North Korea talks with South Korean officials reached a recent high point on Sunday when the two countries established their first government level communications in several years.

Officials from both countries agreed to meet in the village of Panmunjom.

Both sides agreed to new talks after Pyongyang on Friday reconnected a hotline that had been severed among recent tensions. Those tensions occurred after North Korea set off months of tensions with a long-range rocket launch in December. North Korea then followed that launch with a nuclear weapons test in February.

In April, North Korea talks completely broke down with South Korea when the country kicked South Korean workers out of an industrial complex that was meant to be a major symbol of cooperation between the two feuding sides.

The North has now issued a proposal for talks, noting that “the venue of the talks and the date for their opening can be set to the convenience of the south side.”

Officials in South Korea have been very receptive to the request for further talks, noting that officials in South Korea have “continuously” sought talks since the Kaesong facility was shutdown.

North Korea talks have led to officials in the country reopening the Red Cross hotline in the border area of Panmunjom. The Red Cross hotline was an important avenue of communications between the two companies before it was shut down.

It is still unclear if the Kaesong complex will re-open in the near future or if talks will only work to weaken relations between the two companies. The complex houses operations for more than 120 South Korean companies who rely on North Korea’s cheap labor force. Since closing the facility, more than 50,000 North Koreans have been without work and the final South Korean workers left the facility in May. North Korea closed the facility despite the fact that it is a major source of hard currency for leader Kim Jon Un’s regime.

Working-level talks are being held today in Panmunjom.

Do you think North Korea talks with South Korea can bring about any change for the better?

North Korea Talks With South Korea After Key Hotline Is Restored is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea restored its hotline with South Korea this week after the world’s most secretive nation invited Seoul officials to attend working-level talks in Kaesong.

In response, the South used the hotline to accept the North’s proposal. However, Seoul suggested the talks should be held at the Panmunjom truce village, which straddles the border between the two nations.

South Korea also suggested that the talks should include prep work for the ministerial-level meeting, which will take place soon. Restorations of the Red Cross link, which was severed by the North in March, is the latest signal that tensions in the region are calming.

North Korea significantly increased tensions in March by declaring an end to the truce between the two nations and severing the hotline. The country also test fired several weapons into the ocean and set up others for testing along the eastern coast.

But those weapons were removed from their launching positions last month — a signal that the North was backing down on its war rhetoric.

While the upcoming talks will include topics on how the two nations can agree to keep the peace, the North’s nuclear weapons program will apparently not be up for debate. Also expected will be negotiations on reopening the factory complex in Kaesong, located just north of the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two nations.

The decade-old complex is the product of an inter-Korean cooperation. But it was gradually shut down after Pyongyang cut off border communications and access in March. The country then pulled its 53,000 workers. The last South Korean managers left Kaesong last month.

The logistical talks between North and South Korea will be held on Sunday in Panmunjom. Later this week, the two countries will hold their first cabinet minister-level meeting in six years. The suggestion by North Korea was a surprise, given the country’s rhetoric in recent months.

Do you think the suggestion of talks from North Korea is a sign that the two countries could finally enter a long-term peace?

[Image via ShutterStock]

North Korea Restores Hotline With South, Suggests New Talks is a post from: The Inquisitr

South Korean politicians have proposed new legislation that would regulate video games in a similar fashion to drugs and alcohol.

Representative Shin Eui-jin, a member of the conservative Saenuri Party and a former medical professor, says the proposed laws would help promote a “happy and healthy society.”

Fourteen other representatives have backed the bill, which would allow the South Korean government to regulate online gaming, drugs, alcohol, and gambling by controlling their manufacturing, distribution, and sale.

South Korea’s National Assembly has yet to vote on the bill, but there has already been a backlash from the country’s large gaming industry and gamers. One industry representative told Inews24:

“It is regretful that the government views games in the same category as drugs and gambling. [This administration is] talking about a creative economy and yet are constantly trying to regulate one of our leading industries for content business.”

Meanwhile, Korean game site Gamemeca (via Kotaku) notes the bill contains questionable language such as:

“The governing body shall have the right to regulate manufacturing, distribution and sale of addictive substances and can also limit promotion of them as well.”

That, reports Gamemeca, implies the government could interfere with game development, releases, and promotion.

Many in South Korea believe gaming addiction is a serious problem in the country, which boasts a large competitve gaming scene.

The government in Seoul spends around $10 million per year to fund internet and gaming addiction treatment centers. Previously, Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has attempted to clamp down on gamers who play into the early hours of the morning.

South Korea Proposes Law To Regulate Games Like Drugs Or Alcohol is a post from: The Inquisitr

Miss Korea 2013 contestants all look identical, according to a new Reddit thread titled “Korea’s plastic surgery mayhem is finally converging on the same face. Here are the miss korea 2013 contestants.”

Redditor “ShenTheWise” first posted the thread, and another Redditor followed up with this handy .gif featuring all twenty contestants from Miss Korea 2013.

But wait up, isn’t suggesting people from the same race all look identical kind of racist?

Well, it certainly can be, but maybe not in this instance. Firstly, this generalization only stretches to twenty people. And let’s face it: That .gif is pretty damn eerie.

To reassure everybody, a Seoul-based Redditor soon joined the conversation to tell others:

“You arent racist. Those women in fact do look unnervingly similar and yes, Koreans think so too. This is because they all get the exact same plastic surgeries and the surgeons follow the same formulas for noses and eyes and everything else theyve had done (fillers, cheek and forehead implants, eye surgery, nose surgery, jaw reduction, breast job, calf muscle job, fat grafting etc). Every single one of them has had nose and eye surgery. Those faces costed those girls thousands. Also dont underestimate makeup, theyve got it caked on in a similar style.”

The same user also goes on to note that South Koreans jokingly refer to the women as “Samsung robots.”

What say you, readers?

Miss Korea 2013 Contestants All Look Identical, Say Redditors is a post from: The Inquisitr

Two US golfers have pulled out of the Ballantine’s Championship event which begins on Thursday, according to organizers in South Korea. The brief statement said that Dustin and Zach Johnson said that they wouldn’t be attending because of “perceived unrest on the Korean Peninsula.”

Dustin had previously attended in 2011, when he won fourth place. He recently shared 13th place at the 2013 Masters earlier this month.

World ranked number seven Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa will be the top-ranked player playing for a prize pool of over $2.5 million.

In recent weeks, the US and North Korea have been engaged in a war of words over the belligerent nation’s nuclear development program. Eccentric leader Kim Jong-Un has repeatedly threatened to launch another missile test, and recent movements of equipment suggest that the new launch could come at any time.

In particular, South Korean intelligence has reported that North Korea has moved both ballistic missiles and launchers to its east coast. Because the launches are partly for propaganda purposes, they are sometimes scheduled for key dates.

One guess is that the next test could be on April 25, the anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army — and, coincidentally, the same day that the Ballantine’s Championship is slated to start.

However, no one knows for sure, and Kim Min-Seok, a South Korean defense ministry official, also suggested that the next test could be months away. Another possible date is July 27, the date of the end of the 1950s era Korean War.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Fang Fenghui, China’s top general, said today that the Chinese military believes that North Korea will indeed test a fourth nuclear missile but he wouldn’t speculate on a possible date.

Either way, the US golfer pull-out means that the Johnsons won’t be in South Korea to compete for the European Tour event.

[Dustin Johnson photo by David W. Leindecker / Shutterstock.com]

US Golfers Pull Out of Ballantine’s Championship, Citing North Korea Worries is a post from: The Inquisitr

PSY’s new video “Gentleman” is breaking all kinds of records on YouTube even though his home country of South Korea refuses to air it.

According to the Associated Press, one South Korean broadcasting network has banned the pop sensation’s new video from all of its channels due to one controversial scene in the opening sequence.

In the scene, PSY kicks over a state-owned parking cone.

Seems like a silly reason, but that’s destruction of property, and the state-funded KBS said on Thursday that its hands are tied. They must remove “Gentleman” from their channels because it falls short of the standard set for public broadcast.

This amounts to mostly a personal inconvenience for PSY, whose “Gentleman” has already pushed past 150 million views and over 1.3 million likes since debut just under a week ago. We say personal inconvenience because South Korea is his home, after all.

Additionally, he expressed hope in the recent past that his music could be used to unite the people of North and South Korea together in light of quickly rising tensions between the two.

Last week, he said that the division of North and South Korea amounted to a “tragedy,” continuing, “Hopefully my `Gangnam Style,’ my `Gentleman,’ my music videos and my choreography … they might enjoy them too,” of the North’s citizenry.

PSY’s “Gangnam Style” brought the 35-year-old international fame last year, becoming YouTube’s most watched video with 1.5 billion views thus far.

The new single, “Gentleman,” follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, complete with a catchy riff and new, bizarre choreography.

Check out the video for PSY’s “Gentleman” below. The “controversial” scene that caused the video to be pulled in South Korea is right at the front, around the 0:05 mark. What do you think of PSY’s new song?

[Image via: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]

PSY’s ‘Gentleman’ Banned In South Korea Over Controversial Scene is a post from: The Inquisitr

Psy has re-entered the zeitgeist with a new single, but used a recent interview to talk more about the rising tensions between North Korea and South Korea, the latter of which being his home country.

Psy released “Gentleman,” the follow-up to his runaway 2012 viral hit “Gangnam Style,” in 119 countries on Friday. He unveiled the single, as well as a new signature dance (called the “arrogant dance”) at a concert in Seoul on Saturday to an audience of over 50,000 fans.

But news of rising tensions on the Korean peninsula has caused Psy to reflect on the status of his homeland, which is living under increased threat of military attack from North Korea’s belligerent dictator, Kim Jong Un.

“It’s a tragedy. We are the only countries divided right now,” Psy said before his Saturday concert.

“Hopefully my `Gangnam Style,’ my `Gentleman,’ my music videos and my choreography … they might enjoy them too,” Psy said of North Korea’s citizens.

As far as his career is concerned, Psy noted that the incredible success of “Gangnam Style” made him feel pressured to deliver with his second single. Though “Gangnam Style” is YouTube’s most viewed video of all time with 1.5 billion hits, Psy said that his number one priority wasn’t replicating his success, so much as staying true to his Korean roots.

“I tried to find Korean words that people from any country can easily sing along,” he said of “Gentleman,” which includes lyrics in English and Korean.

But it’s hard to say whether Psy will find similar success with “Gentleman” or if he’ll ever top the popularity of “Gangnam Style.” Some have wondered whether Psy is one-and-done. Either way, it’s not going to slow the South Korean superstar down.

“Whether or not a couple of my songs become a global hit, I’ve been doing this job for 12 years,” Psy said. “I will bring more Korean dance moves and Korean songs overseas.”

