Gwangju NewsInternational Magazine for Gwangju and Jeollanam-do

June 2008
Volume 8, Issue 6

Interview: Nepal’s Ambassador to

Korea on the Struggle for Democracy
 2008 GIC 4th Korean Language Class
July 7th - August 23rd (2 times a week for 7 weeks)
Class hours: 10:30 am -12:30 pm (2 hours)
TIME TABLE
SATURDAY CLASS
Level Days (Every Saturday for 7 weeks)
Beginner Monday & Wednesday 10:30am ~ 12:30pm
Intermediate Tuesday & Thursday
TUITION FEE: 53,000 won
Advanced Monday & Thursday
*Dates and times subject to change.
( 10,000 won Membership fee, textbooks and
materials included)

TUITION FEE: 68,000 won - Beginner Class / Intermediate Class

(10,000 won Membership fee, textbooks
GIC is located on 5th floor of the Jeon-il building, the same
and materials included)
building as the Korean Exchange Bank, downtown. The
*The tuition fee is non-refundable after the first week. entrance is located immediately to the north of the bank.
Contact GIC office for more information.
Phone: 062) 226-2734, 1050
E-mail: gwangjuic@gmail.com
Website: http://www.gwangjuic.or.kr

GIC TALK
June 7th Contact GIC to confirm schedule:
Speaker: Karl Agnew (ESL Instructor, Chonnam Phone: (062) 226-1050, 2734
National University) E-mail: gwangjuic@gmail.com
Topic: Romance of Words: How Latin Became All talks take place at the GIC office
English
Address: 5th Floor, Jeon-il Bldg, Geumnam-no, Dong-
June 14th gu (동구 금남로 1가 전일빌딩 5층).
Speaker: Sarah Hie (ESL Instructor, Chonnam Directions: The GIC office is located in the same
National University) building as the Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) in
Topic: The Right to Profit? Philosopical downtown Gwangju. The entrance is immediately
Questions on the Nature of File Sharing north of the KEB on Geumnam-no street, across from
the YMCA.
June 21st (Subway stop: Culture Complex Bus: 07, 09, 36, 45,
Speaker: Park Seong-won (Research Assistant at 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 74, 80, 95, 150, 151,
the Hawaii Research Center for Further Studies) 518, 1000, 1187 )
Topic: What is Further Studies? For more information about the GIC Talks go to
www.gwangjuic.or.kr
June 28th
Speaker: The 2nd UNESCO Asian Youth Forum Call for Presenters: The GIC Talk series welcomes
Participants your proposals for presentations on topics of
Topic: The Case Reports: Regional Youth society, culture, politics, science, education, or
Community Works in Asia anything of interest to the foreign community. For
more information, or to submit a proposal, please
*Dates and topics are subject to change. contact Kim Jihyun at: gwangjuic@gmail.com or
call: (062)226-1050, 2734.

2 Gwangju News June 2008

Contributors Contents

4 Struggle for Democracy on the Roof of the World

June 2008, Volume 8, Issue 6 By Crystal Speedie

Publisher: Prof. Shin Gyonggu 6 Riding Along Subway Stops to Commemorate 5.18
By Pete Rahon
Editor: Jessica Solomatenko
8 Could Scientific Facts About Mad Cow Disease Settle Uncertainty?
Copy Editors: Jon Ozelton, Rebecca Fairless
By Shilpa Pradeep
Public Relations Manager: Daniel Lister
10 How Fair is Beautiful Coffee?
Coordinator: Kim Minsu
By J.J. Parkes
Layout and Design: Karina Prananto, Kim Minsu
12 Photo Essay: Cardboard Collectors
Proofreading: Brian Deutsch, Jon Ozelton, By Song Park
Doug Stuber, Jessica Solomatenko, Christina Berkers,
Eric Wismar, Rebecca Fairless, Teri Venable 14 Korean Way No.65: The Central Flowerism
By 2Ys
Printed by: Saenal
15 Useful Korean Phrases
Photographer: Park Duck-hee, Lawyer
and GIC board member
16 The 2008 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Award Winner: Muneer A. Malik
Cover Photo: Nepalese Ambassador in By Doug Stuber
Wonhyosa (Mudeungsan)
18 GIC Tour Review: Green Tea Plantation
By Heather Magill

20 Fun-time Workers Festival

By J.J. Parkes

22 Photo Contest

Special thanks to the City of

25 The Caves
Gwangju and all of our sponsors.
By Kwon Jeong-won
Copyright by the Gwangju International Center.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by this copyright 26 One-on-One With Dave Sperling: The Man Behind Dave’s ESL Cafe
may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, By Rob Smith
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the written
consent of the publishers.
28 And Then There Were Seven: Surviving “Comfort Women” at the House of
Gwangju News welcomes letters to the editor Sharing
(gwangjunews@gmail.com) regarding articles and issues. All
correspondence may be edited for reasons of clarity or space.
By Michael Solis

30 Mike White Story

By Brian Deutsch

32 Sri Lanka Prison Conditions

By Park Mi-hye

34 The Kia Tigers Cheer Leader: Kim Joo-il

By David MacCannell

36 Back to Basics Part 2: Energizing Your Classroom

By MaryKay Severino

38 Learning the Real Lesson of 2002

By J.C. Stafford

40 My Dance With the Dead

By Justin Mitchell

42 Beef Protest and Bus Accidents

By Brian Deutsch

43 Dr. Ko

44 Community Board

Gwangju News June 2008 3

Interview
Struggle for Democracy
on the Roof of the World
n May 3rd the GIC had the pleasure of
O playing host to Mr. Kamal Prasad Koirala,
the first residential ambassador to Korea
from Nepal. Mr. Koirala has been in office
since January 17th, 2008 when he presented his
credentials to President Roh in Seoul. Mr. Koirala
comes from a family long involved in politics in Nepal,
with his uncle currently serving as the prime minister.
The Ambassador discussed the struggle for democracy
within Nepal, the recent elections results, and the
ongoing peace process currently underway. Mr.
Koirala describes the people of Nepal as a “peace
loving people who believe in the freedom to pursue
happiness without causing harm”. The recent election
results reflect a desire to move towards a democratic
republic: to help bring the country into a state of
The Ambassador on a visit to Mudeungsan
4 Gwangju News June 2008
economic security, build up a maintainable
infrastructure, and encourage foreign investment. The
following questions were discussed throughout the
Ambassador’s visit to Gwangju.
How will the country and the government change as
Nepal moves towards a democratic state instead of a
monarchy?
The elected Constituent Assembly will be responsible
for writing the new constitution, act as an interim
parliament, and dissolve the monarchy. The king will
be free to remain in Nepal as a private citizen.
What is your opinion on the idea that while the
elections results came as a surprise to some, many
agree that the Maoist party won because the people
wanted peace, fresh leadership and radical change?
The Maoist party promised many things to the people
of Nepal, none of the least being a peaceful creation of
a democracy. They are being disarmed, and though the
election may not have been as free and fair as one
would like to think it is nonetheless part of a peace
process. “Power grows out if the ballot box, not out of
the barrel of the gun.”
What are some of the issues being addressed as a
result of Maoist victory in the election?
There has been little real infrastructure in Nepal
during the last 11 years of conflict and foreign
investment has been minimal. To bring about real
changes in investment and building of the country,
foreign investors might return if convinced that Nepal
The Ambassador at the GIC Talk
 The Ambassador with Crystal Speedie (center)
truly is for peace. At the time of the election the
Maoists were officially considered terrorists by the
U.S. This status will have to come under review as the
U.S. has been providing Nepal with aid and supporting
the former Royal Nepal Army. It is a “wait and watch”
situation, as the country begins to rebuild itself. In
order for the country to advance there are many
obstacles that need to be addressed, among these the
low literacy rate and the lack of information for the
general public.
The Maoist party did win the election but did not
achieve a majority; which party will they join with if
they wish to retain power in the future election?
As this is a temporary assembly, this is not yet a
critical issue. If the Maoists wish to retain power they
will need to align with another party; who this will be
is as yet unsure. The congress is established with 601
members and 25 different parties represented. The
election of the future prime minister will depend on
the ruling majority party. If there is a majority the
prime minister will come from within that party;
without a majority there will be an internal election.
What changes will the new government seek
regarding its international relations, particularly
with its close neighbours China and India?
Nepal will remain close to both countries as they
continue to contribute to Nepalese culture and
industry. Nepal is particularly involved with India,
maintaining an open visa policy and having a great
deal of religious and cultural influences stemming
from that country.
How will the government seek to increase the
economic and cultural relations between Korea and
Nepal?
Nepal views Korea as an excellent example of a
country that has made tremendous progress in both
economy and government, becoming one of the
world’s leading economies in recent years. Korea,
being possessed of an excellent work ethic and striving
The Ambassador on a visit to Mudeungsan
to create a stable work environment and good business
relations, serves as an excellent example. In particular
the relation between employer and employees is one
that Nepal would benefit from. From what has been
observed the business environment seems to be that of
a community with interaction rather than
discrimination, and respect toward good work habits.
Many in Nepal view working in Korea as an excellent
opportunity; the money is good and the weather and
climate are agreeable. The government should seek to
modify the current immigration laws to make Korea
more accessible for migrant workers, and give
residency options for those who wish to make Korea
their home.
Since the ceasefire the number of tourist visas to Nepal
has increased greatly, the country welcoming those
who wish to experience the culture of Nepal. With
excellent trekking and being the birthplace of Buddha,
Nepal has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler.
Recently a group of 360 Korean Buddhist monks
headed to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, a trip
that previously would have been impossible.
With the current government working toward a
peaceful democracy, Nepal has the opportunity to
improve its international relations and more
importantly bring its people into a state of prosperity
and education.
The Ambassador thoroughly enjoyed his visit to
Gwangju and the opportunity to present to the GIC
Nepal’s struggle for democracy. The Ambassador
praises Korea as an excellent example of democracy
and industry and salutes the freedom loving people of
Gwangju. Mr. Koirala also expressed his approval of
the Gwangju News, stating that there is “no other
magazine like this is Korea” and that is a pity as it is
an excellent resource for the international community.
The suggestion was made that the Gwangju News
should be made more widely available nationally as
the country would benefit as a result.
By Crystal Speedie
Gwangju News June 2008 5
Feature
Riding Along Subway Stops
to Commemorate 5.18
A
t Namgwangju subway station, the LED
monitor showed a figure of a train, signalling
its arrival. This unique train is creatively
designed to commemorate the May 1980
Gwangju Democratic Uprising, popularly known in
Korea as 5.18. On May 6, 2008 the May 18 Memorial
Foundation, in cooperation with the Gwangju
Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, launched this
special train to kick-off the start of the month-long
celebration of Gwangju's most revered occasion.
First stop: Sangmu Station
At Sangmu People's Park, a gun shot marked “Go!” for
runners in the 5.18 Marathon. In its 8th year, the 5.18
Marathon is one of the most-awaited happenings of the
May 18 commemorative events. Over 10,000
participated in the marathon on May 11 sponsored by
Chonnam Maeil. This year's winners for each division
were Mr. Yoo Yho-bong (men's race) and Ms. Kim
Yung-kyung (women's race).
"The conduct of a marathon entails solidarity work and
cooperation among individuals and groups. This also
highlights the same spirit for which May 18 is
memorialized today. With gratitude to the people and
citizens of Gwangju for recognizing my work with the
underprivileged and outcasts of India, together, let us
all run and carry the torch of May 18 shining to
commemorate the spirit of human rights, peace and
democracy", was the solidarity message relayed to the
organizers by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of India, 2007
awardee of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
Second stop: Uncheon Station
Landmarks in this area include the 5.18 Park where the
5.18 Memorial Culture Hall is located, the venue of the
6 Gwangju News June 2008
2008 Gwangju International Peace Forum (GIPF). The
forum that was held from 15-18 May was participated
in by different civil society groups in Asia. Several
small forums were conducted simultaneously
addressing issues on housing rights, provision for local
ordinance on human rights, and peace issues in Asia.
According to Mr. Kim Chan-ho, director of the Culture
and Solidarity Team, this year's forum will be a dry-run
for the upcoming 30th anniversary of May 18 where
the foundation is planning to host a similar World
Social Forum that will focus on human rights, peace
and democracy in Asia.
When asked about the significance of winning the
2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, Mr. Muneer
Malik said, "Personally, for me it will be one of my
most cherished achievements. The Gwangju Prize links
the historic events of May 18th, 1980 to democratic
movements around the world. It serves at least two
purposes. First, it reminds other democratic
movements of the sacrifices of the citizens of Gwangju,
and second, it encourages other movements to emulate
them. Peace, democracy and human rights are
indivisible concepts and the benefits are shared by the
entire humanity. The Prize demonstrates that the
people of Gwangju deeply care about democratic
movements around the world." Mr. Malik, the former
president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of
Pakistan was conferred the 2008 Gwangju Prize last
May 18, 2008. This is one of the highlights of the
annual 5.18 commemorative events.
The May 18 Memorial Park was the site of the Nanjang-
Human-Free Concert. It highlighted the issue of
discrimination among irregular workers. Music
concerts and stage plays were performed by various
artists to raise people's awareness about the plight and
struggles of these workers. Noripae Sinmyeong is a
theater group that promotes and supports the
reinstatement of women workers removed from their
job at the Gwangju City Hall. Mirror installation arts
were exhibited at the Reception Hall of the 5.18
Memorial Culture Hall entitled “May Walk Exhibition:
Beyond Discrimination”, a visual feast against
discrimination.
Third stop: Geumnamno Station
Geumnamno is the road where lives were offered and
sacrificed for democracy. So it is but fitting to celebrate
May 18 activities in this busy road.
Every 17th of May is the annual eve event where people
gather to re-enact May 1980. Various organizations
participated in the parade. A float bearing an effigy of a
cow, symbolic of the current government's policy on
the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), was pelted with
water balloons by the public. The program featured
youth speakers with emotional and politically charged
diatribes against this government's policy in English
education, FTA and other controversial projects.
Unlike last year's program, which showcased
traditional performances, this year rap and pop music
as well as modern dance were the highlights.
Participants of the 2008 GIPF came to witness this
memorable event.
Historic Geumnamno also leads to Mangwal-dong and
the 5.18 National Cemetery, where heroes and patriots
are laid to rest. May 18 in Mangwal-dong is like the
Christian world celebration of All Soul's Day, where
people flock to the cemetery to offer flowers, food,
prayers, and respect to their dearly departed.
On May 18, President Lee Myung-bak came to grace
the memorial ceremony, a tradition that his
predecessors had practiced since 1995 when 5.18 was
recognized and restored its proper glory in Korea's
democratization history. But unlike past presidents,
President Lee’s speech was terse, admonishing the
country to put behind the past, overcome regionalism
and move and learn from the past to bolster economic
development. He also pledged his support to promote
Gwangju as the democracy and culture hub in Asia.
Although the 2008 GIPF participants were privileged
to pay their respect to the heroes of 5.18, the cemetery
was inaccessible to most during the program. So after
the ceremony, Gwangju citizens and other groups with
their banners and flags came to show their respect
when the cemetery was freed from thousands of police
and security forces.
"We are the May" shout the youth as they celebrate
Red Festa, a festival catered to youth so they may
always remember the significance of 5.18. Booths of
different kinds, exhibits, bazaars, mini-concerts and
other fun and entertaining activities turned
Geumnamno into a festive street celebrating the lives
of May 18 patriots. The youth today enjoy the fruit of
freedom from the heroes who fought against military
rule. Youth volunteers from different schools were
mobilized to put up exhibits and booths to inform and
remind their peers and the general public of the spirit
of 5.18.
Now in its second year, the Gwangju Metropolitan
Rapid Transit Corporation will run this special 5.18-
themed train until July 7, 2008. The train runs the
main thoroughfare of Gwangju and traverses the
significant places of those fateful days of May 1980. It
is an underground testimony to democracy, like the
5.18 heroes who are buried and resting in peace. Their
ideals will always be remembered and paid respect to
by the citizens of Gwangju, Korea and even by the
international community. This subway train is
everybody's ride since it is everybody's longing to
journey and reach that destination where there is
respect for human rights, a culture of peace and
sustainable democracy.
By Pete Rahon
(This article is posted at http://www.518.org/english/ — English
website of The May 18 Memorial Foundation).
Gwangju News June 2008 7
Current Issue

