THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: S. Korea marks 2nd anniversary of Itaewon tragedy

 

President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his condolences as South Korea on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush that claimed 159 lives in October 2022.

"Today marks the second anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy," Yoon said at a Cabinet meeting he presided over at his office. "I feel sorry for those who tragically lost their lives and I express my condolences for the bereaved families who live in sorrow."

Yoon said that making people feel safe in everyday life is the most earnest way of expressing condolences to people who died in the crowd crush in the back alleys of the nightlife district of Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul amid Halloween festivities.

Yoon ordered the Cabinet to monitor and complement safety measures in public places such as crowd management. The Ministry of Interior and Safety previously announced plans to dispatch public safety personnel to prevent crowd congestion and to put a medical emergency response system in place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1 in 12 locations across the country, including Seoul's Itaewon, Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Myeong-dong in Jung-gu and Seongsu-dong of Seongdong-gu.

The presidential office did not disclose either Yoon's or his aides' attendance at an event outside of his office, as of press time. Last year Yoon observed the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster during a memorial service at a church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly held a memorial service with bereaved family members on Tuesday. Some 60 lawmakers from both the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, as well as National Assembly Speaker Rep. Woo Won-shik, paid their respects while donning purple scarfs.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he had the City Hall lit up in purple in memory of the 159 victims of the crowd crush. He also thanked the city's residents for cooperating with authorities' crowd control measures, adding that no major incident occurred despite estimates that over 100,000 people had gathered in Seoul nightlife areas in Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam and Seongsu.

Source: The Korea Herald 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS’ J-Hope to be discharged from military; agency urges fans to stop visiting site

 

BTS’s J-Hope is set to be discharged from the military on October 17, and his group’s label. BigHit Music, urged fans to refrain from visiting the site where he will be released from service.

BigHit made the announcement in a statement on the fan community platform Weverse on Monday, October 14, saying J-Hope is “close to completing his active service” while reiterating that no special events are planned.

“We are excited to bring you the news of J-Hope’s upcoming military discharge. He is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged. Discharge day is a day shared by many service members. No special events are planned on the day of his discharge,” it said.

The agency reminded fans to send their “warm regards and encouragement” to the BTS member through different means, and not by visiting the military site.

“To prevent any issues arising from overcrowding, fans are strongly advised to refrain from visiting the site. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts,” it said.

In its statement, BigHit also thanked fans for expressing their support toward the “Pandora’s Box” singer throughout his enlistment.

“We are always grateful for your unwavering love and support for J-Hope. Our company will continue to put our utmost effort into supporting our artists. Thank you once again for your continued love and support for BTS,” he said.

Born Jung Ho-seok, J-Hope is the second BTS member to be discharged from the military after Jin. He began his mandatory service in April 2023.

Despite his enlistment, J-Hope filmed content in advance, including his special album “Hope on the Street Vol. 1” and the dance show “Hope on the Street” in March 2024, both of which are based on the BTS member’s passion for street dance.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea to open border for foreign tourists in December, tour operators say

 

North Korea will resume international tourism to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December, and possibly the rest of the country, tour companies said on Wednesday.

The move is a sign that the reclusive country is readying to reopen borders to bigger groups of foreign tourists after years of strict COVID border controls.

"We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024," the Beijing-based Koryo Tours said on its website.

International flights in and out of North Korea resumed last year and a small group of Russian tourists flew to North Korea for a private tour in February. Top foreign officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, have been visiting the country.

But North Korea has not been fully open to international tourists since 2020.

"Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again," the firm said, adding its local partner would confirm itineraries and dates in coming weeks.

North Korea has been building what it called a "socialist utopia" in Samjiyon, a city near the Chinese border, and "a model of highly-civilised mountain city" with new apartments, hotels, a ski resort and commercial, cultural and medical facilities.

Leader Kim Jong Un in July sacked or demoted some senior officials for their "irresponsible" handling of his flagship Samjiyon project.

Another travel agency, KTG Tours, also announced that tourists would be able to go to Samjiyon from this winter.

Source: Reuters

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Exploding batteries spark deadly S Korea factory fire

 

A massive factory fire that began after several lithium batteries exploded has killed at least 22 people in South Korea.

The blaze broke out on Monday morning at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, about 45km (28 miles) south of the capital Seoul.

Local television footage showed large smoke clouds and small explosions going off as firefighters sought to put out the fire. A part of the roof had collapsed.

South Korea is a leading producer of lithium batteries, which are used in many items from electric vehicles to laptops.

Fire official Kim Jin-young said 18 Chinese, one Laotian and two South Korean workers had been confirmed as among the dead. A final body had yet to be identified, and there are fears at least one more person may be missing.

"Most of the bodies are badly burned so it will take some time to identify each one," Mr Kim said, according to news agency AFP.

A further eight people were injured - two seriously - out of the 100 who had been working when the fire broke out.

The Aricell factory housed an estimated 35,000 battery cells on its second floor, where the batteries were inspected and packaged, with more stored elsewhere.

