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Quotes of the Day:
"A soldier doesn't fight because he hates what’s in front of him; he fights because he loves what’s behind him."
– G.K. Chesterton
"In war, as in love, to bring matters to a close, you must get close."
– Bonaparte
"What is love? Love is the absence of judgment."
– The Dalai Lama
1. North Korea rights groups fear their collapse after Musk pushes US funding cuts
2. US general warns North Korea’s new ICBM could overwhelm country’s defenses
3. Seung Whan Choi: Can President Donald Trump persuade North Korea to return to the negotiating table?
4. North Korea slams South’s acting government for driving military ‘confrontation’
5. Trump’s Korea Strategy: How Washington Is Navigating South Korea’s Political Turmoil
6. US Commander Warns of China, Russia, North Korea ‘Troublemakers’
7. N. Korea bristles at deepening S. Korea-U.S. alliance under South's acting leadership
8. Man nabbed while trying to raid Chinese Embassy in Seoul (Dressed as Captain America)
9. Editorial: Lee Jae-myung's policy flip-flops are too drastic and frequent
10. US Secretary of Defense: “China’s deterrence cannot be done by the US alone… We will continue to cooperate with Korea, Japan, etc.”
11. Chung Eui-sun meets with Donald Trump Jr. for 2 hours
12. Lessons from Trump, Musk (A view from South Korea)
13. “News of North Russian Troop Deployment Spreads Through WeChat in China”
14. More than 40 percent of experts predict South Korea will go nuclear within a decade, survey finds
15. ＜Inside N. Korea＞ Kim Jong-un Harshly Condemns Official Entertainment as "Mega Crime" - Private Restaurant Rooms Shut Down in Hyesan, Citizens React with Skepticism
1. North Korea rights groups fear their collapse after Musk pushes US funding cuts
I guess we at the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the North Korean Young Leaders Assembly are lucky that we have never been dependent on funding from NED or other government funding. I guess it is a good thing that they have snubbed our requests for funding support while they provided it to all these foreign groups. (though HRNK did receive some very helpful funding from the Obama administration and the first Trump Administration but none at all from the Biden Administration - and we would like to receive support again from State because we believe we are working to support US national security interests and American values).
But frankly speaking the problem if with grants from NED and DRL at State ANd DRG at USAID, etc is that no one is looking at a coherent strategy to achieve effects that support the Korean people in the north seeking change and solving the Korea question which supports US national security interests by putting the peninsula on a path to peace, stability, prosperity, unification, and then denuclearization. My 12 words: Unification first, then denuclearization; the path to unification is through human rights.
If I were advising the DOGE team I would recommend that one agency of the USG must harness all these capabilities to ensure campaigns are executed in support of a national strategy to protect the interests of the US through, with, and by upholding American values. (And yes I know the counterargument is that there are those who do not want the work of some organizations "tainted" by association with some of the others - but it is time for us to grow up and accept the reality that such attempts to keep them separate do not counter the criticism that will always come from our adversaries and critics. We would be better off synchronizing and orchestrating our activities rather than trying to prevent external criticism that will come regardless of how we organize our capabilities ).
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Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) - State Department: DRL promotes democratic governance, defends human rights, and works against authoritarian regimes’ oppression. Within the JIATF, DRL provides diplomatic expertise, legal frameworks, and international coordination for political warfare campaigns.
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National Endowment for Democracy (NED): NED supports civil society, independent media, and opposition movements resisting authoritarian rule. As part of the JIATF, NED will finance and empower grassroots organizations, ensuring non-military means of resistance remain viable.
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Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) - USAID: DRG works to enhance democratic resilience through electoral integrity, rule of law, and anti-corruption initiatives. Within the JIATF, DRG will support the governance aspects of resistance efforts and provide stabilization mechanisms post-regime change.
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Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) - State Department: IIP leads public diplomacy efforts to engage international audiences through strategic communications, digital engagement, and counter-disinformation initiatives. Within the JIATF, IIP will coordinate messaging strategies and public diplomacy efforts to counter adversarial narratives and strengthen democratic discourse.
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Army Special Forces (Green Berets) - USSOCOM: Special Forces are the U.S. military’s primary unconventional warfare experts. They will train, advise, and assist indigenous resistance forces, conduct direct action missions in denied environments, and integrate into political-military planning.
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Civil Affairs (CA) - USSOCOM: Civil Affairs units engage with local populations, build legitimacy, and shape operational environments through governance support. In the JIATF, CA will provide critical infrastructure expertise and assist in post-regime stabilization efforts.
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Psychological Operations (PSYOP) - USSOCOM: PSYOP forces conduct influence campaigns to counter adversary propaganda, galvanize resistance movements, and shape global narratives in favor of U.S. interests. Within the JIATF, they will execute strategic and tactical information warfare operations against the Dark Quad.
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Special Activities Division (SAD) - Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): SAD conducts covert action, paramilitary operations, and psychological warfare in denied areas. SAD's presence in the JIATF ensures clandestine intelligence collection, direct action capabilities, and influence operations are integrated into the broader strategy.
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Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA): These U.S. government-funded media organizations provide unbiased reporting, counter disinformation, and amplify the voices of resistance movements. As part of the JIATF, they will enhance information operations by exposing authoritarian corruption, highlighting democratic alternatives, and rallying international support.
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North Korea rights groups fear their collapse after Musk pushes US funding cuts
Trump administration’s freeze of NED funds deals a blow to DPRK human rights groups and could be gift for Kim Jong Un
https://www.nknews.org/2025/02/north-korea-rights-groups-fear-their-collapse-after-musk-pushes-us-funding-cuts/
Ifang Bremer February 14, 2025
Elon Musk (middle) inside the Oval Office with U.S. President Donald Trump | Image: The White House
The U.S. Treasury Department has frozen funds of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), NK News has learned, imperiling groups working to improve North Korean human rights. The freeze is the latest in a series of financial and political shifts which organizations say could decimate advocacy and aid work related to North Korea.
NED, a nonprofit that distributes grants from an annual congressional appropriation through the State Department’s budget, serves as a critical source of funding for many NGOs working on North Korean human rights.
The freeze comes after Elon Musk, tasked by President Donald Trump with cutting government spending under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), called NED an “evil organization” that “needs to be dissolved.”
“For the first time in our 41-year existence, we are unable to meet our obligations to our grantees. While NED was not directly impacted by the suspension of foreign aid, we have unfortunately been unable to access our previously approved funds,” the nonprofit wrote in a notice to grantees seen by NK News.
The organization told grantees that while it remains hopeful the situation will change, “once you run out of money, consider your NED grant agreement suspended.”
NED’s inability to access its funds comes just weeks after Washington suspended U.S. foreign assistance programs under the Department of State, another major source of funding for North Korean human rights work.
Joanna Hosaniak, deputy director general of the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, a group that has received NED grants, said that a continued freeze means that almost the entire field of North Korean human rights organizations “will be closing doors within the next few months.”
This includes “all human rights investigation and advocacy and support for the North Korean defectors community and refugees in third countries,” she told NK News.
Hanna Song, executive director of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB), another NED grantee, echoed these remarks.
