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Quotes of the Day:
"We will never have a true civilization until we have learned the rights to recognize the rights of others."
– Will Rogers
"Rebellion is born when rulers forget they are meant to serve."
– Confucius
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered, than answers that can't be questions."
– Richard Feynman
1. In the Name of Shared Perception: The North Korea–China Alliance, South Korea’s Two-State Strategy, and the Ethics of Unification
2. The Northeast Asia Command should be established in Seoul… "A new model for the evolution of the ROK-US alliance."
3. South Korea risks losing Washington's trust
4. Top diplomats of North Korea, China agree to oppose 'hegemonism'
5. Seoul won’t change constitution to accept North Korea as separate state: Chung
6. New JCS chairman vows to build strong military against 'complex' security threats
7. Lee, Ishiba reaffirm commitment to denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, agree on joint efforts to cope with global trade order
8. Seoul reaffirms goal of denuclearizing Korean Peninsula following N.K. official's U.N. address
9. Unification minister says N. Korea capable of hitting U.S. mainland
10. Military-civilian advisory committee on defense reform sets sail
11. S. Korea to develop indigenous sea mine-detection, removal systems for minesweepers
12. S. Korea selects U.S. firm L3Harris for airborne control aircraft procurement
13. U.S. urges allies to strengthen deterrence against China
14. Senior North Korean diplomat tells UN his country will never give up nukes
15. Xi Jinping unlikely to visit North Korea for expected military parade: Seoul
16. Further Enhancing US Extended Deterrence for South Korea
17. The shocking end of 52 years of broadcasts to N. Korea
1. In the Name of Shared Perception: The North Korea–China Alliance, South Korea’s Two-State Strategy, and the Ethics of Unification
Important analysis from my friend and colleague, Ms Jihyun Park from north Korea.
Excerpts:
Unification is not merely the recovery of territory—it is the restoration of memory. It must not be an alliance that erases suffering in the name of shared perception, but a solidarity that demands shared responsibility. South Korea’s unification strategy must include not only the expansion of freedom, but also the acceptance of truth and the sharing of pain. Otherwise, we may be walking toward another version of “One Country, Two Systems.”
The DPRK-China shared perception is not a diplomatic flourish or reaffirmation of friendship. It is a direct rebuttal to South Korea’s unification strategy and an alternative blueprint for the Korean Peninsula’s future. This meeting is a response to South Korea’s “END” declaration and a rejection of denuclearization negotiations. Kim Jong Un’s remarks on nuclear expansion and China’s alliance of national rejuvenation are strategic messages aimed at neutralizing South Korea’s language of peace.
North Korea and China are saying: Unification is not yours to design. Peace is not yours to define. The order—we will redraw it.
This is a warning.
And in the face of this warning, we must decide what ethics we will speak with.
Will we remain silent, or will we speak again—in the name of memory and suffering?
[블챌] 일상 포토덤프
In the Name of Shared Perception.
freedom88- ・ 13시간 전
URL 복사 이웃추가 본문 기타 기능
[출처] In the Name of Shared Perception.|작성자 freedom88-
https://blog.naver.com/freedom88-/224026099500
In the Name of Shared Perception: The North Korea–China Alliance, South Korea’s Two-State Strategy, and the Ethics of Unification
blog.naver.com
On September 28, 2025, the meeting between North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing was not a mere diplomatic formality.
North Korea declared that the meeting laid out “the basic direction and programmatic guidelines for the development of DPRK-China relations in response to changing circumstances and the demands of the times.” This was not rhetorical flourish—it signaled the institutionalization of a strategic agreement between Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping. North Korea defined the meeting as grounded in “the shared perception of the supreme leaders,” stating that this perception would serve as the fundamental guideline for future DPRK-China relations.
North Korea made clear its intention to participate in China’s national project of “national rejuvenation.” China does not recognize Taiwan or Hong Kong as sovereign states, and under the banner of “One Country, Two Systems,” has transformed autonomy into a mechanism of control. Hong Kong has already become a city where democracy has collapsed, and Taiwan continues to reject the Chinese model of unification under the threat of military invasion. In this context, North Korea’s declaration of cooperation with China’s national rejuvenation is not a gesture of diplomatic goodwill—it is a political proclamation aimed at reshaping the order in Northeast Asia.
Throughout the meeting, both sides repeatedly emphasized phrases like “strengthening strategic communication,” “mutual visits and cooperation,” and “joint safeguarding of regional peace and stability,” underscoring that their alliance is not a historical relic but a present and future-oriented strategy.
Quoting Kim Jong Un, North Korea stated, “No matter how the international situation changes, the feelings of friendship between the DPRK and China cannot change.” China responded, “The DPRK-China friendship is a precious shared asset of both countries.”
All of this language converges on one term: “shared perception.” It is not merely the sharing of sentiment—it is the alignment of worldviews, a blueprint for reordering the region.
At this juncture, South Korea is advancing a “two-state strategy.” In his UN speech, President Lee Jae-myung used the term “END” to declare the end of the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula. Many interpreted this as a signal for renewed negotiations on North Korea’s denuclearization. Progressive circles and international peace advocates saw it as “an opening for dialogue.” But North Korea responded swiftly and unequivocally.
Immediately after the meeting, Kim Jong Un met with scientists from the nuclear weapons research institute and nuclear material production sector, stating that “the nuclear shield and sword must be constantly sharpened and renewed.” This was not a technical inspection—it was a blunt declaration of North Korea’s intent to strengthen its status as a nuclear power and justify its strategic deterrence. His remarks extend from the 2022 Nuclear Forces Policy Act, which defines nuclear weapons not as bargaining chips but as absolute assets guaranteeing national security and future survival. Lee Jae-myung’s “END” now faces both practical limitations and ethical questions.
The logic of denuclearization no longer speaks of peace. It has become a mechanism for prolonging the North Korean regime’s lifespan and preserving political positions in South Korea. If peace is the goal, it must begin not with slogans about a nuclear-free peninsula, but with the improvement of human rights for North Korean citizens and the recognition and empowerment of their agency. The future of the Korean Peninsula does not hinge on the possession of nuclear weapons—it depends on how much dignity and voice is given to the oppressed. We can no longer repeat negotiations trapped in the logic of regime survival. Peace must begin not with the safety of rulers, but with the freedom and rights of the people.
Unification is not merely the recovery of territory—it is the restoration of memory. It must not be an alliance that erases suffering in the name of shared perception, but a solidarity that demands shared responsibility. South Korea’s unification strategy must include not only the expansion of freedom, but also the acceptance of truth and the sharing of pain. Otherwise, we may be walking toward another version of “One Country, Two Systems.”
