The world’s tallest buildings by 2020
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has released a study on the world’s 20 tallest buildings projected to be built by 2020. The Council introduced the term ‘megatall’ to describe buildings over 600 meters (1,968 feet) tall, which is twice the height of the previous superlative ’supertall’ buildings. Buildings that have been stalled and do not have a predictable completion date have been excluded from the study.
The 20 tallest megatall buildings, nicely lined up in the CTBUH’s infographic below, are:
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Pusan South Korea
- Kingdom Tower, Jeddah: 1,000+ meters (3,280+ feet)
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai: 828 meters (2,717 feet)
- Ping An Finance Center, Shenzen: 660 meters (2,165 feet)
- Seoul Light DMC Tower: 640 meters (2,101 feet)
- Signature Tower, Jakarta: 638 meters (2,093 feet)
- Shanghai Tower, Shanghai: 632 meters (2,073 feet)
- Wuhan Greenland Center, Wuhan: 606 meters (1,988 feet)
- Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, Makkah: 601 meters (1,972 feet)
- Goldin Finance 117, Tian Jin: 597 meters (1,957 feet)
- Lotte World Tower, Seoul: 555 meters (1,819 feet)
- Doha Convention Center and Tower, Doha: 551 meters (1,808 feet)
- One World Trade Center, New York City: 541 meters (1,776 feet)
- Chow Tai Fook Guangzhou, Guangzhou: 530 meters (1,739 feet)
- Tianjin Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center, Tian Jin: 530 meters (1,739 feet)
- Dalian Greenland Center, Dalian: 518 meters (1,699 feet)
- Pentominium, Dubai: 516 meters (1,693 feet)
- Busan Lotte Town Tower, Busan: 510 meters (1,674 feet)
- Taipei 101, Taipei: 508 meters (1,667 feet)
- Kaisa Feng Long Centre, Kaisa: 500 meters (1,640 feet)
- Shanghai WFC, Shanghai: 492 meters (1,614 feet)
17 tips for healthy hair and skin
Cosmetologist Dr Rekha Sheth shares her tips for healthy hair and skin.
- Remember that the most important factors that decide the quality of your skin and hair are your genes and family history, your nerves and emotions, and your immune system.
- Remember that the most important factors that decide the quality of your skin and hair are your genes and family history, your nerves and emotions, and your immune system.
- Use an appropriate face wash meant for your skin type and wash twice a day.
- Use cleansers at night to remove make up and dirt before using a face wash.
- Use sunscreen everyday even if you are indoors - the sun's UVA rays come through windows too and contribute to aging, pigmenting and tanning. Ideally, sunscreen should be applied every three hours.
- Sunscreen should have an SPF of 30 or more. SPF is the degree of protection against UVB rays, hence sunscreen must have UVA protection as well. The usual UVA protection ingredients are Avobenzone, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Mexoryl and Tinosorb.
- Make up products like foundations, mineral powders and compacts do not have adequate sun protection.
- Indian skin tends to tan and pigment easily and patchily. There is a very thin line between tanning and pigmentation. If your tan hasn't gone in 4-6 weeks, see a dermatologist.
- It is advisable to use mild skin lightening creams as prevention. Look for botanical ingredients likeArbutin, Bearberry, Licorice, Mulberry, Ginseng, Gingko, Emblica, Turmeric - curcuma, Grapeseed and vitamins like C and A, and Niacinamide.
- Aging can be intrinsic, i.e. genetic, and can be delayed by exercise and, to a lesser extent, through diet. Extrinsic factors include increased UV intensity, increased pollution as well as stress. All these factors tend to dry the skin and make it more prone to pigmentation and aging. Hence it is important to start caring for your skin in your teens.
- Extrinsic factors produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are naughty oxygen molecules that damage the cells and make them age faster. Anti-oxidants neutralise these ROS.
- At night, use a moisturiser with an age-protecting agent.
- For younger skin, look for ingredients with antioxidants like vitamins C, E or a whole range of botanicals like green tea, grapeseed or pomegranate extract, curcumin, etc. You might also like to look out for the following: Genistein, ECGC, Resveratrol, Idebenone and Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10.
- Kitchen ingredients like fruits do not work.
