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Quotes of the Day:
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”
– Rudyard Kipling
"The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye; the more light you pour upon it, the more it will contract."
– Oliver W. Holmes, Jr.
"The intelligent man finds almost everything ridiculous, the sensible man hardly anything."
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1. South Korean Political Crisis: Martial Law and Impeachment (CRS Report)
2. South Korean Police Raid Offices of Airline, Airport Involved in Plane Crash
3. Rival South Korea camps face off as president holds out
4. Investigators trying to detain Yoon in standoff with presidential security service
5. Army chief, special warfare commander indicted in martial law probe
6. Spy agency open to possibility 2 spotted children could be offspring of N.K. leader's sister
7. President Fends Off Arrest Attempt Over Martial-Law Decree
8. Blinken expected to visit S. Korea early next week amid Yoon's impeachment
9. NSC files complaint against 13 opposition lawmakers over drone claim
10. N.K. describes S. Korea as politically paralyzed, chaotic after Yoon's impeachment
11. Masters of the middle: N. Korea's calculated dance between global powers
12. Russia skips U.N. reports on supply of refined petroleum products to N. Korea since Feb.
13. N. Korea shifts focus inward at year-end party meeting
14. What's next in Yoon arrest saga? CIO regroups after attempt fails
15. Espionage in Guam: FBI accuses South Korean of financing North
16. Why are Yoon's supporters waving American flags?
17. Ukraine: “North Korean military morale is at rock bottom… even getting drunk on New Year’s Eve”
18. North Korea's Eighth Party Congress reveals Kim's purposes
1. South Korean Political Crisis: Martial Law and Impeachment (CRS Report)
A useful report.
Download the entire report at this link: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12474
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress
INSIGHTi
South Korean Political Crisis: Martial Law
and Impeachment
Updated December 31, 2024
In December 2024, South Korea plunged into a political crisis that could have significant implications for
U.S. interests, including U.S. policies toward North Korea, China, Japan, and Russia. At around 10:25
p.m. on December 3, after months of escalating tension and political gridlock between the executive and the opposition-controlled National Assembly (Figure 1), President Yoon Suk-Yeol declared martial law “to protect the constitutional order” from the left-of-center opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP), and its allies. Yoon has described these opposition parties as pro-North Korean “anti-state forces.” Yoon dispatched military and police forces to the National Assembly complex to prevent it from convening and reportedly to arrest party leaders. Most legislators—some of whom came of age protesting against South Korea’s military government in the 1970s and 1980s—managed to evade or break through the security
cordon.
2. South Korean Police Raid Offices of Airline, Airport Involved in Plane Crash
South Korean Police Raid Offices of Airline, Airport Involved in Plane Crash
Search warrant lists charges of professional negligence resulting in death, after 179 people were killed on Jeju Air flight
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/south-korean-police-raid-offices-of-airline-airport-involved-in-plane-crash-15ac9f49?mod=Searchresults_pos4&page=1
By Dasl Yoon
Follow
and Timothy W. Martin
Follow
Jan. 2, 2025 10:31 am ET
Investigators carried items from an aviation agency office at South Korea’s Muan International Airport. Photo: yonhap/Shutterstock
SEOUL—South Korean police raided the offices of the airline and airport operator involved in Sunday’s fiery plane crash that killed 179 passengers, with the search warrant issued on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.
There were just two survivors of the Jeju Air flight, with the Boeing 737-800 jet skidding off the runway, slamming into a concrete-reinforced embankment and erupting into flames. The crash at Muan International Airport, located in the country’s southwest, represented one of the worst aviation disasters in years.
Roughly 30 investigators on Thursday collected evidence from Jeju Air’s office in Seoul, as well as the Muan airport and its regional aviation administration office.
No individual has been charged at this time, police said. Under South Korean law, professional or gross negligence that results in death can carry punishment of as much as five years in prison.
Inspections of the wreckage were under way Thursday at the Muan airport. Photo: Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Shares of Jeju Air have fallen roughly 13% this week, while tens of thousands of travelers have canceled reservations with the budget airline. The company’s chief executive, Kim E-bae, is banned from leaving the country. The airline, named after a South Korean resort island, will cooperate with police, a company director said Thursday.
The investigation will focus on communications between the Muan control tower and the Jeju Air pilots—particularly during the flight’s chaotic final six minutes featuring multiple attempts to land, mayday alerts over a bird strike and an abrupt belly landing made roughly halfway down the airport’s sole runway.
Efforts will also look at whether Jeju Air had followed regulations and proper maintenance of the jet, as well as the design of the airport itself. The location of the roughly 7-foot-high embankment, just over 800 feet from the end of the runaway, has fallen under scrutiny. With the surrounding terrain low, the structure needed to be elevated, so the “localizer” antenna atop the embankment could function by sitting at a similar height as the runway.
Muan Airport's Runway Design
The Jeju Air jet crashed into a barrier after it skidded off the end of the runway at Muan International Airport. The barrier was located within a safety zone that the FAA recommends be clear.
Localizer antenna set provides pilots with data for landing. At Muan, they were installed atop a concrete-reinforced mound beyond the runway.
Turns around to attempt second landing
2
3
Plane grounds without landing gear deployed
1
First landing attempt fails
Localizer antenna set
4
Point of collision
~9.8 ft
Changes in elevation of runway
Note: Antenna not to scale
Source: FAA, NASADEM (30m elevation data), Google Earth (runway shape)
Adrienne Tong/WSJ
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered a thorough examination of the country’s airline operation system—including a special safety inspection for the more than 100 Boeing 737-800 jets operated by domestic airlines. Officials said they were also checking the localizer equipment at the nation’s airports.
A team of South Korean and U.S. investigators, including Boeing officials, are exploring the crash’s causes. Data from the cockpit voice recorder has been converted into audio files, South Korea’s transport ministry said, though releasing the communications to the public might be difficult because of the continuing investigation.
The jet’s other black box, the aircraft flight-data recorder, was partially damaged and will be taken to the U.S. for analysis in cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board.
Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com and Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com
Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Appeared in the January 3, 2025, print edition as 'South Korean Police Raid Offices Linked to Deadly Plane Crash'.
3. Rival South Korea camps face off as president holds out
"Fight to the death for liberal democracy."
I do not think we understand the support for liberal democracy in the South, though there are different views on what support for democracy means.
Excerpts:
One woman threw herself in front of a police bus, spreading her arms across the windshield, while other Yoon supporters lay down in the street - eyes closed, arms crossed in front of them - when police attempted to move them.
One protester, Park Shi-dong, 74, told AFP he was there to "fight to the death to save liberal democracy," saying Yoon's imposition of martial law was justified and he should not be removed from office.
...
One protester, No Seung-gap, 52, waved a huge flag that read: "Execute Yoon Suk Yeol".
"I couldn't sleep for days so I came out here in frustration," he said, adding that unless people took to the streets, the investigators probing Yoon seemed "ineffective".
"Please let the world know that the South Korean people won't stand for this ridiculous attempt to destroy our democracy," he added.
Rival South Korea camps face off as president holds out
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korea-yoon-suk-yeol-resist-arrest-rival-protests-arrest-warrant-police-4835131
02 Jan 2025 08:41PM
(Updated: 02 Jan 2025 08:44PM)
SEOUL: Rival camps of South Korean protesters faced off in chaotic scenes outside the presidential compound on Thursday (Jan 2), some trying to protect the impeached president inside from arrest, as others called for his immediate detention.
President Yoon Suk Yeol was last month impeached by lawmakers over his ill-fated martial law declaration and investigators probing him over insurrection have a warrant to detain him which they have vowed to execute before Monday.
