Pusan National University (PNU) students are likely to divide into the pros and cons, while Busan city revealed its plans to earnestly start making it an English-speaking city. It seems to be urgent to advertise the policy since eight people out of ten did not know about the English-speaking city policy.

“Channel PNU” did a survey before Hangul Proclamation Day about Busan city’s English-speaking city policy of building an English-friendly environment. We conducted a “Busan English-speaking city propel survey” targeting 150 PNU students for a week, from September 6th to September 12th. 150 respondents (men 59, women 91) answered the 11 sections consisting of selective forms and essay questions.

An English-speaking city, which was announced by Busan city on August 9th, aims to create English education environments and English communication environments. Its purpose is to make an English-friendly environment where foreigners can use English easily when they conduct official businesses and where they have no difficulties with sightseeing and residing in English in Busan. However, citizen organizations are concerned about the danger of the policy because it would mess up Korean usage and instigate the abuse of English in public institutions. 

■ “We Can Use English Naturally”

58.7% (88 people) of PNU students who participated in the survey agree with the propulsion of an English-speaking city. The respondents pointed out that “We can use English naturally in our daily lives.” Some reasons followed, such as “We can increase the accessibility and awareness of Busan as English is popularized in public services.” (44.4%), “It will be convenient for the foreign people and companies to be active.” (37.8%), “It is the first step for Busan to become a global hub city, where the foundation will be strengthened by the chance of the 2030 Busan World Expo.” (33.3%), “We can innovate English public education in Busan.” (25.6%).

Park Seo-Hyun (Dept. of Economics, 21) said, “English is essential for the worldwide development of sightseeing and businesses. The English infrastructure will influence foreigners’ choice positively.” Choi Ye-Im (Dept. of Philosophy, 20) also said, “It is natural to popularize English for promoting Busan globally. (If Busan becomes an English-speaking city,) Busan can become a city where foreigners do not feel uncomfortable.”

■“We Would Be Neglectful to Use the Korean Language”

The stance that opposes propelling Busan as an English-speaking city was confronted tightly by 41.3%. PNU students stated the biggest cause of the objection as “We may be neglectful to use the Korean language” (55.6%). Some reasons followed, such as “It is a waste of budget“ (29.2%), “It interrupts easy and correct communication in the communal life” (27.8%), and “The English-speaking city is the old way in the past and is anachronistic, while the interpretation and translation technology based on AI is developing” (20.8%). There were other opinions raised as reasons like “We should keep the Korean identity.” or “I do not understand why Korean people make efforts to learn English for foreigners’ convenience.”

Lee Seung-Han (Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 18) said, “I am concerned about reverse discrimination aimed at natives due to unnecessary English use. We have difficulties now because the words that can be written in Korean are expressed in English, for example, “Kyung-Ro Dang (senior citizen center)” to silver town. English-speaking city would be more uncomfortable than now.”

Chun Da-Ol (Dept. of Midea & Communication, 20) said, “We use English a lot even if the nation does not interfere. Korean language exclusion is already serious, and the phenomenon would become worse and be harder as an outcome of it.” She added about tourism, “Foreigners will be fascinated with Busan’s street filled with the Korean language, in other words, Korean tradition. Sometimes, discomfort can be freshness.”

The Korean Language Society (Hangeul Society) expressed their concerns as they announced the statement on September 1st. Seong Gi-Ji (Hangeul Society, research and compilation director) said in an interview with “Channel PNU,” “Carrying forward Busan as an English-speaking city will disturb the cultural identity of Busan and force citizens to study English. A public language that deals with a nation’s life, safety, property, welfare, right, and duty would violate people’s right to know and trample the self-esteem of people who can’t speak a foreign language. The Gyeongnam region, which encompasses Busan and Ulsan, is the place where it produced the most talented people of the Korean Language Society, which experienced suffering in the period of Japanese colonialism. I hope the younger generation, who represent the brain power of Busan, will take the lead to keep our identity, health of education, and language right for Busan citizens.”

■ Enough Publicizing Should Be Preceded

There are many people who do not know that Busan began to make an English-speaking city, although Busan has already revealed it. Active promotion and acceptance of an opinion are essential in the course of specific planning. 

One student who answered the survey also said, “It is clear that there are some expectancy effects by realizing an English-speaking city; however, we need to recognize the alienation problem of the vulnerable social group caused by it inevitably. We should prepare how to solve or prevent the problem.”

The Busan City Government Creative Education Division authorities, being in charge of English-speaking city policy, said, “We will conduct lots of explanation meetings and debates to collect citizens’ opinions during policy making and communicate with many civic organizations constantly. We are going to realize the policy, going through careful consideration through cooperation with the office of education.”

Reporter Jung Hye-Eun & Hong Yu-Jin

Translated by Lee Yoon-Seo