|
Quotes of the Day:
"To fight abroad is a military act, but to persuade enemies or allies that one would fight abroad, under circumstances of great cost and risk, requires more than a military capability. It requires projecting intentions. It requires having those intentions, even deliberately acquiring them, and communicating them persuasively to make other countries behave."
– Thomas C. Schelling
"We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are all going to perish together as fools."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Society is like a stew. If you don't stir it up once in a while then a layer of scum floats to the top."
– Edward Abbey
1. More N. Korean elites disillusioned with Kim Jong-un regime: ex-N.K. diplomat
2. Ex-N. Korean diplomat in Cuba proposes paths to regime collapse from within
3. Spy agency monitoring signs of N. Korea executing officials over flood damage
4. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reportedly ordered dozens of officials executed after deadly floods
5. N. Korea begins vaccination program for 800,000 children with UNICEF support
6. Military readiness decreased 'counterintuitively' despite Trump's summitry with NK leader Kim: ex-US envoy
7. Unification council to invite advisers from Americas for policy discussion
8. N. Korea apparently yet to institutionalize its '2 hostile states' policy: new council chief
9. US renews warning against N. Korea's support for Russia's war in Ukraine
10. U.S. may reconsider approach to N.K.-Russia military ties under Harris' leadership: senator
11. Democracy under pressure: unpacking fears of martial law in South Korea
12. Defectors' rise to high posts in Seoul could shake NK elite: Tae
13. N. Korea launches more trash balloons toward S. Korea
14. Rough surf no deterrent to US, South Korean Marines practicing amphibious landings15.
1. More N. Korean elites disillusioned with Kim Jong-un regime: ex-N.K. diplomat
Although I think we have to take former north Korean diplomat Ri Il-gyu's comments with a grain of salt, he is confirming what we hear from other defectors/escapees about the elite.
There is an opportunity for an aggressive and sophisticated public diplomacy/information campaign to assist the elite and the 2d tier leadership to help them create change inside north Korea.
(2nd LD) More N. Korean elites disillusioned with Kim Jong-un regime: ex-N.K. diplomat | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · September 3, 2024
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details throughout; ADDS byline)
By Kim Han-joo and Kim Soo-yeon
SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- More North Korean elites are "disillusioned" with the Kim Jong-un regime, as they feel anxious on concerns that any small mishap could deprive them of their lives under his leadership, a former North Korean diplomat said Tuesday.
Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, made the remark in a session during the Global Korea Forum (GKF), a global forum hosted by the unification ministry and designed to garner international support for South Korea's bid for peaceful unification.
"Perception by the North's elite group toward the regime has changed a lot," Ri said. "They are disillusioned with Kim's impromptu behaviors. Even with doing something wrong a little bit, North Korea shoots them to death."
He also said Kim's "war on corruption" has only led to bribery becoming a more prevalent survival tactic among high-ranking North Korean officials.
"North Korean people do not have any expectations for the regime. They believe that what enables them to survive is markets, not the (ruling Workers') Party," Ri said.
Despite growing skepticism about the regime, Ri claimed North Koreans cannot easily stand up against it due to the country's cobweb-like surveillance system and a reign of terror.
Participants in the Global Korea Forum, a global forum hosted by the unification ministry and designed to garner international support for South Korea's bid for peaceful unification, pose for a photo before the forum on Sept. 3, 2024. (Yonhap)
Ri, a seasoned North Korean diplomat known for his role in overseeing Cuban affairs, defected to South Korea with his family in November of last year.
He also suggested that leveraging China's position could be beneficial for South Korea, especially since China seems "uncomfortable" with the close military ties between North Korea and Russia.
"When it comes to Russia, we must persistently persuade them on who would be a more realistic partner between South Korea and North Korea," Ri said.
On North Korea's silence about Seoul's new unification doctrine, the former diplomat said the North probably views "complete disregard" as the best response, as making any response amounts to promoting South Korea's unification vision to North Korean people.
The forum aligns with a new unification doctrine announced by President Yoon Suk Yeol last month, which focuses on expanding North Koreans' access to external information and proposes establishing an official dialogue channel between the two Koreas to discuss various issues.
This photo, provided by South Korea's unification ministry on Sept. 3, 2024, shows Ri Il-gyu (C), a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, participating in the Global Korea Forum in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Meanwhile, in a distributed release at the forum, Ri referred to Kim Jong-un's daughter seen in public as "Ju-ye" not as her commonly known name of "Ju-ae," without disclosing where he has got the information.
After a trip to North Korea in 2013, retired NBA star Dennis Rodman said he spent time with the leader's family in Pyongyang and held Kim's baby girl, named Ju-ae.
But North Korea's state media have yet to officially disclose the daughter's name, only calling her the "respected" daughter or the "beloved" one. South Korea's spy agency said in January that it sees Kim's daughter as his "most likely successor."
In a keynote speech, former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said South Korea needs to continuously "persuade" China to understand that the two Koreas' unification will not only contribute to global peace but also serve its own interests.
"It is strategically vital to convince China and Japan that unification will significantly contribute to global peace and will be beneficial for them as well," Ban said in his keynote speech.
Ban also emphasized the need for South Korean officials to persuade the Chinese government that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is not adversarial and will ultimately benefit peace and stability in the region.
"Going forward, we must present a future vision for the South Korea-U.S. alliance that encompasses diplomacy, military cooperation and the values of liberal democracy," he added.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks during the Global Korea Forum (GKF), an inaugural event aimed at garnering international support for the unification of the two Koreas, held in Seoul on Sept. 3, 2024. (Yonhap)
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · September 3, 2024
2. Ex-N. Korean diplomat in Cuba proposes paths to regime collapse from within
The path to regime collapse is when the party can no longer govern all the territory of the north from Pyongyang combined with the loss of coherency (breakdown of the chain of control) and support of the military and security services. In short it is the loss of central governing effectiveness and coherency of the military that will lead to collapse.
