All US troops in Korea took a day off from normal duties on 7 January for "cultural sensitivity training". Nearly all American troops in Korea are there on a one year tour, without dependents. For decades its been customary for such troops to spend most of their free time in Korean brothels and bars. The troops, as a result, tend not to see the more positive sides of Korean culture. This has long caused tension between many Koreans and the American troops. These tensions have been particularly acute of late because of differences of opinion between the American and South Korean governments on how to deal with North Korea.--Stephen V Cole

North Korea plays it's usual game, now making noises that it might make a deal to cut back it's missile and nuclear weapon programs (but without inspections or verification) in return for economic aid. South Korea is interested, the US is not.