|
Quotes of the Day:
“It is a little embarrassing that, after forty-five years of research and study, the best advice I can give to people is to be a little kinder to each other.”
– Aldous HuxleyConscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate
“Fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth.”
– Albert Camus
"History is full of people who, out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power have destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value, which truly belongs to us all. We must not let that happen again."
– Carl Sagan
1. Trump Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: First 100 Days – KOREA
2. Why North Korea finally came clean on its military support for Russia’s war
3. Kim Jong Un’s cryptic reference to new maritime border raises naval stakes
4. US, South Korea rehearse nuclear attack response in tabletop exercise
5. HRNK President and CEO Greg Scarlatoiu Visits South Korea for Special Lectures on North Korean Human Rights
6. Seoul labels North Korea’s role in Ukraine war an ‘inhumane, illegal act’
7. Moscow releases video of Russian and North Korean soldiers fighting Ukraine
8. China tight-lipped on North Korea’s Russia troop deployment confirmation
9. S. Korea-led int'l monitoring group set to release 1st report on N.K. sanctions
10. JCS chief urges firm readiness against N.K. threats in border islands visit
11. Supreme Court to rule on DP presidential candidate's election law violation case Thursday
12. Trump Jr. arrives in Seoul for meeting with biz leaders amid tariff concerns
13. PPP presidential primary narrowed to 2 final contenders
14. Editorial: Han Duck-soo's presidential bid requires clear explanation
15. South Korean shipbuilders secure $2 bn in containership orders amid U.S.-China tensions
16. U.S. explores possibility of reviving North Korea dialogue
17. Conscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate
1. Trump Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: First 100 Days – KOREA
It is good to see my good friend and colleague, Mathew Ha, back in the saddle.
Korea
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/04/28/trump-administration-foreign-policy-tracker-first-100-days/#trending_neutral-korea
Mathew Ha
CCTI Adjunct Fellow
Trending Neutral
Previous Trend:
Negative
In its first 100 days, the Trump administration did not announce new policies toward North Korea, though it did reaffirm its commitment to North Korean denuclearization and signaled its intent to continue leveraging financial sanctions against Pyongyang. The administration’s trade and energy policies, meanwhile, are creating both challenges and opportunities for the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
The “Liberation Day” tariffs risk alienating Seoul and pushing it closer to China. South Korea has announced monetary and trade policy changes to address the negative impacts of the tariffs, including by revisiting previously stalled free-trade negotiations with Japan and China. The latter could be particularly problematic if Beijing increases its economic leverage over Seoul.
Despite the bilateral tensions caused by the tariffs, the Trump administration’s energy policies are opening new doors in U.S.-ROK cooperation and allowing Seoul to play a more significant role in helping Washington diversify global energy supply chains. On April 18, Tommy Joyce, the U.S. Department of Energy’s acting assistant secretary for international affairs, outlined a plan for greater involvement in U.S.-led energy infrastructure, focused on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline in Alaska that will be geared toward exports to Asia. The prior week, South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, spoke directly with President Trump. According to a social media post by Trump, the two leaders discussed the Alaska pipeline and South Korean imports of American LNG in addition to trade issues and U.S. military commitments.
2. Why North Korea finally came clean on its military support for Russia’s war
Then again, not every action taken is about the US. We just like to think so.
Why North Korea finally came clean on its military support for Russia’s war
Experts say allies’ sudden pivot to flaunting DPRK deployment to fight Ukraine may target increased leverage with US
https://www.nknews.org/2025/04/why-north-korea-finally-came-clean-on-its-military-support-for-russias-war/
Shreyas Reddy April 29, 2025
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un raise a toast, with a North Korean soldier in Kursk in the background | Image: Kremlin (June 19, 2024) and Press Service of the Russian Ministry of Defense (April 28, 2025), edited by NK News
After months of denials and ambiguous justifications, North Korea and Russia have finally acknowledged what has long been plain to much of the world — that DPRK soldiers have been fighting in the Ukraine war.
Moscow first confirmed the deployment on Saturday, while Pyongyang followed suit two days later by lionizing the “heroic” soldiers who took part in the “liberation” of the Russian border region of Kursk. The allies are now eagerly justifying their joint operations as a necessary response to Kyiv’s incursion, releasing photos and videos of their cooperation for the first time.
But the two countries’ abrupt shift to flaunting North Korea’s role raises a big question: Why now?
While the move appeared to come out of the blue, experts say it is linked to Russia’s need for leverage in talks to end the Ukraine war. Domestic factors like the DPRK’s need to address rumors about the deployment may have also played a role.
Perhaps most importantly, the allies have set the stage to take their military partnership to the next level, at a time when the Trump administration is pushing to reshape the global political order.
GAINING LEVERAGE
Moscow and Pyongyang confirmed the North Korean troops’ involvement in the context of the combined forces’ capture of the village of Gornal, which Russia claimed was the last Ukrainian-held territory in Kursk.
But while this may have been the formal reason, experts view the sudden U-turn as the result of broader geopolitical factors, particularly U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to negotiate with Moscow and Pyongyang.
Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told NK News that Moscow would see this as a “win-win” strategy to gain leverage in talks with Washington on ending the Ukraine War.
“Russia positioned the recapture of Kursk as the starting point for actively pursuing ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. and Ukraine, swiftly declaring the victory to shift momentum toward negotiations that had previously stagnated,” he said.
Christopher Green, an assistant professor at Leiden University and International Crisis Group consultant, agreed that Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un likely seek “political capital” in future talks, although Pyongyang currently maintains it has no interest in dialogue with the U.S.
“If they continue to deny that the deployment has even occurred, obviously that just makes it harder to leverage to their advantage in negotiations,” he said.
Russia’s announcement on the same day as Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would have also served as a reminder of Putin’s advantageous position, according to Chris Monday, a Russia researcher at Dongseo University.
“Putin is showing he has the means to continue the war indefinitely,” he told NK News. “He is showing Trump he has cards to play, unlike Zelensky.”
Noting that Washington would likely call on Moscow to limit its partnership with the DPRK, Monday said the Kremlin’s rhetoric of friendship “tempered on the battlefield” aims to show other Russian allies that Putin will stand by them.
Moscow has also emphasized that the allies’ cooperation is in line with Article 4 of the DPRK-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which calls for “immediate military assistance in the event of an armed attack against the other.”
“Putin is showing how restrained he is: He is not sending hundreds of thousands of North Koreans into Ukraine. He is saying the treaty is defensive and limits them to Russian soil,” Monday explained.
Donald Trump shaking hands with Vladimir Putin | Image: Trump White House Archived via Flickr (July 16, 2018)
BOOSTING PROPAGANDA
On top of potentially aiding future negotiations, the acknowledgement of North Korea’s involvement in Kursk helps reinforce Pyongyang and Moscow’s domestic propaganda narratives.
