http://www.dprkstudies.org A focus on North Korean studies. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:40:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Gizmodo has an excellent array of Kim Jong-il photos; In Which We Provoke Kim Jong Il in 77 Offensive and Hilarious Ways. Some are sure to become often used classics. http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/06/30/gizmodo-kim-jong-il-photo-shop-contest/ I’ve been very busy with work, family, and reserves the past few weeks. The pace is not expected to let up any time soon, but as there are lulls I’ll post updates. http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/06/17/very-light-posting-to-continue%e2%80%a6/ Several factors – all driven by Pyongyang – are at work and have created an increasingly tense military situation on the peninsula. Additional long-range missile tests are expected, and naval clashes along the Northern Limit Line (NLL) are becoming more likely. Political Some background: In January 2009, North Korea ... http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/06/01/north-korea-political-military-update-tensions-high-and-rising/ That someone in the administration recognizes the absurdity of engaging in Ground Hog Day deals with North Korea (and is publicly commenting about it) is somewhat encouraging. Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense, recently had this to say about North Korea: "We will not stand idly by as North ... http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/31/us-secdef-gates-comments-on-north-korea/ ROK Drop: US Says It Can Intercept North Korean Missile NK Econ Watch: North Korea's social change, and; DPRK not about to collapse DPRK Forum: Countdown to the Showtrial in the DPRK EagleSpeak: North Korea Threatens War is Boring: Kyle’s Far East Roundup 5/29/09 [see leadership chart] Notions Capital: North Korea - Alternative Theory Ogle ... http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/31/blogs-on-north-korean-issues/ Curtis Melvin, of the North Korean Economy Watch blog and North Korea Uncovered (Google Earth), recently did an interview on the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC, and is featured in a Times Online article, both focusing on his mapping of North Korea. If you use Google Earth and have an ... http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/31/nk-econ-watch-on-msnbc-featured-in-times-online/ Missed it on the 30th as I was working late, but it's now been four years since DPRK Studies has been in blog format. http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/31/four-years/ The importance of the three short-range missiles launched by North Korea on Monday and the two follow-on launches Tuesday is being overstated in the press and by some politicians; this week is not about short-range missiles but about an apparently functional nuclear device design. North Korea generally conducts several short-range ... http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/26/nk-short-range-missile-launches-relatively-unimportant/ From the Japan Times: "Yasushi Chimura and his wife, Fukie, abducted by North Korea in 1978 but repatriated in 2002, expressed relief Friday that their children [now ages 27, 25, and 21] are adapting smoothly to Japanese life as they marked the fifth anniversary of their arrival in Japan." http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/26/repatriated-japanese-abductee-family-adjusting-well/ The title assumes North Korea did test a nuclear device, which I think likely, and not an equivalent amount of TNT, initially thought a possibility in 2006 until radioactive isotopes of krypton and xenon were detected. There are several reasons for a North Korea to conduct a nuclear test and ... http://www.dprkstudies.org/2009/05/25/why-north-korea-conducted-a-second-nuclear-test/