Seoulite 2019-20 Pre-Issue

XXII

SEOULITE

Pre-Issue November 8, 2019 Feature pg. 10 Rise of Environmental Activism Feature pg. 11 How Companies Promote Sustainable Living QR code and url

SEOULITE CONTRIBUTORS 2019 Editors in Chief

Copy

Sia Cho, Kate Lee Managing Editor

Jennifer You, Hannah Yoo, Isabella Kim, Wendy Kang, Rosa Suh, Emily Oh, Aimee Choi, Riwon Ahn, Christine Yi

Fiona Cho

Layout

Copy Editor

Claire Kim, Eddie Hahm, Eunice Rhee, Justin Choi

Lyme Cho, Eric Hwang Layout Editor Christine Lee, Seoyun Yoo

Alice Lee, Ashley Kim, Katie Lee, Rachel Lee, Seongyun Jeong

Graphics Editor

Advisor

Jessie Park

Ms. Wendy Grant

Photo Editor Angela Ahn, Eileen Kwon

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LETTER FROM THE EICs Dear delegates, We are the editors of Seoulite, the official press publication of SEOMUN. We are honored to serve delegates, chairs, advisors, administrative staff members, directors, and other participants throughout the SEOMUN conference. We hope that all delegates will have the opportunity to engage in fruitful debates on global issues and gain new insights from this conference.

Over the next three days, our team of reporters, photographers, and layout artists will be creating a total of three issues of the Seoulite magazine. We will not only document heated debates and potential remedies to global crises but also capture new friendships, personal insights, and reflections that will be formed throughout the days of the conference.

We would like to ask the delegates and chairs for three things: First, please take the time to pick up our daily issues and look through--we promise to fill its pages with diverse and engaging content ranging from environmental sustainability to human rights.

Second, please make sure to check out the QR codes available on the last page of the printed copies or the SEOMUN website to view our issues in full color!

Finally, when a press member approaches you for an interview, please cooperate--we welcome your uncensored and personal opinions.

We wish all delegates the best of luck--happy SEOMUN XXII!

Kate Lee & Sia Cho Editors-in-Chief

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COMPLAINTS FROM MUN DELEGATES: BACKSTABBING Disclaimer: This article is all in good fun and is in no way meant to be serious.

“I need to make sure the Delegate of Russia doesn’t become a main submitter, so my plan is to join forces with the Delegate of Indonesia and co-submit a resolution using one of her ideas. Hopefully, it’ll be too late for her by the time she notices.”

No, I seriously do love MUN. I love being a delegate, I love the responsibilities that come with my job, and I love interacting with the other delegates. But sometimes—only on a few occasions, mind you—being a delegate can be, well, frustrating. And no, I am not talking about the long hours wasted and all-nighters pulled in order to type up a barely legible resolution.

What I am referring to is the internal competition between delegates fighting for the ultimate prize: the honor of best delegate. At best, these interactions can be characterized as “healthy” competition; usually, they spiral into horribly childish spats between bloodthirsty, attention-seeking high schoolers.

I am no complainer—I take in stride everything life throws at me, lemons and all—yet I feel as though I, after many years of MUN experience, have deserved the right to lament just a tad bit about my experiences interacting with other delegates. So here goes my first complaint: delegates are duplicitous. The whole lobbying process is a brutal battle between the most confident, competitive individuals to make sure their

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resolutions will be selected and ensure that they are chosen as the main submitter, and they will do nothing to stop at achieving this goal.

You would expect there to be some snarling, some outbursts, maybe even a healthy dose of violence during discussion between delegates, but no—what ensues is worse. Delegates will use underhanded tactics, presenting a friendly, almost too helpful persona when directly conversing with you, then turn a complete 180 and plot behind your back with other delegates, reviewing loopholes in your ideas and discussing ways to prevent your ideas from being passed. Then, when you confront them about their supposed duplicity, delegates will look directly at you, eyes frosty and lips clenched tightly in a thinlipped smile, and feign obliviousness. A classic case of backstabbing.

So trust me when I say that you should always be careful when lobbying period begins. Always make sure to carefully scrutinize your fellow delegates when pitching your ideas or discussing possible resolutions.

Just know that the most ruthless of delegates will do nothing to stop at winning the coveted prize, regardless of any sacrifices needed along the way.