Monday linked the timing to significant military-related anniversaries in both countries — the DPRK’s Military Foundation Day on April 25, related to the formation of Kim Il Sung’s anti-Japanese guerrilla forces, and Russia’s Victory Day on May 9 celebrating the defeat of Germany in World War II.
As North Korean state media hailed the military’s role with narratives about war exploits and Japanese atrocities, Monday viewed the deployment announcement as an attempt to link the Kursk operation to Kim Il Sung’s triumphs, while painting the current leader as a “master strategist” who defeated NATO forces.
Hong agreed that state media’s portrayal of the claimed victory in Kursk reinforces propaganda narratives about Kim Jong Un, while boosting the Russia alliance with an eye on reciprocal military support.
Green suggested that Pyongyang’s strategy of playing up its troops as “heroes” and building monuments to fallen soldiers may have been required due to the spread of rumors about DPRK involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
“They’ve really gone fully the other way on this, presumably to try and legitimize the deployment and to sort of set straight the narrative and take hold of the politics of the deployment at home,” he said.
Addressing the possibility of domestic discontent, Green said North Korea has “transformed the narrative” in its favor by framing the deployment as repelling a “Ukrainian invasion.”
“There’s a clear difference between sending young men off to die in secret and not acknowledging that they are deployed and not taking back the bodies versus turning this into a legitimate and heroic battle assisting a friendly nation,” he said.
“I don’t know how effective it will be necessarily, but I can see it being effective enough to ensure that the deployment doesn’t become a big political domestic problem for the Kim regime.”
North Korean soldiers waving their guns and DPRK flags | Image: Rodong Sinmun (April 25, 2025)
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
The acknowledgments of North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict confirmed months of claims by other countries, which have condemned the deployment as a sanctions breach.
“No matter how much North Korea tries to cover up the truth, the dispatch of its troops is an illegal act violating international norms, and sacrificing its young people for the regime’s survival is an inhumane and unethical act that cannot be concealed,” a spokesperson for Seoul’s unification ministry spokesperson said at a press briefing on Monday.
He added that U.N. Security Council resolutions — which Russia previously supported — prohibit military cooperation with the DPRK, including service exchanges, technical training and advisory services, arms transactions and related financial dealings.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry also condemned the “illegal military cooperation” as a violation of the U.N. Charter and Security Council resolutions, reiterating that the international community must stop further collusion between two regimes run by “dictators.”
While the U.S. has not commented officially, some in Washington are reportedly concerned about Pyongyang’s “direct involvement” in perpetuating the conflict. The European Commission is reportedly eyeing further sanctions against Russia and the DPRK, viewing the deployment as a sign of the Kremlin’s “desperation.”
Shin Seung-ki, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said North Korea’s provision of military support in the form of troops and weapons likely constitutes a violation of existing U.N. sanctions.
But he noted that “since the sanctions regime has already been significantly undermined by deepening military and defense cooperation between Russia and North Korea, any additional sanctions imposed by the international community are likely to have very limited effect.”
Green added that Russia’s status as a permanent Security Council member and the Trump administration’s apparent skepticism regarding the U.N. will likely hamper sanctions enforcement.
“Although we are trying our best to uphold the sanctity of the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council with reference to international law, when it comes down to it, these are political discussions,” he said.
The U.N. General Assembly Hall in New York | Image: GPA Photo Archive via Flickr (CC BY 2.0 DEED)
WHAT COMES NEXT
Russia and North Korea’s formalization of their alliance in Kursk has raised questions about the possibility they may push their military cooperation further afield, following Kyiv’s claims that DPRK forces are already waging war inside Ukraine.
Green said there isn’t sufficient evidence yet to suggest North Korean soldiers could enter combat in Ukraine but added that this doesn’t rule out cooperation in disputed territories.
“The Russians have stated that Crimea and several regions of the Donbas have now been incorporated into Russia,” he said. “The North Koreans can adopt that language and therefore the deployment of North Korean soldiers and of workers in the Donbas can be justified.”
Shin suggested the Kremlin may decide whether to involve DPRK forces in other territories based on its discussions with Washington.
“If future ceasefire negotiations do not proceed according to Russia’s wishes, it is not unlikely that Russia will continue to deploy the formally recognized North Korean troops in combat and potentially even on a large scale inside Ukrainian territory,” he said.
A North Korean soldier fighting against Ukrainian forces in Kursk | Image: Screenshot from Rossiyskaya Gazeta (April 28, 2025)
However, Monday suggested North Korea’s participation in the conflict will be “on low burn” while Putin pursues negotiations with Trump, as any crossovers to Ukrainian territory would be “highly provocative.”
With DPRK-Russia cooperation seemingly here to stay, he suggested Moscow may employ North Koreans alongside former members of the mercenary Wagner Group to secure its objectives in the Middle East and Africa.
Ahead of Russia’s upcoming Victory Day parade, the two countries may also seek to cement their alliance on the world stage.
While doubts persist over Kim’s attendance at the parade, Hong suggested that the allies will at least stage a separate “high-profile” bilateral summit in Russia.
“With the public disclosure of participation, contribution to the victory in Kursk and the official strengthening of the alliance, a diplomatic event where the two leaders celebrate and pledge further strengthening of relations has become essential,” he said.
Edited by Bryan Betts
3. Kim Jong Un’s cryptic reference to new maritime border raises naval stakes
There should be no surprise that the maritime area in the Northwest Islands and the Northern Limit Line is the perfect area for provocations and confrontation. It is perfect for geo-political-military confrontations by the regime. But such confrontations have not always ended in a good result for north Korea.
Kim Jong Un’s cryptic reference to new maritime border raises naval stakes
Declaration that North Korean warships will patrol ‘middle demarcation lines’ could signal intent to challenge NLL
https://www.nknews.org/2025/04/kim-jong-uns-cryptic-reference-to-new-maritime-border-raises-naval-stakes/
Joon Ha Park April 29, 2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae at the new destroyer's launch at the Nampho bulk shipping port on April 25 | Image: KCNA (April 26, 2025)
At North Korea’s grand reveal of its largest warship to date last week, leader Kim Jong Un declared that the DPRK’s naval forces will now patrol not only coastal waters but also what he called “the waters of middle demarcation lines” with other countries.
While state media has yet to define the terminology, it appears to represent a fresh challenge to the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border that has separated the two Koreas since the 1953 armistice, raising the risk of new tensions in historically contested waters.
Experts told NK News that the ambiguous term likely reflects Pyongyang’s latest attempt to erode the NLL’s legitimacy, following Kim’s call for constitutional changes in early 2024 to counter what he labeled “the illicit and lawless NLL.”
