Tag: North Korea

  • Why North Korea Isn’t Weighing In on the South’s Turmoil?

    Why North Korea Isn’t Weighing In on the South’s Turmoil?

    They thrive on mocking and humiliating each other, with their rivalry defining their existence. North Korea and South Korea—one people divided by contrasting ideologies and governments have long competed to showcase which system best serves its people. The two Koreas—South and North—function like estranged brothers, each leveraging hatred for the other to bolster faith in their respective administrations. Without the enmity and stark administrative differences, they are fundamentally the same people—potentially capable of uniting. To prevent this, politicians on both sides benefit from perpetuating hostility.

    Yet, when South Korea plunges into political turmoil, dividing both politicians and citizens, North Korea remains unusually silent and calm—a stark contrast to the typical animosity between the two countries. President Yoon, the central figure in South Korea’s political drama, harbors deep animosity toward the North, skillfully leveraging this hatred to his advantage. He even links opposition forces to North Korea to justify his controversial martial law declaration, a move that has further inflamed an already charged political climate and put him under threat—a perfect situation for North Korea to act.

    Strangely, despite numerous opportunities to exploit South Korea’s vulnerability or launch a powerful propaganda attack, North Korea has chosen restraint. It remains inactive, refraining from using the chaos to fuel domestic narratives. Why has this traditionally aggressive neighbor, so known for its hostility, suddenly embraced such uncharacteristic restraint and maturity?

    North Korean state media typically exploit any signs of public dissent in the South, using them to depict South Korea’s democratic system and its leaders as corrupt and inept. Yet, for over a week, North Korea chose not to capitalize on the opportunity, refraining from mocking its ideological adversary and missing a chance to showcase the supposed superiority of its socialist communist model.

    North Korea has used the situation to argue that the South unfairly blames it for all its domestic troubles, sowing doubt even within South Korea itself. President Yoon’s martial law declaration, for instance, claimed that “anti-state” and “North Korean communist forces” had infiltrated his domestic political opposition—a claim that holds little substantive merit. There has also been a gradual reduction in the coverage the North provides its people about the South in state media, because they no longer want to emphasize the South. Instead, they aim to position it as “Just another” country.

    Some analysts suggest that Pyongyang refrained from broadcasting images of mass protests in South Korea to avoid inspiring similar uprisings among its own citizens. Others believe the North fears that turmoil in the South might compel its government, under pressure, to divert public attention by provoking a security incident with Pyongyang. Another theory points to Pyongyang’s decision in late 2023 to amend its constitution, officially designating South Korea as a “Belligerent state” and reframing their relationship as one between “Two hostile states”. This shift marks a departure from the North’s previous rhetoric of the two Koreas as a single, homogenous people destined for reunification.

    Some believe North Korea withheld reports on South Korea’s unrest, fearing it might inspire its own citizens to resist their leadership. However, for others, Pyongyang’s approach seems more strategic, as it aims to navigate this period of South Korean vulnerability with its long-term objectives in mind.

    The North did not stay silent. On Wednesday, KCNA covered the events in South Korea with its trademark inflammatory tone, describing the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol as a shocking move. The report condemned his actions as those of a fascist regime, claiming that the South Korean military was a “Gangster organization” and describing Yoon’s declaration as “A disaster.” It also claimed that the South Korean public was demanding his immediate impeachment and punishment. The report included about 20 photos, but none showed South Korean civilians resisting the military outside the parliament. The tone of the coverage suggests that the North sees the South’s political struggles as an opportunity to further distance itself, reinforcing its identity as fundamentally separate. It seems intent on severing ties with its “Brother” to pursue its own path.

  • Mutual Defense Treaty Pulls North Korea into War

    Mutual Defense Treaty Pulls North Korea into War

    Russia is now short of men. They never anticipated, even in their distant dreams, that the war in Ukraine would last this long. After two and a half years, the death toll on the Russian side is high, and the conflict shows no signs of an immediate ceasefire, creating serious challenges. Russia has tried to boost recruitment, including from countries like Nepal. People living in poverty are being sent to the frontlines, despite having no interest in Ukraine or the war beyond the promise of some money.