I urge everyone concerned with regime collapse to re-read Robert Collins' "Pattern of Collapse in North Korea" and internalize his brilliant analysis. https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/pattern-collapse-north-korea
Ex-N. Korean diplomat in Cuba proposes paths to regime collapse from within
koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · September 3, 2024
By Ji Da-gyum
Published : Sept. 3, 2024 - 18:48
Ri Il-gyu (center), former counselor at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, speaks at the Global Korea Forum 2024, co-hosted by the Unification Ministry and Yonsei University on Tuesday at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. (Ministry of Unification)
Ri Il-gyu, the former second-ranking North Korean diplomat in Cuba, on Tuesday publicly proposed strategies to destabilize the Kim Jong-un regime from within by promoting societal change in the North, including the inflow of external information to the North Korean populace.
"The so-called elite class, or the cadre class, has undergone a significant shift in their perception of the regime," Ri, who served as a counselor at the North Korean Embassy in Havana, said during the Global Korea Forum 2024 at the Lotte Hotel Seoul -- his first public appearance at a publicly disclosed, livestreamed event since defecting to South Korea in November last year.
"They've become disillusioned with the regime due to Kim Jong-un's impulsive behavior," Ri emphasized, explaining that minor mistakes can lead to execution and dismissal, "creating an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty among the cadres about their own fate."
Ri underscored that "North Korea has changed significantly and will continue to change" during the second session, "Understanding North Korea’s Realities for Unification Preparation," of the forum co-hosted by the Unification Ministry and Yonsei University.
Ri explained that "around 80 percent of North Korean society, including both ordinary citizens and cadre, views the (Kim Jong-un) regime negatively, but they are hesitant to rise up."
"There are two main reasons for this. First, the regime has established a tightly woven surveillance and control network, operating like a spider's web. Second, the brutal repression, exemplified by merciless executions, creates a climate of fear that prevents people from taking action," Ri explained.
Highlighting South Korea's pivotal role in driving change within North Korean society, Ri proposed "strategies to inflow external information to North Korean people and induce North Korea's collapse from within."
Ri, for instance, urged the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to aggressively promote its new Unification Doctrine, unveiled by President Yoon on Aug. 15, National Liberation Day, to "thwart Kim Jong-un's efforts to suppress the people's desire for reunification through the two-state policy, and to spread the perception with North Korea that war and confrontation lead to self-destruction, while unification brings prosperity."
The Yoon administration's unification doctrine centers on achieving what it has labeled "freedom-based unification," with North Koreans as the primary drivers. The policy emphasizes the importance of freedom and human rights in the North, aiming to inspire a strong desire for unification among North Koreans.
Ri said, "I believe that if President Yoon Suk Yeol's unification doctrine reaches the North Korean people, it will resonate deeply with them."
Ri also called for the South Korean government to "win over North Korean elites, including those stationed abroad, to build a force for change within the country."
"Many among officials or cadre, including those who are currently stationed abroad, harbor concerns about their future roles in a unified Korea, wondering if they might be disadvantaged," Ri said.
"It’s crucial (for Seoul) to continually reinforce the understanding that, under the North Korean regime, everyone -- from cadre to workers, farmers and intellectuals -- has lived as slaves to the Kim family. Therefore, I believe it is essential to bring over such individuals, making them aware that they are the key agents capable of bringing about change in North Korea."
Ri also called for the Yoon administration to "stir up unrest among North Korean residents by showcasing the stable resettlement and success stories of North Korean defectors."
Ri highlighted that the Jangmadang Generation -- North Koreans born in the 1980s and 1990s who came of age during the Arduous March and witnessed the collapse of the public distribution system, incorporating black markets into their daily lives -- along with youth today influenced by South Korea’s cultural wave are expected to play a pivotal role in driving change within North Korean society.
Since mid-July, Ri has given interviews to both South Korean and international media outlets and has delivered lectures to South Korean lawmakers and members of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, the presidential body on unification. However, Tuesday’s event marked Ri's first public appearance at an open forum attended by the public, including foreign embassy representatives in Seoul, experts and students.
koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · September 3, 2024
3. Spy agency monitoring signs of N. Korea executing officials over flood damage
This is getting some attention in the media that follows north Korea.
We must observe for the indicators of internal instability.
Spy agency monitoring signs of N. Korea executing officials over flood damage | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · September 4, 2024
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's spy agency said Wednesday it is closely monitoring signs of North Korea executing multiple officials to hold them accountable over heavy flood damage earlier this year.
At an emergency party politburo meeting in late July, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he will punish officials for the damage from heavy rains that flooded areas in the northern provinces of Jagang and North Phyongan and displaced thousands.
The National Intelligence Service said it is closely monitoring the situation after detecting signs of the executions.
Kang Pong-hun, the former chief secretary of the Jagang Provincial Committee of the North's ruling party, is believed to be possibly among the executed officials.
Kang and other senior officials, including Public Security Minister Ri Thae-sop, were dismissed from their posts over the flood damage during the politburo meeting, according to the North's state media.
This file photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on July 31, 2024, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) touring flooded areas in the northern part of the country aboard an inflatable boat. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · September 4, 2024
4. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reportedly ordered dozens of officials executed after deadly floods
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reportedly ordered dozens of officials executed after deadly floods
Kim Jong Un blamed public officials who had neglected disaster prevention for causing 'the casualty that cannot be allowed'
By Bradford Betz Fox News
Published September 3, 2024 9:59pm EDT
foxnews.com · by Bradford Betz Fox News
Video
Here's what Russia and North Korea each get out of new pact: Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg
Fox News contributor Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg discusses the global implications of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un signing an 'aggression' pact on 'Your World.'
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un may have ordered at least 30 government officials to be executed after the devastating floods over the summer that killed thousands, according to a new report from South Korea.
The South’s TV Chosun reported Tuesday that North Korean authorities sentenced between 20 and 30 people to capital punishment last month for their failure to stop the deadly flooding.
An official was quoted as telling the outlet, "Twenty to 30 cadres in the flood-stricken area were executed at the same time late last month."
While it’s difficult to know the details given the North’s extreme secrecy, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has reported that Kim ordered authorities to "strictly punish" the officials after catastrophic floods hit the Chagang Province, near the border with China, in July.
FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP WITH KIM JONG UN IS ‘NOT A BAD THING,’ TRUMP SAYS
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un during a press conference, June 19, 2024, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Contributor/Getty Images)
North Korean state media reported that heavy rains in late July left more than 4,000 homes as well as numerous other public buildings, structures, roads and railways flooded in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and the neighboring town of Uiju.
Kim blamed public officials who had neglected disaster prevention for causing "the casualty that cannot be allowed."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a meeting of Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea held from June 28 until July 1, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
The North has rebuffed offers of aid from China, Russia and even South Korea, with whom tensions remain at all-time highs.
Kim made a two-day tour of Uiju in early August to meet flood victims and discuss recovery efforts. While touring there, Kim was quoted by KCNA as accusing the South of exaggerating the extent of the damage from the floods, decrying it as a "smear campaign" and a "grave provocation" against his government.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.
foxnews.com · by Bradford Betz Fox News
5. N. Korea begins vaccination program for 800,000 children with UNICEF support
One positive humanitarian step forward for the Korean people in the north.
N. Korea begins vaccination program for 800,000 children with UNICEF support | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · September 4, 2024
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign for children and pregnant women with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), years after they missed out on essential vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign aims to inoculate over 800,000 children and 120,000 pregnant women with life-saving vaccines, including those for diphtheria, measles, rubella, and hepatitis, UNICEF said in a release Tuesday.
"This campaign is a major milestone in our efforts to vaccinate every child in the DPRK and protect them from common childhood diseases," said Roland Kupka, UNICEF's acting representative for the country. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
According to UNICEF, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in immunization rates within the reclusive regime.
The rates -- which had exceeded 96 percent before the pandemic -- dropped to below 42 percent by mid-2021, leaving countless children at risk of deadly diseases.
In July, over 4 million doses of essential vaccines were delivered to North Korea to commence the vaccination program, UNICEF said.
Of them, 2 million doses will be used in the current catch-up vaccination campaign, while the remainder will be distributed to health centers nationwide to support routine immunization efforts.
Between 2021 and 2023, UNICEF supported three previous catch-up vaccination campaigns in North Korea, reaching nearly 1.3 million children who had missed key vaccinations during the peak of the pandemic, the agency said.
This image, provided by the Korean committee for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), shows the UNICEF logo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Han-joo · September 4, 2024
6. Military readiness decreased 'counterintuitively' despite Trump's summitry with NK leader Kim: ex-US envoy
It may seem like a BFO (blinding flash of the obvious), but cancelling, postponing, and scaling back exercises (which was the pattern during the previous administration) has a negative readiness impact and therefore an impact on deterrence. Yet there are pundits and some government officials who advocate giving up military exercises as a concession to Kim Jong Un.
Note also the Ambassador/Admiral's correct comments about "strategic patience." That phrase was never the official name of the Obama administration's north Korea policy but it is the one the pundits coined and which has now become ingrained in the lexicon.
Excerpts:
Harris' remarks came amid speculation that the Republican presidential candidate might revive his leader-to-leader engagement with Kim should he return to the White House. In his recent stump speech, Trump said "getting along" with Kim is a "good thing."
"The outcome of (Trump's diplomacy with Kim) was the summits in Singapore, Hanoi and along the DMZ ... the snap summit if you will," Harris said via a video link during a forum hosted by the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and other institutes.
"Counterintuitively again during this time, I think our military readiness actually decreased because of the prohibition against military exercises — significant military exercises, large-scale military exercises on the peninsula," he added.
Shortly after the first-ever summit between the U.S. and North Korea in Singapore in 2018, Trump unveiled a plan to stop "provocative" and "expensive" war games with the South, which Pyongyang has decried as an invasion rehearsal. Later, the allies suspended major combined exercises to back diplomacy to encourage North Korea's denuclearization.
Harris also recalled the former Obama administration's approach toward Pyongyang, which has been dubbed a policy of "strategic patience" — a term that refers to the U.S. waiting patiently until the North shifts towards denuclearization while heaping pressure on it through sanctions, diplomatic isolation and other measures.
"I will note that the Obama administration's policy was one that we have now since termed as strategic patience, and it was characterized by nonviolent coercion against North Korea, which is to say sanctions, and dramatically increased the sanctions regime against North Korea in the face of North Koreans' missile testing and the like," he said.
Military readiness decreased 'counterintuitively' despite Trump's summitry with NK leader Kim: ex-US envoy
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Military readiness of the South Korea-U.S. alliance weakened "counterintuitively" during former President Donald Trump's personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a former top U.S. envoy to Seoul said Tuesday.
Retired Adm. Harry Harris, who served as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea from 2018-2021, made the remarks, citing the suspension of major South Korea-U.S. military drills, which was aimed at facilitating diplomacy with Pyongyang during Trump's time in office.
Harris' remarks came amid speculation that the Republican presidential candidate might revive his leader-to-leader engagement with Kim should he return to the White House. In his recent stump speech, Trump said "getting along" with Kim is a "good thing."
"The outcome of (Trump's diplomacy with Kim) was the summits in Singapore, Hanoi and along the DMZ ... the snap summit if you will," Harris said via a video link during a forum hosted by the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and other institutes.
"Counterintuitively again during this time, I think our military readiness actually decreased because of the prohibition against military exercises — significant military exercises, large-scale military exercises on the peninsula," he added.
Shortly after the first-ever summit between the U.S. and North Korea in Singapore in 2018, Trump unveiled a plan to stop "provocative" and "expensive" war games with the South, which Pyongyang has decried as an invasion rehearsal. Later, the allies suspended major combined exercises to back diplomacy to encourage North Korea's denuclearization.
Harris also recalled the former Obama administration's approach toward Pyongyang, which has been dubbed a policy of "strategic patience" — a term that refers to the U.S. waiting patiently until the North shifts towards denuclearization while heaping pressure on it through sanctions, diplomatic isolation and other measures.
"I will note that the Obama administration's policy was one that we have now since termed as strategic patience, and it was characterized by nonviolent coercion against North Korea, which is to say sanctions, and dramatically increased the sanctions regime against North Korea in the face of North Koreans' missile testing and the like," he said.
