Informal Institute for National Security Thinkers and Practitioners

Quotes of the Day:

"Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant; there is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks."

– Author Unknown, but widely attributed to Johann Gottfried von Herder

"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion."

– Plato

"There may not be as much humanity in the world as one would like to see. But there is some. There's more than one would think... If you break faith with what you know, that's a betrayal of many, many, many, many people. I may know six people, but that's enough. Love has never been a popular movement... The world is held together, really it is held together, by the love and the passion of very few people."

–James Baldwin

1. Ousted South Korean defence minister testifies Yoon never intended full martial law

2. Prosecutors make another request for extension of Yoon's arrest after court's denial

3. Editorial: Lee Jae-myung's trial must proceed without further delay

4. South Korean Fake News You Never Heard from the Foreign Media

5. N. Korea suspected of preparing for additional troop deployment to Russia: JCS

6. A former soldier in North Korea's army says he was restricted to firing 3 bullets a year

7. Who Are the North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia? Analysis by a Former 'Storm Corps' Member (3) Poor Training and Hunger... Disappointment in Reality, Yet "I Was Willing to Be a Suicide Soldier"

8. ＜Inside N.Korea＞ News of North Korean Soldier Deaths in Russia Finally Reaches Home - Parents Scramble While Some Youth Volunteer: What's Behind This?

9. Dutch contingent deployed at U.N. Command amid N. Korean threats

10. Rubio stresses U.S.' commitment to Indo-Pacific allies in call with Chinese counterpart

11. Trump might eye N.K. diplomacy not tightly linked to denuclearization, but conducive to stability: experts

12. Half of South Korea's exports to the U.S. fuel America's manufacturing revival

13. North Korea Suffers 4,000 Casualties in Kursk as Coordination Between DPRK and Russia Falters – UK MoD

14. Court again rejects prosecutors' request for extension of Yoon's arrest

15. [Editorial] Far-right YouTubers

16. Trump releases first Quad joint communique after taking office

17. Trump says he will reach out to Kim Jon Un again

18. North Korea concludes parliamentary meeting, affirms focus on national defense

1. Ousted South Korean defence minister testifies Yoon never intended full martial law

Former MINDEF Kim Yong-hyun seems to be falling on his word to somewhat protect President Yoon.

Ousted South Korean defence minister testifies Yoon never intended full martial law

By Hyunsu Yim and Hyonhee Shin

January 23, 20256:27 AM ESTUpdated a day ago

South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun looks on as he meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (not pictured) during the U.S.-ROK Security Consultative Meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Summary

Kim Yong-hyun testified at Yoon's impeachment hearingFormer defence minister says he recommended Dec. 3 martial lawPresident Yoon only wanted to send political message, Kim says

SEOUL, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A former South Korean defence minister charged with insurrection for his role in a short-lived martial law attempt told a court on Thursday that he wanted a broader military deployment but was overruled by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned after the Dec. 3 martial law and is now jailed, testified before the nation's Constitutional Court, which is deciding whether to reinstate or fully remove Yoon from power after he was impeached on Dec. 14.

Central to Yoon's defence is that he never intended to impose military rule, using the decree only to break political deadlock.

"Yes," said Kim when asked by Yoon's lawyers whether the president had shot down the defence minister's recommendation to mobilise all military units stationed in Seoul.

Kim confirmed he had also proposed sending some units to the opposition party headquarters and a left-wing polling firm.

The Constitutional Court began its trial on Dec. 27 to review charges that Yoon violated his constitutional duty by imposing martial law without justification.

At an earlier hearing, the parliament's legal team presented testimony from military commanders and video footage showing military helicopters landing on parliament grounds with special forces troops breaking into the main building, as well as troops moving in on the National Election Commission.

An opposition Democratic Party lawmaker had condemned "the Dec. 3 insurrection," saying Yoon and supporters sought chaos by refusing to accept his recent arrest warrant.

On Thursday, South Korea's anti-corruption agency transferred its case to prosecutors, recommending they indict Yoon for insurrection and abuse of power.

In December, Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, told a parliament committee that he received multiple telephone calls from Yoon as events unfolded, including an order to "drag out" lawmakers from parliament.

Kwak, who has since been indicted on insurrection charges, said he chose not to execute that order.

When asked about that report by a Constitutional Court justice on Tuesday, Yoon denied giving such a command.

TROOP DEPLOYMENTS

Other military officers have said that it was Kim who gave the order to extract lawmakers from parliament's chambers.

On Thursday, Kim acknowledged that he had proposed declaring martial law to Yoon.

He said the president was concerned that the opposition party was obsessed with only three things - protecting the opposition leader from legal liabilities, impeaching government officials and launching special counsel investigations against Yoon.

He quoted Yoon as saying that the opposition's "parliamentary dictatorship and violence had gone out of control" and left no alternative.

About 1,605 soldiers and 3,144 police officers were deployed including to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, according to indictments against army commanders provided by lawmaker Boo Seung-chan and reviewed by Reuters.

Some of those entered the parliament building itself, including by breaking windows, where they faced off with staffers who had used furniture to barricade doors and wielded fire extinguishers.

Yoon rescinded the martial law six hours later after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree.

During Thursday's hearing, Yoon disputed suggestions that the martial law had been thwarted, saying he always intended it to be a limited operation.

"This wasn't a failed martial law, it ended a little sooner than expected, as the National Assembly quickly demanded the lifting of it, and I also ordered the withdrawal of the military," Yoon said.

Kim said he shared names of people who might violate the decree with the defence counterintelligence commander on Dec. 3, but that it was not an arrest list.

Yoon could be seen occasionally nodding at Kim during the testimony.

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Saad Sayeed and Mark Heinrich

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Suggested Topics:

Hyunsu Yim

Thomson Reuters

Seoul-based reporter covering the Koreas with a focus on South Korean politics, North Korea's missile tests and the K-pop industry. Before joining Reuters, he worked at The Korea Herald.

2. Prosecutors make another request for extension of Yoon's arrest after court's denial

(3rd LD) Prosecutors make another request for extension of Yoon's arrest after court's denial | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · January 25, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 5-7)

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Saturday made another request to extend President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention beyond its initial period for a probe over his botched martial law attempt last month, after a Seoul court rejected its earlier request the previous day.

Just four hours after the court's rejection, the special prosecution team investigating Yoon's case filed a new request at the Seoul Central District Court to extend Yoon's detention until Feb. 6, according to investigators.

The request came after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) transferred the case to the prosecution.

President Yoon Suk Yeol attends the fourth hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Jan. 23, 2025, over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

"In light of past cases in which prosecutors conducted supplementary investigations, including raids, over CIO-transferred cases, and regulations of the Criminal Procedure Act, prosecutors' right to a supplementary probe is naturally recognized," the prosecution said. "Thus, there is a need for an extension of the detention period."

Meanwhile, the prosecution team is reportedly preparing an indictment against Yoon in case the court denies its second request.

"We are reviewing all possible options as the outcome remains uncertain," said a prosecution official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

By law, a suspect can be held under arrest for up to 10 days, with a possible extension of another 10 days. Yoon was arrested Sunday.

On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed the extension request, saying it is difficult to see a considerable reason for the prosecution to continue the probe given that the CIO had already investigated the case and referred it to the prosecution with an indictment request.

The CIO had transferred the case to the prosecution earlier as the agency does not have a legal mandate to indict a president.

Following the prosecution's move, Yoon's legal team once again called for his immediate release, citing the illegality of the proceedings.

"The prosecution's attempt to request an extension for the arrest warrant directly violates the provisions of law governing the CIO, and adds yet another layer of illegality to an already unlawful process," the lawyers said in a statement.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) echoed similar notes, urging his immediate release and emphasizing that he should face the investigation without physical detention.

"The court has essentially confirmed that the CIO's investigation was flawed from the beginning," said Rep. Shin Dong-uk, the PPP's spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) called on the prosecution to indict Yoon within the designated period.

Cho Seung-rae, senior spokesperson for the DP, said that sufficient evidence to support Yoon's insurrection charges had already been collected during investigations into other senior military officials.

Law enforcement agencies are investigating Yoon over allegations he was the mastermind behind the Dec. 3 martial law imposition that has triggered unprecedented political turmoil.

Yoon faces allegations of colluding with then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to start a riot by declaring martial law, and of abusing his power by sending troops to the National Assembly to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

Yoon is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, south of the capital, while a Constitutional Court trial is also under way to determine whether to uphold or dismiss his impeachment by the National Assembly.

If upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. If dismissed, he will be reinstated.

The Seoul District Prosecutors Office (Yonhap)

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · January 25, 2025

3. Editorial: Lee Jae-myung's trial must proceed without further delay

This issue is being overshadowed by the impeachment.

Most of us Americans are not tracking the allegations (and conviction and appeal) surrounding Lee Jae Myung.

The political situation in South Korea is complex, to say the least.

Excerpt:

Lee received a suspended prison sentence in his first trial, which, if upheld on appeal, would bar him from running in the next presidential election. Ahead of the appeals trial, he requested a constitutional review of the Election Act’s false information provision—a move widely viewed as a delay tactic, given the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the provision four years ago.

