Informal Institute for National Security Thinkers and Practitioners

Quotes of the Day:

"The essence of evil is the refusal to think."

– Hannah Arendt

"Worrying is like paying a debt you don't owe."

– Mark Twain

"The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young. Inside this aging body is a heart still as curious, still as hungry, still as full of longing, as it was in youth. I sit at the window and watch the world pass by, feeling like a stranger in a strange land, unable to relate to the world outside, and yet within me, there burns the same fire that once thought it could conquer the world. And the real tragedy is that the world still remains, so distant and elusive, a place I could never quite grasp."

– Albert Camus

1. S. Korea, U.S. stage combined firepower drills near inter-Korean border

2. 15 injured after KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly drop bombs outside training range

3. Top S. Korean security official expects 'good' outcome from tariff talks between Seoul, Washington

4. North Korea suddenly halts group tours to the West... Are they embarrassed when their true colors are revealed?

5. South Korean Air Force Mistakenly Bombs Village Near Seoul

6. The solution unfortunately is simply more training not less.

7. Top diplomats of S. Korea, Poland reaffirm steadfast commitment to advancing defense cooperation

8. Top S. Korean security official expects 'good' outcome from tariff talks between Seoul, Washington

9. Experts warn of looming Trump pressure on alliance issues with S. Korea

10. Trump wants Korea to invest in the Alaska LNG project—will it happen?

11. Editorial: U.S.-South Korea nuclear partnership could offer path through Trump era economic uncertainty

12. Exclusive: U.S., Russia likely to intervene in N. Korean POWs' bid to reach S. Korea

13. N. Korean sanatoriums repurposed for military activities with Russia

14. ＜Inside N. Korea＞Russian Deployment Exposed, Draft Evasion Surges — Students Fleeing, Faking Medical Certificates

15. The North Korean Defector Who’s Been Called a ‘Hero of Ukraine’

16. Asia Journalist Association calls for unity amid Korea’s martial law turmoil

1. S. Korea, U.S. stage combined firepower drills near inter-Korean border

Given the new US administration I think the command should change its motto from "ready to fight tonight" to "ready to win today."

S. Korea, U.S. stage combined firepower drills near inter-Korean border | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · March 6, 2025

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States on Thursday held combined live-fire drills near the inter-Korean border, officials said, in a show of firepower against North Korean military threats ahead of their annual springtime exercise this month.

The exercise took place at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, just 25 kilometers south of the border, mobilizing more than 160 pieces of military hardware, including K2 tanks, K55A1 self-propelled howitzers, Apache attack helicopters and F-35A stealth jets, according to the Army.

It marked the allies' first exercise of its kind this year, taking place in connection to the upcoming annual Freedom Shield exercise. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo and U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Bronson were set to visit and inspect the live-fire drills.

The drills began with South Korean and U.S. military drones conducting reconnaissance missions against simulated threats and directing artillery firing before mechanized infantry troops and tanks moved in to secure target areas, according to the Army.

During the training, South Korean fighter jets dropped more than 30 live munitions, including an MK-84 bomb capable of penetrating 60 centimeters of concrete to target bunkers or hardened structures.

North Korea has long denounced the allies' military drills as a rehearsal for an invasion against it, while South Korea and the U.S. have said such drills are defensive in nature.

South Korean troops inspect K1A2 tanks ahead of major live-fire drills with U.S. troops at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, just 25 kilometers south of the inter-Korean border, in this photo released by the South's Army on March 6, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

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en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · March 6, 2025

2. 15 injured after KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly drop bombs outside training range

A tragic mistake. But if we do not train, we will make more tragic mistakes. And the worst thing to do is to halt training. Sure there will be an investigation and possibly a safety stand down. But when we fall off our horse we have to get right back on.

I will never forget having to tell the late BG Toney we had a training accident that wounded one of our soldiers. An SFODA was conducting night live drill drills and one of the NCOs was accidentally shot (but survived and made a full recovery). BG Toney asked me what orders I was going to give the team and knowing him and his intent I said they were going back to the range tomorrow to continue training. He said that was right because he did not want them sacrificing their combat skills or losing their edge because of an unfortunate accident (which is what the investigation revealed – that it was just an unfortunate accident).

This incident will be investigated and corrections will be made as necessary (and compensation will be made to the victims) but we cannot allow this tragic accident to erode our readiness.

(7th LD) 15 injured after KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly drop bombs outside training range | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · March 6, 2025

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES with number of injured)

By Lee Haye-ah and Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- Fifteen people were injured Thursday after two Air Force KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight air-to-surface bombs outside a training range during live-fire drills, military officials and fire authorities said, in an unprecedented mistaken bombing on a civilian town.

Authorities said the bombing took place over a village in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, at around 10 a.m., leaving 15 people, including two soldiers and two foreigners, with minor to serious injuries and damaging a church and seven other buildings.

Fire authorities said two civilian men have been seriously injured and taken to the hospital but noted their injuries to the face and shoulder are not life-threatening. Eight others with minor injuries have also been moved to hospitals for treatment.

Authorities expect the number of those injured to rise as more people have requested treatment.

Some 50 residents in the area have evacuated to a town hall away from the bombing site.

A building is damaged from a suspected bomb in Pocheon, about 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 6, 2025, in this photo provided by a reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Military officials said the KF-16 fighter jets taking part in a live-fire exercise "abnormally" released four MK-82 bombs each outside the training range in Pocheon at 10:04 a.m.

The Air Force said it is conducting an investigation into the accident, headed by Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Park Ki-wan, and apologized for the damage to civilians.

"We are sorry for the civilian damage from the abnormal (bomb) release accident and wish for the swift recovery of those injured," the Air Force said in a statement. "We will actively take all necessary measures, including compensation for the damage."

It marked the first accidental bombing by South Korean fighter jets that resulted in casualties.

In 2004, an Air Force F-5B mistakenly released a practice bomb over Boryeong, 138 kilometers south of Seoul, but no one was injured from the incident.

Earlier in the day, South Korea and the United States held combined live-fire drills near the inter-Korean border, in a show of firepower against North Korean military threats ahead of their annual springtime exercise this month.

A window of a building is shattered near the site where an Air Force fighter jet accidentally dropped eight bombs in Pocheon, about 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 6, 2025. (Yonhap)

hague@yna.co.kr

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

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en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · March 6, 2025

3. Top S. Korean security official expects 'good' outcome from tariff talks between Seoul, Washington

Top S. Korean security official expects 'good' outcome from tariff talks between Seoul, Washington | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · March 6, 2025

By Song Sang-ho and Park Sung-min

WASHINGTON, March 5 (Yonhap) -- A top South Korean security official on Wednesday anticipated a "good" outcome from consultations between Seoul and Washington on tariff and other trade issues, highlighting the two countries' desire for a "win-win" result.

