Stories about books and articles. Thoughts on Asia, South Korea and Southeast Asia in particular
Monday, April 6, 2026
Indonesia, Australia tussle with Meta and Google over teen social media ban
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Australia and Indonesia conclude negotiations on new security treaty
Friday, August 30, 2024
Indonesia, Australia ink 'historic' defense agreement
Monday, May 3, 2021
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(11)
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea
Worries are prevailing that South Korea is way behind not only the running Japan but also the flying China. Other major players including Australia, America and the North Europe don't sit idle as well.
Prediction is that the ASEAN may play a crucial role of the last resort to save South Korea suffering from chronic weak growth. Needless to say, systematic and long-term approach is desperately needed in the unprecedented era of the AEC.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(11)
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea
Worries are prevailing that South Korea is way behind not only the running Japan but also the flying China. Other major players including Australia, America and the North Europe don’t sit idle as well.
Prediction is that the ASEAN may play a crucial role of the last resort to save South Korea suffering from chronic weak growth. Needless to say, systematic and long-term approach is desperately needed in the unprecedented era of the AEC.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(8)
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea
Among the colorful merits, what I want to research most is TAFEs' industry-school collaboration model. One excellent example is Kangan Institute of TAFE's cooperative relationship with nearby automobile industries like GM and Toyota in Melbourne.
This productive and realistic approach to vocational education has been widely known to increase Australia's clout in the global society. Needless to say, it will mean a lot to the Korean vocational education system and related parties.
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(5)
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea
In Korea, as many as 70~80% high school graduates advance to colleges or universities for their higher education. Many of them just sticks to colleges regardless of their dreams or aptitude. It is mainly because they have not been welcomed and respected by others without a bachelor's degree.
Partly originated from the Confucian culture, a college degree has guaranteed job security and decent income in the Korean society. That's why most parents push their kids to go to a college even though their sons and daughters aren't interested in an academic career.
Friday, September 18, 2020
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(4)
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea
Then Australian engagement with Korea will become more lively and mutual relationship between the two countries will surely go further.
In that education is an inevitable element of any society, this project will bridge those Koreans not familiar with the leading vocational education system to Australia even in the social and cultural context. In this regard, I have no doubt that my project will best serve the goals of the AKF.
Monday, September 14, 2020
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(2)
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea
Then I will catch strengths of the system and deliver essential implications to the Korean vocational education sector, which falls way behind the Korea's recent economic competitiveness in the global market.
Active visits to schools(named below) and industries with cooperation, in-depth observation of classes, detailed interviews with experts of schools and governmental bodies along with local students will be key activities of my project.
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(1)
Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea
Australia has been acclaimed as one of the best providers of high quality vocational training at the secondary and higher education level. TAFE(Technical and Further Education) has been at the center of such advanced vocational education system in Australia.
What distinguishes TAFEs most is that TAFEs have established solid cooperative relationship with industries over decades. Through this project, I sincerely hope to see the systematic vocational training on the spot and learn lessons from the industry-school collaboration model.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(11)
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea
Worries are prevailing that South Korea is way behind not only the running Japan but also the flying China. Other major players including Australia, America and the North Europe don't sit idle as well.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(12)
Worries are prevailing that South Korea is way behind not only the running Japan but also the flying China. Other major players including Australia, America and the North Europe don’t sit idle as well.
Prediction is that the ASEAN may play a crucial role of the last resort to save South Korea suffering from chronic weak growth. Needless to say, systematic and long-term approach is desperately needed in the unprecedented era of the AEC.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(11)
If my project is accepted and valued in an extensive way, movement to adopt parts of the outputs into real governmental policies for better vocational education in Korea is expected.
Both paper book and e-book in Korean will be published within 6 months after completion of the project. Following 'Should Go to a College?' last year, this book would mark the sequence of my intensive research on the issue of the vocational education system in Korea.
Monday, July 22, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(10)
Now I'm communicating with a Japanese publishing agency to have my e-book published in Japanese language soon. Education, particularly vocational education and a subsequent industry-school collaboration model has been my main area of interest ever since I started to work at Maeil Business Newspaper, Korea's No.1 business daily.
Succeeding TAFEs in Australia, vocational education system of Germany and Scandinavian countries would be my next target for exploration on this issue.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(9)
My e-book on the Korean vocational education system, mainly featuring 6 exemplary high schools including Induk Technical Highschool and Seoul Girls' Commercial high school was published last June.
Titled ' Should Go to a College?', the book has been provoking nationwide sensation so far. Please find the attached cover page and English summary as additional documentary evidence.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(8)
Among the colorful merits, what I want to research most is TAFEs' industry-school collaboration model. One excellent example is Kangan Institute of TAFE's cooperative relationship with nearby automobile industries like GM and Toyota in Melbourne.
This productive and realistic approach to vocational education has been widely known to increase Australia's clout in the global society. Needless to say, it will mean a lot to the Korean vocational education system and related parties.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(7)
They warn that if the outdated vocational education system in Korea keeps failing to comply with the voices of the real world, national competitiveness will be shrinking as well. The reason why my e-book, 'Should Go to a College?' was published last year is in close line with this serious message.
Now my eyes are on the advanced vocational training system in Australia. Represented by TAFEs, Australia has been providing well-established vocational education service to students. It is no wonder that Australia is often cited to have one of the best vocational education systems in the world.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(6)
As a consequence, vocational training at the high school or higher education level hasn't been properly developed. Rather, vocational education schools have been regarded as places for less smart students and thus haven't provided timely and practical training to meet industries' ever-changing need.
However, time is shifting rapidly. The corporate sector as a whole is strongly asking industry-oriented vocational education.
Friday, July 12, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(5)
In Korea, as many as 70-80% high school graduates advance to colleges or universities for their higher education. Many of them just sticks to colleges regardless of their dreams or aptitude. It is mainly because they have not been welcomed and respected by others without a bachelor's degree.
Partly originated from the Confucian culture, a college degree has guaranteed job security and decent income in the Korean society. That's why most parents push their kids to go to a college even though their sons and daughters aren't interested in an academic career.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(4)
By introducing the sophisticated vocational education model of TAFE, public awareness of Australia in Korea will be expected to be higher. Then Australian engagement with Korea will become more lively and mutual relationship between the two countries will surely go further.
In that education is an inevitable element of any society, this project will bridge those Koreans not familiar with the leading vocational education system to Australia even in the social and cultural context. In this regard, I have no doubt that my project will best serve the goals of the AKF.
















