Informal Institute for National Security Thinkers and Practitioners

Quotes of the Day:

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

– Ernest Hemingway

“Every revolution evaporates and leaves behind only the slime of a new bureaucracy.”

–Franz Kafka

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom."

– Viktor E. Frankl

National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations (12/24)

See the latest video from the OSS Society on the future National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations (NMISO) at this link:

https://vimeo.com/1039013869/848cda22f6

It has been an honor to participate in this project. I have learned so much about how museums are developed and how they operate. But we still need everyone's help to raise the funds to complete this.

Congress has designated this a National Museum

In the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the planned National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations. This museum, to be located in Ashburn, Virginia, is a private initiative by The OSS Society, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Office of Strategic Services. The NDAA's acknowledgment underscores the museum's significance in honoring the contributions of intelligence and special operations communities to national security.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/01/20/defense-bill-oks-future-national-intelligence-museum/?utm

Congress awarded the OSS the Congressional Gold Medal

On December 14, 2016, the United States Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in recognition of its members' superior service and significant contributions during World War II. The OSS, established in 1942, was the precursor to modern American intelligence and special operations agencies, including the CIA and U.S. Special Forces.

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian honors in the United States, bestowed by Congress to express national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.

Wikipedia

The medal features silhouettes of three OSS agents—a woman in civilian attire, a paratrooper, and a man in a suit—symbolizing the diverse roles undertaken by OSS personnel. The reverse side displays the OSS spearhead insignia, inscribed with code words representing significant OSS missions.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/3929/cosponsors?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Download the image here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RR9-Tii9gkhEc9Z35OZ7iOvpAiy0ZgQJ/view?usp=sharing

1. New polling: Does 'America First' mean abandoning Taiwan and Korea?

2. By Attempting To Shift Focus to North Korea, China Looks To Woo Japan, South Korea as All Three Face American Tariff Pressures

3. This is one of America’s most shocking economic defeats in 40 years

4. South Korea, US should go beyond rhetoric, get real on Taiwan contingency: report

5. Top U.S. general nominee calls N. Korea 'immediate security challenge,' backs trilateral cooperation with Japan

6. N. Korea denounces U.S., Japan's munitions cooperation, vows to bolster deterrence

7. Acting president calls for accepting Yoon's impeachment verdict regardless of outcome

8. Acting police chief vows to mobilize full police powers on Yoon's ruling day

9. U.S. Embassy advises citizens in S. Korea to avoid large gatherings ahead of Yoon's impeachment verdict

10. Opposition-led motion to impeach finance minister reported to National Assembly

11. Yoon’s impeachment verdict: Another circus passing through Seoul

12. S. Korea seizes record 1-ton cocaine transport on foreign ship on east coast

13. Gov't signs agreement to use 500 mln-won donation to support N. Korean defectors

14. Gov't to stay alert, devise response strategy as U.S. reciprocal tariffs loom: finance minister

15. Nearly half of North Korean troops in Ukraine reported killed or wounded

16. Editorial: S. Korea must prepare for reality where USFK is no longer static

17. Korea baffled by US listing of defense offsets as trade barrier

18. Invisible prison: N. Korean defectors' families face intensifying surveillance

19. North Korea’s strategic drones ‘not as advanced as US aircraft’: think tank

1. New polling: Does 'America First' mean abandoning Taiwan and Korea?

We must not squander our relationship with our key allies in east Asia and be complacent because the American people seem to support Taiwan and Korea.

We need to think "America First, Allies Always."

Excerpts:

These results indicate that an “America First” mindset does not necessarily equate to a complete withdrawal from key alliances, particularly in East Asia.

Instead, Americans may distinguish between broad foreign policy engagement and specific security commitments that align with perceived national interests. This prioritized selective engagement builds upon positive evaluations of the two countries as well as concerns about their perceived aggressors.

However, such support in the abstract ignores how the public may reevaluate commitments in light of actual costs. If a crisis in East Asia were to escalate, factors such as economic costs, military casualties and elite discourse could shape whether current bipartisan support endures or fractures along partisan lines, as seen with Ukraine.

Future research should explore how Americans weigh the risks and trade-offs of these commitments in scenarios where direct US intervention becomes more likely.

New polling: Does 'America First' mean abandoning Taiwan and Korea? - Asia Times

Americans have grown more inward-looking generally – but specifically continue to support Taiwan and South Korea

asiatimes.com · by Timothy S. Rich · April 1, 2025

This article, originally published by Pacific Forum, is republished with permission.

In his first administration, Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine reshaped US foreign policy, emphasizing economic nationalism, skepticism of military alliances and a focus on domestic priorities over international commitments.

The Trump administration 2.0 further seeks to reevaluate military commitments abroad, reduce foreign aid, and pressure allies to contribute more to their defense, fueling the debate over the extent of US involvement overseas. I assess how the public’s inward focus may challenge commitments to two of the country’s longest-standing entanglements: Taiwan and South Korea.

There are several reasons to assume Trump would be less supportive of these commitments. As a candidate in 2024, he stated he would not defend Taiwan. In 2020, Trump demanded a $5 billion increase in what South Korea paid for the US military presence after rejecting a 14% proposed increase, with suggestions that he would pull out troops if this was not met.

Recent reports suggest Trump intends to demand additional payments for the military presence in South Korea and Japan, leading one analyst to state the administration is no longer interested in defending these countries or Taiwan.

Assessing public sentiment is harder.

Pew surveys from 2019 to 2023 find a decline, from 53% to 43%, of those stating the US should be active in world affairs, with 71% of Republicans in 2023 saying the US should concentrate attention on problems at home, compared with only 39% of Democrats.

Yet, existing evidence also suggests that the American public supports specific foreign policies. While support for Ukraine is increasingly divided on party lines, the same does not seem to be true for Taiwan and South Korea.

A 2021 Chicago Council survey finds a slim majority (52%) supported US troops to defend Taiwan, while a 2022 survey finds 61% of Americans surveyed supported defending Taiwan, with slightly higher support among Democrats than Republicans (67.04% vs. 60.15%). A 2023 YouGov poll found that most Democrats and Republicans support taking a strong stand to protect Taiwan from China.

Likewise, a 2024 Chicago Council survey finds majorities of Democrats and Republicans support the continuation of US military bases in South Korea, although the majorities are slimmer when committing troops if North Korea invaded. A 2022 IPOL survey finds little American support for base closures in South Korea, Japan, or Germany.

To identify how a more inward-looking American public would view these commitments, I commissioned a national web survey through Centiment February 12-26 to address these concerns.

We asked 522 respondents, “Which of the following best describes your views of the US role in world affairs?: ‘We should pay less attention to problems overseas and concentrate on problems at home,’ or ‘It’s best for the future of the country to be active in world affairs.’”

A clear majority favor focusing inward (60.54%) but with stark partisan differences, as a thin majority of Democrats prioritize world affairs (52.71%), nearly twice the rate of Republicans (27.73%).

The inward focus is somewhat higher than a 2022 survey that showed 54.44% preferred an inward focus, including 43.71% of Democrats and 67.34% of Republicans.

Figure 1

From here, I asked two questions related to American commitments in East Asia: “Do you support or oppose the US defending Taiwan if it were attacked by China?” and, later, “Currently, the US has approximately 24,000 active-duty military in South Korea to deter North Korean aggression. Do you support the continuation of this US presence in South Korea?”

Overall the public shows broad support for both countries, with over 60% of respondents supporting Taiwan’s defense and the continued military presence in South Korea.

Even among those who stated the US should concentrate on domestic issues, a majority favored these foreign policy commitments, whereas over three-quarters of respondents desiring the US to be active in world affairs did so as well.

Moreover, no difference emerges between Democrats and Republicans on these commitments.

Additional statistical tests find after controlling for age, gender and income, as well as views of the country and its primary aggressor (Taiwan: China; South Korea: North Korea) there remain no partisan differences, while a majority of those preferring a focus on domestic policy still support these commitments.

Figure 2

Despite the growing preference among Americans for an inward-focused foreign policy, the findings suggest that this does not necessarily translate into opposition to commitments to Taiwan and South Korea.

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These results indicate that an “America First” mindset does not necessarily equate to a complete withdrawal from key alliances, particularly in East Asia.

Instead, Americans may distinguish between broad foreign policy engagement and specific security commitments that align with perceived national interests. This prioritized selective engagement builds upon positive evaluations of the two countries as well as concerns about their perceived aggressors.

However, such support in the abstract ignores how the public may reevaluate commitments in light of actual costs. If a crisis in East Asia were to escalate, factors such as economic costs, military casualties and elite discourse could shape whether current bipartisan support endures or fractures along partisan lines, as seen with Ukraine.

Future research should explore how Americans weigh the risks and trade-offs of these commitments in scenarios where direct US intervention becomes more likely.

Timothy S. Rich (timothy.rich@wku.edu) is a professor of political science at Western Kentucky University and director of the International Public Opinion Lab (IPOL). His research focuses on public opinion and the domestic and international politics of East Asia.

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asiatimes.com · by Timothy S. Rich · April 1, 2025

2. By Attempting To Shift Focus to North Korea, China Looks To Woo Japan, South Korea as All Three Face American Tariff Pressures

Are we driving Korea and Japan into the open arms of China?

It does not have to be that way.

Excerpts:

Although Russia and China are both strong allies of North Korea, Beijijng fears Pyongyang is getting too close to Moscow by providing huge amounts of ammunition and sending troops to fight Russia’s war against Ukraine. Kyodo even said China had withdrawn its ambassador to North Korea, “temporarily,” last year “in a sign of protest over deeper military ties between North Korea and Russia.”

Mr. Trump, however, also has his own game to play with Mr. Kim, whom he remembers fondly from their three meetings in 2018 and 2019. Sure, they failed to produce a substantive agreement on North Korea giving up its nuclear program, but Mr. Trump still hopes to see him again — a move that could provide leverage for playing North Korea against both China and Russia.

Kyodo quoted Mr. Trump as saying Monday that he and Mr. Kim would probably “do something at some point.” After all, he insisted, “We have a great relationship.”

By Attempting To Shift Focus to North Korea, China Looks To Woo Japan, South Korea as All Three Face American Tariff Pressures

It does not seem coincidental that Beijing is raising the idea of exerting pressure on North Korea to slow down if not abandon its nuclear program exactly when the Japanese and South Koreans would be most receptive.

DONALD KIRK

Apr. 1, 2025 12:58 PM ET

nysun.com

SEOUL — Washington faces the prospect of a realignment of forces in northeast Asia with China joining America’s two staunch allies there, Japan and South Korea, in a bid to talk North Korea out of its nuclear program.

That unlikely scenario has emerged as Beijing joins Tokyo and Seoul in battling the skyrocketing American tariffs targeting them, led by China with a surplus of $270.4 billion in trade with America last year. Japan’s trade surplus was $62.6 billion, just ahead of South Korea’s surplus of $60.2 billion; they were just behind the independent Chinese province that America is “committed” to defend, Taiwan, which had a surplus of $67.4 billion.

As President Trump looks forward to proclaiming Wednesday as “Liberation Day” from the enormous inequities in trade with these and other nations, China is adroitly shifting the emphasis to the nuclear issue.

Spreading the word that it’s pressuring its ally and protectorate, North Korea, to slow down if not abandon production of nuclear warheads, Beijing is giving the impression that it, too, is not happy about the repeated threats from North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, to fire at or drop warheads on South Korea, Japan, and their American ally. It’s widely believed that Chinese pressure explains why Mr. Kim has not ordered a nuclear test since 2017.

Intimations of China’s strategy have emerged in the Japanese press after trilateral meetings among foreign and trade ministers of the three countries in the face of Secretary Hegseth’s loudly stated vows to strengthen defenses against China during his recent swing to Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Guam.

Japan’s Kyodo news agency reports that China “has drawn up a scenario to bolster cooperation with Japan and South Korea over North Korea’s denuclearization.” The explicit purpose, according to Kyodo, is “to drive a wedge in the three-way ties between the two Asian neighbors and the United States.”

Quoting “Chinese sources familiar with the matter,” Kyodo said Chinese policymakers “share the view that there is a ‘strategic opportunity’ for Beijing to approach Tokyo and Seoul as their trilateral partnership with Washington could be affected” by Mr. Trump’s “disdain for multilateral frameworks” — a reference not only to Mr. Trump’s stated views on NATO but to what he thinks of the trilateral bond that President Biden formed with Japan and South Korea.

The tone of the report, picked up by Japan’s pervasive national media, suggested that the so-called Chinese sources were officials ordered by Beijing to persuade Japan and South Korea to loosen ties with Washington while Mr. Trump opens the climactic phase of his struggle to redress America’s enormous trade deficit and “level the playing field.” Mr. Trump’s stated aim is to inflict the same level of tariffs that America’s trading partners have long inflicted on imports from America.

It did not seem coincidental that Beijing raised the idea of exerting pressure on North Korea to slow down if not abandon its nuclear program exactly when the Japanese and South Koreans would be most receptive. A week earlier, the foreign ministers of all three countries got together at Tokyo to talk over other mutual interests such as the falling birth rates that are a concern in all three countries, as well as responses to natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding.

At that meeting, Japan’s foreign minister, Takeshi Iwaya, also spoke of North Korea’s burgeoning relationship with Russia — a topic that strikes a sensitive nerve in China.

Although Russia and China are both strong allies of North Korea, Beijijng fears Pyongyang is getting too close to Moscow by providing huge amounts of ammunition and sending troops to fight Russia’s war against Ukraine. Kyodo even said China had withdrawn its ambassador to North Korea, “temporarily,” last year “in a sign of protest over deeper military ties between North Korea and Russia.”

Mr. Trump, however, also has his own game to play with Mr. Kim, whom he remembers fondly from their three meetings in 2018 and 2019. Sure, they failed to produce a substantive agreement on North Korea giving up its nuclear program, but Mr. Trump still hopes to see him again — a move that could provide leverage for playing North Korea against both China and Russia.

Kyodo quoted Mr. Trump as saying Monday that he and Mr. Kim would probably “do something at some point.” After all, he insisted, “We have a great relationship.”

nysun.com

3. This is one of America’s most shocking economic defeats in 40 years

Hyperbole or accurate? Have Korea and Japan really gone over to the dark side?

We can only wait and see how it plays out. Some on both sides will be able to say I told you depending on how things fall out or develop.

This is one of America’s most shocking economic defeats in 40 years

Donald Trump’s intimidation tactics risk leaving Americans poorer and more isolated

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/04/01/trump-aggression-unite-formidable-anti-us-economic-alliance/?utm

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

South Korea, US should go beyond rhetoric, get real on Taiwan contingency: report

koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · April 1, 2025

Allies should clarify expectations for role of alliance in event of US-China conflict

A Taiwan flag is seen at a harbor in Keelung, Taiwan, on Tuesday. China sent its army, navy, air and rocket forces to surround Taiwan for drills Beijing said were aimed at practicing a blockade of the self-ruled island. (AFP)

South Korea and the United States should initiate concrete, practical — and largely nonexternal — discussions on the intractable, long-avoided question of their alliance’s role in a Taiwan contingency, moving beyond rhetorical alignment on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, a report released by a Washington-based think tank said Monday.

The Korea Economic Institute of America pointed out the two allies remain unprepared for practical planning for a potential conflict between the US and China over Taiwan — particularly one that could trigger simultaneous instability on the Korean Peninsula, in the report “Siloed No More: The US-ROK Alliance and a Taiwan Conflict.” ROK refers to the official name of South Korea, the Republic of Korea.

“A key topline takeaway was that despite a notable uptick in leader-level and diplomatic statements in support of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, official alliance discussions regarding a Taiwan conflict were at a very nascent stage, if not nonexistent,” read the report. “Most US and South Korean respondents strongly felt such discussions were needed.”

The report was written based on 42 interviews with current and former US and South Korean government officials, think tank experts and academics from June 2024 to February 2025 in both Washington and Seoul. Most were in-person interviews, with some held virtually or via written email responses.

“There was a gap between this notable and important language and the actual level of detailed conversation or scenario planning within the alliance about how a conflict would actually be navigated," Clint Work, director of academic affairs at KEI and author of the report, said Monday during an event in Washington marking its publication.

Map of China and Taiwan. (Getty Images)

The report pointed to a range of challenges and obstacles that have hindered formal, detailed discussions within the ROK-US alliance framework about a Taiwan conflict.

Washington's “strategic ambiguity” on whether it will defend Taiwan, as well as its failure to communicate concise expectations to allies such as South Korea, has resulted in hesitation from Seoul. Moreover, there is a lack of a framework that can serve as a basis for how allies can be involved and provide input in a Taiwan contingency.

There is a widespread expectation that other allies, such as Japan and Australia, would take prominent roles, lessening the urgency on South Korea to prepare accordingly.

In South Korea, a lack of bipartisan consensus on China issues, a lack of a strong bond with Taiwan, centralized decision-making that discourages bureaucratic initiatives and a predominant focus on the Korean Peninsula — along with concerns over provoking China — undercut Seoul's willingness to become actively involved in contingency planning in relation to Taiwan.

To surmount such barriers, "various US and South Korean respondents strongly advocated for the US-ROK alliance to engage in discussions about more fundamental questions" on the Taiwan issue, the report read.

“In particular, what is South Korea’s national interest in Taiwan, and how do its national interests interconnect with Taiwan and a potential Taiwan conflict, aside from the alliance and South Korea’s prominent and understandable peninsular concerns?”

The allies should engage in deeper discussions about whether — and to what extent — South Korea could contribute militarily in the event of a Taiwan contingency, or whether its role would be confined to providing civilian supports such as logistics, according to the report.

One of the central issues for the allies is the necessity and potential levels of involvement by US Forces Korea, and how far the USFK's “strategic flexibility” should extend before, during and after if a conflict over Taiwan were to occur.

“US and South Korean respondents felt the alliance needed to have more in-depth, regular and transparent discussions about the possible levels of USFK’s involvement in a Taiwan conflict and what role South Korea would need to play in filling any potential gaps,” the report read.

Against that backdrop, the allies should also examine whether it is acceptable for the United States to use both US and South Korean infrastructure in South Korea as a logistical hub for delivering support to Taiwan, according to the report.

“Therefore, the US-ROK alliance needed to begin having these conversations,” the report read. “Agreeing with the need to discuss such issues, multiple respondents noted the importance of clarifying and calibrating expectations.”

dagyumji@heraldcorp.com

koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · April 1, 2025

5. Top U.S. general nominee calls N. Korea 'immediate security challenge,' backs trilateral cooperation with Japan

Lt Gen Caine gave a strong positive performance in his Senate coronation hearing.

The Korean press is parsing every word because they believe he will have the ear of the President.

(LEAD) Top U.S. general nominee calls N. Korea 'immediate security challenge,' backs trilateral cooperation with Japan | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · April 2, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS photos; UPDATES with more remarks, details in paras 9-24; RECASTS throughout)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's pick for the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman described North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as an "immediate security challenge" on Tuesday, while supporting trilateral security cooperation among the United States, South Korea and Japan.

During a Senate confirmation hearing, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Caine made the remarks, stressing that America faces an "unprecedented, rising global risk" as he pointed to potential adversaries of North Korea, China, Russia and Iran.

"North Korea's long-range missile and nuclear programs represent an immediate security challenge," he said in a written statement submitted in advance to the Senate Armed Services Committee. "If confirmed, I will assess the U.S. military presence in Japan and South Korea and make recommendations to the SecDef and POTUS."

SecDef and POTUS stand for the secretary of defense and the president of the U.S., respectively.

Retired U.S. Lt. Gen. John Caine, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 1, 2025, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

He was responding to a question regarding how U.S. troop reductions in South Korea and Japan would affect the security situation in the Indo-Pacific should such reductions proceed.

Caine threw his support behind trilateral security cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, which has been deepening in recent years in the face of North Korea's persistent nuclear threats and China's increasing assertiveness.

"I support the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework and, if confirmed, will continue to advocate for using the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework as a blueprint for military cooperation in exercises like Freedom Edge and operationally through efforts such as our trilateral missile data warning sharing mechanism," he said.

Last July, the defense chiefs of the three countries signed the framework in what was viewed as a move to formalize their tripartite security collaboration.

In his overall assessment of the North Korean threats, the nominee said that the North's nuclear, missile, and cyber capabilities continue to threaten the United States and its allies "on a global scale."

"Pyongyang has tested multiple missile systems capable of striking U.S. forces in the ROK and Japan, as well as Guam, Alaska, Hawaii, and CONUS," he said. ROK and CONUS are short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea, and the continental United States.

"Additionally, the DPRK conducts persistent cyber activities, such as cryptocurrency theft and adaptive cybercrime TTPs to generate funds and obtain technical information in support of the regime's military and WMD programs," he added, using the acronym for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

TTP refers to tactics, techniques, and procedures, while WMD is short for the weapon of mass destruction.

Lt. Gen. John Caine (retired) testifies during his Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing for promotion to general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington on April 1, 2025, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

Caine also pointed out the "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty, which the North and Russia signed last year, saying that it "very likely" will enable Pyongyang to further improve its military capabilities in a way that will increase the threat to regional stability and U.S. interests.

Commenting on the ongoing conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul, the nominee said that South Korea continues to increase and improve capabilities by acquiring equipment and experience through multidomain and trilateral exercises.

Seoul and Washington have been working on meeting a wide range of conditions needed for the OPCON transition. Conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover.

On space domain threats, Caine said that North Korea and Iran are strengthening their own space programs with the assistance of China and Russia, which he said is increasing the threat environment.

Regarding the North's advancing weapons programs, the nominee underlined "notable" progress on its missile-related goals, such as testing claimed solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and hypersonic systems and unveiling a new "tactical" nuclear warhead.

"During some of its missile testing, the DPRK has also claimed to simulate tactical nuclear exercises," he said.

"Pyongyang's cooperation with Moscow may also provide opportunities for the DPRK to advance its missile capabilities, as the DPRK has provided ballistic missiles to Russia that have been employed against Ukraine—the first time these DPRK systems have been used in combat."

In response to a question over whether the U.S.' ground-based interceptor (GBI) fleet is appropriately sized to address potential ICBM threats from the North or other countries, Caine said he understands the current GBI fleet is "adequate" against the existing North Korean threat.

In his opening remarks, the nominee highlighted growing global security risks facing the U.S.

"As we sit here now, our nation faces an unprecedented, rising global risk," he said. "Our adversaries are advancing. Global nuclear threats are on the rise, and deterrence is paramount."

Under these circumstances, U.S. national defense requires "urgent action and reform across the board," he said.

"We must go faster. We must move with a sense of urgency," he said. "We can never forget that our No. 1 job is to create peace through overwhelming strength, and if need be, fight and win our nation's wars."

Lt. Gen. John Caine (retired) testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine his nomination for promotion to general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington on April 1, 2025, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · April 2, 2025

6. N. Korea denounces U.S., Japan's munitions cooperation, vows to bolster deterrence

Below the Yonhap article is the actual statement from north Korea.

Note that there has been no response to President Trump's mention of communications with north Korea. The Propaganda and Agitation Department has neither confirmed nor debunked the statement from the President. Some professionals assess that no statement means a positive response. I think it could also be too soon and that they are crying to figure out how to respond.

And I am sure the regime is keeping its powder dry while waiting for the impeachment outcome. It is certainly plotting to figure out the best way to exploit all the developments.

But this excerpt is carefully crafted and I think reveals important thinking from the north. Kim needs the threat from the South, the US, and Japan to justify the suffering and sacrifice of the Korean people in the north to keep him in power.

Excerpts:

Certainly, the center of gravity of the U.S. hegemony-oriented military security strategy is changing and it is a new warning signal for the Asia-Pacific regional society including the countries in Northeast Asia.

A force without justice is a tyranny and justice without a force is meaningless.

It will be a priority task of the DPRK in the future, too, to actively cope with the unstable strategic environment being created around the DPRK by the U.S. and its followers and to bolster up the powerful deterrence capable of making enemy countries have no other choice but to give up their political and military ambition.

N. Korea denounces U.S., Japan's munitions cooperation, vows to bolster deterrence | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · April 2, 2025

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Wednesday denounced the United States and Japan's latest agreement to co-produce an advanced air-to-air missile for raising strategic instability in the Asia-Pacific region, vowing to bolster its powerful deterrence against such a threat.

The North's defense ministry issued the condemnation after the U.S. and Japan on Sunday announced the early launch of a co-production project for the AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile during U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit to Japan.

The vice general director of the armament bureau at the North's ministry said AIM-120 will be another "co-produced weapon" of the U.S.-Japan military alliance, noting their military ties are turning "offensive and aggressive from A to Z," according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"Their cooperation in the field of munitions industry is being accelerated in direct proportion to it. It is not a secret that such moves are aimed at militarily deterring the regional countries," the official said in a statement carried by the KCNA.

The official also warned North Korea will actively respond to the unstable security environment created by its enemies by bolstering its "powerful deterrence" to ensure enemy countries give up their military ambitions.

North Korea has recently shown a sensitive reaction to Japan's moves to enhance its military capabilities. Pyongyang denounced Japan's launch of a new military command aimed at better integrating its self-defense force units last week. It also slammed Japan for considering deploying long-range missiles on its southwestern island of Kyushu.

This photo, provided by Japan's Kyodo News on July 1, 2021, shows a joint military exercise between the United States and Japan at the Amami base in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

sooyeon@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · April 2, 2025

Press Statement of Vice General Director of General Armaments Bureau of Ministry of National Defence of DPRK

https://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1743545367-684057315/press-statement-of-vice-general-director-of-general-armaments-bureau-of-ministry-of-national-defence-of-dprk/

Date: 02/04/2025 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source

Pyongyang, April 2 (KCNA) -- The vice general director of the General Armaments Bureau of the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following press statement on April 1 under the title "The new 'co-produced weapon' of the U.S.-Japan military alliance signals the further unstable security environment of the region":

The U.S.-Japan alliance styling itself a key axis of the U.S.-led military alliance system in the Asia-Pacific region is taking on a fresh appearance to give repeated signals of instability to the surrounding countries and the regional society.

A typical example is that the U.S. and Japan formally agreed to co-produce the latest air-to-air missile AIM-120, with the recent visit of the U.S. secretary of Defense to Japan as an occasion.

What is serious is that it can never be accepted only as the production of weapons for fighters aimed at defending airspace and securing the command of the air. The danger of it is further highlighted in the light of the peculiarities of the geopolitical and military security environment in Northeast Asia.

All types of main fighters, involved in the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-Japan-ROK three party joint aerial drills that we have frequently witnessed in the sky near the Korean peninsula and further in the sky above the East Sea and South Sea of China, can carry the AIM-120 with a range of more than 160 km.

In view of the military doctrine of the U.S. Air Force which specified that the command of the air should be secured through massive introduction and use of the ultra-modern long-range air weapons such as AIM-120, the anti-aircraft system of enemy states be neutralized through preemptive strike and then strategic bombers be sent to deal a heavy blow to the strategic depth of the opponent, AIM-120 is now becoming another "co-produced weapon" of the U.S.-Japan military alliance, which is turning offensive and aggressive from A to Z.

The joint production of ultra-modern weapons pursued by the U.S. and Japan is adding new element of strategic instability to the Asia-Pacific region, bringing ominous dark clouds.

The U.S. has connived at and encouraged Japan's moves for a military giant since last century. It has sharply expanded the application range of the U.S.-Japan security treaty, which was limited to "contingency in Japan", to space and cyber fields, to say nothing of "contingencies in areas surrounding Japan" in recent years. It has also actively backed Japan's possession of "counterattack capability" and unhesitatingly offered long-range attack means such as Tomahawk cruise missile.

At a time when the U.S. and Japan are seeking to integrate the existing military operation control system through the U.S. military reorganization in Japan and the establishment of the "integrated operation command" and to steadily access to the wartime environment, their cooperation in the field of munitions industry is being accelerated in direct proportion to it. It is not a secret that such moves are aimed at militarily deterring the regional countries.

Certainly, the center of gravity of the U.S. hegemony-oriented military security strategy is changing and it is a new warning signal for the Asia-Pacific regional society including the countries in Northeast Asia.

A force without justice is a tyranny and justice without a force is meaningless.

It will be a priority task of the DPRK in the future, too, to actively cope with the unstable strategic environment being created around the DPRK by the U.S. and its followers and to bolster up the powerful deterrence capable of making enemy countries have no other choice but to give up their political and military ambition.

The DPRK's efforts to apply the most appropriate solution to control and manage the military tension in the region will continue, and Washington and its servants' attempt to hold military hegemony will never be allowed. -0-

www.kcna.kp (2025.04.02.)

7. Acting president calls for accepting Yoon's impeachment verdict regardless of outcome

So far the Korean people have acquitted themselves well with relatively no political violence unlike the1980s. I hope that will continue regardless of the ruling.

Acting president calls for accepting Yoon's impeachment verdict regardless of outcome | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · April 2, 2025

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Han Duck-soo called Wednesday for accepting the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment as the verdict was two days away.

Han issued the call during a meeting held to coordinate public safety measures ahead of Friday's ruling on whether to dismiss or reinstate Yoon following his short-lived martial law bid in December.

"Regardless of the decision, we must accept the result in a calm and level-headed manner in compliance with the principles of the rule of law," he said at the meeting attended by the chiefs of the science, justice, defense and interior ministries, as well as the police and firefighting agencies, and the mayor of Seoul.

"If we become one again with the strength and wisdom of our people, we will certainly be able to overcome the current crisis of confusion and conflict," he said.

Han pleaded with protesters to peacefully express their views, saying the government will not tolerate illegal or violent acts.

Any challenge to law enforcement, including the destruction of facilities, assault and arson, will be met with arrests on the scene and handled under a principle of zero tolerance, he said.

Han issued a message to politicians.

"Now is a time to prioritize the stability and survival of our community over political advantages or disadvantages," he said. "Please show a responsible attitude that contributes to social cohesion rather than division and conflict."

He added, "I earnestly plead with you to refrain from remarks that can provoke or incite illegal protests or violence."

Acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a meeting with public safety-related ministers at the government complex in Seoul on April 2, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

hague@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · April 2, 2025

8. Acting police chief vows to mobilize full police powers on Yoon's ruling day

Anticipate and be prepared.

(LEAD) Acting police chief vows to mobilize full police powers on Yoon's ruling day | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Yoo Cheong-mo · April 2, 2025

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details in last 4 paras; CHANGES photo)

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Police will enforce the highest-level security alert nationwide on Friday, when the Constitutional Court is set to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, the nation's top police official said Wednesday.

Lee Ho-young, acting chief of the Korean National Police Agency, issued the order during an online conference with top police officials, saying the police will remain in an emergency response posture until public order and security are stabilized.

With the highest-level security alert calling for mobilizing 100 percent of the police force, about 14,000 officers from 210 units will be deployed in Seoul alone to prepare for unexpected situations that may arise from large-scale gatherings following the court's ruling.

"It is feared after the court ruling that some of the crowd may stage extreme and violent protests, leading to accidents. Full police powers will be mobilized to prevent serious social conflict," Lee said.

Lee also vowed to thoroughly block off the Constitutional Court and surrounding area and deploy sufficient police forces to key national facilities.

The Constitutional Court and surrounding area are blocked off with police buses on April 2, 2025, ahead of its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. (Yonhap)

In a related move, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it completed the so-called "vacuum zone" operation toward the Constitutional Court as of 2 p.m. Wednesday by sealing off the area within a 150-meter radius around the court with police buses.

The vacuum zone, where all gatherings and demonstrations are prohibited and vehicle traffic is controlled, was initially planned to be 100 meters in diameter but has been greatly expanded, the agency explained, adding a total of 200 vehicles were mobilized for the operation.

Access to the sidewalk within the vacuum zone is permitted only for ordinary citizens, except protesters, though the sidewalk in front of the court's main gate is completely closed to anyone except court officials and reporters.

In preparation for an emergency, special police forces will be on standby within the Constitutional Court premises on the sentencing day. Police estimate that about 100,000 supporters and opponents of Yoon are expected to gather in central Seoul on that day.

ycm@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Yoo Cheong-mo · April 2, 2025

9. U.S. Embassy advises citizens in S. Korea to avoid large gatherings ahead of Yoon's impeachment verdict

Be careful and safe. Watch for north Korean and Chinese influenced agitators.

(LEAD) U.S. Embassy advises citizens in S. Korea to avoid large gatherings ahead of Yoon's impeachment verdict | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · April 2, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS details of advisories issued by other embassies in paras 5 and 8)

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Embassy in Seoul advised American citizens in South Korea on Wednesday to avoid large crowds or demonstrations ahead of the Constitutional Court's verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

The notice came as the top court is set to rule on Yoon's impeachment over his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

"In connection with the Constitutional Court's verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon, U.S. citizens should anticipate large-scale demonstrations and an increased police presence," the embassy said in a posting on X.

"Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large crowds, gatherings, protests, or rallies," it said.

The Japanese Embassy in Seoul also asked its citizens to check in advance the traffic and other situations on the day of the court ruling to ensure safety.

The advisory follows a similar notice issued by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul the previous day, in which it called for its citizens to take caution regarding safety and security.

The Chinese Embassy warned of "possible extreme incidents" and advised its people to "keep their distance from" and "not participate in, stay near, or watch" political demonstrations near the court and other areas in Seoul.

The Russian Embassy has advised its citizens to refrain from visiting places where large crowds could gather or political rallies may take place.

This photo shows South Korea's Constitutional Court building in Seoul's central Jongno district on April 1, 2025. (Yonhap)

elly@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · April 2, 2025

10. Opposition-led motion to impeach finance minister reported to National Assembly

I think Minister Choi acquitted himself very well as the acting President. I imagine the DPK/Minjoo Party views him as a threat in the next Presidential election and will do what they can to undermine him politically. Is this now 31 impeachment attempts? This is how the DPK/Minjoo party attacks democracy. This is a form of lawfare.

Opposition-led motion to impeach finance minister reported to National Assembly | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · April 2, 2025

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- An impeachment motion against Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok was reported to the plenary session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, just two days before the Constitutional Court's verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

The motion led by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) accuses Choi, who was then acting president, of delaying the appointment of a ninth justice at the Constitutional Court, among other reasons.

In late December, Choi appointed two justices to the nine-member bench but did not appoint opposition-recommended Justice candidate Ma Eun-hyuk, citing the need for a bipartisan consensus.

The DP had pressured Choi to appoint the left-leaning justice nominee in a bid to bolster the likelihood of Yoon's impeachment, which requires the consent of at least six justices to uphold it. Currently, the court has eight justices.

By law, the National Assembly must vote on the impeachment motion between 24 and 72 hours after it is reported to a plenary session.

It remains unclear when the voting will take place as the court is set to decide whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him Friday.

Opposition lawmakers submit an impeachment motion against Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok to the National Assembly, in this March 21, 2025, file photo. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

ejkim@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · April 2, 2025

11. Yoon’s impeachment verdict: Another circus passing through Seoul

Another cynical view from Professor Robertson. His comments could somewhat parallel our current divide in the US as well.

I remain bullish on South Korea and its democracy (though I am biased I know). The people can recover.

Yoon’s impeachment verdict: Another circus passing through Seoul

Every take you hear this Friday will be a feckless rehash. Regardless of the outcome, the damage is already done.

https://www.junotane.com/p/yoons-impeachment-verdict-another-circus-passing-through-seoul

Apr 02, 2025

As South Korea prepares for the Constitutional Court’s verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment this Friday, an avalanche of “special event” podcasts and live-streams are well underway. Every dick and his dog man and his dog person and their dog has their own extra special angle gleaned from the hundreds of other commentary pieces piling up across the planet.

We haven’t seen such a proliferation of expert commentary since Kim Jong-un disappeared from public view and was declared to be dead, undergoing heart surgery, and on vacation, with experts skilfully noting his weight, gout, love of cheese and cognac, and an acute myocardial infraction were to blame. The big tents are up, the elephants corralled, the lion poked, and the ringmaster’s moustache waxed. The Korea carnival is back!

Share Junotane

Of course, the problem is… nearly every take you hear this Friday will be a feckless rehash of commentary drivel accumulated over the last four months.

Whether Yoon’s impeachment is upheld or dismissed, the impact for business, economics, politics, diplomacy, security and strategic affairs remains the same. The damage—or transformation, depending on one’s point of view—has been done.

First, polarisation is entrenched. Trust in democratic process is bruised, if not broken. Whether Yoon remains or is removed, the political landscape has tilted further toward permanent factionalism. The impeachment proceedings, and more importantly, the spectacle around them, have cemented two competing realities in the public consciousness. One sees a brave leader standing up to overreaching judges and political enemies; the other, a reckless president who trampled norms and must be held to account. Neither side will accept the verdict as definitive. Both will use it as fuel.

Second, extremism is here to stay. More troubling still is the precedent this moment sets—not in law, but in political culture. Future presidents, watching the fallout from this impeachment, may decide that the safest course is to lean into media manipulation and populist theatrics.

The amplification of sensationalist content legitimizes extreme viewpoints. As moderate voices are drowned out by the clamour for attention-grabbing headlines, there is a risk that fringe elements will gain prominence. This environment fosters a political climate where compromise is elusive, and radical positions become normalized.

If you know your every move will be met with mass speculation and binary outrage, why not embrace it? The pressure to conform to democratic norms weakens. The incentive to go big, go loud, and go international strengthens.

Third, the precedent is set. Democratic norms have been damaged. The precedent set by the impeachment saga will embolden future leaders to operate outside established democratic conventions.

For many, it is the conservatives that are inherently “anti-democratic” and the progressives, the bastions of democracy. This is not the case. Whether you call it “democratic backsliding” or “regional democratic variation”, it is now a problem of the Korean political class.

If political survival becomes contingent on commanding media narratives, there is a danger that future leaders will engage in increasingly unorthodox or provocative actions to maintain public support or control. This shift destabilizes not only domestic governance but also international relations, and other states’ views of South Korea.

As the circus passes through, remember to watch out for the pickpockets who follow the caravans.

There’s something disturbingly cyclical about all this. There’s money to be made in sensationalism and some of the biggest grifters spin better than a whirling dervish. The wilder the speculation, the better the attention. When political events are filtered through an entertainment-first media lens, their long-term consequences become harder to see, but more corrosive.

The impeachment saga will not end with the court decision. It will drag on in the courts of YouTube, X, Threads, Kakao Groups, Telegram Group Chats. It will metastasize into new episodes of distrust, conspiracy, and hyper-partisanship.

Share Junotane

In the end, the podcasts and livestreams are not responding to the verdict—they are part of the verdict. They are shaping the narrative terrain for what comes next, and in doing so, they are proving that South Korean politics, like global politics, now happens as much in the commentary as in the courts. The only certainty is that the circus won’t pack up on April 4. It’s here to stay.

12. S. Korea seizes record 1-ton cocaine transport on foreign ship on east coast

Drugs are a global threat.

S. Korea seizes record 1-ton cocaine transport on foreign ship on east coast | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Yi Wonju · April 2, 2025

DONGHAE/INCHEON, South Korea, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's customs authorities and Coast Guard on Wednesday seized approximately 1 ton of smuggled cocaine on a foreign vessel docked on the country's east coast, officials said.

The Donghae regional office of the Coast Guard and the Seoul Regional Customs deployed around 90 personnel to search the ship docked at a port in Gangneung after receiving a tip-off from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at around 6:30 a.m.

The FBI had warned that a 32,000-ton carrier suspected of carrying drugs was entering Korean waters on the day, according to the officials.

The Norwegian-flagged vessel is believed to have departed from Mexico and traveled through Ecuador, Panama and China before arriving in Korea.

Authorities discovered 50 boxes each containing about 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden aboard the ship.

The seized drugs have an estimated market value of 500 billion won (US$341.7 million), equivalent to around two million doses.

According to the Korea Customs Service, this marks the country's largest-ever drug bust in terms of weight.

Authorities said they are investigating the ship's captain and crew to determine the origin and destination of the drugs. They also plan to expand the investigation into possible links to an international drug trafficking organization in cooperation with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Coast Guard and customs authorities search for drugs on a vessel docked at a port in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, on April 2, 2025, in this photo provided by the Donghae regional office of the Coast Guard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Coast Guard and customs authorities find boxes of suspected cocaine on a vessel docked at a port in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, on April 2, 2025, in this photo provided by the Donghae regional office of the Coast Guard. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Yi Wonju · April 2, 2025

13. Gov't signs agreement to use 500 mln-won donation to support N. Korean defectors

South Korea must create a strong north Korean diaspora ready to contribute to a free and unified Korea.

Gov't signs agreement to use 500 mln-won donation to support N. Korean defectors | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · April 2, 2025

ANSEONG, South Korea, April 2 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry signed an agreement Wednesday to use 500 million won (US$340,900) donated by an individual to financially support North Korean defectors' resettlement in South Korea.

The agreement was signed with the 88-year-old donator -- Yang Han-jong -- and the Community Chest of Korea, one of the largest charity organizations in South Korea, at Hanawon, the state center for supporting North Korean defectors' resettlement, located in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.

Under the agreement, the 500 million-won donation, which is part of the 1 billion won Yang donated last year, will be distributed to North Korean defectors graduating from the center, with each individual receiving 700,000 won, according to the ministry.

"It's a small amount, but I decided to donate it in the hope that our neighbors who came down from the North can successfully resettle in our society," Yang said during the signing ceremony.

This image, provided by the unification ministry, shows Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho (from L), donator Yang Han-jong and his stepson posing for a photo after a ceremony at Hanawon in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, on April 2, 2025. (Yonhap)

pbr@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · April 2, 2025

14. Gov't to stay alert, devise response strategy as U.S. reciprocal tariffs loom: finance minister

Gov't to stay alert, devise response strategy as U.S. reciprocal tariffs loom: finance minister | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Na-young · April 2, 2025

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- The government will maintain 24-hour monitoring of financial markets and develop response strategies as the United States prepares to announce reciprocal tariffs later this week, the finance minister said Wednesday.

Speaking at a meeting with financial experts, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok warned that the expected announcement of reciprocal tariffs by the Donald Trump administration on Thursday (Korean time) could heighten short-term volatility in international financial markets.

Choi said the government will strengthen market surveillance around the clock and enhance communication with Washington for tariff negotiations.

The minister also called for long-term measures to boost the stability of the domestic stock, bond and foreign exchange (FX) markets, noting the country has recently resumed short selling and extended the trading time of the FX market to attract more foreign investors.

