When asked which country poses the most serious threat, China, Russia, Iran or North Korea, Mattis says: "in terms of URGENCY, North Korea is the problem." #RNDF2018

— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) December 1, 2018

Probably not the best venue to let his views on radical feminists be known:

Rapper San E’s explosive remarks against online radical feminist communities during a concert have stirred up yet another controversy.

Hip-hop label Brand New Music held its year-end “Brand New Year 2018” concert at Jamil Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

There, San E offended females by saying in English, “Are there any WOMADs or Megalians (referring to online communities for radical groups that support misandry and female chauvinism) out there?

“One thing I want to say to you is that I don’t give a xxxx. Feminist NO, that’s mental sickness. WOMADs and Megalians are social evil.” After his remarks, the angry crowd shouted for an apology and the concert was interrupted for several minutes.

His appearance on stage had met with a chilly reception ― he recently came under fire for posting on YouTube a controversial song targeting feminists.  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link.

The only problem with this is that Kim Jong-un’s wish is to keep his nukes and have sanctions dropped:

US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

As officials work to arrange a second meeting between Trump and Kim, South Korea’s Moon Jae-in relayed a message to reporters given to him by the US president to pass on to the North’s leader.

“And the message was that President Trump has a very friendly view of Chairman Kim and that he likes him, and so he wishes Chairman Kim would implement the rest of their agreement and that he would make what Chairman Kim wants come true,” Moon told the Yonhap news agency while en route to New Zealand.  [AFP]

You can read more at the link.

In a city filled with riot police, why can't (or won't) the South Korean government protect the safety & freedom to speak of its most prominent dissident in exile? https://t.co/znChDnwAzT

— Joshua Stanton (@freekorea_us) December 1, 2018

Please leave anything you want to discuss in the comments section.

Metal workers union members (under the militant Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) beat company exec b/c the firm was negotiating w another labor union. Police blocked by 30 or so unionists, waits while beating occurs for 40 minutes. Beaters threaten exec's family too. https://t.co/nZDGXZP5W9

— Tara O (@DrTaraO) November 28, 2018

It is pretty strange that Korean War veterans are intentionally excluded from a Korean War memorial event:

I felt a little foolish this year when reporters and others present at the Turn Toward Busan ceremony at the UN Cemetery on Nov. 11 congratulated me for being prominently mentioned in the program. Some thought I was actually present, among the various dignitaries.

I wasn’t there. Nor were any veterans invited from the various nations that sent soldiers to fight in Korea during the war years.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs excluded the aging veterans from participating this year. Instead, they gave more than 100 places usually reserved for veterans to family members of those who fell in the war.

While no veteran will object to giving up his place to a bonafide grieving family member of a comrade, it was a major error of the MPVA to exclude veterans.

Ironically, the ceremony gave the impression that veterans from the many nations were actually present. The huge video screens set up on each side of the altar displayed a sign in English that read, “Thanks, Veterans.” But they were not there.

Bereaved family members are much younger than the veterans. In most cases they will be on this Earth much longer. Presumably, they will continue to be invited to Korea long after the veterans revisit programs end in 2020.

In several cases the family members invited were very distant relatives of the fallen soldiers. They were not born until many years after the Korean War ended, and never met or actually grieved for the fallen soldiers.

While their presence does perpetuate the memory of those who fell, it also excluded participation by those who served alongside those soldiers ― those who fought in the war and were spared.  [Korea Times]

I don’t understand what the problem is with adding more chairs to accommodate family members and veterans?  Why exclude veterans especially when they have been invited in prior years.

Here is what Dr. Tara O thinks is going on:

Min of Patriots & Veterans Affairs didn't invite Korean War vets from UN Sending States this year, unlike in the past. Many are in 80s. The Minister is Pi Woo-jin, who strongly supports Moon, whose priority is Kim Jong-un. How does Kim feel re UN vets?https://t.co/rekH21tM2e

— Tara O (@DrTaraO) November 29, 2018