World News Round Up

Fitz Recent News World Round Up:

North Korea is doing reasonably well. The Great Leader is losing weight and looking good. Yes, we know he is a cunt, but then again, so is the leader of Saudi Arabia, and they are our true friends. So is the King of Thailand.

China is doing well. The One Belt One Road rapid development means less reasons to have any trouble with the war mongering USA, now and as time goes by. China is making the trade routes of the South China Sea far less important to themselves. China is quite smart and doesnt turn good into evil on a 3 or 5 year election news cycle.

If Ukraine wants to Avoid a War with Russia, they should pay their Gas Bill. No one in the West will hand out 20 billion euros that Ukraine haven't paid to Russia over the last few decades. The Russians still haven't cut off the Gas, so Ukraine isn't currently freezing to death, which is a nice gesture. Thank you, Russia.

No, Ukraine will not become a member of the EU or NATO. Too much endemic corruption...and they don't pay any of their bills. You try and do that with Ergon or Telstra.

Some poor girl was shot and died in Australia, but they have the perpetrators in custody, so thats good. Law and Reason prevail.

Someone won the Australian of the Year Award, but it wasn't me. The whole thing is a scam, maybe even a conspiracy.

The Australian Treasurer is saying the economy is in great shape. If they win again, he will say how awful things are, and that nurses, in particular, certainly can't get a pay rise.

On Russia and the Ukraine

Well, Russia keeps getting somewhat annoyed with Ukraine, next door. I understand why. For 30 years Russia supplied cheap as chips natural gas to Ukraine, expecting that they would actually pay the gas bill. It must be over US$20 billion in debt now.

Ukraine never paid a cent. They built a beautiful golden parliament, massive highways, good schools, airports, train lines, great hospitals, etc and the government of Ukraine got disgustingly rich. Then, Europe and the USA, being entrepreneurial, said "Hey, Ukraine, how about joining us to fuck up Russia?? And Ukraine said..."Yeah! We're up for it if we can join NATO." "Of course you can... but you have to work out the gas bill with Russia. maybe they'll cancel the debt? Try them! Doesn't hurt to try?! Just don't pay it, and cry poor! Fuck em. Russian Bastards! Who would say No to that?"

Vladimir Putin said...No.

Russia excised Crimea as a loan-deposit on the gas bill, but, time goes by, and its time for Ukraine to pay the gas bill. The Russians, being somewhat nice, still haven't turned off the gas.

the USA has offered to supply Ukraine with gas, but, at about ten times the price of good clean Russian gas... and Ukraine can't afford that. Everyone will freeze to death there.

Russia and Ukraine: It aint no ideologicl war between good and bad. Its just, for Ukraine, time to pay the gas bill. The Debt Collectors are out and about on the border.

If Ukraine can't pay the Russian gas bill, they are not an economy that Europe would want amongst them, anyway. "You work it out with Russia...and, um, well, we'll be here...go on, fuck them up. Fuck up Putin. We don't like him."

Vladimir Putin said "No." 

That's all that's going on. Negotiation.

I guess the rationale for the USA not wanting a Peace Declaration between North and South Korea, is the same reason they do not want Taiwan to be an Independent Nation, as much as China doesn't want that.

An independent nation, like a unified Korea, or an Independent nation, Taiwan, would remove the need for the USA to have any role there at all. Their presence would be totally unnecessary...as it really is. Go on home, US soldiers, go on home. Have you got no fucking home of your own?

Towards peace on the Peninsula

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DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea Latest Headlines US, ROK have ‘effectively’ agreed on draft text of end-of-war declaration: Seoul - by Chaewon Chung South Korean foreign minister says US reaffirmed support but mum on how they will address North Korea’s preconditions Visit NK News for More North Korea puts ‘rural problem’ on agenda as party meeting extended - by Colin Zwirko Kim Jong Un made speeches during first two days of party plenum, but state media has yet to release full details Visit NK News for More What to expect from the planned US black hat intelligence center in South Korea - by Nick Miller Details are short on $149 million project, but it is likely to focus on opposing North Korean threats in cyberspace Visit NK Pro for More Washington rejects ‘strategic patience’ label for Biden’s North Korea policy - by Chaewon Chung State Department says US pursues dialogue with DPRK, after White House earlier stressed ‘step-by-step’ approach Visit NK News for More Ex-USFK commander says joint war plans should address China. Seoul isn’t happy. - by Jeongmin Kim Gen. Robert Abrams’s comments have stirred controversy in South Korea, drawing criticism from left and praise from right Visit NK News for More A diplomat’s life: Parting advice for those going to work in North Korea - by Taylor Darby Foreigners must learn to accept the political system but remain critical, while caring for their own mental health 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 Family of official killed by N. Korea steps up legal battle for info disclosure(Yonhap News)The family of a South Korean fisheries official killed by North Korea's military near the western sea border last year applied for an injunction Wednesday to stop the presidential office's information on the official's death from being designated as access-restricted presidential records. Defectors’ remittances to N. Korea down 18% in 2021 amid pandemic: NGO(The Korea Herald)Remittances from North Korean defectors to their families living across the inter-Korean border fell by 18.2 percent while Pyongyang has maintained a border lockdown for two years and strengthened controls over its society, Seoul-based nongovernmental organizations said in a joint report. 7 out of 10 S. Koreans see China as biggest threat: poll(Yonhap News)Seven out of 10 South Koreans chose China as the biggest security threat to their country among the neighbors, excluding North Korea, a survey showed Wednesday. S. Korea conducted Dokdo defense drills last week: sources(Yonhap News)South Korea conducted regular military drills to strengthen the defense of its easternmost islets of Dokdo last week, multiple sources said Wednesday, amid lingering tensions caused by Japan's persistent claims to the East Sea outcroppings. Seoul's top diplomat notes 'original sin' over wartime sexual slavery(Yonhap News)South Korea's top diplomat called on Japan on Wednesday to show flexibility for progress in joint efforts to address the issue of Tokyo's wartime sexual slavery, raising a fundamental question of where the "original sin" lies.

