The Korea Times

North Korean drone intruded on no-fly zone near presidential office

An attack helicopter flies during an anti-drone training exercise in Paju, a city near the inter-Korean border, Thursday. Yonhap Possibility of drone taking photos cannot be ruled out: spy agencyBy Jung Min-hoThe North Korean drones that crossed into South Korea last week were not advanced ones: The glider type model, which appears to be an imitation of common Chinese commercial drones, probably cost less than 10 million won ($7,800), an expert says.Yet the drones were able to create an air of anxiety and insecurity in South Korea, where the military is now scrambling to improve its anti-drone defense system. After having seen how effective the unmanned aerial vehicles can be for heightening tensions, the North will likely repeat such provocations in the year ahead, according to analysts Thursday.“North Korea is expected to continue to use cost-effective methods for provocation such as a drone invasion,” Oh Gyeong-seob, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National

Jan 5, 2023By Jung Min-ho

North Korean drone intruded on no-fly zone near presidential office

US will work closely with Seoul to monitor NK threats: Pentagon

Defense

Yoon threatens to suspend 2018 military pact if North Korea violates border again

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yoon said Wednesday that he will review whether to suspend a 2018 military pact signed between the two Koreas if the North intrudes inter-Korean border again. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk-yeol said Wednesday that he will consider suspending a 2018 military pact signed between the two Koreas if North Korea violates the inter-Korean border again.The warning comes a week after five North Korean drones entered the South's airspace in a clear violation of the pact, under which the two sides agreed to cease hostile activities and take steps to build military trust.According to a high-ranking official at the presidential office, Yoon said there are no reasons for South Korea to adhere to the deal, which the North frequently ignores by testing missiles or sending unmanned aerial vehicles.“As the commander-in-chief, Yoon called for stern readiness against such provocations so that no citizen would feel unsafe,” the official told reporters. “We hope there will be no

Jan 4, 2023By Jung Min-ho

North Korea

ANALYSIS Kim's missile inspection with daughter hints at possible succession plans

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect a KN-23 factory at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this photo released on the first day of 2023. YonhapWomen's roles are expected to expand in North Korean politics, expert says By Jung Min-hoEvery move means something in politics. It is particularly so for Kim Jong-un, the supreme ruler of North Korea, where everything he does or says is carefully choreographed. In the photos released on the first day of 2023, Kim can be seen inspecting the facilities for missiles believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads ― the Hwasong-12 and KN-23 ― while holding the hand of his daughter, Ju-ae.This move leaves little doubt over who is next in the line, as the pictures symbolically show North Korea's future, according to Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst on North Korea at the think tank, the Sejong Institute.That future is the one where the North will continue to develop nuclear weapons and, at some point, Ju-ae, who has previously been described as Kim's “most beloved” child, will receive the baton t

Jan 3, 2023By Jung Min-ho

[ANALYSIS] Kim's missile inspection with daughter hints at possible succession plans

North Korea

North Korea likely to conduct nuclear test no later than Feb. 16: analyst

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect the development of the Hwasong-12, an intermediate-range ballistic missile, at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this photo released Sunday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoCheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst on North Korea at the Sejong InstituteWith intelligence reports showing North Korea is set for another nuclear weapons test, when ― rather than whether ― it will proceed has become a geopolitical guessing game. One expert believes that the test will be conducted within the next seven weeks.According to Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst on North Korea at the Sejong Institute, a think tank, leader Kim Jong-un will likely order the test to be held no later than Feb. 16, the anniversary of the birth of his father, Kim Jong-il. If not, two other likely dates for testing would be his own birthday (Jan. 8) or the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army (Feb. 8), North Korea's military forces.“Compared with Kim's previous New Year's remarks, which highlighted the country's economic growth, he emph

Jan 2, 2023By Jung Min-ho

North Korea likely to conduct nuclear test no later than Feb. 16: analyst

Health

Korea resumes COVID-19 tests for visitors from China

People walk out of the arrivals gate at Incheon International Airport, Friday. Korea is set to impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on all visitors from China. YonhapGov't to restrict visas and numbers of flights due to variant fearsBy Jung Min-hoKorea will impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on all visitors from China, joining several other countries strengthening border controls, due to fears of variant strains after Beijing's decision earlier this month to abandon its “zero-COVID” policy.From Jan. 5, all travelers from China will be required to present a negative result from a PCR test, no more than 48 hours later or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure. They will also have to take another PCR test upon arrival or within 24 hours.To restrict the number of visitors coming from China, which has recently stopped publishing daily updates on the pandemic, Korea will not issue short-term visas for those visiting Korea unless it is for diplomatic, business and humanitarian reasons ― between Jan. 2 and 31. Moreover, the number of flights between the two countries

