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.

Korean Center- No Cho Joong Dong!

Recently, a number of people began arguing that Chosun Daily, the Joongangdaily, and Dong Aa Daily is telling false information about the candlelight vigil. As those companies wrote articles that were against the protester’s opinion, the protesters erupt, saying, no Cho Joong Dong! Well, that behavior is really immoral. Saying that some newspaper should be abandoned just because they posted an article that doesn’t match their opinion is something that should have never happened. In addition, most of these people are telling the company who advertised in that newspaper, not to post their advertisement, or they will stop using such company’s product. About this, the police is responding. The 20 people who participated in this event, is now banned form going abroad. The police said “It is violating the law to tell companies not to advertise on certain newspaper.”  Well, I hope that this will get better.

AAW NEWS Staff Reporter, Simon Yu

Korean Center- Candlelight vigil in Korea

As the candlelight vigil in Korea (yelling ‘NO US BEEF!’) gets more violent. there were a lot of accidents. Some police officers even got hit and kicked by several protesters after they were unarmed, while some people got hurt by some police who were trying to prevent the protesters from going to the Blue house, the place where the president works. Well, recently, the police started to use some strong weapons, such as water cannon, and the reaction from the protesters got even more violent. Some overturned the police bus using a rope, while there was a case where the police bus actually caught fire. There were also a case of protester firing fire extinguisher at the face of a police officer. Some police officer broke his leg or arm, and more than 100 are already in hospital.

However, things started to change, as the police caught several people who leaded the protest, and the protest is getting less violent.

AAW NEWS staff reporter, Simon Yu (Poor cops….)

TECH CENTER- Phones and Korea

1. WIPI PROBLEM

There is a problem surrounding the controversial policy of WIPI. WIPI is a our country’s independant internet platform, and it is quite different from WIFI. WIPI has its own way of browsing sites, and all download-games are based on this platform. However, this WIPI platform isn’t included in the iPhone, Blackberry, or any other phones from America, and Europe. Well, this is a serious problem, as this WIPI policy limits the selection of a customer. Well, I think this will be solved soon, as the Ministry of Knoledge and Economy is revising this policy.

2. HTC Touch Dual in Korea

The popular windows mobile based HTC touch dual is launched in Korea. It is in sale for approximately 590 dollars, in a 2 year contract with SK TELECOM, the nation’s leading telecommunication company. The taiwan based company, HTC, included a WIPI platform in its TOUCH DUAL, so it can be released in Korea. SK Telecom plans to bring in HTC Diamond in Korea next quarter.

3. SOUL vs. Secret

The once controversial phone, which was released in Mobile World Congress (MWC), the SOUL phone, will now play its war against the LG’s largely polular SECRET phone, which is the 3rd phone in Black Label series. The price of the two phones are same. But as the SOUL that is relased in Korean doesn’t have a SD card slot, most people think that the Secret phone will win. (Both phones are slightly more expensive than HTC TOUCH DUAL)

AAW NEWS Staff Reporter, Simon Yu

Candle light vigil in PARIS????!!!!

There has been an candlelight vigil held in Paris by Koreans, calling “No US BEEF import”.

AAW NEWS Staff Reporter, Simon Yu

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

New iPhone & iPod… Solar Battery?

There is a rumor that the new iPhone, which is dated to launch at June 9th has a solar battery. The rumor states that 1 hour of charge can allow the user to chat for 39 minutes, and listen to a song for an hour. According to the rumor, the solar panel is located at the lower part of the display, where the button is.  However, this is only a rumor, and is not sure… However, whether if it’s true or not, would’nt if be good to have a solar battery powered iphone and ipod?
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

Protesters in Korea – Anti US BEEF

Among the rising controversy about US beef, more than 7000 people living in seoul attended the Candle-light protest. The Internet Cafe, “Anti-US BEEF” held a candle light protest at the Chung-Gay Square. Before the protest even started, more than 5000 people arrived at Chung-Gay square, yelling “No US BEEF! No Mad Cow Disease!!!”.  Other than university students,, or civil organization members, there were a lot of civilians attending the protest.  Kim Bong Chul, who attended the protest with his son, said “I am worried that my son will eat mad cow disease- beef (US BEEF) through the school cafeteria. Another protester said “The government is trying to import US BEEF without a lot of preparation, giving the control of citizen’s health to the US.” Well, good luck, US BEEF!

AAW NEWS Staff Reporter, Simon Yu