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(코리아타운뉴스) “Get Your Flu Shot Before It’s Too Late”

"We’ve courted excellent medical practitioners. Come get your medical checkup and if you need, we also offer MRI scans.” The Korean American Federation of North Los Angeles (KAFNLA) is hosting the third Korean Health Exhibition on Oct. 28 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Glendale Korean SDA Church (4652 Eagle Rock Blvd.). Notably, this year’s exhibit will offer free flu shots, multiple vitamins and MRI scans. This is the third exhibit hosted by the KAFNLA. It is also in partnership with Glendale Korean SDA Church and its medical center, which has enabled the event to be free. The examinations include various tests on thyroid and prostate. Monitoring blood pressure and testing for body fat percentage are also available. In addition, diagnosis and free flu shots will be provided. “The KAFNLA has joined in on the efforts of Glendale Korean SDA Church to expand the size of the exhibit,” said KAFNLA chairman Choon-sik Kim. “We’re preparing to provide various diagnosis programs and services. The event has moved to a different locations, but visitors will be able to check their health status at a clean and safe place.” EZ MRI Center will provide the ticket for the free MRI scans on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets for free mammograms are also available on a first come, first serve basis. “Many Korean-Americans in the northern region of L.A. do not have access to medical benefits,” said KAFNLA chief director Steve Park. “This is a service we’ll provide regardless of whether or not a visitor has health insurance. We hope there is no confusion over the change of venue. We hope that the senior citizens at the event will get their flu shots before it becomes too late.” By Byung Chang

2017-10-25

(코리아타운뉴스) “An Organization That Helps Koreans”

Ben Park, a 48-year-old aide for California Senate leader Kevin de Leon, has officially announced his plan to run for the board member position at the State Board of Equalization (BOE). The decision marks a shift in Park’s direction after he initially declared to run to represent the 38th Congressional District of California for the Hose of Representatives. “I’ve made up my mind to run to represent the Third District of the BOE,” said Ben Park at JJ Grand Hotel. “The election will take place on June 11 next year.” Park said that he aims to right the ailing ship that is the BOE, which has recently suffered from various corruption cases, including embezzlement and nepotism. The Third District encompasses L.A., Torrance and Glendale, all areas with populous Korean communities. “I want to contribute to the BOE so that it becomes a government organization that can give practical help to the Korean community,” said Park. “I’m going to utilize by experience in print, health care and other businesses since I’ve graduated college.” About retrieving his intention to run for the House seat, Park said: “I’ve considered what would be the best position to contribute to the community and began leaning towards the BOE.” Park plans to finish his work for the Kevin de Leon camp and begin campaigning for the BOE seat starting next week. Meanwhile, the BOE overseas tax collection, disputes and mediation for 72 types of taxes. It collects over $60 billion in tax money alone. The BOE once employed about 4,800, but has been downsized considerably after a series of scandals recently. By Jiyoon Kim

2017-10-25

(코리아타운뉴스) “Vietnam, A Rising Manufacturing Base”

“Korean companies in L.A. could also grab better opportunities if you know about Vietnam, a rising manufacturing base and a consumer’s market.” The Korea Daily has partnered with the Overseas Korean Traders Association L.A. (OKTA L.A.) to travel to Vietnam to report on the market in Vietnam as well as its manufacturing factories. Along with OKTA L.A.’s 20-odd members, the Korea Daily is currently on a six-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to learn more about the Southeast Asian country’s market. “Labor has become expensive in China and it’s also highly competitive and politically unstable,” said OKTA L.A. chairwoman Jung-sook Lim. “Most of our members are either working in trade or manufacturing. We’re visiting Vietnam to seek new opportunities for them.” After visiting KOTRA Vietnam on Oct. 24, OKTA L.A. was able to learn about the current status of the economy in the country. “The size of Vietnam’s commerce is growing rapidly by 10 percent every year,” said Chan-young Kim, KOTRA’s investment advisor. “The international economy already perceives Vietnam as the second China and investments here are getting larger.” South Korea, in particular, is making more investments in Vietnam than any other country by far. Last year alone, $48.5 billion was invested in Vietnam from South Korean companies. The Americans have also invested $10 billion. More than half of the total investments have been made in manufacturing businesses. “The monthly wage in Vietnam is still low at just $200 to $300 even though the quality of education here is relatively high,” said Kim. “The Vietnamese people are also skilled, so they’ve got all the prerequisites for more investments. Although clothing businesses are now leaving Vietnam for Cambodia and Laos, Vietnam is the place for skilled labor.” The OKTA L.A. members also visited a luggage manufacturing company Trimmers, a company operated by OKTA Vietnam members. “Many Koreans believe that Vietnam is a place where labor and products are both cheap,” said an employee at Trimmers. “Vietnam is a rapidly growing country. However, it does have poor infrastructure, including insufficient roads and more. Investors will have to be considerate.” The OKTA L.A. members expressed interest in the Vietnamese market. “I think it’s good that we’re visiting Vietnam,” said OKTA L.A. director Ki-min Cha. “I was able to see firsthand how high Vietnam’s potential is. Korean companies in L.A. could also grab better opportunities if they continue to monitor Vietnam with interest.” By Hyunwoo Kim

