Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain

 

 Heavy rain has been falling in korea every year. South Korea has been getting ready for heavy rains from torrential downpours and typhoons. Although the Korean government and citizens have prepared for a typhoon and torrential downpours by listening to weather forecasts to learn how strong and where those are, a typhoon and torrential downpours caused much damage to all parts of our country. I think there are many reasons that we can not prevent the damage from heavy rain.

 

 First, people listen to weather forecasts and forecasts can help save lives and protect buildings. Although korea's national weather center has a supercomputer to accurately measure weather and to predict accurate weather forecasts for Korean people, the National Weather Service staff do not use the supercomputer suitably. So the Met Office weather forecast service is sometimes wrong. The Meteorological Administration have to hire weather specialists and a supercomputer have to be used suitably for predicting accurate weather forecasts.

 

 Second, the government's budget on disaster prevention is far from enough. The government's budget is spending money on unnecessary purposes. So many lives were lost and the crops suffered great damage by heavy rain. Due to budgetary deficit, we could not natural disaster like hurricanes, earthquakes and heavy rain. It is a serious problem for korean people. The Korean Government have to increase the budget for preventing natural disaster. This is the best way to prevent the problem.

 

 In short, as mentioned earlier, the Meteorological Administration should try to predict accurate weather forecasts and the Korean Government should increase the budget for preventing natural disaster. In addition, farmers, fishermen and ordinary people should monitor the Met Office weather forecast service especially during the summer. I hope we will prevent heavy rain by pulling together.

Jeju Navel Base

Jeju Navel Base

 

 Jeju Navel Base was over the TV news and newspapers not long ago. The villagers in Gangjeong Village struggled navy soldiers and policemen. I did not know about Jeju Navel Base. However we realized that there are strengths and weaknesses about that through the presentation. Now, I want to say the strengths and weaknesses of Jeju Navel Base in my opinion.

 

 First, Gangjeong Village is the greatest location in Korea for Navy. I know that although korea is surrounded by water on three sides, there is no naval base in the southern sea. So we have a difficulty to prevent from other countries' attack. I think if Jeju Navel Base is constructed in Jeju Island, we can protect our territorial waters easily than before.

 

 Second, I think there will be an economic growth. Furthermore, we can protect every country's sailors from sea robber. It means that we can get money like port dues since every country's ships stay at the port and have many kinds of marine resources. Then, Korean Navy can protect every country's sailors go by southern sea.

 

 On the other hand, there are some problems of Jeju Navel Base. I think natural environment and risk of war are serious problems. First, Jeju Navel Base will lead to destruction of nature. Jeju Island was selected as New 7 Wonders of Nature. Many foreign tourists will come to see beautiful nature. However, Navel Base may produce a negative effect.

 

 Second, China, Japan and North korea pay attention to Jeju Navel Base. That is under construction for defensive purposes. But they can misunderstand the situation like arms build-up. This might develop into a military collision. I think that the need for a mutuality of understanding between the nations is very important.

 

 In short, as mentioned earlier, The building project has the strengths and weaknesses of Navel Base in Jeju Island. I am disposed to agree with the building project. In my view, Jeju Navel Base will be good for our society, economy and army. Hopefully, the problems will be solved as soon as possible.

University Tuition

University Tuition

 

 Currently, the major issue among university students is half tuition. We had a heated discussion on the university tuition in the last presentation. I think we learned a lot about university tuition like university tuition in many countries, the rate of tuition and so on from the last presentation. Now, I want to say problems of university tuition. There will be something about university tuition in my private opinion. So I hope you can understand my opinion.

 First, there are many universities in korea. Most of the universities want earn a reputation. To gain a reputation, the universities make good buildings and buy an estate. I think it is not good for gaining their reputation. University have to contribute to their students like offering an interchange student program and various substantive education programs for their students.

 

 Second, I know that most of the universities have secret fund and try to create a secret fund for themselves like professors and educational personnel. This fact makes raise university tuition. It is a serious problem. I think the korean government should monitor and manage universities about an illegal fund.

 Third, university tuition have steadily increased every year. I think the rate is higher than the rate of inflation. So many university students are applying for private loans or work part-time jobs to pay their university tuition. Even worse, some students who could not handle their tuition take a leave of absence.

 

 In conclusion, I want the korean government should try to deal with the high rate of tuition. Professors and educational personnel should contribute to their students rather than their reputation. I really worry about high tuition and I hope university students pay half tuition as soon as possible.