But hundreds of Yoon's die-hard supporters, including far-right YouTube personalities and evangelical Christian leaders, gathered outside his compound in Seoul, facing off with the anti-Yoon camp and riot police.
One woman threw herself in front of a police bus, spreading her arms across the windshield, while other Yoon supporters lay down in the street - eyes closed, arms crossed in front of them - when police attempted to move them.
One protester, Park Shi-dong, 74, told AFP he was there to "fight to the death to save liberal democracy," saying Yoon's imposition of martial law was justified and he should not be removed from office.
"Impeachment invalid" the protestors yelled as they waved South Korean flags and red lightsticks.
"Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon Suk Yeol, we protect! We protect!" they yelled.
Dozens of people were livestreaming the protests on YouTube channels, AFP reporters saw.
A woman waves flags of South Korea and the United States as she holds a placard reading "Arrest Lee Jae-myung" during a rally to support South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul on Jan 2,…see more
Protesters lie on the ground during a rally to support South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul on Jan 2, 2025. (Photo: Yonhap via AFP)
"STOP THE INJUSTICE"
On Wednesday, Yoon sent a message to the hardline supporters outside his residence, telling them he was watching them on YouTube and urging them to help him "defend democracy" and "fight to the end".
The opposition and experts decried his move, claiming it was an attempt to weaponise his most extreme protesters, and warning it could lead to violence.
But Yoon supporters like Kim Sang-bae, 63, said they would not leave the area, as they were desperate to "stop the injustice" of the sitting president being arrested - a first in South Korean history.
Yoon's lawyers have said they believe the arrest warrant is illegal and his security team has previously refused to honour search warrants.
The president himself has refused the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO)'s summons three times - which is what prompted them to seek to detain him for questioning.
Local media reported that one pro-Yoon protester was arrested on charges of obstructing police.
Related:
South Korea's impeached president resists arrest over martial law bid, vows to 'fight until end'
South Korea investigators vow to execute Yoon Suk Yeol arrest warrant
ANTI-YOON
Close by, hundreds of anti-Yoon protesters staged a rival rally, singing the national anthem as scores of riot police struggled to keep the opposing camps separated.
One anti-Yoon demonstrator Bae Hoon, 46, said that they "were struck on the head and assaulted repeatedly", by Yoon's supporters when they tried to hold a press conference.
"I felt that if we had stayed just five more minutes, a serious incident could have occurred," Bae added, saying police tried to help but were outnumbered.
"The pro-Yoon crowd was overwhelming, with around 500 to 600 people surrounding us, and more kept joining ... leading to assaults and verbal abuse," Bae added.
A woman waves South Korea's flag during a rally to support South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul on Jan 2, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Philip Fong)
Policemen stand guard in front of people taking part in a rally to support South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol near the presidential residence in Seoul on Jan 2, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Philip Fong)
Yoon is facing a final Constitutional Court ruling on his impeachment, plus jail time or even the death penalty on the insurrection charges.
One protester, No Seung-gap, 52, waved a huge flag that read: "Execute Yoon Suk Yeol".
"I couldn't sleep for days so I came out here in frustration," he said, adding that unless people took to the streets, the investigators probing Yoon seemed "ineffective".
"Please let the world know that the South Korean people won't stand for this ridiculous attempt to destroy our democracy," he added.
Source: AFP/rl
4. Investigators trying to detain Yoon in standoff with presidential security service
I hope this doesn't get (more) ugly and turn to violence.
(5th LD) Investigators trying to detain Yoon in standoff with presidential security service | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · January 3, 2025
(ATTN: UPDATES with standoff with Presidential Security Service; CHANGES headline, photo)
By Kim Soo-yeon and Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- Investigators attempting to execute a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid were locked in a standoff with the Presidential Security Service outside the presidential residence Friday.
Investigators with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) presented warrants to detain Yoon and search the residence, but PSS chief Park Chong-jun denied their entry, citing restrictions on secured areas.
"CIO prosecutors and investigators are in a standoff with the Presidential Security Service in front of the residence after moving past the first and second barriers," a police official said, referring to the gates of the compound and an earlier standoff with a military unit stationed on the grounds.
The CIO has until Monday to execute the detention warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power linked to Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.
Investigators from the state anti-corruption agency walk into the entrance of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's official residence in Seoul on Jan. 3, 2025, to execute a warrant to detain Yoon over his failed bid to impose martial law in December. (Yonhap)
Rallies by Yoon's supporters outside the presidential residence, however, have complicated the CIO's effort, along with the potential for clashes with the Presidential Security Service.
Thousands of supporters have gathered near the residence in recent days to oppose Yoon's impeachment and block his arrest. Some have been forcibly dispersed by the police and carried away by their limbs.
Observers said executing the warrant on Saturday or Sunday could risk confronting even larger crowds, while executing it Monday would be too close to the deadline.
The CIO has teamed up with the police and the defense ministry's investigation unit to conduct a joint probe into Yoon's failed martial law bid.
The team executing the warrant comprises 30 people from the CIO and 120 police personnel, of which 70 were initially waiting outside the residence compound. A number of them were later sent inside to assist with the effort.
People supporting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rally near his official residence in Seoul on Jan. 3, 2025, to stop investigators from the state anti-corruption agency from executing a warrant to detain Yoon over his failed bid to impose martial law in December. (Yonhap)
The CIO requested the detention warrant after Yoon ignored all three summonses to appear for questioning. The agency has also obtained a warrant to search the presidential residence.
Yoon's legal defense team has called the warrants "illegal and invalid" and filed for an injunction against their execution.
On Friday, Yun Gap-geun, a lawyer on the team, told Yonhap News Agency "legal action" will be sought against the CIO's attempt.
In the event the Presidential Security Service or Yoon's supporters attempt to stop the CIO from executing the detention arrest, police have said they will take them into custody on charges of obstruction of official duties.
If Yoon is arrested, investigators plan to take him to the CIO's headquarters in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, for questioning before detaining him at the Seoul Detention Center in nearby Uiwang.
Once detained, the CIO will have 48 hours to either seek another warrant for his formal arrest or release him.
President Yoon Suk Yeol gives a public statement at the presidential office on Dec. 12, 2024, denouncing the main opposition Democratic Party for paralyzing state affairs with its abuse of impeachments, in this file photo provided by Yoon's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · January 3, 2025
5. Army chief, special warfare commander indicted in martial law probe
I hope the investigation will show that at the right time LTG Kwak made the right decision and did not allow his troops to halt the national assembly proceedings.
I do not think we can understand the enormous uncertainty when a president issues an order and the military leaders do not have all the facts. Of course they initially obeyed the order to deploy troops. What if there had been some kind of attack. What if it was 1968 and a Blue House attack-like infiltration and attack taking place on the National Assembly? But then they exercised judgment when they learned the facts and they acted to uphold democracy by not impeding the national assembly vote. Nor did they arrest anyone as far as I know. However, it is easy for the armchair quarterbacks to now second guess with hindsight and criticise the man in the arena.
Army chief, special warfare commander indicted in martial law probe | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · January 3, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Friday indicted the top commander of the Army and the head of its special warfare unit over their alleged roles in the short-lived imposition of martial law last month.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who served as martial law commander, and Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, were indicted under detention on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, according to the prosecution.
Park issued the martial law decree under his name on Dec. 3, which investigators believe contains unconstitutional elements, such as a ban on all political activity.
Kwak is accused of sending special operations forces to the National Assembly under orders from President Yoon Suk Yeol to secure the building and prevent lawmakers from passing a motion to reject martial law.
Prosecutors deemed their actions to have intent to subvert the Constitution and amount to charges of insurrection. The two officials were placed under arrest last month.
