Monday, 30 March 2015
Sunday, 29 March 2015
by general reckoning there's about 10-20% of Australians who are genuinely profoundly racist and xenophobic and its interesting that the stats don't change inter generationally, so the policies of the players in a two party system always have to include them, rather than just rounding them up and gassing them. as would be the most humaneand socially beneficial thing to do
I guess the problem that Australian voters have, and the reason why it's good that there is not a national election due for some time, is that our choices for Prime Minister are either Tony Abbott, the Shirt-Fronting Moron from the Liberal National Conservative Coalition, or Bill Shorten, aka Pure Filth Runt Sociopath, from the Australian Labor Party. The best thing about Democracy is the breathing space between electing odious destructive clowns.
Friday, 27 March 2015
Meaning
"Mo Chara, it is a very lovely thing to find friends in the Great World. Friends make it all mean the something it can mean. Flowing us all shimmering onto biscuit yellow beaches of hushed sand, born from indolent sea green algorithms of Life; and the sound of friendship, to be sure, is the sound of these small waves cupping and breaking into each other, like our laughter, under this beautiful sun. Love, friendship, meaning, this is the lovely troponin spilling from our lonely harvest of hearts, not meant for forever, but rather simply different to forever, unique, and equal to forever; designed perfectly for us, by us, Mo Chara.
Holdens
Every now and then I'd like to buy a new Holden Commodore, or Calais, or Statesman, a fully Australian made American car, reasonably okay in the world, quality wise, now that they aren't going to make them here any more. I doubt I would ever sell it/ not because of what it is, but because of what it meant once.
new boys and girls school uniforms in North Korea DPRK, with pictures
Last month, North Korea’s state-run weekly, Tongil Sinbo, unveiled new school uniforms featuring dramatic changes in color and design. Media within the North reported that leader Kim Jong Eun underscored the importance of uniform production, propagating Kim’s love for the younger generation and thereby trying to rally up their loyalty.
School uniforms were once distributed for free in the North, starting in 1959. In 1977, to celebrate then-leader Kim Il Sung’s 65th birthday, the state distributed a uniform gift package for students-- from kindergarten all the way up to university--comprising summer and winter uniforms, shoes, bags, and scarves. This trend of “crowd-pleasing uniform politics” was carried out once in two to three years up until the late 1980s. However, as the country entered the Arduous March [North Korea's famine of the mid-1990s]free distribution was brought to a halt.
In 2007, marking Kim Jong Il’s 65th birthday, the state started distributing uniforms every three years until April 2012 for 5,000 KPW [0.63 USD]. However, as the quality of the fabric rendered the entire uniform substandard, students started turning to market-produced outfits with designs emulating that of the state-dispensed ones. More than 70 percent of the student population currently don these unofficial uniforms, making it impossible for the schools to effectively regulate due to the sheer number of pupils.
In contrast to the navy blue state-issued garb, the popular market-manufactured uniforms are made with black fabric, earning them the name "black ink uniforms" at the markets. Female students also outfit their uniforms with sailor collars; they also lean toward brighter colors for their casual wear because of their exposure to trends in the South.
Daily NK recently sat down with a student, who escaped the North in October after attending high school in Nampo, to learn more about changing uniform trends, how schools react to them, and what to make of the new uniforms the state rolled out.
 The new uniforms for university (left), middle school (center), and elementary school (right) released by the the Tongil Sinbo last month. Image: Tongil Sinbo |
Daily NK [DNK]: North Korea unveiled its new uniform. How do you think students will react?
The colors are brighter, but any student who sees this is going to think it’s unfashionable. The original uniform comes in dark navy blue, but as that color gets lighter it looks increasingly old-fashioned so the male students won’t like it. Students these days, girls or boys, all like to get their uniforms made with black fabric. So if you’re making the uniforms brighter than they already were none of them are going to want to wear it--especially the boys.
Another thing is that pant legs' trends for guys are not nearly this wide. The newly issued pants have wide legs, but when students normally reach the third grade in middle school, they start drawing them in to look more stylish. If they have to wear these new uniforms they will probably get them tailored for a slimmer fit. As for the girls’ uniform, it resembles what many women wear after they graduate from school, so I think the response will be okay.
DNK: Why do students love black so much? What colors do they prefer to wear?
Both male and female students all want black when they go to the markets to buy their uniforms. I think the "blank ink uniforms" became so popular because they look so similar to attire commonly worn by high-level officials. Those uniforms sell really well at the markets.
Female students though also like somewhat lighter colors such as green, gray, beige, and navy, since they’re not too dark but more fashionable. Most of the clothes from Japan or South Korea come in these colors. The new uniform for girls looks like it’s in that range but not quite. The gray is good, but the maroon is not a popular color with them--it's definitely going to take them some time to get used to it, if ever.
DNK: Don’t you get in trouble if you don’t wear the state-sanctioned uniforms?
Everyone has to buy the uniforms whether they like it or not, but the schools can’t force you to wear them. Wearing them strips you of all your confidence, seriously. Even the children of teachers go to the market to buy their uniforms. If you wear the state uniforms you end up feeling like an outcast and losing your self-assurance, which ends up affecting your performance in the classroom.
Not even 30 percent of the students wear the state uniforms. Other than those who come from the very poorest households, everyone else buys them at the market. Some students even get measured at the markets to have their uniforms custom made with high-quality fabric. By the end of March, there will probably be uniforms in the markets designed to look similar to the new ones. These will fetch around 150,000 [18.75 USD] to 200,000 KPW [25 USD], whereas the state ones only cost 5,000 KPW [0.63 USD].
