| Korea Times President-Publisher Lee Byeong-eon, third from left, and Woori Financial Group Chairman Son Tae-seung, third from right, applaud after giving awards to the winners of the 15th English Economic Essay Contest, at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Chang Bo-mi, Olivia Truesdale, Lee, Kirsty Goodman, Kim Young-il, Son, Jonathan Humphrey and Paik Ji-won. Runner-up awardee Wee So-yeon was unable to attend the ceremony. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk |
By Park Jae-hyuk
In their award-winning English economic essays, university students suggested fresh ideas in their writing about how Korea can create more "decent" jobs, and the changes needed for the country to attract more foreign professionals to settle here.
The Korea Times held an award ceremony at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, Wednesday, for its 15th English Economic Essay Contest sponsored by Woori Bank.
The seven contest winners were invited to the event, attended by Korea Times President-Publisher Lee Byeong-eon and Woori Financial Group Chairman Son Tae-seung.
For this year's contest, contestants were asked to write about one of two subjects: "How can Korea create more decent jobs and encourage more young people to participate in economic activity?" and, "What kind of policies or changes should Korea adopt to attract more foreign professionals to the country?"
In their essays, students from across the world elaborated on their original ideas.
Awardees in the first topic advised Korea to guarantee the freedom to fail, promote youth entrepreneurship and support educated young people.
Those who wrote on the second topic suggested the country improve the perception of working conditions, promote easier visa procedures, offer incentives and pursue long-term policies.
Some of them cited Korea Times reporting, while others mentioned their own personal experience.
"For sustainable economic growth, youth unemployment and attracting foreign professionals are very important issues in many countries, not only in Korea," Korea Times President Lee said.
"Despite many discussions regarding these issues, it has been difficult to find a solution. Many undergraduates and graduate students from all over the world again submitted ideas this year. There were many essays with creative ideas, and logical and persuasive arguments."
Woori Chairman Son said: "The topics for this year ― a solution to youth unemployment and suggestions for attracting foreign professionals ― are closely related to the unemployment problem our economy is facing. The fresh ideas you have proposed will be a great help to those in the relevant fields, not only to Korea Times readers."
Among the seven winners, Korea University Graduate School of International Studies student Kirsty Goodman and Utrecht University student Kim Young-il won the Grand Prizes in each respective topic.
Ewha Womans University student Wee So-yeon and Korea University Graduate School student Jonathan Humphrey claimed the runner-up awards.
The three Commendation Awards went to Konkuk University student Chang Bo-mi, Yonsei University's Underwood International College student Paik Ji-won and Scripps College student Olivia Truesdale.
"We need a radical shift in the way we do business, a shift that fully allows people to be innovative and reach their potential, and that requires taking risks, but to take risks you need the freedom to fail," said Grand Prize winner Goodman.
The other Grand Prize winner, Kim, said he thought about his own situation to support his argument that Korea needs to improve working conditions, if the country wants to attract more foreign professionals.
The Grand Prize winners were given round-trip tickets on international routes. The runners-up and Commendation Award winners received laptop computers and tablet PCs, respectively. All awardees were also given Bluetooth speakers.