​Quotes of the Day:

"Let your capital be simplicity and contentment." 

– Henry David Thoreau

"A healthy male adult bore consumes each year one and a half times his own weight in other people's patience." 

– John Updike

"No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut." 

– Sam Rayburn

1. The U.S.’s Two Foremost Asian Allies Are on Good Terms—an Irritant for China

2.  The Row Over South Korea’s Push for a Native AI Model: Chinese Code

3. Korean Peninsula Update, January 13, 2026

4. Death penalty sought for ex-President Yoon over insurrection

5. S. Korea considers restoring pact reducing military tension with N. Korea

6. Businessmen with investments in N. Korea urge gov't to lift sanctions on inter-Korean projects

7. Lee orders review of scrapped military pact with North Korea after drone claims

8. Russia raises quota for North Korean students eligible for free college

9. Defense chief urges efforts to back S. Korea's goal of No. 4 arms exporter

10. Lee returns home from Japan trip focused on deepening ties

11.  S. Korea reaffirms bid to join trans-Pacific trade pact at Lee-Takaichi summit | Yonhap News Agency

12. Japan hints at addressing historical issues: security adviser

13. 'Korea should stand on Iranian people's side'

14. Kim Yo-jong shuts door on engagement after Seoul cites room for dialogue

1. The U.S.’s Two Foremost Asian Allies Are on Good Terms—an Irritant for China

Summary:

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung used their Nara summit to signal durable strategic alignment with the United States amid Chinese pressure and Trump-era tariff shocks. Despite ideological differences and deep historical grievances, Tokyo and Seoul are tightening cooperation on supply chains, trilateral defense with Washington, and the shared goal of denuclearizing north Korea. Beijing is angered by Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks and has retaliated economically, yet Lee’s visit offers her implicit backing while he still courts China. The relationship has stabilized but remains vulnerable to domestic backlash and Chinese coercive leverage.

Comment: More stones being effectively positioned on the Go/Wei Chi/Baduk Board. And how about the modern drumming (versus the traditional drumming in both Korea and Japan)?

How can Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul institutionalize this alignment so that swings in domestic politics, historical disputes, and Chinese economic retaliation cannot easily fracture trilateral cooperation in the Asia-Indo-Pacific?

What strategy should the U.S.–Japan–South Korea triangle adopt on Taiwan and north Korea that both deters Chinese and north Korean aggression and manages Beijing’s punitive economic tools without feeding nationalist backlash in Seoul or Tokyo?

A lot of work for our diplomats and government officials but also opportunities for increasing mutually beneficial strategic effects.

The U.S.’s Two Foremost Asian Allies Are on Good Terms—an Irritant for China

WSJ

South Korean leader meets Japan’s Takaichi near her hometown in a sign of warmer ties

By

Timothy W. Martin

in Seoul and

Jason Douglas

in Tokyo

Updated Jan. 13, 2026 7:45 pm ET

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/the-u-s-s-two-foremost-asian-allies-are-on-good-termsan-irritant-for-china-71c7854e

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara, Japan. Issei Kato/AP

In a high-profile summit Tuesday, the leaders of Japan and South Korea—two of the U.S.’s staunchest allies—put on a display of unity as they faced rising economic, technological and military pressures from China.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi—whose November remarks about Taiwan have drawn China’s wrath—hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for a two-day visit near her hometown.

The two leaders capped their first day with a drum session. Takaichi, a heavy-metal drummer in her youth, said in a message on social media that Lee told her he had always dreamed of playing the drums so she wanted to surprise him. They played along to “Golden” from the film “KPop Demon Hunters” and “Dynamite” by the South Korean group BTS, she said.

Lee and Takaichi during their drum session. Prime Minister’s Office of Japan

The conservative Takaichi and left-leaning Lee, who both took office last year, hail from opposite ends of the political spectrum. Their warming ties are in response to the twin challenges of a more assertive China and President Trump’s upending of global trade with tariffs.

While Takaichi didn’t mention China in her public remarks Tuesday, she and Lee touted the importance of their relationship with the U.S.

The three countries have maintained trilateral military exercises and deepened their economic ties even as their leaders have changed in the past year. Japan and South Korea have pledged hundreds of billions of dollars of investment in the U.S. in the coming years as part of their respective pacts with the Trump administration in exchange for lower tariffs.

“It is never a good thing for China when Japan, Korea and the U.S. are on the same page,” said Rintaro Nishimura, a Japan-based senior associate at the Asia Group, a strategic advisory firm.

Takaichi angered Beijing in November by saying that if China attacked Taiwan, Japan could be dragged into a conflict to defend itself or allies such as the U.S. Takaichi has refused to retract the remark despite Chinese pressure to do so, but has said she won’t repeat it.

Beijing considers the self-ruled island democracy a breakaway province that it has vowed to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Lee recently traveled to Beijing, where he met Chinese leader Xi Jinping and proclaimed a “full-scale restoration” of ties between the two countries. He reiterated support for the principle that Taiwan is part of China.

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Though Lee has steered clear of taking a public position on the Tokyo-Beijing row, his presence in Japan offers Takaichi a degree of support. The summit is being held in the ancient city of Nara in Takaichi’s home prefecture. The two leaders championed the strategic significance of their relationship with the U.S.; their common goal of seeing North Korea give up its nuclear-weapons; supply-chain cooperation; and other issues.

Lee, who is set to leave Japan on Wednesday, said the international order faces unprecedented volatility and is changing in the midst of technological leaps such as artificial intelligence.

“Deepening and broadening cooperation between our two nations is a historical imperative we can no longer delay,” said Lee, who won a snap election for South Korea’s presidency in June.

Takaichi, who took office in October, said: “Both countries should work together to play a role in regional stability.” She expressed hope to see Lee again in South Korea.

The U.S. response to growing Chinese pressure on its Japanese ally has been muted. The Wall Street Journal reported in November that Trump had advised Takaichi not to provoke Xi over Taiwan, as the U.S. works toward a trade deal with China. The Japanese government denied the report.

Since Takaichi’s remark on Taiwan in November, Beijing’s retaliation has included berating Tokyo at the United Nations, canceling flights to Japan and tightening export controls on goods with potential military uses. China has also started choking off supplies of rare earths and magnets with high-tech applications to Japanese companies.

Tokyo and Seoul, which both host large presences of U.S. troops, have sparred frequently over the years. Ties skidded to their worst levels in decades in 2019, when the two engaged in a tit-for-tat trade fight, starting with Japan’s curbing some tech-related exports to South Korea.

Historical grievances over Japan’s occupation of South Korea from 1910 to 1945 resurfaced. Seoul vowed to step away from an intelligence-sharing pact with Tokyo before reversing course.

The two countries, both led by conservatives at the time, resumed high-level diplomacy in 2022. Trump’s tariff war, combined with rising Chinese aggression, helped further patch ties, even after the emergence of Lee and Takaichi.

An image of Takaichi was displayed in Seoul during an anti-Japan demonstration this week. Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

The ties remain vulnerable to domestic backlash, said Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow who focuses on Korean issues at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

“The relative steadiness of Korea-Japan relations to date reflects how profoundly the geopolitical environment has changed,” Yeo said.

Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com and Jason Douglas at jason.douglas@wsj.com

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the January 14, 2026, print edition as 'Japan, South Korea Boost Ties, to China’s Chagrin'.

WSJ

2. The Row Over South Korea’s Push for a Native AI Model: Chinese Code

​Summary:

South Korea’s “sovereign AI” push exposes the tension between technological self-reliance and practical dependence on global open-source ecosystems. In a government competition to field world-class Korean models by 2027, three of five finalists used foreign, including Chinese, open-source code in non-core components, triggering accusations of security risk and compromised sovereignty. Firms argue that reusing standardized code is efficient and that core model training remains fully domestic. Rules never clearly barred foreign open source, leaving science officials to manage a political and strategic debate that now blends economic competitiveness, national security, and public trust in South Korea’s ability to control its AI stack.

Comment: I hate to keep making this analogy to Go/Wei Chi/Baduk but I will continue to do so. AI and the cyber domain are a different kind of "territory" on which "stones" need to be correctly positioned especially when they are considered with concepts of sovereignty in this domain and with AI.

How should South Korea define “sovereign AI” in practice so that it maximizes security and resilience without isolating itself from essential global open-source innovation and talent flows?

What technical standards, transparency requirements, and security vetting mechanisms are needed to ensure that any foreign open-source components cannot become vectors for espionage, coercion, or supply-chain leverage by China in crises affecting the Asia-Indo-Pacific and the Korean Peninsula?

And these are critical questions for the ROK/US alliance and trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan, and the US.

The Row Over South Korea’s Push for a Native AI Model: Chinese Code

WSJ

Korea’s efforts show how hard it is to develop homegrown AI models and break a reliance on U.S. or Chinese tech giants

By Jiyoung Sohn

Follow

Jan. 13, 2026 11:00 pm ET

https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/the-row-over-south-koreas-push-for-a-native-ai-model-chinese-code-4c047a6f

The SK Telecom pavilion at an information-technology show in Seoul. Jeon Heon-Kyun/Shutterstock

SEOUL—Last June, the South Korean government launched a competition to create a new independent AI model developed with Korean technology. A homegrown tool like that was critical to ensuring Korea’s technological self-reliance in a world already dominated by U.S. and Chinese artificial intelligence.

It is proving to be easier said than done.

Of five finalist companies in the three-year competition, three have been found to use at least some open-source codes from foreign AI models, including Chinese ones.

The companies and AI experts argue it makes little sense to shun existing AI models and attempt to build everything from scratch. But others say that any use of foreign tools creates potential security risks and undercuts hopes of cultivating an AI model undeniably a nation’s own.

It isn’t realistic to require every single piece of code be written entirely in-house when pursuing AI-model development, said Gu-Yeon Wei, an electrical-engineering professor at Harvard University, who is familiar with the Korean competition but not directly involved with any of the competitors.

