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Quotes of the Day:
Rule of Law defined: "Rule of law is the most fundamental constraint on power; the rejection of arbitrary rule in favor of codified limits and procedures knowable in advance and applying equally to everyone."
Civil Society defined: "Civil society is the central importance of freely formed institutions and social norms outside of state control, providing a crucial counterbalance to the concentration of power."
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
1. Army special warfare commander says Yoon ordered him to drag out lawmakers
2. Austin reaffirms 'ironclad' commitment to S. Korea, Japan, says U.S. 'clear-eyed' about N.K., China threats
3. Israel Strikes Suspected Syrian Chemical Weapons Sites
4. N. Korean media remain tight-lipped on martial law turmoil in South for week
5. US experts: “US-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation is the right choice...” Not grounds for impeachment
6. South Korea’s Democracy Passed a Test
7. He Might Be South Korea’s Next President. All He Has to Do Is Impeach the Current One.
8. Impeaching Yoon: everyone’s taking wrong cues from history
9. South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
10. Ishiba mentions martial law aftermath in S. Korea; Austin appreciates PM's 'steady hand'
11. South Korean commander ‘truly sorry’ for role in Yoon’s failed attempt at martial law
12. Seoul vows unhindered preparations for U.S. policy shifts amid political turmoil
13. Chinese diplomat expresses hope for stability in S. Korea amid political turmoil
14. Australia-based S. Korean reunites with separated relatives in N. Korea in Oct.: Seoul
15. N. Korea orders stricter market controls, electronic payments push
1. Army special warfare commander says Yoon ordered him to drag out lawmakers
I do not think that people can understand the difficult position the military was put in. This was a real leadership dilemma especially since the ROK military has fully embraced the concept of civilian control of the military. In the end key leaders like LTG Kwak decided to do what they believed was best for their nation and they respected the decision of the legislature.
Every situation like this is unique and there is no black and white division making at the moment, though it is easy to second guess with 20-20 hindsight. I am sure this will be studied in Korean PME in the future and others might benefit from looking at the military decision making.
(LEAD) Army special warfare commander says Yoon ordered him to drag out lawmakers | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · December 10, 2024
(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks)
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- The chief of the Army Special Warfare Command said Tuesday he was ordered by President Yoon Suk Yeol to drag out lawmakers from the National Assembly building during martial law operations last week.
Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun made the claim during a parliamentary defense committee meeting, saying Yoon called him on a secured phone.
"He said the quorum didn't appear to be met yet, so I should break down the doors, and go in and drag out the people inside," he said.
Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, speaks during a parliamentary defense committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
The commander was referring to the quorum for lifting Yoon's martial law decree, which is 150 of the 300 members of parliament. Ultimately, 190 lawmakers voted unanimously to lift the order.
Kwak said he consulted with commanders in the field about whether to storm into the parliamentary building while firing blanks or cut off power to stop the lawmakers from voting.
The commanders advised against such actions, and Kwak said he agreed with their judgment.
"Even if they were to go inside to execute the order, the troops involved would later become lawbreakers and too many people would be injured if they broke their way in, so I judged it wasn't right," he said.
"I told them not to go inside further, and after seeing them move away, I stopped them from undertaking any additional operations," he added.
When asked if he reported his actions to Yoon, Kwak said he did not and that he explained the situation to then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun as the troops withdrew.
Kwak also told Rep. Park Beom-kye of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) that he was aware of Yoon's plans to impose martial law two days in advance, on Dec. 1.
"Commander Kwak did not tell the prosecution that he knew in advance," Park said. "He said he did not testify because those involved in the martial law operations had already agreed on what they were going to say."
On the instructions he received on Dec. 1, Kwak said his mission was to secure six locations -- the National Assembly, three places associated with the National Election Commission, the DP headquarters and Flower Research, an opinion polling company.
The mission was relayed to him by then Defense Minister Kim over a secure landline, he said.
"In my head, I was thinking, 'This is what I should do if it really happens,' but I did not tell the subordinate brigade commanders," he said. "If I told them, it could get the brigade commanders into trouble as well, so I only told them as they were being deployed on the day."
Kwak added he believed the mission was more likely related to issues on the front lines, rather than the imposition of martial law.
When asked whether Yoon had used words such as gun, fire, blanks or armored cars, Kwak said he did not, as far as he could remember.
Col. Kim Hyun-tae (L), head of the 707th Special Mission Group; Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun (C), chief of the Army Special Warfare Command; and Democratic Party Rep. Park Beom-kye meet at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 10, 2024, in this photo posted on Park's Facebook page. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · December 10, 2024
2. Austin reaffirms 'ironclad' commitment to S. Korea, Japan, says U.S. 'clear-eyed' about N.K., China threats
We have weathered every major storm in the Alliance from the Korean War in 1950-53 to the Park Chung Hee coup in 1961 to the Park Chung Hee assassination of 1979, the Kwangu tragedy of 1980 the democracy movement of 1987, the first civilian president and member of the opposition *and "Three Kim's" ) Kim Young Sam in 1993 to the ultra liberal Kim Dae Jung and his naive Sunshine Policy (and the second of the "Three Kim's") to the ultra progressive Roh Moo Hyun and his also naive Peace and Prosperity Policy to the impeachment of Park Gyun Hye to the again naive ultra engagement policy of Moon Jae In and now the martial law debacle.
Austin reaffirms 'ironclad' commitment to S. Korea, Japan, says U.S. 'clear-eyed' about N.K., China threats | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · December 10, 2024
By Song Sang-ho
TOKYO, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed America's "ironclad" deterrence commitment to South Korea and Japan on Tuesday, stressing that Washington remains "clear-eyed" about security challenges from North Korea, China and Russia.
During his talks with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo, Austin also underscored the United States' commitment to advancing what he called "historic" trilateral cooperation with South Korea in the face of shared threats.
The Pentagon chief's remarks came amid concerns that the aftermath of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt could have an impact on security coordination between Seoul and Washington, and that Pyongyang could engage in provocative acts at a time of political uncertainty in Seoul.
"Let me be clear (that) America's extended deterrence commitment to Japan and to the Republic of Korea is ironclad," Austin said, referring to a U.S. pledge to mobilize all of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its allies.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (2nd from L) holds talks with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
Enumerating a series of security issues, Austin said the U.S. is meeting the challenges with "confidence" and "resolve."
"Now, we're clear-eyed about the challenges to peace and stability in this region and worldwide, and that includes coercive behavior by the People's Republic of China in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and elsewhere in the region," he said.
"It includes Russia's reckless war of choice in Ukraine, and it includes the DPRK's support for Moscow's war, as well as its other destabilizing and provocative activities," he added. DPRK is short for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Portraying the regional security situation as "increasingly severe," Nakatani highlighted the need to continue reinforcing the allies' defense capabilities.
He also pointed out that multilateral cooperation with South Korea, Australia and others has progressed.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (3rd from R) holds talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
Earlier in the day, Austin visited Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, where the U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) is headquartered, and Yokohama North Dock, a U.S. Army facility in Yokohama, as he seeks to cement the Biden administration's legacy of deepening regional alliances and partnerships.
At the air base, he met with new USFJ commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost and discussed ongoing efforts to upgrade USFJ to a joint force headquarters under a project to enhance contingency response capabilities between the U.S. and Japan.
At Yokohama North Dock, he received a briefing on the U.S. Army's security activities in Japan, and met service members from U.S. Army Japan and the Army's 5th Composite Watercraft Company.
The watercraft company was activated in February. It is the first time that an Army Composite Watercraft Company has been deployed outside the U.S.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (C) meets with U.S. service members at Yokohama North Dock, a U.S. Army facility in Yokohama, on Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · December 10, 2024
3. Israel Strikes Suspected Syrian Chemical Weapons Sites
This is very important. If these weapons fall into the nads of violent extremist organizations or a successor hostile government it will be bad for the region.
What Dr. Bruce Becehotl reminded me that no one is reporting is that the Syria chemical weapons capabilities were developed through its relationship with north Korea. north Korea provided chemical weapons, precursors, and built production facilities. For years Syrian and north Korean military forces conducted chemical weapons training including the use of live agents. This is in addition to the SCUD C's and SCUD D's that north Korea provided (some 100 SCUD C's) and helped to develop prediction facilities in Syria. Again as Dr. Bechtol reminded me this was documented by the UN Panel of Experts in their reports about north Korean proliferation.
But the bottom line is Israel is doing the international community a favor by destroying these sites and capabilities that were developed with north Korea help (much like it destroyed the Syrian nuclear facility in 2007 that was being developed with extensive north Korea assistance). And north Korea is connected to all the bad actors around the world.
