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Quotes of the Day:
“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are two ways to be fooled: One is to believe what isn't true, the other is to refuse to believe what is true."
– Soren Kierkegaard
"Not to be absolutely certain is one of the essential things in rationality."
– Friedrich Nietzsche
1. Libertarianism as Abolitionism: Liberty Breaks the Chains of Oppression
2. Appeals court to hold 1st hearing of DP presidential candidate's retrial on May 15
3. Ex-PM Han blocked from entering Gwangju cemetery amid protests
4. S. Korea's small satellite to join U.S. Artemis II moon exploration program
5. Acting leadership spiral throws S. Korea into pre-election uncertainty
6. Concerns grow over alleged pre-election trade deal push
7. Han Duck-soo declares candidacy, denounces political use of trade, diplomacy
8. Navy secretary pushes US-allied shipbuilding ties during stop in South Korea
9. Second ‘Super Squadron’ of F-16s marks strategic shift for Air Force in South Korea
10. North Korea and Russia Cement Ties With First Road Bridge
11. DP presidential candidate vows to restore inter-Korean military pact, halt cross-border leaflets
12. Trump praises Hyundai, touts foreign investment at White House
13. Senior North Korean military official mentions alliance with Russia, calls retaking of Kursk a 'triumph over pure evil'
14. Russian military anthem sung — in Korean — in latest training video from North
15. North Korean High-ranking Officials' Children Appear at 'Choi Hyun-ho's' Launch Ceremony... "Message of Future Generations' Safety Guarantee"
16. US, South Korea rehearse their response to threats targeting satellites
17. Why heads of Korea's top 4 businesses skipped Trump Jr. meeting
18. What were Lee Jae-myung's 'lies'?
1. Libertarianism as Abolitionism: Liberty Breaks the Chains of Oppression
A very powerful essay from my friend and colleague at the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, Jihyun Park. Her words are very important and resonate with me, as they should with all my fellow Green Berets who live by the motto, "De Oppresso Liber" - to free the oppressed. And when applied to north Korea our motto should be "to help the oppressed free themselves." And of course JiHyun's words should resonate with every freedom loving citizen of any country around the world, We have much work to do.
게시판
Libertarianism as Abolitionism: Liberty Breaks the Chains of Oppression
https://m.blog.naver.com/freedom88-/223852803811
freedom88-
10분 전
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Libertarianism as Abolitionism: Liberty Breaks the Chains of Oppression
“Libertarianism as Abolitionism.” When I first read these words, they were not just a sentence. They struck me as a powerful philosophical revelation — a single phrase that seemed to encapsulate the story of my entire life. I encountered it last week in Why Liberty, a booklet I received at the European Students For Liberty Conference held in Prague.
This book was not just an introduction to libertarian philosophy. For me, it was a declaration — a reaffirmation of my life’s direction and reason for being.
I was born in North Korea, where life was confined within the limits set by the regime. What to say, what to believe, and even what to think — all of these were dictated by the state. Liberty was not a luxury — it was a forbidden dream.
I didn’t escape in pursuit of that dream at first, but eventually, I fled. Later, under the surveillance and repression of the Chinese Communist Party, I once again endured a life beneath basic human dignity. There, too, I was an object of control and silence.
So when I read “Libertarianism is abolitionism,” it was not an abstract political idea. It was a declaration that gave meaning and legitimacy to the pain and path I have walked.
Libertarianism places individual liberty above all else and rejects coercion by the state or any collective. But it is more than just a critique of government power — it is a moral movement to liberate all human beings from oppression. It is a practical philosophy that still stands against modern slavery, forced labor, human trafficking, child exploitation, ideological control, and violations of human rights.
Through this book, I was forced to re-confront reality. Modern-day slavery continues around the world, and one of the most extreme examples is in the very country where I was born — North Korea.
According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, North Korea is ranked the worst country for modern slavery, with approximately 1 in 10 people — about 2.7 million individuals — subjected to forced labor, trafficking, and child exploitation. Around 200,000 people are imprisoned in political prison camps, enduring torture and forced labor, and even children are mobilized for labor in schools. North Korean laborers sent abroad work under slave-like conditions, and their earnings are funneled into the regime’s nuclear weapons program and survival.
One particularly horrific example is the deployment of North Korean soldiers to the Russia-Ukraine war — a brutal testament to 21st-century slavery. Since October 2024, about 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia, and more than 4,700 casualties have already been confirmed. These are not ordinary troops. Deprived of all information, they were sent to the Kursk front without knowing where they were going or why they had to fight. According to the testimony of captured North Korean soldiers, they had to memorize surrender phrases like “Please don’t shoot,” and had their uniform sizes recorded through Korean-language forms. These soldiers are treated as disposable tools, and the profits from their deployment flow directly into the pockets of the regime. This is precisely the kind of coercion and oppression that libertarianism opposes.
But North Korea is not alone. Modern slavery is rampant across the world.
Uyghurs in China are exploited in forced labor camps. According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, more than 50 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery. This staggering number reveals a horrific truth — slavery is not history; it is a crisis of the present.
Facing these realities, I believe that those who enjoy liberty have a duty.
If we, the free, remain silent, then freedom becomes nothing more than privilege.
True liberty is not about personal peace alone — it comes with a moral responsibility to act on behalf of those still in chains. I am living proof of this.
“Libertarianism is abolitionism.”
This is not just a philosophy to me. It is a personal declaration. As someone who lives in freedom today, I have a moral obligation to speak out for those who do not yet have it.
We must go beyond learning and start acting.
The fight against the axis of evil — the authoritarian communist dictatorships that still exist on this planet — is a battle we all share responsibility for.
2. Appeals court to hold 1st hearing of DP presidential candidate's retrial on May 15
The Supreme Court's ruling did not put this issue to rest. Many of us overlooked that it ruled that the lower court must retry the case.
Excerpts:
The Supreme Court ruled that Lee should be retried on allegations of making false statements during the 2022 presidential campaign and sent the case back to the Seoul High Court.
The top court's ruling comes just over a month ahead of the June 3 presidential election, a timeline observers say reflects the urgency of resolving legal uncertainties surrounding Lee's candidacy.
(LEAD) Appeals court to hold 1st hearing of DP presidential candidate's retrial on May 15 | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · May 2, 2025
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, background in paras 7-11; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- An appellate court will hold the first hearing of a retrial in an election law violation case involving Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on May 15, just weeks before the June election.
The Seoul High Court set the date just one day after the Supreme Court struck down the lower court's acquittal of Lee on charges of election law violation in March and remanded the case for a retrial.
The Supreme Court ruled that Lee should be retried on allegations of making false statements during the 2022 presidential campaign and sent the case back to the Seoul High Court.
The top court's ruling comes just over a month ahead of the June 3 presidential election, a timeline observers say reflects the urgency of resolving legal uncertainties surrounding Lee's candidacy.