    As the governments of these countries take steps to curb this recruitment flow, primarily under pressure from the West, Russia has adopted alternative measures, including enlisting its long-term ally North Korea in the war. Russia and North Korea recently formalized a significant treaty focused on military cooperation. Under this pact, North Korea plans to send troops to Ukraine to support Russia’s war efforts. With the treaty now ratified by both governments, North Korea’s entry into the Russia-Ukraine war is official.

    On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed and officially ratified the landmark mutual defense pact with Russia. The treaty, first signed on June 19 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s famous state visit to Pyongyang, commits both nations to provide immediate military support to each other, using all means necessary, in response to any act of aggression. Kim hailed the pact as a milestone, calling it an alliance that will elevate Russia-North Korea relations to unprecedented heights. The world, especially Russia and North Korea’s adversaries, now watches closely, concerned about how this alliance will impact ongoing conflicts and global stability.

    The treaty includes a preamble and 23 articles that outline cooperation in politics, trade, investment, and security. Article 3 specifies that if either nation faces a direct threat of armed invasion, both sides must immediately open bilateral negotiations to align their positions and plan practical countermeasures. Article 4 requires immediate military and other assistance from the other party if one nation enters a state of war due to an armed invasion, resembling NATO’s mutual defense clause. Article 10 focuses on fostering exchanges and cooperation in fields such as science and peaceful nuclear energy This clause is particularly intriguing for Kim Jong-un, who has a strong interest in nuclear weapons, likely motivating him to commit troops in return for advancements in weaponry.

    Five days before North Korea ratified the treaty, Russia’s parliament approved it in Moscow on November 6, signaling the growing importance of the agreement. Observers expect Russia to extend this strategy to include more of its satellite states, which may also join the effort if the war persists. Despite U.S. attempts to disrupt these alliances, many former Soviet countries continue to depend on Russia.

    Intelligence reports from South Korea, the United States, and Ukraine confirm that at least 11,000 North Korean soldiers have already been sent to the front lines to fight against Ukrainian forces. Most of these troops have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, which has been partially under Ukrainian control since Kyiv’s surprise incursion into Russian territory in August. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has directly commented on the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, but their involvement under the Mutual Defense Treaty has effectively expanded the war beyond Russia and Ukraine,  drawing North Korea into the conflict.

    North Korea’s involvement could potentially draw South Korea into the war in support of Ukraine, with growing fears that Japan might also join, further escalating tensions. Earlier this month, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol warned that he might send arms to Ukraine if North Korean soldiers are not withdrawn from Russia. However, many believe this scenario is unlikely. North Korea’s role in the war appears limited to sending troops to assist Russia in exchange for advanced technologies. Still, we must consider the possibility that they are all teaming up to prepare for a larger agenda.

  • North Korean Diplomats Escape to the South, Continuing After an Interval

    North Korean Diplomats Escape to the South, Continuing After an Interval

    North Korea has been reported as a tough place for its officials to live, with many reports and rumors about missing officials who may be imprisoned or executed. If it is difficult for officials, it is even harder for common people. It is common for people from North Korea to escape the regime and flee to South Korea, even though transportation and information exchange between the two Koreas seem almost impossible. North Korea has tried everything to fortify its borders, with tight control over anything going in or out. The country’s athletes and diplomats are under strict surveillance when traveling abroad. But interestingly, Reports of officials refusing to return and attempting to escape have been reported many times. Diplomats stationed in various countries often disconnect from the regime’s radar and flee to South Korea, this was a common occurrence until almost six years ago. However, tighter scrutiny in the selection of diplomats and the closing of loopholes have restricted such defections. But at a time when South and North Korea’s relationship has worsened due to the notorious “Balloon War”,  news has emerged of a senior North Korean diplomat escaping to South Korea. A tool can be used by the South to humiliate North Korea.