DNK: What other attire do students wear aside from their uniforms?
Both boys and girls like to wear sporty clothing, particularly the hoodies favored by South Korean students favor. Boys like jeans [only black--blue jeans are too conspicuous] as well, but that’s monitored closely by teachers overseeing student groups. If you’re caught wearing jeans, the teacher will come up to you and cut them with a utility knife right down the center.
Girls like to wear form-fitting clothing, but they’re not allowed to wear high heels even though they'd like to. Valenki boots, which are super popular in the winter, are strictly forbidden, so they usually just wear flats or sneakers instead.
DNK: Tell us about their hairstyles.
They’re very strict with hair lengths and styles for boys; they’re required to get their hair cut like Kim Jong Eun. If you don’t have it cut close in the back or if the hair in the front grows out a bit, they’ll give you a stern warning. If you fail to take care of it even after the initial notification, the teacher overseeing your student group will use a hair clipper and shave it right down the middle of your head. Then you have to go get your entire head shaved at the barber shop and wear a hat until it grows out again.
Girls have more freedom with their hair. They can let it grow out but they’re told to braid it. Boys usually make fun of them if they do, calling it old-fashioned, so girls like to grow it out right above the length required for braiding. If you have long hair you’re allowed to use a small hair tie, but anything flashy like a ribbon or large bows are strictly forbidden. The bob cut so prevalent in the South is the most chic style. Those in the North with shorter hair generally perm it straight or do things to add a little volume to it.
DNK: Does the state give you bags, shoes, and stationary at the beginning of the school year?
They only give you a uniform and textbooks. Until 2013 they used to distribute second-hand textbooks, but from 2014--when they started the new 12th grade mandatory education system--they’ve been handing out new books. Anything else like shoes, bags, and stationary, you have to buy at the markets.
Boys usually wear sneakers, and girls wear flats made from fabric. The best sneakers are the ones produced at a factory in Sinuiju that go for about 25,000 KPW [3.13 USD]. By contrast, those manufactured by cottage industries cost roughly 12,000 KPW [1.5 USD]. The closer you get to the Hamkyung Provinces the more expensive the prices get.
Elementary school students commonly use backpacks, while middle and high school students opt for handheld bags or messenger bags. The most popular bag these days is the one that looks like a laptop bag. It’s called the “Minamja” bag because that’s what it says on the tag at the market. It’s actually a Chinese brand but a lot of students are under the impression that it's from the South. The prices range from 7 to 30 USD.
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
China blazing a trail in North Korea
Chinese ambassador vows to 'blaze trail' in N. Korea(Yonhap News)
The new Chinese ambassador to North Korea, Li Jinjun, has pledged to spare no efforts to warm relations with the unruly ally, saying he aims to "blaze a new trail".
The new Chinese ambassador to North Korea, Li Jinjun, has pledged to spare no efforts to warm relations with the unruly ally, saying he aims to "blaze a new trail".
I don't get Australia
If it is acceptable, and even laudable, for Australian RAAF jets to drop bombs and white phosphorous on Isis in Iraq, even when very, very inaccurate, then what is so wrong with Indonesia executing Australian heroin dealers?
Life, Superannuation, and death
After spending about 20 years in the specialty of palliative care nursing, particularly end-of-life pain control and precise narcotic titration, when I was 50 I decided to somehow retire no matter what...but not because I had any money, or any future agenda, but rather because I saw how many people at the end of their working life at 60 or 70, just died so fast. They still do. Nothing has changed.
So I'm 61 now. I work fulltime in Mental Health now, because I need the money. I work there instead of in end stage palliative care pain control, in which I became quite an expert nd still am.
I like mental health. It's much easier.
For about a decade after retirement I travelled the Earth, found love and sorrow and amazing things of a personal nature,
and all the things that come with living a complete and completing life, in a few different countries and societies, so amazing and so different and oppositional to every thing I ever did... and all in all it's been a good thing for me and has supported my initial reason for leaving the flock.
I have no superannuation at all, and you know, that's the best thing I ever did.
So I'm 61 now. I work fulltime in Mental Health now, because I need the money. I work there instead of in end stage palliative care pain control, in which I became quite an expert nd still am.
I like mental health. It's much easier.
For about a decade after retirement I travelled the Earth, found love and sorrow and amazing things of a personal nature,
and all the things that come with living a complete and completing life, in a few different countries and societies, so amazing and so different and oppositional to every thing I ever did... and all in all it's been a good thing for me and has supported my initial reason for leaving the flock.
I have no superannuation at all, and you know, that's the best thing I ever did.
The real problem with Australia
That's the thing with Australia, we are so peace loving, and yet, at the same time, we are bombing Iraqi villages every day, still...and then trying to keep burning Iraqis from coming here, like it's a moral agenda. If you don't want them to come here, then, for fuck's sake, we need to stop bombing them in their own homes!
Shirt fronting the Alps
I notice Tony Abbott sent out a nice message to Australian victims families involved in the crash of the German plane.
I am still waiting for him to launch a bizarre statement that he will 'shirt front' the French Alps.
I am still waiting for him to launch a bizarre statement that he will 'shirt front' the French Alps.
Yangtze River Dolphin Extinct
Ten years of study by Chinese Environmental Scientists and Analysts have concluded that the extinction of the Yangtze River Dolphin was not due to environmental or industrial pollution but rather due to the fact that they tasted so good.
