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Mortar shells unearthed near Iksan

Written by eyk Tuesday, 31 August 2010 09:36

Near the spring in GeumMaMeon, Iksan, some bombs were discovered. The military responded to a call and came out with a team of minesweepers. They discovered a cache of 9 mortar shells (60mm x 30cm) buried since the war. Even though they are likely too decomposed to detonate, the military has canvassed the area giving fliers with warnings and instructions to local residents. The metal detectors only have a range of 30cm deep. Call before you dig! Courtesy Jeonbuk Ilbo.
^{[Thanks EunYoung, welcome to the team!]}

Burnt body found in car

Written by bbj Friday, 27 August 2010 09:53

A 54-year-old Gimje man was on his morning walk when he made a gruesome discovery: a body, burnt beyond recognition, sitting in a Sonata. The car belonged to a Mr. Lee (29), who was just about to enter divorce proceedings with his wife. Police say foul play is not suspected. Why some people choose to die in maximum-possible physical agony is a very sad mystery. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Jeonju pastor arrested for illegally visiting NK

Written by dvm Monday, 23 August 2010 21:33

 Pastor Han Sang-Ryol, of Jeonju walked across the border to the North about 70 days ago, where he delivered sermons. In them, he allegedly denounced President Lee MyungBak as an 'anti-unification traitor.' [Well, Lee's not exactly extending the olive branch, is he? -Ed.] Pastor Han was arrested Friday trying to get back into the ROK. Police raided his house Saturday. An arrest warrant was requested Sunday. [??] He is facing charges of violating the National Security Law, which heavily restricts contact with North Koreans and activities seen as supporting Pyongyang. Read more at The Korea Herald.

Troy Lindsey to release 2nd Album

Written by dvm Monday, 23 August 2010 17:29

Troy Lindsey is a helicopter aviation specialist who lived in Jeonju just over a year ago. He was finishing up his first album, "Out of Time for People Without Time"when he was here, playing on the stages of J.Rs Saloon and Art and Travel. He recorded most of his music with a portable sound studio that could fit on a coffee table and e-mailed the files to a mixing studio back in the states. Now paired up with singer Kristen McCamey, he plans to release a second album in October. Check out some samples here.Troy's sound is getting edgier, crisper. Kristen's voice is much more than just an added feature. Definitely leaves you wanting to hear more. Looking forward to the new album!

Dirty old man goes for cleaners

Written by bbj Monday, 23 August 2010 09:54

A 70 year-old Gochang security guard has been sneaking up behind cleaning ajumas as they toil away, bent over, and grabbing them in the fun spot. The ladies did not find it fun at all. After repeated warnings, and even a few whacks with broom handles, two women have had enough of the chronic groping and are pressing charges. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

The cost of these rains

Written by bbj Thursday, 19 August 2010 09:50

In sharp contrast with last year's drought, Jeonbuk province is waterlogged this year. We've had about 200mm of rain this last week-end alone. Half of a usual season. Estimates of the property damage in this province alone have reached 20 billion won. This figure is based on survey estimates by Jeollabukdo Emergency Management Division. The toll is being taken in the way of lost crops, lost fertilizer, damaged greenhouses, damaged roads, bridges, homes, collapsed drainage systems, etc. Estimators suggest that the actual costs of restorations will be much higher once they are underway. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Jeonju Court denies divorce appeal of Korean man from his Vietnamese wife

