OneFreeKorea (Free subscription) | 12/07/2009
Kirk is a good enough friend that I’m pleased and a bit relieved that, so far, Korea Betrayed (available here) is good enough to present no challenge to my objectivity. Because the time I have for reading is so limited, I’ll review this is small increments as I have the opportunity to read a [...]
西儒 ─ The Western Confucian (Free subscription) | 12/05/2009
... as the president took off on Air Force One, waiting nearby, to return to Washington. So begins Donald Kirk's report that "South Korean politicos and planners were asking the same questions after Obama on Tuesday told another crowd of young American military people, the cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, that he was ordering another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan...
Asia Times (Free subscription) | 12/04/2009
South Korea has bristled at the notion that United States troops stationed in the Asian country could be moved to bolster the 30,000-strong force ordered to Afghanistan. Seoul will also closely watch next week's visit by a US envoy to Pyongyang. His trip may have a grim backdrop, as a redenomination of the North Korean won has reportedly sparked suicides, killings and even protests. - Donald...
Asia Times (Free subscription) | 11/30/2009
Killings of one or two people in the Philippines' south are often soon forgotten. But last week's massacre of at least 57 people will endure as emblematic of deeper problems. The question now is whether President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will play down the mass murder - which apparently involved close political allies - or try to tackle the nation's culture of impunity. - Donald Kirk
Google News - Top Stories (Free subscription) | 11/24/2009
CBS News Philippines massacre: State of emergency declared, but will Arroyo pursue justice? Christian Science Monitor The Philippines massacre of 46 people on Monday prompts President Gloria Arroyo to declare a state of emergency in the affected province. Is she ready to take on her country's culture of political violence? By Donald Kirk | Correspondent of The ... Death toll rises in...
Christian Science Monitor (Free subscription) | 11/24/2009
Philippines massacre: State of emergency declared, but will Arroyo pursue justice?The Philippines massacre of 46 people on Monday prompts President Gloria Arroyo to declare a state of emergency in the affected province. Is she ready to take on her country's culture of political violence? By Donald Kirk | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor from the November 24, 2009 editionPhilippines...
Asia Times (Free subscription) | 11/20/2009
After troublesome stopovers in Japan and China, United States President Barack Obama ended his swing through Asia on a high in South Korea, with US troops jubilant after a rousing speech. The feel-good factor was boosted by a glowing consensus with Seoul's leader over ending Pyongyang's nuclear program. - Donald Kirk (Nov 20, '09)
Christian Science Monitor (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
On last stop of Asia tour, Obama targets Iran, North KoreaObama addressed Iran and North Korea nuclear programs at Osan Air Base in South Korea. Obama also discussed free trade agreement with S. Korea President Lee. By Donald Kirk | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Osan Air Base, Osan, South Korea - There was no doubt it. President Barack Obama got by far the loudest cheers...
Asia Times (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
After the 5,000 rounds that four South Korean patrol boats fired at an errant North Korean vessel, President Obama's visit to Seoul will seem tame in comparison. But while there won't be any fireworks over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons, the contentious US-Korean free-trade agreement could provide sufficient ammunition for a fight. - Donald Kirk
Christian Science Monitor (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
Was clash of North, South Korean navies timed to Obama visit'South Korea accused North Korea of entering its waters and ignoring warning shots, charges the North denies.By Donald Kirk | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor from the November 10, 2009 editionSeoul, South Korea - A skirmish between North and South Korean Navy ships flared up Tuesday morning in the Yellow, or West,...
Asia Times (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
Bilateral talks scheduled between Stephen Bosworth, the United States point man on North Korea, and the leadership in Pyongyang - purportedly over coaxing the North back into six-party talks on its nuclear weapons program - may just be a smokescreen to force China back into action. Even if Bosworth's mission is fruitless, Beijing could no longer accuse the US of not showing its hand. - Donald...
西儒 ─ The Western Confucian (Free subscription) | 11/02/2009
"God, that is," explains Donald Kirk, "in the person of the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il, who together with his father, the Great Leader, assumes god-like stature in North Korea in a holy trinity that would also include the Dear Leader's sainted mother, Kim Jung-sook" — Doubles, toil and trouble in Pyongyang . The article discusses "the claims of the Japanese...
Asia Times (Free subscription) | 10/30/2009
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's sprightly appearance in a spate of public appearances since he reportedly suffered a stroke, including meetings with China's Premier Wen Jiabao and former United States president Bill Clinton, has re-ignited rumors there is a troupe of look-alike Dear Leader actors. - Donald Kirk
Christian Science Monitor (Free subscription) | 10/29/2009
Did President Clinton meet N. Korea's Kim Jong-il or his look-alike?The North Korean leader may be using look-alikes to hide his poor health. One analyst says that when President Clinton visited in August, he met with an actor, not Kim Jong-il. By Donald Kirk | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Seoul, South Korea - Will the real Kim Jong-il please stand up? A number of analysts...