They warned that Kim’s invocation of “middle demarcation line waters” represents a strategic recalibration — employing legal language drawn from international maritime law to challenge the status quo, while simultaneously expanding his country’s naval capabilities to apply sustained pressure without provoking immediate conflict.
RE-DRAWING A LINE?
Kim Jong Un unveiled North Korea’s new 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer on April 25, vowing to build a “blue-water fleet” of destroyers, cruisers and escort ships capable of patrolling “coastal defense waters and middle demarcation line waters.”
Lee Choong-koo, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), told NK News that the new terminology suggests North Korea is seeking to reframe its territorial claims using concepts more consistent with international maritime law.
The Northern Limit Line (NLL) has served as the de facto maritime boundary between the two Koreas since the U.N. Command drew it to prevent conflict after the 1953 Korean War armistice.
But while Pyongyang has long regarded the NLL as illegitimate, it has never had the naval power to seriously contest the maritime and enforce its preferred boundaries.
In 1999, North Korea declared a “maritime military demarcation line” (해상군사분계선), and in 2000, it introduced a “West Sea (Yellow Sea) passage regime” (서해항해질서) to limit South Korean naval movements near the northern islands. Then in 2007, it invoked what it called the “security patrol line” (경비 계선) to justify further maritime activity near the border.
Lee noted that unlike these previous terms, the notion of “middle demarcation line waters” echoes the median-line principle used in the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, where overlapping maritime claims are often resolved by drawing an equidistant boundary.
“North Korea appears to be adopting similar legal language to argue for a boundary south of the current NLL,” he said.
North Korean sailors stand in front of the DPRK navy’s Choe Hyon-class 5,000-ton destroyer at the Nampho bulk shipping port on April 25 | KCNA (April 26, 2025)
ESCALATING NAVAL CAPABILITIES
North Korea’s launch of the new Choe Hyon–class destroyer marks a deliberate escalation in its decades-long campaign to challenge the NLL, according to Ban Kil-joo, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.
The destroyer’s unveiling fits into a broader strategy Pyongyang has pursued since the 1970s, when it began sending patrol boats across the sea border to undermine the de facto boundary, the expert told NK News.
He said North Korea’s reference to a “middle demarcation zone” continues this effort, combining kinetic provocations — including the battles of Yeonpyeong and the 2010 sinking of the ROKS Cheonan — with legal and rhetorical challenges to the NLL’s legitimacy.
North Korea has introduced new maritime boundary concepts before, often just before naval clashes. Its declaration of a “maritime military demarcation line” in 1999 preceded the first Battle of Yeonpyeong, while the announcement of a “West Sea passage regime” in 2000 came before another deadly clash near the same island in 2002.
Ban said the newly unveiled destroyer’s operational deployment could “transform limited skirmishes into sustained shows of force along the NLL, raising the risk of open conflict at sea.”
He warned that the destroyer enhances North Korea’s ability to conduct fleet-to-fleet engagements and could eventually be armed with tactical nuclear weapons via its vertical launch systems, granting Pyongyang the ability to pressure South Korean forces on land as well by opening a second maritime front.
“Controlling the sea has become enormously important for North Korea, and it now holds a card it did not have before,” he said.
Lee of KIDA echoed Ban’s concerns, though he noted that South Korea’s overall naval superiority remains intact.
“North Korea has introduced a new destroyer, but its fleet overall remains small, with only a handful of vessels comparable to South Korea’s corvette-class ships.”
The more pressing concern, Lee said, lies in North Korea’s expanding operational capabilities. Past maritime clashes largely involved close-range skirmishes between patrol boats, but the North’s new missile-capable warships can strike from greater distances, expanding its tactical reach and complicating South Korean defensive planning.
The ROKS Cheonan (FFG-826) frigate leads the ROK Navy’s Second Fleet during maritime drills on Jan. 3, 2024 | Image: ROK Navy
TENSION UNLIKELY
Despite these concerns, Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, downplayed the likelihood of imminent clashes on the NLL. Instead, he said North Korea appears intent on exerting psychological pressure while avoiding direct confrontation.
Although Kim Jong Un pushed for constitutional amendments in Jan. 2024 to redefine territorial boundaries — including at sea — Hong noted that state media has reported no formal maritime claims, despite speculation of a territorial policy announcement in Oct. 2024.
Redefining maritime borders unilaterally would carry serious diplomatic risks, the expert said, including jeopardizing the 1953 Armistice Agreement and straining relations with China, one of North Korea’s few key allies.
“North Korea has consistently avoided escalating tensions in recent years. It is unlikely to provoke instability without clear strategic gains.”
Hong acknowledged that there are risks from North Korea’s continued naval development and deepening military cooperation with Russia, as Pyongyang could eventually gain the confidence to adopt a more assertive maritime posture.
But he emphasized that such developments are not imminent.
“North Korea is not preparing to launch proactive attacks at sea with its idea of a middle demarcation line,” he said.
“It is focused on deterrence, enhancing its conventional and nuclear warfighting capabilities and maintaining strategic flexibility for future contingencies.”
Edited by Alannah Hill
4. US, South Korea rehearse nuclear attack response in tabletop exercise
Fruits of the Nuclear Consultative Group efforts.
US, South Korea rehearse nuclear attack response in tabletop exercise
Stars and Stripes · by Yoojin Lee · April 29, 2025
ByYoojin Lee
Stars and Stripes •
North Korea launches a Hwasongpho-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, Oct. 31, 2024, in this image from the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper. (Rodong Sinmun)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — U.S. and South Korean forces sharpened their nuclear response plans this month with a tabletop exercise and Seoul’s first-ever nuclear weapons effects training, as tensions with North Korea persist.
The five-day tabletop exercise, Iron Mace 25-1, wrapped up Friday, according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. It followed a two-day course in Seoul led by U.S. Forces Korea, according to an April 16 command news release.
Few details were disclosed about either event. USFK spokesman David Kim, citing operational security, referred questions back to the releases on Tuesday. A Joint Chiefs spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for further information.
The nuclear effects training focused on how South Korea’s conventional forces would support U.S. nuclear operations as part of the allies’ strategic deterrence, USFK spokesman Col. Ryan Donald said in the release. The course also covered the skills needed to operate in a nuclear environment.
Six staff members from South Korea’s Strategic Command, two from the Ministry of National Defense, and five from Combined Forces Command took part, along with two instructors from the U.S. Army Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency Employment Advisory Team.
During Iron Mace, held later in Seoul, participants discussed ways to bolster extended deterrence — the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea, including with nuclear weapons if necessary — according to the Joint Chiefs release.
The training and exercise were agreed to last June by the Nuclear Consultative Group, a U.S.-South Korea body formed to strengthen join nuclear planning.
Combining South Korean conventional weapons with U.S. nuclear operations “substantively strengthens the allied deterrence and response capabilities” against North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threat, the Defense Department said.
