(Source YTN News - 9.3)
Interfering in South Korea's internal politics. Making a claim on Korean territory-Dokdo. Pouring contaminated Fukushima water in the sea. Propping up dictators in South Korea. Bribing South Korean politicians. Interfering in the judicial administration of South Korea. Obstructing the South's diplomatic initiatives toward the North. Flying the Japanese war flag. Treating Koreans with racist contempt. Threatening a war pre-emptively with North Korea with their new "counter strike" policy.
The alternative is what existed before the US succeeded in ramming Japan down S.Korea's throat again. Namely, South Korea deals with the US as it did before, except ROK retains control of their own armed forces at all times. US cleans up all environmental damage related to its current and past military bases. Any military dealings with Japan are indirectly achieved by the US-Japan alliance. No "doubling the size" of the Japanese military (abide by Art.9). No dictating by the US or anyone else about South Korea's dealings with Japan, China, Russia or North Korea. US returns to the Singapore agreement with North Korea. No South Korean participation in the Indo-Pacific Alliance. No participation in the Tri-lateral alliance or other alliance directed against China. No NATO participation. No THAAD. No extension of any existing military bases for anti-China operations or any other pretext. No military exercises in the buffer zones.
(Source- KBS 1 History Journal, ep. 199) This vision of a greater imperial Japan as depicted in the graphic was attributed to Yoshida Shoin in the mid 19th Century.
I noticed something about the statement made by Yoon after a South Korean analyst I follow, Kim Jong-tae, commented that Yoon using the powerful nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky in Busan as a prop, threatened North Korea with the end of its regime.
Yoon boards U.S. nuclear-capable submarine in show of force against N. Korea
YNA July 19
"The two countries will overwhelmingly and resolutely respond to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats through the NCG and regular deployments of strategic assets, such as the SSBN," he said.
Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed during their summit in Washington in April to establish a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to discuss nuclear and strategic planning between the allies, and strengthen the credibility of the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to defending South Korea with all of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons.
The inaugural session was held in Seoul on Tuesday as the USS Kentucky was making its port call, and Yoon said the two sides discussed the joint planning and execution of nuclear operations involving a combination of U.S. nuclear assets and South Korean non-nuclear assets, while agreeing to enhance the visibility of U.S. strategic assets around the Korean Peninsula.
"By doing so, we will make North Korea not even dream of carrying out a nuclear provocation, and we warned clearly that should North Korea carry out a provocation, it will lead to the end of that regime," (emphasis added) he said.
The emphasized language is overbroad. I noticed it was not repeated elsewhere not even on the official ROK Office of the President web site (typically they need to omit, repair, or massage most of his statements). First Yoon says "nuclear provocation." Just what is that? Is that the same as a nuclear attack? Then later in the same sentence, "we warned clearly that should North Korea carry out a provocation..." This is even more vague. In the Hankyoreh report of this presidential PR show, they changed it to (nuclear) provocation, just to make "clearly" more clear. Perhaps this is the proper "clarification." Maybe not. Just what is a "nuclear provocation?" In the case of current circumstances in relations with North Korea, a test detonation of a nuclear weapon, underground, at its usual test site, could be considered a "nuclear provocation." After all it is banned by UN resolution. Also, preparation of a nuclear test site for underground nuclear detonation in North Korea indicating that a nuclear test may be imminent might be regarded as a "nuclear provocation."
Assuming that Col. Macgregor is correct and that assurances of the "extended strategic deterrence" are actually not a US national defense policy, perhaps one could disregard all the above. Yoon is simply having his ego stroked by being able to play the military strongman of South Korea, to bolster his total lack of national defense and statesmanship credentials.
Is it right to use the most valuable asset in the US nuclear arsenal to provide a set to boost Yoon's shredded public support? It's all for show. A performance for North Korea, and a performance for South Korean domestic politics. A stunt like this could actually provoke a nuclear test from North Korea, having the exact opposite of its purported intended effect. It was noted that North Korean missiles test fired in "show of force" in connection with USS Kentucky's port visit flew at ranges compatible with those required for a strike on Busan. More than one analyst has noted that North Korea was "not backing down." A Hankyoreh article on this same topic stated under the headline- "Uncompromising attitudes on all sides are raising the risk of unintended clashes."
Also upon the visit, the military personnel present of either armed forces ROK or US, were not appropriately attired for the visit of a head of state. This just is more circumstantial evidence of the amateur nature of this staged political event/photo op.
(Source- OhMyTV 7.23 youtube)
President Yoon Seok-yeol, inexperienced in national security matters, a person known as a hothead, unable to control his temper, with the most powerful weapons system in the US nuclear arsenal as his prop, threatening North Korea with the end of Kim Jong-un's regime. Retired Col. Macgregor said this week, he doesn't believe there is such a thing as extended deterrence.
