Monday, September 30, 2002

This Thursday South Korea celebrates Foundation Day. This day remembers the mythological beginnings of the Korean peoples and how they came to inhabit the peninnsula. Although the origins of Tangun's kingdom are actually in North Korea and the North Koreans celebrate this event on a different day it's still a great day to recall the story and reflect on the long history of the Korean people. The fact that Korean have a national holiday to remember this legend is a stark reminder of the importance of history and culture in defining a people and how their ancient beginnings still today reflect so muc of who they have become in modern times.

So what is the best way to celebrate Foundation Day....of course, it is by donating time for the good of the nation and to charity by participating in worthwhile events like the Hope Worldwide Korea runathon to raise money for tuberculosis suffers in North Korea. Rollerbladers are welcome to join in as well....coooollll!!! I'm for blading on Tangun Day!


Thursday, September 26, 2002

North Korea is postively abuzz with activity these days. On the international scene, the recent talks with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi led to an admission on the fate of Japanese abductees...they're mostly dead. But the important thing is that NK admits it. This may pave the way for more talks and negotiations on normalising ties between Japan and NK....However, it is the view of this humble typist that the road to normalising ties from the historical enmity will be a long and difficult path. Beijing may benervous but I doubt that is actually worried to any extent about better relations between Japan and North Korea.

And just to prove that long-time big brother figure China still has pride of place for Koreans, Chinese Yang Bin has been selected for the (overly) ambitious project of developing Sinuiju Special Economic Zone. Good luck, mate!

And amongst all this activity and more we now have James Kelly on his way to hold talks with North Korea. After months of delay and recalcitrance on the part of the US, in the immediate wake of talks with Japan, America suddenly announces a planned visit. Just to make sure America doesn't get left out of the game and to make sure the North knows that as part of the 'axis of evil' they could be in Iraq's place if they don't buck up and do what their told. At least USA is not sending hard-line bafoon John Bolton in to make unfounded commentary on NK weapons trade.

Wednesday, September 25, 2002

See-ya Later September - Weekend Plan

Saturday 28th September - Pop Concert

Concert night to enjoy under the stars
We'lll have to walk we don't own cars
This invitation extends only to the sane
People of class, demure and urbane

After the show its time to move from the park
From family crowd to seedy pub; hazy and dark
Where we'll drink and dance and all get mellow
Thanks to the company, the beer, the soju and jello


Deoksugung Palace Concert



Sunday 29th September - Caribbean Bay

Days are dragging on so slow
Nothing to do and nowhere to go
So sick of being bored, tired and lazy
Want to go out, go wild and crazy

To Caribbean Bay where the season is over
No drinking allowed; we'lll have to go sober
Squeeze into our cossies and enter the fray
Loud and looney no matter what people say


Caribbean Bay


Thursday, September 19, 2002

OH and Happy Chusok everyone

I became an Aunt yesterday; I have a niece; she has no name...yet. And then....I did this quiz:

What revolution are You?
Made by altern_active
and then...I did this quiz:



you're american beauty. you're full of hope and appreciate the beautiful things in life.

take the which prettie movie are you? quiz, a product of the slinkstercool community.


And I should probably thank this person and this person whose sites I was browsing for taking me to the quizzes.

Tuesday, September 17, 2002

It happened like this.....

I was reading an article in the paper (I would link you to it but I forget where I saw it - I think it was Korea Herald or Korea Times) that talked about an incident involving some US soldiers who got on a subway and happened to find that they were sharing a carriage with a lawyer representing the families of the two young school girls run over by a US truck. The lawyer, and others were on their way to a rally for the girls. Now a heated debate broke out in the carriage and one fiery young American hit the lawyer and gave him two black eyes. But this was not a smart move because he was soon set upon by other rally participants who restrained him and delivered him to a nearby police station.....That was basically what I read.

And then, that very evening on the US Armed Forces Network TV news program the announcers tells us that US soldiers were 'attacked' by South Koreans and one of them was 'kidnapped' by angry locals!!!!

Its good to know that you can trust the media no matter which source to give you the facts without sensationalism or gossip-mongering.