Yoojin Lee
Stars and Stripes · by Yoojin Lee · April 29, 2025
5. HRNK President and CEO Greg Scarlatoiu Visits South Korea for Special Lectures on North Korean Human Rights
Excellent work by our President and CEO.
https://mailchi.mp/hrnk.org/hrnk-president-and-ceo-greg-scarlatoiu-visits-south-korea-for-special-lectures-on-north-korean-human-rights?e=46d109134b
Help HRNK spread the word!
HRNK, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relies on donations to support our programs and to provide website content and services free of charge without commercial advertising. Your support enables HRNK to continue our important work promoting human rights in North Korea.
Thank you!
Donate
COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTH KOREA — PRESS RELEASE
HRNK President and CEO Greg Scarlatoiu Visits South Korea for Special Lectures on North Korean Human Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 28, 2025
HRNK President Greg Scarlatoiu recently visited South Korea from April 8-16, engaging with a wide range of audiences through special lectures and discussions focused on North Korean human rights and its crucial role in achieving peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula.
During his visit, President Scarlatoiu addressed government officials, students, scholars, and citizens at prominent institutions, including the National Institute for Unification Education, Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), Gangwon Unification Plus Center, Hanbaek Unification Foundation, and Chongshin University. His insightful presentations emphasized the importance of sustained international attention and solidarity in addressing North Korea’s human rights crisis, instability, and associated security challenges.
Participants found the lectures profoundly impactful, remarking that they offered vivid and realistic insights into the pressing international situation concerning North Korean human rights, highlighting the necessity for ongoing global awareness and engagement.
HRNK continues to support educational initiatives and international dialogue aimed at improving human rights in North Korea and fostering a peaceful future for the Korean Peninsula.
Learn More and Support Our Mission: https://www.hrnk.org/donate/
* * *
HRNK was founded in 2001 as a nonprofit research organization dedicated to documenting human rights conditions in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as North Korea is formally known. Visit www.hrnk.org to learn more.
6. Seoul labels North Korea’s role in Ukraine war an ‘inhumane, illegal act’
Seoul labels North Korea’s role in Ukraine war an ‘inhumane, illegal act’
Stars and Stripes · by Yoojin Lee · April 29, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted this image of an injured North Korean soldier captured in the Kursk region to social media on Jan. 11, 2025. (ZelenskyyUa/X)
South Korea has condemned Pyongyang’s first public admission that its troops fought alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, calling the move a violation of international law.
“North Korea taking part in the war against Ukraine is certainly an illegal act that violates the United Nations charter and U.N. Security Council resolutions,” Jeon Ha Gyu, spokesman for the South’s Ministry of National Defense, said at a news briefing Monday.
“Admitting [that it engaged] in the war is admission of a criminal act,” he added. “Our military and the international community strongly condemn this inhumane, illegal act.”
The North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency acknowledged Monday that its troops fought with Russian forces to expel Ukrainian troops from Kursk, a Russian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korea for its support following a claim Saturday that Russian forces had ejected Ukrainian troops. Kyiv disputed that claim and said its forces continue to operate in the region, according to The Associated Press.
Another South Korean official condemned the loss of North Korean lives in the conflict.
“North Korea can never cover the fact that deploying troops is an illegal act that violates international law, and is inhumane, unethical behavior that sacrificed young North Koreans for the governments’ sake,” Ministry of Unification spokesman Koo Byongsam said at a separate briefing.
Koo called on Pyongyang to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
“Our government urges the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and if North Korea and Russia continue to collude militarily, we will not stand by and with the international community we will firmly deal with it,” he said.
Koo declined to elaborate on potential consequences but said Seoul is “cooperating with our allies based on the U.S.-[South Korean] alliance and taking all possible measures for our security and national defense.”
Intelligence agencies in South Korea, Ukraine and the United States estimate that North Korea dispatched between 10,000 and 12,000 troops to Russia under a mutual defense pact reached in June by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Seoul estimated in March that about 4,000 North Korean troops had been killed or wounded fighting for Moscow, marking the country’s largest foreign military involvement since the 1950-53 Korean War.
In addition to sending manpower, North Korea has also supplied weapons and equipment, an arrangement U.S. and South Korean authorities warn may lead to technology transfers that benefit Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear weapons programs.
Meanwhile, Putin on Monday called for a May 8-11 ceasefire while declaring his readiness for peace talks, according to the BBC. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded by calling on Russia to immediately cease hostilities if it “truly wants peace.”
Yoojin Lee
Stars and Stripes · by Yoojin Lee · April 29, 2025
7. Moscow releases video of Russian and North Korean soldiers fighting Ukraine
I have to say that in the video the nKPA troops appear to be able to shoot, move, and communicate well. And their kit looks very modern.
Moscow releases video of Russian and North Korean soldiers fighting Ukraine
Footage showing Kursk combat and training underscores Kremlin’s sudden shift to celebrating ‘heroic’ DPRK deployment
https://www.nknews.org/2025/04/moscow-releases-video-of-russian-and-north-korean-soldiers-fighting-ukraine/
Jooheon Kim April 29, 2025
A North Korean soldier fighting alongside Russian counterparts against Ukrainian forces in Kursk | Image: Screenshot from Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Moscow’s defense ministry has released footage of North Korean and Russian soldiers fighting side by side against Ukrainian forces for the first time, shortly after the allies belatedly acknowledged the DPRK’s troop deployment.
The video, published by the state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta on Monday, was reportedly filmed during fighting to reclaim settlements in the Sudzhansky district of Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine launched an incursion last August.
The footage showcases North Korean and Russian fighters engaging in intense combat within the ruins of a building and along war-ravaged streets in Kursk. It also captures the use of a grenade launcher and a moment when soldiers from both countries attach flags to the side of a building.
The video concludes with North Korean troops laying flowers at a memorial for the Great Patriotic War, Russia’s name for its conflict against Nazi Germany during World War II.
Moscow’s defense ministry also released a video showing North Korean soldiers undergoing combat training alongside Russian forces, according to the Rossiyskaya Gazeta. The training at an apparent Russian facility featured instruction in using firearms and grenade launchers ahead of the North Korean soldiers deployment to Kursk.
North Korean soldiers undergoing training, assisted by Russian instructors | Image: Press Service of the Russian Ministry of Defense
The two videos underscore the Kremlin’s sudden shift from months of denying any DPRK troop deployment to celebrating North Korean soldiers for their “heroic” contributions to “liberating” Kursk from Ukrainian forces.
Moscow’s military chief openly acknowledged Pyongyang’s involvement for the first time while giving a briefing to President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and the Russian leader subsequently released a statement thanking DPRK troops for their “active role in the fight that brought the defeat of the neo-Nazi formations of the Kyiv regime.”
