Sunday, August 14, 2005
Divided Koreas mark 1945 freedom
From BBC Online:
Divided Koreas mark 1945 freedom
Having spent some time in South Korea in the 1980's, and having friends and associates from there, I am very interested in the re-unification efforts, and heartened by signs like this.
For those unfamiliar with the historical context, the BBC article adds:
If you are interested in 20th century Korean history but not ready to pick up a scholarly history book, I highly recommend the novel One thousand chestnut trees, by Mira Stout.
Divided Koreas mark 1945 freedom
Having spent some time in South Korea in the 1980's, and having friends and associates from there, I am very interested in the re-unification efforts, and heartened by signs like this.
A North Korean delegation has arrived in South Korea on a ground-breaking visit, to mark 60 years since the end of Japanese colonial rule.
Senior members of the North's ruling party are among the visitors.
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The four-day festival is seen as an opportunity to further improve relations after the rapprochement of recent years.
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The North Korean visit comes during a pause in the six-nation negotiations over North Korea's nuclear programme.
South Korean officials have said they hope to use the four-day visit as a chance to speak directly to delegates from Pyongyang to establish when the talks on the nuclear issue can resume.
Senior members of the North's ruling party are among the visitors.
:
:
The four-day festival is seen as an opportunity to further improve relations after the rapprochement of recent years.
:
:
The North Korean visit comes during a pause in the six-nation negotiations over North Korea's nuclear programme.
South Korean officials have said they hope to use the four-day visit as a chance to speak directly to delegates from Pyongyang to establish when the talks on the nuclear issue can resume.
For those unfamiliar with the historical context, the BBC article adds:
Korea was occupied by Japan in 1910 and ruled by Tokyo until the end of World War II in 1945.
The country was then divided into American and Soviet-controlled zones along the 38th parallel, a temporary split that became permanent after the inconclusive three-year peninsular war.
The country was then divided into American and Soviet-controlled zones along the 38th parallel, a temporary split that became permanent after the inconclusive three-year peninsular war.
If you are interested in 20th century Korean history but not ready to pick up a scholarly history book, I highly recommend the novel One thousand chestnut trees, by Mira Stout.