"Counterintuitively, perhaps, I think our miliary readiness actually increased during this time as we increased our training and exercising with the South Korean military, as well as our planning against any provocation from North Korea."
The former ambassador also said that the North Korean leader is unlikely to renounce his regime's nuclear weapons, while claiming that Kim has been sticking to four goals — getting sanctions relief, keeping his nuclear arsenal, splitting the Seoul-Washington alliance and "dominating" the Korean Peninsula.
"I think it's naive to think he's ever going to give up his nuclear weapons," he said. "I think we have to adjust our thinking to this new reality."
Harris also touched on a period of tension between Seoul and Washington over defense cost-sharing negotiations during Trump's presidency.
"In this case, Washington was seeking a 500 percent increase in ... financial support from South Korea," he recounted.
He also voiced concerns about what he termed an "alliance of convenience" between North Korea, China, Russia and Iran.
"I am worried about that. I think it's real and I think it's something that South Korea and the U.S. must face," he said. (Yonhap)
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
7. Unification council to invite advisers from Americas for policy discussion
I do not think most of us understand the commitment to unification of much of the Korean diaspora in many countries of the world to include the US.
Excerpts:
President Yoon Suk Yeol introduced the 8.15 Unification Doctrine during his Liberation Day speech and pledged to make 2024 the “founding year for advancing toward a unified Korea based on freedom, peace and prosperity.”
About 740 members of the PUAC’s Municipal Chapter in America will visit Seoul from Monday to Thursday to share the government’s vision and spread discourse on the new unification doctrine.
The PUAC will hold a separate event attended by members of its municipal chapters in Japan, China, Asia-Pacific as well as Europe, Middle East and Africa in December.
Unification council to invite advisers from Americas for policy discussion
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
Tae Yong-ho, the secretary general of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, speaks during a press conference held at his office in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council
By Kwak Yeon-soo
The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) will invite members of its Municipal Chapter in America to Seoul to reach a global consensus on South Korea’s new unification policy.
President Yoon Suk Yeol introduced the 8.15 Unification Doctrine during his Liberation Day speech and pledged to make 2024 the “founding year for advancing toward a unified Korea based on freedom, peace and prosperity.”
About 740 members of the PUAC’s Municipal Chapter in America will visit Seoul from Monday to Thursday to share the government’s vision and spread discourse on the new unification doctrine.
The PUAC will hold a separate event attended by members of its municipal chapters in Japan, China, Asia-Pacific as well as Europe, Middle East and Africa in December.
Kim Kwan-yong, executive vice-chairperson of the PUAC, said the new unification discourse should reflect the changed circumstances of the times and embody constitutional values.
“The PUAC is tasked with putting unification policy into action based on strong theory. We face challenges, including internal division in the decision-making process, but we all share the thought that unification is our future,” Kim said in a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday. “We aim to gather thoughts of 22,000 council members from all around the world and reflect their opinions in implementing the policy.”
The PUAC launched a mentoring program to support successful settlement of North Korean defectors. It will provide tailored mentoring experience to North Korean defectors in various sectors ranging from livestock to entertainment industries.
Tae Yong-ho, the secretary general of the PUAC, said he will also focus on promoting unification activities that encourage participation of younger generations.
Acknowledging that a declining number of South Koreans support the idea of reunification with North Korea, Tae said the PUAC will invest its energy to persuade them of its necessity.
“I’m aware that South Koreans, especially young adults, worry about the burden of unification cost. In fact, an economic research institute in North Korea said the difference in economic performance between the South and the North was about 120 to 1. The North Korean regime used this economic gap to tell its residents that if unification occurs, they will become slaves of the South Korean capital,” Tae said.
“However, North Korea is bordered by China and Russia to the north, which could bring many economic gains to the Korean Peninsula. North Korea can provide a workforce for the manufacturing sector that is experiencing a labor shortage due to a declining birth rate. We will try to inform people about the advantages of unification from both economic and public welfare point of view and how much it can improve the lives of North Korean residents.”
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
8. N. Korea apparently yet to institutionalize its '2 hostile states' policy: new council chief
There should be no doubt that this is about institutionalizing what has been the seven decades old policy of seeking to dominate the Korean peninsula under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State while stirpping away what has always been a propaganda cover - peaceful unification through one country two systems confederation. Here is the difference between Yoon and Kim. The ROK has the moral high ground.
"If more North Koreans come to recognize that unification through freedom is the only way to improve their lives... they will emerge as strong allies for a freedom-oriented unification."
– President Yoon Suk Yeol, August 15, 2024
“The party’s comprehensive conclusion after reviewing decades-long inter-Korean relations is that reunification can never be achieved with those ROK riffraffs that defined the ‘unification by absorption’ and ‘unification under liberal democracy’ as their state policy. That is in sharp contradiction with what our line of national reunification was: one nation [minjok], one state with two systems. Reunification is realistically 'impossible' and the two Koreas are separate 'belligerent states' at war."
– Kim Jong Un, January 1, 2024
N. Korea apparently yet to institutionalize its '2 hostile states' policy: new council chief
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
The chief of the secretariat of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) Tae Yong-ho speaks during an interview in Jung District, Seoul, Aug. 27. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
North Korea has shown no response to South Korea's new unification vision as it has apparently yet to institutionalize leader Kim Jong-un's policy of "two hostile states," the new secretary general of Seoul's advisory council on unification said Wednesday.
Last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a vision for unification with North Korea that focuses on promoting freedom in the unification of the two Koreas, in addition to expanding access to outside information within the reclusive nation, and proposing an official dialogue channel.
North Korea has kept mum about Yoon's "unification doctrine," as Kim redefined inter-Korean relations as those between "two states hostile to each other and labeled South Korea as his country's invariably principal enemy."
Tae Yong-ho, a prominent North Korean defector and the chief of the secretariat of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), said the North's silence seems to be due to its unpreparedness in fully theorizing Kim's policy of beefed-up animosity toward the South.
"I believe North Korea has not yet fully established the theoretical framework to justify the policy internally," Tae told a press conference.
