Category: Uncategorized

Thanks again to reader Brendan Brown and his North Korean refugee students in Seoul, who have agreed to a second group interview to share their opinions about their homeland and give us a rare–albeit unscientific–glimpse into the perspective of ordinary North Koreans. Undoubtedly, it took great courage for them to discuss matters that could put them or their families at risk. For their protection, I have redacted details that could identify them. Brendan is an Australian national who teaches English...

Thanks again to reader Brendan Brown and his North Korean refugee students in Seoul, who have agreed to a second group interview to share their opinions about their homeland and give us a rare–albeit unscientific–glimpse into the perspective of ordinary North Koreans. Undoubtedly, it took great courage for them to discuss matters that could put them or their families at risk. For their protection, I have redacted details that could identify them. Brendan is an Australian national who teaches English...

Another Must-Read: Michael Yon, who is living with an American fighting unit in Iraq, has a fascinating, gut-wrenching blog about the fight against the terrorists. One click and you’ll have no justification to doubt my use of the ‘t’ word. By far the best Iraq blog I’ve seen so far, with many superb pictures–the top one is Pulitzer material–and video. Minutemen, anyone?

Another Must-Read: Michael Yon, who is living with an American fighting unit in Iraq, has a fascinating, gut-wrenching blog about the fight against the terrorists. One click and you’ll have no justification to doubt my use of the ‘t’ word. By far the best Iraq blog I’ve seen so far, with many superb pictures–the top one is Pulitzer material–and video. Minutemen, anyone?

If you haven’t yet seen the Asian Security Blog, you must. This is, without question, the most informative, best-written blog on Asian security issues anywhere. Just reading it makes me envious of the man’s analytical skills. He doesn’t post every day, but when he does, he has something to say that you probably didn’t know but will be glad when you do.

It’s time to move beyond the wishful fantasy that China will rescue our national security from North Korea’s nuclear factory outlet. If I’ve ever believed that China would be willing to exert substantial pressure on North Korea, that was a long time ago. China sees its top geopolitical priority as gaining control over Taiwan, whether by negotiation, intimidation, force, or a combination of all of the above. China doesn’t want to see a united Korea emerge as a potential cultural,...

And these people have The Bomb. HT: Michelle Malkin. UPDATE: I should have given a photo credit as well: Reuters.

If you haven’t yet seen the Asian Security Blog, you must. This is, without question, the most informative, best-written blog on Asian security issues anywhere. Just reading it makes me envious of the man’s analytical skills. He doesn’t post every day, but when he does, he has something to say that you probably didn’t know but will be glad when you do.

It’s time to move beyond the wishful fantasy that China will rescue our national security from North Korea’s nuclear factory outlet. If I’ve ever believed that China would be willing to exert substantial pressure on North Korea, that was a long time ago. China sees its top geopolitical priority as gaining control over Taiwan, whether by negotiation, intimidation, force, or a combination of all of the above. China doesn’t want to see a united Korea emerge as a potential cultural,...

Roh? Using Tokdo as a cheap political stunt? Perish the thought. Roh’s popularity had been soaring since the beginning of this year, exceeding the 50 percent mark in a poll by Choeng Wa Dae on April 29 for the first time since the 100th day of his inauguration. “It seems that the president’s firm attitude toward Japan over recent controversies including the Dokdo islets dispute is losing its effect, and the ruling party’s defeat in the by-elections may be another...

Way to Burst My Bubble: A South Korean court finds that OhMyNews “sexed up” allegations against Lee Hoi-Chang that helped throw the 2002 election to Roh Moo-Hyun. They’ve been ordered to pay W100 billon in damages. In South Korean won, guys.

Here is a list of U.S. installations in Korea that are shutting down, courtesy of the Stars and Stripes (HT to the Nomad): Closed and returned to South Korea in 2004: Camp Bonifas (Demilitarized Zone) Camp Liberty Bell (Demilitarized Zone) Closed in 2004, returning to South Korea in 2005: Camp Edwards (Paju) Camp Gary Owen (Paju) Camp Greaves (Paju) Camp Giant (Paju) Camp Howze (Paju) Camp Stanton (Paju) Closing and returning to South Korea in 2005: Camp Page (Chuncheon) Closing...

Blogwatch: The Nomad has a great link to this story–a reminder of the kindness that Korea so often exhibits, but which I’m sometimes too quick to forget (I could swear I’ve met this woman at Yongsan). I’d add that (LTC Ret.) Anthony Cuccia, also mentioned in the story, is a thoroughly decent human being whom I got to know during the course of a board that he decided against my side, as he well should have given the state of...

Someone at the Chosun Ilbo is having a Hankyoreh moment today. Get a load of this screed and its loading of words like “hard-liners” and “belligerent” to describe the provocative suggestion that if North Korea continues to build and export nuclear materials, we might . . . report them to the United Nations! The article goes so far as to suggest all that activity is for home construction. It could all be true, I suppose, but then someone has to...

The Joongang Ilbo reports: A close aide of an Uri Party leader confessed yesterday to accepting illegal contributions from a businessman connected to the scandal over the Korea National Railroad’s botched Russian oil deal, prosecutors announced. The aide was identified only as Mr. Ji and as a close assistant to Uri Assemblyman Lee Kwang-jae, who is a former senior Blue House official and a close associate of President Roh Moo-hyun. Mr. Ji confessed, prosecution sources said, that he accepted 80...

Highly Recommended: The one modest blessing of being sick is that it gave me time to finish Gordon Cucullu’s book, Separated at Birth: How North Korea Became the Evil Twin. By now, I consider Gordon a personal friend, so I approach a critique of his work with some discomfort–and a need to disclaim that discomfort openly to readers who might mistake me for an objective reviewer. The real strength of Separated at Birth is its description of South Korea, not...

Roh? Using Tokdo as a cheap political stunt? Perish the thought. Roh’s popularity had been soaring since the beginning of this year, exceeding the 50 percent mark in a poll by Choeng Wa Dae on April 29 for the first time since the 100th day of his inauguration. “It seems that the president’s firm attitude toward Japan over recent controversies including the Dokdo islets dispute is losing its effect, and the ruling party’s defeat in the by-elections may be another...

Way to Burst My Bubble: A South Korean court finds that OhMyNews “sexed up” allegations against Lee Hoi-Chang that helped throw the 2002 election to Roh Moo-Hyun. They’ve been ordered to pay W100 billon in damages. In South Korean won, guys.