2017-10-25

(코리아타운뉴스) Koreans Suffer Most From Breast, Intestinal or Stomach Cancer

Korean-American cancer patients are suffering from breast and intestinal cancers than any other forms of cancer, according to the Korean Health, Education, Information and Research Community Clinic (KHEIR). According to a recently released patient test results by the KHEIR, 48 of the 117 cancer patients are currently being treated for breast, intestinal or lung cancer. The KHEIR conducted the diagnoses on 8,700 patients between Jan. 1 and July 31 this year. As a result, 103 patients (1.2 percent) are suffering from cancer. The KHEIR added that 1.2 out of every 100 Korean patients are diagnosed with cancer, while some cancer patients are also suffering from more than one form of cancer. Breast cancer led the way with 23 of 103 patients (19.7 percent), followed by intestinal cancer (15, 12.8 percent) and stomach cancer (10, 8.5 percent). Nine patients were found for each of liver, lung, prostate and skin cancer, while four suffered from lymphoma. The KHEIR added that 5,940 of 8,700 patients who are diagnosed were Koreans. Of the 103 patients who were diagnosed with cancer, 79 (77 percent) were Koreans. By gender 62 females and 41 males were diagnosed with cancer. By Hyoungjae Kim

2017-10-24

(코리아타운뉴스) Korean SAT Subject Test Losing Popularity

The Korean subject test for high school students taking their SATs is gradually losing its popularity, according to College Board. Recent findings by College Board revealed that only 1,712 students have applied for this year’s Korean subject test among high school graduates. That is a 9 percent decrease compared to last year when 1,891 students took the test. In 2009, 4,625 students took the Korean subject test in the first year. Just eight years later, the figure has dropped by 63.5 percent. The number of students taking the test fell below 2,000 for the first time and is expected to decrease further. The Korean subject test was first made available in 1997. From 2005 to 2007, the number of students who took the test surpassed 3,000 and 4,000, respectively, but it has been on a steady decline after a record figure of 4,625 in 2009. The reason behind the decline in figure is attributed by many to the parents of the students who feel that taking the Korean subject test does not help their children when trying to gain a competitive edge during the college admission process. However, some say that the decrease in number has more to do with the waning importance of the subject tests as a whole. The number of students taking SAT subject tests has decreased considerably since the earlier part of the decade—from 312,000 in 2011 to just 219,000 this year. As 1.8 million students took the test, only 12 percent of them have taken the subject tests. In the past, prestigious universities such as Harvard required students to take at least three subject tests. Nowadays, it is difficult to find a college that requires any of the subject tests. The likes of University of Pennsylvania, Amherst College, Columbia, Dartmouth and Carnegie Mellon University have called off their subject test requirements. As of now, science and engineering schools still require subject tests, but even those are limited to math and science-related subjects. Rumors recently also indicate that College Board no longer considers SAT subject test to be as important. However, College Board has since dismissed those accusations. By Nicole Chang

2017-10-24

(코리아타운뉴스) “Publicize Missy USA as a pro - North Korean group”

