Quotes of the Day:

The Stockdale Paradox. 

The Hopeful Realist. 

“When I asked which prisoners didn't make it out of Vietnam, James Stockdale replied: Oh, that's easy, the optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, ‘we are going to be out by Christmas.’ And Christmas would come, and Christmas would go. Then they say, ‘we're gonna be home by easter.’ And Easter would come, and Easter would go. And then Thanksgiving, and then it would be Christmas again. And they died of a broken heart. This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn." 

- David Russell

"I would rather be ashes than dust!

I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live, not to exist.

I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.

I shall use my time.” 

- Jack London's credo

1. N. Korea says it will 'never sit face to face' with Washington for talks

2.  U.S. sanctions cryptocurrency mixer used by N. Korea

3. N. Korea says spy satellite took photos of U.S. bases in San Diego, Japan

4.  Kim Jong Un’s daughter has a new lofty title

5. Seoul should come up with targeted approach toward Pyongyang’s stratagem

6. Yoon creates new office for policy, soon to create office for science, technology

7. Yoon creates new office for policy, replaces all 5 senior secretaries

8. N. Korea condemns S. Korea over suspension of military accord

9. U.S. military unveils photos of training near DMZ amid heightened tension

10. S. Korea halts Panmunjom tour again over armed N. Korean troops in DMZ

11. The United Nations Command in South Korea: Navigating complexities for regional stability

12. Experts forecast greater difficulties in inter-Korean relations if Trump reelected

13. What Was in the Now-Scrapped Inter-Korea Military Agreement?

14. The Memorial for the Fallen USFK Soldiers since the Korean War

15. Hanwha Ocean developing submarine stealth technology

16. North Korea's Lazarus Group Rakes in $3 Billion from Cryptocurrency Hacks

17. North Korea’s Kim Gloats Over Spy Satellite Images, Courtesy of Google Maps, as the Peninsula Is Roiled by Breakdown of 2018 Pact Between North and South

1. N. Korea says it will 'never sit face to face' with Washington for talks

Kim Yo Jong, the evil sister, strokes again.

She is playing the bad cop. Is she setting the stage for an overture? Will Kim overrule and send a message that he will consider negotiations and make himself look like the good guy? Political warfare with juche characteristics.

N. Korea says it will 'never sit face to face' with Washington for talks | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · November 30, 2023

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday dismissed the possibility of resuming dialogue with the United States, saying that Pyongyang will "never sit face to face" with Washington.

The statement by Kim Yo-jong followed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting earlier this week that was convened to discuss the North's launch of a military spy satellite condemned by the international community.

During the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington continues to call for dialogue with Pyongyang, without preconditions, and that it is up to the North "to make that choice" and "choose the time and topic."

This file photo, captured from the homepage of North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Aug. 11, 2022, shows Kim Yo-jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister and vice department director of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

"We make it clear once again to the U.S. which asked the DPRK to fix the time and agenda for resuming the DPRK-U.S. dialogue," Kim said in an English-language statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, referring to her country by its formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"The sovereignty of an independent state can never be an agenda item for negotiations, and therefore, the DPRK will never sit face to face with the U.S. for that purpose," Kim said.

Kim accused the U.S. of "oppressing" global peace and security with what she called "high-handed" and "arbitrary" actions, saying the North will continue to exercise its sovereign rights as a member state of the U.N. "without being restricted."

Kim claimed the recent UNSC meeting was convened at the "gangster-like" demand of the U.S. and its allies and is proof that some U.N. member states are denying the North's sovereign rights.

"I deplore the fact that the UNSC, at which the purpose and principle of the U.N. Charter have to be strictly respected, is being turned into a land of lawlessness where the sovereignty of independent states is wantonly violated," Kim said.

Pyongyang has defended the satellite launch as a "legitimate" exercise of its right to self-defense and has vowed to launch several more satellites within a short span of time.

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · November 30, 2023

2.  U.S. sanctions cryptocurrency mixer used by N. Korea

The all purpose sword. Attacking this must be part of a strategic strangulation campaign.

(3rd LD) U.S. sanctions cryptocurrency mixer used by N. Korea | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · November 30, 2023

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Wednesday sanctioned a cryptocurrency mixer for serving as a "key money-laundering tool" of a North Korea-linked hacking group, in the latest effort to prevent Pyongyang's cyber activities meant to fund its weapons programs.

The department added Sinbad.io, a virtual currency mixer used by Lazarus Group, to its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)'s sanctions list. It described the group -- already sanctioned in 2019 -- as a "state-sponsored cyber hacking group" of the North.

The designation came after Pyongyang launched a space rocket last week to put a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. Seoul and Washington view the launch as a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.

"Mixing services that enable criminal actors, such as the Lazarus Group, to launder stolen assets will face serious consequences," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo was quoted as saying in a press release.

"The Treasury Department and its U.S. government partners stand ready to deploy all tools at their disposal to prevent virtual currency mixers, like Sinbad, from facilitating illicit activities," he added.

The department said that Sinbad has processed millions of dollars' worth of virtual currency from Lazarus Group heists.

The mixer is also used by cybercriminals to obfuscate transactions linked to malign activities such as sanctions evasion, drug trafficking and additional illicit sales on darknet marketplaces, the department said.

Seoul and Washington have stepped up efforts to stop the North's cryptocurrency theft and other cybercrimes as they can be used to help bankroll its weapons programs.

"The Lazarus Group has operated for more than ten years and is believed to have stolen over $2 billion worth of digital assets across multiple thefts," the department said.

"Due to the pressure of robust U.S. and U.N. sanctions, the DPRK has resorted to using illicit tactics, such as heists perpetrated by the Lazarus Group, to generate revenue for its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs," it added. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

In its recent report, the U.N. Panel of Experts on UNSC sanctions against the North said that Sinbad had laundered close to US$100 million in Bitcoin from hacks attributed to the Lazarus Group. The report cited an analysis by Blockchain research company Elliptic.