I myself have been backstabbed many times—and such experiences have hardened me into the cold, cynical ice sculpture that I am today. I just cannot wait to endure even more lies and backstabbing this SEOMUN!

STUFF DELEGATES SAY

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INTRODUCTION OF SEOMUN THE FUTURE WE TOPIC: WANT The world in the status quo is fraught with problems.

Ranging from climate change to humanitarian crises, a significant portion of the global population is plagued with challenges without clear solutions. In response to these troubling circumstances, SEOMUN XXII opens under the theme: “The Future We Want”. Taking inspiration from the Rio+20 United Nations Conference under the same name, this year’s conference serves as an oath to create a safer world for future generations.

“I believe that MUN can act as a valuable stepping stone to making a positive global impact,” said Katie Kim, delegate of the Russian Federation in the Security Council (SC). “I believe that the future I want can be represented in fields such as politics, government, and other areas of frequent discussion in MUN.” This year, delegates are urged to think about what is needed to attain that future. Since SEOMUN XXI’s theme covers a vast spectrum of interests that reach into all aspects of life, interpretations can often vary from delegate to delegate.

One popular topic of discourse is the rise of the sustainability movement, which aims to combat environmentally ignorant practices like fast fashion and single-use plastic.

“In GA II, we focus on things like money laundering and developing economies; yet we also talk about subjects like cleaner infrastructure,” said Joanne Yang, Deputy Assistant President of the General Assembly II (GA II). “A main theme of SEOMUN this year is the future we want, which focuses on making sustainable technology and a world that’s cleaner and environmentally sustainable.”

Despite the coming challenges, the delegates seem hopeful for the coming conference. As always, they are willing to face the issue head-on despite the obstacles they

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may face in doing so. The future we want–– whatever that may be––requires change: something that people tend to shy away from initiating. Nonetheless, it is clear to see that these delegates are willing to step over that threshold through cooperation with others.

“What I hope most for this conference is of course to have a fruitful debate, but I also want to get closer with all these people from all around the world, ” said Michelle Heo, delegate of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the Economic and Social Council I (ECOSOC I). “This is because I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to contribute to SEOMUN and debate under the same agenda as the people who came here for the same purpose as me.”

UNFORGETTABLE VOYAGE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL Always having possessed an interest for current events, Jason Whang first became involved in MUN in the seventh grade. Five years and 19 conferences later, he has emerged at the forefront of SEOMUN XXII, one of the largest MUN conferences in East Asia, as its Secretary General.

“I still remember my first MUN conference as the delegate of Qatar in ECOSOC at SKYMUN 2015. I had a phenomenal experience: I remember speaking a lot, interacting with wonderful chairs, and meeting a hilarious admin named Sabin,” said Jason. “It was only because of this experience that I chose to continue my MUN career. I can now laugh about my first position paper and resolution and have used it for mock debates, so delegates can learn to critique material written by novice delegates. Another aspect of MUN that kept me going is the fact that many of my friends started MUN with me, which allowed us to attend conferences together.”

Without MUN, Jason believes he would not have been able to cultivate communication skills and knowledge regarding multinational affairs. The discussions and cooperation he had with delegates and chairs not only exposed him to new perspectives but also prompted him to challenge existing ones. Although he has heard students criticize the UN for being an idealistic forum where there are only discussions and no real action, he believes that global problems can only be solved through the collaboration of many individuals with different expertise. As delegates go off to study in various different institutions of higher learning, Jason is optimistic that skills developed through their MUN experience will be useful in the future.

“Only through MUN could I have had meaningful discussions with people from different cultures; living in Korea and attending an international school, it’s easy for us to stay in our own little bubble and develop a limited view of the world,” said Jason. “But MUN challenged me to grow in many ways, and ultimately, I learned how to be a better leader, speaker, listener, and team player. All of these skills are valuable— leaders are needed to empower groups when solving problems, persuasive speakers are needed to mobilize crowds, listeners are needed to hear and empathize with other people’s stories, and team players are needed to solve issues collaboratively. As such, I think MUN taught me important life skills. ” In addition to looking forward to meeting delegates and getting to know their stories, Jason is also excited to observe the atmosphere of bustle and excitement within committee rooms, likely due to participants engaging in collaboration and bond making. He is also eager to hear from guest speaker Dr. Jae Choe and hopes his stories will inspire delegates.

