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Tag: South Koreans

  • South Koreans In Singapore Exercise Caution In Travel Plans

    South Koreans In Singapore Exercise Caution In Travel Plans

    Having kept a close watch on news about the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) back home, South Koreans living in Singapore said they were concerned for their friends and family, but also expect the situation to improve as the government in Seoul appears to have stepped up containment efforts in recent days.

    Nonetheless, some told TODAY they would exercise caution in their travel plans.

    “I think it’s under control. I was reading the Korean newspaper yesterday about the President saying the government is taking action to control (the spread) within this week,” said Mr Will Jeong, director of Korean barbecue restaurant, Oh Neul Han Jeom.

    The 45-year-old added that he had been planning on flying back to South Korea to visit his younger brother and friends, but had since postponed his trip until the next school holidays in September, or even later.

    He said he was concerned for his family back home. “It’s bad for business too, as everyone stays at home. There are no gatherings outside now,” he added.

    Mr Aum Kyoung Hwan, 45, said he has not cancelled plans to return to Seoul in two weeks with his wife and two teenage children. He added that they would wear masks and take the necessary precautionary measures while in the country, but pointed out that it appeared that “only the old or the very old, and the weak and not-so-healthy people have been affected”.

    Meanwhile, Ms Kim Ji Yeon, owner of Chowon Garden Korean Restaurant, will not risk going back to her hometown just yet. With two children aged 10 months and three years, she said she was “scared because they are very young”.

    “(MERS used to affect) older people. Now, pregnant women are also getting infected. I think it is wise to avoid crowded places and hospitals in cities (in South Korea),” the 35-year-old said.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • South Korea Police Bans LGBT Pride Parade

    South Korea Police Bans LGBT Pride Parade

    For the first time since 1990, the South Korea Pride Parade was rejected by the police.

    Namdaemun Police Station and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency denied permit for the march, expecting a standoff between LGBT and Christian groups.

    Last year, groups affiliated to the Church laid on the road, blocking the parade. Their protest caused major traffic jams and created tension with the LGBT community. A witness in attendance recalled the standoff:

    “The people on the floor were cordoned off by the police but it took police a long while to actually try to move the. Also, many of the protestors shouted at the pride goers and some spat at us too.”

    This year, the Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF) applied for a public space to hold the parade with the Seoul Police Agency. The application was rejected as the space was already reserved by the “Love Your Country, Love Your Children Movement,” an anti-gay Christian group.

    Members of the LGBT community tried to secure a new space in Namdaemun. Although the police station would only begin accepting applications May 29 for rallies to be held on June 28, members of the Christian group as well as the LGBT community lined up on May 20 to submit their application.

    Both groups waited all day and night, with people taking turns to sleep and eat. Various groups and individuals donated food to the LGBT supporters waiting in line, which local delivery service The Bird Riders brought to the station.

    Unfortunately their wait was in vein. On May 30, police issued a prohibition notice based on Article 8 of the Act on Assemblies and Demonstrations that banned both groups from holding street marches:

    “Rallies may be banned wherever two or more rallies are planned by groups with conflicting goals and on Article 12 where rallies may be banned whenever there is a possibility of inconvenience to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.”

    Kang Myung-jin, chief organizer of KQCF, requested a meeting with the head officer who made the decision. The police did not allow Kang to meet with them and turned them away. The KQCF released a press statement Monday:

    “The decision is suppressing the right of sexual minorities to speak up against society, as well as instigating hatred and violence against sexual minorities. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Seoul Namdaemun-gu Police Station should withdraw its ban on outdoor rallies on May 30th, 2015 at once, and should guarantee the Pride Parade at KQF to be held safely and peacefully.”

     

    Source: www.out.com