ~ Lesson 4)

Intermediate 2

Tuesday & Thursday

서강한국어 2A (Lesson 5 ~ Lesson 9)

- Period: Nov. 8 - Dec. 23, 2010 (Twice a week for 7 weeks) - Class hours: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (2 hours) - Tuition fee : 80,000 won (GIC membership fee: 20,000 won/ year and textbooks excluded)

Not

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* The tuition fee is non-refundable after the first week. * A class may be canceled if fewer than 5 people sign up. * Textbooks can be purchased at the GIC

- Period: Nov. 6 - Dec. 18, 2010 (Every Saturday for 7 weeks)

- Class hours: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

(2 hours) - Tuition fee: 50,000 won (GIC membership fee: 20,000 won/ year and textbooks excluded) To register, please send your information: full name, contact number, working place, and preferable level to gwangjuic@gmail.com

GIC is located on the 5th floor of the Jeon-il building, the same building as the Korean Exchange Bank, downtown. The entrance is located immediately to the north of the bank. Contact GIC office for more information.

Phone: 062-226-2733/4 E-mail: gwangjuic@gmail.com Website: www.gic.or.kr

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Gwangju News November 2010

Contributors Gwangju News

Contents 4

Editorial

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Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt, German Ambassador for the Rep. of Korea

By Austin Lewis and Nick Bagnall

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Gwangju International Community Day 2010

November 2010, Issue No. 105 Publisher: Shin Gyong-gu Editor-in-Chief: Maria Lisak Editors: Daniel Lister, Kim Min-su

By Seth Pevey

Copy Editors: Kyle Johnson, Kathleen Villadiego Photo Editor: Debra M. Josephson

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Migrant Workers in South Korea and the Legacy of Chun Tae-il

By Chloe Simmons

Proofreaders: Marion Gregory, Steven Salinger, Pete Schandall, Jon Ozelton, Selina Orrell, Julian Raethel, Kyle Johnson, Samantha Richter, Valerie Nyczak

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Seoul G20 Security Measures Create Controversy

By Michael Bielawski

Address: Jeon-il Building 5F, Geumnam-no 1-1, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-758, South Korea

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Meeting Jennifer Barclay

Coordinator: Karina Prananto Layout and Design: Karina Prananto

Phone: +82-62-226-2734

By Jacob Lotinga

Fax: +82-62-226-2732

Email: gwangjunews@gmail.com

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Our Twisted Hero

By Elton LaClare

Registration No.: 광주광역시 라. 00145 Printed by Saenal (Phone +82-62-223-0029)

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7080 Chungjang-ro Recollection Festival

By Marion Gregory

Photographer: Kwangju Ilbo Cover Photo: German Ambassador for the Republic of Korea, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt at the Formula One Stadium in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, courtesy of Kwangju Ilbo

Gwangju News Magazine is written and edited by volunteers.

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.

Gwangju News welcomes letters to the editor (gwangjunews@gmail.com) regarding articles and issues. All correspondence may be edited for reasons of clarity or space.

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Gong-gam: Korea Public Interest Law Set to Take Off

By Marissa Bonnici

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Living Tips: Family Invitations Procedure

By Marie Charmaine Pascual Igwe

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Comic

By Jen Lee

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Photo Contest

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Jiujitsu

By Joseph Kim

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Right Here, Right Now – The 2010 Seoul Global Gathering

By Julian Raethel

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Photo Essay: Gili Islands, Indonesia

By Simon Bond

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Marco Polo Travel Café + Blue Bear Travel Service

By Allen Gray

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Busan Fireworks Festival

By Laurence Berridge

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Restaurant Review: 고려조삼계탕 Goryeojo Samgyetang

By Gabriel Ward

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Korean Easy Cook Recipe: 고구마맛탕 Fried Sweet Potato

By Yang Hee-seon

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Poem

By A.K.Amritser

39

World News: Christchurch Earthquake

By Gabriel Ward

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Movie Review: 71 Into the Fire 포화속으로

By Justin Palamarek

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Cartoon: Digby

By Leroy Kucia Gwangju News November 2010 3

Editorial

Editorial Jon Ozelton – (Outgoing) Gwangju News Editor Gwangju News is going through a change this month, as I hand over stewardship of the magazine to a new editor.

I became editor myself just over a year ago, in October 2009, with the November 2009 issue being the first that I put together. I’ve now overseen 12 issues in a year’s worth of Gwangju News, so it seems like this is an opportune time to step aside, and allow someone else to come in, bringing their own new ideas and a fresh perspective to our magazine.

That someone new is Daniel Lister. He’s been involved with Gwangju News for several years, and I’m sure he’ll do an excellent job as the magazine’s new editor. I wish him all the best, and hope he can count on your encouragement and support.

It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have the opportunity to be Gwangju News’ editor. I truly enjoyed the experience, and hope that our efforts have been well received. I’d like to say a personal ‘thank you’ to the many people who’ve freely given up their own time and energy to the magazine during the last twelve months, be it through writing, proofreading, sharing article ideas, taking photographs, and so on – your efforts were truly appreciated, as without them, there’d be nothing to edit or read. It speaks volumes for the local community that so many people here are willing and dedicated volunteers, and long may it continue to be this way.

Daniel Lister – Gwangju News Editor As Jon signs out after overseeing the magazine’s centenary edition this summer and bringing the Gwangju News to a regular 48 page source of information on life in the city, nothing but gratitude and respect can be offered on behalf of the GIC and all those who contribute to the magazine. Jon has been a true professional (on a volunteer’s salary) throughout his 12 month reign.

Luckily for the new regime it keeps many of the writers, photographers, proofreaders and copy-editors – those who make the magazine what it is, all of whom have made the compiling of this first edition a smooth experience.

The next twelve months represent exciting times for all those involved in the publication, more copies, more stories and perhaps in a break from tradition more news – the magazine looks forward to answering questions about what is happening around us in this city as it starts to blossom with stronger hints of multi-culture than ever before.

Of course, life is very different now in Gwangju to what those wily veterans amongst the readership can remember. There was a time when a new foreigner in town was a newsworthy story for the magazine, though now the growing international community is privileged with a plethora of creature comforts to make life away from home a less challenging one for the ever increasing ex-pat community, and with that the magazine looks to offer something new to the international and Korean community.

With 2011 approaching and over a hundred issues behind us, all we can ask is that you continue to watch this space.

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Gwangju News November 2010

Feature

Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt German Ambassador for the Rep. of Korea ecently the Gwangju International Center had the honor of hosting a talk by the German Ambassador to South Korea, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Seidt. Ambassador Seidt has served in Russia, Kenya, Belgium, and more recently as German ambassador to the United States and to Afghanistan.

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In his GIC talk, titled "Germany, Europe and Korea: What are the perspectives 20 years after reunification?", the ambassador offered his insights regarding North-South reunification and GermanKorean relations. The ambassador is very optimistic about Korea's future in general, and he believes that all parties involved in the forthcoming EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement will benefit substantially. He did, however, caution that North Korea's presence adds an element of perpetual uncertainty to the fate of the Korean peninsula; he also suggested that if the two Koreas were to reunify, they would be better served by gradual rather than immediate reunification. He cited lessons learned from Germany's own rapid reunion.

After the talk concluded, the GIC's staff sat down for an interview with Ambassador Seidt in which he further developed the points delivered in his speech and expounded on topics ranging from the F1 race in Yeongam to the state of the U.S. economy. A partial transcript from the interview is included below.

For a complete transcript, log on to the GIC's website, www.gic.or.kr.

Q: When comparing the aftermath of the Berlin Wall's collapse and the potential for a Korean reunification, several key differences arise.

Among other factors, uniting Germany didn't have to resolve the issue of nuclear weaponry.

Do you feel that denuclearization will be a major stumbling block in the near future of Korean diplomacy?

A: Of course a reunified Korea will be a denuclearized Korea, thus contributing to stability and peace in East Asia and worldwide. I would say one of the major advantages of reunification would be that the Korean peninsula would be free of nuclear weapons and that the Korean peninsula would no longer be a seedbed of nuclear proliferation. So reunification would solve the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula in a positive way.

Q: Keeping the “Miracle on the Han� in mind, what lessons do you think that Korea has to offer other currently developing nations in the way of economic expansion?

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Feature

whereas in the North we had stagnation starting in the early 70s, late 60s.

Q: American economists especially and many western economists often favor pure free market solutions, even to developing countries. What is your view on that?

The Ambassador’s Talk at the GIC

A: [What] I would say first experience is the importance of education. Korea has no natural resources. Korea only has one resource, the Korean people. The Koreans are hardworking, intelligent, and they're committed to education. So Korea is a role model of other emerging and developing countries by stressing the importance of hard work and consistent learning and education.

Q: Up until about the late 1970s, by most metrics, North Korea was better developed than South Korea. So what do you think the merits are of either a centrally directed economy or very directed capitalism for a developing country?

A: Well, first of all, the economic advantage of North Korea had historical reasons. The Japanese during the occupation of Korea developed North Korea as their economic power base for their policy vis-a-vis China; they had major armaments industries there, and they were moving from North Korea into China, so this was their operational base and they developed it. The South remained agricultural. However, during the first years after the Korean war, when you look to infrastructure building and heavy industries, a stateplanned economy can during the first phase of industrialization have its advantages. This was the case in North Korea. However, during the 60s, although this was also a strict and authoritarian regime in South Korea, the foundations were laid also for a modern economy—more flexible, more openminded, and more modern than in the North. So the “Miracle on the Han” was the hard work of the people in the South, building the roads from Seoul to the south to Busan, ship-building, education, and the permanent modernization of South Korean society 6

Gwangju News November 2010

A: This is not the German view. In Germany our economic model is not the Anglo-Saxon model of free economy; our model is called “social market economy.” This means you have a market economy, a free economy, but you also include elements of social welfare policy, planning, and for example strong trade unions that could negotiate on the same footing with the major companies. And of course we also always put emphasis on the manufacturing economy. This means we have always an element of, let's say, cooperation between the state, the major corporations, and the trade unions. This is again the difference with the United States and Great Britain, where you had a decline of the manufacturing system during the last 20 years. As a result of free democracy you shifted to the service economy, the service sector. This is not the strategy that Germany is following and it's not the strategy that Korea is following.

Q: We talked a lot about the potential future economic situations today.With the G20 Summit in Seoul rapidly approaching, what kind of impact could the implementation of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement have on areas that Germany and Korea are both currently competitive, such as the automobile and semiconductor industries?

A:We believe that the signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) should be an example for other leading economies. This is a signal for free trade and against protectionism. Secondly, we believe that this FTA will demonstrate that free trade will lead to a win-win situation. If you analyze the situation correctly, there will be no loss on either side; the European side and Korea will win. This is not a zerosum game, free trade. So in the end I would say that the EU-Korea FTA should also be for the other G20 participants an example and a precedent.

Q: You said you would prefer a world with open markets and you're very much anticipating the free trade agreement between the EU and

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Top: Ambassador Seidt speaks with Nick Bagnall and Austin Lewis, Right: The Ambassador with GIC Director Dr. Shin Gyong-gu

Korea. Do you think that free trade always benefits developing countries, or do you think Korea was able to develop on its own so quickly because of its protectionist policies that favored the chaebol? One of the big controversies right now between Korea and Japan is that the Japanese feel that the Bank of Korea is keeping the won artificially low so that it is more competitive.