“In the short term, I think a lot of small organizations will have to stop their operations. And that creates a long-term issue. For years, we’ve been trying to get more escapees to be at the forefront of the movement, to invest in a younger generation. That takes a lot of investment, and NED was really good at doing that.”
“It’s only in the past five or six years that NGOs have been able to offer even a modest salary. Even then, the pay was still low considering [employees’] education and skills. But it was enough to attract talent, and that’s what this movement deserves — smart, dedicated people who can solve an issue like North Korea,” Song said.
NED has not responded to NK News inquiries about the freeze or its future.
WHY RIGHTS GROUPS RELIED ON NED
For years, many North Korean human rights organizations have struggled to secure funding outside of NED, despite efforts to diversify.
Some groups have managed to fund their operations through other means. The Washington D.C.-based Committee for Human Rights in North Korea told NK News it had been operating exclusively on private funding for a few years now. But Seoul-based NGOs in particular have relied on NED for a range of reasons.
One issue is that many international grant programs prioritize countries where NGOs can operate on the ground. But for most North Korea-focused groups, this is impossible. “You can’t expect to have the same type of human rights programs that you do even in Syria, Myanmar, that you have in North Korea because we’re not on the ground,” Song said.
“So many times we try to apply for funding in other places, but since South Korea is not a developing country, we’re not eligible to apply. But the U.S. had people who understand the landscape, and it took a really long time for them to figure out their funding structure.”
A major challenge with South Korean government funding, Song added, is that it does not cover operational costs. “So they expect you to be able to do the activities without actually paying people,” she said.
Hosaniak agreed, saying that funding from individual donors and the South Korean government is insufficient to sustain operations.
“Support from individual donors is not even enough to cover rental fees for the office and utilities, and South Korean government funds do not allow spending money on salaries and office maintenance,” she said.
ROK-based rights groups’ domestic funding schemes are also under pressure in the wake of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment following his declaration of martial law.
Last month, the main opposition Democratic Party attempted to cut funding for DPRK human rights programs, while the Ministry of Unification abruptly canceled a seminar to discuss policy recommendations for increasing North Koreans’ access to information, as political turmoil continues to unfold in South Korea.
A GIFT TO KIM JONG UN?
The Trump administration’s decision to freeze funding used to promote democracy in authoritarian states has raised concerns that it could inadvertently benefit repressive regimes.
Hosaniak of Citizens Alliance called the freeze a prelude to the “forced closure of this critical civil society space,” which she argued “is a great gift to Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.”
Her concerns echoed those of human rights groups working on China, who have described the funding suspension as an unsolicited concession to the Chinese Communist Party.
However, some analysts argue that the move is primarily a domestic political decision rather than an intentional retreat from international human rights promotion.
Benjamin Engel, a visiting professor at Dankook University, told NK News that while the NED freeze could be perceived as benefiting China and North Korea, the Trump administration is cutting NED and the U.S. Agency for International Development funding because “they think it’s a ‘waste’ of American taxpayers’ money.”
“This is for the Republican base, which wants a retreat from U.S. internationalism and a refocus on domestic problems,” he explained, adding that while the freeze “has great consequences for U.S. foreign policy, it’s about domestic politics.”
All the while, the human rights situation in North Korea has continued to deteriorate. Earlier this month, U.N. human rights experts called on Pyongyang to clarify whether it executed two women forcibly repatriated from China.
And last year, the DPRK regime continued to enforce restrictive laws intended to deter citizens from accessing outside information and increase ideological control over the population. It also took more steps to seal its borders throughout the year, likely to prevent defections.
Edited by Alannah Hill
2. US general warns North Korea’s new ICBM could overwhelm country’s defenses
A scary thought. Some assess that our failure to take decisive action at the nuclear inflection point in 1994 against the emerging north Korean nuclear threat is responsible for the current north Korean nuclear capabilities. Many knew then , what is all to clear now that the north will cheat and violate every diplomatic agreement. The thinking is that had we destroyed their nuclear capabilities then that north Korea would not have been able to threaten the US now and likely would not have survived the Arduous March of 1994-1996. The peninsula would be a completely different geostrategic situation today.
So is 2025 now a new inflection point? Is there strategic thinking taking place in Washington (and at STRATCOM) that says we cannot allow the regime to have an ICBM capability that can overwhelm US defenses. We need to ask the proverbial question: "What do you do now, Lieutenant?"
Kim Jong Un is sitting in Pyongyang and reading the remarks of US leaders and thinking, my political warfare and blackmail diplomacy strategies are working. Do we understand the nature, objectives, and strategy of the Kim family regime?
US general warns North Korea’s new ICBM could overwhelm country’s defenses
Official added Kim Jong Un appears keen to advance weapons programs while also expressing concern about Russia-DPRK ties
https://www.nknews.org/2025/02/us-general-warns-north-koreas-new-icbm-could-overwhelm-countrys-defenses/
Shreyas Reddy February 14, 2025
A Hwasong-19 solid-fuel ICBM launched on Oct. 31 | Image: KCNA (Nov. 1, 2024)
A senior U.S. military commander has warned that North Korea’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) could pose a direct threat to the U.S. mainland and overwhelm its defenses, marking a significant advancement in Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons capabilities.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command chief Gen. Gregory Guillot stated that North Korea’s Hwasong-19 missile, first tested in October, can potentially deliver a nuclear payload to targets across North America.
He added that the missile’s solid-propellant design greatly shortens launch preparation time, potentially negating the effectiveness of the U.S.’ early warning systems.
Citing DPRK state media rhetoric surrounding the new ICBM, the general noted that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears keen to advance the regime’s strategic weapons programs from research and development to serial production and deployment.
He warned that this shift could enable North Korea to rapidly expand its inventory in the coming years, and potentially prove to be a challenge for USNORTHCOM’s existing ballistic missile defense capacity.
After the Hwasong-19’s debut, Kim hailed the new ICBM, which has the longest range of any North Korean missile so far, as “the primary core weapon for defending the DPRK” and deterring “acts of aggression” from the country’s enemies.
“Provocations by the U.S. and South Korean puppet forces, along with reckless threats targeting our government, pose serious threats to our nation’s sovereignty and security,” he said at the time, while reiterating the need to “continuously enhance” North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
During Thursday’s testimony, Guillot also delivered a broader warning that Washington’s main adversaries could inadvertently exacerbate geopolitical tensions as they strive to assert their influence.
“While the PRC, Russia, North Korea and Iran each seek to avoid armed conflict with the United States, their misperception of a Western decline fosters a growing willingness to challenge the United States on the global stage and increases the risk of miscalculation in a crisis,” he told the committee.
Guillot expressed particular concern about North Korea’s deepening military cooperation with Russia amid the Ukraine war, highlighting the interconnected nature of these global threats.
“North Korea’s willingness to risk its own troops in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine demonstrates the lengths to which these partners are willing to go to advance their strategic positions,” he stated.
“It also raises concerning questions about the quid pro quo that Moscow may offer in return, potentially including expertise that could accelerate Pyongyang’s development of advanced strategic weapons.”