North Korea also admitted to deploying soldiers to support Russia’s war efforts via state media on Monday, celebrating its military alliance with Moscow.
Russia justified its invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022 as necessary to “denazify” its neighbor, a claim that the DPRK has backed but historians have dismissed as a convenient fiction to legitimize Moscow’s aggression.
The Russian footage of DPRK soldiers provides new insights into their activities in Kursk, which were previously only documented by Ukraine.
Shin Seung-ki, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, noted that the rifles in the combat video appear to be a newer version in the AK series that Russia has only recently begun to issue.
“Additionally, the uniforms, helmets and other gear don’t match what North Korean forces typically use,” he said, suggesting that Russia is providing these supplies.
The expert explained that the DPRK deployment likely took place under the assumption that “Russia would provide the necessary military logistics and equipment.”
Their use of modern Russian equipment, which isn’t standard issue in the Korean People’s Army, also highlights their deep integration into Russian military operations in Ukraine, he said.
“Russia already has plenty of drone capability. What they might need from North Korea is manpower that can execute direct, high-risk assaults,” Shin said. “That’s likely the role they’re assigning to North Korean forces, and it seems to have worked — Russian and allied forces appear to have regained control of most of the Kursk front.”
But while DPRK troops have learned from their combat experience in Ukraine, the expert suggested that this won’t translate into improvements for North Korea’s military without the economic backing to guarantee “scale and operational consistency.”
“It’s like pouring water into a bottomless pot,” he added. “Without sustained investment, these tactical gains won’t translate into lasting military strength.”
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Korean People’s Army departed from Pyongyang on Monday to attend the Third International Anti-Fascist Conference, according to DPRK state media.
The visit comes less than two weeks before Russia is set to hold a major military parade in Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany on May 9, amid speculation that North Korean troops could march in the event and leader Kim Jong Un could attend.
Edited by Bryan Betts
8. China tight-lipped on North Korea’s Russia troop deployment confirmation
north Korea is not feeling the love from China. Of course north Korean hackers target anyone and everyone.
Excerpts:
The Chinese foreign ministry’s remarks Tuesday came amid media reports that North Korea “urgently repatriated” all of its IT workers based in the Chinese city of Shenyang, after one of them was detained by Chinese public security authorities for allegedly stealing Chinese military technology.
Authorities discovered extensive data related to Chinese weapons and military technologies on the detained North Korean IT worker’s laptop, which had allegedly been obtained through hacking, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources familiar with North Korean affairs.
While the specific nature of the Chinese military information found on the worker’s laptop has not been disclosed, it is speculated that it may involve unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, technologies – a field North Korea has recently prioritized for development.
North Korean-linked hacking groups have repeatedly been found targeting military institutions and defence companies worldwide, including in South Korea. While Russia has often been among their targets, it is rare for North Korea to be caught stealing information from its close ally China, sources told Yonhap.
China tight-lipped on North Korea’s Russia troop deployment confirmation
China faces pressure to act as a responsible stakeholder in regional security, especially over North Korea.
By Taejun Kang for RFA
2025.04.29
https://www.rfa.org/english/china/2025/04/29/china-north-korea-russia-troop-confirmation/
TAIPEI, Taiwan – China avoided directly commenting on North Korea’s confirmation of its troop deployment to Russia and reiterated support for a “multilateral solution” to the conflict.
North Korea on Monday acknowledged for the first time that it sent troops to Russia to support Moscow’s war against Ukraine, six months after reports of their presence first emerged.
China, one of North Korea’s few allies, has been under pressure to serve as a restraining influence on Pyongyang as the U.S. and its allies worry that the deployment of North Korean troops could dangerously escalate the Ukraine war.
“Regarding bilateral interactions between Russia and the DPRK, we’ve stated our position on multiple occasions. China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing on Monday.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK, is North Korea’s official name.
“We have been actively working for a ceasefire and promoting peace talks,” Guo said, without elaborating.
China previously called for a “multilateral solution” to the Ukraine crisis, saying: “all parties need to promote the de-escalation of the situation and strive for a political settlement.”
Ukraine estimates as many as 14,000 North Korean soldiers, including 3,000 reinforcements to replace its losses, are in Russia to fight Ukrainian forces who occupied parts of Russia’s Kursk region last summer in a counteroffensive.
Reports of the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia first surfaced in October. Even as evidence of their presence grew – including when North Korean soldiers were taken captive by Ukrainian forces in Kursk and interviewed – neither North Korea nor Russia acknowledged their presence.
The U.S. previously voiced concern to China over “destabilizing” actions by North Korea and Russia and said Beijing should be concerned about steps that Russia had taken to undermine stability and security.
Last year, speculation emerged that ties between North Korea and China had cooled as Pyongyang moved closer to Moscow in recent years, but China’s foreign ministry in October dismissed such suggestions.
Related Stories
The Chinese foreign ministry’s remarks Tuesday came amid media reports that North Korea “urgently repatriated” all of its IT workers based in the Chinese city of Shenyang, after one of them was detained by Chinese public security authorities for allegedly stealing Chinese military technology.
Authorities discovered extensive data related to Chinese weapons and military technologies on the detained North Korean IT worker’s laptop, which had allegedly been obtained through hacking, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources familiar with North Korean affairs.
While the specific nature of the Chinese military information found on the worker’s laptop has not been disclosed, it is speculated that it may involve unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, technologies – a field North Korea has recently prioritized for development.
North Korean-linked hacking groups have repeatedly been found targeting military institutions and defence companies worldwide, including in South Korea. While Russia has often been among their targets, it is rare for North Korea to be caught stealing information from its close ally China, sources told Yonhap.
Edited by Mike Firn and Stephen Wright.
9. S. Korea-led int'l monitoring group set to release 1st report on N.K. sanctions
In addition to deterrence and defense we need a “strategic strangulation campaign” – the well-executed use of sanctions and all instruments of national power to prevent weapons proliferation, cyber-attacks, and global illicit activities to support the regime. (and then we need to focus on human rights, information, and the pursuit of a free and unified Korea as the only solution to the "Korea question" which is the cause of all insecurity and instability in the region).
S. Korea-led int'l monitoring group set to release 1st report on N.K. sanctions | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · April 29, 2025
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- An international monitoring group led by South Korea is set to release its first report on sanctions enforcement on North Korea, a year after the U.N. panel overseeing the implementation was disbanded following a Russian veto, a Seoul official said Tuesday.
South Korea and 10 other countries, including the United States and Japan, launched the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) in October last year, as an alternative framework to the U.N. Panel of Experts to ensure the full implementation of U.N. Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear and weapons programs.
In this file photo, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell (5th from L), First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun (C) and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano (7th from L) pose for a photo with the ambassadors of the six participating countries in a multilateral sanctions monitoring team as they announced its launch in a press conference at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Oct. 16, 2024. (Yonhap)
"The first MSMT report is in its final stage of publication and will be released soon," a foreign ministry official said.
