Colin Pattinson 2014-03-15T11:37:28-04:00 Colin Pattinson Copyright 2008,, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Colin Pattinson Good old fashioned elbow grease. South Korea : A Fifth Column?,2013:/theblog//3.3925766 2013-09-14T07:24:55-04:00 2013-11-14T05:12:02-05:00 Colin Pattinson
In recent weeks South Korean media has been awash with stories concerning an explosive story; The case of Lee Seok-Gi. The lawmaker has been accused of conspiracy to commit armed rebellion and has labelled a 'jongpuk' (종북 - a derogatory term for a North Korean sympathiser/apologist). The story has so many twists and turns it should be fiction and will inevitably be turned into a gripping movie at some point. In the meantime the bombshell story highlights a very real concern that has plagued the South Korean authorities for decades, the anxiety of a pro-North Korea fifth column operating secretly undetected in South Korea.

Lee Seok-Gi is reportedly a core member in a clandestine gang named the 'Revolutionary Organisation of the People'. The underground group has between 130-200 members who would assist in an invasion attempt made by North Korean forces. Lee Seok-Gi, in his prominent position as a lawmaker, had great access to a wealth of information that would be very desirable to the North Korean army. It has been discovered that he was viewing documents outside of his official remits and his gang of rebels conspired to destroy telecommunication facilities and help disrupt South Korean infrastructure to aid a North Korean advance on Seoul. Should an attack happen the proposed fifth column activities would of severely hindered the South Korean efforts to rebuff any attack.

Lee Seok-Gi has courted controversy before as a lawmaker having famously denounced the official national anthem of South Korea and unconvincingly tried to defend against the accusations that he was pro-North Korean. He was also been pardoned twice by a former South Korean President, Roh Moo-Hyun (now deceased), who himself was at the centre of a major news story in recent months about his role in abetting North Korea over the NLL (Northern Limit Line) issue.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) in Korea cracked open the case with the aid of an informant who ran a billiards hall in the city of Suwon, south of the capital Seoul. To add spice to the story the Intelligence service themselves are also embroiled in their own scandal. The more forgiving commentators about this underground pro-North Korean group have cast aspersions that the case is being used by the NIS as a distraction from all the bad press they are receiving. The organisation has been implicated in trying to swing votes in the most recent election in favour of the eventual winner, Park Guen-Hye. The whole saga of the Lee Seok-Gi case has been conducted very publicly and you don't have to be a cynic to recognise that the case has helped to deflect attention away from the flak they have received over improper behaviour.

The entire debacle however is an alluring media story, difficult to ignore. Full of intrigue and traitorous villainy with an under-pressure NIS spilling out details for citizens to lap up and revel in. It does however illustrate a real issue of security in Korea and gives ample evidence to support the theory that pro-North Korean rings are operating inside South Korea. How successful or influential they are remains a big doubt but certain factors play in favour of each side being able to infiltrate one another's country as realistically it is unlikely to be just one-way traffic.

Firstly, geographically neither is an impenetrable fortress. While the DMZ makes it nearly impossible to cross the border via foot, although famously many tunnels have been constructed to bypass the DMZ, an alternative is to cross the divide by water which is far more difficult to patrol. A recent news story of a 46 year old man who swam across the maritime border in order to defect highlights that crossing is not impossible or particularly herculean. Historically North Korea has also made use of submarines to bypass the border with numerous incidents being on record. Coupled with this is the simple fact that both nations are Korean. While over decades ruptures between the two have developed in culture, language and reportedly even physical build these differences are clearly not impossible to disguise. For example even if the Korean language used in the South has developed and incorporated words from Western culture it is not such a uphill task to study a DVD of a recent South Korean drama and pick up on the traits, terms and foibles of a South Korean citizen. Therefore sending spies or fostering a fifth column on enemy shores is in theory a very do-able act if either nation desires it. The rooting out and uncovering of such groups demonstrated in the Lee Seok-Gi case is a routine operation for the security forces in South Korea yet panic can set in about the groups that remain undetected, the unseen menace. History can attest to the many incidents of North Korean infiltration and this case once again highlights South Korea's constant battle to protect itself and the dangers it faces.

While this case is unfolding it is also notable that the current Korean President has not overblown the discovery. Park Guen-Hye, the recently elected President, has won plaudits domestically for the way she has handled her politically peculiar North Korean brethren and their complicated practice of foreign policy. Unlike her predecessor who took a harsh line on North Korea she has put value in building "trust" between the pair. Trust is of course delicate and can easily turn sour. This episode will continue to be played out publicly and attract a lot of media attention as other news of North Korean exploits are woven into the story. The success of the Kaesong re-opening will be offset by the potentially disappointing news that the North Korea are acting in defiance of international agreements and booting up the Yongbyon nuclear facility once again. The South Korean public have once again been reminded of the threat that lays on their doorstep, or perhaps better described as they have gotten a peak of what is under the door mat. Remarkably after decades of conflict they have become accustomed to living in a dangerous uncertain world yet there is no denying that this sensational story will continue to dominate the headlines as thankfully for the NIS, scandals sell.]]>
North Korea : Assessing Its Cyber Capabilities,2013:/theblog//3.3484210 2013-06-22T17:39:58-04:00 2013-06-24T09:39:58-04:00 Colin Pattinson
In May 2013 the United States Department of Defence handed a report to Congress detailing the build up of DPRK cyber infrastructure and after recent revelations it might be safe to assume they know what they are talking about. Varying reports have also claimed that the DPRK possesses a force of around 3,000-4,000 devoted "cyber warriors". This has worried many including the South Korean defence chief who is advocating the ROK to accelerate its cyber program to deal with the increasing DPRK cyber threat. The defence chief and other commentators often point to the March 2013 cyber attacks that brought down around 48,000 thousand computers causing havoc to banking institutions and television stations. North Korea was blamed for the attack even though they denied involvement.
These accounts suggest that the DPRK has a powerful and sophisticated cyber unit. It would certainly make a lot of sense for Kim Jong-Un to develop an effective cyber troop. Cyber attacks would be a very useful tool for a nation that is unable to conventionally challenge its rivals. It clearly does not possess the same material capabilities as the United States or South Korea thus cyberspace is an alluring level-playing field with opportunities to cause real disruption with few ramifications. Cyber attacks remain a low-risk tactic as it is extremely difficult to ascertain the origin of cyber attacks; such is the sophistication of being able to cover up ones cyber footprints. Also the DPRK would not have failed to notice that its main enemies are far more 'connected' than itself. The DPRK has less to fear if threatened by cyber retaliation as its key infrastructure and networks are unlikely to be dependent on cyberspace unlike South Korea or the United States. Therefore it remains a possibility that the DPRK has a strong cyber force that has flexed its cyber muscles already.