- For older skin, look for the following ingredients: peptides, vitamin A and derivatives like retinol and other retinoids, Alpha, beta and polyhydroxy acids.
- Exfoliation should be done with extreme caution and only with modern bead exfoliators. Avoid granular scrubs as these tend to damage the skin microscopically, which can lead to slow, insidious and patchy darkening.
- It is advisable to visit a dermatologist at least once a year. There are a lot of nuances in skin colour, texture, smoothness, etc. that we can't see for ourselves. These can be detected by the dermatologist and mild creams/treatments can be recommended.
- Always use a conditioner after you shampoo your hair. It protects your hair and is a better option than oil. Conditioners neutralise electrical charge in the hair shaft and help in detangling. Conditioners also improve shine and to some extent repair minor frays in the hair shaft. Conditioning agents like hydrolized protein or silicons are added to increase manageability and shine in the hair.
Women's Sports Star annual income rankings (July 2010-June 2011)
Rank Name On Import (Unit: USD)
1 Maria Sharapova (Russia), Tennis 25,000,000(continued 7 years-rank 1)
2 Caroline Wozniak, Aki (Denmark), tennis 12,500,000
4 Venus Williams (USA) tennis 11,500,000 Kim
5 Cleveland Augustus (Belgium) tennis 11,000,000
6 seorina Williams (USA) tennis 10,500,000
7 or the (Chinese) tennis 10000000
8 Kim yuna (Korea), figure skating, 10,000,000
9 Ana Ivanovic (Serbia), tennis 6,000,000
10 Paula Creamer ( USA) Golf 5,500,000
S. Korea to Provide 5 Million US$ for Customs Project in Nepal
By Anil Giri
Kathmandu Correspondent
KOICA President Park Dae-Won
The assistance will be utilized to implement the Business Process Re-Engineering (BRP) and draw up information strategic plan to foster the capacity of Department of Customs (DoC), improve the operation capacity transfer technology and skills of official and staff, said the Ministry of Finance issuing a press release on Thursday.
"The main priorities of the project are development and establishment of management system of agent module, valuation module, passenger clearance and risk management system," the release says.
The more than two-year-long project will be implemented by DoC on behalf of the Government of Nepal and by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on behalf of the Government of South Korea.
A memorandum of understanding was signed on Thursday by Secretary of Ministry of Finance Krishna Hari Baskota on behalf of Nepal and Hong Sungmog, South Korean Ambassador to Nepal on behalf of the Korean government.
South Korea has been providing development assistance to Nepal since 1969 after the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries.
.....................................................................
The Rotary Club of Korea RCTD-3650 donated medical equipment worth Rs. 1.4 million to the Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur, through the Rotary Club of Bagmati.
District Governor of Rotary Club, Tirthaman Shakya handed over the goods to Chairman of the Bhaktapur Hospital Management Committee, Lokendra Shrestha at a function held at the Hospital on Sunday.
The equipment includes oxygen concentrator, microscope, ultrasound machine and five packets of slide among others.
The Hospital is still in need of a CT scan machine and training for its personnel, Mr Shrestha said.
(LEAD) Serial number found on torpedo fragments collected from sunken ship site
SEOUL, May 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has found a serial number marked on torpedo propeller fragments collected from the scene where one of its naval ships sank, officials said Wednesday, the latest piece of evidence that North Korea attacked the vessel.
The number was written in a font used in North Korea, and investigators have concluded that the 1,200-ton patrol ship Cheonan came under a North Korean torpedo attack near the Yellow Sea border on March 26 before breaking in half and sinking, officials said.
Foreign experts from the United States, Britain and Australia working as part of an international team looking into the sinking have also agreed to the assessment that a torpedo attack sank the Cheonan, officials said.
The defense ministry, however, denied a media report that a Korean word was also written on the propeller pieces.
South Korea plans to officially announce the investigation's outcome on Thursday. The announcement is expected to include the result of a computer simulation that a heavy, acoustic homing torpedo with a warhead weighing about 250 kilograms struck the Cheonan.
Investigators have also found that traces of explosives found in the Cheonan's wreckage were identical in composition to propellant explosives contained in a stray North Korean torpedo that South Korea recovered from the southern coast seven years ago.
