South Korea's Park Seeks Dialogue With North

South Korea's new conservative president, Park Geun-hye, has used her inaugural address to send a mixed message to Pyongyang about her approach to dealing with long-running tensions on the Korean peninsula.

She demanded that the North abandon nuclear weapons program that included a third nuclear test earlier this month. Park warned that she will not tolerate any action that threatens the lives and security of her people. But Park also promised to build trust between the two Koreas as part of what she called a "step-by-step" approach on the basis of credible deterrence. She was elected in December partly on a pledge to renew engagement with the North after the tough stance of her conservative predecessor, Lee Myung-bak.

Park is likely to focus her initial efforts on working with the international community to impose sanctions on Pyongyang for its February 12 nuclear test. The US and its allies have called for a UN Security Council resolution that would tighten penalties already faced by North Korea for conducting nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009. Park also is sending a signal to Pyongyang that a path for dialogue is open, provided that it refrains from further perceived provocations.

Although the South Korea should help the North Korean people, President Park to send aid unconditionally as some former presidents did.

(http://www.voanews.com/content/south_korea_president_aprk_seeks_economic_change_dialogue_with_north/1610554.html)

Japanese medic veteran's whistle-blowing

While Abe administration is denying the compulsory mobilization of comfort women, a Japanese veteran who served in the Japanese army as a medic testified against Abe's claims. Matsumoto Masayoshi, now 91 years old, claim that he managed the comfort women. His job was to test these women for sexually transmitted diseases. He testified that these women were basically enslaved by the Japanese military. The comfort stations were located in the heart of military bases, and these bases were surrounded by high walls, making it difficult for these women to ever dare to escape. Although he does not want to recall those memories, when he found out that Japan is distorting the past, he decided that he had to step up. I do not understand why the Abe administration is denying their past, and bringing more pain to the comfort women.

(http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/nwdesk/article/3237373_5780.html)

LiveLeak.com - Special show for the inauguration of the new Korean president.

LiveLeak.com - Special show for the inauguration of the new Korean president.

North Korea passes on Kippumjo for three generations

Children learn from their fathers. Kim Jong-un is no different. He is just like his father when it comes to their sex addiction. When Kim Jong-un came to power, he recruited his own Pleasure Squad. The Pleasure Squad is a collection of groups of approximately 2000 women and girls, which are maintained for the purpose of providing pleasure and entertainment for high-ranking North Korean officials and their families. Each pleasure group is composed of three teams. The Manjokjo provides sexual services, Haengbokjo provides massages, and Gamujo provides dancing and singing. The funny thing is that North Korean women would die to get in to the Pleasure Group. This is because their future is secure and they enjoy a luxurious life. However, what use is a luxurious life when these women are sexually disgraced? We can no longer let North Korea commit these inhumane crimes.

(http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/02/25/2013022500407.html)

China, it's time for REAL sanctions against North Korea

No matter how close China and North Korea is, China will not let North Korea off lightly. At the moment 72 countries have given statements criticizing North Korea's 3rd nuclear test Moreover, in China more and more netizens are participating in Anti-North Korea demonstrations. Although the numbers of these netizens are small, they are increasing in size. So this cannot be taken lightly. Sooner or later, China will express their discontent through political and economic means, but their actions will not be enough. The international community wants stronger actions from China. China as a G2 nation, needs to be more proactive and China must take a larger role in maintaining world peace.

(http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/nuclear-north-korea-becoming-a-nuisance-chinese-expert_831278.html)

The First Female President in Korea

The presidential inauguration of Park Guen-hye, the first female president of a country is set for 25 February. She is the daughter of President Park Chung-hee. It is the first for a father and daughter to become president, and she is also the first female president in East Asia. Despite the fact that her father was a president, it's been 34 years since her father's term. Since then, 7 presidents have served their terms so my thoughts are that the fact that her father was a president would not have been of any help to her election. When Park was asked why she did not marry, she replied back saying that she is married to the Republic of Korea. When she heard of her father's assassination, it's been told that she asked whether the military demarcation line was intact. This shows her view of state and security. At a point of time where various matters - whether it be internal, diplomatic, economic - I hope that she will lead her country well throughout various hardships.