Are you a fan of Psy? Here’s “Gentleman” in case you haven’t seen it yet.

[Image via: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com]

Psy Calls Korean Tensions A ‘Tragedy’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Things seemingly can’t get much tenser on the Korean peninsula than they already are, but new North Korean threats of an imminent missile launch have placed neighbors in the region further on edge.

The missile, assuming it launches — and assuming it works as planned — would have a range of over 2,000 miles and place the US island of Guam within striking distance.

North Korea’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, a non-military organization that handles relations with South Korea, said it has “powerful striking means” that have been “put on standby for a launch and the coordinates of targets put into the warheads,” according to the Associated Press. Such threats sound intimidating, but they are easy threats to make.

The North and South Korean capitols of Pyongyang and Seoul are little more than 100 miles apart. At that distance, North Korea’s expected missile launch can fail, even fail spectacularly, and still prove to be a threat to all of South Korea. North Korea already has missiles that can rain fire down upon South Korea’s capitol, one of the largest cities in the world.

Regardless of how far North Korea’s missiles can reach, the world has amble reason to take the country seriously. Even if the country is not a direct threat to the US mainland, even if it were to prove unable to strike Japan, it could easily devastate its neighbor occupying the lower half of the Korean peninsula.

Seoul is home to over 10 million people and such internationally known brands as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia. One of the world’s most prominent cities is mere miles from a border shared with the most reclusive country in the world.

A North Korea that could destroy Seoul with a missile launch — even if it could not threaten anyone else directly — is powerful enough to deal the world a crippling blow.

North Korea’s ‘Powerful Striking Means’: A Missile Launch Threat That Isn’t Hollow is a post from: The Inquisitr

A day after North Korea warned foreigners to evacuate South Korea before the outbreak of a “merciless, sacred, retaliatory war,” the world has instead decided to call the country’s bluff.

The European Union told North Korea Wednesday that it sees insufficient reason to evacuate Europe’s various diplomats from the Korean peninsula. The union of 27 European nations does not feel that the situation on the ground justifies such a response.

“Despite current tensions, which (North Korea) deliberately attempts to increase through aggressive rhetoric, we judge that the situation on the ground does not justify evacuation or re-location of EU member states’ diplomatic missions,” an EU spokeswoman said.

On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed Russia’s support for the US’s approach to North Korea.

“There is no disagreement with the United States over North Korea,” Lavrov said at a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry. The two are in London to hold talks with other members of the G8.

Lavrov did reveal some hesitancy. He feels that the world need not frighten North Korea with military manoeuvres, apparently referring to military exercises being conducted by the US, South Korea, and North Korea on both sides of the DMZ. Enough fear could turn North Korea’s bluffs into action.

“There is a chance everything will calm down,” Lavrov said.

While North Korea shares most of its border with China, it neighbors Russia at the shore. Russia does not stand to benefit from violence and instability breaking out just next door.

North Korea is expected to launch a medium-range missile at any time as a display of strength. South Korea has asked China and Russia to intercede with the North to ease tensions in the area.

Despite the threat, life in South Korea’s capital proceeds as normal. Seoul, one of the largest cities in the world, is close to the border with North Korea and little more than 100 miles from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. Inhabitants of Seoul have grown accustomed to North Korea’s bluffs.

[Image of Seoul via Wikimedia Commons]

North Korea Is Bluffing, World Remains Calm is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea could be preparing to conduct a fourth nuclear test, according to officials in neighboring South Korea.

After spotting an increase in activity at the North’s main nuclear test site, South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae warned a fourth nuclear test by the isolated state may be imminent.

North Korea last conducted a test on February 12, and South Korean officials have said the movement currently being observed in the North is similar to the maneuvers now being seen.

Newspaper JoongAng Ilbo spoke to an anonymous South Korean official who said intelligence services in Seoul have detected “increased activity of labor forces and vehicles” at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east of North Korea. The source said:

“We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation, which is very similar to the situation ahead of the third nuclear test. We are trying to figure out whether it is a genuine preparation for a nuclear test or just a ploy to heap more pressure on us and the US.”

In recent weeks, North Korea has let loose a stream of belligerent rhetoric, warning that it plans to attack US and South Korean targets with nuclear weapons.

In a bid to back up its tough stance, the North has prevented South Koreans from working at a jointly run industrial complex in the North and shut down an emergency military hotline between Seoul and Pyongyang.

The North has suggested it will conduct a missile launch of some description on April 10. While many have assumed this refers to an attack on the US or South Korea, a fourth nuclear test now looks the more likely candidate.

There’s a chance the North may also wait until April 15, the birthday of the late leader Kim Il-Sung. The day is the most important in the North Korean calendar and has often been used in the past by the regime to make dramatic statements or gestures.

[Image via Shutterstock]

North Korea Preparing To Conduct Fourth Nuclear Test, Claims South Korea is a post from: The Inquisitr

Senator Lindsey Graham told NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday that a North Korean attack would lead to immediate retribution and that “the North loses and the South wins with our help.”

According to Graham:

“I could see a major war happening if the North Koreans overplay their hand this time because the public in South Korea, the United States, and, I think, the whole region is fed up with this guy.”

Graham is referring to North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, who in recent days has been promising to attack the United States with nuclear weapons.

Speaking of North Korea’s potential folly, Senator Graham says his “biggest fear” is that the North Korean regime will fail to understand South Korea’s current impatience with the country. Graham reveals that the South Koreans are “not going to put up with this anymore. If there were a South Korean naval vessel sunk this year, any time soon, or shelling of a South Korean island by North Korea, I think the new president of South Korea would be compelled to act. I think the North Koreans are overplaying their hand.”

Senator Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee member, tells David Gregory that the public in South Korea are fed up with North Korea’s constant threats and will no longer allow the North’s transgressions to continue.

Graham also admits that the Chinese government is actively working against the South. According to Graham:

“They don’t want a democratic Korea next to China, so they’re propping up this crazy (North Korean) regime – and they can determine the fate of North Korea better than anybody on the planet.”

When asked why Japan and South Korea have not developed their own nuclear weapons, Graham explains:

“They trust us. As long as South Korea and Japan trust us to be in the fight, they won’t go down the nuclear road. It’s important that they always believe we have their back, it’s important that North Korea knows what happens if they engage anybody in the region associated with us – including with our own troops. They (the North Koreans) lose.”

Here is the full Lindsey Graham interview on Meet The Press:

Senator Graham: South Korea’s New President Won’t Hesitate To Attack North Korea is a post from: The Inquisitr

The South Korean government is on high alert as North Korea is believed to be preparing a new missile launch scheduled for April 10. According to reports, Pyongyang workers are being pushed to leave the Kaesong Industrial Complex before that potential launch day.

According to South Korea’s Blue House spokeswoman Kim Haeng, Seoul “is on military readiness posture” following North Korea’s hints that foreign diplomats should leave Pyongyang immediately.

Kim further notes:

“As of now, nothing out of the ordinary has been detected. If limited war is to break out, North Korea should bear in mind that it will receive damages many times over.”

Tensions between North and South Korea began mounting several days ago when North Korea’s government officials banned the entry of new workers and trucks into Kaesong. That location is a shared facility that sits on North Korea’s side of a military fortified border with South Korea.

“Given the current situation, Gen. Thurman will remain in Seoul next week as a prudent measure.”

The neutral country of Switzerland has even stepped in, offering to host a meeting between North and South Korea. Officials in Switzerland said they are “always ready to contribute to finding a solution, if that is the desire of the parties, for example hosting meetings between them.”

North Korea has increased its threats in the last several weeks. In one state run TV ad, the countries’ leaders promised to launch a nuclear attack against the “imperialist United States.” According to Kim, North Korea is making ridiculous claims in an attempt to grab headlines, a move he calls the “headline strategy.”

When asked about South Korea’s seemingly calm reaction to North Korea, Kim notes:

“A duck will appear peaceful on the surface, but its feet are moving breathlessly under the water.”

At this time, South Korea has promised that it will not rush into peace talks with North Korea under the threat of war.

With a possible April 10 missile test planned by North Korea, the United States military has decided to delay the launch of its own Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. The test, which was scheduled for a Tuesday launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, was delayed to avoid further tensions between the North and South.

Despite threats of war and the upcoming missile launch, embassy leaders are staying put in North Korea even as the country’s leaders warn that it may not be able to protect them in Pyongyang should war break out in the region.

Reports suggest that North Korea will test Musudan missiles which have a range of 2,500-miles. At that range, the Musudan missile could reach South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Two medium-range missiles have been placed onto mobile launchers on the east cost of North Korea.

In the meantime, the United States is using North Korean posturing to build out its own missile defense system on the Western coast of the United States.

Do you think North Korea will actually launch an attack against an enemy of the state, or is this just more North Korean military posturing?

North Korea Launching Missiles In Next Few Days, Reason Unknown is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea has issued a fresh threat to South Korea and the United States, warning that, “The moment of explosion is approaching fast.”

The latest broadside from the North also referenced the country’s “smaller, lighter and diversified” nuclear force, and follows weeks of belligerent rhetoric and threats from Pyongyang. A report by state news agency KCNA said:

“The moment of explosion is approaching fast. No one can say a war will break out in Korea or not and whether it will break out today or tomorrow. The responsibility for this grave situation entirely rests with the US administration and military warmongers keen to encroach upon [North Korea]‘s sovereignty and bring down its dignified social system with brigandish logic.”

The latest warning from North Korea comes after the isolated country sealed off access to the Kaesŏng Industrial Park, a series of factories run jointly by the North and South Korea. The regime in Pyongyang has also revealed it plans to restart a mothballed nuclear reactor that was shut down in 2007 as part of disarmament talks.

The United States has responded to recent threats by flying nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 jets over South Korea, positioning a warship close to North Korean waters, and sending ballistic missile defenses to Guam, a Pacific territory that is home to US naval and air bases.

Though many commentators believe the North is some way from being capable of delivering a nuclear warhead on a missile, the US is wary of second-guessing the motives behind Pyongyang’s threats. Speaking at Washington’s National Defense University (below), Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said:

“It only takes being wrong once, and I don’t want to be the secretary of defense who was wrong once.”

Hagel also urged North Korea to cease its threats and lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula:

“I hope the North will ratchet this very dangerous rhetoric down. There is a pathway that is responsible for the North to get on a path to peace working with their neighbors. There are many, many benefits to their people that could come. But they have got to be a responsible member of the world community, and you don’t achieve that responsibility and peace and prosperity by making nuclear threats and taking very provocative actions.”