Mr Kim said the fire began when a series of battery cells exploded, though it remains unclear what triggered the initial explosions.

He explained it was difficult to enter the site initially "due to fears of additional explosions".

It is not yet clear what started the blaze. Lithium batteries are at risk of exploding if they are damaged or overheated.

Whatever the cause, once the fire took hold, it would have spread at speed - giving the workers little time to escape, according to Kim Jae-ho, fire and disaster prevention professor at Daejeon University.

"Battery materials such as nickel are easily flammable," he told Reuters news agency. "So often, there is not enough time to respond, compared to a fire caused by other materials."

As a lithium fire can react intensely with water, firefighters had to use dry sand to extinguish the blaze, which took several hours to get under control.

However, there is still a risk that after the fire is extinguished, it could reignite without warning due to the chemical reaction.

Source: BBC

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Kim backs Ukraine invasion as Putin visits North Korea

 

Kim Jong Un has said he "fully supports" Russia's invasion of Ukraine as Putin visits North Korea after 24 years.

The two leaders hailed ties between their countries after they held talks following Putin's overnight arrival

Putin received a red carpet welcome, including roses, waving crowds and ceremonial gunfire at a grand military parade.

The Russian president thanked Kim for inviting him to Pyongyang, and said he hopes the next meeting will take place in Moscow.

The two last met in Russia in September and vowed to strengthen military ties.

The US and South Korea accuse the North of supplying Russia with artillery in exchange for food and military aid.

Both countries deny this but Putin is in search of allies since the invasion of Ukraine turned him into a pariah in the West.

After North Korea, Putin will visit long-time ally Vietnam, where he is expected to discuss trade.

Source: BBC

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Jin from South Korean K-pop group BTS wraps up military service

 

Jin, a member of the K-pop group BTS has been discharged from South Korea's army. 

Hundreds of thousands of people tuned into a livestream of Jin's military discharge.

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or "Beyond the Scene," is a Grammy-nominated South Korean pop phenomenon.

Jin, whose full name is Kim Seouk-jin, had carried out 18 months of duty and is the first member of BTS to wrap up the mandatory national service that put the group's music career on hold.

The 31-year-old is the oldest member of the K-pop group and appeared emotional as he hugged his colleagues at a military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province.

He was wearing his army uniform and a black beret.

"I cried during the ceremony," he later said.

"But it was so fun for the last year and six months. It's such a relief, I met so many amazing people."

According to South Korean media, several members of BTS applied for leave to celebrate the occasion, including rapper RM, who played the group's hit single Dynamite on a saxophone.

Jin was the first member of the group to enlist in the military in December 2022.

Four other members of the ensemble began their military service a year later in December 2023.

The boy band is expected to be reunited after they all complete their duty in 2025.

Jin has plans to kick off his post-army activities with an hour-long performance in Seoul.

K-pop is one of South Korea's largest cultural exports and BTS have been at the forefront of this after debuting as a group in 2013.

The country requires all able-bodied men aged 18-28 to serve in the military or social service for a minimum of 18 months.

In 2020, it changed the law to accommodate globally recognised K-pop stars, allowing them to delay signing up till the age of 30.

 Source: ABC Australia/Reuters

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: DFA condemns North Korea’s latest satellite launch

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) latest satellite launch, saying “it provokes tensions and undermines economic progress, peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.”

In a statement, the DFA said that the Philippines is calling on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations under the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The DFA also pushed for the commitment to constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea (ROK).

“The Philippines has consistently supported the call for a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, South Korea denounced the failed satellite launch, calling it a “violation of UN Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.”

According to international reports, South Korea’s top envoy to the UN slammed the satellite launch, calling it “one of the most expensive fireworks” and that “DPRK’s scarce resources into the launch could have been better spent on feeding its people.”

Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook made the remarks during an open meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday to discuss the satellite launch, reports stated.

Earlier, Reuters reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a firing drill of 600mm “super-large” multiple rocket launchers, hitting the target of an island located about 365 kms (227 miles) away as leader Kim oversaw the demonstration, North Korean state-media KCNA reported.

According to the report, Kim called the launch “a possible display for would-be buyers, including Russia.”

Source: DZRH 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea's Kim oversees artillery drills

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a series of firing drills by artillery units in the west of the country, state-run KCNA news agency said Tuesday.

The announcement came amid tensions with Seoul and Washington, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits South Korea and after the allies wrapped up one of their major annual joint military training exercises.

The exercises have prompted angry retorts and live-fire drills from nuclear-armed Pyongyang, which routinely condemns all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion.

This time, Blinken's visit appeared to be adding fuel to the fire. The artillery drills were announced a day after Seoul said the North fired three short-range ballistic missiles, described by analysts as a calculated move to grab attention during Blinken's stop in the South.

The drills involved "super-large multiple rocket launchers," according to a report from the state-run KCNA news agency.

When the order was given, it said, the soldiers "simultaneously fired the gun of annihilation".

"Massive shells of super-large multiple rocket launchers, which were fired from the sharp gun barrels like lava, flew to the target with the flame of annihilating the enemy," it said.

