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Quotes of the Day:
“Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. W can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous , or honest.”
– Maya Angelou
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
–Viktor E. Frankl
“Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to love nobly, but within no man’s power to live long.”
– Seneca
Note: I will be traveling overseas through November 22d so my messages will be somewhat erratic and off schedule.
1. Rubio, Nominee for US Secretary of State, “Expects North Korean Human Rights to Be Prioritized”
2. US expert: “Trump will meet a completely changed Kim Jong-un”
3. North Korea distributes Russian wheat flour to some residents
4. Biden calls on Xi to use China's clout to prevent N.K. troop dispatch to Russia, warns of N.K. provocations
5. Washington-Pyongyang talks difficult without Seoul's involvement: minister
6. Ishiba and Yoon unite on 'strong concerns' over North Korean troops in Russia
7. "Korea's defense industry now proposes new approaches we can learn from," says Lockheed Martin
8. North Korean troops in Ukraine war 'extremely significant' for East Asia security: Japan minister
9. N. Korea's GPS jamming continues for 10th day
10. N.K. leader's sister says S. Korea will have to pay 'dear price' for leaflets
11. Press Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK
12. Reinforcing alliances: How US, Japan can bolster Korea's foreign policy
1. Rubio, Nominee for US Secretary of State, “Expects North Korean Human Rights to Be Prioritized”
Some good news. Senator Rubio has long been a supporter of human rights in north Korea. Perhaps he will champion a comprehensive human rights upfront approach along with a holistic information campaign that seeks the only acceptable durable political arrangement that will protect, sustain, and advance US and ROK/US alliance interests and end the nuclear and missile threats and crimes against humanity in the north: a free and unified Korea or United Republic of Korea (UROK)
This is a Google translation of an RFA report.
Rubio, Nominee for US Secretary of State, “Expects North Korean Human Rights to Be Prioritized”
https://www.rfa.org/korean/news_indepth/us-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-north-korean-human-rights-11152024155001.html
WASHINGTON-Handeok In hand@rfa.org
2024.11.15
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Florida Senator Marco Rubio during a campaign rally at the JS Dotton Arena in North Carolina on November 4.
/AP
00:00 /08:00
Anchor : Senator Marco Rubio, who has been consistently involved in North Korea issues in the U.S. Congress, has been officially nominated as Secretary of State for the second term of President Donald Trump, who will take office on January 20th of next year.
Senator Rubio is also the main sponsor of the North Korea Human Rights Act Reauthorization Bill in the Senate. Attention is focused on whether he will also speak out on North Korean human rights in the next administration’s North Korea policy.
This is reporter Han Deok-in reporting.
Nominee Rubio : Open to humanitarian aid despite hard-line stance toward North Korea
Senator Marco Rubio ( Republican, Florida ) , who was officially nominated by US President-elect Donald Trump as the next Secretary of State on the 13th .
Nominee Rubio, who was sworn in as a U.S. Senator from Florida on January 3, 2011, has been serving as a senator for approximately 13 years and 10 months as of November of this year.
In particular, Senator Rubio has been involved in major foreign policy issues, including North Korea policy, as he has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Intelligence Committee since the 112th session in 2011. He is also evaluated to have been deeply involved in national security and intelligence-related issues as Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee in this 118th session .
Some have described Rubio's political leanings as a " neocon ," a new conservative in American politics . However , according to American political media outlets such as The Hill and Politico , his nomination as Secretary of State is seen as a decision that has caused relatively less controversy within the U.S. Congress compared to other appointments .
There is also analysis that nominee Rubio's hard-line stance toward China and Iran, as well as his recent opinion that the Ukraine-Russia war should be ended through negotiations, are in line with President-elect Trump's positions .
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (C) of Florida arrives for a meeting with then South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the Blue House in Seoul, Jan. 25, 2014. /AP
Meanwhile, if Secretary of State nominee Rubio is confirmed, there are cautious predictions that human rights issues may be added to the existing negotiations with North Korea, which have focused solely on denuclearization .
In fact, it has been pointed out that the first Trump administration focused only on denuclearization at the US-North Korea summit , and human rights issues were relegated to a lower priority on the main agenda .
The reason why the North Korean human rights issue is being reexamined through nominee Rubio is because he has been leading the ' North Korea Human Rights Act Reauthorization Act ' in the Senate in cooperation with the House of Representatives . Nominee Rubio was also the lead sponsor of the ' North Korea Human Rights Act Reauthorization Act ' in the Senate this session .
In addition, in March, Rubio , along with Democratic Senator Tim Kaine ( Virginia ) , introduced the Divided Families National Registry Act in the Senate to create a national registry for Korean Americans who left their families behind in North Korea after the Korean War .
At the time, he expressed his will to promote reunions of separated families between the U.S. and North Korea, saying in a statement, “Efforts to support Korean-American families who have long been separated from their loved ones due to the Korean War and Kim Jong-un’s repressive regime must be included in any potential talks with North Korea, ” and “ I hope this bill will help advance that goal . ”
Nominee Rubio also expressed an open stance on humanitarian aid to North Korea.
In 2019, during the first Trump administration, when Radio Free Asia (RFA) asked him about his views on the South Korean government’s food aid plan for North Korea , then-Congressman Rubio said he supported it . Of course, this was on the premise that institutional mechanisms could be put in place to ensure transparency in the distribution of food to North Korean residents .
[ Senator Rubio ( May 2019 )] “I’ve never been against food aid to anybody . What I do think is important is that it can be insured , so that the aid reaches the people, and isn’t somehow diverted by the regime for other purposes . ”
Meanwhile, Rubio has also shown his distrust of the Trump administration's first- term establishment and its " top- down " approach to engagement with North Korea , where decisions are made from the top down .
In September 2019 , when the possibility of former President Trump visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit was raised, he told RFA that “ I hope he ( Trump ) is right , but I worry that it could backfire, ” adding that “ it is still a long way to go to expect an interim agreement with North Korea , ” and that it was unreasonable to expect a firm result in the near future .
