tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50668332011-09-01T19:50:01.620-07:00The Marmot's Hole BloggerRobert Koehler's completely non-sensical and probably unread blog concerning ex-pat life in Korea, among other things.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.comBlogger1721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056569605480445102003-07-01T00:04:00.000-07:002003-06-26T06:22:12.633-07:00Steven De Beste on Kurtz, North Korea
A couple of days ago, I got an e-mail from Robert, a reader who took issue with a number of conclusions drawn by Stanley Kurtz in his National Review articles that I posted here. Robert then asked Steven De Beste of USS Clueless to give his commentary on the Kurtz pieces, and commentary he did give. Check out both Mr. De Beste's analysis and Donald Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056571557185973192003-06-30T00:43:00.000-07:002003-06-26T06:23:59.756-07:00More interesting stuff
Pogue (who's taking a bit of a break from blogging) sent me this article from the Telegraph reporting how a number of young Korean men are attempting to dodge military service by getting tattooed. Stop laughing, it's the truth - according to Telegraph piece, ROK military law states that men with "excessively large" tattoo are exempt from conscription, on the basis that Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056753759774370792003-06-27T15:33:00.000-07:002003-06-27T15:43:02.880-07:00The Marmot Has Moved On to a Better Place
No, I'm not dead. However, if I have to keep putting up with Blogger's crap, the stress just might just do me in. So, for health's sake, I have MOVED. MOVED, I TELL 'YE!
Checked out the Marmot's new hole at:
http://marmot.blog-city.com
My apologies go out to all those who have to change their bookmarks, and my thanks go out to those who do.
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056653219291356892003-06-26T11:25:00.000-07:002003-06-26T11:47:10.813-07:00Rail workers set to strike
This is way past ridiculous now. Korea's railway workers union issued an ultimatum yesterday - nullify the railway reform bill to be presented to the National Assembly next week, or else we will - you guessed it - go on strike. The bill seeks to turn the Korean National Railway Corporation into a public corporation; it was initially premised on privatizing the Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056651566165122732003-06-26T10:35:00.000-07:002003-06-26T11:19:41.180-07:00GNP elects new leader, shoots self in foot.
Korea's conservative party got a whole lot more conservative yesterday when the Grand National Party elected Choe Byung-yul as its party chairman. Look, I'm a man of the right, and OK, at least Choe isn't a friggin' stiff, but come on, guys, can't you do better than this? This is a guy with connections to Noh T'ae-woo, for Christ's sake. Choe is Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056647227821799942003-06-26T09:49:00.000-07:002003-06-26T10:09:01.540-07:00Someone tell the President to lay off the pot
Yet more compelling evidence that the Nohmeister is either incredibly dense or smoking some really good shit - President Noh said yesterday that the government will seek to increase foreign investment in Korea to 14% of GDP by 2010, according to the Korea Times. At a seminar entitled "The European Experience with Regional Cooperation and Business Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056634509837843642003-06-26T06:27:00.000-07:002003-06-26T18:16:31.610-07:00MORE reasons NOT to use Blogger/two posts from yesterday.
Seriously, why the hell did I fork over the cash to upgrade to Blogger Pro? Two posts that I put up yesterday were not published, and to make matters worse, my commenting system provider picked today to do some maintanence work (it should be back up tonight for you guys in the States). Anyay, I've copied the missing posts below - enjoy!Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056633442959942112003-06-26T05:42:00.000-07:002003-06-26T09:44:38.683-07:00Welcome in from Instapundit (again!)
For those coming in from Instapundit, welcome to the Marmot's Hole. If you're looking for news and analysis concerning inter-Korean issues, the North Korean nuclear crisis, and domestic South Korean politics (heck, anything related to Korea), you've come to the right place. Much thanks go to Glenn Reynolds for the link, Plunge, and most of all, South KoreanRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056566411634839002003-06-25T11:19:00.000-07:002003-06-26T05:29:07.070-07:00Tell Me it ain't so!
The independent council said yesterday that the government of former president Kim Dae-jung secretly paid $100 million to North Korea so that it would host the June 2000 North-South summit. Another $400 million was paid to Pyongyang right before the summit by the Hyundai Group for exclusive rights to slave labor business rights in the North, the council also explained. Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056564726755492522003-06-25T10:33:00.000-07:002003-06-25T13:30:17.510-07:00I'm shocked - American investment in South Korea nosedives.
The Korea Times reports that American investment in South Korea during the first four months of this year is off 71.7% from last year's initial four month total. The United States accounted for 32.1% of all inbound investment during the first quarter, also down from 58.5% from the same period last year. What got me, however, was the Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056561797323521682003-06-25T10:14:00.000-07:002003-06-25T13:28:08.256-07:00Outstanding letter to the Chosun Ilbo
Cho Su-ha of Virginia expresses his righteous indignation about South Korean silence concerning North Korea's human rights situation in a powerful letter to the Chosun Ilbo. You should read it in its entirety (it's a bit long), but I'll reprint its finale here; truer words have never been written:
South Korea�s grain of moral redemption will be Durihana, Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056559689552687482003-06-25T09:46:00.000-07:002003-06-25T09:52:12.066-07:00Been a busy two days
Been busy burning the midnight oil trying to get finals corrected, grades determined, etc. Haven't seen a newspaper in the last two days; the North may have invaded and I would have been none the wiser. They didn't, did they?Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056313832114718742003-06-22T13:23:00.000-07:002003-06-22T17:01:21.283-07:00Burning Old Glory is OK, but...
toasting the North Korean flag apparently is not - at least in South Korea. Reports the Korea Times (thanks to "trice" for pointing this out):
Controversy is growing after police Saturday blocked a move by anti-North Korea activists to burn the North's flag during a street rally in front of City Hall in central Seoul.