Guillot’s remarks reinforce concerns from Washington and its allies about the growing closeness between Russia and North Korea since their leaders established a formal military alliance last year.
North Korea has since been observed deploying more than 10,000 troops to support Russia’s war efforts, in addition to regular supplies of artillery and missiles, although neither country has admitted to this assistance.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and other countries have repeatedly expressed concern that Russia may be repaying Pyongyang’s support with prohibited military technologies and technical expertise for its weapons programs, including for space and drone development.
The USNORTHCOM commander also highlighted the more localized threat in the Korean Peninsula, warning that Pyongyang’s decision in Dec. 2023 to abandon long-held inter-Korean policies could increase the risk of conflict amid growing regional tensions.
“Kim Jong Un’s public abandonment of peaceful reunification as a national goal and growing assertiveness on the global stage risks sparking renewed conflict on the Korean Peninsula after more than seven decades of uneasy Armistice,” he stated.
Edited by Alannah Hill
3. Seung Whan Choi: Can President Donald Trump persuade North Korea to return to the negotiating table?
There are only two conditions that will cause Kim to come to the table.
1) Massive political and economic concessions from the US.
2) Kim's assessment that he will be successful in his political warfare and blackmail diplomacy strategies that will allow him to continue to coerce the US and the ROK and that such negotiations will lead to the withdrawal of US forces (which is a key supporting objective to his long term strategy to dominate the peninsula under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State to ensure survival of the Kim family regime)..
Seung Whan Choi: Can President Donald Trump persuade North Korea to return to the negotiating table?
Chicago Tribune · by Seung-Whan Choi · February 4, 2025
During a recent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, President Donald Trump stated that he would reach out to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again in his second term to mitigate security threats.
This was not the first time Trump expressed his intention to reopen diplomacy with North Korea since taking office. On his first day in office, he notably referred to North Korea as a nuclear power for the first time. By acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, Trump appeared hopeful that Kim Jong Un would be willing to engage in talks with him once more.
This may be wishful thinking on Trump’s part.
While Trump’s remarks may have pleased Kim, they are unlikely to be enough to change Kim’s stance. Kim Jong Un stated last November, “We have exhausted all our diplomatic options to create peace with the U.S.,” and declared that there would be no new summit meetings with any American president.
More importantly, with Putin now aligned with him, Kim Jong Un feels less need for a security guarantee from Trump than he did before and will not seek Trump’s recognition of his country’s nuclear capabilities.
Last June, Kim Jong Un established a mutual defense pact, which guarantees Russia’s military assistance if North Korea faces armed aggression. In accordance with this pact, Kim deployed his special forces to the Kursk region in Russia. He is assisting Vladimir Putin in countering the Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory, and in return, Kim Jong Un expects similar support from Putin.
Trump has often stated that he has a strong relationship with Kim, believing that this connection will help prevent military provocations from North Korea. However, Trump’s friendship with Kim Jong Un alone will unlikely change Kim’s aggressive behavior. For instance, shortly after Trump’s interview with Fox News, Kim Jong Un conducted tests of sea-to-surface strategic cruise missiles, signaling a hardline stance against Washington, D.C.
To bring Kim Jong Un back to the negotiating table, Trump must provide what Putin’s support for the Kim regime lacks. Unlike before, Kim Jong Un would prefer receiving economic assistance from Trump rather than security guarantees, as North Korea’s economy is in dire straits. Kim Jong Un understands that the U.S. is an economic powerhouse, while Russia cannot offer the same level of economic aid.
The U.S. has successfully helped many impoverished and nondemocratic countries, such as China, Vietnam and Singapore, develop their economies. Therefore, if the U.S. assists North Koreans in overcoming poverty, Kim Jong Un would greatly appreciate Trump’s efforts.
The good news is that Trump does not need to spend American tax dollars to show goodwill toward North Korea’s supreme leader. He can let South Korea, the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 12th largest in the world as of 2024, assist on behalf of the U.S.
In the early 2000s, the U.S. did not oppose economic cooperation between North and South Korea. South Korea was authorized to establish the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ), a special administrative region in North Korea. Located just 6 miles north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone and an hour’s drive from Seoul, the KIZ had direct road and rail access to the South.
At the KIZ, South Korean companies produced manufactured goods by employing North Korean laborers who were well-educated, skilled and fluent in Korean. In exchange, North Koreans were paid in U.S. dollars, which provided the Kim Jong Un regime with the world’s principal reserve currency.
The KIZ operated from 2004 to 2016. Former progressive President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000, sought America’s support for creating the KIZ. The U.S. was convinced the KIZ would foster reconciliation and peace on the Korean peninsula. At the same time, President Kim Dae Jung persuaded former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the father of Kim Jong Un, to establish the KIZ.
However, former conservative President Park Geun-hye unilaterally closed the KIZ after condemning Kim Jong Un for his ongoing military provocations, including a spy satellite launch and a conducting a hydrogen bomb test. The U.S. did not explicitly oppose Park’s unilateral decision.
In 2017, former progressive President Moon Jae-in, a mediator between Trump and Kim Jong Un from 2018 to 2020, expressed interest in reopening and expanding the KIZ. However, he faced strong objections from the U.S.
If Trump persuades the two Koreas to reopen the KIZ, Kim Jong Un will view it as the start of a new chapter in diplomatic relations with the U.S. All Trump needs to do is give the green light. Once the Koreas receive his approval, they will utilize their financial and material resources to restart their economic cooperation.
Trump should ensure that all manufactured goods produced by South Korean companies at the KIZ are classified as made-in-Korea products. In the past, the U.S. did not guarantee this for South Korea. As a result, South Korean companies could not benefit from exporting KIZ products because they could not take advantage of the preferential low tariffs offered by the U.S.
If Trump officially declares KIZ products as made-in-Korea, it would further encourage South Korea to enhance its economic interactions with the North, thereby prompting the latter to promote peaceful coexistence with the former.
Most importantly, Kim Jong Un would perceive Trump as sincerely intending to improve relations between Pyongyang and Washington, D.C.
Seung-Whan Choi teaches Korean politics and International Relations at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A retired Army officer, he is the author of four books and 54 journal articles. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Chicago Tribune · by Seung-Whan Choi · February 4, 2025
4. North Korea slams South’s acting government for driving military ‘confrontation’
The regime doth protest too much. And it is a mirror imaging. It is the one with the hostile policy toward the South and the ROK US alliance and they of course spoon routine defense readiness exercises into a threat that it uses to support blackmail diplomacy as well as for "threat externalization" for use in justifying the prioritization of it s military capabilities that results in suffering and sacrifice of the Korean people in the north.
North Korea slams South’s acting government for driving military ‘confrontation’
State media blasted Seoul's plans to introduce drones to take out DPRK armored units as well as joint US-ROK exercises
https://www.nknews.org/2025/02/north-korea-slams-souths-acting-government-for-driving-military-confrontation/
Shreyas Reddy February 14, 2025
A U.S. MH-60R Seahawk helicopter | Image: U.S. Navy (June 16, 2011)
North Korea accused South Korea’s acting administration of escalating inter-Korean military confrontation amid ongoing political turmoil in the country, while justifying its own military development as a necessary response to Seoul’s arms buildup and military cooperation with the U.S.
