The use of paper straws was a bad idea from the start and it appears Starbucks Korea is trying to couse change:
Around 200 Starbucks stores in South Korea are testing out plant-based plastic straws after customers complained about the durability of the coffee chain’s paper straws. Starbucks Korea, which operates approximately 2,000 stores, on Wednesday introduced bioplastic straws made from sugarcane, a company spokeswoman said by phone Thursday.
The company received complaints — many of them from customers at branches in hospitals and family housing districts — about the durability of the paper straws, prompting Starbucks to explore other materials, the spokeswoman said.
You can read more at the link, but what is the most ridiculous thing about the paper straws is that depending on what you order, they serve it to you in a plastic cup with a plastic lid. If Starbucks was so concerned about the environment why didn’t they use only paper cups and biodegradable lids?
The air defense Soldiers based in both Korea and Japan that were recently deployed to the Middle East saw significant combat action in defense of Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar:
Among the soldiers on guard at Al Udeid, the oldest was a 28-year-old captain and the youngest a 21-year-old private, Caine said. The Patriot crews had arrived in Qatar from South Korea and Japan to bolster defenses. As scores of missiles approached the base, the Patriot crews fired to intercept.
Caine said he was aware of reports that some of the incoming fire got through, but he suggested that it was debris. “Between attacking missiles being hit by Patriots, boosters from attacking missiles being hit by Patriots, the Patriots themselves flying around and the debris from those Patriots hitting the ground, there was a lot of metal flying around,” Caine said. There were no reported injuries connected to Iran’s missiles. “We believe that this is the largest single Patriot engagement in U.S. military history,” Caine said.
Seoul subway base fare to rise by 150 won from June 28Passengers walk past turnstiles at a subway station in Seoul on June 27, 2025, one day before the base fare for subway rides in the Seoul metropolitan area will increase by 150 won (US$0.10) to 1,550 won for card users and 1,650 won for those buying tickets in cash. (Yonhap)
The North Korean media for the first time is showing that North Korean Soldiers have been killed in Ukraine:
North Korea’s state media aired Monday images of its leader Kim Jong-un mourning over his soldiers believed to have been killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The images, released by Korean Central Television, showed Kim solemnly placing a North Korean flag over a coffin during a ceremony for the return of the remains of North Korean soldiers who were deployed and killed in Moscow’s war against Kyiv.
A fighter pilot with more than 400 combat flight hours assumed command of the U.S. fighter wing closest to North Korea in a ceremony at this base Friday. Air Force Col. Ryan Ley, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, took charge of the 51st Fighter Wing from Col. William McKibban in front of roughly 250 airmen inside a hangar at Osan, roughly 30 miles from Seoul.
Ley was previously the deputy commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Prior to that, he was the chief of Combat Air Forces Division at the Directorate of Training and Readiness at the Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon.
I don’t get what people find so great about Squid Game, but obviously some people really love it to justify holding a parade in Seoul to promote its third season:
“Squid Game” swept through Seoul on Saturday night as a large-scale parade featuring towering character installations and figurines from the Netflix megahit marched through the heart of the city, drawing crowds of eager fans along Sejong-daero.
Co-hosted by Netflix and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the parade kicked off at around 7:50 p.m., about 20 minutes behind schedule. Held to celebrate the premiere of the show’s third and final season, which debuted on Netflix on Friday, the procession traveled from Gwanghwamun to Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall.
S. Korea’s only remaining coal mine set to be closed A group of miners riding a mine car enters a mine tunnel at the Dogye Coal Mine in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, northeastern South Korea, on June 27, 2025. The country’s only remaining mine maintaining operations under the state-run Korea Coal Co. will be closed July 1, 88 years after it opened, as coal output has declined with the nation shifting toward greener energy sources. (Yonhap)
I think Trump was probably referring to any provocation that happens on the peninsula he would use his relationship with Kim Jong-un to get it resolved:
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States will “get the conflict solved” with North Korea if there is one, reiterating that he has had a “good” relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump made the remarks during a press availability, apparently reiterating his openness to reengaging with the recalcitrant regime, as his administration has stated its commitment to the “complete denuclearization” of North Korea.
“If there is a conflict … I get along with him very, very well, and we’ll get the conflict solved with North Korea,” Trump said, when asked to confirm an NK News report that he had sent a letter to Kim, which North Korean diplomats in New York refused to accept.