    According to reports, a senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, becoming the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to escape to the South since 2016. The diplomat, Ri Il-kyu, who was on a critical foreign mission for Pyongyang, joined North Korea’s foreign ministry in 1999 and received a commendation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for successfully negotiating the release of a North Korean ship detained in Panama for carrying arms from Cuba in 2013. Without providing further details, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed an earlier report by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. One of Ri Il-kyu’s roles at the embassy was to prevent North Korea’s rival South Korea and old ally Cuba from establishing diplomatic ties, the newspaper reported. In February, the two countries did establish diplomatic relations, which was a significant blow to North Korea.

    Details on North Korean defections often take months to come to light, as defectors need to be cleared by authorities and undergo a course of education about South Korean society and systems. He shared with the newspaper that his decision to defect stemmed from disillusionment with the regime and unfair evaluations of his work. He noted that every North Korean contemplates living in South Korea at least once, driven by disillusionment with the regime and a bleak outlook. He also expressed that North Koreans desire reunification more than South Koreans, believing it to be the only path for their children to have a better future. He mentioned that he flew out of Cuba with his family but did not elaborate further on how he managed the high-risk escape. 

    The difference between South Korea and North Korea is widening. South Korea boasts a large economy, ranked 14th worldwide, with a GDP per capita around $35,000, one of the highest in Asia. Its job market offers many opportunities, and its soft power, through K-pop and K-dramas, is expanding globally. In contrast, North Korea has a nominal GDP per capita of only $900, forty times lower than South Korea, making it one of the poorest countries on the continent. Living conditions, freedom of expression, and other aspects of life are tightly restricted under its communist regime. These factors contribute to North Koreans fleeing to the South. In 2023, 196 North Korean defectors came to Seoul, according to South Korean government data. Most recent defectors, like diplomat Ri, had long lived overseas, human rights activists say.

    South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said they are committed to providing increased financial support for North Korean defectors and offering tax incentives to companies that employ them at the inaugural North Korean Defectors’ Day ceremony. This commitment is expected to unsettle North Korea, prompting tighter control over its diplomats. However, it is evident that North Korea cannot conceal these changes indefinitely.

  • Vladimir Putin bolsters his relationship with North Korea

    Vladimir Putin bolsters his relationship with North Korea

    There are only a few countries left in the world that Russian President Vladimir Putin can visit without fearing arrest due to the ICC’s warrant against him. North Korea, a traditional ally of Russia, is among them. North Korea remains steadfast in its relationship with Russia while becoming increasingly isolated from the West. As the war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending, Russian munitions are failing to hit their targets, and Russia is even relying on soldiers, mostly trafficked from South Asia. In this situation, the relationship with North Korea will be mutually beneficial. North Korea, known to possess nuclear weapons and to have displayed various other dangerous weapons before, is causing concerns in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea regard North Korea as a dangerous enemy and are on high alert due to the growing relationship between Putin and Kim.

    Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for an important summit with Kim Jong-un, according to sources. Making his first visit to the reclusive country since 2000, the Russian president flew to Pyongyang early on Wednesday and was greeted by huge welcome banners and Russian flags, as reported by Russian state media. His plane touched down in Pyongyang at about 2:45 am local time after a stopover in Russia’s far east. Putin and Kim held a brief meeting shortly after his arrival and are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday to sign agreements aimed at deepening their relationship, which has significantly strengthened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    Kim is not involved in the Russia-Ukraine war but has expressed support for Russia. Some Western media have reported that they have already provided munitions to Russia. The US and South Korea assert they have evidence that North Korea has supplied Russia with dozens of ballistic missiles and over 11,000 containers of munitions for use in Ukraine. They have also highlighted evidence of Korean-made artillery in Ukraine. However, both Russia and North Korea have denied these allegations. North Korea could provide more to Russia with ongoing supplies of artillery, guided rockets for multiple rocket launchers, and short-range missiles to support its operations in Ukraine. Kim, who met Putin in the Russian Pacific city of Vladivostok during a week-long visit to Russia last September, is among the few world leaders to have expressed unequivocal support for the war. Putin has described the pair as “comrades-in-arms” against Western attempts to isolate them through sanctions.

