Threatening North Korea increases the tension on the Peninsula.

President Park Geun-hye

                                             Below: Leader Kim Jong-un

The past couple of weeks I’ve been listening to the rhetoric of North – and South Korea. I see Anders working with information about today’s situation and of cause I realize that the tensed situation should not be taken lightly.

 

However, I do believe that on both sides of the 38^th parallel intelligent people are in charge and that none of them wants to see their people suffer.

 

 

 

 

 

The young North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his staff seem to challenge the newly selected South Korean President Park, who in her installation speach mentioned many times that she wants happiness for the South Koreans.

 

Should we take the situation lightly? I don’t think so! The escalating rhetoric can have an effect on people’s reactions.

Still I have good hopes that the situation calms down or maybe it’s a very strong wish that I want to come through and believe in. Enough families have suffered for over 60 years. Isn’t it about time that these two countries sign a Peace Treaty and focus on developing their countries to a good life, happiness, for all their inhabitants? For me that would be leadership of the highest level.

But lots of water has run under the bridge and patience have been challenged so maybe it’s more realistic to wish for a calmer rhetoric and focus on the 60 years of commemorating the Armistice Agreement from 1953!

I hope to return to Sweden at the end of September leaving a peninsula in peace!

Actually happening???

Living over two years in South Korea has given me time to reflex and learn about this country. Of cause I do so with my western eyes and own experiences. I’ve been blogging about what we’ve been doing and the many positive sides of our hosting country. However, also South Korea, as every nation has many development potentials. It has been my intention to write about my opinion about som issues for some time now but this week’s headlines gave me a kick start. While the situation between North and South has been more and more tensed and President Park is struggling to put her government together we also had these headlines……..

Girls upset about banning the miniskirts

 

Bare yourself at own risk

Miniskirts could be banned in South Korea as a controversial 'overexposure law' comes into effect this week.
Those deemed to be overexposed in public will face a fine of 50,000 KRW under the new law. But the law has been met with criticism after being passed by new president President Park Geun-hye at her first Cabinet meeting.
Celebrities from the Asian country have posted pictures of themselves wearing provocative clothing online, while others have suggested the law could signify a wave of authoritarian rule.
Opposition leaders also criticized the move, describing it as curtailing freedom of expression.
A comparison has been drawn between the president and her late father Park Chung-hee, who was in charge of the country between 1963 and 1979.
Under his leadership, lengthy skirts were prohibited in the 1970s, with those that ended 20 centimeters or more above the knee banned.

 K-pop image about to be banned?

Ooooo, this gives my a headache for I have nothing to wear! For real!

 

Vice justice minister offers to resign over sex scandal

Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui offered to resign on Thursday, only a week after he was appointed to the post following media reports that implicated him in a sex bribery scandal.

Some local dailies reported earlier in the day that police have obtained evidence that Kim was one of the several influential figures who had received sex services from about a dozen women hired by a local construction contractor who sought business favors in 2009.
Province.

Kim denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the reports as "untrue," but said he was resigning, because with his name disgraced, he could no longer do his job properly.

"I'm quitting the post in order not to cause further trouble to the new government," Kim said in a statement. "I, as an ordinary individual, will try to unveil the truth and restore my honor."

President Park Geun-hye has yet to decide whether to accept the resignation offer.

 

But the Vice Justice Minister was anyhow "properly" dressed!

South Korea is a young democracy and a strong patriarchate (more about that later). The older generation holds onto traditions from many centuries ago. Some are definitely fun and good. However, for me a modern society should develop on all levels. South Korea has many incomprehensible written and unwritten laws.
 

To make a law banning short skirts is for me not a way to move development forward moreover backwards. It makes me wonder if that’s the way South Korea wants to go but maybe……

 

If the young women wouldn’t have worn miniskirts the Vice Minister would not have been in a sex scandal?  Just(ice)???

 

I wonder how ofter I can afford wearing this and at which risk .....

Hanbok fashion show!

Although the tension between North- and South Korea still is noticeable on the peninsula, life here continues with its day-to-day routines.



So also the monthly luncheon organized by the AFSC (American Forces Spouses Club). This time they offered a fabulous fashion show of the National Hanbok dress, designed by: Kyoungwon P. Koshi.

The Hanboks were shown by members of the spouses club. 

 

 

First off traditionell hanboks from the Chosun Dynasty were shown, with some incredible head pieces :) 

 

 

 

More then 80 members enjoyed the spectacular show!

 

Some background of the Hanbok

Hanbok (South Korean name) or Chosŏn-ot (North Korean name) is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", today the hanbok often refers specifically to the hanbok of the Chosun Dynasty (1392 – 1897) and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals, weddings and celebrations. The modern hanbok does not exactly follow the actual style as worn in Chosun Dynasty since it went through some major changes during the 20^th century for practical reasons.

Throughout history, Korea had a dual clothing tradition, in which rulers and aristocrats adopted different kinds of mixed foreign-influenced indigenous styles, while the commoners continued to use a distinct style of indigenous clothing that today is known as Hanbok.

Most foreign influence on the Hanbok didn't last or was superficial. However, in the 13^th century, Mongolian princesses who married into Korean Royal House brought with them Mongolian fashion which began to prevail in both formal and private life.

Today's hanbok is the direct descendant of hanbok as worn in the Chosun Dynasty period, specifically the late 19^th century. Hanbok had gone through various changes and "fashion fads" during the five hundred years under the reigns of Chosun Kings and eventually evolved to what we now mostly relate to as a typical hanbok.

So welcome to see some 21^st century designs created by designer Kyongwon P. Koshi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Beautiful fabrics were used!

 

 

And it woudn't be Korea if not an additional nationalistic feature would be included............ THE KOREAN HANBOK!

 

 

Back to the 38th Parallel

 I now have returned, if possible, to an even more tensed Korean Peninsula. I’m sure that all my readers are fully aware of the situation between North- and South Korea. When I with my foreign background look upon the situation it surely doesn’t make sense. None of it!

 

 

 

 

However, although the news is filled with reports regarding what is said back and forth, life here for none military or politicians, goes on as usual.

My first week here was filled with some social events, packing up, washing, ironing, getting flowers, writing and enjoying to being with Anders again!   

 

Same day I arrived we attended the "Icebreaker" function. Above with my friend Selena below.............

 

 

 some hotshots :)

 

 

 

 

    Dinner at Sables

 

    Which we finished up with a beautiful desert.

 

 

 

 

    After returning from Namdeamun time for my here in Korea affordable hobby!

 

 

Finnaly Jaeyeon is visiting Seoul!
And we got lucky for she could stay with us for a couple of hours!
It was wonderful!

 

 

 Checking up on.....?

 

 

 some correspondence but ....

 the best of ALL!

Together again :)                                                       

 

 

Boston and Cape Cod here we come…….

After a four and a half hours bus ride we arrived in Boston. We checked in to our hotel and went out for a stroll, a bit of shopping and a bite to eat.

Friday was dedicated to sightseeing around the city, we enjoyed a marvelous guided trolley tour and ”relived” The Boston Tea Party, something I surely can recommend to do if you´re visiting this beautiful city. It’s interesting and fun! Hazard!!!

Boston is the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachuchetts, and the state's largest city with an estimated population of 626,000. The city is the anchor of a substantially larger metropolitan area called Greater Boston, home to 4.5 million people. It’s also one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston was founded on the Shawmunt Peninsula in 1630 by Puritan colonists from England. It was the scene of several key events of the American Revolution, such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston. After the coming of American independence the city became an important port and manufacturing center, and a center of education and culture as well. Its rich history helps attract many tourists, with Faneuil Hall alone attracting over 20 million every year. Boston's many "firsts" include the United States' first public school (1635), and first subway system (1897).

The area's many colleges and universities make Boston an international center of higher education and medicine. Its economic base includes research, manufacturing, finance, and biotechnology, and is considered highly innovative for a variety of reasons.

 
I surely enjoyed the many beautiful sights and of cause the wonderful company of Anne. Later that afternoon Anne’s sister Nell joined us and took us to her home at the Cape where we stayed for a few days. Also here I enjoyed the many beautiful sites throughout the Cape. We did some serious shopping, enjoyed the wonderful cooking of Nell had cocktails, snacks and a lot of fun.

Cape Cod is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts. Today it is co-extensive with Barnstable County, and is defined by the towns along the Cape Cod Canal, and those to the east on the peninsula all the way to Provincetown. The Cape's historic and maritime character and ample beaches attract heavy tourism during the summer months.

Cape Cod was formed as the recessional moraine of a glacier, resulting in a peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Cod is one of the biggest barrier islands in the world, shielding much of the Massachusetts coastline from North Atlantic storm waves. This protection erodes the Cape's shoreline at the expense of cliffs, while protecting towns from Fairhaven to Marshfield.

On our last day at the Cape Anne’s oldest sister Roz came too and we toured with her from 08:30 until 18:00 while giving me background about the area, history and family roots.


During the past days I’ve been told many times how beautiful this Peninsula is during the summer and I could gather that, however, I must say I found it very attractive now, and did not miss the crowd and absolutely loved the shopping :) (maybe a little bit too much)

Beautiful Boston!

 

 

 

 

Reliving the Boston Tea Party :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Going for lunch at Quincy Market.....

 

A place "Where evrybody knows your name"

 

 

 

 

 

 Charades.... title of a book :)

 Changes :)

 

Sunday mass held by a fabulous minister!

 SISTERS!

   Ready for Oscar Gala

 

 Done!