Editorial: Lee Jae-myung's trial must proceed without further delay

https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/01/24/5BS4RKL77FD7PGU5IX4E4PE4YU/

By The Chosunilbo

Published 2025.01.24. 08:53

The appellate court handling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung’s Public Official Election Act violation case announced on Jan. 23 that it plans to conclude the trial by Feb. 26. Witness examinations are expected to finish by Feb. 19, with closing arguments scheduled for later that month. This timeline suggests a verdict could be issued by late March, as courts typically hand down rulings about a month after the final hearing—an expedited timeline.

Lee received a suspended prison sentence in his first trial, which, if upheld on appeal, would bar him from running in the next presidential election. Ahead of the appeals trial, he requested a constitutional review of the Election Act’s false information provision—a move widely viewed as a delay tactic, given the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the provision four years ago.

If accepted, the referral would pause the case until the Constitutional Court issues a decision. However, the appeals court signaled its intention to prevent delays, setting clear trial dates and rejecting most of Lee’s 13 proposed witnesses.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, greets supporters as he arrives at the Seoul High Court for the first hearing of his Public Official Election Act violation appeals trial on Jan. 23, 2025./Yonhap News

The Public Official Election Act requires first trials in such cases to conclude within six months and appeals trials within three months, aiming to prevent unqualified individuals from holding public office. However, Lee’s first trial stretched over two years and two months, violating the statute’s timeframe.

Although the appeals court intends to expedite the case, it will still exceed the legal deadline of Feb. 15 due to delays caused by Lee avoiding the delivery of court documents, which postponed proceedings.

Lee’s attempts to delay the trial may be tied to hopes that the Constitutional Court could impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol, triggering an early presidential election before his appeals process concludes. However, if such an election takes place and Lee is elected, it could fuel public doubts about the election’s legitimacy and lead to social unrest—an outcome that would be harmful to both Lee and the country.

The appellate court must proceed as swiftly as possible, while the Supreme Court must adhere to the three-month deadline for its ruling. Lee, for his part, should cease obstructionist tactics that undermine the judicial process.

4. South Korean Fake News You Never Heard from the Foreign Media

"Citizen journalism." You will not read such analysis in the mainstream media from the Korean or US press.

This is a fascinating read with much analysis to unpack.

Kind of a paradox here: Chinese citizens participate in protests that support the PRC position but yet they are happy to be able to protest and participate freely because they cannot do so in Beijing. So the Chinese ambassador has to ban their participation - not because China does not meddle in internal affairs (it does) but because their actions have blowback for the CCP.

Excerpt:

In some occasion, Chinese people stood up on the stage of anti-Yoon admin demonstrations and spoke about their view on the President Yoon as the leader of irrational wrongdoing trouble maker. These Chinese even expressed their joy of the feeling of participating free and open demonstrations because such mass crowded activities are strictly banned in China by the CCP-ran government. This is why Chinese Ambassador to Seoul even announced any Chinese in South Korea should not participate in any form of demonstrations in South Korea on January 5, 2024.

South Korean Fake News You Never Heard from the Foreign Media

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/south-korean-fake-news-you-never-heard-from-foreign-media-kim-l0t2c/

Dong Yon Kim

US Embassy Seoul | Air Force Veteran

January 24, 2025

South Korean Fake News You Never Heard from the Foreign Media

By Dong Yon Kim

*Notice

This analysis is not representing any government or organization but solely in purpose of explaining the Korean political landscape in full scale because the most of foreign reporting in Seoul are not covering the both political sides equally. Therefore, this explains those deficiency of poor reporting on the other side of the current Korean political domain in the full spectrum as if readers can visit the rear side of the Moon.

Thereby, some can misunderstand this is representing the conservatives too much but later part of the analysis would be seen as representing leftwing too much as well.

In the end, it is for the fairly assessed on both sides of the South Korea as of now as much as possible that are never been covered by those Seoul Desks.

In Korean political idiom, “the Politics in essence is a living creature (정치는 생물이다)” meaning this reporting could change every minute, every second of tomorrow that this assessment cannot sustain any more days that this could be different tomorrow. It is the only snapshot of the current South Korean politics.

Every minute breaking news is pouring in the South Korean domain regarding its internal political developments after the Martial Law. Though, foreign eyes yet to detect such dynamic matters in detail and often not covering the both sides but only one sided because of their language barrier and not knowing the Korean politics.

Some of the locally born Korean journalists who wrote stories for foreign media have shown records of their political stance in one side in the past. This is why some iconic photos in their stories are only well-known far leftist figures in South Korea, amid foreign eyes often misunderstand them as the overall landscape of Korea. Supporting any political party is totally democratic for everyone but portraying and implementing one’s political dogma into their stories are another level of wrongdoing, and there are ethics of media to follow. Anyone can express their political stance in private blogs or personal boundaries but when it comes to reporting the overview of South Korean political dynamics should abide by the ethics of fair and balanced reporting.

Imagine Bernie Sanders with the Banner in the Front Page of the Newspaper

One representative example of such was a man with a hat holding a banner that besmirched President Yoon in a satirical cartoon was a well-known anti-America, anti-USFK activist-turned YouTuber for decades but foreign eyes only saw such a glimpse of the Korean landscape as the whole picture of the ongoing Korean politics. This was the main picture used by the foreign newsmaker for its Korean stories, and it stayed in the Asia section for days.

Sometimes such skewed vision via Seoul Desks even impacted the decision-making level of the US high chamber in Washington. Imagine an American major news distributor took a photo of Bernie Sanders with a banner with the anti-administration slogan on its front page, how many Americans would believe such reporting is balanced and fair reporting and understand the overall political landscape of the US? What if other non-English speaking countries buy such stories with the photo of Bernie and believe the US is currently in that banner-described situation? This is the exact metaphor of such is happening in South Korea.

However, the local Koreans cannot resist such imbalanced reporting because these stories are all only written in English and their main audiences are not Koreans, so many local Koreans are yet to aware of them enough. This is why some Korean-speaking Americans in the US are busy posting tweets and untold articles to let America see both sides equally.

Chuckle Moment, Comparing Gandhi the Indian, and the Yoon the Korean

Nearly no foreign media in Seoul ever interviewed the conservative side supporters who swing the Korean national flag along with the US and Israel’s national flags. They also never interviewed the conservative party, People Power’s prominent congressman even during this critical turmoil, and only interviewed numerous opposition party DP’s policymakers and even its supporters while the conservative party’s approval poll results lately even golden crossed the opposition party DP. Also, the conservative party-grown President Yoon’s approval rating rose up to 50% in the most recent survey.

It is an unprecedented approval rating of world history for a President who is imprisoned in jail and doing nothing in the administration got more approval than when the President was in his office with full presidential power. The only comparison of such could be the Indian national figure Mohandas Gandhi, he gained high support from the people despite his numerous imprisonments. Comparing Gandhi with Yoon, some might chuckle and grin their teeth but there is no recent political figure in the world who went to prison and surpassed his own approval rating higher than before the imprisonment. President Yoon before Martial Law, his approval rating was only around 20% or less but now his rating passed 50%. It is indeed an interesting enough situation to chuckle for sure.

Despite such a rare political situation in Seoul, those foreign newsmakers are surprisingly enough not interviewing the conservatives and remain quiet. If there is a flying elephant, journalism 101 is to find the reason, the pure curiosity to investigate but we see none yet and this might raise some brows high.

Naming the Next Korean President By The Mainstream Foreign Media

Some initial reports right after the Martial Law even glorified the opposition DP leader as the next President of South Korea in their titles. Such a title is very rare in the Western media. Imagine during the Presidential Campaign between Bill Clinton versus George Bush, any US media come up with a title that says Clinton or Bush is the next possible President of the US, what would people say?

Any media that came with such a title might face multiple lawsuits for sure from each political side but this did happen in South Korea and those foreign media proudly reported it, this is definite proof of common sense breaking behavior and such foreign media has immense responsibility of not to interfering in other countries’ political dynamics.

Right after this report, even the South Korean local media covered this story multiple times and somewhat leveraged the South Korean poll dynamics too. All global media has a code of ethics to follow and respect.

Imagine South Korean media before the end of the US Presidential Election in November 2024 came with the title praising the one specific nominee either Harris or Trump as the next US President, how the US people will react? There would be no South Korean media that has such a gut to challenge the US people in such a way. If South Korean media did such, It could be seen as the public humiliation against the Americans.

Additionally, Kim Moon-soo the current Korean Minister of Employment and Labor gained more than 20% of support for the next prominent conservative Presidential nominee in one survey, and other surveys showed not as high as 20% but higher than other nominees. Another survey even showed Kim's higher competitiveness against Lee the DP leader.

This is another surprise for many but this is also nothing new but there has been embedded outcry in the political blanket. This kind of very development in domestic K-politics has never been spotted by those foreign media either and still makes foreign eyes believe the DP leader is the only prominent presidential nominee.

Why South Korean Conservatives are swinging American & Israel national flags?

Since foreign eyes yet to understand the both political sides enough because of imbalanced English reporting, even the former US Ambassador to Korea left Seoul in early January with the unanswered question of why South Korean conservatives are swinging American flag of stars and stripes whenever they do their street demonstrations. He was not able to answer this questions fully in his last interview with the local Korean newsmaker.

