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After some harsh words about South Korea from senior lawmakers, the U.S. Congress is now planning a charm offensive to improve the image of America in a country increasingly looking to go its own way. The plan includes opening an additional diplomatic office in Busan and making Fulbright scholarships more widely available to Korean students.
The measures were part of the 2006-2007 budget bill passed by the House of Representatives on July 22 and referred to the Senate. The U.S. operated an American Cultural Center in Busan until September 1996 but has had no official representation in the key port city since.
The bill calls for Fulbright scholars to be selected not just from elite universities but other schools as well, and in an appropriate ratio from regions besides Seoul. It also provides for a one-year non-degree study course prior to the doctorate. The program should include a fair number of students besides those doing cutting-edge research or aspiring professors, including those looking to work in government, media, law and business.
The changes to the Fulbright scholarship program reflect Korea's more diverse society and are an attempt to improve the image of the U.S. in the eyes of Korea's young generation. The bill also earmarks US$750,000 a year for summer academic research programs in America that would help counter what it calls a ˇ°lower evaluationˇ± of the U.S. in Korea.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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