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Quotes of the Day:
"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to encourage my own abhorrence."
- Frederick Douglass
"I was ashamed of myself, when I realized life was a costume party; and I attended with my real face."
- Franz, Kafka
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius
1. N. Korea fires two ballistic missiles into East Sea: JCS
2. N. Korea invites Russian delegation to Victory Day ceremony
3. I would fight for South Korea again, says foreign veteran of Korean War
4. Strengthening ROK-US alliance for future
5. Kim Jong Un has no desire to let his country rejoin the world
6. North Korea calling South Korea by its official name ‘intended to offend’: intelligence authorities
7. N. Korea revs up festive mood ahead of Victory Day
8. N. Korea remains unresponsive to inquiries about US service member in custody: state dept.
9. Words for war: Seoul must weave new framework for peace
10. Conditions for NCG’s successful operation
11. S. Korea targets stockpiling 100 days' worth of rare metals
12. The 70th anniversary of the Korean armistice agreement
13. Long Diplomatic Wrangling Finally Led to Korean Armistice 70 Years Ago
14. BGT winner Colin Thackery to sing “Arirang” at the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Armistice Agreement in Busan
15. Will Korea be the loser in the resource war?
16. North Korea Hasn’t Answered U.S.’s Calls on Detained Soldier Travis King
1. N. Korea fires two ballistic missiles into East Sea: JCS
Should we expect a larger evern on the 27th in honor of the Armistice (or what the regime calls victory day)?
(LEAD) N. Korea fires two ballistic missiles into East Sea: JCS | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Duk-Kun Byun · July 25, 2023
(ATTN: UPDATES with more information; CHANGES headline, lead)
SEOUL, July 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea late Monday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
"Our military detected two ballistic missiles North Korea fired from areas near Pyongyang into the East Sea at 11:55 p.m. on the 24th and at midnight of the 25th," it said.
Both missiles flew about 400 kilometers before falling into the sea, it added.
The military is still analyzing the North's latest missile launch to determine the exact type of the missiles fired, according to the JCS.
The North's latest missile launch comes as a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine, USS Annapolis, arrived at a naval base in South Korea's southern island of Jeju as part of efforts to bolster joint deterrence against North Korea's evolving threats.
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday, followed by multiple cruise missile launches on Saturday.
North Korea fires a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 12, 2023, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guided the launch. The missile flew 1,001 kilometers for 4,491 seconds at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, the North said. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
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en.yna.co.kr · by Duk-Kun Byun · July 25, 2023
2. N. Korea invites Russian delegation to Victory Day ceremony
Victory Day. I wonder if Kim Jong Un and the other young elte know the truth about the war or if they really do believe the regime's own propaganda. Perhaps after 70 years they have collectively rewritten the history in everyone's minds.
(2nd LD) N. Korea invites Russian delegation to Victory Day ceremony | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · July 25, 2023
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details on Russian delegation; RESTRUCTURES)
By Lee Minji
SEOUL, July 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Tuesday it has invited a Russian military delegation for a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the 1950-53 Korean War this week in a rare invitation of foreign guests since the COVID-19 outbreak.
The announcement came a day after North Korea said a Chinese delegation will make a "congratulatory" visit on the occasion of the anniversary that falls on Thursday, celebrated as Victory Day in the North.
The Russian delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will visit the country in a move that will further develop their ties in "keeping with the demand of the times," according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The KCNA reported the previous day that a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, will visit the North to celebrate the anniversary.
This photo, carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 21, 2023, shows residents attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which the North celebrates as Victory Day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
The planned visits by the Chinese and Russian delegations mark rare cases of the secretive regime inviting foreign guests to the country since imposing rigid border lockdowns to protect against the pandemic.
Despite the partial resumption of cargo transportation between North Korea and China last year, Pyongyang has maintained strict control of people-to-people exchange across borders.
Prior to the Chinese delegation's invitation, the North had only allowed the entry of Ambassador Wang Yajun, Beijing's top envoy to Pyongyang, in March. Wang was appointed to the post in February 2021, but his arrival had been delayed due to the North's tight border control.
The visits also come as the North appears to have lifted its mask mandate this month.
An official at Seoul's unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, cautiously projected that the reclusive regime may be preparing to reopen its border after more than three years of lockdown.
"While it's too early to assess whether North Korea is fully reopening its border, there has been an overall easing of antivirus measures and signs of preparations to participate in an international sporting event," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
North Korea is set to take part in this year's Asian Games, scheduled to kick off in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, in late September.
The official said that the reopening of the North's border appears to be a matter of time, but stopped short of offering a clear time frame of when it might occur.
Observers speculate the North may utilize this year's celebrations, including a military parade, as a means to solidify domestic unity following a failed satellite launch in late May and continuing economic hardships.
Earlier in the day, the KCNA reported that celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Victory Day will be held as a "grand political festival to be specially recorded in the history of the country."
This photo, carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 21, 2023, shows residents attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which the North celebrates as Victory Day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · July 25, 2023
3. I would fight for South Korea again, says foreign veteran of Korean War
These words are not cliche- these men exemplify these words:
"...sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met."
I would fight for South Korea again, says foreign veteran of Korean War
The Korea Times · by 2023-07-25 16:31 | Defense · July 25, 2023
Korean War veterans raise their arms together during a joint interview with local media at a hotel in Seoul, Tuesday. From left are William Word from the United States, Edward Buckner from Canada and Colin Thackery from the United Kingdom. Yonhap
3 veterans from US, Canada, UK reflect on service with pride
By Lee Hyo-jin
William Word, a 91-year-old American, is among the tens of thousands of foreigners who answered South Korea's call for help when the Korean War broke out in 1950.
Word, who grew up on a farm in Booneville, Ark., joined the military after he graduated from high school. And after receiving basic military training, he was given a choice to be deployed either in Europe or the Far East.
Although he didn't even know where South Korea was, he volunteered to go there, a choice he does not regret seven decades later.
"If I had to do it again, I'll do it all over again. I would come over here again. I really would. It's so different here and the people are wonderful people," he said during a joint interview with local media at a hotel in Seoul, Tuesday.
The American veteran's most vivid memories in South Korea are the people he met in the villages. Of them, he is desperately looking for a man who he remembers as "Chang." The 12-year-old boy often came to Word's camp asking to do the soldiers' laundry and shine their shoes to support his own family.
"He didn't give in or give up. Up to this day, I've had thoughts and dreams and still think about him…By now, he should be in his 80s," said Word.
Delegates from 22 countries gather in South Korea for war anniversary
Word is among the 64 foreign veterans who were invited by South Korea's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for a six day visit from Monday to Saturday, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Armistice Agreement that halted the Korean War.
