North Korean Beer Makes Headlines

These days, it seems whatever North Korea does, it makes the headlines around the world. The new buzz is a beer commercial (or informercial) -- apparently the first commercial to air on North Korean TV. This is not really a venture into capitalism since the brewery is state-owned, and the commercial can be considered as a sort of public announcement (it even claims "beer is good for health"). Nevertheless, it got the world's attention, and yes, the world can surmise that people in North Korea drink beer, just like us!

"North Korea Attacking Hawaii?"

As tensions are running high in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia with no easy resolution on the horizon, John Feffer of the Foreign Policy in Focus breaks some "myths" about North Korea in the current crisis (re-posted at The Huntington Post).

Both Korean Teams Headed to the World Cup 2010

Followup to: Both Korean Soccer Teams Within Reach of the World Cup

In a respite from tensions in the Korean Peninsula, both South and North Korean national soccer teams have advanced to the World Cup 2010 in South Africa -- the first time that both Korean teams have qualified to the final rounds together. It will be eighth qualification for the South Korean team (left photo with star player Park Ji-sung), and second for the North Korean team (right photo), after its astonishing feat in the 1966 London games. Already, there are speculations that North Korea and the U.S. teams may be placed in the same group.

June 15 Joint Korea Declaration Anniversary Rally Blocked in South Korea, But Carries on Overseas

From the historic, first-ever inter-Korea summit meeting in 2000, June 15 Joint Korea Declaration (on peace, reunification and cooperation) came into being, setting forth a decade of steady increase in inter-Korea exchanges and cooperation to an unprecedented level. But the current Lee Myung-bak administration is reversing the trend by not even recognizing the June 15 inter-governmental declaration, which resulted in the freeze and reversal in inter-Korea relations and exchanges.

Whereas previous anniversaries on June 15 brought Koreans from both sides in cultural and sporting events in celebrations alternating in Seoul and Pyongyang, this year's anniversay was marked by police prevention of public rallies in South Korea (above photo in Seoul).

Meanwhile, the overseas committee for the June 15th Committee held a rally at the Lincoln Memorial steps in Washington, DC (see below photos). With candlelight, participants marched to the adjacent Korean War Memorial to highlight the call for "peace in Korea" and "no more war, peace treaty now."

Citizens Rally for Democracy in South Korea

More than 10,000 Seoul citizens came out for the "June 10th Rally for the Restoration of Democracy in South Korea" (on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the June Struggle of 1987 which brought democratization to South Korea). Dissatisfied with the Lee Myung-bak administration, representatives of all opposition parties (below photo) came out in protest, and the citizens demanded "MB Out" ([Lee] M[yung] B[ak] Out). The police responded harshly by disbanding the gathering with force and arrests, reminiscent of the old days of repression during military dictatorships. In another development that is similar to the pro-democracy struggles of the past, professors and lawyers are publicly proclaiming "national emergency statements," asking the government to redress wrongdoings.

Scholars in North America Demand Restoration of Democracy in South Korea

A group of scholars in North America concerned about the present political situation in Korea have drafted a joint statement for Korean democracy. To endorse the statement, send your name and institutional affiliation to Korea.Democracy@gmail.com

Statement from Scholars in North America Concerned about Korean Democracy, June 10, 2009

The following represents the considered view of professors and researchers at colleges and universities throughout North America whose thoughts are always with Korea and Korea's democracy. In light of recent developments in South Korea, we, the undersigned, cannot but express grave concern. Nurtured by the toils andsacrifice of many, Korea's democracy is a proud asset of the Korean people. The world has watched as the Korean people have moved deliberately, with great determination and at great human cost, from dictatorship toward democracy, over the last six decades. Regrettably, since the inauguration of the President Lee Myung-bak administration, Korean democracy has lost its way.

A democracy must guarantee the freedoms of assembly and association, not only allowing the people to select their own representative through votes but also inorder that they may express diverse political opinions. We have observed how the power of the state suppressed last year's "candlelight vigils," has issued subpoenas even to ordinary citizens who had participated in the protests, and is restricting the online exchange of ideas. The recent police blockade of Seoul Square is another egregious example of the government of President Lee Myung-bak denying the Korean people the most basic of democratic rights, the freedom to assemble.

A democracy acquires a capacity for self-regulation through the free press. We note with distress that the Public Prosecutor's Office has questioned journalists critical of the government, and the replacement of major broadcasting networks' executives with pro-government figures has infringed upon the professional autonomy of rank-and-file reporters. A foundation stone of a democracy, the free and independent press has suffered serious damage.

The Constitution of the Republic of Korea enshrines a system of checks-and-balances among the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches of the government. We regretfully recognize and call attention to the fact that since its inauguration, the government has not upheld the principle of checks-and-balances. Moreover, the principle of justice through even and equal application of the law is under attack as can be evidenced through the arbitrary actions of such state organs as the PublicProsecutor's Office, the police, and the National Tax Service.

Speaking for North American scholars interested in the health and strength of democracy in Korea, we express deep concern over the regression of democracy in Korea. Heart-wrenching incidents such as the death of forced evictees during the police's suppression of their protest, the suicide of special contract workers, and the shocking decision by the former president to end his own life are all tragic consequences of a democracy that is taking backward steps in Korea; they highlight a democracy in crisis.

A democratically elected government cannot disparage its own people, because the mandate to govern derives from the people. We, the undersigned, urge the governmentof President Lee Myung-bak to recognize its responsibility for the democracy that has regressed and reorient itself as a government that respects the people's sovereignty and democratic rights. The nation's pride, the Korean democracy must again find its direction and return to the natural path of serving the people.

New US Strategy Towards North Korea Needed

With North Korea's second nuclear weapon testing and test-lanching of several missiles, and its announcement that the Korean War armistice is void, and the response of South Korea joining the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (which North Korea considers an act of war), things are spiralling down to another escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

Rather than contemplating military approaches to the current situation, all sides should think about diplomatic breakthrough that will avert another catastrophecal conflict in the peninsula. Among those who favor this approach is Leon Sigal, a former State Department official who has visited North Korea with Korea experts and scholars.

His main arguments in an article, "Punishing North Korea Won't Work," from the Bulletin of Concerned Atomic Scientists are:
-- Despite Monday's nuclear test, the latest North Korean nuclear crisis really began last June, when the Bush administration began unilaterally rewriting an agreement with North Korea.
-- During her February trip to the region, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went out of her way to antagonize North Korea in order to reassure Japan and South Korea.
-- Sustained diplomatic give-and-take that holds out a new political, economic, and strategic relationship between Washington and Pyongyang would be a more productive strategy.

... The only way to do so [denuclearization of North Korea] is to probe through sustained diplomatic give-and-take. That requires offering meaningful steps toward a new political, economic, and strategic relationship--including diplomatic recognition, a summit meeting, a peace treaty to end the Korean war, negative security assurances, and a multilateral pledge not to introduce nuclear weapons into the Korea Peninsula as well as other benefits to its security, agricultural and energy assistance, and conventional power plants if possible or nuclear power plants if necessary. In return the United States would get steps toward full denuclearization.