Written by dvm Wednesday, 18 August 2010 09:51

A husband and wife union should always look after each other even in times of trouble and misunderstanding, a court ruled Friday, rejecting a divorce petition filed by a Korean husband to sever the ties with his younger Vietnamese wife. According to the Jeonju District Court, a 45-year-old complainant married the 25-year-old from Vietnam in June last year. However, trouble often marred the union. In March, the wife was scolded by her father-in-law for resting her chin in her hands and staring at him while he ate. He said she misbehaved and told her to “get out of the house.” Resting your chin in your hands is considered rude in Korea. She followed the order by leaving the house with all the jewelry and gifts she had received from her husband and his family at the wedding. Instead of looking for the runaway wife, the man filed for divorce. According to the husband, the wife didn’t try hard enough to get along with the family, and was only interested in “making money and hanging around with fellow Vietnamese nationals.” In its infinite wisdom, however, the court dismissed the husband’s divorce petition, saying the husband should be more understanding of his wife and give her more time. If he can find her, that is — apparently, nobody knows where she is. [Republished in its entirety courtesy of The Marmot's Hole.]

Robbery in broad daylight

Written by bbj Monday, 16 August 2010 09:45

In Gosadong (near Gaeksa), Jeonju, an 18 year-old boy robbed a 17 year old girl of 50,000 won in cash and her credit card as she was leaving an academy. He managed to charge 300,000 won on the card before she made it to the phone and got the call in. This happened at 4pm (the 10th), with lots of people around. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Husband's Fury: man thrashes wife and lover roadside

Written by bbj Saturday, 14 August 2010 12:26

A Gwangju man, who was already suspicious, got a tip from his friend: "Your wife getting in the car with another man and they are going to Jeonju, right now." He jumped in his car and tore off to the rest station between here and there. He waited in his car until he saw them. He let them use the facilities, then followed them. However, stealth gave way to anger. About ten kilometers after the rest area (right near Woosok University), the tailing husband lost his cool. [Perhaps he witnessed something going down? -Ed.] He caught up, ran them off the road, got out of his car and proceeded to lay a beating on both of them with a hiking pole. Passersby called police, and they arrived before serious bodily injury or death occurred. Had he used a video camera instead, and followed them all the way to their destination, he would probably have a strong legal case for divorce, custody, and alimony. He had plenty of time to think of that in the car. However, he chose the much more immediate gratification of thrashing them with a hiking pole. Now, as far as the law is concerned, he's 'getting the wrong end of the stick.' Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Jeonju Hanji for G20 Decor

Written by bbj Saturday, 14 August 2010 12:23

The conference rooms at Seoul's COEX will be decorated in a Chosun Dynasty motif. Along with highly polished furniture in the style of that era, Jeonju Hanji paper will be dominant in the theme. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Vidatorial: July 26, 2010: Starving North Koreans

Written by dvm Friday, 13 August 2010 11:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkZHu625t74

Gunsan to open pilot training center

Written by dvm Friday, 13 August 2010 10:31

As a move intended to beef up the transportation infrastructure of the Gunsan Free Economic Zone, the promised new shipping hub of Asia, construction of a pilot training center is slated to begin in the fall of 2011. The site is 6600 sqare meters, and will be occupied by hangars, runways, classrooms, and practical training zones. 28.5 billion won has been earmarked for the next year to get things started. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Voice Phishing - The Kidnap Scam

Written by bbj Thursday, 12 August 2010 09:30

This week a Jeonju woman reported a surprise phone call. It went something like this: "We have taken your son. We have his phone. We are monitoring your phone. If you call the police, you will never see him again. His name is __, his birthdate is __, his phone number is ___, his i.d. number is ___. Make a bank deposit of 5 million won to this bank number: __. You have 10 minutes to comply, or we will kill him. If you call the police, we will kill him."
What would you do?
Her son lives in Pohang. Fortunately for this particular mom, her husband was sitting next to her. He just happened to be talking on the phone with their son, who was having a normal day in Pohang.
This voice-phishing formula is not new. It was reported two years ago on the Hub. Last year alone Jeonbuk police arrested 34 suspected voice-phishers, while 187 reports did not lead to an arrest. Also since last year, about 50 moms in Namwon reported such attempts. Most were not duped; but many distraught mothers made the demanded deposit. (Usually to an account in China)
Why do people believe these scams? Police are saying that the scammers are very intelligent, and playing a better game as time goes by. The information presented by the hackers is very detailed, private, and accurate. Accurate enough to get a mother really scared.
Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Family of four dead in apparent murder suicide