National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik made the remarks as he arrived in Washington for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Mike Waltz, and other senior officials to discuss bilateral cooperation in security, the economy, the shipbuilding industry and other areas.

His visit came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the previous day that South Korea's average tariff is four times higher than that of the United States -- a remark that apparently laid bare his perception of the Asian ally as an unfair trade partner.

"That matter is what our ministries in charge of trade relations are closely consulting over with the U.S. Commerce Department and the U.S. Trade Representative, and I think that there might be a good outcome (from the consultations)," he told reporters, referring to Trump's remark on South Korea's tariffs on U.S. goods.

"We have confirmed that (both sides) have the will to make efforts toward a win-win (situation)," he added.

National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik arrives at Dulles International Airport near Washington on March 5, 2025. (Yonhap)

Commenting on lingering concerns that the Trump administration could call for a rise in Seoul's share of the cost for stationing the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea, Shin said no discussion on that matter has taken place yet.

The concerns resurfaced Tuesday as Trump claimed in an address to a joint session of Congress that though the U.S. has helped South Korea militarily and in "so many other ways," South Korea has high tariffs on U.S. products.

"We will smoothly disentangle that issue based on the sprit of the longstanding alliance," he said.

North Korea will also be part of the agenda for his talks with the U.S. side, he noted.

Touching on South Korea's move to join a natural gas pipeline project in Alaska, Shin said that the issue was discussed when Seoul's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun recently visited Washington.

"Though it has not been decided, we've decided to discuss that issue going forward," he said. "As Japan has also an intention (to discuss its participation in the project), (I) think it will take concrete shape going forward."

In his congressional address, Trump said that his administration is working on a "gigantic" natural gas pipeline in Alaska where South Korea, Japan and other nations want to be partners -- with "investments of trillions of dollars" each.

Shin's visit to the U.S. comes after he agreed to meet in person with Waltz during a call last month.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

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en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · March 6, 2025

4. North Korea suddenly halts group tours to the West... Are they embarrassed when their true colors are revealed?

This is a Google translation of an RFA report.

North Korea suddenly halts group tours to the West... Are they embarrassed when their true colors are revealed?

WASHINGTON-Jamin Anderson andersonj@rfa.org

2025.03.05

https://www.rfa.org/korean/in-focus/2025/03/05/north-korea-cnacel-rason-tours-travel/

A notice posted on Facebook by Koryo Tours, a travel agency specializing in North Korea, after North Korean authorities announced the suspension of tours to Rason.

A notice posted on Facebook by Koryo Tours, a North Korea travel agency, after North Korean authorities announced the suspension of tours to Rason. (Koryo Tours Facebook capture)

Anchor: Last month, non-Russian tourism to North Korea, which had resumed after five years, was suddenly halted. While the North Korean authorities did not give a specific reason, there is analysis that they were concerned about the exposure of internal systems and the inflow of external information due to the visit of tourists. Reporter Jamin Anderson reports.

Western travel agencies that operate tours to North Korea said on the 5th that they had been notified by their North Korean partners that tours to Rason had been suspended.

Koryo Tours, KTG Tours, and Young Pioneer Tours all announced the suspension of Rason tours through notices on the same day , saying, “The timing of resumption is unknown and we are currently checking the situation.”

Korean Konsult, a travel agency located in Sweden, also abruptly canceled its Rason tour itinerary scheduled for the 6th.

“We heard from Rason International Travel that the Rason trip scheduled for March 6 to 10 has been canceled,” Michelle Dalard, co-CEO of the travel agency, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 5th.

“Unfortunately, I have not heard any specific reason for the cancellation,” he added.

The six tourists, from Sweden, Norway, France, Italy and the UK, who were due to depart the next day, were “deeply disappointed and shocked by the cancellation,” Mr Dalard said.

Travel agents are left bewildered as tourism, which had resumed after five years, is suddenly halted without warning.

There are also Western tourists who entered the country on the 3rd and are already touring Rason.

On this day, Korea Tour announced on its online social networking service, “The group will finish its schedule tomorrow as planned and depart the country.”

Additionally, Young Pioneer Tours, which was preparing a tour package for the Rajin Islands scheduled to depart on the 25th of this month, advised “those planning tours in April and May to refrain from booking flights until further information is confirmed.”

The purpose is to block information leaks and inflows?

Regarding this sudden decision, Ri Jeong-ho, a former high-ranking official in Office 39 of the North Korean Workers' Party and now head of the Korea Prosperity Development Center, drew attention to reviews shared online and in the media by tourists who had recently visited North Korea.

Western and South Korean media, including RFA, have been reporting on the reality of tourism in North Korea by interviewing tourists one after another . In the process, it is highly likely that North Korean authorities reacted sensitively to negative assessments such as North Korea's "tourist control" and "gloomy scenes."

[Representative Lee Jeong-ho] North Korea is a country where the system itself values political gains more than economic gains. If tourists criticize the system after their trip, make remarks that undermine the authority of the leader, or slander North Korea as a very controlled system, there is a tendency to control or stop (tourism products).

He also said, “It is highly likely that this sudden suspension of tourism was a direct measure taken by General Secretary Kim Jong-un,” and that tour guides and heads of related organizations will likely be held responsible for their negligence and punished.

The photo shows Chinese tourists touring North Korea holding border tourism passes instead of passports.

The photo shows Chinese tourists touring North Korea holding border tourism passes instead of passports. (Yonhap News)

Will North Korea's tourist entry record be a problem for overseas travel?

“Life-changing experience” North Korea desperately seeks to attract foreign tourists

North Korea's professional travel agencies: "Rason officially opens on the 20th"

Some analysts say that this measure may be aimed at blocking the inflow of outside information into North Korea.

David Maxwell, vice president of the U.S.-based Asia-Pacific Strategy Center, told RFA on the 5th that “Kim Jong-un is afraid of tourists coming into contact with local residents,” and that he may have made this decision considering the impact that information inflow through tourists would have on North Korea.

[Vice President Maxwell] While tourism does provide revenue to the regime, the money it makes by providing ammunition and weapons to support Putin's war far outweighs the revenue it can generate from tourism. So North Korea is weighing the benefits of tourism against the risk of information infiltration, and it seems that the risk of information leaking into North Korea is far greater than the value of tourism revenue.