It has been no secret that South Korean officials believe the North is responsible for the disaster that killed 46 sailors, though they have refrained from openly blaming the North until the investigation is complete.
After an initial examination of the Cheonan's wreckage, investigators had said the vessel was most likely struck by an underwater "non-contact" explosion, possibly from a torpedo or a sea mine.
North Korea has denied any involvement.
South Korea has been trying to drum up international support for its plan to take the case to the U.N. Security Council to punish the North if the regime is found responsible. The foreign ministry plans to brief diplomats from about 30 nations on the investigation's outcome this week.
As part of those efforts, South Korean officials already explained the cause of the sinking to Chinese, Russian and Japanese diplomats stationed in Seoul in separate sessions on Tuesday, a foreign ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
The three nations are members of the six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear programs, which include the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States. The talks have been stalled since late 2008 due to a North Korean boycott.
China and Russia are considered as key components of South Korea's efforts to punish the North, as both are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council with veto powers. Beijing is Pyongyang's last-remaining major ally and the main provider of aid, which has supported the North's ailing economy.
S. Korea to intensify immigration checks ahead of G-20 summit
SEOUL, May 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will strengthen immigration control ahead of the upcoming Seoul G-20 summit to keep out foreigners who intend to interfere with the global event, the Justice Ministry said Monday.
In a meeting attended by the justice minister, the heads of local immigration offices and ministry attaches overseas, the ministry decided to establish a task force to oversee immigration matters and support the successful hosting of the summit in November.
The government is also planning to fingerprint foreigners with criminal records at airports and harbors starting in August before they enter South Korea, the ministry said.
Alarm was raised when two Pakistani men suspected to have links to the Taliban were arrested in South Korea in February.
"Recent arrests of suspected terrorists indicate that South Korea is no longer a safe zone from terrorism. The task force will allow us to thoroughly prevent crimes by foreigners and illegal immigrants," a ministry official said.
South Korea will also make special efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and crimes by foreign residents, especially in neighborhoods with high foreign populations, until the end of the G-20 summit, it said. minsikyoon@yna.co.kr
Korea's 30-Foodball Players of World Cup 2010
In the 2010 World Cup, Korea will play Greece in the Group B opening match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Port Elizabeth on June 12. The Taeguk Warriors, then, face Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg on June 17, and in their final Group B match, Korea plays Nigeria in Durban.
Provisional Squad:
GK: Lee Woon-jae (Suwon Samsung), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam Ilhwa), Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan Hyundai).
DF: Lee Young-pyo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima Antlers, Japan), Kim Hyung-il, (Pohang Steelers), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan Hyundai), Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju Utd.), Kwak Tae-hwi (Kyoto Sanga FC, Japan), Cha Du-ri (Freiburg, German), Kang Min-soo (Suwon), Cho Won-hee (Suwon), Hwang Jae-won (Pohang)
MF: Park Ji-sung (Manchester Utd, England), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton, England ), Ki Sung-yueng (Celtic, Scotland), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Kim Nam-il (Tom Tomsk, Russia), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita Trinita Japan), Kim Jea-sung (Pohnag), Shin Hyung-min (Pohang), Kim Chi-woo (FC Seoul), Koo Ja-cheol (Jeju United).
FW: Lee Keun-ho(Jubilo Iwata), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dallian Shide, China), Lee Dong-gook (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Park Chu-young (AS Monaco, France), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon), Lee Seung-yeoul (FC Seoul).
By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldm.com)
‘10,000 foreign students in Korea illegally’
2010-04-29 17:24
Voiceware Text Bank of Korea currency-swap with Japan reverts to $3 billion Bank of Korea currency-swap with Japan reverts to $3 billion Bank of Korea currency-swap with Japan reverts to $3 billion Natural population increase rate at second-lowest in forty years One year later, H1N1 could return Huh names 30-man World Cup shortlist [Editorial] Ill-advised action [Editorial] Local reform? Tension rises between GNP, court over list of unionized teachers Factory output increases for ninth month The number of foreign students here reached 84,000 as of the end of last month and some 10,000 of them were believed to be staying illegally, according to figures from the Justice Ministry.