The drills also featured a simulation of an "air explosion of a shell of" a super-large multiple rocket launcher, the report continued.

Blinken is attending the third Summit for Democracy and met with President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul early Monday. He is also meeting his South Korean counterpart on the sidelines of the event, for discussions now likely to be dominated by the allies' efforts to counter threats from the North.

Seoul is one of Washington's key regional allies, and the United States has stationed about 27,000 American soldiers in the South to help protect it against the North.

Pyongyang this month warned that Seoul and Washington would pay a "dear price" over their military exercises, and later announced that Kim had guided an artillery unit it says was capable of striking the South Korean capital.

Monday's ballistic missile test was the North's second this year, after Pyongyang launched one tipped with a manoeuvrable hypersonic warhead on January 14.

Source: Agence France-Presse 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un orders heightened war preparations

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected field training of troops at a major military operations base in the western region of the country on Wednesday (March 6) and ordered heightened readiness for war, state-run television KRT reported on Thursday (March 7).

The tour of the base, the location of which was not identified, comes after the start of annual combined military drills by U.S. and South Korean forces on Monday (March 4) in the South with twice the number of troops taking part compared to last year.

Kim said the military must "dynamically usher in a new heyday of intensifying the war preparations in line with the requirements of the prevailing situation," KRT reported.

The KRT news reader did not mention whether Kim directly referred to the drills by the U.S. and South Korean military. He inspected troops conducting actual maneuvers under conditions simulating actual war, state media said.

Source: Reuters

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea tests submarine-launched cruise missiles, KCNA says

 

North Korea tested its new strategic cruise missiles for the second time in a week on Sunday, calling it a newly developed submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), accelerating its navy’s nuclear armament, state news agency KCNA reported on Monday.

Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the missile, called “Pulhwasal-3-31,” which is identical to the strategic cruise missiles that the North said last week were under development.

KCNA said the missiles flew above the sea off the country’s east coast for 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds and hit an unspecified island target, indicating the flight time exceeded two hours.

Kim called the test a success, KCNA said, “which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan…for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful naval force.”

South Korea’s military said on Sunday that the North fired multiple cruise missiles off its coast but did not provide details.

North Korea’s ballistic missiles are typically more controversial and are explicitly banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions. But analysts have said intermediate-range cruise missiles were no less a threat than ballistic missiles and are a serious capability for North Korea.

In recent months, the North has tested an array of weapons that include ballistic missile systems that are under development and an underwater drone.

Kim separately inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and discussed issues related to the manufacturing of other types of new warships, KCNA said.

Source: Reuters

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Rare footage shows teens sentenced to hard labour over K-drama

 

Rare footage obtained by BBC Korean shows North Korea publicly sentencing two teenage boys to 12 years of hard labour for watching K-dramas.

The footage, which appears to have been filmed in 2022, shows two 16-year-old boys handcuffed in front of hundreds of students at an outdoor stadium.

It also shows uniformed officers reprimanding the boys for not "deeply reflecting on their mistakes".

South Korean entertainment, including TV, is banned in the North.

Despite that, some are prepared to risk severe punishment to access K-dramas, which have a huge global audience.

Footage such as this is rare, because North Korea forbids photos, videos and other evidence of life in the country from being leaked to the outside world.

This video was provided to the BBC by the South and North Development (Sand), a research institute that works with defectors from the North.

It suggests authorities are coming down harder on such incidents. The clip has reportedly been distributed in North Korea for ideology education and to warn citizens not to watch "decadent recordings".

The video includes a narrator who is repeating state propaganda. "The rotten puppet regime's culture has spread even to teenagers," says the voice, in an apparent reference to South Korea. "They are just 16 years old, but they ruined their own future," it adds.

The boys were also named by officers and had their addresses revealed.

In the past, minors who broke the law in this way would be sent to youth labour camps rather than put behind bars, and the punishment was usually less than five years.

In 2020, however, Pyongyang enacted a law to make watching or distributing South Korean entertainment punishable by death.

A defector previously told the BBC that he was forced to watch a 22-year-old man shot to death. He said the man was accused of listening to South Korean music and had shared films from the South with his friend.

Sand CEO Choi Kyong-hui said Pyongyang sees the spread of K-dramas and K-pop as a danger to its ideology.

"Admiration for South Korean society can soon lead to a weakening of the system... This goes against the monolithic ideology that makes North Koreans revere the Kim family," she said.

North Koreans started getting a taste of South Korean entertainment in the 2000s, during the years of the South's "sunshine policy" which saw it offering unconditional economic and humanitarian aid to the North.

Seoul ended the policy in 2010, saying it found the aid did not reach the ordinary North Koreans it was intended for, and that it had not resulted in any "positive changes" to Pyongyang's behaviour.

But South Korean entertainment continued to reach North Korea through China.

"If you get caught watching an American drama, you can get away with a bribe, but if you watch a Korean drama, you get shot," a North Korean defector told BBC Korean on Thursday.