Pyongyang Marathon to be held as scheduled

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Pyongyang International Marathon scheduled for April 6 will proceed as planned.

Travel agencies such as Koryo Tours and Korean Concert said, “There has been no news of any changes to the marathon so far,” and that since the marathon is not an event held in Rason, it seems unlikely to have any direct relation to the Rason border closure.

Editor Park Jeong-woo

5. South Korean Air Force Mistakenly Bombs Village Near Seoul

Beware the knee jerk reactions. The only way to minimize such tragedies (accidents can never be totally prevented) is to continue to train. Obviously that does not satisfy the victims and their families but the nation has to consider the importance of the ROK air force to its national defense.

South Korean Air Force Mistakenly Bombs Village Near Seoul

Blunder comes during a test run for combined U.S.-South Korea exercises next week

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/errant-bombs-from-south-korean-jet-fighter-drill-injure-at-least-15-e413ea69?mod=latest_headlines

By Timothy W. Martin

and Soobin Kim

Updated March 6, 2025 5:14 am ET

(3rd LD) Pilot error blamed for mistaken fighter jet bombing over Pocheon | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · March 6, 2025

(ATTN: ADDS top Air Force commander's remarks in paras 8-11, photo)

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- Pilot error is suspected to have caused an accidental fighter jet bombing of a civilian area in a border city Thursday in an unprecedented accident that left at least 15 people injured, military officials said.

Two KF-16 fighter jets "abnormally" dropped four MK-82 air-to-surface bombs each outside a training ground in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, at 10:04 a.m., while taking part in joint live-fire drills with U.S. troops, according to the officials.

Military police officers block access to a village in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 6, 2025, where a bomb fell on a road by a house, leaving at least seven people with minor to serious injuries and destroying a church and six other buildings. The accident came after two Air Force KF-16 fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs outside a training range during live-fire drills. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

An Air Force official told reporters an initial investigation found that one of the pilots of the single-seat jets wrongly entered the coordinates for the strike target prior to take-off, leading to the accidental bombing.

Due to the apparent mistake, the bombs were dropped over a village about 8 kilometers away from the target at the training ground, leaving two with serious injuries and damaging eight buildings.

The official said authorities are looking into whether the pilot properly followed procedures to check the entered coordinates.

The investigation will also check for possible lapses in air traffic control as the fighter jets veered off their planned flight path due to the wrong target coordinates, according to the official.

A defense ministry official said the military will suspend all live-fire drills until the exact cause of the accident is determined.

A suspected bomb explosion is seen at a village in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 6, 2025, in this photo provided by a reader. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The Air Force's top commander apologized for the accidental bombing and vowed to make the utmost effort to compensate for the damage.

"We will compensate to the full extent the mental, physical and property damage inflicted upon the residents," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su said in a statement, saying he feels a heavy responsibility for causing concern.

Lee stressed that the Air Force will thoroughly investigate the accident to hold those responsible accountable and draw up measures to prevent similar accidents going forward.

The Air Force commander said the armed forces will conduct safety education on all service members, including pilots, handling aerial armament and bolster relevant procedures.

The accidental bombing took place as South Korean and U.S. troops conducted live-fire drills, involving more than 160 pieces of military hardware, including tanks and fighter jets, at the training range near the border with North Korea.

The drills were designed to serve as a lead-up to the allies' major springtime Freedom Shield exercise scheduled to kick off Monday for an 11-day run.

A military official said Freedom Shield will take place as planned, but authorities were in talks for possible changes to on-field training.

KF-16 fighter jets take part in live-fire drills at a firing range in Pocheon, some 40 kilometers north of Seoul, on March 6, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · March 6, 2025

7. Top diplomats of S. Korea, Poland reaffirm steadfast commitment to advancing defense cooperation

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Poland reaffirm steadfast commitment to advancing defense cooperation | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · March 6, 2025

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Poland have agreed to continue working together to advance defense cooperation, including providing full support for swift progress in key arms exports, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski reached the understanding during their talks in Warsaw on Wednesday (local time), as they shared the view that their partnership in the defense industry has become "a key pillar" in bilateral relations, the ministry said.

The talks came as South Korea is seeking to finalize its second round of contracts to export 820 K2 tanks, manufactured by Hyundai Rotem Co., to Poland, in a deal estimated at around US$7 billion.

The two countries signed a $12.4 billion agreement in July 2022, under which South Korea will supply K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers to Poland.

"The ministers agreed to maintain their unwavering commitment to advancing defense collaboration as strategic partners in security and national defense," the ministry said in a release.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (L) poses with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski ahead of their bilateral talks in Warsaw on March 5, 2025, in this photo provided by the South Korean foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"They agreed to make every possible effort, including government-to-government consultations, to ensure the swift conclusion of the implementation of the second contract for the K2 tanks," it said.

The ministers also discussed North Korea's military provocations.

Strongly condemning the North's continued nuclear and missile development, and its illegal military cooperation with Russia, they reaffirmed their commitment to a united and resolute response in coordination with the international community to achieve the North's complete denuclearization.

Cho stressed that the North should not be rewarded with any compensation in return for its illegal involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine in the course of ceasefire negotiations.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Cho reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to supporting efforts toward lasting peace and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Following the talks, Cho and Sikorski signed a follow-up agreement for plans to advance the two countries' strategic partnership.

While in Warsaw, Cho also visited the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki, about 50 kilometers east of the Polish capital, as part of a tour to the site of their defense cooperation, the ministry said.

South Korea's FA-50 light attack aircraft are deployed at the air force base, with personnel from the Korea Aerospace Industries stationed there to carry out maintenance and pilot training.

During the visit, Cho also had a meeting with businesspeople from some 13 South Korean companies and chiefs of several South Korean public entities, including the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency.

Cho's visit marked the first trip to Poland by a South Korean foreign minister in six years.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (C) poses with officials during a visit to the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki, eastern Poland, on March 5, 2025, in this photo provided by the South Korean foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

elly@yna.co.kr

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en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · March 6, 2025

8. Top S. Korean security official expects 'good' outcome from tariff talks between Seoul, Washington

Despite the political turmoil the Korean government continues to function.

Top S. Korean security official expects 'good' outcome from tariff talks between Seoul, Washington | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · March 6, 2025

By Song Sang-ho and Park Sung-min

"We have confirmed that (both sides) have the will to make efforts toward a win-win (situation)," he added.

