Photos Fwd: [SPARK, Oct. 13-14]Added photos on the Relay One-Man Protest against the PSI Drill [평통사: 추가 사진] PSI 반대 릴레이 1인 시위

* All the image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Oct. 19, 2010

Click the photos for larger view

"We denounce the United States who carries out the ROK-US-JAPAN trilateral military alliance, by drawing Japan in the PSI drill! (SPARK)"

The one-man protest was relayed by the dignitaries of the Korean activist society, in front of the United States embassy on Oct. 13 to 14, 2010.
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* Related blog 관련 블로그

Thursday, October 14, 2010
Photo Fwd: Relay One-Man Protest against the PSI Drill in front of the United States Embassy

Photos Fwd: [SPARK] No PSI, Busan, Oct. 14, 2010 [평통사] PSI 반대, 10월 14일, 부산

* All the image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Oct. 16, 2010
* 모든 이미지 소스: 평화와 통일을 여는 사람들, 2010년 10월 16일

The banner says:

-Press Interview for the denouncement of the PSI drill that heightens the tension in the Korean peninsula-

We denounce the PSI drill that presses North Korea, even by drawing Japanese military!
Stop the ROK-US-Japan trilateral military alliance
that calls for the new cold war era in the Northeast Asia!

11am, Oct. 14, 2010 / In front of the Navy Operation Headquarter, Busan/
Busan regional branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

Immediately stop the PSI drill!
We oppose the PSI drill that aims to blockade the sea in North Korea!

The personnel in the navy operation headquarter and NSA tried to interrupt the press interview.
The SPARK members strongly protested against it.

Photo Fwd: Relay One-Man Protest against the PSI Drill in front of the United States Embassy

* Photo informed at the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Oct. 14, 2010
평화와 통일을 여는 사람들, 2010년 10월 14일

* Image source: Cho Soo-Jung, Newsis, Oct. 13, 2010

"We denounce the United States who carries out the ROK-US-JAPAN trilateral military alliance, by drawing Japan in the PSI drill! (SPARK)"

In the above photo, Kwon Oh-Hun, Chairman of the Supporting Committee for Prisoners of Conscience did the one-man protest that was relayed by the dignitaries of the Korean activist society, in front of the United States embassy on Oct. 13, 2010.

[국문] Photo & Text Fwd: [AWC, Japan] No PSI Drill! No MSDF Involvement in the PSI Drill!

* Text & photos copied at the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea(SPARK), Oct. 14, 2010 (Click)
* 평화와 통일을 여는 사람들, 2010년 10월 14일자에서 옮겨왔읍니다.(클릭)

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* 아시아공동행동 일본연락회의(AWC)는 10월 13일 오후 6시 30분부터 일본 방위성 앞(도쿄)에서 한반도 인근에서 벌어지는 PSI 훈련과 일본 해상자위대의 참가를 규탄하는 항의행동을 하였습니다. 이 항의행동은 AWC 일본연락회의와 노동자단체 등이 참여하고 있는 반전투쟁실행위원회에서 주최한 것입니다.

AWC 일본연락회의에서 사진과 항의문을 보내왔습니다.

한국 PSI 훈련과 일본 해상자위대 참가를 반대하는 항의문

간 나오토 내각총리대신 귀하 기타자와 도시미 방위대신 귀하 10월13, 14일에 한국정부 주최로 PSI(대량살상무기확산방지구상) 다국간 군사훈련이 부산 인근 해역에서 실시된다. 이 훈련에 일본 해상자위대 호위함 2척과 자위대원 370명이 참가하고 있다. 한국 초계함 ‘천안’ 침몰사건을 구실로 하여 미국 오바마 정권은 조선민주주의인민공화국(이하 북한)에 대한 전쟁 압력을 일거에 강화했고, 7월말부터 황해 등 한반도 주변 해역에서 한미합동군사연습이 빈번하게 실시되고 있다. 이번PSI훈련도 역시 북한에 대한 전쟁 준비로 강행되고 있는 것이다. 우리는 이번 훈련에 단호히 반대한다. 이번PSI훈련에는 한국, 미국, 호주, 일본, 프랑스, 캐나다 등 15개 국이 참여하여 해상봉쇄, 해상임검 등을 훈련한다고 한다.

우리는 한국PSI훈련을 즉각 중단함을 요구하고 일본 해상자위대 참가를 결코 인정할 수 없다. 그 첫 번째 이유는 이번PSI훈련이 정전상태인 한국전쟁을 재개시킬 위험성을 최대화 시키고 자위대=일본군의 참전으로 직결하는 폭거이기 때문이다. 이번PSI 해상봉쇄 훈련은 사실상의 정전협전 위반이다. 북한 쪽이PSI훈련을 ‘선전포고’로 봄으로써 한국전쟁 재개 위기가 일찍이 없었을 정도로 고조되고 있다. 동시에 이번 PSI참가는 자위대=일본군이 한국전쟁 재개 시 이에 참전하려는 책동이며 일본국 헌법 9조 위반이기도 하다. 한일 강제합방 백년에 근본적인 반성이 요구되고 있는 상황임에도 불구하고, 2천만 명을 살육한 아시아 침략과 식민지 지배의 시작을 방불케 하는 자위대=일본군 해외출동 재개는 결코 인정할 수 없는 일이다. 해상자위대는 즉각 PSI훈련에서 철수해야 한다.

두 번째 이유는 일.미.한 군사동맹과 그 전쟁태세를 강화하고 현재 경제위기를 전쟁과 군사력으로 돌파하려는 일이기 때문이다. 1950년 6.25전쟁에서 4백만여 명이 학살당하고 한반도 남북 분단이 고정화되었다. 이는 미 제국주의에 의한 한국과 아시아에 대한 지배를 강화했고, 일본정부와 대자본들은 일본의 재무장과 경제부흥의 기폭제로 이용한 참략전쟁 행위였다. 요즘 공황 하에서 미국이 아프간에 대한 전쟁을 강화하고 일본도 미군재편-일.미 군사 일체화를 추진하면서 집단적 자위권 행사와 무기 수출 등으로 정책전환을 하자는 각료들의 발언이 분출되고 있다. 전쟁과 군사산업 확대로 대불경기를 돌파하려는 기도가 강화되고 있다, 민중의 실업문제를 그냥 방치하면서 대자본들의 이윤과 해외권익을 추구하기 위해서 한반도와 동 아시아에서 전쟁책동을 강화하는 것은 절대로 인정할 수 없는 일이다.

세 번째 이유는 한반도 남북한 민중들의 자주적 평화통일과 주한미군 철수 요구를 유린하고, 또 오키나와와 일본 본토, 아시아 각국에서의 반전 반기지 반핵 평화운둥을 압살하고 적대하려는 일이기 때문이다. 오키나와에서의 미군과 자위대를 거절하는 운동, 이와쿠니 기지 대강화를 반대하는 운동, 미 핵항모 요코스카 모항화 반대운동 등이 고양되고 있다. 한국, 필리핀에서도 미군기지와 미군번죄를 반대하는 민중운동이 발전하고 있다. 아시아 민중들이 자신의 평화적 생존권을 찾기 위해 전력을 다해 투쟁하고 있다. PSI군사훈련과 일본 자위대 해외출동은 이러한 민중들의 투쟁을 압살하고 파괴하는 반 민중적인 적대행위다. 따라서 우리는 한국PSI훈련과 이에 대한 일본 해상자위대 참가를 단호히 반대하고 즉각 중단을 요구한다.

