Global Voices Online

Blogger Takashi reports [jp] on the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry (第２回アジア大麻産業国際会議) held in Donghae (Korea) at the Hangzhong University from the 20th to the 23rd of November, 7 years after the first congress took place. Participants from Japan, China and South Korea [jp] debated the hemp industry in their respective countries and the necessity for new regulation, stressing the importance of creating an Asian “hemp road” which places emphasis on the use of the plant as a textile and a medicine, as well as on its traditional values. [VIa i-morley]

Mahefa Rakotomalala writes at L'express de Madagascar that the alleged land deal with South Korean company Daewoo has been officially rejected by the Malagasy government. The minister of land reform explained in a press release to local newspapers that anyone can request to lease an unlimited amount of land but it has to be approved by the state cabinet (fr).

matt from Gusts of popular feeling blogs on the recent news about a 14 year old school boy being beaten to death by his schoolmates at school.

Ask a Korean! tries to answer the question: What is the Korean news media saying about our new president-elect Barack Obama?

Yoon Jeong Kim writes on how the currency crisis affects Korean students life in the U.S at Ohmynews!

Andy Jackson from the Marmot's hole blogs about the U.S and South Korea currency swapping plan. The blogger finds it a win-win deal.

CINA blogs photos of the demonstration on 26 of Oct - the national struggle day of irregular workers.

Ask a Korean! discusses the homophobic culture and reaction in South Korea.

Nuna from Ask a Korea! comes up with three possible answers to a question on why his Korean schoolmates suddenly back off from a bowling date.