National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik arrives at Dulles International Airport near Washington on March 5, 2025. (Yonhap)

"We will smoothly disentangle that issue based on the sprit of the longstanding alliance," he said.

North Korea will also be part of the agenda for his talks with the U.S. side, he noted.

Touching on South Korea's move to join a natural gas pipeline project in Alaska, Shin said that the issue was discussed when Seoul's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun recently visited Washington.

Shin's visit to the U.S. comes after he agreed to meet in person with Waltz during a call last month.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · March 6, 2025

9. Experts warn of looming Trump pressure on alliance issues with S. Korea

It does not have to be this way. It does not have to be confrontational. POTUS has set all the conditions. So many ROK and US interests align. The ROK desires cooperation. Although counterintuitive and certainly not in line with POTUS' worldview, there is now the opportunity to actually strengthen the alliance and conclude agreements that will be very much in US interest as well as mutual ROK/US interests. If each country would implement their own America First and Korea First policy I think we would be pleasantly surprised to see how our issues liene up.

We must also take into account strategic competition with China and the north Korea threat. Both countries' political warfare strategies include undermining the ROK/US alliance and creating dilemmas for both the US and the ROK. Why should we play into their hands?

What if POTUS did something completely different and unexpected and sought cooperation with the ROK rather than confrontation? Since he supposedly likes to be unpredictable this is one new way he could do that.

(News Focus) Experts warn of looming Trump pressure on alliance issues with S. Korea | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · March 6, 2025

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to soon shift the focus of his "America First" blitz to South Korea, possibly demanding an increase in Seoul's financial burden for U.S. troops stationed in the country, experts warned Thursday following his first speech to Congress.

Addressing a joint session of Congress on Tuesday (U.S. time), Trump claimed that South Korea is imposing high tariffs despite Washington's security contributions to the Asian ally's defense.

"South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that, four times higher. And we give so much help militarily and in so many other ways to South Korea," Trump noted during the speech.

While it remains unclear how Trump derived his accusations against South Korea, which has a free trade agreement with the United States and maintains low-level tariffs on most trade items, his remarks confirm his perception of the ally as an unfair trade partner and the U.S. as being at an unfair disadvantage.

This photo, released by AFP, shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 2025. (Yonhap)

The development suggests that Trump's "America First" blitz could soon target South Korea, security experts here said, predicting that Seoul could possibly be pressured into renegotiating the bilateral defense cost-sharing deal or reconsidering the role of the U.S. troops in South Korea.

In October, months before Trump returned to the presidency, Seoul and Washington finalized the latest five-year defense cost-sharing deal, the Special Measures Agreement, effective until 2030. It sets South Korea's share of the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea at 1.52 trillion won (US$1.05 billion) in 2026, an 8.3 percent increase from 2025.

"It appears that President Trump's plans for South Korea are gradually becoming clear. He seems intent on applying pressure in various areas, including using tariffs as a weapon to relocate Korean companies (exporting to the U.S.) to the U.S.," Kim Hyun-wook, director of the Sejong Institute, told Yonhap News Agency.

Kim said that Trump may not go as far as withdrawing U.S. forces from South Korea but may try to redirect their role at a time when he is expected to reengage with North Korea, which, if successful, could reduce security threats from Pyongyang.

"Potential dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang could also lead to a redefinition of the South Korea-U.S. alliance in terms of its role and purpose," he said.

Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University, assessed that Trump's Congress remarks confirmed the possibility of the U.S. directing tariff pressure at South Korea any time soon and demanding Seoul shoulder a larger share of the costs of maintaining U.S. forces in the country.

Park proposed that South Korea consider "benchmarking how Japan has coped by reducing its trade surplus with the U.S. and increasing defense costs, presenting these as a package with a clear price tag, in the way Trump desires."

A proposal to raise its defense costs and buy U.S. weapons with the increased budget could be one option South Korea can consider, Park said.

Yang Wook, a researcher at Asan Institute for Policy Studies, predicted that the Trump administration may start "targeting" South Korea once the Ukraine war concludes and the situation in the region improves.

Although Trump appears to be dissatisfied with having U.S. forces stationed in South Korea, he may not want to withdraw them altogether, as that would also cost money, Yang said.

"In any case, developing a grudge from the U.S. is not at all helpful. In the end, a picture of South Korea and U.S. cooperating should be painted ... especially in a way Trump could be proud of," he noted.

This file photo, taken March 3, 2024, shows military helicopters parked at the U.S. Forces Korea's Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)

pbr@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Park Boram · March 6, 2025

10. Trump wants Korea to invest in the Alaska LNG project—will it happen?

Trump wants Korea to invest in the Alaska LNG project—will it happen?

U.S. floats costly, long-delayed Alaska LNG project to Asian allies amid tariff threats

https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2025/03/06/SQND4JZSNBDWVJJOEYQVPO3RKM/

By Jo Jae-hee,

Jo Jae-hyun,

Lee Jae-eun

Published 2025.03.06. 14:43

Updated 2025.03.06. 15:35

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System / Getty Image Korea

The $44 billion Alaska LNG project, which U.S. President Donald Trump touted Japan, South Korea and other nations “want to invest trillions of dollars each,” involves constructing a 1,300-km pipeline from Alaska’s North Slope to the southern coast. Natural gas would then be cooled to a liquid state and shipped to the world’s top three LNG importers—China, Japan, and South Korea—starting in 2029.

The U.S. has been trying to export Alaskan natural gas to Asian countries since the 2010s, but the enormous cost of building the infrastructure has hindered Asian countries from investing in the project.

Trump, who has been pushing for U.S. energy independence and dominance, wants to jumpstart the long-delayed Alaska LNG project with investment from major importers such as South Korea and Japan while securing a stable export market. In 2023, China accounted for 17.6% of global LNG imports, followed by Japan (16.5%) and South Korea (11.3%). Collectively, the three countries account for 45.4%, or nearly half, of all LNG imports.

Transporting LNG from the shale gas fields near Houston, Texas, to Korea typically takes up to three weeks or a month if the Panama Canal is congested. Shipping LNG from Alaska to Asian countries takes only a week. Large LNG carriers often struggle to navigate the Panama Canal, meaning that when they choose to detour around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, transportation can extend to 45–50 days.

“The U.S. likely sees the Alaska LNG project as a strategic move to compete with Canada and Russia for the Asian LNG market,” said Shin Hyun-don, a professor at Inha University.

