Northeast Asia Geostrategic Forum

[nang2]

But age doesn't allow state to grab his legal rights.
He made his move, his choice

What about his parents, his legal guardians, who should really be the ones that fight for his cause?

 

[kris]

What about his parents, his legal guardians, who should really be the ones that fight for his cause?

Why should someone?
Hasn't the system given him the right to do alone? Or did the system question his mental ability?

 

[nang2]

Why should someone?
Hasn't the system given him the right to do alone? Or did the system question his mental ability?

Because he is a minor. His mental ability isn't good enough to make him fully responsible for his own actions.

 

[JSCh]

I think almost all democratic countries in the world would not give 14 years old the political right to vote. Why is that?

 

[kris]

Because he is a minor. His mental ability isn't good enough to make him fully responsible for his own actions.

Not aware of your laws, but any child above 5 years is able to give testimony in courts and liable to punishment in courts.

Will your country exempt a person below 18 years from punishment because he is a minor?
Will they accept his testimony? If yes why not allow him to question?

Hypocrisy

 

[TaiShang]

US Installed More Missiles in South Korea Without Consulting Its President. Seoul Is Not Amused

Imperial hubris at its finest.

Jason Ditz
Wed, May 31, 2017


South Korean public already greatly opposes THAAD deployment

The Pentagon was very eager to make a deal with South Korea’s lame duck government on getting their THAAD missile defense system deployed back in March, before the election of President Moon, an outspoken critic of the deployment, earlier this month. Moon’s election hasn’t stopped the Pentagon from continuing to build up their deployments, however.

Presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan said that the new president, who wasn’t happy with the two THAAD launchers the US installed right before the election, was “shocked” to learn that since his election, the Pentagon installed four more launchers without telling him, or anyone within the government.

The THAAD anti-missile system is controversial within South Korea, with locals in the area the were deployed concerned it makes them a target in any US war with North Korea.

The Pentagon offered no justification for why they didn’t tell anyone about the recent deployments, but insisted they were always “transparent” about their intentions.

Indeed, when they made a deal with the last government to send two launchers, it was specified at the time that the site could support up to six launchers. It should have gone without saying, however, that future deployments would be discussed with the hosting nation, instead of them finding out from people at the site that they were just installed some night.

Source: Antiwar.com

***

Now the question is if South Korea is an independent entity or a colony with a government as a façade?

At least North Koreans have their sovereign dignity, even if it at times may come at the cost of alienating China.

@samsara

 

[TaiShang]

USA not treating South Korea with respect , ofcourse Yankees don't have to because in their eyes it's just another dog

Indeed, and very poetically put.

 

[TaiShang]

Daily life in HK on 20th anniv. of return to motherland
(Xinhua) 09:01, June 02, 2017


Two girls pose for photos at Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, south China, May 17, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


Photo taken on May 18, 2017 shows the view of "Oi!", a place for art exchange, in Hong Kong, south China. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


A tourist takes photos of Choi Hung Estate in Hong Kong, south China, May 17, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


A man enjoys scenery at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park in Hong Kong, south China, May 17, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


A couple enjoys scenery at a pier in Hong Kong, south China, May 10, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


People walk down steps with paintings on them at Tai Po Waterfront Park in Hong Kong, south China, April 22, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


People walk under walls of art in Hong Kong, south China, May 11, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


Photo taken on May 5, 2017 shows the view of PMQ, a hub to serve the evolving creative industries, in Hong Kong, south China. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)


Aerial photo taken on May 17, 2017 shows the view of Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park in Hong Kong, south China. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)

A woman reads at a library of Comix Home Base in Hong Kong, south China, May 18, 2017. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. (Xinhua/Liu Yun)

@Chinese-Dragon , @grey boy 2 , @bbccdd1470

 

[TaiShang]

Hong Kong rolls out the red carpet for mainland visitors
By Yang Feiyue ( China Daily )Updated: 2017-06-03

Hong Kong has launched a host of special tourism packages to woo mainlanders.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board recently unveiled a series of travel deals, from air tickets and accommodation to shopping and catering, at a press conference in Beijing on May 23.