(http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/02/22/2013022201130.html)

North Korea's Nuke Test was funded by Iran

A U.S. website claims to have put two and two together and discovered that North Korea's latest nuclear test was planned and funded by Iran. The World Trjbune stated that the nuclear test was, in essence, a test of an Iranian nuclear weapon and involved scientific as well as financial involvement by the Iranian government.

Moreover, the weapon was not a step toward a North Korean or Iranian nuclear weapons capability. It was in fact a demonstration of a common North Korean and Iranian operationally-ready nuclear weapon.

It also seems likely that the nuclear weapon design tested would be the baseline system for both countries. Iran and North Korea claim that the nuclear weapon will target Israel and the US, but who knows. It might fall anywhere. The international community must punish Iran and North Korea for disrupting world peace.

(www.worldtribune.com/2013/02/18/connecting-the-dots-n-koreas-nuke-was-bought-and-paid-for-by-its-rightful-owner-iran/)

North Korea's nuclear development to change the nation into a paradise?

Kim Jong-un is justifying the 3rd nuclear test claiming that the nuclear development would open doors to paradise. This all a lie. The North Korean administration has been claiming to turn the country into a paradise for over 65 years. However, there was nobody in North Korea within the 65 years who would have thought that they were living in a paradise. Since, North Korea found itself lagging behind its capitalist counterpart, they were desperate to find leverage over the other. The solution they found was nuclear weapon development. North Korea may have gained some leverage in negotiating with the international community through the nuclear development, but they are far from making North Korea into paradise. The Soviet Union did not collapse because it was devoid of nuclear weapons. North Korea should learn from history and get their priorities straightened out by taking care of the starving people of North Korea.

(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/19/north-korea-threatens-destroy-south-korea)

Takeshima Day of Japan

You may not know this, but Korea and Japan has a territorial dispute between an island called Dokdo. In order to solve the dispute, scholars from both countries need to share the truth and toil to find a solution. However, the Japanese scholars are refusing to participate in a debate. This is because Korea has superiority when it comes to historical, international data. For example, Takeshima Day has been held every year since 2006 on Feb. 22, in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Shimane Prefecture's incorporation of Dokdo as Japanese territory. Japan incorporated the island into Shimane Prefecture in order to use the island as a strategic location during the Russo-Japanese war. However, prior to 1905, Dokdo is shown as Korean territory on Japanese maps. Japan forcefully took Dokdo when they occupied Korea.

(www.dokdo-takeshima.com/happy-takeshima-day.html)

North Korea is walking the path of self-destruction

We have no idea how North Korea will utilize the nuclear developments, but one thing we know for sure is that they are walking the path of self-destruction. Did the Soviet Union collapse because they had less nukes than the US? No. The Soviet Union was a superpower that sent satellites into space before the US. Although I cannot say why the Soviet Union collapsed, I can say that the nuclear weapons are not the answer to all problems. The nuclear weapons may seem to protect North Korea, but it will be the cause of its demise. So far, North Korea has received foreign aid by threatening to develop nuclear weapons, but now, the tide has changed. The international community will no longer tolerate North Korea.

