The “Don’t Do It” Tour

Sounds fun already, doesn’t it? Now, I’m sure Kumgang is a perfectly beautiful place, as is Banff, the Olympic Peninsula, the Royal Gorge, and the Black Hills. For Kumgang, the politics are undoubtedly part of the draw, in which case, I say it’s only fair that you consider the ugly side before you subsidize that system. The Christian Science Monitor has this interesting report about a reporter’s recent visit: A Hyundai executive half-jokingly says that his company’s excursions are called...

“This is not how allies deal with each other.”

Just how bad are things between the United States and South Korea these days? “As the talks went on, Mr. Powell stiffened. Mr. Yoon practically told him that Seoul would link the nuclear issue with the troop dispatch,” the official said. The New York Times reported that South Korea had told the United States it would not consider sending more troops to Iraq unless Washington made a concession to Pyeongyang. South Korean officials said later, however, that Mr. Yoon’s message...

“This is not how allies deal with each other.”

Just how bad are things between the United States and South Korea these days? “As the talks went on, Mr. Powell stiffened. Mr. Yoon practically told him that Seoul would link the nuclear issue with the troop dispatch,” the official said. The New York Times reported that South Korea had told the United States it would not consider sending more troops to Iraq unless Washington made a concession to Pyeongyang. South Korean officials said later, however, that Mr. Yoon’s message...

A Clash of Civilizations

It’s Norbert Vollertsen and his chief U.S. ally, Michael Horowitz of the Hudson Institute (in Seoul until the 11th) against Roh Moo-Hyun this week. That may have been what inspired Roh to lash out at “hard-liners” yesterday. Fresh from staring down the Pusan Migra, he has his eye-poking finger unsheathed, calling his next activities “tourist information.” He even says he’ll bring “tourist” photos of North Korea plus more newsworthy antics that seem to beg the South Koreans to deport him...

The USFK: A Regional Force?

I have been completely underwhelmed with the controversy over the USFK having missions beyond South Korea. The Workers’ Party, Southern Branch Democratic Labor Party recently leaked a classified document as support for his accusation that the USFK might actually be planning for missions outside South Korea. My reaction: So? This really comes down to the question of whether you consider the USFK to be part of the U.S. Army or a bunch of rented security guards. If you say they’re...

Bernie Kerik

Bernie Kerik seems like a very good choice for Homeland Security, from what I gather of his history of doing things effectively. The BBC has the most interesting story about him, including the interesting detail that he has a half-Korean daughter from his time as an Army MP in South Korea. My time as a shink, relationship counselor, and personal consigliore to most of the USFK defense counsel has given me much understanding and acceptance of what young guys do...

The “Don’t Do It” Tour

Sounds fun already, doesn’t it? Now, I’m sure Kumgang is a perfectly beautiful place, as is Banff, the Olympic Peninsula, the Royal Gorge, and the Black Hills. For Kumgang, the politics are undoubtedly part of the draw, in which case, I say it’s only fair that you consider the ugly side before you subsidize that system. The Christian Science Monitor has this interesting report about a reporter’s recent visit: A Hyundai executive half-jokingly says that his company’s excursions are called...

The “Don’t Do It” Tour

Sounds fun already, doesn’t it? Now, I’m sure Kumgang is a perfectly beautiful place, as is Banff, the Olympic Peninsula, the Royal Gorge, and the Black Hills. For Kumgang, the politics are undoubtedly part of the draw, in which case, I say it’s only fair that you consider the ugly side before you subsidize that system. The Christian Science Monitor has this interesting report about a reporter’s recent visit: A Hyundai executive half-jokingly says that his company’s excursions are called...

A Clash of Civilizations

It’s Norbert Vollertsen and his chief U.S. ally, Michael Horowitz of the Hudson Institute (in Seoul until the 11th) against Roh Moo-Hyun this week. That may have been what inspired Roh to lash out at “hard-liners” yesterday. Fresh from staring down the Pusan Migra, he has his eye-poking finger unsheathed, calling his next activities “tourist information.” He even says he’ll bring “tourist” photos of North Korea plus more newsworthy antics that seem to beg the South Koreans to deport him...

The USFK: A Regional Force?

I have been completely underwhelmed with the controversy over the USFK having missions beyond South Korea. The Workers’ Party, Southern Branch Democratic Labor Party recently leaked a classified document as support for his accusation that the USFK might actually be planning for missions outside South Korea. My reaction: So? This really comes down to the question of whether you consider the USFK to be part of the U.S. Army or a bunch of rented security guards. If you say they’re...