Quotes of the Day:
"If you are able to state a problem, it can be solved."
- Edwin H. Land
"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget."
- Thomas Szasz
"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."
- Soren Kierkegaard
1. Yoon picks U.S.-friendly lawmaker for foreign minister, closest prosecutor for justice minister
2. 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: North Korea
3. Biden Could Visit Korea Next Month
4. U.S. hopes justice will be achieved for N. Koreans facing human rights abuses: U.S. official
5. Former nuke envoy urges caution on sanctions relief for N. Korea
6. N. Korea uses space program to disguise ballistic missile development: U.S. military intelligence
7. Yoon fills 9 more positions including foreign minister
8. State Dept. report wags finger at [South] Korea for corruption
9. What Cabinet nominations say about Yoon's foreign policy, security posture
10. Challenges to the Yoon administration
11. U.S. crypto researcher sentenced to five years for helping North Korea evade sanctions
12. South Korea signals nuclear fuel U-turn as global energy crisis looms
13. Chinese ambassador warns against a second THAAD battery in South Korea
14. World Insights: South Korea gripped with fear over U.S. bioweapons labs
15. Bellicose or bluster? How South Koreans see the North’s nuclear threat
16. North Korea has become even more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic
17. Falling off the wagon Kim? Chubby-looking North Korean dictator looks to have piled back on the pounds
18. South Korea’s Next Foreign Minister Finishes Fence-Mending Visit to Washington
19. South Korea Picks Harvard-Educated Conservative as Top Diplomat
20. S. Korea, U.S. begin preparatory drills ahead of major combined training
1. Yoon picks U.S.-friendly lawmaker for foreign minister, closest prosecutor for justice minister
Good news on Park Jin. He is a good man. I saw another report that said he was unable to attend the ceremony because he tested positive for COVID upon his return from the US last week.
All of the comments such as "US-friendly" could become be fodder for north Korean propaganda.
(6th LD) Yoon picks U.S.-friendly lawmaker for foreign minister, closest prosecutor for justice minister | Yonhap News Agency
(ATTN: CHANGES headline)
By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol nominated Rep. Park Jin, a veteran politician well versed in relations with the United States, as foreign minister Wednesday, as he announced eight Cabinet nominees, including a surprise pick of his closest prosecutor colleague Han Dong-hoon for justice minister.
Yoon also nominated Rep. Kwon Young-se, a four-term lawmaker who served as ambassador to China from 2013-2015, as unification minister, while tapping Kim Dae-ki, an economic technocrat who previously served as a senior presidential secretary, for his chief of staff.
The other nominations were:
- education minister: Kim In-chul, former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
- interior minister: Lee Sang-min, former vice chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission
- environment minister: Han Wha-jin, an honorary researcher of the Korea Environment Institute
- oceans minister: Cho Seung-hwan, former head of the Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion
- SMEs minister: Rep. Lee Young of the People Power Party
The announcement left all but two Cabinet positions filled -- those of ministers of agriculture and labor -- after Yoon's nomination of eight ministers on Sunday.
The biggest surprise in Wednesday's nominations was Yoon's choice of Han for justice minister.
Han, currently vice president of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, is known for working closely with Yoon during the president-elect's decadeslong career as a prosecutor.
Han investigated major cases with Yoon, including a massive corruption scandal that led to the impeachment and imprisonment of former President Park Geun-hye.
After President Moon Jae-in promoted Yoon to be prosecutor general, Han investigated a major corruption case involving Cho Kuk, Moon's close aide and pick for justice minister.
The scandal caused a lot of bad blood between the Moon administration on the one hand and Yoon and Han on the other, leading to Han's demotions.
"I determined that he is the best person to oversee judicial administration through not only the execution of law but also through planning work in judicial administration and the prosecution," Yoon said at a press conference, flanked by the nominees. "It's certainly not a shocking personnel choice."
Yoon added that Han is fluent in English and experienced in international affairs, making him the ideal person to carry out his instructions to elevate the judicial system to modern and global standards.
Park, the foreign minister nominee, is a four-term lawmaker of Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) who worked briefly for the foreign ministry after passing the foreign service exam in the 1970s. He is considered an expert on relations with the U.S.
Though he was absent from the press conference after testing positive for COVID-19, he released a statement through the foreign ministry, saying he will serve humbly, starting with the parliamentary confirmation process, "with the attitude that in foreign relations, only national interest matters."
Kwon, the unification minister nominee, is also a four-term PPP lawmaker who served as ambassador to China during the Park Geun-hye administration and is known as one of Yoon's closest associates.
When asked how he will approach inter-Korean relations, he said he will make practical and rational decisions based on principles.
"Efforts were made over the last five years but there wasn't much progress in South-North relations," he said at the press conference. "With the recent string of missile provocations and suspension of dialogue, the external environment is very unfavorable."
All Cabinet nominees are subject to a parliamentary confirmation process, but only the prime minister requires the parliament's approval.
Yoon has named former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as his first prime minister.
(END)
2. 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: North Korea
The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (URNK) was referenced over 30 times in this report. for its research contributions.
We must have a human rights upfront approach when dealing with the evil Kim family regime. Kim fears the Korean people in the north than the US and more so when armed with information. Kim must deny human rights in order to remain in power.
2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: North Korea
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is an authoritarian state led by the Kim family since 1949. Shortly after Kim Jong Il’s death in 2011, his son Kim Jong Un was named marshal of the country and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army. His titles also include chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chairman of the State Affairs Commission, and supreme representative of the Korean People. In January Kim Jong Un also took the title of general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, a position formerly held by Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, the late Kim Il Sung, who remains “eternal president.” The most recent national elections, held in 2019, were neither free nor fair.
The internal security apparatus includes the Ministries of Social Security and State Security and the Military Security Command. A systematic and intentional overlap of powers and responsibilities existed among these organizations to prevent any potential subordinate consolidation of power and assure that each unit provided a check and balance on the other. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There were credible reports that members of the security forces committed numerous abuses.
Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government; forced disappearances by the government; torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment and punishment by government authorities; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, including in political prison camps; arbitrary arrests and detentions; political prisoners and detainees; politically motivated reprisals against individuals in another country; no judicial independence; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; punishment of family members for offenses allegedly committed by an individual; serious restrictions on free expression and media, including violence, threats of violence, or unjustified arrests and prosecutions against journalists, and censorship; serious restrictions on internet freedom; substantial interference with freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; severe restrictions of religious freedom; serious restrictions on freedom of movement and residence within the country and on the right to leave the country; inability of citizens to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections; severe restrictions on political participation; serious government corruption; lack of investigation of and accountability for gender-based violence; significant barriers to accessing reproductive health, including coerced abortion and forced sterilization; trafficking in persons; the outlawing of independent trade unions; and the worst forms of child labor.
The government took no credible steps to prosecute officials who committed human rights abuses or corruption. The special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the country reported that restrictions on travel due to COVID-19 preventive measures continued to limit international presence in the country and further reduce escapee arrivals. Impunity for human rights abuses and corruption continued to be a widespread problem.
3. Biden Could Visit Korea Next Month
Again, I hope the schedulers and diplomats can make this work.
Biden Could Visit Korea Next Month
April 13, 2022 11:33
U.S. President Joe Biden is to visit Japan in late May for a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue summit and could stop over in Korea to meet its new President Yoon Seok-youl.
The U.S. and Korean governments are consulting about a visit, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.
Yoon Seok-youl (left) and Joe Biden
Yoon, who is keen to strengthen the alliance with the U.S., will be inaugurated on May 10, and the Quad summit is scheduled for May 24.
"There has been a consensus that it would be better for the U.S. president's first visit to Korea to take place before he travels to Japan," a diplomatic source said. "The U.S.' situation must be considered too, but we are making efforts to ensure the visit to Korea happens first."
The Quad, an informal anti-China alliance, consists of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S., but Korea has so far opted out.
- Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com
4. U.S. hopes justice will be achieved for N. Koreans facing human rights abuses: U.S. official
A useful summary of some of the major human rights abuses in north Korea.
Excerpts:
She said the objective of the annual reports was not to criticize others, but simply to raise issues that need to be addressed.
"It is not an effort by the U.S. government to judge others. It does not reach legal conclusions, rank countries or draw comparisons," she said.
"So our objective with the Human Rights Report is simple -- Bring the facts to the table. It is only when we're armed with the truth that the United States can most effectively use our voice and our influence to call attention to violations and abuses of human rights worldwide," added Peterson.
Meanwhile, the report on South Korea said significant human rights issues included reports of restrictions on freedom of expression, government corruption, lack of investigation of and accountability for violence against women and laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults in the military.
The Seoul government, however, "took steps to identify, investigate, prosecute and punish officials for corruption and human rights abuses," it said.
(LEAD) U.S. hopes justice will be achieved for N. Koreans facing human rights abuses: U.S. official | Yonhap News Agency
(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from state department official, minor edits throughout; CHANGES headline, lead; ADDS photo)
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, April 12 (Yonhap) -- The United States will continue to raise international awareness about gross human rights violations in North Korea, a U.S. official said Tuesday, adding the U.S. hopes justice will one day be achieved for the people of the reclusive state.
