Seoul claims progress in wartime command transfer talk with US SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - Seoul claims it has made substantial strides in latest round of negotiation with Washington on the transfer of U.S. wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea. The 27th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), a regular consultative meeting between the two defense ministries, was held in Seoul on Sept. 23-24, in which, the ministry said that the two have made "significant progress" toward meeting the conditions for the transfer, a campaign promise of President Lee Jae Myung to complete within his five-year term. Wartime operational control determines who commands the combined military force if a war breaks out. A change is seen as more than a military procedure. It is widely viewed as a matter of national sovereignty, who ultimately commands the South Korean military in a crisis. South Korea remains one of the few countries whose wartime command authority lies with another nation. The arrangement dates back to 1950, when then-President Rhee Syng-man handed command authority to the U.S.-led UN Command at the outbreak of the Korean War. Peacetime control was restored in 1994, but wartime control has remained in U.S. hands. "Back in the 1950s, South Korea depended on U.S. support for survival, but today the country has the strength to defend itself," said Shin Seung-ki, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). Under the bilateral agreement, the handover is tied to three conditions: South Korea has to demonstrate the military capability to lead the alliance, the two sides have to jointly respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, and the regional security environment on the peninsula has to be stable enough to support the change. Progress is reviewed in stages. Seoul has already cleared the initial assessment and is now in the full operational capability stage, with one final review left before the full handover. Experts are divided on Korea's readiness. Some think Seoul still relies heavily on U.S. intelligence and surveillance to counter North Korea's advancing nuclear arsenal, while others believe South Korea's military has advanced far beyond what it was in the past, according to Shin. President Lee has made OPCON transfer as a core national agenda, vowing to strengthen defense posture while maintaining a robust alliance with the U.S. His timing may be favorable, as U.S. President Donald Trump has called allies to take on more security responsibilities. But the U.S.'s stance is unclear. While Seoul's defense ministry highlighted "significant progress" in its summary of the KIDD meeting, the phrase was absent from the joint press release with Washington. This has prompted speculation about differences in perception, though officials insist it simply reflected brevity, not disagreement. The debate over wartime command has stretched for decades. In 2006, the Roh Moo-hyun administration agreed with the Bush administration to complete the transfer by 2012. The timeline was later delayed by the Lee Myung-bak government to 2015, and then the Park Geun-hye administration eventually shifted to a conditions-based approach rather than setting a fixed timeline – an approach that has continued ever since. 2025-09-25 15:58:23

How Lee's new North Korea initiative differs from previous approaches SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung outlined a new phased approach to North Korea's denuclearization during a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Dubbed the "END" initiative, it reflects his vision for easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula through exchange, normalization, and denuclearization. "We must end the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula," said Lee, stressing that "exchange and cooperation" are the fastest path to peace. He pledged to gradually expand inter-Korean exchanges, support efforts to normalize Pyongyang's standing in the international community, and pursue a three-step denuclearization process: halting, reducing, and dismantling nuclear weapons programs. Lee also emphasized that South Korea will not seek reunification by absorbing one side in any form and has no intention of engaging in hostile acts. The remarks appeared to respond to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's speech last Sunday, in which he said reunification between the two Koreas can "never be achieved unless one of them ceases to exist," accusing Seoul of pursuing reunification by trying to absorb the North. Lee's initiative reflects a shift from former President Moon Jae-in's, whose administration pursued an engagement policy toward North Korea under his "driver's seat" principle, placing South Korea at the forefront of inter-Korean relations. But the situation has now completely changed, as Pyongyang has rejected talks with Seoul, leaving the South little room to play such a role. For this reason, Lee may want to play a role as a "mediator" in negotiations with North Korea, as he asked Trump to act as a "peacemaker" while positioning himself as the "pacemaker" during his first bilateral meeting with the U.S. leader in Washington late last month. Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AJP on Wednesday that Moon's policy was based on the premise that South Korea could take the lead in resolving North Korea-related issues. But with Pyongyang now refusing to engage with Seoul at all, Cho said the Lee administration's main shift is to "accept reality, focus on managing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and look for a breakthrough in U.S.-North Korea relations." But questions still remain over how feasible Lee's initiative will be. North Korea has stipulated its status as a nuclear power in its constitution and has shown little interest in dialogue with Seoul, making near-term progress on denuclearization unlikely. Cho added that Lee appeared to adjust his priorities through his phased, gradual approach without abandoning the ultimate goal of North Korea’s complete denuclearization, reflecting his pragmatic diplomatic strategy. Regarding Lee's remarks vowing to "restore trust between the two Koreas," Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, pointed out that Pyongyang's refusal to talk with the South is "not about trust." He added that North Korea has made clear it will never give up its nuclear weapons. "As long as Seoul clings to a policy the North will never accept, prospects for inter-Korean dialogue remain very slim." 2025-09-24 16:43:02

