Moon Jae In - Resurgence of the Nationalist Drive for Unification

(OhMy News youtube podcast 9.28 놀랍도록 닮은 김구·문재인의 ‘평양 연설’ Wonderfully similar Kim Gu- Moon Jae In Pyongyang speech)


Kim Jong Song, a historian, did a presentation on OhMy News concerning South Korean President Moon Jae In's speech, and it's historic similarity to the speech of Korean national independence hero Kim Gu, in Pyongyang in April 1948. Kim Gu, (pen name Bek Baum) Korean anti-Japanese independence fighter during WW II, and former premier of the provisional Korean government, became an advocate for unification of the divided country after the establishment of the separate South Korean government in 1948. Kim Gu's nationalism emphasized that unification was essential for the continued existence of the Korean people, and that party and ideology were secondary. The sequelae of WW II and the exigencies of the cold war obstructed and hindered that vision politically. Kim Gu went to the conference in Pyongyang shortly after the formation of the South Korean state, to encourage the North Koreans including Kim Il Sung, to be friendly to the international community, while struggling for the nationalist goal, because peace would promote the the progress toward unification. The national aspiration of the Korean people was weaker in fact, than the ability of the opposing forces, including the US, to maintain the indefinite separation of the two Korean states. The thesis of the short presentation was that this is no longer the case.

(Kim Gu, left, outside the conference venue with Kim Il Sung April 1948 Pyongyang)

The host and narrator, Kim Jong Song, presented the four letter Chinese aphorism (사자성어) "An open mind promotes common benefit" (개성포공) as the underlying principle of Kim Gu's efforts to encourage and facilitate unification. He said in his speech in Pyongyang, "If we, as a unified people, put our effort toward international friendship and understanding and our struggle, it is certain we can change everything for the better." Essential to Kim Gu's thinking was that unified Korean efforts to build peaceful international relations would contribute to unification efforts. He said, "Be friendly to the international community while we struggle - let's propel ourselves forward." Ultimately, he believed, a unified Korea would contribute in turn, in no small way, to world peace. His ultimate goal in Pyongyang was to prevent the separation of the Korean people, "It is unreasonable if we don't make the object of our struggle to smash this decision to be separate."

Moon's speech 70 years later in Pyongyang, at the Neungrado stadium, in front of a huge crowd, of over a hundred thousand people, revealed a similar structure, orientation, and goal, according to the Ohmy News speaker. President Moon said, "Our people are remarkable. Our people are strong. Our people love peace. Our people must live together. We've lived together for 5000 years, we've been apart for 70 years." Moon pledged that new epoch making change in North South relations would include restoration of the severed arteries of the nation, inducing rapid development, cooperative prosperity, and advancing an independent unified future. Further, "Chairman Kim Jung Un and I, north and south, 80 million people, firmly holding hands will go forward to make a new nation." Also, "I here today, at this place, completely settle the last 70 years of hostility...I propose to again become one, let's step out, one large stride for peace." One can observe the reactions of the crowd oneself and estimate whether the reaction when the crowd roared was an affect or genuine. It appeared from Kim's reaction, that even he was impressed by Moon's oratory and it's impact.

Update 10.3

I was looking at reports of the speech in other news coverage to confirm my translation. I saw this presentation on the SBS live coverage video by the card section in the stands at the Neungrado stadium:

(Source SBS News)

"The entire nation combining it's strength. Let's build a strong united country."

This appeared at the end of Moon's speech. Of course this is something that the North Koreans arranged. It is likely that Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong was the director of the card section message presentations. Earlier in the speech when Moon commented on the development of North Korea, and complimented the North Korean people on their efforts and courage in achieving such results under adverse circumstances, I noticed Kim giving him a wary look, evidently a sensitive point for him.

The Aljazeera translator, it seemed, had to translate live, which I couldn't actually do but I had the advantage to study the subtitles in hangul, and listen repeatedly. In the case of the Arirang translation there is no excuse really for how they toned down the rhetorical flourishes and missed the context. It's as if one took one of JFK's memorable speeches and turned it into a weather report.