The experts' panel was disbanded in April last year after Russia vetoed to renew the mandate to continue the sanctions monitoring.
"We once again express deep regret over Russia's unilateral decision to dismantle the Panel of Experts, which went against the consensus of the international community," the official said.
"Over the past year, the government has stepped up efforts to respond effectively to North Korea's sanctions violations," he said.
Since the disbandment of the panel, South Korea has imposed independent sanctions on seven vessels, 52 individuals, and 26 entities involved in illicit maritime activities, overseas labor dispatch, and arms transfers between Russia and North Korea, according to the foreign ministry.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · April 29, 2025
10. JCS chief urges firm readiness against N.K. threats in border islands visit
A response to Kim Jong Un's cryptic threats?
JCS chief urges firm readiness against N.K. threats in border islands visit | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · April 29, 2025
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top military officer on Tuesday called for vigilance against North Korea's threats as he inspected the military's readiness posture during a visit to border islands in the Yellow Sea, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
JCS Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo made the call as he visited the islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) -- the de facto inter-Korean maritime boundary - earlier in the day, according to his office.
"Units at the northwestern border islands are front-line units that first face the enemy's provocation," Kim was quoted as saying, calling on troops to "maintain a posture that can instantly and firmly respond to any provocation by the enemy."
The JCS chief also urged troops to protect the lives and properties of the South Korean people by actively responding to illegal fishing by Chinese vessels during peak crabbing season.
The top military officer's inspection came as North Korea has been seeking to bolster its naval capabilities, with leader Kim Jong-un attending a launching ceremony for a new 5,000-ton multipurpose destroyer last week.
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo (2nd from R) visits the 6th Marine Brigade on the border island of Baengnyeong on April 29, 2025, in this photo provided the JCS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · April 29, 2025
11. Supreme Court to rule on DP presidential candidate's election law violation case Thursday
Could this unhinge the election? As I understand it, if he is convicted of an election law violation he would not be able to run for president for 5 or 10 years (I cannot recall which).
But is there any chance of the Supreme Court ruling against him?
Supreme Court to rule on DP presidential candidate's election law violation case Thursday | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · April 29, 2025
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will rule on the election law violation case of the Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung later this week.
The ruling will be made at 3 p.m. Thursday, the court said, just four days after Lee won the DP's primary for the June 3 presidential election.
The announcement comes after prosecutors appealed a high court ruling last month that acquitted Lee of lying as a presidential candidate during the 2022 election and overturned a lower court's sentence of a suspended prison term.
The case has posed a major legal hurdle for Lee, who is considered the front-runner in the upcoming presidential election.
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's candidate for the June 3 presidential election, walks out of the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on April 29, 2025. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · April 29, 2025
12. Trump Jr. arrives in Seoul for meeting with biz leaders amid tariff concerns
Again, South Korea is taking a whole of society approach to dealing with the Trump administration.
(LEAD) Trump Jr. arrives in Seoul for meeting with biz leaders amid tariff concerns | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Yoo Jee-ho · April 29, 2025
(ATTN: UPDATES headline, lead with arrival; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for a meeting with around 20 business leaders from South Korean conglomerates, industry sources said.
The two-day trip by Trump Jr., his first to South Korea since his father's inauguration in January, comes at the invitation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin.
Per sources, Trump Jr. arrived at Gimpo International Airport, western Seoul, in his private jet at around 6:25 p.m. Tuesday. It had been scheduled to touch down at 4:45 p.m. but there had been a slight delay before the departure.
Wearing a black cap and a long-sleeve shirt, Trump Jr. left the airport without speaking to the dozens of waiting South Korean reporters.
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin (C) and his wife, Han Ji-hee (R), meet with Donald Trump Jr. in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18, 2025, in this file photo provided by the group. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
South Korean business circles asked Chung to facilitate Trump Jr.'s visit as a way to establish contact with the Trump administration, according to the sources.
Business leaders from the semiconductor, automobile, energy, steelmaking and defense industries have reportedly expressed interest in holding one-on-one meetings with him.
On Wednesday, Trump Jr. is expected to have separate meetings with about 20 heads of the country's major conglomerates in Seoul.
For companies that export to the U.S. and seek a reliable communication channel with Washington, these meetings offer a rare opportunity to connect directly with a figure closely tied to President Trump, the sources said.
Trump Jr. reportedly does not have any scheduled public meetings with South Korean politicians or government officials during his two-day stay.
A VistaJet 9H-VJJ aircraft carrying Donald Trump Jr. arrives at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul on April 29, 2025. (Yonhap)
Chung and Trump Jr. are known to be close.
In December, Trump Jr. invited the Shinsegae chairman to his father's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, which led to a meeting between Chung and then President-elect Trump.
The Trump administration began imposing "reciprocal tariffs," including 25 percent duties on South Korea, on April 9, only to announce a 90-day pause shortly afterward.
In recent high-profile trade talks, Seoul and Washington agreed to pursue a comprehensive package agreement by July 8, when the 90-day tariff pause is set to expire.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Yoo Jee-ho · April 29, 2025
13. PPP presidential primary narrowed to 2 final contenders
If the PPP does not start articulating a superior vision and message it will not win. I cannot solely focus on attacking the DPK.
(2nd LD) PPP presidential primary narrowed to 2 final contenders | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · April 29, 2025
(ATTN: UPDATES with comments, details in paras 5-7; ADDS photos)
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- The People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday narrowed down its list of potential presidential candidate to two contenders, with the nominee expected to be announced later this week and face Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung.
Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo and former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon were selected as the conservative party's final two contenders for the June presidential election, officials said.
Kim and Han advanced to the final round to compete for the party's ticket to run in the June 3 election, which will determine the successor to ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid.
Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo (L) and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party (PPP), pose for a photo during a media event for the PPP's presidential primary held in Seoul on April 23, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and PPP lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo were eliminated from the race.
As no candidate secured a majority vote in the second round of the primary, which combined party member votes and public opinion polls, a final runoff between Kim and Han will be held to determine the standard-bearer.
Both Kim and Han vowed to take on DP's Lee Jae-myung, who is leading public polls by wide margins.
Kim, who opposed Yoon's impeachment, pledged to unite the deeply divided nation amid the political upheaval, describing the upcoming election as a "war of ideologies" with the liberal DP.
Han, who supported Yoon's ouster, said he would focus on putting together forces to effectively challenge Lee.
As for the next steps, the two contenders are scheduled to engage in debate sessions Wednesday, followed by an electorate vote and public opinion polling conducted over the following two days. The PPP's candidate will be confirmed at a party convention Saturday.