Lee is currently seen as a leading contender in the upcoming election, holding a significant lead in recent opinion polls.
If Lee is fined more than 1 million won (US$710), he would be stripped of his parliamentary seat and barred from running for office over the next five years.
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung (C) answers reporters' questions during a visit to a traditional market in Inje, 165 kilometers east of Seoul, on May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
The appeals court said it has requested a court official to directly deliver a summons to Lee to attend the hearing.
If Lee does not appear at the hearing, the court would need to reschedule the trial, making it unlikely that a verdict will be delivered before June 3.
Even if Lee is sentenced before the election, he would likely appeal it, which would enable him to run in the race.
There is currently no clear rule on whether a criminal trial in progress may continue if the indicted individual is later elected president.
Earlier in the day, the DP proposed a bill that suspends an ongoing criminal trial for a president-elect, which is seen as a move to mitigate legal risks surrounding Lee.
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · May 2, 2025
3. Ex-PM Han blocked from entering Gwangju cemetery amid protests
Not a good look for Korea.
Ex-PM Han blocked from entering Gwangju cemetery amid protests | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · May 2, 2025
SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited a national cemetery honoring victims of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising Friday as the first stop of his election campaign for the June election but was met with protests.
Han traveled to the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, 357 kilometers south of Seoul, hours after formally announcing his bid for the June 3 election. Upon arrival, he was confronted by demonstrators expressing opposition to his presence.
On Thursday, Han resigned from his roles as acting president and prime minister, positions he had held following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law in December.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (C) makes a plea as he attempts to enter the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, 357 kilometers south of Seoul, on May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
As Han attempted to enter the cemetery, a participant in the rally struck him on the head with a protest placard, prompting immediate intervention by security personnel. Han reportedly did not sustain serious injuries.
Facing strong opposition and a standoff that lasted approximately 20 minutes, Han ultimately paid his respects with a silent tribute at the cemetery's entrance before leaving the site.
Han's candidacy was announced at the National Assembly, marking his official entry into the presidential race set for June 3.
Even prior to his declaration, Han had been widely viewed as a leading conservative contender, likely to face off against front-runner Lee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee of the liberal Democratic Party.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (L) is blocked from entering the May 18th National Cemetery in the southwestern city of Gwangju on May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · May 2, 2025
4. S. Korea's small satellite to join U.S. Artemis II moon exploration program
South Korea: a global (and intergalactic) pivotal state.
S. Korea's small satellite to join U.S. Artemis II moon exploration program | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Boram · May 2, 2025
SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's small satellite designed to measure space radiation will take part in the Artemis II mission, a U.S.-led moon exploration program, the Korean space agency said Friday.
Under an agreement between the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the K-RadCube, a Korean-made cube satellite, will be mounted on the Orion stage adapter, located between the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the crewed Orion spacecraft.
The 19-kilogram satellite will monitor cosmic radiation and analyze its effects on astronauts as it passes through the Van Allen radiation belts, located more than 1,000 kilometers above Earth.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute is leading the development project of the satellite in collaboration with a Korean space startup, Nara Space Technology Inc.
KASA said it plans to deliver the satellite to NASA by July, ahead of its integration into the Orion spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in April 2026.
Artemis II is a planned mission under the NASA-led Artemis program and will mark the first crewed mission to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
This photo provided by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) shows the K-RadCube, a Korean-made cube satellite designed to measure space radiation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Boram · May 2, 2025
5. Acting leadership spiral throws S. Korea into pre-election uncertainty
But the South Korean government continues to function. The professional civil service keeps the nation moving forward despite the political chaos at the top while the professional military continues to ensure deterrence and defense.
(News Focus) Acting leadership spiral throws S. Korea into pre-election uncertainty | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · May 2, 2025
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- Successive resignations of South Korea's acting leaders this week have plunged the country into a fresh spiral of political uncertainty just weeks before it is set to elect a new leader following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Starting Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho became South Korea's new acting president, after former Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who was the second in line to presidential succession, stepped down late Thursday amid the National Assembly's move to impeach him.
Choi was to reassume the role as acting leader, as former acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigned earlier that day in a move widely seen as a step toward running in the June 3 presidential election.
Han made his bid official Friday.
Acting President Lee Ju-ho presides over a Cabinet meeting at the central government complex in Seoul on May 2, 2025, in this photo provided by Lee's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The new acting leader Lee has less than five weeks to run the country, which will barely give him time to make any critical policy decision.
Lee, an economic scholar by background who has spent much of his career in public service in the field of education, is tasked with managing state affairs across the board, including the economy, trade and foreign policy.
Although Lee's acting leadership is expected to be brief, concerns remain over the absence of a central government control tower and the inherent limitations in managing state affairs during this transitional period.
This uncertain climate adds to concerns as South Korea has been in crucial trade talks with the United States on tariff measures put forth by the Donald Trump administration before the 90-day pause on the levies expires July 8.
Upon formally assuming the role, Lee highlighted the focus on stable management of state affairs.
"I feel a deep sense of responsibility to be entrusted with this heavy duty," Lee told reporters upon arriving at the government complex earlier in the day.
"I believe state affairs are run by the system. I will focus on ensuring fair election management ... I will do my utmost to ensure stable governance," he said.
In a National Security Council meeting, Lee called for maintaining a watertight readiness posture against North Korea's possible provocations, as he assumed the interim leadership.
The Assembly's late-night impeachment motion blitz against Choi is largely seen as a political retaliation by the parliament-controlling Democratic Party (DP), after the Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a lower court's acquittal of the party's former leader and presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung in an election violation case.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (R) arrives at the National Assembly, western Seoul, to deliver a speech on the declaration of his presidential bid, in this photo taken May 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
The Seoul High Court in March cleared Lee of charges that he lied during the previous election campaign in 2022. But the top court determined that Lee's remarks related to a controversial land development project constitute the dissemination of false information under the election law.
The case now will be sent back to the appellate court for a review.
The top court's latest ruling deals a blow to the DP, which had been counting on an advantage in the upcoming presidential race, with Lee widening his lead in recent opinion polls.
The DP said it will stand by Lee.
Park Chae-dae, the DP's floor leader, called the court ruling "extremely irrational and unfair," saying it's a politically motivated "judicial coup" by the top court with the intention to interfere in the presidential election.
"It's only obvious that there's been an organized maneuver to shake up the election," Park said on Friday.
Park said his party will not stop pursuing the legal process to hold Han and Choi accountable for their roles in the martial law debacle.
Lee Jae-myung expressed disappointment over the ruling.
"It's a ruling that is in a completely different direction from what I thought," he said after the ruling was announced.
"The will of the people is what's most important," he added, suggesting that he has no intention of stepping down as candidate.
