Friday, December 13, 2024

Read it and Weep



Vote November 10, in the National Assembly to appoint a permanent special investigation team to investigate the martial law/ coup attempt by Yoon and company. It's a significant vote for a couple of reasons. First the votes for the legislation exceeded the number needed to overcome a veto by Yoon (over 200 out of 300 members). According to the report, there were 188 votes from the majority democratic party, the conservative reform party of Lee Jun-seok, the progressive party, etc., for 188 votes. No doubt this would include Cho Guk's small innovation party which typically votes with the democrats. The total vote in favor was 210, so this means 22 assembly members from the minority ruling PPP nominally Yoon and Han's party (the US and Japan favored party) voted for an independent special investigation of the coup attempt. (There were 14 abstentions).


They didn't know?



By my estimate, they are still two votes shy of impeaching Yoon this Saturday, Nov. 14, at four o'clock in the afternoon, Seoul time. Gallup Korea reports that Yoon's support is down to 11 percent and 75 percent want him impeached. His total disapproval rating is 85 percent. This brings to mind a statement that Yoon made early on in his presidential career, to the effect that even if only one percent of the public supported him, he would still do what he thinks is best.

Someone is leaking information about the cabinet meeting that took place for five minutes or less, immediately before Yoon went on television to announce martial law. I'm not sure who was there, other than Han Duk-soo, but they did not directly oppose Yoon, but raised issues about the unfavorable consequences and impacts that could arise. Yoon immediately went into one of his hissy fits and stormed out of the room, without concluding the meeting or dismissing the officials. It was said he went immediately into a nearby studio, where they could hear him making the televised address. What this suggests is that Yoon had already decided on martial law, and that he was getting his advice from others.

Washington is still going with "the coup d'etat in South Korea was a surprise" line, which is extremely unlikely.

“The fact that President Yoon surprised Washington is problematic,” said Green, adding the turmoil called into question whether Seoul was ready for contingency planning. “Dysfunction in South Korean government is risky, because North Korea may interpret it as an opportunity.”


Tim provided the free link to the WP article at his X feed.



What is the position of the National Intelligence Service? The Director Cho Tae-yong has strong connections with the US government. Take a look at Cho Tae-yong's resume for his extensive US based experience over at wikipedia Cho Tae-yong What was his role, if any? As I understood testimony at a hearing, the NIS deputy director Hong Jang-won described his own personal rejection of support to the martial law plot as it went into execution. He said he received a call from the president seeking support for the armed forces domestic counter intelligence mission after the announcement of martial law. Likewise, where were Sin Won-sik, and Kim Tae-hyo from the National Security Office while all this was going on?

Former Vice Minister Hong is the person who revealed that he was ordered by President Yoon Seok-yeol to arrest politicians during martial law. He testified in a meeting with National Assembly Intelligence Committee Chairman Shin Sung-beom on the 6th that he was told by President Yoon to “help and support the Counterintelligence Command, as we will give the National Intelligence Service the authority to investigate counterintelligence.” He also claims that he reported this to National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong but was ignored, and that he resigned after refusing to comply with the order and was ordered by the president to dismiss him.


Prosecutors' Office and Public Prosecutor's Office Investigate First Vice Director of the National Intelligence Service,...
A legislator, formerly with the NIS, Park Seon-won, is reporting that lower level deputies in the NIS were ordered to carry out investigations of "leftist youtubers" working as "agents of North Korea," on December 11! According to the assemblyman, the president is the only one who could have given this order. This means Yoon is in the process of seeking "evidence" to support his purported defense to his martial law declaration, as lawful to save democracy and the constitutional order, endangered by state enemies. Ostensibly troops were sent into the National Assembly building on Dec. 3, to "protect democracy," and end the majority opposition's "bullying" with the same purpose. Initially this coup attempt was to be coordinated with military provocations precedent to the declaration of martial law. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the ROK armed forces declined to follow this effort to elicit some sort of North Korean military reaction a week before the Dec. 3 declaration.

[Breaking News] Police Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Bong-sik Arrested for ‘Engaging in Critical Internal Rebellion Mission’


Yoon's speech Thursday night was probably prepared by legal counsel, formulating his legal defense, for an anticipated impeachment trial down the road. Yoon is not going to resign according to reports but prefers to fight this all the way. Hopefully, he'll be impeached tomorrow at 4 pm Seoul time, but nothing is certain. Link to last night's speech in English:



The most obvious lie in the speech was that special forces troops sent to arrest a list of assembly members and block their vote to stop martial law, were "unarmed." You can see their weapons in several videos of their assault on the National Assembly building. My understanding from all the reports I've heard, was that they were to be dispatched with live ammunition.

The contents of the speech are absurd. From Kim Jong-tae's guest essay in the Hankyoreh today:

He forgot to consider evidence that the troops dispatched to the National Assembly not only had blank rounds but live ammunition and even taser guns. It was a shallow ploy to escape charges of treason and inciting violence after he’s impeached. Moreover, not only Kwak but Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, head of the Capital Defense Command; Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service; and Yeo In-hyeong, leader of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, all have given testimony that Yoon ordered the arrest of politicians and drafted plans for martial law in advance. Yoon’s only path for escaping charges of plotting and leading an insurrection has been completely sealed.


[Guest essay] Bald-faced lies of a failed insurrectionist
https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/english_editorials/1172966.html




One of those to be arrested was a judge who recently found Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the democratic opposition, not guilty. Lee still faces other hearings on separate charges engineered by Yoon's "dictatorship of prosecutors."

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Monday, September 30, 2024

US ambassador meets the South Korean opposition




Video of Lee Jae-myung opposition leader meeting with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg. (2024.09.26 오전) Goldberg and Lee use interpreters so the whole video is understandable in English.

I recall Democratic Party Leader Lee's meeting with the Chinese ambassador some time ago, it seemed so much friendlier. Goldberg looks stiff, forced smiles, folded arms, etc. I'm sure the leader of the Democratic Party, the majority party in the National Assembly, was the last person he wanted to meet, he was probably directed to do it. "Human rights, rule of law, wherever they are under threat." How can Goldberg keep a straight face saying that? The comment at the end by Lee is a dig at the US apparent lack of interest in the extraordinarily tense relations with North Korea. The threat of "accidental" conflict breaking out along the DMZ caused Lee to request "...your deeper interest in these issues." Other than mentioning the potential for nuclear proliferation to South Korea and/or Japan prompted by the North Korean threat, Lee said zero about Japan, China, Taiwan, Indo-Pacific etc. This is by design. I wonder what may have happened during the closed meeting after the short formal public meeting.



From the large anti-Yoon demonstration in Seoul today. The tweet comment, "Anti-democratic, anti welfare of the people, anti-peace, historic pro-Japan, coup d'etat Yoon government; there is no way to sit and just let this go."


Hanging by a Thread: US-led War Drills in the Korean Peninsula and the Threat of Global Nuclear War

According to Simone Chun's recent essay in Counterpunch, the provocation of North Korea is deliberate, and part of the US anti-China strategy. I listened to some other activist leaders in an OhMyNews talk show who are seeing parallels developing to events during the latter part of the Park administration. They think an editorial take lately in the Chosun Ilbo, reflects increasing conservative frustration with Yoon, who is not a politician by nature, but is solely focused on advancing his personal interests and protecting his wife and her supporters from justice. He has of course, adopted an authoritarian manner of doing things, is uncompromising and neglecting state affairs other than the anti North Korea, US pro Japan, Indo-Pacific outlook directed against China. This was their analysis of Chosun Ilbo's editorial, they didn't give a specific reference that I could look at myself. I have seen at least one recently that suggested Yoon was too detached from public sentiment and would present challenges in future elections for conservatives if he didn't change.


Although there were some impeach Yoon placards in this large demonstration, the theme of the organized labor and civic groups was, "Yoon step down!"

