Gwangju and South Jeolla International Magazine I October 2018 #200 I Special 200th Issue: Recollections from the Past
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From the Editor October 2018, Issue No. 200 Published: October 1, 2018 Cover Photo: Lisa May Casaus Two Hundred
Mixed Media Collage on Paper 38 cm x 52 cm
THE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Chief Proofreader Layout Editor Photo Editor Proofreaders Photography Team Online Editorial Team Researcher
Dr. Shin Gyonggu Dr. David E. Shaffer Wilson Melbostad Isaiah Winters Karina Prananto Lorryn Smit Di Foster, David Foster, Elisabeth Loeck, Joey Nunez Annalise Reinhardt, Sarah Pittman, Adam Travis, J.T. White Karina Prananto, Shahed Kayes, Sen Nguyen Baek Ji-yeon
The Gwangju News is the first public English monthly magazine in Korea, first published in 2001. Each monthly issue covers local and regional issues, with a focus on the roles and activities of the international residents and local English-speaking communities. Copyright by 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 publisher.
Registration No. 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315) Registration Date: February 22, 2010 Printed by Logos Color 로고스칼라 (+82)-62-672-2566 GwangjuNews
gwangjunews
GwangjuNewsGIC
For advertising and subscription inquiries, please contact karina@gic.or.kr or 062-226-2733. Special thanks to Gwangju City and all of our sponsors.
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And that is just our commemorative section! This special edition continues to provide you with the regular array of arousing articles that you expect to extract from an issue of the Gwangju News. We feature an insightful interview with Aida Guillén Lanzarote, speaker at the World Human Rights Cities Forum, which will be opening in Gwangju this month, and we feature an artful overview of the Gwangju Biennale, which is ongoing this month. This issue teaches us how to rejuvenate in nature, it informs us about dog parks, it takes us to the Sunyu Island youth forum and brings us back to an abandoned Gwangju hospital. Learn how to make dak-bokkeum-tang, or go out to eat at “Mr Jjo’s.” Preview this year’s Gwangju International Community Day; review the book of the month: The Dante Club. And from our opinion piece, you will learn how stigma impacts medical care. So enjoy reading this month’s special 200th issue of the Gwangju News (pop!) – I need to go find a new shirt…
David E. Shaffer Editor-in-Chief Gwangju News
October 2018
For volunteering and article submission inquiries, please contact the editor at: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.
We have also brought back a select sampling of past Gwangju News articles that are as relevant today as when they were written. We look back on Gwangju history, local participation in the Imjin Invasions, the 7080 Festival, U-Square, English in Korea from decades past, not singing a “patriotic” song, Korea in history through the eyes of the late Prof. Shin Sangsoon, and the traditional fear of the fabled number “4.”
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
The Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center, Jungang-ro 196-beon-gil 5 (Geumnam-ro 3-ga), Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea Tel: (+82)-62-226-2733~34 Fax: (+82)-62-226-2731 Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com Email: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
W
e’re popping our buttons this month here at the Gwangju News. Look at our cover (pop!). This is our 200th issue of this community-serving magazine (pop-pop!!). Does it feel thicker? It’s bigger than ever this month – 80 pages (pop! pop! pop!). And it contains a special commemorative section (pop-pop!! pop-pop!!). In this special issue, you will hear a few words from our core editors, who are more characteristically working quietly, and hurriedly, behind the scenes. We bring you relished recollections from past editors. You will find that the magazine did not always have 60 pages or even reliable digital technology.
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CONTENTS OCTOBER 2018 #200
GWANGJU NEWS 04. Gwangju City News 06. October 2018 Happenings 08. Gwangju Theater Schedule 76. Community Board FEATURE 08. Leading the Fight Against Socioeconomic Inequalities 15. Gwangju Biennale 2018: Imagined Borders GWANGJU NEWS 200TH SPECIALS WORDS FROM TODAY’S GWANGJU NEWS TEAM 20. David Shaffer (Editor-in-Chief) 22. Wilson Melbostad (Managing Editor) 23. Isaiah Winters (Chief Proofreader) 24. Karina Prananto (Layout Editor) 25. Lorryn Smit (Photo Editor)
TRAVEL 56. Lost in Gwangju: That Other Creepy Gwangju Hospital 66. Around Korea: The 2018 Sunyu Island Youth Travel Supporters International Forum FOOD & DRINKS 60. Where to Eat: Lunch with Mr. JJO’s 62. Dak-bokkeum-tang: Spicy Chicken Stew ARTS & CULTURE 69. Book Review: “He Gave Up His Soul for Fear” – The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl 70. Photo Essay: Gwangju International Community Day 2018 EDUCATION 74. Everyday Korean: Episode 10 – 200th Issue of Gwangju News OPINION 75. The Devil You Know
October 2018
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SPORTS & ACTIVITIES 54. Dog Facilities and Dog Parks 64. How To Rejuvenate in Nature: Slow Down
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
STORIES FROM STORIED GWANGJU NEWS STARS 26. Shin Gyonggu: Gwangju News: How It Began, How It Evolved 28. Kim Minsu: Your Best Language Resource for Living and Culture News 29. Julian Warmington: Gwangju News: Memories 30. Maria Lisak: Gwangju News: A Beacon of Radical Hospitality 31. Kathleen Villadiego: A Wonderful Story to Be Part Of 32. Joey Nunez: “Yes” Started These Snapshot Blessings 33. Robert Grotjohn: “Trousers Boss” 34. C. Adam Volle: The Worst Tribute in This Magazine 35. Karly Pierre: “Accomplishing a Lot with a Little” 36. Anastasia Traynin: Happy 200th Issue, Gwangju News! 37. Kelsey Rivers: Deepening Roots 38. Eden Jones: To See My Name in Print 39. Douglas Baumwoll: Thanks for the Opportunity, Gwangju News
BLASTS FROM THE PAST 40. 7080 Chungjang-ro Recollection Festival 42. The History of Gwangju 44. U-Square, More Than a Terminal 46. Unsung Heroes 48. English in Korea 50. “The Deadly 4” 51. Jeolla in Imjin 52. Prof. Shin Sangsoon Looks at a Lifetime of Korean History
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Gwangju City News
GWANGJU NEWS
Reprinted with permission from Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall Photographs courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
From left to right: Kim San (Muan County chief), Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop, and Kim Yeong-rok (Jeollanam-do Provincial Governor) on their meeting on August 20 to discuss the agreement on Muan International Airport.
Gwangju Airport to Integrate with Muan Airport by 2021
Gwangju City and Jeollanam-do have agreed to integrate the commercial functions of Gwangju Airport into those of Muan International Airport by 2021. Gwangju City Mayor Lee Yong-seop and Jeollanam-do Provincial Governor Kim Yeong-rok met with Muan County chief administrator Kim San on August 20 to sign an agreement on the matter so as to turn Muan International Airport into a hub for the country’s southwestern air traffic. The city and provincial governments will work closely together to enhance accessibility to Muan International Airport and to construct better infrastructure to attract more users to the airport.
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▲ Ambassador Philip Turner (left) and Mayor Lee Yong-seop.
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Jeong Yuk-Seong Music Festival was held in September 9 in Quanzhou City, China.
Gwangju to Boost Economic and Cultural Exchange with Quanzhou City in China Gwangju City, together with China’s Quanzhou City, agreed to have a cultural exchange to boost their partnership. Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop went to Quanzhou City on September 9 to attend a joint cultural festival called the 2018 Jeong Yul-seong Music Festival (2018 정율성음악축제) and meet the mayor of Quanzhou City, Wang Yong Lee. They met to discuss further expansion of the friendly relationship between the two cities. Jeong Yul-seong was a legendary composer in China who was born in Gwangju.
On this occasion, the two mayors also discussed economic exchange between their cities. While Gwangju’s main exports are industrial electronics and LED products, Quanzhou’s flagship industries are garments and petroleum. Both are hoping to develop expanding markets in the future.
Mayor Lee Meets Ambassadors from Australia and New Zealand Ambassador Choi said that Australia has marked the event as one of the most important occasions for next year, and that it fully supports and encourages its athletes to visit Gwangju. In addition to this, Mayor Lee and Ambassador Choi also talked about the environmentally friendly car business and the construction of an “energy valley” as part of their meeting agenda.
The event, to take place July 12–31, 2019, will attract about 10 million spectators and is regarded as one of the biggest sports events in the world.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Turner said at the meeting he hopes that together they can actively support New Zealand athletes during their stay in Korea and that he hopes to visit Gwangju again during the competition.
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October 2018
Gwangju City Mayor Lee Yong-seop met the Australian ambassador to South Korea, James Choi, and the New Zealand ambassador to South Korea, Philip Turner, at Gwangju City Hall on September 7. They met to discuss the upcoming 2019 FINA World Championships. The aquatics competition, which will then be in its 18th year, will take place in Gwangju.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Mayor Lee said that Gwangju and Quanzhou were the first two cities in East Asia to develop such an exchange. The festival is to mark the fifth anniversary of the partnership. Mayor Lee further said that it is important to expand
the scope of exchanges between the two cities. For its part, Gwangju has the Asia Culture Center and Gwangju Biennale, making it a center of Asian cultural content. Meanwhile, Quanzhou City is also regarded as a cultural arts center in China. Due to each city’s strong competitiveness, it is important that both cities cooperate together in order to strengthen their cultural competitiveness.
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October 2018
Gwangju Happenings GWANGJU NEWS
Compiled by Baek Ji-yeon
On the Way Home by Choe Yu Song (2016). Photo courtesy of Gwangju Biennale.
Gwangju Biennale 2018 “Imagined Borders”
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
광주비엔날레 2018 “상상된 경계들” The Gwangju Biennale, an international contemporary art festival that has been held biannually since 1995, is due to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Korea and promote Korean fine arts. Events such as the International Arts Festival, the International Academic Festival, and other cultural programs will be available to the public. Over a three-month period, visitors to the Biennale will be able to see Gwangju in a new light as an international and pro-democracy city. One of this year’s exhibitions in particular, Imagined Borders, will provide English-speaking docents and programs for foreigners, helping them to better understand the art on display. Tickets for this festival can be reserved beforehand or purchased on the spot. Also, ticket buyers can get a discount on admission fees at certain amusement parks, hotels, and resorts located nearby, as well as for public transportation. If you want more information about these discount offers, please visit the Gwangju Biennale website.
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Dates:
Location:
Admission: Telephone: Website:
• September 7 – November 11 (open daily);
visiting hours 09:00–18:00 at the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall (광주비엔날레 전시관) • September 7 – November 11 (closed on Mondays); visiting hours Tue–Sun 10:00– 18:00, Wen/Sat 10:00–19:00 at the Asia Culture Center 1. Gwangju Biennale, 111 Biennale-ro, Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju / 2. 광주 북구 비엔날레로 111 (용봉동) 3. Asia Culture Center, 38 Munhwajeondangro, Gwangsan-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju / 광주 동구 광산동 문화전당로 38 1,000–14,000 won (prices vary by age, time of purchase, and number of tickets) 062-608-4114 (Gwangju Biennale); 1899-5566 (Asia Culture Center) https://www.gwangjubiennale.org/gb/index.do
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Chungjang Festival 2018 추억의 충장축제 2018
The Chungjang Festival is a representative culture festival that is held every autumn in Dong-gu (동구), Gwangju. The chief attractions will be the Chungjang Street Parade, a retro-themed event that will be a perfect revival of the Gwangju of the 70–90s, and a College Song Festival, among others. During the festival, visitors can feel like they are going back to Gwangju’s past in a time machine! Dates: Location:
October 5–9 (event time 14:00–24:00) 1 Seonam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju (Chungjang-ro, Geumnam-ro, Culture Center, Art Street)
Gwangju International Community Day 2018 제24회 광주국제교류의 날
Enjoy diverse performances and global foods, and celebrate multiculturalism at GIC Day! Date: Location: Admission: Telephone: Website:
October 28 ACC Democracy Plaza
광주 동구 금남로1가 국립아시아문화전당5.18민주광장
Free 062-226-2732 http://eng.gic.or.kr/
광주광역시 동구 서남로1 (충장로, 금남로, 문화전당, 예술의 거리 일원)
Admission: Telephone: Website:
Free 062-608-2421~4 http://www.donggu.kr/index.es?sid=c8
Gwangju International Food Fair 2018 광주국제식품전 2018
The Gwangju International Food Fair is the largest food fair in Honam, with a World Food Exhibition representing 20 countries and a special fair for traditional food. Available at the fair will be agricultural, fishery, and forestry products, in addition to processed foods, organic foods, and home meal replacements (HMR). Dates: Location:
October 11–14 (event time 10:00–17:00) 30 Sangmunuri-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju (Kim Dae-Jung Convention Center) 광주광역시 서구 상무누리로 30 (김대중컨벤션센터)
Telephone: Website:
5,000 won (free admission for preregistration) 062-611-2213 http://www.foodshow.kr/user
광주 세계김치축제 2018
Dates: Location:
Dates: Location:
Yeongsan River Silver Grass Festival 영산강 서창들녘 억새축제
Admission: Telephone: Website:
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October 12-14 Chinsu Park around Geungnak Bridge Byeokjin-dong 505-1, Seo-gu, Gwangju 광주 서구 벽진동 505-1 (극락교 인근 친수공원) Free 062-360-7186 www.sgfesta.com
Admission: Telephone: Website:
October 25 – 28 60 Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju (Gwangju Kimchi Town) 광주광역시 남구 김치로 60 (광주김치타운)
varies by activity 062-613-6431~2 http://kimchi.gwangju.go.kr/
October 2018
Enjoy the autumn breeze along the Yeongsan River; performances and silver-grass craft experience.
This festival is a special production held annually in Gwangju and is designed to preserve the traditional Korean food kimchi. Various experiences, exhibitions, tastings, contests, cultural events, and local specialty shops will be available at the festival. This year, kimchi chefs selected by the World Kimchi Institute will appear on the Kimchi Chef Cooking Show to demonstrate and sample various foods made with kimchi.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Admission:
Gwangju World Kimchi Festival 2018
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October 2018 Jeollanamdo Happenings Mokpo Harbor Festival 2018 목포항구축제 2018
FEATURE
October 5–7 68 Samhak-ro 92-gil, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do 전라남도 목포시 삼학로 92번길 68 Free admission 061-270-8441 ~8443 http://www.mokpo.go.kr/tour/ festival/harbor/intro/outline Yeosu Yeojaman Bay Mudflat Sunset Festival 2018 여수 여자만 갯벌노을축제 2018 October 8–9 785-24 Seobu-ro, Sora-myeon, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do (Haneomigil) / 전라남도 여수시 소라면 서부로 785-24 (해넘이길 일원) Free admission 061-659-1091 http://tour.yeosu.go.kr/tour/culture_ festa/yeojaman
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
Hampyeong Chrysanthemum Festival 2018 대한민국 국향대전 2018 October 19–November 4 Hampyeong Expo Park, 27 Gonjae-ro, Hampyeong, Jeollanam-do 전라남도 함평군 함평읍 곤재로 27 Free admission 061-320-1784 http://www.hampyeong.go.kr/ Mokpo Cultural Night Trip 2018 목포 문화재야행 2018 October 26–27 (18:00–23:00) 5 Yeongsan-ro 75, Mokpo, Jeollanam-do / 전라남도 목포시 영산로 75 번길 5 061-270-8221 Admission varies on activities https://mokponightroad.modoo.at/
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Gwangju Theater 62 Chungjang-ro 5-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju (two blocks behind NC Wave) TICKETS: 8,000 won CONTACT: 062-224-5858 For more information, please visit http://cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju * Synopses excerpted from Wikipedia, IMDb, and Hancinema. All English language films are presented with Korean subtitles; non-English international films are presented with Korean subtitles only.
ON CHESIL BEACH 체실비치에서 Genre: Drama Director: Dominic Cooke Film Length: 110 minutes Language: English (Korean subtitles) Starring: Billy Howle, Saoirse Ronan, Andy Burse Summary: Adapted by Ian McEwan from his bestselling novel, the drama centers on a young couple with drastically different backgrounds in the summer of 1962. Following the pair through their idyllic courtship, the film explores sex and the societal pressure that can accompany physical intimacy, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night. FINAL PORTRAIT 파이널 포트레이트 Genres: Drama, Comedy Director: Stanley Tucci Film Length: 90 minutes Languages: English, French, Italian (Korean subtitles) Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Tony Shalhoub Summary: In 1964, while on a short trip to Paris, the American writer and art-lover James Lord is asked by his friend, the world-renowned artist Alberto Giacometti, to sit for a portrait. Flattered and intrigued, Lord agrees. So begins not only the story of an offbeat friendship, but seen through the eyes of Lord, an insight into the beauty, frustration, profundity, and at times, downright chaos of the artistic process. MCQUEEN 맥퀸 Genre: Documentary Directors: an Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui Film Length: 110 minutes Language: English (Korean subtitles) Starring: Bernard Arnault, Joseph
Bennett, Detmar Blow Sumarry: Alexander McQueen’s rags-to-riches story is a modernday fairy tale laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness, and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen’s own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence. THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT 오늘밤 사자는 잠든다 Genre: Drama Director: Nobuhiro Suwa Film Length: 103 minutes Language: French (Korean subtitles) Starring: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Pauline Etienne, Jules Langlade Summary: Jean, a veteran actor trapped by his past, is installed in secret in an abandoned mansion in the South of France where Juliette, the great love of his life, used to live a long time ago. A group of children discover the same house and find it the perfect location to shoot a horror movie. Jean and the kids finally meet face to face and become very close friends. MY LIFE TO LIVE 비브르 사 비 19 Genre: Documentary Director: Jean-Luc Godard Film Length: 85 minutes Language: French (Korean subtitles) Starring: Anna Karina, Say Rebbot, André S. Labarthe Summary: This film explores a Parisian woman’s descent into prostitution. The movie is comprised of a series of 12 “tableaux” – scenes which are basically unconnected episodes, each presented with a worded introduction.
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Gwangju & South Jeolla International Magazine
200th Issue Anniversary Special Talk
Gwangju News: Yesterday & Today
October 6, 2018 (Sat.) 4-5 pm
Gwangju International Center 1F
Gwangju News staff, past and present, relay their experiences with the magazine: their roles, their trials and treasures, and their impressions and anecdotes. SPEAKERS
Dr. Shin Gyonggu (Publisher) Dr. David E. Shaffer (Editor-in-Chief, 2017~present) Dr. Robert Grotjohn (Editor-in-Chief, 2013~2015) Kim Minsu (Senior Coordinator & Layout Editor, 2003~2017) Karina Prananto (Coordinator & Layout Editor, 2010~present) Wilson Melbostad (Managing Editor, 2018) Isaiah Winters (Chief Proofreader, 2018) 5 Jungang-ro 196-beon-gil (1-2F), Dong-gu, Gwangju 광주광역시 동구 중앙로196번길 5 (금남로3가) 1-2층 TEL 062-226-2733 EMAIL gictalk@gic.or.kr 2018�10��.indd 9
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Leading the Fight Against Socioeconomic Inequalities Interview with Barcelona’s Aida Guillén Lanzarote
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
FEATURE
Written by Wilson Melbostad Photographs courtesy of Aida Guillén Lanzarote
T
he World Human Rights Cities Forum, taking place here in Gwangju from October 18–21 at the Kim Daejung Convention Center, will showcase several key figures who serve to guarantee the implementation of human rights policies at the city and municipal levels. City government officials, academics, and members of civil society from a total of 37 countries will be on hand for what is sure to be a thought-provoking collaboration and exercise of human rights. Since human rights serve as a universal freedom to be shared by all citizens, those from all walks of life are strongly encouraged to attend the event. To prepare those with prospective interest in the forum (or the utilization of human rights in general), we sat down with one of the forum’s headline speakers, Ms. Aida Guillén Lanzarote. Ms. Guillén, currently serving as the director of the Department of Citizens’ Rights and Diversity for the Barcelona City Council, has been working in various human rights-related posts for the past fifteen years. She particularly specializes in the local dimensions of human rights such as keeping local authorities accountable to agreed-upon standards as well as educating citizens on their right to access local mechanisms protecting human rights. Ms. Guillén graciously consented to the following interview.