Gen. Park An-su (C), chief of staff of the Army, and Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun (1st from R) attend a parliamentary committee session at the National Assembly in western Seoul, in this file photo taken Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · January 3, 2025
6. Spy agency open to possibility 2 spotted children could be offspring of N.K. leader's sister
The evil sister and the most dangerous women in the world could have children? I fear for those children if they have to grow up and be like thier mother.
Spy agency open to possibility 2 spotted children could be offspring of N.K. leader's sister | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 3, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's spy agency said Friday it is open to the possibility that two children recently seen alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister could be her offspring and is currently analyzing the matter.
A video of North Korea's new year art performance, aired by Korean Central Television on Wednesday, showed Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader's powerful sister, walking outside the event venue, holding the hand of a boy, with a girl next to her.
The image sparked speculations that they may be her children.
A precise analysis is under way with the possibility "open that the children could be Kim Yo-jong's," given "the already detected ages of her offspring," the National Intelligence Service (NIS) told Yonhap News Agency.
On Thursday, an official at the unification ministry said the new year art performance in North Korea was an event meant to be accompanied by family. The North Korean leader attended the performance with his daughter, known to be named Ju-ae.
In April 2015, the NIS reported that Kim Yo-jong was presumed to be giving birth the following month. Later in 2018, a government source said Kim was pregnant during her visit to South Korea in February of that year for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
However, no official information has confirmed her marital status, pregnancies or childbirths.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful sister, Kim Yo-jong (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 3, 2025
7. President Fends Off Arrest Attempt Over Martial-Law Decree
Notice the American flags in the photos at the link below.
President Fends Off Arrest Attempt Over Martial-Law Decree
Special investigators, warrant in hand, were blocked from detaining Yoon Suk Yeol during a six-hour standoff with Secret Service personnel
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/south-koreas-impeached-president-fends-off-arrest-attempt-over-martial-law-decree-89ead876?st=am51UX&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
By Timothy W. Martin
Follow
, Soobin Kim and Dasl Yoon
Follow
| Photographs by Tim Franco for WSJ
Updated Jan. 3, 2025 3:25 am ET
SEOUL—South Korean investigators failed to arrest the country’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, thwarted by his armed Secret Service bodyguards in another tense showdown resulting from his short-lived martial-law decree last month.
Yoon, who is being investigated for insurrection among other charges, has refused three summonses to appear for questioning. He and his lawyers view the legal scrutiny as illegitimate. On Tuesday, a Seoul court issued a detainment warrant that would bring the 64-year-old leader in front of investigators.
In recent days, Yoon and his legal-defense team had lambasted the warrant as “illegal and invalid,” demanding the issuing judge be investigated.
That set the stage for Friday’s roughly six-hour standoff at South Korea’s presidential residence in central Seoul. Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters had packed onto the adjacent sidewalks, waving South Korean and U.S. flags and holding signs that read: “Nullify impeachment.” At the main gate, a parked security-team bus prevented the investigators’ five black Kia and Hyundai vehicles from entering when they arrived around 7:20 a.m.
It took a team of around 30 investigators nearly three hours to get in. As they marched up a narrow road to the presidential residence, investigators scuffled multiple times with Secret Service bodyguards, according to the special unit.
As they got several hundred feet away, a show of force awaited them: a wall of roughly 200 armed bodyguards and about 10 vehicles. Just three prosecutors could approach the door, the special unit said.
Police stood guard as supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered outside the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday.
Handing the arrest warrant to Yoon’s lawyers, investigators got an answer they didn’t like: “We will not comply with an illegal warrant,” a defense attorney said. By 1:30 p.m., the special unit called it quits citing safety concerns, deeming it “virtually impossible” to execute the warrant.
“We express our deepest regret over the suspect’s failure to comply with legal procedures,” the unit said in a statement, without mentioning Yoon by name.
It was investigators’ first—though possibly not last—try at detaining the conservative Yoon. The arrest warrant is valid through Monday. They could also ask the court to reissue the warrant after its expiration.
The political tumult lands at a sensitive time for Seoul, with a looming change in U.S. administrations, an increasingly bellicose North Korea and a plane crash in South Korea that killed 179 people. Yoon was stripped of his presidential powers after his Dec. 14 impeachment. Then last week Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president with Yoon sidelined, was also impeached.
‘Fight to the end’
The special investigators had warned that presidential security personnel who helped Yoon defy arrest could be charged with dereliction of duty or obstruction. They view the execution of the arrest warrant as part of routine judicial procedure.
By law, the mission of the presidential security detail is to protect the country’s leader—and Yoon, impeached though not removed from office, remains the elected head of the country pending a Constitutional Court review. The court has until mid-June to do so, though it is expected to move more quickly than that.
Yoon’s security team appears to view the arrest as a threat to the safety of the president, said Kim Seon-taek of Korea University in Seoul, who specializes in constitutional law. “This is why there is a conflict,” he said.
Who will take charge next?
Yoon Suk Yeol
President
Age: 64
The conservative leader, who is about halfway through a five-year term that ends in 2027, said he declared martial law on Dec. 3 to protect the country’s “constitutional freedom.”
If Yoon is removed
from office
ACTING PRESIDENT
Han Duck-soo
Prime Minister
Age: 75
Lee Jae-myung
Leader of the opposition Democratic Party
Age: 61
A Harvard-educated former ambassador to the U.S., Han had been acting president for less than two weeks when South Korea's legislature voted to impeach him for refusing to make judicial appointments.
Lee is considered the front-runner for the nation’s top job if a snap election is called, though his legal woes could block him from running for president. He has five ongoing trials now.
Choi Sang-mok
Minister of Economy and Finance
Age: 61
Lee Ju-ho
Minister of Education
Age: 63
Choi also serves as the deputy prime minister and steps in as acting president with Han Duck-soo's impeachment.
Lee, appointed by Yoon in 2022, also serves as the deputy prime minister. He is next in line to
Choi Sang-mok.
Photos: Bloomberg; AFP (2); AP , Zuma
Source: staff reports
After the detainment attempt failed, the special unit charged the head of Yoon’s security, who denied investigators entry citing secure-area restrictions, with special obstruction of public duty. He and a Secret Service deputy are scheduled to be questioned on Saturday.
The inability to arrest Yoon is likely to invite more political unrest. Dueling mass protests have unfolded across South Korea in recent weeks, backing or disavowing the impeachment. Yoon’s backers, who include influential far-right YouTubers, have called for an “army of people” to defend him.
Investigators have been blocked from carrying out search-and-seizure raids by Yoon’s Secret Service team. On Thursday, law enforcement forcibly removed about 30 pro-Yoon protesters who had broken through a police barrier and sought to block access to the entrance of the presidential residence.
In a letter sent to his backers the day before, Yoon said he appreciated their efforts, which he watched via YouTube livestreams. Supporters, chanting, “Let’s protect Yoon,” have blocked alleyways and a police bus and physically attacked law enforcement.
South Korea is “now in danger” due to the activities of antistate groups, Yoon said in his letter. “With you, I will fight to the end to protect this country,” it read.
Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gathered near the presidential residence in Seoul on Friday.
Yoon’s legal woes run parallel with his impeachment trial, which formally started last week and will hold first arguments on Jan. 14. The Constitutional Court plays a similar role in impeachment cases to the U.S. Senate.
After Yoon’s impeachment, Han, the prime minister, assumed the nation’s top job. He was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly after refusing to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court, which had only six of nine seats filled.
The whirlwind of events has left Choi Sang-mok, the No. 3 in line to the presidency, with four of the nation’s top positions: acting president, acting prime minister and his previous roles as deputy prime minister and head of the country’s economy and finance ministry.