Democratic Party presidential contender Lee Jae-myung arrives in Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province for a tour of "listening to local residents" on May 1, 2025. (Yonhap)
With Han officially entering the high-stakes June 3 vote, it remains to be seen how the People Power Party (PPP) will coordinate with him and the two other potential presidential candidates -- former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo -- in selecting one single candidate for the party.
Han, known for his neutral image after having served under both conservative and liberal governments, has emerged as a potential favorite within the PPP to help salvage the party after months of disarray triggered by Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law in December.
"I decided to find something I can do for the future of the Republic of Korea I love and for all of us," he said in a press conference at the Assembly as he formally declared the presidential bid. "I will do my utmost to be chosen by our people through the upcoming presidential election."
Amid the unprecedented back-to-back resignations of acting leaders, the foreign ministry has recalled the diplomatic missives sent to foreign missions in the country, because the notices were to inform them that Choi would serve as acting president following Han's resignation, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The ministry plans to send a revised version of the diplomatic letters to correct that Lee Ju-ho is the acting president, a source said.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · May 2, 2025
6. Concerns grow over alleged pre-election trade deal push
Some feel the US is trying to take advantage of the political chaos to extract concessions from the ROK and the US is only using South Korea as a pawn in the administration's domestic politics.
Concerns grow over alleged pre-election trade deal push
Posted May. 01, 2025 07:29,
Updated May. 01, 2025 07:29
https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20250501/5579431/1
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s recent remarks have sparked controversy after he claimed the South Korean government wants to conclude a trade deal before the upcoming presidential election. He further suggested the South Korean side intends to use the deal’s outcome for campaign purposes. That contradicts the South Korean government’s earlier explanation that a “July package” would be prepared for the incoming administration following the early presidential election scheduled June 3. If Bessent’s comments are accurate, they raise serious concerns about the interim government’s political neutrality and potential harm to South Korea’s national interest.
During a press briefing marking President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office on April 29, Bessent said the “framework of a deal with South Korea is taking shape.” In response to a question about whether the election schedule might delay the negotiations, he replied, “Quite the opposite,” adding that “the Korean side is actively engaging at the negotiating table to wrap things up and use the results in the campaign.” Following U.S.-South Korea trade consultations March 24, Bessent also said South Korea had presented its best offer and described the pace of negotiations as unexpectedly swift.
While Bessent’s remarks may have been intended for a U.S. audience as part of the Trump administration’s effort to highlight its accomplishments, they may also reflect Washington’s pressure tactics aimed at securing an early agreement. Still, it would be a grave issue if South Korea were indeed rushing negotiations to influence the vote. The South Korean government has denied any intent or discussion to finalize the deal before the election and must now thoroughly clarify the context and truth of Bessent’s claims.
Lingering suspicions have also been fueled by the conduct of Han Duck-soo, acting president and prime minister, who is widely expected to run in the election. Han has given the impression of personally steering the tariff negotiations, including a phone call with Trump and a series of interviews with foreign media. In an interview with the Financial Times, he even said South Korea “would not resist” U.S. tariff actions. At his final Cabinet meeting on March 29, he appeared to tout the deal by saying the government had “eliminated much uncertainty by reaching a principled agreement.”
The outcome of the current tariff negotiations could significantly affect South Korea’s exports, domestic economy and industrial structure. The process must be approached with caution and solely from the standpoint of national interest. Any suggestion that the talks are politically motivated, whether to benefit specific individuals or groups, must be avoided. The government should focus on understanding U.S. intentions and aligning its negotiating strategy accordingly. Final decisions should be left to the next administration, chosen by the people.
7. Han Duck-soo declares candidacy, denounces political use of trade, diplomacy
Large campaign promises.
Han Duck-soo declares candidacy, denounces political use of trade, diplomacy
Han promises immediate constitutional reform and trade resolutions
https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/05/02/BPN3CUBS6VAPBFZ2L7AG7GHJJQ/
By Lee Hae-in,
Park Su-hyeon
Published 2025.05.02. 10:45
Han Duck-soo, former Acting President and Prime Minister, announced on May 2 that he would run in the upcoming presidential election. Han, who resigned from his post the previous day after delivering a national address at the Seoul Government Complex, made the announcement during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
At the 10 a.m. event, titled “Promises to the People,” Han declared, “I have decided to find what I can do for the future of South Korea, the country I love, and for all of us.” He shared his decision to run for president, drawing on his extensive career in public service.
Han expressed frustration with the current political climate, where critical issues like foreign trade and diplomacy have become arenas for partisan conflict. “I cannot accept a reality where national interests are used as political tools,” he said.
Han Duck-soo, former Acting President and Prime Minister, announces his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election at the National Assembly press room in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 2, 2025./News1
In his announcement, Han outlined three key commitments: immediate constitutional reform, resolution of trade challenges, and national unity.
Constitutional reform: Han proposed an urgent overhaul of the constitution. “In my first year in office, I will draft constitutional amendments, finalize them in my second year, and in the third year, we will hold parliamentary and presidential elections under the new constitution, after which I will step down,” he explained. He emphasized that the details of the reforms should be shaped through rigorous discussion in the National Assembly and among the public, with a focus on decentralization and checks and balances.
“My vision for constitutional reform involves balancing the power between the president and the National Assembly, ending the politicization of the judiciary, and institutionalizing cooperative governance to ensure our government truly benefits the public,” he added.
Trade resolution: Han also highlighted the urgent need to address trade issues, particularly the global tariff challenges stemming from the United States. “The tariff crisis caused by the U.S. is the most pressing trade issue facing every country,” he said. Having served as South Korea’s first trade chief, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, prime minister, and U.S. ambassador, Han expressed confidence in his ability to navigate the situation. “I am the most qualified to handle this issue, having successfully led numerous trade negotiations throughout my career.”
He further pledged, “I am actively engaging with the U.S. government and experts across various sectors. I will resolve this trade challenge.”
National unity: Finally, Han called for greater national unity. “Unity is coexistence,” he said, emphasizing that South Korea must overcome divisions between regions, ideologies, and generations. “We should no longer be divided by left and right, east and west, or even gender and age,” Han remarked. “Neither conservatives nor progressives achieved industrialization or democratization on their own. I will dedicate myself to fostering unity and working together for the benefit of all citizens.”
8. Navy secretary pushes US-allied shipbuilding ties during stop in South Korea
Let's establish a JAROKUS shipbuilding consortium. (I know I am a broken record).
Let's build a tsunami of ships to swamp China.
Navy secretary pushes US-allied shipbuilding ties during stop in South Korea
Stars and Stripes · by Alex Wilson · May 2, 2025
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan tours HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, April 30, 2025. (U.S. Navy)
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan visited South Korea as part of his first international tour since taking office, meeting with senior officials and touring two of the country’s largest shipyards.