Dec 30, 2022By Jung Min-ho

Korea resumes COVID-19 tests for visitors from China

Defense

INTERVIEW Don't underestimate North Korea's drones: US analyst

Smoke rises after a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, in this Oct. 17 file photo. North Korea may not have advanced drone technology, but South Korea should not underestimate the danger, according to a U.S. defense expert. Reuters-YonhapKim's interest in drones comes from South Korea's clear vulnerability, Bennett saysBy Jung Min-hoBruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the Rand CorporationIt was neither a state-of-the-art fighter jet nor an intercontinental ballistic missile that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad three years ago. It was a strike by an MQ-9 Reaper drone.Although it would take a long time for North Korea to be able to copy anything close to such a high-level operation, South Korea should never underestimate what Pyongyang can ― and hopes to do ― with drone technology, according to Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the Rand Corporation, a U.S. policy think tank.“While North Korea apparently lacks such [high-level] drone capabilities, it potentially could fly several dozen armed drones into the ROK Presidential Office or National Asse

Dec 29, 2022By Jung Min-ho

[INTERVIEW] Don't underestimate North Korea's drones: US analyst

S. Korea to speed up anti-drone system development

Defense

Yoon calls for decisive response to North Korean provocations

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yoon called for a decisive and overwhelming response to any provocations by North Korea, Wednesday. NewsisDefense minister apologizes over response to drones, vows to improve air defense systemBy Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk-yeol called for a decisive and overwhelming response to any provocations by North Korea, saying that strong action is the most effective deterrent. Presiding over a meeting on Wednesday with presidential secretaries and ranking officials of the National Security Office, Yoon said South Korea's military should not hesitate just because North Korea has nuclear weapons.His strongly worded remarks came a day after he became “furious” over the military's bumbling response to North Korea's drones, one of which reached the skies of the nation's capital.An official at the presidential office told reporters that the atmosphere was tense when Yoon was briefed by Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup on the five unmanned aerial vehicles that intruded across the inter-K

Dec 28, 2022By Jung Min-ho

Yoon calls for decisive response to North Korean provocations

Defense

President orders military to expedite launch of drone unit following failure against NK drones

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday criticized the military's response to North Korean drones that intruded across the inter-Korean border the previous day, saying the incident exposed some problems with South Korea's readiness.Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Yoon said the military should be better prepared for such intrusions by North Korean drones and vowed to create a military unit specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles as part of efforts to strengthen South Korea's air defense capabilities.“We have a plan to create a military drone unit tasked with monitoring key military facilities in North Korea. But we'll expedite the process of creating the drone unit after the incident yesterday,” he said. “We'll also introduce state-of-the art stealth drones to strengthen our surveillance capability.”Yoon also voiced regret over the National Assembly's decision to cut the military budget for anti-drone operations, saying the incident once again sh

Dec 27, 2022By Jung Min-ho

President orders military to expedite launch of drone unit following failure against NK drones

Foreign Affairs

INTERVIEW China's covert police stations should alarm South Korea: Danish scholar

Workers wearing face masks wait to guide visitors at an exhibition highlighting China's President Xi Jinping and his achievements at the Beijing Exhibition Hall in in Beijing, Oct. 12. Following allegations of China's secret police stations overseas and "THAAD retaliation,” Seoul may need to reconsider its openness toward Beijing, according to a Danish scholar. AP-YonhapBy Jung Min-hoLuke Patey, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International StudiesMedia reports accusing China of operating secret police stations overseas, including at least one in South Korea, have so far established considerable evidence for further inquiry, with over a dozen countries now investigating the allegations.This should prompt South Korean politicians to reassess their country's openness toward China, not just in trade but also in other areas, as Beijing repeatedly shows that any opportunities it offers could be turned suddenly into a threat or worse, according to Luke Patey, the author of “How China Loses: The Pushback Against Chinese Global Ambitions.”“Koreans and

Dec 27, 2022By Jung Min-ho

[INTERVIEW] China's covert police stations should alarm South Korea: Danish scholar

Restaurant under covert Chinese police station suspicion to make announcement this week

Global Community

Korea set to introduce anti-abuse rules to better protect asylum-seekers

This June 2021 file photo shows a Moroccan man with his wrists and ankles bound behind his back at a detention facility for foreign nationals in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Korea is set to introduce a set of new rules on March 6 to better protect inmates at government detention facilities for foreign nationals. Courtesy of Duroo Association for Public Interest LawMoroccan asylum-seeker files damage suit after 'torturous' treatmentBy Jung Min-hoKorea is set to introduce a set of new rules on March 6 to better protect asylum-seekers and others at government detention facilities for foreign nationals, a year after the country drew international criticism for the inhumane treatment of a detained Moroccan who sought asylum.In a statement sent to The Korea Times, the Ministry of Justice said it will improve the legal and administrative systems at such facilities nationwide to prevent human rights violations, such as the one criticized by many activists last year as torture-like treatment.What tools may be used to control defiant behavior will be codified more specifically under the revise

Dec 25, 2022By Jung Min-ho

Jung Min-ho

Read more

North Korean drone intruded on no-fly zone near presidential office

Yoon threatens to suspend 2018 military pact if North Korea violates border again

ANALYSIS Kim's missile inspection with daughter hints at possible succession plans

North Korea likely to conduct nuclear test no later than Feb. 16: analyst

Korea resumes COVID-19 tests for visitors from China

INTERVIEW Don't underestimate North Korea's drones: US analyst

Yoon calls for decisive response to North Korean provocations

President orders military to expedite launch of drone unit following failure against NK drones

INTERVIEW China's covert police stations should alarm South Korea: Danish scholar

Korea set to introduce anti-abuse rules to better protect asylum-seekers

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