2010년10월13일 아시아공동행동일본연락회의

[국문] [Peace Network Etc.] Statement: No PSI drill that heightens the military tension bet. the S. & N. Korea and threatens the peace in the NE Asia

Peace Network, Oct. 14, 2010
평화 넷트 워크, 2014년 10월 14일

[성명] 남북간의 군사적 긴장 고조, 동북아 평화를 위협하는 PSI 훈련을 반대한다
[Statement] We oppose the PSI drill that heightens the military tension bet. the South & North Korea and threatens the peace in the North East Asia.

한국이 처음으로 주관하는 대량살상무기 확산방지구상(PSI) 훈련인 ‘동방의 노력 10’(Eastern Endeavor 10)이 10월 13일부터 이틀간 부산 지역에서 실시되고 있다. 이번 훈련에는 우리나라를 비롯해 미국, 일본, 호주, 프랑스, 캐나다 등 15개 국가가 참여하며 특히 해상 차단훈련에는 한국과 미국, 일본, 호주 등 4개국이 공동작전을 통해 직접 참가하고 나머지 국가들은 참관 형식으로 참여한다.

우리는 이번 PSI 훈련이 남북 사이에 군사적 긴장을 고조시키고, 남북관계 뿐 아니라 동북아 전체의 평화를 위협할 수 있다는 점에서 깊은 우려를 표명한다.

기본적으로 범세계적인 대량살상무기 확산방지전략으로서 PSI 활동의 실효성에 대해서는 국제적인 논란이 있다. 국제법이 연안국 영해에서 보장하고 있는 외국 선박의 이른바 무해통항권(innocent passage) 침해 가능성, 공해에서의 의혹선박 차단 권리행사 문제, 차단 대상의 차별적 선정과 오판에 따른 배상문제 등 여러 가지 문제점을 안고 있다.

국방부는 "훈련 시나리오가 북한 등 특정 국가를 겨냥하지는 않고 있다"고 주장하고 있지만 북한은 “정전협정에 대한 부정”이라며 남쪽의 PSI 전면참여를 선전포고로 간주하겠다고 여러 차례 밝혔으며, 중국은 한·미가 천안함 사건 이후 한반도 해역에서 벌였던 연합훈련을 두고도 중국을 포위하기 위한 성격이라며 경계심을 표출해왔다. 이러한 상황에서 한국 주관으로 한국해역에서 실시하는 이번 훈련은 중국의 의구심을 더욱 강화할 것이다.

무엇보다 일본 자위대의 참가는 지극히 우려스럽다. 태평양 전쟁에 대한 철저한 반성도, 피해자에 대한 보상도 하지 않은 일본의 군사훈련 참가는 일본 군국주의의 부활에 대한 우려를 높이고 있다.

이번 훈련은 더 나아가 한·미·일 대 북한·중국의 대결구도를 굳히고 동아시아 안정을 해칠 것이라는 예측이 지배적이다.

이와 같이 한반도 주변에 군사적 긴장을 고조하고 동북아 평화를 위협하는 PSI 훈련을 주관하는 한국 및 미국 정부, 그리고 동북아시아 국가들에게 다음과 같이 촉구한다.

- 대량살상무기 확산을 막기 위해서 군사적 봉쇄와 제재를 통해 상대를 자극하는 조치를 당장 자제하고, 6자회담을 비롯한 정치군사협상을 재개하기를 촉구한다.

- 동북아시아 각국 정부가 군사훈련과 군사력 강화를 통해 역내 긴장과 대립을 고조시키지 말고 대화와 협력을 통해 공동이익과 공동안보를 추구하기를 촉구한다.

- 군사훈련과 군사력 강화를 위해 사용되고 있는 군사비를 상호경제협력, 인력 개발, 교육, 복지에 투자하기를 촉구한다.

- 평화와 안보 영역의 정책 결정과정에서 여성의 참여 확대를 촉구한다.

우리는 전쟁이 없는 평화와 상생의 동북아시아, 아이들에게 희망을 주는 미래, 군사비로 소모되고 있는 자원을 생존과 복지에 사용될 수 있도록 국내외 평화세력과 협력할 것이다.

2010년 10월 14일
경남여성단체연합 부산여성단체연합 수원여성회 울산여성회
평화네트워크 평화를만드는여성회 한국여성단체연합 한국정신대문제대책협의회

Photos Fwd: [PKAR] Immediately Stop the PSI Drill ! [범민련] 확산 안보 구상 훈련 즉각 중단!

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* Related article:

South Korea: Proliferation Security Initiative Drill With U.S., Allies
Arirang News, October 14, 2010
(* article sent from Rick Rozoff on Oct. 14, 2010)
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About the PSI(Proliferation Security Initiative), click here.
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* All the image source:
South Korean branch, Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification of Korea(PKAR), Oct. 12, 2010
범민련 남측본부. 2010년 10월 12일

No drill any more!
We keep the peace in the Korean peninsula.
Seoul, 7pm, Oct. 12, 2010

Peace not war!

Stop the ROK-US military exercise!

We want peace in the Korean peninsula!

Immediately stop the PSI drill!

War tax called as the unification tax? Lee Myung-Bak(MB) is the nine-tail-fox?
No unification by absorbing the NK by military force!
Article2 of the June 15th North–South Joint Declaration says:
"The North and the South, recognizing that the low-level federation proposed by the North and the commonwealth system proposed by the South for the reunification of the country have similarity, agreed to work together for the reunification in this direction in the future.'

No PSI drill that destroys the inter-Korean relationship!
No Japanese MSDF military vessel!
Immediately stop the involvement in the PSI drill!
In front of the Japanese embassy, Seoul, 11am, Oct. 12, 2010
By the Democratic Labor Party, Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements (KAPM) , Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Korean Young People’s Solidarity

Photos Fwd: [133rd Self-Reliance, Unification, & Peace Action] We denounce the result of the SCM! 133차 자주통일평화행동 SCM 결과를 규탄한다!

[133차 미대사관 앞 자주통일평화행동, 2010년 10월 12일 ]

대북 군사위협과 침략적 한미동맹 강화한 SCM 결과를 규탄한다!

침략적 한미동맹 심화하는 SCM 규탄! 군사적 긴장 높이는 PSI훈련 반대!
한반도 평화협정 협상 개시! 굴욕적 한미FTA 재협상 규탄!

[133rd Self-Reliance, Unification, & Peace Action in front of the US Embassy, Oct. 12, 2010]

We denounce the result of the SCM that strengthened
the military threat against North Korea and invasive ROK-US Alliance!

No SCM that deepens the invasive ROK-US alliance!
No PSI drill that heightens the military tension!
Open the dialogue for the Peace Agreement in the Korean peninsula!
We denounce the humiliating ROK-US FTA Renegotiation!

______________________________________________________

* Image source: Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification of Korea (PKAR), Oct. 12, 2010
범민련 남측본부, 2010년 10월 12일
______________________________________________________

* Source for all the below images: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Oct. 12, 2010
평화와 통일을 여는 사람들, 2010년 10월 12일

Site Fwd: [PKAR] No PSI Drill!

* Pan Korean Alliance for Reunification of Korea (PKAR) on Oct. 11, 2010
범민련 남측 본부, 2010년 10월 11일(클릭)

PSI 훈련 규탄 기자회견

오는 13일부터 이틀동안 부산 앞바다에서 PSI(대량살상무기확산방지구상) 훈련이 실시된다. 이명박 정부가 들어서고 PSI에 적극적으로 참여하게 되더니 한국 주관 PSI 해상 차단훈련이라는 지경에 이르렀다.
이 번 훈련에는 미국, 일본, 호주 등 15개 나라가 참여하며 한구형 구축함(KDX-Ⅱ, 4천500t급) 2척과 상륙함(LST) 2척을 비롯한 한국 해군 함정 4척과 미국의 9천t급 이지스함, 일본의 3천t급 구축함 2척, 호주의 해상초계기(P-3C) 등이 동원된다.

