19.03.2017

KBS News

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By Choi Yeongyun

North Korea has made a new engine for use in long-distance inter-continental nuclear missiles. They’ve been parading their developing skill in producing auxiliary engines even more. Having developed two missiles which can now reach the US mainland, they have now arrived one further stage along in their development [of missiles].

A jet of flame flares out from the missile. North Korea has developed this all itself, and is now testing this latest high-powered engine. As the North’s own Joseon Central TV said: “We have produced a large-output-type mover that has a higher propulsion speed than that of the previous engine.” This most recent test was believed to have progressed similarly to the test which took place in September. While a large flare could be seen coming out of the missile during the first test, only a small red-coloured flame was witnessed during this test. Four auxiliary engines were added to the main event.

Our analysis is that the new missile’s guidance system means that its flight and stability is higher than before. The turbine pump it uses also adds liquid fuel to the missile’s. Shin Jongu, manager of the Korean Security Forum, said: “this test is to show Gim Jeongeun the results of the auxiliary engine, which is the last step for mounting a missile on the ICBM.”

A fired-up Gim Jeongeun has been motivating his scientists and engineers. As Joseon Central TV reported, “Our esteemed Supreme Leader Comrade Gim Jeongeun expressed great satisfaction about the progress of the new type output engine.”

While up to this point Pyeongyang had been stubbornly referring to its “large footprint engine” as [merely] a “satellite”, now it has been referring to it as a “new type of weapon development project”, not hiding that it is part of a long-range missile development project.

KBS News

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By Shin Jihae

Among the surprises and shocks thrown up by the political situation around the early election, from political circles are sprouting many various factors, which if they become real, would seem to be influencing each party to take on an ideological idea as their slogan. Here we examine the factors that inluence the so-called large-scale theory, the constitutional revision, and a third party.

With an unprecedented early election, the result of the [opposition] Democratic Party’s primary election is of supreme interest [to the public]. Starting from Honam on the 25^th, the candidates will be selected through Chungcheong, Yeongnam and the metropolitan area in succession. If the candidate Mun Jaein wins a big victory in the first race it is likely that he will build an unattainable lead. However if Ahn Heejeong received a surprise nomination, the contest may change. Analysts are undecided as to whether the success of No Muhyeon from 2002 [who won the first round of the nominations easily and went on to take nomination for the Democratic Party before going on to win the election] will be repeated.

Unification behind the conservative candidate is also key. Yu Seongmin insists on unifying the candidates, but Nam Gyeongpil, the governor of Gyeonggi province, said that he would not follow the party line. Meanwhile there has been no confirmation yet of expected candidates like Hong Junpyo and Gim Gwanyong, possibly due to a lack of unity behind candidates.

Analysts believe that a third party candidate could potentially mount a strong challenge the established parties if they do not unify strongly behind their nominations.

12.03.2017

KBS News

By Gim Seongsu

Acting President Hwang Gyoan announced today that he is expecting the election agency to announce a date for the forthcoming election this week. In a phonecalle to KBS he said “we are looking towards declaring a date for the election within the coming week” and “the deadline for the announcement of the election date is within ten days of any impeachment.” If the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs appoints an election date and reports it to the Hwang administration, the Hwang administration will then determine the election date based on this.

It was also reported that the Cabinet will hold a cabinet meeting and vote on any proposed election date. Although there is not clear legal basis for election by the Cabinet, it is important that the election day be designated as a temporary holiday. Article 68 of the constitution states that “when a president vacates their position, or when an election is invalidated, or when a president is disqualified due to a judgement or other reasons, their successor shall be elected within 60 days”. This deadline would bring us up to May the 9^th, 60 days from when former President Bak Geunhye was removed from office on