Abductees in North Korea must not be forgotten

The South Korean government has “not done much” to help citizens abducted in the North, ministry officials here have admitted, suggesting that Seoul may use food aid to push the issue with the communist state in future. Senior officials for the unification and foreign affairs ministries at a confere

Sept. 21, 2011

‘Just some bozo who decided to run’

Runner tells how U.K. comic inspired his ‘4in4’ MS marathon challengeTwo years ago, an unfit but determined British comedian called Eddie Izzard set off on an epic quest to run 1,000 miles around the U.K. The journey took about seven weeks. He was 47 and by his own account “had only run a little bit

Sept. 21, 2011

Korea Hands redecorates remote houses

Twenty college students have painted and wallpapered houses for people living on a remote Korean island. The members of Korea Hands, the state-organized volunteer group, redecorated homes on Bigeum Island in Sinan County in South Jeolla Province from Sept. 2-3.The team, led by Health and Welfare Min

Sept. 14, 2011

DMZ Docs fest to provoke thoughts of peace in Paju

Nuclear weapons and energy, a controversial naval base, sex education and disability are just some of the issues to be tackled at Korea’s demilitarized zone this month. The DMZ Docs festival will show international films based on peace, coexistence and reconciliation in Paju from Sept. 22―28. The mi

Sept. 14, 2011

Sick of city life? Why not WWOOF?

Volunteers escape to the country by helping out on organic farmsGWANGCHEON, South Chungcheong Province ― While most people here enjoyed family celebrations over Chuseok, Anna Gennaro and Roberto Sella took the harvest festival literally by staying on a Korean farm.The Italian couple spent more than

Sept. 14, 2011

Little Travellers raise cash in Seoul

Little Traveller dolls sold to benefit people with HIV/AIDS.A photo scavenger hunt in Seoul has raised 775,000 won to help people living with HIV/AIDS. The competition organized by Little Travellers Initiative saw 62 people form 16 teams to take on a variety of challenges and raise cash for the Hill

Sept. 7, 2011

Investing in Seoul’s environment

Volunteers stop for a picture during an event to clean the streets of Seoul. (Invest Korea)Volunteers joined forces to adopt a road in Seoul by cleaning streets in Yangjae on Saturday. The event saw employees of foreign-invested companies help keep the area around Yangjae IC tidy by picking up litte

Sept. 7, 2011

Mannam’s picnic on the Han

A Mad Hatter’s picnic is to be hosted on the banks of the Han River by Mannam volunteers.People of all nationalities are asked to come dressed with a touch of madness for the event at Yeouinaru Han River Park to run from 11:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17. Prizes will be awarded for the best

Sept. 7, 2011

Helpers find happiness at Angel House

Saturday’s dinner of pizza and fried chicken was far from an ordinary evening meal for the residents of Angel House. A typical weekday dinner can be as simple as kimchi, rice and water. "They are really poor,” said volunteer coordinator Kiki Fastino. “They are always waiting until Saturday and

Sept. 7, 2011

Books build dreams for Burmese refugees

Korean helps kids to brighter future with English libraries on Thai borderFor children born in Umpiem Mai refugee camp, it can be difficult to imagine a world outside the hilly settlement on the Thai-Burmese border. Some have never even seen a settlement outside the shacks their Burmese families hav

Sept. 7, 2011

Chance to sell soaps for hope in Seoul

Organizers are being sought to help a social enterprise benefiting North Korean refugees. The Soap for Hope charity makes and sells all-natural soaps and plows the profits back into projects for North Koreans living here.  Soaps made by North Korean refugees. (Soap for Hope)“The soap project wa

Aug. 31, 2011