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Quotes of the Day:
"To learn which questions are unanswerable, and not to answer them: this skull is most needful in times of stress and darkness."
– Ursula K. Le Guin
"A man on a thousand mile walk has to forget his goal and say to himself every morning, "Today I'm going to cover twenty-five miles and then rest up and sleep."
– Leo Tolstoy
“Partnership is our greatest weapon, turning allies into brothers and chaos into order.”
– Russell Volckmann, Operations Against Guerrilla Forces
1. Top security adviser heads to U.S. for talks on summit, tariffs
2. S. Korea proposes ways to deepen manufacturing cooperation in trade talks with U.S.: ministry
3. Trade minister says S. Korea looks to maximize 'practical interests' in trade talks with U.S.
4. Why South Korea Needs a Trade Deal With the United States
5. Plan to procure more Apache helicopters apparently scrapped after budget cut
6. Editorial: S. Korean lawmakers' silence on China's Yellow Sea structures raises sovereignty concerns
7. Korea, U.S. dispatch top trade officials in 'all-court press' as Trump tariff deadline looms
8. To attend or not to attend? China's Victory Day invitation becomes diplomatic tightrope for Lee.
9. HRW voices concern over probe into 6 US citizens for trying to send rice to N. Korea
10. ED Korea-US ties under strain
11. More South Korean K2 Black Panther Tanks Are Set to Roll Into Poland
12. From Chains to Change: A Fight for Human Rights. | Ji Hyun Park | TEDxUFV
1. Top security adviser heads to U.S. for talks on summit, tariffs
This is likely a pivotal visit for the ROK/US alliance. There is a lot on Wi Sung Lac's shoulders this week.
(LEAD) Top security adviser heads to U.S. for talks on summit, tariffs | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · July 6, 2025
(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES with more details in paras 3-5, 8; ADDS photo)
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac left for Washington, D.C., on Sunday for talks with his U.S. counterparts on a wide range of issues that will include a possible summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.
During his three-day visit, Wi said he will also discuss the United States' evolving tariff scheme that includes 25 percent reciprocal duties on South Korean goods, as well as sectoral tariffs on automobiles, steel and various other products.
"South Korea and the U.S. have been closely discussing trade and security issues, and my visit is intended to deepen those consultations," Wi said while speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport.
The security adviser added his visit comes at a "critical phase," following his earlier talks with his U.S. counterparts on the sidelines of the NATO summit last month.
South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac arrives at Incheon International Airport to depart for Washington on July 6, 2025. (Yonhap)
Wi's U.S. trip, the first of its kind since he took office last month, comes as a 90-day pause on the U.S.' reciprocal tariffs is set to expire Tuesday (U.S. time).
In a parallel diplomatic effort, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo also arrived in Washington on Saturday to lead trade negotiations.
Wi said Yeo's ongoing trip is "part of the government's all-out efforts to address the situation."
Regarding a potential presidential summit, Wi confirmed it was "on the agenda" of his upcoming discussions, adding he hopes to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Wi's visit also follows the recent cancellation of a Seoul trip by Rubio.
The cancellation has fueled concerns here over the lack of high-level exchanges between the allies since the political crisis triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid, which ultimately led to his removal from office.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac (R) talks to Kim Hyun-jong (L), the first deputy national security adviser, at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on July 4, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · July 6, 2025
2. S. Korea proposes ways to deepen manufacturing cooperation in trade talks with U.S.: ministry
S. Korea proposes ways to deepen manufacturing cooperation in trade talks with U.S.: ministry | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Na-young · July 6, 2025
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has proposed measures to establish a "mutually beneficial" manufacturing cooperation framework with the United States in bilateral talks on tariffs and other trade issues, Seoul's industry ministry said Sunday.
Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo delivered such a proposal during his meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held in Washington on Saturday (U.S. time), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo (R) and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer pose for a photo after holding bilateral trade talks in Washington on July 5, 2025 (U.S. time) in this photo provided by Seoul's industry ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
In the meeting, Yeo presented Seoul's vision for bilateral cooperation in the manufacturing sector and for building a complementary supply chain partnership amid Washington's push to create a "manufacturing renaissance" in America, the ministry said.
Yeo also stressed that elimination or reduction of U.S. tariffs on key items, such as automobiles and steel, must be included in the final trade agreement between the two countries, noting that South Korea has been negotiating with the U.S. in "good faith."
The two sides also discussed extending the suspension of 25 percent reciprocal tariffs for South Korea imposed by the Donald Trump administration to allow more substantive trade negotiations. The U.S. administration's 90-day pause of reciprocal tariffs is set to expire Tuesday.
South Korea has been seeking full exemption from or reduction of U.S. reciprocal tariffs and sectoral duties on imported cars, steel and other products by crafting a package deal on tariffs, non-tariff measures, industrial cooperation and other trade issues.
"Since the launch of the new administration (in South Korea), both Seoul and Washington have been fully committed to negotiations aimed at finding mutually beneficial, win-win solutions for trade issues," Yeo said.
"Although uncertainties remain high, we will continue negotiations with the U.S. until the very end, based on the principle of protecting our national interests, to achieve a favorable outcome regarding U.S. tariff measures while also working to maintain the strong momentum of bilateral cooperation built over the years by the two countries."
nyway@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Na-young · July 6, 2025
3. Trade minister says S. Korea looks to maximize 'practical interests' in trade talks with U.S.
Trade minister says S. Korea looks to maximize 'practical interests' in trade talks with U.S. | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · July 6, 2025
By Song Sang-ho and Cho Joon-hyung
WASHINGTON, July 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo on Saturday stressed Seoul's focus on maximizing "practical interests" in ongoing trade talks with the United States, as he arrived in Washington with just days left before U.S. President Donald Trump's pause on steep tariffs expires.
Speaking to the press, Yeo noted that "all possibilities" appear to remain open, saying that the pause on "reciprocal" tariffs could be extended beyond Tuesday, and that the two countries could also reach a broad agreement in principle rather than a full-fledged trade deal.
