Papers + Books

The more you read, the more you will know.
The more you know, the better your writing becomes.

Final exam and paper period in graduate school.

We should take nothing for granted

"The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic process. We should take nothing for granted."

- President Dwight D. Eisenhower, farewell address, January 17, 1961


Yes, we should take nothing for granted. Appreciate it, cherish it, and be thankful of it. Because every moment, every person, every work you are earned and given may be something that someone else will only dream for.

What 1919 Paris tells us.

In 1919 Paris, at the end of World War I there was hope. Most of the powerful countries were present, most of the powerful leaders were taking an active lead in initiating a change to the broken world. Their six months of effort must not be forgotten. Yet, as we see from history, we see again how the War is torn down during World War II and the Cold War. Even today, current world politics show how the deep economic integration and globalization has not prevented someone from declaring war. So then, are we ultimately a failure in becoming a true "peacemaker"? Is by human nature such effort impossible to do?

In a sense, the true effectiveness of a "peacemaker"s role is often evaluated through history. Through time and history, we are able to have a better sense of who meant what and why certain things didn't happen certain way.

Still, as I review these stories, I am constantly reminded how history would remember us today of these moments. How can we measure ourselves as a good leader, a wise person if our good "peaceful" efforts may not always bring that good result? Is the initiation good enough? How do we know which one is the right one? How much time should pass for us to know which policy and which decision was the "right" one? Right one, as in what standard?

President Wilson became quite ill since he returned back to Washington. He was consumed with the deep failure of implementing his dream in US and Washington. The key is for policy makers and leaders today to not fall into this trap. The trap of letting one dream consuming oneself to the point it kills you. We are only human. Don't try to do everything by yourself. Let your team dream that dream with you. And let the time and world show what is the right one. But don't forget to work through your consciousness. Because your heart will know what decision is the right one. Let time and history to tell.

Dream with your team. Trust your instincts leaders.

DC

Sometimes you have to flip the map to understand what the city is really like. Washington, DC the heart of politics, the diplomats, the government organization, and passion. This is where I am. This is where I study. This is where I hope to make a step toward my future.

English NIE Project Manager. On Today's Paper

May 17, 2011
Chosunilbo, 조선일보

"세계 지도 놓고 글로벌마인드 배운다" ... '영어 NIE 수업' 인기 확산
"Learn Global Mind through the world map" ... ' English NIE education' becomes popular hit

Check out the original: ARTICLE


Afterall, all the hard work and late hours become worthwhile, when you see the smiling student's faces in each class. My role as the Project Manager at English NIE at Chosunilbo has truly given me the chance to both learn how to be a good leader and teacher. And also how to be creative, demanding, and challenging with both my students and myself. I will miss my time here very much, and look forward seeing it grow, as I have through this program.

Remembering March 1st in Korea

March 1st, 2011

In Korea, today is a red day in the calendar. That means you stay home because it is a holiday. My student said once that all red days mean "no work day" and should be all "play days." That initally sounds right. But here I was again at the Chosunilbo office at the same hour as usual. I had a project to finish so the red day did not mean much to me. Only impact was on the road. The road was completey empty since most people where resting so I reached the office faster than I expected.

It was snowing outside. It was March, the start of spring, but there were white flur flying around in the air. Light but scattered around to create a huge white body.

Was the weather that cold in year 1919 too? I looked out the window to see the white body shaping and disapearing in mid-air. March 1st Movement, the so called Samil Movement, was one of the important Korean resistance movements during the Japanese military occupation of the Korean Empire. The word Samil Movement literally means "March First Movement" in Korean.

Since the Japanese military brutally and forcifully occupied Korea in 1910, Koreans have constantly tried to gather and seek a way to gain their nation's independence. But most movements impact were crumbled. Thus, most national heros started to go abroad to seek international support. It was President Woodrow Wilson's speech at the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I that became a starting point. At that meeting in January 1919, President Wilson laid out the "Fourteen Points" with the right of national "self-determination." Around the same period, Korea King Kojong suddenly passed away and rumors were said that the Japanese poisoned him. As the news spread, in Feburary 8, 1919 Koreans who were studying abroad in Japan started to gather actively in Tokyo to announce Korea's need for independence.

