Photo : Korea Times
Photo : Korea Times
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 14 July 2025, Monday | Vol 2 No. 146
South Korea is planning the OPCON transfer from the US, reports The Korea Times
On 14 July, The Korea Times reported on the South Korean government reassessing the transfer of operational command (OPCON) from the US forces stationed in South Korea. The transfer is a central part of the current government’s list, while no discussions or plan of action have been decided on. South Korea’s State Affairs Planning Committee informed that the administration is evaluating the conditions necessary for transfer. The committee’s spokesperson, Jo Seoung-lae, said: “The agreement states that the transfer should take place once certain benchmarks have been met. This government is now evaluating those benchmarks.” And that “e will decide on the pace based on our assessment. This is the position of not only the committee, but also the presidential office and the Ministry of National Defense.” South Korea’s Ministry of National Defence informed that this issue is not hinged on the ongoing trade issue and that it is part of their long-standing policy with the US. Wartime control of South Korean forces was handed to the US after the Korean War; the reclamation of authority has seen delays. (“Seoul cautious on OPCON transfer as US moves to restore restriction,” The Korea Times, 14 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 12 July 2025, Saturday | Vol 2 No. 145
Russia and North Korea’s Foreign Ministers meet at the signing ceremony of the Wonsan resort
On 12 July, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met his North Korean counterpart, Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Lavrov visited right after the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Lavrov said: “We exchanged views on the situation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis ... Our Korean friends confirmed their firm support for all the objectives of the special military operation, as well as for the actions of the Russian leadership and armed forces.” This comes in light of reports surfacing that North Korea will send more soldiers to Russia over the Ukraine war. North Korea also reportedly agreed to send 6000 military engineers and builders for the reconstruction of the Kursk region. Direct trains from Moscow to Pyongyang were opened as the new Wonsan coastal resort was opened. (“Russia, North Korea foreign ministers meet, Pyongyang backs Ukraine war,” Reuters, 12 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 11 July 2025, Friday | Vol 2 No. 144
South Korea-Japan-US hold an air drill with strategic bombers
On 11 July, the US, Japan, and South Korea conducted a joint air drill with USD B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets. The US strategic bomber was deployed in South Korea for a drill, as a move to deter North Korea’s increasing nuclear and missile threat in the region. US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said: “We're illuminating a future path together, a path where partnerships can evolve through persistent and regular engagement from building capacity to really sharing responsibility.” He warned that both China and North Korea are going through unprecedented military buildups. (“South Korea, Japan and U.S. conduct air drill as defense chiefs meet,” The Japan Times, 11 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 10 July 2025, Thursday | Vol 2 No. 143
South Korea repatriates six North Koreans rescued from the sea
On 09 July, South Korea informed that they repatriated six North Koreans who were caught crossing the maritime border in East Asia. A wooden boat carrying them had all the fishermen who crossed the Northern Limit Line. The boat was headed towards two North Korean ships. In May, South Korea rescued North Koreans that has drifted to Seoul. South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said: “The repatriation would have been carried out much more smoothly and promptly if the two Koreas had been in close contact and communication.” The ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam stated that humanitarian grounds on which they returned to North Korea. The rescued requested multiple times their wish to be returned to North Korea. (“S. Korea repatriates 6 N. Koreans rescued at sea across eastern maritime border,” The Korea Herald, 09 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 09 July 2025, Wednesday| Vol 2 No. 142
South Korea repatriates six North Koreans rescued from the sea
On 09 July, South Korea informed that they repatriated six North Koreans who were caught crossing the maritime border in East Asia. A wooden boat carrying them had all the fishermen who crossed the Northern Limit Line. The boat was headed towards two North Korean ships. In May, South Korea rescued North Koreans that has drifted to Seoul. South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said: “The repatriation would have been carried out much more smoothly and promptly if the two Koreas had been in close contact and communication.” The ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam stated that humanitarian grounds on which they returned to North Korea. The rescued requested multiple times their wish to be returned to North Korea. (“S. Korea repatriates 6 N. Koreans rescued at sea across eastern maritime border,” The Korea Herald, 09 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 07 July 2025, Monday | Vol 2 No. 140
North Korea invites western tourists except journalists, content creators, and influencers, reports The Korea Times
On 07 July, The Korea Times reported on North Korea inviting Western tourists to their newly opened tourism site. The international trade fair in Pyongyang bans journalists, content creators, and influencers from participating. The trip is planned by Young Pioneer Tours for an eight-day trip to Pyongyang. This tour will include major landmarks like Kim Il Sung Square and UUS Pueblo. The restriction against journalists and influencers follows after a short-lived tourism in the Rason Economic Zone was shared by the visitors. Due to which the program was halted. (“North Korea opens doors to Western tourists for trade fair, but bars journalists and influencers,” The Korea Times, 07 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 05 July 2025, Saturday | Vol 2 No. 139
South Korea to send cash handouts for citizens to increase consumer spending