Gwangju News (GN): Please tell us a little about yourself? Aida Guillén Lanzarote: I was born in Valencia, but I have lived in Barcelona since 2002, where I have settled down with my family and kids. I studied physics in Valencia, Ulm, and Austin, but I soon realized that I wanted to do something different professionally. It was at that point that I started to study international relations and human rights, and decided that I wanted to devote myself to these causes. I’ve been the director of the Department of Citizens’ Rights and Diversity for Barcelona City Council
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since 2016. There, we have different action plans, all devoted to groups in situations of vulnerability such as migrants, foreigners, LGTBI, Roma people, people with disabilities, as well as religious groups. GN: What was your initial inspiration for pursuing a career in human rights and public policy? Was there a particular experience you had that helped you decide to shape your career in this direction? Guillén: I have always felt the need to change things I didn’t like, or that I thought were wrong. Especially, I would do this by trying to understand everyone as well as every idea and what was behind such ideas. Such thinking is probably a product of my scientific background at work, trying to figure out the explanations for how things are and how people behave. I found that the human rights world had this normative feature but, on the other hand, was also flexible enough to allow for complex explanations to develop. While studying in the USA, I got close to grassroots movements on behalf of the abolition of the death penalty, and I was deeply involved in some very specific and touching cases. That was the beginning of my activism, and then I moved on to campaigns against torture and ill treatment as well as for the protection of other civil and political rights. GN: I see that one of your first jobs was working as a human rights officer in Kosovo? Can you tell me a little bit more about that experience? What type of work did you do there? What did your experience in the Balkans contribute to your career in the long term? Guillén: I was working for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in a small village in the Serbian part of the territory. My task was to advise the local government on how to apply international standards
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11 of human rights to municipal policies. It was tough work because my knowledge of the territory was limited, and I always knew that I was learning more than I was contributing. The experience definitely helped teach me to learn how to work in a culturally diverse environment and to acknowledge the positive values of every single opinion and point of view. GN: Can you explain to our readers a little about the Spanish region of Catalonia, where you currently reside? I understand that the region is rich in tradition and is very proud of its protection of human rights? Guillén: Catalonia is a region in Spain that is nowadays involved in a pretty strong independence movement. Catalonia’s tradition to human rights protection goes as far back as the fight against Franco’s dictatorship from 1939 to 1978. During that time, civil and political rights were systematically violated through forced disappearances, illegalization of political parties, censorship, as well as even murders and torture. Civil resistance was strong in the whole country and Catalonia was a very active part of it. Nowadays, human rights claims also tackle issues of economic and social rights such as housing, education, health care, as well as the fight against austerity measures and destruction of the welfare state. GN: From your experiences, what have you learned about the human capacity for racism or bigotry towards other
humans? Are there particular circumstances that you’ve found that give rise to greater levels of hatred in people? Guillén: From my personal experience, racism often hides a more classist problem. Behind a racist action we can almost always find a relating economical circumstance as well. For instance, there are not racist aggressions towards rich black or Muslim citizens. Aggressions and discriminatory actions have disfavored citizens as targets most of the time. That tells us that one of the most effective measures against racism is fighting against socioeconomic inequalities. GN: There are more displaced peoples currently than ever before in human history. Despite this, there seems to be a widespread backlash from governments, and from some of their citizens, in accepting these people into their countries. It seems that Barcelona as a city has long been an advocate for refugees and refugee rights. What has Barcelona done to convince its people to accept refugees into the community? What has been your biggest hurdle in convincing others that refugees shouldn’t be viewed as detrimental? Guillén: We have a long history of hosting. People from different parts of Spain and Catalonia have contributed greatly to making this city the welcoming place it is today. We do believe that when it comes to convincing people, using emotional messages that speak to our hearts is most effective. But it’s not just about making people feel
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
The Office for Non-discrimination in Barcelona.
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www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
Aida Guillén Lanzarote (left) attending proceedings of the International Day Against Islamophobia.
compassion. It is also important to educate others in how to understand and connect with other people and their feelings. From an intercultural perspective, the key is interaction in critical dialogue. If you know your neighbor, if you know his or her name and his or her history, it is much more difficult to hate that person as well as develop indifference to what occurs to them. So, one of the keys is putting people in contact so as to generate the space and opportunities to interact and partake in dialogue. GN: Transitioning gears a little bit, I am wondering how, over the course of your career, you’ve managed your work/life balance? What activities do you pursue outside of work to keep yourself grounded and sane? Guillén: Spending quality time with my family, especially with my two little kids, is what keeps me grounded. I also enjoy reading literature. GN: In light of the upcoming World Human Rights Cities Forum, what do you think about the role cities can play in helping to enforce both human rights mechanisms
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as well as establishing an overall culture of embracing human rights? How can national governments and cities collaborate further on human rights issues moving forward? Guillén: The role cities can play and are actually playing is crucial. By being the closest administration to citizens, cities are given a privileged position. This position entails both analyzing and acting on what the real problems of people are. States should be decentralized, the more the better, and hand off more responsibilities to cities. Such a move would allow for proper allocation of necessary resources as well as leave enough autonomy to the cities to decide what their priorities are. The World Human Rights Cities Forum is a great opportunity to get to know other cities’ initiatives as well as to share our own policies through dialogue with others. Knowing what people think about what we try to achieve can help us to improve and always do better. GN: Can you speak briefly about what accomplishment in your career you are most proud of and why?
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Inclusive and plural tribute to peace.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
International Day of the Roma in Barcelona.
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“The World Human Rights Cities Forum is a great opportunity to get to know other cities’ initiatives as well as to share our own policies through dialogue with others.” Guillén: I’m very proud of the work we have been doing with two different groups in the city. Firstly, our Muslim neighbors are nowadays the most discriminated ones as far as racism and islamophobia are concerned. We have adopted a local plan that has brought the issue to the public sphere, and we have been able to start more than 20 different measures to tackle the problem: from providing training for civil servants, to creating new career opportunities, to giving legal advice for discrimination cases in our Municipal Office. Additionally, we work with the Roma population in a specific consultative body, the Municipal Council of Roma People, the only such body at a local level in Spain. GN: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with us? Guillén: I really hope that our ideas can be inspirational to everyone at the upcoming forum, and I’m looking forward to being inspired by others.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GN: Thank you for making time for this inspirational interview with the Gwangju News. I hope to meet you in person at the upcoming World Human Rights Cities Forum in Gwangju.
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The Author
Wilson Melbostad is an international human rights attorney hailing from San Francisco, California. Wilson has returned to Gwangju to undertake his newest project: the Organization for Migrant Legal Aid (OMLA), which operates out of the Gwangju International Center. He has also taken on the position of managing editor of the Gwangju News.
World Human Rights Cities Forum 세계인권도시포럼 Dates: October 18–21, 2018 Venue: Kim Daejung Convention Center, Gwangju Inquiries: 062-226-2734 Website: http://whrcf.org/
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Gwangju Biennale 2018: Imagined Borders Written by Maria Lisak Photographs courtesy of Gwangju Biennale
FEATURE www.gwangjunewsgic.com
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October 2018
Come into Bloom by Jung Chanboo (2014-2018), part of Paek Chong-ok’s Symmetrical Imagination.
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▲ Rain Shower at the Bus Stop by Kim In Sok (2018), part of North Korean Art: Paradoxical Realism.
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www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
he Biennale is always an excellent critique on society. One may think that the exhibits on offer at the Biennale are only traditional paintings or statues, but these exhibitions that occur every two years take the art world into the social and back again. Running this year from Friday, September 7, until Sunday, November 11, at several different venues in Gwangju – the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall, the Asia Culture Center, the Gwangju Civic Center, Mugaksa Temple, the Leekangha Art Museum, and the Alternative Space Hothouse – the 12th Gwangju Biennale welcomes 165 artists from 43 different countries within seven different exhibitions.
a powerful series of follies in the downtown area surrounding the Asia Culture Complex. The Gwangju Biennale brings the global to the local neighborhoods of Gwangju to instigate a cosmopolitan experience, eliciting a lens to question how life is lived, both here in Gwangju as well as all around the world. These exhibits and special projects not only take us all around Gwangju, but all around some very difficult issues facing humans today, from nations and utopias, to phantoms on the borders. To the ends and the returns within virtual space. And we get shaken by the faultlines, making survival a paradox that makes up our modern world.
The Gwangju Biennale Commission, this year composed of Adrian Villar Rojas, Kader Attia, Mike Nelson, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul, intersects Gwangju’s democratic history with explorations of today’s political, cultural, physical, and emotional ideas of borders in our global community.
The point of this exhibition is to create critical discussion on visual culture and what we know. The discursive borders that we crisscross on a daily basis are collected and curated into spatial focus on the history of Gwangju, encouraging local citizens to engage with artists through art and community programs as well.
Eleven curators have organized seven different exhibitions around the concept of borders, bringing in the Pavilion Projects to explore the local, as they are situated all around Gwangju, while showcasing the global through the work of international artists. This outreach concept is similar to previous Biennale efforts, which gave Gwangju
Clara Kim curates Imagined Nations / Modern Utopias. The past informs our present. Kim explores this conceptualization as a desire to find one’s place in the world, one’s own modern utopian dream. By investigating modernism, architecture, and nation-building in the mid20th century, a path of exploration through the exhibit’s
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2018 Mudeung Fantasia by Park Sang Hwa (2018), part of Paek Chong-ok’s Symmetrical Imagination.
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October 2018
Plan for Feminist Greater Baghdad by Ala Younis (2018), part of Imagined Nations / Modern Utopias.
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October 2018
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A Worker, by Choe Chang Ho (2014), part of North Korean Art: Paradoxical Realism.
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The Nameless and the Name, by Ho Tzu Nyen (2015-2018), part of Facing Phantom Borders.
rubble and new constructions invites attendees to walk through and recognize one’s own dream in the stories of others. By starting a dialog with the Gwangju Biennale’s 1995 theme Beyond the Borders, Gridthya Gaweewong’s Facing Phantom Borders engages a critical discussion on the positive frame of mobility that the 1995 exhibit introduced. Does globalization bring the dreams of a bright, utopian future? Listen to the phantoms in the exhibit and answer for yourself.
In Returns, David Teh re-enacts important Gwangju Biennale moments in this, the 12th edition in 23 years. A contemporary point of view is shared from a number of artists, curators, and scholars who act as “tour guides” re-telling these moments.
Paek
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Chong-ok’s
Symmetrical
Imagination,
Kim
The Gwangju Biennale 2018 is a well-placed exploration into the multi-modal dimensions of living in a world of borders. South Korea is at the forefront of imagined borders as North and South Korean leaders meet. Attending this Biennale can be one of the best ways to connect local borders to imagined ones, whether political, cultural, physical, or emotional. It is a wonderful chance to understand the borders in our global community.
The Author
Maria Lisak is celebrating the 22nd anniversary of her first steps in South Korea this year. From the Midwest in the US, her Chicago accent still plagues her Korean pronunciation. She has been teaching public administration and social welfare at Chosun University since 2012. You can check out her degree pedigree on her blog: koreamaria.typepad.com/ gwangju
October 2018
Faultlines, by Yeon Shim Chung and Yeewan Koon , uses the metaphor of a “fault” or a crack in the Earth’s crust as a way to read the problems in our lives. What are the cracks in your life causing – social, political, or psychological wounds? Precarity is our common experience. Check out this exhibit to help heal and challenge your viewpoint.
North Korean Art: Paradoxical Realism, by BG Muhn, is a curation of the world’s largest exhibition on socialist realism art. With more than 40 Joseonhwa, or North Korean art, the view of a large-scale painting co-created by a group of artists is a must-see.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Ends: The Politics of Participation in the Post-Internet Age, by Christine Y. Kim and Rita Gonzalez, focuses on the digital divide and analyzes the power at play to access and the worlds that get left behind as well as those that get ahead. While South Korea is sometimes seen as the most wired country in the world, looking at the juxtaposed “cybersteroids,” a participant can join the conversation.
Sungwoo’s Momentum Temporary, and Kim Manseok’s Assembly and Non-place are three parts of the exhibit Art of Survival: Assembly, Sustainability, Shift. These contemporary South Korean curators organize local artists from the Portfolio Review Program into experiences of art as part of our survival, whether from the micro or the macro perspective.
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Dr. David Shaffer Editor-in-Chief
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October 2018
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JULY 2001
hough one may not be overtly aware of it, armtwisting has been refined to an art form. I had been quite content with contributing to the Korea TESOL (KOTESOL) column in this magazine. It was back in 2010 that the Gwangju News reached out to ask me to do a monthly, Dear Abby-type advice column on teaching English in Korea. After about two years of questions for “Dear Dr. Dave,” the column morphed into one on the various aspects of English language teaching and learning, and my articles continued to get sent in to the magazine monthly pretty much like clockwork.
Gwangju News – as editor-in-chief! Going from article contributor to editor-in-chief in a single step is one heck of a jump! I immediately bulked. I had no familiarity with the Gwangju News staff or how it worked. Dr. Shin assured me that it would be a piece of cake. He pointed to my 15-plus years of editing for KOTESOL publications as evidence. Little did I know it, but that well-refined “twist” was on. I had known Dr. Shin for years: We had both come to Gwangju early in our careers. And I was aware of how much Dr. Shin had done for the GIC since it opened in 1999 under his directorship. It’s hard to say “no” to someone like Dr. Shin.
Fast-forward to about two years ago – I got this late evening phone call from Gwangju International Center (GIC) director and Gwangju News publisher, Dr. Shin Gyonggu. After a bit of small talk and back-and-forth chuckles, Dr. Shin finally got to the substance of his phone call: He wanted me to come on staff at the
My resistance weakened, and I soon gave in. Yes, I had experience in editing and putting publications together, but the most frequent was only a quarterly magazine with fewer pages. The Gwangju News (GN) was a monthly with 60 pages – every month – and only a handful of core GN staff. But things
First Issue: 8 pages, black and white.
MAY 2004
Gwangju News goes to full color and 24 pages.
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21 worked. Everyone brainstormed ideas for articles. Staff volunteered to write some of them and go out on interviews; the rest went out in “the blast” to our email list of writers for them to hopefully pick up. Articles came in and got sent to copy-editors and/or proofreaders, depending on the condition they arrived in. Then they went to layout, photos and graphics were added, everything got proofed again, was sent to the printer, and came back for distribution. And before we got halfway through this process, we were already working on the next month’s issue. ▲ David Shaffer (left) and Shin Gyonggu (right) with Eden Jones (second from left) and Anastasia Traynin receiving plagues of appreciation.
Instead, we put out calls for a managing editor and a chief proofreader. The calls were answered by Wilson Melbostad and Isaiah Winters, respectively. We couldn’t have asked for more; they have filled the void magnificently. Our photo editor, Lorryn Smit, has been on the GN staff longer than I have, and she is picky when it comes to pictures. That is a good thing. Just take a look at the photos on these pages and I’m sure you’ll agree. And there is our layout editor, Karina “Nana” Prananto, who has been on staff for a full decade. Past editors have referred to her as the GN staff “glue.” She is helpful in so many ways, in addition to doing layout and being in charge of Gwangju News Online.
Gwangju News goes to fullpage cover photo.
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About David
After coming to Korea in the U.S. Peace Corps, Dr. Shaffer spent four decades at Chosun University. He is now the national president of Korea TESOL and the GIC chairman of the board.
NOVEMBER 2006
Gwangju News goes to 44 pages; an online forum is set up for the editorial staff.
October 2018
MARCH 2005
I am so proud to be associated with this devoted, hardworking group of people, and of course with Dr. Shin, who, in addition to undetectable arm-twisting skills, has great feature article ideas and connections for them. I hope you enjoy reading the Gwangju News and have an appreciation for the magnitude and intensity of volunteer work that goes into the making of each issue. Twohundred (200) issues and counting. Gwangju News manse (만세)!
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
I was amazed at how hard everyone worked – and continue to. However, with a core staff made up of hardworking expats, there is bound to be frequent turnover due to people leaving the country and to burnout. Soon after I arrived, our chief proofreader, Joey Nunez, left Korea. We were lucky to find Eden Jones to fill the position. Not too long after that, one of our great co-managing editors, Kelsey Rivers, also left for the U.S., and Eden moved up into the vacuum. Things were seemingly going along well again for GN until about a year ago when both managing editors – Eden and our other wonderwoman, Ana Traynin – announced that they would be moving to new places early in 2018. Replacing one of the two managing editors would have been a difficult task, but both of them at the same time…! I was almost ready to press the panic button.
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Wilson Melbostad Managing Editor
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residents, but it also speaks to how integral the GIC is in facilitating community development amongst the surrounding residents here in Gwangju and beyond. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities GN has provided me to further my writing skills and meet some fantastic individuals.
About Wilson
Wilson Melbostad is a human rights attorney from the United States, specifically the temperate city of San Francisco, California. In addition to serving as the managing editor of the Gwangju News, Wilson pursues work at the GIC and Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL) in Seoul, helping migrants and upholding other human rights issues.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
hat a pleasure it has been to serve as just one of the long list of managing editors for the Gwangju News! My job includes creating pitches for stories as well as organizing the intake and outtake of articles from our nerve center at the Gwangju International Center (GIC) to the far reaches of the country where our writers are located. Though I had long heard of the Gwangju News (GN), it wasn’t until I joined the ranks of the staff earlier this year that I truly realized how much of a community effort putting together the magazine really is. Seeing folks from all corners of this province come together to donate their time for the production of GN is a testament to not only the innate giving spirit of Gwangju
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FEBRUARY 2009 Gwangju News begins to use 100% U-PLUS recycled paper.
NOVEMBER 2009 Gwangju News goes online for the first time with gwangjunews.net
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Isaiah Winters Chief Proofreader
I
always hated proofreaders. They hacked up my prose, spurned all creativity, and mistook their whims for gospel. Sure, they fixed a hundred things I missed, but in the process they always made a few new mistakes, the dolts. Some even had the gall to later ask for my thoughts on the changes they’d made, as if they cared! Here’s your mangled art. Any thoughts? In turn, I swore to wage a passive-aggressive vendetta against all proofreaders – that is, until I became one.
in the wee hours on weeknights for no pay. Mangling other people’s art may be gratifying to some, but I’d rather spend the time doing other things, like mangling my own art.
Eight months into my power trip, do I now hate writers? Yes, but only the lazy ones.
P.S. I still hate proofreaders.
Gwangju News reaches its 100th issue!
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Originally from Southern California, Isaiah Winters first came to Gwangju in 2010. He recently returned to South Korea after completing his MA in Eastern Europe and is currently the chief proofreader for the Gwangju News. He enjoys writing, political science, and urban exploring.
JANUARY 2011
Gwangju News expands to 56 pages. New domain for Gwangju News Online: www. gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
JUNE 2010
About Isaiah
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
To be frank, I spend about an hour proofing the average Gwangju News article. Flip through the latest issue to get an idea of what that adds up to on most months. The more I hack prose, spurn originality, and satisfy personal whims, the longer I have to stare at a computer screen
It’s always good to remember that the staff here at the Gwangju News are mere volunteer mortals. We all bring a lot that’s unique to the table, flaws included. Regardless, I love the team we have and know that in the future, I’ll look back on these as the good old days.
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Karina Prananto Layout Editor
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y first encounter with the Gwangju News was purely coincidental. It was February 2007 when I saw a copy of the Gwangju News for the first time at the tourist information center below the YMCA as I was looking for information on Korean classes. As time went by, I volunteered to do layout in August 2007. The Gwangju News was then made using a Mac, and it was my first time to use one, so it took me months to get used to it. For several years, I went to the printing company near the ACC with a USB to get the magazine printed. I remember once I had to go during a snowstorm, and there was a time when I found that the USB didn’t work and had to go back to the office to get another. As technology has improved, I don’t have to go to the company anymore to print the magazine.
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October 2018
After I was given full responsibility of the magazine in 2010, I decided to shift to Windows for the design. Now, I also help design the Gwangju
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MARCH 2011 Gwangju News gets a new logo!
News in Chinese. Among the many new people I have met, the most memorable was Mr. Wahyu Muryadi, then editor-in-chief of Tempo, an Indonesian news and politics magazine. I realize that I still have a lot to learn, but I am happy to see how the magazine has changed over the years. It gives me great pride when I see the magazine displayed in the Gwangju subway and to know that the magazine is sent to the President’s Blue House. I want to thank the countless numbers of contributors we have for more than a decade of publishing. Without them, there would not be Gwangju News! Here’s to the next 100 issues!
About Karina
Karina is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been involved with the Gwangju News for 11 years now. She loves reading, traveling, and playing video games in her spare time. Her joy in life is her threeyear-old son, whom she thinks looks a lot like her when she was small.
JANUARY 2015
Gwangju News reaches its present size of 60 pages.
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Lorryn Smit Photo Editor
I
have been the photo editor of the Gwangju News since 2016, and I am responsible for most of the visuals of the magazine. So I make sure we have a cover photo, if any of the writers need someone to photograph something for them I am responsible to help them find someone should I not be able to do it myself, and I help with layout by advising which pictures to use and where to put them.
About Lorryn
Lorryn Smit has been calling Gwangju home for the past eight and a half years now. She is a professional photographer specializing in portraiture and weddings. She also freelances for a variety of publications in addition to being the photo editor for the Gwangju News.
I have enjoyed watching the Gwangju News expand as not only a magazine for foreigners in the city but for the Korean community, too. I also enjoy how diverse the magazine is. We make sure that we literally have an article for everyone and try to keep up with the latest food trends, the “hot places,” political news, and so on.
Gwangju News prints 6,000 copies of a 76-page issue to celebrate the Gwangju Universiade.
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OCTOBER 2018
Gwangju News commemorates its 200th issue.
October 2018
JULY 2015
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
It’s been great meeting so many new people, and I look forward to meeting many more.
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2626
How It Began, How It Evolved By Dr. Shin Gyonggu
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Publisher, 2001–Present
I
have always promoted my mother tongue and the Korean culture. For example, I use yeolswe (열쇄) rather than the now-more-common English loanword key. But English continues to give rise to a paradox in my life. As it is obviously a necessary tool for the younger generation, I have ended up promoting it. I began the first full-fledged English language program at the Chonnam National University (CNU) Language Education Center as its director, and increased its budget three-fold while I was there. I promoted Englishmedium classes in order to invite international exchange students to CNU as its first dean of international affairs. I began the first freshman English camp in 2009. I also expanded English language classes in the CNU English Department, and the enrollment doubled while I was in charge. Another project I created while working in the CNU Language Center in 1996 was an English magazine called the Gwangju News. I foresaw it as a great device to promote Gwangju internationally, but it disappeared after I left the language center. My successor did not share the same vision. In 1999, I was invited as the first director of the newly established Gwangju International Center (then called the Kwangju Center for International Visitors) not because I wanted the position but because I was teaching English. So I asked Kim
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Soo-A, the sole GIC coordinator, to begin a monthly “newsletter” in 2001, named the Gwangju News. The publication would not have been possible without her dedication in recruiting writers for the magazine. The Gwangju News began to look like a magazine in contents through the dedication of Julian Warmington, an English teacher at Chosun University. He often complained of his hair thinning from overwork on the magazine. He seemed to be putting more hours into working on the magazine than into his classroom teaching. He solicited articles while buying drinks for prospective writers at local bars that English teachers frequented. Julian sold advertisements to store owners, and he even delivered the magazine to the train stations and the local airport. I still remember how happy he looked when the GIC bought a new Mac computer equipped with QuarkXPress editing software in 2003. He put his whole heart into the magazine. I still feel utterly indebted to him. The Gwangju News (GN) took on a more professional look with the design sense of Kim Minsu, who began to work as a volunteer layout editor in 2003 and continued when she became a full-time GIC coordinator in 2005. She has now moved up to the position of general secretary (general manager) at the GIC. Karina Prananto joined the team as a volunteer layout editor in
2007, and she has been in charge of GN layout as a full-time coordinator since 2010. We were lucky to have had many competent GN editors, such as Allen Gray, Moon Jangyup, Ana Wilson, Clare Winter, Heidi Tauschek, Kammy Benham, Jessica Solomatenko, Jon Ozelton, Mali Rolph, Leah Kenyon, Andrew O’Donnell, Doug Stuber, Nathaniel Kent, and Audry Hawkins before the Gwangju News published its 100th issue in June 2010. At that time, we had nearly 20 editorial staff and more than 20 contributors, though we had only a few volunteer staff and writers back in 2001. At this time also, Minsu was proud that the yearly advertisement revenue increased to more than two million won. Maria Lisak initiated the position of editor-in-chief to make for smooth transitions. The position of managing editor was also created, these two positions replacing that of editor. Julian Warmington returned as our editor-in-chief after Maria in 2011, and he quickly began the online version of the magazine with the help of Julian Raethel and Kim Jihyun. The workload of the editors began to explode when the Gwangju News began to print 56 monthly pages in 2011. However, we have been lucky to have had talented volunteer editors and writers like Seth Pevey, Kathleen Villadiego, Daniel Lister, Shay Meinecke, Adam Volle, Karly Pierre, and Eden Jones. Dr. Robert Grotjohn and Joe Wabe each contributed as
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27 editor-in-chief, followed by our present editor-in-chief, Dr. David Shaffer. Joey Nunez was the first full-time GIC staff member to serve as GN managing editor, followed by Anastasia Traynin and at present Mr. Wilson Melbostad. Jon Ozelton seems to have been one of the longest-serving GN volunteers along with Julian Warmington, Warren Parsons, Bradley Weiss, Joe Wabe, and Lorryn Smit. Professor Shin Sang-soon wrote 91 GN articles for his column, Korean Way, up until a year before he passed away at the age of 89. Leroy Kucia was happy to be accepted as a regular cartoonist with his cartoon series, Digby. Jen Lee published a comic book after running her GN comic strip series, Dear Korea. I was struck with deep sadness when Prof. Song Chae-Pyong of Marygrove College in Detroit suddenly passed away without accomplishing his dream of publishing a collection of poetry from his series of poems carried in the Gwangju News.
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For the longest time also, GN editors favored photos of natural scenes on the cover. Now I am happy to see more human faces on the cover. Some of the most significant covers are of Cheong San, the Warrior Monk of Damyang; Baek Nam-gi, a farmer activist who was killed by a police water cannon; Lee Huiho, the widow of the late President Kim Daejung; two previous mayors of Gwangju, Kang Untae and Yoon Janghyeon; Lee Nag-yeon, Jeollanam-do governor, now serving as prime minister of Korea; many ambassadors including Adolf Carafi, who became Chilean Ambassador after his GIC talk. We also covered Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Mayor of Seberang Perai City Municipal Council in Malaysia, while she was participating in the 2015 World Human Rights Cities Forum. She was appointed executive director of UN-Habitat at the beginning of this year. GN serves the community in diverse ways: It publishes a special issue for
Keeping the Gwangju News as a volunteer magazine is an ongoing struggle. Recruiting new volunteer editors and writers is always difficult though this work is mostly done by current volunteers themselves. However, this is a great example of uniting the members of the Gwangju expat community around an important common goal. They are exercising ownership of the magazine while contributing informationrich articles on a plethora of aspects of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do. The collection of GN articles is already the biggest English language archive of this region’s local stories. It will be exciting to see volunteers busy compiling and publishing books out of these archives – a future project. People often ask me about the future of the magazine. I often respond, “It depends on the Gwangju News volunteers. I simply help them to exercise their ownership as editors and writers.”
October 2018
My additional role was to find solutions to whatever problems popped up, either inside or outside of GN. One of the severest attacks on GN came from a major local Korean newspaper, criticizing a GN photo essay under the title Love Motel Facades in Gwangju, which carried eight photos of “love motels” with short captions attached. The attack was so severe that we began to get many calls, including from city hall, who provides partial funding to the GIC. I asked Prof. Kim Seong-Kon of Seoul National University, a graduate
An interesting “difference of opinions” once occurred with my coordinators. I asked them to include the following on page 1: “The Gwangju News is the first public English monthly magazine in Korea.” But this was too much for them to believe; they changed it to “first local” or “oldest regional” for the longest time, not believing that “first public monthly” could actually be true. Strictly speaking, though, GN was the first English magazine for the “general public,” conceding that Diplomacy was the first English monthly in Korea.
each May with stories on the May Uprising. These have included pieces on Yun Younggyu, a well-known leader of the national teachers union; Park Kyung-sun, a female activist in May 1980; and German TV reporter Jurgen Hinzpeter, who was first to cover May 18. GN covers stories of people such as vendors, farmers, a survivor of the Korean Women’s Volunteer Labor Corps under Japanese rule, and many others. I am happy to find Gwangju citizens feeling so proud of GN’s quality, which would be impossible without so many dedicated volunteer writers and staffers over the magazine’s 200-issue history.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
My major role at GN has been to support its operation though it had been a considerable financial burden to the GIC until 2010. For purely financial reasons, I would have discontinued the magazine had it not been for its value to the city and the community, both Korean and international, to consider.
of CNU’s English Department and one of the most respected scholars in literature criticism, to help. He responded with a lengthy article to The Korea Herald: What Are We Trying to Hide in This Era? His name and his logic effectively calmed the attacks. The incident helped promote the magazine and GIC at the same time.
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Your Best Language Resource for Living and Culture News By Kim Minsu
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Editor and other positions, 2003–2013
M
y first year with the Gwangju News began in June 2003, when the magazine was only 20 pages, 8 of which were color. At that time, there were not many things for me to do for the Gwangju News; I couldn’t even speak English very well back then. However, I had skills for designing publishing materials, with a ten-month career in the field. The GIC had an old, second-hand Mac computer for me to use. Although the environment was not conducive to magazine publication, all the volunteers and GIC coordinators were super dedicated and passionate. I worked with over 20 different editors, and they each did a great job with their talents, background, and service sprit. Accordingly, I would like to mention a few of them here. I met Julian Warmington after I became an official GIC volunteer, and at that time, he was managing everything for the relatively young Gwangju News – layout, writing, delivery, advertising, and recruiting writers. He was like a superman. I felt surprised and wondered what made him spend so much time for this magazine. People have said that the GIC is like their second home and that the Gwangju News allows them to communicate with the local community and with society as a whole. The first editor who worked with me
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was Mark Winter, and his wife, Clare Winter, was completely supportive of his work. At first, our communication was not smooth because of our language barrier, but we tried to find ways to solve problems and respected each other’s skills. I became a friend with them. As printing time neared, we worked until 11 p.m. I wasn’t incredibly tough but enjoyed the challenge. I would like to mention another memorable couple, Kammy Benham and Chris Benham. Kammy, along with her husband Chris, introduced systematic production methods such as collecting articles online and making corrections while working as editors and greatly improved objectivity and transparency as an official magazine. Through this process, we have made it possible for the volunteers to participate actively by releasing them from the production process, and to utilize the magazine as a space for sharing opinions freely. As an honorary professor at Chonnam National University and advisor to the Gwangju International Center, the late Shin Sang-soon wrote the Korean Way column for over 90 issues under the moniker “2Ys” (too wise) until his health no longer allowed. He wrote in a manner for local and international residents to easily understand the culture, history, and customs of Korea.
When the Gwangju News reached its 100th issue, I didn’t think the 200th issue would come this quickly. Since the Gwangju News started publication as a monthly magazine, we have never missed any issue! I really appreciate and am truly impressed by all the contributions and sacrifices made by the Gwangju News staff, especially by Karina Prananto who is doing a fantastic job at layout and administration as a coordinator. I hope the Gwangju News continues its important role in recording historical issues in Gwangju and developing the talent and skills of all involved with the magazine by respecting and cooperating with each other. And I look forward to celebrating the next 100 issues with great VOLUNTEERS. Congratulations on the 200th issue of the Gwangju News!
About Minsu
Kim Minsu started volunteering for the Gwangju News at the GIC in 2003 and has been working as a regular GIC employee since 2005. Her main task was the Gwangju News at that time – until her coworker Karina came on staff. Now, Minsu is the GIC executive secretary and is in charge of GIC management and human resources. She very much appreciates the contributions of the Gwangju News teams over the years – past editors, writers, volunteers – and has learned from them the precious spirit of volunteerism and social contribution.
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Gwangju News: Memories By Julian Warmington
Editor-in-Chief and other positions, 2001–2012
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Not everyone sees the value in making or even having a beautiful, lasting document of shared time in a community. But it was always exciting and rewarding to take the financial support and creative freedom offered by the GIC to produce that collection of pages with a variety of thoughtful, kind people, both of which reflected the rapidly developing community. One of my favorite memories is of trying to use one of the first generation digital cameras loaned to us to take a photo for some article for the Gwangju News back in about 2001. It was huge, used four A3 batteries, could only store a few photos in its tiny memory, and you’d have to replace every previously new battery after just a few shots. It’s been wonderful to see the democratizing effect of the development of technology in tandem with the Gwangju News, meaning that more people can now afford to contribute with words, images, or
other tech-based know-how since those clunky first days.
Gwangju News Online still offers as yet un-utilized potential via the World Wide Web, whether by video clips or MP3s imbedded in regular articles, or by having a more complete range of photos and text-based content than possible in the necessarily limited pages of the printed medium. The longer, more complete online version of any article would add value to both the website and the printed copy, and would offer a writer or photographer a greater sense of satisfaction in seeing more of their work shared more widely. The Gwangju News clearly continues to evolve while maintaining a wonderfully high standard of content and production, and all from volunteers building on the goodwill of the kind GIC board. Congratulations to all involved these days, all contributors over the last 15 years or so, and thanks also to the GIC board for continuing to support the vision of a shared English language document of beauty, produced in trust and freedom, with the goal of recording our days shared in the City of Light.
About Julian
Julian Warmington is from New Zealand. He has been teaching at the university level in South Korea for more than ten years, and is presently the editor-in-chief of Korea TESOL’s quarterly magazine, The English Connection. Email: JulianW.NZ@gmail. com
October 2018
I enjoyed the shared process then with her, and in the months to come with others, of figuring out what needed to be done as we went along, and then either working out how to do it myself, or finding others for the roles: deciding what to write, writing, inviting others to write, proofreading and editing their writing, inviting others to edit, taking photos, figuring out how to sell advertisements, selling advertisements, and then recruiting and teaching others, contributing to design feedback, brainstorming ideas for articles and interviews, and finally setting up Gwangju News Online.
There were always challenges in the beginning, but the first, largest, and most common goal was merely to convince people that it could be done, whatever the particular challenge was at that time. There were far fewer English teachers in the country before the World Cup of 2002, but a lot needed to be done and everything needed planned and trialed from scratch. Then again, earlier on, everything was an improvement on the original black-and-white single page of photocopied paper that was called the Gwangju News.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
he year was 2001. Rumor had it some random NGO downtown had language classes that were virtually free. I’d studied with a Korean friend but made little progress, and so I traipsed along for a third shot at learning of more of “our language.’’ The classes were all right, but at the end of one of the earlier sessions, mention was made of some newsletter or magazine type of thing and how they were looking for volunteers to join the production team. I went along to their meeting the next month, met the group of about five nice foreigners, and volunteered to write something. The next month, I turned up again… and everyone else was gone! Some had said they were leaving soon anyway, but apparently there had been some internal dispute. So, the one Gwangju International Center (GIC) “coordinator’’ and I blinked at each other a bit as we shared ideas, and then started work.
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Gwangju News: A Beacon of Radical Hospitality By Maria Lisak Editor-in-Chief and other positions, 2010-2011
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU GWANGJU NEWS NEWS 200 200 SPECIAL SPECIAL
perspectives about place, where they come from, where they traveled, and where they live, work, or play in South Korea, especially Gwangju, the magazine has become a primary resource to connect with others to create community and develop individually at the same time.
T
he Gwangju News is a space that brings to light the radical hospitality shown by volunteers in a literary and graphic space of a magazine. The Gwangju News is not a deliberate design of radical hospitality but an emergent one. I remember looking at the first issues of the Gwangju News, which were really no more than newsletters. I remember the times when more pages were added because the hospitality of our underwriters as well as the hospitality of our editors and contributors allowed the Gwangju News to showcase how the Gwangju community was growing and changing. The Gwangju News as a place of hospitality emerges from our common experience of vulnerability and growth mindset. Radical hospitality is a stance of interdependence, especially about how we are shaped by a place, Gwangju. With Gwangju News volunteer contributors’
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What I love about the Gwangju News is that, in a transactional world, it is a beacon of radical hospitality. Radical hospitality conceives of community that is beyond political borders and social boundaries. The contributors to the Gwangju News, especially the generosity of the editors, has helped people in Gwangju to have a space to discuss, argue, and celebrate the issues impacting lives here in Gwangju as well as lives lived all around the world. Gwangju News articles are mediators of meaning, challenging stereotypes that restrain agency, power, as well as personal life narratives. The Gwangju News has helped leverage collective knowledge for better access and interaction with external structures, like labor boards, and systems of power, like Korean culture, which dominates the lives of the volunteer contributors. Welcoming many different identities and experiences, even if, at times, a source of tension, allows volunteers to work together, developing collective agency to help themselves and others. When difference is valued and sharing vulnerabilities in safe spaces creates confidence for risk-taking in a complicated world, we see how radically hospitable our interactions can manifest a gift such as the Gwangju News.
About Maria
Maria Lisak is celebrating her 22nd anniversary of her first steps in South Korea this year. From the Midwest in the U.S., her Chicago accent still plagues her Korean pronunciation. In answering the question that a Korean colleague asked her last semester, she is still here because she can live a simple life while pursuing her love of learning in a community that values education. She has been teaching public administration and social welfare at Chosun University since 2012.
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Kathleen and Daniel are both former editors of the Gwangju News.
A Wonderful Story to Be Part Of By Kathleen Villadiego
Editor-in-Chief and other positions, 2009–2013
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I fondly remember our staff meetings at a small café behind the GIC where we would exchange our visions, release our enthusiasm, and at times clash with other egos. There was eagerness in the air and a genuine need to be part of something that allowed us to be creative, push boundaries, and explore. We published lighthearted pieces and, at times, more serious and even polarizing stories. Every editor brings their own style to the magazine, and when it was my turn
to be at the helm, my focus was on getting stories about local gems and aspiring to live up to the magazine’s name, the Gwangju News. I want to congratulate all who have contributed to the magazine, the dedicated staff at the GIC, and all the volunteers past, present, and future. It is a wonderful story to be part of, and I hope that the magazine will continue to bring people together and share its pages with the Gwangju community and beyond.
About Kathleen (AND DANIEL)
Currently Kathleen and husband Daniel Lister are living in beautiful, but expensive, Sydney. Both working in the heart of Sydney’s central business district. Kathleen is the director of studies at an English language college, while Daniel is a learning specialist for American Express. Daniel was also active on the Gwangju News, serving as editor in 2010-11.
October 2018
There were many days spent with Karina at her computer, making finer adjustments to the magazine’s layout and admiring her patience with temperamental software. I actually spent more time on the magazine than I did doing my regular job. But it was all worth it. There were exciting and
special moments, such as interviewing Olympic gold medalist and, at the time, Gwangju local Ki Bo-Bae, or sitting at the press table when Aung San Suu Kyi received the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, an award which would later be surrounded by controversy. But most cherished of all was the time I spent working with my fellow dedicated editors and the extraordinary staff at the Gwangju International Center (GIC).
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
worked for the Gwangju News from the time I arrived in Korea in 2009 till the time I left in late 2013, and it’s a time I remember with immense fondness. I started out as a proofreader and later became a writer, copy-editor, editor, and then finally, editor-in-chief. It was a long journey from which I learnt so much and each role came with its highs and challenges. There was a lot of pressure at times, having to deal with deadlines and liaise with writers, proofreaders, copy-editors, photographers, and occasionally accompanying Karina Prananto, who is at the core of the Gwangju News, to the printers.
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“Yes” Started These Snapshot Blessings By Joey Nunez
Editor and various other positions, 2012–present
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Snapshot 1: I ate stingray/skate (hongeo, 홍어) and enjoyed it! The occasion of this discovery was a somber one, at the funeral honoring Chenong San, a kumdo warrior and guardian of Geumseong-sanseong (Geumseong fortification), who we featured on the September 2013 issue. I took “a plunge” into consuming a marine dish that I then enjoyed on three separate occasions and would again, given the opportunity. That day, too, I learned more about Korean society, which has motivated me to remain a cultural student, even today.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
“H
ow can I help you?” are five words that have helped me so much, even in South Korea. My so-far, six-year reflections on helping publish the Gwangju News from 2012 to 2018 (February 2013 – February 2014 as editor) started with that simple inquiry. After asking, the editor at the time responded, “Would you like to help as a proofreader?” “Yes” was my quick reply. Then, a month later, a new opening as a copy editor arose. “Yes,” again, from me. Then, three months later, the editor herself asked if I would replace her. I only needed 10 minutes in a Tom N Toms pretzel shop to decide, and I will always treasure that third “yes.” May these snapshots be more than just my lifelessons, but become yours, too.
Snapshot 2: Routines are valuable. Even when my students’ behavior
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changed as often as the weather, the 1st to the 10th of the month became days of Sabbath from the Gwangju News, if I planned far ahead. I also freed up my 18th to 29th, because the Gwangju News would need my attention, sometimes up to four hours a night. As editor, I better learned how to prioritize work and rest, and how to balance the two so one never overtook the other. Snapshot 3: People matter, especially when I wrote the December 2013 edition’s cover story, profiling Dr. Yiombi Thona from the Congo helped document a man’s ascension from desperate immigrant to distinguished professor. Because of Dr. Thona’s story, we all have more hope that if we set a goal and work towards it, we will achieve our goals, as Dr. Thona did. When crafting every edition of the Gwangju News, I am grateful that I never had to make all the decisions alone. To create such great issues now in the archives, I appreciated the many contributions and incredible assistance from such wonderful people as Karina Prananto, Minsu Kim, Lianne Bronzo, Adam Greenberg, Angie Hartley, Warren Parsons, Jenn Tinoco, Adam Volle, along with many, many others. I know the future of the Gwangju News will continue to provide similar experiences for international residents such as those I experienced. For current staff members, thank you for what you continue to contribute.
The time commitment is worth it, even at 3 a.m. some nights, I know. For past staff members, thank you for contributing. Paving the way, oftentimes as trailblazers, is never easy, but it will always be treasured as part of this incredible story of the first English public monthly magazine in South Korea. I must extend my special thanks to Dr. Shin Gyonggu. Because of his belief in me, I soared during my time in Gwangju as the Gwangju International Center’s first Western coordinator and continue to sour back in America. Having someone of strong faith and steadfast integrity as a mentor was such a blessing. Dr. Shin, our meals together at the Honam Theological Seminary’s Café are milestones: where I realized my potential and leapt headfirst into blessings. Thanks for reading my memories of one of my most treasured positions, and for realizing what can happen when you too take “the plunge” by asking those whom surround you: “How can I help you?”
About Joey
Joey Nunez is a writer in transition. Having lived in 6 United States and journeyed through 17 other countries, Joey is a Christian looking forward towards God’s future plans for him of Christian missions with emphasis in communications. By 2019, count on Joey being overseas again writing or starting a graduate degree in intercultural studies!
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“Trousers Boss” By Robert Grotjohn Editor-in-Chief and other positions, 2013-present
I
was the editor-in-chief of the Gwangju News from November 2013 to December 2014. My fondest memories are of the dedicated young people who worked so hard to create an interesting and varied magazine, especially the editors. Thank you Joey Nunez, Adam Volle, Anastasia Traynin, and Karly Pierre.
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I enjoyed seeing my name at the top of the masthead, but I was no more than a figurehead, attending the monthly editorial meetings in order to tell the real writers and editors that they were doing a good job. So, the most important thing I learned in my time as the editor-in-chief was the Korean idiom “baji sajang” (바지 사장), which means “trousers boss.” That is someone who wears the pants of the boss but doesn’t really wear the pants in the organizational family. I think I need a copy editor to straighten out that transnational mixed-up metaphor, but I will always
I was surprised to see my name on the masthead as publisher for two issues after I had stepped down from the chieftaincy. I appreciated that Dr. Shin would give me that honor, but I refused to even wear those pants as I no longer even attended the monthly meetings. I insisted that the publisher’s mantle be returned to Dr. Shin, where it belongs. So that will be my final word. I am so proud to be Dr. Shin’s friend and so grateful that he gave me the chance to learn from everyone who worked so hard on the magazine. I continue to learn from more young people, like Dr. David E. Shaffer (aka Shin Dongil), the current chief, who continue to make the magazine an important, vibrant part of the Gwangju community. Thanks to all of you, and to all of the readers who make the work worthwhile.
About Robert
Dr. Robert Grotjohn is a professor of English at Chonnam National University, where he started his teaching career as a visiting instructor of EFL during 1981–84, when he first met Drs. Shin Gyonggu and Dongil. Dr. Grotjohn returned to the CNU English Department in 2010.
October 2018
I did not jump right in to the editorin-chieftaincy without some prior experience with the magazine and the GIC. At, of course, Dr. Shin’s request, I had interviewed several visiting dignitaries for the magazine and made a few GIC talks. By the time I agreed to “volunteer” as the editor-in-chief, I was an old GIC hand. But I was a pretty new hand at editing a magazine, especially one that depends on volunteers and thank-God-for-Karina Prananto. Everyone else might think they
Karina, however, gets paid, though I am sure she does not get paid enough. All the writers, and especially the editors, who work without any significant compensation other than seeing their names in print, inspire me. In fact, they inspired me so much that when the print editor, Adam Volle, suggested that I help convince Dr. Shin that Adam should be the editor-in-chief, I was happy to oblige and turn the responsibility over to him.
appreciate the hard-working people who made those pants look good on me.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Like so many projects connected to the Gwangju International Center (GIC), this came to me because Dr. Shin Gyonggu came asking. He was my senior in the English Language and Literature Department of Chonnam National University, so the “when-in-Rome” function of living in Korea encouraged me to say “yes.” Dr. Shin has done so much so selflessly for the international community, as well as for the city of Gwangju itself, that it is hard to say “no” when he asks.
are indispensable for getting the magazine finished on time, but I think she might be the only one who really is. I exaggerate, of course, but not by much. Of all the young people who work so hard on the magazine, she is the solid rock that still keeps that house of cards from collapsing.
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The Worst Tribute in This Magazine By C. Adam Volle
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Editor-in-Chief and other positions, 2013–2016
L
ast night I had a panic attack – heavy breathing, shivering, the sweats, all of it. My wife heard me fall out of my chair and ran into my office. Finding me on the floor, she pulled my head into her lap and ran her fingers through my hair until I calmed down. Finally I regained my ability to speak.
“Gwangju News wants an article,” I whispered. “Oh #&%#!” she said. And then she had a panic attack. For she also remembered how, in February of 2014, I naively accepted the role of managing editor for the Gwangju News, and how this “volunteer work” turned out to be more like a tour of duty in the military. For over a year, my wife lost her husband. My girlfriend lost her boyfriend. And I lost my mind. To what can I compare the editing of the Gwangju News? The editor is like Yi Sun Shin, fighting with his brave little flotilla of copy editors and proofreaders ’gainst a Japanese armada of spelling errors aboard bad sentence structure. And there are traitors in his ranks: seemingly loyal men and women who will quietly plunge their own dagger-like typos into his precious copy at the first opportunity. You think I exaggerate? In 2015, I was emailed an article to review.
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The writer, a copy editor, and a proofreader had already approved it. Each one of these three people possessed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, and all three were teaching English. Reader, the article had no paragraph breaks – it was one solid block of text. This is why, when you look at a current picture of the editor, his smile is forced, and his eyes are hollow: He is dying inside. His contributors cannot tell a grammatical colon from their own colons, and his proofreaders think the MLA is a sports league. Even for this special issue, he had to edit out one contributor’s totally inappropriate joke (alright, it was mine). Q: What’s the difference between a pregnant woman and a light bulb? A: [Answer edited out, but it was totally inappropriately funny. – Ed.]
But if editing the Gwangju News is so much work, why do it? Here I can only speak for myself. First, the Gwangju News was my first opportunity to write and edit for a monthly publication; I got my first writing job because of the Gwangju News. It was also a chance to learn about my Korean home, in a way few residents ever do. How many residents of Gwangju have enjoyed interviews with its mayor, its governor, and its police? How many have met so many of the city’s artisans, industrialists, and entertainers? And for all the
work involved, it was also a lot of fun – particularly whenever I was working alongside the good souls of the Gwangju International Center (Dr. Shin! Karina! Min! Singsing!). Finally, there is this: The Gwangju News is important. At its best, the magazine provides a forum for the City of Light’s English-speaking subculture to express itself and learn about the region. But even at its worst, the magazine’s mere existence adds to international residents’ sense of community, and it reminds Korean residents of their city’s diversity. Since the Gwangju News is partly funded by Gwangju City, the magazine also functions as an acknowledgment by the government that its foreign-born population matters. Think about it: City Hall sets aside money every month for the express purpose of supporting our community. As someone who still thinks of Gwangju as a home, that means something. For all these reasons and more, it was an absolute privilege to write and edit for the Gwangju News. If I could rewind time, I would do it all again. As it is, I’m just writing this article.
About Adam
Adam Volle is a writer and communications consultant from Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He lived in Gwangju from 2012 to 2016. [And he is alive and well in his
new home. — Ed.]
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From left to right: Karina Prananto, Adam Volle, Karly Pierre, Anastasia Traynin, and Dr. Shin Gyonggu
“Accomplishing a Lot with a Little” By Karly Pierre Managing Editor and other positions, 2014–2016
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we covered artists and events there over several issues. You could really sense Gwangju’s potential to become the artistic hub of Asia that it hopes to be. I also enjoyed our Gwangju Biennale issue and my interview with architect Toyo Ito. But my favorite issues were those that told the stories of people in our community. I was especially touched by writing about Al Barnum, an expat who brought awareness to orphanages in the area, and about elderly cardboard collectors in Gwangju. I learned so much about issues facing seniors while researching for that issue and feel that it was insightful for the expat community.
During my time at the Gwangju News, there were many memorable issues. I was lucky enough to be editor when the city was abuzz with the Universiade in the summer of 2015. Finding writers and photographers for stories had never been so easy! There were so many interesting athletes and coaches in town, and though we were busy, our spirits were high. The opening of the ACC (Asia Culture Center) was also exciting, and
Since I stepped down as senior managing editor in 2016, I have been happy to see the magazine continue to evolve. I hope the magazine will never stop telling stories of the people who make the City of Light shine.
About Karly
Karly Pierre is currently an assistant professor at Chosun University in Gwangju. She has recently penned the column Kitchen Stories for the Gwangju News.
October 2018
My time at the Gwangju News, was hard work but also exhilarating. I enjoyed coming into monthly staff meetings at a cafe on Saturday morning and bouncing around ideas for the next issue with my colleagues. We were always looking for ways to inform our readers about upcoming events and to connect them to the people who make this city vibrant
and unique. I was amazed at the dedication the small staff and volunteers had to the magazine, considering everyone was juggling more than one job. We accomplished a lot with a little because we believed in what we were doing. I loved watching the magazine come together like pieces of a puzzle. I would read over stories so many times, checking for errors and editing, that I’d practically memorized them. Karina Prananto, the GIC’s magazine coordinator, was invaluable to me during my time there. She was happy-go-lucky and efficient under pressure. I looked forward to her laugh whenever things got stressful.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
hen I decided to join the Gwangju News, I was looking for a way to get more involved in the community. By the time I first began volunteering with the magazine as a copy editor in the fall of 2014, I had already lived in the city for three years but had only recently discovered the Gwangju International Center (GIC). I was hoping to break the work–home cycle I found myself in, while making use of my background in communication. The copy editing job was simple and fun. Adam Volle, the editor-in-chief at the time, took note of my work and invited me a few months later to take a position as print editor. When Adam eventually left, I took over as senior managing editor.
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Happy 200th Issue, Gwangju News! By Anastasia Traynin
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Managing Editor and other positions, 2013–18
T
he Gwangju News has been an integral part of my life since the fall of 2013, when not long after moving to this city, I decided to channel an insatiable writing urge through this excellent community resource. Little did I know then that this urge would lead to involvement in the magazine all the way up to the managing editor level. Throughout my time in Gwangju, I have been lucky enough to use the Gwangju News (GN) name and network of contacts in interviewing many different Korean community leaders and sharing their stories, many of which were written about in English for the first time. These stories have ranged from Gwangju’s social activism scene that stems from the May 18th Uprising to its art and culture landscape and many things in between. If it weren’t for the space to put these things into print, I certainly would have been missing an opportunity for expression, and I would not have made the community connection that I did. I also had the fortune of working with other writers and photographers who uncover other stories of people, places, and sometimes even the animal kingdom that I would never otherwise encounter. That is the beauty of the citizen journalism project: building an outlet from which a variety of voices can be heard.
tremendously since its start as eight black-and-white monthly pages in 2001. The Gwangju English-speaking community has continued to nurture the magazine, despite it being a mostly volunteer endeavor with a limited City Hall subsidy. “Mostly volunteer” means that the editing team is taking on extra work outside of their normal obligations and no matter the amount of passion for the work and the desire to continue, burnout is a real thing. In fact, each year, there is staff turnover and in some years, the publication has barely held together. Since going online in 2011, there have been ongoing questions as to whether the print model is necessary and sustainable. Social media has expanded the scope of the magazine to reach a much broader audience and with that, the need for more people to help strategize about outreach has also increased. On top of this, no organization is free from internal disputes between members. Despite all these challenges, the numerous talents of the local Korean and foreigner community, especially the base staff at Gwangju International Center, have always managed to band together and keep GN going. As the project expands, now standing at sixty full-color pages each month, there is an ever-growing need for more sustained community involvement.
The Gwangju News has grown
While I have personally moved on
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from the city and the magazine, I enjoy seeing the continued growth and transformation of the Gwangju News that comes from the constant change in personnel and ideas. As Gwangju and Korea themselves grow and transform, there will be no shortage of content with which to fill the pages. The local foreigner population is increasing and diversifying, and there is a need to represent the richness of communities beyond Western English teachers to include migrant workers, marriage migrants, international students, and in recent times, refugees that are claiming asylum in Korea. The Gwangju News has been at the forefront of covering the various issues these communities face and highlighting the work Koreans are doing to build a multicultural society. I always look forward to reading the excellent pieces and feasting on the beautiful images that now grace the magazine’s pages. Thank you to GN for the chance to help myself and others to thrive. Happy 200th issue and long live the Gwangju News.
About Anastasia
Anastasia Traynin (Ana) was the 2014– 2015 online editor for Gwangju News and recently left her role as co-managing editor during her time as GIC coordinator. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Korean studies in Seoul. Her interests include social movements, alternative education, feminism, and the environment.
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Deepening Roots By Kelsey Rivers
Managing Editor and other positions 2015–2018
M
y beginnings with the Gwangju News started out as a bit of an accident. I was living in Mokpo, a seaside city that, although having its own small, close-knit community, didn’t give me a sense of connection to greater Korea. It was very local, idiosyncratic. Although I was new to the country, I was chafing to seek out opportunities beyond the relatively limited confines of Mokpo to broaden my connections. But first, I had a pressing need to visit Gwangju, specifically the Gwangju International Center library, for I was desperate for reading material.
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About Kelsey
Kelsey is back in her home state of Arizona after three years in South Korea, and she is happily getting to explore its open deserts, forested mountain ranges, and dusty ghost towns. She splits her time between working at a library and a coffee shop, and is preparing for her first semester in the Library and Information Science MA program at the University of Arizona.
October 2018
I found my reading material (I would have gone crazy or broke without access to the English books at the GIC), and I also stumbled upon the Gwangju News (GN). I was intrigued by its mission of reporting on local and regional issues, focusing on international communities. What better way for me to broaden my connections than to be on a community-building project such as this? I had never considered myself a writer, so I started out as
It was a lot of work, and I felt a fluctuating level of stress always simmering beneath the surface. But it was also such an amazing time to be working on the magazine. I had always been on one side of things – one facet in a multi-faceted enterprise, seeing just one or two stages of the publishing process. But as managing editor, not only did I have more of an influence on the direction of articles, I was overseeing every aspect of the magazine’s production. I recruited and communicated with writers, I delegated editing and proofing duties to staff, I conferred with the editorin-chief. It was a fulfilling project to be involved in, but it was also just plain fun. There were rough patches, particularly during the transition period from the previous editor to me, but over time the GN staff truly coalesced into an awesome team. I am still proud of the issues we produced, and the team that we became.
