<WORLD WIDE CNU> Girl from Indonesia

    I learned many cultural differences between Muslim countries and ours. I was surprised that there are still conservative customs in Indonesia. For example, Muslim women cannot choose the husband against their parents' will. Before Muslims get married, they meet each other only twice. I think that Muslim girls' lives are not very different from the lives of Korean girls in the old days. Korean girls were forbidden to have boyfriends of their own choosing. However, it is interesting to read that Tiara Is an open-minded person. 
    She said that she is a bad example of Muslims. She thinks that she is very different from Muslim girls who keep their faces and hands covered and do not boyfriends. It is very confusing to me that she is different from other Muslims. 
    While I was reading this, I learned interesting things about Muslim culture. Of course, I also read her opinion about Korean culture. I really appreciate that I was born in a modern culture which accepts individuality and private choices.

By Lee Jong-seon, Freshman
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

<COVER STORY> An Interim Report of President Lee Myung-bak

    The article reminds me of the MB government. It has a lot of information about the MB government policies. Thanks to the information in the article I could organize my thoughts about the MB government. The MB government promoted the 4 Rivers Project, imported U.S. beef and the Media law revisions and so on. As a result of these policies, the MB government's approval rating is falling little by little. I also experienced this phenomenon. When I was a high school student I remember that people held a candlelight vigil in order to protest against importing U.S. beef in Gwanghwamun Square. The MB government suppressed people by abusing authority, but people held a candlelight vigil and gathered more and more. That is, People convened to regain sovereignty.  
    Although the MB government promoted good policies, there are also policies to be resisted by many people. Now the MB government has only three years. 
    Although we should nor judge [he MB government now, during the remaining three years the MB government should establish policies thar help to develop the nation and preserve sovereignty. I hope that the MB government listens carefully to the peoples' voices.

By Go Byeong-yong, Freshman
Dept of Construction Engineering Education

<CULTURE SKETCH> I+DOLL

    Idols rule the world of entertainment. We see pictures of them, read articles about them, hear news about them and so on. The Korean entertainment industry is dominated by idols. The subject of the article was well selected. People should know about idols' real lives. 
    Although idols seem to have everything and live perfect lives, they have several serious problems. They do not have privacy. If they enter an entertainment agency, they are controlled by the agency. They can't make their own schedules. The media and fans interfere in their lives. For example, if a male idol has a girlfriend, his girlfriend is attacked mentally and physically. For this reason, the agency cannot help controlling the idol. On the other hand, agencies have problems too. They use idols commercially. They put idols into advertisements, drama, and television programs to make money. That is, they see idols as goods rather than as entertainers. As the reporter mentioned, agencies should change their minds towards idols.

By Jeon Young-jun, Freshman
Dept. of Geology and Environmental Science