Written by bbj Wednesday, 11 August 2010 09:30

Police are undertaking a heart-wrenching investigation, as all four members of a small family have been found dead in what looks to be a murder-suicide. Police discovered the bloody bodies of a couple and their 3-year-old girl at an apartment construction site in JeongEup. They all died from cutting or stabbing. The murder-weapon was discovered nearby. But there were four in that family. So, police went to their apartment in Inhu-dong, Jeonju, and there found the body of their 2-year-old boy. He had been stabbed to death as well. The investigation began when the wife's mother sent them 13 million won "for no reason" and they did not call her to say thank-you, or return her calls. She began to worry and called police. Amid a whirlwind of speculation, police are committing a very thorough investigation into this tragedy. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Summer Camp Collusion

Written by bbj Wednesday, 11 August 2010 08:55

Jeonbuk parents are up in arms to discover parochialism in their public servants. There was a provincial fund for which all parents in the province may apply.  This fund would help to offset the tuition costs of summer English camps.  However, it was used up almost entirely by parents who happen to work at the provincial office. Courtsey, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Critical drainage issue for Hanok Village

Written by dvm Monday, 09 August 2010 09:25

The sudden and intense rains of late reveal a problem at Hanok Village, Jeonju's historical area.  The problem with keeping it all old-style is that the storm drainage system stays out of date, or even non existent. City officials are engaged in discussions about solving the problem.  Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo. 

Don't Jump

Written by jkc Monday, 09 August 2010 09:19

Atop an apartment building in the PyeongHwa district of Jeonju, police talked to 15-year-old Miss Yang. Her break-up with her boyfriend was the last straw for her, in her life full of mounting pressures. Thankfully, she was convinced not to jump. Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Foreign students pushed into illegal work

Written by admin Tuesday, 03 August 2010 15:23

It has been found that some universities are having their international students do work which is illegal for them and then granting them degrees even though they were never sent to a single class. The Gunsan Police Department in Jeollabuk-do has arrested "A" and eight other senior professors at a university on charges of interfering with official work and hiring foreign laborers. According to police, the professors had the 123 Chinese students who came to the school in 2007 and 2008 work illegally in factories and restaurants and graduate after taking only the first semester's classes. Investigators found that the professors gave them degrees after filling out their attendance forms and exams just as if they had been attending classes while working illegally, and some of the professors introduced them to further illegal work. Police said of the graduation that, "the school indiscriminately admitted unqualified foreign students to solve its financial problems and prevent having to close its doors." Currently the Ministry of Science, Education, and Technology (교육과학기술부) recommends that foreign students wishing to study at a two-year school pass the third level of the Test of Korean Proficiency and students in a four-year program, the fourth level. However, some of the students the school admitted had never even taken the exam. The professors personally invited the students through the univerisity's relationship with the three locations in China of a combined technical school and school for sending students abroad. Currently half of the 123 students who received diplomas have returned to their home countries and of the rest, half are believed to be working illegally in Korea, of whom six have been caught by police and will be deported.

Read original article in Korean here.

This article republished in its entirety courtesy Korea Beat.

University dean charged with taking bribes

Written by che Monday, 02 August 2010 11:23

The president of Gunsan's SeoHae University (서해대) was charged with receiving two bribes of 70 million won each to hire/promote certain professors. He was sentenced to 2 years in jail and 140 million in recompense. He has immediately appealed the sentence.
Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.

Hitting the hail on the head

Written by dvm Monday, 26 July 2010 14:14

A 64-year-old Jeonu man, who has recently been charged with pimping out schoolgirls, was found dead by a neighbour. Unable to deal with the impending consequences of his actions, he appears to have executed himself with a nail-gun. 
Courtesy, Jeonbuk Ilbo.