PSI는 대량살상무기를 가장 많이 수출하는 미국의 부시행정부에 의해 창설된 임의의 국제협력체이자 국제법이 보장하는 무해통항권을 침해하는 조치이다. 때문에 PSI는 그 자체로 불법이며 미국의 패권주의에 대한 굴복이라 하겠다.

무엇보다 천안함 사건 이후 5.24조치로써 진행되는 이번 PSI는 북과 중국의 강력한 반발로 이어질것은 물론이고 한반도와 동북아 평화에 심각한 장애를 초래할 것이다. 더구나 한일강제병한 100년인 올해 일본의 자위대 구축함까지 부산 수역에 들어와서 훈련을 한다는 것은 국민정서에 매우 극심한 모욕을 주는 행위이다.

반전평화연대와 천안함사건 질실규명과 한반도 평화를 위한 공동행동은 11일 오전 11시 국방부 앞에서 PSI훈련 규탄 기자회견을 개최하였다.

정당 및 사회단체를 대표해 최창준 민주노동당 자주평화통일위원장은 "유엔에서도 인정하지 않는 PSI"는 "남의 나라를 침략하는 행위일뿐"이라며 그런 행위에 타국의 군대를 끌어들이는 이명박 정부에 심각한 걱정스러움을 표현했다. "전작권도 없는 나라가 주최하는 훈련인데 한국의 전작권을 가진 미군이 참여하고 일본까지 참여"하는 것을 두고 권력말 매국노들이 일제를 부른것과 무엇이 다른가며 일본 참여에 대해서도 강력하게 규타하였다. 또한, 국방부를 향해 "국방부가 민중의 생명을 지키고자 한다면 이명박 정부의 매국행위에 강한 항의를 할 것"을 호소하며 "우리 해역에 들어온 외국군에 항의할 줄 아는 국방부가 되기를"바란다고 하였다.

황수영 민주노총 통일위원장은 이명박 정부는 "뼛속까지 사대주의"로 물들었다며 "미국의 요구라면 전쟁 불사까지, 시키는대로 할" 뿐만 아니라, 일본 참여로 인해 일제에 의한 피해, 희생자들이 땅속에서 통곡할것이라 하였다.

평통사 유영제 미군문제팀장은 지난 8일 열린 SCM 결과에 대해 소개하였다.
이번 SCM에서는 14개 문서를 합의, 국방협력지침에 PSI가 언급되었다며 이는 한미상호방위조약을 무력화하는 내용이라며 '아시아판 NATO'라 지적하고 "미국이 그리도 숙원했던 한미일 군사 3각동맹" 구체적으로 행동화한것이 자위대 참여라며 SCM에서 논의된 이 모든것들이 한반도 평화구축에 정면으로 방해가 됨을 규탄하였다.

PSI 훈련관련해 부산, 경기, 광주, 대구 등 전국적으로 전개될 투쟁일정들이 소개되었다. 서울의 경우 12일 저녁 7시 보신각 앞에서 반전평화대회를 개최할 예정이다.

군사적 충돌 유발시키는 PSI 훈련 철회하라! 한반도 및 동북아 평화에 역행하는 PSI훈련 철회하라! 13일부터 ~14일까지 PSI(대량살상무기확산방지구상) 훈련이 부산 인근에서 실시된다. 이번 훈련은 함정, 항공기, 등 실제 전력이 참가하는 해상차단 훈련과 외교, 정보, 법집행, 관세, 수출통제, 재정, 해양법 전문가들의 참가 하에 PSI 의사결정 과정을 토의하는 세미나로 나누어 진행된다고 한다. 해상차단훈련에는 미국, 호주, 일본, 한국 등 15개 나라가 참가하며 한국형 구축함(KDX-Ⅱ. 4천500t급) 2척과 상륙함(LST) 2척을 비롯한 한국 해군 함정 4척과 미국의 9천t급 이지스함, 일본의 3천t급 구축함 2척, 호주의 해상초계기(P-3C) 등이 동원된다. 이번 훈련은 한, 미, 일, 호주 등 미국의 아태지역 동맹국들이 대북 해상 봉쇄망 구축을 목적으로 실제 전력을 동원해 벌이는 훈련이라는 점에서 한반도 및 동북아 평화에 정면으로 역행한다. PSI는 그 자체로 불법이며 미국의 패권정책에 대한 굴복이다. 대량살상무기(WMD)의 확산을 방지하는 구상 자체가 문제될 수는 없다. 그러나 누가 어떤 목적으로 대량살상무기 확산을 저지하느냐 하는 점을 고려하면 이야기는 달라진다. PSI는 역설적으로 WMD(대량살상무기)를 가장 많이 수출하는 미국의 부시행정부에 의해 창설된 임의의 국제협력체이다. 세계에서 대량살상무기를 가장 많이 수출하는 나라인 미국이 대량살상무기확산을 방지하겠다고 나선 것은 자신에게 적대적인 나라를 봉쇄하겠다는 발상이다. PSI는 국제법이 보장하는 무해통항권을 침해하는 조치로, ‘의심국가’의 선박과 항공기에 대해 군사력을 동원한 강제검색을 하도록 하는 임의의 합의이며, 한반도의 경우 해상봉쇄와 무력사용을 금지한 정전협정의 위반이다. 유엔안보리를 비롯한 그 어느 기구에서도 공해상에서 특정 국가의 선박을 억류하는 것을 인정한 바 없으며, PSI가 특히 문제로 되는 것은 이와 같이 임의성에 기초하여 실질적이고 강력한 군사행동인 ‘차단’을 주요한 방법으로 동원하고 있다는 점이다. 5.24 조치로써의 PSI, 노골적인 군사적 압박이며 군사적 충돌 불러온다. 이명박 정부는 집권 초기부터 PSI 전면참가 의지를 보여 오다가, 2009년 5월, 북의 2차 핵실험 직후에 대북 제재 차원에서 실질적인 차단훈련을 포함하여 PSI에 전격 합류하기로 선언하였다. 이후 2009년 10월에는 싱가포르에서 실시된 PSI 해상훈련에 참관 형식으로 참가하였으며, 이번에 천안함 사건을 빌미로 5월 24일 여러 대북봉쇄조치와 함께 PSI 역내․외 차단훈련 실시를 공포하였다. 이명박 정부가 PSI에 주도적이고 적극적으로 참여하려는 것은 대량살상무기 확산 방지를 구실로 북에 대한 불법적 군사적 조치를 구체적으로 실행하겠다는 의지를 드러내는 것이다. 실제 이명박 정부는 PSI 전면 참가, PSI 차단훈련 실시 입장을 밝히면서 5.24 조치로써의 ‘천안함 사건과 관련한 대북압박’임을 분명히 밝혔다. 그동안 PSI가 대북압박, 대북적대정책이 아니고 국제적 규범일 뿐이라고 강조해 왔는데, 이번 결정과정에서 PSI 구상이 실제로는 대북군사압박용이라는 점을 사실상 인정한 셈이다. PSI 구상이 국제법을 위반한 패권적 압박수단이며 또 그것이 북을 노골적으로 지목하고 있다는 점에서, 전면 참가 그 자체로도 이미 대북적대적 의사표현이다. 그런데 여기에서 한 발 더 나아가 한반도 역내에서 실질 해상 차단훈련을 진행하겠다는 것은 노골적인 군사적 압박을 하겠다는 것에 다름 아니다. 이번에 실시하는 차단훈련은 해상봉쇄를 염두에 둔 군사훈련으로 군사적으로 선전포고에 준하는 행동으로 인식될 가능성이 높다는 점에서 한반도 긴장은 한층 높아지게 될 것이다. 강제병합 100년, 일본 자위대와 군사훈련은 용납될 수 없다. 더욱 놀라운 것은 부산앞바다에서 열리는 PSI 실제 차단훈련에는 사상 처음으로 일본 자위대의 구축함이 참가한다는 것이다. 해방 이후 일본 자위대가 우리 영내에서 군사 활동을 벌였던 적은 없었다. 그동안 미국을 정점으로 한 한미일 군사동맹 강화를 꾸준히 시도하고 있던 가운데에도, 일본 자위대를 우리 영내로 끌어들여 군사훈련을 진행하는 것은 그 어느 정권에서도 감히 시도하지 못해왔던 일인데, 이명박 정부가 최근 천안함 사태를 빌미로 일본 자위대까지 끌어들이고 있는 것이다. 지난 7월 25일 동해에서 진행된 대규모 한미해상 전쟁연습인 ‘불굴의 의지’ 훈련에 자위대 장교들이 참관한데 이어, 이제는 자위대 실 전력과 함께 군사훈련을 하겠다고 공언하고 있다. 일본 자위대가 타국 영내인 부산앞바다에서 군사 활동을 하는 것은 일본 평화헌법을 위배하는 것일 뿐 아니라, 일제 식민통치를 기억하고 있는 우리 국민에게 너무나 모욕적인 일이 아닐 수 없다. 한일 강제병합 100년이 되는 올해까지도 일본 제국주의 식민지배에 대한 사과와 보상이 제대로 이루어지지 않고 있는 상황에서, 국민 대다수가 믿지 못할 천안함 조사결과를 앞세워 한반도 일대의 군사적 긴장을 고조시키는 군사훈련을, 그것도 일본 자위대까지 끌어들이는 패륜적인 행위는 도저히 있을 수 없는 일이다. 평화를 바란다면 PSI훈련은 즉각 철회되어야 한다. 전쟁과 군사대결정책으로 평화는 정착되지 않는다. 이미 집권 초기부터 대북적대정책을 펼쳐 온 이명박 정부는 천안함 사건을 계기로 한미군사동맹을 강화하고 각종 군사훈련을 통해 한반도 뿐 만 아니라 동북아에서의 군사적 긴장을 높여나가고 있다. 이번 한반도 수역에서의 PSI훈련은 한국 뿐 아니라 미국, 일본, 호주 등 미국을 정점으로한 아태지역의 미국 동맹국이 모두 참가하여 북을 상대로 벌이는 구체적 군사행동으로서 북과 중국의 강력한 반발과 군사적 행동을 유발시키게 될 것이다. 이에 우리는 남북관계를 회복 불능의 상태로 내몰고 군사적 충돌을 불러올 PSI 훈련을 강행하는 이명박 정부를 강력히 규탄하며 관련국들에게도 한반도 및 동북아 평화를 위협하는 대북 적대정책을 즉각 중단할 것을 촉구한다. 한반도 및 동북아 평화를 진정으로 원한다면 PSI를 비롯한 군사대결 정책을 즉각 중단하라! 우리는 미국과 이명박 정부의 군사대결 정책과 PSI 훈련을 강력히 규탄하며, PSI 훈련이 진행되는 기간 동안 전국각지에서 이를 규탄하는 투쟁들을 힘 있게 벌여나갈 것이다. 나아가 우리는 남북 간의 군사적 긴장과 분쟁의 근본원인이 되고 있는 불안정한 정전체제를 끝내고 한반도에 공고한 평화체제를 확립하기 위한 투쟁을 더욱 힘차게 벌여나갈 것이다. 2010년 10월 11일 반전평화연대(준), 천안함 사건 진실규명과 한반도 평화를 위한 공동행동

