Quotes of the Day:

"When we suddenly realize that all these non-war actions may be the new factors constituting future warfare, we have to come up with a new name for this new form of war: Warfare which transcends all boundaries and limits, in short: unrestricted warfare."

– Wang Xiangsui and Qiao Liang, Unrestricted Warfare 1999

"As we see it, a single man-made stock-market crash, a single computer virus invasion, or a single rumor or scandal that results in a fluctuation in the enemy country's exchange rates or exposes the leaders of an enemy country on the Internet, all can be included in the ranks of new-concept weapons."

– Wang Xiangsui and Qiao Liang, Unrestricted Warfare 1999

“All these things represented an intense visual shock to the entire world, including the Iraqis, and it was from this that the myth about the unusual powers of the U.S.-made weapons was born, and it was here that the belief was formed that “Iraq would inevitably lose, and the U.S. was bound to win.” Obviously, the media helped the Americans enormously. We might as well say that, intentionally or otherwise, the U.S. military and the Western media joined hands to form a noose to hang Saddam’s Iraq from the gallows. In the “Operational Outline” that was revised after the war, the Americans took pains to suggest that “the force of the media reports was able to have a dramatic effect on the strategic direction and the scope of the military operations,” while the newly drafted field manual FM10O-6 (Information Operations) goes even farther in using the example of the media war during the Gulf War. It would appear that, in all future wars, in addition to the basic method of military strikes, the force of the media will increasingly be another player in the war and will play a role comparable to that of military strikes in promoting the course of the war.”

– Wang Xiangsui and Qiao Liang, Unrestricted Warfare 1999

1. The 1st Potomac Dialogue Bridging the Divide: The Vital Role of the Asia Pacific in Global Security and Economic Stability

2. Greg Scarlatoiu: “It Would Be Foolish for South Korea’s Next Administration to Adopt the Sunshine Policy”

3. Throwing out the NK News baby with the USAID/NED bathwater?

4. On Chinese Tuna Boats, North Koreans Trawl for Cash for Kim Jong-un

5. N. Korea warns of 'resolute' action against multilateral sanctions monitoring group's activities

6. Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill to probe Yoon's alleged election interference

7. The Defectors (north Korea on the BBC)

8. Unintended Consequences: How a Viral Olympic Selfie Endangered North Korean Athletes

9. S. Korean business delegation calls meeting with U.S. commerce chief 'productive' amid investment reports

10. Defense ministry to review creating internal reporting channel over Dec. 3 martial law

11. 52 pct says Constitutional Court should uphold Yoon's impeachment

12. Parties wage a war to expand centrists’ support

13. What are key points of contention in court's review on Yoon’s impeachment?

14. EXPLAINED: North Korean POW in Ukraine wants to defect to South. What’s next?

15. 22 Really Bizarre Facts About the Most Orwellian Society on Earth

16. EU “Will Raise Attention to Human Rights in North Korea through Human Rights Resolution… Support for Accountability”

1. The 1st Potomac Dialogue Bridging the Divide: The Vital Role of the Asia Pacific in Global Security and Economic Stability

For all who might be interested in supporting and contributing to our conference this October, please see below.

https://subscribepage.io/potomacdialogue_2025_sponsors

 See the CAPS website here: https://apstrategy.org/

The 1st Potomac Dialogue

Bridging the Divide: The Vital Role of the Asia Pacific in Global Security and Economic Stability

CAPS Annual Washington D.C. Conference

Venue (TBD) Washington D.C.

October 16th - 17th 2025

The Asia Pacific region is poised to define the 21st century. As a crucible of economic dynamism, driving trade, investment, and innovation, its security and prosperity are indispensable to global stability and equitable development. Yet, the region confronts complex challenges, from territorial disputes to the risk of military escalation. In this context, economic security – ensuring uninterrupted economic flows –contributes to preventing conflict.

The Potomac Dialogue, hosted annually by the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy (CAPS) in Washington, D.C., provides a vital and consistent platform for stakeholders to engage in pragmatic discussions. These dialogues foster deeper understanding and awareness of critical issues, generating tailored solutions for diverse stakeholders both during the event and in its aftermath. This sustained engagement is essential for navigating the complex challenges and opportunities facing the Asia-Pacific region and charting a course toward shared prosperity.

Core Sessions

Key Stakeholders

• International Corporations
• Public Sector Practitioners, including government representatives
• International Organizations
• Policy-Engaged Academics
• Global Youth Groups

Proposed Approach

• Identify and secure funding support from leading international corporations and organizations within ASEAN and APEC nations, including the US and Europe.
• Convene annual collaborative sessions that bring together corporate representatives, public sector practitioners, and policy-engaged academics.
• Facilitate open discussions to capture the authentic voices and perspectives from the region on pressing security and economic policy issues.
• Synthesize the insights generated from these sessions into strategic recommendations for each nation's policy consideration.
• Engage global youth groups as participants to amplify the next generation's input and ensure long-term sustainability.

Expected Outcomes

• Enhance the global visibility of Asia-Pacific nations' perspectives on security and economic policy.
• Strengthen the collaboration between the private and public sectors within the region.
• Provide actionable insights to inform the strategic implementation of each nation's policies.

Deliverables

A comprehensive report of actionable recommendations for all stakeholders.

Become a Sponsor

Contact us for additional details about the event and to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Note: at this time please contact us only for partnership and sponsorship interest.

Invitations to the event will be sent at a later date.

2.  Greg Scarlatoiu: “It Would Be Foolish for South Korea’s Next Administration to Adopt the Sunshine Policy”

​

It was the Sunshine Policy that both saved the Kim family regime in the 1990s and contributed to the first nuclear test in 2006.

(It was the growth of the markets [black and gray] that saved the Korean people in the north and those some 400 markets are now considered a threat to the regime and it has been working on reducing their effectiveness since COVID provided the opportunity for Kim to introduce draconian population and resources control measures to even more brutally oppress the people.)

Greg Scarlatoiu: “It Would Be Foolish for South Korea’s Next Administration to Adopt the Sunshine Policy”

Lee Sang-un, The Korea Economic Daily​

https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/015/0005094728?sid=104

Interview with Greg Scarlatoiu, President of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK)

“If the United States accepts North Korea as a nuclear power, it will inevitably prompt both South Korea and Japan to pursue nuclear armament, ultimately undermining the global non-proliferation regime.”

Greg Scarlatoiu, the president of HRNK, made these remarks in an interview with The Korea Economic Daily on February 11, 2025. He added, “Former President Trump referring to North Korea as a ‘nuclear power’ in an earlier interview must have been a simple mistake.”

He continued, “If nuclear weapons proliferate further, the United States will face direct threats. Not only would allies such as South Korea and Japan seek to develop their own nuclear arsenals, but various rogue states would follow North Korea’s example. Ultimately, keeping the genie in the bottle becomes nearly impossible.”

HRNK is a nonprofit organization established in Washington, D.C., in 2000. Operating independently of the U.S. government, it collects and shares testimonies from North Korean defectors at U.S. congressional hearings and analyzes satellite imagery of North Korea for use by the U.S. government and Congress.

Scarlatoiu received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in diplomacy from Seoul National University. He joined HRNK in 2011 and became its president in 2024. Former National Assembly member Ji Sung-ho, once a kotjebi (homeless child) in North Korea, participated in President Trump’s speech in 2018 with Scarlatoiu’s assistance.

Scarlatoiu noted, “President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both have a deep understanding of North Korea’s human rights issues.” He added that Rubio, during his time as a senator, often engaged with HRNK and expressed optimism that this administration would make progress on North Korea.

He highlighted Richard Grenell, newly appointed as a special envoy, as a key figure in shaping North Korea policy. “When President Trump visited the California wildfire site, he was seated between First Lady Melania and Grenell,” Scarlatoiu explained. “Since Grenell has direct access to the President, he will play a crucial role.”

Scarlatoiu firmly stated that President Trump would never abandon North Korea’s denuclearization, saying, “He insists on ‘Final, Fully Verified Denuclearization (FFVD)’ and, as a skilled negotiator, will continue presenting deals to Kim Jong-un.” According to Scarlatoiu, Kim may want both nuclear weapons and economic development, but that is not feasible. “Once the war in Ukraine ends, demand for North Korean conventional arms exports will disappear. Trump is a leader, negotiator, and real estate developer. In Singapore, he proposed turning North Korea into the ‘Riviera of the Korean Peninsula.’ His proposal regarding Gaza was similar in concept.”

When asked if he had any advice for South Korea’s next administration, Scarlatoiu cautioned against naive appeasement. “The Sunshine Policy died on a North Korean beach in 2008,” he said, referring to the killing of South Korean tourist Park Wang-ja by North Korean soldiers. “Even former President Moon Jae-in couldn’t revive the Sunshine Policy. In response, North Korea blew up the inter-Korean liaison office and dismantled both the Gyeongui and Donghae railway links as well as facilities at Mount Kumgang. Not even Kim Jong-un himself wants the Sunshine Policy.”

Scarlatoiu emphasized that genuine change must come from within North Korea, outlining three key steps to facilitate it. “First, South Korea must strengthen its alliance with the United States to ensure deterrence on the Korean Peninsula. Second, more South Korean culture and information must flow into the North to secure victory in the cultural war. Third, North Korean defectors need adequate support for both their escape and resettlement.”