Recent report has revealed that the South Korean government, under its ousted former President Geun-hye Park, has attempted to lead the country’s media organizations to report that online community forum Missy USA, which mostly consists of female bloggers residing in the U.S., is related to North Korea. In a report on Monday by South Korean daily the Hankyoreh, Park’s former chief of staff Ki-choon Kim allegedly told Doo-hyun Yoon, the then chief secretary for Park, to ensure that Missy USA is a group promoting the agenda of North Korean authorities. Missy USA has made an organized effort since 2014 to publish an ad in the New York Times about Park’s negligent attitude towards the country’s devastating maritime disaster that year, which took lives of hundreds of high school students who were on a field trip. Missy USA also held several protests calling for Park’s resignation in various locations across the U.S. The Hankyoreh reported that Kim’s alleged efforts to taint Missy USA’s reputation is a reflection of the Park administration’s tendency to oppress its own people. “Missy USA and several of the anti-Korean government organizations in the U.S. held a protest to criticize the regime,” Kim allegedly told Yoon in a private meeting on Sept. 22 in 2014, according to the Hankyoreh. “There was an article in the Blue Today about North Korean agent Gil-nam Noh attending the protest. Considering that and those organizations’ relation to North Korea, there is a need for the Korean media to report the truth behind Missy USA, which claims to be an online community for average Korean housewives in the U.S.” Between September and October of 2014, online publication Blue Today published seven articles about Missy USA’s alleged pro-North Korea tendencies. However, Missy USA member Linda Lee won a lawsuit last year against a journalist and publisher of Blue Today, both of whom suggested the allegation about the website’s connection to North Korea’s communist regime. The court in Seoul at the time ruled that there is simply no evidence or reasonable doubt to allege that Missy USA is related to North Korean authorities. On Oct. 29, 2014, Kim also allegedly said in a private meeting: “Missy USA is an online shopping mall on the surface, but in reality, it’s where pro-North Korea activists promote anti-South Korean government contents. Let’s promote these findings so to the media.” By Hyesun Chae

2017-10-24

(코리아타운뉴스) A Documentary on Korean Homeless People

Second generation Korean-American college students have produced a documentary film centering on homelessness in the community. The 2017 interns at the Korean-American Coalition have made the film as a part of their efforts to fundraise for the homeless Koreans. They filmed various locations, including spas, nonprofit organizations and homeless facilities, over the last three months to chronicle the lives of Korean-American homeless people. The documentary focuses on raising awareness on Korean-American homelessness, which is more prevalent than what one may imagine. “Koreans are culturally prone to worrying more about what others think of them, so it’s rare to see a Korean homeless person admit that he or she is in fact homeless,” said Yo-han Kim at St. James Episcopal Church, who has been running a homeless facility for nine years. “Many of them rarely seek help.” One Korean homeless man, who is currently staying at a community shelter, said in the documentary: “It’s difficult to seek help because of shame, lack of information and language barrier.” Audrey Chang, who took part in the project as a junior at Pomona College, said: “I had no idea there were so many Korean homeless people even though I’ve lived in Koreatown since I was born.” The funds raised through the project will go directly into investing in Korean homeless shelters and also research work to collect data on homelessness. The documentary is available on the Korean-American Coalition website (www.kacla.org). By Ina Chung

2017-10-23

(코리아타운뉴스) OKF Appoints Han as Chief Director

OKF Appoints Woo-Sung Han as Chief Director By Hyoungjae Kim Korean-American media personality Woo-sung Han has been appointed by the Overseas Koreans Foundation as its next chief director. The announcement was made via South Korean media. Han, 61, has already agreed in principle to take the position. Han is especially welcomes by the Korean-American community. This is the first time in which the South Korean government has selected a Korean-American to lead the Overseas Koreans Foundation in its history. “The Overseas Koreans Foundation is an organization that specializes in instilling the identity of Koreans for generations to come through various events,” said Korean American Federation L.A. chairwoman Laura Jeon. “This is the first time a Korean-American is taking the position. Han is someone who knows about the situation of Korean-Americans as he is from L.A.” The appointment of Han also hints that South Korean president Jae-in Moon is well aware of the 7.5 Koreans currently living outside of the motherland. “The Overseas Koreans Foundation’s biggest project is to grow the political power of Koreans who live abroad,” said chairman Young-seok Seo. “It’s also important to educate 1.5 and second generation Korean immigrants about our identity and bridging the gap between South Korea and overseas Koreans are all important.” Critics added that the Korean-American community should not be reliant on the Overseas Koreans Foundation. An organization leader said: “The Overseas Koreans Foundation is an organization designed to help overseas Koreans to be independent. It is not right to continue to rely on others.” By Hyoungjae Kim

2017-10-23

(코리아타운뉴스) Korean Businesses Expecting "Dodger Fever"

