Photo : First Post
Photo : First Post
East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 31 July 2024, Wednesday | Vol.1 No. 136
Kim Jong-un sacks minister for lack of damage control after heavy floods
On 30 July, at an emergency meeting of the Worker’s Party of Korea, the first vice director of the WPK’s political leadership department, Pang Tu sop was appointed as the public security minister. Former public security minister is believed to be sacked. On 29 July, North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un said that those officials who failed to fulfil their duty will be severely punished at the meeting. This development comes as heavy floods in the northern border areas near the Amnok River, near the Chinese border, displaced 5000 residents and according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), around 4100 houses and about 3,000 hectares of agricultural land were flooded by heavy rainfall in Sinuiju and Biju County. The news agency also reported in a separate flooding, around 150 civilians in neighbouring Jagan province was isolated. The officials at the Politburo meeting agreed to build 4,400 houses and “strengthen embankments in Sinuiju and Uiju and restore damaged facilities in Jagang province.” (Kim Han-joo, “N. Korean leader sacks public security minister for damage from downpours in border areas,” Yonhap News Agency, 31 July 2024; “Recent rains in North Korea flooded thousands of houses and vast farmland, state media says,”Hyung-Jin Kim, AP News, 31 July 2024)
East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 30 July 2024, Tuesday | Vol.1 No. 135
South Korea wins bid to Czech project for nuclear reactor construction, reports Yonhap News
On 30 July, the Yonhap News Agency reported, that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol praised the association for being chosen as a bidder for the erection of two nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic establishing a “bridgehead” for the Korean expansion into the nuclear world during a cabinet meeting at an estimate of USD 17.3 billion. Yoon further stated the policies for the special bill in favour of the nuclear power industry took much pain in becoming the bidder, in addition, the YNP emphasised Yoon’s visit to the Czech Republic to converse over the nuclear success and bilateral cooperation. (“Yoon touts Czech project as 'bridgehead' for expansion into global nuclear market,” YNP 30 July 2024)
Kim Jong Un’s daughter groomed to succeed him, reports Yonhap News
On 30 July, the Yonhap News Agency reported, that the North Korean President’s daughter Ju-ae's succession despite the selection was not confirmed. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported in the Parliamentary Intelligence Committee report emphasising Kim Jong-un's daughter as a strong candidate to succeed him in terms of her public appearance and frequency. The NIS said about 60 per cent of Ju-ae's involvement is in association with her father's military events and some economy-related issues, but the word “hyangdo,” translating as “guide,” suggested that she was on track in succeeding her father. The YNP also stated that the North Korean leader is suffering from health issues. (“(LEAD) N.K. leader's daughter being groomed to succeed Kim: lawmakers,” YNP 30 July 2024)
South Korean parliament passes contentious broadcasting bills amid protests, reports Korea Times
On 30 July, the Korean Times reported about the passing of four contentious broadcasting bills aiming to reduce the government's influence over public broadcasters. The National Assembly controlled by the opposition party, ended the ruling Party’s six-day inordinate delay. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) led the bill's passage by a 189-0 vote after passing a motion to vehemently end a 24-hour delay by the ruling party witnessing the ruling party lawmakers leaving the Assembly to boycott the vote by a protest. With the passing of the vote all four groups namely amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act and the establishment of the Korea Communications Commission were passed through the National Assembly. In addition, the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act focuses on increasing its directors from nine to twenty-one. The ruling party staged a protest at the National Assembly condemning the unilateral approach of the opposition party and opinionated that Yoon would exercise his veto power. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said the bills would prevent political meddling in the appointment of the heads of the broadcaster. (“Parliament passes four contentious broadcasting bills amid protest from ruling party,” The Korean Times 30 July 2024)
East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 29 July 2024, Monday | Vol.1 No. 134
South Korea launches workplace inspections to protect foreign workers from heat risks, reports The Korea Times
On 29 July, The Korea Times reported that as scorching temperatures grip South Korea, the government is taking proactive steps to safeguard foreign workers from heat-related illnesses. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced a comprehensive inspection campaign targeting 120 workplaces over ten days. This campaign will commence on Monday and run through 07 August. This initiative focuses on farms, factories, and other establishments that heavily rely on foreign labour. Inspectors will scrutinize both working and living conditions, paying particular attention to the adequacy of air conditioning and water supply systems in employer-provided housing. The ministry is distributing heat safety guidelines in seventeen languages to bridge language barriers. These guidelines emphasise the importance of providing ample water, shaded rest areas, and minimizing outdoor work during heat advisories. The timing of this campaign is crucial, as the National Weather Agency predicts intense heat to persist until at least early August. Heatwave alerts have already been issued for Seoul and much of Korea. (“Gov't to conduct inspections to protect foreign workers from heat,” The Korea Times, 29 July 2024)
East Asia & The Paicifc Reader | 27 July 2024, Saturday | Vol.1 No. 133
Pyongyang says its ties with Beijing to be ‘firmly’ carried forward, says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
On 26 July, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid tribute to Chinese soldiers who participated in the 1950-53 Korean War at the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang. The tower was erected to commemorate Chinese participation in the war. This was a day before the 71st anniversary of the armistice treaty which brought an end to the war. In his address he emphasised that the “kindred ties” between North Korea and China will be will be “firmly carried forward and developed along with the immortal spirit of the martyrs.” Separately, the North Korean leader also visited a cemetery of North Korean soldiers who died during the war, in Pyongyang. He emphasised, “It is the sacred mission and duty of our generation to reliably defend our ideology and social system.” (“N. Korean leader says 'kindred' ties with China to be 'firmly' carried forward”, The Korea Times, 27 July 2024)