However, while Washington continues to warn Pyongyang over its heated rhetoric, North Korea says the US is to blame for the current predicament:

“We formally inform the White House and Pentagon that the ever-escalating US hostile policy toward the DPRK and its reckless nuclear threat will be smashed by the strong will of all the united service personnel and people and cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means of the DPRK and that the merciless operation of its revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified. The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation.”

Most observers believe an attack on a US target remains highly unlikely, but Pyongyang is known to have medium-range ballistic missiles that could easily threaten South Korea and Japan. Should such an attack occur, the US may be forced to play a role in a retaliatory attack.

North Korea Warns Enemies: ‘The Moment Of Explosion Is Approaching Fast’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea is blocking South Korean workers from entering jointly operated Kaesong Complex factories in the neutral zone.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, North Korea declared a state of war against South Korea last week. North Korea’s official statement also promised nuclear war against the United States. Today, the announcement of increasing the North Korea nuclear weapons stockpile coincided with news of the North Korea nuclear reactor being restarted in Yongbyon, which would allow the Kim Jong-Un regime to continue making plutonium.

F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets were sent to South Korea as part of ongoing military exercises with South Korea that occur every year. These F-22 stealth fighters in Korea would join the B-52 bombers and B-2 stealth bombers that were already sent to South Korea. The USS Fitzgerald, a destroyer capable of intercepting missiles, was also originally thought to be deployed up the coast line of North Korea, but it turns out the radar-equipped destroyer USS John S. McCain will be going instead. Even the Anonymous hacker group attacked North Korea, stealing 15,000 passwords and shutting down multiple state-run websites.

Moon Chung-in, a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, says the action of North Korea blocking South Korea from the factories is the first instance of North Korea taking action and not just promising retaliation:

“I think it has something to do with comments by Western and South Korean observers who say that North Korea wouldn’t give up the Kaesong Complex no matter what, that North Korea needs the business too much. They took that as kind of insulting to their leadership.”

The Kaesong Complex factories are located six miles into North Korea, just north of the demilitarized zone. About 120 South Korean companies employ the cheaper labor of an estimated 53,000 North Koreans in the factories. The Kaesong Complex produced about $470 million last year, with $80 million going to North Korea.

The last time South Korea was denied access to the Kaesong Complex factories was in 2009, after North Korea’s second nuclear test. Fortunately, the South Koreans already in the Kaesong Complex were allowed to leave.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-Jin said, “We should stop this from going into the worst-case scenario. But in case of crisis, we consider all options, including military actions”. Still, other experts says they don’t see North Korea “destroying the project but rather as a way to threaten and put pressure on the South Korean government.”

What do you think about the North Korea factories being closed to South Korea?

North Korea Factory Complex Blocked For South Korean Workers is a post from: The Inquisitr

The F-22 Stealth Fighters in Korea were technically deployed, but have not yet actually started flying.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, North Korea declared a state of war against South Korea last week. North Korea’s official statement also promised nuclear war against the United States.

In response to the threat of North Korea nukes, the USS Fitzgerald was deployed since it is capable of intercepting and destroying a missile. On Sunday, the United States announced the intention to send F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets to South Korea as part of ongoing military exercises with South Korea that occur every year. These F-22 stealth fighters in Korea would join the B-52 bombers and B-2 stealth bombers that were already sent to South Korea.

The U.S. military command in South Korea said in a statement that North Korea should restrain itself:

“(North Korea) will achieve nothing by threats or provocations, which will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”

But now the Pentagon has clarified that the F-22 stealth fighter in Korea have not actually flown yet. Although not intended as an April Fool’s joke on Kim Jong-Un, the two F-22 Raptors are on “static display” at the Osan air base south of Seoul.

The Raptors were previously scheduled to join the Foal Eagle exercise, but so far the only flying they’ve seen was on Sunday when they came from Japan’s Kadena air base. In the event of an actual conflict with North Korea, the F-22 stealth fighters in Korea could escort the bombers or open fire on the North’s air defense stations.

Pentagon spokesman George Little said the presence of F-22 stealth fighters in Korea was “all about alliance assurance” to South Korea and Japan:

“The North Koreans have a choice. They can continue to engage in provocations, with bellicose, overheated, irresponsible rhetoric, or they can pursue the path of peace. They’ve been pursuing the path of provocation, and we think it’s time for them to switch lanes.”

What do you think about the F-22 stealth fighters in Korea not actually flying?

F-22 Stealth Fighter In South Korea Deployed But Not Actually Flying is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea’s provocative campaign of threats has continued, with Pyongyang warning it may close down a factory complex it jointly runs with South Korea.

North Korea has spent the past few weeks releasing bellicose threats against South Korea and the US, significantly raising tensions on the Korean peninsula. As well as promising nuclear attacks against South Korea and US military bases in the Pacific and declaring a “state of war” with the South, the North has also scrapped the 1953 armistice (again) between itself and South Korea and cut a military hotline, its last direct means of communication with its southern neighbor.

Despite all the bluster, North Korea has so far allowed Kaesŏng Industrial Park, a factory complex run jointly with the South, to operate normally. The factory (pictured below), located six miles north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), is a combination of South Korean expertise and cheap North Korean labour. It provides a crucial source of income for the North.

However, a new report by state news agency KCNA suggests Pyongyang has threatened to “shut down the zone without mercy” if the North is not taken seriously. The quote is attributed to a source in the North Korean department that controls Kaesŏng.

As with all statements issued from Pyongyang, commentators are divided on whether this is another North Korean bluff designed to gain diplomatic leverage. Many believe North Korea is attempting to influence the policies of the new government in Seoul and win diplomatic talks with the US that could secure more aid. There is also a belief that the North could be trying to strengthen the military cedentials of its young leader, Kim Jong-un.

Shutting down Kaesŏng would deprive North Korea of a significant source of foreign currency. So far in its campaign of saber-rattling, the North has yet to follow through on a threat that would demonstrably harm its own economic efforts. Closing Kaesŏng would send quite a statement.

North Korea Threatens To Close Factory Jointly Run With South is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea declared a state of war against South Korea. Included in this document was the stated intention by North Korea to launch a nuclear war against the United States.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the North Korea UN sanctions situation has been deteriorating for a while now. North Korea claims to have long range missiles and nuclear weapons, and an EMP attack against the United States might be a real threat.

North Korea’s state of war was declared in a statement:

“From this time on, the North-South relations will be entering the state of war and all issues raised between the North and the South will be handled accordingly. The long-standing situation of the Korean peninsula being neither at peace nor at war is finally over.”

North Korea also claims the war “will not be limited to a local war, but develop into an all-out war, a nuclear war.” The blame the United States for showing off its nuclear weapons-capable B-2A stealth bombers. The regime of Kim Jong-un says any conflict in the “Korean Peninsula is bound to lead to an all-out war, a nuclear war now that even U.S. nuclear strategic bombers in its military bases in the Pacific including Hawaii and Guam and in its mainland are flying into the sky above south Korea to participate in the madcap DPRK-targeted nuclear war moves.”

North Korea’s threat of nuclear war is not all bluff. In December, North Korean scientists launched a satellite into space on the back of a long-range rocket, which could be converted into a missile. In February, for the third time they tested an underground nuclear device that shook the world enough that geologists could detect it. Estimates put the nuclear bomb’s power between six to seven kilotons, which is about half the output of the nuclear weapon dropped on Hiroshima.

White House deputy press spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters the “bellicose rhetoric emanating from North Korea only deepens that nation’s isolation.” Still, North Korea’s state of war did cause Admiral James Winnefeld, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to leak out the fact that the Department of Defense believes North Korea had one type of missile capable of reaching the US mainland. Still, experts believe these missiles are untested, may not be all too accurate (although any nuclear explosion going off anywhere in the US would be damaging), and the furthest target they’re known to be capable of hitting is Japan.

Despite these threats of nuclear war, the North Korea leaders in Pyongyang are likely aiming to force the United States to the negotiating table, pressure the new president in Seoul to change policy on North Korea, and build unity inside the communist country without triggering a full-blown war. North Korea no longer has Chinese troops stationed to back them up, while South Korea has tens of thousands of American troops ready for war. North Korea likely desires a real peace treaty that see these forces removed.

North Korea Nuclear War Threatened, DoD Says Missiles Could Hit US Mainland is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea declared a state of war against South Korea. While no North Korea rocket attacks have taken place, some are wondering whether the regime of Kim Jong-un is serious about this being the time to “settle accounts with the US imperialists.”

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the North Korea UN sanctions situation has been deteriorating for a while now. North Korea claims to have long range missiles and nuclear weapons, and an EMP attack against the United States might be a real threat.

North Korea’s state of war was declared in a statement:

“From this time on, the North-South relations will be entering the state of war and all issues raised between the North and the South will be handled accordingly. The long-standing situation of the Korean peninsula being neither at peace nor at war is finally over.”

North Korea’s rockets are on standby in response to the United States flying two nuclear-capable stealth bombers over the Korean peninsula. South Korea and the United States are currently undergoing their annual joint military exercises, and two radar-evading B-2 Spirit bombers dropped bombs on deserted islands as a practice run for war.

Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, dismisses North Korea’s state of war, saying, “North Korea has a long history of bellicose rhetoric and threats and today’s announcement follows that familiar pattern.”

Richard Bush, senior fellow and director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, agrees this “bellicose rhetoric” should not be taken too seriously:

“A lot of it is show for the domestic audience. The North Korean leadership is cynical. They know these are exercises. It’s useful domestically. They get their own people spun up. In worrying about war, maybe that distracts from how hungry they are.”

But if North Korea’s state of war is no farce then Seoul would be bombarded with artillery and missiles could be launched against Japan and Gaum. North Korea has at least 4,000 tanks and a very large, albeit poorly trained, infantry. Any initial assault would face about 28,500 U.S. troops and about 600,000 troops in the South Korean armed forces.

All war game simulations show the United States and South Korea winning, but that’s assuming no other nations, especially China, are drawn into a conflict. The worst case scenario is if a nuclear weapon is snuck on to the battfield. Even in a limited conventional battle the death toll would be at “World War I levels of casualties.”

What do you think about North Korea’s state of war against South Korea?

North Korea State Of War Declared Against South Korea, But Are They A Threat? is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea has declared it is entering a “state of war” with neighboring South Korea.

The isolated state has directed numerous hostile statements towards Seoul and the US in recent days and weeks, and the latest rhetoric promises “stern physical actions” against “any provocative act.”

Though many believe the North is unlikely to wage a full-blown war, the newest statements are yet another step up in the posturing taking place between North Korea, South Korea, and the US. The North has already said its rockets are on standby to attack US military bases in South Korea and the Pacific, while an assault on the US mainland has also been promised.

