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Quotes of the Day:
Happy 250th Birthday to our Army.
“When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.”
– George Washington
“The clearest way to show what the Army means to me is to look back at my life and see how much of it was spent in the service of our country with soldiers I respected, admired, and loved.”
– Dwight D Eisenhower
“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”
– John F. Kennedy
“Duty, Honor, Country—those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.”
– Douglas MacArthur
“Being a soldier is more than courage; it is sacrificing yourself for something greater than yourself.”
– Colin Powell
“The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers.”
– George S. Patton
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on.”
– Ronald Reagan
“Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage.”
– Army Values
1. Iran's Attack on Israel was Enabled by North Korean Missile Technology and Advances
2. Lee orders measures to prevent anti-Pyongyang leaflet launches, punish violators
3. N. Korean leader calls for bolstering production of new shells for modern warfare
4. N. Korea edits images to remove ex-naval commander after warship accident
5. Editorial: President Lee's NATO attendance decision carries global stakes for South Korea
6. Korea-U.S. alliance faces new strains — time to revisit lessons from past conflicts
7. The 86 Generation rises to power at last
8. Sweeping special probes on Yoon to begin soon: What's at stake?
9. Korea’s auto industry exposed to bigger threat from Chinese, US carmakers
10. Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival to be held on Liberation Day
11. N. Korea steps up anti-American indoctrination of students ahead of Korean War anniversary
12. President Lee vows trade policy flexibility amid tariff uncertainties
13. Military to begin Hwarang defense drills next week against NK threats
1. Iran's Attack on Israel was Enabled by North Korean Missile Technology and Advances
Overlooked in all the discussions and reporting about the Israel-Iran conflict is the adversarial cooperation of the CRInK (China, Russia, Iran, and north Korea). especially Iran and north Korea in this case. The article below is about the Iranian attack on Israel from a year ago from Dr. Bruce Bechtol. However, here is his assessment from yesterday on the recent retaliatory attacks by Iran.:
There were only a few types of ballistic missiles fired from Iran at Israel over the past few hours. Two of the three (the Emad and the Ghadr) are nothing more than "souped up" No Dongs (the third appears to be solid fuel and did not come from North Korea). The proliferation and development story goes like this: The North Koreans proliferated the No Dongs (more than 200 of them) to Iran. Then Iran asked the North Koreans to build a No Dong "factory" for them in Iran. But the facility still needed many North Korean parts and North Korean specialists (engineers and technicians) in order to manufacture the missiles in Iran - called the Shahab-3. From there the North Koreans assisted the Iranians in improving the range and firepower of the missile. From this effort was born the Emad and the Ghadr. These were two of the three types of ballistic missiles identified as being used in the attack on Israel today. See this article for some background on the EMAD, one of the missiles used in the attacks on Israel
Alos, note that Dr. Bechtol and Dr. Anthony Celso recently published a book (title below) that is a comprehensive study of Iran-north Korean cooperation. Below are two recent videos from the Korea Society and the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea that discuss the cooperation between Iran and north Korea in detail. The book can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Allies-Strategic-Partnership-between/dp/1985902176
Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership between Iran and North Korea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEd9mlwpY7o
319 views Streamed live on Jun 11, 2025
June 11, 2025 - What are the motivations and geopolitical significance of the ongoing partnership between the governments of North Korea and Iran? Join us for a program with Professor and Author Bruce E. Bechtol Jr., who discusses his new book co-authored with Professor Anthony N. Celso. During the program, Bechtol explains the ideological, financial, and environmental forces contributing to the partnership, the roles of Russia and China, the two regimes’ military capabilities, proliferation activities to terrorist organizations, and the partnership’s role in destabilizing the rules-based order. The book is available for purchase online here. A limited number of hardcover editions will be available for cash sale at a discounted rate of $20 at the event. This program is moderated by Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.
HRNK Presents: “Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership between Iran and North Korea”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=789Ona9NXIA&t=16s
97 views May 28, 2025 #NorthKorea #Iran #HumanRights
Recorded Live: May 21, 2025 | DACOR Bacon House, Washington, DC
Join the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) for the official launch of Rogue Allies, a groundbreaking new book by Dr. Bruce Bechtol Jr. and Dr. Anthony N. Celso. This expert panel explores the growing strategic partnership between two of the world’s most repressive regimes—North Korea and Iran.
Moderated by HRNK President and CEO Greg Scarlatoiu, the event features presentations by the co-authors and commentary by Dr. George Hutchinson. The discussion explores the deepening ties between Iran and North Korea, including their strategic motivations, potential military and technological cooperation, and the broader implications for regional and global security.
Learn more about HRNK: https://www.hrnk.org
Iran's Attack on Israel was Enabled by North Korean Missile Technology and Advances
The National Interest · by Bruce E. Bechtol · May 13, 2024
Topic: Security
Blog Brand: Korea Watch
Tags: Defense, DPRK, Iran, Israel, Military, Missiles, and North Korea
Iran’s Attack on Israel was Enabled by North Korean Missile Technology and Advances
May 13, 2024
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Iran last month launched a large-scale overnight air strike on Israel. More than 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles targeted the country.
While the attack was quite large, it was also ineffective. According to spokespersons for the U.S. and Israeli militaries, 99% of the projectiles launched at Israel failed to make it through.
Israeli and American missile defense worked very effectively, along with support from other allies, including Jordan.
From North Korea to Iran
Israel’s system of ballistic missile defense may be the best in the world. But of the roughly 120 ballistic missiles that Iran used, about 50% either failed to launch or crashed in flight.
Only half of Iran’s ballistic missiles flew the way they were supposed to, thus showing these systems are anything but well made. But where did the Iranians get the technology to assemble these long-range ballistic missile systems, however well or poorly they fared? The answer is, unquestionably, North Korea.
Based on pictures and descriptions from the region, many of the missiles used in the attack were what Tehran calls the Emad. This is a medium-range ballistic missile based on the Shahab-3, which itself is nothing more than a copy of North Korea’s NoDong missile. The Shahab-3 (NoDong) has a range of 1300–1500 kilometers, but the Emad has a reported range of about 1700 km, and its longer reach allows it to target Israel.
