Seoul as a Global City Essay Example

Seoul as a Global City Essay Seoul, the capital of South Korea is a key metropolis in the Far East. The Korean peninsula is quite small, comparable to the United Kingdom or New York State in terms of geographical spread. Its geographic location had subjected Seoul to both American and Far Eastern influences. But when it comes to economic prosperity and social equity, Seoul remains a city of contradictions and paradoxes. The rest of this essay will foray into these economic, social and demographic aspects of Seoul and infer its future role in the global stage. The long and colorful history of Seoul, in the broader context of the Korean peninsula gives some indication of the present expectations of it. For instance, the occasion of the Olympics that is slated for later this year presents an opportunity for the inhabitants to â€Å"show the world that their fiercely independent culture was never fully overwhelmed by either of its powerful neighbors† (Townsend, 2002). The speakers of one of the most advanced languages ever conceived, the Korean in general and residents of Seoul in particular are keen to regain the glorious past. For instance, â€Å"Guidebooks sometimes refer to the Korean people as the â€Å"Irish of the Orient,† partly because of their capacity for feuding with one another but mainly because of their feistiness and history of affliction. Again and again a visitor is told that the Korean alphabet is the greatest in the world, the Korean military the best educated and the Korean cuisine the spiciest† (Townsend, 2002). We will write a custom essay sample on Seoul as a Global City specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Seoul as a Global City specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Seoul as a Global City specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The city of Seoul, by East Asian standards, is one of the most modern and its inhabitants the most outgoing, volatile, boisterous and backslapping group of people. Seoul inhabitants are the â€Å"most ethnically and historically homogeneous peoples in the world†. The stoic spirit of the place and its citizens may be partly due to a history â€Å"of war, invasion, occupation, resistance, war, destruction, rebirth, peace-and war† (Louise, 2008). The legacy of such a tumultuous past is still being felt today. Take say, the region of Greater Seoul. It is home to close to 10 million people that include some of the richest industrialists. This part of the city is also the â€Å"political, cultural, educational, and business hub† (Louise, 2008). Seoul is also the favorite destination for some of the biggest transnational corporations to set up their production facilities. The place also attracts allied service providers like public relations industry and other business corporations. Seoul is second to no other city in terms of the research and development activity that is carried out there. The following passage substantiates Seoul claim to be regarded a true global city: â€Å"Manufacturing complexes surround the city. Seoul and its suburbs boast 9,000 factories, employing more than 360,000 workers. They’ve suffered in the last two years, but most Seoul businesses have recovered from the late-’90s Asian flu. It is home to small manufacturers such as Won’s and it also hosts complexes run by large corporations. They are drawn by the suburb’s proximity to Qingdao, Dalian, and other major cities in China, which vies with the U.S. as Korea’s top market for exports† (Smith and Timberlake, 2002). While the aforementioned qualities would place Seoul in the Global city bracket, a few other realities associated with the place might question this assertion. Setting apart the ever present political volatility in South Korea, the distribution of wealth in Seoul remains highly inequitable (Chang-Hee and Myung-Jin, 2003). While South Korea has had a tremendous economic growth period over the last twenty years or so, the percentage of the population of Seoul that lives close to subsistence levels is quite an anomaly. It is true that the annual per capita gross national product was close to 100 dollars five decades ago. Today, it hovers close to three thousand dollars – an impressive thirty-time increase (Louise, 2008). Yet, the statistics on class divisions and the proportions of different socio-economic classes within Seoul has remained quite static. This negative aspect of the city will weigh against it, in its aim to be considered a truly global city (Hill, 2000). The social inequities evident in the suburbs of Seoul are another significant factor going against its stature as a global city. For example, â€Å"South of Inchon lies the suburb of Chun-An, some 40 miles from downtown Seoul. Chun-An has lured financing and facilities from Korea’s financial giant to the East. Japanese manufacturers, especially electronics producers, have settled in the Chun-An Industrial Estate. Korea Industrial Complex Corp. (Kicox), which runs the 25 largest industrial parks across the nation, requires manufacturers who want space in that Industrial Estate to maintain at least a 30% foreign stake† (Shin and Timberlake, 2004). Despite the impressive array of industries set up in the suburbs of Seoul, the lifestyle and incomes of residents there have remained stagnant over the last two decades. For example, just twenty miles south of the city is the information technology region of Suwon, which boasts of hosting leading foreign technology manufacturers in the world. But, this evidence of technological advancement loses its shine when seen in light of the highly populated residential complexes surrounding Suwon, where the socio-economic conditions are very ordinary (Shin and Timberlake, 2004). While the economic aspects of Seoul, marked by the increase in size of its manufacturing and design industries is a sure sign of the city’s advancement into the global stage, certain anomalies associated with this condition undermines this status. For example, the whole of Korea hosts a fifteen billion dollar manufacturing and design industry, with Seoul being the epicenter of all this activity (Shin and Timberlake, 2004). With more growth slated for the immediate future, Seoul’s claim to be a global city seems quite legitimate. But competition from other prominent cities in East and South-East Asia is proving to be a formidable challenge to overcome. For instance, â€Å"Seoul isn’t alone in seeking to boost its global standing through design. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Yokohama all hold ambitions to be design centers. Then there’s global competition from cities like London, Paris, Milan and New York, with many decades as leading arbiters of design. Yet design industry leaders insist there’s big potential in Korea. For one, Seoul beat some 20 rivals, including Singapore and Dubai, to be named ICSID’s first World Design Capital to be chosen through competition.† (BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, 2008) The volatile and unpredictable relations between and within the North and South Korea has disrupted the growth pattern of both economies. This is no insignificant factor to consider in the process of classifying Seoul as a truly world class city. After all, Seoul is not just the economic capital of South Korea, but also its political capital. And the implications of political instability to the economic scenario are only too well known, as the stark empirical documentation of their relation shows. The diplomatic efforts on part of both neighbors are bound to have a crucial impact on the future prosperity and stability of Seoul. In this context, the recent negotiations between the respective premiers to resolve some longstanding issues are a good sign. But to remind the international community of the delicate nature of North-South relations, the meeting was disrupted by protests from some prominent labor unions (BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, 2008). Ironically, the demands of the labor are as old as the nations themselves and any agenda of negotiation that does not pay heed to the concerns of the working class will only be an incomplete one. The social realities of this self-proclaimed global city are best captured from the following passage: â€Å"More than 700 disputes continue to fester following a rash of strikes that first broke out in July. At a Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, where walkouts resumed after wage talks collapsed, a striker died and three others were seriously injured when a driver, whom they had beaten, got back into his truck and ran them over. Some 13,000 strikers occupied the yard, smashing windows, setting fire to cars and battling riot police. Late in the week police raided Hyundai and a second occupied plant and dragged away 200 strikers. Alarmed by the disturbances, Kim and Roh vowed to push for revision of South Korea’s labor laws, which largely favor management† (Hieyeon, 2000). What we gather from the above description is a typical case of oppression of the working classes. Consistent with a Marxian view of the world, the legislative climate in Seoul is loaded heavily in favor of vested corporate interests, undermining democratic progress. Until such social inequalities are addressed earnestly, Seoul’s image to the world community will remain tarnished and any pretences of being a truly global city will only be such (Hieyeon, 2000).