“To forgo open-source software,” Wei said, “you’re leaving on the table this huge amount of benefit.”

Countries worldwide are increasingly looking to reduce foreign reliance and hone their own capabilities in a technology that could profoundly affect their economic competitiveness and national security.

A chip from Nvidia’s Quantum-X platform. Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg News

South Korea, with a bevy of chip giants, software firms and political backing, represents one of the most aggressive proponents of so-called sovereign AI.

The race seeks to identify two homegrown winners by 2027 able to achieve 95% or higher parity in performance with leading AI models from the likes of OpenAI or Google. Winners get access to state funding for data and hiring talent, as well as access to government-procured chips essential for AI computing.

Controversy over one of the finalists, Upstage, erupted in recent days. Some components of its AI model bore resemblance to an open-source model from China-based Zhipu AI, according to the chief executive of Sionic AI, a local rival. In addition, Zhipu AI copyright markers were left within some of Upstage’s code, he claimed.

“It’s deeply regrettable that a model suspected to be a fine-tuned copy of a Chinese model was submitted to a project funded by taxpayers’ money,” Ko Suk-hyun, the Sionic CEO, wrote on LinkedIn. Sionic had also entered the South Korean competition, though failed to make the finalist list.

In response, Upstage held a livestreamed verification session that shared its development logs to prove its model was developed and trained from a blank state using its own methods. But the inference code used to make the model run had used open-source elements that originated from Zhipu AI, which is widely used globally. Sionic’s CEO apologized.

The scrutiny prompted closer looks of the other finalists. Naver’s AI model was accused of bearing similarities to offerings from China’s Alibaba and OpenAI in its visual and audio encoders that translate images and sounds into a format that a machine can understand.

Naver’s headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul. Yonhap News/ZUMA Press

SK Telecom faced criticism that the inference codes for running its AI model bore similarities with those of China’s DeepSeek.

Naver admitted to using external encoders, but said it was a strategic decision to use a standardized technology. It stressed that the model’s core engine—which determines how it learns and is trained—were developed entirely by the company. SK Telecom made a similar argument, stressing the independence of its model’s core.

The competition’s rules didn’t explicitly state whether open-source code from foreign firms could be used or not. South Korea’s science ministry, which is overseeing the competition, hasn’t given out any new guidelines since the controversy. The country’s science minister, Bae Kyung-hoon, welcomed the robust debate.

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“As I watched the technological debates currently stirring our AI industry, I actually saw a bright future for South Korean AI,” Bae wrote in a social-media post earlier this month.

The ministry declined to comment when asked by The Wall Street Journal. It plans to eliminate one of the five finalists from the competition this week as scheduled.

AI models are developed by setting and fine-tuning internal numerical values to get an output, and those core tasks don’t appear to have relied on foreign tools in the models of the finalists that have faced questions, said Jae W. Lee, director of Seoul National University’s AI Institute.

“They trained from scratch,” he said.

Write to Jiyoung Sohn at jiyoung.sohn@wsj.com

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

WSJ

3. Korean Peninsula Update, January 13, 2026

​This is an excellent new project from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

We will link this in our Think Tank Section under AEI in our Korea Regional Review (KRR). https://www.upi.com/Korea-Regional-Review/. And I will of course include them in my daily Korean News and Commentary and Director's Corner at KRR when they are published.

This is a very thorough overview of the peninsula. However ,I have one suggestion for the analysts. One of the key analytic lines of effort that is too often overlooked in north Korea is the internal stability situation and the potential for resistance. There is a lot of reporting on incidents that are taking place that show hostility toward the regime. This is very important for two reasons. One is that Kim Jong Un's biggest fear is the Korean people in the north (especially when armed with information). He fears the people more than the combined strength of the ROK and US militaries. We need to assess his actions, internally and externally, with an eye on the internal stability situation. Keep in mind that the way to justify the continued suffering and sacrifice of the Korean people is by demonstrating an external threat from the ROK, US, and international community. 

The second reason for this analytic line of effort is to actually give us earlier indications and warnings of conventional and/or nuclear attack. The use of nuclear weapons and a conventional attack of the ROK are the two biggest fears and consume most of our intelligence analysis. We should understand that one of the likely paths to war or nuclear use is when when the regime faces the conditions of collapse and Kim Jong Un makes the decision to attack because in his calculus it is the last option to ensure his survival (even if that sounds counterintuitive to us because he will surely lose a the war). Kim is smart in that he is unlikely to attack when the ROK/US alliance is strong. He will only do it when he achieves his conditions for success (e.g., US troops off the peninsula) or when he believes he has no other option when faced with internal threats.

I urge the analysts at AEI to include an assessment of internal conditions observing for indications and warnings of internal instability and threats to the Kim family regime. A useful analytic frame is provided by the seminal work of Robert Collins.

Pattern of Collapse in North Korea by Robert Collins

https://smallwarsjournal.com/2024/04/11/pattern-collapse-north-korea/

Korean Peninsula Update, January 13, 2026

by Dan Blumenthal, Nicholas Carl, Alexis Turek, et al.

January 13, 2026

Article | Institute for the Study of War

Foreign and Defense Policy

https://www.aei.org/articles/korean-peninsula-update-january-13-2026/?utm

Data Cutoff: January 12, 2026

The Korean Peninsula Update is a joint product of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). It supports the AEI–ISW Coalition Defense of Taiwan project’s broader mission to strengthen a de facto coalition to deter and contain China and North Korea in the Indo-Pacific. This update tracks and analyzes political, military, and security developments on the Korean Peninsula—centered on the North Korean threat and evolving dynamics on the peninsula, South Korean responses, and broader US strategy in the Indo-Pacific.   

Toplines

North Korea is likely to reinforce the justification for its “self-defensive” nuclear development following the US military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, reducing the likelihood of renewed United States–North Korea dialogue. The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 4 condemned the US military operation to arrest and extradite Maduro, calling it a “violent violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty” and evidence of the United States’ “gangster-like nature.”[1] Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) General Secretary Kim Jong Un oversaw a missile launch the same day and called for expanding a “strong and reliable nuclear deterrent,” citing “recent geopolitical crises,” likely referencing the January 3 US operation in Venezuela.[2] The South Korean Ministry of Unification (MOU) assessed on January 5 that North Korea’s response reflects its ongoing “anti-US solidarity,” similar to messaging following the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.[3]

North Korea and Venezuela have maintained a symbolic partnership, grounded in anti-US rhetoric, since establishing diplomatic ties in 1974.[4] Kim has continued diplomatic exchanges with Venezuela, though there is no evidence of meaningful North Korean-Venezuelan trade or economic cooperation.[5] The UN Panel of Experts (PoE) investigation into possible bilateral cooperation, following a 2018 meeting between Maduro and a senior WPK official, was not concluded prior to the panel’s dissolution due to opposition from Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).[6] Venezuela remains primarily a North Korean political ally within the socialist and anti-Western bloc, with limited strategic relevance in defense or industry.

North Korean state media has consistently framed US actions in Venezuela — often citing PRC and Russian condemnations — as proof of an external threat from “Western aggressors.”[7] This narrative supports Pyongyang’s portrayal of its nuclear weapons as “self-defensive.”[8] North Korea is likely to further strengthen this justification and assess that states without nuclear capability or great-power backing are vulnerable, making prospects for complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization on the peninsula more difficult.

North Korea alleged that South Korean drones violated its airspace, which Pyongyang may use to further justify its anti-South narratives and sustain pressure against inter-Korean engagement. Seoul’s denial is consistent with the Lee Jae Myung administration’s de-escalatory posture. North Korea on January 10 claimed that South Korean drones violated its airspace in September 2025 and on January 4.[9] It released the images of the drone’s fuselage and flight records, arguing that the drone launched from a civilian-restricted area and therefore must have been operated by South Korean authorities.[10] South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) on January 10th rejected the allegation, stating that the military did not “operate drones on the dates North Korea claims.”[11] South Korean National Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back added that “the drone North Korea disclosed is not a model possessed by our military.”[12] WPK Propaganda and Agitation Department Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong on January 11 demanded that South Korea provide an explanation of the drone’s identity.[13] North Korea characterized the drone as a surveillance and reconnaissance asset and claimed it collected imagery using a high-resolution optical camera.

The Lee administration has criticized former President Yoon Suk-yeol for alleged drone infiltration into Pyongyang as a “military attack,” and claimed that, if the current military conducted a similar operation, it would conflict with its policy stance.[14] South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party has recently pursued de-escalatory measures, including legislation restricting civilian launches of propaganda leaflets toward North Korea.[15] South Korea can already monitor areas, such as Pyeongsan and Kaesong, through current satellite assets.[16] The operator of the drone has yet to be identified.

The Lee administration may view this incident as an opportunity for dialogue. National Defense Minister Ahn raised the possibility of a “joint inter-Korean investigation,” and President Lee has directed the government to establish a large-scale investigation team.[17] North Korea, however, is more likely to leverage the incident to reinforce its anti-South Korea position ahead of the 9th Party Congress in 2026. It may use the claim to justify strengthened domestic security and counter-reconnaissance measures against its perceived external threats. North Korea has remained silent on South Korea’s proposal for inter-Korean military talks in November 2025. It is unlikely to accept a joint investigation and could instead use the issue to sustain pressure on Seoul.

[The following text appeared in the China & Taiwan Update, January 9, 2026.] 

