Issue 1

november 6, 2014

issue i volume xvi

seoulite

SEOULITE staff page

meet the Staff Editors-in-chief Celine Hwang & Yasmin Yoon

Layout artists Sang Ho Lee Alan Huh Joonhee Han

Sarah Doh Suyoung Yang

Reporters William Son Sarah Kim Alice Lee Julie Song

Marie Park Justin Chang Angie Kim Alice Kang

photographers Jane Lee Kelly Kim Brian M. Kim Brian S. Kim Andrew Lee

Christopher Lee Dongwoo Lee David Choe Esther Hwang

Co-graphics editors Yeni Cho Hollis Hwang

Layout Editor Hyewon Kim

assistant layout editor Alice Rhim

Managing editor Jean Cho

assistant editor Christine Seo

Copy editors Joyce Kim Yeaji Park

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SEOULITE

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Letters from editors

DELEGATION: BOBCHAD DELEGATES: CELINE HWANG AND YASMIN YOON COMMITTEE: PRESS QUESTION OF: SEOMUN 2014

THE SEOULITE Honored to serve delegates, chairs, advisers, administrative staff members, directors and other participants throughout the SEOMUN conference, Fully aware that delegates have gathered to discuss and share ideas on worldly matters, Hoping all delegates will enjoy the four issues of The Seoulite, Anticipating debates of high quality in all forums, 1)Requests all delegates to pick up an issue of The Seoulite every morning in their committees 2)Suggests that delegates look for their photos in the paper and share a laugh with their friends 3)Proposes that photographed delegates frame the newspaper and hang it up on their wall 4)Encourages delegates and chairs to cooperate with staff members when approached for interviews 5)Wishes that delegates thoroughly enjoy their debates and lobbying sessions Layout Hyewon Kim

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SEOULITE FOCUS

stuff delegates say by jean cho

Please hand this note to the Delegate of India – and don’t read it, it’s confidential information about the resolution.

We all know the notes you send to each other aren’t always necessary on worldly topics such as infanticide and environmentalism. But we understand, I mean what’s more important than the lunch menu?

This delegate strongly believes the notion that [Insert SAT vocabulary] treatment of children should be banned.

Your resolution is the only opportunity to flaunt the range of vocabulary words you know. Using big words that no one would actually use in a normal conversation to support an overly idealistic claim: you’re becoming a true politician.

I got to know so many different people at SEOMUN –it truly is an unforgettable experience.

Thank you for the excellent speech, delegate!

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SEOMUN is the perfect chance to double the number of Facebook friends you have or to find 30 new followers on Instagram. You probably won’t remember any of their names after a couple of weeks and will refer to them as the delegate of Chile or Denmark, not as Julian or Emily but that’s okay, you’re not alone.

Yes, truly, thank you for giving me something to talk about – something to rip apart into pieces and criticize – that is exactly what I intend to do. I was getting a little antsy in my seat but now there’s something for me to chew on – your excellent speech tastes delicious.

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SEOULITE FOCUS

Blast From the Past: A Glimpse into Racial Shootings

by Christine Seo Let’s discard the bad reputation clichés have for now and examine what makes something cliché. While unoriginality is discouraged with good reason, the frequent use of clichés indicates that they can actually be extremely relevant and therefore, useful. Here is one example in which this is especially true: History repeats itself. It does not take much scrutiny to notice that analogies and parallels are prevalent throughout history. In many cases, current events today can be traced back to moments in history that we can learn from.

Gun shootings, police brutality and racial tensions have been reoccurring themes that have defined this decade, especially. According to an investigation by non-profit organization ProPublica, black males are 21 times more likely to be

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fatally shot by police than white men are. On Oct. 9, Vonderrit D. Myers, an 18 year old African American, was shot and killed by local police near St. Louis, only two months after the death of Michael Brown Jr., also an 18 year old African American, in Ferguson, Missouri. Both of these incidents, which are only a few among many related to police shootings, can be linked to Trayvon Martin’s case back in 2012. Though it’s debatable whether or not an event from just two years ago should be considered a part of history, it is indisputable that the events surrounding Martin’s death are very similar to those related to Myers’ and Brown’s.

All three were black young adult males killed by white police officers.

Both Martin and Brown were unarmed at the time of their death, while controversy about whether

Myers was still persists.

Syreeta Myers, mother of Vonderritt, says that her son was holding a sandwich, not a gun. “Police lie,” Mrs. Myers said. “They lied about Michael Brown, too.” The deaths of all three boys sparked unrest, with protesters demanding the arrests of the police officers that fired the shots.

