Informal Institute for National Security Thinkers and Practitioners

Greetings from Seoul.

Quotes of the Day:

“The Enlightenment opened the Age of Revolution. To Rousseau, war is revolution’s first step because aggressors will never cede power peacefully. Oppression is itself a form of war; revolutionary war to defeat it is therefore the only path to peace. Revolutionary ideologies reject state borders and sovereignty and are universal in scope. In this sense, every major war of the modern age may be seen as an effort to destroy the established international system and replace it with an alternative world order based on an alternative ideology.”

— Grand Strategies: Literature, Statecraft, and World Order by Charles Hill

"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist."

– Pablo Picasso

"Every word has consequences. Every silence, too."

– Jean-Paul Sartre

1. Ruthless Politics of South Korea Is Rooted in Cold-War History

2. North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Kursk Assaults, Replacements Needed - HUR

3. Yoon impeached: Minjoo now needs to protect the party from itself

4. North Korean troops open fire on Russian unit, Ukraine's military intelligence claims

5. South Korea’s interim president consults US military about North’s potential threats

6. Constitutional Court to begin Yoon's impeachment trial Dec. 27

7. FM Cho vows efforts to enhance U.S. outreach under incoming Trump administration

8. Unification minister urges 'prudent' stance for anti-Pyongyang leafleting

9. Some 1,500 troops mobilized for Dec. 3 martial law operations: ministry

10. 200 Russian, N. Korean troops allegedly killed in combat against Ukraine: Kyiv

11. Solid ROK-U.S. alliance

12. Tough road ahead (South Korea)

13. N. Korea reports S. Korea's Yoon impeachment 2 days after parliamentary vote

14. S. Korea earmarks additional 1 tln won to upgrade F-15K fighters

15. Samsung and TSMC locked in intense 2nm chip competition

1. Ruthless Politics of South Korea Is Rooted in Cold-War History

Some useful history that provides context and understanding.. However, all these analytic pieces fail to recognize one important point. The Kim family regime has never stopped infiltrating the South to conduct subversion of the ROK government and South Korean society. north Korean political warfare against the South is not an anachronism. We should not make it seem like the threats ended with the Cold War. The Kim family regime remains a very real threat against the South.

I will reprise information I provided last week:

This is the crux of the issue that is overlooked by the press: the allegations of north Korean sympathizers and north Korean activity in the South. We must never forget that north Korea's United Front Department and the Reconnaissance General Bureau are actively epentrating South Korea to subvert the government and society. Although the United Front Department has supposedly been disbanded due to the policy shift from peaceful unification, it has likely been renamed but most importantly its functions continue and focus on what has always been the priority - domination versus peaceful unification.

United Front Department The United Front Department (UFD) is North Korea’s primary civilian intelligence agency, propaganda office, and policymaking entity for inter-Korean relations and dialogue.232 The UFD is directly subordinate to the Korean Workers' Party.233 The UFD overtly attempts to establish pro-North Korean groups in South Korea, such as the Korean Asia-Pacific Committee and the Ethnic Reconciliation Council.234

Cultural Exchange Bureau The Cultural Exchange Bureau (CEB) is responsible for running agents in South Korea to establish underground political parties focused on fomenting unrest, revolution, or pro-DPRK views. The CEB also conducts clandestine influence operations.235, 236

Reconnaissance General Bureau The Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) is North Korea’s premier military intelligence service, responsible for collection, analysis, and clandestine operations.215, 216 The RGB was established in 2009 during a reorganization of North Korea’s intelligence services, which transferred three intelligence agencies from the Korean Workers' Party and consolidated them under the National Defense Commission (disestablished and replaced by the State Affairs Commission in 2016).217 Administratively, the RGB is subordinate to the KPA General Staff Department.218

The RGB consists of six bureaus with compartmented functions, including operations, reconnaissance, technology and cyberspace functions, overseas intelligence, inter-Korean talks, and service support.219 The RGB and its predecessor organizations have been tied to a number of foreign kidnappings, assassinations, state-sponsored terror attacks, cyberoperations, and infiltration operations.220 The RGB also oversees businesses in foreign countries, which are used as fronts for espionage, currency generation, cyberoperations, weapon sales, goods procurement, and other illicit activities.221, 222

RGB personnel are highly trained, attending an intelligence academy where operatives receive instruction in firearms and explosives, martial arts, underwater diving, and other activities before becoming operational.223 The RGB also recruits and co-opts foreign nationals to gather intelligence and execute operations in foreign countries.

https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Documents/News/NKMP.pdf

Ruthless Politics of South Korea Is Rooted in Cold-War History

Lasting effects of pre-democracy divisions help explain Yoon Suk Yeol’s disastrous decision to declare martial law

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/south-koreas-martial-law-debacle-is-rooted-in-cold-war-history-a91f9eca?mod=hp_lista_pos3

Protesters calling for the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol celebrate news of his impeachment in Seoul. Photo: Anthony Wallace/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

By Timothy W. MartinFollow

, Jiyoung SohnFollow

and Soobin Kim

Dec. 15, 2024 6:49 am ET

SEOUL—When South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked his country by declaring martial law earlier this month, he used language plucked straight from the Cold War.

The conservative leader described his political enemies as “antistate forces” and a “den of criminals” that rendered the country vulnerable to North Korean “communist forces.” He hurled phrases like cheo-dan, or punishment, that echo the rhetoric used by the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to denounce his enemies.

Such language helps explain the deep cleavages that still underlie South Korean politics and that fuel the ruthless battles between left and right here—culminating in the vote Saturday to impeach Yoon, the third South Korean president to lose power in such a move.

The divisions are rooted in the years when South Korea was under military rule, which ended in 1987. During that time, the country was dominated by a string of U.S.-backed strongman leaders who planted the political seeds of today’s ruling party. Meanwhile, the left is still animated by its decadeslong history of sometimes bloody mass protests that ultimately toppled military rule and brought democracy to the country.

