Category Archive: North Korea

Dec 03

Ri Chun-Hee: North Korea’s Unsung Celebrity

Categories:

China, North Korea, Offbeat, Propaganda

December 3, 2010

richunhee

There aren’t a lot of famous North Koreans—especially outside the government or soccer world. There is one special North Korean, however, who has been discussed a great deal in China and abroad – Ri Chun-Hee. ChinaSmack has a humourous article about North Korean TV’s popular news anchor, famous for her dead-pan and harsh delivery of the news from Pyongyang. Typically extolling the virtues of Kim Jong-Il and his accomplishments across the country, Chun-hee has been reporting for over 40 years.

Best quote from the article, citing Chinese bulletin board Tiexue: “North Korea’s anchorwoman becomes famous: Her voice is even more powerful than cannons!”

See below for a recent example from North Korea’s officlal Youtube of her blunt news delivery.

Source: ChinaSmack

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/699

Dec 02

South Korea aware of imminent attack on island; ignored

Categories:

Military, North Korea, South Korea, War

December 2, 2010

Yeonpgeong Island, South Korea

Can you really blame them? According to AP, South Korea had intercepted communications in August that indicated that the North would attack Yeonpyeong Island, a long disputed island near the Northern Limit Line. The threat was seen as routine behavior for North Korea, and the National Intelligence Service seemingly did not expect an attack on civilians. Many are calling out the Lee Myung-Bak administration for their failure to defend against an attack they had prior notice, and the rather tepid military response to the attacks. North Korea fired a total of 170 shells of varying sizes while the South Koreans only fired back 80. The North killed 2 marines and two civilians as well as destroying many buildings, and it is still unknown how much damage the South was able to cause in retaliation. For all the North’s saber rattling, one can understand how the threat to Yeonpyeong might be overlooked. Hindsight is 20/20.

The photo above is a DigitalGlobal satellite view of Yeonpyeong, several days after the artillery shelling.

Source: Yahoo! News via Associated Press

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/696

Nov 30

Wikileaks: China wouldn’t mind a unified Korea under Seoul

Categories:

China, North Korea, Reunification, South Korea, USA, War

November 30, 2010

463119-Two-Brothers-2

Yet another Wikileaked cable regarding North Korean diplomacy, this one details China’s relationship with the reclusive DPRK. Turns out the relationship isn’t as rosy as many observers might believe, and that China really doesn’t know what’s going on with North Korea at any given time. China has apparently warmed up to the idea of a South Korean led united Korea—just as long as the US military presence doesn’t encroach past the DMZ dividing the two Koreas at the 38th parallel.

China’s vice foreign minister described North Korea as acting like a “spoiled child” in regards to missile tests launched in April 2009. It is also stated that China would be willing to deal with 300,000 North Korean refugees should the other shoe drop eventually. The Guardian, a chief source of many of the “juicier” leaks, has many of the details in the link below. I’ll post the entire cable when I can get my hands on it. The leak is below.

It would be interesting to see the North Korean response to this leak. If legitimate, this could have serious implications on the North Korea-China relationship. China is the only major power considered to be an ally to the Stalinist state, and to lose their support officially could eventually lead to a regime collapse. However, North Korea has endured much worse, so all we can do is wait and see what happens.

Monday, 22 February 2010, 09:32
S E C R E T SEOUL 000272
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 02/22/2034
TAGS PREL, PGOV, KNNP, ECON, SOCI, KS, KN, JA“>JA“>JA, CH
SUBJECT: VFM CHUN YOUNG-WOO ON SINO-NORTH KOREAN RELATIONS
Classified By: AMB D. Kathleen Stephens. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
  1. South Korea’s vice Foreign Minister Chun Yung-wo tells the Americans that senior Chinese officials have told him that China is fed up with the North Korean regime’s behaviour and would not oppose Korean reunification. Chun says North Korea has already collapsed economically and will collapse politically when Kim Jong-il dies. Key passage highlighted in yellow.
  2. Read related article

Summary

——-

1. (S) Vice Foreign Minister Chun Yung-woo told the Ambassador February 17th that China would not be able to stop North Korea‘s collapse following the death of Kim Jong-il (KJI). The DPRK, Chun said, had already collapsed economically and would collapse politically two to three years after the death of Kim Jong-il. Chun dismissed ROK media reports that Chinese companies had agreed to pump 10 billion USD into the North’s economy. Beijing had “no will” to use its modest economic leverage to force a change in Pyongyang’s policies — and the DPRK characterized as “the most incompetent official in China” — had retained his position as chief of the PRC’s 6PT delegation. Describing a generational difference in Chinese attitudes toward North Korea, Chun claimed XXXXXXXXXXXX believed Korea should be unified under ROK control. Chun acknowledged the Ambassador’s point that a strong ROK-Japan relationship would help Tokyo accept a reunified Korean Peninsula. End summary.

VFM Chun on Sino-North Korean Relations…

——————————————

2. (S) During a February 17 lunch hosted by Ambassador Stephens that covered other topics (septel), ROK Vice Foreign Minister and former ROK Six-Party Talks (6PT) Head of Delegation Chun Yung-woo predicted that China would not be able to stop North Korea’s collapse following the death of Kim Jong-il (KJI). The DPRK, Chun said, had already collapsed economically; following the death of KJI, North Korea would collapse politically in “two to three years.” Chun dismissed ROK media reports that Chinese companies had agreed to pump 10 billion USD into the North’s economy; there was “no substance” to the reports, he said. The VFM also ridiculed the Chinese foreign ministry’s “briefing” to the ROK embassy in Beijing on Wang Jiarui’s visit to North Korea; the unidentified briefer had “basically read a Xinhua press release,” Chun groused, adding that the PRC interlocutor had been unwilling to answer simple questions like whether Wang had flown to Hamhung or taken a train there to meet KJI.

3. (S) The VFM commented that China had far less influence on North Korea “than most people believe.” Beijing had “no will” to use its economic leverage to force a change in Pyongyang’s policies and the DPRK leadership “knows it.” Chun acknowledged that the Chinese genuinely wanted a denuclearized North Korea, but the PRC was also content with the status quo. Unless China pushed North Korea to the “brink of collapse,” the DPRK would likely continue to refuse to take meaningful steps on denuclearization.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

—————————————–

4. (S) Turning to the Six Party Talks, Chun said it was “a very bad thing” that Wu Dawei had retained his position as chief of the PRC’s delegation. XXXXXXXXXXXX said it appeared that the DPRK “must have lobbied extremely hard” for the now-retired Wu to stay on as China’s 6PT chief. [NAME REMOVED] complained that Wu is the PRC’s XXXXXXXXXXXX an arrogant, Marx-spouting former Red Guard who “knows nothing about North Korea, nothing about nonproliferation and is hard to communicate with because he doesn’t speak English.” Wu was also a hardline nationalist, loudly proclaiming — to anyone willing to listen — that the PRC’s economic rise represented a “return to normalcy” with China as a great world power.

…China’s “New Generation” of Korea-Hands…

———————————————

5. (S) Sophisticated Chinese officials XXXXXXXXXXXX stood in sharp contrast to Wu, according to VFM Chun.XXXXXXXXXXXX Chun claimed XXXXXXXXXX believed Korea should be unified under ROK control.XXXXXXXXXXXX, Chun said, were ready to “face the new reality” that the DPRK now had little value to China as a buffer state — a view that since North Korea’s 2006 nuclear test had reportedly gained traction among senior PRC leaders.