Citing an estimate from another firm, Chainanalysis, the panel also said that the North's state-sponsored hackers were responsible for cryptocurrency theft worth nearly $1.7 billion last year.

Accusing Iran of generating revenue to fund its "destabilizing" regional activities and support multiple proxy groups, including the Hamas militant group, the Treasury Department sanctioned more than 20 individuals and entities.

"The United States remains committed to exposing elements of the Iranian military and its complicit partners abroad to disrupt this critical source of funds," Treasury's Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said.

This undated file graphic depicts a North Korean during a hacking attempt. (Yonhap)

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · November 30, 2023

3. N. Korea says spy satellite took photos of U.S. bases in San Diego, Japan

I guess we could say that satellite is all over the map.

N. Korea says spy satellite took photos of U.S. bases in San Diego, Japan | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · November 30, 2023

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Thursday the country's military spy satellite has taken photos of U.S. military facilities in San Diego and Japan, as well as the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Leader Kim Jong-un viewed the satellite photos taken Wednesday when he received an operations report from the Pyongyang General Control Center of the National Aerospace Technology Administration, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The satellite took pictures of the San Diego Naval Base in California at 2:24 a.m. Wednesday, the Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa Prefecture of Japan at 10:16 a.m. and the Suez Canal of Egypt at 4:36 p.m., the KCNA said.

North Korea launched the spy satellite Malligyong-1 on a new type of Chollima-1 rocket last week after two failed attempts in May and August, respectively. The country vowed to launch several more satellites within a short span of time.

North Korea has claimed the spy satellite also took photos of the White House, the Pentagon and major military facilities in South Korea and the U.S. territories of Guam and Hawaii. But the North has not released related satellite photos.

A new type of Chollima-1 rocket carrying a reconnaissance satellite called the Malligyong-1 lifts off from the launching pad at the Sohae satellite launch site in Tongchang-ri in northwestern North Korea at 10:42 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2023, in this photo released the next day by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · November 30, 2023

4. Kim Jong Un’s daughter has a new lofty title

​The female general, Morning Star of Korea.

Excerpts:

“At the lecture … they said that the future of the space power era will thrive under the female general, the Morning Star of Korea,” a resident of the capital Pyongyang told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

“This is the first time that the child of the highest dignity was officially called the ‘Morning Star of Korea,’ [a title] which was used to promote the early revolutionary activities of [national founder] Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Un’s daughter has a new lofty title

Kim Ju Ae is now the ‘Morning Star of Korea’ a title once used by revered national founder Kim Il Sung.

By Hyemin Son for RFA Korean

2023.11.29

rfa.org

The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has received a new official title – “Morning Star of Korea” – that seemingly casts her as heir apparent to succeed her father, residents in the country told Radio Free Asia.

After North Korea successfully launched a reconnaissance satellite on Nov. 21, the Organization and Guidance Department of the ruling Korean Workers’ Party organized lectures for government officials to explain the satellite’s strategic significance.

But the bigger news was how they referred to Kim Jong Un and his daughter Ju Ae, who both attended the launch.

“At the lecture … they said that the future of the space power era will thrive under the female general, the Morning Star of Korea,” a resident of the capital Pyongyang told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

“This is the first time that the child of the highest dignity was officially called the ‘Morning Star of Korea,’ [a title] which was used to promote the early revolutionary activities of [national founder] Kim Il Sung.”

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un walks with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as he inspects an intercontinental ballistic missile at Pyongyang International Airport, Nov. 18, 2022. It was Kim Ju Ae’s first public appearance. Credit: KCNA via KNS/AFP

The progenitor of the Kim Dynasty is said to have been called the “Morning Star of Korea” during the time he was a guerilla leader who fought against Japanese rule of Korea before and during World War II.

The term “morning star” may have been used to describe both Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un, at one time or another, but never officially.

That the party is calling Kim Ju Ae as the “Morning Star of Korea,” in the exact way that Kim Il Sung is heralded, seems to suggest a deliberate effort to cast her in a similar light.

Kim Jong Un’s father and grandfather are deeply respected in North Korea even long after their deaths.

Though they may not be best known as the “Morning Star” anymore, posthumously, the birthdays of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il have been designated as holidays and named after other celestial bodies, the Day of the Sun and the Day of the Shining Star. Officially the two leaders are titled as the “Eternal President,” the “Eternal General Secretary.”

Kim Jong Un as the current leader is referred to by many titles, including “Marshall,” “Supreme Leader,” “Beloved Father,” “General,” or commonly, the “Highest Dignity.”

Evolving title

Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be about 10 or 11, burst onto the public scene about a year ago when she attended the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile. She would make more and more public appearances over the next few months, and state media began referring to her as the “Beloved Child.”

This title was later upgraded to “Noble Child,” and her rapid rise to prominence caused experts to speculate that it was all an attempt to convey an image of her father as a family man, or that she was being groomed to be his heir.

That the party has conferred the Morning Star of Korea title onto Kim Ju Ae and has called her the “female general” appears to point to the latter.

At the satellite lectures in North Pyongan province, lecturers said that because of the success of the launch, the whole world would look up to the “Morning Star of Korea,” the female general, a resident there said.

“[The lecturer] emphasized that the ‘Highest Dignity’ and the ‘Morning Star of Korea’ are protecting the future of the Republic,” he said. “The expressions on the faces of some officials seemed displeased at the content of the lecture, which idolized a young child as a rising star of North Korea.”

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

rfa.org

5. Seoul should come up with targeted approach toward Pyongyang’s stratagem

Excerpts:

The military tension between the two Koreas has eliminated the buffer that prevented direct clashes at the border, increasing the risk of inadvertent conflict. North Korea’s potential use of covert tactics, such as provocations disguised as accidental warfare, adds to the complexity of the situation. The South Korean military must demonstrate mature responsiveness based on firm strength, resolve, and readiness. Seoul must ensure a severe counterattack in the face of reckless provocations from North Korea. The South Korean military must accurately assess North Korea’s tactics and formulate effective responses.

