VOA常速英语2007年-High-Tech Korea Eyes 'Ubiquitous' Future

By Kurt Achin
Seoul, South Korea
19 November 2007
 

From the classroom to the car garage, broadband technologies are reshaping life for South Koreans.  VOA Correspondent Kurt Achin in Seoul takes a look at wired South Korea.

In an experimental South Korean classroom, paper is largely a thing of the past.

The students' math books are interactive¹ digital texts, on tablet computers issued by the school. They solve the problems onscreen using electronic pens.

Up front, on a sort of digital blackboard, the teacher can call up any of the students' work.  Because all of the computers are networked, students can receive online help from the teacher - or each other.

At Seoul National University, older students get serious about fun and games. The teacher, Min Yong-che, is from Nexon, the company that produces the successful game KartRider.  The players race little cartoon cars online, and spend real money on fancy upgrades for their digital vehicles.  The game made more than $38 million last year alone.

"Online games are enormous,” says Min. “These students are here to chase some of that opportunity."

Addictive² games are just a small part of South Korea's emerging media landscape - both online, and in on mobile devices.  Broadband Internet access is taken for granted here:  more than two thirds of South Korea's 48 million people use a broadband connection regularly.

South Koreans on the go watch television via broadband on their mobile phones.  And this year, for the first time ever, some South Korean voters used mobile phones to choose their parties' candidates for this year's presidential race.

Cyber-technology is everywhere, and as a result, South Koreans have chosen "ubiquitous" as a buzzword for their broadband lifestyle.

The developers of New Songdo City, being built in South Korea's Incheon province, say their "U-City" offers residents a complete "U-Life."

Model apartments offer medical devices that can relay vital signs to doctors in other locations – then allow for broadband video consultations³ if there are signs that raise concern.  Refrigerators will keep track of food supplies, and new deliveries can be ordered via broadband consoles right near the front door. 

Smart cards and vehicle sensors⁴ are planned to ease just about every aspect of daily life, from traffic flows to small purchases.  The complex is saturated⁵ with closed-circuit cameras, prompting worries among civil rights advocates about privacy. 

Songdo spokeswoman Huh Junghwa says not to worry. "Even if it means delaying some of the most advanced technology in certain cases, we will always protect our residents' privacy," Huh says.

The first 2,000 residents plan to move in to Songdo by 2009, having paid a cool half a million dollars each for the privilege.

1 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

2 addictive   

adj.(吸毒等)使成瘾的，成为习惯的

参考例句：

• The problem with video game is that they're addictive.电子游戏机的问题在于它们会使人上瘾。
• Cigarettes are highly addictive.香烟很容易使人上瘾。

3 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

5 saturated   

a.饱和的，充满的

参考例句：

• The continuous rain had saturated the soil. 连绵不断的雨把土地淋了个透。
• a saturated solution of sodium chloride 氯化钠饱和溶液