…PRC Actions In A DPRK Collapse Scenario…

———————————————

6. (S) Chun argued that, in the event of a North Korean collapse, China would clearly “not welcome” any U.S. military presence north of the DMZ. XXXXXXXXXXXX Chun XXXXXXXXXXXX said the PRC would be comfortable with a reunified Korea controlled by Seoul and anchored to theUnited States in a “benign alliance” — as long as Korea was not hostile towards China. Tremendous trade and labor-export opportunities for Chinese companies, Chun said, would also help salve PRC concerns about living with a reunified Korea. Chundismissed the prospect of a possible PRC military intervention in the event of a DPRK collapse, noting that China’s strategic economic interests now lie with the United States, Japan, andSouth Korea — not North Korea. Moreover, Chun argued, bare-knuckle PRC military intervention in a DPRK internal crisis could “strengthen the centrifugal forces in China’s minority areas.”

…and Japan

————

7. (S) Chun acknowledged the Ambassador’s point that a strong ROK-Japan relationship would help Tokyo accept a reunified Korean Peninsula under Seoul’s control. Chun asserted that, even though “Japan’s preference” was to keep Korea divided, Tokyo lacked the leverage to stop reunification in the event the DPRK collapses. STEPHENS

Source: Yahoo! News via Associated Press / The Guardian

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/687

Nov 29

Wikileaks: North Korea provided advanced missiles to Iran

Categories:

China, Iran, Japan, Military, North Korea, Nuclear, Propaganda, South Korea, USA, War

November 29, 2010

BM25

The latest release from Wikileaks depicts over 200,000 diplomatic cables of intelligence gathering from various US embassies. Of particular interest, a cable dated February 24th 2010 revealed the transfer of 19 ballistic missiles from North Korea to Iran. The missile, the BM-25. is a modified Russian design capable of hitting targets 3200km away and has the potential to be armed with a nuclear warhead. It is believed that neither country is able at present time to construct a warhead small enough to arm a missile. You might recall the BM-25 being driven around during the 65th anniversary celebration parade of the Korean Worker’s Party.

Other interesting details from a separate Feb 22nd Wikileaks release are the revelation of political dissent in the form of a bomb on a train from Pyongyang to Beijing. There are also discussions of a “Cash for Corpses” arrangement for the US to retrieve the remains of MIA soldiers from the Korean War in exchange for money to the DPRK. Posted below is the full text of the Feb 22nd leak for posterity.

Monday, 22 February 2010, 08:54
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000290
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 02/23/2030
TAGS PREL, PGOV, SOCI, MARR, ECON, ETRD, KN, KS, CH
SUBJECT: A/S CAMPBELL’S FEBRUARY 3 MEETING WITH NSA KIM
Classified By: Ambassador D. Kathleen Stephens. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

——-

1. (C) During a February 3 meeting, National Security Adviser Kim Sung-hwan told EAP Assistant Secretary Campbell the ROKG wished to have discussions with Washington about delaying the planned transfer of wartime operation control to Korea. Kim agreed that turbulence in Sino-American relations meant Beijing would be hesitant to call a new round of the Six Party Talks. It was encouraging, however, that veteran DPRK negotiator Kim Gye-gwan was slated to visit Beijing next week. NSA Kim asserted that Kim Jong-il needed to visit China soon in order to get more economic assistance, as the DPRK’s internal situation appeared to be significantly more unstable. NSA Kim acknowledged it was important to reach out directly to key DPJ officials like Foreign Minister Okada and Finance Minister Kan. The North Koreans, Kim said, were clearly using several different channels to “knock on the DPJ’s door.” President Lee may visit a Korean factory in the United States to help sell KORUS to the American public. Kim suggested that President Obama and President Lee pay a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial in Washington to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Campbell asked for ROK understanding for U.S. plans to resume MIA remains recovery operations in North Korea. Kim emphasized that President Lee would never “buy” a summit with Pyongyang. End summary.

OPCON Transfer

————–

2. (C) During a February 3 meeting with Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, ROK National Security Adviser Kim Sung-hwan said he wished to have discussions with the USG on the planned April 2012 transfer of wartime operation control (OPCON) to Korea. Kim agreed with Campbell’s observation that it was important for the Korean public to understand that any change that may be considered concerning OPCON transfer timing, and the U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review, would not diminish America’s commitment to the ROK’s security, and should not be so interpreted. China Unlikely to Call New 6PT Round

————————————

3. (C) NSA Kim agreed with Campbell’s observation that the current turbulence in Sino-American relations meant Beijing would be hesitant to call a new round of the Six Party Talks (6PT) anytime soon. Referring to POTUS’ upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama, Kim said the Chinese were “far too sensitive” about the Tibetan spiritual leader’s meetings with foreign officials. A few years ago, Kim related, the PRC had crudely pressured the ROK government into canceling a planned speech by the Dalai Lama at a Buddhist conference on Cheju Island.

4. (C) NSA Kim said he was encouraged by reports that veteran DPRK negotiator Kim Gye-gwan was slated to visit Beijing next week at the invitation of Chinese 6PT chief Wu Dawei. NSA Kim said he understood Kim Gye-gwan might also visit New York. Campbell noted it was important for the DPRK authorities to hear from the Five Parties that Pyongyang’s attempt to shift the focus from denuclearization to a peace treaty was not working.

KJI China Trip and Deteriorating Conditions Inside DPRK

——————————————————–

5. (C) NSA Kim asserted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il needed to visit China soon in order to get more economic assistance. The PRC was in the process of delivering a portion of the food aid promised during Premier Wen’s visit to the DPRK last fall; approximately 6,000 metric tons (MT) of rice and 20,000 MT of soybeans has been delivered, but the DPRK needed a lot more. The situation inside North Korea, he added, appeared increasingly unstable. The North’s currency replacement had created strong resentment throughout DPRK society, Kim said, adding that DPRK Finance Chief Pak Nam-gi had apparently been sacked. Kim asserted there were credible reports of unrest in the North; according to ROK intelligence sources, DPRK police recently found a bomb on a passenger train en route from Pyongyang to Beijing.

U.S.-Japan Relations

——————–

6. (C) Kim concurred with Campbell’s assessment that the DPJ

was “completely different” from the LDP and agreed it was important for the DJP to coordinate with Seoul and Washington as it made preliminary overtures to Pyongyang. The North Koreans, Kim said, were clearly using several different channels to “knock on the DPJ’s door.” Kim acknowledged Campbell’s point that it was important to reach out directly to key DPJ officials like Foreign Minister Okada and Finance Minister Naoto Kan.

FTA Prospects

————-

7. (C) It was the ROK government’s view, Kim said, that there might be a window of opportunity to pass KORUS immediately after the U.S. Congressional elections this fall. Kim added that the ROK Embassy in Washington was working on a possible FTA event for President Lee during his upcoming trip to the United States for the nuclear summit. One idea, Kim explained, was to have President Lee visit a Korean factory to help underscore to the American public that the FTA was about creating jobs in America as well in Korea. Campbell praised ROK Ambassador Han Duck-soo for his public outreach on KORUS and noted that the U.S. business community needed to “stop being lazy” and help get KORUS through Congress.

Korean War Memorial Visit

————————-

8. (C) NSA Kim asked if, during the April nuclear summit in Washington, it would be possible to have POTUS and President Lee pay a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial. Campbell acknowledged the powerful symbolism for both the Korean and American audience of such a visit during the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, but cautioned that it would be extremely difficult to arrange during the nuclear summit.

MIA Remains Recovery in North Korea

———————————–

9. (C) Campbell asked for ROK understanding about the U.S. position on resuming MIA remains recovery operations in North Korea. The USG felt strongly, Campbell explained, that this was an important humanitarian issue. Campbell stressed that the U.S. would coordinate closely with the ROK on the issue to “avoid sending the wrong signal” to the DPRK. Pressed by Kim about paying the North Koreans cash to help recover U.S. remains, Campbell agreed it was distasteful; he noted, however, that the United States had made similar payments to the Burmese and Vietnamese governments to facilitate cooperation on MIA issues.

