Due to the aging population and low birth rate issues, South Korea is currently experiencing a shortage of labor in various industries. Consequently, many foreign workers are employed on business sites in Korea, facing numerous challenges in their daily lives. Among these challenges, language communication barriers stand out. The Monday Times met Yoon Seok-ju, who operates the Korean language class “Hannecam” for foreign workers at a poultry farm in Naebug-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, as well as Farm Manager Mr. Lee Jeom-dong and the foreign workers at the farm.

After graduating from Gongju National Teachers’ College with a major in Korean language education, Yoon taught students as a middle and high school teacher for 37 years until 2012.  In 2002, he completed training to become a forest interpreter and has since been actively involved as a guide in forests and natural ecology, serving as the representative forest interpreter for Chungcheongbuk-do. Additionally, he has participated in the Himalayan Expedition School since 2006 and has visited Nepal 14 times as part of these activities. -Ed.

Q1. Mr. Yoon, could you please explain " Hannecam "?

A1. Hannecam is the name of a small Korean language class I have run for Nepalese and Cambodian workers. As you might guess, Hannecam is derived from the first letters of Korea, Nepal, and Cambodia.

Q2. Why did you decide to open the Hannecam Korean language class?

A2. I've been trekking for a long time, and Nepal holds a special place in my heart, like my hometown. I love Nepal for its Himalayas and the kind-hearted people living there. I have frequently visited Nepal and enjoyed friendships with Nepalese friends. In the meantime, I also happened to build friendships with Cambodian friends. Thus, I decided to create Hannecam for Nepalese and Cambodians to help them study Korean together. As you know, language communication remains a significant barrier for foreign workers. Witnessing their hardships and unfortunate situations compelled me to take action, albeit small, for their benefit. Coincidentally, there was a nearby poultry farm, where I met foreign workers and the farm manager. Eventually, it led me to start this class.

Q3. Could you share a case where foreign workers faced difficulties due to communication barriers?

A3.  In 1992, a Nepalese woman named Chandra Gurung came to Korea and worked in a garment factory in Seoul. She struggled with Korean language proficiency. One evening, after dining out, she realized she had no money. She promised the owner she would go to her place and return with the money. However, the owner dismissed her explanation, mistaking her for mentally ill, and immediately contacted the police. She was sent to a psychiatric hospital and spent 6 years and 4 months in various institutions, including the hospital, before her release. This story is well-known. After reading about it in a book, I had the opportunity to meet her during my trekking in Nepal. It was just 4 years after her return to Nepal. She was only 36 at the time but looked much older than her age. When asked if she could forgive them, she replied, "Yes, but I still feel upset about the police officer."

Q4. It was indeed a tragic incident. Now, could you explain more about the Hannecam Korean class?

A4.  Certainly. Although the name Hannecam was recently coined, the class began in 2018 when I first met five Nepalese individuals. Given my existing fondness and interest in Nepal, simply meeting them brought me joy. I introduced Korea to them and we started studying Korean together. They also taught me Nepali. We climbed Samnyeonsanseong in Boeun and walked along Beopjusa Temple and Sejo-gil or Sejo lane in Songnisan, sharing stories about their hometowns and families. During holidays like Chuseok and Seollal, I invited them to my home, where we ate rice cakes together and played Yut-nori. Last autumn, the farm manager, aware of our interactions, asked me to formally teach Korean to them. He also wished for Cambodian friends working on his farm to join Hanekam. With no reason to refuse, I have continued operating Hanekam as it is today.

Q5. Could you describe the current teaching methods at Hannecam?

A5. It was challenging to directly use general Korean language textbooks since these friends primarily studied Korean just for tests in their home countries. They face language difficulties in their daily lives here. Recognizing the need for more engaging lessons, we sing Korean children's songs, study simple Korean poems, and discuss Korean culture and customs. In my class, I encourage interaction and use word cards for questions and discussions.

 Q6. What are your future plans for Hannecam?

A6.I have no special plans. I want to continue meeting them frequently with the same love and affection. Currently, I visit them once a week, but I plan to meet them two or three times a week after discussing it with the farm manager. He welcomes more interaction and study sessions with our friends anytime, although we must be cautious due to avian influenza concerns at the poultry farm. Nevertheless, frequent contact and practice in language will help them learn better.

Q7. Mr. Yoon, could you share your thoughts on foreign workers?

A7.  I am not an expert in this field. However, as in the case of Chandra Gurung that I mentioned, the rights of foreign workers should not be violated, and tragic incidents should not occur due to language barriers or other practical issues. Measures are needed to support foreign workers because they live and work in Korea, where Korean is spoken. Many of these workers are like our neighbors, and we should improve our perception of them. Haven't many Korean people been sent to work in places like Germany, Hawaii, or the Middle East in the past and experienced similar situations? They are not just foreign workers but also our neighbors. We live in the global village.

Q8. Now, I'd like to ask you, farm manager, Mr. Lee. What do you think about this Korean class?

A8.  Currently, Nepalese and Cambodian workers are working at our farm. There have been ongoing issues in conveying practical matters to them, but Mr. Yoon teaching Korean has been very helpful to us. It's the first time we've taught Korean to foreign workers at our farm, and it's been very positive. If other farms had such opportunities, it would be great. I believe this could provide a foundational understanding of Korean for them, for example, when they come to Korea in the future, even on travel visas.

Q9. What are your thoughts on foreign workers?

A9. From my perspective, there are now very few people willing to live in rural areas in Korea. Foreigners are necessary to fill these jobs, so welfare and conditions for these individuals need significant improvement to attract them to work in Korea. By doing so, I believe Korea and other countries can mutually thrive together.

Q10. Thank you both for your comments. Now, I'll meet some of the people working here. Hello, everyone. I have a few questions for you. First, what difficulties do you face living in Korea? And how is studying Korean going? What do you want to do while you are in Korea? Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to your families back home?

A10.(Since the foreign workers were not yet able to conduct interviews naturally in Korean, their responses were summarized on their behalf.) The difficulty of living in Korea is that we don't know the Korean language or culture well, which makes communication challenging. That's why we are glad to have the opportunity to learn Korean. We would like to thank our teacher, Yoon Seok-ju, for teaching us Korean. There are many things we want to do while we are in Korea, and one of them is to visit Seoul. We haven't had the chance to go there yet. We also want to send our greetings to our families back home, especially to our parents. We are doing well here. We love you.