‘Our mortal enemy’

Following World War II, Korea was liberated after 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. The faction that became today’s conservatives advocated for a Western-led global order and close relations with the U.S. and Japan. It held contempt for communism, a stance that spurred more confrontation with the newly separated North and a generally tougher line with China.

The Cold War era produced two long-serving military dictators: Park Geun-hye’s father, Park Chung-hee, who was assassinated in 1979; and Chun, who used a military coup to seize power before formally stepping down in 1988.

Back then, South Korean students competed in yearly “ban-gong”—or anti-Communist—competitions, vying to draw the best anti-North Korean poster or pen the best essay. They would often depict Kim Il Sung, the North Korean leader at the time, as a horned monster and used slogans such as “Let’s beat up the Communist Party!” Medals were awarded for the best work.

Soldiers lead away arrested students in Gwangju after protests against Chun Doo-hwan’s regime engulfed the city in 1980. Photo: Bettmann Archive

“Education was admittedly very skewed: Kim Il Sung was our mortal enemy, he had to be resisted and anti-Communist ideology was instilled in all of us,” said Lee Sung-yoon, who grew up in Seoul in the 1970s and early 1980s and is now a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a Washington-based think tank.

Meanwhile, the left advocated warmer ties with Pyongyang, less-hostile relations with Beijing, some skepticism of American power and a more unforgiving stance toward Tokyo. The left rose up in protest of Chun’s martial-law decree in the southwest city of Gwangju in 1980 in a pro-democracy uprising that left many civilians dead at the hands of government forces. Activists hurled molotov cocktails at South Korea’s military, and anger toward the Americans who backed the authoritarian regimes ran high.

Antigovernment protesters flee from tear gas during a 1987 demonstration in Seoul. Photo: Itsuo Inouye/AP

After Chun was overthrown, two right-leaning leaders ran the country. South Korea didn’t elect its first left-leaning president until 1997 with Kim Dae-jung, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his rapprochement with North Korea. Another progressive, Roh Moo-hyun, followed. The country then reversed course with a nearly decadelong rule by Lee and Park Geun-hye, the conservative leaders who ended up in jail.

Park was impeached over an influence-peddling scandal, then ousted in 2017. Her removal propelled South Korea’s left to the powerful role it has today, having never lost control of the National Assembly.

After Park’s ouster, left-leaning Moon Jae-in, the son of North Korean refugees and Roh’s former chief presidential secretary, was elected president. His approval ratings soared above 80% during his first weeks in office.

He quickly took aim at conservative officials in government, launching a purge aimed at “rooting out long-accumulated ills.” That effort left the conservatives off balance. Indeed, the flux can be seen in the party changing names three times in a three-year period before landing on the People Power Party.

Supercharged polarization

Moon and his Democratic Party’s own lofty image started to fade amid scandals involving senior officials. One centered on Moon’s justice minister, whose downfall began after one of his fellow senior administration officials began investigating his children’s academic credentials. That official so happened to be Yoon, who was serving as South Korea’s prosecutor general after helping put Park behind bars. Yoon resigned after falling out with the Moon administration over the probes.

The scandal deeply split the country, which was also grappling with rising economic problems and skyrocketing housing prices. Yoon then joined the conservatives and, in 2022, won South Korea’s narrowest presidential race ever, by a margin of less than 1 percentage point.

Yoon, who had never held elected office before, contributed to the cleavage by refusing for years to meet the head of the Democratic Party. Yoon’s foreign policy also represented a sharp pivot from Moon. He supported closer ties with Japan and the U.S.—even singing a few bars of “American Pie” during a state visit to the White House and scrapping an inter-Korean accord from Moon’s days designed to tone down military hostilities between the North and South.

Yoon sings the Don McLean hit ‘American Pie’ during a visit last year to the White House. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The only country with stronger partisan conflicts than the U.S., according to Pew Research Center, is South Korea.

The presidencies of both Moon and Yoon supercharged South Korea’s polarization, said Choi Jin, head of the Institute of Presidential Leadership, a private research firm in Seoul. “Both the ruling and opposition parties have neither cooperated nor supported each other,” he said.

But Yoon’s popularity soon sank, and the conservatives were routed in parliamentary elections last April. The opposition ended up with 192 seats of the 300-seat legislature—with one minor party running on a slogan that referred to Yoon’s time left in office: “Three years is too long.” That effectively made Yoon a lame duck, as he was set to become the first South Korean president to go a full five-year term without ever having party control of the National Assembly.

The opposition’s election victory also left it just a handful of votes shy of a two-thirds majority required for an impeachment. It was a notion that seemed far-fetched until this month following Yoon’s call for martial law.

In recent days, more than 90% of South Koreans wanted Yoon to go, according to polling. His approval rate slumped to a record low of 11%.

His most ardent remaining supporters are older South Koreans who embrace unflinching toughness against Pyongyang. On Saturday, just a few hours before the impeachment vote, supporters of Yoon waved U.S. and South Korean flags sewn together. One protester sat in a booth decorated with a poster of two “Transformers” robots in red, white and blue standing in downtown Seoul that read: “We take down the Communist Party!”

“In other countries, polarization is a matter of views on freedom and equality, or progressive or conservative positions on the issue of abortion,” said Choo Mi-ae, an opposition lawmaker and former justice minister. “In Korea, our polarization has deep roots with the past.”

Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com and Jiyoung Sohn at jiyoung.sohn@wsj.com

Appeared in the December 16, 2024, print edition as 'Cold War Colors Seoul’s Politics'.

2. North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Kursk Assaults, Replacements Needed - HUR

Trust but verify. I hope the reporting is accurate.