North Korea launched at least two “supersonic” ballistic missiles on January 4.[18] The timing of the launch may signal Pyongyang’s intention to further accelerate military development in the face of recent events, including the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the PRC–South Korea Summit.[19] The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office reported that two missiles, speculated as Hwasong 11-E, flew around 900km (559 miles) towards the East Sea (Sea of Japan).[20] South Korean national defense scholars speculated that the launch was intended to verify the missiles’ low-altitude gliding flight capability and operational range.[21] The launch was the first since November 7 and the third launch of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s term.[22] North Korea has conducted tests of various types of missiles every month since October 2025.[23] WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un also inspected tactical guided weapons and ordered an increase in their production on the day before the missile launch.[24] Hwasong-11E, a low-altitude ballistic missile, has a maximum range of 1,500km, which would allow it to strike targets anywhere in the Korean Peninsula and the main islands of Japan.[25] This type of missile also employs anomalous maneuverability similar to cruise missiles, which evade missile defense networks more effectively.[26]

Kim Jong Un’s visit to a missile factory occurred just after the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3 and just before President Lee’s visit to Beijing on January 5.[27] Kim Jong Un stated the need to enhance North Korea’s nuclear deterrence and development of missiles to respond to recent unspecified “geopolitical crises” and “complicated international events.”[28] The US capture of Maduro, essentially a “decapitation” operation against an anti-US regime, likely reinforced his belief that highly advanced asymmetric weapons and nuclear weapons are necessary to deter the United States and other advanced military powers. The launch also likely serves as an expression of North Korea discontent regarding the possibility of discussion of denuclearization during the summit between President Lee and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping. North Korea may justify this belief of the necessity of its self-defense through missile tests and other military developments. North Korean officials have stated repeatedly that Pyongyang will no longer negotiate with the United States until it drops its demand for denuclearization.

Key Takeaways

1. US-North Korean Relations Worsen: North Korea is likely to continue its “self-defensive” nuclear development following the US military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3. North Korea’s fears of “Western aggression” will likely reduce the likelihood of renewed US-North Korea dialogue.
2. Inter-Korean Relations Worsen: North Korea alleged that South Korean drones violated its airspace on January 10, which Pyongyang may use to further anti-South Korea narratives. South Korea denied North Korea’s accusations, which is consistent with the Lee Jae Myung administration’s de-escalatory posture.
3. North Korean Ballistic Missile Tests: North Korea launched at least two “supersonic” ballistic missiles on January 4. The timing of the launch may signal Pyongyang’s intention to continue its military development amid US actions in Venezuela and PRC-South Korean dialogue.

North Korean Domestic Politics

WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un’s 2025 public schedule was his most extensive since 2015.[29] Kim conducted 118 public activities in 2025, the most since his 155 appearances in 2015.[30] Kim’s public appearances previously peaked at 227 in 2013, after he succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, in December 2011.[31] These numbers followed a steady downward trend until they reversed after recording 55 appearances in 2020 during the COVID-19 period.[32] Kim Jong Un’s public appearances remain relatively uncommon, and his appearance at particular events and locations communicates Kim’s governing priorities. Kim’s 2025 activity placed a greater emphasis on public events and military developments, likely to preview the WPK’s announcement of significant achievements in those sectors prior to the 9th Party Congress.

Kim will likely participate extensively in more domestic activities in alignment with the new agenda of the 9th Party Congress. Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, will likely serve an even more prominent role in North Korean affairs in 2026, given the rapid increase in her public appearances in the last few years. 2025 marked the final year of the five-year plans for “National Economic Development” and “Defense Science and Weapon System,” which were enacted during the 8th Party Congress in 2021.[33] Pyongyang will unveil new economic and defense strategies at the 9th Congress.[34] Kim is likely signaling the “successful” conclusion of these plans to internal audiences by appearing at more domestic events. Kim Jong Un placed a particular emphasis on self-reliance for the North Korean population and regional self-sufficiency by attending events related to North Korean industry and manufacturing, such as the December 18 completion ceremony for an industrial factory.[35] Kim may intend to solidify his authority by demonstrating that the regime has achieved a degree of “self-reliance,” the core pillar of the five-year plans.[36] Kim is also likely seeking to manage domestic discontent, as indicated by his attendance at welfare events in flood-stricken areas.[37]

Kim will likely attend more domestic events in 2026 to promote “self-reliance” under his new economic and defense plans. Kim will likely simultaneously seek to strengthen North Korea’s close cooperation with Russia and the PRC, likely as a way to signal North Korean strength to foreign audiences. Pyongyang very likely intends to strengthen its advanced technology capabilities through exchanges with the PRC and Russia.

Kim’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, will also serve an even more prominent public role. Kim Ju Ae has appeared in public more than 600 times as of November 2025, since her debut in November 2022.[38] Kim Jong Un seeks to enhance his image as a “father of the people” and mitigate negative public perceptions of Kim Ju Ae through showcasing his activities with his daughter. Kim Ju Ae’s public appearance also suggests Kim Jong Un intends to secure a stable power transition, unlike the troubled process he had to go through.

Kim Jong Un’s New Years messaging focused on the rule of law­, missile modernization, regional industrial development, and gave tribute to North Korean troops dispatched to Russia. North Korea held a ceremony commemorating the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the North Korean Socialist Constitution on December 27. WPK officials vowed to “defend the socialist ideal and system” in accordance with the Constitution, and North Korean state media credited Kim Jong Un with establishing the “people-first principle.”[39] The “people-first principle” is a North Korean political concept that prioritizes citizens’ interests in party policymaking.[40] The Kim regime exploits the concept as a key legitimizing mechanism to reinforce a supreme leader-centered authoritarian rule. North Korea replaced the Kim Jong Il-era “Songun (military-first) politics” to “people-first principle” at the 8th Party Congress in 2021 as a defining ideology of Kim Jong Un.[41] Kim also oversaw a series of military activities, including a “strategic cruise missile” and “supersonic missile” launches on December 28 and January 4, respectively, and missile production facilities on December 28 and January 3. He then inspected the construction of a memorial for North Korean troops who died fighting in Russia on January 5.[42] Other public appearances by Kim included a hospital opening ceremony in Nampo on December 29 and a large-scale greenhouse construction site in Shinuiju on January 2.

Kim’s public appearances from late December through early January conveyed a set of domestic messages spanning economic management to national defense. His New Year messaging prioritized reinforcing party loyalty and highlighting his achievements as a leader. The emphasis on adherence to the Socialist Constitution may appear to signal strengthened judicial authority, but in North Korea, the constitution and legal system function to prescribe and enforce citizen behavior rather than to act “as checks” on the leader’s power.[43] North Korean state media’s reinforcement of the “people-first principle” thus demands that citizens accept Kim’s claim that his rule serves their interests. Kim’s visit to a greenhouse construction site under the “20×10 Development Plan” similarly frames his economic initiatives as efforts to improve living conditions, further reinforcing the “people-first principle” narrative. Military-related events such as a missile launch, a weapons factory inspection, and the construction of a memorial site for troops killed in Russia likely function to showcase North Korea’s expanding military capabilities and footprint, while portraying Kim’s leadership as strengthening national power for a domestic audience.

North Korean Military Developments

See topline section.

North Korean Foreign Relations

North Korean state media accused Japan on January 6 of plotting “reinvasion” following the approval of its largest-ever defense budget.[44] North Korean concerns over Japanese “militarism” may lead to increased North Korean military activity directed at Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on December 26 that Japan’s 2026 defense budget would reach a record-high nine trillion yen (58 billion US dollars), a 3.8 percent increase from the current fiscal year.[45] Japan primarily seeks to enhance its strike-back capabilities and coastal defenses amid a period of increased tensions with North Korea and the PRC. The report cited Japan’s launch of a new attack submarine, the mass production of new surface-to-ship missiles, and the recent defense buildup as the sources of their concern.[46] The report stated that these capabilities were intended for preemptive strikes, thus posing significant risks to regional security. North Korea accused Japan of reviving its “past militarism,” echoing typical rhetoric drawing parallels between Japan’s imperial past and modern-day Japanese policy. The article threatened “strong retaliation by neighboring countries” if Japan continued its defense buildup efforts.[47] North Korean protests of Japanese military expansion are typically purely rhetorical, as in this instance.[48] North Korea is increasingly seeking to enhance its own military capabilities and present itself as a military power, however. North Korea may seek to expand its military activity, unilateral and combined, around Japan to protest Japanese military advancement and project power in the Indo-Pacific region.

North Korean Influence Operations

Nothing significant to report.

Inter-Korean Relations

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing on January 5.[49] Lee urged the PRC to play an intermediary role in facilitating inter-Korean dialogue, though the PRC is unlikely to assume such a role. Lee and Xi called for joint efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. Neither side publicly referenced North Korea’s nuclear weapons program in their remarks or readouts.[50] South Korea’s National Security Council Director Wi Sung-lak stated that the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of resuming dialogue with North Korea and that the PRC expressed its intention to play a “constructive” role in supporting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.[51]

Lee on January 7 cited previous South Korean governments’ “military attacks” toward North Korea for heightening the regime’s hostility and emphasized the need for de-escalation.[52] Lee added that he has asked the PRC to communicate South Korea’s intention of respecting North Korea’s “regime stability” alongside short-term goals of “offering compensation” in exchange for halting further nuclear weapons production.[53] Lee clarified that his administration views follow-up reduction and complete denuclearization as the end goal and that the PRC shared “sympathy” toward this strategy.[54]

The Lee administration likely assesses that a “small deal” to freeze North Korea’s nuclear program first through a normalization of dialogue is the most feasible approach in the absence of Pyongyang’s unwillingness to abandon its nuclear program. This strategy aligns with Lee’s E.N.D. initiative (exchange, normalization, and denuclearization) that seeks to advance denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”[55] Lee appears to reject a maximum-pressure approach in favor of building domestic and international consensus around confidence-building measures. Lee also likely views the PRC as a key channel of communication with Pyongyang, though whether Beijing will meet these expectations remains uncertain.

