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Wed, October 18, 2017 | 00:03

Opinion > Columnists > Tong Kim >

Pyongyang's statement of position

On June 15, marking the 15th anniversary of the joint inter-Korean summit declaration of 2000, the DPRK issued a special "government statement" of its latest position on inter-Korean relations. This statement deserves scrutiny to shed some light on the possible evolution of North-South relations for the rest of President Park Geun-hye's term.

Tong Kim | 2015-06-21 17:12

Contending views on South China Sea

A low-key but serious exchange of views that took place between the United States and China regarding the South China Sea at the Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) May 29 - 31 in Singapore, shed some light on the fate of the disputed islands between peaceful resolution and military confrontation.

Tong Kim | 2015-06-07 17:06

Dangerous differences between U.S. and China

The ongoing face-off between the United States and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea has emerged as a serious source of tension. If not abated or averted by a diplomatic solution, it could escalate to threaten the prospect of Sino-American cooperation to sustain the existing regional order until another balance of power evolves in the region to allow continuing economic growth in peace and stability. The issue of the Senkaku Islands/Diaoyudao islands in the East China Sea seems to have submerged somewhat for now due to a recently upgraded U.S.-Japan defense guideline, wh...

Tong Kim | 2015-05-24 17:06

Abe makes it difficult for all

Following a successful visit to the United States by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe late last month, South Koreans are debating on how to put this in perspective. One group thinks Abe’s contribution to the building of a robust global alliance with the U.S. reflects Seoul’s diplomatic failure resulting in the downgrading of the Republic of Korea by Washington, while another group argues that a closer U.S.-Japan relationship will enable Seoul to strengthen trilateral cooperation against North Korean threats and attain regional stability and prosperity.

Tong Kim | 2015-05-10 16:50

Denuclearization efforts abandoned

Since denuclearization efforts - by all parties including the U.S. and South Korea - stopped some time ago, the threat of an increasing North Korean nuclear arsenal is becoming even more serious. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Chinese experts assume that North Korea has about 20 nuclear weapons and that its nuclear arsenal could double by next year.

Tong Kim | 2015-04-26 17:45

Military leaders: North nuclear weapons can hit U.S.

WASHINGTON - U.S. combatant commanders responsible for deterring North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats believe the North has advanced its technology and is capable of delivering a nuclear weapon to American soil. Testifying Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, and Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said they are taking steps to maintain a sustainable and interoperable ballistic missile defense to respond to threats from unpredictable North Korea’s increasing capabilities.

Tong Kim | 2015-04-17 15:48

Uneasy competition in the Asia Pacific

Despite U.S. efforts to assuage differences between Japan and South Korea, the two U.S. allies are not narrowing the gap in their perspectives over history and territorial claims. The problem between Korea and Japan is looming large as a serious obstacle to U.S. moves to counter the rapid expansion of China’s power and influence, and the shifting dynamics of security relationships in the region.

Tong Kim | 2015-04-12 16:33

Ending an eight-month agony of indecision, South Korea has decided to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) being launched by Beijing, but only after some allies of the U.S. expressed their intention to participate in the bank. Washington had reserved its endorsement for the bank, demanding that it meet international standards for a multinational institute in terms of structural and management transparency.

Tong Kim | 2015-03-29 16:59

Aftermath of attack on US envoy

The unforgivable attack on American Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert by a extremist nationalist in Seoul March 5 has produced a mixed consequence: "a blessing in disguise" or "good coming out of evil" for the renewed strengthening of the U.S.-Korea alliance; and, on the other hand, "evil after evil" as it contributes to a disturbing division of the South Korean public.

Tong Kim | 2015-03-15 16:54

Setting priorities for politics

South Korea has a unique parliamentary system under which two major competing parties prefer to agree to vote on any legislative bill or to approve cabinet nominations. Technically, the ruling Saenuri Party which has an absolute majority in the National Assembly, can endorse the president's controversial nominee Lee Wan-Koo for Prime Minister. However, such approval requires the convening of a plenary session of the national legislature, to which the opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) agreed. The opposition party has since changed its position, proposing to determine the f...

Tong Kim | 2015-02-15 16:48

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Lunch with Navy sailors