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Hither and Yon

Where’s the international pressure on China to accept refugees . . . from N. Korea?

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, EastAsiaIntel.com
The spectacle of mass migrations is a permanent phenomenon of our times. Images of refugees risking lives to escape oppressive regimes, starvation, war and mayhem are embedded in our subconscious.
Think of the thousands who escaped from Vietnam after the defeat of the American-backed Saigon  Read More 
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China’s loud signal to North Korea reminded Kim Jong-Un he’s not his own man

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, EastAsiaIntel.com
Conflict with South Korea is a gambit that North Korea cannot afford.
Much as leader Kim Jong-Un may have yearned to humiliate the South by ordering gunfire against the mega-loudspeakers broadcasting music, news and invidious commentary into the North from below the Demilitarized Zone, he  Read More 
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Stormy weather in the South China Sea: Manila, Washington, Seoul weigh the options

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com
MANILA -- War clouds hang over the South China Sea.
The question is whether they’ll burst into a storm or simply cast a menacing shadow and eventually blow away. The outlook for clear weather does not appear bright while the Philippines works on reopening Subic  Read More 
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Ironies abound in Subic Bay and Vietnam: U.S. Navy welcomed back with open arms

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com
SUBIC BAY, Philippines ― The presence here of the USS Shiloh, a cruiser laden with missiles and cannon, reminds visitors of a bygone era. It was almost 25 years ago that the U.S. Navy had to abandon Subic Bay and the U.S. Air Force evacuated  Read More 
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As U.S. loses ‘its edge’, India looks to South Korea for defense options

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com
The Great Game for Asia is assuming new dimensions.
Korea counts on the U.S. for some of its most advanced weaponry, but Korea also is a source for weapons technology and components. That’s why India’s defense minister, Manohar Parrikar is in Seoul  Read More 
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Journalism nightmare: How to confirm a defector’s story about surviving the kingdom of lies

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com
Defectors from North Korea all have harrowing tales of suffering that are difficult to imagine in real life.
Their stories differ widely depending on the circumstances — some have spent time in prisons, most have not. Many have been hungry, or have seen relatives and friends  Read More 
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U.S. continues to tolerate N. Korean WMD, but can Pyongyang handle satire?

Special to WorldTribune.com
By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com
The rapid-fire sequence of events surrounding the film “The Interview” raises a familiar question: When will the world lose patience with the North Korean regime and toss out the “supreme leader” along with the flunkies and toadies and cronies surrounding him? Or do we need  Read More 
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