Ri Yong Ho DPRK Foreign Minister in the Spotlight

(Image source- JTBC News 9.29 ) Quarter final full court press. China, Russia continuing to Japan, meeting one after another

Ri Yong Ho gave his speech at the UN on Sep. 29 which has been reported on somewhat dismissively in the US press. He also met with the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and Japan on Friday. Ri met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on September 26. The Korean Herald reports Ri declined to meet with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Hwa at the UN. Mike Pompeo accepted Ri's invitation to visit North Korea in October to discuss arrangements for a second summit meeting with the US President Donald Trump. It's pretty clear from the UN speeches presented by the foreign ministers of China and Russia, and the President of South Korea, that they support the step by step, reciprocal trust building measures approach to negotiations that Ri Yong Ho alluded to in his speech.

Pompeo had already expressed a preference for dealing with Ri Yong Ho according to one South Korean analyst. In other words, Pompeo didn't want to speak to DPRK Vice Chairman Kim Yong Chol anymore, he's too blunt. According to a 2017 LA Times characterization of Ri, he is experienced dealing with US negotiators, speaks excellent English, is soft spoken, and has a good sense of humor.

The South Koreans, except for the conservative elements, have high expectations of the Pompeo visit to North Korea which is expected to take place soon in October. It appears that most South Korean analysts think that Trump will not meet with Kim Jong Un until after the November elections.

Case of the Missing Bektusan Pistol

North Korean Bektusan pistol disappears. An incident of a missing pistol has arisen at the 597 Command firing range. Last August during a joint inspection it was discovered that the weapon had disappeared. Of six firearms assigned, only the Bektusan pistol was missing. (Source- Channel A News Top Ten 9.27)

(Source- Channel A News Top Ten 9.27)

There was an interesting anecdote on one of the lower ranked Channel A News Top Ten reports about a military pistol that Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung have used as a special patronage gift, to favored military leadership. The specially made weapons are regarded as laden with significance in the dynastic mythology. Top Ten showed an older video from North Korea allegedly showing these weapons being given to DPRK generals by Kim Il Sung accompanied by requests to support the succession of Kim Jong Il.

One of these unique pistols reportedly disappeared in August, and it was noticed during a military inspection at the 597 Command firing range. The pistol is called Bektusan ( 백두산 ), named after the iconic volcano in North Korea on the Chinese border. The custom made ceremonial guns have been presented to division commanders or above to acknowledge their service and encourage their future loyalty. The weapons apparently came to be used in military ceremonies since 1980.

It's a design based on the Czech CZ 75 nine millimeter pistol. It appears to be chrome plated and hand engraved. It is said that the name Bektusan engraved in hangul on the frame is from Kim Il Sung's handwriting. The standard issue Bektusan pistol is issued to DPRK special forces.

In the recent past, military commanders have gotten in trouble for misappropriation of resources. It is not unusual for military commands to be involved in economic activities and organizations as part of the government. Alleged corruption by military commanders has resulted in purges in the past either related to economic activity or a systemic response to supply issues and the impact of sanctions on the North Korean economy. The incident of the missing pistol is believed to be of the latter variety. The Top Ten analysts felt it represented a breakdown in military discipline as poorly supplied military units and personnel fend for themselves and their families.

The program reported that DPRK rifles go for 3000 dollars on the Chinese border marketplace an otherwise unattainable sum for an ordinary soldier. The general consensus on the program was that the commander responsible for the safe keeping of the Bektusan pistol is in big trouble. It was speculated that perhaps a soldier took the weapon impulsively. Reportedly a search is underway in the Chinese border region in an attempt to locate the gun. In the event that it isn't found "administrative measures" will be taken against the military personnel responsible for the loss. Even if it was just an ordinary military standard issue 9 mm, and the story is exaggerated, it would cause serious problems for the responsible military command, if it was sold without higher authorization to raise foreign exchange.

The practice of the "respected supreme leader" awarding expensive gifts to high ranking loyal officials is customary in North Korea, a form of social recognition and prestige. It has become more difficult with the sanctions. ( A detailed analysis of North Korean military command organization is available at https://www.38north.org/2018/07/mmadden070318/#_ftnref3.)

