KOREA DIGEST
Korea Digest is a monthly publication of the Korea Centre, School of International Relations and Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University, that compiles major political, security, economic and diplomatic developments in the Korean Peninsula. Korea Digest aims to track, highlight and provide brief analysis of important developments in the Korean Peninsula for the Indian audience.
KOREA DIGEST AUGUST 2023
CONTENTS
- The US state department warns of sanctions on Russia and North Korea
- North Korea criticises France for participating in joint air exercises with South Korea
- Washington accuses arms trade between Russia and North Korea
- North Korea insults US human rights envoy
- Kim Jong un calls for proactive military stance for war
- After 70 years, South Korea mulls a ‘Grand Strategy’
- North Korea condemns the US arms package for Taiwan
- Kim Jong un calls for proactive military stance for war.
- Pyongyang opposes UNSC meeting
- Combined military training by UAE and South Korea
- The Camp David summit.
- US is always open to negotiate with North Korea, says White House
Prepared by
Mirash Cherian Kurian, Research Associate, Korea Centre
US STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS OF SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA AND NORTH KOREA
Following the Russian Defence Minister’s visit to Pyongyang, a US spokesperson said that the US wouldn’t show any hesitation in imposing sanctions on both Russia and North Korea. It is believed by the US that the trip was made by Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Defence of Russia, to increase military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, also added that the relationship between Russia and North Korea has never been productive for the international community. At the same time, Seoul made its stance very clear that any exchange of weapons with North Korea is a blatant violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Delegations from Russia and China reached North Korea as part of the Victory Day celebration, which marked the 70th anniversary of the independence of the Korean Peninsula from the Japanese occupation.
NORTH KOREA CRITICISES FRANCE FOR PARTICIPATING IN JOINT AIR EXERCISES WITH SOUTH KOREA
North Korea slammed France for conducting a combined exercise with South Korea. The North considered this an ‘undisguised military provocation’ that threatened North Korea’s security. Ryu Kyong-chol a researcher at Pyongyang’s Korea- Europe Association, made a statement by KCNA that this action by France will only help to increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula. He also considered that bringing a fighter jet to the Korean Peninsula is a clear act of regard for North Korea as an enemy, and he also added that this will result in France being in a very undesirable position. At the same time, the bilateral air drill between South Korea and France recalled and paid respect to the fallen soldiers on the UN side during the Korean War.
WASHINGTON ACCUSES ARMS TRADE BETWEEN PYONGYANG AND MOSCOW
If weapons trade is happening between Russia and North Korea, it reveals that Russia is on the back foot in the war with Ukraine, says Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, who is a spokesperson for the Pentagon. When asked about the possible weapons trade between Russia and North Korea, during a daily press briefing, he simply replied that ‘Russia maintains a relationship with North Korea’. The US earlier accused Wagner Group, which is a mercenary wing associated with Russia, of conducting an arms deal with North Korea.
NORTH KOREA INSULTS HUMAN RIGHTS ENVOY IN PROTEST OF CRITICISM
Julie Turner, a special envoy from the US administration to monitor North Korea’s human rights issues, was insulted by the North Korean administration. The official news agency of the country made misogynistic remarks about her. She previously worked with the State Department as the East Asia and Pacific Director. Branding Turner’s previous criticisms of North Korea’s human rights track record as absurd, the Korean Central News Agency asserted that the US is trying to interfere in the activities of an independent and sovereign nation and to destroy its reputation and credibility. The KCNA also warned that America’s continuous criticism of North Korean matters might have unintended consequences. North Korea reacts with much intolerance when its top leadership and government are criticised, especially towards women. Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are some prominent figures who were abused verbally by the North Korean administration.