Yeo's arrival came a little over a week after his last trip to the U.S. capital, underscoring the new South Korean government's commitment to striking a trade deal with the Trump administration. He was set to resume talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the day.
"Even if (the U.S.) unveils a new reciprocal tariff rate for each country, including South Korea, following the expiry of the July 8 pause on the tariffs, we anticipate that there could be a little (additional) period of pause," he told reporters as he walked out of a train station in Washington following his arrival in New York the previous day.
South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks to the press upon arrival at a train station in Washington on July 5, 2025. (Yonhap)
"All possibilities remain open," he pointed out, saying that the likelihood of the two sides reaching a deal "in broad terms" cannot be ruled out, though concluding a formal deal on every detail over the next three days appears difficult.
"We judge that the current situation is urgent ... In fact, many things are uncertain and fluid at this point," Yeo said. "Through today's negotiations, we want to figure out more details about the U.S.' plan, and will engage in negotiations with a focus on finding ways for us to maximize practical interests."
On April 2, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, in a move to match what other countries impose on American goods. The tariffs took effect on April 9, but he paused them for 90 days on the day to allow time for negotiations.
Aside from reciprocal tariffs, South Korea is also seeking to minimize the impact of sector-specific tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum.
"We think that a relatively more difficult area is the sectoral tariff issue given that the U.S. regards it as important from the standpoint of its industrial protection," he said. "But we have repeatedly emphasized that it is crucial (for South Korea) to get exceptions or ensure that the rates are significantly reduced, and we plan to reiterate that again today."
Despite uncertainty over the trade negotiations, Yeo painted a positive outlook for the future of bilateral industrial cooperation.
"Areas, where chances of mutual cooperation are high, are the artificial intelligence, automobiles, batteries, energy and the bio sector. They are areas where the U.S. needs great cooperation in its efforts to rebuild its manufacturing, and (I) think South Korea has a unique value in those areas," he said.
"We seek 'positive-sum' negotiations by putting together issues of industrial and technological cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. for the mid- and long-term period of four to five years alongside tariff talks."
Yeo's visit to Washington came as South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac is set to arrive in the U.S. capital on Sunday for a three-day trip in what appears to be a move by President Lee Jae Myung's administration to ensure smooth cooperation between the two allies.
On Friday, Trump said he will send letters to 12 countries, which specify their tariff rates, on Monday.
Asked if South Korea is among the 12 countries, Yeo said, "(I) don't know."
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · July 6, 2025
4. Why South Korea Needs a Trade Deal With the United States
Excerpt:
Under normal circumstances, South Korea would be well placed to compete in the U.S. market with the KORUS FTA in place. However, with the Trump administration utilizing national security exemptions to override that agreement, South Korea will need to reach a new understanding on trade to minimize the damage to key sectors such as automobiles and semiconductors. Due to the global nature of supply chains, South Korea will be unable to completely avoid all the new U.S. tariffs, but a new deal that avoids tariffs to the extent possible on goods produced in South Korea is necessary.
Why South Korea Needs a Trade Deal With the United States
Without a new deal or an extension to the talks, South Korea will face a series of new tariffs from the United States that will significantly impact its economy.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-south-korea-needs-a-trade-deal-with-the-united-states/
By Troy Stangarone
July 04, 2025
Credit: Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs
With the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) in place, there are virtually no tariffs on trade between the two countries – and there should be no need for a new trade deal. The Trump administration, however, believes that U.S. trade partners have treated the United States unfairly and that new trading arrangements are necessary.
Reaching a deal with the Trump administration is complicated by the significant uncertainty the administration has created with its series of tariffs and a shifting approach to negotiations. However, despite these challenges and being in office less than a month, the new Lee Jae-myung administration needs to secure a new trade deal or extension with the United States by July 8 negotiating deadline. Without a new deal or an extension to the talks, South Korea will face a series of new tariffs from the United States that will significantly impact its economy.
As one of the world’s leading trading nations, South Korea is both directly and indirectly impacted by the new tariffs being implemented by the Trump administration. In the aftermath of the Korean War, the country rebuilt its economy and became one of the world’s economic development success stories in part because of international trade. Even today, trade is a key component of the Korean economy. In 2024, exports and imports accounted for 77.6 percent of South Korea’s GDP. Exports alone were equivalent to 39.1 percent of GDP.
While China remains South Korea’s largest trading partner, the margin has been decreasing in recent years. The United States is South Korea’s second-largest trading partner and a critical partner for technological cooperation and economic growth. Last year, South Korea exported $128.4 billion in goods to the United States, according to United Nations trade data, only about $4 billion less than it exported to China.
Because of the global nature of supply chains, even tariffs that do not directly target South Korea can impact the supply chains of Korean companies either through parts that are produced in third countries for final assembly in the United States or finished goods that are built in third countries for export to the U.S. market. In this context, Korean firms face the impact of the full array of the Trump administration’s tariffs including the reciprocal tariffs, sectoral tariffs on steel, automobiles, semiconductors, and other products, as well as tariffs on China and potentially Canada and Mexico.
How the Reciprocal Tariffs Impact South Korea
In the April 2 executive order announcing the so-called reciprocal tariffs, the White House argued that “Large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits are caused in substantial part by a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships.” In the case of South Korea, the United States has maintained a persistent trade deficit that reached $55.9 billion in 2024. The trade deficit has grown significantly since the implementation of the KORUS FTA and was a point of contention during the first Trump administration. In announcing the reciprocal tariffs, the Trump administration placed a tariff of 25 percent on imports from South Korea.
Automobiles, steel, and other products are subject to subject to separate Section 232 national security tariffs; the reciprocal tariffs impact all other trade. They include two parts – a 10 percent universal tariff and a set of country-specific reciprocal tariffs (in South Korea’s case, set at 25 percent). While the reciprocal tariff portion is theoretically open to negotiation, under a 90-day “pause” that expires next week, the universal tariff may be a new baseline under the Trump administration.