When asked why supporting defectors is so pivotal, he answered, “Those who settle in South Korea reach out to their families back home through brokers and pass along critical information. That, in turn, becomes a catalyst for change inside North Korea.”

This is Lee Sang-un reporting.

Translated by Jujin Yang, HRNK Research Intern; Edited by Saege Anzueto, HRNK Research Intern

3. Throwing out the NK News baby with the USAID/NED bathwater?

Are we as "good" at information and influence as Professor Robertson alleges?

Note the headline references NK News and the subtile the Daily NK. These are two different news organizations (or as Professor Robertson might say "news" organizations.

Throwing out the NK News baby with the USAID/NED bathwater?

Daily NK’s reporting is difficult to dismiss even if it follows a script - researchers and analysts can read between the lines.

https://www.junotane.com/p/throwing-out-the-nk-news-baby-with-the-ned-bathwater?utm

Feb 24, 2025

No doubt, you’ve heard Mike Benz on any number of podcasts or talk shows over the last few months. If you haven’t, listen to him here on Joe Rogan’s Podcast. Benz is very well known for seeking to expose what he sees as a troubling reality about U.S. foreign policy. According to Benz, USAID, often presented as a force for humanitarian aid and development, functions as a strategic instrument for shaping foreign governments, influencing media, and engineering political outcomes.

USAID is not just about providing food assistance or infrastructure projects but about funding opposition groups, controlling narratives, and ensuring compliance with U.S. interests - and recently it has even been used to push social and political change on the U.S. home front.

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Critics point to the routine. First, USAID and other U.S.-government-backed organizations funnel resources into NGOs and media outlets within a target country. These civil society groups, under the guise of democracy promotion, often serve to erode trust in governments that resist U.S. influence, even to the point of funding investigative journalism and pushing prosecutors to chase after opponents to U.S. interests. Sooner or later, the media landscape shifts, with the U.S.-funded journalists amplifying selective narratives about corruption, human rights abuses, or political instability. As pressure builds, opposition movements gain traction, culminating in mass protests. If the government refuses to yield, sanctions follow. When all other measures fail, direct intervention—covert or military—becomes the final step.

This playbook has been visible across multiple regions. Mike Benz offers an example from Cuba. An ostensibly indigenous Twitter-like app that was created through a number of shelf-companies. The app came across as a harmless social media platform - a tool for everyday life, giving updates on hurricane warnings, sports, and music. The aim was to build a large, engaged user base without drawing attention from state authorities.

Once the user base had grown sufficiently, the app’s sophisticated algorithms would gradually shift the focus of discussions towards more divisive topics: racial and social divisions, government failures, and inequality. The plan was to subtly amplify conversations pushing political discontent, social division, and anti-government sentiment, transforming a benign social network into a catalyst for political mobilization. Now think Iran, Venezuela, the Arab Spring, Velvet Revolutions in Ukraine, and even social media on the U.S. home front. Even if half of what Mike Benz says is true, it is frightening.

It’s downright foolish—almost stupid—not to question U.S. (or any major power) foreign policy. The Gulf of Tonkin incident, which escalated the Vietnam War; the ouster of democratically elected Salvador Allende in Chile; or the weapons of mass destruction claims and the missing billions from 2003 Iraq War, are just a few glaring examples of American manipulation and imperial ambition. These events, among many others, leave no room for naive acceptance, demanding that we critically scrutinize and hold U.S. actions accountable.

Even the its closest allies are not free of U.S. influence. The 1975 Dismissal stands as a brutal reminder that Australia’s democracy is not immune to covert U.S. meddling, while the CIA’s past creation and manipulation of The Quarterly magazine, and the relentless pro-U.S. bias in our think tanks and university centers expose an ongoing agenda to shape our political narrative. If you want funding as a security studies academic in Australia, shut up and support AUKUS and the Empire (and don’t write cynical blog posts).

However, it’s important to note that this cynical narrative is not entirely straightforward - particularly in the case of Korean studies and North Korea. The case of Daily NK, a South Korean-based media organization reporting on North Korea, should serve as a warning - sometimes the baby will get washed out with the bathwater.

The Daily NK purportedly gathers firsthand accounts from inside North Korea, exposing food shortages, internal purges, and human rights violations that remain otherwise hidden from global view. I say purportedly, not necessarily because of disbelief, but because sources and stories on North Korea are by nature near impossible to confirm. NK News is one of very few sources that gives insight into life in North Korea. Because of its reach and effectiveness, it is, for many, the only source.

However, NK News is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a U.S. funded organization that comes under particularly sharp criticism from Mike Benz.

NED’s involvement in media and civil society initiatives worldwide has led to concerns about its role as a vehicle for U.S. geopolitical strategy. It has funded opposition movements in Venezuela, Belarus, and Hong Kong, frequently aligning with broader U.S. foreign policy goals. This raises legitimate concerns: Can Daily NK maintain true independence given its funding source? If China or Russia funded a similar initiative focused on North Korea, how would its legitimacy be perceived?

Daily NK’s reporting remains difficult to dismiss. Daily NK’s materials do follow an overtly propagandistic script. With a focus on the granular details of daily life in North Korea, from black-market food prices to shifting political dynamics within the regime, it maintains a very clear angle - the regime is illegitimate, self-interested, and well, pretty evil. Yet, even amidst these angled spiels, it contains information that does not appear elsewhere. It’s incredibly valuable information for researchers and analysts who can read between the lines.

This presents a dilemma. The historical record overwhelmingly supports skepticism toward U.S. foreign policy institutions and those they sponsor, particularly when they claim to promote democracy. Yet, dismissing all initiatives linked to U.S. funding ignores cases where valuable information emerges. The existence of Daily NK proves that not every U.S.-supported media outlet functions only as a tool of manipulation. There’s value in the outcomes regardless of the aims. The key is learning to read between the lines.

Share Junotane

U.S. foreign policy has long operated under outdated frameworks that prioritize entrenched interests over genuine national benefit. Disruption is sorely needed. President Trump’s unapologetic approach is shaking up the status quo by challenging traditional alliances, withdrawing from ineffective commitments, and recalibrating America’s global posture. These actions are forcing a critical reassessment of policies and are making a radical break from the norm - but the risk remains that the baby will be thrown out with the bathwater.

Recognizing patterns of manipulation is crucial, but so is acknowledging the instances where valuable information emerges, even from sources with ostensibly compromised funding. Blind rejection of all U.S. affiliated reporting risks missing essential truths, just as blind acceptance of any reporting risks missing essential truths.

4. On Chinese Tuna Boats, North Koreans Trawl for Cash for Kim Jong-un

Simply put: Kim Jong Un rents out slave labor to make money for the Kim family regime.

China is complicit in north Korean human rights abuses.

On Chinese Tuna Boats, North Koreans Trawl for Cash for Kim Jong-un

Thousands of miles from home, North Koreans work on Chinese tuna longliners in the Indian Ocean for pay that goes to their leader, a new study says.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/world/asia/north-korea-china-fishing-boats.html?searchResultPosition=3

Workers on a Chinese tuna boat in the Indian Ocean, in a photo provided by the Environmental Justice Foundation, which investigated the presence of North Koreans at sea.Credit...Environmental Justice Foundation

By Choe Sang-Hun and Muktita Suhartono

Choe Sang-hun reported from Seoul. Muktita Suhartono reported from Jakarta.

Feb. 24, 2025

Updated 6:18 a.m. ET

They spent up to 10 years at sea, toiling in some of the harshest conditions distant-water fishing crews can face. Many never set foot on land because their Chinese captains did not want them to be seen by the port authorities. Most of their salaries went directly to their government, and some of their catch has likely ended up on dining tables in Europe and Asia.

These were North Koreans assigned by their government to work on board Chinese tuna longliners operating in the Indian Ocean, according to a report published on Monday by the London-based Environmental Justice Foundation. Through them, North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, established a new source of revenue for his cash-strapped regime.

The United Nations bans member states from hiring North Korean workers because its Security Council says Mr. Kim’s government uses them to raise funds for its nuclear weapons program. But Mr. Kim sends tens of thousands of his people abroad to earn cash and other benefits for his regime.

They have worked in factories and restaurants in China, logging camps and construction sites in Russia and farms and shipyards in Eastern Europe. They have sweated on construction sites in the Middle East and built monuments for dictators in Africa. An estimated 11,000 North Koreans were sent to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Until now, the fate of North Korean fishermen has drawn little global attention because they were in vast oceans, cut off from the rest of the world and even their own families for years at a time.

The conditions they faced “would constitute forced labor of a magnitude that surpasses much of that witnessed in a global fishing industry already replete with abuse,” the foundation said in its report, shared with The New York Times ahead of its publication.

Regulatory and other data available suggested that the products from these ships may be entering the European, British and Asian markets, the foundation said. The group discovered at least 12 Chinese-flagged tuna longliners using North Korean labor between 2019 and last year, and four of them were authorized to export fish to Europe and the United Kingdom, it said. Carrier ships suspected of collecting fish from these Chinese vessels at sea have visited markets in Asia, including Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, it said.

“If it was your husband, brother, father, son who’s being held on a vessel for months or years at sea with no option to get off, I think you can understand what it means and how this product is being produced and why we shouldn’t be eating it,” said Steve Trent, the foundation’s CEO. “These laborers are not free to choose how and when they work. They’re being coerced onto these vessels and kept there.”