    North Korea is highly reliant on Russia, who has closed all relationships with the world and is only open to Russia and China. Both countries support the communist regime in North Korea, so welcoming Putin isn’t merely ceremonial; without support from Russia, North Korea can maneuver independently. However, for Russia, the president’s visit signifies more than symbolic gestures; it entails securing deals and ensuring continued support from North Korea to maintain a hassle-free eastern border. The vast eastern part of the elongated country is distant from Moscow, and any signs of Russia’s weakness could lead to trouble in this region. Therefore, maintaining a militarily strong ally in the east is crucial for Korea. Perhaps Putin’s first visit to the country in 24 years is driven by Russia’s insecurities. Currently, it appears that Russia is favoring North Korea more. Putin has even praised Kim for defying UN Security Council sanctions, measures that Moscow had supported until recently, aimed at curbing his regime’s nuclear ambitions.

    North Korea’s state KCNA news agency said Putin’s visit proves that ties between the two countries “are getting stronger day by day” and would lend “fresh vitality to the development of good-neighborly cooperative relations between the two countries”. However, the media in South Korea, Japan, and the West raised concerns. The US expressed concern that the visit could impact security in Ukraine and on the Korean peninsula, which has recently experienced tension along the heavily fortified border separating North and South Korea since the end of the notorious Korean War.

    Putin’s trip showed he was “Dependent” on authoritarian leaders. North Korea, Iran, and China are the closest friends and biggest supporters of the Russian war effort. The Russian government is now taking all steps to bolster these relationships. The Russian delegation to Pyongyang is said to include Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the heads of the Russian space agency and railways, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who is Putin’s key representative for energy. Putin’s North Korean hosts have not released any details of his itinerary. However, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency, the visit will feature one-on-one discussions between Putin and Kim, a gala concert, a state reception, honor guards, document signings, and a statement to the media.

  • The Balloon War is Heating Up in Korea

    The Balloon War is Heating Up in Korea

    When considering one of the most tense borders, the border between the Koreas undoubtedly stands out. The democratic Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, and the Communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, widely referred to as North Korea, epitomize the poignant saga of separated brethren, yet remain in an unyielding state of division. Both Koreas yearn for reunification, but they are adamant about maintaining their respective ruling systems, which presents a significant obstacle.

    Each Korea employs various tactics to influence people on the other side and aims for reunification. Previous military efforts in the 1950s culminated in the famous Korean War. Now, with both countries heavily armed and allied with powerful nations, war is not a viable option. Both sides understand that conflict would lead to regional collapse. Instead, they employ different strategies, one of which involves balloons. Yes, balloons are used as a weapon in a “Balloon War”, but not a lethal one. As air flows freely across both Koreas and balloons are used as a tool, South Koreans utilize them to convey information to North Koreans, who live under a tightly controlled regime that restricts access to external information sources. North Korea views this practice seriously, as it can heavily influence its people, and thus, they denounce this act as littering on their land. This tactic has undoubtedly heightened tensions between these two hostile neighbors or estranged brothers.

    The propaganda mission from South Korean activists turned into a “balloon war” when North Korea sent balloons back with waste, including litter and human waste. The balloon war is intensifying, according to the latest reports. According to South Korean media, last Thursday, the Free North Korea Movement, a group of North Korean defectors, declared that it had dispatched 10 large balloons filled with 200,000 leaflets criticizing the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with US dollar bills and flash drives loaded with K-pop. The group further disclosed its dispatch of balloons loaded with approximately 2,000 USB flash drives containing songs by South Korean singer Lim Young-woong, along with other K-pop songs and K-dramas, into North Korea on May 10. This action potentially triggered the recent surge of garbage-filled balloons in the opposite direction.

    In retaliation, North Korea released almost 1,000 balloons containing rubbish, cigarette butts, and what appeared to be excrement to protest the groups in the South. There are reports that fears are growing that the North could resume its “Dirty” campaign in response to the activists actions. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, North Korea was ready to dispatch “One hundred times the quantity of toilet paper and filth” it had previously used against the South.

    There was a brief period when South Koreans avoided the balloon mission after the South Korean government banned the process of disturbing their neighbor. However, the court later scrapped the ban, leading to further escalation of the balloon mission from the South. North Korea’s actions have only intensified the situation. The tit-for-tat balloon campaign or balloon war  has deteriorated bilateral relations, leading South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to suspend a 2018 agreement aimed at easing cross-border tensions. Earlier reports suggested that North Korea agreed to temporarily halt balloon war following Seoul’s warning of “Unendurable” measures, such as the resumption of loud propaganda and pop music broadcasts via loudspeakers positioned along the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a strip of land dividing the peninsula since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The latest decision by Yoon Suk Yeol means that the South could resume live-fire drills, as well as restarting anti-Kim broadcasts near the border. Restarting the broadcasts would enrage the North, which has previously threatened to destroy the loudspeakers using artillery if they were not turned off. South Korea says it will restart loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts into the North after Pyongyang sent hundreds more rubbish-filled balloons across the border. “We will install loudspeakers against North Korea today and carry out the broadcast”, the president’s office said in a statement on Sunday. Both sides blame each other and escalate measures to increase the suffering of the other.

    On Saturday, the Seoul city government, along with officials in the neighboring Gyeonggi Province, issued a text alert to residents, cautioning them about potential new balloon sightings. South Koreans are quite angry at North Korea, not only because Korean content is considered trash by the North. According to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, “North Korea is making another low-class provocation with trash balloons against our civilian areas”. At the same time, Seoul’s military calmed down citizens by stating that there were no substances harmful to safety in the latest batch of balloons, which contained waste paper and plastic. However, it cautioned the public to keep their distance and promptly report any balloons to the authorities. All these actions by the “Balloon War” have caused ties between the two Koreas to dip to one of their lowest points in years, with diplomacy long stalled and Kim ramping up his weapons testing and development, while the South draws closer to major security allies Washington and Tokyo.

  • What’s Behind North Korea’s Waste-Filled Balloons?

    What’s Behind North Korea’s Waste-Filled Balloons?

    The use of propaganda balloons has long been a source of tension between North Korea and South Korea, two nations locked  in conflict since the 1950s. South Korea is an expert in this tactic, frequently sending propaganda-filled balloons to the North, which disturbed the communist government. They continued This practice until recently. However, South Korea ceased this action, While North Korea is reported to be sending balloons filled with human feces and rubbish.

    This “new way” for the authoritarian communist country to humiliate South Korea has quickly become a trending topic in the political sphere. On Wednesday, the South Korean military released photographs depicting inflated balloons tethered to plastic bags. Other images appeared to show trash strewn around collapsed balloons, with the word “Excrement” written on a bag in one photograph. This method, sending rubbish and feces, noted since the Scythian period, is a classic and ancient way to humiliate enemies. Considering North Korea’s large missile collection, one might wonder why they resort to such tactics. Nevertheless, North Korea’s inhumane and vulgar actions have sparked fury in South Korea.

    According to reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, citing military sources, more than 150 balloons had been detected. Some of the balloons landed on the ground, while others were still in the air. Some of the balloons had traveled long distances, reaching as far as the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang, a province close to Japan. The fallen balloons appeared to have been carrying various items of rubbish, including plastic bottles, batteries, shoe parts, and what is believed to be manure, an official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. South Korea has issued a warning to residents living near the border with North Korea to remain vigilant. The South Korean military reported that unidentified objects believed to be from North Korea had been spotted near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified border separating the two Koreas.

    The balloons arrived after Kim Kang-il, a North Korean defense vice-minister, warned that the regime would retaliate in response to anti-North Korean leaflets flown across the border in the opposite direction. For years, South Korean activists and North Korean defectors have launched balloons to North Korea containing leaflets that critique the regime and encourage North Koreans to challenge the longstanding rule of the Kim dynasty in the name of Communism. Additionally, they have transported USB memory sticks containing K-pop music videos, prohibited in the North. The North Korean leader dismisses this material as rubbish.

    Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, activists in the South released helium-filled balloons across the border. The balloons reportedly contained masks, over-the-counter painkillers, and vitamin C tablets, as well as booklets celebrating life in the wealthy, democratic South. The packages also included hundreds of USB sticks containing videos of US Congress members denouncing North Korea’s human rights record. Even though it may seem acceptable to the rest of the world, for North Korea, which claims not to have cases, it is considered humiliation. This is the same humiliation they are now inflicting on South Korea, sending a clear message that the material they send to the North is just rubbish, equivalent to feces, to them.

    While balloons were mostly used by human rights activists and Korean unification supporters in South Korea, the South Korean government didn’t intervene much in this. However, in 2020, the South Korean government, led by the liberal president Moon Jae-in, drew an angry response from human rights activists after it took action against two defector organizations that routinely released propaganda balloons, accusing them of unnecessarily provoking the North and hampering efforts to improve cross-border ties. The government rescinded the permits of the groups when they consistently disregarded official requests to cease the flights.. 

    For the regime in Pyongyang, the balloons represent a potential existential threat since they challenge the carefully crafted narrative surrounding the Kim dynasty and the people blocked from outside the world. The regime routinely describes their contents as “Dirty Waste” and claims that they were responsible for spreading the coronavirus through the balloon packages.

    The cross-border balloon activity was reduced during Moon’s administration, which criminalized leafleting campaigns in a law introduced in early 2021, six months after Pyongyang expressed its anger over the leaflets by blowing up an inter-Korean liaison office in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. However, after two years, South Korea’s constitutional court nullified the contentious leafleting law, deeming it an undue restriction on free speech. With the court’s grant and North Korea’s move to send waste to South Korea through balloons, more balloon launches are expected to be prompted. The mutual humiliations are not expected to escalate to a military level.

  • How to Understand the United States Military Exercises in China Seas

    How to Understand the United States Military Exercises in China Seas

    The world is once again experiencing a gradual polarization, yet unlike the past century, the shift is not unfolding primarily in Europe; rather, it is unfolding in Asia. Washington and Beijing have emerged as two major power centers, increasingly prioritizing their relationships with Asian countries. Military exercises are on the rise, with the United States continuously conducting such drills in waters surrounding China. These military exercises may form part of a multi-year training plan, such as those jointly established by defense authorities like the drills involving the US, Korea, and Japan. Some Military exercises are conducted annually, like those carried out by the United States and the Philippines, but they all contribute to escalating tensions in the region. The choice of locations and the actions within these drills exhibit heightened aggression, collectively sending a clear message to Beijing. Furthermore, China, Russia, and North Korea are actively preparing to counter US influence in the region.

    In recent days, the South Korean navy conducted joint naval drills with the United States and Japan in international waters south of Jeju Island, an island located in close proximity to China. The aim of these military drills was to improve joint operability against the nuclear and missile threats presented by North Korea. The military exercise comprised six warships, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, and two Aegis destroyers from South Korea and Japan. The primary emphasis of the military exercise lay in anti-submarine warfare training and improving responsiveness to North Korean underwater threats, including submarines and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Moreover, the three nations engaged in maritime interception training to curb the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction, alongside conducting search and rescue exercises.

    Since the Camp David summit in August, Washington has been strengthening military alliances with Seoul and Tokyo, stressing the importance of “Regularizing defensive exercises” to enhance trilateral responses to North Korean threats. The recent joint military drill follows naval exercises in January, during which a US aircraft carrier was similarly positioned south of Jeju in the East China Sea. While these trilateral naval exercises primarily aim to address North Korean threats, both Beijing and Moscow are closely monitoring the deepening military cooperation among the three allies. The area south of Jeju Island in the East China Sea holds strategic importance for China, as its navy must navigate near the island and the Japanese archipelago to access the Pacific Ocean. From the perspective of the United States, the southern part of Jeju serves as a strategic vantage point for monitoring North Korea, but its geopolitical significance also positions it as a potential means of checking China’s influence. From China’s viewpoint, the North Korean nuclear issue is not new, and the joint training exercises conducted by the three countries signify an attempt to assert influence and limit China’s regional aspirations. From Russia’s view, Vladivostok is situated closer to Jeju Island in the East China Sea than Moscow. 

