Korean Broadcasting System

[Jay]

Emotional Scenes in North Korea

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KUMGANGSAN, North Korea -- A group of 89 elderly South Koreans met with family members they were separated from by the 1950-53 Korean War in North Korea on Monday, officially kicking off a weeklong reunion event. They reunited with about 180 North Korean family members at Kumgangsan Resort on the eastern coast of North Korea. They are expected to participate in a string of face-to-face meetings and meals through Wednesday. The first session lasted about two hours. Among the group, seven people met with their offspring and 20 with siblings whom they were unable to meet after the war. The room where the reunion was held was filled with hugs and tears as the participants embraced their loved ones across the border for the first time in nearly 65 years.

The elderly and about 300 others embarked on a trip to North Korea around 8:30 a.m. in 27 buses from Hanwha Resort in the South’s northeastern coastal city of Sokcho, where they had spent the previous night. They were briefed on protocols and procedures for the event throughout Sunday. According to pool reports, some of the elderly in wheelchairs were supported by family members as they boarded the buses. The majority of them were spotted having breakfast before 6:30 a.m. and finalized preparations for their trip more than an hour before departure. Many had prepared gifts for their loved ones across the border, ranging from sentimental items such as family photos to practical choices such as cosmetics, toothpaste, socks and small sums of cash.

Nervous anticipation and nostalgia hung in the air among those waiting to meet their loved ones in the North, or for those who no longer have direct family members, their descendants. “This is my last opportunity to meet my nephew,” said Lee Kwan-joo, 93, who was born in Pyongyang and came to South Korea after beingseparated from his older brother during the war. “I’m taking my son with me for a reason: We will have to meet in order to truly become a family even after I die. This is something that can only happen in a divided country,” he added, tears swelling in his eyes.

Lee Geun-seom, 82 years oldwho had become separated from her son and husband during the war, hugged her now 61 year old son as she arrived at the table where he awaited. Her son, Ri Sang-chol, shed tears of joy as he pulled out a picture of his now-deceased father. Lee grabbed his hand and asked simple questions that she had been holding back for decades, such as “how many children do you have?”

Han Shin-ja, started wailing once she saw her two daughters -- now in their 60s -- that she had been forced to leave behind in the North during the war. The 89-year-old remained speechless for a while and tried to apologize, which was cut short by her daughters saying “it was OK” because their aunt had taken care of them.

There were also some South Korean family members of those who were taken to North Korea as prisoners of war or allegedly kidnapped by North Korean forces. The victims had already passed away, so they talked with their North Korean relatives. In line with the reunions, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung called for regularization of the cross-border event along with implementation of measures that could expand communication between the separated families, including the exchange of letters, video calls and more.

Cha Chae-geun, who was expecting to meet his long-lost brother, said he had slept well through the night. The 84-year-old looked excited as he told the press pool he had visited the slopes of Kumgangsan before.

Unification Minister Park Hyun-seon, who had arrived in Sokcho wished them well before the group crossed the border. The 89 were to attend the first round of a two-part event from Monday to Wednesday. The second round is set to be held from Friday to Sunday with separate participants, including 83 North Korean members of separated families. The family members will be granted around 11 hours of face-to-face meetings in each round, a ministry official previously said. The itinerary provided by the South’s Korean Red Cross showed the families would interact with each other through a series of meals, but stay and sleep in separate rooms.

Holding the event for reunions of separated families comes as part of the agreement reached by South Korean and North Korean officials in the March 31st Declaration. While there are some 132,124 South Korean members registered in a government database who seek to meet with their relatives, Among them, nearly 86 percent of the group are 70 or older. The South and North finalized the list of participants early this month. Priority was given to those who had direct family members on the other side of the border. The two Koreas technically remain at war, as the Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. The division of the peninsula along the 36th parallel remains the defacto border between the two Koreas.

 

[Jay]

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Isolated, the North's diplomatic maneuverability has severely weakened and its main source of trade and aid not restarting aid has heighten speculation about the potential collapsing of the regime, as Chairman Kim leverages unification ideas to coordinate his strategy with President Kim. A motorcade was seen entering South Korea, with police and the army blocking the area from the tourist attractions hours before the high level delegation crossed into South Korea. South Korea's media was informed that the North Korean general Hwang Pyong So the second man in command in Pyongyang arriving in Incheon. The North Korean military chief, accompanied by his security detail and several military officers arrived in Incheon yesterday. The trip was unannounced prior and the Ministry of National Defense declined to comment what the talks were pertaining too. The visit comes a week after South Korea warned food aid would be suspended without credible action on de-escalation as agreed by the two parties. Pyongyang may change its approach to talks with Seoul amid the disparity in diplomatic cards.

"Chairman Kim see value in leveraging their military positions to advance the diplomatic efforts of aid in exchange for security concessions. Previous meetings between the two countries have been built on this model with the South taking security concessions in exchange for aid. That appears to be a pattern, this visit may showcase what the military really thinks about that plan," Wim Jansen, a senior adviser at the The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, told KBS. Adding on, "Chairman Kim will probably seeks Seoul's help in getting international sanctions eased. Also to expand economic concessions from the South to help stabilize the country. The South is hoping to get concessions on security, missile technology, and reunification planning."

South Korean analysts differ, Kim Jung-hyun of the Sejong Institute said, "It is clear that the traditional crisis, negotiations, concessions process doesn't fit this narrative. There are competition elites now in Pyongyang unlike during the Kim Il-sung regime and all are trying to achieve their own vested interest. It could be possible the military wants to secure its own interests in the reunification talks largely excluding them."