(Source- OhMyTV 7.23 youtube) First Lady Kim Gon-hee, inside the USS Kentucky SSBN looking through the periscope. It's a long way from the Volcano night club to being able to pose as Audrey Hepburn on a nuclear warship. What happened to Kim's mother of mercy act? Why didn't Yoon bring mother in law Choe Eun-sun?
Who are the morons in the US who thought this was a good idea? Yoon's disapproval rating is 62 percent. The military strongman image didn't help.
Recreated Lee Myung-bak style. What could go wrong?
With policies extremely unpopular and the election season coming up early next year, Yoon seeks top down control of media. Yoon is expected to appoint Yoo In-chon the Culture and Sports Minister, a role he served in the Lee Myung-bak administration, notorious for his "blacklist" of actors, artists, and script writers labeled leftist. Yoo is depicted as the face on the larger horse with Yoon on his back to drive leftists to hell. Apparently, Yoo is known for his rude character. The face on the smaller horse is Lee Dong-gwan, another Lee Myung-bak advisor, who is currently on the presidential staff, and is expected to be appointed Chair of the Korean Communications Commission, in spite of a political cover up arranged on his behalf to quell a school violence and bullying scandal in which his son had been embroiled in the past. Lee's son got special treatment (opa chance) rather than the mandatory ethics hearing, expulsion and potential bar from college admission. The two new Yoon appointees could operate in tandem to censor non-compliant South Korean media.
(Source- 오마이TV youtube, 3.1) [박정호의 핫스팟] "김성한은 김태효의 걸림돌" 김종대 "김태효, MB 때도 그러더니..." Kim Sung-han- Kim Tae-hyo's obstacle (rock on the path). (Left) Jim Jong-tae. (Right) First Deputy National Security Advisor Kim Tae-hyo.
Kim Tae-hyo mastermind of the March coup this year to elimate foreign policy and national security advisors questioning Yoon's complete capitulation to US-Japanese policy objectives. South Korea no longer has its own national interests.
President Yoon portrayed as Lee Won-yong, the infamous traitor of Eulsa, who sold his country out to Japan.
depicted in this graphic by South Korean military analyst Shin In-kyun. He's very conservative, but sometimes he gets into detail on tactical issues and arms acquisition.
The graphic is intended to reflect North Korean adoption of successful Russian offensive missile tactics recently observed in Ukraine. Shin raised the issue for two reasons. First, because of the lack of an effective response to the North Korean drone incursions into South Korea Dec. 26. So he's assuming a coordinated strike by North Korea could be similar to a coordinated Russian missile strike. Second because he's making a sales pitch to the ROK for an Israeli close in defense system, MADIS, that the USMC bought, in 2013, according to Shin. He's also recommending the Israeli Tamir missile in combination with the Iron Dome system.
I like this graphic because it shows the variety of profiles of the strike weapons the North Koreans potentially have available. A coordinated attack definitely presents a problem for the defender. From the bottom up: drone envelope, cruise missile, hypersonic missile, ballistic missile with variable terminal guidance, and uppermost, the conventional ballistic missile. Added to the mix are 170mm mlrs, 240mm mlrs, and artillery at short range.
(7.1.23) Posted this because of an interview video I saw of Ray MacGovern by Robert Scheer. At the outset, Scheer seemed incredibly misinformed as to how the conflict in Ukraine was proceeding, particularly the aerospace conflict. To paraphase Scheer, "Ray are you telling me our advanced weapons systems are ineffective and being destroyed in Ukraine?" The original Shin In-kyun video on this subject was in January 2023. The above was only my draft, which for some reason I never completed. I try to follow aerospace developments of political significance in East Asia and publish occasionally on this blog about significant air and missile operations particularly in the Korean theater. Because I have done so, I was aware of the initial difficulties Russia faced in the early phases of the Ukraine conflict. But eventually, the multifaceted means of a sophisticated combined aerospace attack tactics had succeeded in clearing the way for Russia and allowing it to defeat Ukrainian offensives. Some of these weapons systems are designed to exploit the seams in various defensive western SAM and AAA systems. Some are difficult to track with precision, due low altitude ingress, terrain masking, low apogee ballistic trajectories, variable terminable guidance on ballistic missiles (and missile artillery), and hypersonic speeds, all serve to defeat western designed air defense systems.
This is making me laugh now. The so called "drive on Moscow" was a deception plan. The final Russian military moves, not having been carried out yet probably involve the Belorus front. Prighozin has been performing from a unlikely script too artificial to be genuine. That's one indication. (According to multiple analsyts that is because he "lost his mind." The outcome suggests he hasn't). The lack of genuine verifiable evidence of significant related violence is another relevant indicator of deception.
