According to the tallies, the nominal monthly income of urban salary and wage earners' households averaged 3.29 million won in the first quarter, up 5.2 percent from the same period last year. But the labor earnings of these households, the most important component of their income, increased 2.4 percent in nominal terms, the lowest growth rate since the second quarter of 1999. On an inflation-adjusted basis, urban workers saw their labor income actually fall by 0.9 percent in the first quarter. The slower pace of income growth crimped consumption. During the first quarter, the monthly consumption expenditure of urban workers' households increased 4.5 percent, even lower than the 4.8 percent growth posted in the last quarter of 2004, still less the 8.5 percent of the first quarter of 2004. This shows that despite the much publicized improvement in consumer sentiment, consumers actually stopped short of opening their wallets. Another factor that curtailed the growth of consumption expenditure was the rise in housing prices in Seoul and other cities of the capital zone. The surge in housing prices led to an increase in rents, which was reflected in the 11.4 percent jump in housing expenses of the urban workers' households. Furthermore, the government's war against real estate speculation also curbed consumption by sharply raising property-related taxes. This is reflected in the 8.6 percent rise in tax payments of urban workers' households. The income data also showed a widening gap between high- and low-income households. The monthly income of the top quintile increased 5.6 percent, while that of the bottom quintile grew 2.5 percent. Consequently, the ratio of the top group's income to that of the bottom group widened to 5.87, the highest figure since 1982 when this ratio began to be compiled. All this illustrates the need for policymakers to inject vigor into the economy and refrain from taking steps, such as excessive tax increases, which impede the process of economic recovery. The key lies in creating jobs, which will activate a virtuous cycle. It is time for policymakers to make a reality check and redouble efforts to create jobs and keep the economy on track to a full-fledged recovery. Otherwise the bulging income disparity will worsen. The SNU professors assert that government regulations concerning education have been tightened under the incumbent administration. They say they are gripped by a sense of crisis that insomuch as the government maintains a rigid educational policy, they can hardly find a way to tide over the restructuring challenges facing them. This sense of crisis is permeating not just the SNU but other universities. In this regard, it will be worth the effort to bring the problems of the government's educational philosophy out into the open. We propose a forum where the entire society participates to discuss whether the government's regulation of universities is proper at a time when our society is moving toward liberalization and autonomy and whether the present educational policy is effective in improving the competitiveness of the universities. The present "three ban" policy - the ban on a university-administered admission test, grading of high schools and money-for-admission - and the high school equalization policy, which negates the right of students to select schools, have long been in place. But the incumbent administration has been toughening the regulations. While seeking to enact the three-ban policy, it has introduced a new college admission system based on students' school performance. As the system does not recognize the differences in academic standards among regions, it makes it all the more difficult for universities to select the students they want. And the government's decision to have local governments' election management commissions manage the processes of electing national university presidents amounts to negating the autonomy of the universities. Underlying all these measures is an excessive educational egalitarianism. In the clash between the ministry and the SNU, politicians are intervening. Rep. Chung Bong-ju of the ruling Uri Party has called for the resignation of SNU president Chung Un-chan. Although it is clear that the SNU president's resignation won't resolve our educational problems, there is no reason to avoid discussing the issue. A public debate on the issue would provide a productive and meaningful occasion to discuss the government's educational policy.
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one to
A: "Spotting" for someone means you stand over him while he blows air up
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain-No Pain.
A: Nope. Smoking is a sign of individual statement and peace of mind. If you
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