People
Democracy exists because of reporters like Euna Lee and Laura Ling
Make no mistake about the enormous courage displayed by these brave women. Before
their detainment, Euna Lee and Laura Ling were reporting on North Korean women
and children who fled to China for uncertain lives as refugees. Many Americans
may feel that they have jeopardized US positioning in the wake of the current
escalations. Some may view Euna and Laura as creating unnecessary risks by entering
the isolated regime. But then again how would such stories become exposed? It’s
kind of like aid workers in places like Darfur. How does help get to the people
who need it most?
At first I had been a little distraught about the length of captivity and media coverage however, I am renewed with optimism. After watching Larry King’s interview with the family of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, I was reenergized. Never have I felt more represented. Laura Ling’s parents were handsome, emotionally engaged and well spoken. Laura Ling’s more recognizable sister, former The View host and journalist Lisa Ling expounded on their previous silence, “The situation is so sensitive…that relatives are lying low so far in hope of a resolution.” But finally the families decided to speak out as the trial date nears and tensions in the region escalating by the day.
Working initially through Facebook and the web, the families have built coalitions in major cities. Similar to efforts waged for Roxana Saberi, an American journalist released by Iran last month after originally being sentenced to eight years in prison for alleged spying.
On June 3rd candlelight vigils will be held across the U.S. The families of Lee and Ling, including their parents, siblings, husbands and children will appear on major networks. Please check the bottom of the article for information.
I am glad that Asian-Americans are starting to be recognized as true Americans. That finally some people have climbed into prominence and influence; having direct communication with ambassadors, heads of states, figures such as Larry King, Al Gore, Bill Richardson, Hillary Clinton, and our president Barak Obama. The national outpour of primetime support has made me feel a definite concrete movement is underway for the detained journalists.
Two weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who earlier called the charges "baseless," urged concerned Americans to wage Web-based campaigns for the reporters' release.
"We have two young women journalists right now in prison in North Korea, and you can get busy on the Internet and let the North Koreans know that we find that absolutely unacceptable," she said.
Their trial is slated to begin Thursday June 4th in Pyongyang's Central Court. The two women are charged with crossing the North Korean border from China and with other unspecified "hostile acts."
Sparking international outrage last week, the detainments occur on the heels of recent North Korean missiles and nuclear bomb testing.
Experts warn that the volatile and isolated nation may use the captured Americans
as bargaining chips.
"Having two journalists detained in the North leaves the U.S. very little
maneuvering room since Washington now has to take the women's safety into account,"
said Yoon Deok-min, a professor at South Korea's state-run Institute of Foreign
Affairs and National Security.
Perhaps, the regime will use the detainees to leverage maximum pressure on the Obama administration to cave into Pyongyang's desire for direct talks.
Moreover, North Korean’s recent erratic behavior may be attributed to the state’s recent commencement of its new leader. The Associated Press reported this evening that North Korea’s ruling party named Kim Jong Il's youngest son as the next commander and leader. Kim Jong Un is a 26-year-old who reportedly enjoys skiing and studied English, German and French at a Swiss boarding school. He is rumored to have gotten along with the children of foreign diplomats at the boarding school.
Experts on the region have suspected all the recent saber-rattling as a campaign to bolster unity and support for the new leader to replace the ailing 67-year-old Kim Jong Il. Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute, a South Korean security think tank, called it a "politically driven" campaign to parade the North's achievements before its people in a bid to bolster national pride.
Two weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who earlier called the charges "baseless," urged graduates at Barnard College in New York to wage Web-based campaigns for the reporters' release.
"We have two young women journalists right now in prison in North Korea, and you can get busy on the Internet and let the North Koreans know that we find that absolutely unacceptable," she said.
On the day the trial is set to begin in Pyongyang, candlelight vigils will be held across the U.S. The families of Lee and Ling, including their parents, siblings, husbands and children will appear on NBC's "Today" show and CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday
"I think the campaign is aimed at building up achievements that the successor can later claim credit for," he said last week.
We hope this is all true and such further escalations be drawn down. Moreover,
a younger and worldly perspective placed in charge of the failing state. Notwithstanding
any internal coup employed resulting in the devastation for many people. We
pray for a positive result.
Gore himself may head to North Korea to lobby for the reporters' release, the
TBS television network in Tokyo said Saturday, citing unnamed sources.
Moreover, I believe Bill Richardson and Lisa Ling said it the best, "We need to try to encourage our countries to talk to resolve this issue separate from the greater nuclear issue."