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the World Series for the first time since 1988, and that means local businesses are expecting a boost in consumer power. After the baseball postseason started earlier this month, bars and restaurants in L.A. Koreatown have been hosting live viewing parties of the games. With the sales volume rising increasingly, the World Series, which starts today, is likely to take the fever to new heights. Korean business owners said that their respective establishments have also been visited by non-Korean customers during the baseball playoffs. “We’ve been packed during every game of the postseason and the waitlist ha s been longer than ever before,” said an employee at OB Bear. To play along with the festive mood, the servers at OB Bear have also been geared up in Dodgers’ merchandise on game days. “I come here often to watch baseball games,” said William Kim, one of the customers. “The atmosphere here is about rooting for the team with people while having some beer and chicken. So I come here regularly.” Zan Beer on Wilshire and Alexandria also admitted that the number of customers has doubled since the start of the baseball postseason. The bar has been so packed that some customers order food and drinks without securing their seats. Zan Beer even changed its business hours on the day of the National League Championship Series Game 5 between the Dodgers and Cubs to accommodate more customers. “We’re expecting even more customers now that the Dodgers are in the World Series,” said an employee at Zan Beer. “We’re thinking about installing extra seats.” Sportswear stores have also become busy thanks to the Dodgers’ deep run in the postseason. Downtown-based sports apparel business Sports Nations has already sold all of its Dodgers-related merchandise and is trying to restock. “Every time the Dodgers win, jerseys and hats have been selling at a much higher rate,” said Sports Nations president Young Choi. “I’m expecting even more purchases now that the Dodgers are in the World Series.” It is not just bars, restaurants and sportswear businesses that have benefitted from the Dodgers’ postseason run. Korean businesses providing delivery food have also been given a huge boost on the days of the games. “There has definitely been more customers ordering to-go and delivery food,” said Dan Shin, who is running Dok Dok Chicken on Vermont Avenue. “Orders have increased by about 30 to 40 percent. We’re expecting more orders for the World Series, so we’ve been preparing for it.” The World Series Game 1 between the Dodgers and Houston Astros starts today at 5 p.m. in L.A. By Hyunwook Chung

2017-10-23

(코리아타운뉴스) “We Must Stop Letting Orphans Be Orphans”

Juni still does not know why her mother took him to an orphanage. With a younger brother and sister, Juni was dropped off at an orphanage named Sanrokwon in Seoul, Korea five years ago. Their mother has changed her phone number since then, leaving her children become “orphans whose parent still exists somewhere.” From that day on, Juni has been a mother to her brother and sister. Next year, Juni will have to leave her brother and sister. The law in South Korea stipulates that those aged 18 or older can no longer live at orphanages. For Juni, becoming an adult at age 18 also means that she has to force her lose the rest of her family. “We’ve had 2,876 children who were just like Juni last year alone,” said Mission to Promote Adoption (MPAK) chairman Suk-chun Choi, 60. “By law, they may be adults, but it’s virtually impossible for them to live independently. They’re being forced out to the streets without jobs.” For children like Juni, MPAK is hosting a fundraising event on Nov. 2. The title of the event is “Break the Cycle.” The title was inspired by the ill-advised cycle for Korean orphans. When they are forced to leave the orphanage, each one is granted $1,000 to $5,000. That is obviously not enough for them to sign an apartment lease. That is why at least two out of three end up subleasing a room. College admission rate among these children remain 28 percent, while their employment rate also remains low at just 41 percent. “The children are living in a disastrous cycle,” Choi said. “We may not be able to help every one of these children, but we should do everything we can to do that.” Founded in 1999, MPAK consists of Korean households which choose to publicly adopt orphans in South Korea. About 1,500 households are registered with the organizations. Choi himself was adopted by a white family in 1970 as a 14-year-old. That is why his English name is Steve Morrison. Disabled due to a leg injury, Choi was looked after by his loving family. Choi grew up to become an aerospace engineer. A 27-year veteran in the field, he has founded MPAK to give back to the love he received from his family. He is also a father of five children, two of whom were adopted. For the last 18 years, MPAK has helped Korean households in the U.S. to adopt orphans in South Korea. Next month’s fundraising event is the third of the year. The funds collected from the first event was used to start South Korea’s first ever “baby box.” Seoul-based protestant church JSR Community pastor Jong-rak Lee was granted $110,000 to look after the children admitted through the baby box system. The event in the following year donated $180,000 to two orphanage facilities in Korea, which provides homes for 250 children. This year’s event will be held on Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. in Hollywood’s Taglyan Complex (1201 Vine St. LA, CA 90038). The donations will be handed over to Good Haven (goodhaven.or.kr) and Oak Tree Project (oaktreeproject.co.kr). The Korea Daily asked why it has to be orphans in Korea who need more guidance. “If you have the will to share someone’s pain, your goodwill can make an impact on anyone,” Choi said. ▶Inquiries: (562) 505-0695 MPAK/email mpakusa@gmail.com By Koohyun Chung

2017-10-20

(코리아타운뉴스) “IRS, Please Return My Withheld Assets”

