North Korea this week

Latest Headlines Kim Jong Un sits out party meetings as state media marks 10 years of his rule - by Colin Zwirko Day three of party plenum focused on budget discussions and studying Kim's speeches Visit NK News for More In officially tax-free North Korea, where does the state get its money? - by Peter Ward The DPRK has multiple revenue sources, including taxes, that have both positive and negative impacts on the economy Visit NK Pro for More Seoul approves three new requests to send nutrition-related aid to North Korea - by Jeongmin Kim South Korea has now greenlit 11 aid shipments this year, though delivery is unlikely due to DPRK’s border restrictions  Visit NK News for More Japan approves $1.2 billion for missile defense, eyeing North Korea threats - by Kosuke Takahashi The funds are a part of $53.6 billion in defense spending that the cabinet has approved for the next 16 months Visit NK News for More Ask a North Korean: Do North Koreans like to go camping? - by Alek Sigley Travel restrictions mostly rule out leisure camping, but there are other ways people spend time in the great outdoors Visit NK News for More

The latest from the podcast The biggest North Korea stories of 2021 – NKNews Podcast Ep. 215 The NK News team discusses Kim Jong Un’s health, the DPRKs new ‘dark age’ and their predictions for the year ahead Listen to the full episode here

Top NK stories from around the web US declines comment on Chung's remarks about end of war declaration agreement(The Korea Herald)The United States declined to directly comment on any progress made on a draft for an end to the Korean War declaration professed by the South Korean foreign minister on Wednesday, only saying the US remains committed to dialogue with North Korea. S. Korea starts construction of 2nd 3,600-ton-class SLBM submarine(Yonhap News)South Korea has started the construction of a new 3,600-ton-class military submarine with improved ballistic missile capabilities, officials said Thursday. Some North Korean forced labor camps giving more “production tasks” than last year(Daily NK)Inmates at some forced labor camps in North Korea have reportedly been tasked with producing more wigs, false eyelashes and other goods. This suggests the authorities may have ordered the inmates to produce the deliverables for toll manufacturing contracts signed with Chinese companies. N. Korea shuts down access to Pyongyang ahead of party plenary meeting(Daily NK)North Korea has reportedly shut down access to Pyongyang with the Eighth Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea holding its Fourth Plenary Meeting on Monday. North Korea's leader looks slimmer than ever(The Korea Times)North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, seems to be have reached his lowest weight in at least the past few years.

What does the North Korea flag mean?

 

China's flag. Why is it red?

The flag is a red field with five golden stars in the canton. The red represents China's communist revolution whereas the five stars are interpreted as a unification of the country's people under the communist party. The larger star surrounded by the four smaller stars symbolizes the communist party.

the four smaller stars represent the workers in their different professions.

I think that if we studied China over the past 3,000 years, and we really haven't; we've only set our hatred on race and communism, whereas China is behaving as China usually does.

It behaves differently to us, true, but only in one facet:

It does not make war.

It does not care what we think, and never has. It doesn't consider our feelings at all. It just goes along making trade with the world. Good business.

It just goes along being China. The whole point of being China is to be ...China.

There are no great Cathedrals of Christianity nor Islam, nor Hindu nor Senagoges etc. China has never had them, nor the spurious beliefs they tend to issue forth at the drop of a hat.

China has girls working in shops. If you hurt those girls, wow, are you in big trouble! You are truly fucked. If you let them be, then everything is just fine. The point of China is not to make the world rich, it is to make China better-off than it has been. They are doing that very well, every day, every week, every year.

I see the USA, UK, and Australia are all not sending their important diplomats to the China Winter Olympics in Beijing

Not that any were actually ever invited to attend.

Too much awful Yankee Aussie UKy covid flooding in.

Good.

Planning a Christmas Holiday for us

 Well, overseas isn't possible really.

So planning a drive up the Hume Highway to Canberra and a few days there to look at the Parliament, the Art Gallery, the War Museum and the High Court...and walk around a fair bit and have nice things to eat. Last time we just stayed overnight and everything was shut.

After 4-5 days, then drive homewards stopping in border towns with Victoria to look at house prices and generally relax more...whilst sticking close to the border should Omicron rise up as a big issue, as I expect. Hug the borders...

I thought of the coastal road to Eden, NSW, or thereabouts but the cost of accommodation is a bit high and silly, and, well, when you get there, there's nothing there...we like the Ocean, and we would like to see the Ocean, sure, but we have seen the Ocean before. So we will visit Canberra (even just to see what kind of environment sustains someone like Peter Dutton) and see the Human Institutions important to many, and the Art is very good indeed...and we will see lots of either very dry or very wet sheep enroute.