When the project was first proposed in 2013, global oil prices averaged around $100 per barrel, raising hopes that the project could be profitable. Oil giants ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and BP initially set up subsidiaries to join the project. But the American shale gas revolution soon drove oil and natural gas prices down, dimming the prospects of the multi-billion-dollar Alaska project. By 2016, all major oil companies had pulled out, leaving only Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC), a state-owned entity, to carry the project forward.

The situation resembles real estate redevelopment projects, which thrive when property prices soar but stall when the market cools and raw material costs rise. LNG projects require massive investments in liquefaction facilities, pipelines, and export terminals. The capital-intensive nature of the project requires securing long-term contracts, often spanning 20 years, before construction begins, akin to pre-selling apartments before development.

Many see the Alaska LNG project as expensive and challenging. The project involves building a long pipeline from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska’s North Slope region to the Pacific port of Nikiski. The pipeline alone costs $10.7 billion, contributing to the project’s overall price tag of $44 billion.

When ExxonMobil and other energy giants pulled back from the project in 2016, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie called the Alaska LNG project “one of the least competitive energy projects in the world.”

“With Alaska’s harsh climate limiting construction to only half of the year and the state’s high corporate tax rates, profitability will be hard to achieve,” said Jung Yong-heon, a former professor at Ajou University.

South Korea’s Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said the government recently agreed to establish a working-level group to discuss the project, though it remains too early to determine whether Korea will participate.

#트럼프

Alaska LNG

11. Editorial: U.S.-South Korea nuclear partnership could offer path through Trump era economic uncertainty

Editorial: U.S.-South Korea nuclear partnership could offer path through Trump era economic uncertainty

https://www.chosun.com/english/opinion-en/2025/03/06/JRBJX244IRGWLHZJ4HLNE3ZNSU/

By The Chosunilbo

Published 2025.03.06. 09:06

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses Congress on Mar. 4 (local time), alleging that South Korea imposes tariffs on U.S. products at four times the rate of U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods. /AP·Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on South Korea during his first congressional address highlight potential economic and diplomatic challenges that could arise under his administration. He claimed that “South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher [on our products], and we provide substantial military support in various ways, but that’s what happens.” He also called for the repeal of the CHIPS Act, which provides billions of dollars in subsidies to semiconductor giants such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Additionally, he encouraged South Korea and other nations to participate in a natural gas pipeline project in Alaska. If these statements translate into policy changes, they could impose significant burdens on South Korea.

However, Trump’s assertions do not reflect the reality of trade between the two countries. Under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), most American exports to South Korea are tariff-free. His claim may stem from a misinterpretation of South Korea’s global average tariff rate of 13.4%. The South Korean government must address this misperception and ensure that accurate trade data informs future negotiations.

The potential repeal of semiconductor subsidies presents a pressing concern. The Biden administration’s financial support commitments prompted Samsung to invest $37 billion and SK Hynix to commit $3.8 billion in U.S. semiconductor projects, with expected subsidies of $4.7 billion and $458 million, respectively. If these subsidies are rescinded, the companies could face significant financial setbacks, raising concerns about the reliability of U.S. industrial policy. South Korea must consider strategic responses, including leveraging U.S. concerns over China’s growing semiconductor industry. Possible negotiation tactics could involve concessions such as scaling back South Korean semiconductor production in China or pursuing joint development of high-performance AI memory chips with the U.S.

Trump’s push for South Korean participation in Alaska’s LNG development project also carries risks. The venture remains uncertain, and South Korean firms could face financial exposure if it fails. However, if successful, it could secure a stable supply of high-quality, low-cost energy. To mitigate risks, South Korea should consider working with Japan while pressing the U.S. government to resolve regulatory and corporate tax issues that could impact the project’s viability.

On the shipbuilding front, Trump’s proposal to introduce special tax incentives to revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry presents a potential opportunity. His focus on expanding the U.S. Navy and rebuilding domestic shipyards could open doors for South Korean shipbuilders, given their advanced capabilities. A mutually beneficial shipbuilding framework could strengthen South Korea’s position in broader trade negotiations with Washington.

Meanwhile, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the U.S. and South Korea on nuclear technology exports has laid the groundwork for collaboration on overseas nuclear power plant projects. South Korea, as a global manufacturing powerhouse, and the U.S., with its advanced technological expertise and strong diplomatic and military influence, have the potential to apply this cooperative model to other sectors. Extending this approach to shipbuilding, semiconductors, and energy could help South Korea navigate uncertainties in its economic relationship with the U.S. under a Trump administration.

Editorial

12. Exclusive: U.S., Russia likely to intervene in N. Korean POWs' bid to reach S. Korea

A little history to recall (not to repeat but to rhyme).

The Korean War Armistice negotiations dragged on for so long two plus years over one major issue, return of prisoners and specifically the prisoners right to decide whether they would be repatriated to their original countries.

There may be a slight parallel here.

Exclusive: U.S., Russia likely to intervene in N. Korean POWs' bid to reach S. Korea

The fate of North Korean POWs remains uncertain as the U.S. and Russia hold ceasefire talks over the war in Ukraine

https://www.chosun.com/english/north-korea-en/2025/03/06/YN4CXN6MGFFQPAEO43Z2NOZCJM/

By Lee Ha-won,

Kim Mi-geon

Published 2025.03.06. 09:06

The South Korean government is working to facilitate the transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces after being deployed to Russia’s Kursk region. However, reports on Mar. 5 suggest that both the United States and Russia are likely to become involved in the matter.

Sources indicate that if Russia, at the request of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s regime, strongly opposes the prisoners’ transfer to South Korea during ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. over the Ukraine war, Washington may consider taking them in. U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing the prisoners to the U.S. if Moscow blocks their relocation to Seoul.

Ri, 26, and Baek, 21, met with a journalist from The Chosunilbo and Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) last month at a Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camp, where they expressed their desire to go to South Korea. However, there is now a possibility that their fate could be determined without regard for their wishes.

A diplomatic source in Seoul said, “U.S. intelligence agencies are exploring the option of bringing the North Korean POWs to the U.S. Depending on the progress of ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Moscow, the situation could shift rapidly.”

According to the source, U.S. intelligence agencies have intercepted communications between Russia and North Korea discussing the captured soldiers. The Kim regime, which has kept its military deployment to Russia under wraps, reportedly requested that Moscow prevent the POWs from reaching South Korea. In response, Russia is said to have expressed its willingness to accommodate Pyongyang’s demand.