The foundation, which campaigns on environmental and human rights issues, based its findings on evidence that included interviews with 19 Indonesian and Filipino shipmates who said they had worked with North Koreans. Its investigators also obtained video clips that mentioned North Koreans being on board and showed shipmates speaking in Korean. Three of the Indonesian seamen also spoke separately to The New York Times. The Times is not revealing their identities because they could work again on Chinese fishing vessels.

Crew members said they communicated with the North Koreans using body language and bits of Mandarin and each other’s languages that they picked up while working together.

They told how North Korean crews were usually transferred to sister vessels at sea before their ships docked, and moved back again later. Crewmen who landed could use their mobile phones to call families, but the North Koreans did not even have mobile phones.

Image

One of the Indonesian fishermen who told researchers from the Environmental Justice Foundation about working on a boat with North Koreans.Credit...Environmental Justice Foundation

If their presence was discovered by foreign port authorities, it could create legal trouble for their Chinese captain: In December 2022, news media in Mauritius reported the arrest of six North Korean workers and the captain of a Chinese fishing vessel.

“I docked in Somalia, Mauritius, Australia, Madagascar and Somalia again, and the North Koreans were always transferred,” said a former Indonesian fisherman who said he worked with six North Koreans from late 2022 to last June. “One of them told me that he has a wife whom he never contacted during the seven years he’s been gone.”

On these Chinese ships, most crew members had their passports taken so they could not abscond. They caught only five to six hours of sleep a day, but the North Koreans were often the most skilled workers on board because of the time they had spent at sea. The second former Indonesian fisherman remembered how the North Koreans on his ship urged others to work faster, shouting the North Korean phrase for “hurry up”: ppallihara.

The pandemic extended the time at sea for some North Koreans as their country kept its borders closed until late 2023. They worked through the pandemic, some transferring to other Chinese ships midocean after their three- or four-year-contract ended.

“Their families don’t have any idea whether they are still alive or not,” said the third Indonesian fisherman, who said he had worked with three North Koreans. “They never said how they felt. But I can’t imagine how you didn’t set foot on land for eight years.”

The Indonesian crewmen earned about $330 per month but did not know how much the North Koreans made. The North Koreans told them that their salaries went straight to their government. One Indonesian crewman said the North Koreans lived only on bonuses they earned. Another said they were allowed to keep $50 of their salary.

“They really save up all the money,” one of the Indonesian fisherman said. “They showed me all the cents they collected.”

The Chinese distant-water fleet is by far the world’s largest. The foundation said it could not estimate how many North Koreans were working on Chinese fishing vessels around the world until a more extensive study was done.

Asked about the report on Monday, China’s foreign ministry said that China always requires its offshore fishing activities to abide by local and relevant international laws.

“Cooperation between China and North Korea is carried out in accordance within the framework of international law,” said Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesman.

For more than three decades, North Korea has sent workers abroad, earning up to billions of dollars a year, according to South Korean estimates.

In 2017, the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution requiring U.N. member countries to expel North Korean workers by the end of 2019. But more than 100,000 North Koreans were still working in 40 countries, a U.N. panel of experts reported last year.

North Korean workers are required to spy on each other when they go abroad and to maintain a life of indoctrination.

The North Koreans’ former shipmates remembered them showing videos of military parades and their leader, Mr. Kim, giving speeches. They often put on their best clothes, hung their flag and sang, while standing straight.

But their former shipmates could tell how homesick the North Koreans were. One of the Indonesian shipmates recalled a time when a North Korean colleague was finally allowed to go home.

“He was so excited and anxious that when we told him to get some rest, go to sleep, he refused,” he said. “He just sat there out on the deck watching other crews working.”

Choe Sang-Hun is the lead reporter for The Times in Seoul, covering South and North Korea. More about Choe Sang-Hun

Muktita Suhartono reports on Thailand and Indonesia. She is based in Bangkok. More about Muktita Suhartono

5. N. Korea warns of 'resolute' action against multilateral sanctions monitoring group's activities

​The regime fears the actions of this group.

(LEAD) N. Korea warns of 'resolute' action against multilateral sanctions monitoring group's activities | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · February 24, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS Seoul foreign ministry's comments in paras 7-9)

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea threatened Monday to take "resolute" action after a South Korea-led monitoring group implementing U.N. sanctions against the North over its nuclear and missile programs has launched official activities.

The North's threat came as the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), established by South Korea and 10 other countries in October, pledged to ensure the full implementation of U.N. sanctions against North Korea at the inaugural meeting of its steering committee last week.

Calling the MSMT an "illegal and criminal ghost group," the chief of the external policy office at North Korea's foreign ministry warned that hostile forces will have to "pay a steep price" for their attempt to block the exercising of North Korea's sovereign rights, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

"The DPRK will never thirst for a lifting of sanctions but will never overlook the provocations of the U.S. and its followers to encroach upon the legitimate sovereignty of the DPRK under the pretext of implementing sanctions and strongly counter them with resolute actions," the official said.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Sanctions waiver through negotiations is not a matter of concern from long ago for the DPRK, which has no sanctions to be canceled and to be added, and it is not on the agenda of the DPRK," the official noted.

South Korea's foreign ministry refuted the North's claim, calling it "self-contradictory" for Pyongyang to denounce the multinational efforts as illegal while it continues to violate U.N. sanctions.

"It is self-contradictory and absurd for North Korea, which continues to blatantly violate international law, including U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions, to label the voluntary efforts of U.N. member states to faithfully implement the resolutions as illegal or illegitimate," the ministry said.

"We will continue to strengthen our cooperation with the international community to ensure the full implementation of UNSC sanctions on North Korea, including active participation in MSMT activities," it said.

With Seoul's initiative, the 11 countries, including the United States and Japan, established the MSMT last October to continue the sanctions monitoring against North Korea following the disbandment of the U.N. monitoring panel in April last year due to Russia's veto.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (5th from L), First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun (C) and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano (7th from L) pose for a photo with the ambassadors of participating countries on a multilateral sanctions monitoring team as they announce its launch in a press conference at the foreign ministry in Seoul, in this file photo taken Oct. 16, 2024. (Yonhap)

sooyeon@yna.co.kr

elly@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · February 24, 2025

6. Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill to probe Yoon's alleged election interference

​This is exactly what China and north Korea want. Hide their election interference by having Parliament focus on President Yoon. Korean political leaders on both sides would be calling for an independent and transparent investigation of the election and not focus the investigation on a specific target. By focusing on President Yoon they are showing their cards - they are not interested in free and fair elections but only weaponizing investigations to maintain their power and protect their sources of power.

Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill to probe Yoon's alleged election interference | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Yoo Jee-ho · February 24, 2025

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary judiciary subcommittee on Monday passed an opposition-led bill mandating a special counsel probe into allegations against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's influence-peddling scandal during the 2022 by-elections.

The scandal involves allegations that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, took approximately 76 million won (US$53,280) from former ruling party lawmaker Rep. Kim Young-sun in exchange for his help in getting her nominated for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.

Myung allegedly won Kim Young-sun's nomination in exchange for conducting public opinion polls favorable to Yoon ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

If the new bill passes the plenary session Thursday, the special counsel will look into allegations that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee were involved in the nomination process of the 2022 local elections and by-elections, as well as parliamentary elections last year.

Six opposition parties proposed the bill on Feb. 11. Those parties believe the Changwon District Prosecutors Office, currently investigating Myung, is deliberately delaying its probe into Yoon, and they said they will look for possible interference by authorities at the Supreme Prosecutors Office and the presidential office of the senior secretary for civil affairs.

Representatives from the ruling People Power Party refused to take part in the voting during the subcommittee's meeting Monday.

Democratic Party Rep. Park Beom-kye (R), head of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly, speaks during the committee's meeting at the parliament in Seoul on Feb. 24, 2025. (Yonhap)

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Yoo Jee-ho · February 24, 2025

7. The Defectors (north Korea on the BBC)

​I look forward to this broadcast on March 9th. A story about Thae Yong Ho's defection as well as escapes by ordinary Koreans from the north.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0028ld0

Drama on 3

Main content

This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

The Defectors

Drama on 3

Drama by Al Smith

Presented by Paul French

09 March 2025

1 hour, 29 minutes

On a quiet suburban street in Ealing there's a house like none other. All of its windows are blacked out and while kids play in the street and neighbours wash cars in driveways, the activities inside the house on Gunnersbury Avenue are shrouded in mystery. That's because it's the home of the North Korean embassy in London, and this is a story inspired by the high profile 2016 defection of its Deputy Ambassador, Thae Yong-ho.

Presented by Paul French, our programme mixes documentary with drama (written by Al Smith) to explore a real life story of espionage. It’s le Carré with an usual twist of suburbia and a snapshot of the world's only communist hereditary monarchy.

After a distinguished career in Pyongyang’s foreign service, Thae Yong-ho moved to London with his wife and children. Unlike his colleagues, the family embraced British life, sending their boys to London schools, joining the local tennis club and cultivating a taste for Indian restaurants. All the while, Thae was monitoring the North Korean exile community in Britain, liaising with the few organisations supportive of the DPRK, as well as ensuring the reputation of his country. Then, in 2016, Thae received a message recalling the family to Pyongyang, forcing him to make an impossible choice.