A Korean-American man in Maryland has a considerable amount of personal money withheld by the IRS, and he is battling to retrieve his assets by taking the case to the court. The Washington Post reported Monday that the man is Oh-suk Kwon, 73, who moved to the United States in 1976 with his family and worked as a technician for the Army before his decades-long career to this day. He purchased a gas station in 2007 with the earnings he has saved over the years in Ellicott City before the IRS chose to hold $59,117.47 of his money in 2011 for an alleged money laundering offense. The IRS has failed to prove Kwon’s alleged crime, but has yet to return his money. In the end, Kwon filed for bankruptcy as his gas station struggled financially due to scarce financial resources. Not too long after, Kwon’s wife passed away after battling cancer. “When I came to the U.S., I had to do something for the country,” Kwon told the Washington Post. “My whole life was work, work, work.” The IRS has cited the Bank Secrecy Act, a law passed in 1970, which requires banks to report any transactions bigger than $10,000. Under the law, Kwon was accused of a structuring charge, a practice among money launderers who divvy up their money into multiple accounts to prevent themselves from the banking authorities. However, Kwon’s attorney Edward Griffin argued that the accusation from the IRS is simply not true. Kwon has indicated that he only chose to follow the advice of his banker who suggested that he should make multiple deposits of under $10,000 to avoid being subject to strict investigations. “Of all the cases I have worked on, this one stands out for me,” said Griffin. I firmly believe that the government did wrong in choosing to presecute Mr. Kwon and seize his assets. There was no good policy purpose for the prosecution. They did for money, and they destroyed a good and honest man. It is shameful. Which is why I am fighting for him.” The IRS is still firmly standing by its belief that Kwon is accused of a structuring case and that its seizure of his money is completely lawful. By Woosoo Lee

2017-10-20

(코리아타운뉴스) Korean Business Convention is an Employment Opportunity

The World Korean Business Convention is emerging as a tool to solve the rather high unemployment rate among the younger generation in South Korea. From Oct. 25, South Gyeongsang Province in South Korea will host the 16th annual event at the Changwon Convention Center, including the intern selection program under the slogan, “Go, Together” to help stave off unemployment rate in the country. About 100 hopeful jobseekers are expected to find positions to fill at this year’s event, according to the organizers. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that the unemployment rate among South Koreans aged between 15 and 24 as of April was 11.2 percent—2.5 percent higher than the figure released in December. That has led the current administration in South Korea has earmarked increasing jobs and talent development as two of its main goals. The intern selection program is a pilot project under the World Korean Business Convention. It has created 200 jobs at 125 companies across 30 countries around the world. Through this year’s event, it hopes to provide 100 more jobs. The 28 jobseekers who found internships at the 2015 and 2016 events have already been hired on a fulltime basis. The program will be available on the last day of the convention on Oct. 27. This year’s program will be presented as an event unlike years in the past. The intern selection process will be divided into three stages. After 200 jobseekers submit their applications, a selected group will go through interviews, lectures, talk concert and consulting. After that, the second stage will introduce Flex Fit chairman Byung-tae Cho and KOLAO chairman Sae-young Oh. The final stage will allow the selected individuals to receive advice and counseling from the businesspeople at the convention. By Moonho Kim

