Ung-Yong Choi, Ph.D., 47
Accounting Professor in Gwangju
How is the Korean economy now?
Many say it is a depression. The government said the economy is progressing but many people find it is not. I think, “it is very dark before the dawn.” The economy will improve soon.What was the reason for the economic collapse?
We opened markets almost 10 or 20 years ago, but we did not open the foreign currency market. We opened the financial market 10 or 20 years ago. Opening the foreign currency market was the main reason for the collapse. Other SE Asians countries experienced the same problems, like Thailand. Another reason for the collapse was the lack of transparency. Everything was secret.Is there much poverty in South Korea?
When I went to America there were many poor people.Oh yes, there are many poor people in America. But what about South Korea?
I think it is the same.Why did you choose to study accounting originally?
In elementary school I studied abacus, and became an abacus player. I had been very good at calculating; I think you cannot imagine how well I could compute. I could calculate any six digit numbers; I was almost a professional.Did you enter competitions?
Yes. I got many prizes. I had great confidence in math and always got good grades, so I made a major related to math, accounting. Now I calculate the number in my head. I can calculate six digit numbers, adding and subtracting. The problem in a competition is 15 lines and all numbers are six digit numbers. That is one problem. If we can solve ten problems within 10 minutes we can be 1 dan. My grade is 7 dan, so I was almost a professional. At this moment I can calculate 4 digit numbers.Do you add by columns, or whole numbers?
Whole numbers. What numbers did you learn to multiply in school?Up to 10 X 10.
I can calculate any two digits by one one digit.That’s very impressive.
Not all Koreans can do that.Can you play pak duk (go)?
Yes. Before I go to sleep I either calculate numbers or memorize positions of pak duk.Does it help you sleep?
It does not hinder.May I ask about your salary? How much do you make?
I am a public official, so the income is not higher than other civil workers. My income after tax is 50,000,000 won a year (420,000 yen) a month.Are you satisfied with that?
If my salary was 500,000,000 that would not give me satisfaction (laughter).That’s human nature. I understand. Do you have other moneymaking activities?
I give lectures to corporations and sometimes give advice to the government, NGOs or corporations.Do you feel pressure to publish?
Yes yes. I feel lots of stress to publish articles.Do your students study hard?
The number of students is over 100 in one class. They study hard but the academic level is not satisfactory to me. Just a few a years ago the level was higher.Do students ever sleep in the class?
If I see a sleeping student, I speak in a very low voice. “This is a midterm exam…” everyone gets quiet, and the sleeping student wakes up. It’s like a joke.What’s your dream for the future?
I think I am too old to dream.Do plan to publish a book, to travel, build a house…
I had many dreams and achieved most of them. I published my major book, and published papers, 4 or 5 last year.What was your major book about?
This book is very popular. It’s a textbook: Introductory Accounting, which explains over 100 principles. This book is very powerful, very influential. It’s only published in Korea. I get many royalties from the book.
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