NK Ballistic

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DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea Latest Headlines North Korea fires ‘likely ballistic missile’ toward east coast: South Korea - by Colin Zwirko, Jeongmin Kim Test comes days after political event in Pyongyang where Kim Jong Un vowed to continue bolstering weapons capabilities Visit NK News for More Back with a bang: North Korea’s missile test is a sign of things to come in 2022 - by James Fretwell Short-range missile launches present new challenges to existing defense systems, but Kim knows he can get away scot-free Visit NK Pro for More Moon Jae-in stresses dialogue hours after North Korea test-fires missile - by Jeongmin Kim Expert says Pyongyang likely cares little what Seoul and Washington think as diplomacy unlikely to resume this year Visit NK News for More 4 flights, 48 defectors and 670K barrels of oil: North Korea’s 2021 in numbers - by Ethan Jewell Data tells the story of a year in which DPRK retreated even further inward as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on Visit NK Pro for More ROK military initially thought border crosser was fleeing to South Korea: JCS - by Chaewon Chung Investigation finds critical errors hindered response, as President Moon Jae-in condemns ‘failure of border operations’ Visit NK News for More The latest from the podcast Opening the first US news bureau in North Korea – NKNews Podcast Ep. 216 Jean Lee discusses the advantages and hurdles to doing journalism in the DPRK, working with local staff and more Listen to the full episode here Top NK stories from around the web Moon visits inter-Korean railway ceremony amid North’s firing missile(The Korea Herald)President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday reiterated his willingness to build an integrated railway network for the peace on the Korean Peninsula during a visit to a groundbreaking ceremony for railroad construction in the Jejin railway project. On the same day, the North fired a suspected ballistic missile into the sea. US must not reward N. Korea with end of war declaration before talks: Harry Harris(The Korea Herald)The United States must not give anything to North Korea, including an end of war declaration, before Pyongyang returns to the dialogue table, former US ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said Tuesday. Balancing act between China-US not in Korea’s interest: Victor Cha(The Korea Herald)South Korea should join the democratic coalitions designed to keep China in check, instead of hedging between the US and China, which could result in Seoul having to deal with Beijing alone, says Victor Cha, a former top adviser on North Korea in the George W. Bush administration. N. Korean leaders order North Hamgyong Province to produce “model units of science education”(Daily NK)North Korea’s Ministry of Higher Education has ordered education officials in North Hamgyong Province to produce “model units of science education.” N. Korea generates “atmosphere of competition” to fulfill manure quotas(Daily NK)As North Korea wages a “battle for manure” across the country, some regions are pressuring individuals and families to cough up money if they fail to fulfill their quota. This is apparently adding to the pain suffered by North Koreans struggling with economic troubles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

UPDATE North Korea

DAILY NEWS UPDATEYour briefing on all things North Korea

Latest Headlines North Korea says it can’t attend Olympics due to ‘hostile forces,’ COVID-19 - by Colin Zwirko Pyongyang informs public of plans to skip the Beijing Winter Games, pledges support to China for successful event Visit NK News for More UNICEF says aid has cleared North Korea quarantine, on its way for distribution - by Jeongmin Kim The items were released after being stuck in DPRK port city for more than two months of quarantine Visit NK News for More North Korea’s fuel trade on pace to recover in 2022: Imagery - by Ethan Jewell Over 1,300 satellite images show how Pyongyang’s fuel trade appeared to ramp up as 2021 came to a close Visit NK Pro for More US seizes $2.4 million from four Pyongyang-linked front companies - by Ethan Jewell The companies, which the U.S. does not name, have extensive ties to well-known sanctions busters, court records show Visit NK News for More Not monolithic: The need to better understand North Korea’s internal dynamics - by Ruediger Frank Designing effective DPRK policies requires ditching narrative of ‘one heart and mind’ and recognizing diverse groups Visit NK Pro for More US, Japan launching joint research project to counter ‘hypersonic threats’ - by Chaewon Chung New initiative comes after two hypersonic missile tests by North Korea in the last four months Visit NK News for More Top North Korean construction projects all missed 2021 deadlines amid shortages - by Colin Zwirko Kim Jong Un and other top officials admitted at party plenum events that annual construction goals had not been met Visit NK News for More