One crucial variable for the election dynamic is acting President Han Duck-soo, who is reportedly considering declaring his candidacy later this week.
Han, a veteran technocrat with no party affiliation, would need to run as an independent or coordinate with the PPP's nominee to represent the broader conservative camp.
The PPP contenders have shown openness to undergo another process to unify with Han if he enters the race, which is seen as a strategy to boost the conservatives' chances against Lee.
Acting President Han Duck-soo gives an interview to reporters from The Economist on April 22, 2025, in this photo released by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · April 29, 2025
14. Editorial: Han Duck-soo's presidential bid requires clear explanation
Will he run?
Editorial: Han Duck-soo's presidential bid requires clear explanation
https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/04/29/VH5GGD2V6NDE3D2RRTFZWJYVQQ/
By The Chosunilbo
Published 2025.04.29. 09:10
Acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during an interview with the British media outlet The Economist at the government complex in Seoul on April 22. /News1
Acting President Han Duck-soo is reportedly set to announce his presidential candidacy soon. His chief aide, Son Young-taek, resigned on April 28, and other political appointees are expected to follow suit to form a campaign team.
Speculation about Han’s candidacy grew following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump on April 8, during which Trump brought up the topic. Around 50 lawmakers from the People Power Party (PPP) have expressed support, and a citizen-led draft committee has been formed. While Han insists that no final decision has been made, he has visited domestic industrial sites and discussed trade and security issues, such as tariffs and the U.S. military presence, in interviews with foreign media. These actions were clearly political moves.
Presidential hopefuls within the PPP, who had been hesitant to unite behind Han, have now shifted their stance. All four candidates have agreed to a final unification process. Han is likely to first run as an independent and then seek unification with the PPP nominee, to be selected on May 3, possibly through public opinion polls.
Han has broad government experience, having served as minister, ambassador to the United States, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, and prime minister. His expertise in governance and trade is seen as a strength at a time of global trade turmoil and mounting risks to South Korea’s economy. Even without a formal declaration, he has led some polls among conservative candidates.
However, the role of an appointed prime minister and an elected president are fundamentally different. The Democratic Party argues that it is unfair for someone tasked with overseeing a fair election to enter the race. Many citizens also question the appropriateness of Han’s candidacy, given his three years as prime minister under former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached for attempting martial law. A poll shows 66% of respondents view Han’s candidacy as “undesirable.”
Han must first clarify to the public why he is running. If his sole reason is to prevent Lee Jae-myung’s victory, it would lack credibility and likely fail. Han has not yet outlined his vision for the presidency. Some speculate that even if elected, he would push for constitutional reform and resign early, but it remains uncertain if the politically fatigued public would support such a plan.
With global dynamics shifting rapidly and economic stagnation persisting, Han must present detailed plans for overcoming the Yoon administration’s failures, unifying the nation, and addressing the ongoing security and economic crises.
15. South Korean shipbuilders secure $2 bn in containership orders amid U.S.-China tensions
We need a JAROKUS (Japan, ROK, US) shipbuilding consortium.
Industry
South Korean shipbuilders secure $2 bn in containership orders amid U.S.-China tensions
https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/04/29/EDOTOFL47RFWDHOPOP6RI3Z5MQ/
By Lee Jeong-gu,
Kim Mi-geon
Published 2025.04.29. 15:12
South Korean shipbuilders, including HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), have secured container ship orders worth a combined 3 trillion won ($2 billion) over the past four days. While China maintains a dominant grip on more than 80 percent of the global container ship market, rising tensions between the United States and China are fueling expectations that South Korean firms could capitalize on shifting demand.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard. /News1
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), the parent company of HD KSOE, said on Apr. 28 that it had secured orders for 22 container ships valued at 2.5354 trillion won between Apr. 23 and Apr. 26 from shipping companies based in Asia and Oceania. Its subsidiaries, HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, booked contracts for 16 and six vessels, respectively.
The vessels awarded to HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard comprise 10 ships with a capacity of 2,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and six ships with a capacity of 1,800 TEUs. All are classified as feeder container ships, typically under 3,000 TEUs, which service routes between major hub ports and smaller regional ports. Chinese shipbuilders have traditionally dominated this segment, but HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard has emerged as the global leader this year, winning 16 of the 33 feeder ships ordered worldwide.
SHI also announced on Apr. 25 that it had signed a 561.9 billion won contract with an Asian shipowner to build two container ships. Year-to-date, Samsung has secured orders for 18 vessels, including one liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, nine shuttle tankers, two ethane carriers, four oil tankers, and two container ships, totaling $2.6 billion (approximately 3.7 trillion won).
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January, is working to revive the domestic shipbuilding industry and has sought greater cooperation with South Korean shipbuilders amid efforts to counter China’s dominance in the sector.
Earlier this year, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced plans to levy port fees on shipping companies operating Chinese-built vessels, beginning in the second half of 2025, with phased annual increases.
“There is a growing trend among shipowners to place more orders with South Korean builders, shifting away from China, which had previously been favored due to lower costs,” a South Korean shipbuilding industry official said.
16. U.S. explores possibility of reviving North Korea dialogue
I do not think this caricature of President Trump is really true. Sure he talks about his love letters with Kim but I do not think he is going to engage with Kim just because of one flowery letter.
Excerpts:
“We are convening agencies to understand where the North Koreans are today. A lot has changed in the last four years. We are evaluating, diagnosing, and talking about potential avenues, including engagement,” a senior U.S. official told Axios.
A former senior U.S. official said members of the administration were engaged in some “initial planning,” aware that it might take only “one flowery letter” from Kim to capture Trump’s attention—“then you’re off to the races.”
U.S. explores possibility of reviving North Korea dialogue
https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20250429/5575876/1
Posted April. 29, 2025 07:38,
Updated April. 29, 2025 07:38
The Trump administration has been quietly holding discussions and consulting outside experts as it weighs options for potentially restarting dialogue with North Korea, according to the U.S. political news outlet Axios on April 27 (local time). Meanwhile, North Korea formally confirmed for the first time its leader Kim Jong Un’s decision to send North Korean troops to Russia.
“We are convening agencies to understand where the North Koreans are today. A lot has changed in the last four years. We are evaluating, diagnosing, and talking about potential avenues, including engagement,” a senior U.S. official told Axios.
A former senior U.S. official said members of the administration were engaged in some “initial planning,” aware that it might take only “one flowery letter” from Kim to capture Trump’s attention—“then you’re off to the races.”
North Korea on Monday confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to Russia. “Based on the analysis and judgment that the current war situation constitutes the triggering of Article 4 of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, Kim Jong Un has decided to participate with our armed forces and has notified the Russian side,” the Central Military Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea said in a written statement released through the state-run KCNA news agency.