I see Australia is not sending officials to the Beijing Winter Olympics. Australia can always be depended upon to do the wrong thing.

 Oh dear, what can one say?

Australia, in the fob pocket of the USA. Sad but true. Never variance, never independence. Never thinking. Always, in these matters, Australia just hurts itself to conform to what the USA demands of us.

The Beef Industry is a good example. Because we made outrageous demands that China be seen as a hostile evil state awhile ago, just like North Korea and Iran, rather than our best biggest trading partner, and we demanded that the International Covid Enquiry should have investigated China with the same total-powers as the world Nuclear Authorities - ignore sovereign status, ignore the laws of China, just go in with various experts and control everything... this was demanded by Australia, and no one else. Who, in their right mind would do that to our best trading partner, or any partner? So, China stopped buying Australian beef.

The first country to meet the awaiting huge and profitable demand of selling a lot more beef to China? The USA.

Ridiculous.

UP DATE from NK News

Visit Website

DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea Latest Headlines US builds new radar to detect ballistic, hypersonic missiles from Indo-Pacific - by Jeongmin Kim Completion of radar in Alaska follows recent North Korean missile tests, as US notes ‘rogue’ state targeting it Visit NK News for More How North Korea’s ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ power grid impacts energy trade - by Ethan Jewell The DPRK’s rickety power network means exporting electricity sometimes makes more sense than using it Visit NK Pro for More Kim Jong Un demands military improve its education system at major event - by Colin Zwirko North Korea’s top brass gathered for the ‘Conference of Military Educators’ in Pyongyang over the weekend Visit NK News for More US diplomatic boycott of Olympics a setback for dialogue with DPRK: experts - by Chaewon Chung Decision is likely to drive China and North Korea closer, while scuttling hopes for breakthrough like at 2018 Games Visit NK News for More The overlooked spelling error that underscores North Korea’s culture of fear - by Fyodor Tertitskiy The country’s highest honor misspelled the DPRK’s name for years, as correcting the party was all but inconceivable Visit NK News for More The latest from the podcast The dangerous appeal of North Korean culture – NK News Podcast Ep. 211 Tatiana Gabroussenko discusses changes in DPRK films and dramas and how the country appropriates South Korean arts Listen to the full episode here Top NK stories from around the web S. Korea reiterates support for Beijing Olympics despite U.S. diplomatic boycott(Yonhap News)The South Korean government reiterated its principled support Tuesday for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics following the U.S. announcement of its decision to boycott the event diplomatically, expressing hope again that it will contribute to peace and inter-Korean relations. North Korea continues crackdown on streetside commerce in Chongjin(Daily NK)North Korean authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown on streetside commerce in Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il. Heads of N. Korean Navy, Air Force Confirmed to Have Been Demoted(KBS)The heads of the North Korean Navy and Air Force were each confirmed to have been demoted by one rank. S. Korea expresses 'deep regret' over Japanese politicians' visit to war shrine(Yonhap News)South Korea expressed "deep concern and regret" over the latest visit by a group of Japanese politicians to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo. India, Russia Agree to Boost Cooperation in Establishing Peace on Korean Peninsula(KBS)India and Russia have agreed to boost cooperation toward establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Interesting. Off topic, but interesting. We are looking at a house purchase in Lucifer Street, Balwyn North, Victoria. I wonder what comes with it? Central Heating, I expect.

My favourite conspiracy theory is one that I created myself, after studying the News about that Malaysian flight mh370 Airline that disappeared

 It was flying over the South China Sea enroute to Beijing and was shot down by mistake by the US Navy who were doing active pinging of China's defenses at that time.

A new story that it turned around and flew off to the only area on the planet not under surveillance, down from India, towards Antarctica was invented to cover the shoot down mistake.

The full investigation was handled by the PM of Malaysia. Within the month the US President, Obama, flew to Malaysia and offered a really good trade and military deal to Malaysia that they happily accepted,  and at that same time the Saudi Royal Family gave the Malaysian PM US$800 million as a free gift because he was a nice man.

THAI KING SONG

Royal Anthem of H.M. The King Bhumibol of Thailand

Acknowledging the birthday of the Beloved King Bhumibol of Thailand, the passed Rama IX, the Great King, the King of Kings.