The opposite story also remains feasible. Anonymous has announced they have breached the North Korean firewall and have stolen sensitive documents. They are due to release some of these documents on the 25th of June and hand the rest over to wikileaks. There are some experts that have doubted the authenticity of the claims but Anonymous does have good form in this area. They did manage to hack into the Uriminzokkiri (우리민족끼리) website, a website that relays official North Korean news, and access its membership list in April 2013.
These conflicting reports paint a different picture and suggest that the North Korean cyber defences may not be as advanced as many have feared. If Anonymous have been able to access top secret files with relative impunity then it throws into question the assumptions that the DPRK has developed a sufficient force to really threaten the ROK or the United States.

So what can we make of the dual assertions of DPRK perceived strength and weakness in the cyber sphere. Like most DPRK stories it is hard to know exactly due to the opaqueness of the political system but it would seem likely that the North Korean regime would have invested in cyber security. The incentives seem too tempting for a nation that is so heavily sanctioned and unable to compete conventionally. On the other hand if Anonymous have the ability to breeze by the once thought of imperious North Korean firewall then you must assume other nations also already have the ability. The United States cyber command is well funded and has a high level of expertise. If there is a way in you'd assume they've already found it. The North Korean regime has already accused the United States of persistent attacks which comes as little surprise but the true extent of how successful it has been is unknown. It makes sense for the United States to bide its time and not reveal how far it has penetrated in the current cyber climate and launching an attack would not be the best publicity for the nation right now.

Therefore it would seem likely that many have over-estimated the ability of a likely budding cyber program. The North Korean regime is not unlike a multitude of other nations who are all scrambling to acquire necessary cyber capabilities. Cyber is the newest domain of warfare and has a dangerous lack of norms and rules. All signs point to it becoming the most popular arena to do battle in. North Korea will be acutely aware of this and while it may possess a cyber force, it seems unlikely after recent Anonymous attacks that it is as advanced as top officials may believe.]]>





South Korean 'Economic Democratisation' : Biting the Hand That Feeds You?,2013:/theblog//3.2810270 2013-03-05T07:16:54-05:00 2013-03-06T07:51:51-05:00 Colin Pattinson One of my critical economic goals is to ensure that everyone who works hard can stand on their own two feet and where ... small- and medium-sized enterprises... can prosper alongside large companies.'

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye ran on a ticket of 'economic democratisation'. An ambiguous term that was thrust into prominence during Park's campaigning. The term has earlier roots but has blossomed into importance as Park made it a key component of her campaign.

South Korean 'Economic democratisation' is crudely defined as an attempt to curb the power of the all encompassing business conglomerates that have driven the nation's economic expansion for the past few decades. The Korean business titans have many toes dipped in a tremendous amount of ponds. Ranging from electronics to energy, from transport to telecoms. Familiar names such as Samsung, Hyundai & LG are principal players.

The grip these companies have over Korea has been called into question. These family controlled multi-national powerhouses traditionally have a long history of government support. The conglomerates, known as chaebols in Korea, are interwoven into the fabric of South Korean life. Calls however are being made to 'democratise' the domestic economic field of the once hermit kingdom. Demands are being made for a fairer and more equal system with less favours to the overbearing chaebols. Korean papers conveying the plans expertly through images.

Interestingly it was President Park's father, the late dictator Park Chung-Hee, who ushered in a period of rapid economic growth & industrialization that laid the foundations for these companies to thrive. Now the attention has turned to his daughter to strip them down and give more opportunities to those being crushed under the weight of big business.

Their remains public apprehension despite Korea's recent economic successes. Growing concerns over high-level corruption and the dissatisfaction of seeing rising costs of living without wage increases are causing unrest. Ben Lee of the APYO neatly summarised the Korean public opinion as follows; "Collective jadedness and anger towards the government has been gaining momentum simultaneously over the years. In response to conglomerate-friendly economic policies, increasing disparities between wages and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and corruption in politics, 'economic democratisation' has become the keyword for Presidential candidates as of late.. While companies such as Samsung post strong financial results, the people feel they are not receiving the benefits of such success". Income disparity and worries over the lack of jobs continue to be a factor that has caused political candidates to refer to the need of 'economic democratisation'.

Conservative Park may not be the best candidate to make such sweeping changes despite the support for the idea. New statistics released by the WTO reflect well on Korean trade but they again highlight the role of chaebols and the growing disparity in Korea between big business and small to medium sized companies.


A government official declaring "Although we have become a country with the world's eighth-largest trade volume, the discrepancy of trade volume between large and small companies has intensified as small and medium companies (SMEs) have been not very successful in international trade". Therefore the evidence for change seems rife but some have questioned Park's commitment. Some have criticized her camp of already dropping the term, and most importantly the aspiration, in order to focus on more broader goals. Criticism is already appearing that she has weakened her position and is not the candidate who will passionately fight for those who need it most against businesses that wield too much sway in domestic politics. The conglomerates are not likely to give up their grip on power so easily and will lobby against any drastic changes that cut at their power and profits. The Korean Chamber of Commerce has already voiced its reservation on the proposed desire to 'democratise', "It's not a good idea to strengthen regulations against conglomerates because they play an important role for the country's economic growth... Instead, the government needs to ease regulations, expand tax benefits for corporations and build more flexible labor environment to boost their growth potential." Putting tighter restrictions on corporations may indeed hinder growth and innovation and Song Won-Geun, a senior researcher at the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI), has already staunchly critiqued the plans suggesting that government interference into markets could lead to "another form of totalitarianism masquerading as democracy".

