[2013년 외교아카데미:시니어]

UNEP 한국위원회 사무총장상

& 우수에세이상(코리아헤럴드 명예기자) : 김태호 (중2)

1. A whistle blowe is a person who finds out that his or her organization is doing something immoral or illegal and alerts the authorities or the public about it in the name of justice or public interest. Recently, Edward Snowden, a former CIA official, leaked top - secret U.S. mass surveillance programs to the press, causing much shock, anger and social controversy. While President Barack Obama asserted that the acts were purely legal, many people say that this sort of spying violates the right of citizens, like this example, there are some things that are illegal that we don't know about the authorities, the elite and whistle blowers let us know about what's going on behind the dark, hidden curtains. Therefore it will be more appropriate to call these people, guardians of social justice and human rights' rather than the "betrayers of the century". I have two reasons to support my claim.

 First, whistle blowers let us know about the dark secrets that the social elite hide from us. Without Julian Assage of Wikileaks, for example, the publi wouldn't have known all the secrets of diplomacy of the US government. Like this, without the help of whistle - blowers we would have been unable to know of secrets hidden by the elite. This change will not only make the authorities think again before they conceal their innocent acts, but it will also lead to a better society cured of such conspiracy.

 Second, whistle - blowers cannot be considered as betrayers because they take great risks to do what is right, to ensure our rights are safe. it especially takes great risk when you reveal top secret information about the government, and this feat is unable to accomplish without great courage and bravery to speak out for what they think is right. Also, without a strong faith that social justice is of the utmost importance, this cannot be accomplished.

In conclusion, because whistle - blowers like Assange and Snowden take great risk and bravely act to ensure justice and human rights, and raise alarm on carefully hidden, illegal secrets, they should be considered the protector of rights and democracy against the supremacy of the superpowers rather than the betrayers of the century.

2. Diplomacy is the art of negotiating as a representative of a country with a representative of another country. Diplomacy the war of wills between masterminds specializing in many different fields. Diplomacy; friendly cultural, artistic, political, military, and economic exchange between countries. Diplomacy;  creating bands with other neighbors. This will be of the greatest importance in the future for diplomacy is to maintain relationships and ending dispute before war unleashes to kill the ones we love. Three countries in Northeast Asia -- Korea, Japan and China -- are historically and culturally intertwined closely, and while they quarrel over many controversial issues against each other, it cannot be cleared that these three countries are neighbors and must cooperate with each other to prosper. Then what are the diplomatic issues with China and Japan, and nor should we elaborate on those issues?

 First, pending diplomatic issues between Korea and China are issues such as the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and China's distortion of history. FTA can be beneficial for Korea because some kinds of goods sales will increase without the additional cost. It will also let Korea become a FTA hub and the Mecca of world trade. However, Chinese goods which are already quite cheap will get even cheaper, the competitive ability our industries have; especially the farming industry; will suffer. Therefore, FTA between Korea and China must not be hastily crged. Officials should bear the thing and results correctly. Also, to all distortions of history, Korea most respond strongly, and in the meantime the citizens should be more aware of this kind of problem.

 Second, pending diplomatic issues with Japan include issues like radiation problems, historical problems, territorial problems, etc. Although many people forgot about it, radiation in Japan is still very serious. to ensure the safety of Koreans, the government should ask for specific information on the cleaning of radiation. Historical problems include the controversial issues that occured during the time when Japan colonized Korea, and the artifacts that Japan stole from Korea. Korea should show a strong, stout, and even aggressive manner against this matter, for unless they will not act. The terminal problem is the Dokdo dispute. We should not shy away from their pointless offenses and while raising awareness in Korea, diplomats must endeavor on telling other countries the truth with specific and accurate information.

 Finally, there are some issues that must be answered together. For example, the three countries must keep exchanging ideas on cultural exchange, economical collaboration, and the North Korean nuclear threat.

 While maintaining a strong, stout manner on the issues I have mentioned above, we should also try to maintain friendship as we are culturally and geologically close. I trust that Korea will be able to wisely solve these issues with many different forms of diplomacy.