Many forgot the fact that carrying American national flags among these Korean conservatives are not a new phenomenon and they did the same when the former conservative President Park Geun Hye was impeached in 2017. They also did the same when the US President Donald Trump as the 45th President visited Seoul, these conservative people were cheering with American flags and chanted ‘MAGA’ in streets of Seoul whenever Trump’s Cadillac Beast pass by as if Kim Jong Un was parading in streets of Pyongyang. The same thing did happen when the 46th President Biden visited South Korea and toured the semiconductor facilities.

Outside of the American soil, South Korea is the only country where its conservatives swing American flags for decades and cheering America for nothing since the Korean War. Many Westerners do not even know that these people are mostly military veterans even including Vietnam War Veterans. They are the long-lasting supporters of the ROK-US alliance and the USFK and they are aware of the former Biden administration’s ironclad support to Israel even during the war, and they shared sympathy with Israel which they were shocked in awe after the sudden attack from Hamas.

Many can see them with the banners with "the CCP Out" as well. These people do not like the China-driven influence to South Korea and they also resisted the pro-China policy under the former Moon administration of South Korea who made the deal of no more deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Missile Defense battery in Korea with the Xi Jing-ping.

Hammers and Sickles and the Definition of “Anti-State faction” by the Yoon

Surprisingly enough, youngsters in their 20s and 30s also joined these conservative groups in South Korea lately and recent polls showed that young people in South Korea have now become the most cemented supporters of the conservatives. Based on this, the American flag swinging-South Koreans are very much like the American conservatives and they believe in freedom and democracy.

On the other hand, many Westerners failed to check the Korean people with gigantic flags when they gathered in front of the national assembly on the day of Martial Law on December 3, 2024. There were flags of workers union, pro-Hamas/Palestine, and some even had the notorious hammers and sickles in their flags but these symbols were also aligned with the big words like peace, justice, the end of dictatorship and more. Foreign media only highlighted the handheld lightbulbs of fandom but never reported about those flags in the background. Most of such people are now disappeared from the street demonstrations, and only dozens of people gathered at the Western Seoul District court while the pro-Yoon conservatives were occupied the streets of Seoul, this can be seen from any bird eye view on the rally sites but nearly no foreign media reported it, and only zoom-in photos of demonstrators.

Also, some of those groups were from Korean Confederation Trade Union (KCTU). This organization’s leadership was arrested and investigated by the Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) because of their alleged connection with the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) based on the NIS-snatched evidence of tradecraft including downloaded Kim family worshipping files, their meetings overseas with the North Korean handlers, and even microdot messages (steganography); these are all hallmarked evidence of DPRK spies for centuries. South Korean court declared the imprisonment sentence of 15 years for one of its leaderships on November 24, 2024.[1]

Even though, this KCTU is still active and not yet dissolved in South Korea and this might hint the foreign eyes why the President Yoon announced “anti-state factions (반국가 세력)” during his Martial Law speech and other keynote speeches for years. President Yoon’s definition of anti-state has been interpreted as the combination of foreign spies, Korean spies, the 5th column members, agents of influence, and even compromised collaborators, the wholesome of the anti-Democracy enemies.

Fake News Dynamics in Seoul about the US Forces’ Clandestine Operations against Chinese

Whilst there are busy political showdown between the two sides goes, multiple fake news sway both sides upside down which might indicate the foreign influences on South Korea.

One fake news confirmed by the US Force Korea (USFK), US Forces Japan(USFJ), and even the US Department of Defense (DOD) a few days ago is about the USFK’s covert operation in South Korea. This news came from a minor conservative online newsmaker based on its unrevealed source(s) close to the US authority. It averred that the USFK, USFJ, and even the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) delivered the clandestine mission on South Korean soil that it arrested a whopping 99 of Chinese spies in South Korea, and these members were the spy cartel inside of the South Korean election fraud for years.

According to its assertion, since the catch, the US security authority has shipped these spy desperados to USFJ’s Okinawa base in Japan initially for interrogation and shipped again to the US for further verification. It proposed realistic stories even with the specific Chinese hacking tool used in the election fraud as the Wooden Dummy (목인 木人). This only dismantled the conservative’s previously acquired evidence with proven data related to the election fraud and made the entire election fraud assertions into pieces.

Many Korean conservatives also carried the banners of "Stop the Steal" because of their long-investigated findings similar to that of American conservatives’ claims regarding its elections in the past but the recent fake news undermined such findings too.

This investigation was also specifically done by the South Korean Intelligence authority, the NIS in October 2023 under the Yoon admin, and the NIS cyber team checked the National Election Commissions (NEC)’ servers and found the poor systemic security readiness including its easy passcodes like 12345, and the NEC only scored 31 points out of 100 security scale of the NIS.

Even after the official disapproval from the USFK and the DOD about the covert operations regarding the catch of 99 Chinese spies, the minor newsmaker continued the story in series and still swayed the conservatives and divided them.

It is interesting phenomenon of how the public rely on small newsmaker more than the trusted US government. Soon after the USFK's denial, the Korean opposition party DP and its leftwing factions filed multiple lawsuits against the minor newsmaker for spreading fake news. Though, some conservatives have questioned why the DP is filing lawsuits becuase this story never mentioned about the DP but only about the Chinese operatives in Korea.

Another Fake News about the USFK in 2017

Such fake news is also nothing new for Koreans. Similar fake news hit the Korean cords in September 2017 with another USFK involved news but the ROK authority yet to verified the source of story until now. Ironically, this was also in the time of impeachment for the former conservative Park Geun Hye President when Seoul was unstable politically.

This was about the noncombatant emergency evacuation order (NEO) to Americans in the Korean Peninsula at that time. It came with the very American authority like messages shared in the Public. Therefore, even the US Army and multiple US defense authorities clarified it as fake news.

The official page USFK wrote Facebook at that time: “We received multiple reports of a fake text-to-cell and social media message regarding a ‘real world noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) order issued’ which instructed DoD family members and non-emergency essential DoD civilians on the Korean peninsula that an evacuation order had been issued.”

The ROK Air Force One Took off and the President is Seeking Political Asylum in 2017 and 2024

In early phase of the Martial Law, pro-leftwing activist close to the South Korea military matter also spread the news about the President Yoon’s political asylum overseas based on the information about the South Korean Air Force-One’s takeoff from the Seoul Air Force Base (AFB). Later this found out to be the routine aircraft maintenance procedure. Ironically, the exact same news also appeared in 2017 when the former President Park was impeached. At that time this unconfirmed rumor spread that the President Park already left the country.

What is even more interesting is that this unconfirmed news about President Yoon’s Air Force One came right after the Bashar al-Assad Syrian leader’s asylum to Moscow. Syrian dictator Assad safely landed on the Kremlin Putin’s warm bosom on December 8, 2024, and the ROK Air Force One news reported only 2 days afterward, in December 10 (KST).

Whomever in the Western hemisphere at that time would see the shadow of Bashar al-Assad behind the ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol easily. Some anti-Yoon people wanted foreigners to see President Yoon as the same as the Syrian dictator, and still those anti-Yoon demonstrators are carrying President Yoon's portrait with the Hilter's mustache.

The irony of the keynote speakers of these demonstrators are the same people who led the Kim Jong Un-welcoming events in Seoul, chanting Great leader Kim Jong Un in the streets of Seoul not far from the US Embassy in Seoul when Inter-Korean Summits held under the Moon administration. Imagine a group of people in Washington D.C. chanting "Welcome al-Assad to America," or "Welcome Osama Bin Laden." For some South Koreans, Kim Jong Un is worse than Bin Laden because numerous South Korean military veterans and innocent civilians were killed in action because of the Kim family-driven provocations domestically and overseas.

In summary, the two above fake news shows that either political side in South Korea is swimming inside the sea of fake news.

Oops, Kim Jong Un Died Again

News about North Korea is always been jaw-dropping content, especially about its leadership Kim Jong Un, and his family including his daughter, his sister, his brother, his uncle, and his defense brass. His public appearance in the public alone can be the first-page filler of the South Korean newspapers tomorrow like he was wearing a Swiss-made million-dollar watch and his visit to troops with the new German flagship vehicle.

Another breaking story about the death of Kim Jong Un news disseminated about a week ago in South Korea and only shared among South Korean YouTubers. Its claim was very specific as if Kim really died and even breathing Kim himself would believe it. It specified the location as the Wonsan-Kalma dacha and he was collapsed with an acute cerebral hemorrhage and shipped to Pyongyang. Even his French doctors visited Pyongyang but even after 10 days of revival attempts, Kim is in a coma stage or medically dead. Therefore, North Korean high officials discussed the dire situation with Beijing and ended up with Kim Pyong Il (KJU's uncle) as the next leader of North Korea because KJU’s daughter is only 10 years old or so.

This same news has spread in South Korea in 2020, and 2021. Among many believers in Seoul at that time, even North Korean escapee-turned conservative politician Ji Seong-ho trusted this story that he did the interview with the Korean media and said “KJU’s death is 99% correct.”

Ji is the man who raised his crutch high when Donald Trump was the 45th President and invited him to the Capitol Hill union address in 2018. Ji is the symbol of invincible freedom chaser who came to Seoul even after multiple tragic accidents made him losing limbs but successfully become a South Korean conservative policymaker.

This shows the power of fake news about Kim Jong Un. Ironically when this KJU’s death news spread in South Korea again in 2025, Kim has disappeared for about a week and the state-run media, KCNA revealed no picture of the KJU.