Lisa Peterson, acting assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, also said the U.S. will impose sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in North Korea whenever possible.
"So we do recognize that the DPRK is among the most repressive authoritarian states in the world, and, obviously, we remain deeply concerned about reports of systemic, widespread and gross human rights violations committed by the DPRK government," Peterson said in a press briefing, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"And we certainly hope that one day, justice may be achieved for the people of North Korea," she added.
The remarks came as the state department released its annual country reports on human rights practices, which said North Korea continued to seriously restrict and violate the human rights of its citizens in 2021.
State Secretary Antony Blinken said the reports painted a "clear picture of where human rights and democracy are under threat."
"They highlight where governments have unjustly jailed, tortured, or even killed political opponents, activists, human rights defenders, or journalists, including in Russia, the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, and Syria," he said in the preface of the report.
The 2021 report on North Korea greatly resembled that of the previous year, although the department said the North's COVID-19 preventive measures, which include border closure, further limited access to the reclusive state.
Still, the department said, "Impunity for human rights abuses and corruption continued to be a widespread problem."
"The (North Korean) government took no credible steps to prosecute officials who committed human rights abuses or corruption," it added.
The report said there were "significant human rights issues" in all areas of basic liberties including freedom of expression, religion and conscience, assembly and association, as well as bans on political opposition, independent media, civil society, trade unions and labor rights.
In terms of respect for the integrity of the person, the report said, "There were numerous reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary and unlawful killings."
It also pointed to the North's "shoot to kill" order to kill anyone attempting to leave the country or escape from political prison camps.
"The state also subjected private citizens to attendance at public executions," it said, citing a 2019 survey.
Peterson said the U.S. will continue to raise global awareness of the serious human rights situation in North Korea when asked how the U.S. seeks to amend the situation in the reclusive state, adding, "We also seek to impose sanctions on those who are complicit in abuses and in violations and as always promote respect for human rights within the DPRK."
She said the objective of the annual reports was not to criticize others, but simply to raise issues that need to be addressed.
"It is not an effort by the U.S. government to judge others. It does not reach legal conclusions, rank countries or draw comparisons," she said.
"So our objective with the Human Rights Report is simple -- Bring the facts to the table. It is only when we're armed with the truth that the United States can most effectively use our voice and our influence to call attention to violations and abuses of human rights worldwide," added Peterson.
Meanwhile, the report on South Korea said significant human rights issues included reports of restrictions on freedom of expression, government corruption, lack of investigation of and accountability for violence against women and laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults in the military.
The Seoul government, however, "took steps to identify, investigate, prosecute and punish officials for corruption and human rights abuses," it said.
(END)
5. Former nuke envoy urges caution on sanctions relief for N. Korea
Surprising to hear this from a former Moon administration official. But since he worked on the President-elect's campaign foreign policy team I suppose it is not a surprise.
Excerpt:
Lee Do-hoon, who served as special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs under the outgoing Moon Jae-in administration, stressed that imposing sanctions is "the only peaceful way as of now" to pressure the North back to the negotiating table. Having played a key role in the now-stalled Korea peace process, he worked as a member of a group of foreign and national security policy advisers for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol during his campaign trail.
Former nuke envoy urges caution on sanctions relief for N. Korea | Yonhap News Agency
By Yi Won-ju
SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- A former senior South Korean government official on North Korea called on the incoming administration Wednesday to seek stronger "extended deterrence" from the United States and emphasized the need for a cautious approach on the issue of potential sanctions relief for Pyongyang.
Lee Do-hoon, who served as special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs under the outgoing Moon Jae-in administration, stressed that imposing sanctions is "the only peaceful way as of now" to pressure the North back to the negotiating table. Having played a key role in the now-stalled Korea peace process, he worked as a member of a group of foreign and national security policy advisers for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol during his campaign trail.
"We need to strengthen the enforcement of extended deterrence, or the nuclear umbrella provided by the U.S.," Lee said during a forum here. Extended deterrence refers to Washington's commitment to protecting its Asian ally against potential North Korean aggression by mobilizing a full range of its military capabilities, nuclear and conventional.
Lee also advised against hurrying to ease sanctions on the North before it takes substantive steps for denuclearization in order to avoid giving economic leeway for the regime to develop nuclear weapons.
"Once cash flows into the North, denuclearization will be off the table," he said. "As soon as it recovers economically, the North will only speed up its nuclear and missiles development."
Nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been in a stalemate since their Hanoi summit in 2019 ended without a deal.
(END)
6. N. Korea uses space program to disguise ballistic missile development: U.S. military intelligence
But they are not disguising it very well.
N. Korea uses space program to disguise ballistic missile development: U.S. military intelligence | Yonhap News Agency
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, April 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korea uses its space program as a disguise to test and advance its ballistic missile capabilities, a U.S. military intelligence report said Tuesday.
The report also noted the North may be trying to acquire space and weapons technologies by hacking into aerospace companies.
"North Korea has placed two satellites in orbit and has articulated further space ambitions. Its space program has also enabled testing of technology used in ballistic missiles under the guise of peaceful use of space," the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said in a rare unclassified report, titled, "2022 Challenges to Security in Space."
"These systems provided North Korea with valuable data applicable to the development of long-range and multistage ballistic missiles," added the report.
Pyongyang fired what it claimed to be space launch vehicles (SLVs) on Feb. 27 and March 5 and stated that these were aimed at developing a new reconnaissance satellite.
The U.S., however, has called out those launches as tests for a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system.
North Korea fired its first ICBM in over four years on March 24.
Pyongyang may also be trying to obtain additional missile technology, according to the report.
"Multiple North Korean hacker groups have targeted the aerospace industries potentially including space technologies," said the report. "This activity, if left unchecked, could enable North Korea's weapons and space system development and procurement programs."
"North Korea's ballistic missiles and SLVs, such as the Unha-3 SLV, in theory could be used to target satellites in a conflict," it added.
(END)
7. Yoon fills 9 more positions including foreign minister
Dissent and discord on the transition team.
Excerpts:
Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition team, indicated Tuesday that his opinions were not being properly being reflected in the Cabinet appointment process, an indication of discord with Yoon.
"I wanted to give advice especially on the areas in which I have expertise, but there was no such process," Ahn told reporters after a visit to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
His remarks come after Rep. Lee Tae-kyu of the minor People's Party and Ahn's closest aide, stepped down from the transition committee, saying that none of their stances were reflected in the minister nominations. Lee was in charge of behind-the-scenes negotiations for an electoral alliance between Yoon and Ahn during the campaign.
"It seems that there were many difficulties during the presidential election, the process of unifying candidates and during the transition committee," said Ahn. "I tried to convince him [not to quit], but he had made up his mind."
Wednesday
April 13, 2022
Yoon fills 9 more positions including foreign minister
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, center, announces his second round of Cabinet appointments in a press conference at the transition team's office in Tongui-dong, central Seoul, Wednesday afternoon, flanked by his minister nominees. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol announced eight more Cabinet nominees Wednesday, including ministers of foreign affairs, unification and justice. He also named his chief of staff.
People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Park Jin, a fourth-term lawmaker considered an expert on Korea-U.S. relations, was named foreign minister by Yoon, who detailed his second round of Cabinet picks in a press conference at the transition committee's office in Tongui-dong, central Seoul.
Park passed the foreign service exam in 1977, became a diplomat and joined politics in 2001. He is known for extensive experience in parliamentary diplomacy. Earlier this month, he led a delegation on a weeklong trip to Washington to meet with White House and State Department officials and experts at think tanks.
PPP Rep. Kwon Young-se, a fourth-term lawmaker who served as Korean ambassador to China during the Park Geun-hye administration, was tapped as unification minister. Kwon, a former prosecutor, is close to Yoon and is vice chairman of his transition committee.
Yoon said Park "is recognized for his expertise and experience in foreign affairs and security and is recognized as a strategic expert on U.S. diplomacy." He said he is expected to make a "significant contribution to normalizing our diplomacy, which had fallen into a stalemate, and enable Korea to become a globally pivotal country that fulfills its responsibilities in solidarity with the international community."
On Kwon, Yoon pointed to his "moderate, pragmatic" approach and experience as ambassador and chairman of the National Assembly's intelligence committee.
"Based on his expertise and abundant experience in unification diplomacy, we determined that he is the right person to usher in an era of genuine peace on the Korean Peninsula by normalizing inter-Korean relations based on principles," he added.
Park, who is recovering from Covid-19 after his Washington trip, said in a statement that "foreign and security issues should not be approached through pursuing party interests," calling for a bipartisan strategy.
He said there are "numerous diplomatic tasks" for the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, including dealing with North Korean provocations, the U.S.-China conflict, Ukraine crisis, global supply chains, economic security, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.
