The Dispute over Dokdo

Recently, the Japanese government has decided to emphasize its education on students, that Dokdo is part of Japan. About this news, many citizens have expressed their anger in many ways. Some protested in front of the Japanese Embassy, while some posted posts about this disputable topic. It is obvious that Japan is going to make Dokdo an area where there is a conflict over whether it is part of Japan, or part of Korea, and then, submit this dispute to the International Court of Justice, as there are a lot of Japanese there. In order to win this dispute, I think that Korean citizens should not overreact about this issue. Although Japanese argue that Dokdo is part of their country, Korea is the country which is practically owning Dokdo. We have built port, and lighthouse at Dokdo. Also,in Korea, there exists a ship that directly goes to Dokdo, while in Japan, such ship does not exist. As seen above, Korea is the country which is practically owning Dokdo, and overreacting to those statement by Japan, is same as admitting that Dokdo is a area where there is a dispute over. Also, while ignoring the statement by Japan, I think that the Government should inform people around the world that Dokdo is part of Korea. For example, the government can have a campaign about Dokdo, and enact Dokdo’s day, internationally advertising that Dokdo is part of our country. For example, just like what Seo Kyung Duk did (post an advertisement at NYT, promoting that Dokdo is part of Korea), I think that it would be quite effective when the government post an advertisement at major newspaperny, such as the NYT, and the TIMES. Also, it would be effective when the government pay for an advertisement at major TV channels, such as CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC, which is broadcasted around the world. When this occurs, foreigners who did not know about this dispute will learn that Dokdo is part of Korea.

Also, there has been a news that Kyung Sang Buk Do has recently set up a plan to build a village at Dokdo. There is currently 1 family at Dokdo, and Kyung Sang Buk Do is planning to add additional 10 more houses. When this plan is implemented, I think that Japan cannot deny that Korea has every rights over Dokdo.

Additionally, I think it might be a good way to refute Japan’s argument using historical evidences. For example, at 1877, Tae Jung Guan, which is one of the highest Japanese Ministry, has officially confirmed that U-leung Do and Dokdo has nothing to do with Japan, and that these islands are part of Korea.

In conclusion, I think that Korea should not overreact, while advertising that Dokdo is part of Korea, develop Dokdo, and refuting Japan’s argument with historical evidences is the best way to end this dispute over Dokdo.

The best waterproof product and the worst one

Well, it might be good to have something that is waterproof, but there are some worst water proof product that.

The BEST>> Flip video camera

The Flip video camera costs about $50, and is waterproof. One could easily take this camera and take it to you vacation. It’s pretty useful. You can use it at the swimming pool, at the sea, and even at the lake. You can take it to 10m death.

The BEST>> HDMC I-O DATA Waterproof USB

What if your USB drive sinks in the water, or in the toilet? It would be awful, even more when you have a lot of data in you USB. However, one drawback is its cost. It cost about $250

The WORST>> Sony Waterproof walkman

It has a 1980s classic design, and it’s colored yellow, demonstrating that it is waterproof. However, one important drawback is that it’s earphone is not water proof !! So, how the heck are you going to listen to music in water when your earphone is not waterproof?

The WORST>> FUSITSU F7o6i water proof TV cell phone

The F7o6i cellphone has a good design, and one of its features allows user to watch TV IN WATER? But, it is quite doubtful how much people would try to watch TV in water.

AAW NEWS Staff Reporter, Simon Yu

Microsoft Demos Touch-Screen Application

>>>>SUMMARY>>>>>>

Windows 7, as it is known as the next version of Windows will incorporate Touch-screen application. MS Chief Exec. Steve Ballmer said it is “just the smallest snippet” of the Windows 7 OS, targeted for release in late 2009. The thing that you can do with Windows 7 is almost like the thing you can do on “SURFACE”, which is a touch screen- table computer made by MS. Microsoft has unveiled a little bit about the Windows 7, which is in contrast with the highlighted Windows Vista Release.

>>>>Opinion/Column>>>>>> (Will Windows 7’s Touch Screen App. be a revolution?)