The protests of all three cases have all been highly publicized, with famous celebrities such as Beyoncé attending the rallies for Martin. To push for better education and support as a way to find peace and justice, the parents of the late Trayvon, as well as the parents of Michael Brown, spoke at a festival promoting peace over violence.

Overall, all three cases were notably similar in that the injustice of the victims’ deaths led to nationwide dispute over racial profiling and the militarization of the police, themes that

are prominent throughout history.

According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of African Americans said that Michael Brown’s death “raises important issues about race that need to be discussed, while 47 percent of white adults responded that the black race is “getting more attention than it deserves.” These grim statistics clearly demonstrate that whites and blacks are still living in two very different Americas. Death should not be taken lightly in any situation, and it is certainly not acceptable to insinuate that those raising reasonable points about an unfair death are looking for attention. Too many innocent African Americans have been killed by a policeman’s trigger to ignore that gun violence is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately and with great resolve. SL

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SEOULITE Point of Interest

Overseas experiences aid delegates’ performance in MUN

by Alice Kang

With the accumulation of overseas travels, delegates are able to shape their own cultural identities, which are often reflected in their characters and performances in MUN. Because of previous experiences in English-speaking countries, delegates have been able to enhance their communication skills. Having lived in Vancouver, Canada, for six years, Jiwhan Moon, delegate of France in Special Conference, was able to gain confidence in his public speaking abilities.

“My early exposure to English helped me learn how to effectively communicate with the people around me and this has served as a huge advantage in MUN,” Jiwhan said. “I believe that this skill is especially

important to prove a certain level of fluency and skill to other delegates, especially in the professional setting that MUN encompasses.”

Furthermore, according to Angela Jang, Advisory Panel chair, exposure to foreign nations often enable individuals to witness new cultures and gain insight into prominent global issues. “[Traveling abroad] allows a delegate to understand why certain races have reacted more violently or more subtly to global issues,” Angela said.

“This mindset helps me draft the most feasible solutions possible when writing resolutions. I learned to study both sides of the debate.”

Delegates’ overseas experiences can increase their awareness of social inclusiveness.

JongWhee Jeon, delegate of Indonesia in Advisory Panel, lived in Boston, Massachusetts, for 6 years, where he was able to learn about the importance of respecting suppressed opinions.

“By living as a racial minority in a white-dominant community, I learned that not all voices are heard and respect-

ed,” JongWhee said. “Living abroad helped me become more culturally sensitive and socially aware, which made me more confident in discussing global issues with others. My past experiences have allowed me to become a more eloquent speaker, not just in MUN but also in everyday life.” SL

photo by David Choe

Meet the dsg: judy kim by marie park

Everyone has their own way of making friends in a new environment, but Judy Kim was lucky enough to have an event act as a mediator: MUN. Currently Deputy Secretary General, Judy joined MUN in her freshmen year at American School in Japan and continued to her career in Seoul International School.

Reaping the many benefits of MUN, Judy was able to connect with her local and global community as a delegate.

“MUN has helped me a lot with socializing,” Judy said. “It was the only thing I was sure about in my new school environment.

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MUN almost forced me, in a way, to work with, talk to and share my opinions with different people and allowed me to meet some of my closest friends. Going on the THIMUN Singapore trip during sophomore year was the biggest bonding moment for all of the MUN members.”

Apart from developing better social skills, Judy was also able to attain a broader, more international spectrum of thinking through MUN. “At the conferences, you get to meet many people from so many diverse backgrounds,” Judy said. “MUN has definitely widened my

perspective on global issues.

It lets me understand other people’s views from different cultural, political and social surroundings even though they contrast to our own.”

Although Judy does not have plans to work for the United Nations, she claims she will definitely remember the knowledge and skills she obtained from her participation in MUN. “Whatever I do, I will use the skills I picked up at MUN,” Judy said. “This probably sounds cliché, but I genuinely think the MUN skills I acquired clearly transferred to everything else I have accomplished. I hope that my current

position as Deputy Secretary General influences both present and future delegates to enjoy and take away as much from MUN as much as I did.” SL

photo by Jane lee

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SEOULITE Point of Interest

Journey as a MUN Delegate:by AliceFrom Struggle to Perfection lee Expected to come up with logical resolutions, most MUN delegates look sweaty and alarmed during their debates. Although such situations can be nerve-racking, delegates such as Clara Sumin Yoon, Assistant President of General Assembly I, feels that this pressure is what encourages her to improve.

