News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Daniel Riggs.
1. Biegun says he would support 'substantial' troop presence if S. Korea, U.S. can agree on cost-sharing
2. NK to hold conference of war veterans, first in two years
3. Korea, U.S. Fail to Agree on Joint Drills
4. South Korea Faces Criticism for Crackdown on Leaflet Launchers
5. Opinion | Trump threatens a new troop withdrawal. It would endanger yet another U.S. relationship.
6. 13 more USFK-affiliated Americans test positive for new coronavirus
7. 14 Army soldiers infected with coronavirus at front-line unit
8. North Korea's Lazarus Group Developing Cross-Platform Malware Framework
9. North Korea Intensifies Crackdown on South Korean Cultural Influences
10. Who's right, Bolton or Biegun?
11. N. Korea's main paper urges ideological education for youth
12. Minister nominee proposes 'barter' exchange to break inter-Korean impasse
13. N.K. could react positively if S. Korea, U.S. exercise flexibility on joint drills: minister nominee
14. U.N. expert requests meeting with unification ministry amid concerns over leafleting
15. N. Korea has unpaid loan of US$40 mln with U.N. agricultural agency: report
16. Thae Yong-ho calls for pressure on North Korea to repay debts
17. EU 'To Impose Sanctions' On Russia, China, North Korea Over Cyberattacks
18. UFP excoriates Unification Ministry nominee over past ideology
19. U.S. Strategic Command accompanies B-1B's Guam deployment operation
20. S. Korean economy suffers worst contraction since 1998 crisis
21. NK likely to conduct nuclear test or reentry test this year: Singaporean expert
1. Biegun says he would support 'substantial' troop presence if S. Korea, U.S. can agree on cost-sharing
en.yna.co.kr · by 이해아 · July 23, 2020
I think Mr. Lee, the journalist from Yonhap writing in the article below, whiffed on his interpretation of the DEPSECSTATE's remarks. He said nothing about using the troop reduction as a negotiating tactic. Quote: "Biegun's comments appear to support speculation that the Trump administration could use a troop drawdown as leverage to get Seoul to pay vastly more for the 28,500-strong U.S. force presence." I think that is a misinterpretation but it is common to many journalists who just want to show Korea has somehow been slighted by the US. The DEPSECSTATE talked about setting the alliance on a sustainable footing for the next 75 years. That sounds like a very positive endorsement of the alliance and its importance to US national interests.
2. NK to hold conference of war veterans, first in two years
www01.koreaherald.com · by Ahn Sung-mi · July 22, 2020
I was asked by a journalist what his event means this year and what does it say about having a gathering amid the coronavirus crisis and what if they do not wear makes and maintain social distancing at the event, and lastly what does it say about Kim Jong-un's leadership? Here are my responses:
This is north Korea's attempt to reinforce the propaganda that the north won the Korean War. The north wants to demonstrate its strength by showing respect for its veterans but it is really only using them as props to glorify the Kim family regime. Simply holding this gathering in light of the recommendations by the WHO not to because of the danger posed by the pandemic illustrates the lack of respect the regime has for the Korean people in the north and especially its veterans. The regime is callous and heartless.
If the participants do not wear masks it will be because the regime places propaganda value above the value of the lives of Koreans in the north. It wants to both appear strong and to send a message that there is no COVID 19 outbreak in the north. And it is willing to place the lives of Koreans in the north at risk in pursuit of a propaganda stunt.
The nature of the Kim family regime is truly evil and its actions to seek propaganda benefits at the risk of veterans' lives is truly an illustration of that evil.
3. Korea, U.S. Fail to Agree on Joint Drills
I am sorry to say to my Korean friends that readiness must take priority over OPCON transition. Deterring war and sustaining the ability to defend an attack has to be the priority. The security of the ROK is paramount.
4. South Korea Faces Criticism for Crackdown on Leaflet Launchers
voanews.com · by William Gallo · July 22, 2020
This is an "own goal" or self-inflicted wound for the ROK government. There is no good that will come of this action either in terms of either relations with north Korea, internal domestic politics, or the Alliance (and also international reputation). This is a huge mistake by South Korea.
5. Opinion | Trump threatens a new troop withdrawal. It would endanger yet another U.S. relationship.
The Washington Post · by Editorial Board
It took a while for the Washington Post Editorial Board to catch up to this issue. They have messed up the 2018/2019 cost plus 50% demand with the 2019/2020 $5 billion demand which I believe is down to about $1.3 billion. I seriously doubt even if the Moon administration would agree with this that the National Assembly would approve it as they must do. However, the concluding paragraph is important. Both the American people and Congress support US alliances.
6. 13 more USFK-affiliated Americans test positive for new coronavirus
en.yna.co.kr · by 오석민 · July 22, 2020
It is this kind of reports that could cause a disruption in the ROK/US combined exercises.
7. 14 Army soldiers infected with coronavirus at front-line unit (South Korea
en.yna.co.kr · by 정주원 · July 22, 2020
Again, combined with the report on US soldiers this is what may disrupt ROK/US combined exercises.
8. North Korea's Lazarus Group Developing Cross-Platform Malware Framework
north Korea's "all purpose sword." Probably one of its most important capabilities.
9. North Korea Intensifies Crackdown on South Korean Cultural Influences
rfa.org · Sewon Kim· July 22, 2020
Again to ask the important question from Dr. Jung Pak: Who does Kim Jong-un fear more: the US or the Korean people living in the north? It is the Korean people in the north and they are most dangerous when armed with information and in particular information about the South. The real threat to the regime is the very existence of the South and the example of freedom and prosperity it provides to the Koreans in the north.
10. Who's right, Bolton or Biegun?
Mr Biegun still has his job (and has been promoted) and Mr. Bolton does not.
But the buried lead is the author says that shutting down the ROK/US strategy working group would be a mistake. I concur that it would be.
11. N. Korea's main paper urges ideological education for youth
en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 22, 2020
Ideological education is the key to regime control. It is what makes the system work.
12. Minister nominee proposes 'barter' exchange to break inter-Korean impasse
www01.koreaherald.com · by Ahn Sung-mi · July 21, 2020
Minister nominee Lee may cause severe friction within the alliance as he calls for the end of the ROK/US strategy working group. He would cut off Korea's nose to spite its face. His naïve views on engagement north Korea undermine Korea security.
My question is why he is not single focused on resolving the Korea question and seeking unification as a United Republic of Korea. (UROK). There is so much work that must be done to achieve unification. Why is he not focusing on that and why does he (and all his predecessors) act like another Minister of Foreign Affairs. This should be the end state (or the acceptable durable political arrangement that will bring peace and stability to Northeast Asia) for his mission: A secure, stable, economically vibrant, non-nuclear Korean peninsula unified under a liberal constitutional form of government with respect for individual liberty, the rule of law, free market economy, and human rights determined by the Korean people.
I am sure I will get schooled for my naïve views but it does seem the Minister of Unification does everything except prepare for and try to achieve unification.
13. N.K. could react positively if S. Korea, U.S. exercise flexibility on joint drills: minister nominee
en.yna.co.kr · by 고병준 · July 23, 2020
Come on. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? We have shown "flexibility" on exercises for the past two years from when President Trump unilaterally made the decision to cancel exercises in 2018. We have cancelled, postponed, and scaled back and reimagined the entire exercise process (to include renaming the command post computer simulation exercises but how has the regime responded? With more demands and rhetoric, no reduction in tensions or hostility toward the South no cooperation on remains recovery, guard post firing, 21 plus missile and rocket tests (to include fielding new systems specifically designed to target Camp Humpreys and Osan and Choengu Air bases, and its own continued Winter and Summer Training Cycles. So now if we "show flexibility" on exercises what kind of "positive" reaction do we think we will see from the north? Please stop the insanity.
But I am glad he also said he believes the US should continue to station troops in Korea. But did he say anything about the absolute importance of the alliance? Lip service only - strategic balance of power in the region.
No mention of his desire to shut down the ROK/US strategy working group which he has publicly discussed. That is an indication of his true colors and lack of support for the alliance.
I too fear for the suffering of the Korean people in the north and I would like to help them through humanitarian assistance. But with that assistance the Korean people have to know their suffering is the result of the policy decisions of Kim Jong-un and his willingness to sacrifice their well-being so the elite can live in luxury and he can build nuclear weapons.
But what I want to know is what is the "bold change" he is planning?
14. U.N. expert requests meeting with unification ministry amid concerns over leafleting
en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 22, 2020
I have not seen any reports on whether the National Assembly grilled Minister nominee Lee on this issue. The first thing the new minister should do is reverse the decision to treat escapee/defectors with such hostility and instead renew support to their information and influence activities.
15. N. Korea has unpaid loan of US$40 mln with U.N. agricultural agency: report
en.yna.co.kr · by 이원주 · July 22, 2020
Has the regime ever paid off its debts?
16. Thae Yong-ho calls for pressure on North Korea to repay debts
upi.com· by Elizabeth Shim · July 22, 2020
To answer my question it looks like the regime did pay off some debts in 2008. Note these loans were during the period of the Sunshine and Peace and Prosperity Policies when the Korean government believed in the theory that reaching out and "engaging" (and providing money) would change north Korean behavior. Of course in 2006 it tested its first nuclear device so we should know that we disproved that theory. But there are those who want to try again
17. EU 'To Impose Sanctions' On Russia, China, North Korea Over Cyberattacks
Good on the EU.
18. UFP excoriates Unification Ministry nominee over past ideology
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · Shim Kyu-Seok
Well here it is. The Minister is exposed. Thae Young-ho appears to really have gone after him. But Lee fought back using a typical communist and radical leftist argument - making himself out to be the "democratic one and arguing Thae does not understand democracy. Admit nothing, deny everything and make counteraccusations
19. U.S. Strategic Command accompanies B-1B's Guam deployment operation
donga.com · July 23, 2020
It is interesting how the media interprets what is probably a "command visit." I do not think the entire command accompanied the Bones on their deployment. Just the Commander! I also doubt Admiral Richard was wearing an Air Force uniform. He was likely wearing a flight suit in the aircraft but I doubt the Navy Admiral was wearing an Air Force unification. Naval (and even Army) aviators wear flight suits and they all look similar if not alike.
20. S. Korean economy suffers worst contraction since 1998 crisis
The Korea Times · Lee Min-hyung ·July 23, 2020
I remember the IMF crisis. It was not a good time.
21. NK likely to conduct nuclear test or reentry test this year: Singaporean expert
koreaherald.com · by Kim So-hyun · July 23, 2020
Okay. I will close with this bombshell report. I wonder where he gets his high level of confidence. But he does make some interesting arguments.
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"Stay focused on the mission. Line up military tasks with political objectives. Avoid mission creep and allow for mission shifts. A mission shift is a conscious decision, made by political leadership in consultation with the military commander, responding to a changing situation."
- General Anthony Zinni
"Always forgive your enemies--nothing annoys them so much."
-Oscar Wilde
"Of course the people don't want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war: neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship . . . Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. (at the Nuremberg Trials, shortly before being sentenced to death)."
- Hermann Goering