North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Kursk Assaults, Replacements Needed - HUR

kyivpost.com · by Kyiv Post · December 16, 2024

Units of the DPRK army suffered significant losses during weekend operations, with at least 30 soldiers killed or wounded, according to Ukrainian intelligence sources.

by Kyiv Post | December 16, 2024, 12:06 pm

Screenshot from Ukrainian Armed Forces video said to show the bodies of Russian and North Korean soldiers killed in fighting in the Kursk Region over the weekend.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (HUR) reported via Telegram that North Korean (DPRK) army units were having to be replenished after suffering significant losses during assaults in the Kursk region.

“During Dec. 14 and 15, 2024, in the areas of the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka, in the Kursk region of Russia, units of the DPRK army suffered significant losses - at least 30 soldiers were killed or wounded,” the Dec. 16 report read.

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According to Ukrainian intelligence assessments, at least three North Korean servicemen went missing near the village of Kurilovka. Due to these losses, it was necessary to reinforce assault groups with fresh personnel from the 94th Separate Brigade of the North Korean army to sustain combat operations in the Kursk region.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, the Ukrainian military released a video allegedly showing the bodies of the first North Korean soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine.

Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s “Birds of the Madyar” unit - currently the 414th Separate Regiment of Strike Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Ukrainian Marine Corps - shared a drone video on Telegram. The footage showed a pile of bodies, said to be of North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia in the Kursk region.

Trigger warning! Sensitive content

Ukraine-NATO: Common Interests and Challenges on Path to Membership

Report on a recent roundtable in Kyiv to discuss this topic.

According to Madyar, these soldiers were eliminated through the coordinated actions of FPV drone pilots from multiple unitss. The video shows more than two dozen bodies.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Defense Council, commented that total North Korean losses in the Russian army are much higher.

“They are now lying mixed with the Russians. Russian losses in the last two days of assaults are counted in the hundreds,” Kovalenko added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier reported that Russia is deploying a “significant number” of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.

“The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region,” Zelensky said during his Dec. 14 address. He added that intelligence suggests North Koreans may be deployed in other areas of the front line.

“The losses among this category are already noticeable,” he said.

Zelensky’s statement came after a Dec. 14 morning update from Ukraine’s HUR, which reported that North Korean troops were expected to shortly begin assaulting Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region.

Kovalenko cautioned against overstating their impact, saying they primarily bolster Russian troop numbers. He said that claims of their invincibility are “exaggerated,” adding, “They end, like everyone else.”

Junior Sergeant Stanislav Bunyatov of the 24th Aidar Assault Battalion indicated that North Korean troops had been engaged in combat for more than a week.

He described them as “well-trained, motivated, and cold-blooded,” with a strong command of Soviet-era weaponry. However, Bunyatov said their morale declines significantly when they start to take heavy casualties.

Russian commanders, he added, are using these troops in so-called meat assaults alongside Russian forces, underestimating their true combat capabilities.

3. Yoon impeached: Minjoo now needs to protect the party from itself

Excerpt:

The Minjoo Party’s priority should be demonstrating to voters that they are reliable and responsible actors in statecraft. However, there are already signs they’re losing focus.

Yoon impeached: Minjoo now needs to protect the party from itself – Korea Kontext

koreakontext.com

Yoon’s gone. Much sooner than I predicted in my previous newsletter. I was more than happy to be proven wrong here, but it’s worth examining what led to this development.

With the ever-deteriorating quality of its talent, South Korean politics these days is mainly driven by politicians shooting themselves in the foot. Yoon’s speech on Thursday—so abrupt that it drove even a Yoon ally to the brink of profanity—was another example.

His speech, however, also offers a preview of his defense strategy: he’ll likely argue that the president has the authority to declare martial law, that he followed the required procedure, and that he had no intention of preventing lawmakers from entering the National Assembly.

Suspending the deluded president’s authority will bring greater stability to national governance. However, putting a decisive end to Yoon’s presidency will be a protracted fight. I already mentioned the vacancies on the Constitutional Court that require presidential authorization for appointments. Plus, there’s a provision that could halt the impeachment proceedings if a criminal case on the same charge is pending.

One theory suggests that Lee, who has been fighting on little too many judicial fronts, could be found guilty before the next election if Yoon’s impeachment proceedings drag on. While Lee’s removal from the roster wouldn’t affect much which party wins the next presidential election, it would certainly alter the dynamics within both parties.

And remember the main driver of Korean politics I mentioned? The Minjoo Party’s biggest enemy right now is itself.

The Minjoo Party’s priority should be demonstrating to voters that they are reliable and responsible actors in statecraft. However, there are already signs they’re losing focus.

Party leader Lee Jae-myung stated Sunday that they would not seek impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, now the acting president, “for now,” while proposing a consultative body between parliament and administration to stabilize state affairs. (Minjoo had criticized an almost identical idea as unconstitutional when the ruling party suggested it just last week.)

As the new ruling party floor leader swiftly rejected this idea, Minjoo might pursue Han’s impeachment if dissatisfied with his governance as it has previously criticized Han as an “accomplice” to Yoon’s alleged treason. However, impeaching the acting president would be a grave misstep, leaving the public with the lasting impression that Lee would do anything to seize power—even if it means deepening political chaos.

Lee should know better. Though I personally consider him unfit for the presidency, he’s a street-smart politician capable of assuming whatever role he deems advantageous. His Sunday press conference demonstrated his ability to play the role of peacemaker.

Of course, the longevity of this new persona remains uncertain. Will he, for instance, maintain his legal strategy straight out of Trump’s playbook—dragging out court procedures as long as possible—while simultaneously calling for “swift” proceedings in Yoon’s impeachment?

koreakontext.com

4. North Korean troops open fire on Russian unit, Ukraine's military intelligence claims

Great "story." But is it true?