Perhaps at the very best scenario, the reporters will soon be released and the current situation becomes the first portal into an increased dialogue between the nations.
Contributing reporters and agencies:
Huffington Post writers Hyung-Jin and Jean H. Lee
Associated Press writer Kwang-tae Kim, Robert Burns, Jae Soon Chang
Daily News Writer, Oren Yaniv
Vigil organizer information. Facebook group page.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php
Los Angeles, CA VIGIL Organizers: Welly Yang,
Kristiana Velasco, Joe Omar Gonzales, Joyce Mar
http://www.facebook.com/event.php
National Organizer: Brendan McShane Creamer
Email address: blove73@msn.com
Phone 215.699.4338
Please bring candles for the vigils.
We hope you can make it.
-------------------------------------------------
Current contacts to be made:
Contact Gov. Bill Richardson.
Click on this link: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/
Then Click on: SUBMIT (for the "Need Assistance?" page.)
Fill out the info and ask for his help.
Mention the group so he knows we're together.
State Department :
secretary@state.gov
They are read daily.
Walk together to bring Laura and Euna safely home!
Reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee will go on trial in North Korea on June 4.
They were captured and detained on March 17, 2009 by North Korean officials
while doing a story about Korean immigrants in China.
As a show of solidarity and support, Candlelight vigils are being held in cities
across the nation on Wednesday June 3 to show the world and the two brave women
that we care and won't stop until they are home safely. The organizers hope
to draw a huge crowd and capture the attention of media outlets to help raise
awareness about the plight of the two.
Organizers, Welly Yang, Kelly Hu and Dina Morishita are organizing the Los Angeles
vigil in Santa Monica. Please make time to join them for this important cause
at 7 PM at Wokano Restaurant in Santa Monica for a walk together to the Promenade.
Please add your friends to this Evite.
Vigil Locations
Washington, D.C Freedom Plaza
14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
New York, NY
Washington Square Park (The Fountain)
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Chicago, IL
Chinatown Square Plaza
Cermack and Wentworth Streets
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Birmingham, AL
Linn Park (tentatively)
223 Carrington Lane
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Portland, OR
South Park Blocks
SW Park Avenue from Salmon Street to Jackson Street
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
San Francisco, CA
Front Steps of San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Santa Monica, CA
Wokcano
1413 5th Street
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
National Organizer:
Brendan Creamer
215.699.4338
blove73@msn.com
Are Korean-American women narrow-minded and uncultured?
Korean women are the most beautiful women in the world. I mean I love Korean
woman but...Korean women don’t love me. I’m a professional sales
rep making a decent salary. I also have a degree from Berkeley and was blessed
with above average height, athleticism, personality and looks (at least some
would say). So why I’m having such difficulty finding an equally attractive
educated Korean American woman? Maybe it’s because I’m not wealthy.
Maybe it’s because I am also an artist constantly challenging the interpretations
of the modern world.
It seems as though in this culture Korean-American men are absorbing all the great qualities of western ideals while balancing the traditions of our ancestry. I look around and feel that most Korean-American men have made a smooth transition from the former generation. Even though some of us are still very materialistic, but for the most part, we are educated, sensitive, and open-minded. Moreover we do not possess the nasty temper and emotional unavailability that has plagued our fathers. Of course these characteristics are understandable considering the history of Korea. But we are definitely respectful of the opposite sex. I think we make great husbands and fathers.
However, our counterparts well that’s a different story. Whether or not you agree with me, the consensus is real in our communities. Especially living here in Los Angeles, majority of Korean-American men have voiced their frustrations with the opposite sex. Even people outside our culture, white, black, brown, other Asian; both women and men alike have such a stereotype of our beautiful women.
High maintenance, complicated, difficult, extremely materialistic, high emphasis on brand names, pretentious, self-absorbed, entitlement, star struck and constantly needing attention.
I don’t ever remember coming across an activist Korean American woman that fought for any causes besides the church. Never have I met a Korean American woman even care about the environment. They care about comfort, luxury, and their toy dogs.
Just the other day at a bar, I overheard Korean women talking to each other, saying that they would not date men who drove less than BMW’s. Maybe the reasoning as to why when you visit Chapman Plaza in Koreatown, you see an abundance of high end luxury vehicles in the parking lots. But let’s keep it real, the majority of people owning (leasing) these vehicles make less than 50K a year and are living with roommates in ghetto apartments in Koreatown.
The last girl I dated drove a BMW, wore the latest fashion and accessories, and made 40K a year as an administrator. She was incredibly attractive but also very much self-absorbed. No her parents aren’t wealthy so you could imagine who would pick up the tab whenever we went out. One more thing, she had a long term boyfriend she failed to disclose when we were dating.
