Is this the first time that someone from the UN has advocated for the use of near slave labor?:

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday he will visit the inter-Korean industrial complex in North Korea’s border city of Kaesong this week to help ease inter-Korean tensions.

“I reiterate my willingness to do whatever it takes to contribute to improving inter-Korean relations and promoting reconciliation and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Ban said during a press conference at the World Education Forum in Songdo, west of Seoul.

On Thursday, Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, will be the first U.N. chief to visit the complex, which has been symbolic of inter-Korean reconciliation since its launch in 2004. He will also be the first U.N. chief to visit North Korea in more than 20 years.

“The Kaesong project is a win-win model for both Koreas,” he said. “It symbolizes a good way to tap the advantages of the Koreas in a complementary manner.”  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link.

If parents can use technology like this to monitor their kids imagine what companies or the government could monitor?

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — “Smart Relief” is a mobile app for parental control of Android smartphones. South Korea’s government funded the app, which alerts parents to possible bullying based on its monitoring of phrases and words used in smartphone messages and in online searches. The developer says it can also give parents insight into the worries or preoccupations of their children.

Such apps are criticized in South Korea as an invasion of privacy but their use is burgeoning, particularly after the country’s telecoms regulator ordered monitoring applications be installed on the smartphones of Koreans aged 18 and below. Smart Relief is not one of the 15 apps authorized for use in that program but shares similar features with them.

—

The app monitors about 800 words and phrases in messages including:

Threat, kill, shut up, violence, destroy, handicap, crazy, prostitute, garbage, thief, porn, suicide, pregnancy, inn, obscene, sex, sexual crime, sexual relationship, prostitution, motel, beer, rape, adultery, run away from home, outcast.  [Associated Press]

You can read more at the link. 

This is definitely the end of an era:

SEOUL, South Korea — Generations of soldiers have set off on this test of physical and mental endurance armed with what will be their most potent weapons: sturdy, broken-in boots and several pairs of thick socks.

On Wednesday, the decades-old tradition will come to an end when the 2nd Infantry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment hosts its final Manchu Mile in South Korea as the unit prepares to inactivate.

“I think bittersweet is a good word to use,” Commander Lt. Col. Scott Knight said. “It’s the last one we’re doing on the peninsula. It’s in conjunction with our inactivation. It’s a lot of goodbyes that are involved, so it’s an awesome experience to go out on a high note.”

The 25-mile march with backpacks is held twice each year to commemorate the unit’s 85-mile march in China during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The 2-9 will inactivate in July as part of a move toward increased use of U.S. rotational forces on the peninsula.  [Stars and Stripes]

You can read more at the link. 

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

Four Korean films to be screened at @cannes Film Festival http://t.co/MJ4OdiceCY pic.twitter.com/jyTra84kEh

— The Korea Times (@koreatimes) May 12, 2015

South Korean singer BoA responds to reporters’ questions during a showcase in Seoul on May 11, 2015 to promote her eighth album “Kiss My Lips.” (Yonhap)

Condolences to the family of this deceased airman:

A wooden frame encapsulated Kevin Bittinger’s military life — an American flag folded in a triangle, medals, and Air Force pins held his accomplishments, showcasing his dedication to serving his country.

The boxy frame was shown to his mother, Cindy Bittinger, on Monday. She nodded in approval and attempted to hold back tears for her son.

Kevin Bittinger, formerly of Wapakoneta, died at Osan Air Base while serving in South Korea as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Though the circumstances surrounding his death remained under investigation, his family was trying to come to terms with their loss. He was 24 years old.

Bittinger’s remains were brought back to Wapakoneta on Monday from South Korea. Family, friends and strangers gathered and participated in a processional, led by the Ohio Patriot Guard.

“It was awesome to see so many people honor Kevin. But it’s heartbreaking, too. You know, I think every one of these guys deserve that and it’s just … Kevin would have thought that was so neat. It’s awesome to see the support of our county,” Cindy Bittinger said.

Tori Wynn, a friend and a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, also escorted Kevin Bittinger’s remains home to Wapakoneta from South Korea. Wynn is stationed in Japan.

Wynn said of the support shown, “It was amazing.”

At the time of his death a senior airman, Kevin Bittinger joined the Air Force right after he graduated Wapakoneta High School in 2009. He had been on active duty for nearly six years.

After his death, the U.S. Air Force issued a news release about the incident.

Kevin “Bittinger, a Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman, was assigned to the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron and arrived at Osan in May 2014,” according to the statement.

“The loss of Kevin is a devastating blow to the team,” said Lt. Col. Jack Wheeldon, 51st CES commander in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. From RED HORSE to Prime BEEF, Kevin has done so much for the Air Force and he will be truly missed.”

The U.S. Air Force declined further comment.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link.

Ever heard of Uljin? Neither have we – http://t.co/Ml6XWtMtnk pic.twitter.com/tz7IKvLYp2

— Hiexpat Korea (@HiExpat) May 12, 2015

Members of an anti-nuclear civic group shout slogans during a rally in front of the Nuclear Safety Commission, South Korea’s nuclear watchdog, in Seoul, on May 12, 2015, to demand that the commission close nuclear reactors. (Yonhap)

Some more strategic messaging to the ROK from the North Koreans in regards to the NLL:

The blue line is the current NLL while red line is what the North Koreans believe should be the NLL.

North Korea carried out a firing drill near the tensely patrolled western maritime border with the South for a second consecutive day on Thursday, raising tension on the peninsula following its new missile test.

The North fired about 190 rounds of shells from a warship and its coastal artillery from 7:10 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), but none of the artillery rounds landed on the south side of the sea border, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.  [Yonhap]