Ssangyong Exercise Canceled: Trump's Card to Appease Kim Jong Un and Concerns Over U.S. Weapon Stock Depletion

Current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu pointed out that South Korean politics suffers from unnecessary controversy due to personnel appointments by both ruling and opposition parties. He asserted that a system should be introduced, like in the U.S., where all public officials collectively resign at midnight immediately after the presidential election.

Park emphasized that this approach could reduce wasteful debates and promote political stability. He stated, "Instead of the ruling and opposition parties creating absurd laws, they should agree on a law that says, 'When the presidential election ends, everyone resigns at midnight on that day.'" He criticized the problems with the current personnel system.

Regarding the government's policy to mandate bathtub installation in goshiwons, current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu strongly criticized it as unrealistic. He pointed out that installing a bathtub in the narrow space of a goshiwon is almost impossible.

Park referred to the cramped interior space of actual goshiwons, asking, "When you lie down there, there's barely enough room to stretch your legs, and your head goes under the desk. Where would you put a bathtub?" He argued that such a policy is nothing more than armchair theorizing and is far from the essence of youth housing problems, which is 'owning a home.'

He stressed that urgent fundamental measures are needed to solve the actual housing difficulties faced by young people, rather than mere showpiece policies.

Regarding the government's policy to 'broadly recognize exceptions for non-resident single-home owners,' current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu criticized the ambiguity of its criteria. He pointed out that the phrase 'broadly recognized' itself lacks quantitative and clear standards.

He worried that such ambiguous standards could lead to administrative waste and arbitrary judgments in specific cases. Park stated, "'Broadly recognized.' Ah, it sounds good, but how exactly will it be broadly recognized? The criteria are neither clear nor quantitative." He pinpointed the absence of clear standards.

He warned that such unclear regulations would eventually make the legal system a patchwork and cause confusion among the public.

It has been confirmed that the 'Ssangyong exercise,' a ROK-U.S. Navy and Marine Corps joint exercise scheduled for September, has been canceled. The host stated, "This exercise, called Ssangyong, is confirmed to be canceled again."

This cancellation of the Ssangyong exercise demonstrates a continuing trend of reducing and canceling ROK-U.S. joint exercises. In the past, joint exercises have also been reduced or postponed, which appears to be related to efforts to seek dialogue with North Korea.

Current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu analyzed that the cancellation of the Ssangyong exercise in September might be related to former U.S. President Trump's efforts to appease North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un. He mentioned that Trump might be considering inviting Kim Jong Un to the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, in November, or meeting him near Shenzhen.

Such moves, combined with the suspension of ROK-U.S. joint exercises, are interpreted as Trump's North Korea strategy to induce North Korea's participation in denuclearization negotiations.

Current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu emphasized that amphibious exercises are not merely defensive drills but offensive drills aimed at striking and annihilating key facilities of the North Korean regime. He explained, "Now, this amphibious exercise is actually not a defensive exercise but an offensive exercise. It's a drill to land in Wonsan or on the west coast, attack the State Affairs Commission building, and annihilate the North Korean regime. If they say they won't do that drill, then Kim Jong Un should listen to Trump."

The suspension of such amphibious exercises means a reduction in military pressure on North Korea, and concerns are also being raised that it could undermine the unique identity of the Marine Corps.

Current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu pointed out that the U.S. Patriot missile inventory is at a critical level. He warned that missile stockpiles are rapidly depleting due to the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions with Iran, which could affect the U.S.'s military response capabilities.

He stated, "Hasn't it already been reported that the Patriot missile inventory is at a critical level? The Iran war is also the same. The inventory of these anti-missile defense missiles has fallen to a dangerous level, which is a problem, but hundreds of Patriots in our country have already gone to Iran."

This situation could directly impact the security of ally South Korea, and the possibility has even been raised that some Patriot missiles held by South Korea have been transferred to Iran.

Conflict is intensifying between the leadership of the People Power Party and some veteran lawmakers over the introduction of direct elections for local chapter heads. The party leadership intends to push for direct elections through a party member vote, but veteran lawmakers oppose this to protect their vested interests.

Current affairs critic Park Sang-kyu stated, "Representative Jang Dong-hyuk suggests asking party members directly, but this is not a matter that requires going through a general assembly of lawmakers, nor can it be invalidated just because three-term or four-term lawmakers oppose it." He emphasized the leadership's will to proceed.

It is reported that opposition was dominant in the general assembly of lawmakers, and the supreme council also deferred a conclusion, indicating that the discussion is likely to be prolonged.

This conflict could escalate into a confrontation between intra-party democracy and vested interests.