Phelan met Wednesday with acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Adm. Yang Yong-mo, the South Korean navy’s chief of staff. The meetings focused on strengthening U.S.-South Korea-Japan defense cooperation, the Navy said in a news release that day.
Han, who announced his resignation Thursday, also discussed enhanced collaboration in high-end technology and shipbuilding and addressed concerns over “increased aggression” from China, according to the release.
Han is widely expected to run in the June presidential election following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol in December. Yoon was dismissed from office after a failed attempt to impose martial law.
Phelan, a vocal advocate for expanding U.S. shipbuilding capacity, has expressed interest in joint ventures with allies. His itinerary included visits to two of South Korea’s top shipbuilders, Hanwha Ocean Shipbuilding and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
During a stop in Japan ahead of his South Korea visit, Phelan described the South’s shipyards as “very, very efficient.”
“I’m eager to kind of see how they are set up and see if there are any ideas we can take from them and pass on to our colleagues in America,” he told Stars and Stripes on April 28 at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.
In South Korea, Phelan said cooperation with local shipyards is critical for keeping U.S. naval assets operational in the Indo-Pacific.
“Leveraging the expertise of these highly capable shipyards enables timely maintenance and repairs for our vessels to operate at peak performance,” he said in Wednesday’s release.
Hanwha recently completed repairs on the dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra — the first Military Sealift Command vessel repaired in South Korea, according to the Navy. The replenishment oiler USNS Yukon is also undergoing maintenance there.
HD Hyundai recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the largest U.S. shipbuilder, to explore joint efforts in accelerating defense and commercial ship production, according to an April 7 news release from Huntington Ingalls.
Phelan began his trip Monday in Japan, where he toured Japan Marine United’s Isogo Works shipyard in Yokohama and met with senior Japanese officials, including Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.
Alex Wilson
Alex Wilson
Alex Wilson covers the U.S. Navy and other services from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., he holds a journalism degree from the University of North Florida. He previously covered crime and the military in Key West, Fla., and business in Jacksonville, Fla.
Stars and Stripes · by Alex Wilson · May 2, 2025
9. Second ‘Super Squadron’ of F-16s marks strategic shift for Air Force in South Korea
I wonder if there is a USD(P) chop on this action.
Second ‘Super Squadron’ of F-16s marks strategic shift for Air Force in South Korea
Stars and Stripes · by Seth Robson · May 1, 2025
An F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by the 8th Fighter Wing's commander taxis out of a hangar at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, on April 23, 2025. (Karissa Dick/U.S. Air Force)
This story has been .
The U.S. 7th Air Force is forming a second “Super Squadron” of 31 F-16 Fighting Falcons at Osan Air Base, its largest installation in South Korea and the one closest to the North Korean border.
The shift will draw down resources at Kunsan Air Base, about 115 miles southwest of Seoul, and means that, eventually, no forces will be assigned to the two fighter squadrons there.
The Air Force began evaluating the concept of a super squadron — which includes one-third more aircraft than standard units — last summer to determine whether it could generate more sorties with fewer resources, 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Rachel Buitrago said by phone Thursday.
In July, nine aircraft and 150 airmen from Kunsan arrived at Osan to establish the first 31-jet squadron.
This month, additional F-16s and roughly 1,000 more airmen will begin the process of relocating from Kunsan to Osan to form the second squadron, Buitrago said.
Assignment notifications will begin in the next couple of weeks and all aircraft and personnel will be in place by October, she said.
While 7th Air Force described the movement of personnel and aircraft as a temporary measure in an April 24 news release, details suggest a more substantial shift.
“This Super Squadron effort demonstrates our steadfast focus on readiness and combat capability to achieve U.S. national security objectives,” 7th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. David Iverson said in the release.
Iverson said the first consolidated unit at Osan has already improved readiness and combat performance, although it has revealed some operational challenges.
“With this success we’re now expanding the scope,” he added.
The restructuring reflects broader U.S. military planning in the Indo-Pacific. While consolidation may enhance peacetime efficiency, big bases like Osan could become vulnerable targets in the event of a conflict, particularly with China, analysts say.
“In the event of conflict, however, they become a bigger target,” Ralph Cossa, former president of the Pacific Forum think tank in Hawaii, said by email Thursday. “Presumably there are also dispersal plans in the event of increased tensions; if not, they just become a more tempting target.”
The new squadrons will optimize combat power at bases in South Korea but that doesn’t preclude repositioning forces if needed, said Dan Leaf, a former deputy commander of what is now called Indo-Pacific Command.
“The ‘super squadrons’ will get the most capability out of available aircraft, personnel, and facilities,” he said by email Thursday.
Kunsan’s 80th and 35th Fighter Squadrons are sending their aircraft to Osan, Buitrago said. Eventually, no forces will be assigned to them.
Despite the drawdown, the 8th Fighter Wing will continue operating Kunsan as a rotational and exercise base, according to the Air Force. The base will maintain flightline operations, war reserve materials and munitions stockpiles at multiple locations across South Korea.
“We acknowledge this is a major shift in how we operate here at Kunsan,” 8th Fighter Wing commander Col. Peter Kasarskis said in the release. “We’ll meet this change with the same warfighter mindset the Wolf Pack has maintained through our history, and strengthen our ability to accept follow-on forces, defend the base and take the fight north.”
Stars and Stripes · by Seth Robson · May 1, 2025
10. North Korea and Russia Cement Ties With First Road Bridge
North Korea and Russia Cement Ties With First Road Bridge
The two countries have vowed to expand bilateral relations after North Korea sent troops and weapons in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/world/asia/north-korea-russia-bridge.html?utm
A photo released by North Korean state media on Wednesday showed officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for a bridge spanning the Tumen River and linking North Korea to Russia.Credit...KCNA, via Reuters
By Choe Sang-Hun
Reporting from Seoul
May 1, 2025
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North Korea and Russia have begun building the first road bridge linking them across their river border, both governments said on Thursday as they expand bilateral ties following the deployment of North Korean troops and weapons to help Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The two countries held a simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony for the two-lane bridge on their respective sides of the border on Wednesday, according to their state media. They currently have a cross-border railway link.
“This is a big milestone for Russian-Korean relations,” Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin of Russia said when he talked with his North Korean counterpart, Pak Thae-song, through a video link on Wednesday, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
Mr. Pak said that the new bridge would mark “a historic monument” to the efforts by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to deepen bilateral relations, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said.
The new bridge will be a little over a half-mile long, and its construction is expected to take 18 months, according to Russian state media. When the bridge is completed, it will help expand passenger and commercial traffic, as well as tourism, the North’s state media said. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the 10-lane border crossing facility to be built to service the new bridge would have the capacity to process 300 vehicles and 2,850 people per day.