spec ed paper Essays - Psychiatry, Human Behavior, Free Essays

spec ed paper Essays - Psychiatry, Human Behavior, Free Essays February 27 th , 2018 Module 2 Redacted Glen Payne Special Education Part1 For this paper I have chosen to analyse the Case of Suzette, found on page 125 of the course text . The case outlines the struggle of a parent and their child, Suzette, in finding appropriate placement in a school. Suzette is identified as sixteen years old, recently expelled from her high school due to a series of violent outbursts and is seeking a new school. Suzette is a high functioning, high achieving student who, up until her teenage years when her behaviour took a violent and more consequential turn. The following analysis will explore the behavioural issues that Suzette is dealing with, a detail the most appropriate action plan, and a look at the likely outcome of her educational career. What Are the Beha vioural I ssues ? Due to Suzette's high achievement and agreeability up until her adolescent years, it is unlikely that she is experiencing negative manifestations of disorders that appear early on in a child's development . It is noted in the text that a child with this disorder may display a pattern of disruptive and violent behavior and have problems following rules. Due to Suzette's violent outbursts and accelerated ag gression, it is possible that she is suffering from Oppositional Defiant Disorder . It is not uncommon for children and teens to have behavior-related problems at some time during their development. ODD has eight characteristics for identification, and they are as follows: often loses temper; often argues with adults; often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules; often deliberately annoys people; often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior; is often touchy or easily annoyed by ot hers; is often angry and resentful; is often spiteful and vindictive (Behavioural Issues Workshop, 2016) . Considering the fact that Suzette is only recently exhibiting dangerous symptoms that include violence, defiance, and struggles with authority, it is my best estimation to assign Oppositional Defiant Disorder to her case as the primary struggle. ODD combined with the "teenage - crazy" behaviour that her mother expressed could result in the aggressive behaviour described in her ca se. Fortunately , when treated with care and attention, individuals with ODD can experience rehabilitation and re-entry into appropriate school programming. What Support is Needed? Instructional In my experience with students who are dealing with ODD, it is most beneficial and helpful to change the language of my instruction to suit the needs of the child. Instead of using "must" driven language such as "you must complete this assignment", or "I need you to", it is better received to use inclusive language such as "when can we get this completed" or "what do you need from me to be successful?". This rhetorical shift attempts to diffuse the anger and "fight or flight" instincts associated with ODD aggression, and makes the student feel in control, while still functioning under an authority. Environmental and Assessment Any anger-fueled situation that has the potential to escalate is even more sensitive and likely for an ODD student. As such, it is important to monitor temperament and recognize the signs of escalation. Teaching the student to recognize their anger or irritability and implement coping skills is the best case scenario, but often times this is difficult, especially if you are strangers. My recommendation in these cases is to allow students to remove themselves from irritating situations using inclusive language and questions, such as: Do you feel like you need a break? Where would you like to go? How can we help you right now? Would you like me to give you space? In my experience, allowing students to choose where they would like to move to (Student Success, going for a walk, the office) has the best potential at diffusing a tense situation. In the same vein, accommodating assessment for ODD students involves compromise. In high school, students are required to complete regular assignments in order to earn their credit, but giving ODD students the tools to succeed often looks like compromised deadlines, extra help, or assignments broken up into smaller, more manageable pieces. Looking Forward With the proper support and education to