The programme brings together the stories of those who made the choice to escape from one of the most impregnable and secretive countries in the world knowing they can never return, never contact their family and former friends, never knowing if those people closest to them were punished for their decision to flee. Whether for a senior Party loyalist in privileged Pyongyang, or a struggling family faced with famine and poverty, leaving the world’s most reclusive and secretive state is a monumental decision with massive ramifications.

As well as the thrilling account inspired by Thae Yong-ho's defection, Paul French explores the experiences of ordinary North Koreans who’ve escaped and made the perilous journey to the UK. Their stories never made the newspapers, they didn’t excite the interest of the intelligence services, but their actions are no less brave or committed.

Thae . . . . . Andrew Leung

Oh . . . . . Liz Sutherland Lim

Ambassador . . . . . David K S Tse

Kwan . . . . . Dan Li

Ken . . . . . David Hounslow

Hyuk . . . . . Nicholas Goh

Jae . . . . . Michael Miller

Jang . . . . . Chris Lew Kum Hoi

Jenny . . . . . Ruth Everett

Ron . . . . . Samuel James

Ari . . . . . Rose Esconda

Boy . . . . . Aurelius Eideberg

Presented by Paul French and drama written by Al Smith.

Production co-ordinator: Gaelan Connolly-Davis

Sound designer: Peter Ringrose

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 3

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8. Unintended Consequences: How a Viral Olympic Selfie Endangered North Korean Athletes

​Actions have consequences as one my mentors reminds us every day.

Excerpts:

Many will remember the Paris 2024 Olympics with joy, unity, and global celebration. However, for athletes like Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, the Olympics closing ceremony didn’t signal the end of their struggle. Once the media spotlight dims and the world moves on to the next big story, the harsh reality for these athletes continues. The viral selfie that briefly captivated the world may be forgotten, but the consequences for those living under authoritarian regimes endure long after the applause dies down.

In these quieter moments—when the cameras are gone, and the world’s attention shifts elsewhere—the true responsibility of organizations like the IOC and the global community becomes even more critical. Protecting athletes like Ri and Kim shouldn’t be a temporary concern, tied only to the duration of the Games. Instead, it must be an ongoing commitment grounded in sustained action and fundamental protections.

Unintended Consequences: How a Viral Olympic Selfie Endangered North Korean Athletes

2/13/2025

0 Comments

By Valerie Johnson, HRNK Research Intern

https://www.nkhiddengulag.org/blog

Edited by Diletta De Luca, Research Associate

In today’s world, where a photo can instantly be shared across borders, it’s easy to forget that exposure can come with serious risks for some people. For North Korean athletes Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, who attended the Paris 2024 Olympics after a 12-year absence, a simple selfie came with unimaginable consequences, potentially threatening their safety, their freedom, or even their lives. What seemed like a heartwarming moment of friendship—smiling alongside their South Korean and Chinese counterparts—was more than just a symbol of unity after years of division. For the North Korean athletes, it came with significant personal risk and made the simple gesture far more dangerous than it seemed.

The selfie, part of a campaign supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Samsung, highlights how international events can unite athletes in ways that are praised worldwide but regarded with suspicion and fear in authoritarian countries like North Korea.[1] In North Korea, where the Kim regime tightly controls every aspect of people’s lives, even small interactions with foreigners – and especially South Koreans – are viewed as dangerous acts of rebellion.[2] Reports suggest that Ri and Kim are currently undergoing “ideological cleansing,” which might involve imprisoning, executing, or internally exiling individuals deemed a threat to North Korea’s “socialist order.”[3] This alarming possibility raises critical questions about the responsibility of international organizations like the IOC to protect vulnerable athletes, particularly those from authoritarian states such as North Korea.

Sports Diplomacy: A History of Unity and Tension

To grasp the full significance of the viral selfie, it is essential to consider it within the larger context of sports diplomacy between North and South Korea. Despite being still at war, the two nations have often used international sporting events as a stage for symbolic acts of unity, with mixed outcomes over the years.

North Korea’s participation in the 1966 World Cup is one of the earliest and most significant examples of sports diplomacy. Despite the country's isolation, the tournament provided a rare opportunity for the regime to engage with the outside world.[4] After their historic win against Italy in 1966, North Korean footballers were initially hailed as national heroes. However, they were later subjected to ideological criticism and harsh treatment due to concerns over interactions with foreign players and exposure to non-socialist influences.[5] Some reports indicate that the players were relocated to rural areas under harsh conditions as part of this punishment.[6] These actions underscore the ongoing risks faced by North Korean athletes upon their return from international events, particularly when they engage in social interactions with foreigners​.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics marked another critical moment in Korean sports diplomacy, though it was riddled with tension. South Korea, with backing from the IOC, aimed to boost its global image through the Games. However, this push unintentionally further isolated North Korea. Negotiations to involve North Korea in co-hosting Olympic events ultimately failed due to conflicting demands, including North Korea's request to host several key sports in Pyongyang and rename the Games as the 'Korea Pyongyang Seoul Olympic Games,' which were rejected.[7] North Korea’s exclusion and subsequent boycott led to heightened tensions and even a terrorist attack against the South, the bombing of Korean Air Flight 858 over the Andaman Sea in 1987 being linked to North Korea’s attempt to sabotage the Games.[8] This example highlights how international sporting events can sometimes further intensify political tensions instead of easing them.

More recently, the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang represented a brief thaw in relations between North and South Korea. Athletes from both countries marched under a unified flag and formed a joint women’s ice hockey team, celebrated as a step toward peace.[9] However, like past efforts in sports diplomacy, these moments of unity were short-lived. The complexities of diplomacy between the two Koreas showcase that while sports can help build connections, they rarely address the deeper political and ideological divisions between them and remain short-lived.

The political tensions between North and South Korea remain deeply entrenched, far beyond the world of sports. International sporting events have often become arenas for soft diplomacy, where gestures of unity can carry significant consequences. For athletes like Ri and Kim, their participation goes beyond symbolism; it’s a risky step into a space where every action is closely monitored and judged through the strict lens of ideological loyalty.

The IOC's Responsibility: A Delicate Balance

The IOC has long portrayed the Olympics as a neutral space where athletes from all nations can unite under ideals of peace and unity.[10] But this idealized view of global sports diplomacy often ignores the real dangers faced by athletes from repressive regimes like North Korea. While most athletes enjoy the freedom to express themselves and engage with others at these events, North Korean athletes live in a different reality, where unsanctioned interactions, even something as simple as a selfie, can result in harsh punishment back in their home country.

The IOC’s role goes beyond simply organizing events; it must protect athletes from potential physical and political harm. This responsibility was made clear at the Paris 2024 Olympics when a diplomatic mistake occurred during the opening ceremony: South Korea was mistakenly introduced as North Korea.[11] What might seem like a minor error to some carried significant political weight, emphasizing the delicate relationship between the two Koreas. Mistakes like these can escalate tensions, particularly on such a global stage, reminding us that organizations like the IOC must be mindful of the complexities involved in these political relationships.

The IOC has always promoted global unity, but unity without protection remains meaningless. To genuinely uphold the values of the Olympic movement, the IOC must take concrete action—implementing post-event safety checks, creating anonymous reporting systems, and working closely with human rights organizations to monitor athletes' well-being. For athletes like Ri and Kim, whose simple participation in a selfie was seen by their government as defiance, these safeguards aren’t just symbolic but vital. If the IOC fails to act, it risks being complicit in their potential suffering.

Pre-Event Briefings: Equipping Athletes to Navigate Diplomatic Complexities

Along with protective measures, the IOC should introduce mandatory pre-event briefings for all athletes, focusing on cultural and political awareness. These briefings would be a vital educational tool and help athletes understand the risks their peers from repressive regimes might face. By offering guidance on navigating sensitive interactions, such as the impact of social media exposure or unsanctioned contact with athletes from rival nations, the IOC can help prevent athletes from inadvertently sparking diplomatic or political issues.

For example, athletes could be informed about the specific risks North Korean athletes face and the severe consequences even a tiny gesture of camaraderie might have for them. By promoting a deeper understanding of the global context in which these athletes compete, the IOC can help reduce those risks to ensure that the Olympic spirit of respect and friendship is upheld without putting vulnerable participants in danger. These pre-event briefings would shield athletes from unintended political consequences and foster a greater cultural awareness and responsibility among all participants.

Media and the Double-Edged Sword of Global Exposure

Social media, though a powerful way to promote the values of the Olympics, can also be a double-edged sword, amplifying the risks for athletes from repressive regimes.[12] The viral spread of the selfie featuring Ri and Kim, which was shared across platforms worldwide, increased their visibility to international audiences as well as the North Korean regime.[13] Each like, share, and repost heightened the likelihood of their actions to be perceived as disloyal, putting their lives at even greater risk.

Ella McPherson, a media and human rights scholar, notes that while "social media can empower advocacy by breaking down traditional barriers to visibility, it also exposes vulnerable individuals to increased scrutiny and danger."[14] The case of Ri and Kim perfectly illustrates this paradox. Their selfie with Chinese and South Korean athletes symbolized unity and sportsmanship to the world, but it was seen as incriminating evidence by their government. This shows how, in authoritarian states, global visibility can be turned into a tool for repression.

