News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Daniel Riggs.
1. New vice FM stresses 'transparent' communication in first talks with U.S. ambassador
2. 4 Koreans killed in car crash with US armored vehicle
3. Kim Jong-un's Sister Orchestrates Pyongyang Lockdown
4. Korea Skips Defense Talks with U.S., Japan
5. Kim Jong-un did not delegate power: Ex-US commander
6. Concerns rise over sidelining of Korea in regional issues
7. Moon Is Steering the Country out to Sea
8. North Korea's unprecedented TV move
9. South Korea Goes Back into Lockdown
10. North Korea claims the U.S. is the cyber bank robber
11. Ruckus rises over fake encrypted spy message on YouTube
12. Assessing the U.S. Shift to Great Power Competition and the Risk from North Korea
13. Soldiers in Unpa County are stealing and looting from locals
14. Top Air Force general tapped as new Joint Chiefs chair (South Korea)
15. N. Korean authorities arrest food seasonings wholesaler
16. Don't Look To Joe Biden For A Breakthrough With North Korea
17. [Heroes from afar] Red Cross oversaw treatment of Korean War prisoners
18. Explainer | Kim Jong-un: What is going on with North Korea’s leader?
19. North Korea mystery: Kim Jong-un plots to unveil 'top-secret weapon' at Pyongyang parade
20. North Korea Plays The I Dare You Game – OpEd
1. New vice FM stresses 'transparent' communication in first talks with U.S. ambassador
en.yna.co.kr · by 송상호 · August 31, 2020
He says the right words, especially about the alliance, but given his past writings and remarks and the nature of the Moon administration reading between the lines gives me pause.
2. 4 Koreans killed in car crash with US armored vehicle
The Korea Times · August 31, 2020
Another tragedy. I spent a lot of time in that area in the 1980's and we drove down Highway 3 a year ago. It was amazing to see how developed and congested the area had become (but not surprising).
3. Kim Jong-un's Sister Orchestrates Pyongyang Lockdown
english.chosun.com· August 31, 2020
I am afraid it is only a matter of time before we learn of a real outbreak in the north.
(Note some information based on VOA reporting).
4. Korea Skips Defense Talks with U.S., Japan
english.chosun.com· August 31, 2020
5. Kim Jong-un did not delegate power: Ex-US commander
koreaherald.com · by Choi Si-young · August 31, 2020
I think General Brooks believes (as do I) the system in north Korea is based on one man (or woman) rule. It is not designed for power sharing. Quote: Brooks told Voice of America on Saturday that the North has seen changes in leadership roles -- for example, Kim Yo-jong’s elevated status. But rather than a sign of power sharing, he said, the shakeup instead signals to trusted aides that the 36-year-old leader is taking on senior-level responsibilities."
But this comment from a South Korea legislator is troubling: "Ruling party Rep. Song Young-gil, who chairs the South Korean parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said earlier that the command, led by an American general, was legally unsound and “illegitimate” in its founding so it should be kept in check to prevent it from interfering with inter-Korean affairs." To say the "founding" of the UNC is illegitimate is to deny UN Security Council Resolutions 82-85 which recognized north Korea as the aggressor, called on member nations to come to the defense of the South's freedom, and established the UN Command as the mechanism for integrating those member nations' military forces, and designated the US as the executive agent for the UNC. Frankly speaking Rep. Song's view is right in line with north Korea's. It is almost as if he is repeating a north Korean talking point.
(Note also information in this report is also based on VOA reporting).
6. Concerns rise over sidelining of Korea in regional issues
The Korea Times · by Do Je-hae · August 31, 2020
I am concerned. I think we should all be concerned. This is an "own goal" or self inflicted wound.
7. Moon Is Steering the Country out to Sea
The Chosun Ilbo editorial board is concerned and critical of the Moon Administration's direction. It criticizes recent decisions as well as the ROK military leadership.
8. North Korea's unprecedented TV move
Breaking news above the supreme leader.
