Gwangju International Center finds new home

The Gwangju International Center has found a new home after a fund-raising campaign to save it.

The center faced eviction from its offices in the city’s Jeonil Building after the building was earmarked for demolition to make way for a park.

A new office has been located about 400 meters away in the Samho Center, but the move, originally slated for July 31, has faced delays.

GIC management coordinator Kim Singsing explained that the delay was partly due to uncertainty over the amount of financial assistance the city government would provide. 

After the amount had been set, the center agreed to a deal to move into a new building, but the design and renovation work is not expected to be completed until late October, Kim said.

Until then the center will remain in the Jeonil Building. There is pressure from the owners to leave, but Kim said she was confident that with the city’s support, the GIC would be able to stay until its new home was ready.

As well as local government support, the relocation has been funded by community fund-raising efforts, including a Facebook campaign and a Save GIC Day event, which raised about 10 million won.

However, with moving and office equipment costs expected at around 20 million won, the center is still fund-raising, seeking sponsorship from local organizations and businesses.

However, Kim was positive about the move, explaining that the new offices were a significant improvement, especially in visibility.

“We will have a big first-floor window (in the new building) so that not only GIC members and visitors will see the GIC but also the passers-by. Anybody can see what it is and come in and find out about the GIC and become a member or volunteer if they are interested,” she said.

She added that the space would be newer and provide a fresher atmosphere for visitors, as well as being 30 percent bigger, allowing for more activities.

“For the community we will let members use the space for meditation or yoga or other programs, so we will be busier and more people will come, and then GIC will become (a bigger part of the community),” she said.

Kim said that the center was still looking for donations and for volunteers to help with the relocation.

The GIC plans to recruit at least 100 volunteers to pass equipment from the old offices to the new location by human chain.

For more information on the move and the GIC, visit www.gic.or.kr.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)