South Korea, with its power and wealth, decides to challenge North Korea’s human rights record like a web designing blogger from Jersey

South Korea is reported to be planning to challenge North Korea on its human rights record, indicating a harder line from Seoul’s new government.

Reports quoting unnamed officials say the South is set to vote for a draft UN resolution expressing deep concern over the rights violations in the North.

The South has frequently abstained from such votes, fearful of souring relations with its communist neighbour.

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will consider the resolution this week.

The South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo quoted an official as saying the new government, which took charge in February, regards human rights as “a universal value”.

“The government will show the first example of concrete action in the upcoming UNHRC vote,” the official said.

Really? And the report puts criticize in quotations? Well, it’s a small step forward but if a certain blogger from Jersey were South Korea’s president, a little more than will happen than bringing it up at a meeting.

Disrupting the lighting of the flame

Two protesters from media rights group Reporters Without Borders broke through the cordon of 1,000 police officers in Olympia as China’s envoy spoke.

Activists had vowed to protest over the violence in and around Tibet.

The torch will now be carried around Greece before being sent to China to start a journey through 20 countries, returning to Beijing on 8 August.

The route includes the torch being taken to the top of Mount Everest and through Tibet.

Many activists have this underdog mentality which makes them believe they can justify every action in the name of their cause. This includes acting like a bunch of immature children like this case. I have a bit of sympathy for the plight of ethnic Tibetans, but if they and their supporters want to be treated like human beings, they need to act like one no matter what China or anyone does.

Update: Speaking of immature brats

The vbs videos shows how to get a guided tour of Pyongyang. However, for around $50 a head, there is an unofficial tour of Ujeok island

Dandong is a Chinese border city situated at the mouth of the Apnok (or Yalu) River. When the night comes, Shinuiju, the North Korean city opposite Dandong, is shrouded in darkness while Dandong twinkles with bright neon lights. Here, people from both Koreas mingle: there are a restaurant run by the North Korean government, hideouts for North Korean refugees, South Korean businessmen, senior members of the North Korean Workers’ Party who are visiting on business, and many more.

Torrential rains had been falling for a week when a Chosun Ilbo news team arrived in Dandong. It was Aug. 9, 2007, on a special tour program called “human safari.” The program provided a rare chance for the news team to take a close look at residents on Ujeok Islet, a North Korean island in the Apnok River. The boatman raised his thumb, saying, “It’ll be worth your money.”

The charge for a group of four was 800 yuan (approximately W114,000, US$1=W1,010). Passengers also had to buy some 800 yuan worth of food and other goods. “The more cigarettes, sausage and juice you bring, the more you can enjoy your sightseeing,” the boatman said. “This tour is most popular among Chinese tourists.” When the boat reached the midpoint of the river, we could see two North Korean naval vessels lying at anchor 50 m ahead of us. We clearly saw North Korean flags fluttering on them.