During their visit, the veterans will attend various ceremonies and programs, including a visit to the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjeom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
Edward Buckner, a Korean War veteran from Canada, shows photos of a South Korean boy who he remembers as "Cho Chock Song," during a joint interview in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Edward Buckner, a 91-year-old veteran from Canada, was also looking for a South Korean man who he remembers as "Cho Chock Song."
Although Buckner did not know his age, he assumed that the boy was younger than himself. Buckner was 19 at that time.
"He looked after our tent when we first moved into Busan while we're waiting to go up north to join the fighting. He looked after our tent and did a very good job," he said, showing reporters photos of Cho Chock Song.
Buckner got emotional when asked about memories he has about the war.
"I was blessed because I was at brigade headquarters all the time. So I was in contact with everything, knowing what was going on," he replied, shedding tears. "I'm so grateful that you took what you've got and made it what you have. It's a beautiful country."
Colin Thackery, a veteran from the United Kingdom, said he was amazed by how South Korea rose from the ashes of the war.
"When I got on the bus at the airport coming to Seoul for the first time, I was amazed because the last time we saw, it (the city) was flat. Now there's just hundreds and hundreds of towers of apartment blocks," Thackery told reporters.
"Now I congratulate the (South) Korean people on the success and the prosperity that they show now."
The 93-year-old British veteran, who rose to fame after winning "Britain's Got Talent" in 2019, was invited to sing the Korean folk song "Arirang" during a banquet marking the 70th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement to be held in Busan on Thursday.
Thackery said he learned the song by heart preparing for Thursday's performance, recalling the time he sang the tune with his comrades despite not knowing what the lyrics meant.
"Arirang brings a lot of memories…It's such a pretty tune. When we were out there, we were first told that it was a lullaby. Another time, people thought it was the national anthem," he said.
The Korea Times · by 2023-07-25 16:31 | Defense · July 25, 2023
4. Strengthening ROK-US alliance for future
Wise and important words from our good friend Chun In Bum.
Strengthening ROK-US alliance for future
The Korea Times · July 25, 2023
By Chun In-bum
This year holds immense significance for the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States as it marks the 70th anniversary of two pivotal events: the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement and the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. These historical milestones have shaped the enduring alliance between the two nations and continue to influence their cooperation and shared interests in the present day.
South Korea, while opposing the idea of an armistice, aspired to unify the Korean Peninsula through military means. Although this goal proved unrealistic, it laid the groundwork for negotiating the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, which provided the Republic of Korea with a secure environment conducive to gradual economic development. This paved the way for South Korea's transformation into a top-ten economic power and the establishment of a democratic system that upholds freedom of speech and human dignity.
Throughout the years, the evolving relationship between the United States and South Korea has navigated the realms of trade, politics and diplomacy, with the current consensus that this is an ironclad alliance. However, looking ahead, the alliance must mature and evolve further, and for that, understanding and trust must be enhanced.
First, Koreans must comprehend that the presence of the U.S. military on the Korean Peninsula is primarily to deter North Korean aggression. Yet, the United States Forces in Korea (USFK) remains a military asset that can and will be deployed to pursue broader U.S. national interests globally. This underscores the importance of acknowledging that nations prioritize their own interests, and Korea must be prepared for situations where U.S. priorities may shift.
South Korea's journey towards political democracy and industrialization was facilitated by various forms of assistance from the U.S., with American soldiers stationed in Korea playing a pivotal role in providing necessary stability for its democratic and economic development. However, over time, South Korean society has become overly reliant on U.S. military support, leading to concerns about indifference to security matters. For the alliance to remain robust, both Korea and the United States must address this issue and foster a balanced approach to security.
It's essential for Korean politicians to prioritize the security and defense of the country over political gain. When security issues are politicized, it can lead to decisions being made based on political considerations rather than what is best for the nation's security.
A notable example of this is the realistic training of Korean and U.S. troops charged with defending Korea. Given the complexity of modern military systems, constant proficiency is crucial, and live fire shooting exercises, especially at night, are vital for maintaining readiness. However, issues related to safety and noise have posed significant obstacles to conducting such training.
To address this, Korean society must be willing to make sacrifices and compensate those who live close to the training areas. Ensuring that Korean and U.S. troops can conduct day and night shooting exercises without hindrance is essential to their preparedness to execute their missions effectively.
By depoliticizing security matters and focusing on the practical needs of the military, the alliance between Korea and the U.S. can be strengthened, and both countries can better ensure the security and defense of the region. A collaborative and cooperative approach is necessary to overcome challenges and maintain the highest level of readiness for the troops involved.
For the United States, it should recognize the true value of the Republic of Korea, which has emerged as a symbol of U.S. foreign policy success and a valuable ally in the Indo-Pacific region. Korea's contributions in economics, information, military and space domains are increasingly critical to U.S. national interest, including supply chain, trade and new technologies.
In conclusion, the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance marks a momentous occasion that celebrates the triumphs and challenges faced by both nations over the years. As we commemorate the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement and the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, we must recognize the profound historical significance of these events in shaping the enduring bond between our countries.
As we look to the future, it is essential for both the United States and South Korea to recommit ourselves to fostering a robust and healthy alliance. This endeavor requires a shared understanding, mutual trust and a dedication to addressing the challenges that lie ahead. We must recognize the sacrifices made on both sides to achieve this enduring relationship and appreciate the strategic significance of our partnership.
Moreover, acknowledging the responsibilities and contributions of each nation is vital. South Korea must strike a balance between self-reliance and continued cooperation, while the United States should value and support Korea's growing role as a critical partner in economics, technology and regional stability.
To ensure the longevity and strength of our alliance, we must confront the obstacles together, such as evolving security threats, changes in regional dynamics, and shifting geopolitical interests. By bolstering realistic training for our defense forces and addressing public perceptions, we can further solidify the foundations of our partnership.
The 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance marks not only a time of reflection but also an opportunity to envision a brighter and more secure future for both our nations. With understanding, trust and cooperation as our guiding principles, this enduring alliance will undoubtedly continue to serve the national interests of both the United States and the Republic of Korea for generations to come.
Chun In-bum (truechun9@gmail.com) served as a lieutenant general of the ROK Army and commander of Special Forces Korea.
The Korea Times · July 25, 2023
5. Kim Jong Un has no desire to let his country rejoin the world
Rejoin? When was it ever a part of the real world?
The bottom line is the Korean people in the north suffer because of the deliberate policy decisions made by Kim Jong Un. Sanctions, natural disasters, failed economy, poor harvests - nothing is causing suffering like Kim Jong Un.
The root of all problems in Korea is the existence of the most evil mafia- like crime family cult known as the Kim family regime that has the objective of dominating the Korean Peninsula under the rule of the Guerrilla Dynasty and Gulag State. Until we understand and acknowledge this we will never develop effective policies and strategy.