When asked by reporters about his approach to inter-Korean relations, Kwon said he would make "principles-based, practical and rational decisions."
Yoon named Han Dong-hoon, vice president of the Judicial Research & Training Institute and a senior prosecutor, justice minister. Han worked under Yoon on a probe of a corruption scandal in 2016 that led to the impeachment and ouster of former President Park Geun-hye. He also led investigations of corruption cases against former President Lee Myung-bak and more recently on former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family.
Kim In-chul, former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), was tapped as education minister, doubling as deputy prime minister for social affairs. He will lead the administration's educational reforms.
Han Wha-jin, a founding member of the Korea Environment Institute, was named environment minister. She is an expert in air pollution and climate change and served as presidential secretary for the environment in the Lee Myung-bak administration.
Lee Sang-min, former vice chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and a former judge, was picked as minister of the interior and safety.
Cho Seung-hwan, former president of the Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion, was selected as minister of oceans and fisheries.
PPP Rep. Lee Young, a female entrepreneur who founded an IT security company, was tapped as minister of SMEs and startups. She has a doctorate in cryptography from KAIST and served as a vice chair of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).
Kim Dae-ki, a former presidential chief of staff for policy in the Lee Myung-bak administration, was named as Yoon's first chief of staff. He has held various posts at the Finance Ministry and served in the Roh Moo-hyun administration as a secretary for economic policies.
Yoon described Kim as an "economic expert who also has a flair for political affairs."
Some picks such as Han Dong-hoon as justice minister came as a surprise. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office last week cleared charges against Han, who was accused of colluding with a TV reporter to attack pro-government figures for corruption. He was accused of being involved in the alleged blackmailing of a jailed businessman to expose irregularities of pro-government figures including liberal pundit Rhyu Si-min, a former health minister, in 2020.
Yoon said on Han, "He has held key positions in the Ministry of Justice and prosecution for 20 years, and has accumulated expertise in investigations, trials, the prosecution system and judicial administration."
Defended his choice of justice minister, Yoon told reporters, "I determined that he is the best person to oversee judicial administration" adding it "certainly was not a surprising personnel appointment."
Yoon last Sunday named eight Cabinet nominees including ministers of finance, trade, transportation and defense.
There are just two minister posts remaining — agriculture and labor.
The minister picks were predominately men in their 60s who graduated from Seoul National University.
The average age of the 16 minister nominees is 59.7 years, and just three candidates were women.
There were seven Seoul National University graduates. In terms of regions, four nominees are from Seoul, followed by three from South Gyeongsang and two from Daegu.
Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition team, indicated Tuesday that his opinions were not being properly being reflected in the Cabinet appointment process, an indication of discord with Yoon.
"I wanted to give advice especially on the areas in which I have expertise, but there was no such process," Ahn told reporters after a visit to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
His remarks come after Rep. Lee Tae-kyu of the minor People's Party and Ahn's closest aide, stepped down from the transition committee, saying that none of their stances were reflected in the minister nominations. Lee was in charge of behind-the-scenes negotiations for an electoral alliance between Yoon and Ahn during the campaign.
"It seems that there were many difficulties during the presidential election, the process of unifying candidates and during the transition committee," said Ahn. "I tried to convince him [not to quit], but he had made up his mind."
From left: Kim In-chul, Park Jin, Kwon Young-se, Han Dong-hoon, Lee Sang-min, Lee Young, Han Wha-jin, Cho Seung-hwan and Kim Dae-ki. [NEWS1]
8. State Dept. report wags finger at [South] Korea for corruption
Wednesday
April 13, 2022
State Dept. report wags finger at Korea for corruption
[The United States Department of State]
The U.S. State Department criticized South Korea for having high levels of corruption.
In its 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published Tuesday, it said that South Korean “officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices with impunity" and "there were numerous reports of government corruption at all levels.”
The strong language used to describe corruption in Korea was not used to describe countries with similar levels of development such as Japan or Taiwan.
In the country report on Japan, the government corruption section stated that “there are cases of corruption among bureaucrats,” while the report on Taiwan stated that “there was corruption among public officials.” The reports on Australia and France said “there are individual reports of government corruption.”
The report cited the investigation into land purchases using inside information by employees of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), the housing site development corruption case in Daejang-dong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and misbehavior by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his wife Chung Kyung-shim as examples of corruption in Korea.
In the case of the LH Corporation, the report detailed that a civic group raised suspicions of speculative land purchases by executives and employees last March.
“Dozens of current and former corporation employees allegedly used insider knowledge to purchase land slated for future government real estate development projects under President Moon’s '2.4 Supply Plan,' designed to curb a sharp rise in real estate prices,” the report said.
The outcome of the case, in which two corporation officials committed suicide, 34 people were arrested and 529 were referred to the prosecution for indictments as of last August, was highlighted in the report.
The Daejang-dong case was cited as a serious case of corruption.
“Evidence obtained by prosecutors alleges that an asset management firm with a 1 percent stake in the project, Hwacheon Daeyu, colluded with city officials and bribed politicians to secure an advantageous position in the profit distribution mechanism for it and its affiliates,” the report said. “Hwacheon Daeyu and its affiliates reportedly made a profit of more than 1,000 times their initial investment.”
The United States views corruption by a government as a violation of the rights of its citizens, which makes it an important topic in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
The report also highlighted restriction of freedom of expression as a major human rights issue in South Korea.
A withdrawn amendment to the Press Arbitration Act, which caused controversy over punitive damages, was cited.
“The ruling Democratic Party sought to pass controversial amendments to the Press Arbitration Act that would allow victims of reporting found to be false or fabricated to seek punitive damages from media organizations and online intermediaries,” the report said. “Media organizations among others opposed the bill, saying it would further restrict the press’ ability to operate freely.”
The report stated that the government and public figures used the existing Defamation Act to restrict public discussion, and to harass and censor private and media outlets.
An amendment to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, which bans anti-North Korea leaflets, was also cited.
The report said the South Korean government’s rationale for this amendment was to protect the lives of residents in border areas. It cited claims by human rights activists and opposition parties that the amendment was a violation of freedom of expression.
The U.S. State Department publishes the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices annually. This is the second report under the Joe Biden administration.
9. What Cabinet nominations say about Yoon's foreign policy, security posture
I am waiting to hear who the President -elect will select for his national security advisor and the National Intelligence Service.
Excerpts:
In addition, Yoon, who pledged to take a hardline stance against North Korea on the campaign trail, has left room for inter-Korean dialogue following the designation of a close aide and centrist politician to the unification minister post.
...
Yoon's desire to develop a U.S.-centered foreign policy is seen in his dispatch of the ROK-U.S. Policy Consultation Delegation, led by the foreign minister nominee, to Washington, D.C., earlier this month. During its visit, the delegates met with key senior officials of the Joe Biden administration such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Kurt Campbell, the White House policy coordinator for Asia.
The delegation also hinted at its commitment to the U.S. amid U.S.-China competition.
What Cabinet nominations say about Yoon's foreign policy, security posture
Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin, left, and Unification Minister nominee Kwon Young-se / Yonhap
Yoon gov't to prioritize Korea-US ties, but leaves door open for inter-Korean talks
By Kang Seung-woo
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's nominations of key members of his national security team suggest that the new South Korean administration plans to engage in diplomacy that places alignment with the United States at the center of its foreign policy priorities, according diplomatic observers.
In addition, Yoon, who pledged to take a hardline stance against North Korea on the campaign trail, has left room for inter-Korean dialogue following the designation of a close aide and centrist politician to the unification minister post.
On Wednesday, Yoon nominated Rep. Park Jin of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as foreign minister, while tapping Rep. Kwon Young-se, another PPP lawmaker, to head the unification ministry. Along with them, the incoming president also appointed six other Cabinet members and his first chief of staff.
"Although it remains to be seen how Yoon will flesh out its national security team ― which will also include the national security director and the first and second deputy directors of the National Security Office, as well as the chief of the National Intelligence Service ― Yoon's national security team until now is made up of experts on the relationship with the U.S.," said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University.
Park, 66, is a four-term lawmaker who served as the chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Trade and National Unification Committee from 2008 to 2010. In that capacity, he helped pass the free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S.
On Sunday, Yoon also nominated Lee Jong-sup, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who has expertise in the South Korea-U.S. alliance, as the defense minister, while former Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sung-han, a strong advocate of the nation's ties with the U.S., is the most likely candidate for the national security adviser position.
Yoon's desire to develop a U.S.-centered foreign policy is seen in his dispatch of the ROK-U.S. Policy Consultation Delegation, led by the foreign minister nominee, to Washington, D.C., earlier this month. During its visit, the delegates met with key senior officials of the Joe Biden administration such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Kurt Campbell, the White House policy coordinator for Asia.
The delegation also hinted at its commitment to the U.S. amid U.S.-China competition.
Following Yoon's election, the fate of the unification ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, was uncertain, as PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok had been insisting on abolishing the ministry, arguing that its efforts toward inter-Korean ties ― which have been stalled since the U.S.-North Korea summit ended without a deal in February 2019 ― had been ineffective.