Worry Over the Evidence Evasion and the Imprisonment

In conclusion, the recent imprisonment of the ruling President Yoon caused anger among some US policymakers who know the domestic political situation closely because President Yoon’s impeachment case is not yet finalized by the Constitutional Court and he has only stayed in his residence but the judge issued the imprisonment warrant with the only 15 Korean characters-filled one sentence said “there is worrisome of evidence evasion (증거인멸의 우려),” while his high officials including the Minister of the National Defense is also imprisoned and other military commanders are also either imprisoned or under close investigation including forensics on their cell phones.

On the day Yoon's imprisonment warrant was issued, the CIO's high brass were gathered at the restaurant and literally, they were wine and dined with a bottle of fine wine at the lunch, celebrating the imprisonment of Yoon which was spotted by the CCTV footage at the restaurant which later reported by the local Korean newsmaker.

This made some Korean conservatives mad and behaved similar to US conservative supporters’ raid into the Congress as they entered the Seoul Western district court. Though, there are some claims similar in both Washington and Seoul afterward that some leftwing activists intruded into the conservatives as if they are a part of the conservative demonstrators and intensified and insisted the conservatives’ violence before their forceful entry into the building.

Ironclad ROK-US alliance and the legendary CCP Deng Xiaoping in the Same Speech

After Washington's high figures' worry over the opposition party DP's reason to impeachment was defined as a solely political movement because of the DP's inclusion of the Yoon's support of trilateral security cooperation and the Yoon's hardline North Korean policy, the DP changed its tone a bit. It expressed the will to strengthen the ironclad ROK-US alliance further. This tone swift of the DP even more strengthened right after the meeting with the US Charge' d' Affaires ad interim of the US Embassy in Seoul.

However, the DP leader Lee's New Year speech to the public on January 23 where he emphasized the need for the US alliance, also paraphrased Chinese Communist leader Deng Xiaoping's famed "Cat theory," in the same speech together and said, "ideology and political faction will not make one's living, it does not matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice (이념과 진영이 밥 먹여주지 않는다. 검든 희든 쥐만 잘 잡으면 좋은 고양이 아닌가)." He emphasized the practical prowess under the Korean dire situation but this was again questioned by the Koreans amid its lower approval rating than the ruling party.

Above is what has been not so much so reported by the foreign media or areas where foreign eyes are not yet aware much. Again, it is not to justify or stand with a specific political side but to provide the full landscape in South Korea at the very moment. If not, this can induce another intelligence failure or surprise development against Seoul and its allies and friends including the US, Japan, the UK, Australia, and NATO or so.

[1] https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241106147651061

5. N. Korea suspected of preparing for additional troop deployment to Russia: JCS

What does this mean for Kim Jogn Un? $$$$$$$$$$$$$. (or rubles - but he probably demands dollars).

N. Korea suspected of preparing for additional troop deployment to Russia: JCS | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 24, 2025

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is presumed to be accelerating preparations for the additional deployment of its troops to Russia while continuing to push for potential launches of a spy satellite or an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), South Korea's military said Friday.

The assessment comes as South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of sending around 11,000 troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine. Seoul's spy agency said at least 300 North Korean troops have been killed, while some 2,700 have been wounded.

"With around four months having passed since the deployment of troops to the war between Russia and Ukraine, (North Korea) is assumed to be accelerating preparations for additional measures and deployment amid multiple casualties and occurrence of prisoners," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a written assessment.

A wounded soldier, suspected to be North Korean and captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia's western Kursk region, is seen in this file photo posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's X account on Jan. 11, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The JCS expects North Korea to continue preparations for launches involving advanced weapons, such as a spy satellite or an ICBM, but noted there are no imminent signs of such launches.

Earlier this month, the North conducted two missile launches, including one involving what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile, just days ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration.

"While no imminent signs of a missile launch are detected since Trump took office, (the North's) preparations for a spy satellite or an ICBM seem to be continuing," the South's military said, without providing further details.

Still, the JCS said the North appears to be ready for provocations involving short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or trash-carrying balloons at any time.

"Given that the North has conducted surprise provocations depending on its needs, the military will not rule out the possibility of such provocations and will bolster surveillance and its readiness posture during the holiday," it said.

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 24, 2025

6. A former soldier in North Korea's army says he was restricted to firing 3 bullets a year

insights from my friend and colleague. I have learned a lot from him over the past few years of working together including his later experiences operating shipping businesses in China (where he was also educated after his military service).

A former soldier in North Korea's army says he was restricted to firing 3 bullets a year

Business Insider · by Kevin Reilly, Mia Jankowicz

Military & Defense

2025-01-25T11:23:01Z

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North Korean escapee Hyunseung Lee, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Business Insider/KCNA via Reuters

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? .

A North Korean who escaped the country described his days in the Korean People's Army.
He told BI that he trained men from the Storm Corps, the elite unit believed to be fighting Ukraine.
He described tough training conditions, dated equipment, and little ammo.

Constant propaganda as well as limited access to ammunition — or even toilet paper — were the stark realities of being in North Korea's army, a former soldier told Business Insider.

Hyunseung Lee, who was born in North Korea in 1985, defected with his family in 2014. Today he lives and works as a consultant for the Global Peace Foundation in Washington, DC.

During his years in the military, Lee says he trained soldiers from the 11th Corps — or Storm Corps — the elite unit now believed to be fighting alongside Russia in its war against Ukraine.

In an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November, Lee described those soldiers as victims of a "ruthless deal" between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russia's President Vladimir Putin. He urged Zelenskyy to target them with psychological tactics.

Lee spoke to Business Insider for an in-depth interview about how North Korea really works.

Shared underwear and no ammo

Lee's firsthand knowledge of the North Korean military was developed during the rule of Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un's father, who died in 2011.

Nonetheless, his insight gives a rare snapshot of the hermit kingdom, as well as its military operations.

Lee told BI that he joined the North Korean military in April 2002.

After training, he said his first unit was the 4th Corps Reconnaissance Artillery Battalion, a special force devoted mainly to infiltrating enemy bases and transmitting back their coordinates for artillery attacks.

It was a grueling life — one in which there were no proper shower facilities, food was poor, and trainees had to improvise their own toilet paper, he said.

"The first day, I used my sock to wipe," Lee said, adding that later it was leaflets, books, or leaves.

Underwear was also communal, he added.

"We washed them together and then the senior officers distribute underwear randomly."

Lee said he was paid 50 North Korean won a month — about the price of an ice cream.

Soldiers would then supplement their income with private business, which was against the law, he added. "Basically, no one could make a living with the North Korean payroll system."

North Korean troops fire mortars in a state media-provided image. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Having no experience of the outside world, Lee said he believed that the North Korean army could take on the US and win. Yet he said the equipment they were using was "from World War II."

Storm Corps: 'Zero relationship with modern warfare'

Lee said he spent six months training soldiers from the Storm Corps, after being transferred to a special tactics unit that taught techniques in shooting, knife throwing, and martial arts.

Drawn from taller and more well-built soldiers, Lee said the corps is an elite unit trained in operations on foreign soil — namely airborne missions, sniping, and light infantry work.

In October, reports emerged that North Korea was using the Storm Corps for the forces it was sending to Russia.

During Lee's time with the corps, they at least had more bullets to work with, he said. But "the regime cannot provide fuel and an airplane," which meant the airborne troops had to practice by jumping off a model, he said.

Kim Jong Un among blurred missiles in this North Korean state media photo from November 2024. KCNA via KCNA Watch

While North Korea and Russia have long shared similar tactics and equipment, when it comes to advanced tactics it's likely another story, Lee said.

"I would say their training has zero relationship with modern warfare," he said of the Storm Corps.

Last year, a Ukrainian official told Business Insider that the Storm Corps was likely learning deadly new drone techniques on the battlefield.

North Korea experts have also previously told BI that the soldiers — despite their proud status back in North Korea — would likely be at the bottom of the pecking order in Russia. It's an assessment Lee shares.

He said there would also be communication problems, with Russian soldiers taking advantage of the North Korean troops. Ukraine has already claimed that language barriers have caused deadly friendly fire incidents.

Asked if the Storm Corps will survive fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, Lee said: "I honestly don't know."

But he said they'll want to get back home as soon as possible. "They want to go back, and they want to be alive."

Business Insider · by Kevin Reilly, Mia Jankowicz

More insights from another former nKPA soldier.

Who Are the North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia? Analysis by a Former 'Storm Corps' Member (3) Poor Training and Hunger... Disappointment in Reality, Yet "I Was Willing to Be a Suicide Soldier"

asiapress.org

1. North Korean soldiers sent to Kursk, Russia, attempted to attack a drone, which they were likely to see for the first time, by a gun. Filmed by Ukrainian forces and released December 23, 2024.

Who are the North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Russia? Analysis by a Former 'Storm Corps' Member (1) "POWs Must Be Extremely Confused - Consider Their and Their Families' Human Rights"

South Korean and Ukrainian authorities estimate that about 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with casualties exceeding 3,000. The elite "Storm Corps" is known to be at the core of this deployment. Japanese and Korean media often emphasize their superhuman physical abilities. However, reports from Russian battlefields suggest questions about their elite status, with stories of drunkenness and easy deaths from drone attacks. What exactly is the "Storm Corps"? A North Korean defector journalist who served in the Storm Corps explains based on their experience. (By KANG Ji-won)

Elite Status, Party Membership Guarantee... An Object of Desire

I joined the Korean People's Army in the late 1990s. In North Korea, men typically enlist at age 17 after graduating from high school. While there are physical examinations and interviews, almost all graduates join the military unless they enter university or vocational school.