A: Clearly for developing nations, in particular during the first phase of their modernization, they need protection for their emerging economies. This was also the case in Korea. They have to use their comparative advantages. Nowadays, Korea is a mature, highly developed economy, so they don't need these kinds of mechanisms anymore. With regard to the currency situation and the efforts to regulate trade by increasing or decreasing the exchange rates, I believe that among mature economies, the effects of devaluation are only short-term effects. We saw this in Europe in the 80s and early 90s. When you devalue your currency, the advantages you gain will be gone in about three to four years. It's not so much about the exchange rate as the quality of the product. It's about the spectrum of the products you offer. It's about your competitiveness. It's about maintenance and supply for your product. This is what counts. In the long run, it's not the exchange rate.

Q: How do you think Korea will respond to the challenges of balancing its continuing economic development and responsible environmental policies?

A: I have the feeling that Korea is very much aware of the necessity to follow the policy of green growth.

This is a major topic in the embassy. I'm following this very closely. Renewable energy—solar energy, wind energy—but also nuclear energy which is regarded as a renewable energy in South Korea.

Beyond the question of energy supply, for example reforestation is a major element of a green strategy.

Above all is mobility. If you want to decrease the CO2 emissions, we need new cars and a totally new generation of new technologies in Korea. For example, Samsung and Bosch are already working together in a joint venture. This is really a prospective for the future.

Q: Right now, you're en route to the Youngam Formula 1 race. Do you think that F1 will succeed as a sport new to Korea?

A: I think so, yes. Koreans love their cars. Formula 1 is a very attractive sport. In fact, worldwide it is the most popular sport, even more popular than soccer if you look to the statistics and the polls of TV watchers.

I believe that the racetrack will be a major tourist attraction, even when there are no Formula 1 races, because in Germany the drivers love to drive their cars on the Formula 1 tracks. For a region like Jeollanamdo, I think to have such an F1 track will be all of the year a major tourist attraction.

By Austin Lewis and Nick Bagnall Photos by GIC

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Community

Gwangju International Community Day 2010

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he ninth of October, which this year fell on a particularly blue-skied Saturday, was a day of some excitement here in Gwangju. The 2010 “Gwangju International Community Day,” hosted by the city of Gwangju and sponsored by the Gwangju International Center, was precisely what its name implies – a day when people from around the world came together in our mutual corner of the world, to celebrate the spirit of community, understanding, cultural exchange and, oh yes, the food.

The day revolved around a World Food Festival based in front of the Kim Dae Jung Convention Center, where local dishes from all over the world were tastily represented.

From professional chefs to down-home amateur culinarians, cooks showcasing 14 distinct and delicious regional cuisines came prepared with a variety of flavors to please even the most discriminating reveler. A cross section of global tastes was available for every palate – hummus from the Greek tent, fried noodles from our fine Thai friends, and biscuits and gravy from North America (which I consumed with all the relish of a reunion with a long estranged love).

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Gwangju News November 2010

As every good chef knows, the pleasure of cooking lies not in the painstaking preparation, but in the satisfied feeling one gets from watching people enjoy what you’ve made, and this event provided the perfect opportunity for cooks and hungry festival goers alike to experience that joy. One could see a plain look of satisfaction on all faces by the end of the day (not to mention a few loosened belts).

Whilst the majority of those serving food were representing a local restaurant, others simply prepared their favorite dishes, all offered at startlingly low prices for a festival of this type. In fact, most plates could be sampled for a mere 2,000 - 3,000 won. I could sense a bit of friendly competition amongst these collected culinary artists, but in the end all bragging rights went to those at the Greek tent, which was voted most delicious by the crowd.

I was given the opportunity to speak with Dr. Shin Gyong-gu, the director of the GIC and a local philanthropist who has done much to bring together people from all walks of life.

“We do this to make a community, and for people to enjoy themselves,” he said.

Indeed, the event seemed very communal. The tagline for the festival, “This is where the world meets,” felt entirely appropriate. Here were people from Chicago, Tokyo, Toronto, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Hanoi and other places

Community

too numerous to mention. To some of us living insular existences in Gwangju, it was a bit of a shock to see just how diverse and multicultural our home is. Ryan Sullivan, a festival participant and local English teacher, was quite impressed with the revel’s diversity.

“What a great event, I had no idea how culturally rich Gwangju was!” he said.

Aside from stuffing oneself, there was much else to do and see. A flea market sold international wares, an art workshop set up in one corner entertained those creatively minded revelers, and at one stall participants could try on traditional Korean dress, or hanbok.

All in all, it was a fantastic event. It did much to highlight the fact that we share our lives here in Gwangju with people who come from all over the world, in all walks of life. No matter where you’re from, whether you are here for just a short time or for your entire life, the place you lay your head is your home. This festival helped to make that often forgotten fact all the more evident.

By Seth Pevey Photos by the GIC (Find more photos of GIC Day at the GIC Facebook Page www.facebook.com/gwangjuic) Gwangju News November 2010

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Current Issue

Migrant Workers in South Korea and the Legacy of Chun Tae-il “Who do you think should take the credit for the economic prosperity of our country? It should be kept in mind that there are hidden sacrifices by many.”

Extract from A Single Spark: The Biography of Chun Tae- il by Young Rae Cho

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n November 1969, Korean factory worker and labor activist Chun Tae-il ended his life through self-immolation. Having spent all his adult life trying, without success, to improve factory conditions through surveys, petitions and demonstrations, he finally came to believe that there was no other way to change the desperate circumstances faced by Seoul’s garment factory workers.

In April 2004, Jeong, a Chinese immigrant living in Korea, ended her life by throwing herself under a subway train. Like Chun, she believed suicide was the only way. According to Amnesty International (2006), Jeong had been working 12-13 hour shifts in an embroidery factory where her employer Chun Tae-il was withholding her wages. ohmynews.com Before ending her life Jeong wrote, “I want to go home, but the company is not paying me. I went to the employment security center, but they did not solve my problem. I have chosen to kill myself, as there is no other way.”

Chun and Jeong were born decades apart, either side of the nationwide labor movement triggered by Chun’s death. In the intervening decades Korea enjoyed rapid economic success and labor law reform, yet their problems and concerns are remarkably similar, leading us to question: have working conditions really improved, or has exploitation merely been shifted onto the shoulders of a different demographic?

Background: Migrants in Korea, a divided group As is often the case with migration, it is difficult to find 10

Gwangju News November 2010

an exact figure for the total number of non-Koreans living in the Republic of Korea. Estimates vary from just over 500,000 to almost one million. This is partly due to a lack of clarity in the use of the terms ‘migrant’ and ‘foreigner’. Generally speaking, the term ‘migrant’ is attached to the term ‘laborer’ but is rarely attributed to English teachers, journalists and students from other countries. In contrast, the term ‘foreigner’ is typically used to describe all migrants of any professional, economic and social status.

“Migrants who speak English are treated well whilst others are ignored.”

Le Thi Mai Tu, Women Migrants Human Rights Centre This difference in terminology highlights an important aspect of migration in Korea, namely, the distinctive division between so-called ‘professional’ immigrants and ‘labor class’ immigrants, or migrant laborers. The treatment of these two groups varies enormously.

Whilst individuals from either group may face a certain degree of prejudice, migrant laborers, especially those of Asian or African ethnicity, are far more likely to experience serious violations, ranging from work-related incidents such as unfair dismissal, unsafe working conditions and reduction of wages without notice, to general ill-treatment in the form of sexual, psychological and physical abuse.

Migrant Laborers and the Law Contrary to popular misconception, the majority of migrant laborers enter the country legally, through a broker. Once they reach Korea, however, their job is often very different from the one promised, with lower wages and “3D” (dirty, difficult, dangerous) conditions. Amnesty describes how one Ghanaian worker, now unable to work, lost his hand in an accident at work whilst being verbally abused by his

Current Issue

employer, who refused to cover his medical bills and later disappeared. In another case female workers from Thailand were exposed to a toxic chemical which left them unable to walk. Significantly, the Korean employees worked in a separate room and were never exposed to the chemical.

Over the years, Korean law has evolved to accommodate changes in the labor market. Under the original model (Industrial Trainee System), migrant workers were excluded from labor law protection, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. In 2004, in the face of mounting criticism from civil society, the government introduced the Employment Permit System (EPS). Under this system migrant workers are technically protected by the Labour Standards Act of Korea, which limits working hours (Art. 49, 54), and prescribes a minimum wage (Art. 7).

However, there are certain loopholes. For example, working hours may be increased twice over using provisions for “standard overtime” and “flexible working time”, with the agreement of the worker. Also, the minimum wage does not apply to workers on probation or those who undergo training. Workers know that if they complain, they risk being dismissed and forced to look for another job in a country where the language, job culture, and even their own rights are unfamiliar. If they fail to find work within the set twomonth time limit, they may be forced to work illegally, risking exploitation and arrest.

significantly since the time of Chun Tae-il. Whereas workers interviewed by Chun received only two days leave per month, today 49 percent of workers enjoy four days in the same period. However, legal requirements state that one day per week should be given as paid leave for those who have worked for one week without absence. In addition, one day extra paid leave should be granted each month to those who have worked a full month without absence, amounting to five days leave per month. Since the average number of days leave for current workers is 3.75, it seems that the majority of workers do not enjoy the full amount of leave set down by Korean labor law.

Labour Conditions, Then and Now

Working Hours

My first reading of Cho Young Rae’s excellent biography of labor activist Chun Tae-il led to a fascination with Korea’s impressive and highly successful labor rights movement. At the same time, I was struck by the similarity between the issues faced

by Chun in the 1960s and the problems encountered by migrant workers in Korea today. When I discovered that Chun had himself produced a questionnaire into factory working conditions in 1970, I decided to use modern data from a recent modest spate of surveys into migrant workers’ circumstances to answer Chun Tae-il’s original questionnaire. As yet there has only been limited research into this area, and not all of the questions in Chun’s questionnaire can be answered using the data available. However, the information available provides a basic insight into just how much labor law reform has benefited Korea’s migrant community.

Findings: Leave The amount of leave per month has increased

A migrant worker at work

hr-oreum.net

The 2004 revisions to the Labour Standards Act included the reduction of statutory working hours per week from 44 to 40 (Article 49). The same article limits working time to eight hours per day including rest periods, which must be granted every four hours.

Employers can avoid these restrictions by requesting overtime; however, overtime work is also capped at 48 hours per week total without written agreement and 52 hours per week with the agreement of the employer and trade union, and requires payment of overtime compensation at least 50 percent over the normal wage (Art. 52 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Labor Standards Act). Modern survey results reveal that over one third of migrant laborers work 12 hours a day on average, a clear violation of the Labor Standards Act. The fact that Chun’s workers reported working similar hours (11 to 14 hours per day) suggests that despite the introduction and subsequent revision of labor regulations between the 1970s and 2000s, employers continue to force staff to work shifts considerably longer than the limits prescribed by Korean labor law.

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Current Issue

has been significantly developed and revised. Even during this century labor law revisions have altered the maximum number of working hours and set a new minimum wage. However, whilst such developments should be applauded, the survey and the experiences of migrant workers suggest that there is a disparity between the legislation and the reality.

Migrant workers’ participate in a demostration

cmedia.or.kr

Health Although there has yet been little research into the health problems experienced by migrant workers, it is known that many are required to regularly undertake shift work. A recent study by two UK universities found that shift workers are more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes and fatigue. At work, shift workers are more tired and inattentive.

