Korea Chair Monitor

The Korea Chair Monitor is a bi-weekly publication giving a look back at events of interest in Washington, Seoul and the region as well as upcoming events of interest

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Korea Chair Monitor | Vol 4 Issue 5

On March 16, President Obama issued executive order 13722, “Blocking Property of the Government of North Korea and the Workers’ Party of Korea, and Prohibiting Certain Transactions with Respect to North Korea,” leveling new sanctions in response to the January 6 nuclear test and February 7 missile launch. The new sanction regime blocks the property and interests of the Government of North Korea and the Workers’ Party of Korea; bans the exportation of goods, services, and technology to North Korea; prohibits new investment in North Korea; and sets out criteria for new sanctions designations. These criteria will help facilitate the designation of entities engaged in North Korean human rights abuses, cybersecurity threats, censorship, earning of revenue from overseas labor, and trade in metals, graphite, coal, or software.

Newsletter — March 25, 2016

Korea Chair Monitor | Vol 4 Issue 4

On March 7, the annual U.S.-ROK military exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle commenced, involving about 17,000 U.S. troops and 300,000 ROK troops. Key Resolve, a command post exercise (CPE), will run from March 7 to March 18, while Key Resolve, a field training exercise (FTE), will run from March 7 to April 30. This year’s exercises, the largest since 2010, involve the new OPLAN 5015, signed last June by the two allies, which focuses on preemptive strikes against North Korea. Finally, the Ssang Yong exercise, a biennial amphibious landing drill, will take place March 27 to April 7.

Newsletter — March 11, 2016

Korea Chair Monitor | Vol 4 Issue 3

On February 23 and 24, Admiral Harry B. Harris, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Commander of UNC/CFC/USFK testified at hearings before the Senate and House Armed Services Committee, respectively. Both expressed concern about DPRK’s continued provocations, and were in support of discussions concerning the deployment of THAAD to the ROK as part of strengthened layered defenses. 

Newsletter — February 26, 2016

Korea Chair Monitor | Vol 4 Issue 1

Ambassador Thomas Shannon, U.S. Department of State counselor and pending nominee for under secretary for political affairs, arrived in Seoul on January 27 and will stay until January 28. He is visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and will hold bilateral meetings with Korean officials on the alliance, global priorities, and responses to North Korea. Ambassador Shannon was nominated as the next under secretary for political affairs in September 2015.

Newsletter — January 29, 2016