When people think of the "Storm Corps," they often picture videos of strong soldiers breaking tiles or tearing apart chains wrapped around their bodies. However, this is merely a "show" for external appeal. Despite being a special forces unit, Storm Corps soldiers are not much different from regular soldiers. They are simply selected for their health and physical robustness.

However, the Storm Corps is also an object of desire for young people seeking to enlist, for several reasons. First, there is a social perception that they are an elite group with superior combat skills and physical abilities. They also receive relatively better meals than other units. Additionally, at that time, there were "benefits" such as guaranteed membership in the Workers' Party of Korea after discharge and the possibility of receiving university admission recommendations.

2. North Korean special forces training footage released by state media. Source: Korean Central News Agency

In other words, most Storm Corps members are young people from farming and general working-class families who dream of "class transformation" and university admission through special forces service.

*Note class transformation: North Korea is a class-based society. Agriculture, in particular, is considered the lowest-tier occupation with poverty and closed opportunities for advancement. If born into a farming family, one must spend their entire life, generation after generation, as a farm worker.

When I enlisted, combat movies like "Hong Gil-dong" and "Order 027" were popular, so I volunteered for the Storm Corps because I could learn actual combat skills and brag about it to my friends. Other new recruits that year had reasons like being able to fly in planes and getting into university. When we received our special forces assignments, we cheered and celebrated with our fellow recruits.

Disappointment with Parachute Training from Steel Towers

The Storm Corps' main purpose is rear area disruption. They are supposed to conduct bombing, kidnapping, and assassination missions behind enemy lines.

However, the training reality was far from this.

My first assignment was to the 58th Brigade Airborne Unit in North Hwanghae Province. While it was an airborne unit, I was disappointed when commanders pointed to what looked like a transmission tower for parachute training.

Less than 5% of North Korea's population will ever fly in an airplane. Even my parents, who opposed my joining special forces, expressed a desire to fly once. However, in energy-scarce North Korea, training from steel towers was the reality.

We trained jumping from 150m high steel towers. Some soldiers wet themselves from fear, requiring 2-hour breaks for washing uniforms. Once a year, we had training jumping from 800m in actual aircraft. However, in our first airborne training, 2 out of 350 soldiers died from falls.

We also experienced various other training like forced marches, physical conditioning, and pressure training. Learning to endure beatings was particularly difficult - after receiving group beatings, we had to return to designated locations. The brutality led some to suicide.

asiapress.org

8. ＜Inside N.Korea＞ News of North Korean Soldier Deaths in Russia Finally Reaches Home - Parents Scramble While Some Youth Volunteer: What's Behind This?

Youth are being youth.

Excerpts:

Surprisingly, some young people who've learned about the Russian deployments are actually volunteering to go.

"Some reckless young people are volunteering for service, saying they want to experience a foreign country or participate in actual combat. Applications are usually processed through schools, but what will happen? Students from border regions probably won't be allowed to go," the reporting partner said.

＜Inside N.Korea＞ News of North Korean Soldier Deaths in Russia Finally Reaches Home - Parents Scramble While Some Youth Volunteer: What's Behind This?

asiapress.org

"Mother doesn't know I was sent to Russia" - This is what a presumed 19-year-old soldier reportedly told interrogators after being captured by Ukrainian forces in early January.

Reports indicate that numerous North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have been killed in action. Ukrainian and South Korean authorities estimate the death toll at 3,000-4,000. Information about these casualties is now spreading within North Korea. While the Kim Jong-un regime has not officially acknowledged the deployment and strictly controls related information, news of the deaths appears to be spreading through informal channels. (By KANG Ji-won / ISHIMARU Jiro)

◆How is information about casualties reaching North Korea?

"Word is spreading that many of our soldiers are dying in Russia. The information came from 'the front' (southern region) - perhaps through South Korean broadcasts," reported a reporting partner in northern North Korea, on January 19.

How exactly is this information entering the country?

On January 16, South Korean military authorities used large loudspeakers near the military boundary to broadcast that two North Korean soldiers had been captured by Ukrainian forces, that there were casualties, and that suicide notes had been found among soldiers' belongings. Additionally, many people in the southern regions close to South Korea secretly watch South Korean TV and radio broadcasts. This suggests the casualty information may have spread northward from the south.

There's also the possibility that North Korean defectors in South Korea and Japan have spread this information to family and acquaintances in the Chinese border region using illegal Chinese mobile phones. The spread of information likely involves a combination of these channels.

◆Parents Try to Avoid Military Service

North Korea's spring military recruitment process is about to begin in earnest. As preliminary physical examinations, background checks, and placement preferences get underway, the reporting partner said that parents of draft-age sons are increasingly anxious:

"Parents are panicking now that they know not only about deployments to Russia but also about the casualties. One acquaintance sold their house to raise money (bribes) for a university recommendation to keep their son out of the military. Many families have only one son, so they're worried about losing them. Many parents are trying to get their sons into the navy, air force, or security bureau (police) where they're less likely to be sent to Russia."

※ In North Korea, men typically enter military service at age 17 after high school graduation. University or technical school enrollment delays conscription.

"A friend who has a son in the 'Storm Corps' inquired about him and confirmed he's still stationed domestically, not in Russia. According to what they heard, soldiers from Hoeryong, Musan, and Hyesan near the Chinese border aren't being sent to Russia. They're not trusted because they might desert (since these areas have many defectors, and soldiers might have family or acquaintances who have defected)."

※The 'Storm Corps' is considered an elite North Korean military unit, and South Korean authorities believe it forms the core of forces deployed to Russia.

◆Youth Volunteers Emerge, Seeking Foreign Deployment

Surprisingly, some young people who've learned about the Russian deployments are actually volunteering to go.

"Some reckless young people are volunteering for service, saying they want to experience a foreign country or participate in actual combat. Applications are usually processed through schools, but what will happen? Students from border regions probably won't be allowed to go," the reporting partner said.

asiapress.org

9. Dutch contingent deployed at U.N. Command amid N. Korean threats

Excerpts:

The arrival of the three-member contingent at the U.S.-led multinational force's headquarters this month marks the first such deployment in 70 years since the Dutch Navy last left South Korea in January 1955, according to the UNC.

It also comes at a time when security partnerships among countries in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe have increasingly become important amid North Korea's deepening military alignment with Russia.

The Netherlands plans to send contingents on a rotational basis until the end of next year under a plan that Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans reported to his country's House of Representatives in October last year.

Dutch contingent deployed at U.N. Command amid N. Korean threats | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 25, 2025

By Lee Minji and Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) -- A Dutch contingent of military personnel has arrived in South Korea for deployment at the United Nations Command (UNC), officials said Saturday, in a sign of the commitment by the international community to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula amid North Korea's military threats.

The arrival of the three-member contingent at the U.S.-led multinational force's headquarters this month marks the first such deployment in 70 years since the Dutch Navy last left South Korea in January 1955, according to the UNC.

It also comes at a time when security partnerships among countries in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe have increasingly become important amid North Korea's deepening military alignment with Russia.

The Netherlands plans to send contingents on a rotational basis until the end of next year under a plan that Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans reported to his country's House of Representatives in October last year.

"Security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific is increasingly connected. It is also in our interest that the ceasefire between North Korea and South Korea since 1953 is maintained," Brekelmans wrote in Dutch in a X post.

"That is why the Netherlands is once again contributing to the U.N. command in South Korea," he said.

This photo, provided by the U.N. Command, shows a three-member Dutch contingent deployed to the U.S.-led multinational force's headquarters: (from L to R) Sergeant Maj. Johan Westdorp, Lt. Col. Caroline Burger and Maj. Ekrem Karadeniz. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The Dutch defense ministry separately said the Netherlands will be "contributing to the promotion of the international rule of law in the Indo-Pacific" through the deployment.

The three service members -- two officers and one noncommissioned officer -- started their deployment on Jan. 6, tasked with roles in gender policy, logistics and communications strategy, respectively, according to the UNC.

The UNC was established under a 1950 U.N. mandate to support South Korea against North Korean aggression during the 1950-53 Korean War," which technically has never ended as a peace treaty was not signed.

A total of 22 countries, including the United States, Britain and Australia, sent troops or medical support to the South during and right after the war.

Germany provided medical assistance to South Korea from 1954-59 but was not included as a UNC member state as the armistice was signed in July 1953. The country joined the UNC in August, in what marked the multinational force's first expansion in more than a decade.

The Netherlands deployed both naval and ground forces during the Korean War, of which 120 were killed in action and 645 were wounded, according to the UNC.

There are currently 11 countries that send personnel on rotations to the UNC headquarters, where more than 200 officials serve.

This photo, provided by the U.N. Command, shows a three-member Dutch contingent deployed to the U.S.-led multinational force's headquarters posing with Dutch officials during a visit to the Joint Security Area at the truce village of Panmunjom earlier this month. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · January 25, 2025

10. Rubio stresses U.S.' commitment to Indo-Pacific allies in call with Chinese counterpart

Rubio stresses U.S.' commitment to Indo-Pacific allies in call with Chinese counterpart | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 25, 2025

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and underscored America's commitment to its regional allies and "serious concerns" over China's actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea, the State Department said.