Simone collected a few photos over on her twitter thread of the large Yoon resign demo in Seoul today. Candlelight leadership was there, but most of bodies were from organized labor groups and civil society. Demonstrations took place in multiple South Korean cities from what I understand. I saw banners from the progressive party and justice party as well. There was a serial confrontation with police that seemed to me to have been instigated by someone lighting smoke bombs or some kind of flares in the crowd near the end of the demonstration. The senior police officers and parade staff managed the hotheads well and the trouble subsided. I'd like to see the size of this demonstration double. That will signal the end for Yoon and company.


Ambassador Goldberg prior meeting a week earlier with PPP Leader Han Dong-hun. Notice the difference?




Anyone who thinks Han Dong-hun takes constitutional principles or rule of law seriously is suffering from delusions. Notice the difference between this meeting and Goldberg's later meeting with Lee Jae-myung (above), the opposition leader who has been prosecuted repeatedly by Yoon and this man for years. Han and Goldberg "shared many conversations" when Han was minister of justice? Why? Why does that not surprise me? Why did the translator change Han's admission to "well actually we met once before" in English? She didn't translate what he actually said. Assembly Member In Yo-han PPP aka John Linton, the "white" Korean missionary/doctor was Goldberg's physician? In a longer video near the end, Han jokes in English, that "he didn't know" In Yo-han/John Linton could speak English. At the outset, Han also joked about Goldberg being a Red Sox fan, implying that they have a difference of opinion on this. So they are all buddies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1kPJ524L4k (the longer video)

The banner on the wall says "Reduce the differences, widen the opportunities." Surprised they didn't adopt the "lock step, no daylight" slogan. Goldberg emphasizes the long friendship and shared values. Most of the US- South Korea relationship, up to 1987, was basically the US supporting oppressive dictatorships. Yoon's is now up to 24 vetoes* of legislation. Democracy? Rule of law? Justice? LOL.

The Yoon/Han clique of corrupt prosecutors, abusing their powers giving the ROK the name "dictatorship of prosecutors," just requested that Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung receive 4 years in prison on a conviction obtained with fabricated evidence. To counter the appearance of tens of thousands of demonstrators against Yoon, over the weekend, Yoon will bring out 5000 plus troops for the Armed Forces Day parade at the cost of millions of dollars giving his administration the authoritarian aura that suits it so well. Ironically this will occur on the same day as China's National Foundation Day celebration.


Note: after I wrote the first part of this post, I came across this Hankyoreh editorial, cited below, which said in part:

For Korea’s Yoon, October may prove the cruelest month

Civic movements also hint of ominous times for Yoon. National Emergency Council for State Affairs, an organization founded by veteran civic leaders and activists, announced its demands for Yoon’s impeachment or resignation on Sept. 20. A national coalition of civic groups demanding Yoon’s resignation will simultaneously hold rallies in major cities nationwide on Saturday, at 3 pm. Things are reminiscent of the writing on the wall in October 2016.

Let’s wrap this up. Will Yoon survive October, the most politically brutal month he’s ever faced? What does he need to do to survive?

Conservative papers are calling for “acute introspection” (Chosun Ilbo) and “an overhaul in policy and administration” (Joongang Ilbo). Is this possible? It will be difficult. That’s not his style.


As many of his critics in the opposition have pointed out, Yoon is incapable of changing his authoritarian approach.


*Note. October 1 correction of typographical error, it's 24 vetoes for Yoon, not 42 as previously erroneously stated. That number will increase soon enough. Apologies to the one reader who saw this post before I fixed it.
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Sunday, September 22, 2024

Indo-Pacific



Japanese "defensive" exercises? Or is it to practice interdiction of Chinese lines of communication?







Koizumi, the son of a former premier (sic), is seeking to appeal to a younger generation of voters and refresh the image of the party. He has advocated for deregulation and labor market reform to give big businesses more flexibility in laying off workers — drawing criticism from other candidates.

If Koizumi wins, he may face trouble in keeping order in the LDP, which has established systems for leadership positions being held by its senior members. It has ruled Japan almost without interruption since its founding in the 1950s.



Catapult the propaganda! The admiral's tweet got me behind the Bloomberg paywall to read his neocon views. Tim Shorrock said he likely would have been Kilary's SecDef. Stavridis is probably plugging for it now.



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Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Spring in the North 北国之春

邓丽君 《北国之春》 + lyrics Teresa Teng


我衷心的谢谢您
wǒ zhōngxīn de xièxiè nín
My sincere appreciation to you

一番关怀和情意
yī fān guānhuái hé qíng yì
for your care and affection

如果没有你给我爱的滋润
rúguǒ méiyǒu nǐ gěi wǒ ài de zī rùn
If you didn't give me the nourishment of love

我的生命将会失去意义
wǒde shēngmìng jiāng huì shīqù yìyì
My life will lose its meaning

我们在春风里陶醉飘逸
wǒmén zài chūn fēng lǐ táozuì piāo yì
We are intoxicated and carefree in the spring breeze

仲夏夜里绵绵细雨
zhòng xià yèlǐ miánmián xìyǔ
Incessant light rain in the midsummer night

聆听那秋虫它轻轻在
língtīng nà qiū chóng tā qīngqīng zài
Listen to the autumn insects mumuring

呢喃 冰雪它飘满地
nínán bīngxuě tā piāo mǎn dì
Whispering winter snow spreads everywhere

我的平凡岁月里有了一个你
wǒde píngfán suìyuè lǐ yǒu le yīgè nǐ
During my everyday lifetime, I had you*

显得充满活力
xiǎnde chōngmǎn huólì
So vigorous and strong

我衷心的谢谢您
wǒ zhōngxīn de xièxiè nín
My sincere appreciation to you

让我忘却烦恼和忧郁
ràng wǒ wàngquè fánnǎo hé yōuyù
Let me forget my worries and unhappiness

如果没有你给我鼓励和勇气
rúguǒ méiyǒu nǐ gěi wǒ gǔlì hé yǒngqì
If you didn't give me inspiration and courage

我的生命将会失去意义
wǒde shēngmìng jiāng huì shīqù yìyì
My life would lose its meaning


*these interpretations are always subject to change as I discover mistakes or learn more. 9.18.24
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Friday, September 13, 2024

Sorrowful Taedong River (1958)


한 많은 대동강




Sorrowful Taedong River, are you well as before?
Moranbong*, Eulmildae,** I miss that scenery.
The way blocked by barbed wire, 'til we meet again,
Is there news? Oh, sorrowful Taedong River

Taedong River, Pubyeokru,* I miss that boat song.
Once more I try to sing the familiar nostaglic tune.
Is there still no way to send a single letter?
Oh, I ask for news, sorrowful Taedong River

One of the songs sung by singer Son In-ho . Lyrics by Han Bok-nam , music by Yain-cho (Kim Bong-cheol). Incidentally, all three are from displaced families. Son In-ho is from Changseong, North Pyongan Province, Han Bok-nam is from Anju, South Pyongan Province, and Yain-cho is from Hwanghae Province.

https://namu.wiki/w/%ED%95%9C%20%EB%A7%8E%EC%9D%80%20%EB%8C%80%EB%8F%99%EA%B0%95



Pubyok Pavilion

*Reference to the pavillion (Pubyeokru) built on Moranbong (Peony hill) on the bank of the Tadeong River in Pyongyang. Regarded as a historical and scenic treasure. This a South Korean source with photos: https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%9D%84%EB%B0%80%EB%8C%80

Eulmildae

**Eulmildae was basically a watchtower topped by a pavilion built for military purposes, in Pyongyang, but as the legend of the fairy Eulmil falling in love with the scenery suggests, it also serves as a pavilion for viewing the beautiful scenery around Eulmildae, especially the Daedong River flowing under Eulmildae and Neungra Island, which is a lower island.