The DPRK-China shared perception is not a diplomatic flourish or reaffirmation of friendship. It is a direct rebuttal to South Korea’s unification strategy and an alternative blueprint for the Korean Peninsula’s future. This meeting is a response to South Korea’s “END” declaration and a rejection of denuclearization negotiations. Kim Jong Un’s remarks on nuclear expansion and China’s alliance of national rejuvenation are strategic messages aimed at neutralizing South Korea’s language of peace.
North Korea and China are saying: Unification is not yours to design. Peace is not yours to define. The order—we will redraw it.
This is a warning.
And in the face of this warning, we must decide what ethics we will speak with.
Will we remain silent, or will we speak again—in the name of memory and suffering?
blog.naver.com
2. The Northeast Asia Command should be established in Seoul… "A new model for the evolution of the ROK-US alliance."
This is a Google translation of commentary about my recent strategic proposal for a Northeast Asia Combatant Command (HERE)
Excerpts (This is MS. Lee's commentary);
Amidst the turbulent international situation, the ties between North Korea, China, and Russia have intensified, posing a threat to security in Northeast Asia as a "new axis of evil." Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula are among the world's four major powder kegs, vulnerable to war at any moment.
If a second Korean War and a second Acheson Line become a reality, Japan will be the only free force left in Northeast Asia. However, Japan's security cannot be secured alone.
The Acheson Line refers to the US Far East defense line in Northeast Asia announced in the declaration. On January 10, 1950, US Secretary of State Acheson, attending a secret meeting of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the US Far East defense line was the line east of Taiwan, connecting Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines.
This Acheson Line was also a contributing factor to the Korean War. With recent strains in South Korea-US relations, there is a strong sense of discomfort within the White House and Washington political circles regarding the current nature of the South Korean government. Even within the White House, isolationist voices are growing louder by the day.
Pyongyang and Beijing are waging a fierce campaign to exclude South Korea and Taiwan from the US defense line, lobbying top White House officials from various angles.
North Korea
The Northeast Asia Command should be established in Seoul… "A new model for the evolution of the ROK-US alliance."
Deepening solidarity between North Korea, China, and Russia, shaking up the security landscape... Former US Army Special Forces Colonel Maxwell offers a proposal.
http://fcs.news/View.aspx?No=3803293
Lee Moon-kyung
Approved 2025.09.30 20:19 | Last modified 2025.09.30 20:25
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The security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula is turbulent. North Korea has effectively established itself as a nuclear power, and China and Russia are strengthening their strategic cooperation, threatening the United States' position. Against this backdrop, the argument that the United States and South Korea should establish a Northeast Asia Command (NEACOM) in Seoul is gaining traction among American security experts.
The person who proposed this concept is former US Army Special Forces Colonel David Maxwell. A Northeast Asian security expert with over 30 years of experience in Asia, he emphasizes that "a Seoul-based NEACOM is key to deterring instability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and evolving the ROK-US alliance into a future-oriented one."
David Maxwell, Vice President of the Asia Pacific Strategy Center and Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation
(David Mawell - Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, Senior Fellow of Global Peace Foundation, Editor of Small Wars Journal)
Joint Command System: "Upgraded Military Commission"
The NEACOM proposed by Maxwell is not simply a reorganization of the command structure. It is a "joint command system" jointly operated by the US command, commanded by a four-star US general, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea. This system maintains the wartime operational capabilities of the existing ROK-US Combined Forces Command (CFC), while also functioning as a higher-level strategic command encompassing nuclear deterrence, multi-domain operations, and deterrence of Chinese and Russian intervention.
Specifically, it is designed to secure a much wider range of operational capabilities than before, including ▲ a Joint Multi-Domain Task Force (CJMDTF) that integrates cyber, space, and electronic warfare, ▲ a Nuclear Deterrent (CNO) to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and ▲ a Third-Party Intervention Deterrence (TPII) to block the expansion of China and Russia's influence.
Comprehensive plan that combines diplomacy and economy
The NEACOM initiative also proposes diplomatic and economic mechanisms. A "super embassy" will be established in Tokyo, Japan, to coordinate trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan. A "Northeast Asia Economic Engagement Center (NEEC)" will be established in Taiwan to institutionalize supply chain and technological cooperation. These measures are intended to neutralize China's economic pressure and strengthen regional resilience.
It also included a plan to revitalize the United Nations Command (UNC) beyond a military organization and into a multinational diplomatic cooperation body, entrusting it with the role of securing political legitimacy and international solidarity in times of crisis.
Evolution of the ROK-US Alliance and Preparation for Post-Unification
Maxwell summarizes the implications of NEACOM's creation in four points.
First, the alliance evolves. Beyond the debate over the transfer of wartime operational control, South Korea and the US will strengthen the alliance's parity and sustainability by operating a joint command with a four-star general level command.
Second, it aims to curb Chinese and Russian intervention. By establishing the TPII (Trans-Pacific Partnership for Independent States), we will clearly demonstrate our commitment to blocking third-country intervention.
Third, a regional integration strategy. The triangular interlocking of military (NEACOM), diplomatic (super ambassadors), and economic (NEEC) will enable the implementation of a "regional-wide strategy."
Fourth, it is about preparing for post-war stabilization. This means that the command can develop into one capable of supporting unification and managing denuclearization, in preparation for a North Korean collapse or a post-war situation.
Challenges and Prospects
Of course, there are challenges. The United States is currently in the process of reducing its military command structure worldwide, and China and Russia are likely to strongly oppose it.
However, Maxwell argues that “in times of uncertainty, a solid alliance structure is especially necessary,” and that “establishing NEACOM in Seoul is the solution for South Korea and the United States to lead stability in Northeast Asia and maintain a free and open international order.”
Maxwell emphasized the need to establish a Northeast Asia Command in Seoul and establish a solid alliance structure to prevent a second Korean War and safeguard stability in Northeast Asia and a free and open international order.
Amidst the turbulent international situation, the ties between North Korea, China, and Russia have intensified, posing a threat to security in Northeast Asia as a "new axis of evil." Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula are among the world's four major powder kegs, vulnerable to war at any moment.
If a second Korean War and a second Acheson Line become a reality, Japan will be the only free force left in Northeast Asia. However, Japan's security cannot be secured alone.
The Acheson Line refers to the US Far East defense line in Northeast Asia announced in the declaration. On January 10, 1950, US Secretary of State Acheson, attending a secret meeting of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the US Far East defense line was the line east of Taiwan, connecting Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines.
This Acheson Line was also a contributing factor to the Korean War. With recent strains in South Korea-US relations, there is a strong sense of discomfort within the White House and Washington political circles regarding the current nature of the South Korean government. Even within the White House, isolationist voices are growing louder by the day.