In Febuary 1919, 33 nationalsts formed the core of the Samil Movement at Taehwagwan Restaurant in Seoul and read the Korean Declaration of Independence which was drawn up by the historian Choe Nam seon and the poen Manhae. The leaders signed the document in February 27th and sent a copy to the Japanese Governor General with their compliments. Copies were made to be distributed for the comunity. And on March 1st, young students and citizens gathered around the Tapgol Park at 2pm where Jung Jae Yong stood at Palgakjung to announce the Korean Declaration of Independence.

Mansae! Mansae! Mansae! Mansae!

(Horray! Horray! Horray! Horray!)

The cry went on and on and on. Approximately 20 thousand Koreans shouted out those word, "Mansae! Mansae! Mansae!." The Japanese colonaizer where horrified. They fired and tried to threaten them to stop the Korean people. But it was no use. The voice only grew louder, and the message was already spreading. Soon before they knew it, the word "Mansae" was in the air in every other city in Korea. The Korean people's voice continued, and the Japanese national and military police could no longer contain the crowd. The Japanese military even shot through the burning windows of the church to ensure that no one made it out alive. People were hurt but their heart was on fire.

Nothing was going to stop them.

Approximately 2,000,000 Koreans had participated in the more than 1,500 demonstrations that followed. Many were massacred by the Japanese police forces and army, but their dedication and effort lived on. In fact, the Samil Movement influenced Gandhi's non violence movement in India and China's May Fifth Movement. And most importantly, Japan had to eventually losen up their control in Korea. Womens found new opportunity after the movement to express their views for the first time in Korea. And soon the movement became the starting point for the eventual independence of Korea in 1945.

I got off the bus and started walking to my office. Today is that red day in the calendar. The street was quite empty. Most people where probably still in bed. The office was empty too. But would we still be here if March 1st 1919 did not exist. Would I still be here as a Korean in Korea? At one point yes, but not on March 1st possibly. The air was quite fresh. It was spring in the air. But it was also a historical day to remember.

Being back in Korea makes me think back of my history often more. Korean in Korea thinking of Korea is something that one should do more on a national day like today.

Reinterpreting Korea

February 2011

One of the best ways to get to know a city is to take a city bus. It was rush hour when I left the office. The street was busy and the city lights were starting to lighten up the busy street of Seoul. I was tired. But I needed to move from Gwang hwa moon region to Gang nam region. Geographically, I was crossing the Han River to reach my destination which was far. Yes, Seoul is quite big. Plus rush hour crossing those two regions where it has the highest traffic was a nightmare. No explanation needed to explain the heavy traffic at those two regions.

I was tired after my work and just ready to reach my destination. I wasn't expecting anything else. But that is when I saw Seoul. Seoul all over again. I mean, really, Seoul was big. Not just because of the traffic, but I couldn't help myself but gasph at the energy Seoul city had. It was alive and bright.



I have a short story that I tell my friends lately as comparison. In the past few years, each morning I start off my hour with a jog or long walk. In Geneva, an hour would be a full walk around the lake of Geneva. To make sure I make it a full hour, I had to walk far far away from the main center of city, so by the time I make my turn back toward the city center Geneva city was a little dot. And I would look back with a smile. But in Korea, for just an hour, I walk around my apartment village three times. Yes, just three times!! If I had to do something similaar in Seoul then, like walking across the Han River, that would be about a good couple hours. And Han River is only a small part of Seoul.


That was just the start. As our bus climbed over the Namsan Mountain and passed the beautiful Han River, I saw it and I felt it. Seoul, seoul and Seoul's soul. It was exciting. It was growing. And it was dynamic. I couldn't help myself smiling as I looked down at this city. What excited me the most was I was here. Living here, right now.

And still continuing to reinterpret Korea, my Korea.

Curious? You will see when you come.
Be my guest.