Leadership vacuum
On Tuesday, Choi appointed judges for two of the three vacant seats at the Constitutional Court, doing so to “end the political uncertainty and social conflict as soon as possible.” That drew immediate backlash from the ruling conservatives; many top presidential aides who had served Yoon tendered their resignations.
Choi, as acting president, could direct the Secret Service team to step aside and allow Yoon to be arrested, said Korea University’s Kim. But Choi hasn’t commented publicly on the matter.
Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, urged investigators to immediately try again to detain Yoon, who had previously pledged not to evade legal and political responsibility over the martial-law order. “The public has once again confirmed how pathetic and squalid Yoon is,” Park told reporters after the failed arrest attempt.
If the Constitutional Court upholds his impeachment, Yoon, about halfway through a five-year term set to end in 2027, will be ousted from office and lose the presidential immunity that shields South Korean leaders from everything but a few charges, such as insurrection or treason.
A snap election would occur within 60 days. The clear front-runner today is opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, Yoon’s political rival who led the impeachment push.
More than 61% of South Koreans want to see Yoon’s impeachment upheld, with about 37% for rejection, according to a recent poll.
Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who was removed early from office in 2017 over an influence-peddling scandal, saw her impeachment and criminal cases unfold simultaneously. But she wasn’t detained until the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment. Her criminal trial then took more than a year to unfold.
Three top South Korean military officials—including Yoon’s former defense minister—have recently been indicted over the martial-law order for insurrection, among other charges. Several other top officials have been brought in for questioning.
After investigators pulled back on a frigid Friday afternoon, pro-Yoon supporters shouted “We won!”
Yoon supporter Rhee Kang-san had shivered through the night protesting outside the presidential compound where he had remained for about 26 hours straight. Rhee allowed himself a moment of joy after investigators gave up trying to detain Yoon, then became nervous realizing they could lodge more attempts before the arrest warrant expires. He plans to join weekend rallies demanding Yoon be cleared.
“We can’t relax yet,” said Rhee, a spokesman for a pro-Yoon supporter group.
Police buses near the South Korean presidential residence in Seoul.
Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com and Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
8. Blinken expected to visit S. Korea early next week amid Yoon's impeachment
MOFA (and the rest of the South Korean government) continues to function.
Blinken expected to visit S. Korea early next week amid Yoon's impeachment | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · January 3, 2025
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit South Korea early next week, sources said Friday, in what would be the first such trip by the U.S. top diplomat since President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
Seoul and Washington were fine-tuning the arrangement for U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's possible two-day visit to Seoul beginning Sunday, a diplomatic source said.
If realized, Blinken is expected to hold talks with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul the following day, the source said.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is also likely to visit South Korea on Jan. 13 and meet one-on-one with Cho for talks, another source said.
Their potential visits come at a time when South Korea is working to reassure its alliance with the United States and its standing as a reliable international partner, despite the political turmoil surrounding Yoon's impeachment over his brief martial law attempt early last month.
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (R) poses with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ahead of their luncheon meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul, in this file photo taken March 18, 2024. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Yoon's abrupt martial law imposition sparked concerns that it could undermine Seoul's policy coordination with Washington in security and other issues, primarily North Korean threats.
It also raised worries that the incident might hinder the allies' efforts to further cement the trilateral partnership framework with Japan -- a key achievement touted by the U.S. Joe Biden administration.
Hosting the top diplomats of the U.S. and Japan is expected to help alleviate such concerns and set the stage for South Korea to demonstrate that it has the unwavering support from the two countries despite the political tumult.
Cho is likely to use the occasions to reaffirm the commitment to the alliance with Washington and the U.S.' deterrence against North Korea. He is also expected to discuss the deepening military ties between the North and Russia, as well as Pyongyang's troop deployment to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.
Cho may also take the opportunity to reaffirm South Korea's unwavering commitment to advancing the trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan.
For Blinken, the likely trip will be his final Asia tour as the top U.S. diplomat under the outgoing Biden administration. After his stop in Seoul, he is expected to travel to Japan.
Sources said that South Korea is also working with China and Japan to hold a three-way meeting among their foreign ministers in Japan, as early as next month, as part of preparations for a planned summit of the three countries' leaders. Japan is this year's host for the trilateral summit.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · January 3, 2025
9. NSC files complaint against 13 opposition lawmakers over drone claim
NSC files complaint against 13 opposition lawmakers over drone claim | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · January 3, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The National Security Council (NSC) said Friday it has filed a complaint with police against 13 opposition lawmakers over their claims that the NSC had ordered the military to send a drone into Pyongyang last year.
The complaint was filed against Rep. Boo Seung-chan of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and 12 other DP lawmakers for the alleged violation of the information and communications law.
The lawmakers have "seriously" damaged the NSC's reputation by spreading false information alleging that it ordered the Drone Operations Command to infiltrate Pyongyang with a drone and that National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik was directly involved in the matter, according to the presidential office.
The office said the DP lawmakers made "baseless claims" without evidence, which constitute a criminal act that "endangers national security" and its legal action is aimed at restoring the NSC's reputation and preventing the spread of "fake news."
In October, North Korea claimed to have discovered the remains of unmanned aerial vehicles carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets in its capital, accusing Seoul of sending the drones and warning of retaliation if such actions were repeated.
The military has maintained its stance of not confirming the alleged drone infiltration despite suspicions raised by the opposition bloc that the move was linked to preparations for President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law imposition on Dec. 3.
This Dec. 14, 2024, file photo shows National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik attending a National Security Council meeting at the government complex in Seoul. (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · January 3, 2025
10. N.K. describes S. Korea as politically paralyzed, chaotic after Yoon's impeachment
Democracy is messy.
"Democracy is the worst form of government except for all others." – Winston Churchill
I know all Koreans would rather live in their messy democracy than live as slaves in the "socialist workers paradise" under the dictatorial rule of the Kim family regime in the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State.
N.K. describes S. Korea as politically paralyzed, chaotic after Yoon's impeachment | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 3, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state media published a news report Friday on the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, describing South Korea as political paralyzed and socially chaotic.
"In puppet South Korea, an unprecedented impeachment took place following the Dec. 3 martial law incident, and a detention warrant was issued for the president, paralyzing state affairs and further deepening social and political chaos," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The KCNA described in detail the key political and social developments in South Korea following the impeachment, including the subsequent impeachment of acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, law enforcement's impending execution of a detention warrant against Yoon as well as his letter sent to supporters.
"Foreign media have criticized that South Korea has been thrown deeper into a political storm," the KCNA claimed.
North Korea's state media first reported on Yoon's impeachment on Dec. 16, two days after it occurred, but had since remained silent on the issue.
Friday's report was also published on the sixth page of the Rodong Sinmun daily, which caters to the general readership in North Korea, in what appears to be an effort to highlight the North Korean regime's stability by comparison.
Yoon faces investigation on charges of insurrection for his short-lived invocation of martial law on Dec. 3. The National Assembly voted to impeach him the following week, and the Constitutional Court will review to decide whether to uphold the impeachment or reinstate him.
Citizens call for the arrest and detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol during a rally near Yoon's presidential residence in Seoul on Jan. 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 3, 2025
11. Masters of the middle: N. Korea's calculated dance between global powers
There is a fundamental question: Does "conventional" "normal" or "internationally accepted" diplomacy work with north Korea?
