The Royal Asiatic Society will host a talk exploring redevelopment in Korea and its aftereffects on Sept. 27.
Fr. Park Man-su will discuss his experiences of helping residents in Muak-dong, Seoul, protect their rights and the community-building efforts made after redevelopment.
Such projects have been controversial in Korea, mainly because of the low level of compensation given to those displaced. Park will explain how the redevelopment in Muak-dong created a community that was sharply divided between rich and poor.
Park was born Francis X. Buchmeier in Minnesota and came to Korea in 1969, becoming ordained four years later. After five years in Hawaii he returned, taking citizenship in 1985. He has been in Muak-dong since 1990.
The talk will be at 7:30 p.m. in the residents’ lounge at Somerset Palace near Anguk Station in Seoul. Entry is free for RAS members and 5,000 won for non-members.
(
paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)
