Dokdo issue

Today, there were two presentations. I would like to talk about one of them. It`s about Dokdo issue. Actually, Dokdo has always been a hot issue between Japan and Korea. Korea government insists that Dokdo belongs to Korea`s territory based on its history but Japan also insists that Dokdo is their island. So, this issue seems endless until one side gives up and Korea-Japan relationship is worsening due to the dispute over possession of Dokdo.

Actually, theses days, there is an increasing number of people in Korea who want to let all the people around the world know Dokdo is Korea`s territory and revise all the maps which are being marked Dokdo as Japan`s territory. Even some famous entertainers like Jang Hun Kim insisted on advertising Dokdo around the world and many people raised money to post Dokdo advertisements in The New York Times.

But, I don`t think it`s a good idea to announce Dokdo is our island. As Morgan said people are not interested in the matter of Dokdo`s owner. I totally agree with Morgan and I`m pretty sure that almost all people around the world do not care about Dokdo issue. said Only Korean and Japan are arguing each other. So, we don`t need to put much effort to advertise to them.

In my opinion, before we insist Dokdo is our territory The first thing we do is that we should know about Dokdo in details like why we should protect it and why it is so important to us. These days not only young people but also many other people say that Dokdo is Korea`s island not knowing the reason. They just keep saying that because other people do. I feel sorry for them. We must know about ourselves first. I mean our history and our territory. That`s the way to be a winner someday in the future.

Ban of physical punishment in school

Ban of physical punishment in school

Two people gave a presentation on ban of physical punishment in school last Monday. Actually, their topic was hot issue in our society few years ago. So, it was pretty familiar. In my opinion, I disagree that physical punishment in school should be banned. There are two reasons to support my opinion.

First, actually I agree that there are some teachers who treat the students by physical violence.

But, that`s violence not physical punishment. I mean teachers must not use physical violence when they teach the students but I think physical punishment is acceptable. We should not ban it just because of few violent teachers. I guess we`d better control them first.

Second, if we stop physical punishment there is nothing teachers can do to control dozens of students. There are always some troublemakers. In order to control them, teachers should use physical punishment I think. If not, they will spoil atmosphere of the classroom, then many other students will be disturbed by them.

For these two reasons, I really want to say teachers need to use physical punishment. Students are just students. I mean they are lack of self-control. So, it`s much better to lead them in the right path by using it. Of course, I don`t mean violence is a good method to do that. Only proper physical punishment is necessary to make schools better.

“Nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima”

“Nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima”

Yesterday, two students made a presentation on “Nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima”. Actually, their topic was not easy to understand for me. With no background of the topic, many difficult words and contents made me confused. However, I tried to concentration on their presentation so that I can write my journal and I got to understand the topic.

It was a hot topic last March. So, concerns about radioactivity influenced my country. Even now the fear of radioactivity does not disappear. Especially, concerns about foods are more serious in Korea. As radioactive materials were detected in the products such as spinach, milk and even water which were produced around nuclear power plant in Japan. Seaweed and kelp which were well known for detoxification have been selling well. If foods contain radioactive material and our body exposures to radiation it can damage the DNA system and disrupt cell division. As for children, although it is a small amount of radiation exposure but cell division can be easily damaged. However, I think the most serious problem is that although the radiation which is invisible and does not smell accumulates in the body the symptoms will appear after 15 years.

 So, I think whatever it takes, Japan and our government must stop this situation as soon as possible. And plus, they should invest much money in R&D for detoxification and something that can be used for blocking radiation. I really hope nobody will be killed by radiation after 15 years.

Working Environment

Working Environment in Korea

Today, there was only one presentation because the classmate who was supposed to give another presentation unfortunately had a car accident. I`m sorry to hear that and I wish him a quick recovery. Anyway, today`s topic was about “work environment”

  In my opinion, working environment in Korea has been getting better. Especially, in the mid 2000's, many companies started to have a 5-day workweek system and provide good benefits to the employees. However, I know that there still are the companies offering poor working conditions. For examples, there are many workers who work overtime everyday and get a low salary, and even they sometime lose their jobs without good reason. Of course, the growth of the Korea economy is important but I think the quality of economic growth is more important than quantitative expansion. We should improve the quality of life.

  As a fourth grader, I`ve been looking for a job these days. Needless to say, it would be great to have a job with a high salary. However, Money is not the most important thing in my life. I would like to get a job with good working environment. I mean I do not want to work overtime everyday and I don`t want to be workaholic. Spending some quality time with co-workers or friends is very important for me to make good performances. Actually, that`s not only me but also others who want to work at the company which offers good benefits and working environment.

I don`t agree that we should permit abortion.

“Abortion”

On Monday May 9, a group of people gave a presentation on “Abortion”. So, I would like to write about it. In my point of view, abortion is not a matter of choice. We must prohibit abortion. I have some reasons to support my opinion.

First, Abortion can also be harmful for the mothers having the abortion. So, It`s very dangerous. Second, we should respect for life. I think the life of the embryo starts even before it is implanted in the mother's womb. So, abortion is like we kill life. It`s insane. Third, we should take a responsibility for what we've done. If we permit abortion, then it will make people irresponsible much more than in the past. So, for these reasons, I strenuously insist that the government should stop people aborting their unborn child.