 

Photos of Dalian, PRC and Pyongyang, DPRK

 

Step-Daughter, Tianshu, living well and happily in Shanghai 2021

 

Questions to Blog Owner John Fitzpatrick about the reliability of NEWS about North Asia

 John, if you wished to find out what was happening in North Asia what news service in Australia would you go to?

"None of them. One would need to look at those news services that have an understanding and an interest in that Region, and no news service in Australia has either."

New services outside Australia?

"Well, there are a few. NK News is very good for the unbiased journalism, and the huge scope of which they are capable. Unless we are talking about just 'things that fascinate America', whereby DW English, Al Jazeera and Le Monde are quite reasonable. NHK Japan is okay. Even the Bangkok Post can be quite clear with their reporting, but nothing reported by Australia about North Asia is clear or particularly 'news', per se. If one wishes to see an 'independent' news agency as a total succubus of their governments, you could look at, equally, CGTN or ABC News or SBS News in Australia. CGTN will still provide a far more balanced view, and far more interesting topics for anyone interested in North Asia.

Is Australia part of Asia?

"No. For two reasons: First, it can't be, simply because no one in their right mind in Asia would want it to be.  Second, Australia doesn't want to be. It is a satellite of the USA, everyone knows that and most Australians prefer that."

Is this due to Australian racism?

"Absolutely. No question about that. It is also due to the long history of Australian politicians demonising China, in particularly, to shore up marginal FEAR votes in every Federal election. The current Australian Minister for Defence, Peter Dutton is a remarkable champion of this cause....and, well, there is an election early in 2022. There will be no positive news from Australia about our biggest trading partner, China, til after that election, I guarantee that."

recalling moments in China, on the fast train from Beijing to Shen Yang, the retired Red army colonel advising me that there was no need to learn the languages of Asia, just learn Mandarin, the common talk of China, for China IS Asia. Then he broke into song about the Motherland.

I note, from reliable sources, that North Korea isn't planning on bombing everyone on Earth this week, nor has it ever been interested in doing so. What we do have is an incredibly dis-engaged world media that just makes shit up every day.

I still think it is a shame that MISHIMA never received a Nobel Prize for Literature, for the simple reason that he was, indeed, the best writer alive at that time.

I know his personal politics and views were totally unacceptable, but it is a shame that these were taken into account at all. His value is in the beauty and complexity of his writings, in the poignant emotions, rather than in what he believed in as time went by.

Mishima changed the modern Novel from what a novel could do. His genius in progressing the Form is remarkable and sorely under appreciated.

So, Mishima wasn't, over all, a great guy. How does that matter? What he wrote was remarkable and totally unwritten before him.

The idea is to progress, expand, and perfect the Literary Form, rather than getting points if you like American Theory or not.

My father in law noted that, from his journeys into North Korea, that it did have the worst government in the world, and yet, at the same time, they were brothers.

brief update

North Korea to hold major meeting around Kim Jong Un’s 10-year anniversary - by Colin Zwirko Plenum will set 2022 state plans, as DPRK leader says economy ‘stable’ at Politburo meeting on Wednesday  Visit NK News for More Speakers at Seoul forum question push for end-of-war declaration with DPRK - by Chaewon Chung Experts voice concerns about unresolved POW situation, citing hundreds of ROK soldiers reportedly stuck in DPRK Visit NK News for More US and South Korea to update war plans to deter evolving North Korean threats - by Jeongmin Kim Two sides will also conduct assessment next fall for transfer of wartime operational control, defense chiefs say Visit NK News for More North Korean capitalism’s failure in the Third World - by Benjamin R. Young Pyongyang mixed economics and politics as it competed with Seoul and sought new trade partners in the Global South Visit NK News for More

The latest from the podcast The dangerous appeal of North Korean culture – NK News Podcast Ep. 211 Tatiana Gabroussenko discusses changes in DPRK films and dramas and how the country appropriates South Korean arts Listen to the full episode here