Prospects for a North-South Summit

———————————-

10. (C) On prospects for a North-South summit, NSA Kim clarified remarks that President Lee made in an interview with the BBC in Davos. Kim said that, beginning last fall, the ROK has had contact with the DPRK about a summit. The North, however, has demanded that Seoul provide a certain amount of economic aid prior to any summit. That precondition was unacceptable, Kim stressed, noting that the Blue House had emphasized to the ROK press this week that President Lee would never “buy” a summit with the North. STEPHENS

 

Source: New York Times / The Guardian

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/684

Nov 26

Yeonpyeong assault aftermath and news roundup

Categories:

China, Economy, Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un, Military, North Korea, Propaganda, South Korea, War

November 26, 2010

yeonpyeong_destruction

The dust has settled and the world can view the sudden assault on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island from North Korea with clearer eyes. The final casualty toll of the attacks are 2 soldiers and 2 construction workers dead, and at least 18 injured. Most of the 1200 civilians living on the island, of whom fishing is their primary trade, have been evacuated by the government.

While tensions remain high, and the South Korean military on high alert, it seems unlikely that North Korea will attempt another such attack anytime soon. Despite belligerent announcements from the state that the peninsula is on the brink of an all-out war, the artillery assault on the island seems little more than a move to bolster support for fledgling leader-to-be Kim Jong-Un, and as justification for the military-above-all-else policies of the KWP.

Reactions from South Koreans have been mixed. Many are critical of the government’s response and demanding fierce retaliation. Others fear an escalation of tensions may lead to all out war between the Koreas. South Korea’s won has fallen sharply since the attack over fears from foreign investment that a war may be looming. The government appears to be dancing around the issue in order to maintain economic stability. South Korea is presently the 14th largest economy in the world. The South Korean government has cancelled all planned food, medical and construction aid to the North.

North Korea has responded to the attacks blaming South Korean military exercises for “provoking” them. The South responded immediately to the attacks with their own volley of artillery fire, but state media is not reporting on the extent of damages, though it is believed to largely outnumber the damage done to Yeonpyeong. Most foreign countries have condemned the North Korean attack, especially South Korea’s strongest ally, the US. The Obama administration has once again pledged to protect and defend South Korea if all-out war should break out. China, as usual, has remained more-or-less mum on the issue, choosing only to protest the planned war exercises between US and South Korean militaries.

B.R. Myers, esteemed author of The Cleanest Race and holding a PhD in North Korean literature, spoke to NPR regarding the recent attack. He points out that this is the first time since the Korean War cease-fire that the North has fired upon a civilian population with artillery shells. He notes that although this is probably the most serious incident between the Koreas since the 1950-1953 war, South Korean civilian reaction is fairly tame. They have grown up to be accustomed to these sorts of provocations, so for many it is business as usual. Russia has condemned the attacks as well and has called for calm on the peninsula.

soyasaucetour

More artillery fire has been heard on the Northern side, possibly due to training and targeting practice. Kim Jong-Il and son have allegedly visited the site where the artillery weapons were fired from (picture above is the duo touring a soya sauce factory days earlier) The US and South Korean militaries will begin military exercises on Sunday, which often leads to further saber-rattling from the North. Let’s see what the weekend has in store…

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP / KCNA / NPR / Reuters

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/668

Nov 23

KPA Journal finds an online home

Categories:

Military, North Korea, War

November 23, 2010

KPA Journal, the publication begun in January 2010 by DPRK military analyst and expert Joseph Bermudez, has found a permanent website to release his widely respected PDFs from. Prior to now, PDFs circulated about the internet through forums and web blogs, but now you can download the current issue as well as back issues from www.kpajournal.com.

Source: North Korea Leadership Watch

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/636

Nov 23

DPRK fires artillery shells at South, killing 1 and injuring 13

Categories:

Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un, Military, North Korea, Propaganda, South Korea, USA, War

November 23, 2010

yangbeyon map

A salvo of 50 artillery shells were fired at Yeongpyong, island village in South Korea that is uncomfortably close to North Korea on the East. The shells killed 1 marine and injured 13 others, and shots were quickly returned by the South. The South Korean military is at is highest alert. More shots were exchanged on either side sporadically for about an hour. 10 houses were set ablaze as a result of the North’s shelling.