“Whether SEOMUN this year will be your first or last MUN conference, be inspired and make the most out of the three days,” said Jason. “A MUN conference becomes what you make of it, so do not be afraid to challenge yourself throughout the process. If you know you are a shy speaker, challenge yourself with an impromptu speech. If you are an active leader, try listening as well. Most importantly, always have empathy. Empathy will help both yourself as well as all of the people you interact with. Also, know that if you desire specific advice, you can always come and chat with me. My door will be open at all times, and I would be happy to speak with any of you.” layout by Edward Hahm copy by Emily Oh

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VENUE CHANGES IN SEOMUN Today’s society is laden with numerous challenges and controversies.

In the annual SEOMUN conference, student delegates address these global issues and debate for optimal resolutions to cooperate for a better future. The year of 2019 marks the 22nd conference of SEOMUN, a prominent, leading MUN conference in East Asia. For the past two decades, SEOMUN has provided students with the opportunity to express their thoughts and opinions on various worldly topics and continues to do so.

This year, SEOMUN XXII will take place at Seoul Foreign School (SFS), located in the Seodaemun district of Seoul. This is a venue change from last year’s conference, which took place in the convention centers of the Starfield COEX Mall. There have been frequent venue changes in the history of SEOMUN, and every time the students were expected to adjust to a new environment. As for all adjustments, this year’s venue change accompanies widely contrasting views of the student delegates. Above all, the first thing that the delegates notice about the venue is the different atmospheres of the conference rooms.

“When I first attended SEOMUN in COEX, I could concentrate better because it was actually done in a conference room, and so it felt very formal,” said Emily Sung, delegate of Cameroon. “However, when I debate in the classrooms, I feel that I’m less absorbed into my role as a delegate because it’s just an everyday setting”.

After hours of debating and discussing comes the awaited lunchtime. A day for the delegates in SEOMUN is extremely taxing and fast-paced, so the only opportunity they get to refresh their mindsets is during lunch.

By eating the food they enjoy, the delegates recharge both physically and mentally in order to successfully complete the remaining tasks.

However, when delegates are taken away the option of choosing their own lunch, they are comparatively less energized, which is why some of the delegates favor COEX as the venue.

“The best thing I liked about COEX was that I had a lot of lunch options to choose from, since the mall is full of restaurants and food courts,” Emily said. “On the other hand, in SFS, all the students are given the same lunch box to eat from, and we have no choice but to eat it whether we like it or not.”

However, there are also promising aspects of SFS that the delegates look forward to. Although the delegates were satisfied with COEX for the most part, there were some drawbacks. Most of these inconveniences were due to the large size of the convention center, which could be resolved accordingly in the relatively smaller classrooms of SFS. “The COEX convention is extremely large so consequently, the delegates always have to walk a long way to the advisory panel to get our resolutions checked,” Emily said. “It’s especially harder for girls because we usually wear heels to match our formal attire. I’m glad that I won’t have to run the same errand this year.”

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ONE BUSY DAY OF A MUN DELEGATE From the moment students walk into the conference hall on the first day of SEOMUN, they are given many obligations to fulfill their role as delegates. Starting with the grand opening ceremony to the closing ceremony, the delegates are in a busy rush to complete a series of tasks coordinated by the rules of procedure.

With a bag full of printed documents, writing utensils, and light snacks, students attend the official opening ceremony. If they are lucky enough, they might even have time to drop their bags to the assigned committee rooms. As the formal tradition begins, delegates feel multifarious emotions from excitement to anxiety.

“I think that the opening ceremony, at least for SEOMUN, is the best part because we get to hear such inspiring speeches from the speakers,” said Sean Kim, delegate of Kiribati. “It shows that MUN and issues related to MUN can open up an individual’s world to a plethora of possibilities.”

After the ceremony is over, delegates are dismissed to their corresponding committees and prepare for their opening speeches. As a representative of a specific nation, delegates are responsible to present a short introduction speech of their stance on the agenda and propose brief solutions to the discussed topic. This period can also be an opportunity for delegates to engage with students from other schools.

“The first thing I see when I enter my committee room are the rows of desks filled with delegates from different schools,” said Emily Sung, delegate of Cameroon.

