Soccer Ball Korea

Korea's unfortunately a pawn in wider games of geopolitical strategy & partisan US politics. It's all further confused this month as US President Donald Trump searches to distract from his poor leadership abilities.

Is it conceivable for the USA to launch a punitive attack on North Korea? Eliminating DPRK Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un (김정은, 金正恩) will surely shift attention from the "Comrade Trump" Russia investigations. Some will hope the most recent scandals with the FBI might be overlooked, and perhaps to shift the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem will be less noticed.

Unfortunately, US military intervention seriously threatens the lives of tens of millions of people on both sides of the DMZ -- Korea's demilitarized zone.

Sadly for new South Korean President Moon Jae-in (who's now been in office just 7 days), his people's lives mean little to Trump.

North Korean DPRK casualties are of little importance to Washington militarists. And to a billionaire like Trump, numbers in the millions are insignificant "chump change" ...

Please note that on Saturday 20 May, the FIFA U-20 World Cup begins, and continues for 23 days. Watch that USA team carefully! There'll be serious blowback when Trump's actions kill a few dozen American soccer-playing teenagers. Weeping American soccer-Moms on TV will hasten the end of Trump.

Enjoy the football.  But if the US team heads home early, anything might happen.

Preserve Peace in Korea.
When America Wins, We All Win!  USA  USA !
< Link to all U-20 World Cup action here >

Koreans : Congratulations !

The peaceful democratic transition of South Korea's Presidency is a huge achievement.

Sadly, last week the overseas media largely ignored details of power transfer from the corrupt & militaristic American puppet regime to a new government pledging to better serve the people. But surely this news is a genuine beacon of hope -- and a major opportunity for peace in the troubled region.

Here's last Wednesday's remarkable inaugural address of Korea's new President Moon Jae-in (10 May 2017; Yonhap news agency, unofficial translation - link):

[ from the original in Korean ]

I am deeply grateful to all of you, the people, for your great choice. As the 19th President of the Republic of Korea, I take the first step today toward a new Republic of Korea. I sense a heavy responsibility endowed by the people. My heart is full of passion for building a country that we have never had. And my head is full of a blueprint to open a new world of unity and coexistence.

The new Republic of Korea that we are trying to build is a country which our predecessors consistently pursued despite a lot of frustrations and defeats. It is also a country in which our youth have wanted to achieve so much through sacrifices and dedication. In order to make that Republic of Korea, I declare before history and the people that I will fulfill my responsibilities and calling as the 19th President of the Republic of Korea with a fearful but humble heart. The greatness of the Republic of Korea is the greatness of the people. And in this presidential election, our people have made history again.

You chose a new president with even support from across the nation. From today, I will become a president of all people. Each person who did not support me will still be my people and I will serve them as such. I dare to promise: Today, May 10, 2017, will be recorded in history as the date of the beginning of genuine national integration. In recent tough times, the people asked whether this is a country. President Moon Jae-in will start anew from this very question. From today, I will be a president who makes this nation worthy of being called a nation. I will boldly break away from the erroneous practices of the old era. I will be among the first to change.

First of all, I will end the authoritarian culture of the presidency. As soon as preparations are done, I will come out of Cheong Wa Dae and begin the era of the Gwanghwamun presidency. I will hold head-to-head discussions with my staff. I will be a president who communicates with the people frequently. I will directly brief the press on major issues. On the way home, I will meet and converse with citizens in the markets. At times, I will hold large debates in Gwanghwamun Square.

I will disperse the president’s imperial powers as much as possible. Law enforcement authorities will become fully independent from politics. I will establish systems to put all power organizations in check so that no such body can exercise infinite powers. I will work in a humble manner. I will be a president who shares his viewpoints with the people. I will solve the security crisis promptly. I will go anywhere for the peace of the Korean Peninsula. If necessary, I will fly straight to Washington. I will go to Beijing and Tokyo and under the right circumstances go to Pyongyang as well. I will do whatever I can to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. I will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. Meanwhile, I will negotiate earnestly with the U.S. and China to solve the THAAD problem. Strong security depends on robust defense capabilities. I will try hard to strengthen our independent defense power. I will also lay the foundation for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. I will provide a turning point to lower tensions on the peninsula by firmly establishing a Northeast Asia peace regime.