The North Koreans conducted a live test of the NoDong for Iran and Pakistan in 1993. Following the test, both Tehran and Islamabad ordered dozens of these missiles and their launchers. Later, at Tehran’s request, North Korea built a fabrication facility for the NoDong – now called the Shahab-3 in Iran. But the Iranians still needed technical support and parts for the missiles they were now indigenously producing.
North Korea’s Contribution
Once the Shahab-3 was integrated into the Iranian ballistic missile force, the Iranians almost immediately began work on a follow-up missile based on the same design, but with a longer range. Thus was born the Emad, which Iran publicly introduced as a new long-range missile in 2015.
Iran claims the Emad has been legitimately tested to a range of 1700 kilometers, and the system shot down near the Dead Sea in Israel probably proves this to be true. Also according to the Iranians, the Emad is significantly more accurate than other missiles in Tehran’s inventory. This, however, has not been proven to be true.
While this system is uniquely Iranian, there can be almost no doubt that the North Koreans provided assistance in extending the missile’s range. But even if they did not, the Emad is little more than a souped-up version of the Shahab-3. Since the Shahab-3 is a copy of the original NoDong missiles North Korea proliferated to Iran, this means that the Iranians carried out their April attack using missiles that could target Israel thanks to assistance from North Korea.
Why is North Korea’s clear contribution to Iran’s capability to attack Israel not receiving more attention? To that question I do not have an answer. We have seen some rather inaccurate analysis on this topic as well. For example, one noted analyst stated he had “seen no evidence of any exchange between North Korea and Iran over missile technology in recent years,” while another said, “I think that North Korea is in a place where they can help them from an accuracy perspective. North Korea itself has significantly increased the accuracy of its ballistic missiles over the past decade and a half.”
These assessments are decidedly incorrect. North Korea in fact has been collaborating with Iran in recent years on a missile rocket booster with 80 tons of thrust. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Iran for this activity in 2016, while ongoing North Korea – Iran cooperation was documented by the UN Panel of Experts in 2021. The Hwasong-15 missile has this capability.
There are two key concerns here. First, the proliferation risk remains high, because no sanctions have been imposed and no actions taken that have significantly slowed North Korea’s military proliferation of anything. We have seen North Korean rockets, artillery, and ballistic missiles used by the Russians. Anti-tank weapons, rockets, and tunnel-building capabilities passed along by Pyongyang have been utilized by Hamas in the past six months. Now, we see North Korean ballistic missile technology and capabilities put to use by Iran to target Israel.
The second concern is that Iran could upgrade its systems. Pyongyang has tested a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile in recent months. Further, not only do the North Koreans have a very accurate copycat version of the Russian Iskander, but they have now proliferated dozens of these systems to the Russians themselves for use against Ukraine. The Iskander is a short-range ballistic missile, so Iranian forces would need to get much closer to Israel in order to launch one – or get one of their proxies to use it. These and other possible upgrades to Iran’s ballistic missile forces would greatly amplify the threat from Tehran. As noted Israeli missile expert Tal Inbar says, “If you see it in North Korea today, you will see it in Iran tomorrow.”
North Korea has sold systems to Iran since the 1980s. This has not stopped, nor is it likely to change. Without sharp, decisive action against North Korean support to Iran and its proxies, we are likely to see more examples of North Korean proliferation to Iran in the future.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol Jr. is a professor of Political Science at Angelo State University. He is also the president of the International Council on Korean Studies and a fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies. The author of five books dealing with North Korea, his latest work is entitled North Korean Military Proliferation in the Middle East and Africa.
All images are from KCNA/North Korean State Media.
2. Lee orders measures to prevent anti-Pyongyang leaflet launches, punish violators
I think this is the best indication that we are going to see a reprise of a Sunshine Policy.
I understand the safety first mindset. But what about the "safety" (and suffering) of the 25 million Koreans in the north. Is this an indication for their abandonment?
I am disappointed to read this.
This is based on the naive hope that north Korea will want to engage and work toward peaceful co-existence. I think we need to realize that north Korea is now in a much stronger position because of its alliance with Russia and continued support from China. It is in a much stronger position to execute its political warfare and blackmail diplomacy strategies as well as continue preparations to achieve its ultimate objective which is to dominate the entire peninsula. I think we need to do a better job of listening to Kim Jong Un and assessing his actions.
I know my views will no longer be welcomed in Korea (or the US for that matter) under this administration. But there is an ideological war with the Kim family regime and it is fought in the information domain. And like the US eliminated VOA and RFA, the ROK is ceded the fight in this space. Information is so powerful which is why Kim Jong Un is so afraid of it and that is why an objective assessment of the ROK and US actions is that they are supporting the survival of the Kim family regime.
We need to understand the information warfare conflict with the north:
North Korea conducts information warfare (IW) to achieve its stated objective to dominate the Korean peninsula under the rule of the Kim family regime.[i] To achieve this objective, it employs IW to drive a wedge in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and U.S. alliance. In addition, it uses IW to coerce the ROK, the U.S., and the international community into providing political and economic concessions as well as to undermine diplomatic efforts unfavorable to the regime. Kim Jong Un, the current and third generation ruler, uses information warfare as part of a larger political warfare strategy[ii] to shape the conditions to dominate the Korean peninsula under the rule of the “Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State.”[iii] While the ROK/U.S. alliance has successfully deterred war on the Korean peninsula since the Armistice Agreement of 1953; it has done a poor job of aggressively employing their nations’ information capabilities to change the security conditions in the North. Information has always been the Kim family’s greatest vulnerability and is why it severely restricts the flow of information to the North Korean people.[iv]
The North Korean problem must be approached from a ROK/U.S. alliance perspective because neither country can achieve success against the North without the other. The conflict is between the ROK/U.S. alliance and the North and at the root it is a conflict between the shared values of the alliance (freedom, free market principles, rule of law, and human rights) versus the iron fisted rule of the totalitarian dictatorship of the regime (“Socialism,” Juche ideology, rule by law, and denial of human rights).”[v]
Ultimately the two sides seek diametrically opposed end states that drive information operations. The regime seeks domination. The ROK and U.S. presidents provided the vision for the alliance in their recent joint statement in April 2023: "The two presidents are committed to build a better future for all Korean people and support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace."[vi] They must drive alliance information operations.