Analysing The Impact Of Terrorism On Kenya Tourism Essay

Analysing The Impact Of Terrorism On Kenya Tourism Essay The U.S. Department of State defines terrorism as â€Å"premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.† Likewise, as terrorism against tourists often involves international citizens, international terrorism is defined as â€Å"terrorism involving citizens or the territory of more than one country.† WHY DO TERRORISTS TARGET KENYA? Geographic location, poverty and unstable neighbours are some key elements that have contributed to past terrorist attacks faced by Kenya. Kenya’s unique geographic location acts as a passageway from the Middle East and South Asia to East Africa and beyond. Therefore, Kenya had to cater for the many activities that would now exist because of this pathway so an extensive seaport was constructed as well as two international airports, one in Mombassa and one in Nairobi along with rail, road and communication infr astructure. With these additions, travel and entry into and around Kenya is quite easy and usually obscure due to its penetrable borders coupled with its surrounding neighbours and unmonitored coastline. In particular, the Arabs in Kenya that occupy the coastal areas are closely linked to the Arabs in the Middle East as they both share a common religion and language. This has made it quite convenient for terrorist to blend into the community. For these reasons, Kenya is a preferred choice for terrorist to strike. DISCUSSION ON TERRORISM’S IMPACT ON THE HOSPITALITY all of the 330 staff had their salaries reduced, including Dunford the chairman (National Geographic 2010).

The Debate on Lowering the Drinking Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Debate on Lowering the Drinking Age - Essay Example The article in CBS News stated the problem clearly. Teenagers are engaging in beer binges at an alarming rate. Underage drinking is so prevalent that it is already the norm. Even university presidents seemed to give up on the issue that it cannot be stop but can only be contained (2009). As a result of excessive underage drinking, deaths and accidents are on the continuous rise. Apparently, death among young adults that is alcohol related is not only due to drunk driving as what the age 21 drinking limit is trying to avoid but by other causes as well. As the article has stated, strict enforcement on the working age never worked. It only pushed underage drinking further underground. Banning it altogether also did not work because underage drinkers always find a way to have their alcohol. It even estimated that out of 2,000 violations, there are only 2 convictions that resulted from strict enforcement. Convicting the violators is also not a solution to the problem. Even if we assume for the sake of discussion that all 2,000 violators will be convicted, underage drinking will still not stop. Again, it will only push underage drinking further underground making it more dangerous. It will become more dangerous because underage drinkers will tend to make the most of the opportunity to drink alcohol without any regulators or parents around to moderate drinking. The problem about underage drinking is not the incorrect age limit to drink. It involves a bigger and more complex issue. It is a problem of indulgence and addiction more than the legal issue of incorrectly stating the correct drinking age at 21 years old. This explains why I am against at lowering the drinking age because it will not only solve the problem but can even potentially aggravate it. With the current culture of indulgence and addition, lowering the drinking age, say to age 18 or 17 may be even perceived as an encouragement. That instead of stopping or