Beijing has at times assumed a mediating role in inter-Korean relations, serving as chair of the Six-Party Talks from 2003 to 2008, and has since expressed general support for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.[56] The PRC’s interests appear to have diverged following the deepening Russia–North Korea alignment after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, however.[57] The PRC also stopped explicitly referencing denuclearization following the September 3 Xi–Kim summit. Such a trend signals that the PRC is less likely to act as a committed mediator and convey Seoul’s intentions or encourage Pyongyang to engage in inter-Korean dialogue.[58]

South Korean Domestic Politics

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung saw his approval rating increase nearly three percentage points during the second week of January. South Korean polling agency Realmeter reported that Lee’s approval rating surged to 56.8 percent, a 2.7 percent increase from the previous week.[59] Lee’s disapproval rating simultaneously dropped 3.6 percentage points to 37.8 percent.[60] Realmeter attributed the increase primarily to the Lee administration’s diplomatic efforts, including the summit between Lee and the CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping as a primary driver for this positive shift.[61] Realmeter also noted that economic developments, and achievements such as the KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index) reaching an all-time high, further bolstered Lee’s approval ratings. Gallup polling also stated that the administration’s diplomatic efforts positively influenced public opinion.[62] Gallup did not conduct surveys during the fifth week of December and the first week of January due to holidays.

Counter-North Korean Coalition Building Efforts

The United States signaled stricter sanctions enforcement on North Korea on January 7. The United States and South Korea appear to be pursuing divergent approaches to North Korea. The United States on January 7 seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that departed Iran and was en route to Venezuela.[63] US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said Iran, Russia, and North Korea should take note that Washington now has “a president who actually enforces sanctions.”[64] This signaling is consistent with previous US efforts to seek UN sanctions designations in November 2025 against vessels transporting North Korean coal and iron ore and requests for additional UN sanctions on Pyongyang in December 2025.[65] The PRC and Russia blocked US efforts at the UN Security Council, however.

South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung administration has pursued a more conciliatory and engagement-oriented approach toward North Korea. Lee has encouraged Trump to act as a “peacemaker” by leveraging his personal relationship with Kim Jong Un, including ideas such as a “Trump world” tower at the Wonsan-Kalma resort during their June 2025 summit.[66] Lee appears to view US involvement in reducing hostility as a critical component of diplomatic confidence building aimed at drawing North Korea into dialogue. South Korea’s Ministry of Unification (MOU) Chung Dong-young on December 19 suggested partial sanctions relief on North Korea, though the proposal has faced resistance from security-focused Cabinet members.[67]

Acting US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim stepped down in January 2026, causing further gaps in US diplomatic representation. Deputy Chief of Mission James R. Heller will serve as charge d’affaires ad interim.[68] The Trump administration has yet to nominate ambassadors to South Korea and several other key US allies. The precedent from Trump’s first term — when the Seoul envoy post remained vacant for 17 months — suggests that a prolonged gap in diplomatic representation is possible. These developments may complicate allied coordination on North Korea policy.[69] United States-South Korea policy signals toward Pyongyang risk losing coherence amid an absence in diplomatic channels and coordinated strategy.

Endnotes:

[1] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260104041551504?section=nk/news/all

[2] https://nk.news1 dot kr/news/articles/6028655

[3] https://nk.news1 dot kr/news/articles/6028540

[4] https://www.koreadaily dot com/article/20260104021846192

[5] https://www.upi dot com/Top_News/World-News/2019/01/28/North-Korea-throws-support-behind-Venezuelas-Maduro-regime/3891548692065/

[6] https://www.upi dot com/North-Korea-media-Kim-Yong-Nam-signs-agreements-in-Venezuela/2831543594067/; https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20200729008100072?input=1195m

[7] http://www.rodong.rep dot kp/ko/index.php?MTJAMjAyNS0xMi0yOS0wMzRAMTVAMkBAMEAyM0A==; http://www.rodong.rep dot kp/ko/index.php?MTJAMjAyNS0xMi0yNy0wMzJAMTVAMkBAMEAyMEA==

[8] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20170822171851109

[9] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260110010052504?section=nk/news/all

[10] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260110010052504?section=nk/news/all

[11] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260110041551504?section=nk/news/all

[12] https://nk.news1 dot kr/news/articles/6034685

[13] https://www.nknews dot org/2026/01/north-korea-demands-explanation-from-seoul-on-drone-incursions-rejects-rebuke/; https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260111006600504?section=nk/news/all

[14] https://www.youtube dot com/watch?v=MD898wDxAyU; https://www.news1 dot kr/politics/assembly/5566544; https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/diplomacy/1238592.html

[15] https://www.chosun dot com/politics/politics_general/2025/12/15/AX2KWYH2VVFDTOVSYTE4IKD3LE/

[16] https://nk.news1 dot kr/news/articles/6035104

[17] https://www.youtube dot com/watch?v=MD898wD

xAyU; https://www.news1 dot kr/politics/assembly/5566544; https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/diplom

acy/1238592.html

[19] h

ttps://www.chosun dot com/politics/politics_general/2025/12/15/AX2KWYH2VVFDTOVSYTE4IKD3

LE/

[21] https://nk.news1 dot kr/news/articles/6035104

FV2OG5MU/

[22] https://www.joongang.co dot kr/article/25394903; https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260104012051504

[23] https://understandingwar.org/research/china-taiwan/china-taiwan-update-january-2-2026/

[24] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260104005600504

[25] https://www.munhwa dot com/article/11558370

[26] https://www.joongang.co dot kr/article/25394995

[27] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260104012051504

[28] https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1767560997-348064374/hypersonic-missile-launching-drill-conducted-in-dprk/

[29] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20251227032000504?input=1195m

[30] https://www.kinu.or dot kr/nksdb/?page=2&startDate=&endDate=&category=&keyword=%EC%A4%91%EA%B5%AD&orderKey=date&orderDirection=DESC

[31] https://www.kinu.or dot kr/nksdb/?page=2&startDate=&endDate=&category=&keyword=%EC%A4%91%EA%B5%AD&orderKey=date&orderDirection=DESC

[32] https://www.kinu.or dot kr/nksdb/?page=2&startDate=&endDate=&category=&keyword=%EC%A4%91%EA%B5%AD&orderKey=date&orderDirection=DESC;

[33] https://nkinfo.unikorea.go dot kr/nkp/knwldg/view/knwldg.do;jsessionid=d1XyZr30h4dt6YaNnqmPHK1sSLdRh7Oy8PeCrFuI.ins22?menuId=NK_KNWLDG_DICARY&knwldgNo=160; https://www.newsis dot com/view/?id=NISX20210916_0001586597&cID=10301&pID=10300

[34] https://www.dailynk dot com/9%EC%B0%A8-%EB%8B%B9%EB%8C%80%ED%9A%8C-%EA%B9%80%EC%A0%95%EC%9D%80-%ED%86%B5%EC%B9%98-%EC%95%88%EC%A0%95%EC%97%90-%EB%AC%B4%EA%B2%8C-%EC%B2%AD%EB%85%84%ED%86%B5%EC%A0%9C%C2%B7%EC%A1%B0/

[35] https://biz.chosun dot com/international/international_general/2025/12/19/H7UXV72SL5DPDJBU6P7CLNOAEQ/

[36] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20250908066200504

[37] https://www.news1 dot kr/nk/politics-diplomacy/5867083; https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/defense/1174319.html

[38] https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/visual-investigation-is-north-korea-s-princess-walking-a-path-toward-succession; https://www.chosun dot com/english/north-korea-en/2025/11/26/LQXN4QYQZ5FUBGSFZDYDPJSAHY/

[39] http://www.rodong.rep dot kp/ko/index.php?MTJAMjAyNS0xMi0yOC0wMTVAMUAyQEAwQDE2QA

[40] https://nkinfo.unikorea.go dot kr/nkp/knwldg/view/knwldg.do;jsessionid=dxH9xrTtamPEZUlusRMNJHmjsA_3alD2p1rAYXWm.ins22

[41] https://unikorea.go dot kr/ebook/whitepaper/white_2025/index.html#p=1

[42] https://nk.news1 dot kr/news/articles/6029999

[43] https://www.nknews dot org/2025/12/north-korea-celebrates-constitution-day-removes-socialist-from-holiday-name/

[44] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260106029200504?section=nk/news/all

[45] https://apnews.com/article/japan-defense-spending-china-missile-221b2cb5da0760d6e07f63ac01deba93

[46] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260106029200504?section=nk/news/all

[47] https://www.koreaherald dot com/article/10601736

[48] https://www.koreaherald dot com/article/10536297

[49] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260105157600001?section=politics/all&site=topnews01

[50] https://www.segye dot com/newsView/20260106515551?OutUrl=naver

[51] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260105157600001?section=politics/all&site=topnews01

[52] https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/diplomacy/1238592.html

[53] https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/diplomacy/1238592.html

[54] https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/diplomacy/1238592.html

[55] https://www.mofa.go dot kr/eng/wpge/m_5477/contents.do

[56] https://www.archives.go dot kr/next/newsearch/listSubjectDescription.do?id=010094&sitePage=

[57] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260105158000504?section=nk/news/all

[58] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20251002004000072

[59] http://www.realmeter dot net/%ec%97%90%eb%84%88%ec%a7%80%ea%b2%bd%ec%a0%9c%ec%8b%a0%eb%ac%b8-%eb%a6%ac%ec%96%bc%eb%af%b8%ed%84%b0-1%ec%9b%94-2%ec%a3%bc-%ec%b0%a8-%ec%a3%bc%ea%b0%84-%eb%8f%99%ed%96%a5-%e6%9d%8e-%eb%8c%80/?ckattempt=1

[60] http://www.realmeter dot net/%ec%97%90%eb%84%88%ec%a7%80%ea%b2%bd%ec%a0%9c%ec%8b%a0%eb%ac%b8-%eb%a6%ac%ec%96%bc%eb%af%b8%ed%84%b0-1%ec%9b%94-2%ec%a3%bc-%ec%b0%a8-%ec%a3%bc%ea%b0%84-%eb%8f%99%ed%96%a5-%e6%9d%8e-%eb%8c%80/?ckattempt=1