North Korean troops open fire on Russian unit, Ukraine's military intelligence claims

kyivindependent.com · by Abbey Fenbert · December 14, 2024

North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast killed eight members of a Russian unit in a "friendly fire" attack, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 14.

Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that a "significant number" of North Korean troops had joined Russian assault operations in the Kursk region.

While engaged in combat in Kursk Oblast, a group of North Korean soldiers opened fire on members of the Chechen Akhmat unit fighting for Russia, HUR reported via its official Telegram channel. The attack allegedly killed eight Russian soldiers.

The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the report.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Ukraine struggles to halt Russian advance near Pokrovsk

Russian troops are closing in on Pokrovsk from the east and south. After the capture of Shevchenko village just south of the city, Russian forces are less than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from this key logistics hub sitting on the western edge of Donetsk Oblast. “The fighting is extremely

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

HUR said the incident was the result of the language barrier between Russian and North Korean troops, which continues to be a "difficult obstacle" on the battlefield.

An estimated 200 servicemembers fighting with Russian and North Korean units have been killed as of Dec. 14, HUR claimed.

Zelensky previously announced that North Korean personnel had begun incurring "noticeable losses," but did not provide a figure.

Ukrainian and Western officials in fall 2024 warned that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia's attempt to oust Ukrainian forces in the region.

The Russian military has instituted special protocols in places where North Korean personnel are located, HUR said. Russian soldiers must undergo inspections before entering these areas, and their phones and electronic devices are confiscated.

The first direct clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. According to Zelensky, North Korean personnel have not been deployed to any other areas of the front, but that could change in the future.

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kyivindependent.com · by Abbey Fenbert · December 14, 2024

5. South Korea’s interim president consults US military about North’s potential threats

I should hope so.

South Korea’s interim president consults US military about North’s potential threats

Stars and Stripes · by David Choi · December 16, 2024

South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, speaks to President Joe Biden by phone from his office in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 15, 2024. (South Korean Office of Government Policy)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — South Korea’s acting president made an introductory phone call to the commander of U.S. and U.N. forces on the peninsula to reaffirm the countries’ military alliance and express concern for potential moves by North Korea.

Han Duck-soo, the country’s prime minister, assumed the presidential office Saturday following Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment by the National Assembly.

Speaking by phone Sunday to U.S. Forces Korea commander Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, Han voiced concern that Pyongyang may capitalize on the South’s political turmoil to conduct ballistic missile launches and cyber-attacks, according to a news release from the Office of Government Policy.

Han shared his concerns of potential “military provocations” by North Korea given the “current emergency situation” surrounding Seoul, the release states.

He also conveyed to LaCamera that the two nations should strengthen their joint military capabilities and that their alliance was “more important than ever,” according to the release.

LaCamera commands roughly 28,500 American troops in South Korea, most of them stationed at Camp Humphreys, about 40 miles south of Seoul. He is also the head of the U.N. Command and the Combined Forces Command.

LaCamera told Han he will “work to mitigate any risks to planned combined training activities, operations, and investments, while reaffirming the ironclad commitment to the combined defense,” USFK said in a separate statement Sunday.

So far this year, North Korea has fired more than 45 ballistic missiles in 12 separate days of testing. The communist regime’s last launch consisted of seven ballistic missiles fired on Nov. 5.

Throughout the year, Pyongyang has also jammed GPS signals around the border separating the two countries, according to the South’s military.

Park Jae Jeok, an associate professor at the Yonsei University, Seoul, said he does not believe South Korea and the United States will dramatically escalate tensions if the North fires another ballistic missile.

“I think if North Korea engages in provocations, South Korea and the United States are going to respond to it as usual,” Park said by phone Friday. “I don’t think we can escalate tensions by responding very actively.”

Washington and Seoul have responded to the North’s missile launches with statements of condemnation and military drills.

The day after Pyongyang test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Oct. 31, fighter jets from the U.S., South Korea and Japan escorted an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber on a show of force between Japan and South Korea.

Park said he believes North Korea is unlikely to engage in provocations against the South in the near term “because it only helps the ruling party” by fueling animosity toward the regime.

Yoon’s ruling People Power Party advocates hawkish policies against Pyongyang. In June, party lawmakers approved of the military’s resumption of anti-communist loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at the northern side of the border in retaliation for the North floating thousands of balloons carrying trash to the South.

The party has been in turmoil since Yoon’s abrupt martial law declaration Dec. 3, including several high-profile defections, among them party leader Han Dong-hoon, who resigned Monday.

“I think North Korea would like to see the opposition party control South Korea and win the election,” Park said, referring to the liberal Democratic Party. “I don’t think North Korea will have an interest in engaging in military provocations for a while.”

Stars and Stripes · by David Choi · December 16, 2024

6. Constitutional Court to begin Yoon's impeachment trial Dec. 27

The question is how long will this take?

(2nd LD) Constitutional Court to begin Yoon's impeachment trial Dec. 27 | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · December 16, 2024

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; CLARIFIES 4th para; UPDATES with more details throughout; ADDS byline)

By Chae Yun-hwan and Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The Constitutional Court said Monday it will hold its first preparatory hearing on the parliamentary impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 27, kicking off the judicial procedures for his impeachment trial.

The court announced the decision in a meeting of its justices held to discuss the proceedings, including deciding on dates for the high-stakes hearing to review arguments and relevant evidence.

The hearing will begin at 2 p.m.

On Saturday, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon over his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, suspending his presidential powers and handing the decision over his fate to the Constitutional Court.

The court said it is "in the process" of delivering a copy of the request of adjudication for Yoon's impeachment to him and requesting his response. Yoon is not required to make a response.