"For North Korean people, Korean dramas are a 'drug' that helps them forget their difficult reality," the defector said.

"In North Korea, we learn that South Korea lives much worse than us, but when you watch South Korean dramas, it's a completely different world. It seems like the North Korean authorities are wary of that," said another North Korean defector in her 20s.

Source: BBC

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korea passes law banning dog meat trade

 

The slaughter and sale of dogs for their meat is to become illegal in South Korea after MPs backed a new law.

The legislation, set to come into force by 2027, aims to end the centuries-old practice of humans eating dog meat.

Dog meat stew, called "boshintang", is considered a delicacy among some older South Koreans, but the meat has fallen out of favour with diners and is no longer popular with young people.

Under the new law the consumption of dog meat itself will not be illegal.

According to a Gallup poll last year, only 8% of people said they had tried dog meat in the past 12 months, down from 27% in 2015. Fewer than a fifth of those polled said they supported the consumption of the meat.

Lee Chae-yeon, a 22-year-old student, said the ban was necessary to promote animal rights. "More people have pets today," she told the BBC in Seoul. "Dogs are like family now and it's not nice to eat our family."

The new law focuses on the dog meat trade - those convicted of butchering dogs face up to three years in prison, while people found guilty of raising dogs for meat or selling dog meat could serve a maximum of two years.

Farmers and restaurant owners have three years to find alternative sources of employment and income before the legislation comes into force.

According to government statistics, South Korea had around 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms in 2023, all of which will now have to submit a plan to phase out their businesses to their local authorities.

The government has promised to fully support dog meat farmers, butchers and restaurant owners, whose businesses will be forced to close, though the details of what compensation will be offered have yet to be worked through.

On Tuesday lunchtime in Seoul, down an alleyway with several dog meat restaurants, a handful of older people were tucking into the stew and the generational divide was stark.

Kim Seon-ho, 86, was disappointed by the ban. "We've eaten this since the Middle Ages. Why stop us from eating our traditional food?" he said. "If you ban dog meat then you should ban beef."

Previous governments, dating back to the 1980s, have pledged to ban dog meat, but failed to make progress. Current President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee are known animal lovers - they have six dogs, and Ms Kim has called for the practice of eating dogs to end.

Animal rights groups, which have long been pushing for the ban, praised the outcome of Tuesday's vote.

Jung Ah Chae, the executive director of the Humane Society in Korea, said she was surprised to see the ban in her lifetime. "While my heart breaks for all the millions of dogs for whom this change has come too late, I am overjoyed that South Korea can now close this miserable chapter in our history and embrace a dog friendly future," she said.

Dog meat farmers had campaigned against the ban. They argued that, given the declining popularity among young people, the practice should be allowed to die out naturally over time. Many farmers and restaurateurs are elderly and said it would be difficult for them to switch livelihoods so late in life.

One dog farmer, Joo Yeong-bong, told the BBC the industry was in despair.

"In 10 years, the industry would have disappeared. We're in our 60s and 70s and now we have no choice but to lose our livelihoods," he said, adding that this was "an infringement of people's freedom to eat what they like".

One dog meat restaurant owner in her 60s, Mrs Kim, told the BBC she was frustrated by the ban, and blamed it on the rise in the number of people in South Korea having pets.

"Young people these days don't get married, so they think of pets as family, but food is food. We should accept dog meat but raise and slaughter them in a hygienic environment," she said.

"Other countries like China and Vietnam eat dogs, so why are we banning it?"

Source: BBC

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Lee Jae-myung: South Korea opposition leader stabbed in Busan

 

Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the presidential elections in 2022, was stabbed on the left side of his neck on Tuesday morning.

The attacker was arrested at the scene.

Mr Lee sustained a 1cm laceration and was treated in the hospital while conscious, reports said. Police said his wound was not life-threatening.

The attacker who appeared to be a man in his 60s to 70s, reportedly approached Mr Lee asking for an autograph, before suddenly lunging forward to stab him.

His weapon was about 20cm to 30cm (7.8 to 11.8in) long, Yonhap reported.

The man has been silent about both his identity and motive, the South Korean news agency said, citing police officers.

Videos of the attack posted on social media show Mr Lee first collapsing into the crowd and then onto the ground, while several people try to restrain the attacker. Photographs after the incident show Mr Lee lying on the ground with his eyes closed as someone presses a handkerchief to the side of his neck.

Yonhap said he was airlifted to hospital in a helicopter.

A spokesman of Mr Lee's Democratic Party of Korea said medical staff suspected injury to his jugular vein, which carries blood from the head to the heart. Mr Lee would have to undergo surgery as they were concerned about further bleeding, the spokesman, Kwon Chil-seung, said.

"After being transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, we plan to operate quickly. We strongly condemn the attack and consider it a clear act of democracy destruction," he said.

Mr Lee, 59, currently holds a seat in Incheon in South Korea's legislature. He is widely expected to run for a seat in the next general election, which will take place in April.