Minimum Wage Issues

Minimum Wage Issues

 Minimum Wage Issues is one of problems in our society. I was wondering about the issues. I realized that minimum wage issues have advantages and disadvantages in the last presentation. However, I have some different views on the issues.

 First, I thought about the issues between employers and employees. As korea is becoming an aging society, senior citizens want to have their job. However, there are not enough jobs, finally they are competing for limited jobs. In my case, I worked part time jobs and my friends are working part-time for their school expenses. It is to difficult to have a part time job. Because other many students want to work and earn some money. Furthermore, awful presidents give their employees lower wage than the minimum wage. There are not enough part time jobs. So, they can not report to the authorities if they have lower wage than the minimum wage. I think it is too bad accident. The korean government should inquire into the actual state of things and then correct the fault.

 Second, Many koreans think it is difficult to support a family on the minimum wage. The minimum wage is 4320 won per hour. If you work part time jobs, you can get about 500,000 won per month. I think that it is a nominal amount of money as school expenses and living expenses. I think minimum wage will have to rise. The rate of minimum wage should be higher than the rate of inflation.

 Finally, I think the korean government should put top priority on job creation and try to protect worker's minimum wage. Employer should pay enough wages to their employees. On the other hand, employees should report to the authorities if they suffer wrongs. We must work together, We can do it! ^^

Gangs Problem in Korea

Gangs Problem in Korea

 I think we learned a lot about gangs problem in korea in the last presentation. The presentation reminded us about the seriousness of the problem. There are 167 teams of gangs in korea. More than ten thousand people are on gangs. So, gangs are in their golden days now. In my opinion, there are three important problems of gangs in korea.

 

 First, gangs have terrorized the citizen's daily lives. I heard that gangs extort money from many local businesses. Particularly worrying is the rise of youth gangs. Threatening and taking money from non-gang members and younger students are the main activities of these gangs. I think that police should make a greater effort to catch gangs and the korean government should consider tightening of laws to protect citizens from gangs.

 

 Second, most of korean gangs are working as mortgage lenders and raise the funds. Even they manipulated the stock price. Gangs have spread to all cities and have permeated law enforcement bodies. I think that means some of senior officials are implicated in the problem. If we can not solve this problem as soon as possible, the problem pose a serious threat to the national security.

 

 Third, nowadays there are many kinds of gang movies. I want to say the problem in korean movie. Because korean gangs look like nice and cool in korean movies. So, some teenagers want to be a gang or imitate gangs' behavior from korean gang movies. However, being involved in a gang can be a threat to oneself and to those around him or her. If movies dealing with gangs have recently been making high profits, movie companies should consider mass Communication's influence to teenagers.

 

 I really worry about Copycat crime that continues to be a growing problem for many teenagers and youth. I want korean government and police round up every gangs that have an effect on korean economy and korean citizens as soon as possible. When we solve the problems, Korea can be a better nation to live.

Personal Information Leakage

Personal Information Leakage

 I think we learned a lot about personal information leakage in the last presentation. The presentation reminded us about the seriousness of the problem. In the online age, something of far greater value can be stolen, your identity. From my previous experience, Action and SK(Nate) have suffered with personal information leaks. I'm one of the victims of personal information leaks. We urgently need to supplement policies to prevent the leaking of private information. How can we reduce the chances of identity theft?

 

 First, I think the problems are the service providers that always require the personal information from us. However actually they do not need the information to provide their services in most cases. My suggestion to prevent the leakage of personal information is that if you needed to use some services on an unreliable web site, You should always remove your personal information after using on the web site.

 

 Second, when anyone touts sampling about a new product or service for you at the street and on the web site, you must not provide your information like cell phone number, e-mail address etc. Log off to make sure that nobody can plagiarize your personal information. Don’t share personal information in instant messages.

 

 Finally, I suggest to use a personal security service and periodically check your identity theft status. You can use the Google's account instead of accounts of the korean companies like Nate, Naver and Daum that they need our personal information.

 

 I think above all is the best ways but as you know, it is not enough for us to feel safe. These days, our government officially announced that web service provider for personals can't gather the social security number from its users. The policy will be useful.