Photo Fwd: No PSI! No Japanese SDF War Vessel in the Port of Busan!

* Image & caption source: Newsis

'Busan regional branch, Headquarter for the Practice of the June 15 Joint Statement, protested against the PSI drill that would destroy the inter Korean relationship and against the entry of the Japanese war vessel in the Busan port during the PSI in front of the Japanese consulate in the City of Busan on Oct. 5, 2010.

The PSI joined by the Asia Pacific countries such as the South Korea, Japan, Australia and United States etc this time is practiced through. Oct.13 to 14.

* Photo informed at the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

Photo Fwd: Withdraw the participation in the PSI OEG !

Photo Fwd: Press Interview

"Withdraw the participation in the PSI OEG (Operation Expert Group?) that destroys the inter-Korean relationship!"
In front of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs and Trade, June 23, 2010

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

Text Fwd: Korea, US may resume field exercise

Korea Times
05-25-2010 19:02
Korea, US may resume field exercise
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff reporter

South Korea and the United States will hold a large-scale combined exercise to deter North Korean submarine infiltration and block sea lanes to the North between June and July, top naval commanders from the two allies announced Tuesday.

The joint naval exercise would be a step toward the resumption of an annual large-scale field exercise by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, observers said.

The two countries annually held the Team Spirit field exercise between 1976 and 1993. The exercise was cancelled in 1994 by the liberal Kim Dae-jung administration under the "sunshine policy" of engaging the communist North.

Since then, the two militaries have focused more on computerized war games, such as the Key Resolve exercise, a simulation-driven, defense-oriented combined command-post exercise to evaluate the allied forces' capability to receive forces from bases outside the country in case of war.

Both militaries hold a theater-wide combined field exercise dubbed Foal Eagle, which includes rear area security and stability operations, special operations, ground maneuvers, amphibious operations and combat air operations.

The Ministry of National Defense denied the idea of resuming field exercises.

"There has been no decision or consultation on the resumption of Team Spirit," ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae told reporters. "We may be able to expand the current exercises, but resuming large-scale field training requires a huge budget and bilateral consultation."

Earlier in the day, Rear Adm. Peter Aguon Gumataotao, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, visited the ROK Navy headquarters in South Chungcheong Province, to meet with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Sung-chan for discussions over joint efforts against North Korean provocation in waters near the sea border.

"To support the ROK Navy's countermeasures against the North, U.S. Naval Forces Korea will use all available capabilities to play a significant role," Gumataotao was quoted by a South Korean Navy spokesman as saying.

Kim and Gumataotao discussed details to prepare for a ship-interdiction exercise in waters around and outside of the Korean Peninsula later this year, the spokesman said.

Defense sources said the forthcoming naval training would involve up-to-date warships of the U.S. 7th Fleet, such as a nuclear-powered submarine, Aegis-equipped destroyers and an aircraft carrier.

The South Korean Navy's Type-209/214 attack submarines, Sejong the Great-class KDX-III Aegis destroyers and KDX-II destroyers will join the exercise, they said.

On Monday, Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-young declared that his military would actively take part in the U.S.-led global campaign, Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), aimed at stopping the transfer of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

The PSI was launched in 2003 to prevent the transfer of WMDs, their delivery systems and related materials by air, ground, sea to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern.

More than 90 countries around the world are participating in the drill.

North Korea, known for exporting illicit weapons, is among the major targets of the initiative.

"Elite forces from the Republic of Korea and the United States will participate in this training exercise, which will serve as an opportunity to focus on the enhancement of defensive tactics against underwater attacks by North Korea and our surface firing capabilities," Kim stressed.
gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: Allies to stage joint anti-sub drill in West Sea

Korea Times
05-24-2010 18:17
Allies to stage joint anti-sub drill in West Sea

By Jung Sung-ki
Staff reporter

The government will prohibit all North Korean vessels from entering South Korea's territorial waters, including the straits between the southern island of Jeju and the mainland.