North Korean Information Warfare
The priority for the regime is control of the population. North Korea expends significant resources to prevent the Korean people in the North from gaining access to unfiltered information, primarily from the South, but from the rest of the world as well. Although it may seem counterintuitive, Kim fears the Korean people in the North more than he does the ROK and U.S. combined militaries. In his view, the people, armed with information, represent an existential threat to the regime.[vii]
The Propaganda and Agitation Department (PAD) within the Korean Workers Party (KWP) is the organization that executes the Kim regime’s IW.[viii] It seeks to subvert the ROK, split the ROK/U.S. alliance, and create the perception of external threats to justify the suffering and sacrifices of the Korean people in the North. These ideas form the basis for the themes and messages generated by the PAD.
The Kim regime also views South Korea, both the government and its citizens, as a threat to their dictatorship. The Korean Workers Party United Front Department (UFD) conducts both cyber information operations targeting the ROK public specifically, as well using sleeper agents in the ROK to complement the cyber operations.[ix] The Cultural Exchange Bureau (formerly the 225th) conducts covert action in the ROK to establish underground political parties and recruit sympathizers focused on fomenting unrest and revolution.[x] The intent is to subvert the ROK population’s confidence in its own government. The PAD and UFD also use broadcasts, leaflets, social media, cyber activities, and both “useful idiots” and recruited sympathizers in the South and around the world to transmit regime messages directly and indirectly.[xi]
Kim and his sister Kim Yo Jong have used information warfare to threaten the ROK, and then manipulate it into passing the so -called anti-leaflet law in December 2020, which prohibited South Koreans from sending information into the North.[xii] Kim Yo Jong also has blamed North Korea’s COVID-19 outbreak on leaflets from South Korea which illustrates how much the regime fears information.[xiii]
(LEAD) Lee orders measures to prevent anti-Pyongyang leaflet launches, punish violators | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · June 14, 2025
(ATTN: ADDS more details in 3rd para)
SEOUL, June 14 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae-myung ordered Saturday to come up with measures to prevent the launch of anti-Pyongyang leaflets in areas bordering with North Korea.
The president's order followed a report that a civic group had launched anti-Pyongyang leaflets from Ganghwa Island in Incheon, west of Seoul, earlier in the day, presidential spokeswoman Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.
Police have since launched an investigation into three balloons discovered in Ganghwa and Gimpo City. These balloons reportedly contained Bible booklets and snacks, but no leaflets with content criticizing the North Korean regime.
"The government has previously said the illegal distribution of anti-Pyongyang leaflets should be halted, as it could jeopardize the safety of border area residents and escalate military tensions on the Korean Peninsula," she said, adding that the government "takes violators' actions very seriously."
She warned of "stern measures" against those responsible.
The government is scheduled to discuss comprehensive measures against anti-Pyongyang leaflets launches on Monday.
Earlier this week, Lee had ordered relevant government agencies to devise measures to counter such launches.
This file photo, provided by a group for families of abductees in North Korea, shows activists launching large balloons carrying messages toward North Korea from the western border city of Paju on June 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · June 14, 2025
3. N. Korean leader calls for bolstering production of new shells for modern warfare
I am reminded of Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now.
"Every minute I stay in this room, I get weaker. And every minute Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger."
Every minute we neglect the information domain in the ideological war with the Kim family regime, we grow weaker and Kim grows stronger. And Kim gets "by with a little help from his friends." (Lennon and McCartney)
N. Korean leader calls for bolstering production of new shells for modern warfare | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · June 14, 2025
SEOUL, June 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for expanding the production of a new type of artillery shells for modern warfare, Pyongyang's state media reported Saturday, amid deepening military cooperation between the North and Russia.
Kim made the remarks during his inspection of a major munitions industry enterprise the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, without disclosing other details.
During the visit to a munitions factory, Kim reviewed the production of shells, production capacity and modernization work in the first half of the year.
Kim called for further expanding and reinforcing the production capacity in order to "satisfy all the requirements of the national defense strategy and increase the output of new-type powerful shells to meet the requirements of modern warfare," the KCNA said in an English-language statement.
He also stressed the need to enhance the level of an unmanned production process to increase the production of new shells.
His remarks came as North Korea has provided troops, containers of artillery shells and other military equipment to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.
During a visit to munitions factories last month, Kim called for expanding the production of shells in a bid to bolster the country's combat power.
This photo, carried by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on June 14, 2025, shows the North's leader Kim Jong-un (L) inspecting a munitions factory the previous day to review the state of the production of artillery shells in the first half. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · June 14, 2025
4. N. Korea edits images to remove ex-naval commander after warship accident
Kim is in complete control of the information domain in north Korea.
N. Korea edits images to remove ex-naval commander after warship accident | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · June 14, 2025
SEOUL, June 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have edited recent state media images to remove a top naval commander after last month's failed launch of a new warship, NK News has reported.
In state media footage aired Friday on the relaunch ceremony of the 5,000-ton Kang Kon destroyer, Kim Myong-sik, the North's former chief navy commander, was notably absent from images showing leader Kim Jong-un's earlier inspection of the warship's construction.
Hong Kil-ho, manager of the Chongjin Shipyard -- where an incident involving the destroyer reportedly occurred -- also appeared to have been deleted from the images.
NK News said state media has not commonly deleted officials from photos since the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, an uncle of the North's leader who was purged from senior leadership.
The North's leader attended the relaunch ceremony Thursday after the warship failed to properly launch into the sea on May 21. Satellite imagery taken after the failed launch showed the vessel capsized and partially submerged.
After last month's accident, North Korea's state media said Hong had been summoned by law enforcement for an investigation. State media photos of this week's relaunch ceremony indicated that Pak Kwang-sop replaced Kim Myong-sik as the chief navy commander.