[61] http://www.realmeter dot net/%ec%97%90%eb%84%88%ec%a7%80%ea%b2%bd%ec%a0%9c%ec%8b%a0%eb%ac%b8-%eb%a6%ac%ec%96%bc%eb%af%b8%ed%84%b0-1%ec%9b%94-2%ec%a3%bc-%ec%b0%a8-%ec%a3%bc%ea%b0%84-%eb%8f%99%ed%96%a5-%e6%9d%8e-%eb%8c%80/?ckattempt=1

[62] https://www.gallup.co dot kr/gallupdb/reportContent.asp?seqNo=1612

[63] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260109000251071

[64] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20260109000251071

[65] https://www.yna.co dot kr/view/AKR20251214012600073

[66] https://www.sedaily dot com/NewsView/2GWRWXTNNL

[67] https://www.hani.co dot kr/arti/politics/politics_general/1235562.html; https://www.koreaherald dot com/article/10650777

[68] https://www.koreaherald dot com/article/10650777

[69] https://www.koreaherald dot com/article/10650777

4. Death penalty sought for ex-President Yoon over insurrection

​Summary:

South Korean prosecutors moved to seek the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection tied to the January unrest that shook Seoul’s political class. The indictment alleges Yoon conspired with loyalists to mobilize supporters and security elements to overturn electoral outcomes. His defense rejects the charges as political theater and warns of democratic backsliding. South Korea has not carried out an execution since the late 1990s, so the demand is as symbolic as it is punitive. The hearings have reopened old fissures inside the conservative camp and raised uncomfortable questions about institutional resilience and the rule of law.

Comment: A troubling development. Koreans and specifically Korean political leaders should be asking how to have a fair trial that leads to healing or at least reducing the national divisions. Calling for the death penalty just seems to be an act of revenge and retribution and not justice. Even if only "symbolic," the question is how should justice be served and what is in the best interests of Korea?

World News Jan. 13, 2026 / 8:24 PM / Updated Jan. 13, 2026 at 8:24 PM

Death penalty sought for ex-President Yoon over insurrection

By Asia Today and translated by UPI

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/01/13/special-prosecutor-asked-death-penalty-for-ex-president-yoon/9911768353455/

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol enters a courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, 26 September 2025, to attend the first hearing of his second trial on martial law-related charges, appearing in public for the first time since he was placed under arrest in July. File. Photo by YONHAP /EPA

Jan. 13 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's special prosecutor on Tuesday asked a court to sentence former President Yoon Suk-yeol to death, calling him the leader of an insurrection tied to the Dec. 3 emergency martial law declaration.

At a final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25, the special prosecutor's office also sought life imprisonment for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, 30 years in prison for former intelligence commander Roh Sang-won and 20 years for former National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Ji-ho.

Special Prosecutor Park Eok-soo argued that Yoon and other defendants sought to monopolize power and pursue long-term rule by using martial law to seize legislative and judicial authority, disregarding the harm to the public. Park said the alleged conduct amounted to anti-state activity and a fundamental violation of national security and public welfare, citing what he called the purpose, means and execution of the plan.

Park said the case involved a grave constitutional breach, pointing to the alleged storming of the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and attempts to cut power and water to media outlets. He said those responsible should face stricter accountability than the punishment imposed on former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo to prevent a repeat of past history.

The special prosecutor's office described the Dec. 3 declaration as a serious constitutional destruction incident by anti-state forces and said the episode followed the first emergency martial law declaration in 45 years. It argued that strict punishment is necessary given the alleged impact on democratic and rule-of-law principles and the country's public trust and international standing.

During the hearing, Yoon spoke with his defense team and at times smiled, according to courtroom accounts. He showed a faint smile when prosecutors requested the death penalty.

Yoon's lawyers rejected the prosecution's claims. Attorney Kim Hong-il said the martial law declaration was a public appeal to the nation and argued that a presidential message urging citizens to uphold the Constitution cannot constitute an insurrection. He said prosecutors were distorting the intent behind the declaration.

The court is expected to issue a first-instance verdict by mid-February, after closing statements and final arguments conclude, according to the report.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

5. S. Korea considers restoring pact reducing military tension with N. Korea

​Summary:

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Seoul is debating whether to restore the 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction pact, suspended in 2024 amid heightened confrontation. He called restoration the government's direction but noted no decision yet. Wi also warned drone incursions into north Korea could violate law and the armistice.

Comment: Same question as previously asked: How might restoring this pact affect deterrence and crisis stability along the DMZ if north Korea remains on its current military trajectory? Why do we think the CMA will reduce tension? What evidence do we have that Kim Jong Un view this as tension reduction or simply as an opportunity to weaken ROK/US military readiness as well as to support his political warfare objectives to create friction within the alliance?

S. Korea considers restoring pact reducing military tension with N. Korea | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · January 14, 2026

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260114007800315?section=nk/nk

By Kim Eun-jung

NARA, Japan, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been considering restoring a suspended pact with North Korea on reducing military activities along their border and relevant discussions were under way, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday.

The pact was signed in 2018 between former President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but it was fully suspended in 2024 due to heightened tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac explains the outcome of President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a press briefing held at a hotel in Osaka on Jan. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)

Asked whether the government is moving to restore the pact, Wi replied that the government has been holding internal discussions, calling the effort the government's "basic direction."

"No final conclusion has been reached yet, and consultations are currently in progress," Wi told reporters.

Regarding Pyongyang's accusation that Seoul sent drones into the North on two occasions in September and earlier this month, Wi said the government is conducting an internal investigation to determine who was behind the alleged drone incursions.

If civilians are found to have sent the drones, Wi said it would "highly likely violate current law and constitute a breach of the armistice agreement, which would require appropriate measures and punishment."

ejkim@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · January 14, 2026

6. Businessmen with investments in N. Korea urge gov't to lift sanctions on inter-Korean projects

​Summary:

South Korean business groups tied to Kaesong and Mount Kumgang urged Seoul to scrap its 2010 unilateral ban on most economic cooperation with north Korea, arguing it crushed private investment while Pyongyang deepens trade with China and Russia. Even if eased, U.N. sanctions would still largely block meaningful projects resuming.

Comment: Could selectively lifting Seoul’s unilateral measures, while U.N. sanctions remain, give South Korea useful leverage over north Korea’s economy, or only create false expectations for southern investors? Or would it only help Kim Jong Un? Should ROK businessmen really want to contribute to Kim Jong Un's coffers? 

World News Jan. 14, 2026 / 3:48 AM

Businessmen with investments in N. Korea urge gov't to lift sanctions on inter-Korean projects

By Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/01/14/business-leaders-North-Korea-investment-lift-sanctions-Kaesong-industrial-complex/3171768379911/

Business leaders with investments in inter-Korean projects called Wednesday for lifting sanctions on doing business with North Korea. In this May 2023 photo, the Kaesong Industrial Complex is seen from the South Korean border city of Paju. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Businesspeople with investments in now-suspended inter-Korean projects on Wednesday called on the government to lift its unilateral sanctions imposed in 2010 that ban joint businesses with North Korea.

Ten organizations with interests in inter-Korean projects, including associations of investors in the once-thriving Kaesong Industrial Complex and the Mount Kumgang tourist zone, made the call at a press conference.

The businessmen were referring to far-reaching suspensions of joint economic projects with North Korea announced on May 24, 2010, under the former conservative Lee Myung-bak administration following the North's deadly torpedoing of the South Korean Navy frigate Cheonan in March that year.

Under the action, Seoul suspended trade, investment and all assistance programs with North Korea, except for humanitarian aid.

Related

• N. Korea slams UNSC meeting on Russia's strike on Ukraine
• U.N. North Korea rights rapporteur to visit South Korea in early Feb.
• N. Korea accuses S. Korea of drone incursions, warns Seoul 'pay price'

"The May 24 measures dealt a fatal blow to companies involved in inter-Korean economic projects and blocked all economic lifelines," an association official said.

"The government should open up the passage for the private sector and companies to do business legally at a time when dialogue between the South and North governments is difficult," the official added.

The businessmen pointed to North Korea's increasing economic projects with China and Russia, saying they also plan to engage in direct or indirect business with the North once the sanctions are lifted.

The call came as the unification ministry plans to consider lifting the 2010 sanctions as part of an effort to ease tensions with North Korea and resume dialogue.

Even if the sanctions are lifted, it would likely be only symbolic as international sanctions by the United Nations Security Council effectively prohibit doing business with Pyongyang.

Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.

7. Lee orders review of scrapped military pact with North Korea after drone claims

Summary:

Lee Jae Myung’s review of the scrapped 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement signals Seoul’s interest in calibrated tension management while facing north Korean drone provocations and threats of retaliation. NSA Wi stresses internal coordination, legal discipline, and deterrence, including punishment for civilian drone incursions that breach the Armistice. Critics warn restoration could become a one sided concession that hurts ROK soldier morale if Pyongyang exploits it without reciprocity. Framed correctly, a conditional CMA revival could preserve escalation control, sustain allied legitimacy, and support a long term ROK/US political warfare strategy that seeks gradual internal change in north Korea toward unification.

Comment: I could support this if, and only if, it was part of a coherent strategy focused on the ultimate objectives for the Korean peninsula - solving the "Korea question."

How can a revised CMA be structured to enhance deterrence and crisis stability while denying Pyongyang leverage to constrain allied surveillance and readiness?

How should Seoul and Washington message any restoration so it supports information and influence operations aimed at the Korean people in the north rather than validating regime propaganda?

What concrete political warfare initiatives toward a free and unified Korea should be paired with CMA restoration so it is a strategic platform for change, not a symbolic concession?