This undated photo shows South Korea's Constitutional Court in Seoul. (Yonhap)

The preparatory hearing, as well as the subsequent proceedings, will be open to the public. While Yoon is generally required to attend the hearings, he is not obligated to be present at the first hearing scheduled for Dec. 27.

The court said it will prioritize Yoon's impeachment trial.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to deliver the ruling on whether to uphold the impeachment and remove Yoon from office, or reinstate him.

The court designated the lead justice for the case through an electronic draw but said it will keep the designation confidential, saying it was a "decision of the justices."

In principle, the court does not reveal the presiding justice in constitutional trials. The disclosure of the lead justice in the 2016 impeachment trial for former President Park Geun-hye was seen as an exception.

The court appointed two justices responsible for evidence examination in Yoon's trial.

Regarding the current vacancy in three justices' positions, out of the total of nine, the court said it is possible to proceed with the trial with the six-member bench.

Under the existing panel, consent from all six justices is required for the impeachment to be upheld.

Rival parties have selected candidates for the three vacancies, and a special parliamentary committee has been formed to hold confirmation hearings for their appointments.

Upon parliamentary approval, acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will formally appoint the justices. The National Assembly has said that it plans to finalize the process of filling the positions by the end of the year.

The court also said it formed a task force of about 10 court officials to review the facts and other legal issues to provide the justices with relevant details needed for their deliberations.

Once the court has completed its preparations, the impeachment hearings will take place in a public manner.

If upheld, Yoon will become the second president to be ousted after former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days.

President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a public address at the presidential office in Seoul on Dec. 12, 2024, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

elly@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · December 16, 2024

7. FM Cho vows efforts to enhance U.S. outreach under incoming Trump administration

I do not think we would expect otherwise.

FM Cho vows efforts to enhance U.S. outreach under incoming Trump administration | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · December 16, 2024

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top diplomat said Monday the government plans to work with the private sector to enhance its engagement and communication with the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the remark as the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol has raised concerns about advancing the alliance with Washington under the acting leadership of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, given Trump's style of favoring leader-to-leader diplomacy.

"I think we may need to boost our network and communication with President-elect Trump's team by leveraging our private-sector connections and resources," Cho said during a parliamentary session.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul responds to a lawmaker's question during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 16, 2024. (Yonhap)

Cho said he plans to hold talks with his counterparts of the United States, Japan and China, to stabilize foreign relations with key countries.

"I plan to speak by phone with Secretary Blinken and expect to have a chance to meet him in person," Cho said. "I am also considering visiting Japan ... and talking to (Chinese) Foreign Minister Wang Yi to reaffirm our commitment to close cooperation."

Cho also unveiled plans to meet the ambassadors of the Group of Seven advanced countries stationed in Seoul and those of the European Union members to share the details of the current situation and discuss cooperation efforts.

He welcomed Trump's appointment of former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as his envoy for "special missions" on North Korea and other countries, saying it signals Trump's continued interest in North Korean issues.

"As it will take time for Trump's policies to take shape, we will refine the road map and plans to ensure that we are fully prepared to proactively engage in discussions (with Trump's side,)" Cho said.

During the session, opposition lawmakers criticized a presidential office's statement released to a handful of foreign media, which justified Yoon's martial law decree as an "inevitable action" and blamed the opposition for "abusing the legislature."

Cho said the statement, shared by the foreign ministry's deputy spokesperson, does not represent the ministry's official stance and pledged to look into the circumstances surrounding its release.

elly@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · December 16, 2024

8. Unification minister urges 'prudent' stance for anti-Pyongyang leafleting

Of course there are many other ways that we should be transmitting information into the north besides balloons.

But now is the time for more information to get into the north - especially to explain the strengths of democracy in the South.

From a presentation I am giving in Seoul this week:

•The President was impeached – “unification was not”

•Distraction yes – but also an opportunity

•Pursuit of a free and unified Korea remains as relevant and necessary as ever

•The fundamental question for all Korean people:

Do the Korean people prefer the challenges of a messy democracy or the suffocating control of a dictatorial regime?

•Martial law crisis shows democracy prevents tyranny – Korean people in the north and South will choose democracy over dictatorship

Unification minister urges 'prudent' stance for anti-Pyongyang leafleting | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho called for a "prudent" approach Monday to sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border, in an apparent shift from an earlier stance on the campaign led by South Korean activists that Pyongyang has bristled at.

Kim emphasized the importance of public safety, in what appeared to be efforts to prevent possible risks that could further heighten inter-Korean tensions amid a leadership vacuum following a parliamentary vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"In regard to the anti-Pyongyang leaflet issue, we seek to concentrate efforts to manage the situation by prioritizing the people's lives and safety," Kim told a session of the parliamentary foreign affairs and unification committee.

"We have requested activist groups on Thursday to make prudent judgments," he added.

Unification Minister Kim Young-ho attends a plenary session of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 16, 2024. (Yonhap)

Kim's remarks draw a sharp contrast to the ministry's earlier stance of prioritizing the right of freedom of expression in line with a Constitutional Court decision.

Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled that a clause banning leaflet launches in the law on the development of inter-Korean relations is unconstitutional, saying it excessively restricts the right to freedom of expression.

The decision paved the way for North Korean defectors and activists to resume their leaflet campaigns toward North Korea. In retaliation, the North has sent thousands of trash-filled balloons into the South since late May.

In a report to the parliamentary committee, the unification ministry noted that the Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean newspaper based in Japan, has reported on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's reelection in a Nov. 25 report.

Pyongyang's state media have yet to report on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

9. Some 1,500 troops mobilized for Dec. 3 martial law operations: ministry

A relatively small number for an autocoup or self-coup.

Some 1,500 troops mobilized for Dec. 3 martial law operations: ministry | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- An estimated 1,500 soldiers were mobilized for President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law imposition earlier this month, the defense ministry said Monday.

