Archive for August, 2007

Korean Studies Programs (Part 2)

Friday, August 31st, 2007

Like the previous post on Korean Studies programs, most of the information and advice given here is general, intended to point one in the right direction, and offer a few ideas as a starting point; a lot of work will need to be done to find the right program and ensure it will […]

Women’s Soccer: U.S. Imperialists vs. NK Commies

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

This should be good – the North Koreas face the American team on, oddly enough, 11 September at the Chengdu Sports Center:
North Korea may not allow its less-than-average national men’s soccer team to participate in every international tournament, but the secretive Stalinist state has no such qualms about its high-performing women.
[. . .]
The North […]

North Korea in the News

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

Chosun Ilbo: S.Korean Fuel Companies Take Small Steps Into N.Korea
Yonhap: US: NK terrorism list removal depends on denuclearization
AFP: US expects NKorea to disable nuclear program in Sept accord
Reuters: Nigeria seeks North Korean energy investment (h/t DPRK Forum)
BI: E.C. directs funds to North Korea flood victims
RIAN: Russia to send aid to flood-hit North […]

I Want My NK TV

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

Despite any sort of reciprocity from North Korean broadcasters, South Korean companies will be forced to fork over about $70,000 a year:
An SBS executive said South Korean TV stations have used TV pictures aired by KCBS for free, but in July, the Korean Foundation for South-North Economic and Cultural Cooperation, as a proxy of […]

South Korean Customer Service to Delcine on Thursdays

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

From the Chosun Ilbo: “A Jinro official said… ‘we estimate that Thursday sees the highest level of soju consumption. Friday used to be the peak day for soju consumption, but with the five-day work week, consumption on Thursday has soared.’” Other days of the week with record breaking sales include Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, […]

Dead Diplomat Deal

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

From the Asia Times: “In a nutshell, what appeared to be a poor diplomatic maneuver from South Korea on the death of its envoy in China may actually have been a choreographed deal between the two countries meant to save China’s face, the argument goes.” Looks like the lives of ROK diplomats and DPRK […]

Keeping North Korea Negotiating Developments in Perspective

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

Recently there have been reports on the possibility of a formal peace treaty between the U.S. and North Korea (currently there is an armistice but not a treaty), and the possibility of North Korea being removed from the from the list of states sponsoring terrorism maintained by the U.S. North Korean negotiators have toned […]

American Defector Wannabe

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

From Virtual Tourist user, “TheHypnotist”: “I’m an American. I want to Move to North Korea. Do you think they’d let me? Or would they be suspicious?” None of the replies advised him the standard method: join the Army, get stationed in Korea, and slip across the DMZ.

DPRK Google Maps via NK Econ Watch

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

Curtis Melvin of NK Econ Watch as released version 4 of his, “North Korea Uncovered” Google Earth download. His map covers, “agriculture, aviation, cultural locations, manufacturing facilities, railroad, energy infrastructure, politics, sports venues, military establishments,” and a lot more.

The Chinese are Coming… to Kaesong

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

With China making claims on Korea’s history, giving Beijing a stake in North Korea’s well being on the DPRK’s southern border might not be the best of moves, but money beckons:
A Chinese manufacturer has become the first foreign company to sign a contract to open a factory in an inter-Korean industrial complex in North […]