  But, I think there should be an exception. I mean rape victims need to use abortion to prevent having a baby from their attacker because they didn`t mean it. You might say It`s also like killing life. But, It`s just an exception. I think they have the right to abort. Plus, what I really want to say is that if they want to bring up their baby the government should support them because they are victims.

I took part in a reserve forces drill today

Today, I took part in a reserve forces drill.

Unfortunately, I have to skip a journal this week.

We should stop GMOs

We should stop GMOs

  Today, a presentation was given by two people and their topic was about “GMO”. Actually, I was not familiar with the topic GMO. However, It was very interesting and shoking to me because I did not realize there have already been various GM foods in Korea and even I have been eating them for a long time. The foods that I have everyday such as bread, tofu, corn snacks and sausages, contain ingredients derived from GMOs.

  Actually, It`s unacceptable to me. I don`t think It`s good for our health. Some people might say GMOs can solve the food problems in many countries struggling with famine. But, in my point view, It`s not a real solution. There is concern that GMOs create crops that have not been proven safe for human consumption. Modified crops which are being widely used in many contries can become resistant to herbicides which lead to an increase in herbicide use. So, I think ultimately, GM foods have the potential for a health disaster since They raise many potential health concerns. And other than this, there might be many other problems with GMOs.

  In conclusion, what I want to say is that we should stop using them to solve the foods problems. We`d better find another solution. We have the right to eat healthy foods. So, I`ll start to stop eating GM foods and In order to do that, from now on, I will check if the word “organic” is on the label of the food products before buying them.

I hope the meaninig of “GMO” will not become “OMG(Oh, My God !!)

Social Commerce

-Social Commerce-

 Today, two people made a presentation and their topic was social commerce. But I think they gave a presentation on social shopping rather than social commerce. Actually, social commerce means that people do e-commerce through online social actions. It`s kind of bigger concept than social shopping. Social shopping means only group purchasing like their presentation.

 Recently, social commerce has been a big issue and especially, social shopping became the most popular form in online shopping. Although It`s been a short time since social shopping companies started businesses but they are growing so fast. Actually, that`s the problem. As many social shopping companies are starting–up their businesses, many problems are also occurring fast. In my point of view, the most serious problem is service difference. I mean there are some differences between half price service and normal price service. Although customers buy the coupons for half price they are supposed to be served the same quality of service as normal price. But, some companies provide poor quality of service to the customers who use the coupons. I think It`s insane. They have the rights to get good services because they made a group purchase. That`s how it works. Fortunately, these problems are getting taken care of. But it still happens.

  In conclusion, what I want to say is that social shopping companies should be responsible for what they are providing. Needless to say, they have to focus on not only the products but also customer care because they are “Social" shopping companies, not just “Shopping” companies.

-Free school meal-

-Free school meal-

  Last Monday, we discussed free school meal. It was interesting to me because most people in my table agreed with free school meal. I was the only one who disagreed. There are several reasons to support my opinion.

  First, I think It is kind of political populism. Some politicians insist on free school meal plan so that they can make people support them and get votes. They say we should implement free school meal plan for all students in Korea. But I think, actually, It is a waste of taxpayer`s money since we have to pay more taxes to help some rich families which can easily afford their meal. So I think it is really monkey business. I do not want to pay taxes to help rich people. Second, Free school meal for all students is not a real solution. I mean if it is carried out, then, all students might get free school meals. But we should cut down other budgets such as education budget, health budget and welfare budget. There are lots of people in need. We don`t have to set a huge budget for only free school meal. In order to make better welfare systems, we should consider not only one plan but many other things.

  In conclusion, free school meal plan is one of the welfare systems. Government might need to implement it. But the important thing is that it should not be used for some politicians. We have to carry out that system step by step. And also we have to consider the overall welfare system.

My first journal.

- Rising Oil Prices -

  Nowadays, Rising oil prices are becoming a serious problem. Actually, It has been a big issue for a long time. According to news report, daily output of petroleum by oil producing countries is 85 million barrels. But Global demands for oil is 87 million barrels a day. so according to the law of supply and demand, It`s no wonder that oil price is increasing continually. Actually, It repeatedly goes up and down and Many countries around the world have been through this kind of problem.

  But, In my opinion, the most important thing that we should realize is that today`s rising oil prices are bringing up serious economic problems such as rising bus fares, market price and production costs. Unfortunately, these are severely influencing lower-income groups. However, There will be nothing to worry about for higher-income groups and the gap between the rich and the poor will be widening. I think this is the most serious problem that we have to solve. We must stop this by doing several things in our daily life. Here are my suggestions. First, we should try to use public transportation. I mean not everyday but at least one or two days during the week. Second, we should unplug electronic appliances when those are not in use. And lastly, We should separate the recyclables from the garbage before we throw them away.

Besides these, There are so many things we can do to cut down on oil consumption. And by doing these things, I believe we can stop rising oil prices and keep our economy stable. I don`t think it`s too late. It`s all up to ourselves.

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