Sunday, November 13, 2016
GDBB 5 - Korean Choices
Use one of the current events sources linked at http://hwc-spring2017.blogspot.com/2016/11/approved-sources-for-hwc-current-events.htmlto find at least 2 recent news article that relate to, support, or refute Snyder's description of Korean politics. Your comment should include the titles of and links to the news article. Then, briefly summarize these articles with an explanation of how these sources relate to the arguments presented in the briefing book. Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!
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South Korea's president fights impeachment and other demons
ReplyDeletehttp://www.economist.com/news/asia/21711889-if-she-has-leave-presidential-palace-it-will-not-be-first-time-south-koreas-president
This article begins by describing protests in Seoul against Park Geun-hye, the president of South Korea. Even though a date has been set for her impeachment and her powers have been taken away, the people are not satisfied. One of the things that set Park's presidency into downfall was that her close advisor, Choi Soon-sil, was charged with extortion, abuse of power, and possession of classified documents. This is not Park's first time in the Blue House, as her father was president when she was a child. She left after he was assassinated, and will have to leave again, sooner than planned. Park Geun-hye has worked hard her whole life and has always thrown herself into her work. This article connects to the topic because it gives information about the president of South Korea, Park Geun-hye.
North Korea rejects UN sanctions
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2016/1202/North-Korea-rejects-UN-sanctions
The article starts by North Korea proclaiming that new sanctions from the UN are, "aimed at choking its nuclear program" by decreasing its foreign trade revenue by as much as 25%. These sanctions are the harshest North Korea has experienced, and they are backed by China, one of North Korea's major trading partners. The Vice Foreign Minister of North Korea has claimed that these sanctions are leaving them defenseless, and that they are, "an abuse of power." The Vice Foreign Minister then went on to claim that other countries were being discriminatory towards North Korea by focusing so closely on it. These sanctions will take away 25% of North Korea's export income and cut their coal exports in half; if North Korea does not obey these orders, they could lose some or all of their UN entitlements. This article connects to the topic because it is about a new policy that is being implemented on North Korea, a policy that could greatly impact its economy.
'Comfort women': Japan and South Korea hail agreement
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35190464
This article explains the history of "comfort women" and how it negatively affected the relationship between Japan and South Korea. During World War II, Japanese soldiers forced many Korean women into sexual slavery. These horrible acts were never fully addressed by either country until recently. The article states that Japan and South Korea finally came to an agreement about the issue. There were several terms and conditions for both sides, one of them being a donation from Japan to the surviving "comfort women" for compensation. This article relates to the topic because it helps explain why relations between South Korea and Japan were so strained. The Great Decisions book briefly mentioned this, but the article helps expand the reader's understanding of what happened between the two nations.
Korea agrees to share intelligence directly with Japan
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38060816
This article explains the recent agreement between Japan and South Korea to share information to each other about North Korea. Although tensions were still high between the two nations, their fear of North Korea's nuclear weapons was greater than their animosity. Japan agreed to contribute high-tech surveillance, while Korea contributed human intelligence (spies). Although some citizens of Korea protested this agreement, it was mostly favorable for both countries. The article closes with saying that President Barack Obama was feeling exasperated because of their hatred and wished for them to reconcile as soon as possible. This article expands on the topic because it shows how relations between the two countries have slowly improved. This article came after the Great Decisions book, so it shows real progression.
Park Guen-Hye impeached in South Korea: http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/12/09/504943568/south-korea-impeaches-president-but-political-drama-isnt-finished
ReplyDelete5 Ways North Korea has changed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/5-ways-north-korea-has-changed-in-5-years-under-kim-jong-un/2016/12/17/22891954-c41c-11e6-92e8-c07f4f671da4_story.html?utm_term=.c0a964c597cf
As mentioned in Snyder’s analysis of the South Korea, there has been series of unfortunate events that occurred which created a slump in both politics and the economy. Since this passage was written, Park has also been involved in a scandal that dealt with multi-million dollar scheme that gamed the government and gave power to a close friend who had no real title in the political system. This lead to a criminal investigation and a landslide vote to impeach her was passed. In the neighboring country of North Korea, a number of changes have also occurred under Kim Jong Un such as a movement for more accessibility to his people in establishing a national pop band and speaking for hours unlike his father. But of course, he has made a movement towards a nuclear state and has flip-flopped on whether he will act kindly with other countries and the UN or if he will made subtle threats. From my interpretation of the article, I believe that the author was slightly off the mark in his thoughts on the Korean Peninsula.