The number rose steadily from 7,288 in 2002, the ministry’s statistics showed.
“Since the government alleviated regulations on student visas in the late 1990s, universities have excessively recruited foreign students. Without proper consideration of their legal status,” said a ministry official.
As of the end of last month, 62,451 student visas and 18,534 language training visas had been issued.
Among those with student visas, 41,692 were studying for their bachelor’s degree, 11,804 for their master’s and 3,545 for their doctorate. Seventy-five were researchers.
Last year, 4,519 foreign students were caught violating the immigration law. Of them, 1,327 illicitly prolonged their stays, 1,208 exceeded their legal scope of activity and 714 illegally sought employment.
“Many foreigners, after entering the country with a language training or student visa, turn to illicit employment,” said a ministry official. “Including such cases, the actual number of foreign students who are staying illegally is estimated to come close to 10,000.”
The total number of illegals, including workers and immigrant spouses, stands at about 180,000, according to the ministry.
The number of foreign students illegally staying here, however, is on the wane as schools, under the Education Ministry’s supervision, have reinforced the entry review of foreign students, especially on their visa, the official said.
“A random recruitment of foreign students will only lead to an increase of illegal stays and a general downgrade in the school’s academic ability,” he said.
By Park Min-young (tellme@heraldm.com)
Avoid crackdowns on migrant workers who had been crash, "excessive crackdown on "Controversy over human rights, settles down forced to crack down on accident' escape crackdown on opposition manager who crash migrant workers, "
To crack down on immigration office fleeing undocumented migrant workers to one side, crashed Monday in a cliff seriously injured an accident occurred. Human rights groups say the immigration porting rabbit mall, settles down forced to crack down on, "an accident.
Daegu is the main cast, according to 7 2:30 PM Gunwi-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, about a small Sary's complex in Suseo migrant workers from Cambodia (28), the 6-foot wall stonework rolled. The boy, a cave, facial areas, including a four teeth broken and both bone fracture in the great, was wounded. The boy was injured, customs and immigration miner collapses to a call from a staff member, who reported 119 rescue and transferred to the hospital in Daegu in the first aid.
The main cast competitions in Daegu, an official of the ", the planned to customs and immigration to crack down on illegal, the employees of the company was "migrant workers in a shabby Hoesaeng saltine foreign immigration staff indefinitely after I was, after all, this resulted a big accident one," he said.
The Immigration Office in Daegu, the migrant workers, the enforcement, relief measures that one.
North Korea has denied involvement in the sinking of a South Korean navy ship
Saturday, April 10, 2010; 4:24 AM -SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has denied involvement in the sinking of a South Korean navy ship that broke in half after an explosion last month, leaving 44 sailors still missing, a newspaper reported on Saturday. Tensions mounted on the Korean peninsula after the ship sank near a disputed maritime border between the two Koreas that has been the scene of deadly clashes in previous years. The cause of the explosion has not been identified, but South Korea's defense minister has said the ship may have been struck by a North Korean torpedo.
Saturday, April 10, 2010; 4:24 AM -SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has denied involvement in the sinking of a South Korean navy ship that broke in half after an explosion last month, leaving 44 sailors still missing, a newspaper reported on Saturday. Tensions mounted on the Korean peninsula after the ship sank near a disputed maritime border between the two Koreas that has been the scene of deadly clashes in previous years. The cause of the explosion has not been identified, but South Korea's defense minister has said the ship may have been struck by a North Korean torpedo.
The head of a North Korean military delegation visiting China told Chinese officials in Beijing on March 30 that Pyongyang had nothing to do with the sinking, South Korea's Dong-a Ilbo newspaper quoted a diplomatic source as saying. The meeting between North Korean and Chinese military officials included a deputy chairman of China's joint chiefs of staff and an external affairs official from its defense ministry, the report said. The bodies of two sailors were pulled from the waters last week as recovery work hampered by bad weather and strong currents continues off the peninsula's west coast. Fifth-eight people were rescued as the ship sank after dark on March 26. North Korea has made no mention of the sinking in its official media but issued a new threat against the South on Saturday of military action unless Seoul stops insulting the North's leadership. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Alex Richardson)
At nearest fence to North Korea, a tense existence
YEONCHEON, South Korea, March 14 (Yonhap) -- Almost a year has passed since he began spending night after sleepless night observing North Korea from a cramped sentry box, but Sgt. Yu Geon-hee still grows tense at the smallest rustle. Standing near the heavily fortified border fence at the general outpost, or GOP, the young South Korean soldier says he never forgets the fact that he is less than 2 kilometers away from the closest North Korean guard post -- and must shoot at anything that crosses the border.
