Korea Beat

www.koreabeat.com



1. Tragic deaths of foreigners

The needless deaths of Bill Kapoun, Mike White, and Nerine Veljoen, all under suspicious circumstances -- and the inspiring work the expat community did to raise money to support their families.



2. Slain migrant workers

The shocking number of migrant workers killed in fires and explosions, both in the Ansan detention center and in factories and warehouses.



3. Expatriates in pro-Korean baseball

Jerry Royster was named the first foreign manager of a Korean Baseball Organization team. Brad Thomas -- pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles -- was the first foreigner to record more than 30 saves in one season.



4. English mania, dropping won

The continuing mania for English lessons has led to foreign ESL teachers seeing their salaries go up -- only to see them eroded by the falling won.



5. Teacher strips student, forces him outside school

Jan. 31

A daycare in Itaewon was busted by a local expat for punishing a child by stripping and forcing him to stand naked on a fire escape. It has come to be known as the "naked punishment" daycare.



6. National Assembly elections

Two naturalized citizens ran for the National Assembly.



7. "American Hagwon Teacher Arrested For Murder"

March 19

A Korean-American ESL teacher was arrested for a murder committed in America.



8. HIV may not cause deportation

Dec. 3

The potential abolishment of HIV infection as cause for deportation.



9. Anti-foreigner sentiment spreads

Anti-foreigner groups such as Damunhwa Jeongchaek Bande and Anti-English Spectrum grew more active on the internet, and even began holding offline protests.



10. Laws protecting foreigners

Nov. 18

The Chosun Ilbo editorialized on the need for discrimination against foreigners to be lessened and a somewhat fuzzy vision of multiculturalism embraced. "The city of Ansan has said it will establish a `Foreigners Ordinance` to protect the rights of foreigners living there."



11. Election campaign promises

During the presidential campaign, all of the candidates committed to increased immigration of skilled foreigners and some called for an end to discrimination.



12. 1-million mark passed

The number of resident foreigners passed the 1 million mark, and the Korean media responded with increased attention to the situations of, especially, migrant workers and imported brides.



13. Matthew Lamers stabbed

Lamers, editor of The Korea Herald`s Expat Living section was stabbed hours after a massive rally ended deriding the re-importation of American beef.



14. Italian caught in media firestorm

An Italian chef was caught at the center of the Ok So-ri affair saga.



15. Expats run onto field

Expats ran onto the field during a Doosan Bears game.



By Nathan Schwartzman