Journalist groups urge stronger protections after mass layoffs

Journalist groups urge stronger protections after mass layoffs

Global tech giants control 'over 75 percent of ads' in Indonesia, putting local media firms and news organizations in a tight position financially, leading to recent mass layoffs, according to professional journalist associations.

<Journalist groups urge stronger protections after mass layoffs - Society - The Jakarta Post>

Should Go to a College?(1)

How successfully students of 6 Special High Schools and Meister High Schools get a job

Back in spring in 2009 I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which built online shopping malls for special high schools in Korea. Discussions and chats related to a special high school named 'Bubsung High School' were brought upon to these folks. 

It is located in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do where it boasts the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in Korea. Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via online shopping mall called 'Bubsungmall', sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide. 

Why Indonesia?(6)

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia

This is where 'Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia' initiates. This book aims to introduce still-unfamiliar Indonesia to South Korea in an easy way. 3-year-long experience in Indonesia mixed with curiosity of a former journalist produced 35 stories over Indonesian politics, economy, society and culture. 

Major cities in Java Island like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Solo(Surakarta) and Bali Island are touched upon, too. 

Should Go to a College?(1)

How successfully students of 6 Special High Schools and Meister High Schools get a job

Back in spring in 2009 I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which built online shopping malls for special high schools in Korea. Discussions and chats related to a special high school named 'Bubsung High School' were brought upon to these folks. 

It is located in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do where it boasts the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in Korea. Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via online shopping mall called 'Bubsungmall', sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide.

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(3)

Heightening Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity

Now let me explain why I can positively link 3 months stay in Hawaii and my work. More than anything else, I’d like to point out EWKLP definitely widens my horizon on various fields of the global society. As a journalist, my main job is to provide high-quality articles for subscribers. 

In this globalized world, the importance of global contents can't be overemphasized. And it means that I have to produce more and more globally insightful contents. In this regard, EWKLP allows me to have worldwide views which, to some extent, I couldn't think of before flying to Hawaii. And it led me to develop fresh and up-to-date ideas when I wrote articles.

Broadening Global Horizon and Establishing Rich Friendship(1)

Broadening Global Horizon and Establishing Rich Friendship

Before coming to Hawaii, in my application forms to JAIMS(Japan-America Institute of Management Science), rough expectation on EWKLP(East-West Knowledge Leaders Program) went like this: EWKLP will be of great significance to me. By studying various subjects of business, I can not only deepen my knowledge but also harmonize my experience, as a journalist, with theory. That could explain why lessons from EWKLP will lead me to make more profound articles on business practices. 

I have little doubt that 3 months in Hawaii will absolutely help me realize my lifetime goal, contributing myself to my country. In this time of financial crisis, insightful articles can make people happy. It can change the world, too. State-of-the-art business cases will also give new ideas to business leaders in Korea with whom I have had firm relationship. Interviews with CEOs and corporate management convinced me that they are dying for new and practical business principles.

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship(1)

Broadening global horizon and building up rich friendship

Before coming to Hawaii, in my application forms to JAIMS, rough expectation on EWKLP went like this: EWKLP will be of great significance to me. By studying various subjects of business, I can not only deepen my knowledge but also harmonize my experience, as a journalist, with theory. 

That could explain why lessons from EWKLP will lead me to make more profound articles on business practices. I have little doubt that 3 months in Hawaii will absolutely help me realize my lifetime goal, contributing myself to my country. 

In this time of financial crisis, insightful articles can make people happy. It can change the world, too. State-of-the-art business cases will also give new ideas to business leaders in Korea with whom I have had firm relationship. 

Thoughts on Vocational Education(8)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

If my project turns out meaningful and inevitable to enhance the quality of vocational education in Korea, there will be huge media coverage on my project, myself and the AKF.

As a former journalist, I'll make the best use of my network on the media sector. The number of Korean vocational high schools, parents and students, related institutions and even government officials visiting Australia to learn how to efficiently improve vocational education system will be significantly increasing. 