Which story is true...well the debate is just hotting up. We have the pro-US opinion here. But I think that goes too far. Koreans are not easily provoked and though in this case they may have been not pleased to see GIs I would be surprised if the GIs had not provoked this incident. Americans are taught to keep out of trouble...why did they stay in the area? Why didn't they just turn a cheek and walk away...afterall they probably couldn't even hope to communicate effectively with each other due to language barriers. The Koreans may be giving a one-sided view but the US certainly can't claim the moral highground. If you get stuck in a fight and people take you to the police station, obviously this will be done against your will but it is absolutely ridiculous to call it "kidnapping"...oh please!

Friday, September 13, 2002

In the next substantial move by North Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will head to Pyongyang for talks. The two key issues to be discussed will be the Japanese abductees and for North Korea, the issue of compensation. If information on the abductees alone is enough in the first meeting to spur further talks and open negotiations for compensation agreements then perhaps there might be a shadow of hope. If the Japanese demand their return, then I think things are looking dim.

Normalising ties between North Korea and Japan has significant undertones on the direction and change occuring within the reclusive self-reliant state. In the aftermath of the Korean war, the pain and bitter resentment of Japanese colonial rule was still fresh in the Korean mindset. Much of North Korea's juche philosophy emphasised the need to be self-reliant and independent in reaction to the subjugation and domination Korea had experienced at the hands on greater powers and especially Japan. South Korea too was extremely reluctant toward normalising ties with Japan after the war and only did so at the behest of US pressure and from the need to secure aid and assistance to build up the economy. But relations were not good and it was only in the last couple of years that regulations have eased to allow Japanese consumer imports including animations and cars into South Korea, a full fifty years after Japan was ousted from Korea.

But it would optomistic to expect too much from these talks. On the one hand we can be thankful that arrangements for former Japanese Prime Minister and frequent gaffer Mori didn't get to make the journey north. Instead we have Koizumi, better known for his controversial visits to the Yakusuni shrine, final resting place to many Japanese war criminals.

But the experience of South Korea could offer some insight for North Korea. Through the normalisation of ties the chance exists for much aid to pour from Japan. And like the early days of South Korean development, taking Japanese money doesn't mean you have to like the Japanese, it just means you should be polite to them...and not abduct their countrymen/women. Surely, that wouldn't be hard.

But I'm no expert; read more here.

Wednesday, September 11, 2002

Third time lucky? Presidential nominee number three for prime ministership has been announced. One Mr. Kim Suk-soo has heeded the call of the President and elected to brave the hearing of the National Assembly which has thus far ignomiously ousted the previous two nominees. But things this time are looking positive, though its early days. Articles like this one, this one and this one, fail to highlight any possible real threats that could lead his rejection. Finger crossed. With less than six months to go, the outcome of filling largely cerimonial role becomes a rather dull event. Whoever finally gets the position will only be in long to put a family picture on their desk and it'll be time to leave. No matter, its still gratifying to see democracy develop through the rigorous screenings which the nominees are being subject to.


In the meantime...back at the ranch....there are bigger fish to fry. Of course, I'm refferring to the upcoming presidential elections. The final line up of candidates is not finalised yet but the situation to date show several figures manuvering to get themselves in a strong position to run. As the article suggests, there is likely to be several big changes as coalitions are formed and broken and no Korea election would be complete without a new party being formed from the ashes of a discredited one. The MDP will shortly be no more, in my opinion, and a new party will rise in its place. Knowing Korea there will probably be a compeitition to give it a cutesy name, slogan and/or mascot.


Wednesday, September 04, 2002

The Seoul Arts Centre is currently showing The Gambler, a story, I am told, based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Player. This musical was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with lots of energy, music and dance. The prima dona, 최정원 (Choi Jung Won) was absolutely superb with an inspiring singing voice. The Casino Boss, Duchess, and the Gambler were also great as well as the comedy relief offered by a magnaminous Gigi. A great way to skip work and bludge away the afternoon (which I did).

And special thanks to you who provided the tickets for me and my friend for coming along with me.

Currently reading:

"Hell" by Yasutaka Tsutsui