    Military exercises in the South China Sea are also on the rise. China conducted military “Combat Patrols” in the disputed region, as confirmed by its army. This activity coincided with joint military drills conducted by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Moreover, next week will witness extensive naval drills between the Philippines and the US, occurring amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. With preparations underway, the possibility of military confrontations from the Chinese side cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, the United States and its allies currently maintain clear dominance over the waters, as evidenced by their repeated naval exercises. China and its partners are shown their combined power and preparedness through these military drills.

  • North Korea and China Conduct High-Level Meetings with High Regard

    North Korea and China Conduct High-Level Meetings with High Regard

    The poor living conditions and the communist regime define North Korea. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea, is a country that is frequently in the news because of its strange totalitarian government, sophisticated arsenal of weapons, and intense rivalry with the US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, which is its neighbor. The country, almost isolated from the world to preserve its authoritarian rule, still exists with only close ties to Russia and China. Actually, It is Russia and China that sustain North Korea as a country. Everything from basic needs to military technology is obtained through these countries. Therefore, more than their celebrated missiles, North Korea relies on its relationship with these countries. North Korea appears to be the child constantly yearning to be with its parents, while Russia and China resemble a couple locked in a struggle against a common enemy, their bond tightly intertwined.

    There are significant developments in world politics now, especially in Asian politics. We are witnessing a weaker Russia, and China is experiencing an economic slowdown, resulting in a diminishing global superpower aspiration. Tensions are high between the China-Russia alliance and the US-Japan alliance. However, no one is currently prepared for a full-scale war, and everyone is aware of its disastrous effects. Power politics is dominating the world stage now, replacing the emphasis on weapons. Countries are aligning themselves with others and bolstering them with financial support and political appeasement. The United States, China, Russia, India, and everyone else is engaged in this race for domination in power politics. By convening high-level official meetings and investing in infrastructure, China is strategically pulling more countries onto its side. China is also keen to bolster relationships with North Korea to effectively counter the threat from South Korea and Japan. During the highest-level talks between the allies in years, a senior Chinese official reaffirmed ties with North Korea on Saturday during a visit with the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. It was reported as a friendly get-together between two amicable nations, but when we consider the geopolitics of the area, it becomes intriguing. These countries are known for hiding the truths, perhaps even better than the United States.

    China, The main diplomatic and financial supporter of North Korea looks forward to deepening their relationship. In honor of the anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations, North Korea and China are anticipated to have several exchanges this year. During the 1950–1953 Korean War, China fought on behalf of the isolated communist state against the US and other countries. China’s efforts prevented the Korean reunion and preserved communist rule. The relationship has persisted over the years, with China reportedly breaking UN sanctions in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program and missile launches. Additionally, China supports North Korea’s fragile economy to meet their demands.

    North Korea has recently tested missiles, aimed at frightening South Korea and its ally, the United States. This is the backdrop against which the conference is being held. Zhao Leji, the third-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee and the chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, is conducting talks in Pyongyang. Zhao stated that since the two nations’ diplomatic relations were established 75 years ago, they have been “Good neighbors and struggled together to attain a common destiny and level of development”, as reported by Xinhua, the Chinese official news agency.

    Zhao’s visit to North Korea marked the first bilateral exchange involving a Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member since the pandemic, which holds significant importance despite claims that it was a friendly meetup. This importance stems from it being the first such exchange after the COVID-19 lockdown. Several events occurred during this period. Kim traveled to Russia in September for a summit with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. According to experts, the deepening relationship with China and Russia could help North Korea to take more aggressive actions in the region. However, amid these accusations, stories of strong friendship between these countries may cause concerns for the people of East Asia.

  • North Korea Declares South Korea as the ‘Primary Foe’: Will it mark the end of Unified Korea?

    North Korea Declares South Korea as the ‘Primary Foe’: Will it mark the end of Unified Korea?

    The prospect of a unified Korea appears remote. The Korean Peninsula continues to be separated, housing a shared population in two separate nations: one receiving support from Russia and China, and the other backed by the United States and Japan. Despite some advancements in the last decade, North Korea emphatically dismisses any prospects for future cooperation and negotiations. At the moment, there is a clear division among the politicians of the two nations, highlighting ongoing challenges that impede the reunification of Korea and reminiscent of the sorrowful consequences of sibling strife.