Media outlets also need to acknowledge the ethical responsibility of their coverage. While celebrating viral moments, they must be aware of the risks that such exposure can pose to vulnerable athletes. Journalists must report and do so thoughtfully, ensuring their stories don’t unintentionally contribute to the repression they seek to highlight. Their coverage must be grounded in context, nuance, and, most importantly, compassion.

Beyond Paris: A Broader Call for Change

The Paris 2024 Olympics is just one example of a more extensive and ongoing issue. It reminds us that international events involving athletes from isolated or authoritarian regimes carry significant risks, even as they aim to promote global unity. The challenges faced by athletes like Ri and Kim are not unique to one event, nor are they isolated incidents. As we continue encouraging more reclusive nations to engage in international forums, we must understand that the responsibility doesn’t stop at one competition or celebration.

The risks for these athletes persist in every international space, whether it’s the Olympics, the World Cup, or other global gatherings. The dangers they face, from heightened scrutiny to the possibility of severe punishment upon returning home, are ever-present. Our concern cannot be temporary or selective. The safety structures and safeguards previously discussed must be applied consistently across all global platforms for inclusion and to genuinely protect those most vulnerable.

Ultimately, the goal of fostering unity through international sports should never come at the expense of individual human rights or the personal safety of athletes. In a world where a single photo can ignite global conversations, we must ask ourselves: Are we spreading hope or unintentionally fueling oppression? For athletes like Ri and Kim, the stakes are far greater than winning a medal; they and their families could face life-altering consequences. Only through informed and empathetic engagement can we ensure that our attempts to build bridges don’t become tools of division and harm.

A Lasting Reality Beyond the Spotlight

Many will remember the Paris 2024 Olympics with joy, unity, and global celebration. However, for athletes like Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, the Olympics closing ceremony didn’t signal the end of their struggle. Once the media spotlight dims and the world moves on to the next big story, the harsh reality for these athletes continues. The viral selfie that briefly captivated the world may be forgotten, but the consequences for those living under authoritarian regimes endure long after the applause dies down.

In these quieter moments—when the cameras are gone, and the world’s attention shifts elsewhere—the true responsibility of organizations like the IOC and the global community becomes even more critical. Protecting athletes like Ri and Kim shouldn’t be a temporary concern, tied only to the duration of the Games. Instead, it must be an ongoing commitment grounded in sustained action and fundamental protections.

Valerie Johnson is an HRNK research intern and second-year master’s student at Lund University in Sweden, seeking a degree in Human Rights Studies. She particularly focuses on human rights access, international development policy, and good governance.

[1] Reddy, Shreyas. "Activists Call for Efforts to Protect North Korean Olympians after Viral Selfie." NK News, September 4, 2024. https://www.nknews.org/2024/09/activists-call-for-efforts-to-protect-north-korean-olympians-after-viral-selfie/

[2] Kim, Ja-ah, and Park Su-hyeon. "North Korean Athletes' Victory Selfies Raise Red Flags in Pyongyang." Chosun Ilbo, August 22, 2024. https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2024/08/22/QNJLMFSNQJFWZCHN7SUHF3V5KY/.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Radchenko, Sergey. "It's Not Enough to Win: The Seoul Olympics and the Roots of North Korea’s Isolation." The International Journal of the History of Sport 29, no. 9 (2012): 1243-1262. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523367.2012.677036.

[5] Spezza, Gianluca. "North Korea and the Revolutionary Football of 1966." NK News, 17 April 2015, www.nknews.org/2015/04/north-korea-and-the-revolutionary-football-of-1966/.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Radchenko, Sergey. "It's Not Enough to Win: The Seoul Olympics and the Roots of North Korea's Isolation." The International Journal of the History of Sport, 29(9), 2012

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Yoon, Lina. "North Korean Olympian Selfies Spotlight Rights Crisis: Repression of Athletes Shows Overwhelming Ideological Control at Home and Abroad." Human Rights Watch, September 2, 2024. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/02/north-korean-olympian-selfies-spotlight-rights-crisis

[11] Wertheimer, Tiffany. "South Korea Wrongly Introduced as North Korea at Olympics." BBC News, July 26, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmj2r1403jpo.

[12] McPherson, Ella. "Social Media and Human Rights Advocacy." In The Routledge Companion to Media and Human Rights, edited by Howard Tumber and Silvio Waisbord, 2017. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315619835-27.

[13] Reddy, Shreyas. "Activists Call for Efforts to Protect North Korean Olympians after Viral Selfie." NK News, September 4, 2024. https://www.nknews.org/2024/09/activists-call-for-efforts-to-protect-north-korean-olympians-after-viral-selfie/

[14] McPherson, Ella. "Social Media and Human Rights Advocacy." In The Routledge Companion to Media and Human Rights, edited by Howard Tumber and Silvio Waisbord, 2017. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315619835-27.

9. S. Korean business delegation calls meeting with U.S. commerce chief 'productive' amid investment reports

​Korea and US business partnership will be one pillar of strength of the ROK-US alliance.

S. Korean business delegation calls meeting with U.S. commerce chief 'productive' amid investment reports | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · February 24, 2025

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- A visiting South Korean business delegation said Monday that last week's meeting with newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was "productive," following reports that discussions included proposals for US$1 billion in investments from each company in exchange for "fast-track" regulatory benefits.

The delegation, comprising 20 South Korean CEOs and led by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also heads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met with Lutnick in Washington on Friday (local time) during a visit aimed at strengthening dialogue with the second Donald Trump administration.

Reports later emerged that Lutnick had requested investment commitments from South Korean firms during the 30-minute meeting, apparently in line with Trump's plan to encourage investments from allied trading partners through a new fast-track process designed to expedite project approvals.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (R) speaks next to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2025, in this file photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

"Secretary Lutnick did not explicitly demand investments of over $1 billion but rather conveyed that companies investing more than $1 billion could receive various forms of support from the U.S. government," one delegation participant said on condition of anonymity.

Another participant, who also requested anonymity, stated that Lutnick provided a clear and structured explanation of the latest U.S. trade policies.

"It was a productive session that helped us better understand U.S. trade policy," he said.

Market watchers noted that the meeting could add further complexity to South Korean companies' investment strategies, as firms navigate potential tariff hikes and a reassessment of semiconductor subsidies under Trump's second term.

Given heightening uncertainties surrounding global trade policies, companies are expected to assess various scenarios before making final investment decisions.

South Korean firms, including SK Group, have hinted at increasing their investments in the United States, as heightened trade tensions and protectionist policies under Trump could pose challenges for their operations.

Earlier, Chey said SK Group could consider additional investments in the U.S., provided there are sufficient incentives under the new administration.

The meeting was finalized at the last minute due to the secretary's confirmation process, which included a Senate approval vote and inauguration proceedings. The meeting took place just three hours before Lutnick's swearing-in ceremony.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won (C) speaks to reporters on the sidelines of the 2025 Trans-Pacific Dialogue hosted by the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies at a hotel in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 21, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · February 24, 2025

10. Defense ministry to review creating internal reporting channel over Dec. 3 martial law

​Again, martial law is a critical component for the defense of Korea if north Korea renews hostilities and attacks the South to invade it.

Defense ministry to review creating internal reporting channel over Dec. 3 martial law | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · February 24, 2025

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Monday it will review establishing an internal reporting channel regarding December's martial law operations amid ongoing investigations into the short-lived episode.

The ministry's spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou made the remark when asked about the need for such measures within the ministry as dozens of military officials have been under investigation for their alleged involvement in Yoon's failed bid to impose martial law on Dec. 3.

"As investigations have been taking place, the ministry has not made such measures but will review them," Jeon said during a regular briefing. "(I) think it would be meaningful."

Testimonies of the brief martial law have surfaced through media reports, leading to some calls for an internal reporting system that could help uncover details of the operations.

"There aren't any specific plans as of yet and further examinations need to be made, such as whether it is legally feasible," a ministry official said. "While it might feel a bit late, it is worth being reviewed."

This file photo, taken Dec. 4, 2024, shows the National Assembly in western Seoul, hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · February 24, 2025

11. 52 pct says Constitutional Court should uphold Yoon's impeachment

​Will the court follow the law or will it be swayed by the nearly even split in public opinion?

52 pct says Constitutional Court should uphold Yoon's impeachment | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Yi Wonju · February 24, 2025

SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- More than half of South Koreans said the Constitutional Court should uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol to remove him from office for his short-lived martial law declaration, a survey showed Monday.

According to the survey by Realmeter on 1,006 people aged 18 and older conducted last Thursday and Friday, 52 percent of the respondents said the court should rule to dismiss Yoon, while 45.1 percent said it should reinstate him as president following his impeachment by the National Assembly in December.

In the same survey, 50.7 percent replied they viewed the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial process to be "fair," while 45 percent said it was "unfair."

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

The final hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial will be held Tuesday, increasing the likelihood a verdict will be delivered in mid-March.

President Yoon Suk Yeol attends the eighth hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul, in this file photo from Feb. 13, 2025, over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. (Yonhap)

julesyi@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Yi Wonju · February 24, 2025

12. Parties wage a war to expand centrists’ support

​Support of the center is key to both parties' political future.

Parties wage a war to expand centrists’ support

donga.com

Posted February. 24, 2025 07:52,

Updated February. 24, 2025 07:52

Parties wage a war to expand centrists’ support. February. 24, 2025 07:52. by 윤명진, 조권형 mjlight@donga.com.