Implementation of Cold Ironing in the Port of Southampton, UK Dissertation

Implementation of Cold Ironing in the Port of Southampton, UK - Dissertation Example To carry out these processes, most ships switch off their main engines but leave their auxiliary engines running. Some even leave their main engines running throughout. The term is generally thought to originate from the era when steamships were powered by coal, with ‘cold ironing’ referring to the fact that when the ships were in port, the fires feeding the boilers were no longer fed with coal, and so the iron engines eventually went cold. Today, cold ironing refers to the increasing trend for ships to be powered when in port by being connected to an electricity supply on the shore. This is mostly seen as a way to reduce harmful gas emissions from the ships’ engines when they are in port. In recent decades, global trade has increased considerably year on year. In line with this, emissions from ocean-going ships have also increased, given that shipping is the main and most cost-effective way on transporting bulk goods internationally. Most ocean-going vessels aflo at today use bunker oil, or heavy furnace oil – a diesel fuel which is responsible for a considerable proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is not just conventional greenhouse gases that are emitted. Some research, as will be discussed below, has suggested that particulate matter (PM), released in large quantities by the burning of bunker fuel, leads directly to health complications and premature death. Burning bunker fuel also produces nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SOx), both of them toxic. Talley (2009) states that the bunker fuel used in some ships has a sulphur content of 27,000 parts per million, compared to 15 parts per million in the fuel used by cars, and that oceangoing vessels contribute 5-30% of the SOx in coastal areas (p.164). Therefore, in order to reduce the risks to people living close to large ports, the feasibility of cold ironin

Living in a big city or living in the contryside Essay Example for Free

Living in a big city or living in the contryside Essay It has long been a controversy among people that living in a small town or in a big city is more preferable. While some people claim that living in such big cities as capital or any other great city can result in more comfortable, others feel that residence in the smaller town cannot merely give them peaceful lives but also make them healthier than people living in a big city. In my opinion, I have prejudice for residence in a small town due to some reasons. Although town-dwellers can survive considerably more convenient than those who live in the country side having many facilities and amenities for them, they must confront with much pollution in their hometown. That tiny particles from big industries and toxic gases from million cars tend to increase more and more are used to characterize the town nowadays. On the contrary, lacking in advance technologies makes rural life happy and peaceful. Rural-dweller can enjoy living in real nature. They can waste Just a little time to go to work, unlike town-dwellers who have much trouble with traffic Jam and lso they can spend times they left during the day to do more enjoyable and funnier activities such as exercise, shopping or playing game with their children. Moreover, people who live in the country side are likely to have longer longevity and healthier than those who inhabit in the town. High technologies can harm and cause so serious health problems to the people who are denizen of the town. In conclusion, I would rather live in the small country than in the big city. Even though, the comfort ability in the town appeals many people, I prefer to spend my life simply and happily.

Survivor :: Personal Narrative Judaism Papers

Survivor I walk. I wake. I work, when I want to. I create uneven labyrinths of letters, I word. He worded and He created what He called earth, water, and swamp. I sink as I drown in that swamp, the same slick color as my patent green boots. I stomp on my existence. My father called them Nazi boots. He wasn’t trying to be provocative; that’s how boots look to him. That’s how I look at a pile of shoes, a serial number, even a bar of soap. That’s how I look at an Aleph, the first of Hebrew letters, the sound that precedes speech; its arms grow rigid revealing the swastika tattooed upon my memory. When they teach us what it means to be a Jew, they coat the letters in honey, and coax us to lick it off. A sticky, suffocating sweetness clings to us as we learn to read and later still as we try to escape who we are, but can’t. My education is not tied to those books, but to my self, myself as I march up narrow staircases of apartments atop stores atop Brooklyn cellars, numbers on my grandmother’s arm as she washes the dishes and uses her own thumb as a pincushion. She can’t distinguish pain from life. She used to urge my aunts to keep on sewing. â€Å"Arbeit Macht Frei,† she said. Work frees. Iron gates and barbed wire. I stick myself with a safety pin and I bleed. My grandmother chuckles generously at my soft, suburban, spoiled hands. She would get me a Band-Aid but doesn’t know where she keeps them. The pressure stops the bleeding, and I get into my father’s car. Go home. Sometimes I can’t tell whether persecution is an interruption of freedom, or if freedom is just how oppression looks from the perspective of the oppressor. The massah experiences subjugation as luxury. I scrub my own arms, trying to wash off the stain of white privilege, to find the Negro slave underneath. I breathe. I bathe. I believe. Sometimes I wonder what I believe. I wonder if I’m that homeless guy that I saw clutching his Bible. Inheriting the earth. Do I truly believe that God rewards the faithful and punishes the blind? Does this anonymous man deserve only 17 cents in a cup, while I have merited my $38,564 a year?