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North Korea's Kim inspects military unit 10 Oct 2008 23:27:43 GMT Source: Reuters (Recasts with agency saying Kim visited military unit) SEOUL, Oct 10 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il inspected a military unit on Friday, state media said, after South Korea said the reclusive figure, thought to have suffered a stroke in August, failed to appear at a national ceremony. North Korea's KCNA news agency said Kim toured the barracks of a women's military unit and watched them undergo weapons training -- only the second reported public appearance by the communist leader in nearly two months. In September,...

/begin my excerpts Kim Jong-il Still a No-show [News Anchor] N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il is again a no-show today on the anniversary of (ruling) Worker's Party's founding. It has been 57 days since he went out of public view, and speculation on his health problem would not die down anytime soon. Yoon Kyung-min reporting: [Reporter] There has been a speculation of surprise appearance, but he did not show up in the end. The news at N. Korea's Central TV started with the headline that the messages of congratulation were sent to Kim Jong-il on the 63rd anniversary of Worker's...

/begin my excerpts First Kim Jong-il's Health Rumor;One Month Later, his Death Rumor 2008-10-08 Since Kim Jong-il's absence at Sept. 9 celebration for anniversary of N. Korean state's founding, allegation on his health problems swirled around. Now a month later, in some area of N. Korea, allegation of his death is reportedly spreading. An ethnic Chinese merchants doing business with N. Korea from the Chinese city across the border from N. Korea said yesterday that, since Oct. 6, there has been no freight vehicles coming out of N. Korea, and his N. Korean contact told him over the phone that...

Just moving in Japanese language, from South Korean daily newspaper. Norkies launched two missiles into Yellow Sea just the other day (10/2). Intel revealing they have set up launch facilities to fire out 10 or more in some kind of a show of force volley. Link to Japanese article out of Yahoo Japan, Jiji Press, based on Chosun Ilbo Daily news report out of Seoul.....will provide more details later.....S. Korean military ordering civilian vessels to stay the hell out of the area (until at least 15 October).....

/begin my translation Kim Jong-il's Reappearance to Calm Things down 2008-10-04 If it is true that Kim Jong-il resurfaced after 51 days of absence to watch the soccer match of Kim Il-sung University as KCNA reported, this could have been an attempt to quiet down disaffected residents in Pyongyang, according to a high-ranking Chinese official who recently visited N. Korea and met Kim Young-nam, the Chairman of Standing Committee. After his Pyongyang visit, he met Chinese businessmen in a city next to Sino-N. Korean border, in which he said that general mood in Pyongyang is the worst (he has seen,)...

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has made his first public appearance in more than a month, a state-run news agency said from Pyongyang on Saturday amid speculation about his health. Kim watched a university soccer game held to mark the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the university named after his late father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, the Korean Central News Agency reported. The 66-year-old leader had not been seen in public since mid-August, missing two key occasions—the 60th anniversary of the founding of North Korea and Korean Thanksgiving. U.S. and South...

/begin my translation Shock from Third Son's Motorbike Accident Led to Kim Jong-il's Collapse Japanese Monthly 'Will' reported in its latest issue that N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il collapsed from the shock that his third son Kim Jong-woon was injured in a motor cycle accident in early morning of Aug. 16, with no hope of recovery. According to the monthly, Swiss and French doctors were urgently called into Pyongyang to treat Jong-woon, but they also ended up attending to Kim Jong-il when he collpased after seeing the grisly shape his son was in. Jong-woon suffered stroke and have been kept...

North Korea in the midst of a mysterious building boom Who's paying for the major face lift underway in Pyongyang? The impoverished nation says it is, but analysts are skeptical. By Barbara Demick Los Angeles Times Staff Writer September 27, 2008 PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA — It has been so long since the sound has been heard in the North Korean capital that at first it seems an illusion, a buzzing in the ear perhaps. But no, that really is a power saw, and that pounding really is a hammer at work at a construction site. By the dizzying standards of...