President Park continues to call for the need of a "creative economy" and fundamental to these plans still contain elements of an 'economic democratisation'. She has encountered problems recently in forming her cabinet, this is causing her roadwork's in her political endeavours and stalling her ambitious plans. In the coming weeks once her cabinet is settled it will be fascinating to see her moves to tackle the might of chaebols.Experts don't plan to see radical adjustments in the short-term and will consider her attempts to be a medium to long-term goal as democratising the economy is "not a straightforward undertaking". How Park will 'democratise' her economy remains to be seen with many pessimistic of how committed she will remain to such a noble cause.]]>
North Korea: Provocation Patterns,2012:/theblog//3.2382598 2012-12-29T22:17:32-05:00 2013-02-28T05:12:01-05:00 Colin Pattinson
Example 1:

2006: Taepodong-2

In July 2006 North Korea launched 7 rockets including one long range missile. These missile tests were not new. In 1993 a missile test was launched, largely in a trade with Iran for precious oil. In 1998 as relations deteriorated on the Korean peninsula, the DPRK launched another missile test. This time it came back to the discussion table in exchange for vital aid. In 2006 deteriorating ties once again led the DPRK to leave the six party talks discussions and participate in provocative behaviour. Later the same year nuclear tests were held further exacerbating the situation. North Korea blamed "the Bush administration's vicious hostile actions", signalling the decline of the relative peace that had existed earlier under the 'Sunshine Policy'.

As a result of the two actions the UN managed to slap down a resolution that imposed tough sanctions on the DPRK and demanded the end to missile testing. Largely it consisted of bans on any sort of transactions that had links to military hardware or missile related items. The sanctions also called for each UN member to investigate North Korean cargo if it had any suspicions it could be transferring prohibited items. Unfortunately these actions were not fully enforced by every nation and the united front against the DPRK crumbled. The credibility of the UN to deter the North's provocative acts was compromised. Eventually by February 2007 an agreement was reached. In exchange for emergency assistance the North would suspend all nuclear activity and allow IAEA inspectors back into the country to monitor its nuclear program.

Example 2:
2009: Gwangmyeongseong-2

Claiming the 'Outer Space Treaty' the DPRK attempted to send another satellite into space. However the international community did not see this treaty as enough justification and cited that contravening of the UNSC 1718 resolution. Later in 2009 another nuclear test occurred. A striking pattern was emerging. After initial condemnation by the international community for the missile test then another nuclear test, the UN was forced into applying further sanctions under the new UNSC Resolution 1874. It extended the arms embargo already in place and applied further economic and commercial sanctions. The pattern of missile test + nuclear test = sanction could be reappearing after the most recent launch in December.

In the past few years the DPRK has remained isolated. The international community has failed to shape the DPRK policy and prevent the nation from seeking confrontational acts in order to secure greater aid or more attention on the world scene. The bombing of the Cheonan ROK ship and the shelling of the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong were further incidents that went largely unpunished. The collective failure to prevent these acts and coax the DPRK government away from these choices is in part due to the fact they are aware that they can get away with it. As long as the acts are rewarded via aid or more say on the discussion table then the benefits outweigh the risks. In April 2012 another missile was launched but only enjoyed 90 seconds of success. The international community was once again up in arms but failed to show any meaningful deterrent or attempts at constructive dialogue. December marked the successful launch of the Gwangmyongsong-3 satellite as the UN stood by bewildered clutching the resolutions that the North continues to disregard. With this in mind what can we expect from 2013? Judging by history we can speculate that another nuclear test is due and the possibility of more sanctions or frantic discussion that rewards the North's aggressive behaviour.


Continual defiance of international rules and sanctions are unlikely to stop. Already in May 2012 the DPRK announced the reactivation of its nuclear program. For the DPRK they may see no other choice and ignoring their explanations of their acts is another failure on behalf of the international community. Via the KCNA the nation defended its policies; "Had any other country found itself in the situation of the DPRK, it would have clearly realized that the DPRK has never chosen but was compelled to go nuclear in the face of the U.S. hostile policy and its nuclear threats. It has become an absolutely impossible option for the DPRK to even think about giving up its nuclear weapons". The nation is already one of the most heavily sanctioned countries on earth and is seemingly backed into a corner. The international community worries over 'horizontal proliferation' (the selling of weapons or weapons technology to third parties such as Iran or non-state actors) however cutting off legitimate avenues of income and chastising the behaviour of the nation is not likely to be beneficial in the attempts to alter North Korean behaviour. A more constructive approach might be favoured as another set of sanctions are unlikely to garnish any sort of positive result, just further push the DPRK into the political wilderness. If the International Community sincerely wants to avoid the repeated pattern of provocation then a new tactic must be sought.

Some experts would contend that a new nuclear test is unlikely and some argue that realistically North Korea is very unlikely to have the capacity to actually build a functioning nuclear weapon. Regardless of its capabilities the acts remain aggressive and damage regional stability. The prediction may not be all doom and gloom though. There could be more positive signs in 2013 that many are failing to spot. New economic zones have sprouted up in North Korea and are encouraging Chinese firms to enter and pump money into the DPRK economy. While Chinese projects have not always been a success (Xiyang Group - a Chinese mining conglomerate accused the nation of stealing technology and sabotaging a deal in place creating bad blood between the participants) they could herald a brighter future. If they are sincere attempts by the North Korean regime then they might be imitations to previous Chinese successes, like the city of Shenzhen. Positive economic reform is in the best interest of the world community and acts like this should be supported and fostered. Also Kim Jong Un maybe sending rather indirect messages to the West in an effort for more dialogue. The released images of him enjoying famous Western animated characters may seem like a farfetched ploy to gain the attention of top leaders but it is not without precedent. Signals like these should not be ignored and in order to repeat a cycle of provocation the U.S. and the international community should constructively think of a new approach to North Korea. New leaders in China & South Korea and a returning leader in Japan should herald a new policy, a policy less retaliatory than years previous.]]>
North Korea: Luxury Goods and Squandered Money?,2012:/theblog//3.1944593 2012-10-08T19:00:00-04:00 2012-12-08T05:12:01-05:00 Colin Pattinson






[South Korea] Sex Crimes: Policy & punishments.,2012:/theblog//3.1863337 2012-09-07T23:02:59-04:00 2012-11-07T05:12:01-05:00 Colin Pattinson
Naju, a city in the South-West of Korea, has been scarred by a recent brutal attack on a 7 year-old. 25 year old, Koh Jong-seok, abducted his neighbours 7 year old daughter from her home and brutally raped her. Koh had earlier been playing video games in a local PC room with the mother and were said to be on good terms. However after he left early he contends his urges took over him and he took the child away causing her severe emotional and physical damage. The mother arriving home around 2am was not aware the child was missing until she awoke later the same morning when she phoned the police. The child was located only 425 feet from her home naked and wrapped in a blanket. The child, once discovered, was immediately rushed to hospital and treated. The savagery of the attack has appalled the nation and more is being demanded to try and cease the wave of attacks that keep springing up.

