Tag: people

Expat Living

A Triumph for Pedestrians

Gwangju News

Starting in the early months of 2022, there were signs that a major transformation was taking place. The large wall on the east side was repainted and covered with beautiful, colorful murals. The police box on the south end (whose purpose I’ve yet to determine, as it had nothing to do with making sure cars weren’t clogging up the street) was removed. Most significantly, huge “No Parking” banners were hung along the wall and large planters were placed along the entire length of the street about two meters from the wall.

International Community

Empower, Seek, Adapt: “Rise Together” at Gwangju’s Refugee Women Bazaar  

Gwangju News

On the historical grounds of the May 18th square near the Asia Culture Center, the first Refugee Women Bazaar in Gwangju took place. Let me be clear and state that there is a distinct difference between “refugees” and “immigrants.” These women sought refuge in South Korea due to multiple factors ranging from war and political oppression to state-enforced imprisonment. What must be acknowledged is that they ran away from threats. No matter the variables of their individual circumstances, they shared one thought in heart: to seeking a better life.

Exhibitions & Performances

My Memories Are a Movie: A Different Kind of Chungjang Festival

Gwangju News

Reflecting back on the period from the 1970s to the 1990s, this year marks the 19th year of Chungjang Festival, which is now a global event. The street area from Chungjang-ro 4-ga to 5-ga will also be decorated with nostalgic movie art, and empty stores will be used as cosplay movie spots for dressing up as characters from such movies as Snow White, Spiderman, and Ironman, and the Goblin Alley area (광주광역시 동구 충장로 5가 127-1) will have movie character sculptures installed to provide a variety of attractions and experiences for the citizens.

Human Rights

Rest in Peace “Jimmy” Kyaw Min Yu

Gwangju News

On July 23, 2022, the military in Myanmar secretly executed four leaders of the country’s freedom movement. The martyrs’ families, like the men themselves, were not given advance notice. Final goodbyes were never said. Only after the dictatorship publicly announced the hangings two days later, on Monday, July 25, did the families and the world learn about these cold-blooded murders. To add to the pain, the remains of the deceased have disappeared. The regime is being as brutal as possible in order to make clear that opposition to their rule will result in maximum pain and suffering. Among those killed were some of the most loved and popular leaders of the ongoing movement to overthrow the dictatorship: hip hop artist and elected parliamentary representative, Phyo Zeya Tha, leader of Generation Wave, which followed the 2007 Saffron Revolution; Hla Myo Aung; Aung Thura Zaw; and Kyaw Min Yu – better known to his friends, among whom I count myself, as “Jimmy.”

Human Rights

Why Human Rights in the Climate Crisis Era?

Gwangju News

Many scientists have warned that we would face devastating consequences when the temperature rises by 1.5˚C from the level of the beginning of industrialization. Currently, however, we have come closer to that point. Therefore, now is time for us to raise awareness of and take actions against the climate crisis in order to brace for more serious risks in the future.

Korean Culture

The Han in “Hanguk” : The Naming of South Korea

Gwangju News

This month’s article discusses the “han” in the Korean name of South Korea: Hanguk. Is “han” a Chinese loanword? Is it unique to Korean? Why was it selected for the name of South Korea? Why do Koreans put so much meaning into this han? Answers to these questions can be found in the following article.

Movie Reviews

Round and Around: Drawing an Arc of Korean History Through the May 18 Democratic Movement

Gwangju News

“Although this film is very specific to South Korean history, it does not require the audience to have previous knowledge on the subject.”

Gwangju Writes

Dear Mother, We Write to You from Under the Stars

Gwangju News

“Before, we cut down forests and chased wildlife out of them. Now, we nurture the forests and welcome life into them.”