Israel Strikes Suspected Syrian Chemical Weapons Sites
https://www.newsweek.com/israel-strikes-suspected-syrian-chemical-weapons-sites-1997472
Published
Dec 09, 2024 at 3:08 AM ESTUpdated
Dec 09, 2024 at 9:57 AM EST
00:32
Israel Strikes Suspected Syrian Chemical Weapons Sites
By Michael D. Carroll
Breaking News Editor
147
Israel's foreign minister says it has struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in Syria in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.
"The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," said Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar on Monday.
"That's why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists."
Smoke billows as people arrive to celebrate the fall of the Syrian government, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. Israel's foreign minister says it has struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in... More Ugur Yildirim/Dia Photo/AP
He spoke after Syrian rebels entered Damascus, leading to the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's government after nearly 14 years of civil war. This development has raised hopes for a more peaceful future but also concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country, which remains divided among various armed groups.
People shoot in the air as they celebrate the fall of the Syrian government in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. The overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's government occurred after nearly 14 years of civil... More Ugur Yildirim/Dia/AP
Were There Any Reported Airstrikes Near Damascus?
Airstrikes have been reported in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital, on Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched the latest strike.
Sa'ar did not provide details about when or where the strikes took place.
An Israeli army tank maneuvers near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in... More Matias Delacroix/AP
Does the Fall of Assad's in Syria Regime Help Israel?
Read more Israel at War
Israelis have expressed cautious optimism following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group. While welcoming the potential for reduced hostile influence near their borders, there is concern about the ensuing power vacuum and the rise of various armed factions within Syria.
Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syria over recent years, primarily targeting sites it identifies as linked to Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, both of which were key allies of President Bashar al-Assad. While these strikes aim to disrupt the military capabilities of hostile forces, Israeli officials seldom comment on specific operations, maintaining a policy of ambiguity regarding their actions.
In 2013, Syria agreed to surrender its chemical weapons stockpile following international outrage over a chemical attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people. However, it is widely believed that the Syrian government retained portions of its chemical arsenal and faced accusations of deploying such weapons in subsequent years, further intensifying concerns over their use in the protracted civil war.
Is the US Conducting Airstrikes in Syria?
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it launched dozens of airstrikes on Islamic State (ISIS) camps and operatives in central Syria. The strikes, conducted on Sunday, aimed to "disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS," preventing the group from taking advantage of the current situation to reorganize or conduct external operations.
Using B-52 bombers, F-15s, and A-10 aircraft, the strikes targeted over 75 locations linked to ISIS activities. CENTCOM reported no civilian casualties and stated that damage assessments are underway.
U.S. leaders, including President Biden, have confirmed the United States is collaborating with Middle Eastern nations to prevent chemical weapons, previously controlled by the Assad regime, from falling into the hands of hostile entities.
"We will support Syria's neighbors—Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Israel—from any threat that could arise from Syria," Biden said in a speech on Sunday.
Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in a statement Sunday "We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons."
Vehicles leave Damascus following the fall of the Syrian government on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. Airstrikes have been reported in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the... More Ugur Yildirim/Dia Photo/AP
Has Turkey Taken Action Since Assad's Regime Collapsed?
The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northern city of Manbij on Dec. 6, following a similar operation that expelled SDF fighters from Tal Rifaat. Turkish security officials have stated that "control of Manbij has been secured," though further details were not provided. These officials spoke anonymously, adhering to Turkish regulations.
Turkey considers the SDF, primarily composed of the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey. Despite this, the SDF has been a crucial ally of the United States in combating the Islamic State group.
The recent military actions by Turkish-backed forces have intensified tensions in northern Syria, complicating the region's security dynamics and impacting international efforts to maintain stability.
Previously it was reported that Iran-backed militias had also joined the fighting in Syria, although in the past week Hezbollah and other groups sponsored by Iran are believed to have been largely withdrawn from the country.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
4. N. Korean media remain tight-lipped on martial law turmoil in South for week
Still following Bonaparte's rule.
N. Korean media remain tight-lipped on martial law turmoil in South for week | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · December 10, 2024
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has not reported on last week's martial law declaration in South Korea or its fallout in the following week through Tuesday, including the opposition's push to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.
North Korea's key news media, including the Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency, have not carried any stories related to the martial law turmoil as of Tuesday morning.
The Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper targeting domestic audience, had been publishing articles critical of Yoon, such as those on anti-government rallies in South Korea, on a daily basis in recent weeks.
But it stopped carrying even such reports since Thursday, after Yoon declared martial law in a surprise announcement on the night of last Tuesday. Yoon lifted the decree after the National Assembly voted to reject it.
The National Assembly voted on an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday amid mass rallies nationwide demanding his ouster, but the motion was dismissed due to a lack of quorum.
It strikes a stark contrast to when South Korea was in the process of impeaching then South Korean President Park Geun-hye in 2016.
At that time, the Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central Television had frequently published reports against Park since the onset of the power abuse scandal surrounding her, covering in detail related news stories in South Korea and large-scaled candlelit rallies calling for her ouster.
Experts believe that North Korea's silence may be aimed at avoiding unnecessary provocations against South Korea at a critical moment, in order to avert any emergency situation with Seoul.
Also behind the inaction could be North Korea's potential concerns over the social impact that news on South Korea's declaration of martial law and the parliament's rejection of it could have on public opinion in North Korea.
"Withholding news reports on the martial law and the push for impeachment aims to block any negative impact on the internal system of the regime," Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, said.
This image taken from an observation point in the South Korean border city of Paju on Oct. 29, 2024, shows a North Korean speaker across the border, used to blare messages against South Korea. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · December 10, 2024
5. US experts: “US-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation is the right choice...” Not grounds for impeachment
The real issue can be seen in the impeachment motion that complained that president’s "Japan-centered’ policy antagonizes North Korea, China and Russia."
This is the problem with the political opposition in South Korea. They view the trilateral ROK-Japan-US cooperation negatively and will likely try to undo it when they come to power which they are likely to in the next election either a snap election following the President's resignation or impeachment (because the President will likely not last his full term).
The members of the opposition are under the naive belief that South Korea can appease North Korea, China, and Russia by doing everything that is necessary to protect the national security and national prosperity of the nation. They would rather weaken the ROK/US alliance, and trilateral cooperation with Japan and the US to send a message that they do have a hostile policy toward north Korea, Russia, and China again in the naive belief that this will somehow cause those nations to act favorable toward the South. The political opposition in the South does not seem to acknowledge that it is north Korea, China, and Russia that have hostile policies toward the South and will continue to execute those policies even more strongly despite (or perhaps even because of) a shift to an appeasement foreign policy if and when the opposition comes to power.
US experts: “US-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation is the right choice...” Not grounds for impeachment
https://www.voakorea.com/a/7893541.html
2024.12.10
U.S. foreign policy and security experts pointed out that while South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol’s declaration of martial law was clearly wrong, strengthening the U.S.-South Korea-Japan trilateral cooperation to counter the growing threat from North Korea cannot be grounds for impeachment. They emphasized that the U.S.-South Korea-Japan trilateral cooperation was the right choice and should continue in the future. Reporter Ahn Jun-ho reports.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Korea.
Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris, who served as Commander of the Pacific Command, predicted on the 9th that South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law and impeachment would have a short-term negative impact on the relationship between South Korea and Japan, and would also affect the trilateral relationship between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.
Former Ambassador Harris told VOA that “one of the reasons for President Yoon’s impeachment was his diplomacy with Japan,” and that “the series of events from President Yoon’s declaration of martial law to his impeachment and beyond will not have a positive effect on Korea-Japan relations.”
He continued, “I have been talking for a long time about how important President Yoon’s diplomacy with Japan is, and especially how important his meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Kishida was in the United States and Japan.”
He said, “Today, Japan understands the importance of a strong and positive relationship with Korea,” and “I hope that Korea also understands the importance of maintaining a strong and positive relationship with Japan.”
[Former Ambassador Harris] “I've spoken for a while now how important President Yoon's outreach to Japan is, especially his meetings in the US and Japan with former Prime Minister Kishida. (omitted) Today, I believe Japan understands the importance of a strong and positive relationship with Korea; I hope Korea understands the same regarding having a strong, positive relationship with Japan.”
The six opposition parties in Korea, including the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed in the “Motion to Impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol” proposed on the 4th that President Yoon “has neglected geopolitical balance under the pretext of value diplomacy, has antagonized North Korea, China, and Russia, and has insisted on a bizarre foreign policy centered on Japan, thereby inviting isolation in Northeast Asia and triggering a war crisis, thereby neglecting national security and the duty to protect the people.”