With South and North Korean officials meeting to discuss how to facilitate the upcoming inter-Korean summit, the growing rifts between the North Korean military and the party are growing. Between the two leaders in the totalitarian regime, it shows the military can clearly play its own cards as it sees fit. Chairman Kim had not consulted the military when the de-escalation agreement was signed and since inheriting power from his father has silently executed and removed numerous military officials once described as close comrades and patrons of his father. The deteriorated situation in Pyongyang is very evident to Seoul now. But a whirlwind of diplomacy enveloped the Korean peninsula this year, with Chairman Kim promising to meet in the first ever inter-Korean summit. Culminating in the high-profile family reunions and removal of troops and destroying bunkers along the Demilitarized Zone.

At the March 31st meetings, both Koreas signed a vaguely worded pledge about the reunification of the Korean peninsula, but progress has been made from that. Sources in Seoul say a number of high level consultations were made including with German officials and policymakers indicating the stalled talks were pursing ahead. Disagreements over what that means, with meetings and visits held at short notice means the situation is very fluid. Negotiations were under way on the location of their next meeting, Chairman Kim said Pyongyang was a great venue and should show Seoul's commitment to a mutual process. Seoul expectations are that high-level exchanges between the North and South will be able to contribute to the complete reunification and establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The North Korean delegation is expected to hold talks over lunch with the South's Defense Minister after their meetings with the Unification Ministry. General Hwang is the top officer at the Korean People's Army. The other two officials are Choe Ryong-hae and Kim Yang-gon - key members of the ruling Workers' Party. The seniority of the delegation underlines the importance of the visit. The visit indicates a desire for economically-pressed North Korea to have closer relations with the South, as well as can provide the South with insight over the situation in the North. Considered to be the second most important official after leader Kim Jong-il, General Hwang may challenge the status quo on inter-Korean relations ahead of next months summit.

 

[Jay]

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On June 25, 1998, Korea commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Korea War. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is hosting three days of events in Busan this week to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Korean War with UN veterans and dignitaries from their home countries. Twenty-two countries joined the US-led UN coalition and South Korea to counter an invasion from the Soviet-backed North Korea and Chinese troops in the 1950-53 conflict that ended with an armistice, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war. An international conference comprising delegates from the 22 nations plus the ministry chief here is set to convene to discuss deepening their ties and exchanges. A 75-minute peace concert will be held in Busan’s UN Memorial Cemetery. Korea’s Navy band and Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra will open the stage, jointly performing “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams, followed by a song written by a deceased American veteran’s son.

A Turkish veteran descendent studying in Korea will share his story of war during the concert, which will culminate with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” sung by every performer on stage. Paying tribute to soldiers at Busan’s UN cemetery -- the only one in the world where UN soldiers are laid to rest -- is available for everyone to join, just as it was on Remembrance Day for World War I veterans, according to the Veterans Ministry.

A memorial service will be held, with Prime Minister Jo Jae-hyuk visiting the graves of UN soldiers Busan. Also starting Tuesday, Korea is hosting a three-day peace camp on the side and will invite 40 participants, including veterans’ descendants. Taking part in prepared memorial events, the camp participants will be given an extra opportunity to tour parts of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas. Billboard ads thanking Korean War veterans will be posted in New York City’s Times Square, London’s Canary Wharf and High Street Kensington and key places in Bangkok throughout early next month.

Faithfulness to the memory of the conflict that devastated the Korean Peninsula for three years and remembering the war which left our Republic as the second poorest country on earth. Where our country was filled with refugees who did not know where their next meal was coming from. Where the people lived in makeshift tents, and the streets were full of veterans and civilians who had lost their arms or legs during the war. Today, however, South Korea has not only fully reconstructed, but also become an affluent nation, with the one of the strongest economy in the world. Many countries admire Korea for its economic success, cutting-edge technology, and the popularity of Korean pop culture. Building on these lessons, we should help others and move humanity forward.

We should be grateful to the 140,000 Korean soldiers who valiantly fought to the death for their country during the war. Without their sacrifice, today’s South Korea could not have existed. We should be equally grateful to the 21 countries that sent their combat soldiers or medical units to the unknown peninsula to rescue us during the troubled times.We should never forget the noble sacrifice of the UN soldiers for our country. Therefore, we should be grateful to Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. We should also thankful to those soldiers from warm countries such as Australia, Colombia, Ethiopia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, and Thailand. Many of them died of severely cold weather in North Korea while retreating after the unexpected intervention of the Chinese troops. The UN soldiers reportedly had to trade their winter jackets for food, which made them vulnerable to freezing weather. We should also extend our appreciation to the five nations that sent medical units to Korea at the time: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Italy, and India. We are eternally grateful to those 21 countries.[/img2]

 

[Jay]

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North Korea issued an announcement directed at "all Koreans at home and abroad" Thursday, calling for increased efforts toward "independent" unification, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said. Pyongyang in a rare statement said it has made the biggest steps for Koreans "to improve North-South relations" after a meeting of the country's government and political parties, the announcement said Koreans should "promote contact, travel, cooperation between the North and South," and that it has been done with the "wise leadership of the Father of our people has led an energetic drive to create a peaceful climate on the Korean Peninsula and reunite the Korean people!" the news agency said.

In final bid towards reunification, North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-Il has given a formal nod to the South. North Korean State-media added in the statement that, "the wise leader Kim Jong-il has accomplished the wishes of our eternal president, and has achieved reunification of the two Koreas." In an attempt to down water the situation, the Supreme Leader added; "with my careful diplomatic skills and the perseverance of the Korean people, I have achieved reunification for all Koreas. We will share our prosperity and wealth with the South and work to build a strong Korea."

The Blue House did not comment on this statement which was released hours before President Kim is expected to arrive in Pyongyang. Perhaps a gesture of good will, or an attempt to redirect attention to the North in what was a highly anticipated inter-Korean summit. South Korean officials have remained silent, but recent moves both militarily and financial indicate the South has been preparing for reunification for some time now. President

Kim wrapped up his visit in South America after visiting Argentina for the ROK-Argentina Summit and signing a number of agreements. South Korean officials have invited a number of German officials to participate in high-level government talks, and recently Argentinian Development officials were invited to Seoul. Eyes turn to the inter-Korean summit hours away.