Koh's excuse of being drunk is not an unfamiliar defense. A similar case in 2008 shocked the nation as Cho Du-sun got a reduced sentenced for being intoxicated. Despite raping an 8 year old and destroying a horrifically high proportion of her colon, genitals and intestines he managed to escape with only a 12 year sentence and having to wear an electronic tag for 7 years. Within Korean law a court can reduce the sentence if the accused was drunk as it makes them both "weaker mentally and physically" thus less responsible for the crime. In 2008 President Lee Myung-Bak expressed disappoint in the ruling and was left to rue another similar incident this week. He issued another apology to the nation recently declaring:
"I can't tell you how sorry I am before the nation and the victim's family... Beefing up public security will be the top priority of the government."
In the past few days the government has expanded yet more policies to try counter the issue. The Ministry of Justice is looking at revising laws to allow more offenders to be given chemical castration in order to halt their sex drives. Further improvements have also been mentioned in trying to monitor sex offenders newly released from prison. Despite the announcements more cases are appearing in the media. As more crimes are occurring, more efforts are being rolled out to try counter the crimes in what seems a more proactive move. In the last few days further efforts to crackdown on the possession of child pornography have been announced. Along with this the police arrested a man running a website that connected users with prostitutes and was funded by pimps.

There have even been efforts to tackle a pillar of business culture in Korea. Many companies broker deals in establishments known as 'room salons'. These rooms provide predominantly business men with a smoky atmosphere to drink and be wine & dined Korean style. Women serve the men, flirt & chat with them. Unfortunately they also have a reputation of unofficially offering other services that a man may desire to purchase. These types of rooms and this type of environment are in the realm of what the recent policies are attempting to tackle. Despite being common and widely used, as politician Ahn Min-seok claimed as much as 65.3% of expenditure for activities at night on corporate credit cards went to these pricey establishments, the government may begin to consider them a hindrance to social well being. In the future instead of retroactive attempts to solve the issue, e.g. chemical castration, they may want to consider applying more stringent rules on these types of businesses and look at eradicating the initial stages of sexual deviancy. Within the past few days the police did shut down one of the largest 'room salons', in an affluent district of Seoul, who were found to be providing illegal prostitutes. This move from the government could be a hollow publicity attempt to show they are a trying to have a strong response to the recent attacks. Public demand and upcoming elections force the government into showing a stern retort to the issue but it will take a longer more painful internal dialogue to address the issue if attacks continue to occur at their current rate. The recent deluge of acts and arrests certainly can't promise to solve the root of these attacks but if the attempts reduce the frequency they'll be deemed a success.]]>
Korea: Casino Addiction,2012:/theblog//3.1832451 2012-08-27T05:02:13-04:00 2012-10-26T05:12:07-04:00 Colin Pattinson
In 2000, Korea opened its first and only casino open to Korean residents. There are another 16 casino's dotted about Korea and posters at the airport will have you believe that gambling is a popular activity on the streets of Seoul but those casinos are restricted to foreigners only. Robert De Niro graces some adverts, View image, for a local casino chain trying to attract foreign tourists or businessmen to splash their hard earned Korean won. The one Korean accommodating casino however is far from the hustle and bustle of Seoul. Located in Kangwon Land approximately 3.5 hours away from Seoul it's not the easiest of locations to get to. The casino is set in a large resort complex that offers skiing in winter and golf and a host of other attractions during the summer months. Despite wanting to lure families to the area it is largely the casino that gets the most attention and indeed it is reported that 90% of Kangwon Land's revenue hails from the casino itself. The idea of one casino is faintly similar to the idea of the UK's ditched plan to build a super casino in Manchester. The proposition was axed in 2008 and the idea came under similar scrutiny as Kangwon Land does.

The casino was allowed to be built to improve the local economy that used to be a set of coal mining communities. However since its 2000 opening it has had its far share of criticism. Many scandals have been dug up about the casino and many cite it as having a negative effect on society and on the region it was intended to help support. The CEO, Choi Heung-Jip said in an interview, "we'll make Korea's best vacation spot at an altitude of some 1,000m that underpins the regional economy". While it was once worried that swathes of homeless gambling addicts would hover outside the gates ready to resume their addiction once the casino re-opened each morning the casino in fact takes quite a lot of care to try to at least appear to be trying to prevent levels of addiction escalating. The casino has its very own gambling addiction centre and restricts entrance into the casino for only 1 day a month for locals and 15 days a month for those outside the local area. Despite the attempts some nefarious characters still linger and entice the populace into falling into a pit of addiction.

There are reports that those living in Seoul who are desperate to get their gambling fix in a hurry can take illegal taxis to get to the casino. While the drive should take 3.5 hours there are taxi's known as "bullet taxi's" that are specifically for those rolling out of the work on a Friday desperate to hit the casino who will take them from downtown Seoul to the casino in around 100 minutes. They race at over 100mp/h and charge large fee's to get you there but the costly addition to the gambling doesn't end there.

Even before entering it is a common feature to call ahead to unofficially reserve a seat. The casino has become so popular that there are many calls to expand or to create more casinos available to the Korean public. There are around 2,000 seats available and easily double the number in attendance who wish to take a seat but have to bide their time before they can begin gambling. Thus it is common practice to get a professional customer to sit at a table of your desired game of choice and hold the seat for you until you arrive. Even then you have many people watching the hands unfold so betting via them to win money is not uncommon to see. The people who hold the seats are usually paid around $100-$150 for the service and are made up of bankrupted gamblers looking for some extra cash to try and hit the jackpot once more. The critics point to these stories as the evils of the casino market and even though the operation is tightly controlled they still point to the effects the casino has had on the area outside of Kangwon Land's walls.