A North Korean statement released on Saturday said:

“From this time on, the North-South relations will be entering the state of war and all issues raised between the North and the South will be handled accordingly. The long-standing situation of the Korean peninsula being neither at peace nor at war is finally over.”

Tensions in the Korean peninsula have been high ever since fresh UN sanctions were introduced to punish North Korea for its February 12 nuclear test. Since the sanctions were imposed, the US and South Korea have begun their annual joint military drills, prompting North Korea to announce it had scrapped the Korean War armistice.

After several further threats to South Korean and US targets, the US flew B-52 nuclear-capable bombers over the Korean peninsula on March 19, followed by stealth bombers on March 28. The latter action was designed to show Pyongyang that the US could launch long-distance precision strikes “at will.”

On Thursday, state media in North Korea revealed leader Kim Jong-un had “judged the time has come to settle accounts with the US imperialists.”

Russia has warned the nations involved about entering a “vicious circle,” while China, North Korea’s biggest trading partner, has advised that all sides make attempts to ease tensions.

Technically, North and South Korea have remained at war since 1953, the year the Korean War ended. While an armistice was signed between the two nations, it was never turned into a peace treaty.

North Korea Declares ‘State Of War’ With South Korea is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea issued its latest in a series of warnings to the US and its allies Monday, threatening to attack US bases throughout the Pacific as well as the state of Hawaii.

North Korea‘s military issued a statement claiming that it will direct field artillery and missile units to target US bases in the Pacific, including the state of Hawaii, Guam, and US allies South Korea and Japan.

The latest threat came only hours after South Korean President Park Geun-hye called for North Korea to cease developing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. South Korea also pushed North Korea to cease is threats and provocations. North Korea, in a sharp rebuttal of South Korea’s warning, responded with more provocations and threats.

“They should be mindful that everything will be reduced to ashes and flames the moment the first attack is unleashed,” the North Korean People’s Army Supreme Command said in a statement.

North Korea has detested the joint military exercises currently being performed by the US and South Korea. The US has flown B-52 bombers over South Korea as part of the exercises, particularly aggravating the North.

“We are firmly committed to defending the Republic of Korea and Japan,” a Pentagon spokesperson told CNN.

Tensions in the reason have intensified in recent years. In late 2010, following South Korean artillery exercises in waters off the Korean peninsula, North Korea shelled the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, killing four and injuring 19. South Korea responded by shelling North Korean gun positions. In late 2012, North Korea tested a long-range rocket. The isolated nation performed its third nuclear test just last month, making even its most prominent ally nervous.

Kim Jong-un became the Supreme Leader of North Korea in late 2011 and is still jockeying for power and respect among leaders who scrutinize his age. Both American and East Asian analysts suspect that North Korea’s recent line of threats against the US and its allies are boisterous gestures meant to gain credibility domestically rather than abroad.

[Imaga via ShutterStock]

North Korea Threatens US Pacific Bases is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea renewed US attack threats on Thursday. Just one day after Kim Jong-un supervised a mock drone attack on South Korea, the leader issued new warning to United States interests. Jong-un stated that if North Korea is “provoked” it will attack American military bases in Guam and Japan.

After accusing America of planning a bomber strike against them, North Korea also held an air raid drill on Thursday. Officials reportedly used the airplanes that have been flying drills over the Korean peninsula as proof that both America and South Korea are preparing a military strike.

Angry rhetoric was also reportedly flowing from North Korea in response to new United Nations sanctions. The sanctions reference the nuclear test held by the nation in February.

An excerpt from the warning issued by North Korea’s military commanders reads:

“The United States is adviced not to forget that our precision tools have within their range the Anderson Air Force base on Guam where the B-52 takes off.”

The attack warning also noted the placement of nuclear powered submarines in Japan and an American Navy base in Okinawa as potential targets. While some question whether or not North Korea actually has access to drones, South Korea’s Yonhap news group claims they have proof of such existence

A report from the agency maintains that North Korea was able to obtain target drones from the 1970s-era from Syria. The Yonhap report goes on to claim that the targets were supposedly scheduled to undergone the transformation necessary to become attack drones.

South Korea is dealing with perhaps a more immediate concern than the military threats by their neighbor to the North. Banks and local broadcasters were victims of hacking attempts this week. The IP address associated with the hacking originated from China. South Korean leaders are reportedly suspicious that the cyber attack attempt was linked to North Korea.

South Korea officials noted it was far too early to place the hacking attempt blame on North Korea. Although an investigation into the hacking intrusion is ongoing, an unnamed official did state that “thousands” of engineers from North Korea might have been recruited specifically for cyber warfare.

[Image Via: Shutterstock.com]

North Korea Issues New Attack Threats is a post from: The Inquisitr

Leonardo DiCaprio does seem to mind film violence. At least, it doesn’t deter him from making films that he believes have artistic merit.

Following the tragic events last December in Newtown, Connecticut, part of the national conversation has shifted toward film violence, with some wondering whether or not fictional depictions of violent acts are capable of influencing people to imitate them in real life. One of the films at the center of the controversy lately is Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, a hyper-violent revenge actioner set in the Antebellum south.

Tarantino himself has long pushed back against critics of his depictions of violence in film, and most studies seem to agree with him: Film violence and real-life violence have little-to-no correlation.

But how does one of the film’s stars, Leonardo DiCaprio, feel about film violence?

“My philosophy has kind of always been the same: Pain is temporary, film is forever,” DiCaprio said on Thursday during an interview in Seoul, South Korea.

“You do everything you possibly can, you give it your all, all of your focus, and hopefully you come out with, if all the elements mixed together correctly, you come out with a great piece of art,” he said. “To me, cinema is the great modern art form.”

Django Unchained continues Tarantino’s habit of using hyper-stylized depictions of violence in films like Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds, with the director opining that controversial films become less so as they age.

Tarantino’s latest outing has proven to be his most successful box office venture to date, and took home a ton of awards, including top honors for original screenplay and best supporting actor (Christoph Waltz) at the Academy Awards last month.

Speaking at a news conference in Seoul (during Django’s red-carpet premiere there) DiCaprio mentioned that his first trip to South Korea was incredible, and that his warm welcome ensures that he will return at some point.

Django Unchained opened last weekend in Japan, and opens in South Korea and Singapore on March 21, 2013.

Another fun bit from DiCaprio’s South Korea tour featured the actor doing his best celebrity impersonation. You can see it for yourself below:

Leonardo DiCaprio Talks Film Violence, Argues ‘Film Is Forever’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

South Korea warned North Korea of bold and decisive retaliation if North Korea follows through on its recent threats to resume the Korean War.

“We have all preparations in place for strong and decisive punishment, not only against the source of the aggression and its support forces but also the commanding element,” South Korean Major General Kim Yong-hyun said in a press conference.

A top North Korean general appeared on state television yesterday threatening military action against the US and South Korea due to military drills being waged by the two nations. Tensions have risen on the peninsula since North Korea’s youthful leader Kim Jong Un issued a long-range rocket test in December. North Korea followed up with its third nuclear test in February.

North Korea’s action upset China, the country’s one major diplomatic ally. The US and China agreed to push severe UN sanctions upon the already isolated nation. The sanctions are due to be formally announced tomorrow.

North Korea’s threats often ring hollow, but in 2010 the country sank a South Korean naval vessel and shelled a South Korean island, together resulting in the deaths of both military personnel and civilians.

South Korean recently elected President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, in December. Her father was Park Chung-hee, who served as the president of South Korea from 1963 to 1979. The recent threats from North Korea arrive early in President Park’s 5-year term.

The Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953 and was fought by South Korea, supported by the UN and predominantly US troops, and North Korea, supported by the People’s Republic of China. The fighting ended when an armistice agreement was signed that restored the border at the 38th Parallel. No peace treaty was ever signed, and a heavily armed Demilitarized Zone divides the two nations to this day.

The South Korean capital of Seoul is not far from the border with North Korea and is expected to be quickly decimated were a full-scale conflict to break out between the two nations. Seoul is one of the world’s fastest growing financial centers and currently the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world.

In contrast, North Korea is an impoverished country whose economy has shrunk over the past couple of decades. North Korea has faced sanctions from the US for most of its existence. In spite of this, the country now has enough nuclear material for half a dozen warheads and is developing a long-range missile.

Around 200,000 South Korean soldiers and 10,000 US troops are planned to engage in joint exercises until the end of April.

[Images via NBC, ShutterStock]

South Korea Threatens North Korea With Decisive Retaliation is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea has reportedly issued a threat to United States officials in South Korea over military drills scheduled to take place in the region.

The US and South Korea are slated to start the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle war games next month. Should the countries decide to move forward with the drills as planned, North Korea said it would ignite a war in which the United States would “meet a miserable destruction.”

According to The New York Times, the threat from North Korea arrived in the form of a message from chief delegate Pak Rim-su.

The message read:

“If your side ignites a war of aggression by staging the reckless joint military exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle again under the cover of ‘defensive and annual ones’ at this dangerous time, from that moment your fate will be hung by a thread with every hour. You had better bear in mind that those igniting a war are destined to meet a miserable destruction.”

According to The Associated Press, North Korean military officials say the scheduled military exercises prove that the United States is acting in a hostile manner. The country also believes US forces are preparing for an invasion.

In addition to performing regular exercises, the United States government has around 28,500 soldiers stationed in South Korea.

Reuters explains that both Washington and Seoul have maintained these are simply routine exercises and not signs of aggressive behavior.

The Inquisitr reported earlier this week that North Korea threatened South Korea with “final destruction” during a recent debate. The country’s diplomat made the unsettling remark at Tuesday’s UN Conference on Disarmament.

Jon Yong Ryong stated during the exchange:

“As the saying goes, a new-born puppy knows no fear of a tiger. South Korea’s erratic behavior would only herald its final destruction.”

What do you think about North Korea threatening the United States over military drills in South Korea?

North Korea Threatens US Over Drills In South Korea is a post from: The Inquisitr

In an effort to force the United States into diplomatic talks with Pyongyang, North Korea told its neighbor China that it’s planning to stage one or two additional nuclear tests this year.

A Reuters source said that further testing could also transpire alongside another rocket launch. The source is reported to have direct access to the highest levels of government in both Beijing and Pyongyang.

North Korea completed its third nuclear test on Thursday spurring an even greater amount of concern about the country’s intentions.

On Tuesday, following an emergency meeting convened by South Korea, the United Nations Security Council issued an undisputed condemnation of the country’s nuclear testing — the third provocation since 2006.

