US commandos killed North Korean civilians in botched 2019 mission, the *New York Times* reports. This is the crux of a story that’s, frankly, pretty disturbing. According to the *Times*, a U.S. Navy SEAL team on a clandestine mission in North Korea encountered a small fishing vessel. The civilians aboard, seemingly harvesting shellfish, were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The American forces opened fire, resulting in the deaths of everyone on the boat. The article, I must add, doesn’t specify the exact number of casualties, which feels like it only adds to the gravity of the situation.
Following this incident, a classified Pentagon review determined the killings were justified under the rules of engagement.… Continue reading
In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump accused Russia, China, and North Korea of “conspiring” against the United States, a claim that was quickly refuted by the Kremlin. Trump’s accusation came amidst a display of unity in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a military parade. The former president’s comments, made on Truth Social, seemed to highlight the growing divide between global blocs, despite ongoing efforts to engage Putin in diplomatic efforts. A Russian aide suggested Trump’s remarks may have been ironic, but senior North Korean officials have already denounced the US and its allies.
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Trump says China conspiring against US with Putin, Kim meeting at military parade, and honestly, it’s pretty clear he’s just now catching up to a reality the rest of us have been observing for a while. It’s like he’s just realized that his “friends” aren’t actually his friends, and they’re all hanging out without him. This realization seems to stem from a recent military parade, where China, Russia, and North Korea were clearly in cahoots, a move that has apparently lit a fire under the former president.
The whole situation reeks of a classic Trump reaction: anger, jealousy, and a complete lack of self-awareness.… Continue reading
During a meeting, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung requested US President Donald Trump’s assistance in establishing peace on the Korean peninsula, even humorously suggesting Trump build a tower and play golf in North Korea. President Trump responded by hinting at a potential meeting with Kim Jong-Un later in the year, acknowledging their past positive relationship. Furthermore, Lee Jae Myung emphasized the importance of the US-Korea alliance for South Korea’s economic growth and expressed hopes for its continued development in areas like science and technology.
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During a meeting with South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae Myung, former President Trump expressed his desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, potentially this year, to revive the stalled nuclear diplomacy of his previous term. Trump, who had previously met with Kim three times, highlighted his strong relationship with the leader, though his assertions regarding North Korea’s missile tests have been challenged by analysts who cite the regime’s focus on supporting Russia in Ukraine. In the meeting, Trump raised the prospect of the US taking ownership of land hosting a US military base, and sought a greater contribution from South Korea towards the cost of hosting US troops. However, the meeting was overshadowed by Trump’s criticisms of the South Korean government, which cast a shadow over the high-stakes talks.
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South Korea fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the border this week, according to Seoul. Pyongyang has responded by accusing Seoul of risking “uncontrollable” tensions, claiming the incident occurred while their soldiers were working to seal the border. The North Korean army has warned it would retaliate against any interference with its efforts to permanently seal the border. Despite South Korea’s new leader seeking warmer ties, North Korea has expressed no interest in improving relations, with leader Kim calling for the expansion of nuclear weapons capability in response to ongoing US-South Korean military exercises.
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South Korea fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who crossed the border amidst heightened tensions. The incident occurred as North Korea continues to seal its border and follows Pyongyang’s dismissal of Seoul’s efforts towards reconciliation. North Korea condemned the shots as a “deliberate provocation,” while the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the soldiers retreated back to the north side of the border after the warning shots. The DMZ, a strip of no-man’s land that separates the two countries, has been the site of past intrusions that increased tensions.
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In a rare display of emotion, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid tribute to soldiers killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, acknowledging the military losses. At a ceremony in Pyongyang, he met with commanders and bereaved families, pinning commendation badges on both the returning soldiers and photo frames of the deceased. This acknowledgment comes as roughly 12,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with reports indicating that Kim plans to triple that number, despite significant casualties and the use of brutal tactics by North Korean forces. The increased cooperation between the two countries raises concerns about the exchange of advanced technology, particularly in space and nuclear weapons programs.
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A new report reveals a covert North Korean military base near the Chinese border, the Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base, which poses a potential nuclear threat to both East Asia and the continental United States. This base, identified through satellite imagery and interviews, is believed to house advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles, potentially including the Hwasong-15 or Hwasong-18, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Construction began in 2004 and was operational by 2014, representing one of many undeclared ballistic missile sites. North Korea’s ongoing weapons development, coupled with Kim Jong Un’s calls for nuclear buildup, underscores the ongoing challenges to denuclearization efforts.
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North Korea is reportedly preparing to send a new contingent of approximately 6,000 military engineering personnel and between 50 to 100 pieces of military equipment, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, to Russia. Ukrainian intelligence suggests that while officially for demining and reconstruction in the Kursk region, this deployment may have broader implications. Furthermore, North Korea is already supplying a substantial portion of the Russian army’s ammunition needs, alongside hundreds of artillery systems and missiles, some of which have been upgraded for improved effectiveness. These actions follow previous deployments of North Korean troops to the frontlines, and align with the Kremlin’s efforts to address labor shortages in occupied territories.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker