Quotes of the Day:

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

–Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the danger of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity."

– Thomas J. Watson

“An ideology is a complex of ideas or notions, which represents itself to the thinker as an absolute truth for the interpretation of the world and his situation within it; it leads the thinker to accomplish an act of self-deception for the purpose of justification, obfuscation and evasion, and some sense or other to his advantage”.

– Karl Theodor Jaspers

1. Trump claims S. Korea's average tariff is 4 times higher though U.S. helps S. Korea in 'so many ways'

2. S. Korea reaffirms effective tariff rate on U.S. imports remains close to zero

3. Seoul's spy agency detects sign of N. Korean troops in Russia learning drone tactics from Moscow

4.  S. Korea to introduce 'top-tier visa' to attract foreign talents in high-tech industries: acting president

5. Experts: “Korea is different from Ukraine… Some point out that it ‘undermines trust in the alliance’

6. Kim Jong Un orders munition factories to accelerate five-year defense plan tasks

7. US Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee: “Strong Alliance with Korea... Unclear Whether US-ROK-Japan Solidarity Will Continue”

8. Deputy Secretary of State Nominee: “We Must Cooperate with Korea, Japan, and Others to Respond to China’s Rise”

9. ＜Inside N. Korea＞"10x Wage Increase" One Year Later: What Happened? (2) "No One Says Life Has Improved" - "Forced Attendance Makes Us Feel Like Government Slaves"

10. 'It Makes You Want to Cry': North Korean captured soldiers reveals brutal military training

11. N. Korea tightens central control over executions with new supreme court directives

12. Grain prices surge as N. Korea enters annual spring food shortage

13. N. Korean parents go into debt for private tutoring as education market expands

14. “North Korean IT workers disguised as Japanese, Singaporean, etc. nationals… Targeting U.S. and Japanese companies”

15. ‘Family, a home and basic rights’ – North Korean POW in Ukraine dreams of new life

16. [Room 39, Lee Jeong-ho's Eyes] "North Korea-Russia Relations Closer in the U.S. Practical Hegemony Strategy"

17. “If the North Korea-Russia War is prolonged, there is a possibility of a 5th or 6th troop deployment”

18. Last year, South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea was 'nonexistent'

1. Trump claims S. Korea's average tariff is 4 times higher though U.S. helps S. Korea in 'so many ways'

​Where do these "facts" come from?

Also, Kim Jong Un will not be happy that he was not mentioned at all.

Excerpts:

It remains unclear on what grounds Trump made the claim regarding South Korea's tariffs when the two countries have a free trade agreement. The claim came after Seoul has requested tariff exemptions and sought to address trade issues through working-level consultations.

...

He did not mention North Korean threats during the address.

(2nd LD) Trump claims S. Korea's average tariff is 4 times higher though U.S. helps S. Korea in 'so many ways' | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · March 5, 2025

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout; ADDS photo)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that South Korea's average tariff is four times higher than the United States' tariff although America has helped the Asian ally militarily and in "so many other ways."

Trump made the remarks Tuesday (local time) in his first address to a joint session of Congress since his inauguration in January, as his administration plans to impose "reciprocal" tariffs on U.S. imports on April 2, which are to be pegged to trading partners' tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

"Countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair. India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 percent. China's average tariff on our products is twice, but we charge them," the president said.

"South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that ... four times higher, and we give so much help militarily and so many other ways to South Korea. But that's what happens. This is happening by friend and foe," he added.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 4, 2025, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

It remains unclear on what grounds Trump made the claim regarding South Korea's tariffs when the two countries have a free trade agreement. The claim came after Seoul has requested tariff exemptions and sought to address trade issues through working-level consultations.

The president's remarks added to growing fears that a flurry of his trade actions, including a plan to impose a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports on March 12 and his push for new tariffs on cars, chips and pharmaceuticals could weigh heavily on Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Trump also made a call for removing the CHIPS Act, casting it as a "horrible thing." Under the act, the previous Joe Biden administration agreed to provide grants to two South Korean tech firms, Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix, to support their chipmaking investments in the U.S.

"You should get rid of the CHIPS Act," he said, speaking to House Speaker Mike Johnson behind his podium. "And whatever is left over, Mr. Speaker, you should use it to reduce debt or any other reason you want."

He defended his tariff policy as a way to bring foreign businesses to the U.S. while decrying the CHIPS Act program intended to encourage foreign investments through subsidies.

"They will come because they won't have to pay tariffs if they build (their products) in America. So it's very amazing," he said.

In a move that could have implications for South Korean automakers, the president said he wants to make interest payments on car loans tax-deductible "only if the car is made in America."

President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington on March 4, 2025, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

Trump also said South Korea and other countries hope to participate in a natural gas pipeline project in the U.S. He did not elaborate.

"My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partner -- with investments of trillions of dollars each," he said.

"It's never been anything like that one. It will be truly spectacular. It's all set to go. The permitting is gotten."

To "resurrect" America's shipbuilding industry, Trump plans to create a new office of shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring the industry back to the U.S., he said.

"We used to make so many ships. We don't make them anymore very much, but we are going to make them very fast, very soon," he said. "It will have a huge impact."

Trump has shown his interest in cooperation with South Korea in the shipbuilding sector, as China is known to have over 230 times the shipbuilding capacity of the U.S. amid an intensifying strategic rivalry between the two superpowers.

He did not mention North Korean threats during the address.

At times, he used the address to rail against former President Biden's policy records, lambasting them for leading to an "economic catastrophe" and "inflation nightmare."

His speech was interrupted at times by Democrats booing and raising a sign reading "false" -- a scene that underscored the deep political polarization at the Capitol.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · March 5, 2025

2. S. Korea reaffirms effective tariff rate on U.S. imports remains close to zero

​Would any of POTUS' advisors and speechwriters inform him of this information?

Of course the response will be, see they do have tariffs and that is all POTUS was trying to do was to raise awareness that countries are putting tariffs on us. Of course our tariffs must not be nothing if the claims are that Korea's are 4 times as high as ours. (though they must be very small if Seoul's less than 1% is four times higher than ours)

Excerpts:

Seoul earlier said its average tariff rate on goods imported from the U.S. came to 0.79 percent last year, stressing that the rate is further lowered when considering refunds.

Its reaffirmation came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Seoul's average tariff is four times higher than that of the U.S., arguing the U.S. is being mistreated by both "friend and foe."

An official from Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Trump's argument is "not true," adding the government plans to communicate with the U.S. on the matter through various channels, including the U.S. Embassy here.

(LEAD) S. Korea reaffirms effective tariff rate on U.S. imports remains close to zero | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Na-young · March 5, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS byline, remarks from experts in last 3 paras)

By Kim Na-young

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government on Wednesday reaffirmed the country's average tariff rate on U.S. imports stands at less than 1 percent under its bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, with the rate scheduled to drop further this year.

Seoul earlier said its average tariff rate on goods imported from the U.S. came to 0.79 percent last year, stressing that the rate is further lowered when considering refunds.

Its reaffirmation came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Seoul's average tariff is four times higher than that of the U.S., arguing the U.S. is being mistreated by both "friend and foe."

An official from Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Trump's argument is "not true," adding the government plans to communicate with the U.S. on the matter through various channels, including the U.S. Embassy here.

"Trump seems to be referring to South Korea's tariff on its most-favored nations (MFNs), which is at 13.4 percent," the official said, which he said is approximately four times the 3.3 percent tariff the U.S. imposes on its MFNs.

However, most U.S. exports to South Korea are currently exempt from tariffs under the Korea-U.S. FTA, the official explained.

The average tariff rate for U.S. goods to Seoul, which stood at 0.79 percent in 2024, is scheduled to drop further this year under a reduction plan stipulated in the Korea-U.S. FTA, according to the ministry.

"We will explain that South Korea imposes almost zero tariffs on U.S. goods to dispel any misunderstanding by communicating with Washington through various channels, including our embassy there and recently launched working-level consultative bodies," it said.

U.S. President Donald Trump (front) delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

Experts said Trump's remark may have been aimed at increasing the U.S.' bargaining power in talks with South Korea over tariffs and other issues, including defense cost-sharing.

"I think Trump may have tried to emphasize that South Korea is posting 'unfairly' large trade surplus with the U.S. and that he plans to correct it," said Lee Tae-kyu, head of the global risk assessment team at the Federation of Korean Industries.

Lee noted Trump's remark raises concerns that the U.S. may impose reciprocal tariffs on South Korea in April.

Kim Tae-hwang, a professor of international trade at Seoul's Myongji University, said Trump seems to have an intention of not only improving Washington's trade deficit but also increasing its bargaining power in negotiations on defense cost-sharing and shipbuilding cooperation.

nyway@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Na-young · March 5, 2025

3. Seoul's spy agency detects sign of N. Korean troops in Russia learning drone tactics from Moscow

​Learning, adapting, and anticipating. Failing to do any results in failure (Cohen and Gooch). Will they be able to transfer these lessons to the nKPA in north Korea and translate the lessons into widespread training of its forces?

Seoul's spy agency detects sign of N. Korean troops in Russia learning drone tactics from Moscow | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · March 5, 2025

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's spy agency said Wednesday that there is a sign that North Korean troops deployed to Russia for the war with Ukraine have been learning drone operations and tactics from Moscow.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment amid concerns that Russia may have provided drone-related technology to North Korea in return for Pyongyang's troop dispatch designed to support Moscow's war efforts.

"As there is a sign that North Korean troops dispatched to Russia have been learning drone operations and tactics from Moscow, we are monitoring possible drone cooperation between the two sides," the NIS said.

On top of the supply of ammunition and conventional weapon, North Korea has sent around 11,000 troops to fight alongside Moscow in Russia's Kursk region since October. The NIS said last week North Korea appears to have deployed additional troops to Russia.

North Korea has been focusing on developing unmanned aerial vehicles, including multi-purpose attack drones, with its leader Kim Jong-un ordering the prompt full-scale mass production of suicide attack drone last November.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) inspects a performance test of suicide attack drones produced by an affiliated institute of the Unmanned Aerial Technology Complex and businesses, on Nov. 14, 2024, in this file photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

sooyeon@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · March 5, 2025

4.  S. Korea to introduce 'top-tier visa' to attract foreign talents in high-tech industries: acting president

(LEAD) S. Korea to introduce 'top-tier visa' to attract foreign talents in high-tech industries: acting president | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Boram · March 5, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 5-7, new photo)

SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will introduce a new visa program aimed at attracting young foreign talent in high-tech industries as part of the government's broader efforts to secure a creative workforce that can drive economic growth in an increasingly competitive global market, acting President Choi Sang-mok said Wednesday.