Pyongyang and Beijing are waging a fierce campaign to exclude South Korea and Taiwan from the US defense line, lobbying top White House officials from various angles.
This is why Maxwell's argument should be taken seriously not only by South Korea but also by Japanese and other Northeast Asian security experts.
0
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Freedom Chosun Lee Moon-kyung mkdkq7@gmail.com
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3. South Korea risks losing Washington's trust
Is our alliance approaching a perfect storm of conditions that could cause major problems?
Voices Sept. 29, 2025 / 8:03 PM
South Korea risks losing Washington's trust
https://www.upi.com/Voices/2025/09/29/perspective-skorea-risks-Washington-trust/6551759188172/
By Youngjun Kim
The meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25 produced a startling pledge by Lee to invest $350 billion in the United States over 10 years. File Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- For more than seven decades, the U.S.-South Korea alliance has been a cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia. Forged in the crucible of the Korean War, it was built not only on common security interests but also on a shared belief in freedom and democracy.
Today, however, Washington's mood toward Seoul has turned somber. Across the political spectrum, policymakers and commentators speak of a growing unease that South Korea under President Lee Jae Myung is straying from the values and commitments that long bound the alliance.
The reasons are tangible, not abstract. They range from America's renewed focus on religious liberty and Judeo-Christian values and the damage from the August 25 summit at which Seoul failed to secure tariff relief to doubts over Korea's reliability in security planning and growing concerns about democratic backsliding. Together, the evidence paints a troubling picture.
Faith, freedom and a growing divide
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a young conservative activist, has reignited a nationwide debate in America about political violence and the role of religion in public life. Far from silencing conservatives, his death has amplified their voices.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich accused Seoul of "eroding religious freedom." President Donald Trump, in his United Nations address, declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted faith in the world" and pledged to defend it. He did not name Korea, but in Washington, the implication was clear.
This matters profoundly for Seoul. The alliance has never been purely transactional; it has rested on moral, as well as material foundations. If South Korea is perceived as persecuting or sidelining religious communities, it will erode sympathy in Washington -- especially at a moment when American politics is being re-energized by appeals to Judeo-Christian values and principles.
The summit that unraveled
The summit between presidents Trump and Lee was presented in Seoul as a triumph. Officials pointed to investment pledges and alliance rhetoric, with the presidential spokesman boasting that "no joint statement was needed." Yet, the central economic outcome -- tariffs -- was a disaster. Washington maintained the 25% duties, despite Seoul's claim of a 15% reprieve.
Even more startling was Seoul's much-publicized pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States over 10 years. That figure equals more than 20% of South Korea's annual gross domestic product, but the comparison with foreign reserves is even starker.
The Bank of Korea reported that the country's reserves stand at about $410 billion. In other words, the pledge amounts to nearly 85% of Korea's entire foreign currency stockpile -- funds normally held for crisis defense and financial stability.
Economists quickly warned that the commitment was fiscally reckless. Analysts at the Peterson Institute, a U.S.-based think tank, argued that this level of investment would have a drastic impact on the U.S. economy.
If even a fraction of the pledge were realized, it would crowd out domestic investment in semiconductors, green energy and infrastructure. The Bank of Korea has cautioned that meeting even one-fifth of the promise could push Korea's debt-to-GDP ratio above 70% by 2030.
Security: echoes of the past
Perhaps the gravest concerns in Washington involve security. The U.S. commitment to defending Korea has always been strong, but never automatic. This is more true than ever under the Trump administration.
Today, some analysts detect a similar mood. The issue is not Korea's geographic value. That remains obvious. The issue is whether Seoul is reliable enough to remain at the heart of America's Indo-Pacific defense posture.
Lee has fueled these doubts. He has openly questioned the phrase "liberal democracy," saying during the 2021 presidential campaign that "democracy is just democracy; calling it 'liberal democracy' reflects a particular political agenda."
More recently, he went further, characterizing the Trump administration's approach as "weaponizing the alliance" Such language may resonate with his domestic supporters, but in Washington, it raises questions about the foundations of the alliance.
A recent Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey found that only 42% of Americans now see South Korea as a "highly reliable ally," down from 57$ just three years ago. The decline has coincided directly with Lee's tenure, and it is being closely watched in Washington.
Democracy on trial
The Lee government's domestic conduct deepens these concerns. The special investigation into First Lady Kim Keon Hee might have been legitimate had it focused narrowly on credible allegations of misconduct. Instead, it has expanded into a campaign to delegitimize and dismantle the opposition People Power Party.
Healthy democracies do not behave this way. In Washington, London and Berlin, ruling parties and opposition parties clash fiercely, but they do not criminalize one another's existence. A government that seeks to eliminate its main rival ceases to be democratic in spirit, even if elections remain on the calendar.
Freedom House, in its 2025 update, warned that South Korea's political rights score could fall if current trends continue -- an extraordinary rebuke of a nation once celebrated as Asia's democratic success story.
Global tide turning tight
These shifts in Seoul come at precisely the wrong moment. Across the democratic world, political winds are shifting rightward.
In Europe, conservative parties are surging on the back of frustration with progressive overreach. In Latin America, leftist governments are faltering. In the United States, Trump's second term has accelerated a conservative resurgence.
South Korea, by contrast, is marching in the opposite direction. Lee's administration wraps itself in progressive rhetoric, employs authoritarian tactics and risks alienating its most important allies. The contrast could not be more stark.
Call for course correction
The tragedy is that none of this is inevitable. South Korea remains a vibrant nation, with resilient institutions, a dynamic economy and a proud history of democratic struggle. Its people have repeatedly resisted authoritarianism and demanded accountability. What is at stake is whether their government will honor that legacy or betray it.
In Washington, frustration is mounting. Allies can forgive disagreements over tariffs or troop levels. They cannot easily forgive dishonesty, repression or betrayal of shared values. If Seoul continues down this path, it will find itself isolated == not only from conservatives in America, but also from the broader community of democracies.
The lesson of history is clear. Nations that trade freedom for expediency, or pluralism for power, do not prosper in the long run. South Korea's future lies in reaffirming democratic norms, practicing honest diplomacy and aligning itself with allies committed to liberty and the Judeo-Christian principles that have long underpinned the West.
But there is more at stake than diplomacy or economics. The end of the Korean war left the "Korean Question," the political division of the peninsula, undecided. It remains unresolved although the hope remains of one day, somehow, building a unified nation -- not merely the merger of North and South into a single state, but a model country that offers the world an example of freedom and human dignity. That mission has been the enduring aspiration of a divided people.
