News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin
1. On the Death of General Paik Sun-yup - United States Department of State
2. U.S. State Department offers condolences over death of Korean War hero Paik
3. Funeral held for Korean War hero Paik
4. New virus cases dip below 40, imported cases still on upward path (and a report on the quarantine process in Korea)
5. Gov't expected to revoke operation permits for 2 defector groups this week over leafleting
6. North Korea's first sister forges ahead
7. 'Being in North Korea' is not all bad
8. North Korea's Gulag in the Age of Coronavirus
9. How do you solve a Cold War conundrum like Korea?
10. N.K. paper calls for tightened anti-virus measures
11. North signals openness to working with new unification officials
12. Japan claims control of Dokdo in its defence white paper
13. Hero or traitor? (General Paik)
14. [Editorial] Proper recognition (General Paik)
15. N. Korea prepares for October military parade training exercise
16. N.Korea's Malaise Makes Coronavirus More Deadly
17. North Korean Citizens Desperately Need the China Border to Reopen
18. N. Korea purchases "premium" construction materials from China
19. Opinion | Why a Trump October surprise deal with North Korea would be such a bad idea
20. N. Korea lashes out at Pompeo over anti-China remarks
21. N.K. official involved in missile development removed from British blacklist
22. South Korean city seeks pre-arrival coronavirus tests for U.S. soldiers
23. North Korea fury: Trump's nuclear test threatens to provoke Kim Jong-un in dangerous way
1. On the Death of General Paik Sun-yup - United States Department of State
state.gov · by Morgan Ortagus, Department Spokesperson · July 14, 2020
Excellent condolence statement from State.
2. U.S. State Department offers condolences over death of Korean War hero Paik
en.yna.co.kr · by 이해아 · July 15, 2020
Like the NSC tweet the Korean press recognizes our sincere statements of condolences for General Paik.
3. Funeral held for Korean War hero Paik
en.yna.co.kr · by 최수향 · July 15, 2020
Yonhap could have left out the controversy as I think that has been addressed enough in previous reporting. The General deserves to be honored and his legacy of service to Korea preserved. I would say there is not a Korea alive today who has done anything near to the level of General to contribute to the defense and development of the ROK.
4. New virus cases dip below 40, imported cases still on upward path (and a report on the quarantine process in Korea)
en.yna.co.kr · by 이준승 · July 14, 2020
I want to provide a report from a good friend of mine who just returned to Korea this week. He is an American who lives in Korea. He describes his arrival and interaction with the Korean bureaucracy and how the quarantine process works.
On 12 July, I arrived in Korea for the first time in five months. Beginning with getting off the plane to finally arriving at my condo for an isolated two-week quarantine, the detail that the ROK Govt has put into controlling each arriving person is phenomenal. Most of the detail is at the airport where foreigners are led by KATUSAs to download a personal tracing app and explain all the requirements the government demands. Had to fill out 11 forms, most for tracking and agreements not to break rules at threat of deportment.
Had to take a specially equipped taxi to my home. It was equipped with a clear plastic shield between driver and back seat. Could not take a regular taxi or bus.
The virus info put out by the US Embassy in Seoul is way out of date. It states one must have a virus test record signed by a health professional just to get in for long-term residents. But now, everybody must take a virus test ASAP after arrival. The day after arrival I took a virus test at the nearest health center. I got the results - negative - the following day. Before leaving I took the same test in Dallas county and it took four days to get the result.
During quarantine, I must report my temperature and symptoms twice a day to the local public health center. That center delivered a survival kit of water, 25 pounds of rice, other foods, masks, sanitizer, etc. No charge.
Never heard of any of this in the US.
Just thought you might be interested.
5. Gov't expected to revoke operation permits for 2 defector groups this week over leafleting
en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · July 14, 2020
I cannot state strongly enough how disappointing is this decision. I believe the Moon administration is making a huge mistake with this action.
6. North Korea's first sister forges ahead
asiatimes.com · by Bradley K. Martin · July 14, 2020
This is very good analysis on Kim Yo-jong and her recent "promotions." This statement from Jiro Ishimaru is very significant." In other words, the 'delivery of commands' - a right reserved solely for the supreme leader - was extended to Kim Yo-jong. It can therefore be said that an era of brother-sister rule, with Kim Yo-jung as a quasi-supreme leader, has officially begun." Brother-sister rule is an interesting (and unusual concept) for north Korea. I wonder if this is because Kim Jong-un's health is bad, and this is a new method of succession. Among other interesting analysis in this piece is the emphasis on the Peaktu bloodlines and the rewriting of the Ten Great Principles both of which seem to be actions to support dynastic succession with brother-sister rule.
