Eyes On Korea: 2003-11-11

Winds of Change.NET Regional Briefings run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays too. Appropriately, this Veterans' Day Regional Briefing focuses on Korea, courtesy of Robert Koehler of The Marmot's Hole.

Top Topics

• A new round of six party talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis is likely to begin, and Kevin of Incestuous Amplifications smells a deal in the works. Parapundit also weighs in with his thoughts on a potential deal with the DPRK, as does Seeing Eye Blog.

• In case you were uncertain as to why North Korea is a charter member of the Axis of Evil, check out The Hidden Gulag (.pdf file), a report published by the The U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea - it's truly horrifying.

• Peter Maass contributes a fascinating expose on North Korean leader Kim Jong-il over at New York Times Magazine. Those looking for more reading material are adviced to also check out Newsweek's history of the North Korean nuclear program.

Recent Developments

• The KEDO reactor deal has been suspended, but Kevin at IA tells us that it's more than just suspended - it's dead. The imminent death of the light-water reactor deal appears to have ticked off BOTH Koreas - the North is threatening to seize equipment, while Kirk over at It Makes A Difference to the Sheep discusses South Korean attitudes towards the collapse of KEDO.

• Hwang Jang-yop, formerly North Korea's top ideologue and the highest ranking defector from the Stalinist state, finally made it to Washington.

North Korea: Recommendations & Debates

• Over at the Asia Times, David Scofield gives us some advice on dealing with a despot.

• Steven Den Beste tells us why a preemptive saturation nuclear strike (I hope no one is actually considering this) is positively out of the question. Brian of Cathartidae adds his thoughts.

• New Korea Blogger Jeff castigates former President Bill Clinton for his recent statements on North Korea, and explains why the US should not be providing comfort to the enemy.

• The Flying Yangban tells us why when the Revolution comes, Kim Jong-il's life won't be worth a puddle of sidewalk pizza.

• The Infidel cautions us against putting too much emphasis on the role of Kim Jong-il, and suggests that factional struggle within the DPRK might make a deal possible. The Marmot begs to differ. The Infidel has more on possible trouble in Pyongyang (and how it may relate to North Korea's softening diplomatic posture) here.

• Check out Barry Brigg's post on "unofficial spokesman for North Korea" Kim Myong-chol.

• South Korean diplomacy comes in for some serious blogger criticism, with Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyeon receiving a fair amount of abuse. Melanie Kirkpatrick discusses South Korean attitudes toward human rights abuses in the North (and takes a shot at Jeong) over at the Opinion Journal. The Marmot rips the hapless Unification Minister for an interview he gave to the Korean Times, and the Flying Yangban explains why, despite his official title, Jeong (and the last two South Korean administrations) are anti-unification.

  The Infidel has an interesting (and/or possible infuriating) piece on South Korean businesses opening up shop in North Korea.

US-ROK Issues

• I know you've heard this before, but it looks like USFK is in for some major reorganization. Say goodbye, trip-wire, and say hello to a more mobile "expeditionary" force for wider regional use.

• Over at the Asia Times, William M Drennan and James J Przystup discuss the future of the US-ROK alliance and ways to bring about an equal partnership.

South Korean Troops to Iraq

• Well, a decision on Iraq has been made - somewhat. The problem is, the government has yet to decide neither the size nor the composition of the detatchment it will send to Iraq, and despite persistent talk of Mosul, the region to which they will be dispatched has yet to be decided, either. Recent talks in Washington went nowhere. Still, expect what is being called here a "Polish-style division."

• Debate over the Iraq dispatch is intense. Just to give you an idea of the dialogue, the Marmot partially translated both this interview with Rep. Park Won-hong in which he supports sending peacekeepers to Iraq and this editorial in the left-of-center Hankyoreh Shinmun condemning the decision to send troops. Visit the Oranckay and Seeing Eye Blog for more commentary on the debate within South Korea.

• Anticipatory Retaliation tells us why linking Iraq to North Korea is a bad idea for South Korea.

South Korea

• Take a look at these pics. The West Bank? No, downtown Seoul this past Sunday. Even if the Lord may rest on Sunday, radical South Korean unionists sure don't. The Oranckay, who works in Ramallah the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul, has some pretty good commentary on this weekend's ruckus, and the Big Ho recounts his fond memories of South Korea's tear gas days.

• Well, we have a new political party, but as Brian of Cathartidae can tell you, new parties are a dime a dozen in South Korea. The problem with this party (to which President Noh belongs), however, is its name.

• Those familiar with the Japanese and Korean educational systems are no doubt familiar with Exam Hell, and so far, five South Korean high school kids have committed suicide following this year's university entrance exam. The Marmot has linked to a number of posts by fellow Korean bloggers on this issue.

• President Noh apologized to the residents of Cheju Island for the tragic incidents that took place on that beautiful isle in 1948. For a fuller background on both Cheju Island and the 4.3 Cheju Uprising, check out Park Chan-sik's "Island of wind: A History of Misfortune, Banishment and Suffering."

• Noh, facing a confidence vote, continues his tour of the lower ranks of the approval ratings, and the Oranckay tries to explain why. The Flying Yangban, on the other hand, propers some free advice to the beleaguered chief exec.

• Drambuie Man is always good for insight into the world of Korean business.

Korean Culture

• Is it possible to fisk a snack food? Well, Kevin at IA does, taking to task Korea's version of the moon pie, the Orion Choco Pie. You may also wish to take a look at this discussion (which covers topics running the gamut from Hideki Matsui to Canadian rock groups) that gives readers some insight into the differences in thinking between Westerners and Koreans.

• Jeff in Pusan criticizes certain aspects of Korean nationalism.

• Shawn of Korea Life Blog gives his readers some terrific commentary on life in South Korea, along with some killer photographs. Much the same can be said of Ian's Kyungam to Kyunggi Journal.

• The Big Hominid is the man to visit if you're looking for a theology fix, with Korean Buddhism featured in many of his discussions. Also, be sure to check out his Korean calligraphy (all of which is for sale) over at his other blog, Only the Chewiest Tumors.

• Korea is absolutely stunning in autumn - just check out some of my photos.