Police put out a burning North Korean flag Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056239112296849002003-06-21T16:45:00.000-07:002003-06-21T17:18:21.053-07:00God, I really hope the Chief of Staff didn't actually say this
I don't know how the hell I missed this Chosun Ilbo editorial from June 14, but if it's true, I have no clue why Moon Hee-sang still has a job. According to the Chosun:
Speaking before a seminar organized by the Journalists Association of Korea, the Cheong Wa Dae chief of staff, Moon Hee-sang said, "If the president should set out Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056233164753594582003-06-21T15:06:00.000-07:002003-06-21T15:06:41.483-07:00Frank Cossa on North Korea
The Pacific Forum's Frank Cossa is often cited here at the Hole; I have always found his analysis well-reasoned and enjoyable to read. His June 19 column in the Korea Times ("US-DPRK: Isolation Strategy Working") is a case in point. Just to give you the intro:
Washington's strategy of applying international pressure to further isolate North Korea appears to be Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056231853290494872003-06-21T14:44:00.000-07:002003-06-21T14:46:22.883-07:00Anti-North Rally Set
An anti-North Korean / pro-American rally is set for today in front on Seoul City Hall, reports the Joongang Ilbo. According to the Joongang:
About 100,000 people will rally in the City Hall plaza at 5 p.m. today to protest North Korea's nuclear ambitions. The demonstration will also protest Kim Jong-il's rule and call for a strengthened alliance between South Korea and Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-1056229805140739472003-06-21T14:10:00.000-07:002003-06-21T14:18:06.070-07:00Strike, Strike, everywhere a strike strike...
Jesus H. Christ, what is this place...France? Joining the striking Chohung Bank employees were 15,000 members of the Korean Teachers Union (KTU) who took collective leave yesterday to protest the government's new school online data system. Said Hwang Jin-woo, KTU chief official in charge of elementary school teachers:
Our struggle against the NEISRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004427842003-06-20T12:28:00.000-07:002003-06-20T12:46:06.000-07:00Great articles from the National Review
Reader Kevin O'Brien sent me some links to a number of slightly dated, but nevertheless excellent (and still very relevant) articles by the Hoover Institute's Stanley Kurtz in the National Review. These should be required reading for anyone even remotely interested in the current showdown here in Korea. Anyway, here are the links - be sure to click them.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004420512003-06-20T09:03:00.000-07:002003-06-20T09:09:15.000-07:00Korea Bloggers
Joseph Steinberg over at A Layman's Opinion contributes some very interesting commentary on blogging and the threat that it poses to established media organizations (like those schmucks at the Joongang Ilbo!). He also challenges us Korea bloggers to elevate our work beyond descriptions of expat hedonism. Writes Mr. Steinberg:
I've pledged myself not to talk about teaching on my Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004414022003-06-20T05:36:00.000-07:002003-06-20T06:44:09.000-07:00If your coming in from Instapundit...
The Marmot would like to express his gratitude to Glenn Reynolds over at Instapundit for linking to my humble slice of the blogosphere. For first time visitors, we here at the Marmot's Hole focus on issues pertaining to the fascinating yet bewilderingly complex Korean peninsula. Pride of place is given to inter-Korean issues, the North Korean nuclear Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004398192003-06-19T13:27:00.000-07:002003-06-19T13:28:40.000-07:00The Hankyoreh's most recent dirge
For your reading enjoyment, I translated and uploaded today's Hankyoreh editorial ("In the Framework of 6-Party Talks, US-North Korean Dialogue"). I'm curious as to when the Hankyoreh is going to realize that North Korea's nuclear program is their problem, too.
BTW, if those readers with Korean skills notice any mistranslations, or think something could have Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004393182003-06-19T10:39:00.000-07:002003-06-19T10:43:32.000-07:00Myopia in East Asia
Mike over Interested-Participant (archives screwed on Blogspot, as usual) came across some very interesting research which seems to answer why it is that so many Asians wear glasses. According to Glass : A World History, by Alan Macfarlane and Gerry Martin (University of Chicago Press), the myopia rate for adult Europeans is between 20% and 30%, while the myopia rate for Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004392222003-06-19T10:14:00.000-07:002003-06-19T10:41:21.000-07:00South Korea gets on board - reluctantly
The Korea Times reports:
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia _ South Korea said on Thursday that it wanted to give more time to North Korea before having the Stalinist country’s nuclear brinkmanship referred to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
In a meeting with reporters, South Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuk said, ``It is all about timing.’’