South Korea will also ban any further investment in North Korea and suspend aid programs for the impoverished except children. These are part of the government's measures announced Monday in retaliation for North Korea sinking the South Korean Navy ship Cheonan with a torpedo on March 26.

In a joint news conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan, Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-young and Minister of Unification Hyun In-taek presented a range of measures to impose additional national sanctions against the communist state, strengthen the country's defense posture against it and to reduce inter-Korean exchanges.

Hyun, the point man on North Korea, declared that Seoul's patience had run out.

"The government expected that North Korea would agree to forge a new and improved relationship between the two Koreas, which is the desire of our people," he said.

Except for the operation of the joint Gaeseong Industrial Complex, Hyun said, the government will ban general trade between the two Koreas, as well as the inbound and outbound shipments of goods and materials for processing on commission.

But the inter-Korean economic zone could be downscaled or closed if North Korea threatens the safety of South Korean people there, Minister Hyun said.

South Korean citizens will not be allowed to visit North Korea, with the exception of trips to the Gaeseong site and the Mt. Geumgang resort.

But the government will continue providing humanitarian aid through existing programs for infants and young children.

Defense Minister Kim said the Armed Forces are maintaining robust military readiness through the integrated operation of ROK-U.S. combined intelligence assets and the strengthening of 24-hour surveillance activities.

Key military steps include resuming psychological operations against North Korea, such as loud broadcasts of propaganda near the inter-Korean border, interdicting North Korean ships in South Korean waters, and staging a joint ROK-U.S. anti-submarine exercise in the West Sea.

The two Koreas agreed to halt official cross-border propaganda in 2004, but South Korean activists have infuriated Pyongyang by floating balloons, with anti-North Korean regime messages attached, northward over the border fences.

Kim said the Navy is preparing to fully participate in the U.S.-led ship interdicting Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in an attempt to stem the proliferation of North Korean weapons of mass destruction. He said South Korea is seeking to host the PSI exercise in waters around the peninsula in the latter half of this year.
gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr

______________________________________________________

Korea Times
05-24-2010 17:27
Seoul halts trade, shuts sea lanes to NK

Text Fwd: U.S. Military Strategy on the Korean Peninsula and Missile Defense in Northeast Asia (2010.5.9)

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

________________________________________________________________
* Thanks, Bruce Gagnon. See the blog.

TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH AT GN MEETING IN NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________

* Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

U.S. Military Strategy on the Korean Peninsula and Missile Defense in Northeast Asia

Ko Young Dae/SPARK (KOREA)


1. U.S. Military Strategy on the Korean Peninsula

In the 2010 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the Obama administration named North Korea along with Iran as a potential target for nuclear preemptive attack, making the Korean peninsula, as it was during the Bush administration, one of the most dangerous regions in the world. This is a violation of the “Agreed Framework between the DPRK and the United States” (October 1994) in which the United States pledged negative security assurance for North Korea, as well as the “Joint Statement” of the fourth Six Party Talks (September 2005). In response to the Obama administration’s new NPR, North Korea declared, “As long as the nuclear threat against us persists, we will continue to develop various nuclear weapons as deterrence and seek to modernize our nuclear weapons.”

Based on the NPR, the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) takes command of U.S. nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula. Following “CONPLAN 8022” and “OPLAN 8044,” the US STRATCOM designed a new “OPLAN 8010” based on the “New Triad” concept. “OPLAN 8010” uses both high-tech conventional and nuclear war capabilities, including various strategic attacks against North Korea, such as pinpoint attack, bombing of underground military facilities, and cyber wars to paralyze missile and anti-aircraft defense networks. The US STRATCOM’s nuclear war plan on the Korean Peninsula also includes “CONPLAN 8099” in which the Center for Combating WMD takes command. The primary aim of “CONPLAN 8099” is to occupy North Korean nuclear facilities and seize its nuclear weapons. The Center for Combating WMD is the command that leads the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) against North Korea.

The United States also has plans to carry out a war on the Korean Peninsula by executing “OPLAN 5027,” 5026, 5028, 5029, 5030, which are all under the command of the US Pacific Command, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command (CFC), and United Nations Command (UNC). “OPLAN 5027” was developed in 1974 to prepare for nuclear war and “OPLAN 5027-98” adopted the strategy of preemptive strike for the first time. “OPLAN 5027-04” includes the construction of Missile Defense and “OPLAN 5027-06” outlines the strategy of preemptive strike against North Korea’s nuclear and missile facilities.

In anticipation of the transfer of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea, the two states are currently developing “OPLAN 5012” in place of “OPLAN 5027.” “OPLAN 5012” is a much more offensive plan for nuclear war. “CONPLAN 5029,” which faced opposition from the former Korean government, has now been elevated to an OPLAN. “OPLAN 5029” envisions a military intervention in North Korea in times of internal turmoil, including a natural disaster; such an outrageous plan is in violation of international law. The main goal of “OPLAN 5029” lies in the U.S. desire to seize North Korea’s nuclear facilities and materials for itself, as opposed to by South Korea. “OPLAN 5026” was initiated in December 2002 and completed in July 2003. Its main goal is to execute pinpoint attacks on approximately 700 North Korean targets including nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons facilities, and command and control facilities. In this way, “OPLAN 5026” and “OPLAN 5029” under the command of the US Pacific Command and the Combined Forces Command, are designed to complement “OPLAN 8010” of the US STRATCOM.

2. The US MD in Northeast Asia

1) The US MD system in the Pacific Ocean

The MD system that the United States deploys in the Pacific Ocean is aimed at China’s MD and North Korea’s missile system. The Early Warning Radar system which includes the DSP satellite, SBIRS satellite, Cobra Dane Early Warning Radar, SBX (Sea-based X-band) Radar, Aegis BMD Radar, FBX, etc, centers on detecting and tracking long-range missiles or ICBMs aimed at the main land of the United States. In June 2009, to prepare for the event of a long range missile launch from North Korea, the United States ordered the forward deployment of the SBX Radar and the THAAD (Theater High Altitude Air Defense) system in the vicinity of Hawaii. The US Pacific Command also ordered the forward deployment of the Aegis ship, equipped with Standard Missile 3 (SM-3).

2) Japan’s MD system

The United States regards Japan as its most significant international BMD partner. Japan’s MD system is part of the US MD system. Japan’s MD system is being constructed through technical and operative cooperation with the United States. Japan has deployed the US FBX(Forward-based X band) Radar, and has interfaced its 28 ground radar networks with U.S. spy satellites. The principal weapons systems of Japan’s MD are the Aegis BMD system and the PAC-3 system. In January 2008, Japan operationally deployed SM-3 block IA, capable of intercepting long-range missiles. Currently Japan is developing SM-3 block IIA, capable of intercepting ICBMs, and scheduled to debut in 2015. Reversing its previous policy of non-deployment of THAAD, Japan intends to introduce THAAD as a higher tier defense system than a PAC-3. Japan has also deployed its self-developed FPS-XX (L Band) Radar. The FPS-XX Radar is known to have succeeded in detecting and tracking Russian long-range missiles launched from the Sea of Okhotsk

3) South Korea’s MD system

In its 2010 Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR), the United States named South Korea an “important partner.” The BMDR also stated that the United States has been working together with South Korea to “define possible future BMD requirements.” In other words, the United States takes for granted South Korea’s participation in the US MD system. Although the Lee Myung Bak government initially refused to participate in the US MD system, now it has changed its position. This reverses the position maintained by the former Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo Hyun administrations, which opposed South Korea’s participation in the US MD system for reasons related to South Korea’s technical, financial, and diplomatic relations with Russia and China. The current South Korean government is in the midst of constructing the so-called “South Korean-style MD System” based on PAC-2 Lower Tier Defense and the SM-2 Aegis system.