Unless Lee changes course, his legacy may not be as the leader who advanced Korea's standing, but as the one who squandered it. For a nation that has risen so far, failure to honor the call to build a unified, model nation would be more than a political mistake. It would be the betrayal of a people's destiny and their deepest hope.
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4. Top diplomats of North Korea, China agree to oppose 'hegemonism'
World News Sept. 29, 2025 / 5:20 AM
Top diplomats of North Korea, China agree to oppose 'hegemonism'
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/09/29/Wang-Yi-Choe-Son-Hui-foreign-ministers-China-North-Korea-oppose-hegemonism/1161759135579/
By Thomas Maresca
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Beijing on Sunday. Both sides agreed to oppose "hegemonism," China's Foreign Ministry said in a readout released Monday. Photo by Yue Yuewei/Xinhua/EPA
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The top diplomats of North Korea and China met in Beijing and agreed to develop bilateral ties while resisting "hegemonism" and "unilateralism," both countries said Monday.
The first one-on-one meeting between North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, took place on Sunday.
"China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the DPRK in international and regional affairs, oppose all forms of hegemonism, and safeguard the common interests of both sides and international fairness and justice," Wang said, according to a readout by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.
Related
"The current international landscape is marked by changes and turbulence, and power politics and bullying acts cause grave harm," Wang added.
The remarks appear to be directed at the United States, with whom China is locked in a global economic and military competition. North Korea, meanwhile, has long characterized Washington as a hostile, hegemonic power seeking to dominate the Korean Peninsula.
The ministry's readout quoted Choe as saying that the North is "willing to closely cooperate with China in multilateral affairs, jointly resist unilateralism and power politics, and promote a fairer and more just world order."
The meeting comes less than a month after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing to attend a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, where he held his first summit with Xi in six years.
The relationship between the two longtime allies has shown signs of warming after widespread speculation of a rift over Pyongyang's growing military alignment with Moscow.
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said that Wang and Choe reached a "complete consensus" in their discussions on regional and international issues.
Choe relayed a message from Kim Jong Un, who said that "the friendship between North Korea and China remains unchangeable" and that further strengthening ties between Beijing and Pyongyang was the North's "unwavering position."
Interest has been swirling over what sort of delegation China will send to North Korea for the 80th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Oct. 10.
Satellite imagery analyzed by Seoul-based SI Analytics shows that the North is preparing for its largest-ever military parade to mark the occasion. In a report released last week, analysts said that new weapons will likely be unveiled, including the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, cruise missiles, tanks and AI-enabled attack drones.
Russia has already announced that its second-in-command, Dmitry Medvedev, will attend. It is unclear whether Xi himself will make his first visit to North Korea since 2019.
5. Seoul won’t change constitution to accept North Korea as separate state: Chung
Sigh. Sounds good in the headline - disappointing in the subtitle and text. His words unfortunately mean that KJU's political warfare strategy is succeeding.
Seoul won’t change constitution to accept North Korea as separate state: Chung
Unification minister says recognizing Koreas as two countries remains too controversial, despite endorsing the position
https://www.nknews.org/2025/09/seoul-wont-change-constitution-to-accept-north-korea-as-separate-state-chung/
Joon Ha Park | Kristen Talman September 30, 2025
South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young during his inauguration on July 25, 2025 | Image: ROK Unification Ministry
Seoul’s unification minister Chung Dong-young said South Korea does not plan to amend its constitution to recognize North Korea as an independent country, despite his recent comments stating that the two Koreas function as two separate states.
Speaking at an event in Berlin on Monday, Chung also said that Seoul must acknowledge that the DPRK now possesses the ability to strike the U.S. with nuclear weapons as a starting point for inter-Korean policy.
“As for the Republic of Korea, it is not our intention to include the two-state doctrine in the Constitution,” Chung said, in response to an NK News question. “This is because we are genuinely striving for a minimal consensus and would like to refrain from including things in the constitution that we know are highly controversial.”
Instead, the unification minister said the Lee Jae-myung administration is focusing on “less controversial aspects” for constitutional amendment, such as a reference to the democratic uprising in Gwangju or changing the current five-year presidential term to a four-year term.
Chung’s remarks came just days after he told journalists in Seoul that “the South and the North are in fact two states, and from the standpoint of international law they are also two states.” At the time, he cited a Seoul National University survey showing “at least 50-60 percent of South Korean citizens” already regard North Korea as a separate state.
While welcomed by some, the unification minister’s remarks appeared to highlight policy divisions within the Lee administration, after National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said a day earlier that Seoul’s stance remains rooted in the 1991 Basic Agreement which treats inter-Korean ties as a “temporary special relationship” until unification.
The split underscores how Kim Jong Un’s abandonment of unification in late 2023 has scrambled long-standing political assumptions in Seoul. In a column for NK News, the North Korea expert Andrei Lankov assessed that left-leaning figures like Chung appear to be moving toward pragmatic acceptance of two states despite previously championing unification, while conservatives are seizing on unification rhetoric for nationalistic appeals.
Chung’s views on inter-Korean affairs have been heavily influenced by his time in Berlin. He formerly lived in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and he later returned to teach at the Free University of Berlin in 2006 following his first term as unification minister.
On Monday, Chung spoke fondly of his time in Germany and the example set by reunification of West and East Germany, pointing it as a model for the Korean Peninsula despite marked differences between Germany and Korea.
But he also seemed to argue that North Korea must first shed its “pariah status” for relations to improve.
“I think we can place some hope in what might become possible for the Korean Peninsula if North Korea’s status in the international community were to change — if we no longer speak of exclusion and isolation, but instead envision active participation in the international community for the North,” he said.
South Korea’s constitution still formally claims sovereignty over the entire Korean Peninsula, a doctrine successive governments have maintained since 1948. Amending this would require two-thirds support in the National Assembly and a national referendum.
However, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for changing the DPRK Constitution to codify in law that the two Koreas are separate states, a step that would formalize Kim’s 2023 decision to abandon reunification.
Chung suggested that the DPRK’s Ninth Party Congress in early 2026 could be the venue for such constitutional changes.
“In the North, we see the big party meeting, the big party conference, every year, and I see a certain probability that the talk of the two states will be included in the official announcements of the party,” he told NK News.
Meanwhile, Chung said he is so passionate about the Ministry of Unification that he turned down an offer for another minister position in Lee’s administration and asked for his current post.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets nuclear scientists on Sept. 26, 2025 | Image: Rodong Sinmun (Sept. 27, 2025)
ON NORTH KOREAN NUKES
In his remarks in Berlin, Chung also observed that North Korea has become “one of only three countries capable of striking the U.S. mainland,” adding that Seoul “must soberly acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged.”