[ Senator Rubio ( September 2019 )] “ I don’t think you could do it step by step deal with North Korea , because I think they’ll use that to buy time , and initiate some sanctions relief just enough to allow them to survive , and ultimately not live by any of their commitments , but I think it’s expecting a lot to expect any deal , as part of this visit . ”
North Korean General Secretary Kim Jong Un waves as he crosses the Military Demarcation Line back to the North after meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump at Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. /Yonhap News
US Senators Support Food Aid to North Korea
US Senators : Trump DMZ Visit a Good Thing
US Senator: “ N. Korea Travel Ban Unproductive ”
US Congress Takes ' Very Tough ' on North Korean Cyber Threats
Nominee Rubio, who led the North Korean Human Rights Act , may point out North Korean human rights
Regarding Senator Marco Rubio's nomination for Secretary of State, Greg Scarlatoiu, president of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK), told RFA on the 14th , "Senator Marco Rubio is a strong supporter who has worked on the North Korean human rights issue for a long time."
Chairman Scalatu said on that day, “North Korean human rights issues should be treated on the same level as political, security, and military issues,” and added , “His nomination is very encouraging, and I look forward to working with the nominee for Secretary of State Rubio to advance a human rights-first approach to the North Korean issue . ”
Ri Jeong-ho, head of the Korea Prosperity Development Center and former senior official of North Korea's Workers' Party's Office 39 who appears on RFA's weekly program, also predicted that there is a possibility that Secretary of State nominee Rubio will point out human rights issues to North Korea in the future.
[ Lee Jeong-ho ] Since nominee Rubio is of Cuban descent , I don’t think he will overlook the human rights issue . If we continue to bring up this issue , even if it’s not President Trump himself , his staff is likely to raise the issue .
Representative Lee also added, “Considering Rubio’s background as a Cuban , I think they chose him because they judged him to be someone who could take a hard line against countries like China and Russia that advocate socialism.”
' North Korea Human Rights Act ' Rep . Rubio nominated as Secretary of State
Senator Rubio : “ We must make North Korea realize that ‘ war means regime end ’ ”
After former President Trump's election victory was confirmed on the 6th, nominee Rubio attracted attention by saying in an interview with CNN that " the United States is entering an era of pragmatic foreign policy . "
In particular, he stressed that the United States must approach its foreign strategy cautiously and wisely, pointing out that close relations among Russia, North Korea , Iran , and China are posing new threats .
Also, Rubio, who was officially nominated as Secretary of State on the 13th , issued a press release stating that leading the U.S. Department of State is a task that requires tremendous responsibility, and that as Secretary of State, he will not stop working to diligently implement the Trump administration's foreign policy.
He then said, “ Under President-elect Trump ’s leadership, we will achieve peace through strength, and we will prioritize the interests of the United States and its citizens above all else ,” suggesting that the keynote of “ peace through strength ” could also be reflected in the United States’ North Korea policy .
With the nomination of Senator Rubio, who has shown interest in North Korean human rights issues, as Secretary of State, attention is focused on whether the Trump administration's second term policy toward North Korea will evolve into an approach that encompasses not only denuclearization but also North Korean human rights issues.
Meanwhile, Robert King, former U.S. State Department special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, wrote in an article published by the Korea Economic Institute ( KEI ) on the 14th that it was encouraging that the United Nations had continued to focus on the issue of human rights violations in North Korea this year and that the international community was also strongly pressuring the Kim Jong-un regime to address its human rights violations .
Former Special Envoy King repeatedly emphasized , “ Although the UN’s continued pressure has not yet brought about visible changes in the North Korean human rights issue , the international community must continue its efforts to improve human rights in North Korea . ”
This is Han Deok-in from RFA Free Asia Broadcasting.
Editor Noh Jeong-min, Web Editor Kim Sang-il
2. US expert: “Trump will meet a completely changed Kim Jong-un”
Unfortunately this expert's opinion is a prescription for victory for Kim Jong Un's political warfare strategy.
The only difference between this and the four decades of failed strategy is that it calls for arms control negotiations which is something Kim wants because it increases his legitimacy and global stature and allows him to keep his nuclear weapons. We need to understand the nature, objectives, and strategy of the Kim family regime and devise a superior political warfare strategy that is built on a foundation of deterrence to defeat his KJU's strategy.
Also, beware of collapse. Pay attention to the indicators of internal instability (there are many). If collapse occurs it will be catastrophic and will likely lead to conflict as it spills out of the north. This is why we need a new approach that clearly recognizes and plans for the end state (which is not simley nuclearization).
My recommendations:
President-elect Trump did something during his first term that no president had done: “He gave it a shot.” He met Kim and he offered him a future. But it was Kim Jong Un who failed to appreciate the opportunity he had. Now in his second term President Trump has the opportunity to implement new elements of policy and strategy that have never before been attempted. These include a human rights upfront approach that keeps human rights on all agendas, a sophisticated and holistic information campaign, and the support of the Korean people's pursuit of a free and unified Korea. There are few pundits who see the opportunities that both President Yoon with his 8.15 Unification Doctrine and Kim Jong Un with his new hostile policy toward the South are providing to the U.S. and ROK/U.S alliance. It is time to recognize that the only path to denuclearization is through unification. Most importantly the prevention of war and nuclear use, and the long term outcome on the Korean peninsula are important to the national security and national prosperity of the U.S.
Kim can change. Or Kim can be changed by the Korean people in the north.
Koreans must solve the Korea question (the unnatural division of the peninsula) (Para 60 of the Armistice).
Excerpts:
[ Researcher Young ] Realistically, the goal should be to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in North Korea and establish safety regulations, rather than completely eliminate them . We do not know how systematically North Korea's nuclear program is currently managed . This is a major concern not only for the USFK , South Korea , and Japan, but also for the North Korean people .
We must recognize that North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons and that the possibility of a collapse of the country is low, and we must take a gradual and step-by-step approach . We must start by reducing nuclear weapons and then continue negotiations . It is unrealistic to insist on the ideal goal of complete denuclearization .
We should also keep in mind that if North Korea is cornered, it may sell its military equipment to other countries or actors. This means that the North Korean nuclear issue is not simply a regional issue , but that North Korea is becoming a global actor in terms of nuclear proliferation . In the past, North Korea helped build a nuclear reactor in Syria , and Israel destroyed it . Its military cooperation with Iran is also well known . So who knows what kind of nuclear cooperation might take place between North Korea and Iran ?
Therefore, we must recognize that North Korea is not simply a problem for South Korea and the United States, but a country with the potential to threaten security around the world. A gradual approach is needed to reduce this global threat .