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.

Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia(4)

An Overview of Indonesia

This book aims to introduce still-unfamiliar Indonesia to South Korea in an easy way. 3-year-long experience in Indonesia mixed with curiosity of a former journalist produced 35 stories over Indonesian politics, economy, society and culture. Major cities in Java Island like Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Solo(Surakarta) and Bali Island are touched upon, too. 

In addition, general map and information of Indonesia as well as simple Indonesian expressions are provided. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely hope 'Why the World Pay Attention to Indonesia' will play a timely and meaningful role of narrowing distance between Indonesia and South Korea further.

It couldn't be better if this publication will prove itself helpful to those South Korean businesses and young people dreaming of their future in Indonesia.

College Education, a Must?(2)

How successfully students of 6 Special High Schools and Meister High Schools get a job

The online shopping mall launched less than a year ago has monthly revenue of 10 million Korean Won could be surprising news to anybody. 

In other words, it was such a great news source that could quench thirst of curious journalists like me who's been longing for something unique to write.

My visit to Bubsung High School turned out to be a great anecdote. When I paid a second visit to the school 8 months later, Bubsungmall even reached revenue of 100 million Korean Won per annum. 

College Education, a Must?(1)

How successfully students of 6 Special High Schools and Meister High Schools get a job

Back in spring in 2009 I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which built online shopping malls for special high schools in Korea. 

Discussions and chats related to a special high school named 'Bubsung High School' were brought upon to these folks. It is located in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do where it boasts the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in Korea.

Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via online shopping mall called 'Bubsungmall', sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide.

Reason for applying for EWKLP(1)

Reason for applying for EWKLP(East-West Knowledge Leaders Program)

It has been four and half years since I took the job of a journalist. In that 4.5-year-long-work-experience requires managerial responsibilities in the corporate sector, it is high time I need skills and capabilities for managerial positions.

Because I have developed communication skills by interviewing all kinds of people from the bottom to the top, I will be an eligible candidate for EWKLP.

During 2004~2007, when I worked at the industrial news desk of Maeil Business Newspaper, Korea’s No.1 business daily, I covered various kinds of companies and their activities at home and abroad, which helped me understand what companies are. 

Essay for EWKLP application(1)

Essay for EWKLP(East-West Knowledge Leaders Program) application

Before joining Maeil Business Newspaper in 2004, I majored in business administration at Seoul National University. Further, since 2007, I have taken legal classes at the graduate school of law at Yonsei University at night time. Though I still have a lot to learn, I suppose I have been getting familiar with business and law step by step.

As a journalist of a business daily, I have been involved in corporate, legal and educational sectors over the past four and half years. However, in spite of abundant hands-on-business-related-experience at home and abroad for my age, it is true that I have a long way to go for systematic approach to my articles.

Time to time, I had a hard time in making articles on what I saw and felt in the business field in order. It is partly attributed to lack of time to step back and organize hands-on experience into stories.

Enriching Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(2)

Enriching Work Experience and Bringing New Opportunity(2)

Now let me explain why I can positively link 3 months stay in Hawaii and my work. More than anything else, I’d like to point out EWKLP definitely widens my horizon on various fields of the global society.

As a journalist, my main job is to provide high-quality articles for subscribers. In this globalized world, the importance of global contents can't be overemphasized. And it means that I have to produce more and more globally insightful contents. In this regard, EWKLP allows me to have worldwide views which, to some extent, I couldn't think of before flying to Hawaii. And it led me to develop fresh and up-to-date ideas when I wrote articles.

My column on MBA education will be a model example. In the column, I overlooked where Korean MBA schools are at this moment. And I emphasized the significance of timely MBA education, insisting "MBA schools should be places where students can learn what the society wants contemporary. MBA curriculums should reflect what the market eagerly demands, to name a few, green growth, NGO(Non-Governmental Organization) management."

