Violence and atrocities : #SouthKorea

Showing posts with label #SouthKorea. Show all posts

Friday, November 11, 2022

During his trip to Asia, President Joe Biden will meet leaders of Japan and South Korea to discuss the nuclear program of North Korea

White House informs that US President Joe Biden will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol during his forth coming trip to Asia. The meeting would be in Cambodia on Sunday, Nov. 13. This is when the US President will attend the ASEAN and the Group of 20 industrialized nations. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House said - "The three leaders would work to continue enhancing trilateral cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly in regard to our joint efforts to address the ongoing threat posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.” Biden to discuss North Korea nuclear threat with Japan, South Korea leaders. In October, North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile. It went soaring over Japan for the first time in five years. There was a warning for residents to take cover. It also prompted Biden to assure the Prime Minister of Japan about the "ironclad" commitment of America to the defense of Japan.

In view of these developments, warplanes of South Korean and the U.S. practiced bombing a target in the Yellow Sea. In addition, fighter jets from the United States and Japan conducted joint drills over the Sea of Japan. Recently, a U.S. official told a media outlet that China and Russia could use their influence with North Korea to ensure that it abandons its testing of nuclear bomb. Biden last visited Asia in May. At the time, administration officials said they were in the final stages of a policy review on North Korea. It was also keen to encourage greater trilateral cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo on that issue. Incidentally, there is a U.N. Security Council ban on North Korea from conducting nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. There are also sanctions on Pyongyang with the objective of cutting off funding for such programs.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Canine diplomacy between North and South Korea

There was a period in 2018 when the relation between the two Koreas had improved. It was during the tenure of US President Donald Trump. At that time, there were hopes of a peaceful settlement to the denuclearization of the Peninsula. Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea had gifted a pair of dogs to Moon Jae-in, the then President of South Korea. These were a pair of white Pungsan dogs - Gomi and Songgang. The canines carried the legal categorization as state property and belonged to the presidential archives. Accordingly, they continued to remain under the care of Moon Jae-in even after he left office in May. However, it has to now go back to the state and South Korea's former President Moon Jae-in says he plans to give them up. It seems his decision is a fallout of differences between him and the current government over funds for looking after the dogs. South Korea's Moon Jae-in to give up dogs gifted by Kim Jong-un.

In an unprecedented move, Mr. Moon's office indicated that he was able to continue as their caretaker even after he left his post. An agreement with the interior ministry reportedly stated that there could be a state budgetary provision for payment towards supplies and expenses for looking after the pets. The local media puts the expenses at about $1,800; £1,560 every month.

Friday, November 4, 2022

Tension mounts in the Korean Peninsula as South Korea scrambles 80 of its stealth jets

The military of South Korea detected mobilization of 180 North Korean warplanes. Immediately, it took action to counter any attack by scrambling its stealth jets. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea reported that it scrambled 80 aircraft, including F-35A stealth fighters after spotting North Korean aircraft at multiple locations north of the "tactical action line." There were no immediate reports of clashes. According to an official of South Korea, the virtual line drawn north of the physical border serves as the basis for air defence operations in South Korea. None of the aircraft crossed the "tactical action line." Incidentally, more than 240 planes are participating in the Vigilant Storm air drills with the United States. There was no stoppage of these drills. South Korea scrambles jets after detecting North Korean warplanes.

Pyongyang had earlier launched roughly 80 artillery rounds in retaliation for Seoul's joint military exercises with the United States. These came after the North launched dozens of missiles this week. The United States, Japan and South Korea condemned such actions of North Korea. It seems it test fired at least 23 missiles, and later launched three more into the Sea of Japan. These included an intercontinental ballistic missile that triggered evacuation warnings in Japan. As a result, South Korea and the United States prolonged their Vigilant Storm exercises. This infuriated Pyongyang. It had threatened reprisals over extension of the drills. The actions and reactions of North Korea, the hermit kingdom, are difficult to explain. It is possible that it wants to send out some sort of a message to the global community.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Missiles fired by North Korea leads to evacuation warning in parts of Japan