The two historical sites are near the Kim Il-sung stadium and the area in Pyongyang where the dictatorship's monumental style architecture is found.

Pulitzer prize winning photo of Taedong River Bridge-

Flight of Refugees across wrecked bridge in Korea.


.
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Monday, September 2, 2024

Kanto Massacre, martial law, and high school baseball



Below an excerpt from an October 2021 Georgetown Journal of International Affairs article on the Kanto massacre and Japanese denialism, the author is Tessa Morris-Suzuki:

Un-remembering the Massacre: How Japan’s “History Wars” are Challenging Research Integrity Domestically and Abroad


The Great Earthquake and the Massacre

In September 2023, Japan will commemorate the centenary of one of the twentieth century’s worst disasters: the Great Kanto Earthquake, which destroyed much of Tokyo and Yokohama, resulting in over one-hundred thousand deaths. In the panic that followed, rumors spread that immigrants from Japan’s then-colony of Korea were poisoning wells and planning violent attacks on Japanese citizens. Japanese vigilante groups, backed by the police and army, responded by killing those they believed to be Korean. A 2009 official report cites figures of anywhere from twenty-six hundred to sixty-six hundred Korean victims from the massacre, as well as several hundred Chinese victims.

Ever since the fiftieth anniversary of the massacre, a memorial event has been held for the victims, with messages of remembrance from public figures including the Governor of Tokyo. However, since 2017, the current right-wing Governor, Koike Yuriko, has repeatedly refused to send such a message. Further, recent memorial ceremonies have been accompanied by counter-protests staged by vocal right-wing “massacre denialist” groups, encouraging the proliferation of provocative anti-Korean hate speech. In the context of deepening tensions between Japan and Korea, Koike’s symbolic refusal to commemorate the massacre has raised concern amongst scholars and citizens’ groups as to how the 2023 commemoration of the Great Kanto Earthquake will deal with the memory of the massacre. There are fears that the contest between commemoration and the denial of memory may further inflame inter-ethnic and international tensions. Controversies surrounding the memory of the massacre are just part of wider intensifying contests over memory and history in Japan.



With pro-Japanese new right authoritarians now in power in the Yoon administration in South Korea, they too have a denialism problem. The Yoon Education Ministry is sanitizing history text book descriptions of Japanese war crimes against Koreans, as Japan did a generation earlier. The administration has also physically removed memorial plaques and statues of the Dokdo islets in public venues in Seoul. These include multiple subway sites in Seoul and the National War Museum. Dokdo was taken by Japan from South Korea after the Russo-Japanese war. The island is bizarrely still claimed by Japan, although it was occupied by Korea after WWII. Japanese coast guard vessels patrol the seas near the island, the same way the Chinese coast guard patrol around the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands. An earlier Yoon move intended to change the orientation of South Korean history from national independence, unification and sovereignty, to an anti-communist/ pro-Japanese orientation, was to remove statues of independence fighters in front of the ROK Military Academy:

The KMA is reportedly reviewing installing the bust of Gen. Paik Sun-yup, who served as a second lieutenant in the Gando Special Force of the Manchukuo Imperial Army, once the busts of Korea Independence Army and Korea Liberation Army generals are taken down from its campus.

In its statement, the KMA explained, “We are moving ahead with the plan to refurbish memorials on the KMA campus with a focus on embodying the academy’s identity and its purpose of establishment as well as on creating the optimal environment to convey the value and significance of protecting liberal democracy and the South Korea-US alliance.” *


Controversy erupts over Korea Military Academy's hints at removing busts of independence fighters
Gen. Paik Sun-yup was a Japanese trained officer who served the interests of the Imperial Japan in Manchukuo before becoming a ROK Army officer who served in the Korean conflict. His brother, another ROK officer, was directly involved in ROK Army tactical movements across the 38th parallel that helped spark the Korean conflict.

Another rewriting of history in textbooks by the Yoon administration removes references to US installed Syngman Rhee as a dictator and his massacres of political opposition in South Korea, before and after the outbreak of the Korean conflict. Rhee a corrupt Americanized Korean, thought like MacArthur that North Korea would be easily defeated. Yoon's history rewrite comes at a time, when his administration appears to be installing a Hanahoe like military clique in the critical military commands that would be necessary to impose martial law and secure dictatorial powers in South Korea. Hanahoe was the military clique that installed Chun Doo-hwan as dictator. These commands are contended to be the Capital City Defense Command, the Counter-intelligence Command, and the Special Forces Command, the forces of which would be sufficient to control the capital, crush dissent, and discharge the National Assembly. Martial law plans were drawn up by the Defense Security Command during the Park Geun-hye impeachment proceedings but never implemented. Allegedly, acting president at the time, Hwang Kyo-ahn would not go along with the plan.

The circumstantial evidence of a potential martial law plan by the Yoon administration was laid out today in National Assembly hearings concerning the appointment of a new Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. The defense minister nominee and others call it a conspiracy theory. Kim went to the same high school as Yoon. Kim's high school alumni 후배 and fellow graduating military academy class graduates (38th class-1982) either are, or will, be appointed to key positions within the Defense Ministry. Members of the political clique within the ROK military establishment are referred to as Choongam-pa for Yoon's high school clique, or Yonghyun-pa for 38th Academy classmates of Kim.

During active duty service Kim commanded the Capital City Defense Command. Kim himself is the current Director of the Presidential Security Service. Prior to this he was a presidential transition team member and national security and international affairs advisor to the Yoon campaign. He was responsible for the plan to change the Presidential Office from the Blue House to the National Defense Building at Yongsan. This move was considered a blunder by several experts because unlike the Blue House, the site is not defensible from air attack, as subsequently demonstrated by North Korean drone and balloon flights into the Yongsan presidential office prohibited area. Surrounded by high rise neighborhoods, one wonders if it is defensible from anything but demonstrators.

Defense minister nominee rebukes rumors about gov't plan to declare martial law



Japanese defense strategy-

INTERVIEW/ Yoshihide Yoshida: Top SDF officer vows to deter aggression in Indo-Pacific

From the Hankyoreh-can the Japanese be trusted?

[Column] Korea-Japan relations in the hour between dog and wolf




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Sunday, August 25, 2024

Taiwan related posts



Taiwan's Lai seeks unity in talks with veteran Japan lawmaker Ishiba

Kyodo News Aug. 13

Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te on Tuesday called for unity with Japan in preventing mainland China from "making wrong decisions" to maintain regional peace and stability, as he met with former Japanese defense chief Shigeru Ishiba.

In his talks with Ishiba, who is deemed by the Japanese public as a leading candidate to become the country's next prime minister, Lai said Taipei will "stand shoulder to shoulder with the democratic camp to exert the power of deterrence."


This VOA report from August 16 is similar to the one above but a worthwhile read-

China warns of ‘heavy price’ for Japan after lawmakers visit Taiwan

Check out the bric a brac on Ishiba's book shelf in the photo accompanying the VOA article.


Report on 66th anniversary of Taiwan Straits crisis on Kinmen Island and recent PLA military operations around Taiwan from 1 min to about 7:30 min mark.



Not sure what that emblem behind Lai's head is supposed to represent while he speaks about defending national sovereignty. Nominally, it represents the Wuqiu Lighthouse, but the imagery suggests something else.


Three big issues in South Korea right now according to opposition democratic critics are dictatorship, corruption, and "submission to Japan." The latter is on the front burner as the new right Yoon administration has clearly embarked on a pro-Japanese course. I've mentioned before that this is the legacy of the conservative class descended from the collaborators with Imperial Japan during the colonial period. These elites are the backbone of the "new right" perspective and the current effort to rewrite Korean history, erasing the excesses of Japanese rule and WWII, and the history of the independence movement as the source of legitimacy and democratic rule in South Korea.