"We are on higher alert since a North Korean soldier crossed the military demarcation line earlier this month (to defect)," the 22-year-old sergeant said as midnight neared. "This is the quietest hour of the night. Being at the GOP for almost a year, my body automatically responds to the smallest sound." Yu is among the dozens of hand-picked soldiers stationed at the GOP in Yeoncheon, about 60 kilometers north of Seoul and less than 140 kilometers south of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
Guarding an area within spitting distance of the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean Peninsula, the Mujeok Taepung Unit ("invincible typhoon" in Korean) has almost completed its one-year mission, after which another unit will be deployed to the front line.
Stop the repression on migrants in the name of G-20 summit
● On May 4, 2010, the Ministry of Justice announced the on-set of the "intensified crackdown period" beginning in June 1, 2010 until August 31.
According to their released copy, the guidelines will be advertised in newspapers starting May 6, and will end on May 30, 2010. Afterwards the "Intensified Crackdown" begins on the 1st of June until August 31, 2010.
The government is once again offering the voluntary departure program to the undocumented workers within this period. They claim that all migrant workers who voluntary leave Korea within this period will be exempted from paying a fine for overstaying and will be exempted from a 5-year immigration ban in Korea. They also said that the workers who voluntarily leave will be able to take the korean language test.
The employers are also encouraged to surrender their undocumented workers so that they can be exempted from paying the fine of up to 20 million won. They will also be able to hire EPS workers that would replace their lost manpower.
The procedure for the employers would be to accompany their undocumented employees to the Airport Immigration office with a airline ticket orto the Immigration office where they are under jurisdiction. They would need to bring proof of their business registration and employment/wage records for the undocumented workers. Once they do this, both the worker and the employer will not be punished.
If they fail to do this however, the workers will be arrested and detained in the immigration center and will be held there until the fines are all paid. After they have been deported, there will also be a 5-year ban imposed on the undocumented workers caught. The new provision also states that this would be the general protocol even after the crackdown period.
The employer can pay up to a maximum of 20 million won in fines and a 3 year ban on hiring EPS workers.
They have also stated that these procedures are being done in preparation for the G-20 summit that Korea will be hosting in November.
● On May 4, 2010 the National Police Agency announced that they have also started the "G-20 Preemptive Response" last May 2.
According to their press release, the "special" investigation and arrest will be done in preparation for the G-20 Summit in November.
They have stated that as the foreign population increases, so do the crime rate in the foreign population. Starting on May 2, 2010, the police force will conduct special investigations in areas where there is a high concentration of foreigners. The investigation will continue for fifty days on the national level. For the Seoul region the investigation will continue for two weeks.
Since majority of the foreign population in Seoul are 75% Chinese. It is easy to surmise that the target for arrests are primarily these ethnic groups. Areas specific to one nationality are classified as target areas or target locations such as the following: the Chinese in Yeoungdungpo, Guro and Guemcheon areas. Mongol in Junggu Gwanghuidong Mongoltown. Vietnamese in Seongdonggu, Geumcheongu and Seongbukgu. Russians and Uzbekistan in Junggu Gwanghuidong Russian street. Finally, the Nigerians in Yongsan and Itaewon.
According to their press release the target of their investigation are the following: 1) Foreigners who are suspects in a crime, 2) Foreigners who are in possession of deadly weapons (knives, etc.), 3) Foreigners who have pending arrest warrants, 4) Sex workers and their costumers and 5) Undocumented migrant workers.
According to their statement, the procedures would involve day and night raids in suspected areas as well as random street checking of the foreign nationals.