Disturbingly, sick leave is not provided for by legislation. The exception is when a worker is absent due to an occupational injury or disease, in which case 60 percent of the average wage should be paid as set down in Article 82 of the Labor Standards Act. Furthermore, although employers are legally required to provide regular health checks, employees are often unaware of this obligation and in any case are reluctant to request a health check in case their employer becomes distrustful. This is especially true in the case of migrant workers due to their precarious position in Korea.

Wages Of 92 persons questioned in the main survey used for comparison, 11 (12 percent) reported delays in payment, whilst an additional 19 (20.7 percent) received less than the minimum wage and/or overtime pay. In addition, there are certain loopholes which may be exploited by the employer in order to avoid paying the minimum wage. For example, workers receiving basic training do not qualify for the minimum wage, allowing employers to underpay a worker by lengthening their probation period or claiming that they are undergoing “training” rather than working.

The Future of Migrant Workers in Korea Since Chun Tae-il’s suicide in 1969, Korean labor law 12

Gwangju News November 2010

It is in the best interests of the Korean economy to reduce this disparity. Like many industrialized countries, Korea has a history of depending on migrant labor to meet growing industrial demands. Park Young-bum of Hansung University believes that without foreign labor it would have been nearly impossible to keep the "tiger" economy growing during the 1990s. Since the national birthrate was the lowest in the world in 2008 and 2009, the need for migrant workers is unlikely to dry up; working conditions and labor law must change to secure equal rights for Korea’s domestic and international workforce.

Until relatively recently the problems and exploitative circumstances faced by migrant workers were shrouded in silent mystery. However, in recent years, thanks mainly to the laudable efforts of migrant worker support groups, trade unions, NGOs and religious organizations, the issue of migrant worker rights is receiving more and more attention from mainstream media. Nevertheless there is some way to go before the rights of migrant workers are fully realized. National institutions such as the police and judiciary as well as lawmakers and public representatives all have a part to play if migrants’ rights are to be secured. However, media participation is also critical: coverage which reinforces society’s negative perception of migrant workers as being inferior workers, job-stealers and criminals only perpetuates misunderstandings between migrants and Koreans, and encourages everyone to turn a blind eye to abuses.

Chun Tae-il, one of Korea’s greatest visionaries, believed that a better world was possible. His empathy with the downtrodden workers of the Peace Market was such that he was prepared to lay down his own life to draw attention to the unjust and abusive treatment they lived with day by day. Now, 40 years on, workers in Korea are still being exploited. Will we dismiss their plight because they are outsiders, or will we heed Chun’s call and follow him into the struggle for dignity, equality and human rights for all?

By Chloe Simons

Feature

Seoul G20 Security Measures Create Controversy ew security measures for the largest international gathering in Korean history have ignited controversy over the extent that the new laws may infringe on citizens’ rights to free speech. After recent violence, mass arrests, and allegations of police brutality at the recent Canadian and US G20 summits, tensions over Seoul’s G20 are already high. If the ROK government is not careful with how they manage the G20 protests, they could potentially have a public relations disaster while in the international spotlight. Also in question is the manner in which these measures were approved, which may have bypassed standard legislative processes.

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According to the Hankyoreh newspaper, “The PSS (Presidential Security Service), which prepared the law, carried out a ‘contracted legislation’ process, using ruling party lawmakers in order to skip over the whole process of a Cabinet Council deliberation, advance announcement of proposed legislation, and deliberation in the Ministry of Government Legislation.”

However, PSPD (People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy) said the lack of deliberation was simply due to the dominance of the ruling party. “The majority in the National Assembly is from the ruling party, the Grand National Party (GNP). The votes required to pass the law was enough just within the GNP. So the legislators in opposition parties declined to attend the meeting(s) of the Steering Committee to show their opposition,” said Son Yeonu of PSPD. In any case the security measures include 50,000 total security forces; 30,000 police and 20,000 military.

Demonstrators will be banned from being anywhere within two kilometers of the summit. There was going to be sound cannons, a controversial new crowd control technology used at previous G20s, but due to public outcry that has been cancelled.

Activists argue these regulations conflict with Article 21 of the ROK constitution stating “All citizens enjoy the freedom of speech and the press and of assembly and association … licensing or censorship of speech and the press, and licensing of assembly and association may not be recognized.”

The U.S. and Canadian authorities got some negative press coverage for their handling of G20 protests. In Canada at least several hundred protesters were rounded up at an old film studio converted into a massive holding center. At

both G20s there were mass arrests, torture allegations and confirmed use of sound cannons.

London Guardian reporter Jesse Rosenfeld publicly discussed her experience in Toronto Canada. “I was grabbed on each side and hit in the stomach and back and pounced on by officers. I kept asking them why they were beating me because I wasn’t resisting arrest. But they lifted my leg and twisted my ankle,” she said.

Both security forces and protestors should keep an eye out for ‘agent provocateurs’; persons causing violence specifically to justify use of force by police. The Toronto Star reported on the suspicious activities of the Black Bloc anarchists in Toronto. “The crowd, dressed in their black uniforms, moves as a blob, its members indistinguishable from one another. One will run from the pack and lob a rock through a window, before disappearing back into the mob … as the riot police shuffled closer to the intersection at College and University Aves.— shields up, gas masks on, guns raised — they disappeared again … all that was left was a pile of black garments.”

The potential for provocateurs at the Seoul G20 should be a concern because military personnel will already be difficult to identify. The PSS stated “We will have them (the military) wear comfortable clothing, such as civilian clothing, rather than military uniforms.”

There is no question that most security forces at the Seoul G20 will be honest and just trying to keep peace, and most protestors will be peaceful. Regardless tensions will be high and it will be up to both security and citizens to help accurately document the action and maintain peace.

By Michael Bielawski Gwangju News November 2010

13

Interview

Meeting Jennifer Barclay T

he Gwangju News talks to the author of Meeting Mr. Kim about her Korean experiences, the art of writing and her work to raise awareness of Korean culture in the United Kingdom.

Gwangju News (GN): Meeting Mr. Kim – your spirited, beautifully crafted and carefully researched 2008 book documenting your “love affair” (as you put it) with South Korea – has been praised by Simon Winchester for taking “precisely the right approach” in covering the land of morning calm. Readers who seek to learn more about Korean culture will be delighted by your animated blending of a personal ‘Korea story’ with equally engaging historical and cultural detail. Thank you for agreeing to answer these questions for the Gwangju News.

Jennifer Barclay (JB): Thank you for such kind words!

GN: As a UK-based writer and editor, do you think South Korea remains neglected in comparison with its neighbours, China and Japan?

JB: Korea is not nearly as well known in the mainstream UK as China or Japan; because much of the 20th century was fairly devastating to Korea, most people know very little, but it will change. More often than not when you tell people you’re going to South Korea, they ask ‘why?’! This gives me a great excuse to tell them a thousand things they never knew about Korea… Unfortunately in the last few years the combination of a recession and an eco-awareness about air travel has made it hard to encourage people to visit a place they know very little about; if travel in South Korea becomes easier and cheaper, then more people will visit. There’s still a great deal of ignorance about the massive differences between North and South Korea, too; Barbara Demick’s recent book Nothing to Envy may help.

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Gwangju News November 2010

GN: In addition to writing books and articles, you’ve also offered talks at the Royal Geographical Society, the Korean Cultural Centre in London, UK, and other venues. Do you meet many people who are interested in Korean culture?

JB: The majority have already had a connection with Korea through a spouse or a friend, work or studies.

It’s always a pleasure meeting people who are simply interested in learning about the country or going for the first time. My favourite audience so far apart from those you’ve mentioned has been the Globetrotters Club, a large and dedicated group who meet once a month for talks by travellers. Korean events in

Interview

London tend to draw international audiences too – my talk at the Korean Cultural Centre had French, Belgian and Polish people in the audience as well as Koreans and British.

GN: You also use the Internet to keep people informed about events related to Korean culture. Could you tell us more about this – and has it kept you busy?

JB: Aha, yes – I am now meeting Mr. Kims on a regular basis! I started writing for the website London Korean Links, and then I was asked by the Korea Tourism Organisation in London if I’d like to carry on spreading the word about Korea on Twitter and Facebook in association with them. I decided to call it CoolstuffKorea, and to focus mainly on building links between the UK and Korea. I was a little nervous initially but now we have over a thousand friends and followers tuning in regularly for news and competitions and sharing interesting links about food and culture, and it’s becoming a very friendly community.

culture?

JB: It’s hard not to be attracted to Korean culture when the Koreans themselves are so proud of it and so helpful in inviting you to taste and understand it. It excites me that Koreans seem capable of achieving so much, so well – the government’s new eco-friendly construction and parks, small groups of artists and musicians doing something innovative with real enthusiasm. I think it’s the constant reinvention, the energy, the caring – perhaps it’s the positive side of the competitive part of the Korean psyche. If I were to plan my ideal week in Korea, it would involve traditional music, contemporary art, and wandering from Buddhist hermitage to hermitage in the mountains hoping to get invited for temple food!

GN: Jennifer, you have been involved with literature for decades, as a student of English Literature, literary agent, freelance writer, publisher and author. Has this been a rewarding field?

JB: I love working with books and travel. I’ve managed to combine both for a while now, and I think I’ll always work in one area or the other. After taking a break from the literary agency to travel to Korea, I worked for a while for an adventure travel company in Canada, which was great fun but at the same time I was editing a collection of travel stories for a book… Travel is amazing, but without the writing it wouldn’t be the same for me.

GN: At the beginning, you explored South Korea (rather than, say, China or Japan) almost by chance – because of a relationship that led you to Seoul. Is it fair to say that life is what happens to us when we are making other plans (as John Lennon put it)?

JB: Well, I didn’t have any other plans at the time other than to go somewhere completely different and open up my horizons. I was living in Canada and wanted to take six months out from work, but was “I looked up South Korea hoping chance would lead me and saw it had mountains GN: Gwangju is a fine city for somewhere intriguing and little and beaches and deep t h e a r t s , w i t h m a n y k e e n known, as it had done before (e.g. writers – and the Gwangju history, and decided to when I’d spent three months in News offers a fantastic Guyana almost a decade earlier). I’d give it a try. Ten years community outlet for articles always liked going to the less well later, I’m still fascinated.” and other art forms (at least known places. I’d actually never for those who write in been drawn to travelling in Asia, but when my English). What tips would you give for writing? boyfriend at the time was offered a contract in Seoul JB: Be entertaining and informative, and don’t be then I thought serendipity was leading me there for precious about your words. If someone says to cut some reason. I looked up South Korea and saw it had something, then just cut it and don’t stress. You can mountains and beaches and deep history, and decided write it again another time. It’s important to have to give it a try. Ten years later, I’m still fascinated. good working relationships with people who help you to do what you love. Get the work out there.

GN: What has attracted you most in Korean

Gwangju News November 2010

15

Interview

GN: Did studying English and working with literature help you to shape Meeting Mr. Kim? JB: Studying English at Oxford is something that will stay with me forever, having given me a love of beautiful writing, but what helped me to shape Meeting Mr. Kim was working with travel narratives for a few years in my job, shaping other people’s work.

meeting one of the oldest haenyeo or diving women in Jeju island.

GN: Which writers do you admire most, and which have influenced you most?

JB: I’m afraid I’m terribly fickle: I’m always falling in love with new books. I wouldn’t say I’m influenced by any writer in particular – I’m always finding things to admire in all sorts of books. What I envy most is humour, though; I’m jealous of authors who can make you laugh out loud by what’s on a piece of paper.

GN: Jennifer, how can we tempt you to visit Gwangju?