With the final hearing date for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial set for Tuesday, the ruling and opposition parties' ‘war to expand centrists’ support’ is intensifying as early presidential elections are in sight. The Democratic Party of Korea's leader, Lee Jae-myung, emphasized Sunday that “The Democratic Party of Korea is the main centrist party” as he tried to expand its support base. Floor Leader Kwon Sung-dong of the ruling People Power Party responded that Lee's claim to be a centrist conservative is a political purpose to 'push us to the far right.

“When progressiveness was more important in the circumstances of the time, the role of the progressive center was greater, and when conservatism was more important, the role of the center-conservative was greater,” Lee said. “Even if you are in the same position, you can become right or left when the circumstances change.” He reiterated his center-conservative policy stance of emphasizing ‘growth first’ despite criticism from within the party that it would ‘harm the party's identity.’

On the other hand, Kwon criticized Lee at a press conference, saying, “Centrism is about inclusion and integration, but Lee's actual behavior is to exclude and divide. Lee is fading the meaning of centrism.” He went on to say, “If you ask the people whether Lee is a center-oriented person or a left-oriented person, whether he is a leader of inclusion and integration or a leader of exclusion and sectarianism, the answer will come out.” Lee Jong-bae, a deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, also said that Lee is a leftist in body and a conservative in mouth.

However, critics say that if the ruling and opposition parties only engage in ideological battles and fail to show substantial policy changes, the boomerang could hit either side first. “The ruling and opposition parties should not stop merely with campaign rhetoric, but should move to the stage of pledging concrete policies,” said Professor Chae Jin-won at Kyung Hee University's Institute of Public Governance. Only then can voters check their sincerity through comparison and verification.”

한국어

donga.com

13. What are key points of contention in court's review on Yoon’s impeachment?

​An overview (though I think it is a little one sided)

What are key points of contention in court's review on Yoon’s impeachment?

The Korea Times · February 24, 2025

A flag of the Constitutional Court flutters in the wind in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Constitutional Court to hear final arguments on Tuesday

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The impeachment trial for President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration has only one hearing left, Tuesday, before the court makes a decision on whether to remove him from power.

For the last 10 hearings since Jan. 14, representatives from the National Assembly, who serve as the prosecution in the impeachment trial, debated with Yoon’s lawyers over various issues, including whether the declaration of martial law and its accompanying proclamation met the necessary conditions and procedures. It also reviewed if Yoon ordered martial law troops to detain politicians and prevent them from passing a resolution to lift the martial law decree and whether the deployment of soldiers to the National Election Commission (NEC) constituted a violation of the Constitution and other laws.

Yoon attended seven out of 10 hearings to defend himself in court. The court also called in 16 witnesses who were key figures in the martial law fiasco, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Deputy Director Hong Jang-won and Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun.

In the final hearing, the president’s and the Assembly’s sides are expected to present their closing arguments over the issues of contention, with Yoon expected to give final statements himself. Yoon is likely to reiterate his claim that declaring martial law was within his authority and thus did not violate the Constitution, while the Assembly's impeachment panel is expected to assert that it was illegal and unjustified.

Based on the arguments, the court is likely to make a verdict in the middle of March.

Police officers guard the main entrance of the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, central Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

National emergency?

Article 77 of the Constitution grants the president the authority to declare martial law during times of war, serious disasters (whether natural or human-induced, including external threats) or in similar states of emergency, in order to address military necessities or maintain public order.

When making his martial law announcement on Dec. 3, Yoon said it was aimed at eradicating "anti-state forces," a term which he used to describe the opposition-dominant Assembly.

Yoon and his legal team contended that declaring martial law was necessary due to the opposition's attempts to undermine his government through impeachment efforts and budget cuts. They also asserted that troops were dispatched to the NEC headquarters and two other NEC-related facilities in Seoul and Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, to investigate allegations of election fraud.

On the other hand, the Assembly’s panel refuted claims that the country was facing a national emergency, stating that there was no justification for deploying military forces to the Assembly. They also criticized Yoon for attempting to confiscate the election commission's computer servers without a warrant based on personal suspicions of election fraud.

Legitimacy of Cabinet meeting

Another contentious issue centers on whether the proper procedures and rules were followed before and after the declaration of martial law.

According to the law, the president's declaration must undergo a Cabinet review. Additionally, when martial law is declared, the Assembly must be notified of the decision.

The Assembly’s panel argued that the Cabinet meeting held just before the declaration of martial law lasted only about five minutes and that no minutes were recorded during the meeting. They also claimed that the procedures for notifying the Assembly and the relevant ministries were not followed.

Han testified the Cabinet meeting had "numerous procedural and substantive flaws" and was different from usual Cabinet meetings.

In contrast, Yoon’s legal team emphasized the procedural legitimacy of the Cabinet meeting, asserting that the drafting of minutes was a secondary issue.

President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing of his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, Feb. 20. Joint Press Corps

Arrest squad allegations

The Assembly’s committee raised allegations regarding the deployment of a so-called "arrest squad," which Yoon vehemently denies.

Hong, the former NIS official, testified that Yoon ordered him to arrest key political figures on the night of the martial law declaration. His handwritten note taken during a phone call with Yoon was considered key evidence suggesting that Yoon had issued an unlawful order to arrest politicians.

However, the president’s legal team questioned the credibility of his testimony, adding that Hong had different versions of the note.

The Assembly panel also accused Yoon of blocking lawmakers from passing a resolution to lift martial law. The martial law decree prohibited all political activities, including the operations of the National Assembly, political parties, political associations, gatherings and protests. This contradicts Yoon’s claim that the martial law imposition was intended to last no more than half a day, merely sending a “warning signal” to the opposition.

Former Defense Minister Kim said he drew up the martial law decree and the president endorsed it.

Once the final hearing ends, the court is expected to issue its ruling within approximately two weeks, based on precedents from past impeachment cases. In former President Roh Moo-hyun’s trial, the court ruled 14 days after the final arguments, while in former President Park Geun-hye’s case, the decision came 11 days later.

If the court upholds the impeachment, an election must be held within 60 days to choose a new president.

The Korea Times · February 24, 2025

14. EXPLAINED: North Korean POW in Ukraine wants to defect to South. What’s next?

EXPLAINED: North Korean POW in Ukraine wants to defect to South. What’s next?

The process is not as straightforward as simply crossing the border.

https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2025/02/24/north-korea-pow-defect-south-explained/

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.02.24

An undated photo released on Jan. 11, 2025 from the Telegram account of V_Zelenskiy_official shows an alleged soldier presented as North Korean detained by Ukrainian authorities at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, following his capture by the Ukrainian army. Part of the image has been blurred by RFA. (AFP)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – A North Korean soldier captured in Russia’s Kursk region has reportedly expressed his desire to defect to South Korea, which has said it would accept him.

Legally, South Korea recognizes all North Koreans as citizens under its constitution. This means that any North Korean, including a prisoner of war, or POW, is entitled to South Korean nationality upon arrival.

However, the process is not as straightforward as simply crossing the border.

What would be the process?

Since the North Korean prisoner is in Ukraine, his transfer to South Korea would require diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine and South Korea. If Ukraine agrees to facilitate his departure, he could be transferred either through a third country or directly to South Korea. The South Korean government may also work with international organizations to ensure a smooth and legally compliant transfer.

Once in South Korea, the man, like all other North Koreans coming to the South, would undergo a vetting process by South Korea’s main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service.

He would first be taken to a secure facility, where intelligence officials would assess his background, potential security threats, and any valuable information he might have. This process can take several weeks or even months. If he is deemed to have no ill intent, he would be transferred to Hanawon, a resettlement center for North Korean defectors, where he would undergo training to adapt to South Korean society.

After this period, he would be integrated into South Korean society with government support, including financial assistance and job training.

An undated photo on Jan. 11, 2025 from the Telegram account of V_Zelenskiy_official shows an alleged soldier presented as North Korean detained by Ukrainian authorities at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, following his capture by the Ukrainian army. Part of the photo has been blurred by RFA. (V_Zelenskiy_official/Telegram/AFP)

Have there been similar cases?

There have been instances of captured North Korean soldiers defecting to South Korea, though such cases have been rare in recent years.

Historically, North Koreans captured during the Korean War had the choice to stay in South Korea, return to the North, or relocate to a third country. Many chose to remain in South Korea, while some resettled in other places such as Taiwan and the United States.

Beyond POWs, several high-profile North Koreans have defected to South Korea, including senior military officers, diplomats, and even a member of Kim Jong Un’s family.

Notable figures include Hwang Jang Yop in 1997, the highest-ranking North Korean official to defect, who was the architect of the North’s Juche ideology of self-reliance, and Thae Yong Ho in 2016, a former North Korean diplomat in the U.K. who defected to South Korea, later becoming a National Assembly member.

Kim Kuk Song, a senior North Korean intelligence officer who defected to the South in 2021, provided valuable insights into Pyongyang’s covert operations.

What happens if he arrives in South Korea?

While the South Korean government provides defectors with various forms of support for settlement, including financial aid, housing and job training, many struggle to adapt due to cultural differences, social discrimination, and economic hardship.

According to media reports, defectors often face difficulties finding stable employment and integrating into South Korean society, as they usually lack the necessary skills and networks to compete in the job market.

