It could hardly have escaped anyone’s attention that North Korea is planning to launch a rocket. Some countries suspect the rocket might carry a missile, rather than the announced satellite. But the story goes deeper then that. Let’s have a look at the history of the Korea’s to get the full picture.

1945. World War II has ended and with that, the Japanese occupancy of Korea. The UK, the US and Russia can’t reach an agreement about the future of the country, so they ‘temporarily’ divide it by half: the birth of the two Korea’s. Russia is in control of the North, which becomes communist under leader Kim Il Sung; the US is in control of the South, which sees its first president in Syngman Rhee, a US-backed anti-communist.

In the early 50’s, the North invades the South and the following war leaves both economies destroyed, 4 million dead and a heavily armed frontier which is still there today. The Cold War in the 60’s came very close to causing another war.

After this, both countries had internal problems to solve. With President Rhee’s forced retirement, the South saw several military regimes, coupes and student riots. The early 90’s leave the North with less food aid from China & Russia, floods followed by drought and a crisis killing millions of people by starvation.

In part II of this post, we’ll explore the current situation.

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Nonetheless, two Bruneian men were arrested after a high-speed chase on the water. They were trying to smuggle no less than 1,382 cans of beer aboard their boat and the customs were thrilled to have made their biggest alcohol catch of the year. Lucky for them, smuggling alcohol is typically only punished by a fine, although I don’t know how much that can be.

The community of expats in Brunei has learned to accept their faith. They get the small quota non-Muslims are allowed to import from a little town just across the border. Once home, they hurriedly gulp down their daily can of beer before taking off for dinner. A custom for those that are used to being unable to drink in public or anywhere other than their house.

As a first-time visitor you might confusedly mistake the hosts “Quickly! Finish your beer!” for an attempt to get you drunk before dinner. Now you know the real reason.

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With 1.3 billion people, China has the biggest population of any country in the world. It’s economy has been growing at an astounding average rate of 9% per year since 1978.

China is widely regarded as the main growth engine of the global economy. On the one hand, this is because selling your products to 1.3 billion customers is a huge growth potential. On the other hand, it is also because that same 1.3 billion people are contributing to that familiar label “Made in China” which you can find all over the world.

So what brighter future can you have than being a management, computer or IT student in China?

But despite the promising nickname “Proud Children of Heaven” for university students, today’s white collar graduates are not all smiles. In fact, many of the women are becoming maids or cleaners, while the men see little other option than restaurant or retail work…

This year, another 6.1 million college graduates will enter the market. They will have to compete with 1.8 million graduates who finished school last year and are still looking for a job…

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None of these, although they will probably sound quite plausible for most of us. In fact Sepaktakraw is - wait for it - a sport. Apparently the International Sepaktakraw Federation or ISTAF (who knew they existed?) has received US$500,000 to promote the sport so that it can eventually qualify for the Olympic Games.

Ball made of Rattan

Sepaktakraw is a sort of ‘kick volleyball’ and is native to Southeast Asia. It’s similar to volleybal, except that it uses a rattan ball and only allows players to use their feet, knee, chest and head to touch the ball.

The sport dates back to the early 1400’s, when it was popular in Malaysia and Thailand. Back then it was called takraw in Thai or sepak raga in Malay and played mainly by men and boys standing in a circle, kicking the ball back and forth between them. Official rules were established around the 1940’s.

Nowadays, the sport is quite popular in Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia and even in Los Angeles, USA.

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How could this happen?

Blowfish - or fugu - is forbidden in Europe and in most of the U.S. In Korea and modern Japan it is still allowed under very strict conditions. Chefs need to obtain a special license to prepare the fish, which takes years of practice and a heavy exam.

The chef in northern Yamagata, didn’t have this license. It was the restaurant owner, offering his regular guests a little treat off-the-menu.

It is common knowledge in Japan that the skin and certain internal organs are highly toxic to humans. They contain tetrodotoxin, an exceptionally lethal poison. It is estimated that a single puffer has enough poison to kill 30 adult humans.

Gadling gives all the details about fugu, including why people still take the risk, in what way you will die and how to select a good restaurant to survive your own taste of fugu. The writer has the following to say about blowfish testicles: “Blowfish testicles can be eaten like grapes - although it’s something of an acquired taste, the flavor is reminiscent of salty milk. Delicious.”

Blowfish Sashimi (raw fish in slices)

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The burglar, for whom the couple was nice enough to call an ambulance, explained in a statement to the police that he had been unable to leave the house after entering. A newspaper quoted him as saying that every time he had tried to escape, a “supernatural figure” shoved him to the ground.

Scared and tired, the man had been in the house for 3 days without water and food.

Police officials (wisely) declined to comment.

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But there is a positive change on it’s way. Government is investing in the area, improving education and healthcare among others. And the jails are taking a different approach to their inmates as well.

One particular jail has decided to play classical music every day. The music is mostly Indian classical music. Other techniques applied are yoga and meditation.

“We are hopeful this special musical treat will indeed end the jail monotony and soften the hardened attitude of criminals,” Bihar state Prisoners Welfare Officer Jai Prakash Das told Reuters in this article.

Let’s hope it works. If not to “soften their attitude”, then to brighten up their day. Because although the article refers to the prisoners as “gangsters and murderers”, many are also put in prison without ever seeing a trial. Prisons are largely overcrowded, as in above picture, and carry serious sick, as in picture below.

Many prisoners suffer from serious diseases

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But there is a positive change on it’s way. Government is investing in the area, improving education and healthcare among others. And the jails are taking a different approach to their inmates as well.

One particular jail has decided to play classical music every day. The music is mostly Indian classical music. Other techniques applied are yoga and meditation.

“We are hopeful this special musical treat will indeed end the jail monotony and soften the hardened attitude of criminals,” Bihar state Prisoners Welfare Officer Jai Prakash Das told Reuters in this article.

Let’s hope it works. If not to “soften their attitude”, then to brighten up their day. Because although the article refers to the prisoners as “gangsters and murderers”, many are also put in prison without ever seeing a trial. Prisons are largely overcrowded, as in above picture, and carry serious sick, as in picture below.

Many prisoners suffer from serious diseases

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The war against porn is part of a campaign to eradicate all “socially destabilizing” material. This also includes any criticism towards the Communist Party, any promoting of democracy in China and saying anything in favor of Taiwanese independence.

This year will also be the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests. It will be interesting to see how inventive the Chinese population will get to cover the news despite the current campaign…

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If you are visiting a Chinese friend or relative this next few days, be sure to bring two mandarins! They are a token of good manners and symbolize prosperity for your host.

To all our Chinese readers, acquaintances and friends

Gong Xi Fa Cai !
(Happy Chinese New Year)

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