​Consider this in shaping a response.

North Korea’s Provocations: Time For An Asymmetric Approach

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/10/north-koreas-provocations-time-for-an-asymmetric-approach/

North Korea’s Ballistic Missile Test: A 6 Step Strategy To Respond

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/01/north-koreas-ballistic-missile-test-a-6-step-strategy-to-respond/

Seoul should come up with targeted approach toward Pyongyang’s stratagem

donga.com

Posted November. 29, 2023 08:16,

Updated November. 29, 2023 08:16

Seoul should come up with targeted approach toward Pyongyang’s stratagem. November. 29, 2023 08:16. .

The recent escalation of military tension between South Korea and North Korea raises concerns as the North Korean army takes provocative steps, reversing the progress made in the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement. Reports indicate that North Korea has redeployed troops, restored guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and increased the presence of heavy weapons. The Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom has witnessed North Korean soldiers carrying pistols, and there is a rise in the frequency of artillery shells along the West Sea coastline. In response, South Korea’s military has convened the commanding officers’ meeting and decided on corresponding measures, including the restoration of guard posts.

This move by North Korea follows its recent declaration to abandon the September 19 military agreement, signaling a return to the state of five years ago and a potential escalation in military confrontation. The dismantling of guard posts and disarmament in the JSA, once seen as a positive outcome of the agreement, is now being reversed. There is a growing concern that North Korea may escalate further, deploying new weapons, including tactical nuclear missiles, and engaging in artillery fire and military training.

South Korea finds itself in a position where it must respond to North Korea’s provocations. While the South Korean military had initially displayed caution by suspending the no-fly zone ban, it demonstrated restraint towards the reinstallation of guard posts and rearmament in the JSA. However, the recent actions by North Korea leave little room for restraint, and, responding in accordance with the principle of proportionality, South Korea is reviewing the reinstallation of guard posts and rearmament in the JSA. However, the restoration of guard posts raises a legitimate concern about the vulnerability of South Korean military positions to unexpected attacks from North Korea, necessitating strong readiness and standby measures.

The military tension between the two Koreas has eliminated the buffer that prevented direct clashes at the border, increasing the risk of inadvertent conflict. North Korea’s potential use of covert tactics, such as provocations disguised as accidental warfare, adds to the complexity of the situation. The South Korean military must demonstrate mature responsiveness based on firm strength, resolve, and readiness. Seoul must ensure a severe counterattack in the face of reckless provocations from North Korea. The South Korean military must accurately assess North Korea’s tactics and formulate effective responses.

한국어

donga.com

6. Yoon creates new office for policy, soon to create office for science, technology

Yoon creates new office for policy, soon to create office for science, technology | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 30, 2023

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol has created a new presidential office for policy to improve coordination with the Cabinet and the ruling party and push policies to help people's livelihoods, his office said Thursday.

The new policy office will be headed by Lee Kwan-sup, who has until now served as the senior presidential secretary for policy planning, and oversee the offices of the senior secretary for economic affairs and the senior secretary for social policy, Kim Eun-hye, the senior secretary for public relations, said in a press briefing.

"The creation of the policy office is aimed at strengthening the role of consulting and coordinating with the Cabinet and the party to accelerate the implementation of policies and more thoroughly check economic policies so that we can look after people's livelihood matters," Kim said.

The five offices currently under the senior secretary for policy planning -- each handling national planning, national agenda, policy coordination, government information, and speech and communication -- will be transferred to the new policy office.

Yoon is also expected to create the position of senior secretary for science and technology in the coming weeks. Once established, that office will also be placed under Lee, Kim said.

This file photo shows the presidential office in Seoul. (Yonhap)

hague@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 30, 2023

7. Yoon creates new office for policy, replaces all 5 senior secretaries

(LEAD) Yoon creates new office for policy, replaces all 5 senior secretaries | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 30, 2023

(ATTN: UPDATES with announcement of new senior presidential secretaries; CHANGES headline; ADDS photo)

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk Yeol created a new presidential office for policy and replaced all five senior secretaries Thursday, a sweeping reorganization meant to help propel his agenda in his upcoming third year in office.

The new office for policy was created to improve coordination with the Cabinet and the ruling People Power Party in the process of pushing policies that will help people's livelihoods, Kim Eun-hye, the senior secretary for public relations, said in a press briefing before her replacement was announced.

A set of photos, provided by South Korea's presidential office on Nov. 30, 2023, shows the incoming senior presidential secretaries appointed by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon created a new presidential office for policy and replaced all five senior secretaries Thursday. From left on the top row are Lee Kwan-sup, chief of the new office for policy; Hwang Sang-moo, senior secretary for civil and social agenda; and Han O-sub, senior secretary for political affairs. From left on the bottom row are Park Chun-sup, senior economic affairs secretary; Lee Do-woon, senior public relations secretary; and Jang Sang-yoon, senior secretary for social policy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The policy office will be headed by Lee Kwan-sup, who has until now served as the senior presidential secretary for policy planning, and oversee the offices of the senior secretary for economic affairs and the senior secretary for social policy, she said.

The five offices currently under the senior secretary for policy planning -- handling national planning, national agenda, policy coordination, government information, and speech and communication -- will be transferred to the new policy office.

With Lee's promotion, the position of senior secretary for policy planning was abolished, reducing the number of senior secretaries to five for now.

"(Lee) has smoothly resolved major issues until now by demonstrating remarkable policy planning and coordination skills," presidential chief of staff Kim Dae-ki said during a separate press briefing.

"He has deep insight into overall state affairs and based on communication with diverse stakeholders will be the right person to lead state tasks with momentum," he said.

Han O-sub, presidential secretary for state affairs monitoring, was named to replace Lee Jin-bok as senior secretary for political affairs, the chief of staff said.

Hwang Sang-moo, a former KBS news anchor, was tapped to succeed Kang Seung-kyoo as senior secretary for civil and social agenda, while current presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon was promoted to replace Kim Eun-hye as senior public relations secretary.