During a meeting of a government committee on policies for foreigners, the government announced plans to launch the "top-tier visa" later this month.

This new visa is designed to attract highly skilled professionals in key high-tech sectors, including semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, biotechnology, robotics and defense, by offering immigration and residency benefits.

Those who have a master's or doctoral degree from one of the world's top 100 universities, eight years of work experience, including at least three years at a global top 500 company, an annual income of at least 140 million won (US$100,000) and a plan to work at a high-tech company in Korea are eligible for the new visa program.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok speaks during a meeting of a government committee on foreigner policies in Seoul on March 5, 2025. (Yonhap)

The top-tier visa will grant foreign talent and their families a residence visa (F-2) with no restrictions on employment. Additionally, visa holders will be allowed to invite their parents and household helpers to South Korea.

Foreign individuals holding a master's or doctoral degree from a university ranked in the top 100 globally will be eligible for a job-search visa (D-10). This will allow them to participate in job-seeking activities before securing employment with a Korean company.

As part of its broader efforts to attract young global talent, the government will also introduce a "youth dream" visa program to provide job and cultural experience opportunities for young people from countries that fought for South Korea in the Korean War or nations in economic partnership with South Korea.

"As we adapt to demographic and economic changes, attracting foreign talent is no longer an option but a necessity for revitalizing our economy and society," Choi said.

"With our world-class technology and dynamic economy, we must create the best possible environment for global talent to settle, grow and drive innovation."

He said the South Korean government will also give full administrative and financial support to help foreign professionals and their families integrate smoothly into the country.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok (R) speaks during a meeting of a government committee on foreigner policies in Seoul on March 5, 2025. (Yonhap)

brk@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Boram · March 5, 2025

5. Experts: “Korea is different from Ukraine… Some point out that it ‘undermines trust in the alliance’

​This is a Google translation of a VOA report.

This is a good message to north Korea (and South Korea as well).

Experts: “Korea is different from Ukraine… Some point out that it ‘undermines trust in the alliance’

2025.3.5

An Jun-ho

https://www.voakorea.com/a/7997798.html

American experts have diagnosed that Korea is completely different from Ukraine, as concerns about the US foreign policy are growing among allies, such as the suspension of military aid to Ukraine. Some have pointed out that trust in the alliance has been damaged amid the assessment that Korea is important to the US in suppressing China. Reporter Ahn Jun-ho reports.

Fred Fleitz, vice president of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and former chief of staff of the White House National Security Council (NSC) during the first Trump administration, said on the 4th, “I don’t think there are any similarities between the Trump administration’s foreign policy toward Ukraine and South Korea.”

[Recording: Deputy Director Fleitz] “I don’t really see that there’s any parallels between American policy under Trump with Ukraine and with South Korea.”

Deputy Director Flynts made these remarks in a phone call with VOA on the same day, regarding the growing concerns and security instability in South Korea about the US-ROK alliance in connection with recent foreign policy, including the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine.

On the 28th of last month, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a summit at the White House, but it ended in chaos as they argued in front of the press.

The United States subsequently decided to cut off military aid to Ukraine.

Eventually, President Zelenskyy posted on the social media 'X' (formerly Twitter) on the 4th, saying, "We are ready to work to achieve lasting peace under the strong leadership of President Trump," and expressed his intention to take a step back and engage in an air and sea ceasefire.

“We will closely cooperate with Korea, Japan, etc. in US-North Korea relations”

Deputy Director Fletz also said there is no need to worry about so-called “Korea passing,” where South Korea would be excluded from discussions when President Trump holds a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the future.

[Recording: Deputy Director Fleitz] “We know that in the first Trump administration, although Trump met with Kim Jong UN one on one, he did so after extensive discussions with the South Korean and Japanese governments”

“During the first Trump administration, President Trump and Kim Jong Un met one-on-one, but before that, there were extensive discussions with the governments of South Korea and Japan,” said Director Flynts. “There could be a summit between the United States and North Korea in the second Trump administration, and it would be conducted in the same manner.”

He continued, “If another North Korea-US summit is held, we will consult with the South Korean government,” adding, “If the summit is held, it will help security in the region.”

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb also said in a telephone interview with VOA on the same day, “There is a big difference between Ukraine and South Korea,” adding, “There are nearly 29,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, and any (military) action by North Korea would invite the intervention of the U.S. military.”

[Recording: Former Assistant Secretary Cobb] “We have almost 29,000 the last time I checked and so that is, you know, a big difference and why it would be almost impossible for North Korea to do anything without getting American troops involved.”

“28,500 US troops in Korea”

Joseph DeTrani, former deputy U.S. representative to the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear program, also said in a telephone interview with VOA on the same day, "The situations in Ukraine and South Korea are completely different." He added, "There are 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, and we have an extended deterrence commitment."

He also emphasized that the US nuclear aircraft carrier Carl Vinson entered the Busan Operations Base and that the US defense commitment dates back to the Korean War.

[Recording: Former Deputy Representative Detrani] “We have extended deterrence commitments to South Korea as we speak. We have a nuclear aircraft carrier in Busan. So the situation is totally different and it goes back to obviously the Korean war.”

Former Deputy Chief of Staff DeTrani diagnosed that “the possibility of the United States withdrawing its troops from South Korea is very low given that North Korea possesses the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), is sending troops to the Kursk region to help Russia fight the war against Ukraine, and is building more nuclear weapons.”

“Korea is important for the US to suppress China”

Sidney Seiler, former National Intelligence Analyst for North Korea at the U.S. National Intelligence Council, said in a telephone interview with VOA on the same day that “comparing Ukraine and South Korea is the wrong approach,” adding that “Ukraine is not a treaty ally with the United States, but South Korea has a mutual defense treaty with the United States, and U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea.”

He continued, “The Trump administration’s focus is on China,” and “President Trump understands the importance of Korea in responding to the threat from China.”

He said, “South Korea will play a role as a partner of the United States in responding to threats posed by China in the military, economic, and diplomatic realms.”

[Recording: Former Analyst Seiler] “But also, you know, we’re looking at a transformed China and Korea’s role as a partner with the United States in countering the threats posed by China in the military, economic, diplomatic domains.”

“The one who should be worried about Ukraine-Russia armistice talks is North Korea”

“If anyone should be worried about the armistice talks between Ukraine and Russia, it’s North Korea,” said former analyst Seiler. “If President Trump were to get creative and end the war in Ukraine and have meaningful talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the comfort North Korea has gained from the North Korea-Russia relationship over the past three years could disappear in an instant.”

Regarding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between North Korea and Russia, he added that “the North Korea-Russia treaty was just a piece of paper concluded in accordance with the circumstances at the time,” and that it would not be a constraint that “ties the hands and feet” of President Putin’s cooperation with the United States on North Korea issues.

“Currently, America’s focus is on Europe”

There is also analysis that President Trump has not yet paid attention to the Korean Peninsula as he is focused on the war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told VOA that day, "What's interesting is that President Trump doesn't seem to be paying attention to South Korea yet." "Maybe he still thinks South Korea is in a political transition, or maybe he no longer thinks he can do a deal with Kim Jong-un, or maybe he's just focused on other things right now."

[Senior Researcher O'Hanlon] “The interesting thing is that Trump doesn't seem to have directed his gaze towards Korea yet.

Maybe he realizes that South Korea is still in political transition; maybe he no longer feels he could ever do a deal with Kim Jong-Un anyway; Maybe he is just preoccupied with other things for the moment.”

Evans Revere, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told VOA on Tuesday that “the U.S. focus is now on Ukraine, Russia, and Europe.”

He continued, “But eventually, America’s focus will shift to Asia and the Korean Peninsula,” adding, “When that happens, the same anti-alliance view that has shaped America’s approach in Europe will also influence America’s policy toward Korea.”

[Former Deputy Assistant Secretary Revere] “And when that happens it is reasonable to assume that the same anti-alliance views that have colored the US approach in Europe will affect US policy vis-a-vis Korea.”

While saying that “each ally, including South Korea and Japan, will do its best to maintain and strengthen its relationship with the United States,” he also said that “the recent series of events will have a significant impact on American leadership, the American-led alliance system, and America’s own security.”

This is Ahn Jun-ho from VOA News.

6. Kim Jong Un orders munition factories to accelerate five-year defense plan tasks

​Does Kim anticipate the Russian market will sustain its high demand for munitions?

Kim Jong Un orders munition factories to accelerate five-year defense plan tasks - Daily NK English

The directive emphasized that these five tasks were "crucial revolutionary tasks on which the fatherland's survival depends and must ultimately be carried out"

By Jeong Seo-yeong - March 5, 2025

dailynk.com · by Jeong Seo-yeong · March 5, 2025

“Comrade Kim Jong Un conducted on-the-spot guidance of a fissile material production site and nuclear weapon research institute,” the Rodong Sinmun reported on Jan. 29, noting that Kim had been accompanied by Hong Sung Mu, senior vice director of the Munitions Industry Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea. (Rodong Sinmun, News 1)

Major munition factories in South Pyongan province have received an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to quickly achieve five key tasks outlined in the party’s five-year defense development plan.

A source in South Pyongan province told Daily NK recently that factories in the province received a “No. 1 directive” — an order signed by Kim — on Feb. 22. The directive instructed them to “quickly achieve the five major tasks to showcase the dignity and glory of the fatherland in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the party’s founding and the Ninth Party Congress.”

The No. 1 directive reportedly resulted directly from a meeting Kim held in Pyongyang with managers and party secretaries of major munition factories on Feb. 21.

According to the source, Kim told the factory officials that the country must “strengthen its overwhelming nuclear deterrent to preemptively strike down the U.S. imperialists’ increasingly reckless war games and schemes to suffocate our country.” He added that the factories must “turn this year, the 80th anniversary of the party’s foundation, into a proud year marked by victory in military industry.”

During the meeting, Kim called for mass production of miniaturized nuclear warheads and swift completion of hypersonic missile development. He also discussed key issues the munitions sector must address to solidify the nation’s independent defense capabilities.

The very next day after the meeting, major munition factories in South Pyongan province, North Pyongan province, Jagang province and elsewhere received the No. 1 directive demanding rapid achievement of the five major tasks.

These five major tasks, presented in the five-year defense development plan announced during the Eighth Party Congress in 2021, include: development of hypersonic missiles; production of miniaturized nuclear warheads; development of solid-fueled land-based and underwater-based intercontinental ballistic missiles; acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and underwater-launched strategic nuclear weapons; and improving missile accuracy to hit targets with pinpoint precision within a 15,000-kilometer range.

The directive emphasized that these five tasks were “crucial revolutionary tasks on which the fatherland’s survival depends and must ultimately be carried out.”

Additionally, the latest directive includes the slogan, “Let’s make the 80th anniversary of the party’s founding a year for the speed race and the year to complete the military industries.” It also orders major munition factories to operate at full capacity 24 hours a day starting March 3.

Upon receiving the No. 1 directive, major munition factories began developing emergency measures to increase total operations. Some factories initiated emergency operational systems to address issues such as redeploying personnel, inspecting equipment, and securing raw materials.

“All munition factories have switched to a mobilization posture equivalent to wartime,” the source said. “In line with the party’s consistent policy of striking hard against U.S. imperialists and their lackeys through measures to bolster our powerful independent defense and fighting strength, munition factories are pledging to accelerate this year’s weapon production plans.”

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Jeong Seo-yeong · March 5, 2025

7. US Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee: “Strong Alliance with Korea... Unclear Whether US-ROK-Japan Solidarity Will Continue”

​This is a Google translation of a VOA report (which is why the headline is incorrect - the article is about the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy's testimony, it is Google's fault not VOA's).

​This is reporting you will not find in the US mainstream media (or at least I have not found any substantive reporting on Bridge's comments on Korea). But VOA is doing its job, reporting on US policy issues to foreign target audiences. VOA also includes reporting on Bridge's submitted written testimony which helps provide a fuller picture of his views.

Except for his skepticism on an Asian NATO and his statement that JAROKUS (Japan-ROK-US) trilateral cooperation may not be sustainable, this report provides some positive views.

Excerpts:

In his written policy response submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee that day, nominee Colby also emphasized that South Korea is an important ally.

“The U.S.-ROK alliance is vital to U.S. interests and is the cornerstone of establishing America’s geopolitical position in Asia.”

This report has some encouraging comments from Bridge on Korea and alliances and he makes an especially interesting comment about Taiwan and Korea.

Excerpts:

He also said that Taiwan should follow South Korea's example.

“When we engage with Taiwan and offer policy advice, we have tried to get them to become as similar to South Korea as possible,” Colby said. “South Korea is a very viable model with a much stronger military.”

We could see OPCON transition during the Trump administration:

In response to the question of whether the U.S. should explore additional options to expand strategic cooperation with South Korea in response to the expansion of China and North Korea's nuclear arsenals, he said, "We should do so now."

Asked about the transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea, Colby said, “It’s a sensitive issue that needs to be carefully considered, but overall, President Trump’s foreign policy vision is to empower capable and motivated allies like South Korea, and I support efforts to strengthen South Korea’s role.”

US Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee: “Strong Alliance with Korea... Unclear Whether US-ROK-Japan Solidarity Will Continue”

2025.3.5

Jo Eun-jung

https://www.voakorea.com/a/7997729.html

Elbridge Colby, the nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, has named South Korea as one of the countries that will play an active role in the alliance. Citing political trends in South Korea, he expressed doubts about the sustainability of the trilateral alliance between the US, South Korea, and Japan. Reporter Cho Eun-jung reports.

Elbridge Colby, the nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, emphasized on the 4th that the United States has a strong alliance with South Korea.

At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the same day, when asked about regional solidarity to check China in the Indo-Pacific, nominee Colby said, “We have very strong alliances with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.”

[Recording: Colby, nominee for Deputy Minister for Policy] “We have very strong alliances with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. I think we have an effectively a very strong security relationship with Taiwan, of course, Australia is very strong. And then I think we have a very deepening and important relationship with India that's directly proximate. I think we also could build, effectively on a partnership with Vietnam.”

He continued, “Our relations with Taiwan and Australia are also very strong,” and “We also have a very important and deepening relationship with India, and we can effectively build cooperative relations with Vietnam.”

“Allies’ Roles in Responding to North Korea, China, and Russia Need to Be Expanded”

He also said that the United States should work with its allies to respond to the "counter coalition" formed by China, Russia, Iran and North Korea and to deepen cooperation, and that allies should expand their roles in particular.

“Israel, India, South Korea, Poland are playing a big role, and Finland is doing quite well,” Colby said. “But many of the largest economies in the alliance network are not playing their part very well.”

He also said that Taiwan should follow South Korea's example.

“When we engage with Taiwan and offer policy advice, we have tried to get them to become as similar to South Korea as possible,” Colby said. “South Korea is a very viable model with a much stronger military.”

“Skeptical of Asian NATO”

Nominee Colby questioned the sustainability of the US-ROK-Japan alliance, citing the political situation in Korea.

When asked about his thoughts on an Asian version of NATO, Colby said he was “not against it, but skeptical.”

He said, “I visited Korea early last year, and while the tripartite solidarity among the U.S., Japan, and Korea was encouraging in some ways, looking at the political trends in Korea over the past six to eight months, it is not clear whether this will continue.”

[Recording: Colby, nominee for Deputy Policy Minister] “I'm not theologically opposed to it, but I've been skeptical. I was in Korea, earlier last year. There's the triangle with the United States, Japan and Korea. I think that's encouraging in some ways. But, you know, if we look at the South Korean political dynamics over the last 6 to 8 months, it's not clear that that's going to be enduring. And so I think there's a lot of spadework and political capital that's put into a multilateral organization, whereas I think something may be building up to have more multilateralization in the region, but not the huge ambition of an Asian NATO, especially because you've got Japan over here, India over here, Australia down here.”

“A lot of preparatory work and political capital goes into a multilateral organization,” he continued. “I think something is forming in the region that could strengthen multilateral cooperation, but I don’t think it’s some grand ambition like an ‘Asian NATO.’”

For example, he explained that Japan, India and Australia are far apart and their situations are quite different.

In his written policy response submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee that day, nominee Colby also emphasized that South Korea is an important ally.

“The U.S.-ROK alliance is vital to U.S. interests and is the cornerstone of establishing America’s geopolitical position in Asia.”

He continued, “It is important that these important alliances continue to be renewed to reflect the broader geopolitical and military situation facing the United States and South Korea.”

“We will realistically review extended deterrence”

When asked specifically about his stance on extended deterrence provided to South Korea, Colby said, “The United States and South Korea face the serious threat posed by North Korea together.”

[Written response] “I believe the US-ROK alliance is critical and that together we face a severe threat from North Korea. We must ensure the strategic posture deterring and defending on our behalf and South Korea's is credible and stout. Consistent with the President and Secretary's approach around the world, I believe we need to be clear-eyed, frank, and realistic with our allies about the nature of the threats we face and the allocation of responsibilities among ourselves, in the service of ensuring our alliances are best defended and strategically sustainable. If confirmed, I would review this matter carefully and approach this question in that spirit.”

He said, “We must maintain a reliable and firm strategic posture to deter and defend against threats for the United States and for South Korea.”

“Like the President and the Secretary of Defense have done around the world, we must be clear, honest, and realistic about the nature of the threat we face and the shared responsibility among our allies,” he said.

“This will help us best defend our alliance and make it strategically sustainable,” Colby said. “If confirmed, I will approach this issue with that spirit in mind and carefully consider it.”

In response to the question of whether the U.S. should explore additional options to expand strategic cooperation with South Korea in response to the expansion of China and North Korea's nuclear arsenals, he said, "We should do so now."

Asked about the transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea, Colby said, “It’s a sensitive issue that needs to be carefully considered, but overall, President Trump’s foreign policy vision is to empower capable and motivated allies like South Korea, and I support efforts to strengthen South Korea’s role.”

“Policy priority: containing China”

In his written response, Colby said his policy priorities should be to focus on the challenges posed by China and the territorial integrity of the United States, while at the same time the United States must be prepared to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and support NATO allies and South Korea.

At the hearing that day, nominee Colby also said, “Preventing China from gaining regional hegemony is critical to America’s core interests,” and “The military balance (between the U.S. and China) has deteriorated dramatically, and this is a change from the past.”

[Recording: Colby, nominee for Deputy Secretary of State for Policy] “It's very important to core American interests in denying China regional hegemony. What’s changed under we discussed is the dramatic deterioration of the military balance.”

Vice President Vance Urges Colby's Confirmation

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance visited the hearing room that day to personally introduce nominee Colby and urge the congressmen to confirm his nomination.

Vice President Vance said Colby “brings a perspective that the Department of Defense desperately needs,” and that “his role at the Department of Defense will be critical as we look to the next five and 10 years.”

[Recording: Vice President Vance] “I think that his role at the Department of Defense will be incredibly important in seeing around the corners of the next five years and the next ten years. And that’s one of the most important reasons why I think we should support his nomination at this great committee.”

“President Trump nominated him,” he continued. “We nominated him because we thought he would do a great job.”

In addition to nominee Colby, Vice President Vance also personally introduced Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnick at his confirmation hearing.

This is Eun-Jeong Jo from VOA News.

8. Deputy Secretary of State Nominee: “We Must Cooperate with Korea, Japan, and Others to Respond to China’s Rise”

​This is a Google translation of a VOA report.

Deputy Secretary of State Nominee: “We Must Cooperate with Korea, Japan, and Others to Respond to China’s Rise”

https://www.voakorea.com/a/7997744.html

Deputy Secretary of State Nominee: “We Must Cooperate with Korea, Japan, and Others to Respond to China’s Rise”

2025.3.5

Lee Jo-eun

The nominee for the US Deputy Secretary of State stressed that the US should cooperate with Indo-Pacific countries such as South Korea and Japan to counter the rise of China. He also said that the economy and commerce should be restored as the core of foreign policy. This is Lee Jo-eun.

Deputy Secretary of State nominee Christopher Landau said on the 4th that there are countries and coalitions in the region that are very interested in countering the rise of China and working closely with the United States, citing allies Japan and South Korea, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Quad, a security consultative body of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India.

[Recording: Nominee Lando] "There's particularly the folks in China's neighborhood, who have at least as strong an interest in countering China's rise and working very closely with us. We have a number of organizations there, obviously. Japan is a very close, ally of ours, you know, Korea, the Republic of Korea, the ASEAN nations, we have the QUAD with India, Australia, and Japan… So I think you have correctly identified that in trying to counter China's rise, we should work with all these nations in the region… I think you've put your finger on the key geopolitical challenge of our times for our country, which is the rise, as we've all experienced over the last 30 years of the People's Republic of China, both economically and militarily, to now be our nation's foremost strategic competitor.”