The promotion is part of Hong Kong's plans to mark the 20th anniversary of its return to China.

The anniversary is an important opportunity to bring together tourism players and local retailers and give mainlanders more reason to travel to the city, says Becky Ip, the deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

"More importantly, we want to show tourists a better Hong Kong," she says.

For the promotions, the city has teamed up with travel service platform Fliggy under Alibaba and several airlines, including Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines to offer air tickets and tourism packages to visitors from the mainland.

Fliggy will offer 50,000 VIP cards in June, each valued at about 300 yuan, for visitors to use at Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park and Madame Tussaud's.

Red packets (cash or coupons) worth 1.1 million yuan will be up for grabs at the Fliggy and Alipay platforms.

Moreover, members of the city's Quality Tourism Service Association will offer discounts on skin care, health, jewelry and catering.

Separately, visitors can get free coupon books at 210 hotels and travel agencies in Hong Kong before Sept 30, and coupons can be used for transport, at scenic spots and at restaurants.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong has witnessed tremendous growth in visitor numbers from the mainland.

Mainlanders paid 42.77 million visits to Hong Kong in 2016, compared with 2.36 million in 1997.

The city is the first stop for outbound trips for many mainlanders, says Li Shaohua, the president of Fliggy.

Many mainland travellers also opt for Hong Kong as a transfer point before going further afield, which could save them 10-20 percent in flight costs, says Fliggy.

Travelers between 26 and 35 are the biggest group visiting Hong Kong, and clothes, snacks, cosmetics, shoes and handbags are the top items on their shopping lists, says Li.

 

[TaiShang]

S.Korean president orders additional probe into unreported THAAD launchers deployment
(Xinhua) 16:21, June 05, 2017

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (file photo)

SEOUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday ordered an additional probe into the unreported deployment of four more mobile launchers of the U.S. missile shield to the country.

Senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan told a press briefing that President Moon ordered his senior secretary for civil affairs to look further into any suspicions over the installation of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area (THAAD) missile interception system.

Moon ordered an investigation into the "intentional" omission of report to the new leader about the deployment of four THAAD mobile launchers to an unidentified U.S. military base in South Korea.

During the regular meeting earlier in the day between Moon and his senior secretaries, Moon was briefed by the civil affairs secretary on the investigation findings.

The findings showed Wi Seung-ho, chief of the defense ministry's national defense policy office, ordered officials to omit the deployment of four more THAAD launchers from a document to the presidential Blue House.

Wi will be excluded from relevant defense affairs, while other relevant defense ministry officials will be subject to further investigations, according to the Blue House.

President Moon also ordered a separate probe into the defense ministry suspected of avoiding the environmental assessment on the U.S. missile defense system at a golf course in Seongju county, North Gyeongsang province.

Seoul and Washington decided in July last year to deploy one THAAD battery in southeast South Korea. The site was altered in September into the golf course at a small village where less than 200 farmers, mostly in their 70s and older, live a peaceful life.

About two weeks before the presidential by-election on May 9, two mobile launchers, the radar and other heavy equipments were transported in the middle of night to the golf course.

The hurried installation boosted speculation that it aimed to politicize security issues during the sensitive election campaign period. Security issues tended to benefit conservative candidates in the past.

The installation of four more mobile launchers had never been made public "on purpose" and reported to Moon, who also serves as top military commander.

One THAAD battery is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, the AN/TPY-2 radar and the fire and control unit.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0605/c90000-9224386.html

***

If South Korea has no idea what is some foreign mercenaries are doing on its land, wouldn't that be right to call them as non-sovereign state-entity?

 

[terranMarine]

THAAD deployment faces delay due to new environment assessment

SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry began preparations for a full-blown environmental impact assessment on the ongoing deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system Tuesday, a ministry official said, a move that will inevitably delay its operation.