North Korea and Russia, whose relations had cooled in the post-Cold War decades, have reinvigorated their ties since 2023, when North Korea began supplying Russia with artillery shells, ballistic missiles and other conventional weapons to help aid its war against Ukraine.
When Mr. Putin visited Pyongyang last June, the two countries signed a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership, which called for mutual defense and economic and other cooperation. During that visit, they agreed to construct a bridge for automobiles over the Tumen River, which runs along North Korea’s borders with Russia and China.
Later last year, North Korea also began sending its troops to fight alongside Russian forces to help them retake territories lost to Ukraine in its Kursk region.
On Monday, North Korea confirmed its troop deployment for the first time, and Mr. Putin formally thanked the country, promising not to forget the sacrifices of the North Korean soldiers
North Korea has sent 15,000 troops to Russia and suffered 4,700 casualties, including 600 killed, whose bodies were cremated and repatriated to the North, South Korean intelligence officials told Parliament this week.
In return, Russia has provided North Korea with air defense missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones and spy satellite technologies, they said. Russia also imported 15,000 North Korean workers who earn cash for Mr. Kim’s government, they said.
When North Korea unveiled its biggest navy ship, which it called a 5,000-ton destroyer, last week, analysts said it was fitted with various weapons systems, some of which appeared to have been built with Russian help. On Wednesday, North Korea said Mr. Kim watched the test launch of missiles from the ship earlier this week.
Choe Sang-Hun is the lead reporter for The Times in Seoul, covering South and North Korea.
11. DP presidential candidate vows to restore inter-Korean military pact, halt cross-border leaflets
This outlines the appeasement policies of Lee Jae Myung. One of the biggest threats to Kim Jogn Un is information and the existential threat is the very example of a free and democratic South Korea. He will likely abandon the Korean unification project of the 8.15 UNification Doctrine. And his actions will put South Korea at grave risk because of Kim Jong Un's desire for domination of the entire peninsula to ensure his regime's survival.
DP presidential candidate vows to restore inter-Korean military pact, halt cross-border leaflets | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Yi Wonju · May 2, 2025
SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Friday he will seek to restore the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement and put a halt to cross-border leafleting to ensure better safety along the border.
In a Facebook post, Lee also vowed to stop blaring loudspeakers as he unveiled a set of pledges in line with his visit to the border regions in Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province earlier this week.
"We will establish a joint inter-Korean military committee and restore communication channels to stably manage inter-Korean risks, including military tensions," he said. "We will seek to resume inter-Korean exchanges and rebuild mutual trust."
Lee pledged to designate the border region as special economic zones for peace and said he would consider expanding it into "opportunity development special zones."
"The residents of the border areas who have made exceptional sacrifices since the division of the peninsula need special compensation," he said, promising to improve infrastructure and protect the property rights of the residents.
In June last year, under the former President Yook Suk Yeol administration, South Korea fully suspended the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, in the wake of North Korea's trash balloon campaigns and attempts to disrupt GPS signals near border islands.
Lee Jae-myung (2nd from R, front), the Democratic Party candidate for the June 3 presidential election, greets market vendors during a visit to a traditional market in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, near the central section of the inter-Korean border, on May 2, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Yi Wonju · May 2, 2025
12. Trump praises Hyundai, touts foreign investment at White House
But South Korea is taking a whole of society approach to engaging with the US administration.
We should keep in mind that South Korea was the largest foreign direct investor in the US in 2023 and will probably be again when the 2024 stats are released.
Trump praises Hyundai, touts foreign investment at White House
Posted May. 02, 2025 07:23,
Updated May. 02, 2025 07:23
https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20250502/5581108/1
U,S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday invited more than 20 executives from global companies — including Hyundai Motor Co., Japan’s SoftBank and Toyota, and U.S. firms like Nvidia, Johnson & Johnson, and General Electric — to the White House to discuss their investment plans in the U.S. market. Trump praised their decisions, claiming they demonstrated the success of his tariff policies.
At the event, Trump singled out Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz first, saying, “Thank you.” He lauded the automaker’s $2.1 billion investment, calling it “beautiful” and saying it would create many jobs.
Trump also mentioned Samsung Electronics, which was not present, noting he had heard the company would build large-scale factories in the U.S. to counter tariffs. His comments appeared to reference remarks made a day earlier during Samsung’s first-quarter earnings call, where the company outlined its response to trade policies.
On that call, Samsung CFO Park Soon-chul, when asked about strategies to handle tariff uncertainties, said the company would consider shifting some production for its visual display (TV and home appliance) business to other global manufacturing sites if needed. Samsung currently operates a washing machine plant in South Carolina, a state where Trump enjoys strong political support.
Jeong-Soo Hong hong@donga.com
13. Senior North Korean military official mentions alliance with Russia, calls retaking of Kursk a 'triumph over pure evil'
Friday
May 2, 2025
Senior North Korean military official mentions alliance with Russia, calls retaking of Kursk a 'triumph over pure evil'
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-02/national/northKorea/Senior-North-Korean-military-official-mentions-alliance-with-Russia-calls-retaking-of-Kursk-a-triumph-over-pure-evil-/2298976
Published: 02 May. 2025, 15:45
North Korea's Rodong Sinmun reported on June 20, 2024, that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a ″comprehensive strategic partnership.″ [NEWS1]
A senior North Korean military official visiting Russia has described relations with Russia as a “strategic alliance and brotherly partnership,” amid growing military cooperation between the two countries.
Pak Yong-il, deputy director of the Korea People’s Army General Political Bureau, made the remarks during a speech at the third International Anti-Fascist Forum in Russia on Wednesday, according to state media reports on Friday.
Related Article
North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun reported that Pak, speaking as head of the North Korean military delegation, said that North Korea “will continue to confidently exercise its sovereign right to self-defense in response to the extremely dangerous and confrontational acts of hostile forces attempting to revive fascism in the Asia-Pacific region.”
He also added that the North Korean government’s “consistent stance of actively contributing to the establishment of an independent and just multipolar world order free from domination, subjugation and hegemony,” according to the reports.
Russian state news agency Tass also reported that Pak described Russia’s recent reclaim of Kursk as “a triumph of justice over pure evil.” He also said the current ties between Pyongyang and Moscow mark “a new chapter in history proving the strong military partnership between the two nations” and reaffirmed the relationship as “a top-level strategic alliance and brotherhood.”
The reaffirmation of North Korea—Russia ties comes ahead of Russia’s Victory Day on May 9. Experts see the messaging as part of a coordinated effort to highlight the growing partnership between the two countries.
North Korea has also used recent events to signal its intention to move away from focusing solely on the United States. Some analysts suggest Pyongyang may be preparing to leverage stronger ties with Moscow as a strategic fallback if future negotiations with Washington falter.