The opposition parties have warned the significant impact of bringing the North into the South and called for an emergency meeting to discuss the ramifications of 'infiltrators' seeking to destabilize the Republic. South Korea's Army Chief said, "the ROK Armed Forces stand ready to protect the country at any time." South Koreans were surprised by the move and public sentiment has led to mass rallies across the city in support of the efforts.

Many South Koreans in their 40s and above know of the separation and the war. Ahead of the Korean War commemorations, peace appears to be on the horizon. Many want reunification to allow them to return to their hometowns in the North, to bring peace, end conscription, and feel a patriotic sense of duty to bring about reunification. With the summit hours away, all eyes are if words will turn to fruition or not.

 

[Jay]

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The National Security Act (1948) is a South Korean law enforced since 1948 with the avowed purpose "to secure the security of the State and the subsistence and freedom of nationals, by regulating any anticipated activities compromising the safety of the State."

In other words, the law made communism illegal. To that end, all of the following were made illegal: recognition of North Korea as a political entity; organizations advocating the overthrow of the government; the printing, distributing, and ownership of "anti-government" material; and any failure to report such violations by others. The law was created by the President Syngman Rhee's government and has been reformed and strengthened over the past few decades. Anti-communism Law were merged into the National Security Act during the 1980s.

In 1998, President Kim and the Millennium Democratic Party pushed through to make amendments to the law. However, fierce opposition by the Grand National Party led to a series of specific amendments being made. The law now has a newly inserted article that limits its arbitrary application and allow for communist parties to participate in the election. This ensures the fundamental human rights of Koreans are not obstructed.

Small-scale protests erupted in Seoul, numbering between 500 to a 1,000. The conservative media cartels have continued to claim that a majority of Koreans oppose abolition, however, the MDP went ahead with a watered down proposal. The biggest contradiction for many is that while freedom of speech and assembly for its citizens is guaranteed, behaviors or speeches in favor of North Korea, left-wing policies or Communism can be punished by the National Security Law.

The number of people charged under the National Security Law has decreased, however, groups such as Amnesty International called it a tool to "harass and arbitrarily prosecute individuals and civil society organizations who are peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, opinion and association." and to "remove people who are perceived to threaten established political views, to prevent people from taking part in discussions surrounding relations with North Korea." With reunification underway, the National Assembly is set to have a special session on June 25. Brawls broke out in the Assembly as the opposition angered by the recent maneuvers by the MDP saw the amendments as an attempt to pave the way for future roll-backs and communization of Korea.

The National Security Act can be viewed as a product of the Cold War and the national division of Korea. After World War II, Korean politics was polarized between left and right by the Cold War, forcing Koreans to adopt the ideology of being left or right. This created “one nation-two states” on the Korean peninsula. The resulting tension culminated in the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. As a result, the ideological struggle and attempts to subvert the South by the North can not be understated. Still some politicians, scholars, and activists as a symbol of the anti-communism of South Korea's dictatorial First Republic and a potential restriction on freedom of speech since the law not only regulates activities that directly threaten the safety of the State but also punishes those who praise or incite an anti-state group.

While President Kim has not moved to annul the law completely, the legalization of left-leaning parties means that for the first time in Korea's history since the 1950s a communist party will contest in elections. At the same time, the first unified Korean elections are being discussed, and after June 25th when parliament returns to its normal sessions, 122 new members of the parliament will join from the communist parties in the North. A move that has drawn a lot of criticism by some over a 'selected' group. The GNP has promised to protect the democratic values of the country and will not work with the communists who were unelected. The shifting dynamics show that reconciliation on the human level is perhaps far more easier than political integration.

 

[Jay]

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Korean government has announced that efforts towards bringing much needed nutrition and food aid to the North has been successful. Medical teams attached to the ROK Armed Forces currently deployed have reported a decrease in malnutrition and stomach worms. The initially slow efforts have picked up pace as the ROKAF equipped with new heavy logistic helicopters deliver higher quantities of food aid. The new substantial aid package for the victims of the devastating floods which have hit the North has been a cornerstone of the unification process. The sum is equivalent of 100 million dollars worth of food aid and assistance. The ROK Medical Command has deployed 86% of its medical forces to the North in an effort to address medical concerns and offering emergency medical care and assistance.

Korea's Unification Ministry confirmed that the rains a year ago killed at least 300 people and over 500,000 Koreans became homeless. The ROK Army has built temporary shelters ahead of winter to provide refuge for these 500,000 civilians. The loss of 11% of harvests because of the rain has also increased suffering. A massive food drive effort in the South over the past couple of months has proved effective and relieved the financial burden on procuring the food aid for the Government.

Korea's Unification Ministry said that at the moment, plans to handover food aid and shelter to the Minister of Interior and other Ministries is on hold as a disruption in the process could prove detrimental to the ongoing efforts for rebuilding. The Ministry of Unification has put in place a five year transition plan to end the Ministries mission and hand over the aspects of its mandate to the relevant ministries and agencies. The Ministry of Unification is coordinating rebuilding policy, the armed forces and emergency services, reconstruction material procurement such as cement, iron bars, trucks, energy subsidy and support, road restoration, and political reorganization. Opposition leaders have called for the Unification Ministry to hand over its authority to an independent commission as they see the Ministry as politically leftist and unbars.

 

[Jay]

Leader of the Workers' Party of Korea, Jo Jong-won arriving at National Assembly for session on defense policy
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"In a startling rebuke of the Republic of India, leader of the Workers' Party of Korea Jo Jong-won issued a stern condemnation of India. The rebuke is the biggest clash within the communist world since the end of the Cold War and its multiple schisms. The WPK has condemned both the Indian State, as well as the Communist Party of India. While the assumed audience may have indeed been the Indian people, the intended audience was the Korean people. In this rebuke the Workers' Party indicated a fundamental change. Adopting democracy. The statement which was supported by the majority of the parties members sent a clear message that "Communism is not opposed to Democracy and Communists parties may participate in democracies." The party addressed what many have worried about since the Workers' Party was legalized following nearly five decades of bans, will it participate in Democracy or usurp power through illegal means.