For the moment, many electronics products such as smartphones and computers will be exempted from the reciprocal tariffs, but those are expected to be covered to some extent by new tariffs once an ongoing Section 232 investigation into semiconductors is finished.
According to a study by the Korea International Trade Association, around 50 percent of all Korean exports to the United States are intermediate goods used in production in the United States. These include semiconductors, auto parts, and steel.
The high level of Korean exports of intermediate goods to the United States limits the impact of the reciprocal tariffs on South Korea to an extent but also means that the country is more exposed to the sectoral tariffs. When combined with automobile exports, this means that a significant portion of Korean exports will be hit by Section 232 tariffs. However, some significant exports will be subject to the reciprocal tariffs. These include $5.5 billion in exports of petrochemical products, $4.5 billion in plastics, $2.4 billion in optical and related equipment, and nearly $2 billion each in organic chemicals and cosmetics.
To give one specific example, global exports of K-beauty products last year surpassed $10 billion for the first time. The United States is the second largest market for K-beauty products. If the full 25 percent tariff remains in place, exports of K-beauty products would likely see a decrease in demand in the United States and producers may need to grow alternative markets such as China and Japan, the number 1 and 3 export destinations for K-beauty.
Tariffs on the Automobile Industry
Automotive tariffs are the most significant challenge. Exports of automobiles and automotive parts accounted for a third of Korean exports to the United States in 2024.
The U.S. is the most important market for the Hyundai Motor Group. Last year, the conglomerate sold 4.1 million vehicles globally; more than 1.6 million of those sales were in the United States, with Hyundai selling 836,802 vehicles and Kia an additional 796,488 vehicles. While the new Metaplant America facility in Georgia will help with U.S. production, slightly more than 50 percent of all vehicles sold by Hyundai Motor Group in the United States are imported.
Hyundai Motor Group is not the only automotive producer impacted by the tariffs. GM Korea produces around 500,000 vehicles annually in plants in South Korea, with 90 percent of the production exported to the United States. GM estimates that the tariffs on its Korean production could reduce its overall profit by $2 billion. Without tariff relief, there are concerns in South Korea that the increased costs faced by GM Korea will further a reduction of GM Korea’s operations that has been taking place over the last decade. The complete closure of GM Korea is not out of the question.
Beyond the impact on Hyundai Motor Group and GM Korea’s sales and profits, there will likely be an impact on employment in South Korea, where the automotive industry employs around 335,600 people. If GM Korea were to shutter its facilities completely, it would result in approximately 12,000 job losses.
Without an agreement to reduce the Section 232 auto tariffs, imports of Korean autos and auto parts will continue to face a 25 percent tariff – separate from the reciprocal tariffs. The tariff on auto parts was adjusted to provide some relief for parts used to assemble vehicles in the United States, and the steel tariffs will also not apply for imports of steel used in automotive production.
Other Section 232 Tariffs: Steel, Semiconductors, and Pharmaceuticals
Ordinarily, being subjected to a 50 percent tariff would not be a positive outcome. However, the Trump administration’s decision to initially place a 25 percent tariff on all steel imports, later raised to 50 percent, and cancel prior quota agreements on steel did have one silver lining – it eliminated the quota that had been limiting Korean exports to the United States since the first Trump administration. That may be the only positive for South Korea on the steel tariffs.
The significant increase in the U.S. tariff on steel comes at an inopportune time for Korean producers. The United States is only the fourth largest export market for Korean steel, but South Korea’s domestic steel producers are under pressure from a global glut of steel production, cheap Chinese products, and now the U.S. tariffs. This has forced Korean steel producers to suspend some production and close some facilities.
Because the U.S. tariff will not just apply to exports of steel to the United States, but also steel used in large consumer goods such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, the tariffs are also creating a pressure for exporters of large consumer goods to shift away from Korean steel in production.
One estimate by Allianz Research suggests that the tariffs could result in a $600 million loss for Korean steel exports to the United States.
Efforts to conclude a deal with the United States are further complicated by additional Section 232 national security cases that the administration is undertaking in areas such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Last year, South Korea exported $10.7 billion worth of semiconductors to the United States. Samsung and SK Hynix account for around 70 percent of global production of DRAM memory chips and are the top two producers of NAND flash memory. The industry is critical to the Korean economy.
The $10.7 billion in exports to the United States, however, understates the potential impact of a new semiconductor tariff on South Korea. Both Samsung and SK Hynix have significant production in China, from which they exported an additional $1 billion to the United States.
Pharmaceuticals are another area that will be potentially impacted by a Section 232 investigation. South Korea had seen the industry as a potential area of growth and exported $1.4 billion worth of pharmaceuticals to the United States in 2024.
Tariffs on Supply Chains in Vietnam, China, and Mexico
Because of the nature of global supply chains Korean firms will also face tariffs on goods produced by suppliers or their own firms in other countries. Samsung, for example, produces 60 percent of its smartphones in Vietnam, many of which are then shipped to the United States. Trump announced that Vietnam has agreed to a 20 percent tariff rate; if that eventually includes consumer electronics, Samsung smartphones would face a 20 percent tariff when shipped from Vietnam rather than the current 0 percent tariff.
If the White House maintains an exclusion for consumer electronics but places a tariff on the semiconductors inside the smartphone, the origin of the semiconductor will impact the tariff unless South Korea can gain an exemption for any semiconductor produced by a Korean firm regardless of the production facilities’ location.
The potential semiconductor tariff also could impact production in other ways. Both Samsung and SK Hynix have significant production in China that provides chips to U.S. and foreign firms that assemble consumer electronics in China for export to the United States. Both firms could face pressure to relocate that production as the partners they supply look for ways to avoid tariffs on their final goods.
In the automotive sector, the long-term status of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will also be significant. The Trump administration has for the moment suspended tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico that are compliant with USMCA rules. If that exemption is changed, Korean firms could face tariffs on goods produced in Mexico or Canada for the U.S. market. Korean firms exported 271,000 vehicles from Mexico to the U.S. in 2024, such as the Kia Forte, which is exclusively made in Mexico for the U.S. market.