Can upcoming APEC summit offer breakthrough in inter-Korean relations with Xi and Trump in attendance? Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrive at a state reception in Beijing on Sept. 3, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of China's "Victory Day." TASS-Yonhap SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - With Chinese President Xi Jinping set to visit South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit late next month, experts are speculating on a possible breakthrough in inter-Korean relations. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's upcoming meeting with Xi will, in particular, test his diplomatic skills amid a complex geopolitical landscape, as Beijing restored relations with its traditional ally following the isolated country's deepening military ties with Russia. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended China's large-scale military parade in Beijing early this month, where he appeared alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first time in 66 years that the leaders of the three countries, historically linked by Cold War-era ties, shared the same stage. Shortly after, Xi sent a congratulatory message to mark North Korea's 77th founding anniversary on Sept. 9, and Kim replied with a letter on Sunday, reaffirming his country's commitment to stronger ties with China. Kim and Xi met several times between 2018 and 2019, but they became somewhat alienated when the coronavirus pandemic began in early 2020, while North Korea deepened its military ties with Russia. Beijing, which had kept a cautious distance from the heavily sanctioned regime, now appears to be regaining momentum in bilateral relations, with the two leader’s meeting in Beijing for the first time in more than six years. Now, all eyes around the world are expected to be on South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju, where the multilateral gathering scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 is expected to present historic moments, with the attendance of not only Xi but also U.S. President Donald Trump. A bilateral summit between Xi and Trump is highly likely, though it has yet to be confirmed, leaving the prospect of diplomacy between the world's two major powers hanging over the gathering. For Beijing, closer ties with Pyongyang would give it an upper hand in talks with Washington. "North Korea–related issues hold strategic importance amid intensifying rivalry between the world's two powers," Jun Byoung-kon, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AJP on Tuesday. He added that if dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang resumes, China might want to leverage its ties with Pyongyang to avoid being sidelined in North Korea–related negotiations with the U.S. With complex challenges lying ahead for Seoul amid global power politics, renewed ties between Beijing and Pyongyang could further weaken UN sanctions and complicate inter-Korean dialogue. Jun said South Korea's role has become "much more difficult, far more complex," but argued that Seoul could still act as a mediator between Beijing and Washington. Lee Dong Gyu, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said that while Seoul cannot directly shape Washington's talks with the North, it would be able to "create conditions" for dialogue between Washington and Beijing. 2025-09-23 18:02:03

Seoul ready to play the mediator, but uninvited by NK and US SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung offers to act as a mediator between the United States and North Korea in hopes to relive the historic scene of the leaders of two Koreas and U.S. standing side by side on Korean soil during the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju. In an interview with the BBC released Monday, Lee said he would accept a deal between Washington and Pyongyang under which North Korea freezes its nuclear weapons program, calling it a "feasible, realistic alternative." He noted that the North is believed to be producing 15 to 20 additional nuclear weapons a year, making a freeze an urgent interim step. "So long as we do not give up on the long-term goal of denuclearization, I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development," Lee said. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un hardly agrees and has no intention of involving the South in any negotiations related to its nuclear program. "We will not sit face to face with South Korea, nor do anything together with it," Kim in a speech to the Supreme People’s Assembly on Sunday, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the following day. He continued to address South Korea as a "colonial state" of the U.S., describing it as a distorted and dependent country that has become Americanized and fundamentally different from the North. On the other hand, Kim bore "good personal memories" of U.S. President Donald Trump and suggested he could meet him again if Washington dropped what he called the "delusion" of denuclearization. The reconciliatory tone from Pyongyang arrives as Trump is expected to visit South Korea for an APEC summit, which also brings Chinese President Xi Jinping, raising speculation about North’s Kim joining the high-profile meeting in late October. Trump likewise shares fond memory with the autocratic leader of North Korea. In 2018, then-President Moon Jae-in held three summits with Kim – twice at Panmunjom and once in Pyongyang – helping pave the way for Kim's historic meetings with Trump in Singapore and Hanoi. Moon even joined Trump and Kim at Panmunjom in 2019 for an unprecedented three-way handshake. The question now is whether Lee can attempt a similar role, even as Kim pointedly rejects dialogue with Seoul. Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, said the chance of inter-Korean dialogue is “very slim,” pointing out that Pyongyang now feels less isolated and believes Trump has already recognized it as a nuclear power. "The North today maintains closer ties with Russia than ever and has restored its relationship with China," he said. "This makes it highly unlikely that the North will accept even a freeze." Meanwhile, Lee departed for New York on Monday to attend the United Nations General Assembly, his first since taking office. Accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye Kyung, his five-day trip includes meetings with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and U.S. lawmakers. He will deliver a keynote speech on Tuesday, chair a UN Security Council debate the following day, the first for a South Korean president, and wrap up his visit on Thursday with an investment summit before returning home. 2025-09-22 18:11:44

