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 No. 6 September, 2023
CONTENTS
- North Korea fires cruise missiles into the Yellow sea
- Russian Proposal fora three-way naval exercise
- North Korea is a direct threat to ASEAN: President Yoon
- North Korea unveils first tactical nuclear attack submarine
- Yoon -Modi Summit in New Delhi
- South Korea and Russia discussed bilateral ties and regional security issues
- The White House urges North Korea not to provide arms to Russia.
- Seoul to stage massive military parade after a decade
- President Yoon’s address at the UN General Assembly
- South Korean PM expresses hope for a better relationship with China
- The US and South Korea conducted a combined naval drill in the middle of North Korean threats
- The Defence Minister’s nominee calls for scrapping inter-Korean military accord
- North Korea decided to expel US soldier
- Putin-Kim Summit
Prepared by
Mirash Cherian Kurian, Research Associate, Korea Centre
NORTH KOREA FIRES CRUISE MISSILES INTO THE YELLOW SEA
After an annual military exercise between the United States and South Korea (Ulchi Freedom Shield), North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea. This can be seen as a major provocation by the DPRK. The attack started early in the morning, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea. The JCS has expressed its commitment to maintaining a state of preparedness and has increased its vigilance to detect any further North Korean activities. This increased monitoring is being carried out by the close cooperation between the allied nations. According to North Korea, the US and South Korea’s joint military exercises are a dress rehearsal for an invasion. There was also the involvement of at least one U.S. B-1B strategic bomber as part of the air drill.
RUSSIAN PROPOSAL FOR A THREE-WAY NAVAL EXERCISE
Russia reportedly suggested that China and North Korea conduct naval exercises, according to the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Director of NIS Kim Kyou-hyun said this while briefing the parliamentary intelligence committee. During his trip to the North from July 25 to 27, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with the North Korean leader. In the analysis of NIS, the recent increase in military provocations by North Korea is due to the Ulchi Freedom Shield conducted jointly by the US and South Korea. The agency also added that one of North Korea’s two missile launches had failed.
NORTH KOREA IS A DIRECT THREAT TO ASEAN: PRESIDENT YOON
In an interview with an Indonesian newspaper, South Korean President Yoon Suk yeol expressed his view that North Korea remains a threat to the entire ASEAN region. He called for closer cooperation from the members of the organisation to counter the nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. He also added that the ultimate aim of the ASEAN nations should be the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Yoon also underscored the significance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting its direct connection to global peace and tranquility. President Yoon promised to share South Korea’s rapid economic development experience with ASEAN nations and increase essential aid for the region’s needs.
NORTH KOREA UNVEILS FIRST TACTICAL NUCLEAR ATTACK SUBMARINE
According to North Korea’s state media, they have launched a ‘tactical nuclear attack submarine’. The launching ceremony was conducted ahead of the country’s 75th founding anniversary. The Korean Central News Agency reported that the launch of the submarine will mark a new chapter in the history of the naval capabilities of DPRK. KCNA also added that this launch is aimed at enabling global peace and security. Kim Jong-un himself was present at the ceremony and announced that North Korea is planning to build more nuclear powered submarines. He also added that naval security is one of the top priorities for the North Korean national defence. There are different opinions regarding the functioning of this submarine. Some even say that this is nothing but a typical exaggeration by North Korea. The images released by KCNA suggest that the new submarine is outfitted with ten missile tubes, designed for firing SLBMs, but according to a military source, it seems that North Korea may have made modifications to a Romeo-class submarine that was originally not equipped for launching SLBMs.
YOON-MODI SUMMIT IN NEW DELHI
South Korea and India have decided to collaborate and increase cooperation, particularly in the fields of space and defence, as countries that seek to strengthen their strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific region. Indian PM Narendra Modi and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol came to this agreement when India and South Korea celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations, which is a pure coincidence. Yoon and Modi have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their cooperation in order to carry out the Indian government’s project, which aims to increase the number of K9 self-propelled howitzers—also known as Vajra in India—made in South Korea and to intensify their bilateral defence and arms-related cooperation. Yoon and Modi have affirmed their commitment to sustaining collaboration for the implementation of the Indian government’s project, which aims to acquire more South Korean-made K9 self-propelled howitzers, known as Vajra in India, and also to deepen cooperation in the defence and arms sectors. Both state leaders noted the role of South Korean businesses in establishing a stable supply chain in India through continued investments in electric vehicles and other cutting-edge production facilities and agreed to further widen the scope of supply-chain cooperation to IT, electronics, and other new industries. Furthermore, the two leaders also agreed to seek the advancement of the negotiations aimed at enhancing both nations’ Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which became effective in 2010. Yoon and Modi shared a common perspective that the provocations from North Korea are not only restricted to the Korean peninsula but to the entire region and world.
SOUTH KOREA AND RUSSIA DISCUSSED BILATERAL TIES AND REGIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed that the foreign ministers and top diplomats of Russia and South Korea held consultations during the G20 summit. The matter of discussion included regional security on the Korean peninsula and other pending bilateral issues. The meeting with Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov happened just before North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s Russian visit. During the meeting, Park stressed that the Russia-North Korea relationship should work according to the United Nations resolution and must ensure peace and stability in the region. He also sought the cooperation of the Russian Federation to solve the tensions and troubles created by North Korea.
WHITE HOUSE URGES NORTH KOREA NOT TO PROVIDE ARMS TO RUSSIA
Ahead of the Putin-Kim summit in Russia, US urged North Korea to refrain from selling any weapons to Russia. The spokesperson for White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson said that the topic of discussion in the Kim-Putin summit will be about trade of weapons to Russia, the weapons that is going to be used against Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made it clear that any arms deal with North Korea is a clear violation of UN resolution as there is prohibition against North Korea, which restricts them in engaging in arms deal. Despite of North Korea’s aggressive actions, US made it transparent that they do not have any hostile intentions towards North Korea. USA’s only goal is the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula added Jung Pak, deputy assistant secretary of state for multilateral affairs and deputy special representative for North Korean affairs.