Under normal circumstances, South Korea would be well placed to compete in the U.S. market with the KORUS FTA in place. However, with the Trump administration utilizing national security exemptions to override that agreement, South Korea will need to reach a new understanding on trade to minimize the damage to key sectors such as automobiles and semiconductors. Due to the global nature of supply chains, South Korea will be unable to completely avoid all the new U.S. tariffs, but a new deal that avoids tariffs to the extent possible on goods produced in South Korea is necessary.
Authors
Contributing Author
Troy Stangarone
Troy Stangarone is the former director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy at the Wilson Center.
5. Plan to procure more Apache helicopters apparently scrapped after budget cut
Excerpt:
Calling the decision a "positive development," Yoo noted the U.S. Army is also moving away from the aged, high-maintenance Apaches in favor of advanced drone assets like the Gray Eagle to modernize its forces.
Plan to procure more Apache helicopters apparently scrapped after budget cut | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · July 6, 2025
SEOUL, July 6 (Yonhap) -- The government's plan to purchase 36 additional AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will likely be scrapped after a massive budget cut, a lawmaker noted Sunday.
According to Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party and the defense ministry, the budget for the project was cut from an initial 10 billion won (US$7.3 million) to just 300 million won in the supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly on Friday.
The remaining funds will reportedly be used for another project.
The move follows a May decision by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to formally review the procurement and explore alternative options, including manned-unmanned systems, according to Yoo.
Calling the decision a "positive development," Yoo noted the U.S. Army is also moving away from the aged, high-maintenance Apaches in favor of advanced drone assets like the Gray Eagle to modernize its forces.
An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter takes off for an operation, in this file photo provided by the South Korean Army on March 13, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Woo Jae-yeon · July 6, 2025
6. Editorial: S. Korean lawmakers' silence on China's Yellow Sea structures raises sovereignty concerns
Korea must stand up to China here. It must draw a line in the sand (water).
Editorial: S. Korean lawmakers' silence on China's Yellow Sea structures raises sovereignty concerns
https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/07/06/BHN3OD2WJ5EU7KXCDISEPPTKSU/
By The Chosunilbo
Published 2025.07.06. 09:00
Updated 2025.07.06. 10:27
Members of the Korean Veterans Association hold a press conference in front of the Seoul Central Post Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on April 30, calling for the immediate removal of China's unauthorized artificial structures in the Yellow Sea. /Yonhap News
On July 3, South Korea’s National Assembly adopted a resolution condemning China’s unauthorized installation of structures in the Yellow Sea. Although introduced by a member of the People Power Party (PPP), the motion won overwhelming bipartisan backing, with 252 out of 259 lawmakers voting in favor—a rare display of political unity reflecting the gravity of the issue. Still, three lawmakers from the Democratic Party (DP), one from the Rebuilding Korea Party, and all three lawmakers from the Progressive Party abstained from the vote. No debate preceded the resolution, and the abstaining lawmakers offered no explanation for their decision.
Since 2018, China has erected large steel structures in the South Korea–China Provisional Measures Zone of the Yellow Sea, describing them as “aquaculture facilities.” However, under the bilateral fisheries agreement between the two countries, non-fishing activities such as resource development and facility installation are strictly prohibited in this area. Of the three structures now in place, two are floating platforms, and the other is a fixed structure converted from an oil rig. When a South Korean ocean research vessel attempted to approach the site, Chinese maritime police intervened and blocked the investigation. A recent report by a U.S. think tank suggested the facilities may already be capable of collecting underwater navigation and detection data—raising concerns they may be used for submarine surveillance.
China’s actions have escalated in recent months. In May, it declared part of the area a no-sail zone and deployed its new aircraft carrier for maritime exercises. These moves appear aimed at asserting de facto control over the Yellow Sea and countering the joint military posture of South Korea and the United States. If left unchallenged, such maneuvers could pose significant threats to South Korea’s fishing rights, freedom of navigation, and territorial sovereignty.
The National Assembly’s resolution denounces the illegal nature of the structures and calls on the South Korean government to expand its maritime research activities. It also urges a response based on the principle of reciprocity and pledges legislative support for appropriate countermeasures. This is not a partisan issue—it is a matter of national sovereignty. Lawmakers elected by the public have a responsibility to clearly state their position, particularly when abstaining from a resolution of such importance.
The DP and the Rebuilding Korea Party have remained silent on their reasons for abstaining. The Progressive Party stated that “escalating conflict is not a solution and diplomacy should be pursued instead.” Yet the resolution itself contains no language that could be construed as provocative, and it is China—not South Korea—that initiated the current standoff.
If a similar incident had involved Japan, it is not difficult to imagine how these same seven lawmakers might have responded. China, for its part, is likely to interpret their abstentions as tacit approval to proceed with even more aggressive actions.
Editorial
7. Korea, U.S. dispatch top trade officials in 'all-court press' as Trump tariff deadline looms
My guess (others) is that the administration will make a ROK-US summit with POTUS and POTROK contingent on Korea agreeing to US trade demands.
Sunday
July 6, 2025
dictionary + A - A
Korea, U.S. dispatch top trade officials in 'all-court press' as Trump tariff deadline looms
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-06/business/economy/Korea-US-dispatch-top-trade-officials-in-allcourt-press-as-Trump-tariff-deadline-looms/2346410
Published: 06 Jul. 2025, 19:17
Updated: 06 Jul. 2025, 19:43
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, right, shakes hands with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at the Office of the United States Trade Representative building in Washington on July 5. [NEWS1]
Korea is rushing to secure a last-minute reprieve from looming U.S. reciprocal tariffs, sending its top trade and security officials to Washington in an all-court diplomatic press.
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer on Saturday, discussing a broad range of topics, including tariffs and bilateral manufacturing cooperation. They also explored the possibility of extending the current tariff exemptions to allow more time for negotiations, according to Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Related Article
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had signed several letters related to the new tariffs and planned to send them on Monday.