The latest from the podcast Opening the first US news bureau in North Korea – NKNews Podcast Ep. 216 Jean Lee discusses the advantages and hurdles to doing journalism in the DPRK, working with local staff and more Listen to the full episode here

Top NK stories from around the web S. Korean, Japanese nuclear envoys discuss N. Korea's missile test(Yonhap News)Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and Japan had phone talks Friday to share the assessment of North Korea's latest missile test and agreed to continue efforts to resume dialogue, Seoul's foreign ministry said. S. Korea may put hypersonic missile into service by late 2020s(Hankyoreh)North Korea’s not the only one developing hypersonic missiles — South Korea is too. In August 2020, then-South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said that Korea would accelerate the development of hypersonic missiles during a ceremony on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in Daejeon. S. Korea calls N.K. claim of hypersonic missile launch 'exaggerated'(Yonhap News)South Korea's defense ministry said Friday that North Korea's claim that it has successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile this week appears to be "exaggerated," assessing Pyongyang has yet to secure technologies for such an advanced flight vehicle. N. Korea’s Central Committee: From Jan. 11, only those who fulfilled “manure quota” will be allowed into markets(Daily NK)North Korea has announced that only people who have fulfilled their manure quota will be permitted to enter markets, Daily NK has learned. Appeals court upholds 3 1/2-year prison term for NK defector over spy activities(The Korea Herald)An appeals court upheld a 3 1/2-year prison term for a North Korean defector charged with spying for Pyongyang, court officials said Friday.

THE NK NEWS PODCAST

​Unification ministry veterans promoting Korean peace – NKNews Podcast Ep. 217​ Unification remains the official goal of inter-Korean policy on both sides of the Korean Peninsula, and the new Council on Diplomacy for Korean Unification (CDKU), founded by veterans of the country’s unification ministry, aims to keep the dream alive. This week, Kim Hyeong-seok and J.R. Kim join the podcast to discuss their organization, which brings […]

Kim Jong Un

From my blog on North East Asia: North Korea, Kim Jong Un, 10 years at the Helm.

It is important to have our own view, from the perspective that we can have. At the same time it is useful to look a bit beyond rhetoric at the real-politik of the situation, without the boundaries our usual information provides.

Now it has been ten years, a whole decade, since the fresh from Swiss International School, after a few years of getting credentials, 25 year old Kim Jong Un took on the job of being the Leader of North Korea, and he is doing quite well. He was unexpected, even by the family, to do well.

After a decade of American wise folk saying he will not last, and trying pretend- invasions every 3 months, well, he is lasting very well. I expect he will last in power another 30 years if his health assists him. The family has problems with the gut and diabetes etc. His sister has a high position, and he has quelled the unfortunate folk who opposed him very effectively to date. Sometimes by sacking them, sometimes by poison, and sometimes by execution by massive anti-aircraft bullets at 50 metres in stadiums for his colleagues to watch their total 'disappearance'.

It would be hard in that Hardest Human System (next to Saudi Arabia, our dear friends) to be sure of anything, for sure, but he has achieved far more already than ever expected by the West. He has been reliable. The history of North Korea for the whole decade has been Continuity.

He has formally, and Really, made North Korea a formidable Nuclear State, as that really remains the only way that his Family Kingdom hasn't been destroyed. He has done that better than his dad or grandad ever managed to do...and he does control the most important and lucrative piece of real estate on planet Earth.

He has an interest in a peace treaty with South Korea, as does the South, and it is really only the USA who opposes peace on the Korean peninsula. With peace, the presence of the US would be unimportant.

it is the same with taiwan, the USA cannot afford an accommodation between Taiwan and the Mainland. The USA does not like being unimportant. The US will not be Unimportant no matter how unimportant it is.

True, still brutal, much like Saudi Arabia is, and probably, with Saudi, they are the two worst human governments on the planet, and yet are both truly, profoundly, secure. 

Far more secure than the various Presidents and Prime Ministers who come and go with various tricky plans etc and whose end-dates are already obvious.

Then, of course, should Fate intervene, there is always his young sister, quite the powerhouse herself, to quell the tides of change for this Hermit Kingdom.