However, the nomination of Kwon is seen as being part of Yoon's intent to empower the ministry and improve relations between South and North Korea.
"During the campaign, Yoon's side provided the impression that they were paying little attention to the unification ministry, but the designation of the unification minister means Yoon is lending his support to the ministry," Park said.
The professor also said that by nominating Kwon, who is not a hawkish on North Korea, the Yoon administration is leaving the door open for inter-Korean talks.
"As far as I know, the president-elect tried to nominate dovish figures for the unification minister post, and in that respect, Kwon is the perfect fit for the job, since he is not a hardliner on North Korea," Park said.
While announcing the second lineup of appointees to his Cabinet, Yoon also described Kwon as a figure who maintains a centrist and pragmatic stance.
Kwon, 63, a four-term lawmaker, served as the ambassador to China under the Park Geun-hye administration.
10. Challenges to the Yoon administration
Excerpt:
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is known as a political novice.
...
Foreign experts predict that the most difficult challenge for President-elect Yoon will be South Korea’s foreign policy, which should be radically different from the previous left-wing administration. Yoon has already made it clear that his administration will strengthen ties between South Korea and the US and mend its badly damaged relationship with Japan. However, it will not be easy. Once a relationship is damaged, it cannot be easily restored -- which is the case with both America and Japan. In order to pursue his new policy successfully, Yoon needs to be different from his predecessors, who used anti-American or anti-Japanese sentiments for political gain.
Another problem is that his new policy will face strong objections from the opposition party and those who did not vote for him. Moreover, Yoon will have to skillfully deal with China and North Korea, as they will not be happy about South Korea’s closer relationship with the US and Japan. It will not be easy for him to handle such issues smoothly, and he will encounter one obstacle after another.
National security policy will be another challenge for the Yoon administration. As South Korea’s national security is heavily dependent on its alliance with the US, the Yoon administration should think of it as the top priority. The joint military drills of the Korean and US armies, which were put off indefinitely by the Moon administration under the excuse of not provoking North Korea, should be restored now. Inevitably, South Korea will face relentless threats and provocations from the enraged North. However, it is something we can endure and live with for the sake of national security.
[Kim Seong-kon] Challenges to the Yoon administration
Published : Apr 13, 2022 - 05:30 Updated : Apr 13, 2022 - 05:30
President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is known as a political novice. Indeed, Yoon was elected president without any prior political career. Although he was prosecutor general, Yoon was not a professional politician, but a public prosecutor under the supervision of the minister of justice.
However, such a background can be an advantage for him. Unlike professional politicians who have to consider many factors, Yoon can make a fresh start by boldly changing things. For example, declining to enter Cheong Wa Dae, a symbol of a forbidden palace, and turning it into a cultural complex that consists of a history education museum, a memorial hall for our ex-presidents, and performing arts performances can be a good start. It will give him the fresh image of a new leader who defies authoritarianism. It is something that no other Korean president has ever done.
Foreign experts predict that the most difficult challenge for President-elect Yoon will be South Korea’s foreign policy, which should be radically different from the previous left-wing administration. Yoon has already made it clear that his administration will strengthen ties between South Korea and the US and mend its badly damaged relationship with Japan. However, it will not be easy. Once a relationship is damaged, it cannot be easily restored -- which is the case with both America and Japan. In order to pursue his new policy successfully, Yoon needs to be different from his predecessors, who used anti-American or anti-Japanese sentiments for political gain.
Another problem is that his new policy will face strong objections from the opposition party and those who did not vote for him. Moreover, Yoon will have to skillfully deal with China and North Korea, as they will not be happy about South Korea’s closer relationship with the US and Japan. It will not be easy for him to handle such issues smoothly, and he will encounter one obstacle after another.
National security policy will be another challenge for the Yoon administration. As South Korea’s national security is heavily dependent on its alliance with the US, the Yoon administration should think of it as the top priority. The joint military drills of the Korean and US armies, which were put off indefinitely by the Moon administration under the excuse of not provoking North Korea, should be restored now. Inevitably, South Korea will face relentless threats and provocations from the enraged North. However, it is something we can endure and live with for the sake of national security.
In order to deal with such challenges effectively, the Yoon administration should establish South Korea’s identity clearly. South Korea is not a socialist country, but a country of liberal democracy, human rights and the market economy. We should always keep in mind that South Korea, together with other advanced countries, belongs to the free world, not to authoritarian socialist countries. Therefore, we should act accordingly. We should not abase ourselves or kowtow to socialist countries for monetary reasons.
South Korea is no longer a weak, developing country. As a top 10 global economy that was invited to the G-7 meeting in 2021, South Korea is now undisputedly a global leader. Therefore, we should behave like one, instead of caving in whenever there is a crisis in the world. We should listen to the wisdom of Scott Snyder, director of the program on US-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, when he advises us thus: “As an international leader, South Korea is expected to hold the line rather than ducking for cover in the face of concerted international action.”
Snyder continues: “Most importantly, South Korean public expectations for the government’s response increasingly anticipate that South Korea will be in the vanguard with the other global leaders to uphold international norms such as the inviolability of territorial borders.” Indeed, whenever human rights, a country’s sovereignty, or world peace are at stake, we should join other advanced countries to uphold international norms.
Furthermore, we should widen the horizon of our mindset. For example, we tend to think that Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has nothing to do with South Korea. However, we should know that it might become a precedent for other countries, including North Korea, who also want to erase an existing national border by force.
In addition, the Yoon administration should replenish the ruling party, so it can be reborn as a party of true conservatism embracing republicanism, tradition and social conventions. Of course, the Democratic Party of Korea, too, should be reborn as a party of liberalism, not socialism. The antonym of conservatism is “liberalism,” not “socialism,” after all.
The Yoon administration will also face internal challenges, such as creating jobs for the young, boosting an economy badly shaken by COVID-19, and the indiscrete populism of the previous government. Going back to normal will be another challenge for the Yoon administration.
We strongly hope that the Yoon administration can bring radical social change, so South Korea can become a globally respected country, just like Samsung in the industrial world.
Kim Seong-kon
Kim Seong-kon is a professor emeritus of English at Seoul National University and a visiting scholar at Dartmouth College. The views expressed here are his own. -- Ed.
11. U.S. crypto researcher sentenced to five years for helping North Korea evade sanctions
Excerpts:
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel, was the minimum amount of prison time prosecutors had sought. Griffith had asked for a sentence of two years. Castel also fined Griffith $100,000, below the $1 million prosecutors suggested.
Griffith's attorney Brian Klein said in a statement that while the sentence was disappointing, the judge "acknowledged Virgil's commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute."
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement on Tuesday that "justice has been served."
U.S. crypto researcher sentenced to five years for helping North Korea evade sanctions
April 12 (Reuters) - A former researcher at a high-profile cryptocurrency group was sentenced to five years and three months in prison on Tuesday for conspiring to help North Korea evade U.S. sanctions using cryptocurrency, federal prosecutors in Manhattan said.
Virgil Griffith was arrested in 2019 and pleaded guilty last September to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by traveling to North Korea to present on blockchain technology.
Griffith formerly worked for the Ethereum Foundation, a non-profit that works to support the technology behind the cryptocurrency ether.
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The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel, was the minimum amount of prison time prosecutors had sought. Griffith had asked for a sentence of two years. Castel also fined Griffith $100,000, below the $1 million prosecutors suggested.
Griffith's attorney Brian Klein said in a statement that while the sentence was disappointing, the judge "acknowledged Virgil's commitment to moving forward with his life productively, and that he is a talented person who has a lot to contribute."
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement on Tuesday that "justice has been served."
Griffith, who has a doctorate from the California Institute of Technology, traveled to North Korea via China in April 2019 to deliver a presentation at the Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference, despite being denied permission by the U.S. Department of State to go, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Griffith understood the information could be used to evade sanctions the U.S. had imposed on North Korea over its development of nuclear weapons technology.
"The most important feature of blockchains is that they are open. And the DPRK can't be kept out no matter what the USA or the UN says," Griffith said during the presentation, according to prosecutors, using the initials of North Korea's official name.
The Ethereum Foundation said at the time of Griffith's arrest that it had not approved or supported his travel to North Korea.
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Reporting by Jody Godoy; editing by Richard Pullin
12. South Korea signals nuclear fuel U-turn as global energy crisis looms
Some facts:
South Korea is one of the world’s top-five importers of fossil fuels. According to Ember, an environmental think-tank, more than 20 per cent of the country’s coal imports in 2020 came from Russia.
...
South Korea has the highest density of nuclear reactors in the world, with most of its 24 reactors located at two complexes in the country’s industrial south-east.
In 2019, its reactors produced 139 terawatt-hours of electricity, making South Korea the fifth-largest nuclear power producer in the world. Nuclear accounted for 26 per cent of the country’s total electricity generation, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
We need to think about war in Korea and what might happen to these 24 nuclear power plants.