Further, the South Korean government plans to upgrade PAC-2 to the level of PAC-3 and SM-2 to SM-6, construct K-THAAD by improving Cheolmae-2, construct Early Warning System by importing Green Pine Block-B (whose detection range is 500 km) and AWACS, construct AMD Cell, and thus complete the construction of the so-called South Korean-style MD system. But it is evident that the South Korean-style MD system will be incorporated into and subordinate under the US MD system.

With the planned transfer of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea, South Korea and the United States plan to interface both of their Armed Force’s C4I through the “Allied Korea Joint Command Control System (AKJCCS)” and integrate and operate both ROK and US Armed Force’s Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Cell. This means that the US MD system and its operations will be at the center of the MD system on the Korean Peninsula.

Through the interface of both ROK and U.S. Armed Forces’ C4I, USAFK’s Theater Missile Defense Warning System (TMDWS) will provide the ROK MD system with a range of information, such as TMD’s launching position, launched missile, track, estimated drop area, drop time, etc., which is essential to the operation of the ROK MD. The Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) of the USFK provides accurate data about DPRK’s ICBMs.
That both South Korea and the United States incorporate and operate Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Cell means that the ROK MD will interface with the US 14th Air Force’s Joint Space Operation Center (JSPOC). In lieu of US STRACOM, the US 14th Air Force will plan and execute the US Air Force’s space operations. In such a scenario, the South Korean MD’s interface with the US 14th Air Force’s JSPOC means that it will be fully subordinate to the US MD system (DSP, SBIRS, Early Warning Radar, etc). In other words, the South Korean MD will become nothing but one part of the US MD.

For instance, if the South Korean MD intends to defend against an intermediate-range missile from China or Russia, it will need to depend on the US MD system, especially for its early warning system.

3. US MD in Northeast Asia Increases the Possibility of Nuclear War in Northeast Asia

Part of the New Triad axis, MD is a means of preemptive nuclear strike. The United States sees MD as part of its extended deterrence. China is the only nation among the nuclear weapons states that has officially declared adoption of NSA and No First Use (NFU) policies. Due to its concern regarding the US construction of MD, China opposes the start of the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT). If the United States strengthens its MD in the Northeast Asian region in order to debilitate China’s nuclear capability, it may encourage China to abandon its NSA and NFU policies and engage in a nuclear arms race.

North Korea has declared that it is willing to give up its nuclear programs and facilities, and even its nuclear weapons. North Korea takes a fundamentally different position from that of other nuclear weapons states. If the preconditions that North Korea outlined are met– namely a Peace Treaty, and the abolishment of the ROK-US alliance and the US nuclear umbrella in South Korea - North Korea’s nuclear weapons can be abolished. But if the US’ MD, with its doctrine of preemptive strike, is aimed at incapacitating North Korea’s missile capability, North Korea will turn to increase its reliance on nuclear weapons, resulting in North Korea’s continued strengthening of its nuclear power and eventually leading to a domino phenomenon of more states going nuclear in Northeast Asia.

The U.S. construction of MD increases the possibility of nuclear first strike and all-out nuclear war and radically shatters international security and prosperity. Let us not forget that the Northeast Asian region includes Japan, which the United States attacked with nuclear weapons not too long ago, North Korea, the Taiwan Strait, and Vietnam, which in the past the United States threatened with nuclear attack. It is only when the US MD system is abolished that we can prevent this world from nuclear preemptive strikes and nuclear war, and the Pacific Ocean can become true to its name.

Text Fwd: India, Japan Strengthen Strategic Relations

StopNATO
Defense News
December 29, 2009
India, Japan Strengthen Strategic Relations
By Vivek Raghuvanshi

-Indo-Japanese strategic ties are part of an effort to counter the growing
influence of China in the area, said Mahindra Singh, retired Indian Army major
general and defense analyst based here. The heavy dependence of Japan and India on oil imports from the Persian Gulf is another major driver behind the growing Indo-Japanese relationship, Singh said.

NEW DELHI: India and Japan will upgrade their defense and strategic ties through
a Defence Action Plan (DAP) that will be presented to the prime ministers of
both countries when Yukio Hatoyama meets his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, here Dec. 30, said a senior Indian Foreign Ministry official. The Japanese prime
minister is visiting Dec. 27-30.

The DAP will set up a framework to increase defense and strategic cooperation.
One principal area will be maritime cooperation, the official added. Maritime
security dialogue between defense authorities of India and Japan already has
been taking place for "some time," said an official of the Indian Defence
Ministry.

Indo-Japanese strategic ties are part of an effort to counter the growing
influence of China in the area, said Mahindra Singh, retired Indian Army major
general and defense analyst based here. The heavy dependence of Japan and India
on oil imports from the Persian Gulf is another major driver behind the growing
Indo-Japanese relationship, Singh said.

In November, Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony accompanied a high-level
delegation to Tokyo that included Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar; V.K.
Saraswat, scientific adviser to the defense minister; and Vice Adm. D.K. Dewan,
the vice chief of the Naval Staff.
===========================
Stop NATO

Text Fwd: U.S. pleased to see N. Korean weapons seizure in Thailand: Clinton

Yonhap News
2009/12/15 05:46 KST
(LEAD) U.S. pleased to see N. Korean weapons seizure in Thailand: Clinton
By Hwang Doo-hyong

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that the U.S. welcomes Thailand's seizure of North Korean weapons on their way to a third country in violation of a U.N. arms embargo.

"We were very pleased to see the strong action taken by the Thais," Clinton said in a joint press availability with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. "I think the actions by the Thai government to detain the plane that is apparently carrying significant amounts of weapons demonstrates the importance of international solidarity behind the sanctions that were adopted at the United Nations earlier this year."

Thai authorities seized 35 tons of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and missile parts on a Georgia-registered flight Saturday when the plane landed in Bangkok for refueling.

Thai authorities reportedly said that they were tipped off by the U.S.

They said they confiscated the North Korean arms under U.N. resolutions adopted after North Korea's nuclear and missile tests earlier this year.

The resolutions call for an overall arms embargo and financial sanctions and interdiction of cargo on the high seas to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, missiles, other weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms.

Arms sales are one of the major sources of revenue for North Korea, which has long been under international financial sanctions led by the U.S.

"I don't think anyone should be surprised that North Korea is continuing to attempt to evade the sanctions and export around the world, because that is their principal source of foreign currency," Clinton said. "They have a need to continue to sell the one thing that they can export."

North Korea is suspected of being behind nuclear and missile proliferation in Syria, Iran, Pakistan and several other countries in the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates in July seized a Bahamian-flagged ship carrying North Korean rocket-propelled grenades and other conventional weapons labeled as machine parts, the first seizure of its kind since the Security Council adopted Resolution 1874 in June after North Korea's nuclear test in May.

India seized a North Korean ship off its coast in early August only to find no weapons aboard.

In late June, a North Korean cargo ship, possibly on its way to Myanmar, returned home after being closely tracked by U.S. Navy vessels.

At a daily news briefing, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the U.S. does not know the intended destination of the most recent North Korean shipment.

"The investigation of the incident is ongoing," he said. "And part of that investigation is to determine where exactly the shipment was headed."

Another State Department official, asking anonymity, said, "It's not unreasonable to suspect it is going to a neighboring country," apparently referring to Myanmar, a suspected North Korean client and a short hop from Thailand.