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004391792003-06-19T10:02:00.000-07:002003-06-19T10:02:50.000-07:00Thank God I bank at Kookmin
Unionized workers at Chohung Bank began a walkout on Wednesday, closing or limiting operations at 400 out of the bank's 470 branches nationwide. Unionists are protesting the government's decision to sell off the bank to the Shinhan Financial Group; at one time, Big Brother owned an 80% stake in Chohung and the bank has been surviving on 2.7 trillion of the taxpayersRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004389872003-06-19T09:10:00.000-07:002003-06-19T09:11:44.000-07:00One scumbag behind bars, more to go
Park Jie-won, Kim Dae-jung's former chief of staff, is resting comfortably in a South Korean prison after a detention warrant was issued for him in connection with a bribery scandal that has tarnished the reputation of former president Kim and called into question the June 2000 North-South summit that won him the Nobel Prize. The independent counsel, which isRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004387432003-06-19T08:02:00.000-07:002003-06-19T08:13:07.000-07:00Selective Memory
Yuh Moon-hwan, a a senior research associate at the National Strategy Institute, contributed a rather thoughtful op-ed piece to the Korea Times ("History and Memory in June") that discusses the ways in which South Korean society seeks to "reinvent" the events of its recent past. June is, after all, a rather significant month for Koreans - the start of the Korean War, the Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004373102003-06-18T17:59:00.000-07:002003-06-18T18:16:32.000-07:00This makes me sick
Remember those six South Korean sailors who were killed in a bloody naval clash with the Norks in the Yellow (West) Sea during last year's World Cup? USFK remembers them. The US 7th Fleet remembers them. The Marmot's Hole sure as hell remembers them. Even Condoleezza Rice remembers them. The South Korean government, on the other hand, apparently does not. The Chosun IlboRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004341052003-06-17T19:15:00.000-07:002003-06-18T03:19:47.000-07:00Blogger Angst
Seriously, I'm at a total loss for what to do. This all started a couple of days ago when I got a message from Randall Parker of Parapundit alerting me to the fact that my page was not showing up properly on Mozilla family browsers. Given that a) I'm no web designer by any stretch of the imagination and b) I had pretty much hand-crafted my old template, I figured that human errorRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004331682003-06-17T12:59:00.000-07:002003-06-17T13:00:02.000-07:00China Backs 5-Way Talks on N. Korean Nuclear Issue
Korea Herald
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia _ China Tuesday welcomed the five-way multilateral talks pursued by South Korea, Japan and the United States to discuss the festering standoff over North Korean nuclear weapons program.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, during talks with South Korean Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Yoon Young-kwan and Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004330502003-06-17T12:29:00.000-07:002003-06-17T12:33:46.000-07:00Georgia - not the one with the peaches / the future Mrs. Marmot
Sean-Paul's journey along the Silk Road continues from Turkey to Georgia - he has posted some very interesting travel commentary on Turkey, together with a couple of pics. Some cool stuff.
Speaking of the Silk Road, the love of my life is returning to Korea from the steppes of Outer Mongolia next month.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004329792003-06-17T12:04:00.000-07:002003-06-17T12:04:04.060-07:00Let US Troops Stay? No thanks, Dong-A
The Dong-A ran a rather bizarre editorial ("Let US troops stay") that deserves the Marmot's attention, even if it's for a brief period. Bang Hyung-nam, the editorial writer responsible for the piece, seems to be under the impression that American troops are in this country in order to funnel cash into local communities. Writes Bang;
...U.S. troops Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004328212003-06-17T11:14:00.000-07:002003-06-17T11:15:15.000-07:00The Joongang disses the Marmot
The Joongang Ilbo gave a shout out to four Korea-based blogs, and the Marmot's Hole was NOT among them. Damn, why the hell do I waste time on this thing if not even the Joongang will give me my props. Still, it's hard to argue with the four they did select - the Kyungnam to Kyunggi Journal, in particular, is an outstanding blog describing expat life in Korea, andRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004326972003-06-17T10:29:00.000-07:002003-06-17T14:08:39.000-07:00Noh to get tough on strikers, criminals
No, really - that's what he said. With the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions threatening massive walkouts by its members in the banking, auto, railway, and metal industries (together with unionized teachers) starting this Saturday, our fearless President instructed his cabinet yesterday to take no shit from special interests trying to disrupt the Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004322992003-06-17T08:37:00.000-07:002003-06-17T08:56:18.000-07:00Sorry about the mess, Winds of Change people.
For all you coming in from Winds of Change (and judging from my site meter, there are quite a few of you), it's been a major overhaul day here at the Marmot's Hole - I redid my template in order to make the blog more readable, and to hopefully clear up some of the problems Netscape users were having viewing Da' Hole. If you are still having problemsRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004251942003-06-14T08:45:00.000-07:002003-06-14T09:00:12.000-07:00The North remembers
I heard it on the news this morning, but I just stopped by KNCA to confirm it - the North held remembrance ceremonies for the two middle school girls killed last year in a training accident in Yangju. During a photo exhibit on the incident, Kim Mi-hyang, a student at Pyongyang Kyonghung Middle School, ran up to the pictures and cried,
"Hyosun! Miseon! Why did you have to Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004227952003-06-13T10:08:00.000-07:002003-06-13T10:09:59.000-07:00Korean soldier killed in car accident involving USFK vehicle
Courtesy the Korea Herald:
A Korean Army officer was killed yesterday when his civilian vehicle ran into a U.S. Marine Corps' 7-ton truck in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the U.S. Forces Korea said.
