From the Editor – November 2025

Temperatures are dropping, leaves are falling, the vivid garb of summer is giving way to jackets of more earthy tones, but the forest foliage is still parading its varied autumnal colors. The rice paddies are now bare, their golden grains harvested, and the markets are offering kimchi cabbage in large sacks. This scenario can be announcing the beginning of no month other than that of November, and the onset of the eleventh month heralds the publication of the November issue of the Gwangju News!

This month’s cover feature takes us back to the May 18 (1980) Uprising and the role of Catholic priests in it. Also of a historical note are tales of old Mokpo and remembrance of the end of World War I.

Our Travel and Discovery section takes us on an autumn journey through Mudeung Mountain. It also takes us on a trip to Beopseong- po, where Buddhism set ashore in Korea during the Baekje Kingdom period almost two millennia ago. And you will want to find out about the volunteer expedition to Bogil Island off Jeolla-do’s southern coast.

In our Community section, a former Gwangju resident tells us what he misses most about living in the City of Light. A current Gwangju resident reveals the loneliness that an expat can experience on Korea’s joyful holidays. A former resident of Vietnam reports on the city-to- province tie between Gwangju and Nghe An. And a long-time Gwangju News editor interviews a long-time Gwangju News book reviewer.

We have three articles for you in our Teaching and Learning section this issue. The first introduces Gwangju’s unique approach to the Neulbom after-school program. The second is a Ukrainian’s perspective on Korean classrooms. And our third describes how Australian higher education differs from what she experienced in Gwangju.

Mental health is the largely unspoken health condition. A mental health expert gives it voice in our Health and Well-Being section.

Are you aware of Gwangju’s National Science Museum, Lucerium? Visit it in Buk-gu along with the article’s author. How do solar panels work? Can perovskite make them pliable? Find out from our solar energy researcher/expert/writer. Both articles appear in our Science and Technology section. And this month’s book review is a best-selling World War I historical fiction.

D’s Café Column takes us to the Sajik Tower. Our other café review takes us outside the city to Café The Haru. And our restaurant review is of the Buyeong Meat Restaurant. Don’t miss our Gwangju City News, our November Upcoming Events, this month’s Area Sports Round-Up, and the futures of Kia Tigers’ foreign players. All in one issue. Enjoy!