Happy Chuseok!

Demilitarization of the West Sea between North and South Korea

After an agreement was reached between North and South Korea to establish a buffer or peace zone in the West Sea, old arguments and disagreements concerning the Northern Limit Line and the North Korean claimed maritime boundary between North and South Korea are being raised. Conservative critics say that South Korean military negotiators have not "respected" the Northern Limit Line and yielded maritime interests to North Korea in the agreement which emerged as part of the Panmunjum and Pyongyang summits. The origins of the Northern Limit Line and the dispute associated with it after the Korean Armistice, are obscure. The reader is referred to the Wikipedia summary of the history and contentions of the parties to the various claims, disputes, understandings and incidents that have occurred over the years as recently as recently as 2010.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Limit_Line

Civil defense drills are still a part of life on the islands in the South Korean zone. Such a drill for school age children took place in Bekryeong Island during the time of the summit. The movement of tourists and civilians on the islands are subject to security restrictions because of their close proximity to North Korea. There remains an underlying disagreement between the two Korean states about where the border line is in the maritime zone. By declaring a demilitarized maritime area, the intention is that chances for military confrontation and war will be minimized.

The essence of the new military agreement apart from the designation of the zone in the graphic below is that military and naval exercises and maneuvers are prohibited in the zone. Firing of any kind is prohibited whether from shore batteries on islands or naval firing exercises. It is difficult to ascertain further details without an authoritative copy of the agreement.

(Source Channel A News Top Ten 9.20)

The red line is the Northern claim to the maritime boundary. The South's claim is the Northern Limit Line in blue. The restriction of naval activities in the region papers over the dispute over between the two states about where the boundary should be officially. So it represents a compromise by the South. Using the NLL as the base for measurement (on a north south line only) the North gives up 50 km of military space, and the South 85 km. Using the North's West Sea border line claim, the North gives up 65 km of maritime space for military activities, and the South 70 km. This is the Channel A Top Ten News presentation on the issue which could hardly considered to be unbiased as it was very critical to the Moon administration and taking the conservative view, that South Korean military representatives had capitulated to North Korean demands, which seems somewhat improbable. One radio critic claimed the South was intimidated by North Korean nuclear capability.

The Channel A broadcast purported that valuable exercise opportunities, and readiness drills were adversely affected on the South's part. Further, that the military agreement left unclear the status of the NLL, and whether Cho island at the northern extreme of the restricted area was included or not in the agreement giving the North a military advantage in the protection of military approaches to Pyongyang. It was also contended that Kyongkido and Seoul were threatened by the agreements restrictions on military activities in the zone.

South Korean Defense Ministry sources say that military procedures for responding to any provocations in the designated Maritime buffer zones will be the same and that security measures will be effective.

Update 9.29

(Source JTBC News 9.27)

JTBC News has entered the discussion concerning the military agreement providing for the buffer zone in the West Sea on behalf of the current South Korean administration and Ministry of National Defense. According to their report, the buffer zone restrictions on military activities in the zone do not affect the NLL as the boundary of the respective states' maritime territory at all. Additionally, as shown by the chart above, the effect of restrictions on training and operations is far greater on the much more extensive shoreline of North Korea within the zone. The restriction on the use of artillery in the buffer zone is proportionately much greater on North Korea, which has many more artillery assets deployed in the coastal region. The effect on naval maneuver in the zone is felt to be minimal because such exercises can readily take place outside the zone.

US "looks like" Acting in Bad Faith

(source jtbc) President Moon Jae In is reported to be on his way to Bektusan to do some hiking.


From The Guardian today:

“But if one thing is clear, it’s that North Korea continues to outmanoeuvre the United States through its willingness to take initiatives that shape the global public narrative and force Washington to choose between engaging on Pyongyang’s terms or looking like it is acting in bad faith.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/19/north-korea-shut-missile-test-summit-kim-jong-un-moon

The US approach is essentially coercive or negative. Four out of five principal states involved in the region don't agree with the US approach. So it isn't just a question of being outmaneuvered, the playing field has changed.