Lee orders review of scrapped military pact with North Korea after drone claims

Drone flights into the DPRK by South Korean civilians would be an armistice breach subject to punishment, Seoul says

Jeongmin Kim | Jooheon Kim January 14, 2026

https://www.nknews.org/2026/01/lee-orders-review-of-scrapped-military-pact-with-north-korea-after-drone-claims/

President Lee Jae-myung and a Rodong Sinmun photo showing an alleged ROK drone near Kaesong on Sept. 27, 2025 | Image: ROK Presidential Office (Aug. 2, 2025), Rodong Sinmun (Jan. 10, 2026), edited by NK News

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered officials to “review” the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement scrapped by his predecessor, just days after North Korea warned of tit-for-tat retaliation for alleged ROK drone intrusions.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Wi Sung-lac confirmed that the government was exploring the pact’s possible restoration, speaking at a press conference in Osaka on Wednesday after Lee’s summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

“We are reviewing the restoration of the Sept. 19, 2018 Inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), and we are also conducting the necessary discussions,” he said. “It’s the government’s direction, and that is also guidance given by the president.”

Wi cautioned, however, that restoring the CMA involves multiple objectives and would require careful coordination and calibration.

“For that reason, there is nothing I can say immediately,” he said. “This includes internal coordination of views, as well as how we would respond to issues that could spiral out as a result. We would also need to establish a kind of backup plan. I believe this will take time.”

The CMA established a host of initiatives meant to lower tensions at the border, including creating no-fly zones and placing restrictions on live-fire artillery drills.

South Korea initially suspended the no-fly provision of the CMA in Nov. 2023 after North Korea successfully placed its first military spy satellite in orbit.

Pyongyang subsequently announced that it was abandoning the entire agreement, and Seoul later suspended the entirety of the CMA in June 2024.

Then-President Moon Jae-in arrives at Pyongyang Sunan Airport on the morning of Sept. 18, 2018 for the Inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang. | Image: Inter-Korea Summit joint press pool

Cha Du-hyeogn, vice president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told NK News that Wi’s announcement suggests Seoul is willing to continue engaging with North Korea, even if Pyongyang accuses the ROK of flying drones into the country. 

“It seems Seoul plans to stick with its policy, regardless of North Korea’s refusal to engage,” he said.

But Cha described the proposal as meaningless because the DPRK is unlikely to accept the CMA, and characterized a potential restoration as a “one-sided giveaway.”

“Kim Yo Jong said they hadn’t even stopped the propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts,” he said, adding that the policy could also seriously undermine the morale of ROK soldiers.

The Blue House’s reconsideration of the pact comes days after North Korea’s ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported Saturday on multiple alleged South Korean drone intrusions into the North last fall and earlier this year — both allegedly after Lee was inaugurated.

South Korea’s military denied the allegation and said it was investigating the claims. Whoever sent the drones, including potential civilians, breached the Armistice Agreement and should be punished, Wi said Wednesday. 

“We understand that neither the military nor the government carried this out,” he said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, said in a statement on Sunday that while it was “wise” of South Korea’s defense ministry to blame civilians for the incident, Seoul still bears responsibility due its violation of the North’s sovereignty. She warned that an unsatisfactory response by Seoul would prompt North Korean “civilian organizations” to send unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into the South.

Kim issued another statement late Tuesday demanding that Seoul apologize for the incursions and threatening to make it pay an “unbearable price” if drone flights continue.

Kim Yo Jong speaking during a party meeting | Image: KCTV (Aug. 11, 2022)

A DEEPER LOOK

Asked about North Korea’s allegations during Wednesday’s press conference, Wi said that “sending drones from the civilian sector carries a very high likelihood of violating existing laws.” 

The alleged incident “is not something we can simply overlook, he said, stating that Seoul is investigating the matter not solely because of Pyongyang’s claims.

Wi emphasized that South Korea is still in the fact-finding phase and not at a stage of bilateral coordination with North Korea on the matter.

“We must look at this comprehensively — not only in terms of possible points of dialogue with North Korea, but also within the legal framework, the armistice framework and the goal of reducing inter-Korean tensions,” he said. 

“That consideration also includes the fact that North Korea has sent drones into the South in the past — to the Blue House, to Yongsan, and in numerous other cases — which also constituted violations of the Armistice Agreement.”

ROK National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac | Image: Screenshot from Wi Sung-lac’s Facebook page

Wi downplayed the idea that the drone allegations could serve as an opportunity for inter-Korean engagement, appearing to push back against statements by the unification ministry.

“There may be various forms of wishful thinking, or attempts to interpret the situation in ways favorable to us,” he said. “But when it comes to North Korea, we must respond calmly” due to its strong stance on rejecting all dialogue with South Korea and the U.S. 

Edited by David Choi

8. Russia raises quota for North Korean students eligible for free college

​Summary:

Russia sharply increased free university slots for north Korean students to 170 in 2026, more than triple the 2024 quota, while using “student” status to mask large scale labor deployments. Officials say DPRK students focus on technical fields at key Russian universities, but over 8,600 student visas in 2024 and at least 13,000 arrivals show a broader flow of workers disguised as trainees. Human rights organizations estimate around 15,000 north Koreans toil in Russia under exploitative conditions, with heavy wage deductions that likely fund the Kim regime. At the same time, Moscow is pushing Russian language and culture in north Korea through expanded educational cooperation and a planned “Russian House.”

Comment: I guess there are others who have immigration problems and misuse of student visas for work. 

Russia raises quota for North Korean students eligible for free college

70% on-year increase comes as Russia brings in thousands of DPRK nationals on student visas to work illegally

Anton Sokolin January 14, 2026

https://www.nknews.org/2026/01/russia-raises-quota-for-north-korean-students-eligible-for-free-college/

North Korean university students in Pyongyang in Oct. 2016 | Image: NK News

Russia has increased its quota for North Korean students eligible for free higher education to 170 for 2026, according to a top official, even as data shows thousands of DPRK nationals entering the country “for study” while working at construction sites and factories.

Pavel Shevtsov, deputy head of Rossotrudnichestvo, told the state-run RIA Novosti last week that the quota would increase from the 2025 limit of 100 eligible students. Rossotrudnichestvo is a federal agency in charge of promoting Russian culture overseas.

The quota has now increased more than threefold from 2024, when Russia allocated 52 seats in response to requests from Pyongyang, according to Russian officials. Roughly 180 North Koreans were attending Russian universities as of early 2025, Russia’s deputy education minister said at a forum in May.

Rossotrudnichestvo chief Yevgeny Primakov said in June that DPRK students were mainly pursuing technical fields, studying at Far Eastern Federal University, Irkutsk Technical University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University and universities in Kazan. 

Russia has seen a surge of North Korean nationals entering the country for purported educational purposes while working for Russian employers.

Authorities reported more than 13,000 DPRK citizens entered the country in 2024, nearly 8,000 of them citing education as their reason for entry. Moscow issued over 8,600 student visas that year.

Russia abruptly stopped publishing data on North Korean nationals entering the country after releasing figures for the first quarter of 2025.

NK Pro previously found that Russia uses student visas to pass North Korean laborers off as “trainees,” allowing them to work for Russian firms despite international sanctions banning DPRK nationals from earning income overseas.

The scheme relies on a Moscow college, sanctioned by South Korea, that receives kickbacks for arranging visas, as well as a recruitment agency with ties to senior officials overseeing Russia-DPRK economic cooperation.

Human rights activists estimate that around 15,000 North Koreans were employed in Russia as of last year, raising worries that many face exploitative or “slavery-like” working conditions and continuous wage deductions.

Meanwhile, Moscow and Pyongyang have expanded cooperation in education, with the Russian language becoming mandatory across DPRK schools. Russia also seeks to expand its soft power foothold in North Korea with a new “Russian House.”

Russian Houses are Rossotrudnichestvo’s overseas branches tasked with promoting Russian culture and advancing the Kremlin’s agenda abroad.

The EU slapped sanctions on the agency for its role in spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022. Along with its Russian Houses, Rossotrudnichestvo has faced repeated scrutiny over alleged ties to Russian intelligence and controversial activities in Azerbaijan, Germany and Kyrgyzstan.

Edited by David Choi

9. Defense chief urges efforts to back S. Korea's goal of No. 4 arms exporter

​Summary:

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back urged whole-of-government support to make South Korea the world’s fourth-largest arms exporter by 2030, targeting $20 billion and 6 percent of the global market. Arms exports rebounded to over $15 billion in 2025 after falling from a 2022 record, driven by K9 howitzers and K2 tanks.

Comment: A partner in the Arsenal of Democracies.

Defense chief urges efforts to back S. Korea's goal of No. 4 arms exporter | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · Lee Minji · January 14, 2026

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260114008800315

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Wednesday called for efforts to boost arms exports as South Korea seeks to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter by 2030.

"We are now racing to become (one of) the world's top four countries in the arms industry," Ahn said in a policy briefing session, also attended by the chiefs of the state arms procurement agency and senior military officials.

"We are at a stage that requires an array of means to accomplish the goal, from export support to military diplomacy," he said.

Ahn's remarks came as South Korea has been seeking to diversify export designations and the type of arms exports amid a sharp rise in exports of key weapons systems, such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the K2 battle tank.

South Korea plans to export US$20 billion worth of arms products by 2030 to account for 6 percent of the global market, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

In Wednesday's session, DAPA Minister Lee Yong-cheol confirmed that South Korea saw its arms exports exceed $15 billion last year, snapping a second straight yearly decline.

"(South Korea) achieved (arms) exports of over $15 billion in 2025, marking a rebound in exports, in a move improving the profitability of companies and strengthening their foothold for growth."