JB: I would love to visit Gwangju! But my fiancé has never been to Korea, so I would like to bring him next time. If we came to Gwangju we could spend days just wandering the Art Street and trying different cafes, and of course eat plenty of Gwangju’s famous kimchi.

GN: There is an impressive degree of honesty in Meeting Mr. Kim. Do writers need courage?

Should they be brave?

JB: It always worries me when someone says I’ve been brave! People said that when I quit my job to travel to Korea… But the honesty in Meeting Mr. Kim didn’t feel brave at all; it felt like talking about myself, which is easy! Seriously though, I think some of the most inspiring books I’ve read are those where the author speaks honestly about their life – which I think is why Eat, Pray, Love has been such a huge success. I didn’t want Meeting Mr Kim to be a straight travelogue about going to Korea, I wanted there to be a personal story too to draw the reader in and hold the whole thing together; it’s a story about a woman’s experiences at a particular time in her life, rather than pretending to be a definitive description of Korea.

GN: Have you found it rewarding to give talks as well as writing? And do you think that these two forms of communication are equally important?

JB: I get extremely nervous about giving talks… But I’ve met some great people through doing them.

GN: What aspects of Korean culture do you hope to explore further?

JB: I’m not a scholar of any particular area; I’d like the opportunity to absorb more of many aspects of the culture. Last year I was in Korea for a week with a packed itinerary including many very interesting things, but the most memorable were the simplest meals, such as eating soondae gukbap with my friend Han-young, and the unplanned things, such as 16

Gwangju News November 2010

GN: Should more people study the Korean language?

JB: It seems to me a very difficult language, except for the basics, and you need to be very motivated to learn it!

GN: Yes – the city’s annual kimchi festival has just finished. What would you like to say to readers of the Gwangju News and Gwangju residents?

JB: Don’t spend all your time working – get out there and see that beautiful country, meet people and make happy memories!

GN: Thank you so much for this interview.

By Jacob Lotinga Photos by Peter Padley and Yura Lee

Jennifer Barclay’s Meeting Mr. Kim (Summersdale, 2008) is the spirited account of how the author explored South Korea and its culture. A spirited and wide-ranging narrative composed in beautiful, unpretentious prose, this would be an excellent read for any native speaker of English heading to South Korea for the first time. It would also be a fine choice for Korean readers who are interested in cultural exchange and western perceptions of South Korea, as so many Gwangju News readers are.

Meeting Mr. Kim is one of very few books in English that introduce South Korea’s charms and idiosyncrasies to readers. It brims with insights and observations about life with which many readers in Gwangju will be able to identify.

Book Review

Our Twisted Hero A

lot has happened in Korea during the past 100

years. From the Japanese occupation to the Korean War, to rapid industrialization to the attainment of democracy, the pace of change has been such that few have taken pause to reflect upon the hiccups and missteps that occurred along the way.

Indeed, whole chapters of history have remained unanalyzed for the simple reason that they coincided with more momentous events. In situations such as these, a nation must rely (more heavily than usual) on the conscience of a master chronicler such as Yi Munyol.

On the surface of things, Yi’s highly acclaimed novella, Our Twisted Hero, is about a young boy’s struggle to cope with the changes brought on by his family’s relocation to a remote country village. But, as with much of Yi’s writing, nothing is exactly as it seems.

Despite his tender age, the protagonist of Our Twisted Hero, Han Pyong-tae, regards himself as a pure Seoulite: sophisticated, shrewd, urbane. In short, everything his country classmates are not. As such, he has fixed notions about where he ought to fit in his new social milieu. Though acutely aware of being a big fish in a small pond, Pyong-tae is determined to take his rightful place at the head of the class. However, his intentions are thwarted by Om Sok-dae, an adolescent nemesis of uncommon wit and cunning.

Om Sok-dae runs the classroom like a mini fiefdom in which vassals must swear their uncompromising fealty in order to secure his good graces. This strikes Pyongtae as more than a little absurd, and he resolves to defy the status quo and find his own way. Little does he realize what a lonely a road his will be. In the months that follow, he goes from being a neglected outsider to a victim of unrelenting persecution. However, when Pyong-tae begins to attribute what are obviously accidents to the long arm of Om Sok-dae, we begin to

question if these are not the imaginings of a paranoid mind.

Although he holds out for the better part of a term, in the end Pyong-tae is forced to submit to the existing power structure that runs the school. It seems that Om Sok-dae’s sovereignty will endure forever. However, when a new teacher takes charge of the class, the tenuousness of his grip on power becomes all too apparent. Revolution sweeps the classroom, and the era of absolute rule comes to an end only to be replaced by a council committee, section and subsection heads, a chairman, a vice-chairman, a monitor, a vicemonitor, a treasurer, and numerous other positions that bring confusion to the class.

It is in detailing the workings of this new order that Yi tips his hand and allows us to see that Our Twisted Hero is far more than it first appears. The classroom under the rule of Om Sok-dae serves a microcosm of the nation under various dictatorial regimes. The wellintentioned but ineffectual leadership that replaces Om stands for the early elected officials who insufficiently filled the power vacuum left behind by the likes of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan. In this light, Our Twisted Hero is most certainly a political allegory in the vein of Orwell’s Animal Farm.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Yi Mun-yol has resisted the temptation to gloss over the failures of the nascent democracy. In Our Twisted Hero he has given us an honest appraisal of the nation’s struggles to effectively wield its newly-acquired political freedom.

While it may be hard to build consensus around any one interpretation of the story, all would agree that the repeated injunction to ‘never bend to unjust power’ makes this a uniquely Korean cautionary tale.

By Elton LaClare

Gwangju News November 2010

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Festival Review

7080 Chungjang-no Recollection Festival n a typical day Chungjang-no attracts shoppers with its storefronts and coffee shops. Usually, there’s a group of schoolchildren trying to fit in some freedom before going to academy, a lady selling her cheap toys at the corner, and a snack cart sitting at the end of the road. Gwangju’s downtown has a sleepy atmosphere during the week and only really comes to life on the weekend when the people of the city come out to unwind.

O

Gwangju has been expanding over the past few decades and many people have moved to the suburbs, leaving downtown as just a shadow of what it was only 40 years ago. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, this area of town was thriving, sheltering the heart of Jeollanamdo’s culture and economy. Known as Gwangju’s Myeong-dong, it was the place you came to for any sort of fun. It was also the place to protest the dictators in power at the time.

“The street [has a reputation] of self-respect for justice and manners in Gwangju but [it is] also the traditional cultural road of Gwangju [for] youth, fashion, and foods,” said Tae Myung-yu, a councillor of Dong-gu.

In an effort to recapture the aura of old downtown, Gwangju volunteers come together in February each year to create a homecoming party fit for the oncefamous area.

This year was no exception, as the seventh annual 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival kicked off on October 5. The area was packed with visitors from the moment the opening parade started until the last hanbok-clad performer graced the Post Office Stage on October 10. There were many things to see and do, including watching performances on any of the five stages, shopping at the international market, and playing traditional games along the main road.

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Gwangju News November 2010

“Experiencing the festival is the key to enjoying it. This is not a festival to just watch,” said Jung Hyung-gyoun, the festival’s organizer. “Any memories made here will add to the history of memories of the Chungjang area that we are celebrating during the festival.”

Festival Review

This page: Left: Marching bands perform at the festival, cjr7080.com; Right: Street artists show their works to passers-by, Marion Gregory; Previous page: A colorful parade, Yahoo! Korea News

The centrepiece of the festival’s displays was the exhibition hall, situated near the Dong-gu district office. Highlighting what life was like in the 1970s and 1980s, the hall was transformed into a street front from the period, including a house, a barber shop, a school room, and a restaurant. Actors enhanced the experience as they wandered in and out of displays, encouraging visitors to take part in the perpetual play that was happening inside each of the buildings.

office, where international artists performed. Keeping the crowd roaring were dancers from India, bands from all around the world, and Korean comedy troupes among others. If one stage was empty, all you had to do was walk down the block to find another quality show.

Further down the street was an international market consisting of tents displaying the foods and goods of a handful of countries. Some of the booths seemed more focused on sales than on displaying a country’s culture, but these were balanced out by the warm welcome of others. A highlight was the fez-donning Turkish men who earnestly persuaded customers to try out a kebab with meat from their delicious-looking rotisserie. If you wanted to keep to Korean food, outdoor restaurants were set up in every non-crowded pathway, just as they once were in the 1970s.

“...it seemed that everyone in the city was there to party”

Outside the exhibition hall, it was impossible not to be at least a passive participant as one pushed through the crowds that filled the busy streets. The main road held three stages where Korean cultural dances and songs were performed alongside contemporary pieces.

Jeollanamdo’s farming culture was also showcased, with a rice harvest dance performed amongst fake rice plants. The warmth of the country was on display as the band and dancers wound their way through the fake rice field.

A fourth stage was located near the post

Interlaced through all of the festivities was a sense of pride: every vendor was grinning, every ajumma was dancing if she had the room and it seemed that everyone in the city was there to party. If this is how Gwangju celebrates the spirit of its past, then I can’t wait to see what it will be like when the Asia Cultural Centre is completed in 2014.

By Marion Gregory

Gwangju News November 2010

19

Current Issue

Gong-gam: Korean Public Interest Law Set to Take Off ro bono” and “public interest” are concepts still somewhat fresh to the Korean legal scene. Although social justice themes have been largely absent in the traditional legal market, times are changing, with a new wave of public interest lawyers and groups making their presence felt.

In the past decade, the public interest legal scene has emerged and is fast making a name for itself as a relevant and exciting area of law. Despite being in its infancy, there are a number of public interest law organizations establishing respectable practices and producing meaningful work. One of these organizations is Gong-gam, otherwise known as the Korean Public Interest Lawyers’ Group, which has established itself as a pioneer in this new area of law.

“P

Gong-gam The name Gong-gam translates to ‘shared emotions’ and adequately captures the spirit of the group’s ultimate mission: providing assistance to minorities and underprivileged persons. This NGO was established by a group of four lawyers in 2004, in response to the obvious need for support in the public interest legal sector. In only six years, the group has grown from strength to strength, establishing itself as a major player in the fast developing Korean public interest legal scene. Gong-gam remains the only NGO of its kind employing full-time lawyers and the scope of their work is wide, including challenging law under the Constitution, initiating law suits on behalf of individuals, as well as legal policy and law revision submissions. The areas of law with which Gong-gam has engaged are also varied, including but not limited to, refugee law, anti-trafficking, human rights, disability rights and LGBT rights. The team has now grown to eight lawyers who are supported by a number of interns as well as administrative staff.

The People The Gong-gam family is made up of various people from 20

Gwangju News November 2010

all walks of life. Of the lawyers, many have been with Gong-gam since its beginnings including prominent human rights lawyer Hwang Pill-kyu. Hwang has been particularly active in refugee and migrant worker legal issues, attending many international refugee conferences and rights violation investigations around the world.

Recently, Hwang along with several members from Minbyun, Lawyers for a Democratic Society, visited India to investigate the alleged violation practices of POSCO (Pohang Iron and Steel Company) in the village of Orissa. In addition, he also played a huge role in developing the draft bill for a new refugee law, which aims to secure heightened protection for refugee rights.

This bill is currently being considered by the Ministry of Justice and with support from the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office in Seoul it is hoped it will be enacted in the near future.