The state-owned Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Friday criticized South Korea’s recent acquisition of MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters from the U.S. as an effort to boost attack capabilities against DPRK submarines and other vessels.
The agency also condemned the ROK military’s plans to introduce new “special operation” attack and reconnaissance drones designed to take out North Korean armored units, as well as the introduction of a new naval task fleet command aimed at deterring DPRK nuclear and missile threats.
In addition to the military buildup, KCNA took umbrage with the “confrontational reckless remarks” of members of South Korea’s acting government, who took charge after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol as he faces trial over his declaration of martial law in early December.
“In January alone, riff-raffs acting for the arrested former bosses were busy visiting units of the puppet army to let loose such reckless remarks as ‘punishment by overwhelming force’ and ‘heavy price’ that put even the predecessors into the shade,” the agency wrote.
KCNA also criticized the “clear-cut anti-DPRK confrontational nature” of Seoul’s defense ministry’s 2025 work plan, particularly its plans to increase the number of field exercises including large-scale joint exercises with the U.S., despite the document scaling back language targeting North Korea.
As South Korea grapples with political and social turmoil in the wake of Yoon’s impeachment, Pyongyang’s latest condemnation adopted a familiar tactic of condemning the U.S. as the force behind Seoul’s “confrontation moves” against the DPRK.
“With the great political confusion in the puppet ROK by Yoon Suk-yeol’s announcement of the emergency martial law, the U.S. authorities vied with each other to remark that mutual military cooperation is still strongly maintained and it will last beyond the present government and that the ROK is an important partner of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region,” the commentary said.
State media typically portrays military cooperation between Seoul and Washington as a precursor to an attack against North Korea, although the U.S. and ROK consistently maintain that their military cooperation and exercises are purely defensive in nature.
On Friday, KCNA similarly accused new U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and South Korea’s acting defense minister Kim Seon-ho of trying to “incite confrontation with the DPRK” under the pretext of countering its nuclear and missile threats, following the two officials’ first call in late January.
“The U.S. should directly look at its rival and the change of the world and stop such foolish acts as burning itself with the fire it has set,” the statement said.
Accusing Washington of using South Korea as a “shock brigade” in its pursuit of “hegemony” KCNA concluded with a warning that North Korea will continue strengthening its defense capabilities to counter its “immutable archenemies.”
Edited by Alannah Hill
5. Trump’s Korea Strategy: How Washington Is Navigating South Korea’s Political Turmoil
Excellent analysis and sound advice from Bruce Klingner as always. I would just add that a complicating factor is China's and north Korea's subversive activities in the South which cannot be ignored. The Chinese threat is playing out on the Korean peninsula and it is a focal point for US-PRC strategic competition.
But like Bruce, I am bullish on ROK democracy and I agree that the alliance has weathered many storms and can weather this one.
Excerpts:
Sometimes lost in U.S. observations of Korea from afar are two foundational premises. First, that while the current situation in Seoul is tumultuous and uncertain, it reflects that democratization has firmly taken hold in the country. South Korea is still a relatively young democracy with only 40 years of free elections after decades of authoritarian regimes, coups, and violent protests. Koreans are fiercely proud of what they have achieved, and the current crisis shows that the constitutional system has and will prevail against even strong challenges.
Second, the U.S.-South Korean relationship has gone through thick and thin, from an alliance forged in blood during the crucible of war to being regional and global partners in an array of security, economic, and diplomatic realms. Even during times of bilateral tension and policy differences, the two countries remained aligned in their strategic interests. That remains true today. Despite changes in leadership, Washington and Seoul must work closely together and with regional partners to address common threats, challenges, and opportunities.
Trump’s Korea Strategy: How Washington Is Navigating South Korea’s Political Turmoil
19fortyfive.com · by Bruce Klingner · February 13, 2025
South Korea’s political turmoil of martial law, impeachments, and vitriolic attacks among its political parties has entered its third month—and it’s likely that several more turbulent months lie ahead before any resolution is reached.
Even after the South Korean courts or populace eventually determine the country’s presidency, the divisive polarization and rampant conspiracy theories unleashed by the events of the last few months will hinder, if not preclude, reconciliation.
South Korea’s political upheaval is particularly ill-timed given the dire Indo-Pacific security environment and the change of leadership in the United States. As the two major South Korean political parties jockey for advantage, both worry about their country being ignored or even targeted by new U.S. tariffs or troop reductions. Seoul is hindered in establishing a relationship with the Trump administration by having an unelected acting president and the potential for a new-term change in South Korean leadership with vastly different policy priorities from its predecessor.
South Korea’s political parties are appealing to Washington for support, but any perception of picking sides or interference in domestic affairs could trigger a resurgence of anti-Americanism which periodically embroils the bilateral relationship. Washington must establish close relations with political parties across the spectrum while concurrently articulating U.S. policy priorities and strategic goals.
Seoul is trying to ascertain the new Trump administration’s policies, but the lack of details has led it to overinterpret some official statements. President Donald Trump’s and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s comments that North Korea was a “nuclear power” were assessed as reflecting the U.S. abandonment of denuclearization as a North Korean policy goal, which would be a major policy shift.
However, that was almost certainly not the case. One can correctly assess that North Korea has nuclear weapons while still not formally accepting or diplomatically acknowledging North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.
Denuclearizing North Korea is not only long-standing U.S. policy but also the legal requirement of 11 UN Security Council Resolutions and U.S. legislation (e.g. the North Korea Policy Oversight Act of 2022). It is also consistent with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Subsequent statements by the National Security Council spokesman and an unidentified official prior to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s visit to Washington affirmed that U.S. policy remains constant in seeking the eventual denuclearization of North Korea. While foreign observers should exercise caution and patience as they await U.S. policy details, U.S. officials must be careful and cognizant that even perceived shifts in nuances can have significant repercussions.
Secretary Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have since emphasized the importance of America’s Indo-Pacific allies, even using the traditional monickers of Japan and South Korea as, respectively, the “cornerstone” and “linchpin” of U.S. security in the Indo-Pacific. In the months ahead, U.S. allies will be hoping for even greater reassurance of America’s commitment to defending its interests in the Indo-Pacific and confronting the Chinese Communist Party.
For example, South Korean officials and legislators have expressed concern about “Korea passing,” referring to past instances when Washington appeared to negotiate issues that impacted Korea’s core interests without being included. A primary goal of the George W. Bush administration’s Six Party Talks was to address previous Korean complaints of the U.S. “negotiating our security over our heads.” The Trump administration should work closely with Seoul and Tokyo as it defines its own new strategic approach to China, North Korea, and other Indo-Pacific challenges.
During its short tenure, the Trump administration has rapidly moved out on domestic and some foreign policy issues, though not yet on the Indo-Pacific, which it deemed to be its regional priority. While the multi-faceted China threat will garner the greatest attention, northeast Asia cannot be ignored since it harbors both a significant security threat to U.S. strategic interests and the American homeland as well as two critically important allies. South Korea and Japan are not only stalwart security partners against regional threats, but also important collaborators on economic security and supply chain issues.