Could Scientific Facts about Mad

Cow Disease Settle Uncertainty?
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” George Bernard Shaw

housands of Koreans, mostly teenagers, all over

T the country, participated in protests against the

resumption of U.S. beef imports. The protests,
which started in Seoul, picked up like forest fire
and spread all over Korea, driving citizens, especially
middle and high school students, to come out onto the
streets and hold candlelight vigils. Many went to the
vigil because of what they read on the Internet and in
SMSs, and were angered by a recent investigative TV
program reporting on the risk of U.S. beef, aired by
MBC Korea. One of the daily newspapers reported that,
on asking the students why they were there, they
replied that they received a message that said: “Let’s
stop mad cow disease; there is a candlelight vigil.” So
they came.
This article aims to provide information and facts
about mad cow disease.
Mad cow protest in downtown Gwangju
The story of U.S. beef imports to Korea and associated
threat of disease:
South Korea opened its beef market to the U.S. in 2001, disinfection procedures do not destroy this agent.)
but imports of U.S. beef were halted in late 2003 after Infected animals or people do not become ill for years;
Washington confirmed the first of its two mad cow they remain asymptomatic. In people, the disease can
disease cases. A limited import was to resume in 2007 develop in as quickly as 5 years or can incubate for
but was stopped when some imported beef cuts were more than a decade. In cattle, which have shorter life
found to contain bone, which run the biggest risk of spans, the disease takes more than 2 years to show up.
transmitting the mad cow disease to humans. In April However, the disease is always progressive and fatal
2008, South Korea agreed to resume imports of U.S. once the symptoms develop.
beef, restricted to meat from cows younger than 30
months. Bones, however, would be allowed. Can vCJD spread from person to person?
Transmission of vCJD does not occur during casual
What is mad cow disease/BSE (bovine spongiform contact. Probable human-to-human spread has been
encephalopathy)? reported in several patients who received blood
It is a disease of cattle, related to scrapie in sheep, and transfusions or organ transplants from
variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) in humans, asymptomatically infected individuals.
that attacks the nervous system, causing aggression,
lack of coordination, and collapse. It is a zoonotic What are the clinical symptoms of vCJD in humans?
disease: a disease that can be transmitted from animals The first signs are usually psychiatric symptoms such
to people or, more specifically, a disease that normally as anxiety, depression, insomnia and social
exists in animals but that can infect humans. BSE was withdrawal, and/or persistent painful sensory
first reported in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. symptoms. In most patients, frank neurological signs
They had an epidemic peak in 1992. such as gait disturbances, ataxia, uncoordination,
memory loss, slurring of speech, and tremors appear a
What causes the disease? few months later. Unfortunately there is no blood or
BSE is caused by unconventional disease agents called other test that can identify long-incubating infection
prions. A prion, in simple words, is a disease-causing (hidden vCJD), before patients show any symptoms of
agent that is neither bacterial nor viral. A prion the incurable disease.
consists of only protein.
High-risk tissues/specific risk material (SRM):
How do the prions spread? Tissues that have a high risk of transmitting BSE on
Through ingestion; animals or humans become ingestion include the brain, skull, eyes, trigeminal
infected when they eat prion-containing tissues / meat ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, and most of
from an infected animal. (Cooking and standard the vertebrae, from cattle 30 months of age and older.
8 Gwangju News June 2008
How many cases of vCJD to date have been diagnosed
worldwide?
The prevalence of vCJD is unknown. Most cases have
been seen in people who lived in either the U.K. or
France during the peak of the BSE epidemic. As of
August 2007, 166 cases of vCJD have been reported in
the U.K., 21 cases reported from France, as well as four
from Ireland, three from the United States, and two
from the Netherlands. Canada, Italy, Japan, Portugal,
Saudi Arabia, and Spain have each reported one case.
What do the scientists have to say about the
resumption of U.S. beef imports?
According to reports published in the Korea Times,
bio-scientists, veterinarians, and medical doctors
criticized the sensationalism of the media and the anti-
American beef demonstrators in a series of press
conferences held by various science institutions,
including the Korean Academy of Science and
Technology (KAST), the Korea Institution of Science
and Technology (KIST), and the Korean Federation of
Science and Technology Societies (KOFST).
Researchers speak in unison when they say that there
can be undetected danger in beef produced in America
or elsewhere. But most of them stress that the risk of
human infection from mad cow disease is statistically
very weak, much lower than other health and
environmental issues, such as avian influenza.
I personally think it is worrisome that there has been
too big a fuss over an issue that has a very low
infection rate.
Lee Mun-han, a professor at Seoul National University
and chairman of the Korean Society of Veterinary
Science (KSVS), calls for public attention regarding
more urgent health issues such as bird flu instead. He
expresses that the controversial issue of mad cow
disease has been unnecessarily exacerbated,
overshadowing grievous outbreaks of avian influenza.
Local broadcaster MBC reported that Koreans are
genetically more vulnerable to vCJD than Westerners
by citing research from Kim Yong-sun, a professor of
medicine at Hallyum University. Kim, who was
attending an academic conference in Finland at the
time of the broadcast, denied the MBC allegations
Cow Parts Banned from Human Food Chain
saying it was premature to draw any conclusion and
that his paper had been manipulated by the
broadcaster.
Ermias Belay, associate director for epidemiologic
science of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, opined that almost all victims of human
mad cow disease worldwide had the Met-Met
genotype, "indicating having this genotype predisposes
to the development of vCJD." Approximately about
94.3 percent of Koreans are said to have the Met-Met
variation, while 36.8 percent of Britons, and 50
percent of Americans have the variation, as per the
studies by Kim's team published in European Human
Genetics in 2005.
Belay added: "However, one important factor to keep
in mind that a most important key variable is the level
of exposure of the population to the BSE agent.
Observations in Europe indicate that a very high level
of exposure to the BSE agent is required for vCJD to
occur in humans." He informs that there are several
European countries (e.g., Switzerland and Germany)
with a high level of BSE incidence but no vCJD cases,
indicating that there must be a substantial species
barrier preventing the ease of transmission of BSE to
humans even among persons with Met-Met
homozygosity.
Korean medical scientists are split over whether
Koreans are more susceptible to vCJD than other
ethnic groups. Prior observations have shown that
those who contracted the illness carried the Met-Met
genotype. Although almost all Koreans carry the Met-
Met type, there is little scientific evidence implicating
that the Met-Met version leads to the vCJD. To date no
cases of Koreans infected with vCJD have been
reported. However, some Korean scientists argue that
due to lack of proper quarantine and medical checkup
systems to identify vCJD, patients may be left
untraced.
Kim Yoon-won, a professor of medical science of
Hallyum University, has said that a racial difference
should be factored in determining a person's
vulnerability to vCJD. Citing that only one of 207
victims of the disease was Asian, Kim is unsure if
Koreans are more susceptible to the disease while
being certain that Caucasians with Met-Met genotype
are more vulnerable to vCJD.
Despite the scientists’ and government’s affirmations
about the safety of beef consumption, the public
outrage has not simmered down. Food safety affects
everyone at a very visceral level. That is why any
perceived threat to safety of food would elicit strong
responses, no matter what the science behind it is.
By Shilpa Pradeep
Shilpa Pradeep is a veterinarian with a Masters in Veterinary
Medicine, and presently is in Korea as a research assistant at
GIST.
Cow statue photo taken by Sloane Kusmack and cow diagram
image from www.fda.gov/ fdac/features/2004/304_cow.html.
Gwangju News June 2008 9
 How Fair is
Beautiful Coffee?
s the Beautiful Store rapidly expands
A throughout Korea, it precedes an exciting new
trend in shopping throughout the world. The
shop primarily features secondhand clothing
but now also stocks its own brand of coffee labelled
‘fair trade’ and ‘organic.’ A key symbol assuring fair
trade standards are being kept is a traceable logo from
an independent certification organisation. Beautiful
Coffee does not have official independent fair trade
certification, so the Gwangju Fair Trade Movement
decided to check claims that Beautiful Coffee is truly
‘fair trade’.
Gwangju University International Trade School
student Lee Keum-yong, a founding member of the
Gwangju Fair Trade Movement, interviewed the
manager of the Beautiful Store head office in Seoul.
Manager Shin Choong-seop said Beautiful Coffee is
fair trade, despite the company not having official
independent verification from a certification
organisation such as from IFAT (International Fair
Trade Association) and the coffee not having a
recognised logo such as FLO-CERT (Fairtrade
Labelling Organisation) certification.
Keum-yong asked how the company supports the
farmers, apart from providing the basic minimum,
stable price of US$1.25 per kilogram of coffee beans.
The manager replied that the Beautiful Store would be
starting some kind of educational programme for the
community sometime this year.
Santosh Poudel is from Nepal, and
studying for his MS in Information and
Communication Engineering at
Chosun University. He
phoned Nepal many
times to find a
farmer growing
coffee for the
10 Gwangju News June 2008
Beautiful Store. The first time he called, he spoke with
the president of the Nepal Coffee Producer Association.
They do not deal with the Beautiful Store, but Santosh
learned the NCPA buys green beans from coffee
farmers in Nepal for only US$0.60 per kilogram, and
then sells them on to foreign coffee companies for
$7.00 per 3 kilogram bag.
Santosh phoned Nepal again and talked with Mr.
Acharya, manager of the co-operative which buys beans
from Nepalese coffee farmers, grades and packs them
into 3 kg bags, and then does sell them on to the
Beautiful Store for us to drink in Korea. Mr. Acharya
sounded excited to say the farmers were very happy to
be receiving the best price for coffee beans in Nepal.
Without being asked, he said it was US$1.25 per
kilogram. This is the current standard minimum
international fair trade price for coffee beans. He added
that an official Australian organics representative had
visited to check that his land was really organic, and
the co-operative is paid $5.00 per 3 kg bag.
Santosh called again to speak with a farmer. A worker
in the co-operative told him to call back later, and then
hiked for an hour into the mountains of Nepal carrying
a cell-phone. Santosh then had to phone three times to
get a clear signal.
Krishna Prasad Neupane has been providing coffee for
'the Korean company' for two years. He did not know
the name of the company, only that it was from Korea.
He used to grow rice and wheat, but fair trade coffee
prices were much better. His farm is one of twenty-five
family farms of the Shaytabati Coffee Kirshak Sumuha
Co-operative in Hasara, in Gulmi, a part of Nepal
famous for good coffee.
Mr. Neupane confirmed that he really does get paid
US$1.25 for one kilogram of green coffee beans and
sells all his coffee beans to the co-operative because the
Korean company gives by far the best price, and it buys
all that his trees can grow. The co-operative passes the
beans on to the parent company which supplied eight
tonnes to the Korean company in each of the last two
years. When Santosh asked about what else is provided
by the company for the farmers, Mr. Neupane replied
 "Santosh called to speak with a farmer.
A worker told him to call back later, then
hiked for an hour into the mountains of
Nepal carrying a cellphone."
Lee Keum-yong and the manager of the Beautiful Store in
Gwangju. Both are holding Beautiful Coffee from Nepal.
that the co-op provides natural pesticides and spraying
equipment for the farmers to use.
The Gwangju FTM was able to locate the co-operative
and farmer in Nepal because there is some information
on the Beautiful Coffee website about the location of
the farmers in Nepal. Beautiful Coffee, however, also
sells coffee from Peru and there is, strangely, no
information about where these farmers live and work
on the Beautiful Coffee website. When Keum-yong
asked the Beautiful Store manager for more
information about the farmers in Peru he was told that
the manager was too busy for an interview that week.
One of the signs of a true fair trade company is
genuine transparency. The Gwangju Fair Trade
Movement hopes Beautiful Coffee soon becomes more
transparent with regard to its coffee from Peru and its
educational programmes. Perhaps the education
programme will start later this year. It is something we
can look forward to hearing about from the Beautiful
Store in the near future.
Beautiful Coffee from Nepal can be found in two
places: Beautiful Store shops (such as to the immediate
left of Gwangju Station) and all Home Plus
supermarkets. Look for the coffee aisle, then the 'whole
There is only one place to buy
an actual cup of fair trade tea or
coffee in Gwangju: at GIC, for a
suggested donation price of
about 500 won.
To brew your own there are a
few alternatives:
YMCA Korea, across from
the GIC building on Geumnamno,
has fair trade organic coffee from East Timor. Named
‘Peace Coffee’, it is available as whole beans and in
convenient single-serve coffee bag forms.
www.peacecoffee.co.kr
Bongseon-dong's bread store Natural Dream (자
연드림) also has fair trade organic coffee from East
Timor in single-serve coffee bags.
www.naturaldream.co.kr
The Seoul-based shop fairtradekorea.com has the
French certified fair trade coffee label Café Lobodis
range available for delivery within a couple of days.
(They also stock Swiss brand certified fair trade
Claro chocolate and certified fair trade soccer balls
from Pakistan.) www.fairtradekorea.com
Starbucks has one line (out of nearly 20 available)
which is certified fair trade: ‘Café Estima’ fair trade
blend is available in all Starbucks stores in Gwangju
and carries the official Fairtrade logo.
For more information in Korean go to:
www.beautifulcoffee.com
www.fairtradegwangjukorea.blogspot.com
For more information in English go to:
www.fairtradegwangju.blogspot.com
To join the Gwangju Fair Trade Movement, do a
search on the group name in Facebook.
bean' selection. You may have to find it for yourself
though. When Keum-yong went to enquire at the
Gaerim Home Plus, none of the seven regular staff
quizzed knew what fair trade was, nor did they know
Beautiful Coffee. One manager of the three did know
'Beautiful Store coffee' was available in her shop, but
still did not know anything about fair trade.
By J.J. Parkes
Gwangju News June 2008 11
 Mr. Lee Son-rye’s cart.
He has been working eight years for 3,000 to 4,000 won per day.
Photo Essay: Cardboard Collectors
W
elcome to a small snapshot of the lives of
Gwangju's cardboard-collectors. These
men and women collect cardboard on
carts, by bicycle, on carts attached to
bicycles, and even on carts attached to scooters.
Six were willing to talk to me about how long they have
been doing the work, and how much money they make.
The work is fairly hard, as sometimes the distance
between pick-up points and the recycling centers is a
long way. These workers are normally of "retirement"
age, and, typical of the Korean culture, will not waste
their time, but work hard for between 2,500 won and
4,000 won per day.
It's understandable why they didn't want their faces
shown in a magazine, but the next time you see a piece
of cardboard, you might want to help these workers
out by quietly placing it in one of their carts. Better yet,
Mr. Bae. He has been working two years
for 3,000 to 4,000 won per day.
12 Gwangju News June 2008
Mrs. Hwang. She's been working three years at
cardboard recycling for "about 4,000 won per day".
you can collect your boxes at home, break them down,
and take them to your local collector in a nice bundled
stack. For convenience, if you know a merchant who
regularly gives their cardboard to these collectors, you
can drop your cardboard off at the merchant's shop at
a chosen time. Most will be willing to help you in this
project.
The longer these cardboard collectors had worked, the
more money they were making. It is hard to determine
whether this is from experience gained over the years,
or because they are able to work more hours than
some of the other collectors.
By Song Park
Song Park is a senior at Chonnam University, majoring in
German Language and Literature. She is a photo-ready
journalist who has collected a dozen cameras. She grew up in a
family that read every word of the newspaper, "back when
newspapers were the most reliable form of information".
Mr. Choi’s bike. He's been working nine
years for "almost 4,000 won per day".
Top image: Mr. Lee Beon-hee. He has been working five years
for 2,500 won per day.
Right image: This cart’s owner would not give his name, and has
been working one month at 2,000 won per day.
Bottom image: Mr. Bae.

