When the times get tough, members of the National Assembly get tougher. Defenders of Kang Ki-kap, the stylishly populist and ultra-left leader of the Democratic Labor Party (민주노동당), might say he was merely trying to establish order by moving the retractable Tensabarrier. Supporters of the FTA in the leading pro-US Grand National Party, however, might say he was unfairly bringing his own gavel to session.

[Chosun]

Her name is Missy, and her children Mira and MissyToo are just like her. In fact, they are her. The two dogs join SNUppy as being among the world’s first successfully cloned dogs. (more…)

For those of you have tried Google Earth, you’ll know that South Korea has for reasons of national security blotted out huge swaths of countryside. Luckily, you can see all of Seoul up to a certain resolution on their satellite view. We’ve also been eagerly anticipating Google Street View to come to Seoul but that’s not entirely certain given Seoul’s uncountable alley roads (golmok-gil, or 골목길 in Korean). (more…)

In what was clearly a bitter set of proceedings, members from both sides of the aisle squared off in committee. Members of the opposing Democratic Party tried to enter and disrupt the committee formed by the ruling Grand National Party from advancing legislation to approve the US-Korea FTA (Free Trade Agreement). By the looks of this photo, a Democratic Party legislator appears to be getting a face full of fire extinguisher as he and his associates attempt to wash out the blockaded committee room with a fire hose. It’s a wash who won. UPDATED: More pics from LA Times inside…

[NY Times]

photo: Kim Ju-seong

In perhaps something to be filed under news of the weird, a stone carving of a Swiss watch was discovered in a 400-year old tomb while on a dig in Shangsi, China. If it’s a hoax, you got our attention. If it’s real, then talk about time travel–quite literally! [Ananova via YTN]

Ok, so you’ve seen or probably heard about the shoes hurled around the world. Iraqi journalist, 28-year old Muntader Al-Zaidi threw both his shoes at a remarkably agile President George W. Bush who was able to successfully dodge them despite near perfect aim. (more…)