For Russian President Vladimir Putin, disregarding North Korea’s request is not an option, as Pyongyang has sent more than 12,000 troops to support Moscow. Russia is expected to firmly oppose the transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea as part of its ceasefire negotiations with the U.S. Last month, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for treating wounded Russian soldiers in North Korean medical facilities.

U.S. intelligence agencies believe that if Russia claims the captured North Koreans as its own troops and insists on their repatriation, sending them to South Korea may become unfeasible. At the same time, returning them to Russia could mean their eventual transfer to North Korea, where they risk execution. In light of this, Washington is reportedly weighing a discreet plan to take them in. U.S. officials see significant intelligence value in the prisoners, particularly regarding North Korea’s military operations and its cooperation with Russia. Since their capture last year, the U.S. has considered bringing them to American soil to gather intelligence on both the North Korean and Russian armed forces.

Observers believe the final decision on the prisoners’ fate will rest with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has prioritized a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine and progress on North Korea’s denuclearization. His stance on the matter could ultimately determine the outcome for the POWs.

The administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had initially responded positively to Seoul’s request regarding the captured North Korean soldiers. In a recent interview, Ukrainian Ambassador to South Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko said, “If they [the North Korean POWs] refuse to return to their home country, Ukraine is open to discussions with international partners, particularly South Korea.”

However, given Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. military aid, Washington’s potential involvement could shift Kyiv’s position. Some observers believe Ukraine would likely prioritize American interests over South Korea’s request.

The worst-case scenario, analysts say, is that the Trump administration could strike a deal with Russia, agreeing to return the POWs to North Korea in exchange for assurances that they will not be executed or mistreated.

North Korea

13. N. Korean sanatoriums repurposed for military activities with Russia

Long time workers being suddenly dismissed? I did not know Musk was operating in north Korea. But i guess we are seeing workers in north KOrea being "DOGE'd" (Apologies for the attempt at some gallows humor)

N. Korean sanatoriums repurposed for military activities with Russia - Daily NK English

Long-serving civilian employees of the sanatoriums are upset about being suddenly dismissed from their positions, a source told Daily NK

By Jeong Seo-yeong - March 6, 2025

dailynk.com · by Jeong Seo-yeong · March 6, 2025

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on June 20 that "A treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation has been signed" and "Comrade Kim Jong Un signed the treaty together with Comrade Putin." / Photo: Rodong Sinmun, News1

Several North Korean sanatoriums originally meant for soldiers needing rest or medical treatment are now being used for different purposes.

A source in North Korea told Daily NK recently that Korean People’s Army (KPA) Sanatorium No. 47 in Sinhung county, South Hamgyong province, and KPA Paek Song Won Sanatorium in Kusong, North Pyongan province, have been redesignated as “garrison areas for special military exchange.”

“Following this redesignation, all civilian employees were dismissed at the beginning of the month and temporarily replaced by new staff sent by the authorities,” the source said.

The staff changes aim to increase security for the special military activities taking place at these facilities.

According to the source, North Korea’s official explanation for the “garrison areas for special military exchange” designation is that they will house wounded soldiers.

Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that Aleksandr Matsegora, Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, stated in a Feb. 9 interview with Russian state media that North Korea would be accepting hundreds of Russian soldiers wounded in the Ukraine war for treatment and rehabilitation.

This appears to be connected to the redesignation of Sanatorium No. 47 and Paek Song Won Sanatorium.

“Service members familiar with these facilities say the soldiers admitted there, supposedly for injury treatment, are actually all healthy and engaged in military training and technical exchange. This doesn’t match what you’d expect from normal rehabilitation,” the source said.

The sanatoriums’ beds and medical equipment sit mostly unused while the soldiers housed there focus on tactical training and combat simulations.

Given these facilities’ new designation and reports that the soldiers there are primarily conducting military drills, North Koreans are cautiously speculating that these soldiers may be preparing for deployment to Russia.

The source said long-serving civilian employees of the sanatoriums are upset about being suddenly dismissed from their positions.

These abrupt actions suggest the regime is taking strict measures to prevent locals from leaking sensitive military information.

Local residents believe the sanatoriums are being used for military cooperation with Russia.

“Given reports of North Korean troops being deployed to Russia, locals think the sanatoriums are hosting high-level military cooperation aimed at sharing battlefield experience. Many believe the story about treating wounded soldiers is just a cover for actual military exchange with Russia,” the source said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty in Pyongyang last June. The treaty, which includes mutual defense provisions, officially took effect on Dec. 4.

Read in Korean

dailynk.com · by Jeong Seo-yeong · March 6, 2025

14. ＜Inside N. Korea＞Russian Deployment Exposed, Draft Evasion Surges — Students Fleeing, Faking Medical Certificates

Faking medical certificates?

This bears watching. What could be the long term implications for the nKPA if people perfect these draft evasion techniques? Potential for resistance and instability?

＜Inside N. Korea＞Russian Deployment Exposed, Draft Evasion Surges — Students Fleeing, Faking Medical Certificates

asiapress.org

Combatants believed to be a deployed North Korean soldier, photographed in Kursk Oblast in November 2024. Cited from Andrei Chaprien's Telegram.

As North Korea prepares for April military registration, a crisis is unfolding. High school senior boys traditionally enlist after graduation (unless continuing education), but news of deployments to Russia has sparked widespread draft evasion. Parents are hiding sons in other regions or bribing officials for fake medical exemptions, causing chaos in schools and military recruitment offices. (By ISHIMARU Jiro / KANG Ji-won)

◆Russian Deployment No Longer Secret

Though North Korean authorities haven't officially acknowledged sending troops to Russia, the information became public after South Korean and Ukrainian officials revealed it last October. Since then, numerous photos, videos, and personal items of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield have been reported. Footage of captured soldiers being interrogated and interviewed has also emerged. Meanwhile, information about the deployment of troops began to spread within North Korea, according to Asia Press's reporting partner.

"Everyone knows our military is being sent to Russia now, even if we don't know how many casualties there are," reported a source from Hyesan in late February. As previously reported by ASIAPRESS, concerned parents of enlisted sons have been key sources of information about these deployments.

"Mother doesn't know I was sent to Russia" - This is what a presumed 19-year-old soldier reportedly told interrogators after being captured by Ukrainian forces in early January.

