Tending a Small Patch of Capitalism in North Korea
New York Times
Grappling with an economy that has stagnated from decades of communist central planning, North Korean leaders are slowly opening their isolated nation to foreign investment.
A thrust of their strategy is to develop previously created “free trade and economic zones” on the borders that have languished. Here, about 30 miles from China, the combined towns of Rajin and Sonbong, called Rason, are central to the new push.
Since designating Rason a special zone in 1991, North Korean officials have tried on occasion to attract investment here, with poor results. Some foreign analysts and businesspeople are skeptical, saying the country’s investment climate remains too unstable, but others argue that North Korea could be establishing here the kind of laboratory that the Chinese Communist Party set up in the fishing village of Shenzhen in 1980 to help move China forward.
Korean language ballots coming to Bergen County
Bergen County Record (N.J.)
Coming soon to Bergen County polling places: Korean language ballots.
The U.S. Census Bureau has determined the county’s Korean-American population – 2010 census figures put it at 56,773 – has grown enough to warrant language assistance during elections. The Korean-American population in the county was 36,075, according to the 2000 census.
Priscilla Ahn can play the part of a ’60s chanteuse
Straight.com
It would be difficult not to get quickly seduced by her playful blend of off-kilter lyrics, soulfully breathy vocals (especially on the showstopping “City Lights [Pretty Lights]”), and retro-pop effects recalling French lounge singers like Françoise Hardy, most obviously on the sultry “Oo La La”.
“That’s exactly what I was going for,” says the raven-haired guitar wielder, who could easily fit in with the glamour chanteuses of the swinging ’60s. “Fortunately, I had really wonderful support from my producer, Ethan Johns.” (He’s the son of legendary Brit hitmaker Glyn Johns, who made key albums with the Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Dylan.)
U.S. soldier in S. Korea confesses to theft, not rape
Stars and Stripes
A Yongsan Garrison soldier denied raping a South Korean high school student when questioned by police Thursday, but admitted to stealing the girl’s laptop following a night of drinking in Seoul last month.
The 21-year-old private maintained that he had consensual sex with the 18-year-old girl in her dormitory-style apartment in Seoul’s Mapo neighborhood early on Sept. 17, according to police.
Hines Ward still thriving for Steelers at 35
AP via Google News
Hines Ward doesn’t know where it comes from, really.
The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver doesn’t have many theories either. He can’t tell you why he leapt over Tennessee’s Michael Griffin at the goal line during the third quarter to score his second touchdown of the day in Pittsburgh’s easier than expected 38-17 rout.
Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was the memory of pulling a similar move over Denver’s Champ Bailey a few years ago. Maybe it was the residual effects of all that nifty footwork he displayed while winning “Dancing With the Stars” during the spring.
Ward doesn’t know and to be honest, he doesn’t care.
“I can’t put a finger on what made me do that,” Ward said, “but just to do that and to be able to help this team get going, that’s all that matters.”
That’s all that’s ever mattered to the 35-year-old Ward, even as his career numbers have reached staggering heights.
The 14-year veteran needs 13 yards against Jacksonville on Sunday to surpass Hall-of-Famer Michael Irvin for 19th on the all-time list. He’s 108 yards away from becoming just the 18th receiver to reach the 12,000-yard plateau and is 26 catches away from 1,000.
Cloned Super Sniffing Dogs Detect Drugs in South Korea
8Asians
While South Koreans scientists have been known for cloning beloved pets that have died, they have also found much more practical applications of this technology. Cloned super sniffing dogs nicknamed “Toppies” (for “Tomorrow Puppies”) now patrol Korean airports, checking for drugs. These Labrador Retrievers have proven extremely successful in their job. You might ask, why is this a big deal? It turns out that the economics of training sniffing dogs make cloning, despite its expense, worthwhile.
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Mansfield Police arrest two fugitives from Hudson County Sheriff’s Office
The Warren Reporter (N.J.)
A vehicle stop led to the arrest of two fugitives, a report from the Mansfield Police Department states.
Dae Cho, 69, of Hackettstown, and passenger Hae Choi, 63, of Jersey City, were arrested after Patrolman David Chudy stopped the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder that Cho was driving around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, the report states.
During the investigation, Cho was found to be a fugitive from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office for Contempt on criminal charges, police said. The passenger, Choi, was also found to be a fugitive from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office for Contempt on criminal charges and in addition had a traffic warrant out of Newark, according to police. Both were placed under arrest and turned over to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office.
Aziatix Reveals US Tour for November
soompi.com
Just six months following a successful debut, Aziatix is ready to embark on their first tour in the United States. So far the trio has arranged for stops in 14 different cities across the US in November. They will be targeting major cities along the East and West coast.
Check out the group’s tour page here.
20 delicious Korean drinks
CNNGo
Traditional Korean beverages roughly fall into two categories: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. While this may be indicative of Korea’s long-standing love affair with alcohol, there are close to 200 types of traditional teas, juices, and grain drinks associated with the latter group, known as eumcheongnyu (음청류).
Winnowing that list down to 20 drinks required many tasting panels and difficult decisions, but nevertheless, here is our list of the top 20 most interesting and delicious Korean drinks.