He narrowly lost the 2022 presidential elections - by a mere 0.73% difference in votes - to current President Yoon Suk Yeol, making it the closest presidential race in South Korean history. He is widely expected to stand in the next presidential elections in 2027.

Since then he has been indicted on corruption and breach of trust charges, with prosecutors accusing him of allowing private developers to profit illegally from a property project while he was mayor of Seongnam, a city of 1 million people to the south of Seoul. Mr Lee has denied those charges, calling them politically motivated.

In September a court dismissed a request from the prosecution for him to be held in custody while he awaited trial on the charges. Prosecutors are still investigating him on a number of other cases linked to corruption while he was in office.

The court's order came three weeks after Mr Lee began a hunger strike to protest Mr Yoon's foreign and domestic policies. Mr Lee had to be hospitalised because of the strike.

There have been a number of past cases of South Korean politicians being physically attacked with weapons.

In March 2022, Mr Lee's predecessor Song Young-gil was attacked with a blunt object while campaigning for Mr Lee. He survived with some head injuries.

In 2006, conservative party leader Park Geun-hye, who later became president, was attacked with a knife which left a scar on her face.

Source: BBC

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: PH condemns North Korea's missile launch

 

The Philippines joined Japan in condemning the reported ballistic missile launch of North Korea on Monday.

President Marcos made the statement on Monday, Dec. 18, after North Korea reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan.

“We join Japan, together with the rest of the ASEAN (Association of the Southeast Asian Nations), in condemning the continued threat that the launching [of] ballistic missiles by the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] represents,” Marcos said.

"The Philippines joins its voice to all our partners in peace in condemning this looming existential threat," he added.

The President made the remarks during his speech at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) leaders meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, Japan as part of the 50th Commemorative ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Summit.  

“As we speak on economic progress in our region, we found these aspirations on a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific Region. So, such dangerous and provocative actions by the DPRK threaten and destabilize the region and the world,” he stressed.

North Korea reportedly fired a long-range ballistic missile, which supposedly fell into the sea, west of Hokkaido, according to Japan’s coast guard. 

Source: Manila Bulletin

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS members head for South Korean military service, fans vow to wait

 

The remaining four members of K-pop supergroup BTS will begin their 18-month military service in South Korea this week, joining three others already serving, with fans pledging to wait until 2025 for them to perform as a group again.

A group of fans braved rainy weather on Monday to bid a temporary farewell to the seven-member band's leader, RM, and vocalist V in front of their boot camp in the central city of Nonsan.

"I think I'll be fine except for one thing, that I won't be able to make happy memories with you for a while, which is the hardest part," V wrote on fan platform Weverse on Monday, wishing fans well and happiness.

RM also wrote that he might be lonely at times, but that the 18 months would be a chance to get new inspiration and learn new things.

The duo were accompanied by other members of the band, including Jimin and Jung Kook who will start their military service on Tuesday, and the three others who were given a day off from military duty, the Yonhap news agency said.

All able-bodied South Korean men aged 18-28 must serve in the military for about two years, as part of efforts to guard against nuclear-armed North Korea.

Known as ARMY, BTS’ global fan base of millions of loyal followers has helped the band support social causes. In 2020, supporters raised more than $1 million for the Black Lives Matter movement in just 25 hours.

Some ARMY fans gathered at a cafe in a Tokyo district known as Korea Town and vowed to wait for their return.

"I feel sad but I think they'll mature more going into the army and come back looking cool so I'm looking forward and want to wait for them," said Ayami Ito, 22, a nursing care worker.

In Seoul, supporters also expressed their sadness.

"It was raining today, and I was a bit depressed," Kim Yong-sun who runs a BTS-themed cafe near the band's agency building.

"ARMY fans came to the cafe and cheered me up. Talking about the members and listening to music, I feel now much better," said Kim, who was wearing a purple cap and hoodie, BTS' signature colour.

Since announcing a break from group projects in June 2022, BTS members have pursued solo activities before starting military service.

Jin, 30, the oldest member, joined the army last December, followed by j-hope in April and Suga in August.

BTS' global success has triggered debate over whether K-pop artists should be allowed to serve for a shorter term, a perk granted to Olympics and Asian Games medallists and some classical musicians with international achievements.

Source: Reuters

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Korea dangles ‘portfolio standard’ as incentive for hydrogen investments

 

The South Korean energy market is dangling ‘clean hydrogen portfolio standard’ or mandatory percentage of off-take (volume purchase) as an incentive for would-be developers or interested investors in its emerging hydrogen industry.

In a presentation at the ongoing 2nd Korea Offshore Wind and Hydrogen Summit here, Seong-hee Yang, senior manager for Global Legal, Finance and  Cooperation Department-International Cooperation Team of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) noted that the performance standards for hydrogen has been intended “to promote the use of clean hydrogen, and it is separated from the existing RPS (renewable portfolio standard) system and provides a support system that meets the characteristics of hydrogen power generation.”

He emphasized that the mandated pie is 10-percent of the power generation mix and this is typically reckoned from the prior year’s actual record of electricity generation.

