Public Official Resignation and a New Life Challenge: The Story of Author Kim Eun-soo

1. The Reality of Public Service: Work Overload and Organizational Culture Issues

The role of a public official may appear stable on the surface, but in reality, there is considerable stress from heavy workloads and a rigid organizational culture.
According to author Kim Eun-soo’s experience, the public service organization primarily operates within a hierarchical structure with strict rules, leaving little room for autonomous judgment beyond legal frameworks.
Malicious complaints from the public pose a significant threat to public officials. There have been instances of threats with weapons and verbal abuse.
The culture tied to organizational rank is still strong, which is one of the biggest complaints of the MG generation.
The rapid increase in resignation rates among young public officials is due to the weakening of benefits such as job security and pensions.

2. The Rewards and Difficulties of Public Service

Public officials can feel a sense of accomplishment by creating an environment that directly helps the livelihoods of residents. For example, efforts to resolve unfair complaints as fairly as possible.
However, the stress from managing the prioritization of complaints and meeting legal deadlines is a realistic challenge in public service, just as much as the sense of achievement.
The importance of attitude: Author Kim suggests being more kind to residents after leaving, which could be a way for public officials to increase their self-esteem.

3. Reasons for Resigning and Subsequent Challenges

Kim worked for 3 years and 10 months at the Eunpyeong-gu office in Seoul before choosing to resign for the opportunity to pursue greater self-realization.
The decision to resign was prompted by a significant realization from a book, especially a phrase (“The reason you can’t challenge yourself is because of the fear within you”) that spurred his decision.
His first venture after resigning was publishing e-books (electronic publishing), which introduced a new revenue model and a way to develop himself.
The biggest fear he felt at the time of resignation was “loss of stability,” but his past successes instilled confidence in him.

4. Systems and Coping Methods That Need Improvement

Various efforts are being made to alleviate stress caused by public complaints, such as the introduction of camera necklaces and psychological counseling programs.
However, fundamental measures for stress management and handling malicious complaints for public officials are still inadequate.
The system allowing officials to avoid working with incompatible individuals through personnel grievance applications is having a positive impact, but there is still much room for improvement.
The gradual emergence of a culture that is considerate of the younger generation is positive, and the fact that the older generation is beginning to be more aware of the younger generation's feelings is part of organizational change.

5. Why Are Young Public Officials Leaving?

Social factors like economic downturn and increased housing costs are major factors that lower the real value of public officials' salaries.
Although public officials’ salaries are legally raised every year, it is still not enough compared to the inflation rate.
With the weakening of pension and tenure benefits, it is no longer considered an attractive career for the younger generation.
In particular, the current generation views jobs not only as a means of livelihood but also as a platform for self-realization, and public service organizations do not fully provide such an environment.

6. New Opportunities and Insights

After resigning, Author Kim has embarked on a new path, starting new challenges such as e-book publishing and content development.
This case demonstrates the potential of moving away from the stable position of a public official and engaging in a self-directed life.
He emphasizes that alongside the need for organizational culture improvement for young public officials, seeking their own path is a way for self-satisfaction.

< Summary >

The rigid organizational culture, high stress, and low compensation structure in public service are driving the younger generation to resign.

Author Kim Eun-soo boldly resigned from a stable public service career for the sake of greater personal growth and embarked on new challenges.

Public service systems and environments require significant improvements, and there is a need to consider more factors for psychological stability and personal development.

Crafted by Billy Yang
[Related Articles at Next-Korea.com]
1. Reasons for Public Official Job Change, In-Depth Analysis
2. Rigid Organizational Culture and the Need for Innovation

*YouTube Source: [Jun’s economy lab]

– 퇴사한 공무원이 말하는 진짜 공무원 현실(ft.김은수 작가 1부)

A New Turning Point in the Cryptocurrency Market: Major Changes and Their Implications

Changes in the Cryptocurrency Market: Three Key Trends

U.S. Regulatory Easing and Pro-Cryptocurrency Policies
- In the past, the U.S. government and financial sector viewed cryptocurrencies as a threat to the dollar and heavily regulated them.
- However, recent elections and the expansion of public investment have led both the legislative and executive branches to shift toward pro-cryptocurrency policies.
- Approximately 22% of U.S. citizens invest in cryptocurrencies, representing one-fifth of the voting population. This has led politicians to support cryptocurrencies to gain votes.
- The increasing number of pro-cryptocurrency members in the House and Senate has raised the possibility of supportive legislation being passed.
Creating an Institutional-Driven Investment Environment
- There is a rapid shift from a market previously dominated by individual investors to one driven by institutional investors.
- The introduction of Bitcoin spot ETFs has opened up investment avenues by resolving issues related to taxes, accounting, and custody.
- Institutional investors now hold more than 70% of the market, increasing the potential for large capital inflows into the cryptocurrency market.
- The convergence of traditional finance and cryptocurrencies is underway, showing rapid growth such as surpassing NASDAQ trading volumes.
Increasing Value of Bitcoin in Corporate Assets

- Companies are adopting Bitcoin as a strategic investment asset in their financial strategies.
- MicroStrategy has successfully increased its stock price by nearly 160% over four years through Bitcoin investments, and other companies are following suit.
- The introduction of new accounting standards addresses the accounting issues arising from companies holding Bitcoin.
- Exploring the possibility of boosting stock prices through Bitcoin investments instead of share buybacks.