I would like to express my gratitude and deep consolation to the other presidential candidates. There are no winners or losers in this election. We are companions to lead the new Republic of Korea together. Now we have to move forward hand in hand, leaving behind the moments of intense competition. We have undergone unprecedented political upheavals over the past several months. Politics was confused, but the people were great. In spite of the impeachment and arrest of an incumbent president, the people helped open a new era for the Republic of Korea.

Our people were not disheartened but rather turned it into an opportunity to open the new world we see today. I will also change the politics of division and conflict. The conflict between conservatives and liberals should end. I will talk directly with you. Opposition parties are my companions in the administration of state affairs. I will regularly talk and frequently meet with them.

I will appoint figures selected evenly from across the country. Ability and suitability will be the broad principles of my personnel appointments. Regardless of whether they supported me in the election, I will plead with all who are competent to work with me. We are facing tough economic conditions at home and abroad. The people’s livelihoods are in a difficult state. As promised during the election process, I will prioritize job creation. At the same time, I will take the lead in chaebol reform. Under the Moon Jae-in government, the term “politics-business collusion” will disappear completely. I will resolve the conflicts between regions, classes and generations, and seek ways to resolve the problems facing irregular workers.

I will create a world without discrimination. I repeat. In the government of Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party, opportunity will be equal. The process will be fair. The result will be righteous.

This presidential election was triggered by the impeachment of the preceding president. The history of troubled presidents continues to repeat itself. With this election, this unfortunate history must come to an end. I will become a role model president for the Republic of Korea. I will do my best to become a successful president in the eyes of the people and history. By doing so, I will repay your support and backing. I will be a clean president. I will be a president who takes office empty-handed and leaves the same way. I will be a president who will someday return to my hometown, become an ordinary citizen and share warmth with my neighbors. I will be remembered as the pride of the people.

I will be an honest president who keeps his promises. I will closely follow up on the promises I made during the election process. I believe true political development is possible only when the president sets an example for politics of trust. I will not make loud promises to do what is impossible. I will tell you when I have done something wrong. I will not cover up unfavorable public opinion with falsehood. I will be a fair president. I will create a world without privileges and fouls. I will create a world that benefits those who act with common sense. I will not turn away from the pain of my neighbors. I will always pay extra attention to ensure that not a single member of the nation is alienated.

I will be a president who wipes away the tears of the people. I will be a president who communicates.

I will build the strongest nation by being a low and humble man of power. I will not become a dominant and reigning president but a president who converses and communicates with the people. I will be a president of the Gwanghwamun era and stay close to the people. I will be remembered as a warm president and a friend-like president.

The Republic of Korea makes a new start today on May 10, 2017. You are witnessing the start of a great history to make this nation worthy of a nation. Come along on this road. I will dedicate my body and life to serve you.

Them Dum Яussians

Trump Fully Exonerated? 
Highly-experienced diplomats in America's Oval Office expect to be overheard or recorded. Did banter in Russian clear Trump? We suspect Trump was poorly-prepared and far too arrogant. He won't recognize his own managerial weaknesses & personal shortcomings. Miserable times await us all under this American President Bluster !

USA Soap Opera Security

The Right to Health Care

America is horrible in controlling the markets for health care and human services, allowing favored vendors to gouge susceptible patients: the injured, the sick & the elderly.

The number of doctors is artificially limited.

Medical professionals monopolize access to lifesaving medicines, medical technology, and pain-killing drugs. We're regularly required to consult with them, and their expensive services add substantially to already high prescription costs.

Costs are astronomical, often wholly unreasonable.

We're unable to control costs.

Trumpcare

Ode to Trumpcare
   by Genki


Baby's cough & Grammy's groan
The house is now corrupt
A second job, another loan
Our loss of dreams abrupt.

Procurement spending can't be theft
If killing peasant scum
But now we're told "No money's left."
To care for stricken Mum.

The swelling invoice hurts as much
As dad's infected feet
Our savings bought one single crutch
Such health care's bittersweet.

