This photo taken on Aug. 15, 2016, shows 2nd Infantry Division Commander Theodore D. Martin making a salute to a KATUSA veteran after awarding him a letter of appreciation during the 66th anniversary of KATUSA’s foundation held at Camp Jackson in Uijeongbu, northern Seoul. (Yonhap)
The Korean Augmentation Troops to the U.S. Army (KATUSA) celebrated the 66th anniversary of its foundation Monday, according to the KATUSA Veterans Association.
Some 400 U.S. military officials, KATUSA war veterans, KATUSA reservists and active-duty KATUSA soldiers participated in the event at Camp Jackson, a U.S. military base, in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul.
KATUSA Veterans Association Chairman Kim Jong-wook and 2nd Infantry Division Commander Theodore D. Martin were among the participants. Chairman Kim delivered a welcoming speech following a silent tribute to patriotic martyrs and then Commander Martin as guest speaker gave a keynote speech on the meaning of the 66th anniversary for the two allies.
Commander Martin said KATUSA has operated like a set of well-running wheels for the U.S. and South Korean armies for the past 66 years. He asked KATUSA soldiers to continue their bridging role in strengthening the bilateral alliance.
“Today, the strength of the KATUSA Program serves as a symbol of the friendship and continued commitment between the two countries. This strength is vital, and it enhances our combined ability to deter aggression and maintain peace in the Korean Peninsula,” he said. [Yonhap]
You can read more at the link to include a story about a South Korean family that had three generations serve in the KATUSA program. The KATUSA program has definitely been a success since its founding by General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War.
Considering all the black face and big nose caricatures used in the Korean media, South Koreans really do not have much of a moral high ground to stand on with this issue:
South Korean football fans became upset when a spectator allegedly abusing Asians was shown on TV as South Korea beat Fiji.
At the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil, on Aug. 5, a man made “slanted eyes,” a Western gesture to make fun of Asians’ eyes.
Some regard the act as racially offensive.
South Koreans were even more embarrassed when they learned that the man was cheering for South Korea.
He was holding a national flag and wearing a red T-shirt just like South Korean fans. [Korea Times]
Hopefully everyone recovers from their injuries with no serious issues:
Two Apache helicopters collided Friday at Camp Humphreys, injuring four U.S. soldiers, a spokesman said.
The AH-64 helicopters were getting ready to take off when the collision occurred at the base south of Seoul, said Lt. Col. Richard Hyde, the 2nd Infantry Division spokesman.
The four soldiers were taken to nearby hospitals with minor injuries, but all have been released, he said Sunday.
The military did not give a cause, saying an investigation is under way. [Stars & Stripes]
A child finds a private cozy spot to cool down from the blistering heat at a waterfall in Sogwipo, a city on South Korea’s southern resort island of Jeju, on Aug. 12, 2016. (Yonhap)
It makes me wonder how many of these type of bars are operating in Seoul especially since according to the article the bar is perfectly legal:
A clandestine bar where couples openly have sex and watch other couples having sex has been operating in the middle of Seoul, a TV network reported Thursday.
Couples in their 20s to 40s hand in their mobile phones and other belongings before the sex party, which includes group sex and swapping.
The bar is on the third floor of a building in the middle of Hongdae, one of Seoul’s busiest night-out areas, according to TV Chosun.
There are shower booths and cleansers for women to use after sex.
The bar even runs a blog where readers can find explicit reviews, a bulletin board aimed at foreigners, and photos of a dressing room that holds erotic clothing, TV Chosun said.
The bar has remained confidential for seven years, thanks to strict security checks. It is open only to members, who must make a reservation. [Korea Times]
A bunch of western aid workers were beaten and gang raped and one journalist murdered by South Sudanese soldiers and the United Nations peacekeepers nearby did nothing to intervene:
About 20 minutes later, a Quick Reaction Force of Ethiopians from the multinational U.N. mission was tasked to intervene, coordinating with South Sudan’s army chief of staff, Paul Malong, who was also sending soldiers. But the Ethiopian battalion stood down, according to the timeline. Malong’s troops eventually abandoned their intervention too because it took too long for the Quick Reaction Force to act.
The American who was released early in the assault and made it to the U.N. base said he also alerted U.N. staff. At around dusk, a U.N. worker he knew requested three different battalions to send a Quick Reaction Force.
“Everyone refused to go. Ethiopia, China, and Nepal. All refused to go,” he said. [Associated Press]
You can read more at the link, but why have peacekeepers if they are not going to keep the peace? This seems to be a reoccurring problem with United Nations troops. Considering that the ROK Army has peacekeepers in South Sudan it makes me wonder what they would do if faced with this same situation?
Here is a horrible story of murderous firefighter in Anseong:
A 50-year-old firefighter was arrested on Wednesday after attempting to rob a house to pay back his gambling debts, only to be caught by the two homeowners, who he then murdered before burning their house to cover his tracks.
According to the police in Anseong, Gyeonggi, the firefighter broke into a two-story house located around Dangwang-dong, Anseong, at around 3 p.m. on Aug. 1, where a 64-year-old man and his 57-year-old wife were living.
The firefighter was not listed as a usual suspect by police at the time, but his crimes were revealed when he attempted to commit suicide by drinking herbicide and throwing himself off from the rooftop of an apartment at around 4:50 p.m on Wednesday. [Joong Ang Ilbo]
This probably isn’t too surprising to most people:
For the fourth year in a row, North Korea’s Air Koryo has claimed the dubious honor of being ranked the worst carrier in the world.
But Air Koryo may not be that bad, according to online reviews. (……..)
Among the features that raised concerns among reviewers was the onboard meal of hamburgers made of a “mystery meat,” safety demonstrations that often were skipped, entertainment that consisted of propaganda films played in a loop and overhead luggage racks with no doors to keep bags from falling down on fliers during turbulence. [LA Times]