State run news North Korean news outlet KCNA is reporting that the South Korea fired first, which is most certainly a farce. Later in their report they also claimed that these types of attacks will continue if South Korea does not stop violating maritime borders. (Thanks W7VOA via Twitter, for the live updates).

The attacks come mere days after the discovery that North Korea has ramped up efforts for nuclear weapons proliferations by starting construction of a light water nuclear reactor. This is habitual of North Korea to provoke the South and the USA during times of increased tensions as a method to return to 6 Party Talks. 6 Party Talks (China, SK, NK, Japan, USA and Russia) historically have ended up benefitting the North in the form of food and construction aid, while they give basically nothing up in return. This type of attack will likely be used to bolster support for incumbent leader Kim Jong-Un by strengthening his grip on the “military first” policies created by his father.

BBC has some photos of the destruction for your perusal. This is the biggest land based provocation from the DPRK in quite some time, however Yeonpyeong has been the site of naval battles between the divided countries in 1999 and 2002, due to the close proximity of the Northern Limit Line.

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP / BBC News

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/630

Nov 18

Hankyoreh documentary questions Cheonan investigation

Categories:

Military, North Korea, South Korea, USA, War

November 18, 2010

cheonan_simThe Hankyoreh, a South Korean independent newspaper, has released a documentary questioning the evidence surrounding the March 26 2010 sinking of the Cheonan warship. The South Korean led international investigation team implicated a North Korean submarine torpedo attack, and the North has vehemently denied the allegation, often causing a breakdown in discussions on other inter-Korean issues.

The documentary, which is about half an hour long, raises some interesting concerns over the investigation into the sinking. Questions over the size and energy of the water column created by the blast, bent propellers and fishing line that seem to indicate the ship might have run aground, eye witness testimonies claiming the incident happened much closer to shore than reported, conflicting Russian reports, and inconsistent timestamps on CCTV footage aboard the warship all raise the issue that the investigation should be reopened and studied from more angles than a North Korean torpedo attack. The video does not openly allege that North Korea did not sink the ship, nor does it claim a grand conspiracy theory between SK and US governments. Rather, an appeal is made to initiate a new, independent and transparent investigation into the tragedy.

You can watch the entire documentary in 720p via HaniTV on Youtube.

Source: The Hankyoreh

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/627

Nov 17

A joint SK/NK bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup?

Categories:

Athletics, Economy, North Korea, Reunification, South Korea

November 17, 2010

According to the DailyNK: South Korea, who previously hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2002, is bidding to host the 2022 games. The South has modern facility, world class telecommunications infrastructure, terrific transit systems, so how could they lose? Well, in what appears to be a symbolic gesture towards one day reunifying the peninsula, the South has also put forth in their bid that they would like some of the games hosted in North Korea. This may put a damper on FIFA’s ranking of the country to host again, as North Korea is notoriously frustrating to deal with when it comes to joint projects between the two countries. In 1988, Seoul attempted the same tactic to host the Summer Olympics, but North Korea’s demands were deemed too unreasonable, and the North and several other communist countries joined together in a boycott of the games.

Source: DailyNK

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/624

Nov 17

Kim Jong-Un purging “lazy” officials

Categories:

Defection, Kim Jong-Un, Military, North Korea, Succession

November 17, 2010

jong_un_cool_parka

Flexing his newfound power muscles, Kim Jong-Un has allegedly been purging lax officials from the military, according to a North Korean defectors’ group. Sources from the North have reported that officials who have been turning a blind eye to defections and smuggling have been cracked down upon by the heir-apparent to the North Korea dynasty. A total of 15 “heavyweight” officials have been purged thus far. If true, the move can be seen as a sign that the younger Kim will use fear as a tactic to gain loyalty from officials in order to secure a smooth transition to power in the future.

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/620

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