South Korean army blends fun and firepower in Ground Forces show SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Military bands struck up "Golden," the chart-topping theme from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, as tanks stood in long rows and children darted between armored corridors. Overhead, parachutists trailed colored smoke. South Korea, still technically at war with North Korea, is now among the world's leading defense exporter. Yet when the Army opened its annual Ground Forces Festival at Gyeryongdae airfield, it made sure the awe was mixed with fun. A total of 39 weapons systems were on display — from the K2 main battle tank and the K9 self-propelled howitzer to the Surion utility helicopter — alongside U.S. equipment including the Patriot missile system. Now in its 21st year, the five-day festival features 57 programs ranging from combined-arms drills to exhibitions of South Korean and U.S. platforms. The Army stressed the event's dual role as both a showcase of military strength and a chance to connect with the public. Attendance has surged in recent years, topping 1 million annually; last year's edition drew 1.14 million, according to the Army. "The most popular platform here is the Surion helicopter," an Army official said. "This festival is meant to let people really experience the Army. On Saturday, four civilians chosen through a competitive process will get to ride in the co-pilot’s seat, including a 60-year-old participant." The parade blended hardware with cultural flair. Soldiers in traditional dress performed Korean music, taekwondo teams drew applause, and troops in fatigues danced to K-pop hits. Families posed for photos beside tanks, the elderly leaned on canes to watch the march, and foreign tourists mingled with the crowd. Combat demonstrations drew the loudest cheers: helicopters thundered in low, drones hovered overhead, and tanks advanced as parachutists drifted down in plumes of colored smoke — a display of how modern platforms and digital tools integrate to detect, target, and neutralize threats. "The live demonstrations were the best part. You never get to see that up close in daily life," said Lee Hye-jun, 27, from Pyeongtaek. Another visitor, Lee Young-jun, 29, a military enthusiast who completed his service nine years ago, said the festival softened the military's image. "Soldiers often seem stiff and intimidating, but here they were approachable and very friendly," he said. "It may sound political, but after the martial law last year, the Special Forces carried a negative image. Seeing them here reminded me they're still the ones protecting the people, and I appreciated that," he added, referring to the Dec. 3, 2024 deployment of Special Forces under government orders. For the Army, such sentiments underscored the deeper purpose of the festival: building trust and forging a sense of connection with the people it serves. 2025-09-19 17:50:38

Resolving visa issues is critical for Korea to act out U.S. investment: FM Cho SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - Resolving visa issues is critical for South Korean companies to press forward with their various multi-billion-dollar projects in the United States, Korean foreign minister emphasized Friday. Although visa issues are not a formal precondition for Korean investment in the U.S., foreign minister Cho said they are "an extremely important matter" that should be resolved before major projects move forward. "Protecting our nationals and investigating any infringement of their rights is our duty," Cho told foreign correspondents in Seoul during a press briefing. The government is also reviewing the week-long detention of Korean workers in Georgia and is closely working with Washington to devise a safe, lasting visa arrangement to ensure smooth business travel and exchanges, he said, adding that the incident won't affect bilateral relationship. "I'm not concerned about re-rise of anti-Americanism sentiment," he said. Earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out a mass raid at a Hyundai Motor–LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia, leading to the arrest of 475 people, most of them Korean. More than 300 were released and returned home after a week in detention, with many complaining of unfair treatment. Cho, who traveled to the United States to secure the release and departure of Korean citizens, said he reached an agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to establish a working group to explore long-term solutions. Options include creating a new visa category, negotiating a bilateral visa agreement, or setting up a special visa desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to assist business travelers. Cho elaborated on the new administration’s early diplomatic initiatives, pointing to closer cooperation with the U.S., restored shuttle diplomacy with Japan, deepening ties with China and continued dialogue with Russia. 2025-09-19 15:54:28