On the 9th, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. responded to VOA’s inquiry regarding this matter by saying, “The matter between President Yoon Seok-yeol and the Korean opposition party is an internal matter of Korea,” and “We will not comment on this.”
[Chinese Embassy in the US] “What happened between President Yoon Sukyeol and the Korean opposition is the ROK's internal affairs. “We will not comment on it.”
“It’s shocking that the US-ROK-Japan cooperation is included in the grounds for impeachment”
Evans Revere, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
Evans Revere, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said on this day that it was “very shocking” that the impeachment bill included President Yoon’s promotion of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
[Recording: Former Deputy Assistant Secretary Revere] “If you look back at the impeachment Resolution one of the paragraphs in that impeachment resolution directly attacked President Yun for the trilateral partnership that he had established with Japan and the United States. “That was very disturbing.”
In a video call with VOA that day, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Revere said that looking back on the recent U.S.-South Korea alliance, there have been many achievements, including strengthening the alliance, strengthening cooperation in military and security, policy cooperation on North Korea, China, and Ukraine, and strengthening relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). He said, “This was one of the most productive periods in the alliance that I can remember.”
But he said the impeachment bill included one of the biggest achievements: the restoration of relations and trust between South Korea and Japan, as well as the trilateral partnership, adding that “all of these are worrying signals.”
Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told VOA on the same day regarding the Korean opposition party's questioning of President Yoon's foreign policy, "The opposition party's claim is wrong, especially at a time when the U.S.-South Korea-Japan relationship is improving," and diagnosed that "the trilateral relationship between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan is stronger than ever."
[Senior Researcher O’Hanlon] “I think the opposition is wrong on these arguments, especially the US-ROK-Japan relationships, which are improving. “The triangular relationship is stronger than ever.”
The opposition party's criticism is inappropriate, as trilateral cooperation among the U.S., South Korea and Japan is more important than ever to counter the growing threats from North Korea and China in Northeast Asia.
Former Commander of US Forces Korea Robert Abrams.
Former Commander of U.S. Forces Korea Robert Abrams told VOA on Tuesday that “this crisis will have implications for South Korea’s relationship with its neighbors, particularly Japan,” adding that “it will depend on whether President Yoon continues to be in power.”
[Former Commander Abrams] “I think this crisis will impact Korea’s relationships with others in the region-most notably with Japan, depending on if Yoon remains in office or not.”
“Promoting trilateral cooperation between the US, Korea, and Japan is the right choice”
Joseph DeTrani, former US Deputy Representative for Six-Party Talks on North Korea
Joseph DeTrani, former deputy U.S. representative to the Six-Party Talks on North Korea’s nuclear program, said in a telephone interview with VOA that day, “The alliance between the U.S. and South Korea is strong,” and “I highly value the efforts that President Yoon has made to have a very strong alliance with the U.S. and Japanese governments.”
[Recording: Former Deputy Representative Detrani] “The issue of the alliance it's strong, it's powerful and give, I give President Yoon credit for working on to ensure that we have a very strong alliance with the United States and the government of Japan. ”
Former Deputy Chief of Staff DeTrani said that while he would not comment on the reasons for the impeachment, he evaluated that President Yoon's foreign policy of promoting cooperation between the US, South Korea, and Japan was correct.
He also said, “Of course, we need strong allies,” and “There is no doubt that we need a strong extended deterrence, and I don’t think the Democratic Party of Korea opposes that either.”
Kenneth Weinstein, Hudson Institute Chair in Japan
Kenneth Weinstein, the Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair, said in a video conference with VOA that day, “You could argue that President Yoon should be impeached for declaring martial law, but the argument that he has diplomatically isolated South Korea is not true.”
He also said that North Korea is sending 11,000 troops to Russia, selling weapons such as missiles, and importing military technology, and that “this is not because of President Yoon’s policies, but because of the policies of Russia and North Korea.”
He continued, “South Korea is not isolated,” but rather “has become closer to America’s allies in the Indo-Pacific region and to countries concerned about China and North Korea’s intentions.”
He also pointed out that long before these measures, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared South Korea the number one enemy and suspended discussions on peaceful unification.
Weinstein said, “If the Korean opposition party pushes an anti-American, anti-Japanese agenda, it will send a negative signal to North Korea and China about the solidarity of the alliance,” and expressed concern that “if President Yoon is impeached, it will also send a negative signal to the incoming Trump administration about what kind of government will come to power in Korea.”
[Recording: Weinstein Chair] “But it's disturbing in the sense that if the South Korean opposition is going to run on an anti-American, anti-Japanese agenda, it sends disturbing signals to North Korea alliance about unity. It sends disturbing signals to China about alliance unity. And frankly, it sends disturbing signals to the incoming Trump administration about what kind of government South Korea is likely to have if President Yon is impeached.”
“Foreign policy is not grounds for impeachment”
Alexander Downs, Professor of Political Science, George Washington University
Alexander Downs, a political science professor at George Washington University, told VOA that day that “foreign policy choices are not generally grounds for impeachment in a democratic country,” because “they do not fall under the categories of ‘treason, bribery, or other high crimes’ defined by the U.S. Constitution.”
He continued, “The Korean Constitution stipulates that the president can be impeached if he ‘violates the Constitution or laws in performing his official duties,’” and added, “I do not believe that the fact that he chose an alliance that some people do not agree with constitutes grounds for impeachment.”
Professor Downs said the argument for impeachment could be stronger because martial law was a violation of the Constitution rather than foreign policy.
[Professor Downs] “The first is that foreign policy choices are not typically grounds for impeachment in a democracy since they typically do not involve ‘treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors,’ as the US Constitution puts it. I believe the South Korean Constitution says something to the effect that a president can be impeached if they 'have violated the Constitution or any law in the performance of official duties.' Making alliance choices that some people disagree with does not strike me as qualifying.”
“President Yoon’s impeachment will not have a major impact on US-Korea relations”
Professor Downs said, “Even if President Yoon is impeached, it will not have a big impact on the US-South Korea relationship,” adding, “The US will wait until the impeachment process is completed, and once the decision is finalized, the US will cooperate with whoever the next president is.”
“President Trump will be tough on all of America’s allies and will demand that they do their fair share,” he continued. “That will not be affected by who leads South Korea.”
[Professor Downs] “If President Yoon is impeached, I think US-ROK relations will not be affected much at all. Washington will wait for the impeachment process to run its course, and if the decision is confirmed, the US will work with whoever his successor is. President Trump is going to be hard on all US allies, demanding that they step up and contribute their fair share. That will be unaffected by whoever leads South Korea.”
Regarding the impact of martial law on U.S.-South Korea relations, former Commander Abrams mentioned the postponement of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting scheduled for last week and the cancellation of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to South Korea, saying, “There will continue to be some routine policy adjustments.”
He continued, “Until this political crisis in Korea is resolved in accordance with the Korean Constitution and democratic procedures, the U.S. government is likely to avoid any appearance of interference in Korea’s domestic affairs.”
“North Korea will not attempt military provocations”
Former Commander Abrams said it was too early to predict the impact of the impeachment on security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, but predicted that North Korea would not attempt military provocations.
There is nothing that strengthens support for the South Korean president and government as much as North Korea's provocations, especially when casualties occur.
He added, “Kim Jong-un wants to see President Yoon step down.”
[Former Commander Abrams] “Again, it’s too early to predict the impacts on security in the region and on the peninsula. I don't believe North Korea will attempt any sort of kinetic provocation. Nothing stirs up support for the ROK president and administration like a North Korean provocation, especially if there are deaths or injuries, and Kim Jong Un wants to see President Yoon removed from office.”
“Korea Needs the US and Japan Even in Trump’s Second Term”
Weinstein said that regardless of who becomes the next president, it is important for South Korea to continue President Yoon's legacy of Indo-Pacific strategy, alliance with the United States, and cooperation with Japan.
“South Korea is under a tremendous and unpredictable military threat from North Korea, and at the same time, the population (decline) problem is becoming a national challenge,” he said, emphasizing that “we must cooperate as closely as possible.”
He continued, “Korea needs the United States and Japan,” and pointed out that “the days when Korea thought it was okay to distance itself from the United States and Japan are long gone.”
“President Trump will not tolerate that kind of behavior this time,” he said. “He is not that kind of leader.”
