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