The Yoon administration is provoking backlash by orchestrating the removal of Dokdo memorial sculptures and plaques in public places around Seoul. Dokdo consists of islets in the East Sea/Sea of Japan, occupied by South Korea and claimed by Japan as their territory. Japan annexed Dokdo by force after the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. After WWII Syngman Rhee reoccupied the islands during his presidency. The removal of the Dokdo memorials from public places is regarded as similar in concept and nature as Japan's policy of historical denialism, exemplified in part, by its attempts to remove "comfort women" statues erected here and there around the world. The 60th anniversary of the 1965 Agreement between Japan and the Park Chung-hee dictatorship to normalize relations will be "celebrated" in 2025. Prime Minister Kishida is expected to visit South Korea in the not too distant future.

It is claimed by the LDP in Japan that all outstanding historical claims were resolved by the 1965 Agreement.

Here's a link below to a pretty orthodox view describing the Indo-Pacific Command and its changing strategies, military and political in nature, to meet the China threat. Although, I don't necessarily agree with all the views expressed therein, since Indo-PacCom is a major political driver of US policies adopted by Congress toward the Far East, it is informative to see the changes envisioned by the command and their putative benefits.

Practical Understanding of U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy:Analysis of USINDOPACOM and Implications for U.S. Allies and Partners

A positive point in the article's favor is the acknowledgement that the Indo-Pacific strategy originated with Shinzo Abe. Some analysts take the position that Japan is somehow being dragged along an unwanted military policy by the US. On the contrary, ruling elites in Japan, appear to be all in. This of course, doesn't take into account popular views in Japan which may differ, although to what extent, especially in respect to their current military buildup, I haven't seen documented anywhere. I have explored the historical relationship in South Korea of the current right wing/conservative political elements as they relate to pro-Japanese views and revisionism because it is covered in the South Korean alternative media in some detail; I've yet to see exploration of the historical relationship, if any, between Japanese interests and the pro-Japan DPP in Taiwan. If qualified analysts have done this analysis of Taiwan's politics in English, I haven't seen it.



"Lose Dokdo, lose the country." In connection with pro-Japan Yoon policies, "new right" officials have credited the Imperial Japanese colonial administration with "modernizing" Korea. One critic said of this, "the thief left behind the ladder."

*Found the source of this (corrected) expression and where I had heard it:



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Thursday, July 25, 2024

Power struggle continues in South Korea



Saw one South Korean analysis yesterday that ended up focusing on the Constitutional Court in South Korea "packed" with Yoon appointees. Yoon also in effective control over the executive blocking any impartial investigation of himself or his spouse due to his historical relationship with the Public Prosecutors Offices and in addition to that his record routine use of veto powers, is an authoritarian ruler. The majority opposition party in the National Assembly has been unable to appoint an independent prosecutor to take on Yoon and his wife to set the stage for impeachment. Otherwise, expect 3 more years of Yoondoom. (Yoon's rule is damaging the conservative party as demonstrated by the last general election.) Even if the opposition democrats could overcome Yoon's veto, and ultimately be on the road to impeachment, the conservative Constitutional Court packed by Yoon would probably find impeachment not to be warranted.

One fly in the ointment for Yoon is his party's election this week of Han Dong-hun, former prosecutor and former Minister of Justice, as the new PPP conservative party leader. Han received a convincing 62.8* percent of rank and file party votes. Just as there is no trust among thieves, this performance by Han puts him in line for a later run as a presidential contender. Han in the past, served as Yoon's loyal henchman, and was also close to the First Lady Kim Gon-hee. Now, Han's loyalty to Yoon is no longer an asset but a liability to his ambition.

(Source- 뉴스썰TV, 4.27.2020) Supreme Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol (right) greeting prosecutor Han Dong-hun, (far left). The latter is suspected by political opponents of being the source of an unlawful relationship with the press to arrange for political motivated indictments.


The opposition democratic majority party technically only needs 8 votes to defect from Han's party to override Yoon's vetoes of independent prosecutor legislation designed to set Yoon up for an impeachment. Such a vote would likely put Han and whatever followers he now may have in the prosecutors offices in a position to place Han as a presidential candidate sooner rather than later.

Then Han's clique could refocus and continue their prosecutions of Lee Jae-myung, Cho Guk, and other potential presidential contenders to remove them from the field as Han and Yoon had been doing for years. Han could, by making a deal with the opposition party, enable them to override any presidential veto and thereafter secure enough votes for impeachment. If the Constitutional Court understood that Han was the rising star in the conservative political world, it could possibly be moved by "noon chi" perception of the best interests of the conservative vested "corrupt special interests," to get rid of Yoon to facilitate Han's rise to power. In other words the Constitutional Court could change its direction long enough to get rid of Yoon and empower Han to be his replacement after an early election. To set this up, Han might have to deliver maybe 18 votes to overcome Yoon's veto, because the opposition democratic party has probably around 10 defectors (DINO's) in its ranks that won't vote for anything Lee Jae-myung wants to do.


*Updated this number based on late reports 7.26 00:45 est.


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Monday, July 15, 2024

Balancing the US anti-China perspective



A wounded Donald Trump and protecting Secret Service officers caught by photographers in an "Iwo Jima" like posture with the American flag.


Well, the new pro-Trump T-shirts and flags are out. The flags are already up in my neighborhood. We're living now in "Trump Nation." Biden nation has been no picnic as his administration and Congress are addicted to promoting war and a Social Darwinist (fascist) foreign policy. WWIII could break out at any time. Trump's election seems all but assured, as the heroic imagery of his defiance in the face of his putative killer(s) has been openly compared to the heroic WWII scene at Iwo-jima. This image appearing on a NY Post front page is ironic in the extreme because Trump's anti-China policies are more than likely to be in America's and even NATO's future. Yet, as James Bradley, the son of the one of the US Marines who participated in the iconic scene raising the flag at Iwo Jima, points out so well in his book, The China Mirage, the Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia, US perceptions of China (and Asia in general) are largely delusional.

The US anti-Chinese perspective is bi-partisan and the racist imperialism on which it is based, is second nature. The problem as many see it, is that Biden has dissipated the anti-China gestalt by becoming embroiled in a fruitless war against Russia in Ukraine.

ECONOMIC WAR: NATO Threatens to Nationalize Assets Owned by China Lena Petrova, 9 min

I watched Brian Berletic's video on the China- Philippines South China Sea dispute, a couple of days ago. The video is based on his own article at Near Eastern Outlook. This is a description of his article that he posted on his youtube channel-

"Does starting a war over a grounded WW2 ship on a submerged shoal with its largest trade partner serve the Philippines’ best interests? Or does it serve Washington’s interests at the expense of the Philippines? The SCMP article already illustrated how badly needed public infrastructure has literally been torn down in exchange for escalating tensions with the Philippines’ largest trade partner, China.

One needs not guess where this will lead the Philippines if it continues to serve US interests by escalating tensions with China because the same process is already well underway in Ukraine."

The Philippines: Why it is Choosing US Destruction Over Chinese Construction


Maritime disputes treated as minor bilateral concerns to be worked out with Beijing under President Duterte, were escalated into a growing conflict under President Marcos Jr. with US backing, meant to serve as the very pretext to cancel and literally tear down joint Chinese-Philippine projects and replace it with the expansion of the US military’s footprint across the Philippines.


Brian's related 37 minute video based on his article-

The Philippines: Why it is Choosing US Destruction Over Chinese Construction


Below- Historical and legal arguments on the South China Sea dispute from the Chinese perspective. CGTN 30 minute.




Sovereignty at Stake: A documentary on the South China Sea dispute





Elsewhere on this same Japanese politics thread, it was noted that a new right wing meme in Japanese social media says Abe told Trump to turn his head. The imagery of Biden and the Greater East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere is no joke, but reflects the reality of the US Japanese alliance. It is always assumed that Japan is the subordinate power being forced to follow the US lead. This is a convenient cover for LDP right wing national policy of rearmament and becoming "great again."