2017-10-19

(코리아타운뉴스) Korean Businesses Uninterested in Senior Discount

Koreatown in Los Angeles is largely considered a location for consumers. However, not many businesses in town are targeting senior consumers. As the generation of baby boomers are continually retiring, many apparel businesses are investing efforts to attract them, but most are still turning a blind eye to the senior citizens. The Korea Daily looked through businesses in Koreatown to grasp the current state of how businesses are perceiving senior consumers. A Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo near downtown in L.A. Located near a senior apartment, the restaurant is filled with senior citizens on every Tuesday and Wednesday. That is because the restaurant offers 15 percent discount to those 65 or older. “It’s not really a marketing strategy,” said the business owner. “It’s both a reward and accommodation for the adults of the community who’ve dined out at our restaurant for a long time.” The philosophy behind the discount is that the owner wants to “give back” to the senior citizens. “On days of the discount, most of the entrees on the menu are designed for senior citizens,” said Thomas Watanabe, 70. “The food is also served in adequate quantity.” There are many businesses offering senior discounts on certain days. Danny’s offers 15 percent discount along with Outback Steakhouse and Applebee’s, which offer 10 to 15 percent discount every week. Although they realize that they are generating less earning, it is a part of their marketing strategy that is taking the senior citizens of the community into consideration. It is also a plus that the businesses can also establish an image that they are open to rewarding senior citizens. However, an extensive research by the Korea Daily revealed that only six of 100 Korean-American businesses are offering senior discounts. Both Bandi Books and SaeJong Book Store are offering 30 percent discount for seniors, while L.A. CGV movie theaters provides a 40 percent discount for seniors aged 60 or older. Hansam-In, a Korean ginseng distributor, also offers 30 percent discount. Orange County-based Grand Motors takes $5 off of rent-a-car deals. At Insan Healing, the new ginseng products are included in a buy one get one free deal until the end of the month. Those businesses had a clear purpose for offering senior discounts. “Although senior consumers do not purchase large volume of our goods, they are loyal customers and they also have the final say in their household when making a purchase,” said one of the business owners. “This is an important marketing link.” However, 90 of the 100 businesses admitted that they will not consider offering a senior discount in the future. Even hospitals, pharmacies, dental clinics and travel agencies, all of which are frequently used by senior consumers, did not offer such a deal. Many of the businesses suggested that the current discount deals they offer to other consumer groups are enough for them to remain viable. Some said that senior consumers do not purchase a high volume, while others went on to say that they would be better off targeting consumers in their 40s and 50s. An optician’s shop on Olympic Boulevard recently scrapped its senior discount after offering it for the last three years as they deemed it to be “ineffective.” It explained that the response to the discount deal was not up to its expectations. For many businesses, offering a discount deal when their viability still remains uncertain in the long term is burdensome. Meanwhile, three to four businesses did express an interest in offering senior discounts, but said that they are reluctant as to how they should go about making it accessible. “We’re concerned that it may create a division among our customer base,” said an owner of a health product business. “It’s also difficult to set a standard for such a discount deal.” By Brian Choi

2017-10-19

(코리아타운뉴스) No Special Guests at L.A. Korean Festival

The 44th L.A. Korean Festival ended on Oct. 15 without a big issue. However, the event lacked real value, despite its glitz and glamour. The preparation was shaky to begin with. The Korean Festival Foundation program director changed twice as the event was being prepared, while the chairman was ousted, followed by additions of two executives. It is not clear whether the event itself could be considered a success when the preparation process for it was so bizarre. However, the visitors at the event as well as the participating businesses seem to have a different outlook. The perfect example was the opening ceremony on Oct. 12. Providing seats for special guests just under the stage and combining the ceremony with performances were fresh approaches, but the event was not running as smoothly as expected. Among those who gave speeches at the ceremony, only one—a representative from the LAPD—was truly a member of the mainstream community. “Does it make any sense that the largest Korean-American event in L.A. can only invite a police chief who is not even a director at his department?” one Korean-American said. In essence, the consensus was that the Korean Festival this year simply was not up to its standards considering how the U.S. is a country in which state and federal governors attend even the smallest festivals in tiny towns. Critics also added that the quality of invited celebrities from South Korea is dropping by the year. “The cost of the booth goes up every year, but we don’t even receive the most basic service from the hosts,” said one businessman at the event, who added that there are logistical issues with art exhibitions, shuttle services, restroom locations and custodians. A festival is supposed to be a time of value and joy. The L.A. Korean Festival needs to serve its purpose by raising the reputation of the Korean-American community. The foundation needs to show that it is making an effort to make an improvement. The phrase on the foundation website, which describes itself as “a nonprofit created to develop exchange of Korean culture, arts and economy,” should not be read with shame. It must not be content by simply “working hard.” It needs to aim to be praised for doing quality work. At its current state, the L.A. Korean Festival has no future. By Byongil kim

2017-10-18

(코리아타운뉴스) “Finding the Strengths in Child’s Brain”