The move came one day after President Moon Jae-in personally ordered a thorough study on the environmental impact of the advanced missile shield, which, when fully deployed, will consist of at least six rocket launchers with 48 rockets designed to intercept aerial threats flying over the peninsula.

The system has been and currently is subject to a "small, informal" environmental assessment afforded by what Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae has referred to as systematic efforts by the country's defense ministry to make the THAAD battery appear smaller in size and scale.

Under an agreement, Seoul is set to provide some 700,000 square meters of land for the deployment of the missile defense system to be operated for and by U.S. Forces Korea but will boost the country's own defense capabilities as well.

Under the law, any new installation of equipment or facilities that affect more than 330,000 square meters of land must first be assessed for their environmental impact before being deployed or built.

The THAAD system, however, was able to be deployed here as the defense ministry provided only 320,000 square meters of land first, subjecting it only to the ongoing "small and informal" evaluation.

The remaining 380,000 square meters of land promised under the THAAD agreement is set to be provided later, again exempting the THAAD deployment from a full-blown environmental impact assessment, Cheong Wa Dae said earlier, citing the outcome of its recent probe on the issue.

The special probe was initially triggered by suspicions that the defense ministry had omitted the delivery of four THAAD rocket launchers into the country in its report to the president and his de facto power transition team.

Cheong Wa Dae said the probe has confirmed an "intentional omission" of such facts by a ministry official. He was relieved of his duty after the probe.

A new investigation is now under way to find out who had designed the supply of the land for THAAD in such a way that it was successfully kept from a full-blown environmental impact assessment.

"The order to conduct an environmental impact assessment is a guideline to enhance the procedural legitimacy of the deployment, so the defense ministry will review ways to conduct such a study," Defense Minister Han Min-koo has said.

The problem is that a new full-blown test may take up to a year and also delay or suspend the ongoing deployment of the THAAD system over the period.

The THAAD agreement was signed by the former administrations of both South Korea and the U.S., and the new Donald Trump administration is already showing signs of reservations, with the U.S. president also mentioning a need to renegotiate the terms to have Seoul pay for the U.S. defense system.

Cheong Wa Dae maintains the controversy over the THAAD deployment is strictly local and that Washington understands that as well.

In a meeting with USFK commander Gen. Vincent Brooks and the visiting director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency V. Adm. James Syring in Seoul on Monday, Chung Eui-yong, Seoul's top security adviser to the president, again explained that the recently concluded probe on the THAAD deployment and the proposed study on its environmental impact were moves to secure or enhance the legitimacy of the deployment, the presidential office said earlier.

Brooks and Syring expressed gratitude for his explanation and said they fully understood the South Korean government's position, it added.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/search1/2603000000.html?cid=AEN20170606001600315

 

[Ironborn]

Not aware of your laws, but any child above 5 years is able to give testimony in courts and liable to punishment in courts.

Will your country exempt a person below 18 years from punishment because he is a minor?
Will they accept his testimony? If yes why not allow him to question?

Hypocrisy

Which country takes 5 year old testimony in court and punishes 5 year old ? The min usually 12 year old to be somewhat criminally responsible for their actions.

 

[kris]

Which country takes 5 year old testimony in court and punishes 5 year old ? The min usually 12 year old to be somewhat criminally responsible for their actions.

Indian courts does accept 5 year old testimony.

 

[TaiShang]

Environmental assessment to delay THAAD deployment in ROK
Xinhua, June 7, 2017

The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in South Korea was expected to be delayed as President Moon Jae-in ordered a legitimate environmental evaluation over the U.S. missile shield installation.

An unnamed South Korean Defense Ministry official was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying Wednesday that though the massive assessment of an environmental effect would be conducted, the expected evaluation period of a year or so would be shortened significantly.

Yonhap reported that the comments indicated the completion of the evaluation by the end of this year.

However, the official said the assessment would require the hearings for residents living near the THAAD installation site, which would take several months.