Touching on defections by North Korean elites, Tae suggested that more defections from North Korean diplomats and their families might occur in the future, without providing further details.
"Since these defections are still ongoing, it's not appropriate to disclose the country or the incident. However, I've heard that in some cases, children of diplomats ran away to South Korea, prompting their parents to pack up and return to Pyongyang," he said.
Among North Korean defectors with so-called elite backgrounds is Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba. He defected to South Korea with his family last November.
Tae took office in July, marking the first time that a North Korean defector has been appointed to a deputy ministerial position.
"My appointment as the head of the (PUAC) secretariat demonstrates that South Korea is not exclusive and evaluates people based on their abilities, even for bureaucratic positions," Tae said.
Tae previously served as a North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain before defecting to South Korea in 2016. In 2020, he was elected as a lawmaker for the affluent Gangnam district in Seoul as a member of the ruling People Power Party but failed to secure a second term in the April parliamentary elections.
As part of key projects for this year, Tae said the PUAC plans to establish a special committee aimed at assisting North Korean defectors to help them better settle in South Korea. (Yonhap)
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
9. US renews warning against N. Korea's support for Russia's war in Ukraine
US renews warning against N. Korea's support for Russia's war in Ukraine
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller answers questions during a news briefing at the State Department in Washington, D.C., July 18, 2023. AP-Yonhap
The United States reiterated Tuesday that it will continue efforts to hold North Korea accountable for its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, as concerns linger that arms transactions between Pyongyang and Moscow could prolong the war in the war-torn Eastern European nation.
Matthew Miller, the State Department's spokesperson, made the remarks in response to a question about possible ramifications of the North's support for Russia.
"We've already seen the impact for Ukraine of North Korea supporting that war when it comes to transferring weapons that have shown up on the battlefield," Miller said during a press briefing.
"We will continue to take action to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine and to hold North Korea accountable for its support for that war," he added.
Deepening military cooperation between Russia and the North has raised concerns about its implications for security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
Washington has accused Pyongyang of providing Russia with ballistic missiles, munitions, related materiel and other pieces of equipment for use in Ukraine.
It is suspected that the North has been seeking assistance from Moscow, including fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and ballistic missile production equipment, in return. (Yonhap)
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
10. U.S. may reconsider approach to N.K.-Russia military ties under Harris' leadership: senator
Whoever is elected President should seize the opportunity to use support to the ROK 8.15 unification Doctrine as the new cornerstone of a new US north Korea policy. Since all presidents since 2009 have paid lip service to unification a new president can do what none have done - actually do the work to support unification
Here is the list of lip service from ROK and US president since 2009. Now the ROK has developed the first substantive "doctrine" for unification and the ROK/US alliance has the opportunity to move forward with this acceptable durable political arrangement that will sustain, protect, and advance alliance interests on the peninsula, in the region, and around the world. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and focus on the only way we are going to see an end to the nuclear program and military threats as well as the human rights abuses and crimes against humanity being committed against the Korean people living in the north by the mafia-like crime family cult known as the Kim family regime. The Korean people must achieve unification and establish a free and unified Korea that is secure and stable, non-nuclear, economically vibrant, and unified under a liberal constitutional form of government based on individual liberty, rule of law, and human rights as determined by the Korean people. A free and unified Korea or in short, a United Republic of Corea (U-ROC). (You Rock)
Lee/Park/Obama:
“Through our Alliance we aim to build a better future for all people on the Korean Peninsula, establishing a durable peace on the Peninsula and leading to peaceful reunification on the principles of free democracy and a market economy.”
“We will work together to achieve the complete and verifiable elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs, as well as ballistic missile programs, and to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the North Korean people.”
2009: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/joint-vision-alliance-united-states-america-and-republic-korea
2013: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-201300312/pdf/DCPD-201300312.pdf
2015: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/16/united-states-republic-korea-joint-statement-north-korea
“We will work together to achieve the complete and verifiable elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs, as well as ballistic missile programs, and to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the North Korean people.”
Trump/Moon 2017:
Maximum pressure, denuclearization, ROK will take the lead in creating conditions for peaceful unification
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-201700447/pdf/DCPD-201700447.pdf
Biden: 30 OCT 2020:
“As President, I’ll stand with South Korea, strengthening our alliance to safeguard peace in East Asia and beyond, rather than extorting Seoul with reckless threats to remove our troops. I’ll engage in principled diplomacy and keep pressing toward a denuclearized North Korea and a unified Korean Peninsula, while working to reunite Korean Americans separated from loved ones in North Korea for decades.”
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201030000500325
“Buried Lede” – 26 Words Biden/Yoon 23 Apr 2023
"The two presidents are committed to build a better future for all Korean people and support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace."
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/04/26/leaders-joint-statement-in-commemoration-of-the-70th-anniversary-of-the-alliance-between-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-republic-of-korea/
Camp David Summit: Biden, Yoon, Kishida
Spirit of Camp David
“We express support for the goal of the ROK’s Audacious Initiative and support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.”
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/18/the-spirit-of-camp-david-joint-statement-of-japan-the-republic-of-korea-and-the-united-states/
Camp David Principles:
“We support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.”
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/18/camp-david-principles/
U.S. may reconsider approach to N.K.-Russia military ties under Harris' leadership: senator | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · September 3, 2024
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- The United States may need to reevaluate its strategy on the expanding military ties between North Korea and Russia if Vice President Kamala Harris becomes president as Pyongyang's alleged arms support for Moscow's war in Ukraine is deeply troubling, a U.S. senator said Tuesday.
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del) said the Biden administration's North Korea policy has focused on its denuclearization and recently has been pressing the North to stop supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
"I have raised some concerns about what is it that (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un is receiving back in terms of military technology in exchange for the critical military support he is providing for Russia's offensive," Coons said.
"I expect there will be a reconsideration of what is the best path forward if Vice President Harris is our next president," Coons said, noting any new approach would likely involve close consultation with South Korea.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del) speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul on Sept. 3, 2024, in this photo provided by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The senator addressed concerns in South Korea over the recently adopted Democratic Party policy platform's omitting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, saying such a goal remains the party's "established policy."