"The revolution in education in the 21st century lies in the type of teaching that is based on children’s strengths in their brains. A human brain is more complex than the universe. It can change in any way possible depending on one’s will and environment.” A special seminar for parents of young children will be held on Oct. 20 at Irvine EM Academy and again on Oct. 26 at the Torrance Score Academy. “Parents and teachers should help children to find their brain sweet spots and offer the type of learning materials and pathways that are suited to their specific tendencies,” said Steven Choi, the co-founder of Major Fit, a firm specializing in helping children find their preferences. Choi added: “Parents must identify their children’s tendencies to be able to help them maximize their dreams and talents. Just by identifying their brain tendencies, parents can trigger creative thinking in their children. If the parents or teachers identify the children’s tendencies properly, teaching becomes easier and the efficiency of the education will rise considerably.” “Children’s brains are getting damaged by the uniformed type of education that doesn’t help children to further develop themselves as they’re overloaded with stress due to excessive schoolwork,” Choi said. Choi explained: “Simply making instructions, orders and feeding information that the current education model is based on cannot change children’s brains. A human brain has a tendency to develop when an initiative is taken, so there needs to proper coaching for children to maximize that trait. Education is not about feeding information. It should be tailor-made for individuals.” Children will not only feel less stressed about schoolwork, but also show higher level of performance if the education model is based on the tendencies of each student’s brain. The MAT tendency test, developed by Major Fit, is a product made by experts who are deeply concerned about providing the right education. Through the MAT, parents and children can identify ▶style of awareness ▶style of creativity ▶style of leadership ▶style of building relationships ▶style of execution ▶style of physical movement to find out what kind of human tendencies each children possesses and what he or she can do to build better relationships. By using the test results, Major Fit also helps children and their parents develop a better lifestyle and learning environment. Meanwhile, Major Fit is currently partnering with 20 after school programs to offer its expertise. ▶Inquiry: (949) 735-3919 Irvine, (310) 375-9633 Torrance By Byung Chang

2017-10-18

(코리아타운뉴스) Harmony Created by 16 Saxophones

Husky voice is what saxophones are compared to as a musical instrument. It is solid and strong, as the unique sound has to be blown through foggy. On Oct. 28 at 6 p.m., 16 saxophones will create a harmonious at Fullerton Presbyterian Church (511 S. Brookhurst Rd.) as Classy Saxophones, a team of amateur saxophone players, will host its fourth annual concert. Classy Saxophones consists of 15 men and one woman who live in various locations across Southern California. The members will perform various songs, ranging from traditional Korean to praise music to Franz Schubert to Antonio Vivaldi. Also, trumpet player and Shalom Church pastor Jin-geol Noh will perform as a guest. Aside from its conductor, every member of Classy Saxophones is amateurs. The group was founded in 212. “There were five people who I used to teach,” said Sang-yong Nam, the conductor. “They weren’t really improving, so all five of them got together every Wednesday to perform together. That’s how it started. We use four different types of saxophones to play relatively easy songs, so they started getting better while having fun in the process.” Classic Saxophones has since been getting together every Wednesday at Nam’s studio for practice. “Every one of our member did not major in music,” Nam said. “There’s nothing to worry about. Even people who started in their 60s and 70s can play music without a problem. They also learn breathing techniques to play saxophone, which helped them to improve their health. We probably play the highest quality music among all amateur Korean-American music clubs.” Classy Saxophones director Kwang-jin Kim added: “The audience will be able to listen to some excellent music as the sounds will be provided by four different types of saxophones that will serve as baritone, tenor, alto and soprano. We hope to present joy to our audience at the concert.” Inquiries can be made by calling 562-881-9285 or 682-2842. By Sanghwan Lim

2017-10-18

(코리아타운뉴스) Traveling Without Advanced Parole is Risky

Even those with valid visas can be denied from receiving an advanced parole, a form of a travel permit, if they leave the country before the application is approved. As the immigration law continues to tighten under the Trump administration, the requirements to apply for advanced parole is also becoming more complicated than before. Those with work permits (H-1B), residential employees visas (L-1) and other valid visas are likely to have their advance parole applications denied if they opt to leave the U.S. before approval. Previously, traveling without advanced parole was allowed as long as the visas were still valid. “Even if you have advanced parole, your application to renew could be rejected if you travel abroad before everything is approved,” said lawyer Joo-yeon Song. “The reason for leaving the country is not considered for exemption. All applications for advanced parole are being rejected if the applicant leaves the country before approval.” In some cases, those who leave the country may not even be allowed to return. If a green card applicant leaves the country before, the applicant could also be rejected. “For example, if an undocumented immigrant marries a citizen and travels abroad even with the I-485, he or she may be turned down from returning to the U.S. if the application for the green card is still pending,” said lawyer Ki-joo Sung. “The immigration department is really clamping down on border control. It’s better for green card applicants to avoid traveling abroad.” Advanced parole is also not the same as the re-entry permit. “When you look at the advanced parole carefully, it states that a bearer who leaves the country before approval could have his or her application turned down,” said a USCIS employee. “There are some cases in which some people confuse advanced parole with the re-entry permit, but that could also lead to forfeiture of the green card if the bearer resides in a foreign country for more than a year.” By Hyoungjae Kim

2017-10-18

(코리아타운뉴스) “Joining the Army Grants Tuition and Living Costs”