In addition, Park Chun-sup, a monetary policymaker of the Bank of Korea, was tapped to succeed Choi Sang-mok as senior economic affairs secretary, while Vice Education Minister Jang Sang-yoon was named to replace Ahn Sang-hoon as senior secretary for social policy.

Yoon is expected to create the position of senior secretary for science and technology in the coming weeks, which, once established, will also be placed under the new policy office.

The policy office is effectively being revived after it was abolished at the start of Yoon's term to "slim down" the organizational structure of the presidential office.

The appointments also coincide with the planned departures of the current senior secretaries, many of whom are reportedly weighing a bid for parliament in next April's general elections.

Choi, the senior economic affairs secretary, meanwhile, has reportedly been tapped to replace Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, who is also expected to run for parliament.

All of the new appointees are set to assume office next Monday.

This file photo shows the presidential office in Seoul. (Yonhap)

hague@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · November 30, 2023

8. N. Korea condemns S. Korea over suspension of military accord

The ROK has the moral high ground on this. You cannot deny the right of self defense. We must never forget that it is the north that has the hostile policy that seeks to dominate the peninsula under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State,.

Excerpt:

"As North Korea officially announced it will scrap the agreement and is blatantly restoring military measures, we will take corresponding measures in the context of bolstering military readiness to protect our people," ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said during a press briefing.

(LEAD) N. Korea condemns S. Korea over suspension of military accord | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · November 30, 2023

(ATTN: UPDATES with defense ministry's response in last 2 paras)

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea denounced South Korea on Thursday over the partial suspension of a 2018 military tension-reduction agreement, saying Seoul has "pulled the last remaining safety pin with its own hands."

The criticism came as Seoul partially suspended part of the Comprehensive Military Agreement in protest of Pyongyang's launch of a military spy satellite.

North Korea has said it would restore all military measures halted under the deal. North Korea has since armed its soldiers in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas with pistols, in addition to restoring guard posts and placing heavy firearms along the inter-Korean border.

In an editorial carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang said it is "clear" that a "dismal consequence" will await Seoul, noting that the North's defense ministry has declared it will "never be bound" by the agreement.

The KCNA also lashed out at the government of Yoon Suk Yeol over holding joint military drills with the United States and Japan as part of their growing trilateral security cooperation.

Pyongyang has long accused South Korea-U.S. military drills as rehearsals for an invasion against it.

In response, Seoul's defense ministry reiterated its earlier stance that the accord needs to be suspended to better counter threats posed by North Korea.

"As North Korea officially announced it will scrap the agreement and is blatantly restoring military measures, we will take corresponding measures in the context of bolstering military readiness to protect our people," ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said during a press briefing.

North Korean soldiers are spotted painting a guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas on Nov. 24, 2023, as part of an apparent move to restore guard posts destroyed following a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, in this photo provided by the South Korean defense ministry on Nov. 27. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

mlee@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · November 30, 2023

9. U.S. military unveils photos of training near DMZ amid heightened tension

Note this is DEFENSE training. It is the north that has the hostile policy that threatens the South.

U.S. military unveils photos of training near DMZ amid heightened tension | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · November 30, 2023

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has released photos of a U.S. Army chemical corps company conducting joint drills with South Korean forces near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) amid heightened tension along the border with North Korea.

American soldiers from the 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Company have been training together with U.S. Forces Korea and South Korean troops near the DMZ to bolster the combined defense posture, the command said in a post Wednesday (local time), without specifying the schedule.

American soldiers from the 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Company conduct missions during a rotational deployment near the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, in this photo released by the Indo-Pacific Command on Nov. 29, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The New York-based company has been on a nine-month rotational deployment in Camp Casey in Dongducheon, 41 km north of Seoul, since July in support of the 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth Army stationed in South Korea. The company attended the Ulchi Freedom Shield, an annual joint military exercise held by South Korea and U.S. forces in August.

The training focused on reconnaissance and decontamination missions as well as countering weapons of mass destruction, and chemical, biological and nuclear hazards, according to the command.

The announcement of the drills came amid high tension as North Korea has recently redeployed troops and heavy arms to the DMZ after vowing to scrap a 2018 inter-Korean military agreement aimed at preventing tension and accidental clashes near the heavily fortified border.

American soldiers from the 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Company conduct missions during a rotational deployment near the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, in this photo released by the Indo-Pacific Command on Nov. 29, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

ejkim@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Eun-jung · November 30, 2023

10. S. Korea halts Panmunjom tour again over armed N. Korean troops in DMZ

S. Korea halts Panmunjom tour again over armed N. Korean troops in DMZ | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · November 30, 2023

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- A tour program to the truce village of Panmunjom on the inter-Korean border has been suspended again as safety concerns increased due to North Korean soldiers armed with pistols in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, the unification ministry said Thursday.

The government partially resumed the tour program on Nov. 22, after it had been halted since mid-July following U.S. Army private Travis King crossing the border into North Korea.

But the ministry said it has recently decided to suspend the program again, as North Korea has begun rebuilding guard posts and bringing heavy firearms along the border after effectively scrapping a 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction deal.

"As North Korean troops are carrying pistols in the Joint Security Area in the DMZ while South Korean soldiers remain unarmed there, we've decided not to run the Panmunjom tour for the time being," a ministry official said.

North Korea said last week it will restore all military measures halted under the 2018 military accord with South Korea in response to Seoul's partial suspension of the deal over Pyongyang's launch of a military spy satellite.

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho had plans to visit the truce village with the press on Dec. 5, but the schedule was canceled.