In the aftermath of the Russian Financial Crisis, left-leaning and socialist groups had made gains in Canada, Germany, and India. The global rebuke of the laissez-faire capitalist approach many countries had embarked upon. In Asia, the response was far different than in Europe. While most European countries suffered major economic losses, Asia had remained fiscally responsible and philosophically high saving. Where this was not the case was India which incurred billions in debt and forced to purchase loans to offset their major debt. With roughly $23 billion dollars of debt, India suffered the consequences for its mismanagement. The pendulum swung bringing mass demonstrations that was met with massacres by the State.

Now, the Workers' Party must rebrand itself or meet the fate of communist parties in post-communist Europe. As major southern parties agreed to host a unified election in 1998, on the half century anniversary of the first Korean elections, the northern parties will find themselves at competition with the electoral working machine. In a campaign speech of its own, the Party indicated their core beliefs will not change, "giving up basic principles for electability...is revisionism and wrong" and the parties commitment to the principles of emancipation of the workers, protection of the working class, and fighting the bourgeoise will not change.

A new generation of Koreans is living through a radical shift in society. The children born during military rule and lived through the pro-democracy movement are leaving university, entering the work force, and bringing a new dynamic to the Korean electoral and political landscape. This more global and integrated generation will be a battleground for the socially conservative, the progressive idealists, and those feeling left out. The Workers' Party may have been condemning the Indian State, but more crucially it took a jab at a fellow communist party. While not all communists are the same, this public rebuke as the Workers' Party, itself, failed with the collapse of North Korea is surprising to many. At the same time it has circumnavigated the traditional ways of parliamentary groups not commenting on foreign affairs. Telling us that it is not any ordinary party and does not seek to conform to the "capitalist pigs" that are "stooges of the bourgeoise".

With plans for a unified Korean election being discussed, the Workers Party will be tested in how it taps into the young and energetic population. Its monopoly on power is shaken and the freedom of all political prisoners brings popular challengers to their traditional areas of strength. For the Millennium Democratic Party being able to break into the North and prove it is a party for all Koreans, not just South Koreans is crucial. The Conservative party has portrayed itself as the guardians of the constitution and that more than ever having them in power is crucial for this transition. All around, the political landscape is being crushed and redrawn by the new voting group, the North Korean people. Will the parties be able to break the ingrained support of the people for their former patrons? The big concern with nearly ten million new voters if a party manipulates the situation for their benefit. The Grand National Party now called the Korean National Party has already raised the alarm that political campaigns will need to be approved for rallies in the North. They have called for a national commission to be established for reunification and transition towards a full multi-party representative democracy in all of Korea. While the Unification Ministry has responded that all options are being considered, but, a plan has already been given to the National Assembly over the plans of the internal ministry transition.

While the Workers' Party has dubbed the Communist Party of India as revisionist and its leader an opportunist hack, the WKP itself is undergoing dramatic shifts. In its own way, it has told the south that there is a way for "peaceful coexistence with the bourgeoise". If India is a case of where it is being "tested" then the Korean Government must learn to avoid the path of the Indian Government. If the Korean Government is to curry favor and incentivize the Workers' Party to be a player in the game, it should join hands in a more forceful condemnation. The Workers' Party has stressed it is fighting for human rights and workers justice, but will it be able to fight itself after decades of brute oppression against the Korean people? The planned elections will show us if the party will be crushed, merely survive, or revive itself as a new party. What is clear is that the Party made a bold statement that it is democratic, willing to engage, and globally responsive.

 

[Jay]

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Pyongyang, Republic of Korea -- President Kim arrived in Pyongyang in his first visit as President to the nation. The President was greeted by a crowd during a walk to the Mayor's Residence in Pyongyang. President Kim has promised to bring elections for the North to elect their own representatives. Following the Unification Treaty, the majority of the Governors and high level officials were brought in from the South under the Operational Plan for Reunification. Security has been maintained by the ROK Army with no official date for a return to civilian authority. Major General Kim Jaewon in charge of ongoing Operations informed the Press that all operations maintain the ethics and standards

North Korean Rights Officials called on the President to end the Military operations and return authority to directly elected officials. President Kim in the meeting affirmed his commitment for a transition soon. Highlighting the operations ongoing efforts to bring medical and food aid to many parts of the country. Korean officials reported that extreme malnutrition has been eliminated under the three month program created by leading dietitians in the South. The program targeted young children and elderly in the first phase and helped incentivize middle-age and adolescents to participate in the labor market with a regular supply of food. Meals regularly consisted of traditional Korean foods with health amenities. The meals were completely based off of local sources with minor imports and prepared inside the North to help create a sustainable economy.

President Kim has been heralded by Koreans for his achievements within the first two years of office. President Kim has spent the past three months coordinating the relief efforts and bringing a transitional plan. Political in-fighting in Seoul has intensified as the political landscape for Korea can be completely altered in the next few months. The opposition has united firmly under their desire for a new bipartisan committee to have special powers for this unprecedented occasion while the ruling party is adamant that the existing institutions must fulfill their mandates accordingly.

The Workers' Party has not given an official position, however, their input can help sway the legislative battle ongoing. The increase of the National Assembly to 400 seats has upset the basis for a majority meaning both parties will have to do that unthinkable and reach a deal with the Workers' Party or risk deadlock. Both sides want a solution for an election to be held, however, a unified national elections are silently a concern. A politically active South could be dominated by a unified North backing the Workers' Party. With the multiple Korean political parties and few Northern parties, some experts worry about this scenario. Others note the hesitancy is based on the popularity of the ruling government for delivering unification. The MDP could be handed a stunning victory and dominate the legislative elections.