The minister said Pyongyang now openly calls itself a “strategic state” (전략국가) and that its position has changed since the first Trump-Kim summit in Singapore seven years ago.
“We have to start from that reality,” Chung stressed.
He assessed that “North Korea was the one clinging to the U.S.” at the 2019 summit in Hanoi, citing then-DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho’s comments that Washington had missed a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“Unfortunately, that remark was correct. Had a small deal been reached [in 2019], the course of the nuclear issue would have been very different,” Chung said.
Jeongmin Kim contributed reporting to this article. Edited by Bryan Betts
6. New JCS chairman vows to build strong military against 'complex' security threats
(LEAD) New JCS chairman vows to build strong military against 'complex' security threats | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Lee Minji · September 30, 2025
(ATTN: ADDS remarks, photos; RECASTS lead)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Gen. Jin Yong-sung took office Tuesday as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and vowed to build a strong military in the face of what he called "complex" security threats.
Jin was appointed to lead the JCS in the first major reshuffle of top-brass military officials following former ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in December.
The new chairman noted that South Korea faces an array of internal and external security challenges, such as North Korea's continued development of nuclear, missile and conventional weapons, uncertainties in the international order and a decline in troop resources.
"(I) will fully prepare a military readiness posture that can prevail against complex security threats," Jin said in his inauguration ceremony, vowing to maintain strong deterrence across all areas while supporting efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The top military officer also pledged to seek full-fledged military cooperation based on the national interest and pragmatism.
Jin underscored the importance of focusing on the military's core duty of protecting the people while adhering to political neutrality, saying his priority lies in restoring public trust in the military.
His remarks came amid calls for defense reform following the military's involvement in last year's short-lived martial law imposition.
Gen. Jin Yong-sung, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at his inauguration ceremony in Seoul on Sept. 30, 2025. (Yonhap)
"I will strive to (fulfill) the role of the JCS chairman so that the military becomes one that is trusted, can win in a fight and prepares for the future," the top military officer said.
He also called for sharpening the military's capabilities for the envisioned handover of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea from the United States and preparing for future warfare.
"Under a steadfast South Korea-U.S. alliance, (I) will lead a systemic transition of wartime OPCON through the acquisition of core military capabilities and a combined and joint operation system for a South Korean military-led combined defense," Jin said.
His remarks came as the Lee Jae Myung government has pledged to seek a conditions-based transition of wartime OPCON to Seoul from Washington during Lee's five-year term.
Jin, who served as the inaugural chief of the Strategic Command, is the first Air Force officer to take the helm of the JCS in five years since Gen. Won In-choul.
He succeeds retiring Adm. Kim Myung-soo.
Gen. Jin Yong-sung (L), Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (C) and retiring Adm. Kim Myung-soo attend a ceremony marking Jin's inauguration as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul on Sept. 30, 2025. (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · Lee Minji · September 30, 2025
7. Lee, Ishiba reaffirm commitment to denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, agree on joint efforts to cope with global trade order
I wish they had said unification first, then denuclearization.
(3rd LD) Lee, Ishiba reaffirm commitment to denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, agree on joint efforts to cope with global trade order | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · September 30, 2025
(ATTN: RECASTS headline; UPDATES throughout with latest details; ADDS photos)
By Kim Eun-jung
BUSAN, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks Tuesday with outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the southeastern city of Busan, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and to cooperate amid a shifting global trade order.
The meeting came about a month after Lee's visit to Tokyo, marking the first visit in 21 years by a Japanese leader to a location other than Seoul.
In their third meeting, Lee said Seoul and Tokyo should face history while pursuing "future-oriented" cooperation to address shared challenges, such as low birth rates and an aging population.
President Lee Jae Myung (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands during a meeting at the Nurimaru APEC House in the southeastern port city of Busan on Sept. 30, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Lee explained his government's policy initiative to ease tension and build trust on the Korean Peninsula to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and asked for Japan's cooperation, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a briefing.
"The two leaders reaffirmed their firm commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace," Kang said.
The two leaders agreed on the need for closer coordination amid a shifting geographical environment and global trade order, and to expand the scope of cooperation to new areas, including cooperation on the Arctic shipping route, according to Kang.
Lee expressed hope that the two Asian neighbors could work together to tackle shared social challenges, such as overconcentration in the capital region, and that their leaders would meet frequently to establish "shuttle diplomacy."
"I hope that the two countries can build a very close relationship that goes beyond relatable social issues to encompass economic and security issues, and even emotional understanding," Lee said in his opening remarks.
President Lee Jae Myung (R) speaks during his summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (L) at the Nurimaru APEC House in the southeastern port city of Busan on Sept. 30, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Ishiba, who made his first visit to South Korea since taking office in October last year, said it was meaningful to conclude his final diplomatic engagement as prime minister with a summit with Lee.
"I hope that Korea and Japan can work closely together, maintain frequent exchanges and achieve tangible outcomes of shuttle diplomacy," he said through a translator.
He also expressed hope that the two countries would share experiences to tackle common challenges such as population decline, low birth rates and overconcentration in the capital region as well as low self-sufficiency in agriculture and energy.
Following the talks, Lee and Ishiba issued a joint document on the operation of consultative groups to address shared social challenges.
The two sides agreed to continue holding discussions on issues including low birth rates and an aging population, balanced national development, agriculture, disaster prevention and suicide prevention.
They also agreed that respective ministries would hold regular consultations through bilateral diplomatic channels to expand cooperation.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) and his wife, Yoshiko Ishiba (L), pay tribute at the grave of South Korean student Lee Soo-hyun at a cemetery in the southeastern port city of Busan on Sept. 30, 2025 in this photo captured from Ishiba's X account. Lee was killed attempting to rescue a Japanese man from a subway train track in Tokyo in 2001. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Before the summit, Ishiba paid tribute at the grave of Lee Soo-hyun, a South Korean student remembered as a symbol of friendly bilateral relations for his selfless attempt to save a Japanese man.
It marked the first time a sitting Japanese prime minister visited the grave of the late student who died at the age of 26 trying to rescue a Japanese man who had fallen onto subway tracks in Tokyo in 2001.
It marks their third meeting after talks on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada in June and Lee's visit to Tokyo in August.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung briefs on President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the southeastern city of Busan on Sept. 30, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · Kim Eun-jung · September 30, 2025
8. Seoul reaffirms goal of denuclearizing Korean Peninsula following N.K. official's U.N. address
Sigh..... I know I am broken record and always beating the horse:
unification first, then denuclearization.