“When I first started MUN in 8th grade, I was anxious about speaking in front of people who were ready to interrogate me with a stream of POIs,” Clara said. “However, the experience helped me grow into a more confident and outgoing delegate.”

Delegates overcome the initial pressure they face by participating in large conferences. According to Elizabeth Huh, dele-

gate of India in Human Rights Council I, her first experience at SEOMUN was the greatest milestone in her improvement as a delegate.

“Although the practice sessions gave me a brief idea about the way a committee runs, I had to interact with other delegates to fully understand what it takes to get my resolution passed,” Elizabeth said.

“The dynamics of the debate really forced me to speak up.”

Through participation in conferences, delegates are able to develop their social and communication skills.

IT Director, Daniel Choi, interacted with numerous delegates to

convince them of the merits of his resolution.

“It doesn’t matter whether I am attacking or defending a delegate because the experience of discussing about a resolution is rewarding in itself,” Daniel said. “I learn to scrutinize the

details of each clause, because doing so is essential to perfecting the positions and propositions you are presenting. I often encourage new MUN delegates to meticulously inspect a resolution before confidently forming an opinion about it.” SL

photo by kelly kim

Helpers of SEOMUN: The Administrative Staff by justin chang and julie song

photo by brian m. kim In the bustling conference room where delegates participate in heated discussions, organization and order are key. Essential to facilitating the conference, the administrative staff stays on the sidelines, setting up materials, stapling papers and distributing notes.

Other than playing managerial roles, staff members attend SEOMUN to gain insight into the workings of MUN. “I hope to learn about the general mood and formality

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of MUN by attending SEOMUN,” said Michelle Ahn, administrative staff member.

“I strongly believe that this experience will help me in my future by giving me examples of what good speeches sound like and giving me a reference point to deliver better speeches myself.”

The administrative staff, consisting of Seoul International School middle and high school students, is also looking forward to interacting with

a wide range of individuals to gain more knowledge about current world issues.

“As this is the first time I will be seeing students from different international schools, it is a good opportunity to meet other students from a similar yet different cultural background,” said Rachel Kang, administrative staff member. “By listening to the delegates’ discussions and ideas, I hope to gain some perspective on current issues.”

For those who hope to be-

come delegates in the future, taking part in SEOMUN ss an administrative staff member served as an entry into the world of debate.

“I was neither interested nor passionate in current issues when I started as an admin staff member,” said Claire Kwon, former administrative staff member and delegate of Sudan in ECOSOC. “But through exposure to world issues in SEOMUN, I learned not only the process of the debates, but also gained a passion for debating on current events.” SL

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SEOULITE FOCUS

Movement for gun control expands throughout the U.S. by yeaji park

With roughly 270 million citizens possessing guns, the United States has the highest gun ownership rate among developed countries. Although organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) have attempted to depict gun ownership in a positive manner, American citizens remain divided on the issue of guns control. Recently, however, the argument against gun control has intensified, due to the resurgence of school shootings and cases of police brutality.

“I think there are some legitimate reasons to support gun rights,” said Seoyoon Choi, International Court of Justice Judge.

“However, I see the NRA as an organization that gains profits from gun sales rather than [one] that acts on its beliefs about individual rights. I do not like how the NRA tilts the legislative debate toward its side by influencing members of the Congress and aggressively pushing Americans to be angered by gun control laws by overemphasizing the phrase, the right to bear arms.”

Compared to other developed countries, such as Japan or Britain, the US has significantly higher homicide rates. While the direct cause of this discrepancy is disputable, more people are convinced that the unrestricted use of guns is the main reason for the escalating number of homicides. Moreover, recent acts of gun violence, such as the recent shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black male, have made people protest and grow increasingly unsupportive of gun ownership.

“The claim that guns provide self defense is not only illogical, but also wrong,” said Jeffrey Park, delegate of China in the Special Conference. “The lives of innocent people cannot be compensated for individual rights. It is hypocritical to uphold gun rights and neglect a much more important liberty -- the right to live. People should not have to walk in public nervous that someone might point a gun at them.

Recently, there has been increasing support for Obama’s gun control proposals and people are turning against the use of firearms. Hopefully, he will help create a safer society.”

