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Koreans’ education zeal unparalleled globally

By Kim Sun-woong Professor at the University of Wisconsin _ Milwaukee Korea is one of the most highly educated nations in the world. As of 2010, the enrollment in primary schools and secondary schools is virtually universal although substantial tuition fees are necessary for high-school attendance. Approximately 2 million students (about one half of people aged between 18 and 21) are enrolled in four-year universities, and an additional 700,000 students are enrolled in junior colleges. Even though Korea’s GDP per capita is less than one half of the U.S., its gross enrollment rate in higher education is higher than the U.S. In enrollment rate, Korea ranks second in the world after Finland and by only one percentage point. No one would have dreamed of such an explosive surge in schooling 60 years ago. In 1945, only 83,000 were enrolled in secondary schools and less than 8,000 students in higher education institutions because of the grossly inadequate educational infrastructure. Despite its meager beginnings and the tremendous population pressure after the Korean War (1950-53)

Jul 2, 2010

Korea initiating ‘green wave’ worldwide

By Lee Maan-ee Environment Minister This year marks the 40th anniversary of Korea’s “Saemaeul Undong” (New Community Movement), an enlightenment movement which pulled Korea from poverty and frustration into prosperity and hope. The movement has been listed in the Encyclopedia Britannica, and many developing countries have localized the movement for their own national campaigns. Following the launch of the campaign in the 1970s, Korea’s economy grew at a rapid pace. It is now ranked as the 14th largest in the world, and the country will host the G-20 Summit in Seoul in November. Despite all these achievements, Korea has faced a variety of growing global challenges caused by environmental changes, and so we must adopt green growth as a “second” New Community Movement. Why Green Growth? Today the world is faced with various environmental threats such as climate change, and the depletion of fossil fuels and natural resources, which undermines growth potential. Such global issues as energy problems and environmental issues are closely inter-linked, and the wor

Jun 30, 2010

KoreaToday SENS X170 adds flair to notebook market

By Kim Tong-hyung Staff reporter Some would say that Samsung Electronics built its consumer products empire on flat-screen televisions and mobile phones, but the South Korean technology giant is clearly earning its stripes in laptop computers too. And the company's future in the laptop market will depend on its ability to continue providing sleek and sexy products like the SENS X170. The ``notebook'' computer features a 11.6-inch light-emitting diode (LED) backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that supports high-definition images with 16:9 luster, much to the excitement of videogame lovers and movie buffs, and is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Other notable specifications include a built-in Web camera and wireless LAN connectivity, and despite packing such an impressive punch, the laptop weights only 1.46 kilograms and measures just 25.5 millimeters thick. The ``ultra-thin'' SENS X170 also represents Samsung's efforts to achieve marketing cohesion between its wireless Internet products, such as laptops, and mobile phones. The SENS X170s are sold in t

Jun 29, 2010

KoreaToday LG shines with tech-rich 3D TV

By Kin Yoo-chul Staff reporter LG Electronics, the world's second-biggest TV maker after Samsung Electronics, is getting more credit for its three dimensional (3D) televisions thanks to the use of advanced technologies. Its 55-inch ``LG 47LX9500 3D LCD TV'' with light-emitting diode (LED) as a backlighting source is wooing all customers in the high-definition (HD) television market ― both for its delicate and fashionable exterior in addition to its competitive features. Although many of the televisions are still ``battling'' against what analysts and officials say is a ``depth problem,'' this LG TV has successfully managed to integrate key technologies within its thinner frame. Amid the so-called ``3D frenzy'' seen in the global television industry, LG is one of the key players with Samsung and Sony of Japan to aggressively promote its technology-melded 3D televisions as part of corporate efforts to find new growth engines. The LG TV, which was released in March, this year, adopts direct-lit LED technology on the back, making it possible to provide a clearer picture t

Jun 29, 2010By Kim Yoo-chul

KoreaToday LG Whisen offers human touch

By Cho Jin-seo Staff reporter Care for people, and care for the environment. This summer, LG Electronics is introducing the latest version of its "Whisen" air conditioner. It features automatic sensors that monitor movement and the skin temperature of people in the room, and accordingly controls wind power and direction. In addition, its innovation in energy saving technology will save on electricity bills for its owners and reduce carbon emissions for the environment. The key to the "Human Care" system is to cool down the skin of people inside the room to 34.5 degree as soon as possible. "It took seven years to conduct simulations on some 2,000 people to develop the 'human-adaptive' computer algorithm," the company says. The researchers at LG's air conditioning laboratory have found that people, on average, feel most refreshed when their skin temperature is lowered to around 33.5 to 34.5 degrees. The new Whisen air conditioners are fitted with a turbo-cooling system that blows out a gale of cold air to people nearby. The result is three times as fast a cooling effect

Jun 29, 2010
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