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Shema on her experience showing her collection at Busan Fashion Week
The New Times
Shema is in South Korea, where she was showcasing her collection at the just-concluded annual Busan Fashion Week. The designer was among local entrepreneurs, who took part in the week-long 18th Busan International Footwear Textile Fashion Fair ...

A Deal Based on Flattering Trump as a Useful Idiot will Not Hold Tweet

 

This is a local re-post of a piece I wrote for the Lowy Institute a few weeks ago.

Basically I wrote this in disgust at how Trump is falling all over himself about Kim Jong Un. I do not oppose a deal with North Korea, as my critics keep saying. Rather, I deeply distrust Trump’s motives. He isn’t doing this for peace in Korea or because he cares about the US position in Asia or the well-being of people out here. In fact, he’s not even doing it for the American national interest. He’s doing it because the leaders of North and South Korea are flattering him.

It’s appalling that Trump can’t see this. He hasn’t gotten anything serious out of North Korea, but apparently he loves Kim Jong Un, probably because Kim called him ‘Your Excellency’ in one of his letters. And Moon is playing Trump so badly – Nobel Peace Prize! – it’s embarrassing. Last year Trump was a jerk and called Moon an appeaser of NK. So this year, Moon is the tail wagging the dog. Moon has figured out that he can go around the hawkish US natsec bureaucracy, which distrusts him, and go straight to Trump. Flatter Trump enough, and he’ll agree to anything.

It’s gross, and it won’t hold anyway, because Trump is fickle and stroking his ego is not the same as building institutional support in the US for a deal.

The essay follows the jump:

 

 

In the last six months, US President Donald Trump has “fallen in love” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He has also been persuaded that Kim respects him, likely because he called him ‘your excellency’ in his “beautiful letters.” South Korean President Moon Jae-In has claimed Trump is the “only one who can fix the Korean peninsula.” He and his foreign minister, Kang Jung-Wha, also suggested that Trump win a Nobel Prize for bringing peace to Korea.

Good grief.

None of this is true. Of course it is not. Everyone knows this, including Trump’s own staff, as the many leaks and books about this White House attest. It is painfully obvious to any serious observer that Trump no idea what he is doing on North Korea (or most policy issues). Had any other US political figure said he was ‘in love’ with the dictator of North Korea, he would have been laughed out of politics or seen as a creepy apologist for the world’s worst tyrant.

That Trump was given a pass on this remark – as he is on so many of his unhinged comment – tells you all you need to know: no one takes him seriously, he does not understand the issues, and he does not care to try. Not only is Trump frequently irresponsible and idiotic, he does not care that he is, has no interest in improving this problem, nor cares that we all know that he is unhinged. It is almost as if Trump is performing the presidency as a joke or reality TV show rather actually doing the job: who says they ‘love’ North Korea? Trump had to know that was preposterously foolish, yet he said it anyway, because he just does not care.

None of this is particularly new of course. It was obvious three years ago that Trump knew almost nothing about policy. Regarding North Korea, Trump has swung from unhinged war threats to mawkishly self-congratulatory peace-making in just a few months, because he has not even tried to grasp the issues. He just wants the attention that comes from outlandish statements – ‘fire and fury’ – and actions – the Singapore summit. His speeches and commentary on North Korea almost never reference actual issues in the negotiations – missile counts, fissile materials stockpiles, and so on. Instead, he belabors his supposedly great personal relationship with Kim.

Tellingly, Trump has never given a programmatic speech on US goals in negotiating with North Korea, or what sort of mixed deal – troop withdrawals for nuclear weapons, missile defense for missiles, sanctions relief for human rights, and so – the US might consider. The closest Trump came was his insistence early this year on complete, verifiable, irreversible disarmament (CVID) – but that was always a gimmick. No expert ever thought the North would simply unilaterally disarm because of US browbeating. Beyond all-or-nothing, silver bullet approaches like CVID or war, Trump has laid out no framework, no groundwork for a half-loaf, mixed-bag compromise, which is almost certainly what the actual negotiating outcome will be if there is one.

Trump’s gross ignorance, disdain for US allies, and love of flattery have, in turn, created a bizarre window of opportunity for the leaders of the two Koreas. Unlike Trump who cannot be bothered to read, Moon and Kim have almost certainly studied up on Trump’s character. Indeed, given Trump’s endless self-congratulation in his speeches and his obvious love of media attention, it is not hard to see that he is a deeply insecure arriviste desperate for affirmation. World leaders increasingly play on this vulnerability.

In 2017, Moon and Kim did not quite see how easy Trump would be to manipulate. Where Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe picked up rather quickly on Trump’s gullibility – giving him a ‘make alliance great again’ baseball hat and a golden golf club – Moon and Kim both treated Trump as a normal US president. Kim and Trump fell into a war of words, while Moon seemed unable to figure out how to respond to a president determined to crassly read the US alliance as a protection racket.