South Korea signals nuclear fuel U-turn as global energy crisis looms
South Korea’s incoming government will reverse the country’s nuclear phaseout plan, which had been criticised for intensifying the east Asian country’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Won Hee-ryong, policy chief on President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s transition committee, said that outgoing president Moon Jae-in’s push to reduce the share of nuclear power in South Korea’s energy mix had increased greenhouse gas emissions and threatened to increase energy bills.
“Carbon neutrality, which the country already promised to the international community, is the path for us to take,” Won said. “But our tentative conclusion is that the Yoon administration needs to set new plans that are honest, realistic and responsible.”
Citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as the coronavirus pandemic, Won also suggested that Moon’s commitment for South Korea to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2050 could not be considered “immutable” in the face of global crises.
Kim Yong-soo, professor of nuclear engineering at Hanyang University in Seoul, said that the war in Ukraine had exposed Moon’s nuclear policy as unviable.
“Energy security and soaring energy prices have come to the fore since the Ukraine crisis,” said Kim.
South Korea is one of the world’s top-five importers of fossil fuels. According to Ember, an environmental think-tank, more than 20 per cent of the country’s coal imports in 2020 came from Russia.
Last week, an official at Korea Western Power told the Financial Times that the company had not made any additional purchases of Russian coal since the invasion of Ukraine.
“We are following existing contracts but have stopped making any new contracts with Russia because of concerns over future payments due to international sanctions,” he said.
South Korea has the highest density of nuclear reactors in the world, with most of its 24 reactors located at two complexes in the country’s industrial south-east.
In 2019, its reactors produced 139 terawatt-hours of electricity, making South Korea the fifth-largest nuclear power producer in the world. Nuclear accounted for 26 per cent of the country’s total electricity generation, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Under Moon’s nuclear phaseout plan, construction of plants was to be suspended while older plants were to be retired, with the aim of reducing the number of operational reactors to 17 by 2034.
But domestic critics have pointed to the paucity of alternative energy sources.
According to the International Energy Agency, in 2019, coal accounted for 42 per cent and natural gas 25 per cent of South Korea’s energy mix. A review conducted by Ember found that solar and wind power accounted for just 4.7 per cent of South Korea’s electricity generation in 2021, less than half the global average.
“While advanced economies are moving rapidly towards a renewables-powered future, South Korea remains largely wedded to an energy model reliant on dirty fossil power,” said Joojin Kim, managing director of Solutions For Our Climate, a Seoul-based advocacy organisation.
“One of the largest obstacles is the majority state-owned utility Kepco, which has a de facto monopoly over the power sector and has vested interests in maintaining its legacy fossil fuel assets.”
In February, Yoon, who assumes office next month, noted France’s big bet on nuclear power, and the EU’s inclusion of nuclear power in its “green taxonomy” in support of his pro-nuclear policy.
“French president [Emmanuel] Macron reversed his words of ‘nuclear-phaseout’ five years ago and declared a ‘U-turn to nuclear power’,” Yoon wrote on his Facebook page during the election campaign.
Additional reporting by Kang Buseong in Seoul
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13. Chinese ambassador warns against a second THAAD battery in South Korea
The Chinese do not get a vote on Korea and ROK/US alliance security.
The CHinese ambassador should be warned about giving these kinds of warnings.
Chinese ambassador warns against a second THAAD battery in South Korea
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, interceptor is launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands during a test on Aug. 30, 2019. ()
South Korea will hazard its improving relationship with China if it deploys a second American-made missile defense battery, China’s ambassador in Seoul implied Thursday.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, is a sensitive topic in relations between the two countries, and South Korea “should not be treading in that step again,” Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming said in a speech Thursday at the Millennium Hilton Seoul hotel, according to news reports the next day.
The $800 million THAAD missile defense system developed by Lockheed Martin has been staged at a South Korean military base in Seongju, roughly 130 miles south of Seoul, since 2017.
The THAAD battery would be deployed “as a defensive measure” against threats from North Korea, U.S. Forces Korea said in 2016.
“When the THAAD system is deployed to the Korean Peninsula, it will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and would not be directed towards any third party nations,” the command said at the time.
Xing, speaking at an event hosted by the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation, described China-South Korea relations as “really bad” following the THAAD deployment. They had “recovered the right track because the two nations made joint efforts,” he said Thursday.
China, one of North Korea’s few allies, opposed the THAAD deployment and continues to consider it harmful to Beijing’s security interests in the region.
China understood South Korea has a “reasonable defense need, but we could not understand or accept any deployment that goes beyond the defense need,” the Foreign Ministry said in 2016.
China responded to the THAAD deployment with what experts believe was a state-sanctioned boycott against South Korea in 2017. South Korea’s economic losses with its top trading partner came to around $7 billion, according to South Korean lawmakers.
The two countries have since agreed to normalize relations, but President-elect Yoon Seok-youl raised concern in China by campaigning on the idea of deploying a second THAAD battery to broaden South Korea’s missile defense capability.
Xing said relations with South Korea were still recovering and he remained hopeful that THAAD "is a matter that they can overcome” due to the countries being “bound together by a common destiny.”
The U.S. has improved THAAD since its first deployment of a battery in 2008. The Army used a remote launch kit for the system for the first time other than tests during a recent exercise in the Northern Marianas, according to a March 16 news release.
Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
14. World Insights: South Korea gripped with fear over U.S. bioweapons labs
Oh the Chinese propaganda. This is frome Xinhua.
But the best propaganda is in part truth. There is some truth to the events that took place. But there is absolutely no bio weapons lab in South Korea.
Let me see is I can employ the "truth sandwich here:
There is not nor has there ever been a US bioweapons lab in South Korea.
Chinese propaganda is using benign events to make preposterous claims that the US is developing and testing bio weapons in South Korea.
The US only conducts tests to defend against bioweapons used by north Korea and has never and will never develop bio weapons.
The Truth Sandwich
It turns out that there is a counter to this – the “truth sandwich.”
How to use it?
Start with the truth. This is the frame.
Introduce the lie – clearly stating that it is a lie.
End with the truth.
World Insights: South Korea gripped with fear over U.S. bioweapons labs
File photo taken on June 14, 2015 shows citizen groups calling for termination of the biochemical project of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in Seoul, South Korea. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)
The U.S. military has secretly run its biological weapons program in South Korea since at least 2009.
by Yoo Seungki
SEOUL, April 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korea has been gripped with rising fear over U.S. biological weapons laboratories operated by the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), aiming to transform the Asian country into its "overseas hub" for biological warfare experiments.
The United States has flouted international conventions by steadily advancing its germ warfare program here. It sees South Korea as a country "friendly" enough to let the U.S. military test lethal toxins without institutional hurdles.
Enraged at the opaqueness of the U.S. biological labs, civic groups and local residents have taken to the streets to demand the U.S. military take its hazardous weapons and vacate the country.
WHY SOUTH KOREA
The U.S. military has secretly run its biological weapons program in South Korea since at least 2009.
It was made known to the general public here in 2015 when live anthrax samples were sent from a U.S. military lab through postal service FedEx to the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 70 km south of the capital Seoul.
The USFK initially said it was the first time it experimented with deadly biological agents. But a joint panel investigation showed that the USFK brought in and tested dead anthrax samples 15 times at the Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul between 2009 and 2014.
In addition to the live anthrax samples delivered in 2015, one milliliter of inactivated plague samples was sent to the Osan Air Base, revealing the USFK's false explanation.
Article 9 of the South Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) stipulates that a custom's examination "shall not be made" in case of "military cargo consigned to the U.S. armed forces," according to a document posted by the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
"According to the SOFA, the U.S. military cargo is exempt from customs inspection, allowing (the USFK) to bring in whatever it wants ... (South) Korea is a very friendly country for the United States to import germs and conduct tests," Lee Jang-hie, emeritus professor at law school of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told Xinhua.
The law professor said the delivery of anthrax samples to South Korea violated the Biological Weapons Convention, signed by over 180 nations, including South Korea and the United States, to ban the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition or retention of biological agents or toxins.
The violation of the 1975 convention requires the UN Security Council's official investigation at the request of the country concerned.
"Lax regulations and the Korean government's reluctance to protest against it created an easy, favorable environment (for the U.S. military) to carry out experiments with germs here," Lee noted.
File photo taken on July 11, 2015 shows citizen groups calling for termination of the biochemical project of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) outside the Osan Air Base, about 60 kilometers south of South Korea's capital Seoul. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)
OVERSEAS HUB OF U.S. BIOWEAPONS EXPERIMENTS
The U.S. biological weapons program in South Korea has evolved over the past decade under the Joint USFK Portal and Integrated Threat Recognition (Jupitr) and the Capabilities to Enable NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) Threat Awareness, Understanding and Response (Centaur) projects.
"Figuratively speaking, Jupitr installed in the central headquarters serves as the brain. The Centaur, which operates in each regional military unit, constitutes the hands and feet of Jupitr to detect and send biochemical samples to it," Woo Hee-jong, professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Seoul National University, told Xinhua.