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin also issued a statement thanking Kim Jong Un. “Our Korean friends acted out of a sense of solidarity, justice, and genuine comradeship,” Putin said. “We highly appreciate this and are sincerely grateful to Chairman of State Affairs Comrade Kim Jong Un, as well as to the entire leadership and people of the DPRK.”
Ji-Sun Choi aurinko@donga.com
17. Conscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate
South Korea must figure out how to overcome its demographic problem.
Conscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/defense/20250427/gender-demographics-and-defense-south-koreas-election-revives-volunteer-army-debate
Button Label
Listen
textScalePopoverWrapper open
print
open image gallery
Reservists receive training at the Suwon, Hwaseong, Osan Science Reserve Forces Training Center of the Army's 51st Infantry Division in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, March 6. Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
- Published Apr 27, 2025 9:00 am KST
- Updated Apr 27, 2025 9:00 am KST
Population decline forces rethink of draft strategy
With Korea’s June 3 snap presidential election approaching, military reform is once again emerging as a central campaign issue.
Leading candidates have rolled out proposals ranging from selective conscription to a fully volunteer military, with some even calling for gender-inclusive service. While many frame these ideas as necessary responses to Korea’s shrinking population and the evolving nature of warfare, others view them as familiar campaign promises, recycled to appeal to politically disillusioned young voters.
As the debate intensifies, experts remain divided on both the practicality and sincerity of these proposals — thrusting the future of Korea’s conscription system back into the national spotlight.
Old debate, new urgency
Military service reform surfaces in nearly every Korean election cycle, but rarely results in lasting policy change.
“We’ve seen this before,” said Hong Hee-jin, leader of the Progressive Youth Party. “'Women's conscription' or 'equal duty' trends every few years, but rarely leads to meaningful change. What we need is not more conscripts, but a gender-equitable volunteer system and a lasting peace framework for the Korean Peninsula.”
This election cycle, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) frontrunner Rep. Lee Jae-myung has reignited the debate by proposing what he calls a “selective volunteer system.” Under his plan, conscripts would be allowed to choose between standard military service and specialized technical roles. Lee argues that modern warfare prioritizes expertise over sheer numbers, calling for a smaller draft pool supported by a stronger corps of noncommissioned officers and technical specialists. His proposal also includes incentives linked to Korea’s growing defense industry, with opportunities in fields such as cyber operations, drone units and missile development.
Lee’s rival, Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, takes the idea a step further.
He has pledged to transition to a fully volunteer military by 2035, with all positions open to every gender. His platform includes career guarantees for professional soldiers and public-sector incentives for veterans. Kim presents his plan not only as a bold step in defense reform but also as a youth employment initiative, projecting that it could create up to 80,000 new jobs.
On the conservative side, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, a People Power Party (PPP) candidate, has called for expanding voluntary enlistment to include women and reinstating a military service bonus system. Emphasizing fairness and merit-based incentives, he aims to appeal to conservative voters wary of sweeping structural changes. He also proposes higher salaries and housing subsidies to attract elite recruits, arguing that a leaner, professional force could enhance both efficiency and morale.
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and former Justice Minister and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who both advanced in the party primary, have yet to outline detailed reform plans. Meanwhile, former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, also running as a presidential contender from the DPK, has proposed the immediate implementation of a hybrid conscription system that combines mandatory and voluntary service.
He aims to reduce standing troop levels gradually to 350,000 from around 480,000 and fill the gap through volunteer recruitment. In response to questions about expanding the volunteer force to include women, Kim said such a step would require broad public discussion, but emphasized that the mixed model is immediately feasible.
Still, Han has emphasized the need for what he described as a "technology-centered and compact" military, while Ahn has suggested aligning military reform with Korea’s broader digital strategy, though without offering specific details.
From left, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary candidates Lee Jae-myung, Kim Kyoung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon attend a joint speech event at Cheongju Gymnasium in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, April 19. Yonhap
Shrinking numbers, shifting perceptions
These proposals are emerging amid a steep population decline. A report by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) released in 2024 estimates that the pool of draft-eligible men will drop by over 30 percent in the next decade. This trend calls into question the long-term viability of Korea’s traditional conscription model.
“This is no longer theoretical,” said Lee In-goo, director of military facility planning at the Ministry of National Defense and co-author of the KIDA report. “The military is already being forced to adapt. The real issue is how we manage that transition.”
Lee and co-author Lee Soo-jin recommend a gradual shift to voluntary enlistment, paired with financial incentives and efforts to reshape public perceptions of military service. Their recommendations also include expanding civilian and reservist roles in national defense to address manpower shortages.
Gender equity remains a contentious point. A study by Chosun University professor Kim Dong-hoon released in 2024 found that public discussion around women in the military has moved from fringe opinion to legitimate policy debate. Yet public resistance to the idea remains strong.
Hong Hee-jin suggests reframing the debate. “We can’t solve a complex social equation with a simplistic answer,” she said. “Military service shouldn’t define citizenship. True equity means enabling anyone — regardless of gender — to serve with dignity and be valued.”
She added that calls for drafting women often reflect broader frustrations among young men seeking fairness and recognition.
“A better system requires redefining civic contribution — not simply expanding who bears the burden,” she said.
From left, People Power Party presidential primary candidates Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo applaud during the media day for the party's second primary debate at its central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Lessons from abroad, limits at home
Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway are often cited as successful examples of gender-neutral conscription. However, a 2022 report by the National Assembly Research Service, titled "Comparative Analysis of Conscription and Volunteer Systems in Europe," cautions against direct comparisons. It notes that these countries implemented such reforms only after achieving significant gender equality across society. Korea, however, must tailor its defense planning to the country’s unique institutional structures, cultural context and security environment.
The report highlights that several European nations — including Sweden and Lithuania — have reinstated conscription after struggling to meet manpower needs under volunteer systems. Others, such as Germany and France, are reconsidering mandatory service amid rising geopolitical tensions, framing it as a tool to foster civic responsibility.
With less than two months to go before the election, it remains unclear whether military reform pledges will significantly influence voter behavior. Still, Korea’s shrinking population and changing security landscape make it clear that the country needs a more resilient and forward-looking defense strategy.
“We need a system that ensures security, upholds fairness, and reflects our societal values,” Kim Dong-hoon said. “No slogan will be enough to achieve that.”
The next administration will be under growing pressure to move past symbolic pledges and confront the practical challenges of troop shortages, modernization and restoring public trust in the military. The way it responds may set the tone for Korea’s military strategy in the years ahead.
Cadets conduct tactical movements during the commissioning evaluation for bachelor's and female officer candidates at the Korea Army Cadet Military School in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province, May 16, 2012. Korea Times photo by Kim Joo-young
2025 presidential electionFollow
conscriptionFollow
gender equityFollow
militaryFollow
open share
bookmark
Bahk Eun-ji
Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
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
| 
