It was 60 years ago today that the North Koreans invaded the Republic of Korea.  Things got ugly fast, then with American-led UN intervention, they got better, and when China engaged they got bad again.  Finally, things ended up in a stalement (aka armistice) pretty much where they began, except for the hundreds of thousand dead and utter destruction and devastation of both countries.  That’s the short version of the war, a longer one can be found here.

Althought tensions have been running high on the peninsula of late, relative peace and tranquility reigns south of the 38th parallel.   Not so much up North of course, but it is that comparison that is the truest indicator of who won the war.  I doubt there are many citizens of the ROK who would willinging trade places with their DPRK brothers and sisters.

And so on this anniversary of that infamous day of invasion we should pause to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrafice that others may live thier lives in freedom and prosperity.

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, let’s look yojas in the military…

A salute to the ROK Marines…

Special Forces….

and the Air Force.

More here.

Thank you for your service!

Today I had the pleasure of attending the Honor Guard ceremony in remembrance of General Walton Walker, Eighth Army Commanding General during the opening months of the Korean War.   He is sometimes referred to as “the savior of Korea” for his stout defense of the “Pusan Perimeter” in the summer of 1950.  You can read all about the man and his exploits at the link.

U.S. and ROK soldiers on the parade ground.

Looking sharp in those dress uniforms…

The 8th Army band was in excellent form as well…

LTG Fil, 8th Army CG and Korean dignitaries perform the ritual of reviewing the troops.

Speeches were made and the flags of many nations fluttered in the breeze.  Not implying any connection between those two events!

The U.S. Honor Guard Company soldiers marched past…

…followed by their ROK counterparts…

We moved across the street to 8th Army Headquarters where there was a fascinating exhibit of Korean War photos on display…

…and remembrances of the man being honored.  What is interesting about those stars is they are the same ones the General Eisenhower pinned on LTG Patton during WWII (Walker served under Patton).

The Walton Walker statue waiting to be unveiled.  And after a very nice speech from American Ambassador Stephens…

…General Walton appears in bronze.  (I know it’s a crappy picture, but I couldn’t get closer with all the brass and muckety-mucks milling about…I’ll get a better photo one day soon…promise!)
A great day to be in Korea!

A generally positive review about the ‘twon in an online mag called Busan Haps.  Now, Busan is about as far away from Itaewon as you can get in Korea without crossing water, but the linked article is from the “travel” section.  So, I guess that makes it ok.

Anyway, I might have a small quibble or two with some of the bar descriptions, especially as it relates to the purported clientele of these establishments, but it wasn’t full of the hate and scorn many folks have for my adopted hometown.  I did have to smile at the description of my favorite hangout, Dolce Vita:

For all you pool wizards and dart heads out there, the best two joints to venture into would have to be Bless U Bar and Dolce Vita.  There’s no point in even writing your name on the board if you’re not amazing at pool at Bless U Bar, and usually Dolce Vita as well.  Dolce Vita has 3 or 4 dart boards, so if you’re looking to start or get into a league, this is the place to be. It’s quite a trip when you first enter and see all these darts whiz by over your left shoulder; it almost feels like a bunch of archers practicing in front of a king from the middle ages.

Heh.

Another Friday, another yoja.  This week–Lee Yeon Hee.

And if you think she looks great in the traditional hanbok, you should see her out of it:

Told ya…

who me?

give us a  little smile Yeon Hee

You might also enjoy watching her in action here….