Kim Jong Un has no desire to let his country rejoin the world
Ongoing pandemic-era seclusion hurts North Koreans—but suits their dictator
The Economist
SECLUSION FROM the world has long been a guiding principle for the rulers of North Korea, a secretive hereditary dictatorship. Kim Jong Un, the current despot, took isolation to a new level during the covid-19 pandemic. The border with China, crucial for formal as well as illicit North Korean trade, was slammed shut, with the construction of a formidable new border fence and shoot-to-kill orders against anyone attempting to cross. Travel to North Korea, already a niche pursuit at best, ceased completely. Foreign diplomats, aid workers and businesspeople left the country in droves. In contrast to other parts of the world, the shutdown continued after the pandemic. The only people thought to have officially entered North Korea in nearly three and a half years are the Chinese ambassador and a handful of his staff.
In recent weeks speculation has grown that seclusion may at last be easing. The rumours have been fuelled by Chinese customs statistics, satellite imagery and reports from the border that suggest a modest uptick in trade between China and North Korea. Yet expectations that the regime has any serious plans to give up its splendid isolation are probably misguided. Being locked down and shut off from the world for years has been painful for ordinary North Koreans, many of whom depend on informal domestic trade or illicit exchange with China for their livelihoods.
Mr Kim, by contrast, has thrived. Pandemic-era controls have allowed him to extend his power over party and people. They have also helped him advance the country’s nuclear programme far from the prying eyes of the world, distracted by the war in Ukraine and America’s tetchy relationship with China. He will probably attempt to hang on to some form of that control for as long as he possibly can.
Germophobic and xenophobic, Mr Kim handled the pandemic with a paranoid vigilance. The new threat of the virus and the old one of perceived enemies, notably “imperialist” America and its “puppets” in South Korea, commingled. Kim Yo Jong, the dictator’s trusted sister, accused the South of spreading the virus via balloons released by local activists to carry anti-regime leaflets across the border. She threatened to respond “not only by exterminating the virus but also wiping out the South Korean authorities”.
Three and a half years after the pandemic began, there are few credible signs that this attitude has changed. True, the rest of the world seems impatient for the hermit kingdom to reopen. International-aid agencies are preparing to send staff back to the country. In Japan a pro-North Korean newspaper is advertising tours. Much is made of reports that traders in Hyesan, one of three hubs for China-North Korea trade, are gearing up to handle higher volumes of goods. Yet Mr Kim has given no official indication that he plans to ease controls.
Given past hyper-vigilance, the reticence is hardly surprising. Why should Mr Kim rush things? Jeongmin Kim of NK News, a leading website tracking North Korea, emphasises the disadvantages to the regime of having bothersome foreigners back. They snoop around where they can—ready, among other things, to point to the threadbare state of the economy.
Indeed, ordinary North Koreans have been the main victims of pandemic controls. The border closure and domestic covid-era edicts put an end to much of the informal trading that was a lifeline to millions. There are reports of street vendors and pullers of delivery carts being summarily apprehended and sent to the gulag. The number of the malnourished has risen by some 10% compared with the early days of the pandemic, reckons the World Food Programme.
Yet the welfare of his people is a secondary concern for the leader. Control ranks higher, points out Aidan Foster-Carter, another Korea-watcher. The pandemic-era emergency has given Mr Kim cover to expand control over all aspects of life in the country. He has continued to streamline party organisation, and has forced the powerful army to defer more to the party. Backtracking on market liberalisation, he has recentralised prices and steered more food distribution into state-run shops.
Mr Kim’s expansion of control is making North Korea more alarming for the world. For whatever meagre surpluses can be squeezed from the economy flow into boosting the dictator’s nuclear programme, a family obsession for three generations. Profits from the armed forces’ many money-making activities can be appropriated for the same purpose. Mr Kim also controls the revenues from the state’s criminal activities, including cyber-theft, which American officials say may fund as much as half the weapons programme.
The North’s arsenal has increased in size and grown more diverse. New kit has been tried out, and missile launches now also test for operational readiness. Reputable estimates of the nuclear stockpile range from enough for 20 to 116 weapons and growing. Last year the regime tested a record number of missiles. On July 12th it launched a second test of the Hwasong-18, its first solid-fuel missile capable of reaching America. Yet the launch barely registered in many Western capitals. Between Ukraine and China, America and its allies have bigger problems.
North Korea has not detonated a nuclear device since 2017. If it conducts its seventh nuclear test soon, that may indicate that Mr Kim’s boffins have achieved their long-desired miniaturisation of a nuclear warhead to fit on a missile. He would then boast both strategic and tactical (that is, useful on the battlefield) nuclear weapons, as well as the means for a first- and second-strike capability against America and South Korea. Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC, says that this undermines the credibility of the allies’ claim that any use of nukes by the North would lead to the annihilation of the regime. In time, that might tempt Mr Kim to use his weapons.
There are worryingly few checks left on him. China and Russia used to join UN sanctions against North Korea. But since it loudly supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, they have had Mr Kim’s back. Both countries now block fresh resolutions against North Korea at the UN. They undoubtedly help Mr Kim evade existing sanctions.
America and its allies are hardly more of a roadblock. Yoon Suk-yeol, the hawkish president of South Korea, has no interest in engaging with the North. Meanwhile President Joe Biden’s insistence that any American engagement must involve the North putting its nukes on the table is, for Mr Kim, a non-starter. Better to wait to see if Donald Trump, whom Mr Kim charmed at their meeting in Singapore in 2018, returns to the White House.
At some point, North Korea may feel the need to engage again with the world. For now, Mr Kim can sit back. Among the few known knowns about his activities, gleaned from satellite imagery, is that he has extended his seaside resort on the east coast, and has been spending time drifting about on his luxury yachts. ■
The Economist
6. North Korea calling South Korea by its official name ‘intended to offend’: intelligence authorities
Let me repeat what I wrote the other day about this to reinforce the NIS comments. Perhaps we should be responding along these lines in an information campaign.
"Republic of Korea" and "ROK" are in quotes. Hardly seems like a sign of respect for ROK sovereignty. I would respond with a description of the DPRK: "The DPRK name itself is a lie: it is not democratic; it is not a republic, and it certainly does not belong to the Korean people. This is the contradiction that is north Korea – it is not a country of any world stature – it is merely the prison run by an evil regime that holds captive 25 million Koreans." Just saying.
[Exclusive] North Korea calling South Korea by its official name ‘intended to offend’: intelligence authorities
koreaherald.com · by Kim Arin · July 25, 2023
Recent statements by Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea, show a “clear intention to be offensive,” according to a document released by South Korean national intelligence authorities Tuesday.