The "Foreigner Crime Concentration Investgation" is evidence of the RACIAL BIAS, RACISM and CLASS DISCRIMINATION of the KOREAN GOVERNMENT aimed towards all migrant. The G-20 Summit is just a convenient alibi for them to justify their attack against the migrants of this country.
The Ministry of Justice is again using the kick-out scheme under the guise of the "voluntary departure program", not even giving consideration to the long waiting list of job seekers in labor exporting countries. Also, they have just recently reduced the quota of foreign workers for this year despite the labor shortage in the manufacturing industries. Another factor that they refused to consider is the employability of the undocumented workers citing the fact that a considerable number of undocumented workers are already way past the age limit to be qualified for work. These seniors are by no means less productive. On the contrary, because of their work experience the seniors have higher degree of skills compared to the new workers.
The announcement/report circulated by the National Police Agency is proof that they are targeting individuals according to ethnicity and social background. They have seriously pointed out that the concentration and focus of this action are toward migrant workers.
The Chinese, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Russian, Uzbek and the Nigerians, to name just a few. Special target areas are also named like industrial complexes, factories and areas where there is a high concentration of foreign population.
They have also labeled undocumented workers as "criminals" so that they can justify their arrest. These undocumented workers are productive individuals that contributes their labor. They give back to the community by being consumers. They give back to the society by sharing their culture. They give back to the economy by indirectly paying taxes in everything that they purchase. They create commerce by creating a demand. They export the Korean culture and products. Most of all, they make it a point that they do not disadvantage anyone in the community for fear of endangering their stay in Korea. They are criminalized for not having a piece of paper. To lack a piece of paper is not a crime!
We highly condemn the recent order of battle of both the Ministry of Justice and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Force agency against the foreign community in Korea. The recently introduced protocols are in clear violation of the human rights laws and standards. It is not only unconstitutional it has also violated treaties and conventions from international governing bodies like the UN.
We heavily criticize the Korean dictatorship government of Lee Myeong Bak against the institutionalized commodification of human beings as reflected by the repressive national policies instituted under his dictatorial term. All of the policies introduced by the Korean government up to this day has proven to be self-contradictory to the concept of a Korean multi-cultural society. Today, Korea has once again reverted to barbarism and violence by adapting the failed immigration protocols in the past where death and injuries were rampant. It seemed that the hundreds of lives lost and ruined from the crackdown is not enough to move their conscience. They are willing to sacrifice the lives of migrants in image-building for the G-20 Summit.
WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS!
WE ARE NOT COMMODITIES!
WE ARE NOT YOUR SLAVES!
STOP CRACKDOWN!
ACHIEVE LABOR RIGHTS!
ACHIEVE HUMAN RIGHTS!
2010. 5. 6.
Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants Trade Union
● On May 4, 2010, the Ministry of Justice announced the on-set of the "intensified crackdown period" beginning in June 1, 2010 until August 31.
According to their released copy, the guidelines will be advertised in newspapers starting May 6, and will end on May 30, 2010. Afterwards the "Intensified Crackdown" begins on the 1st of June until August 31, 2010.
The government is once again offering the voluntary departure program to the undocumented workers within this period. They claim that all migrant workers who voluntary leave Korea within this period will be exempted from paying a fine for overstaying and will be exempted from a 5-year immigration ban in Korea. They also said that the workers who voluntarily leave will be able to take the korean language test.
The employers are also encouraged to surrender their undocumented workers so that they can be exempted from paying the fine of up to 20 million won. They will also be able to hire EPS workers that would replace their lost manpower.
The procedure for the employers would be to accompany their undocumented employees to the Airport Immigration office with a airline ticket orto the Immigration office where they are under jurisdiction. They would need to bring proof of their business registration and employment/wage records for the undocumented workers. Once they do this, both the worker and the employer will not be punished.
If they fail to do this however, the workers will be arrested and detained in the immigration center and will be held there until the fines are all paid. After they have been deported, there will also be a 5-year ban imposed on the undocumented workers caught. The new provision also states that this would be the general protocol even after the crackdown period.
The employer can pay up to a maximum of 20 million won in fines and a 3 year ban on hiring EPS workers.
They have also stated that these procedures are being done in preparation for the G-20 summit that Korea will be hosting in November.