No one will benefit from stalling. President Kim invited the leaders of the opposition parties to the Blue House to discuss his proposal on an election. Following talks in Pyongyang in which the President said re-enlighted his spirits, he is determined to move ahead. The President seeks to bring Korea into a proportional-representative system based on the multi-member district approach for major cities and towns. The Grand National Party has proposed a single-member district with a proportional-representative addition for the remainder of streets. The two proposals are built on a political scheme that both sides hope can help establish the other. The Blue House meetings will be impactful in resolving the gridlock. President Kim and his allies are juggling the efforts for reunification, leading the nation, and the international politics around them.

 

[Jay]

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His Imperial Highness Emperor Yi Seok, one of the few remaining royals in Korea from the Joseon dynasty throne which ruled over the country for five centuries, named Crown Prince Yi Gon as his successor on Oct. 6 during a Passing of the Sword ceremony in in Jeonju Korea, the ancestral home of the Yi royal family. Surrounded by his family and Crown Prince Yi Seok's family and friends, as well as Korean dignitaries and foreign representatives of the Empire of Brazil and Kingdom of Poland, Prince Yi Gon swore upon the symbolic sword from Emperor Yi Seok that he "will commit to the values of love, human rights, peace and freedom for humanity to the best of my ability." Yi Seok, 77, is the nephew of Emperor Sunjong, Korea's last monarch, and the son of Yi Kang, the fifth son of Emperor Gojong, the 26th Joseon king.

"As we all understand, we have a sad history in Korea," said Chang Young-dal, Chancellor of Woosuk University, a Jeonju institution. The Korean empire was overtaken by Japanese colonial rule in 1910. "Even though we did have a tragic end to the imperial family's history, today I feel we have a restart, a restoration." The Joseon dynasty, founded in 1392, was known as the Hermit Kingdom for its isolationist policies during its long reign. Notable inventions under its rule include the Korean alphabet Hangul, by King Sejong; the Jobo, the first newspaper in the world; and military weapons, including the bulletproof vest, the time bomb and armored warships.

The Korean Empire and the Royal Family were deposed Japan and subjugated the Korean people to a harsh and brutal four decade colonial experience. Filled with massacres, cultural genocide, and exploitation. The Royal Family was absorbed into Japan with its princesses made sterile and its offsprings murdered by poison. All were an attempt to eradicate the Korean cultural identity.

Crown Prince Yi residing in Seoul had a promising vision for being a positive actor in the ongoing reunification efforts. Alongside Prince Yi Ku who has since returned to Japan, Princess Yi Hae-won who remains in Korea, Prince Yi Won a key figure in the Jeonju Lee Royal Family Association. Soon after Emperor Yi Seok's announcement of his successor, Crown Prince Yi discussed his future plans as monarch with various news outlets. It came as a shock to some royal observers who suspected Yi Ku to be the heir to the throne. The Prince had been in Japan for much of his adult life and mysteriously returned to Imperial Japan the following month. Some suspecting this being the reason for the switch. Emperor Yi Seok has been a feverous defender of Korea's independence and desire to remove all Japanese influences in Korea's royal family and post-colonial identity. Crown Prince Yi sees his role through supporting the Emperor's desire to play a meaningful role in the reunification of the Korean people. As well as advancing the Korean people's cultural power abroad and maintaining traditions within. He also plans to create a free school for any Korean wishing to traditional arts, music, and dance.

 

[Jay]

Korea's opposition has called for an anti-corruption investigation team to inquire into $11 billion dollars in Government Spending earmarked for infrastructure projects in the Northern region for defense sales. In 1996 the former government of President Yong was removed due to an investigation into arms sale mismanagement that revealed a wider ring of corruptive practices. The investigations are aimed at the Blue House and DAPA of the Ministry of National Defense over abusing their budget powers procuring weapons .

This is the first probe by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, or CIO, since its inception following the mass corruption scandals 2 years ago. It was created to investigate allegations involving high-ranking officials or their family members.

Vice Minister Park Chae-min, who oversees the committee on national defense spending at the MoND, is accused of abusing his power by ordering some departments to fast-track purchases without proper review. Officials in the Ministry of Economy and Finance are accused of negligence in budgetary matters. The Chief of Staff in the Blue House is being accused of power abuse by not allowing the Justice Ministry to investigate the accusations prior through an internal reporting mechanism of the Government.

The purchases were made totaling close to $15 billion dollars in unauthorized funding for defense procurement. The National Defense Ministry in a response to our report said that the ROK Armed Forces and its process of procurement are apolitical and do not involve themselves in the political affairs of the country. They added that the Army was investigating accusations that it was politically benefiting and supporting a political party.

Last month, the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea Armed Forces filed a complaint with the Prosecutions Office against Park, saying, “(He) undermined the transparency and fairness of procurement process and overstepped regulatory process for financial dispersement.” The SPO then transferred the case to the CIO, which began its investigation under the charge of abuse of authority after the Opposition led a public inquiry into the matter.

The nation’s Criminal Code defines abuse of authority as when public officials exercise their power to make people do things that are not mandatory or hinder people from exercising their rights. Offenders may result in imprisonment of up to five years or fines of up to 10 million won ($8,930).

Park has continued to deny the allegations. CIO has the authority to file charges against the chief justice, attorney general, prosecutors or judges. It can only investigate presidents, lawmakers, mayors and superintendents, but the decision on whether to indict them lies with the prosecution. If Park is found liable in the investigation, the CIO would have to ask the prosecution to file a formal complaint against him. But should the prosecution reject their request and drops the case, conflicts between the two investigative agencies are inevitable. Even if the prosecution decides to make an indictment, it will take a considerable amount of time before the case is concluded as it would also have to go through the courts.