"It is clearly the policy of the Biden administration. I would view its absence as a specific articulated sentence in my party's political platform as indicating nothing other than it is an established policy," he said, adding Harris will continue the policy if elected president.
Coons projected that a summit between Harris and Kim would be highly unlikely as long as Kim continues to provide the military support to Russia.
"I would be very surprised if there would be a summit with Kim Jong-un ... right now the conduct of the North Korean regime, in particular with regard to the war in Ukraine, is alarming," he said.
Coons was visiting Seoul this week to attend a trilateral economic dialogue among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, organized by private industry sectors.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), who was also visiting Seoul alongside Coons, said while the alliance with South Korea will remain unchanged and strong, a second Donald Trump administration would make sure the U.S. gets the "proper support" for its 28,500 troops stationed in Korea.
"South Korea has been a strong ally. I don't see anything changing in terms of our alliance," Hagerty said in a separate media roundtable.
"I think that we're always in a position that we want to evaluate, make certain that we have the proper force posture and that we're getting the proper support," he said.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) speaks during a media roundtable at a hotel in Seoul on Sept. 3, 2024, in this photo provided by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Hagerty also signaled possible adjustments to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) if Trump returns to the White House, calling the law a "completely partisan product."
"It hurts the United States economy. The mandates and subsidies are certainly going to be subject to review," Hagerty said.
The IRA was enacted under the Biden's administration drive to spur investment in the U.S. by offering big subsidies to foreign tech and energy companies, such as those in electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing. They include South Korean firms like Samsung and SK.
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Seung-yeon · September 3, 2024
11. Democracy under pressure: unpacking fears of martial law in South Korea
This issue has not gotten a lot of attention outside of Korean domestic politics.
Important assessment from LTG Chun:
For any attempt at a coup or martial law to be successful, it would require more than just control over military appointments; it would demand the complicity of the broader military establishment and, crucially, a passive or supportive public. However, recent events have shown that South Koreans are highly vigilant and ready to mobilize in defense of their democratic rights. Public opinion polls consistently show a strong preference for democracy over any form of authoritarian rule, and the military itself has undergone significant reforms since the democratic transition of the late 1980s, making it more professional and less prone to political manipulation.
While the idea of a coup or the imposition of martial law in today's South Korea may serve as a compelling plot for a novel, the practical realities make such an event unlikely. The speculation about a "palace coup" or authoritarian takeover feeds on existing political tensions, conspiracy theories and a polarized public discourse. However, the country's robust democratic institutions, legal safeguards and the demonstrated resolve of its people to resist any erosion of their freedoms significantly diminish the likelihood of such a scenario.
Nevertheless, it remains essential for South Koreans to remain vigilant. History has shown that unchecked ambition and political opportunism can sometimes lead to extreme measures, even in seemingly stable democracies. While the chances of a coup or martial law are slim, the importance of maintaining democratic norms and ensuring that power is exercised transparently and accountably cannot be overstated. As South Korea continues to navigate its complex political landscape, the vigilance of its citizens will remain the strongest safeguard against any threats to its democratic integrity.
Democracy under pressure: unpacking fears of martial law in South Korea
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
By Chun In-bum
Recent comments and accusations suggesting that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration may be creating a situation to declare martial law have reignited interest in the topic within South Korea. Conspiracy theorists and some politicians have gone as far as to accuse the administration of plotting a "palace coup," citing the appointment of key figures, such as the new minister of national defense, the head of military intelligence and other military leaders who share the same alumni network as President Yoon. While these claims are largely speculative, they reflect a deeper unease in the country's political landscape, fueled by memories of past authoritarian rule and ongoing tensions in inter-Korean relations.
Martial law in South Korea refers to a legal framework under which the administrative and judicial powers of the state are transferred to a military commander. Under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, the president has the authority to declare martial law, as stipulated by the Martial Law Act, in circumstances of war, armed conflict or other national emergencies deemed equivalent in gravity. The objective of martial law is to meet military requirements or maintain public safety and order when the normal functions of government are perceived to be inadequate.
Martial law is divided into two types: emergency martial law and security martial law. Emergency martial law grants the government sweeping powers, such as suspending the warrant system, restricting freedom of the press, curbing publication rights and limiting assembly and association, as well as overriding the authority of civilian courts and government agencies. When martial law is declared, the president must notify the National Assembly immediately. If the National Assembly demands its termination by a majority vote, the president is legally obligated to comply. While the National Assembly retains legislative authority, there are exceptional circumstances under which a military regime can temporarily assume control, particularly in the event of a coup that disrupts the normal constitutional order.
Martial law has a troubled history in South Korea. It was first declared on Oct. 21, 1948, in response to the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, a rebellion by South Korean soldiers who refused to suppress a left-wing uprising. Since then, it has been used by various regimes as a mechanism to maintain power, often at the expense of civil liberties. One of the most infamous instances occurred in 1979, following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Martial law was declared nationwide, leading to the suppression of pro-democracy movements and widespread human rights abuses.
These historical abuses of martial law have left a deep imprint on South Korean society, creating a strong public aversion to any suggestion of its reimplementation. The memories of authoritarian rule, censorship and political persecution are still fresh for many citizens, particularly for those who lived through the turbulent decades of the 1960s to 1980s. The last declaration of martial law, in 1979, marked a period of intense social and political repression and the eventual rise of a democratic movement that culminated in the democratic reforms of the late 1980s.
The current accusations against the Yoon administration, suggesting a potential "palace coup" or the preparation for martial law, are emerging against a backdrop of severe political polarization and public distrust. Critics argue that recent appointments of military leaders closely associated with President Yoon's network could be a move to consolidate power over key security institutions. These accusations are fueled by conspiracy theories, often spread on social media, that suggest an orchestrated effort to undermine democratic processes.
While these theories lack substantial evidence, they reflect the broader anxieties of a politically divided nation. South Korea remains deeply polarized, with factions both on the left and the right engaging in heated debates over the direction of national policy, governance and responses to external threats, particularly from North Korea. In such a climate, even unfounded rumors can gain traction, feeding public mistrust and intensifying political tensions.
