I am currently sitting in Bangkok airport waiting to board a flight to Guangzhou in 25 minutes.

After 4 days in Bangkok there are many tales to tell and many pictures to show.

That'll have to wait until I get back to Korea when I can sort through the (so far) 300 odd photos.

Although I don't know when that might be. I managed to get a job on Monday before I left so it looks like a short trip to Japan might be in order next weekend...

Lee was booked but not physically detained in December 2007 after he lured a seven-year-old boy to a neighborhood public restroom and raped him for 20 minutes.

The Seoul Nambu District Court said, “The accused didn’t show any signs of remorse and committed a similar crime after being convicted twice before.

“It is inevitable he will be incarcerated, especially considering the mental stress the seven-year-old victim is undergoing,” the court said.

Denuclearisation will only come when bridges have been built with Pyongyang and it feels firmly set on a new economic course

Negotiations over the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula look set to resume. Sadly, they are unlikely to end soon. Talk of a "grand bargain" remains just that – talk.

Trust between North Korea and the US, South Korea and Japan is almost non-existent. While all leaders – including North Korea's Kim Jong-il – remain committed to denuclearisation in public, none appears ready to risk much in terms of domestic politics to achieve that end. So the best the world can currently hope for is revived dialogue, an agreement to freeze activity at the north's Yongbyon nuclear plant and perhaps a moratorium on further missile and nuclear tests.

To speed the process, a new long-term strategy aimed at the underlying factors at work in North Korea – and in relations with its rulers – is needed. Simply put, the US and other powers need to pursue constructive economic engagement with North Korea to help the regime achieve "strength and prosperity" through economic transition and integration with the global economy.

Constructive economic engagement will benefit ordinary North Koreans, who have suffered as much as any people on earth since the cold war's end. The root cause of North Korea's economic difficulties is its isolation from the forces of globalisation, from which east Asia in particular has profited.

In the late 1990s, as China and Vietnam were posting rapid GDP growth, North Korea was ravaged by one of the worst famines in modern history. Today, North Korea is a deindustrialising, near-subsistence economy. The best hope for most North Koreans is the subterranean market economy that fills the gaps in the state's planned economy and public distribution system. Trade with China is keeping those market forces supplied with goods and business opportunities across the border.

Rather than pressure China to shut down the cross-border flow of fuel and food in order to "teach Pyongyang a lesson", the US and its allies must find ways to support North Korea's economic integration with the region. More effective than freezing accounts and barring travel by officials with ties to the missile and nuclear programmes would be to work with North Korea's younger technocrats, banking and financial officials, and economic advisers to improve their expertise in managing North Korea's economic transition.

Of course, economic engagement will not solve the nuclear conundrum in the short term. Nothing will. The Korean peninsula will most likely achieve "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation" only when North Korea is already moving in the direction of economic growth and integration.

Before North Korea abandons its nuclear programme, the regime will need to see evidence that a secure, prosperous, non-nuclear development model is available to it. So, as nuclear talks proceed, the US and its partners should help North Korea lay the foundations for a new political economy based on international commerce, investment, and co-operation, as an alternative to the current model predicated on a hostile security environment. We should think of North Korea's economic transition process as a prerequisite for full denuclearisation, rather than simply holding out the promise of a big assistance package as a quid pro quo.

Of course, some of the big-ticket items in an economic engagement policy will remain contingent on progress in security arrangements and peninsular denuclearisation. But North Korea and the international community can already take some substantive steps.

These include opening diplomatic and official channels in order to improve mutual understanding and the general climate for exchanges; promoting US-North Korea economic dialogues and workshops; encouraging US universities, research institutes, and non-governmental organisations with expertise in economic transition and development to initiate and develop contacts with North Korean counterparts; and permitting the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank to increase North Korean participation, with the ultimate goal of membership.

During the recent visit of a high-level North Korean delegation to the US, there were encouraging signals that its rulers would welcome increased economic contacts, including with international financial institutions. Moreover, North Korea is actively courting foreign investment. The UN Development Programme recently reopened its office in Pyongyang, another positive sign of the regime's readiness to work toward common development goals.

