In this blog post, I will examine the safety, economic viability, and environmental aspects of nuclear power, as well as energy security and the competitiveness of South Korea’s nuclear power exports, to consider how South Korea should utilize nuclear power.   The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake led to the devastating accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. As a result, not...

In this blog post, I will examine how South Korea’s Science Olympiad is operated and what factors contribute to its outstanding performance in international competitions. I will also discuss the underlying issues of private tutoring and inequality of opportunity, as well as future directions for improving the system.   What is the Science Olympiad? In August 2012, the nation’s attention was...

In this blog post, we’ll examine how South Korea developed its shipbuilding technology and grew into a world-leading shipbuilding powerhouse, focusing on technological advancements such as riveting, welding, block construction methods, and pre-outfitting.   How have shipbuilding technologies evolved? For centuries, our ancestors have utilized “boats” as a means of transportation to take...

In this blog post, I will examine the differences between universal education and elite education and discuss why South Korea should implement elite education from the perspectives of overall social development and educational efficiency.   The Purpose of Education and the Need for Elite Education Education is a means of nurturing desirable talent so that individuals can lead happy lives...

In this blog post, I’d like to examine the advantages and risks of nuclear power, along with South Korea’s current energy supply and demand situation and the potential of renewable energy, to consider whether it is necessary to continue relying on nuclear power.   Nuclear power generation refers to a method of producing electricity by generating steam using the energy released during the...

In this blog post, we will examine the problems facing South Korea’s education system—including rote learning, school violence, and issues with public education—and consider the direction and measures needed to foster a diverse pool of talent.   The Meaning of Education and the Problems Facing South Korea’s Education System Education is like the flower and hope of a nation. Education...

In this blog post, I’ll examine the achievements and limitations that South Korean engineering has produced throughout the nation’s industrial development, and consider what engineers must do to go beyond technical expertise and develop an understanding of business and society so they can take a more proactive role in leading society.   This is a conversation I had last winter over drinks...

In this blog post, we’ll examine—with a focus on the global warming debate—how scientific theories can be exploited or distorted when combined with political and social interests, and what conditions are necessary to preserve the objectivity and independence of science.   In the 2006 film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, Al Gore, as a politician and environmental activist, strongly...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the evolution of displays—a core component of smart devices—from LCD to AM OLED, as well as the operating principles, pros and cons, and future potential of these two technologies.   The Evolution of Smart Devices and Display Technology Now, several years after Apple launched the iPhone, competition in the smart device market is fiercer than ever. The...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the structure and features of DSLR and mirrorless cameras, the differences in their image sensors, and the advantages these cameras offer compared to smartphone cameras.   As recently as the 1990s, before digital cameras became widely available, it was common to take photos using film. Not only did film require processes such as development and printing after...