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
N. Korea agrees to discuss projects with Russia, South Korea North Korea has agreed to discuss trilateral cooperation with Russia and South Korea on creating advanced development zones in the Russian Far East, according to Voice of America (VOA). Visit NK News for more Large wildfire burning in the DMZ between North and South Korea A large wildfire is currently burning in one of the DMZ’s forests between North and South Korea, the Yonhap News Agency reported. Visit NK News for more
Defense bolstered five years after Cheonan sinking (The Korea Herald) Five years after North Korea’s torpedo attack on the corvette Cheonan, the South Korean Navy has expressed full confidence in its enhanced capabilities to counter another provocation. Effort to prevent outflow of capital into markets (NK EconWatch) Since the start of the Kim Jong Un era, North Korea has introduced elements of a market economy while at the same time sought ways to mitigate the side effects.
Monday, 23 March 2015
people who die best with most joy and least suffering/from 'a life in palliative care'
People who die best, with the most joy and least horror:
1: Hare Krishna people
2: Muslim people
3:Atheists
People who suffer most at death:
1: Buddhists
2: Christians (especially Pentecostals)
President Xi and soccer/ noting a remarkable development
President Xi Jinping has ordered that all kids in Chinese junior and middle school now have soccer as a compulsory requirement of their education.
Now, I guess you thought that Xi was just another passing potentate. But this is really significant for both China and the World Game.
Now, I guess you thought that Xi was just another passing potentate. But this is really significant for both China and the World Game.
Murdoch's Jihad
The Middle East is simply an expensive entertainment programmed to meet the needs of our concerns by Fox Media. Nothing important or meaningful can ever happen there. Nothing meaningful ever has happened there.
Philosophy
i was going to restate my general philosophy at this junction, but it is already stated in michel de montaigne's apology to raymond seabon from 1456.the human condition doesn't change. we just deal with it with various proprietary and generic delusions. various patches on a coat. eventually the patches fall off. the coat itself will suffice as is. there are many things still to make better, for sure, especially a united Ireland, and an empowered China, and the coat is warm enough and cold enough as is to do that. we dont have to create new coats. we can't. we can manufacture perfect gods, and fucked up royal families, for sure, for generations, but we can't manufacture good people. we just have to be good people and force the issue by whatever means, with whatever weapons are necessary.
summing up a life working in palliative care
it is best done in a separate Hospice with people, patients, families, doctors, nurses and administrators who do not fear narcotics.
if you are in need of good intelligent compassionate end of life care, then you should go to a hospice and certainly not a hospital or nursing home...ever.
if you are in need of good intelligent compassionate end of life care, then you should go to a hospice and certainly not a hospital or nursing home...ever.
Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival (진도 신비의바닷길축제)
Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival (진도 신비의바닷길축제)
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Jindo Miracle Sea Ro...
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Period
03.20.2015 ~ 03.23.2015
Address
Hoedong-ri, Gogun-myeon, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do
전남 진도군 고군면 회동리
Location
Jindo-gun Gogun-myeon Hoedong-ri ~ Uisin-myeon Modo-ri area
Telephone
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-1588-9601 (Korean)
VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.
Sponsors / Management
Jindo County / Jindo County Festival Promotion Committee
Introduction
Once a year at Jindo Island in Jeollanam-do, the sea mysteriously parts and visitors can walk through the sea from the main island to a smaller nearby island. This phenomenon is due to the difference between high and low tides, creating a 2.8-kilometer-long road measuring 40 meters in width.
The Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival takes place at the same time as this phenomenon. Visitors can enjoy walking along the sea road, gathering abalone and various other fun activities that make up the festival program. The spectacular sight of the waves parting is widely known and about half a million visitors flock from all over the world just to witness this amazing event.
Programs
* Main Programs
1) Miracle sea road walking experience
2) The sea road beacon light parade
3) Grandmother Ppong, Legendary Story of Grandmother Ppong reenactment
* Hands-on Experience Programs
1) Travel Jindo Experience (Learning Jindo Arirang, Gukak, and Poetry Paintings) at Gagye hands-on experience booths
2) Jindogae Dog Experience (Searching for Jindogae Dog, various acrobatic performances) – at Gagye hands-on experience booths
3) Jindo Hongju Experience (Jindo traditional alcohol tasting) - at Gagye hands-on experience booths
* Performance Events
1) Jindo Intangible Cultural Assets performance
2) International Festivals showcase
3) Celebration Night performance
* Other Events
1) Haesangseonbak (Seaboat) parade
2) Haesangpungmul (Korean folk music tradition) boating
3) Go! Scoop Golden Abalone! - abalone catching experience
* Please note that events and programs offered may differ each year.
Transportation
[Bus]
From Seoul Central City Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take an express bus to Jindo (진도).
* Bus Schedule: Seoul Central City Terminal - 07:35, 09:00, 15:30, 16:35
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal - 9:10, 16:20 (Subject to change)
From Jindo Bus Terminal, take the Gagye-Hoedong (가계, 회동) or Songgun-Hoedong (송군, 회동) bus
-Get off at Hoedong (회동).
-Go 40m along the sea to reach the festival venue.
Fax
+82-61-540-3577
Homepage
Jindo-gun Office: eng.jindo.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Jindo Miracle Sea Festival: miraclesea.jindo.go.kr (Korean only)
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Friday, 20 March 2015
Kim Jong Un to visit Moscow
Moscow (CNN)Kim Jong Un is expected to attend World War II anniversary celebrations in Moscow at Russia's invitation, a Russian official speaking on condition of anonymity said Thursday.