“I signed some letters, and they’ll go out on Monday, probably twelve,” Trump said. “Different amounts of money, different amounts of tariffs.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, on July 4. [AP/YONHAP]
Trump added that the new reciprocal tariffs would likely take effect on Aug. 1, around three weeks after the exemption deadline. That leaves room for additional negotiation.
Trump hinted that the final reciprocal tariff rates would be "around 15 or 20 percent," raising the base rate — 10 percent since April 5 — by at least 5 to 10 percentage points. Trump previously indicated the rates could vary significantly by country, with some facing 10, 20, even 60 or 70 percent, prompting speculation that he is using the tariff letters to pressure countries dragging their feet in negotiations.
The ministry said Yeo emphasized the need to reinforce bilateral supply chains and pushed for the elimination or easing of tariffs on sectors like autos and steel.
“We’re making every effort to reach a mutually beneficial deal,” Yeo said. “We’ll keep pushing discussions based on our national interest until the very end.”
Yeo’s visit comes just one week after he first held high-level trade talks in Washington from June 22 to 28. The JoongAng Ilbo reported that he did not book a return flight to Seoul in order to prepare for possible talks.
Wi Sung-lac, director of the National Security Office, is also set to visit Washington from Sunday to Tuesday. While Yeo leads working-level trade negotiations, Wi is expected to coordinate a potential summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump to finalize an agreement.
“The situation is evolving rapidly, so we must respond with an all-court press,” Yeo said on Saturday. “Trade and security teams are coordinating closely when needed and dividing responsibilities where necessary."
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks to press upon arrival at a train station in Washington on July 5. [YONHAP]
But he declined to predict whether a final deal could be reached before Tuesday.
“We can’t rule out a broad high-level agreement, even if the fine details remain unresolved,” Yeo said. “This is an extremely volatile and uncertain moment.”
The atmosphere surrounding the talks remains tense and unpredictable. The JoongAng Ilbo reported that Yeo will present Seoul’s positions on U.S. demands such as the removal of non-tariff barriers and balancing the bilateral trade deficit.
One of the biggest flashpoints is digital trade.
The United States has taken aim at Korea’s proposed online platform law, which would label major digital firms as “dominant platforms” and bar them from practices deemed "unfair" such as bundling services or imposing contract disadvantages.
The Fair Trade Commission is promoting the bill as a tool to protect small businesses and consumers. The Lee administration considers it a core initiative aligned with its campaign promises for fairer economic practices.
But Washington argues the law disproportionately affects U.S. tech firms like Google, Apple and Meta. Forty-three members of the U.S. House of Representatives recently sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging changes to the bill, escalating pressure on Seoul. The United States previously derailed Canada’s digital tax proposal during trade talks, leading Ottawa to drop the plan.
In the ongoing negotiations, Seoul is reportedly offering to significantly relax environmental regulations on U.S.-made cars. Korean officials believe such a move could be effective, citing lower consumer satisfaction with U.S. vehicles.
U.S. officials, meanwhile, have pushed to expand access to Korea’s agricultural market, reflecting the interests of Trump’s core rural supporters. Yeo reportedly asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to review importing U.S. apples — something Washington requested back in 1993.
Korea’s quarantine procedures, considered rigorous, have only completed two of eight stages in the 32 years since the request. According to the JoongAng Ilbo, Seoul told Washington that opening Korea’s rice market, a longstanding U.S. demand Trump raised publicly with Japan, is not on the table.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
BY KIM HYONG-GU [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]
8. To attend or not to attend? China's Victory Day invitation becomes diplomatic tightrope for Lee.
What are the costs and benefits of attending?
Sunday
July 6, 2025
dictionary + A - A
To attend or not to attend? China's Victory Day invitation becomes diplomatic tightrope for Lee.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-06/national/diplomacy/To-attend-or-not-to-attend-Chinas-Victory-Day-invitation-becomes-diplomatic-tightrope-for-Lee/2345816
Published: 06 Jul. 2025, 07:00
- MICHAEL LEE
- lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr
Korea JoongAng Daily
To attend or not to attend? China's Victory Day invitation becomes diplomatic tightrope for Lee.
7 min
Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI
Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles, potentially capable of sinking a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in a single strike, drive past Tiananmen Gate during a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2015. [AP/YONHAP]
As South Korean President Lee Jae Myung weighs his decision over an invitation to attend China's Victory Day military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3, what might appear to be a symbolic gesture could carry significant geopolitical weight far beyond the viewing platform in Tiananmen Square.
The parade, which commemorates China’s victory over imperial Japan in World War II, was last held in 2015. At the time, then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye was the only leader from a liberal democracy to attend, marking a rare moment of diplomatic outreach toward Beijing.
Now, nearly a decade later, Lee faces a similar crossroads. At a press conference Thursday, he reaffirmed South Korea’s “steadfast” alliance with the United States and its ongoing cooperation with both Washington and Tokyo. At the same time, he emphasized a desire to “improve” ties with China and Russia — both countries that maintain close relations with a nuclear-armed North Korea.
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Attending the parade could open the door for a bilateral meeting between Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, potentially offering a platform for Seoul to recalibrate its relationship with Beijing.
Lee’s decision may be seen not as a ceremonial choice, but a deliberate signal — one that could shape perceptions of South Korea’s foreign policy direction at a time of intensifying competition between the United States and China.
A taming act?
While Lee has only recently begun touting his foreign policy as “pragmatic diplomacy,” emphasizing the need for South Korea to prioritize its national interests over picking a side between the world’s major powers, his advocacy for better balance in Seoul’s ties with Washington and Beijing goes back several years.
Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall in Daejeon on July 4. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
“We aim to make both the U.S. and China choose to cooperate with us,” he declared in August 2021 in the lead-up to the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to his predecessor, former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
However, experts worry that the Chinese invitation for Lee to attend the upcoming parade in Beijing is intended to underscore historically rooted grievances held by South Korea and China regarding Japan’s wartime atrocities and roll back growing security cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo.
“China is trying to exploit potential fissures in South Korea–United States–Japan trilateral cooperation,” said Joo Jae-woo, a professor of international politics at Kyung Hee University. “The invitation is an attempt to tame South Korea’s role in this triangle.”