Masters of the middle: N. Korea's calculated dance between global powers - Daily NK English
Some analysts draw parallels between North Korea's current international position and China's stance before Nixon's diplomatic breakthrough, but such comparisons overlook crucial historical distinctions
By English Language Editor - January 3, 2025
dailynk.com · by English Language Editor · January 3, 2025
President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stand on the North Korean side of the DMZ in Panmujom on June 30. Image: Rodong Sinmun
As the United States grapples with potential shifts in its foreign policy, North Korea’s deepening relationships with Russia and China have fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia. These evolving dynamics create both new challenges and opportunities for international diplomacy, while raising critical questions about regional stability and nuclear deterrence.
At the heart of these changes lies the intricate relationship between China and North Korea. While some analysts draw parallels between North Korea’s current international position and China’s stance before Nixon’s diplomatic breakthrough, such comparisons overlook crucial historical distinctions. The bonds between China and North Korea have developed along their own unique trajectory, forged through shared communist ideology, military alliance, and geographic proximity. Yet this relationship has grown increasingly nuanced as China’s global influence has expanded and North Korea has pursued its nuclear ambitions, creating tension between traditional alliance obligations and international responsibilities.
The stark contrast between China’s position as a major global power and North Korea’s limited influence, despite its nuclear capabilities, fundamentally shapes their bilateral relationship. Beijing’s approach to Pyongyang reflects a careful balancing act between maintaining stability along its northeastern border and demonstrating adherence to international sanctions. Their economic ties remain particularly significant, with China serving as North Korea’s primary trading partner and vital source of food and energy supplies.
Historical context is essential for understanding the relationship between Beijing and Pyongyang, which has always featured periods of tension and cooperation. While China benefits from North Korean labor, particularly in its northeastern provinces, the relationship transcends purely economic considerations. Current strains should be viewed as part of this historical pattern rather than unprecedented developments. Though China occasionally expresses frustration with North Korean provocations, Beijing consistently prioritizes regional stability in its approach to Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, Russia’s strengthening alliance with North Korea marks a significant shift in regional dynamics. While some analysts view this relationship as merely transactional, such an assessment may underestimate its strategic implications, especially given broader geopolitical shifts and shared interests in counterbalancing Western influence. Recent developments point to expanding military and economic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, potentially complicating international efforts to maintain pressure on North Korea’s nuclear program.
The influence of U.S. domestic politics on North Korea policy adds another layer of complexity to this situation. Former President Trump’s direct diplomatic engagement with Kim Jong Un generated mixed reactions, with some praising his “right instincts” while others remain skeptical. This unprecedented level of direct contact between U.S. and North Korean leaders sparked both optimism and doubt about the prospects for denuclearization. The experience highlighted the challenges of maintaining consistent diplomatic approaches across different administrations while contending with North Korea’s strategic patience and long-term planning horizon.
North Korea’s diplomatic behavior requires careful analysis from multiple perspectives. Some observers believe the regime genuinely seeks diplomatic engagement under specific conditions, while others interpret its diplomatic overtures as tactical maneuvers designed to create divisions among adversaries. This ongoing debate reflects broader uncertainties about North Korea’s strategic objectives and the potential for meaningful negotiations.
As the world’s most isolated state, North Korea presents unique challenges for diplomatic initiatives. Its strict control over information flow, restrictions on domestic travel, and laws preventing citizens from sharing basic economic information with outsiders create substantial barriers to engagement. This isolation extends beyond physical restrictions to encompass a comprehensive system of social and political control that shapes all international interactions. The regime’s tight grip on information makes it exceptionally difficult for international observers to accurately assess internal conditions or leadership intentions.
This extreme isolation has profound implications for diplomatic engagement. Unlike other historically isolated states that have gradually opened to the outside world, North Korea has maintained and even reinforced its seclusion through sophisticated information control mechanisms and robust internal security measures. This unique position means that traditional confidence-building measures may prove less effective in the North Korean context.
The interplay between North Korea’s relationships with China and Russia, combined with its self-imposed isolation, creates a complex web of constraints and opportunities for international engagement. As the international community continues to address North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, understanding these nuanced relationships becomes increasingly crucial for effective policymaking.
Looking ahead, both regional dynamics and broader geopolitical developments will continue to shape North Korea’s international relationships. The challenge for policymakers lies in crafting approaches that acknowledge these complex relationships while pursuing regional stability and denuclearization. Success will require patience, strategic clarity, and a sophisticated understanding of North Korea’s unique position in the international system.
dailynk.com · by English Language Editor · January 3, 2025
12. Russia skips U.N. reports on supply of refined petroleum products to N. Korea since Feb.
Russia skips U.N. reports on supply of refined petroleum products to N. Korea since Feb. | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 3, 2025
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- Russia has skipped its required reports to the United Nations on supplying refined petroleum products to North Korea since February, the U.N. website showed Friday.
The total notified exports of refined petroleum products to North Korea in 2024 had reached 168,679 barrels as of Dec. 4, representing only 33.7 percent of the annual 500,000-barrel limit, the website showed.
The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) adopted the export cap in 2017 as part of its sanctions against North Korea's internationally prohibited launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier that year.
U.N. member countries are required to provide the UNSC with regular reports on their exports of refined petroleum products to North Korea.
The low 2024 total figure includes what China reported supplying to North Korea from January to August, along with Russia's export amount in January, as Moscow stopped reporting its supply the following month.
Russia reported supplying 15,279 barrels for January.
Exporting countries are required to report their monthly supply by the 30th day of the following month. While they sometimes take several months to report a monthly figure, it's rare for a country to skip its reports for such a prolonged period.
U.S. National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said in May that Russia delivered more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea in March alone, noting the annual 500,000-barrel cap had already been surpassed.
This computerized image depicts U.N. sanctions against North Korea over the export cap on supplies of refined petroleum products to Pyongyang. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · January 3, 2025
13. N. Korea shifts focus inward at year-end party meeting
N. Korea shifts focus inward at year-end party meeting - Daily NK English
Kim claimed North Korea had achieved "successes of strategic significance" and established itself as a "powerful independent force" promoting a "righteous multi-polar world"
By Eun Seol - January 3, 2025
dailynk.com · by Eun Seol · January 3, 2025
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on Dec. 29 that the politburo of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) convened on Dec. 27 for its 24th session, which lasted for two days. The politburo’s meeting, which was held immediately after the Central Committee’s plenary session began on Dec. 23, reviewed items consolidated from research groups and deliberative bodies in various subcommittees and revised and supplemented their draft decisions before submitting them to the plenary session, the newspaper reported. (Rodong Sinmun, News 1)
North Korea’s ruling party recently concluded a plenary meeting to set its agenda for the new year. While some observers anticipated strong messages directed at the U.S. or South Korea, the regime instead focused primarily on domestic matters.
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported that during an extended meeting from December 23-27, the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Eighth Central Committee discussed strategies for countering the United States. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the session, where the party outlined plans for what it called “aggressive” responses to protect national interests and security.
The party characterized the U.S. as fundamentally anti-communist and criticized the strengthening military alliance between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, which it described as “a nuclear military bloc for aggression.” However, the regime stopped short of detailing specific actions or response strategies. This cautious approach may reflect North Korea’s wait-and-see attitude as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House.
Notably, the regime made only passing reference to South Korea, dismissing it as an “anti-communist outpost of the U.S.” This minimal external messaging marked a departure from previous years, according to South Korea’s unification ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam, who suggested that Pyongyang is prioritizing internal stability during this period of domestic and international uncertainty.
The session itself broke with tradition in several ways. Rather than providing daily updates throughout the meeting, state media released a single comprehensive report after its conclusion. Additionally, the session wrapped up earlier than usual, rather than continuing through Dec. 30 or 31 as in previous years.
In his speech, Kim claimed North Korea had achieved “successes of strategic significance” and established itself as a “powerful independent force” promoting a “righteous multi-polar world.” While positioning North Korea as part of an anti-Western bloc, he notably omitted any mention of military cooperation with Russia or North Korean involvement in Ukraine.
