​Quotes of the Day:

“The greatest enemy of knowledge isn't ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”

 Stephen Hawking

“Journalism is printing what somebody else doesn’t want printed – everything else Is public relations.”

– George Orwell

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”

– Isaac Asimov

1. South Korean president arrested, accused of leading insurrection

2. Impeached Yoon formally arrested for failed martial law bid

3. 86 protesters who stormed court over Yoon's formal arrest apprehended

4. Acting President Choi voices strong regret over violence at court, orders thorough probe

5. Anti-corruption agency to request Yoon to appear for questioning Monday

6. U.S. voices 'firm' support for Korean people, appreciates Korea's efforts to act in line with Constitution after Yoon's warrant issuance

7. Trump joked 'everyone calls me chaotic, but look at S. Korea,' report says

8. Editorial: Democratic Party's special counsel push reflects strategic move for election

9. What the North Koreans took into battle against Ukraine

10. Trump Told Advisers He Wants to Visit China as President

11. Exclusive: Korean-American lawmaker warns impeachment drive could bring disaster for S. Korea

12. N. Korean elite women take ghost jobs to escape forced labor

13. N. Korean exports resume through Hyesan customs amid strict controls

14. Chaos at court: Mob violence by Yoon's supporters sparks outrage

15. Dumpling Soup, Dried Radish and Cabbage Kimchi: South Korean Leader’s Life in Jail

16. In the midst of the self-restraint crisis, the North Korean version of Thor was also hit

1. South Korean president arrested, accused of leading insurrection

​President Yoon should prevail if they are charging him with an insurrection. He was not trying to overthrow the government. He was trying to protect it. That is not an insurrection. You can disagree with the decision and question his judgement and the action but it was not an insurrection. And he followed the Constitution in that when the National Assembly disapproved he withdrew the order. The problem is that the action was a threat to the communist influenced opposition and now it is doing everything it can to oust Yoon and take power through democratic means in order to undermine the democratic system. I think as Americans we need to start paying more attention to this given what I am hearing about the influence of China and north Korea. It is always our inclination to stay out of domestic politics but these domestic politics are going to have long term national security ramifications.

South Korean president arrested, accused of leading insurrection

Yoon, who was impeached and suspended from office in December, is the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/18/south-korea-president-yoon-arrested/

Updated

January 18, 2025 at 8:01 p.m. ESTyesterday at 8:01 p.m. EST

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in South Korea on Wednesday. (Korea Pool/Reuters)

By Andrew Jeong

SEOUL — South Korean authorities arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol early Sunday, days after he was detained by investigators in relation to his botched attempt to impose martial law last month. He has been accused of leading an insurrection and abusing his power.

Get concise answers to your questions. Try Ask The Post AI.

Yoon, who was suspended from office following his impeachment last month, is the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested. The arrest warrant, issued by a Seoul court, means Yoon will remain at the Seoul Detention Center, where he is being held for up to 20 more days. If prosecutors indict him during that period, they can hold Yoon for several more months.

Judge Cha Eun-kyung approved the warrant after interrogating Yoon and concluding there was a risk he could destroy evidence, South Korea’s semiofficial Yonhap News Agency reported.

Yoon attended the hearing Saturday in person to “directly explain … how the martial law declaration is legitimate and how that does not validate insurrection charges,” according to a statement from his lawyers. Outside the courthouse, thousands of his supporters chanted pro-Yoon slogans and waved South Korean and American flags.

Following World news

Following

After Yoon’s arrest, some of those supporters vandalized the courthouse, breaking windows and damaging the facility’s exterior walls. South Korean police said it is investigating.

A motorcade of SUVs and police cars escorted Yoon to the court from the detention center where he has been held since being detained by the country’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

A Seoul Regional Corrections inmate transport vehicle believed to be carrying the South Korean president arrives at Seoul Western District Court on Saturday. (Jintak Han/The Washington Post)

The embattled leader’s predicament stems from his declaration and suspension of martial law last month — an astonishing sequence of events that was extreme even by the turbulent history of South Korea’s presidents.

After issuing the first declaration of martial law in South Korea in more than four decades on Dec. 3, Yoon ordered the arrest of top lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, a senior intelligence official said at a closed hearing, according to a committee member present.

He then deployed troops to the parliament in western Seoul, but lawmakers quickly voted to lift the order, forcing Yoon to rescind the declaration and withdraw the troops.

Lawmakers impeached Yoon on Dec. 14, suspending his powers as president. It was their second attempt to impeach.

Choi Sang-mok, the finance minister, is serving as acting president while the Constitutional Court conducts hearings to determine whether it should restore Yoon’s presidential powers or fully remove him from office. The court has 180 days to make a ruling. If Yoon is removed, South Korea will hold elections to select a new leader within two months.

Public prosecutors, corruption investigators, military authorities and police have been conducting separate criminal investigations into the events of Dec. 3. They have viewed them as actions that amount to an insurrection — a crime that can result in the death penalty. South Korea retains capital punishment but has not executed a criminal since 1997. Amnesty International views the country as “abolitionist in practice” regarding capital punishment.

Sitting South Korean presidents are generally granted immunity from prosecution, but there are exceptions for charges of treason or insurrection.

After his impeachment in December, Yoon mostly remained holed up at his official residence in central Seoul. After he ignored three summonses for questioning, authorities obtained a warrant allowing them to detain him for up to 48 hours — but they failed to execute the warrant until this week because Yoon’s presidential security service barred them from entering his residence.

Yoon surrendered himself Wednesday, saying he was doing so to avoid a bloody clash between police and his security team, after an operation involving some 3,200 police officers. Officers forced themselves into his residential compound using ladders and wire cutters.

Yoon has been given minimal special treatment in detention.

Jintak Han and Michelle Ye Hee Lee in Seoul and Bryan Pietsch in Washington contributed to this report.

2. Impeached Yoon formally arrested for failed martial law bid

Impeached Yoon formally arrested for failed martial law bid | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Hyun-soo · January 19, 2025

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead para, photo; AMENDS slug)

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested early Sunday after a court issued a warrant to detain him for an extended period over his botched martial law bid last month, marking the first such detention of a sitting South Korean president in the country's modern history.

Citing the risks of destroying evidence, a judge at the Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant on charges Yoon led an insurrection and abused his power when he declared martial law on Dec. 3 and allegedly sent troops to the National Assembly to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

With the warrant's issuance, investigators can keep Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the days he has already spent at a detention center following his apprehension at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday.

This file photo, taken Dec. 3, 2024, and provided by the presidential office, shows President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law, citing the necessity of removing anti-state forces, at the presidential office in Yongsan, central Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is taken to the Seoul Detention Center after being questioned over his short-lived imposition of martial law at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on Jan. 15, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) plans to transfer custody of Yoon to the prosecution after 10 days. The prosecution is then expected to investigate him further and indict him before the 20 days are up.

CIO officials said that they will carry out a probe into the president "in accordance with the law and procedures."

Yoon's lawyers have said the martial law bid was an "act of governance" and cannot be subject to a court judgment as it was implemented to overcome a national crisis caused by the opposition-led impeachments of Cabinet members, gridlock in legislation and unilateral budget reduction.

After the warrant was issued, angry supporters of the president broke windows of the court and pushed their way into the court in protest, creating a commotion. Some threw a plastic chair, trash and other items at police officers surrounding the court building.

"President Yoon Suk Yeol!, President Yoon!" they shouted.

Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol engae in scuffles with police officers in a site near the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul on Jan. 18, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Citizens in support of Yoon's detention rejoiced when Yoon's warrant was granted.

"Indeed, legal justice lives on," one person said.

Police authorities have mobilized hundreds of personnel to ensure safety in areas where Yoon's supporters and critics staged rallies.

The court's issuance of the warrant marked a face-saving moment for the CIO as questions have persisted over its investigation capabilities, with critics underscoring the absence of substantial achievements since the launch of the body four years ago.

The CIO's ability to lead major cases was called into question when its first attempt to detain Yoon got bogged down due to the Presidential Security Service's defiant move to block the execution of the warrant earlier this month.

Yoon's presidential powers were suspended after the opposition-dominated assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14.

The Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office.

hague@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Hyun-soo · January 19, 2025

3. 86 protesters who stormed court over Yoon's formal arrest apprehended

​

President Yoon's supporters need to maintain the moral high ground if they want to gain domestic and international support for President Yoon. Violence plays into the hands of the Minjoo/DPK. President Yoon's supporters will not win the political fight with violence. Who is organizing and advising them? (I hope there is not a false flag agitator/infiltrator among them).