I began my journey with GN in an attempt to become a part of a community, to not feel like just another temporary visitor to Korea. I wanted to be involved in a project that was contributing something unique and valued. By being a part of the Gwangju News’ journey, I felt that I was able to achieve this goal. I met countless writers, editors, photographers, and fascinating people from all walks of life because of my work with the magazine, and I was able to contribute in a small way to their stories being told. I felt like I had become interwoven into the fabric of the Gwangju community, and so when I decided to move back to the United States, it felt like an uprooting. Ultimately, that’s what being involved with the Gwangju News did for me. It gave me roots in this community, roots in this city.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
What I found there would link me to Gwangju and Jeollanam-do in profound ways over the next several years.
a copy editor, editing and proofing for about a year. Over time, as my involvement with GN grew and my friendships with other volunteers deepened, I was eventually asked to take over from Bradley Weiss as chief proofreader. A few months later, I took on the managing editor position alongside Anastasia Traynin.
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To See My Name in Print By Eden Jones
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Managing Editor and other positions, 2014–2018
F
or years I have been an aspiring writer. When I first came to Korea in September 2014, I never would have guessed I would have the opportunity to have my work published in a magazine for the first time, much less eventually be able to myself be an editor. Soon after my arrival here, I stumbled upon the Gwangju News. One day, I decided to submit a piece of short fiction to the Gwangju Writes column. When I didn’t hear any news back about its acceptance, I wasn’t too surprised as I knew the publishing world was competitive. I assumed my work had been subpar or in some way hadn’t fit with what the magazine was looking for.
A few months later, I was flipping through a copy of the Gwangju News when the page fell open to a title strikingly familiar to me. I looked a little closer, and there, beneath the title was my name in beautiful black letters. I sat there for a stunned moment, elated. This – to see my name in print – was a moment I had looked forward to for quite a while. And now, it had finally happened, catching me quite off guard! But oh, how happy and proud I was. It didn’t matter that my work had been published in a small
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English magazine, read by a relatively small audience. It wasn’t even the most emotional or elegantly written piece I’d written. But it was mine. And it was here, printed in a glossy, professional quality magazine. That was the beginning of me and the Gwangju News. After that, I continued submitting to the magazine and having my work published. I wrote on everything from fiction, to know-how articles. A while after being well-established as a regular writer for the magazine, I was asked if I would be willing to try my hand at proofreading. I thought, well, why not expand my experience? Next thing, I was copy-editing and attending meetings. Finally, one day, I found myself sitting across from the comanaging editors at the time, being invited to become the next managing editor. I knew it wasn’t because I was such a great writer or copy-editor, or because I was the most qualified person for the job. It was out of need for a reliable person who knew the magazine and who would be willing to donate a significant amount of time to it. After giving it a think, I cautiously accepted and served as managing editor from around September 2017 to February 2018.
Being managing editor was a lot of hard work and late nights. At times, I felt like the “News” had taken over my entire life. But it was all for a worthy cause. Getting to know the Gwangju News inside and out, reading every jot and tittle that went into its pages for six solid months made me realize just what a wonderful publication it really is and how it truly offers a wonderful service to the Gwangju community and outlying areas by providing relevant and helpful articles for and by its readers. The Gwangju News is now on its 200th issue and is ever-evolving. The magazine has come a long way, and it still has a ways to go. It is my hope that Gwangju would recognize its value and continue to support it, whether that be by submitting a simple short story or flipping through its pages.
About Eden
Eden Jones is an English teacher living in Gwangju. She is also a prominent musician in the community, often performing with her violin in settings such as Dreamers at Daein Market and weekly open mics. She spends her free time focusing on music and seeking ways to bring joy to others through that capacity. Check out her Instagram @ vioilin_everywhere to see her doing cool things like paragliding with her fiddle.
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Thanks for the Opportunity, Gwangju News
t
By Doug Baumwoll Core Writer, 2016–2017
H
appy 200th, Gwangju News! Scores of issues, thousands of articles, tens of thousands of readers. Wowza. Not to mention, your role as an integral part of the community.
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In my work with GN and the Gwangju International Center, I also gave multiple writing seminars open to the public. We wrote ledes, practiced points of view, developed narrative voice, discussed feature article structure, and considered audience. We had fun, grew as writers, and enjoyed collaboration. Again, GN allowed me an opportunity to be a community volunteer, and I truly enjoyed contributing in this way. Finally, allow me a quick suggestion. If you harbor any desire to write, be involved with your community, or investigate a topic or person in the community, then contact GN. Pitch a story and write it! GN will support you with editors, translators, and others as needed. Grow as a person and share with your community. I look forward to reading the next 200 issues of the Gwangju News!
About Doug
Douglas Baumwoll currently teaches at Daegu University. Outside of work, he is building content for his website, SaveTheHumanz.com, and writing about climate change, social justice, and the human condition in both the nonfiction and fiction genres.
October 2018
Writing for GN allowed me access to people, ideas, and interactions that I otherwise would not have
My work with GN has also allowed me to share something of myself with its readers, the community of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do. Any nonfiction writer that you follow, be it Malcolm Gladwell, Naomi Klein, Matt Taibbi, or any other, provides you with information about topics of interest to you (and them). More importantly, you read a given writer because you like their style, storytelling ability, and unique narrative voice. By the same token, GN allowed me to present information to you, as well as develop my writing voice. It is an honor to have my articles and op-eds about electric cars, organic foods, green architecture, peace, conflict, love,
dogs, and politics in print (go to: https://gwangjunewsgic.com/author/ douglas-baumwoll/).
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
I am delighted to have been invited to share an article in this month’s celebratory edition of the Gwangju News (GN). I can honestly claim that having been a writer for GN has enriched my life greatly. Over the course of about two years, I wrote or edited some 20 feature articles and op-eds, perhaps 25,000 words in all. The required work – creative thinking, critical thinking, interaction with the public, interviews, writing, and collaboration with editors – developed me as a writer, a person, and a member of society. The writing added purpose to my personal life, and more importantly provided creativity to it. Although I wrote nonfiction articles, creativity entered my daily life: the creation of thousands of words of articles from nothingness, of relationships with subjects and editors where before none existed, of thoughts and hopefully enjoyment in the minds and psyches of the readers, and of a sense of belonging to a community.
experienced. I was able to interview and pick the brains of many interesting people as a “member of the press,” as one interviewee put it. Moreover, I usually prepare about four to six hours before conducting an interview, and as a result of this exercise, I learn. A lot. This expands my human experience, whether the subject is the former First Lady of Korea, Lee Hui-ho; the mayor of the historic city of Bethlehem, Anton Salman; the director of marketing for the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra; or more mundanely, a local person of interest. Both the research and the face-to-face time spent interviewing are a life-building experience for me.
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Blast from the Past
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
A choice sampling of our readers’ favorite articles from the past 100 issues!
7080 Chungjang-ro Recollection Festival Written by Marion Gregory Photographs courtesy of Chungjang-ro Festival Organizing Committee Originally published November 2010 #105
O
n a typical day Chungjang-ro 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. 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 once-famous area. This year was no exception, as the seventh annual 7080
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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. “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.” 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 streetfront 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. 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
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▲ Fun activities to be had during the Chungjang-ro Festival.
Jeollanamdo’s farming culture was also showcased, with a rice harvest dance performed amongst fake riceplants. The warmth of the country was on display as the band and dancers wound their way through the fake rice field.
Further down the street was an international market consisting of tents displaying the foods and goods of a
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A fourth stage was located near the post 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.
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. 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 Center is completed in 2014.
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three stages where Korean cultural dances and songs were performed alongside contemporary pieces.
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The History of Gwangju Written by An Se-in, in cooperation with Hong Chang-woo Photographs courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Originally published March 2014 #145
W
hat is Gwangju? Gwangju has been called the city of Uihyang (의향), Yehyang (예향), and Mihyang (미향). From the Imjin War (1592–1598) to the May 18 Democratic Movement (1980), Gwangju has taken pride in being a righteous city (Uihyang), growing as a city internationally renowned for its commitment to human rights. As a city of art (Yehyang), Gwangju is the home of artists such as Im Bang-ul, who was a master singer of pansori, and Korean painter Heo Baek-ryeon. Gwangju is also the host city of the Biennale, which has been drawing attention from contemporary artists across the world. Finally, Gwangju is well-known for delicious cuisine (Mihyang), not least for its annual World Kimchi Culture Festival.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
The history of Gwangju started in prehistory. Human artifacts from the Stone Age, as well as from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, have been discovered in its region. Many examples of the “jar burial,” a unique style of tomb, have been discovered in Gwangju–Yeongsan River area. The Samhan states (Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan) eventually developed in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Of those three states, Gwangju belonged to Mahan. After that period, the three ancient kingdoms Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla were established, and Gwangju came under the control of Baekje (18–660 CE). At that time, Gwangju was called Mujinju. In 660 CE, Silla joined hands with the Tang of ancient China and unified the three kingdoms. In Unified Silla, Gwangju remained Mujinju for a while, but eventually changed its name to Muju. At the end of the Silla Dynasty, many new powers rose up and began the Later Three Kingdoms Period. In 892, Kyeon Hweon established posts in Baekje, based in Jeolla areas like Jeonju and Muju. The three kingdoms were finally reunified by Goryeo in 936. During the Goryeo Dynasty, the name Gwangju began to be used for the first time in 940, but often changed to various other names due to elevations or degradations of the city’s status.
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In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire invaded Goryeo. At the time, Goryeo’s government was dominated by military officials called Musin. Because of the endless war and the Musin’s exploitation, many revolts occurred across the country. In Gwangju, Lee Yeon-nyeon rebelled against his people’s harsh treatment (1237). Goryeo continuously stood against the Mongols, but had to surrender in the end. However, Sam-byeol-cho, leader of the Musin government’s special forces, fought against the Mongolian army to the last (1270-1273). His men rose up in Ganghwa Island and then moved to Jindo Island in modern South Jeolla Province, influencing the Gwangju area. After the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, the name of Gwangju continued to be used, but just as in the Goryeo period it frequently changed. Since Gwangju rests in a large plain and is located at a traffic point, it was rich in agricultural products, and trading was brisk. Through the Joseon era, Gwangju became known as a town of loyal troops and Confucian scholars called Salim. New groups of Confucian trscholars influenced the progress of Neo-Confucianism in the Honam region. Arguments between Lee Hwang and Ki Dae-seung, particularly over explanations for the Neo-Confucian idea of sa-dan-chiljung, had important influence on Confucian ideas. As a Gwangju scholar, Ki Dae-seung put emphasis on practice rather than theory. This period was a prime time for Confucianism and literature in Gwangju. During the Imjin War, Ko Gyeong-myeong and Kim Deok-ryeong led loyal troops from the Gwangju region and played an important role in the war. South Jeolla was also the region where Admiral Yi Sun-shin famously defeated the Japanese navy. In 1894, the Donghak (Eastern Learning) Peasantry Movement occurred in Jeolla as a response to imperialist countries coercing Joseon to open its ports to trade. Son Hwa-jung was one of three key figures of the Donghak Uprising in Gwangju. Even though the rebellion against
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▲ Clockwise from top left: Songjeong Station in 1951; Gwangju River in 1965; the site of Chonnam National University in 1959, and current location of Gwangju U-Square Terminal in 1969.
Japanese influence and the feudal system ended in failure, it was an important historic event. Gwangju was designated as the provincial capital of South Jeolla in 1896. Thereafter most public institutions were moved from the former capital of Naju to Gwangju.
After Korea gained independence, Gwangju developed
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As the central city of the Honam area from old times, Gwangju has become one of the six metropolitan cities of Korea. In the future, Gwangju hopes to be a host city for international sports, since Gwangju is going to host the Summer Universiade in 2015. It also plans to be a hub city of Asian culture, building its Asia Culture Center in the downtown area.
October 2018
Nevertheless, Gwangju played an important role in the era’s independence movement. There were huge demonstrations during the March 1 Movement of 1919 and during the Student’s Independence Movement in November, 1929, which started in Gwangju and spread throughout the country. To commemorate this, November 3 is designated as a memorial day for the Student’s Independence Movement.
Last but not least, the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement exploded in 1980, a strong representation of the Uihyang spirit. After President Park Chung-hee was assassinated and Chun Doo-hwan seized power by coup, only Gwangju refused to cease demonstrating in the face of martial law. Students and citizens of Gwangju fought against the ROK Army, resulting in a lot of casualties. This is why May means a lot to Gwangju and Korea.
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During the Japanese occupation (1910–1945), the size of Gwangju grew and grew, since a lot of modern urban facilities like banks, schools, a train station, and hospitals were built. Under the banner of modernization, however, the Japanese also destroyed traditional roads and buildings.
in many new ways. From 1946 to 1958, 94 schools and two universities (Chonnam National University and Chosun University) were established, as well as courts, a newspaper company, and a broadcasting station. The population of Gwangju rose rapidly from 50,000 in 1939 to nearly 500,000 in 1970.
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U-Square
More Than a Terminal Written and photographed by Marley Heckner
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Originally published February 2016 #168
I
am sure that everyone who lives in Gwangju has at least heard of the U-Square Gwancheon Bus Terminal. I would even hazard a guess that everyone has been there at least once. The bus terminal itself is a great way to explore Korea. Every major location in Korea, as well as many minor locations, are just a bus ride away. I have never seen the ticket price to any destination exceed 30,000 won. I know many who like to take the KTX when traveling, but I prefer the ease of the bus, for example, to Seoul. If you have a weekend with no plans, money to spare, and feet itching to move, visit the bus terminal. Take a moment to look at all the locations on the board and pick one. If I can do a decent day trip to Seoul, you are sure to find somewhere to explore as well.
First, while the food court and restaurants near the gates are delicious, the second floor has many more restaurants for you to enjoy. There are various styles of food present. I have read many recommendations for the buffet-style restaurant named Ashley. But even this is only scratching the surface. U-Square can easily turn into a day trip of its own. I am particularly surprised at the lack of information available about U-Square and its attraction. In fact, while writing this article, I was looking at what had been previously written. I found a stunning 100 or so words. The various activities presented here are hardly talked about on online forums. Food is easy. That can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the person, how much they like to talk and how much time they have. You can even double it if you go for lunch and dinner. But the time between
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October 2018
Grab a ticket and get on the bus. You can also stop at the restaurants or cafes that sit in front of the various gates if you have some time to wait. I feel that this is an experience
that many of us already have. But this is not all that the location has. There is so much more than meets the eye.
U-Square Terminal
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▲ Clockwise from top left: U-Square Terminal also has a CGV Cinema, a sauna to kill time before boarding the bus, and the arrival area next to Youngpoong Bookstore on the first floor.
After the movie is finished, you can wander into the arcade. I am an arcade soul at heart. I hardly ever resist the call to spend all of my spare change on racing games, air hockey, and DDR. This arcade is one of the largest I have seen in Gwangju and even has private norebang singing rooms many of us secretly eye.
After all of your activities, while heavily laden with bags, you eat a big dinner. You still do not want to go home, so you feel like treating yourself to relaxation. U-Square can provide! U-Square has its own jjimjilbang (sauna), which has good reviews. I love jjimjilbangs, and I certainly cannot wait to try this one.
Arcades are not for everyone, so for those with a more “refined” soul can make their way to one of the two different art exhibits, Kumho Art Hall or Dongsan Art Hall. Both are remarkable in their own ways. Sometimes the art is of a performance variety, and sometimes you can
I have not explored everything there is to offer, and I have heard whispers of things I cannot find, such as the History Hall. When I return from vacation, perhaps I will get lost in the building and find it then.
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There is still more to be found. If you want to get your shopping on, U-Square has one of the largest bookstores in Gwangju, easily found near the bus gates. The bookstore even has a decent selection of English books. U-Square is also located right next to an E-Mart, a Shinsaegae Department Store, and the Kumho World Electronics Market.
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slowly stroll through. I know that nothing is permanent here, so it is all about timing.
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meals? You can easily do a time-consumer and go see a movie. U-Square has CGV and IMAX movie theaters. Even better, they have a 4DX movie theatre. I personally experienced 4DX for the first time with the new Star Wars movie. The seats move in ways that are reminiscent of a rollercoaster and a massage chair. You are sprayed with water, scents are released, and you are shaken and stirred, all playing along with the 3D movie in front of you. I would highly recommend trying it, if you are not prone to motion sickness.
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Unsung Heroes Written by Adam Volle Photographed by Mark Eaton
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Originally published July 2013 #137
T
he issue is a song. Ever since its creation as a funeral song for the heroes of the May 18 Democratic Movement in 1980, “Marching Song for Our Loved Ones” (“임을 위한 행진곡”) has been an anthem for Korean pro-democracy activists. It is traditionally the official song of the annual memorial service, sung by everyone in attendance. This year, however, the Ministry of Patriots and Veteran Affairs made the decision not to offer the ritual singalong. Instead, the Seoul Royal Symphony Orchestra and the Incheon City Opera Chorus did the honors. Many believe that President Park Geun-hye’s presence at the service is the reason why organizers gave the song to this group. By doing so, President Park was not put in a position where she was expected to sing along to music she may have found offensive. The resulting controversy has shown that even 33 years after “5/18,” Koreans are still very divided and sensitive about the subject. That may come as a surprise to foreigners. After all, the story of Gwangju’s resistance against South Korea’s last dictator is commemorated with its own national holiday. But although the rightness of Gwangju’s past struggle is now accepted in Korean popular culture, it must be remembered that both of the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) major political parties are descended from the two sides of the earlier conflict. The more conservative Saenuri Party is the newest version of the Democratic Republican and Democratic Justice parties that ruled the Republic by military force during 1961–1987, although it is far more moderate than its predecessors. Likewise, the center-left Democratic Party (called the Democratic United Party in 2012) is the party of choice for almost everyone from the Jeolla provinces who fought the ROK Army in Gwangju.
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Just as the Saenuri Party is not as right-wing as its fascist forerunners, today’s average Democratic Party member is not as left-wing as many of the university students and poor workers were who formed the center of the uprising. While not communist as some claim, many 5/18 protesters spoke of the minjung (essentially “the proletariat,” the wage-earning class in capitalist societies). As the “Marching Song” lyrics show, they even sometimes called each other dongji, the Korean word for “comrade.” Three such activists wrote “Marching Song for Our Loved Ones:” Baek Gi-wa (poet), Hwang Seok-young (lyrics), and Kim Jong-rul (rhythm beats). Shortly after the slaughter in Gwangju, Baek wrote a poem in honor of Yun Sang-won, the young activist who organized Gwangju’s last stand against ROK paratroopers on May 27. Hwang, a famous writer, adapted the poem into song lyrics. Kim put those lyrics to music, and “Marching Song for Our Loved Ones” debuted at Yun Sang-won’s wedding to another victim of the violence (an old Korean custom: unmarried dead are wed posthumously, so their spirits do not feel unfulfilled and haunt the living). The song’s popularity spread from there, despite the government banning it. By 1987, both liberals and moderate conservatives were singing it together on the streets of Seoul. If the song was appreciated during the pro-democracy movement, why do many conservatives dislike it now? Part of the answer is simple politics. Once they accomplished their common goal of a new constitution for the country in 1987, moderate conservatives and liberals split again, and it stopped being in the interests of conservatives to pay tribute to liberal heroes. While politics only explain the reluctance of some to sing the song, the unhappiness regarding its performance by others is a different matter. Some conservatives feel
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47 that the song is an annoyingly insensitive and a divisive reminder of earlier conservative fascism (imagine if American soldiers in today’s Japan started to ritually sing “Remember Pearl Harbor” or other World War II songs about defeating the Japanese).
minimize the event, at worst. They say not all memorials are made of stone. Singing “Marching Song” is one way Gwangju remembers the fallen. Right or wrong, the song’s advocates say downplaying it feels like telling residents to forget Gwangju’s sacrifices – and that they will not do.
