Friday, June 25
The mystery deepens
Who knew what about the kidnapping of Kim Sun-il? It now seems that the head of Gana Trading, Kim Chun-ho didn't report Kim missing from May 31 even though he went to the Korean Embassy in Baghdad several times.
He says that it was because he was trying to secure the release of his employee without the Government- but on has to wonder.
Then there is the fact that even after AP contacted the Foreign Ministry on June 3 about the kidnapping, they didn't contact the embassy in Iraq. At the time there were only 57 Korean civilians in Iraq, so it wouldn't have been difficult to contact them all.
Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon attacked AP for not informing the Ministry of the videotape that they had of Kim at when they contacted the Ministry, and hinted that it may have contributed to the death of Kim, though how I don't know- the Ministry denied that they had even gotten of call from AP earlier this week, so how would having known of the tape helped?
The Government wasn't going to change their position in regards to sending troops to Iraq- the demand of terrorists, so knowing about the kidnapping 3 weeks earlier wouldn't have made any difference- Kim would have ended up the same way- beheaded and tossed out of a car on the side of a road outside of Baghdad.
The dispute over who knew what is turning into as he said/they knew affair, and it seems that they only loser will be the truth- the Ministry is trying to shift the blame for their incompetence onto AP. In the end Ban Ki-moon has to take the blame- as well as the Ambassador to Iraq. Both men should resign as soon as the numerous investigations are over.
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He says that it was because he was trying to secure the release of his employee without the Government- but on has to wonder.
Then there is the fact that even after AP contacted the Foreign Ministry on June 3 about the kidnapping, they didn't contact the embassy in Iraq. At the time there were only 57 Korean civilians in Iraq, so it wouldn't have been difficult to contact them all.
Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon attacked AP for not informing the Ministry of the videotape that they had of Kim at when they contacted the Ministry, and hinted that it may have contributed to the death of Kim, though how I don't know- the Ministry denied that they had even gotten of call from AP earlier this week, so how would having known of the tape helped?
The Government wasn't going to change their position in regards to sending troops to Iraq- the demand of terrorists, so knowing about the kidnapping 3 weeks earlier wouldn't have made any difference- Kim would have ended up the same way- beheaded and tossed out of a car on the side of a road outside of Baghdad.
The dispute over who knew what is turning into as he said/they knew affair, and it seems that they only loser will be the truth- the Ministry is trying to shift the blame for their incompetence onto AP. In the end Ban Ki-moon has to take the blame- as well as the Ambassador to Iraq. Both men should resign as soon as the numerous investigations are over.
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Since I can't access the page for the time being, if you want to leave any comments, or trackbacks, please email them, as well as posting them here on the site. My email is johnkennett@gmail.com.
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This is a blocked page- South learns from the North
As you know, yesterday I wrote that the Ministry of Information and Communication was blocking sites showing the video of Kim Sun-Il being beheaded.
This is obviously a broad block, because I have been blocked! I discussed the beheading on my site, and this seems to have now blocked my site being viewed in Korea. I can't view my own site, though I am able to post on it.
The six way talks being held in Beijing are allowing the North pass on helpful hints in supressing information. The Korean goverment have said that the block is to stop Korean forming a negative view of the policy of still sending troops to Iraq by watching the video.
Even though I haven't shown the video, the Ministry has seen fit to block the site. In a country that is so tech-savvy it would be easy to just block the sites actually showing the pictures/film. The Ministry doesn't seem to have done this though.
I'll let you know when this block has passed!
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This is obviously a broad block, because I have been blocked! I discussed the beheading on my site, and this seems to have now blocked my site being viewed in Korea. I can't view my own site, though I am able to post on it.
The six way talks being held in Beijing are allowing the North pass on helpful hints in supressing information. The Korean goverment have said that the block is to stop Korean forming a negative view of the policy of still sending troops to Iraq by watching the video.
Even though I haven't shown the video, the Ministry has seen fit to block the site. In a country that is so tech-savvy it would be easy to just block the sites actually showing the pictures/film. The Ministry doesn't seem to have done this though.