“One thing I love the most about MUN would be meeting new people and sharing my viewpoints with them, and knowing how the thought process varies for different people living in different countries.”

By then, the easiest tasks are completed and delegates continue with their overloaded agenda including lobbying, giving speeches in the caucus, and settling detailed resolutions. Although it can be a tiring experience, delegates still participate, because the challenging schedule is worth the value of the SEOMUN experience.

“The event itself is like an adventure,” said Joanne Yang, Deputy Assistant President of GA II. “I think the reason why I participate in SEOMUN every year is that the challenges give you the experience that can’t get from your ordinary school life. After the heavy workload is completed, the feeling of achievement is incomparable to any other experiences.”

To this day, SEOMUN is full of vigorous tasks, yet, students are willing to take on these busy schedules to present, discuss, and challenge other delegates. One day after another, students learn something new and maximize their work ethics.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM SURGES IN POPULARITY WORLDWIDE Given the rapid advancement of technology today, people extract and exploit natural resources at an increasingly alarming rate, often failing to consider the scale of their impact on the environment. With this issue comes the question of sustainability, which focuses on whether humans can “[meet] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” as outlined in the Brundtland Report published by the United Nations in 1987.

took place from Sept. 20 to Sept. 27, people went on climate strikes on an international level. According to the New York Times, young individuals like Greta Thunberg, a prominent teen activist involved in the strike, “organiz[ed] across continents like no generation before them,” united under the single objective of fighting climate change. On Sept. 20, the estimated turnout of protestors peaked at “around four million in thousands of cities and towns worldwide,” demonstrating the broad scope of their influence.

At the current rate, humans are depleting resources faster than nature can replenish them. In fact, according to the Global Footprint Network, Earth Overshoot Day was the earliest yet in 2019, taking place on July 29. The organization defines Earth Overshoot Day as “the date when humanity’s annual demand on nature exceeds what Earth’s ecosystems can regenerate in that year.” In other words, mankind is heavily indebted to nature, diminishing its resilience.

Following this trend, Extinction Rebellion hosted a series of protests beginning Oct. 7 in order to persuade the governments around the world to declare a “climate emergency” and to effectively tackle various ecological crises. The organization, founded in October 2018, recognizes that “life itself is under threat,” but nevertheless believes in the “possibility of transformation” through nonviolent civil disobedience.

It welcomes people from across the globe, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, or religious background, as long as they hold the organization’s vision.

In response to this unsustainable behavior, environmental activists are calling for immediate action. Though they may differ in their specific visions, they collectively strive to create a better future, to build a world in which humans live responsibly while causing minimal damage to the Earth. Through their combined efforts, there has been a global rise in environmental activism in the form of protests, strikes, and marches.

Many youth groups are joining the cause and adding to the momentum. During the Global Week for Future

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This progressive wave of activists urges those in power to redefine their values and to create laws and regulations designed to mitigate negative anthropogenic effects on the environment. It seems about time for humanity to acknowledge its universal obligation to preserve the Earth for future generations to come.

THE NEW WAVE OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY Several decades ago, it seemed as if Earth’s resources were infinite –– as if we could access them forever for humanity. However, the rapidly changing world, with our greed for convenience and lack of care for nature, has led people to ignore the consequences that result from exploiting natural resources. To prevent further exploitation of resources, many companies are beginning to seek more efficient and sustainable ways of manufacturing products. For every company spilling gallons of oil into our oceans, there are plenty more companies focusing on finding sustainable ways to grow.

IKEA, the world’s biggest furniture manufacturer, continues to promote sustainability with their business operations, such as by encouraging ecofriendly manufacturing methods to encourage healthy consumer habits. When producing their products, the Swedish furniture-maker only collects renewable raw materials from sustainable suppliers. They follow the guidelines of Responsible Wool Standards (RWS) and Better Cotton Standards, instructions that encourage the of the amount of water, energy, and chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

IKEA, in addition, continues to focus on finding ways to decrease the amount of resources expended on creating each product, and find alternative materials to avoid the depletion of resources. Not only do they use sustainable raw materials, but they also urge customers to support sustainability by putting certification labels on the products. IKEA also has 700,000 solar panels powering their stores worldwide, some which they intend on selling to their customers.

Through these methods, IKEA aims by 2020 to power all their factories and stores using solar panels and become a net energy exporter.

