Last week, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. Here’s The Sydney Morning Herald‘s Philip Coorey reporting on Abbott’s visit: Continue reading North Korea stares at Abbott and Harper (and me)
On my program last night, writer Christian Caryl picks up on something he blogged about a few days ago:
As of today, it can be assumed that the most powerful man in North Korea is Kim [Jong Un]’s uncle, Chang Song Taek, widely regarded as the designated regent. Chang, who is 65 (health status unknown), has going for him both strong family ties Continue reading The Most Powerful Uncle in the World is the One with the Nukes
Over at the CBS News web site, GlobalPost has compiled 10 “weird facts” about Kim Jong-Il. Here’s the propaganda about what a “High Achiever” Kim was:
Official records reportedly show that Kim learned to walk at the age of three weeks, and was talking at eight weeks. While at Kim Il Sung University, he apparently wrote 1,500 books over a period of three years, along with six full operas. According to his official biography, all of his operas are “better than any in the history of music.” Then there’s his sporting prowess. In 1994, Pyongyang media reported that the first time Kim picked up a golf club, he shot a 38-under par round on North Korea’s only golf course, including 11 holes-in-one. Reports say each of his 17 bodyguards verified the record-breaking feat. He then decided to retire from the sport forever.
Read ’em all at: Kim Jong Il: 10 weird facts, propaganda – World Watch – CBS News.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement this morning, on the death of North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il:
“Kim Jong-il will be remembered as the leader of a totalitarian regime who violated the basic rights of the North Korean people for nearly two decades. Continue reading Harper on the death of Kim Jong-Il: He "violated basic human rights"