KIM JONG UN CALLS FOR PROACTIVE MILITARY STANCE FOR WAR
In the midst of the South Korea-US annual joint military exercise at the end of August, North Korean leader Kim Jong un called for preparation for a ‘possible’ war. Kim made this remark during a meeting of the military commission of the WPK. The North Korean leader accused the military exercise of being a rehearsal to invade the North. He also mentioned the need for the upgrade and mass production of weapons for the Korean People’s Army. An official at the South Korean Unification Ministry said that the regime in the North may be trying to send a threat to South Korea. He also clarified that the North will face consequences if it tries to cause tensions that destabilize the Korean Peninsula. The chief of General Staff of the North Korean army, Pak Su-gil was replaced by Ri Yong-gil without any clarification.
PYONGYANG OPPOSES UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON NORTH KOREA’S HUMAN RIGHTS
A meeting was called by the Security Council of the United Nations to address the human rights situation in North Korea, which was described by the North Korean side as an infringement on the dignity and sovereignty of their country. “We condemn and reject the move,” says Kim Son-gyong, who is the vice foreign minister of International organisations. Such a meeting was conducted in 2017. At the same time, China’s UN mission expressed its disapproval by arguing that this would only escalate tensions and hostility in the region.
COMBINED MILITARY TRAINING BY UAE AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA
To improve bilateral military cooperation, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates conducted combined military drills at the Korea combat training centre. It was the first time the UAE had exercised at this facility. The exercise involved the deployment of around 2,500 troops, which included the UAE’s armed forces and a unit from the 22nd infantry division. Also, more than 200 pieces of military equipment, including Tanks, helicopters, and unmanned aircraft, were used, according to the reports. The commander of the UAE’s land forces, Maj. Gen. Saeed Rashid Al Shehhi visited the drill and was accompanied by Gen. Park Jeong-hwan, the Army’s chief of staff in South Korea. Both nations signed an MoU on strategic defense industry cooperation when South Korean President Yoon Suk yeol visited Abu Dhabi for a summit.
JAPAN-KOREA-US TRILATERAL SUMMIT AT CAMP DAVID
US President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida convened at Camp David to begin a new era of trilateral partnership. This meeting reassured that the cooperation between the US, Japan, and South Korea will ensure the well-being of the people of the Indo-Pacific region and the world. After this summit, the leaders of these nations agreed to consult each other regarding matters that affect the collective interests of the trio of nations. The leaders also decided to meet in person every year to maintain the momentum of the Camp David summit. There will also be meetings between the foreign ministers, defence ministers, commerce and industry ministers, and national security advisers of Japan, South Korea, and the US. Through this summit, the three nations agreed to strengthen their security cooperation, particularly to defend against threats from North Korea. The Camp David summit also decided to focus more on the Indo-Pacific region. The Summit also took the decision to expand global health and people-to-people cooperation between the US, South Korea, and Japan. There are also plans to conduct the US-ROK-Japan trilateral global leadership youth summit, which is designed to bring together emerging Korean, Japanese, and American youth leaders to develop global leadership skills and share perspectives on global issues. The youth summit is to be held in Busan, South Korea. The summit also discussed the empowerment of Women in these countries by improving domestic care infrastructure and ensuring women’s active and meaningful engagement in all aspects of society, including in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Furthermore, the Camp David summit also called for the denuclearization of the DPRK. The Summit also expressed its support for Ukraine over the Russia-Ukraine war. The Camp David summit exhibited optimism for the future.
UNITED STATES IS ALWAYS OPEN TO NEGOTIATE WITH NORTH KOREA; WHITE HOUSE
The White House has again assured that America is always ready for dialogue with North Korea and to solve the disputes. This statement came from Karine Jean-Pierre, the Press Secretary of the White House. The North Korean leader Kim Jong un accused Biden, Kishida, and Yoon of being “gang bosses” over the Camp David summit. The meeting with the heads of state of Japan, the US, and South Korea has offended North Korea. Kim says that all these state leaders are pushing the world into a nuclear war. Japan, South Korea, and the US decided to conduct Joint military exercises to counter the threat posed by North Korea. Sabrina Singh, the deputy spokesperson for the Department of Defence, said that the US is committed to ensuring peace and stability in the region and will continue to engage with its allies and partners. The Pentagon spokesperson also added that the US will also monitor the space/missile launches by North Korea.