The confirmation came a day after the police first cited the number of soldiers deployed from the defense ministry, the Army, the Capital Defense Command, the Army Special Warfare Command, the Defense Counterintelligence Command and the Defense Intelligence Command under martial law on Dec. 3.

"I understand the number currently confirmed by the defense ministry is at the 1,500 level," the ministry's spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou told a regular press briefing, adding verification for detailed figures is under way.

This Dec. 5, 2024, file photo shows Jeon Ha-kyou, spokesperson for the defense ministry, attending a regular press briefing. (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

10. 200 Russian, N. Korean troops allegedly killed in combat against Ukraine: Kyiv

Circular reporting. But emphasis is on allegedly.

(LEAD) 200 Russian, N. Korean troops allegedly killed in combat against Ukraine: Kyiv | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead, details in first four paras; minor edits)

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- Some 200 Russian and North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed while fighting in combined units against Ukrainian forces, Kyiv's intelligence authorities said, without specifying the number of casualties for each side.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) made the revelation in a statement published Saturday (local time), noting that North Korean soldiers have been mobilized for assault operations as part of combined units of Russia's Marine Corps and airborne troops.

Claiming that the North Korean troops suffered "irreversible losses" from Ukraine's attacks, the DIU said the language barrier is an issue for Russian and North Korean combined units in conducting coordinated operations.

"Because of this problem, North Korean soldiers opened 'friendly fire' on the vehicles of the so-called Ahmat battalion. As a result, they killed eight Kadyrov soldiers," it said," referring to Chechen fighters.

The Ukrainian military also released photos and footage of what appear to be dozens of North Korean soldiers killed along with Russian troops in Russia's western Kursk border region, according to a Ukrainian media outlet.

This Dec. 16, 2024, screenshot shows a photo from the Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda of what it described to be Russian and North Korean soldiers killed in combat. It has been partially blurred. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Ukrainska Pravda reported Sunday, citing information from a drone unit, that the soldiers whose bodies were shown covered in snow were killed during assaults in the Russian region bordering Ukraine on Saturday (local time).

"The Madiar channel emphasized that this is a collaborative effort of FPV (first person view)-drone pilots of the 414th Unmanned Strike Aviation Systems Regiment, the Mahura Brigade, the 95th Air Assault Brigade, the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, the 1st Tank Brigade and the 17th Tank Brigade," the outlet said.

The details of the post shared on the drone unit's Telegram channel could not be verified immediately.

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia could extend its deployment of North Koreans to other parts of the front line.

"We already have preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults. A significant number of them," Zelenskyy said in an address.

"The Russians include them in combined units and use them in operations in the Kursk region. So far, only there. But we have information suggesting their use could extend to other parts of the front line," he said.

South Korea and the United States have accused North Korea of sending thousands of soldiers to Russia, with some of them engaging in combat in the western Kursk border region.

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

11. Solid ROK-U.S. alliance

Good overview of many of the issues.

Conclusion:

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with strategic diplomacy, enhanced security cooperation, and economic stability, South Korea can tide over the turbulent waters of its relationship with the U.S. and ensure its place in the region’s future security and prosperity.

Solid ROK-U.S. alliance

The Korea Times · December 16, 2024

Major security, economic challenges lie ahead after impeament

Seoul finds itself navigating a turbulent period in its relationship with the United States, compounded by domestic political uncertainties and the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Amid this volatility, acting President Han Duck-soo has stepped in to lead, holding critical discussions with President Joe Biden to underscore the significance of the ROK-U.S. alliance. During their talks, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to South Korea’s democracy and the strength of their bilateral ties. However, the possibility of a second Trump presidency poses significant challenges that could strain this partnership. This uncertainty follows the National Assembly's recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspending his duties until the Constitutional Court delivers its final ruling.

The U.S. State Department recently underscored that the South Korea-U.S. alliance must remain resilient, regardless of changes in political leadership in either country. In light of this, South Korea faces the urgent task of preparing for the potential challenges posed by a second Donald Trump presidency. Known for his "America-first" policies, Trump is expected to prioritize U.S. economic interests, which will significantly influence the future of South Korea-U.S. relations. Among the immediate concerns, his administration is likely to demand a higher financial contribution from South Korea for the stationing of U.S. troops and push for measures to reduce the trade deficit between the two nations. Beyond these issues, Trump’s broader foreign policy, particularly his unpredictable approach to North Korea, threatens to further complicate matters.

Trump’s recent appointment of Richard Grenell, a close confidant and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, as his special envoy for North Korean affairs, indicates that the former president is eager to revive summit diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, this strategy may not align with South Korea's long-term security interests. There are fears that Trump may push for a nuclear freeze agreement with Pyongyang rather than the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula that Seoul has long advocated. Such an outcome could undermine the integrity of the ROK-U.S. alliance, especially if Washington bypasses Seoul in negotiations and reaches an agreement with Pyongyang without prior consultation. Given the sensitive nature of these discussions, it is critical that South Korea remains proactive in its diplomatic efforts to shape Washington's approach to the North.

The instability surrounding Yoon’s impeachment and the temporary power vacuum at the top of the South Korean government have left the nation’s security and diplomatic strategies vulnerable. With Han serving as acting president, the country’s ability to engage in robust summit diplomacy has been hindered. The absence of a fully functioning leadership at this crucial juncture could leave South Korea at a disadvantage in its dealings with the U.S. and other regional players, such as Japan. Han and other South Korean leaders must act decisively, prioritizing proactive diplomatic efforts with the incoming Trump administration to ensure that the South's security concerns remain at the forefront of the alliance.

Given the complex nature of the challenges ahead, South Korea must focus on fortifying its security relationships, both bilaterally with the United States and trilaterally with Japan. Strengthening military cooperation and enhancing defense capabilities should be a top priority, as should joint military exercises to bolster South Korea’s defense posture. The ROK-U.S. alliance remains the cornerstone of South Korea’s security strategy and ensuring its continued strength in the face of shifting U.S. policies will be critical.