North Korea has fired a number of missiles, among these one was an intercontinental ballistic missile. It prompted Japan to issue an evacuation warning for parts of Japan. One of these missiles reached an altitude of 1,200 miles and travelled about 460 miles. Japan's defence minister Yasukazu Hamada said the flight pattern was "lofted trajectory." It means the missile flew high into space to avoid flying over neighboring countries. The Japanese military lost track of the suspected ICBM over the water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The minister corrected an earlier report that mentioned it had flown over Japan. In the opinion of South Korea, it might have failed mid-flight. According to officials in Seoul, the launching of the first missile was from some location near Pyongyang. Subsequent ones were from Kaechon, north of Pyongyang. Evacuation alert in parts of Japan and bullet trains halted after North Korea fires missiles. After the first launch, the office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida broadcast alerts through different devices to residents in three prefectures. These were Miyagi, Yamagata and Niigata. The alerts were for people to get inside strong buildings or to head underground. Simultaneously, there was suspension of bullet train services in these regions.

Prime Minister Kishida described the repeated missile launches of North Korea as an “outrage and absolutely cannot be forgiven." South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman described these as "deplorable, immoral." The action of the North came a day after it fired at least 23 missiles. One of these landed just 40 miles off the coast of South Korea. It prompted the South to issue its own air raid warnings and launch its own missiles. Pyongyang has also been calling for the U.S. and South Korea to stop large military exercises. It says - "military rashness and provocation (which) can be no longer tolerated." Incidentally, nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea remain in a limbo since early 2019.

North Korea fires at least 10 missiles, one lands close to the territorial waters of the South for the first time since the 1945

The latest missile launch by North Korea was its 29th this year, according to a punt maintained by a section of the media. It consisted of at least 10 missiles. One of these landed close to the territorial waters of South Korea. It was the first incident since the division of the peninsula in 1945. There was also an air raid warning on an island located about 120 kilometers east of the peninsula. It was later lifted. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in Seoul said one short-range ballistic missile landed in international waters 167 kilometers northwest of South Korea’s Ulleung Island. This is about 26 kilometers south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) that is the de facto inter-Korean maritime border. North Korea does not recognize it. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol described the North Korean test as an “effective territorial encroachment.” In an immediate response, South Korea launched three air-to-surface missiles from F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets according to JCS. North Korean missile lands close to South Korean waters for first time in decades. JCS explained that the South Korean Air Force targeted international waters north of the NLL at an equal distance to that which the North Korean missile had earlier landed south of the line. He added - “Our military’s precise strike showed our will to firmly respond to any North Korean provocations including short-range ballistic missile, and our capability and readiness to precisely target the enemy.”

This sort of aggressive accelerating in weapons testing by Pyongyang has sparked alarm in the region. The United States, South Korea and Japan responded with missile launches and joint military exercises. The United States and South Korea began previously scheduled large-scale military exercises called “Vigilant Storm.” These involve 240 aircraft and “thousands of service members” from both countries. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would meet with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jong-sup at the Pentagon. In the opinion of experts, Kim Jong-un could be sending across a message of sorts. The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned last week that Pyongyang could be preparing for a nuclear test – its first since 2017. This was because satellite imagery showed activity at its underground nuclear test site. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He called for a National Security Council meeting on priority in view of rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Horror at Halloween in Seoul – stampede takes more than 150 lives

It was a day of sorrow in Seoul as more than 151 people died and more than 150 suffered injuries during Halloween celebrations. The venue was the Itaewon neighborhood famous for its crowded narrow streets. Dozens of people had cardiac arrests. An official of the fire brigade mentioned about dispatching more than 140 ambulances to the scene of the tragedy. 19 foreigners from Iran, Uzbekistan, China and Norway lost their lives in the stampede. Incidentally, Itaewon is a popular destination for people to celebrate Halloween in the South Korean capital. The incident apparently occurred because of a crush that resulted from the size of the crowd. Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea ordered officials to dispatch first aid teams and for hospital beds to be immediately available. South Korea declares national mourning after 151 killed in Halloween stampede. Media photographs showed many people lying prone on a street cordoned off by authorities as rescue workers tended to them. They carried out emergency first aid on several victims