[Recording: Weinstein Chair] “We need to stand as closely as possible together. South Korea needs the United States, South Korea needs Japan and to think you can distance yourself and get away with those days are over. President Trump won't stand for it this time. It’s just that’s just not the kind of leader he is.”
“Now is the time for Koreans to ask themselves what is the best direction for their country,” said Weinstein.
“President Yoon made an unforgivable mistake, and this has left a stain on his accomplishments and history,” he said. “Some of President Yoon’s accomplishments are excellent, and we can build on those accomplishments and move forward.”
This is Ahn Jun-ho from VOA News.
6. South Korea’s Democracy Passed a Test
Autocoup, not a coup as I recently learned.
A self-coup, also called an autocoup (from Spanish autogolpe) or coup from the top, is a form of coup d'état in which a political leader, having come to power through legal means, stays in power through illegal means through the actions of themselves and/or their supporters. The leader may dissolve or render powerless the national legislature and unlawfully assume extraordinary powers. Other measures may include annulling the nation's constitution, suspending civil courts, and having the head of government assume dictatorial powers.
Perhaps like Nietzsche, that which does not kill me (or kill democracy) makes me (or democracy) stronger.
South Korea’s Democracy Passed a Test
The coup d’état failed.
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/south-korea-democracy-passed-a-test-f70cbe2f?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
Dec. 8, 2024 11:08 am ET
A TV broadcast of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, Dec. 7. Photo: Kim Jae-Hwan/Zuma Press
The declaration of martial law in South Korea was swiftly lifted (“A Brief Martial Law in South Korea,” Review & Outlook, Dec. 4), and despite the initial turmoil, most of us are managing well. What began as a deeply troubling moment—a seemingly disastrous situation for the nation and its 50 million citizens—ended in a surprising outcome. Our democracy, now more than 30 years old, has passed one of its most difficult tests in decades, a testament to its resilience.
In essence, it was a failed coup d’état, one led by the president himself. Yet the people proudly stood firm against this shameful attempt, which could have been far worse. Our victory is a reminder of the strength and determination of a democracy that refuses to be undermined.
Prof. Shi-Chul Lee
Kyungpook National University
Daegu, South Korea
Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Appeared in the December 9, 2024, print edition as 'South Korea’s Democracy Proves Itself Strong Enough'.
7. He Might Be South Korea’s Next President. All He Has to Do Is Impeach the Current One.
But how will his illegal relationships with north Korea protect the sovereignty of South Korea?
Journalists are making this man out to be some kind of hero and they are paying insufficient attention to his illicit activities and connections to north Korea. Compare this excerpt with the other 90% of this article which kind of paints him in a favorable light.
Excerpt:
Lee has five ongoing trials for alleged offenses including perjury, breach of duty and involvement in illicit fund transfers made to North Korea. Last month, a court found him guilty of election-law violations, a verdict he has appealed. Lee has denied any wrongdoing. If he is ultimately convicted in the election-law violation case, he would lose his parliamentary seat and be unable to run for office for 10 years after the conviction.
Information I have previously provided that is publicly available:
The foreign press needs to be careful about how it describes the South Korean opposition leader and tries to make him into some kind of hero. Here is an AI generated list of his alleged offenses. This is one of the reasons why President Yoon has made allegations about there being north Korean sympathizers in South Korea. Note that the Reuters report does not list any of the allegations linking Mr. Lee to north Korea.
.Lee Jae-myung, a prominent South Korean opposition leader, has been accused of and indicted for several crimes. Here's a list of the alleged offenses:
1. Violation of Election Law:
- Found guilty of making false statements during the 2022 presidential campaign
- Received a one-year suspended prison sentence for this offense
2. Misuse of Public Funds:
- Indicted for allegedly using a corporate credit card linked to Gyeonggi Province's public funds for personal expenses while serving as governor
3. Bribery:
- Charged with asking Ssangbangwool Group to illegally transfer $8 million to North Korea between 2019 and 2020
4. Corruption:
- Facing allegations related to real estate development projects in Seongnam's Daejang and Baekhyeon neighborhoods
5. Illegal Money Transfers:
- Accused of exchanging money transfers with North Korea
6. Breach of Trust:
- Charged with occupational breach of trust related to the misuse of public funds
7. Violation of Foreign Exchange Transactions Act:
- Indicted for alleged violations related to foreign currency transactions
8. Subornation of Perjury:
- Awaiting verdict on charges of allegedly inducing a witness to commit perjury
It's important to note that Lee Jae-myung has denied all wrongdoing and claims that the charges are politically motivated. He has also announced his intention to appeal the election law violation conviction. Many of these cases are still ongoing, and final verdicts have not been reached for most of the charges.
Citations:
[1] https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1168181.html
[2] https://apnews.com/article/south-korean-opposition-leader--lee--jae-myung-suspended-prison-sentence-321aa7e383e409edff4bd5924ad73776
[3] https://www.newsweek.com/south-korea-opposition-leader-convicted-violating-election-law--lee--jae-myung-1986256
[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/15/south-korean-opposition-leader-convicted-for-violating-election-law
Here is information on "pro-north influencers:"
There are lots of allegations for any journalists and researchers to pursue.
In South Korea, various individuals and organizations have been identified as having pro-North Korean affiliations or sympathies, often leading to legal scrutiny and political controversy. Notable examples include:
1. Rep. Youn Mee-hyang: In October 2024, Rep. Youn Mee-hyang, formerly associated with the Democratic Party of Korea, faced criticism for attending an event organized by a North Korea-affiliated group in Japan. Her participation led to an inquiry by the National Assembly's ethics committee and an investigation by the Ministry of Unification for potential violations of inter-Korean exchange laws. The ruling People Power Party called for her resignation, accusing her of failing to serve South Korea's best interests.
Asia News Network
2. Southern Headquarters of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (PKAR): Established in August 1990, the Southern Headquarters of PKAR was a civic group in South Korea dedicated to reunification, with counterparts in North Korea and overseas. The organization was reportedly directed by North Korea's United Front Department, responsible for propaganda and espionage. In February 2024, following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's decision to abandon unification efforts and designate South Korea as a hostile state, the Southern Headquarters dissolved itself, citing the collapse of inter-Korean relations and the disbandment of its northern counterpart.
NK Insider
3. Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU): The KCTU has been involved in pro-North Korean and anti-American activities. In August 2022, during the "August 15 National Workers’ Mass Protest" in Seoul, the KCTU called for the dissolution of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The organization read solidarity remarks from North Korea's General Federation of Trade Unions, condemning U.S. actions without addressing North Korea's nuclear developments. Such activities raised concerns about potential violations of South Korea's National Security Act.
One Korea Network
4. Underground Organizations and Espionage Cases: South Korean authorities have uncovered clandestine groups allegedly operating under North Korean directives:
-
HGH (HanGilHoe or One Way Committee): Formed in Jeju Province, HGH was reportedly established after meetings between South Korean individuals and North Korean agents in Cambodia since 2017. Members pledged loyalty to the North Korean regime and received espionage training. The group engaged in activities opposing U.S.-South Korea military exercises and the deployment of advanced U.S. weaponry.
East Asia Research
-
People’s Vanguard for Independent Unification: In November 2022, multiple activists across South Korea were investigated for allegedly forming this underground organization under North Korean orders. They were accused of meeting North Korean agents abroad, receiving funds, and orchestrating anti-state activities, including protests against U.S. military presence and intelligence operations within South Korea.
Journal Neo
These instances highlight the complex and sensitive nature of pro-North Korean elements within South Korea, involving a mix of political figures, civic organizations, and clandestine groups. Their activities often lead to legal actions and intensify political tensions, reflecting the intricate dynamics of inter-Korean relations.
1. Hanchongnyon (South Korean Federation of University Students Councils): Established in 1993, Hanchongnyon is a leftist student organization known for its pro-North Korean stance. The group condemns the presence of U.S. forces in South Korea and advocates for Korean reunification under terms favorable to North Korea. In 1998, South Korea's Supreme Court designated Hanchongnyon as an "enemy-benefiting organization" under the National Security Act, leading to its criminalization due to alleged pro-North Korean activities.
Wikipedia
2. Progressive Party: Formed in 2017, the Progressive Party has faced criticism for its perceived pro-North Korean stance. The party advocates for the dissolution of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and supports policies of reconciliation with North Korea, such as the Sunshine Policy. It opposes sanctions on North Korea and calls for an official end to the Korean War. The Progressive Party has also engaged in dialogue with North Korean political entities, including a 2018 meeting with the North Korean Social Democratic Party in China, which was not authorized by South Korea's Ministry of Unification.