Cases While still relatively small, the size of the Gong-gam team has in no way diminished the quality of the work achieved. The group has worked on several significant cases, creating legal precedent and assisting to make important revisions to Korean law. Of particular note was a refugee case heard in 2007, where Gong-gam successfully obtained refugee status recognition for a Chinese asylum seeker in the Seoul Administrative Court, the first instance such recognition was achieved in Korea. Gong-gam has also achieved successful outcomes across many other areas of law. In 2008, two lawyers working full-time for the group successfully appealed an insubordination charge against a female military officer, who was a victim of stalking. Today, the Gong-gam cause continues at full speed with the team working on several cases simultaneously. The current case load includes a Constitutional litigation case on behalf of a migrant worker who has faced unfair treatment under the Korean visa system, continued work with domestic violence victims from international marriages and policy submissions on anti-trafficking in persons and women’s rights.

Current Issue

There is of course no shortage of applicants seeking legal assistance and Gong-gam sources its litigation cases from a variety of channels. Some cases are referred to the group through human rights organizations and other various refugee and union networks. Also, many applicants contact Gong-gam of their own initiative. Gong-gam has generated a fair amount of publicity through its large presence on the Internet with a regularly maintained website and featured articles on prominent news sites.

Intern Program As previously mentioned, interns provide huge support to the Gong-gam team. Each intern is assigned to a supervising lawyer or administration staff and placed into a team. These teams are international legal research, domestic legal research, public relations and administration. The intern program has been running since the beginning of Gong-gam itself and is done so on a six month rotation. Interns also come from a variety of backgrounds, including university students and university graduates from various disciplines.

Many have an interest in the legal field. A number of interns from the current batch have recently taken the law school entrance exam and two have taken the bar exam. While the majority are Korean, Gong-gam has hosted a number of interns from other countries including Australia, the United States and Germany.

Direction There is every indication that Gong-gam will continue to flourish and pave the way for the future for such organizations. Their vision is simple: to assist and empower minorities and underprivileged persons to facilitate positive social reform. While the group hopes to expand in the future, funding remains a major barrier.

All of Gong-gam’s financial resources are sourced from donations. Approximately 70 percent of these donations are made by individuals, with the remainder from law firms joining the pro bono cause. Gong-gam regularly holds fundraising events and it is likely that funding will continue to be sourced this way. Although financial restraints remain present, Manager of Planning Jeon Eun-mi saw the upside of the group’s small size. She said, “We do wish to expand in the future, however there are many positives about Gong-gam’s close-knit team.

Despite our small size and funding issues, many organizations have expressed their desire to emulate our group, both in Korea and abroad”.

The public interest legal sector remains a developing area, but it is progressing at an unbelievably fast rate.

The people and organizations involved in providing

These boards showing Gong-gam’s lawsuit against international marriage brokers www.kpil.org

such services are not only dedicated to providing quality advice but they have also demonstrated tremendous efforts to actively learn from similar experiences within the international legal community to ensure the success of public interest law in Korea. As the movement grows, more and more professionals working in the mainstream legal field and top tier firms are lending support in terms of actual manpower and financial assistance. There is no doubt that the Korean public interest sector will continue to thrive and contribute to a more equitable society for all. Unlike some Western counterparts, however, donations remain the life blood of public interest law groups like Gong-gam and funding is needed to ensure continued provision of necessary resources. If you are able to make a donation, no matter how big or small, this can be done through the following details:

Account Name: Beautiful Foundation (Gong-gam) Bank: Hana Bank Bank Branch: Anguk Branch Bank Address: 148 Anguk-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea Bank Swift Code: HNBNKRSE Account No.: 162-910001-55004 Website: www.kpil.org E-mail: gonggam@gmail.com Office Tel.: +82-2-3675-7740

By Marissa Bonnici

Gwangju News November 2010

21

Living Tips

Family Invitations Procedure am starting the countdown. It is two and a half months before Christmas day. Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world and I bet that all foreign nationals who are residing in Gwangju wish to spend this very special day with their loved ones. There are two ways you can meet and spend time with your family and relatives abroad. One method is to go back to your homeland. And another method is to invite them to visit Korea. For those people who prefer the second method, this month’s tips – family invitation procedures are for you.

I

People Who Are Eligible For Invitation 1. A foreign national married with a Korean national or a foreign national who acquired Korean citizenship 2. Foreign nationals who have a D2 or student visa 3. Foreign nationals who have a working visa 4. Korean nationals.

General Procedures for Family Invitation 1. The invitee must obtain a Korean visa from Korean embassies and legations in his/her respective country.

2. The invitee and the invitor should prepare necessary documents for visa application.

3. Instead of the invitee applying for a visa in a Korean Embassy in his/her respective country, the invitor can apply for a visa in the immigration in Korea and send a visa issuance number to the invitee. In this way, the invitee will simply submit the visa issuance number to the Korean embassy, and he/she will be automatically given a visa.

Required Documents The list of documents may vary depending on the applicant’s nationality and his/her visa type. Some of the documents that may be required are the following: 1. A carbon copy of the invitee and invitor’s passport 2. A copy of Alien Registration Card of the invitor 3. A copy of the invitee and the invitor’s personal identification (citizen registration certificate, driver’s license, etc.)

4. A copy of the invitee and the invitor’s employment certificate (if you are working) or student certificate (if 22

Gwangju News November 2010

A family gathering

blog.joins.com

you are a student); 5. A copy of family relation certificate (marriage certificate, birth cetificate); 6. Employment certificate of the invitee’s financial guarantor; 7. Bank account balance certificate or a copy of bank passbook of the invitee if he/she will claim self-support 8. Notarized letter of invitation or letter of personal identity guarantee 9. Passport size photos You can call 1345 Immigration contact center for more information before submitting documents. Documents may vary depending on the invitee’s citizenship. Also, new documents may be added or former required documents may be replaced by other documents.

Procedures in Getting a Certificate of Visa Issuance A foreign national can apply for a certificate of visa issuance (number) for his/her family member or relative to an immigration office in Korea. Once he get the certificate of visa issuance (number), he can notify the person he wants to invite of the visa issuance

Living Tips

number so that he/she can use the number to get a visa from a Korean diplomatic establishment in his/her respective country.

In order to get a certificate of visa issuance number, the invitor must submit the Request for Visa Issuance Certificate to the immigration control office (or branch office) that has jurisdiction over his/her domicile along with the required documents.

If the Minister of Justice decides that it is reasonable to issue a visa, the invitor will receive a notice through text message, e-mail or personal visit to the immigration that includes a visa issuance certificate number.

Once the invitor gets the certificate of visa issuance number, he/she can inform the invitee of the number so that the invitee can use the number or submit the certificate of visa issuance in applying for a visa.

Validity of Visa Issuance A certificate of visa issuance number remains valid for 3 months and for a single occasion of visa issuance, although the Minister of Justice may extend the validity when deemed necessary.

Period of Stay of the Invitee An invitee can get a Short-term General (C-3) visa, with which they can stay in Korea for 3 months. They can extend every 3 months in a period of one year.

Dependent of D2 visa holders can stay as long as the D2 visa remains valid. They can extend every six months.

If 3 months or more has passed since the day of submitting the visa application, the invitee must submit a new application for extension of period of stay.

If you really want to invite your family members abroad to come to Korea and spend Christmas or even New Year’s day with them, it is not yet late for visa application, but you should start preparing the required documents now, and submit them as soon as possible. You should also decide whether the person you are inviting will do the application procedures in his/her country or you, the invitor will apply for a visa issuance number in Korea. Good luck!

Source: http://oneclick.moleg.go.kr

By Marie Charmaine Pascual Igwe

Comic

Gwangju News November 2010

23

PHOTO CONTEST W I N N E R

A mother teaching

Photo by Van Hoang

Mokpo at night 24

Gwangju News November 2010

Photo by David Kuehl

Submit your best shot of Korea!

To enter the Photo Contest, simply send your name, photo and picture description to gwangjunews@gmail.com.

Low Tide - Late afternoon at Suncheon Bay

Girl looking at art

Photo by Mark Eaton

Photo by Mesa Schumacher Gwangju News November 2010

25

Sport

Jiujitsu hat is the most effective martial art? Ask a Korean and their answer will likely be the slightly biased answer, “taekwondo.” This was the question posed by a Brazilian family in 1993 and the question was answered in an eight man tournament in November that year. Different fighting styles were brought in to compete to see which martial art was the most effective, with no weight restrictions.

The winner was a 176 lbs (80kg) man who tore through the competition despite his opponents’ weight advantage. His name was Royce (pronounced ‘Hoyce’) Gracie, and the event was known as “The Ultimate Fighting Championship”, or “UFC”, started by Royce’s brother Rorion (pronounced ‘Horion’) Gracie and promoter Bob Meyrowitz. Competitors ranged from Muay Thai kick-boxers, wrestlers, taekwondo black belts and simple street thugs. All were defeated handily

by Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a martial art that focuses not on punches or kicks, but on joint locks and chokes, similar

W

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Gwangju News November 2010

to wrestling with some moves shared by both arts.

Brazilian jiujitsu is a dynamic martial art with its roots in judo, immobilizing the opponent without throwing a punch. There are several theories to its origin, but no one is sure. It is known that the Japanese form of jiujitsu was used by samurai warriors to disarm opponents wearing armor.

It’s a unique form of self-defense, generally a very safe sport though a risk of injury always exists.

Some of the joint locks can cause broken arms, while some of the so-called safer submissions can render an opponent unconscious.

In addition to being a highly effective form of self defense, jiujitsu is also a full body workout. Men’s Health magazine listed Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian jiujitsu as the best martial arts for fitness.

Sport

After a month of jiujitsu, 3 times a week, you will notice improved conditioning and more muscle definition.

As jiujitsu is growing in popularity abroad, Korea is beginning to catch on to the sport. A number of jiujitsu schools are in Korea and several Korean fighters are among the elite in the UFC and the WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting). While Gwangju does not have a jiujitsu school run by a black belt, there is a very good academy near Chosun University. For jiujitsu, it typically takes 10 years of diligent study to receive a black belt. The owner of the school, Mr. Lee Jeong-gi, is a very capable purple belt, having studied the art for 8 years. Although his English is not perfect, he is very technical and a great instructor. I had been practicing jiujitsu for about 3 years in the US, learning from one of the world’s best practitioners, and I find Mr. Lee to

be just as good an instructor with his solid technique.

Additionally, the environment of the gym is very helpful and friendly. Member and fellow ex-pat Michael Angelo Pichay says, “being a beginner, the boys at the gym not only made me feel welcomed, they also made me feel like part of their family. They never hold any information back.” As for fitness, two of the assistant instructors have lost a total of 95kg (210 lbs) between them in under a year.

Classes are from 7:30pm - 8:45pm, Monday through Friday near Chosun university. If you’re interested, please feel free to contact me directly via email or facebook at: mrjoeykim@gmail.com.

By Joseph Kim Photos by Mesa Schumacher

Gwangju News November 2010

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Feature

Right Here, Right Now The 2010 Seoul Global Gathering

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t was that time once again to strap on those two shoes and stoke up the fire in the belly. Something different from the mundane, the typical, the norm’. The Global Gathering tour reached the South Korean shores last month and was boasting a big line up, not to mention a great turnout of festival-goers from all over the country.

So, how was it? Bloody great, thanks. Let’s try and piece together the spectacle that left ears ringing for days.

The Global Gathering tour spanned 6 countries this year: Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Britain and finally South Korea. The Hangang Nanji River Park in Seoul was to create the perfect venue with 60 acts over four stages. This is an annual festival that really does cover a lot of ground.