Gwangju News June 2008 13

Interview
Muneer A. Malik
Asian Human Rights Award Winner
The 2008 Gwangju
M
uneer Malik, who in November 2007 was
mistreated to within a hair of his life in a
Pakistani prison, and who continues to
work on behalf of a “true democracy” in
Pakistan, delivered an excellent speech at the Gwangju
International Center on May 17, the day before his
acceptance speech at the May 18 Foundation ceremony
in which he was conferred the 2008 May 18
Foundation’s Asian Human Rights Award.
Malik opened his speech by asking everyone to rise for a
minute of silence for those who were killed in Gwangju
in May, 1980. He then expressed his humble belief that
no one man should win such an award, and the entire
lawyer’s movement in Pakistan should share in this
honor. Malik is the former president of the Supreme
Court Lawyer’s association in Pakistan, and he
continued his brave fight against the dictatorship of
Pervez Musharraf, even from his hospital bed, after
nearly dying from kidney complications after his jail
term.
16 Gwangju News June 2008
“Gwangju is not great in population but great because
of its resilience and fight to be truly independent and
enjoy liberty. I am not worthy of such an honor to be in
the same category as those who gave the supreme
sacrifice and died in search of democracy in Gwangju,”
Malik said.
He listed four main tenets of a “true democracy” – the
Rule of Law; tolerance, and equal treatment of all
under the law; peace, as no democratic society can exist
without peace; and an impartial judiciary, not a system
in which one party who is in a dispute also controls the
courts.
“Because Pakistan has a colonial past, the vestiges of
that past remain. Even after England left, those in the
upper class who governed on England’s behalf,
remained in power. Thus our army had the custom of
training its guns on its own people to squelch uprisings
on behalf of the foreign overlords. This mindset of the
army, to quell people’s uprisings, is still in effect,”
Malik continued.
“Every now and then we hold elections, but there is no
true democracy, because the same feudal landowners
sit in a rubber stamp Parliament, and the judiciary is
the ‘B’ team of the dictator. For many of these feudal
government officials, the road to Islamabad is through
Washington or London,” Malik insisted.

Malik reminded the audience that in March 2007 there

was a cataclysmic event in which Pakistanis died, and
Musharraf, the extremist, was promoted as the anti-
extremist. People were picked up and held, or
disappeared, after being called al-Qaeda terrorists.
They were actually people working for more rights for
the lesser-populated states.

“None of these detainees were ever brought to court,

but the candlelight vigils and throngs of family
members protesting the disappearance of loved ones
was hard to ignore as you walked down the main
thoroughfare to get to the Supreme Court. Eventually
the courts questioned the police about the detainees,
but when the police said they didn’t have them, the
courts did not question any of the intelligence
agencies. It did little to answer the questions asked by
family members of the missing,” Malik said.
“In 2007, Musharraf, having been in office eight years,
was worried that he would be disqualified from
running again. So when Chief Justice Chaudhry, who
was leading the charge against Musharraf, refused to
resign, he was removed from office,” Malik continued.
“The day Chaudhry was supposed to address the
Supreme Court, May 12, 2007, 52 people died and
many others were disfigured when gasoline and
kerosene were poured onto candlelight vigil attendees.
The military dictatorship that attained power in 1999
through a coup d’etat still isn’t backing down, partly
because it still has the backing of the Bush
administration,” Malik pointed out.
“Musharraf lost badly in the February 18 elections.
There is a civilian government now, but there is still no
Rule of Law, the Supreme Court is not independent,
and the 60-year entrenchment of feudal rulers still
prevails. Yet, I believe that right will win out over
might, but it may take another 10 years. Pakistan
learned a lot about being committed to democracy
through your efforts in Gwangju. Your gains will not be
consolidated unless other democracies join with you.
Democracy can be contagious, but so is the squelching
of democracies. We hope to join this dream that
started in Gwangju,” Malik concluded.
In a post-talk interview Malik was even more direct:
“No matter what we do on the streets, Washington is
going to decide who is in power in Islamabad.”
“Pernicious elitism must be battled with the ideals of
equality. Musharraf believes he is above the law, and
we want to bring him down to the level of everyone
else,” Malik said.
Then I switched him to economics, asking about the
World Bank’s purchase of Saudi Pak Bank. “I’m not
sure the charge of the World Bank is to buy another
bank. This may be done to act as a front. Saudi Pak
Bank is a private bank. If the reason for this purchase
were to transfer Saudi funds to Saudi Arabia, I would
not object. However, I would object if the World Bank
used this purchase to move the funds of the people of
Pakistan, outside the country – this would be bad,”
Malik said. “The Saudi Pak Bank is not one of the
larger banks in Pakistan. But the World Bank’s system
has had a bad history. It is bad that the IMF or World
Bank is dictating economic policy, as this infringes on
national sovereignty, and affects foreign policy as
well.”
I then asked about the relationship between the
Benazir Bhutto assassination and Musharraf retaining
power. “Whether he was involved in the assassination
or not, I do not know, and I cannot comment – as a
lawyer I would like to see the evidence. As to whether
he benefited from this or not, it is clear he did,” Malik
said.
“Who runs Pakistan? Washington DC. Musharraf will
call the shots. The two major political parties have
agreed to restore the judiciary, but Musharraf has
blocked this, because Washington doesn’t want this,
because the judiciary cannot be trusted to always do
what Washington wants,” Malik concluded.
By Doug Stuber
Photos by Lee Seok-hyun