Yang said the price and award of hydrogen development contracts would be done through a competitive bidding system as underpinned by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), which is also its government agency laying down the policy framework for hydrogen investments in the country.

The KEPCO executive qualified that the initial bidding for hydrogen ventures in South Korea kicked off this year, and “electricity sales company and community energy suppliers were designated as mandatory purchasers of hydrogen power generation.”

He added “the amount of clean power KEPCO purchases and the cost of purchasing power are determined in the hydrogen market and passed on to consumers.”

Yang specified that “the hydrogen power generation volume is determined by the MOTIE’s announcement; while unit purchase price is determined in the hydrogen power generation bidding market.”

The KEPCO executive conveyed that the investment-offers for hydrogen developments in Korea have been set two-tiered – one is for the regular or gray hydrogen market that could be utilized in planned re-purposing or retrofit of its thermal plants; while the other is clean or green hydrogen that could be coupled with renewable energy, primarily for offshore wind installations.

For the gas plants, Yang stated that the preliminary target will be 20-percent blend and that will be ramped up eventually as technological innovation for hydrogen advances on commercial maturity, primarily on the facets of cost competitiveness and technology innovation.

And in the targeted co-firing of ammonia with coal plants, ammonia is essentially a derivative of hydrogen – or hydrogen serves as an important catalyst for the production of ammonia. In particular, ‘green ammonia’ would refer to ammonia produced using hydrogen that is generated through renewables or low-carbon sources.

He underscored that the Korean government is aggressively pursuing hydrogen investments as part of the country’s overall decarbonization aspiration and to achieve its mid-century net zero goals.

“The Korean government plans to power the country mainly with hydrogen, renewables and nuclear by 2050 and phaseout coal,” Yang stressed.

And since Korea has limited resources on the production of massive-scale green hydrogen that will satiate the needs of its own market, KEPCO indicated that it will be exploring opportunities for hydrogen production in offshore markets – including those in Australia, Middle East North Africa (MENA) and North America as these markets already show competitiveness on green hydrogen ventures.

The secondary international portfolio that the Korean firm has been setting its sights on would be South Africa and Latin America “where resources are abundant but infrastructure is lacking and political risk is relatively high.”

For green hydrogen, Yang highlighted that the development paradigm “involves integrating water electrolysis and ammonia production facilities with renewable energy infrastructure,” adding that “this approach is similar to the IPP (independent power producer) business model and KEPCO holds an advantage due to its stability to leverage its overseas business experience and core competencies.”

He further cited that “considering the trend of declining unit costs for mid- to long-term renewable energy and hydroelectric facilities and strengthening policy support in various countries, green hydrogen is expected to have medium- to long-term price competitive edge over blue hydrogen.”

As explained, gray hydrogen is produced from natural gas through a process called steam methane reforming (SMR) or a chemical process in which methane from natural gas reacts with steam to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide; while blue hydrogen has the same derivation from natural gas, but the key difference in the development process is the integration of carbon capture and storage or CCS technology. 

Source: Manila Bulletin

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Travis King in US custody after North Korea expulsion

 

US soldier Travis King, who fled from South to North Korea in July, is in American custody after being expelled by Pyongyang, officials say.

Pvt King was transferred into US custody in China before being flown to a US military installation.

The 23-year-old reconnaissance specialist illegally crossed into North Korea in July.

North Korean media said he had fled because of "inhuman treatment" and racism within the US military.

A senior administration official said on Wednesday that after months of "intense diplomacy" Pvt King had been returned to US hands and had spoken to his family.

"We can confirm Pvt King is very happy to be on his way home, and he is very much looking forward to reuniting with his family," the official said.

"We are going to guide him through a re-integration process that will address any medical and emotional concerns and ensure we get him in a good place to reunite with his family."

The official added that the US made no concessions to secure his release.

After being met by US officials in the Chinese border city of Dandong, Pvt King was taken by a state department aircraft to a US airbase in South Korea.

He was expected to return to US soil on Wednesday afternoon, according to state department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Earlier on Wednesday, North Korea's state-run news agency said the country had decided to remove Pvt King, without offering further details.

"The relevant body in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has decided to deport US soldier Travis King, who illegally entered the territory of the republic, in accordance with the laws of the republic," it said.

Pvt King has been in the army since January 2021 and was in South Korea as part of a unit rotation.

Before entering North Korea, he had served two months in detention in South Korea on charges that he assaulted two people and kicked a police car. He was released from custody on 10 July.

He had been due to return to the US for disciplinary proceedings, but managed to leave the airport and join a guided tour of the border village of Panmunjom on the heavily guarded Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two countries. Pvt King crossed into North Korea while on the tour.

The senior administration official said that the immediate focus will be on getting him medically evaluated before any potential disciplinary and administrative actions.

According to the senior administration official, the US learned earlier this month that North Korea intended to release Pvt King.

Swedish officials travelled to North Korea and brought Pvt King to its border with China, where he was met by US ambassador Nicholas Burns. China played a "constructive role" but "did not mediate", the official added.

"All these pieces had to come together quickly," the US official said.

