South Korean National Intelligence Service briefing to lawmakers today: Kim Jong-un is currently ~140 kg (~308 lbs) and "extremely obese and at high risk of heart disease," and said they are closely tracking his health status and potential "successor training" for his daughter. Kim Jong Un's BMI is estimated in the 40s, significantly higher than "overweight" classification of 25-29.9 BMI. His family has as history of cardiovascular disease. NIS believes Kim is paying attention to how public reacts to what they believe is successor training for daughter

For the past year, @YoonJulie & I have been digging into gender inequality in South Korea and the factors underlying its superlatives on gender/family issues among all major economies (biggest gender wage gap, lowest in glass-ceiling index, lowest fertility rate, etc).

Thread: @YoonJulie Balancing a career and kids isn't easy no matter where you live, but in South Korea, it's a particularly tough choice because of the persistent pressures on women.

The proof is in the "M-curve" of female workforce participation in comparison to G-7 countries:

BREAKING: U.S. national detained by North Korea after crossing border, U.N. says. This story will be updated: washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/… UPDATE: The person detained is a U.S. Army soldier, according to a U.S. official.
washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/…

New: Since the Oct. 29 crowd crush in Seoul, we’ve been tracking down the exact time stamps and locations of the many, many videos filmed from the scene to put together a comprehensive story of what happened.

Our main findings: 🧵
washingtonpost.com/investigations… The alley next to Hamilton Hotel was dangerously crowded as early as 6:28pm, minutes before the first emergency call. Along with experts, we peg the start of crush at 10:08pm, when people start screaming from the alley.

This video was taken at 6:28pm:
washingtonpost.com/investigations…

New: South Korea’s collective trauma is only just beginning.

In online forums, Koreans have begun anonymously posting about physical manifestations of trauma. But mental illness and psychiatry still carry taboos here.

From me @bybryanpietsch @KasulisK washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/… Tens of thousands of people are estimated to have been in Itaewon on Saturday, when partygoers were trapped in a crowd crush. The effects of that tragedy will reach far beyond the people who were there that night and their loved ones, experts warn. washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/…

NEW: As investigation into Itaewon crowd crush begins, we looked at the ambiguous safety laws and regulations for events like the Halloween celebrations.
From me w/the great teamwork of @gracesoyeonmoon @juliaminuma @KasulisK @YoonJulie @samueloakford
washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/… Ahead of the weekend, Yongsan district officials planned for an array of countermeasures - covid, potential drug use, restaurant safety inspections. Missing from the plan: preventing a crowd surge with an anticipated 100K ppl in attendance. washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/…

BREAKING: Of the 120+ people who died, 74+ people sent to hospitals; 46+ people died on-site at the Itaewon Halloween crowding crush. The death toll likely will still rise.
washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/… There are 100+ people still injured and in hospitals throughout Seoul, and fire authorities are unable to confirm at the moment what condition they're in. Death toll may rise, officials said.
washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/…

.@minjinlee11 greets 2,000+ of her fans in Seoul for a book talk on “Pachinko,” and she opens by honoring the at least nine people who died in the flood this week. So many great moments during Q&A but a memorable one was when a young reader asked @minjinlee11 about “radical feminism.” She responded: “I’m a feminist. It’s not a dirty word. [Audience chuckles, claps] Anybody who really believes in equality is a radical thinker.”
(Continued)

Threading updates from the Unification Church's press conference going on now in Tokyo. The press conference is held by Tomihiro Tanaka, President of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Via @juliaminuma: @juliaminuma Tanaka says the organization is cooperating with the ongoing investigation into Abe's murder. The organization has received numerous reports from members/its offices who have received threats due to new overage on the suspect's motive, he says.

Updates from Unification Church press conference in Tokyo, regarding the Abe shooting suspect/suspect's mother, in thread (via @juliaminuma): @juliaminuma Presser began with condolence for Abe, who was assassinated Friday, and church official says they wanted to announce their official position.