Gwangju News June 2008 17

GIC Tour Review
Green Tea
Plantation
n spite of the threatening weather, last month’s GIC
I tour to Boseong was an interesting and beautiful
experience. My husband and I met the group at the
bus terminal and we were soon off to visit a studio,
where we were able to see some drumming and dance
performances. First, a group of ladies played energetic
and exciting music on a series of tall drums. They
moved in dance-like patterns as they were playing. We
also saw another kind of slower dancing performed by
four women. Then we got to try out some of the
instruments ourselves. Most of the tour participants
were given hourglass-shaped drums and shown how to
use the two different drumsticks on both ends of their
instrument. A few people were given cymbals of
different sizes or big bass drums. I got one of the big
drums. It was the first time I had ever really tried to
play a drum, but the Koreans who circulated among the
group to teach us were very helpful and encouraging.
They even called a few people onto the stage to “lead”
the rest of the group. The resulting sounds were less
than authentic, but everyone seemed to enjoy the
opportunity to give it a try.
18 Gwangju News June 2008
After we finished drumming, we moved into an
adjoining room to learn some background about green
tea, and ceremonies associated with it. This room was
set up with a number of low tables, each with its own
tea set. We arranged ourselves on the floor around the
tables and the tour coordinators translated as a
woman explained the proper rituals for brewing and
drinking green tea. She also told us some other
information about green tea, including its many health
benefits, and how to make a green tea skin tonic
(which involved soaking the tea leaves in a bottle of
soju!).
Once we had experienced the finished product, we
headed over to a large green tea plantation to see the
tea in its original state. When we first arrived, we ate a
lunch of green tea noodle soup at the restaurant. My
husband and I talked to another couple over lunch and
we walked around with them after the group split up to
explore the grounds. We stopped at a stand on the
grounds to taste the popular green tea ice cream. Tea
flavored ice cream was a first for the four of us, but it
was good. Unfortunately, the day we went was chilly
and damp, but the gorgeous views of both the
plantation itself and the surrounding mountains were
worth braving the weather for. Rows of neatly trimmed
hedges covered the hillsides, along with many trees.
Some of the trees were in blossom, and everything was
green and lush. The area, including some nearby
woods, was crisscrossed with walking paths for
exploring. The plantation seemed like a popular tourist
spot with Koreans. There were many groups wandering
around, having a good time and taking pictures. The
gift shop, which sold such treats as green tea flavored
cookies and candies as well as tea sets, was also
crowded.
Overall, I thought that the tour was a success. It would
have made for a very refreshing trip on a hotter day,
but of course no one was able to change that. The tour
leaders were forced to do some last minute rearranging
of the schedule due to the weather, but things turned
out well. My husband and I, as well as (I hope) the
other tour participants, came away with a deeper
understanding of some aspects of Korean culture, fun
memories of trying it out for ourselves, and many
pictures of a lovely part of the country.
By Heather Magill
Photos by Heather Magill, Corin Nistico and Srirat Suwannakom
Gwangju News June 2008 19
Community Event
MWF Comedy-Drama
Vietnam Womens Group and Filipino
The Filipino Dance Troupe Migrant Community Pres. Bhong Dumandan
Fun!time Workers Festival
he darkened auditorium was truly huge. And it
T was full. In fact, it was VERY full, with all sorts of
people, mostly young and middle-aged, speaking
all different languages and most of them talking
in barely restrained murmurs. Despite the size, so few
seats were empty that people were standing both in the
aisles and even along the far wall. Some groups were
dressed in fantastically colourful traditional costumes
from a variety of different cultures. Maybe they were
waiting for a chance to perform on the big, wide stage.
From under the lights and behind a podium a man in a
business suit was speaking in formal English, giving a
generic welcoming speech. As I looked around, my friend
ran up and led me back to where the others were seated,
but no seats were spare so I tried sitting on the steps next
to them. When someone came past, I had to stand up and
then when I went to sit down again a young child gave a
squeal. I had nearly sat on him as he was trying to squeeze
past me in the dark. I gave up and went up to stand
immediately behind my friends on the landing by the exit
door, just as the show began to start.
One male and one female MC had come onto the stage
and were taking it in turns in different languages to thank
the first speaker, welcome the crowd and introduce the
first acts. Things sure kicked off to a rocking start with ‘the
most requested band of the year’, the Yong-Shin Band.
They opened with a nicely grungy cover of REM's song
‘The One I Love’. The next song was a crowd-pleaser and
sounded kind of like a Nirvana number sung in a Filipino
language. It featured a surprise cameo invasion of the
20 Gwangju News June 2008
The Yong-Shin Band Comedy-Drama performers
Fan Dance from Chosun University
stage by what appeared to be a group of very happy visa
over-stayers, dancing with delight as they ran away from –
or ran away with – suited authority figures. The organised
mayhem added to the delight of the already noisy
audience. The band's third song saw the four-piece alone
on stage as the energetic singer jumped, danced, growled
and sang. The crowd, however, was already ready for
something different, and they got it.
The Migrant Workers Comedy-Drama Group performed a
series of skits about life as a migrant worker, involving
leaving a home country, getting a job, dealing with stress
from a Korean factory owner-boss while on the job and
after work, losing a job, and – topically for one worker in
Gwangju recently – losing their fingers while working. The
final skits included a slap-stick chase scene about a visa
over-stayer running from authorities, which had the crowd
giggling loudly, and then sighing happily as the hero
returned home to a loving wife.
Edwin then was awarded the Model Migrant Worker
Award 2008 for showing 'whole-hearted support’ for the
Filipino migrant worker community. Juliet Kim and her
husband were awarded the Model Migrant Worker Couple
prize for similarly contributing to the community. Finally
for the awards ceremony, migrant worker Riza Kim shared
her story of how she heard about the idea of coming to
Korea to live, met her future husband, and settled down
into Korean life. She spoke of being both lonely and happy
at the same time on her wedding day, and then growing to
love her husband and family as he worked on the farm and
she worked to raise their two children. They stood beside
her and photos showed on a screen behind to help as she
told her story.
From then on was a celebratory collection of performances
from around Asia, starting with the Chosun University
Dance Students performing a traditional fan dance, which
was visually stunning as much for the elegant moves as the
colourful whirling hanbok and the large swirling fans. The
Filipino Dance Troupe next showed off a stick fight
training dance which was impressive for the speed at
which they spun in circles while hitting their own sticks
against others', all the while keeping in time and not
hitting someone else's hands. This was followed by a more
modern dance number from the group Stanley and His
Crew, who did an impressively long break and hip-hop
dance routine with a large group wriggling, bopping,
hopping and flipping all over the stage non-stop over the
course of a mix of a few contemporary upbeat tracks.
The Chosun University dancers provided another abrupt
change of pace with a drum performance, with thirteen
performers beating, striking and hitting their own and
each others' drums while kneeling, swaying, standing and
smiling in unison. The pace built up slowly but
relentlessly, as the choreographed rhythm of actions
became more complex, and the drummers' moves became
more intense. They received a great round of applause as
they bowed in unison to finish their sequence.
Also popular with the crowd was the next dance by a
group of seven kindergarten-aged children dancing to The
Wonder Girls’ ‘Tell Me’. They were followed by a Filipino
stand-up comedienne who wouldn't let herself be dragged
off stage after a quick rant at the audience. Instead she ran
back on stage to lead the audience in a spontaneous
unaccompanied singing of ‘I Will Survive’ with her own
aerobics routine.
The diverse acts kept arriving on stage with a group of
middle-aged Japanese women in traditional farmers'
clothes. Their dance was surprising for its simple
inventiveness, including a sudden spate of cartwheels.
They were incongruously followed by a young solo singer-
dancer named 'Christina' who dressed, danced and sang
like she'd just stepped out of a pop-song session at a
television recording studio. Her solo act was followed by
another group ironically named ‘Naju Girls’. These were
quite definitely women, not girls, and they were well
coordinated with their tight striped shirt and subtly sexy
dance steps. I seriously contemplated migration to Naju.
Then again, Vietnam was also made suddenly attractive by
another group of colourfully costumed graceful dancers
performing a traditional hat dance. They had the audience
gasping and cheering for their simple, well coordinated
steps.
The scene changed again from dancing to singing as a
male-female duo well-known to the local community sang
a couple of love ballads to each other. They were nice tunes
with great singing including harmonies and extensive vocal
gymnastics.
The final performance of the event was another amazingly
energetic and sharply rehearsed dance number. It stood
out as a performance as it combined elements of Latin and
ballroom dance with a more modern style and featured a
dynamic dancer central to the group who twirled and spun
with the others around the stage in an acrobatic display of
finesse to finish the whole show.
The final act, however, included every performer back on
stage to sing one last song together. By that point though,
most of the crowd was headed out the door for the feed of
KFC waiting outside!
It was a pleasure to see some of the talent hidden among
the factories and homes of the Migrant Workers’
community in our city this year. It was a great opportunity
to learn more about the issues many foreigners in Gwangju
live with in their daily lives. It was an honour to share the
room, the time and the fun with such a diverse crowd of
people simply enjoying themselves.
By J.J. Parkes
Gwangju News June 2008 21
 Photo Contest

“Buddha’s Birthday” By Bobby Chauhan

By Aja Dailey By Crystal Speedie

22 Gwangju News June 2008
 By Liz Heppell

“Damyang” By Rebecca Watson

“Naganeupseong Folk Village” By Rebecca Fairless

Gwangju News June 2008 23

GIC Cultural Tour

Lotus Reservoir and Artists’ Village

Date: June "#st$ "%%&
Cost: "'$%%% won
(GIC members "($%%% won)
Where: Muan Wolseon!ri
Artists’ Village

The White Lotus Reservoir of Hoesan in Muan was built during the dark times of Japanese
colonization. Initially, it served to provide irrigation to adjacent agricultural lands, but as the richer
irrigation waters of the Young San River viaduct began to flow, its function as a reservoir declined
and it has since become a wild habitat for splendid White Magnolias.
The neighboring Wolseon-ri Artists’ Village takes its name from a description by the Taoist monk
Dosun: “The Taoist hermit (seon) reads while the moon (wol) is nestled in the clouds.” The artists will
demonstrate different crafts such as making pottery, calligraphy, Korean painting, natural dyeing
and the tea ceremony.
Please make a reservation before June 18th so we
Itinerary can arrange your travel insurance.
09:50 Meet at left-end platform U-square,
Gwangju Bus Terminal Please kindly pay the tour cost before June 18th to
Gwangju Bank account number 134-107-000999
10:00 Depart for Muan (Depositor: 광주국제교류센터). If you cancel 3 days
11:00 Go sightseeing at Hoesan Baekryunji in advance, 50% of the fee will be refunded. The tour
(Lotus Reservoir) includes transportation, entrance fees, group travel
insurance and information in English (Lunch is not
12:00 Lunch (bring your own) included).
13:00 Depart for Wolseon-ri Artists’ Village This tour may be canceled if less than 20 people
make a reservation. To make a reservation, please
13:30 Visit Wolseon-ri Artists’ Village
contact Kim Nari at the GIC at 062-226-1050 or send
15:00 Experience natural dyeing an e-mail to gwangjuic@gmail.com.
17:00 Tea Time We need the following information:
contact information (e-mail, phone number) / full
18:00 Depart for Gwangju name / nationality / alien registration number
19:00 Arrive in Gwangju (77xxxx-xxxxxx)

Kumho Industrial Co. kindly provides the buses for GIC

Cultural Trips in 2008.

