Loose change for April 12, 2010

 Economic and business news 

• If I had a Korean-Mexican fusion taco truck, I don't know if I'd want the word "viral" associated with my business. But it's a new era, and we Gen Xers are gradually turning into old fogeys as the Millennials turn our lexical traditions on their head. 
• There will be only one Korean eatery at the Shanghai expo, out of a total of ninety establishments. That is, unless Korea claims various Chinese foods as Korean. [Note: The article in question calls it Hansik, the last syllable of which, because of the lame "Revised" Romanization, looks like it should be pronounced sick instead of sheik or chic. Is that really how you want Korean food to come across? I guess Japanese food — Ilsik, which looks like ill-sick — fares even worse. Viral food indeed.]

 North Korea news and stuff 

• Pyongyang has warned Seoul to curtail the activities of civic and religious groups that send fliers into the North and engage in other "propaganda activities" the two sides had agreed to stop in 2004, saying if the ROK government does not do so, the DPRK will take "decisive measures." What decisive measures? I'm picturing Ben killing a bunny in front of Sawyer, because they can't kill anymore tourists. 
• Read the KCNA report on the freezing of South Korea's tourism assets at Kŭmgangsan.

 Other Korea-related stuff 

• Former Prime Minister Han Myungsook, recently acquitted of ethics charges, is lagging behind incumbent Mayor Oh Sehoon in Seoul municipal election. "No Preference" also makes a strong showing.
• The Korea Grand Prix may be cancelled if they don't get construction done in time.
• Kevin Kang writing at CNET is in Korea and has his hands on an iPad. 
• The blast that apparently sank the Chonan created a seismic wave that was detected as far away as an inland seismic observatory in Ch'ŏrwon. 
• The ROK government has launched a movement to collect recycled phones for their gold and silver. 
• The National Human Rights Commission of Korea says that one cannot be sued for defamation of the state. 

 Americana and miscellany 

• With Justice John Paul Stevens retiring, there may be pressure to nominate the Supreme Court's first Asian-American justice, such as Korean-American Harold Koh or Taiwanese-American Goodwin Liu.
• "Don't retreat, reload," Sarah Palin tells Republicans. 
• "Slogans are no substitute for governance," Kushibo tells readers.