Economic challenges weigh heavily on South Korea during this uncertain environment. The nation is already struggling with declining production, consumption, and investments, worsened by the political instability following the president's impeachment. The prospect of additional tariffs under a Trump administration adds another layer of concern, threatening to significantly impact South Korea's export-driven economy. As global economic conditions grow increasingly volatile, South Korean economic ministers are working urgently to stabilize financial markets and address potential risks. In this critical moment, cross-party collaboration on major economic measures, including the passage of an extra budget, has become essential to navigating the challenges ahead.

In light of the growing uncertainties, it is imperative that South Korea avoid the fate of other nations, such as France, which saw its credit rating downgraded by Moody’s due to prolonged political divisions. South Korea cannot afford similar setbacks at this juncture. Political leaders must come together to form a consultative body that addresses both the security and economic challenges facing the nation. Achieving political stability and presenting a unified approach to the U.S. and international relations will be crucial for South Korea to navigate these turbulent times successfully.

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but with strategic diplomacy, enhanced security cooperation, and economic stability, South Korea can tide over the turbulent waters of its relationship with the U.S. and ensure its place in the region’s future security and prosperity.

The Korea Times · December 16, 2024

12. Tough road ahead (South Korea)

Tough road ahead

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

Nation needs to be unified to brace for leadership vacuum

President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from his duties after the National Assembly approved a motion to impeach him for alleged treason on Saturday, a week after the initial attempt failed.

Yoon's fate now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which has pledged to deliberate the case swiftly and fairly.

However, a swift and fair impeachment trial may prove difficult due to the understaffed court. Currently, there are only six justices serving out of a nine-member bench, with three seats vacant due to partisan politics. This understaffing complicates the impeachment process, and in the worst-case scenario, Yoon's impeachment trial could take longer than expected, resulting in a prolonged leadership vacuum. Yoon is the third president to face an impeachment trial. Former President Roh Moo-hyun survived the process in 2004, with the court ruling in his favor 63 days after the impeachment motion was passed. In contrast, former President Park Geun-hye's trial took 91 days before the court ruled against her.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s role has become more critical than ever. Following the passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion, Han assumed the role of acting head of state on Saturday. He must demonstrate strong leadership to guide the nation back to stability, minimizing the fallout on the economy and national security.

Bipartisan cooperation is crucial for the success of South Korea's interim government. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) must collaborate closely with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to resolve the ongoing political turmoil. Partisan politics at this critical juncture will only lead to dire and irreversible consequences. In particular, the role of the DPK, as the largest party controlling the Assembly, is more important than ever. It must move beyond the practice of opposing for opposition's sake and transform into a responsible and trustworthy party. The nation's future depends on the actions it takes to restore stability and normalcy.

Another significant challenge for Han’s interim government is the fractured social fabric of the nation. The country is deeply divided, as evidenced by two massive rallies on Saturday — one in central Seoul and the other near the National Assembly in Yeouido. Protesters near the National Assembly rallied for Yoon’s impeachment, while demonstrators in central Seoul protested in defense of the president. The two groups were sharply polarized following the impeachment motion’s approval, with the pro-impeachment crowd cheering and the pro-Yoon crowd chanting for the purge of “North Korea followers.” These rallies are expected to continue until the Constitutional Court makes its ruling on Yoon’s fate. The interim government must ensure that both groups can exercise their freedoms of expression and assembly peacefully, without clashes. Failing to do so could lead to significant social unrest.

The uncertain future of Yoon’s impeachment is another risk Han’s interim government must navigate. The Constitutional Court typically consists of nine justices: three appointed by the president, three by the Supreme Court’s chief justice and three by the National Assembly. According to the law, the court can deliberate and rule on impeachment cases only when at least seven of the nine justices are present. With three seats currently vacant, the court has only six justices.

The vacancies stem from the retirement of three justices, including former Chief Justice Lee Jong-seok, whose successors have not yet been appointed due to partisan gridlock. The retired justices were appointed by the National Assembly. Therefore, the PPP and the DPK nominated one and two candidates, respectively, to fill three seats. To facilitate the impeachment trial, the rival parties plan to start holding confirmation hearings for the three candidates on Dec. 18. Once the hearings are completed, their appointment motions will be presented to the National Assembly for a vote. If the motions are approved, the president is supposed to appoint the new justices.

However, with Yoon suspended from office, the question arises: can the prime minister appoint them on behalf of the president? A similar issue arose in January 2017 during the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye, when the chief justice retired, leaving a seat vacant. The court proceeded with deliberations with eight justices despite the vacancy, as the DPK had rejected filling the position. The DPK argued that an acting president could not appoint a new justice, as their role was to maintain the status quo. If this precedent is applied now, the court will proceed with the remaining six justices, and all must agree on Yoon’s impeachment. Otherwise, the motion will be rejected.

Han’s interim government faces numerous challenges as it leads the nation through this uncertain period. Efficient leadership will be critical to navigating the risks and ensuring the country can successfully overcome these turbulent times.

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

13. N. Korea reports S. Korea's Yoon impeachment 2 days after parliamentary vote

Getting faster. But this is good. Democracy prevents tyranny. That is an important message for the Korean people in the north.

(Yoon impeachment) N. Korea reports S. Korea's Yoon impeachment 2 days after parliamentary vote | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state media on Monday reported on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, two days after South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon over his botched imposition of martial law earlier this month.

The National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday over his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, suspending his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office.

"The impeachment motion against the puppet Yoon Suk Yeol was approved in the puppet ROK on Saturday," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, using the acronym of South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"The puppet Constitutional Court will finally decide the impeachment," it said.