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Despite the fact that the homicide rate decreased by 51 percent from 1993 to 2012, many Americans’ perception of gun control does not correspond to reality. In fact, over 70 percent of the citizens thought gun ownership and crime rates were increasing, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

“I was quite surprised that the crime rate in the US has decreased over the past years

considering the public’s fear over personal property of weapons,” said Woojeong Lee, Deputy Assistant President of the Security Council. “I do not think that the status quo and the concerns of the public will be shifted by the decrease of crime rates shown in statistics and until the law bans actions such as the private purchase of weaponry which can create a safer nation for the citizens.” SL

Highest Gun Ownership Rate PER 100 RESIDENTS

88 % USA 54.8 % Yemen 45.7 % Switzerland 45.3 % Finland

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SEOULITE FOCUS

Civil forfeiture infringes citizens’ rights

By CELINE HWANG and YASMIN YOON

A longstanding practice in many governments, civil forfeiture was originally intended to punish citizens who are irresponsible and careless with their property. According to English common law, an object must be relinquished to the English Crown if it causes the injury or death of a person. Hence the property, instead of the person, is the perpetrator.

With time, however, this policy has been increasingly altered to penalize criminals by denying them the right to property.

The purpose of this is to “take the profit out of crime” by seizing property obtained through illicit means. Because material acquisition, especially regarding drugs and money laundering, is a common incentive for criminal

activity, civil forfeiture is justified as an appropriate means to combat crime.

“The idea of civil forfeiture itself is not unjust,” said Heejin Hong, President of Human Rights Council 2. “Civil forfeiture was not created to give police more power, but was initially supposed to be a check on those who acquired property illegally. However, the concept has been taken out of its original context. The fact that the police use seizures for their own benefit indicates how pressing this issue is.”

According to the Washington Post, because the police are often allowed to keep proceeds from the seizures, they may attempt to seize as much property as possible. In fact, the principal difference between civil forfeiture and criminal forfeiture is that the police does not need a proper warrant to carry out the charges.

“This procedure violates individuals’ constitutional

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rights,” said Min Byung Chae, Assistant President of Advisory Panel. “Nowadays, civil forfeiture is not meant to facilitate the process of criminal search, but is just another way for the police to obtain personal benefit. Legal protocols must be implemented to regulate this policy.”

Currently in the U.S. government, there is no set of laws regarding property rights, which causes ambiguity in civil forfeiture court cases that revolve around property rights instead of individual rights. For instance, in 2006, the Eighth Circuit Appeals

Court ruled in United States vs. 124,700 dollars of US currency, that police might seize cash from motorists because “possession of a large sum of cash is strong evidence of connection to drug activity. As a result of this decision, the man in possession of the money, Emiliano Gonzalez, was unable to claim his cash again.

Despite the attempts of various libertarian law firms and lower courts to eliminate the exploitation of civil forfeiture, the problem still persists. To draw more attention to the issue, numerous media outl e t s , including Last Week Tonight and The New Yorker, have recently criticized the police state for abusing this practice.

“It’s unreasonable that the police is using their authority to steal civilians’ prope r t i e s ,” said Daniel Kim, Deputy Assist a n t President of Six Party Talks.

“For all I know, they could take away my MacBook because my MacBook might be to blame for a hacking that did not even happen yet. I don’t see how that is any different from robbery. Robbery is already wrong in itself, but robbing the poor and the weak is unacceptable.” SL

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SEOULITE Point of Interest

Places to eat By william son

The 17th annual SEOMUN conference, held in Samseong-dong, is the perfect opportunity to visit a neighborhood filled with renowned restaurants and cafes. Some recommendations for ideal places delegates should visit are...

Lagrillia Dessert Bar is famous for its desserts, which come in various unique forms. for instance, Lagrillia offers gelato, which is a perfect match for other sweets. The restaurant also serves spaghetti and risotto for customers who are looking for more filling meals.

A luxurious environment is set for students who may come with family members or friends. The calm classical music that plays in the background also adds to the serene mood.

Aloha Table is special in that it offers unique Hawaiian dishes such as malasadas, rice bowls and acai bowls along with Kona coffee, natural smoothies and tropical cocktails. Numerous bloggers have reported that the food was not only appealing to the eye but also delicious.

A soothing and relaxing environment is percent for students who want to study or hang out with friends. Because the restaurant is designed like a cafe, it sets the ideal mood for studying.

Cafe Mamas mainly serves salads, sandwiches and paninis along with fresh juice and coffee. This restaurant is a good choice for those looking for healthy alternatives because it’s famous for using fresh and natural ingredients.

Cafe Mamas is a great place for students who want to grab a quick snack. The loud music provides an exciting environment in which students can socialize with one another.

MUN-ers & their UN role models By joyce kim

“I admire Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General because even after his term in the UN ended, he continued to be active in world affairs by establishing his own foundation and serving as the envoy for the United Nations.”

jaewon choi, administrative director

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“Ban-Ki Moon has really inspired me throughout my MUN career. I am grateful for the help from other countries and I feel that Ban-Ki Moon’s leadership demonstrates our gratitude.”