Video footage showed yellow-jacketed policemen cordoning off the area around the site of the crush as rescue officials loaded the victims into ambulances. Blankets covered some of them. Nearly two dozen people were entirely covered by makeshift blankets on the roadside. South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered a thorough investigation. He said such a deadly stampede at the Halloween event "should not have happened." In his national address he said - "In the centre of Seoul, a tragedy and disaster occurred that should not have happened." He also announced a period of national mourning and ordered the lowering of flags. In his words - “The government will designate the period from today until the accident is brought under control as a period of national mourning and will place top priority in administrative affairs in recovery and follow-up measures.”

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

The United States, Japan and South Korea warn North Korea about serious consequences of any nuclear test

The United States and its allies Japan and South Korea spoke in one voice and warned North Korea against any further nuclear test. They said any violation would warrant an "unprecedentedly strong response." The three vowed unity following launch of a number of missiles from the hermit kingdom. Foreign ministers of the three nations held talks in Tokyo and believe they could boost their deterrence in the region. South Korea's Cho Hyun-dong said - "We agreed to further strengthen cooperation ... so that North Korea can immediately stop its illegal activities and return to denuclearization talks.” He went on to explain to members of the media - "The three countries agreed on the need for an unprecedentedly strong response if North Korea proceeds with its seventh nuclear test." Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang could be close to testing an atomic bomb for the first time since 2017. This came after a number of launch of ballistic missiles. One of these flew over Japan last month. The North has separately claimed that it had carried out tactical nuclear drills. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says – “All of this behavior is reckless and deeply destabilizing." She urged North Korea to "refrain from further provocations." North Korea put on notice: Nuclear test would draw "unprecedentedly strong" response.

According to a section of the media, Sherman laid stress on the fact that the commitment of the U.S. to the security of South Korea and Japan is "ironclad.” She went on to add that the U.S. would "use the full range of U.S. defense capabilities to defend our allies, including nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities." Incidentally, last month Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea had declared the country an "irreversible" nuclear power, effectively ending negotiations over his banned arms programs. He had met three times with President Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. It did reduce tensions but did not result in any lasting agreement. The country has also shown little interest in taking up President Biden's offer of working-level talks.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Tensions increase between North and South Korea with exchange of warning shots off their western coast

North and South Korea accused each other of breaching their maritime border. They exchanged warning shots off their western coast and led to heightened tensions because of the weapons tests conducted by Pyongyang. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea explained that it broadcast warnings and did fire warning shots. The purpose was to repel a merchant vessel of North Korea that crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL). This is a de facto sea boundary. The North, on its part, said its military fired 10 rounds of artillery warning shots towards its territorial waters. It was because it had detected “naval enemy movement.” It also accused a naval ship of South Korea of intruding into the waters of North Korea on the pretext of cracking down on an unidentified ship. the North Korean People’s Army said - “We ordered initial countermeasures to strongly expel the enemy warship by firing 10 shells of multiple rocket launchers near the waters where the enemy movement occurred.” This was as per the official KCNA news agency. Two Koreas exchange warning shots near sea border amid tensions.

JCS said the actions by North Korea breached a 2018 inter-Korean accord on reducing military animosities and undermined stability on the Korean Peninsula. It also said the shells fired by the North did not land in the waters of South Korea but did boost its military readiness. In this case, there were no reports of clashes. However, the poorly marked sea boundary off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast has always been a source of long-running animosities between the two Koreas. It witnessed a number of bloody inter-Korean naval skirmishes and violence in recent years. These included the shelling of a South Korean navy ship that killed 50 people in 2010. In recent weeks, Pyongyang has launched short-range ballistic missiles and hundreds of artillery rounds off its east and west coasts on a number of occasions to protest over the military activities of its southern neighbor. A professor at Ewha University in Seoul cautioned, “Pyongyang’s politics of blaming external threats and projecting confidence in military capabilities can motivate greater risk taking. Actions of this nature could give rise to a serious exchange of fire and unintended escalation.

