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DMZ: Cold War Front or Tourist Attraction?

By J.R. Breen Contributing Writer Along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the world's last Cold War frontier that separates North and South Korea, it seems U.S. servicemen are becoming more like tour guides than soldiers. While Japanese and Chinese tourists are drawn to Korea by the shopping and the Korean Wave of movies, TV dramas and pop music, the greatest attraction for Westerners is the DMZ. Increasing numbers of tourists are traveling to what is probably the world's most dangerous legitimate visitor site. Over 100,000 visitors passed through the JSA, the United Nations Joint Security Area at Panmunjeom last year, on strictly organized tours. Some 750 infantrymen make up the first line of defense near the JSA, in what is known as the United Nations Command Security Battalion. Made up of 95 percent Korean and 5 percent American soldiers, they are among the elite in their class, said battalion member Specialist Billy Campbell of the U.S. Army as he led one group of mostly American visitors, last week. Across the border are members of the North Korean Army. In P

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CNN’s Sohn Becomes G-20 Spokesperson

By J.R. Breen Contributing Writer CNN correspondent for Seoul Sohn Jie-ae has left journalism after more than 25 years for a position in government service. Sohn, who has reported for CNN from Korea since 1995, started work this month as the spokesperson for the Presidential Committee for the G-20 Summit. "I am learning a lot about what it feels like to be on the other side of the mike," Sohn said. "From the opposite side, the world (is) different." The G-20 summit in November puts the spotlight on Korea in a new way. The country is accustomed to hosting large-scale international events, but its role as the first non-G-7 nation to chair the G-20 calls for more intellectual leadership. While the fourth G-20 summit in Toronto in June will focus on the international economy's exit strategy from stimulus and recovery cycles, the Seoul meeting will explore the creation of a new post-crisis economic order. The presidential committee is charged with preparing for the event as well as upgrading Korea's national standing. Sohn's career began with the English-languag

Online Newspaper Provides Voice to North Koreans

By J.R. Breen Contributing Writer Just six years ago, the staff at the Daily NK found it hard to be taken seriously as providers of reliable news, an attitude that lingers in some quarters to this day. But when the online newspaper, founded in 2004, broke news of the chaotic currency revaluation in North Korea toward the end of last year, its stock appeared to rise somewhat. The story, based on accounts from its team of reporters who operate in the North Korea border region in northeastern China, made international headlines, bringing the organization into sharp focus. ``Since 2004, the Daily NK has released several exclusives to the world,'' Kwon Eun-kyoung, the English editor at the paper said. The Daily NK is one of several agencies operating on the fringes, effectively paying stringers ― freelance journalists ― in the area and behind the thick curtain of secrecy shrouding the communist nation. Good Friends and Radio Free Korea are just two of the others contributing to the mass of information spirited out. The Daily NK says that their mission is to

Foreignline

Wild Women Performing Arts Festival If you're keen to see some of the hottest female talent Seoul's scene has to offer, this is the place to come. This is an event that will entertain, whilst simultaneously raising funds for the Korean Women's Association United. The organization works to support women's rights in Korea and abroad. Acts are performed by both Expat and Korean talent, and although it's women-centered, both sexes are welcome to attend. Date: Saturday 27 February 2010 Time: 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM Where: Mong Hwan (Club) in Sinchon Info: www.korea4expats.com - Where the Wild Women Art RAS Offering Tour to Seoraksan The Royal Asiatic Society is offering a weekend tour to Seoraksan Mountain. RAS is a non-profit volunteer based organization that has been operating in Korea for over 100 years. The society offers one-day and two-day weekend tours in Seoul and around Korea, that focus on the nation's history, culture and arts. Tour: Seorak-san National Park & Waterpia Independence Weekend Tour Date: Sunday-Monday 28 Feb and 1 March 2010 Departure: 8:00 AM Sund

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