I agree with some other views that the entire development initially served as a bait. The idea that one division, more or less, of troops with no air support could overthrow the Russian government without secured sources of resupply or other external military support in a time of war is absurd. Other than a couple of unathenticated claimed strela shots at helicopters I didn't see any evidence that the forces "driving on Moscow" had any integral air defense. The whole alleged scheme that an uprising in support of a rebellion could be anticipated is unsupported by any credible evidence of significant social and economic dislocation and dysfunctionality in Russian society such as prevailed in Russia in 2017 1917 or the early 1990s. Where is the demographic and geographic base for an uprising? "I'm announcing my coup drive on Moscow from 600 miles away on social media. Somebody, Please stop me!"
One could argue that the US inability to correctly assess the "correlation of forces" is a characteristic form of incompetence, so it could be true that Prighozin succumbed to western manipulation, in spite of the fact, that the operation was completely impracticable. More likely, it appears to be a trap for the unwary schemers in Kiev. Prighozin is the incarnation of the expression "soldier of the lie." From Linguaholic-
If someone is described as playing 4D chess, that means they are incredibly smart and making political moves that cannot be understood by ordinary people. This phrase is sometimes used by conspiracy theory proponents who believe that Donald Trump (or some other political figure) is fighting a war against a deep state run by evil democrats. Alternatively, people may use the phrase “playing 4D chess” sarcastically, to imply that even though a political figure thinks they’re smart, they’re being obvious and foolish.*
No assassinations, no bullet holes in the walls of public buildings, no bomb craters, no fires, no drive on Moscow, everyone walks away. A treasonous rebellion is nipped in the bud with no violence and no sequelae? Obvious and foolish thoughts?
*https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/what-is-4d-chess-in-u-s-politics/ Note- I borrowed this quote from Linguaholic for a simple description of the expression 4D chess for convenience sake. Never cared much for Donald Trump. He's a PT Barnum type from NY. Learned this as a child.
The current authoritarian South Korean administration is part of the trend to suppress dissenting views in so called "democratic countries."
OhMyTV cartoon depicts Justice Minister Han Dong-hun using police and warrants as a club to attack a National Assembly office and MBC broadcasting for daring to disclose "private information about the second banana" (him) from his nomination hearing April 2022. The information release reflected on Han's personal corruption and was in the public interest.
One recent investigative report said that President Yoon intended to form an "immunity review committee" to protect the National Police from legal actions that might be taken against police for any injuries inflicted as a result of the new policy to use active forceful measures to suppress demonstrations that "threaten public order." Critics regard this as a dangerous policy from the "80s." The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed in the South Korean constitution. This is the current Yoon administration response to an upsurge in political demonstrations and assemblies against the Yoon administration, by numerous civic and religious groups, the political opposition and labor and professional organizations.
Recently, Yoon had dismissed the Chief of the Korean Communications Commission, Han Sang-hyuk ( 한상혁 ) based on a criminal accusations which the former Chairman says are unfounded. Other officials and employees of the commission are being harried by investigating police and prosecutors. The CEO of MBC Park Sung-jae was also charged by prosecutors, and consequently forced out as head of MBC broadcasting. Park asserted the charges against him were fabricated by prosecutors. Park also referred to his continuing positive relationship with unions representing company employees. An MBC reporter subjected to multiple warrants and police investigation alleged that the statements to her by police involved suggested they were acting on behalf of the justice minister.
The principal motivation Park the deposed CEO of MBC mentioned was the current administration's need to control public broadcasting editorial and production content with the campaign season for the next general elections in 2024 in view. He said he exercised no control over news coverage and production as practical matter, being involved in the nuts and bolts financial management of the corporation, those news related functions were relegated to news team managers, and the various broadcast branches and department heads. As a former career reporter, he said he had no interest in promoting particular views or restricting freedom of the press. MBC had offended Yoon shortly after he had met with President Biden when an MBC reporter recorded on video some vulgar phrase Yoon used referring to the US Congress in a conversation with his Foreign Minister Park Jin. That MBC reporter is now subject to investigation by police for allegedly illegally disclosing "private information" about Justice Minister Han Dong-hun, from a legislative committee.
Former KCC Chief Han said that the Yoon administration was likely interested in controlling broadcast content, by controlling his former office at the KCC. This entailed removing the independence of the commission as a body, because it was designed as a deliberative institution, rather than one controlled by the chair of the commission. He distinguished his former position from that of a minister, who exercised greater control over subordinate officials and employees. Han said that public broadcasting organization KBS would probably fall next. It is legally arguable that former Chief Commissioner Han should have only have been removed from office by impeachment, but he was dismissed summarily.