This is a google translation of an RFA report.
US expert: “Trump will meet a completely changed Kim Jong-un”
https://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/nk_nuclear_talks/trump-facing-changed-kim-jong-un-11152024151315.html
WASHINGTON-Park Jae-woo parkja@rfa.org
2024.11.15
Benjamin Young, a researcher at the RAND Corporation, visited the Radio Free Asia (RFA) studio and conducted an interview.
/RFA PHOTO
00:00 / 00:00
Anchor : U.S. President-elect Donald Trump emphasized his close relationship with North Korean Workers' Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un during his presidential campaign, and attention is focused on whether North Korea-U.S. talks will resume in the future. However, a U.S. North Korea nuclear expert said that the new Trump administration will face a North Korea that is different from five years ago . Reporter Park Jae-woo has the inside scoop .
On the 12th, Radio Free Asia (RFA) conducted an interview with Benjamin Young, a nuclear security researcher at the Rand Institute, regarding the new Trump administration's North Korea policy .
Young said there is a possibility that the Trump administration will improve relations with North Korea in the middle of its term, but that achieving results has become more difficult as North Korea has advanced its nuclear weapons over the past five years and codified its nuclear weapons doctrine into its constitution .
He also stressed that step-by-step and gradual nuclear negotiations are needed rather than insisting on North Korea's complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID) .
“Trump administration to discuss ‘North Korean military’ in peace talks with Russia”
[ Trump's Return ] Given 4- year term , ' different dreams ' with Kim Jong-un ?
Below is a Q&A with Research Fellow Young.
[ Reporter ] What do you expect the next Trump administration's new North Korea policy to be?
[ Researcher Young ] I don’t think North Korea is the top priority for the Trump administration. The Trump administration has more pressing issues, such as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East crisis . However, President Trump has unfinished business with Kim Jong-un since the Singapore and Hanoi summits . And the two have exchanged “ love letters . ” There seems to be room for Trump and Kim to improve again . There has been little dialogue and no diplomatic breakthrough under the Biden administration , but Trump is considered a very unique figure in American politics and North Korea-US relations .
Kim Jong-un riding in the backseat of Putin's personal vehicle, the 'Aurus', at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Amur Oblast last year. /Yonhap News
[ Reporter ] The North Korea issue is not a priority for President-elect Trump, but is there a chance of dialogue ?
[ Researcher Young ] It may not be a priority, but I can't completely rule out the possibility that a year or two after the Trump administration takes office, there will be moves to improve relations by sending another letter to Kim Jong-un . But I do n't think it will be one of Trump's top priorities in the first 90 days . The Trump administration will have much more pressing issues .
[ Reporter ] Let's think about North Korea's perspective . Does North Korea want to talk to Donald Trump ?
[ Researcher Young ] North Korea is quite different now than it was during the first Trump administration . For example , the relationship between North Korea and Russia has become much closer . There are currently about 10,000 North Korean troops on the Russian side, preparing to fight in Ukraine . This adds a new variable to the North Korea-US relationship . In addition , North Korea has accelerated its nuclear development program, advanced its missile systems , and even codified its nuclear doctrine into its constitution . North Korea may not start out like it did in 2017 , when it was symbolized by “ fire and fury ,” but all of this will pose a significant challenge to the next Trump administration .
Since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was lifted, Kim Jong-un appears to have made a strategic decision to move closer to Russia . This is a move to build closer ties with Russia not only politically with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also economically . It is noteworthy that when North Korea first opened its borders , it welcomed Russian tourists, not humanitarian aid groups or Western diplomats . This shows how much the Kim Jong-un regime values Russia . It seems to value Russia’s economy , culture , and politics more .
U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met at Panmunjom in June 2019. /Reuters
[ Reporter ] Do you think North Korea was waiting for Donald Trump to be elected?
[ Researcher Young ] I don’t know exactly what the North Korean leadership’s psychology or worldview is. However , North Korea did not want to talk to the Biden administration . At the same time, the Biden administration did not seem to want to deviate from the current state of its North Korea policy . The current US policy toward North Korea demands North Korea’s complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID) , which is a condition that North Korea cannot negotiate in the first place . Also , North Korea must have wondered whether the Trump phenomenon was simply a four- year happening in American politics or a long-term phenomenon . Now that we know that the Trump phenomenon is a continuing phenomenon , it has become clear that the MAGA ( Make America Great Again ) movement will continue . Since President Trump won reelection and is constitutionally prohibited from running for a third term, he will not be able to run in the next presidential election . However, another figure who will inherit the spirit of MAGA will emerge . This will lead to a new Republican foreign policy that favors a very different approach to external challenges such as China , Russia , and North Korea .
[ Reporter ] In your column, you said that denuclearization negotiations are an unattainable “ empty dream ” for the United States . Do you think denuclearization negotiations are possible under the Trump administration ?
[ Researcher Young ] It is estimated that North Korea possesses about 40 to 60 nuclear weapons , and as many as 80 or more . And they have explicitly stated in their constitution that they possess nuclear weapons . This is the first case in the world where nuclear weapons are explicitly stated in the constitution . This means that the possibility of them giving up nuclear weapons is very low .
The U.S. policy toward North Korea still aims for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. This also involves following UN resolutions, international law , and the NPT ( Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ) . However, beyond these legal terms, most North Korea experts recognize the reality that North Korea will never give up its nuclear weapons .
We need to understand North Korea as it is, not as we want it to be. Over the past few decades, U.S. policy toward North Korea has often relied on the hope that North Korea will become a more liberal and reformist country, like China , or that the North Korean regime will collapse after Kim Jong-il’s death . But North Korea remains economically poor and has overcome problems such as famine .
North Korean General Secretary Kim Jong-un inspected the nuclear weapons research institute and weapons-grade nuclear material production facilities and instructed that all efforts be focused on producing weapons-grade nuclear materials to achieve remarkable results, the Korean Central News Agency reported in September. /Yonhap News
[ Reporter ] So what alternative is there to denuclearization ? Are disarmament negotiations necessary ?
[ Researcher Young ] Realistically, the goal should be to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in North Korea and establish safety regulations, rather than completely eliminate them . We do not know how systematically North Korea's nuclear program is currently managed . This is a major concern not only for the USFK , South Korea , and Japan, but also for the North Korean people .