The United Nations Command oversees activities in the DMZ as an enforcer of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korean soldiers are spotted near a guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas in this photo provided by the South Korean defense ministry on Nov. 27, 2023. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

In this file photo, South Korean soldiers stand on guard in the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas on March 3, 2023. (Yonhap)

sooyeon@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Kim Soo-yeon · November 30, 2023

11. The United Nations Command in South Korea: Navigating complexities for regional stability

Two points:

First, the UNC does not and cannot restrict South Korean decisions on its own security. The ROK is a sovereign country. The ROK could ask the UNC to leave immediately. It could order the withdrawal of the UNC and there is nothing the UNC or the US could do except honor the ROK request or demand. The ROK hosts the UNC at its pleasure.

Second, we should keep in mind that the UN has been consistent since the division of the peninsula, the attempt at unified elections in 1948 (which the north boycotted), para 60 of the Armistice (call for a solution to the "Korea question"), UNSCR 811 and many general assembly resolutions have called for a peaceful, free, and unified Korea. And since UNSCR 82 recognizes north Korea has beenthe hostile aggressor that threatens the freedom of the South and called on member nations to come to the aid of South Korea to defend its freedom.

This article and the excerpt below reinforce the importance of educating the Korean people and the US public and the international community on the role and importance of the UN Command and to dispel the myths about the UNC..

Excerpts:

Some people believe that having the UNC there restricts South Korea's ability to make its own decisions about its security. Concerns have been raised about the level of input that contributing countries have in policymaking. The UNC has played a role in maintaining the status quo of the frozen conflict between North and South Korea. Using military deterrence for an extended period could stymie efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

The complex historical context cannot be reduced to North Korea's claim that it alone can unify the Korean Peninsula. Dismissing South Korea's legitimacy is ignoring its sovereignty and political evolution, as both North and South Korea originated as products of Cold War dynamics, affected by external powers.

The United Nations Command in South Korea: Navigating complexities for regional stability

The Korea Times · November 30, 2023

By Simon Hutagalung

The United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea is a game-changing initiative that has brought together the forces of 17 countries to guarantee South Korea's safety. In the complicated terrain of the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea claimed exclusive legitimacy for unification, and traces of the Cold War persist, a critical analysis of the UNC's role and impact becomes vital. This essay seeks to dispute North Korea's narrative of unilateral unification, examine the benefits and drawbacks of the United Nations Command, and urge diplomatic restraint between China and the United States. The ultimate objective is to improve lines of communication and ultimately find peaceful solutions to the complex problems plaguing the Korean Peninsula.

Despite making important contributions to regional stability, the UNC in South Korea faces obstacles that call for a nuanced evaluation. North Korea's belligerent claims, as well as the Cold War's lingering impact on the Korean divide, make it all the more important to understand the UNC's function. More importantly, regional peace and prosperity depend on diplomatic restraint between China and the United States, making it crucial to encourage such moderation. This method appears to be a viable means of dealing with the difficulties of the Korean Peninsula.

The involvement of 17 nations inside the UNC symbolizes a cohesive stance against potential security challenges. Cooperation strengthens military might and encourages a combined effort to maintain peace in the region. The UNC acts as a deterrence, discouraging aggressors while assuring South Korea of international backing. The presence of a multinational force demonstrates a dedication to maintaining stability in the area. The UNC emphasizes the value of collective security within the context of international law. To solve regional security issues, it provides a legal basis by preserving the ideals of the United Nations Charter.

Some people believe that having the UNC there restricts South Korea's ability to make its own decisions about its security. Concerns have been raised about the level of input that contributing countries have in policymaking. The UNC has played a role in maintaining the status quo of the frozen conflict between North and South Korea. Using military deterrence for an extended period could stymie efforts to find a diplomatic solution.

The complex historical context cannot be reduced to North Korea's claim that it alone can unify the Korean Peninsula. Dismissing South Korea's legitimacy is ignoring its sovereignty and political evolution, as both North and South Korea originated as products of Cold War dynamics, affected by external powers.

The hostility between China and the United States has been escalating, which has led to a rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula. By stressing the necessity for restrained rhetoric, we draw attention to the value of constructive conversation and emphasize the avoidance of conflict through diplomatic means.

The UNC is a complex organization with pros and cons that must be considered when managing the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula. The UNC is a group of 17 countries working together to combat security challenges and promote regional peace and stability. It is crucial in preventing aggression against South Korea and maintaining the country's faith in international solidarity by providing deterrence and security guarantees.

The necessity for nuanced assessment is highlighted by the critiques regarding the UNC's effect on regional autonomy and its possible involvement in prolonging frozen conflict dynamics. The presence of the UNC raises concerns about the impact of its security guarantees on South Korea's ability to pursue its security objectives. The UNC has contributed to escalating tensions between North and South Korea, highlighting the difficulty of finding common ground while maintaining a credible threat of force.

Recognizing the nuanced historical circumstances that molded both countries throughout the Cold War reveals the importance of challenging North Korea's claim of unilateral unification. It would be a simplification of the complex political evolution and sovereignty of the region to dismiss South Korea's legitimacy.

Reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula also requires diplomatic efforts to encourage caution between China and the United States. The lack of inflammatory speech stresses the vital necessity for productive discussion, where diplomacy takes precedence over combative posturing. As a result, the world community can help establish a more peaceful and secure Korean Peninsula, where dialogue is preferred over war. Prioritize in-person meetings among relevant parties to discuss regional concerns. Promote conversations between all the major stakeholders to create a comprehensive strategy for regional stability, and help facilitate these talks.

The UNC developed as a nuanced institution in the Korean Peninsula situation, offering security guarantees while also posing obstacles to regional authority. One of the most important things that can be done to improve communication is to reject North Korea's unilateral unification claim and to advocate for diplomatic moderation between China and the United States. The international community may greatly contribute to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula if it chooses negotiation over confrontation.

Simon Hutagalung is a retired diplomat from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry and received his master's degree in political science and comparative politics from the City University of New York. Presently he is a freelancer writing articles on terrorism, international security and AI.