At his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing that day, Landau said China is currently the “most important geopolitical challenge,” adding that over the past 30 years, China has risen economically and militarily to become the United States’ primary strategic competitor.

He also stressed that the United States must cooperate with all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to respond to the rise of China.

“Important in economy and foreign policy”

He also said that economic and commercial factors should be used as important tools of diplomacy.

[Recording: Nominee Lando] "I think for too long, honestly, and I alluded to this in my statement, the United States has not realized the importance of economics in foreign policy and commercial practices… We must restore commercial statecraft as a pillar of our foreign policy… Our nation has racked up massive trade deficits with foreign countries. We must work closely with the private sector to open new markets for American goods and services, outhustle foreign competitors and attract foreign investment to the United States… We also must ensure that our trade and commercial. relations are fair, and that other countries don't take advantage of our markets without affording us reciprocal access to theirs."

“For too long, I think the United States has failed to recognize the centrality of economics to its foreign policy and its commercial practices,” Landau said. “We need to restore commercial diplomacy as a core pillar of our foreign policy.”

He went on to say that the United States has a huge trade deficit with other countries and that it must work closely with the private sector to open new markets for American goods and services, beat foreign competitors, and attract foreign investment to the United States.

He added that trade and commercial relations must be fair and that “we must not allow other countries to take advantage of our markets without allowing them to access each other”.

“North Korea, China, Russia, Iran Threats Are Real… NATO Member States Should Increase Defense Spending”

Meanwhile, Matthew Wiediger, nominee for ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), emphasized the need for allies to increase their defense spending during his confirmation hearing, citing the growing threats from North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran.

Russia and Ukraine are at war, China is expanding its military influence, rogue states like Iran and North Korea continue to destabilize global security, and terrorist organizations still intend to attack the West.

[Recording: Nominee Widiger] "Russia and Ukraine are at war. China is expanding its military influence. Rogue states like Iran and North Korea continue to destabilize global security, and terrorist organizations remain intent on striking the West. The threats are real, and they will not wait for bureaucratic debates or half measures… The United States will no longer subsidize nations that refuse to pay their fair share.”

“These threats are real and they do not wait for bureaucratic wrangling or ‘half-measures’ that do not adequately address the threats,” said the nominee, who called on NATO allies to increase defense spending to at least 5 percent of their gross domestic product.

He also stressed that “the United States will no longer support countries that do not pay their fair share.”

President Trump has repeatedly stated his position that not only NATO member countries but also allies such as South Korea should increase their defense spending.

White House National Security Advisor Michael Waltz also urged all NATO member countries to fulfill their promise to spend 2% of their GDP on defense before the NATO summit to be held in June in The Hague, Netherlands, at a White House press conference on the 20th of last month.

This is Lee Jo-eun from VOA News.

9. ＜Inside N. Korea＞"10x Wage Increase" One Year Later: What Happened? (2) "No One Says Life Has Improved" - "Forced Attendance Makes Us Feel Like Government Slaves"

​What life is like in north Korea.  

25 million Korean people in the north need to be freed.

＜Inside N. Korea＞"10x Wage Increase" One Year Later: What Happened? (2) "No One Says Life Has Improved" - "Forced Attendance Makes Us Feel Like Government Slaves"

asiapress.org

(FILE PHOTO) Video captured in March 2013 when individual economic activities were thriving. Transport workers gather at the train station looking for arriving and departing passengers. A man carrying a customer's luggage runs down the stairs. Filmed by Baek Hyang in Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province.

＜Inside N. Korea＞What Happened to the Sudden '10-fold Wage Increase'? (1) Expanding Card Payments - "Frequent Power Outages are the Problem"

In late 2023, the North Korean regime dramatically increased wages for state enterprise workers, civil servants, and pensions for retirees by approximately 10 times compared to the beginning of that year. However, there are virtually no voices praising this dramatic wage increase. (By ISHIMARU Jiro / KANG Ji-won)

◆ Complaints About the Massive Wage Increase from the Beginning

The "massive wage increase" of up to 10 times faced complaints from the very start. Why?

According to reporting partners living inside North Korea, there are two common reasons: First, deductions from wages would certainly increase as well. Second, workplace pressure would intensify, making it difficult to engage in economic activities outside official employment. In other words, people anticipated that actual income wouldn't increase much while control would only tighten.

◆ A Wage System That Couldn't Even Buy 1kg of Rice

It's important to understand that pre-increase state wages were already at a level that had almost no practical meaning for daily life.

ASIAPRESS has been conducting weekly price surveys in northern regions for an extended period. In late 2022, one year before the "wage increase," the average monthly wage was 2,000-3,000 won, which could only buy about 1kg of corn noodles or 500g of white rice in the market. Additionally, rations provided to workers covered only their personal portions, typically for just 3-7 days. No rations were provided for family members.

This made survival impossible. People have been earning money outside their official workplaces through private business or individual employment. In urban areas, day laborers could earn around 10,000 won per day.

For 30 years, North Koreans have maintained their livelihoods by combining mandatory workplace labor with side jobs as their main source of income. The Kim Jong-un regime implemented this massive wage increase while strongly controlling and restricting these individual economic activities.

◆ Authorities Halted the Widely Complained-About Deductions

As many people predicted, the increased wages continued to be subject to various deductions: "party dues" for party members and "league fees" for those belonging to social organizations like the Youth League and Workplace League. Mandatory contributions for military and disaster relief also continued.

Perhaps alarmed by residents' disappointment, the authorities began taking action in February this year, according to Reporting Partner “A” in Ryanggang Province. Companies were strongly instructed to eliminate deductions, pay wages in full, and collect various required fees separately from workers.

"Monthly accounting inspections now strictly check whether factories and enterprises make deductions from wages. Wage payment status must also be reported to prosecutors, banks, and administrative agencies."

Even though eliminating deductions and collecting fees individually from workers wouldn't increase the "actual amount received," the authorities appear to be strongly demanding "full payment" as a first step.

◆ Increasingly Strict Workplace Constraints

Since around 2020, when the COVID pandemic began, the Kim Jong-un regime has strictly limited and controlled individual economic activities, partly due to the need for disease prevention.

Operating private restaurants from home was prohibited. Hiring people for small businesses such as food production (bread, rice cakes), clothing manufacturing, or transportation using handcarts became impossible. Markets, which had been spaces for free commerce, saw a dramatic reduction in items permitted for trade.

Adult men must report to their assigned workplaces, making it difficult to engage in business or wage labor outside their workplaces. Those who leave their workplace to pursue other income opportunities are punished as "workplace deserters" or "unemployed."

These strong regulations continued even after the "zero COVID" policy began to ease in 2023. Urban residents saw their cash income decrease, and in provincial cities, vulnerable populations began dying from malnutrition and disease. The Kim Jong-un regime's massive wage increase was implemented amid policies opposing markets and strengthening control over citizens.

◆ Life Has Not Improved Despite the Massive Wage Increase

A little over a year has passed since the massive wage increase. How do North Korean residents actually evaluate it now? Here are comments from two sources living in Ryanggang Province:

"40,000-50,000 won is not a small amount and it's nice to receive it, but the problem is that you can't live on that alone. The wage is far from enough to buy necessary food. No one says life has improved (because of the massive wage increase)." (Reporting Partner “A,” mentioned earlier)

"It was much better when we could do business. Now we have to go to work as the government orders, like we've become slaves." (Reporting Partner “B”)

It's necessary to keep a close eye on the "side effects" of this massive wage increase implemented alongside tightened controls.

※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.

Map of North Korea (ASIAPRESS)

＜Inside N. Korea＞What Happened to the Sudden '10-fold Wage Increase'? (1) Expanding Card Payments - "Frequent Power Outages are the Problem"

asiapress.org

10. 'It Makes You Want to Cry': North Korean captured soldiers reveals brutal military training

'It Makes You Want to Cry': North Korean captured soldiers reveals brutal military training

https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2025/03/05/A6QQYMARIBCMXFLOISJANUIFJM/

By Choi Hye-seung,

Lee Jung-soo

Published 2025.03.05. 17:01

North Korean troops deployed to Ukraine endure grueling physical training and high casualty rates, with a captured soldier describing extreme endurance drills and officials reporting thousands of North Korean casualties as they continue fighting with relentless determination. /Chosun DB

A captured North Korean soldier, taken prisoner during fighting with Ukrainian forces, described the intense military training in North Korea, saying soldiers must “run 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) in eight hours while carrying a backpack.” He added, “It’s so grueling that it makes you want to cry.”

Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the ruling People Power Party, who recently visited Ukraine, played an audio recording of the soldier’s testimony during an interview with CBS radio’s Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show on Tuesday.

In the recording, the soldier, identified only as Baek, 21, from North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, said, “We learn all sorts of things, but the most important part is physical training.” He continued, “Running several kilometers while carrying weight is just a warm-up. The intensity is so extreme that it brings tears to your eyes.”

Baek detailed the rigorous regime, saying, “We run 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) a week and, on the last day of each month, we run 80 kilometers (about 50 miles). The 40-kilometer run takes four hours, while the 80-kilometer one takes eight hours. The backpack weighs between 20 and 25 kilograms (44 to 55 pounds).”

Yoo noted that while S. Korea’s special forces undergo intense training, North Korean soldiers appear to endure even harsher conditions. “It didn’t seem like an exaggeration,” he said.

Regarding the low number of captured North Korean soldiers, Yoo explained, “I was told many injured North Korean troops choose to take their own lives rather than be captured.” He added, “They are indoctrinated from a young age to believe that becoming a prisoner is a betrayal of their country, and this belief seems deeply ingrained.”

A senior commander from Ukraine’s special forces told Yoo that North Korean soldiers “don’t seem to know fear,” Yoo said. Yoo cited casualty figures to illustrate their determination. “Out of the 12,000 North Korean troops deployed, around 4,000 have been killed or wounded—a casualty rate of over 30%,” he said.

“At that level, soldiers normally experience fear, especially after seeing their comrades die or suffer injuries. But the North Koreans just keep charging forward, fighting, and even choosing to self-destruct. Ukrainian officers have said, ‘We just don’t understand these soldiers.’”

According to S. Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korea has recently deployed additional troops to Ukraine.

Yoo stated that around 1,500 North Korean troops are currently engaged in combat. “We’ve heard that some 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded,” he said. “As a result, additional deployments are being made to replenish their numbers, and more units are reportedly being prepared, according to Ukrainian authorities.”