Nike had one of the worst corporate sustainability records a few years ago. However, in 2015, Nike rose to become one of the world’s most sustainable footwear and clothing companies on Morgan Stanley’s List. The sporting giant started searching for green raw materials and ways to manufacture goods using minimal energy by partnering with NASA and other government agencies. Just like many other companies, they used post-consumer recycled goods to create jerseys for certain products, like the 2011 World Cup soccer jerseys. Nike aims to have all its designers make green choices by creating apps promoting sustainability, and using biodegradable, renewable plastic and paper for their packagings.

They also redesigned all their labels and wrappers to eliminate chemical usage and waste products.

In this manner, more and more companies, from local businesses to international conglomerates, are striving towards corporate sustainability, inspiring others to join the fight. One industry at a time, businesses are taking increasing responsibility to clean up the globe’s mess from the past.

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WHAT DELEGATES SHOULD WEAR

FOR THE CONFERENCE

When preparing for SEOMUN, delegates are often preoccupied with position papers, opening speeches and chair reports. This causes them to lose focus of one of the most trivial but essential parts of the conference: what to wear. Although it is already established that delegates should wear formal business attire, there are still many factors to be considered that will ensure a comfortable three days at SEOMUN. For some, convenience is the key when choosing what to wear to the conference. Spending an average of nine hours a day in committee sessions can lead to some discomfort, especially if the chosen attire is not comfortable and durable.

“During my first MUN conference, I remember wearing tight pants and feeling uncomfortable throughout the day,” said Joanne Yang (11), Deputy Assistant President of GA II. “Even though I tried to ignore it, it detracted from my performance and made me less focused on the debate and resolution.

I realized the necessity of wearing comfortable clothes throughout the conference, especially since the hours are much longer. Eventually, what you wear to the conference inevitably becomes important.”

For others, style holds more precedence over practicality.

At the end of the session, delegates of each committee are awarded with superlatives, which are informal awards given to delegates for achievements outside of MUN performance.

Such awards include “Bvest Dressed Delegate,” for which many delegates hope to receive.

“Throughout my MUN experience, as I became more comfortable with attending multiple conferences, I began to find different ways to be stylish and comfortable with my outfits,” said Alex Kim (11), Deputy Assistant President of GA II. “At the end of each conference, it was quite entertaining to see which delegates were given Superlatives for ‘Best Dressed’, and I feel that this motivated me to pay more attention to my outfit. Although this isn’t the most crucial part of SEOMUN, it’s still an amusing way to boost delegate morale.”

However, it is most important that all delegates follow a simple standard of wearing formal business attire. The purpose of this is to ensure professionalism, especially in such a competitive environment. If delegates come wearing casual clothing, it can detract from their overall manner and performance.

“My advice for newcomers would be to make sure to wear formal attire, as it can boost your professionalism throughout the conference,” said Brian Ham (11), Assistant President of Environmental Commission II. “Coming to a conference wearing jeans and a t-shirt unfortunately, can detract from your overall performance when giving speeches or lobbying. The most important thing in MUN is getting your point across to other delegations, and what you wear can have an impact on your presentation.”

In the end, what the delegates wear does not matter so much as their performance and contribution to the conference. Nevertheless, especially for newcomers to MUN and SEOMUN, it is important to know what is acceptable and most efficient in terms of attire to make the most out of the three days at SEOMUN.

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MYTHS AND

TRUTHS OF SEOMUN:

WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE HARD/SCARY? Of course, not all MUN committees are created equal. Certain committees, sometimes unjustly, have a reputation for being more challenging, intensive, or difficult to approach.

Among committees that live up to their strenuous reputations, the Security Council (SC) is one of the most dreaded ones.

SC aims to combat various relevant international conflicts that threaten global peace and safety, and some delegates feel overwhelmed by the range of topics to cover. On top of this, the committee’s relatively small number of members makes the conference formidable for inexperienced delegates. Having only 15 members, SC requires delegates to speak more frequently than other committees. With more active participation expected, delegates are pressured to be well-informed and prepared to confidently present their countries’ stances on specific issues.

