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Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Banned Bloggers Seems like the ban on blog sites is continuing in Korea and it is all anyone from the so-called IKK is talking about. I wrote to a former colleague from the Korean Government to see what they might say about it and he had no idea what I was talking about. This led me to think that this issue may be well-known among us bloggers but is not being made widely known to the broader public. Further to that, I'm not sure many Koreans will be overly sympathetic to the plight of a handful of foreigners who blog from Korea. I did find some articles in Korean about it but it hardly seems to be getting much publicity/empathy. I also suspect that some less avid netizens will side with the MIC in their argument of protecting the people. I recall the US government asking (not demanding) media to stop playing the 9/11 video for similar reasons of 'causing distress'. Although, of course, it was still available on the internet as were other pictures of the tragedy. About Joel and Big Ho and others are calling for petitions and other lobbying efforts but I think it might be prudent to remember that as foreigners any petitions by us are of little worth. Citizens have the right to petition, not aliens. (at least as far as I'm aware). Therefore the government wouldn't even be obligated to so much as look at any petition collected. So what to do, what to do...?? Perhaps a candlelight vigil might be in order.
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Friday, June 25, 2004
Six Party Talks Taking a moment away from preparing my application to Wonderland. Its being reported that the latest round of six party talks has seen some proposals from various sides and new signs of flexibility. Also, the DPRK and US sat down for bilateral discussion as well that lasted over two hours but one report says that DPRK threatened to test one of their nukes. On the US side, they have suggested Libya-style procedures that would give DPRK three months to get on board before inspections began to ensure complete, irreversible, and verifiable dismantlement (CIVD). It has been noted that three months is also around election time which may imply that this is an attempt to put off the need for any real progress until after the voting. These talks have been completely overshadowed due to the Iraqi affair, of which I won't talk about except to ask how it is that the media was INSIDE their house to take such disturbing photos of their personal grief!? In addition to that, the low expectations and correspondingly lacklustre results have ensured little interest in this round of non-event talks. Shifting the Capital Roh's big plans to move the capital regardless of what anyone else wants is moving ahead and he has decided to forego a referundum. Afterall, who needs public approval for policy in a democracy anyway? The article brings up a few good points, including noting the economy can ill afford the cost of such a massive move. The current surplus of the budget is largely comprised of the pension fund savings which has been building up to support the new welfare programs initiated after the financial crisis. Add to this the fact that the budget does not include "funds" which are not recorded in the consolidated budget figures. This ties in with the second matter, namely that shifting the capital will not improve balanced regional growth in Korea. Roh argues that the idea is to decentralise power and reduce the concentration in Seoul. Regional balanced growth has been the mantra for pursuing local government development since 1995. Research and seminars on how best to achieve this has been ongoing for several years to find out how to develop policies that will enable greater intra-regional equality. But this move won't serve to alleviate regionalism or reduce disparity. It makes less sense given the size of the country as well. Its a small nation, there is little reason to have two major centres of power. The money that would go towards the move would be far better spent on implementing sound policies that will address the structural and institutional inhibitants to revigorating regional areas and enabling them to find ways to boose their local economies and create opportunties for local populations to develop and rejuvenate their region. Monday, June 21, 2004
Candle Light Vigils Jeff continues to be the key source of links on this issue but I just thought I'd add my own update on the candle light vigils held last night. A group of about 5000 gathered in front of Kwanghwamoon in Seoul for the vigil and you can get some video footage and other updates over at Oh My News. Koreans just love an excuse for a candle light vigil; just imagine how many there will be after this guy dies (presuming that will be the outcome of this saga). That sounds a bit callous I know, but I don't mean it to be.
South Korean Abducted!
Jeff has got the scoop on the story and a link to the video as well, which is worth a gander. Joongang has the story (in Korean), so too does Korea Times (in English)and any other Korean news site you fancy.
Meanwhile the parents are appealing for their son to be rescued (in Korean), and here as well. (in Korean) As well, the National Security Council under the president has held an emergency meeting and set up a task force (in English). I can't see that it is feasible for the government to rescue this poor guy, but it will be a real test for a government that has been vacillating about this issue and faced much opposition and still hasn't actually sent the troops. Sunday, June 13, 2004
Stanford Graduation 2004
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Last night PRINCE rocked San Jose and I was there - it was personal and he is SEXY. The band, as to be expected, was first class! The drummer had arms of jelly, the brass players rocked. It was blues, it was jazz, it was funny, it was carefree, it was classic Prince. It was the night before my final exam but what would you rather do - study about Korean or rock the HP Pavillion with PRINCE? And Prince is SSSOOOOO coool that he gave a free copy of his latest CD to all ticket holders. He is the coooolest sexiest man alive.
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