Wikipedia
3. Allegations Against the Democratic Party: In December 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, accusing the main opposition Democratic Party of controlling the parliament and sympathizing with North Korea, thereby paralyzing the government with anti-state activities. This move led to significant political turmoil, with opposition leaders condemning the declaration as illegal and urging public resistance. The situation escalated tensions within South Korea's political landscape, highlighting deep-seated divisions over policies toward North Korea.
The Scottish Sun
These instances illustrate the complex and contentious nature of pro-North Korean elements within South Korea's political sphere. While some individuals and groups advocate for closer ties or reconciliation with the North, such positions often lead to legal challenges and significant political controversy, reflecting the sensitive dynamics of inter-Korean relations.
He Might Be South Korea’s Next President. All He Has to Do Is Impeach the Current One.
Lee Jae-myung, head of the left-leaning Democratic Party, has been compared to Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/south-korea-lee-jae-myung-impeachment-leader-58f34272?mod=Searchresults_pos8&page=1
By Timothy W. MartinFollow, Gordon FaircloughFollow and Jiyoung SohnFollow
Dec. 9, 2024 7:01 am ET
SEOUL—South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung credits a coup and stretch of military rule more than 40 years ago—during which soldiers opened fire on pro-democracy protesters in the southwestern city of Gwangju, killing many—with propelling him into politics.
Now, a short-lived attempt by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol last week to impose martial law has thrust Lee to within striking distance of his nation’s top job, as Yoon faces impeachment efforts and members of his cabinet are under criminal investigation.
Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in presidential elections in 2022, declined to say whether he would seek the office again. But in an interview, the 59-year-old former labor-rights lawyer said he was determined to oust Yoon, whom he described as a threat to Korea’s constitutional order.
“We have to impeach him and restore normal democracy,” Lee told The Wall Street Journal, warning that as long as Yoon and his backers stay in power there is a risk they will try to delcare martial law again.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was placed under a travel ban on Monday. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Lawmakers last week failed to reach a voting quorum to impeach Yoon for his martial-law decree. An impeachment motion filed by Lee’s left-leaning Democratic Party, which controls a majority of seats in the National Assembly, fell through on Saturday, when representatives of Yoon’s People Power Party abstained.
Opinion polls indicate that Lee would come out on top in a snap election, which would be called if Yoon is removed or resigns. One survey released Monday found that 52% of those surveyed would support Lee. About 10% said they would vote for Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party.
The ruling party, whose own popularity is sinking, worries it would struggle to fend off Lee in the event of a Yoon departure, so it is trying to stall. On Sunday, Han said Yoon would be politically sidelined and uninvolved in running the country or diplomacy until an unspecified “orderly early retreat.”
Instead, Han said, South Korea’s “livelihood issues and state affairs” would be jointly handled by the ruling party and the country’s prime minister.
Protesters in Seoul called for the ouster of the president on Saturday. Photo: str/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Lee said that this arrangement amounts to a “second act of insurrection” by Han and the ruling party. He condemned it as unconstitutional and likely worthy of criminal punishment. “The president is elected by the people—not the People Power Party,” Lee said.
On Monday, Yoon was placed under a travel ban while he is investigated for charges that include insurrection—one of the few offenses that isn’t protected by presidential immunity. South Korea’s military also clarified the same day that Yoon, despite being sidelined, would legally remain the country’s commander in chief.
Yoon, about halfway through a five-year term set to end in 2027, has admitted he called for martial law last week out of desperation, citing fears his political enemies had made the country vulnerable to North Korean “communist forces.”
‘Warlike politics’
South Korean politics is highly polarized. In January, Lee was stabbed in the neck by a politically motivated assailant who wanted to stop him from one day becoming president. Emergency surgery saved his life. Afterward, he called for an end to the country’s “warlike politics.” But tensions between the political right and left remain high.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung calls himself a pragmatist. Photo: Tim Franco/Inland for WSJ
Lee has five ongoing trials for alleged offenses including perjury, breach of duty and involvement in illicit fund transfers made to North Korea. Last month, a court found him guilty of election-law violations, a verdict he has appealed. Lee has denied any wrongdoing. If he is ultimately convicted in the election-law violation case, he would lose his parliamentary seat and be unable to run for office for 10 years after the conviction.
For Lee, South Korea’s brief return to martial law evoked a period in May 1980, when he was a 15-year-old factory worker in a Seoul suburb who had quit school to help his family make ends meet. He recalled thinking then that the state—and the military dictator that led it—were justified in taking on protesters, who were portrayed as having stolen weapons and shot at soldiers.
Two years later, after passing a special exam to enter college, Lee learned from fellow students and others the truth about Gwangju: The citizens who rose up against military rule weren’t rebels, Lee said, but victims shot by the military first. He said the realization spurred him to eventually seek public office.
“I decided to dedicate myself to creating a world where such things couldn’t happen,” Lee said.
That is part of the reason why Lee sprung into action Tuesday night. Not long after Yoon finished his speech declaring martial law, Lee sent out a Telegram message at 10:39 p.m. to the Democratic Party leadership to gather quickly.
As his wife drove him to the National Assembly from their home in the Seoul suburbs, Lee livestreamed his entrance to his more than one million YouTube subscribers, urging citizens to flood the legislative compound in protest.
‘I am a realist’
In the past, Lee’s critics called him “South Korea’s Bernie Sanders,” owing to offering a universal basic income to young people in the province he governed, among other progressive policies. He didn’t shy away from the comparison either. More recently, due to his legal problems, passionate base and social-media presence, a different comparison has emerged. “Some have even said I’m like the ‘Trump of Korea,’ ” he said.
Lee said he doesn’t see himself as hyperpartisan, calling himself a pragmatist. “I am a realist,” he said.
He would represent a break from the current conservative Yoon administration, which has become more confrontational with North Korea, strengthened ties with Japan and fortified relations with the U.S.—including providing indirect aid to Ukraine by selling shells to America.
Lee said Yoon “keeps wanting to get dragged” into the Ukraine war, a reference to Seoul leaving open the possibility of sending further aid to the country since North Korea sent soldiers to fight alongside the Russians. While Yoon had vowed South Korea won’t “sit by idly,” Lee has called aid to any foreign country a national-security risk.
Lee “highly values” Trump’s stated goal of ending the Ukraine war, as well as Trump’s apparent interest in engaging again with Kim Jong Un.
“We cannot help but be very grateful,” Lee said. “President-elect Trump has attempted things that others find difficult.”
Lee said Yoon has unnecessarily heightened tensions with China.
To get the chance to lead South Korea, Lee will need Yoon to either resign or sway more of Yoon’s ruling-party lawmakers to break ranks. The opposition controls 192 seats in South Korea’s unicameral 300-seat National Assembly. They need a two-thirds majority to pass impeachment.
All the opposition needs, Lee said, is for eight members to cross the aisle.
“When the water exceeds the limit, it will overflow quickly. And you will choose to live together rather than die,” Lee said.
Soobin Kim contributed to this article.
Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com, Gordon Fairclough at Gordon.Fairclough@wsj.com and Jiyoung Sohn at jiyoung.sohn@wsj.com
Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Appeared in the December 10, 2024, print edition as 'South Korean Leadership Teet
8. Impeaching Yoon: everyone’s taking wrong cues from history
An interesting view and assessment from Subin Kim.
Excerpts:
But the drama will inevitably diminish. Demonizing the ruling party lawmakers who failed to cast a vote will never be enough to get them back to the main chamber.
More dissenters (with more evidence) may emerge from the administration as the investigation proceed. But discord over jurisdiction could hamper the investigation: while prosecutors and the police are running their own probes, the anti-corruption investigation office asked them to step aside. (Wonder who’s to blame for this madness?)
Minjoo is in haste because the impeachment will be the get-out-of-jail-free card for its leader Lee Jae-myung, and the PPP lawmakers mounted last-ditch resistance because Lee’s premature rise to power would lead to their defeat in the next election.
I’m afraid we’re more likely to witness a slow and less dramatic “war of position” over how to oust the deluded president and safeguard the democratic order. Unless there’s a seismic shift in either side of the equation, or someone brings about a breakthrough through compromise, which is becoming rarer in the age of politics without politics.
Impeaching Yoon: everyone’s taking wrong cues from history – Korea Kontext
by Subin Kim
https://koreakontext.com/impeaching-yoon-everyones-taking-wrong-cues-from-history/
koreakontext.com · by 1
So the impeachment motion failed to carry in the National Assembly last Saturday.