During the call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the secretary also emphasized the Trump administration's pursuit of a Sino-U.S. relationship that "advances U.S. interests and puts the American people first," according to Tammy Bruce, the department's spokesperson.

"The Secretary also stressed the United States' commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China's coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea," Bruce said in a readout.

Rubio was sworn in as America's chief diplomat on Tuesday following President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as he meets with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya at the State Department in Washington on Jan. 21, 2025 in this file photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 25, 2025

11. Trump might eye N.K. diplomacy not tightly linked to denuclearization, but conducive to stability: experts

A strategic miscalculation and mistake here for the US and South Korea.

The Trump administration must operate from a clear understanding of nature, objectives, and strategy for the Kim family regime. If the administration follows through on the below excerpt it means a win for Kim's political warfare strategy and a loss for the US. I do not think President Trump wants such a loss no matter how pundits spin that it will ease tensions and provide stability. It will not.

Excerpts:

"There have been several signals from President Trump over the last few years indicating that he wants to meet and get along with Kim Jong-un, and he wants to reach a deal with North Korea that reduces tensions," Frank Aum, a former senior Pentagon advisor on Korea, said.

"Recent comments from Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary-nominee Hegseth also suggest that they view North Korea as a de facto 'nuclear power' and need to still reduce tensions within this context. This seems to imply a potential deal where North Korea might be able to keep its nuclear weapons in the near and medium term."

On Monday, Trump called North Korea a "nuclear power," a term that U.S. officials have mostly refrained from openly using as it could be construed as Washington's recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear program -- something the North wants to legitimize its military status. Trump's Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth also used that term.

(News Focus) Trump might eye N.K. diplomacy not tightly linked to denuclearization, but conducive to stability: experts | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 25, 2025

By Song Sang-ho and Kang Byeong-cheol

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump might angle for diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that might not be tightly linked to the North's denuclearization, but could dial down tensions on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, experts said Friday, as he has expressed an intent to reengage with the dynastic ruler.

Experts anticipate that meaningful engagement between the U.S. and the North could emerge after Russia's war in Ukraine ends, given Trump's focus on ending the war and Pyongyang's current reliance on Moscow to meet its economic, financial, security and other needs.

Appearing in a Fox News interview broadcast Thursday, Trump said he will reach out to Kim again, raising the prospects of Trump seeking to revive his personal diplomacy with the reclusive leader that led to three in-person meetings between them during his first term.

U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 23, 2025, as he signs executive orders, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

"Trump is undoubtedly seeking to engage Kim Jong-un. His comments this week only provide further indication of this," Rob Rapson, a retired U.S. diplomat who formerly served as charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, told Yonhap News Agency via email.

"Moreover, he's assembling a team at the NSC (National Security Council) and State (Department) that's well capable of following through on his ambitions for doing some sort of 'deal' with North Korea. (It is) unclear what exactly Trump's agenda would look like, but it may not be tightly tied to 'denuclearization,'" he added.

Speculation had persisted that once back in the Oval Office, Trump would rekindle his "bromance" with Kim given that on the stump, he repeatedly boasted about his personal ties with Kim, stressing he "got along very well" with Kim.

Trump's remark on Thursday has been the clearest sign yet of his desire for an outreach to Kim. Trump and Kim had three face-to-face meetings -- the first summit in Singapore in June 2018, the no-deal Hanoi summit in February 2019 and a meeting in the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019.

"There have been several signals from President Trump over the last few years indicating that he wants to meet and get along with Kim Jong-un, and he wants to reach a deal with North Korea that reduces tensions," Frank Aum, a former senior Pentagon advisor on Korea, said.

"Recent comments from Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary-nominee Hegseth also suggest that they view North Korea as a de facto 'nuclear power' and need to still reduce tensions within this context. This seems to imply a potential deal where North Korea might be able to keep its nuclear weapons in the near and medium term."

On Monday, Trump called North Korea a "nuclear power," a term that U.S. officials have mostly refrained from openly using as it could be construed as Washington's recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear program -- something the North wants to legitimize its military status. Trump's Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth also used that term.

Trump's use of the term sounded alarm bells in South Korea, a key U.S. ally that seeks close policy coordination with Washington to achieve the long-term goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula at a time when Pyongyang has been doubling down on its nuclear program.

Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at RAND Corp., raised the possibility that Trump's nuclear power label for the North may have been a "purposeful" concession to Kim to encourage the wayward ruler to come to the negotiating table.

"Such recognition is something that Kim has very much wanted and the U.S. government has previously been unwilling to offer," he said. "But I think it is likely that Kim will want more, and then we will have to see what Trump is prepared to offer."

This AFP file photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (R) shaking hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after signing a joint statement at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. (Yonhap)

In Seoul, concerns have lingered over the possibility that Trump will seek an arms reduction deal with Pyongyang -- primarily aimed at ratcheting down tensions and promoting stability -- rather than pursuing the ultimate goal of the North's denuclearization, an elusive yet crucial objective for Seoul given its proximity to the northern neighbor.

Experts forecast that Trump could explore realistic options attainable in the short-term first, should he start engaging with Kim.

"It is very hard for U.S. politicians to admit complete failure of past efforts like the denuclearization of North Korea. Therefore, it is unlikely that the U.S. will simply renounce denuclearization, instead shifting it to a long-term objective," Bennett said.

"But any negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea will more likely take the form of seeking a freeze on certain elements of North Korea's nuclear weapon production. This is not a bad thing because unless such freezes are accomplished, North Korea appears to be pushing towards a nuclear weapon force of hundreds of nuclear weapons -- a highly destabilizing outcome."

Even if Trump resumes diplomacy with Pyongyang, a major concern for Seoul is the possibility that it could be left out of the loop, particularly during a time of political uncertainty caused by now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid last month.

"There is a possibility Trump could 'sideline/bypass' the ROK, especially given the Yoon administration's very hawkish views towards North Korea and extreme aversion to any meaningful engagement," Rapson said. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"Effective diplomacy by Seoul will be essential to avoid this scenario."

A more puzzling question remains over whether Kim would accede to any diplomatic feelers from Trump when the North relies on Russia for food, fuel, security assurances and other forms of support.

Harry Kazianis, the president of the Rogue States Project, a security think tank, and owner of 19FortyFive, a defense and national security journal, said that Kim might not respond to dialogue overture immediately, but would pore over "every word and letter" to understand Trump's intent.

"Trump knows that dialogue with North Korea won't be easy as the Kim family is making billions of dollars from the Ukraine war and does not need to compromise with the U.S. or anyone at the moment. However, if that war were to end, the money and assistance from Russia would dry up rather quickly," Kazianis said.

"That could mean any dialogue Trump opens up now with North Korea could pay off months or even years from now. You could even see a Trump visit to Pyongyang -- his 'Nixon goes to China' moment," he added, referring to U.S. President Richard Nixon's trip to China in 1972 -- a symbolic event for Sino-U.S. rapprochement.

This photo, taken on June 30, 2019, shows then U.S. President Donald Trump (L) shaking hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the inter-Korean border truce village of Panmunjom. (Yonhap)

Regarding the question of when Washington and Pyongyang could kickstart substantive diplomacy for meaningful progress, analysts predicted that it might emerge when the war in Ukraine draws to an end.

"The war in Ukraine has to be over and Kim needs to feel the financial pain. Then, we could seem something really historic," Kazianis said.

Patrick Cronin, chair for Asia-Pacific Security at the Washington-based Hudson Institute, pointed out that a priority of the Trump administration at the moment is negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.

"While there is an intense desire for direct dialogue with Kim Jong-un, North Korean troops will have to withdraw from the war before there can be progress," Cronin said. "Back-channel communications are likely to be slow to develop."

Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation chair at the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies, said that Trump appears more eager to reach out to Kim than thought.

"I had assumed Trump at some point might try to reach out to Kim, but not until addressing other issues like the Ukraine War and more likely later in his administration," he said. "But it seems Trump is more eager to reengage (with) Kim than I anticipated."

Trump's interest in dialogue with the North appears to be evidenced by his personnel choices.

Earlier this month, Trump picked William Harrison -- an aide who was involved in planning the Singapore and Hanoi summits with the North Korean leader during his first term -- as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for operations.

Last month, he named former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as his presidential envoy for special missions that he said covers "some of the hottest spots" around the world, including North Korea, while tapping Alex Wong, who was engaged in working-level nuclear talks with the North, as his principal deputy national security adviser.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · January 25, 2025

12. Half of South Korea's exports to the U.S. fuel America's manufacturing revival

Half of South Korea's exports to the U.S. fuel America's manufacturing revival

South Korea supplies America's manufacturing core, suggests an analysis from KITA

https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/01/24/PPUXE2OL3VFEBPKFTF2Z4APYNY/

Published 2025.01.24. 11:01

While President Donald Trump has threatened tariff hikes to address trade deficits, South Korea’s exports to the United States—largely comprised of essential intermediate goods—are proving to be a critical asset to America’s manufacturing revival and economic goals. /Yonhap News

One of the key issues emerging during the early days of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president is the reduction of trade deficits. Since the administration began, Trump has warned trade deficit countries like Mexico, Canada, and China of impending “tariff bombs.” Although South Korea has not yet been named, experts predict it could become a target, as the country ranked as the eighth-largest contributor to the U.S. trade deficit in 2023.

