Possible Volcanic Eruption Brings the Two Sides of Korea Together

Will a prospect for natural disaster bring the two sides of Korea closer? That may be the case as a rare inter-Korean meeting took place upon the aftermath of the earthquake/tsunami in Japan that focused on the possibility of volcanic eruption on Mt. Baekdu, a dormant volcano in North Korea-China border considered as sacred by the Koreans. More meetings and possible joint study is in the works, perhaps this can lead to wider inter-Korea dialogue aimed at reducing tensions.

"South Korea Trains Cloned Drug-Sniffing Dogs"

News — "The country that created the world's first cloned canine plans to put duplicated dogs on patrol to sniff out drugs and explosives. The Korean Customs Service unveiled Thursday seven cloned Labrador retrievers being trained near Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. The dogs were born five to six months ago after being separately cloned from a skilled drug-sniffing canine in active service."

This may have money-saving, utilitarian purpose, but it also raises uneasy questions about the uncertain future of genetic engineering through cloning -- if it becomes too commercialized. Will unscrupulous companies try to sell cloned favorite pets?

First Korean Is in Space

Follow-up to KR posting, "Woman Replaces Colleague for Korea’s First Space Mission"

News: The Soyuz rocket carrying South Korea's first astronaut, Yi So-yeon, has launched successfully on its voyage to the International Space Station ... more

In these times of renewed tension in the Korean Peninsula, this is a bright development. Astronaut Yi hoped that her spaceflight would help ease ties between the two sides of Korea when she said, "I hope someday they will be one, and I hope the North Korean people will be happy with my flight."

"Woman Replaces Colleague for Korea’s First Space Mission"

Followup to KR posting: First Korean To Go to Space in Russian Spacecraft

Yi So-yeon (photo) will replace Ko San as South Korea's first astronaut in space following Ko San's disqualification as a result of his breach of rules (removal of training manual and seeing unauthorized documents).

Yi will be an inspiration to Korean women, who still face lingering sexism from traditionally male-dominated society. It is hoped that she will carry on Ko's plan of mixing soil from both sides of Korea onboard the International Space Station to symbolize the union between people of the divided Korea.

Presenting Korean Space Food: Kimchi

Followup to KR posting, First Korean To Go to Space in Russian Spacecraft

"When South Korea’s first astronaut, Ko San, blasts off April 8 aboard a Russian spaceship bound for the International Space Station, the beloved national dish will be on board. Three top government research institutes spent millions of dollars and several years perfecting a version of kimchi that would not turn dangerous when exposed to cosmic rays or other forms of radiation and would not put off non-Korean astronauts with its pungency." See more.

There's more to it. Astronaut Ko plans to prepare a Korean dinner in the space station to share with fellow crew. Indeed this is a milestone in the globalization of kimchi.

"Can Linux finally unite Korea?"

News: "Under the banner of 'Hana Linux' - literally 'One' Linux - the two countries [North and South Korea] have agreed to work on a groundbreaking IT development project that might shatter the final Cold War boundary. South Korea is one of Linux's biggest converts. Since discovering the free operating system in 2003, officials have unveiled plans to switch all government-run offices to Linux. Now under the terms of the agreement signed between the two states, South Korea will set up Linux training centres in North Korea."

Good foresight. With increasing inter-Korea exchanges and trade, it may be imperative that the two sides of Korea develop and utilize compatible technologies and standards. Using the free operating system would benefit cash-short North Korea tremendously. It is this kind of long-term vision that would bring closer and help facilitate Korean reunification.

[Photo: North Korean students learn how to use computers.]

South Korea Sees Seaweed's Role Against Global Warming

This is not directly related to Korean reconciliation or security issues, but it is interesting to note that South Korea is leading the international effort to evaluate the potential of using seaweed harvesting as a part of remedies to curb global warming. Koreans know seaweeds make good food, now there seems to be another good use of them that will benefit the globe's inhabitants. See related article.

"Seoul offers to use North Korean nuclear fuel rods"

News Item: "South Korea is proposing to use North Korean nuclear fuel rods, to be removed from a reactor under a six-nation disarmament deal, for South Korean power plants, a news report said Sunday."

Commentary: If this innovative proposal comes through, it would truly signal inter-Korean efforts at peaceful use of North Korea's nuclear materials. Perhaps the electricity generated by South Korean nuclear reactor using North Korean nuclear fuel rods can then be sent to North Korea, as a part of energy transfer and assistance promised to North Korea for its denuclearization bargain. That would be a win-win scenario for all concerned.

South Korea Plans to Send Rockets to Moon

News Item: "The South Korean Ministry of Science and Technology said Tuesday that it plans to send an unmanned probe to orbit the Moon in 2020 and to land another on its surface in 2025. According to the roadmap of South Korea's space exploration projects, the ministry will also develop a large-size rocket that can carry 300 tons of freight into space by 2017, and will start to build a space shuttle launching system in 2020."

Commentary: It is understandable that South Korea is excited about the upcoming space flight of Korea's first astronaut and wants to be a part of the space race going on in the East Asia, with China and Japan making progress in the space programs, but is this where ROK wants to spend huge amount of money, when that kind of fund can be allocated for the preparations for Korean reunification? Or, how about a joint inter-Korea space program, employing North Korea's rocket scientists in a truly peaceful venture?

First Korean To Go to Space in Russian Spacecraft

News Item: "Korea, Russia to expand bilateral cooperation in rocket launch, astronaut training" More.

Commentary: One would assume that, with very close US-ROK alliance, the first Korean astronaut would hitch a ride in an American Space Shuttle. Not so -- South Korea's astronaut (or cosmonaut?) Ko San (pictured) will lift up to space in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Who would have imagined such a development -- South Koreans, who have long sided with the US in the Cold War, including the space race, would now thank the Russians for the historic ride? Perhaps it is indicative of changed multi-polar relations that South Korea has fostered since the 90s, veering away from too much dependence on an unilateral relation with the US.