Seoul reaffirms goal of denuclearizing Korean Peninsula following N.K. official's U.N. address | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Park Boram · September 30, 2025
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Tuesday reaffirmed its "consistent" goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula after a senior North Korean diplomat vowed to never give up nuclear weapons during an address at the United Nations.
"Denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula is the consistent goal of the international community, including South Korea and the United States," the foreign ministry said.
The ministry stressed that the U.N. has also been calling for North Korea to denuclearize through a series of Security Council resolutions.
Addressing a general debate of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Monday (local time), North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong reiterated North Korea's position that it will never give up its nuclear program "under any circumstances."
He said imposing denuclearization is "tantamount to demanding (North Korea) surrender sovereignty and right to existence."
The foreign ministry reaffirmed that the South Korean government has declared its three-point principle of respecting the North Korean regime, not pursuing unification by absorption and not engaging in hostile acts.
The ministry said Seoul will continue its diplomatic efforts to achieve peaceful coexistence and mutual growth through comprehensive dialogue under close coordination with the U.S.
North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong (C) departs Pyongyang for New York on Sept. 25, 2025, to attend the U.N. General Assembly, in this Korean Central News Agency photo. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · Park Boram · September 30, 2025
9. Unification minister says N. Korea capable of hitting U.S. mainland
Minister Chung: Please leave military and intelligence affairs to MND and NIS.
This statement leads to the naive conclusion among some in America that if only we withdraw troops from Korea the US will be safe from a north Korean attack. Unfortunately the withdrawal of troops from Korea will most certainly lead to conflict which in the end will result in a severe danger to America whether our troops are in Korea or not. Our continued commitment to our alliance partner in the defense of the ROK is the best course of action to prevent war.
Unification minister says N. Korea capable of hitting U.S. mainland | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Park Boram · September 30, 2025
BERLIN/SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has said North Korea is capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, apparently referring to the North's recent development of its intercontinental ballistic missiles, in rare public remarks about Pyongyang's weapons capability.
Chung made the remarks at a press conference in Berlin on Monday (local time) during his ongoing visit to Germany as South Korea's representative to attend a ceremony marking German unification.
"North Korea has become one of the three countries capable of attacking the U.S. mainland," Chung told reporters. "What needs to be acknowledged should be acknowledged rationally."
North Korea claims it has achieved an "irreversible hegemonic position" of missile development, having successfully test-launched the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland in October last year.
The unification minister said North Korea's current "strategic position" is different from when its leader Kim Jong-un held his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in 2018, adding that acknowledging this reality should be "the starting point" in dealing with the regime.
Asked about the likelihood of resuming a summit between Kim and Trump, Chung noted that both leaders have expressed their wishes to meet each other, referring to Kim's recent public messages, half of which, he said, were directed toward the United States and the South.
The minister suggested that Washington may have no intention of funding North Korean projects, even if it succeeds in reaching a security deal with Pyongyang.
Chung noted that if Kim seeks economic reform and opening, it would be possible only through cooperation with South Korea.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks to reporters in Berlin on Sept. 29, 2025. (Yonhap)
pbr@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · Park Boram · September 30, 2025
10. Military-civilian advisory committee on defense reform sets sail
Military-civilian advisory committee on defense reform sets sail | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Lee Minji · September 30, 2025
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- A military-civilian special advisory committee was launched Tuesday to draw up a blueprint for defense reform under the Lee Jae Myung government, the defense ministry said.
The ministerial advisory body, which is also tasked with proposing measures to overcome the botched martial law bid last year, held its first meeting earlier in the day, it said.
"By operating a civilian-led ministerial advisory body, the defense ministry will seek to reflect the public's opinion on defense policy tasks," the ministry said.
Also set to top the agenda for the committee are drawing up policy measures on reducing fatal accidents within the military, restructuring its counterintelligence and security systems, and reforming military academies.
The committee plans to submit to the minister its outcome on the discussions by the end of the year.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (4th from L) meets with members of a special advisory committee tasked with drawing up defense reform measures on Sept. 30, 2025, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · Lee Minji · September 30, 2025
11. S. Korea to develop indigenous sea mine-detection, removal systems for minesweepers
S. Korea to develop indigenous sea mine-detection, removal systems for minesweepers | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Hyun-soo · September 30, 2025
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- The defense acquisition agency on Tuesday signed a deal with LIG Nex1 Co. to develop indigenous underwater mine-detection and removal systems to be fitted on Navy minesweepers currently under development.
The deal, worth 171.8 billion won (US$122.4 million), aims to localize two key sea mine combat systems, the variable depth sonar (VDS) and the combined influence mine sweeping system (CIS), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.
South Korea has long relied on foreign technology for that equipment.
The VDS helps detect sea mines even in complex seafloor topography by sending sound waves from a warship, enabling the early detection of mines concealed at sea.
The CIS can imitate the signs of a warship, such as its sound or water pressure change, to trick the sea mine into detonating in advance, according to the DAPA.
Once the systems are developed and fitted on minesweepers, they will enable the Navy to possess fully homegrown sea mine combat capabilities for searching, detecting, and removing them, according to officials.
"By localizing two core mine countermeasure systems, we will resolve the supply issues of securing technology and parts from overseas sources, while enhancing operational reliability through optimized integration of ships and equipment," a DAPA official said.
This photo, provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Sept. 30, 2025, shows an image of variable depth sonar, core equipment to be topped on a homegrown minesweeper under development. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sookim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Related Articles
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Hyun-soo · September 30, 2025
12. S. Korea selects U.S. firm L3Harris for airborne control aircraft procurement
S. Korea selects U.S. firm L3Harris for airborne control aircraft procurement | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Han-joo · September 30, 2025
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state arms procurement agency said Tuesday it has selected U.S. defense contractor L3Harris Technologies Inc. to supply four new airborne control aircraft as part of the second phase of a project to bolster the country's surveillance capabilities.
At a meeting of its defense project committee, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the 3.87 trillion-won (US$2.82 billion) project to acquire four Global 6500 aircraft by 2032.
Through the second phase of the project, the military aims to expand its fleet in response to growing aerial threats from North Korea and neighboring countries. The Air Force currently operates four Boeing E-737 Peace Eye airborne control aircraft.
For the second phase, L3Harris proposed integrating Bombardier Defense's Global 6500 aircraft with advanced radar systems from Israel's ELTA.
According to DAPA, L3Harris earned a higher evaluation score than Swedish defense firm Saab, its only other contender in the bidding.
"This project is expected to ensure round-the-clock aerial surveillance capabilities against enemy air threats during both wartime and peacetime, and to enable independent and efficient air control operations by the South Korean military," DAPA said.
