[CaptainCrunch]

North Korea redefines its relationship with South Korea


https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...th-2024-01-04/

Since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a stalemate, both nations have had policies that treat each other differently than other countries.
That has included relying on special agencies and ministries for inter-Korean relations rather than their foreign ministries, and embracing policies for a future peaceful reunification, usually envisioning a single state with two systems.
But in remarks to a year-end party meeting last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said peaceful reunification is impossible, and said the government would make a “decisive policy change” in relations with the "enemy". He also ordered the military to be prepared to pacify and occupy the South in the event of a crisis.


The changes in policy could help North Korea justify using nuclear weapons against the South, as it has increasingly threatened in recent years, said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul.
"If they give up on peaceful unification and redefine South Korea as a hostile enemy country with no diplomatic relations, the contradiction of using nuclear weapons against the same people will be eliminated," Hong said.

Kim names his daughter as his successor.


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67889211

It is the first time the National Intelligence Service has acknowledged Kim Ju Ae as Mr Kim's heir.
However, the NIS said that it was still considering "all possibilities" in Pyongyang's succession plan.
Miss Kim has kept a high profile since first appearing in public in late 2022.
"Based on a comprehensive analysis of public activities and the level of respect for Kim Ju Ae since her initial public appearance, at present, she appears to be the most likely successor," said the NIS.

Kim ordered increases on mobile weapon lauchers


https://abcnews.go.com/International...unch-106119493

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered authorities to increase production of mobile launch vehicles for missiles because the country faces a looming military showdown with its enemies, state media reported Friday, as it pushes to make its launches harder to detect.
The report on Kim’s order came hours after the White House said U.S. intelligence has determined that North Korea has supplied ballistic missile launchers to Russia for its war in Ukraine. The U.S. and its allies have previously accused North Korea of sending artillery and ammunition to Russia in return for Russian technologies to enhance its own military programs.
The official Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited a factory that produces transport erector launchers, or TELs, without saying when he went or where the factory is.

South Korea orders the evacuation of 2000 citizen's on Yeonpyeong Island due to provocations by North Korea.


https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240105005300315

SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has ordered civilians on the western border island of Yeonpyeong Island to evacuate to shelters, officials said Friday, amid apparent signs of a military provocation by North Korea.
The emergency evacuation order was given at 12:02 p.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the request of the South Korean military, according to the local county office.
"We announced the evacuation after receiving a call from a military unit saying it was carrying out a maritime strike on Yeongpyeong Island as it has a situation with a North Korean provocation," an official said.