Soo ho (john) Park, spC president

“Phumzile Mlambo-Nacuka, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN women, is a role model who is not only able to empower women but also able use her talents and passions in a myriad of ways.”

Jane hong, SPT assistant president

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SEOULITE Point of Interest

photo by kelly kim

Delegates use personality to advantage in speeches

photo courtesy of jae hyun park

Profile: Jae hyun park

By JEAN CHO AND CHRISTINE SEO

By SARAH KIM

When attending conferences both in and out of Seoul, delegates are required to speak about their resolutions in front of a group of strangers. Although concealing personal emotions is important to adopting a professional tone, the individual characters of these delegates often become apparent in their speeches.

“I am a pretty nervous person, so I often stutter and twiddle my thumbs when I speak in front of a large audience,” said Ashley Kim, delegate of the Philippines in Human Rights Council. “As this is my first time attending a more professional conference, I will have to try hard to hide such hindrances that come from my personal habits. Although this will be a challenge for me, it is one that eventually make MUN all the more exciting and rewarding.”

Outgoing delegates, such as Katherine Lim, delegate of China in the Economic and Social Council, may also face similar challenges. In serious environments like those of MUN conferences, a dynamic personality can make it difficult to maintain a formal atti-

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tude during debates.

“MUN conferences are generally carried out in more serious atmospheres,” Katherine said. “Because of this, I intentionally hide my bright personality and suppress my laughter as informal behavior often impedes the concentration required to adequately represent my country as a delegate.”

Though delegates often need to hide personal habits to adapt to the atmosphere of debates, many agree that passion is an advantageous trait to show when speaking. According to David Moon, delegate of Germany in Environmental Commission, eagerness and vigor are key factors in delivering a compelling speech.

“I try to exaggerate aspects like enthusiasm because doing so facilitates the delivery of my speech,” David said. “Enthusiasm and passion better convey my points and also help me better capture the attention of the other people in the room, whether I am debating or lobbying. I notice that my fellow delegates find it easier to approach me and discuss resolutions with me because of my friendly demeanor.” SL

Dream like a genius, study like a fool. To eighth grader Jaehyun Park, these words, the title of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s biography, first sparked his interest in MUN. Currently the President of Security Council and a senior at Korea International School, Jaehyun has reaped the benefits of MUN and has used them throughout high school.

“At the end of the day, MUN is just a simulation, but it still provides a picture of real-life exigencies,” Jaehyun said. “It builds your public speaking skills, and ability to think on your feet. Another core value in MUN is social interactions.

Over the past five years of my MUN career, I have forged lasting friendships with many.”

As an orator, mathematician and founder of Young Homo Politicus, an organization that provides youth with a channel for political action, Jaehyun devotes a considerable amount of time to his extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, Jaehyun has always placed MUN as one of his priorities.

“In my freshman year, I spent more time on MUN than studying for exams, spending

hours just completing weekly MUN assignments,” Jaehyun said. “My hard work paid off when I was selected as a student leader during freshman year. Since then, I’ve held leadership positions in domestic and overseas MUN conferences, and was the Secretary-General of Korea MUN 2014.”

Like many other MUNers, Jaehyun looks up to Ban Ki-moon, but also admires Seoul’s mayor Park Won-soon for engaging the civic community. Inspired by such role models, Jaehyun hopes to maintain his mindset when he began his MUN career and recall the thrill he first felt when debating.

“I hope to encourage people to challenge established parameters of thought,” Jaehyun said. “A social prejudice is that ‘immature’ and ‘rebellious’ youth cannot act as the agent of change. This is certainly not the case, as groups of high school students that facilitated the collapse of the First Republic and led the Occupy Central movement against China. We don’t all have to be demonstrators with slogans, but we certainly can show the world what we’ve got.” SL

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Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT: MAZE

FREE FOOD COUPON Bring your answer to be checked.

Name and Committee

11SEOULITE ISSUE 1 VOLUME XVI

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Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT: crossword 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

8.

9.

ACROSS 4. basketball player who returned to cleveland 6. the south korean ferry that sunk 7. host city of the XXII winter olympic games 8. country that rejected independence from the uk 9. winners of the 2014 world cup

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DOWN 1. journalist who was decapitated by ISIS 2. winners of the world series 3. host city of the 2014 Asian Games 5. a disease that is ongoing in West Africa 6. host school of the 2014 SEOMUN conference

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etiluoes