(http://wap.news.bigpond.com/articles/TopStories/2013/02/16/North_Korea_warned_over_provocation_846180.html)

S Korea to activate Kill Chain to Strike N Korean Military Facilities

The Korean Defense Ministry has put in place ship-to-land cruise missiles with a range of up to one-thousand kilometers. Any target in North Korea is in the missile range. The government said that it will also develop a Kill-Chain system to preemptively strike North Korean missile launchers and nuclear facilities. ROK Defense Ministry told reporters on Wednesday that the ministry has developed cruise missiles that can hit any target in the North, and they have already been put in place. The military plans to finish equipping Aegis destroyers with ship-to-ground cruise missiles in order to strike North Korean nuclear facilities if deemed necessary. All of North Korea is in the missiles' target range. The ministry will also speed up the development of ballistic missiles with a range of 800 kilometers in accordance with South korea's newly revised missile guidelines with the US. North Korea's third nuclear test is a serious threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean peninsula but in Northeast Asia as a whole. In order to respond to such a threat, the South Korean military developed options, including the missiles. The military will soon establish a Kill-Chain an integrated system that will instantaneously detect and strike the origin of imminent attack using the new cruise and ballistic missiles.

(http://missilethreat.com/n-korea-has-100-mobile-missile-launch-platforms/)

North Korea has more to lose than gain through nuclear test

What preparations is the ROK making against North Korea's nuclear weapons? South Korea's preparations against North Korea's provocations and missile tests should be flawless.

From what I know, South Korea has established a firm defense posture through the ROK-US combined operations. Moreover, it's been told that the ROK, itself, has the capability to deter North Korea's missile attacks.

South Korea has the capability to detect and intercept North Korea's missiles through advanced radar technology.

Of course even if they have advanced radar technology, not all missiles would not be intercepted. Some may inevitably lead to heavy damages. However, I believe that North Korea will not have superiority over South Korea.

If North Korea attacks with missiles, North Korea will receive counterattacks, which will cripple North Korea. The best option on the table for North Korea is to refrain from any further provocations.

(www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2013/02/south_korea_japan_prep_militar.html)

The only choice left is military confrontation!

Now that North Korea conducted a nuclear test, they have to face more international sanctions. The UN already enforced UN resolution 2087 when North Korea has launched a missile in December. However, this resolution was not enough to stop North Korea from conducting the nuclear test. Now that the international community has realized this, the international community will consider other means to restrict North Korea's international and diplomatic movements. Moreover, Japan has stated that they will impose a stronger sanction on North Korea. China, too, is in this. North Korea has ignored China's warnings against the nuclear test. Therefore, China will no longer cover for North Korea. Then what's next? I believe the only option left on the table is military confrontation and other stronger sanctions against North Korea.

(nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/artificial-quake-detected-n-korea-031923533.html)

China's patience wearing thin as North Korea plans another nuclear test

China's patience with North Korea is wearing thin, and a widely-expected nuclear test by the latter could bring that frustration to a head. China signaled its growing unhappiness by agreeing to tightened UN sanctions after NKorea launched a rocket in December, which prompted harsh criticism from the international community. Perhaps Kim Jong-un thinks Xi Jinping would indulge him. Although China welcomed Kim Jong-un's ascension after his father died and maintained flows of aid and investment, Kim has ignored China's interests in a stable neighborhood with his two rocket launches and nuclear test plan. North Korea announced last month it would conduct a test to protest the toughened UN sanctions. Many Chinese believe that the North Koreans are taking Chinese aid for granted. If North Korea is no longer beneficial to China, China may even break the alliance with North Korea and work closer with the US to deter North Korean provocations.

(www.strategypage.com/qnd/china/articles/20130211.aspx)

US state lawmakers pass resolutions regarding comfort women

Comfort women resolution honoring comfort women and urging Japan's apology is being passed all over the US. In New York, the state Senate and House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring a comfort women monument erected in the state, saying it serves as a reminder that the coercion of Asian women into sexual servitude by the Imperial Japanese Army was a crime against humanity. The resolution states that approximately 200,000 young women were forced into military prostitution during the Japanese colonial and wartime occupation of parts of Asia and some Pacific islands. However, in response, conservative Japanese lawmakers, published an ad in a newspaper in New Jersey saying that no historical documents have ever been found that show women were forced against their will into prostitution by the Imperial Japanese Army. The comfort women issue must be resolved in the interests of historical truth and human rights. The comfort women issue is more than just a issue between South Korea and Japan. It's about universal human rights, women's rights, and human dignity.

