The referendum on the free school lunches program in Seoul on August 24th was a hot issue. Oh Se-hoon, the former Mayor of Seoul that opposed free school lunch, argued that excessive welfare is bound to bring about an increase in taxation and place a heavy burden on the next generation. However, in this case, it is a discrimination to provide free school lunch only to students from low-income families. Regardless of political interests, I am concerned about the gap between the poor and the rich. If I were a child from a low income family and subject to free school lunch, I would feel ashamed of that. It had a low turnout of 25 percent which was short of 33 percent, the required quorum for the vote to be valid. As a result, the vote on the opposition-led free lunch program was nullified. However, it deserves attention that the turnout of voters was high in three affluent districts in Seoul ― Seocho, Gangnam and Songpa. The referendum shows that the gap between rich and poor is getting wider and so is a level of consciousness in Korean society. Korean society tends to function based on materialism. Many people work hard dreaming of a better life.However, some people say there is no limit to people’s greed. Can it be a person’s goal in life to gain wealth and honor? I think it should be just one of the ways to lead to happiness.
Sometimes I am lost in nostalgic memories saying to myself, “It was great at that time” or get sentimental dreaming of the future with expectation, “Will that day come?”. My happiness exists in the past and the future because the present can be both the past and the future. Why don’t I try to be happy now? I have watched a popular TV drama, The Scent of a Woman. This situation is about the love between a spinster and a second generation Chaebol. Lee Yeon-jae, a female lead played by Korean actress Kim Sun-a, has gallbladder carcinoma at 34 years old. She is a normal working woman in Korea, working really hard for the future and even she has never bought what she wants to have. She was shocked to hear that she was given six months to live. She makes her bucket-list for her happiness before she dies. Many people cannot imagine that they have not enough time to live. However, it is usual to have a time-limited life.. This situation is about the love between a spinster and a second generation . Lee Yeon-jae, a female lead played by Korean actress Kim Sun-a, has gallbladder carcinoma at 34 years old. She is a normal working woman in Korea, working really hard for the future and even she has never bought what she wants to have. She was shocked to hear that she was given six months to live. She makes her bucket-list for her happiness before she dies. Many people cannot imagine that they have not enough time to live. However, it is usual to have a time-limited life.
If not a disease, who can say what might happen tomorrow? This is not supposed to hurt your feelings. If there is no future to enjoy your life, then the present becomes the most important. Some, if not all people would agree that happiness is one of the most important values in their life and they wish for happiness. We miss out on the chance to feel happy while shaping and preparing our future. It is not to say that some people do not enjoy the present while preparing for their future. What I want to say is do not postpone the chance to enjoy your life and be happy. If you make your day everyday, you cannot feel regretful about your life for a moment. Therefore, we need to think about how to fill our lives with worthwhile and meaningful memories. For your precious day, plan what you will do. For the rest of your life make a daily mission for what you want to achieve. Finally, a Latin phrase known as “Carpe diem” comes to mind. From now on, try to savor the true meaning of the phrase – Seize the day.
 
By Kim Han-na, Head Student Editor
#311 Desk Column

 

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