“It’s all ready. A fourth and fifth nuclear test and a rocket launch could be conducted soon, possibly this year,” the Reuters source said. The source also said that the fourth nuclear test would be quite a bit larger than the third, or roughly equivalent to an explosion of 10 kilotons of TNT. To put that in perspective, “Little Boy”, the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, had a destructive force (blast yield) of 16 kilotons.

According to The Globe and Mail, Kim Sung-hwan, South Korean foreign minister, called the testing a “clear threat to international peace and security” and issued a warning that the council would take “appropriate measures.”

Unless Washington holds talks with North Korea and revises its policy toward the country, the test will continue as planned.

South Korea’s initial estimates of this week’s testing predict that North Korea’s yield sits around six to seven kilotons, but a final review may be weeks away.

North Korea is banned under U.N. sanctions from developing any missile or nuclear technology — a result of the country’s 2006 and 2009 nuclear testing.

It seems that North Korea has done its very best to make things difficult. President Obama responded to the country’s test this week by reaffirming that the “nuclear umbrella” provided to South Korea by the United States was very much still in place.

North Korea Tells China Of Nuclear Test Preparations is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea has reportedly been placed under martial law and troops are being told to “prepare for war.” The details have emerged from a meeting held Saturday including Kim Jong-un and his top security and defense officials.

The meeting was held in preparation for a nuclear test that has drawn criticism world wide. The expected test will be North Korea’s third nuclear test. It is anticipated that the test will occur sometime between February 16, birthday of former leader Kim Jong-il, and February 25, the inauguration in South Korea.

As reported by The Telegraph, North Korea was previously placed under martial law at a time of unrest:

“In March 1993, North Korea placed the nation under martial law shortly before it announced it was withdrawing from the Treaty in the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The regime also ordered its troops to be ready for war.”

A North Korean rocket launch in December prompted the UN Security Council to impose sanctions. In response, North Korean leaders proclaimed that they would continue development of nuclear weapons and withdrew from discussion of discontinuing the program.

In Saturday’s meeting Kim Jong-un declared that North Korea be placed under martial law in preparation for the nuclear test, and told his troops to prepare for war. As reported by Yahoo News, Kim Jong-un’s declaration of martial law was effective immediately:

“The country will be under martial law starting from midnight on Jan 29, and all the frontline and central units should be ready for a war.”

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has reportedly commanded his military to be prepared for a “strong response” against the North Korean troops who are reportedly preparing for war.

North Korea Under Martial Law: Troops Told ‘Be Ready For War’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

The late North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il might still be alive today if he would have enrolled in some anger management classes, according to a new theory.

The official story regarding Kim Jong Il’s death is still completely vague, even one year after it happened. He reportedly died of a heart attack due to “overwork” while aboard his personal train headed out on another “field guidance” trip. A new, unnamed source claims that Kim Jong Il may have actually died from a massive temper tantrum, reports MSN Now.

The new theory suggests that Kim Jong Il suffered his fatal heart attack while he was upset about a “critical” problem at a hydropower plant. The Wall Street Journal notes that Kim Jong Il did indeed have a famously short fuse, and his train was photographed by satellite in Pyongyang at the time of his death.

Kim Jong Il’s death was in decline in the years leading up to his death, so there’s no way to know for sure what happened to him. WSJ notes that any “annonymous” tip should be taken with “a fistful of salt,” but there is some circumstantial evidence that suggests the temper-tantrum tale may have some merit.

South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo paper originally reported the alternate theory, suggesting that “stress about the trouble at Huichon was apparently the last straw after Kim learned that steel and textile manufacturing plants, also touted as key projects, had serious defects as well.”

From a layman’s perspective, stress over failed infrastructure and hamfisted projects in North Korea causing an epic meltdown that leads to cardiac arrest does seem to make more sense than the vague, yet romantic, official story. Still, we’ll never really know.

Kim Jong Il Might Still Be Alive If He Wasn’t So Cranky is a post from: The Inquisitr

South Korean rapper Psy has reportedly been portrayed as a rapist in a recent Japanese manga. Not surprisingly, the comic book has caused quite a bit of outrage in South Korea.

According to MSN, the pornographic self-published tome entitled Samuge-sō no Kimchi na Kanojo depicts the international pop sensation as a violence sex offender. Although the book has yet to make it onto newsstands, the concept alone has ruffled some feathers.

Although most of the world became enchanted by Psy and his “Gangnam Style” video, the craze never really found its footing in Japan. Rocket News 24 explains that recent political tensions between Japan and South Korea may have fueled the the manga’s creator to include the parody.

A single image of the upcoming comic book was uploaded online. In the scene, an individual who looks very much like the South Korean rapper is featured delivering a brutal attack on a male student.

According to the Japanese culture blog Arama They Didn’t, it didn’t take the Korean press long to pick up the story. The idea of Psy being portrayed as a person who kidnaps and tortures women didn’t settle too well with South Korean citizens.

Some have argued that this sort of material appears all the time in erotic dojinshi, which is a kind of self-published fan comic in Japan. News Search China explains that South Korean critics have called the erotic manga “the height of childishness.”

Fans of the genre said that dojinshi typically feature singers, movie stars, and celebrities in a number of lewd and compromising scenes. Readers feel the tensions between South Korea and Japan are playing a huge role in the controversy surrounding the upcoming manga.

Images from Samuge-sō no Kimchi na Kanojo can be found at Rocket News 24. However, keep in mind that the pictures contained on the website are definitely not safe for work.

What do you think about Psy being portrayed as a rapist in a Japanese comic book? Do you think this sort of parody goes too far?

Psy Portrayed As Rapist In Recent Japanese Manga is a post from: The Inquisitr

Psy of “Gangnam Style” fame allegedly just bought a $1.25 million condo in Los Angeles. The YouTube sensation is now the proud owner of a 2,700-square foot home in the famous Blair House, according to TMZ. Long before Psy became popular with thousands of high school and college students in the United States, the South Korean dancer appeared in a video which uttered lyrics about killing Americans.

The “Gangnam Style” performer allegedly paid for his lush digs on the 29th floor entirely in cash. The massive money transfer from South Korea likely did not put too much of a dent in Psy’s bank roll if reports of his $7.9 million net worth are accurate.

Psy supposedly wanted to keep his Blair House condo purchase on the hush hush, but, as with all celebrity real estate purchases, the alleged details ultimately leaked. The dancer was reportedly flanked by security at all times during the Los Angeles condo purchase. The two-bedroom home supposedly boasts luxurious décor, but the “Gangnam Style” entertainer allegedly plans on redecorating his new home anyway.

Considering that Psy is not a legal resident of the United States, it is unclear how much time he will actually be spending at his new Blair House home. President Barack Obama and Psy shook hands during a recent Christmas concert in Washington after the controversy about the performer rapped violent lyrics about America, ABC News notes.

During the 2004 video, Psy had this to say about United States soldiers fighting the war in Iraq:

“Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives, kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law, and fathers. Kill them all slowly and painfully.”

The South Korean rapper apologized about the remarks he made before raking in a remarkable amount of money from the American youth who watched his “Gangnam Style” video on YouTube. His new views about American military members allegedly includes an understanding of the sacrifices they make to protect democracy and freedom.

‘Gangnam Style’ Rapper Psy Allegedly Bought A Condo In Los Angeles is a post from: The Inquisitr

South Korea has elected its first female president in the form of Park Geun-hye, the daughter of a divisive military strongman from the country’s authoritarian era.

The win is a landmark because of Park being female and also because her election could mean a new drive to start talks with North Korea, reports CBS News.

Park’s election also comes after five years of tension with Lee Myung-bak, the unpopular incumbent. Park is vowing to pursue engagement with North Korea, along with sending aid to the country, despite the long-range rocket fired by North Korea last week.

Ties between the two nations became strained under Lee’s term, and many voters believed that the former president’s policies were what drove the North to renew its nuclear and missile tests as well as to launch two attacks that killed 50 Koreans in 2010.

Park has repeatedly stated that she is open to dialogue with North Korea, though the North’s state media has repeatedly questioned Park’s sincerity because she and Lee are from the same conservative party.

The Los Angeles Times notes that Park has been a legislator since 1998 and is a member of South Korea’s New Frontier ruling party. South Korea’s first female president stated to a crowd in Seoul:

“This election is the people’s victory. I believe this was brought about by the people’s desperate desire to overcome hardship and revive the economy.”

Park Geun-hye is expected to take office in February and will likely continue the majority of President Lee’s policies. The election of a woman to the South Korean presidency is a big step forward for a country that ranked 108 of 135 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2012 report on gender equality.

South Korea Elects Its First Female President is a post from: The Inquisitr

KOREA — North Korea fired a long-range rocket on Wednesday despite warnings from the UN, Washington and Japan.

The Associated Pressreports that the launch — the second under North Korea leader Kim Jong Un — was fired from a West coast launch pad.

Reportedly, the launch was monitored by the South Korean military and confirmed by officials in Seoul and Tokyo.

In Japan, authorities said the rocket flew over Okinawa prefecture, a series of Japanese islands in the East China Sea.

The three-stage rocket was launched at 09:49 (00:49 GMT). Reports indicate it followed its intended trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.

The Wednesday launch took place place on the third day of launch window that was set to run from December 10 to 22. On Monday, North Korea extended the launch window to December 29, due to technical issues.

The rocket was launched from a site on North Korea’s west coast. It was scheduled to pass between the Korean peninsula and China, with a second stage coming down off the Philippines before launching the satellite into orbit.

The Japanese government, which put its armed forces on alert ahead of the launch, have said the rocket appeared to have passed over parts of Okinawa prefecture, south of the Japanese mainland.

“The missile that North Korea calls a satellite passed over Okinawa around 10:01. We launched no interception,” a government statement quoted by AFP news agency said.

In response to international anger over the launch during its planning stage, North Korean officials said the rocket’s purpose was to launch a satellite into orbit.

However, Japan, Washington and the UN believe the satellite story is a pretext for North Korea’s to perfect its long-range missile technology and represents a serious security threat.

Earlier this month, Japan’s prime minister Yoshihiko Noda said his government would shoot down any North Korean rocket that threatened Japanese territory.

The launch takes place days before South Korea’s presidential elections between the “New Frontier” (Saenuri) Party’s Park Geun-hye and the opposition “Democratic United’s” Moon Jae-in, and about a month before President Obama’s second term inauguration.

Rocket testing is crucial to the development of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. It’s thought that Pyongyang only has a small number of limited-capability nuclear bombs and does not yet possess the means to build warheads small enough to mount on long-range missiles.

Wednesday’s launch is the country’s fifth attempt at a long-range launch since 1998, when Pyongyang launched a rocket over Japan.

In April this year, a Unha-3 rocket launch ended in embarrassment for North Korea after it broke up over the Yellow sea 80 seconds after take-off.

