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.
Korea Digest No. 20, February, 2025
Contents
- Seoul Erupts in Massive Pro and Anti-Government Protests
- North Korea criticised Trump’s missile defence plans and arms sales to South Korea
- North Korean defectors arriving in South Korea rose 20% in 2024
- South Korea Bolsters Maritime Defences with New Naval Command Amid Peninsula Tensions
- US reaffirms alliance with Seoul and its commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea
- Korea concludes overseas combined drills in UAE
Prepared by
Mohammed Unais AV, Project Fellow, Korea Centre
- Seoul Erupts in Massive Pro and Anti-Government Protests
On February 1, massive protests unfolded across Seoul and other parts of South Korea in response to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and the ongoing legal proceedings for his detention. An estimated three million pro-Yoon demonstrators gathered in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area, demanding his release and opposing his removal from office. Reportedly, rallies in support of Yoon took place near the National Assembly in Yeouido and in front of the Seoul Central District Court. Meanwhile, anti-Yoon demonstrators, estimated at 100,000, also assembled in Gwanghwamun, calling for his immediate removal and denouncing Acting President Choi Sang-mok’s veto of a National Assembly bill advocating for a special investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration. Student-led demonstrations have further intensified, with groups advocating both for and against the president.
The nationwide unrest follows Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, which led to his impeachment and subsequent arrest and Constitutional Court trial. Since the trial commenced last month, protests from both sides have continued across the country. The final hearing took place on February 25, during which Yoon personally appeared, marking the first instance of a sitting president defending against impeachment in court. In a 77-page statement, Yoon asserted that the martial law decree was not intended to undermine democracy but to highlight what he described as a crisis caused by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. His legal team argued that the move was necessary due to repeated legislative attempts to remove his ministers and slash the national budget. The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its ruling in mid-March. If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, South Korea would be required to hold a presidential election within 90 days.
The political crisis, triggered by Yoon’s imposition of martial law on December 3, has deepened ideological divisions in South Korea. A recent Gallup Korea survey highlights that ideological polarization surpasses concerns over gender and wealth inequality as the nation’s most pressing social issue. Support for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) stands at 38 percent, while the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has gained 40 percent, surpassing their respective annual averages. Notably, 77 percent of conservatives back the PPP, while 79 percent of liberals support the DPK. The DPK’s approval surged to a record 48 percent following the impeachment resolution passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. Meanwhile, smaller parties have seen declining support, reinforcing a two-party dominance. With the upcoming presidential election on the horizon, the deepening ideological rift signals a highly contentious political landscape.
- North Korea condemns Trump’s missile defence plans and arms sales to South Korea
North Korea has strongly criticized the U.S. for its plans to enhance missile defence capabilities, calling them a threat to regional stability. In a February 3 statement issued by the Institute for Disarmament and Peace under the North Korean Foreign Ministry, Pyongyang condemned the Trump administration’s initiative to develop a “next-generation” missile defence system. The institute, citing reports from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), accused the U.S. of advancing missile defence modernization in the Asia-Pacific, including joint efforts with Japan and the deployment of high-tech defence systems such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea. In response, North Korea vowed to bolster its military capabilities, particularly its nuclear deterrence, against what it perceives as growing threats from hostile forces.
A day earlier, on February 2, North Korea also denounced possible US arms sales to South Korea, arguing that such military support was aimed at disrupting the regional balance of power and reinforcing US hegemony. KCNA reported that the US had proposed arms sales, including BQM-177A aerial targets and GQM-163 target drones, to enhance South Korea’s defence capabilities. Pyongyang asserted that these arms provisions would not be sufficient to offset South Korea’s strategic vulnerabilities and criticized Washington’s increasing military cooperation with its allies. North Korea further condemned joint military exercises between the US and South Korea, labelling them as rehearsals for invasion that could escalate tensions in the region.
- North Korean defectors arriving in South Korea rose 20% in 2024
The number of North Korean defectors reaching South Korea in 2024 rose to 236, marking a 20.4% increase from the previous year, according to the Unification Ministry on February 4. Women accounted for the majority, with 210 arrivals compared to 26 men. The ministry attributed this gender disparity to North Korea’s strict state control over men, who are closely tied to government institutions, while economic hardships have led to a relative relaxation of restrictions on women engaging in local markets. The total number of defectors now stands at 34,314, including 9,568 men and 24,746 women. Most defectors last year reached South Korea via Southeast Asia or after prolonged stays in third countries, having initially fled North Korea before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, only three defectors entered directly, one swam to Gyodong Island, another crossed on foot via Goseong in Gangwon Province, and the third arrived by wooden boat in the Yellow Sea. Meanwhile, the number of elite defectors, such as diplomats and high-ranking officials, declined slightly to single digits in 2024 from about 10 in the previous year. Unlike ordinary defectors, who undergo rehabilitation at Hanawon, elite defectors receive special protection from the National Intelligence Service due to security concerns. The ministry noted that China’s strict border controls since the COVID-19 pandemic have further restricted escape routes for defectors.