(http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/01/31/national/n-y-senate-hails-monument-to-comfort-women/#.URRHtKWEwzI)

Korean wave in Vietnam

Last time I visited Vietnam, the airport was crowded with many young girls waiting for someone holding pickets. I looked carefully and realized that K-pop idols visited Vietnam. Thousands of Vietnamese fans were waiting at the airport to catch a glimpse of the idols. They sing K-pop, dance to K-pop and imitate their K-pop idols. I realized how popular K-pop has become worldwide.

(www.macaudailytimes.com.mo/macau/41419-korean-wave-"running-man"-to-film-in-macau-this-month.html)

North Korea's usage of Youtube

North Korea is not known for its subtlety, famous instead for its soaring patriotic rhetoric and threats to turn the capital of its rival, South Korea, into a “sea of fire.” But even by those standards, the latest volley of North Korea propaganda is noteworthy. The three-and-a-half-minute clip titled - “On Board Unha-9” and posted on YouTube on Saturday by Uriminzokkiri, a North Korean government Web site - is the latest evidence of the propaganda mileage Pyeongyang is extracting from its Dec. 12 launching of its Unha-3 rocket, which it considers as their first successful test of long-range-missile technology. North Korea has been trumpeting the success of the rocket, which it claims to have put a satellite into orbit, to its people, saying it was proof that their country was advancing toward a high-tech future. But this is all but a lie. During the missile launch, they used RFNA, an ingredient for rocket fuels. This is the reason why North Korea has been unable to communicate with their supposed satellite - because it ain't a satellite. It's a rocket for heaven's sake. North Korea has no intention of participating in the scientific advancements. Their sole intention is to attack the US with nukes.

(http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/north-korean-video-shows-mock-missile-attack-new-york-city-article-1.1255973?localLinksEnabled=false)

Kim Jong-un said to have made “important conclusion”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reached an “important conclusion” that will serve as a guiding policy for protecting sovereignty while presiding over an extended session of the country’s Central Military Commission.

The meeting was a meeting attended not only by CMC members but also commanding members of the joint forces, including operational command members for the Korean People’s Army Supreme Command, the Navy, the KPA Air and Anti-Air Forces, and the Strategic Rocket Force.

Although the content of the ”important conclusion“ by Kim, is unspecified, it can be assumed that specific military measures including a nuclear test may have been discussed. The announcement of the CMC meeting suggests that the decision-making process by the military, and administration may be complete. China recently supported for recent sanctions against North Korea. North Korea should learn that they the longer they fight against the international current, and remain isolated, the deeper they will fall in the end. I urge North Korea to give up their nuclear efforts and have some human decency to take care of their internal affairs.

(http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/572659.html)

Need stronger sanctions on North Korea

Recently, North Korea has been preparing for a 3rd nuclear test. And it seems that the test is imminent now that they have completed the testing preparations. Apparently North Korea has two nuclear test sites, and one of them is ready for testing, while the other one is nearing its completion.

In 2009, North Korea had their 2nd nuclear test despite criticism from the UN security council and the international community.

The 3rd nuclear test proves that previous sanctions on North Korea was not strong enough to deter their efforts. This proves that we need a stronger one. Although I do not believe in military actions against North Korea, which will put the East Asia region in turmoil, I strongly urge the UN security council to pass a sanction that is similar to the one imposed on Iran.

I, however, welcome China's support for recent sanctions against North Korea. North Korea should learn that they the longer they fight against the international current, and remain isolated, the deeper they will fall in the end. I urge North Korea to give up their nuclear efforts and have some human decency to take care of their internal affairs.

(http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/02/01/North-Korea-warned-on-nuclear-test/UPI-76561359728203/)