Swirling Scandal Involving Shamanistic Cult Threatens S. Korean President
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/29/499864915/swirling-scandal-involving-shamanistic-cult-threatens-s-korean-president
A Year After Ferry Disaster, South Koreans Await Answers
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/04/15/398214127/a-year-after-deadly-ferry-disaster-s-koreans-still-awaiting-answers
In the Global Decisions book Scott Synder describes many of the flaws with South Korea's president, Park Geun Hye. Both NPR articles show evidence of South Korean citizens who are outraged by this and even threatened park. The first article shows how South Koreans clealry want Park out of office. What may have sparked these outcries may have been from Park's "false hope" as she gave her speech saying how she would work together with the people. Of course there was a ferry disaster, which I will get into soon, but as seen the in article there have been even scandals with her leadership sparking more outrage in South Korea. "This scandal involves not only tens of millions of dollars and charges of influence-peddling, but of spiritual guides from a "Shamanistic prophet," voices from the dead and — wait for it — dressage, the competitive form of horse-dancing." This quote can easily relate back to information in the book discussing how Park wanted to help out a large demographic of welfare and housing, however there was no money to support it. This scandal that was eventually found out by the people of South Korean can easily have them realize that they were lied to by their own country leader. The second article explains the ferry disaster killing around 300 people, 250 of those being college students of South Korea. The article describes how people in South Korea still grief to this day over the event and are currently still awaiting answers from Park. This tragic event was described in depth in the Global Decisions book. It explains that Park did essentially failed to give proper maritime transport carrying capacity regulations which pretty much caused the death of 300 innocent people. Not only Park received great hate on this, but the captain of the ship too. It was reported he fled the scene and the boat leaving the people to drown. Overall, both articles explain the flaws with Park's administration and how the South Korean people are outraged with multiple things she has done.
South Korea's presidential scandal
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37971085
U.S. Flies Bombers Over South Korea In Show Of Force To North Korea
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37971085
The first article majorly relates to the Great Decisions book because they greatly discussed Park Guen Hye. The article discussed how Guen Hye is being impeached due to corruption and scandal. It started in 1976 when her mother was assassinated, by mistake as the man was going for his father. To find sanctuary Guen Hye connected with Choi Tae-Min who is a leader of a cult. She used the president to get illegal funds for foundations. This relates to Great Decisions because it mentioned how Guen Hye was such a good president even facing hard times, and is now getting impeached. The second article is about how the United States has flown bomber planes over the border between North and South Korea. This identifies that relationships are not well between the United States and North Korea. North Korea has been reported to be doing nuclear bomb tests which will only stir the pot more between the United States and North Korea.
South Koreans 'Ashamed' Over Leader's Secretive Advisor
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/world/asia/south-koreans-ashamed-over-les-secretive-adviser.html?_r=0
This article is about the South Korean presidential scandal. It is believed by many South Koreans that Park Guen-hye's secretive advisor, Choi Soon-sil used her influence to extort a lot of money from companies. This made people start to think that Ms. Park was also involved in the scandal due to her close relations with Ms. Choi's family, which South Koreans are ashamed of. The article also describes how the unstableness state of the country would make it easy to start practicing different religions, which was suspected of the two because of previous suspicions about Ms. Choi's father starting a religious cult. In an effort to alleviate some suspicions, Ms. Park claimed that she will cut off any private relationships in her life. This article relates to the topic because they both discuss the instabilities of South Korea about its leader, as well as how other problems, like the Sewol ship, are affecting the public's view of their country.
North Korea is scarier than ever
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/north-korea-is-scarier-than-ever/2016/10/13/0657cb80-9169-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.html?utm_term=.244cfe4b75e7
North Korea's nuclear capabilities are concerning several countries; especially South Korea and the United States. South Koreans are very scared for what this might mean for the safety of their country because North Korea wants to be a nuclear weapons state. They have continued nuclear testing in spite of warnings from other countries. So far, all attempts, including diplomatic efforts, at stopping their nuclear testing have failed which emphasizes the importance of the next U.S. president to address this as a major issue and make a decision on what to do about it. This article relates to the topic because they both discuss the unstable relationship between North and South Korea as well as the United States' roll in subduing the conflict.