Minjoo pulled off nice theatrics at its introduction: the Floor Leader Park Chan-dae called out every PPP lawmaker by name, begging them to come back and cast a vote to the motion, with fellow lawmakers standing up and repeating Park’s calls.
Embed from Getty Images
To my surprise, a handful of PPP lawmakers showed up.
Embed from Getty Images
While the small drama offered some hope for the future of the country’s democracy, the whole event felt like a Dead Poets Society beginning with O Captain! My Captain! scene.
Minjoo has been much better than conservatives in political theatrics, but this time they made a grave error: they burned through their dramatic highpoint too soon.
Park’s impeachment: a quick rewind to 2016
The ousting of Park Geun-hye required several months of escalating revelations and protests. JTBC’s scoop on the discarded tablet in October 2016 is widely understood as the inflection point, after which nationwide protests followed.
Unlike the current leadership, the Minjoo leadership at the time was reluctant to respond to public’s call for impeachment. Instead, they demanded Park should hand over her power to a prime minister. (Which sounds similar to what the ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon offered on Sunday.)
Why were they reluctant to impeach Park? From my previous newsletter:
South Korea is a TSMC of impeaching the head of state: its state-of-the-art politics have impeached two Presidents—Roh Moo-hyun (dismissed) and Park Geun-hye (you know how it ended), and both the cases teach a lesson.
Politicians do have a memory. The problem is that their memory span is often shorter than necessary. You may be surprised to learn that, back then, the Minjoo lawmakers were reluctant until the very last minute to push the impeachment of Park Geun-hye forward.
Because they did have a memory of what happened after they impeached Roh. Minjoo and the conservatives faced a crushing defeat in the general election, while Roh’s splinter party (from Minjoo) won a majority in the parliament.
It wouldn’t be so hard to guess why Minjoo is hasting the impeachment this time.
Wrong cues from history
We sometimes take wrong cues from history. When it comes to politics, however, the frequency seems to multiply. Simply placing the climax at the beginning of a show won’t lead to a satisfying ending any sooner.
The impeachment bill itself tells a lot about what Minjoo was thinking. It was written in such a haste that its appendix of evidence list is paper-thin and some of its arguments already proven false.
And its words sound too partisan to garner nationwide support:
Furthermore, under the pretext of so-called ‘value diplomacy,’ while disregarding geopolitical balance, [President Yoon] has pursued policies that antagonize North Korea, China, and Russia, insisted on a peculiar Japan-centric diplomatic policy, and appointed Japan-leaning personnel to key government positions. Through these actions, [President Yoon] isolated the country from Northeast Asia, triggered crisis of war, and abandoned his duty to protect national security and citizens.
What percentage of the nation did they think would support this statement? Or was it supposed to be presented to a SCO or BRI summit?
The PPP also took wrong cues from history. They’ve seen what happened to their predecessors who actively supported the impeachment of Park. For them, impeaching Yoon is the death knell for their political life. And they expect if they manage to hold on for a while, a possible conviction of Lee Jae-myung could turn things around.
Han’s proposal for “orderly retreat” is as cringe as his toupee
What they don’t realize is that Minjoo could easily find an alternative and win even if Lee is found guilty, and simply buying time wouldn’t do any good for them. The lawmakers may be fixated to the next general election in 2028, but there is local elections coming in 2026. If they screw this, the PPP will fade into oblivion.
War of position awaits?
With its premature attempt for consummation failed, what’s the next step for Minjoo? They vowed to keep submitting the bill until it carries in the National Assembly, and they’re already aiming for another vote next Saturday. In other words, they’re hosting the IMPEACHFEST 2024 every Saturday.
But the drama will inevitably diminish. Demonizing the ruling party lawmakers who failed to cast a vote will never be enough to get them back to the main chamber.
More dissenters (with more evidence) may emerge from the administration as the investigation proceed. But discord over jurisdiction could hamper the investigation: while prosecutors and the police are running their own probes, the anti-corruption investigation office asked them to step aside. (Wonder who’s to blame for this madness?)
Minjoo is in haste because the impeachment will be the get-out-of-jail-free card for its leader Lee Jae-myung, and the PPP lawmakers mounted last-ditch resistance because Lee’s premature rise to power would lead to their defeat in the next election.
I’m afraid we’re more likely to witness a slow and less dramatic “war of position” over how to oust the deluded president and safeguard the democratic order. Unless there’s a seismic shift in either side of the equation, or someone brings about a breakthrough through compromise, which is becoming rarer in the age of politics without politics.
- For example, it argues that the cabinet meeting necessary for declaring martial law didn’t take place, but it was revealed later that the meeting took place.
-
Oh, I’m Subin Kim, the sole editor/publisher of this newsletter who’s been covering two Koreas for various international/local media outlets, including the BBC, for a decade.
- I believe that more and more audiences are getting interested in what’s really going on underneath the superficial layers provided by most international media when they tell stories about Korea.
- Having worked for some of them, I do understand their standpoint and I don’t blame them. Their Seoul correspondents are supposed to be generalists, not Korea specialists.
- The problem is that the English media in Korea don’t do a good job of providing more context and digging deeper than what wire services do.
- As a one-man band, at least for now, I aim to provide more context and background on the events in Korea. If it happens to go pretty well, I’d like to establish an equivalent of The Hill in Korea, but that’s another story for now.
-
You can reach me by subin@koreakontext.com.
koreakontext.com · by 1
9. South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
Democracies are fragile but it is the people who can keep them strong and resilient.
We should never forget Churchill: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”
South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
By LAURIE KELLMAN and KIM TONG-HYUNG
Updated 6:48 AM EST, December 9, 2024
AP · by KIM TONG-HYUNG · December 8, 2024
South Korea’s democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an era of rising authoritarianism, at the heels of a six-hour martial law decree that unfolded while many South Koreans slept, something noteworthy happened: Democracy held.
The past week in Seoul, officials and academics warn, is what a threat to democracy looks like in 2024. It’s a democratically elected president declaring martial law over the nation he leads, asserting sweeping powers to prevent opposition demonstrations, ban political parties and control the media. It’s members of the military attempting to block lawmakers from exercising their power to vote on cancelling the power grab.
And here’s what it took to defeat President Yoon Suk Yeol ‘s lurch toward government by force:
Unified popular support for democracy. Legislators storming the National Assembly past midnight, live-streaming themselves climbing over fences. A politician grabbing at a soldier’s rifle and yelling “Aren’t you ashamed?” until he retreated. And finally, decisively, Parliament assembling a quorum and voting unanimously to cancel martial law.
It was a victory for a hard-won democracy — and for the idea that checks and balances among branches of government must work to counteract each other’s ambitions, as the American founders wrote in the Federalist Papers in 1788.
But as the drama played out in Seoul, the scaffolding of democracy rattled around the world.
It said something about the rule of law
In other countries, the grab for power might have worked. Other would-be authoritarians might have been better prepared than Yoon.
In deeply polarized societies — the United States, for example, where Republicans are staunchly loyal to president-elect Donald Trump — there might not have been decisive support from the public or the opposition. The military might have used force. And the members of the legislature might not have voted as one to snuff out the attempted takeover.
“President Yoon’s attempt to declare martial law reveals the fragility of the rule of law in divided societies, especially those with governments in which the chief executive cannot be easily dismissed by the legislature,” said Tom Pepinsky, a government professor at Cornell University who studies backsliding among democracies in Southeast Asia.
Notably, he said in an email, “No members of President Yoon’s own party were willing to defend his actions in public.”
Nevertheless, Yoon’s surprise attempt to impose martial law revealed both the fragility and resilience of the country’s democratic system.
Within three hours of his stunning announcement to impose military rule — claiming the opposition was “paralyzing” state affairs — 190 lawmakers voted to cancel his actions. In so doing, they demonstrated the strength of the country’s democratic checks and balances.
Yoon’s authoritarian push, carried out by hundreds of heavily armed troops with Blackhawk helicopters and armored vehicles sent to the National Assembly, harked back to an era of dictatorial presidents. The country’s democratic transition in the late 1980s came after years of massive protests by millions that eventually overcame violent suppressions by military rulers.
Civilian presence was again crucial in shaping the events following Yoon’s late night television announcement on Tuesday. Thousands of people flocked to the National Assembly, shouting slogans for martial law to be lifted and Yoon to step down from power. There were no reports of violent clashes with troops and police officers.
“We restored democracy without having a single casualty this time,” said Seol Dong-hoon, a sociology professor at South Korea’s Jeonbuk National University.