Note- amended this 7.15 at 17:50 to include image of Trump.

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Monday, June 24, 2024

US failed North Korean policy since 2019 bears bitter fruit


This is when Choi Son-hui rose to pre-eminence in the DPRK Foreign Ministry. Kim Jong-un was humiliated in Hanoi in February 2019. Trump and Bolton in a dramatic stunt scripted for media walked out from the negotiation. Trump rebuffed Choi, in the hallway, at the Hanoi Summit, when she chased after him, pleading with him to come back to the table with Kim. Trump curtly remarked, "Sometimes ya gotta walk," totally capitulating to the neo-cons. Clearly Choi is the most gifted and experienced negotiator in North Korean ruling circles, she served as Kim's mentor.

Not long after Kim and Choi Son-hui traveled to Vladivostok to explore options with Putin and Lavrov.

(Source- Channel A News 4.26.2019) (title- the real reason for Kim Yong Chol's absence?) Why did Chairman Kim bring along Choi Son Hui, First Vice Foreign Minister? To dispel his image as dictator? Choe sits to the right of Sergei Lavrov. Ri Yong Ho, DPRK Foreign Minister sits to Putin's left.


The major import of the summit seems to be having Kim recover momentum after the debacle at the Hanoi summit with the US. Everyone noticed that Kim Yong Chol wasn't with the North Korean delegation in Vladivostok. It looks like Choe Son Hui has been elevated to a primary position as nuclear negotiator. This would be in her new position as First Vice Minister of Foreign Policy, and as the new and solitary female member of the powerful State Affairs Committee.


The visit to Vladivostok brought Trump to Korea for the photo-op at Panmunjom in the summer of 2019, imitating an earlier meeting there between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un that was a media sensation during the "Spring is coming" thaw in North and South relations in 2018. Trump completely under the thumb of the neocons overplaying their hand, did nothing with the second chance he was given to resolve the tension with North Korea. By December 2019, the North indicated they were done dealing with the US. Then the covid epidemic conveniently enough put everything on hold as the North locked down for years. The Biden administration adopted the neo-con "maximum pressure" approach to negotiations. Then as the war in Ukraine spun up, the idiot far right authoritarian Yoon took power in South Korea providing new opportunities, incentives and benefits for North Korean Russian cooperation. When Kim and Putin met at the Russian Space Center in the Far East, in Sept 2023, the possibilities envisioned by Choi and Lavrov in April 2019 came to fruition.

It is obvious that the agreements worked out and signed this week by Putin and Kim had been worked on for months at least. The national security advisors in the US and the so called far east czar Kurt Campbell are incompetent. Blinken, Sullivan, the whole lot of them don't know what they are doing. Siegfried Hecker and Robert Carlin the leading experts on North Korea have been saying this publicly for some time now.

Here's a tweet yesterday from another astute North Korea watcher-



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Monday, June 17, 2024

The Battle of Dagu Forts

This anniversay today got me thinking of how little has essentially changed in the far east alignments despite the sometimes opportunistic shifting alliances among the imperial powers and WWII.

Elder South Korean statesmen/scholar Jung Se-hyeon, once likened US diplomats to an "Indian killing long haired white general," alluding to US policy in the Far East as essentially an extension of its wars against indigenous Americans.


One of the great cowboys of the American imagination preserving the rules based order in Beijing in 1900- Charlton Heston 55 Days at Peking (1963)

The west's outlook really hasn't changed that much in more than a century and half since the Opium Wars. Their gunboats still cruise off the Chinese coast looking for confrontations to secure territorial concessions from both the subjected powers in the so called Indo-Pacific alliance and China itself. Hey can I use your airfields here for my military? Can I set my missile launchers here? Can we build new military bases over here to protect you from China? Let's put an ammo dump, and some leaky fuel tanks over here. Remember our agreement- we are not subject to your jurisdiction. We need to have Taiwan for our first island chain strategy against China. According to the US and its allies, Taiwan is already independent, Tibet is not part of China, and Xinjiang should be independent because "genocide."

Russia was never really a favored member of the de facto alliance. Britain and the US had no problem making agreements with Japan which allowed Japan to engage in a war with Russia to secure effective dominance and control of the Korean peninsula when they defeated Russia in 1905 in the Russo-Japanese War. The western powers were content with their holdings elsewhere in East Asia including their concessions inside China. (The de facto alliance with the western imperial states only ended when Japan got too greedy.) When hundreds of thousands of peaceful Koreans rose up spontaneously in March and April 1919 to obtain their independence from Japanese colonization, thousands were killed and imprisoned by Japanese troops. Wikipedia noted this about Reuters reporting at the time-

In 1919, a number of Reuters reports falsely described the anti-colonial March 1st Movement protests in Korea as violent Bolshevik uprisings. South Korean researchers found that a number of these reports were cited in a number of international newspapers and possibly negatively influenced international opinion on Korea.


Ya think? Not much has changed since. In fact, Reuters which has some nonsense claim about objectivity in its journalism had a report today implicitly lamenting the fact, that propaganda loudspeakers aimed at North Korea weren't as effective in terms of range as they should have been in accordance with the South Korean purchase contract. Too bad, so sad. The irony here is that the official US diplomatic and military presence in South Korea last week, totally out of character, basically asked the South Korean Defense Minister Sin Won-shik, a far right ideologue, to cool it with the loudspeakers and the "free speech" leaflet balloon campaign being conducted against North Korea along the DMZ. The South Koreans close to the DMZ or maritime Northern Limit Lines don't like it either. It's a dangerous and reckless military provocation. But the Reuters article goes on to laud the effectiveness of propaganda loudspeakers as a means to bring "free ideas" to North Korea.

The US official requests may have, in part, been motivated by Putin's upcoming visit to North Korea expected to be tomorrow in some reports. There are also 2+2 talks slated to occur in Seoul between China and South Korean officials about the same time.

South Korea's loudspeakers face questions over reach into North

Still, for North Koreans who hear the South Korean messages or catchy K-pop tunes that are banned in the North, the broadcasts can have a significant psychological impact, Kim Sung-min said.

"These broadcasts play a role in instilling a yearning for the outside world, or in making them realize that the textbooks they have been taught from are incorrect," he said.

...

The angry North Korean reaction to the broadcasts also suggests the loudspeakers strike a nerve with the authoritarian country, said Steve Tharp, a retired U.S. Army officer who spent years working along the border.

"We know that the North Koreans find them partly effective because they have spent a lot of time getting them turned off," he said.


This is all bs. In fact, the use of loud noise in this political and military context is a weapon, a psychological weapon. It can be a form of psychological torture. Right wing thugs in South Korea, allegedly with a contact in the Yoon presidential office set themselves up outside former president Moon Jae-in's home not too long after Yoon took power, blasting the former president's residence and community with unacceptably loud noise broadcast in the immediate vicinity at all hours of day and night. A bogus claim of free speech was made in court to protect the harmful nuisance but was rejected allowing time and distance restrictions to be placed on the practice. Go figure. The content of the sound is completely immaterial as those subjected to it seek to escape the noise by any means possible, and if not suffer substantial mental duress from the physical intrusion of the noise into their sensory perception. It is sometimes labeled as low impact, allegedly leaving no signs of physical damage, yet very effective in causing distress.

I left out the sentence in the excerpt above about the two North Korean defectors saying they defected because they were influenced by the loudspeakers. The contention is not worthy of serious consideration for two reasons. First, defectors to South Korea say what that are told to say, by their intelligence minders. Second, even it if were true, is that worth it? Is it justified to place the lives of hundreds or thousands of people who may be injured, killed, or displaced by a military skirmish near the DMZ because the benefit might be that two persons from North Korea may take the chance to get shot at the Military Demarkation Line in a desperate bid for freedom? The contention is ridiculous on its face.