The Korea Times · November 30, 2023

12. Experts forecast greater difficulties in inter-Korean relations if Trump reelected

In almost every meeting I have with Korean friends and colleagues I am asked about the preposts for the 2024 election. This is top of mind for our allies. Unfortunately I have to tell them my crystal ball is pretty cloudy and I cannot foretell the future.\

Experts forecast greater difficulties in inter-Korean relations if Trump reelected

The Korea Times · November 30, 2023

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to supporters after he was endorsed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at the South Texas International Airport in Edinburg, Texas, Nov. 19. AP-Yonhap

Revived US-North Korea talks could result in Washington Declaration annulment

By Jung Min-ho

The possibility of a return of Donald Trump to the White House would likely revive talks between the United States and North Korea and could raise doubts over any commitments made by Washington to Seoul under President Joe Biden, who is struggling in recent polls against Trump, experts said, Thursday.

Speaking at a forum held in Seoul on the 70th anniversary of South Korea’s alliance with the U.S., scholars expressed concerns over the possibility of Trump’s second term. If he wins the presidential election next year, he is expected to seek another round of negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, they said.

“In the early phase of his term, Trump will likely seek to make a deal. Trump appears to have the view that the negotiation efforts during his time in office are an unfinished legacy,” said Chung Sung-yoon, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a state-funded think tank.

Trump and Kim may have failed to reach a deal during summits in 2018 and 2019, but their personal relationship may continue to this day. After leaving office, Trump told associates that he remained in contact with Kim, according to “Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America,” a book released last year. Just six months ago, Trump posted a congratulatory message for Kim on his Truth Social site after North Korea obtained a seat on the executive board of the World Health Organization.

Experts believe the chances of a successful deal between Washington and Pyongyang is low since the gap in opinion over North Korea’s nuclear weapons proliferation will likely remain wide. But it is not entirely impossible, Chung said.

For Seoul, the worst-case scenarios include a partial or complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from South Korea or the annulment of what’s agreed to under the Washington Declaration, as those issues could be discussed as part of U.S. negotiations with North Korea, experts said.

Hwang Ji-hwan, a professor of international relations at the University of Seoul, thinks a U.S. future government under Trump is unlikely to be bound by the Washington Declaration, a package of U.S. “guarantees” for deterrence against North Korean threats including the operation of a joint Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), given that the agreement is not legally binding.

“If Trump is elected, the South Korea-U.S. alliance will likely change profoundly,” Hwang said. “Trump may demand more for defense costs ― possibly more than the previous amount. He would also perceive the operation of the NCG or the deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula as money issues.”

Just hours before the forum, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the North Korean dictator, said in a statement that the country's development of advanced military hardware cannot be compromised for talks with the U.S.

“The sovereignty of an independent state can never be an agenda item for negotiations, and therefore, the DPRK (North Korea) will never sit face to face with the U.S. for that purpose,” she said.

Experts said the statement ironically shows North Korea’s intention for negotiation with the U.S.

“With the assumption that it can have the upper hand in possible negotiations with the U.S. by developing more things it could use for compromise, North Korea is expected to continue to advance its military capabilities,” Hwang said.

According to a survey released in early November by The New York Times and Siena College, Biden is trailing Trump in five of the six most critical battleground states ― Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Biden is ahead only in Wisconsin, it showed.

The Korea Times · November 30, 2023

13. What Was in the Now-Scrapped Inter-Korea Military Agreement?

What Was in the Now-Scrapped Inter-Korea Military Agreement?

thediplomat.com

What is the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), why has it been scrapped, and what are the implications?

By Soyoung Kim

November 28, 2023

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (center left) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in review a South Korean military honor guard in the Joint Security Area, Apr. 27, 2018.

Credit: Cheongwadae

North Korea launched a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit late on November 21, violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions banning its use of ballistic missile technology. In response, the South Korean government partially suspended the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stating in the National Security Council meeting that North Korea’s launch was a direct provocation against the security of the South, and that continued adherence to the CMA may put the lives and safety of the Korean public in danger.

The CMA was signed on September 19, 2018, in Pyongyang, as the product of a series of historic meetings between then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Under the agreement, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to “completely cease all hostile acts against each other” by implementing measures that included ending military drills near the border, limiting live-fire exercises, imposing no-fly zones, and maintaining hotlines. It was intended to alleviate military tensions on the peninsula and build mutual confidence. To clarify, North Korea’s latest satellite launch violates UNSC resolutions but not the CMA.

Specifically, the South Korean government suspended article 1, clause 3 of the agreement, which established a no-fly zone for all aircraft types over the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) from November 1, 2018. This clause prohibited fixed-wing aircraft from flying within 40 kilometers of the MDL in the eastern area and 20 kilometers from the western area. Rotary aircraft were prohibited from flying within 10 kilometers of the MDL; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were prohibited within 10 kilometers of the eastern area and 25 kilometers of the western region; balloons were prohibited within 25 kilometers of the MDL.

Critics have long argued that the CMA weakens the South Korean military’s ability to monitor North Korea. Suspending the clause will allow Seoul to resume military surveillance and reconnaissance along the border.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol had already floated the idea of suspending the CMA early this year after North Korea violated the agreement multiple times by conducting artillery fire and flying UAVs over the MDL. Current Defense Minister Shin Won-sik pledged to suspend the CMA during his hearings when he was still a candidate for the post in September this year. Some experts noted that North Korea had not mentioned terminating the agreement even as they nullified its substance through continuous violations, which was interpreted as a bid to pressure South Korea to bring up termination itself and shoulder the blame for intensifying tensions.

Indeed, after the South Korean government announced the partial suspension, North Korea reacted by scrapping the agreement altogether, vowing to fortify military installations at the MDL. Pyongyang has also accused Seoul of breaking the deal, saying it will hold South Korea accountable for potential clashes.

Advocates of the CMA argue that the agreement has in fact alleviated military tensions along the border and that it reduces the risk of military conflict. But the Yoon administration and the conservative ruling party have a track record of pushing for its suspension. Critics in the administration and beyond argue that the agreement existed in name only, as South Korea was the only one upholding it. North Korea violated the CMA 17 times between its signing and the end of 2022.

