[Indonesia Report] Eighth anniversary of tsunami observed
December 26 2012 is exactly 8 years after tsunami hit Aceh Province in Indonesia and other countries in South Asia. The 2004 tsunami reportedly claimed some 230,000 lives of whom around 167,000 died in Indonesia alone. The devastating tragedy still remains vividly in the mind of the survivors and all Indonesians. A ceremony to mark the eighth anniversary of Aceh tsunami was held […]
As the World Rebalances in the Asian-Pacific Century, So Must the United States
*Author, Patrick M. Cronin is Senior Advisor and Senior Director, Asia-Pacific Security Program, Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C. As the world’s center of economic gravity continues to shift to the Asia-Pacific region, the US decision to refocus its foreign policy toward Asia is motivated by both long-term interests and short-term events, […]
AJA picks Aung San Suu Kyi and Malala Yousafzai as Asians of 2012
Asian journalist Association (AJA) has picked Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar opposition leader, and Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani human right activist, as Asians of 2012 Thursday (Dec. 27). Suu Kyi has devoted herself to the democratization of her country under the oppresion of the military regime and contributed greatly to the opening of Myanmar to outside world. She efforts have born fruit and enabled […]
Poem dedicated to two women handpicked by The AsiaN as 2012 Asians of the year
When I got the names of Aung San Suu Kyi(Myanmar) and Malala Yousafzai(Pakistan) to be 2012 Asian of the Year I was watching Egyptian women at Tahrir Square, Cairo, cutting their hair, as a sign of showing opposition to the new constitution approved by the radical government in Egypt. Our country has been giving birth […]
Christmas tree in N. Korea
The fuss made by North Korea over the Christmas lights on a steel tower at an observation post overlooking the demilitarized zone reminds me of a similarly lit tree far inside North Korea. It was on the shelf behind the bar of a hotel in the industrial east coast city of Hamheung. I saw this […]
Park Geun-hye must enforce affirmative action
President-elect Park Geun-hye has pledged to recruit highly qualified people for various government posts fairly. According to her, such impartial recruitment is necessary to end the vicious cycle of division and hatred that has haunted South Korea for the past half century. Park’s predecessors have reneged on their promises of fairness. They have installed cronies […]
[Indonesia Report] Second grandson born to Presidential couple
Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife, Ani Yudhoyono recently got a new addition to their family, as their last son, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono’s wife, Aliya Rajasa, gave birth to their first child, Airlangga Satriadhi Yudhono. The baby boy is the second grandchildren for the Presidential couple. Airlangga was born on Monday dawn (December […]
Divided nation
A few days ago, I received a widely circulating Kakao Talk message from a friend who vehemently supported Park Geun-hye during the presidential election. It read as follows: “A totally new era seems to be in store for the nation given Park’s victory and numerous signs of good fortune.” It cited a series of numerical […]
Why I won’t go to North Korea
“Have you ever been to North Korea?” This is the question I am almost always asked here in South Korea when people learn that I have become an activist for North Korean escapees. My response is curt: “No.” “Do you plan on going?” they ask next. My answer remains the same: “No.” When they start […]
[Korea Report] Snow fall on Christmas eve enhances festive mood
Adeline Budiman, Indonesian Student who is studying in Korea Institute of Science and Technology in Seoul posted, “Yup it is definitely white Christmas here… May joy and peace flow beautifully like this fallen snow! Merry Christmas!” And another Indonesian Student, Yohana Kurnia Endah, posted a video on Facebook when she attended the Midnight Christmas Mass […]