Korea

According to news, Goo Hara, a former K-pop star has died suddenly. Her funeral will be held in private according to her family’s wishes, although there is a special service for fans being held today until Wednesday in Gangnam. The death follows the sudden death by attempted suicide of, said to be best friend Choi Jin-ri, known as K-pop star Sulli, on November 14.
Korean pop music has become popular amongst youth across Asia and in the west since the 1990’s.
Korea has been divided since 1948. Annexed by Japan around 1845, Korea was partitioned after the second world war. Northern Korea becoming occupied by the Soviet Union and south Korea by the United States.
In 1950, following reported clashes believed to be along the border, north Korea, said to be supported by China and the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea who are still supported by the United States. A final peace settlement has not been achieved. A new border may have been established according to a u.n. initiative. An as called combined forces control of the South Korean army is documented. In 1953, the u.s. are said to have taken over the administration of the South Korean army, apparently creating a combined u.s./Korean force. In 1994, according to a report, training of the South Korean army was returned to Korea. However, western control of South Korean forces may continue, according to one report, as long as north Korea poses a threat. Preconditions to talks with South Korea is a cessation of joint military drills according to one source, this being exacerbated by sanctions which are reported to be u.n. security council resolutions.
The South Korean government may be under western influence. They have one of the highest rates of foreign born populations in the world. There is a very high suicide rate in South Korea according to ststatistics.