The anticipated release of Windows 7 at late 2009 might open the era of touch screen computer, and this might change everything! The highly anticipated Touch Screen application will be revolution. Although it will take some time for the market to adapt and launch a touch screen desktop and laptop, it still will be a revolution. As the concept of touch screen computer looks strange, and even wonderful for some Tech Geeks, people will actually buy those things in order to experience the new type of computers. However, it still is in veil that if the computer industry could adapt fast enough to make the touch screen application of Windows 7 successful.

After Seoul lifts ban on US beef, protesters erupt

>>>>SUMMARY>>>>>>

The topic of US Beef import has been in the center of the spotlight for more than 2 month now, and as the Korean Government officially lifted its ban on US beef, thousands of citizens have planned a rally, and some rallies are already happening. A massive candlelight protest, which is expected to be participated by at least ten thousand people, started near the Seoul City hall at 7 p.m. Among the others, there were even mothers pushing their child in strollers, saying “No US beef! We cannot let our baby die from mad cow disease!”

One government official said “Due to growing protest, we are fully prepared of stopping the imports when the outbreak of mad cow disease occurs. Also, Korean inspectors will visit the US to check on the conditions of the workplaces related to the imports.”

However, the concerns aren’t dwindling. Korean truckers also said they will refuse to move beef imported from the United states.

>>>>Opinion/Column>>>>>>

Personally, I oppose the idea of importing US beef. Although some argue that the beef problem can seriously hinder the Korea-US FTA (Free trade agreement), I don’t think that FTA is as important as one nation’s citizen’s health. As the Korean government agreed to import any cattle regardless of age, which is a step back from the original standard that only cows less than 30 months old will be imported, there is a risk of at least one of our citizens getting infected in mad cow disease. If so, who is going to pay back? I mean, nobody could do anything but just say “I’m sorry that this thing happened to you”, and give some economical compensation. But what does this mean to a man who is going to die? This can also easily happen to students. As students consume US beef through the School Cafeteria, they are forced to eat maybe-mad cow disease infected-meat. In order to completely eliminate the possibility of the disease happening in South Korea is banning the import of US BEEF.

AAW NEWS Columnist Simon Yu

Just a little difference may have killed a person

“The astronauts could have been burnt into pieces when re-entering the atmosphere”.

When the 3 cosmonauts including Korea’s first astronaut, So Yun Lee, re entered the atmosphere, there was a high possibility of being burnt alive into pieces, according to Comersant, one of Russia’s top newspaper. It reported that the re-entering attitude of the Soyuz TMA-11, has been wrong because of a mysterious factor. It descended toward the ground with the hatch heading toward the ground. If that was the case, there is a high possibility of the hatch melting down. If so, the astronauts could have easily been dead. However, the most dangerous situation passed away when the landing module started to adjust its angle, and began to descend in the right position. Well, just a little difference may have killed 3 people.

AAW NEWS STAFF REPORTER, Simon Yu

2008, the year of Battery Explosion

This year may be the year of Batter Explosion. This year, LG’s XNOTE and Sasung’s Sens Laptop has exploded caused by Battery problem.

<LG’s Xnote explosion>

LG’s Xnote Z1 laptop has been exploded because of battery problem. According to a press release, the Laptop which was being used by a reporter who visited a hospital to report about Icheon Explosion (>>See further information at the previous article about this accident>>) had exploded in to pieces, with a loud explosion. It was the first time for a laptop explosion accident to happen in Korea. What differs from the previous accident caused by Dell’s Inspiron Laptop, is that it exploded in to pieces. The official at the industry said that  it is the first time for a laptop to explode in to pieces. An official of LG Electronics said that they will request an investigation about what caused the explosion. The battery which exploded was made by LG Chemicals.