People lining up at a job fair for North Korean defectors in Seoul on Dec. 1, 2023. (Anthony Wallace/AFP)

Additionally, mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, are common due to the harsh conditions they endured in North Korea and during their escape.

Discrimination against North Korean defectors remains a significant issue in South Korea as well. Many South Koreans view defectors with skepticism, sometimes perceiving them as outsiders or even possible spies.

This prejudice makes it difficult for defectors to form social connections, find good jobs or be fully accepted in mainstream South Korean life.

Some defectors report being openly stigmatized in workplaces, schools, and even within their communities. The South Korean government has made efforts to address this discrimination through awareness campaigns and policy initiatives, but challenges persist.

How could South Korea use the POW for propaganda?

The prisoner’s background as a soldier sent to Russia makes him a unique case, and his defection could provide South Korea with intelligence on North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia, making him a valuable propaganda tool.

Historically, South Korea has leveraged high-profile defectors for propaganda purposes. When Hwang Jang Yop defected, he was frequently used to criticize the North Korean regime.

Likewise, Thae Yong Ho has been a vocal critic of Kim Jong Un’s leadership and has appeared on South Korean media and in political settings.

A portrait of deceased North Korean defector Hwang Jang Yop is hung on balloons as former North Korean defectors and anti-North Korean activists prepare to release them towards the North, near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul, Oct. 10, 2011. (Jo Yong-hak/Reuters)

The North Korean prisoner could be used to highlight North Korea’s human rights abuses, poor conditions within its military and any questions over the loyalty of its soldiers.

His testimony could be used in media campaigns, diplomatic discussions, and international forums to highlight North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Psychological warfare tactics, such as loudspeaker broadcasts at the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas or targeted online messaging, could spread his story.

He could also be encouraged to join human rights organizations, raising awareness of Pyongyang’s policies.

RELATED STORIES

‘I want to defect to South’: North Korean soldier captured in Kursk breaks silence

Ukraine broadcasts appeal to North Korean soldiers to surrender

North Korea to punish people for spreading ‘rumors’ of soldiers dying in Russia

How might North Korea react?

North Korea and Russia have not officially acknowledged that North Korean soldiers have been sent to fight in Ukraine. If North Korea refuses to recognize this, it may simply dismiss the defector’s case as South Korean propaganda. Pyongyang could claim that Seoul is spreading false information to undermine it, a tactic it has used in the past when high-profile defectors have revealed sensitive information.

If North Korea chooses to respond, it could label the POW a criminal or traitor, claiming he was abducted or coerced into defecting by South Korea. This has been North Korea’s standard approach to high-profile defectors.

For example, North Korea accused Thae Yong Ho of embezzlement and child molestation – charges widely believed to be fabricated. Similarly, Shin Dong Hyuk, a well-known defector who exposed North Korea’s brutal prison camps, was accused of being a liar and traitor, in an attempt to discredit him.

If the defecting prisoner had sensitive military information, North Korea might take drastic measures, such as increasing border security to prevent future defections or punishing the defector’s relatives who remain in the North. In extreme cases, North Korea has even carried out assassination attempts against high-profile defectors abroad, as was the case with Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong Un, killed by exposure to a nerve agent in Malaysia in 2017.

Edited by Mike Firn.

15. 22 Really Bizarre Facts About the Most Orwellian Society on Earth

22 Really Bizarre Facts About the Most Orwellian Society on Earth

https://discernreport.com/22-really-bizarre-facts-about-the-most-orwellian-society-on-earth/

by Michael Snyder  February 21, 2025 in Curated, Opinions 

(End of the American Dream)—Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a truly Orwellian society where there is absolutely no freedom of speech, absolutely no freedom of religion and absolutely no freedom of the press? You may think that the rules that you are currently living under are bad, but the country that I am about to discuss exercises total control over the population. In this nation, you can only choose a haircut off a pre-approved list, and smiling on the wrong day can literally get you sent to a prison camp. Unfortunately, once you are sent to a prison camp you will be worked day and night until you either starve or drop dead.

Of course the country that I am talking about is North Korea. The following are 22 really bizarre facts about the most Orwellian society on Earth…

#1 The first “Great Leader” of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, is deeply revered in North Korea. In fact, there are approximately 40,000 statues of Kim Il-sung scattered all throughout the nation.

#2 In North Korea, it is believed that “destroying a statue is the most hideous insult to our supreme authority and our people and is an act of war no less serious than an armed invasion”.

#3 Hanging up pictures of founder Kim Il-sung is compulsory for every household in North Korea.

#4 It is against the law for citizens of North Korea to smile on the 8th of July. If you break this law, you can be sent to a prison camp or in some cases you could even be executed…

Everyone loves a smile. But what if there were laws on when you could do it? Sound nuts? Believe it or not, it’s against the law for North Koreans to smile on July 8, the anniversary of Kim Il-sung’s death.

If Citizens do happen to break the law for this rule, they could be sent to concentration camps or even pay with their lives. The same goes for being loud, drinking, or having a birthday party. So, whatever you do, don’t smile on July 8.

#5 After he died, the body of Kim Il-sung was embalmed and it still lies in state in Pyongyang.

#6 The same thing was done to the body of Kim Jong-il when he died…

North Korea has announced that the body of late leader Kim Jong-il will lie in state permanently at a palace in the capital, Pyongyang.

His body will be displayed at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace alongside his father, Kim Il-sung.

#7 The North Korean people were told that Kim Jong-il actually bowled a perfect game the first time he ever tried bowling…

Kim Jong Il’s mythology is no less extensive. His birth was hailed as “heaven sent” by propagandists, and state media has often touted impossible feats: He scored a perfect 300 the first time he tried bowling, and shot five holes-in-one the first time he played golf. Upon his death in 2011, the skies about the sacred mountain Paektu in North Korea allegedly glowed red.

#8 The Constitution of North Korea actually guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press…

Citizens are guaranteed freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, demonstration and association.

The State shall guarantee conditions for the free activity of democratic political parties and social organizations.

#9 The Constitution of North Korea also guarantees freedom of religion…

Citizens have freedom of religious beliefs. This right is granted by approving the construction of religious buildings and the holding of religious ceremonies.

#10 In 1987, North Korea began construction on the Ryugyong Hotel, which would have been the tallest hotel in the world at that time if it had been finished on schedule in 1989. Instead, construction of the bizarre 105 story skyscraper that somewhat resembles a pyramid was suspended in 1992, and the unfinished structure was just a massive concrete shell towering over Pyongyang completely empty for the next 16 years. Work began once again on the project in 2008, but it is still unfinished to this day…

That pointy building in the center of the capital Pyongyang is the Ryugyong Hotel, also known as “the hotel of doom.” At a height of 1,079 feet (329 meters), it is the tallest unoccupied building in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Construction on the abandoned residence began in 1987 and has stopped and started several times over three decades due to North Korea’s economic woes.

#11 One of North Korea’s greatest national treasures is the Pueblo – a U.S. naval vessel that the North Koreans captured from “the imperialist Americans” back in 1968…

USS Pueblo (AGER-2) is a Banner-class environmental research ship, placed into service during World War II, then converted to a spy ship in 1967 by the United States Navy. She gathered intelligence and oceanographic information, monitoring electronic and radio signals from North Korea. On 23 January 1968, the ship was attacked and captured by a North Korean vessel, in what became known as the “Pueblo incident”.

#12 Current leader Kim Jong-un didn’t like the rules of basketball, and so he radically changed them…

Even the country’s sports are isolated from the rest of the world. Kim Jong-un apparently didn’t like the OG way basketball was played, so decided to rewrite it. The North Korean basketball rules say that slam dunks are worth three points and field goals in the final three minutes of the game are worth eight points.

#13 Police in North Korea are often given promotions when they are able to to identify and arrest Christians…

North Korea’s secret police, the Ministry of State Security, are incentivized with promotions when they apprehend Christians and other believers.

“Those charged with Christianity often face execution or are forced to live out the rest of their lives in political prison camps,” testified Inje Hwang, an investigator with Korea Future Initiative, during a webinar hosted by USCIRF.

#14 Children in North Korea are taught that Christian missionaries suck the blood of children…

Even children are taught from a young age to be suspicious of Christianity.

“In schools, young children are taught that Christian missionaries are spies of the countries who seek opportunities to invade North Korea and they’re shown graphic images of missionaries sucking the blood of children to show how malicious they are,” said Suyeon Yoo, co-director of Korea Future Initiative. “And they are taken to state-run exhibition halls where religious adherents are presented as murderers, spies, and where Bibles are displayed as trophies taken from enemies of the state.”