Design Seoul

Design Seoul

 

 I think we’ve learned a lot about Design Seoul project in the last presentation. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon pledged to accelerate the city's design promotion to upgrade the city's appearance. Design Seoul Headquarters is committed to transforming Seoul into refined design city icon in the world. This transformation is based on the critical policy of Oh, Se-Hoon, the mayor of Seoul, and is drawing the attention and interest of the whole world.

 I know some of people that believe the enhancement of the Seoul plaza, the Han River Renaissance and the Design Seoul project, each of which cost billions of won, weren't really worth the money. However, I think the streets of seoul became cleaner by design seoul. It gives citizens of Seoul and foreigners a good impression.

 Second, I think we could promote seoul throughout the world by design seoul. And then we were able to attract large numbers of sightseers. It is excellence rather than the cost of visiting attractions which attracts tourists in any case.

 Third, design seoul project gives us leisure space like seoul dream garden and urban waterfront development. It solves citizens of Seoul and foreigners' inconvenience.

 Finally, As you know, everything has its pros and cons. Some of people are absolutely opposed to design seoul project. However, I think the advantages of the scheme far outweighed the disadvantages.

About the four major rivers project

About the four major rivers project

 

 I think we got a chance to think about four-river project. Koreans are interested in and concerned about the project. They were equally divided pro and con. Maybe we partially understood it, maybe we understood it somewhat. I want to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the project.

 

 First, the project has many strengths. I think two of our greatest strengths are preventing floods, securing water resources and encouraging re-creation of the land. The Geum, Nakdong and Yeongsan rivers suffered serious losses from the floods every year. However, once construction is finished, it's possible to prevent floods. That marginal land along the river will become an urban center through encouraging re-creation of the land. Furthermore, that place will be able to become a tourist attraction.

 

 On the other hand, there are some weaknesses of the project. I heard that the most serious problem is an environmental problem. Most environmental organizations are worried that the project will destroy the natural environment and the life of local residents. In addition to an environmental problem, the labors will lose their jobs and waste government budget.

 

 Like this, the four-river project has many strengths and weaknesses. In fact, the project may already be underway about 80 percents. I think if korean government and citizens must solve the problem in concord with each other, we can lead to bigger successes in the future.

Working Holiday

Working Holiday

 I think we’ve learned a lot about Working Holiday in the last presentation. I already have known the system. In 2008, I went to Australia to study English and work there, so I had gotten the working holiday visa. When I stay there, I could meet many koreans and foreigner who had the working holiday visa. It was an exciting opportunity for me to do some traveling and to understand the culture of Australia. If I have a chance to visit Japan, I will get the working holiday visa. I want to learn Japanese and Japanese culture. So, I am studying Japanese whenever time allows from work.

 The working holiday program allows koreans aged from 18 to 30, to visit and experience one of 11 countries that have agreed to be partners of the program. Participants of the working holiday program may stay in one country as long as up to 1 year of maximum, and within this period the participants are given the opportunities to work and travel.

 The working holiday program was created under the mutual cooperation and establishment of Memorandum of Understandings between the Republic of Korea and 8 countries with the purpose of providing opportunities to individuals from each respective country to travel to korea, while allowing them to earn save money through short-term employment. Countries that have agreed to be partners of the working holiday program are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Each year, the number of partnered countries is expanding.

 Therefore, I think it is basically a good system for university students. I recommend for you to take the opportunity without hesitation. I am sure that It will be an exciting opportunity for you to do traveling and to understand the culture of each other.

Overfishing

Overfishing

 

I think we’ve learned a lot about overfishing in Morgan's presentation. Hazardous fishing practices surprised me like poison, trawling and so on. The consequences of overfishing are so bad. The world’s demand for fish is increasing. However, overfishing is threatening future supplies. So, I think each country's governments, fisherman and consumers for fish have to ban overfishing and protect marine pollution.

 

First, each country's governments must tighten regulations of overfishing. Overfishing by using poison have been making marine pollution and harmful to ocean ecosystem. Moreover, it would cost much to recover the ocean. The regulations of overfishing will do much to decrease marine pollution.

 

Second, I hope fishermen and consumers for fish will do your best in whatever position you hold. Fishermen should not catch fish illegally and consumers should get information about where their fish comes from and should use farming fish. we need to change our appetite regarding eating fish. These will protect an entire ocean environment.

 

We can solve these problems of overfishing organizationally and individually. I think we need to act soon. That is a truly respectful attitude.

 

By Lim Jong Yeob