Here we go again with the nuclear-free pipe dream; can anyone explain a good rationale of why Kim Jong-un should give up his nuclear weapons?:

 U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Thursday he would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un only on the condition that the latter agrees to reduce his country’s nuclear capabilities.

“On the condition that (Kim) would agree that he would be drawing down his nuclear capacity. To get that,” Biden said when asked on what preconditions that he would agree to meet the North Korean leader.

“The Korean Peninsula should be a nuclear-free zone,” he added while speaking in the second and last presidential TV debate with his Republican rival, President Donald Trump.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

With everyone already scared of the coronavirus now there is a new fear, the flu vaccine:

Public fear is escalating over the safety of the seasonal flu vaccination after a series of deaths among people who had recently received the vaccination, although the health authorities have said there was no connection.

As of 4 p.m., Thursday, the number of deaths nationwide of people who had been vaccinated against the seasonal influenza increased to 25, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). 

An increasing number of elderly people here are expressing concerns over the vaccination as most cases were in this age group, although the KDCA repeated that the deaths were not associated with the flu shots.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link, but 25 is a lot of people. To put that is perspective that is the amount of people killed by the coronavirus in South Korea since September 30th.

You can also read my prior posting about the Blue House Raid at the below link:

This is what China expects BTS to do:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the cemetery of Chinese soldiers who fell during the 1950-53 Korean War to mark the anniversary of their participation in the conflict, state media said Thursday.

It appears be in line with Kim’s push to further strengthen bilateral ties with China at a time when the North is in need of support from the ally amid stagnant economic growth and stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States. 

Kim visited “the martyrs of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) in Hoechang County, South Pyongan Province, and paid a high tribute to them on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People’s Volunteers into the Korean front,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

I have always said that the Korean police can remove these protesters any time they wanted, the ROK government just chooses not to until recently:

The defense ministry on Thursday brought non-weapon materials and construction equipment onto a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in central South Korea after riot police dispersed protesters opposed to the deployment of the American anti-missile defense system.

The shipments transported into the base for the THAAD system in the central town of Seongju, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, included daily necessities for base troops and construction equipment and materials to be used to improve their living facilities, according to the ministry.

Their transportation was completed after riot police dispersed about 70 Seongju residents and civic activists, who had occupied a small bridge leading to the THAAD base from early morning to block any vehicles from approaching the military facility.

The protesters tied themselves up into ladder-like structures installed on the bridge to resist the police and shouted various slogans against THAAD.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

You better start checking under the couch for any change you can find to help pay for this new LG TV:

LG Electronics Inc. on Tuesday released the world’s first rollable TV in South Korea at a jaw-dropping price of 100 million won (US$87,000) as the tech giant aims to target high-end consumers amid the pandemic. 

The company said overseas launch schedules of LG Signature OLED R have not been fixed yet due to the COVID-19 situation in each country. 

LG said the product, which uses flexible OLED display that leverages self-lighting pixel technology, is designed to deliver a differentiated user experience to high-end consumers and strengthen its position in the premium TV market.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but what would someone use a rollable TV for?

The BTS controversy in China has escalated:

South Korean Ambassador to China Jang Ha-sung said Wednesday that he has taken issue with a senior Beijing official over the reported suspension of the delivery of some merchandise featuring K-pop superband BTS.

Jang made the remarks during a video-linked parliamentary audit session following reports that the Chinese logistics firm, Yunda Express, and other firms have boycotted the shipments of goods related to BTS.

The boycott came after BTS faced online rebukes in China earlier this month following its member’s remarks honoring the sacrifices of South Koreans and Americans during the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Chinese troops fought in support of North Korean forces.

Yonhap

You can read more a the link, but like I said in my prior posting could you imagine what would happen if BTS recognized Chinese and Japanese troops that fought in World War II in China. The 50 Cent Army would be attacking BTS for recognizing the Japanese troops that tried to destroy China, which is the same thing the Chinese troops during the Korean War tried to do to the ROK. 

It is pretty clear that the Chinese propaganda apparatus is trying to put BTS in its place and letting them know they better always talk positively about China or else. This usually works with most companies, players, and entertainers, but will it work BTS? I suspect they will probably get in line with Chinese propaganda to maintain access to the Chinese market.