Mongolian-born public servant leads multicultural change in Seoul's most affluent district

In a city with growing global diversity, one small office in Seoul's Gangnam District is quietly shaping the future of social integration. At the helm of the Gangnam Global Village Center (GGVC) is Yun Victoria Chuka SeungJu, a visionary whose personal and professional journey reflects the multicultural transformation of Korean society. Originally from Mongolia, Yun arrived in Korea over two decades ago, later becoming the first foreign public servant of Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2011. After eight years at City Hall and earning a Ph.D. in early 2024, she was appointed as director of GGVC in April the same year. Now, she’s drawing on both her experience as a long-term resident and her academic background to reimagine the role of the center. “I want this center to be more than a place where foreigners take language classes,” she said in an interview. “I want it to be a space where Koreans and foreigners can truly meet, connect and understand one another.” A growing need for belonging Since its founding in 2008, the GGVC — formerly known as Yeoksam Global Village CenterWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times