We must recognize that North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons and that the possibility of a collapse of the country is low, and we must take a gradual and step-by-step approach . We must start by reducing nuclear weapons and then continue negotiations . It is unrealistic to insist on the ideal goal of complete denuclearization .
We should also keep in mind that if North Korea is cornered, it may sell its military equipment to other countries or actors. This means that the North Korean nuclear issue is not simply a regional issue , but that North Korea is becoming a global actor in terms of nuclear proliferation . In the past, North Korea helped build a nuclear reactor in Syria , and Israel destroyed it . Its military cooperation with Iran is also well known . So who knows what kind of nuclear cooperation might take place between North Korea and Iran ?
Therefore, we must recognize that North Korea is not simply a problem for South Korea and the United States, but a country with the potential to threaten security around the world. A gradual approach is needed to reduce this global threat .
Editor Park Jeong-woo, Web Editor Kim Sang-il
3. North Korea distributes Russian wheat flour to some residents
A "bribe" to gain public support for the deployment of Kim's mercenary forces in support of Putin's war in Ukraine?
This is a google translation of an RFA report.
North Korea distributes Russian wheat flour to some residents
https://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/food_international_org/north-withdrawal-suspicions-spread-russian-wheat-flour-rationing-11152024104910.html
Seoul-Kim Ji-eun xallsl@rfa.org
2024.11.15
The photo shows flour being distributed at a food distribution center in South Hamgyong Province.
/AFP
00:00 /03:31
Anchor : It has been reported that North Korean authorities have recently distributed Russian wheat flour as food to some residents . Local sources say that it was only distributed to special and first- class enterprises and special units . Reporter Kim Ji-eun reports from inside North Korea .
It has been reported that North Korea, which dispatched troops to Russia , recently distributed Russian flour to its residents . Some residents are raising suspicions that this was received in return for sending weapons and soldiers to Russia .
A resident source in North Hamgyong Province ( who requested anonymity for safety reasons ) told Radio Free Asia on the 13th , “Earlier this month, Russian wheat flour was distributed to workers at a special enterprise ( Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex ) and a level 1 enterprise ( steel mill ) in Chongjin City ,” adding, “I understand that this is because these enterprises, which are mainly related to steel production, are carrying out planned production ( according to national tasks ) . ”
This is the first time it has been reported that special units, iron and steel mills, have been given flour rations .
“The Russian wheat flour distributed to workers as food was retroactively packaged in 2kg paper bags,” the source said. “The yellow bags with Russian writing on the outside were distributed to each worker by the company as a month’s worth of food . ”
In North Korea, the current daily food ration for workers is 700g , but the actual ration is 540g per day for adults, which is approximately 16kg per month . It is known that eight 2kg flour bags were distributed per worker, which is a monthly food ration .
He also added, “Some people are saying that when we distributed Russian flour, our country ( North Korea ) sent shells to Russia and received flour in return,” and “There are also rumors that this is clearly the price we paid for sending our ( North Korean ) soldiers to the Russian battlefield . ”
He continued, “These days, diplomatic issues between us ( North Korea ) and Russia have become a hot topic due to Russian wheat flour, ” and “Some are expressing strong opposition to the authorities, who have been emphasizing the military-first policy for the cause of national reunification, sending weapons and troops to Russia . ”
He added, “The people feel that while hunger can be endured, sending our children to a modern war with cutting-edge weapons is unbearable,” and “It is no secret that our country sent our children to the Russian battlefield where their lives were at risk and provided them with weapons . ”
Unloading wheat at the Hungnam Port in North Korea. The photo is not directly related to the article. //AFP
Russian companies “ export wheat to North Korea ”… in return for providing weapons ?
Russian wheat flour flowing into North Korea through China
In this regard, a resident source in Chagang Province ( requesting anonymity for personal safety ) told Radio Free Asia on the 13th , “Recently, grain sales centers have been selling Russian wheat flour ( that individuals received as rations ) ,” and “This is wheat flour that was distributed to special units such as military factories and has now entered the market . ”
“Earlier this month, judicial institutions and special units in Chagang Province supplied all food rations to their employees with Russian wheat flour,” the source said. “They distributed a one- month supply of wheat flour to employees and their family members at factories and enterprises designated as special units . ”
He also said, “However, it is not known exactly how much Russian wheat flour was imported,” adding, “However, judging from the fact that it was distributed to numerous employees of the Ministry of State Security , Ministry of Public Safety , and prosecution agencies, as well as military factories, it is presumed that a significant amount of wheat flour was imported from Russia . ”
He continued, “The Russian wheat flour distributed this time is packaged in 2kg paper bags,” and added, “ Russian wheat flour was sold once in May of last year, and this year, it was imported from Russia again and distributed as food to some factories , enterprises , and special units . ”
While saying that, “Regarding the priority supply of Russian wheat flour to special units ( military factories ) , the residents understand that it is being distributed for weapons production,” he pointed out that, “Some are also responding that this is wheat flour that was exchanged for the lives of our soldiers dispatched to Russia . ”
This is Ji-eun Kim of RFA's Radio Free Asia in Seoul .
Editor Yang Seong-won, Web Editor Kim Sang-il
4. Biden calls on Xi to use China's clout to prevent N.K. troop dispatch to Russia, warns of N.K. provocations
It is unfortunate that President Biden, like many pundits, labors under the misguided belief that China can and would do something to "control" north Korea. We need to get over this notion and understand that China will not come to the ROK and US aid in countering north Korea.
(2nd LD) Biden calls on Xi to use China's clout to prevent N.K. troop dispatch to Russia, warns of N.K. provocations | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · November 17, 2024
(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 8-9)
By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Joe Biden called Saturday for China to use its clout to prevent an escalation of Russia's war in Ukraine through the dispatch of more North Korean troops, while raising concerns over the possibility of Pyongyang engaging in provocations, a senior U.S. official said Saturday.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan elaborated on the discussions that Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping had during their talks on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, amid mounting concerns about broad security implications of a military alignment between Moscow and Pyongyang.
"(Biden) also pointed out (to Xi) that the PRC does have influence and capacity and should use it to try to prevent a further escalation or further expansion of the conflict through the introduction of even more DPRK forces," Sullivan told reporters in a press briefing.