New: The Tokyo office of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, which in Japan was formerly named the Japan Unification Church, said Tetsuya Yamagami's mother is a member but did not have info about her donations. washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/… The suspect’s mother remains a member but has not shown up to recent gatherings, said the representative, who was reached at the Tokyo office phone number but refused to be named, citing privacy reasons amid the ongoing criminal investigation.
washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/…

🧡 Thread on helping our favorite meme king @GenePark:

To the hundreds of people who DM’ed me to help, thank you so much for your generosity. It’s been overwhelming and heartwarming.

The DM’s are coming so fast and furious that we’re going public, with Gene’s permission. 1/4 @GenePark Your donations will help Gene with food delivery and medical care for his upcoming rounds of chemo. He’s a fighter, and colon cancer is gonna be sorry it ever messed with him.

Venmo: @Gene-Park-1
PayPal QR code below.

2/4

New: The top law enforcement official in Nara, where former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated on Friday, acknowledged security lapses at the political rally where Abe was killed. washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/… “It is undeniable that there were problems with the security for former prime minister Abe, and we will immediately identify the problems and take appropriate measures to resolve them,” said Tomoaki Onizuka, Nara Prefecture Police chief, on Saturday.
washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/…

Threading details from Nara police press conference on Abe's assassination, via @juliaminuma: @juliaminuma Police confirmed gunman's name and age: Tetsuya Yamagami, 41 years old, from Nara.

Yamagami had hatred towards a certain group and assumed that Abe had a connection with this group, police said. Police declined to share details about this group.

News conference on Abe about to begin from Nara Medical University Hospital, where Abe was transported after the shooting. Threading updates here. Abe arrived at the hospital at 12:20pm Friday without vital signs. He sustained gunshot 2 wounds in the neck.

He had subcutaneous hemorrhage and received blood transfusions. He died at 5:03pm.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is giving an emotional news conference, in tears. He said Abe is in critical condition and doctors are working to save Abe. Kishida declined to describe the motive of the shooter, saying there was not enough information to share. "I pray from the bottom of the heart that he will survive this," Kishida said.
"This is a despicable and barbaric act that occurred in the midst of an election which is the foundation of democracy and absolutely cannot be tolerated."

BREAKING: Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot at a campaign event Friday, broadcaster NHK reported, citing Japanese police sources. NHK reported Abe was showing no vital signs. At least two gunshots were heard on-site.

More to come.

washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/… Gun laws in Japan are among the world’s strictest, and shootings are extremely rare. Videos posted on social media from the campaign event showed a chaotic scene with Abe, unmoving, lying on the ground as attendees yelled for an ambulance.

More to come.
washingtonpost.com/world/2022/07/…

In Japan, even talking about politics can be taboo. Youth activists are trying to change that.
From me & @juliaminuma: washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pac… The reasons for apathy are varied — age gap w/Japan’s older political leadership, laws banning student-led political organizing, etc. The end result, analysts say, is an atmosphere where young people often feel they don’t have a say in Japan’s future. washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pac…

Breaking: South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says North Korea has fired an unidentified projectile from its east coast. More details to come. North Korea fired two unidentified ballistic missiles on September 15 afternoon, per update from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. More to come

No clear answer by Tokyo 2020 officials on their views of covid spike in Tokyo and relation to Games. Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto says "How to analyze this? There are various different opinions." Muto says he can’t say there’s no correlation at all but notes PM Suga & Tokyo Gov Koike don't believe in correlation cuz of high TV ratings, which they believe means people are staying at home to watch, and the testing in Olympics bubble. But...

Photos via the IOC of the Olympic Village since there's not a media tour this year. These are 6 meter flag poles that athletes like to take photos with, says Takashi Kitajima, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Village general manager Outdoor gathering/jogging/hanging out area for athletes living inside the Olympic Village. The apartments are their residences.