From the Editor

It’s March! What better way to start off a month than with a holiday (March 1st Movement Day, Samil-jeol) and with a new issue of the Gwangju News! And what more appropriately named month for Yu Gwan-sun to have “marched” for Korean independence in 1919 than this month. At the same time, the Gwangju News is “marching” forward in its efforts to provide the community with current, interesting, and useful information. As we sense a slight warmness in the air and notice the budding of the green-plum trees, turn to Contemplations and Ponderings in this issue for more on the significance that March holds.

This issue takes a slight medical slant as our cover feature is on Chosun University Hospital, its international medical center, its new hospital construction, and how “smart” it’s becoming. This is accompanied by an article on Chosun University Hospital and its medical relationship with Saudi Arabia. We also feature the Gwangju Migrant Health Center and how its all-volunteer staff is helping the migrant community in our area.

Around Gwangju focuses on the district of Dong-gu and its well-known walking street, Chungjang-ro. Lost in Gwangju depicts the disappearing neighborhoods of Yang-dong. People in the Arts introduces Gwangju artist Lim Nam-jin and her paintings. Next, we trot down to Mokpo/Muan for a little twirl with Latin dance, and then we cross the waters to land for a winter vacay in balmy Okinawa.

What can be done with used and unwanted clothing? Find out in this month’s Environment column. And what can be healthfully done with the wholesome potato? Find out in our Rad Recipe column.

In the realm of teaching and learning, we give pointers on EFL coursebook selection [Language Teaching], we focus in on the meaning of “It’s darkest under the lamp” [Everyday Korean], and we deal with the learning environment in the classroom [Montessori Education]. We also bring you the stories of two joyous storybook-reading volunteers.

We have a book review of Bewilderment, more on a family holiday with Alan and Me, and after reading The Mysterious Case of the Missing Hiker, guess who wrote it.

Remember that if you’re away from your print copy of the Gwangju News, you can always go to Gwangju News Online for a new article each day and for previous articles in this and previous issues of the magazine. Happy reading!

David E. Shaffer  

Editor-in-Chief

Gwangju News