“In the Security Council, delegates of the 5 permanent member nations have veto power, which means they are responsible for justifying reasons as to why they are rejecting the implementation of certain clauses and resolutions,” said Katie Kim, delegate of the Russian Federation in the SC. “All delegates also face controversial matters that are rather difficult to find solutions for. This provides more pressure on the delegates to thoroughly prepare for their debates.”

Along a similar line, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is another committee that demands a high degree of sharing perspectives. Being the main judicial system of MUN, the committee involves 15 members who view interstate conflicts through a moral lens and discern injustice in each case. Some delegates see the process of fixing these wrongs as rather foreign and daunting. Nevertheless, delegates are responsible, as advocates or judges, to form appropriate opinions on international situations that will contribute to other committees’ conferences.

“ICJ is a more difficult committee than others because it does not follow the classic rules and procedures of other MUN committees. Instead of having delegates and chairs in a committee, there are judges and advocates and other rules that must be followed,” said Leonard Lee, President of ECOSOC I. “The topics are especially difficult since they directly address the problems and conflicts between two nations, and are much more related to current events than other topics.”

Since ICJ follows a unique set of procedures, delegates need to familiarize themselves with it through careful preparation. The process may be difficult because delegates and chairs of the

ICJ must actively interact with one another on the days leading up to the conference.

Although judges and advocates have completely different methods of preparation, they follow a general process of individually preparing for the conference as well as collectively working in order to ensure fruitful debates that will determine the result of the conference.

“Since ICJ requires more research into history, delegates conduct individual research to establish their own understanding of the historical background and their country’s stance,” said Andie Kim, Assistant President of Human Rights Council II. “Together, delegates work to become familiar with the unique procedures of ICJ with the guidance of experienced members/chairs.” layout by Justin Choi copy by Aimee Choi photo by Ashley Kim, Rachel Lee

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AFFORDABLE DINNER OPTIONS NEAR SFS This upcoming SEOMUN conference is arranged to take place at Seoul Foreign School, where many delegates are welcomed for not only their insights and contributions, but also to experience different cuisines in Korea.

Besides their daily duties as MUN debaters, delegates often utilize SEOMUN to enjoy Korean culture. For instance, these delegates have opportunities to appreciate the palatable food that Korea has to offer. In the local area around Seoul Foreign School, streets are filled with liveliness and excitement as customers fill in the last spots of restaurants for another tasty meal to satisfy their empty stomach. In addition to numerous alluring attraction sites that are near the school like Hongdae Street, there are smaller and more distinctive places to augment the fun.

Also, Yeonhui-dong is a well sought neighborhood for their unique restaurants and interesting dishes.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MIMI Taking a look at some of the recommended restaurants for delegates, the first menu that comes to mind is indeed tteokbokki, one of Korea’s signature menus. Gungmul-tteok-bokki, or soupy tteokbokki, is enjoyed by many customers because of its addictive flavor. The consistency of the soupy tteokbokki is simply an amazing prototype stemmed from the original tteokbokki. The combination of sweetness with the right amount of spiciness creates an impeccably flawless finish, making this snack a nationally beloved food choice for students. Especially Uri Dongne Mimine [Our Neighborhood Mimi] is a restaurant that is known for their savory food, and it is praised for crispy, deep fried foods that complement their main menu: tteokbokki.

EVERYTHING BAGEL Approaching the autumn season, an ideal breakfast is a cozy sitting with a bagel in one hand and a coffee in the other one. As a result, before settling in for their MUN conference, many delegates arrive early with their peers to enjoy a light snack prior to the event. Everything Bagel has been an extremely popular bakery famous for their well priced bagels with dense fillings like plain, maple walnut, scallion, and blueberry. There are many different bagel types to choose from, and there are two sizes for each bagel: small and normal. There are plain, cinnamon raisin, and pumpernickel bagels and each can be paired with any cream cheese option. In addition, the bakery offers free refills for beverages. There are even many sandwiches that are sold in this bakery, even though their bagels are their staple food. These bagels are inspired by the bagel style in New York, showcasing their incredible recipe behind the making. For this reason, these bagels are extensively recognized in the local area, thus highly recommended to delegates who wish to enjoy a light snack.