24 Gwangju News June 2008


The Caves
id you know that Korea has caves? I don’t
D know how many caves there are in Korea, but
I will tell you about two famous caves. They
are the Gosu Cave, and the Ondal Cave.
My family and I went to Dang-Yang to visit the caves.
Gosu cave is a huge Paleozoic, limestone cave. While
there, I saw stalagmite and stalactite formations. I also
saw natural stone pillars. The cave is 600m wide and
its length is 700m. It is very big. Korea doesn’t have
many caves, so people find it difficult to believe that
the caves are so beautiful. Gosu Cave is similar to the
scene of the Luray Caverns in Virginia in the USA.
Luray Caverns is the most beautiful cave in the world.
If you see Gosu Cave, your mouth will open wide in
wonder of its beauty. Why? Come with me and I will
show you!
In the cave, you can see coral formations. They are so
pretty that I wanted to buy them. Do you know what
coral is? It’s a formation in the sea. But, they are in
caves too! You might think “It’s a lie!” But it is not a lie.
It is called ‘cave coral’. (Mineral calcite deposits form
from the water coming out of limestone walls.) They
sometimes combine with other formations. The ones
here have stalactites growing out of the bottom. The
cave’s coral is shaped like a fan and it has a delicate
beauty
Next, we went to Ondal Cave. Do you know the story of
Ondal Cave? Once upon a time there was a princess.
Junior GIC
Her father wanted her to marry a noble. But she didn’t
like that idea. She said “I will marry Ondal”. Ondal was
a man that lived in the country with his mom. He was
considered to be a fool. The result was that she was
expelled from her father’s kingdom and she married
Ondal. She taught Ondal military arts and he became
“General Ondal.” He was a very kind and respected
person. His descendants built Ondal Castle in his
honor. Ondal Cave is near the castle. This is where he
meditated and this is how the cave got its name.
In Ondal Cave there is a river too! In old times, people
rode small boats through the cave. Isn’t it surprising?
This is the end of my cave exploration. It was a very
good experience. In Korea, we have many small caves,
but many people don’t know about them or aren’t
interested in them. I hope that after reading my article
more people will visit the caves.
Directions:
Take Dang-Yang -> 88expressway -> Daegu ->Joong-
Boo expressway-> Arrive Dang-Yang!
There are many motels in the downtown Dang-Yang area.
By Kwon Jeong-won
Kwon Jeong Won, aka Christine, is a 6th grade
elementary school student. Her goal is to
become an announcer. She is also a member
of the Junior GIC.
Gwangju News June 2008 25
Interview
One - on - One With Dave Sperling
The Man Behind Dave’s ESL Café
he Gwangju News recently had the opportunity to
T pick the brain of Dave Sperling, the founder and
creator of Dave’s ESL Café. Not only is Dave a
leader and ambassador in the ESL community, he
is also a devoted husband and father.
Dave’s ESL Café started in the fall of 1995 when Dave was
teaching a writing class at California State University,
Northridge. His students were unmotivated and he
wanted to try something different, so he offered to teach
them writing in the context of the Internet. Together they
designed a web page consisting of pictures and humorous
autobiographies. Within a few weeks, his students began
receiving emails from other students around the world
and they quickly became motivated to read, write and
communicate daily in English. This was the beginning of
Dave’s publishing on the Internet. From there, Dave
experimented with different ideas and pages and
developed the café.
Q: Overall, how has the website evolved and changed over
the last decade?
A: Aside from the large increase in traffic to Dave’s ESL
Café, there have been two site redesigns, the latest of
which was implemented in the summer of 2008. It’s also
transformed from a full-time hobby to what is now my
full-time job.
26 Gwangju News June 2008
In my humble opinion, Dave’s ESL Café has become an
amazing resource for teaching jobs around the world.
Each month there are not only hundreds of job openings
for teachers in South Korea and other parts of Asia, but
also jobs in unexpected places such as Laos, Myanmar,
Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and even Iraq. This never ceases to
blow me away!
Q: Ten years ago, you had over one million hits per month
on the site. How many hits per month do you get now?
A: I get somewhere around 30 million accesses per
month.
Q: Ten years ago, you stated that the website’s content
was fairly balanced for teachers and students. Would you
say that balance has been maintained, or has the content
of the web site shifted more in one direction?
A: Although I do get a lot of students that access my site, I
think that Dave’s ESL Café has become more of a teacher-
oriented website, especially for those that want to teach
abroad. With this said, I’m still proud of my student
pages, especially the sections on idioms, phrasal verbs,
and slang. The student forums are also active.
Q: It’s no secret that China’s economy is rapidly growing
and will likely overtake the U.S.A. as the world’s biggest
economy. Some therefore argue that learning Chinese as a
second language may now be more beneficial than
learning English. How would you respond to such a
claim?
A: I’ve always been a proponent of learning a second
language (I’ve studied Thai, Japanese, and Spanish), but I
don’t see Chinese replacing English as the global lingua
franca. English will most likely continue to be the main
language linking individuals from around the world.
Q: Do you run the website yourself or do you have a staff
that helps you out?
A: I do most of the work myself. I did have an assistant
for a few years, but I never replaced him after he left in
2003. I do, however, have various people that help me out
from time to time (i.e. programmers, web designers,
accountants, etc.), and, of course, I have a superb
volunteer moderating team that helps moderate the
various forums.
Q: Do you still work out of your home? I read that one of
your goals ten years ago was to get it out of your bedroom.
Did you achieve that goal?
A: I solved the problem by purchasing a larger home
three years ago, so I’m still home-based. It’s working out
well, though, because being home allows me to spend
more time with my two children, and I can be more
involved in their upbringing. I also have lunch together
with my wife nearly every day.
Q: In your interview 10 years ago, you had just started
taking on sponsors to cover some of the maintenance
costs. Based on the number of job postings every day on
the site, I’m guessing the business-side of Dave’s ESL has
grown exponentially since then. Has the website become
your primary source of income? In other words, are you
filthy rich now or what?
A: Filthy rich? No, you’ll need to talk to Bill Gates about
that! The business side of Dave’s ESL Café took off in
1999, and it has enabled me to make a good living. And
yes, it is my primary source of income.
Q: How many countries have you visited in your life?
Could you pick a favorite spot?
A: Too many to list! I traveled a lot growing up and visited
Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East several
times. I backpacked Europe in 1979 and 1980, and in 1982
I did Africa, traveling from Egypt, through the Sudan, into
Ethiopia, and finally into Kenya. It was an amazing trip,
and one that will be with me for the rest of my life. I
moved to Japan to teach English in 1985, and that began
my fascination with Asia. I subsequently taught in
Thailand and Vietnam, and also traveled throughout
Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Finally, in the 1990s I visited Brazil, Chile, and Bolivia.
Q: How many times have you been to South Korea? Do
you have any lasting memories or funny stories from your
visits?
A: I was there twice for two different conferences … one in
Seoul and one in Busan. The only kind of funny story I
recall is when I missed the flight from Seoul to Busan
because I was so absorbed on updating Dave’s ESL Café! I
also remember attending a Dave’s ESL Café Korean
Forum get-together at a bar in Seoul, and it was strange
and wonderful to see so many friendships that had
developed because of the website. I also felt a little bit like
the odd man out!
Q : The Korean government recently changed the
requirements for foreign English teachers. Teachers now
need a criminal background check and a health check
(including drug and HIV screening) before they are issued
a work visa. What is your opinion of these new rules?
A: I have mixed feelings. On one hand I can understand
the need to have stricter screening for teachers, but I’m
not convinced that criminal background and health checks
will completely solve all the problems. It now makes it
much longer and more difficult to recruit teachers, and
some teachers may even decide to teach in another
country. In addition, some teachers have had minor
brushes with the law, and I don’t feel that this expresses a
full picture of the person.
Q: You’ve written three books, but haven’t released one
since 1999. Do you have any plans to write any more books
in the future?
A: I’m not really interested, but anything is possible. I feel
that the world of ESL publishing has become so corporate
and impersonal, so it’s a path that doesn’t really interest
me at this time.
Q: Are you still teaching?
A: No, I gave that up in 1999. I have, however, done
several Internet workshops over the past decade.
Q: How many hours per week do you work? Do you work
7 days a week? How much vacation time do you take in a
year?
A: Yes, I work seven days a week, but not too many hours
on the weekends. I get online around 6:30 a.m. and finish
up around 5 p.m. Vacation time? Well, I take trips with
my kids at the times of their school holidays. Last year we
spent a week in Paris, and we always spend four weeks in
Chiangmai, Thailand each August. Needless to say, I
always bring my laptop!
Q: Tell us about an average day in the life of Dave
Sperling. What’s your routine?
A: Pretty boring! Well, I’m up at 6:30 a.m., check my
email, do some basic ESL Café work, and then help make
breakfast for my two children. At 7:45 a.m. I drive my son
to school, and then stop of at a local park to jog for 45
minutes. Then it’s back home to process and post the job
ads, which usually takes me to the noon hour. My wife
and I have lunch together at one of our favorite ethnic
restaurants (Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Greek,
etc.). Then it’s back home for some more online work until
I pick up my son from school. I then wrap things up
around 5 p.m., and help my wife prepare dinner.
Television or a DVD or maybe some reading completes my
evening. I crash out around 11 p.m. On Thursday
mornings I always have breakfast with my older brother
and my 88-year-old father.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time? What are
your hobbies?
A: These days my main hobby is motorcycles. I own three
bikes: a BMW F800S, a Triumph Scrambler, and a
Triumph 2,300cc Rocket. I ride most days, and have put
on 11,000 miles in 8 months, and thousands more as we
approach spring, summer, and fall. And Southern
California is ideal for riding: stunning canyons,
mountains, beaches, and deserts. I am also an avid
photographer, and try to take my camera out as often as I
can. You can see my pictures at
www.pbase.com/davesperling. I read a lot and love
music. My son plays keyboards, guitar, ukulele, accordion,
and mandolin. My daughter plays cello and piano. Proud?
Sure!
Q: How do you think the site will change in the next 10
years? What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?
A: Dave’s ESL Cafe will continue to grow and hopefully
become more and more popular in the upcoming years.
Ten years from now? Gosh, I’ll be getting pretty old then,
but hopefully healthy and strong enough to embark on an
exciting motorcycle adventure. Heck, I might even try to
climb Mt. Everest!
By Rob Smith
Gwangju News June 2008 27
Community
And Then There Were Seven:
Surviving “Comfort Women”
at the House of Sharing
W
ithin the collective unconscious of the
Western world, a stereotyped vision of Asian
elders pervades: namely, that of a white-
bearded man who sits on top of a grassy hill,
waiting patiently to enlighten the youth with his copious
amounts of sagacity.
But let's put the man aside for a second and turn to the
hills of Korea. Here, nestled in the rolling landscape of
Gyeongi province, reside seven elderly women who
possess the key to understanding one of life's most
important lessons. The only problem is that not enough
people are listening.
The women who live in the House of Sharing are known
as the halmoni, or grandmothers. More commonly they
are referred to as "sexual slaves", or the euphemized title
"comfort women."
During Japanese colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945,
the "comfort women" suffered systematic sexual abuse at
the hands of the Japanese military. Japanese soldiers
recruited women by deceiving families into thinking that
their daughters would be working for factories or
acquiring educations, encouraging young girls at schools
to "serve" the Great Japanese Empire, and even
kidnapping women who were walking alone outside.
At the numerous comfort stations scattered throughout
Asia, the "comfort women" were raped by Japanese
soldiers and officers from 10 to 30 times per day on
weekdays and even more frequently on weekends.
Physical abuse was rampant, with soldiers often beating
the women to the point of unconsciousness, branding
them with hot irons, or slicing them with katana blades.
On top of the physical abuse, the majority of the "comfort
women" acquired infections and sexually transmitted
diseases. Those who became pregnant were administered
shots of 606, an arsenic-based drug used to abort babies.
Undergoing the poisoning and miscarriage process just a
few times was enough to render many of the women
incapable of reproduction, thus shattering any dreams
they may have had for creating their own families after
the war. Another common alternative for the pregnant or
diseased was "mysterious disappearance."
An estimated 50,000 to 200,000 women were forced into
sexual slavery by the Japanese prior to and during World
War II. Because Korea was Japan's only colonial territory,
80 to 90 percent of Japan's sexual slaves were Korean
women. It is estimated that only 25 percent of all
28 Gwangju News June 2008
"comfort women" survived their experiences and the
war.
Now well into their seventies and eighties, the surviving
halmoni have proven to the world that overcoming the
years of subjugation and silence is possible. In 1991,
Kim Hak-soon went public with her testimonial as a
surviving "comfort woman," spurring approximately
200 women from North Korea and 200 women from
South Korea to officially report their status as survivors
to their respective governments. Between 40 and 50
South Korean women, or less than 0.1 percent of the
original population of "comfort women," have
recounted their pasts publicly with detailed
testimonials.
In 1992 the Buddhist's Human Rights Committee
helped establish the House of Sharing, a communal
home for the halmoni, many of whom were sick, had
little or no family, or both. Despite their health
difficulties, the House of Sharing halmoni join forces
with other surviving "comfort women" every
Wednesday to protest in front of the Japanese embassy
in Seoul between noon and 1 p.m. February 13, 2008
marked their 800th consecutive protest.
The halmoni continue to pressure the Japanese
government to respond to their list of seven basic
demands, which includes admitting to the systematic
drafting of military comfort women, issuing an official
apology to the women, erecting memorials in Japan,
paying reparations to the victims and their families, and
punishing any surviving war criminals, among others.
The Japanese government has yet to issue a formal
apology directly to the halmoni and has only offered to
provide the women with financial assistance from
private Japanese donors. And as of last year, the private
fund expired.

The Korean government has issued the halmoni with

700,000 won per month (approximately US$700), but it
has not pressured the Japanese government to take moral
or legal responsibility for the massive violations of human
rights committed during colonial rule. The current Korean
president, Lee Myung-bak, has specifically stated that he
will not bring up historic issues in his relations with
Japan, a decision made in order to avoid compromising
Korean-Japanese diplomatic and economic ties.

But lack of adequate governmental support has not

reduced the amount of fiery zeal that flows through the
veins of the halmoni. A testament to this is the sprightly,
fierce, and incredibly witty Yi Ok-sun, who currently
resides at the House of Sharing. The 82-year-old, who has
just completed another tour of testimonial-sharing and
speeches in Japan, is quite healthy but noticeably short of
hearing. She attributes this to the beatings she received
from Japanese soldiers, during which her ears were
severely damaged and most of her teeth were knocked
out.
After being snatched off of the street as a young girl and
taken to China to work as a laborer in an airport, Yi Ok-
sun was forced to serve in a comfort station. She spent 58
years of her life in China and returned to Korea in 2000.
Up to that point, Korean government records had listed
her as dead, so she had to revive much of her paperwork
and prove that she was in fact still living. Soon after
returning to Korea, she offered her public testimonial and
began participating in the Wednesday protests.
Still, the sadness that came with liberation has taken a toll
on Yi Ok-sun. She returned to her country devoid of a
lifetime of memories that she deserved every right to
experience. At the House of Sharing, she fell into the
welcoming arms of a new family but watching her fellow
halmoni pass away with unfulfilled hopes has been heart-
wrenching.
"I used to be a good singer," Yi Ok-sun told the wide-eyed
group of visiting Koreans and foreigners who were
pressuring her to sing with the house's karaoke machine.
"You have to have the spirit to sing. But I don't have the
spirit to do that anymore."
The House of Sharing is always open to visitors, and once
a month there is an English tour of the house and
museum offered by knowledgeable and dedicated
personnel. The tour ends with a translated testimonial
and interactive discussion session with the halmoni,
provided that they are feeling well enough to participate.
Since the New Year, two halmoni from the House of
Sharing have passed away, leaving seven others behind to
carry on the struggle towards justice. With their numbers
rapidly decreasing, the halmoni fear that they may not
successfully elicit an official apology from the Japanese
government while they are alive. Although the halmoni
have not given up, their concerns are shifting towards
another vital goal: ensuring that their stories are not lost
in history. The halmoni want the world to understand not
only what happened to them but also what is currently
happening to millions of women throughout the world.
They want history to be recorded properly so as to prevent
as many women as possible from falling victim to rape,
abuse, and human trafficking.
Perhaps one of the most frightening things I learned at
the House of Sharing was how little exposure Korean
students themselves have received with respect to the
"comfort women" issue. When a group of engaging Seoul
National University students was asked about how much
they learned about the "comfort women" in high school,
the entire group responded in near unison.
"Just one or two sentences," they answered dejectedly.
The stories of the halmoni undeniably merit much more
than a few mere sentences during history class. The
halmoni are living pieces of an unresolved puzzle from the
days prior to and during World War II that has to be
properly pieced together: a puzzle that has transcended
generations, tested silenced spirits, and culminated in
revolutionary acts of self-assertion. Their plight is one of
profound enormity and unfortunately looming expiration.
The way to resolve this issue once and for all is through
increased educational awareness and domestic and
international pressure. If you, the reader, ever happen to
be in Seoul or the surrounding area, seriously consider
paying the halmoni a visit at the House of Sharing or in
front of the Japanese embassy on Wednesdays. The more
people who heed the advice of these wise and war-weary
women, the better. And maybe, just maybe, the world's
collective calling will penetrate the ears and hearts of both
Korean and Japanese government officials before the
words of our heroic, Korean grandmothers fade into
echoes.
For more information, please visit the House of Sharing
website (www.nanum.org/eng), or attend a Wednesday
protest. Everyone is welcome.
By Michael Solis
Michael Solis is a visiting researcher at the
National Human Rights Commission of Korea
under the auspices of the Luce Scholars
Program. He is a graduate of Princeton
University. Any comments on this article
should be sent to: msolis18@gmail.com
Gwangju News June 2008 29
Community
Mike White Story
ore sad news as another foreigner has died
M under suspicious circumstances in Korea. 14-
year-old Michael White was pronounced
dead in the early hours of May 11th after
spending the previous night with his family in a sauna
outside Daegu.
Details of the story have been in constant flux since the
story broke. According to official medical reports the
cause of death was drowning, although examinations
reveal that Michael had been coughing and dry-heaving
for quite some time. Police reported that fifteen other
people were in the men’s side of the sauna with him,
but, according to a Korea Times article, have thus far
ruled out foul play. However, Stephannie White,
Michael’s mother, said in an interview with the “Seoul
Podcast” that the case was being treated as a murder
investigation, but that under Korean law the police
were unable to compel witnesses to testify.
According to Michael’s mother, who was in the sauna
with him and who broke the story on blogs and on a
Facebook page, when he was eventually found, lying
collapsed and unconscious in shallow water, the sauna
owner pronounced him dead and called an ambulance.
The Emergency Medical Technicians opted not to use
their oxygen tanks or defibrillators and, according to
Ms. White, made a number of critical errors in treating
Mike. “The really heart wrenching thing is that staff
didn’t get us,” Stephannie White told the Korea
Herald. “We are both first responder trained and we
could have saved him.” The sauna owner claims he
made an announcement in Korean throughout the
sauna to try and locate Michael’s mother and two
friends, one of whom is bilingual. Michael’s mother
later said that the sauna owner was rescinding his
claim that he attempted to find the family. Michael’s
30 Gwangju News June 2008
mother has been critical of the inadequate medical
attention Michael received and of the disinterested
police work that has followed.
There have been several other cases of mysterious
foreigner deaths in recent memory. In March, teacher
Bill Kapoun and his girlfriend died in a fire in their
Seoul apartment, and although the idea of arson was
entertained, the investigation was stopped after the
body was released to his family. In 2003, Matthew
Sellers died in police custody. He was reportedly
behaving erratically, was picked up by the police and
taken to a hospital where he was restrained and
drugged, and died while en route to a second hospital.
The case was never solved and the cause of death
remains unknown. And in 2001 exchange student
Jamie Penich was found murdered in an Itaewon hotel
room, the murderer still at large.
The family is organizing vigils following Michael’s
death. One was held at the US Embassy in Seoul on
May 16th, and another will be held in front of the
sauna in Gyeongsan every Sunday until the mother has
answers. As of publication, there was another event
planned for May 30th at a Daegu bar, “Thunderbirds.”
Those interested in more information can visit the
Facebook group “A Mother is looking for answers
about her son.” An hour-long interview with
Stephannie White is available at
www.seoulpodcast.com.
By Brian Deutsch
Additional information on the case is available in both English
and Korean on the following sites:
더 자세한 사항을 알고 싶으신 분은 아래 사이트를 방문해
주십시오.!(한,영 웹사이트)
www.mightiemike.com
www.mikewhitesmom.blogspot.com
1st UNESCO Asian Youth Cultural Festival
(June "&th "%%&$ Geumnam Park)
Gwangju International Center (GIC) will
hold the 1st UNESCO Asian Youth Cultural
Festival on June 28th. This event is being
organized as a part of the 2nd UNESCO
Asian Youth Forum (June 26th-30th) to
cultivate and support a substantial Asian
youth community network. We are looking
for harmony and unity among all youth in
Gwangju, overcoming lingual, cultural or
other barriers through activities including,
campaigns, talks, performances, and a
cricket competition from differing cultural
backgrounds. This will be a unique chance
for all youth to share their knowledge and
thoughts on Asia.