The accident came on the eve of the first anniversary of the death of two Korean schoolgirls who were struck by a U.S. armored vehicle, Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004224142003-06-13T08:55:00.000-07:002003-06-13T09:39:18.000-07:00Candle light demonstrations
Today's the big anniversary, and all the usual hate groups are out in force, although if OhMyNews is anything to go by, things appear relatively well-behaved. As well they should - the Korean government has 10,000 riot police stationed all around the US Embassy. Shit, the US has successfully invaded countries with less men. Police buses seem to have all the access Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004130022003-06-11T10:29:00.000-07:002003-06-11T10:41:46.000-07:00The Marmot's Command Post Op-Ed Piece
I know you guys are busy, but if you get a chance, check out my op-ed piece for Command Post ("Is This the Way Out with North Korea"), which concerns Kim Jong-il buttboy Selig Harrison's truly obnoxious (like I have the right to call anything obnoxious) June 6 interview with Pravda the New York Times. It might be worth reading :)Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004129842003-06-11T10:23:00.000-07:002003-06-11T10:34:12.000-07:00Axis? What Axis?
Well, this can't be good. Courtesy Reuters (via Yahoo! News):
Report: Iran Nuke Experts Visited N.Korea This Year
TOKYO (Reuters) - Iranian experts on nuclear issues secretly visited North Korea (news - web sites) this year, possibly to ask North Korean officials for advice on how to handle international inspectors, a Japanese newspaper said on Wednesday.
The Iranian Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004127812003-06-11T09:44:00.000-07:002003-06-11T09:54:23.000-07:00The Marmot's Intestinal Fortitude Award
This week's award goes to Kim Jong-p'il - veteran politician, president of the minor opposition United Liberal Democrats, father of the KCIA who tried to kill Kim Dae-jung twice only to become his Prime Minister in 1995, mastermind behind of the 1961 coup that brought Park Jong-hee to power, and all-around dodgy character - for having the balls to come outRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004126662003-06-11T09:18:00.000-07:002003-06-11T09:52:58.000-07:00Korea English News Highlights
"U.S. to Stop Suspicious Shipments from NK" - Korea Times. Well, this could get interesting. Give Spain another call, perhaps?
"USFK Apologizes for Tragic Accident for the 10,000th time" - Korea Times.
"Inconsistent, Unpredictable Gov’t Policies Confuse Foreign Investors" - Korea Times.
"Seoul Backpedals on Market-Opening" - Korea Times. A snippet:
The KoreanRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004123812003-06-11T08:21:00.000-07:002003-06-11T10:11:41.000-07:00Pogue Warrior does the math
The Korean Ministry of Defense is requesting a 22.3 trillion won increase in defense spending - check out Pogue Warrior's breakdown of the stats (1 / 2)Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004123002003-06-11T08:07:00.000-07:002003-06-11T08:28:24.000-07:00American Imperialists and Japanese Militarists bringing ruin to the Korean Peninsula!!!
The Rodong Shinmun? KCNA? Nope, the Hankyoreh, of course. Check out their latest cry for appeasement editorial ("Only if the US and Japan Put the Brakes on a Blockade...") over at my translations site. BTW, should I waste time fisking these, or just let their absurdity speak for itself?Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004040252003-06-09T11:44:00.000-07:002003-06-11T10:51:36.000-07:00First "humiliating diplomacy," now "stupid diplomacy."
President Noh just can't can't a break. After getting castigated by the Left for his "humiliating diplomacy" (gulyok wegyo) during the US-ROK summit, Noh is now catching flack from the Right for his "stupid diplomacy" (dungshin wegyo) during his recent state visit to Japan. The Chosun Ilbo reports:
Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party are Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004038792003-06-09T11:16:00.000-07:002003-06-11T10:44:11.000-07:00Appeasers of the world, unite!
The Hankyoreh is calling for the start of an anti-nuclear / anti-war movement to rescue the Korean peninsula from the dangers of war. Check out their latest editorial ("We Hope for the Start of Anti-Nuclear / Anti-war Solidarity"), translated by yours truly at a new site created expressly for that purpose.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2004005992003-06-08T16:37:00.000-07:002003-06-09T08:54:50.000-07:00The Marmot's Yosu Quest
After weeks of promising himself, the Marmot finally made his way to Yosu, a pleasant port city located on Korea's southwestern coast. Like it's much larger cousin, Pusan, Yosu is literally wedged in between mountains and the sea - in fact, many of its residential districts are built right upon steep hillsides and gives the illusion of the city "rising" from out of the Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003903522003-06-05T12:21:00.000-07:002003-06-05T12:21:51.000-07:00New Blog Alert
One of my readers has a blog of his own, and you know what? It's pretty cool. Check out Mike's Interested-Participant when you get time. He's still learning the ropes (as am I!), but if Mike's commentary style is anything to go by, a bright future awaits his blog.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003901882003-06-05T11:47:00.000-07:002003-06-05T11:47:25.000-07:00I don't know what to make of this
My brother sent me this link, from the Land of the Rising Sun and chicks with bad teeth. Perhaps those readers with better Japanese skills than I possess could give me some commentary?Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003895982003-06-05T09:58:00.000-07:002003-06-05T11:39:58.000-07:00"A Defector's Story: My escape from North Korea--and South Korea."