It’s not that easy to become a dictator
It’s virtually impossible for any leader of a democracy to pull off a transition toward martial law without a public willing to support it, or at least tolerate it.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, attracted millions of views as he began live-streaming his journey to the National Assembly, pleading for people to converge on the parliament to help lawmakers get inside. The shaky footage later shows him exiting his car climbing over a fence to get onto the grounds.
The vote at the National Assembly was also broadcast live on the YouTube channel of Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, who also had to scale a fence to get in.
Yoon’s sense of crisis clearly wasn’t shared by the public, whose opinions, Seol said, were shaped predominantly by the shocking videos broadcast to their devices.
“Ultimately, democracy is all about moving public opinion,” he said. “What was most crucial in this case was that everything was broadcast live on smartphones, YouTube and countless other media.”
Opposition lawmakers are now pushing to impeach Yoon, saying he failed to meet the constitutional requirement that martial law should only be considered in wartime or a comparable severe crisis — and that he unlawfully deployed troops to the National Assembly.
On Saturday, an opposition-led impeachment motion failed after most lawmakers from Yoon’s party boycotted the vote. Yet the president’s troubles persist: The vote’s defeat is expected to intensify nationwide protests and deepen South Korea’s political turmoil, with opposition parties preparing to introduce another impeachment motion when parliament reconvenes on Wednesday.
Han Sang-hie, a law professor at Seoul’s Konkuk University, said the martial law debacle highlights what he sees as the most crucial flaw of South Korea’s democracy: that it places too much power in the hands of the president, which is easily abused and often goes unchecked.
It’s called a ‘self-coup’
Political scientists call what happened in South Korea an “autogolpe” — a “self-coup” — defined as one led by incumbent leaders themselves, in which an executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against others in the government. Yoon qualifies because he used troops to try to shut down South Korea’s legislature.
Self-coups are increasing, with a third of the 46 since 1945 occurring in the past decade, according to a study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Penn State University. About 80% of self-coups succeed, they reported.
In 2021, a power grab by Tunisian President Kais Saied raised similar concerns around the world after the country designed a democracy from scratch and won a Nobel Peace Prize after a largely bloodless revolution.
In the United States, some have expresed worry about similar situations arising during the second administration of Donald Trump. He has vowed, after all, to shake some of democracy’s pillars. He’s mused that he would be justified if he decided to pursue “the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” That’s in contrast to the oath of office he took in 2017, and will again next year, to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” as best he can.
Nearly half of voters in the Nov. 5 election, which Trump won, said they were “very concerned” that another Trump presidency would bring the U.S. closer to authoritarianism, according to AP Votecast survey data.
Asked before a live audience on Fox News Channel in 2023 to assure Americans that he would not abuse power or use the presidency to seek retribution against anyone, Trump replied, “except for day one,” when he’ll close the border and “drill, drill, drill.”
After that, Trump said, “I’m not a dictator.”
___
Kellman reported from London.
KIM TONG-HYUNG
Kim has been covering the Koreas for the AP since 2014. He has published widely read stories on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, the dark side of South Korea’s economic rise and international adoptions of Korean children.
twittermailto
AP · by KIM TONG-HYUNG · December 8, 2024
10. Ishiba mentions martial law aftermath in S. Korea; Austin appreciates PM's 'steady hand'
(LEAD) Ishiba mentions martial law aftermath in S. Korea; Austin appreciates PM's 'steady hand' | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · December 10, 2024
(ATTN: ADDS more remarks in paras 7-8)
By Song Sang-ho
TOKYO, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday no one could have ever imagined South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition last week, while U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin took note of Ishiba's "steady hand."
Ishiba met with Austin at his residence in Tokyo as Seoul is reeling from the aftermath of the reversed martial law declaration.
"The world changes very quickly on a weekly basis. No one could have ever imagined what has happened in South Korea. Also people couldn't predict what happened to ... the Assad regime," Ishiba said through an interpreter.
"I think ... a century from now, we will have what's happening in 2024 as something historic. So, we need to be accountable for today's world as well as the world of tomorrow's generations," he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the prime minister's residence in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)
Taking stock of progress in efforts by the United States and Japan to improve security capabilities, Austin expressed his appreciation for Ishiba's leadership.
"As you pointed out, these are very dynamic times, and we certainly appreciate having your steady hand," Austin said. "May our alliance remain a cornerstone of peace and stability in this region for the foreseeable future."
Austin looked back on joint efforts by Washington and Tokyo to modernize the alliance's command, and control and strengthen their force posture and deterrence capabilities.
"We've also done a lot to cooperate with like-minded countries, like the ROK, Australia and the Philippines," he said, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
Austin arrived in Japan on Sunday night in his 13th and last trip to the Indo-Pacific as the Pentagon chief. An expected Korea portion of the trip was excluded in the wake of political turmoil from Yoon's botched martial law attempt.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · December 10, 2024
11. South Korean commander ‘truly sorry’ for role in Yoon’s failed attempt at martial law
I think there may be a translation or editing issue in the final paragraph. I do not think he was referring to his soldiers the way he intended (I.e., hate them, resent them). I hope he meant don't hate them and don't resent them which would be consistent with his other remarks..
Excerpts:
In his final statement to the South Korean military on Wednesday, Kim Yong-hyun said he felt responsible “for causing confusion and concern to the public.”
“All soldiers who performed their duties … followed the minister’s instructions and all responsibility lies with me,” said the former defense minister.
Kim Hyun-tae said the Ministry of National Defense’s response following the incident and the scrutiny on his unit’s actions prompted him to speak out, he told reporters.
Troops he talked to following the Dec. 3-4 events said “they were all OK,” Kim said. “But they probably weren’t. As time goes on, I think they’ll have a hard time.”
“The unit members are exploited victims,” Kim said, with tears in his eyes. “They are the sons and daughters of [South Korea] … who have devoted their youth solely for the country and the people. Hate them, resent them, but please do not ever throw away the 707th and its members.”
South Korean commander ‘truly sorry’ for role in Yoon’s failed attempt at martial law
Stars and Stripes · by David Choi · December 9, 2024
South Korean special forces troops train in Yongin, South Korea, March 7, 2024. (South Korean Defense Daily)
The South Korean commander whose special forces unit stormed the National Assembly building last week during an aborted attempt to impose martial law has urged the public to blame him, not his soldiers.
Col. Kim Hyun-tae, commander of the 707th Special Mission Group, assumed full responsibility for his unit’s actions overnight Dec. 3-4. Speaking Monday at a news conference in Seoul, Kim said he was “truly sorry to the public” for the events and was “especially sorry to our special forces soldiers who were deployed for the operation.”
Following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law late Dec. 3., roughly 200 troops deployed to the National Assembly grounds by helicopter and bus. Kim said he was one of the first troops to arrive on the scene and gave the order to break windows and enter the building.
Some of the soldiers were seen in video footage breaking into the building and blocking lawmakers from entering.
“The members of the unit are not guilty,” Kim said in an emotional speech. “If they are guilty, it is only that they followed the orders of an incompetent commander.”
Assembly members voted within hours to demand Yoon withdraw his declaration. A move to censure Yoon on Saturday failed narrowly when the ruling People Power Party legislators boycotted the vote.
Kim on Monday recalled receiving a call from the Special Warfare Command at about 10:30 p.m., a few minutes after Yoon’s declaration. The command ordered him to immediately deploy to the National Assembly and prevent parliament convening if it exceeded 150 lawmakers, Kim said.
Images protesting President Yoon Suk Yeol are displayed outside the National Assembly building in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 5, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)
The assembly needed at least 150 votes, half the assembly, to veto Yoon’s declaration. All 190 members who managed to get inside the chamber that night voted against martial law.
Kim said he was not fully apprised of the situation at the time and did not know that lawmakers had the right to convene. Not knowing the full details was “also my responsibility,” he said.
Kim also described his unit as “unfortunate victims who were exploited” by former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned Wednesday amid calls for his impeachment. He was arrested four days later and is being investigated by Seoul prosecutors for his role in the martial law declaration.
In his final statement to the South Korean military on Wednesday, Kim Yong-hyun said he felt responsible “for causing confusion and concern to the public.”
“All soldiers who performed their duties … followed the minister’s instructions and all responsibility lies with me,” said the former defense minister.
Kim Hyun-tae said the Ministry of National Defense’s response following the incident and the scrutiny on his unit’s actions prompted him to speak out, he told reporters.
Troops he talked to following the Dec. 3-4 events said “they were all OK,” Kim said. “But they probably weren’t. As time goes on, I think they’ll have a hard time.”
