Thread by @NoonInKorea

Before leaving Russia, Moon took in SK's 2-1 World Cup loss to Mexico. He also met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and reiterated his wish to co-host the 2030 World Cup with North Korea. Infantino responded, "It's becoming more and more realistic"
yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2018/…

Moon first mentioned the possibility in June 2017 when FIFA head Infantino visited him at Blue House. "It didn't seem realistic then but lots of things have happened since. Pres Moon has done a lot ... we need to start planning now."
huffingtonpost.kr/entry/story_kr…

But SK has to be realistic. The 2022 World Cup is being held in Qatar. The 2026 WC will be hosted by the "North American bloc" (US-Canada-Mexico). Uruguay and Argentina are submitting joint bids for 2030 as it's World Cup centennial and the first one was held in Uruguay in 1930

What's realistic is SK co-hosting the 2034 World Cup with Japan, China & NK: call it the "Northeast Asia Bloc." That's how things are done these days: lighten up on stadium construction and spread out coverage and sponsorships across more marketable venues
reuters.com/article/us-soc…

Moon's back in SK and the big question among Seoulites is whether he'll pay his respect to Kim Jong-pil who passed away. Kim & Moon have some interesting history going back many years. Moon's making no movement for now but Prime Minister Lee says he'll go
yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2018/…

Moon did send flowers in his name and Blue House says it will award Kim an Order of Civil Merit of the highest kind, the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Medal, named after SK's national flower. But Moon's not going to the wake and prolly not to the funeral
yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2018/…

Moon's speech at the Russian Duma still being talked about in SK. TV Chosun did a terrific job of identifying Russian lawmakers who struck friendship with Moon. This woman with a white streak in her hair is cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to have flown in space.

She's 81 years old and has been serving in the Duma since 2011. Moon's speech mentioned Russian explorer Gagarin. He should've mentioned Tereshkova as well: she's famous for saying, "People shouldn’t waste money on wars." No wonder she warmed up to Moon
theguardian.com/global-develop…

Another house member who was eager to introduce himself to Moon is Sergey Ten. He's of "Koryo Saram heritage": ethnic Koreans living in former Soviet republics. Ten represents Irkutsk Oblast, a district in southeastern Siberia just west of Lake Baikal.

Moon gives some background on "Koryo Saram" at a friendship meeting of Korean-Russians, many of whom are of Koryo heritage: "In 1860, 13 families settled in the Russian Far East (mainly Primorsky Krai). Now you've become pillars of Russian society"

SK signed 19 MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding) with Russian officials. Here, SK Minister of Sports, Culture & Tourism Do Jong-hwan exchanges MoUs with his Russian counterpart. Anything important? No, they're all really waiting for the lifting of sanctions

NK isn't the only country with cheesy send-offs. Here're Moon's handlers who didn't go to Moscow. 3rd form the left is Chief Policymaker Jang Ha-sung who didn't go because Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon went. At least the 2 won't be feuding while separated

After SK lost 2-1 to Mexico, Moon and his missus had to console Tottenham Hotspur forward Song Heung-min, who was crying his eyes out despite scoring the lone goal for the SK side. "It's okay, son. Just beat Germany by 6-0."

Moon shakes hands with Vyacheslav Volodin who heads the Russian lower house: sort of equivalent to being the US House Speaker. Moon mentioned him 3 times in his speech. Why? To thank him for the opportunity and to address Russian lawmakers in general

These are some of the Korean-Russians and descendants of "Koryo Saram" that showed up to meet Moon. Hey, they look just like Korean-Californians.

"What up. Everybody's gone surfin'."