Georgia raid may foil Korean investment and ties: US senator SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Despite the stream of damage-control statements from Washington, the recent massive immigration raid at a South Korean battery plant in Georgia has rattled economic cooperation and investment prospects with Seoul, argued a U.S. Democratic senator. Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing Maryland, said in an e-mail interview with AJP on Tuesday that the Georgia raid threatened "our strong relationship with South Korea and the prospect of future investments" in U.S. domestic manufacturing. The lawmaker added that Trump's immigration policy "clearly isn't focused on 'the worst of the worst,' or any sort of targeted approach" that America could support. The raid exposed “broken immigration system and the need for sane, fair immigration policies that keep our communities safe and support economic opportunity." "Trump has done nothing to achieve those goals,” he added. The surprise crackdown on the Georgia facility under construction by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution led to arrests and a weeklong detention of 475 workers, mostly hired by the top Korean battery maker. The incident has unsettled Korean businesses that have poured billions of dollars into U.S. projects spanning from batteries and semiconductors to shipbuilding and automobiles. Some are reviewing potential risks and alternative sites such as Mexico or Canada. The operation of the Georgia EV battery plant is expected to be delayed to 2026 instead of 2025 due to a hiccup in the construction process. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, in the press conference marking his 100th day in office, mused that the incident could have "a significant impact on future direct investment in the U.S. under the current circumstances, our companies may be very reluctant to expand their investments in America," he said. Seoul has taken a cautious stance in signing a trade deal with Washington, even as the U.S. warned that the tariff rate on Korean imports could be spiked to 25 percent instead of 15 percent in the aftermath of the Georgia raid. It was the largest single-site workplace raid in U.S. history conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Following government-led negotiations between Seoul and Washington, the 317 South Koreans were released after a week in detention. One individual chose to remain in the U.S. for family reasons, while the rest returned home last Friday on a chartered flight. Those who returned have alleged human rights violations during their detention. A detainee’s diary described how they were denied Miranda rights and due process. Some were reportedly carrying business visas, which allow temporary stays for training or equipment setup, raising questions about whether the arrests were justified. South Korea's presidential office said Monday the government, together with the companies employing the detainees, is conducting a closer review of whether the rights of its citizens were violated. Trump appeared to indirectly address the controversy raid on Sunday on social media platform Truth Social, writing he did not want to "frighten off or disincentivize investment into America by outside countries or companies." He added that foreign firms bringing complex projects to the U.S. should be able to bring in experts temporarily "to teach and train our people" before returning home. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also expressed "deep regret" over the detentions and pledged steps to prevent a repeat. He emphasized that those released would face no penalties when reentering the U.S. Based on the allegations of mistreatment, some returnees are now considering taking legal action against U.S. immigration authorities for what they called unlawful detention procedures and excessive force. According to Han Jeong-ae, a lawmaker with South Korea's Democratic Party, of the 317 nationals detained, 170 had entered on ESTA travel waivers, 146 on B-1 or B-2 visas, and one held an employment authorization document (EAD). 2025-09-17 16:23:50

Z-gen South Korean chaebol heirs embrace paths once off-limits SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - The Generation Z heirs and heiresses of South Korea’s powerful chaebol families are breaking out of their traditionally cloistered worlds, venturing into public spheres once considered off-limits — from serving in the military to debuting as entertainers. For decades, children of Korea’s leading business dynasties largely stayed in the shadows and confined to their own insulated world. Their lives typically revolved around elite overseas education, discreet apprenticeships within family-run conglomerates, and carefully orchestrated public appearances. The prevailing image was one of privilege and distance, with heirs growing up behind the protective walls of wealth. But Millennials and Generation Z are reshaping the script. Influenced by global culture, social media, and heightened visibility, they are increasingly willing to craft their own identities in public view — whether through national service or participation in the entertainment industry. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jay Y.’s 24-year-old son, Lee Ji-ho, began basic officer training on Monday. After 11 weeks, he will be commissioned as a Navy second lieutenant and serve 39 months as an interpreter officer. He renounced his U.S. citizenship to fulfill his duty in Korea, a rare step away from the elite and lofty stigma long tied to chaebol heirs. Chey Min-jung, daughter of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, also chose a naval officer’s path, unusual for a woman from a top business family. Others have ventured into a field once derided in conservative Korean society as frivolous or unbecoming of business royalty: entertainment. The word “ddandda-ra,” a pejorative slang for entertainer, long symbolized that stigma. Moon Seo-yoon, daughter of Shinsegae President Chung Yoo-kyung, debuted in June as Annie, a member of the co-ed idol group All Day Project. Lee Seung-joo, son of NAVER founder Lee Hae-jin, has built a career as singer-songwriter Loren. Ham Yeon-ji, daughter of Ottogi Chairman Ham Young-joon, is active as a musical actress and YouTuber. These moves reflect more than personal ambition. They illustrate how the younger generation of chaebol scions expresses identity more openly, challenging old norms of distance and exclusivity. Kenneth Chi Ho Kim, professor at Hanyang University ERICA, said media attention on chaebol offspring may begin with their family name but cannot last without substance. “Family ties may spark initial buzz, but without individual performance that attention can quickly fade or even turn negative,” he said. Moon’s debut, for instance, has drawn mixed reactions, with critics questioning whether her family background gave her an unfair platform. On the broader implications, Kim noted that such backgrounds can still add to the diversity of popular culture. “It shouldn’t matter whether someone comes from a wealthy or humble background. When people from different walks of life participate, popular culture becomes more dynamic and meaningful,” he said. 2025-09-16 16:30:52

