By Foster Klug The Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea is gearing up to fire a long-range rocket this month in a defiant move expected to raise the stakes of a global standoff over its missile and nuclear programs.
North Korean harvest modestly improves
By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press ROME, Italy (AP) — North Korea increased its staple foods production for the second year in a row but its citizens are still suffering from a serious lack of key proteins and fats in their diets, a U.N. report said Monday, Nov. 12.
New North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un gives first public speech
By Jean H. Lee The Associated Press PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea’s new leader addressed his nation and the world for the first time Sunday, vowing to place top priority on his impoverished country’s military, which promptly unveiled a new long-range missile.
LETTER: Commentary about Korean unification isn’t realistic
To the Editor: Dr. Vernasius T. Tandia’s commentary (Jan. 7, 2012) regarding stereotypes harbored by South Koreans toward North Korean refugees among them, and the way that these stereotypes harm hope for reunification enlists the reader in the call for an idealizing and accommodating vision about North Korea that doesn’t seem at all realistic about […]
COMMENTARY: Stereotyped impressions of North Koreans hurting Korean reunification
Dr. Vernasius T. Tandia By Dr. Vernasius T. Tandia For Northwest Asian Weekly Compared to about a decade ago, when there was widespread opposition to reunification, a growing number of Koreans now seem to be settling for it. With increasing public discourse on the issue, including the current jostling over a mandatory reunification tax, the […]
All wait with bated breath for a post-Kim Jong-il world
By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly In the early 1990s, when North Korea opened its borders a tiny bit to Americans, Seong Suk Kim, also known as Joan, sought the opportunity to visit her siblings — two brothers — and their children, Kim’s nieces and nephews, whom she had never met. During the Korean War, […]
Mystery surrounds son set to succeed Kim Jong Il
By JEAN H. LEE The Associated Press PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — With the sudden death of his father, Kim Jong Un went from being North Korea’s “Respected General” to “Great Successor” — a heady and uncertain promotion for a young man virtually unknown even to the North Korean people just a year ago. Word […]
Tensions boiled as North Korea upsets Japan in World Cup qualifier
By Jean H. Lee Associated Press PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — There are no hot dogs, peanuts, or plastic cups of beer for sale when the North Korean soccer team takes the pitch. There are no noisemakers, and no one does the wave.
North Korea food shortage worst in years despite farms
By Jean H. Lee The Associated Press SUNAN, North Korea (AP) — It’s an unlikely sight: hundreds of ostriches, a bird native to sunny Africa, squatting and squabbling in the morning chill on a sprawling farm in North Korea. Even stranger: In winter, some wear quilted vests.
The top 10 amazing Asian American achievers of 2010
A Korean American West Point graduate, Dan Choi became the face of the movement against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).