North Korea accepted Russia's invitation, but Russia is waiting on Pyongyang to make the official announcement about the May trip, the official said. This would mark Kim's first official foreign trip since inheriting the leadership in late 2011.
"The invitation was sent to Kim Jong Un. North Korea accepted the invitation. The leadership of North Korea is expected to take part in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow," the Russian official said.
The official later clarified: "By leadership, we're talking about Kim."
North Korea and Russia declared 2015, which is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, The two countries have intensified their relationship, with goals to increase trading to $1 billion a year.
So far, North Korean state media has not issued any statement about the invitation.
This year's Victory Day marks the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Chatter over whether Kim would make his first official overseas trip during the pivotal anniversary started in late December after Russian state media reported that Moscow had extended an invitation to Pyongyang.
On December 22, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told Itar-Tass: "First signals are given from Pyongyang that the North Korean leader plans to come to Moscow and attend celebrations."
Recently, Russia and North Korea have been fostering warmer relations.
Anniversary celebrations
If Kim appears in Russia along with other world leaders, he may look like a minor figure, said Dr. Leonid Petrov, an Asian studies professor who specializes in the political history of North Korea.
Concerns rising over Russia, North Korea alliance
"In a setting with a large crowd of state officials, in group pictures, he would look like a minor figure instead of what he's portrayed in North Korean media as supreme leader, invincible marshal, jack of all trades.
"So I think if Kim Jong Un decides to go to Moscow, he's going to look like a very lonely, lonely figure."
The Kremlin has invited 68 world leaders to its Victory Day celebrations on May 9, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as quoted on Russian network RT. He was quoted in Russian media as saying that Chinese President Xi Jinping will also attend.
Russia and North Korea
In the last year, Russia and North Korea, two historical allies, have increasingly established stronger ties as Russian President Vladimir Putin faces international backlash over the war in Ukraine. The two countries declared 2015 their "Friendship Year."
Both countries have been slapped with sanctions by the United States and are facing international isolation.
North Korea, Russia declare a 'year of friendship'
"North Korea is a convenient friend for Moscow -- it's anti-American and it's in a key place of Asia," Petrov said. "Russia lost many of its traditional allies -- it needs friends, both economically, politically, strategically."
Ties between North Korea and Russia date back to World War II, when Kim Jong Un's grandfather and founder of the country, Kim Il Sung, trained as a communist guerrilla leader in the Soviet Union. Throughout Kim's subsequent reign, the Soviet Union backed the nation. After the Soviet Union crumbled in the early 1990s, North Korea became increasingly reliant on China.
Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, visited Moscow several times, with his last visit in 2011. The late Kim rode into Russia in an armored train (he disliked flying) and met with both Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
"Moscow undertook a diplomatic offensive" with North Korea, said Petrov, of Australian National University. "It absolved $10 billion of Soviet-era debts from the account books and started rebooting relationships between North Korea and Russia."
Last year, Russia forgave 90% of North Korea's $11 billion debt.
CNN's Alla Eshchenko reported in Moscow, and Madison Park wrote and reported in Hong Kong. CNN's Jessica King contributed to this report.
North Korea accepted Russia's invitation, but Russia is waiting on Pyongyang to make the official announcement about the May trip, the official said. This would mark Kim's first official foreign trip since inheriting the leadership in late 2011.
"The invitation was sent to Kim Jong Un. North Korea accepted the invitation. The leadership of North Korea is expected to take part in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow," the Russian official said.
The official later clarified: "By leadership, we're talking about Kim."
North Korea and Russia declared 2015, which is the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, The two countries have intensified their relationship, with goals to increase trading to $1 billion a year.
So far, North Korean state media has not issued any statement about the invitation.
This year's Victory Day marks the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Chatter over whether Kim would make his first official overseas trip during the pivotal anniversary started in late December after Russian state media reported that Moscow had extended an invitation to Pyongyang.
On December 22, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told Itar-Tass: "First signals are given from Pyongyang that the North Korean leader plans to come to Moscow and attend celebrations."
Recently, Russia and North Korea have been fostering warmer relations.
Anniversary celebrations
If Kim appears in Russia along with other world leaders, he may look like a minor figure, said Dr. Leonid Petrov, an Asian studies professor who specializes in the political history of North Korea.
Concerns rising over Russia, North Korea alliance
"In a setting with a large crowd of state officials, in group pictures, he would look like a minor figure instead of what he's portrayed in North Korean media as supreme leader, invincible marshal, jack of all trades.
"So I think if Kim Jong Un decides to go to Moscow, he's going to look like a very lonely, lonely figure."
The Kremlin has invited 68 world leaders to its Victory Day celebrations on May 9, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as quoted on Russian network RT. He was quoted in Russian media as saying that Chinese President Xi Jinping will also attend.
Russia and North Korea
In the last year, Russia and North Korea, two historical allies, have increasingly established stronger ties as Russian President Vladimir Putin faces international backlash over the war in Ukraine. The two countries declared 2015 their "Friendship Year."
Both countries have been slapped with sanctions by the United States and are facing international isolation.
North Korea, Russia declare a 'year of friendship'
"North Korea is a convenient friend for Moscow -- it's anti-American and it's in a key place of Asia," Petrov said. "Russia lost many of its traditional allies -- it needs friends, both economically, politically, strategically."