In a series of statements issued earlier this month, Kim Yo-jong referred to South Korea as the Republic of Korea, in a rare move which some -- including defector-turned-lawmaker Rep. Tae Yong-ho -- have interpreted as North Korea recognizing South Korea as an independent nation.
In a July 13 plenary session of the National Assembly’s unification committee, Tae said that the use of the official name may be North Korea’s way of “re-establishing its relations with South Korea as two separate nations.”
South Korean intelligence authorities, however, dismissed this interpretation in a document seen by The Korea Herald.
Intelligence authorities said that in North Korea’s statements, the Republic of Korea was put in quotation marks, while the US was used without quotation marks. In official statements, North Korea has typically used quotation marks to mock or ridicule, the intelligence authorities noted
The ”Republic of Korea” was also used adjacent to derisive expressions such as “treasonous group” and “bully.” In one instance, the statement said that the “‘Republic of Korea’ is acting as a stool pigeon for the US.”
The use of the South’s official name is also believed to have been part of a strategy to confuse Seoul by eliciting multiple interpretations, including one suggesting North Korea was seeking to co-exist peacefully as an independent nation.
The intelligence authorities said so far there was no evidence to suggest there has been a change in North Korea’s perception of the South as a possible target of nuclear attack and a land to re-claim through force.
North Korea’s use of South Korea’s official name is “clearly intended to offend,” and earlier interpretations that North Korea was trying to re-establish its identity as a separate nation “do not hold credibility” based on the available evidence, intelligence authorities concluded.
By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)
koreaherald.com · by Kim Arin · July 25, 2023
7. N. Korea revs up festive mood ahead of Victory Day
Maybe Kim Jong Un and the regime elite are in a festive mood but I doubt the Korean people given the very high level of suffering they are experiencing.
I am reminded of Ranger Instructor Sergeant Pugh standing on the PT platform at Ranger school bellowing at the top of his lungs to us Ranger school students that "False motivation will get you nowhere." That may have been true for us as students, but for the Korean people in the north it is a survival mechanism.
(LEAD) N. Korea revs up festive mood ahead of Victory Day | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · July 25, 2023
(ATTN: ADDS details, assessment by unification ministry official in last six paras)
SEOUL, July 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will hold a grand ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, state media reported Tuesday, including celebrations that will bring its first known official foreign guests in years.
North Korea is set to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, signed July 27, 1953, this week. The North refers to the conflict as the Great Fatherland Liberation War and the day of the armistice signing as Victory Day.
"Celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Great Fatherland Liberation War will be held in a grand manner that will go down in history in the capital city of Pyongyang," the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
The KCNA said the event will serve as a "meaningful occasion to powerfully boast the unwavering belief and will of all people, soldiers and new generations who will continue to take the past 70 years of glory of shielding victory to the next 700 and 7,000 years."
This photo, carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 21, 2023, shows residents attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which the North celebrates as Victory Day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
Observers speculate the North may utilize this year's celebrations, including a military parade, as a means to solidify domestic unity following a failed satellite launch in late May and continuing economic hardships.
It also comes as the North appears to have lifted its mask mandate this month. It even invited a Chinese delegation led by Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, to the upcoming ceremony.
The invitation, which the KCNA announced late Monday, marks the first known case in which the secretive regime has officially invited foreign guests to the country since imposing rigid border lockdowns to protect against the pandemic.
Prior to the Chinese delegation's invitation, the North had allowed the entry of Ambassador Wang Yajun, Beijing's top envoy to Pyongyang, in March. Wang was appointed to the post in February 2021, but his arrival had been delayed due to the North's tight border control.
Despite the partial resumption of cargo transportation between North Korea and China last year, Pyongyang has maintained strict control of people-to-people exchange across borders.
An official at Seoul's unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, cautiously projected that the reclusive regime may be preparing to reopen its border after more than three years of lockdown.
"While it's too early to assess whether North Korea is fully reopening its border, there has been an overall easing of antivirus measures and signs of preparations to participate in an international sporting event," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
North Korea is set to take part in this year's Asian Games, scheduled to kick off in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, in late September.
The official said that the reopening of the North's border appears to be a matter of time, but stopped short of offering a clear time frame of when it might occur.
This photo, carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 21, 2023, shows residents attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which the North celebrates as Victory Day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
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en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Minji · July 25, 2023
8. N. Korea remains unresponsive to inquiries about US service member in custody: state dept.
N. Korea remains unresponsive to inquiries about US service member in custody: state dept.
koreaherald.com · by Yonhap · July 25, 2023
By Yonhap
Published : Jul 25, 2023 - 09:13 Updated : Jul 25, 2023 - 09:13
State Department Press Secretary Matthew Miller at a daily department press briefing in Washington on Monday (Yonhap)
The United States has not had any substantive response from North Korea about the safety of a US service member who crossed the inter-Korean border into the reclusive state last week, a state department spokesperson said Monday.
Matthew Miller also said the North has not responded to any requests, including those from United Nations Command, to confirm the whereabouts or well-being of the US soldier.
"It is my understanding that there has been no new communication since last week. communications that happened in the early days," the department spokesperson told a daily press briefing when asked if there has been any communication with North Korea.
The US service member, identified as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, crossed the military demarcation line at the Joint Security Area in the demilitarized zone on Tuesday.
The deputy commander of the UNC was earlier reported as saying that a "conversation has commenced" with North Korea over Pvt. King.
Miller dismissed reports that the North has responded to UNC's messages.
"I think the reports may have resulted from a misinterpretation of the UN Command's original statement, but I will leave it to them to discuss the details of that. But I'm not aware of any new communications, other than those that happened in the very early hours or early days after he (King) went across the border," he said.
"On the UN side, my understanding is that the North Koreans acknowledged they received the message. I'll let you decide whether that constitutes an actual response or not," added Miller. "On our side, as I said last week, we have a number of channels through which we are able to send messages to them. We have delivered the messages to North Korea, but we have as yet not received a response." (Yonhap)
9. Words for war: Seoul must weave new framework for peace
The paradox of Korean feelings: On the one hand some want guarantees that the US will use nuclear weapons in support of extended deterrence. On the other hand others fear the US will conduct military action without consultation. Some fear the US will not be aggressive while others feel it will not be aggressive enough.
Words for war
The Korea Times · July 25, 2023
Seoul must weave new framework for peace
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea late Monday.
The North's latest missile launches come as a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine, the USS Annapolis, arrived at a naval base on Jeju Island.
However, few major Western media outlets published the news as of Tuesday morning (KST). Instead, their primary interest regarding North Korea remained a U.S. soldier, a seeming military misfit and/or petty offender, who willfully crossed the border to enter the North last week.
