. . . was the sentence for Takayuki Noguchi, who was caught trying to help two North Korean refugees escape. Both were born in Japan, but are now certain to die in North Korea. Soon. More info here. Quick . . . someone warn the riot police.

Few people have done more or risked more at the front lines to help North Korean refugees than Douglas Shin. If you google him, you will see that he’s been the subject and interviewee of a lot of big media, but if you meet him in person, his decency and modesty belie his accomplishments. Doug (actually, he’s an ordained minister, but you wouldn’t guess that from meeting him, either) has started a new Web site here, and I hope you’ll...

Here’s a comforting report for everyone who says that we must take North Korean promises not to transfer nukes to terrorists: In December 2002, according to officials with access to the airport, a North Korean cargo jet delivering nuclear technology, including some weapons-grade uranium, was being unloaded at night under military supervision. A container slipped and cracked on the tarmac, and everyone in the area was taken away for thorough medical examinations. Apparently, the Iranians shut down the entire airport...

Count me as a soldier in The Big Hominid’s flame war against the South Korean Ministry of Truth, but it’s hard for me to get as excited about hit counters as I do about beatings, arrests, isolation, and intimidation of dissenters with the apparent cooperation / acquiesence of the South Korean government. The Marmot, ever careful to avoid a hasty conclusion, doesn’t accuse the MIC of censorship (ahem, are you listening, Korea Herald?). Blocking blogs–even for nearly a week–may or...

I’ve predicted (here and here) that the Korean reaction to the murder of Kim Seon-Il would not be to support the deployment of troops to Iraq, but to hate both America and the entire muslim world. Given a few days, however, someone was sure to find the tortured logic that somehow makes this mostly America’s fault. The wait is now over. If you bet against me on that one, I’d like to call in my chips now (hat tip: Jeff)....

I’ve predicted (here and here) that the Korean reaction to the murder of Kim Seon-Il would not be to support the deployment of troops to Iraq, but to hate both America and the entire muslim world. Given a few days, however, someone was sure to find the tortured logic that somehow makes this mostly America’s fault. The wait is now over. If you bet against me on that one, I’d like to call in my chips now (hat tip: Jeff)....

Interesting report in the NYT. James Brooke seems to have the best understanding of the issues of any of the reporters from the major rags. The story begins with a discussion of the South Koreans dismantling those ludicrous loudspeakers along the DMZ. It then discusses some of the absurdities that result when you make an agreement with the world’s most closed society to restrict the flow of information. A month after South Korea allowed thugs to shut down Radio Free...

Interesting report in the NYT. James Brooke seems to have the best understanding of the issues of any of the reporters from the major rags. The story begins with a discussion of the South Koreans dismantling those ludicrous loudspeakers along the DMZ. It then discusses some of the absurdities that result when you make an agreement with the world’s most closed society to restrict the flow of information. A month after South Korea allowed thugs to shut down Radio Free...

For all those who think that the murder of Kim Seon-Il will bring Korea and America closer together, I dissent. A wave of hatred against muslims and a desire to seek collective vengeance don’t add up to shared values and interests. If anything, this will only deepen Korean resentment of the U.S., particularly given the universe of difference in our views on North Korea. In fact, I still suspect the Uri will continue to stall the Iraq deployment until the...

The NYT is reporting on the terms of a potential deal Bush will offer the NorKs, and don’t bother looking for the words “human rights”: Under the plan, . . . the aid would begin flowing immediately after a commitment by Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, to dismantle his plutonium and uranium weapons programs. In return, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea would immediately begin sending tens of thousands of tons of heavy fuel oil every month, and...

The circumstances of Kim Seon-Il’s capture are starting to look strange indeed. The AP apparently had another tape of him from early June in which he gratuitously denounced America, Bush, and the war on camera, apparently of his own free will. The AP, at least, didn’t think he was being held against his will, and neither his employer nor the ROK government got excited about it. No, the fact that he was misguided in his belief in a “middle way”...

For all those who think that the murder of Kim Seon-Il will bring Korea and America closer together, I dissent. A wave of hatred against muslims and a desire to seek collective vengeance don’t add up to shared values and interests. If anything, this will only deepen Korean resentment of the U.S., particularly given the universe of difference in our views on North Korea. In fact, I still suspect the Uri will continue to stall the Iraq deployment until the...

The NYT is reporting on the terms of a potential deal Bush will offer the NorKs, and don’t bother looking for the words “human rights”: Under the plan, . . . the aid would begin flowing immediately after a commitment by Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, to dismantle his plutonium and uranium weapons programs. In return, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea would immediately begin sending tens of thousands of tons of heavy fuel oil every month, and...

Screaming Headline: “Bush Claims Right to Limit Geneva Protections!” Unreported Fact: He applied them anyway. What’s more, he’s not required to give terrorists the vast majority of Geneva’s protections under Article III. Rant all you want, but you ought to do yourself the service of reading the law first. Today, we see a shocking report that journalists have more liberal voting records than voters in the congressional district that includes Berkeley, California. Oh, that liberal media. Sheesh.

The circumstances of Kim Seon-Il’s capture are starting to look strange indeed. The AP apparently had another tape of him from early June in which he gratuitously denounced America, Bush, and the war on camera, apparently of his own free will. The AP, at least, didn’t think he was being held against his will, and neither his employer nor the ROK government got excited about it. No, the fact that he was misguided in his belief in a “middle way”...

The circumstances of Kim Seon-Il’s capture are starting to look strange indeed. The AP apparently had another tape of him from early June in which he gratuitously denounced America, Bush, and the war on camera, apparently of his own free will. The AP, at least, didn’t think he was being held against his will, and neither his employer nor the ROK government got excited about it. No, the fact that he was misguided in his belief in a “middle way”...

Screaming Headline: “Bush Claims Right to Limit Geneva Protections!” Unreported Fact: He applied them anyway. What’s more, he’s not required to give terrorists the vast majority of Geneva’s protections under Article III. Rant all you want, but you ought to do yourself the service of reading the law first. Today, we see a shocking report that journalists have more liberal voting records than voters in the congressional district that includes Berkeley, California. Oh, that liberal media. Sheesh.

I admit that I still often don’t get why some events (the accident case) create riots on the Korean Street when others (the shameful way China treats North Koreans) don’t even create a murmur. Peoples’ emotions tend to conform to their political preconceptions, but there must be more to it. The sheer brutality and senselessness of the murder of a Korean by a foreigner—on videotape—will certainly set off plenty of famously hot Korean tempers. My wife’s reaction was the most...