NKorea may already have nuclear warheads: ex-CIA official 11 hours ago TOKYO (AFP) — North Korea has likely mastered the technology for arming its missiles with nuclear warheads, a former US intelligence official said Friday. "The fact that they have a warhead that's fitable to the Rodong (ballistic missile) is pretty much given," said Arthur Brown, who until 2005 was National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). "We (the United States) went from nothing to missile capable in seven years. The Russians went from their first test to missile capable in six... Why do...

Don't Mention the Kim Jong Il's Illness! By Moon Sung Hwee, from Jagang in 2006 [2008-09-24 18:10 ] Read in Korean Despite strong regulation by the North Korean authorities, rumors about Kim Jong Il’s illness spread quickly through the students who took part in the parade at the September 9 commemorative events for the founding of the North Korean regime. A source from North Hamkyung Province reported on Tuesday that “The story that the General (Kim Jong Il) had fallen down spread fast and widely among the college students who participated in the parade. They said that the General got...

U.S. Intelligence: N.K. Leader`s Brother to Take Over SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 08:59 U.S. intelligence says Jang Song Taek, the brother-in-law of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, will take over if Kim falls seriously ill or dies, sources in Seoul and Washington said yesterday. U.S. intelligence analyzed who will replace Kim and if North Korea can maintain political stability under three scenarios: Kim has physical instead of mental problems; Kim cannot recover consciousness for a long time; and his death. A report on this was sent to the South Korean presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, National Intelligence Service and...

'Kim Jong-il Has Slightly Recovered' Tuesday, September 23, 2008 17:54:35 South Korea’s intelligence chief says North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, who reportedly suffered a stroke last month, has recovered somewhat. Grand National Party lawmaker Lee Chul-woo on Tuesday quoted National Intelligence Service Director Kim Sung-ho as saying that the North Korean leader has "slightly recovered." The spy chief made the remarks before the parliamentary intelligence committee. Regarding reports that Pyongyang had asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to remove cameras and seals placed at its main atomic facilities, the intelligence chief said that it is possible but that he cannot...

/begin my translation N. Korea: Kim Jong-il's Third Son Also Suffering from Hypertension and Diabetes All three sons suffering from various illness, a red light on Kim family health (Seoul, Yonhap News) Choi Sun-young & Chang Yong-hoon: Among Kim Jong-il's three sons, the youngest one, Jung-woon(age:24,) was rarely mentioned with regard to health issues, but according to a report, he is also having serious case of high blood pressure and diabetes, though he is still in his 20's. Both the eldest son Jong-nam(age:37) and the second son Jung-chol(age:27) have various health problems. Jong-nam's heart condition is suspected to be genetic,...

Kim Jong-il's Eldest Son 'Leaves N.Korea' Kim Jong-nam (37), the eldest son of North Korea’s apparently ailing leader Kim Jong-il, reportedly left Pyongyang and arrived in Beijing last weekend, it emerged on Tuesday. A South Korean government source said Kim Jong-nam was in Pyongyang to attend celebrations of the country’s 60th anniversary on Sept. 9, and he flew to Beijing by Air Koryo with others, probably last weekend. There is speculation that Kim Jong-il must be on the mend if Jong-nam, a potential candidate to take power in case his father is incapacitated, has left Pyongyang. But a South Korean...

Doctors’ long stay may point to trouble for Kim September 17, 2008 Five Chinese doctors who were summoned to Pyongyang last month to treat North Korea’s bedridden leader Kim Jong-il are still staying in the country, an indication that Kim’s recovery from an apparent stroke may be slower than hoped or that the outcome of last month’s brain surgery may be worse than expected. Either way, the latest revelation is expected to further cloud the uncertain future of the country whose fate is determined by the idolized 66-year-old leader. Meanwhile, Hwang Jang-yop, the highest-ranking North Korean official ever to defect...

Kim Jong-il Fails to Attend Chuseok Event By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter North Korean leader Kim Jong-il remained out of the public eye Monday, a day after Koreans marked one of their largest traditional holidays, the Yonhap News Agency reported. Japan's Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, meanwhile, said Kim's illness was far more serious than reported and that he was unable to govern the nation, while the Kyodo News Agency reported Kim has difficulty using his arms and legs after suffering a stroke and undergoing surgery performed by Chinese doctors last month. Those reports contrast with the remarks by a South Korean...