All this shows that Pyongyang's missile provocations no longer make news as inter-Korean accusations and threats escalate and become routine events. The North launched 65 missiles last year, more than once a week on average.
Still, a top U.S. military official went too far recently.
"I think that the Korean situation is an area that the United States could ― I'm not saying it will, but 'could' ― find itself in a state of war, you know, within a few days, with very little notice," Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during an interview with Japanese media outlets.
International politics experts here said Milley's intention was probably to highlight America's commitment to maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, according to a Korea Times story. We agree. But the same experts said he should have been "more prudent" with his words. We also agree with that view. Milley also described the North Korean leader as "unpredictable." We agree ― again.
Now, put yourself in your opponent's shoes.
Would it be too far-fetched to imagine that some persecution maniacs in Pyongyang, including Kim Jong-un, interpret Milley's remarks as America saying it "could" strike them within a few days and with very little notice?
These maniacs have reasons to think so from at least two past episodes.
In 1994, the Bill Clinton administration planned to bomb the North's nuclear facilities but canceled it. Former President Kim Young-sam told Clinton he would "not send a single South Korean soldier" to a war between America and North Korea. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter later met with Kim Il-sung to defuse tensions.
In 2017, Donald Trump talked frequently, if privately, about preemptive attacks on the North while not ruling out the use of nuclear bombs, according to a New York Times report. His chief of staff, John Kelly, dissuaded his boss, citing economic reasons. Former President Moon Jae-in later arranged summits between Trump and Kim Jong-un.
In both cases, South Korea had not known about the U.S. schemes. Democrats or Republicans, the U.S. leaders "could" hit the North without consultations with Seoul. This divided peninsula managed to avoid catastrophe thanks to a few wise and reasonable figures on both sides of the Pacific.
What if a similar situation occurs now? Do Koreans and Americans have the likes of Kim Young-sam, Carter, Kelly or Moon?
Hardly. Instead, they have Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol. Biden is not as "whimsical" as Trump but no less hostile ― rather callous ― toward Pyongyang. Yoon demonstrated last week he would back any U.S. move against the North on a nuclear-powered U.S. submarine, which can carry "1,600 atomic bombs" equivalent to those that hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Yoon described the inter-Korean detente under his predecessor as based on "fake peace" depending on the North's goodwill. However, most Koreans, South and North, felt at ease at the time. Yoon believes only in peace based on absolute superiority of power as "genuine peace." But most South Koreans feel growing unease, as shown during a false alarm on May 31.
July 27 is the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Artists will issue a "peace declaration" near the inter-Korean border. About three weeks later, leaders of the U.S., Japan and South Korea will meet at Camp David. What Yoon should do at the meeting is not just discuss a trilateral strategy against Pyongyang but also initiate a peace process for this peninsula.
A president's first constitutional duty is to protect the people's safety and reunite the two Koreas "peacefully."
The Korea Times · July 25, 2023
10. Conditions for NCG’s successful operation
PV2 King's "defection" at Panmunjom seems to have overshadowed most news reporting of the NCG.
One of the most important tasks for the NCG is to develop a sound information program to inform and educate the public in the ROK and US about the efforts of the NCG. The critics and the media will be demanding that every meeting produce a new "success" in terms of extended deterrence. And of course the main information effort has to be directed to influence Kim Jong Un, thelite, and the second tier military leaders about the consequences for any use of WMD.
Tuesday
July 25, 2023
dictionary + A - A
Published: 25 Jul. 2023, 20:11
Updated: 25 Jul. 2023, 20:12
Conditions for NCG’s successful operation
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/07/25/opinion/columns/NCG-meeting-South-Korea/20230725201157033.html
Cho Nam-hoon
The author is a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.
The first meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) between South Korea and the United States was held in Seoul on June 18. The core consultative body between Seoul and Washington to discuss measures to ensure the extended deterrence has finally kicked off. This NCG meeting is held in accordance with the Washington Declaration, which was agreed to at the Korea-U.S. summit in April to enhance the reliability of the U.S. nuclear umbrella and expand related measures. At the time, the agreement focused on the principles and broad framework of the extended deterrence by leaving detailed action plans to be fixed through the following NCG meetings.
The Washington Declaration was the best possible option satisfying both South Korea and the U.S. in the circumstance where redeploying tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula had little operational benefit. Through the meeting, South Korea can deepen its understanding of America’s decision-making process on nuclear use and help raise efficiency in deterring and responding to the North’s nuclear provocation. On its part, the U.S. can continue its non-proliferation policy by limiting the possibility of South Korea developing nuclear weapons on its own.
But the Washington Declaration does not completely guarantee the flawless and effective provision of extended deterrence by the U.S. It requires efforts to make the Washington Declaration — a general framework — take a concrete form with detailed follow-up measures. This is why the Korea-U.S. NCG meeting is very important.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, speaks before South Korea and the United States have their first Nuclear Consultative Group meeting on July 18 in the presidential office in Seoul. To the left of the president is Kurt Campbell, the White House National Security Council coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, and to the right of the president is Cho Tae-yong, the National Security Adviser to Yoon.
With the first NCG meeting held in Seoul, the two allies have taken their meaningful first step toward realizing the “Korea-U.S. integrated extended deterrence.” The timely arrival of the USS Kentucky — an Ohio-class U.S. strategic nuclear submarine — at Busan Harbor backs it up. In the future, both countries must focus their efforts on finding the best way to deter, and respond to, North Korean nuclear threats. To do so, both sides are required to take the following steps.
First, South Korea’s participation in the nuclear decision-making process should be visualized at a faster pace through the NCG. To this end, close information sharing and joint planning between the two must be carried out after establishing required systems. The NCG is the world’s first bilateral nuclear consultative body, which is distinct from the multilateral nuclear-sharing system between the U.S. and NATO. South Korea and the U.S. must establish a system that can demonstrate its own strengths while referring to NATO’s case. To this end, South Korea’s prior participation in the process of discussing sensitive issues — such as the target, means and scale of nuclear use — must be fully guaranteed even if the U.S. president makes the final decision in case of emergency.
Second, both sides must conduct various simulations on possible emergencies. No matter who uses them, nuclear weapons can trigger massive ramifications on various scenarios. So both sides must prepare in advance for what problems may arise and how to respond.
Therefore, military personnel from both countries must participate in the execution of various simulations. But most of all, we need a simulation participated in by top-level policymakers of Seoul and Washington. This is because the understanding and determination of the highest-level policymakers of both allies is crucial to the actual use of nukes.
Nuclear response by the U.S. is not simply a military issue. It is a problem that requires justification for its use or persuasion for nonuse. The important thing is that the trust of the alliance must never be broken under any circumstances. It is necessary for the top policymakers to mutually understand the situation and learn the procedures based on military, policy and political factors.