On casualty estimates, Yoo said, “The NIS has put the number between 3,600 and 4,000, while Ukraine’s military intelligence agency reported a figure of around 4,000.” He added, “It appears that about 10% of them were killed in action.”

11. N. Korea tightens central control over executions with new supreme court directives

​Read these words over again and consider what they mean.

"capital punishment is a party policy priority"

​Let me restate my view on the Korean peninsula:

The root of all problems in Korea is the existence of the most evil mafia- like crime family cult known as the Kim family regime that has the objective of dominating the Korean Peninsula under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State. 

N. Korea tightens central control over executions with new supreme court directives - Daily NK English

In the past, judges paid little attention to execution procedures, but the new directives have made them realize that capital punishment is a party policy priority, according to a source

By Jeong Tae Joo -

March 5, 2025

dailynk.com · by Jeong Tae Joo · March 5, 2025

The Supreme Court of North Korea. Image: Yonhap News Agency

North Korea’s highest court has tightened its grip on execution procedures as part of a broader campaign to assert central control over the legal system, Daily NK has learned.

“On Feb. 15, the Supreme Court issued directives to both the Ministry of Social Security and the Ministry of State Security mandating changes in how capital punishment is administered,” a source in North Korea told Daily NK recently. “The new protocols significantly limit law enforcement’s autonomy in executions and require faster submission of execution reports.”

These changes appear to stem from constitutional amendments passed during the 12th session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly held Jan. 22-23.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper previously reported that the Supreme People’s Assembly had unanimously approved amendments renaming the Central Court and Central Public Prosecutors’ Office as the Supreme Court and Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office.

“These directives represent the party’s effort to consolidate authority and control, which aligns with the Supreme Court’s renaming,” the source explained. “A key aspect of these orders is drastically reducing law enforcement’s independence regarding executions.”

Previously, police and state security agencies could conduct executions at their discretion once they received a death sentence and execution order from the Supreme Court. Under the new system, law enforcement must strictly adhere to execution procedures specified by the Supreme Court.

“Moving forward, law enforcement must submit an execution plan in advance and provide an immediate report from the execution site. Additionally, they must deliver a written report, photographs, and video documenting body disposal within 48 hours. The goal is complete control over the entire process,” the source said.

According to the source, the Supreme Court has issued detailed execution guidelines that law enforcement must follow precisely. This appears designed to curtail law enforcement’s autonomy and ensure procedural uniformity nationwide.

“In the past, judges showed little interest in how executions were actually carried out. But following these new directives, judges now recognize that capital punishment falls under the party’s policy priorities and feel increased pressure to closely supervise executions,” the source added.

The Supreme Court has also shortened the reporting deadline for executions. Previously, law enforcement had 72 hours to submit execution reports to superiors. Now, these reports must be filed within 48 hours.

This compressed timeline appears to be another mechanism for strengthening party oversight of executions.

“After an execution, numerous documents must be submitted to central authorities. Reducing this timeframe creates additional pressure on law enforcement agencies,” the source noted.

The source indicated growing uneasiness within law enforcement regarding the Party’s increasing control over execution procedures.

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Jeong Tae Joo · March 5, 2025

12. Grain prices surge as N. Korea enters annual spring food shortage

​Life is hard in north Korea.

But it is harder when the supreme,great, dear leader prioritizes the development of nuclear weapons and missiles over the welfare of the people. The suffering and sacrifices of the Korean people in the north is due solely to the deliberate policy decisions of Kim Jong un.

Grain prices surge as N. Korea enters annual spring food shortage - Daily NK English

However, market grain prices could potentially drop if North Korea increases food imports and distributes them through state-run stores

By Seulkee Jang - March 5, 2025

dailynk.com · by Seulkee Jang · March 5, 2025

Grain prices across North Korean markets have begun climbing since mid-February, reversing the downward trend observed since December. With the arrival of the annual spring food shortage period, prices may continue their upward trajectory.

According to Daily NK’s regular market price monitoring, rice was trading at 8,300 North Korean won per kilogram in Pyongyang markets on Feb. 16, marking a 3.8% increase from the 8,000 won recorded in the previous survey on Feb. 2.

Similar rice price increases were observed throughout the country. In Sinuiju (North Pyongan province), rice sold for 8,360 won per kilogram, while in Hyesan (Ryanggang province), prices reached 8,500 won – representing increases of 3.2% and 2.4% respectively from two weeks earlier.

Corn prices, the staple grain for North Korea’s lower-income population, have followed the same pattern. In Pyongyang, corn traded at 3,120 won per kilogram on Feb. 16, a 4% jump from the 3,000 won recorded on Feb. 2.

Hyesan reported the highest corn prices nationwide, with one kilogram selling for 3,400 won – a 4.6% increase from the previous survey.

Two key factors appear to be driving these cereal price increases. First, North Korea is entering what’s locally known as the “barley hump” – the annual spring period when fall harvest reserves typically run low. Second, food demand surged around Feb. 16, the birthday of former leader Kim Jong Il.

Kim Jong Il’s birthday ranks among North Korea’s most important holidays. Every year, demand for rice and corn spikes as families prepare traditional rice cakes and festive meals for their day off.

However, market grain prices could potentially drop if North Korea increases food imports and distributes them through state-run stores.

Meanwhile, the same market survey revealed declining exchange rates between the North Korean won and foreign currencies. In Pyongyang on Feb. 16, the won-to-dollar exchange rate stood at 20,070 won – 4.4% lower than in the previous survey.

Similar decreases in the dollar’s value were recorded elsewhere. In Sinuiju, one dollar traded for 20,100 won, down 4.5% from two weeks earlier.

The won-to-yuan exchange rate showed regional variations. The Chinese currency weakened against the won in Sinuiju and Hyesan, while slightly strengthening in Pyongyang.

In Sinuiju, the yuan traded at 2,360 won on Feb. 16, a 4% decrease from Feb. 2. In Pyongyang, however, the rate stood at 2,320 won – a modest 0.8% increase from the previous survey, bucking the overall downward trend in the yuan’s value.

After last year’s dramatic surge in dollar and yuan exchange rates, this year’s decline suggests imported goods are becoming more affordable.

This is further supported by price reductions for gasoline (2%), diesel (1%), and cooking oil (3%) across North Korean markets as of Feb. 16 compared to two weeks earlier.

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Seulkee Jang · March 5, 2025

13. N. Korean parents go into debt for private tutoring as education market expands

As sad and tragic as the conditions are in north Korea, there is goodness in that there is humanity in parents in that they will do anything for their children.

But anything "private" is a threat to the Kim family regime.

N. Korean parents go into debt for private tutoring as education market expands - Daily NK English

"New technology" tutoring has emerged as a popular trend in North Korea, teaching students to use and repair electronic devices as computers, laptops, and mobile phones become more common across the country

By Seon Hwa - March 5, 2025

dailynk.com · by Seon Hwa · March 5, 2025

This 2010 photo shows North Korean girls on their way to school. (Roman Harak, Creative Commons, Flickr)

Private education is flourishing in North Korea, with tutoring now available not just in traditional subjects like foreign languages, music, and art, but even in digital technology skills.

A source in South Pyongan province told Daily NK recently that private tutoring has become so widespread that virtually every middle and high school student in North Korea’s major cities now works with a private instructor.

After completing their regular classes, North Korean students traditionally gather in small group sessions for supplementary lessons in subjects like music, art, and physical education. These government-sanctioned sessions are in high demand, with limited spots typically requiring both connections and money to secure.

However, parents have grown increasingly dissatisfied with these official small group lessons, citing mediocre instruction quality and teachers who often lack enthusiasm for their work.

In recent years, this dissatisfaction has driven more parents toward private tutoring, which offers greater flexibility in both curriculum and scheduling than the government-run alternatives. Families who can afford it often arrange multiple private lessons for their children.

The range of subjects available through private tutoring in North Korea continues to expand. Beyond traditional offerings like English, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese language instruction, parents can now find tutors for voice training, musical instruments, calligraphy, public speaking, and computer skills.

One particularly popular category of private instruction emerging in North Korea focuses on “new technology.” These sessions teach students how to both use and repair electronic devices – a direct response to the growing prevalence of computers, laptops, and mobile phones throughout the country.

“Parents are investing in private lessons to improve their children’s future job prospects,” the source explained. “The thinking is that skills like calligraphy might lead to work writing posters for news or propaganda slogans – positions that are far preferable to manual labor.”

While tutoring costs vary by subject, a typical course ranges from 400,000 to 800,000 North Korean won (approximately $20-40) – roughly equivalent to a family’s entire monthly food budget. Nevertheless, the source reports that parents are willingly going into debt to provide these educational opportunities.

“There’s a growing sentiment among parents that relying solely on public education will condemn their children to lives of menial work,” the source said. “They’re doing whatever it takes to hire tutors who can teach their children the skills needed for a more comfortable future.”

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Seon Hwa · March 5, 2025

​14. “North Korean IT workers disguised as Japanese, Singaporean, etc. nationals… Targeting U.S. and Japanese companies”

​Again, we must attack and destroy the all purpose sword of north Korean cyber.

This is a Google translation of a VOA report.

“North Korean IT workers disguised as Japanese, Singaporean, etc. nationals… Targeting U.S. and Japanese companies”

2025.3.5

An So-young

https://www.voakorea.com/a/7997659.html

Portfolio of 'Naoyuki Tanaga', one of the fake accounts disclosed in a report released on March 4, 2025 by Nisos, a U.S. cyber intelligence company. According to the report, the North Korean IT worker successfully used this portfolio to get a job at a video game developer headquartered in New York. (Photo source: Nisos website)

There have been cases of North Korean IT workers disguised as Japanese, Singaporean, and Vietnamese nationals and employed in American and Japanese companies with less than 50 employees, using fake resumes emphasizing their IT expertise and manipulated photos. Reporter Ahn So-young reports.

Nisos, a U.S. cyber analysis information company, announced on the 4th that it was “tracking a network of North Korean IT workers who disguised themselves as Vietnamese, Japanese, and Singaporean nationals for the purpose of getting jobs as full-stack blockchain developers who can work remotely in Japan and the U.S.”

[Report] “Nisos is tracking a network of likely North Korean (DPRK)-affiliated IT workers posing as Vietnamese, Japanese, and Singaporean nationals with the goal of obtaining employment in remote engineering and full-stack blockchain developer positions in Japan and the United States. Nisos identified two persons who appear to have gained employment and four persons looking to obtain remote positions. Two of the persons in the network appear to be employed at companies with fewer than 50 employees, and we assess that the network's objective is to earn cash to fund Pyongyang's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons development programs.”