I'll let you know when this block has passed!
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Kim's religion is now in focus
It had to happen sooner or later. CNN is now reporting that Kim Sun-Il was a:(my emphasis)
"33-year-old Arabic-speaking interpreter, was an evangelical Christian who had worked in Iraq for a year for a South Korean firm supplying the U.S. army."
Is it any surprise that the reports now focus on the fact that he was a Christian? I am waiting for the reports to come soon that he was in Iraq trying to convert Muslims.
Does it really matter? Though he could speak Arabic, there has been little attention paid to the point, but the fact that he worked supplying the US army AND is a Christian (obviously they are linked issues in the eyes of CNN) is big news.
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"33-year-old Arabic-speaking interpreter, was an evangelical Christian who had worked in Iraq for a year for a South Korean firm supplying the U.S. army."
Is it any surprise that the reports now focus on the fact that he was a Christian? I am waiting for the reports to come soon that he was in Iraq trying to convert Muslims.
Does it really matter? Though he could speak Arabic, there has been little attention paid to the point, but the fact that he worked supplying the US army AND is a Christian (obviously they are linked issues in the eyes of CNN) is big news.
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Thursday, June 24
Beheading video sites blocked
Internet sites showing the video of Kim Sun-il being beheaded are being blocked in Korea by the Ministry of Information and Communication.
In a wired country like Korea, where over 75% of people have high speed internet access, this hasn't stopped the video from circulating. Many downloaded it before the block started, and are now sharing it.
The decision to block the site hasn't raised any concern here, though perhaps it should. The Ministry had told ISP's to block the sites because of worries over an anti-government movement sparked by the killing.
While I support the stand that the Korean Government has taken in this whole episode- not giving in to terrorists, and standing by their pledge to send troops to Iraq, I am appalled that the Information Ministry is using its powers to censor information on the net that could lead to anti-government feelings! This is a slippery slope- who knows which sites are next?
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In a wired country like Korea, where over 75% of people have high speed internet access, this hasn't stopped the video from circulating. Many downloaded it before the block started, and are now sharing it.
The decision to block the site hasn't raised any concern here, though perhaps it should. The Ministry had told ISP's to block the sites because of worries over an anti-government movement sparked by the killing.
While I support the stand that the Korean Government has taken in this whole episode- not giving in to terrorists, and standing by their pledge to send troops to Iraq, I am appalled that the Information Ministry is using its powers to censor information on the net that could lead to anti-government feelings! This is a slippery slope- who knows which sites are next?
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Threats against Arabs in Korea- Iranian Ambassador links Al-Qaida and Iraq
Arab embassies in Seoul have been receiving calls threatening to kill Arabs in Korea as revenge for the murder of Kim Sun-Il in Iraq this week.
The Iranian Ambassador claims that the Iranian embassy has gotten about 20 threats, and the Qatari and Saudi Arabian embassies have taken about 5 calls each.
He goes on to say that Iranians feel for the Korean people, because:
``A few years ago, all the Iranian diplomats at the Iranian consulate in Mazarsharif, Afghanistan, were killed by the terrorist group Al-Qaida,’’ he explained. ``Our people are also victims of Iraqi insurgents.’’
Is this a link between Iraq and Al-Qaida from the mouth of the ambassador? This needs further clarification from Tehran- though I'm sure that the western media won't push for an investigation.
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The Iranian Ambassador claims that the Iranian embassy has gotten about 20 threats, and the Qatari and Saudi Arabian embassies have taken about 5 calls each.
He goes on to say that Iranians feel for the Korean people, because:
``A few years ago, all the Iranian diplomats at the Iranian consulate in Mazarsharif, Afghanistan, were killed by the terrorist group Al-Qaida,’’ he explained. ``Our people are also victims of Iraqi insurgents.’’
Is this a link between Iraq and Al-Qaida from the mouth of the ambassador? This needs further clarification from Tehran- though I'm sure that the western media won't push for an investigation.
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Foreign ministry incompetence?