South Korea’s parliament impeaches president Park Geun-Hye
ReplyDeletehttps://www.pri.org/stories/2016-12-09/south-koreas-parliament-impeaches-president-park-geun-hye
This article is mainly about President Park being impeached for abusing her power in office. This makes Park the first president in South Korea to be impeached. The author states that Park caused uncertainties and problems with North Korea also, and these problems included nuclear weapon threats. Because of the former president, there is economic growth and elevated military tension with North Korea, who has advanced to nuclear weaponry. Like in the article “Korean Choices,” the author also states that there is rising unemployment due to South Korea being under Park’s choices.
Tensions Rise Between North and South Korea Over ‘Provocative’ Missile Testing
http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/02/tensions-rise-between-north-and-south-korea-over-icbm-testing
This article is mainly about South Korea calling North Korea’s missile tests provocative. The reason for this “calling of names” was because South Korea has been uncertain about North Korea’s use of nuclear weapons, The tension caused by the missile testing was that these missiles were capable of carrying nuclear technology. The U.S. decided to interrupt this predicament by saying to stop the actions that are going to cause problems between the two countries.
South Korea's Blacklist of Artists Adds to Outrage over Presidential Scandal
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/12/world/asia/south-korea-president-park-blacklist-artists.html
This article talks about an alleged blacklist of artists in South Korea, mostly of ones that have depicted the government in a way that the government did not approve of. This blacklist has been expanding since 2013 and supposedly had more than 9000 people on it in 2015. However, the topic has been brought up recently as another scandal of Park Geun-hye's (the president), and people want it used against her in her impeachment trial. This connects with Park's idea of a "creative" economy mentioned in the GDBB article, but is also odd since the blacklist seems to directly contradict this vision.
Samsung Heir Faces Arrest on Charges of Bribing South Korea's President
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/15/world/asia/south-korea-samsung-arrest-jay-lee-park-geun-hye.html
Jay Y. Lee, the vice chairman of Samsung, has been accused of bribing South Korean president Park Geun-hye and her confidante, Choi Soon-sil. He is accused of bribing the two women to help transfer Samsung's ownership control to him from his father, who had a heart attack two years ago. This type of bribery is hardly uncommon in South Korea, and reflects how powerful the country's big corporations are. If Lee is arrested, this will be a milestone in checking the power of big corporations in South Korea.
“Park Geun-hye: I have never conspired with anyone” http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/park-geun-hye-170101093852303.html
ReplyDeleteParliament voted to impeach Park on December 9. Park was impeached because of the scandal between her and her incarcerated friend Choi Soon-sil. Park allegedly gave Choi remarkable control over South Korea’s government decisions. This was the first time Park spoke to the media after her impeachment and she claimed that she has never “conspired with anyone or did anything to give favours to someone, not by one bit.” Park could not comment much further because she did not want to give too many details away. Whether Park will be allowed back in office or not has to be decided in six months. This article relates because it shows how Park’s success is deteriorating.
“Kim Jong-un Says North Korea Is Preparing to Test Long-Range Missile” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/world/asia/north-korea-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test-kim-jong-un.html
On his New Year speech, Kim Jong Un declared that he was almost ready to test his long range intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korea threatens to attack the United States with their missiles as long as their relationship with South Korea remains steady. There is also still disbelief that North Korea has actually created a reliable missile, but there is proof that they have overcome some major problems. If the missile is successful it could reach most of the United States. This article relates because it talks about Kim Jong Un’s advancements in nuclear missile development.
North Korea has frustrated three US presidents. What’s left for Trump to try?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2017/0104/North-Korea-has-frustrated-three-US-presidents.-What-s-left-for-Trump-to-try
Earlier this month, North Korea said it was close to testing a nuclear missile that could reach the United States. The then-president-elect Trump’s plan to deal with North Korea seemed unclear. Trump said during his campaign that he would meet with Kim Jong-un, but said little more. An adviser said that “serious sanctions” would be on the table. A US official said that if North Korea were to actually carry out a long-range missile test, the US military would have three options. We could allow it to proceed, intercept the missile, or strike before the launch. This relates to the topic because it expands upon the state of North Korea’s relations with the US.
South Korea's presidential scandal
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37971085
South Korea’s president, Park Geun-hye, was voted to be impeached by the South Korean parliament. She is being impeached due to claims of corruption. Park met Choi Soon-sil and they became friends years ago. Park said that she asked Choi for advice and let her edit her speeches.
Witnesses claimed that Choi also received briefings and official papers. This relates to the chapter because it expands upon Park Geun-hye’s presidency.
North Korea 'Very Far Along' In Developing New Ballistic Missile
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/01/06/508195156/north-korea-s-intercontinental-missile-is-coming-together
This article talks about North Korea's capability and progress on creating a new nuclear missile that could reach America. However, this is not certain for several reasons. First, only images and videos released by North Korea show the missile, and when shown in a military parade in 2012, it did not look good. This leads to the thought that the missile is not as far along as thought. Also, North Korea does not have a good record with testing new weapons, estimating that there is less than 50% chance that the missile will work. However, even with doubts it is still a threat because North Korea is not open to being neutral with other countries like America. In the book chapter, North Korea is discussed and how dangerous and threatening the country is, for both South Korea and further countries like the U.S.
Park Geun-hye impeached: South Korea rally demands full removal
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38275560
This article discusses the impeachment of South Korea's president, Park Geun-hye. Although Geun-hye was already impeached, protesters rally in Seoul to celebrate and enforce the top court to sustain the decision parliament made. Geun-hye was impeached because of letting a close friend of hers benefit from her power. She was impeached 234-56, so even members of her party voted to remove her. Even with many against her, some still rally to keep her in office. This relates to the book because the book discusses in detail Park Geun-hye, and the article shows the downfall of her as president.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/world/asia/south-korea-park-geun-hye-artist-blacklist-culture-minister.html?ref=asia
ReplyDeleteSouth Korea Arrests 2 Presidential Aides Over Blacklist of Artists
This article discusses two of President Park Geun-hye’s closest aides and how they created a blacklist of artists and writer in order to exclude them from government support programs. This new information on the blacklisting will be another item to add to the case of Park in her impeachment trial. The two aides were Minister Cho Yoon-sun and Kim Ki-choon and they were arrested for the abuse of official power. The blackballing had infuriated the public who sought for the aides to be arrested and for Park to be impeached. Kim Ki-choon had worked under Park’s father where he worked in the government’s main spy agency and returned to work with Ms. Park. The article then states that Ms. Cho apologized for the blackballing stating it was not right of her to do that to people just because they do not believe in the same things as her. This contradicts Park’s statement in the chapter to build “a new era of happiness and hope” if she allows for her administration act take action like this against the people of South Korea.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/north-korea-threatens-icbm-launch-blames-170108184012297.html
North Korea threatens missile launch, anytime, blames US
This article discusses how North Korea believes it has the ability to test an intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korea states that it will have a test-launch soon whenever they want and that the United State’s hostile policy was to blame for its development of arms. Ashton Carter who is the U.S. defense secretary believes that their development of ballistic missiles poses a great threat to the United States. He also states that the U.S. would be ready to shoot down any test or launch that would come towards or territory or allies. North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities has improved greatly which can be seen from their tests from last year. The country has also been under UN sanctions for its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, and now the sanction have gotten much tighter after a they performed a large test in September. This supports the claim by Snyder that the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities makes them a threat to those around them.
South Korean opposition moves to impeach President Park
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/south-korean-opposition-moves-impeach-park-161121081011832.html
This article discusses the possibility of the impeachment of South Korea's President Park Guen-Hye. The article tells that they are hoping to have Park quit as they would not have to go through the long impeachment process, however, it is looking like they will need to go through it. The decision to impeach her followed the announcement that she was a criminal suspect by prosecutors. They are planning to take the impeachment vote during the national assembly and if the vote does pass it would then need to be moved to constitutional courts where judges would make the final ruling. This article focuses on Park Guen-Hye as the chapter did. However, in the chapter Park seemed to be a leader struggling to maintain the balance of society and working to overcome many obstacles and in the article it shows how she is a suspected criminal.
S Korea jails operator of Sewol ferry
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/11/s-korea-jails-operator-sewol-ferry-201411208310752344.html
This article is about charges on people involved with the Sewol ferry incident. The first person charged was the head of the company that the ferry belonged to, he was charged with manslaughter among other things. The owner of the company, Yoo, was found dead in a field after a manhunt for him. Yoo's son and widow were charged with embezzlement. Lee, the captain of the ship, was convicted of gross negligence and dereliction of duty since he abandoned the ship with hundreds passengers still on it. Nine people in total were given sentences. This relates to the chapter by further expanding on the outcomes of the Sewol's sinking. In the chapter the only thing mentioned was that President Park was going to work on improving saftey standards, nothing was ever mentioned about the crew and what happened to them.