Friday, October 21, 2022

North Korea fires hundreds of artillery shells in retaliation to annual defense drills of the South

South Korea conducted its annual defense drills. The aim of such drills is to boost its ability to respond to nuclear and missile threats of Pyongyang. This has not gone down well with the North. It retaliated by firing hundreds of artillery shells off its eastern and western coasts and said the shells did not land in South Korean territorial waters. They instead fell inside maritime buffer zones the two Koreas established under a 2018 inter-Korean agreement aimed at reducing front-line animosities. This is the second such incident. North Korea carried out a similar exercise recently in direct violation of the 2018 agreement. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed this. He said that North Korea fired some 250 shells of its eastern and western coasts late on Tuesday and launched an additional 100 rounds, starting at around midday on Wednesday. In a statement he said - “We strongly urge North Korea to immediately halt its actions. North Korea’s continued provocations are actions that undermine peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the international community.” N Korea fires artillery shells in ‘grave warning’ to Seoul.

A spokesperson for the North Korean People’s Army (KPA) explained that the purpose of firing the shots was designed to send a “grave warning” to South Korea in response to its own artillery training. These took place earlier in an eastern border region. Seoul did not immediately confirm this. The Hoguk drills of the South are due to end soon. These are the latest in a series of military exercises conducted in recent weeks and include joint activities with the United States and Japan. Incidentally, the artillery tests of the North attracts less outside attention than its missile launches. However, its forward-deployed long-range artillery guns pose a serious security threat to the populous metropolitan region of its neighbor. This is because its location is about 25 to 30 miles from the border with North Korea and a matter of concern.

Monday, October 17, 2022

Taiwan opens its doors to tourists after easing COVID-19 border curbs

Businesses related to tourism in Taiwan, are happy. The country has eased some of the world’s most stringent COVID-19 border curbs. As a result, there is a boost in sales. Travelers are trickling into Taoyuan International Airport soon after Taiwan scrapped its quarantine and isolation rules. However, visitors have to wear their masks. They must also provide proof of vaccination, take rapid COVID-19 tests and monitor their health for seven days. There were travelers at the airport for the first time in more than two years. The reopening announcement came two weeks ago. Since then, the travel scenario saw a rise in bookings and airlines added flights to accommodate the increase in demand. An official of a travel agency said tour bookings have increased by 20 percent. Many of the agencies had to rough it out over the past two years with sharp drops in revenue. They had to reduce on staff members. Tourism, businesses cheer as Taiwan reopens borders for international travel. Packages to popular destinations like Japan and South Korea are selling out fast. This is in spite of rising prices due to increased airfares and costs.

Incidentally, in 2019, about 17 million Taiwanese travelled overseas but the number dropped by 98 percent last year. The tourism industry accounts for about 4 to 5 percent of the island’s gross domestic product (GDP) before the pandemic. Apart from tourism, other businesses like hotels and restaurants are eager to see the return of tourists. Some of the retailers were working extra hours to stock up on products ahead of the reopening to meet an expected increase in demand. According to health authorities, the decision to reopen the borders came only after Taiwan confirmed that more than 70 percent of its population have taken their booster shots. They also have an adequate supply of vaccines, rapid test kits and medication for patients.

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Kim Jong-un supervised long-range cruise missile tests to demonstrate Pyongyang's readiness for "actual war"

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports that its leader Kim Jong-un supervised long-range cruise missile tests. He described them as a demonstration of his country’s readiness for "actual war." The two missiles flew for nearly three hours and showed their ability to strike targets roughly around 1,250 miles away. The agency said the test was conducted to improve the "combat efficiency and might" of long-range strategic cruise missiles "for the operation of tactical nukes." The leader of North Korea said his country's nuclear forces were prepared for "actual war to bring enemies under their control at a blow." He described his weapons systems as "mobile, precise and powerful." He went on to clarify that the missile tests send "another clear warning to enemies." Moreover, he said North Korea would "resolutely deter any crucial military crisis and war crisis at any time and completely take the initiative in it." North Korea's Kim Jong Un supervises cruise missile test.