After coming to power in December 2011 following his father Kim Jong II’s death, current North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has continued the country’s nuclear ambitions.

South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak, has called an high-level emergency meeting in the wake of the launch.

North Korea Successfully Fires Long Range Rocket Despite International Warnings is a post from: The Inquisitr

“Gangnam Style” is currently the most watched YouTube video ever, and South Korean rapper PSY has reportedly raked in nearly $8,000,000 for the tongue-in-cheek viral hit. Though PSY appears to be part lovable loser and part humble star, his rap lyrics before the popularity of “Gangnam Style” were apparently extremely anti-American, with one line reading “Kill those f***ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives.”

This week, Twitter has been exploding with accusations against PSY, detailing an anti-American past that he has covered up since the popularity of “Gangnam Style.” Though PSY is scheduled to perform for the Obamas at the annual “Christmas in Washington” event later this month, just eight years ago, PSY was calling for the death of American soldiers, advocating the torture of American military personnel in Iraq and their families here at home.

HAPS, an English-language Korean magazine, says that PSY’s anti-American views have long been old-hat in Korea, but have only recently started making rounds in America. The lyrics to an anti-US track, performed live by PSY and other popular Korean singers in 2004, were translated two months ago on CNN’s iReport:

“Kill those f***ing Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives,

“Kill those f***ing Yankees who ordered them to torture,

“Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers,

“Kill them all slowly and painfully.”

Psy the anti-American protestor: Certainly not the same guy you saw on Ellen lexne.ws/f61 – @korealawtoday

— LXBN (@LXBN) December 6, 2012

TIL Psy has a very anti-American past he is trying to hide tinyurl.com/asrywrx

— Today I Learned (@TodayILearnd) December 5, 2012

Now before we all jump on the anti-PSY bandwagon and pour the “haterade” on “Gangnam Style” as we react to our feelings of self-righteous betrayal, remember that the Iraq war was deeply unpopular both abroad and here at home, and many celebrities vocally condemned it.

Of course, there is no excuse for advocating the killing of soldiers and their families, but are these really views that PSY holds, or are these compromises he made to make a name for himself?

We won’t know much until the mainstream media makes a bigger dent in this story and someone sits down with PSY to clarify these shocking views. Does he still hold them? Is he ashamed of them?

Until we know more, color us “skeptical.” What do you think? Is PSY an anti-American wolf in sheep’s clothing, or are these views he may have moved past? Sound off in the comments below!

Oppa-Tunist? Before ‘Gangnam,’ PSY Rapped ‘Kill Those F***ing Yankee Torturers’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

“Gangnam Style” is the newest dance craze to have hit American shores. The catchy Korean pop song released this past July by South Korean rapper and hip-hop artist PSY quickly became a huge hit due to its highly addictive beat and unusual dance choreography.

Now, according to Brilliance.com, one celebrity has caught an extremely bad case of “Gangnam Style” fever. So bad, in fact, that he commissioned Brilliance to create a custom pendant in honor of the “Gangnam Style” craze.

The diamond pendant is in the shape of a man doing the signature “Gangnam Style” horse dance.

This pendant contains over 600 diamonds for a total of 6 1/4 carat total weight. The diamonds are set in 18k white and yellow gold.

The pendant also features an Ideal cut 3/4 ct Oval diamond as the belt-buckle and has two perfectly matched black diamonds that serve as the pendants sunglasses.

The “Gangnam Style” diamond pendant is now available for purchase through this website for the asking price of almost $60,000.

For those of you who are curious about what “Gangnam Style” is, the title of the song refers to the affluent Gangnam district in Seoul, South Korea.

PSY has performed the popular “Gangnam Style” song in many different venues. He performed the song at this year’s MTV Movie Awards pre-show and even appeared on the Ellen show to teach the choreography to host Ellen DeGeneres and fellow guest Britney Spears.

What do you think of the $60,000 “Gangnam Style” pendant?

You Can Own This ‘Gangnam Style’ Pendant For Almost $60,000 is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Chinese man sued his wife for giving birth to an ugly baby and won. The six-figure lawsuit once again proves that truth can be stranger than fiction. Jian Feng, and allegedly physically attractive man from northern China, divorced his wife on the grounds of false pretenses, according to the First To Know website.

After his baby girl was born, Feng reportedly demanded a DNA test because he believed his wife must have cheated with him on another man to conceive such an “ugly” infant. When the test results did indeed prove that the baby was his, Feng reportedly turned his angst in another direction. He opted to initiate the “ugly wife lawsuit,” citing the faulty genetics which led to the physical appearance of his child.

Common sense would lead a reasonable person to believe that a judge would toss such a ridiculous sounding lawsuit off the docket, but that’s not what happened. Jian Feng’s unnamed wife ultimately admitted that she had undergone approximately $100,000 worth of cosmetic surgery in South Korea.

The now ex-wife’s admission apparently proved to the judge that Feng’s claim of entering into the marriage under false pretenses was valid. Since the young woman did not disclose that the face her suitor admired was not the one she was born with, the Chinese judge ruled in Feng’s favor.

The court ordered the woman to pay her former husband $120,000 and compensation for marrying her without knowing what she had looked like before going under the knife, according to ABC News. Sadly for the baby girl, she will probably not ever have a loving relationship with her father. It is unknown if Feng will be required to pay child support for the daughter that the judge determined was the result of a union that was built upon false pretenses.

Man Wins Lawsuit Against Wife For Birthing ‘Ugly’ Baby is a post from: The Inquisitr

Korean popular culture has become something of a hot topic in the wake of “Gangnam Style.” Although the country is getting plenty of attention for its catchy tunes and inspired dance moves, South Korea is intentionally known for its films as well.

Although the country has been churning out movies for decades, 1997 is considered to be the beginning of the industry’s golden age. Following the success of the 1999 movie Shiri, a thriller which stars Lost alum Yunjin Kim, producers began introducing more big budget films into South Korean cinemas.

Oldboy director Chan-wook Park’s JSA (Joint Security Area) managed to best the box office numbers posted by the aforementioned thriller in 2000. Park would go on to direct several popular films in the country, including two more chapters in his Vengeance trilogy.

Jae-young Kwak’s My Sassy Girl, a romantic comedy about a man’s relationship with his girlfriend, managed to beat both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings at the box office. Director Yann Samuell later adapted the film for American audiences in 2008.

Korean popular culture seems strangely obsessed with violent, gritty stories, which may explain why the country’s film industry has produced as large number of genre films over the past several years. In 2008, filmmaker Hong-jin Na unleashed The Chase into theaters. The story follows the adventures of a pimp who attempts to the man responsible for roughing up his girls.

Director Jee-woon Kim’s 2010 thriller I Saw the Devil was banned from a handful of film festivals due to its graphic depictions of violence. The film is an unrelenting tale of revenge, one that may surprise those who are only versed in the ways of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” video.

Other notable South Korean movies released over the past few years include Chan-wook Park’s thriller Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, the monster movie The Host, the Marrying the Mafia series, the My Girlfriend is a Gangster franchise, and the Whispering Corridors films. Of course, these title are merely scratching the surface of what the industry has to offer.

Wikipedia has an exhaustive list of films that will appeal directly to those who have developed a fondness for Korean popular culture. Aside from the obvious cultural differences, most South Korean movies are just as polished and approachable as their Hollywood counterparts. You can find a handful of trailers for the aforementioned features embedded below.

Are you quickly becoming a fan of Korean popular culture?

Korean Popular Culture: Country’s Cinematic Output Ranks With The Best is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Coca Cola Company recently unveiled the latest vending machine technology in South Korea and the experiment met with great success. The new high tech machine encouraged passing shoppers to demonstrate their break dance moves and rewarded the best efforts with free Cokes.

As shoppers stroll through the mall, they are quickly challenged by the machine to emulate the dance moves of South Korea’s ultra popular boy band, 2 PM. When a brave soul accepts the invitation, they are instructed to step on the bright red circle painted on the floor, and the magical machine begins the fun.

The four panel video display built into the vending machine prompts the subject with a pre-recorded clip of band members Minjun, Nichkhun, Taecyeon, Wooyoung, Junho, and Chansung showing off their highly polished dance steps. The brave customer must perform the dance move in sync with the 2PM members, and the closer you come to perfection, the more likely you are to win a free Coke.

Some of the less technology friendly members of the audience might think there was a person hidden inside the double sized vending machine, but in reality, the crowd friendly soda dispenser makes use of Microsoft’s Kinect technology. Sensors read the dancers body moves and when they copy the dance step correctly, out pops a bottle of Coke. The lucky winner can take their free drink or bust a few more moves to win free Cokes for their friends.

The entire affair is high speed, high tech fun, and judging by the excited crowds that gathered in South Korea, everyone loves the concept. The Coca Cola Company has not revealed where the new machines may pop up next, so practice your break dancing, and get ready to strut your stuff, just in case one of the new machines appears in a mall near you. In the meantime, maybe someone can explain why every kid in South Korea is a great dancer.

Intelligent Coca Cola Vending Machine Rewards Great Dance Moves With Free Cokes is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, has reappeared in the North Korean state media after a two-month hiatus, either for being publicly scolded for ill-fitted conduct or for possibly being pregnant.

The North Korean leader’s wife is though to be pregnant because of her appearance during a concert at the Kim Il-sung Military University, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported:

“A photo in the Tuesday edition of the Rodong Sinmun daily shows her face looking puffy and her stomach visibly bulging. ‘She is wearing a long coat but cannot hide her protruding abdomen,’ the government source said.”

According to Korean sources, Ri Sol Ju appears to be about three months pregnant.

Ri Sol Ju’s appearances with her husband mark a stark change in North Korean leadership images. Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, was almost never seen in public with any of his wives, Reutersreports.

Often in North Korea, public appearances are choreographed and the media rarely gives any actual news stories. The stories usually are surface-level at best and controlled by the government. The country keeps to itself and is in a stand-still with its neighbors and the West because of its nuclear weapons.

It had been about two weeks since Kim Jong-un had made a public appearance. He was reported as looking healthy and confident with Ri Sol Ju beside him.

Chosun Ilbo has speculated that state elders in North Korea had disapproved of Ri Sol-ju’s cheerful demeanor in the media and this was why she had not appeared in public for nearly two months:

“The analysis has been that there was concern over breach of discipline [by Ri] among North Korean elders, plus the speculation of pregnancy.”

The announcement of the couple’s marriage indicated that Kim is trying to break from the secretive management style his father had implemented.

North Korea’s state media has not said whether the couple is pregnant, when they were married, or whether they have any children now.