The Jupitr program was established between 2013 and 2018 after former U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order in July 2010 that read "a robust and productive scientific enterprise that utilizes biological select agents and toxins is essential to national security," according to the professor.
According to the U.S. Army website, the U.S. military touted Jupitr as its flagship program, saying in 2014 that Jupitr's presence on the Korean Peninsula aligns with its "strategy to rebalance military efforts toward the Asia-Pacific region."
The Centaur's basic framework was completed between 2019 and 2020. The U.S. military planned to run relevant experiments here by 2026 to advance Centaur and create an integrated system with Jupitr, Woo said, citing the U.S. Department of Defense budget estimates.
"The projects represent an overseas hub of information on the U.S. biological weapons experiments" as information on biochemical pathogens and samples, collected in South Korea for analysis from U.S. biological labs worldwide, is shared with the U.S. mainland and overseas military units, Woo said.
It was disclosed that the USFK had continuously conducted military biological activities here between 2017 and 2019 by bringing hundreds of vials of deadly biological samples, including botulinum, ricin and staphylococcal enterotoxin, into Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Kunsan Air Base, Osan Air Base and Busan Port's Pier 8.
The USFK claimed that the samples were rendered inactive and not dangerous as they were toxoids, or toxins whose toxicity is inactivated, according to the USFK report submitted to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, obtained by Rep. Lee Jae-jung of the ruling Democratic Party.
Each vial contained 2 nanograms of the biological agents. The division of the samples into 2 nanograms, equivalent to 2 billionths of a gram, indicated that the samples were lethal because there was no need to divide them into an infinitesimal amount if they were not toxic, Woo said.
Furthermore, the USFK delivery list included botulinum, widely seen as the deadliest toxin on the planet.
The professor said the UN Security Council should launch an investigation into biological labs here, considering the evidence that South Korea has been used as a test site to develop U.S. biological weapons.
Photo taken on Feb. 19, 2020 shows the Pentagon seen from an airplane over Washington D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
STRUGGLE TO EXPEL
Despite the 2015 incident of live anthrax samples delivery, the USFK expanded biological labs into Busan Port's Pier 8 in 2016, Jeon Wi-bong, director of the Association to Push for Shutdown of U.S. Biochemical Experiments in Busan Port Pier 8, told Xinhua.
Faced with public protest, the USFK said no experiments with biological agent samples would be conducted. Still, the claim proved false, as seen in the USFK report, where the importation of deadly inactivated toxins, including botulinum, into the Busan Port lab continued from 2017 to 2019, said Jeon.
Citing the Pentagon's fiscal year 2019 budget estimates, the local daily Busan Ilbo reported that 3.5 million U.S. dollars were earmarked for the Jupitr project in Busan Port's Pier 8 alone that involves "live agent" tests.
The USFK claimed that the live agent tests were conducted in the United States, not South Korea. But civic groups and residents have raised doubts about the claim because of the project's repeated false explanations and opaqueness.
"Since 2015, the U.S. military was supposed to give a prior notification to (South) Korea when carrying in germ samples, but there was no advance notification as Korea has no right to do a customs inspection on USFK goods," said Jeon.
"Highly toxic agents had been brought in for three years since 2017, but the Korean government did not carry out any investigation. Korea is the only country in the world to do such a thing," Jeon noted.
A group of civic activists and citizens toured the country for a week through Sunday to inform the public of the deployment of U.S. biological weapons labs and other war weapons in South Korea.
"A person in charge of U.S. military biological labs said Korea is friendly to operate such labs. I got infuriated when I heard that because it belittles my country severely," Choi Won-seok, who joined the tour, told Xinhua near the Busan Port's Pier 8.
"(The USFK) gave no prior notification and carried out no discussion with Busan residents to build these dangerous biological labs," said the 28-year-old college student, who expressed fear over the impact a slight leak could have on the city's inhabitants.
Protesters against the USFK's biological lab in Busan have had enough. "This land is our land," they shouted. "Leave this land with your extremely dangerous germ weapons" at once. ■
15. Bellicose or bluster? How South Koreans see the North’s nuclear threat
But public perceptions are often difficult to read and they are transitory.
Excerpts:
If North Korea continues with missile launches and aggressive rhetoric, we are likely to see more public support for President-Elect Yoon’s desired hardline stance. In addition, we may see the administration framing actions as consistent with a public disenchanted with Moon-era engagement efforts. Alternatively, North Korean humanitarian needs may lead Yoon to continue open engagement without appearing to reward North Korea for bad behaviour.
Despite a hyper partisan climate during the South Korean election and existing partisan differences, the North Korean regime’s actions may inadvertently provide a catalyst for a vague policy consensus on approaches to Pyongyang between the Yoon administration and a DP-majority National Assembly. However, even if a vague consensus can be reached on policy, North Korea is unlikely to fundamentally change its rhetoric or military posturing in the short term.
Bellicose or bluster? How South Koreans see the North’s nuclear threat
The policy of a new president in Seoul depends not only
on Pyongyang but also South Korean public perceptions.
With tensions rising, one would assume that South Koreans would be concerned about heightened conflict. However, this assumes two conditions. First, it assumes that the South Korean public pays much attention to North Korea, which previous survey work questions. Second, it assumes that South Koreans view North Korea’s nuclear weapons as offence-oriented.
North Korean officials certainly know that the likelihood of resuming inter-Korean dialogue has diminished with Yoon’s election.
Yet, despite North Korea’s history of bellicose rhetoric, which in 2017 seemed to be leading towards war with the United States, many analysts assume that North Korea’s intentions behind their nuclear weapons program is security oriented as it provides a major deterrent from invasion.
North Korean officials certainly know that the likelihood of resuming inter-Korean dialogue, as desired by the Moon Jae-in administration hopeful of a peace treaty, has diminished with Yoon’s election. However, there are various reasons to assume that even if relations further sour under Yoon, North Korea is unlikely to use its nuclear weapons towards them. For example, North Korea already possesses the ability to inflict heavy damage on Seoul with non-nuclear artillery.
That said, North Korea’s brinkmanship strategies do not preclude the use of nuclear weapons here or elsewhere, especially if seen as necessary for regime survival. North Korean officials certainly know that the likelihood of resuming inter-Korean dialogue, as desired by the Moon Jae-in administration hopeful of a peace treaty, have diminished with Yoon’s election. Polls have shown the South Korean public increasingly supports the country acquiring nuclear weapons itself.
Whether South Koreans view North Korea’s nuclear capabilities as defensive or offensive has policy implications. If viewed as defensive, the public is unlikely to be concerned about their use and unlikely to demand additional pressure put on North Korea. If viewed as offensive, the public is likely to be supportive of a more hawkish approach from the Yoon administration, wanting preconditions to any dialogue, and may be supportive of enhancing South Korea’s military capabilities. Thus, Yoon’s policy on North Korea will likely be dependent not only upon North Korea’s military actions, but also South Korean public perceptions of any actions.
To assess how South Koreans view the North’s nuclear weapons, we conducted an original web survey of 1107 South Koreans across 11–16 March 2022 using gender, age, and regional quota sampling, and administered by Macromill Embrain.
We asked: “Do you believe that North Korea developed nuclear weapons for defensive or offensive purposes?” We found that a majority (57.8%) of respondents view the weapons as offensive, although we found clear distinctions between the supporters of the liberal Democratic Party (DP) and conservative People Power Party (PPP). For the DP supporters, a majority (55.3%) see the weapons as serving defensive purposes, while an even larger share of PPP supporters view them as offensive-oriented (70.5%). Admittedly, we did not ask respondents why they viewed the weapons as defensive versus offensive, however the results suggest a divergence in underlying views about the regime and may be an obstacle for the Yoon administration’s more “hawkish” agenda if desiring broad consensus on North Korea.
Views on the nature of North Korea’s nuclear program also seem to influence broad views of North Korea. For example, 68.4% of those respondents who saw the program as offensive viewed relations between the two Koreas as negative, compared to only 51.8% of those who saw nuclear weapons as defensive. When asked to rate on a ten-point scale how concerned they are that North Korea will use military force against South Korea, we saw roughly a point difference on average between those viewing the program as defensive versus offensive (4.2 vs. 5.2). Moreover, we found that, after controlling for demographic factors (age, gender, income, education) and partisan identification, similar patterns endure.
What are the implications of partisan divergence on views of North Korea, especially regarding its nuclear program? Public perceptions of North Korea’s nuclear program are illustrative of the underlying issues of threat perceptions and empathising with North Korea’s constraints. Critics may claim that those who see the program as defensive-oriented have been fooled, while they themselves ignore how the program has likely deterred pre-emptive strikes to date. In contrast, viewing the weapons as defensive ignores the regime’s bellicosity and belief that these weapons are their only remaining option.
If North Korea continues with missile launches and aggressive rhetoric, we are likely to see more public support for President-Elect Yoon’s desired hardline stance. In addition, we may see the administration framing actions as consistent with a public disenchanted with Moon-era engagement efforts. Alternatively, North Korean humanitarian needs may lead Yoon to continue open engagement without appearing to reward North Korea for bad behaviour.
