Tag: Seoul

US Secretary of Defense Says There Are Military Options Against North Korea that Don’t Put Seoul at Risk

Of course the United States has military options that do not threaten Seoul.  In fact one was just executed with the recent B-1 show of force bombing exercise in South Korea.  The real question is if there are military options to remove North Korea’s ICBM and nuclear facilities without endangering Seoul:

The United States has military options for North Korea that do not put Seoul at grave risk, Washington’s top defense official said Monday.

The remark by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis marks a departure from the popular argument that there is no viable military option that would not leave thousands of South Koreans and U.S. service members dead.

“Yes, there are,” Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon when asked whether there were military options that would not seriously endanger Seoul. “But I will not go into details.”

Mattis said he discussed with South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo the issue of reintroducing tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea to counter North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats. But he declined to say whether the option is under consideration.  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link.

Picture of the Day: 10th Pacific Armies Chief Conference

Conference of chiefs of Pacific armies

Army chiefs and senior commanders from 29 Pacific countries pose at the opening of the 10th Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference at a Seoul hotel on Sept. 18, 2017. (Yonhap)

Tweet of the Day: Seoul Bus Driver Charged with Driving Bus While Drunk

Big-Leg Beggar Reportedly Continuing His Lavish Lifestyle in Seoul

If anyone see this guy begging for money in Seoul I recommend to not give him anything unless you don’t mind funding his lavish lifestyle:

Notorious “big-leg beggar” Benjamin Holst has been refused entry onto a Thai Airways flight to Laos via Bangkok.

Sharing his frustration on Facebook yesterday (Tuesday, September 12), the German wrote: “Trouble whit Thai airways ): f**k Thai airways.” [sic]

He has since caught a flight to Seoul, South Korea, where has already shared pictures of a lavish meal and pole-dancing bar.  (……)

Holst uses his grotesquely deformed leg to trick kind-hearted people into funding a lifestyle of constant travel and partying.  [PLN via Reddit]

You can read more at the link, but I am surprised this guy doesn’t have his own reality show by now.

Picture of the Day: Nice Melons

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon

The face of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is carved on a watermelon that is being displayed at an event hosted by the metropolitan government on Aug. 19, 2017. (Yonhap)

Tweet of the Day: Should Seoul Have 24/7 Subway Service?

Seoul Government to Remove Trashcans from Subway Restrooms

This initiative probably will help to make the restrooms cleanlier as long as people don’t throw the toilet paper on the ground instead:

Trash bins are set to vanish from public restrooms in Seoul subway stations in phases from Aug. 1, according to Seoul Metro Friday.

The men’s restroom trash bins will be removed first. The women’s bins will be removed from Sep. 1 to allow sanitary waste bins to be installed.

The project, “Trash bin free restroom,” aims to make public restrooms cleaner without the bad odor. It is already in effect on subway lines five to eight and will be extended to all Seoul subway lines except nine.

Seoul Metro is positive that after a trial the project will reduce odors and make the restrooms more welcoming.  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link.

Picture of the Day: Aquatic Bus Tested in Seoul

Amphibious bus on test run

An amphibious bus, operated by a private company, is test run on the Han River in Seoul on July 27, 2017, in this photo released by the Seoul metropolitan government on July 28. The local government has been mulling the introduction of the bus on the river that bisects the South Korean capital. (Yonhap)

Tweet of the Day: Lacking Seoul?

“Jesus” Makes an Appearance at Korea Queer Culture Festival

Here is an image that has supposedly gone viral on the Internet from the Korea Queer Culture Festival:

An ironic image ended up embodying this year’s Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF). Standing in front of a line of Christian protesters bearing a banner reading “Homosexuality is sin! Return to Jesus!” is a bearded white male in robes, clearly dressed as “Jesus,” holding a rainbow-colored sign reading “I’m cool with it.” The image went viral, making the front page of Reddit Tuesday morning.

“It’s been a wild ride these last few days. I thoroughly enjoy reading the comments everywhere though,” said Robert Evans, 27, the American seen in the picture.

He recalls the picture was taken right before the pride parade departed Seoul Square. The festivalgoers were corralled by riot police, protecting them from Christian protesters. The protesters were gathered in front of the Hwangudan gate right next to the gate leading to the street where the parade would start.

“There were thousands and thousands of people just outside the frame of this photo but I guess nobody wanted to get too close to the protesters,” Evans said. “I took the opportunity to fill that space and present my message. I was aware of the banner behind me but I did not craft my sign with the specific intent of standing in front of that banner.”  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link.