    As per state media reports,  Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, declared on Friday that South Korea has once again become the North’s “primary foe.” He asserted that the nation would be safeguarded through force rather than diplomatic negotiations. Kim said this at a moment when North Korea had recently given up on its long-standing objective of uniting with South Korea. Instead, the North has insisted on formalizing its pledge to “completely occupy” South Korea land in the event of hostilities. Kim stated, “Defining the South Korean puppets as the most harmful primary foe and invariable principal enemy and deciding it as a national policy to occupy their territory in the event of a contingency is a reasonable measure for the eternal safety of our country and the peace and stability of the future.” 

    Kim also called for full-fledged battle readiness and a strengthened military might during a visit to the defense ministry on Thursday to mark the 76th anniversary of the North’s Korean People’s Army’s creation. Rejecting the notion of pursuing peace through discussions, Kim said, “Peace is not something that should be begged for or gained in exchange for talks.” The North, he claimed, no longer saw the need to go through the “unrealistic ordeal” of cooperating and holding negotiations with the South. 

    North Korea has been more aggressive in its criticism of and military provocations against the South in recent times. This is especially true after Kim described inter-Korean relations as that of “two states hostile to each other” at a party end-of-year gathering, claiming that efforts to bring the two Koreas together are pointless.

    North Korea has officially terminated its economic collaboration with South Korea. During a plenary meeting of the Supreme People’s Assembly on Wednesday, officials voted unanimously to abolish the law governing inter-Korean economic cooperation. The decision reflects a broader move by the Supreme People’s Assembly to annul all agreements aimed at fostering economic collaboration with South Korea.

    Concurrently, the legislative assembly has passed resolutions to revoke laws associated with economic relations with Seoul, including those governing the once-prominent Mount Kumgang tourism project. This initiative, symbolizing past economic cooperation, had its origins during a period of engagement between the two Koreas in the early 2000s, attracting nearly 2 million South Korean visitors to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border. This development unfolds against the backdrop of a significant deterioration in relations between the two Koreas.

    Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, accepted the “extraordinary change” in North Korea’s inter-Korea policy but said he had trouble understanding the underlying reasoning. Yoon emphasized that, in spite of the change, North Korea has continued to advance communism during the previous 70 years, which has culminated in the country’s pursuit of nuclear weapons that might endanger South Korea. Yoon, who is well-known for taking a strong stand against Pyongyang, expressed a willingness to communicate, even suggesting a summit with Kim and providing assistance with finances. He did point out that many view the North Korean leadership as “not a rational group.” 

    The potential reunification of Korea holds the promise of significantly reshaping the regional power dynamics, particularly given South Korea’s current standing as a regional powerhouse. In September 2009, Goldman Sachs conducted an in-depth exploration of the economic implications of a unified Korea in its 188th Global Economics Paper titled “Reassessing North Korea Risks and A United Korea.” The paper offered a comprehensive analysis of the economic strength that a united Korea could command, surpassing several G7 nations, including Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and potentially Japan, within 30–40 years post-reunification. The projected GDP is estimated to exceed $6 trillion by 2050. Key factors identified as propelling this potential growth include the combination of a youthful, skilled labor force and abundant natural resources in the North, coupled with advanced technology, infrastructure, and substantial capital in the South. Additionally, Korea’s strategic location, linking three major economic powers, further contributes to the envisioned economic prowess.

    However, some argue that as long as the country remains divided, people may not be actively concerned about reunification. Surveys in South Korea indicate that younger generations are less preoccupied with this issue compared to their older counterparts, as they are forging distinct identities separate from the North. Meanwhile, the attitudes of North Korean citizens, who are less exposed to the outside world, may also differ significantly, suggesting a preference for maintaining separate entities. It is evident that negotiations and peaceful means alone will not lead to Korean unification. The only foreseeable scenarios for a unified Korea, given recent developments, involve the collapse of communism in the North, the presence of a robust leadership figure from the South, or a notable global conflict.