In Brisbane 2008, Australia was a cracking show. The weather was crazy with storms and a muddy bog-pit you would call a “dance area” but it all added to the atmosphere. Some groups in on the act back then were the Gorillaz Sound System, Mark Ronson and Felix Da Housecat, amongst many others.

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Gwangju News November 2010

This year saw huge household names running the show.

Fatboy Slim, Armin van Buuren, Justice DJ Set, Soulscape, Baeksung and the list goes on…

French DJs Justice arrived with only their DJ set; however they didn’t disappoint. A simple “Justice was awesome” was enough to sum it up from a few die-hard fans. As mentioned, Justice are from France and have an army of followers with their silky electronica sounds, complimented with synths and keyboards. Their act was a refreshing way to welcome the night on. The classic Why Can’t We Be Friends track was played at the end of their set - a nice touch.

Headlining act Fatboy Slim really shook it up with his two hour theatrics. A lot of us where only high school hoppers when tracks like Right Here Right Now, Gangster Trippin’ and Weapon of Choice were released. Great memories from a pioneer of the 1990s funky big beat era. Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook) has boasted an insane number of

Feature

studio and live albums over the years, not to mention numerous collaborations with various talented artists. He showed why he was one of the top beat producers in the world; putting on a great set in front of (at least) 10,000 people with incredible visuals to match.

The night wore on but never the attitude. So what if the weather is getting colder? No one in the joint gave a damn.

There was enough variety in music (and fashion) for all to enjoy. Ahhh…the beautiful people.

Following Fatboy Slim, the world’s number one DJ (according to DJMag’s Top 100) took the stage. Armin van Buuuren put the punters into a catatonic stupor with his heavy synthesised trance, masterminded with his Technics 1200 turntable and Pioneer CDJs. Chaos on the dance floor. The Dutch product is known for tempo building during his live performances, but it still catches you offguard. It didn’t matter if your legs were screaming “no more!!”

A great night of music and entertainment was had by all.

Except for the guy being carried out in the air by 5 heavy security guards in tuxedos. Surely justifiable.

What will next year bring? Will the Global Gatherers return to Seoul? It’s hard to see that they don’t after this

Previous page: Hands!; This page: Above: Fatboy Slim’s screen visuals; Bakground: A view from the back

year’s turnout. It’s always difficult to put a number on these things. Particularly when, in the moment, you couldn’t care less. What was fantastic to see was the raw enthusiasm of the crowd, it just didn’t let up. It’s hard to break the typical K-pop spoon feeding of Korean youth culture, and these types of festivals hold just the cure.

By Julian Raethel Photos by Luke Eaton

Gwangju News November 2010

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Photo Essay

, s d n a l s I Gili a i s e n o d In A

little island in paradise is what many people dream of visiting when they go away on holiday, if you travel to Indonesia you can enjoy 3 tropical paradises right next to each other. The Gili’s, which translate to small island, are on the western side of Lombok and can be reached from Bali in about 1 hour by speed boat. These islands boast wight sandy beaches protected by a coral reef system.

The 3 islands in this chain are Trawangan, Meno and Air. The first of these is Trawangan, and is the principal island. Trawangan offers a great beach experience by day and plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy by night. Meno and Air are perhaps a little more laid back, if something quieter is more your cup of tea.

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Gwangju News November 2010

Photo Essay

The islands are well set up with plenty of accommodation options available, and these range from beach bungalows to hotels with swimming pools.

Once settled into the place you’re staying it’s time to hit the beach. Trawangan has a busy central strip and here you’ll find plenty of sun loungers to laze away the day reading that favourite book, while no doubt enjoying a cocktail from one of the many local bars. The island is a rich mix of colours, the boats themselves that line the beaches are a testament to this and occasionally you’ll see some of the locals unloading local produces as the other side of island life goes on around you. There is more to do on the island than top up your tan, and read your book of course. Those wanting to explore the island could hire a bike for 5$ a day, and it doesn’t take long to cycle around the whole island. Once on your bike you’ll find the western side of Trawangan is a lot quieter, and you can more or less enjoy the whole beach to yourself on this side of the island. As the evening approaches the western side is where you’ll also enjoy some enchanting sunsets and views across to Bali’s majestic Gunung Batur volcanic peak. A lot of people enjoy the sunset from sunset point, but the view is just as good from other points along the western shore.

After dark the eastern side of Trawangan is perhaps the place to be. This side of the island has a range of food options from restaurants offering fresh fish on the menu through to street vendors selling Indonesian fried rice for more affordable prices. After refuelling at the restaurants there are a few good party spots to party the night away. Rudi’s always has a good party atmosphere, there is also live music on the island in the form of a reggae cover band.

Gwangju News November 2010

31

Photo Essay

The colour of the Gili Islands isn’t just restricted to the islands, the sea has a kaleidoscope of different coloured fish. There are a few options to enjoy these. The island has plenty of glass-bottomed boats from which you can go scuba diving. There are also some diving schools so you can learn to dive and then enjoy the sea life on the seabed and get a much closer look at the coral reef.

Those not wanting an under water adventure, may want to take a massage to unwind and relax even more on these truly breathtaking islands.

To get to the islands there are a few different options.

The cheapest route is to take the 5 hour car ferry from Bali to Lombok, which leaves from Benoa. Then from Lombok catch a taxi to Bangsal before getting a boat to the Gili Islands. The faster choice is to use a speed boat. There are several tour companies that have their own private speed boat. These companies will pick you up from your hotel and if you buy a return ticket they’ll drop you off at your desired location on Bali. Tickets by speed boat cost around $100. Accomodation on the

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Gwangju News November 2010

island varies during the high season prices start at $30 a night, in the off season these prices can drop considerably.

Story and photos by Simon Bond

Review

Marco Polo Travel Café + Blue Bear Travel Service B

lue Bear Travel Service, at Pungam Dong, is well known to readers of Gwangju News. For years now they have provided an efficient and professional service, especially to the foreign community of Gwangju.

Now they have taken a bold and creative leap – a new manifestation in a new location – the Blue Bear Travel Service AND the Marco Polo Travel Café. Now, as well as all the services one has come to expect from the travel office, visitors can indulge in a tastefully furbished café décor, replete with comfortable sofas, potted plants, arty light fittings and wall hangings – and, of course, exotic coffees, waffles, cheese cakes, and the most scrumptious pretzels I have ever tasted. The café has a range of travel information, from Lonely Planet type guide books, to in depth country information provided by various embassies. There are two computers available for visitors, one of which has been thoughtfully provided with a large screen so that groups can readily discuss topics as they surf, sip and nibble.

Between them, owners Pearl and Ronnie – a wife and husband team – speak Korean, English, Japanese, Tagalog, and Mandarin Chinese. They are thus well adapted to serving the needs of almost all foreigners, and if further incentive is needed, they offer a 30% discount on coffee and snacks to foreign clients.

As Ronnie says, his hope for the café is as a haven where foreigners and Koreans can meet, and where foreigners can receive a helping hand.

A travel service with special emphasis on catering for the foreign community is especially welcome in Gwangju, where very few people are multilingual. It is also important to have such a facility, in that booking travel online can be fraught with difficulties. Korean web sites only accept credit card payment from cards issued in Korea. Also, in many cases, when checking in at an airport, the credit card that procured the booking has to be shown. In this circumstance, this can pre-empt foreigners getting a Korean friend to do their booking for them.

I personally find the security gained from working through a professional travel agent comforting. In my experience, I have in the past secured bookings from Blue Bear that have actually been cheaper than prices offered by conventional on-line agencies.

I suspect very few foreigners will be seeking arranged

package tours, but here again there is significant advantage of having such tours arranged for clients in the language of their choice. Blue Bear can also cater to airline deals, such as RTW tickets, or regional deals such as the Circle Asia fares from the Star Alliance airlines.

The café is open 7 days a week, from 10.00am to 9.00pm The travel service is open: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 9.00pm Saturday & Sunday 1.00pm to 9.00pm Pearl Kim runs the travel service. She can be contacted by: Landline: 062-655-5746 Cell: 010-3619-5747 E-mail: pearlcebu@hotmail.com The Marco Polo Travel Café is easy to find (see map on page 46). Buses 45, 59, 47, 78, 760 stop outside the door.

(Third stop in the Pungam Dong loop from either direction). Bus 01 travels the Pungam loop, but does not halt at this stop.

Happy travelling, and may your first step be the easiest!

Story and photo by Allen Grey Gwangju News September 2010

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Beyond Gwangju

Busan Fireworks Festival ctober 23rd saw crowds swarm to Gwangalli beach for Busan’s 6th annual and greatly acclaimed International Fireworks Festival. The 1400m coastline stretch holds its fame for water sports, fishing and for summertime city dwellers hoping to work on a healthy glow. Since its 2005 inception however, the festival has bolstered the beach’s already firm reputation amongst visitors and locals alike, and has established itself as one of Korea’s biggest street events of the year.

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explosions could be seen and heard for each meticulously planned quarter-hour performance.

Saturday’s spectacle however was the greatest of them all.

The beach started to fill from early afternoon, right up to the start of the show. The security team struggled to keep order to the chaos as hopeful spectators edged closer.

Most were sadly kept away from the already overflowing beachfront.

The three-day event opened its great shoreside doors on Thursday 21st for the Hallyu Star concert, featuring big names in the K-pop world such as Super Junior, SHINee, and 2AM.

Some appeared content with fitting in to the smallest, most uncomfortable gaps on the shore just for a better look at the show. Others even more desperate were happy for fork out an alleged 80,000 won for an uninterrupted window view from a bar that overlooked the whole scene.

Friday saw celebration in support of World Fireworks Day, with displays orchestrated by pyrotechnics experts from around the world. Groups hailing from Portugal, China and Italy set their demonstrations to accompanying music with blistering precision. An approximate 50,000

By its prompt 8pm start, the beach was tightly packed with an outstanding 1.5-million eager onlookers.

Discomfort was quickly forgotten as the dazzling opening ceremony began. A reported 80,000 fireworks were set to music, comprising a non-stop 50-minute display.

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Gwangju News November 2010

Beyond Gwangju

Top of the range display lasers were strapped to the nearby Gwangan Bridge, illuminating the night as fireworks took off from it. Surrounding ships sent rockets hurtling upwards against the striking backdrop of the sea and night’s sky. Remote controlled airplanes strapped with neon flew overhead, much to the joy of the crowds below.

For the finale, great orange bursts filled the sky, much to the ‘ooh’ing and ‘aah’ing delight of onlookers. And then it was done. The vast crowds quickly dispersed in unanimous appreciation of the sights, while the illuminated airplanes quietly found space to land.

Previous page and this page: Colorful fireworks over Gwangan Bridge

Despite the great crowds, I would heartily encourage all to visit the next annual Busan Fireworks Festival. However, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting there early! I have never seen such an imaginative and varied display of fireworks, and I’m sure you would not be left unimpressed. As a Brit, it’s the closest I’ll come to a Guy Fawkes night celebration in Korea.

Story and photos by Laurence Berridge

Gwangju News November 2010

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Restaurant Review

탕 계 삼 조 고려 Goryeojo g n a t e y g m a S t is a great shame that Korean food is not known around the world in the same vein as the cuisine of other Asian nations such as China, Japan, and Thailand. It is a great shame because as a consequence of this lack of fame, people around the round are unfamiliar with samgyetang. I know I certainly was before I came to Korea but my culinary senses were excited like a child just given six months pocket money’s worth of candy upon having my first bowl of said dish put in front of me.

