It seems things went overall well during President Lee and Emperor President Xi’s summit this week. Xi had to be happy to hear Lee’s support of the status quo One China policy during the summit:

The summit also discussed sensitive issues, amid Seoul’s concerns over Beijing’s steel structures in a jointly managed Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) in the Yellow Sea. 

Since 2018, China has installed steel structures in and around the PMZ, raising questions over China’s intentions behind their installation amid concerns over Beijing’s growing territorial assertiveness in the South and East China Seas.

Both sides shared the view that turning the Yellow Sea into “a peaceful and co-prosperous sea” is important for the stable and long-term development of relations, and agreed to continue “constructive” consultations, Wi said, adding that he holds “cautious hope” for making progress on the issue. 

As the maritime boundary between the two countries has not been clearly demarcated, the two sides also agreed to hold vice-ministerial talks on the issue within this year. 

The two leaders also discussed cultural exchanges, as Seoul seeks to expand Korean content’s access to China, which has faced unofficial restrictions since South Korea hosted a U.S. missile defense system in 2017. Beijing does not formally acknowledge such restrictions. 

Lee and Xi discussed gradually expanding cultural exchanges in areas such as Go and soccer, and agreed to have working-level officials explore cooperation in dramas and films, the security adviser said.

The two leaders also noted the need to work together to address negative sentiment toward each other’s countries.

Asked whether China sought clarification on Lee’s position on Taiwan, Wi said the president reaffirmed Seoul’s respect for the “One China” policy and stressed the need for mutual respect to ensure stable bilateral relations.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but if Lee is able to get Xi to allow Korean music and films back into China that would be a big win for this summit. I guess we will see what happens.

Sad news that the lKorean actor Ahn Sung-ki has passed away:

 Ahn Sung-ki, one of the country’s most beloved actors, widely known for his warm public image and decades-long contributions to Korean cinema, died Monday. He was 74. 

He had been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit of a Seoul hospital after collapsing while choking on food at his home Tuesday.

He died at the hospital at around 9 a.m., surrounded by his family, according to the Korea Film Actor’s Association.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but one of my favorite movies he starred in The Taebaek Mountains is one of the best Korean War movies.

Kim Jong-un appears to continue to groom his daughter for future leadership in North Korea:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter Ju-ae has paid tribute at the family mausoleum for the first time, accompanied by her father, the North’s state media images showed Friday. 

Her first known attendance at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the North Korean leader’s late father and grandfather lie in state, came amid growing speculation about her presence in the North Korean communist dynasty’s potential succession. 

Kim, his wife and Ju-ae, as well as key party and government officials, visited the family mausoleum on New Year’s Day.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

It has long been speculated that the Pentagon has been looking to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Korea and it appears the 5-17 Air Cav is one unit being looked at for deactivation:

A Pentagon official said Friday that no decision has been made on the fate of a U.S. Army squadron in South Korea, which was reported to have been deactivated as part of a military transformation initiative.

The remarks came after a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report said that the 5th Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (5-17 ACS) at Camp Humphreys, a key U.S. base in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul, ceased operations on Dec. 15.

“No decision has been made and we do not comment on pre-decisional force structure matters,” the official said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency, apparently indicating that the squadron is still active.

The CRS report on the unit’s deactivation added to speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration could seek a ground troop reduction of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea as part of an adjustment to better counter threats from an assertive China.

5-17 ACS is known to have had hundreds of personnel, as well as aviation and reconnaissance assets, including AH-64E Apache helicopters and RQ-7B Shadow drones. It has served in Korea to support the 2nd Infantry Division since May 2022.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

It is pretty clear that the North Korean regime was sending a message to the Trump administration with these missile launches to not try to launch an operation against Kim Jong-un like what was done to Maduro. Honestly as long as Kim Jong-un doesn’t threaten America Trump will leave him alone:

The launch of missiles came as President Lee Jae Myung was set to depart for Beijing for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It also came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington has captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a large-scale military strike. 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missiles launched from near Pyongyang at around 7:50 a.m.

The missiles flew some 900 kilometers, the JCS said, adding the South Korean and U.S. authorities were analyzing the exact details of the launch.

The missiles reportedly landed at sea, according to a JCS official.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Before President Lee’s trip to China he is making sure to say all the right things to appease Emperor President Xi:

President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that South Korea’s position to respect the “one-China” policy regarding Taiwan issues remains unchanged, as he is set to pay a state visit to China for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

Lee made the remarks in an interview with China’s CCTV as tensions between China and Taiwan have flared anew after Beijing staged military drills near the self-ruled island earlier this week following Washington’s announcement of a large-scale weapons package for Taipei.

“I can clearly say that I, myself, respect ‘one China,’ and that peace and stability is very important regarding Northeast Asia and surrounding issues, including cross-strait matters,” he said.

He added, “When it comes to the Taiwan issue, which is the biggest pending issue for China, there is no change in (South Korea’s) position to respect the one-China (policy).”

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but the major issue with China is not the “One China” policy, it is them saying they reserve the right to forcibly make Taiwan rejoin mainland China. If there is any country in the world that should speak out against being forcibly annexed by a Communist attack it is South Korea. The ROK was first attacked by North Korea and then attacked again by China during the Korean War to Communize the entire peninsula. I wish someone in the media would ask President Lee what his position is on China attacking Taiwan? If he is indifferent to it then a reporter should follow up by asking him if international forces should have been indifferent to South Korea’s plight during the Korean War?

The only government showing leadership on this issue is the Japanese with Prime Minister Takaichi recently speaking out against attacking Taiwan which has drawn condemnation and retaliation from Beijing. If everyone in the region and beyond spoke out against a Chinese attack on Taiwan they can’t condemn and retaliate against everyone and would actually make war less likely. If China senses international weakness and feel they can get away with attacking Taiwan with little repercussions they would likely do it.