SEOUL TO STAGE MASSIVE MILITARY PARADE AFTER A DECADE
South Korea organised a large-scale military parade after a decade. The theme of the parade was ‘strong military, strong security, and peace through strength’. This includes the display of tanks, fighter jets, and other assets. The primary aim of this parade is to mark the 75th founding anniversary of South Korea’s armed forces. This can also be considered a sound message to North Korea against their provocations. There used to be a military parade once every five years, but under the Moon Jae-in administration, the event didn’t occur as they stood for inter-Korean reconciliation. According to military officials, 4,000 troops and over 170 units of military equipment, including K2 battle tanks, South Korea’s novel high-power missile, and attack drones, paraded from Sungnyemun Gate to Gwanghwamun Square to recall the landmark anniversary.
PRESIDENT YOON’S ADDRESS AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeoul, attended the UN General Assembly and delivered his keynote address. He started his speech by mentioning the 70th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War and how South Korea turned into a liberal democracy. President Yoon also added that the conflict in Ukraine has intensified the division of values and ideologies in the international community. The divides between countries are increasing across various areas, and in order to counter this, the international community should stay united with the UN, said the South Korean President. He also mentioned the three divide issues, which are the development divide, climate divide, and digital divide, and discussed how South Korea plans to solve these issues. President Yoon, during his speech, expressed his view that without international peace and security, attaining development and prosperity will be impossible. Furthermore, President Yoon said that South Korea would actively support Ukraine’s reconstruction due to the war with Russia. He also added that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes will cause tensions in the entire Indo-Pacific region and around the globe. President Yoon also exhibited the South Korean aspiration to host the World Expo in 2023.
SOUTH KOREAN PM EXPRESSES HOPE FOR A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo toured China to witness the Asian Games and expressed his views on having a good relationship with the PRC. According to the PM’s office, he conveyed this message during the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Just before the opening ceremony of the sports event, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo expressed his interest in South Korea and China cultivating a rigid and mature relationship that is grounded in mutual respect, mutual benefits, and shared interests. According to Han, North Korea is not the sole factor that creates rising tensions between the two countries, but also the global factors, which include uncertainty in the global economy and disruptions in supply chains. Han Duck-soo is the first senior-level South Korean official to have an encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping since Yoon’s meeting with him on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
US AND SOUTH KOREA STAGED A COMBINED NAVAL DRILLS IN THE MIDDLE OF NORTH KOREAN THREATS
South Korea and the United States initiated a joint naval exercise in the East Sea in the middle of heavy provocations from North Korea. According to reports from the Navy, this three-day exercise included the participation of nine vessels and two patrol aircraft from both nations. This comes in response to the recent launch of a space vehicle and the unveiling of a new submarine from the North Korean side. Rear Admiral Kim In-ho, who led the South Korean side, said that this exercise aims to deter and respond effectively to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats while strengthening the joint defence posture.
DEFENSE MINISTER’S NOMINEE CALLS FOR SCRAPPING INTER-KOREAN MILITARY ACCORD
Shin Won-sik, who is a nominee for the Defence Minister, said that the landmark inter-Korean military accord should be abolished. According to his view, this accord simply weakens the South Korean military’s fighting morale when North Korea continues its military provocations. This agreement was signed back in 2018 between then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and aimed at reducing military tensions, building mutual trust, and preventing accidental clashes. However, this accord is not trustworthy, as Pyongyang still continues provocations from their side. Shin, the nominee for South Korean defense minister said that he would address the vulnerabilities caused to the military by this accord. He vehemently believes that North Korea ain’t going to abandon its nuclear programmes. Shin also added that any nuclear provocation from the North will only result in the end of its regime. He also reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. Shin Won-sik, is a retired three-star Army General with expertise in military operations and defense policy.
NORTH KOREA DECIDED TO EXPEL US SOLDIER
The Democratic Repubic of North Korea have decided to expel US soldier Travis King who has been detained in the North after running across the inter-Korean border in July. North Korea’s official news agency KCNA, reported that the DPRK authority has decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK, under the law of the Republic
KIM JONG UN-PUTIN SUMMIT
The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un had conducted a rare visit to Russia in the second week of September to have a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is the first time Kim has stepped outside North Korea after the outbreak of COVID-19. High-level officials from the government and military accompanied him. In the discussion between the two leaders, it was decided to advance the relationship between Russia and North Korea on the basis of mutual trust and to work together in the political, military, economic, and cultural fields. Both Putin and Kim jointly made a statement that any encroachment on the sovereignty and independence of both North Korea and Russia will not be tolerated. Russia is fighting a highly devastating war with Ukraine, and North Korea is being isolated from the international arena for various reasons. Both nations face numerous sanctions by the UN and other countries, including the US and the European Union. Thus, both nations are in a hurry to make sure there are allies for each other. Analysts believe that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Pyongyang back in July was considered as an inspection of the North Korean artillery shells and other munitions since Russia’s ammunition stocks might have been drained. Also, the recent summit between Kim and Putin is considered as a response to increasing engagements between South Korea, the United States (US) and Japan through the trilateral security cooperation. At the same time, the neighbouring nations, including South Korea and their allies, are suspicious about this visit. They accuse that this summit between Kim and Putin is nothing but a curtain raiser before an arms deal between North Korea and Russia. There are chances that North Korea might provide arms to Russia in order to fight the war with Ukraine. They also fear that Russia might offer help in developing North Korea’s nuclear and space programmes. But Russia made it clear that it would act responsibly as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
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