(3rd LD) 86 protesters who stormed court over Yoon's formal arrest apprehended | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · January 19, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 8, 11-15)

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- A total of 86 angry supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol have been apprehended for storming a court and are likely to face severe legal consequences, sources said Sunday.

From Saturday to early Sunday, police arrested the protesters for breaking into the Seoul Western District Court in anger over the court's decision to formally arrest Yoon for his failed martial law attempt.

Yoon's supporters forcefully entered the court by climbing over walls and breaking windows while hurling plastic chairs, trash and other objects, and spraying a fire extinguisher at police officers stationed around the building.

They were part of an estimated crowd of 44,000 supporters of Yoon who had gathered outside the court Saturday as the impeached president attended a hearing regarding the extension of his detention.

The walls of the Seoul Western District Court are seen damaged by angry supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Jan. 19, 2025. (Yonhap)

Some protestors engaged in physical altercations with police officers as they tried to breach the court grounds, ignoring repeated warnings from law enforcement that their actions could result in arrest or potentially trigger a crowd crush.

According to sources, the arrested protesters face charges ranging from minor offenses, such as damaging public property -- punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of 5 million won (US$3,400) -- to more severe charges.

In the most serious cases, they could face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of 15 million won for riot-related offenses.

Some journalists who covered the incident, including those from Yonhap News Agency, and broadcasters KBS, MBC and MBN, were found to have been assaulted and threatened by protesters.

Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol storm into the Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 19, 2025, in this photo captured from a video from the Youtube channel TV-ROCK. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Prosecutors Office described the violence against law enforcement and vandalism as "grave crimes" that undermine the rule of law and the judicial system. It has instructed the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office to set up a team to "sternly" address the matter and said prosecutors would work closely with the police on the investigation.

Police also formed a special investigation team to probe the incident and determine further actions against those involved. They said they would deal "sternly" with those who broke the law.

Meanwhile, police on Sunday apprehended a man who climbed over the wall of the Constitutional Court for a suspected break-in of the building. The Constitutional Court has been deliberating whether to uphold Yoon's impeachment or reinstate him.

Police also arrested a man who possessed a crowbar at an exit of Anguk subway station near the Constitutional Court, and another man was caught in front of the court building on suspected obstruction of official duties.

It is not currently known whether the three apprehended men in the vicinity of the court are Yoon supporters.

In a message to reporters, the Seoul Western District Court said it will return to normal operations Monday and scheduled trials will be held as planned.

But access to the court using vehicles will not be allowed Monday, and visitors will be subject to identification checks, it said.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters stage an angry protest in front of the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul on Jan. 19, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap).

jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · January 19, 2025

4. Acting President Choi voices strong regret over violence at court, orders thorough probe

Acting President Choi voices strong regret over violence at court, orders thorough probe | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · January 19, 2025

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Sunday expressed strong regret over the violence at a court following the court's decision to formally arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"I strongly regret the violence that is unimaginable in a democratic society," Choi said in a statement.

Cho ordered police to "sternly investigate the incident, which undermines democracy and the rule of law, in accordance with the law and principles" and to "hold those responsible accountable."

Acting President Choi Sang-mok presides over a meeting at the government complex in Seoul on Jan. 14, 2025. (Pool photo ) (Yonhap)

Choi also directed authorities to tighten security around government facilities amid the ongoing investigation into Yoon, who faces accusations of insurrection and abuse of power through the short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

Yoon's supporters stormed the Seoul Western District Court, vandalizing facilities, throwing objects and threatening police officers. Police apprehended 45 protesters at the scene.

Police detain supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 18, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · January 19, 2025

5.  Anti-corruption agency to request Yoon to appear for questioning Monday

(2nd LD) Anti-corruption agency to request Yoon to appear for questioning Monday | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Hyun-soo · January 19, 2025

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout; CHANGES photo; ADDS byline)

By Kim Hyun-soo

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- A state anti-corruption investigation body probing impeached President Yoon Suk Yeok over his failed martial law bid said Sunday it will request Yoon to appear for questioning early this week after the detained president did not show up for questioning earlier in the day.

The move by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) came as Yoon, who was formally arrested earlier in the day after the Seoul Western District Court granted the arrest warrant, defied the CIO's request to appear for questioning on Sunday.

Officials at the CIO said they would again request Yoon to appear for questioning at 10:00 a.m. Monday.

Citing risks of destroying evidence, a judge at the Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant on charges that Yoon led an insurrection and abused his power when he declared martial law on Dec. 3 and allegedly sent troops to the National Assembly to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

With the warrant's issuance, investigators can keep Yoon in custody for up to 20 days, including the days he has already spent at a detention center following his apprehension at his residence in Seoul last Wednesday.

The CIO said Yoon "appears to deny the rule of law" without any effort to "resolve the issue within the judicial system."

"If he can't accept the warrant issuance, he can follow the appeal or remedy process to overturn it within the judicial system," it added.

The agency also noted the need for safety measures for investigators, as protesters stormed the court in protest against the warrant issuance, threatening police and law enforcement officers.

In a letter written from the detention center, Yoon urged his supporters who stormed into a court in anger over the decision to formally arrest him to express their opinion using "peaceful means," although he understands their "resentment and anger."

Yoon's lawyers, who delivered his remarks in a notice to the press, said the president was "astonished" and "sorry" after hearing of the violence that erupted at the Seoul Western District Court early Sunday.

A photo of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials headquarters in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on Jan. 15, 2025 (Yonhap)

sookim@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Hyun-soo · January 19, 2025

6. U.S. voices 'firm' support for Korean people, appreciates Korea's efforts to act in line with Constitution after Yoon's warrant issuance

​Necessary politically correct statements.

U.S. voices 'firm' support for Korean people, appreciates Korea's efforts to act in line with Constitution after Yoon's warrant issuance | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 19, 2025

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Saturday reiterated its "firm" support for the South Korean people and appreciated the Asian country's efforts to act in line with its Constitution, hours after a Seoul court issued a warrant to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol for an extended period over his botched martial law bid.

A State Department spokesperson issued a statement, reaffirming the "enduring" strength of the Seoul-Washington alliance and Washington's security commitment to South Korea.

"The United States stands firm in our support for the Korean people. We reaffirm our shared commitment to the rule of law, and we appreciate all efforts made by the Republic of Korea (ROK) and its citizens to act in accordance with its Constitution," the spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency, referring to South Korea by its official name.

"The United States remains committed to working with Acting President Choi and the ROK Government. We are confident in the democratic resilience of the ROK and the Korean people," the official added.

Citing the risks of destroying evidence, a judge at the Seoul Western District Court granted the warrant on charges Yoon led an insurrection and abused his power when he declared martial law on Dec. 3 and allegedly sent troops to the National Assembly to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

The State Department in Washington, D.C. (Yonhap)

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 19, 2025

7. Trump joked 'everyone calls me chaotic, but look at S. Korea,' report says

​I do not think this is the kind of support President's Yoon's supporters are looking for from President Trump.

I wonder if the continent of Korea conservatives and Korean American conservatives will try to address this with him this week in DC.

Trump joked 'everyone calls me chaotic, but look at S. Korea,' report says | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · January 19, 2025

SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has jokingly said "everyone calls me chaotic, but look at South Korea," a news report said Sunday, in an apparent reference to the political turmoil sparked by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid.

His remarks were reported by U.S. broadcaster CBS based on interviews with a dozen people with knowledge of events at Mar-a-Lago in the weeks between Election Day in November and Inauguration Day, set for Monday.

"Trump cracked jokes -- 'everyone calls me chaotic, but look at South Korea,' he said one day," according to CBS.

"He said he'd meet with Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol 'if they ever stop impeaching him,'" it said.

When Trump made such remarks was not immediately known, but he appears to refer to the political crisis caused by Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and his subsequent impeachment by the National Assembly.

It is believed to be Trump's first reported comment on South Korea's political situation related to Yoon's botched martial law bid.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 7, 2025, in this file photo released by The Associated Press. (Yonhap)

sooyeon@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · January 19, 2025

8. Editorial: Democratic Party's special counsel push reflects strategic move for election

​Will the Minjoo/DPK actions backfire on them as they expose their true colors?

Excerpt:

The Democratic Party appears to recognize that a special counsel is unlikely to uncover new findings. Instead, the party seems to be using the special counsel as a political instrument to push for an early presidential election. Proposals such as extending the investigation period to a maximum of five months and requiring frequent updates on the probe suggest election-driven motives. The Democratic Party’s recent decline in public approval has been attributed to its aggressive pursuit of an early presidential election, which has drawn criticism from voters. Issues that could have been resolved through established procedures are being forced through the party, exacerbating public dissatisfaction and generating political resistance.