PREMIUM JANGIN DAKGALBI Dak-galbi, or spicy stir-fried chicken, is yet another Korean food that has captured the hearts of many food lovers. One trending restaurant is: Jangin Dakgalbi Hongdae Jeom [Premium Jangin Dakgalbi]. This restaurant has reportedly stated that they have their own secretive recipe in creating their sauces, claiming that this sauce is what stimulates the taste buds of the customers. As a result of their interesting taste, this garnered a lot of attention from many customers, who continue to visit this restaurant. The restaurant’s unique method of serving their dishes, so that the 100% pure mozzarella cheese is centered in the middle, is intentional for the overall aesthetic appeal of the dak-galbi. Furthermore, customers are able to adjust side menus to their liking, such as adding ramen, rice cakes, more cheese, and other toppings to the dish to suit personal interests. Their innovative methodology of preparing their food leads for a more captivated audience that visits regularly.

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WHERE TO SHOP/HANG OUT NEAR SFS SEOMUN, the leading Model United Nations conference in East Asia, is opening its 22nd conference at Seoul Foreign School, located in Seodaemun district of Seoul. Seoul Foreign School is a 15 minute walk from one of Korea’s most representative tourist attractions, Hongdae Street. Across popular millenial hangouts, Hongdae street is known to be the trendiest of them all. Often many people think of Hongdae as a manifestation of modern youth culture. However, along with the modern elements, Hongdae also retains its historical Korean roots.

STREET FOODS With an infinite number of food carts serving typical food of Korea, Seoul is essentially an open restaurant itself. Visiting popular restaurants of Hongdae is a great experience, however if you would like to experience the real cuisine of Korea, street food is also a great option. As a street of trend, Hongdae serves the most trendiest food of the season at all times.

The opportunity to encounter all the different foods of Seoul makes Hongdae even more adored by tourists. After the tiring schedule of the conferences, treating yourself with a warm, or sweet taste of Korea might help you prepare for the upcoming conferences.

BUSKING One of the most well known elements of Hongdae is the busking street.

Before the emergence of Seoul due to K-pop,he Hongdae street’s busking culture long served as an important channel for fledgling artists to gain recognition and connect with their fans. Many of Korea’s popular indie bands, including 10cm and Monni, have taken their first step as buskers in Hongdae street. In the past, street musicians were the main contributors of Hongdae’s busking culture. However, today, the music performed at Hongdae street has expanded over a wider genre, most notably with the inclusion of K-pop performances. When visiting Hongdae, taking a look at the busking performances by a number of young artistic souls is an absolutely stunning experience.

SHOPPING Over the recent years, Korea has witnessed a dramatic revival in its fashion industries. Many influencers from all over the world travel to Seoul, the capital city of Korea to participate in the world-famous event, Seoul Fashion week.

Seoul Fashion Week highlights the trendiest fashion culture of Asia, and Hongdae is a representative outlet of the vogue fashion sense. In the past years, Hongdae has become a popular destination for all fashion lovers. A wide range of brands, from designer to SPA, specialty retailer of private label apparel brands, can be found in Hongdae streets. Hongdae offers the most unique clothing at affordable prices, which is highly beneficial for students.

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO AT SEOMUN Days before SEOMUN starts, delegates and chairs busily prepare for their big day with both excitement and nervousness. When the day of SEOMUN arrives, each and every one of the people in the room is looking forward to something.

Ranging from delegates looking forward to making new friends to others excited to create resolutions and help solve the issue at hand, the inclusive atmosphere in SEOMUN not only opens up opportunities for getting in touch with real-life issues that need to be solved today but also encourages all delegates to come out of their comfort zones and build new relationships.

“I’m looking forward to working with a diverse group of students to draft resolutions on some of the most pressing issues of our time,” said Christopher Shin, delegate of USA in the Special Conference (SC).

Despite the pressure from having to create effective revolutions to solve the issues at hand, most delegates are finding pleasure from communicating with other delegates while completing this task. This will lead to having conversations with people from different parts of the world, even places that one delegate never heard of. Likewise, even the chairs are looking forward to helping and listening to the unique ideas each delegate come up with.

“As a delegate, I used to believe that a chair was just a robotic moderator.

Now that I’m on the other side of the glass, I’ve realized that what matters most is the teaching going on behind the scenes. As a chair, I’m looking forward to helping each delegate push themselves at their respective levels; for me, helping a shy freshman find the courage to make her first speech is as great a success as a savvy veteran taking home the award.” said Brian Ham, Assistant President of Environmental Commission II.

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