Ties between North Korea and Russia date back to World War II, when Kim Jong Un's grandfather and founder of the country, Kim Il Sung, trained as a communist guerrilla leader in the Soviet Union. Throughout Kim's subsequent reign, the Soviet Union backed the nation. After the Soviet Union crumbled in the early 1990s, North Korea became increasingly reliant on China.
Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, visited Moscow several times, with his last visit in 2011. The late Kim rode into Russia in an armored train (he disliked flying) and met with both Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
"Moscow undertook a diplomatic offensive" with North Korea, said Petrov, of Australian National University. "It absolved $10 billion of Soviet-era debts from the account books and started rebooting relationships between North Korea and Russia."
Last year, Russia forgave 90% of North Korea's $11 billion debt.
CNN's Alla Eshchenko reported in Moscow, and Madison Park wrote and reported in Hong Kong. CNN's Jessica King contributed to this report.
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Chinese envoy brings up Thaad
Chinese envoy brings up Thaad
Seoul insists it wasn’t on the official agenda, so it wasn’t discussed
Mar 17,2015 | |
| Liu Jianchao |
Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao met with Lee Kyung-soo, his Korean counterpart, at Seoul’s Foreign Ministry on Monday. After their talks, Liu told reporters that he had spoken with Lee about China’s concerns about possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, better known as Thaad.
“We had a very candid and free discussion on the Thaad issue,” Liu said. “China’s position was provided to Korea.”
He urged Seoul to seriously consider Beijing’s concerns about the missile shield.
“The United States and Korea should make a proper decision on the Thaad issue,” Liu said.
Thaad is a U.S. missile defense program designed to shoot down missiles closer to their point of origin than current defenses can. Both Beijing and Moscow are against deployment of a Thaad battery in Korea because they worry that its radar system, which can cover 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), could be used as a method of surveillance against them.
“Thaad was not an official agenda item between Seoul and Beijing,” said a Korean foreign ministry official. “We did not formally discuss it. China expressed its stance, and we, once again, explained our position that the United States has not made a request to send a Thaad battery here and no decision has been made.”
The official said the discussion on Thaad between Liu and Lee was brief and no details, such as reducing the range of the radar for the missile defense system, were discussed.
It is not the first time that a senior Chinese official expressed concerns about the Thaad deployment in Korea. During his visit to Korea last month, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan brought up the issue in talks with his Korean counterpart, Han Min-koo.
Sources have also told the JoongAng Ilbo that Chinese President Xi Jinping urged President Park Geun-hye to reject any U.S. request to deploy the system to Korea during a summit last year.
Seoul and Washington’s official position is that they haven’t even discussed Thaad deployment, although pressure has been applied publicly by several American officials.
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel is also scheduled to arrive here on Monday, and it appeared almost certain that the Thaad deployment would be addressed by him in some manner. He will meet Tuesday with Assistant Foreign Minister Lee, who is also his counterpart.
The U.S. Forces Korea made a rare public admission last week that it had conducted studies to find suitable sites for a possible future deployment.
The JoongAng Ilbo reported last week that former commanders of the U.S. Forces Korea had tried to persuade National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa of the necessity to deploy Thaad during their meeting in Washington on March 6. Ahn Ho-young, the Korean ambassador to the United States, also attended the meeting, the report said.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu told reporters Monday that he discussed with Lee yet another sensitive issue, Korea’s participation in China’s initiative to create the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
“I explained to him the progress of the AIIB and once again expressed our position that China hopes to have Korea as a founding member,” Liu said. “Korea said it will make a decision based on a comprehensive assessment on its actual economic gains.”
While China has pushed Korea to join the AIIB, Seoul has remained reluctant due to pressure from the United States. For Korea to join the AIIB as a founding member, it should make a decision before the end of this month.
Seoul is under increasing pressure from Washington to stay away from the plan following the British government’s decision last week to become a founder member.
The AIIB is envisioned as a new financial institution to rival the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
BY SER MYO-JA [ser.myoja@joongang.co.kr]
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
“Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit!”
"May we all live long
May we all live well
May the Royals all be blown to Hell
& Fuck the English Army".
ceart laidir abu!
Dalian beaches and tours
Tours
Introduction about Dalian:
Dalian is a very popular destination among Chinese tourists and foreign visitors, especially from Japan, South Korea and Russia. Its mild climate and multiple beaches as well as its importance in the modern history of China make it an especially nice place to visit. Dalian tourism offers fantastic beaches that are set on exotic locations. Some of the famous beaches are Tiger beach, Fujiazhuang beach, Jinshitan beach, Xinghai beach, Jinshitan beach. It is one of the three Best Tourism Cities (2006)in China, along with Hangzhou and Chengdu, recognized by the National Tourism Administration.
Tiger Beach
There is a touching folklore about Tiger Beach. It is a love story about a hunter and a beautiful girl. They fell in love at first sight. A tiger demon lusted after the charming of the girl and possessed her. The hunter vowed to take his lover back. After a fierce battle, the hunter killed the tiger, but he lost his fair lady forever. Now in Tiger Beach Park, people still could find tiger cave and sharply-cut rocks.
Star-Sea Park
Star-Sea Park is a 800-meter long, bow-shaped bathing beach. Black reefs scatter over the bay, appear indistinctly as the tide waves leap. It is a good place for bathing, swimming, diving, camping, boating, fishing and barbecuing.
