Shard vs. Ryugyong – Spot the differences, Spot the similarities…True or False? From Koryo Tours. http://bit.ly/o0qOPe #. Also, via @fcaidan: TripAdvisor reviews hotels in Pyongyang! No entries for the Ryugyong, so far; surprise surprise. http://bit.ly/qrPWz0 # [Read More]
Month: August 2011 (page 4)
New book on North Korean Art
New book on North Korean art (“Exploring North Korean Arts”) is published following the 2010 exhibition and conference in Vienna. Chapters by Jim Hoare, AidanFC, Koen De Ceuster & others. http://amzn.to/pP3LF0 # [Read More]
Interview with Brother Anthony
Great interview with Brother Anthony of Taizé at Asymptote http://bit.ly/ossoht # [Read More]
Fasting for North Korea: Okhwan Yoon’s hunger strike in Parliament Square
As I crouched on the concrete slabs ringing Parliament Square outside the Mother of Parliaments, it was difficult to truly comprehend the scale of Okhwan Yoon’s journey, as the South Korean lay confined to his tent, motionless and gaunt. “I have cycled through 191 of the world’s nations since 2001 on my quest for peace. … [Read More]
ROK spy agency blocks British travel company
South Korean National Intelligence Service blocks website of Koryo Tours, a British-run travel agency based in Beijing. http://bit.ly/qA4hc2 #. They also block Aidan Foster-Carter’s website. [Read More]
DPRK Navy dancing girls greet Chinese dignitaries
We knew about the North Korean People's Army troupe of dancing girls, but this is the first time I’ve seen them in navy outfits, as DPRK welcomes the Chinese navy to Wonsan: http://bit.ly/pm3Mk5 # [Read More]
South Korean online games a source of cash for Pyongyang
North Korean hackers make money out of stealing virtual property in South Korean online gaming worlds. This, according to the New York Times: Despite its decrepit economy, North Korea is believed to train an army of computer programmers and hackers. The police in Seoul said that four South Koreans and a Korean-Chinese had been arrested … [Read More]
A Summer of Sports: August daytime screenings at the KCC
I always think that I’m not a fan of sporting movies, particularly feelgood ones as they often are. But of the Korean ones I’ve seen, well, I’ve really rather enjoyed them. Marathon, which is included in this month’s collection of films, is much to be recommended. I haven’t seen the rest, but the gay ssireum … [Read More]
KSCPP Global Ambassador at the KCC
Next Wednesday, there will be an inaugural presentation by Trevor Krueger of ‘Global Ambassador‘ entitled “Promoting Cultures on a Global Scale”. After the presentation, there will be a talk by KSCPP introducing Korean culture, covering both the past and the present, and showing the link between the two in the minds of Koreans today. Traditional … [Read More]
The Chaser (추격자, 2008) review: relentless pursuit in a brutal serial killer thriller
An ex-cop turned pimp races to save a woman from a confessed serial killer before police incompetence sets him free. If Old Boy and Memories of Murder had an illegitimate love child it would be The Chaser. That said, the plot still grippingly supplants expectations. [Read More]
Rediscovering the Lost Kingdom of Baekje
History, according to the saying, is written by the victors. The unification of the three kingdoms of Korea under Silla in 668 AD solved the problem of constant war in the peninsula, but created a significant problem for modern day historians, in that very little of the culture and heritage of Baekje (BC 18~AD 660) … [Read More]
ROK boosts gold reserves
“One classic warning of a peak – a rush of … dumb money – is already evident”, FT Lex 2 Aug. “South Korea bolsters gold reserves”, FT 2 Aug. # [Read More]
Picture quiz: does anyone know the location of this wine-cup canal?
I have a pretty book on Korean gardens by Heo Kyun, translated into English and published by Saffron Korea Library. It’s very informative and interesting reading, but I’m not sure I trust the caption which goes with one of its images. I’m in the process of writing up my Korea trip from back in May. … [Read More]
Gayageum, Be the Legend at the KCC
Notice of a Gayageum concert tomorrow evening at the Cultural Centre. Judging by the names of the items on the programme and the accompanying photograph, this looks to be a concert that will include modern compositions for the modern version of the gayageum. Sooeun Kwak and La-on G Gayageum Ensemble: Gayageum, Be the Legend at … [Read More]
August events 2011
Festivals August is the month of the Edinburgh Festival, and there’s plenty of high-quality Korean performances in both the main festival and the fringe. August is also the month of the annual open air Korean Festival at Kingston’s Fairfield Recreation Ground – 13th August, 11am-late afternoon. Visual Arts and exhibitions Exhibitions that continue throughout August … [Read More]