In the surrounding areas the main businesses that have sprouted up and do steady business are motels, pawnshops and private loan companies. Neon lights flashing all night hoping to catch a gambler down on his luck. It's not just legitimate businesses that ply their trade but also inevitably loan sharks hover around, waiting to profit from another's woe.

Despite all the negativity business is booming. Foreign investors would jump at the chance to get into the market if the South Korean government opens up the nation to allow more casino's open for Koreans. While a law from 1995 grants exclusivity to Kangwon Land there is no doubt the facility is a money spinner. State-owned it could expand or even Korea could look at placing more casinos in free economic zones and rake in the money. All of these ideas come at a cost. With a presidential election in the offing no major decision will be made just yet but the discussion will be fast approaching of whether the lure of larger or extra casinos is too hard to resist.]]>
Tron: The Best Disney Movie,2012:/theblog//3.1663621 2012-07-10T19:29:31-04:00 2012-09-09T05:12:04-04:00 Colin Pattinson
'Tron' itself was supposedly inspired by the game Pong. Considering how that game relies on two horizontal lines and the dot on a screen then surely this is the best video game to movie conversion ever. If 'Tron' was a man it would poop out the 'Resident Evil' series and all other inferior movies. Luckily, 'Tron' does have an actual real life embodiment. A pillar of the internet; Jay Maynard also known as Tron Guy. This pearl of a human being gained notoriety on the internet by recreating his own 'Tron' outfit. Seeing his wonderful face and outfit could bring joy to any soul. He is a cult hit much like the movie. 91 minutes of sheer brilliance that flopped back in its day but found a home in the hearts of many who have lived by 'Tron' for all these years.

For fans, like myself, I giggle with joy when I'm the only guy who spots each and every 'Tron' reference in modern media. You have some obvious homages on youtube, such as this fine dance number. Even to subtle references you had no idea about such as in music videos or adverts. The Strokes video - 12:51 springs to mind as a video which predated 'Tron:Legacy' and paid tribute to 'Tron' and its motifs. Recently a new video has been released that really shows you how far 'Tron' has come in its 30 year life span. South Korean girl group The Wonder Girls have released a video which clearly is influenced by 'Tron'. None of the members of the famous KPOP band were even born when the movie came out. I would hazard a guess and say that they may have never seen the original 'Tron' but might have seen the most recent follow-up. 'Tron' in its 30 years has crossed oceans and its wonderful design, landscape and the sheer cultural impact make 'Tron' essential viewing.

Oddly enough many Disney animators refused to work on 'Tron' as they feared that CGI may replace them in the following years. They were right to notice the value of CGI as how many great movies have been created post-'Tron'. While you may laugh at how appalling it looks now you must bear in mind that this was ahead of its time. Or atleast I'll argue that for why it had such horrifying box office showings.

'Tron' may not have an award winning musical attached to its success; ala 'Lion King'. It may not have had characters up on stage dancing and singing to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un recently but it still deserves your attention. If you hate real life and want to live in a digital world, if you can't stand the Olympics and need something else to consume or even have a passing interest then I implore you to find and watch 'Tron'. Adore it as much as much as the crazy community out there does and if you fall in love then you know what to do next... build your very own Tron outfit.]]>
North Korean Traitors and South Korean Witch Hunts,2012:/theblog//3.1598517 2012-06-14T19:07:47-04:00 2012-06-15T08:59:57-04:00 Colin Pattinson
Lim Su Kyung, a member of the South Korean national assembly, allegedly berated a North Korean defector at a restaurant after he asked for a photo together. According to the victim, who uploaded his account onto facebook, she had been dining and drinking and upon finding out his identity as a North Korean defector denounced him as a "b*stard betrayer". This struck a nerve as although unsympathetic South Koreans are easy to find, hearing he had escaped the horrors of the north only to find a member of the government in his adopted nation launch a blistering attack on him and call him a traitor must have stung. The outburst came as a surprise to the rest of the South Korean public as Lim Su Kyung is known as the "flower of unification", a symbol who has campaigned for peaceful unification of the embittered nations. Lim was famous as a student who illegally entered North Korea and made her way to Pyongyang in order to attend the 1989 '13th World Festival of Youth and Students'. She was heralded in Pyongyang and on her return to Seoul was arrested for disobeying orders and crossing the border. To those who harbour desires for reunification she was a heroine, unfortunately she is now notorious for her rant.

Her rant has come at a time of a political witch-hunt for those who harbour pro-North Korean feelings. The ruling party & the main opposition party have joined together to expel two lawmakers from a minor left-wing political party. The accusations they faced were based around their links to North Korea and the possibilities they had passed on military intelligence to the Northern enemies. To those on the left and those who still hope for reunification this comes as a blow. Some claim that the atmosphere of neo-McCarthyism has been developed by the ruling party. Outgoing president Lee Myung-Bak has even bemoaned the lack of patriotism of some of his citizens in recent speeches. He has acknowledged how North Korean sympathisers are "problematic" and this has helped foster the idea that he is looking to strike at those who continue to have compassionate feelings towards North Korea.

Many young Koreans are dissatisfied with these recent predicaments. They have seen a ruling government impose crackdowns on their freedom of speech. There have been high profile arrests of Koreans who have criticised the president online and found themselves in the courtroom. It has never been an option to spout pro-North Korean comments publically but this new attack has reinvigorated thoughts on people's personal freedoms and their rights to their own beliefs.

North Korea recently chimed in with its own response to these recent crackdowns and has thrown another spanner in the works. They claim that the attacks on those who support their cause is entirely pointless as it's not just the left-leaning political groups that harbour these prohibited thoughts but even members of the ruling party themselves. They claim they can release documents showing all the compliments paid to them by high profile South Koreans. They declared:
"If we report all of what they told us during their visits, all South Koreans would be shocked".
This includes the future Presidential candidate, Park Guen-Hye. The ruling party's presidential candidate and the daughter of the most famous former South Korean president who visited the north on a non-political trip. She visited Pyongyang May 11th till the 14th in 2002 and it's been claimed that she paid compliments to Kim Jong-Il that would be a major embarrassment if released.