PRC and DPRK stand for the official names of China and North Korea, the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively.
Biden stressed the North's troop deployment was a "deeply dangerous" development, the official said.
"President Biden really underscored his view that this is a deeply dangerous development both in Europe and on the Korean Peninsula, with deepening cooperation between Russia and the DPRK likely to enhance the possibility of provocative behavior by the DPRK," Sullivan said.
"Provocative behavior that we have warned about, whether it comes in the form of direct provocations against the ROK, or whether it comes in the form of something like further missile tests or even a seventh nuclear test, which is something that we remain constantly vigilant about." ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, on Nov. 16, 2024, in this photo released by Reuters. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Seoul and Washington have said that North Korean troops, dispatched to Russia's western front-line Kursk region, have begun engaging in combat operations against Ukrainian forces despite criticism that their introduction onto the battlefield could broaden the war and affect security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
The troops' entry into combat came after Moscow and Pyongyang signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty in June, which calls for one party to provide military aid to the other in the event of an armed invasion -- a pledge that amounts to a revival of the two countries' Cold War-era military alliance.
At the start of the summit, Biden renewed calls to keep Sino-U.S. rivalry from veering into conflict, with the Chinese president stressing his opposition to "decoupling" between the world's two largest economies.
The summit came amid expectations that President-elect Donald Trump could take a hard-line stance on trade with China and other China-related issues once he takes office in January.
"How we're getting along together can impact the rest of the world, and our two countries cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict," Biden said according to a pool report from the White House press corps.
"That's our responsibility, and over the last four years I think we've proven it's possible to have this relationship," he added.
Xi underscored his "consistent" belief that a stable relationship between the U.S. and China is "critical" not only to the interests of the Chinese and American peoples but also to the "future and destiny of the entire humanity."
But he cautioned against "decoupling" between the two major powers.
"In an age of a new round of flourishing sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, neither decoupling nor supply-chain disruption is the solution. Only mutually beneficial cooperation can lead to common development," Xi was quoted by Beijing's foreign ministry as saying.
His remarks came amid concerns that trade friction between Washington and Beijing could further escalate if Trump makes good on his campaign pledge to impose a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods.
Xi also said that "small yard, high fences" is not what a major country should pursue, referring to the Biden administration's approach that keeps tight restrictions on select key technologies while ensuring the normal flow of trade in other sectors.
"Only openness and sharing can advance the well-being of humanity," Xi said. "As two major countries, China and the United States should bear in mind the interests of the whole world, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the turbulent world."
The summit was expected to discuss North Korea's troop deployment to support Russia's war in Ukraine and its provocative activities as Washington has wanted China to play a constructive role in addressing a range of issues concerning the recalcitrant regime.
Saturday's meeting was the third in-person summit between Biden and Xi since Biden took office in January 2021. The presidents previously met on the margins of the Group of 20 summit in Bali in 2022 and on the margins of the APEC summit in California a year ago.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · November 17, 2024
5. Washington-Pyongyang talks difficult without Seoul's involvement: minister
Kim will only "talk" when he sees an advantage resulting from his successful political warfare strategy.
Washington-Pyongyang talks difficult without Seoul's involvement: minister | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 17, 2024
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said Sunday that any talks between North Korea and the United States will be difficult without South Korea's involvement.
Kim made the remark during an interview with broadcaster KBS, acknowledging there are concerns South Korea could be overlooked in the event North Korea and the U.S. pursue a resumption of dialogue.
"It will be difficult for North Korea to go to Washington without going through Seoul," the minister said. "That's how firmly we are making the cooperation regime between South Korea and the U.S."
Kim also called for establishing in advance detailed guidelines on the North Korean nuclear issue with the incoming U.S. administration.
He said South Korea is unchanged in its position that North Korea must be completely denuclearized and any dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea must be closely coordinated in advance between Seoul and Washington.
"Even if President-elect Trump places importance on personal diplomacy during his second term, he won't be able to not consider the positions of friendly nations," Kim said.
"In order to pursue U.S.-North Korea talks at a time when North Korea has sent troops to the war against Ukraine, he will have to take into account the positions of NATO or the Republic of Korea," he added, referring to South Korea by its formal name.
Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho delivers a welcome speech at an annual Korean Peninsula symposium, titled "The Status and Challenges of Korea-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Cooperation," in Seoul on June 28, 2024. Yonhap News Agency and the unification ministry co-organized the event. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 17, 2024
6. Ishiba and Yoon unite on 'strong concerns' over North Korean troops in Russia
Ishiba and Yoon unite on 'strong concerns' over North Korean troops in Russia
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/11/17/japan/politics/yoon-ishiba-north-korea/?utm
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima | Cabinet Public Relations Office / via AFP-Jiji
By Jesse Johnson
STAFF WRITER
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Nov 17, 2024
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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have expressed "strong concerns” over military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, with the pair using a meeting Saturday to push for a “unified message” on the issue.
Ishiba and Yoon held their second in-person meeting in just over a month, this time on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Lima, with the pair also pledging to continue "shuttle diplomacy" during their talks, the South Korean Presidential Office said.
But it was North Korea's deployment of more than 10,000 troops to Russia in support of Moscow's war in Ukraine — as well as Pyongyang’s continued missile and nuclear development in defiance of United Nations sanctions — that took top billing in the meeting.
“In light of the severe security environment, including the recent developments in North Korea, it is important to continue to strengthen cooperation between Japan and South Korea, and between Japan, South Korea and the United States,” Ishiba said in remarks ahead of the talks.
Yoon echoed Ishiba, emphasizing the rapid changes in the regional and global security situations since the pair’s first face-to-face talks during ASEAN-related summit meetings in Vientiane, Laos, last month.
"Today's meeting is more meaningful at a time when close coordination between South Korea and Japan is now more crucial than ever before," Yoon was quoted as saying.
Ishiba arrives at the APEC economic leaders’ meeting in Lima on Saturday. | AFP-JIJI
More than 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia under a new defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian intelligence agencies. In recent days, officials in Kyiv said that Ukrainian forces and North Korean troops had engaged in small-scale fighting in Russia’s Kursk border region, parts of which Ukraine seized in August.