Despite a hyper partisan climate during the South Korean election and existing partisan differences, the North Korean regime’s actions may inadvertently provide a catalyst for a vague policy consensus on approaches to Pyongyang between the Yoon administration and a DP-majority National Assembly. However, even if a vague consensus can be reached on policy, North Korea is unlikely to fundamentally change its rhetoric or military posturing in the short term.
16. North Korea has become even more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic
This is mostly due to Kim Jong-un's deliberate policy decisions to use the pandemic as a way to implement draconian populations and resources control measures to exert even great control (and oppression) over the Korean people in the north.
North Korea has become even more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, centre, inspects the construction of a residential area along the Janggang River in Qionglou-dong, Jungang District, Pyongyang City. Sokeel Park, a Seoul-based director of Liberty in North Korea, says the COVID-19 pandemic has been “a disaster for the North Korean people.”-/AFP/Getty Images
Living on an island in the Yalu River, Wang Qiuyue was used to seeing her neighbours just across the way in North Korea going about their daily lives.
“We could see people farming or washing stuff in the river,” she said. “But after the pandemic began, we rarely saw them.”
North Korea, commonly called a “hermit kingdom” because of its decades of isolationist policies, has been almost entirely closed off to the outside world since early 2020, even pausing most shipments from China, its major ally and economic partner.
This extreme response to the pandemic has severely reduced the amount of information coming out of the country. Almost all foreigners have left, including diplomats and United Nations officials, and the closing of the borders has essentially stopped the outflow of economic and political refugees, a vital source of up-to-date intelligence.
What we do know is grim: The economy has contracted severely; tens of millions of people are struggling to find enough food; and the government has used the health crisis to crack down on already limited freedoms while continuing to focus on the military above all else, including new missile tests.
Sokeel Park, a Seoul-based director of Liberty in North Korea, which aids refugees fleeing the country, said Pyongyang’s recent actions “show the regime’s priorities.”
“[Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un] himself has referred to the increased economic difficulties and food problems multiple times, but what’s the major thing they’ve done this year so far? Missile tests.”
Mr. Park said the pandemic has been “a disaster for the North Korean people” and has resulted in a “new dark age” when it comes to getting information in or out of the country.
The number of refugees reaching South Korea dropped from 1,047 in 2019 to 229 in 2020 and just 63 last year. Even then, the majority of those were likely already outside North Korea when the pandemic began, making the actual number of new escapees even lower.
Sealing the border with China has not only hampered official trade but also cut off much black market activity, as have new limits on internal movement, while the ability of North Koreans living abroad to send money home has also been severely affected.
Mr. Park said sources inside the country have reported price increases for basic necessities such as soap, toothpaste and cooking oil. The cost of staple foods is higher, too, but often things are simply not available. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that as much as 63 per cent of the population, some 16 million people, are now experiencing food insecurity, both as a result of pandemic restrictions and extreme weather in 2020.
“Only aid under the name of the state can be channelled to North Korea. All normal trade has long been halted,” said Hu Xiaodan, the manager of a logistics company in the Chinese border city of Dandong. “The railway line was resumed earlier this year, but only life necessities can be transported to the other side of the border.”
Last year, Mr. Kim called for an “arduous march” against the new economic difficulties. That term is normally used by North Koreans to refer to the devastating famine of the 1990s, believed to have led to millions of deaths, and was seen as a tacit acknowledgment by Mr. Kim of the scale of his country’s recent struggles.
But while there are signs of a gradual reopening of the border with China, little else has been done to ease pandemic restrictions.
Nor is it likely that North Korea can open up any time soon without devastating effect. It is one of only two countries, along with Eritrea, not to have begun mass vaccination against COVID-19. It has refused to accept vaccines from the World Health Organization, unwilling to brook the foreign oversight that would come with such aid.
Lina Yoon, senior Korea researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that despite Pyongyang’s stand, “governments and international institutions should press the North Korean government to accept monitored international assistance like food, vaccines, and medicine.”
Most pandemic-related supplies are exempt from international sanctions, though such restrictions make any dealings with North Korea far more complicated and can dissuade some entities from getting involved for fear of legal consequences.
While North Korea’s strict “zero-COVID” approach seems to have been relatively effective so far, Mr. Park said it is vital to get vaccines into the country, given how quickly Omicron has spread elsewhere, including Hong Kong and China, both of which had similarly strict controls in place.
“They’ve been extremely draconian, paranoid and restrictive from very early on, but that doesn’t mean they can control it forever.”
With a report from Alexandra Li
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17. Falling off the wagon Kim? Chubby-looking North Korean dictator looks to have piled back on the pounds
Damn yo-yo dieting.
Falling off the wagon Kim? Chubby-looking North Korean dictator looks to have piled back on the pounds as he puffs a cigarette at opening of new 80-floor skyscraper in North Korea
- New video shows Kim Yong-Un smoking a cigarette and as fat as ever
- Last year Mr Kim shed 40lbs after disappearing from public view for months
- It prompted speculation that the morbidly obese despot was suffering ill health
- The pictures of Mr Kim smoking come after passing a tough new smoking ban
- Despot has regained rotund figure as his country battles food shortages
PUBLISHED: 07:18 EDT, 12 April 2022 | UPDATED: 09:34 EDT, 12 April 2022
Daily Mail · by Walter Finch For Mailonline · April 12, 2022
Kim Jong-Un has been seen puffing away on a cigarette and looking back to his usual chubby self just months after slimming down 'for the sake of the country', state media video shows.
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released video of the chunky-once-more dictator attending the completion ceremony of major housing project to adoring crowds in Pyongyang.
And while there was little they could do to conceal the return of his protruding belly, they made the decision to show a clip of him smoking while chatting to his generals during celebrations for the completion of 10,000 housing units, including an 80-story building.
The hermit kingdom, which views Mr Kim as a faultless deity, passed a tough new law just 18 months ago forbidding smoking in public places, so the images technically depict their dear leader breaking the law.
On top of the public health issue around smoking, North Korea has been grappling with severe food shortages, prompting Mr Kim to eat less 'for the sake of the country', government officials said last year.
Eyebrows were raised when photos and videos of the usually chubby despot looking gaunt last December, with speculation about his health after he had disappeared from public view for for months.
Mr Kim disappeared from public view between January and May last year. He returned 40lbs lighter looking 'emaciated', according to his own state television, sparking speculationg as to whether the weight loss was deliberate or due to illness.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was pictured during the opening ceremony of a new apartment block looking back to his usual obese weight and holding a cigarette
The country passed a tough new law just 18 months ago forbidding smoking in public places, a law which the dear leader continually flouts during all publicised events
After losing 40lbs last year, the 5ft 7in dictator appears to be back to near his usual 300lb weight
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released video of the chunky-once-again dictator attending the completion ceremony of major housing project to adoring crowds in Pyongyang
Hundreds of adoring North Koreans were in attendance to see the man they view as a living deity launch the ceremony for the major housing project
But these new images of a rotund Mr Kim would seem to dispel theories that the strongman had had a a gastric bypass procedure.
Mr Kim's weight ballooned to 300lbs soon after he came to power in 2013 after the death of his father, thought to be driven in large part from his love of Swiss cheese that he picked up while at school in Switzerland.
The 5ft 7in despot suffers from morbid obesity, prompting concerns about associated illnesses such as cardiac disease, secondary diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension and elevated cholesterol.
Kim, pictured above, looking slimmer than usual attending the 4th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in December 2021
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits a munitions factory producing what state media KCNA says is a 'major weapon system' in January 2022
On top of that, both his father, Kim Jong Il, and his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, both died of heart attacks. The health of the dictator is always a closely guarded state secret.
The impoverished, nuclear-armed country has been hit by severe flooding in recent years which has left families without homes and is currently tackling a food crisis as the nation struggles to feed itself amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
A North Korean resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'Telling us to endure hardship until 2025 is the same as telling us to starve to death'.
A second source claimed that the North Korean government is attempting to spin the food shortages as a result of their effective Covid-19 strategy, which they say has worked well.
The government has blamed external factors for their food shortages though, citing sanctions imposed on them, natural disasters and the global coronavirus pandemic.
State media and government officials have said that Kim Jong Un's apparent weight loss is symptomatic of his desire to 'eat less to help the country' amid the food shortages, and in August banned citizens from discussing it, labelling gossip as a 'reactionary act'.
Analysts say the remarks showed authorities were seeking to use the change to Kim's weight to reinforce loyalty to the regime in desperate times.
Daily Mail · by Walter Finch For Mailonline · April 12, 2022
18. South Korea’s Next Foreign Minister Finishes Fence-Mending Visit to Washington
The correct words in this sentence should be commader. The ROK/US Combined Forces Command will continue to answer to both countries' presidents through the Military Committee. The ROK government will not have control of US forces just as the US government does not have control of ROK forces now. It is time for the press, the pundits, the politicians, and the public to understand the ocmand structure and the command relationships. The ROK/US CFC will transition from a US general in command to a ROK general in command but there will be no change in the relationship of the command to both countries.