Editorial: Democratic Party's special counsel push reflects strategic move for election

https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/01/19/74YBRHJDIBH5PFAFHBEG34WWJE/

By The Chosunilbo

Published 2025.01.19. 09:00

Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, answers reporters’ questions after a meeting on the special counsel investigation bill targeting impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol chaired by the National Assembly Speaker at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Jan 17. /News1

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to be indicted on charges of inciting insurrection within the next 20 days. Prosecutors have already brought charges against nine key individuals connected to the martial law case, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and the chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command. On Jan. 16, the first trial for Kim was held. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party is advancing legislation to establish a special counsel to investigate the treason allegations. If the special counsel legislation passes, the required 20-day preparation period means the special investigation could still commence, even though the investigation into Yoon and the key figures in the martial law case has already been completed, and their trials are currently ongoing.

Under current law, double jeopardy prevents individuals or cases from being prosecuted for the same crime twice. While the Democratic Party argues that additional charges related to the treason case may still be filed, these are likely to involve peripheral matters. Historically, special counsel investigations have been initiated before key figures are indicted, ensuring justification for the substantial allocation of resources and personnel. This would be the first instance of a special counsel being launched to re-investigate a case already in trial.

Special counsel investigations are typically reserved for politically sensitive cases where existing inquiries are deemed insufficient or face significant obstacles. However, the martial law case has been aggressively pursued by prosecutors, police, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), with each agency conducting competitive investigations. Yoon’s presidential duties have been suspended, leaving him unable to exercise any authority. Courts have recognized and permitted this overlapping investigative effort, suggesting there is no external interference impeding the work of these agencies.

The Democratic Party appears to recognize that a special counsel is unlikely to uncover new findings. Instead, the party seems to be using the special counsel as a political instrument to push for an early presidential election. Proposals such as extending the investigation period to a maximum of five months and requiring frequent updates on the probe suggest election-driven motives. The Democratic Party’s recent decline in public approval has been attributed to its aggressive pursuit of an early presidential election, which has drawn criticism from voters. Issues that could have been resolved through established procedures are being forced through the party, exacerbating public dissatisfaction and generating political resistance.

9. What the North Koreans took into battle against Ukraine

Photos at the link: https://wapo.st/40AeqfL

What the North Koreans took into battle against Ukraine

Weapons and notes left on dead North Korean troops in Russia give Ukraine a glimpse into their mindset — and show how they are quickly adapting to modern war.

Today at 3:00 a.m. ESThttps://wapo.st/40AeqfL

A vocabulary list of Russian phrases written phonetically in Korean, found on a North Korean assaulting soldier in Russia’s Kursk region, photographed on Tuesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine. (Photos by Ed Ram for The Washington Post)

9 min

22

By Siobhán O'Grady and Serhii Korolchuk

SUMY REGION, Ukraine — “Resistance is futile.” “Surrender.” “You’re all surrounded.”

The phrases, printed in Korean with rough Russian transliterations on a weathered piece of paper Ukrainian troops said they took off a dead North Korean soldier this month, offer a remarkable insight into how Russia appears to have prepared their new allies to take Ukrainian prisoners during their assaults on the front lines.

Ukrainian troops are using such documents and other items they have recovered from the battlefield to better understand the thousands of North Korean troops that have been assaulting their positions in recent weeks, in the latest global escalation in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The items and Ukrainian soldiers’ accounts of encounters with North Korean forces paint a picture of the secretive North Korean troops — whose existence has not been confirmed by Russia or North Korea — as highly motivated, organized, well-trained and better equipped than Russian infantry, even as they suffer heavy casualties.

Soldiers (from left to right) Dmytro, Volodymyr, Vitalii and Viktor from Ukraine’s 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment, 1st Battalion, stand in their base on Wednesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

Rolls of razor wire are seen on the road leading to Ukraine’s border crossing with Ukrainian-controlled Russia on Wednesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

Ukraine appears increasingly eager to gather evidence of North Korea’s growing role in the war as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20. Trump, who met several times with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his last presidential term, has pledged to end the conflict.

The retrieved items are especially important because of how hard it has been for Ukrainian troops to capture and question North Koreans in the course of the fighting. Unlike many Russian troops, who Ukrainian soldiers say will often surrender willingly, the North Koreans have fought until their deaths or killed themselves with grenades to evade capture.

Ukrainian special forces troops showed Washington Post reporters the list of 23 Korean and Russian phrases, along with handwritten New Year’s letters attributed to Kim, as well as body armor, equipment, first aid kits, military IDs, a shovel, a Ukrainian-made knife and two modern Russian assault rifles retrieved in recent weeks from dead North Korean troops.

Following World news

Following

Vlad, 31, a member of the 1st Battalion of Ukraine’s 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment, the unit that showed the gear and documents to The Post, said Russia appears to have followed a “best for the guest” mentality when preparing their allies for battle.

“The Russians were much more poorly equipped,” he said. “The Russians tried to show off for the North Koreans.” Like other Ukrainian soldiers quoted in this article, he spoke on the condition that only his first name be used, in keeping with Ukrainian military rules.

A Russian AK-12 rifle found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region.

A backpack and shovel found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this month that as many as 4,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in recent weeks, with only two captured alive. Both men were wounded and transferred to custody in Kyiv, where Zelensky said they are being interrogated and treated for their injuries.

North Korean attacks have thus far been contained to the small enclave in the western Russian region of Kursk that Ukrainian troops have controlled since August last year. In recent days, after weeks of relentless assaults, North Korean troops have hardly appeared on the battlefield, Ukrainian troops say, even as Russian assaults continue.

Their sudden absence could signal they are regrouping and assessing future moves, or could be a reflection of widespread injuries and exhaustion after recent attacks.

“They are licking their wounds,” said Vitalii, 25, another soldier in the special forces battalion who spent eight hours locked in a firefight with North Korean troops last month.

The two handwritten pages relaying messages from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were dated from Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The documents were independently translated by The Post.

The origins of the letters, which shared New Year wishes and thanked the troops for fighting on behalf of their motherland, were not clear. They may have been sent to the troops from Pyongyang or written down by North Korean soldiers who listened to their commanders read the messages from Kim out loud.

“You experienced heartbreaking sacrifices and the joys of costly battle victories, many noble combat experiences, the priceless feeling of genuine camaraderie and patriotism, all so far away from the motherland,” one of the messages read. “I don’t even know how I can find the words to properly encourage and express gratitude for your dedication and tireless efforts.”

“I really miss you comrades,” the letter read.

A handwritten letter with a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region and photographed on Tuesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

A separate small booklet found on a soldier last week was filled with handwritten lyrics to patriotic North Korean songs. “My fate is always shared with the motherland,” one of the lyrics read.

That the soldiers carried those messages in their pockets while on missions suggested to the Ukrainian troops that they are significantly more ideologically motivated than Russian soldiers, who are often fighting on contracts for large salaries.

When North Korean troops first appeared on the battlefield last month, Ukrainian soldiers were stunned by how they moved in large groups and did not even attempt to hide from Ukrainian drones. Many were easily killed in those initial waves, but in ensuing battles, the new arrivals proved to be combat-ready, physically fit and skilled marksmen, the Ukrainians said.

In mid-December, Vitalii and eight other troops from his battalion were sent into Kursk with two tasks: one was to stabilize control over Ukrainian positions along a tree line; the other was to take a North Korean prisoner.

Once inside, Dmytro, 24, quickly made visual contact with North Korean troops just 20 meters away, and fired.

For the next eight hours, he said, the North Koreans — dressed in white camouflage to blend in with the snow — did not stop firing back. The Ukrainians could hear one distinct voice giving orders in Korean, his tone occasionally growing more desperate, they said. They only once heard a Russian voice, yelling “Stop! Don’t go!”

The cover from a pocket first-aid manual titled “Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Emergency Medical Treatment (First Aid), Self-administered first aid, 2024”, found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region, photographed on Tuesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

Pages showing instructions for making a tourniquet in a pocket first-aid manual found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region on Tuesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

A Russian military ID found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region, photographed on Tuesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine. Ukrainian troops said the data inside often appears to be falsified or incomplete.

A Russian military ID found on a North Korean soldier in Russia’s Kursk region, photographed on Tuesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

The North Korean troops, who had previously taken other Ukrainian positions in Kursk, appeared surprised by the resistance from the nine Ukrainian special forces troops and four infantrymen at the position, soldiers who participated in the battle said. But the North Koreans also fought fiercely and aggressively, demonstrating advanced war tactics.