However, an analysis released on Jan. 23 by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) suggests that S. Korea’s role in the U.S. economy may provide some leverage. Of S. Korea’s $127.79 billion in exports to the U.S. last year, over half—$65.40 billion, or 51.2%—were intermediate goods. Intermediate goods, such as semiconductors, auto parts, and steel, are essential inputs for manufacturing other products. These goods are primarily used by U.S. manufacturers or Korean companies operating in the United States.

This indicates that S. Korea plays a critical role in the success of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, which focuses on reviving U.S. manufacturing. Trade experts stress the importance of emphasizing this point during negotiations, noting that S. Korea and the U.S. share a mutually beneficial supply chain relationship. They also highlight how increased investments by Korean firms in the U.S. have driven export growth.

Data from the past five years shows that intermediate goods consistently account for the majority of S. Korea’s exports to the U.S. The proportion of intermediate goods in total exports fluctuated between 50.1% and 60.4% during this period, with last year’s 51.2% continuing this trend. Among S. Korea’s top 14 export categories to the U.S. in 2024, semiconductors accounted for $10.7 billion, auto parts for $8.2 billion, and petrochemicals and steel for $4.3 billion each—highlighting the dominance of intermediate goods.

In the semiconductor sector, S. Korean companies supply advanced chips directly to U.S. firms despite exporting a significant portion of components to Taiwan and India for manufacturing. High-tech products such as DRAM chips and enterprise SSDs (solid-state drives), which are used in AI servers, are exported directly to major U.S. companies like Hewlett-Packard (HP), Dell, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

South Korea’s deep ties to the U.S. supply chain, fueled by booming exports of intermediate goods and record-breaking investments, may offer crucial leverage as the Trump administration sharpens its focus on reducing trade deficits. Shown here, Hyundai vehicles await shipment at the export dock of Hyundai Motor’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. /News1

Additionally, S. Korean semiconductors are also expected to play a key role in the recently announced “Stargate Project.” Unveiled by Trump on Jan. 21, this initiative involves a partnership among OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle to build large-scale AI data centers in the U.S. and develop artificial general intelligence (AGI). A semiconductor industry official noted that these chips are critical components for U.S. industries such as smartphones, data centers, and electric vehicles, as well as emerging sectors like AI and cloud computing.

The U.S. auto parts market also highlights the growing demand for S. Korean exports. Major U.S. automakers, including Ford and General Motors (GM), as well as North America’s largest electric vehicle maker, are key customers for S. Korean suppliers like HL Mando.

The company’s revenue from North American automakers rose from 18% in 2017 to 29% in 2023. Another mid-sized Korean supplier, identified only as Company B, supplies parts to leading automakers like Lucid and Rivian and has secured contracts with Tesla, Ford, and others. An industry insider explained that S. Korean companies’ focus on diversifying supply chains and targeting the growing U.S. EV parts market has been key to their success.

Another driver of S. Korea’s export growth is the surge in S. Korean investments in the U.S. Over the past few years, S. Korean high-tech manufacturers have poured tens of billions of dollars into building new plants or expanding existing facilities, increasing exports of related equipment and components.

According to the Export-Import Bank of Korea, S. Korea’s total overseas investment reached $16.27 billion in the first three quarters of last year, with 35% directed toward the U.S. This marks a significant increase from 2018, when U.S.-bound investments accounted for 21.7%, and peaked at 43% in 2023—the highest on record.

13. North Korea Suffers 4,000 Casualties in Kursk as Coordination Between DPRK and Russia Falters – UK MoD

North Korea Suffers 4,000 Casualties in Kursk as Coordination Between DPRK and Russia Falters – UK MoD

A UK Defence Intelligence report says that command and control issues between North Korean and Russian forces in Kursk are leading to increased casualties and loss of operational cohesion.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/46004?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=KyivPost/magazine/Kyiv+Post+Latest+News

by Kyiv Post | January 24, 2025, 6:11 pm

This picture taken on February 8, 2023 and released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 10, 2023 shows North Korean soldiers taking part in a military parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

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North Korean forces have suffered significant casualties during offensive operations against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, with the numbers of killed and wounded reaching 4,000 by mid-January, according to the British Ministry of Defence’s report on X (Twitter).

The report said the total casualty rate to more than a third of the approximately 11,000 North Korean troops that originally deployed to the region with around a quarter of these being soldiers killed in action.

Screenshot from video released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly showing a North Korean prisoner of war in Ukrainian captivity. Officials said the soldier was captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk. Photo: Jan. 12. 2025.

The UK’s intelligence assessment is that the high casualty rate is “almost certainly” hindering the North Koreans’ ability to effectively undertake offensive combat operations, that, in turn, undermines their support for Russia’s attempts to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region.

Along with these losses, DPRK forces have achieved only limited tactical successes. The report highlights significant challenges in coordination between Russian and North Korean forces.

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Solidarity, the gas crisis in Moldova, and EU accession on the agenda.

“The two forces do not share a common language, and DPRK troops almost certainly have difficulties integrating themselves into Russia’s command-and-control structure,” the report says.

A separate report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimates that at current rates all of the North Korean soldiers that were deployed to the Kursk region could be killed or wounded by mid-April.

Since their deployment in early December, Pyongyang’s troops have been suffering an average of 92 casualties per day. In early January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that around 3,800 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded.

According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, 300 North Korean soldiers had been killed, and another 2,700 had been injured as of Jan. 13.

The report adds that as is typical in combat North Korean forces are likely to experience a higher number of wounded compared to those killed, which is typical in combat and it is unclear if or when the wounded would be able to return to the battlefield.

Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky described North Korean troops as “highly motivated, well-trained, and brave” in a TSN interview, citing their relentless assaults with little armored support, often through minefields and direct fire.

According to The New York Times (NYT), these tactics highlight both their determination and poor coordination with Russian forces, who use Pyongyang’s elite soldiers as cannon fodder.

Despite their persistence, North Korean troops avoid securing positions, leaving that to Russian forces. They also evacuate their wounded - a notable contrast to their Russian counterparts - but are reportedly instructed to commit suicide to avoid capture.

Russian forces actively prevent their capture, even targeting them with drones to kill both captives and Ukrainian troops, according to Ukrainian platoon commander Oleksiy.

14. Court again rejects prosecutors' request for extension of Yoon's arrest

Court again rejects prosecutors' request for extension of Yoon's arrest

The Korea Times · January 25, 2025

President Yoon Suk Yeol examines a memo during the fourth impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, Jan. 23. Yonhap

A Seoul court again Saturday turned down the prosecutors' request for an extension of President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest, prosecution officials said.

The Seoul Central District Court retained its earlier decision that rejected the first request to extend the impeached president's detention, citing "similar grounds" as the previous day's decision, a prosecution official said.

The special prosecution team had filed a new request with the court for the extension of the warrant until Feb. 6, but the court turned it down, saying it saw little need for the prosecution to "supplement" the investigation that has been led by the anti-corruption agency.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) transferred the case to the prosecution earlier this week, as the agency does not have a legal mandate to indict a president.

Requesting the extension, prosecutors have cited the need to continue the investigation, including in-person questioning of Yoon, as the president has mostly refused to cooperate with the probe.

The court' rejection leaves the prosecution having to decide whether to indict him before it has to release him by Monday. It is highly likely that the prosecution will indict the president Sunday.

Law enforcement agencies are investigating Yoon over allegations he was the mastermind behind the Dec. 3 martial law imposition that has plunged the country into a political crisis.

Yoon is looking at possible charges of insurrection and abuse of power by allegedly colluding with then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others to start a riot by declaring martial law and by sending troops to the National Assembly to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree.

Yoon has been incarcerated at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, south of the capital, since his formal arrest on Dec. 19.

A Constitutional Court trial is also under way to determine whether to uphold or dismiss his impeachment by the National Assembly.

While Yoon has appeared for his impeachment trial at the top court, his legal team has argued that the CIO's investigation against him is legally flawed, calling for Yoon's immediate release.

"The CIO's investigation itself is illegal and fundamentally null and void," Yun Gap-geun, his lawyer, told reporters in a press briefing earlier in the day. "It's best that they stop all attempts to bring down the president."

Yoon's legal team issued a separate statement following Saturday's court decision, urging the prosecution not to proceed with the indictment.

"The prosecution's extension request is an admission of the inadequacy of the CIO's investigation," it said. "The prosecution should keep in mind that if they go ahead with the indictment, they will bear full responsibility for all consequences that will follow, along with the CIO." (Yonhap)

The Korea Times · January 25, 2025

15. [Editorial] Far-right YouTubers

I would look deeply for links to agitators and agents from the United Front Departments of the PRC and nK for those among the rioters and to include some "false flag" "rar right" YouTubers.

Things are not always as they appear.

The seemingly far fetched right wing conspiracy theories may be part of the UFD's disinformation campaign to discredit and deligerintac actual conspiracies by the PRC and nK. If you deligimatize the major seemingly far fetched conspiracy theories you can hide the true actions of the UFD.