Nisos reported this in a related report released that day, publishing fake portfolios of six North Korean IT workers who had disguised their identities.

He added, “We have identified two individuals who have found employment and four individuals who are looking for remote work.”

The two North Korean IT workers who were successful in finding employment were “employees in companies with less than 50 employees, and their employment is assessed to have been to earn cash to support North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons development programs,” it noted.

The fake accounts revealed in the report that day include 'Naoyuki Tanaga', 'Hui Diep', 'Xiaolong Zhang', 'Yoshiro Morino', 'Karl Zhang', and 'Okino Takayuki'.

Among these, the accounts that succeeded in obtaining fake employment are 'Naoyuki Tanaka' and 'Hui Diep'.

A person named 'Naoyuki Tanaga' highlighted his background as having extensive experience in web and blockchain development and multiple programming languages.

“Working at a New York-based video game developer since 2021”

According to the report, the individual has been working as a full-stack blockchain engineer at Enver Studio, a video game developer headquartered in New York, since November 2021.

In addition, 'Hui Diep', who was found to have been working at the Japanese consulting firm 'Tenpct Inc' since September 2023, listed fake resumes and qualifications in the software engineering field for 8 years in his portfolio.

VOA is waiting for a response from Enver Studio and Tenfact, where North Korean IT workers were found to have been employed under false pretenses, to inquire about the current situation, including whether there were any damages and what follow-up measures will be taken.

Meanwhile, the report explained that these North Korean IT professionals emphasized their expertise in web and mobile application development, multiple programming languages, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology on their resumes and portfolios.

He also pointed out that they digitally manipulated their resume profile pictures, often obtaining photos that made it appear as if they were working with colleagues and superimposing their own photos.

Fake accounts of North Korean IT personnel revealed in a report released by 'Nissos' on March 4, 2025. They mainly use similar email addresses that include '116' and 'dev'. (Photo source = Nisos website)

Fake accounts of North Korean IT personnel revealed in a report released by 'Nissos' on March 4, 2025. They mainly use similar email addresses that include '116' and 'dev'. (Photo source = Nisos website)

The report also said that the fake accounts of these North Korean IT personnel mainly use similar email addresses that include “116” and “dev,” and cited as an example the email alexander116gm@gmail.com, which was posted on the resume of “Naoyuki Tanaga,” who successfully obtained fake employment.

“Companies should require submission of identification documents”

The report recommends that corporate human resources teams collect identification documents from applicants to identify fake applications in order to reduce the number of victims of undercover employment by North Korean IT personnel.

“At least since 2022, companies in the United States and Japan have faced serious cybersecurity and employment risks due to North Korea’s fake job scams,” he said.

Nick Carlson, an analyst at TRM Labs, a U.S. cryptocurrency information firm, told VOA on the same day that “the profits North Korea makes through IT and cyber activities are surprisingly powerful and extensive,” and explained that “this (North Korea’s undercover employment) business model is like a pyramid structure.”

[Analyst Carlson] “North Korea's revenue generation from IT/cyber is incredibly robust and broad based. This business model is like a pyramid. It is a huge challenge to stop this sort of revenue generation. But even just insisting on references and actually calling them can screen out a huge share of these sorts of thin profile”

Analyst Carlson said it would be a huge challenge to block the revenue-generating activities of North Korea's IT industry through fake jobs, but he said that simply asking applicants for references and making actual phone calls could go a long way toward weeding out many of these fake profiles.

In January, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a public service announcement stating that North Korean IT workers were stealing source code from companies they were employed undercover and demanding money from those companies.

In a statement, the FBI urged companies to strengthen their hiring processes, saying, “North Korean IT workers have been known to use artificial intelligence (AI) and face-swapping technology to hide their identities during interviews,” and recommended cross-checking human resources systems to see if there are other applicants with the same resume and contact information.

This is Soyoung Ahn from VOA News.

​15. ‘Family, a home and basic rights’ – North Korean POW in Ukraine dreams of new life

"​Freedom is just another for nothing left to lose." (Kristofferson)

Who is really free these days?

‘Family, a home and basic rights’ – North Korean POW in Ukraine dreams of new life

Seoul reaffirmed that it would accept captured North Korean soldiers if they chose to defect to South Korea.

https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2025/03/05/north-korea-soldier-pow-ukraine-interview/

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.03.04

A North Korean soldier (R), identified as Ri, captured in Kursk and now at an identified detention center in Ukraine. Part of the image has been blurred by South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yong-won (L) who interviewed the soldier. (Yoo Yong-won)

Updated March 5, 2025, 12:30 a.m. ET

TAIPEI, Taiwan – A North Korean soldier captured in Russia has once again expressed his determination to defect to South Korea, painting a vision of a life where he can finally have “family, a home, and basic rights.”

The soldier, identified as Ri, was among an estimated 12,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia’s Kursk region to fight Ukrainian forces who occupied parts of the area in August. Neither Russia nor North Korea has acknowledged their presence.

“I really want to go to South Korea,” said Ri, during an interview released by South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yong-won, who recently visited Ukraine.

“If I go to Korea, will I be able to live the way I want, according to the rights I hope for? Having a home and a family,” Ri asked Yoo.

“I’m from North Korea and also a prisoner. Would that make it too difficult for me to have a family?”

Yoo said that Ri had sustained a gunshot wound to the jaw so severe that it impaired his ability to speak clearly. He added that Ri asked whether he could undergo another operation on his jaw upon arriving in the South.

Another North Korean soldier, identified as Baek who was captured alongside Ri, told Yoo that he was still deciding whether he wanted to defect to the South.

“Just in case I cannot return home … I feel like I can decide soon … I will keep thinking about it,” said Baek.

When asked whether North Korean soldiers would choose to commit suicide if about to be captured by Ukrainian forces, Baek said he witnessed it many times and thought about doing it to himself when he was wounded and collapsed.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in December that the U.S. had reports of North Korean soldiers taking their own lives rather than surrendering to Ukrainian forces, likely out of fear of reprisal against their families in North Korea in the event that they were captured.

“There’s no official training in the military instructing us to do so, but soldiers believe that being captured by the enemy is a betrayal of the homeland, so they make that decision on their own,” Baek explained.

A North Korean soldier (L), identified as Baek, captured in Kursk and now at an identified detention center in Ukraine. Part of the image has been blurred by South Korean lawmaker Yoo Yong-won (R) who interviewed the soldier. (Yoo Yong-won)

Yoo said captured North Korean soldiers should not be forced to return to their homeland.

“I urge our diplomatic authorities to do everything in their power to prevent the tragic forced repatriation of North Korean soldiers captured as prisoners of war in Ukraine,” said Yoo.

“Sending them back to North Korea would essentially be a death sentence. They are constitutionally recognized as citizens of South Korea so that must be protected.”

South Korea’s foreign ministry reaffirmed on Wednesday that it would accept Ri and Baek if they chose to defect to the South.

“We will provide the necessary protection and support in accordance with the fundamental principle and relevant laws that ensure the acceptance of all individuals requesting to go to South Korea,” said a ministry spokesperson, adding that it would work with the Ukrainian authorities.

Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko said in an interview with Voice of America last week that Ukraine was open to discussions with South Korea regarding the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers to the South.

Considering the potential risks to the lives and freedom of North Korean soldiers if they are sent back to their home country, Ponomarenko noted that Ukraine remained open to discussions with international partners, particularly South Korea, should the soldiers refuse to return to North Korea.

“All decisions regarding repatriation will be made in accordance with international law and respect for individual rights, through dialogue among the relevant parties,” he added.

“We share the principle that no individual should be forcibly repatriated to a place where they may face persecution.”

RELATED STORIES

North Korea sending more troops to Russia, South confirms

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

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

Separately, Yoo urged South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority at the country’s National Assembly, to stop “ignoring” the issue of North Korean prisoners of war and devote more attention and effort to it.

There has been criticism that the party, which prioritizes inter-Korean relations and seeks to avoid conflict with Pyongyang, has remained relatively silent on the issue.

In response, the party said last week that it did not oppose the prisoner’s defection to the South but noted that it should be done “quietly.”

“Attempting to take credit or making a fuss could provoke a backlash from North Korea or Russia, making it difficult to achieve the goal … It is advisable to handle matters involving a third country quietly behind the scenes,” the party said.

Yoo’s interview with North Korean soldiers came amid reports that the North was preparing to send more troops to Russia despite increasing casualties.

South Korea’s main spy agency confirmed last week that North Korea had deployed more troops to Russia amid casualties, with media reports estimating the number at more than 1,000.

Ukraine said earlier that about 4,000 North Korean troops in Russia had been killed or wounded, with its leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy estimating that an additional 20,000 to 25,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to Russia.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Updated to include comments from South Korea’s Democratic Party.

16. [Room 39, Lee Jeong-ho's Eyes] "North Korea-Russia Relations Closer in the U.S. Practical Hegemony Strategy"

This is a Google translation of an RFA report of Ri Jong Ho's weekly column.

[Room 39, Lee Jeong-ho's Eyes] "North Korea-Russia Relations Closer in the U.S. Practical Hegemony Strategy"

WASHINGTON-Noh Jeong-min nohj@rfa.org

https://www.rfa.org/korean/in-depth/2025/03/04/russia-ukraine-end-war-north-korea-negotiation/

2025.03.04

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet at the White House in Washington, D.C. on February 28 (local time). (Yonhap)

“Hello. I am Ri Jeong-ho, a former high-ranking official from the Daeheung General Bureau of Room 39 of the North Korean Workers’ Party.”

[Based on the experience of a former high-ranking North Korean official, we dig into the secrets of the Kim Jong-un regime and its core power circles, examine the truth and lies of North Korea's policies today, and analyze politics, economy, and society through 'Room 39, Lee Jeong-ho's Eyes' with Lee Jeong-ho, head of the Korea Prosperity Development Center (KPDC).]

“Russia is likely to use North Korea as a logistics base to strengthen its strategic ‘paramilitary alliance’ after the end of the war, and North Korea will also try to use this as an opportunity to maximize its military and economic interests.”

With the US-led Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations underway, it is expected that North Korea and Russia will maintain close relations even after the war ends. The recent agreement between the Russian and North Korean chambers of commerce is also related.