Ironically, the proposed replacement as KCC Chief is Lee Dong-gwan 이동관. Lee Dong-gwan held important PR positions in the presidential office of Lee Myung-bak. He began his career as a reporter at Donga Ilbo. Like other tainted nominations by Yoon, Lee's career was jeopardized when his son was accused by witnesses of bullying and assaults on other students in 2011. The school academy concerned was run by a member of the Hana chaebol family of the Hana Financial Group. The former Hana Academy director/principal was said to be one of the "4 Kings" behind the MB administration at the time. The incidents of repeated bullying, assault, and psychological abuse by Lee's son were covered up because of the embarrassment to the academy and the Lee Myung-bak administration. It's telling that a person involved in a political cover up would be considered as the leader of broadcast and communications regulatatory body. It's not a just a coincidence. Why is the legislative hearing into his appointment at the KCC now being delayed? Because, not too long ago another Yoon political appointee, Chung Sun-shin's nomination foundered, in February this year, when the suppressed case and unjust outcome of his child's bullying at school was revealed.
This is a very sensitive issue in South Korea as exemplified by the very popular contemporary drama The Glory whose plot is centered on the role of class, social status in unjust disposition of execeptionally cruel bullying in a school environment and the longitutinal reach of "revenge" in its aftermath. The Glory's plot is said to based on real events from a bullying scandal in 2006 at a girl's academy.
Here's a newspaper article on the earlier failed nomination of Chung Sun-shin-
Case of powerful parent shielding child from consequences touches nerve in S. Korea
Posted on : Feb.28,2023
The saga of Chung Sun-sin is an unwelcome reminder to many young Koreans that without powerful connections, many roads in life remain shut to them
https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1081618.html
I found the subject matter and content of The Glory quite brutal. It's certainly for adults because of violent content. I couldn't make it all the way through after watching a few episodes. I see there is a season two. It was a success for Netflix and won some South Korean awards. Guess I'm too squeamish in my old age. I posted the trailer, which is fairly well sanitized, but still conveys the sinister ambiance in 2 min.
There is an English translation of the Lee Dong-gwan situation, translated into English in Namu Wiki- it was just updated and is based on the latest reports including independent investigative reports:
https://en.namu.wiki/w/w/이동관%20아들%20학교폭력%20가해%20사건 (The link might not work, I've been having trouble with it.)
Lee Dong-gwan's son's school violence case
[장윤선 단독] 이동관 아들 학폭 왜 묻혔나? 피해자 진술서 내용 단독 공개! (최영일의 시사본부｜장윤선의 주간이슈-장윤선 정치전문기자)｜KBS 230602 방송
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQaafS6_9Kw
There is a peculiar evolving interplay of public relations, crime, corruption, cover up and government going on in the Yoon administration. Yoon's principal MO as the former Prosecutor General and a senior prosecutor before his election was known as press-prosecution collusion. Yoon's "division" of prosecutors and their collaborators in the mainstream conservative South Korean media (representing powerful special interests) would frame political enemies with leaked and false information and protect the privileged by suppressing news stories. That hasn't changed but only gotten worse after Yoon was elected President of South Korea by an extremely slim margin. Yoon's abuse of administration of the justice was also characterized as "revenge politics." Other descriptions of his administration have gone from "the republic of lawyers," soon after he assumed the presidential office, to "the dictatorship of lawyers," to simply that of "dictatorship." The current Minister of Justice and Yoon's right hand man, Han Dong-hun, now continues to choreograph politically motivated criminal investigations and prosecutions in South Korea with mainstream media cooperation. Any significant dissent or political resistance is met with police investigation, a plethora of search warrants, against the victim and his or her family or business associates and hearings for pretrial confinement after indictment. The Korea Communications Commission and MBC were recently targeted. This is ironic as Yoon contended when he was administratively disciplined for prosecutorial misconduct that the Minister of Justice had no authority over the Prosecutor General's office.
Since, becoming president Yoon has without legislative authority secured effective control of the National Police by placing it under the Ministry of Interior and Safety. In this way, Yoon has effectively nullified the major legal reform of the last administration taking investigative power away from prosecutors because it was being systematically abused by Yoon and Han for political purposes. Having corruption tainted public officials appointed to major government positions uses their political vulnerability to insure loyalty to Yoon's far right authoritarian regime. The Ministry of Interior and Public Safety have been seriously compromised by the Itaewon disaster and other botched public safety responses for which they were responsible along with President Yoon. Only local police and emergency officials suffer political consequences. Yoon has moved into the Lee Myung-bak stage of corruption, censorship and authoritarian rule.