The waiting room's a dreadful place
As bank accounts get shorn
Great doctors must review each case
While patient patients mourn

Our armies billet round the earth
For despots & their thrones
Charity clinic childbirth
Lost newborn niece - such moans!

Oh somewhere in this favored land
Our bosses bosses dance
While we learn economics and
American finance.

Who Cares?

Profits from our PAIN

.
Ready to Feed off the sick & dying... 

American Care ?

Americans who believe their healthcare system is "Best in the World" are pitifully ill. Corrupt market limitations combine with unscrupulous profiteering so sickness, accident, end-of-life & human suffering generate windfall revenues. Sad

Learn or Burn -- Korea

America grip on military empire is unsustainable.

The foolishness of Yankee's THAAD missile defense in South Korea is evident for all to see: Major Boondoggle targeted by China, North Korea, and the South Korean people.

Estimated cost for deployment & maintenance: US$1,300,000,000. ($1.3 billion)

Distance from Pyongyang to Seoul is 120 miles (195 km).

It's a similar distance from NYC Manhattan to Montauk NY at end of Long Island. Or Tampa to Cocoa Beach, the width of the Florida peninsula. Very Near.

THAAD battery deployment is the wrong side of Seoul: the Seongju site is over 200 km further away near Daegu, doubling the distance from North Korean launch sites (and making that district a potential target).

If a nuclear weapon explodes in South Korea, the whole region around the Korean peninsula including Japan will quickly suffer from fallout.

Technically, there's no reason for a "high lob" attack. We can assume the DPRK will choose a direction and then shoot low, over the horizon, perhaps timing detonation, where THAAD provides little or no defense. Recent "failed" launches show such capability... hopefully military experts are frightened.

Mistreated Pets Know Where to Bite

Leadership in both Japan & South Korea are in trouble.

The case of Korea's former President Park Geun-hye seems the worse: she was impeached, suspended as President, and forced out of office. After serving over four years as the 11th President of the Republic of Korea, Park, aged 65, is now under arrest and being held in pre-trial detention as inmate 503, living in a relatively-luxurious cell (link) barely bigger than a closet. She's reportedly miserable.

But as President for over four years & from a wealthy political family, Park should know a lot of dirt, and must have hidden assets. Taunting & total humiliation are dangerous -- she can damage former allies....

Japan's Prime Minister Abe & his wife Akie are similarly at risk. They now claim minimal support for right-wing militaristic Moritomo Gakuen, but Yasunori Kagoike, ultranationalist operator of the children's educational foundation, claims otherwise. He's personally been backed against the wall, and his organization is facing bankruptcy. It's a formulae for trouble.

Nuke Pullback by USA?

"The United States seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards that goal."

-- (26 April 2017, Washington DC) US Secretary of State, Defense Secretary & Director of National Intelligence joint statement

This above stance may be a major change in US posture, and surely is of huge interest to China and to US allies Japan and South Korea.

US Armed Forces typically do not confirm or deny the presence of nuclear arms among the armaments of specific units or multi-service strike forces. US warships were effectively banned from nuclear-free New Zealand for 33 years until the destroyer USS Sampson was allowed to call in November 2016 for the NZ Navy's 75th anniversary celebrations. 

Japan's "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" (not to manufacture, own, or allow entry of nuclear weapons into Japan: 非核三原則) are skirted by mutual pragmatism, with America refusing to acknowledge the presence of nuclear weapons on US ships, bombers or submarines on military business in Japan (link).

"Secret Agreements" allowing ambiguity have been (partly) revealed in Tokyo, but the dynamic interaction of the US government with client-states Japan & South Korea remains obscure.

These officially are not occupied nations. But the USA has built huge forward bases, and garrisons tens of thousands of troops throughout these territories. South Korea's now comprehensively disgraced former President controversially collaborated with American military strategists to deploy THAAD missiles & associated radar systems in Korea (deployment vigorously denounced by China, which organized painful consumer & tourism boycotts of South Korea). One Japanese report claims the AN/TPY-2 radar can see a baseball 790km away, and an oil drum 2300km distant; such range covers much of China, perhaps limited by curvature of the earth. Whatever the case, THAAD only just arrived in Korea this week, and requires time for local delivery & setup.