*6.19.24 note-corrected second paragraph quote and corrected attribution to Jung Se-hyeon vice Moon Chung-in.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Unbelievable- Yoon provokes a crisis and then leaves town


Below is my comment concerning Nodutol's interview on Breakthrough News-

How the US Uses South Korea and Japan As Pawns Against China https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcbQrt6y73s


I don't know how the current military tension between North and South Korea can be intelligently discussed without a discussion of the demise of the 9.19.2018 military agreement negotiated between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un. The US was opposed to the agreement and associated cooperative initiatives to reduce military tensions from the outset. It actively lobbied against the agreement. In the same vein, the US allowed neo-cons to sabotage the Trump-Kim summit at Hanoi. The 9.19 agreement created buffer zones where military exercises and operations were either excluded or limited north and south of the DMZ/military demarcation line and within defined distances from the Northern Limit Lines in the East and West Seas. This agreement limited the chances for accidental military confrontations that might lead to war. The Yoon administration along with the US was opposed to the agreement and intended to get rid of it from the outset. With the active cooperation of the Yoon administration, the allies resumed massive military exercises without restrictions including live fire exercises near the DMZ and in the West Sea region which is a tinderbox. They have thereby set up a situation where disastrous events may occur such as the sinking of the ROK vessel Cheonan and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010.

Another key element missing from this analysis is a discussion of the new so called trilateral partnership the "new right" administration of Yoon Seok-yeol joined with the US and Japan. That South Korean submission to Japan is the result of US overreach whereby the US has succeeded in maneuvering South Korea into a quasi-alliance with Japan, without having resolved existing disputes between South Korea and Japan. The current South Korean administration is a pro Japanese faction (친일파) that really has little support domestically now that its true character has been plainly revealed. The Yoon administration sold out South Korea on key issues, including the war time forced labor issue, the comfort women issue, and the territorial dispute over Dokdo islets in the East Sea. Further the Yoon administration has agreed to share greater amounts of military secrets with Japan, and participate in trilateral military exercises that include Japan. South Korea also appears receptive to the display of the Japanese Rising Sun flag (욱일기) in South Korea, while entertaining negotiation of a so called facilitation agreement with Japan, which would in effect, allow movement of Japanese active duty personnel into South Korea. Yoon has stated previously that he could foresee circumstances when Japanese forces might be present in South Korea. These concessions are anathema to the majority of the South Korean public. The US attitude has always been "when are they going to get over it? This shows absolutely no understanding of the history of the region or the prevailing South Korean perspective toward Japan based upon its bitter experience of Japanese colonial rule.

One final note it's not really accurate to characterize North Korea and China as "allies." China has security interests in the Korean peninsula, natural trade interests, and and shared historical experiences. North Korea is quite jealous of its need to remain independent of China's dominance. At this point its safe to say that North Korean military cooperation with Russia is greater, and trade relations with both China and Russia need to be maintained to offset sanctions restrictions which have been eroded in the current geopolitical context.

On to Yoon's diplomatic tour of central Asian states-

There is high tension along the DMZ in Korea, including an incident in which warning shots were fired by the South at some North Korean soldiers who appeared to be on a work detail that crossed the MDL by mistake. While balloons fly across the DMZ carrying trash, and propaganda loudspeakers blared from the south, Yoon goes on a diplomatic tour of central Asian states to sign some "Korean silk road" commercial agreements. This just after he incredibly claims oil and gas have been discovered in the South Korean EEZ of the East Sea, after an exploration company with a multiyear contract abandoned the project. He and the first lady also skip town after the Anti-corruption Commission finds that there is nothing amiss with the first lady's acceptance of a Dior designer bag, from a Korean-American pastor who appeared to be seeking to influence public policy. Isn't it marvelous how things just come together? It is incredible that Yoon took his two top National Security Advisors with him when he left on his trip.

South Koreans generally are very receptive to persons who assimilate their language and culture, or even try to, although it is well known, that in other respects they discriminate against foreigners, immigrants and so on. I saw a video on national defense yesterday where the analyst (I think it was Kim Jong-tae) said he didn't think war with North Korea was likely to be imminent because there were as many as 2 million foreigners in South Korea now and there was no indication of the enormous effort it would take to get them out of the country which would be a potential indicator. This he thinks acts as a restraint on South Korea acting too agressively. But the warning shots incident in the DMZ yesterday suggests, that the abandonment of the 5km buffer zone, and the reestablishment of more watch posts inside the DMZ definitely creates more opportunity for conflict by mistake.

The Anti-Corruption Commission administrative finding of no crime of graft by the first lady was announced at close of business, when no one was left at the office, and the presidential couple had left the country. How fortunate for them! Meanwhile the new 22nd National Assembly is being boycotted by the Yoon's conservative PPP party.

Well, we've taken care of everything honey, let's take another international tour. Maybe that will help our poll numbers.


Correction, 6.16.2024- National Assembly member Kim Byong-ju, former CFC deputy commander, and retired four star general, disclosed yesterday that the warning shots fired at North Korean troops on the DMZ took place last Sunday and wasn't disclosed till Wednesday. He observed this was highly unusual and felt the late release of the information was to facilitate better optics for Yoon's untimely departure on his diplomatic tour of central Asia.
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Thursday, June 6, 2024

Apres moi, le deluge




(Source: 뉴스TVCHOSUN yutube 6.06.2024) '9·19 효력 정지' 다음날 뜬 B-1B, 7년 만에 한반도서 JDAM 투하. 지하 벙커까지 뚫는다. B-1B, which took off the day after the '9/19 suspension', dropped JDAM on the Korean Peninsula for the first time in 7 years. It (JDAM) penetrates an underground bunker.

This "war porn" as I call it, has been running non-stop for a couple of days in South Korea media. On some live feeds ramping up the war fever is virtually 24-7 (KBS, SBS, Yonhap). No doubt it's an extreme effort to bolster President Yoon's faltering public support after the disastrous April 10, elections. He hasn't changed his arbitrary authoritarian ways and his popularity continues to drop. There are other aspects to his domestic political crisis, which I won't bother to go into here. This is my critique of the ramp up in military exercises in South Korea, the recent formal rejection of the 9.19.2018 military agreement between North and South Korea, and the reintroduction of so called strategic assets by the US inside and around North Korea. Military firing exercises inside the former agreed buffer zones on either side of the military demarcation line, and Northern Limit Lines in the West and East Seas, are poorly conceived and highly counter-productive. The value pf practice strategic bombing runs is particularly ill considered. The balloon poop episodes from North Korea, were provoked by the Yoon administration and defector groups supported by US NGO's when they resumed shortly after "new right" President Yoon Seok-yeol assumed the presidential office in May 2022. It was clear during Yoon's campaign that he intended to dispose of the 9.19 military agreement negotiated by the prior Moon Jae-in administration.

(Source: YTN youtube 6.05.2024) 끝내 뽑힌 안전핀...최전방 배치 軍 '만반의 준비' Safety pin finally pulled out... Troop deployed to the front line 'fully prepared' Actually, in this report it is clear that live artillery/tank firing exercises by ROK ground forces took place within the former buffer zones earlier in January of this year. Interesting that the rejection of the 9.19 military agreement provisions by South Korea is referred to as pulling the pin in a hand grenade.