Former President of the United States Donald Trump speaking with attendees at the 2023 Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. By Gage Skidmore.
Sometimes lost in U.S. observations of Korea from afar are two foundational premises. First, that while the current situation in Seoul is tumultuous and uncertain, it reflects that democratization has firmly taken hold in the country. South Korea is still a relatively young democracy with only 40 years of free elections after decades of authoritarian regimes, coups, and violent protests. Koreans are fiercely proud of what they have achieved, and the current crisis shows that the constitutional system has and will prevail against even strong challenges.
Second, the U.S.-South Korean relationship has gone through thick and thin, from an alliance forged in blood during the crucible of war to being regional and global partners in an array of security, economic, and diplomatic realms. Even during times of bilateral tension and policy differences, the two countries remained aligned in their strategic interests. That remains true today. Despite changes in leadership, Washington and Seoul must work closely together and with regional partners to address common threats, challenges, and opportunities.
About the Author: Bruce Klingner
Bruce Klingner is senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation. He previously served 20 years in the U.S. Intelligence Community, including as CIA’s deputy division chief for Korea.
19fortyfive.com · by Bruce Klingner · February 13, 2025
6. US Commander Warns of China, Russia, North Korea ‘Troublemakers’
The three Amigos: Xi, Putin, and Kim, are three troublemakers. A triangle of troubmakers.
US Commander Warns of China, Russia, North Korea ‘Troublemakers’
Admiral Samuel Paparo in 2024.Photographer: Marco Garcia/AFP/Getty Images
By Katrina Manson
February 13, 2025 at 8:50 PM EST.
China, Russia and North Korea have formed a “triangle of troublemakers” that threatens to transform the Pacific region, a senior US commander has warned, even as President Donald Trump seeks warmer ties with two of those adversaries.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of Indo-Pacific Command, said the three countries have carried out joint naval exercises of increasing sophistication, alongside technology transfers and greater diplomatic cooperation. That threatens to transform the Pacific from free and open to controlled and contested, he said.
“We witness an emerging axis of autocracy,” Paparo told the Honolulu Defense Forum on Thursday. He said the US sees coordination between the three countries in everything from joint bomber patrols to shared anti-satellite capabilities and advanced submarine technologies.
The US maintains what Paparo called “a generational advantage” in submarine technology, but he said Russia has continued to transfer submarine technology into the Pacific for the past two years.
“They’re becoming more capable in the Pacific,” he said, adding that while Russia has yet to share its submarine quietening technology with China, it is building sensors on the seabed in the South China Sea and beyond in order to execute more robust anti-submarine warfare.
Paparo’s warnings offered a counterpoint to Trump, who is seeking closer ties with China and Russia and floated the idea Thursday of a three-way meeting after which the adversaries might agree to cut defense spending by half.
Read More: North Korea May Be Poised to Move ICBMs Into Production, US Says
Paparo has previously said he would like to respond to any Chinese military attempt to take Taiwan by turning the battlefield into a “hellscape” with unmanned aircraft, ships and other technology working in tandem. He said China was working hard on developing its ability to force the unification of Taiwan.
“It’s no longer training — it’s now rehearsal,” he said, referring to the growing number of Chinese brigades involved in military exercises, up from six brigades in 2022 to 42 brigades last year. The Chinese military’s increasingly complex multi-domain operations demonstrate clear intent and improving capability, he added.
China’s embassy in Washington didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
By contrast, he painted a stark picture of what he framed as deficient US military supplies, arguing US opponents see such gaps and are “moving aggressively to exploit them”.
“Our magazines run low, our maintenance backlogs grow longer each month,” he said, adding precision-guided munition stockpiles sit well below required levels.
China has also upped the pace of exercises around Taiwan to such an extent it could also prove hard for the US to determine when it had launched an attack.
Admiral Paparo, who this month hosted an artificial intelligence summit attended by defense-tech companies and researchers, said adopting AI could help the US “suss out that kind of warning.”
“I intend for us to lead the way in AI adoption with the best AI tools,” he said, adding he wanted to “profoundly add” to the number of unmanned systems – such as seabed mines, underwater drones, flying drones and loitering munitions – fielded in the Taiwan Strait but also beyond.
Follow all new stories by Katrina Manson
7. N. Korea bristles at deepening S. Korea-U.S. alliance under South's acting leadership
Good news on a number of levels here.
N. Korea bristles at deepening S. Korea-U.S. alliance under South's acting leadership | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · February 14, 2025
SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Friday accused South Korea and the United States of deepening their alliance against its regime even under Seoul's acting leadership, warning it cannot sit idly by amid their "recklessness."
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited the South Korean Navy's recent adoption of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and the launch earlier this month of the Navy Task Fleet Command, as it denounced the South's military in a commentary of escalating confrontational plots against Pyongyang.
"Even as the incumbent president became an accused and political chaos ensued due to the subsequent dogfight to seize the power and cling to the remaining authority, the puppet military is adamantly sticking to confrontational plots targeting us," the KCNA said.
The news outlet claimed the U.S. has apparently been behind such moves, describing South Korea as a servant of a declining family, forced to submit to its master, the U.S., which demands its role as "storm troops" for Washington's hegemonic ambitions.
North Korea urged the U.S. to "face up" to its counterpart and the shifting world in order to stop its self-immolation.
The KCNA also warned that such behavior demonstrates that "our firm position to thoroughly subdue and crush (the enemy) with powerful military forces has been justifiable."
The new 8,200-ton Jeongjo the Great destroyer, equipped with the latest Aegis combat system, docks at a naval base on the southern resort island of Jeju on Feb. 1, 2025, in this photo released the following day. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · February 14, 2025
8. Man nabbed while trying to raid Chinese Embassy in Seoul (Dressed as Captain America)
Wow. You cannot make this stuff up. Strategic competition between the US and PRC is playing out in South Korea. This Korean has chosen sides. (note my half attempt humor)
See photo at the lnk: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250214010200320
Man nabbed while trying to raid Chinese Embassy in Seoul | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Sang-soo · February 14, 2025
SEOUL, Feb. 14 (Yonhap) -- Police on Friday arrested a man who tried to rush through the gate of the Chinese Embassy in central Seoul as he reportedly attempted to "attack" the building.
According to the police, the 40-something man, surnamed Ahn, attempted to get inside the Chinese embassy building at 7:36 p.m. without permission.
Wearing Captain America's most iconic costume, the man also appeared at the building of the state human rights watchdog in Seoul earlier this week.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea's (NHRCK) adopted Monday a controversial recommendation to guarantee President Yoon Suk Yeol's right to defense during his ongoing impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court.
A man wearing Captain America's iconic costume shows up at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea's buildings on Feb. 10, 2025. (Yonhap)
sam@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Park Sang-soo · February 14, 2025
9. Editorial: Lee Jae-myung's policy flip-flops are too drastic and frequent
To answer the question in the last sentence, given his ties to China and north Korea, he is a dangerous one.