Army recruiter Jung-eun Kim, who was promoted as a staff sergeant only two months ago, currently works at his Fountain Valley office. After living in Irvine as a child, Kim moved to Los Angeles Koreatown at age 11. He graduated from Santa Monica College and returned to his home in Orange County five years after joining the Army. “I was attracted by the Army since I was a student in high school,” Kim said. Generally, it takes four years for one to be promoted to a staff sergeant in the Army, but Kim completed that process in just three years. He has already been deployed in Afghanistan for nine months between 2014 and 2015. “It was a dangerous place,” Kim said. “We were at the receiving end of a bomb attack, but I wasn’t scared.” After returning from Afghanistan, Kim was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. Now in Orange County, he is working in Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine and Newport Beach. He is carrying out his recruiter duties at University High School, Fountain Valley High School, Huntington Beach High School, Los Amigos High School and Costa Mesa High School. “We no longer have the MAVNI program which granted citizenships to high school graduates, international students and DACA recipients,” Kim said. “But we still offer various benefits, including covering college tuition. To be in the Army, applicant must not have any previous record of drug use and DUI.” Applicants can choose to be either active-duty or in the reserve forces. Active-duty applicants usually sign three to five years contracts, while reserve forces require at least six years of service. Both active-duty and reservists earn $4,000 in tuition every year. After completing the service, they are eligible for financial aid for all public universities. Living costs are also provided to all students for 36 months. “I learned so many things in the Army,” Kim said. “With my experience, I’m going to offer guidance to young people that will actually help them.” Inquiries: 714-809-4560 By Sanghwan Lim

2017-10-18

(코리아타운뉴스) Running a Marathon with a Warm Heart

The Korea Daily’s nonprofit volunteer organization Happy Village recent received the largest donation in its history. The Korean American Running Team (KART) sent six checks totaling $356,000 to Happy Village through fundraising director Sunny Choi last Friday. The donation was broken down to ▶$50,000 for the hurricane victims in Florida ▶$10,000 for victims in Puerto Rico ▶$120,000 for victims in Texas ▶additional $1,000 for the rescue operations in Texas ▶$25,000 for wildfire victims in California ▶$150,000 for the rescue operations in Puerto Rico. Happy Village will distribute the KART’s donations to UNICEF today. “We linked the fundraiser to the competitors participating in marathon tournaments,” said Choi. “Our members who completed the run made the donations. About 90 members took part and two of them asked to remain anonymous as donors.” Since 2001, the KART has been holding their Marathon of Love events. This year, they raised over $800,000 by September to make the donations. Meanwhile, Happy Village is helping nonprofit organizations in the community along with providing scholarship opportunities with an annual budget of $500,000. On Tuesday, Happy Village will distribute the donations to the Red Cross and UNICEF. By Byung Chang

2017-10-18

(코리아타운뉴스) “I Plan a Dual-Citizenship Campaign”

Si-myeon Kim, an 82-year-old who once served as the Korean American Federation L.A. president and erected a monument twice at South Korea’s Gimpo Airport as a “gift to the motherland,” is stepping up to help Koreans who wish to maintain dual citizenship. Kim visited the Korea Daily on Monday to discuss his plans. First of all, Kim suggested that the South Korean government will be better off getting rid of its current law stipulating that dual citizenship is only allowed to those aged 65 or older. Second of all, Kim urged the Korean government to scrap its mandatory military service by making it voluntary. “There’s a need to make being a part of the military as a job as a part of the plan to ease unemployment among young people in South Korea,” said Kim. “By lengthening the service to four to six years, making it voluntary is completely possible.” Kim added: “By creating a five-year provisional period, the new law could be implemented with no side effects.” “I met with Wen-shik Park recently,” Kim said. “Both of his children graduated from the Navy academy, but they haven’t been able to hold a respectable position since. I heard it’s because they have dual citizenship. Such an unreasonable law should be fixed promptly.” Kim said: “I’ve volunteered to help the Korean community for over 60 years and felt like someone should have a voice about the dual citizenship matters. That is the way to help our country as so many are suffering mentally and financially because of it. I hope more people understand that ultimately, all of this is a loss of the country as a whole.” Meanwhile, Kim plans to team up with Korean American Forum directors Byung-do Lee, Byung-wook Yoon and Hyung-man Park on May 15 of next year to hold a protest. He added that any Korean who shares his interest is welcome to join the efforts. ▶Inquiry: (714) 642-7542, omycountry@gmail.com By Byung Chang

2017-10-18

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