East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 23 July 2024, Tuesday | Vol.1 No. 130
North Korea “does not care,” about US elections outcomes, reports KCNA
On 23 July, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) North Korea's state media in a commentary stated that the country “does not care” about the outcome of the upcoming US election, despite former President Trump's claims of a close relationship with Kim Jong Un. KCNA emphasized that “personal feelings” should be distinguished from public policy. However, experts from the Korea Institute of National Unification’s Hong Min suggest that the commentary indicated Pyongyang's keen interest in the election's outcome. The timing and content of the response, particularly to Trump's remarks about North Korea's nuclear arsenal, hint at the possibility of a significant shift in relations if Trump returns to office. While criticizing US “hostile” policies, the commentary leaves room for potential dialogue, stating that future relations “entirely depends on the US Sact.” (Jeongmin Kim, “North Korea says it ‘does not care’ whether Donald Trump wins US election,” NK News, 23 July)
Belarus Foreign Minister plans to visit North Korea
On 22 July, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov's announced his plans to visit North Korea. This visit will mark a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations with implications for a potential trilateral alliance including Russia. This diplomatic move comes amid increasing Western sanctions on all three countries. According to ABC News, experts suggest the visit will focus on establishing partnerships, building upon North Korea's recent defence pact with Russia and Belarus’ close ties to Moscow. The meeting follows Belarusian President Lukashenko’s suggestion of “three-way cooperation” during talks with Putin last September. With accusations of North Korea supplying arms to Russia for its Ukraine campaign, and Belarus allowing Russian military presence, this visit underscores the deepening relationships among these internationally isolated nations. (Hyung-jin Kim, “Belarus' foreign minister will visit N Korea for possible talks on Russia cooperation,” ABC News, 22 July 2024)
South Korean President sends envoy to Czech Republic to discuss nuclear project
On 23 July, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea dispatched special envoys to the Czech Republic, following the selection of a South Korean consortium as the preferred bidder for a major nuclear power plant project. Presidential Chief of Staff Sung Tae-yoon and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-Geun will meet with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Industry Minister Jozef Sikela during their three-day visit. The presidential spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon stated that the envoys will deliver President Yoon's gratitude and discuss “follow-up measures, including the establishment of a government-to-government hotline,” This USD 17.3 billion project, if finalized, would mark South Korea's first overseas nuclear power plant construction since 2009. (Kim Eun-Jung, “Yoon to send special envoys to the Czech Republic to discuss follow-up measures for nuclear power project,” Yonhap News Agency, 23 July 2024)
East Asia & The Paciific Reader | 13 July 2024, Saturday | Vol.1 No. 127
South Korean Foreign and Defence Ministry summons officials from Japanese Embassy protesting Dokdo claims
On 13 July, South Korea protested strongly after Japan restated its territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo. The foreign and defense ministries summoned senior officials from the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to protest against Japan’s claims. The Japanese government adopted the 2024 defense white paper at a Cabinet meeting in which it reiterated the argument that Takeshima is the Japanese name for Dokdo, and is part of its territory. Dokdo has long been a recurring source of tension between the two neighbors, as Tokyo continues to make sovereignty claims, meanwhile, South Korea maintains a small police detachment on the islets which effectively controls them. (“S. Korea urges Japan to drop its repeated claims to Dokdo in defense white paper,” The Korean Herald, 13 July 2024)
South Korea and the US sign guidelines to respond to North Korean nuclear attacks
On 12 July, South Korea and the US signed joint guidelines to ensure a swift and decisive response to any North Korean nuclear attack by integrating South Korea's advanced conventional forces and US nuclear capabilities into a strengthened combined defense strategy. The "Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula" were signed between South Korea's Defense Ministry and the US Defense Department just before the summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and US President Joe Biden in Washington. (Ji Da-gyum, “S. Korea, US sign guidelines for a decisive, integrated response to NK nuclear attacks,” The Korean Herald, 12 July 2024)
North Korea continues to demolish the inter-Korean railway line
On 11 July, the South Korean Defense Ministry said that there have been signs that North Korea has been dismantling part of a western inter-Korean railway. It is looked at as the latest move by Pyongyang to eliminate the routes that were once seen as symbols of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. According to the ministry, the military has detected the North removing ties and rails on the northern side of the Gyeongui line that connects the military demarcation line to the North Korean border city of Kaesong since late June. The move is the latest in North Korea’s push to demolish inter-Korean routes after its leader Kim Jong-un gave instructions for strict measures to block all the channels of inter-Korean communication along the border to an “irretrievable level.” (“N. Korea expands inter-Korean railway demolition to Gyeongui line: Seoul,” The Korean Herald, 11 July 2024)
East Asia & The Pacific Reader | 04 July 2024, Thursday | Vol.1 No. 123
South Korean patient advocacy groups call to end trainee doctor’s strike
On 04 July, Seoul witnessed 90 plus patient advocacy groups rallying, asking doctors to end walkouts causing disruptions to public health services. Trainee doctors from the Korea Alliance of Patients Organization and the Korean Organization for Rare Diseases were part of the protest leaving the workspace leading to delays and cancellations of surgeries. A joint meeting by the protesters stated that cancellation or suspension of medical services would not be accepted under any circumstance, causing public anxiety and anger among the government and doctors. South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare said that no complete walkout was seen at Asan Medical Hospital, an extreme measure would be taken for indefinite walkouts and the training of the trainee doctors would be completed. Last month also witnessed the suspension of outpatient treatment, nonemergency surgeries, and other services from Doctors at Severance Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital, and Yongin Severance Hospital. (“(LEAD) Patients' advocacy groups call on doctors to end the walkout,” Yonhap News Agency, 04 July 2024)
