코리아 타임즈의 홍진우/안경애장남

[安星奐(23회)]

5월26일 토요일.

주 5일째 근무 혜택으로 쉬는 날이다.

마땅히 갈곳이 없어 늦지막하게 아침을 먹고 잠시 회사에 나왔다.

평소 즐겨보는 잡지들이 몇권 있어 바른손 가까이에 있는 잡지를 집어 책장을 넘기기 시작했다.

5/24일자 코리아 타임즈 이다.

[Student corner] "Student Apathy Toward Society" 란 기사가 눈에 띄였다.

집필자가 "홍진우"

평소 마산에 있는 친구들로부터 익히 들은 봐가 있어 안경애친구에게 전화를 걸었다.

아니나 다를까 ["맞다"]는 단, 두마디에 얼마나 기쁜는지 모른다.

내가 잘 아는 친구의 아들이기 때문이다.

세상에서 가장 좋은 스승은 어머님이요,

세상에서 가장 큰 농사는 자식 농사라 하지 않았던가.

그저 태연하게 응대하는 친구, 하지만 실로 그 기쁨이 형용 할 수 없어리라...

내용이 오늘날 대학생들의 사회에대한 냉담한 반응을 적었는데.

특히 4.19 이전의 학생 문화와 47년이 지난 오늘날의 학생문화를 논리정연하고 체계적으로

문제점과 그 원인 그리고 앞으로의 진로에 대해 세세하게 기술한 부분이 대단했었다.

한 살 더 먹은 내가 이 젊은친구로부터 새로운것을 깨달는다.

참~! 대단한 친구이고 그리고 한국의 장래가 이 젊은친구를 통해서 성숙되어 가고있는 느낌이다.

대단하다. 더 이상 술어가 필요없을 것 같다.

관심있는 친구들의 아낌없는 박수를 부탁한다.

끝으로 한가지, 집필자에게 양해를 구하고 싶은것은 

本人과 어머니인 안경애씨의 사전 동의없이 게재함을 용서바랍니다.

홍진우 프로필

 - 경북대학교 영어교육과 3년 재학 中

 - 경북대 타임즈 편집국장

 - 아시아태평양경제협력체 [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] 자원봉사

 - 카츄사 만기제대

 - 5/24 코리아타임즈: Student Apathy Toward Society 게재

 - 안경애씨(입산초등23회/ 신반중24회) 장남

[Student Corner] Students Apathy Toward Society

By Hong Jin-woo

On April 19, 1960, there was a student uprising that overturned the government in Korea. Students protested against a scheme to prolong the government of Lee Seung-man, the first president of Korea.

Eventually, the movement succeeded and expelled the president for good. Historically, it was a stepping-stone toward the type of advanced democracy that Koreans had dreamed of.

When we look for the underlying motive behind this monumental incident, the answer becomes easily apparent. Social consciousness, which was at the heart of the students’ democracy-aspiring mindset, was the guiding force behind the student uprising.

More than 45 years have passed since the uprising of 1960. How do you think things have changed compared with 47 years ago? Take a look at yourself and your friends, and think about it.

It is evident that the intervening decades have produced innumerable changes and it sounds anachronistic to apply the standards of 1960 to the year 2007.

However, there is no excuse for the lack of social consciousness or more specifically, awareness that is now evident in most students. Even though the present situation is more stable and uneventful democratically than that of 47 years ago, this social apathy is undesirable and dangerous.

There are many opportunities for students to get together and talk about things on campus but the problem is that the topics discussed by modern university students are limited to their personal matters and that it is hard for them to have serious discussions about political or social issues.

Most students want to relax or share personal things through chitchat on topics such as employment, the way to get high academic scores and secrets on particular tests, entertainment and relationship with members of the opposite sex.

Of course, these topics are not entirely trivial but the thing is that a culture of discussion is not being cultivated. When it comes to serious issues, most students are indifferent to them if they are not related to their personal business.

For example from our school, the election for the student presidency in Kyungpook National University (KNU) was an example of student apathy, even in terms of important campus matters.

For two years in a row, the election was held over two days because the majority of the students didn’t vote on the first day. The required number of voters was barely reached on the second day of the election.

Students who were eligible to vote did not actively exercise their rights as members of KNU. Furthermore, it was quite shameful that the people involved in the election tried to encourage eligible voters to vote by handing out complimentary gifts.

How often do students read newspapers? How many politicians do students know? A survey on KNU students’ awareness about politics and society recently conducted by The KNU Times indicated the attitude of today’s students. A majority of students said they read newspapers once or twice a week and know the names of one or two high-profile politicians such as the prime minister and Grand National Party leader.

Interestingly, few students were aware of their district lawmakers or the Daegu mayor, even though these people are very influential in their daily lives.

It seems that times have changed since 1960, and there is no need for political or social upheaval any more. The important reality for modern students is that they face stiff competition to get a job. However, students should also realize that their time as university students is quickly running out.

It indicates that a critical and insightful eye to society, the privilege that students enjoyed 47 years ago, could turn dull due to the worries about their future as students get closer to graduation. We should all keep in mind that university is a place not only for studying but also for broadening our views toward society.

hongjw@knu.ac.kr

Hong Jin-woo is a junior majoring in English education at Kyungpook National University. Hong is editor-in-chief of The KNU Times, a monthly Web-based magazine in English at the school.

kswho@koreatimes.co.kr 

[하얀잎]

코리아 타임즈는 권위있는 시사지인데 정말 대단하네요. 훌륭한 아드님을 두셨네요. 축하 드립니다.

[이연이]

경애야~ 아이 앤 비 유~.....

[website]

아드님 훌륭히 잘 키워셨네요. 축하드립니다.

[6-2반[마야]]

안경애님 훌륭한 아드님을 두셨네요. 축하합니다.

[안순달]

잘 키운 아들. 세상이 부럽지 않겠다. 경애야 축하해. 좋은 소식 전해준 카페장님 너무 감사합니다.