The hottest topic in Korea at the moment is of course the brutal beheading of Kim Sun-Il in Iraq this week.
What is causing a real stir here though are the reports that AP contacted the Korean Foreign Ministry on June 3 to inquire about a missing, possibly kidnapped, Korean possibly named Kim Sun-Il. The ministry apparently denied that there were any missing Koreans in Iraq.
As we all now know, a man of that name had been taken, and the Ministry confirmed this only after Al-Jazeera showed video of Kim on July 21. They said that he has been missing since July 17.
Kim's employer, Gana Trading Co. have confirmed that they last saw Kim on May 31.
This means that the Ministry knew Kim was missing for almost 3 weeks, and covered it up, or perhaps worse, they didn't even know that one of their citizens was missing in Iraq.
Calls have been made for investigations into what the Foreign Ministry did or didn't know. Currently there is an internal probe, a National Security Council investigation, and a Board of Audit and Inspection investigation. The opposition Grand National Party also wants to have a National Assembly investigation.
It seems that the Minister will soon be out of a job.
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What is causing a real stir here though are the reports that AP contacted the Korean Foreign Ministry on June 3 to inquire about a missing, possibly kidnapped, Korean possibly named Kim Sun-Il. The ministry apparently denied that there were any missing Koreans in Iraq.
As we all now know, a man of that name had been taken, and the Ministry confirmed this only after Al-Jazeera showed video of Kim on July 21. They said that he has been missing since July 17.
Kim's employer, Gana Trading Co. have confirmed that they last saw Kim on May 31.
This means that the Ministry knew Kim was missing for almost 3 weeks, and covered it up, or perhaps worse, they didn't even know that one of their citizens was missing in Iraq.
Calls have been made for investigations into what the Foreign Ministry did or didn't know. Currently there is an internal probe, a National Security Council investigation, and a Board of Audit and Inspection investigation. The opposition Grand National Party also wants to have a National Assembly investigation.
It seems that the Minister will soon be out of a job.
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Seoul vows to stay tough in the face of terror
I have been surprised. Seoul didn't back down under the threat of the beheading of Kim Sun-Il, who was eventually murdered by terrorists in Iraq.
In fact, the Korean Government is pressing ahead with plans to become the third largest force on the ground in Iraq.
President Roh said that terrorism would not force Korea to waiver, that the Korean troops are going to Iraq to help the Iraqi people and aid in rrecontruction.
Sounding like a real leader of the Korean people ( a new role of Roh, one that he might enjoy playing), the President went on the say that the Korean people can't let terrorists win- a jibe aimed at those, such as the majority Uri Party who say that the death of Kim should be a warning not to send troops to Iraq, as it is too dangerous.
Roh can afford to be a strong leader- under the Korean Constitution, the President can serve only one 5 year term, so while he becomes a lame duck upon entering office, an officially unaffiliated President such a Roh (who has no party membership) can make tough choices that are not supported by the Korean people. Sending troops to Iraq is one such unpopular choice- about 80% of Korean don't want to send troops there.
So, I must admit- the leadership coming from the Blue House this week has pleasantly surprised me.
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In fact, the Korean Government is pressing ahead with plans to become the third largest force on the ground in Iraq.
President Roh said that terrorism would not force Korea to waiver, that the Korean troops are going to Iraq to help the Iraqi people and aid in rrecontruction.
Sounding like a real leader of the Korean people ( a new role of Roh, one that he might enjoy playing), the President went on the say that the Korean people can't let terrorists win- a jibe aimed at those, such as the majority Uri Party who say that the death of Kim should be a warning not to send troops to Iraq, as it is too dangerous.
Roh can afford to be a strong leader- under the Korean Constitution, the President can serve only one 5 year term, so while he becomes a lame duck upon entering office, an officially unaffiliated President such a Roh (who has no party membership) can make tough choices that are not supported by the Korean people. Sending troops to Iraq is one such unpopular choice- about 80% of Korean don't want to send troops there.