- South Korea Bolsters Maritime Defenses with New Naval Command Amid Peninsula Tensions
On February 2, South Korea announced the launch of the Republic of Korea Navy Task Fleet Command, a strategic unit designed to strengthen maritime defence against North Korea’s military threats. Officially operational since February 1, the command plays a crucial role in the country’s Maritime Three-Axis System, which enhances deterrence through pre-emptive strike capabilities, missile defence, and retaliatory measures. Tasked with safeguarding maritime transport routes and securing the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in emergencies, the fleet is equipped to detect and intercept North Korean missiles while executing precision strikes. The command operates 10 destroyers and four support vessels, including the state-of-the-art 8,200-ton Gyeongjo the Great destroyer, featuring advanced radar evasion technology and the latest Aegis combat system. Future additions will include warships developed under South Korea’s Next-Generation Destroyer (KDDX) project.
South Korea and the United States have launched a large-scale joint live-fire exercise to enhance their combined operational capabilities, the South Korean military announced on February 10. The three-week drill is taking place at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, approximately 30 kilometres south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Involving around 2,000 troops and over 150 military assets, the exercise integrates South Korean K1A2 tanks, U.S. Stryker combat vehicles, M777A2 howitzers, Apache attack helicopters, and A-10 attack aircraft. The drills aim to bolster joint combat readiness and facilitate the U.S. Army’s rotational Stryker unit’s adaptation to operational conditions on the Korean Peninsula following its deployment in October.
North Korea has urged the United Nations to investigate claims that South Korean drones entered its airspace in October 2023, according to state media reports on February 11. Pyongyang recently submitted a request to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for an inquiry into the alleged violation. In mid-October, North Korea reported detecting unmanned aircraft from South Korea near Pyongyang and warned of retaliatory measures if such incidents continued. While South Korea has neither confirmed nor denied the allegation, its Foreign Ministry denounced North Korea’s move as an attempt to politicize ICAO without providing substantive evidence. Seoul also criticized Pyongyang for engaging in GPS jamming activities, which it says violate international regulations and pose serious risks to civil aviation safety.
On February 12, South Korea’s Unification Ministry announced that North Korea had informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of its decision to sever its air traffic control communication channel with South Korea. While Pyongyang had initially notified ICAO last year that the channel would cease operations in 2025, Seoul has consistently emphasized the necessity of maintaining the direct line. Established in 1997 between air traffic control centres in Daegu and North Korea, the channel was intended to facilitate inter-Korean air traffic but has remained unused due to the absence of flights between the two countries. Despite this, routine connectivity checks have been conducted. The ministry stated that the line is currently functional, though it remains unclear if North Korea is proceeding with its plan to shut it down.
On February 13, South Korea’s Unification Ministry confirmed that North Korea has begun dismantling the Separated Family Reunion Centre at Mount Kumgang, the last remaining South Korean government facility in the area. The centre, built through a 2003 inter-Korean agreement and completed in 2008, was established to facilitate reunions for families separated by the Korean War. Expressing strong regret, the ministry condemned the unilateral demolition as an inhumane act that disregards the wishes of separated families and violates South Korea’s national property rights. The facility, which hosted five rounds of reunions between 2009 and 2018, had symbolized humanitarian cooperation between the two Koreas. However, after the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the removal of South Korean structures at Mount Kumgang, leading to the current dismantling of the reunion centre. This move underscores the worsening inter-Korean relations.
On February 15, North Korea’s state media reaffirmed the country’s resolve to enhance its defence capabilities in response to what it described as “provocative attempts” by the United States and South Korea. According to a statement from Pyongyang’s defence policy chief, carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), bolstering self-defence measures is essential to safeguarding national security amid growing external threats. The announcement followed remarks by General Gregory Guillot, commander of the U.S. Northern Command, who told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) could threaten the U.S. mainland and challenge its defence systems. Pyongyang dismissed these claims as unfounded, accusing Washington of fabricating threats. The statement also criticized the recent deployment of a U.S. nuclear submarine to the Korean Peninsula, intelligence-sharing between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, as well as Seoul’s plans for joint military and space-related drills with Washington.
