Confucianism states that the individual must put the country ahead of himself or herself, but the most violent
fight in South Korea right now is the clash between the labor unions and the Chaebol. The workers are subjugated to
poor working conditions along with smaller wages. “Workers must work for a better life”[1], this statement seems
correct at its inception but it lends a view into the average Korean blue collar worker. It paints the picture that by giving
up their self-happiness and working hours upon hours for small wages, that they may be able to provide a better life for
their families. “76% of Land in Korea is owned by 6% of Koreans”[2] acutely illustrates the growing wealth gap
between the poor and the wealthy, the wealthy’s grip on the nation’s economy and politics, and the actuality of the reason why many Koreans will never own a home in their lives. The labor unions continually clash against the Chaebol, in riots all the time, “Riots are as common as traffic jams”[3], although it seems like exaggeration it paints the picture of the stark reality for change in Korea due to the Chaebol’s political grip. Knowing all this, the question to be asked is, since the government gave so much to the Chaebol, could they give none back to their fellow citizens? It’s said that “An enterprise exists only to make profit, if it doesn’t make profit it shouldn’t exist”[4], does that mean if a business venture nets no profit will the Chaebol not pursue it, even if it is for the good of the nation or its people? Will the Chaebol never give back to the country that gave them everything? With riots being common because of the poor working conditions and the huge divide of wealth, could there be a parallel drawn between all industrializing countries at some point? Considering all these questions the divide between what the Chaebol wants and what the citizens want is a paramount issue in years to come, with a shrinking blue collar workforce and a rising amount of college graduates, how will Korea’s future changed or resist to be changed? This exam can change people’s lives forever.” Taxi driver Hong Hyeon Su, 59, said …show more content…
For some perspective that was in 1991, in 2013 over 650’000 students
took the exam. To contrast the US, we have to take standardize tests, but by the same logic as the Koreans, only the
kids that got between a 2250-2400 would be the lucky ones to get into a university. The quote above symbolizes the
dedication to education that Korea as a nation shares even from people who never got to go to university everyone is
behind the students. Considering this, by the same logic, could Korea be putting so much emphasis on the students
because they feel as though they will be the future leaders and progresses of the Korean identity? Rather, in the US, a
college education is not reserved for only the smartest or the wealthiest, does or could this dilute the value of
education in Korea, if introduced? How would the job market differ in Korea if many people got a college degree,
would there be employment tests? With a growing number of graduates some will be forced to take lower wage jobs, if
so, will this dilute the value of the college education or make it even more
fight in South Korea right now is the clash between the labor unions and the Chaebol. The workers are subjugated to
poor working conditions along with smaller wages. “Workers must work for a better life”[1], this statement seems
correct at its inception but it lends a view into the average Korean blue collar worker. It paints the picture that by giving
up their self-happiness and working hours upon hours for small wages, that they may be able to provide a better life for
their families. “76% of Land in Korea is owned by 6% of Koreans”[2] acutely illustrates the growing wealth gap
between the poor and the wealthy, the wealthy’s grip on the nation’s economy and politics, and the actuality of the reason why many Koreans will never own a home in their lives. The labor unions continually clash against the Chaebol, in riots all the time, “Riots are as common as traffic jams”[3], although it seems like exaggeration it paints the picture of the stark reality for change in Korea due to the Chaebol’s political grip. Knowing all this, the question to be asked is, since the government gave so much to the Chaebol, could they give none back to their fellow citizens? It’s said that “An enterprise exists only to make profit, if it doesn’t make profit it shouldn’t exist”[4], does that mean if a business venture nets no profit will the Chaebol not pursue it, even if it is for the good of the nation or its people? Will the Chaebol never give back to the country that gave them everything? With riots being common because of the poor working conditions and the huge divide of wealth, could there be a parallel drawn between all industrializing countries at some point? Considering all these questions the divide between what the Chaebol wants and what the citizens want is a paramount issue in years to come, with a shrinking blue collar workforce and a rising amount of college graduates, how will Korea’s future changed or resist to be changed? This exam can change people’s lives forever.” Taxi driver Hong Hyeon Su, 59, said …show more content…
For some perspective that was in 1991, in 2013 over 650’000 students
took the exam. To contrast the US, we have to take standardize tests, but by the same logic as the Koreans, only the
kids that got between a 2250-2400 would be the lucky ones to get into a university. The quote above symbolizes the
dedication to education that Korea as a nation shares even from people who never got to go to university everyone is
behind the students. Considering this, by the same logic, could Korea be putting so much emphasis on the students
because they feel as though they will be the future leaders and progresses of the Korean identity? Rather, in the US, a
college education is not reserved for only the smartest or the wealthiest, does or could this dilute the value of
education in Korea, if introduced? How would the job market differ in Korea if many people got a college degree,
would there be employment tests? With a growing number of graduates some will be forced to take lower wage jobs, if
so, will this dilute the value of the college education or make it even more