Kim also praised the agricultural sector for achieving a “bumper harvest” and strengthening the country’s self-sufficient economy.
The session covered several key areas including a review of 2024 policies and planning for 2025, an assessment of the party’s Central Inspection Commission, evaluation of Kim’s “20×10 regional development policy,” measures to strengthen educational foundations, budget review and planning, party structure, and organizational matters.
Read in Korean
dailynk.com · by Eun Seol · January 3, 2025
14. What's next in Yoon arrest saga? CIO regroups after attempt fails
I wish the Koreans could separate the political (impeachment) and legal proceedings.
What's next in Yoon arrest saga? CIO regroups after attempt fails
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-03/national/politics/Whats-next-in-Yoon-arrest-saga-CIO-regroups-after-attempt-fails/2214938
Published: 03 Jan. 2025, 18:25
Updated: 03 Jan. 2025, 19:37
- CHO JUNG-WOO
- cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr
Military personnel from the Capital Defense Command block investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, on Jan. 3. [NEWS1]
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) said Friday it would “review and decide” whether to reattempt an execution of the warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after failing to arrest him earlier in the day.
Investigators from the CIO and police suspended their attempt to take Yoon into custody after some five and half hours, as they were blocked by the Presidential Security Service (PSS) and military personnel from the Capital Defense Command at the presidential residence in central Seoul.
Related Article
The CIO stated in a notice to the press that it halted the warrant execution at around 1:30 p.m. due to “concerns over the safety of personnel dispatched to the site,” concluding that it was “impossible to execute the warrant as the standoff continued.” The agency expressed regret over Yoon’s "attitude of refusing to comply with legal procedures” and said it would review its next steps.
The warrant remains valid until Jan. 6.
The investigative team departed CIO headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, at 6:14 a.m. and arrived at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, at 7:21 a.m. They exited their vehicles and bypassed the barricade surrounding the residence, which was opened at 8:02 a.m.
However, investigators and police were stopped about 200 meters (656 feet) from the residence by around 200 personnel from the PSS and military, according to a CIO official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. At least 10 vehicles, including buses and passenger cars, were used to block their path.
The official added that physical altercations occurred during the standoff and that some PSS personnel carried firearms. However, the PSS personnel involved in the altercations did not possess weapons, the CIO official said.
Police leave the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, after the CIO suspended the exeuction of an arrest warrant against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Jan. 3. [NEWS1]
Observing a large number of personnel securing the area, the CIO decided to suspend the warrant execution for safety reasons.
According to the official, none of the dispatched personnel could meet Yoon, and as such could not confirm whether he was at the residence.
After prolonged negotiations, three prosecutors managed to approach the front of the residence and present the warrant to Yoon’s attorneys. The official said the attorneys suggested discussing the investigative process once they formally submit their appointments as Yoon's legal representatives.
Some 100 personnel — 20 CIO officials and 80 police officers — were involved in the arrest attempt. The CIO had requested the cooperation from the PSS, but the agency cited the Presidential Security Act to deny a search of the residence. The act mandates that the PSS “take charge of the security service for the president," requiring them to protect Yoon until his official removal from office.
Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol protest near the presidential residence in central Seoul on Jan. 3. [YONHAP]
Following the failed arrest attempt, the joint investigative headquarters, comprising the CIO, police and Defense Ministry, booked the chief and deputy chief of the PSS over accusations of special obstruction of public duty and summoned them for questioning by Saturday.
Yoon’s legal representatives denounced the attempt later in the day, regarding it as “illegal and invalid,” and argued that the CIO “lacks jurisdiction over crimes of insurrection.”
“The CIO tried to forcibly execute these warrants in a high-security area designated for protecting classified military information using mobile police units to apply physical force,” the statement read.
“We strongly urge the CIO to adhere to the law and perform its duties properly.”
The arrest attempt followed a court approval on Tuesday of the warrant to detain Yoon on charges of masterminding the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, plotting insurrection and abusing presidential authority.
With the warrant’s expiration on Jan. 6, the CIO must decide whether to proceed with another attempt, possibly over the weekend, although larger crowds of protesters are expected to gather near the residence, elevating safety risks.
Related Article
Supporters of Yoon celebrated near the residence on Friday after the warrant execution was suspended. On Thursday, they had been forcibly dispersed by police while gathering to support the president as the warrant execution approached.
While the presidential office did not issue any official statement regarding the arrest attempt on Friday, it accused three local broadcasters — MBC, JTBC and SBS — as well as a YouTuber of violating the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act by filming the presidential residence, designated “a high-security military facility.”
The office regarded the filming and broadcasting as unlawful, stating that such actions “threaten national security and disrupt social order.”
Military personnel from the Capital Defense Command block investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials near the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, on Jan. 3. [NEWS1]
The liberal Democratic Party (DP) urged the CIO to reattempt the arrest.
“Promptly arresting the mastermind of the insurrection is an urgent matter for the country to overcome its crisis,” DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said during a press conference at the National Assembly, urging the CIO to trust the public and enforce the law.
Kwon Young-se, chief of the conservative People Power Party’s emergency steering committee, criticized the arrest attempt as “inappropriate” and an “overreach of authority.”
“It’s a relief that the execution was suspended, but such an attempt should not happen again,” Kwon said during an emergency press conference.
He also stressed that the Constitutional Court would promptly review Yoon’s impeachment given that two new justices were sworn in, adding that investigations against Yoon could take place concurrently during the review process.
BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]
15. Espionage in Guam: FBI accuses South Korean of financing North
I have not seen any other reporting on this. But north Korean espionage and subversion activities (and illicit activities to gain hard currency) should come as no surprise. And yes the DPRK mission to the UN in New York is a focal point for north Korea espionage activities.
All unofficial contacts with that office should be scrutinized.
Excerpts:
“As part of FBI’s official liaison relationship with the Republic of Korea Consulate [ROKCON], on Oct. 6, 2020, a ROKCON official in Honolulu met with the FBI and expressed interest in Cho,” read the arrest warrant document from the FBI released by Kandit News, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. “The ROKCON official indicated Cho maintained high-level contact with DPRK officials as the DPRK officials were interested in doing business with him.”
The DPRK stands for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“The Republic of Korea government started looking into Cho approximately three years ago,” the FBI’s arrest warrant document further said.
According to local reports, Cho, a South Korean citizen and permanent resident of the United States, is a businessman who runs golf and resorts in Guam, Tinian, Rota, and other Northern Mariana Islands. He is known to have been active in student activism during his college years and then moved to the United States to get involved in real estate.
Espionage in Guam: FBI accuses South Korean of financing North
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-02/national/northKorea/Espionage-in-Guam-South-Korean-accused-of-financing-North/2213875
Published: 02 Jan. 2025, 14:22
Updated: 02 Jan. 2025, 15:05
- LIM JEONG-WON
- lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr
The seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seen at the headquarters of the FBI in Washington on Dec. 7, 2024. [AP/YONHAP]
A prominent South Korean businessman residing in the U.S. territory of Guam is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of being in long-term contact with North Korea and illegally providing financial support to the regime.
It was also revealed during the FBI investigation that the South Korean government was aware of the businessman’s suspected acts of espionage and has been tracking him.
Guamanian media outlet Kandit News reported on Dec. 13 that “federal authorities have unsealed a warrant in the U.S. District Court of Guam accusing a prominent businessman with extensive holdings in Guam and allegedly scandalous business dealings in Rota and Tinian of acting as an agent for North Korea.”
The arrest warrant for the businessman, surnamed Cho, contains allegations that he sent a total of $2.5 million between July and August 2018 in five installments of approximately $500,000 each to recipients presumed to be individuals or entities in Hong Kong and China.