As the US and North Korea have no diplomatic relations, Sweden's embassy in Pyongyang has traditionally negotiated on behalf of the US.

A Swedish embassy spokesman confirmed that the country had acted "within its role as a protective power" for the US in North Korea during the King case.

Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for Pvt King's mother, Claudine Gates, said in a statement that she will "forever be grateful" to the US Army and its partners "for a job well done".

The statement added that Pvt King's family does not intend to give any interviews "for the foreseeable future".

His relatives have previously told US media that he had experienced discrimination while serving in the US military.

They have said his mental health suffered during his time in South Korean custody.

In an interview with the Associated Press news agency last month, Ms Gates said her son had "so many reasons to come home".

"I just can't see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America," she said.

Frank Aum, a North Korea expert at the Washington DC-based US Institute of Peace, said that Pvt King's 71-day detention was "fairly typical" in cases of US citizens held in the country who "are not perceived to have committed a major crime".

Some analysts had speculated Pyongyang might have opted to use the US soldier as a diplomatic bargaining chip.

In previous instances, North Korea has insisted a senior US representative travel to the country to negotiate any American detainee's release, though there is so far no indication that happened in this case.

"They [North Korea] have believed that may be some way to help re-start talks," said Mr Aum, who was previously a senior adviser on North Korea at the office of the US secretary of defence.

"But it didn't seem like North Korea was interested in doing that this time. That may be a reflection of the fact that North Korea is not interested in engaging with the US at the moment."

Mr Aum added that North Korean officials were also no doubt keen to avoid "reinforcing an international perception" that they are a major human rights violator making arbitrary detentions.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Wednesday that while the US "is open to diplomacy" with North Korea, the country's government has repeatedly "rejected" the possibility.

Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defence and CIA paramilitary officer, told the BBC it is a "good thing" that Pvt King was being returned to US custody, although he "is a young man that made some mistakes".

"He is a US soldier and it was important that we did everything we could to bring him home," Mr Mulroy added.

Source: BBC 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korean firm offers newest submarines to Philippine Navy

 

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has stepped up a bid to build a pair of submarines for the Philippine Navy, to match the proposals of shipbuilding giants from France and Spain as they vie for the multibillion- peso acquisition project.

Executives from Hanwha Ocean were in Manila last week to formally pitch its newest 2,800-ton Jang Bogo-III submarines to the Philippine Navy for its updated proposal.

The 77-meter diesel-electric submarines with an overall beam of 9.7 meters are equipped with the latest propulsion system and lithium-ion battery technology that could ensure the Philippines’ enhanced defense capability to safeguard its sovereign and strategic maritime interests, Hanwha Ocean vice president Steve SK Jeong said in a press briefing in Manila.

Jeong added that the two-boat submarine offer—which intended to meet the Philippine Navy’s P97-billion budget—is part of a submarine force package that includes training, technology transfer, safety and integrated logistics support, simulators and a maintenance yard in Subic Bay “or anywhere the Navy wants them.”

The government-to-government deal involves a long-term loan with a delivery in seven years once a deal is signed.

Submarine features

The Jang Bogo-III submarines are currently operated by the Republic of Korean Navy for a two-year period.

The vessels are each armed with six torpedo tubes that are also capable of firing antiship missile, have a submerged speed of 21 knots and can handle up to 41 personnel.

In addition, the submarines are equipped with an air independent propulsion system, allowing these vessels extended endurance and range underwater. However, this capability is still subject to negotiation depending on Philippine Navy requirements.

Information from a Hanwha Ocean handout said the lithium ion battery has a shorter charging time and would allow six days of operations without battery charging. The offered submarines also boast shorter maintenance periods compared to the models offered by rivals.

The Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), before it was rebranded to Hanwha Ocean earlier this year, previously offered its 1,400-ton submarines to the Philippine Navy. It has been building submarines since the 1980s.

‘Wise to prepare’

Jeong, a retired Korean Navy vice admiral, said acquiring submarines was a “more economical choice” in the long term.

“Some people say buying, building a submarine force is expensive. It looks like we’re putting in more money the first time but in the long run it is a lot cheaper than building surface force,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS’ Suga Reveals Military Enlistment Date; Reps Ask Fans to “Refrain From Visiting His Workplace”

 

BTS’ Suga is set to enlist for mandatory military service this week, reps said Sunday.

“We have further information regarding Suga’s military service,” BIGHIT Music posted on the South Korean app Weverse. “Suga will be beginning his required service on September 22.”

South Korea requires men between the ages of 18 and 35 to enlist for a period of 18 to 21 months if they are physically fit.

Reps first noted last year that BTS would be required to enlist in the coming months and that all seven members of the group wouldn’t be able to perform together again until 2025.

“There will not be any official events taking place on the day he starts his service or on the day he enters the training camp,” BIGHIT continued. “We kindly ask fans to refrain from visiting Suga at his workplace during the period of his service. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts only.”

The reps also gave fans a warning about unauthorized tours or products.