The North has already taken steps to formalize its criticism of U.S. policy. On April 9, Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, issued a statement calling denuclearization “an impossible delusion.” However, she avoided mentioning U.S. President Donald Trump by name, a sign the North may still be leaving the door open for talks with the second Trump administration.
Should Choe Ryong-hae, president of the Supreme People’s Assembly’s (SPA) standing committee, among other high-level North Korean officials, attend the May 9 ceremony in Moscow, it would represent a highly visible demonstration of Pyongyang’s military and political alignment with Moscow.
Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent expression of gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for sending North Korean troops, there is speculation that Choe may deliver a personal letter from Kim and possibly hold discussions about Kim’s future visit to Russia.
However, South Korean intelligence officials believe it is unlikely that Kim Jong-un will attend the ceremony in person. Pyongyang typically avoids multilateral summit formats, and there have been no signs of large-scale military exercises in North Korea that would normally precede a parade appearance. Such training would typically begin a month prior.
North Korea last sent a delegation to the Victory Day parade in 2015, led by Kim Yong-nam, then-head of the Presidium of the SPA. Officials say that relations between North Korea and Russia are significantly deeper than at that time.
North Korean soldiers who were reportedly deployed to front lines in Ukraine or who are undergoing adaptation training near Moscow and in Russia’s Far East remain on Russian soil, further highlighting the military integration.
Experts say a “surprise event” — such as the appearance of dispatched North Korean soldiers labeled “war heroes” alongside a Pyongyang delegation or marching in the parade with Russian troops — cannot be ruled out.
Putin hinted at the possibility during the forum on Tuesday, stating that he “deeply values the participation of foreign military units marching shoulder to shoulder with the Russian army in the Red Square parade.” Delegates from North Korea, Belarus, Vietnam and China attended the forum.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
BY LEE YU-JUNG [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]
14. Russian military anthem sung — in Korean — in latest training video from North
The Korean soldiers from the north show the Russians how propaganda is done.
Now the soldiers know why and who they are fighting for.
Friday
May 2, 2025
Russian military anthem sung — in Korean — in latest training video from North
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-02/national/northKorea/Russian-military-anthem-sung--in-Korean--in-latest-training-video-from-North/2298894
Published: 02 May. 2025, 12:57
Marina Kim, a Russian Korean journalist, revealed a video of North Korean troops participating in joint military training with Russian forces on Russian soil on Telegram on April 30. [SCREEN CAPTURE]
A video showing North Korean troops participating in joint military training with Russian forces on Russian soil has been revealed, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported Wednesday.
The video also shows North Korean soldiers singing military songs together — a display seemingly intended to emphasize emotional solidarity between the two nations.
Related Article
The footage was originally posted on Telegram by Marina Kim, a Russian Korean journalist. In the video, Kim is seen visiting North Korean soldiers in the midst of training exercises.
The North Korean soldiers were shown operating in small tactical units, maneuvering through forested areas and securing zones as part of a modern warfare drill. The exercises included counterdrone tactics and electronic warfare training — areas that reflect an emphasis on adapting to contemporary combat conditions.
A simple phrase book designed to help the two militaries communicate was also introduced. The booklet contains basic commands such as “Hello,” “Get ready” and “Open fire,” written in both Korean and Russian.
Footage showed the North Korean troops dining on traditional Russian meals, including borscht. Red pepper powder, a staple of Korean cuisine, was also prepared at the dining site, suggesting an effort to accommodate the soldiers’ tastes.
North Korean troops are shown singing Russian military songs in a video released by Marina Kim, a Russian Korean journalist, on Telegram on April 30. [SCREEN CAPTURE]
The soldiers reportedly slept and trained in heated trenches and used tablets to study instructional content.
In one scene, a North Korean soldier sings a Korean-translated version of the Russian wartime song “Katyusha,” which includes the line, “Apple trees and pear trees were a flower / River mist was rising all around. / Young Katyusha went strolling by the hour / On the steep banks.”
The fact that this song, which was considered symbolic of the Soviet army during World War II, is later sung together by North Korean and Russian troops, seemingly gestures toward emotional solidarity between the two militaries.
“If this real-world training and combat experience spreads throughout the North Korean military, it could transform the Korean People’s Army into one of the most battle-hardened and elite forces in Asia,” said Kim.
“Once these soldiers return and begin training others, the North Korean military may become the most experienced and best-trained force in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
BY BAE JAE-SUNG [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]
15. North Korean High-ranking Officials' Children Appear at 'Choi Hyun-ho's' Launch Ceremony... "Message of Future Generations' Safety Guarantee"
This is a Google translation of an RFA report.
North Korean High-ranking Officials' Children Appear at 'Choi Hyun-ho's' Launch Ceremony... "Message of Future Generations' Safety Guarantee"
Seoul-Handohyeong hando@rfa.org
2025.05.02
https://www.rfa.org/korean/in-focus/2025/05/02/choehyunho-kimyojong-children-secure-message/
Anchor: Recently, at the launching ceremony of North Korea's new destroyer 'Choi Hyun-ho', many grandchildren and children of high-ranking officials, including children believed to be Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong's children, showed up. South Korean experts analyzed that North Korea's intention is to send a message to its citizens that strengthening its navy will ensure the safety of future generations. Reporter Han Do-hyung reports from Seoul.
If you look at the footage of the launching ceremony of the new 5,000-ton destroyer 'Choi Hyon Ho' recently released by North Korea's state-run media, Korean Central TV, you can see not only Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Un, but also a girl and a boy who are presumed to be the children of Vice Department Director Kim Yo Jong.
The two children were seen walking while holding Vice Director Kim Yo-jong's hand and were wearing clean clothes.
They are believed to be the same children who appeared with Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong at North Korea's New Year's celebration event on December 31 last year.
In the video released by Korean Central TV at the time, Vice Chairman Kim and the children were seen holding hands and walking side by side outside the 'May 1 Stadium' where the performance was taking place.
Regarding this, on January 3, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated, "Considering the previously identified age range of the child, we are conducting a detailed analysis to confirm the possibility that it is true that the child is Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong's."
It is believed that Vice Chairman Kim has given birth at least twice, and if she gave birth in 2015 and 2018, her children are currently 10 and 7 years old respectively.
In a New Year's celebration video broadcast by Korean Central TV, Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Workers' Party of Korea, was captured walking with children.
Kim Yo-jong, vice director of the Workers' Party of Korea, was captured walking with children in a New Year's celebration performance video broadcast by Korean Central TV. (Yonhap)
In addition to children believed to be the children of Kim Ju-ae and Kim Yo-jong, children believed to be the grandchildren or children of several party, government, and military officials also appeared at the launching ceremony.
Kim Dok-hoon, the party's economic secretary, appeared with a girl presumed to be his granddaughter, and Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the party's Central Military Commission, appeared with a boy presumed to be his grandson.
