Koreans publish book about life in Indonesia

Founder of the Indonesian Calligraphy Research Foundation, Shon In Shik, launched Tuesday a book detailing the experiences of South Korean's living in Indonesia.

The 311 page compilation Do Cheo Go Hyang ("Everywhere We Live Is Our Home") chronicles the experiences of 53 South Koreans who lived in Indonesia for between 2 and 34 years.

"The book tells stories about how different Koreans adapt to their new lives here, about the way we rear children in a completely new environment and how our friendships with Indonesians develop," Shon said through an interpreter.

He said the book was also aimed at introducing Koreans who are new to Indonesia to the local culture.

"There are bound to be misunderstandings unless people take the time to try and understand the culture. This includes the different working habits; many Koreans think Indonesians work too slowly, but actually it is us who work too fast," he said.

There are around 30,000 Koreans living in Indonesia, making them the second largest foreign community in the country after the Chinese.

The book, written in Korean, is available in South Korea only.

Shon said it took him 2 years to prepare the book.

"Some of the people inside the book do not live in Indonesia anymore, but they say they still think of it as their home."

The book also features 42 paintings and calligraphic work done by Shon. - JP