North Korea Leader’s Wife Pregnant? is a post from: The Inquisitr

We take it back.Now the viral sensation known as “Gangnam Style” has reached its peak, after infecting the highest ruling body in the world: The UN.

The United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon hosted Psy, the Korean rapper behind the viral “Gangnam Style” song, video, and signature dance, at the UN on Tuesday. Ki-moon quickly succumbed to Gangnam fever himself, performing the “invisible horse dance” alongside a hysterical Psy. In all likelihood, Psy was probably just incredulously pleased by the whole affair.

“Now you have the first and second famous Koreans in the same building,” joked Psy about the UN meet-up, according to CNN.

“You are so cool… I hope you can manage global warming,” Ki-Moon said in response, adding, “You know, we have tough negotiations in the United Nations. In such a case, I was thinking of playing a Gangnam Style dance, so then everyone can stop and dance. Maybe you can bring UN style.”

Psy recently brought his signature Gangnam style dance to Australia, teaching Hugh Jackman about the craze first-hand on the set of The Wolverine.

“Until two days ago someone told me I am the most famous Korean in the world,” Ki-moon told Psy, according to Zap2it. “Now I have to relinquish. I have no regrets.”

Psy, for his own part, was probably more flattered by the chance to meet the UN chief, saying:

“For all the Koreans he is the guy, you know, in everyone’s heart in Korea, the best among the best. To be here and he knows me, even the thing that he knows me is so touching right now, and he’s saying he saw my video,” said Psy. “He counted my video views … This is much more better feeling than when I did Number Two on Billboard.”

In case the photo above wasn’t enough to convince you, here’s video proving that Psy has infected the UN with his “Gangnam style.”

‘Gangnam Style’ Infects The UN, Secretary General Most Visibly Afflicted [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea claims its missiles are now capable of hitting the United States after an agreement between the US and South Korea that more than doubled the range of South Korea’s arsenal was unveiled on Sunday.

As a deterrent to North Korea, the agreement between South Korea and the US increased the country’s ballistic missile range to roughly 500 miles (800 km) reports The Guardian.

Currently, the United States has over 20,000 troops stationed in South Korea as a means of defending its ally, though the US denies any intentions of striking against North Korea. In response to the announcement, North Korea’s National Defence Commission released a statement saying:

“We do not hide [the fact] that the revolutionary armed forces … including the strategic rocket forces are keeping within the scope of strike not only the bases of the puppet forces and the US imperialist aggression forces’ bases in the inviolable land of Korea, but also Japan, Guam and the US mainland.”

According to the Washington Post, North Korea stated that the South Korea-US missile deal is a “product of another conspiracy of the master and the stooge” meant to “ignite a war” against the North. While the country has previously been outspoken against Seoul and Washington, it’s unusual for the North to claim its missiles can strike the US.

North Korea’s statement may suggest that they have been working on a miniature version of a nuclear bomb capable of being mounted to long-range rockets, though many experts believe the country’s current technology puts the possibility out of reach for now. The statement by the North may, however, back up previously held suspicions by experts on the long range capability of the country’s rockets.

The previous agreement between South Korea and the US in 2001 prevented the country from deploying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 186 miles (300 km) as well as payloads of more than 1,100 pounds due to the possibility of igniting a regional arms race.

Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korean studies professor based in Seoul, claims that North Korea had to respond to the South’s extended missile range, adding that it likely won’t launch any provocation because it is waiting for the results of the US and South Korean presidential elections.

The country conducted a rocket test in April, which Washington, Seoul, and other nations believe was a cover for a long-range missile test. North Korea contends that the rocket, which broke apart shortly after it lifted off, was supposed to launch a satellite.

North Korea Claims Missiles Can Reach US is a post from: The Inquisitr

A North Korean soldier has defected to South Korea after shooting two of his fellow officers dead and fleeing through the heavily militarized border between the two countries.

The soldier revealed to military personnel in Seoul that he shot dead his platoon leader and a company commander before making his escape on Saturday.

An official with the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) revealed to Daily NK that South Korean border guards heard shots from across the border before the defecting soldier appeared. The official stated:

“Today at around 12:10pm gunshots were heard and then a single member of the North Korean military crossed the Military Demarcation Line from the north at Paju in Gyeonggi Province and declared his wish to defect. The escapee has informed us that he shot his platoon leader and company commander while on sentry duty at a border guard post and then ran away.”

The soldier is now in protective custody in Seoul, where he is being questioned by South Korean intelligence agents. JCS officials added that his defection did not cause any further security tensions between the two militaries.

While dozens of North Koreans attempt to defect from the communist country every year, this latest defection is something of a rarity, in that it was carried out across the tightly guarded and heavily armed De-militarised Zone (DMZ). The majority of North Korean defectors attempt to defect across the Amnok and Duman rivers and into China. However, China is increasingly repatriating North Korean defectors, who often face abuse, torture or even death on their return.

North and South Korea are technically still at war, as the two countries have not signed a peace treaty since the Korean War ended in 1953.

North Korean Soldier Defects To South Korea After Killing Officers is a post from: The Inquisitr

South Korean rapper Psy, the mastermind behind the international pop sensation “Gangnam Style,” recently performed a free concert for over 80,000 adoring fans in the heart of Seoul, according to The Sun. Countless fans of the musician flocked to the city in order to catch Psy’s performance of a song that has enraptured the entire planet.

“I did not get here because I was worthy of it. I’m here because of all of you. I’m just a fat man with two kids,” Psy explained to his legion of Koreans fans. “It’s a golden opportunity to show the world how well we Koreans play.”

Psy, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, added, “I knew one of these K-pop stars would hit the world, but I didn’t know it would be me.”

After stripping off his shirt, the South Korean rapper got down to business, which included a spirited performance of his hit “Gangnam Style.” Watching all of these people dance in union while the rapper delivers his signature tune is truly something to behold.

According to The Christian Science Monitor, Psy explained to his fans that he would return to Seoul to perform a free concert should “Gangnam Style” take the world by storm.

“He said if ‘Gangnam Style’ hit the Billboard chart, he would have a concert in front of a crowd in Seoul City Hall Plaza. He wanted to keep his word. This is an iconic place,” city hall official Lauren Ran explained. In an effort to make this concert happen, the local government paid for lighting, sound equipment, video screens, and security.

Time reports that the two hour show attracted so many “Gangnam Style” fans to Seoul Plaza that many spilled out into the surrounding streets. Psy’s homecoming, it would seem, was a resounding success.

A captivating video of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” performance in South Korea on Thursday night has been embedded below.

‘Gangnam Style’ Mastermind Psy Performs Free Concert For 80,000 Fans is a post from: The Inquisitr

The hit song Gangnam Style by South Korean pop star Psy has not only racked up hundreds of millions of YouTube pageviews, it has also managed to double the stock value at his father’s software firm.

According to Reuters Psy’s father Park Won-ho is the chairman and controlling shareholder of South Korean semiconductor company D I Corp. Since Gangnam Style hit it big the company’s value has jumped to 113.5 billion won (62.4 million pounds).

Psy’s Gangnam Style ironically mocks the resident of “Gangnam” an area of luxury that has been compared to Beverly Hills.

According to NH Investment and Securities researcher Lee Sun-tae writes:

“The positive sentiment from ‘Gangnam Style’ has attracted investors just because of the fact that the company is owned by Psy’s father and uncle. The popularity will slowly dissolve in time, naturally.”

Middle-Aged investors in South Korea are known for their speculative stock buying which explains their interest in a company based on a hit pop song.

Ironically the investments in the company have hurt other software firms including Ahn Cheol-soo’s own Ahnlab Inc. which has watched stock values decline by 30 percent since the same period last week.

If creating a hit song can lead to big investments from middle-aged investors perhaps Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga need to start software firms in South Korea and then tour in the region more often.

Do you think Psy’s Gangnam Style influence has gotten out of control?

If Psy can follow up this hit with another his dad could be a billionaire in no time flat.

Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ Helps His Dad’s Software Firm Double Stock Value is a post from: The Inquisitr

A recent market study has revealed that South Korean men spend quite a bit of money on skin care products. According to the folks at NPR, appearance means a lot to guys in the country, resulting in its male residents consuming nearly 20 percent of the world’s skin care products. So if you see a police officer applying lipstick while directing traffic, don’t assume that he’s preparing for his off-duty drag show. Chances are he just wants to look his best when he’s issuing you a speeding ticket.

“Having a clean, neat face makes you look sophisticated and creates an image that you can handle yourself well,” college student Cho Won-hyuk explained to the Associated Press. “Your appearance matters, so when I wear makeup on special occasions, it makes me more confident.”

South Korea is reportedly the largest market for men’s skincare products on the entire planet. In just one year, guys spent over $495 million on items designed to improve their appearance. The trend has become so popular that it’s not uncommon to spy men applying makeup from their cosmetic compacts in public settings. In South Korea, clear, beautiful skin is allegedly a sign of social and financial success.

“In this society, people’s first impressions are very important. A man’s skin is a big part of that impression, so I take care of my skin,” Kim Deuk-ryong said to the AP.

In addition to makeup and skincare products, South Koreans also spend a lot of money on items designed to whiten their skin. In fact, the lightening of skin is extremely big business all across Asia. In addition to over-the-counter creams, South Koreans have spent quite a bit of money on whitening pills and injections. Side effects from these procedures include nausea, vomiting, and stomach ache. Looking your best isn’t without its problems.

For the time being, it would seem that men’s makeup and skincare products will continue to generate tons of cash for the cosmetics industry. Do you think it’s weird for South Korean men to spend so much time and money on these products?

South Korean Men Reportedly Wear A Ton Of Makeup is a post from: The Inquisitr

A drunk North Korean man floated all the way to an island near Seoul, South Korea on a piece of driftwood, according to the Global Post. By the time authorities discovered the refugee, the guy was deeply intoxicated and wearing nothing but a pair of soggy underwear. The young man, it would seem, was extremely happy about his daring escape and decided to mark the occasion the only way he knew how.

Gawker reports that the 20-year-old was found hanging out inside a house at around 11:48 am on Sunday morning. After authorities arrived to take care of the inebriated gentleman, he was turned over to the South Korean military. Should the drunk North Korean escapee decide to stay, he will be offered asylum in the country.

“The man said he crossed to the South, holding on to a floating object to waters off the coast of Gyodong Island,” Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Lee Bung-woo explained to the Yonhap News Agency. “The floating object is seen as a wooden board that drifted due to the flood in the North.”

Although South Korean officials generally let North Korean defectors return to the country, it’s quite clear that this guy isn’t going back to his homeland anytime soon. Unless sobriety brings him an entirely different perspective on his escape, I’d say he’s there to stay.