9. South Korea Goes Back into Lockdown
english.chosun.com· August 31, 2020
10. North Korea claims the U.S. is the cyber bank robber
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com· Shim Kyu-Seok
Typical north Korean response. Admit nothing, deny everything and make counter accusations.
11. Ruckus rises over fake encrypted spy message on YouTube
The Korea Times · August 31, 2020
I am not sure I would describe this as ruckus.
12. Assessing the U.S. Shift to Great Power Competition and the Risk from North Korea
divergentoptions.org · by Richard McManamon · August 31, 2020
I am not sure I would characterize US policy as a lessened focus on north Korea. I do not think we necessarily deprioritized it. What is interesting about north Korea is that it is very much intertwined with the revisionist powers (China and Russia) and the other rogue power (Iran) and some of its military equipment does get to violent extremists organizations at least indirectly (SCUDs in Yemen). Although we do seem to prioritize the revision powers first with the rogue powers second and VEOs third I do not think you can completely separate them into their own categories. They are all interrelated.
Re this excerpt: "President Trump has successfully communicated with Kim in the past by leveraging his attributes and finding common ground with the North Korean leader. While the complete dismantling of North Korea’s rocket and nuclear program may no longer be feasible, the U.S. can reestablish meaningful diplomatic relations with North Korea to influence Northern peninsula. This is not to suggest that if the U.S. were to extend an olive branch that North Korean missiles would be instantly dismantled. However, progress with North Korea can likely be increased through human interaction and an emotional connection versus harsher sanctions that may harm the population more than the senior leaders of the country." First, I am all for all contact with north Korea but it is the Kim family regime that prevents the re-establishment of meaningful diplomatic relations (I assume the author does not mean diplomatic recognition) that include substantive working level talks. I also worry that "olive branches" may imply concessions such as lifting sanctions which will be a Kim win and only lead to further blackmail diplomacy.
13. Soldiers in Unpa County are stealing and looting from locals
dailynk.com · by Jong So Yong · August 31, 2020
Corruption in the nKPA. More indications of problems within the military. At least they have their priorities right: bread, alcohol, and cigarettes.
14. Top Air Force general tapped as new Joint Chiefs chair
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com· by Shim Kyu-Seok
Army as MINDEF and Air Force as CJCS.
15. N. Korean authorities arrest food seasonings wholesaler
dailynk.com · by Kim Yoo Jin· August 31, 2020
Wasn't saccharine banned in the US in the 1980s?
16. Don't Look To Joe Biden For A Breakthrough With North Korea
The National Interest · by Denny Roy · August 30, 2020
The fact is no president can achieve a breakthrough as long as the Kim family regime remains in power. There will be no breakthrough until te Korea question is resolved.
17. [Heroes from afar] Red Cross oversaw treatment of Korean War prisoners
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com· by Esther Chung
Interesting Korean War history.
18. Explainer | Kim Jong-un: What is going on with North Korea’s leader?
SCMP · by John Power and Maria Siow· August 31, 2020
A relatively long piece that covers a lot of ground in north Korea.
19. North Korea mystery: Kim Jong-un plots to unveil 'top-secret weapon' at Pyongyang parade
express.co.uk· by Oli Smith
That would be the best time for us to see the "Juche Bird." But will it fly or just be in the parade?
20. North Korea Plays The I Dare You Game - OpEd
eurasiareview.com · by Felix Imonti* · August 31, 2020
What? There is this conclusion. I just cannot grasp the author's rationale here. Bypass "American sanction?" No retaliation from the UN Security Council? I do not think the author understands the impact of US law and what will happen to entities that defy sanctions. This is very dangerous advice.
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“One man with courage makes a majority.”
- Andrew Jackson
Abraham Lincoln, 1854, on a political opponent who made false claims:
“To deny these things... puts an end to all argument. If a man will stand up and assert, and repeat, and re-assert, that two and two do not make four, I know nothing in the power of argument that can stop him.”
“Talking nonsense is the sole privilege mankind possesses over the other organisms. It's by talking nonsense that one gets to the truth! I talk nonsense, therefore I'm human”
- Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground, White Nights, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, and Selections from The House of the Dead