Ice Valley
Ice Valley attract visitors with its unique landscape. The charming scenes are as intriguing as the famous Stone Forest and as delicate as Guilin Scenery with hills and waters. Legend tells Lee Shimin, a Tang Dynasty emperor, led his expedition and stopped in the valley in spring time. He was surprised to see that outside the valley was a world of green woods and colorful flowers whereas inside the valley was a space of ice and snow. The emperor named the place of wonder "Ice Valley".
Two travelling routes in Dalian are provided by Dalian Chunglien Travel Service CO. LTD
Contact details:
Mr. Bai; email: dalianzhonglian@163.com; 0086-411-84653807; 0086-411-84643059
The first routine: One Day Tour in Golden Pebble Beach Scenic Area of Dalian
ⅠTravel itinerary：
The travel starts at 8:00 AM from Dalian, leaving for Jinshitan Scenic Area (a national scenic resort) known as the ' the Golden Pebble Beach National Resort '. Then visitJinshi Waxwork (about 30min, Exhibition Hall of badges of Mao Zedong（about 20min）, Jinwan Golf—3 strokes for free (about 40 min), A hunting ground—two shoots for free of small-bore rifle (about 30 min). Jinshi Stone Hall —with sediment rocks formed 900 million years ago (30min).After lunch, visit Jinshi Garden—natural unearthed landscape resembling turtles, dinosaurs, tigers, etc (about 40min), Gold Coast Hiking(about 30min). Then back to the centre of Dalian at about 16:30 andtour the Xinghai Square--the biggest in-city square in Asia, ancient statue of the city,Ornamental Pillars, Sunasia Ocean World and other scenery spots (190 RMB/ticket, personal expense). After that, a tour is arranged on bus to tour Binhai Road, the north bridge, Swallow Nest Hill and Tiger Beach Park. Polar Aquarium(190 RMB/ticket, personal expense). After dinner, back to the hotel.
ⅡService standards:
- Vehicle：Air-conditioned bus
- Meals: Meals for Conference groups (10 dishes with one soup and 10 seats per table)
- Tour Guide: Experienced guide along
- Insurance: Travel service liability insurance
- Other: Provide mineral water and a cap
About Shen Yang
Shenyang, the largest city in Northeast China, is the capital as well as political, economic and cultural center of Liaoning Province. It is also an important industrial base and a famous historical city. Giving birth to the ancient Qing Dynasty, it has one of the country's two best preserved imperial palace complexes.
The city is located in the central part of Liaoning Province. Its climate is relatively dry most of the year with spikes in precipitation during the summer months due to the influence of monsoons. Temperatures vary as much as 10 degrees Celsius from daytime to night, and in winter they can drop below 0 degrees Celsius, so the smart traveler will plan to dress in layers.
From Jan. 1, 2014, passport holders of 51 countries and regions including USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, etc. are granted a visa-free stay of up to 72 hours when taking an international transfer via Taoxian International Airport (SHE).
Read details about 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit.
Shenyang is a celebrated old city with more than 2,000 years of history which can be traced back to Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC). It is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has many cultural relics which symbolize the prosperity and subsequent decline of China's last feudal dynasty... The most famous of these is the Shenyang Imperial Palace , which is of great historic and artistic significance and second only to the Forbidden City in Beijing in the extent of its preservation Fuling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb are two other famous imperial structures of the Qing Dynasty.
From Jan. 1, 2014, passport holders of 51 countries and regions including USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, etc. are granted a visa-free stay of up to 72 hours when taking an international transfer via Taoxian International Airport (SHE). Read details about 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit.
Shenyang is a celebrated old city with more than 2,000 years of history which can be traced back to Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC). It is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has many cultural relics which symbolize the prosperity and subsequent decline of China's last feudal dynasty... The most famous of these is the Shenyang Imperial Palace , which is of great historic and artistic significance and second only to the Forbidden City in Beijing in the extent of its preservation Fuling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb are two other famous imperial structures of the Qing Dynasty.
Among the natural wonders, the most impressive and unusual is Strange Slope (Guaipo), an 'anti-gravity'slope more than eighty meters (about 87.5 yards) long. Cars and bikes must accelerate to go down the hill but easily roll upward toward the top. Walkers experience a similar reversal in energy required to walk up and down.
As a significant city in Northeast China with abundant resources, Shenyang has made great efforts to provide good lodging, dining, transportation and recreation for visitors from all over the world. Altogether there are five five-star hotels here, and the service and facilities of the other star-rated hotels in the city are all good enough to make you feel at home. In addition, you can find less expensive accommodations at local universities and hostels.
Famous traditional dishes and snacks here will definitely make your mouth water. And there are plenty of pubs, KTVs (karaoke bars), cafes, and tea houses available to meet your food and entertainment needs A visit to Shenyang can be both entertaining and relaxing.
Dalian Cherry Blossoms/ North East China/The Great North East
6th China Dalian(Lvshun) International Cherry Blossom Festival to be held
Updated: 18 Apr 2014
Read more on Dalian Lvshun Cherry Blossom Festival
China Dalian(Lvshun) Int'l Cherry Blossom Festival to open
The 6th China Dalian(Lvshun) International Cherry Blossom Festival will raise its curtain at Lvshun in Dalian, a port city of Northeastern China's Liaoning Province, April 26, 2014.
The festival with the theme of "Romantic cherry blossoms, Beautiful Lvshun" will run through May 15 this year, promoting the green ecological tourism products and displaying the image of a livable city and a cultural tourism and leisure resort to visitors.