A new approach is required, the coercive approach isn't going to work. https://www.38north.org/2018/09/wmckinney091718/

It's been the same negotiating problem all along, the inability of the US to come around to the step by step approach to changing the strategic relationships in the region, or the current style of one sided demands accompanied by vague promises of future rewards. The US approach is an attempt to counter historical trends in the two Koreas and unlikely to be successful unless it changes.

To gain any insight into North Korean issues, 38north.org is a better source than these articles in the British and US mainstream press. A variety of views are presented.

Trump's Goon Squad

Loud voiced US warning to South Korea as it meets North Korea, you must abide by the sanctions.

Halley: South Korea don't get too far ahead of things. Pompeo: No denuclearization, sanctions continue.

Right up to the South North Summit, the US raises the pressure. Halley: You must comply with anti North Korean sanctions. Pompeo: All of the international sanctions are necessary until denuclearization is achieved.

South Korea's Ambitious Third Summit Delegation

(source JTBC news 9.16)


Seo Hyun, National Intelligence Director; Jong Hui Yong, Blue House National Security Advisor; Kang Kyung Hwa, Foreign Minister; and Cho Myung Kyun, the Unification Minister are the core of President Moon Jae In's executive group in the South Korean official delegation to the North-South summit taking place in Pyongyang, next week. President Moon is expected to depart Tuesday to Pyongyang for a three day summit agenda.

The state executive component of South Korean delegation traveling to Pyongyang Tuesday includes 14 government and Blue House representatives, and a total of 52 persons in the official delegation. Including journalists and media representatives the entire group visiting North Korea from the South will number approximately 200 persons.

Political party representatives were invited to participate in the delegation, but conservative party representatives declined. The three party representatives from the National Assembly accompanying the delegation represent the ruling Democratic Party, the Democracy and Peace Party, and the Justice Party. The latter are expected to meet with Kim Yong Nam, head of the DPRK's People's Assembly. Representatives from local government invited on the delegation include the mayor of Seoul, and the governor of Kangwondo.

(source JTBC news 9.16)


Among the official delegation of 52 persons are 17 members of the economic group. Included in the economic delegation are the leaders from four major South Korean corporate business organizations. These are Choi Tae Hwon, Chairman SK; Lee Jae Yong, Vice Chairman Samsung; Koo Kwang Mo, Chairman LG; and Kim Yong Hwan, Vice Chairman Hyundai. Other major industry executives will be along to discuss improvements and integration of railway and energy projects in North Korea, including CEOs from South Korea Railway Construction, and South Korean Power. Chairpersons from the Kaesong Joint Industrial Area Committee and Hyundai Group will be along to plan the potential reopening of Kaesong, and the Kumgangsan tourist enterprise, respectively.

Other delegation members represent interests including, advisory group and academics (9), civil society (4), labor (2), culture, arts and sports (9), religion (4), and youth(2).

One doesn't disarm in front of a knife wielding robber

JTBC reported that the North Korean newspaper, No Dong Shin Mun, today had a statement saying they won't denuclearize without a prior declaration of the end of the Korean conflict by the US. The typically colorful speech was something to the effect that one didn't one-sidedly lower their shield in front of a sword wielding robber, it produced uncomfortable feelings.

Update-Implications of an End of War Declaration for the United Nations Command

Tae Yong Ho- The people don't know yet but... Tae Yong Ho's warning. The process to dissolve the United Nations Command has already started. Trial Withdrawal of 10 guard posts and demilitarization of Joint Security Area. (Channel A News Top Ten 9.14)