Excerpts:
However, when his shift to pragmatism failed to generate support from centrist voters, Lee quickly reverted to his original stance. Instead of winning over skeptical moderates, he alienated his core base, including the party’s hardliners and labor unions, such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. He swiftly pivoted back to familiar rhetoric, reintroducing proposals for a four-day workweek and a “basic society” framework while attaching conditions to the Special Semiconductor Act, effectively backtracking on his recent statements. Lee’s recent actions suggest that his abrupt shifts in stance have nothing to do with actual change of thought but are simply political maneuvers designed to navigate political crises.
Politicians often adjust their rhetoric in response to changing circumstances, but in Lee’s case, the policy flip-flops have been too drastic and frequent. Many were skeptical when he suggested abandoning the cash handout plan, but few expected him to take back that statement so quickly. Lee recently said, “When I said I admired Park Geun-hye, people actually thought I meant it.” His remark underscores a broader concern: what kind of politician is Lee Jae-myung, really?
Editorial: Lee Jae-myung's policy flip-flops are too drastic and frequent
https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/02/14/VTVC4LYODNH3DOVKWGJZIKNWCU/
By The Chosunilbo
Published 2025.02.14. 09:13
Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung at a National Assembly plenary session on Feb. 13, 2025. / News1
The Democratic Party of Korea proposed a 35 trillion won ($25 billion) supplementary budget on Feb. 13, with 13 trillion won allocated to providing cash handouts, 250,000 won per person, to the entire population. Previously, on Jan. 31, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said that if the National Assembly cannot pass the extra budget because of the cash handout plan, the party will scrap the plan altogether. The announcement was seen as Lee attempting to distance himself from what had been criticized as a “populist” election pledge.
Some interpreted this as a move toward economic pragmatism, signaling a shift from distribution-focused policies to a more growth-oriented approach. However, this change in position lasted less than two weeks before he reversed course.
In his New Year’s press conference, Lee implied that he would reassess his basic income policy pledge, claiming that “Creating wealth is more important than redistributing it.” He also hinted at allowing exceptions to the 52-hour workweek for the semiconductor sector. His remarks seemed aimed at appealing to centrist voters, particularly as the Democratic Party’s support among moderates declined in response to the party’s apparent high-handed approach following the martial law incident.
However, when his shift to pragmatism failed to generate support from centrist voters, Lee quickly reverted to his original stance. Instead of winning over skeptical moderates, he alienated his core base, including the party’s hardliners and labor unions, such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. He swiftly pivoted back to familiar rhetoric, reintroducing proposals for a four-day workweek and a “basic society” framework while attaching conditions to the Special Semiconductor Act, effectively backtracking on his recent statements. Lee’s recent actions suggest that his abrupt shifts in stance have nothing to do with actual change of thought but are simply political maneuvers designed to navigate political crises.
Politicians often adjust their rhetoric in response to changing circumstances, but in Lee’s case, the policy flip-flops have been too drastic and frequent. Many were skeptical when he suggested abandoning the cash handout plan, but few expected him to take back that statement so quickly. Lee recently said, “When I said I admired Park Geun-hye, people actually thought I meant it.” His remark underscores a broader concern: what kind of politician is Lee Jae-myung, really?
10. US Secretary of Defense: “China’s deterrence cannot be done by the US alone… We will continue to cooperate with Korea, Japan, etc.”
Very important words from the SECDEF. We need our silk web of alliances.
This a very important report (it is a Google translation from Korean). This is VOA doing its job. It is reporting on American policy to foreign audiences. It is important to US national security that our allies and adversaries hear this message. This message is not being transmitted by the mainstream press (and of course the mainstream press does not broadcast to foreign countries in native languages. ). So without VOA (RFE/RL, RFA, etc.) these important messages that support US national security and achieve information effects would not be possible. This Is just one example to counter the arguments of those who think VOA, et. al., should be disbanded. We must not allow that to happen.
US Secretary of Defense: “China’s deterrence cannot be done by the US alone… We will continue to cooperate with Korea, Japan, etc.”
2025.2.14
The U.S. Secretary of Defense reaffirmed his commitment to working with regional allies, including South Korea, to counter China’s threat. He stressed that the U.S. cannot and will not do so alone. Reporter Ahn So-young reports.
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US Secretary of Defense: “China’s deterrence cannot be done by the US alone… We will continue to cooperate with Korea, Japan, etc.”
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear on the 13th that the US will continue to work with regional allies including South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines to deter China.
[Recording: Secretary of Defense Hegseth] “That's why a lot of my first phone calls as Secretary of Defense were to Pacific allies to Australia, to Japan, to South Korea, to the Philippines and others and will continue because that just as this alliance in Europe is critical, working by and through allies and partners in that region who understand the reality of the ascendant Chinese threat will be critical. It can’t be America alone it won’t be America alone if we are to deter that.”
Defense Minister Hegseth responded to a question at a press conference held after the NATO Defense Ministers' Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on the same day, saying, "Just as this alliance (NATO) in Europe is important, it is also very important to work with allies and partners in the (Indo-Pacific) region who understand the reality of the growing threat from China."
Minister Hegseth said that his first phone calls after taking office as Minister of Defense were to allies including Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
He also emphasized, “To deter this (China’s threat), the United States cannot do it alone, and it will not do it alone.”
“Only the US can lead the deterrence effect in the Indian Ocean”
“Deterrence effectiveness in the (Indo) Pacific region must be led by the United States,” Defense Minister Hegseth said, urging European countries and NATO allies to increase their financial contributions to security.
[Recording: Defense Minister Hegseth] “It also makes sense comparatively and geographically for the United States along with allies in the Pacific like Japan and South Korea and the Philippines and Australia and others to also invest in allies and partners and capabilities in the Pacific to project power there in service of deterrence. “That deterrent effect in the Pacific is one that really can only be led by the United States.”
In addition, regarding US President Donald Trump’s declaration of a strong relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Minister Hegseth explained, “We do not seek conflict with China, so President Trump maintains a good relationship with President Xi.”
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers that “what happens in the North Atlantic and Euro-Atlantic regions and what happens in the Indo-Pacific are interconnected.”
[Recording: Secretary General Rutte] “It also involves North Korea, China, Iran, so there is an interconnection now between what happens in the North Atlantic and in the Euro-Atlantic area on the one hand, but also in the Indo-Pacific on the other hand. And that means that all these theaters are getting intertwined.”
Secretary-General Rutte said that North Korea, China and Iran are also involved in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
This is Soyoung Ahn from VOA News.
11. Chung Eui-sun meets with Donald Trump Jr. for 2 hours
Chung Eui-sun meets with Donald Trump Jr. for 2 hours
donga.com
Posted February. 14, 2025 07:39,
Updated February. 14, 2025 07:39
Chung Eui-sun meets with Donald Trump Jr. for 2 hours. February. 14, 2025 07:39. by 김형민기자 kalssam35@donga.com.
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun met with Donald Trump Jr. (48), the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, at a U.S. Professional Golf Association (PGA) tournament. The two reportedly chatted for about two hours while watching the game.
