By Chun In-bum
Chun In-bum
Reports from Europe and Ukraine say that more and more North Korea-made ammunition is being discovered on the battlefield. The shrapnel identified as rockets and missiles include the infamous KN-23 ballistic missile. Although it's hard to verify, it is also being reported that approximately 20 percent of the ammunition being fired againstUkraine is of North Korean origin.
To further elaborate on the situation's complexities, it's essential to understand the strategic calculations behind North Korea's recent maneuvers. The use of North Korea-made ammunition in conflict zones, particularly in Ukraine, underscores Pyongyang's intent to circumvent international sanctions and foster a revenue stream through arms sales. This not only aids the Kim regime in sustaining its economy but also in acquiring foreign technologies that could significantly advance its military capabilities. The partnership with Russia, seemingly strengthened in the face of geopolitical tensions, provides North Korea with a powerful ally capable of supporting its ambitions on the global stage.
Meanwhile, making threats has now become a policy for North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) no longer identifies South Koreans as Korean. This is significant because, despite a civil war and ideological differences, the North Korean leadership justified its claims to the South because it wanted to liberate the "people" from imperialism and capitalism.
At first glance, it seemed North Korea was relinquishing its desire to unify Korea on its own terms, but further statements seem to advocate that the South Koreans are no longer worthy of being considered Korean and are entities to be despised and marginalized. Kim Jong-un has designated the Republic of Korea as the DPRK's main enemy and charged his military to prepare to defend the nation and, in case of an emergency, be prepared to occupy and pacify the South.
The alarming shift in North Korea's policy toward South Korea, as articulated by Kim Jong-un, represents a dangerous escalation in rhetoric that could destabilize the already volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula. By renouncing the shared ethnic and cultural identity with South Koreans, Kim Jong-un is not only redefining the North's ideological stance but is also attempting to rally domestic support by creating an external enemy. This strategy, however, risks further isolating North Korea internationally and exacerbating tensions with both South Korea and its global allies.
Strengthened by an improved relationship with Russia, Kim Jong-un can now exercise more flexibility in its dealings with China. Exports of weapons will bring not only monetary revenue but also technology transfers from the Russians. It will also provide North Korea with valuable feedback on the actual employment of their weapons in battlefield conditions. This will bring important improvements to North Korean weapons that will make them more capable and more threatening to the free world.
Although the North is not capable of conducting a full-scale war at the moment, it seems logical that all this rhetoric is an attempt to prepare the North Korean military to do exactly that in the near future. Armed with nuclear weapons and on the verge of obtaining the capability to strike the continental United States, Kim will undoubtedly attempt to extort concessions from unsuspecting South Korean liberals and isolationists in America.
South Korea and the U.S. must now re-evaluate their security policies. Is the South Korean three-axis system for deterrence of North Korean nuclear weapons still viable? Is the Nuclear Consultative Group sufficient to counter the North Korean threat, or is it there to pacify South Korea? Should South Korea have its own nuclear capability, and would it solve its security concerns? These are just some of the questions for the nuclear debate.
North Korea must understand that there is no seam between the Republic of Korea and the United States alliance. In order to achieve this, South Korea must have a unified voice that is based on the understanding and support of its people. With this voice South Korea must dialogue with the United States and form a common understanding of the problem and an agreed path to a solution. This cooperation can not reach its full potential without Japan as a partner. Koreans and Japanese must realize the seriousness of the challenge they face for North Korea and its allies.
Finally, it is important that North Korea understands that South Korean patience has expired. Another direct provocation, such as an artillery attack or a drone incursion, would bring war and devastation to the Korean Peninsula.
In conclusion, the current developments on the Korean Peninsula and beyond demand a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the strategic dynamics at play. Only through a concerted international effort, grounded in a robust alliance and a clear-eyed assessment of the threats posed by North Korea, can stability be maintained and peace be pursued. The stakes are high, and the time for decisive action is now.
Chun In-bum (truechun@naver.com) served as a lieutenant general of the ROK Army and commander of Special Forces Korea.
Time for decisive action to tackle North Korea issue
24
1
26.02.2024
By Chun In-bum Chun In-bum
Reports from Europe and Ukraine say that more and more North Korea-made ammunition is being discovered on the battlefield. The shrapnel identified as rockets and missiles include the infamous KN-23 ballistic missile. Although it's hard to verify, it is also being reported that approximately 20 percent of the ammunition being fired againstUkraine is of North Korean origin.
To further elaborate on the situation's complexities, it's essential to understand the strategic calculations behind North Korea's recent maneuvers. The use of North Korea-made ammunition in conflict zones, particularly in Ukraine, underscores Pyongyang's intent to circumvent international sanctions and foster a revenue stream through arms sales. This not only aids the Kim regime in sustaining its economy but also in acquiring foreign technologies that could significantly advance its military capabilities. The partnership with Russia, seemingly strengthened in the face of geopolitical tensions, provides North Korea with a powerful ally capable of supporting its ambitions on the global stage.
Meanwhile, making threats has now become a policy for North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) no longer identifies South Koreans as Korean. This........
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