Interview with Professor Noh Yang-Kyu, Former Korean General

We had an interview with professor Noh on May 10, 2013. Noh Yang-Kyu is at Woosong and in the process of writing about North Korea. He is a security expert, and he graduated from Korea Military Academy in 1977 and then served for 36 years. Now he is teaching security studies and leadership at Woosong. Woosong Herald: What is changing in the relationship between North Korea and South Korea? Professor Noh Yang-Kyu: “When administrations change, they offer different policies. At the time of President Kim De-Jung, he implemented policies that helped North Korea. But Lee Myung-Park’s policies were different and didn’t help North Korea. Now the...

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The Process to Success: Psy

Recently, as we all know, Psy has never been more popular or more attractive. Now it has opened a high wave of Korean sentiment around the world because of his songs and dances. So I think we need to know about the process to success for him. A rookie singer stirred up the Korean pop music scene with very explicit lyrics, peculiar dance moves and his unconventional appearance in 2001. The rookie singer was Psy, also nicknamed the “Bizarre Singer” with “Bird,” the title song of his first album. Psy showed off his own style, fashion and confidence successfully breaking the stereotype among k-pop music lovers that male singers have to be good-looking...

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How Can the Government Reduce the Number of Smokers?

Did you hear about the increase in the price of cigarettes? A month ago, the Korean government decided to increase the price of cigarettes. The national assembly was concerned about the health of the nation’s people. In this country cigarette prices are very affordable compared to other countries. Korean smokers strongly protested the decision of the government. It is difficult for the two sides to come to an agreement. The smokers say that “It is difficult to live without smoking, although they also know that cigarettes are harmful for their health. If we have no money, does that mean we have to stop smoking? We are also your nation’s people....

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Woosong’s Gyms for Woosongers’ Health

There are three gyms at Woosong University- the East campus, West campus and Solbridge. However, Sol Sporex in Solbridge is considered the best gym at Woosong. Their motto is “We are doing together to care for our city's well-being life”. They provide many Daejeonites- and students an opportunity to a break from their busy lives and re-energize. Sol Sporex offers many facilities and fitness programs: a swimming pool, fitness center, sauna and group exercise- including yoga and aerobics. These programs are very popular among gym members. But if you don’t feel like exercising, the sauna, one of the more popular amenities at the gym, may work...

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“Casting pearls before the swine?” An Editorial about the Relations between South and North Korea

Due to the reorganization of South Korea by other powerful countries, and because of South Korea’s international situation, the provocation by North Korea has been more severe than ever. The current situation started with the ‘Cheonan-Ham’ and ‘Yeonpyung-do’ in 2010, and has since become exasperated. The joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. is their excuse for launching a missile which North Korea claimed is a “satellite”. They even decided to close the Gae Sung Industrial Complex, a symbol of cooperation and hope for all Koreans, on their own initiative. Because of the peace accord between South and North Korea, for...

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Same-sex Marriage: The Global Debate of Today

The controversy surrounding same-sex marriage seems endless. People’s view is clearly divided into two, with some in-between. With the trend of homosexuality gaining more support, the proponents of homosexual marriage consistently advocate abolishing discrimination, claiming that homosexual couples have their rights to have families. According to them, it is imperative to legalize same-sex marriage in order to overcome the unfair situation in which the homosexual population is placed. The opponents confront them, arguing that the essential meaning of marriage is going to be damaged. By referring to the essential meaning of marriage, they mean...

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