Lastly, South Korea also must establish its own nuclear response system that corresponds to NCG activities. It is not easy for North Korea, which is well aware of South Korea’s economic and warfare capabilities, to use nuclear weapons against the South despite a possibility of going to war. So, if the U.S. extended deterrence functions flawlessly, the possibility of the North using nuclear weapons is not that high.
Nevertheless, we have to thoroughly prepare for a possible contingency in which the North has to use nuclear weapons against all odds. The military must advance the Korean-style three axis system — comprised of the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike system, the Korean Air and Missile Defense system, and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan — while the government must establish a nuclear response training system, which includes the possibility of nuclear attacks from the North.
The public also must actively participate in civil defense drills to prepare for a large-scale nuclear attack. We must build a triangle of civil, government and military measures for effective nuclear deterrence and response measures that can be used for exercises.
The first NCG meeting ended smoothly despite the North’s show of force, including the firing of an ICBM. At the next NCG meeting, South Korea and the U.S. must come up with necessary supplementary measures to counter North Korea’s mounting nuclear threats.
Translation by the Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
11. S. Korea targets stockpiling 100 days' worth of rare metals
S. Korea targets stockpiling 100 days' worth of rare metals
donga.com
Posted July. 25, 2023 08:04,
Updated July. 25, 2023 08:04
S. Korea targets stockpiling 100 days' worth of rare metals. July. 25, 2023 08:04. kalssam35@donga.com.
The South Korean government increased the stockpiling target of rare metals to 100 days of use (180 days for some rare-earth elements and cobalt) for a quick response to a crisis in the global supply chain. However, there is only six days’ worth of lithium reserve, which is used to manufacture secondary batteries, one of the future growth drivers.
Meanwhile, the budget to buy rare metals decreased by about 24 percent this year compared to a year ago. There is a growing voice that the government should have a secure supply of major metals to minimize potential issues that can be faced by companies as countries with metal reserves are weaponizing their resources.
According to the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation’s data received by Rep. Lee Jong-bae of the People Power Party on Monday, the lithium reserve as of the end of May was the amount for 5.8 days of use, which is only six percent of the government’s target. If there is any shock to the supply chain, for example, export control by countries exporting lithium to South Korea, the government’s lithium reserve will run out in less than a month. Lithium is a key material for second batteries and is also called ‘white oil.’ According to the International Energy Agency, lithium demand in 2040 is expected to increase by 40 times compared to that in 2020.
The reserve of cobalt, which is used for electric vehicles’ batteries, is only for 12.4 days of use, while the government’s target is 180 days. According to the industry’s calculation, it takes 90 to 100 days on average for companies to run out of their metal inventory and recover the normal level. If China, the biggest cobalt exporter, decides to control its export, the South Korean battery industry may experience issues in production for over two months.
The current gallium reserve was for 40 days of use, which is less than half of the government’s target. The metal, which is used for advanced semiconductors and solar cells for photovoltaic panels, is one of the metals that the Chinese government included in its list of metals subject to export control on July 3. For a Chinese company to export gallium, it should report detailed information about a foreign buyer and get approved by the Ministry of Commerce of China.
What’s problematic is insufficient budget. The Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation received a government contribution of 37,232 million won this year to purchase rare metals, which is 23.7 percent less than the previous year’s contribution of 48,791 million won. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy believes that the budget for rare metals should expand to 100 billion won to meet the targets. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are discussing relevant budget expansion.
한국어
donga.com
12. The 70th anniversary of the Korean armistice agreement
Given how north and South Korea have turned out 70 years after the Armistice Agreement, it is South Korea that could rightly celebrate this as "Victory Day."
So I was asked to write a letter for an NGO (Defense Forum FOundation https://defenseforumfoundation.org/north-korea/474-send-you-message-to-the-north-korean-people-on-free-north-korea-radio.html )that sends messages from Americans to Koreans in the north. Let me share my message as I think it is appropriate for 70th Anniversary of the Armistice as it compares the north and South:
Dear Korean friends in the north,
I am a retired American soldier who has spent more than 30 years living and working on the Korean peninsula to help prevent war and preserve freedom for all Koreans. I admire and respect the Korean people with their long proud history. The division of the peninsula pains me as I see two starkly different sides of the DMZ. The Republic of Korea is a Global Pivotal State that chooses to be a peaceful nuclear power, a partner in the arsenal of democracy, a champion for human rights, and a nation that supports the rules based international order. In the north I see the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that is a failed state and a pariah that is universally despised due to the inept and corrupt Workers Party of Korea that causes the unbearable suffering of the Korean people in the north because it prioritizes dangerous but poor quality nuclear weapons and missiles that often fail over the welfare of people. The ROK uses its superior nuclear power to provide light to the free Koreans in the South and to other countries around the world while the Kim family regime sacrifices the health and welfare of the captive Korean people in the north simply to try to blackmail the world with nuclear threats. We know that the reason the Korean people in the north survive is because of their sheer will to live, their ingenuity, and the markets they have developed. The DPRK name itself is a lie: it is not democratic; it is not a republic, and it certainly does not belong to the Korean people. This is the contradiction that is north Korea – it is not a country of any world stature – it is merely the prison run by an evil regime that holds captive 25 million Koreans. I long for the day when all Koreans will be free and live on a unified peninsula that has a liberal constitutional form of government based on freedom and individual liberty, free market economic principles, universal human rights, and the rule of law as determined by the Korean people. It should be called a United Republic of Korea – UROK.
The 70th anniversary of the Korean armistice agreement
donga.com
Posted July. 25, 2023 08:02,
Updated July. 25, 2023 08:02
The 70th anniversary of the Korean armistice agreement. July. 25, 2023 08:02. .
There is a bridge called Seungil Bridge in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. Construction began in 1948 when it was located above the 38th parallel, which was North Korea. The Korean War began before the bridge was completed, halting the construction. After the war, the area became part of South Korea. The South Korean government finished the remaining work, and the bridge opened in December 1958. As a result, the bridge combines North Korean-style construction methods, which received technology from the Soviet Union, and South Korean-style construction methods. The name Seungil Bridge is a combination of Syngman Rhee's "Seung" and Kim Il Sung's "Il."
I had visited this bridge 20 years ago. I remembered learning in my old textbooks that during the Japanese occupation, the industry was heavily concentrated in the North. I wondered if the bridge reflected that gap. I'm not an engineer, and it's impossible to tell the difference in engineering technology with the naked eye. However, from the outside, the North Korean part of the bridge looked more unsophisticated and rougher. If you think about it, even during the Japanese occupation, although some special facilities were located in North Korea, such as the Nitrogen Fertilizer Factory in Heungnam, and the Sup'ung Dam, you can't judge the overall level of engineering based on that alone. Even then, Seoul was the center of the economy, culture, and education, and overall, South Korea had more historical and cultural depth than North Korea.
