South Korean thieves happier than police - survey

[영어도우미]

South Korean thieves happier than police - survey

Tuesday January 30, 02:23 AM

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean gangsters get more satisfaction from their line of work than the police, according to a survey published on Tuesday in local dailies.

According to the survey conducted among 109 jailed mobsters by the Korean Institute of Criminal Justice, 79.3 percent of gangsters said they were somewhat or very satisfied with their life in organised crime.

About 65 percent of police said they enjoyed their profession, according to a separate survey.

South Korean gangsters make on average about 4 million won (2,168 pounds) a month, which is typically higher than the pay for police.

The criminal justice survey said crime syndicates in South Korea get most of their money through traditional methods such as extortion, prostitution and gambling.

But mobsters have been looking to diversify their operations and are trying to muscle their way into shady stock deals or earn a share of corporate mergers and acquisitions, it said.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/30012007/80-132/south-korean-thieves-happier-police-survey.html

Vocabulary:

• Dailies - newspapers
• Extortion - Illegal use of one's official position or powers to obtain property, funds, or patronage
• Diversify - To give variety to
• To muscle their way in - to force yourself into an activity in which other people do not want you to be involved
• Shady - Of dubious character or honesty; questionable.
• Merger - union of two or more commercial interests or corporations. The absorption of a lesser estate, liability, right, action, or offense into a greater one.
• Acquisition - Something acquired or gained
• Syndicate -  a group of people or companies who join together in order to achieve something

Questions:

1. Would you agree that the life of a criminal is better than that of a Korean policeman? Why or why not?
2. Given the chance, would you rather be a gangster or a policeman? Please state your reasons.
3. Are you aware of the criminal syndicates in Korea? What is their reputation? How about the policemen? What are they known for?
4. In your opinion, what should make you happy in your chosen profession?
5. What factors made you choose your profession