What is generally not understood is that the US strategic bombing threat, whether a decapitation strategy, or otherwise, is the exact reason why the development of nuclear weapons occurred in North Korea. In fact, nothing could be more deliberately calculated to create the exact response from the North, the allies ostensibly seek to prevent, namely further production of more advanced nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Thae Yong-ho has pointed out that the North Korean command and control system is now a doomsday machine or dead hand nuclear deterrent. Even if the central command bunker were destroyed, other commanders would be authorized to launch nuclear weapons. The myth of the "decapitation" strategy is that there is one leader carrying around a suitcase with a "button" in it to launch nuclear war. As Daniel Ellsberg explains in his Doomsday Machine, in nuclear theory this has never been a practical reality. It may have been at one time, in the process of developing a nuclear deterrent in each nuclear armed state, but it is mostly a political myth. No nuclear power presents only one or a few nuclear command centers to make it easy for the prospective enemy to eliminate their deterrent force. This is why some even hard right analysts realize that "bloody nose" and "decapitation" strategies are delusional and dangerous. There is no tactic, technology or military strategy to resolve the North Korean crisis, aggravated by "maximum pressure" and the failure to pursue diplomatic solutions. Dr. Hecker observed, in his book Hinge Points, that the neo-cons who wrecked nuclear talks at critical "hinge points" with North Korea, don't even understand the technical aspects of the harm they've done and increased risks to world peace they themselves created with their obstruction of US negotiations with North Korea.


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Sunday, May 26, 2024

South Korea: Cpl. Chae Special Investigation Law re-vote Tuesday- potential implications

Col. Park Jeong-hun's phone conversation with ROK Marine Commandant Kim Gye-hwan: suspected lying and destruction of evidence by the Commandant? Presidential interference in the investigation?

( Source Channel A News Korea 5.14 ) Angry Yoon Seok-yeol at July 30, 2023 national security staff meeting, "If we are going to punish all the way up to the division commander, who's going to be able to do that job? Call the defense minister."

Key evidence on General Kim Gye-hwan's handphone of his conversation with the investigating colonel into Corporal Chae's death* was deleted according to leaked reports about the investigation. Destroyed files being forensically recovered could confirm or refute allegations of interference from the presidential office into the Marine Corps' negligent homicide investigation of the death of Corporal Chae. The key words from the Commandant referred to the "VIP," ostensibility President Yoon in this context, "blowing up' when he heard the contents of Colonel Park's referral for criminal investigation, and ordered that the investigation report of Col. Park be changed and resubmitted. Cpl. Chae's death happened on July 19, 2023. Colonel Park submitted his report on July 28 recommending police investigation of 8 military personnel, from the 1st Marine Division Commander, and lower ranks. The Secretary of Defense, Lee Jong-seop, cancelled the report and ordered it redone. Colonel Park submitted the report to the police anyway for investigation.

Marine Commandant Gen Kim Gye-gwan has publicly denied the allegations of Col. Park more than once, and when pressed on this matter again by the Office to Investigate Crimes by High Public Officials invoked his right to remain silent rather than answer. Gen. Kim's invocation of his right to remain silent had given rise to the wide spread belief that the rumors that the his deleted hand phone files were recovered and confirm that the Col. Park is telling the truth about Presidential Office interference into his investigation of Cpl. Chae's drowning death. According to a recent Hankyoreh report, a National Security Office staffer present confirmed the substance of the President's response at the meeting.**

(Source- MBC News 5.26.2024) Opposition leaders Cho Guk and Lee Jae-myung together at the head of street demonstration near city hall, Seoul, 5.26.

Demonstrations in Seoul on the City Hall plaza led by the opposition parties, and their leaders Lee Jae-myung and Cho Guk, both victims themselves of politically inspired investigations believed to have been prompted by Yoon Seok-yeol, drew twenty thousand to the streets all day Saturday to listen to them and leaders of 20 social and civic organizations that support the passage of the special investigation legislation in a reconsideration of the vetoed bill next Tuesday near the end of the 21st session of the National Assembly. At this point, it's reported that the democratic "pan opposition" parties in the National Assembly need 17 defections from the conservative PPP party to attain a veto proof bill. It will be a secret ballot. 4 defections (ital pyo), from the PPP are apparently confirmed by PPP members who publicly supported passage of the bill. The High Public Officials Crime unit investigation is regarded as insufficient, both in scope, and its legal impact. The investigation has been slow walked so far because of lack of investigative resources by one account. In any case, their investigative findings and records will be forwarded to the prosecutors for further investigation and potential prosecution. The weakness there is that most Public Prosecutor District Branch Chiefs have been recently replaced with prosecutors close to, or known to be loyal to President Yoon, the former prosecutor general.

PPP Assembly members and party spokespeople say the Public Officials Crime investigation is enough, and no special investigation law is necessary. The opposition maintains that Yoon's recent vetoes of special investigation protects his own wrongdoing, or that of family members, his wife in particular. Therefore matters alleging presidential office misconduct cannot be handled without the appointment of a special investigation team. Cho Guk, who was a former law professor, made the case that other highly regarded law professors regard abuse of the veto power by the presidency, as a constitutional violation justifying impeachment. There must be a reasonably objective justification for a presidential veto. As a constitutional power it cannot be exercised simply to protect oneself or one's family members from investigation for criminal misconduct.

Yoon has vetoed ten bills passed by the National Assembly thus far in his administration. The only other president who had vetoed more was Syngman Rhee, the first president of South Korea whose administration, involved in politically motivated massacres and assassinations, was little more than an inept dictatorship by Korean standards compared to its later dictators.

(Source- MBC News 5.26.2024) Noticeable among the demonstators was the presence of members of the Federation of the Marine Corps Reserve. These veterans of the ROK Marine Corps are bi-partisan and there are many conservatives among them. They are incensed that Col. Park has been publicly vilified as a "liar" for political purposes by the administration and want a special investigation. They feel that the commandant has betrayed his loyalty to the Marines.

What is the big deal? The South Korean republic shaken by the death of one young marine corporal? In South Korea, historically, the death of just one person, unjustly, unfairly or dismissed by officialdom for political purposes could be enough in some circumstances to cause a political storm. In this case, the interference by the administration in the negligent homicide investigation of Cpl. Chae's death appeared politically motivated, because the Defense Miniser Lee Jong-sup was implicated. Then the President Yoon unwisely appointed Lee as South Korea's ambassador to Australia. That created the impression that this was done to get him out of the country so he could not be questioned by investigators. The former defense minister has denied the president was involved or he himself ever implied the president was involved in obstructing or influencing the investigation. Furthermore, interfering in investigations is a known modus operandi of Yoon, in his past history as Prosecutor General, and in senior prosecutor positions. This is one of the major issues that has been shaking the Korean republic for years, political prosecutions and the need to place checks on excessive prosecutorial powers. Yoon has done everything in his power to "privatize" prosecutorial power in his own hands and obstuct any reforms.

(Source- Channel A News Korea 5.14.2024 ) Col. Park pictured above. "At the VIP hosted presidential office meeting, concerning the results of the First Marine Division investigation; I heard the VIP exploded in anger." This is the substance of what Col. Park reported hearing during his conversation with the Marine Commandant Kim.

In two senses then, the Chae matter can be viewed as the straw that may break the camel's back. The Yoon administration has been responsible for mishandling more than one public disaster since it came to office. Most notorious was the "Halloween crush" disaster in Itaewon (which ironically was not too far from the presidential office building when it occured). The investigation followup and consequences to public officials for negligence which resulted in over 150 deaths was regarded as insufficient and a coverup to protect high ranking officials. There were also two flood disasters beside that involving Corporal Chae, that had fatal consequences that were viewed as the result of government neglect or incompetence. In one incident over 20 people drowned in cars when a highway underpass flooded. In the other, death or injury occurred in basement apartment dwellings in Seoul which flooded during heavy rains. It was allegedly the result of public works mismanagement and negligence. So the administration has developed a reputation for administrative incompetence and indifference to its obligation to safeguard public safety. This is politically unacceptable in South Korea. The improper assignment of untrained and poorly equipped marines to recover civilian remains in another flood disaster which ultimately resulted in Corporal Chae's death was therefore viewed as a highly sensitive matter politically, and the presidential office was motivated to interfere with the investigation.

*Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do July 15 heavy rains; July 17, 2023, Naeseongchan stream still swollen by flooding. Marines assigned to recover the bodies of 9 civilian victims still missing; during search operations, Cpl. Chae Sang-byeong was overcome by the flooding river and swept away, his body was found 14 hours later at 11pm.