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is known to have recovered enough to brush his teeth himself, about a month after he is believed to have suffered a stroke and had brain surgery. But it remains to be seen whether the Stalinist leader will be able to maintain his tight grip on the country. Now a growing number of sources familiar with Pyongyang politics are saying Kim Ok, Kim’s longtime secretary who is also known to be his concubine, is making many of the country’s policy decisions on Kim’s behalf. “We believe that Kim has recently started brushing his teeth himself,...

/begin my excerpt Distress over Postponed Terror Sponsor Delisting Led to Kim Jong-il's Collapse Yonhap News Quoting Chinese government sources, Tokyo Shimbun reported on Sep.t 15 that Kim Jong-il collapsed because he was distressed that U.S. postponed the delisting of N. Korea from terror sponsor list. The sources reportedly said, "He is alert enough to take charge, but still experience impaired limb movement, requiring some period of rehabilitation." The sources explained that he collapsed on Aug. 14, and suffered from both cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage, that is, some blood vessels blocked and others ruptured in his brain. He has...

â—†Chinese doctors performed surgery on N. Korean leader after stroke BEIJING, Sept. 14 KYODO North Korean leader Kim Jong Il collapsed from a stroke on Aug. 14 and underwent surgery performed with help from five Chinese military doctors dispatched by China at North Korea's request, according to multiple Chinese sources. The sources said that while Kim is recovering from the stroke, he is still experiencing problems in the functioning of his limbs, which is typical with stroke victims. While his affected limbs are expected to recover to almost the way there were before the stroke, that will require a long...

/begin my translation Kim Jong-il Occasionally Losing Consciousness Since April [Mainichi] Yonhap News N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is said to be ill, have been in a serious condition since April, occasionally losing consciousness, which made him unable to deal with important matters promptly, according to Sept. 14 report by Mainichi Shimbun of Japan. The paper quoted credible Chinese source versed in N. Korean affairs. Kim tends to work at night and in early morning, but his illness got worse in May and June. He was unable to work at night, and his judgment has been impaired. That is...

America and China are holding secret talks about their shared fear of instability in nuclear-armed North Korea amid reports that the country's diminutive bouffant-haired dictator Kim Jong-il suffered a serious stroke last month. The world's most unpredictable nation is thought to be heading for a succession crisis involving the three pillars of state - the Kim dynasty, the military and the Workers' Party. Veteran generals and party technocrats are expected to install one of Kim's sons or his brother-in-law as a figurehead for a collective leadership if the ailing 66-year-old "Dear Leader" is incapacitated or dies, US and South Korean...

/begin my excerpts Why Both Kim Jong-il and Regular Troops No Show on That Day Military parade done by 'reserve unit' Worker-Peasant Red Militia on the anniversary. Why? Kang Chol-hwan N. Korea held a celebration for the 60th anniversary of N. Korea's founding on Sept. 9, but Kim Jong-il, the guest of honor, was nowhere to be seen. It is customary to have massive military parade by regular troops in the morning. However, they had late-afternoon parade by Worker-Peasant Red Militia and Red Youth Militia along with Pyongyang citizens, revealing that Kim Jong-il's health problem is real. N. Korea has...

'Oligarchy May Dominate Post-Kim Jong-il Era' By Kim Sue-young Staff Reporter Amid mounting speculation over the health condition of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, an expert in inter-Korean relations said Thursday a small group of the elite or a military clique could take over the reclusive state. Cheong Seong-chang, director of the inter-Korean relations studies program at the Sejong Institute, said a power shift is a likely scenario in the post-Kim era. ``Kim is the only person who can tune differences among major state organizations,'' Cheong told The Korea Times. ``Thus, if he dies appointing no successor, the situation would...

North Korean Leader Under the Microscope By Michael Ha Staff Reporter If North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had a chance to watch South Korean television news over the past couple of days, he might well be surprised at just how thoroughly informed his Southern neighbors are about his health. An average South Korean may very well know a lot more about Kim's health news, including reports on his recent stroke, than the average Pyongyang resident. South Koreans can thank their spy agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), for that. The agency has been able to provide a highly detailed health...

