Michael Simning In Their Memories
Each month, a select panel of Gwangju residents gathers to discuss a topic of interest. What topics would you like to see discussed, and from what viewpoint? Email your requests to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
Kim Sing-Sing (GIC Managing Director )
“I always let him know about GIC programs and events so that he could spread the word through his connections… He was GIC’s No. 1 PR Ambassador.
For me and the GIC staff, we want to work with non-Koreans for our programs, but many times we felt it was difficult working with non-Korean volunteers because of the language barrier and the culture differences. However, Michael made those things easy, and now thanks to him, the GIC has more international volunteers and interns, even a staff member, Joey Nunez from this March. That is all possible because Michael connected the GIC and the international community in Gwangju. I still can’t believe he is gone now.”
Derek Hannon (owner of Speakeasy)
“Mike’s thing was always community, community, community. If you weren’t tight with your community, what was the point?”
Jon Ozelton (Lecturer at Gwangju Health College, former editor of Gwangju News)
In the world there are six degrees of separation, but in the Gwangju community there was just one: Mike. Everyone knew him, and pretty much everyone has a story or two about how he’s helped them out at some point. He was always involved, always making things happen, and always looking out for people. I can’t yet comprehend or accept that he’s gone. I’m still expecting to bump into him at the next community day, to ask him when he’s getting back on the radio. He’ll be sorely missed, and Gwangju a poorer place without him.”
Kim Mi-young (GFN station manager)
“He made a good relationship between the Koreans of Gwangju and the expats of Gwangju. He was a bridge. We were, I think, very lucky to have him for the station. If we didn’t have him I think it would have been very hard to start the radio programs at the time. When we started it was only 4 hours a day, but we struggled to find content, [and] he gave advice to the expat and Korean staff…
“I hope people will remember the happy moments with Michael, not just the sad ones.”