December 19, 2007:
Economic conditions in
North Korea continue to deteriorate. Most North Koreans get only a few hours of
electricity a day. In addition to the usual shortage of oil, a drought has cut
back on hydroelectric energy production. Meanwhile, the North Korean government
is planning to ban the sale of everything, except food, in the free markets.
This is an attempt to stem the growing theft in government enterprises. Workers
are stealing whatever they can, to sell in the markets, so they can buy food
and fuel. The economic situation, for most North Koreans, is worse than ever,
and people are taking increasingly desperate measures to get by. Rebellion is
still considered out of the question. The well fed and well armed secret police
and military are still ready, and willing, to kill anyone who rebels.
December 17, 2007: Japan successfully tested
the new anti-missile capabilities of its Aegis equipped warships. The U.S. ship
based anti-missile system has worked for years, and Japan is the first export
customer for it. The SM-3 missile fired
from the destroyer Kongo, intercepted the ballistic missile at an altitude of
160 kilometers. Three other Japanese
warships will have their Aegis radars upgraded to fire the SM-3 anti-missile
missiles. This will provide Japan with more protection from North Korean
missile attack.
December 11, 2007: For the first time since
1950, train service between the north and south was restored. This will make it
easier to ship relief supplies to North Korea, and will provide another source
of income (transit fees for South Korean good shipped through North Korea to
China, Russia and Europe.) It took years of negotiation to get this far, and
the North Koreans are expected to introduce more difficulties in the future.