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Korea Educational System

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Korea Educational System
Korea is a country that has been successful in developing many industries, especially those of technology and education, within a short period of time. Korea’s advancement in mass media has been quite remarkable in the recent years. In addition, Korean pop music, also known as “K-Pop,” is spreading all around the world, causing people’s interest in Korean culture to grow. Moreover, as Korea becomes more well-known for its entertainment industry, residents of other countries consider Korea as a tourist destination. However, this fast growth is accompanied by some side effects. Some people are not able to keep up with the speed of these industries’ progress, so even though Korea has achieved much success, still not everyone can follow these changes immediately. Korea also faces air and water pollution that are evident around the country, especially in the capital, Seoul. This sudden change also encourages an increase in Korea’s crime rate because of the growing gap between the rich and the poor. Consequently, in an effort to protect themselves from becoming a part of the less fortunate population, Koreans obsess over how or what can help them achieve the most success. Hence, education becomes not only an opportunity but eventually an obsession. Due to the overt obsession for a better quality of life, most Koreans study and work extremely hard, giving up leisure time that is important for their overall emotional and mental stability. In fact, Korea’s obsession with education is the root of many problems, so Korea should counteract this by adopting some aspects of the American educational system.
In the past, countries foreign to Korea held more importance than its own. Instead of focusing on the development of its own industries, Korea constantly waited on its neighbors. As Korea left behind its past of Japanese colonial rule, it became more open to the idea of international relations, such as acceptance of Japanese pop culture. Due to this social change, Korea is



Cited: Ahn, Hyeon-Ju, and Jia S. Mah. “Development of Technology-Intensive Industries in Korea.” Journal of Contemporary Asia. 37.3 (2007): 364-79. Proquest Social Sciences. Web. 26 Jun. 2012. Basu, Susanto, and David N. Weil. “Appropriate Technology and Growth.” The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 113.4 (1998): 1025-54. JSTOR. Web. 26 Jun. 2012. Dorgan, Michael. “Education fever rules in S. Korea.” San Jose Mercury News. 27 Jan. 1997. NewsBank. Web. 16 Jun. 2012. Park, Hee Sun, Doshik Yun, Seungcheol Austin Lee , and Wonsun Kim Gittelsohn, John. “Study for Your Life.” Academic Search Premier 124. (1992): 18-19. Readers ' Guide Full Text Mega. Web. 17 Jun. 2012. Weidman, John C., and Namgi Park, eds. Higher Education in Korea. New York and London: Press, Falmer, 2000. Print. Joo, Jeong Suk Kim, Beryl. “Korea Air Pollution Problems.” TED Case Studies. 5.1 (1992). Mandala Projects Site Map. Web. 26 Jun. 2012. Lee, Meery, and Reed Larson. “The Korean ‘examination hell’: Long hours of studying, distress, and depression.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 29.2 (2000): 249-71. Proquest Social Science. Web. 14 Jun. 2012. Ripley, Amanda, and Stephen Kim. “Teacher, Leave Those Kids Alone.” Time Asia. 178.22 (2011): 46-9. EBSCO Host. Web. 8 Jun. 2012. Strother, Jason. “South Korean Parents Dissatisfied with Education System.” Thai Press Reports. 19 Dec. 2008. NewsBank. Web. 8 Jun. 2012.

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