#15 Christians are executed in some of the most brutal ways imaginable in North Korea. In one case, a group of Christians was crushed to death by a steamroller…

“While Interviewee 17 was in the North Korean Army, his unit was dispatched to widen the highway between Pyongyang and the nearby port city of Nampo. They were demolishing a vacated house in Yongkang county, Yongkang district town, when in a basement between two bricks they found a Bible and a small notebook that contained 25 names, one identified as pastor, two as chon-do-sa (assistant pastors), two as elders, and 20 other names, apparently parishioners, identified by their occupations. The soldiers turned the Bible and notebook over to the local branch of Department 15 of the Korean Workers Party (KWP), but the Party officials said it was up to the military police unit, Bowisaryungbu gigwanwon, to investigate. Tracked down at their place of work through the listing of occupation in the notebook, the 25 persons were picked up without formal arrest by the military bowibu. The interviewee was not aware of any judicial procedures for those seized. In November 1996, the 25 were brought to the road construction site. Four concentric rectangular rows of spectators were assembled to watch the execution. Interviewee 17 was in the first row. The five leaders to be executed – the pastor, two assistant pastors, and two elders – were bound hand and foot and made to lie down in front of a steamroller. This steamroller was a large construction vehicle imported from Japan with a heavy, huge, and wide steel roller mounted on the front to crush and level the roadway prior to pouring concrete. The other twenty persons were held just to the side. The condemned were accused of being Kiddokyo (Protestant Christian) spies and conspiring to engage in subversive activities. Nevertheless, they were told, “If you abandon religion and serve only Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, you will not be killed.” None of the five said a word. Some of the fellow parishioners assembled to watch the execution cried, screamed out, or fainted when the skulls made a popping sound as they were crushed beneath the steamroller. Interviewee 17 thought, at the time, that these church people were crazy. He thought then that religion was an “opiate,” and it was stupid for them to give up their lives for religion. He heard from the soldiers who took away the other twenty prisoners that they were being sent to a prison camp.”

#16 It has been estimated that over 150,000 people live in six giant North Korean concentration camps…

All the fanciful and funny myths about North Korea’s dictators cover up a disturbing truth, however: Some 154,000 North Koreans live in prison camps, according to South Korean government estimates. (Other international bodies put the number at closer to 200,000). There are six camps, surrounded by electrified barbed wire. Two camps allow for some “rehabilitation” and release of prisoners, according to “Escape from Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West” (Viking, 2012). The rest are prisons for life.

#17 The conditions that prisoners must endure in North Korea are absolutely deplorable…

Extrajudicial executions, rape, forced abortions, jail without trial, torture, starvation rations that leave prisoners so hungry some turn to eating insects.

These are just some of the abuses commonplace in North Korean prisons and other detention facilities, according to former detainees whose testimony forms the basis of a new report released by a human rights watchdog this week.

#18 A song entitled “No Motherland Without You” was written specifically for Kim Jong-il, and it is one of the most popular songs in North Korea. It is regularly sung by the North Korean military.

#19 Most Americans don’t know that the North Koreans have developed a nuclear missile that can “reach anywhere in the U.S. mainland”…

North Korea said Monday leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to develop more powerful means of attack, days after the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in more than four years.

The statement suggests North Korea might perform additional launches or even test a nuclear device soon as it pushes to modernize its arsenal and increase pressure on the Biden administration while nuclear diplomacy remains stalled. Last Thursday, the North performed its 12th round of weapons tests this year, launching the newly developed, long-range Hwasong-17, which analysts say was designed to reach anywhere in the U.S. mainland.

#20 North Korea has successfully tested an undersea drone that is reportedly similar to Russia’s Poseidon doomsday weapon…

According to KCNA, the test was personally overseen by dictator Kim Jong-un, who wanted to warn the U.S. and South Korea they are causing a “nuclear crisis” with their “intentional, persistent, and provocative war drills.”

North Korea’s state Rodong Sinmun newspaper published a photo of Kim standing next to a large torpedo, which may or may not have been the undersea drone. The article also included photos that purportedly showed the drone maneuvering underwater and then kicking up a pillar of water, depth-charge style, when its test warhead detonated.

#21 Kim Jong-un has repeatedly threatened to nuke South Korea. Here is just one example…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatened to use nuclear weapons to destroy South Korea if attacked, state media reported Friday, after South Korea’s president warned that if the North used nuclear weapons it would “face the end of its regime.”

The fiery rhetoric isn’t new, but comes at a time of tension on the Korean Peninsula and just weeks after North Korean state media released images of Kim visiting a uranium enrichment facility, which produces weapons-grade nuclear materials.

#22 Kim Jong-un has also threatened to “thoroughly annihilate” the United States…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his military to “thoroughly annihilate” the United States and South Korea if provoked, state media reported Monday, after he vowed to boost national defense to cope with what he called an unprecedented U.S.-led confrontation.

Even knowing all this, I would love to visit North Korea someday.

But those that visit are certainly not guaranteed to get out alive.

• Gold Skyrocketed 51% During Trump’s First Term — Will It Do the Same in His Second?

A woman named Yeonmi Park knows what daily life in North Korea is like, because she was born there. By the age of 13, she had literally witnessed people drop dead from starvation right in front of her eyes. Thankfully, she was able to escape North Korea for a better life.

In 2016, Park transferred from the university that she was studying at in South Korea to Columbia University here in the United States. Initially she was very excited to be able to study in this country, but once she started attending classes she quickly realized that “even North Korea isn’t this nuts”…

A North Korean defector said she viewed the US as country of free thought and free speech – until she went to college here.

Yeonmi Park attended Columbia University and was immediately struck by what she viewed anti-Western sentiment in the classroom and a focus on political correctness that had her thinking “even North Korea isn’t this nuts.”

It is so easy to mock North Korea, but the truth is that much of the rest of the world has been going down the same Orwellian path.

Hopefully there will be some positive changes now that a new administration is in power here in the United States.

But in most nations, basic freedoms are being eroded at a staggering rate.

Liberty is such a precious thing, and once it is lost it can be exceedingly difficult to ever get back.

Just ask the people of North Korea.

Michael’s new  book entitled “Why” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.

16. EU “Will Raise Attention to Human Rights in North Korea through Human Rights Resolution… Support for Accountability”

​This is a Google translation of a VOA report.

EU “Will Raise Attention to Human Rights in North Korea through Human Rights Resolution… Support for Accountability”

https://www.voakorea.com/a/7983809.html

2025.2.23

Jo Sang-jin

The United Nations Human Rights Council meeting is held in Geneva on September 25, 2024. (File photo)

The EU emphasized that it will inform the international community of the serious human rights situation in North Korea through the North Korea human rights resolution submitted to the UN Human Rights Council. It also said that it will express its continued support for the work of determining accountability for human rights violations. Reporter Cho Sang-jin reports.

The European Union (EU) announced that it will urge the international community to pay attention to the dire human rights situation in North Korea by submitting a resolution on North Korean human rights at the 58th UN Human Rights Council to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, starting on the 24th.

[EU Spokesperson] “Presented together with Australia, the resolution on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will continue to draw attention to the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in the DPRK and will express continued support for the work on accountability and the need to address the findings of the Commission of Inquiry from 2014. Furthermore, the resolution will renew for one year the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and for two years the capacity of the OHCHR, including its field-based structure in Seoul. We hope to be able to count on support in view of adopting this resolution by consensus as it was the case in the past.”

When asked by VOA about the significance and goals of submitting this resolution, an EU spokesperson emphasized that “this North Korea human rights resolution, which we are submitting jointly with Australia, will continue to draw attention to the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in North Korea.”

“Expressing support for the accountability process”

He added that he would continue to support the need to hold North Korean authorities accountable for their human rights abuses and to address the findings of the 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in North Korea.

He also explained that the resolution includes a one-year extension of the term of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea and a two-year extension of the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to promote accountability, including through its field-based organization in Seoul.

He added, “As in the past, we expect support from (the board members) so that this resolution can be adopted through consensus.”

The EU spokesperson stressed that the role and activities of the UN Human Rights Council are more important than ever amid human rights and humanitarian crises around the world.

[EU Spokesperson] “In this challenging context, the work and unique role of the Council to protect and promote human rights is more important than ever. The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to the UN human rights system, including the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. Human rights are at the core of the EU’s external action, and we will continue to work with partners from all regions to uphold and advance the international human rights cause.”

He went on to reiterate that “the EU has a firm commitment to the UN human rights system, particularly the Human Rights Council and its bodies.”

He added that “human rights are a core element of the EU’s foreign policy” and that “we will continue to work with partners from all regions to promote international human rights.”

The EU has submitted resolutions to the UN Human Rights Council since 2003 and to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly since 2005 condemning the dire human rights situation in North Korea and urging improvement.

“North Korean human rights are also a key agenda item in this session”

Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council will hold its first regular meeting of the year in Geneva, Switzerland from the 24th to April 5th, and the human rights situation in North Korea will also be a major agenda item.

Elizabeth Salmon, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea, will present a report on the human rights situation in North Korea over the past year and will brief the report’s contents at the “North Korea Human Rights Interaction Dialogue” to be held on March 19.

On March 20, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is scheduled to report on the progress made in ensuring accountability for human rights abuses in North Korea. Also on March 24, the final results of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on North Korea are scheduled to be adopted.

In addition, it is expected that a resolution on North Korean human rights will be adopted in the last week of this session.

The North Korea human rights resolution has been adopted for 21 consecutive years since it was first adopted by the UN Human Rights Commission, the predecessor of the UN Human Rights Council, in 2003.

In particular, since 2016, resolutions have been adopted by consensus without consecutive voting every year.

North Korea has strongly opposed resolutions on human rights in North Korea adopted by the United Nations.

On November 22nd of last year, immediately after the UN General Assembly Third Committee adopted a resolution on human rights in North Korea, a spokesperson for the North Korean Foreign Ministry condemned it as a “political provocation,” and claimed that the alleged human rights violations specified in the resolution were “provocations with grave political objectives aimed at violating the dignity and sovereignty of our country.”

This is Cho Sang-jin from VOA News.

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