By dispatching troops, experts say North Korea hopes to gain important combat experience, which they sorely lack — a worrisome development as leader Kim Jong Un doubles down on building up his own increasingly capable nuclear and conventional weapons programs. Those programs are also likely getting a boost from Moscow, which is believed to be giving Pyongyang technical assistance with a variety of weapons systems.
Both Tokyo and Seoul have stressed that, with the involvement of North Korea in the more than 2½-year-old Ukraine war, the conflict has expanded to include Asia, and is no longer limited to the trans-Atlantic.
During the 50-minute talks, Ishiba and Yoon also agreed to elevate bilateral ties to even higher levels in 2025, as the two neighbors mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.
"Toward this end, the two decided to continue shuttle diplomacy without being constrained by its format," Yoon’s office said in a statement.
Bilateral ties have improved at a rapid clip since then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Yoon met in March last year to resolve a long-festering row over issues related to Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula that had pushed the relationship to its lowest level in decades.
But while the neighbors’ ties have dramatically improved in recent years, the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House in January could put a damper on the relationship, especially as both Tokyo and Seoul look to secure their own alliances with Washington.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit in Lima on Friday. | BLOOMBERG
Experts say Trump’s disdain for the U.S. alliance system and his penchant for transactionalism — in this case, demands of hefty payments in return for maintaining Washington’s defense commitments — is widely expected to again rear its head once he takes office.
Amid these concerns, Ishiba and Yoon on Saturday reaffirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation with the United States, Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.
Yoon’s office, however, was more unequivocal on the issue, saying that the two leaders had “agreed to continue to work together to develop South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation even under the new U.S. administration.”
7. "Korea's defense industry now proposes new approaches we can learn from," says Lockheed Martin
A partner in the arsenal of democracy.
"Korea's defense industry now proposes new approaches we can learn from," says Lockheed Martin
Greg Ulmer, President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, discusses Korea's technological advancements, growing role in global defense
https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2024/11/17/RP4AUR2E5ZHU5LAZSECJ3X3CQM/
By Lee Jeong-gu,
Kim Seo-young,
Kim Mi-geon
Published 2024.11.17. 00:10
Updated 2024.11.17. 09:03
Greg Ulmer, president of Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division, speaks during an interview with Chosun Ilbo at Lockheed Martin Korea’s office in Yeouido, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. He said that “South Korea’s strengths in the defense industry lie in its advanced technology, innovation, skilled workforce, robust logistics infrastructure, solid manufacturing base, strong supply chain, and continuous efforts toward innovation.” /Park Sang-hoon
“South Korea’s defense industry has now reached a level where it can propose a technically new approach to Lockheed Martin,” said Greg Ulmer, president of Lockheed Martin’s $25 billion Aeronautics division, evaluating the changed status of South Korea’s defense industry. During an interview with Chosun Ilbo at Lockheed Martin Korea’s office in Yeouido, Seoul, on Oct. 29, Ulmer explained, “Korea’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, which set it apart from other countries, are one of the key factors behind the success of the K-defense industry.”
Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense company, produces the U.S. Air Force’s main fighter jets, including the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 stealth fighter, and the Aegis combat system. It has also been a long-standing partner of South Korea’s defense industry, which has grown from relying on weapons imports to becoming the world’s ninth-largest arms exporter. From the time South Korea began assembling Black Hawk (UH-60) helicopters and F-16 fighters in the 1990s to its current joint development and export of the T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft, Lockheed Martin has been involved in every step of the K-defense industry’s growth over the past 40 years.
Ulmer said, “Amid rising global uncertainty, K-defense is a very strong and reliable partner in ensuring ‘peace through strength’ and deterrence,” referring to a small defense company based in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.
Graphics by Yang Jin-kyung
◇ “K-defense is a reliable partner”
Ulmer highlighted that “South Korean industries produce very high-quality materials economically,” pointing to a parts supplier. This company, Kencoa Aerospace, which specializes in manufacturing metal parts for aircraft, is a small to medium-sized enterprise with annual sales of hundreds of billions of won. Despite its size, it supplies essential components for Lockheed Martin’s best-selling C-130 transport aircraft.
Even the smallest defect in an aircraft can prevent it from flying and potentially lead to major accidents. As a key supplier of high-precision parts that require complex processing and assembly, Kencoa Aerospace works as a first-tier partner for major firms like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The company also produces parts at its U.S. location, Kencoa Aerospace LLC, supplying components for Lockheed Martin’s C-130, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. Ulmer emphasized, “We are constantly reviewing ways to secure a stable global supply chain that combines both economy and quality in the defense industry,” adding that this is why Lockheed Martin is interested in South Korea’s industrial ecosystem.
Ulmer, who majored in aerospace engineering, joined McDonnell Douglas (now merged with Boeing) in 1987 as an engineer in the aerospace field before moving to Lockheed Martin. He now serves as president of Lockheed Martin’s aeronautics division, overseeing about 35,000 employees. He previously held the role of executive vice president at Lockheed Martin’s highly secured Skunk Works research facility, where he was responsible for managing all resources and infrastructure, including production, quality, supply chains, facilities, and security.
◇ Pursuing U.S. exports with co-developed K-defense products
Lockheed Martin’s partnership with South Korea’s defense industry traces back nearly 40 years to the 1980s. Initially, this collaboration was limited to assembling nearly finished parts supplied by foreign defense firms like Lockheed Martin. However, after further discussions, South Korea began producing Lockheed Martin’s Black Hawk (UH-60) military helicopters in 1990 and later domestically manufacturing the F-16 fighter jet from 1994. These early projects were based on an “assembly production” approach.
F-16 fighter jet
South Korea’s rapid progress in manufacturing has spurred the development of offset agreements, linking defense procurement with technology transfers and collaborative ventures. Under this framework, leading exporters such as Lockheed Martin provide design expertise, while South Korean firms localize certain components and oversee full-scale production.
The initial phases of this partnership posed significant challenges. Ulmer recalled, “In the beginning, extensive discussions and rigorous problem-solving were required to address various issues, including structural design, composite materials, and avionics.” He continued, “Despite these hurdles, Lockheed Martin and the South Korean defense industry managed to establish mutual trust in a remarkably short time.”
Lockheed Martin’s partnership with South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and defense contractors in developing and producing the F-16 fighter jet celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. South Korea has progressed from assembly production to licensed manufacturing of upgraded models. This accumulated expertise has paved the way for the country’s development of its own trainer aircraft.