“The unit members are exploited victims,” Kim said, with tears in his eyes. “They are the sons and daughters of [South Korea] … who have devoted their youth solely for the country and the people. Hate them, resent them, but please do not ever throw away the 707th and its members.”
David Choi
David Choi
David Choi is based in South Korea and reports on the U.S. military and foreign policy. He served in the U.S. Army and California Army National Guard. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Stars and Stripes · by David Choi · December 9, 2024
12. Seoul vows unhindered preparations for U.S. policy shifts amid political turmoil
I suppose with the travel restriction on him, President Yoon will not be visiting Mar-a-Lago.
Seoul vows unhindered preparations for U.S. policy shifts amid political turmoil | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kang Yoon-seung · December 10, 2024
By Kang Yoon-seung
SEJONG, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's trade ministry said Tuesday it will work closely with related government agencies and local businesses to avoid any disruptions in preparing for the launch of the new U.S. administration amid ongoing domestic political turmoil.
Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo discussed such strategies with trade and international relations experts in Seoul, a week after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, which was lifted just six hours later following a National Assembly vote to end it.
During the meeting, participants reviewed Seoul's progress in preparing for the incoming Donald Trump administration, which has hinted at shifts in Washington's trade policies, including the imposition of sweeping tariffs of at least 10 percent on all imported goods.
"The government is drawing up countermeasures for key issues while closely monitoring the new U.S. government's cabinet and policy directions," Cheong said.
"The cutting-edge industries and supply chains of the two countries are closely connected through South Korea's massive investment. Based on this, we will seek to maintain the mutually beneficial cooperative relationship and minimize negative impacts on our companies," he added.
The ministry also vowed to maintain coordination with other government organizations to ensure that uncertainties sparked by the domestic political situation do not hinder such preparations.
Experts at the meeting, meanwhile, noted that the second Trump administration is expected to bring significant changes compared to the first term, calling for the government to make thorough preparations.
Professor Lee Seung-joo of Chung-Ang University advised the government to adopt a "transactional approach" based on its networks in Washington to effectively address potential changes in U.S. trade policies.
Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo (2nd from L) speaks during a meeting in Seoul on Dec. 9, 2024, in this photo released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Kang Yoon-seung · December 10, 2024
13. Chinese diplomat expresses hope for stability in S. Korea amid political turmoil
But he had his fingers crossed behind his back when he said it as he and Xi (and Putin and Kim) secretly enjoy the dilemma this creates for the ROK/US alliance and trilateral ROK, Japan, US cooperation.
Chinese diplomat expresses hope for stability in S. Korea amid political turmoil | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · December 10, 2024
By Kim Han-joo
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- Fang Kun, the charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, expressed hope Tuesday for South Korea's economic and social stability amid heightened political uncertainty following a botched declaration of martial law.
The remarks were made during a meeting with Deputy Finance Minister Choi Ji-young in Seoul. The meeting took place in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law last week, a decision that was swiftly overturned by the National Assembly in just hours.
"As a close neighbor and an important cooperative partner, we hope for the continued stability of South Korea's economy and society," Fang was quoted by the finance ministry as saying.
He also emphasized Beijing's commitment to maintaining close communication and fostering further collaboration in the future.
In response, Choi reassured that the Seoul government is proactively addressing volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets, including deploying "unlimited liquidity" if necessary.
This photo, provided by the finance ministry, shows Deputy Finance Minister Choi Ji-young (L) with Fang Kun, the charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, during their meeting on Dec. 10, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · December 10, 2024
14. Australia-based S. Korean reunites with separated relatives in N. Korea in Oct.: Seoul
Interesting. What can we make of this?
Excerpt:
A unification ministry official noted the "exceptionality" of the latest reunion case, saying that it would be "too much" to interpret it as a sign of a policy shift from North Korea.
Australia-based S. Korean reunites with separated relatives in N. Korea in Oct.: Seoul | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · December 10, 2024
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean national residing in Australia traveled to North Korea and met with two nephews in October in the first privately arranged separated families reunion in five years, the South Korean unification ministry said Tuesday.
The 80-something person, who also holds Australian citizenship, reported the North Korean trip to the ministry following the reunion, ministry officials said.
By law, South Koreans with permanent residency abroad or those employed overseas must report trips to North Korea between three days before departure and 10 days after their return. However, South Koreans in general require approval from the unification minister for such trips.
It remains unknown how the Australia-based South Korean had received approval from North Korean authorities for the trip.
The latest meeting marks the first privately arranged reunion reported since 2019 of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and the subsequent division of the Korean Peninsula.
An elderly man fills out an application form to find his separated family in North Korea, during an event in central Seoul on Sept. 27, 2023. (Yonhap)
Amid frosty inter-Korean relations, separated families in South Korea have had no exchanges or reunions with their relatives in North Korea either at government or civilian levels for years.
Privately brokered family reunions gained traction in the late 1990s, reaching a peak of 283 cases in 2003. However, the number sharply declined to just seven in 2010, and only a single case was reported per year from 2017-2019.
Of them, the last reunion that took place within North Korea was in 2016, with the majority of reunions since the 2010s occurring outside the Korean Peninsula.
Reunions of separated families through an inter-Korean agreement have not taken place since the last one in August 2018.
Since the first inter-Korean summit in 2000, the two Koreas have held 21 rounds of family reunions, with around 134,160 people registering with the South Korean government as of August, expressing their wish to reunite with families in North Korea.
Most families separated between South and North Korea are unable to reunite, as the two Koreas technically remain at war since the Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
A unification ministry official noted the "exceptionality" of the latest reunion case, saying that it would be "too much" to interpret it as a sign of a policy shift from North Korea.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · December 10, 2024
15. N. Korea orders stricter market controls, electronic payments push
Control, control, control. The regime must control everything. Markets are a threat to the regime.
But will this backfire? Will there be a tipping point when the people's safety valve or relief mechanism of their markets no longer save them?
While we study the South Korean political turmoil we must not take our eyes off of the internal instability and resistance potential in north Korea.
What happens if there is regime instability and potential collapse in the north while South Korea is going through the current political upheaval?
N. Korea orders stricter market controls, electronic payments push - Daily NK English
The authorities have mandated the implementation of QR code and barcode payment systems at major markets in larger cities, with merchant training for electronic payments
By Jeong Tae Joo - December 10, 2024
dailynk.com · by Jeong Tae Joo · December 10, 2024
FILE PHOTO: North Korean sellers peddle goods on the fringes of a market in Sunchon, South Pyongan Province, in October 2018. (The Daily NK)
North Korea’s cabinet has issued orders to provincial commerce bureaus nationwide to strengthen market controls and economic management, Daily NK has learned.
According to a source in Jagang province recently, the local commerce bureau received directives on Nov. 22 to adjust market operations, limit grain distribution, and expand electronic payments. Similar orders were sent to commerce bureaus across the country.
The orders are linked to the “20×10 regional development policy,” reflecting the government’s aim to boost regional economies and increase market transparency while maintaining a balance between planned and market economies.
The cabinet has granted provincial commerce bureaus new authority to independently adjust market operating hours based on seasonal needs. Previously, such adjustments required multiple levels of approval, but the new directive eliminates this bureaucracy.
Officials at the province’s commerce bureau believe this increased autonomy will help them better manage labor resources, particularly for agricultural support and disaster response.
The bureau plans to review operational changes throughout December before implementing the cabinet orders in early 2024, incorporating them into its administrative framework.
Regarding food distribution, the cabinet has ordered provincial commerce departments to restrict bulk grain sales at markets. Starting Dec. 1, Jagang province will impose daily sales limits on individual grain vendors to control prices.
The directive also mandates the implementation of QR code and barcode payment systems at major markets in larger cities, with merchant training for electronic payments.
“The government aims to use vendors’ mobile phones to increase transparency and control cash flow,” the source said. “However, some commerce bureau officials expect slower adoption in smaller markets due to limited mobile phone usage.”
“While this measure aims to strengthen economic oversight, requiring QR code payments for small grain transactions seems impractical. Older vendors may also struggle to adapt to the new system,” the source added.
Choi Ji-young, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, commented, “North Korea’s recent policies focus on stimulating regional economies and increasing revenue. These orders appear to give local committees more authority to address budget shortfalls, following earlier increases in market fees.
“North Korea continues pushing electronic payments to control prices and integrate private funds into the official economy while improving tax collection. With ongoing legal and tax code adjustments, success could boost fiscal capacity. However, addressing soaring market exchange rates remains crucial,” Choi noted, adding that merchants might circumvent these measures by accepting foreign currency.
Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
Read in Korean
dailynk.com · by Jeong Tae Joo · December 10, 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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