Despite the heightened rhetoric, the likelihood of a successful coup or the declaration of martial law in contemporary South Korea remains low. The country is now one of Asia's most vibrant democracies, with strong institutions, an independent judiciary and a civil society that actively participates in political discourse. Recent history has demonstrated the South Korean people's commitment to democracy and their refusal to tolerate authoritarian governance. The 2016-17 candlelit protests, which led to the impeachment and removal of President Park Geun-hye, are a testament to this enduring democratic spirit.
For any attempt at a coup or martial law to be successful, it would require more than just control over military appointments; it would demand the complicity of the broader military establishment and, crucially, a passive or supportive public. However, recent events have shown that South Koreans are highly vigilant and ready to mobilize in defense of their democratic rights. Public opinion polls consistently show a strong preference for democracy over any form of authoritarian rule, and the military itself has undergone significant reforms since the democratic transition of the late 1980s, making it more professional and less prone to political manipulation.
While the idea of a coup or the imposition of martial law in today's South Korea may serve as a compelling plot for a novel, the practical realities make such an event unlikely. The speculation about a "palace coup" or authoritarian takeover feeds on existing political tensions, conspiracy theories and a polarized public discourse. However, the country's robust democratic institutions, legal safeguards and the demonstrated resolve of its people to resist any erosion of their freedoms significantly diminish the likelihood of such a scenario.
Nevertheless, it remains essential for South Koreans to remain vigilant. History has shown that unchecked ambition and political opportunism can sometimes lead to extreme measures, even in seemingly stable democracies. While the chances of a coup or martial law are slim, the importance of maintaining democratic norms and ensuring that power is exercised transparently and accountably cannot be overstated. As South Korea continues to navigate its complex political landscape, the vigilance of its citizens will remain the strongest safeguard against any threats to its democratic integrity.
Chun In-bum (truechun@naver.com) served as a lieutenant general of the ROK Army and commander of Special Forces Korea.
The Korea Times · September 4, 2024
12. Defectors' rise to high posts in Seoul could shake NK elite: Tae
This Is why I say that the ROK has the moral high ground: Tae says N. Korea seems unprepared to present counterargument to Yoon's unification doctrine.
Also, this is why we need more voices from North Korea as part of a public diplomacy/information campaign to inform the Korean people in the north (to include the elite and 2d tier leadership) of their success in South Korea and around the world.
Defectors' rise to high posts in Seoul could shake NK elite: Tae
koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · September 4, 2024
Tae says N. Korea seems unprepared to present counterargument to Yoon's unification doctrine.
By Ji Da-gyum
Published : Sept. 4, 2024 - 18:01
Tae Yong-ho, secretary-general of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, speaks during a press briefing on Wednesday at council's headquarters in Seoul. (Ministry of Unification)
Tae Yong-ho, a former senior North Korean diplomat, said Wednesday that his appointment to a vice-ministerial position in the South Korean government sends a compelling message to the North Korean elite -- the key pillars of the Kim regime's sustainability -- by highlighting their potential for a promising future within South Korean society or a unified Korea.
Tae has become the first North Korean defector who once served in the North Korean regime to ascend to a high-ranking South Korean official position, appointed by President Yoon Suk Yeol as secretary-general of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council in July.
Tae underscored the importance of his appointment, stating, "With someone like me being appointed as a vice minister, what kind of message does this send? While the general population of North Korea remains important, it's even more crucial to focus on the core elite who sustain the Kim Jong-un regime."
Tae, the former North Korean deputy ambassador to Britain before defection to South Korea in 2016, explained that the elite class "fully recognizes that South Korea is far more prosperous than North Korea and that North Korea lacks a viable future vision."
However, the elite class grapples with the possibility that, if a system like South Korea's liberal democracy were to take root in North Korea and they chose to embrace it, they might not be able to retain their current privileges.
"The North Korean elite are increasingly concerned about whether they can maintain their current status or, instead, face a complete social upheaval, potentially falling from their position as the first class in the North Korean system to becoming second-class citizens," Tae said during a press briefing.
Tae emphasized that his appointment could be a catalyst for changing the elite class's perception of their future in a unified Korean Peninsula — a future that the North Korean regime has falsely portrayed as one where they would be left penniless.
Tae noted that, following the end of the Cold War, North Korea initiated a nationwide campaign to reinforce socialism, indoctrinating the elite with the belief that "if North and South Korea were to unify under a single system, they would lose all their privileges and possessions."
"I believe my appointment sends a new message. It demonstrates that South Korean society is inclusive and does not discriminate against individuals simply because they once held a position in the North Korean government. This appointment, in my view, highlights that people are judged based on their abilities above all else," Tae said.
Tae emphasized the urgent need for Seoul to craft and disseminate content specifically tailored for the North Korean population, effectively countering the regime’s propaganda, which exaggerates external threats from South Korea and the United States to reinforce internal unity.
President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses the nation in a ceremony marking Liberation Day at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Aug. 15, 2024. (Pool photo via Yonhap)
Tae stressed that South Korea "must reconsider its political approach for achieving peaceful unification" when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has declared a two-state policy, and labeled inter-Korean relations as "hostile."
"Against that backdrop, It is vital for the North Korean people, as key stakeholders in the unification process, to grasp how the South Korean government and its citizens are pursuing unification and to recognize their unwavering commitment to achieving peaceful reunification," Tae said. "It is equally essential to elevate the aspirations of the North Korean people by fostering a genuine sense of hope and possibility about the prospect of peaceful reunification."
To that end, Tae emphasized that the most effective approach is to realistically showcase the success stories of North Korean defectors -- highlighting how they have overcome challenges and successfully integrated into South Korean society.
According to Tae, North Koreans working abroad with access to mobile phones are chiefly focused on seeking information about how defectors in South Korea are navigating their new lives and adapting to society.