North Korea vows nuclear weapons program to remain 'irreversible' SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - North Korean state media on Monday condemned Washington for infringing on the country's sovereignty, citing a statement from its permanent mission to the U.N. in Vienna, where it reiterated that its status as a nuclear weapons state is "irreversible" under its constitution and vowed to "thoroughly oppose and reject" any attempt to change it. "We strongly denounce and reject the U.S. provocative act of revealing once again its invariable hostile intention against while openly interfering in its internal affairs and infringing upon its sovereignty," the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. It also claimed that the U.S.' repeated calls for denuclearization amounted to a "grave political provocation" and showed that the U.S. had "no intention to coexist" with the North. The statement, in which Pyongyang claimed that its nuclear arsenal is an "inevitable option" to counter what it called Washington's "persistent nuclear threat," came at a recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors in Vienna, shortly after the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to the "complete denuclearization of North Korea." North Korea also insisted that the IAEA has "no legal right or moral justification to interfere in the internal affairs" of the country, which it says lies outside the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said North Korea appears to be justifying its nuclear development by leveraging closer ties with Russia while restoring its relationship with China following its leader Kim Jong-un's recent visit to Beijing. "By strengthening ties with its traditional allies of Russia and China, Pyongyang aims to justify its nuclear weapons program and resist international pressure for denuclearization," he said. "It could also be a signal that Pyongyang will not engage in talks if denuclearization is on the agenda," he added. Meanwhile, Kim's powerful sister, Yo-jong, warned the previous day that South Korea's joint military exercises with Japan and the U.S. would bring "bad results," calling them a "reckless show of force." The annual exercise, which began Monday, runs until Friday. 2025-09-15 16:53:35

Top US trade official urges South Korean workers to obtain proper visas after Georgia raid SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - After last week's immigration crackdown in Georgia that detained hundreds of Souh Koreans allegedly working without valid permits, the U.S. top trade official stressed the need to secure proper visas for employment, while senators promised to come up with legislative measures to prevent similar incidents. While welcoming the massive investment plans and projects of South Korean businesses including automaker Hyundai Motor Group, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick emphasized that their workers should obtain valid employment visas. "They should get the proper visa for their workers..... get a work visa," Axios quoted Lutnick as saying in an interview on Thursday. "What they did was they came in on tourist visas and then they just working." However, his comments appeared to overlook that some of those detained were holding B-1 business visas, which allow temporary stays for assignments such as training and equipment setup. When asked whether such an immigration raid might affect Washington's bid to attract foreign investment, Lutnick replied, "No," adding that he could help them "get the right visa.” He further explained that the "old way" would no longer be tolerated and that U.S. President Donald Trump "wants it done correctly. You can't skirt the rules anymore." Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who rushed to Washington immediately after the incident, has been busy meeting with U.S officials including senators Andy Kim, Bill Hagerty, and Todd Young. During their discussion, Cho apparently emphasized that protecting the affected workers would be crucial for South Korean companies to conduct their U.S. projects without disruption. He proposed forming a "working group" to consider a new type of visa that would ensure smoother business operations. The senators reportedly agreed that the incident should not undermine bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Last week, U.S. immigration authorities detained over 300 South Koreans, accusing them of allegedly working at a construction site in Folkston, Geogia without valid work permits. It was the largest single-site workplace raid in U.S. history by the Department of Homeland Security. AJP has contacted U.S. immigration and visa-related agencies to inquire about these workers' visa status but has not yet received a reply as of Friday. 2025-09-12 15:50:04