korean unification studies

There is a new resource on Korean affairs that seems to have promise and I have been helping them out on unification issues recently. They mostly focus on a South Korean commercial/government perspective, but were open to social aspects as well. Check them out… http://www.junotane.com They have also got me agreeing to help answer questions [...]

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There is a perennial question in Korean unification studies – should humanitarian and food aid be provided to North Korea? Grand National Party (GNP) spokesman Ahn Hyoung-hwan stated that government leaders are reviewing whether to provide food aid after a meeting on Sunday with the party’s chairman. This question will always be here… here are [...]

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The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released their latest Situation Report on the DPRK floods. Amongst the highlights: WFP reports that arrival of food stocks in-country for emergency relief were critically affected by the cessation of cross-border movement of railway wagons from China following a long-pending dispute over delays. [...]

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The reported death toll from the North Korean floods has doubled to around 600 people, according to the North Korean official news agency, KCNA. Thousands more are reported to be injured. The material losses include more than 20 percent of rice paddies and 15 percent of corn-growing areas, according to the UN Office for Coordination [...]

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The Minister for Unification at a regular press briefing on 24 August stated that South Korea will be sending USD40 million in construction materials in addition to the USD7.5 million in emergency relief aid already announced. In addition, 21 private organizations notified the Ministry Of Unification that they would give the North approximately USD15.7 million.  Yep. [...]

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Underneath a heading that is worthy of the Korea Times, I actually have a point to make… The relief effort for victims of the August floods in North Korea is rapidly advancing. Here are a few highlights of countries/agencies that have made contributions: South Korea has provided 7.5 million in ramyun, water, tents, blankets, etc; Australia [...]

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The humanitarian situation as a result of the floods in North Korea will considerably affect the upcoming Leader’s Summit and possibly even the election. It is damned hard to take a hard line against a country that is suffering. The floods and the resultant media coverage will affect South Korean attitudes towards assistance to the North. [...]

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It has been widely reported that the ROKG will send emergency aid to the North in a response to the floods that have devastated the North. Although one always has to be suspicious about ‘disasters’ in the North, there are very reliable reports of the situation. In fact, coming at this point in time, it could [...]

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