Hat tip to Raymond E. Clutts for pointing out this extremely disturbing piece by North Korean defector Bok Ku Lee (alias) which appeared in today's Opinion Journal. Much of Mr. Lee's wrote was a repeat of the testimony he gave during a May 20 Senate hearing on "Drugs, Counterfeiting, and Weapons Proliferation: The North Korean Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003892442003-06-05T08:51:00.000-07:002003-06-05T08:51:26.796-07:00Finally going to Yosu this weekend
In a couple of hours, I'll be on the bus to Yosu, where I'll spend a day or two relaxing. Hyangil-am Hermitage is on the agenda, so I hope to have some super-cool pics for you guys when I get back.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003879852003-06-05T04:02:00.000-07:002003-06-05T08:28:18.000-07:00More Evil GI news from the Hankyoreh, and this time the Marmot's REALLY pissed off !!!!!
As readers of the Marmot's Hole probably already know by now, I hate the Hankyoreh. Frankly, it's a rag even by Korean journalistic standards, probably the result of having to make due with the residue left over after the three other major daily papers have scooped up all the nation's even remotely Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003878042003-06-05T02:28:00.000-07:002003-06-05T02:28:46.873-07:00Sorry about the delay... I've haven't been feeling my best
I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I've been feeling like shit the last couple of days. My stomach has been terrible and I have absolutely no energy. Thankfully, I feel a little better today. Anyway, if anyone is wondering why I haven't updated Ye Olde Blog for a couple of days, that's the reason. Sorry about that.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003699802003-06-01T07:51:00.000-07:002003-06-01T08:08:47.000-07:00Assorted stuff of potential interest
"The one Lincoln lesson that Roh should learn" - from the Asia Times. I think the comparisons between the ROK and ROV are a bit strained, but it's still interesting to read.
"Suspect quiet on the northern front" - also from the Asia Times. Don't agree with its conclusion, but it still offers some quality analysis.
"USFK Unveils Massive Force ReinforcementRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003699262003-06-01T07:29:00.000-07:002003-06-01T07:38:40.000-07:00Planned rallies worry officials
From the Korea Herald:
Anniversary of girls' death worries officials
In the run-up to the first anniversary of the tragic road accident involving two Korean girls and a U.S. armored vehicle, the Seoul government is concerned about how the massive candlelight vigils slated for June 13 will affect relations between Korea and the United States.
Hate Civic groups Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003698952003-06-01T07:15:00.000-07:002003-06-01T07:17:59.000-07:00Another about-face?
Yeah, this whole being president thing is pretty tough, isn't it, Mr. Noh? Again, from the Korea Times:
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development yesterday said it will allow schools to temporarily adopt a new online school information system for students up to second grade of high school depending on each school's situation.
The ministry's decision is Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003698782003-06-01T07:07:00.000-07:002003-06-01T07:16:42.000-07:00Not this shit again
Yup, it's crab season. South Korean naval vessels fired off warning shots at North Korean fishing boats that violated the Northern Limit Line (NLL) yesterday. The Korea Times reports:
According to the JCS [Joint Chiefs of Staff], the eight North Korean boats crossed the NLL seven nautical miles off Yonpyong Island in the West Sea yesterday morning.
``Although our navy Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003628702003-05-30T07:39:00.000-07:002003-05-30T07:57:22.000-07:00America is becoming a dictatorship! - Typical OhMyNews bullshit
Get your jackboots on, folks - Amerika's going fascist in a major sort of way. That bastion of journalistic integrity, OhMyNews, published an op-ed piece by Kim Sang-il, Hanshin University Philosophy professor and head of the public committee of the Unification Solidarity Academic Committee (?!), dedicated to the rantings of Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003623142003-05-30T06:06:00.000-07:002003-05-30T06:16:27.000-07:00Assorted Korean News Headlines
Japanese Businessmen Slam Labor Policy - Chosun Ilbo (Chosun Ilbo editorial here)
US Will Pay to Clean Up Land to Be Returned to S. Korea - Korea Times
Europe had its great war - will Asia follow? (Korea Herald Op-Ed piece - worth reading!)
More educators, parents call on minister to resign - Joongang IlboRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003621692003-05-30T05:40:00.000-07:002003-05-30T05:40:43.053-07:00Good point
Sogang University professor Ahn Se-young draws some uncomfortably comparissons between Vichy France and Kim Dae-jung in this op-ed piece to the Dong-a Ilbo. Writes Ahn:
Looking back at the history of the world, national leaders in those countries bordering heavily-armed neighbors have had to face the same challenge � how to avoid war. There are several options and one of them is a Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003620552003-05-30T05:19:00.000-07:002003-05-30T05:19:43.780-07:00Doug Bandow - Bring the Troops Home
The Cato Institute's Doug Bandow has been calling for massive changes in the US-ROK alliance for a while; "Bring the Troops Home: Ending the Obsolete Korean Commitment" contains some outstanding analysis and you'd do well to read it in its entirety. Hat tip to Korean Media Watch for that one.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003618312003-05-30T04:31:00.000-07:002003-05-30T04:34:08.000-07:00Propoganda, brought to you thanks to Roh's media policy
In the Korea Times, Kim Pong-su expresses his concern about the way in which the state-owned Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) may be heading. Concerning a Sunday morning current events discussion program he was watching, Kim explains:
When the hostess of the show asked him [an "expert" on inter-Korean relations, but actually a left-wing Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003616462003-05-30T03:49:00.000-07:002003-05-30T03:51:16.000-07:00Tell 'em it's not true, Honeymuffin!
But then again, perhaps it is. Reoriented (a rather cool Hong Kong-based blog) posted this description of certain clientele from a certain bar in Beijing, taken from a certain business consultant group's page dealing with China (which, in turn, I found though Gweilo Diaries).