The issue is complicated and grabs headlines in the media and for this reason the major opposition party claim the whole issue is a case of smoke and mirrors. In an attempt to cover up the cracks of a disappointing term in office the ruling party is instigating these crackdowns and highlighting the threat from within to manipulate the headlines. These stories naturally are causing lots of attention and with elections upcoming a release of quotes from the future presidential candidate would cause a significant stir. It would be a major embarrassment for the ruling party if attempts to distract the public from their poor time in office only ended up blowing up in their faces and revealing details that would have benefited them to have remained hidden.]]>
Women Behaving Badly,2012:/theblog//3.1498930 2012-05-08T16:32:57-04:00 2012-05-08T16:32:37-04:00 Colin Pattinson
Recently there was a lady who received vicious criticism as she smoked and drank on the subway. The video was posted on YouTube and her scuffle and lack of respect for other passengers was clear for all to see, which caused a backlash on Korean message boards. Another 'ㅇㅇ girl' report surfaced recently and caused another stir on the usually clean and efficient Seoul subway system. This girl was delightfully named the "poo-poo girl," as she had squatted on a train with a number of bystanders who did not intervene and took a poo on the floor. May 7 produced another story, as "nudity girl" decided to spoil a weekend afternoon. She was intoxicated and argued with fellow passengers then proceeded to strip naked before being dragged off the train and arrested.

With a flood of stories coming thick and fast, Korean message boards have become awash with discussions about the deluge of recent female misdemeanors. To some, this is an epidemic of outrageous acts and many bemoan how uncivilized these women have become. It's interesting why women are specifically targeted in this criticism as there is no shortage of indecent acts by men -- so why only show a series of solely women behaving badly, if this is a serious problem is it not a unisex issue? A likely cause could simply be coincidence as media outlets scramble to create a story or theme to some separate events and group them under one overarching series of acts. Others, however, delve deeper and cite that women are being vindicated in these news stories and perhaps this is due to a male-led backlash. It could be a response to the reversal of gender roles within Korean society and the bitterness of the male population as they struggle to fulfill the high expectations of Korean females. The stories help to address the built-up angst of a male population that gets to openly criticize and release its frustrations with women over stories that individually have little meaning or importance. While Korean netizens bleat over these acts, there may be a broader issue that is not receiving as much coverage, buried underneath criticism of these women.

The women concerned in these stories have been found out to suffer from mental health issues, which may help to explain why they may behave in such a manner. There is an abundance of criticism to be found expelled on the Internet but little compassion. These stories should highlight the failings of care for the disabled; people confronting a bigger issue of how might a nation and society protect those who are in need. Instead, the women are dismissed as rabid crazies. It might be argued that these acts reflect badly on the lack of integration and care given to those who suffer from mental health issues in Korea. Despite being a developed, First World nation, there still appears a lack of empathy and coherent care for those with disabilities. These stories should perhaps highlight that more needs to be done in Korea to aid those with problems rather than lampooning them for the acts they commit.

In Korea the most common response to those with disabilities is to ignore them. Those with disabilities are often shunned, looked upon as untreatable. While those affected with disabilities may garnish sympathy from some it still seems that there is a lack of effort to try to assimilate the disabled population into society. These recent reports show that overwhelmingly subway users chose to try and ignore any uncomfortable situation or confront an issue otherwise these situations may not have gotten so extreme. In Korean culture it is impolite to recognize or draw attention to a humiliating act and losing one's dignity is a difficult pill to swallow. This may explain the lack of intervention in some of these acts and how these cases have escalated to become major incidents.

Unfortunately, if events begin to get out of hand it may take a more forthright older citizen to intervene as they are the oldest and most likely to confront a fellow passenger. As many of the videos portray this intervention is often not done very tactfully and can only make the situation more distressing. Also it is important to note that in a society such as Korea's, if those with disabilities are constantly shamed and ostracized from their own close-knit society, it is bound to have a negative effect. A society that is founded on acting as a unit instead of an individual it will not harness much sympathy to relentlessly chastise these acts without thinking of the bigger picture. Deeming these women as simply demented offenders and casting them out, shaming them in public does not cure the situation -- if anything, it only inflames it. Senior figures within government or the media should perhaps make greater efforts to guide the coverage into a more reflective realm. You cannot enforce someone to feel sympathy for these women but perhaps you can shed more light on the struggles they face and the need for greater care and social awareness.

Sadly, nearly 10 years ago an incident transpired that highlighted the dissatisfaction of treatment of those with disabilities within Korea. On Feb. 18, 2003, Kim Dae-Han started a fire while riding the subway, killing nearly 200 passengers. Riding the subway in a city named Daegu, where the World Athletic Championships were held last year, he became so malcontent with how he had been treated after suffering a stroke years earlier that he decided to take action. His initial desire was to commit suicide publicly, perhaps hoping to draw attention to this struggles that his society had placed him under. He boarded the train with cartons of flammable liquid that set ablaze after a struggle and spread to other carriages quickly. The trains were inadequately prepared for such an emergency, as there were no fire extinguishers on the trains and the stations were not equipped well enough to deal with the blaze. The event did spark a lot of soul-searching with the nation but perhaps this recent spread of videos should highlight an issue that may still need addressing. Many have been quick to condemn the acts but there may be a deeper question that needs to be asked by those on message boards. These women may be a product of their environment; a nation that is not adequately supporting its disabled population rather than single acts of indecent women.]]>
North Korea Rocket Launch: Losers and Losers,2012:/theblog//3.1415338 2012-04-10T13:23:04-04:00 2012-06-10T05:12:01-04:00 Colin Pattinson
For a long time North Korea operated a policy of more indirect attacks on its southern foes. It sent Special Forces commandos to assassinate the then president, Park Chung-Hee, in 1968. They were ordered to storm the Blue House, Korean version of the White House that still stands today, but ultimately failed.