Ukrainian soldiers Vitalii and Volodymyr, 35, eventually identified one soldier they believed they could capture. They shot and wounded him, then Vitalii dragged him to the Ukrainian position, where a medic stabilized him. For four hours, they kept him alive, hoping he would be their first North Korean prisoner of war.

But as the Ukrainians retreated later that day, the North Koreans attacked again. In the course of a chaotic withdrawal under drones, artillery shells and gunfire, their prisoner and one of the Ukrainian soldiers were killed. Washington Post reporters viewed images of the body, which the troops examined and passed on to Ukrainian authorities.

The body intrigued local and foreign officials, the troops said, adding that both British and South Korean officials swabbed the body for DNA evidence of North Korea’s presence on the battlefield.

Their group has not directly encountered North Korean troops since, but said they can see already how they are “adapting” to the battlefield, said Viktor, 30, commander of the special forces group that participated in that battle.

“They are trying to get smarter, they’re not trying to be at one point like a herd of sheep,” Viktor said.

A sign showing incorrect directions to Ukrainian towns and cities on the road leading to Ukraine’s border with Russia on Wednesday in the Sumy region of Ukraine.

Amed Khan, an American philanthropist who directly supports Ukrainian special forces units, showed The Washington Post a separate cache of North Korean documents he said Ukrainian troops had seized in Kursk, which he later had translated.

The Post could not independently verify the authenticity of the documents but they appeared consistent with other North Korean materials reviewed by The Post and the descriptions of battles aligned with independent Ukrainian descriptions of North Korean behavior on the front.

The documents, which were typed in Korean, suggest that North Korean troops are recording their combat experiences in detail and appear to be using the battlefield experience to gain a better understanding of new technologies. Ukraine has warned that Pyongyang is seizing the opportunity as a chance to gain practical battlefield experience for potential future conflicts with the West.

As Viktor suggested, they also appear to be learning from their mistakes.

“In modern warfare, where real-time reconnaissance and drone strikes are conducted, failing to disperse combat teams into smaller units of two to three members could lead to significant casualties from enemy drones and artillery,” one document read.

Text in a notebook found on a North Korean assaulting solider in Russia’s Kursk region, photographed on Tuesday, reads “even in times when the sky collapsed, it was the arms [of the motherland] that protected our lives I always feel reassured because I am held in those benevolent arms."

The documents also critically described the behavior of some North Korean troops, saying they killed some Ukrainian troops who attempted to surrender, a tactic that appeared to anger Ukrainians and ultimately “prolonged the battle.” Some North Korean troops, the documents said, repeatedly rushed to rescue their fellow wounded soldiers despite the risks of enemy attacks, causing further casualties.

One document said some North Korean troops struggled because they had not been provided “with crucial details such as enemy strongholds, drone launch sites, or artillery positions, and thus entered the battlefield unprepared.”

Khan said he hopes Trump will press for Pyongyang to back out of the war, and “explain to everyone that it’s in nobody’s interest … [for North Korean troops] to be getting killed seven time zones away from home on the border of Ukraine.”

Andrew Jeong and So Jin Jung contributed to this report from Seoul.

Share

22

Comments

Understanding the Russia-Ukraine conflict

HAND CURATED

View 3 more stories

View 3 more stories

By Siobhán O'Grady

Siobhán O’Grady is The Washington Post's chief Ukraine correspondent.follow on X@siobhan_ogrady

By Serhii Korolchuk

Serhii Korolchuk is a researcher in The Washington Post's Ukraine bureau. He reports from across the country, documenting the war in Ukraine.

10. Trump Told Advisers He Wants to Visit China as President

​South Korea should not be afraid of personal diplomacy between Trump and Kim. Trump and Xi personal diplomacy is more important and of course if Trump can make that work they can make everything else Trump wants to do work.

Excerpts:

Trump visited Beijing in 2017, nearly a year into his first term. Aides cautioned that no decision has been made for him to go again. One of the people familiar with the discussions said Trump has expressed interest in traveling to China in his first 100 days in office. Trump’s transition team didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Xi spoke by phone on Friday for the first time since the November election, discussing trade, fentanyl, TikTok and other subjects. “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately,” Trump wrote on social media after the call. 

People close to Beijing’s decision-making said Trump and Xi, through their representatives, have discussed meeting in person, with one option involving the incoming American president inviting the Chinese leader to the U.S. It wasn’t clear if Trump raised a visit to China in his Friday conversation with Xi.

Trump Told Advisers He Wants to Visit China as President

The possibility of a visit to China comes as Trump has threatened to impose stiff tariffs on Chinese imports

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/trump-china-xi-jinping-visit-e9141794?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos2

By Alex Leary

Follow

, Alexander Ward

Follow

 and Lingling Wei

Follow

Jan. 18, 2025 5:27 pm ET

President Donald Trump in 2017 with China’s Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: nicolas asfouri/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump has told advisers he wants to travel to China after he takes office, according to people familiar with the discussions, seeking to deepen a relationship with Xi Jinping strained by the president-elect’s threat to impose steeper tariffs on Chinese imports.

Trump visited Beijing in 2017, nearly a year into his first term. Aides cautioned that no decision has been made for him to go again. One of the people familiar with the discussions said Trump has expressed interest in traveling to China in his first 100 days in office. Trump’s transition team didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Xi spoke by phone on Friday for the first time since the November election, discussing trade, fentanyl, TikTok and other subjects. “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately,” Trump wrote on social media after the call. 

People close to Beijing’s decision-making said Trump and Xi, through their representatives, have discussed meeting in person, with one option involving the incoming American president inviting the Chinese leader to the U.S. It wasn’t clear if Trump raised a visit to China in his Friday conversation with Xi. 

Trump had invited Xi to his inauguration on Monday, but the Chinese leader is sending Vice President Han Zheng instead.

With economic pressure building in China, Beijing has a strong interest in engaging in negotiations to fend off, or at least slow down, tariff hikes promised by Trump. A summit between the two leaders, the people close to Beijing’s decision-making said, could help jump-start the process. Trump has pledged to impose tariffs of up to 60% on imports from China.

China’s official account of Friday’s phone call between Trump and Xi said the two leaders agreed to establish a strategic communication channel. It quoted Trump telling the Chinese leader that he was “looking forward to meeting with President Xi as soon as possible.”

China’s leader Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, attended a welcome banquet at Mar-a-Lago in 2017 hosted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Photo: Lan Hongguang/Xinhua/Getty Images

Trump’s visit to Beijing in late 2017 came months after meeting Xi face-to-face for ​​the first time at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate. He toured the Forbidden City and took in a Peking Opera performance. 

Trump has also talked to advisers about a possible trip to India, according to people close to him. 

His initial focus is expected to be on domestic moves, including sharp new border-security measures and increased deportations. He is expected to travel around the U.S. in his first week in office to tout executive orders he plans to sign on energy and other issues, according to people familiar with his plans. Trump is planning to tour fire-ravaged Los Angeles later in the week.

A Beijing meeting would come at a fraught moment in the relationship between the world’s leading superpowers. Along with potential new tariffs on Chinese imports, Trump has also pushed Beijing to crack down on Chinese chemical producers that supply the ingredients for fentanyl to Mexican cartels. 

Another potential flashpoint is Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and hasn’t ruled out using force to take. Trump hasn’t said much about how he will handle the delicate U.S. relationship with Taipei, other than pressing its leaders to spend significantly more on defense. In their call Friday, Xi also reminded Trump to handle the issue of Taiwan “with prudence,” calling it a concern of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, state media said.

Han Kuo-yu, the speaker of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, will lead a Taiwanese delegation including lawmakers from both the Democratic and Nationalist, or Kuomintang, parties to attend Trump’s inauguration.

“It’s about representing the government in a bipartisan way, showing how much we value Taiwan-U.S. relations, and taking this chance to congratulate the new Trump administration,” Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan’s foreign minister, told reporters early this month.

China’s Vice President Han Zheng, right, with U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns last year at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Beijing. Photo: Associated Press

Han Zheng, Xi’s special envoy for Trump’s inauguration, is seen as a pragmatist by many in Washington. He largely plays a ceremonial role as the vice president. An English speaker, he ran Shanghai for years, and American businesses considered him an ally who supported foreign investment. Some executives have hoped that Xi would pick Han as his representative to the inauguration as that could signal to the Trump team Beijing’s willingness to negotiate a trade deal.