The government has apparently been forging a completely new policy to prepare for any contingencies in North Korea, an issue that is gaining fresh urgency amid reports of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s ill health. A senior government official on Thursday said the previous administration maintained a secret plan to prepare for contingencies including regime collapse in Pyongyang. But another senior official said, "The previous administration's plan was aimed at keeping the North Korean system stable rather than preparing for unification. It only envisaged a minimum of administrative measures we could take.” He said the new administration “has been working...

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-il is suffering irregular convulsions after his stroke and Chinese authorities believe his long-term ability to govern will be impeded, a South Korean newspaper said today. Although Kim is recovering, the convulsions prevented him from appearing at the parade marking North Korea's 60th anniversary on Tuesday, Chosun Ilbo quoted a diplomatic source based in Beijing as saying. It said a senior Chinese official who met Kim in Pyongyang a few days before the anniversary reported the symptoms to Chinese authorities, but said Kim's speech and mental abilities were unimpaired. Chinese intelligence authorities think Kim's strength will...

The hermetically sealed regime of North Korea dismissed yesterday the swirling doubts over the health of the Dear Leader as a “worthless conspiracy plot” concocted by the West. In an attempt to scotch speculation that Kim Jong Il had suffered a stroke, as suggested by several intelligence sources yesterday, Kim Yong Nam, North Korea's second-in-command, told reporters that there were “no problems” with his master's health. Without referring to the health issue, the Korean Central News Agency — the propaganda mouthpiece of Pyongyang — even offered proof that the dictator was well, pointing to a birthday telegram he sent to...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is more impaired from the stroke he apparently suffered last month than reports from the region suggest, and the United States and China are holding talks about what to do if the government in Pyongyang collapses, FOX News has learned. A senior Bush administration official says that although Kim may not be close to death, the U.S. does not accept reports from South Korea that he’s on his way to a rapid recovery. The official told FOX News the United States is naturally engaging the Chinese about what to do if there is ensuing...

/begin my translation Kim Jong-il Experiencing Intermittent Irregular Seizure from Stroke Chinese Intelligence, "Will have long-term effect on his rule" Park Seung-joon, Beijing N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is said to be recovering from stroke, is experiencing intermittent and irregular seizure, which is why he could not attend the 60th anniversary celebration of N. Korean state's founding on Sept. 9, a reliable diplomatic source on N. Korea in Beijing said on Sept. 11. The source said that a senior Chinese official visited Pyongyang a few days before the anniversary and did meet Kim Jong-il, and he reported (his findings)...

Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea, is still in control of his country, the South Korean government has announced. However, the 66-year-old is thought to have suffered a stroke last month and may be partially paralysed. Lee Cheol-woo, the leader of South Korea's parliamentary intelligence committee told a radio station that Kim is "recovering fast", that "he has no problem speaking or communicating and he is able to stand if helped". Mr Lee would have been briefed on the situation by South Korea's spy agency, which is believed to have the best information network in Pyongyang. Security services also...

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea's Kim Jong Il had brain surgery after a stroke last month and could have partial paralysis on one side, media reports said Thursday, after the South Korean government said the communist leader remained in control of his country. Foreign doctors, possibly from China and France, performed the operation after Kim, 66, collapsed about Aug. 15, the newspapers Dong-a Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing unidentified government officials. Kim's condition has improved and he is not suffering from slurred speech, a disability often associated with a stroke, the reports said.

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-Il had brain surgery after a stroke but is recovering, South Korea's defence minister has told parliament in a private briefing. Defence Minister Lee Sang-Hee said no unusual troop movements had been detected in the communist state and South Korea's military was maintaining its customary alert level,

/begin my summary Kim Jong-il Collapsed due to Shocking Injury to his Third Son: Euro Expert on N. Korea His third son in critically condition after (an unspecified) accident Two French surgeons treating(him) in Pyongyang An European expert on N. Korea said on Sept. 10 that Kim Jong-il collapsed because something serious happened to his third son Jung-woon(age:25,) who is now said to be in critical condition. Jung-woon has the closest resemblance to Kim Jong-il himself among his sons, and he really dotted on him over the others, which made his psychological shock all the more devastating. That is why...

/begin my summary Kim Jong-il's Health Trouble Started in Mid-August...Lost Consciousness at One Point sparse human traffic at his office...medical team visits thought to be treated at Bong-hwa Clinic in Pyongyang Chang Il-hyun and Ahn Yong-hyun His current condition Based on information gathered so far, as of Sept. 10, Kim Jong-il is conscious and can speak, but he is not well enough to go around. He still suffers from some paralysis on his left side of body. He lost consciousness at one point, panicking N. Korean inner circle. Emergency treatment was administered and best medical team attended to him. The...

SEOUL -- North Korea put on a show of strength Wednesday in the face of reports that dictator Kim Jong Il is seriously ill, with his second-in-command holding a rare meeting with a foreign media organization to dispel the accounts. Mr. Kim remained out of sight, however, a day after missing celebration activities for North Korea's 60th anniversary. In neighboring South Korea, government officials reinforced reports that emerged from U.S. intelligence officials Tuesday that Mr. Kim suffered a debilitating illness recently.

/begin my translation N. Korea: Kim Jong-nam Staying in Pyongyang Since July Sources: N. Korea invited French cardiologists. Kim Jong-nam(age:37,) the eldest son of N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il, has been staying in Pyongyang since July after he left his residence in Beijing. Diplomatic sources said on Sept. 10, "Kim Jong-nam who was residing in Beijing went to Pyongyang late July and is still there. He used to go to Pyongyang from time to time but had never stayed this long." It appears that he went to Pyongyang for a visit and stayed on when Kim Jong-il's health deteriorated. Kim...

/begin my translation Kim Jong-il Recovering After a Surgery Yonhap News Kim Sung-ho, the spy chief of S. Korea, said (during a briefing to legislators,) "It could be a stroke or a cerebral hemorrhage, but difficult to characterize his condition in a single word," when asked about what exactly Kim Jong-il is suffering from. Furthermore, it was revealed that Kim had undergone surgery by a foreign medical team. Asked about Kim's current condition, he replied, "According to our knowledge, he shows no language deficit, and can move his body." The spy agency went on to explain that Kim Jong-il have...

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Il has reportedly failed to appear at the country's 60th anniversary parade - amid rumours that he is seriously unwell or even dead. South Korea's military said the North had been massing weapons for days to show them off in its capital during the event. The spectacle followed a report in the South's Chosun Ilbo newspaper that the 66-year-old reclusive leader was suspected of suffering a chronic illness. He collapsed last month, the paper added, citing a South Korean diplomatic source in Beijing.

North Korean Leader Is Very Ill, U.S. Official Says By MARK MAZZETTI and CHOE SANG-HUN WASHINGTON — Kim Jong-il, North Korea’s leader, is seriously ill and is likely to have suffered a stroke weeks ago, American officials said Tuesday, raising the prospect of a chaotic power struggle in nuclear-armed North Korea. Intelligence officials in Washington said that the exact status of Mr. Kim’s health was unclear, but that he failed to attend a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of North Korea and that American intelligence agencies believe that he is now under the care of doctors in...

/begin my translation U.S. Intelligence "Kim Jong-il Recuperating" Washington = Lee Hawon We are told on Sept. 10 that, according to U.S. Intelligene, N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il had trouble with his health recently but is now recuperating. A senior official at U.S. administration reportedly said, "Regarding the allegation of Kim's health trouble, we can tell you that Kim recently had health problems, but is recovering now." U.S. Intelligence is closely monitoring everything related to Kim's health, and analyzing the information on his health trouble via various channels. Another figure at the administration said, "It is highly unusual that Kim...

/begin my excerpt Kim Jong-il Paralyzed ... Still Conscious Had a stroke a few weeks ago... government in all-out efforts to find out the situation N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il had a stroke and are suffering from paralysis, a credible U.S. diplomatic source on N. Korea conveyed on Sept. 9. He said, "Kim had a stroke a few weeks ago and was paralyzed(hemiplegia?) but he is still conscious. It is not clear how alert he is or where he is being treated." /snip /end my excerpt

SEOUL, South Korea - A U.S. intelligence official said North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, 66, may have suffered a stroke, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. A U.S. intelligence official said there is reason to believe Kim Jong Il is sick after he failed to show up at a North Korean national celebration on Tuesday. That official and another U.S. source spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence gathering. Earlier, South Korea's largest daily, the Chosun Ilbo, said Kim collapsed last month, citing a South Korean diplomatic source in Beijing.

/begin my translation U.S. Intelligence Sources: Grounds to Believe Kim Jong-il's Health in Serious Trouble Yonhap News In light of Kim Jong-il's absence at 60th anniversary celebration of N. Korean state's founding, U.S. intelligence sources revealed on Sept. 9 that there are grounds to believe that Kim health is in serious trouble. /end my translation

/begin my excerpt N. Korea: Anniversary Events Scheduled in the Morning Not Held - Unusual Development Some activities of event preparation in the afternoon Yonhap News On Sept. 9, the 60th Anniversary of N. Korean state's founding, N. Korea did not hold the scheduled celebration events in the morning as expected. There are some movements in the afternoon for setting up to hold events, according to reports. Government sources said, "N. Korea did not hold events scheduled for the morning, such as military parade. We detected movements in the afternoon to set up some kind of events." As a rule,...

Come again? What exactly has North Korea achieved economically or socially in the past six decades? The acquisition of nuclear weapons? A 20 million dollar collection of Mercedes Benz vehicles? Getting away with kidnapping actors and Japanese fishermen? Tricking Madeline Albright into believing that North Korea was making some progress? If there is any achievement to be counted for North Korea, it would be that the reclusive regime still has any friends left in the international community...

/begin my translation Intelligence - "Kim Jong-il Collapsed"... Would he Show up Today? Beijing = Lee Myong-jin A source at S. Korean Embassy to China said on Sept. 8, "We picked up intelligence that N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il collpased on Aug. 22 (due to health problem.) We reported it to (S. Korean) Foreign Ministry and have been collecting further information." He added that this intelligence was from a Chinese source, and they are trying to corroborate it, watching situations inside N. Korea." Kim made no public appearances for nearly a month. Coupled with intelligence that five Chinese doctors were...

<p>Is Kim Jong Il for real? The question has baffled foreign intelligence agencies for years, but a veteran Japanese expert on North Korea says the “dear leader” is actually dead — and his role is played by a double.</p> <p>The expert says Kim died of diabetes in 2003 and world leaders, including Vladimir Putin of Russia and Hu Jintao of China, have been negotiating with an imposter.</p>

/begin my translation Kim Jong-il's Health Issue Resurfaces Out of public view for three weeks Five Chinese doctors sent to N. Korea Ahn Yong-hyon Kim Jong-il(age:66) has not been seen in public for three weeks. With the report of five Chinese doctors being dispatched to N. Korea, a possibility is being raised again that there is a problem with Kim's health. Kim dropped out of public view after KCNA reported in Aug. 14 that he inspected KPA Unit 1319. He has maintained active public schedule lately, 11 public appearances in June, 16 in July, and 13 in August. Government sources...

N Korea's Kim died in 2003 and was replaced by lookalike, says Waseda professor Is Kim Jong Il dead? Yes, North Korea’s “Dear Leader” is no more, having passed away in the fall of 2003, writes Waseda University professor Toshimitsu Shigemura in Shukan Gendai (Aug 23-30). A one-time Mainichi Shimbun journalist posted in Seoul, Shigemura is introduced by the magazine as a leading authority on the Korean Peninsula. His latest book, released this month, is titled “The True Character of Kim Jong Il.” If true, the implications are potentially vast. Among them: former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s summit partner during...

Don't laugh at Dear Leader, SKorean athletes warned Wed Aug 20, 4:14 AM ET South Korean Olympic athletes have been given detailed guidelines to avoid friction with their North Korean counterparts in Beijing, officials said Wednesday. Contestants should not point or laugh at badges or portraits depicting North Korea's "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il or his late father Kim Il-Sung, the (South) Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) says in a handbook. "Refrain from pointing, touching or laughing at badges, portraits and remarks idolising the father and son," the booklet advises. Athletes should also avoid using names like "South Korea" and "North Korea"...