Others feel that “Marching Song” is an anti-government song that might have been good to sing while South Korea lacked democracy, but that it is inappropriate for progressives and labor groups to sing at their meetings now, especially if they do not also sing the national anthem. These are the points President Park made when she said at this year’s service, “The goal is to merge different views from all parts of society and use this as the foundation… I believe the spirit of the May 18 Movement should be sublimated to national integration and happiness.”
About 2,000 people attended 2013’s ceremony. That number left some empty chairs. Many Gwangju residents chose not to attend because of the demotion of the “Marching Song.” In addition to the Mayor of Gwangju, however, the Mayor of Daegu and the Chair of the Daegu City Council both did attend, the first-time leaders of the conservative Gyeongsang region. President Park’s appearance is also the first by an occupant of the Blue House in five years. No one sang, but their presence suggests South Korea really can “transcend regional differences and pain,” as they have once already. It is a shame though that the song which conservatives and liberals sang together then is dividing them now.
For their part, some Gwangju residents think conservatives are being too sensitive, at best, or trying to
TRAVEL www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
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English in Korea: A Look Back Written by Dr. David Shaffer
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Originally published April 2013 #134
T
he year was 1971, Park Chung-hee’s Third Republic, and Kim Daejung had just shocked President Park by almost beating him in the presidential election. It was then that this writer came to Korea and began to witness the many changes that have taken place in all facets of Korea. Not least among these have been the changes that have occurred in the area of English education, aspects of which are the topic of discussion here. ENGLISH, ENGLISH EVERYWHERE English, in its written form, at least, seems pretty much ubiquitous in Korea. A walk through Seoul’s Myeongdong district will quickly confirm this. It is quite difficult to find a storefront sign that is not in English. Brand names, whether foreign or Korean, appear in English. This was not the case forty years ago. Then, the same Myeongdong area sported an English sign here and there. Many signs were in Hangeul, but many more were in Chinese characters, which were thought of as being more formal than Hangeul. The English appearing on storefront windows was usually not intended to be read, but merely there to indicate that the wares inside were quality products (suggesting that they were foreign-made). Similar to signboards, the newspapers and magazines of four decades past carried very little in English other than an occasional initialism or acronym of a proper name such as “UN” or “CIA.” Because of the abundance of Chinese characters used in 1970s’ newspapers, the college student of today would not be able to read them. English loanwords, too, were then a meager portion of the Korean vocabulary, in stark contrast to the inundation we see and hear today, over 20% by some counts.
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▲ Early English textbooks.
THE ENGLISH CLASSROOM The comforts and conveniences of today’s classrooms are taken for granted. The air-conditioning, central heating, and even the computer are all commonplace. The coal briquette- or sawdust-fueled potbelly stove of the ’70s failed to keep out the winter cold just as the electric fan failed at bringing the classroom down to room temperature. Classrooms were larger then, holding 60–70 high school students, compared to the 30–40 of today. The single fan or heater per classroom was no match for the extremes in temperature. Language learning materials are readily available for use in today’s classroom – games, activity sheets, songs, storybooks, readers, PowerPoint presentation capabilities, and an internet connection that opens up the world of resources to the classroom. The classroom of the early ’70s, however, was pretty much barebones, containing little more than the students’ textbooks and activity books, and if lucky, a cassette tape recorder with dialogue tapes to listen to and repeat after. Study conditions were much less comfortable and study materials and equipment were much less available. THE ENGLISH TEACHER The public school English teacher in Korea today is quite lucky in that there are a wide variety of in-service training programs available, both during vacation time and during the school term. Transportation and lodging expenses are provided, as are those for trips abroad for training. The school teacher is more traveled and has an international awareness. They have satisfactory communicative English skills and are versed in a variety of teaching methodologies. However, they still favor outdated, inefficient methods that may be helpful in raising student scores on standardized examinations in their test-driven world but do very little to raise their level of English skills.
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▲ A typical Korean high school classroom in the 1970s.
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THE NEST The native English-speaking teacher (NEST) of the 1970s was quite a different person than the NEST of today and was found in far fewer numbers. Back then, there were a scattered few native-speaker missionaries teaching at Christian schools, but the common NEST was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer teaching at the middle school or university level for a two-year period of service. The Peace Corps NEST was typically a recent college graduate with no TEFL training other than the basics received in Peace Corps training. Today, NESTs of various nationalities are found at every level of public and private English education, and qualifications required for employment are constantly rising with the increasing availability of distance TESOL certificate and degree programs. A lot has changed on the English education scene between the time of President Park Chung-hee and that of his daughter President Park Geun-hye, and I expect the changes to continue at an accelerating pace in the future.
October 2018
THE ENGLISH STUDENT The secondary school student of the ’70s was much like the student of today in that they were both overworked and sleep-deprived due to study for school examinations and ultimately the college entrance examination, on which English, Korean, and mathematics were tested. Today’s student began English in the third year of elementary school, but likely studied at a language school or kindergarten at an earlier age. The student of the ’70s began English study in middle school. Language school English study is now common throughout the primary and secondary school years; study abroad is becoming more and more common. But in the ’70s, the English hagwon was a rarity and study abroad an impossibility.
The importance of English for testing purposes has continued to provide external motivation for the English student, but it is only the more recent learner who more clearly sees how English ability can impact their future.
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The English teacher of the ’70s had very little contact with English in use and only limited communicative skills. Their English pronunciation, still bearing a strong influence of the Japanese colonial period, was far from native-like. “This is a book” sounded more like “Disu iju booku.” Teaching methods relied heavily on translation with grammar and vocabulary explanation. However, the English teacher was motivated, and was recognized as the brightest and most able of teachers, as English was considered the most difficult of subjects.
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Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition
“The Deadly 4” Written by Stephen Redeker
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
Originally published January 2012 #119
▲ Chinese characters for “Death” (left) and the number “Four” (right), both pronounced “sah.”
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o you believe in “unlucky” numbers? In some Western countries, the number 13 is considered to be bad luck. It is often avoided and even the 13th day of the month, if it falls on a Friday, is considered to be an unlucky day. Sufferers of triskaidekaphobia are scared of anything labeled “13.” In the United States, the two-dollar bill was phased out because people believed using them brought bad luck. They are still printed, but are only available by request at the bank. On the flip side, the number seven is considered a “lucky” number, especially evident at casinos where a seven is a good dice roll at the craps table or a “777” at the slot machines wins the jackpot. Nowadays, seven has been adopted as a lucky number in Korea. Traditionally, the number three was considered good luck. In Korea, the number 4 is considered to be bad luck. It goes even further; this number is believed to symbolize death itself. Unlike the unlucky number 13 (which does not have a real explanation for the bad luck), the basis behind number 4’s superstition is logical. The Chinese character for the word “death” is pronounced “sah”. This is the same sound as the Korean “four.” Because of this reason, Koreans associate the number 4 with death and thus consider it bad luck. For example, some buildings don’t have a fourth floor and they have elevators without the number 4 button (using the letter “F” instead). Table settings don’t come in sets of four, so you will find sets of two, three, or five. Also, it is customary to give monetary
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gifts but not in denominations of four: 30,000 won or 50,000 won would be acceptable, but 40,000 won could be considered impolite. The times are changing so fast in Korea, so the question about this unlucky number remains: Do Koreans still believe in this superstition? For the older generation, many still see 4 as a bad number and tend to avoid it. As for the younger Koreans, you’ll find mixed emotions on the topic. The youth are generally not as superstitious at the elders, so they see the number 4 as any other number and not worth a care. However, there are still quite a few conservative-thinking young Koreans out there who do not appreciate the appearance of this number. They might ask for no 4’s when signing up for a new phone number. They would probably be upset at reading “4:44” on the clock. While one four may not be bad, seeing “44” or more 4’s consecutively would certainly be disturbing. Even though the superstitious belief behind the number 4 is really just based on language, it’s important to understand and act accordingly. It might not be our particular belief that it brings bad luck. When dealing with our Korean friends, family, coworkers and students, let’s consider the possibility that they might not welcome that number and, by all means necessary, stick with odd numbers and avoid that dreaded “4.”
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Jeolla in Imjin Written by Won Hea Ran Painting by Byeon Bak
Originally published March 2015 #157
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Army,” it was led by five leaders: Yeong Myeong Go, Cheon Il Kim, Pyeong Ryo Yu, Gye Myeong Im, and Kyoung Hee Choi. These citizen armies were not regular forces, which meant that they had not received any orders or training from either the government or the king. Rather, they were independently created by citizens to protect the country in times of chaos. They were also crucial to national defense. Jeolla Province’s citizen army victory in Jinan helped dampen the spirit of the Japanese army in the beginning of the Imjin War. Some citizen armies went farther from the Jeolla region and tried to take back Seoul. The citizen’s army led by Kim Cheon Il headed north and stayed in Ganghwa Province, a region behind the capital, for a long time and continuously attacked the Japanese army, making them more anxious. The role of the Jeolla region overall was very important in the Imjin War. This was not only because of strategic importance, but because the people of Jeolla were united under a strong motivation to defend their country. The citizen army, in cooperation with the national army, fought so fiercely in battlefields that the strong resistance allowed Koreans to drive out Japanese invaders from their land.
October 2018
A brave citizen army in Jeolla Province brought the real hope for the region. Called “Yeonam Three Righteous
A painting of the Japanese landing at Busan.
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he year was 1592. Through Busan harbor, 160,000 Japanese soldiers invaded Korea and marched north to Korea’s capital of Seoul. It was the beginning of a long seven-year war. With only 7,000 regular soldiers available for immediate defense, it took 20 days for the Japanese to take over Korea’s capital. The Japanese continued to march north, threatening regions like Pyongan and Hampyeong. They imagined fast victory because they had easily conquered Korea’s capital Seoul, but their assumption was wrong. Hearing the news that the capital was taken, Koreans, especially the people of Jeolla Province, did not stop fighting and tried even harder to defend their homeland. Jeolla Province became an important strategic point after Seoul was taken. The region was preserved from Japanese attacks, primarily because the Japanese were more concerned with heading north, straight to the capital, than meddling with the South. Additionally, the South had long been the breadbasket of Korea. It was the region of food, weapons, and supplies, which were crucial in making counterattacks. Thus, the region acted as a base for the government’s army and the citizen army that fought against the Japanese and accepted refugees from other provinces, such as Gyeongsang Province. Loyal government officers led first counterattacks from the Jeolla region. Jeolla Provincial Governor Yi Kwang led his forces north several times to save the king and take back the capital, but many hindrances, such as rebellion, made the army withdraw. When Yi Kwang finally gathered forces and joined with other officers of the region, the army had amounted to 100,000 men. They tried to attack Seoul from behind, but the Japanese made a surprise attack the night before, greatly impacting the army. Jeolla Province’s royal forces were mostly unsuccessful, but they did not give up and tried continuously to take back the capital.
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GWANGJU NEWS 200 SPECIAL
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Prof. Shin Sangsoon Looks at a Lifetime of Korean History Written by Kyle Johnson Photograph courtesy of the Gwangju International Center Originally published December 2010 #105
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www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
ong-time Gwangju News readers know Shin Sangsoon by his pen name, 2Ys, from his column entitled Korean Way. Shin is a Gwangju native, but has spent quite a bit of time living and traveling elsewhere in Korea, Japan, and the United States. Shin has seen a lot of changes in Korea throughout his life. He was born into a Japanese-occupied Korea, but attended Waseda University in Japan before being drafted into the Japanese army during World War II. Shin returned to his home country in 1945, after the war’s conclusion and at the dawn of Korea’s newfound independence. “I was kind of loafing because I had nothing to do. But I happened to start working in a middle school, teaching English,” he said. Next, Shin taught English at a high school and worked as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Korea. Next came the Korean War, which changed everything for Shin and his fellow Koreans. “In a way, the Korean War was a turning point in my life I think, because I lived in Seoul and because of the war, I lost all my property. At that time, I was running a small printing company, but ... when U.N. forces landed
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in Incheon and retook Seoul, the North Korea occupation soldiers came to my printing company and carried away all the machines and equipment,” he said.“I was broke.” Shin took a job as an interpreter for the United Nations and traveled with the U.N. forces for a year as they made their way across present-day North Korea. He served with the U.N. forces for two more years in Gwangju, and “spent his young days” teaching English at Chonnam National University for 35 years. Shin also studied English for two years at the University of Hawaii’s East-West Center, which was created in the 1960s to link Asia and the United States. In early November of this past year, Shin met with the Gwangju News to discuss his interesting life and thoughts about current issues in Korea.
Gwangju News (GN): You mentioned studying English at the University of Hawaii’s East-West Center. I think many readers would be interested to learn more about your experiences learning English. My basic English knowledge was taught during the Japanese days. My middle school, high school, and
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53 college days were all spent under Japanese rule. Then I joined the United Nations forces and got in touch with American officers and soldiers. That’s the first that I came to learn American English. Before that, my English was British English, with a British pronunciation. After that, I was with American officers in the United Nations forces for over one year before coming to Gwangju and working with the U.N. forces here for two years. From there, I went to America (the East-West Center in Hawaii.) That’s how I came to learn English. GN: You have written for the Gwangju News for a long time. Why have you done this? Why did you think it was important? Since I am a Korean, I want many foreigners to learn something about Korea: Korean history, Korean folklore, Korean traditions, things like that. That’s why I started writing the Korean Way articles.
“Eventually, the North and South must unite. But judging from what has happened so far in the last 60 years, it might take some time.”
That creates more men with fewer girls, so men, to get married, have started taking foreign girls from Southeast Asia as wives. ... Now in the rural areas, more than 10 percent of marriages are between Korean men and
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GN: What are your thoughts about the G-20 summit? It is hard for me to know how Korea ever became one of the G-20 nations. Many social scientists think that Korea somehow managed to develop tremendously in the last several decades, and this is recognized all over the place, all over the world. ... For Korean development after the Korean War, in just 50 or 60 years, Korea rose from the ashes of the war. … So I myself am in doubt as to how Korea could became one of the G-20. GN: What do you think about reunification of North and South Korea? Are you optimistic it will happen soon? Eventually, the North and South must unite. But judging from what has happened so far in the last 60 years, it might take some time. Like the German unification, the unification may come all of a sudden. In the case of Germany, the Berlin Wall collapsed one morning and then came the unification. In Korea, [do] we have a Korean wall that can be broken one day, one night, one morning? I doubt it. Look at North Korea. Three generations of one family ruling the country, and it is communist. So this communist regime is beyond me. ... The North and South, we have the same people, the same language, the same customs, and I think we may eventually be united, but as it stands now, it is rather difficult to predict. One morning or one night, the unseen wall might collapse, but the international situation surrounding Korea may make it difficult to unite. China, for example, does not want American forces on their border line. That’s why they intervened during the Korean War, because the United Nations forces advanced north close to their border. The Chinese didn’t want that. Suppose one day, in North Korea, the government topples, and North Korean society becomes confused. Do you think South Korea can advance, can go into North Korea? China doesn’t want this. It’s a very difficult problem.
October 2018
GN: Korea is becoming a more multicultural society. Do you think there are any issues or problems that have been caused by this? Not in the distant future, but someday, we may confront a big social problem because of multicultural households. Now, especially in the rural areas, there are many single men because ... the girls go to the cities to work as a factory worker and earn more money.
GN: Why is this is a problem? These youngsters find it very difficult to find a place in society. And these youngsters produced by this multicultural family, they fail to learn the language. That’s a big problem. They drop out from school. Where do they go? So, they will create problems.
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GN: Speaking of foreigners, what misconceptions or misunderstandings do you think foreigners have about Korea? If you are in a foreign country, you come up with many things different from your own culture. People are biased with different cultures or misconceptions, things like that. And if the culture is different from yours, then you judge the differences from a good or bad point of view. Not just a difference, but good or bad. That’s not good. The culture is just different. No good, no bad. ... Cultural differences must be recognized as differences. Not value judgments, just differences.
Southeast Asian girls every year. ... This may create quite a social problem, not in the distant future. For example, there is social instability in France these days. In France, there are many immigrants from Africa, from the former French territories, they come to France and they are the source of trouble. In Korea, these 10 percent of marriages, and they create children; they may be a social problem not in the distant future. That’s a big problem.
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EDUCATION COMMUNITY
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Dog Facilities and Dog Parks Written and photographed by Faith Holdsworth
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
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here is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing people’s faces light up as they walk by my dog. Kenga is a three-and-a-half-year-old Jindo mix. As much as people seem to love seeing my pup, raising a bigger dog in Korea can come with some challenges. It is easy to only focus on the negatives when watching the news, but it is important to remember that in terms of raising pets, it is a relatively new thing in Korea, so some understanding can go a long way. I am pleased to note that in my time here, there have actually been some great improvements. Fewer small dog owners shy away, and many actually want their tiny dogs to meet my dog. People’s attitudes have definitely changed, and whilst you will still get the negative reaction, there are still many positive reactions. Not only have people’s attitudes changed towards dogs but we are seeing a big increase in the number of facilities catering to both small dogs and bigger dogs. There are a number of trainers available, one of whom I saw on her social media account actually teaching about raising and interacting with pets at a school in Hwasun. Another thing I would highly recommend for dog boarding and
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training is MungSchool in Damyang, which is convenient if you plan to go away for a while. Kenga spent the summer there whilst I was away on vacation, and I was very pleased with their service. They provide scheduled outdoor playtime with the other dogs there and separate them by size. They are well monitored and even send you photo and video updates.
”Not only have people’s attitudes changed towards dogs but we are seeing a big increase in the number of facilities catering to both small dogs and bigger dogs.” Recently in the last few years, there has been more demand for dog parks, and we have seen them popping up a lot more. Now there are at least eleven that I know of in Gwangju and the Jeollanam-do area. Most of these parks also provide dog boarding as well as daycare. They are, however, privately owned, so they do have an entrance fee that varies from park to park. Some will charge for
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▲ Soop Cafe in Hwasun, where dogs of all sizes can mix.
both the owner and the dog, and some will charge for just the dog, but you need to buy a drink. Some will charge extra for pool facilities, while others do not charge extra. Despite the fact that you have to pay, I believe it is worth it, as they do provide facilities for you to use such as toilets, seating areas, and a coffee shop or café. For the cost of a cup of coffee, you can stay there for as long as you like. It really is important to socialize your dog as early as possible. These dog parks are the place for that.
If you wish to find out more about these places, you can find a detailed list on the Gwangju Pets Facebook page where I created a list of all of the dog facilities that I have come across. If you have found any that I have not found, please feel free to edit and add to the document.
The Author
Faith currently lives in Gwangju and teaches English at Chosun University. She likes to spend her free time with her best friend and Jindo mix, Kenga.
