Trump taps ex-NSC official involved in NK diplomacy as under secretary of state

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated a former White House official who was involved in diplomacy with North Korea during his first term, as under secretary of state for political affairs, according to Congress.

On Tuesday, the president notified Congress of the decision to nominate Allison Hooker, who previously served as senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council, a key post for U.S. policy toward the Indo-Pacific, according to Congress' website.

Her nomination comes after Trump has voiced his openness to reengaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the "complete denuclearization of North Korea."

North Korea is dismantling the reunion center at Mount Kumgang for families separated by the division of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification confirmed Thursday.https://t.co/moz8oWAXMP

— The Hankyoreh (@TheHankyoreh) February 14, 2025

Japan

U.S. Space Force to beef up Japan unit amid growing threat in region

The U.S. Space Force aims to beef up its fledgling unit in Japan to counter the evolving threats coming from the Indo-Pacific region, where China and Russia are developing space capabilities and North Korea continues to test-fire ballistic missiles, a U.S. commander said.

"While there's only a limited number of personnel today, we're going to grow that component over the next year or two into the fully capable system that we think we need here in Japan as a part of a larger network in the Indo Pacific," Lt. Gen. David Miller, head of the U.S. Space Operations Command, told a recent interview in Tokyo.

The U.S. Space Force's field command in Japan was launched at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo in December to offer space expertise in support of the U.S. military stationed in the Asian nation. It also works in close coordination with Japanese counterparts for the security of space, which has emerged as a new warfighting domain.

My piece on the controversy over "Black Box Diaries" and why it needs to be shown in Japan. https://t.co/eRGuJPvXIH

— David McNeill (@DavidMcNeill3) February 14, 2025

I was interviewed by BBC News for an article about the Ishiba-Trump summit: "How Japan prime minister's homework on Trump paid off" https://t.co/jcSrTbp4ff pic.twitter.com/UVHBYpSVc6

— Jeffrey J. Hall (@mrjeffu) February 9, 2025

South Korea

Demonstrations against Yoon and the PPP today the 15th. One of the demos was in front of Seoul National University, the citadel of the conservative professional elites. The demonstration in Kwangu, invoked the spirit of the May 18 movements resistance to the Chun Du-hwan dictatorship, which resulted in a massacre of demonstrators by the ROK Army.

Happening now in Seoul: Workers on strike in solidarity with protesters at a democracy rally. Power to people, no fear but courage! https://t.co/rpwe61ggxq

— Simone Chun (@SimoneChun) February 15, 2025

The notebook-

Notebook details plans for mass roundups, enabling Yoon to rule beyond term limit

A personal notebook kept by a former defense intelligence commander who was arrested on charges of helping plot the insurrection on Dec. 3 contained specific action plans to arrest “500-or-so people,” according to the Hankyoreh’s investigation.

The list of targets included not only authorities from the political opposition, but also “leftist” judges and celebrities, while the notebook highlighted how the individuals would be “collected” and sent to detention centers.

The notebook also brings to light the former commander’s aims of helping President Yoon Suk-yeol secure long-term rule by “flattening all leftists forces to the ground before the next presidential election.”

The Hankyoreh obtained the notebook of former Defense Intelligence Command leader Roh Sang-won. Our examination of its content on Thursday found that its 70 pages included the identities of 500 individuals and groups to be picked up in the “first roundup.” Among those listed were “30-50 [lawmakers] from Yeouido,” “100-200 journalists, etc,” “the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions,” “the Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union,” “Minbyun-Lawyers for a Democratic Society,” and “self-serving judges.”

Court likely to rule on Yoon's impeachment as early as mid-March

Final hearing Tuesday the 18th. Yoon's lawyers complained the Constitutional Court hearings were unfair, and that a "big decision" would be coming from them. Probably a walkout, Park Geun-hye's defense team did the same before her impeachment was upheld. I think they wanted to call more witnesses. The CC seems to feel they have more than enough evidence before them. Attempts by the defense team to defend Yoon have been characterized as sophistry, and nitpicking attempts to impeach the National Assemblies witnesses, which have been corroborated by other witnesses.

China-

What ever happened to freedom of navigation? Aren't exercises by US and allies "rehearsals?" Didn't US forces recently deploy to Kinmen six miles off China's coast last year?

Breaking a Seven-Decade Taboo: The Deployment of US Special Forces to Kinmen

The recent report, and subsequent confirmation by Taiwan authorities, of U.S. Special Forces’ deployment to Kinmen (Quemoy), a tiny island held by Taiwan, marks a monumental shift in U.S. military and foreign policy that challenges doctrines held since the Truman Administration. This move not only signifies an important geopolitical pivot, but also breaks a long-standing taboo that has implications for regional stability and U.S.–China relations.