Please come and enjoy it all!

THEME: Street parade and performance

Asian Peace! Encounter with Asian youth Campaign under the slogan: “Fair Trade”,
from Chosun University to
Geumnamno.
ITINERARY
Date: June 28th 2008 (Sat.) 09:00~22:00 Cricket Sports exchange through
learning and competing in
Venue: Geumnam Park, Gwangju Competition cricket.
Organizers:
- Gwangju International Center Performance Share the youth culture through
- Korean National Commission for UNESCO a cappella, folk, fusion classical
music and a Mongolian band.
Co-organizers:
- Free University Art experiences, art show, local
- Gwangju Youth Service center Asian Market artists flea market themed
- Social Art Enterprise under Fair Trade.
- Youth Cultural Community Aurem
Cooperation: Cultural exchange by sharing
Asian Food Asian food from Bangladesh,
- Foreign Students Community China, India, Korea, Mongolia,
(Bangladesh, China, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Vietnam) Nepal, Vietnam.
- UNESCO Gwangju/Chonnam Association
Free discussion and talk about
Sponsors: youth community in Asia (case
Asian Talk
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reports by UNESCO Asia Youth
Forum participants).
- Chosun University

Contacts and more information:

Gwangju International Center
Website: www.gwangjuic.or.kr, E-mail: gwangjuic@gmail.com, Tel: 062-226-1050, 2734

Gwangju News June 2008 31

Community
Sri Lanka Prison Conditions
n May 10, 2008, Fr. Nandana, Sashi, Madu,
O Benedict and I, representing the Kandy
Human Rights Office, went to Bogambara
Prison to see the prisoners’ status and to
hold the monthly program for them.
This program is not oppressive or forceful in order to
make them convert their religion; the program is a
non-religious, valuable, and educational program.
Since all prisoners are controlled by stringent, strict,
and invariable schedules, prisoners could be easily
drift into a life of just being present, without thought
and creativity. The program gives an opportunity for
prisoners to watch videos that they are otherwise not
able to view, and the prisoners are able to concentrate
their thoughts and express their own ideas through this
program.
It was a worthwhile time for outsiders to have an
opportunity to know about prison conditions of Sri
Lanka, where its judicial system dysfunctions, and
money or power can talk in judicial procedure, and
there is ongoing civil war between the government and
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for
separation in the Jaffna area and northeast.
Since the Sri Lankan government is worried over
foreign country’s help for LTTE, it takes heed of
foreigners who work for human rights: for this reason I
had to veil myself as a Korean Sister in case of being
rejected. After submitting our documents, which stated
who we were, we got in to the prison. How can people
believe that a prison is located very close to downtown?
While others set up video and screen facilities, I walked
32 Gwangju News June 2008
around the prison. The small garden improving the
prison environment sits opposite to the main gate, and
there is a kitchen, where prison meals are prepared, a
short distance from main gate. It looked quite nasty,
unsanitary, and even I was not aware that it was a
kitchen before a group of prisoners who were working
there mentioned it. Next to the kitchen, there was a
hall, computer room, tailoring room, a tap water
facility (can you believe that it is for 2,400 prisoners?),
and a small ground where prisoners play sports like
volleyball.
Kandy Bogambara prison has a total of 328 cells, and
there are five or six persons in each cell. The number of
prisoners is now up to 2,400 as of May 10, 2008. As I
took it, it looked absurdly small for holding this many
prisoners, compared with Korean prisons of the same
capacity. Even though I could not look around the
cells, it is easy to imagine their poor conditions.
According to Mr. Ranil, who is the welfare officer of
Bogambara Prison, if the court sent 1,000 persons at
once, they would have to hold them with no
consideration of the rest of its capacity. Moreover,
there is no attempt to improve the prisoner's condition
where it is already terrible.
The prison was constructed nearly 100 years ago. It is
too old to keep properly clean and is not able to
incorporate modernized equipment. However, the
encouraging thing amid its terrible status is that it
provides a curriculum, which allows prisoners to learn
skills with 32 instructors teaching 13 different kinds of
subjects. In addition, all are allowed to join in the
Bogambara Prison
 Bogambara Prison’s gate
religious ceremony. Religion takes a great part of a Sri
Lankan’s life. Sri Lanka is one of the most religious and
multiracial countries consisting of Sinhalese, Tamil,
Muslim, Burger, etc; most Sinhalese believe in
Buddhism, most Tamil believe in Hindu. Since every
Sri Lankan believes in one of the Gods, they normally
say ‘God bless you’ instead of ‘good-bye’.
Returning to our program, it started at 3:00 p.m., and
46 condemned prisoners participated. Compared with
other months, fewer people came because there was a
program held by the Prison Officer at the same time.
The video clip showed several episodes of ‘Selfishness’.
During screening, all participants watched it seriously,
and some questions followed. I did not understand
what they asked. However, one thing I caught was that
they responded with their reflections. It is very
important feedback because it can be a starting point to
relieve them from self-abasement. Without self-
forgiveness, how can they try to start a better life than
now? Even Buddhism, which near 70 percent of Sri
Lankans believe in, does not give forgiveness to a
prisoner’s life.
The inside story
It was a valuable experience. I am afraid to say that the
Bogambara Prison condition is quite miserable.
Because the building is very old and tumbled-down, it
cannot hold sufficient facilities for 2,400 prisoners and
so suffers from problems such as tap water access, and
insufficient toilets and bathrooms.
There is no library. There is no doctor for the 2,400
people stationed on the grounds. Prisoners are not
permitted to watch TV, and they do not have the
minimum of private space. I do not think it is
reasonable to leave this miserable situation just
because they are prisoners or criminals. At least, they
should be given the minimum of facilities as human
beings, whether they are murderers or robbers.
The prison attempts to isolate criminals from society.
Since it is impossible to isolate all criminals, the prison
has to also give prisoners the opportunity to prepare
Left side corner of Bogambara Prison
for a new start in order to be sound for society. That is
why I believe that Sri Lanka justice system provides
institution programs for prisoners.
Fr. Nandana, who is the director of Human Rights
Office of Kandy, strongly mentioned that it is
important to study the prison conditions. I agree with
him and I believe that finally it will bring a change. He
intends to produce a tele-drama with prisoners inside
the prison to reveal it. As poor conditions of prisons
have not been talked about seriously in Sri Lanka, it
can be a great opening in Sri Lanka human rights
movement. Kandy Human Rights Office is going to
start helping rehabilitate prisoners, preparing families
to receive them and supporting some of them legally
because some people went to prison simply because
they were too poor to hire a lawyer to defend them in
the Courts.
Prisoners do not deserve to be put in poor conditions.
Without the matter of their guilt, they should deserve
to stay in ordinary conditions at least as a human
being. Prison is not a blind spot of Human Rights.
By Park Mi-hye (Korean intern)
Park Mi-hye is currently working as an intern at Human Rights
Office in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Kandy Human Rights Office especially works to
support human rights violation victims, especially who
are tortured by police officers. It helps victims to file
the case against police officer and keep them from
being menaced by police officers. In addition, it with
rape and child sexual abuse cases. The worst problem
of Sri Lanka human rights situation is not only extreme
torture by police officers but also dysfunctional judicial
system, for example 'delays' in procedure. Moreover,
a number of Sri Lankan people take this dysfunction
for granted. Even though it has to face countless
obstacles, Kandy Human Rights Office struggles to
work for victims in strong faith as light must be
followed after going through a long, dark tunnel. If you
would like or are willing to help victims, please contact
GIC or kandyHRO@gmail.com.
Gwangju News June 2008 33
Sport
The Kia Tigers Cheer Leader:
Kim Joo-il
ou may not recognize his face, but if you’ve
Y ever been to the stadium in Gwangju for a ball
game or watched a Kia game on TV, you will
have heard the scratchy voice of Kim Joo-il
whipping fans into a frenzy of support for their
beloved Tigers. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a
cheer leader, in that he leads the crowd in cheers. And
the cheers just keep on coming! From the top of the
first to the bottom of the ninth and beyond, the
cheerleaders, and the fans, are chanting, dancing,
singing and shouting, and it all originates with Kia
Tiger M.C., Kim Joo-il.
He’s the guy wearing the Kia Tigers uniform and
standing in the midst of the four pom-pommed
princesses. He tells spectators when to bash their
thundersticks together or stand up and scream for the
wave. He teaches new cheers or makes public service
announcements like telling certain people at the game
to turn off their phones and pay attention lest they get
beaned by an errant foul ball. And during breaks in the
action, I’ve seen him hold contests in dancing, kissing,
beer chugging, couples limbo, arm wrestling, breath
holding, skipping, taekwondo board breaking and
many other fun spectacles.
On May 4th, the day before Children’s Day, I was
riding the bus from Mokpo to Gwangju looking
forward to the game and a post-game interview the
Tigers’ M.C. had generously agreed to do.
Unfortunately the game never took place. It was
rained out. Fortunately Joo-il called me up and made
arrangements to meet me in Jeon-dae Hu-mun for
34 Gwangju News June 2008
some samgyupsal and adult beverages. The following
is a paraphrased version of what we talked about:
Dave: “So where are you from?”
Joo-il: “I was born in Gwangju but I now live in
Seoul. Hak-dong area.”
Dave: “Where did you go to school?”
Joo-il: “I went to Yongin University in Yongin. My
major was taekwondo.”
Dave: “How long have you been doing this job?”
Joo-il: “Eight years.”
Dave: “Do you like it?”
Joo-il: “No. I love it!”
Dave: “Do you practice with the cheerleaders?”
Joo-il: “Yes. Three times a week.”
Dave: “Ever date a cheerleader?”
Joo-il: (gets a mischievous look in his eye) “Every day.”
Dave: “Do you ever go on the road with the team?”
Joo-il: “Yes, we cheer at Mudeung Stadium in
Gwangju, Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, and now Mokdong
Stadium in Seoul. It’s the home of the newest team in
the KBO, the Woori Heroes.”
Dave: “Wow! So you’re busier than I thought.”
Joo-il: “It works out to about 17-20 games a month.”
Dave: “Where do the cheers come from? Do you make
them yourself?”
Joo-il: “I make some myself. Like the Sniper cheer for
Chang Sung-ho or the YMCA cheer for Valdez. I made
one for Kim Sung-bin. And also the Kim Weon-seop
cheer.”

He then taught me several cheers and even wrote the

Kim Weon-seop cheer on my notepad. It goes like this:
“Ya! Ho na neun Kim Weon-seop ee jo ah.
Nallyeobeoryeo nallyeobeoryeo Kim Weon-seop.”
Rough translation is “Hey! I think Kim Weon-seop is
good. Get a hit, get a hit Kim Weon-seop!”

If you’re curious about the Sniper cheer mentioned it is

sung to the tune of “The Ants Go Marching” and goes
something like, “Nallyeobeoryeo nallyeobeoryeo anta
Chang Sung-ho. Nallyeobeoryeo nallyeobeoryeo anta
Chang Sung-ho. Nallyeobeoryeo, nallyeobeoryeo
nallyeobeoryeo nallyeobeoryeo Seu na ee puh, (sniper),
Chang Sung-ho!”