In Washington, the optics of Lee standing alongside Xi at a military ceremony may raise questions about Seoul’s strategic commitments.
The White House reportedly expressed disapproval when Park attended the 2015 parade.
In an online report published last month, Atlantic Council senior fellow Shawn Creamer wrote Lee “will find trouble with the U.S. relationship if he seeks to deepen South Korea’s relations with China or is overly antagonistic to Japan, the other major U.S. ally in East Asia.”
A diplomatic opening with Beijing?
As Lee’s administration has emphasized economic recovery and better relations with all of Seoul’s neighbors in its policy agenda, his attendance could also carry benefits.
China remains one of South Korea’s largest trading partners, and better ties with Beijing could aid Seoul’s quest to reinvigorate its domestic economy and rein in Pyongyang’s illicit weapons programs.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Central Asia-China summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 17. [KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE]
In his first phone call with Xi upon his election last month, Lee urged Xi to play a “constructive role” in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and expressed hope that the pair might engage in “closer exchanges of views to advance bilateral relations” between Seoul and Beijing.
In a 2015 report for the Lowy Institute, Robert Kelly, a political science professor at Pusan National University, suggested that then-President Park’s decision to attend the parade was likely driven by a strategic calculation: the hope of securing Beijing’s cooperation on Pyongyang. “Swaying China on North Korea is so important that a bit of instrumental flattery is worth it,” he wrote.
However, it should be noted that Park’s attendance failed to boost South Korea-China relations in the long term.
Beijing banned Chinese group tours from traveling to South Korea the following year, when the Park administration decided to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, antimissile system. It also targeted South Korean business operations in China with increased safety inspections and other restrictions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and invited dignitaries arrive on the balcony of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing to watch a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Sept. 3, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin is on the left, while then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye is on the right. [XINHUA/YONHAP]
Given lingering trade tensions, travel restrictions and competition in high-tech sectors, Lee’s attendance at the parade could prove an opening to improve relations — or at least prevent further deterioration.
Declining the invitation, however, would not necessarily constitute a diplomatic slight. On the contrary, some argue that abstention would strengthen Seoul’s credibility with Washington and clarify its strategic posture.
“Skipping this year’s parade could send a message that South Korea will not play into symbolic optics that jeopardize its security alignment,” said Joo.
Many risks, little reward
The current geopolitical climate differs markedly from a decade ago. The Biden and Trump administrations have both emphasized countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that “Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific” and that the Pentagon is “reorienting toward deterring aggression by communist China.”
In recent comments, U.S. military planners, such as United States Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, have suggested they see South Korea as a “fixed aircraft carrier” that could help the U.S. military overcome the “tyranny of distance” in the vast Indo-Pacific region.
According to Brunson, Washington is pursuing “strategic flexibility” that would allow it to deploy American forces outside the peninsula.
The general added that USFK is focused not only on “defeating” North Korea, but also on operations, activities and investments “as a small part of the greater Indo-Pacific strategy.”
It remains unclear how Lee would respond to this reorientation of U.S. forces on the peninsula to counter China instead of just deterring North Korea.
The presidential office said Wednesday that it is in communication with Beijing regarding its invitation to Lee, but declined to disclose more details, citing the sensitivity of diplomatic exchanges.
However, if Lee accepts the invitation to Beijing’s parade, Washington may interpret his attendance as a signal that Seoul is out of alignment with the U.S. strategy to contain China in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
“Resisting strategic flexibility will likely be interpreted by U.S. military planners as being not only as out of step with the administration’s policies, but also seen by Trump as ‘free-riding’ by the Korean ally, which might cause him to take vindictive actions to express his displeasure,” wrote Victor Cha of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. “This could even include pulling all troops out of South Korea.”
BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]
9. HRW voices concern over probe into 6 US citizens for trying to send rice to N. Korea
Excerpts:
“The South Korean authorities’ use of a disaster-safety law to stop any North Korea-related border activity could deter groups that are trying to safely provide useful information to ordinary North Koreans. The government should not be discouraging careful, quiet outreach that allows North Koreans one of their few links to the outside world,” Yoon told The Korea Times recently.
Their attempt to send the materials to the North has come as the liberal Lee Jae Myung government has been seeking engagement with Pyongyang.
The activists attempted to float 1,300 plastic bottles containing food, U.S. dollars and other items by sea from Ganghwa Island, an island near the border, into North Korea, when they were spotted by a military patrol. Later, police apprehended the Americans on suspicion of violating the order, which was issued last year to ban sending anti-regime leaflets north by designating the entire county as a “risk zone.” The order was based on the disasters and safety law.
HRW voices concern over probe into 6 US citizens for trying to send rice to N. Korea
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https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20250704/hrw-voices-concern-over-probe-into-6-us-citizens-for-trying-to-send-rice-to-n-korea
By Jung Min-ho
Published Jul 4, 2025 2:44 pm KST
Human Rights Watch (HRW), the New York-based human rights organization, has expressed concern regarding the investigation of six U.S. citizens who attempted to send money, rice and Bibles to North Korea last week.
Lina Yoon, a senior researcher on the Korean Peninsula at HRW, raised the alarm following the brief detention of the activists by South Korean police on June 27. They were accused of violating an administrative order that bans sending any materials across the inter-Korean border, a measure enacted due to safety concerns for local residents.
“The South Korean authorities’ use of a disaster-safety law to stop any North Korea-related border activity could deter groups that are trying to safely provide useful information to ordinary North Koreans. The government should not be discouraging careful, quiet outreach that allows North Koreans one of their few links to the outside world,” Yoon told The Korea Times recently.
Their attempt to send the materials to the North has come as the liberal Lee Jae Myung government has been seeking engagement with Pyongyang.
The activists attempted to float 1,300 plastic bottles containing food, U.S. dollars and other items by sea from Ganghwa Island, an island near the border, into North Korea, when they were spotted by a military patrol. Later, police apprehended the Americans on suspicion of violating the order, which was issued last year to ban sending anti-regime leaflets north by designating the entire county as a “risk zone.” The order was based on the disasters and safety law.
