PN's Voice 89

Peace Network Korea
PN's Voice 89, 08-08-2016
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PN's Voice No. 89   08. 08. 2016 
Small steps, Road to peace


S.K. Chides China over THAAD

China should hold North Korea accountable for threatening regional security instead of criticizing South Korea for its plan to deploy an advanced U.S. missile shield, Cheong Wa Dae, the executive office to the President, said on Sunday. It also urged lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) to cancel their planned visit to China to discuss controversial plans for deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea. "Before raising objections to our defensive measure, we think China should strongly address North Korea for repeatedly carrying out nuclear and missile tests and putting peace and stability in Northeast Asia at risk," he added.

The presidential office's demand for the MPK to cancel the visit to China comes as the main opposition has been internally divided over the THAAD issue. MPK interim leader Rep. Kim Chong-in said he has been irked by the scheduled visit of the six MPK members. Despite their claim that their visit to China is for national interests, Kim Chong-in warned that Beijing may exploit them to promote its opposition to THAAD. Saturday, in what is seen as an attempt to widen the political rift in South Korea over THAAD-related issues. "We should be prudent in our diplomacy with the U.S. and China," Kim said Sunday. "One should understand that the decision concerning THAAD was made in line with an alliance between Seoul and Washington. And I hope those six lawmakers are not being swayed by China."
Source : The Korea Times


Kerry, Yi Discuss Response to N.K. Provocations

The U.S. State Department says that Secretary of State John Kerry discussed response measures to North Korea's missile launches with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the phone on Friday.

North Korea on Wednesday fired two Nodong missiles, dropping one in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The department said that Kerry and Yi also touched on President Obama's attendance at the Group of 20 Summit to open in Hangzhou, China early next month.
Source : KBS News


Trump Repeats Troop Pullout Threat

United States Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump repeated threats that he would withdraw forces stationed in South Korea, Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia unless they pay the U.S. in exchange for protection.

In a rally in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, Trump said that these countries are not paying enough to cover the cost to defend them and, in result, have to pay more. He said that the United States should be ready to "walk away" at any time.

Particularly, he said that according to the U.S. defense pact with Japan, the United States should respond with its full force in order to defend Japan if the country’s longtime ally is invaded, but Japan does not have reciprocate the initiative if the United States is attacked. Trump said that he does not think the United States will walk away, but it might, adding that Japan may have to defend itself against North Korea.
Source : KBS News


Comfort Woman Statue Unveiled in Sydney

A statue featuring a wartime sex slave, mobilized for Japanese soldiers during World War II, was unveiled on Saturday in Sydney, Australia, despite protests from Japanese right-wing groups. This is the first monument erected in Australia and the fourth built outside of Korea, following statues in the U.S. and Canada.

Participants included Linda Burney, the first Indigenous woman elected to Australia's lower house of the federal parliament, and Carol Ruff, daughter of Jan Ruff-O'Herne, a Dutch-Australian who was forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. Former comfort woman Gil Won-ok, 89, also attended the ceremony, "I truly appreciate your effort to erect the statue to remember our painful history," Gil said in her address. Gil was forced to serve as a sex slave when she was 13 years old. "This is a statue for all women suffering", she added.
Source : The Korea Times

      

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