Understanding of what's happening should recognize the critical Korean presidential election is only days away. Meanwhile, Japan's Prime Minister is just now in Moscow -- What's America doing to protect it's vital interests?

Yokosuka, Japan, is home port to the mighty American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Other potential nuclear-armed submarines, ships, and units are scattered throughout the region, perhaps including CNFK operations recently relocated to Jinhae near Busan, Korea (CFAC, 진해함대지원부대). These forces are of major concern to Russia, China, and the people of Northeast Asia.

Is America seriously considering any form of regional denuclearization?

The USA has thus far blatantly (link) refused to participate in United Nations discussions on the Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading Towards their Total Elimination. Will the USA now pledge to potentially create nuclear-free regions?

Those troubled by America's nuclear weaponry will most likely analyze yesterday's joint statement with reaffirmed understanding that Yankee is a lyin' sack of shit.

강경에는... 초강경으로!  Hard ... SUPER HARD!

Oligarchs & Plutocrats Handicap America

America's mega-rich are well compensated for their contributions.

But the oligarchs & plutocrats seek to control us. They're too often successful in stifling democracy and opportunity.

It seems trouble is ahead.

Before Korea is Vaporized ...

During Korea's last presidential election, it was proven that Korea's National Intelligence Service (국가정보원), the Korean Armed Force's Cyber Command (국군사이버사령부), and an organized section of the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs (국가보훈처) reportedly operated to swing the election to Park Geun-hye. Scores of secret operatives planted false messages & fake news, while others infiltrated social media with over a million corrupt messages.

Here are some links:

• Manipulating Korea's 2012 Presidential Election (link)
• Official interference & corruption (link)
• Dirty Won Sei-hoon? (link)
• National Intelligence Scandal: Korea's Corrupt NIS (link)
• http://news1.kr/articles/1363216

This extreme political intervention was blatantly illegal, circumventing the neutrality required of government officials & public employees in supposedly democratic South Korea.

Favored candidate Park Geun-hye was elected but now is impeached and detained. She's being charged with other crimes.

The darker side can now be confronted as Korea's again held hostage:
--- Where were the Americans?

Was the USA ignorant of these anti-democratic maneuvers?

Did America orchestrate or support the cyber warfare favoring Park Geun-hye for President? Certainly America was a close "friend" of her father, General Park Chung-hee -- Korea's President & dictator from the early 1960s to 1979. He'd backed-up America in Vietnam, and his KCIA had little regard for democracy or domestic human rights.

Now Korea seems on the brink of war -- during this key presidential campaign. Just a coincidence?

Yankee lives in the heart of Seoul. How much do American officials in Korea know of Korean government corruption? How much does America pull the strings?

I've many Korean friends. Sadly, they're now pawns in a much larger game -- their lives being gambled and threatened by Washington D.C. and other dark & hidden forces. That's terrible!

Playing Nuclear Games in Korea

Western media is quick to label the DPRK (North Korea) as acting badly. Why would pesky Pyongyang cause trouble now?

Partly it's provoked by war games now being staged around & very near their nation. For about seven weeks, the USA, ROK (South Korea), Japan, and assorted minor allies are now holding huge military exercises around North Korea.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency explains (link) this is the largest ever such peacetime military maneuver, going under the "exercise" names Key Resolve (키 리졸브),  OPLAN 5015 and Foal Eagle (독수리 연습). Over a quarter million Allied troops are mobilizing for these "games"...

South Korea's main military website is spooky - defensive or offensive? - with what first seems an ominous countdown clock...
http://www.jcs.mil.kr/mbshome/mbs/jcs2/

Many criticize OPLAN 5015, our plan to Keep America in Korea:
OPLAN 5015 (Start World War III?)

(some OPLAN 5015 background here - link)

If America's enemies were gathering in Chesapeake Bay, or within a hundred miles of our nation's capital, we'd certainly be upset.