Top NK stories from around the web NK to hold key party meeting as Kim’s 10-year leadership anniversary approaches(Korea Herald)North Korea will hold a key party meeting later this month as leader Kim Jong-un is set to mark 10 years in office, North Korean media said Thursday, with growing speculation that Pyongyang could unveil its policy toward Washington and Seoul for the next year. ... Seoul, Washington update war plans to deter evolving North Korea's nuke, missile threats(Korea Times)South Korea and the United States agreed Thursday to update their joint wartime contingency plans to deter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats, the two sides said, in a sign of their stepped-up cooperation to reinforce deterrence against the recalcitrant regime... U.S., South Korea defense chiefs discuss boosting alliance(Asahi Shimbun)U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday that China’s pursuit of hypersonic weapons “increases tensions in the region” and vowed the U.S. would maintain its capability to deter potential threats posed by China. ... Moon’s end of war proposal faces multitude of challenges(Korea Herald)President Moon Jae-in hopes to declare the end of the Korean War during his term, but such a declaration without corresponding denuclearization does not guarantee peace on the Korean Peninsula and time is too short to untangle complicated interests of all involved parties, experts say. ... National security adviser goes to China for talks(JoongAng Daily)Suh Hoon, South Korea’s national security adviser, will make a two-day visit to China, said the Blue House Wednesday, amid expectations that Seoul will want to discuss its desire for a declaration to end the 1950-53 Korean War. ...

North Korea to hold major meeting around Kim Jong Un’s 10-year anniversary

Plenum will set 2022 state plans, as DPRK leader says economy ‘stable’ at Politburo meeting on Wednesday 

Colin Zwirko December 2, 2021

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Image: Rodong Sinmun, Dec. 2, 2021 | Kim Jong Un presides over the Fifth Political Bureau Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, held at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee on Dec. 1

North Korea will hold a major party meeting called a plenum in “late December,” state media announced Thursday, falling around the official 10-year anniversary of Kim Jong Un coming to power.

The DPRK leader reportedly said at a Politburo meeting on Wednesday that the economy is currently being “stably managed,” according to the party-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper, and suggested that the upcoming plenum will review this year’s economic activity and set plans for 2022. 

The plenum could last for several days as in recent years, and the party could announce further titles or celebrations for Kim to mark his first decade as ruler.

Kim took over as leader on Dec. 17, 2011 after his father, Kim Jong Il, died of a heart attack. The Politburo at the time officially made Kim Jong Un the Supreme Commander of the armed forces on Dec. 30.

The upcoming plenum may also serve as the forum for Kim to give a speech detailing domestic and foreign policy updates for the coming year, such as those pertaining to inter-Korean relations and stalled denuclearization talks with the U.S.

Kim traditionally delivered this in an informal “New Year Address” on Jan. 1 each year, but since 2020 he’s delivered it in formal party meetings in December or January. 

A state TV report on the meeting showed Kim Tok Hun and other officials arriving late in Mercedes and Lexus luxury vehicles, and clocks in and outside the meeting room showed that it started just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday night | Images: KCTV, Dec. 2, 2021

The state media report on Wednesday’s Politburo meeting was relatively brief, but included some positive assessments from Kim on state affairs in 2021 despite what he called “difficulties that still stand in the way of the economic development of the country.”

“It is very inspiring that affirmative changes have been made in all fields of the state affairs including politics, the economy, culture and national defense,” he reportedly said, continuing that “great successes [were] achieved in agriculture and construction.”

“Next year is an important year when we should wage a struggle as great as this year” toward carrying out the second year of the current five-year plan, he added.

The upcoming plenum will be the fourth held this year since the January Party Congress. North Korea announced a “food crisis” at the third plenum, which lasted for four days in June. 

However, the report on Wednesday’s “fifth” politburo meeting of this year revealed that another such meeting was recently held in secret. The third politburo meeting took place on Sept. 2, but the ruling party never disclosed information publicly about a fourth one in the intervening months.

Martin Weiser, an independent researcher focusing on North Korean politics, told NK News on Thursday that a possible occasion for the secret politburo meeting could have been held before the late-Sept. Supreme People’s Assembly session to approve new personnel appointments.

Kim’s appearance in state media on Thursday ends another extended break from public activities. The North Korean leader had made just one public appearance during the previous 50 days.

Edited by Bryan Betts. Updated on Dec. 3 at 12:46 KST to include images from state TV. 

I'll be using the resources of NK News, Xinhua, CGTN, Family, DW (English), & Al Jazeera, mostly. I will give fair mention of the sources wherever possible.

 Well, it only took a month longer than I thought to remove myself from Facebook, and I am happily preparing to gather lots of information, up to date, about North Asia, for this blog.

I'll be using the resources of NK News, Xinhua, CGTN, Family, DW (English), & Al Jazeera, mostly. I will give fair mention of the sources wherever possible.

I hope you enjoy the blog. I may be very slow in responding to any comments, maybe a week.

Thank you

John Fitzpatrick