I could have woken this morning to better news that that of North Korea having unleashed a missile attack on it southern neighbour overnight. The totalitarian power in paradoxically named Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has effectivley been at war with the truly democratic Republic of Korea since 1950.
The infamous Korean War actually began in 1950 and ended with an armistice two years later. South Korea was supported by the United States, while its enemy was bolstered by China and the USSR. It was a bloody conflict, with its pathos brilliantly depicted in the American television black comedy series, MASH. I really like this show, particulary becuase of the way it so cleverly highlights the awful futility of war. Alas, the conflict continues this day, as exemplified by today's skirmish in Asia.
It's worth adding that North Korea is an isolated dicatorship, governeed with an iron fist. It's people have no access to any independent information with their radios and televisions manufactured so they can only receive State channels. Quite a contrast to South Korea, which is an open, free and bustling 'Western' society. I last briefly visited the capital, Seoul, in 2007.
My dear Yael, you unfortanately live in another part of the world where conflict sadly endures. The tensions in the Middle East are by no means unique. In fact, at the time of writing this, there are more than 70 unresolved military conflicts in the world.
But it wasn't all gloom and doom today. This afternoon came official word that the date of Williiam and Kate's wedding has been set for 29th April 2011, and the Royal wedding will herald a public holiday. No soon as this news broke, it seemed that the media's attention shifted from the crisis on the Korean Peninsula to British nuptial fever.
Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic
