It's the Korean harvest festival holiday Oct. 5-9. 추석; 秋夕; lit. 'autumn eve.' Big holiday in South Korea 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Variations of the holiday are celebrated in the other East Asian countries.

The story below on the US SSBN missile launches in September was just published, I believe by Simone Chun. As far as I know these launches are unprecedented. Usually, I thought they'd launch just one as a test exercise. Looks like it drew a reaction in North Korea.

I found these interesting stories in Far East news-

But I'm sick, I tell you, too sick to be investigated- both Yoon and Kim Gon-hee, claim to be too sick to answer summons in criminal investigations into their suspected crimes.

The Yoon couple seem to be very ill. https://t.co/YZghrojdVk

This video by Xiangyu is quite worthwhile. His comparison to the Korean colonial experience is insightful. Was the memory of the brutal Japanese colonization of Taiwan lost? It prompted a number of reflections on Korean history of my own depicted below the video.

This is a great column in the Asahi on Page 1, no less:

VOX POPULI: An old song rings in my ears, filled with grief of Korea’s division

The song was titled “Namida ni Nureta Tomanko” (Tear-stained Tumen River)—a sorrowful ballad born during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea (1910-1945). It speaks of longing for a loved one separated by fate.

South Korean perspective on patriotism renewed by President Lee Jae-myung.

Spot-on analysis from a conservative Korean newspaper. "Trump's pushing for naval supremacy over China. Here's what his maritime order misses." https://t.co/QRqnCD2M8r

— Tim Shorrock (@TimothyS) April 18, 2025

...doesn't seem to be easing.

Earlier, I posted a link concerning the large allied task force that had been operating in the Philippine Sea within the last two weeks.

USS Carl Vinson To Drill with French Carrier, Japanese Destroyer Carrier

Trump taps ex-NSC official involved in NK diplomacy as under secretary of state

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated a former White House official who was involved in diplomacy with North Korea during his first term, as under secretary of state for political affairs, according to Congress.

The finance minister and current acting president, Choi Sang-mok, testified at Assembly hearing Feb 6 on the note passed to him December 3, while he was speaking to Yoon directly. Yoon said "refer to it." Choi claims he doesn't know who gave it to him, he didn't read it, that it was already folded, and put it in his pocket.

He couldn't be more out of touch.

Oh for chrissake. Kurt Campbell really thinks he’s Korea’s Governor-General. Ito Hirobumi 2.0. https://t.co/CRNOXsOW4T pic.twitter.com/AC1HVh5Sxv

— Tim Shorrock (@TimothyS) December 20, 2024