President Kim's political capitol will be diverted to this matter after he nominated Park in a cabinet-reshuffle of Vice Ministers. The Blue House is also on edge with accusations that the acting-Chief of Staff is implicated. President Kim came with a promise to end corruption, and has been heralded as Korea's Nelson Mandela with his efforts and work. Not only has he brought comprehensive anti-corruption code, he achieved reunification, rearmed the armed forces, and developed the country to a higher level of HDI. However, if deep-rooted corruption is uncovered, the Administration may face the same winds that brought down his Predecessors.

 

[Jay]

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Korea's Deputy Prime Minister resigned Sunday over the government's handling of the financial budget for reconstruction and recovery. Raising questions about the government's ability to cope with crises. In announcing his resignation, Kim Yeon-Suk said he wished to take responsibility for the government's handling of the economic disaster. Many opposition parties are angered over the current outsourced financial funding taken out through foreign financial lenders.

Prime Minister Jo has faced calls to resign and take responsibility for a widening debt crisis in Korea. "There have been so many varieties of irregularities that have continued in every corner of our economic and development sector and as a result we are seeing the impact" a grim-faced Prime Minister Jo said. "I hope these deep-rooted practices get corrected and accountability can be maintained. In my capacity, I will get to the bottom of this with the utmost desires of President Kim to eradicate these bad practices."

Korean media has aggressively targeted the Administration over its handling of the economic growth of Korea. Many now wondering why unification was rushed. Unification Minister Park arrived in the Blue House for what many expect is her resignation. Others relay these issues are not merely because of unification but associated with the Government's lack of skilled personnel. Cutting corners in oversight in its pursuit of rapid economic growth over recent years. Korea's rise in the past year has given it wide acclamation, but covered unhealthy practices.

Opposition Leader Lee has called for an inquiry and accountability, with two members of the Blue House under investigation for corruption. The top executives at Daewoo Defense subsidiaries have been summoned to the SPO for questioning in relations to bribery. National Defense Minister Park has suspended procurement from the company until the preliminary review is complete. Credit and Financial Oversight Chief Lee Ji-sun resigned following the budgetary crisis accepting responsibility for clearing inappropriate financial spending.

 

[Jay]

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Korea’s economy in Q4 of FY 1998 marked the slowest growth pace in over two years, mostly weighed down by the European Financial Crisis and the impact on the Asian Credit Mark. Korea however recovered quickly. Instituting widespread financial negotiations with lenders to provide a cushion and seeking temporary debt relief assistance through international organizations. Into Q1 of FY 1999 Korea is moving quickly to regain lost productivity and GDP growth.

In terms of quantitative value, the government’s 2-percent target has been attained, it fell short of the potential growth rate of 4 percent. The Government dropped currency protection methods which it deemed were inefficient and outdated. Instead, pushing clear budget restrictions, freezes on certain projects, and reorganizing the budget for the remainder of the year. Key investments continued to grow pushing further public spending to avoid a nation-wide crisis.

“The global trade environment was not favorable last year due to the ongoing lack of global trade institutions, and exports remained slow as the expansion of trade cooperation remained slow,” Park Yang-su, director of economic statistics at BOK, said in a press briefing.

Despite the overall market disappointment, Finance Minister Shin Shin-young viewed the country’s economic growth was relatively favorable, given the persisting challenges. “It is significant that we still had growth with the 2 percent, to promote the country’s competitiveness in trade, the country must take more aggressive measures to expand its trade imprint. The growth may have fallen below initial expectations, but will henceforth help our economy gain new momentum.”

Despite the skepticism, Asia did not hit a financial crisis. Avoiding a European crisis, Asia has seen quicker recoveries from the credit issue. All major Asian economies, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand all saw improvement. Largely driven on the back of active fiscal spending, as data showed.

Korea's Finance and SME Ministers are set to meet with Hyundai and other Korean corporations to expand the market access of Korea. Pushing Korea outside of the purely arms driven international procurement and production market, Hyundai is seen as the possible game changer with trade and civilian procurement. It is with high hopes the Government has pushed further investment into Hyundai to help them begin expansion of their business platform and global reach.

 

[Jay]

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JEJU, KOREA - American Vice President Sinclair is expected to arrive soon, and Vice Vietnamese President Nguyen about to board a plane for Jeju, Korean officials completed final touches on a summit that was announced just days before it was set to be hosted. “Security arrangements have been well prepared for, US and Vietnamese officials have arrived prior in outlining their visions, and high-level talks at ministerial levels active”, Korean Vice Minister Chae Song-ha told Korean reporters at a briefing. Foreign journalists and media correspondents have been arriving into the island of the past days to cover the much expected Vietnam-America summit. “We look forward to an open and frank conversation between our guests and for the opening of opportunities for both the great people of Vietnam and America”, the Vice Minister added. The Korean National Police deployed Special Operation Units and Heavily Armored Response teams that patrolled the island’s critical infrastructure ahead of the visit.

The world will be watching as Sinclair and Nguyen meet to discuss an iconic and crucial moment in Asian history. Dealing with the legacy of the Vietnamese war and its impact on Vietnam and the traumatic experience on a generation of Vietnamese and Americans. Restoration of relations between Vietnam and the United States would be a major achievement for both parties. For the Gore administration a major political victory could be scored to showcase the President’s diplomatic skills ahead of a mid-term elections to be expected. The visit would also raise the profile Vice President Sinclair as a major achievement in his time in office. Meanwhile, Vietnamese officials long hoping for economic and development progress through normalization of relations would achieve considerable financial development.

It would also open up the door for the advancement of inter-Asian trade, development, and cooperation with the threat of US corporations pulling out or facing financial threats removed. While many companies including former strategic allies of the US have flocked to Vietnam in pursuit of development and construction contracts, the US embargo largely leaves US companies on the losing side and foreign companies sourcing material from the US at risk at violating US sanctions laws. US President Al Gore will have to weigh the risks of upsetting the large Vietnamese community in key battleground states such as Texas, California, Louisiana, and Florida, while Vietnam’s President will have to contend with possible factional splits over the scale of normalization if any agreement struck downplays the destructive war and its toll on the Vietnamese people.

The ultra-tight security arrangements indicate the seriousness of both parties for a resolution and agreement at the end of the summit. Experts analyzing both sides are relatively inclined to make concessions for much wider goals. Korean officials have raised the security provisions of the island with the deployment of some three hundred police and security personnel. Portions of the island are expected to be temporarily unavailable for the motorcades of the visiting vice leaders. Some residents expressed frustration over the disruption, others were excited for the spectacle.

In a meeting with senior aides in Seoul, Korean President Kim Dae-jung said Monday that the Sinclair-Nguyen talks would be a critical opportunity to achieve long term development and cooperation in Asia. If the Al Gore Administration succeeds in ending one of the remaining relics of US Cold War foreign policy, it will become a great feat recorded in world history.

 

[Jay]

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PYONGYANG, KOREA - Koreans commemorated the 80th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement with large and invigorated commemoration as the nation celebrates its first unified commemoration. Large ceremonies, processions and performances remembering the months of popular uprisings against Japan's colonial rule which started in Seoul on March 1, 1919. About 2 million people participated in the protests across the county and more than 7,500 were killed, according to historians.

The government held its annual national ceremony to mark the anniversary at Tapgol Park in central Seoul, known as the birthplace of the historic movement. President Kim Dae-jung, and former DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-il were attending. The Chairman made his first public appearance since unification.

Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former colonial prison in central Seoul, held its annual Independence Movement Day program, which included plays, marches, hands-on activities and prison tours, and draws about 30,000 visitors. The prison is where many independence fighters, including leaders of the March 1 movement, were detained, tortured and killed. Seoul and Pyongyang will simultaneously hold bell-ringing ceremony in commemoration.

The state-run Independence Hall of Korea has organized a campaign encouraging citizens to post on social media photos of themselves or others raising hands, holding up the national flag and shouting "Hurray! Korean Independence," the slogan of the March 1 resistance movement.

On the 80th, President Kim's speech called for unity and collectively driven progress. Reminding the people of the movements 'testament to [our] people's progress towards justice, humanitarianism, and independence' and 'our longing pains from colonization, war, poverty, and vision'. His speech carried reminders of the need of the Korean people to 'continue cultivation of our ideals, values, and nation as to never again lose to the colonial and militaristic ambitions of Japan'. His speech touched on the desire to build a Korea for 'all future generations to live in peace and harmony in co-existence as one people'. He noted that 'it was a little girl who came to represent our resistance to Japanese colonialism on this day, let us never overlook the impact our children will have in altering the course of our history'.

 

[Jay]

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Work has finished on an 80-story skyscraper in Pyongyang, local media reported on Friday, revealing the large building and newest addition to the Pyongyang skyline. Its construction comes with the widespread economic development of the North as the Korean Government has begun granting numerous projects to local companies to develop the country and region. The building area will house 10,000 families and improve housing opportunities and cost. Pyongyang's rent costs have increased dramatically following reunification leaving many families unable to afford the new competitive wages of Southerners coming in.

The 80-story residential building will offer affordable housing to residents of the Pyongyang special administrative area. The Korean Government has also moved to subsidize housing and offer affordable alternatives to combat the structural issues of Southerners entering Pyongyang. The city was filled with protesters on Wednesday over the issue. Many calling for reforms to ensure that the incrementally increasing wages of the North be protected against the influx of affluent Southerners and foreigners working on projects. A number of Argentinian firms have also sent their employees further driving up prices.

The residential projects are being completed concurrent with the Pyongyang General Hospital which will provide further advanced care and medical facilities for local residents. The facilities are partially operational with hopes of fully being opened to the public to be in late this year.

The Governor of Pyongyang pledged to address the citizens concerns and has held meetings with protest leaders and the central government. The Governor's attention has largely been aimed at a tourist boom to raise the cities funds and advance economic growth. However, global trends have hit the tourist market and leave him scrambling to reorient the project.

 

[Jay]

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Korea's parliament passed its first major piece of legislation this year with the ratification of the Korean-Vietnam Trade Agreement. The Agreement was submitted to the National Assembly last month and following a temporary postponement was approved by the National Assembly. The Workers Party of Korea joined the ruling party in passing the trade agreement. The Korean-Vietnam Trade Agreement came with a massive economic boost to Korea's shipping and automobile industries in a period of global economic slowdown, boosting Korea's exports.

Korea's Trade Minister was in Hanoi for the bilateral summit between Korea and Vietnam followed by a delegation of Worker's Party officials. Foreign Minister Baek's departure to Hanoi comes on the back of this major agreement's passing in Korea. The legislature is yet to be brought to the Vietnamese parliament where Korea hopes the trade agreement can be passed swiftly ahead of Q4.

Trade with Vietnam is a major policy focus for the Kim administration hoping to secure further trade advancements in South East Asia and West Asia. Korea signed the Korean-Saudi Comprehensive Trade Agreement and The Korean-Australian Trade Agreement in 1998 expanding exports to the Asia-Pacific region by 250% to record billions. Meanwhile Korean companies have been stepping up its investment in the region in recent years. In recent months, Korean semiconductor and electronics companies have made plans to outsourced some production processes to countries such as Vietnam while automobiles and parts manufacturers investments have flown into Vietnam.

The Korea-Vietnam agreement is projected to boost trade and investments as it will eliminate tariffs on a large number of goods and services. The Korea-Vietnam agreement also marks the first free trade agreement between Asian countries over the past year representing Asia's two largest economies.Now, eyes look to Vietnam's parliament which is set to reconvene in the following days and what the agenda will include.

 

[Jay]

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The Korean Democratic Party pushes ahead with its primaries scheduled for September of this year as the Party prepares for an expected breakthrough in an agreed election formula for a unified 2000 election. Political Parties convened again in Seoul after a series of talks failed the previous month. The Democratic Party will have to find a strong leader to carry on the widely acclaimed achievements of President Kim who oversaw the projection of Korea into global power and the unification of the Peninsula.