The festival will also include a series of activities such as cherry blossoms tour, real estate promotion for a livable city, low-carbon bicycle riding event, hot spring tour, calligraphy and painting show, rural tour as well as photography contest.
Lvshun is the first city to plant the most cherry trees in China. Now it has more than 30,000 cherry trees, attracting a huge number of tourists from home and abroad.
gathering herbs in South Korea
Gathering Herbs
A woman gathers water parsley in a field in the southwestern county of Gangjin on March 15, 2015, as spring nears. (Yonhap) (END)People Smugglers charge a lot to people to defect from NK
People Smugglers Tie N.Korean Defectors into Crippling Debt
North Korean defector Kim Young-mi crossed the frozen Duman River early last year with her husband and daughter. But waiting on this side of the border were tens of millions of won in debt owed to the brokers who smuggled them out.
After the mandatory adjustment program at the Unification Ministry's Hanawon resettlement center, Kim and her family were given a lump sum of W18 million (US$1=W1,110) -- W6 million per person -- to help them settle in the South.
But every last won went to paying the brokers and she still owes them W10 million.
"I thought my life here would be like a TV soap where everyone lives happily ever after," Kim said. "But the minute we stepped out of Hanawon, I found myself already chin-deep in debt with no idea how to repay it."
When she left Hanawon in October, Kim thought she would find a job and make a decent living, but the reality was profoundly different.
Kim promised to repay the broker W1 million a month starting in April, but none of her family have found a job here so far.
They still get W1.07 million a month in government support, but half goes on rent and bills and the reminder is simply not enough.
Back in the North, Kim's husband worked for a state agency that sends workers abroad, which did not make them rich but ensured a reasonably comfortable life. Here in the South, they are heavily in debt and constantly racing against time.
"I need to find work as a laborer or do odd jobs in a restaurant, but I'm seen as too old so it's not easy," Kim said. "To be honest, the thought that it’ll soon be April again fills me with dread."
They are not alone. A clear majority of North Korean defectors end up saddled with debt to people smugglers and slide into poverty fast. Many jump from one temporary job to another in the struggle to repay their debts, which creates vicious cycle of casual labor and dwindling prospects.
Nam Young-hwa at the Women's Association for the Future of Korean Peninsula said, "For defectors the top priority is to arrive safely in South Korea, so they'll pay brokers whatever it costs without thinking of the consequences. It's only when they arrive here that the reality hits them, and since repaying the debt can take up all the time there is, it often triggers physical and emotional suffering."
A few years ago the North Korean leader regime stepped up crackdowns on defectors, which made little dent in the numbers who are fleeing but sent brokers’ fees through the roof.
According to civic groups that help North Koreans, brokers used to charge W2-W4 million for the passage to South Korea via China and Southeast Asia, and they met the defectors across the border in China.
But since Kim took power, brokers have to guide defectors all the way across the border, often risking imprisonment. As a result, brokers now charge up to W10 million.
It is almost impossible for a North Korean defector to make it to the South without the aid of brokers, who have networks of informants, couriers and messengers across North Korea and China. Brokers have to be aggressive about getting their money back, since they have to advance the money for transportation, lodging and food bills for defectors and to grease the palms of government workers or border guards in the process.
One North Korean defector who fled the North in 2011 got in bigger trouble after going on the run without paying the trafficker back. He slept in saunas to evade his broker and changed his mobile phone number several times. That made it difficult finding a job, so he had to spend all the W4 million from the government on living expenses. Without money in his pocket, he may now have to give up the flat the government provided so that he can use the deposit to buy food.
After the mandatory adjustment program at the Unification Ministry's Hanawon resettlement center, Kim and her family were given a lump sum of W18 million (US$1=W1,110) -- W6 million per person -- to help them settle in the South.
But every last won went to paying the brokers and she still owes them W10 million.
"I thought my life here would be like a TV soap where everyone lives happily ever after," Kim said. "But the minute we stepped out of Hanawon, I found myself already chin-deep in debt with no idea how to repay it."
When she left Hanawon in October, Kim thought she would find a job and make a decent living, but the reality was profoundly different.
Kim promised to repay the broker W1 million a month starting in April, but none of her family have found a job here so far.
They still get W1.07 million a month in government support, but half goes on rent and bills and the reminder is simply not enough.
Back in the North, Kim's husband worked for a state agency that sends workers abroad, which did not make them rich but ensured a reasonably comfortable life. Here in the South, they are heavily in debt and constantly racing against time.
"I need to find work as a laborer or do odd jobs in a restaurant, but I'm seen as too old so it's not easy," Kim said. "To be honest, the thought that it’ll soon be April again fills me with dread."
They are not alone. A clear majority of North Korean defectors end up saddled with debt to people smugglers and slide into poverty fast. Many jump from one temporary job to another in the struggle to repay their debts, which creates vicious cycle of casual labor and dwindling prospects.
Nam Young-hwa at the Women's Association for the Future of Korean Peninsula said, "For defectors the top priority is to arrive safely in South Korea, so they'll pay brokers whatever it costs without thinking of the consequences. It's only when they arrive here that the reality hits them, and since repaying the debt can take up all the time there is, it often triggers physical and emotional suffering."
A few years ago the North Korean leader regime stepped up crackdowns on defectors, which made little dent in the numbers who are fleeing but sent brokers’ fees through the roof.