Chung met with Trump Jr. on Thursday (local time) at a sideline event of the 2025 Genesis Invitational, a PGA Tour tournament held at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, according to the automotive industry. During the event, Trump Jr.'s daughter, Kai Trump, 18, played golf with golfer Rory McIlroy. Mr. Chung, representing the tournament's sponsors, reportedly watched the round with Mr. Trump Jr.
Trump Jr., whom Chung met, is considered a key figure in Trump's second administration. He is also believed to have played an essential role in the presidential election. President Trump mentioned him while thanking his family during a celebratory rally on January 19, the day before his inauguration. Additionally, Trump Jr. is considered influential in the administration, recommending Vice President J.D. Vance to President Trump.
The two are believed to have discussed the current U.S. government tariff policy and Hyundai Motor Group's investment progress in the country. Since 2022, Hyundai Motor Group has been ramping up its investments in the U.S., with plans totaling 26 trillion won. The White House has also highlighted Hyundai Steel's plans to build a steel plant in the U.S. to promote the government's 'universal tariff' policy, indicating that the two sides may strengthen their strategic cooperation.
한국어
donga.com
12. Lessons from Trump, Musk
Lessons from Trump, Musk
The Korea Times · February 13, 2025
Drastic solution proposed for gov't inefficiency, yet caution needed
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at a major overhaul of the U.S. federal workforce, sparking both praise and controversy. The order is designed to reduce the size of the federal workforce and places Elon Musk and his team in charge of vetting new hires. It also aims to streamline government operations and improve efficiency. While the initiative could be a step toward a leaner, more effective government, it offers valuable lessons that countries like South Korea could consider when reforming their own public sectors. Yet, it also raises significant questions about the concentration of power and the risks of private-sector influence on public governance.
The executive order features, among others, cutting costs and reducing government inefficiency. By limiting federal employment to a ratio of one new hire for every four employees who depart, the order aims to contract the size of the U.S. federal workforce phenomenally. This move could save substantial taxpayer money, particularly by trimming back administrative functions that are often seen as bloated or unnecessary.
Moreover, the involvement of Musk's team in the hiring process is considered to be an effort to terminate potential wasteful spending. Musk, the world's richest man, argues that a more efficient approach based on the private sector could help remove bureaucratic inefficiencies.
In many ways, this approach reflects a growing trend toward private-public collaboration in government reform, something Korea could be mindful of as it attempts to modernize its public sector. By introducing data-driven decision-making and reducing unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, Korea could save costs and increase government productivity. However, any reforms should ensure that accountability and transparency remain a priority to avoid the concentration of power in the hands of a few, as the U.S. plan has raised concerns about the influence of private figures in public governance.
Another aspect of the U.S. executive order is that by limiting the number of hires and empowering experts to evaluate the necessity of each government position, the initiative could prevent the wasteful spending of public funds that is often associated with inefficient government systems.
For Korea, ensuring a fair, merit-based hiring process in government positions is key to reducing corruption and promoting public trust. The government could also consider introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline decision-making and ensure that public services are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. AI could be used to analyze government spending, identify inefficiencies and automate repetitive tasks, ultimately saving resources and speeding up government services.
The U.S. move to dismantle bureaucratic structures could be a useful model for South Korea. The Trump administration's focus on reducing the size of the federal workforce challenges the perceptions of slow, inefficient government operations. If Korea were to adopt a similar approach, it could foster a more agile and competitive government that is better equipped to handle the demands of the modern era. However, this reform must be prudently nuanced with a focus on protecting essential public services and ensuring that downsizing does not result in understaffing critical functions.
While Trump's executive order promises a leaner, more efficient government, it also carries risks of overreach and undue influence from private-sector figures. Musk’s direct involvement in the hiring process gives him and his team formidable authority over the composition of the federal workforce, potentially prioritizing his own corporate interests over the public good. The concentration of power in the hands of a private individual, particularly one with no direct democratic accountability, could erode public trust and undermine democratic processes.
The U.S. executive order on federal workforce reform signifies an audacious vision for efficiency, cost savings and innovation. Korea could learn valuable lessons from this initiative, particularly in the areas of budget savings and AI integration in government services. However, it is essential to remain cautious about the risks of concentrated power and private influence in public governance. Any reform should be balanced carefully with democratic safeguards, ensuring that the drive for efficiency does not compromise the values of transparency, accountability and fairness. In this way, South Korea can build a more competitive, innovative government while protecting the democratic principles that underpin its public institutions.
The Korea Times · February 13, 2025
13. “News of North Russian Troop Deployment Spreads Through WeChat in China”
This is a Google translation of an RFA report.
“News of North Russian Troop Deployment Spreads Through WeChat in China”
https://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/nk_nuclear_talks/china-witchett-spread-news-north-korea-dispatch-troop-russia-02142025091723.html
Seoul-Kim Ji-eun xallsl@rfa.org
2025.02.14
Content related to the dispatch of North Korean troops appeared on WeChat, which is used by 1.2 billion people in China.
/RFA PHOTO-Kim Ji-eun
00:00 /03:26
Anchor : It has been reported that news that North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia is spreading widely through WeChat , China's representative messenger app with 1.2 billion subscribers . Reporter Kim Ji- eun reports on the news .
China's representative messenger app ' WeChat' has 1.2 billion users . Through this app, Chinese people exchange text messages, voice calls , photos , videos, and information in Qun ( group rooms ) with individuals or hundreds of people . In particular, when a Qun has tens or hundreds of people, or even more than 1,000 people , and one person is registered in multiple Quns, new news can spread ( nationwide ) in an instant .
A source of ethnic Korean descent in Yanji City, Jilin Province, China (who requested anonymity for safety reasons ) told Radio Free Asia on the 13th , “Earlier this month , a letter from Kim Jong-un of unknown origin was circulating through WeChat,” adding, “It was a New Year’s greeting from the General Secretary of North Korea ( Kim Jong- un) after sending troops to Russia . ”
Earlier, the Washington Post reported on the 19th of last month that a letter containing General Secretary Kim's New Year's message was found among the remains of a North Korean soldier who died while deployed to Russia, and that although the source is unclear, it is possible that it was sent to the soldiers from Pyongyang or that the soldiers dictated what their commander dictated .
“The content of the WeChat post is that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has dispatched North Korean soldiers to the battlefield in Russia,” the source said. “There are blood-stained letters and weapons, military IDs marked in Russian , and photos of weapons allegedly belonging to dead North Korean soldiers . ”
He also pointed out that “there is also a congratulatory letter sent by the North Korean leader to deployed soldiers on WeChat,” and that “the first sentence of the letter began with the words, ‘Our heroic generals, officers , and soldiers performing military missions in overseas operational areas ! Interpreters and other security personnel ! I send my congratulations to comrades as we welcome the new year 2025 ,’” to soldiers dying on the battlefield .
He continued, “However, this makes it known as a done deal that the North Korean leader sent his troops to the Russian war,” adding , “Most Chinese people who see this evaluate the North Korean leader as an incompetent dictator and a pathetic warmonger who inherited power thanks to the glory of his predecessors . ”
On December 5 last year, a Ukrainian journalist released a short video clip that he said showed North Korean soldiers training in the Kursk region of Russia. /Telegram
Related Articles
[ To North Korean Workers' Party officials ] We must save the lives of the Russian soldiers dispatched to Russia
[ Hot Topic ] Will the North Korean troops who withdrew from Russia be able to return home ?