Many look to National Security Director Moon Jae-In as a possible contender for the spot, meanwhile Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung has signaled his intention to run in March of 2000. Speculations have arisen if Foreign Minister Baek Jeong-hee will run for the nation's top position. Their victory will also come with the power to define the parties platform for the concurrent parliamentary elections scheduled for that year.

The Workers Party of Korea during the Seoul talks indicated that their party will select a nominee once a final arrangement is made on the electoral system. Meanwhile other parties have begun plans for an early primary with all eyes looking to the Grand National Party which was hit with another wave of infighting as the parties floor leaders gear for opposing bids. Park Geun-hye is widely favored for a victory in the conservative camp, has yet to announce her candidacy. Na Jyun-hye and Lee Myung-bak have announced their competing bids for the nominee which will be decided by an internal party selection.

The Millennium Democratic Party is likewise fatally looking for in-fighting with Moon Jae-In and Lee Jae-myung's shadowed by the well expected entry of Prime Minister Jo Jae-Hyuk. Jo Jae-hyuk is appealing to party members as a candidate no moral flaws, whereby controversy over a special pass for Moon Jae-in's son to visit North Korea have hit the national security director. “Many people are angry over the nepotism in the Blue House. We think that the Prime Ministe will thoroughly dig into the corruption and punish anyone involved according to the law as he has done in the past,” a party member said.

Lee Jae-Myung has also been criticized for a promoted housing site development project worth 1.15 trillion won ($976 million) when he was elect as Governor. The controversy centers on the involvement of a Park, which was selected as the preferred consortium for the project, and Hwacheon Daeyu, a dubious company that participated with a 1 percent stake, a capital of 50 million won.

Gov. Lee is still a solid candidate to win the party primary. Should a heavy contender from the State cabinet enter, it could cause internal friction and damage the prospects of a single unified candidate. President Kim has remained silent on the parties future trajectory. Still, the Millennium Democratic Party is expected to dominate the next election with concerns the power of the party has grown too strong for a country still very conservative. The Grand National Party and Workers Party must come with effective platforms to combat the Party which achieved unification and national progress. With an economy buckling over recent policies and income inequality rising, space for the Workers Party to tap into public dissatisfaction is opened. With a party conference scheduled after this week, eyes are on what will be the first free and competitive election for a Unified Korea.

 

[Jay]

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The nominees of both the ruling and opposition camps are targeting young voters, aware that lack of support from this demographic presents major challenges for their campaigns. Over the weekend, National Security Advisor Moon Jae-in visited Pyongyang in a bid to target northern voters expected to participate in the upcoming primary for leadership of the party and potentially presidential candidate.

After Park was picked as the party’s leader nominee, some of its younger members, mainly those who supported Rep. Lee Myung-bak, have been discussing whether to cancel their party membership. They say Lee lost because Park received overwhelming support from party members for her fathers credentials and that her victory has dashed their hopes of reforming the conservative bloc. "From meeting candidate Park several times recently, I felt that her political perspective definitely has appeal to younger generations as well." Party Chairman Lee said to the press.

On Thursday, a day before the Korean Workers Party announced its intentions to not run in Presidential elections, poll showed that 12 percent of voters would vote for the Party. Instead, the Party is expected to work on parliamentary elections. The Party is still expected to field a challenger, however, no formal announcement has been made with the Party's General Secretary ruling himself out. Instead outlining his priorities to address workers issues and abuses in the capitalist system. The General Secretary added "If this was a matter to be resolved quickly, we would not be a party of the people, we will represent the people's issues comprehensively and focus on winning seats to advance the causes of the Korean worker," the General Secretary said. The General Secretary acknowledged,"There are a lot more in the party who are knowledgeable and capable to spearhead our project, and my goal is to help guide the Worker's Party and stay true to its mission, inspiring a new generation of Koreans to pick up the mantel of representation of the proletariat."

President Kim and his closest advisors are at the moment working to decide who they will back in the progressive camp's arena as infighting hit the movement. Anger has slowly surged in the party and rurmors of Finance Minister Shin Shinyoung's entry were pushed back by fierce critics of the Finance Minister's failures. Foreign Minister Baek has likewise came under extreme scrutiny for geopolitical failures and not achieving more rapid success on multiple outreach fronts. Leaks of neglect of key diplomatic missions and posts as well as dilapidated bilateral relations have hurt the Foreign Minister.

Polls have indicated that voters are looking at Lee Jae-myung’s as a viable candidate with a proposed UBI and economic shake up plan that would uplift oligarchical structures. As he and his campaign already entered full "election mode" last week, launching the largest-ever election committee in the Democratic Party’s history, Lee Jae-myung has been spending much of his time meeting with young voters and making promises in response to their concerns. He has emphasized expanding state-run welfare programs with additions such as universal basic income, which would mainly affect young voters concerned about unemployment and lack of opportunities to advance their careers after college.

"If radical solutions is needed to save youth devoid of hope, I will gladly do whatever it takes, even if that requires populism," Lee Jae-myung said in a Facebook post Sunday while sharing a story about a 22-year-old man who took his own life due to the financial struggle of caring for his incapacitated father. Lee Jae-myung has put forth a vision to supply large quantities of long-term public rental homes as an affordable housing option, mainly for young voters who have lost hope of buying their own homes due to skyrocketing housing prices. "I am preparing a large-scale public housing supply project that is unimaginable to our common senses," Lee Jae-myung said at a meeting with young voters Saturday. "Younger generations, the most vulnerable group of people in our society, will be prioritized in supplying these homes." Moon Jae-in is expected to unveil his program as favors shift to Lee Jae-myung. Prime Minister Jo Jae-hyuk has yet to make any moves and is widely expected to not participate, dashing hopes for the much more cross-sectional support base for the Prime Minister will help the Democratic Party into victory.