This composite image shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's (3rd from R) inspection of a warship construction in March. The top image shows the North Korean navy's former chief commander Kim Myong-sik (circled in red) among other officials, while the bottom image captured from footage from the North's official Korean Central Television aired on June 13, 2025, shows Kim Myong-sik removed. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · June 14, 2025
5. Editorial: President Lee's NATO attendance decision carries global stakes for South Korea
Global. Pivotal. State.
He should attend.
Editorial: President Lee's NATO attendance decision carries global stakes for South Korea
https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/06/13/USDAXQHJG5BDNLVIQSBIKN3RXY/
By The Chosunilbo
Published 2025.06.13. 08:49
President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone with U.S. President Donald Trump at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong on June. 6. /News1
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is reportedly deliberating whether to attend the NATO summit set for June. 24–25 in the Netherlands. NATO, composed of 32 member states, stands at the heart of the global liberal democratic alliance. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO has extended invitations to four Indo-Pacific partners—South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand (IP4)—to participate in its annual summit. South Korea has attended the past three consecutive meetings, and this marks President Lee’s fourth invitation.
At a recent press briefing, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that accepting Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory could send a dangerous message—that military aggression, including a possible Chinese incursion into Taiwan, might be tolerated. Such a shift would have sweeping implications for Northeast Asia’s strategic landscape. His comments reinforced the need for coordinated action between liberal democracies across the Atlantic and Pacific in countering the growing influence of authoritarian regimes such as Russia, China, and North Korea. These governments have repeatedly condemned South Korea’s involvement in NATO summits.
Seoul’s repeated invitations to key global platforms such as the G7 and NATO reflect its rising international stature. A sudden absence from this year’s summit would be widely noticed and could raise concerns among allies—particularly the United States—that the Lee administration is veering from the foreign policy principles of its predecessors and growing more cautious in the face of pressure from Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang.
President Lee has emphasized a policy of “pragmatic diplomacy.” The NATO summit offers a rare platform to meet directly with the U.S. president and leaders of allied nations. It also presents opportunities to expand South Korea’s defense and nuclear energy exports to Europe and to engage in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. Opting out, by contrast, could erode trust among allies and fuel uncertainty over the foreign policy direction of the Democratic Party-led government.
In global diplomacy, few decisions yield outcomes that are entirely favorable or entirely adverse. While participation in the NATO summit may involve certain diplomatic costs, the strategic losses from non-attendance appear significantly greater.
6. Korea-U.S. alliance faces new strains — time to revisit lessons from past conflicts
Are we going to see the Acheson mistake become the Colby Calamity?
Excerpts:
Past U.S.-Korea administrations — Roh-Bush and Moon-Trump — experienced sustained alliance friction due to early-term policy clashes. Trump’s second term already shows signs of unilateralism that may strain ties with allies. Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official and key architect of Washington's anti-China strategy, wrote in his book “The Strategy of Denial” (2021) that while Japan and Australia should clearly be part of the U.S. defense perimeter, it is not self-evident that other countries should be.
In this increasingly fraught security environment, the new Korean government must work early to establish mutual trust with Washington. Only by proving that Korea is an indispensable ally can it protect its national interests amid rising pressure and uncertainty.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EbZfLt4N9SzdVvAJkHBar2gy-YEFkwFq/view?usp=sharing
Friday
June 13, 2025
dictionary + A - A
Korea-U.S. alliance faces new strains — time to revisit lessons from past conflicts
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-13/opinion/columns/KoreaUS-alliance-faces-new-strains--time-to-revisit-lessons-from-past-conflicts/2328775
Published: 13 Jun. 2025, 00:04
Yun Byung-se
The author is the co-chair of GC REAIM and a former foreign minister.
President Lee Jae-myung’s participation in the Group of 7 (G7) summit in Canada from June 15 to 17 is a diplomatic milestone. As part of his administration’s goal to join a “G7 Plus” framework, the summit offers a valuable chance to solidify Korea’s presence in global governance. If President Lee also attends the NATO summit later this month, it will mark a confident debut on the international stage and set the tone for Korea’s successful hosting of the APEC summit in Gyeongju this fall.
What gives this G7 meeting even greater weight is the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has historically taken a critical stance on both G7 and NATO. It will provide an opportunity for Korea to engage in trilateral and bilateral summits with the United States and Japan. More importantly, it could allow the three countries to build personal trust among leaders and manage issues such as tariffs and regional security in a more stable and constructive manner.
The world is now facing a compounded crisis, made more uncertain by the return of the Trump administration. This moment could mark a systemic shift in the international order that has underpinned global stability for over 80 years. For Korea, how it navigates the evolving scope and role of its alliance with the United States will be a defining test for the new administration, not just over its five-year term but for the nation's long-term security and prosperity.
From left: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. pose for photos following their multilateral meeting on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Shangri-La Dialogue Defence Summit in Singapore on May 31. [EPA/YONHAP]
Compared to the U.S. global posture review (GPR) under President George W. Bush — which sparked tension with Seoul during the Roh Moo-hyun administration — today's alliance challenges are more widespread, complex and urgent.
The Trump administration now identifies China as the sole pacing threat, relegating North Korea’s nuclear ambitions to a lower priority. As U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized during his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue last month, Washington has made its strategic pivot toward countering China official. The United States is recalibrating the expectations it has of allies, asking them to bear greater burdens, including risk exposure. Japan, Australia and the Philippines have signaled support for this new direction, often referred to as the “Squad.” Korea is now under increasing pressure to align with this vision.
The Lee administration faces three core dilemmas.
A security gate and fence outside the site of the Group of 7 Leaders meeting that takes place from June 15 to 17, is pictured in Kananaskis, Alberta, on June 2. [AP/YONHAP]
First, the issue of U.S. Forces Korea’s “strategic flexibility” needs new terms of coordination. If disagreements persist, Korea could face a renewed debate over troop reductions, the early transfer of wartime operational control (Opcon), changes in the roles of U.S. and UN commands in Korea and Japan and pressure to increase its defense spending significantly.