<Samsung Electronic’s Sens Laptop Explosion>

Samsung Electonic’s Sense SFM-3200LW has exploded because of battery problem again. According to a press release by National Emergency Managementg Agency, a Laptop which was being used for 3-4 hours, has exploded. Lee Eun Jee (Fake Name) was using her laptop for 3-4 hours and she put the laptop on a pillow. Then, a smoke started to come from the bottom of the laptop. When she lifted the laptop, the battery fell to the blankets and it burned the blankets in a second. Surprised, she took the melting battery into  the washroom, and just then, it fell to the ground and it broke into pieces. The National Emergency  Management Agency said that they will have further investigation. 

AAW NEWS, Simon Yu (scientistsimon@hotmail.com)

Next Generation DVD: Part 2

There has recently been a war between these two formats, which is called as ‘The battle of the Formats’. However, this ended resulting in Toshiba officially announcing that they will abandon the supply of their HD DVD format.

This war, as one can say, is the Information-Technology Era version of the VHS-Betamax war. People of certain age might knew what happened. Despite the technological advancement of Sony’s Betamax, VHS won. As we can see, the best is not always the winner.

Well, even though this war wasn’t about technology, as the two format’s technology was almost the same, Blu Ray won, because one of the most biggest movie company, Warner Brothers, which is a sister company of the renowned broadcasting company, CNN, has chosen to launch their titles in Blu Ray format. Warner Brothers once considered making a both-type compatible disc, but gave up that plan, and chose Blu Ray as their official format. Also, Sony’s Playstation 3 played a big role in the winning of Blu Ray. Sony’s PS3 has an embedded Blu-Ray player, which made people familiar with Blu Ray.

<Underneath is from CNN>

DATA DOCTOR’s PERSCRIPTION: Buy Bluray player, and if you already bought an HD DVD player, there is some hope because some of the titles that are in HD DVD format is in cheap price. But, try to buy a Bluray Player, as I said!!!

AAW NEWS, Simon Yu (scientistsimon@hotmail.com)

MWC (Mobile World Congress)

Recently, the MWC (Mobile world congress) was held at Barcelona, and there are a lot of phones that will be on the market and gain huge popularity..

<What kind of phones was best?>

Well, it is hard to say, but if I were to pick 4 major phones at the MWC, I would pick the Samsung’s Soul phone, LG electronics’ KF700, and Sony Ericson’s X1, and Nokia’s N96.

<Samsung’s Soul phone>

Many of the advertisements at the MWC was about this particular phone made by Samsung Electronics. The Soul phone is the final edition of the Ultra Slim Phone Series by Samsung. However, using its special UI (User Interface), it distinguished itself from the other Ultra Slim Series Phone. The most distinguished part of this phone was the Magic Keypad. This Keypad is a touch screen which enables the phone to change the buttons. For example, if you are using this phone as an MP3 player, the button related to playing Music will appear. If you are text messaging, the keypad will also adapt to this situation. This phone has mobile blogging functions, RSS reader Google mail and google search functions.

P.S. The Soul is the Short for ‘the Spirit Of ULtra’.

<LG Electronics’ KF700>

LG corporation, which is famous for its PRADA phone, has launched its 3rd touch  phone, the KF700. The LG electronics corporation has been trying to make a Friendly-User-Interface phone, and the result is this phone. This phone enables users to use both the touch screen and the buttons. For example, it you are text messaging, you can use the buttons to type the letters and use the touch screen in order to search the person you want to send from your phonebook. Also, the Quick Dial, which is at the back, enables users to access 6 out of 28 functions easily that the cell phone have.

<Sony Ericson’s X1>

Sony Ericson, in cooperation with Microsoft, made the X1, which uses the Windows Mobile 6. This phone has a touch screen and both the QWERTY Keyboard. It has 3 inch WVGA Touch screen. Also, the panel UI has been designed to be friendly to users and enables the users to overlook the phone’s functions at once. It has Bluetooth enabled, Wireless LAN, and GPS. It can support all types of comunication standards, such as GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, and HSUPA.

