South Korea’s New Low: Gulags

And I thought I’d seen it all: Two South Korean nonprofit groups say they have begun discussions with the Russian government about creating a farming and light-industry zone in eastern Russia’s Maritime Province that would utilize South Korean financing and North Korean labor. One of these nonprofits, which calls itself the Overseas Koreans Foundation, is affiliated with the Foreign Ministry. As for the land where this gulag is to be established–and that’s a fair description for a state-owned venture in...

North Korea Freedom Day 2005

Plans are already underway for this year’s North Korea Freedom Day, April 28th. Last year’s event marched from the Holocaust Museum to the Capitol to lobby for the North Korean Human Rights Act. This time, we’re taking our message directly to the Chinese embassies and consulates, and not just in Washington, either. According to organizer Suzanne Scholte of the Defense Forum Foundation, The protest will be worldwide. With the passage of the North Korean Human Rights Act, the focus now...

South Korea’s New Low: Gulags

And I thought I’d seen it all: Two South Korean nonprofit groups say they have begun discussions with the Russian government about creating a farming and light-industry zone in eastern Russia’s Maritime Province that would utilize South Korean financing and North Korean labor. One of these nonprofits, which calls itself the Overseas Koreans Foundation, is affiliated with the Foreign Ministry. As for the land where this gulag is to be established–and that’s a fair description for a state-owned venture in...

South Korea’s New Low: Gulags

And I thought I’d seen it all: Two South Korean nonprofit groups say they have begun discussions with the Russian government about creating a farming and light-industry zone in eastern Russia’s Maritime Province that would utilize South Korean financing and North Korean labor. One of these nonprofits, which calls itself the Overseas Koreans Foundation, is affiliated with the Foreign Ministry. As for the land where this gulag is to be established–and that’s a fair description for a state-owned venture in...

North Korea Postpones Parliament Indefinitely

I guess this story nudges the evidence of Kim Jong-Il’s behind-the-scenes removal from power just over the 50-50 mark in my book: North Korea has abruptly postponed a regular session of its parliament slated for March 9. The official (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday the presidium of the Stalinist country’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) was postponing the third session of the 11th assembly “at the request of deputies to the SPA in all domains of the socialist...

North Korea Postpones Parliament Indefinitely

I guess this story nudges the evidence of Kim Jong-Il’s behind-the-scenes removal from power just over the 50-50 mark in my book: North Korea has abruptly postponed a regular session of its parliament slated for March 9. The official (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday the presidium of the Stalinist country’s Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) was postponing the third session of the 11th assembly “at the request of deputies to the SPA in all domains of the socialist...

With Deepest Regret . . .

UPDATE: I’m getting some unverified information (but from a good source, and shared with some fairly important people) that the Yonhap report may not be true, Chun Ki-Won’s confirmation notwithstanding. This has to be absolute hell for Rev. Park’s family. Obviously, I want to give readers the most accurate and up-to-date information I can, so keep checking back. You will know when I know. This is one time when I pray that I was wrong. * * * * *...

ADVANCE Democracy Act Press Conference

About that press conference: Just got back, but there is much to do at the office. Will give you a full report later. Much pointed discussion of North Korea, and a little entertainment, too. UPDATE: OK, here are three posts for your reading pleasure– First, what’s in the bill itself; a nice, readable summary. Second, my observations on how the press has turned the U.S. Capitol into a closed shop, and how they managed to blow the story anyway. Third,...

Soft Power

How to wreck the Syrian economy virtually overnight: Interesting piece on NRO. Those who want to appease Syria, Iran, North Korea, etc., often portray the process as a false choice between appeasement and war. But the combination of bold public statements and economic leverage are precisely the kind of “soft power” that works so well on regimes that depend on exports–like Syria, Iran, and North Korea (and which Europe undermined in Iraq). Syria has just lost one valuable source of...

With Deepest Regret . . .

UPDATE: I’m getting some unverified information (but from a good source, and shared with some fairly important people) that the Yonhap report may not be true, Chun Ki-Won’s confirmation notwithstanding. This has to be absolute hell for Rev. Park’s family. Obviously, I want to give readers the most accurate and up-to-date information I can, so keep checking back. You will know when I know. This is one time when I pray that I was wrong. * * * * *...

ADVANCE Democracy Act Press Conference

About that press conference: Just got back, but there is much to do at the office. Will give you a full report later. Much pointed discussion of North Korea, and a little entertainment, too. UPDATE: OK, here are three posts for your reading pleasure– First, what’s in the bill itself; a nice, readable summary. Second, my observations on how the press has turned the U.S. Capitol into a closed shop, and how they managed to blow the story anyway. Third,...