July 30-Aug 2, 2023, the period during which outside interference in his investigation occurred according to Col. Park. Park's investigation began July 20. Park reported the results of his investigation to the Marine Commandant 7.28.

**Hankyoreh: Insider confirmed Yoon ‘lost temper’ when briefed on investigation into Marine’s death; 5.26.2024
https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1141960.html


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Friday, May 17, 2024

야상곡 (夜想曲) - 김윤아

야상곡 (夜想曲) - 김윤아



바람이 부는 것은 A breeze arises

더운 내 맘 삭여주려 to soothe my burning heart

계절이 다가도록 As the season approaches its end

나는 애만 태우네 Alone by passion consumed

꽃잎 흩날리던 늦봄의 밤 Flower petals flutter in the late spring nite

아직 남은 님의 향기 My beloved's fragrance yet lingers on

이제나 오시려나 Now I wish my dear one here

나는 애만 태우네 I alone by passion consumed.



애달피 지는 저 꽃잎처럼 Heartbreaking falling flower petals

속절없는 늦봄의 밤 Helpless late spring night

이제나 오시려나 Now, I wish my beloved here

나는 애만 태우네 Alone by passion consumed.



구름이 애써 전하는 말 The words the clouds strive to tell

그 사람은 널 잊었다 That person has forgotten you

살아서 맺은 사람의 연 Living tied to the person I desire

실낱같아 부질없다 hanging by a thread, futilely

꽃 지네 꽃이 지네 A flower falls, a flower falls

부는 바람에 꽃 지네 In the blowing wind, a flower falls

이제 님 오시려나 Now, I wish my beloved here

나는 그저 애만 태우네 Alone, by that passion consumed.



바람이 부는 것은 A breeze arises

더운 내 맘 삭여주려 to soothe my burning heart

계절이 다 가도록 As the season approaches its end

나는 애만 태우네 alone, by passion consumed

꽃잎 플날리던 늦봄의 밤 Flower petals flutter in the late spring nite

아직 남은 님의 향기 My beloved's fragrance yet lingers on

이제나 오시려나 Now, I wish my beloved here

나는 애만 태우네 Alone, by passion consumed


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Sunday, April 28, 2024

Song of Hope 희망가

희망가 | 국악 버전 Song of Hope AYAGEUM

이 풍진 세상을 만났으니
너의 희망이 무엇이냐
부귀와 영화를 누렸으면
희망이 족할까
푸른 하늘 밝은 달 아래 곰곰이 생각하니
세상만사가 춘몽 중에
또다시 꿈 같도다

이 풍진 세상을 만났으니
너의 희망이 무엇이냐
부귀와 영화를 누렸으면
희망이 족할까

담소화락에 엄벙덤벙
주색잡기에 침몰하랴
세상만사를 잊었으면
희망이 족할까
세상만사를 잊었으면
희망이 족할까

Upon encountering this world of trouble,
what of your hope?
If you enjoyed wealth and fame,
Would your hope be enough?
Under the bright moon in an azure sky,
Carefully wondering
Everything in this world amidst spring's spell,
seems again, like a dream.

Upon meeting this world of troubles,
what of your hope?
If you enjoyed wealth and glory,
will your hope be enough?
(Spring on East Mountain, seems like a dream
Even if I live a life of a hundred years, In the morning, it's shrounded in mist.) (Lee Son-hee version)*

Would you lose yourself In light banter and pleasantries
seek gratification in game, drink and sensuality?
If you immersed yourself in worldly things,
Would your hope be satisfied??

Upon encountering this world of trouble,
what of your hope?
If you enjoyed wealth and fame,
Would your hope be satisfied?

*Lyrics can vary by performers

With some help, found this Namu.wiki entry below right away. I let chrome do the computer translation of the summary/overview below. I left what I consider at least one mistake in their translation; this rubella world (이 풍진 세상) doesn't seem appropriate:

https://namu.wiki/w/%ED%9D%AC%EB%A7%9D%EA%B0%80#toc

A classic popular song that was released in Korea in 1921 and became very popular in the 1930s . The original song is 'Love Divine', based on an English dance song, and included in American Jeremiah Ingalls' 1805 hymn collection (The Christian Harmony). The hymn is titled 'Garden Hymn' or ' The Lord into His Garden Comes '. It is widely known.

This song was introduced to Japan in 1910, and a female teacher named Misumi Suzuko (三角錫子) added her own poem to the song to commemorate female students from her school who died in a boat capsize accident, calling it "The Roots of Pure White Mt. Fuji " (眞白き富士). It is a requiem song calledの根), sung by four students at the school at their memorial service.[1] Song selected for The Absolute Sound 2022

In Korea, in 1910, Lim Hak-cheon, a Christian believer, wrote the lyrics with the lyrics below, titled This Rubella World, and was composed by two folk singers, Park Chae-seon and Lee Ryu-saek.[2] was announced in 1921. It was introduced under various titles in several sheet music books. It was sung by many musicians, singers, and folk singers at the time and spread as a popular song, and the titles of original lament songs such as 'Prodigal Son' were changed to 'Hope Song'. In particular, it became widely known as the record of Korea's first popular singer, Chae Gyu-yeop, in 1930

In fact, this song did not have a unified title. Accordingly, it was called This Rubella World, etc., based on the first verse of the lyrics, and then came to be called . In a word, it can be seen as a folk song of the time. The lyrics are also in the link above, and since it was a popular song in the 1930s, the lyrics of the song are also really dark. It can be seen as a song about the sadness of a people without a country.


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Thursday, April 25, 2024

"We must say no," Seoul Defense Chief


According to a report in South Korea's English language Hankyoreh, US unrealistic expectations of South Korea are amazingly meeting public resistance from the hard right wing ideologue Defense Minister Sin Won-sik. Seems like the US Army Pacific Commander got the idea that the powerful South Korean armed forces might be used in an actual military confrontation with China over Taiwan as they were when dictator Park Chung-hui sent ROK combat forces to South Vietnam to support the US during the Vietnam war. Good luck with that. "From September 1964 to March 1973, South Korea sent some 350,000 troops to Vietnam." wikipedia

‘We must say no’: Seoul defense chief on Korean, USFK involvement in hypothetical Taiwan crisis

The linked article really represents a public breach in the US directed US/Japan/South Korea tri-lateral partnership against China much earlier than I expected. It's definitely worth a full read. I had thought such official South Korean defense policy expressions would await Yoon exiting the presidential office.

I saw a suggestion in one of the links I cited yesterday, that Japan might be expected by the US to be made a member of the UNC. (The UN Command is not really a UN institution but historical artifact from the Korean conflict created by the allies when Russia was boycotting the Security Council). These US notions are so out of touch with the current East Asian situation, it's frightening. I remember Yoon saying at one point he could foresee circumstances when Japanese armed forces might come to South Korea. This is absurd. I don't think Kurt Campbell has any real understanding of northeast Asian geopolitical reality, although one can find him posturing as such along with various media and think tank "experts" almost daily.

Ironically, in South Korea in recent years, it has been the conservative position, that the ROK armed forces could not afford to dissipate their resources by participating in anti-China military confrontations associated with Taiwan, because the North Korean threat was too pressing. Yoon having no real experience in such matters and not a traditional South Korean conservative politician simply abandoned mainstream South Korean policy views toward Japan and China with little thought. One has to wonder whether South Korean trade losses related to semiconductors and other high tech related to decoupling or delinking (whatever the phrase du jour) are playing a role. Shin could just be going out on a limb, with President Yoon, at his own risk, in the position to disavow those views under the right US pressure.

Perhaps Shin or Yoon got some sort of indirect message from the Chinese to state his position, while the US was busy trying to intimidate China in recent weeks culminating in Blinken's visit.


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