It’s funny to me because I see my fellow attractive professional co-workers all lie about their relationship status. One of my friends blatantly told a client that she was single when just the other day I visited her at her apartment with her live in boyfriend. But she swears they’re only friends.
The American culture puts a high emphasis on Asian women. They are at the top of the proverbial dating totem pole. We Asian men on the other hand, well let’s just say we’ve remained humble throughout this ordeal.
But with the stark realities of the failing material world, both economically and environmentally, how can we not challenge our former philosophies? The consumer driven mentality disgust me. Women brandishing their Louis Vuitton while the planet rots. Somehow in this crazy world, these things make people supposedly better. External possessions are more important than the inside. I know I am hypocrite because I do look for physical beauty. But I also know that she has to have a quality soul.
When I was younger, yes I had my share of engagements but as I get older they simply want the conservative elitist banker. Imagine if John Lennon was a banker.
I know what you’re going to say maybe I should go to church and stop meeting women at the club. But I don’t meet women at the club, I meet them through friends. And church well that’s a whole other topic. Again I am somebody who challenges the status quo.
Recently I’ve been dating a very attractive Southeast Asian woman. Undoubtedly my Korean-American counterparts will look down upon (muh-shee-heh) and think they’re better just because they’re Korean. You would think as a minority we would have more tolerance and appreciation.
But on our second date we went to Takami in downtown LA. As I left to the restroom, behind my back she took care of the bill. Not a cheap bill either. No she’s not wealthy. I don’t remember the last time a Korean woman took care of a bill on the second date. But I guess she could afford to do so because she doesn’t spend every penny she has on very high end designer crap. Her spirit is high end. Her favorite hobby isn’t shopping. Let’s face it. We buy all this crap to compensate for things we lack on the inside.
Even though it’s against my mother’s wishes, I probably won’t marry a Korean-American woman. I need to be passionately attracted to my significant other, and for the most part attractive Korean-American women have unattractive personal values. They don’t care about the issues. They care about themselves. They call me negative but I feel the most positive thing you can do is have the courage to address the painful realities in order to build a brighter future for our children.
Every generation has put in work and made sacrifices to allow the freedoms we possess today. We can’t just keep taking without giving back.
Our world is changing, the fantasy is over. Unfortunately, Korean-American
women may be the last to realize it.
Soldier Missing In Action From Korean War Is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that
the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have
been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military
honors.
He is Pfc. David Woodruff, U.S. Army, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. He will be buried on April 22 in St. Louis, Mo. Representatives from the Army’s Mortuary Office met with Woodruff’s next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
Woodruff was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. In early 1951, the 2nd ID was augmented by Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) forces and was occupying positions near Hoengsong, South Korea. On Feb. 11, the Chinese Army launched a massive attack on the U.S. line, overwhelming R.O.K. forces and exposing the American flank. The 2nd ID was forced to withdraw to the south and Woodruff was captured by enemy forces. He died in, or near, one of the North Korean prison camps in Suan County, North Hwanghae Province.
Between 1991-94, North Korea turned over to the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. One box turned over in 1991 contained Woodruff’s military identification tag, and a box turned over in 1992 contained remains recovered from Suan County.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA and dental comparisons in the identification of the remains turned over in 1992.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO Web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Hugh Jackson is Seoul's Goodwill Ambassador
Hugh Jackman comes up to bat for Team Korea. The Australian actor is currently
in Seoul to promote his Hollywood film ``X-Men Origins: Wolverine,' when he
was persuaded by Daniel Henney to become Seoul's goodwill ambassador. Henney
was fascinated by Jackman’s affection for Korea's capital city, and learned
that his Father had a 20 year business relationship with the county.
When asked what his role would be, "As a goodwill ambassador, Jackman will help raise the brand value of Seoul and publicize the city's policies to the world," a local official said. "He will play an important role in promoting Seoul's charm, especially to America and Europe." Jackman also stated in a press release "As a goodwill ambassador to Seoul, which has unlimited possibility and charms, I will do my best to show people how beautiful Seoul is and why it is a city worth visiting."
Jackman’s love for Korea goes beyond accepting his role as goodwill ambassador.
Korea is his only Asian destination on the world promotional tour, which was
Jackman's choice and during the World Cup, Jackman can be seen wearing the Red
Devil T-Shirts and cheering on the Korean Team. Dae Han Min Guk! (bum bum, ba
bum bum)
More Articles...
Page 1 of 6