7. 'Being in North Korea' is not all bad
asiatimes.com · by Andrew Salmon · July 13, 2020
An interesting book from Andray Abrahamian that provides some interesting insights into North Korea. He notes both engagement and pressure have come up short. And of course he favors engagement. We have seen engagement fail in various forms for almost three decades. I would argue pressure has not failed because we are not done with it. Since 2017 we have conducted a relatively sustained pressure campaign and the fact that we have made no concessions on sanctions is exerting tremendous pressure on Kim from his elite and military. But it is still going to take time to work. Premature lifting of sanctions will not generate reciprocity or good behavior from the North. It will only lead Kim to believe his blackmail diplomacy continues to work and this will lead him to make more threats and demands. If we sustain pressure we might break the cycle that has been ongoing for three decades.
8. North Korea's Gulag in the Age of Coronavirus
HRNK · by Benjamin Fu, Edited by Rosa Park · July 14, 2020
A useful overview of the gulags and North Korea's human rights abuses. And like the regime's denial of the existence of the gulags it is also denying an outbreak of the coronavirus. If there is an outbreak it will of course devastate the populations in the gulags.
9. How do you solve a Cold War conundrum like Korea?
The National Interest · by Charles Armstrong · July 14, 2020
From Charles Armstrong. I challenge the assumption that both Koreas want to resolve their problems peacefully. I believe South Korea sincerely does but not the North. The problem for North Korea and the Kim family regime is the existence of the South. It is a threat to the regime. It stands in the way of unification of Korea on the North's terms which the regime is willing to achieve through subversion coercion/extortion, and use of force.
10. N.K. paper calls for tightened anti-virus measures
en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 14, 2020
It really seems to be getting harder to deny that there is a coronavirus outbreak.
11. North signals openness to working with new unification officials
Beware the North Korean long con. Note the criticism of the ROK/US strategy working group and the favorable view of Im Jong-seok and Lee In-young being new members of the Moon administration's national security team due to their leadership in the student movement of the 1980s.
12. Japan claims control of Dokdo in its defence white paper
donga.com · by Ji-Sun Choi · July 15, 2020
Not good for our trilateral relationship.
13. Hero or traitor? (General Paik)
The Korea Times · by Choi Sung-jin · July 14, 2020
A truly sad and insulting OpEd. But it is important because it illustrates the beliefs of many Koreans and the issue of the Japanese occupation and the accusations against "collaborators." The author acknowledges at least half the Korean population thinks of General Paik as a hero. But we must read it because it provides understanding of one view in Korea (and the other half of the Korean people who do not think he is a hero).
14. [Editorial] Proper recognition (General Paik)
koreaherald.com · July 14, 2020
Another view on General Paik with a different interpretation of history.
15. N. Korea prepares for October military parade training exercise
dailynk.com · by Jeong Tae Joo · July 15, 2020
What a waste of resources when so many Korean people in the North are suffering. (though despite the hard work of the participants they do seem to be fed by the regime so there is that.)
I was asked about Kim Yo-jong's recent statement about her getting permission from her brother to watch the US Independence Day celebrations and asked if someone could get her a DVD. Apparently, some in South Korea speculate this is a message that the North wants to engage in talks with the US. Here are my comments as some of them relate to the October military parade.
Your question is an interesting one. First there should be no problem for Kim Yo-jong to get a DVD of the 4th of July celebration. The North Korean diplomats at the UN should have no trouble obtaining one and sending it to Pyongyang. When she made this statement I half-jokingly commented that the representatives at the UN Military Armistice Commission (UNMAC) should provide one to the North Korean duty officer at Panmunjom. We used to provide the duty officer with copies of the Stars and Stripes newspaper every day. I am not sure if they still do that.
So I do not believe her comment was any kind of request nor do I think it was it any kind of signal to the US that the regime is seeking any kind of engagement with the US. I do not believe the regime will agree to a summit or perhaps even working level talks without some kind of guarantee of sanctions relief. Kim Jong-un's failure to get sanctions relief is placing him under enormous pressure in Pyongyang.