Violators of that order could face a maximum prison sentence of one year or a fine of up to 10 million won ($7,400).
According to police, the activists had recently entered South Korea on tourist visas. They are believed to have come here for missionary work.
Police reportedly considered imposing travel bans on the group but decided against it, as such bans are only applicable to those suspected of serious crimes punishable by death, life imprisonment or imprisonment for three years or more under the law.
Some critics say penalizing activists under the administrative order violates the Constitution, especially in light of the 2023 Constitutional Court verdict that struck down a controversial law criminalizing the sending of leaflets and other materials into North Korea.
Despite the legal challenges, many human rights activists remain committed to their work. Park Sang-hak, a prominent North Korean defector and democracy activist, has reportedly stated that he has no intention of ending his leaflet campaign.
10. ED Korea-US ties under strain
Excerpts:
The abrupt cancellation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to South Korea has reignited concerns over the current state of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Officially attributed to Middle East crisis issues, the decision nevertheless reflects deeper undercurrents shaping one of Asia’s most critical bilateral relationships.
...
In this complex environment, South Korea finds itself navigating an increasingly narrow diplomatic space. The days of relying solely on historical ties and alliance solidarity are over. What is required now is a clear-eyed, interest-driven approach to foreign policy.
First, Seoul must approach economic diplomacy with renewed urgency. Trade tensions with the U.S. cannot be left to fester. Drawing lessons from Vietnam’s recent agreement, South Korea should engage Washington in pragmatic negotiations that address outstanding issues while reinforcing its economic and strategic alignment.
Second, strategic engagement with China must be carefully managed. Korea cannot afford to be seen as drifting toward Beijing, yet constructive dialogue is essential to regional stability. High-level engagement should be structured around clear national interests, ideally within multilateral forums such as the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Finally, both Seoul and Washington must resist complacency. The Rubio cancellation, while unfortunate, is not the root cause of bilateral strain — it is a symptom of broader structural shifts in global diplomacy. Addressing these challenges requires more than rhetoric; it demands honest dialogue, policy coherence and a shared understanding that alliances must evolve to remain effective.
The Korea–U.S. relationship remains vital, but its resilience will depend on both sides adapting to new realities with pragmatism and foresight. In an era where power politics, economic competition and shifting alliances dominate, strategic realism — not sentiment — will determine the alliance's future.
- Opinion
- Editorial
ED Korea-US ties under strain
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/editorial/20250706/rubio-cancels-visit-to-korea-creating-concern-for-alliance
Published Jul 6, 2025 2:40 pm KST
Updated Jul 6, 2025 3:27 pm KST
Moving beyond sentiment to strategic realism
The abrupt cancellation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to South Korea has reignited concerns over the current state of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Officially attributed to Middle East crisis issues, the decision nevertheless reflects deeper undercurrents shaping one of Asia’s most critical bilateral relationships.
For decades, the alliance between Seoul and Washington has been widely regarded as a cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia. Rooted in shared security interests and a common commitment to democratic values, the relationship has weathered wars, regional crises and leadership transitions. Yet recent developments suggest that longstanding sentiment is no longer enough to insulate the alliance from hard geopolitical realities.
Trade tensions have emerged as a significant source of friction. South Korean industries, particularly in the automobile and steel sectors, continue to face tariff pressures from Washington, despite Seoul’s role as a vital security partner and host to U.S. forces. The frustration is palpable in Seoul, where policymakers and businesses alike question how a country so central to U.S. strategic interests remains subject to the same economic tools applied to competitors.
The message from Washington is increasingly clear. The U.S. administration, continuing a trend that began years ago, is redefining alliances through a transactional lens. Security cooperation remains critical, but it no longer guarantees preferential treatment on economic matters. Recent developments only underscore this point. Washington’s new trade agreement with Vietnam, offering significant tariff relief in exchange for deeper economic alignment, illustrates how the U.S. is recalibrating its partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.
Vietnam’s ability to secure economic concessions reflects a broader strategic trend: Countries that demonstrate clear alignment with U.S. priorities — whether on trade, technology or supply chains — stand to benefit. For South Korea, this is a timely reminder that alliance rhetoric must be matched by tangible cooperation and strategic clarity.
Security challenges further complicate the picture. North Korea’s advancing missile program, China’s growing influence and the shifting military posture of the United States require agile, coordinated responses. Yet domestic political debates in both countries have, at times, hindered the ability to present a united front.
China, for its part, is watching these developments closely. Beijing’s invitation of President Lee Jae Myung to attend its Victory Day military parade in September is a calculated diplomatic move, intended to test Seoul’s strategic resolve. Participation carries political risks, both domestically and internationally, yet outright rejection could strain an already delicate relationship with Beijing.
In this complex environment, South Korea finds itself navigating an increasingly narrow diplomatic space. The days of relying solely on historical ties and alliance solidarity are over. What is required now is a clear-eyed, interest-driven approach to foreign policy.
First, Seoul must approach economic diplomacy with renewed urgency. Trade tensions with the U.S. cannot be left to fester. Drawing lessons from Vietnam’s recent agreement, South Korea should engage Washington in pragmatic negotiations that address outstanding issues while reinforcing its economic and strategic alignment.
Second, strategic engagement with China must be carefully managed. Korea cannot afford to be seen as drifting toward Beijing, yet constructive dialogue is essential to regional stability. High-level engagement should be structured around clear national interests, ideally within multilateral forums such as the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Finally, both Seoul and Washington must resist complacency. The Rubio cancellation, while unfortunate, is not the root cause of bilateral strain — it is a symptom of broader structural shifts in global diplomacy. Addressing these challenges requires more than rhetoric; it demands honest dialogue, policy coherence and a shared understanding that alliances must evolve to remain effective.
The Korea–U.S. relationship remains vital, but its resilience will depend on both sides adapting to new realities with pragmatism and foresight. In an era where power politics, economic competition and shifting alliances dominate, strategic realism — not sentiment — will determine the alliance's future.
11. More South Korean K2 Black Panther Tanks Are Set to Roll Into Poland
Arsenal of democracies.
More South Korean K2 Black Panther Tanks Are Set to Roll Into Poland
The National Interest · July 4, 2025
Topic: Military
Blog Brand: The Buzz
Region: Asia, and Europe
Tags: Eastern Europe, K2 Black Panther, NATO, Poland, South Korea, and Tanks
July 4, 2025
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The South Korean tanks, now considered among the best in the world, are being acquired to replace Warsaw’s aging fleet of Soviet-era T-72 and post-Cold War PT-91 Twardy MBTs.
NATO member Poland is on track to receive a second batch of K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBTs), as Warsaw concluded a deal with South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem on Wednesday. The terms of the contract and the total number of tanks that the Polish military will receive were not disclosed by Warsaw. However, the defense contract, confirmed in a regulatory filing, stated that the procurement was valued at $6.5 billion.
It is also believed that the contract will cover 180 tanks, the same number that was purchased in a 2022 agreement. It was the “largest single-system weapons export to date,” according to the Defence Blog. Seoul has remained committed to becoming a major producer and exporter of military hardware, and Poland has become its largest customer. Past arms packages between the two countries have included 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers, 48 FA-50 fighter jets, and as many as 300 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.
The Poland-South Korea Tank Deal Has Run Into Issues
Although Poland had previously praised the vehicle and its past deals with the South Korean firm, the two had been at an impasse over the terms of the contract.
“The government consistently demonstrated its strong commitment to technology transfer and military cooperation, earning Poland’s deep trust through various policy supports such as defence export financing,” the South Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced, per Military Watch Magazine.
In addition, the domestic political crisis that occurred last December, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law, further derailed progress on the deal.
Domestic Production of the K2 in Poland
The Polish Army has yet to receive the final 96 of the initial 180 K2 Black Panthers, and the MBTs are expected to be delivered before the end of the year. The South Korean tanks are now considered among the best in the world and are being acquired to replace Warsaw’s aging fleet of Soviet-era T-72 and post-Cold War PT-91 Twardy MBTs. Poland has pledged to send those vehicles to Ukraine.
As part of the new deal between Warsaw and Hyundai Rotem, a total of 63 tanks from the second batch will be assembled in Poland via the state-run defense firm PGZ. Additionally, the Polish Army will receive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for the vehicles, along with the aforementioned technology transfer. That will align with the European Union’s “ReArm Europe Plan,” which was announced in March. It calls for increased defense spending and a greater emphasis on “localized defense production and joint procurement within the bloc,” The Defence Blog added.
South Korea’s K2 Black Panther MBT Is a Powerhouse
Initially developed to supplement rather than replace the K1 MBT, which was based on the early designs of the American XM1 program that led to the M1 Abrams, the K2 program resulted in a far superior tank. It was designed to utilize only indigenous technology, and production began in 2014. It is believed to outclass any tanks in service with North Korea or even the Chinese military.
The Black Panther relies on both an undisclosed modular composite armor and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks, and according to reports, can withstand direct hits to the front from a 120mm tank round. In addition, the K2 is equipped with an active protection system, as well as countermeasure systems that include NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. The MBT’s main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, produced under license in South Korea, and equipped with a domestically designed automatic loader. This loader ensures the loading of projectiles on the move, including when operating on uneven surfaces. The gun is capable of firing the new KSTAM (Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition) rounds—smart target-activated fire-and-forget projectiles.
The K2 Black Panther MBT is operated by a crew of three, including a commander, gunner, and driver. The MBT also features an electric gun and turret driving system (28-260VDC) provided by Doosan Corporation Mottrol. In addition, the gunner’s primary sight (GPS) and commander’s panoramic sight (CPS) are stabilized in two axes, and include a thermal imager and laser rangefinder, enabling day/night observation.
Beyond its heavy-hitting power, the Black Panther is equipped with a unique suspension system that can be contorted into various positions. For cross-country performance, the suspension is raised, providing the K2 with greater ground clearance. On roads, the suspension is lowered, allowing the tank to hug the ground for improved speed. Moreover, the K2 can “lean,” “sit,” or “kneel” to provide the main gun with better maneuverability in hull-down positions. When leaning backward, the K2 can raise its main gun to target low-flying aircraft or more highly elevated targets more effectively.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
The National Interest · July 4, 2025
12. From Chains to Change: A Fight for Human Rights. | Ji Hyun Park | TEDxUFV
On this American Independence Day Weekend I strongly recommend listening to this Ted talk about freedom and human rights by my good friend and colleague, Ms. Ji Hyun Park.
This story is why we must seek a free and unified Korea.
De Oppresso Liber: to help the oppressed free themselves.
From Chains to Change: A Fight for Human Rights. | Ji Hyun Park | TEDxUFV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGv4fNLX_qM
540 views Jun 26, 2025
Ji Hyun Park shares her harrowing story of survival after escaping North Korea and falling victim to human trafficking. Now a committed human rights activist, she raises her voice for those who still remain silent. Her testimony is a powerful call to action against modern slavery and a reminder that freedom, once attained, becomes a responsibility. She is an exiled North Korean activist living in the United Kingdom. She has escaped the North Korean regime twice, after surviving a forced marriage, human trafficking, and imprisonment in forced labor camps. Throughout her life, she has faced multiple life-threatening experiences, but far from remaining silent, she has decided to speak out. Today, Ji Hyun dedicates her life to raising awareness of the extremely harsh conditions suffered by North Korean women and to denouncing the crimes committed against the population in her home country. This work, which she carries out despite the personal risks it entails, has been internationally recognized. She is the author of the book *The Hard Road Out*, where she tells her story of resilience and hope. His work has been honored with awards such as the NatWest Chairman’s Award (2018), the Amnesty Brave Award (2020), The Times Hero Award (2021), and he was a finalist for the GG2 Leadership & Diversity Award in 2023. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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