This file photo shows a Boeing E-737 Peace Eye airborne control aircraft (R) during the final rehearsal for the Armed Forces Day ceremony. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · Kim Han-joo · September 30, 2025
13. U.S. urges allies to strengthen deterrence against China
U.S. urges allies to strengthen deterrence against China
Posted September. 30, 2025 07:14,
Updated September. 30, 2025 07:14
https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20250930/5878240/1
A senior U.S. Defense Department official told the Dong-A Ilbo on Sept. 26 that the United States’ established defensive line lies along the “First Island Chain” and that it is the “strategic center of gravity.” Speaking ahead of the release of the new National Defense Strategy, which outlines U.S. defense goals and plans, the official reaffirmed that the First Island Chain, from Japan’s Kyushu through Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines and widely regarded as Washington’s military blockade line against China, remains central to America’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
The statement effectively dismissed speculation that the United States might shift significant military power beyond the First Island Chain to the Second Island Chain, which stretches from Japan’s Honshu through Guam, Saipan and Indonesia. It also indicated that Washington does not plan major reductions to its forces in South Korea, which play a key role within the First Island Chain.
The official said forces in the First Island Chain must do more than maintain a symbolic presence and be able to provide real deterrence. He added that allies, including South Korea, should take a more active role. This was widely interpreted as a call for U.S. allies, including South Korea and Japan, to bolster their own defense capabilities to strengthen deterrence against China, Washington’s primary strategic adversary.
The official also said Asian allies must contribute more directly to deterring China, noting that the “America First” agenda of the Donald Trump administration assumes allies are both able and willing to act.
Jin-Woo Shin niceshin@donga.com
14. Senior North Korean diplomat tells UN his country will never give up nukes
Senior North Korean diplomat tells UN his country will never give up nukes
Demanding denuclearization is tantamount to denying DPRK’s right to exist, deputy FM says in rare speech in New York
https://www.nknews.org/2025/09/senior-north-korean-diplomat-tells-un-his-country-will-never-give-up-nukes/
Shreyas Reddy September 30, 2025
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong addresses the U.N. General Assembly. | Image: U.N. Photo/Loey Felipe (Sept. 29, 2025)
Calls for North Korea to denuclearize are “tantamount to demanding that it surrender sovereignty and right to existence,” the country’s deputy foreign minister said in a rare address to the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, reasserting that the DPRK will never give up its nuclear weapons.
Speaking during the General Debate, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong defended Pyongyang’s pursuit of a nuclear deterrent as a necessary response to the “undeniable reality” of U.S.-led military activities in the region.
Citing Washington’s military cooperation with South Korea and Japan, Kim said their trilateral military cooperation is rapidly evolving into a “more offensive and aggressive military bloc with nuclear elements.”
He also claimed their joint military exercises are “breaking all the previous records in terms of scale, nature, frequency and scope,” referring specifically to the allies’ Freedom Edge and Iron Mace “nuclear war drills” earlier this month.
“Nowhere in the world can we find such a place as the Korean Peninsula where the world’s biggest nuclear weapon state and its allied forces conduct bilateral and multilateral war exercises all year round and even stage real-war drills simulating the use of nukes targeting a sovereign state,” he said.
In the face of this “tremendous military threat,” the North Korean diplomat asserted that Pyongyang’s possession of a “physical war deterrent” is critical to maintaining the balance of power and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He also argued that the peace and security brought through military power ensures the DPRK’s prosperity, hailing progress on housing construction and regional economic development initiatives in recent years.
Kim’s remarks echo Pyongyang’s frequent justification of its nuclear development as a response to military cooperation between the U.S. and its Northeast Asian allies, which state media often portrays as escalating the risk of nuclear war in the region.
“We will never give up nuclear [weapons], which is our state law, national policy and sovereign power as well as the right to existence,” the vice foreign minister said, reiterated leader Kim Jong Un’s assertion last week. “Under any circumstances, we will never walk away from this position.”
NEW WORLD ORDER
Kim’s UNGA address marked the first by a DPRK diplomat other than the country’s U.N. envoy since 2018, during a period of negotiations with the first Trump administration, but the high-level official did not use his speech to make diplomatic appeals to the U.S.
Instead, he emphasized that the multilateral forum must adapt to a changing world rather than be guided by the wishes of a select few nations.
Stating that the world is now at its “most turbulent and violent” since World War II, he took aim at the Trump administration for plunging the world into “the swamp of stagnation and instability” by imposing massive tariffs and rejecting U.N. sustainable development goals.
“All these turbulences and pains suffered by the world are fundamentally caused by high-handedness and arbitrariness and avarice of hegemonic powers in their attempt to subject the whole world to their interests and to place their exclusive interests above the common good of mankind,” he said.
Kim also took aim at Israel’s “genocide” in the Middle East, citing estimates that over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Tel Aviv’s actions.
He called on Israel to stop its “crimes against humanity” and withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and reiterated Pyongyang’s long-held position calling for the formal establishment of an independent state of Palestine and its admission to the U.N.
To ensure the voices of smaller countries are also heard, Kim called for efforts to expand and strengthen developing countries’ representation in the U.N. and to “correct the Western-led inappropriate structure in the Security Council.”
From Pyongyang’s side, he stated that North Korea will promote “multifaceted exchanges and cooperation” with friendly nations.
“The DPRK will, as in the past, so in the future, collaborate with all countries and nations that oppose and reject aggression, intervention, domination and subjugation and aspire after independence and justice, irrespective of differences in ideas and systems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kim’s trip to New York has also provided opportunities for diplomatic engagement, with the DPRK official meeting Cuba’s top diplomat on the sidelines of the UNGA.
In a social media post, foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla said that he reiterated Cuba’s desire to strengthen bilateral ties at the meeting and that the two sides reaffirmed their historical solidarity.
The U.N. also announced that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Kim and discussed “the situation on the Korean Peninsula and areas to strengthen the cooperation between the United Nations and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
Edited by Bryan Betts
15. Xi Jinping unlikely to visit North Korea for expected military parade: Seoul
Perhaps Xi does not want KJU to gain too much strength. Not too much. Not too little, Xi is looking for just right.
Xi Jinping unlikely to visit North Korea for expected military parade: Seoul
Unification ministry cites Chinese leader’s planned trip to South for APEC as reason for skipping Oct. 10 celebrations
https://www.nknews.org/2025/09/xi-jinping-unlikely-to-visit-north-korea-for-expected-military-parade-seoul/
Jooheon Kim September 30, 2025
A military parade in Pyongyang | Image: Rodong Sinmun (July 28, 2023)
Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to travel to North Korea to attend celebrations for the ruling party’s anniversary next month, Seoul’s unification ministry has assessed, citing Xi’s expected visit to South Korea.
