In North Korea, death-row convicts are executed using blunt weapons secretly in prison cells or hills. According to Daily NK, an online newspaper focusing on issues relating to North Korea, a North Korean defector testified that during mid-2000, death-row prisoners were killed in their prison cells by being clubbed on the head to death, while other inmates were told to look away. Non-public executions are secretly being done in diverse places prisons, fields, and even in mountains, The reason the executions are being done in the mountains is to easily dispose the body. It is believed that the family of the convict are not even told of the execution. Can you believe that they are executing people by beating the crap out of the convicts using clubs and hammers? This is the truth about North Korea.

(http://www.dailynk.com/korea/read.php?cataId=nk00400&num=97588)

Korean Americans having more say in American politics

On Nov 6th, Cindy Ryu, a commercial property owner and manager from Shoreline, who first won election in 2010, won her second term with a 76.48 percent to 23.52 percent lead over Republican challenger Randy Hayden. Cindy Ryu is a politician of the Democratic Party. She is a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 32nd district. She immigrated to the US in 1969 with her family. In 2006, she became the first female Korean American mayor in the US, when she was elected mayor of Shoreline, Washington.

Cindy believed in the American Dream and knew that access to quality public education and an opportunity to work hard and earn a living wage is what it takes to help families achieve their own American Dream. Because Cindy is the kind of experienced leader the 32nd District has come to expect she was reelected even in a region where the majority of the population is of caucasian, such as Shoreline. Ryu said affordability of living safely in suburban King and Snohomish Counties, especially in the face of decreased family income and less public services is her main priority in Legislature. I hope to see more Korean Americans have their say in the US.

(http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec*sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0005923026)

Choo Chang-min's Masquerade starring Lee Byung-hun has been selected to close the annual Korean Film Festival in the UK which is taking place in a number of cities including London, Bristol, Bournemouth and Glasgow until Nov. 16. The London Korean Film Festival is the largest Korean film festival in Europe, and has been held every November since 2006. It is hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre with funding from the Korean Film Council. Choo, Lee, and actor Ryu Seung-ryong attended the festival and met local fans in the UK. Lee, who is currently shooting the Hollywood film Red 2 walked down the red carpet for the closing ceremony. Masquerade revolves around King Gwanghae, the 15th king of the Chosun Dynasty, and a lowly clown who resembles the king and acts as his double when the monarch comes under threat of assassination. Choo Chang-min's film achieved the critics-and-public double whammy in South Korea. 

When will Japan come to their senses

Some wonder why Japan and Korea relations are in deep shit. Some may think that Korea is still stuck up in the past and requesting Japan's apology and repentance, and in order for peace and development of two countries, Korea should let it go. Although, this may seem true, but without Japan's sincere apology for the crimes they have committed during war, there can be no future for the two countries. The reason Korea is urging Japan's apology is to prevent Japan from making the same mistake. Moreover, if it comes to the comfort women issue, Japan must apologize. Only Japan's apology and a correct historical awareness can bring peace and cooperation in East Asia.

mbn.mk.co.kr/pages/news/newsView.php?news_seq_no=1257267

Korean celebrities serving obligatory military service

Even Korean celebrities are not exempt from obligatory military service. Few celebrities have evaded their compulsory service, but most celebrities fulfill their obligations to their nations. Hyun-bin, Kang Dong-won and Jo In-sung are currently serving their military service. If you do not know much about Korean actors, if you ever look at the Korean dramas they appeared in, you would be able to guess their popularity in Korea. Many fans were sad that the actors had to join the army when they were at the pinnacle of their career. However, these actors are completing their service and are returning. They would have felt proud to have served for their country despite their status as a celebrity. Nowadays, many Korean nationals abroad are voluntarily joining the army. Sacrificing the wealth and honor of an individual to serve their country is a very noble act.

www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=20121109010736301590041

President Lee visits Indonesia and Thailand

President Lee Myung-bak said Monday he had "in-depth" discussions with Thai officials about sharing South Korea's river refurbishment experiences for a massive river re-engineering project the Southeast Asian nation has been pushing for since last year's devastating floods.
The multi-billion-dollar project was a focus of Lee's trip to Thailand from Friday to Sunday.
During summit talks with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Lee asked for South Korean firms' participation in the project, stressing the experience and know-how the country gained while carrying out a similar project to refurbish the country's four major rivers.
Thailand began pursuing the US$13 billion project after the country was hit by severe floods last year. Yingluck has expressed keen interest in South Korea's river refurbishment project that was aimed at preventing floods, preserving water resources and promoting tourism along the waterways.
Presently, Korea, China and Japan are fiercely competing with each other over the Thai project. Amidst such a situation, President Lee engaged in in-depth discussions during his recent visit to Thailand on how to work together drawing upon Korea's experience in carrying out the four rivers restoration project.
When Yingluck visited South Korea earlier this year, she toured the construction sites of the four major rivers restoration project and unveiled her plan to introduce a similar policy in Thailand to prevent chronic flood damage.
Before Thailand, Lee also visited Indonesia for a regional democracy forum and summit talks with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Lee reaffirmed collaborative ties between Korea and Indonesia on large-scale joint investment projects that are in the works as well as cooperation in the defense industry and energy sector. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint development of an environmentally-friendly green car.

The Yeonpyeong island residents of still in pain from North Korean Bombardment

The photos above are the houses in a small Korean island. It is very ruined. This is the photos of Yeonpyeong island where North Korea bombarded the island two years ago. The coming November 23rd will be the 2nd year since the bombardment. I don't know how fast time flew, but to many Koreans, this day will not be forgotten. The shelling caused widespread damage on the island, killing two South Korean marines, two civilians. This year, Korea will be commemorating the soldiers and civilians who fell victim to the incident. I, too, commemorate the memory of the victims. However, there is something South Koreans must not forget. North Korea's provocations has not ended yet.

(http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&old=001&aid=005919252)