Honestly speaking, I got this idea thanks to the experience in Hawaii. Lectures and course works at JAIMS did stress what MBA education should be like. The lesson is that MBA education basically shouldn't be theory-oriented. But it’d better focus on practices and 'Genba', which implies the curriculum would be consist of subjects that can digest various interests from the outside world. This point of view can be supported by students' high remarks on some classes such as professor Kobayashi, professor Kotabe and Mr. Larry Smith.

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(1)

Broadening Global Horizon and Building Up Rich Friendship(1)

Before coming to Hawaii, in my application forms to JAIMS(Japan-America Institute of Management Science), rough expectation on EWKLP(East-West Knowledge Leaders Program) went like this: EWKLP will be of great significance to me. By studying various subjects of business, I can not only deepen my knowledge but also harmonize my experience, as a journalist, with theory.

That could explain why lessons from EWKLP will lead me to make more profound articles on business practices. I have little doubt that 3 months in Hawaii will absolutely help me realize my lifetime goal, contributing myself to my country. In this time of financial crisis, insightful articles can make people happy. It can change the world, too. State-of-the-art business cases will also give new ideas to business leaders in Korea with whom I have had firm relationship. Interviews with CEOs and corporate management convinced me that they are dying for new and practical business principles.

In addition, EWKLP will serve a good chance to promote Korea to foreign friends. In spite of strong economic size and potentials, Korea is one of the undervalued countries in the global stage. Some business sectors such as semi-conductor, shipping and automobile industry, Korean companies are leading the world. By actively introducing Korean companies and their success stories to classes, I want to let EWKLP participants know more about Korea.

At the same time, I will do my best to be more aware of neighboring countries. These may create new business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region after EWKLP students go back to their home. Amongst the participant countries, it is also anticipated that improved image on Korea will enhance nation-level relationship.

Should go to a college?(1)

How successfully students of 6 Special High Schools and Meister High Schools get a job

Generally speaking, Asian countries have shown highest college entrance rate in the world. 3 major economies in Northeast Asia, South Korea, Japan and China have been in the front line of this 'college fever'. It is South Korea which boasts of the record-breaking entrance rate in the region. Believe it or not, more than 80% of high school graduates in South Korea was reported to directly advance to colleges back in 2005-2010.

Against this background, over the next 2 postings, I'd like to touch upon the intention why I decided to have my first book published. Titled 'Should go to a college?', this e-book has been acclaimed one of the early works on the issue in the South Korean society. 

    

------------------------------

Back in spring in 2009, I was still a journalist. I had a dinner with professionals from an IT solution firm which has built online shopping malls for special high schools in South Korea. Discussions and chats related to a special high school named ‘Bubsung High School’ were brought upon to these folks. It is located in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do where it brags about the largest production of dried yellow corvinas in South Korea. Teachers and students of Bubsung High School, via an online shopping mall called ‘Bubsungmall’, sold dried yellow corvinas and other local products nationwide.

The fact that this online shopping mall launched less than a year ago has monthly revenue of 10 million Korean Won(around 9,000USD) could be a surprising news to anybody. In other words, it was such great source that could quench thirst of curious journalists  who’s been longing for something unique to write. My first visit to Bubsung High School turned out to be a great anecdote. When I paid a second visit to the school 8 months later, Bubsungmall even reached revenue of 100 million Korean Won(around 90,000USD) per annum.

Bubsung High School’s story is something more than a good news. I was obligated that the public has a right to appreciate this trivial, but meaningful success story. In fact, the story imminently showcased a negative impact from South Korean hakbulism(academic cliquism) which resulted in discrimination and alienation against graduates of special high schools and fierce competition in resume management to college graduates, I believe. After my article was released, South Korean media professionals rushed to Bubsung High School to cover them into their own and even Japanese business start-ups came to South Korea to benchmark the school. My story’s sudden fame brought me a great confidence as well.