The last time this issue surfaced was in 2003, when the United States sent a brigade from Korea to Iraq and requested that Korea dispatch additional troops. That period also saw a cut of 12,500 U.S. troops and plans for the Opcon transfer. The 2006 agreement between Seoul and Washington managed to defuse tensions with a clause affirming that Korea would not be drawn into conflicts in Northeast Asia, including over Taiwan, without its consent. Today, however, Washington’s concept of strategic flexibility involves using Korea as a potential staging ground — similar to Japan or the Philippines — regardless of prior consultations. If Korea pushes for a pre-coordination clause, the United States may simply redeploy troops elsewhere, potentially triggering further reductions in ground forces on the peninsula.
Related Article
Second, Seoul must define the scale and scope of Korea’s regional security role. With the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, South China Sea and West Sea increasingly interconnected in the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, Korea will likely be asked to clarify how far it is willing to go militarily. Recent trilateral summit statements, including the 2023 Camp David declaration, have already pushed Korea’s position toward deeper engagement. The Trump administration will be watching to see whether Seoul stays the course.
Third, Seoul must prepare for the possibility that the United States could officially define China — a country with which Korea maintains a strategic partnership — as a hostile actor within the alliance framework. In the early 2000s, U.S.-Korea military leaders abandoned a joint threat assessment after failing to agree on whether to label China a threat. But Trump’s team is pushing allies to adopt unambiguous positions. Hegseth’s speech, which focused heavily on Taiwan, reflects a much more forceful demand than during Bush’s GPR era.
The continued ambiguity from Washington on whether it will maintain extended deterrence on the Korean Peninsula — while placing priority on a Taiwan contingency — raises concerns about a possible security vacuum. It also revives questions over the scope and conditions under which the U.S.-Korea Mutual Defense Treaty would be activated. A recent Taiwan-Korea dual contingency nuclear war game hosted by the Atlantic Council, with extensive participation from U.S. military officials, underscores the gravity of this scenario.
U.S. Forces Korea helicopters are seen at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on April 9. [YONHAP]
Past U.S.-Korea administrations — Roh-Bush and Moon-Trump — experienced sustained alliance friction due to early-term policy clashes. Trump’s second term already shows signs of unilateralism that may strain ties with allies. Elbridge Colby, a former Pentagon official and key architect of Washington's anti-China strategy, wrote in his book “The Strategy of Denial” (2021) that while Japan and Australia should clearly be part of the U.S. defense perimeter, it is not self-evident that other countries should be.
In this increasingly fraught security environment, the new Korean government must work early to establish mutual trust with Washington. Only by proving that Korea is an indispensable ally can it protect its national interests amid rising pressure and uncertainty.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
7. The 86 Generation rises to power at last
Who has the greatest influence over the (3)86 generation? China, north Korea, or the Korean people in the South? If you took the long view in the 1980s some of the leaders would eventually rise to power.
There are some who want to see exactly this happen: "collapse because of confrontation." Will the current leaders heed the author's advice
Excerpt:
This is a moment to learn from past failures. Previous regimes collapsed because they chose confrontation — through courts and coercion — over dialogue and compromise. Today’s leaders must resist reusing the same black-and-white logic, even from the opposite side. Success requires breaking free from that binary logic.
Though the election was framed as a judgment on an attempted insurrection, the Korean people distributed their votes almost evenly between the two camps. This golden ratio is another name for moderation. The public has shown the way — now it is up to those in power to follow it with humility.
If the 86 Generation seeks to leave behind a legacy of national unity, not just a monopoly on reward, they must prioritize humility, decentralization, and cooperative governance. Only then can they avoid paying the price that history demands of all who wield power.
Friday
June 13, 2025
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The 86 Generation rises to power at last
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-13/opinion/columns/The-86-Generation-rises-to-power-at-last/2328724
Published: 13 Jun. 2025, 00:01
Korea JoongAng Daily
The 86 Generation rises to power at last
4 min
Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI
Park Myung-lim
The author is a political professor of Yonsei University.
Korean politics, long shaped by clashing forces, is beginning to settle after months of turbulence. Over the past six months, the forces that shaped political outcomes have shifted dramatically — from force to protest, protest to law and law to the ballot box.
These four pillars — military force, mass mobilization, constitutional law and the electoral process — represent the fundamental mechanisms of modern politics. Each has been activated in succession. When the use of force — through a failed martial law attempt — was set in motion by one man’s reckless ambition, the country had to counter it step-by-step. Citizens took to the streets, the Constitutional Court intervened, and finally, the people voted. The entire state apparatus, including both political camps, the law, and the public, had to mobilize to overcome a crisis that would have been unnecessary under normal leadership.
Flags carried by protesters calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol are seen near the National Assembly building on April 4. [KIM JONG-HO]
In retrospect, this ordeal exposed both the strength and fragility of Korean democracy. It reminds us of our capacity to respond peacefully and constitutionally to authoritarian overreach, but also of how close the system came to failing to screen out a destructive leader. The individual in question not only halved his own term but also fell from being the nation's chief legal authority to awaiting justice under the very laws he once administered.
Anti-Yoon Suk Yeol protesters rally in central Seoul near Anguk Station on Apr. 4, demanding the Constitutional Court rule for the impeachment of former President Yoon. [YOON SEUNG-JIN]
History rewards and punishes those entrusted with power. The same system that grants authority also exacts a toll — sometimes over time, sometimes in place, sometimes in stature. This is an inescapable feature of power. Napoleon understood it well: for him, power brought not only glory but disgrace.
Korea’s political history reflects this dynamic. The first generation of rulers — those of the liberation and founding eras — held power in the name of restoring sovereignty and building the nation, but were later ousted through mass uprisings and military coups.
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The military, after defeating external communist threats and leading industrialization, also fell — undone by the assassinations, massacres and mass demonstrations that followed. Korea’s final military dictator, in the end, found no safe haven even in death.
The first democratically elected administrations, led by Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, managed to avoid severe backlash. Their emphasis on parliamentary governance, dialogue and coalition politics reduced the political costs typically associated with centralized power.
Next came the political prosecutors, who gained dominance before ultimately falling into disrepute. Ironically, it took a former prosecutor-president’s own assault on the Constitution to trigger sweeping reform of the prosecution service.
