Korean alternatives wanted to replace `homlis`

The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs yesterday said it has decided to seek new Korean alternatives to replace the legal terms "nosukin" (homeless people) and "burangin" (beggars).

As part of a revision to the social welfare law last month, the ministry had proposed that "homlis," Korean Romanization for the English word "homeless," be used instead of the Korean words. At the time, the ministry said the proposal was intended to "renew the negative nuance of the Korean terms and professionalize services for them."

However, the proposal faced a strong backlash from the public, especially from civic groups promoting Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Right after the announcement, the groups had said the "homlis" is just an English adjective referring to "nosukin" and cannot be a better alternative.

"Gauging public opinion, we have decided to arrange a meeting with Hangul-promoting groups to discuss other Korean alternatives,`" said a ministry official.

Civic groups also welcomed the ministry`s decision, saying they will collect ordinary citizens` opinions as well.

Jeong In-hwan, director of the Solidarity for Hangul, said: "We will decide on the most appropriate Korean alternative after considering many people`s opinions online."

Currently, some 50 Korean expressions are registered in the organization`s website (www.urimal.org). Recommended by experts and citizens, they include "giljamggun" or people sleeping on the streets, "musukja" or people who have no place to sleep, and "handein," people living outside the house.

(jylee@heraldm.com)



By Lee Ji-yoon