This is what I contemplated 20 years ago while standing on Seungil Bridge. Even if it might have been a subjective impression and perhaps a misjudgment from a professional standpoint, the disparity between North and South Korea has grown exponentially since then. Nonetheless, it's essential to acknowledge that North Korea is not devoid of progress in every aspect. We share a common heritage and historical roots, both embarking on the 20th century with comparable traditions and capabilities. It poses a significant threat with its formidable advancements in nuclear weapons, missiles, and rockets.
But on so many fronts, the gap between the two sides has widened significantly, and now we must worry about whether and how we will overcome these gaps, even if we are reunified. July 27 marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean armistice agreement. Questions and answers about reunification, division, and war come and go. Someone asks: What is the biggest obstacle to reunification? More concerning than the widening gap between North and South Korea is the sentimental and emotional approach. If reunification is the nation's absolute task, a cold and scientific approach is the only way.
한국어
donga.com
13. Long Diplomatic Wrangling Finally Led to Korean Armistice 70 Years Ago
Long Diplomatic Wrangling Finally Led to Korean Armistice 70 Years Ago
defense.gov · by David Vergun
The Korean Armistice Agreement, signed on July 27, 1953, was the culmination of many months of bickering between officials from the United States, North Korea, South Korea, China, the former Soviet Union and United Nations forces.
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when communist North Korean troops invaded South Korea. The U.S. and U.N. quickly moved troops and equipment into South Korea to prevent the country from being overrun.
"We could not stand idly by and allow the communist imperialists to assume that they were free to go into Korea or elsewhere. This challenge had to be met — and it was met. It had to be met without plunging the world into general war," wrote former President Harry S. Truman in his 1956 book "Memoirs."
Military Meeting
North Korean and U.S. militaries attempt to iron out an armistice at Panmunjom in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, October 1951.
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The fighting over the next few months or so was fluid, with large swaths of the Korean peninsula being overrun first by North Korean forces, then by U.N. forces and later by North Korean and Chinese forces who crossed into Korea in the fall of 1950.
By the late spring of 1951, the battle lines had stabilized around the area of the 38th Parallel, which had previously divided the two Koreas prior to the invasion.
On June 23, 1951, with no further progress in sight for communist forces, the Soviet Union, which backed North Korea, called for armistice talks.
The U.S. and U.N. were amenable, and armistice talks began July 10, 1951, at Kaesong, which is in the southern part of North Korea near today’s demilitarized zone.
However, there were some major sticking points that the two sides could not agree on.
First and foremost was the prisoner exchange policy. U.S. diplomats, led by Secretary of State Dean Acheson, and U.N diplomats wanted a exchange that allowed the prisoners to decide if they wanted to be exchanged.
Korean War Armistice
Army Lt. Gen. William Harrison Jr., seated left, and North Korea Gen. Nam Il, seated right, sign the Korean War Armistice at Panmunjom on the Korean Demilitarized Zone, July 27, 1953.
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The communists demurred on this point, desiring all prisoners to be returned, even if it meant involuntarily repatriation.
"It was here that the most serious wrangling began, and it was here also that I insisted that we could not give ground," Truman wrote in his book.
"Communism is a system that has no regard for human dignity or human freedom, and no right-thinking government can give its consent to the forcible return to such a system of men or women who would rather remain free." Truman wrote.
This sticking point resulted in the communists breaking off negotiations on Aug. 23, 1951.
Another roadblock to an armistice was South Korea’s President Syngman Rhee wanting U.N. forces to help South Korea take over the entire peninsula.
U.N. forces continued to put pressure on communist forces, leading the communists to resume talks Oct. 25, 1951, at Panmunjom, which now straddles the Demilitarized Zone.
After lengthy haggling with no lack of progress, the U.N. delegation declared an indefinite recess to armistice talks on Oct. 8, 1952.
Korean War Armistice
North Korean leader Kim Il Sung signs the Korean War Armistice at Panmunjom on the Korean Demilitarized Zone, July 27,1953.
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On Jan. 20, 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower was sworn in as U.S. president. Like Truman, he hoped for a diplomatic solution, and, once again, armistice talks began on April 26, 1953.
Three months later, all sides — except for South Korea — agreed to the armistice.
The armistice was signed by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William Harrison Jr. and U.S. Army Gen. Mark W. Clark, representing the United Nations Command; North Korean leader Kim Il Sung and Gen. Nam Il, representing the Korean army; and Peng Dehuai, representing the China’s People's Volunteer Army.
The armistice established the DMZ, put into force a cease-fire, and finalized the repatriation of POWs who wished to be repatriated.
About 82,500 Chinese and North Korean POWs chose to go home, while 50,000 decided to stay in South Korea or go to other democratic nations.
Spotlight: Commemorating the Korean War Spotlight: Commemorating the Korean War: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/korean-War/
defense.gov · by David Vergun
14. BGT winner Colin Thackery to sing “Arirang” at the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Armistice Agreement in Busan
BGT winner Colin Thackery to sing “Arirang” at the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Armistice Agreement in Busan
korea.stripes.com · July 24, 2023
Image: Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
haps Magazine Korea
July 24, 2023
Colin Thackery, the 93-year-old winner of Britain’s Got Talent and a veteran of the Korean War, is set to sing Arirang at the 70th-anniversary ceremony of the Armistice Agreement in Busan on the 27th.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs invited Thackery to the event, and he will be in Korea from the 24th to the 29th.
Thackery’s visit to Korea was initiated when the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Park Min-shik, extended an official invitation during his visit to the UK in February.
Thackery, who fought in the Korean War as an artilleryman, participated in Britain’s Got Talent in 2019 and impressed everyone with his performance.
He met Minister Park earlier this year and sang Arirang, leading to an invitation to perform the iconic Korean song at the 70th-anniversary ceremony.
Thackery expressed his deep connection to Korea, particularly to Busan, where he first set foot on Korean soil and sang Arirang with his comrades during the war.
This visit marks his return to Korea after many years and holds significant sentimental value for him.
15. Will Korea be the loser in the resource war?
The 21st century war? But aren't most wars fought over resources (or fear, honor, and interest)?
Will Korea be the loser in the resource war?
donga.com
Posted July. 25, 2023 08:02,
Updated July. 25, 2023 08:02
Will Korea be the loser in the resource war?. July. 25, 2023 08:02. .
The government's stockpiles of 13 rare metals average just 42 days of supply. That's less than half the target of 100 days' supply. Adding to the matters, China, which dominates the global supply chain for rare earths, began controlling exports of minerals needed for producing semiconductors such as gallium and germanium earlier this month. A global resource war could erupt at any moment.