Why trigger war?  Who benefits?
Arms merchants & failed politicos rejoice. 
But common folk are killed, poisoned & maimed.

Take yo' Yankee Ass Elsewhere

US Attorney General, Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III, attacked Hawai'i (audio mp3 link) for participating in American government: "I really am amazed that a judge sitting on an island in the Pacific can issue an order that stops the President of the United States ..."

Native Hawaiians did not invite Yankee occupation.

It's Simple Jeff: "Let My People Go!"

Aggression & violence in Hawai'i -- then very far from America's borders

Bicycle Day .. 19th April

Enjoy 19 April "Bicycle Day" but be sure to take care. Those out-of-practice can easily injure themselves or lose their way... Learning Simple Dismounts can hurt. Offroad walks are safer - explore wisely.

Rhetoric and Nuclear Devastation

The United States boycotted last month's United Nations conference to ban nuclear weapons. They urged their allies to keep away, and some 40 nations failed to participate.

But 132 nations & 220 civil society organizations met and discussed and debated. They'll reconvene 15 June to 7 July 2017, and hopefully will agree a Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading Towards their Total Elimination. 

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) already requires the signatory states to "undertake effective measures in the direction of nuclear disarmament" -- the USA signed the NPT in 1968, yet the nuclear states have failed to fulfill their obligations. Most recently, the governments of Barack Obama & Donald Trump have ignored the nuclear weapons pullback & shutdown obligation (the disarmament promise keeps non-nuclear states pledged to stay that way). 

The nations boycotting the March 2017 UN Conference violate the NPT Article VI: "Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control."

Bullshit aside, what did the USA & other nuclear nations and their puppet governments truly achieve by refusing to talk & participate?

Nuked Japanese citizens speak against nuclear weapons.
But Japan's "pragmatic" government refuses to ruffle allies.

Korea & Japan are most exposed, yet don't speak up. 

But pity all people of the world... 

Watch nuclear test explosion 'Turk' 
-- frightful 43 kt blast, Nevada 1955 by US Govt.


Links:
 
Nikki Haley yaps outside, as facts discussed inside

“Treaties often change the behavior of non-party States"

Japan abstains from negotiations

Both South & North Korea skip nuclear weapon ban talks

Canada fails to join historic talks at the United Nations

Opportunity Korea?

Korea is now a convenient target. 

Even South Korea's domestic media is alarmed (link), though accustomed to living in the shadow of North Korean uncertainty. Japan, mocked in the past as consistently willing to fight to the last Korean, in fact is always terribly concerned about refugee troubles & fallout if warfare were to erupt on the Korean peninsula. There's further worries of Japan as a target -- (as Korea's rival) otherwise gaining advantages from mutual North & South Korean destruction. Japan's Foreign Ministry issued a safety notice (11 April) warning "pay attention to the situation on the Korean Peninsula"　(link, in Japanese) -- the wording's vague, but watch for families of officials being evacuated, and you flee likewise ... [Update: (14 April) 600,000 people have been ordered immediately evacuated from North Korea's capital]

Three weaknesses make conditions remarkably unstable now:

1) The impeachment & arrest of President Park Geun-hye has left a leadership vacuum. I've no insider knowledge, but many of the accused's crimes should have been known to U.S. intelligence, considering the closeness of the partnership. North Korea considers South Korea a puppet state of the USA, and reasonably question why Park & her government were sacrificed (yet Park's 'teflon aide' Woo Byung-woo has thus far eluded arrest). Neighbor Japan's leadership weakness is PM Abe's desperation to have the world forget his family involvement with ultra-rightwing Moritomo Gakuen's proposed Shinzō Abe Elementary School (安倍晋三記念小学校). Leadership deficit in the USA stems from the inexperience of the Trump regime. Could nuclear war truly be triggered to erase perceived shortcomings of manliness? China's leadership seems the most reliable, and their BBC headline today is "China fears North Korea-US conflict 'at any moment'"

2) Former President Park's government agreed to American requests to deploy the US Army's THAAD missile system in the center of South Korea (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile system, in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province). Highly alarmed by what they see as an arms escalation, China instituted very-costly commercial boycotts of South Korea. THAAD could easily further trigger regional chaos, but there's also still a few weeks before it goes live & operational (reportedly June 2017). Does that create a dangerous window?