U.S. vs. BRICS: Acceleration of Global Competition

Trump Administration's Strategy to Utilize Bitcoin as a Strategic Asset
- The U.S. government plans to stockpile Bitcoin as a strategic asset, to be used for future debt repayment.
- Discussions are underway on various methods of stockpiling, including Federal Reserve regional bank reserve funds and the 210,000 Bitcoins seized.
BRICS Nations' Gold Standard and Bitcoin Competition
- BRICS countries are preparing a new trade currency based on gold and a basket of member-state currencies.
- Unlike the dollar's credit-based system, they are trying to enhance competitiveness through a gold-based currency.

Bitcoin Investment Strategies and Outlook

Importance of Long-Term Investing and Dollar-Cost Averaging
- Bitcoin is an investment asset with value that remains stable regardless of short-term price fluctuations.
- Regularly and consistently purchasing and having confidence in a long-term philosophy is key.
Future Price of Cryptocurrencies
- According to experts, there is a scenario where it could rise to as much as $13 million by 2045.
- Bitcoin is projected to reach $125,000 by the first half of next year.
- It is considered a favorable asset for long-term investors.
Diversification and Portfolio Management

- Cryptocurrency investments should be diversified to minimize risk, with 50% or more in Bitcoin, 15-20% in Ethereum, and the rest in altcoins.

Education and Conviction: Preparing for the Future

In a changing market, continuous learning and identifying trends are essential.
Understanding the philosophy and technical background of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies helps in making confident decisions.

< Summary >
The cryptocurrency market is entering a new era entirely different from the past.
Global competition is accelerating, centered around changes in the US's pro-cryptocurrency policies, the expansion of institution-led markets, and changes in corporate asset strategies.
Bitcoin is establishing itself not merely as a price asset but as a new center of the global ecosystem, being recognized as a long-term value investment.
Long-term investment strategies based on conviction and consistent market learning are the keys to successful investing.

Crafted by Billy Yang
[Related articles at Next-Korea.com]
1. How to Use Bitcoin as a Strategic Asset
2. The Convergence of Cryptocurrencies and Traditional Finance

*YouTube Source: [머니인사이드]

– 모든 화폐는 휴지 조각이 되어버립니다. 전 세계 돈이 비트코인으로 쏠리는 이유 (홍익희 교수 2부)

AI and Embodied AI: New Opportunities and the Strategies of NVIDIA and Tesla

1. NVIDIA's Strategy: Platform-Centric Expansion

NVIDIA is focusing on building a "platform" through embodied AI.
At the recent CES 2023, CEO Jensen Huang introduced a new way of implementing AI called "Physical AI," stating that they are concentrating on advancing robot technology that allows AI to interact with the physical world.

Platform Ecosystem: Omniverse and Cosmos
- NVIDIA operates a virtual reality platform called Omniverse, which allows for learning and simulation of the physical world.
- They have announced a new model, "Cosmos," which enables the generation of physical data and learning of behavioral data.
- Synthetic data generation technology, which allows for free scaling of data, overcomes the Data Shortage problem.
NVIDIA's Goals
- Generating revenue through increased GPU sales in various application areas such as robots and autonomous vehicles.
- Establishing a business structure that accumulates user data and leads to dependence on NVIDIA's AI systems.

2. Tesla's Strategy: Content-Centric Embodied AI Development

Tesla is focused on generating revenue through "content (products and services)," directly collecting and utilizing its own data for the purpose of embodied AI itself.

FSW and Optimus Robot
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) Software: Tesla vehicles collect vast amounts of real-world data as they move around the world.
- Optimus AI Humanoid: Learns human behavior through motion capture data and applies it to robots.
- Tesla is building an independent AI learning process by directly collecting data.
Tesla's Goals
- Self-collecting data and producing and selling autonomous vehicles and robots based on it.
- Exploring the possibility of creating an additional revenue model by providing data to external companies as a platform.

3. Comparison: NVIDIA vs Tesla

Business Model

NVIDIA: Provides an open platform, generates revenue through GPU sales.
Tesla: Generates revenue by directly developing AI solutions and selling products.

Data Approach

NVIDIA: Utilizes virtual reality (virtual world) data to build efficiently and cheaply.
Tesla: Utilizes real data (physical world) to create more precise and realistic models.

4. Major Applications and Changes of Embodied AI

(1) Revival of VR/Metaverse

Embodied AI has the potential to revive the virtual reality (VR) industry and the metaverse ecosystem.
NVIDIA is implementing an AI learning environment within the metaverse through Cosmos and Omniverse, which is expected to inject new vitality into the existing metaverse.
Tesla is also increasing the accuracy of data collection by utilizing VR devices.

(2) Transition from AI Inference to Learning

Real-time data processing and behavioral simulations are essential for the implementation of embodied AI, and it requires more learning data and powerful computational power, moving away from existing AI inference (prediction-centric).
"Large Behavior Models (LBM)" meet these requirements, learning behavioral data from the physical world and using it in the development of AI systems and robots.

Key Prospects

All Big Tech companies, including NVIDIA and Tesla, are focusing on the embodied AI industry, which is expected to bring about a new transformation across AI technology.
AI humanoids and autonomous vehicles have the potential to be major turning points in the AI market in the next 5-10 years.
Leaders like Bill Gates and Jensen Huang expect the metaverse and AR/VR to enter a new golden age through embodied AI technology.

< Summary >

NVIDIA: A platform-centric business aiming for GPU sales, implements embodied AI through virtual reality data.
Tesla: Content-centric, directly collects data and applies it to its own AI and products, exploring the possibility of generating additional revenue.
Although the two companies have different business models and data construction methods, they are competing through their respective strengths in the AI industry.
Embodied AI is expected to lead major changes, such as the revitalization of the metaverse and VR industries, and the transition based on AI Re-Learning.