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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2018)
ASIA / PACIFIC June 18, 2018 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 5 Kim Jong Un impersonator questioned on arrival in Singapore By Annabelle Liang The Associated Press S HARVEST HOPES. A farmer spreads fertilizer on a rice field in Sariwon, North Korea. Away from political developments that have rocketed their country back into the international headlines, North Korean farmers are preparing for the summer season with hopes the relatively good conditions they have had so far this year will hold out until the fall harvest. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) North Korean farmers were focused on fields, not summit By Eric Talmadge The Associated Press ARIWON, North Korea — Away from the political developments that rocketed their country back into the international headlines, North Korean farmers were preparing for the summer season with hopes the relatively good conditions they have had so far this year will hold until the fall harvest. “The situation right now is good,” said Kim Song Ryong, chief engineer of the Migokri Cooperative Farm in Sariwon, a city about 50 miles south of Pyongyang, the capital. Migokri is one of the larger and more mechanized farms in North Korea, with about 1,850 farmers and support staff. Its sprawling paddies are now covered with the light green of freshly trans- planted rice plants, still only about knee high. Though decidedly modest, the farm has its own living areas, stores, schools, and other facilities. Feeding a nation of about 25 million has S ASTHMA IS ON THE RISE. Help us find a cure. 1-800-LUNG-USA It’s not always easy to manage diabetes, but I keep trying by taking it one day at a time. For more information, please call 1-800-860-8747 or visit www.ndep.nih.gov. always been a tall order for North Korea’s agricultural workers. Shortages of fuel and fertilizer are not uncommon, and finding spare parts for tractors and other equipment is always a challenge. With most of the country covered in mountains and a government policy of strict self-sufficiency, every available nook and cranny is put to use growing something. Since rice requires flat land, corn is the crop of choice in places that are hilly. Where the weather is too cold, it’s often potatoes. Kim told The Associated Press that Migokri produces everything from peaches to cucumbers. With the advantage of having mechanization that is still out of reach for farmers in more rural areas, where oxen are the rule, Kim said his rice paddies can produce 10 tons per hectare. But he acknowledges he also has some more traditional help. Just recently, he said, the farm released 100,000 snails into the paddies to eat rice-destroying insects. INGAPORE — A Kim Jong Un lookalike was detained and questioned upon his arrival in Singa- pore days before the summit between the North Korean leader and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Hong Kong-based impersonator, who uses the name Howard X, was in the city-state for summit-re- lated promotions by a mall and seafood restaurant. He said the police officers who stopped him at Singapore’s Changi Airport searched his bags and questioned him for about two hours before letting him go. He said he was told to stay away from Sentosa Island and the Shangri-La Hotel. Kim and Trump met at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. The impersonator, whose real name is Lee Howard Ho Wun, said police asked if he had been involved in protests around the world, including those by pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. He said he told them he had been at the scene of the Hong Kong demonstrations as a musician playing the drums. “However, I never rioted and don’t plan to ever riot. I told him (the police officer) that I ... would never do this in Singapore because it is against your rules to protest,” Lee told The Associated Press. In a statement, Singapore’s Immigration IMPERSONATOR INTERROGATED. Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump impersonators, Howard X, left, and Dennis Alan, right, pose for photographs at Merlion Park, a popular tourist destination in Singapore, on June 8, 2018. The Kim Jong Un lookalike, whose real name is Lee Howard Ho Wun, said he was detained and questioned upon his arrival in Singapore days before the summit between the North Korean leader and the U.S. president. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E) and Checkpoints Authority think they will try and kick said Wun was interviewed out the president. It wouldn’t be good press for for about 45 minutes. The authority said of its Singapore,” Lee said. “Nobody started talking policy: “As part of the immigration clearance about a meeting between process, travellers to Kim Jong Un and Presi- Singapore may be subject dent Trump until we sug- to additional interviews gested it at the Olympics,” and/or screening. These Alan added, referring to procedures are conducted their appearance at the Winter at all Singapore’s check- PyeongChang Olympics in February. points.” “It all started with us. If Demonstrations in Singapore can only be held there’s a peace prize that in a designated area, the anybody should get, we 2.4-acre Hong Lim Park, should get it,” he quipped. Indonesian Janette and require park approval. thought the All other gatherings Warokka impersonators were the require a police permit. Howard X and Dennis real deal. “It’s so shocking for me. I Alan, a Trump imper- sonator, held hands and don’t know why those two walked around Merlion famous guys come here,” Park, a popular tourist she said. Raul Rio, a teacher from destination. They posed with mock chili and black Texas, managed to take a pepper crab dishes and selfie with the pair. “They took photographs with certainly look like the real ones. It was fun to see curious passersby. “I’m here to stay. I don’t them,” he said. Need health insurance? CareOregon’s goMobile Team can help you sign up for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and get doctor appointments. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CAREOREGON 50 SW 2nd Ave, Portland 315 SW 5th Ave, Portland June 5 ............................9-11 a.m. X June 6 ........................9-11 a.m. June 12 ...........................9-11 a.m. X June 13 .......................9-11 a.m. June 19 ...........................9-11 a.m. June 20 ..........................9-11 a.m. June 26 ..........................9-11 a.m. X June 27 .......................9-11 a.m. GOOD IN THE HOOD EVENT CLACKAMAS SERVICE CENTER King School Park - NE 6th Ave & 8800 SE 80th Ave, Portland NE Humboldt St, Portland June 12 ................ 10 a.m.-12 p.m. June 24 ..................11 a.m.-5 p.m. MULTNOMAH COUNTY NEW! X SNAP Assistance available at these locations MOUNT HOOD WASHINGTON COUNTY FARMERS MARKET BEAVERTON LIBRARY 38600 Proctor Blvd, Sandy June 15 ............................3-7 p.m. 12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton June 13 ............................ 1-3 p.m. PORTLAND RESCUE MISSION 111 W Burnside, Portland June 14 ..........................8-10 a.m. June 28 .........................8-10 a.m. UNION GOSPEL MISSION 3 NW 3rd, Portland X June 26 ...................... 2-4 p.m. JOIN 1435 NE 81st Ave, Ste 100 Portland WORKSOURCE GRESHAM June 14 ..........................12-2 p.m. 19421 SE Stark St, Portland X June 7 ......................... 2-4 p.m. X June 28 ...................... 2-4 p.m. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION Legacy Emanuel Field 2801 N Gantenbein Ave Portland June 16 ..........................12-5 p.m. For information, or to host our team, call Tamara at 503-416-1479 or Caleb at 503-416-4883. careoregon.org/gomobile Starlight Parade June 2 Portland Pride Parade June 17