“North Korea will maintain a trade structure in which it steadily imports strategic materials such as food, crude oil, steel, natural gas, and construction materials from Russia, and exports labor and weapons. In particular, during the reconstruction process of Russia after the war, North Korea is likely to earn foreign currency by exporting labor.”

As the end of the Russia-Ukraine war is expected to usher in a full-scale competition for hegemony among the United States, Russia, China, and Europe, attention is also being paid to what niche strategy North Korea will deploy.

North Korea-Russia Chamber of Commerce Agreement, Basic Step for Post-War Economic Cooperation

[Reporter] Hello, Mr. Lee Jeong-ho. Russia-Ukraine peace talks are underway with the mediation of the United States. On the 28th of last month, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a summit, but the talks fell through. First, what is your outlook on the peace talks, and what do you think will happen to North Korea, which participated in the war, once the war ends?

[Lee Jeong-ho] As you said, the Russia-Ukraine peace talks are progressing quickly under the leadership of the United States. Since the warring parties are also enduring enormous casualties and economic and military losses, I believe that the peace is in their interests. In addition, President Trump seems to have the intention of reducing the financial burden of the United States due to the war.

This Russia-Ukraine war is not just a conflict between the two countries, but also a proxy war between Europe and Russia. Therefore, the peace negotiations must meet key conditions from both Russia and Ukraine and Europe. In particular, the issues of the preservation of the Crimean Peninsula occupied by Russia in 2014 and the Ukrainian territories occupied by this war, security guarantees to prevent a recurrence of war, Ukraine's accession to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and the stationing of EU troops in Ukraine will be the issues. And when discussing the issue of prisoner exchange, North Korean prisoners of war may also be discussed.

I expect that even after the end of the Russia-Ukraine war, North Korea and Russia will maintain a quasi-military alliance and continue to move closely together. In addition, it seems highly likely that President Trump will push for a US-North Korea summit with Kim Jong-un again after the war. However, it remains to be seen whether Russia will act as a mediator and make the summit happen, as some have suggested. This is because President Trump has already held three summits with Kim Jong-un and exchanged dozens of personal letters, so there may not be a need to use Russia as a mediator. Rather, it seems more likely that President Trump’s special envoy will visit Pyongyang as soon as the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations are concluded.

Officials from the Pyongyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a video conference with the Kursk Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Russia (Capture from the Kursk Chamber of Commerce and Industry Telegram account) (Yonhap)

[Reporter] There is also interest in the practical benefits that North Korea will gain from the North Korea-Russia relationship after the war. In the [Ri Jeong-ho's Eyes] broadcast on February 3, we covered the story of Russia's plan to provide vast land to North Korea after the war. And on February 27, the Kursk Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Russia announced that they had a video conference with the Pyongyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry in North Korea and signed an agreement. Do you think this is related?

[Lee Jeong-ho] We talked about the agreement between Russia and North Korea last time, when the war ends, to provide a significant amount of land. The agreement between the Kursk Chamber of Commerce and the Pyongyang Chamber of Commerce should be viewed as an extension of that. In particular, Kursk is one of the frontline areas where North Korean troops deployed to Russia are currently fighting the Ukrainian military. According to sources inside North Korea, there is a plan under discussion to build houses, hospitals, schools, and other facilities in the area, form a settlement, deploy tens of thousands of discharged soldiers, and then bring the resulting food back to North Korea. Therefore, I think the agreement signed on February 27 is the basic stage of economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

In addition, Russia is likely to use North Korea as a logistics base to strengthen its strategic "paramilitary alliance" after the war, and North Korea will also try to maximize its military and economic interests by taking advantage of this opportunity. In addition, North Korea will try to expand its weapons production and supply chain by linking with the defense industry while serving as a rear base for Russian military production. In addition, I think there is a high possibility that they will conduct joint research and technological cooperation for the development of advanced weapons such as missile engines, reconnaissance satellites, air defense systems, drones, and SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), as well as supply high-quality facilities and materials.

In addition, North Korea will maintain a trade structure in which it steadily imports strategic materials such as food, crude oil, steel, natural gas, and construction materials from Russia and exports labor and weapons. In particular, during the reconstruction process of Russia after the war, North Korea is likely to earn foreign currency by exporting labor. It will try to create opportunities to secure foreign currency through cooperation in the tourism industry with Russia. In addition, North Korea can provide nursing facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured Russian veterans, and through this, it can receive medical equipment, materials, and technical support. Ultimately, it is highly likely that North Korea-Russia relations will continue to closely cooperate strategically even after the war.

North Korea and Russia: Possibility of Maintaining Strategic Military Alliance Even After the War

[Reporter] According to the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on February 24, the expression that Russia invaded Ukraine was omitted. The US is taking the position that it will not hold Russia responsible for starting the war. It seems that it is also giving an indulgence to North Korea, which participated in the war on Russia's side. It seems that the interests of the US, Russia, and North Korea are aligned during the armistice process. How will the situation on the Korean Peninsula change after the armistice?

[Lee Jeong-ho] As the reporter mentioned, the interests of the US, Russia, and North Korea seem to be the same in the process of the Russia-Ukraine armistice. What is surprising is that the Trump administration is pushing for an early end to the war without defining Russia as an “aggressor” or holding it accountable for the war damage. However, due to Russia’s invasion, entire cities and villages in Ukraine were reduced to ashes, and tens of thousands of people lost their lives. Turning a blind eye to this is a very shocking change that overturns conventional wisdom, and the current US government seems to be using a pragmatic hegemonic strategy that prioritizes its own interests without being bound by ideological camp logic. In particular, while defining China as the greatest threat, there are also moves to exclude allies that have long benefited from the protection and support of the US. Of course, we need to watch the situation more closely, but it is clear that we are at a turning point where the framework of the existing international order is changing.

In this flow, it is very likely that Russia and North Korea will maintain a strategic military alliance even after the war ends. If the United States, Russia, and North Korea become entangled as interested parties, tensions on the Korean Peninsula are expected to heighten even more. I personally believe that Russia and North Korea, which sacrificed tens of thousands of innocent Ukrainian citizens after the war ended, will never be absolved of war crimes. In addition, thousands of North Korean soldiers who died in the war will be revealed. As time passes, I think the international community, which values ​​human rights, justice, and conscience, will demand judgment on Russia’s brutal war crimes.

North Korea conducted a strategic cruise missile launch drill in the West Sea on the 26th of last month, with Chairman Kim Jong-un observing. (Yonhap)

Related Articles

“Trump may soon send special envoy to North Korea”

The End of the Ukraine War and Its Impact on North Korea

Trump-Putin Call: “Ukraine War End Negotiations Begin”

[Reporter] Another thing I'm curious about is that President Trump showed great interest in minerals from Ukraine this time. And he even tried to sign a minerals agreement with Ukraine. So wouldn't President Trump be interested in minerals from North Korea?

[Lee Jeong-ho] The reason the US is so interested in Ukraine’s mineral resources is a strategic decision for the stability of the supply chain and geopolitical interests. However, in my view, the possibility of the US being so interested in North Korea’s minerals is low. I know this well because I have worked hard to export resources from North Korea. The representative minerals that North Korea possesses are coal, iron ore, magnesite, zinc, and limestone. However, when comparing the economic value of these resources and the level of interest of the US to Ukraine, they are no match. Of course, North Korea possesses the largest magnesite reserves in Asia (tens of billions of tons), but the demand for them is limited. North Korea’s Musan iron ore mine is also large, but its development value is not high. It does not have much gold or rare earth mineral reserves. In other words, North Korea has no resources that would be attractive to the US.

For example, I inspected North Korea's iron ore resources with Chinese businessmen and experts in 2009. At that time, Chinese officials evaluated North Korea's mineral resources as unattractive compared to China's Inner Mongolia region. They showed no interest, saying that the resources were insufficient and the infrastructure was poor.

Kim Jong-un learns lessons from Ukraine tragedy that gave up nuclear weapons

[Reporter] Lastly, the international community's view of President Zelensky during the Russia-Ukraine armistice process is cold. As President Zelensky lost the initiative in negotiations and was dragged along by the United States, there are even assessments that he was "eventually abandoned." In addition, the summit on February 28, when negotiations broke down, reminds us of the moment of the 2019 Hanoi, Vietnam-North Korea summit. What message did General Secretary Kim Jong-un read?

[Lee Jung-ho] I think Kim Jong-un learned the lesson again from these negotiations : “You must not give up your nuclear weapons .” It is symbolic that President Trump told President Zelensky, “You no longer have a bargaining chip.” Ukraine fought against Russian aggression with the support of the United States and the West, but in the end, the United States turned to economic gains in the process of ending the war.

Ukraine's security has been handed over to Europe, and President Zelensky has failed to achieve the desired negotiation results. From Kim Jong-un's perspective, this will be seen as 'the miserable end of a country that has given up its nuclear weapons.'

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was the third largest nuclear weapons country in the world. It had 176 intercontinental ballistic missiles, about 44 strategic bombers, and more than 1,900 nuclear warheads, but under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine returned all its nuclear weapons to Russia in exchange for guarantees of territorial integrity and sovereignty from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. However, in 2014, Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine's Crimea, and invaded in 2022. In the end, the memorandum of understanding guaranteeing territorial integrity and sovereignty became a piece of paper.

This case in Ukraine symbolizes the failure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and suggests the possibility of a “nuclear domino effect” gradually spreading beyond the control of the United States. In March 2013, Kim Jong-un emphasized that “only a country with nuclear weapons can maintain sovereignty,” and that we should not forget the lessons of the Balkans and the Middle East. Here, the Balkans refers to Ukraine. This has been a key strategy since the Kim Jong-il era. Kim Jong-un must have become even more convinced while watching this negotiation. He said, “Nuclear weapons are the only card that can protect my power and system.” Therefore, I think North Korea will continue to aggressively strengthen its nuclear weapons and seek recognition as a full-fledged nuclear state.

[Reporter] Yes. So far, we have talked with Ri Jeong-ho, head of the Korea Prosperity Development Center and former high-ranking official of Room 39 of the North Korean Workers' Party, about 'what message will North Korea receive from the Russia-Ukraine armistice negotiations, and what will happen to North Korea-Russia relations?' Representative Ri Jeong-ho, thank you for your words today.

This is Jeongmin Noh of RFA Radio Free Asia.

Editor Park Bong-hyun

17. “If the North Korea-Russia War is prolonged, there is a possibility of a 5th or 6th troop deployment”

​A money making regime for the regime.

This is a Google translation.