Students protest in Gwangju, South Jeolla for democracy on May 18, 1980. The protest lasted until May 27 and martial law took the lives of hundreds of young Korean. [JOONGANG PHOTO]
What is striking is how thoroughly this individual helped dismantle the conservative establishment. He lost the power to appoint justices, reshaping the judiciary in his opponents’ favor. His actions even led to questions about whether the conservative party remained constitutionally legitimate.
Now, the 86 Generation has taken the reins. Members of this activist generation — born in the 1960s, educated in the 1980s — have long held influence but never before occupied the apex of state power. They now lead all three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. Whether they can avoid the fate of past regimes remains to be seen.
There is a way forward: they must share power. That means building policy coalitions, pursuing political alliances and bridging generational divides. Otherwise, the rewards of power could soon turn into penalties.
The 86 Generation must remain humble. As shown by their alignment with prosecutors during past reform campaigns, they are no less prone to centralized control than their predecessors. The wisest thinkers across history have urged moderation in politics precisely to avoid the ruin that comes with arrogance and monopolization.
Politics, which serves the entire nation, belongs neither to elites nor to commoners, neither to one side nor the other. It stands at the center — between movement and law, between administration and governance. To call politics “the center” is to remind leaders of their duty to balance competing interests and serve the whole.
New President Lee Jae-myung salutes the flag at his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in western Seoul on June 4. [LIM HYUNG-DONG]
This is a moment to learn from past failures. Previous regimes collapsed because they chose confrontation — through courts and coercion — over dialogue and compromise. Today’s leaders must resist reusing the same black-and-white logic, even from the opposite side. Success requires breaking free from that binary logic.
Though the election was framed as a judgment on an attempted insurrection, the Korean people distributed their votes almost evenly between the two camps. This golden ratio is another name for moderation. The public has shown the way — now it is up to those in power to follow it with humility.
If the 86 Generation seeks to leave behind a legacy of national unity, not just a monopoly on reward, they must prioritize humility, decentralization, and cooperative governance. Only then can they avoid paying the price that history demands of all who wield power.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
8. Sweeping special probes on Yoon to begin soon: What's at stake?
Sweeping special probes on Yoon to begin soon: What's at stake?
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Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee leave a polling station in Seocho District, southern Seoul, June 3, after casting their ballots in the presidential election. Joint Press Corps
By Lee Hyo-jin
- Published Jun 14, 2025 8:00 am KST
- Updated Jun 14, 2025 8:00 am KST
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250614/sweeping-special-probes-on-impeached-south-korean-president-to-begin-soon-whats-at-stake
Korea launches its biggest special counsel probe into Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon Hee
Legal troubles for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee are expected to intensify as sweeping special counsel investigations targeting the couple are set to begin in the coming weeks.
Already under investigation by prosecutors and police on multiple charges, the pair now faces what is expected to become the largest special counsel probe in Korea’s constitutional history.
More than 500 investigators and officials will be mobilized for probes into three major scandals that dogged Yoon throughout his presidency.
Cho Eun-suk, former acting chief of the Board of Audit and Inspection, has been appointed to lead the investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration last December that ultimately led to his impeachment in April. The probe will focus on potential charges of insurrection and abuse of military authority.
"I will carry out my duties as special counsel with great care, guided solely by the logic of the investigation,” Cho said Friday, hours after President Lee Jae-myung formally appointed him.
Cho’s team will be the largest of the three, comprising 267 personnel, including 60 prosecutors, 100 special investigators and 100 government officials.
Later that day, Cho met with Park Se-hyun, chief prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, who has been leading the ongoing investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration. The two reportedly discussed coordination between their offices.
Min Joong-ki, a former chief judge at the Seoul Central District Court, was appointed to lead the special investigation into the former first lady over allegations including stock manipulation and bribery.
Both Cho and Min were nominated by the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), now the ruling party after Lee's victory in the June 3 presidential election.
Kim, whose time as first lady was marred by a series of scandals— a major factor behind her husband’s dismal approval ratings — is under scrutiny for allegedly accepting luxury gifts from a pastor and a shaman, manipulating stock prices and attempting to influence local elections through her ties to self-proclaimed political broker Myung Tae-kyun.
This combined photo shows independent prosecutors who will lead special probes into allegations surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee. From left are Cho Eun-suk, former acting chief of the Board of Audit and Inspection, Min Joong-ki, former chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, and Lee Myeong-hyeon, former senior official at the defense ministry's prosecutors' office. Yonhap
This combined photo shows independent prosecutors who will lead special probes into allegations surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee. From left are Cho Eun-suk, former acting chief of the Board of Audit and Inspection, Min Joong-ki, former chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court, and Lee Myeong-hyeon, former senior official at the defense ministry's prosecutors' office. Yonhap
Lee Myeong-hyeon, a former senior prosecutor at the Ministry of National Defense, will lead the third special counsel investigation, looking into the 2023 death of a Marine identified by the surname Chae, who drowned during a civilian rescue mission amid monsoon flooding.
The incident sparked public outrage over allegations of political interference in the military's internal investigation, with critics accusing Yoon of attempting to cover it up.
The appointment of the three independent prosecutors followed the National Assembly's passage of special counsel bills on June 5, and Lee’s formal approval of the bills on Tuesday.
Each special counsel team has been granted a 20-day preparation period to finalize personnel and logistics before launching full-scale investigations.
The move comes less than two weeks after Lee took office.
During Yoon’s presidency, similar special counsel bills were proposed multiple times by the then-opposition DPK, but were all vetoed by Yoon.
The scale of the upcoming special counsel investigations surpasses that of the 2016 special probe into then-President Park Geun-hye, which involved about 120 investigators. That investigation exposed a major corruption and influence-peddling scandal that ultimately led to Park’s impeachment and imprisonment.
A supporter of former President Yoon Suk Yeol waves Korean and American national flags near Yoon's private residence in Seocho District, southern Seoul, May 14. Yonhap
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over whether the former president and first lady could face detention even before the special counsel investigations formally begin, as both have refused to cooperate with ongoing criminal probes.
Yoon is under police investigation for allegedly obstructing official duties by ordering his security team to block investigators from entering his residence in January. At the time, investigators were attempting to take him into custody following his repeated refusal to comply with police questioning related to his martial law declaration.