So, I must admit- the leadership coming from the Blue House this week has pleasantly surprised me.
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Seoul Mosque threats
Officials at the Seoul Mosque are reportedly:
``We are terrified to receive the threatening calls...We are asking believers to stay home for a while and refrain from meeting people outside."
Since the beheading of a Korean in Iraq, there have been a number of calls to the mosque threatening to raze it to the ground. Seoul police are now on guard around the mosque grounds and surrounding streets, though they think that it is unlikely that any one will follow through with their threats.
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``We are terrified to receive the threatening calls...We are asking believers to stay home for a while and refrain from meeting people outside."
Since the beheading of a Korean in Iraq, there have been a number of calls to the mosque threatening to raze it to the ground. Seoul police are now on guard around the mosque grounds and surrounding streets, though they think that it is unlikely that any one will follow through with their threats.
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Monday, June 21
Korean hostage in Iraq- will it change policy in Seoul?
Kim Sun-il, a South Korean working for a company supplying the US military in Iraq, has been taken hostage.
The group that took him claim that they are led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is wanted by both the US and Iraq for directing terrorist attacks and murder- such as that of Nick Berg a couple of months ago.
The kidnappers said that unless Korea pulls their troops out of Iraq, they will send Kim's head back, along with those of Korean soldiers.
Public opinion as to the troop deployment is already weak, and this event will turn the Korean people against the deployment even more. If Kim is killed it will be Bush and the US who get the blame- not Iraqi terrorists.
The South Korean Government has 24 hours to accept the demands before Kim, who was seem in the video sent to Al-Jazeera pleading for his life saying "Please, I don't want to die.", has his head cut off.
Today there will be a lot of debate in Korea as to what the next course of action should be, but I am betting that there will be a Spanish style capitulation soon.
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The group that took him claim that they are led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who is wanted by both the US and Iraq for directing terrorist attacks and murder- such as that of Nick Berg a couple of months ago.
The kidnappers said that unless Korea pulls their troops out of Iraq, they will send Kim's head back, along with those of Korean soldiers.
Public opinion as to the troop deployment is already weak, and this event will turn the Korean people against the deployment even more. If Kim is killed it will be Bush and the US who get the blame- not Iraqi terrorists.
The South Korean Government has 24 hours to accept the demands before Kim, who was seem in the video sent to Al-Jazeera pleading for his life saying "Please, I don't want to die.", has his head cut off.
Today there will be a lot of debate in Korea as to what the next course of action should be, but I am betting that there will be a Spanish style capitulation soon.
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You say tax-evading-son-of-a-dictator, I say legitimate campaign donor...
In what feels like a repeat of the Gore/money from China affair, it has been revealed that Chun Jae-yong, the son of former Korean dictator Chun Doo Hwan donated US$2000 to the Kerry campaign fund.
Chun is a business partner of major Kerry fundraiser Rick Yi, who apparently solicited the money for Kerry.
Not only is Chin the son of a military dictator, he himself was arrested on tax evasion charges earlier this year! It is claimed that he evaded about US$14 million in taxes. Most of the money is believed to have come from the hundreds of millions his father id thought to have amassed while President of Korea.
The Kerry campaign claims to not have known the background of Chin Jae-yong, and said that they will return the donation to him.
However, they don't deny taking a donation from a foreign national in the first place, which is illegal under campaign finance rules.
Further investigation is needed into the fundraising efforts of Kerry and Rick Yi
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Chun is a business partner of major Kerry fundraiser Rick Yi, who apparently solicited the money for Kerry.
Not only is Chin the son of a military dictator, he himself was arrested on tax evasion charges earlier this year! It is claimed that he evaded about US$14 million in taxes. Most of the money is believed to have come from the hundreds of millions his father id thought to have amassed while President of Korea.
The Kerry campaign claims to not have known the background of Chin Jae-yong, and said that they will return the donation to him.
However, they don't deny taking a donation from a foreign national in the first place, which is illegal under campaign finance rules.
Further investigation is needed into the fundraising efforts of Kerry and Rick Yi
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