Regarding the reason why North Korea had so many grandchildren and children of senior officials appear at the launching ceremony of the Choi Hyun-ho, Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Unification Studies, analyzed in a phone call with Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 2nd that the destroyer Choi Hyun-ho is the starting point of strengthening the North Korean navy, including the armament of the navy with nuclear weapons, and that North Korea is trying to send a message to its citizens that it will secure the safety of future generations through a long-term naval modernization plan.
Senior Researcher Hong mentioned that the first event where Kim Joo-ae appeared was the test launch site of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in November 2022, and explained that the intention of having many of her children attend this launching ceremony was the same as the intention of having Kim Joo-ae appear at that time.
On November 20, 2022, North Korea's Rodong Sinmun stated, "For the bright smiles and beautiful dreams of future generations, we will continue to strengthen nuclear weapons, a powerful sword for protecting peace, both in quantity and quality." In response, South Korea's National Intelligence Service analyzed that North Korea brought in Kim Ju-ae to show its will to take responsibility for the security of future generations. Senior Researcher Hong Min said.
[Hong Min, Senior Researcher, Institute for Unification Studies] Choi Hyun-ho is the first milestone in the nuclear armament of the Navy and the strengthening of naval power, and North Korea has a very long-term plan to arm and modernize the Navy. It is a move to show as a kind of symbolic code that the important weapons system modernization that can definitely guarantee the safety of these generations has been accomplished, and it should be seen as a measure to make the residents feel, "Hey, now we will be safe for future generations."
Related Articles
National Intelligence Service: “Kim Yo-jong’s Children Next to Her Might Be Her Children”
[An Chan-il's Weekly Diagnosis] Who are the 'two children' that Kim Yeo-jeong showed?
“Intention to show ‘Kim Joo-ae as the successor to lead the future generation’”
Ahn Chan-il, director of the World Center for North Korea Studies and a former defector with a PhD, said in a phone call with Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 2nd that “it is highly unusual for high-ranking North Korean officials to appear with their families,” but that the focus of North Korean media was ultimately on Kim Ju-ae.
Chairman Ahn analyzed that North Korea's main intention was to show that Kim Joo-ae was the successor who would lead future generations.
Chairman Ahn said about the significance of the appearance of the children of North Korean officials, “It seems to be an intention to show that the children’s generation is also united with one mind, centered around Kim Ju-ae.”
[Chairman Ahn Chan-il of the World North Korea Research Center] I think the display of unity and a single will among children and granddaughters in the process of inheriting the revolution from generation to generation is more focused. Anyway, the focus is on Kim Joo-ae, and it seems to be a message that we can rest assured because Kim Joo-ae is at the forefront of carrying on our generation.
Meanwhile, Kim Ju-ae appeared at the launching ceremony in a neat white jacket and black suit pants, and showed off her close father-daughter relationship with General Secretary Kim Jong-un, linking arms with him and whispering to him while accompanying him inside the destroyer Choi Hyun-ho.
Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae at the Choi Hyun-ho launching ceremony.
Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae at the Choi Hyun-ho launch ceremony. (Yonhap)
This is Han Do-hyung from RFA Free Asia Broadcasting in Seoul.
16.US, South Korea rehearse their response to threats targeting satellites
Space: the critical frontier for military operations.
US, South Korea rehearse their response to threats targeting satellites
Stars and Stripes · by Joseph Ditzler · May 2, 2025
Participants gathered for a group photo during the Polaris Lynx exercise in South Korea, May 1, 2025. (South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff)
U.S. Space Forces Korea recently participated in its first space-defense tabletop exercise alongside South Korean government and military space experts, including representatives from the Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Polaris Lynx brought together 40 participants to simulate responses to threats targeting satellites, according to a Friday news release from the Joint Chiefs.
Scenarios included enemies jamming the GPS system and threatening satellites with close-up maneuvers, the release said. It also incorporated elements from recent global events and considered the strategic and diplomatic implications of defensive space operations.
The exercise featured “an in-depth discussion on mutual defense capabilities development against hostile spatial threats,” according to the release.
“Polaris Lynx was a fantastic success story, bringing together the US and [South Korea] for an effective table-top exercise, focusing primarily on the improvement of command and control within the Space Domain,” Air Force Maj. Rachel Buitrago, a spokeswoman for U.S. Space Forces Korea, said in an email Friday.
The exercise enhanced the allies’ combined ability to respond to threats in space and demonstrated the Space Force role in USFK, she said.
The event comes amid growing concerns over space security in the region. North Korea has continued attempts to expand its satellite fleet, which includes three now in orbit. The country failed three times last year and twice in 2023 to launch additional satellites.
South Korea, by contrast, has successfully launched four military surveillance satellites, most recently on April 22 aboard a SpaceX rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
U.S. Space Forces Korea, established in December 2022, plays a key role in monitoring North Korean missile activity, including tracking and identifying launches using surveillance satellites. In March 2023, the unit’s first commander, Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion, outlined its mission to identify missiles during their preparation phase.
In addition to Polaris Lynx, Space Forces Korea has taken part in other joint exercises on the peninsula, including the large-scale Freedom Shield drills.
Polaris Lynx stemmed from a November meeting of the Space Cooperation Working Group in Washington, D.C., where officials from the U.S. and South Korea agreed to hold joint counter-space threat training.
South Korean agencies participating included the Joint Chiefs and other military officials, experts from the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea AeroSpace Administration, Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
Observers included South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development and U.S. Forces Korea.
Stars and Stripes reporter Yoojin Lee contributed to this report.
Joseph Ditzler
Joseph Ditzler
Joseph Ditzler is a Marine Corps veteran and the Pacific editor for Stars and Stripes. He’s a native of Pennsylvania and has written for newspapers and websites in Alaska, California, Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Pennsylvania. He studied journalism at Penn State and international relations at the University of Oklahoma.
Stars and Stripes · by Joseph Ditzler · May 2, 2025
17. Why heads of Korea's top 4 businesses skipped Trump Jr. meeting
Uh oh. I thought there was a united front whole of society effort.
Excerpt:
However, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo did not appear at the Seoul hotel where Trump Jr. stayed during his meeting with other Korean business leaders. Chung confirmed that he was outside of Korea at the time of Trump Jr.’s visit.
Industry officials said that the absence appears to be “a strategic choice,” reflecting the conglomerates’ cautious responses to President Trump’s pressure to make greater investments in the U.S.
...
“The absence of the top four conglomerate leaders appears to be a strategic response to the current situation, in which the U.S. government is not only applying tariff pressure but also urging expanded investment, at a time when Korean firms are becoming increasingly cautious about making additional commitments in the U.S.,” said an industry official who specializes in U.S.-related public affairs.
“Companies that did choose to meet with Trump Jr. were largely those in more immediate need of business opportunities under the current administration. In contrast, the top four conglomerates already have a strong presence in the U.S. market, which may have led them to question whether the meeting was strategically necessary — or even appropriate — to appeal to someone who holds no official title in the administration.”