The South Korean government is expected to review the agreement’s limitations on land and maritime-based military activities as well, depending on North Korea’s subsequent actions.

Authors

Guest Author

Soyoung Kim

Soyoung Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in international relations at the S. Rajaratnam School of international studies at NTU, Singapore. She is currently Visiting Research Fellow at Waseda University.

thediplomat.com

14. The Memorial for the Fallen USFK Soldiers since the Korean War

Korea continues to honor and demonstrate respect for soldiers who have committed to the defense of Korea in war and during the Armistice.

Excerpts:

The year-long research funded by the National Assembly revealed that around 101 U.S. soldiers died since the Korean War due to the North Korean military’s gunfire, hand grenade and mine attacks, and strikes by MiG fighter jets, as well as KATUSA soldiers who fought alongside the US soldiers.

...

KUSAF plans to propose Yongsan as the site for the memorial. Being in Yongsan, the CFC, UNC, and USFK successfully deterred North Korea’s war provocations for 44 years before relocation to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in October 2022. Now, in the vacant space left behind, they aim to showcase the record of the USFK’s dedication and sacrifices to the people of the Republic of Korea.

The Memorial for the Fallen USFK Soldiers since the Korean War

m.washingtontimes.com · by The Washington Times https://www.washingtontimes.com

The Memorial for the Fallen USFK Soldiers since the Korean War (sponsored) The Memorial for the Fallen USFK … more >

By Major General (Ret.) Shin and Kyoung Soo - Monday, November 27, 2023

OPINION:

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance, KUSAF and KDVA investigated the status of fallen US soldiers who were killed by hostile acts of North Korean military which have continued since the Korean War, aiming to reflect on the role and contributions of the US Forces in Korea for the security and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula.

The year-long research funded by the National Assembly revealed that around 101 U.S. soldiers died since the Korean War due to the North Korean military’s gunfire, hand grenade and mine attacks, and strikes by MiG fighter jets, as well as KATUSA soldiers who fought alongside the US soldiers.

KUSAF, KDVA, and the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy (KRINS), tasked with this research, had considerable difficulty locating records of the fallen soldiers, which is a poignant indication of our indifference to their sacrifices. Through the creation of this memorial, KUSAF and KDVA aspire to deepen public understanding of the importance of national security and remind all that “freedom is not free” and that freedom comes at a cost.

KUSAF and KDVA believe that honoring, remembering, and appreciating the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers is the best way to strengthen the alliance and ensure the security of the Korean Peninsula. Based on their research, they plan to build a memorial for these fallen heroes.

KUSAF plans to propose Yongsan as the site for the memorial. Being in Yongsan, the CFC, UNC, and USFK successfully deterred North Korea’s war provocations for 44 years before relocation to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in October 2022. Now, in the vacant space left behind, they aim to showcase the record of the USFK’s dedication and sacrifices to the people of the Republic of Korea.

The KUSAF has determined that a budget of approximately $4 million will be needed to build the memorial and plans to pursue government support.

• Major General (Ret.) Shin, Kyoung Soo is the Secretary General of Korea-US Alliance Foundation (Former ROK Defense Attache to the U.S.A.)

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m.washingtontimes.com · by The Washington Times https://www.washingtontimes.com

15. Hanwha Ocean developing submarine stealth technology

Hanwha Ocean developing submarine stealth technology

koreaherald.com · by Kim Arin · November 29, 2023

By Kim Arin

Published : Nov. 29, 2023 - 15:33

Hanwha Ocean said Wednesday it signed a contract with a government research institute for developing stealth technologies for submarines. (Hanwha Ocean)

Hanwha Ocean is leading a government research project on defense and security technology for building stealthy warships, according to the company on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old shipbuilding company, acquired this year by Hanwha Group, said in a press release it signed the contract with the government’s Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement.

The project, which is to be completed by May 2028 under the contract, aims to design new demagnetizing equipment for allowing a submarine to evade detection.

The company said the technology being researched under the project would enhance the stealth capabilities of its submarines.

In October, the company was selected as the preferred bidder for a startup project by the Agency for Defense Development on energy systems for unmanned submersibles.

Hanwha Ocean is the only company to have built all types of submarines in Korea, with its first order dating back to 1987 from South Korea’s Navy.

koreaherald.com · by Kim Arin · November 29, 2023

16. North Korea's Lazarus Group Rakes in $3 Billion from Cryptocurrency Hacks

​This is one reason why the regime can remain in power. Kim can use his all purpose sword (cyber) every day. He can only use his treasured sword (nuclear) once.

We should ask, why does Lazarus still exist?

North Korea's Lazarus Group Rakes in $3 Billion from Cryptocurrency Hacks

thehackernews.com

Threat actors from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are increasingly targeting the cryptocurrency sector as a major revenue generation mechanism since at least 2017 to get around sanctions imposed against the country.

"Even though movement in and out of and within the country is heavily restricted, and its general population is isolated from the rest of the world, the regime's ruling elite and its highly trained cadre of computer science professionals have privileged access to new technologies and information," cybersecurity firm Recorded Future said in a report shared with The Hacker News.

"The privileged access to resources, technologies, information, and sometimes international travel for a small set of selected individuals with promise in mathematics and computer science equips them with the necessary skills for conducting cyber attacks against the cryptocurrency industry."

The disclosure comes as the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions against Sinbad, a virtual currency mixer that has been put to use by the North Korea-linked Lazarus Group to launder ill-gotten proceeds.

The threat actors from the country are estimated to have stolen $3 billion worth of crypto assets over the past six years, with about $1.7 billion plundered in 2022 alone. A majority of these stolen assets are used to directly fund the hermit kingdom's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs.

"$1.1 billion of that total was stolen in hacks of DeFi protocols, making North Korea one of the driving forces behind the DeFi hacking trend that intensified in 2022," Chainalysis noted earlier this February.