The next major milestone in this partnership was joint development, exemplified by the T-50—a supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft designed for pilot training and tactical missions. The T-50 was co-developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin after the F-16 was chosen in 1991 for the Korean Fighter Program (KFP). As part of the contract, South Korea secured technology transfer for trainer aircraft development, setting the stage for the T-50 initiative. While full domestic production is still a goal, the T-50 incorporates advanced technologies developed in South Korea, such as carbon fiber composites, displays, tires, and avionics.
Ulmer expressed strong confidence in the export potential of the T-50 series, which Lockheed Martin and KAI are promoting internationally. Enhanced models of the T-50 have already been sold to countries such as Indonesia and Poland, and the jet is now competing for a U.S. Navy trainer jet contract worth over 20 trillion won (about $14.33 billion). “Although there are similar partnerships worldwide, our collaboration with South Korea and KAI has been uniquely successful and mutually beneficial,” Ulmer said. He noted that Lockheed Martin has responded to Requests for Information (RFIs) regarding the T-50 from the U.S. Air Force, as well as the Canadian and Australian Air Forces and other military organizations. Beyond the aerospace industry, Lockheed Martin is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), a major South Korean shipbuilder, to integrate shipbuilding technology with Aegis combat systems. This partnership aims to support potential warship exports to various countries.
◇ “Once a provider of technology, Lockheed Martin now gains new insights from South Korea’s innovative approaches.”
The president projected that as nations aim for “peace through strength,” the global defense market will continue to expand. He emphasized the significance of collaboration with South Korea in integrating next-generation platforms and using advanced materials. “In the past, South Korea benefited from technology transfers,” Ulmer said. “Now, however, the country’s aerospace industry is introducing innovative methodologies and technological approaches. In this regard, Lockheed Martin has much to learn from South Korea.” He pointed out that the most effective knowledge exchange happens within transparent partnerships.
Ulmer highlighted the strategic importance of integrating platforms such as the F-35, which South Korea procured from Lockheed Martin, with the KF-21, a collaborative project between the two partners. “The ability to seamlessly integrate these platforms, connect them with broader aerospace and space systems, and identify which technologies to share or advance is essential,” he said. The president of the Aeronautics division called for sustained bilateral support from both governments to chart comprehensive roadmaps. “With ongoing technological advancements, new materials that enable previously unachievable feats will continue to emerge,” he noted. “Our objective is to optimize the exchange and development of this expertise and innovation.”
☞ Lockheed Martin
Formed in 1995 from the merger of two defense industry giants, Lockheed and Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin has become the world’s largest defense contractor. Renowned for its production of cutting-edge defense systems, the company is responsible for innovations like the F-22 Raptor, Aegis combat systems, and Patriot missiles. By the close of 2023, Lockheed Martin reported an unprecedented order backlog valued at $161 billion (about 221 trillion won), setting a new record for the company.
8. North Korean troops in Ukraine war 'extremely significant' for East Asia security: Japan minister
Putin's War.
North Korean troops in Ukraine war 'extremely significant' for East Asia security: Japan minister
16 Nov 2024 09:30PM
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North Korean troops in Ukraine war 'extremely significant' for East Asia security: Japan minister
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Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (left) and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha talk during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine on Nov 16, 2024. (Photo: AP/Efrem Lukatsky)
16 Nov 2024 09:30PM
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KYIV: Japan's foreign minister warned on Saturday (Nov 16) that North Korean troops entering the Ukraine conflict would have an "extremely significant" effect on East Asian security.
Takeshi Iwaya was in Ukraine after weeks of reports that Pyongyang had sent thousands of troops to Russia, with the West and Ukraine saying they were already operating in Russia's Kursk border region.
Japan has joined Seoul in condemning North Korea for supporting Moscow.
"This will not only deepen the severity of the Ukraine situation, but also have extremely significant implications for East Asia's security situation," Iwaya said. "We are seriously concerned over this development, and strongly condemn it."
The minister visited Bucha, a town outside Kyiv where Russian forces are widely believed to have committed serious atrocities against civilians during a brief occupation early in the war.
He said that "our stance remains unchanged that Japan will stand side by side with Ukraine".
Iwaya said he had agreed with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga for Tokyo and Kyiv to hold a "bilateral high-level security policy dialogue", including the strengthening of "our cooperation on intelligence-sharing on security".
Sybiga said North Korean troops entering the Ukraine conflict is "evidence that the future of not only the European but also the global security architecture is being decided in Ukraine".
The Ukrainian minister called his Japanese counterpart's visit an "important sign of solidarity, especially in such a difficult time" and also praised ties with Tokyo.
"And although there are eight thousand kilometres between us, our countries are really close in values."
Source: AFP/sn
9. N. Korea's GPS jamming continues for 10th day
Electronic Warfare.
Attacking civilians.
Excerpt:
The jamming does not affect South Korean military equipment or operations but could disrupt civilian vessels and aircraft, the military has said.
I will be arriving in Incheon in a few hours. Hopefully our aircraft have alternate navigation capabilities.
N. Korea's GPS jamming continues for 10th day
The Korea Times · November 17, 2024
This photo shows a loudspeaker used to broadcast noise to South Korean border regions in the county of Gaepung, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, Nov. 15. Yonhap
North Korea's jamming of GPS signals across the border with South Korea continued Sunday for the 10th consecutive day, the military said.
GPS jamming was detected in the northern part of Gangwon Province early Sunday morning, according to the military.
The latest jamming attacks began near the northwestern islands before they began spreading to the northern parts of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces last Thursday.
The military has said the jamming has involved weaker signals than in May and June and lasted for shorter periods over various directions.
The jamming appears to be a North Korean military exercise in responding to the possible appearance of drones, according to the military.
Pyongyang has recently accused Seoul of sending drones over the North.
The jamming does not affect South Korean military equipment or operations but could disrupt civilian vessels and aircraft, the military has said. (Yonhap)
The Korea Times · November 17, 2024
10. N.K. leader's sister says S. Korea will have to pay 'dear price' for leaflets
Threats from the evil sister who is the most dangerous woman in the world.
N.K. leader's sister says S. Korea will have to pay 'dear price' for leaflets | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 17, 2024
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Sunday that South Korea will have to pay a "dear price" for sending propaganda leaflets across the border the previous day.
Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the central committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said "various kinds of political agitation leaflets and dirty things" were dropped by the South near the border and further inland.
"We strongly denounce the shameful and dirty acts of the ROK scum who committed the provocation of scattering anti-DPRK political and conspiratorial agitation things once again in disregard of our repeated warnings," she said in a statement carried by the North's Korean Central News Agency, referring to South and North Korea by their formal names, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"There will be no house owner who hardly gets enraged at such dirty rubbish scattered in the clean yard, which even a mutt dislikes to touch," she said.
North Korea has reacted angrily to South Korean activists sending balloons across the border carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and South Korean consumer goods.
Kim said North Korea's security forces have blocked off the areas where the leaflets were found and are carrying out disposal work.
"There is a limit to patience," she said. "The DPRK people's anger at the most disgusting curs has reached the extremes. The scum will have to pay a dear price."
This photo released by the Korean Central News Agency on Nov. 17, 2024, shows a balloon containing South Korean snacks and other consumer goods. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 17, 2024
11. Press Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK
"Dirty acts" and "ROK scum?"
Excerpt:
We strongly denounce the shameful and dirty acts of the ROK scum who committed the provocation of scattering anti-DPRK political and conspiratorial agitation things once again in disregard of our repeated warnings.
Press Statement of Kim Yo Jong, Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK
https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1731803937-936654317/press-statement-of-kim-yo-jong-vice-department-director-of-c-c-wpk/
Date: 17/11/2024 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source
Pyongyang, November 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following statement on November 17:
On November 16, various kinds of political agitation leaflets and dirty things sent by the ROK scum were dropped in many areas near the southern border and even in the depth area of the DPRK.
A continuous report of this was made from various parts all day long yesterday.
The security forces organs in the areas where the report of discovery was made have blocked the relevant districts and are conducting the work for searching, gathering and disposal.
We strongly denounce the shameful and dirty acts of the ROK scum who committed the provocation of scattering anti-DPRK political and conspiratorial agitation things once again in disregard of our repeated warnings.
There will be no house owner who hardly gets enraged at such dirty rubbish scattered in the clean yard, which even a mutt dislikes to touch.
The inviolable territory of the DPRK is being polluted, and much labor had to be used in disposing of these wastes.
There is a limit to patience.
The DPRK people's anger at the most disgusting curs has reached the extremes.
The scum will have to pay a dear price. -0-
www.kcna.kp (2024.11.17.)
12. Reinforcing alliances: How US, Japan can bolster Korea's foreign policy
Reinforcing alliances: How US, Japan can bolster Korea's foreign policy
The Korea Times · November 17, 2024
By Chun In-bum
Chun In-bum
President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating has dropped to an all-time low of between 17 and 27 percent, with disapproval rates exceeding 65 percent. A key reason for this decline is the public perception that Yoon and his administration failed to communicate effectively with the people, compounded by persistent political attacks from the opposition.
These domestic challenges stand in stark contrast to the view held by U.S. officials and many Americans with firsthand experience in Korea-U.S. relations. From their perspective, Yoon's foreign policy is seen as a resounding success, and they view the relationship between the two countries as the strongest in its 75-year history.
While there are concerns that Korea may be alienating itself from key markets like China, economic ties between Korea and the U.S. remain robust. The U.S. security commitment to Korea is stronger than ever, bolstered by initiatives like the Nuclear Consultative Group, which continues to enhance mutual understanding and reassurance. Yoon's foreign policy has also extended to bold initiatives with Japan. In a single stroke, Yoon has set aside long-standing grievances and made unilateral overtures to improve relations, as evidenced by his visit to Japan in March 2023, which opened new channels for political interaction between the two nations.
However, Yoon's initiatives toward Japan have sparked significant controversy, particularly from his political rivals. These rivals have historically focused on leveraging public resentment against Japan to consolidate their support base. By ignoring previous agreements and weaponizing the legal system to focus on the letter of the law, they have created the impression that Korea is not a trustworthy partner in international affairs. Yoon's boldest move — standing firm against allegations regarding the release of treated water from Fukushima — further inflamed these tensions. While these moves have been pivotal in strengthening foreign relations, they have contributed to Yoon's declining popularity domestically.
The concern now, particularly among U.S. and Japanese officials, is that a shift in Korean leadership back to the political left could lead to a dramatic reversal of the progress made in international relations, much as it shifted to the right under Yoon. Some officials have resigned themselves to this possibility, viewing the current state of affairs as a moment to "make the best while we can." However, there are steps that can be taken to reinforce these ties and help secure the benefits of Yoon's foreign policy initiatives for the future.
One such step would be for the U.S. to consider the broader implications of its trade policies on key allies like Korea. For example, applying tariffs on Korean imports without considering the second- and third-order effects on these valuable allies could undermine the economic and security cooperation that benefits all parties involved. These economic decisions must take into account the critical role Korea plays in U.S. security, particularly in industries like technology and semiconductors.
Another crucial step lies with Japanese leadership. Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's 1995 statement, in which he expressed deep remorse for Japan's colonial rule and wartime aggression, remains a powerful symbol of reconciliation. If current Japanese leaders were to reiterate this apology to the Korean people, it could significantly ease tensions and foster long-term cooperation. Such a gesture, while politically risky in Japan, would demonstrate true leadership by looking beyond immediate popularity and focusing on the benefits to future generations. Similarly, Japanese leaders could build goodwill by refraining from visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, an act that would resonate positively with the Korean public.
Yoon's leadership, particularly in its approach to foreign policy, is an example of the difficult but necessary decisions that long-term national interests require. His administration is advancing Korea's strategic alignment with both the U.S. and Japan, even at the cost of domestic popularity. But true leadership requires a vision that extends beyond the present. By fostering stronger trilateral relations between Korea, the U.S. and Japan, Yoon is laying the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous Northeast Asia.
For these reasons, it is critical that the U.S., Japan and Korea continue to build on the progress made during Yoon's administration. By addressing economic concerns, reaffirming mutual apologies and reinforcing security commitments, these nations can secure lasting peace and economic growth for future generations.
Chun In-bum (truechun@naver.com) served as a lieutenant general in the ROK Army and was commander of Special Forces Korea.
The Korea Times · November 17, 2024
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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