Trump could see Xi as a partner in helping bring the war in Ukraine to an end, as China has provided support to Russia, drawing the ire of U.S. lawmakers. Trump’s social-media post about Friday’s call with Xi didn’t mention the conflict. “President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!” he said.

Annie Linskey contributed to this article.

Write to Alex Leary at alex.leary@wsj.com, Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com and Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com

11. Exclusive: Korean-American lawmaker warns impeachment drive could bring disaster for S. Korea

​And for the US. I hope President Trump will take counsel from Rep. Young Kim on Korean issues.

We should all pay attention here.

Excerpt:

In a written interview with The Chosun Ilbo on Jan. 14, Young Kim, a U.S. congresswoman (Republican, California), said, “The forces behind President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment prefer appeasement toward North Korea and accommodation of China, which could lead to a major disaster for the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.”

Exclusive: Korean-American lawmaker warns impeachment drive could bring disaster for S. Korea

Interview with Rep. Young Kim, U.S. Republican congresswoman

https://www.chosun.com/english/people-en/2025/01/17/7ID7JWEQBVCRLC4LPVJTL6DZ5Y/

By Kim Eun-joong (Washington),

Kim Seo-young,

Kim Mi-geon

Published 2025.01.17. 17:14

Updated 2025.01.17. 19:48

U.S. Republican Congresswoman Young Kim. /News1

“If the factions behind the impeachment in South Korea continue to steer the current situation, North Korea and China will seize this opportunity to weaken the U.S.-South Korea alliance. I say this based on my over 20 years of experience witnessing the threats posed by North Korea and China in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

In a written interview with The Chosun Ilbo on Jan. 14, Young Kim, a U.S. congresswoman (Republican, California), said, “The forces behind President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment prefer appeasement toward North Korea and accommodation of China, which could lead to a major disaster for the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.”

The 63-year-old Korean-American was elected to the House in 2020 and secured her third term last November, as U.S. House terms are two years. She was appointed chair of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee under the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Jan. 9. Kim drew attention on Jan. 6, becoming the first U.S. political figure to criticize the faction that led the impeachment in a column for The Hill, a congressional media outlet. This faction refers to the opposition parties in South Korea, including the Democratic Party of Korea, which led the impeachment effort in the National Assembly.

◇ “Regardless of who holds power in Korea, responding to the ‘malicious alliance of North Korea and China’ must be a priority for the U.S. and Korea”

What led you to write the column in The Hill?

“My perspective is based on a belief in the strength and importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and a hope for the freedom and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula. I was born in Incheon and grew up witnessing the aftermath of the Korean War. I have relatives who defected from North Korea. I’ve seen how South Korea, once a developing country, grew into a donor nation, and I worked for over 20 years as a foreign affairs advisor in the House of Representatives, helping strengthen the bilateral relationship through initiatives like the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As a congressman and the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Chair, I directly witnessed the unpredictability of the North Korean regime and the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party. I couldn’t remain silent.”

In U.S. political circles, there has been growing concern over the phrase “diplomacy antagonizing North Korea, China, and Russia,” which was cited as a reason for impeachment in the first motion proposed by South Korea’s Democratic Party last month. After the first motion was defeated and controversy intensified, the opposition removed this clause from the second motion.

U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim (left) takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., alongside her spouse Charles Kim (center) and House Speaker Mike Johnson on Jan. 3. /AP-Yonhap News

Why did the phrase “antagonizing North Korea, China, and Russia” attract so much attention in U.S. politics?

“It is clearly wrong to use President Yoon’s antagonism toward South Korea’s adversaries as grounds for impeachment. The malicious alliance of North Korea, China, and Russia threatens a free and open Indo-Pacific, and ultimately, global democracy. The forces pushing for impeachment favor appeasement toward North Korea and compliance with China, which could bring great disaster to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the entire region. The North Korean regime has never kept its promises. Furthermore, China’s President Xi Jinping, while supporting Russia’s unjust and brutal invasion of Ukraine, is also looking for the right moment to seize Taiwan. President Yoon has been critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s illegal expansion of maritime sovereignty. He has also stressed that denuclearization of North Korea is crucial for regional peace. I share that stance, and I believe we must confront the North Korea-China-Russia alliance even more resolutely. Under President Yoon’s leadership, South Korea has become a stronger strategic partner to the U.S.”

Wasn’t it unjustified for President Yoon to declare martial law?

“Whether martial law aligns with constitutional principles is a matter for legal scholars to debate. I trust the South Korean people’s commitment to democracy and their ability to navigate and overcome this situation.”

How might the prolonged political instability in South Korea affect the actions of North Korea, Russia, and China?

“If the faction driving the impeachment prolongs the unrest, political instability and anti-American sentiment could deepen in South Korea. North Korea and China are likely to exploit the situation by spreading disinformation, sowing discord, and undermining the U.S.-South Korea alliance.”

Some supporters of President Yoon claim that China has been manipulating public sentiment during the impeachment protests and spreading disinformation via social media. “While such allegations remain unconfirmed, it wouldn’t be surprising. It’s entirely plausible,” Rep. Kim said. She noted that President Yoon’s administration has taken a more critical stance toward China than his predecessors, whereas the opposition has adopted a more conciliatory approach. “President Yoon’s impeachment and any resulting discord within the alliance would undoubtedly benefit China,” she added.

U.S. Representative Young Kim listens attentively to participants' remarks at the annual international conference hosted by the nonprofit organization Concordia in New York in September 2023. In an interview with The Chosunilbo, she referred to the opposition party's initial impeachment motion, stating, "It is clearly a mistake to consider President Yoon Suk-yeol's stance against hostile forces in South Korea as grounds for impeachment." /Getty Images Korea

How will the current crisis in South Korea influence the U.S.-South Korea alliance?

“The U.S.-South Korea alliance has a proud 72-year history. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited Seoul and met with South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, to underscore the enduring importance of our partnership. I hope both nations continue to recognize the value of joint military exercises and defense cooperation.”

What are your thoughts on the evolution of U.S.-South Korea-Japan relations?

“Relations among the three nations have made significant progress in recent years, and I believe they should continue to deepen. Our adversaries, such as North Korea and China, aim to exploit any fractures in our alliance to undermine a free and democratic Indo-Pacific. China has sought to intimidate its neighbors, including actions like allegedly severing Taiwan’s undersea cables. The U.S. must work closely with its allies to counter such threats, making trilateral cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan indispensable. Bipartisan support for this partnership remains strong in the U.S. Congress. I commend the efforts of South Korean and Japanese leaders to resolve historical disputes. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, nominated as secretary of state by President-elect Trump, understands the crucial role of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in advancing shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. I expect him to further develop and expand the Camp David Agreements—a security pact between Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., announced on Aug. 18, 2023, at Camp David. As chair of the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific within the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed to advancing trilateral cooperation with my counterparts in South Korea and Japan.”

Rep. Kim recently met with President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as U.S. president on Jan. 20. While she declined to disclose specific details of their conversation, she shared, “Last weekend, I had an opportunity to discuss the situation in South Korea with advisors to the incoming Trump administration.” She added, “I recommended inviting a South Korean delegation to attend President Trump’s inauguration.”

What should the next U.S. administration prioritize regarding the situation in South Korea?

“We are closely monitoring its developments in South Korea. Once President Trump takes office, his administration must reaffirm its commitment to bilateral cooperation with South Korea and trilateral efforts with Japan to counter the influence of North Korea and China. Regardless of who holds power in South Korea, it must be clear that appeasement toward North Korea is ineffective and that addressing the North Korea-China alliance is a priority for both nations.”

North Korea

China

12. N. Korean elite women take ghost jobs to escape forced labor

N. Korean elite women take ghost jobs to escape forced labor - Daily NK English

"Road maintenance workers are officially employed, exempting them from union activities and volunteer construction or farming projects," a source told Daily NK

By Seon Hwa - January 18, 2025

dailynk.com · by Seon Hwa · January 17, 2025

A source in the province told Daily NK on Thursday that cities and counties throughout the region have seen a surge in officials’ wives joining road maintenance crews.

“You now see well-off women walking through parks, hospitals, and train stations wearing road maintenance armbands. Most are married to officials from municipal and county party committees or people’s committees,” the source said.

The move comes as members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea face increasingly demanding work assignments. The union has been mobilizing members for factory construction, tideland reclamation, and river embankment projects. Additionally, members are being pressured to “volunteer” for “shock troops” dispatched to some of the country’s most challenging regions.

Union propaganda describes these shock troops as “powerful units driving socialist development and progress” that must provide labor in demanding areas.

Some women are trying to leave the union entirely to avoid these assignments, including officials’ wives seeking positions on road maintenance crews.

“Officials’ wives are particularly frustrated with the union’s labor mobilization and hardship assignments. They face pressure to actively participate in union activities for their husbands’ reputation, and their status means they’re often expected to volunteer for the toughest jobs,” the source explained.

As work mobilization orders continue unabated, officials’ wives have sought these nominal positions. “Road maintenance workers are officially employed, exempting them from union activities and volunteer construction or farming projects. While they must show up early, they only need to be present for a few hours since neighborhood watch units and companies handle actual road cleaning,” the source said.

“Previously, officials’ wives sought jobs in commercial maintenance and food services. However, those positions still require meeting state quotas, making road maintenance more attractive.”

Regular union members, who have no choice but to perform assigned labor, resent these privileges. “If the state demands labor, it should at least provide a stipend. Instead, people are forced to work without even getting meals. Regular union members struggle while watching officials’ wives find ways to leave the organization,” the source said.

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Seon Hwa · January 17, 2025

13. N. Korean exports resume through Hyesan customs amid strict controls

N. Korean exports resume through Hyesan customs amid strict controls - Daily NK English

"Vehicles must pass stringent checks before loading export goods," a source said. "Inspectors are meticulously screening for potential information leaks"

By Lee Chae Eun - January 17, 2025

dailynk.com · by Lee Chae Eun · January 17, 2025

A panorama of Hyesan taken in 2013. (Wikimedia Commons)

Cargo-laden trucks have begun crossing through customs in Hyesan, marking a significant shift from last year’s empty traffic. This development has sparked optimism among North Korean traders about expanding bilateral trade.

“Since early January, trucks carrying minerals and seafood have been passing through Hyesan customs into China,” a source in Ryanggang province told Daily NK on Wednesday. This represents the first export activity since North Korea sealed its borders in January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Chinese goods began entering North Korea through Hyesan customs in late 2023, North Korean exports only resumed this month. The cargo primarily consists of coal, molybdenum, mackerel, and sturgeon. Trucks are also queuing at the unofficial customs office used for “state-sponsored smuggling.”

The resumption of exports has raised hopes among both traders and shipping workers. “The return of cross-border trucking means former drivers can get back to work. Increased trade volume means more profit opportunities all around,” the source explained.

However, authorities have implemented rigorous inspection procedures for outbound cargo. “Vehicles must pass stringent checks before loading export goods,” the source said. “Inspectors are meticulously screening for potential information leaks.” A joint team of customs agents, state security personnel, police officers, and prosecutors conducts these examinations.

The heightened scrutiny has made some cautious about rushing into exports. “While drivers are eager to resume transportation despite surveillance and crackdowns, the current inspection regime is particularly strict,” the source noted. “Many are waiting to see if conditions will ease to levels similar to pre-pandemic times.”

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Lee Chae Eun · January 17, 2025

14. Chaos at court: Mob violence by Yoon's supporters sparks outrage

​Blame on the far right YouTubers? Yoon's supporters need some lessons in political mobilization to fight the political warfare and lawfare of the Minjoo/DPK. Violence will not win.  Unfortunately passion is trumping reason in the holy trinity of passion, reason, and chance.

Chaos at court: Mob violence by Yoon's supporters sparks outrage

The Korea Times · by 2025-01-19 21:37 | Society · January 19, 2025

Windows and walls of the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District are damaged due to violent protests by President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters, who stormed into the court early Sunday following the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant against him. Yonhap

87 protesters apprehended; 9 police officers injured in violent clash

By Lee Hyo-jin

An unprecedented act of mob violence by President Yoon Suk Yeol's staunch supporters at a Seoul court, in protest of his formal arrest, sparked widespread condemnation from both political and judicial circles, Sunday.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok ordered a thorough police investigation into the "unlawful violent incident," while prosecutors established a task force to address what they have called "a very serious crime that fundamentally undermines the judicial system."

Dozens of pro-Yoon protesters stormed the Seoul Western District Court in the early morning hours, violently protesting a judge’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for the embattled president who is facing treason charges related to his martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024.

The protesters, who had gathered near the court in the hours leading up to the announcement, stormed into the building at around 3 a.m., just minutes after the warrant was issued. Footage captured by YouTubers and media outlets showed chaos as the angry protesters climbed over the court walls, smashed windows and doors and threw fire extinguishers, causing extensive damage inside the compound.

A police officer guards the Seoul Western District Court compound, Sunday morning, hours after a violent protest by President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters. Yonhap

The mob also attacked vehicles carrying investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), who had requested the warrant, and hurled insults at the judge who approved it.

Around 1,400 officers, including riot police in full gear, were deployed to the site and forced the protesters out of the compound about three hours later. Nine officers were injuried, five of whom were seriously hurt, according to the police.

A total of 87 individuals linked to the incident were apprehended and all are currently under investigation at 18 different police stations across Seoul.

Additionally, the police have placed Judge Cha Eun-kyung, who issued the warrant, under protection and are investigating murder threats against her circulating online.

The judiciary strongly condemned the mob violence, calling it "a complete denial" of the rule of law.

"I feel devastated," Cheon Dae-yeop, head of the National Court Administration, told reporters during his visit to the court after the violence subsided. He said the protesters damaged not just the lobby but also to the upper floors where court employees work.

Cheon Dae-yeop, head of the National Court Administration, speaks to reporters during his visit to the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District, Sunday. Yonhap

"I have served as a judge for 30 years, but I never predicted such an unprecedented situation. This is a complete denial of the rule of law and, from a criminal perspective, a serious offense," he added.

The acting president also condemned the incident.

Far-right YouTubers, young conservatives fuel violent court riot

“We express strong regret over the occurrence of an unlawful and violent incident at the Seoul Western District Court, something that is unimaginable in a democratic society,” Choi was quoted as saying by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Choi directed the police to "conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and hold those responsible accountable based on law and principle."

President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters clash with police near the back gate of the Seoul Western District Court, early Sunday, as they try to storm into the building to protest the issuance of a warrant to arrest Yoon. Yonhap

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office said it has launched an investigation team consisting of nine prosecutors for a swift probe.

"This is a very serious crime that fundamentally denies the rule of law and the judicial system. We have instructed the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office to form a dedicated team to respond strictly," the office said in a statement. "The team will work closely with the police to conduct a thorough investigation, including the detainment of all major protestors."

The detained protesters could face severe consequences for their violence against the court, a constitutional institution.

Riot charges may apply if they are found to have engaged in organized violent actions. Under the criminal law, those convicted of riot could face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 15 million won ($10,280).

Additional charges may include obstruction of official duties, as the demonstrators physically clashed with police officers. The fact that the clashes resulted in injuries to some officers could lead to aggravated penalties. Other allegations could also include unlawful entry into a state facility and vandalism of public property.

Lee Ho-young, acting commissioner of the National Police Agency, said the investigation could extend to far-right YouTubers if they are suspected of inciting the violence. These YouTubers, who take part in pro-Yoon rallies, have faced growing scrutiny for profiting from a donation system in exchange for provocative actions and rhetoric.

President Yoon Suk Yeol is taken to the Seoul Detention Center after being questioned over his short-lived imposition of martial law at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps

Later in the day, Yoon's supporters marched to the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, central Seoul, where the president being tried in an impeachment case over his martial law declaration. The protesters held a rally at the site, calling for Yoon's immediate release.

According to police, three men were apprehended near the Constitutional Court on charges of trespassing and obstructing official duties. One of the individuals was reportedly carrying a crowbar.

Meanwhile, Yoon, who is now under formal arrest at a detention facilty, asked his supporters to express their views in a "peaceful manner."

"I fully understand the frustration and anger of the many citizens, but I ask them you to express their views peacefully," he said in a statement delivered by his lawyers.

However, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) accused Yoon of being the main culprit behind the riot, criticizing that he incited his supporters to engage in violent actions due to his continued uncooperative stance with the court's decision and the ongoing investigation.

"Yoon is fundamentally responsible for this entire incident," DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae said. "Instead of apologizing and reflecting on his martial law declaration, he has been making absurd claims and inciting violence among his supporters."

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) expressed regret over the court's decision to place the president under arrest, but distanced itself from the violent protesters.

"Violence helps no one. It is not in support of the president," Rep. Kwon Yeong-se, the party's interim leader, said.

The interior of the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District is seen severely damaged, Sunday, following violent protests by President Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters, who were angered by the court's decision to issue a warrant to arrest the embattled leader. Yonhap

The Korea Times · by 2025-01-19 21:37 | Society · January 19, 2025

​15. Dumpling Soup, Dried Radish and Cabbage Kimchi: South Korean Leader’s Life in Jail

​Really? Does the NY Times need this clickbait headline?

Dumpling Soup, Dried Radish and Cabbage Kimchi: South Korean Leader’s Life in Jail

President Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor, used to put people in jail. Now, after his formal arrest, he himself is in a cell, alone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/18/world/asia/south-korea-president-yoon-jail-life.html?searchResultPosition=4

A television at a bus station in Seoul shows President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea arriving at the Corruption Investigation Office on Wednesday.Credit...Anthony Wallace/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

By Choe Sang-Hun

Reporting from Seoul

Published Jan. 18, 2025

Updated Jan. 19, 2025, 12:24 a.m. ET

As president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol lived in a luxurious hilltop mansion, threw parties and had a small army of personal guards. These days, he is alone in a 107-square-foot jail cell, eating simple food like noodles and kimchi soup, and sleeping on the floor.

This will be his new reality for a while yet, after he was formally arrested on insurrection charges early Sunday as part of an investigation into his ill-fated declaration of martial law last month.

Mr. Yoon, 64, has been in the Seoul Detention Center, a government-run jail south of Seoul, since Wednesday, when he became the first sitting president in South Korean history to be detained in a criminal investigation. When a district court in Seoul issued the warrant to arrest him, he went from being a temporary detainee to a criminal suspect facing an indictment and trial.

That change in status means Mr. Yoon is unlikely to leave jail any time soon. Within the next 18 days, criminal investigators and prosecutors are expected to indict him on charges of leading an insurrection during his short-lived martial law last month. If he is convicted, he will face life imprisonment or ​the death penalty.

Mr. Yoon’s new circumstances symbolize his dramatic fall from grace: from a swaggering head of state to an impeached president to an inmate accused of committing one of the worst offenses in South Korea’s criminal code. He is the first South Korean to face insurrection charges since the former military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, who was convicted in the 1990s.

Image

Mr. Yoon being transported from his presidential mansion on Wednesday.Credit...Jun Michael Park for The New York Times

As president, Mr. Yoon loved to throw parties, often inviting like-minded politicians to evening drinks and even cooking and serving ​rolled egg and barbecue to his presidential press corps. He showed off his well-honed entertaining skills ​abroad when he belted out “American Pie” during a state dinner at the White House in 2023.​

On Sunday, ​Mr. Yoon will wake up ​not to presidential aides and chefs catering to his needs, but to a simple jail breakfast likely to consist of dumpling soup, dried radish and cabbage kimchi. ​An average meal in jail costs $1.20.

The dramatic political upheaval he unleash​ed appears to have stunned him as much as everyday South Koreans.

“Ironically, it was after I was impeached that I truly realized​ that I am, indeed, the president,” Mr. Yoon said in a lengthy statement on Wednesday.

Many South Korean politicians and dignitaries​ — including two former presidents and Lee Jae-yong, the head of the Samsung conglomerate​ — have been held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, a city south of Seoul. When he was a prosecutor, Mr. Yoon helped put one of the two former presidents, Park Geun-hye, there on corruption charges. The jail also holds some of the country’s most infamous death row inmates​, including serial killers.

​Government officials said Mr. Yoon would get no special treatment, except that he ​would be kept in a room of his own, away from other detainees and inmates.​ After his formal arrest, he was expected to go through a simple medical checkup and receive a toothbrush and other necessities for ​jail life​. He would be assigned an inmate number​ and a pea​-green​ jail uniform.

His cell will have a TV set, a sink, a small cupboard, a reading desk that doubles as a dinner table, and a foldable mattress for sleeping. The cell has a toilet but no shower. The space will be monitored around the clock through closed-circuit television. There is exercise time and visiting hours.

Mr. Yoon has been an avid follower of right-wing YouTubers who supported his government and spread conspiracy theories ​that depicted his domestic enemies as dangerous sympathizers with North Korea and China. Since he declared martial law on Dec. 3, Mr. Yoon has said his action was inspired ​in part by the same fear, indignation and suspicions spread by the extremists on YouTube.

The ​jail TV shows only programs authorized by the Ministry​ of Justice. ​Inmates cannot use the internet, but they have access to books and newspapers. At rallies calling for Mr. Yoon’s arrest in recent weeks, some protesters held signs that read: “Yoon Suk Yeol: It’s time for a digital detox!”

Yang Kyeung-soo, ​a labor union leader who had spent time in a solitary cell in the Seoul Detention Center​, posted jail survival tips on X. “You have to learn how to save warm water because you wash your own dishes​. If you eat everything they serve, you will gain weight quickly.”

​Mr. Yoon was expected to meet frequently with his attorneys in a visiting area to prepare for his trial​s. ​Separately, the country’s Constitutional Court is deliberating whether the National Assembly’s vote on Dec. 14 to impeach ​him was legitimate and if he should be formally removed from office.

Image

Officials counting votes cast during Mr. Yoon’s impeachment vote in the National Assembly in December.Credit...Pool photo by Woohae Cho

Mr. Yoon’s martial law lasted only six hours because the opposition-dominated National Assembly voted it down. But during that brief ​period, he ordered military commanders to ​seize the Assembly​ and arrest his political enemies, according to prosecutors who have ​arrested and indicted the military generals accused of helping Mr. Yoon commit insurrection.

Mr. Yoon ​and his lawyers insisted that his imposition of martial law was a legitimate use of presidential power.

After they detained Mr. Yoon on Wednesday, officials from the country’s Corruption Investigation Office For ​High-ranking Officials ​questioned him until he was sent to rest in a cell at the Seoul Detention Center at night. He then refused to leave his cell to face more questioning.

But on Saturday, he attended a hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, where a judge deliberated on whether to issue a warrant to arrest him. He argued his innocence as thousands of supporters gathered outside demanding his release. Some later surrounded two cars carrying the investigators who sought to arrest Mr. Yoon, shouting insults and damaging their vehicles.

Early Sunday, the judge issued the arrest warrant, saying that Mr. Yoon could destroy evidence if he was released.

Shortly afterward, angry Yoon supporters breached police barricades and went into the courthouse, smashing windows with fire extinguishers and plastic chairs. They climbed in through the broken windows, kicking computers, shattering wall mirrors and overturning other furniture inside. More joined them by pushing and breaking through the main glass doors of the courthouse. Some shouted for the judge to come out, according to live-streamed video footage of the scene. Others yelled “Cancel the warrant!”

The police quickly moved in to restore order and detained dozens of protesters.

Choe Sang-Hun is the lead reporter for The Times in Seoul, covering South and North Korea. More about Choe Sang-Hun

A version of this article appears in print on Jan. 19, 2025, Section A, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: A President’s New Reality: Soup and Solitude in a Jail Cell. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

​16. In the midst of the self-restraint crisis, the North Korean version of Thor was also hit

​Interesting information and commentary.,

This is a Google translation of an RFA report.

In the midst of the self-restraint crisis, the North Korean version of Thor was also hit

https://www.rfa.org/korean/weekly_program/c2e0bc15d55cd55cbc18b3c4c2e0bb34ae30b300bc31acfc/north-korea-thor-01172025163515.html

WASHINGTON-Kim Jin-guk kimj@rfa.org

2025.01.19

North Korea's version of Thor.

 /Source: Captured video from Korean Central News Agency

00:00 /12:51

( Host ) We will accurately grasp the current state of the military standoff on the Korean Peninsula and seek a path to peace. This is Kim Jin-guk, presenting 'Encyclopedia of New Weapons on the Korean Peninsula' from Washington D.C. We will connect with Lee Il-woo, Secretary General of the ' Independent Defense Network ' in Korea .

North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine, too weak to be called  ' the best '

( Anchor ) Recently, the Ukrainian government released two North Korean prisoners of war captured on the Kursk Battlefield . They were revealed to be members of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a special forces unit that is superior to the Storm Corps . But when you hear the circumstances of their capture, it is so absurd that you wonder if they are really North Korea's top special forces agents ?

( Lee Il-woo ) Since North Korean troops began to be deployed in earnest to the Kursk battlefield in  December of last year , Ukraine has been deploying special operations forces, also known as SSO agents , with drone support to secure living prisoners . Their operation involved a surprise attack on a garrison where North Korean troops were gathered , and during the operation, a significant number of North Korean soldiers were killed , and some were shot and killed while attempting to blow themselves up right before being captured .

The prisoners made public this time were two who were captured by Ukrainian special forces in the western Kursk region on January 5 , one with serious injuries to the arm and the other to the face and limbs . They were hiding in an air-raid shelter after suffering casualties from a Ukrainian attack in a battle on January 3, when their comrades were killed and they themselves were injured , and were captured by Ukrainian special forces when the Russian forces attacking the area were driven back .

They were taken to a facility in Kiev for treatment and interrogated by the Ukrainian SBU and the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) . The interrogation revealed that they were not members of the Storm Corps, but rather agents of the Reconnaissance General Directorate .

The Reconnaissance General Bureau, as is well known, is a military intelligence agency and an elite North Korean military organization specializing in foreign operations, sabotage, and cyber-terrorism . It is well-known in North Korea , but in South Korea , it is also introduced as a human weapon through various dramas and movies, and is known as a unit that is as strong as a hundred . In South Korean dramas and movies, Reconnaissance General Bureau agents commit suicide without a moment's hesitation if they are about to be defeated in battle or captured . However , if you look at the drone footage of the capture that was recently released , you can see that they were dragged out of the trench without much resistance . Therefore, local information sources are also expressing doubts about whether these are really agents of an elite military intelligence agency . 

“ Come back alive ” but “ If you get caught, blow yourself up ”  

( Host ) A note found in the body of a North Korean soldier killed by Ukraine has also been released. It is said that the note contains instructions to blow oneself up if captured . If you look at the statements of the recently captured prisoners and the documents they have , it turns out that the North Korean soldiers who were driven to a dangerous place far away from home are fighting for their lives but not getting paid a single penny ?

( Lee Il-woo ) Among the remains of North Korean prisoners captured by Ukraine and North Korean soldiers killed in close combat, there were several documents and notepads . Among them was a notepad written by a soldier named 'Jeong Kyung-hong.' The contents of the notepad were instructions that appeared to have been given by the Supreme Commander or a high-ranking North Korean official , and they were as follows .

“You have been deployed to help Russia, and through this deployment, you must gain combat experience to prepare for future wars . Although you are thousands of kilometers away from home , you must not spare your lives and complete the mission assigned to you . ”

In fact, this teaching is a contradictory sentence. Gaining combat experience for future wars means gaining combat experience and returning alive to serve in the North Korean military again . However, the next sentence, which says that you should not be afraid of your life and complete the mission, means that you should die while performing the mission of being a cannon fodder for Russia .

Kursk Death North Korean Army Memo / Source: Ukrainian Special Operations Forces SSO

According to the statements of the captured prisoners, North Korea has not made any promises to the deployed soldiers regarding their pay , and in fact, no pay has been paid for the past several months . Currently, Chinese or African mercenaries who have enlisted in the Russian military as foreign mercenaries are receiving a monthly salary of between $ 2,500 and $ 3,500 , while the North Korean soldiers were not told about their pay, but were only told that “if they return alive, they will be treated as heroes . ” In other words, the North Korean regime is eating up the wages that Russia pays North Korea .    

The problem is that due to the current troop deployment structure and the intentions of the North Korean leadership, the vast majority of the deployed troops will never be able to set foot on North Korean soil alive. Looking at the case of the Russian military’s troop deployment , it is not uncommon for wounded soldiers who have lost their legs and need crutches or wheelchairs to be classified as mildly ill by the military medical committee and sent back to the battlefield . If these seriously injured soldiers are discharged alive, they must receive a lump sum payment of up to 4 million rubles , or approximately 38,800 dollars, according to the Disabled Soldiers Support Act signed by Putin in November of last year , but the Russian government’s budget deficit is so severe that it cannot afford to pay that . So it has become routine to send these soldiers to the battlefield over and over again until they die , and then mark them missing when they die . The North Korean military will be no different since it is controlled by Russia .

Russia provides medical services to wounded North Korean soldiers, but this is only to send them back to the battlefield, not to fully recover and send them back to North Korea . From the North Korean regime’s perspective, the return of a large number of people who have already experienced a lot of foreign culture in Russia is a serious threat to the system . Naturally, the North Korean leadership does not want them to return alive , and Russia, which needs as many cannon fodder as possible, will not send them back to North Korea alive . In other words, most of the North Korean soldiers who have gone to Russia now, except for a very small number of officers who have gone to control positions, will not be able to return to their homeland alive .

< Related Articles >

[ Encyclopedia of New Weapons on the Korean Peninsula ] What will happen in the skies of the Korean Peninsula when the F-15K is improved

[ Encyclopedia of New Weapons on the Korean Peninsula ] Is the Price of Deploying the North's Storm Corps to Russia Strategic Nuclear Submarines ?

I don't know the enemy or friend . North Korean soldiers killed or injured while fighting the Russian army .

( Host )  If the dispatched North Korean soldiers knew the true intentions of the North Korean leadership, there would be nothing more resentful and indignant than this. To make matters worse, the North Korean and Ukrainian soldiers who went to the battlefield , as well as the friendly Russian soldiers, do not recognize each other and fight each other, resulting in deaths and injuries ?

( Lee Il-woo )  In this war, both the Russian and Ukrainian armies are having trouble identifying each other. Both are using a large number of old Soviet-made tanks , armored vehicles , and weapons , and recently, they are even wearing camouflage uniforms with the same pattern , making it difficult to tell who is the enemy and who is the friend . That is why in the Kursk region, the Russian army is wearing red identification badges on their helmets and arms , and the Ukrainian army is wearing blue identification badges .

North Korea's version of Thor is destroyed. /Source: Telegram 

The problem is the equipment. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian military has the ability to see all the weapons on the battlefield and identify what they are , so once they suspect something, they attack and see . However, on January 10 , in the Kursk region, North Korean-made air defense equipment that was deployed for the first time in combat was attacked by the Russian military and destroyed .

A pro-Kremlin blogger who does propaganda for the Russian military, < Povernutye na Baonye >, posted a video on his Telegram account with a message from the Russian military saying, “The latest Western-made air defense equipment used by the Ukrainian army was destroyed by an FPV drone . ” However, experts who saw the video analyzed what the air defense weapon was, saying, “The Ukrainian army does not have an air defense weapon with that appearance,” and found out that it was a North Korean field air defense weapon, aka the “North Korean Thor,” which was first revealed in 2020 .

The North Korean version of the Tor is a vertically launched short-range surface-to-air missile mounted on a trailer, nicknamed by experts for its similarity to the Russian Tor air defense system . It appears that North Korea exported this equipment to Russia , and considering that it usually takes more than a year to train missile operators , it is likely that the crew that carried this equipment on a mission in the Kursk region included North Korean soldiers . In other words, a Russian drone destroyed a North Korean air defense weapon .

On the other hand, there have been cases where North Korean weapons have attacked Russian forces. In early January , the Russian military released a short video claiming to be showing a short-range surface-to-surface missile , incorrectly labeled the "North Korean Spike NLOS " or "Phoenix -4 " by some, attacking Ukrainian artillery on the northern Kursk front . The video shows a 2S1 122mm self-propelled howitzer being hit by a missile and destroyed , but the problem is that the self-propelled howitzer that Russia has revealed is one used by both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries , and according to the Russian military's description of the operational area , it was Russian artillery, not Ukrainian artillery, that was operating in that area . It's questionable whether North Korea and Russia should join forces to fight the Ukrainian military , but the situation is unfolding where they are attacking each other without being able to distinguish friend from foe .

Can't South Korea help North Korean soldiers on the battlefield ?

( Anchor )  If you listen to the news coming from the battlefield, it seems like it's a total mess. The North Korean soldiers who were forced into a desperate situation against their will are in a difficult situation with not many options.

( Lee Il-woo )  The faces of the North Korean prisoners of war released by Ukraine this time have been revealed, and one of the two expressed a desire to defect , while the other expressed a desire to return to North Korea . Of course , in the latter case, since North Korea does not want its deployed soldiers to return home, even if the new soldiers are handed over to the Russian side, there is a high possibility that they will be deployed back into combat or executed . 

The reason North Korea can order its troops to blow themselves up if they are captured is because their families are held hostage in North Korea. The soldiers know that if North Korean authorities find out that they are captured , their families will be in danger, so they will absolutely not want to be captured . This will make their resistance more intense , and they, as well as the Ukrainian troops trying to capture them, could be killed or injured .

( Host ) This was Lee Il-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Independent Defense Network. Now, with Kim Jin-guk from RFA in Washington ,  D.C.

Editor Lee Jin-seo, Web Editor Lee Gyeong-ha

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

Phone: 202-573-8647

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com