October 2018
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Obviously, the main problem with getting to these parks is transportation. One park called Country Mung Mung is near the subway line in Pyeong-dong, so that would be very convenient for those without a car. This park, however, has two separate fields for big dogs and small dogs. If this is still not an option for you, there are now at least two pet taxis in Gwangju, Gwangju Pet Taxi and Dog School Bus. Using pet taxis, however, can become costly, so if possible, I would recommend you get a car, especially if you have a big dog. Kenga was the reason I learned to drive, and I do not regret it at all. It is one of the best decisions I have made for her as now we are able to go to so many places together.
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Before going to any of the dog parks, do check if they have a size limit. Some parks are more restrictive, whereas others allow the dogs to mix or provide separate fields for big and small dogs. In my opinion, it is better to try and socialize with dogs of all sizes, so going to parks that allow them to mix is beneficial for training your dog. A great place for this is Gwangju Animal Theme Park, which is close to Naju. The owner is fantastic with dogs and clearly understands dog behavior. Another great café for mixing with big dogs is Soop in Hwasun. They own a German shepherd, a Labrador, and some smaller dogs. They also have a cat, so check that your dog is okay with cats before unleashing it; that way, if they need to take the cat away, they can. In Hwasun, there is another beautiful dog park called DodamDodam, which is my favorite; however, it is only open to bigger dogs on Thursdays. The owners are really good with dogs and actually raise a lot of small dogs there, as well as a pony. This is my favorite as it overlooks the lake and is a beautiful place to relax and for your dog to socialize. Vintage 399 also allows dogs to mix together and play. If you want to stay within Gwangju and have smaller dogs, there is a beautiful dog park in Bukgu called GaeguJaengi.
There is also another park in Namwon that is a free government-run park. All you need to enter is for your dog to be registered and to have the number of your microchip. Hopefully, with the increased popularity of pets, we will see more of these parks pop up in the future.
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56 56 5656 Lost in Gwangju
That Other Creepy Gwangju Hospital
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
COMMUNITY TRAVEL
Written and photographed by Isaiah Winters
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wangju is home to interesting eyesores of various sizes and vintages. Among them, few are larger, older, and have a better story to tell than Seojin Hospital (서진병원) in Juwol-dong, Namgu. This 12-story concrete shell is one of those desolate behemoths that, once seen, cannot be unseen. Its bleak exterior’s only embellishment is a colorblind rainbow of purple, peach, golden-brown, white, army green, baby vomit green, and rusty gold – a testament to the technicolor hell-scape that was the 1980s. The whole thing assaults the eyes and begs answers to the who, what, when, where, why, and how of it all.
As a preface, it’s important to note that Seojin Hospital isn’t the same as the well-known Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, a supposedly haunted site located in a city just outside of Seoul that also happens to be called Gwangju. The latter hospital was featured in the 2018 Korean horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum and was included among CNN’s 7 of the freakiest places on the planet back in 2012. The international attention has become a nuisance for nearby residents, something my friend and fellow urban explorer Ron wrote about in The Korea Times back in April. Seojin Hospital, by contrast, isn’t well known and doesn’t have any ghostly backstory, but it does have a shocking history intertwined with the embezzlement of 100 billion won and a school’s failure to address wide-scale sexual harassment of high school girls, making it that other creepy Gwangju hospital. Construction on Seojin Hospital began in 1982 and was officially suspended in 1988 due to “financial difficulties” on the part of the owner (more on him soon). Originally, the hospital was intended to be an affiliate of Seonam University’s College of Medicine, but that clearly never panned out. According to one
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source, the unfinished block of concrete and rebar was so hideous that Gwangju City decided to paint it using taxpayer money so that it wouldn’t hurt the city’s image during a certain international competition (possibly the 1988 Olympics or the 2002 World Cup, though the article doesn’t specify).[1] In the end, Seojin Hospital was only one minor part of a far larger house of cards brought down by the serial embezzlement of education kingpin Lee Hong-ha. Born in Goheung and a graduate of Chosun University, Lee rose to prominence in the 1980s after he founded a few private high schools in Gwangju and Naju, including Daegwang Girls’ High School (대광여자고등학교) and Seojin Girls’ High School (서진여자고등학교) in Juwol-dong, Nam-gu. Bit by bit, the ambitious Lee would embezzle tuition fees to help build the adjacent monstrosity that is Seojin Hospital. However, the hospital seems to have become an afterthought once Lee decided to focus his attention on still more ambitious projects: full-on universities. He would eventually build six of them, half of which are now defunct. To gather the enormous sums needed to found entire universities, Lee would play a financial shell game whereby he’d first embezzle tuition fees from his private high schools and then use those monies to set up a university. The tuition fees collected from the incoming university students would then be embezzled again to start yet another university, with some of the funds going back to the original high schools. Half a dozen universities and over 100 billion won’s worth of embezzlement later, the scheme finally caught up to Lee when, in 2012, he was arrested and sentenced to nine years (and later an additional six months) in Gwangju Prison.
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October 2018
Seojin Hospital’s colorblind rainbow in all its glory.
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October 2018
The hulking façade of Seojin Hospital with its colorblind rainbow unfurled.
The façade of Seojin Hospital with a view of the main street out front.
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59 Among the latest updates on Lee is a story from August 2015, when he had to visit the intensive care unit at Chonnam National University Hospital after getting badly beaten up by another inmate. For some unknown reason, the fellow prisoner fractured the then 77-year-old’s upper and lower jaws and a right-side rib, in addition to leaving him with a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by head trauma. During his treatment, Lee was also found to have peritoneal bleeding caused by liver damage.[2] In short, things aren’t looking up for Lee these days. But the story doesn’t end there. In late August of this year, JTBC, one of South Korea’s major broadcasting companies, aired an investigative report on Lee’s “cartel of silence” (침묵의 카르텔), which involved the ensnarement of teachers in his embezzlement schemes and a massive failure to address the extensive sexual harassment taking place at one of his high schools. The episode, hosted by journalist Lee Gyu-yeon on the show Spotlight (스포트라이트), examines Lee’s “cartel” in great detail and is the main source for much of the information in this article.[3] The episode explains that in order to raise additional funds for his numerous development projects, Lee would (often successfully) pressure some of his teachers to take out bank loans and then hand the money off to him. This made many teachers reluctant to raise red flags over Lee’s misappropriation of school funds, as they were now complicit in his embezzlement schemes. In turn, when it later became apparent that numerous teachers were notorious for sexually harassing their students, no corrective actions were taken – hence the “cartel of silence.”
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To learn that all of this has been taking place within the hulking, 30-year-old shadow of Seojin Hospital has come as a surprise, to put it mildly. Though admittedly it’s an ugly husk of a building, I’ll never look at the place with the same apathy as before. Sources
[1] Pak Yeong-rae. (2017, April 18). “30년 도심 흉물” 광주 서진병원 처리 더 꼬여가네. Retrieved from the News 1 Korea website:
http://news1.kr/articles/?2969711 [2] Hyeong Minu & Son Sangwon. (2015, August 22). “사학비리” 이홍하 교도소서 동료 재소자에 맞아 중상(종합). Retrieved from the Yonhap News website: http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2 015/08/22/0200000000AKR20150822042451054.HTML [3] Lee Gyu-yeon. (2018, August 30). 이규연의 스포트라이트 162 회 다시보기 [Video]. Retrieved from the JTBC website: http:// vod.jtbc.joins.com/player/program/ep20027215 [4] Jeong Dae-ha. (2018, September 17). 남성 교사 38명 중 18 명이 가해…광주 모 여고 “스쿨 미투.” Retrieved fron the Hankyoreh website: https://www.msn.com/ko-kr/news/national/남성교사-38명-중-18명이-가해…광주-모-여고-‘스쿨-미투’/ar-BBNqTlo [5] Park Jun-bae. (2017, June 6). 학교 통학로 통행금지까지… 서진병원 부지 갈등 “확산.” Retrieved from the News 1 Korea website: http://news1.kr/articles/?3013619
The Author
Originally from Southern California, Isaiah Winters first came to Gwangju in 2010. He recently returned to South Korea after completing his MA in Eastern Europe and is currently the chief proofreader for the Gwangju News. He enjoys writing, political science, and urban exploring.
October 2018
In light of the #MeToo movement that has recently been sweeping through much of South Korea, and thanks to Lee’s imprisonment, there’s been a bit of wiggle room for school reforms. For example, a survey was conducted in the summer by the Gwangju Metropolitan City’s Office of Education in conjunction with school officials to identify
As for Seojin Hospital itself, the property was auctioned off in 2016 to a real estate investment company for 4.5 billion won. A wrinkle has since emerged over the small, two-way road which runs through the auctioned property and is the only way for transporting the 1,800 students to school. The winning bidder has filed a lawsuit against Lee’s company, Hongbok Academy (홍복학원), seeking nearly 7 million won per month for the road’s use, in addition to 319 million won to cover the hospital’s demolition.[5] That little slice of litigation heaven is about as much of the ongoing fiasco as I can fit in this article.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Allegations from students include jarring accounts of certain teachers repeatedly engaging in lewd conduct, such as bawdy humor, inappropriate touching, and rumors of worse. According to the Spotlight report, even graduates from 6-7 years prior came up with similar names of teachers who were the worst harassers. Far from being purely passive in their mistreatment, one group of students is said to have written a letter of appeal to a particularly egregious teacher with intent to release it to a broadcaster, but the teacher caught wind of things and threatened to give the students bad comments in their student record books, which could have derailed their hopes for higher education. In fact, the fear of getting a bad student record for speaking out has made the process of gathering student testimonies a challenge.
the most culpable teachers, 16 of whom have already been fired. Following this, a police investigation uncovered three additional teachers worthy of blame. In total, two of these 19 teachers have been arrested. The police have said that about 70 percent of the 180 students involved with the investigation have come forward and offered testimonies. [4] As this is an ongoing case, hopefully more students will feel confident enough to come forward so justice can be fully meted out.
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www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
FOOD & DRINKS
60 Where to Eat
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Lunch with “Mr. JJO’s” Written and photographed by Sarah Pittman
O
ver by the Megabox downtown, hidden in a mint green stairwell, is an unassuming restaurant named Mr. JJO’s. Or is it Prima Neve? One thing that happens quite often in Korea, it seems, is that there is a confusing mix of names for certain places, this tasty restaurant included. The signs outside and the dishes say Prima Neve, whereas the menu says Mr. JJO’s. All I want to say, though, is that it is very, very tasty. Inside the restaurant, the decor is a mix of warm woods and black cast iron, making for a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying fall or winter weather. All of the tables are either for four people or more, so do not feel embarrassed about taking the swings next to the window; it is my new favorite spot.
The dishes were delivered to the table in quick succession, each piping hot. The pasta was delivered to the table first, twirled into a delicious mountain with steam floating above it. The pomodoro sauce was quite oily, mixed with a little bit of cheese, steamed broccoli, and cooked grape tomato halves, with the pasta just past al dente.
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Because I had so much food in front of me, I ate half of the pizza in the restaurant and took the other half home. Prima Neve charges 1,000 won for a pizza take-out box, and they do not have any boxes for other entrees! Therefore, if you order a dish at Prima Neve, you should be ready to finish it at the table. Overall, the restaurant is quite cute and the food is well made. It is a great spot to relax on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy some Italian comfort food. MR. JJO’S PASTA 쪼아저씨네파스타 Address: 15-8 Jungang-ro 160 beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju (next to Paik’s Coffee) 광주 동구 중앙로160번길 15-8
Telephone: 062-234-8786
The Author
Sarah lives in Gwangju with her boyfriend and her dog. She enjoys long Netflix binges of cooking shows and documentaries. She also dabbles in drawing, painting, knitting, sewing, and the odd Pinterest craft of the month.
October 2018
The next dish was the beef tenderloin. It was served with a wilted lettuce salad, kimchi rice with laver, and 150 grams of wet-aged beef tenderloin. When a meat is wet-aged, it can be quite difficult to tell the doneness of the meat by color alone. My guess would be that it was somewhere between medium rare and medium. The wilted lettuce salad with mushrooms was quite nice, adding a much needed contrast to the meat. However, I could not stomach the kimchi rice with laver. The laver
The Margherita pizza was the last dish to the table, and it was amazing, especially considering the price tag! It definitely was not a traditional Margherita with mozzarella and basil, unfortunately. The cheese was still mozzarella, with shredded instead of round slices, and instead of basil, it came with slices of tomatoes on top. It was about eight inches (20 centimeters) around, with a crispy thin crust. The dough was obviously handmade, with air bubbles that had popped and charred on the crust while it baked.
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Their menu ranges from around 9,000 won for a variety of pasta or pizza dishes, to 18,000 won for beef tenderloin delivered hissing and searing in a pan. I decided to try their pasta pomodoro, a tasty vegetarian option, and their pan-seared beef tenderloin. At Prima Neve, if you order two entrees, they will add a free personal-sized pizza for free, so I also tried their Margherita pizza.
made the side dish extremely salty and things would have been much better without it.
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www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
EDUCATION FOOD & DRINKS
62 Korean Food
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Dak-bokkeum-tang Spicy Chicken Stew Written by Joe Wabe Photographed by Maangchi
O
ctober brings some of the best weather in Korea. The heat and rain are gone, and we enter a few weeks of sunny, cool, and windy climate. It’s the perfect time to go out for a hike and get a glimpse of the upcoming foliage. Mudeung Mountain, for those living in Gwangju, is an ideal spot for hikers. The many wellknown hiking paths to the top attract many mountain-goers during this charming season.
It’s almost a ritual after an arduous hike to make a final stop at one of the many dak-bokkeum-tang (닭볶음탕) restaurants located at the entrance of Mudeung National Park and recharge with a delightful and appetizing plate full of spicy chicken and potatoes. This spicy chicken stew with beautiful red pepper sauce comes with a bit of sweetness that’ll get your mood going for the fall.
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Instructions In a pot at medium heat, add one tablespoon of sesame oil, along with the chicken, potatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger, and stirfry for about seven minutes. Add the pepper paste, stirring it for another two to three minutes until all ingredients have turned red. Slowly add the soy sauce followed by the sugar and stir for about five minutes. Make sure the heat is not too high so it won’t burn. While stirring, start adding the water slowly. When all the water has been added, add one tablespoon of red pepper powder and the green onions, and close the lid. Let it cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and cooked. Add the sesame seeds for garnish. If you happen to have a cold beer in the fridge, serve it in a glass and get ready to enjoy one of the best dishes of the season!
The Author
Joe Wabe is an established photographer and Gwangju local business entrepreneur. He has been contributing to the GIC and the Gwangju News for more than eight years.
October 2018
Ingredients • 1 full chicken cut into small pieces • 6 medium-sized potatoes cut into big chunks
4–5 garlic cloves 1 carrot cut into big chunks 1/2 large onion cut into big chunks 2–3 thinly sliced ginger pieces 1 green onion cut into two-inch lengths 2 tablespoons of red pepper paste 1 tablespoon of red pepper powder 2 tablespoons of soy sauce 1 tablespoon of sesame oil 1 tablespoon of brown sugar 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds 2 cups of water
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The stew is also well known as dak-toritang (닭도리탕); however, according to the National Institute of Korean Language, the word tori might have come from the Japanese word for “bird,” and therefore isn’t pure Korean. So to follow the present trend of using pure Korean forms rather than old Japanese borrowings, we should use bokkeum, which means “stir-fried.” And since the recipe calls for some stir frying before boiling, dak-bokkeum-tang is even more descriptive.
• • • • • • • • • • • •
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October 2018
ARTS& &ACTIVITIES CULTURE SPORTS
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How To Rejuvenate in Nature: Slow Down Written by Jonathan Blaney Photographed by Annalise Reinhardt and Jonathan Blaney
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ver the past five years working as a nature educator with children and adults, I have seen so many people radically transform within one week of an overnight wilderness program. I personally have grown and learned so much from nature that I consider nature to be one of the greatest teachers and healers I have ever had. After one particular program I facilitated about three years ago, a participant handed me a thank-you note that read, “This week was the first time I felt my soul become alive.” This group was from Foshan, China, and many of the kids had never camped in their lives. I have often seen this happen, where adults and children alike will come to a program in nature, with no cell phones or screen interaction of any kind, and learn wilderness survival and nature connection skills. And at the end of the week, they are beaming, often with tears of joy in their eyes, saying, “I really needed this,” or “This was the most fun week of my life.” Why does nature have this effect on us? While the exact scientific reason has not been found, the reproducible results of the benefits of nature from years of scientific and psychological research are staggering. With the stresses and demands of modern society, we often spend great amounts of time indoors and in front of screens, which leads to public health issues such as obesity and depression. Researchers even found that people who lived within a half mile of green spaces had lower rates of depression, anxiety, heart disease,
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▲ Two shotgun shells wait to hit their target.
and many other health ailments. Studies have also shown that after a 15-minute walk in the woods, cortisone levels, the hormone that causes stress, are reduced by 16 percent. Overall, research has found that spending time in nature reduces stress levels and improves mood. [1] Great! So time in nature is super beneficial for health. But there is one problem. We have no time! Sometimes we need more time in nature to really feel relaxed, but we only have very little expendable time to do just that. Or, we have 15 minutes and so go out for a quick hike but then rush like mad to get some isolation from the city, and after making this mad dash, we end up not feeling relaxed at all. This is a dilemma we often face in modern society. I want to share with you some ways to help maximize the short time we do have in order to reach a much more relaxed state as well as feel more connected with nature. The most fundamental way to heighten your rejuvenation time in nature is to slow down. That is right. It is so simple yet so profoundly powerful. What do I mean? You start with slowing down your usual walking speed, and you can then start to slow down everything else. To begin, you will want to find some isolation, preferably in nature, like at a park, or anywhere you can have some space without crowds and many distractions. Once you are in your spot, walk about 10 or 12 steps at a normal pace and while doing this, try to pay attention to how your body feels.
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65 Then stop walking. Take a deep breath. Resume walking again, but this time walk a quarter of the speed of your usual pace. This will feel quite slow. During the first couple of steps, it might be difficult for your mind to relax, but maintain the quarter-speed pace as smoothly and fluidly as you can. Walk this way for as long as you are able. *Note: If you only have a small amount of time, I recommend setting a timer on your phone to help you forget about the time and focus more on how awesome life is all around you. When I first did this exercise, I was on a hiking trail that I had walked on many times before. However, when I began walking slowly, I started noticing so many things that I would usually pass by, such as animal trails, dens, and plants; I had never felt so alive in nature before. I felt calm, present, and aware. When I started moving at my city pace again, it felt almost unnatural, because it is. What happens when you slow down your pace? At this slower pace, you are essentially moving at the same pace as nature. This gives you an opportunity to see, hear, smell, touch, taste, and feel so much more in nature than you usually can. Moving at a slow and relaxed pace will allow you to maintain your balance, as it is much easier on your knees and body. Often when we go hiking, we rush to the top of the mountain, take a selfie, and then quickly return back. We tend to bring that pace of running around in the city with us. We also keep our heads down, forgetting to observe
all there is around us. To be sure, there are times when we need to move quickly. But if I have enough time, I like to find an area of isolation and then stop to do this exercise. When we practice moving slowly, we can really soak in all of the gifts nature gives us. These very gifts are precious moments and feelings for which words cannot suffice. As the great naturalist, author, and environmentalist Edward Abbey[2] once said, “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” References
[1] Florence, W. (2016, January). This is your brain on nature. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/ magazine/2016/01/call-to-wild/ [2] Edward Abbey Quotes. (2018). Retrieved from the BrainyQuote.com website: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ edward_abbey_383238
The Author
Jonathan Blaney is a wilderness survival and nature connection youth educator who is driven to share his passion for facilitating a deeper connection with the Earth and keeping the skills of our ancestors alive. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Jonathan’s education in wilderness survival and nature awareness began in 2009 and continues to this day. Jonathan is the founder of Wilderness Story and is currently running youth programs in Jeollanam-do, South Korea.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
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66 66 Around Korea
The 2018 Sunyu Island Youth Travel Supporters International Forum
TRAVEL TRAVEL
Written by Matkhiya Usmonova Photographed by Inna Udonova
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
A
few months back, I went on a trip to Jeollabuk-do with other international residents in the Gwangju area. From our experience, we found that, in some ways, Jeollabuk-do has remained the most traditional Korean province by maintaining many of the precious values of the past. This was the best trip for many of us, and it made lasting impressions and memories for all.