How a Young Girl Escaped the Prison That Is North Korea
ReplyDeletehttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150719-north-korea-refugees-children-famine-world-ngbooktalk/
This article follows the story of Eunsun Kim a girl who escaped North Korea. She and her mother both went through hardships in order to leave but the story is important. Her mother left her home alone for three days while she went with her older sister to get food. When Eunsun thought she was going to die of starvation after the sixth day she wrote a will but fortunately her mother returned for the 11 year old girl. They then escaped but were put into human trafficking. After trafficking they were sent back to North Korea and lived as beggars on the street. They escaped again and lived in Shanghai for four years then eventually went to South Korea. She lives there now with her mother and husband. Eunsun describes North Korea and Kim Jung Un. They really brainwash the people from before they are even born into what they teach them, they say South Korea invaded North Korea but truly it is the other way around as she learned in South Korea. In North Korea you can only say yes to whatever officials and the Kim family says, you can never ask why. They also speak a different type of Korean but in North Korea everything is regulated there are songs you must sing to your child and close to, if not everything is forced. The article gives more insight into the lives of the North Koreans and what they experience.
South Korea Welcomes 2017 With More Political Uncertainty
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/04/508151221/south-korea-welcomes-2017-with-more-political-uncertainty
Park the South Korean president did not show up at her impeachment trial for a look into her case of giving a shady friend powers within the government. The Korean National Assembly has voted and the consensus was to take away all of Park's powers, this will take six months to determine so in the mean time there is an acting president. Samsung also gets incorporated into this scandal as it is stated that Samsung funded Park's friend and even bought her daughter horses. So now Park, her friend, Samsung, and the friend's daughter could all be faced with charges against them. This leads back into the Great Decisions with the law and impeachments to the president.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/japan-and-south-korea-impose-new-sanctions-on-north-korea/2016/12/02/c06adcc2-0350-49da-8d3d-e1781cfc74db_story.html?utm_term=.12ee158f21cc
ReplyDelete"Japan and South Korea impose new sanctions on North Korea"
This article describes the imposing of even more sanctions on North Korea from Japan and South Korea. This new sanction prevents 36 new people as well as 34 North Korean companies from making financial transactions in South Korea. Though it is mostly symbolic, these sanctions are a means by which to slow down North Korea's nuclear weapons production as well as punish them for being unruly.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/south-korea-park-geun-hye-impeachment-trial-170105034031684.html
"Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial starts in Seoul"
The article tells of the beginning of South Korea's President, Park Geun-hye's impeachment trials. She was convicted of corruption and conspiracy, and apparently conspired with a friend to extort money and favors from big companies to fund her government escapades illicitly. Park refused to testify twice in the trial, and though she cannot be forced to, the hearing went on.
Silk, steam and slogans: Inside a North Korean factory
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/silk-steam-and-slogans-inside-a-north-korean-factory/2017/01/17/589a4cec-dc73-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html?utm_term=.3ecac0cf94d1
This article is about a factory in North Korea that is primarily employed by women. In these factories, the employees boil silk worms and take the silk strings directly out of the boiling pots with their bare hands. Then, the employees are to make the silk clothing using machinery. Supreme ruler, Kim Jong Un, had this idea because he thinks that if the factory makes enough profit then the country's economy will be restored. He may not be wrong about the restoration of the country but not completely. Also, it is an unethical way to do this. This is an example of why South Korea may not adore North Korea.
South Korea Impeaches President, But Political Drama Isn't Finished
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/12/09/504943568/south-korea-impeaches-president-but-political-drama-isnt-finished
The article talks about the current state of the impeachment process of Park Guen-hye. The article illustrates the reaction of people including mass celebrations of the results. The article speaks about the overwhelming support of the impeachment and final vote tallies which were 234 to 56 against Park. The article relates to the Great Decisions Briefing Book as it talks about the tensions in South Korea. The article which came after the book does not show progress in the issues that Park ran on.
Park Geun-hye, South Korean President, Is a No-Show at Impeachment Trial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/world/asia/south-korea-president-impeachment-trial.html
The article discusses the current state of the impeachment trial of Park Geun-hye. It explains how the president did not show up to the trial and that legally she does not have to. The article goes on to say that the President is being charged with planning to take money from South Korean companies that amounted to 69 million dollars. Also the article explains that Park has not made a statement about the Sewol ship sinking that has settled the matter. The article relates to the book as both reinforce the idea that Park’s administration has not been very successful in reforming the country and democratizing the government further. The article also reinforces her character as an established politician.