<Nokia’s N96>

Nokia, which has a 40% share of the world’s phone market, has launched its new phone, the N96, the following model of the N95. This model was named as the “Multimedia Computer”, and it has 16GB of capacity, has MP3 functions, Games, and Mobile TV functions. The UI has been simplified using the Dual Slide. If you are using it as a cell phone, you should slide the screen upwards, while you should slide the screen downwards if you are playing games, or using the MP3 functions. It is an HSDPA phone, enabled to use Wireless Lan, and file transfer with the computer using the USB 2.0. Also, it uses the 3.5 mm earphone plug which is commonly used in today’s music phones. The users of the N96 can downloads movies and musics using the Nokia Music Store, which has a similar role as the Apple’s ITUNE.

Other than these, the LG Electronic has exhibited phones like Watch Phone, which is a size of a watch, and enabled with Blutooth and Voice Recognition Technology- It has no keypad.

AAW NEWS, Simon Yu (Copyright 2008, Do not copy without approval)

Another National Treasure is dying!!!

A 600 year old pine tree in Chungcheong, Korea, is being decayed by insects and weather. A recent research about this tree revealed that the tree was infected by pine needle flies. Consequently, the branches of the tree got weaker. Three of the major 4 limbs have broken due to the heavy snow. One researcher said “The tree has been going weaker and weaker gradually”.

As a solution, the researcher suggested that they should cut off dead branches and insert antiseptic treatment to prevent further decay. Also, they proposed changing the environment, such as changing the soil around the tree.

The tree, which is located 106 km from Seoul, has been planted by King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty, and it had been designated as the No 103 National treasure.

AAW NEWS, Simon Yu (Copyright 2008, Do not copy without approval)

P.S.: The picture left is the picture taken 2 days eariler and the right one is taken at 1990. It sure is a lot different…

KOREA’S NATIONAL TREASURE GONE!!

       At February 10th, 2008, Korea’s Number 1 National Treasure, Sungnye Mun, has caught fire and has been lost permanently. A fire is presumed to be started by a man, who went up and lighted his lighter- it was intentional. A taxi driver says that he saw a man who wore a coat and who held a shopping bag with him went in to that National Treasure and just after he got out of it, it caught fire.

Countless citizens of Korea were weeping last night when they saw their Number 1 National Treasure being engulfed by the flame and eventually be destroyed.

<Destroyed History of 600 years>

The main reason why it caught fire is because of the regulation of Korea. According to the Regulation, the 119 (similar as the US 911) has to consult to the Cultural Properties Administration, and this became a huge problem. One firefighter said that they should life the roof of the construction and pour the water into it. However, this proposal was approved too late because of the sophisticated consultation procedure.

<Oh my goodness….>

When Sungnye Mun caught fire, there was no people who was guarding it, and also, the 4 CCTVs that was installed near Sungnye Mun wasn’t able to guard the stairway that leads to the second floor of the construction where it was off limits.

Also, the Cultural Properties Administration has been doing the Anti-Fire activity, by applying some chemicals to the Sungnye Mun every 6 years. However, the last time this Anti-Fire activity was done, the Cultural Properties Administration didn’t worked on the upper part of the Sungnye Mun because of the worries of ‘losing the original color of the cultural property’, and that is where the fire began. Well, losing the original color now seems so much less then the thing we have to confront today.

<Situation Report>

Around 9 p.m., dozens of firefighters climbed to the second floor, where white smoke was pouring out. They found a burning wooden stick. However, it was too late. They found out that the roof was also burning. Firefighters called the Cultural Properties Administration Official who were at Daejeon at that time. Then, the firefighters got the permission to dismantle the roof. By 9:40 p.m., the firefighters said the fire was likely to be put out soon.
However, the fire started again and at 9:55 p.m., firefighters started dismantling the roof of the gate. Around 11 p.m., officials of the administration arrived at the site. At 11:50 p.m., firefighters tore down tiles from the roof and shot water in through the holes.
The five-hour-long operation failed at 1 a.m. yesterday, when the roof of the second floor collapsed. There are criticism that the firefighters should have dismantled the roof earlier. At 1:54 a.m., the entire second floor of the gate crumbled and its pieces fell down to the ground.
The restoration job is expected to take 2~3 years and it might cost as much to 20 billion won.

AAW NEWS, Simon Yu (Copyright 2008, Do not copy without approval)