“If the North Korea-Russia War is prolonged, there is a possibility of a 5th or 6th troop deployment”

https://www.rfa.org/korean/in-focus/2025/03/05/russia-ukraine-war-negotiation-fifth-sixth-troops/

Seoul-Hong Seung-wook hongs@rfa.org

2025.03.05

The identification card held by a North Korean soldier when he was captured in January. 2025.1.12 (Yonhap)

Anchor: There are predictions in South Korea that if the Russia-Ukraine war ceasefire negotiations drag on, North Korea could deploy its fifth or sixth troop deployment in the long term. Reporter Hong Seung-wook reports from Seoul.

The National Intelligence Service of South Korea announced on the 27th of last month that North Korea appears to have deployed its second force to the Kursk Front in January and February.

On the same day, South Korean military authorities also announced that they were closely monitoring the trend of additional deployment of North Korean troops. These were the words of Lee Seong-jun, the head of the public relations office of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[Lee Seong-jun, Public Relations Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (27th of last month)] Our military is closely monitoring the movements of the North Korean military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff is tracking the movements of the North Korean military within North Korea.

In relation to this, there is a prediction in South Korea that if the Russia-Ukraine war end-of-war negotiations are prolonged, North Korea may even deploy its fifth or sixth troops.

In a report titled “The Meaning and Ripple Effect of North Korea’s Additional Troop Deployment to Russia,” Lee Sang-geun, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy under the National Intelligence Service, made this diagnosis, saying that North Korea “has shown its will to fight together with Russia until it completely reclaims the Kursk region or until the war ends, even if casualties continue to occur.”

As North Korea appears to have adopted a strategy of increasing its contribution to the war and receiving stronger military rewards from Russia, it is quite possible that additional troop deployments will occur several times if the war drags on.

The researcher predicted that additional deployment of North Korean troops and improved performance would mean that there would be more things that could be demanded from Russia in return, and that it would be possible to obtain not only economic and scientific and technological support, but also overt support for North Korea on the international stage.

In particular, there were concerns that if North Korea continues to dispatch troops, Russia would have no choice but to acknowledge North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons and could attempt to undermine UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

However, there is also analysis that the dispatch of troops could act as a so-called 'double-edged sword' for the Kim Jong-un regime.

If the number of North Korean POWs who want to go to South Korea increases, it will soon lead to a loss of face for General Secretary Kim, and the increasing number of casualties could spread to dissatisfaction with the system and the leader among the soldiers and their families.

The researcher said that General Secretary Kim's recent visit to Kim Il-sung Political University and his repeated emphasis on ideological armament were also conscious of this, and diagnosed that it would be difficult to quell the anger of the soldiers, the so-called "Market Generation," with such measures.

Related Articles

North Korean POW: “I really want to go to South Korea”

South Korean Government: “If North Korean POWs’ intention to ‘go to South Korea’ is confirmed, we will accept them”

On the 25th of last month, Rep. Yoo Yong-won (left) is interviewing Mr. Lee (right), a North Korean prisoner of war captured by the Ukrainian military. (Office of Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party)

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won, who recently visited Ukraine, said on the 5th, “About 3,500 North Korean soldiers are receiving local adaptation training in the Russian Far East, and there is a possibility of a third deployment.”

Rep. Yoo quoted the Ukrainian General Directorate of Information as saying, “The size of the second deployment is around 1,500 troops,” and “They have already completed local adaptation training and have been deployed near Kursk, Russia.”

He continued, “As of the 26th of last month, the number of North Korean soldiers killed in action according to the Ukrainian General Intelligence Service was around 400, and the number of wounded was around 3,600,” and explained, “Of the wounded, around 300 received treatment and were then sent back to the front lines.”

Human Rights Group: “Surgery Cost Support for Repatriation of North Korean POWs”

Meanwhile, human rights groups have repeatedly called for the North Korean prisoners of war captured by the Ukrainian military to be repatriated to South Korea as soon as possible.

North Korean human rights groups in South Korea, including the North Korea Human Rights Association, Citizens’ Coalition for a Correct North Korean Human Rights Act, Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of the Korean Peninsula, and People for a Successful Unification, said on this day that “North Korean military prisoners are South Korean citizens according to the Constitution,” and urged the South Korean government to make every diplomatic effort to bring them back.

In particular, we have said that we will support all the surgical expenses for the prisoner who is known to have been shot in the jaw until he fully recovers when he comes to South Korea. This is what Kim Tae-hoon, the director of the North Korean Human Rights Association, said.

[Kim Tae-hoon, Chairman of the North Korean Human Rights Association] He said he wanted to have surgery, and we are willing to provide surgery, so we urge you to bring him here as soon as possible. Human rights organizations are ready to raise funds and provide support in various ways.

Human rights groups have stressed that the speedy repatriation of prisoners is an important issue from a humanitarian perspective, as there is a risk that prisoners will be treated as traitors and persecuted or, in severe cases, executed if they return to North Korea.

This is Hong Seung-wook of RFA's Free Asia Broadcasting in Seoul.

Editor Yang Seong-won

18. Last year, South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea was 'nonexistent'

​There are few people in the world who are suffering more than the Korean people in the north.

The north rejects aid.

This is a Google translation.

Excerpts:

There is analysis that the reason why the South Korean government and private sector did not provide support to North Korea last year is related to North Korea's declaration of "two hostile states."

At the 9th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in December 2023, General Secretary Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean relations as a relationship between "two hostile countries," and on January 15 last year, in his policy speech at the Supreme People's Assembly, he declared South Korea to be his "constant enemy."

A Unification Ministry official told South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on the 5th, “North Korea has recently been refusing to accept most offers of external aid, and its rejection of South Korea is even stronger,” adding, “It will likely take time for the South Korean government or private organizations to resume humanitarian aid to the North.”

Last year, South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea was 'nonexistent'

https://www.rfa.org/korean/in-focus/2025/03/05/kimjongun-south-humanitarian-aid-twohostilecountries/

Seoul-Handohyeong hando@rfa.org

2025.03.05

The 2024 South Korean government and private aid to North Korea was calculated to be 0 won. (Capture from the Ministry of Unification's 'Summary of Humanitarian Aid to North Korea')

Anchor: It has been revealed that South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea was completely cut off last year. This is the first time since 1995 that there has been no humanitarian aid to North Korea. Reporter Han Do-hyung reports from Seoul.

According to the 'Summary of Humanitarian Support to North Korea' released by the Ministry of Unification on the 5th, the number of cases of support to North Korea provided by the South Korean government and private sector last year was 0, and the amount of support was 0 won.

Since 1995, the South Korean government and private sector have been providing humanitarian aid to North Korea, but last year was the first year in which no humanitarian aid was provided to North Korea.

There is analysis that the reason why the South Korean government and private sector did not provide support to North Korea last year is related to North Korea's declaration of "two hostile states."

At the 9th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in December 2023, General Secretary Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean relations as a relationship between "two hostile countries," and on January 15 last year, in his policy speech at the Supreme People's Assembly, he declared South Korea to be his "constant enemy."

A Unification Ministry official told South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on the 5th, “North Korea has recently been refusing to accept most offers of external aid, and its rejection of South Korea is even stronger,” adding, “It will likely take time for the South Korean government or private organizations to resume humanitarian aid to the North.”

Related Articles

Last year, UN aid to North Korea amounted to $2.8 million… 87% increase over previous year

Korean Civilian Groups Attempt to Contact North Korea for 'Flood Relief'... "No Significant Results"

In addition to North Korea's declaration of "two hostile states," some analysis has pointed to the need to pay attention to the fact that North Korea's acceptance of external aid has decreased since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Jeong Eun-i, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Unification Studies (KINU), said in a phone call with Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 5th, “Even the Western world’s support for North Korea has not fully recovered since COVID-19,” and diagnosed that there were complex reasons for the failure of the South Korean government and private sector to provide humanitarian support to North Korea last year.

According to the 'Summary of Humanitarian Aid to North Korea', aid to North Korea from the South Korean government and private sector amounted to a total of $19.05 million (KRW 27.7 billion) in 2019 before COVID-19, but has decreased significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak: $10.25 million (KRW 14.9 billion) in 2020, $2.13 million (KRW 3.1 billion) in 2021, $1.78 million (KRW 2.6 billion) in 2022, and $0.68 million (KRW 1 billion) in 2023.

In addition, according to the Fund Tracking Service (FTS) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), international aid to North Korea has decreased significantly from $45.9 million (KRW 66.7 billion) in 2019 before COVID-19 to $41.88 million (KRW 60.8 billion) in 2020, $13.78 million (KRW 20 billion) in 2021, $2.33 million (KRW 3.3 billion) in 2022, $1.52 million (KRW 2.2 billion) in 2023, and $2.8 million (KRW 4 billion) in 2024. These are the words of Research Fellow Jeong Eun-i.

[Jeong Eun-i, Research Fellow at the Institute for Unification Studies] Isn’t it a combination of factors? Since the coronavirus outbreak, even in the West, aid to North Korea has not fully recovered. I think the coronavirus is also having an impact.

Trends in South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea by year. (Capture from the Ministry of Unification's 'Summary of Humanitarian Aid to North Korea')

Along with this, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, pointed out that while the lack of support for the North from the South Korean government and private sector last year could be interpreted as an extension of North Korea’s declaration of “two hostile states,” the South Korean government led by Yoon Seok-yeol, who emphasized “peace through strength” and led inter-Korean relations toward a confrontational structure, is also responsible.

“It will likely take time for normalization to take place because North Korea has drawn a line and will not engage with South Korea,” added Yang.

[Yang Moo-jin, President of the University of North Korean Studies] Since North Korea has drawn a line that it will not rely on the South at all, will not talk, and will not interact with us, it seems that it will take some time to normalize this. I analyze that the current state of inter-Korean relations, which is full of confrontation and confrontation, is the situation of humanitarian aid.

South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea began with flood relief in 1995

Meanwhile, South Korea's humanitarian aid to North Korea began in 1995 when the country suffered a severe food shortage due to flood damage, with the provision of 150,000 tons of rice and other supplies. The last humanitarian aid from the South Korean government to North Korea was forest pest control chemicals in 2018.

When large-scale flooding occurred in North Korea last July, the South Korean government allowed private organizations to provide humanitarian aid to the North, but North Korean authorities did not respond to South Korea's intention to provide aid to the North.

This is Han Do-hyung from RFA Free Asia Broadcasting in Seoul.

Editor Yang Seong-won

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