President Moon on Monday ordered a probe into who tried to avoid the "green audit" of the THAAD deployment site, or a golf course at Soseong-ri village in Seongju county, North Gyeongsang province.

South Koreans had held candlelit rallies to protest against THAAD since the deployment decision was made last July.

Moon instructed officials to carry out the legitimate assessment of environmental effect, saying priority should be placed on the procedural legitimacy for the THAAD deployment.

According to the presidential Blue House, its preliminary investigation results showed the Defense Ministry offered 328,799 square meters of the golf course to the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in the first stage of land provision.

The total land of the golf course is about 700,000 square meters. The remaining land was scheduled to be given to the USFK in the second stage after completing the green audit.

It was aimed at avoiding the massive environmental evaluation. By domestic law, the provision of less than 330,000 square meters does not require the massive green audit, shortening the assessment period.

http://www.china.org.cn/world/2017-06/07/content_40981658.htm

@samsara

 

[Raphael]

https://www.ft.com/content/9869ef7a-4fe7-11e7-bfb8-997009366969

Panama has cut ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China, as Beijing intensifies efforts to isolate the self-governing island, which it considers Chinese territory.

Isabel Saint Malo, Panama’s foreign minister, signed a communiqué with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday in Beijing to formalise the switch, leaving Taiwan with just 20 diplomatic allies.

Juan Carlos Varela, the president of the central American nation, said that signing up to Beijing’s “One China” principle would generate “great potential in all areas” including investment and job creation.

Beijing has tightened the squeeze on Taiwan since the election last year of President Tsai Ing-wen and her pro-independence Democratic Progressive party.

The Chinese government has renewed a battle for diplomatic allies by poaching the tiny African nation of São Tomé and Príncipe in December, hampering Taiwan’s participation in international forums and slashing the number of Chinese tourists that visit Taiwan.

Diplomats warned that other allies may follow Panama’s lead in abandoning Taiwan in search of improved political and economic ties with China.

“There will be a cascade,” said Jorge Guajardo, the former Mexican ambassador to China, who is now based in Washington. “The Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Paraguay might try to do the same and the big catch for Beijing would be the Vatican.”

Panama’s defection is the latest diplomatic coup for Beijing, which is capitalising on the uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s foreign policy by exerting its influence from Southeast Asia to South Korea.

“China is exercising smart power more often, while the US is retreating from mainstream international politics,” said Huang Kwei-bo, a professor of diplomacy at National Chengchi University in Taipei.

Most of the countries that recognise Taiwan are small, impoverished nations in Africa, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. But they play an important role in supporting Taiwan’s legitimacy and speaking out on its behalf in international organisations such as the United Nations, which does not recognise Taiwan’s government.

Panama was one of its most important partners, with the third-biggest economy among Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and control of the Panama Canal, a strategic shipping route.

Taiwan still has expansive political and economic relations with many countries that do not formally recognise it, including the US, Japan and China itself, which consumes about 40 per cent of Taiwan’s exports.

Taiwan’s presidential office condemned China’s moves to restrict its international relations. “This not only threatens the rights of the Taiwanese people, it is also a dangerous provocation to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the region at large,” it said.

Jonathan Sullivan, the director of the China Policy Institute at the University of Nottingham, said that Panama’s defection was “a substantial foreign policy hit” for Ms Tsai’s government, which is already suffering sinking approval ratings because of domestic problems.

He added that while Beijing would continue efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, such a policy was unlikely to reverse the growing sense on the island of a separate Taiwanese identity.

In the decades after China was admitted to the UN in 1971, most countries established diplomatic relations with Beijing and de-recognised the Republic of China, as Taiwan is formally known.

But Taipei and Beijing have battled for the support of a handful of mostly developing nations.

This diplomatic war was halted during the administration of Ma Ying-jeou, the previous Taiwanese president, who tried to build closer ties with Beijing. But China ended the apparent truce after Ms Tsai was elected.