Many years later in 1987 the North instructed two operatives to carry out a terrorist attack on the Korean Air flight 858. They were successful as the bomb went off on route to Bangkok but the perpetrators were eventually caught. They had placed a bomb on board a flight before getting off the plane at the connecting airport in Abu Dhabi and flew onwards to Bahrain were they were held back due to the discovery they were travelling on fake passports. Upon being discovered they tried to take cyanide pills before being linked to the bombings but a Bahraini police officer miraculously yanked the pill, which was concealed in a cigarette, out of the lady spy's mouth before it could take effect - the other older gentlemen being more successful.

The pretty spy would later become a bit of an icon after confessing to her actions after days and days of interrogation. These acts show a nation attacking its foe in a small, contained and covert way. North Korea for a long time has tried to infiltrate the south with spies and show its ability to cause harm on a small scale rather than in open battle.

More worryingly recently though is the more overt attacks that have become more frequent. We have already witnessed the North sinking the Cheonan, despite its claims that it was not responsible. In 2010 it sank the Cheonan ship killing 46 sailors, the subsequent investigation deeming a North Korean torpedo responsible. Then later in the same year the Yeonpyeong island was shelled by the North with civilians being caught in the attacks. Now it seems that the rocket launch is a ploy to test for long range missiles under the pretence of a peaceful act. If the DPRK are really interested in such weaponry then it's a concern for all as this gives them another tool in their arsenal to use at their disposal. It's already bad enough when you arm a man with a knife and pistol but if you give him a rocket launcher then escalation is bound to occur.

Who gains from this added threat? If successful the launch may pave the way for the DPRK to create and arm themselves with long range missiles. However they will remain in the same isolation as always. They are faced with the same conundrums as before, attack the South or Japan and they'll be bombed out of the face of existence. So it doesn't immediately give them any extra bargaining tool as their recent actions aren't garnishing a lot of support for the North and aid is becoming hard to justify for a country so brazenly unafraid to stick to the rules imposed on them. What it does though is it gives the nation a bigger fist to throw if it does decide to throw its last roll of the dice and go on an all out assault. In the event of sheer desperation and need it would give the country a resource to cause far more damage than previously possible.

China would benefit as a strong North Korea is good as a buffer and ally if it can find its feet again and be prosperous. However, currently China will be more worried about the damage the North could do and drag China into some uncomfortable international drama that it would prefer to avoid as the country continues to march forward with its own development. China will not appreciate the tensions that the North may cause in the region and will not be joyous at the prospect of further troubles in North-East Asia.

South Korea and Japan remain in a similar situation. Still under threat and unsure of their unstable neighbour. Nothing much has changed as orders from Pyongyang on any given day could have an army of North Koreans march over the border and flood into Seoul. The dilemma remains the same. An enemy that is powerful and determined who may like the same technological advantages but still is dangerous.

The USA and Russia remain watching on the sidelines. If the rocket burns up and veers into Korean or Japanese airspace then tensions are sure to rise and be hard to contain. The US has its responsibilities with South Korea and as always should anything escalate then the US will be on hand to provide assistance. Russia tends to be forgotten in these matters as it's the impartial player in this regional game. No doubt they will keep a close eye on developments but will likely play no substantial role as the rocket is due south and not towards or into its territory.

Therefore if the rocket is a disguise for testing for the future development of long range missiles then it's a path that yields no significant winners. It only makes the playing field larger and more dangerous. The stakes remain the same and players are in the same positions as before. It seems a dangerously odd attempt by the North and considering its continued need for assistance. The cat and mouse game it plays in world politics of offering a bit of peace in order for aid can only be played for so long before the well of sympathy runs dry and they are left to starve. The doomed path that they lead if they choose to operate more aggressive and direct attacks to gain attention will not end favourably. Let's hope the rocket sticks to playing patriotic music and not a catalyst for a more dangerous future.]]>
North Korea and How the Church Can Bring Democracy,2012:/theblog//3.1230335 2012-01-25T06:29:30-05:00 2012-03-26T05:12:01-04:00 Colin Pattinson
There is one group in Korean history that might possess the key to be able to enact such a change. A group that came over great odds and possesses great power and influence in modern South Korea. The group is the Christian church. Which may appear odd at first if you assumed South Korea was largely Buddhist. The success of Christianity within Korea might provide a possible avenue that democracy could travel through to access North Korea and its masses.

At first missionaries in Korea faced resistance, they were killed and tortured, but eventually they began to make a telling impact in Korean society. In the late 19th century Korea began to shed it's tag as a hermit kingdom and move towards modernisation. The missionaries played a key role in this and their work brought Western expertise and funding into the region. Missionaries who were backed generously from back home built hospitals and schools. They brought Western medicine, teaching methods and ideas.

The most notable perhaps still exist in Seoul today, the Severance hospital and Ehwa's women's university. The women's university in particular was at the forefront of social and political change. It's inception demonstrated a key shift in social change and was an excellent tactic to spread the word of the church. The church used women to access communities and preach Christianity. These 'Bible Women' broke free of prior traditional constraints and held a new found responsibility which they had never had before. They took to the role with zealous passion and now had an access to education which was previously barred from them.

They learnt to read, write and hold important roles in the community. The university later, during times of political uprisings and upheaval, was the stomping ground for many prominent female protesters for campaigned for freedom from Japan or for democracy instead of dictatorships. The breaking down of this traditional Confucian hierarchy and the benefits missionaries brought to Korea gave them as a collective a respected role in society. No longer persecuted they began to be looked too as voices in political matters and as a voice of the people.

Throughout South Korea's post-war years of dictatorship Christian priests called for democracy. Park Chung-Hee, the controversial dictator who brought prosperity to South Korea and laid the foundations of it's economic successes, had key members of the church silenced as well as his political opponents as they all cried out for democracy. Another key group who called for democracy and hold great power for political change in Korea are the students. Due to Confucianism, that values education, students are looked on more favourably here than in other nations.

