* reminder * The Bill Kapoun Burn Fund.

Bill Kapoun, an English teacher in Seoul who suffered third-degree burns on nearly 70% of his body, still needs all the financial support he can get. For those who haven't yet heard, please take a look at his website and his Facebook group for the story.

Money is currently needed to get him airlifted to Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and the cost is estimated at $68,000. Other funds will go toward skin grafts, toward helping his family, toward other medical costs, and toward helping a guy whose dire situation puts a lot of our bitching in perspective.

Once again, if you're in Korea you can do a bank transfer:

KB Bank
794002 04 03 1635
Warren Franklin-William Fund

KB is 국민은행 for those without an English-language ATM around. Everybody ought to donate something, as every little bit helps. We all lead comfortable lives here, and sacrificing (at least) the cost of a night out or (at least) the cost of a few meals really isn't too much to ask. After donating, please spread the word to as many folks and forums as possible.

The Facebook group also reports that Bill's girlfriend has died as a result of her injuries.

Looks like other bloggers have finally picked up the story, and I don't want my initial message getting too deeply buried beneath news on VIPS and Astroturf. I'm kind of pissed that they spent a few days hosting quarrels among and about self-important, self-righteous foreign lawyers rather than helping to spread the word, but better late than never. Over on The Marmot's Hole, legal consultant Brendon Carr has some information about the National Medical Insurance Plan and any damages that Bill might be awarded by a Korean court.