Why heads of Korea's top 4 businesses skipped Trump Jr. meeting
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20250501/why-heads-of-koreas-top-4-businesses-skipped-trump-jr-meeting
open image galleryDonald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, leaves Korea through Incheon International Airport, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
By Nam Hyun-woo
- Published May 1, 2025 3:19 pm KST
- Updated May 1, 2025 4:28 pm KST
As Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, left Seoul without meeting the heads of Korea’s four largest conglomerates — Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor and LG — the country’s business community is now paying close attention to the reasons behind their absence from what was described as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the U.S. administration.
During his two-day stay in Seoul from Tuesday to Wednesday, Trump Jr. met a dozen of Korea’s business leaders, including the owner family of Hanwha Group, Naver founder Lee Hae-jin, CJ Group Chairman Lee Jay-hyun and others. They reportedly explored ways to cushion the impact of U.S. tariff measures and business opportunities in the U.S.
However, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo did not appear at the Seoul hotel where Trump Jr. stayed during his meeting with other Korean business leaders. Chung confirmed that he was outside of Korea at the time of Trump Jr.’s visit.
Read More
Industry officials said that the absence appears to be “a strategic choice,” reflecting the conglomerates’ cautious responses to President Trump’s pressure to make greater investments in the U.S.
“It didn’t seem like there was a specific agenda (in the talks), and I’ve heard that the conversations were more about getting a general sense of the atmosphere, including vague discussions of mitigating tariff impacts and potential U.S. investments,” said a senior official from one conglomerate’s public affairs team.
“Trump Jr. holds no official title in the Trump administration, meaning the meetings were unofficial talks based on hopes that he would pass along a favorable impression to President Trump. That’s why many interpret this event as more of a project to boost Trump Jr.’s image than a meaningful policy discussion.”
Korea and the United States are currently in negotiations over Trump’s proposed “reciprocal” tariffs, and each of the top four conglomerates is facing pressure to invest more in the U.S.
President Trump said Wednesday (local time) that he heard that Samsung Electronics will construct “massive” facilities in the United States because of his tariffs, adding, “If we didn't do the tariffs, they wouldn't be doing that.”
During a televised event, the president also introduced CEOs of major companies, including Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz, and expressed his gratitude for Hyundai Motor Group’s $21 billion investment plan, which the group’s Chairman Chung announced last month at the White House with Trump.
Despite the investments or plans for investment, the U.S. slapped a 25 percent tariff on all imported cars just two days after Chung’s announcement. Samsung and SK Groups are wary of possible changes in the subsidies they were promised in return for building semiconductor plants in the U.S., while the Trump administration’s tariff measures are likely to rattle consumer electronics supply chains for Samsung and LG.
Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz waves as President Donald Trump speaks about investing in America in the White House, Wednesday (local time). AP-Yonhap
Against this backdrop, industry officials have been saying that lining up for a meeting with Trump Jr., who has no official role in the administration, could be perceived as overly deferential — especially when tariffs are effectively being used as leverage to push for greater U.S.-bound investment.
“The absence of the top four conglomerate leaders appears to be a strategic response to the current situation, in which the U.S. government is not only applying tariff pressure but also urging expanded investment, at a time when Korean firms are becoming increasingly cautious about making additional commitments in the U.S.,” said an industry official who specializes in U.S.-related public affairs.
“Companies that did choose to meet with Trump Jr. were largely those in more immediate need of business opportunities under the current administration. In contrast, the top four conglomerates already have a strong presence in the U.S. market, which may have led them to question whether the meeting was strategically necessary — or even appropriate — to appeal to someone who holds no official title in the administration.”
The four conglomerates refused to comment on Trump Jr.’s visit.
18. What were Lee Jae-myung's 'lies'?
Trust I do not see how the Korean people can trust him.
What were Lee Jae-myung's 'lies'?
koreaherald.com · by Lee Si-jin · May 2, 2025
Former chair of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Lee Jae-myung meets his supporters on the street in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Province on Friday. (Yonhap)
Legal expert says Supreme Court's ruling won't stop Lee from running for president but could raise trust issue
South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the former chair of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea and front-runner for the presidency, made two knowingly false statements during the 2022 election campaign — which the court said must be judged by a higher standard given his candidacy.
The court concluded that Lee’s denial of personal ties with the late Kim Moon-ki, a key figure in the Seongnam land development scandal, amounted to the offense of “publicly announcing false facts” under Article 250 of the Public Official Election Act, which applies to candidates in elections for public office.
Lee had been indicted for his response while he was a presidential contender during a televised Channel A interview Dec. 29, 2021 to a question about whether, when he was mayor of Seongnam, he had personally known Kim, then head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Development Corp., who committed suicide on Dec. 21, 2021.
“The People Power Party took a photo of four people and released it as if I was playing golf. But when I checked it, they took one part of the photo of our entire group with us and showed it like this. It was manipulated," Lee had answered at the time.
Though the Seoul High Court acquitted him on March 26, saying that Lee's comment was that the photo had been manipulated rather than a denial that he had played golf with Kim, the Supreme Court rejected the lower court's verdict.
“The statement can only be understood as the defendant denying that he played golf with Kim Moon-ki during the overseas business trip they took together, and is not being interpreted to have multiple meanings as the lower court determined,” said Chief Justice Jo Hee-de during Thursday’s televised ruling.
According to the chief justice, political candidates, particularly presidential ones, are held to a higher standard of truth in public statements, and their freedom of political expression is not equivalent to that of ordinary citizens.
Lee also faced scrutiny for a separate claim made during an Oct. 20, 2021 parliamentary hearing, in which he, then a presidential contender of the Democratic Party and the governor of Gyeonggi Province, said he felt pressured when the Land Ministry under then President Park Geun-hye "threatened to make an issue of the dereliction of duty," after requesting a zoning change to build a private residential development in Baekhyeon-dong three times, so "there was no other choice" but to approve the change while serving as Seongnam mayor.
The lower court had ruled this to be an exaggeration, but the Supreme Court disagreed, saying the statement was presented as "a public announcement of 'fact,' not a simple exaggeration or an abstract expression of opinion," according to Jo, so could have misled voters.
Legal observers say Thursday's Supreme Court ruling may not derail Lee’s campaign for president -- his third run to date -- in the short term, as the final rulings in his five ongoing criminal cases are unlikely before the June 3 vote. But the verdict could hurt his public image.
“The ruling won’t stop him from running, but it will raise questions in the minds of voters,” said a former judge who is now an attorney who requested anonymity. “Rebuilding public trust will be crucial for his campaign.”
The case has been sent back to the lower court for a final and unchallengeable verdict.
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com
koreaherald.com · by Lee Si-jin · May 2, 2025
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
| 
