Archive for August, 2009
Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Dead at 83
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009Former President Kim Dae-jung (김대중) died today at age 83 (85 by Korean reckoning) of complications related to pneumonia. Kim was the Republic of Korea present from 1998 to 2003.
Although Kim had a long political career as an opposition leader – not an easy thing in Korea at the time – he [...]
The “Niche” Market for North Korean Women
Saturday, August 15th, 2009Theorized about for a long time, now in the news:
“Currently there are eight companies in Seoul alone that provide services matching North Korean women with South Korean men. Two of them opened between 2005 and 2006 and the other six last year or this year. “It’s a niche market for South Korean men who [...]
North Korea’s Office 39 and Supernotes
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009Vanity Fair, of all publications, has a lengthy article on North Korea’s counterfeiting operations, including Office 39. Well worth a read. (h/t NE Asia Matters)
North Korea to Cry Foul at South Korean Satellite Launch
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009Update, 19 August: Per Yonhap:
South Korea suspended Wednesday the launch of its first space rocket with just under eight minutes remaining in the countdown due to a technical glitch.
Original post: South Korea’s first space launch vehicle (KSLV-1) is set for a 19 August launch from the new Naro Space Center. This is causing some [...]
The Ladies of Kim Jong-il
Saturday, August 8th, 2009The Chosun Ilbo has an article about a new book by Chang Jin-song (formerly affiliated with the North Korean Workers’ Party) that details Kim Jong-il private life, including the inside scoop on all his lady friends. According to Chang, one unfortunate young lady to get Kim’s attention was, “brutally executed after she spurned Kim’s [...]
Bill Clinton (finally) Goes to North Korea
Friday, August 7th, 2009Earlier this week former U.S. president Bill Clinton went to North Korea to obtain the release of two American journalists who foolishly strayed into that country five months earlier and became pawns in a larger – and largely futile – diplomatic game. Clinton’s visit was portrayed as unofficial and that of a private citizen, [...]