President Moon Jae In's upcoming summit with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang (Sep. 18-20) will follow yesterday's military working level talks between North and South Korean military representatives at Panmunjum who discussed an agreement to withdraw 10 guardposts on a trial basis from the Joint Security Area (JSA) in an initial effort to demilitarize the heavily armed border area. The planned third summit also will follow yesterday's opening of the joint liaison office between North and South Korea in Kaesong, North Korea, to facilitate communications on a 24 hour basis between the two governments. Officials in the US and conservatives in South Korea are concerned that the opening of the Kaesong office was supported by the export of prohibited materials from South Korea, including construction materials, fuel and generators to facilitate the opening and operation of the office. South Korea responded that there is no economic benefit to North Korea, and the effort represents no more than the presence of other foreign diplomatic delegations present in Pyongyang. Coinciding with the opening, the US treasury office imposed additional sanctions on Russia and China related to alleged cyber hacking by a North Korean individual, facilitated by two enterprises in China and Russia. The timing of the sanctions is considered inopportune in North and South Korea. In an earlier Channel A News report, a previously undisclosed English translation of the North South Panmunjum declaration of April 27, called for the adoption of a declaration to end the Korean War before the end of the year.

The well known defector Tae Yong Ho, is a former North Korean diplomat who defected from the North Korean Embassy in London. He has warned the South Korean public that the proposed declaration of the end of the Korean War, undermines the United Nations Command, (UNC) the international security structure in Korea and Northeast Asia which binds the former allied nations in the Korean conflict, to the Armistice Agreement. As reported by Channel A News Top Ten today, Tae regards the South Korean negotiations to demilitarize the Joint Security Area, as beginning a tangible preparation for the eventual declaration of the end of the Korean conflict, and the elimination of the UNC from the Korean peninsula. At that point, the unilateral alliances between the United States and Korea, and Japan and the US are the remaining defensive alliance structures in the region. Channel A Top Ten analysts took Tae's arguments a step further and argued that a declaration of the end of the Korean conflict could arguably require the US forces to leave Korea. This argument proposed that denuclearization of the Korean peninsula called for in the US North Korean Singapore Summit Declaration could result in the withdrawal of US forces from the peninsula on the grounds that the US is a nuclear power. The Channel A news analysis suggested that the elimination of the UNC could result in a reduction of one half of the forces necessary to defend South Korea in a time of invasion of South Korea. Tae regards the withdrawal of US forces as Kim's ultimate ambition. There is little question that dissolving the UNC could make timely participation of allies in the event of any prospective defense of South Korea problematic. Kim Jong Un addressed the issue of the US Korean alliance directly recently with the delegation who made the arrangements for President Moon's upcoming summit, when Kim reportedly said, there was absolutely no relationship between a declaration to the end the Korean War and the US South Korean alliance.

On opening day for the North South office the US brandishes the sanctions sword. North Korea, one IT person, Russia and China, two enterprise locations sanctioned. The photo shows Cho Myung Kyun, the South's Unification Minister and Ri Seon Gwon, his North Korean counterpart shaking hands. (Channel A News Top Ten 9.14)

"If the UN Command were dissolved American military forces would be halved." (Channel A News Top Ten 9.14)

Mass Game Messages

A call for international solidarity, friendship, cooperation and good neighborliness, in English and Chinese from the card section. A video of Moon Jae In embracing Kim Jong Un was projected before the crowd. (source JTBC news 9.10)

April 27 Panmunjum Declaration A new history from now on... Thousands of people in the card section. Instead of anti US slogans, the Panmunjum Declaration (source JTBC news 9.10)

Earlier in the day, Kim appears on the 9.9 reviewing stand side by side with Li Zhangshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Congress. (KBS News 9.10) Li brought a personal letter to Kim from Xi Jingping.

DPRK Special Forces Units Observed at the 9.9 Parade

North Korean Special Tactical Forces, decapitation strategy response?

These forces, seen in the 9.9 military review yesterday had been observed in Pyongyang last year. From the top is a new bullet resistant helmet in the "Fritz" or German style. On the helmet is a night vision device estimated to be of Russian design. The soldiers were wearing flak jackets with a digital pattern which may make forces less distinguishable from friendly South Korean forces according to a Yonhap News report. There is an improved model Bektusan automatic pistol. The soldiers in the parade were carrying the DPRK modified version of the Russian AK 74 design rifle with a shortened barrel and cylinder shaped helical high capacity magazine mounted on the stock. The helical magazine may carry 75 to 150 rounds of 5.45mm ammunition. These weapons were observed earlier in the April 2017 parade for Kim Il Sung's birthday commemoration. According to Yonhap News, the weapon was first observed being used by Kim Jong Un bodyguards in 2013. The complexity of the high capacity magazine can be a weakness operationally compared to the standard 30 magazine on the original design, and the new weapon cannot carry the grenade launcher.