While making our way to a second location, Joo-il was

recognized by several university students and other
kids who were walking the streets. I was happy to see
that even though Korea has become yet another soccer-
crazed nation since the World Cup in 2002, baseball
maintains a modicum of popularity with the young
folks. I asked a few more questions at the new bar. The writer and Kim Joo-il

Dave: “I notice your white uniform is always sparkly

clean. Who washes it?”
Joo-il: “Myself.”
Dave: “What was your greatest moment at this job?”
Joo-il: “Kia Tigers Championships! Especially in 2006
when Lee Hyeon-gon hit a grand slam against Ryu
Hyeon-jin.”
Dave: “So you’ve been with the Tigers during the good
times.”
Joo-il: “Yes. It was great. Now times are not so good.”
Dave: “Right last place last year. Last place, (at the
time of the interview), this year. I have to ask what your
worst moment with the team has been.”
Joo-il : “March 30 this season. Kia vs. Doosan. Kia was
winning 6-0 and they lost 7-6. That was a bad game for
them.”
Dave: “Yeah I heard about that game. I didn’t watch it
though. Do you ever get tired of cheering? Or hungry?
You’re out there a long time.”
Joo-il: “I don’t eat before games. Always after.”
Dave: “And all the people in the stands are eating
chicken and pizza and kimbap. Don’t you ever run out
of energy or get hungry and feel like asking someone in
the front row for a piece of their chicken?”
Joo-il: “No. Never. But I always have a good meal after
the games.”
Dave: “Not even in that 5-hour game March 24th
against the Woori Heroes when Kia won 7-6? THAT
was MY favourite Kia moment! Lee Hyeon-gon was the
hero in that one too with a bases loaded walk-off single
in the bottom of the 12th inning.
Joo-il: “Yeah that was a great game! The infield was
drawn in so the hit was not a great one but it was good
enough!”
Dave: “Right. And he was 0 for 5 to that point in the
game too if I’m not mistaken. That’s baseball though.
What do you do in the off season when Kia’s not
playing?”
Joo-il: “I also work in the late fall and winter with the
KT & G men’s basketball team and the Samsung
Insurance women’s basketball team. And then in
spring it’s back to baseball.”
Dave: “Cheering all year. One last question, Joo-il, if I
became a member of the Kia Tigers, what kind of cheer
would you write for me?”
Joo-il: “I don’t know.”
In my opinion Kim Joo-il is very good at what he does
and he is a pretty nice guy. I’ll be cheering along with
him many more times. Hope to see you there too. Kia
fighting!
By David MacCannell

Gwangju News June 2008 35

Community

MaryKay Severino brainstorms with her students before playing Around the World

Back to Basics Part 2:

Energizing Your Classroom
n last month’s “Back to Basics” article, I discussed took A LOT of time. I had to make sure the lessons were

I learning styles. Your personal learning style can

affect how you teach. Therefore, when creating
lesson plans, it's important to make sure that the
activities and teaching materials are aimed at
auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners. But what do
you do when you are told you must use this textbook
and these dialogs, as we are often told here in S.K.? Are
all those ideas about creating lessons for every learning
style out the window? Should we just leave our
creativity at the door and spend each class having the
students read and memorize dialogs? This month's
focus – energizing your classroom – will answer these
questions.
cohesive and built upon grammar and vocabulary that I
had previously taught. My lessons were fun and
creative, and most of the time the students enjoyed
them. However, I was on the fast track to burnout. That
is when I realized that textbooks had better become my
friends.
Using the textbook does not mean you have to stop
planning fun and creative lessons. It does not mean you
have to use and teach the vocabulary and dialogs the
same way every time. Here are some fun activities that
I use in conjunction with the textbook to make it more
fun for everyone, including me.

When I first began teaching, I believed that textbooks Fun with Textbook Vocabulary
were my enemy. I thought they killed all student
creativity and made for very boring classes. So I spent Vocabulary Bingo: I play this game with direct
all my time creating entire lessons from scratch. This translations or with synonyms, depending upon the

36 Gwangju News June 2008

 Duam 1st grader Yang Jun-hyeok celebrates his Around the World victory Duam 3rd graders find their Dialog Mix-up partners

students’ levels. I give the students a list of 20
vocabulary words from the textbook and a blank Bingo
sheet with 20 empty boxes. They must write a
translation or synonym for each vocabulary word in
each empty box on the Bingo sheet. Then I read the
vocabulary words and the students circle the
vocabulary word's translation or synonym until
someone gets Bingo.
Around the World: In the textbook, my lessons
often have themes such as fruit, music, jobs, etc. I'll
use fruit as an example. First, I write "Fruit" in the
center of the board and have the students brainstorm
different fruit names as I write their ideas on the
board. Then I give them a few minutes to study the
fruit names before erasing all the words. Finally, I
have the students stand. Each student must say the
name of a fruit or sit down. No word can be said twice.
The last one standing wins.
Fun with Textbook Dialogs
Fun with Textbook Reading
Comprehension
True/False Swat: I write "True" on the top center of
the chalkboard and "False" on the low center of the
chalkboard and split the students into two teams. One
student from each team comes to the front of the room.
I give them each a flyswatter. After I read a True/False
statement, the students must ‘swat’ the correct answer.
With the flyswatters it's easy to see who answers first.
This team gets the point.
Student Teachers: As a class, we decide on the type
of test: multiple choice, True/False, or short answer.
Then in groups/pairs, the students write a five-
question test. Then they trade exams and take the quiz.
The group/pair with the highest grade wins.
I hope this information helps you to energize your
classroom by going “Back to Basics”!

By MaryKay Severino
Dialog Mix-up: Using a few different dialogs, take
two sentences from each. Make sure each pair of
sentences can only be used together and not with any
of the other sentences. Give each student one of these
sentences written on a small piece of paper, and have
them find their "sentence partner." Then together,
without using textbooks, they must re-write their
dialog or create a new one of their own.

Dialog Relay Races: Many of the schools I have

worked with still believe strongly in memorizing
dialogs. To make this more interesting, I give the
students 10 minutes to memorize the dialog. Then I
put them in two or three teams lined up at the board.
Each student must write one sentence on the board,
and after he or she has completed it, the student
hands over the chalk. In order to determine the
winning team, I give 100 points to the first place Duam 3rd graders compete in a Dialog Relay Race
winner and 95 to the second place winner. But the
twist is that each mistake costs the team one point.

Gwangju News June 2008 37

Perspective
Learning the
Real Lesson of 2002
his June is the sixth anniversary of the 2002
T accident involving a United States 2nd
Infantry Division (2ID) armoured vehicle that
struck and killed two thirteen-year-old Korean
schoolgirls, Shim Mi-son and Shin Hyo-sun. This
accident mobilized large segments of the Korean
public against the United States military presence in
Korea and has affected the status of the US-ROK
alliance to this very day. However, the anti-US protests
and political demagoguery that surrounded this tragic
accident totally missed the real issue at the heart of
why this accident happened in the first place; traffic
and pedestrian safety in Korea.
This accident is very personal to me because I was
stationed in the 2ID in 2002 and have driven
armoured vehicles down the very road where the
accident happened. When I first heard about it, I was
not surprised that an accident had occurred. Many of
the roads in the 2ID area were very narrow at the time
and were filled with both civilian and military traffic.
To make matters worse the roads were also used by
many pedestrians and had few, if any, sidewalks. It
was a common sight back then to see Korean civilians
walking on the white line on the side of the road
despite heavy armoured vehicles and tanks coming
down the road behind them. They would simply
continue to walk on the white line with their hands
over their ears to muffle the sounds of the passing
tanks oblivious to the danger.
The road was widened and sidewalks were added to the site after
the accident happened.
38 Gwangju News June 2008
Having driven armoured vehicles down these roads, I
have personally seen many near accidents because of
these poor road conditions and lack of pedestrian
awareness. One incident I particularly remember was
when my unit was driving through the city of Pocheon
and a young lady talking on a cell phone walked in
front of my Bradley tank. I yelled at my driver to stop
over the intercom and fortunately he did, narrowly
missing the woman. How she remained oblivious to a
30-ton hulk of metal driving down Highway 43,
heading right at her, is beyond me. When I think about
this near accident, I always reflect on how easily it
could have been me and my crew on trial for killing a
Korean civilian, instead of the two sergeants involved
in the 2002 accident in question.
Military traffic in the U.S. would never be allowed on
such roads, but in the 2ID area both the American and
Korean military units had no choice but to use these
roads to reach training areas. It truly wasn't a matter of
if a fatal accident would happen on these roads, but
when. With such poor road conditions in the 2ID area
posing a risk to civilians, why had nothing been done to
expand the roads or even add sidewalks along roads
with heavy military traffic? A simple sidewalk along
that road would have saved the lives of two girls that
day.
So what should have been a healthy debate to improve
road and traffic safety in Korea instead turned into an
This road leads to a military facility and resembles the condition
of the accident site in 2002.
This monument, established by the United States' 2nd Infantry
Division, overlooks the site of the 2002 accident near Route 56
in rural Gyeonggi-do
anti-American orgy. This was unfortunate because the
debate to improve road and pedestrian safety is one
that has been long overdue in Korea. Korea at the time
led all OECD nations in motor vehicle and pedestrian
fatalities [1] . South Korea has topped this list since
1996. An opportune time to address this problem was
missed due to demagogues more interested in
advancing their own political agendas then improving
the safety of Korean roads.
It is clear that United States Forces Korea (USFK)
shares responsibility for the accident and it is a shame
that to this day drives American military leaders to
improve the safety of all US military vehicles driving on
Korean roads. No longer are US military tracked
vehicles allowed on civilian roads, all tracked vehicles
are shipped on military flatbed trailers to the different
training areas instead. Also the driver's training for
new drivers in USFK is extremely intense and is widely
considered the top driver's training in the entire US
military. USFK has taken the lessons of the 2002
accident to heart and strives every day to prevent
future tragedies from occurring.
Korean authorities on the other hand have quietly
expanded the section of Highway 56 where the
accident happened to include a sidewalk, but the
conditions of many of the roads in the 2ID area remain
inadequate. Also, Korean military tracked vehicles
continue to use these roads, and have been involved in
accidents I have personally witnessed. A perfect
example of this is when a South Korean army tank
swerved to miss an oncoming civilian bus and crashed
into a creek killing the two soldiers in the tank[2]. How
many more people need to die before all roads used by
both the military and civilians are expanded?
Likewise, how many more people need to die before
A close-up of the English text on the monument
traffic and pedestrian safety is taken seriously in
Korea? According to the 2007 OECD International
Road Traffic and Accident Database, 5.28 per 100,000
Korean pedestrians die in traffic accidents [3]. This
works out to roughly 2,640 Koreans pedestrians dying
every year, with 1,550 of them being children. The
OECD average is 1.58 fatalities per 100,000 people,
which shows how dangerous Korean roads are for
pedestrians, especially children, compared to global
averages.
No doubt this June 13th the same anti-US demagogues
will be out using the memory of Shim Mi-son and Shin
Hyo-sun in order to advance their own anti-US
agendas, while on average four Korean children will
lose their lives that very same day in a preventable
traffic accident with little thought or care from these
same anti-US groups. USFK could leave the peninsula
tomorrow and Korean children will still continue to die
at higher then normal rates in preventable traffic
accidents. How many more Korean children will have
to die before people learn the real lesson of the 2002
tragedy?
By J.C. Stafford
The author is a US military officer that has served multiple tours
in the 2nd Infantry Division and has commanded soldiers in the
US, Korea, and Iraq. His views reflect his own personal opinions
and should not be taken to reflect the views of the US military.
[1] Hwang Hae-rym & T.D. Flack, "South Korea Plans to Launch
Drive for Safer Roads", Stars & Stripes, Jan. 18, 2006,
www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=33528&archiv
e=true
[2] "Two Dead as Tank Falls from Rural Bridge", Joong Ang Ilbo,
Feb. 18, 2003, http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/
view.asp?aid=1936133
[3] Park Chung-ah, "Accident Rate of Pedestrians Tops Among
OECD Countries", Korea Times, July 2, 2007,
www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsI
dx=5778&categoryCode=117
Gwangju News June 2008 39
Review

My Dance With the Dead

an, the dead were everywhere at the 9th

M Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF).

The festival organizers made no bones about
going for the existential jugular.
The first film I saw was The Assassination of Jesse
James by the Coward Robert Ford, featuring Brad
Pitt as James and Casey Affleck as Ford. While the
film was beautifully shot and well-acted, with great
performances from the leads as well as Sam Rockwell
as Ford's older brother, it was still turgid and static,
burdened by a god-awful score from Nick Cave and a
superficial script from Andrew Dominik (who also
directed) that refused to explore the characters with
any depth.
But the next night the deaths really started to pile up
at the Midnight Obsession (starting at midnight, three
films are shown back-to-back), built around the theme

“The Dead of Night.” While the films were hardly great

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Diary of the Dead
art, they were a fun night of viewing for any horror fan.
Anyone who's seen Night of the Living Dead or any of
its sequels knows what to expect from George Romero,
and Diary of the Dead is more of the same, though
with a twist — the film is supposedly shot by a group of
college students making a horror film. While the
concept is a bit hoary, the film is nevertheless
entertaining once you forgive Romero for recycling the
same idea yet again.
And William Friedkin, known to film buffs for such
masterpieces as The Exorcist and The French
Connection but sadly to younger filmgoers for duds like
Rules of Engagement and The Hunted, has made a
striking return to form with Bug, a well-acted,
intelligently directed, and deeply unsettling
examination of an escaped schizophrenic who manages
to pull a lonely, vulnerable woman into his twisted and
frightening fantasies. Although not ostensibly a horror
film, it could be one of the most exhilaratingly
disturbing and intense viewing experiences of my life.
Michael Shannon, Ashley Judd and Harry Connick, Jr.
are all terrific.