South Korea has deployed the Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile (KTSSM), an advanced indigenous bunker-buster missile, to enhance its defence against North Korean military threats, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced on February 18. Also known as Urae (Thunder), the tactical ballistic missile is designed to accurately and simultaneously strike North Korea’s long-range artillery positions concealed in caves and tunnels. With a range of 180 kilometres, the KTSSM strengthens South Korea’s ability to neutralize enemy threats near the Seoul metropolitan area. The JCS emphasized that, under the South Korea-U.S. joint defence framework, the military will maintain a robust surveillance and response capability to deter North Korean provocations.
On February 20, South Korea and the United States conducted their first joint air drills of the year, featuring South Korean F-35A and F-15K fighter jets alongside US F-16s. The exercise, according to South Korea’s Defence Ministry, aimed to bolster deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats while enhancing interoperability between the allied forces. Notably, the drill marked the first deployment of a US B-1B bomber in joint exercises since President Donald Trump’s return to office last month. This follows a trilateral air exercise with Japan on January 15, which involved two B-1B bombers, South Korean F-15Ks, and Japanese F-2 fighter jets. In response, North Korea issued a strong warning on February 22, vowing to counter perceived strategic threats with its own strategic measures. Through state media, Pyongyang condemned the exercise as a provocation and accused Washington of escalating military tensions since the new US administration took office. North Korea reiterated its stance that such drills are preparations for invasion, while Seoul and Washington maintain they are defensive in nature.
On February 28, North Korea announced the test-firing of strategic cruise missiles off its west coast in the final week of the month. Reports indicate that leader Kim Jong-un has urged comprehensive war preparations involving the country’s nuclear forces. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a missile unit of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) conducted launch drills on February 26 under Kim’s supervision. The tests reportedly included a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, aimed at demonstrating North Korea’s nuclear counterattack capabilities and reinforcing its defence posture. KCNA stated that the missiles travelled approximately 1,587 kilometres in an oval trajectory, hitting their intended targets. Kim emphasized the need for a robust nuclear shield to safeguard national sovereignty and security. However, South Korea’s military has not yet verified the missile launches claimed by Pyongyang.
- US reaffirms alliance with Seoul and its commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea
On February 15, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to its alliance with Seoul and the complete denuclearization of North Korea. This marked Washington’s first direct talks with Seoul since the Trump administration returned to power. The State Department stated that Rubio expressed confidence in South Korea’s Acting President Choi Sang-mok and emphasized the strength of bilateral ties.
Trump’s recent reference to Pyongyang as a “nuclear power” on January 20 had raised concerns in Seoul, signalling a potential shift in U.S. policy. However, during a February 7 summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump reiterated Washington’s commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization. Rubio echoed this stance in his discussions with Cho while highlighting continued cooperation in defence, shipbuilding, semiconductors, and energy. He also acknowledged South Korea’s concerns over potential U.S. tariffs on steel, automobiles, and chips, assuring that he would convey Seoul’s position to Washington.
Later, Cho and Rubio participated in trilateral talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, where they reaffirmed their countries’ firm stance on North Korea’s denuclearization and condemned Pyongyang’s human rights violations. The three diplomats pledged to enforce sanctions against North Korea and warned against military provocations. Rubio assured both Seoul and Tokyo of Washington’s unwavering security commitments, backed by its military and nuclear capabilities.
In response, on February 18, North Korea strongly criticised a joint statement by South Korea, the United States, and Japan reaffirming their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Pyongyang dismissed the goal as “impossible and impractical,” denouncing it as an outdated and unrealistic ambition. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of adhering to an obsolete strategy, asserting that denuclearization has become increasingly unattainable both in practice and ideology.
- Korea concluded overseas combined drills in UAE
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have completed a joint military exercise aimed at strengthening bilateral defence ties, the Korean military announced on February 21. Conducted at Abu Dhabi’s Al Hamra Training Centre and surrounding waters from February 10 to 20 at the UAE’s request, the exercise involved the Korean Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Key equipment deployed included the K2 tank, K9A1 self-propelled howitzer, and K10 ammunition resupply vehicle. This 11-day drill underscores Korea’s efforts to enhance joint operational capabilities and expand arms exports. Notably, it follows Korea’s first overseas exercise featuring the K2 and K9 in Qatar last year, reflecting growing military engagement in the Middle East.
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Korea Digest February 2025 Download