A report published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of its Analytic Exchange Program (AEP) earlier this September also highlighted the Lazarus Group's exploitation of DeFi protocols.

"DeFi exchange platforms allow users to transition between cryptocurrencies without the platform ever taking custody of the customer's funds in order to facilitate the transition," the report said. "This allows DPRK cyber actors to determine exactly when to transition stolen cryptocurrency from one type of cryptocurrency to another, enabling attribution to be more difficult to determine or even trace."

The cryptocurrency sector is among the top targets for state-sponsored North Korean cyber threat actors, as repeatedly evidenced by the myriad campaigns carried out in recent months.

DPRK hackers are known for adeptly pulling off social engineering tricks to target employees of online cryptocurrency exchanges and then lure their victims with the promise of lucrative jobs to distribute malware that grants remote access to the company's network, ultimately allowing them to drain all available assets and move them to various DPRK controlled wallets.

Other campaigns have employed similar phishing tactics to entice users into downloading trojanized cryptocurrency apps to steal their assets as well as watering hole attacks (aka strategic web compromises) as an initial access vector, alongside engaging in airdrop scams and rug pulls.

Another notable tactic adopted by the group is use of mixing services to conceal the financial trail and cloud attribution efforts. Such services are typically offered on cryptocurrency exchange platforms that do not employ know your customer (KYC) policies or anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

"Absent stronger regulations, cybersecurity requirements, and investments in cybersecurity for cryptocurrency firms, we assess that in the near term, North Korea will almost certainly continue to target the cryptocurrency industry due to its past success in mining it as a source of additional revenue to support the regime," Recorded Future concluded.

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thehackernews.com

​17. North Korea’s Kim Gloats Over Spy Satellite Images, Courtesy of Google Maps, as the Peninsula Is Roiled by Breakdown of 2018 Pact Between North and South

I wonder what would happen if Google Earth blocked all seven of north Korea's IP addresses and Kim would no longer have direct access to Google Earth's imagery?

North Korea’s Kim Gloats Over Spy Satellite Images, Courtesy of Google Maps, as the Peninsula Is Roiled by Breakdown of 2018 Pact Between North and South

‘There are plenty of images of the Pentagon and the White House online,’ says a Defense Department spokesman, when asked about the North Korean report boasting of the spy satellite’s success.

nysun.com3 min

November 29, 2023

View Original

DONALD KIRK

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

11:28:17 am

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un would do well to stop gloating over the images that the North says he’s receiving from a spy satellite his regime launched, in defiance of America and South Korea, last week.

While the satellite is orbiting earth, it’s not at all clear if the pictures North Korea says Mr. Kim saw were from the satellite or simply downloaded from the internet. They were all targets that North Korean propaganda has vowed it might bomb someday — including the White House.

“There are plenty of images of the Pentagon and the White House online,” said the Defense Department press secretary, Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, when asked what he thought of the North Korean report boasting of the satellite’s success.

For Mr. Kim, there’s no doubt the launch of the satellite was more than just a propaganda victory. He’s been hyping it as a breakthrough ushering in “a new era of space power” while claiming the North has every right to have its own spies in the sky in a “full-fledged exercise in self-defense.”

Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency reported he was poring over satellite photos showing the White House and the Pentagon, Andersen Air Base on Guam, and American naval facilities at Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia.

“Four US Navy nuclear carriers and one British aircraft carrier were spotted in the photos of the Norfolk Naval Base and the Newport News Dockyard,” said KCNA.

The satellite, though, is not believed to be fully operational.

Mr. Kim, said KCNA, expressed “great satisfaction” with the “successful preparations” of the satellite before its “official mission” — a phrase suggesting iit was doing less than claimed. “The fine-tuning process of the satellite is being hastened to end one or two days earlier,” said KCNA.

In Seoul, South Korea’s Yonhap News reported “skepticism” “over “whether the quality of those photos would be sufficient enough to aid military operations.” One question was whether the North had “a high-resolution camera” needed to spy on targets.

There was no doubt, though, of Mr. Kim’s joy over getting the satellite spinning around the earth. Pictures distributed by the North Korean state press show the proud father huddling with his tween-aged daughter Ju Ae at a celebratory banquet attended by technicians, scientists, military officers, and officials who had made the launch a success after two failures.

His exuberance contrasted with the total breakdown of an agreement signed by Mr. Kim and South Korea’s former president, the liberal Moon Jae-in, in September 2018 at the height of a period of rapprochement between the two Koreas. The deal banned reconnaissance flights and military exercises close to the Demilitarized Zone dividing North from South Korea.

The launch of the satellite gave South Korea’s conservative president, Yoon Seoul-yul, the pretext for nullifying

the portion of the deal banning reconnaissance flights near the DMZ. In the next step in the tit-for-tat between North and South, the North canceled the entire agreement.

Now it’s back to Square One in the decades-long North-South confrontation. For the first time in more than five years, North Korean troops on their side of the line at the truce village of Panmunjom 35 miles north of Seoul are hefting pistols while the North Koreans are rebuilding and repairing 11 guideposts on their side of the line.

The breakdown of the agreement was another act in a drama that’s gone on ever since the Korean War ended in a highly armed truce 70 years and four months ago. “Military Agreement with North Korea Wasn’t Worth the Paper It’s Written on,” headlined the South’s biggest selling paper, Chosun Ilbo, in a sardonic report declaring, “for North Korea, the agreement never really existed.”

The North, said the paper, had “violated it countless times,” test-firing more than 600 missiles last year and sending drones across the line even as far as the skies above Seoul.

A sign of rising tensions has been the escalation of joint American and South Korean military exercises — and cooperation between South Korea and Japan. American, South Korean and Japanese warships are churning the waters near Jeju, the island province off the South’s southern coast, while an American aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, is moored at Busan ready to join the war games.

In Seoul, the South Korean command said “The drill was held to bolster joint capabilities and combined defense posture” against North Korea in the wake of the launch of the spy satellite and the North’s “rising nuclear and missile threat.”

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