40 Gwangju News June 2008

 Global Metal
But The Cottage really caught me napping. Starting out
as a caper-farce about three inept kidnappers
snatching a London crime figure's daughter, the film
takes the sort of left turn about an hour in that sums
up everything I love about movies. But it's more than a
gimmick: what sets The Cottage apart is its excellent
performances all around, most notably Andy Serkis
(Gollum in The Lord of the Rings ) and Reece
Shearsmith, though Steve O'Donnell and Jennifer
Ellison are also entertaining, its witty script, and its
intelligent, efficient direction.
The next day started with The Man Behind the
Shadows, a documentary about Val Lewton, a
legendary producer of B horror films in the early and
mid-forties, followed by The Seventh Victim, one of his
best-known films. While the documentary is tentative
and unengaging, The Seventh Victim has a quirky
charm. But the story – centering around a member of a
cult of Satan worshippers who is fleeing from a death
sentence – once again pulled me back to the big D. The
fact that Lewton died at the age of 46 of a heart attack
didn't help matters.
And then we come to Over Here, which turned out to
be my biggest disappointment of the festival. On paper,
it looked great – filmed in my former home of
Portland, Oregon and dealing with the repercussions of
the Iraq War through the eyes of a transient veteran.
Ostensibly “avant-garde” – the plot was made up as the
film was shot, and all but the two leads were actual
Portland residents – it nevertheless proved to be a
shallow, hastily thrown together mess. Merely being
right on the film's theme doesn't make up for sloppy,
uninspired work, and that's all this was.
My spirits were lifted, in a manner of speaking, by the
next Midnight Obsession, “The Music Lovers.” The
night started with indie legend John Sayles' new film
Honeydripper, a terrific ensemble comedy taking place
in the Deep South in 1950, moved on to Global Metal –
the title ought to explain it well enough – and rounded
out with Joy Division, a doc about the legendary
Joy Division Buddha Collasped Out of Shame
British post-punkers. My fave of the night was
Honeydripper because of its great script and
performances, most notably Danny Glover – always a
favorite of mine – doing his best work in years. Global
Metal took its subject just a bit too seriously, but was
still a lot of fun, and Joy Division reflected its subject –
gloomy, surreal, disorienting but still endearing and
affecting.
The next day, I saw the legendary Hungarian director
Bela Tarr's Almanac of Fall, a small, simple film about
desperation and resentment. I can see how Tarr's
small-is-big approach influenced the likes of Jim
Jarmusch, and even though Tarr's nowhere near as hip
(but is anyone?) he has an endearing knack for three-
dimensional, human characters, and in this small story
of five people sharing a small apartment in Budapest
we see the best and worst of humanity side by side in a
way that rings tragically true. Tarr definitely deserves a
further look.
But the next film was the blockbuster of my festival.
Afghani director Hana Makhmalbaf's Buddha
Collapsed Out of Shame proved to be an emotional
powerhouse. On the surface, the simple story of a
young girl trying to improve her life becomes a truly
educational look into the mind of modern Afghanistan
through an astounding feat of script-writing wizardry.
And the young lead, Nikbakht Noruz, gives what is
simply the most astonishing performance I have ever
seen from a child in any film, ever. The film is funny,
frightening, sad, and inspiring all at once.
So, despite the sometimes morbid vibe, the JIFF was
well-organized, with most of the films being shown on
Jeonju's centrally-located Film Street. The prices are
reasonable, and Jeonju has much to offer any visitor.
Any expat looking for an affordable and stimulating
weekend ought to consider next year's festival.
By Justin Mitchell
Photos used with permission from The Foreign Press of The 9th
Jeonju International Film Festival.
Gwangju News June 2008 41
Current Issue
Beef Protest and Bus Accidents
T
his spring, Korean newspapers, Internet
portals, and blogs greatly increased their
coverage of the impending import of
American beef. A lot of ink has been spent
covering the numerous candlelight rallies in
pretty much every city and town in the country, and all
the major papers have written articles exploring the
popularity of these protests among students.
Unfortunately these outlets have also done their best
to spread panic and misinformation among their
Korean audience, greatly exaggerating the dangers of
Mad Cow Disease, or even reporting outright lies. A
popular television program "PD Diary," for example,
reported on April 30th that Koreans are two or three
times more likely than Britons or
Americans to get Mad Cow Disease
because of a genetic difference found
in 94% of Koreans. Some online
sources are circulating the rumor that
eating 0.01 gram of American beef
will be fatal. A Chosun Ilbo article
from May 2nd reported that "Jelly,
cookies, a broiled dish of sliced rice
pasta and pizza will cause mad cow
disease" and that products like
cosmetics and diapers may also
transmit the disease because cattle are
involved at some point in production.
One chapter of the Korea Teachers
and Education Union (KTU) posted
on its homepage that Mad Cow
Disease is a product of greedy
American farmers keeping cows in unsanitary
conditions. Other sources are suggesting that
Americans will intentionally ship inferior or dangerous
beef to Korea to make its own domestic market safer.
While the government and some newspapers have
issued statements trying to allay fears and stop panic,
these have had little effect on a keen public that has
already made up its mind.
The rallies and protests are an opportunity for many to
vent their anger at both the United States and
President Lee Myung-bak. Many feel Lee betrayed
Korean interests and Korean safety when he agreed to
reopen the market to American beef before his summit
meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush. There is
an online petition for Lee's impeachment that had over
one million signatures by mid-May, and Lee's approval
rating dipped below 30%, much less than the roughly
48% he had when he was elected, but still higher than
42 Gwangju News June 2008
Roh Moo-hyun's single-digit rating in 2007. Political
cartoons and posters regularly lampoon him, and there
was even a text message in circulation that said the
president had promised to sell the disputed Liancourt
Rocks (known locally as "Dok-do") to Japan.
Both the Chosun Ilbo and Korea Times drew
comparisons between these protests and the anti-
American ones held from 2002 to 2005 after two
middle school students were run over by an American
military vehicle. The comparison is unintentionally apt
because those ugly protests, which subjected foreigners
to physical and verbal abuse, were also driven by
masses of misinformation. Media at the time
erroneously reported that, for example, the GIs
intentionally hit the girls, hit them
numerous times, gloated about the
girls' deaths, refused to apologize, or
hid behind an international treaty in
order to save themselves.
Interestingly, the protests a few years
ago and those today are similar, in
that a large number of students are
involved. In fact, the earlier anti-
American protests were ostensibly
over the deaths of two students. The
Korea Times estimated that about
60% of the people attending Seoul
rallies were middle school and high
school students. Students are a
visible presence in rallies all across
the country, and the issue of whether
they should participate is a hotly-contested one, with
some teachers opposing student involvement and
others encouraging it. The KTU, for instance, said it
would not discourage students from participating in
rallies because there is reportedly no information
disproving the threat of Mad Cow Disease. And a rally
in Gwangju on May 10th, presumably like rallies all
over the country, featured speeches and monologues by
students of all ages.
Students and adults at Gwangju's rally were given signs
that read “살고싶다” (“I want to live”). For students
who wish to live, though, there are far more fatal
activities than eating American beef. Students are more
likely to be killed crossing the street or riding in a
chartered bus on a field trip than eating imported
American beef, which has produced only three cases of
Mad Cow Disease among cattle, but none in humans.
In May 2007, five students from Suncheon's Maesan
Middle School were killed in a bus accident on Jirisan.
Their bus driver was attempting to pass other
members of the caravan up a hill and lost control
coming down the other side. According to a Joongang
Ilbo article, grieving family members “urged relevant
authorities to take measures to prevent such a tragic
accident from happening again.”
Roughly a year later, two more students from
Suncheon were killed on a field trip. Forty-three other
students were injured and the driver was killed when
their bus missed a turn heading down Hallasan, the
highest peak in South Korea. Subsequent
investigations revealed that the driver was actually a
taxi driver who made an error when trying to stop the
bus.
Korea is one of the most dangerous places for drivers
and pedestrians. It ranks first among OCED nations in
automobile accidents and fourth in deaths among
pedestrians under the age of 14. People rarely use
seatbelts, pay little attention to their surroundings,
routinely fail to heed traffic laws, and a recent survey
by the National Police Academy revealed that only
12% of Koreans use car-seats for their small children,
compared to 90% in Sweden.
The protests and scare-mongering represent a
confluence of many factors. The rallies are a
continuation of the anti-FTA demonstrations seen all
over the country the past two years. The involvement
of students represents an education system with no
capacity for rational, creative thinking, and a
manipulative teachers' union with a decades long
history of anti-American, anti-government behavior,
in a continent where students have long played a role
in grassroots movements. The eagerness with which
so many blindly join in these protests is a testament to
the popularity of bandwagons pulled by a sense of
victimization and moral outrage, even when reason
and logic ought to dictate another behavior.
There are plenty of sound reasons to oppose the FTA,
and they are worth hearing. Manipulating the public
through misinformation into participating in
something so disadvantageous to Korea's worldly
aspirations is unintelligent. Using imagined health
risks to drum up support for a political initiative
would be laughable were the practice not so
completely effecting. And having students wave signs
that read "I want to live" while their peers are dying on
field trips and on sidewalks is disrespectful to real
casualties and represents a disregard for public safety
that contradicts all the scare-mongering in the first
place.
By Brian Deutsch
Photo by Crystal Speedie
Dear Readers,
Can you believe that 2008 is
half over? Time passes by so
quickly and it seems that
the older you get the
faster it passes. We must
stop rushing time by
saying things like ‘I can’t
wait for this day to end’
or ‘hurry up’. Savor the
now, it is all we have. Also, treat
your body at least as well as you treat your possessions.
We don’t realize the damage we do to ourselves until we
look in the mirror and don’t recognize that person staring
back at us. Isn’t it ironic that we take better care of things
that can be replaced than we do our irreplaceable bodies?
Having a good day is just one way to help keep a healthy
mind, body and soul. Listed below are some things I do to
have a good day. What do you do to have a good day?
E-mail me at dr.koknow@yahoo.com and I will share your
ideas with our readers next month. Let’s not waste any
more time being mean, grumpy, jealous, bored or so-so.
Remember having a good day does not depend on
anyone but YOU
A good day is practicing
a random act of kind-
ness: doing something
nice just because.
A good day is waking up
thankful and believing
that today is the day that
all your dreams come true.
A good day is when I can
look at yesterday and
smile because I know that I have grown as a person.
A good day is when you can feel anger, pain, sadness,
etc., and you let it go rather than cultivating it and
allowing it to take root in your consciousness.
A good day is seeing that my walking is paying off and I
have lost another pound.
A good day is a drama-free day.
A good day is when I treat myself to something nice
because I am a loving and kind person and I deserve
something special.
A good day is when I take responsibility for my actions,
good or bad, fix them if need be and then move on.
A good day is when I don’t allow fear to paralyze me
from doing something I believe in.
A good day is finding like-minded people and enjoying
their company.
A good day is saying farewell to a dear friend that you
met in Korea and knowing that you are better because of
them. (For you Faithe)
Do you have a problem with love, life or the lottery?
Ask Dr. Ko. Dr. Ko knows all and sees all. Contact
Dr. Ko at dr.koknow@yahoo.com
Gwangju News June 2008 43
Community Board

Gwangju News Needs You volunteering. We would like you to volunteer at least 2
Due to the rapid expansion of our community, we need Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons per month.
more volunteers to help with the running of the We help orphanage children or children of low-income
magazine. Help the community and gain new skills. or single-parent families. If you have any picture books
or storybooks, please donate them when you leave
You can help in a variety of roles: Korea.
proofreading, editing, photography, writing, layout,
administration, website or any other way YOU can think For more information, please visit :
of. http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers
Contact: gwangjunews@gmail.com
KIA Tigers Baseball Team June Schedule
Gwangju News Pick Up Sites
Below is a list of places where at present the Gwangju Gwangju Mudeung Stadium (Baseball Field) 무등경기장
News is available: Blue Travel, Blue Bear Travel, The Advance Purchase: www.ticketlink.co.kr or 1588-7890
Catholic Church, Gwangju International Center, Date Match Time
Underground Grocer, Gwangju Airport, Tourism Team
Information Center in Gwangju, KNTO Information 3rd Hanhwa 18:30 Ticket Prices:
Center (in Seoul), Incheon Airport 4th Hanhwa 18:00 Adults
5th Hanhwa 18:30 6,000 - 20,000won
* Additionally, Gwangju News is always looking for 6th Samsung 17:00 Children
new places to deliver, especially beyond downtown and 7th Samsung 17:00 2,000 - 10,000 won
Gwangju's local proximity. If you know of any locations 8th Samsung 17:00
17th LG 18:30
that are popular with expats or English speaking
18th LG 18:30
Koreans please feel free to make a post or e-mail 19th LG 18:30
gwangjunews@gmail.com. 20th Doosan 18:30
21st Doosan 17:00
Gwangju Men’s Soccer 22nd Doosan 17:00
The Gwangju international soccer team plays regularly
most weekends. If you are interested in playing, e-mail:
gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com.

Sung Bin Orphanage

Sung Bin Orphanage is looking for long-term
volunteers. We would like you to give at least two
Saturdays per month. As well as being a friend, you will
be asked to teach basic English to girls aged 7 to 14. For
more information please contact Mike at:
sungbinvolunteers@gmail.com.

Help Gwangju News Magazine! Volunteer one

day a month
GIC needs volunteers to mail out Gwangju News.
Gwangju News, published monthly, is sent to nearly
700 addresses. Join our Gwangju News mail-out
volunteers at GIC. Volunteers are called 48 hours
before the mail-out day (during the first week of each
month). GIC needs 6-8 people who can help. GIC and
Gwangju News are only as good as the volunteers who
bring it to life! Contact GIC at 062-226-1050, 2734 or
gwangjuic@gmail.com

Kona Volunteers
Kona Volunteers is a registered organization for
helping under-privileged kids by teaching English
using storybooks. We are looking for long-term native
speakers who desire to enrich their lives by

44 Gwangju News June 2008

 Worship at Dongmyung
English Service
Sunday 11:30 am, Education Bld.

Pastor :
Dan Hornbostel
(010-5188-8940)

Bus: 15, 27, 28, 55, 74,

80, 1000, 1187 get off at
Nongjang Dari or
at Court Office Entrance

46 Gwangju News June 2008

Gwangju News June 2008 47