They're typically not depicted as lazy slobs watching daytime TV but instead have had a hand in modern Korea's past political movements and route to democracy. They however are a group that stands little chance of making the same strides in North Korea. In North Korea only those most loyal to the party can attend the most prestigious schools in Pyongyang. They are hand picked and if you want to get ahead in the restrictive state then you need to play ball with the regime or face damning your entire future and the name of your family. With such pressures and looming threat it seems unlikely a coordinated student uprising could occur. There is no freedom of speech and organising a group or arena in which to voice complaints is far too risky. Unlike in South Korea's history the conditions simply aren't present for a student led political voice to call for change. The church has an advantage of endless will and mild international protection. A worldwide network of believers can reassure a missionary and know that international attention could be accessed if something untoward occured. A student who keeps his inner thoughts to himself does not have the same reassurances.

In fact North Korea was once home to a thriving Christian community. Pre-Korean War, Pyongyang was known to harbour a significant Christian community in Asia, second only to Manila (heavily Catholic). Kim Il Sung's mother and father were reportedly devout Christians. The eternal president swept this under the rug however under the advice of the Soviets. The Soviets advocated that Kim Il Sung should pursue a cult of personality rather than a cult of religion. The communist forces were not to fond of the Christian community within Pyongyang and during the Korean war they were made to flee south. Many Christians resettled in Seoul and helped to lay the foundations of the Christian community you can see today (including a church within Seoul that holds the record as having the largest Pentecostal Christian congregation in the world). In Pyongyang three Christian churches officially remain, however most report these as simply fronts for the regime. The government say that religious freedom is accepted legally however straying away from the grasps of the regime and into the arms of Christ would realistically not be accepted. Freedom is not a word you associate with North Korea and its people.

While the regime still has a tight control on all aspects of society, a religious route might be able to make the greatest in roads into the North. The Christian community does not lack in enthusiastic people to give aid to North Korea. Christian groups send balloons over the DMZ filled with the word of Christ and extolling democracy. There are an abundance of missionaries lining up at the Chinese border. There have been reports of missionaries holding North Koreans captive within China in order to drum up extra cash or missionaries killed by North Korean operatives on Chinese soil. Although with varying success it is without doubt that it remains a group dedicated to accessing North Korea and trying to improve it from within. They also have an advantage in that Christianity is an easier belief system to transition too.

Many refugees become Christian after escaping North Korea. It could be because of the sense of community that they no longer feel while being in a capitalist state or that transferring their devotion to God instead of their leaders helps them overcome the initial barriers of the new world they face. Thus a possible scenario were Christians might gain an opportunity to access the North and its people could be if yet more food shortages or lack of supplies befalls North Korea. If other world powers ignore and are unwilling to help the North may need to look for another source to fill the gap. That gap could be the ever willing Christians. If given access and opportunity it could be a way for them to make roots in the society and ween people away from the cult of personality and into a group willing to adopt democracy.

Christians remain a key group who are persistent in their efforts but also historically bring a democratic influence with them. A democratic seed could be fostered within the people if a free of state-control setting could be established, the church could be haven and a home to all those anti-party thoughts that may float secretly inside the head of those unwilling to voice them. If North Korea is to seek democracy it is unlikely to happen suddenly. Decades of propaganda and a distrust of the West will not be easy to shake but if given the correct conditions the influence of the church could redress the balance and offer a new voice in the state and could dictate it's future.
The Secret Views Of the Death of Kim Jong Il,2011:/theblog//3.1157376 2011-12-23T06:39:50-05:00 2012-02-22T05:12:01-05:00 Colin Pattinson
Hysteria, sadness, wailing, tears, anger. All can be seen in the video. To many viewers it would appear that the death of Kim Jong-Il has rocked the North Korean nation to its very core and that they have lost a man they adored with every ounce of their being. That conclusion is easy to come too but if you dig deeper what you'll find instead is a different outpouring, an artificial one.

In 1994, Kim Il-Sung the eternal leader of North Korea died. He was a popular figure and just like in the video above there was hysteria and floods of tears aplenty. The same process is occurring all over again for his son. North Koreans are flocking to monuments to pay their respects. Not out of love but out of safety.

North Korea is a very complex dystopia. By all accounts there are informants to state police around every corner, listening to every word. There is no privacy and each building complex has its own correspondent to the state police who will report each week of any odd dealings or signs of dissent against the party. For this reason, much like in 1994, you have no choice but to follow the crowd. Staying home or curling up in bed and taking the morning off while others mourn is not an option. If you are not in attendance then you are not supporting the party, if you are not supporting the party then it's very likely you'll need to be re-educated or sent to a labour camp (a modern gulag). One of which you are unlikely to ever escape.

In the excellent Nothing to Envy: Real Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick a young North Korean teacher retells the events on Kim Il-Sung's death. How she was made to go daily to the monument to mourn, much like is happening right now during the official mourning period. Also doctors, nurses, party members, soldiers, students, all must pay homage. In the mass gatherings, hysteria breaks out. Each person trying to out-do one another. Stepping up to the monument with no tears would be an act of treason.

Thus, much like the scenes you see above, the wails escalate and as one tries to out-do another it descends into a huge outpouring.

It's not as simple to say that everyone is play-acting however. This is a nation fed endless amounts of propaganda and to some Kim Jong-Il will be missed. He is portrayed as a mother-figure who protects the nations with his diligence against the evils of the outside world. With him gone there will naturally be fear and worry that the perceived evil of America, Japan or the South will attack and enslave the population as Japanese colonizers did pre-1945. The loyalists to the party that reside in Pyongyang will have lost the leader they know who was groomed for power and was entrenched in the party. Now they face uncertain times with a young, relatively unknown leader who is now blessed with a nation to run. For those, the emotions are real.

The video at first appears shocking but it's what is inside the minds of those who dwell on the edges of society that is now most important. Those loyal party members are likely to stick resolutely to the rules but those who have suffered at the hands of the party will be the ones secretly celebrating. The children who roam the streets each day desperate for food or the women who have to sell their bodies in order for them to have a simple meal. They are the ones that are thinking, perhaps secretly trapped away in their minds as they fall to the floor and weep in public, Kim Jong Il's death may be for the best.]]>
South Korea : The Day After the News,2011:/theblog//3.1159568 2011-12-20T04:43:04-05:00 2012-02-18T05:12:02-05:00 Colin Pattinson