New weapons carried by DPRK special forces. On the left side, soldiers carrying new model tandem warhead RPG, estimated to be able to destroy a South Korean K1 tank according to the Channel A assessment. On the right troops carrying a composite model rifle, that has a rifle plus grenade launcher capability.

International Naval Review Scheduled for October at Cheju Island

Channel A News Top Ten reported today that an international naval review is scheduled for the third week of October 2018 in the Korean territorial waters of Cheju Island. Such events have also taken place in 1998 and 2008. The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to participate along with warships of 15 allies and "friendly countries," according to the broadcast. The presence of the US aircraft carrier and perhaps any nuclear powered submarine that may show up, is the subject of some concern because of a tacit understanding that "strategic" assets such as the USS Reagan not operate in vicinity of Korea while negotiations with North Korea are underway. Last fall, during the height of the nuclear crisis with North Korea, large naval forces operated in the region including three US carriers. Korean naval sources point out this is not a military exercise in the sense of the joint naval exercise conducted by US and Korean ships during the period from October 16 through 20, 2017.

A peripheral issue is the display of the rising sun flag on ships of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force which are expected to participate. Analysts point out that the same flag was displayed in the prior naval review events of 1998, and 2008. Although display of the flag is prohibited by Korean law, an unnamed South Korean naval source said that "extraterritoriality" applied for the event. The flag is regarded as a symbol of the militarism and imperialism of the Japanese Empire which annexed and occupied Korea from August 1910 to August 1945. During the preparations for the winter Olympics in South Korea this year, Japan formally complained about the so called "unification flag" displayed at Olympic venues in South Korea because they depicted Dokdo (island) as a part of a unified Korea. The set of islands in the East Sea or Sea of Japan, is occupied by the South Koreans, but claimed by Japan as their national territory. The South Korean government removed the island from the unification flag. South Korea's flagship LPH, Dokdo, is named after the island.

Preparation for Third Kim Moon Summit Goes Well

Chosun Central TV publicizes the South Korean Special Delegation meeting with Kim Jong Un. Chief envoy for the ROK, Jong Hui Yong, Blue House National Security Advisor, shown with Kim Jong Un (Source- Channel A News Top Ten Sep.6 )

"There is absolutely no relationship between a declaration to end the Korean War, and weakening the US South Korean alliance or withdrawing US forces." (Source- JTBC News Sep.6 ) This unequivocal comment by Kim is generally not covered in the US media.

"We will take positive denuclearization measures if we see reciprocal actions in response to our initial measures." (Source- JTBC News Sep.6)

Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet in Pyongyang on Sept. 18-20 for a third summit.

Xi's Finesse

The Channel A News Top Ten graphic above refers to Xi Jinping's final decision not to attend the 9.9 70th Anniversary celebration and military review in Pyongyang as had been widely anticipated. Instead he is sending the Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress and the third-ranking official in the ruling Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee. In the image, Trump is saying the stalemate in North Korea's denuclearization is China's fault. Xi is portrayed as sweating Trump's allegations, the "political burden," against his desire to demonstrate China's (new) political relationship with North Korea.


Kim Jong Un was out of sight for 16 days until he met with the South Korean Special Delegation on Sep 5. The results of the meeting will be briefed to the public on Thurs. My earlier article here, South Korean Special Envoy Group Departs for One Day Visit to Pyongyang, has been updated.