South Korea logged a record $17.3 billion worth of arms exports in 2022 in the wake of the war in Ukraine but saw the figure fall to $13 billion and $9.6 billion in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

This Jan. 12, 2026, file photo shows Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · Lee Minji · January 14, 2026

10. Lee returns home from Japan trip focused on deepening ties

​Summary:

President Lee Jae Myung returned from a two-day Japan visit focused on “future-oriented cooperation” and renewed shuttle diplomacy with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. They reaffirmed joint commitment to Korean Peninsula denuclearization, discussed Seoul’s CPTPP bid and Japan’s food safety concerns, agreed on DNA analysis of forced-labor remains, and deepened personal rapport through informal events.

Comment: Seems like a successful trip. Good ROK-Japan relations are in the US interests.

(LEAD) Lee returns home from Japan trip focused on deepening ties | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · January 14, 2026

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260114010251315

(ATTN: CHANGES photo)

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung returned home Wednesday after a two-day trip to Japan, during which he held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on ways to broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation amid tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.

Lee met Takaichi in her hometown of Nara, marking his second visit to Japan and his fifth summit with a Japanese prime minister since taking office in June last year. It was their second summit following their first meeting in South Korea's Gyeongju in late October.

President Lee Jae Myung (L) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung arrive at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Jan. 14, 2026, returning from their trip to Japan. (Yonhap)

During Tuesday's talks, the two leaders agreed to advance "future-oriented cooperation" through reciprocal leader-level visits, dubbed "shuttle diplomacy."

They reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while Lee also emphasized the need for Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing to find common ground for cooperation in Northeast Asia.

Sensitive issues, including South Korea's ban on Japanese seafood imports, were raised as Seoul seeks to join the 12-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is led by Japan.

President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung (R) arrive at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Jan. 14, 2026, returning from their trip to Japan. (Yonhap)

While South Korea reiterated its bid to join the pact, Japan explained its position on food safety, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said, adding that further working-level consultations are needed.

The summit also addressed historical issues that have long weighed on bilateral ties. Seoul and Tokyo agreed to conduct DNA analysis to identify remains discovered last August at the Chosei undersea coal mine in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a flood in 1942 killed 183 people, including 136 Korean forced laborers.

Lee's visit also provided opportunities for the two leaders to build personal rapport through lighthearted moments, including an impromptu drum session, exchanging gifts and touring Horyu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site known to have been influenced by the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje.

ejkim@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · January 14, 2026

11.  S. Korea reaffirms bid to join trans-Pacific trade pact at Lee-Takaichi summit | Yonhap News Agency

​Summary:

South Korea reaffirmed its bid to join the CPTPP during the Lee–Takaichi summit, while Japan pressed Seoul over its Fukushima-related seafood ban. The leaders discussed supply-chain resilience amid China’s export curbs, trilateral coordination with the U.S., and agreed on DNA analysis of Chosei mine remains to advance humanitarian historical cooperation.

Comment: This is one of the biggest strategic mistakes for the US in the 21st Century. We should have never withdrawn from this.

(LEAD) S. Korea reaffirms bid to join trans-Pacific trade pact at Lee-Takaichi summit | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · January 14, 2026

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260114006151315?section=national/politics

(ATTN: ADDS remarks, details, photo)

By Kim Eun-jung

NARA, Japan, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has reaffirmed its bid to join the trans-Pacific trade pact during the summit talks between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee's top security adviser said Wednesday.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac told reporters that relevant government departments were expected to discuss the matter to join the 12-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

During the Lee-Takaichi summit, South Korea and Japan also discussed Seoul's ban on seafood from eight Japanese prefectures imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Wi said.

With regard to South Korea's ban on seafood imports from Japan, Wi said, "There was an explanation from the Japanese side about food safety."

Wi said the South Korean side "listened to this explanation."

Before the summit with Takaichi, Lee told Japan's NHK public broadcaster that the issue of South Korea's ban on seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures needs to be addressed "over the long term," because it requires the trust of the Korean people.

South Korea imposed the ban in 2013 over radiation concerns following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and has vowed to keep the restrictions in place until public concerns are fully eased.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L), accompanied by Shokaku Furuya, chief of Horyu-ji, a World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple founded in the seventh century, tour the temple in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)

Supply chain issues were on the agenda as the meeting came days after China imposed restrictions on exports of "dual-use" items with potential military applications to Japan, raising concerns that Beijing could potentially choke off supplies of rare earth minerals critical to high-tech manufacturing.

During the talks, the two leaders shared a consensus on cooperation in establishing stable supply chains, Wi said, without going into details about whether they specifically discussed Beijing's export controls.

While the two leaders discussed ways to bolster trilateral cooperation with Washington, the issue of three-way cooperation with Beijing was also raised, Wi said, adding that the discussions were not "targeted at any specific country."

Their summit, the second in less than three months, also produced progress on historical issues stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea.

Seoul and Tokyo agreed to conduct DNA analysis to identify remains discovered last August at the Chosei undersea coal mine in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture, where a flood in 1942 killed 183 people, including 136 Korean forced laborers.

The issue of the Chosei coal mine was the first item raised by Takaichi during Tuesday's talks, Wi said, noting the two leaders agreed to "strengthen humanitarian cooperation related to historical issues."

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac explains the outcome of President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a press briefing held at a hotel in Osaka on Jan. 14, 2026. (Yonhap)

ejkim@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · January 14, 2026

12. Japan hints at addressing historical issues: security adviser

​Summary:

Japan’s prime minister opened the Lee–Takaichi summit by raising the 1942 Josei coal mine disaster, signaling rare Japanese initiative on historical issues. Seoul and Tokyo agreed to cooperate on DNA testing to identify Korean forced laborers’ remains, framing it as humanitarian work rooted in shared human rights values. Wi Sung-lac called this a first step toward easing long-running disputes over colonial-era abuses while building a “future oriented” partnership. The leaders also reaffirmed both ROK–US–Japan and Korea–Japan–China trilateral cooperation, discussed Seoul’s CPTPP bid, and addressed Fukushima seafood, with Tokyo stressing a science based approach and continued dialogue.

Comment: Some more good news but there is still a lot of ingrained history to overcome.

Japan hints at addressing historical issues: security adviser

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By Anna J. Park

• Published Jan 14, 2026 2:32 pm KST
• Updated Jan 14, 2026 6:20 pm KST
• 
  

Korea, Japan reaffirm trilateral cooperation involving China amid regional tensions

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20260114/japan-hints-at-addressing-historical-issues-security-adviser

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands at Horyuji Temple in Nara prefecture, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

OSAKA, Japan — The leaders of Korea and Japan showed commitment to making progress in addressing historical tragedies through humanitarian cooperation, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday.

Wi said the historical issue was one of key agenda items at the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi, held one day earlier.

According to Wi, the issue of identifying remains from the 1942 flooding accident at the Josei coal mine in Ube, Japan, which killed 183 laborers including 136 Koreans, was first proposed by the Japanese prime minister during the leaders’ one-on-one talks.

Historical issues such as the forced labor of Koreans during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea have long been points of contention between the two countries. It has been rare for a Japanese leader to be the first to raise the issues.

“The two sides agreed to cooperate at the relevant authorities’ level to conduct DNA testing to identify remains discovered last August at the site of the 1942 Josei coal mine flooding,” Wi said. “This was the first issue Prime Minister Takaichi raised during the bilateral meeting. She mentioned it before any other topic.”

Wi described cooperation on historical issues as an important first step toward fulfilling the long-standing wishes of bereaved families. He added that such efforts could also serve as a breakthrough for resolving historical disputes based on the universal values of human rights and humanitarianism shared by both countries.

“By addressing historical issues while simultaneously advancing cooperation for the future, Korea and Japan can grow genuinely closer and elevate the quality of their partnership,” Wi said.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac speaks during a press conference at a hotel in Osaka, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

Wi also said that the leaders reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation involving China. They discussed the issue amid ongoing tension between Japan and China since Takaichi's November remarks suggesting Japan could take military action if China were to attack Taiwan.

He noted that Lee in particular emphasized the value of both Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation as well as Korea-China-Japan trilateral cooperation.

"At summit discussions, it naturally included strengthening cooperation between Korea and Japan, as well as enhancing trilateral cooperation among Korea, the United States and Japan. The leaders also discussed ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Korea, Japan and China," Wi said.

“The leaders agreed that all parties must make efforts to ensure stability in Northeast Asia and to promote greater cooperation in the region,” he said. “President Lee expressed this position in particular,” he added, noting that Korea hosts the secretariat for the trilateral cooperation framework. From that standpoint, he explained, Seoul believes it is all the more important to further advance cooperation and shared prosperity in the region.

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speak at Horyuji Temple in Nara prefecture, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

He later added that Takaichi responded positively to those remarks.

Regarding the potential for Korea to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) — a free trade agreement connecting 12 economies — Wi said the two leaders exchanged views on Seoul’s overall approach, and shared an understanding that further consultations would be needed.

Regarding the issue of Japanese seafood imports, Wi said Japan provided explanations on food safety during the talks.

Foreign media also reported that Takaichi expressed a willingness to maintain communication between the two countries on Korea’s ban on seafood imports from Fukushima, stressing the need for a science-based approach.

Earlier this week, Lee said in an interview with broadcaster NHK ahead of the summit that the issue of importing Japanese seafood was likely to be a key agenda item, explaining that it would also be an important issue in securing Japan’s cooperation for Korea to join the CPTPP.

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung attend a meeting with members of the Korean community living in the Kansai region at a hotel in Nara prefecture, Japan, Wednesday. Yonhap

Regarding the next round of summit diplomacy, Wi said that while no decision has been finalized, an invitation for a reciprocal visit was extended in keeping with the spirit continuing visits. He added that possible locations for the next meeting were mentioned, including Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, which is the president's hometown.

“The question of where the next visit might take place came up in a light manner, and Andong was one of the places mentioned,” Wi said. “However, no decision has been made on whether the next visit would involve a regional destination, and that will require further discussion.”