By 2018, the two Korean leaders came around. Moon started jetting off to Washington more often to pay court to Trump, because Trump loves to insist the foreign leaders solicit him, not vice versa. Moon’s envoys pitched the Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un directly to the president, rather than going through US national security bureaucracy which almost certainly would have tried to stop it. Then Moon and his foreign minister started floating the preposterous idea that Trump should win a Nobel. Here in South Korea, it was an open secret that the Nobel was, and still is, a gimmick to flatter Trump. That Trump could not see that suggests just how immature he is. Kim Jong Un got in the act with fawning letters this summer. One can only imagine how Trump swooned when he read being called ‘your excellency.’ Call all this the ‘Compliment Trump’ Doctrine.

The dangers here are obvious:

Trump is extraordinarily fickle. Kim and Moon better be ready to debase themselves for awhile. Will their nationalist populations tolerate that? How long can this last?

Trump abjures contract when it suits him. As a businessman, Trump was notorious for not paying his bills and violating agreements. If an inter-Korean deal becomes a liability for Trump in the future, he will dump it immediately.

Everything hinges on Trump. Moon has not won over the US national security bureaucracy regarding North Korea, instead placing all his bets on Trump. But Trump is gone in six years at most, possibly two. And indeed, after this year’s midterm elections in just six weeks, Trump’s attention to Korea will likely fade entirely. The Democrats will do well in the Congress, likely taking one or both houses, after which will come a wave of investigations and possibly an impeachment effort, depending how just how bad the rot is. Korea drop off Trump’s radar, and the South Koreans will be stuck dealing with the State and Defense Departments again, which are far more sanguine about negotiating with North Korea.

The US national security community can see Kim and, more importantly, Moon manipulating the president. This is my biggest fear. Trump is a preposterous, accidental president; playing him as a useful idiot may capture gains for Moon in the next year or so, but there will be scars left behind. The US North Korea community and South Korean left already have poor relations. The former distrusts the latter’s willingness to concede to North Korea, while the latter finds the former intrusive into Korean affairs which are not its business. The left cannot dump these US hawks though, because the US alliance is hugely popular here. And the US natsec community will remember how Moon played on Trump’s vanity to go around it. This will make it that much harder for the US alliance under liberal South Korean governments in the future. Moon’s spinning of Trump will leave a bad taste with many of South Korea’s allies who can see what he is doing and know it is manipulation of a fool. He should stop.

Robert E Kelly
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science & Diplomacy
Pusan National University

@Robert_E_Kelly

 

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Something you'll hear a lot about if you live in Korea is the work culture. Perhaps your friends often stay out late at company dinners, drinking at multiple places until the sun comes up. Or maybe you've heard someone complain about the way their boss treats them, and being unable to do anything about it. One thing's for certain - Koreans work hard and for long hours. There are many pros and cons to working in Korea, so I wanted to know what some of the most common ones were. This year in Korea I asked Koreans on the streets what they thought about work culture, and what they would change.

Do you have any experience working in South Korea? What are your thoughts on its pros and cons? Let me know in the comments here or on the video.

The post Koreans Talk About Korea’s Work Culture appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.

Screen International
'Your Face': Busan Review
Screen International
Dir. Tsai Ming-liang. Taiwan. 2018. 76 mins. Thirteen faces, simply lit and frequently silent, are the subjects of this documentary meditation by Tsai Ming-liang. The static camera rests on each person, sometimes for just a few minutes, sometimes for ...

Hollywood Reporter
'Isabelle': Film Review | Busan 2018
Hollywood Reporter
Adam Brody and Amanda Crew headline the latest entry in the fractured-family/psychological-horror sub-genre. Lifting a page from the same playbook that guided recent psychology-first shockers like The Babadook and Hereditary, Robert Heydon's minor-key ...

Hi guys!

 

I have some autumn/winter coats and clothes for sale.

They do not fit me anymore, but I hope they can be of use to others.

Prices are as follows:

1. 10,000won - YSB Style long padding (winter) Size: S-M - SOLD

2. 10,000won - Village trench coat (Autumn/early winter) Size: S-M

3. 5,000won - Cynthia coat (Autumn/early winter) -SOLD

4. 5,000won  - Columbia hiking/walking jacket (spring/autumn)  Size: S-M

I can let all 4 go for 25,000won.

5. 5,000 won - La Fuma hiking pants (Autumn/winter) - SOLD

6. 5,000 won - La Fuma hiking pants (Autumn/winter) - SOLD

Or 8,000 won for both 

7. (not pictured separately) I also have 1,000-4,000won autumn/winter clothes 

8. 25,000 won (not pictured) - There is also a Rogatis suit(pair). It is my husband's but he lost weight, and he does not want to wear it anymore. -He used it only 2x I think.

All of them are in great condition. If you are interested, please send me an email. I live around 8 minutes by walk from Yeonsan station. You are welcome to visit our place to check the clothes before buying.

Thanks!

