Noon in Korea

Diplomacy. Geopolitics. North Korea Kremlinology. South Korea politics. East Asia regional security. Energy & Power.
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[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

This is NK's new motto: "If you build it, they will come." It's the Las Vegas model (LOL).

It's the only thing they can tolerate at this point other than Kaesong, which isolates and separates NK citizens like caged zoo animals to make them do manual labor for SK businesses

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

It was the opening ceremony of PyeongChang where Kim Yong-nam and Kim Yo-jong were treated like potted plants by VP Pence (as well as Abe). But things have changed now ... somewhat. So they might exchange some pleasantries
https://t.co/tRQh2yFhnn

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Moon and Kang go separate ways. While Moon's visiting Czech Republic on his way to G-20 in Buenos Aires, SK's Foreign Minister is headed to Mexico to attend inauguration of Lopez Obrador. But there is another motive as Yonhap points out: Kim Yong-nam https://t.co/BgGsPKOD5e

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

So where's KYN? He's in Venezuela meeting FM Jorge Arreaza; he'll soon meet Pres Maduro. Then hop over to Cuba to meet Diaz-Canel again before going to Mexico for AMLO's inauguration, where he'll see Kang as well as Pence, who may acknowledge him this time
https://t.co/gheHhrif1K

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Biegun told SK members there's no plan to lift sanctions until NK denukes. SK members countered that they want to (1) declare the Korean Armistice over, (2) have KJU visit Seoul & (3) hold ceremony for linking railways. All still before the year is over
https://t.co/SFFIIc6tcH

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Steve Biegun warns, "the window of opportunity is closing if the present stalemate [with NK] continues." Biegun made the remark during a working group meeting with SK members on November 26: "If NK thinks time is on their side, that's a mistake"
https://t.co/1nKJX0JsrQ

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Per RFA, Biegun had hoped for a high-level meeting next month with NK Deputy FM Choe Son-hui and had his calendar open. But the meeting has most likely been called off. There is currently nothing scheduled per State Dept sources
https://t.co/bkQJhG7Wna

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Analysis by Professor Shin IK and information on Type 054A frigate by 아침안개 블로그. We always give credit where credit is due unlike some of you out there who present second-hand knowledge as their own (the day of reckoning is coming for those)
https://t.co/TCRikoYcwc

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Chinese surveillance planes intruding on Air Defense ID Zones (ADIZ) of SK and Japan with ever more frequency. Shaanxi Y-9 aircraft enters J/KADIZ at 11am on Nov 26 and hangs around for over 2 hrs 10 minutes. This was the 7th such multi-hour visit of 2018 https://t.co/MxTOFvbWaJ

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

So it was a joint operation involving Y-9 surveillance plane and Type 054A frigate. But then why poke around? What was the occasion? Because USNS Loyal was in Busan and was about to leave on Nov 26: USNS Loyal specializes in detecting "undersea threats." Read: submarines

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

@cladglas No, this is KADIZ and not recognized. China only has to give 24-hour notice before entering. Not interested in that east side: focused on Sasebo-Busan-Jinhae.

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

Shaanxi Y-9 is supposedly a mid-size transport aircraft but SK JCoS thinks the one that penetrated KADIZ is a reconnaissance plane. China indeed has been repurposing its Y-9 cargo planes into special purpose aircraft, even Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA)
https://t.co/eAvaIwIQzJ

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

@Ireallyloveham1 The Korean Peninsula will always be the eye of the storm. If not China, then Russia will be poking around.

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

And who requested the pause? Per General Brown, as with the suspension of Vigilant Ace, it was at S Korea's request. The pause, however, is being somewhat mitigated through 'partnered exercises.'

"But that can only go so far before readiness is impacted"
https://t.co/iZWZK6F4EM

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

US strategic bombers no longer flying missions over the Korean Peninsula so as "not to harm diplomacy,” per Pacific Air Forces Commander Charles Brown. This was at request of SK government. Instead, US bombers focusing on training missions to Japan & Oz
https://t.co/DUtfa7V29j

[Noon in Korea @NoonInKorea]

But PACAF's been doing the same number of missions in the Asia-Pacific: there are now more flying missions to Japan & Oz to make up for those pulled from Korea.

“We've been flying the same amount of missions. What we haven’t done [though] is over Korea” https://t.co/SDDGpBHkL6