The KCNA reported in detail on the developments leading to the impeachment, including Yoon's public address last week defending the martial law decree as an act of governance and denying insurrection charges against him.

"It sparked off stronger rebuff and resentment of the political and public circles as the puppet shifted the responsibility for foolish emergency martial law declaration onto the opposition parties ... and insulted the struggle of the broad masses for impeachment as a 'sword dance of chaos,'" the KCNA said.

Noting that an initial impeachment motion against Yoon was scrapped as ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotted the move, the state media said the motion was ultimately passed as PPP members became "disillusioned with their party's despicable behavior."

The KCNA also reported that a handful of senior military and police personnel were detained and suspended from their duties amid a martial law probe, calling Yoon "the ringleader of rebellion."

A similar report was carried on the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper for its internal audience.

In 2016, the KCNA had carried a report on the impeachment of then President Park Geun-hye on the day the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against her.

The KCNA reported on Yoon's martial law imposition after remaining silent for about a week.

Protesters gather near the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2024, celebrating the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

14. S. Korea earmarks additional 1 tln won to upgrade F-15K fighters

S. Korea earmarks additional 1 tln won to upgrade F-15K fighters | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The government has approved a plan to spend more than 1 trillion won (US$696 million) than initially planned to upgrade its F-15K fighter fleets in deployment since 2005, the state arms procurement agency said Monday.

The Defense Project Promotion Committee passed four agenda items, including a 4.56 trillion-won project to strengthen the mission capabilities and survivability of the F-15K jets by upgrading key avionic equipment through 2037, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

Under the project, DAPA plans to replace the current F-15K's aging radar system with the advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, expand the memory size of mission computers and upgrade the jet's electronic warfare system to a completely automatic system.

The approved amount is bigger than the 3.46 trillion won the committee allocated in a December 2022 meeting.

DAPA attributed the increase to a global rise in the cost of materials and maintenance fees amid a restructuring of supply chains.

Also among the projects that were approved in Monday's meeting were a 661.5 billion-won project to develop homegrown short-range air-to-air missiles to be fitted on the KF-21 fighter and a 807.6 billion-won project to upgrade six 1,800-ton submarines.

This undated file photo, provided by the Air Force, shows the F-15K fighter. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · December 16, 2024

15. Samsung and TSMC locked in intense 2nm chip competition

Samsung and TSMC locked in intense 2nm chip competition

https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2024/12/16/SMAOH7NISJAZXBL7LFX3BX2YVU/

TSMC kicks off 2nm trial production in April while Samsung targets early next year

By Hwang Min-gyu,

Kim Mi-geon

Published 2024.12.16. 11:25

The world’s top two foundry leaders, TSMC (left) and Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek Campus (right). /EPA-Yonhap News, Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) are locked in a fierce competition to secure clients for their upcoming 2-nanometer (nm) foundry processes, both set to enter mass production next year. The transition to 2nm technology introduces a new transistor structure, significantly increasing development and design challenges, with initial yield rates during testing expected to play a pivotal role in shaping market leadership.

TSMC appears to hold the upper hand in development, having announced a detailed test production timeline while aggressively expanding its production capacity. Apple, one of TSMC’s largest clients, is widely anticipated to receive the first 2nm chips, with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Nvidia reportedly next in line. Samsung Electronics, meanwhile, has recently begun collaborations with its first 2nm process client. Han Jin-man, who assumed leadership of Samsung’s foundry division this year, has vowed to deliver groundbreaking improvements in yield rates.

Industry sources reported on Dec. 16 that TSMC plans to initiate trial production of its 2nm foundry process in April. Through its multi-project wafer (MPW) service, TSMC will allow fabless semiconductor companies to conduct test production of 2nm chips, with full-scale mass production expected in the second half of the year. Many industry experts predict Apple’s iPhones will house the first mass-produced 2nm chips. Samsung Electronics has similarly outlined plans to begin test production in the first half of next year, with full mass production targeted for the fourth quarter.

The shift to 2nm technology marks a significant overhaul of transistor structures, resulting in higher development costs and increased design complexity. This process demands precise bonding techniques, improved wafer flatness, and advancements in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology. Additionally, much of the equipment used for 3nm production must be replaced or reconfigured. TSMC has reportedly set the price of its 2nm wafers at $30,000 per unit, double the cost of its 4nm and 5nm wafers.

TSMC Chairman Mark Liu recently remarked, “Customer demand for 2nm technology has exceeded expectations, surpassing demand for 3nm.” Liu added that the company is actively scaling up production capacity. TSMC aims to produce an average of 50,000 wafers per month for its 2nm process, underscoring its ambition to dominate the market early.

Samsung Electronics, determined to recover from setbacks experienced with its 3nm gate-all-around (GAA) process, is focusing on technological innovation and strategic partnerships under Han Jin-man’s leadership. Efforts include improving production efficiency and enhancing market positioning to strengthen its foothold in the 2nm race.

In preparation for 2nm production, Samsung began installing equipment at its S3 foundry line in Hwaseong during the fourth quarter of this year. The existing 3nm line, which currently produces around 15,000 12-inch wafers per month, is being converted to accommodate 2nm manufacturing. The company plans to commence test production for key clients in the first quarter of next year.

Earlier this year, Samsung secured a contract to produce 2nm-based artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators for Japan’s leading AI startup, Preferred Networks (PFN). Alongside manufacturing the accelerators, Samsung will offer its advanced 2.5D (I-Cube S) packaging technology, which integrates multiple chips into a single package, enhancing transmission speeds while reducing package size. PFN, supported by major investors including Toyota, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), and FANUC, has emerged as a prominent player in Japan’s AI landscape.

#Samsung

Samsung Electronics

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

Phone: 202-573-8647

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com

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

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

Access NSS HERE

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