Related Article
The FBI believes that the transactions may have been laundering money to support North Korea. The investigative authorities found it suspicious that transfers were made immediately after the deposits were made.
Between May and June 2014, Cho received $25,000 in remittances from a bank in Hong Kong on seven occasions to his business-related account, which the FBI pointed out as unusual income compared to previous years.
The FBI also determined that Cho exchanged emails with North Korean diplomats including Lee Ki-ho, counselor at the North’s UN mission in New York. Cho also visited North Korea three times for business purposes including hotel investments.
The U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act prohibits U.S. citizens or U.S.-based companies from conducting business with North Korea. To do so, citizens or businesspeople must obtain permission from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Local media reported that Cho had not received permission from U.S. authorities.
During the investigation process, it was also revealed that the South Korean government had been surveilling Cho for a long time.
“As part of FBI’s official liaison relationship with the Republic of Korea Consulate [ROKCON], on Oct. 6, 2020, a ROKCON official in Honolulu met with the FBI and expressed interest in Cho,” read the arrest warrant document from the FBI released by Kandit News, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. “The ROKCON official indicated Cho maintained high-level contact with DPRK officials as the DPRK officials were interested in doing business with him.”
The DPRK stands for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“The Republic of Korea government started looking into Cho approximately three years ago,” the FBI’s arrest warrant document further said.
According to local reports, Cho, a South Korean citizen and permanent resident of the United States, is a businessman who runs golf and resorts in Guam, Tinian, Rota, and other Northern Mariana Islands. He is known to have been active in student activism during his college years and then moved to the United States to get involved in real estate.
BY CHUNG YEONG-GYO, LEE YOO-JUNG, LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]
16. Why are Yoon's supporters waving American flags?
I do not think we should discount the importance of anti-communism to many in South Korea.
Excerpts:
As perplexing it may be to some, to many conservative supporters in South Korea the American flag has long served as a powerful emblem of anti-communism and the country’s enduring alliance with its main security partner.
A woman in her 60s, who identified herself as Ahn Young-mi, stood near a police barricade waving both the Korean and American flags. She said the flags represent the Korea-US alliance, as she expressed her hope that “the US or Trump will come and save Yoon Suk Yeol.”
...
Now, with Yoon facing impeachment and insurrection charges after his failed Dec. 3 martial law decree, die-hard supporters have revived these symbolic gestures. Many of them have described Yoon as a defender of “true freedom” against both domestic and foreign hostile forces.
Why are Yoon's supporters waving American flags?
koreaherald.com · by Moon Joon-hyun · January 3, 2025
Demonstrators rally in support of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, waving South Korean and American flags as symbols of anti-communism and the Korea-US alliance, Friday morning in Seoul. (Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)
As President Yoon Suk Yeol faced arrest Friday morning following his failed martial law attempt a month earlier, protesters rallying in his support drew global attention -- not just for their fiery chants, but for their prominent display of the American stars and stripes alongside South Korea’s Taegeukgi.
As perplexing it may be to some, to many conservative supporters in South Korea the American flag has long served as a powerful emblem of anti-communism and the country’s enduring alliance with its main security partner.
A woman in her 60s, who identified herself as Ahn Young-mi, stood near a police barricade waving both the Korean and American flags. She said the flags represent the Korea-US alliance, as she expressed her hope that “the US or Trump will come and save Yoon Suk Yeol.”
A pro-Yoon protester distributes miniature American and South Korean flags, emphasizing that their display symbolizes the Korea-US alliance and inspires a sense of strength among demonstrators. (Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)
Elsewhere in the crowd, a man who wished to remain anonymous handed out both miniature American and Korean flags, saying that displaying them together “signifies the alliance” and gives protesters a sense of greater strength.
On a makeshift stage, speakers led crowds in cries of “Trump manse!” -- an expression of praise for the US president-elect, who some believe could intervene in South Korean affairs to the president's benefit.
Historical roots of alliance
To understand why such displays persist -- and why they are particularly visible at far-right or deeply conservative rallies -- it helps to look back at how the US became entwined with South Korea’s national identity.
In the 1950-53 Korean War, the US was instrumental in helping the South repel the spread of communism from the North. For many older conservatives, that era defined the US as a champion of freedom. Through successive decades of military and economic cooperation, the US fortified its image as both an indispensable ally and an almost symbolic guardian of South Korea’s security.
(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)
Consequently, when conservative factions rally, they often juxtapose the Korean flag with the American flag to underline their commitment to a robust US partnership.
Flag as a political statement
The prominence of the American flag also reflects a lingering Cold War mindset among some in South Korea’s far-right circles. For them, anti-communism remains a central ideology, and the stars and stripes has become shorthand for countering perceived threats from North Korea and its allies.
This practice resurfaced during past political upheavals as well, notably in 2016–17 when protesters opposing the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye waved similar flag pairings. Their message was clear: support for a staunchly conservative, pro-US direction and rejection of what they deem left-leaning or pro-Pyongyang elements in domestic politics.
Now, with Yoon facing impeachment and insurrection charges after his failed Dec. 3 martial law decree, die-hard supporters have revived these symbolic gestures. Many of them have described Yoon as a defender of “true freedom” against both domestic and foreign hostile forces.
koreaherald.com · by Moon Joon-hyun · January 3, 2025
17. Ukraine: “North Korean military morale is at rock bottom… even getting drunk on New Year’s Eve”
Soldiers getting drunk is hardly an indicator of low morale. How many soldiers got drunk around the world on New Year's eve?
This is a Google translation of an RFA report.
Excerpts:
Military intelligence said lower-level commanders were giving false reports to higher command about the true level of North Korean casualties.
He then analyzed that the North Korean military's morale is low and that is why the Russian military continues to spread propaganda about how important the North Korean military's participation in the Ukrainian war is.
In the midst of this, it was introduced that there were incidents of North Korean soldiers getting heavily intoxicated (alcohol abuse), including soldiers participating in battles on New Year's Eve .
Ukraine: “North Korean military morale is at rock bottom… even getting drunk on New Year’s Eve”
https://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/nk_nuclear_talks/ukraine-russia-north-korean-troops-morale-low-drunk-01022025141827.html
WASHINGTON-Lee Sang-min lees@rfa.org
2025.01.02
A photo posted on October 28th last year (local time) by a popular social media (SNS) account manager based in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, with the caption that it was North Korean troops stationed in Kursk, western Russia. Soldiers, presumably of Asian descent, are sitting in front of portraits of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il in Russian military uniforms. Other than the opinion that this photo does not appear to be a composite, no other confirmation has been obtained.
/Telegram capture photo
00:00 /01:57
Anchor : The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate (DIU) has revealed that North Korean soldiers deployed there have low morale and that there were incidents of them getting very drunk on New Year's Eve . Reporter Lee Sang-min reports .
The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service said on the 2nd that the Russian military was deploying new North Korean troops to the front line on the 31st and 1st of last month to replenish the North Korean military's losses and strengthen its position .
North Korean soldiers were reported to have moved to the Ollanok, Panaseevka and Cherkasskaya Konoplega areas in Kursk, Russia .
Military intelligence said lower-level commanders were giving false reports to higher command about the true level of North Korean casualties.
He then analyzed that the North Korean military's morale is low and that is why the Russian military continues to spread propaganda about how important the North Korean military's participation in the Ukrainian war is.
In the midst of this, it was introduced that there were incidents of North Korean soldiers getting heavily intoxicated (alcohol abuse), including soldiers participating in battles on New Year's Eve .
