[Opinion] Triangle Wave and Turbulence

‘Wind’ is a priceless gift of nature we must thank for. It creates cool fresh air sometimes and embraces us securely other times. Using wind, we cross the sea and fly through the air. Sometimes it gets capricious and poses a great danger to helpless humans, however. It creates gust wind, storms and whirlwind in the water and air pockets and turbulence in the air. And sailors and pilots remain always modest before the great force of wind, preparing for something unexpected to happen.

▷Sailors fear most Triangle wave while pilots fear air turbulence. Triangle wave refers to a phenomenon that a sudden change in wind, or gust wind, creates two waves in different directions. Turbulence is disruption caused by strong whirlwind or jet streams. When sailors encounter with Triangle wave, they find it hard to decide the course of their direction. When they choose one against the other direction, the vessel constantly collides with waves in the other direction and often ends up getting foundered or damaged. Meanwhile, when an aircraft passes through turbulence, it sways heavily or even nosedives due to the shock.

▷When they encounter with such a danger, the best way that sailors or pilots can do is to ease the magnitude of jolting or swaying and navigate through the dangerous area. To do this, sailors turn the head of the ship toward the stronger wave while maintaining the driving force. This way they can strike a balance for the vessel while cushioning the shock from the other side. Pilots slow down the speed to prevent the craft from rocking and pass through the area.

▷If they only can know where and when they will face such a danger, they will be able to avert the situation. The problem, however, is that the rules of nature do not work in an expected way. South Korea and the U.S. now seem engulfed with a danger developing in an unexpected way called `North`s nuclear.` No one can be sure of in which direction it will head for and what it will bring as the U.S. pushes for an attack on Iraq. In about two weeks, the Roh government will be officially launched. Then, would it be an exaggeration if we compare diplomatic missions in the new government to sailors and pilots passing through Triangle wave and turbulence?

Park Yong-ok, Guest Writer, Former Deputy Minister of Defense, yongokp@hanmail.net

Mun Myeong-ho, Editorial Writer, munmh97@donga.com