3) US President Trump is discovering overseas military action diverts American attention from domestic corruption, official incompetence, and other internal weaknesses. But Syrian intervention is unsustainable, as Americans resist investing more in the morass of the Middle East. North Korea (DPRK) is a convenient enemy. The seemingly achievable goal of regime change may entail substantial regional costs, but perhaps Trump & Co. will take the risk.

Hint: Recent news that Steve Bannon is no longer a regular member of the National Security Council ... better positions the White House Chief Strategist away from nuclear blowback & fallout.

Very Sorry Asian friends:  Prepare for the worst !

Who'll profit from Korean instability?

Shame of Japan

There's no question ultra-right wing Moritomo Gakuen received special favors and valuable land almost free with help from the Japanese Finance Ministry & Osaka Prefectural Government.

A land plot sized 9492 m2 in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture was sold by the central government to Toyonaka Municipality in 2010 for ¥1423 million.

Moritomo wanted the adjacent 8770 m2 valued at ¥956 million.
And it was offered to them for just ¥134 million.

And further, "the government separately paid more than ¥131.76 million to Moritomo Gakuen to help decontaminate the land before it was sold." (link)

So in June 2016, Moritomo was allowed to get ¥956 million land for ¥2.24 million.
>> In other words, they paid $21,840. for land worth US$9,320,840.
The ultranationalists paid less than 1/400th, very far below 1% 

Then Japanese Finance Ministry officials kept the sale details secret (link), and destroyed records.

Japan's Prime Minister Abe & his family were involved.

SHAME

Buying Justice

Lawyer & Judge Neil Gorsuch, nominated to the US Supreme Court
  [Update - now confirmed, sworn, and in office. God Help Us.]

photo: Reuters

Plutocrat America ?

The sheeple of America must understand the word PLUTOCRAT:

plutocrat
ˈpluːtəkrat/

a person whose power derives from their wealth

noun: plutocrat    "champagne-swilling plutocrats"
synonyms:    rich person, capitalist, tycoon, magnate, millionaire, billionaire, multimillionaire, nouveau riche, person of means;   informal: fat cat, rich asshole, moneybags

Plutocratic privilege in America will be further consolidated with appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. The New York Times names Gorsuch as financially involved in a continuous relationship to a secretive sponsor, Colorado plutocrat Philip Anschutz.  George Polk Award-winner Bill Moyers has now gone further, labeling Gorsuch the plutocrat's protégé (link).

Sen. Bernie Sanders continues (link) to sound the alarm. But as America's people are incapable of paying attention, they instead pay with their lifetimes in servitude.  Dumfux.

Violence Generates Violence

Ancient peoples recognized the Cycle of Violence,
as cruelty generates hate and arrogance and more violence....

Gorilla Graphics & Kamikaze Design, 1970

Yankee violent militarism around the world is killing us.
Bring all American troops home.  Violence costs.

photo: Jonathan Hobin (In The Playroom series) A-boo-grave [detail]

Obama was a Ruling Class Stooge

The HOPE triggered by electing Barack Obama as President of the United States slowly dwindled to simple respect. He & his family were seen to comport themselves honorably.

In my opinion, Obama was a failure -- a traitor to all but the rich.

For the ruling class in America, the mega-rich who repeatedly rape the world, Obama's performance. should be celebrated

We must remember the end of the Bush/Cheney years in 2007 and 2008 were marked by a profit-taking financial meltdown.

Obama led the bailout, offering public funds to refuel the rich. He required no accountability - the failed managers & directors kept their jobs without consequences. The ruling class foreclosed on America. Accountability was forced on the little people by both the Democratic & Republican parties as the big fish swam free, stockpiling resources offshore. Banks & funds later paid billions of dollars in penalties and fines to the U.S. Treasury for bad behavior. But the crooked system, corrupt to the core, survived & thrived.

A Hillary Clinton presidency would have brought more of the same. The Trump regime pledged to "drain the swamp" but thus far is no better.

God Bless America