“Please be mindful to avoid getting adversely affected by unauthorized tours or package products that illegally use the artist’s intellectual property,” BIGHIT added. “Our company will take appropriate measures against attempts at any commercial activity that make unauthorized use of artist IP.”

BIGHIT added: “We ask for your continued love and support for SUGA until he completes his service and returns. Our company will also strive to provide all the support he needs during this time.”

For his part, Suga did a live stream on Weverse that was translated by a follower. He told fans that they shouldn’t be sad about his enlistment and that he’d be done in 2025.

Suga released his solo album, D-DAY, under the name Agust D in April. He recently wrapped his Agust D-DAY tour.

In addition to Suga, BTS members Jin and J-Hope also have enlisted.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korea counting on PH’s support for Busan’s World Expo 2030 bid

 

The South Korean government is counting on the support of the Philippines, one of its closest allies, for the port city of Busan’s bid to host the World Expo in 2030. 

Busan is competing with Rome, Italy and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to host the World Expo 2030. 

According to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which regulates “all international exhibitions that last more than three weeks, member states including the Philippines will vote for the host country of the World Expo 2030 during the 173rd General Assembly that will be held in November “on the principle of one country, one vote.”

South Korea is bidding to host the event in Busan between May 1 to Oct. 31 2030 under the theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future.” 

World Expos, according to the BIE, “are a global gathering of nations dedicated to finding solutions to pressing challenges of our time by offering a journey inside a universal theme through engaging and immersive activities.” 

In an interview with Manila Bulletin at the Korean Cultural Center (KCC), Park Enna, Korea’s former ambassador to the United Kingdom and the executive committee chairperson of the Citizens Committee Bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo, emphasized the strong partnership of the Philippines and South Korea. 

Park visited the Philippines to get the support of the government for Busan’s bid. 

“The Philippines and Korea, as members of the Pacific, we have the responsibility to make the Pacific area as something which can contribute to the whole world. How we make the Pacific area, how we can contribute to the world, it’s up to us,” she said. 

Park added, “As a genuine partner for the future, the Philippines and Korea, we hope to walk together and we act together.” 

South Korea and the Philippines have strong bilateral relations. The two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations next year. 

Thousands of Filipinos work in South Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS), a government-to-government employment program. South Korea has helped the Philippines especially during times of disaster. 

“Korea and the Philippines, we will celebrate next year the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. It means that we will have a significant milestone to upgrade and deepen our collaboration as genuine brother-sister countries,” added Enna. 

She highlighted that “working together for the [Busan World] Expo, it will contribute to our strong bond.” 

Busan: A symbol of transformation 

Enna underscored Busan’s strong capabilities and qualities to host the World Expo 2030. 

“Busan is a symbol of transformation. Busan itself made a big transformation from a small fishing town to become the sixth largest container port in the world. We have a very successful story of transformation,” she said. 

Based on information South Korea submitted to the BIE, the Busan World Expo 2030 is estimated to attract 34.8 million visitors. 

The Busan World Expo 2030 will be held in the Busan North Port, which was Korea’s first trading port.  

“We believe that Busan can inspire the world with our transformation and also our vision for the transformation. The transformation we want to achieve is world transformation. That is the biggest strength of Busan because Busan has the vision for the world,” said Park. 

Busan’s second strength, she said, is that it is a maritime city. 

“Among candidates, Busan is the only city which connects the land and ocean. Our human civilization should utilize both land and ocean. Busan is the best location to implement that vision,” according to her. 

She added, “Busan can also inspire the world with its values. Values of openness, democracy, rule-based order, tolerance and innovation–those values on which future civilization should be built.” 

“Busan is ready to implement the vision of the Expo. Expo is no longer a simple exhibition of new technologies and inventions. Expo is a platform to present solutions to the problems or challenges of humanity like climate change, digital divide or new technology, unprecedented technology like AI [artificial intelligence] and robotics, and inequality issues,” she emphasized. 

According to Park, “Expo should present a blueprint for the future. Busan is the best, the most suitable one, the most desirable one to implement the mission of the Expo.”

“It is part of our redevelopment, the generation project of all the town. Our original port should make its own transformation from a port city to a green, innovative, smart city. Busan is ready in terms of logistics, transportation, accommodation and providing all the facilities required for the Expo,” she said. 

Last April, an enquiry team from BEI visited Busan to check on the aspects of the proposal submitted by South Korea for the World Expo 2030. 

The visiting mission, led by Patrick Specht, the president of the administration and budget committee, was met by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. 

“Their conclusion was all  candidate cities are qualified but among all others, Busan is the most ready to host the Expo,” added Park. 

Members of Grammy-nominated K-pop group BTS are the honorary ambassadors for the World Expo 2030 Busan. They were officially appointed in a ceremony last year. 

Enna said Busan is confident in winning the bid to host the World Expo 2030. 

“The Expo should serve to the humanity. Busan is a symbol of transformation and has a strong vision for the future, especially Busan citizens are very enthusiastic to have the Expo. This Expo is actually a citizen-driven initiative. It’s a participatory process,” said Park. 

Source: Manila Bulletin