The country will continue its efforts to be included in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) later this year and advance the financial markets to meet global standards, he added.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok speaks at a meeting with international finance experts in Seoul on April 2, 2025, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

nyway@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Na-young · April 2, 2025

15. Nearly half of North Korean troops in Ukraine reported killed or wounded

Cost benefit to Kim: He is getting paid for every soldier he deploys and when one dies he can send more to keep making money from Russia. When you have the fourth largest army in the world you have some troops to spare.

Nearly half of North Korean troops in Ukraine reported killed or wounded

https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2025/04/02/OFWIEVMFDFFSXHEBVNS3P2QW5Q/

By Park Sun-min,

Kim Mi-geon

Published 2025.04.02. 16:42

North Korean soldiers march during a military parade in 2023. /News1

Nearly half of the North Korean troops deployed to the war in Ukraine have been killed or wounded, according to recent assessments.

Citing a Mar. 28 intelligence update from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, The National Interest reported on Apr. 1 that North Korea has suffered over 5,000 casualties as of March due to offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk region. Roughly one-third of those casualties are believed to be fatalities.

The toll accounts for nearly half of the approximately 11,000 North Korean troops estimated to have been deployed to the area between October and November last year.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence attributed the heavy losses to North Korean units engaging in large-scale, attritional infantry assaults. While North Korean troops are regarded as highly trained, The National Interest noted they were evidently ill-equipped for modern warfare dominated by drone-based surveillance and precision strikes.

Despite the scale of casualties, the report noted that North Korea’s involvement aided Russian forces in recapturing significant territory in the Kursk region through counteroffensive operations.

At present, North Korean military activity appears confined to the Kursk area. The U.K. Ministry of Defence assessed that any movement beyond that zone into territory internationally recognized as Ukrainian would likely require direct authorization from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Given the potential geopolitical consequences, such a decision would likely involve extensive strategic calculation by both governments.

The National Interest further reported that North Korea’s deployment in Kursk previously triggered the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to authorize the use of long-range missiles in response. The report warned that any escalation by North Korean forces could prompt a similar reaction from Western allies.

Separately, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated on Mar. 27 that approximately 4,000 casualties had been confirmed among the 11,000 North Korean troops sent to Russia. An additional 3,000 soldiers were reportedly deployed between January and February as reinforcements.

Beyond personnel, North Korea has continued supplying Russia with military equipment. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pyongyang has provided a considerable number of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), as well as around 220 units of 170mm self-propelled artillery and 240mm multiple rocket launchers. Officials indicated that further deliveries may follow depending on the evolving situation on the battlefield.

16. Editorial: S. Korea must prepare for reality where USFK is no longer static

It depends on how you define static. The command in Korea has been far from static as it has evolved along with the ROK counterparts over the last seven decades. I think what we need to do is ask the question of how do we optimize the stationing of forces and their employment throughout the "Pacific area" in accordance with the Mutual Defense Treaty. Whoever the action officers were who drafted the treaty were very prescient. Consider the words in these articles. We should be operating from these words to deal with the contingencies through the "Pacific Area."

ARTICLE II

The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of either of them, the political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack. Separately and jointly, by self help and mutual aid, the Parties will maintain and develop appropriate means to deter armed attack and will take suitable measures in consultation and agreement to implement this Treaty and to further its purposes.

ARTICLE III

Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties in territories now under their respective administrative control, or hereafter recognized by one of the Parties as lawfully brought under the administrative control of the other, would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes.

https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/kor001.asp

Editorial: S. Korea must prepare for reality where USFK is no longer static

https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/04/02/M2QIWBX62JEFXHKNYLYJJEV3IY/

By The Chosunilbo

Published 2025.04.02. 09:11

Poster of China’s military exercise encircling Taiwan, released by the Chinese military.

China’s military launched drills surrounding Taiwan from multiple directions on April 1, marking the third such exercise in the past year. Beijing’s escalating threats against Taiwan are not just Taiwan’s concern. If China ever takes military action, the impact will almost certainly reach the Korean Peninsula, given the security dynamics in Northeast Asia.

Adding to the concern, the Trump administration, in its recently confirmed “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” identified “deterring China’s seizure of Taiwan” as the Pentagon’s top priority, using more explicit language than before. Experts suggest that this signals a shift in U.S. strategy, with American forces in South Korea and Japan no longer fixed in place, but instead deployed flexibly in response to China’s actions. At a recent U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, American security experts stressed the need for a clear agreement between Washington and Seoul regarding the potential redeployment or logistical support of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in the event of a Taiwan conflict.

It is natural for the U.S. to operate its military as it sees fit—any nation would do the same, regardless of who is president. In a serious military situation, such as a U.S.-China conflict, Washington will deploy its overseas forces based on its own strategic needs, regardless of South Korea’s position. This is the stark reality South Korea must confront.

Despite these risks, South Korea has avoided serious discussions about the Taiwan issue. The government has likely been reluctant to address the potential involvement of USFK in a Taiwan conflict, fearing it could strain relations with China. The lack of understanding of international politics among some politicians is partly to blame, with one prominent presidential candidate even saying, “Why should we care about what happens in the Taiwan Strait or with the China-Taiwan issue?”

While the chance of China invading Taiwan is low, it is not impossible. If China takes that risk, it may attempt to create a second front on the Korean Peninsula, dividing U.S. forces in the region. In any case, U.S. air power in South Korea would likely be directed toward Taiwan, but China could strike U.S. air bases in Korea first to prevent this. The South Korean government and military must be prepared for all scenarios.

17. Korea baffled by US listing of defense offsets as trade barrier

Probably because the trade officials who are political appointees do not understand the alliance.

Korea baffled by US listing of defense offsets as trade barrier

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/defense/20250401/korea-baffled-by-us-listing-of-defense-offset-as-trade-barrier

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F-35A and KF-16 squadrons of the Republic of Korea Air Force conduct flight training in an undisclosed location in the southern area of the no-fly zone between the two Koreas, May 27, 2024. Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff

By Lee Hyo-jin

Published Apr 1, 2025 4:28 pm KST
Updated Apr 1, 2025 6:38 pm KST

Inclusion of Seoul's offset policy in USTR report may be Trump tactic to gain upper hand in future defense contracts

Officials in Seoul seem perplexed by the U.S. government's inclusion of Korea's offset trade program in the defense sector in its report on foreign trade barriers, released just two days before the Donald Trump administration is set to impose reciprocal tariffs.

This marks the first time the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has included Korea’s defense offset policy in its annual National Trade Estimate Report on foreign trade barriers. Defense offsets are agreements in the defense sector whereby the selling country provides benefits, such as technology or export deals, to the purchasing nation. The report identifies obstacles faced by U.S. exporters in the global market.

"The Korean and U.S. governments are closely cooperating through discussions based on a reciprocal defense procurement agreement aimed at easing barriers in defense acquisition," Cho Yong-jin, spokesperson for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said during a briefing Tuesday. "We believe further analysis is needed to fully understand the U.S. position."

The comment came in response to the USTR report on Monday (local time), which said, "The Korean government has pursued policies that prioritize local technology and products over foreign defense technology through its defense offset program. An offset obligation may arise for a foreign contractor if the value of the defense contract exceeds $10 million."

Several procurement projects are currently designated as offset trade program, including the second batch of the E-7 Airborne Early Warning and Control program, upgrades for the F-35A and F-15K fighter jets.

Cho also explained that, through the offset policy, Korea developed the T-50 trainer jet based on technology acquired during the introduction of the KF-16 fighter jet, and has also exported aircraft fuselage components to the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday (local time). UPI-Yonhap

While the USTR report could provide a hint at what the Trump administration believes are trade barriers just before the reciprocal tariff scheme, the lack of specific cases in the report has led to questions about the reasoning behind the offset program's inclusion.

When asked if the latest USTR report could negatively impact Korea in acquiring U.S. weapons systems, Cho replied, "We believe necessary discussions will take place within the broader negotiation framework."

However, local defense industry insiders view this could be a potential warning sign that the Trump administration may be seeking to gain the upper hand in future defense contracts with Seoul, especially as it eyes a potential collaboration on Korean warships.

"The offset trade program is a long-standing practice not just between Korea and the U.S., but among many other countries. It’s unclear what the U.S. wants to do about it, but if it seeks to use it as leverage in future negotiations, it could deal a blow to the two nations' arms cooperation," a defense industry official said on condition of anonymity.

Some have pointed out that the listing is somewhat unexpected, given that Korea’s offset policy, which ranges from 30 percent to 50 percent of the total contract value, is not considered excessive in the industry, and thus there is little reason for the U.S. to view it as unfair.

Lee Hyo-jin

I cover South Korea's foreign policy, defense and security issues on the Korean Peninsula. Before that, I reported on immigration policies and human rights — topics I continue to follow closely. I strive to gain an accurate understanding of the issues I cover and am particularly interested in stories that amplify often overlooked voices. Tips and story ideas via email are always welcome.lhj@koreatimes.co.k

18. Invisible prison: N. Korean defectors' families face intensifying surveillance

The regime is so evil.

Invisible prison: N. Korean defectors' families face intensifying surveillance - Daily NK English

Defectors' relatives struggle to obtain travel papers and can't even attend family gatherings in peace due to excessive surveillance, a source told Daily NK

By Lee Chae Eun - April 2, 2025

dailynk.com · by Lee Chae Eun · April 2, 2025

The Namyang Workers District in Onsung, North Hamgyong Province. / Image: Daily NK

Surveillance of North Korean defectors’ relatives by security agencies is intensifying. One defector’s family attempted to travel to the border region for a relative’s wedding but had to turn back after being followed by security agents.

“A defector’s family from Hamhung was headed to Hoeryong, North Hamgyong province, on March 22 for a relative’s wedding, but turned back when they realized security agents were following them,” a Daily NK source in South Hamgyong province said recently.

Defectors’ families who remain in North Korea are treated as “dangerous elements” and face much heavier surveillance than ordinary citizens. They’re often denied travel papers to visit regions outside their homes, with travel to border regions being particularly restricted.

Security agencies monitor them closely because they might attempt to defect themselves or engage in prohibited activities like receiving outside information or foreign remittances when visiting border areas.

The Hamhung family—from an interior city—was tailed by security agents for this reason.

According to the source, the family was informed in advance about their relative’s wedding in Hoeryong and began applying for travel papers in January. Despite struggles, they eventually received the documents.

However, with security agents shadowing them from departure to arrival, they ultimately returned to Hamhung without attending the wedding. They went home to avoid making their relatives uncomfortable or causing problems on such an important day.

“Their neighbors later heard about what happened and felt sorry for them,” the source said. “People commented that they must have felt terrible returning without attending after working so hard to get travel papers, that North Koreans can’t even attend family events if they’re related to defectors, and that having relatives who defected shouldn’t be treated as such a serious crime.”

Defectors’ relatives struggle to obtain travel papers and can’t even attend family gatherings in peace due to excessive surveillance, the source added.

“These people live in an invisible prison, constantly anxious because everything they do is being watched. This surveillance and pressure causes severe psychological pain,” the source explained.

“One defector’s family described their difficulties, saying they must live their entire lives feeling like criminals from the moment they’re branded as having a defector relative. They gradually began avoiding people because having every breath, meal, and word monitored and reported became unbearable.”

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Lee Chae Eun · April 2, 2025

19. North Korea’s strategic drones ‘not as advanced as US aircraft’: think tank

North Korea’s strategic drones ‘not as advanced as US aircraft’: think tank

Pyongyang had been thought to be building copies of US drones.

By Taejun Kang for RFA

2025.04.02

https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2025/04/02/north-korea-uncrewed-aerial-vehicle/

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the newly developed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft in this photo released on March 2, 2025. (KCNA via AFP)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – North Korean unmanned aerial vehicles that seem to be copies of advanced U.S. drones “merely mimic” the appearance of the originals and lack their capabilities, a U.S. think tank said.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test flight of a Saetbyol-4-class UAV at Panghyon Airbase. The North first revealed the Saetbyol-4 during a military parade in July 2023, drawing comparisons from analysts to a sophisticated U.S. drone, the RQ-4B Global Hawk.

The Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance UAV used for surveillance and reconnaissance and capable of monitoring vast areas with advanced sensors for as long as 30 hours without refueling.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, said the North Korean drones were not as advanced as the Global Hawk as they merely mimic the airframes of the U.S. aerial vehicles.

“Despite widespread claims that North Korea has been building copies of U.S. drones such as the RQ-4B Global Hawk, the North Korean drones are not clones,” CSIS said Tuesday via its analysis platform Beyond Parallel.

The North Korean drones are “presently determined as not carrying advanced equipment similar to that found in U.S. UAVs,” the think tank said.

CSIS reported that the airframe of the Saetbyol-4 appears slightly shorter, measuring approximately 12 meters (39 feet) in length, compared to the RQ-4B Global Hawk’s 14.5 meters.

Saetbyol-9

In addition to the Saetbyol-4, North Korea’s state media released footage of another drone in 2023, later identified as the Saetbyol-9, which appeared to be a replica of the U.S. MQ-9A Reaper – a remotely piloted attack drone.

However, CSIS believes that this characterization is also inaccurate.

The Saetbyol-9 appears slightly shorter, measuring approximately 9 meters in length, compared to the Reaper’s 11 meters, it said.

The North Korean drone is unlikely to carry the advanced targeting and communications equipment found in the MQ-9A Predator.

Mimicking of the U.S. UAVs was likely undertaken to expedite development by utilizing proven airframe designs, according to CSIS.

“From a propaganda perspective, the North Korean designations may imply a level of capability that North Korea wants the world to believe that they have achieved,” it said.

A view of drones and missiles displayed during a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 27, 2023.

A view of drones and missiles displayed during a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 27, 2023. (KCNA via Reuters)

Last week, North Korea unveiled what appears to be its first airborne radar system and suicide attack drones equipped with artificial intelligence, adding to indications that Russia has provided technical assistance in exchange for the North sending troops to fight Ukraine.

The North’s state media also highlighted the trial of a reconnaissance drone and released photos of a suicide drone test, inspected by Kim, showing what it said were AI-powered drones successfully hitting ground targets, including a tank.

During the inspection, Kim “made an important evaluation of the military effectiveness and strategic value of the strategic reconnaissance drone with improved performance and the suicide attack drones with the introduction of new artificial intelligence,” the Korea Central News Agency said.