According to civic groups that help North Koreans, brokers used to charge W2-W4 million for the passage to South Korea via China and Southeast Asia, and they met the defectors across the border in China.
But since Kim took power, brokers have to guide defectors all the way across the border, often risking imprisonment. As a result, brokers now charge up to W10 million.
It is almost impossible for a North Korean defector to make it to the South without the aid of brokers, who have networks of informants, couriers and messengers across North Korea and China. Brokers have to be aggressive about getting their money back, since they have to advance the money for transportation, lodging and food bills for defectors and to grease the palms of government workers or border guards in the process.
One North Korean defector who fled the North in 2011 got in bigger trouble after going on the run without paying the trafficker back. He slept in saunas to evade his broker and changed his mobile phone number several times. That made it difficult finding a job, so he had to spend all the W4 million from the government on living expenses. Without money in his pocket, he may now have to give up the flat the government provided so that he can use the deposit to buy food.
(Yonhap Interview) Uranium bombs expected to account for 60 percent of N.K.'s nuclear arsenal: think tank chief 2015/03/15 09:56 TweetFacebook ShareGoogle +1 ReduceEnlargePrint By Chang Jae-soon WASHINGTON, March 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is estimated to have up to nine nuclear weapons built with highly enriched uranium, and uranium bombs could account for up to 60 percent of the North's nuclear arsenal feared to grow to up to 100 weapons in five years, an American expert said. David Albright, a top nuclear expert who heads the Institute for Science and International Security think tank, spoke about the forecast in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, saying highly enriched uranium is easier to make than weapons-grade plutonium.
Proposed Talk between North & South Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on Thursday proposed the “highest-level” talks with South Korea, opening the way to a historic summit as his communist country battles to fend off UN prosecution over its human rights record.
The sudden move, made during Kim’s traditional New Year message, would clear the path for the first inter-Korean leaders’ meeting since a 2007 summit in Pyongyang.
“Depending on the mood and circumstances to be created, we have no reason not to hold the highest-level talks,” Kim said in the televised speech, calling for a thaw in icy relations between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.
Seoul welcomed the overture as “meaningful”, coming after the North’s state media had previously used sexist and personal language in attacks on South Korea’s first female president, Park Geun-Hye.
Park has repeatedly said the door to dialogue with Pyongyang is open, but insists the North must first take tangible steps towards abandoning its nuclear weapons programme.
“Our government hopes South and North Korea will hold dialogue without further ado in the near future,” Ryoo Kihl-Jae, the South’s unification minister in charge of inter-Korean affairs, told a briefing.
Any talks should feature “practical and frank discussions on all issues of mutual concern”, he said.
Kim also urged Washington to take a “bold shift” in its policy towards Pyongyang and denounced the United States for leading an international campaign over the North’s dismal human rights record.
“The US and its followers are holding on to a nasty ‘human rights’ racket, as their schemes to destroy our self-defensive nuclear deterrent and stifle our republic by force become unrealisable,” he said.
He described nuclear weapons as the guardian of his country and vowed to sternly retaliate against “any provocations” threatening its dignity.
Pyongyang faces growing pressure over its rights record, with the UN stepping up a campaign to refer the North’s leaders to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
The isolated nation, meanwhile, experienced an internet outage last month after Washington vowed retaliation over a crippling cyber attack blamed on North Korea against Sony, the studio behind a controversial film about a fictional plot to assassinate Kim.
A US State Department official said after Kim’s speech: “We support improved inter-Korean relations.”
Kim said in his message that Pyongyang “will make every effort to advance dialogue and negotiations”, adding that the “tragic” division of the Korean peninsula should not be tolerated.
The leader’s tone was generally conciliatory, but he made it clear that South Korea should end its periodic joint military exercises with the United States.
“Needless to say, faithful dialogue is not possible in such a brutal atmosphere that war exercises targeting the other side are going on,” Kim said.
The last round of high-level negotiations was held in February and resulted in the North hosting a rare union of relatives separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.
The two Koreas agreed to restart dialogue when a top-ranking North Korean delegation made a surprise visit to the Asian Games held in the South in October.
The trip raised hopes of a thaw in relations, but was followed by minor military clashes along the border that renewed tensions and talks never materialised.
Analysts said Kim was extending an olive branch after realising that Pyongyang could not end its isolation without first improving ties with Seoul.
“North Korea opted for a practical line after facing up to reality, because it is now difficult to improve ties with the United States and other countries,” Yoo Ho-Yeol, a Korea University professor, said.
Kim’s New Year message, which sets the direction of policy for the coming year, also focused on improving living standards in North Korea, which suffers chronic food shortages.
His father and late leader Kim Jong-Il, who died in December 2011, left a country in dire economic straits, the result of a “military first” policy that fed ambitious missile and nuclear programmes at the expense of a malnourished population.
Kim also used his message to urge North Koreans to work harder in strengthening the country’s military capabilities through the development of “powerful advanced” weapons.
Under the younger Kim’s leadership, North Korea has placed a satellite in orbit and conducted its third - and most powerful - nuclear test.
Monday, 16 March 2015
John Fitzpatrick's one philosophical quote for 2015
"In each and every certain decision, whether of economic, emotional, intellectual or spiritual milieu, allow the gravity of a modicum of doubt. The gravity of doubt, as it develops, over all, across the full human life span, will serve you much better than the stark certainty of clear decisions ever will. The doubt regarding certainty, along the way, will also make you a much better and more fulfilled human being."
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