● On May 4, 2010 the National Police Agency announced that they have also started the "G-20 Preemptive Response" last May 2.
According to their press release, the "special" investigation and arrest will be done in preparation for the G-20 Summit in November.
They have stated that as the foreign population increases, so do the crime rate in the foreign population. Starting on May 2, 2010, the police force will conduct special investigations in areas where there is a high concentration of foreigners. The investigation will continue for fifty days on the national level. For the Seoul region the investigation will continue for two weeks.
Since majority of the foreign population in Seoul are 75% Chinese. It is easy to surmise that the target for arrests are primarily these ethnic groups. Areas specific to one nationality are classified as target areas or target locations such as the following: the Chinese in Yeoungdungpo, Guro and Guemcheon areas. Mongol in Junggu Gwanghuidong Mongoltown. Vietnamese in Seongdonggu, Geumcheongu and Seongbukgu. Russians and Uzbekistan in Junggu Gwanghuidong Russian street. Finally, the Nigerians in Yongsan and Itaewon.
According to their press release the target of their investigation are the following: 1) Foreigners who are suspects in a crime, 2) Foreigners who are in possession of deadly weapons (knives, etc.), 3) Foreigners who have pending arrest warrants, 4) Sex workers and their costumers and 5) Undocumented migrant workers.
According to their statement, the procedures would involve day and night raids in suspected areas as well as random street checking of the foreign nationals.
The "Foreigner Crime Concentration Investgation" is evidence of the RACIAL BIAS, RACISM and CLASS DISCRIMINATION of the KOREAN GOVERNMENT aimed towards all migrant. The G-20 Summit is just a convenient alibi for them to justify their attack against the migrants of this country.
The Ministry of Justice is again using the kick-out scheme under the guise of the "voluntary departure program", not even giving consideration to the long waiting list of job seekers in labor exporting countries. Also, they have just recently reduced the quota of foreign workers for this year despite the labor shortage in the manufacturing industries. Another factor that they refused to consider is the employability of the undocumented workers citing the fact that a considerable number of undocumented workers are already way past the age limit to be qualified for work. These seniors are by no means less productive. On the contrary, because of their work experience the seniors have higher degree of skills compared to the new workers.
The announcement/report circulated by the National Police Agency is proof that they are targeting individuals according to ethnicity and social background. They have seriously pointed out that the concentration and focus of this action are toward migrant workers.
The Chinese, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Russian, Uzbek and the Nigerians, to name just a few. Special target areas are also named like industrial complexes, factories and areas where there is a high concentration of foreign population.
They have also labeled undocumented workers as "criminals" so that they can justify their arrest. These undocumented workers are productive individuals that contributes their labor. They give back to the community by being consumers. They give back to the society by sharing their culture. They give back to the economy by indirectly paying taxes in everything that they purchase. They create commerce by creating a demand. They export the Korean culture and products. Most of all, they make it a point that they do not disadvantage anyone in the community for fear of endangering their stay in Korea. They are criminalized for not having a piece of paper. To lack a piece of paper is not a crime!
We highly condemn the recent order of battle of both the Ministry of Justice and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Force agency against the foreign community in Korea. The recently introduced protocols are in clear violation of the human rights laws and standards. It is not only unconstitutional it has also violated treaties and conventions from international governing bodies like the UN.
We heavily criticize the Korean dictatorship government of Lee Myeong Bak against the institutionalized commodification of human beings as reflected by the repressive national policies instituted under his dictatorial term. All of the policies introduced by the Korean government up to this day has proven to be self-contradictory to the concept of a Korean multi-cultural society. Today, Korea has once again reverted to barbarism and violence by adapting the failed immigration protocols in the past where death and injuries were rampant. It seemed that the hundreds of lives lost and ruined from the crackdown is not enough to move their conscience. They are willing to sacrifice the lives of migrants in image-building for the G-20 Summit.
WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS!
WE ARE NOT COMMODITIES!
WE ARE NOT YOUR SLAVES!
STOP CRACKDOWN!
ACHIEVE LABOR RIGHTS!
ACHIEVE HUMAN RIGHTS!
2010. 5. 6.
Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants Trade Union