[Editorial] Far-right YouTubers

koreaherald.com · by Korea Herald · January 24, 2025

Far-right YouTubers under criticism for fueling division, Seoul court attack

YouTube has emerged as a political battleground in South Korea, in particular over the arrest of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, with some far-right video bloggers sending out inflammatory rhetoric, sensational content and conspiracy theories that incite violence and amplify divisions.

There is no doubt that YouTube is a powerful digital platform offering a variety of useful information and content to audiences across the globe. But it is also an obvious fact that YouTube often serves as a key tool for malicious individuals and groups armed with video cameras and mics to disseminate misinformation in real-time due to the absence of effective and timely regulations.

In particular, far-right YouTubers have been accused of peddling fake news to inflame partisan supporters, deepening the nation’s political and social fractures. Troublingly, certain politicians appear to be fanning these flames to bolster their own positions, exacerbating the political instability.

A striking example is the shocking mob violence that took place on Jan. 19, when Yoon’s staunch supporters stormed the Seoul Western District Court and staged a violent protest against a judge’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Yoon over his short-lived martial law declaration last month.

Several far-right YouTubers, alongside pro-Yoon protestors, scaled the court’s security fencing, livestreaming as they smashed glass, broke into the building and searched for judges in a way that stirred up tensions among their viewers. Worse, other far-right figures including some politicians joined the fray.

The violent and unprecedented act committed by the pro-Yoon protesters is deeply regrettable not only because it is a serious crime that violates the rule of law and the judicial system, but also because it is an inevitable outcome of what far-right YouTubers have done so far with their provocative actions and live streams.

Similarly, the controversy surrounding alleged election fraud has fueled conspiratorial narratives over YouTube. False claims that over 90 Chinese nationals detained at the National Election Commission training facility were sent to a US military base in Japan and confessed to election tampering have been widely debunked. Yet, far-right YouTubers persist in twisting these baseless assertions, stoking conspiracy theories for political and financial gain.

Behind this incendiary behavior lies calculated financial motives. Experts say that for many of these far-right video content creators, inflaming controversy is highly lucrative. A single viral moment can attract a surge of subscribers and donations through Super Chats.

According to Rep. Chung Il-young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, some top far-right YouTube channels doubled their income through Super Chats in December when the martial law order by Yoon triggered a huge wave of controversies and boosted their viewership.

This suggests that some YouTubers could be exploiting the political turmoil sparked by Yoon’s martial law, impeachment and formal arrest for personal enrichment.

The outrageous developments from far-right YouTubers add to concerns over South Korea’s political divide, with the country already reeling amid the tension between the two rival political parties over the impeached president.

If South Korea’s political environment fails to stabilize soon, aggressive provocations stoked by such extremists could intensify. The timing of the presidential election, depending on the Constitutional Court’s ruling on impeachment proceedings, could provide fertile ground for further polarization.

Against this background, it is hard to understand why the ruling People Power Party has invited controversy by sending gifts to ten conservative YouTubers ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday -- including some of those who were directly involved in the Jan. 19 court attack.

It is imperative to curb the proliferation of fake information disseminated by some extremist YouTubers. Political parties must also resist the temptation to ride this wave of online sensationalism.

koreaherald.com · by Korea Herald · January 24, 2025

16. Trump releases first Quad joint communique after taking office

Our allies are reading the mission as an indicator. Notably mostly only to South Korea (and paorbaby nK as well)

Excerpt:

- the phrase “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” was notably absent.

But I think my Korean friends should take a deep breath. Not every Korean issue is going to be addressed in every US statement.

Trump releases first Quad joint communique after taking office

donga.com

Posted January. 24, 2025 08:15,

Updated January. 24, 2025 08:15

Trump releases first Quad joint communique after taking office. January. 24, 2025 08:15. by Jin-Woo Shin niceshin@donga.com.

In the joint communique signed during the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting - held in Washington for the first time, a day after the inauguration of the Donald Trump Administration - the phrase “denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” was notably absent. This marks a contrast to the Joe Biden Administration, under which the phrase “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” appeared quite regularly in the communique, including last year’s. Concerns have been raised that this omission might signal a shift in Washington’s North Korea policy, moving from “denuclearization” to a focus on “nuclear disarmament and freeze.”

The Joint Communique, disclosed by the U.S. Department of State, does not mention North Korea. However, its intent to counterbalance China remains as evident as during the previous administration. Although China is not mentioned explicitly, the communique includes the statement: “We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” a phrasing typically reserved to address China’s actions.

Additionally, when President Trump referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as having “nuclear power” during his inauguration ceremony on Monday, some observers expressed concern that this could be interpreted as a tacit acknowledgment of Pyongyang as a nuclear state. Experts suggest that the omission of denuclearization reflects Trump’s more realistic approach to North Korea’s nuclear program, focusing on the “small deal” such as nuclear disarmament and freezing development rather than pursuing the complete dismantlement of Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.

한국어

donga.com

17. Trump says he will reach out to Kim Jon Un again

I am happy for POTUS to reach out again as long as it is part of a deliberate and sophisticated political warfare strategy that seeks to solve the "Korea question."

Trump says he will reach out to Kim Jon Un again

donga.com

Posted January. 25, 2025 07:33,

Updated January. 25, 2025 07:33

Trump says he will reach out to Kim Jon Un again. January. 25, 2025 07:33. by Jin-Woo Shin niceshin@donga.com.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Fox News on Thursday (local time) that he would reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again. This marks the first time since he campaigned for the presidential election that the president has explicitly mentioned the possibility of renewed U.S.-North Korea summit diplomacy.

"He [Kim Jong Un] is not a religious zealot. He's a smart guy," Trump added during the interview after he noted that negotiations with Iran, driven by intense religious fervor, would be difficult. Trump praised the North Korean leader by portraying Kim as a reasonable negotiation partner. "Obama considered North Korea the greatest threat, but I solved that problem [the North Korean nuclear issue]. I got along well with him [Kim Jong Un]."

Previously, Trump referred to North Korea as a "nuclear power" on the first day of his presidency. Given this, analysts speculate that if Trump's second administration swiftly resumes top-down diplomacy, it might prioritize a "small deal" focused on nuclear arms reduction in exchange for sanctions relief rather than pursuing failed denuclearization talks from his first term.

Trump and Kim held a series of summits during Trump's first term, including one in Singapore in 2018 and another in Hanoi, Vietnam, the following year. They also exchanged 27 letters, dubbed "love letters." After his election victory, Trump said he got along with Kim in his first press conference. On his inauguration day, he added that the North Korean leader would welcome my return. During his inaugural ball, he referred to Kim as a "tough cookie" during a video call with U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Before his inauguration, Trump appointed Richard Grenell, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, as Special Envoy for North Korea and Alex Wong, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for North Korea, as Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House National Security Council (NSC), signaling his intent to pursue summit diplomacy with North Korea.

한국어

donga.com

18. North Korea concludes parliamentary meeting, affirms focus on national defense

Despite the rhetoric and analysis of pundits, Songun (MIlitary First Politics) still prevails in the north.

Friday

January 24, 2025

dictionary + A - A

North Korea concludes parliamentary meeting, affirms focus on national defense

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-24/national/northKorea/North-Korea-concludes-parliamentary-meeting-affirms-focus-on-national-defense/2229691

Published: 24 Jan. 2025, 10:05

12th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly takes place on Jan. 22 to 23. [KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY]

North Korea has concluded a two-day parliamentary meeting, affirming state spending for a stronger national defense, but no message was issued toward the new Donald Trump administration, according to state media Friday.

Seven items were presented at the 12th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

North Korea reports on Yoon’s detention and impeachment trial

U.S. expert calls Trump’s 'nuclear power' remark on North Korea realistic

North Korea silent on parliamentary session, fueling speculation over Kim Jong-un's stance on U.S. relations

They included the implementation of the 2024 state budget, the 2025 state budget, a revision of some provisions of the Socialist Constitution and an organizational matter, the KCNA said.

The KCNA reported Premier Pak Thae-song, Choe Ryong-hae, chairman of the SPA standing committee and other high-ranking officials attended the meeting, without mentioning North Korean leader Kim Jong-un among the attendees.

The meeting had been widely watched to see whether Kim would deliver any message toward the United States, as the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration has raised speculation about the resumption of talks between them.

The session acknowledged that the 2025 state budget was designed to support a five-year economic development plan by "concentrating the investment on accelerating the significant changes in the national defense capabilities," according to the report.

Finance Minister Ri Myong-guk reported during the meeting that North Korea has allocated 15.7 percent of the 2025 state budget for national defense, a slight fall from last year's 15.9 percent.

The SPA meeting functions as a regular parliamentary session in other countries, addressing constitutional or legal enactments and revisions, as well as government personnel decisions.

The SPA is the highest legislative organ in North Korea, but in reality, it merely rubber-stamps decisions made by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Yonhap

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

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com

If you do not read anything else in the 2017 National Security Strategy read this on page 14:

"A democracy is only as resilient as its people. An informed and engaged citizenry is the fundamental requirement for a free and resilient nation. For generations, our society has protected free press, free speech, and free thought. Today, actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies. Adversaries target media, political processes, financial networks, and personal data. The American public and private sectors must recognize this and work together to defend our way of life. No external threat can be allowed to shake our shared commitment to our values, undermine our system of government, or divide our Nation."

Access NSS HERE

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Ousted South Korean defence minister testifies Yoon never intended full martial law

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