When I was an elementary school student I used to think it would be better to go to school three or four days per week. It sounded good to me; in developed countries people work five days in a week. Finally the system to work five days per week is going to be adopted in this country. But I question whether it is the proper time to be adopted.
        Strictly speaking we have a lot of aspects that are superior compared with our economic level. A few things, such as imitations of other countries' good systems or institutions, are great and necessary for us to make this country flourish, but some other aspects or people's attitudes are not. Why are we so eager to follow the advanced countries?
        The system to work five days per week is an institution which is surely put into operation to enhance the quality of life in the long run. Some research findings indicate that this new system was effective for longer life and better health in other countries. What I want to point out is Korean people's negative attitude to follow the developed countries unconditionally.
        These days, the economy of Korea has become difficult again after IMF. Many companies are failing, being sold, or disappearing. That means a lot of employees are going to lose their jobs. Nevertheless in this bad condition, all people have to work hard not to let the situation get worse. It has not been such a long time since the IMF era. I think the system to work five days per week needs certain preceding qualifications. In other countries there must have been such accompanying systems, for example, an extension of cultural facilities, but yet there's no hearing about that in Korea.
        We have already experienced the abuse of incongruous aspects. For example, in education, especially in university entry exams which came from American or European countries, many people point out problems about the exam's easiness or difficulty, special entrance to college, and students' depreciation of ability compared with past students. These unexpected problems are due not only to our clumsiness, but the indiscriminate following of the advanced countries without enough consideration.
        How about in the medical area? From last summer until now, the argument between doctors and pharmacists is continuing. The separation of dispensary of drugs from medical practice will surely be accepted someday to prevent the abuse and misuse of medicine, but the timing was a little early. The separation was also following the example of the advanced countries, but government's preparation for the change wasn't complete.
        Sadly, Korea is not an advanced country, and more opening and a wider open-door policy is essential. But in our society people act like we have already become an advanced country. People want many gold medals in the Olympic Games like the advanced countries. Though the national finance is not enough, people also want more national prosperity. We need to face up to reality.
        As a university junior, who is going to graduate in one year, it sounds sweet that the environment and conditions of work or jobs may become a better style like in advanced countries. But in reality, putting that aside, my approaching graduation is not a pleasant thing. It is getting difficult for the young to find jobs or occupations under this present social and economic situation. Every semester the numbers of the students who stay out of school temporarily are increasing. They want to put off their graduations. I hope that adopting a new system and Korea's true economic condition will be well-matched.