So, what was the reason for visiting this amazing area? It was for the 2018 Sunyu Island Youth Travel Supporters International Forum (선유8경국제페스티벌), which provided a great opportunity for us international residents to make a lot of friends, network, and have a wonderful experience learning Jeollabuk-do history. This program was hosted by the Jeollabuk-do provincial government and M Communication, with additional support offered by the Korea Tourism Organization, the Jeonbuk Ilbo, KBS Jeonju, and the Jeonbuk MICE Alliance. The purpose of the forum was to further promote cultural tourism to the islands of Jeollabuk-do in 2018, including Seonyu Island, the Gogunsan Islands, and the Saemangeum Seawall through the professional education of local and international youth travel supporters.
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The program was free, but our task was to market Jeollabukdo tourist products through information sharing on SNS as a requirement of the independent tourists’ forum. We were there for three days and two nights with fivestar accommodations provided at the Riverhill Hotel. Due to the packed program schedule, there were many interesting things to do, and I am grateful to this forum for the amazing chance to see the valuable beauty of the Gunsan area of Jeollabuk-do. DAY 1: OFFICIAL CEREMONY AND FORUM On the initial day, we absorbed several details about the province, including its past, scenic sites, and nature. We were also free to ask any questions directly to people like the Jeollabuk-do Tourism marketing team manager and MICE bureau leader, as well as to the Jeonju University Tourism manager, the Jeollabuk-do Tourism Management Team assistant manager, and professors from Honam University and Howon University. There were many nice places to visit that I had never heard about concerning Korean arts and traditions stretching back for more than a thousand years. Visitors can enjoy
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day, we went to the Buan Party Week Festival. We watched many performances put on by young Korean girls and boys; we also danced and sang songs. At the end of the party, the organizers had us over the moon with their beautiful fireworks. It was truly an amazing sight.
DAY 2: UNIQUE TOUR On the second day, we visited so many places, such as the Gunsan Modern History Museum, the Jinpo Marine Theme Park, Seonyu Island, and the Buan Party Week Festival.
DAY 3: UNIQUE TOUR IN JEOLLABUK-DO For our last day together, we visited the Buan Celadon Museum, Naeso Temple, and the Saemangeum Seawall. The Buan Celadon Museum (부안청자박물괌) offered us the opportunity to make our own vases or other preferred dishes with the help of specialists. The process was quite easy and some people were able to draw ornaments or write their names on their vases. After two months, the finished products will be sent to our homes, which will make for nice souvenirs.
At the Gunsan Modern History Museum (군산근대역사박물관), we saw how this area looked in the 1930s during the days of the Japanese occupation. Rice and alcohol that the Japanese “imported” from Gunsan was on display as well as many different straw houses, ships, antiquated classrooms, ceramics, clothing, and so on. After that we went to the Jinpo Marine Theme Park (진포해양테마공원), where there were various weapons, planes, tanks, and ships on display. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with them.
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After this, we visited the Saemangeum Seawall (새만금 방조제), which is the longest seawall in the world. It is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea and took 20 years to complete. In the beginning, nobody believed that this project could be completed. However, after seeing this seawall, it is evident that anything is possible if human beings
October 2018
Most interestingly, the scenery at Seonyu Island was tremendously beautiful. I would really recommend that others visit for camping, hiking, swimming, and participating in other water activities. There is also a 700-meter-high zip line, and you can rent bikes to explore the area. The zip line was quite exciting, especially in the middle. It was so windy that when I looked down, there was only water below. It was one of the best experiences for helping me overcome my fear of heights. In the final hours of the second
Our next unique experience was at Naeso Temple (내소사). There we went to a temple to have a tea ceremony with a monk. I definitely liked the ornamental temples, tea, and several traditional ceremonies. Plus, we saw a tree that is 1,000 years old. People usually make wishes to coins and then throw them under the tree.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
festivals in Jeollabuk-do that embrace movies, scenic views, and traditional music. Through these and other activities, you can see what the ancestors of Korea kept alive through the preservation of history, and you can get the feel of nature maintained since time immemorial.
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October 2018
put their hearts into it.
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To summarize, I will never forget this unforgettable trip, as it left me with so much joy. Although it is hard to choose a favorite part from my experience, the most interesting aspect of the tour might have been that we met many different people from different countries and that it really helped us to socialize more with others. The next program will be held this winter and, of course, I will participate in order to make a lot more friends and understand more about Korea. Therefore, I strongly recommend you visit Jeollabuk-do with your family, friends, or partners and have many memorable moments there!
The Author
Matkhiya is from the Republic of Uzbekistan. She is presently a student at Chonnam National University (CNU) in Gwangju, majoring in English language and literature. In her free time, she learns Korean and travels with her joyful friends to beautiful parts of South Korea. She habitually strives to improve herself personally and educationally, and tries to learn from her mistakes. With all her heart, she is quite grateful for her meaningful and loving life.
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Book Review
69
“He Gave Up His Soul For Fear” The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl Written by Kristy Dolson
Perhaps you are part of a literary club that is intent on translating a famous Italian work into English so that the author’s brilliance can be known among the people of your country. But while your club is hard at work, a string of violent and disturbing murders occurs. To your shock and horror, the murderer appears to be taking inspiration from the very work that your club has been toiling over! This is just the case in Matthew Pearl’s historical fiction novel The Dante Club, which follows a group of poetsturned-detectives in their attempts to track down and stop a gruesome murderer.
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In any case, there are still a few months left in the year to finish any outstanding goals. So take a few minutes this October to enjoy the autumnal leaves and ponder what you still yearn to accomplish. You may not stop any murderers, but you can certainly finish a book or two before 2018 comes to an end.
The Author
(Photo by Lisa Crone)
Kristy Dolson lived in South Korea for five years before taking a year off to travel, read, and spend time with her family in Canada and Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Education and has just moved to Yeosu, where she splits her time between teaching at the new Jeollanamdo International Education Institute and reading as much as she can.
October 2018
The main selling point is Pearl’s distinct writing style. He gives a lot of attention to historical detail and description,
So if you enjoy historical literary fiction that is heavy on the literary side and are looking for an interesting crime drama to wind down the year with, then I would highly recommend this novel. It is a slow start, but once the plot kicks in around page 60 it is a very quick and engaging read. And if you have an abundance of time on your hands, why not read the source material, Dante’s Divine Comedy, as well? While I personally have not read the masterwork, I presume that any reader who has would get a lot more out of Pearl’s novel. www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Due to the novel’s setting – late-1800s Boston, just after the American Civil War – there is not much diversity in the cast of characters. While the main characters who make up the club are real historical figures, the supporting characters are mainly fictional. Women are mere footnotes and the police force has one honorary black officer. It is this officer who takes on the murder case and adds a bit more depth to the novel’s proceedings. With an interesting perspective, he was the character that I became most invested in because he had something to struggle against outside the main murder-mystery plot. Otherwise, I found that the characters were well presented and likeable, but the character interactions are not the main selling points of the novel.
which paints an intricate picture of the time and surroundings. At times, this heavy-handedness can get in the way of the narrative drive, but it is clear in the dialogue and in the actions of the characters that this novel was very well researched. I appreciate when authors take the time and put in the work necessary for gripping historical novels. Sometimes an author will debut with a historical novel and the history part feels very weak, decreasing my ability to get lost inside the story. That is one sin Pearl is not guilty of committing.
ARTS & CULTURE
O
ctober is the month of merriment and mystery as we celebrate the end-of-year harvest and brace for winter’s approach. Many cultures also celebrate the border between life and death during this month, and although Halloween has become a commercial festival celebrating candy, costumes, and the macabre, it is still a time to stop and take stock of our lives and ambitions. In the remaining few months of this year, what do you still hope to accomplish?
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70 Photo Essay
Gwangju International Community Day 2018
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
ARTS & & CULTURE CULTURE ARTS
Written by Karina Prananto Photographed by Lorryn Smit
Zumba dancing energizes the entire GIC Day.
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P
robably one of the most anticipated festivals by both Koreans and internationals living in Gwangju is Gwangju International Community Day (GIC Day). Hosted by the Gwangju City and organized by the Gwangju International Center (GIC), this year marks its 24th anniversary of cultural understanding, not to mention the fun and games (and exotic cuisine) to be had! There will be more than ten countries participating in the Global Food Booths. True to its name, it’s food, and food galore! Make sure you come with an empty stomach and friends to share the meal! Gwangju is a rather small city, but it hosts many international communities. If you are only used to your own country’s community, then how about meeting many more at this event? Experience their culture, learn about their country, and see that Gwangju is really a multicultural city!
The event is also proud to present diverse performances from different countries around the world. Some performances that you might have only seen on YouTube can be seen here in person! So come and give the participants a round of applause, as they will have practiced a lot to make sure they bring you the best performance of their lives! You may be wondering when this event will be held. Mark your calendar on October 28. It will be held in front of the Asia Culture Center in downtown Gwangju from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a funfilled day with the GIC!
The Author
Karina is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been involved with the Gwangju News since 2007. She has been to at least five GIC Days. Her personal favorite event is the Global Food Booths. How about you trying it this time at this year’s GIC Day? You’ll probably see her there!
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
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October 2018
Belly dancing always commands attention.
Experience different countries’ culture!
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Eden Jones on her musical instrument: sometimes a violin, sometimes a fiddle, always fabulous.
Mouth-watering cuisines will be on sale.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
October 2018
It’s all fun and games at GIC Day!
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TOPIK Guide (topikguide.com) is the most comprehensive website devoted to the TOPIK exam. It’s been helping Korean language learners pass the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) for more than seven years. On this website, you can get all the TOPIK updates, grammar and vocabulary material, and study tips.
Everyday Korean Episode 10: 광주뉴스 200호
(200th Issue of the Gwangju News)
EDUCATION
Written by Harsh Kumar Mishra Korean Language Expert at TOPIKGUIDE.COM
아나:
나랑 광주뉴스 200호 기념 행사에 갈래?
Ana:
[Na-rang gwangju-nyuseu i-baek-ho gi-nyeom haeng-sa-e gal-lae?] Do you want to go with me to the Gwangju News’ 200th issue celebration?
정민:
과주뉴스가 벌써 200호가 다 됐어? 월간지 맞지?
[Gwangju-nyuseu-ga beolsseo i-baek-hoga da dwae-sseo? Weol-ganji mach-chi?] Jeong-min: It’s already the 200th issue? It’s a monthly, right?
아나: Ana:
정민:
응 월간지 맞아. 한국 최초의 영문 잡지야. [Eung, weol-ganji maja. Hanguk choe-cho-ui yeong-mun japji-ya.] It’s the first English monthly in Korea.
언제부터 발간되는 거야?
아나:
2001년에 흑백 잡지로 시작되었어.
October 2018
Ana:
[Icheon-il-nyeo-ne heuk-baek japji-ro sijak-dwe-eo-sseo.] They started it in 2001 as a black-and-white magazine.
정민:
우와! 정말 대단해. 기념 행사는 언제, 어디서 해?
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
[Eonje-bu-teo balgan-dwe-neun geo-ya?] Jeong-min: When did they start publishing it?
아나:
Vocabulary
기념: celebration, 월간지: monthly magazine, 최초: the first, 영문: English(text), 잡지: magazine, 흑백: black & white, 발간되다: to be published, 대단하다: great, incredible, excellent
Grammar ~(으)ㄹ래(요): This ending is used to express an intention or will to do something. If you put a question mark at the end of the sentence, you can ask about someone else’s intention of doing something. Ex: 저는 커피 마실래요. I’ll have coffee.
~(이) 야: This ending is attached to the ends of nouns in informal speech. Ex: 벌써 가를이야. It’s already autumn.
#KoreaLifeHacks 1.
[Uwa! Jeong-mal dae-dan-hae. Gi-nyeom haengsa-neun eonje, eodi-seo hae?] Jeong-min: Wow! That’s wonderful. So when and where is this celebration?
10월 5일에 광주국제교류센터에서 해.
Ana:
[Si-weol o-ire gwangju-gukche-gyo-ryu-senteo-eseo hae.] It’ll be on October 5 at the Gwangju International Center.
정민:
그럼 나도 같이 갈래.
[Geureom nado gachi gal-lae.] Jeong-min: Then I’ll join, too.
2.
3.
The Gwangju News is published by a mainly volunteer staff of expats. The monthly magazine contains much useful information for the English readers in Gwangju – new and long-term, Korean and expat, young and not so much. You will read about places to travel, things to do, living in Gwangju, and much more. The Gwangju International Center (GIC) is located in downtown Gwangju. It has books to borrow, programs to offer, and will answer your questions with a smile. You can pick up your monthly copy of the Gwangju News at the GIC.
Visit the TOPIK Guide website or our YouTube channel to improve your Korean and reach your goal on the TOPIK test.
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The Devil You Know Written by Jessica Keralis
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Retired Australian Supreme Court Justice Michael Kirby first laid out the “HIV paradox” in 1996. He explained that the only way to control the spread of HIV was not to quarantine those most vulnerable to it, as our instincts might suggest, but to actively work to protect their right to health. Most countries learned this the hard way. Some are still learning, Korea included, as its number of new HIV diagnoses continues to increase each year at an alarming rate. This will not change until Korean society no longer views the virus as someone else’s problem. At the current trajectory, HIV will be the devil they get to know sooner than they realize.
The Author
Jessica Keralis lived and worked in Gwangju for nearly two years beginning in 2012. She is now a PhD student in epidemiology and has, through APHA’s International Health Section, worked on human rights advocacy related to HIV policy in South Korea since 2015. All views expressed here are her own and not those of any employer.
October 2018
It is those perceptions, and their accompanying misconceptions, that in turn drive much of the law and policy addressing HIV in South Korea. The widespread belief that HIV is a “foreigner’s disease” led in part to the HIV testing policy targeting foreign English teachers that lasted for nearly a decade and is the root of similar longstanding policies that still require testing for EPS workers and women on the E-6 “entertainment” visa. While the testing policy and its impact on foreigners have commanded much of the international media attention,
Though still infrequent, there is now a steady trickle of news stories coming out of Korea about the intense discrimination that people living with HIV face. After three years of (what sometimes felt like Sisyphean) advocacy work on this issue, the increased attention is encouraging. However, I still remind myself that such stories catch my eye because of my immersion in the topic. At this point, I suppose HIV-related stigma in Korean society is “the devil I know.” But that is not the case for everyone yet, which is why I am still writing articles and helping to organize a seminar nearly five years after my teaching experience in Gwangju came to a close.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
That all changed this summer. Through my professional society, the International Health Section of APHA, I worked with several advocacy groups under KNP+ (the Korean Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS) to organize “End Stigma, Picture Health: A Discussion about HIV in Korean Society,” a seminar on legal, social, and medical issues related to HIV on August 21. Hosted by the American Center Korea at the US Embassy in Seoul, the event featured speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including international human rights law experts, health sociologists and anthropologists, women’s rights advocates, and LGBT activists. Attendees learned about how stigma impacts access to medical care, the right to work, and the daily lives of Koreans living with HIV, as well as the ways in which stigma shapes attitudes and popular perceptions of the disease and those at risk.
Korean news stories are shaped by these attitudes as well. From the sensationalist coverage of the looming AIDS threat leading up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics to the “nationwide AIDS panic” sparked by the discovery last year of a sex worker in Busan living with HIV, the narrative of hysteria and demands that the contagion be controlled persist. After 40 years, not much has changed. OPINION
ur natural tendency as human beings is to stick to what is familiar, even when it comes to the unpleasant. “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.” We move intuitively toward people and places that are familiar to us and invest in issues that impact us directly. I am no exception to this rule. Most of my advocacy work, including everything that I have published about HIV in this magazine, has focused on the mandatory testing policy for native English-speaking teachers that was passed in 2008 and finally lifted in July last year after a drawn-out battle through two UN treaty bodies and a steady drip of protests from the expat community. After all, my husband and I were subjected to the testing policy, so I had a direct connection. It was easy to write what I know.
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Jayeon Saenghwal Vegetarian Restaurant 자연생활채식뷔페
October 2018
Seoseok-ro 85beongil 12, Dong-gu, Gwangju 062-228-0482, 0485
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UNESCO KONA VOLUNTEERS KONA Storybook Center (KSC) is a registered small public library supported by UNESCO KONA Volunteers (UKV). UKV is a registered organization that helps disadvantaged children learn English independently through storybooks and story-maps. We guide families and children to develop a love of reading storybooks in English. We also give guidance to volunteers in using storybooks. We are looking for long-term volunteers who desire to enrich their lives. We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at least once a month.
available. To participate in the international cultural exchange programs, you may email peter.j.gallo@gmail. com or phone or text 010-9490-4258. GWANGJU FILIPINO ENGLISH TEACHERS (GFET) Every 3rd Tuesday of the month 10 a.m. – 12 noon, GIC, Room 3 (2F) We are a group of Filipino English teachers in Gwangju who conduct regular lectures and accent training to help fellow English teachers to become better educators.
For more information, please visit http://cafe.daum. net/konavolunteers or our Facebook pages for KONA Storybook Center and UNESCO KONA Volunteers. Also, you can contact Kim Young-im at 062-434-9887 or email konacenter@gmail.com.
GWANGJU INTER FC The Gwangju International Soccer Team (Gwangju Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend. If you are interested in playing, email gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search “Gwangju Inter FC” on Facebook.
VOLUNTEER TEACHERS NEEDED for the Gwangju UCC (Universal Cultural Center). English teachers in the Gwangju area for 2018 with any level of experience are welcome to participate. UCC has a Facebook profile if you would like to see what kind of other services are
CHINESE-KOREAN LANGUAGE EXCHANGE GIC Lounge, 1st Floor, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Wednesday Application: https://goo.gl/WjBZQQ The language exchange is casual, and you can turn up when you like. Welcome to bring and invite friends.
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Attorney Attorney Park’s Park’s Law Law Firm Firm We're ready to serve your best interests in legal disputes. We provide affordable consultation & representation.
▶ Areas of Specialty contracts, torts, family law, immigration, labor ▶ Civil & Criminal Attorney Park, Duckhee former judge, GIC board member Services available in Korean, English & Chinese
Tel: 062) 222-0011
#402 Simsan Bldg, 342-13 Jisan-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju Location: next to Gwangju District Court
Fax: 062)222-0013 duckheepark@hanmail.net
Gwangju Guide www.gwangjuguide.com For Information on Living in Gwangju Korean
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