At midnight on July 27, 1953 – 65 years ago to the day – an eerie silence, one unheard for three hideous years, descended over Korea. The guns had ceased to fire. An armistice had taken effect. For soldiers from China and from the US-led UN forces, there was relief that this away-from-home, “limited” war, so costly in blood and gold, had finally burned out. But for the combatants whose divided land the conflict had cratered, it was a war without victors. The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, who had ignited the carnage with his June 1950 invasion of the South, paid a colossal price: His country was a wasteland, devastated by aerial bombardment. South Korean leader Rhee Syngman acted to undermine, and furiously refused to sign, an armistice that left Korea divided. His consolation was a subsequent security alliance with the United States. To this day, no peace treaty to replace that armistice … [Read more...] about Korean War: How South Korea (and America) won the peace
North korea vs south korea
North Korea ‘military reshuffle’ raises eyebrows in Seoul
SEOUL: South Korea is monitoring developments in the North's armed forces, it said Monday after reports Pyongyang replaced three of its top military officials ahead of a summit with the United States. President Donald Trump is due to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore, with Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal high on the agenda. Reports said the reshuffle could be aimed at eliminating resistance to the peace overtures. Pyongyang's armed forces, known as the Korean People's Army, are immensely influential in the North and a centre of power in their own right, symbolised by the way Kim is habitually flanked by generals on one side and civilians on the other when attending major ceremonial events. Late last month the North's state media revealed that Kim Su Gil had been appointed director of the military's powerful General Political Bureau (GPB), replacing Kim Jong Gak. According to Yonhap news agency, which cited intelligence sources, the chief of the general … [Read more...] about North Korea ‘military reshuffle’ raises eyebrows in Seoul
A new era of diplomatic relations with North Korea is on the horizon — here’s what’s happened so far
caption President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands during a meeting at South Korea’s presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, November 7, 2017. source REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Following North Korea’s overtures of reconciliation beginning in January, the regime has made several diplomatic moves to indicate it is willing to resume talks between the US and neighboring South Korea. After sending a delegation of athletes and members of the ruling family to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, North Korea has made significant strides in thawing relations – though some political observers remain skeptical of the regime’s motives. Here are the latest developments between the US, South Korea, and North Korea: During her trip to South Korea, Kim Yo Jong — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister — delivered a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The letter indicated a willingness to foster … [Read more...] about A new era of diplomatic relations with North Korea is on the horizon — here’s what’s happened so far
A new era of diplomatic relations with North Korea could be on the horizon — here’s what’s happened so far
caption President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands during a meeting at South Korea’s presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, November 7, 2017. source REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Following North Korea’s overtures of reconciliation beginning in January, the regime has made several diplomatic moves to indicate it is willing to resume talks between the US and neighboring South Korea. After sending a delegation of athletes and members of the ruling family to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, North Korea has made significant strides in thawing relations – though some political observers remain skeptical of the regime’s motives. Here are the latest developments between the US, South Korea, and North Korea: During her trip to South Korea, Kim Yo Jong — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister — delivered a letter to South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The letter indicated a willingness to foster … [Read more...] about A new era of diplomatic relations with North Korea could be on the horizon — here’s what’s happened so far
Trump slaps ‘heaviest’ sanctions vs NKorea
WASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump has rolled out fresh sanctions against North Korea-linked shipping assets, hailing the package as the “heaviest sanctions ever” levied on the Pyongyang regime. Trump used a speech to conservatives just outside Washington to step up his campaign of “maximum pressure” designed to force North Korea to roll back its weapons programs. SELFIE! Ivanka Trump (left), wife of Korean President Moon Jae-in, Kim Jung-sook (center) and Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha (right) take a selfie while watching the final of the men’s snowboard big air event at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Center during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on Saturday. AFP PHOTO “We imposed today the heaviest sanctions ever imposed on a country before,” Trump claimed at the end of a lengthy campaign-style address on Friday (Saturday in Manila). In light of past US embargoes, that is likely an overstatement, but Treasury Secretary … [Read more...] about Trump slaps ‘heaviest’ sanctions vs NKorea