Of course, new sources of growth in North Korea could threaten vested interests, leading to institutional rivalries, factional tension, or a conservative backlash. And the regime will not want the process of economic opening to get too far ahead of security agreements and political normalisation. After all, the main lesson that North Korean leaders take from China's success is that security (Mao Zedong's rapprochement with the US) precedes economic transition (Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening policy).

Constructive economic engagement will be a tough sell outside North Korea. In the US, North Korea is seen mostly through the prism of nuclear non-proliferation, and the new administration is wary of being tricked into giving its rulers anything without getting fissile material in return. In South Korea, President Lee Myung-bak's political base wants to roll back, not reinvigorate, the Sunshine Policy, and there is a widespread (though by no means universal) weariness with engagement.

In Japan, fear of North Korea's nuclear threat and anger over the abduction of Japanese citizens generates powerful political pressure against engagement. China is the one place that quietly implements a constructive economic engagement approach. Instead of pressing Beijing to cut off North Korea, the US and its allies should further develop their own efforts to draw North Korea out of its insularity.

• John Delury is associate director of the Asia Society's Centre on US-China relations and teaches at Columbia University. He is also director of the Asia Society/University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Co-operation's task force report North Korea Inside Out: The Case for Economic Engagement.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2009.

]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/RokDrop/%7E3/Nhwkd1buLiU/ http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/RokDrop/%7E3/Nhwkd1buLiU/ http://www.seouleats.com/2009/11/tips-for-korean-cooks-play-with-your.html http://www.seouleats.com/2009/11/tips-for-korean-cooks-play-with-your.html http://iacks.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns%217A4F161072B477CA%21643.entry http://iacks.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns%217A4F161072B477CA%21643.entry From July 5 to July 16, 2010, the Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies will host its 4^th Summer Workshop for graduate students. This is a wonderful opportunity for graduate students and junior scholars to gain exposure to diverse disciplines of Korean studies and scholars outside their institution's focus, as well as an opportunity to network with future colleagues.

The workshop will focus on research methodologies in Korean studies through the examination of documentary and digital resources. The two-week comprehensive program consists of morning lectures and afternoon seminar discussions on subjects such as art, classical and contemporary literature, pre-modern and modern history, Contemporary Korean issues, sociology, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

All lectures will be conducted in Korean, and reading materials and handouts as well will be in Korean. Participants will also have the chance to present their initial research findings or discuss research strategies in an informal presentation session. Also, participants will be able to consult with the lecturers on their research, and other assistance may be provided if needed (e.g. in preparing presentations).

The registration fee for the workshop is USD $500; a limited number of fee waiver grants and travel grants are available. For more information and to download the application form, please click on the link below or contact icks [at] snu.ac.kr

http://plaza6.snu.ac.kr/~icks/KOR/summer_workshop/summer_workshop.php

*Important Dates* 

Application Deadline: February 28, 2010
Announcement of acceptance: March 31, 2010. 
Final Registration Deadline: April 30, 2010

Program Coordinator
International Center for Korean Studies
Seoul National University
599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742
Tel: 82-2-880-9378
Fax: 82-2-883-3305

City Hall certifies lodgings with more than 10 rooms when they meet certain standards, awarding Innostel recognition that gives users such benefits as a reduction in water fees.

Innostel has emerged as an innovative service that connects operators of lower-priced accommodations with foreign tourists who would like to visit Seoul but don`t need lavish rooms and hotel services. Our motto "Stay Simple" refers to the ease and savings that come from using the Innostel system.

Rep. Kim Boo-kyum of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pointed out that the nation is helpless in the face of the aggressive invasion of foreign budget hotels, seeing a rising demand from foreign travelers.

"Several cheap foreign hotel chains -- such as Best Western Inn and Toyoko Inn -- have expanded their business activities here. The Japanese hotel chain for example, opened its first chain in Korea in Busan last year and plans to open 60 more inns in big cities over the next 10 years," Kim said.