Maggies main claim to fame is its cheap beer and girls - and we're talking Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003561112003-05-29T00:28:00.000-07:002003-05-29T01:00:34.000-07:00Pics from Sonun-sa Temple
Went on a school excursion yesterday to Sonun-sa Temple, located in Goch'ang County, North Cholla Province. And, as always, I have the stupid pictures to prove it!
Cool yellow flowers on the side of the road, Goch'ang County.
Stone pagoda in front of the Main Hall of Sonun-sa Temple.
Inside the Main Hall of Sonun-sa Temple. Don't attempt this shot with monks Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003559922003-05-28T23:30:00.000-07:002003-05-30T05:20:04.000-07:00George Will on Hugh Hefner
Over at Townhall.com, George Will has an interesting piece on founder of the Playboy Empire, Hugh Hefner. Makes for a good read.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003532212003-05-28T09:30:00.000-07:002003-05-28T23:10:21.000-07:00Well, Scott, since you asked...
Here are my thoughts on Mr. Hoagland's column of May 25 ("Talk Plus Muscle On North Korea"). Let me start from where Hoagland really starts going:
It is hard to argue against slow and steady in such unclear circumstances. But recent events underline the costs involved in the administration's policy of talking but not negotiating with Pyongyang while playing downRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003443922003-05-27T07:09:00.000-07:002003-05-27T07:37:27.000-07:00Noh or Roh? Or how about No?
Curious? The Times ran a great opinion piece ("`Roh Moo-hyun’ or `No Mu-hyon’") on May 2 discussing, among other things, the proper spelling of the President's name and the abso-fuckin'-lutely retarded system of Romanization currently used in the ROK. A highly recommended read!Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003438142003-05-27T04:03:00.000-07:002003-05-27T08:01:17.000-07:00Uncle Genghis
The Marmot's significant other sent this wall-hanging over from Mongolia; it now adorns my office. Pretty neat, isn't it?
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003437432003-05-27T03:22:00.000-07:002003-05-27T03:22:31.206-07:00Great commentary on Japan
Owen Rathbone, a political commentator based in Seoul (and frequent commentor at the Korea Times webpage) wrote a very intelligent analysis of recent changes in Japanese security attitudes ("Japan Reawakens") in the American Daily. Just to give you a snipet:
Japan’s firmer position on North Korea and the trend toward a more proactive Japanese military, while not Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003437262003-05-27T03:13:00.000-07:002003-05-27T03:13:01.253-07:00Anybody want to fisk this?
Kim Hyong-ok, who does God only knows what, contributed this completely moronic op-ed piece to the Korea Times. Feel free to fisk it in my comments section if you feel the urge.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003432682003-05-26T22:07:00.000-07:002003-05-27T02:59:35.000-07:00You must be joking
An acquaintance of mine in Seoul pointed out this article to me in the Korea Times. Seems like our Hanchongnyon friends at Kyung Hee University are, well, I'll let you read for yourself:
Ever wondered what it would be like to be locked up in a prison cell? Students at Kyung Hee University were able to find out last week, when mock prison cells were set up on campus to raise Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003407412003-05-26T03:53:00.000-07:002003-05-28T08:43:20.000-07:00Cool Blog Alert
I happened upon The Silk Road Journal, a blog connected to Sean-Paul Kelly's The Agonist. Seems like Mr. Kelly (who I couldn't help but notice is a former English teacher in Korea) will be travelling throughout Central Asia doing research for a book, and he'll be blogging all the way! I've always been fascinated with Central Asia, and hope to hell one day I can do what this Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003406422003-05-26T02:54:00.000-07:002003-05-26T03:15:52.000-07:00Unimaginable Disaster!!!!
From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Hat tip to Alan E. Brain at Command Post):
Communist North Korea has threatened to inflict "unimaginable disaster" on South Korea which it accuses of escalating the danger of war on the Korean peninsula.
Last week Pyongyang sparked an outcry from Seoul and caused a three-day suspension of inter-Korean economic cooperationRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003405512003-05-26T01:33:00.000-07:002003-05-26T01:43:59.000-07:00Who's got to show their intentions to whom?
The appeasers at the Korea Herald chipped in with another non-sense editorial ("Time for Serious Dialogue") calling on Bush to "show his intentions before testing Kim Jong-il's." Writes da' Herald:
It may turn out to be a largely tactical difference in the long run, but a deep rift divides top policymakers in Washington. The so-called doves advocate Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003404992003-05-26T00:47:00.000-07:002003-05-26T00:59:39.000-07:00More Photos
Took this shot while hiking in back of the campus yesterday. I thought it was pretty cool at the time.
More Pics: Clay Walls / Lonely PavillionRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003385392003-05-25T06:31:00.000-07:002003-05-25T06:31:45.580-07:00Once a Catholic, always a Catholic?
Took the Belief-O-Matic test over at Beliefnet - Mahayana Buddhism placed first, which was hardly surprising. Roman Catholicism, on the other hand, came in fifth from the bottom at number 23. Having been raised Catholic (and still carrying a soft spot in my heart for the Holy Church), I was a little taken back.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003368372003-05-24T11:16:00.000-07:002003-05-24T11:16:47.000-07:00Change in the Comments system
I finally got sick and tired of Enetation's weak-ass comments tool, so I've changed over to the Blogout system used by much cooler blogs like Mondo Miscellanea and bmwracer's ramblings. Blogger's archiving is really pissing me off, however. If I hadn't shelled out the US $100 plus to upgrade to Blogger Pro, I'd be on the Movable Type bandwaggon by now.
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003364952003-05-24T08:51:00.000-07:002003-05-24T11:20:34.000-07:00Down on the ranch
President Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi today at his ranch in Crawford, Texas and discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, North Korea being the one of most interest to the Marmot's Hole. The two talked tough, warning North Korea that "tougher measures" will be required if the North continues its games. Said Mr. Bush:
We are confident that Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003362492003-05-24T07:46:00.000-07:002003-05-24T07:49:26.000-07:00More bitching and moaning from Comrade Noh
Jesus H. Christ, you would have thought the man had some idea of what he was getting into when he applied for the job. During a meeting with his Justice Minister yesterday, President Noh again bared his soul, asking,
“How do you get over a situation where you have worked for other people but don’t feel rewarded? How do you get over a sense of betrayalRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003361632003-05-24T07:07:00.000-07:002003-05-24T07:10:04.000-07:00Dogs - they're not just for eating
The Korea Herald reports:
Seoul police yesterday used the pet dog of murder victims in a two-month-old case in a last-ditch but unsuccessful attempt to identify the suspects.
The dog, which belonged to one of the three people killed last month, was used by police as an eyewitness to identify murder suspects using an ``Animal Language Translator,’’ but they Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003361332003-05-24T06:54:00.000-07:002003-05-24T07:11:26.000-07:00South to provide more rice to the North
Backing up with action its tough rhetoric with the North, South Korea agreed yesterday to give its northern neighbor 400,000 tons of rice. The Joongang Ilbo reports:
Ending four days of icy confrontation, the two Koreas finally sat down at a negotiation table to discuss economic cooperation programs yesterday. Once the talks began, the two sides reached Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003359882003-05-24T06:11:00.000-07:002003-05-24T07:10:55.000-07:00Puck you, Mongorians!
I just checked out South Park Episode 611, "Child Abduction Isn't Funny," which you can download from Mr Nasty.net (password: www.mr-nasty.net). I'm not sure how Mongolians (my girlfriend included) will take how they are portrayed (one can only pray they have more of a sense of humor about these sorts of things than Koreans do), but I thought it was funny as hell. You areRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003312692003-05-23T02:17:00.000-07:002003-05-23T02:23:48.000-07:00Feel the emotion!
With June 13 fast approaching, your usual hate groups are gearing up for the big one year anniversary of the deaths of "flower-like Hyo-sun and Mi-seon," the two middle school girls killed last year in a traffic accident involving an American armored vehicle. With the popularity of Hanchongnyeon and other radical groups on the wane (and having been "betrayed" by the man they Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003264362003-05-22T05:14:00.000-07:002003-05-24T11:29:02.000-07:00Roh admits, "I'm Incompetent!"
From the mouth of the Noh-meister himself (courtesy the Chosun Ilbo):
Recently, the problems I’ve been facing are too difficult... It is not just this [the May 18 event]. It is inevitable that the nation’s functions have become paralyzed, because everyone is trying to resolve things with their strength. A president cannot concede to everything. With all this Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003262092003-05-22T03:50:00.000-07:002003-05-24T11:29:27.000-07:00Interesting things you can do with an aircraft carrier
I thought I had heard it all from the Korean university left, but I was reading some of the material a friend of mine had collected during the Hate America Rallies last weekend when I came upon this:
Here's a translation:
The United States: Protected Chun Doo Hwan in May 1980, and Threatens Peace on the Peninsula in 2003!
Revealing Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003251412003-05-21T19:54:00.000-07:002003-05-24T11:29:52.000-07:00
North Korean defectors at a US Senate subcommittee hearing on the North Korea problem. The sad thing is, those guys are probably just as scared of the South Korean NIS as they are North Korean hit squads. Thanks to Raymond for the heads-up on the pic, taken from the Korea Herald (check out the typo on the page, BTW).
UPDATE: Pogue Warrior has provided this link to the witness testimony Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003231092003-05-21T11:08:00.000-07:002003-05-21T11:08:23.243-07:00For the love of God, please leave my language ALONE!