We should note that among Kim Yo-jong's many titles and duties she is the Vice Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department. As you know the regime is preparing for the military parade this fall. It would not surprise me if she was telegraphing the kind of propaganda campaign she may be planning. She may want to show how the regime's parade outdoes the US Independence Day celebration. She may show the relatively sparse and subdued crowds due to COVID 19 protections and compare them to the huge crowds and the (forced) emotional celebrations that will take place to honor the regime.
In addition, her "request" might merely be designed to cause confusion and see how the South and US react to it. It is probably much ado about nothing except to in a way to say "the joke's on you." It makes her and her brother feel important to see how we parse every utterance that comes from the regime.
The bottom line is I would not read anything positive into Kim Yo-jong's statements.
16. N.Korea's Malaise Makes Coronavirus More Deadly
english.chosun.com · July 15, 2020
I am not sure about the title of this piece and the use of malaise but this is an interesting essay on North Korea's medical challenges over the years and the obvious fear it has of disease and infection spreading inside the North. It speculates that perhaps thousands have already died from the coronavirus. But it concludes with this ominous warning: "It is unclear how North Korea can overcome the coronavirus crisis." If it cannot overcome the crisis, we had better be prepared for what comes next.
17. North Korean Citizens Desperately Need the China Border to Reopen
thediplomat.com · by Gabriela Bernal · July 15, 2020
If the coronavirus is spreading inside North Korea it will be devastating. And the continued closure of the border will destroy the 400 or markets inside north Korea and will crush the economy like it has never been crushed before. Together these could cause a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions that will make the Arduous March of the great famine of 1994-1996 pale in comparison. This could cause the instability we have speculated about but have been seen. Now is the time to review Robert Collins' seven phases of regime collapse and be tracking the indications and warnings for instability. And as noted in this article this could be the mother of all humanitarian disasters. Is the ROK and ROK/US alliance prepared for this contingency, especially if it has to operate in a coronavirus environment?
18. N. Korea purchases "premium" construction materials from China
dailynk.com · by Mun Dong Hui · July 15, 2020
Office 39 (or Bureau, Department, or Room) at work. Note the purchase of "premium" materials is likely for use in "special residences (luxurious mansions) of the Kim family." The regime is taking care of itself.
19. Opinion | Why a Trump October surprise deal with North Korea would be such a bad idea
NBC News · by Victor Cha · July 14, 2020
An October Surprise meeting is one thing but an October Surprise that resulted in a deal would could be very bad unless there are negotiations taking place at the working level that work out a substantive agreement. We should not make any deal with the North that is not founded on real, detailed, and thorough negotiations and even then it will still only be a piece of paper and nothing should happen until the verification process is in place. I think those kinds of conditions would be impossible to create by October. Never say never but I just cannot see either Kim or the US having a summit meeting in October. Also, I do not think a summit or even a deal or a North Korean provocation will affect the outcome of the November election.
20. N. Korea lashes out at Pompeo over anti-China remarks
en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · July 15, 2020
It appears North Korea is attempting to be a good ally and providing supporting rhetorical fires to China.
21. N.K. official involved in missile development removed from British blacklist
en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · July 15, 2020
What is not explained in this article is the why except to say it complies with an EU decision made in 2019. This does not seem to make sense.
22. South Korean city seeks pre-arrival coronavirus tests for U.S. soldiers
in.reuters.com · by Hyonhee Shin
ROK-US relations in Pyeongtaek could get tense.
23. North Korea fury: Trump's nuclear test threatens to provoke Kim Jong-un in dangerous way
Express · by Manon Dark · July 15, 2020
I disagree. A US test of a nuclear weapon is not going to "provoke" North Korea. North Korea will make a deliberate decision to test a nuclear weapon to achieve specific effects - either for messaging and deterrence or to technically advance its program. Of course it will use a US nuclear test as justification in its propaganda but it will not simply respond to a US nuclear test with a test of its own. I think there are other reasons for the US not to test but I do not think a North Korean response is one of them (but North Korea loves to read this kind of analysis as it tells them analysts fear North Korean actions). If we make a decision not to test and use a potential North Korean response as justification, we will play right into the regime's hands. Mr. Herzog is not helpful here.
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