Selling this grey adjustable sofa bed. The back and both arms can be adjusted to different angles. The legs can come off to be a floor couch. It’s not too bad as a couch, but as a bed it’s not that comfortable (a night or two is fine). 

 

Fully open it’s 180cm length and 97cm wide. 

 

I don’t have a pet, but I did dog sit for a friend for a few days. Non-smoker. 

 

65,000 of you pick it up yourself. 85,000 if you want us to deliver it (we have to rent a car). *Located in Suyeong. Will deliver within Busan only. *

Hello,

My name is Zeb and interested to learn Korean Language. I live near to Pusan National University. Please let me know if anyone interested. I can meet you anytime around PNU. Thanks in advance.

Black Model available.

Available for photo shoots, magazine covers, etc.

Send an email if interested. Price is affordable and negotiable.

ABS-CBN News
Philippines' politics-stained cinema in Busan film fest spotlight
ABS-CBN News
The Philippines' rich history of political and socially conscious cinema was on display this week at Asia's largest movie gathering, shadowed by the controversy over President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war. Busan International Film Festival ...

and more »

Made in the USA

2 Tray Tables perfect for an apartment and any occasion. 

Selling as a pair - $25 won

010-5331-7001

Tweet

Short term teaching.

Starting date : 22th Oct ~ 6th Nov

Location : Gijang Library center, Busan

(13-5, Chaseongdong-ro 126beon-gil, Gijang-eup,Gijang - gu, Busan, Korea)

Visa : E2 or F6

Salary : Calculated on dail bases (1,324,110won : Must deduct 4.4% of the Tax)

Working hours : Mon~Friday 2:00pm ~ 7:30pm

Students : Elementary and Middle school

 

To APPLY, Please mention this AD and send your resume and picture to : yeom110112@gmail.com

 

Does the school pay monthly contributions into a Pension Plan? :  No

Awesome small IKEA sofa with a pull out bed

BONUS - Decorative pillow and blanket can be included

Easy to transport even with a taxi van

Movers can be provided if needed

$50 won

010-5331-7001

South China Morning Post
China's changing landscape star of documentary shown at Busan International Film Festival
South China Morning Post
True to form, this year's Busan International Film Festival, in South Korea, which ended yesterday, once again played host to new Chinese-produced movies of various styles and stripes. On the one hand, there was mainstream fare in the shape Xu Zheng's ...

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We want English teacher in Cheongdam, Seoul.

Here is the job offer.

 

 

 

 

** Requirement: Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of English literature holder

 

 

 

 

Starting day: March, 2019

 

 

 

Wage: 2.1 ~ 2.5 Million Won

 

 

 

Teaching target: Kindergaten ~ Elementary school students

 

 

 

Working hours: Monday to Friday 8:50am ~ 5:20pm

 

 

 

Holiday: 10 days per year

 

 

 

Accommodation: Single housing or housing allowance

 

 

 

Benefits: Airfare, severance pay, health insurance, pension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Send me your resume and pictures and write #181012-1 Cheongdam Position by email atop2008@naver.com

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you.

Regards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TweetHello, My husband and I are looking for Native Teacher for once a week  class on Saturday around Marine City cafe from 9 to 10AM or 11: 30 to 12:30PM. We would like to practice speaking and some writing.Please contact us  if you are available and let us know  how much will you charge.  Email: anastasiia.lim@gmail.com 

Hi guys!

 

I have some autumn/winter coats and clothes for sale.

They do not fit me anymore, but I hope they can be of use to others.

Prices are as follows:

1. 10,000won - YSB Style long padding (winter) Size: S-M

2. 10,000won - Village trench coat (Autumn/early winter) Size: S-M

3. 5,000won - Cynthia coat (Autumn/early winter) -SOLD

4. 5,000won  - Columbia hiking/walking jacket (spring/autumn)  Size: S-M

I can let all 4 go for 25,000won.

5. 5,000 won - La Fuma hiking pants (Autumn/winter) - SOLD

6. 5,000 won - La Fuma hiking pants (Autumn/winter) - SOLD

Or 8,000 won for both 

7. (not pictured separately) I also have 1,000-4,000won autumn/winter clothes 

8. 25,000 won (not pictured) - There is also a Rogatis suit(pair). It is my husband's but he lost weight, and he does not want to wear it anymore. -He used it only 2x I think.

All of them are in great condition. If you are interested, please send me an email. I live around 8 minutes by walk from Yeonsan station. You are welcome to visit our place to check the clothes before buying.

Thanks!

Great sofa that has built in recliners

$150 won

Mover can be provided

010-5331-7001

I need a sturdy desk or wood table as a work table.  I will be cutting drilling and burning stuff, so the table doesn't need to be pretty.  The size should be between 120 and 130cm long, at least 70cm high.  

ESPN
On the train to Busan with Cloud9
ESPN
After a hard-fought play-in stage, North America's Cloud9 League of Legends team was headed to the 2018 World Championship group stage in Busan. They made their way back down to the first floor with about 20 minutes left until their train departure.