A number of Koreans are reportedly upset over President Bush's description of President Noh as an "easy man to talk to." In one of her typically asinine editorials for the Korea Herald, Lee Kyong-hee explains:
Now, as everyone knows, the Texan in the White House is fond of simple, clear words. So he said when the two men met the press in Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003226312003-05-21T09:41:00.000-07:002003-05-21T09:51:00.000-07:00Sea of Fire Revisited
The North at last decided to respond to the May 15 Bush-Noh summit, threatening South Korea with "unspeakable disaster" should Seoul take a harder line with Pyongyang. According to the Korea Herald, North Korea's chief delegate to the fifth meeting of the inter-Korean committee for the promotion of economic cooperation, Pak Chang-ryon, issued the following warning Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003117332003-05-19T09:28:00.000-07:002003-05-19T09:50:00.000-07:00OK, this is weird
But when you're dealing with the North Koreans, everything tends to be weird. The Joongang Ilbo is reporting that Kil Jae-gyeong, who was reported to have defected to the US this weekend, may actually be pushing up the daisies in Pyongyang (assuming they haven't eaten all the daisies by now). According to the Joongang:
Many Korean and international media over the weekend Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003097732003-05-18T23:49:00.000-07:002003-05-19T09:41:00.000-07:00And to think I missed it all
Our fearless leader Noh Mu-hyeon paid a visit to this little corner of the Daehanminguk yesterday, and was given a warm welcome by roughly 1000 members of the outlawed student organization Hanchongnyeon who launched a surprise rally in front of the national cemetery where Noh was scheduled to give a speech. The demonstration delayed the presidential motorcade by Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003054272003-05-17T11:59:00.000-07:002003-05-17T12:02:02.000-07:00Noh's Supporters Pissed Off at Summit
Some key members of President Noh's fan base are none too happy about the results from the president's trip to Washington, reports the Chosun Ilbo. Father Song Ki-in, who goes way back with the Prez, felt that "Roh was acting only to please the public and instead should have pushed forward based on his principles." Song was particularly upset about linkingRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003052332003-05-17T10:41:00.000-07:002003-05-19T09:51:21.000-07:00Possible Nork Drug Pusher Defects to the United States
The Hankyoreh reports that Kil Jae-gyeong, a vice director at the Secretary's Office of the Workers Party's Central Committee, has defected to the United States along with two other people. This, folks, is a big deal. According to the Hankyoreh, Kil's unofficial duties apparently included drug running and counterfeiting. In 1976, while Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003019142003-05-16T12:04:00.000-07:002003-05-16T12:04:45.000-07:00Coming to America
Hat tip to Plunge for pointing out this article from the NYT ("Restless Koreans, Stifled at Home, Head Overseas") discussing Korean emigration to the United States. Read it - it's well worth the click.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003015252003-05-16T10:48:00.000-07:002003-05-16T11:00:06.000-07:00Marmot's Command Post Op-Ed Piece
I just posted an op-ed piece over at Command Post, expressing my doubts about the "big deal"/"grand bargain"/"comprehensive agreement" approach to dealing with North Korea. Actually, it's in response to a Baltimore Sun opinion piece by Michael O'Hanlon (of the Brookings Institute - egad) and Mike Mochizuki (of that other DC school, George Washington University)Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2003007352003-05-16T08:32:00.000-07:002003-05-16T11:03:34.000-07:00From the Marmot's man in Seoul
Fear and Loathing in Pyongyang: North Korea and the international drug trade
As the Marmot reported, a North Korean freighter (the Pong Su) was seized on April 20 after its crew had dropped off 110 pounds (50 kilos) of high-grade heroin off of Australia's southern coast four days earlier. The North Korean government immediately denied that in was involved Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203068118468591099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2002999882003-05-16T06:19:00.000-07:002003-05-16T08:49:09.000-07:00Teacher's Day
On a lighter note, yesterday was Teacher's Day in Korea. Some students led me and several other instructors to a room that they had decorated for the occasion. Then about 50 students sang the "teacher's song" and listened to each of us give a short speech. After that we cut a cake and were presented with small gifts. My haul for the day: 2 sets of flowers, 2 ties, a plant, a Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203068118468591099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2002964362003-05-15T10:56:00.000-07:002003-05-15T11:01:11.000-07:00Sneaking it past the CIA
Pogue Warrior cites a Chosun Ilbo report detailing how the National Intelligence Service worked to make sure that our boys in the CIA didn't get a wiff of that $200 million sent to North Korea to buy facilitate the June 2000 summit between Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il. Amazing... can't find out dick about North Korea (aside from their bank account numbers, apparently), Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2002956192003-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:002003-05-15T10:32:47.000-07:00More pics of the Marmot's special someone.
On the right, you can see the finest group of fly honeys north of the Gobi (click for larger version). My girlfriend (who the one sitting down all the way on the right) sent me this picture taken from her friend's birthday party in Ulaan Baator, Mongolia. She sent other photos as well, which I have provided for your viewing pleasure at the links belowRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2002946822003-05-15T05:32:00.000-07:002003-05-15T12:20:57.000-07:00Noh and Bush's big date - evaluations of the summit
Noh's 90 minutes with the Big Man came and went, and the results are getting decidedly mixed reviews in this little slice of Pacific coast territory. The two leaders were able to put together a joint statement, the English version of which can be read at the Blue House's Ingirishi site. Just to give you the highlights:
The US-ROK Alliance
Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2002898232003-05-14T07:47:00.000-07:002003-05-14T08:06:16.000-07:00OK, now it all makes sense
Yahoo! reports that autism cases in California have doubled over the last four years. The Marmot suspects that most of those cases have occured in the San Francisco Bay Area, which would explain a lot if true.
"No war for oil... no war for oil... no war for oil... no war for oil... no war for oil... no war for oil... "
[Sorry, I know that was classless. I just Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5066833.post-2002895682003-05-14T07:05:00.000-07:002003-05-14T07:22:14.000-07:00Just one of those Korea moments
OK, I'm sitting in a convenience store, enjoying some kimbap (rice wrapped in seaweed), and the kid behind the counter has got his Eminem CD going. This kid's got Eminem on every morning - obviously, he's a big fan. Anyway, as I'm eating, he's blaring this one track, the lyrics of which go a little something like this:
Yo', I woke up fucked up off the liquor I Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07927658077600008893noreply@blogger.com0