According to the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation, which is in charge of securing mineral resources, the stockpile of lithium, a key material for secondary batteries, was 5.8 days of the domestic requirement among 13 rare metals. Cobalt is at 12.4 days, and magnesium is at 20.6 days. This means that domestic manufacturers have only six days to three weeks to rely on government stockpiles if imports are suddenly disrupted due to trade disputes or military conflicts.
In recent years, China has been increasingly vocal about its intention to retaliate against Western semiconductor sanctions by weaponizing raw materials crucial to high-tech industries. Notably, Chile, boasting the world's largest lithium reserves, announced the nationalization of its lithium industry in April of this year and is actively strengthening its position by forming a strategic "lithium triangle" partnership with Chile and Argentina. Additionally, Indonesia, known as the world's primary producer of nickel for secondary cells, has taken measures to restrict the export of nickel ore and now exclusively exports processed nickel.
In the developed world, governments are the ones responding to this situation at the forefront. The U.S. government plans to spend about 9.2 trillion won on mineral resources by 2026. The European Union has created a 22.9 trillion won worth of resource acquisition fund. Japan is securing overseas resources with its official development assistance (ODA) to emerging countries. On the other hand, South Korea's rare metal stockpile budget is 37.2 billion won this year, 24% less than last year. Worse, there are not enough bases to stockpile the resource as they are 99 percent full.
Korean Companies are rushing to secure their resources. LG Energy Solutions has signed a long-term purchase agreement with a Chilean company to secure lithium for secondary battery manufacturing. POSCO Group has also decided to build a nickel smelting plant in Indonesia.
It was only a year and eight months ago that the "urea solution crisis" occurred, when imports from China stopped, causing a shortage of urea solution used in pollution-reducing devices for freight cars and buses, and paralyzing logistics. At the time, the government said it would activate an early warning system for highly export-dependent items and increase stockpiles. However, the actual situation hasn't changed much. If this kind of poor response continues, South Korea will inevitably be on the losing side of a possible global resource war.
한국어
donga.com
16. North Korea Hasn’t Answered U.S.’s Calls on Detained Soldier Travis King
North Korea Hasn’t Answered U.S.’s Calls on Detained Soldier Travis King
No ‘new communications’ since contact soon after U.S. soldier went across the border, State Department says
By Dasl Yoon in Seoul and Gordon Lubold in Washington
Updated July 24, 2023 5:49 pm ET
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-and-north-korea-start-talking-about-american-soldier-who-crossed-the-border-6be51607?mod=Searchresults_pos2&page=1
The U.S. has reached out to North Korea about an American soldier who crossed the border from South Korea last week, but so far Pyongyang hasn’t responded, U.S. officials said.
British Army Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison told a briefing on Monday that the U.S. has attempted to have conversations with the North Koreans using a communications line established under the armistice agreement that ended combat in the 1950-53 Korean War. U.S. officials said that the U.S. had reached out through at least two channels, but that Pyongyang hadn’t engaged.
“We have relayed messages through multiple channels to [North Korea] that the individual crossed on his own and we want him returned quickly and safely,” a U.S. official said. “We also asked for more information on his welfare.” The official said that the U.S. knows the message has been received by the North Koreans, but wouldn’t elaborate further.
The United Nations command in Seoul, which is led by an American general who also leads U.S. Forces Korea, has made attempts to reach out to Pyongyang. The White House, using Sweden as an intermediary, has also made similar attempts, officials said.
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department also said the U.N. and the North Koreans hadn’t been in regular contact since King’s initial flight. The spokesman, Matt Miller, denied reports that the U.N. command had been in regular touch with the North Koreans, suggesting there had been a “misinterpretation.”
“I’m not aware of any new communications, other than those that happened in the very early hours or early days after he went across the border,” said Matt Miller.
British Army Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, who is deputy commander of the United Nations Command, spoke at a briefing Monday. PHOTO: JUNG YEON-JE/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES
Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23 years old, has been detained in North Korea since he crossed the border while on a tour last Tuesday of the Joint Security Area, part of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas.
“The primary concern for us is Private King’s welfare,” Harrison said. He said he remains optimistic, but declined to provide details on the talks, citing their sensitivity.
The day before he crossed the border, King had been set to fly Texas for disciplinary actions and a potential discharge following two alleged assaults last year, officials said last week. He had been held at a detention facility in South Korea for 47 days.
North Korea has said nothing publicly about King.
King’s crossing has raised questions about the U.S. military’s handling of personnel at overseas bases. He had been escorted to Incheon Airport last Monday by U.S. service members, who left after King passed through security checkpoints. King told airline staff he couldn’t locate his passport and slipped out of the airport. He headed to the Joint Security Area as part of a tour group the next day.
A spokesman for the U.S. Forces Korea, which oversees the 28,500 American military personnel stationed in the country, said the incident remains under investigation.
King allegedly assaulted a South Korean citizen last September and the next month was involved in another assault and damaged a police car by kicking it, for which he was fined $4,000. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth speculated at a news conference last Thursday that King had been grappling with the consequences he would face upon returning to the U.S.
North Korea watchers say King’s voluntary entry into the country may make winning his release difficult. In the past, North Korea has used defections by U.S. soldiers as a propaganda opportunity, portraying Americans as growing disenchanted with capitalism. Army Sgt. Charles Jenkins, who deserted his post in South Korea and fled to the North in 1965, became a familiar figure in North Korean films, cast as a capitalist villain.
North Korea has refused to engage in dialogue with the U.S. since nuclear talks collapsed in Hanoi in 2019. In recent weeks, high-level North Korean officials have released statements lashing out at Washington for deploying to South Korea such strategic assets as the USS Kentucky, a nuclear-capable submarine. Last Thursday, North Korea’s defense minister warned that the sub’s presence could be grounds for Pyongyang to use nuclear weapons.
On Monday, the USS Annapolis, a nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine, arrived at a port on South Korea’s Jeju Island as an additional show of force against North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats. A spokesman for South Korea’s navy said the U.S. and South Korea were discussing whether to involve the submarine in training.
The Kim regime has ramped up missile tests ahead of a major holiday it calls Victory Day on July 27. At 11:55 p.m. local time on Monday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, South Korea’s military said. Rodong Sinmun, Pyongyang’s main state-run newspaper, published an editorial on Monday that claimed military buildup is necessary to preserve peace.
“There can be no end to strengthening military power,” Rodong Sinmun said.
Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com and Gordon Lubold at gordon.lubold@wsj.com
Appeared in the July 25, 2023, print edition as 'North Korea Ignores U.S. Calls About Soldier Held'.
De Oppresso Liber,
David Maxwell
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Editor, Small Wars Journal
Twitter: @davidmaxwell161
Phone: 202-573-8647
email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com
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