December 19, 2008

Despite dozens of photos, Kim fails to come into focus

SEOUL — North Korea has released 135 photos purportedly of ruler Kim Jong-Il at public functions over the past three months in an effort to convince people that the "Dear Leader" is still in control. Despite the blizzard of photos, rumors about Kim's heath persist. A French doctor who reportedly treated Kim in Pyongyang told the Le Figaro newspaper that while Kim had suffered a stroke, he did not undergo surgery and that his condition was improved.
(FULL STORY)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il inspects a newly built E-business institute at Kanggye city in Chagangdo province in an undated photo released by the Korean Central News Agency.    AFP

Hu Jintao orders PLA to prepare for
'non-war-related combat' at home

President Hu Jintao has asked the People’s Liberation Army to get ready for “non-war-related combat missions,” including quelling social unrest and tackling quasi-terrorist attacks, which are expected to become more serious in 2009. It was the first time that Hu, also commander in chief, had briefed the military on its responsibility to ensure national stability upon widespread fears that protests and riots may mushroom as the economy is hit by dwindling exports to Western markets and other problems.  (FULL STORY)
Chinese police arrest a supposed attacker in a security drill in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, on Dec. 11. AP/Color China
Wary of both Beijing and Seoul, North Korea balks at opening its economy
Report details PLA's aggressive 13-year Internet warfare preparations
   
U.S. fears reverse-engineered espionage after tech deal with Hu's son
China piracy initiative seen signaling push for greater power projection
China confronts visiting American over proposed arms sale to Taiwan
Paulson passionate in Beijing; Obama team includes at least one hawk

Asian economic powers hold first trilateral summit and, to their surprise, 'saw some outcome' / Forgotten in the Big-Three brouhaha, Asian autos get run off the road / No private banks here: Beijing / Malaysia hit hard by AIDS
U.S. closely monitoring Japan's Aso administration, reported to be 'tottering'
Video shows North Korean military-run poppy fields used for illegal drug trafficking
Report: 40 percent of North Koreans are in urgent need of food

 
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