EVENT: Asian studies annual luncheon this week!! 23 Sept. 2015 @ GAYLORD HALL

Come for the food, stay for the stories.
12:15 in Gaylord Hall (Worner Center),
 Wednesday, 23 September, 2015

For those of you interested in studying abroad in Asia, this week's Asian Studies Annual Luncheon is a must.

First, there will be food. Lots of food.

Second (as if you weren't already convinced), you will hear presentations from all of CC's recently returned Asian Studies students! Students who have studied in China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Thailand, and Tibet will be on hand to answer questions about their experiences and show us beautiful pictures. Does it get any better?

Did I mention that members of your beloved LOTUS staff will be on hand? If you can find no other reason to attend, swing by to give us your suggestions, criticism, and praise. See you there!

THIS WEDNESDAY, 12:15pm @ GAYLORD HALL (WORNER CENTER)

WORKING IN INDIA

Shiying Cheng working with an NGO called the Alliance for Liberty, Fraternity, and Advancement (ALFA)in Udaipur of Rajasthan, India

Colorado College offers amazing summer classes abroad: whether it is going to Japan and studying at a local university, exploring Shanghai and checking out night markets, or working at NGOs (non-government organizations) in India doing advocacy work. The latter program was part of a course offered by the sociology department called “Social Innovation in Global Sustainable Development.” This was an internship-based course in which students lived with the local communities and worked for NGOs.

One account of this experience comes from Shiying Cheng. Shiying worked with a local NGO in the city of Udaipur of Rajasthan, India called the Alliance for Liberty, Fraternity, and Advancement (ALFA). Her work focused on widow pensions. Through this work with ALFA, she learned about the “inefficiencies in the system” with the process of policy making and policy implementation.

She became very frustrated and emotionally invested for the cause that she was working for as she travelled down the rabbit hole to find out what was happening to the pensions the widows were supposed to receive. Through the work, she acknowledges that her personal narrative was expanded and adjusted according to the experiences she gained this summer.

When asked whether or not she felt accomplished after this experience, her answer reflected a deeper understanding of the complexities of social work and social systems: 

“I actually felt that I had made an impact for a few people. I only spent 2 months in the country so it’s really hard for an outsider to really change the community and impact it permanently. However, I hoped that I had at least brought a new perspective and set the foundations for a new project to be continued by the people within the community. They are the only ones who can really bring about sustainable and lasting changes.”

KASA CAMPUS EVENT: LIBERTY IN NORTH KOREA September 28th @ 6:30 pm

For those interested in a more personal perspective of the lives of North Koreans than the perspective shown by the media, Liberty in North Korea is a non-profit organization that rescues and resettles North Korean refugees. So far they have rescued 390 refugees. These refugees are resettled in the United States, where they usually reconnect with their families back in North Korea. 

This reconnection provides LiNK with the latest information on the lives of the North Korean people and the communities they live in. The information is shared on their tours throughout the country to raise awareness about the state of North Koreans.

They focus on promoting the concept that North Korea is about the people, not the government. Liberty in North Korea is a great way for those of us in the states to support the people of North Korea. LiNK will be coming to Colorado College, Bemis Great Hall, on September 28th at 6:30 pm hosted by Korean American Student Association.

http://www.libertyinnorthkorea.org/

MAIN STORY: ESCALATION AT THE KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE REFLECTS THE “NEW NORTH KOREA”

North Korea's new pop music girl group, Moranbong. Photo used courtesy of EPA.

In August, tensions between North Korea and South Korea continued to rise as the two countries exchanged volleys of artillery fire. This first official break in nearly five years of armistice came amid a slew of accusations primarily focused on a South Korean led propaganda campaign, dubbed “the Hello Kitty offensive.” 

The New York Times reported that South Korean armed forces installed loudspeakers near the border tuned to broadcast K-pop and the message of “the superiority of a free democracy” toward Koreans across the DMZ. Though the broadcasts likely had little impact-- reaching short of 12 miles into North Korea--the dispute rekindled talk of “all-out war” on the peninsula.

These developments are the newest challenge to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s ongoing campaign aimed at stabilizing his authority. Since beginning his reign in December 2011, observers of Mr. Kim’s “hermit nation” have marked an unusual blend of power consolidation, aggression and modernization. Allegations remain that Mr. Kim has fired or otherwise removed a large number of government officials who were close to his father, including having his uncle executed in 2013. 

Meanwhile, minor reforms include the introduction of formerly banned “western fashion” by the Leader’s wife, Ri Sol-ju. Most notably Mr. Kim order the replacement of soviet-style uniforms in North Korea’s state-run airline in favor of a modern alternative. Similarly, Mr. Kim has recently overseen the completion of an amusement park and allowed for a pop music girl band called Morandbong. Though the content of the pop group’s music is propaganda, they bear uncanny resemblance to South Korea’s ever-popular “K pop” girl bands.

South Korea’s apparent willingness to provoke aggression is seen by some to reflect prolonged instability and waning international support for the North Korean regime. As recently as March the UN Security Council renewed its comprehensive sanctions against North Korea levied for violations of nuclear non-proliferation agreements; Particularly for the testing  and development of nuclear weapons.

Additionally,  a publication in early 2014 by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea detailed grueling violations such that the General Assembly passed a resolution referring Mr. Kim to the International Criminal Court for prosecution. According to Human Rights Watch, these crimes include state-sanctioned “extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence.”

The reporting of these and other crimes has lead to a decline in support from North Korea’s allies, namely China. A series of high-level defections and visible disputes between China and North Korea culminated in late August with an unusual official visit between China’s President Xi and the President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye.

With growing common interests between China and South Korea, it appears that North Korea is increasingly isolated from international communities with less and less leverage to project their influence. South Korea, in turn, has undergone a modernization and bolstering of its military. For now, the “Hello Kitty” offensive’s subtle provocation seems unlikely to be stopped a North Korean hair-trigger temper.

For More, read our sources here:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/03/asia/north-korea-moranbong/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/21/world/asia/north-korea-and-south-korea-exchange-rocket-and-artillery-fire.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/world/asia/south-koreas-pop-music-barrage-rattles-north.html?ribbon-ad-idx=3&rref=world/asia&module=Ribbon&version=context&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Asia%20Pacific&pgtype=article