Concerning Pyongyang's silence following President Yoon's unification doctrine, unveiled on Aug. 15 National Liberation Day, Tae observed that North Korea has yet to craft a robust counterargument to justify Kim Jong-un's two-state policy as superior to the unification vision -- an objective long held by Kim’s predecessors but ultimately abandoned by Kim.
Yoon’s doctrine champions a vision of "freedom-based unification," prioritizing freedom and human rights in North Korea, intending to foster a strong desire for reunification among its people.
Tae noted, "I believe North Korea has yet to fully establish a theoretical framework to justify its two-state policy in opposition to unification."
Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor at North Korea's Embassy in Cuba who defected to South Korea in November last year, on Tuesday also revealed that Pyongyang opted for complete silence, believing it to be the most strategic response.
"(North Korea) deemed complete disregard to be the best course of action, reasoning that even a brief response to the (South) Korean government's unification doctrine, at a time when they are focused on erasing unification, would merely propaganda it for the North Korean people."
koreaherald.com · by Ji Da-gyum · September 4, 2024
13. N. Korea launches more trash balloons toward S. Korea
President Yoon announces the 8.15 Unification Doctrine and this is all Kim Jong Un can do in response.
N. Korea launches more trash balloons toward S. Korea
koreaherald.com · by Yonhap · September 4, 2024
NewsletterSubscribe
Start your day with a roundup of key stories from The Korea Herald with news and comment on all that’s happening in Korea.
By Yonhap
Published : Sept. 4, 2024 - 20:36
This file photo, taken June 10, 2024, shows a trash-carrying balloon sent by North Korea in a rice paddy in Incheon, just west of Seoul. (Yonhap)
North Korea again launched balloons likely carrying trash toward South Korea on Wednesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, marking a resumption of its trash-balloon campaign after a near monthlong halt.
The JCS said an unspecified number of balloons could travel to northern Gyeonggi Province, just north of Seoul, and advised the public not to touch fallen balloons and report them to the military or police.
Since late May, the North has launched thousands of balloons carrying trash in a tit-for-tat move against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea. Pyongyang last launched such balloons on Aug. 10.
In response to the North's campaign, South Korea's military began blasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts daily through loudspeakers on the border in July.
North Korea has bristled against the anti-Pyongyang leaflet and loudspeaker campaigns on fears that an influx of outside information could pose a threat to the Kim Jong-un regime.
koreaherald.com · by Yonhap · September 4, 2024
14. Rough surf no deterrent to US, South Korean Marines practicing amphibious landings
Message to Kim Jong Un: we can reach out and touch you anywhere.
Rough surf no deterrent to US, South Korean Marines practicing amphibious landings
Stars and Stripes · by David Choi · September 3, 2024
South Korean marines keep an eye on the beach during amphibious-assault training in Pohang, South Korea, Sept. 2, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)
POHANG, South Korea — Explosions rocked the beach and fifth-generation fighters roared overhead as U.S. and South Korean marines and sailors rehearsed an amphibious landing this week on South Korea’s southeastern coast.
Roughly 9,500 Marines and sailors and 3,500 of their South Korean counterparts are taking part in this year’s Ssangyong exercise in Pohang, a coastal city roughly 150 miles below Seoul. Ssangyong, which kicked off Aug. 26, translates to “twin dragons” and refers to the cooperating militaries. The exercise concludes on Saturday.
Foot-high waves and a stiff wind met the incoming marines, along with brief showers that soaked the beach and hindered their movements.
South Korean marines take their positions during a mock amphibious assault on a beach in Pohang, South Korea, Sept. 2, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)
The annual drill this year brought two Marine Expeditionary Units to South Korea, rather than one, along with the first use on the Korean Peninsula of the Corps’ recently introduced amphibious combat vehicle.
A host of U.S. and South Korean military hardware was on display during Monday’s simulated amphibious assault, which the allies describe as a defensive measure meant to enhance their joint operations on land, air and sea.
Shockwaves from explosives planted on the beachhead sent sand, seawater and seaweed flying into the air to simulate the initial bombardment by aircraft and warships prior to the amphibious operation that afternoon.
U.S. and South Korean F-35B Lightning IIs flew over the beach, followed by a fleet of MV-22 Ospreys, and UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters.
South Korean F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters roar over Pohang, South Korea, during a mock amphibious assault, Sept. 2, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)
South Korean C-130Hs followed behind, airdropping dozens of marines into a landing zone roughly a mile from the site.
Less than an hour after the initial explosions, South Korean warships moored nearby unloaded more than a dozen South Korea amphibious assault vehicles. The stream of vehicles drove 15-20 minutes in single file before reaching the beachhead. South Korean marines hustled from the tracked vehicles and took cover in the sand dunes, their weapons drawn.
The U.S. Marines arrived in their combat vehicles at a separate, nearby beachhead due to safety concerns after deteriorating weather conditions prompted last-minute changes to their plans, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade spokesman Maj. George McArthur told Stars and Stripes on Monday.
The Marines this year combined two expeditionary units for the exercise: the 15th MEU out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and the 31st MEU out of Okinawa, McArthur said.
“Rehearing these kinds of combined joint forcible entry operations with an amphibious landing, then following operations ashore is very important because of how complex they are,” 31st MEU commander Lt. Col. Gabriel Tiggs told reporters Monday. “The defense of the Korean Peninsula depends on our [South Korean] and U.S. forces continuously working together, shoulder to shoulder, including this and future Ssangyong exercises.”
A South Korean marine takes his position during a mock amphibious assault on a beach in Pohang, South Korea, Sept. 2, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)
The amphibious training comes on the heels of Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day, large-scale joint exercise throughout South Korea. The semiannual training that ended Thursday addressed specific threats by North Korea, such as GPS jamming, cyberattacks, aerial interceptions and ground combat, according to the South’s Ministry of National Defense.
McArthur said Ssangyong was not tailored to a specific country, adding that the U.S. and South Korean militaries “always aim to increase a progressive set of capabilities and processes to work together.”
An AC-130 gunship drops South Korean paratroopers during a mock amphibious assault on a beach in Pohang, South Korea, Sept. 2, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)
Stars and Stripes · by David Choi · September 3, 2024
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
| 
