1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses the controversy surrounding a Korean naturalized citizen who received government-issued prepaid cards worth 850,000 won and posted about it on social media, leading to a backlash from online commenters.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 선불카드 | seonbulkadeul | prepaid card | The photo showed a 450,000 won prepaid card and two 200,000 won prepaid cards. |
| 결혼을 | gyeolhongeul | marriage | A woman who married and naturalized as a Korean citizen posted about receiving the prepaid cards. |
| 하며 | hamyeo | while | She married and naturalized as a Korean citizen while living in Korea. |
| 이주 | iju | immigration | The woman immigrated to Korea after getting married. |
| SNS에 | eseuneseu-e | on social media | She posted a photo of the prepaid cards on her social media account. |
| 민생회복 | minsaenghoebok | economic recovery | The prepaid cards were part of the government’s efforts to aid economic recovery. |
| 소비쿠폰 | sobikupon | consumption coupon | The prepaid cards were given out as part of the government’s consumption coupon program. |
| 지급 | jigeum | to be issued | The consumption coupons are being issued starting this week. |
| 인증 | injeung | to verify | The woman posted a photo to verify that she had received the prepaid cards. |
| 비난 | binan | criticism | Her post received a flood of critical comments from online users. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
정부의 민생회복 소비쿠폰이 이번 주부터 지급되고 있습니다. 결혼을 하며 한국으로 이주 귀화한 한 여성이 본인 SNS에 소비쿠폰을 받았다고 인증을 했는데, 이에 대한 비난 댓글이 쏟아졌습니다.
The government’s consumption coupons for economic recovery are being issued starting this week. A woman who married and naturalized as a Korean citizen posted on her social media account that she had received the consumption coupons, but this led to a flood of critical comments.
캄보디아 출신의 결혼 이주 귀화 여성 A씨는 그제(23일) 자신의 SNS에 ‘감사해요, 대한민국’ 이라는 글과 함께 정부로부터 지급받은 선불카드 사진을 올렸습니다. 사진에는 45만 원짜리 선불카드 1장과 20만 원짜리 선불카드 2장이 보이죠.
Ms. A, a naturalized Korean citizen originally from Cambodia, posted on her social media on the 23rd with the caption “Thank you, Korea,” along with a photo of the prepaid cards she received from the government. The photo showed a 450,000 won prepaid card and two 200,000 won prepaid cards.
자녀를 포함한 세 식구가 수령한 것으로 보입니다. 그런데 이 게시물이 온라인에 퍼지자 ‘우리가 낸 세금으로 외국인을 챙긴다’, ‘한국에 뭘 해줬다고 85만 원을 받느냐’는 등 비난이 쏟아졌습니다.
It appears the family of three, including her child, received the prepaid cards. However, once her post went viral online, comments criticizing her started pouring in, such as “They’re using our tax money to take care of foreigners” and “What did she do for Korea to receive 850,000 won?”
하지만 알고 보면 이 여성 결혼을 하며 귀화했기에 한국인입니다. 정부의 소비쿠폰 지원 대상에 포함되는 것은 당연한 일이죠. 하지만 일부 온라인 사용자들은 이 여성이 외국인이라는 이유로 비난을 쏟아냈습니다.
However, upon closer inspection, this woman is a naturalized Korean citizen, having married and immigrated to Korea. It is only natural that she would be included in the government’s consumption coupon program. Yet, some online users criticized her, solely based on the perception that she is a foreigner.
이번 사례를 통해 우리 사회에 여전히 존재하는 다문화 가정에 대한 편견과 차별의식을 엿볼 수 있습니다. 이주민들도 한국 사회의 일원으로 인정받고 존중받아야 할 것입니다.
This case sheds light on the lingering prejudices and discriminatory attitudes towards multicultural families in our society. Immigrants should be recognized and respected as members of the Korean community.
결국 이번 사태는 우리 사회가 아직 다문화 포용성이 부족하다는 것을 보여줍니다. 앞으로 우리 모두가 더욱 포용적이고 관용적인 태도를 가질 필요가 있습니다.
Ultimately, this incident demonstrates that our society still lacks sufficient inclusiveness towards multiculturalism. Going forward, we all need to adopt a more inclusive and tolerant attitude.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What did the woman post on her social media account?
- What was the reaction from online commenters to her post?
- Why was the woman eligible to receive the government’s consumption coupons?
- What do the reactions to this case reveal about attitudes towards multicultural families in Korean society?
- What does the author suggest needs to change in order to be more inclusive of immigrants and multicultural families?
5. Cultural and historical notes
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of integrating immigrants and multicultural families into Korean society. Despite legal citizenship, some Koreans still view naturalized citizens as “outsiders” and are quick to criticize them, even for receiving government benefits they are entitled to. This reflects a need for greater education and acceptance of diversity in Korea.