North Korean officials are surely none too pleased with the attention this story is likely to bring. Then again, nothing really seems to make them happy. Just recently, South Korea offered to provide aid to flood victims in the land of Kim Jong-un only to have their efforts openly criticized by the North Korean government. ABC 5 News reports that officials believe the South Korean aid to be less than adequate, dubbing the care packages “an insult.” The offer of 10,000 tons of flour, 3 million packages of ramen noodles, and various medical supplies was ultimately rejected.

The drunk North Korean man, meanwhile, is probably still recovering from his daring escape. I’m sure he’ll consider the ensuing hangover to be a badge of honor.

Drunk North Korean Man Rides Driftwood To South Korea is a post from: The Inquisitr

A South Korean man on trial for the murder of his girlfriend has blamed an octopus for the death of the young woman, according to Rocket News 24. The suspect, who is only referred to as Mr. K, says that his deceased lover, known as Ms. Y, was consuming an octopus when she started to choke. By the time police arrived on the scene, the poor woman was already dead.

Since Ms. Y’s passing was considered an accident, an autopsy wasn’t performed on her body. Instead, she was cremated and the case was promptly closed. However, when Mr. K ended up getting a substantial chunk of money from the lady’s insurance policy, her parents demanded the case be reopened.

Prosecutors believe that Mr. K purposely used the octopus — a dish which, when served raw, can lead to choking — in order to murder Ms. Y and collect the money from her life insurance policy.

“K then made it look like Y choked on a squirming octopus. Furthermore, the defendant has a criminal record including robbery and assault, and while dating Ms. Y he was seeing two other women,” prosecutors explained.

Death and Taxes reports that forensic analysts testified that no traces of octopus were found in the victim’s body. However, since the young woman’s corpse was cremated after her death was ruled an accident, exhuming the body for further examination is simply out of the question. Unless prosecutors can convince the court that Mr. K is a sinister individual with homicidal tendencies, the suspect could walk away from the case a free man.

Prosecutors are pushing for the death penalty, which has been on moratorium in South Korea for the past 15 years. However, since the evidence needed to convict Mr. K was destroyed when his girlfriend was cremated, it would appear that his octopus defense could possibly work out in the end.

South Korean Man Blames Octopus For Girlfriend’s Murder is a post from: The Inquisitr

Two of Samsung Electronic’s new televisions that were scheduled to appear at a consumer show in Berlin allegedly went missing somewhere along the way, according to Reuters. The OLED (organic-light-emitting diodes) televisions are rumored to have disappeared sometime between August 21 and 28, though Samsung officials aren’t particularly sure of the exact date. To complicate matters further, the company can’t say for sure where, exactly, the TVs were when they vanished off the face of the planet.

However, if you planned your entire trip to the consumer electronics show around the appearance of Samsung’s new state-of-the-art television sets, Samsung wants you to know that there will be plenty of other gadgets to gawk at when you stop by their booth. Beyond that, the company has remained tight-lipped about the loss of their products.

“Upon Samsung’s request, the Korean and German authorities are currently conducting an investigation,” the company said in a statement. Although Samsung has declined to comment further on the case, the problem could be a bit more complicated than they’re letting on.

“Since these TVs are based on such cutting-edge technology owned by only a few firms, we can’t rule out the possibility that it was part of a crime aimed to steal it,” a source explained to NDTV.

What’s so special about Samsung’s new televisions? Here’s what the company had to say about the product in a recent press release:

The new OLED TV exudes futuristic beauty and a minimal design concept in both detail and structural innovation—fitting seamlessly into any living room. While powered on, the TV delivers a more immersive viewing experience thanks to superior picture quality, a super-slim bezel, and a minimalist design and even when powered off, the TV sits cleanly as a work of art amidst any living room décor.

Since Samsung has ballyhooed the OLED TVs as the next big time in television technology, the missing units could ultimately derail their plans to stay on top of the game. Although rumors are swirling that the missing TVs could have been a part of a industrial espionage plot, Samsung has not responded to these allegations.

Of course, Samsung isn’t the only company preparing to unleash OLED television sets upon the masses. LG Electronics are planning to roll out their own version of the technology by the end of 2012. Sony and Panasonic, meanwhile, are joining forces to deliver their very own OLED TV.

Two Samsung OLED Televisions Disappear On Their Way To Berlin is a post from: The Inquisitr

Farting baby dolls are the must-have toy in South Korea these days. According to the folks at Orble, Kong Suni, the aforementioned gas-passing baby doll, is a pretty big deal in its native country. It’s popularity is no doubt tied directly into the toy’s ability to eat, fart, and defecate. Thankfully, the doll comes with a tiny toilet which can magically flush the fake smiling poop away.

In order to get Kong Suni to fart, all you have to do is tickle her belly. It’s really that simple. When you’re ready to give the baby doll fuel for her gastrointestinal fire, you can feed the plastic wind-breaker faux breakfast cereal. The combination of feeding, farting, and feces may sound disgusting to some, but apparently it’s all the rage in South Korea.

Of course, the dolls aren’t just for the delight of those who like to giggle at scatological humor. According to Kotaku, Kong Suni is designed to assist with potty training and to teach about the delight generally associated with staying regular. Instead of treating poop like the plague, South Korean toy makers has opted to inject some much-needed humor into doing your business.

When it comes to what happens in the bathroom, Asia seems to be a bit more open and, shall we say, experimental than others. Last May, the biggest toilet in the world opened in Japan, allowing women to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature by dropping trow in a large outdoor restroom. According to NPR, those with business to attend to will traverse a beautiful garden before sitting down on a toilet inside a glass cube. For those who want some privacy, a curtain is provided.

If you decide to swing through South Korea in order to pick up your very own farting baby doll, why not pay a visit to a toilet-themed amusement park, which will allow you to explore the history of South Korea’s waste disposal system.

Farting Baby Doll Kong Suni Takes South Korea By Storm [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee have worked together numerous times in the past, so it only makes sense that the Malcolm X director would tap his old friend for the remake of the South Korean thriller Oldboy. According to Cinema Blend, Jackson has signed on to play an unspecified character in the upcoming feature.

Although there’s nothing official about the role floating around the web as of this writing, The Los Angeles Times has it on good authority that Jackson will play a small but important role in the film. This anonymous source claims this villainous character will be tortured by the film’s hero, portrayed by Josh Brolin. If you’re at all familiar with the original film, figuring out Jackson’s part is pretty easy.

In a separate but equally cool announcement, musician Bruce Hornsby will provide the score to Lee’s latest joint. Just recently, the Mandolin Rain singer provided music for Lee’s Red Hook Summer, which opened in limited release here in the US on August 17.

During a recent interview with the Times, Hornsby explained that his work on the Oldboy remake is underway:

“I’m working on a few things and I’ll send them to Spike soon,” he explained. “The ‘D’ word has been spoken to me by him. But I think the score will also run the gamut.”

South Korean director Chan-wook Park’s 2003 thriller Oldboy is considered by many to be a modern masterpiece of revenge cinema. Powered by a strong performance from star Min-sik Choi, it’s dark, bloody, and, at times, completely disturbing.

IMDb provides the following synopsis:

“An average man is kidnapped and imprisoned in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. He then is released, equipped with money, a cellphone and expensive clothes. As he strives to explain his imprisonment and get his revenge, Oh Dae-Su soon finds out that his kidnapper has a greater plan for him and is set onto a path of pain and suffering in an attempt to uncover the motive of his mysterious tormentor.”

In addition to Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Brolin, Spike Lee’s Oldboy is rumored to star Sharlto Copley (District 9, The A-Team) and Elizabeth Olsen.

Samuel L. Jackson Signs On For Spike Lee’s ‘Oldboy’ Remake is a post from: The Inquisitr

Kate Bosworth made a huge announcement, accidentally or otherwise, on a recent blog post chronicling her summer vacation last week. Namely, that she is engaged to be married.

“On our first day in Seoul, my fiancé, Michael Polish, and I venture out to discover Changdeokgung Palace. As soon as we enter, it is like magically being transported to a different world—this awe-inspiring, sprawling place was originally built in 1405. We explore ancient towers, pavilions, and the beautiful “secret gardens,” and the feeling is serene, peaceful, and ancient,” says Bosworth in Vogue’s Summer Travel Diaries, Part One.

Wait, what? Bosworth is engaged and just nonchalantly threw that in there?

Though she accidentally let something so major slip on a blog post about her recent trip o South Korea, it may surprise some readers that Bosworth has actually been seeing Michael Polish, a film director, since meeting him on the set of Big Sur, a film due out later this year. They were spotted indulging in much PDA at a Coldplay concert in August 2011, confirming their couple-hood to anyone who may have been paying attention.

Prior to shacking up with Polish, the 29-year-old Bosworth was linked with actor Alexander Skarsgard. The couple dated for nearly two years before finally calling it quits in 2011, reports MSN. A few months later, Bosworth met Polish, and the rest is history.

This latest development was a near-miss for us folks in the media. The blog post on Vogue is dated August 1st. It is August 8th as of this posting.

Sorry! But congratulations to Kate Bosworth on her engagement either way.

Kate Bosworth Announces Engagement, Media Picks It Up A Week Late is a post from: The Inquisitr

How do some South Koreans deal with the unbearable heatwave that’s currently gripping the country? According to USA Today, many folks in the country are dealing with the troubles associated with the warmth by consuming a higher than average amount of dog meat.

Restaurants which cater to this specific dish said they served more customers than usual on Tuesday, which is the day South Koreans consume food thought to increase their stamina. If you’re a fan of canines, and not in a light wine sauce, then the idea of people consuming dog meat might be a bit more than you can stomach.

Before you get your Scooby Doo underwear in a tight knot, let’s get one thing straight: Not every South Korean is a fan of chowing down on dog meat. The Associated Press reports that animal rights activists in the country have taken to stuffing themselves inside cages in order to protest the consumption of canine flesh. A valiant effort, though it doesn’t seem to be working.

The heatwave currently gripping the country is the worst of its kind since 1994. It’s been a while since the temperature has dropped below 95 degrees in South Korea, and the problems doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Sadly, unless something changes soon, it would seem even more dogs are going to wide up on a serving plate.

Although it’s certainly controversial, the consumption of dog meat in South Korea has a long history. According to Wikipedia, a 4th century painting discovered on a wall inside the Goguryeo tombs complex in South Hwangghae Province depicts a slaughtered dog inside a warehouse. The website also states that, while around five to 30 percent of South Koreans have eaten canine meat at some point in their lives, only a very small portion of the population consumes it on a regular basis.

Some South Koreans Eat Dog Meat To Beat The Heat is a post from: The Inquisitr