In relation to this, another local source in Shenyang, China ( requesting anonymity for personal safety ) told Radio Free Asia on the 14th , “Recently, news is spreading that soldiers dispatched by North Korea to China are dying brutally in the war in Russia,” and “The miserable photos from the scene that cannot deny this fact support the truth about the dispatch of North Korean troops and their deaths . ”
“North Korea’s Leader Sends Young Soldiers to the Battlefield of Death to Make Money”
The source said, “ News of North Korean soldiers who were recently dispatched to the Russian war and died have been circulating on WeChat , a messenger app with 1.2 billion Chinese subscribers ,” and “Chinese people say that the North Korean leader sent young soldiers to a deadly battlefield to make money for himself . ”
He also said, “This news is also shocking North Korean companies, trade representatives, and officials dispatched to China,” adding, “They also use WeChat in China , so they are aware of recent global events . ”
He continued, "When North Korean officials heard the news that North Korean soldiers were dying in the war in Russia, they responded by saying they couldn't believe it even after seeing it with their own eyes," and asked, "How could he ( Kim Jong- un) , who always kept talking about putting people above everyone else, send young soldiers to a battlefield where they could die? "
He added, “The authorities who had been advocating for the importance of the military and strengthening of military power, saying , ‘Let’s eliminate our ( North Korea’s ) sworn enemy, the U.S. imperialists, from this land,’ have dispatched troops to the war in Russia,” and “Ukraine and Russia are expressing their resentment about the decision to dispatch troops, asking, ‘What does this have to do with our country that we should risk our lives fighting for it?’ ”
This is Ji-eun Kim of RFA's Radio Free Asia in Seoul .
Editor Yang Seong-won, Web Editor Kim Sang-il
14. More than 40 percent of experts predict South Korea will go nuclear within a decade, survey finds
As a friend commented to me on the broader topic of other countries pursuing nuclear weapons, why wouldn't they after seeing what is happening to Ukraine?
Thursday
February 13, 2025
dictionary + A - A
More than 40 percent of experts predict South Korea will go nuclear within a decade, survey finds
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-02-13/world/More-than-40-percent-of-experts-predict-South-Korea-will-go-nuclear-within-a-decade-survey-finds/2241189
Published: 13 Feb. 2025, 09:49
Rows of mock 30mm shells are seen at Hanwha Aerospace factory in Changwon on November 21, 2024. Longstanding domestic policy bars Seoul from providing weapons into active conflict zones, but ever since its spy agency accused the nuclear-armed North last month of sending thousands of soldiers to help Moscow fight Kyiv, South Korea has warned it might change course. [AFP/YONHAP]
More than 40 percent of strategists and foresight practitioners predicted that South Korea will have nuclear weapons within the next decade, a think tank survey showed Wednesday, while nearly a quarter of them expected North Korea to use nuclear arms within the next 10 years.
The Atlantic Council, a U.S.-headquartered think tank, released the Global Foresight 2025 Survey, which was conducted on more than 350 global strategists and foresight practitioners from Nov. 15, 2024, through Dec. 2, 2024, to predict how global affairs will unfold over the next decade.
Related Article
To the question of which countries and territories will have nuclear weapons within the next 10 years, 40.2 percent of the questioned picked South Korea, putting the Asian country in third place, while 72.8 percent selected Iran and 41.6 percent chose Saudi Arabia.
In the previous survey conducted on nearly 300 experts in the fall of 2023, 25.4 percent forecast that South Korea will have nuclear arms within the 10-year period ending in 2034.
Asked which actors they expect to use a nuclear weapon within the next 10 years, 24.2 percent of the respondents in the latest survey chose North Korea, while 51.6 percent said that nuclear weapons will not be used. Of the surveyed, 25.9 percent picked Russia on the question.
More than a majority of the respondents painted a negative world outlook.
Of the total, 62.2 percent predicted the world a decade from now will generally be worse off than it is today, while 37.8 percent said the world will be better off.
Regarding the question over whether there will be another world war, involving a multifront conflict among great powers, by 2035, 59.5 percent said no, while the remainder said yes.
The survey respondents included U.S. citizens and others spread across 60 countries, the council said. Respondents were dispersed across a range of fields, including the private sector, nonprofits, academic or educational organizations and government and multilateral institutions.
Yonhap
15. ＜Inside N. Korea＞ Kim Jong-un Harshly Condemns Official Entertainment as "Mega Crime" - Private Restaurant Rooms Shut Down in Hyesan, Citizens React with Skepticism
Only Kim Jong Un and his closest friends can have fun and enjoy "entertainment."
I think the regime believes the old soldiers' sarcasm: "the beatings will stop when morale improves."
＜Inside N. Korea＞ Kim Jong-un Harshly Condemns Official Entertainment as "Mega Crime" - Private Restaurant Rooms Shut Down in Hyesan, Citizens React with Skepticism
asiapress.org
Kim Jong-un strongly criticized officials who received entertainment at the Party Central Committee Secretariat as " a corrupt group and impudent rabble" - quoted from Korean Central News Agency, January 29, 2025
Kim Jong-un has issued an unusually strong criticism of corruption among Workers' Party officials. At a late January Party Central Committee Secretariat meeting, he severely reprimanded officials for accepting drinking entertainment, calling it a "serious criminal case." In Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, this immediately triggered investigations into restaurants used for entertaining officials, causing local upheaval. While this appears to be part of Kim's ongoing "fight against corruption," citizens' reactions remain cold. (HONG Mari / KANG Ji-won)
◆What's Behind This "Mega Case"?
At the expanded Secretariat meeting on January 27, Kim stated:
"Serious cases that gravely infringing upon the dignity, rights and interests of the people have occurred"
According to the Korean Central News Agency, a "mega case" occurred in Oncheon County, Nampo, where over 40 party officials received drinking entertainment. In Usi County, Jagang Province, there was reportedly a "mega crime" violating local residents' property.
It's nothing extraordinary - simply cases of officials receiving bribes and drinking entertainment from citizens.
In North Korea, taking bribes for favors is commonplace. Whether it's turning a blind eye to violations, allowing people to skip organizational activities to do business, or even facilitating defection - bribes make things happen. Against this backdrop, the strong language seems greatly exaggerated.
◆Private Rooms for Officials Demolished
However, local cities are already in turmoil. Kim's statements have triggered crackdowns on "entertainment incidents." A reporting partner in Hyesan, Ryanggang Province, said:
"Restaurants are in chaos with investigators from the city party organization department looking into official entertainment. Some restaurants had secret private rooms called 'golbang' - they're interrogating staff and shutting these rooms down."
What are these 'golbang'? The reporting partner explained:
"Better restaurants have them tucked away in corners, where people with favors to ask entertain officials. Dinner starts around 100 yuan (approximately $20). There are even back doors to these rooms for discretion. They're so popular you need reservations."
asiapress.org
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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