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Our delightful wonder up for inspection comprises of a whole chicken, yes that’s right, a whole chicken, served in a bowl of simmering broth containing ginseng, garlic, and ginger. The chicken is not the size of an adult one that grandma would have cooked for Sunday roast in the good old days, but a smaller young chicken. It is stuffed with rice, a sprig of ginseng, and dates. The broth is light, divine, and nutritious all at the same time. As well as the aforementioned ingredients, all the goodness in the chicken seeps into it. Whenever I eat samgyetang there is an almost palpable feeling of revitalization coursing through my body.

Samgyetang is considered a summer dish by Koreans, according to a co-worker of mine this is because it is just that; revitalising, and the humid summers here are energy sapping to say the least. However I like to eat it throughout the year, as yes, while it is most certainly revitalising in summer, it is equally comforting in the depths of Korea’s bone chilling winters.

So where do I recommend one should treat their taste buds to samgyetang, and just as equally, their soul?

Goryeojo would do the trick quite nicely. Evidently it is rather well known amongst the citizens of Gwangju. I was asking my co-workers about samgyetang to get a few specifics on the ingredients, and without having mentioned anything about a restaurant review or a name of any establishment, one of them piped up with ‘do you know Goryeojo downtown?’ I am thankful to have discovered this place with some friends very early on in my time here. It is essentially dedicated to serving

exclusively this delightful bowl of chicken soup. The atmosphere is already fabulous, feeling a notch above a run of the mill purveyor of dinner, but to not have to deliberate among one’s group of friends as to what will be ordered makes it all the more better. Thus everyone in your group is seated and within ten minutes everyone is tucking into a paragon of culinary cooking. The service is friendly and fast. It is accompanied with the cubed radish variety of kimchi, as well as peppers and garlic. Most importantly as far as the side dishes go, Goryeojo, is the only place I’ve come across that serves insamju, a ginseng wine. It seems to be a drink one either likes or dislikes. I really like it, as do another couple of friends. There seems to be no fence sitting, no casual sipping of it with one’s meal. One either drinks 2 or 3 shot glasses or none at all.

The samgyetang has an authentic feel of a mum’s home cooking. Indeed I believe that the only way one can experience a better samgyetang is if an invitation to eat it with a Korean family at their house is extended to them. I was lucky enough to have that privilege with some friends.

We were served enough food by our Korean friend’s mother to feed an entire village for a month. The main course was the invigorating chicken soup and it was to die for. The point here is that the ginseng chicken soup at the restaurant under review is a very close second to that and not a distant one. In my opinion that speaks volumes because it seems in every culture of the world, the benchmark of that culture’s cuisine is always set by a mother’s cooking.

Goryeojo is located on the Art Street side of downtown. To get there take a right onto the street where KEB will be on your right as you walk straight. The YMCA should be behind you. Take your first left, a Family Mart will be on your immediate right as you turn, and walk about 60 meters down this street and you will see Goryeojo on your left.

The samgyetang costs 12,000 won, a little pricey, but as far as I can tell it costs the same everywhere give or a take a couple of thousand won. If you have not had samgyetang before or in a while, then this is definitely a worthwhile trip.

Story and photo by Gabriel Ward

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Gwangju News November 2010

Recipe

Korean Easy-Cook Recipe

고구마맛탕 Fried sweet potato

weet potato is a highly nutritious food. First, it has a lot of dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and relieve constipation. Also, Vitamin E in sweet potato promotes the circulation of blood.

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Since the 1780s, people have grown sweet potato.

People ate sweet potato when they had a bad rice harvest. Until now, sweet potato is still a good food to for Koreans. People usually eat sweet potato by boiling or baking. This is the most popular recipe using sweet potatoes. The recipe is pretty simple. So, you can make it easily.

Story and photos by Yang Hee-seon Yang Hee-seon is a junior majoring in Business Management at Chonnam National University

How to make Fried sweet potato (serves one) Things to prepare: sweet potatoes, cooking oil, syrup (cooking oil, sugar, starch syrup), skillet, pan for making syrup, kitchen towel Cooking method: 1. Peel sweet potatoes and cut them into small chips.

2. Put them in water to get rid of starch.

3. Throw away the water and drain them with kitchen towel.

(You should drain sufficiently because it's dangerous to fry them with too much water) 4. Put pieces of sweet potatoes in heated oil around 170~180° and fry them for 4 minutes.

5. Making syrup: Put cooking oil, water, sugar, starch syrup (in the proportion of 2:3:3:1) in a pan and boil until it becomes sticky or only use starch syrup by boiling it.

6. Mix fried sweet potatoes with syrup quickly.

Gwangju News November 2010

37

Poetry

POEM Hannah A north-easterly brought Dry livid heat It reeled about Her sand-cracked feet It whisked away Each timid start And left there, parched Her Tumbleweed heart

No tinny hum, nor sonic static Nothing that suggests The galleons Atlantic Or acres of clodden earth that lie In the cavity Between you and me

The Big Bang Theory

Just the crisp immediacy Of your voice Signed and delivered From careless lips To careful ear

Universes collide And in their midst, between A little dust, and a little drop Intimacy flares Behold! A mortal in time

When, with the residue warmth Of beating blood In the cup of my neck, The receiver is returned To its cold, plastic bed,

Caught

The silence is full, With lack.

Her foot caught In the gap in the lining of the carpet on the floor (It got caught on the way as she crawled for the door) The gap he’d promised to fill To fill and fulfill till death do them part And part they did, in cavernous silences Only the sound of seconds and lives Could be heard above his dormant hulk The familiar countdown of comfort and fear Accompaniment to each muted tear Hollow, both the gap and the oath From the carpet on the floor to the gulf to the door Her mind entwined and all lined with Control in which her foot was caught

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The Phone Call

Gwangju News November 2010

I am left alone with it In the subsesquence Of your goodbye The silence, and A faint trickle of concern That, like a snail, lingers and trails Around the outskirts Of my mind Around the outskirts Of my mind

By A.K.Amritser

World News

Christchurch Earthquake

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n September 4th, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, a city of approximately 400,000 people, in my home country of New Zealand.

The damage was wide spread with buildings collapsing or being damaged beyond repair, resulting in their need to be demolished. Photographs depicting the aftermath of the earthquake show cars parked on roadsides, written off by the bricks that have some crashing down upon them. One particular image that struck me was a man walking through a gaping, shoulder high crack that had opened in the ground.

Remarkably though, no one was killed as a result of the earthquake. People were admitted to hospital with injuries sustained during the earthquake, but nonetheless, no one was killed.

Here in lies a privilege of living in a developed nation. It is likely that anyone reading this is aware of the earthquake that struck Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the world, on January 12th of this year. That shift in the tectonic plates had a magnitude of 7, lower than the quake that struck Christchurch on September 4th, but the damage inflicted upon Haiti was catastrophic and tragic. The Haitian president estimated the death toll at more than 300,000 people. If the same had happened in Christchurch that would mean three-quarters of the city’s citizens would have been killed.

Left: A man walking through a gaping, shoulder high crack that had opened in the ground, stuff.co.nz; Top: Effect of the earthquake, Flickr

However that is not to say that the consequences felt by the people of Christchurch have not been severe. People have lost their homes, and while most of the land damaged has been deemed safe for re-building on, they will have to procure the finances necessary to do so. It is fair to say that paying off the cost of a house is burdensome to most people in the developed world.

Businesses have been hit hard, and even with the temporary subsidies the government is supplying them to pay employees, some will have to lay off staff. Further still, some will have to close down permanently as they cannot sustain loan repayments while their business is on hiatus.

Secondly it is prudent to remember that natural disasters such as earthquakes strike anywhere on the globe; they do not recognise a nation’s degree of development. People living in Christchurch are living with a great degree of uncertainty, more than one month after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake; they have felt approximately 1500 aftershocks, including a 20-second 5.0-magnitude aftershock which occurred on October 13th. So while there are obvious privileges to living in a developed country such as New Zealand, one should endeavour not to take things that are normally a given, such as a job and a roof in which to sleep under, for granted. People feeling the consequences of tectonic movement in Christchurch do not have these things, and are experiencing challenges and difficulties that should be wished upon no one.

There are two things that are worth noting. Firstly the consequences of a natural disaster are likely to be less severe in a developed nation than an undeveloped one, and

that these consequences are more easily overcome in a developed nation. The standards of the buildings in Christchurch were sounder than those in Haiti, so it follows that people in the former city were safer to begin with than those in the latter. Also the citizens of New Zealand were likely more aware and educated about earthquakes. As a boy I remember seeing advertising campaigns on television, produced by the Earthquake Commission of New Zealand, educating viewers about how best to safeguard the contents of one’s house in the event of an earthquake. Finally the government is in a position to provide some kind of help to families in New Zealand, and has in fact provided opportunities to make claims relating to financial loss incurred from September 4th.

By Gabriel Ward Gwangju News November 2010

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Movie Review

71 Into the Fire

포화속으로 T Director: John H. Lee Release date: June 16, 2010 Runtime: 120 minutes

he date is August 11th, 1950. North and South Korea are at war. South Korean armies have lost their grip on Seoul and can do nothing but retreat against the unrelenting advances of the north. The battle for Busan at Nakdong river is in full force, and all remaining South Korean forces have been ordered to the river’s defense. While pulling out of the eastern city of Pohang, the South Korean command, leaves behind, in desperation, 71 student soldiers to slow the inevitable advance of the north. Alone and without training or combat experience, these young student soldiers face the burden of the north’s assault. Such is the setting for director John H. Lee’s 71 Into the Fire.

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The film is a true to life retelling of the battle for Pohang Girl’s Middle School which follows the selfless and patriotic heroism of 68 student soldiers as they oppose, unaided, the steady onslaught of the north’s 766 Guerilla Army. In reality the battle lasted eleven and a half hours, thus stalling the north just long enough for roughly 200,000 South Korean civilians to flee Pohang and head southwards to safety. The director’s retelling of these events is nothing less than a gritty and undomesticated account of the day’s history.

71 Into the Fire opens with violent antecedent action allowing us a combat-quick glimpse into the past of the film’s main character Oh Jang-beom – played by Choi Seung-hyeon. We meet him as a scared yet brave student soldier relaying ammunition to a machine gun post as it is being overrun by North Korean soldiers. He escapes in the subsequent retreat and finds himself in Pohang where his wounds are treated by a young nurse, played by Christina Cha. It is in Pohang where he meets the other student soldiers and is appointed solely for his combat experience as their leader by Captain Kang, played by Kim Seung-woo. In opposition to his leadership appointment is a student soldier named Gap-jo, (Kwon Sangwoo) one of three juvenile delinquents released into soldiering as an alternative to serving their murder sentences in detention. A division in the ranks of the student soldiers develops as the leadership abilities of Jang Beom are called into question.

From this lull the movie reloads and soldiers go on into the looming attack fronted by the North Korean Commander, Bak Mu-rang, played by Cha Seung-won. Cha’s performance 40

Gwangju News November 2010

is admirable as he aptly projects his dilemma to annihilate or peacefully subdue the young student soldiers who stand in his path. Ultimately, the decision is made for him, and the movie erupts into a violent rain of oppressive gunfire. Only does the battle find an end with the late return of South Korean forces that turn the tide of the aggressing North Koreans. So the bloody battle ends; with it go many of the young student soldiers’ lives.

71 Into the Fire is a film starkly devoid of the domesticated or tamed story telling found in more popular sects of modern Korean cinema, and instead retells with unapologetic and violent realism the tragedy and valor of the 71 young men as they lose their lives to save their country. Such stylistic preference has made it somewhat of a displeasing experience for many Korean movie goers while conversely, the film has been very well received internationally and has even been praised as one of the best Korean War films yet made.