◆Bribing for Fake Medical Certificates

As April registration approaches, graduating high school students and their parents are increasingly anxious, with blatant draft dodging forcing authorities to scramble. The source explains:

"Schools and Military Mobilization Departments are in emergency mode. Many parents want to delay enlistment by at least 1-2 years. Wealthy families are bribing major hospitals to issue diagnoses for infectious hepatitis or tuberculosis to submit to the Military Mobilization Department. I know a child nearby who was exempted this way. Children from poorer families have no choice but to hide."

◆Parents Severely Punished for Sons' Evasion

Many graduating students are fleeing their residences to avoid military service:

"Students are increasingly failing to appear for physical examinations or interviews. I heard seven students from a nearby school disappeared. Parents are not only dragged to the Military Mobilization Department and ordered to bring their sons back, but also face public criticism at work, expulsion from the Workers' Party, removal from positions, and other severe punishments. Road checkpoints have been strengthened to catch fleeing students, and special 'lodging inspections' are being conducted."

◆Authorities in Crisis Mode, Even Canceling Enlistment Events

On February 27, the Korean Central News Agency reported that 300 graduating high school students in Pyongyang had petitioned to be stationed at the frontline border. This annual event is designed to portray young people volunteering out of patriotism. Similar ceremonies were planned in Hyesan City in late February.

"Wiyeon High School had reported to the Ryanggang Provincial Youth League that they would hold a group petition ceremony with all graduates, but it was quietly canceled after many students fled. The government is struggling with recruitment and I heard they're adding a recruitment period in May to the usual April and July cycles."

The South Korean government estimates about 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia, with 3,000 casualties including 300 deaths. If news of casualties continues to spread, draft evasion will likely increase further. It's only natural for parents to worry about their sons.

While military service terms in North Korea vary by branch, last year men served 8 years under the mandatory system and women served 5 years voluntarily. Reports suggest service terms may be extended this year due to the Ukraine deployment, but ASIAPRESS could not confirm this information.

※ ASIAPRESS communicates with its reporting partners through Chinese cell phones smuggled into North Korea.

asiapress.org

15. The North Korean Defector Who’s Been Called a ‘Hero of Ukraine’

This is why as part of the information campaign I have drafted I call for a north Korean Diaspora Information Institute to harness the expertise of the north Korean diaspora to help craft the right messages for the Korean people in the north and to provide key communicators whose voices can be trusted in the north.

The North Korean Defector Who’s Been Called a ‘Hero of Ukraine’

Lee Seongmin has become key to Kyiv’s efforts to get inside the minds of soldiers sent by Kim Jong Un to fight for Russia

https://www.wsj.com/world/who-is-lee-seong-min-north-korea-ukraine-d68c8623?st=68oQm5&utm_source=pocket_saves

By Dasl YoonFollow

| Photographs by Tim Franco/Inland for WSJ

March 5, 2025 5:30 am ET

SEOUL—When Ukraine was scrambling this winter to understand how to respond to the threat of thousands of North Korean soldiers deployed to fight alongside Russia, it turned to someone steeped in Pyongyang’s ways: a North Korean defector.

Lee Seongmin, a 37-year-old human-rights worker who is an Ivy League graduate and fluent in English, has helped Ukrainian forces understand the motives driving Kim Jong Un’s young fighters, translating key documents and shaping antiregime leaflets meant to persuade North Korean soldiers to surrender.

“It feels like I’m conversing with them,” said Lee, who worked for a state agency before fleeing to South Korea, “like I’m a fellow soldier.”

In December, he was even among the first people outside Ukraine to see the trove of diaries, notepads and photos taken from slain North Korean soldiers’ bodies from the Russian front lines.

Ukraine, which has little in the way of Korean speakers or experts of the Kim regime, was unprepared for the arrival of roughly 12,000 North Korean troops on the battlefield.

So when Alex Gladstein, the chief strategy officer at the Human Rights Foundation, first put Lee, his Seoul-based colleague, in touch with an American activist aiding Ukrainian soldiers last year, they welcomed it. Lee’s firsthand experience with North Korean totalitarianism and his ability to understand subtle nuances in the soldiers’ writings that even a South Korean translator might miss would be invaluable.

“I thought he would be perfectly positioned to help the world understand why North Koreans were being sent to their death in Ukraine,” Gladstein said.

Lee holds images of some of the documents retrieved from dead North Korean soldiers.

Since first joining front-line combat in mid-December, about one-third of the North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured, according to Ukrainian estimates. They pulled back for several weeks starting in January, but have since rejoined combat, Ukrainian and South Korean officials say.

The North Koreans fighting in Kursk—a Russian border region occupied by Ukraine since last summer—play a critical role for Moscow. The U.S. is pushing for negotiations to end the war and the occupied land could be a valuable asset for Ukraine in peace talks.

Lee, who fled to the South in 2010, and continues to speak with a slight North Korean accent, doesn’t have an official role with the Ukrainian military or government. His contributions are voluntary.

Reading the North Korean soldiers’ writings brings Lee back to his prior life, where he once dreamed of becoming a pilot in North Korea’s air force. He scans the documents for any detail that gives clues as to how Russia is deploying the soldiers: the specific dates, their meals, their routines. He recognizes the unblinking fervor instilled by the state in most North Koreans for the regime and wonders how things may have differed if he had never left.

“It could’ve been me dead on the battlefield,” Lee said.

Flash drives to front lines

Lee left North Korea in his early 20s with his mother. They fled their hometown of Hyesan, a North Korean city that borders China, where Lee earned money by smuggling Chinese DVDs, electric fans and even small puppies. He remembers paying border guards to look the other way. Following a route through China and Laos, they eventually landed in Seoul, joining his older sister who had already escaped.

He joined a church in Seoul, attending an English ministry to learn the language. There, he met his American wife, Christine. They bonded over their shared interest in North Korea’s human-rights situation. The two married in 2015.

While studying at Columbia University, Lee received a scholarship for North Koreans from the George W. Bush Presidential Center. He later met former President George W. Bush at an event commemorating the award recipients.

“I hope you continue to do work that helps the North Korean people,” Lee recalled Bush telling him. Lee graduated with a master’s degree in international security policy in 2020.

Hyesan, Lee’s hometown in North Korea, seen from across the border in China. Photo: Bloomberg

He didn’t consider a career advocating for North Korean human rights until he saw a poster online for “Flash Drives for Freedom,” a campaign that smuggles USB sticks containing South Korean TV shows and news to the North, where the regime suppresses outside news.

Lee joined the Human Rights Foundation as the group’s Seoul-based Korea head in 2022. He set up an online news site staffed largely with North Korean escapees and held advocacy events.

His work helping Ukraine began late last year, when Amed Khan, the American activist who had contacted Gladstein asking for help, sent him an unexpected request in a group chat including Ukrainian soldiers.

The message contained a photo of two Russian military IDs with the signatures scribbled in Korean. “Can you send me these names please?” asked Khan, who supports Ukrainian special forces. Lee had been invited to the group chat a few days earlier, but didn’t expect it would give him access to a trove of North Korean documents.

Lee confirmed that the signatures, penned in Korean, didn’t match the Russian names printed on the IDs. This offered some of the first proof that the Russians had sought to conceal the North Korean soldiers by giving them false identities. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has publicly acknowledged the deployment of North Korean soldiers to the Ukraine conflict.

Khan said he sends North Korean documents to Lee as soon as they are found on the battlefield. “We go to him when we need the information immediately,” he said.

In their frequent text exchanges, Khan has taken to calling Lee by a nickname: a “Hero of Ukraine,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to Ukraine’s highest national award.

‘Save your life’

Lee’s translations have exposed the poor coordination between the Russians and North Koreans and the evolving strategies they have adopted by sending smaller groups of North Korean soldiers to attack drones.

At one point, Lee flagged a certain phrase that popped up in the diary of a slain North Korean soldier: “Prepare for war with all-out efforts.”

Two captured North Korean soldiers, in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, said they believed they would be fighting South Koreans aiding Ukraine in combat on the Russian front lines.

In other North Korean writings seen by the Journal, a platoon commander made an admission of failure—a shock to Lee, who recalls the military depicting itself as invincible. Other diary entries acknowledged heavy casualties and a “lack of knowledge of enemy tactics.”

Other possessions, from family photos to diary passages, reflect the soldiers’ humanity. Lee recalls translating a love letter found on the same platoon commander, who was killed in action in January. It had been signed from the “foreign land of Russia” on Dec. 14.

“Even if this life comes to an end,” the diary entry reads, “I will become a butterfly and find you.”

Materials like that haunt Lee. “It becomes so vivid that they are someone’s child, brother, friend,” he said.

Lee says reading the soldiers’ writings reminds him of his past life in North Korea.

Lee has also advised on the wording for some of the leaflets dropped from Ukrainian drones, written in Korean, aimed at convincing the troops to surrender. The North Koreans, according to the discovered writings and battlefield assessments by Ukraine, have blown themselves up with grenades rather than be taken. They are trained to believe being captured is treason, former North Korean soldiers say.

One early draft of a leaflet read, “Please don’t die in vain! Surrender is a way to survive.” But Lee thought the opening line wasn’t blunt enough, while the reference to “surrender” could evoke thoughts of self-betrayal or disgrace in North Korean soldiers.

So, Ukraine changed the wording to: “Do not die in vain! Surrender is the only way to survive.”

Helping the Ukrainians, Lee said, may contribute to North Korean failures by exposing their battlefield tactics and possibly casualties. But the war offers him a rare chance to directly engage with North Koreans about defecting or realizing that surrender is an option.

“I want them to know that leaving North Korea isn’t treason,” he said. “It’s a human right.”

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Do you think Ukraine’s efforts to persuade North Korean soldiers to surrender will be successful? Why or why not? Join the conversation below.

16. Asia Journalist Association calls for unity amid Korea’s martial law turmoil

It would be good for the journalists and thought leaders to write about what could and should happen after the verdict on impeachment is rendered.

Can they prevent violence? How should they heal the country? Is there an opportunity to strengthen Korean democracy after this "stress test" is complete?

Asia Journalist Association calls for unity amid Korea’s martial law turmoil

The Korea Times · March 4, 2025

Asia Journalist Association (AJA) former President Lee Sang-ki, right, speaks during a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Jung District, Seoul, Tuesday. From left are AJA Vice President Kang Seok-jae from Korea, former AJA Vice President Eddy Suprapto from Indonesia and AJA President Sophalle Chhay from Cambodia. Courtesy of AJA

By Lee Gyu-lee

A coalition of journalists from over 30 Asian countries has voiced support for democracy and unity in Korea amid the ongoing political unrest following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law and his subsequent impeachment trial.

The Asia Journalist Association (AJA) shared its statement, titled “1,000 Asian Journalists’ Signatures in Support of Korea’s Democratic Recovery," during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, urging Korea to overcome the political turmoil and reassert its position as a strong democratic leader in Asia.

“Korea, which overcame Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) and the Korean War (1950-53) to achieve industrialization, democratization and modernization, has long been a model nation in Asia. However, the recent political turmoil has brought great disappointment,” the statement reads.

“We hope Korea will swiftly overcome this crisis and emerge even stronger, continuing to play a leading role as Asia’s foremost nation.”

AJA President Sophalle Chhay from Cambodia and Vice President Kang Seok-jae spoke at the press conference. Former executives — founding President Lee Sang-ki and former Vice President Eddy Suprapto from Indonesia — also attended the event.

The association also emphasized Korea’s global influence, adding that solving the crisis is urgent in playing its part in world peace.

“In December, Korean writer Han Kang won the Nobel Prize in literature, filling Asians with pride. In recent years, Korea has captured the world’s attention not only through cultural and sports achievements but also in the semiconductor and medical industries, coining globally recognized ‘K-’ terms,” it said.

“We urge Korea to overcome this crisis promptly and take an active role in resolving regional issues while contributing to global peace.”

The statement also called on Korea's ruling and main opposition parties to pick national unity over partisan politics.

“Both sides must recognize their shared fate and work together. Communication and integration are essential to overcoming division and conflict,” it said.

Following the press conference, the association announced that more than 30 member countries will continue to monitor Korea’s democratic progress while gathering additional signatures in solidarity.

Since last month, the AJA has been gathering signatures from journalists in over 30 countries in Asia, and consulting with its executive board and leadership. The countries include AJA’s 2025-26 presidency nation Cambodia, as well as Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Taiwan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Qatar and Laos.

The Korea Times · March 4, 2025

17.

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

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com

If you do not read anything else in the 2017 National Security Strategy read this on page 14:

"A democracy is only as resilient as its people. An informed and engaged citizenry is the fundamental requirement for a free and resilient nation. For generations, our society has protected free press, free speech, and free thought. Today, actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies. Adversaries target media, political processes, financial networks, and personal data. The American public and private sectors must recognize this and work together to defend our way of life. No external threat can be allowed to shake our shared commitment to our values, undermine our system of government, or divide our Nation."

Access NSS HERE

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