The comments by a ministry official on Tuesday came as the DPRK prepares to hold a military parade to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) on Oct. 10.
“While I won’t speculate on that matter, considering that President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit South Korea for the APEC summit, the possibility seems unlikely,” the official said during a press briefing.
South Korea is preparing to host the APEC summit in Gyeongju in late October, with both Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump expected to travel to the ROK around the event.
Some have suggested that Xi would attend the likely North Korean military parade next month to reciprocate Kim’s trip to China to watch a large-scale parade in early September. ROK media speculated that North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui could even deliver an invitation to attend when she visited Beijing over the weekend.
But the unification ministry official said that Choe’s trip was likely aimed at strengthening communication with China ahead of Xi’s expected summit with Trump.
“Since President Xi Jinping is expected to visit South Korea for summit talks with the ROK and the U.S. on the sidelines of the APEC summit, we presume the visit was to coordinate with China in advance,” they said.
Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese politics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said it’s possible that North Korea wanted to coordinate with China in case Washington raises the issue of denuclearization.
“China has been avoiding talk of denuclearization lately. So North Korea may have asked China to respond skillfully if Trump brings it up,” he told NK News.
ROK Unification Minister Chung Dong-young previously assessed that the DPRK likely demanded China refrain from raising the issue of denuclearization as a condition for Kim attending the military parade in Beijing earlier this month.
The DPRK leader has repeatedly said North Korea will “never” give up its nuclear weapons, while leaving the door open to talks on “peaceful coexistence” if the U.S. drops its “absurd obsession with denuclearization.”
The expert Kang said the fact Choe traveled to China on a “plane for her personal use” may have reflected how urgent and important North Korea considered her visit and coordination with Beijing.
“By visiting on a weekend, they could be appealing to China, sending a message that this is something the North Korean leadership is paying close attention to,” the expert said.
DPRK state media reported that Choe reached a “complete consensus” on various international and regional issues during talks with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday. The top diplomats pledged to strengthen bilateral ties in accordance with the outcomes of their leaders’ recent summit.
Edited by Bryan Betts
16. Further Enhancing US Extended Deterrence for South Korea
Download the PDF here: https://twq.elliott.gwu.edu/files/2025/09/TWQ_48_3_LeeJo.pdf
Further Enhancing US Extended Deterrence for South Korea
by Kyung Suk Lee and Bee Yun Jo
Voices in Seoul continue to question the credibility of US extended deterrence given North Korean nuclear advancements. The authors argue for advancing conventional-nuclear integration between the two allies to enhance extended deterrence. Otherwise, given the deterioration of Washington's defense commitments, advocacy for an independent South Korean nuclear arsenal is likely to rise.
17. The shocking end of 52 years of broadcasts to N. Korea
So disappointing to read this. The ROK/US alliance is making a huge strategic error with the shutting down of broadcasts into north korea.
The shocking end of 52 years of broadcasts to N. Korea
Outside information can become a Trojan horse that can crack the foundations of dictatorship
By Kang Dong Wan, Dong-A University - September 30, 2025
https://www.dailynk.com/english/the-shocking-end-of-52-years-of-broadcasts-to-n-korea/
FILE PHOTO: USBs loaded with a mix of news and cultural media content for distribution into North Korea. (Daily NK)
After 52 years of broadcasting hope into the darkness of North Korea, the silence is deafening. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has pulled the plug on these vital transmissions—a decision that left me stunned and dismayed. What makes this even more shocking is the timing: NIS Director Lee Jong-seok made this choice less than a month into his tenure. This isn’t just a policy shift; it’s an abandonment of the state’s most fundamental duty and a clear violation of law.
North Koreans live in almost complete isolation, cut off from the outside world. These broadcasts represent their only window to see beyond their borders. No previous administration has ever had the NIS suspend radio broadcasts to North Korea, making this truly unprecedented. The flow of information into North Korea remains our most effective and strategic weapon for bringing about change within North Korean society. Civilian organizations have long wrestled with this same challenge: how to effectively deliver information to North Koreans.
The Lee Jae-myung administration declared upon taking office that peace means winning without fighting. Given North Korea’s advanced nuclear capabilities, the real path to victory without fighting lies in psychological and information warfare. North Korean authorities teach through political indoctrination that “South Korea is a rotten, diseased capitalist society full of homeless beggars.” But when North Koreans secretly encounter Korean movies or dramas, they discover a different reality. They express shock at South Korea’s economic prosperity and, above all, its guarantee of freedom and human rights. External information opens their eyes to another world entirely. Such information ultimately becomes a Trojan horse that can crack the foundations of dictatorship.
Yet since taking office, the Lee Jae-myung administration has banned leaflets to North Korea, stopped loudspeaker broadcasts, and now suspended NIS broadcasts. When you consider who benefits most from these measures, the answer becomes clear.
The power of information
Around 2010, outside information started flooding into North Korea. More than ten years later, we can see its impact. If these foreign movies, dramas, and news had no effect on North Korean society, why would Kim Jong-un’s regime be so desperate to stop them?
The answer lies in their extreme response. North Korean authorities created the “Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Act”—a draconian measure that can sentence people to death simply for watching South Korean entertainment. Despite these harsh penalties, outside information continues to spread like wildfire throughout the country. The regime’s increasingly frantic efforts to control it only prove how powerful this information has become.
North Korean young people now think differently from their parents. They aren’t the “human bullets and bombs” generation willing to sacrifice their lives for Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Instead, they question: “Why should I sacrifice my life for Kim Jong Un?” This ideological shift stems directly from exposure to external information.
What’s the real intention behind suspending broadcasts that enhance North Korean residents’ right to know and promote social change? We must question NIS Director Lee’s security and national perspectives. This measure clearly denies the Republic of Korea’s identity and shakes the nation’s foundation.
Another troubling development is the Ministry of Unification’s decision to allow access to North Korean media content in South Korea. This involves allowing North Korean movies and cartoons while lifting restrictions on so-called “special materials.” Yet North Korean films and cartoons serve purely as regime propaganda tools. During German reunification, broadcast exchanges resulted from bilateral agreement. The unification ministry’s move is completely one-sided. We’re cutting off information to North Koreans who desperately need it, while simultaneously allowing North Korean content into our country. The justification? South Korean citizens’ right to access information. It’s a contradiction that’s hard to swallow.
External information remains the only light and window through which North Koreans can glimpse the outside world. Even now, people work tirelessly to help North Koreans access even fragments of truth-bearing information. Their only wish: to convey reality to North Koreans.
How will history remember the day when a divided nation’s intelligence agency abandoned psychological and information warfare?
Read in Korean
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
| 
