February 20, 2009

Military appointments signal increasing power of Kim Jong-Il's brother in law

SEOUL — Three appointments in a military shakeup last week in Pyongyang are attracting the notice of North Korea watchers here: North Korea watchers say the three appointments are significant for one reason: The three men are close supporters of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il's brother in law, Jang Sung-Taek. (FULL STORY)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, accompanied by new minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kim Yong-Chun (2nd left), and the former minister Kim Il-Chol (right), inspect a firing exercise of the Korean People's Army at an undisclosed location.  AFP/KCNA via KNS

Beijing's aggressive stance on dispute with Tokyo seen as test for Obama

Tension between China and Japan is set to flare even as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embarks on her maiden trip to East Asia. The focal point is the decades-old dispute over the Diaoyu or Senkaku archipelago — five islets between Taiwan and Okinawa — which is claimed by Beijing, Taipei and Tokyo. Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army, Gen. Ge Zhenfeng, who arrived in Japan on Monday for talks with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada later in the week.  (FULL STORY)
Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure after signing agreements in Bamako, Mali, on Feb. 12. AP/Xinhua, Rao Aimin
China boosts missiles targeting Taiwan from 1,300 to 1,500
Blair supports arms sales to Taiwan due to threat from continuing China buildup
   
Kim Jong-Il’s youngest son finally emerges from shroud of secrecy
DNI report: North Korea nuclear threat could 'destabilize East Asia'
Bellicose movements by N. Korea signal likely clash near sea border
Obama's China policy moves from Treasury to State Department

China's educated unemployed skyrocketing / Japan set to receive shipments of LNG from Russia-dominated Sakhalin project / Taiwan economy takes major hit as exports plummet / Suddenly, Kevin Rudd's China connections aren't such a great deal / Pirates make off with $3.2 million as Faina episode remains a mystery
U.S. monitors Hu visit to Saudi Arabia for possible missile deal to counter Iran
Younger Chinese officers called more bellicose than senior civilian, military leaders
U.S. intel assessment: North Korea is a failing state with 'dismal' human rights, but stable

 
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