Citing a survey, Kim pointed out that foreign tourists are unwilling to stay longer here, mainly because they are not satisfied with food and accommodation. He urged KTO President Lee to address the problems in the budget hotel chain project.

At the moment, the tourism industry in Korea is somewhat fragmented, with private and public groups often working in divergent areas. Often, these groups end up working on virtually identical projects. Such was the case when both the national and city tourism organizations recognized the need to identify and brand mid-priced range tourist hotels in Seoul. The Korea Tourism Organization developed the ``Benikea’’ program while the city developed a similar program named ``Innostel.’’

On the morning of Jan. 16, this reporter called an “Innostel” in Dongdaemun district, Seoul to see if they could take a reservation in English. Such establishments are certified by the Seoul government for foreign tourists.

(In Korean) “Anyeonghasaeyo, [hotel name].”

“I’d like to make a reservation for two days from tomorrow night.”

“Ah... Um....”

“Can anyone speak English there?”

(Muttering in Korean) “I don’t know what she’s saying...”

Then the phone was hung up.

While Seoul is carrying out a wide range of projects with the goal of attracting 12 million tourists by 2010, it remains to be seen whether the plans are having any effect.

The term “Innostel” is a combination of “innovative” and “hostel,” and refers to comfortable-yet-affordable accommodations that had received the city’s stamp of approval.

But a recent survey conducted by the JoongAng Daily, however, has found that the ability to communicate in English is severely lacking.

Of 31 Innostels called, half weren’t able to take a reservation in English. Staff at 10 of the 24 Innostels in Jongno District, central Seoul, which has the largest concentration of the hotels, couldn’t speak English.

Some just hung up the phone upon hearing English.

It was amusing to read your article after discovering for myself the vagaries of getting a hotel room on the weekend in Seoul. there is a room referral service called Ratestogo.com. It claimed to have booked a room for me and when I arrived at the hotel I discovered that it was selling the rooms after the hotel had canceled their reservation contract with the service in September. It was October 24th. I ended up at the Marriott. I can not find a good listing of hotels in the city of Seoul, most of the time I get only ads. Where should I look when trying to get hotel rooms. Is there really a shortage or are the hotel staff looking for a bribe?

I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip, sexy and pretty


I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip, sexy and pretty
listen boy 1,2,3 go!


everyday 도도하게
everybody 바라보게
항상 stylish하게 나나나나
언제나 자신있게
모두들 미소짓게
어디서나 Spotlight


kill hill 예쁜 높은 구두에
hot pleats skirt
cherry color lip gross


짙은 sense mascara에 흩날리는 머릿결
pretty, sweety, sexy


I do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
날 보는 eye stop it
do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
oh baby 두근두근 모두 바라보는 난 star


everyday 도도하게
everybody 바라보게
항상 stylish하게 나나나나
언제나 자신있게
모두들 미소짓게
어디서나 Spotlight


pertume 산뜻한 내 향기와 벨벳 선글라스에
baby pinky tote bag


skinny한 바디라인과 눈부신 내 미소



pretty, sweety, sexy

I do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
날 보는 eye stop it


do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
oh baby 두근두근 모두 바라보는 난star



oh oh i.. gossip girl.. i



I do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
날 보는 eyeline
do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
oh baby 두근두근 모두 바라보는 나라



I do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
날 보는 eye stop it
do wanna say wanna say wanna say wanna say
oh baby 두근두근 모두 바라보는 난 star


G.O Double S.I.P Girl
모두 바라는 여자가 되길
날 쳐다보는 모든 mask scandling
no.1 나의 bling bling bling



절대 쉬지 않고 잊지 않길
내가 지닌 Magic CD
Let me here you sing my song


All life long the real pretty girl


I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip, sexy and pretty


I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip girl
I wanna gossip, sexy and pretty

정부가 톡톡히 망신을 당한 사이트는 16일 방송통신위원회에서 개설한 '재한 외국인 인터넷 본인확인 안내 홈페이지'(www.ifriendly.kr). 이 사이트는 국내에 머무는 110만명의 외국인들이 외국인 등록번호나 여권번호를 이용, 각종 인터넷 사이트에 가입하는 방법을 안내하기 위해 우리말, 영어, 중국어, 일본어 등 4개 국어로 개설됐다.

그러나 영어 사이트의 경우 수준 이하의 영어로 제 구실을 못하고 있다. 이 사이트는 핵심 내용인 '본인 확인'(identify person acknowledgement)을 여러 군데서 'identify'대신 'identical'로 표기해 외국인들을 어리둥절하게 만들고 있다. 'identical'은 똑같은 혹은 일란성 쌍둥이라는 의미, 'identify'는 확인하다, 식별하다는 뜻이다.

유명 블로그 '브라이언 인 전라남도' (http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-was-wrong-with-ifriendlykr.html)를 운영하는 전남 여수의 원어민 영어 강사 브라이언은 자신의 블로그에 'ifriendly.kr의 잘못된 점은 무엇인가'라는 글을 올리고 "ifriendly.kr 사이트를 방문했으나 무슨 뜻인지 알 수 없었다"며 "다른 외국인들조차 알아들을 수 없는 영어"라고 지적했다.

전라남도 여수시 영어교사 Brain 블로그, 한국문화, 역사, 뉴스, 축제 등 수록

Naver has rejected a request by native English teachers to remove what they call derogatory and racial postings on a blog known as the “Anti-English Spectrum.”

NHN, the operator of Naver, told The Korea Times Thursday they had concluded that they don’t see anything in the blog that violates the standing regulations or its internal rules.

“Our monitoring team examined cases stipulated in the request and concluded that Andrea Vandom’s claim doesn’t merit any corrective action,” said Kim Hyun-chang, Naver’s PR official.

Obama's Asia tour ends with stop-off in Seoul, where he announces push for return to bilateral talks on de-nuclearisation

Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak pressed North Korea to end provocation and return to dormant nuclear talks, as the US president wrapped up his Asian tour with a brief visit to Seoul today.

Lee said the two countries were offering a "grand bargain" of political and economic incentives in exchange for Pyongyang's irreversible de-nuclearisation.

Obama added that his special envoy, Stephen Bosworth, would travel to North Korea early next month for bilateral talks aimed at reviving the stalled six-nation discussions.

The north has been pushing for direct negotiations, but Washington says it is only holding them in the hope of resuming the multi-party talks. Pyongyang claims those discussions, which also included South Korea, Japan, China and Russia, infringed its sovereignty.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Lee, Obama told reporters: "The thing I want to emphasise is that President Lee and I both agree we want to break the pattern that existed in the past, in which North Korea behaves in a provocative fashion, and then is willing to return to talk ... and then that leads to seeking further concessions."

North Korea conducted its second nuclear test earlier this year as well as test-firing a series of missiles. Neighbours also regarded a rocket launch as a test of its long-range missile technology, although Pyongyang said it was merely launching a satellite.

Earlier this month it said it had produced more weapons-grade plutonium. Its navy also exchanged fire with the south's for the first time in seven years, with each side accusing the other of violating a disputed sea border.

Relations on the peninsula deteriorated sharply after Lee took power last year and ended his predecessor's policy of free-flowing aid to the north, angering Pyongyang. At one time, aid from the south equated to around 5% of the north's estimated $17bn (£10bn) a year economy.

This morning he stressed that his government was willing to provide substantial amounts in aid if the North renounced its nuclear ambitions.

"I hope that by accepting our proposal, the north will secure safety for itself, improve the quality of life for its people, and open the path to a new future," he said.

Thousands of cheering South Koreans lined the streets of the capital to watch Obama's motorcade drive by – giving him the warmest welcome of his four-nation tour of Asia.

Obama and Lee also agreed to push for progress on a stalled free trade deal, which analysts say could increase their bilateral trade by about $20bn. It currently stands at around $83bn.

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No words, just pics: