It will be the first time in history that both nations are participating in the same tournament.

North Korea will be making only their 2nd appearance; their first was a fairy tale journey in 1966 in which they defeated European giant Italy en route to the quarter finals, a result that stunned the footballing world.

South Korea on the other hand is the most successful Asian team in World Cup history and will be making their 8th appearance in 2010. Their best result was 4th place in 2002 when they were joint host (with Japan) for the event.

The Koreans met in the qualifying stage in which the southern counterpart has the upper hand with a win and a draw. The northern boys are unlikely to get their revenge in 2010 though, as chances are pretty slim for them to meet each other.

North-South Korea qualified for 2010 World Cup from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Australia – Rafael Nadal won first Australian Open crown, defeating Roger Federer [ATP]

China – Birth defects soar due to environmental pollution; a baby is born with physical defects every 30 secs in China [Chinadaily]

Enviromental – Many effects of climate change are irreversible [BBC]

Iraq – A fibreglass-and-copper monument (pic) is built in honour of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference [Youtube]

Japan – PM Taro Aso has announced a 1.5 trillion yen (USD17bn) aid package to help Asian countries weather the economic downturn [BBC]

North Korea – North Korea is scrapping all pacts with South Korea and warned that the downward relations has pushed the peninsula to the brink of war [Reuters]

South Korea – Asiana Airlines, Korea’s second-largest air carrier, is named Airline of the Year by ATW (Air Transport World) magazine [ATW]

Thailand – Deja vu… tens of thousands of protesters held a rally in Bangkok calling on the new Thai government to resign [Youtube]

General roundup (February 1, 2009) from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The shooting incident occurred on Friday morning. The N.Koreans claimed that the 53-year-old woman had crossed deep into a fenced-off military area and ran away when a N.Korean soldier told her to halt… the soldier chased her and fired a warning shot before she was shot dead at around 5am.

Kŭmgangsan, or Mt Kumgang, is a tourist spot in North Korea. South Korean tourists have been allowed to visit Kŭmgangsan since 1998 but within a fenced zone; it’s a popular place for S.Koreans to take a glimpse of their northern neighbouring land.

The tragedy has caused outrage in the south, as the public is questioning the authenticity of N.Korea’s explanations and called for thorough investigations into the matter. North Korea on Saturday have expressed their regrets over the death, but has dismissed any wrong doings on their side.

From the current development, it seems like there are no other alternative explanations besides what the N.Koreans are saying… which would be a very unfortunate incident regardless. Rest in peace, Mdm Park.

South Korean tourist shot dead by North Korean soldier from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Note that the movie-clips from the music video are cuts from South Korean movie “Crossing” and not real footage; the movie is said to be based on real stories though.

Various artist, Cry with Us MV from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Actor Cha In-pyo starred as a North Korean coal miner who crossed illegally into China to get medicine for his wife. His wife passed away soon after he crossed the border, and he was separated from his 11-year-old son (played by Shin Myung-chul) who was trying to trace him from North Korea.

The story shares the hardship of North Korean refugees in the late 1990s, with famine striking the country and killed an estimated 1 million people.

The North Koreans couldn’t cross into South Korea directly because of landmines and heavy military presence at the border… these defectors had to cross into China and made a de-tour to South Korea instead.

The Chinese government, an ally of the North Korean regime, does not recognize the defectors as refugees and would send them back to North Korea to face stiff action.

Update – Crossing will represent South Korea as a candidate for the foreign film category at the 81st Academy Awards. [Koreatimes]

Crossing, movie trailer from YeinJee's Asian Journal