Last week China expressed concern that the U.S. decision to destroy an errant satellite (which was a success) was actually a thinly veiled missile defense test. The official U.S. explanation was that the satellite contained a potentially toxic fuel that was never used due to a malfunction soon after it was placed in orbit. […]
North Korea has detained a Russian cargo ship carrying Japanese cars to Vladivostok after strong winds forced it to take shelter near the DPRK coast, unfortunately for them near Musadan-ri, which is a missile test range. (h/t GS)
Late in 2007 Russia delivered “its most advanced long-range jet,” to North Korea’s Air Koryo (h/t GS). A variant of the Tupolev TU-204 twin-engined medium range Russian airliner was purchased, the TU-204-300:
It is a shortened, longer range and more efficient derivative of the Tu-204. It is about 6 meters (20 ft) shorter than the […]
Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and U.S. lead in the Six-Party Talks has been awarded the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Gwanghwa Medal from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) (h/t P). I have to admit that when I first read this news, I thought […]
If ever there was a time to drop the hammer on North Korea for habitually reneging on nuclear deals, now would be the time:
Speaking to reporters in Beijing Saturday, [Sigfried Hecker] said North Korean officials have told him they will not provide a full declaration of the country’s nuclear programs until other countries provide […]
A few days ago Joshua discussed the report of 22 North Koreans executed after having drifted into South Korean waters in two rubber dinghies and being returned to the DPRK. Thirteen of those rumored to have been executed were family members.
According to ROK National Intelligence Service (NIS) official, the group was fishing and, “strongly […]
Asia Times: Another Korean ‘war’ casualty (Don Kirk)
Yonhap: N. Korea intensifies press oppression
Joongang Ilbo: Group: Official executed over calls
AP: US: N. Korea must declare nuclear plans
Bloomberg: North Korea Blames U.S. for Atomic Accord Delay
AP: U.S. researchers: NK wants energy aid before declaration
Reuters: U.S. envoy on North Korea in Beijing for talks
Kyodo: Photos Of N […]
From the VoA: “No North Korean racers took part in this first-ever dog sled race on North Korean soil. Nor were any North Korean spectators allowed to attend. It was seen only by a few confused North Korean kitchen staff peering through a nearby hotel window.” Engagement, DPRK style.
From the Korea Times: “President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s transition team is pushing ahead with overhauling the… nation’s spy agency…`We should know more about what’s going on in North Korea through HUMINT operations to resolve the stalemate over the North’s nuclear weapons program…’ ” Perhaps a letter to Kim Jong-il warning him, with a list […]
Joongang Ilbo:
• Aid for North’s hungry diverted to its military
• You call that intelligence?
• South’s stone gift for North Korea travels rocky road
• Will North lose FIFA game?
Daily NK: North Korea Will Not Be Recognized As a Nuclear State
Japan Times: Chinese views on North Korea [Must Read]
Bloomberg: Ex-U.S. Officials Orchestrate Korea Nuclear Diplomacy
Dong-a Ilbo: […]
Via the Times: "The exhibition features 400 hand-painted posters dating from the peak of the Dear Leader Kim Sung Il's power in the 1950s to the present regime led by his son, Kim Jong Il." The article has only one image, but has several interesting propaganda quotes.
- #Young Korean Herrenvolk engaging in their version of Agoge, at least according to the New York Times. The two Korean schools mentioned in the article are similar to Exeter or Andover in the United States in someways (they are private academies that serve children of affluent parents). But my guess is that the studious atmosphere and intense regimen compare more to the likes of Stuyvesant (my alma mater) in NYC or T.J. in Virginia (both highly selective, but publicly-funded high schools).
- #North Korea claims that on 25 April 1932 the Korean People’s Army (KPA, 조선인민군/ Chosŏn inmin'gun) was formed. However, the more likely accurate date is 08 February 1948. It is celebrated as “Military Foundation Day” in Kimland.
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