71 Into the Fire is a powerful film and one that resolutely secures itself place in Korean cinematic history for lending honor and remembrance to the 71 student soldiers who fought in the battle for Pohang Girl’s Middle School some 60 years ago. This is an engaging movie and one that will not disappoint save for the squeamish.

By Justin Palamarek

Cartoon

Gwangju News November 2010

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Upcoming Events

Festival

Jangseong Baekyangsa Danpung (maple) Festival November 5 - 6, 2010 Baekyangsa Square, County Office, Jangseong Lake Jangseong, a harmony of mountain, water and human history" has Jangseong Baekyang Danpung (maple) Festival in late October when red maple leaves are at its peak.

Share the beauty of the baby maple trees!

How to get there: An hour and 20 minutes from Gwangju bus terminal then continue for 40 minute-ride from Jangseong Bus Terminal and 20 minutes from Baekyangsa bus terminal.

For more information on the festival please visit: http://tour.jangseong.go.kr (Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean available)

chrysanthemum works, and diversified experience events reminding many of their hometown are offered.

How to get there: Take bus number 500 from Gwangju, bus Terminal, it will take an hour.

For more information on the festival please visit: www.hampyeong.jeonnam.kr (Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean available) Yeongam Wangin Chrysanthemum Festival.

October 29 - November 21 The Rilic Of Doctor Wangin Local and foreign tourists are invited to participate and have wonderful memories of Yeongam, the home of Dr. Wangin, and to fully enjoy the scent of chrysanthemums filled with the chi (force) of Mt. Wolchul.

For more information on the festival please visit: http://mum.yeongam.go.kr (Korean only)

Exhibitions "Dessert" Gwangju Museum of Art August 31- November 14 For more information: www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr This exhibition will display about 40 paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art.

The 2010 Gwangju International Senior Fair, Korea Kimdaejung Convention Center November 11-13 For further information: www.seniorfair.kr This is an industry exhibition.

Korea Chrysanthemum Festival October 29 - November 14, 2010 Hampyeong-gun Expo Park Enjoy the scent of Hampyeong chrysanthemums! Appreciate the warm heart of Hampyeong residents!

Live insects including dragonflies, grasshoppers and katydids are exhibited along with various 42

Gwangju News November 2010

Gwangju Biennale - 10000 Lives September 3 - December 7 Biennale Exhibition Hall, Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju Folk Museum This exhibition shows an aesthetic discussion on the life of images.

Performances

Lee Eun-mi's 20th anniversary Concert in Gwangju- Walking on The Sound 2 Dec. 13, 16. 2010 (Starting at 4pm and 8pm) Admission Fee : 55,000 ~ 88,000 won Gwangju Culture and Art Center, Buk-gu, Gwangju Lee Eun-mi is the famous rock singer in Korea who has sung since 1989 as a guest vocal "Sin-chon Blues" Her new album 'Walking on sound 2' was released in April and she has had many concerts in more than 70 cities across the world.

Cho Young-nam's Orchestra Concert in Gwangju Nov. 14. 2010(Starting at 6pm) Admission Fee: 40,000 ~ 100,000 won Gwangju Culture and Art Center, Buk-gu, Gwangju Mr. Cho has been singer for 42 years. He is known as a painter, a entertainer and a writer, too. He is more than just a singer. He tells the story of people’s lives, society and freedom in Korea.

Movies Gwangju Theater Chungjangno 5-ga (two blocks back behind Migliore) Phone: (062) 224-5858 Films change weekly to bi-weekly.

Upcoming Events

Check online for calendar and prices.

Admission fee: 8,000 won, 21,000 won for 3 films The following movies will be shown in November: 1. Oki's Movie Genre: Drama Starring: Lee Seon-gyun, Jeong Yoo-mi, Moon Seong-Geun

Language: Korean 2. Don't Cry for Me, Sudan Genre: Documentary Starring: Lee kum-hee, Lee Tae-suk Language: Korean 3. Enlightenment Film Genre: Drama Starring: Jeong Seung-gil, Kim Jae-in, Oh Woo-jung, Lee Sang-hyun Language: Korean

4. come, Closer Genre: Drama Starring: Yoon Hee-suk, Yojo, Yoon Gyae-sang Language: Korean

Let us know what’s going on in your neighborhood! Write to us to: gwangjunews@gmail.com

GIC Talk - November Schedule Time & Place: Every Saturday, 15:00-16:30, GIC office (5th floor of Jeon-il Bldg) For more information, visit www.gic.or.kr or contact Kim Sing-sing at: gwangjuic@gmail.com Check out pictures from previous GIC Talks http://picasaweb.google.com/gictalk Click for the highlight clips of GIC Talk at www.youtube.com/user/GICTALK

November 6

November 20

Title: China's Minority Cultures Speaker: Jacob Lotinga (Department of English Education at Chonnam National University) China has a strong multicultural side, with fifty-five recognised minority cultures. This original slideshow introduces six of the cultures that make up ‘multicultural China’: the Naxi, Bai, Miao, Buyi, Yi and Qiang. You will see real people from these cultures – from a Naxi shaman-priest to a former agricultural leader of the Miao – and unforgettable landscapes. Jacob Lotinga spent around a week investigating each minority culture, interviewing local people and researchers and gathering pictures that will be used for this GIC talk.

Tears of fire: A True History of Struggle Speaker: Maria Hussain Moutushi (Intern, May 18 Memorial foundation) Before her internship in 5.18 Memorial Foundation, the speaker was working as a program assistant in the outreach program for the Liberation War Museum in Bangladesh. Her position required her to visit remote areas of Bangladesh and educate secondary school children about the history of struggle of Bangladeshi people in the Language Movement, Liberation war as well as other historically significant events.

In 1971, the war, it was not civil war or any secessionist movement; it was more of a genocide. Three million people were killed within 9 months. “Tears of Fire” is a documentary about the genocide in Bangladesh (previously known as East Pakistan) and appeals for punishment of criminals from the martyrs’ families as well as others. These days the Government of Bangladesh is paying attention to war criminal issues where additional international attention is needed to punish them even though 39 years have passed.

November 13 Topic: What is Arab? An Introduction of the Arab World to Non-Arabs Speaker: Fouad Maarouf, BA. Culture and History of the Middle East, Berlin Free University.

What is Arab? The western media is giving a false image of the Arab World and culture day by day. The Korean public is uncertain what to think and how to deal with that. The Arab culture is an old and very rich culture going back 2000 years.

The history of relations between Korea and the Arab world also dates back to 660 A.D. when the Kingdom of united Silla was controling the Korean peninsula. Going through the old and modern history of Arabia and handling different aspects of the Arab culture, such as music, dance, food and religion will thus enable Korean and non-Arabs alike to get a fair deal of general information that will clear up many wrong thoughts about the Arab World. My own family history will also give a good example and make the topic come into life. Giving a direct and somewhat entertaining way to present the Arab culture. Concluding an open discussion and time for the public to ask question can help even clear up more things that may be not clear during the presentation.

November 27 Topic: Corruption in Korean Politics Speaker: Nick Bagnall (ESL Instructor) Nick Bagnall will discuss both the etymology and measures of democracy, and then corruption's negative relationship with those measures of democracy. Then he will explain the indicators and consequences of political corruption, and also the causes of political corruption (both those general and specific to Korea) and feasible solutions to minimize corruption.

GIC Talk is given for the Gwangju community.

Have a topic you’d like to talk about? Let us know.

Write to gwangjuic@gmail.com

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Community Board

The Gwangju Guidebook “Living in Gwangju” website is now up and running!

The Gwangju Guidebook website is compiled to provide information on anything you want to know about living in Gwangju.

The information ranges from daily life to travel within Gwangju and Jeollanam-do to law matters to work information. Volunteers are hired to make this website run.

If you are interested in becoming one, simply join our Facebook group ‘Gwangju Guidebook Volunteers’.

We need volunteers for these positions: - Page/ Sector Editors - Moderators - Fact Checkers - Encouragement Gatekeeper (Host) - Decision Making Supervisors We are looking forward to your participation!

Check out the Gwangju Guidebook website in two languages: www.gwangjuguide.or.kr (English) and www.gwangjuzhinan.or.kr (Chinese).

Gwangju News Mailing Dear GIC members, We are sending Gwangju News to each of you every month but some members do not receive it because of incorrect address or no address at all.

If you wish to update your mailing information or if you do not receive Gwangju News, kindly send your current mailing address to gwangjuic@gmail.com Gwangju Artist Collective We are a group of artists and art lovers. We meet up about once or twice a month at the GIC for workshops, discussions and community art events. Look for us

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on Facebook or send an e-mail to: gicartistcollective@googlegroups.c om Sung Bin Orphanage Sung Bin Orphanage is looking for creative/ active/ energetic/ outgoing/ enthusiastic long-term volunteers to join in our regular Saturday program.

We would like you to give at least two Saturdays per month. As well as being a friend, you will be asked to teach basic English to girls aged 7 to 14. Meet every Saturday at 1.30 p.m. in front of downtown Starbucks. All are welcome. For more volunteering information please contact Al Barnum at: al_barnum@yahoo.com.

Gwangju Men’s Soccer The Gwangju international soccer team plays regularly most weekends. If you are interested in playing, e-mail: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com.

Apostolate to Migrants Center Address: 802-4 Songjeong -2dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Phone: 062) 954-8004 Subway: Get off at Songjeong Park Station and walk toward Songjeong Middle School.

Busses: Songjeong 29, 39, 97,98,99, Ilgok 38, Sangmu 62.

Get off at Yeonggwang-tong intersection bus stop and walk toward Songjeong Middle School.

Masses: Every Sunday at 3p.m. at the Migrant Center; 10 a.m.

Indonesian Mass; 7p.m.Vietnamese Mass;11 a.m Mass for multicultural families (2nd Sunday) Gwangju Ice Hockey Team Looking for men and women of all ages to join us every Saturday night from 7:30 to 9 at Yeomju Ice Rink near World Cup Stadium. If you are interested, contact either Andrew Dunne at atdunne@gmail.com or Chris Wilson at kreeco@rogers.com

Gwangju Chaoreum Taekwondo Address: 1187-3 Chipyeong-dong Seo-gu, Gwangju Phone: (062) 384-0958 Location: Chaoreum Taekwondo Gym is located on the third floor of Jeong-yeon (K-1) building (just beside the bus stop) Buses : 62, 63, 64, 518 (bus stop: 상무대우아파트 - Sangmu Daewoo Apateu) Taxi directions: "Sangmujigu Kumho Daewoo Apart ro gajuseyo".

Method of instruction is in English Weekday Classes: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.(from Monday to Friday) Sunday Classes: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

GIC Journal: Social Discourse of Disquiet A new space for writers, artists and photographers This publication allows people to explore different forms of art in South Korea. We would like to bridge the gap between arts that are perhaps lost in translation.

We would like to hear your ideas and opinions.

If you would like to get involved then please e-mail selina.gicjournal@gmail.com Please join our facebook group GIC Journal: Social Discourse of Disquiet.

Please look at the work-in-progress at http://gicjournal.wordpress.com Check out the "What's On" page for art events in Gwangju.

GIC Facebook Page Catch the latest news of GIC and its programs by joining our Facebook page at : www.facebook.com/gwangjuic You can also follow us online in Twitter with our user ID: gwangjuic

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