Kelly commended the Thai officials "for their swift and efficient action" in implementing U.N. resolutions.

"The next step here will be to report this incident to the U.N.'s North Korea Sanctions Committee, the so-called 1718 committee, which has a mandate to investigate and take appropriate action in response to incidents like this," he said.

The seizure comes as the United States has broken diplomatic ice with North Korea.

Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, made his first visit to Pyongyang last week to persuade North Korea to come back to six-party talks on ending the North's denuclearization.

Bosworth said that he failed to obtain the North's commitment to return to the six-party talks, but added the sides have "identified some common understandings" on the need to restart the six-party talks. The talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan have been deadlocked since the U.N. sanctions.

A 2005 six-party deal calls for the North's nuclear dismantlement in return for massive economic aid, the normalization of ties between the North and the U.S. and Japan, and the establishment of a peace regime to replace the armistice signed at the end of Korean War in 1953.

Clinton last week described Bosworth's meeting, the first since the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January, as "quite positive," stressing the need for "strategic patience" in dealing with the reclusive communist state.

Philip Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said last week Washington is ready to have another high-level meeting with North Korea toward reopening the six-party talks.

Crowley also said that the U.S. will continue sanctions, and expressed confidence Pyongyang will eventually return to the six-party talks "because, otherwise, the alternative is we will continue to aggressively enforce sanctions through continued consultations with the other partners in the six-party process."

Asked on the possible impact on the North Korean weapons seizure on the international efforts to revive the six-party talks, a State Department official, asking anonymity, said, "We are going to robustly implement 1874. At the same time, we want North Korea to return to six-party talks to discuss this real priority of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula."

On the reports that the U.S. has agreed to have four-party talks, which also includes South Korea and China, to forge a peace treaty to replace the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, the anonymous official said, "We can look at a number of different ways of engaging with them on non-nuclear issues within the context of the six-party talks."

"Once we get the six-party talks going again, there is a mechanism to have bilateral talks," he said. "However, we are not going to go to step two before we get to step one."

hdh@yna.co.kr

Text Fwd: Military Slamed for Neglecting Soldiers' Welfare

* Image source: same as the article below

Korea Times
[Exclusive] Military Slamed for Neglecting Soldiers' Welfare
By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
Dec. 2, 2009

The military is under fire for turning its back on requirements for the safety and welfare of soldiers in the field.

A case in point is the upgrade plan of K1A1 battle tanks. In 2007, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the Army and the developer of the tank, Hyundai Rotem, consulted one another about the requirements for the K1A1 upgrade.

Several upgrade items were decided on at that time with a focus on equipping the tank with the C4I network-centric battlefield management systems. The modification work is scheduled to start in 2012 after the production of the K1A1s has been completed.

Ignoring a suggestion by the Army and Hyundai Rotem, however, the JCS excluded the installation of an air conditioning system in the tank from the list of upgrade requirements, according to a military source.

``The military has come up with an ambitious catch phrase of developing advanced and digitalized armed forces. But the mindset of decision-makers in the military has rarely changed and appears to remain in the older, analog era,'' the source said.

The rationale behind the JCS's decision was that ``an air conditioning system doesn't affect field operations much, and soldiers can and should overcome such a difficulty in the field,'' the source said on condition of anonymity.

Critics say such an argument is anachronistic and contradictory to the military's pursuit of improving the welfare of soldiers.

The soldiers have also begun to complain about JCS's negligence.

``In the summer, it's quite tough to conduct a field exercise inside a battle tank. Tank operators sometimes suffer heat exhaustion and may suffer heat stroke on extremely hot days,'' a sergeant at a mechanized division in Gyeonggi Province told The Korea Times.

``If the military plans to spend money for upgrading the K1A1 tank to an up-to-date one, why doesn't it consider installing the air conditioning system? The military leadership should understand what soldiers in the field really want, not just speaking of military modernization.''

Most high-end tanks in operation around the world, including the M1A1 tank used by the U.S. Forces Korea, are equipped with the air conditioning system, a basic operational requirement. The indigenous K2 Black Panther main battle tank, which will begin service in the coming years, will also have the system.

Hyundai Rotem is worried that the lack of an air conditioning system might negatively affect exporting the K1A1 to Southeast Asia and other nations in warmer regions.

During the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2009 held in October, delegates from Thailand, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia showed keen interest in the K1A1 upgrade plans and the K2 tank, according to officials at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

Against that backdrop, Hyundai has already invested in developing an air conditioning system for the K1A1, without budget support from the military.

``We're developing an air conditioning system for the K1A1 and hope that the JCS and DAPA will review the plan positively in terms of the welfare of soldiers as well as the tank's future exports,'' a Hyundai official said, requesting to remain anonymous.

Earlier this year, the JCS was under fire for neglecting the safety of sailors operating in waters off the piracy-ridden Somalia coast. Even after receiving a warning about the possibility that Somali pirates could acquire surface-to-air guided missiles, the JCS didn't' take any measure to protect its sailors there, nor did they install missile protection equipment in a destroyer's Lynx helicopter.

Almost all navies deployed to the Somali waters are operating maritime helicopters equipped with flare launchers, infrared guided missile countermeasure devices and radar warning receivers.

The JCS at that time promised it would come up with countermeasures to cope with any potential threat but has failed to deliver on its promise since then. The only measure it took was to supply 25-kilometer-range marine binoculars for spotters in the helicopter of the Cheonghae unit.

Intelligence authorities said Somalia's pirates were presumed to have obtained Stinger shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles from al-Qaeda. The Stinger missile can hit targets flying as high as 3,500 meters at a speed of Mach 2. It has a range of 8 kilometers.

The Somali pirates also run sophisticated operations using high-tech equipment such as satellite phones, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers and GPS receivers. They are also known to have acquired Soviet-era anti-aircraft missiles such as the SA-7 and SA-18.

leeth@koreatimes.co.kr

Text Fwd: N. Korea criticizes maritime blockade at U.N. meeting

Yonhap News
N. Korea criticizes maritime blockade at U.N. meeting
By Kim Hyun

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea argued in a recent U.N. agency meeting that maritime blockades by "certain" countries are threatening the freedom of navigation, the North's media said Monday, in what appeared to be criticism targeting the U.S.

North Korea had sent a delegation, led by Ko Nung-du, to the 26th general assembly of the International Maritime Organization held in London on Friday.

Text Fwd: Experts caution West Sea naval “clashes” could warrant international intervention

* Image source: same as below
'An anchor of Korea Central TV delivers a statement from the high command of North Korea
to ask the South Korean military to apologize for the clash that occurred
between North Korean and South Korean navies near the NLL, Nov. 10.'

Hankyoreh
Experts caution West Sea naval “clashes” could warrant international intervention:
They say the U.S. and China negatively view increasing tensions in the West Sea, and that it is time to reign in naval commanders.
Nov.13, 2009

An anchor of Korea Central TV delivers a statement from the high command of North Korea to ask the South Korean military to apologize for the clash that occurred between North Korean and South Korean navies near the NLL, Nov. 10.

Tuesday’s naval clash in the West Sea near Daecheong island did not escalate, but experts have warned that clashes in the waters near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) could at any time turn into an international conflict.

Experts explained that if a naval battle were to grow larger than expected, the U.S. military might feel compelled to intervene. Article 3 of the Mutual Defense Treaty signed by South Korea and the U.S. in 1953 reads, “Each party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific area upon either of the parties in territories now under their respective administrative control, or hereafter recognized by one of the parties as lawfully brought under the administrative control of the other, would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes.” There is no specific reference to “automatic intervention,” but experts say that an “act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes” means U.S. military intervention.

