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Quotes of the Day:
"Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace."
– Mike Ditka
"Knowledge is power. Information is power. The secreting or hoarding of knowledge or information may be an act of tyranny camouflaged as humility."
– Robin Morgan
"No cause is left but the most ancient of all, the one, in fact, that from the beginning of our history has determined the very existence of politics, the cause of freedom versus tyranny."
– Hannah Arendt
1. Report of Chinese spies rigging election 'entirely false': USFK
2. (Trump Inauguration) Trump asks how N.K. leader Kim is doing in talks with U.S. troops in S. Korea
3. Yoon tells court he has lived with 'belief in liberal democracy'
4. Yoon supporters gather near Constitutional Court in support of impeached president
5. Yoon heads to hospital after impeachment trial for medical treatment
6. S. Korea, U.S. hold regular joint air drills
7. Senate votes to confirm Trump's pick for secretary of state
8. Trump calls North Korea a ‘nuclear power,’ hours after taking oath of office
9. S. Korea eyes US$300 mln K9 howitzer exports deal with Vietnam
10. (Trump Inauguration) Acting President Choi says to make alliance great again in message to Trump
11. Captured N.K. soldier in Ukraine says didn't know he would be fighting Ukrainians
12. Defense ministry approves plan to relocate Daegu military airport
13. N. Korean leader's sister breaks 2-month silence to address ties with Belarus
14. ‘I Only Know South Korea Has Fewer Mountains’ – Testimony From Captured Pyongyang POW
15. S. Korea to hold overseas combined drills in UAE next month
16. Experts: “North Korea’s denuclearization goal and deterrence against North Korea must be maintained”… Some also point out the need for a realistic approach
17. Changing Kim Jong Un's behavior calls for change in U.S. policy
1. Report of Chinese spies rigging election 'entirely false': USFK
The PRC's United Front Department may very well be creating this false narrative to cover up its other nefarious and malign activities. This is such a sensational conspiracy theory that must be debunked. But the focus shifts to this conspiracy and by debunking this one all the actual malign activities conducted by the PRC's UFD can all be called conspiracy theories that can be discounted and forgotten because all the focus is on this one.
What USFK is debunking is not the actual rigging of elections. It is denying that the US has captured 99 Chinese spies and that they have confessed to rigging elections. This is all part of the work the UFD is doing to cover the evidence the President Yoon has that led to his decision to implement martial law. The PRC UFD is feeding this information to right wing South Korea "media" in order to undermine the credibility of President Yoon and the ruling party.
Report of Chinese spies rigging election 'entirely false': USFK
koreaherald.com · by Yoon Min-sik · January 20, 2025
(123rf)
The United States Forces Korea on Monday denied online media reports of 99 Chinese spies being captured by the US and South Korean military and confessing to election rigging, saying the notion is "entirely false."
“The depiction of US forces and the allegations in the mentioned ROK media articles are entirely false. US Forces Korea remains committed to its mission of maintaining stability and security on the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty. We urge responsible reporting and fact-checking to prevent the spread of misinformation that could harm public trust," the USFK said in a public statement, referring to South Korea's formal name, the Republic of Korea.
Thursday's claim by Sky Daily, a far-right platform founded in 2011, alleged that the South Korean military cooperated with the US military to take into custody 99 Chinese nationals at the National Election Commission building during the Dec. 3-4 imposition of martial law.
The reports spread quickly among supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as the disgraced leader faces an impeachment trial and criminal investigation for his failed martial law bid. Yoon claimed his surprise move was to protect the nation from "anti-state forces," mentioning Chinese spies in South Korea and election rigging.
Yoon, the first sitting president to be formally arrested and held in detention, claimed that there is "so much evidence about election rigging," referring to parliamentary elections in April 2024 in which the ruling People Power Party were largely unsuccessful.
The election body on Friday denied the report in a public statement, as did the National Office of Investigation, the police body that is currently involved in the joint probe into Yoon.
A series of fake news related to the NEC has been published by news platforms with relatively low credibility in the aftermath of Yoon's controversial martial law declaration. The fake news has included groundless claims that dozens were found to be held against their will at the election body, and that these individuals are hackers of Chinese nationality who supposedly rigged the election.
koreaherald.com · by Yoon Min-sik · January 20, 2025
2. (Trump Inauguration) Trump asks how N.K. leader Kim is doing in talks with U.S. troops in S. Korea
I am optimistic that we may be able to read this as a good sign for USFK.
(Trump Inauguration) Trump asks how N.K. leader Kim is doing in talks with U.S. troops in S. Korea | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 21, 2025
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday held brief video-linked talks with American troops stationed in South Korea and asked them how North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been doing, as he attended a formal inaugural ball in Washington.
The Commander-In-Chief Ball took place after Trump was sworn in as the United States' 47th president at the Capitol Rotunda in the U.S. capital. The ball is one of the three inaugural balls that included the Liberty Inaugural Ball and the Starlight Ball.
"How are we doing over there? How's Kim Jong-un doing?" Trump said, apparently half in jest, while talking to the U.S. Forces Korea personnel based in Camp Humphreys, a sprawling U.S. military base some 65 kilometers south of Seoul.
U.S. President Donald Trump talks to U.S. troops in South Korea via a video link during the Commander-In-Chief Ball in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025 in this photo captured from a YouTube livestream. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In an apparent reference to the North Korean leader, Trump said the troops face "somebody with pretty bad intentions."
"You would say that, although I developed a pretty good relationship with him, but he's a tough cookie," he said.
Trump became the U.S. commander-in-chief at noon when his term began. In November 2017, Trump, along with then South Korean President Moon Jae-in, visited Camp Humphreys.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 21, 2025
3. Yoon tells court he has lived with 'belief in liberal democracy'
The question is can the radical members of the Minjoo/DPK say the same, especially those who have covertly traveled to north Korea (one via submarine twice).
(2nd LD) Yoon tells court he has lived with 'belief in liberal democracy' | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · January 21, 2025
(ATTN: UPDATES with Yoon's remarks, apprehension of protester; CHANGES headline)
By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared for the first time at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, speaking of his long-held belief in "liberal democracy" and asking the bench to consider him favorably.
Yoon arrived at the court in a convoy escorted by the Presidential Security Service from the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, where he has been held in custody since last Wednesday.
At 2 p.m., he entered the courtroom, dressed in a suit and red tie, and sat waiting for the eight justices to arrive for the third hearing of the trial deliberating his impeachment over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.
"It's my first time attending today, so I will speak briefly," Yoon said while seated after asking acting court President Moon Hyung-bae for a chance to speak.
"Since coming of age, I have lived with a firm belief in liberal democracy until this very day, and especially during my time in public service," he said.
"As the Constitutional Court is an institution that exists to defend the Constitution, I ask the justices to consider me favorably in various respects."
President Yoon Suk Yeol (L) attends the third hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025. (Yonhap)
A convoy carrying impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025. (Yonhap)
Yoon is the first president to attend his or her own impeachment trial as former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were absent from theirs.
Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on Dec. 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is under way into charges he led an insurrection and abused his power through his declaration of martial law.
The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the day it received the case on Dec. 14 to uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstate him.
If Yoon is ousted, the country will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the court to show their support for the president, holding up signs that read "Impeachment Invalid."
Police surrounded the court's perimeter and beyond, and parked buses along sidewalks to prevent any violence among protesters.
One woman was apprehended after assaulting a police officer.
In a neighborhood across the road from the court, 4,000 people attended a conservative rally in support of the president.
Yoon's appearance at the court was the first time he appeared in public since the day he imposed martial law.
Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rally outside the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025. (Yonhap)
A flower garland sent by a supporter of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen in front of the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · January 21, 2025
4. Yoon supporters gather near Constitutional Court in support of impeached president
It is imperative that President Yoon's supporters conduct non-violent protests. Note that President Yoon has said he has always believed in liberal democracies. His supporters must too.
President Yoon's supporters must be aware of infiltrators/agitators from the United Front Departments of the PRC and nK. They will play on emotions and try to incite violence to discredit President Yoon. Yoon supporters must guard against that.
You can see elements of Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals with Chinese and north Korean characteristics being employed by elements of the United Front Departments.
From the introduction to Alinksy's 196 page book (https://chisineu.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/saul-alinsky-rules-for-radicals-1989.pdf)
"Where there are no men, be thou a man,"
—RABBI HILLEL
"Let them call me rebel and welcome, I feel no concern from it; but I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul..."
—THOMAS PAINE
"Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins— or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom —Lucifer."
—SAUL ALINSKY
If they need non-violent techniques for protest against those who would impose a dictatorship in Korea (e.g, radical members of the Minjoo/PDK who would impose a vision sympathetic with the PRC and nK) I suggest Gene Sharp's works for inspiration. While it is from Dictatorship to Democracy I think it can be helpful for the reverse, preventing democracy from becoming a dictatorship.
Here is a link to the Korean translation as well as the original English:
Korean translation: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62b0eb7da51f3717911bb4e1/t/642f31c2b828b86c9c21d3a8/1680814531892/FDTD-Korean.pdf
English version: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62b0eb7da51f3717911bb4e1/t/642f2c6a956bc34188310fbe/1680813163028/FDTD+%28English%29.pdf
Yoon supporters gather near Constitutional Court in support of impeached president | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · January 21, 2025
By Chae Yun-hwan
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near the Constitutional Court on Tuesday under a heavy police presence as the detained president appeared for his impeachment trial for the first time.
Around 4,000 people joined a conservative rally near the court in central Seoul, while some 200 others gathered separately in support of Yoon around Anguk Station nearby, according to police estimates as of 2 p.m.
The rallies took place as Yoon appeared at the Constitutional Court for the third hearing of his impeachment trial, just days after his formal arrest over his short-lived imposition of martial law.
Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gather near the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025. (Yonhap)
Police deployed 192 police buses to form barricades in the area for crowd control and installed a 4-meter-high fence near the court, putting the compound out of sight for Yoon's supporters.
Police in riot gear also stood guard in the area to prevent a possible escalation of the situation after a group of Yoon's supporters stormed a Seoul court on Sunday when it issued a warrant for his formal arrest.
Shortly after Yoon arrived at the court just past 1 p.m., a middle-aged woman was taken into custody for assaulting a police officer as she tried to get past police near Anguk Station.
Some supporters, carrying South Korean and U.S. flags, protested why she was being taken away, arguing that she was peacefully protesting.
Meanwhile, police only allowed members of the media and court officials to enter the court, warning protestors to turn away from the restricted area. In response, protestors chanted, "ensure the citizens' right of passage."
Some left-leaning YouTubers were seen swearing at large speakers installed in the area but there were no major clashes due to police presence.
Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol gather near the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · January 21, 2025
5. Yoon heads to hospital after impeachment trial for medical treatment
(2nd LD) Yoon heads to hospital after impeachment trial for medical treatment | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kang Yoon-seung · January 21, 2025
(ATTN: UPDATES headline, lead, throughout)
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday visited a hospital in central Seoul for medical treatment after making his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, his lawyer said.
Yoon and his escort vehicles departed from the court at 4:42 p.m. and traveled to the Armed Forces Seoul Capital District Hospital.
The vehicles were spotted departing from the military hospital in the direction of the detention center hours later.
"Yoon's doctor recommended medical treatment a month ago, which could no longer be delayed, so he received it today," Yoon's lawyer Yun Gap-geun told reporters, while declining to provide further details.
The justice ministry also confirmed Yoon's trip to the hospital, noting the president had undergone a medical examination by the detention center's medical staff on the previous day, who recommended his visit to an external medical institution.
The ministry declined to provide further details of Yoon's treatment, citing concerns over personal information.
A Justice Ministry vehicle carrying arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol leaves the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Jan. 21, 2025, en route to the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, after he attended the third hearing of his impeachment trial in connection to his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Kang Yoon-seung · January 21, 2025
6. S. Korea, U.S. hold regular joint air drills
The long term strategy of the U.S. must rest on the foundation of military deterrence through readiness and “strategic strangulation” – the well-executed use of sanctions and all instruments of national power to prevent proliferation, cyber-attacks, and global illicit activities to support the regime. The new strategy must consist of three pillars to support the Korean people in the north to create the conditions for change inside north Korea....
S. Korea, U.S. hold regular joint air drills | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 21, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean and U.S. air forces kicked off a four-day combined aerial exercise on Tuesday as part of efforts to bolster their capabilities to carry out joint operations, the South's Air Force said.
The Buddy Squadron exercise will take place at an air base in Wonju, 87 kilometers southeast of Seoul, through Friday and involve the South's FA-50 fighter jet, KA-1 light attack aircraft as well as the U.S. A-10 attack aircraft, according to the Air Force.
The drills, meant to enhance the allies' teamwork, comprise safety and security education as well as training on close air support and surface combat patrol, it added.
The planned Buddy Squadron drills will be the last such exercise involving the U.S. A-10 aircraft, which the U.S. Air Force is set to retire from South Korea this year under a modernization plan.
This March 4, 2024, file photo, provided by the South Korean Air Force, shows South Korean and U.S. Air Force pilots posing for a photo in front of an F-15K fighter at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, during their joint Buddy Squadron exercise. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 21, 2025
7. Senate votes to confirm Trump's pick for secretary of state
I think South Korea is pleased with this confirmation as South Korean officials believe Secretary Rubio will be good for the ROK/US alliance.
A visit to South Korea in the very near future by the Secretary to demonstrate support for South Korea's democracy would be very good for the alliance.
Senate votes to confirm Trump's pick for secretary of state | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 21, 2025
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump's secretary of state Monday, marking its first approval of a Cabinet-level official for the new Trump administration.
The upper chamber of Congress approved Rubio as America's chief diplomat, hours after Trump was sworn in as the United States' 47th president under a renewed pledge to "put America first."
His confirmation comes as the top diplomat post faces a full plate of foreign policy challenges, including an intensifying strategic competition with China, Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's evolving security threats, to name a few.
During a confirmation hearing last week, Rubio highlighted his readiness to realize Trump's America First credo, saying every policy the U.S. purses must be justified with the answer to a key question: whether it makes America "safer," "stronger" and "more prosperous."
Sen. Marco Rubio testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination to be secretary of state, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 2025, in this photo released by AFP. (Yonhap)
He also noted the need last Wednesday for Washington to take a "serious" look at North Korea policy to explore how to lower the risk of "inadvertent" war between the two Koreas and prevent a crisis on the Korean Peninsula without encouraging countries to seek their own nuclear arms.
In November, Trump nominated Rubio, calling him a "strong advocate for our nation" and a "true friend to our allies."
Born in 1971 as the son of two Cuban immigrants, he graduated from the University of Florida and the University of Miami Law School. Rubio served as a city commissioner in West Miami and speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He has served as a senator for Florida since 2011.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 21, 2025
8. Trump calls North Korea a ‘nuclear power,’ hours after taking oath of office
Yes, words have meaning (but only to some of us and even then in different ways). It is imperative to use the correct words. In this case the perceived misuse of words and misstatements are causing a backlash in South Korea. However, I have two responses.
First, we must understand President Trump. I doubt very much that he has been briefed in any substantive way about Korean issues and I doubt he gives much credence to words like "nuclear power" and "nuclear state." I am sure he says the fact is that north Korea has nuclear weapons so we should all get over it and deal with north Korea as it really is and not as we would wish it to be or how some IR theorist describes it or says it should be described (though I am partial to Bruce Bennett's description of north Korea as a non-compliant, unsafe nuclear experimenter"). He is not concerned with diplomatic messaging and nuance. Furthermore he likes to say provocative things to draw reactions and shape his form of negotiation diplomacy. We need to get over that.
However, I do not anticipate any policy changes or official statements designating north Korea a nuclear state or nuclear power. Yes it possesses nuclear weapons but it has demonstrated that it is in no way a responsible member of the international community therefore should never be allowed to have the reputation as a nuclear state. I am confident that the national security experts such as Mike Waltz, Marco Rubio, and especially Alex Wong will keep the Korean policy on an even keel and they will strongly recommend to the President against concessions or appeasement of north Korea.
My second point is that South Korea needs to take a collective deep breath and not read the worst into every statement made by an American. Not every American policy maker will be well versed in Korea policy and America has so much on its plate beyond Korea. South Korea must not over react to statements. South Korea (despite the current domestic political turmoil) should be confident in its states as a global pivotal state that chooses to be a peaceful nuclear power, that is a partner in the arsenal of democracy of the free world and seeks to protect the rules based international order. And it is the 10th largest economy in the world and the 6th strongest military (and north Korea is the 34th).
So the bottom line is President needs to be properly understood and South Korea should not overreact to every misstatement.
Trump calls North Korea a ‘nuclear power,’ hours after taking oath of office
Offhand comment by new president is departure from US stance of refusing to recognize DPRK as a nuclear state
https://www.nknews.org/2025/01/trump-calls-north-korea-a-nuclear-power-hours-after-taking-oath-of-office/
Alannah Hill | Shreyas Reddy January 21, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a presidential rally in Washington after his inauguration | Image: Donald J. Trump via X (Jan. 20, 2025)
Donald Trump labeled North Korea a “nuclear power” hours after taking the oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States on Monday, wasting no time in weighing in on DPRK issues and potentially signaling a shift toward recognizing its nuclear status.
Addressing reporters while signing a slew of executive orders following his inauguration, Trump stated that North Korea was “a tremendous threat” when he first became president in 2017, but suggested the North Korean dictator would be pleased to see his return.
“He liked me; I liked him. We got along very well,” he said. “He is a nuclear power, but we get along.”
Trump’s comments appeared to be off-the-cuff remarks rather than a formal declaration of policy, but they mark a departure from Washington’s long-held stance of refusing to recognize the DPRK as a nuclear power despite its possession of nuclear weapons.
He also casually described North Korea as a “very serious nuclear power” ahead of November’s election, though his latest remarks carry far greater weight now that he has returned to the presidency.
Trump’s apparent acknowledgement of North Korea’s nuclear status follows similar remarks by his defense secretary nominee Peter Hegseth, who referred to the DPRK as a “nuclear state” during his confirmation hearing last week.
This is a thorny issue for Washington, which has consistently rejected North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons, even as the Kim regime refuses to back down on its “irreversible” nuclear status.
Pyongyang briefly froze its nuclear development in the 1990s under the Agreed Framework with the U.S., but it has openly pursued nuclear weapons since withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003.
Two decades of on-and-off multilateral denuclearization negotiations since then have done little to hamper North Korea’s nuclear development, prompting some observers to call for recognizing the country’s nuclear status and pivoting toward arms control instead.
However, the U.S. has stressed repeatedly that accepting anything less than the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is unacceptable, and it is unlikely to switch to official recognition as there is no formal procedure to incorporate North Korea back into the NPT.
Trump notably pushed for the DPRK’s complete denuclearization in summit talks with Kim Jong Un during his first term, though it’s possible that the failure of those diplomatic efforts to produce a deal has led the new president to embrace a different approach.
South Korea’s unification ministry reiterated Seoul’s intent to continue working with the new U.S. government toward “the complete denuclearization of North Korea,” but his comments may add to seeking fears of a shift in U.S. policy, on top of existing concerns that he may cut off military support.
Pyongyang may take a more positive view of the new U.S. president’s comments, but after years of deadlocked talks — including multiple failed summits during Trump’s first term — it is likely to be skeptical that these remarks will lead to any policy changes.
Yang Uk, a military analyst at the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told NK News that Trump’s casual remarks do not necessarily mean his administration will formally recognize the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state.
He stated that Trump’s comments instead reflect an acknowledgement that North Korea possesses some degree of nuclear weapons capacity, but does not confer formal status as a nuclear state.
The expert added that even if Washington were to eventually consider accepting the DPRK as a nuclear power, there would still be many procedural hurdles.
“We have to wait and see if the U.S. will give in to North Korea for its nuclear weapons status, but that would mean a breakdown of the NPT,” he said. “There’s no way for the U.S. to recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.”
Former real estate magnate Trump also expressed an interest in North Korea’s potential for property development on Monday, stating that the country has “tremendous condo capability” and “a lot of shoreline.”
Trump’s remarks reflect a continuing focus from his first term, as the president previously emphasized North Korea’s “unbelievable economic potential” and its prime location as a “waterfront property” near China, Russia and South Korea.
His statement on Monday comes as the DPRK prepares to finally open the long-delayed Wonsan Kalma beach resort on the east coast later this year.
In another unusual exchange, Trump jokingly asked ROK-based U.S. soldiers how Kim is doing in a video call during a post-inauguration ceremony, noting that the troops face “somebody with pretty bad intentions” on the other side of the border.
Despite describing Kim as a “tough cookie,” Trump once again highlighted his “pretty good relationship” with the North Korean leader.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM TRUMP 2.0
Earlier on Monday, Trump delivered an inauguration speech focusing heavily on American exceptionalism and the need to prioritize an “America First” approach over foreign relations, without any mention of the two Koreas.
His comments criticizing “unlimited funding” for defending foreign borders has implications for South Korea, which is heavily reliant on U.S. troops to deter the DPRK, but for now it appears Korea issues remain on the backburner.
Pyongyang has not publicly acknowledged Trump’s election so far, but it is likely closely monitoring how the new administration’s hardline rhetoric may reshape relations, particularly amid ongoing concerns over the regime’s nuclear and missile programs and military cooperation to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Trump’s inauguration marks the return of a former president who previously threatened Pyongyang with “fire and fury” before pivoting to diplomacy and holding two major summits with Kim Jong Un, as well as an impromptu third meeting at the inter-Korean border, in an attempt to induce him to give up his nuclear weapons — all of which ultimately failed.
Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump shaking hands ahead of the first-ever U.S.-DPRK summit in Singapore | Image: Dan Scavino Jr. (June 12, 2018)
However, China and the Ukraine war appear to be at the top of his foreign policy agenda this time around, and former National Intelligence Officer for North Korea Sydney Seiler previously told NK News that additional Trump-Kim summits are unlikely after their failed Hanoi summit in 2019.
“Kim Jong Un thought he had a way, enabled by the Moon [Jae-in] administration, to outsmart Trump, get sanctions relief for some marginally important actions limited to Yongbyon, and thus lock in permanently his nuclear power status,” the expert said.
Since the Hanoi summit, North Korea has shunned engagement with the U.S. and declared its nuclear status “irreversible,” and Seiler stated that Kim would now prefer to be part of an “alternative world order” with “like-minded revisionist” countries like Russia.
While some experts previously told NK News that Trump could seek to rekindle diplomacy, North Korea has since adopted what it called its “most hardline” policy strategy against the U.S. at its year-end major party plenum in December, claiming Washington and its allies were forcing its hand after encircling the regime with nuclear weapons.
North Korea could offer further details about its stance when its rubber-stamp parliament holds a major legislative meeting to revise the constitution on Wednesday.
“They likely timed it to observe the inauguration speech and then send their message to the U.S. right after the inauguration,” Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, previously told NK News.
READING THE TEA LEAVES
In the absence of specific policy pledges, some of Trump’s nominations for and appointments to key roles related to North Korea in his administration could give an insight into what Washington’s policy on the DPRK may look like over the next four years.
Trump appointed Richard Grenell as the presidential envoy for special missions, a new position that suggests a lower prioritization of the DPRK compared to Trump’s first term, when he appointed a special representative solely for the DPRK.
Grenell, known for his hawkish stance and controversial diplomacy, may adopt a transactional, less engagement-focused approach, but his track record suggests he will follow Trump’s lead on North Korea.
Hegseth, another Trump nominee with a history of backing the president’s changing positions on North Korea, raised eyebrows last week with his reference to North Korea as a “nuclear state,” but experts suggested this may have been due to his lack of expertise on the DPRK issue.
Finally, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio backed Trump’s engagement strategy with North Korea but emphasized a broader approach to reduce risks of conflict and deter regional nuclear proliferation. He also hinted at negotiations for partial sanctions relief in exchange for North Korean concessions.
Rubio and John Ratcliffe, the nominee for CIA director, sailed through their initial Senate committee votes on Monday, and the Senate quickly confirmed Rubio’s appointment. However, Hegseth’s approval proved more divisive as he squeaked through the initial round by a single vote.
Peter Hegseth during the Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing | Image: Senate Armed Services Committee (Jan. 14, 2024)
Overall, Trump’s nominees and appointments indicate a cautious and transactional stance, with less emphasis on transformative diplomacy compared to his first term.
Moreover, most of Trump’s security and foreign policy picks are known China hawks with little experience in DPRK affairs, reflecting the new administration’s prioritization of Beijing as its main threat in the Indo-Pacific region.
On the few occasions these officials have commented on North Korea in the past, they have largely mirrored Trump’s positions as he shifted from a confrontational approach in 2017 to staging high-profile summits with Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019.
Edited by Bryan Betts
Updated at 11:55 a.m., 2:55 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 4:18 p.m. KST on Jan. 21 with additional context on U.S. rejections of North Korea’s nuclear status, Trump’s likely DPRK policies and additional Trump comments.
9. S. Korea eyes US$300 mln K9 howitzer exports deal with Vietnam
Who in the US or South Korea in 1975 would have thought this kind of trade would be taking place?
S. Korea eyes US$300 mln K9 howitzer exports deal with Vietnam | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 20, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is in the final stage of reaching a US$300 million agreement to export homegrown K9 self-propelled howitzers to Vietnam, industry and government sources said Monday, in what would mark the first arms exports to the Southeast Asian nation when finalized.
Under the envisioned plan, South Korea will ship around 20 K9 howitzers to Vietnam, which would make Hanoi the 10th country outside of Seoul to acquire the weapons systems, according to the sources.
South Korea has so far shipped the K9 to Australia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, India, Norway, Poland, Romania and Turkey.
The rare deal comes as Vietnam, which is South Korea's third-largest trading partner, seeks to diversify its arms supplies amid changes in global and regional security circumstances.
In November, Vietnamese troops took part in a K9 training program for foreign troops organized by the South Korean Army.
During a trip to South Korea in 2023, Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang visited a South Korean Army unit that operates the K9 and was briefed on the weapons system by its manufacturer Hanwha Aerospace.
South Korea previously donated two decommissioned corvettes to Vietnam.
This photo, provided by the Army on Nov. 22, 2024, shows foreign soldiers from countries operating Korean-made K9 howitzers listening to an introduction to the weapon as part of the Korea-Army International Course (K-AIC) program. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 20, 2025
10. (Trump Inauguration) Acting President Choi says to make alliance great again in message to Trump
MAGA - Making the Alliance Great Again.
(Trump Inauguration) Acting President Choi says to make alliance great again in message to Trump | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · January 21, 2025
By Kim Han-joo
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday expressed optimism in making the alliance with the United States great again as he congratulated President Donald Trump on his return to the White House.
"President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, congratulations on your inauguration!" Choi said in his account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"The Republic of Korea looks forward to Making the Alliance Great Again in the 47th presidency, as we have during the 45th," he added.
Trump took office as the United States' 47th president Monday (U.S. time), renewing his vow to "put America first" and tariff foreign countries to enrich Americans while signaling an intent to refrain from military involvement in conflicts overseas.
"Make America Great Again" is an American political slogan popularized by Donald Trump during his successful presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2024.
U.S. President Donald Trump reacts before delivering his inaugural address after being sworn in inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025, in this photo released by AFP. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · January 21, 2025
11. Captured N.K. soldier in Ukraine says didn't know he would be fighting Ukrainians
Captured N.K. soldier in Ukraine says didn't know he would be fighting Ukrainians | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · January 21, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- One of the two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine this month has claimed that he arrived in Russia without knowing whom he would be fighting, according to another video of his interrogation released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy disclosed that his forces had captured the North Korean soldiers in Russia's western front-line region of Kursk, sharing videos of their interrogation on the social media platform X.
In the latest video posted on Monday (local time), one of the captured soldiers said he arrived in Russia aboard a ship with around 100 others before being transported inland by rail with them.
"Even after coming here, I didn't know that I would be fighting the Ukrainian people," the man said in the video in Korean. The video could not be independently verified.
This image captured from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's X page on Jan. 21, 2025, shows a man reported to be a North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
He said some North Korean troops were taught how to use Russian weapons and equipment but that he himself did not receive such training.
The soldier, believed to be born in 2005, said he joined the military when he was 17, as most North Korean men do after graduating from school, and was affiliated with a company under the North Korean military's reconnaissance bureau.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine will confirm details of North Korea's involvement in the war through continued interrogation of the soldiers.
"Intelligence data on the movement of such troops to Russian territory, their training and complete information isolation have been confirmed by the prisoners," he wrote on X. "All the facts about North Korea's involvement in this war will be established."
North Korea is estimated to have sent some 11,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. Of those, 300 are believed to have been killed, with some 2,700 others wounded, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers last week.
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · January 21, 2025
12. Defense ministry approves plan to relocate Daegu military airport
Long time SOF launch base. Onetime home of E/160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Defense ministry approves plan to relocate Daegu military airport | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 21, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry has officially approved a plan for the relocation of a military airport in the southeastern city of Daegu, officials said Tuesday.
The ministry and the Daegu municipal government have been seeking to relocate the Daegu airport to a joint civilian-military airport to be built in the nearby counties of Uiseong and Gunwi by 2030.
Under the plan, the Daegu city government will build the new airport and donate it to the defense ministry, while the ministry will transfer the former military airport site to the city, about 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
The approval is a procedural requirement to grant Daegu the eligibility to make the donation, the ministry said, vowing to smoothly proceed with the project, estimated to cost 11.5 trillion won (US$7.9 billion).
This Sept. 13, 2022, file photo shows an aerial view of the civilian section of a joint civilian-military airport set to be built in the southeastern counties of Uiseong and Gunwi. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 21, 2025
13. N. Korean leader's sister breaks 2-month silence to address ties with Belarus
N. Korean leader's sister breaks 2-month silence to address ties with Belarus | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 20, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful sister issued a rare statement on her country's stance on a summit meeting with Belarus on Monday, marking her first media remarks in about two months.
Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee, clarified a recent report by Russia's TASS news agency quoting the Belarusian president as saying that North Korea and other Asian countries proposed a top-level meeting to discuss cooperation, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
"If I comment on the report of Itar-Tass on the speaking of the Belarusian president that we proposed a top-level meeting to Minsk for a discussion of the issue of cooperation, there is no such thing, at least, as far as I know," Kim said.
She noted, "I know well that the Belarusian side has been hoping for the top-level contact with the DPRK from at least two years ago," adding that "if Belarus hopes to develop a cooperative relationship with the DPRK, it is important to clarify its intention correctly."
DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"Such veracity and frankness" should be the starting point in the relations between the two countries, and her country would welcome it if Belarus wishes to develop friendly and cooperative relations with North Korea from this stand, she stated.
The report marks Kim's first remarks carried by North Korea's official media since her criticism on Nov. 26 regarding propaganda leaflets and accompanying items sent to the North from South Korea.
Kim, whose official remarks have mostly focused on issues regarding Seoul, Washington or Tokyo, may have decided to speak publicly about Belarus -- a diplomatically less significant subject -- probably because it involved a potential summit meeting involving Kim Jong-un.
North Korea is currently seeking to strengthen ties with Belarus, an Eastern European nation close to Russia, after holding foreign ministers' talks in July last year.
During a regular press briefing, Koo Byoung-sam, spokesperson for South Korea's unification ministry, emphasized the need to monitor how bilateral relations between North Korea and Belarus evolve in the future.
"We once again sternly emphasize that Belarus and North Korea must adhere to the United Nations Security Council's sanctions resolutions against North Korea when engaging in bilateral relations," Koo noted.
Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Committee (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 20, 2025
14. ‘I Only Know South Korea Has Fewer Mountains’ – Testimony From Captured Pyongyang POW
"north Korea is number one. We have more mountains."
Of course that is an important metric for any infantryman - how many mountains to hump that ruck.
‘I Only Know South Korea Has Fewer Mountains’ – Testimony From Captured Pyongyang POW
kyivpost.com · by Kyiv Post · January 20, 2025
North Koreans in Ukraine North Korea Kursk
One of the North Koreans captured by Kyiv shared more details on his journey to Russia, his military service, and what he knows about the world behind Pyongyang’s information blackout.
by Kyiv Post | January 20, 2025, 7:30 pm
Screenshot of the North Korean prisoner of war being interviewed on the circumstances of his involvement in Russia’s war with Ukraine. Photo: Telegram.
One of the North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) shared some very revealing details about his background in an interview published by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday morning.
The interview, which showed the young soldier lying under a blanket recovering from a wound received in action, sheds light on the logistics of North Korean integration into the Russian military, the journey of the North Korean soldier to the war zone, and his knowledge of the world behind Pyongyang’s Iron Curtain.
Screenshot from video released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly showing a captured North Korean soldier fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk, Jan. 12. 2025.
Military background
In the video, the North Korean soldier said he was conscripted into the military after graduating from high school at the age of 17, where he served in a reconnaissance battalion for the whole of his service to date. He did not specify the details of his unit.
In an earlier interview, he said he was born in 2005 and joined the military in 2021 as a rifleman.
When captured he was found to be in possession of a Russian-issued military identity card, which confirmed earlier reports from South Korea that Moscow had issued fake IDs to DPRK troops to help conceal their identities and, subsequently, Pyongyang’s involvement.
Ukraine’s security services arrested the Armed Forces’ chief psychiatrist on suspicion of illegally obtaining property, cars, and hidden assets worth more than $1 million during the war.
He said he was issued the ID in the autumn of 2024, after he arrived in Russia.
Journey to Russia
The soldier confirmed to the interviewer that he had arrived in Russia from North Korea by ferry. He said more than 100 North Korean troops were on board the vessel, which he identified as a Russian civilian cargo ship, not a military one. He said there was no cargo on board, just people. He did not give details of the locations he visited.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said 1,500 North Korean special forces were transported by “four landing ships and three escort ships belonging to the Russian Pacific Fleet” between Oct. 8 and Oct. 13, citing satellite imagery. The report made no mention of civilian ferries.
After landing in Russia, he and the troops from the ferry were moved by train, with six tables and beds shared between the passengers. It can be assumed that if the troops departed Russia’s Far Eastern coast at the nearest point to North Korea, the rail journey to the Kursk region, where he and other DPRK troops have been deployed, would take at least seven non-stop days.
When questioned by the interrogator he added that his mother is unaware of his whereabouts.
Fighting against Ukraine
When asked if he would “voluntarily wish to give truthful testimony about the circumstances of [his] participation in hostilities against Ukraine,” the soldier maintained his innocence and said he was unaware that he was being sent to fight against Ukraine.
In a previous interview, he said he had only been informed that he would be participating in training exercises.
The interrogator asked if he received training in the use of Russian weapons, to which the soldier said some did, but not him.
“There were a few soldiers from North Korea who were trained to use heavy Russian equipment, but I personally did not undergo such training,” the soldier said. He had claimed in an earlier interview that he had only received one week of integration training with Russian military personnel.
Asked about the North Korean casualties he had witnessed, including the circumstances, such as the numbers and the types of weapons used, the soldier said there were simply too many to count once the fighting started for him on Jan. 3.
“There were a lot of casualties when I was there alone, starting from the battle on Jan. 3. Overall, it’s hard to answer about such large-scale numbers,” he said.
North Korean troops began to reinforce Russian units as Moscow began its attempt to retake the areas of the Kursk region under Ukrainian control in late 2024.
The NIS recently reported that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and 2,700 injured in the conflict.
‘Not much’
When asked about his knowledge of the world beyond the North Korean border, the soldier simply answered, “not much.”
The interrogator then asked if the soldier knew anything about South Korea, to which the soldier replied, only after the video was temporarily cut off:
“I only know that South Korea has fewer mountains than North Korea.”
15. S. Korea to hold overseas combined drills in UAE next month
South Korea is a global pivotal state that chooses to be a peaceful nuclear power, and is a critical partner in the Arsenal of Democracy and supports the rules based international order.
S. Korea to hold overseas combined drills in UAE next month | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 20, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct combined drills in the Middle East nation in February, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday, as part of efforts to bolster their defense cooperation.
Under the plan, service members of the South Korean Army, Navy and Marine Corps departed for the UAE from a naval base in Jinhae, 312 kilometers southeast of Seoul, earlier in the day to attend the combined exercise scheduled for Feb. 10-20, according to the ministry.
The upcoming exercise, organized upon Abu Dhabi's request, will take place at Al Hamra Training Center and waters off Abu Dhabi and involve a 4,900-ton South Korean warship as well as 14 pieces of equipment, including the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer, the ministry said.
On the sidelines of the training, South Korea plans to showcase its homegrown weapons systems and hold military exchange activities, such as discussing ways to expand cooperation with high-level officials, it added.
The defense ministry expected the combined drills to enhance the military's capabilities to conduct joint operations as well as boost arms exports.
Last year, the South Korean Army conducted its first overseas drills involving the K2 and K9 in Qatar, as part of efforts to bolster cooperation with counterparts in the Middle East.
This photo, provided by the South Korean Army on July 18, 2024, shows soldiers from the 6th Infantry Division taking part in a joint combined high-tech military drill with U.S. and United Arab Emirates soldiers at the Korea Combat Training Center (KCTC), a facility employing cutting-edge technologies for realistic ground drills, in Inje, 126 kilometers northeast of Seoul. The maneuver ran from July 9-19. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 20, 2025
16. Experts: “North Korea’s denuclearization goal and deterrence against North Korea must be maintained”… Some also point out the need for a realistic approach
This is a Google translation of a VOA report by Eunjung Cho.
This is a slew of interviews with us Korea watchers."
If I could add only twelve words to my comments on deterrence and defense below it would be these:
Unification first, then denuclearization; the path to unification is through human rights.
And I would add the following to reinforce my points below: It is imperative for the Trump administration to have a deep understanding of the nature, objectives, and strategy of the Kim family regime.
Experts: “North Korea’s denuclearization goal and deterrence against North Korea must be maintained”… Some also point out the need for a realistic approach
2025.1.21
https://www.voakorea.com/a/7944192.html
As the second term of Donald Trump begins, Korean Peninsula experts in the U.S. have suggested that when resuming negotiations with North Korea, the goal of denuclearization should be maintained and a strong deterrent should be maintained. There have also been opinions that, considering the changed situation in North Korea, the negotiation goal should be reduced and sanctions relief should be considered. Reporter Jo Eun-jung reports.
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Experts: “North Korea’s denuclearization goal and deterrence against North Korea must be maintained”… Some also point out the need for a realistic approach
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Scott Snyder, President, Korea Economic Institute (KEI)
Scott Snyder, director of the Korea-America Economic Institute, said in a phone interview with VOA on the 20th that if talks between the US and North Korea resume, “denuclearization should remain the main goal,” adding that “President Trump can talk to Kim Jong-un about a variety of topics, but he should not give up on denuclearization.”
[Recording: Director Snyder] “Denuclearization should remain President Trump’s primary goal as related to North Korea. He can talk to Kim Jong Un about many different topics, but denuclearization cannot be abandoned. As related to the position of abandoning the objective of denuclearization, I think that it is something that President Trump would be well advised not to do, because I think that he would encounter significant resistance from allies and supporters.”
“If we give up on the goal of denuclearization, we would expect a significant backlash from our allies,” Snyder said. “So I expect President Trump will be advised not to give up on the goal of denuclearization.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands at Panmunjom in June 2019.
During his first term, President-elect Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to hold a summit with a North Korean leader.
President Trump, who met with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un three times at the time, repeatedly hinted at the possibility of pursuing summit diplomacy with North Korea again during his 47th presidential election campaign, citing diplomacy with North Korea as a major achievement.
“Maintaining the goal of denuclearization… significant repercussions”
Bruce Klingner, Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation
Bruce Klingner, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, also said in a phone call with VOA on the 20th, “Denuclearization is not only a policy that the United States has long pursued, but is also a legal requirement under 11 UN resolutions, the US North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2022, and is consistent with long-standing US policy under the Nonproliferation Treaty.”
[Recording: Researcher Klingner] “Denuclearization is not only long standing US policy, but it's also the legal requirement of 11 UN resolutions, as well as us legislation, such as the North Korea policy and oversight act of 2022 and it's also consistent with long standing policy under the Non Proliferation Treaty. So if any US administration were to abandon denuclearization as the end goal, I think it would have very serious repercussions to US relations with our IndoPacific allies and our partners, Washington's long standing commitment to Non Proliferation, and it would also send a signal of acquiescence to other nuclear aspirants.”
He said, “If the U.S. government abandons its ultimate goal of denuclearization, it will have serious implications for its long-standing commitments to denuclearization, as well as its relationships with its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, and it will send a signal of acquiescence to other countries that seek to develop nuclear weapons.”
“Lift sanctions… Consider threat reduction negotiations”
Robert Manning, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, told VOA in a phone interview on the 20th that North Korea has changed a lot since Trump's first term and that realistic goals must be set.
“I want to first say that we must be careful when approaching North Korea negotiations,” Manning said. “Since the failure of the Hanoi summit in 2019, the situation has changed dramatically.”
[Recording: Researcher Manning] “My first word would be caution that those things have changed quite dramatically since the failed 2019 Hanoi summit and Kim Jong Un is much less interested in normalization with the United States… Particularly the biggest change is that Kim has really taken nuclear weapons off the table. So I guess my advice would be to be realistic in approaching North Korea, because there's real limits to what might be achieved, even in the best of circumstances.”
He continued, “Kim Jong-un does not seem to be very interested in normalizing relations with the United States,” and said, “The biggest change is that Kim Jong-un has removed nuclear weapons from the negotiating agenda.”
“I would advise being realistic about how you approach North Korea,” Manning said, adding that there are a few small goals you can pursue, such as discussing threat reduction measures or creating channels of communication so that you can give advance warning of provocations.
Joseph DeTrani, former US Deputy Representative for Six-Party Talks on North Korea
Joseph DeTrani, a former deputy U.S. representative to the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear program who negotiated directly with North Korea, said in a telephone interview with VOA on the 20th, "North Korea has been and will continue to strive to maintain its nuclear weapons and to be recognized as a nuclear weapons state by the United States."
In order to attract North Korea's attention, he said, "the United States must make it known that it is ultimately interested in negotiations," including by lifting sanctions.
[Recording: Former Deputy Representative Detrani] “I think ultimately showing that we're prepared to negotiate with them. We're prepared to do intimate intermediate steps, like the lifting of sanctions in response to, if you will, their actions like withholding of nuclear tests and fissile material production, we keep our goals on the table. And North Korea, we know how they have their goals, and we start the process of moving down the path.”
“The United States must show that it is willing to take intermediate steps and consider lifting sanctions in exchange for North Korea halting its nuclear tests and production of nuclear materials,” which should make North Korea interested in negotiating.
He said, “North Korea may have its own goals, but we must also maintain our goals at the negotiating table,” adding, “It is to immediately begin the process of denuclearization.”
“ Pressure and dialogue in parallel ...maintaining military deterrence”
Sydney Seiler, former National Intelligence Council National Intelligence Analyst for North Korea
Sidney Seiler, former director of the National Intelligence Council's North Korea program, also said in a telephone interview with VOA on the 20th that the goal of denuclearization must be maintained, adding, "We must continue to apply pressure, isolate, and work to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table in order to stop its nuclear program."
[Recording: Former Analyst Seiler] “The means by which we have to stop this program continue to be pressure and isolation and efforts to try to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table…” We continue to develop capabilities to deter and, if necessary, defend and defeat North Korea's nuclear forces. So continue to strengthen US and alliance military capabilities, missile defense capabilities. Make clear to Kim Jong Un our declaratory language and continue to seek dialogue.”
He continued, “We continue to develop the capacity to deter, defend if necessary, and defeat North Korea’s nuclear weapons,” adding, “We must continue to strengthen the military and missile defense capabilities of the U.S. and our allies, and we must continue to pursue dialogue while making clear our declaratory statements to Kim Jong-un.”
Patrick Cronin, Asia-Pacific Security Chair, Hudson Institute
Patrick Cronin, chair of Asia-Pacific security studies at the Hudson Institute, said in an email to VOA on the 20th that “we should strengthen deterrence on the Korean Peninsula through declaratory policies” and that “we should not publicly discuss scaling back military exercises or reducing the U.S. military posture in East Asia.”
[Cronin Chair] “Reinforce Deterrence on the Peninsula through declaratory policy and refrain from openly discussing curbing exercises or reducing presence in East Asia. This is particularly important when South Korea’s political leadership remains unsettled.”
He also said, “This is especially important at a time when South Korea’s political leadership is in a state of instability.”
David Maxwell, Vice President, Asia Pacific Strategy Center
David Maxwell, vice president of the Asia-Pacific Strategy Center, also said, “President Trump should pursue a long-term North Korea policy based on deterrence and defense capabilities.”
He said, “North Korea has a hostile policy to dominate the Korean Peninsula,” and “it is trying to achieve this through political warfare, intimidation diplomacy, and the development of advanced military forces against South Korea.”
[Recording: Vice President Maxwell] “North Korea has a hostile policy to dominate the Korean peninsula. It is trying to do that through three ways, political warfare against the South, blackmail diplomacy and developing advanced military capabilities to be able to attack the South in order to dominate the peninsula. So the foundation for all strategy, must be combined ROK and US military readiness.”
He continued, “Therefore, the US-ROK military readiness posture must be the foundation of all policies toward North Korea.”
“It’s fine for President Trump to negotiate with Kim Jong Un, but he has to understand Kim Jong Un’s intentions and his political war,” Maxwell said. “No matter what North Korea agrees to, they have to recognize that they are using deception and have a hostile policy.”
This is Eun-Jeong Jo from VOA News.
17. Changing Kim Jong Un's behavior calls for change in U.S. policy
Voices Jan. 21, 2025 / 6:03 AM
Changing Kim Jong Un's behavior calls for change in U.S. policy
https://www.upi.com/Voices/2025/01/21/Kim-Jong-Un-policy/2901737456518/
By David Maxwell
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is seen delivering a speech on the 76th anniversary of North Korea's founding on September 9, 2024. File Photo by KCNA/EPA-EFE
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The United States must never fear to engage in dialogue and actions that challenge the status quo of its North Korea policy. The time has come to disrupt traditional approaches, which have failed to yield progress, and instead focus on empowering the Korean people to achieve liberty, dignity, and unification. The oppressive Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State, led by Kim Jong Un, continues to perpetuate suffering while posing a grave threat to global security.
Kim Jong Un's nuclear arsenal is not a bargaining chip he will relinquish. It is the foundation of his regime's ability to survive through his revolutionary quest to dominate the Korean peninsula. This leaves no room for peaceful coexistence. The only way forward is to empower the Korean people to create conditions for change that lead to a free and unified Korea. Traditional North Korean policies must be disrupted in favor of bold, proactive measures that prioritize human rights, strategic disruption, and unification as the path to peace and stability.
The only way to change Kim's behavior is through pressure from within North Korea. If he will not change his behavior, it is up to the Korean people in the north to change him.
Kim's regime is an imminent threat to regional and global security
The persistence of Kim Jong Un's nuclear ambitions and his political warfare strategy and blackmail diplomacy destabilize Northeast Asia and threaten global peace. The traditional policy of containment and negotiation has only emboldened the regime, allowing it to expand its capabilities. Disrupting this approach requires a commitment to dismantling the regime's tools of oppression and aggression by empowering those who suffer under its rule.
Human rights as a catalyst for change
The North Korean regime thrives on denying its citizens their basic human rights. Through indoctrination, forced labor, and systemic repression, the regime maintains its iron grip on power. A human rights-focused approach -- one that educates the Korean people in the North about their universal rights and equips them with tools to resist -- can erode the regime's control and ignite a grassroots movement for freedom. This shift in strategy is both a moral imperative and a practical means of undermining the regime's legitimacy. The pressure on Kim will be immense because the only thing he fears more than the combined South Korean and U.S. militaries is the Korean people in the North armed with knowledge and information.
Unification is the only path to denuclearization
History has shown that Kim Jong Un will not voluntarily abandon his nuclear weapons. The path to a denuclearized Korean peninsula lies in unification under a free and democratic government. A free and unified Korea can ensure the dismantling of nuclear capabilities while fostering regional stability. Disrupting traditional policies means embracing unification as the ultimate goal, rather than viewing it as a distant aspiration. The current domestic political turmoil does not have to cast aside the 8.15 Unification Doctrine put forward by the Yoon administration. When the upheaval subsides, South Korea's democracy will be stronger and an example of freedom.
The moral responsibility of the U.S. and South Korea
The division of Korea is a legacy of Cold War geopolitics, and the U.S. bears a moral responsibility to support the Korean people's quest for freedom and unification. The suffering endured by millions under the Kim family regime is a direct result of policies that prioritize regime survival over human dignity. By adopting a bold new approach, the U.S. can rectify its historical role and fulfill its commitment to universal human rights.
Strategic interests align with moral imperatives
A free and unified Korea would serve as a powerful ally in Northeast Asia, counterbalancing authoritarian regimes and promoting democratic values. The strategic benefits of unification -- from enhanced security to economic integration -- align with the moral imperative to end the suffering of the Korean people in the north. Disrupting traditional policies to achieve this outcome is not only ethical but strategically sound.
Conclusion
The time to disrupt traditional North Korean policy is now. Decades of ineffective strategies have left millions of Koreans in the North to suffer under tyranny while the regime's threats grow unchecked. The U.S. and South Korea must lead with boldness and clarity, prioritizing human rights, strategic disruption, and unification. A free and unified Korea represents not just an aspiration but a necessary reality for global peace and regional stability. It is time to reject the failed approaches of the past and embrace a future where the Korean people are empowered to shape their destiny and achieve their fundamental human right of self-determination of government. By disrupting tradition, the U.S. can pave the way for a brighter, freer world which includes a new nation, a United Republic of Korea (UROK).
David Maxwell is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region. He specializes in Northeast Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation. Following retirement, he was Associate Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He is on the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the OSS Society and is a contributing editor to Small Wars Journal.
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
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