May 2006 – Page 6

May 1, 2006

Has a U.S. Embassy Accepted NK Defectors?

[Update: link fixed, thanks!] Via the Chosun Ilbo: Some five or six North Korean defectors are reportedly preparing to enter the U.S. under the protection of its embassy in a Southeast Asian country as Washington prepares to make good on a pledge to grant asylum to more refugees from the Stalinist country. Sources in the U.S. government and Congress said Thursday as soon as procedural matters with the Asian country are resolved, the North Koreans will make their way to...

Activism/Defectors/Human Rights/Refugees/Southeast Asia/U.S. & Korea/Uncategorized/Washington Views

May 1, 2006

Your New Censors, Part 2

As predicted, the success of Islamic fundamentalist street censors means that the incitement industry is booming and in search of new holies to protect. Now, it’s the flags of predominantly Muslim nations. This, too, led to a surrender, meaning that new holies will soon be found. First the Koran, then images of Mohammad, now national flags. What next? Hey, maybe we can censor ourselves before they do it for us!

Censorship/Islam/Terrorism/Iraq

May 1, 2006

What’s the Deal With Kim Jong Nam?

I found this report interesting on two levels. First, a certain “East Asian intelligence agency” is either running a disinformation campaign or needs to shoot whoever leaked a good source of intel on North Korean kremlinology, specifically, “occasional drunken conversations that last more than an hour.” Isn’t that always the best kind, too? Second, the role of Kim Jong Il’s eldest son, Kim “Goofy” Jong Nam, whom I’d though had landed safely on the ash-heap, looks like it’s back in...

Kim Jong Il/Kremlinology/North Korea

May 1, 2006

DailyNK Makes Newsweek, Sort of

Newsweek’s latest article on South Korea’s “New Right” is a must-read (ht to the Marmot). The New Right, in remarkable parallel to the rise of American neocons, has sprung up in reaction to these changes. They promote American-style capitalism, denounce the type of totalitarian socialism found in North Korea and–unlike traditional GNP conservatives–advocate a more open world view that transcends narrow nationalism.

Democracy/Korean Politics

May 1, 2006

House Int’l Relations Committee, N.K. Human Rights Act Page

Thanks to Doug for forwarding the link, which contains many of the witness statements from last week’s congressional hearings, as well as important correspondence and a copy of the Act itself. It’s also the newest addition to the blogroll, so check it regularly.

Human Rights/U.S. & Korea/U.S. Law/Uncategorized/Washington Views

May 1, 2006

Revealed: The Halliburton Conspiracy to Unify Korea!

A comment to this post implies belief in an old canard of the Korean left that the United States is an invisible hand that keeps Korea divided. That argument depends on any number of dubious lines of reasoning, from control of South Korea’s natural resources (such as . . . ?), to controlling its trade (and yet, China is now Korea’s largest trading partner), to keeping Korea as a client for U.S. arms (a united Korea wouldn’t need arms, and...

An Alliance?/Anti-Americanism/China & Korea/Democracy/Geopolitics/Humor/Satire/Korean Politics/NK Economics/U.S. & Korea/U.S. Military/Uncategorized

Monthly Archive: May, 2006

Has a U.S. Embassy Accepted NK Defectors?

Your New Censors, Part 2

What’s the Deal With Kim Jong Nam?

DailyNK Makes Newsweek, Sort of

House Int’l Relations Committee, N.K. Human Rights Act Page

Revealed: The Halliburton Conspiracy to Unify Korea!