On 05 July, South Korea will distribute cash handouts to all its citizens aimed at stimulating domestic consumption. This comes after the cabinet approved USD 23.3 billion in supplementary budget, passed by the National Assembly. The national cash handout is part of the supplementary budget policy by Lee Jae-myung. Under this policy, all South Korean citizens residing in the country as of 18 June will receive a one-time payment of 150,000 won, intended to boost consumer spending. Additionally, targeted assistance will be based on income levels. Individuals coming from near-poverty households and single-parent families will get 30,000 won and 40,000 won for recipients of the basic living allowance. Those living in the rural regions will receive an additional 30,000 won and 50,000 won in communities facing population decline. The second round of payments will go bottom 90 per cent of the income earners with 100,000 won. South Korea’s Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae said: “We will ensure thorough preparations for the rollout of these payments so that they can serve as a catalyst for economic recovery by boosting consumption and supporting those in need.” (“Korea to begin cash handouts to all citizens July 21,” The Korea Times, 05 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 04 July 2025, Friday | Vol 2 No. 138
North Korean civilians found crossing the Military Demarcation Line towards South Korea
On 04 July, North Korean civilians were found crossing the fortified inter-Korean land border, reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The South Korean troops apprehended a man near the shallow stream running along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which is part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The man was unarmed and identified himself as a civilian. The individual captured is now transferred to the relevant authorities for investigation. The military has not detected any unusual signs from the North Korean military. South Korea and North Korea have a 4-kilometer-wide buffer zone called the DMZ. Most of the defectors usually come from the northern border with South Korea, but rarely from the demarcated zone. (“N. Korean civilian crosses heavily fortified border in presumed defection to S. Korea,” Yonhap News Agency, 04 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 03 July 2025, Thursday | Vol 2 No. 137
North Korea plans to send 30,000 troops to Russia
On 02 July, Firstpost reported that North Korea plans to send an additional 30,000 troops to Russia, informs Ukraine’s intelligence. It is estimated that 11,000 North Korean troops have aided Russia in the war with Ukraine, out of which 4,000 have died or have been injured. The new batch of troops is likely to arrive in Russia in the following months. Russia’s Ministry of Defence, in turn, will supply North Korea with equipment, weapons, and ammunition. The new troops are likely to be deployed in Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine and will be part of a large-scale invasion operation against Ukraine. Satellite imagery shows that ships are being prepared to facilitate the deployment of troops. (“North Korea to send 30,000 troops to Ukraine frontlines in support of Russia: Report,” Firstpost, 02 July 2025)
Kim Jong-un pays tribute to his fallen soldiers in the Russia-Ukraine war
On 01 July, The Guardian reported on images being shared of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un paying tribute to its soldiers killed in the Russian war. In a rare first, Kim was photographed resting his hands on the demised soldier’s coffin. The image was shared during the first anniversary of the military treaty meeting signed between Russia and North Korea. The defence pact was signed last year. Other images include images of fallen soldiers as the troops from both countries wave their flags, and a blood-stained notebook of a North Korean soldier was also showcased. The contents of the book said: “Let us bravely fight this sacred battle with the boundless love and trust bestowed upon us by our beloved Supreme Commander,” and that “The decisive moment has finally come.” It is inclusive when was this meeting held, since for the longest time, North Korea refuted any deployment of its soldiers. It is reckoned that both countries agreed to showcase these images after they formally agreed to the defence pact. (“Kim Jong-un pays rare public tribute to North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine,” The Guardian, 01 July 2025)
South Korea’s President is unsure if they can reach a trade negotiation with the US by the deadline
On 03 July, The Korea Herald reported that South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung informed that even after utmost efforts in negotiating tariffs with the US, he cannot say when the deal will be concluded. He is unsure if they can reach consensus by the 08 July deadline. South Korea seeks to reduce the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Lee said: “We are actively identifying and developing many agenda items across various areas. We will do our very best.” He also informed that they are trying to establish peace in the Korean peninsula and Lee said: “Just as North Korea responded to the government's recent preemptive suspension of propaganda broadcasts, a virtuous cycle of peace is possible.” (“Lee says making utmost efforts on tariff talks with US ahead of July 8 deadline,” The Korea Herald, 03 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 02 July 2025, Wednesday | Vol 2 No. 136
Former Prime Minister and Industry Minister probed on martial law imposition
On 02 July, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun were summoned to investigate the martial law imposed by the former President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. The counsel is checking whether the authorities abused their power and is they cooperated with Yoon to impose martial law on 03 December 2024. Both Ahn and Han refused to talk to the reporters. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk also informed that another alleged document on martial law declaration was written shortly after Yoon imposed the emergency. Han is accused of signing the documents, which were drafted by the former secretary to the Presidential Office, Kang Eui-gu. The second round of questioning for the counsel will be held soon for Yoon. (“Special counsel questions ex-PM, industry minister in martial law probe,” The Korea Times, 02 July 2025)
Korea Reader Daily Wire | 01 July 2025, Tuesday | Vol 2 No. 135
North Korea’s military academy director heads to Russia
On 01 July, North Korea’s president of Kim Il Sung Military University, Kim Kum-chol, left for Russia to visit the military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia. This was reported by KCNA, which did not note the purpose of the visit, but it is reckoned that it is due to growing military cooperation between the two countries. Additionally, the trip is also aimed at boosting cooperation between military academies and educational institutions. Kim’s last trip was in July 2024, right after both countries signed a mutual defense treaty to deepen cooperation. (“N. Korea's delegation of elite military academy leaves for Russia amid deepening ties,” The Korea Times, 01 July 2025)
