Oh, wait — that’s not it. It was North Korea that actually leased two islands to China to build (what else?) casinos. Yes, casinos. File that one under “stuff Chinese people like.” It might also go under “stuff that North Korean money launderers like.”
The difference being, the islands of Hwan Geum Pyong and Ui Hwa Do actually consist of arable farmland. Not that North has any shortage of that, of course.
I eagerly await the Hankyoreh’s reaction and the impact on North Korea’s impeccable nationalist credentials.
Correction: The Global Times, a not-all-that-well-loved ChiCom broadsheet, citing the Hankook Ilbo, says the islands will be the site of a “free trade zone.” Hat tip, Chris.
9 Comments
Just downstream in Dandong, China is also touting some new high-powered rifles among border guards, since this kind of thing has interested you in the past. Dandong also had some otherwise unreported “anti-terrorist drills” last week involving about 500 security forces. Now who could all of that be directed against?
I have yet to see anything about this specific island leasing in the Chinese press (or on the relevant Liaoning government websites) these past few days amid the Korean War commemorations but such an announcement would fit nicely into the “China as older brother/capitalist mentor” trope and further represent Chinese attempts to drag North Korea into the expanding regional meetings on tourism, in addition to being problematic for the reasons you mention above.
0
0
Gambling is evil! It’s like letting blood so you have something to drink ‘cuz you’re thirsty.
Anyway, Hwan Geum Pyong –> HwanggÅmp’yÅng.
Heh heh heh… it spells Gump.
Good night!
0
0
Their impeccable nationalst reputation is non existant in the international community. Its not like the average citizen will find out right?
0
0
Joshua, are you trying to increase your blog traffic by putting the word “porn” in your subject title?
Sneaky, sneaky.
How can I “translate this page” to that link you posted?
0
0
Ah, wondering if my last comment got stuck in the spam folder cuz of a buzz word.
0
0
Here is a report from Global Times. The fact that the Chinese newspaper was reporting on Chinese-related news from the unconfirmed third party perspective of a not-all-that-well-loved Korean broadsheet daily which was in itself only reporting rumors and heresay on the world’s officially “most closed society” (copyright everyone, ever) notwithstanding, it seems to be true.
Does that help?
0
0
Thank you Chris! And well said. The Chinese version of the story remains elusive at the moment, but I did manage to find some photos of Kim Jong Il looking somewhat befuddled in the company of his son at the monument to the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Unfortunately Destination Pyongyang is blocked in China (something on blogspot they don’t like apparently, which means I also can’t read Good Friends reports…)
0
0
Blocked coz it’s blogspot, or blocked coz it is Destination Pyongyang. I’m inclined to think that if it is the latter, I must be doing something right…
0
0
I believe casinos are off-limits to PRC nationals, so apparently the investors behind this project are expecting that foreigners are going to travel all the way to Dandong to gamble and gaze across the river at the drab concrete buildings partly hidden by drab concrete walls and rusting little boats manned by stone throwers. Maybe the Norks can refurbish Shinuiju’s most photographed landmark, the ever still ferris wheel and relocate it to one of the islands. I’m sure the hotels will all be booked solid in mid-January when the average temperature is 20 F and the surrounding scenery is a palette of gray skies, brown and gray buildings, and bare brown trees and gray snow. Stanley Ho probably hasn’t slept a wink since the news broke.
0
0