On Thursday, police issued a third summons, requesting Yoon appear for questioning by June 19 after he ignored two earlier requests. Authorities typically seek a detention warrant after an individual fails to comply with three summonses.
Kim is also under investigation by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office over alleged election-related misconduct tied to political broker Myung. Prosecutors have summoned her for questioning, but she has so far refused to appear.
Lee Hyo-jin
I cover South Korea's foreign policy, defense and security issues on the Korean Peninsula. Before that, I reported on immigration policies and human rights — topics I continue to follow closely. I strive to gain an accurate understanding of the issues I cover and am particularly interested in stories that amplify often overlooked voices. Tips and story ideas via email are always welcome.
9. Korea’s auto industry exposed to bigger threat from Chinese, US carmakers
Korea’s auto industry exposed to bigger threat from Chinese, US carmakers
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20250614/koreas-auto-industry-exposed-to-bigger-threat-from-chinese-us-carmakerstextScalePopoverWrapper open
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Vehicles are parked for export at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Yonhap
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20250614/koreas-auto-industry-exposed-to-bigger-threat-from-chinese-us-carmakers
By Lee Min-hyung
Published Jun 14, 2025 8:00 am KST
Updated Jun 14, 2025 8:00 am KST
Sales of Tesla, BYD surge in Korea amid country's faltering auto exports
Korea’s auto market faces mounting pressure from both U.S. and Chinese carmakers, while its own vehicle exports to the world’s two largest economies continue to falter.
If the trend persists, it could undermine the competitiveness of the local economy and domestic carmakers amid ongoing global trade uncertainties and rising protectionism.
The concerns are backed by multiple data. According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (KAIDA), sales of U.S. vehicles in Korea jumped 40.1 percent in May from a year earlier, driven by the strong popularity of Tesla’s electric vehicles (EVs).
On the other hand, Korean carmakers struggled in the U.S. market, with their auto exports to the United States dropping by more than 30 percent during the same period, hit hard by the impact of the recently imposed 25 percent U.S. auto tariff.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea’s auto exports to the U.S. came in at $1.84 billion (2.5 trillion won) in May, down 32 percent from a year earlier. The figure extended a losing streak from April when it reported a drop of 19.6 percent. U.S. President Donald Trump introduced the auto tariff in early April.
A Model Y is seen at the Tesla stand at the VivaTech conference, one of Europe's biggest technology industry expos, in Paris, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap
A Model Y is seen at the Tesla stand at the VivaTech conference, one of Europe's biggest technology industry expos, in Paris, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap
This is in contrast to the increasing presence of U.S. carmakers in the Korean auto market.
Tesla sold 6,570 EVs here last month, up 57.7 percent from the previous year. This is the highest among all the imported carmakers doing business here. Tesla accounted for almost 90 percent of total U.S. auto sales here, outnumbering those from traditionally-beloved luxury German automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Korea’s auto market is also sandwiched by rapid inroads from ultra-cheap Chinese EV makers. BYD, which started its business here early this year, reported accumulated vehicle sales of 1,066 in the first five months of the year.
The Chinese EV maker ranked as the seventh-largest imported EV brand in Korea during the same period. Given the period of its business operations here, the figure is noteworthy. BYD has been able to rapidly rise in the rankings with its price-competitive EVs.
Korean auto brands, however, have long struggled to expand their presence in the Chinese market, where a number of Chinese auto brands dominate with affordable EV lineups.
Other Chinese brands, including Zeekr, are also trying to enter the Korean market in the latter half of this year after seeing the sales potential, as evidenced by BYD's performance.
Cho In-chul, managing director of passenger vehicles at BYD Korea, introduces its Atto 3 electric SUV during the brand's debut event in Incheon, Jan. 16. Yonhap
Industry officials believe that the trend will continue unless the government succeeds in its ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S.
“The U.S. is the largest auto export destination for Korea, but the auto exports are on a rapid decline in the aftermath of the tariff imposition,” an auto industry official said.
“Carmakers cannot tackle the growing trade risk on their own, so the government needs to focus on reducing the tariff in the talks with the U.S. at a critical time when Trump steps up his provocative rhetoric to increase the auto tariff."
Lee Min-hyung
Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr
10. Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival to be held on Liberation Day
There are many in Korea who support a free and unified Korea, the Korean Dream. That will be the ultimate liberation of the Korean people.
Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival to be held on Liberation Day
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Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan speaks during a press conference for the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival at the Press Center in central Seoul, Friday. Chung serves as president of the festival's organizing committee. Yonhap
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20250614/korean-dream-hangang-grand-festival-to-be-held-on-liberation-day
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Published Jun 14, 2025 2:31 pm KST
Updated Jun 14, 2025 2:53 pm KST
The Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival is set to take place along the Han River on Aug. 15, the country’s 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, which also marks the 80th anniversary of the two Koreas’ division.
According to the festival’s organizing committee, Friday, it will host the event at Ddukseom Han River Park on Liberation Day under the theme “Beyond the Miracle on the Han River, to National Harmony and a Unified Korea.”
“The Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival will be more than an event for the country’s 80th anniversary of independence. This will be a gateway to national harmony. People will discuss the country’s future and vision here,” former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan said during a press conference for the festival at the Press Center in central Seoul, Friday. Chung serves as president of the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival’s organizing committee.
“This year is also the 80th anniversary of the two Koreas’ division. The festival will be a turning point for the two Koreas’ unification.”
Along with Chung, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Chung Woo-taik and former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea Lee Jong-kul also joined the press conference as the committee’s co-chairs.
The committee added the festival features an aerial art show with some 1,200 drones along the Han River at night. It has fundraised for the show since March with donations from citizens.
“Thousands of people have donated for the show so far,” a committee official said. “Each drone will join together for the show aspiring the two Koreas’ unification.”
The festival is also the outcome of the establishment of the Korean Dream 10 Million Unification Campaign Organizing Committee in 2022. The committee said its goal is to heal the national division left by Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over Korea and the 1950-53 Korean War and build a unified Korean Peninsula, contributing to global peace.
Around 20,000 people gathered for the movement in 2023, followed by 30,000 in Yeouido last year. This year’s rally, which began last month in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province and traveled through 13 cities and provinces across the country, was part of a national campaign to build momentum.
Jhoo Dong-chan
Do not go gentle into the good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day
jhoo@koreatimes.co.kr
11. N. Korea steps up anti-American indoctrination of students ahead of Korean War anniversary
This will go uncontested because the ROK and US have ceded the information domain to Kim Jong Un.
N. Korea steps up anti-American indoctrination of students ahead of Korean War anniversary
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This file photo, published by the Korean Central News Agency, shows an anti-American public rally in Pyongyang on the June 25 anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, June 26, 2024. Yonhap
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/northkorea/20250613/north-korea-steps-up-anti-american-indoctrination-of-students-ahead-of-korean-war-anniversary
By Yonhap
Published Jun 13, 2025 3:31 pm KST
North Korea is stepping up anti-American indoctrination of students on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, state media showed Friday.
"Education on anti-imperialism and anti-Americanism is being solidly carried out at all basic education units in Pyongyang, tailored to the emotional characteristics of each student age group," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
As part of the education, students in the capital, including those from a high school and an elementary school in Pyongyang's Sosong and Daesong districts, respectively, toured an education hall or watched video clips highlighting the "aggressive nature of imperialists," the KCNA said.
Through the education, "students are embracing the unwavering perspective that the enemy's aggressive nature will never change," it said.
Each year, North Korea steps up anti-American campaigns around the anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War on June 25. The month following the anniversary is typically designated as the month of joint struggle against the United States to highlight anti-American sentiment.
The anniversary day, in particular, is often designated as the day of the anti-American struggle, with related public rallies held throughout June.
North Korea, however, skipped such public rallies between 2018 and 2021 while leader Kim Jong-un engaged in summits with U.S. President Donald Trump before resuming them the following year.
How North Korea modulates this year's Korean War outbreak events could serve as a barometer for the country's current stance as Trump and South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung have made dialogue overtures toward Pyongyang, experts said.
12. President Lee vows trade policy flexibility amid tariff uncertainties
President Lee vows trade policy flexibility amid tariff uncertainties
koreaherald.com · by Son Ji-hyoung · June 13, 2025
President Lee Jae-myung (second from left) speaks at a meeting with representatives of South Korean businesses at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Also seen in the photo are Samsung Electronics Executive Chair Lee Jae-yong (left), Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun (third from left and Lotte Group Chair Shin Dong-bin. (Pool photo via Yonhap)
President Lee Jae-myung's trade policy will likely come with flexibility to cope with US President Donald Trump's tariff salvo against US trading partners, including South Korea, Lee told business leaders Friday ahead of his departure for the G7 Summit in Canada.
At a meeting with South Korean business leaders, Lee was quoted by his spokesperson Kang Yu-jung as saying that the advent of economic nationalism, trade protectionism and supply chain segmentation has "triggered a major shift in the global trade order." This, Lee said, has resulted in a trade war that "greatly undermined the competitive edge and exports of South Korean industry."
During a closed session of the meeting, Lee stressed a need to "go all out to overcome the crisis through practical and flexible trade policies," Kang added.
According to Kang, Lee also told business circles that he would advocate the stance of South Korean businesses to safeguard national interests on international stages as the nation's head of state, starting with the G7 Summit. Lee's itinerary for his time in Canada has yet to be disclosed.
The president's remarks came after Chey Tae-won, SK Group chair and head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry business lobby group, said to Lee that South Korean entrepreneurs were troubled by the lingering volatile tariff landscape, which posed challenges in making the right decision for their businesses.
Trump briefly imposed 25 percent tariffs on most South Korean imports to the United States in April as part of "reciprocal tariffs" against most trade partners that he said would improve the US trade balance. A few days later, Trump announced a 90-day pause on these tariffs, the deadline for which expires in early July.
Regaining public trust, reducing red tape
Also during the meeting, the liberal president, who was inaugurated last week, called for South Korea's business circles to mitigate public distrust toward them.
"I believe South Korea is no longer in a state where sustainable growth is impossible due to unfair competition, privileges to certain entities, or exploitations (of labor)," the president said during his opening speech at the meeting.
"But public distrust (toward South Korean businesses) remains. I think it would be great to tackle that public distrust."
Lee also promised to focus on pouring his administration's capacity into reducing red tape for business circles, while saying regulations related to fair business practices and public safety should stand.
It was the first meeting between Lee and representatives of business lobby groups since he assumed the presidency on June 4.
The meeting was attended by Chey of KCCI; Sohn Kyung-shik, chair of the Korea Enterprises Federation; Ryu Jin, chair of the Federation of Korean Industries; Yoon Jin-sik, chair of the Korea International Trade Association; Kim Ki-moon, chair of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises and Choi Jin-shik, chief of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea.
Also joining the event were heads of several major South Korean conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics Executive Chair Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, LG Chair Koo Kwang-mo and Lotte Chair Shin Dong-bin.
consnow@heraldcorp.com
koreaherald.com · by Son Ji-hyoung · June 13, 2025
13. Military to begin Hwarang defense drills next week against NK threats
Training is persihsble. It is must be sustined over time. Think of the military as a world class athlete. They train year around and even in between events.
Military to begin Hwarang defense drills next week against NK threats
koreaherald.com · by Yonhap · June 13, 2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during the launching ceremony of the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon at a shipyard in the northeastern city of Rajin on June 12, 2025, 23 days after its first launch attempt, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (Yonhap)
The military will kick off the annual Hwarang drills with local governments, police and firefighting authorities next week in efforts to hone an integrated defense posture against North Korea's threats, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday.
The first segment of the exercise will take place in Incheon, west of Seoul, and Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital, from Monday through June 20, and continue in four other areas, including the capital, through November, according to the JCS.
This year's drills incorporate simulated situations tailored to the participating regions and field training exercises involving all relevant authorities.
In particular, the exercise will be aimed at effectively responding to the changing security situation, marked by the North's advancing nuclear and missile threats as well as increasing use of drones, the JCS said. (Yonhap)
koreaherald.com · by Yonhap · June 13, 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
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