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Lee, Takaichi visit UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara

By Anna J. Park

Anna J. Park

Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.

annajpark@koreatimes.co.kr

13. 'Korea should stand on Iranian people's side'

​Summary:

Iranian residents in Korea are pleading for Seoul and its citizens to support Iranians facing brutal crackdowns on nationwide anti-government unrest. They criticize Korea’s silence compared to Canada, France, and Germany, and urge cutting diplomatic and economic ties with Tehran. Interviewees say this is not a mere economic protest but a revolution against decades of repression. They draw direct parallels to Korea’s own Gwangju uprising and appeal to that legacy of hard-won democracy. With internet largely blacked out and casualty estimates far higher than official figures, their core request is simple: “Be our voice. Stand on the side of the Iranian people.”

Comment: Koreans in the South should not only stand with the Iranian people but with the Korean people in the north who deserve to live in a free and unified nation. 

'Korea should stand on Iranian people's side'

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By Lee Hae-rin

• Published Jan 14, 2026 4:00 pm KST
• Updated Jan 14, 2026 6:24 pm KST

Iranians residents urge support from Korean gov't, people as reports say thousands killed amid crackdowns

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20260114/korea-should-stand-on-iranian-peoples-side

Protesters attend a rally in Zuerich, Switzerland, Tuesday, in support of the mass demonstrations in Iran against the government. Nationwide anti-government protests, triggered by economic crisis and political repression, have taken place across Iran since December 2025, despite heavy crackdowns. EPA-Yonhap

Amid intensifying and often deadly crackdowns on anti-government demonstrations in Tehran and around Iran, some Iranian residents in Korea are pleading for both Korean government and citizen support for the Iranian people.

For Niusha, an Iranian national who has lived in Korea for six years, the current crisis has sparked questions about Korea's role in international affairs.

“I chose Korea because I believed in its commitment to human dignity,” Niusha told The Korea Times in a written interview. “But it is shocking to see a G7-level democracy remain silent while our people are being massacred.”

She pointed to the stark contrast between Seoul’s caution and the substantive diplomatic actions taken by other major democracies, including Canada, France and Germany, and urged Korea to cut ties with the current regime.

“Korea is a country that won democracy through sacrifice,” said Sarah, another Iranian who has lived here for eight years, who asked to be identified using an alias. “For that very reason, I sincerely hope it will neither remain silent nor stand by as a spectator. I earnestly ask that the Korean government and civil society stand on the side of the Iranian people who are demanding freedom, not on the side of an oppressive regime.”

Layla, also an alias, who has called Korea home for a decade, echoed that view.

“I believe the most basic help Korea can offer is to at least remove the Iranian Embassy in Korea, withdraw the Korean Embassy from Iran and cut economic and political ties with this brutal government.”

Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday. AP-Yonhap

They claim the international community is mischaracterizing the situation by calling it a “protest.”

“The biggest mistake is calling this a ‘protest’ over economic issues,” Sarah explained. “This is a revolution. It is a nationwide rejection of a system that has suppressed us for nearly half a century.”

They say the current uprising follows earlier crackdowns, including against the November 2019 fuel protests and the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.

In each instance, the Iranian state cut off the nation’s digital network to obscure the scale of crackdowns, according to reports from Amnesty International and the internet watchdog NetBlocks.

Mourners, sitting next to coffins during a funeral procession for members of security forces and civilians said to be killed in protests, Sunday, react to evolving anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this screengrab from a video. Reuters-Yonhap

Gwangju legacy

The interviewees urged Korea to offer solidarity based on its own democratic history. Layla linked the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising to the current situation in Tehran.

“The youth of Iran are standing before guns, shouting for the same freedom that Koreans fought for decades ago,” she said. “As a country built on the ruins of dictatorship, Korea has a moral obligation not to look away. We are asking the people of Gwangju’s legacy to be our voice while we are being silenced.”

The silencing is literal. As of Wednesday, while some international landlines have reportedly been restored, internet in Iran remains offline.

While the Iranian government claims there have been around 2,000 casualties, Persian-language media and human rights organizations report a figure closer to 12,000.

Through fragmented messages and calls routed through unstable lines, Iranians here in Korea have found accounts that rarely appear in headlines. “I heard that some families must pay huge sums just to receive the bodies of their loved ones,” Niusha said. “In other cases, authorities won’t allow funerals, or they quietly bury people at night without telling the family.

A woman walks past a mural of a dove in Tehran, Iran, in this April 25, 2024, file photo. EPA-Yonhap

‘Be our voice’

All three interviewees said the most common plea they receive from inside Iran is simple: “Be our voice.”

“Before the blackout, my friends kept telling me, ‘Please tell people what is happening. Don’t let the world forget us,’” Sarah said. “I cannot fight there with them, but I can speak here.”

“People inside and outside Iran are using the brief moments when the internet connects not to exchange personal updates, but to let the outside world know what is really happening in Iran,” Niusha said. “More than anything, when the lines finally open, the first words I want to hear are, ‘We won.’”

Despite their fear, each shared a vivid hope for the day they return home.

“The first thing I want to hear is my mother and father’s voices again,” Layla said.

For Sarah, freedom looks very simple. “No gunshots. No fear of raids at night. Just families holding each other in the street without worrying someone is watching. I want Koreans to know: Iranians are not dangerous people. We are educated, peaceful and brave — and right now, we are asking you to stand on the right side of history with us.”

The Korea Times reached out to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul for comment, but officials were not immediately available.

The embassy’s official website has also been taken offline. While the error message claims "undergoing scheduled maintenance and upgrades," tech experts contacted by The Korea Times said this is a direct result of the regime’s total internet blackout, which has disconnected domestic government servers from the global web.

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Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.

lhr@koreatimes.co.kr

​14. Kim Yo-jong shuts door on engagement after Seoul cites room for dialogue

​Summary:

Kim Yo Jong flatly rejected Seoul’s talk of possible engagement, calling hopes for repairing DPRK-ROK relations a “daydream” and insisting the current hostile status is permanent. Her statement reaffirmed Kim Jong Un’s “two hostile states” doctrine that treats the two Koreas as separate, adversarial countries, not parts of a divided nation. She also sought to undercut Seoul’s interpretation that her earlier comments on the alleged ROK drone incursion left space for dialogue. Analysts say Pyongyang is pressuring Seoul to admit, apologize, and prevent future incidents, while showing displeasure at President Lee’s recent summit diplomacy and calls for denuclearization.

Comment: The true nature of the most evil woman is revealed. Hardly a surprising comment. Yet there are those who cling to the belief that the regime wants to negotiate and engage.

Kim Yo-jong shuts door on engagement after Seoul cites room for dialogue

Published: 13 Jan. 2026, 23:56

Updated: 14 Jan. 2026, 16:23

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-01-13/national/northKorea/Kim-Yojong-shuts-door-on-engagement-after-Seoul-cites-room-for-dialogue/2499690

• 
  
• SEO JI-EUN
• seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, attending a wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi on March 2, 2019. [JOONGANG ILBO]

North Korea's Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un, late Tuesday dismissed prospects for improving inter-Korean relations, rejecting the South Korean government's assessment that her earlier remarks left room for engagement and calling such expectations a “daydream.”

"As far as Seoul’s various hope-filled wild dreams called ‘repair of DPRK-ROK relations’ are concerned, they all can never come true,” Kim said in an English-language statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “The present address of the DPRK-ROK relations can never change.”

DPRK refers to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea’s official name, while ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea’s official designation. 

Her remarks were widely seen as a reiteration of Pyongyang’s stance to maintain a severance of inter-Korean ties based on Kim Jong-un’s doctrine of “two hostile states,” which frames the two Koreas as separate and adversarial countries rather than counterparts in a divided nation.

Earlier in the day, a senior Unification Ministry official told reporters that Kim Yo-jong’s Sunday statement demanding clarification over an alleged drone infiltration incident suggested “there could be room for easing tensions and resuming communication depending on our response.”

Related Article

• Police, military launch joint probe into North Korea's claim of drone incursion
• Claims of drone incursion into North Korea call for calm, measured response (KOR)
• North seemingly reinforces stance on two hostile states following alleged drone incursion from South
• North official demands 'explicit explanation' for drones allegedly sent from South

"The ministry will make efforts to restore inter-Korean relations even if there is only a 1 percent chance,” the official added.

Experts interpreted Kim’s latest statement as aimed at reining in the Lee Jae Myung administration.

“This reaffirms Pyongyang’s intent to uphold the hostile two-state doctrine and the immutability of inter-Korean relations,” said Yang Moo-jin, a distinguished professor at the University of North Korean Studies. “It pressures Seoul to acknowledge the drone incident, issue an apology and take measures to prevent recurrence — a three-pronged demand.”

Analysts also note that Pyongyang’s series of sharp reactions toward Seoul reflects its sensitivity to Lee’s diplomatic outreach, which has accelerated since the start of the year, as North Korea appears uneasy about issues related to itself gaining prominence in his summit diplomacy.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon following her summit with Lee that the two leaders reaffirmed that Japan and South Korea, together with the United States, will "respond through close coordination toward North Korea's complete denuclearization."

Last week, Lee paid a state visit to China, where he asked President Xi Jinping to play a “mediating” role on the Korean Peninsula.

“The statement appears aimed at belittling efforts toward peaceful coexistence and improved inter-Korean relations discussed during the recent summits, while preemptively blocking any mediation role,” Yang said. “By releasing the statement immediately after the South Korea-Japan summit, North Korea is indirectly signaling its opposition to the denuclearization and peace-building efforts contained in the joint press statement.”

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]

15.

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

https://apstrategy.org/

Executive Director, Korea Regional Review

https://www.upi.com/Korea-Regional-Review/

Editor-at-large, Small Wars Journal

https://smallwarsjournal.com/

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

Phone: 202-573-8647

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com