In a metropolis with rising international variety, one small workplace in Seoul’s Gangnam District is quietly shaping the way forward for social integration. On the helm of the Gangnam World Village Heart (GGVC) is Yun Victoria Chuka SeungJu, a visionary whose private {and professional} journey displays the multicultural transformation of Korean society.
Initially from Mongolia, Yun arrived in Korea over 20 years in the past, later changing into the primary overseas public servant of Seoul Metropolitan Authorities in 2011. After eight years at Metropolis Corridor and incomes a Ph.D. in early 2024, she was appointed as director of GGVC in April the identical 12 months.
Now, she’s drawing on each her expertise as a long-term resident and her educational background to reimagine the position of the middle.
“I need this middle to be greater than a spot the place foreigners take language courses,” she stated in an interview. “I need it to be an area the place Koreans and foreigners can actually meet, join and perceive each other.”
Yun Victoria Chuka SeungJu stands outdoors the doorway to Gangnam World Village Heart in southern Seoul. Courtesy of Gangnam World Village Heart
A rising want for belonging
Since its founding in 2008, the GGVC — previously referred to as Yeoksam World Village Heart — has served a steadily rising overseas inhabitants. At this time, roughly 80 p.c of the middle’s guests are girls, lots of whom are worldwide college students or younger professionals of their 20s and 30s.
Yun SeungJu is third from left within the entrance row. Courtesy of Gangnam World Village Heart
Whereas some, like Yun, have Korean spouses and deep roots within the nation, the bulk are navigating Korean society on their very own — studying the language, adapting to the tradition and attempting to construct neighborhood.
Recognizing this, Yun has launched a wide range of applications that transcend language and authorized help. From job festivals to volunteer initiatives, cultural performances and even self-defense courses, her imaginative and prescient is centered on empowerment, psychological well-being and mutual cultural alternate.
“Many foreigners listed here are on job-seeking visas, however discovering employment may be very troublesome,” she stated. “That’s why we organized a job honest in June and career-switching seminars all year long. We even introduced contributors on resort excursions to submit resumes instantly. Just a few folks have already been employed.”
These employment initiatives are a part of a broader shift towards sensible help providers, which aren’t but extensively accessible at different World Village Facilities.
From calligraphy to choirs
The Gangnam middle has additionally turn into a artistic hub. In June, Yun launched Primero Voice, a multicultural choir made up of 25 members from 20 completely different international locations. The group had its first public efficiency on Sept. 20 and is about to carry out once more on Nov. 5 at Gangnam Sq..
The Primero Voice choir performs throughout the Enjoyable & Tradition Festa at Coex in southern Seoul, Sept. 20. Courtesy of Gangnam World Village Heart
Further applications this fall included a Korean calligraphy class, a martial arts self-defense workshop for ladies and participation in Hangul Day celebrations at Gwanghwamun Sq., the place members competed in a dwell calligraphy occasion.
Integration, not isolation
A key objective of the GGVC is to advertise two-way integration — not simply serving to overseas residents adapt to Korea, but additionally serving to Koreans join with their overseas neighbors.
The World Chef and Human Library applications exemplify this strategy. In World Chef, foreigners introduce Korean residents to their dwelling international locations by means of meals, cooking conventional meals from locations like Peru, Nepal and Bolivia. Within the Human Library, overseas residents current elements of their cultures — language, video games and social customs — to Korean adults and kids alike.
“We wish to break down the concept that foreigners are outsiders,” Yun stated. “There are such a lot of folks from completely different international locations dwelling right here for a lot of causes. We wish to present that we’re all a part of the identical neighborhood.”
This summer season, the Human Library program expanded to incorporate each Korean and overseas youngsters, studying side-by-side about international cultures. The response, Yun stated, has been overwhelmingly optimistic.
“Yearly, extra persons are coming to our applications,” she stated. “That tells me there’s an actual need for this type of connection.”
Volunteers from the Gangnam World Village Heart take part within the Gangnam District authorities’s fiftieth anniversary occasion at Coex, Sept. 26. Courtesy of Gangnam World Village Heart
Wanting forward
With extra overseas nationals arriving in Korea every year, the work of neighborhood facilities like GGVC is changing into more and more vital.
For Yun, the way forward for the middle lies not simply in serving overseas residents, however in bringing Koreans and foreigners collectively in shared areas, breaking down obstacles of language, tradition and worry.
“Typically Koreans are hesitant to strategy foreigners as a result of they assume they’ll’t talk,” she stated. “However many wish to be buddies. We simply must create the alternatives.”
Below her management, the GGVC is doing simply that — one job honest, choir rehearsal and cooking class at a time.
Go to globalgangnam.com for extra data.
Alice Hong is a contract author and comic primarily based in Seoul. Observe her at @hippohong on Instagram.
