January 27, 2010

New rights report finally ends silence on North Korea's 'Total Control Zones'

South Korea's human rights watchdog has broken silence on abuses in North Korea's political prison camps. The National Human Rights Commission said in a new report that Kim Jong-Il's regime runs six large prison camps that hold an estimated 200,000 political prisoners. Five of the camps are designed as "Total Control Zones" that house incorrigible "enemies of the people." Being sent to one of these camps is a life sentence, the report said. (FULL STORY)
The structures pictured are just a small portion of a North Korean prison camp called Camp 16.
Latest twist in China-U.S. ties shows toughness is language CCP understands

As the saying goes, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) “respects toughness [in an opponent] but spurns weakness.” In sharp contrast to the meekness displayed during his maiden trip to the Middle Kingdom last November, President Obama has for the past several weeks shed his kid gloves in tackling America’s formidable strategic competitor. The tough moves included authorizing a package of arms sales to Taiwan; vigorously protesting Chinese-originated cyber attacks against Google and a host of U.S. government agencies and companies; and taking action against the dumping of Chinese products.  (FULL STORY)
Google has threatened to abandon its Chinese search engine, and perhaps end all operations in the country over cyber attacks adding that it is no longer willing to bow to Chinese government censors. AFP/Goh Chai Hin
Beijing sharply increases deployment of warships
China's number one security concern said to be internal
   
Plan calls for Guam to become major U.S. Western Pacific military hub
U.S. Navy weighs options to counter China's ASBM
North Korean military to establish 'State Development Bank'
S. Korea official warns of pre-emptive strike against North

  INSIDE  NORTH  KOREA     
Cash shortages seen increasing pressures on N. Korea regime

North Korea charged that a campaign by South Korean anti-communists to send leaflets into North Korea has increased tensions between the two states. But analysts in Seoul said the North is speaking out due to a need for cash.
Burma accuses China of smuggling arms, backing dissidents
New, selected details emerge about China missile defense test
Beijing takes hardline policy toward Tibet to the next level

 
GertzFile.com GeoStrategy-Direct.com WorldTribune.Com
  Copyright © 2010     East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.