Kathreb

Friday, June 29, 2007

Book update and excuse

The currently reading part of the blog is now a bit out of date. I'd like to update but don't have much time at present. I finished The Eyre Affair and very good it was too. Then I read This is Paradise! My North Korean Childhood by Hyok Kang. Now I am on to the second Jasper Fforde book in the series, Lost in a Good Book. I might update that on the site later.

However the reason for the lack of posts and updates for now is Wimbledon. I've always been a fan of tennis and since I have pretty flexible work hours I am spending most days watching the matches and then evenings doing work. This leaves little time for anything else. And with someone like Raphael Nadal running around in a sleeveless shirt, who can resist the overwhelming desire to watch more and more tennis? Although that doesn't mean I'm hoping he wins the championship - there are too many good players to choose a favourite based on looks only.

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Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Little bit o' background that you probably already know regarding the Japanese lawmakers' ad in the Wapo.

The ad in the Wapo, title 'The Facts' and issued by a number of Japanese lawmakers is getting a lot of blog space. It seems there are a couple of questions as to why this one done. I have the obvious, probably already known answer. I mention it only because it hasn't been mentioned (that I've seen).

The Facts was in response a full page Wapo add, titled 'The Truth About Comfort Women'. This add was published by a coalition on NGOs, mainly one called 121 and another working on comfort women issues in the US. The add has a contribution from Amnesty International which also sent letter to Bush. Sadly, I can't find a link to the original add. The Truth ad was timed to coincide with the visit from Shinzo Abe and to urge greater support for the resolution in Congress calling for the Japanese government to apologise for the military sexual slavery system during WWII. I would take a guess and say that given the rising support to the resolution prior to The Facts ad that it was an attempt to stymie progress on the resolution. Although, I think we can find evidence of the ad having a reverse effect. Last I heard the resolution looks set to be passed by a comfortable majority.

North Koreans Testify in UK
Yesterday two North Koreans, Ahn Myeong Cheol and Shin Dong Hyok testifed at Westminster in a public hearing. This was a moving experience, especially when it came to the the quiet and rather haunted looking Mr. Shin. The event was also joined with the launch of
Christian Solidarity Worldwide's new report: "North Korea: A case to answer - a call to act". Ahn Myeong Cheol in particular urged strongly for the international community to be doing more to save the lives of those suffering in North Korea.

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Thursday, June 07, 2007

Are we not paying enough attention to the DPRK?

North Korea has possibly shot a a few more short-range missiles in the Sea of Japan/East Sea. This comes just two weeks after they sent one short-range missile in the same direction at the end of May. Perhaps the DPRK felt that nobody paid enough attention to the first one. We shall have to see if South Korea will claim that this is also part of 'annual routine exercises' as a way to brush it off.

There has been speculation in the past that the struggle between negotiators and hard-liners in the DPRK have led to similar confusing signals whereby shortly after signing a deal the North Koreans do something provocative and contradictory. This could be a similar case. Speculators also suggest that lack of communication between defence and foreign affairs departments mean they are working independent of activities in each others' departments. Although these activities clearly impact each others' interests. By now that the deadline to shut the reactor is so far past its deadline it is possible the agreement won't be revived. Add this to upcoming US elections and I would speculate that US-DPRK relations will now founder for some time to come.

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Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Pictures from Ireland

As mentioned a bit ago, I travelled recently to Ireland. During our visit we embarked on a 3-day tour and below are some of the holiday pictures taken on tour.