North Korea has launched 12 ballistic missiles in a span of two weeks through October 9. One of these flew over Japan. Authorities in Pyongyang said the tests were a warning to the South and the US for staging joint naval exercises that including a US aircraft carrier. North Korea called these drills "dangerous." It seems the parliament of the North passed a law giving permission for preemptive use of nuclear weapons against these countries in the event of an attack on the leadership of North Korea. Pyongyang added that it would surrender its nuclear arsenal only if there were global disarmament. This would come as a big blow to those who still nurse hopes of negotiating Pyongyang's disarmament individually. Officials in South Korea do not rule out possibilities of the North conducting a nuclear test in the coming months.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Kim Jong-un attends opening ceremony of new massive greenhouse farm, Ryonpho Greenhouse

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, attended the opening ceremony of a greenhouse farm. It was built on a former air base where the country had test-fired missiles until last year. It is the Ryonpho Greenhouse Farm touted as one of the country's largest vegetable farms. It is expected to address the problems of food shortages. North Korea used the farmhouse for launching several short-range ballistic missiles. These included the KN-25s in November 2019 and the suspected KN-23s in March 2021. The state media says Kim Jong-un attended the event after guiding the officials on nuclear tactical exercises. The hermit kingdom kept carrying out nuclear exercises targeting South Korea. It was in order to counter recent joint naval drills by the forces of South Korea and the United States. Kim Jong attends opening ceremony of greenhouse farm built on former missile test site. The location of the farmhouse is in the eastern countryside of Hamju. Its launch was to mark the anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party, a major holiday in North Korea.

The project to transform Ryonpho air base was unveiled in December last year. It was a top priority project to improve the lives of people. Using it as a model, the leader has plans to move ahead with the overall rural development of the country. According to the official KCNA news agency, the farm has more than 850 blocks of modern greenhouses. The total area covered is 280 hectares. It will be harmonised with some 1,000 houses, schools and cultural and service facilities. The agency says - "Kim John has spearheaded the farm initiative to boost vegetable supplies and praised soldiers and workers for completing the construction in just a few months.” He has also issued instructions to larger farms, increase the variety of vegetables and ensure scientific, industrialized production and management at those farms.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

America imposes fresh sanctions on North Korea after it conducts more ballistic missile tests

Within the last two weeks, North Korea has launched as many as six missiles. This happened within the past two weeks and the western world is worried. In view of this situation, the US has imposed fresh sanctions on the hermit kingdom. The US Treasury and State Department announced this. These would target two individuals and three entities. They have links to the delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK. Such an action directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military. Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed this and provided details. The targets indicated by the Treasury Department are two Singapore registered companies and an entity registered in the Marshall Islands associated with illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent UN sanctions. US imposes new sanctions connected to North Korea following spate of missile tests. Blinken explained that the purpose of this action is to send a clear message that the U.S. “will continue to take actions against those who support the development and sustainment of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal.”

The activities of North Korea vis-à-vis aggressive acceleration in weapons testing has become a matter of concern for South Korea and Japan. They along with the US responded with missile launches and joint military exercises. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier into waters near the peninsula. This is a move described by South Korean authorities as “very unusual.” Blinken warned that if North Korea continues “down this road” of provocation “it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation and increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions.” Incidentally, these recent tests have added to the concerns of the administration. It feels these could be in preparation of Kim Jong-un overseeing his nation’s seventh nuclear test.

Thursday, September 29, 2022

US Vice President Kamala Harris on a visit to South Korea and will visit the Demilitarized Zone DMZ also

US Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Asia to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. There she met leaders of South Korea and Australia. She has plans to visit the Demilitarized Zone DMZ. This zone divides the two Koreas and the North responded by firing two short-range ballistic missiles into the waters off its east coast. The launch of these weapons was from the Sunan area of Pyongyang. This is according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The missiles covered a distance of about 224 miles, reached an altitude of 19 miles and attained a speed of about Mach 6. This is equal to six times the speed of sound. Kamala Harris visits DMZ amid tension over North Korean missile launch.

Kamala Harris met President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea. The White House said the two leaders could discuss issues like the threat posed by the North, the “importance of peace” in the Taiwan Strait, cooperation on economics and technology etcetera. While in Seoul, she also met a group of female industry leaders. She would later proceed to the DMZ. This is described as one of the world’s most heavily armed borders. It has been a regular destination for Presidents and vice presidents of the United States during their official visits to South Korea. Once there, she would interact with service members, and receive a briefing from US commanders. Launch of this missile happens to be the 20th such launch of North Korea this year. This is based on a count maintained by a media house. Speaking on board the USS Howard at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, Harris heaped criticism on the recent missile launch of North Korea. She described them as “part of its illicit weapons program which threatens regional stability and violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions.” Incidentally, the US and South Korea have been conducting joint naval exercises featuring the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.

Monday, September 26, 2022

Freight train services resume between North Korea and China after a brief suspension due to pandemic

An outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese city of Dandong led to suspension of freight train services between China and North Korea. The services have resumed after a lapse of five months. A news agency of South Korea revealed this. The new agency says the frequency of these trains would be once or twice every day. Incidentally, China is the main economic lifeline of the North and accounts for a major share of its trade. However, cross-border commerce suffered due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. It seems according to Chinese customs data, trade between the two countries dropped nearly 90 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Aid workers and analysts cautioned that the isolation of North Korea has affected its already fragile economy leading to shortage of food and corresponding malnutrition. North Korea, China resume freight train services: reports. Alastair Morgan was the ambassador of the United Kingdom ambassador to North Korea between 2005 and 2008. He says the significance of resumption of freight train service would depend on whether this service indicated a fresh start of regular operations. He told a section of the media that this could be a one-off shipment of essential medical supplies or food.

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, had declared victory over coronavirus. That was after the authorities had reported about 4.8 million “fever cases.” This was consequent to an extensive outbreak in May. Kim had acknowledged that North Koreans were facing hardships because of the pandemic. He even likened it to the 1950-1953 Korean War. Incidentally, the hermit kingdom has reported just 74 COVID-19 deaths overall. Experts doubt the figures in view of the lack of vaccine coverage and its dilapidated healthcare system.

Friday, August 26, 2022

South Korea updates operational plans to counter nuclear and missile threats from the North

During his first visit to a military bunker in the capital Seoul, South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol said that this would serve as a command post in the event of a war. He gave orders for an update of the military's operational plans. This is necessary for his country to address the growing nuclear and missile threats of the North. His visit was significant because it coincided with the beginning of military drills by the armed forces of South Korea and the United States. These would be the largest in years. Renamed as Ulchi Freedom Shield these would conclude on Sep 1. The exercises involve the first field training between the two militaries since 2017. These were subsequently scaled back amid the COVID-19 pandemic and an effort to improve relations with North Korea. South Korea's Yoon orders update of war plans over North Korea's threats. President Yoon made it clear that the current drills were conducted under a changed scenario. He also added that the operational plans reflect North Korea's evolving threats.

During his visit, the President told commanders that there is an urgent need to ensure safety of the lives and properties of the people. These would include updating operational plans against nuclear and missile threats of North Korea. He also mentioned that these are gradually becoming a reality. Another point he made referred to the so-called "Kill Chain" system. Its design can launch preemptive strikes against the missiles of North Korea in case of an imminent attack. This year, its missile tests are progressing at an unprecedented pace. It seems it is ready to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 at short notice. Last week it launched two cruise missiles from the west coast.

Monday, August 22, 2022

The US and South Korea begin their joint military exercises in view of North Korean nuclear threat

North Korean nuclear threat prompts the US and South Korea to undertake the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. These are their biggest combined military training in years and will continue through 1 September in South Korea. It will cover field exercises and involve aircraft, warships, tanks and tens of thousands of troops. North Korea describes these exercises as rehearsals for an invasion. Pyongyang has raised the pace of its weapons testing activity and has been simultaneously threatening conflicts with Seoul and Washington. There is a long state of stalemate in diplomacy. Incidentally, a spokesperson of the Unification Ministry of South Korea says there is no immediate signs of any unusual activities from the North. The Unification Ministry handles inter-Korean affairs. US and South Korea begin biggest military training in years amid growing North Korean nuclear threat. The United States and South Korea already canceled some of their regular drills in recent times in order to create space for diplomacy with North Korea apart from concerns associated with COVID-19.

Last week, North Korea rejected South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's offer to exchange denuclearization steps and economic benefits. To this, Kim Yo Jong described the proposal as foolish. She also stressed the North did not have any intention to barter away an arsenal her brother apparently sees as his strongest guarantee of survival. She is the increasingly powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. She heaped criticism on Yoon Suk Yeol and the military exercises with the US. moreover, she also blamed him for the failure to stop South Korean civilian activists from using balloons to send anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border. There are worries in certain quarters that the threats might end up in something worse like a nuclear or missile test or even border skirmishes.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

North Korea reactivates its missile programs

After a brief lull, North Korea appears to have reactivated its missile program. It seems the North fired two cruise missiles towards the sea off its west coast recently. The country has been pursuing its missile programs in spite of sanctions against it by the global community. This had been imposed in order restrict the nuclear ambitions of the hermit kingdom and maintain peace in the Korean Peninsula. However, North Korea appears to be determined to pursue the testing of its missiles irrespective of consequences. The latest launch appears to be the first one by the secretive country since 8 June. At that time, it had conducted test of eight short-range ballistic missiles. North Korea fires two cruise missiles as South Korea leader calls for diplomacy. This comes even as South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed concern over the weapons program of its neighbor. The president of South Korea called for diplomatic procedures in an effort to create an atmosphere of sustainable peace.

During a news conference, President Yoon Suk-yeol made it clear that he was not in favor of bringing any political change in the North by force. Simultaneously, he urged North Korea to return to dialogue that would open the doors towards denuclearization. Such a step would result in economic benefits. Incidentally, Kim Jong-un, the leader of the North, has claimed about mobilizing his country’s nuclear war deterrent. He has also added that North Korea was prepared for any potential military conflicts with not only the United States but also South Korea. He went to the extent of criticizing the new president Yoon Suk-yeol for the first time and cautioned that Seoul was pushing towards the brink of war.

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Sister of Kim Jong-un reveals her brother had ‘fever’ during the Covid pandemic

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, had stated that his country was free from the Covid pandemic. However, his sister Kim Yo-jong revealed that her brother did suffer from ‘fever’ and she put the blame squarely on South Korea. She said that the South had dropped propaganda leaflets at the border were. These were contaminated with the deadly virus. South has described the accusations as ‘groundless.’ Activists in South Korea used to follow this practice earlier. They used to drop balloons containing propaganda leaflets into the North. This has since been banned. Kim’ sister expressed her doubts while speaking about her brother’s declared victory in the country's battle against the pandemic. North Korea is a secretive country and hence it is not easy to ascertain the real picture. North Korea leader Kim Jong-un 'suffered fever' during Covid outbreak, says sister. Kim Yo-jong described the acts of dropping leaflets as a "crime against humanity." She also cautioned about considering "a strong retaliatory response".

North Korea prefers to label coronavirus as "fever" due to a lack of testing equipment. Kim’s sister took pride in declaring a "shining victory" over the virus. She also heaped praise on the "indomitable tenacity" of the people of North Korea and issued orders to lift restrictions with casualty figures of just 74. Experts find these figures hard to believe because the healthcare system in North Korea does not have enough intensive care units, neither does it have drugs or vaccines to treat Covid. Incidentally, the North did not roll out any vaccination program during the pandemic. Instead, it relied on alternative measures like lockdowns and homegrown treatments.