Summit and Sanctions Maneuvers

Today, the South Korean Special Delegation to Pyongyang met with Kim Jong Un and other North Korean officials to deliver Moon Jae In's letter to Kim and discuss details for the upcoming Moon-Kim summit. On the same day, according to Channel A News Top Ten, the US Department of Commerce announced additional sanctions against a Chinese enterprise and individual in Hong Kong for selling armored Mercedes-Benz vehicles to North Korea, which are for the use of Kim Jong Un. The US contends the vehicles violate the UN sanctions against North Korea. One wonders if these are the same vehicles which the UK publication, The Telegraph, reported as a sanctions violation in August 2014. I am unable to verify this secondary sanction announcement by the US, as alleged, elsewhere.

(Source Channel A News Top Ten youtube podcast Sep 5)

Channel A News Top Ten analysts believe the timing of the sanctions announcement was meant as a signal to South Korean officials who disputed US contentions that fuel and generator deliveries to the joint North-South liaison office in Kaesong North Korea violate UN sanctions. The Korean foreign ministry has said that the office and the material supplies associated with it, offer no economic benefit to North Korea. The timing of the opening of the liaison office was on the agenda for the meeting in Pyongyang today. The United States also wishes to discourage South Korea from proceeding too quickly on economic and other measures to normalize relations with North Korea, while the diplomatic talks between the US and North Korea are stalled.

President Trump has claimed that China is behind the failure of North Korea to denuclearize. President Xi Jinping was widely expected to visit Pyongyang to attend the September 9 celebrations and military review ceremonies to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean state. Today it's reported that Xi will not attend and is sending Li Zhanshu, the Chairman of the National Peoples Congress, estimated to be the third ranking party official in China, and very close to Xi.

(Source Channel A News Top Ten youtube podcast Sep 5)

NBC News is reporting today, "China eases economic pressure on North Korea, undercutting the Trump admin" asserting that China is substantially violating sanctions at this point undermining the US maximum pressure campaign against North Korea.


https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/china-eases-economic-pressure-north-korea-undercutting-trump-admin-n906166


An analysis in 38North today by Yun Sun, The State of Play in Sino-DPRK Relations presents an alternative view.

https://www.38north.org/2018/09/ysun090518/

Channel A News Top Ten reported recently that North Korean ships were observed transferring coal at sea in Vietnamese waters, and that chat applications from China and South Korea were being used by intermediaries to broker the exchanges. The South Korean application is a widely used international application in hangul script and doesn't imply South Korean involvement.

South Korean Special Envoy Group Departs for One Day Visit to Pyongyang

The South Korean special delegation is led by Jong Hui Yong, Blue House National Security Office Director (center), and Seo Hyun, the National Intelligence Minister (right). Chun Hae Song, the South Korean Unification Ministry Vice Minister, is accompanying them.

TV Chosun News reports the South Korean special delegation to North Korea left Seoul this morning Seoul time to fly directly to Pyongyang for a one day visit with North Korean officials. The group is carrying a personal letter from President Moon Jae In of South Korea to Chairman Kim Jong Un. They are expected to begin talks with their counterparts in Pyongyang at nine am, Korea time. The group intends to discuss the timing of a planned upcoming summit between President Moon and Chairman Kim, and also to set the date for the opening of the joint liaison office between the two Korean states being established in Kaesong, North Korea. Also, it is expected that the special delegation would attempt to function as a mediator in the stalemated talks between North Korea and the United States. They also hope to meet with Kim Jong Un to discuss pending matters.

Update Sep 5:

Kim Jong Un seated with the South Korean delegation at a state dinner. Present with Kim are his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and his sister, Kim Yo Jong. South Korean Intelligence Director Seo Hyun, sits between the two women. Jong Hui Yong, Blue House National Security chief, sits between Chairman Kim Jong Un, and Kim Yong Chol, Vice Chairman. The acerbic Ri Son Kwon, Reunification Committee Chairman, is lower left. (Source Channel A News Top Ten Sep. 5)

Kim Jong Un was out of sight for 16 days until he met with the South Korean Special Delegation on Sep 5. The results of the meeting will be briefed to the public on Thurs. A major objective of the next North South summit is to defuse military tensions between North and South, with a view toward improving the environment for denuclearization and explore the possibility of mediating differences between the US and North Korea.