Rob has written a well thought out piece on Korea’s almost constant seeking of some sort of brand for itself to promote to outsiders, but is always falling short because of it’s pigheadedness heavy handed approach(es)
Which is not to say there efforts aren’t well intentioned, and indeed the Travel in Korea’s (Is that the Korean Tourism Organisation [...]
Author Archive > Stafford
Travel in Korea – Luke Warm iPhone App
Smartphone Transactions Getting Closer
You’ll remember earlier in February I was delighted by The Korea Times saying this:
Intelligent smartphones may end up rendered [sic] retarded by Korea’s crusty Internet regime.
In regards to the Financial Supervisory Service’s (FSS) insistance on using out dated unusable standards for security of smartphone related financial transactions.
The Hankyoreh has these words on the subject:
South Korea’s domestic [...]
Bangs Head Against Wall for the Umpteenth Time
Look about the English speaking section of K-Blogland and you will encounter no end of posts on Korea’s crap record in punishing sex offenders over the last little while. For a start see Gusts of Popular Feeling, for a primer. Amazingly the Korean side of the Internet has also been up in arms of late [...]
Itaewon: Foreigner Ghetto or Rugged Charm?
From Matt Lamers at the Korea Herald:
…Reporter Adam Walsh is writing a story on reviving the push to get Itaewon on the list of areas to be redeveloped. It’s controversial. Some say Itaewon would greatly benefit from redeveloped streets, side walks and the influx of cash. Some say it could ruin its rugged character.
Would you [...]
Survey Much?
Over the last couple of weeks I have been running a survey in an attempt to see what’s going on in the Foreigner community here in Seoul.
It is a very small sample – though not restricted to E2 Visa holders it equates to about 1% of the 20000 Language teachers in Korea. Neither should it [...]
Still Looking for Expats to Tell Us What They Think
Bloggers here at HoS and throughout K-Blogland are working to come together and figure out ways we can be more efficient in getting information on living in Korea, events and all sorts of stuff out to you, the reader.
As such we are still looking for some information by from you!
Your honest answers in the Survey [...]
Which Foods Help Battle H1N1 Flu?
A great many, if the Chosun Bimbo Ilbo is to be believed.
The paper notes that the government continues to encourage increased personal hygiene practices. (Who woulda thought you’d need to tell people to wash their hands? But then 1 minute in a mens room in Korea and the number of people who leave without washing their hands [...]
Human Rights Commission Responds
You will recall earlier in the year that, although I don’t necessarily agree with them on the whole, ATEK, the Association of English Teachers in Korea, filed a complaint with the Korean Human Rights Commission(HRC) regarding the testing of E2 Visa applicants for HIV and Opioid / psychoactive / psychotropic use, on the basis that [...]
Where There’s SMOE There’s Firings
modify remove organize post follow up
With Apologies to Joe for the witty Title.
Readers will be aware of the ridiculous situation a number of people found themselves in last week having successfully completed the requirements for a visa for a job with The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education only to have SMOE turn around and tell [...]
김대중 前대통령 서거*
Rob beat me to it, but I add my 2cents worth on the passing of Kim Dae Jung.
It hasn’t been a good year for former South Korean Presidents.
Sad news that this afternoon Kim Dae Jung died at Severance Hospital in Seoul this afternoon. At age 85 he had been struggling with pneumonia since mid last [...]
24. (Not the TV program)
[Update:] OK! I will put my money where my mouth is and I will invite someone to objectivly pick what they think is the most interesting 24 hours and I will go and do it, camera in hand. When you think of your 24 hours in Seoul bear in mind travel times and forms of [...]
에어 울프?*
An appropriate soundtrack for this post:
News this week that South Korea has unveiled a domestically engineered and built helicopter the KUH (Korean Utility Helicopter) Surion:
Seen at it’s unveiling in front of dignitaries including President Ol’ Bung Eye Lee Myung Bak, The Surion is a dual use aircraft meaning it can be adapted for civilian use [...]