American commanders have said they need to stage war games with the South Koreans on the ground to be sure they’re sharp enough to stand up to a theoretical North Korean invasion and are ready for OPCON — the long-awaited transfer of operational control of forces in South Korea to a Korean commandER from an American commandER in time of war
South Korea’s Next Foreign Minister Finishes Fence-Mending Visit to Washington
Both sides clearly believe the president-elect will work to usher in a new era in U.S.-South Korean relations after sometimes strained ties with the government of the outgoing president, Moon Jae-in.
South Korea's president-elect, Yoon Suk-yeol. AP/Kim Hong-ji/pool
Sunday, April 10, 2022
11:51:39 am
WASHINGTON — The man whom the president-elect of South Korea is expected to name as foreign minister wound up today a fence-mending mission to Washington dedicated to reversing the downward trend of American-Korean relations and reviving rapport on dealing with North Korea.
Park Jin, a four-term member of South Korea’s National Assembly, in one full week here led his “transition team” in meetings with top American officials including the defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, a deputy secretary of state, Wendy Sherman, and members of Congress.
Mr. Park’s delegation bade farewell for the flight back to Seoul in an atmosphere of renewed friendship and approbation. Ms. Sherman, after her session with them, predicted that South Korea’s president-elect, Yoon Suk-yeol, “will be a terrific partner and ally of the United States.”
The enthusiasm was considerably more pronounced than would be expected in talks with a group that also included Cho Tae-yong, a former vice foreign minister whom the conservative Mr. Yoon is likely to name as ambassador to Washington. Both sides clearly believed Mr. Yoon will work to usher in a new era in U.S.-South Korean relations after sometimes strained ties with the government of the outgoing president, Moon Jae-in.
The mood was evident in the comments of Congressman Joe Wilson, the Republican of Carolina, after hosting a breakfast for Mr. Park and the other six members of his team.
“How fortunate we are,” Mr. Wilson enthused, citing the delegation as “one example of the difference between democracy of South Korea and the failure of communist, socialist totalitarianism of North Korea.” Having been “working with them,” he said, “I’m very happy for you.”
Mr. Park, a sophisticated talker who earned a doctorate from Oxford and lectured at Newcastle University in England, left no doubt that he and his colleagues were here to chart a new course in U.S.-Korean relations and to assure the Americans that Mr. Yoon meant it when he said during his campaign that he hoped to “rebuild” U.S.-Korean ties.
The feelings among policymakers on both sides were mutual. Mr. Park, whose team also had sessions with Washington think tanks, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Atlantic Council, was confident Washington “fully supports President-elect Yoon’s vision and determination” to guarantee “a comprehensive and strategic alliance.”
On the basis of all these conversations, he said, “We could actually see how many expectations the U.S. has for the incoming administration of Yoon Suk-yeol.”
One major topic was bolstering the U.S. military presence in South Korea with more “strategic assets.” The U.S. is not expected to increase the number of American GIs in the South from the current level of 28,500, but Mr. Park and his team talked to U.S. officials about sending more warplanes and Navy vessels on periodic exercises. “Deploying strategic assets is an important element of reinforcing the extended deterrence,” Mr. Park said. “The issue naturally came up.”
Will all the nice words stand the test of time?
Mr. Yoon, as he settles into his office, may still want to go slowly on policy shifts while weighing the likely response of an electorate that voted him into office by an extremely narrow margin, 0.73 percent, over the left-leaning Lee Jae-myung. Mr. Lee, like President Moon, advocated appeasement of North Korea by easing sanctions imposed by Washington and the United Nations in response to the North’s many missile tests and six underground nuclear tests.
Mr. Yoon, unlike Messrs. Moon or Lee, has fully endorsed Washington’s demands for “complete denuclearization” of North Korea as a prerequisite for any deal with Pyongyang. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, challenged the incoming Yoon government by ordering the test last month of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching any target in the U.S. and is likely to order more such tests. He may even order another nuclear test.
Washington’s special representative on North Korean issues, Sung Kim, said North Korea might conduct a nuclear test on April 15 to coincide with the 110th anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong-un’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung, who led the North Korean regime from its founding in 1948 until his death in 1994.
“North Korea may be tempted to take another provocative action,” Sung Kim told journalists. “It could be another missile launch; it could be a nuclear test.” He said: “We will be prepared,” but did not say how.
Coincidentally, as Mr. Yoon prepares to take office on May 10, the U.S. should soon be sending a new ambassador to South Korea. Philip Goldberg, whose appointment awaits Senate confirmation, brings broad experience in a number of postings, most recently ambassador to Colombia.
At his Senate confirmation hearing, Mr. Goldberg called Korea “the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” concluding, “My top priority will be to strengthen our ironclad alliance even as we expand the relationship’s regional and global reach.”
While American officials speak in much the same terms during all their visits to Korea, the words this time sounded more serious, less strained than before.
The initial test will come shortly after Mr. Yoon’s inauguration when American and South Korean troops are to stage joint military exercises. Mr. Yoon will have to decide whether the exercises will involve moving forces around large training areas or be conducted largely on computers. President Trump, after his summit with the North Korean leader in Singapore in June 2018, canceled joint exercises that year; Mr. Moon since then has approved highly limited war games, which North Korea routinely denounces.
American commanders have said they need to stage war games with the South Koreans on the ground to be sure they’re sharp enough to stand up to a theoretical North Korean invasion and are ready for OPCON — the long-awaited transfer of operational control of forces in South Korea to Korean command from American command in time of war.
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19. South Korea Picks Harvard-Educated Conservative as Top Diplomat
South Korea Picks Harvard-Educated Conservative as Top Diplomat
- Park Jin says Yoon’s new government will defend freedom
- Park to reshape diplomacy to play larger role, Yoon says
April 13, 2022, 2:25 AM EDT
South Korea’s president-elect picked a veteran lawmaker with experience in international relations to be his foreign minister, as he plans a hawkish course in diplomacy and closely aligns with Washington on North Korea and China.
Yoon Suk Yeol, who takes office on May 10, selected Park Jin to be the top diplomat for his new conservative government. Park showed a “high-level expertise” on diplomacy and security matters, Yoon said at a news conference Wednesday.
The president-elect, a former prosecutor and diplomatic novice, sent a delegation led by Park to Washington this month for meetings with U.S. officials aimed at recalibrating ties after outgoing progressive President Moon Jae-in sought rapprochement with Pyongyang and steered clear of backing policies that targeted China -- South Korea’s biggest trading partner.
If approved, Park could be tested quickly. North Korea is showing signs it might soon conduct its first nuclear test in five years. South Korean media is reporting that U.S. President Joe Biden could visit Seoul late in May, seeking the help of allies to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and provide a check to security threats posed by China.
Park, who tested positive for coronavirus after his trip to Washington, did not attend the news conference. In a text message to reporters, he said he would realize Yoon’s diplomatic vision to make South Korea play a role for “freedom, peace and prosperity.”
Park is a four-term conservative lawmaker who helped steer a trade deal with the U.S. through parliament more than a decade ago. He worked briefly for the foreign ministry early in his career and holds a degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Park, a close confidant on the campaign trail for Yoon, will also be facing a rift with Tokyo left from the Moon administration over disputes between the neighbors rooted in Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula. Yoon will likely call on Park to make good on his campaign pledge to participate in Biden’s supply chain initiative.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korea’s leader, threatened South Korea with a nuclear strike if it tried to attack, in what appeared to be an effort to justify future provocations to challenge Yoon. The president-elect said on the campaign trail he would be ready to launch a preemptive strike on the neighbor to the north to stop an impending attack.
20. S. Korea, U.S. begin preparatory drills ahead of major combined training
Good.
S. Korea, U.S. begin preparatory drills ahead of major combined training | Yonhap News Agency
SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States kicked off preliminary military drills on Tuesday ahead of their major springtime combined training later this month, Seoul officials said.
The allies began the four-day South Korea-led crisis management staff training (CMST) in the run-up to their command post training (CCPT) set to run from next Monday through April 28, according to the officials.
Led by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CMST is designed to practice a set of procedures to respond to possible pre-war crisis scenarios. The CCPT is a computer simulation training based on the allies' wartime contingency plans.
Observers said that the allies could consider staging field training as well amid concerns that North Korea could engage in provocative acts, such as the launch of another intercontinental ballistic missile or a nuclear test, in time for its major political events later this month.
The North is set to celebrate the 110th birth anniversary of its late founding leader Kim Il-sung on Friday and the founding anniversary of the North Korean People's Revolutionary Army on April 25.
The springtime training was initially planned for March but has been postponed to April due to last month's presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons.
(END)
V/R
David Maxwell
Senior Fellow
Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Phone: 202-573-8647
Twitter: @davidmaxwell161
FDD is a Washington-based nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.