Meanwhile, Ukrainian media outlet 'Evocation Info' reported on the Internet social network Telegram on the 2nd that a high-ranking North Korean military officer visited the Kursk region on the 27th .
Citing multiple other sources, the outlet reported that a senior North Korean military officer visited the Russian 22nd Mechanized Infantry Regiment in Kursk to inspect the serious damage suffered by the North Korean troops .
It was then introduced that after a week and a half of fighting, one of the four brigades was already out of action .
It was then revealed that during the visit by a senior North Korean military officer, the North Korean military's participation in combat had completely ceased.
US Department of Defense: “No additional troop deployment by North Korea”
“Broken grenade found among corpses of deployed North Korean soldiers”
A North Korean soldier with red tape on his leg (a mark used to identify North Korean soldiers) fires at a Ukrainian drone attack. /Ukrainian Special Operations Forces
Earlier, Sabrina Singh, deputy spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said on the 30th of last month that there were approximately 1,000 casualties among the deployed North Korean troops, and that the North Korean military's attacks were ineffective .
[ Spokesperson Sing ] The assaults that the North Korean military is carrying out in the Kursk region of Russia are not effective . They are causing significant casualties . This is Lee Sang-min of
RFA Free Asia Broadcasting .
Editor Park Jeong-woo , Web Editor Lee Kyung-ha
18. North Korea's Eighth Party Congress reveals Kim's purposes
Voices Jan. 2, 2025 / 11:40 AM
North Korea's Eighth Party Congress reveals Kim's purposes
https://www.upi.com/Voices/2025/01/02/North-Korea-Eighth-Party-Congress/3021735835162/
By David Maxwell
Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The Dec. 29, 2024, plenary session of the Eighth Party Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) was presented as a grand showcase of North Korea's achievements and a roadmap for its future. Under the stewardship of Kim Jong Un, the session ostensibly celebrated remarkable strides in national development and detailed an ambitious agenda for 2025. However, a closer examination reveals the enduring priorities of the Kim family regime: the perpetuation of its authority, the consolidation of ideological control, and the strategic exploitation of external tensions to justify domestic hardships. The plenary session's rhetoric and policies underscore the regime's unyielding focus on survival and dominance at the expense of genuine progress and the welfare of the Korean people in the north.
The illusion of progress and stability
The plenary report highlighted successes in various domains, including agriculture, industrial production, and housing construction. It emphasized increased production metrics and infrastructure achievements, such as the completion of 10,000 flats in Pyongyang and the construction of rural villages. These accomplishments were framed as evidence of North Korea's resilience and leadership's commitment to improving people's lives.
Yet, these proclamations mask the underlying economic struggles, systemic inefficiencies, and inherent contradictions of the mythical "Socialist Workers Paradise." Despite claims of bumper agricultural harvests and industrial growth, the North Korean economy remains hampered by international sanctions, limited access to modern technology, and a lack of foreign investment. The session's insistence on self-reliance and independence, while ideologically significant, continues to isolate the country and exacerbate economic hardships. The focus on symbolic achievements, such as housing projects and modernization initiatives, serves as propaganda to reinforce the regime's image rather than addressing the structural issues afflicting the nation.
Militarization and the perpetuation of hostility
A central theme of the plenary session was national security and defense, reflecting the enduring prioritization of militarization. Kim Jong Un's rhetoric underscored the need to prepare the North Korean People's Army as a revolutionary force, highlighting advancements in defense technology and military capabilities. The session outlined strategies to enhance deterrence and warfighting capabilities through accelerated progress in defense science and the radical development of the munitions industry.
This militaristic posture aligns with North Korea's longstanding strategy of political warfare and blackmail diplomacy. By framing external powers -- notably the United States and its allies -- as existential threats, the regime justifies its emphasis on military readiness and the sacrifices demanded of its population. This narrative also deflects attention from internal failures by externalizing blame and fostering a siege mentality among its citizens.
Ideological control and the weaponization of hardship
The plenary session reaffirmed the regime's reliance on ideological indoctrination as a tool of governance. Kim Jong Un's emphasis on the "people-first" principle and slogans like" Everything for the people and everything by relying on them" underscores the regime's effort to portray itself as the protector of the Korean people. Simultaneously, the regime uses rhetoric about external threats to justify the population's suffering, portraying sacrifices as necessary for national survival.
This strategy serves to maintain control over a populace burdened by economic stagnation and resource scarcity. By combining ideological reinforcement with promises of eventual prosperity, the regime seeks to sustain its grip on power despite growing internal discontent. The emphasis on ideological work within the military and civil sectors further consolidates loyalty with the intent to suppress dissent and prevent political resistance. This indicates that Kim Jong Un fears the Korea people in the north more than the militaries of South Korea and the U.S.
Diplomatic isolation and strategic calculations
The session's tone on foreign relations was predictably combative. The WPK identified the United States, Japan, and South Korea as adversaries, characterizing their alliance as a nuclear bloc for aggression. While the plenary report hinted at the possibility of proactive external activities, it is evident that the regime's primary goal is to leverage tensions for political and economic concessions.
This approach reflects Kim Jong Un's strategy of "blackmail diplomacy," wherein heightened provocations are used to coerce political and economic concessions through negotiations. However, the regime's miscalculation of its leverage -- particularly in the face of unwavering U.S. and allied positions -- has led to prolonged isolation. Without substantial policy shifts, North Korea is unlikely to achieve meaningful diplomatic breakthroughs, leaving its economy and international standing further strained.
Not discussed in the report is Kim Jong Un's renewed and growing relationship with Vladimir Putin and North Korean troops fighting for Russia to make money for the regime. Based on estimated Russian payments to North Korea, this enterprise is likely providing Kim with more funds than his global illicit activities and cyber operations. This will help sustain the regime for the foreseeable future or as long as Putin's War in Ukraine continues.
Understanding the objectives and strategy of the Kim family regime
The December 2024 plenary session of the Eighth Party Congress underscores the Kim regime's unwavering commitment to its core objectives: survival, control, and dominance. While the session's rhetoric celebrates achievements and projects optimism, the reality is one of enduring internal challenges and international isolation. The regime's focus on militarization, ideological indoctrination, and external scapegoating reveals a leadership more concerned with maintaining its grip on power than fostering genuine progress or addressing the well-being of its people.
The session provides the world with a clear understanding of the nature, objectives, and strategy of the Kim family regime and this should inform all future policy and strategy of the ROK/U.S.alliance as well as civil society around the world who desire to support the Korean people in the north and the universal human right of self-determination of government.
Conclusion
As North Korea enters 2025, the gap between the regime's ambitions and its realities will likely widen, posing significant risks for regional stability and the welfare of its citizens. The international community must remain vigilant, balancing deterrence, pressure, and engagement to address the challenges posed by a regime entrenched in its pursuit of absolute control and ideological purity.
The future longevity of the regime cannot be predicted and seven decades of survival appear to indicate a high level of regime resilience. It may continue to muddle through, or it could decide to execute its campaign plan to try to unify the peninsula by force. Or it could be on a path to internal instability and regime collapse which could happen gradually and then all at once, much like we just witnessed in Syria.
Regardless of the future of the Kim family regime, there is only one acceptable durable political arrangement that will end the nuclear threats and crimes against humanity and that is a free and unified Korea. This is what the Korean people, with the support of the international community, should focus on: the establishment of a new Korea, a United Republic of Korea (UROK).
David Maxwell is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region. He specializes in Northeast Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation. Following retirement, he was Associate Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He is on the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the OSS Society and is a contributing editor to Small Wars Journal.
De Oppresso Liber,
David Maxwell
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Editor, Small Wars Journal
Twitter: @davidmaxwell161
Phone: 202-573-8647
email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com
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