It was due to these concerns that the Kim Dae-jung government defined the first and second West Sea naval clashes of 1999 and 2002 as “accidental armed clashes” rather than “battles.” A former high-ranking official who attended the meeting of security-related ministers during the 2002 clash said Thursday that if the government calls the clash an intentional North Korean provocation or a “battle,” the U.S. military could intervene and it could become an international conflict. The former official added that because the U.S. also does not wish to intervene it has agreed with our judgment that it was an “accidental clash.”

Experts criticize that, viewed in this context, it is possible to see just how dangerous measures taken since the start of the Lee Myung-bak administration to strengthen the free hand of commanders on the ground have become. The feeling on the ground is to respond as aggressively as possible to achieve “victory,” so giving a free hand to commanders opens the way to escalation. In a worst-case scenario, one cannot exclude a possible situation that would involve an accidental clash and growing battle, followed by U.S. military intervention.

Experts also point out that armed clashes in the West Sea are also intimately tied to Chinese interests. According to them, if an armed clash in the West Sea grows, traffic to and from major Chinese ports such as Shanghai and Tianjin could be paralyzed. Chinese imports of raw materials from Europe and the U.S. and exports of completed goods largely depend on maritime traffic. As a result, the Chinese government also reportedly put out feelers during this latest West Sea clash. Lee Hee-ok, a professor of Sungkyunkwan University and expert on China, said although the automatic military intervention article of the Sino-North Korea Treaty of Friendship is now almost a dead letter, China cannot help but negatively view increasing tensions in the West Sea.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

Posted on : Nov.13,2009 11:27 KST
© 2006 The Hankyoreh Media Company.


* Related articles:

Korea Times
11-13-2009
N. Korea Warns of Military Action Over Naval Clash

Yonhap News
2009/11/13 17:24 KST
(3rd LD) N. Korea threatens 'merciless' action to defend sea border with S. Korea


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Text Fwd:[Peace Network] North Korea’s Stronger Repulsion against the PSI…The West Sea is Dangerous

Text Fwd: N. Korea calls naval skirmish 'provocation' by South Korean military

* Yonhap News
(2nd LD) N. Korea calls naval skirmish 'provocation' by South Korean military
By Kim Hyun and Tony Chang

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- North Korea charged Thursday that a recent naval skirmish in the Yellow Sea was a "premeditated provocation" by the South who will be forced to "pay dearly" for the attempt to thwart the current mood for dialogue.

The navies of the Koreas exchanged gunfire along their western sea border on Tuesday, the first such incident in seven years. There were no South Korean casualties, but North Korea reportedly suffered one death and three of its sailors were wounded.

"Nobody can deny the fact that the armed provocation perpetrated by (the South) again in the West Sea is nothing but a deliberate and vicious move for increasing the tension and a dangerous war action of those much upset by the trend of the situation on the peninsula," Rodong Sinmun, a major North Korean newspaper published by the Workers' Party, said in a commentary. The article was carried by the North's Korean Central News Agency.

"The south Korean forces will be forced to pay dearly for the grave armed provocation," it said.

The two-minute battle erupted near midday Tuesday when a North Korean patrol boat crossed over the Northern Limit Line, the de facto border in the Yellow Sea, and responded to a warning shot with about 50 rounds. The South Korean vessel then opened fire and the North's boat retreated in flames, according to South Korean military officials.

North Korea gave a different account just hours after the incident. The Supreme Command of the North's Korean People's Army, chaired by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, demanded an apology from Seoul, saying South Korea initiated the skirmish against the patrol boat while it was on routine duty.

The boat was sailing to confirm an unidentified object that had intruded into North Korean waters, the command claimed. The report did not say what the object was.

Reiterating claims that South Korea initiated the incident, the Rodong Sinmun accused the South Korean military and conservatives of "collusion with outside forces while hamstringing the efforts to improve the inter-Korean relations."

"The artillery pieces of the KPA (Korean People's Army" convinced of justice and afire with hatred are now leveled at the provokers," the commentary said.

"The south Korean military had better face up to the trend of the times and behave itself."

The gunfire occurred ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's tour of Asia next week, which includes a stop in Seoul, and an expected trip to Pyongyang within this year by Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy.

Also, high-level officials between the Koreas recently met in a North Korean border town to facilitate inter-Korean dialogue, according to sources in Seoul

Text Fwd: Indonesia, Malaysia Advised to Fight Piracy

* Image source/ caption: Same as below
'Kim Suk-kyoon, Superindendent
General of Korea Coast Guard'

* Korea Times
Indonesia, Malaysia Advised to Fight Piracy
By Park Si-soo, Staff Reporter
Nov. 11, 2009

Forty percent of the world's pirate attacks take place in Asia, particularly in the Straits of Malacca, one of the world's busiest sea lanes, and the reluctance by two countries close to it — Malaysia and Indonesia — to open their territorial waters to international anti-piracy forces is a big headache, said a Korean expert on the subject.

"Most countries surrounding the area are Islamic, and they commonly dislike opening their territorial waters to armed vessels from other countries," said Kim Suk-kyoon, superintendent general of the Korea Coast Guard, in an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.

"Their bitter experience of being colonized by Western powers is partially to blame, but, nonetheless, their inaction makes it harder to crack down on piracy in Asia."

According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a total of 3,521 piracy cases were reported around the world between 1998 and 2008. Of them, nearly 41 percent, or 1,435, took place in Asian regions, particularly the Straits of Malacca.

Over the same period, thirty percent of piracy cases against Korean vessels took place in Asian waters.

Kim was one of a handful of key advisors in Korea's role in joining an international armada to combat pirates operating in waters off Somalia. Since March, a Korean Navy destroyer with 300 crewmembers has teamed up with multinational forces to combat piracy there. It marked the first-ever overseas combat deployment by the Korean Navy.

"Piracy is a universal crime. To Korea, as the world's 13th largest economy, joining in the anti-piracy operations is sort of a duty," Kim said. "More than 90 percent of products are either imported or exported through maritime logistics. As one of the major beneficiaries of maritime trade, Korea's participation was not only for us but also global prosperity."

Last month, Seychelles President James Michel spoke of his appreciation for Korea's anti-piracy efforts in a summit with President Lee Myung-bak.

Kim is one of a few piracy experts in Korea with a doctorate degree. He earned the degree in 2004 from Hanyang University in Seoul with an English-language dissertation titled, "Building a Multilateral Framework to Combat Piracy in Asia."

In the paper, the 44-year-old urged Asian countries to raise funds to launch a joint maritime police force responsible for cracking down on Asian piracy and escorting commercial vessels passing through piracy-prone waters, particularly the Straits of Malacca - a narrow 805-kilometer stretch of water between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

He raised concerns over the fact that piracy, mainly committed by people from impoverished countries to make a living, is becoming more organized and being used as a source of funds to finance terrorism organizations.

"Piracy in the past was committed by simply armed pirates to steal products carried by vessels, while today, it is much more brutal, violent and systematic," Kim said. "Today's pirates are armed with portable radar and an international information network. With the help of high-end technology and the network they gather information on the most lucrative target vessel and, once selected, brutally attack, killing passengers, and in some cases taking over the vessel to resell it at higher price."

He recently completed a paper discussing the correlation between maritime disputes and North Korea and South Korea relations. It's expected to be published in the journal "Ocean Development & International Law" sometime in the next few months.

"I am sure maritime affairs will stand at the center of key global issues in the near future. In this sense, the Korean government should pay more attention to maritime affairs for consistent and peaceful growth," he said.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr