And to think that just over an hour ago, Andy Jackson, a/k/a the Flying Yangban, and I were discussing (over fried bean curd and beef noodle soup) what a slow news week it’s been regarding North Korea (thanks to Andy for his intelligent, engaging presence over lunch; I hope the Lady Yangban didn’t get too hungry). * * * * * In the wake of reports that Libya was found in possession of what U.S. officials believe to be North...

The indispensable Claudia Rosett is one of the few big media voices–maybe the only big media voice–giving the North Korean human rights issue the attention it warrants. Ms. Rosett, for those who don’t read her bi-weekly column in the Wall Street Journal, was probably more responsible than any other journalist for digging up the facts of the oil-for-food scandal. Here are just two excerpts from her column today: Short of war to remove the Kim regime, probably the best way...

Japan 2, North Korea 1. I wouldn’t want to be one of the North Korean players today.

If you can explain that one, I’d be much obliged. Still, I suppose it’s good that the GNP has cloistered itself somewhere to discuss its fuure. Maybe the politicos can feel each other for signs of a spine. From this report, it doesn’t seem to rise above the level of squabbling about cosmetic changes (another name change? puhleeeeaze), which is a lot like the Dems’ sudden and clumsy attempts to pander to religious voters ever since their three-point loss here...

As if You Didn’t Have Enough to Worry About: Your four-year old might be out playing Grand Theft Auto in the family truckster while you’re fast asleep in your bed. And to think I once wanted four kids . . . .

Your first answer: yes, it could be even worse than Roh. Chung Dong-Young is running. The Korea Herald has a decent rundown on the candidates (or at least, most of them) but it’s woefully short on the candidates’ positions on specific issues. I’ll see what else I can find out.

While I don’t see anything here that justifies the description of a “smoking gun” for Kofi Annan–yet–the mysterious death of Benon Sevan’s aunt certainly suggests the need for further inquiry. Sheesh. The broader questions remains: what exactly unites these nations?

North Korea has asked the Czech Republic to ban “Team America,” a movie I have yet to see because of my little screamy ones. The Marmot has the goods. It’s actually quite funny to anyone who has been to Czech recently. The Czechs are about the happiest, friendliest, most free-spirited people in Europe–a happy island kingdom in a dour, grey, relativist sea. They seem to have democracy in their DNA. Czech dissidents once protested Communist rule by sneaking into a...

If you can explain that one, I’d be much obliged. Still, I suppose it’s good that the GNP has cloistered itself somewhere to discuss its fuure. Maybe the politicos can feel each other for signs of a spine. From this report, it doesn’t seem to rise above the level of squabbling about cosmetic changes (another name change? puhleeeeaze), which is a lot like the Dems’ sudden and clumsy attempts to pander to religious voters ever since their three-point loss here...

As if You Didn’t Have Enough to Worry About: Your four-year old might be out playing Grand Theft Auto in the family truckster while you’re fast asleep in your bed. And to think I once wanted four kids . . . .

Your first answer: yes, it could be even worse than Roh. Chung Dong-Young is running. The Korea Herald has a decent rundown on the candidates (or at least, most of them) but it’s woefully short on the candidates’ positions on specific issues. I’ll see what else I can find out.

Your first answer: yes, it could be even worse than Roh. Chung Dong-Young is running. The Korea Herald has a decent rundown on the candidates (or at least, most of them) but it’s woefully short on the candidates’ positions on specific issues. I’ll see what else I can find out.

While I don’t see anything here that justifies the description of a “smoking gun” for Kofi Annan–yet–the mysterious death of Benon Sevan’s aunt certainly suggests the need for further inquiry. Sheesh. The broader questions remains: what exactly unites these nations?

North Korea has asked the Czech Republic to ban “Team America,” a movie I have yet to see because of my little screamy ones. The Marmot has the goods. It’s actually quite funny to anyone who has been to Czech recently. The Czechs are about the happiest, friendliest, most free-spirited people in Europe–a happy island kingdom in a dour, grey, relativist sea. They seem to have democracy in their DNA. Czech dissidents once protested Communist rule by sneaking into a...

If I had known that they were celebrating “Death to America Day” at the Bethesda Marriott, I’d have hired the strippers with my own money. In fact, I’d even have gleefully explained the credit card bill to my wife. Fortunately, Gary Metz, a/k/a Dr. Zin, who runs Regime Change Iran, beat me to it by starting a letter-writing campaign and getting the thing either shut down or safely moved to the Hi-Way Budget Motel in Beltsville. Regime Change Iran is...

A team within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Thursday drafted a North Korean Human Rights Act emphasizing the protection of defectors from the North. After revision, the bill will be submitted to the Diet early next month. The bill calls for Japanese legations to protect defectors who enter their premises. It also regulates financial support for groups helping defectors, and seeks improved relations with other nations to solve the kidnapping of Japanese by Pyongyang. The bill is a...

I absolutely fail to see the down side of this. But there are always people who are desperate enough to find one (sigh). These people conveniently forget that those who don’t comply with Article I are not entitled to the rights of prisoners of war. Their only rights are the very most basic: protection from unlawful killing, severe torture, the denial of food and medical treatment. To suggest that terrorists are anything but common criminals is a unilateral media amendment...