Drunk North Koreans

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope your first week of 2025 was great. Despite the violence and many controversies around the world, I genuinely hope you find peace of mind with your loved ones.

Unfortunately, for North Korean soldiers, alcohol was their only solace during the New Year. While the North Korean state is often seen as the archetypal “enemy,” I truly feel for the unaware soldiers sent to be cannon fodder.

The video below shows just how deeply they’ve been brainwashed over the years. 👇️ 

🇰🇵 NORTH KOREA
North Korean Troops
Turn to Alcohol

The video above reportedly shows North Korean soldiers claiming that if North Korea possessed such weapons, it could have “already conquered the United States by now.”

Perhaps it is the realization of this delusion that has led North Korean soldiers, sent to fight alongside Russian troops in southern Russia, to turn to alcohol, causing their “fighting spirit” to plummet.

Alcohol Abuse

North Korean soldiers were caught indulging in alcohol on New Year's Eve, impacting their combat readiness.

Was this to celebrate, or to drown their pain and suffering?

• The GUR intelligence agency of Ukraine reported cases of alcohol abuse among North Korean soldiers, including those involved in combat operations.

• Despite being bombarded with Russian propaganda, the fighting spirit of these soldiers has plummeted.

Deployment and Casualties

Between 10,000 and 12,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia in October to fight Ukrainian forces.

• These soldiers were involved in fighting in Kursk between December 31 and January 1, sustaining significant casualties.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Pyongyang had already sustained 3,000 casualties in Kursk by December 23.

Mutual Defense Pact

So, why are North Koreans in Ukraine? Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense pact in June last year, strengthening their military cooperation.

• Pyongyang has provided a significant number of missiles and munitions for Russia's war effort.

• Russian commanders are sending new North Korean soldiers to the front line in Kursk, including the village of Ulanok.

Grim Reality

The situation for North Korean soldiers in Russia is dire, with reports of soldiers taking their own lives rather than surrendering.

• Ukrainian forces have captured several North Korean soldiers, but they were seriously wounded and could not be resuscitated.

• The US has heard reports of North Korean soldiers taking their own lives out of fear of reprisal against their families in North Korea.

🇨🇳🇵🇭 CHINA & PHILIPPINES
Chinese Submarine Drone Found

A suspected Chinese underwater drone has been discovered in Philippine waters, adding fuel to the already tense territorial disputes between the two nations.

The Discovery

A local fisherman reportedly discovered the drone near San Pascual, Masbate, on December 30.

• The yellow device, marked HY-119, was identified as Chinese-made.

• Police Brig. General Andre Dizon confirmed it was an underwater navigation and communication system.

• The drone was sent to Philippine navy forces on Luzon Island for further examination.

Why It Matters

China claims control over nearly all the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pushed back against Chinese maritime forces since taking office in 2022.

• Clashes over disputed features like the Spratly Islands have intensified.

• Chinese coast guard vessels have used aggressive tactics, including ramming and water cannons, to drive off Philippine government ships.

National Security Concerns

The drone poses potential national security risks, according to a police report.

• While unarmed, the drone's capabilities for monitoring and reconnaissance are concerning.

• The discovery follows the appearance of China's CCG 5901, the world's largest coast guard ship, at Scarborough Shoal.

• Scarborough Shoal remains a flashpoint for standoffs between Chinese forces and Philippine government missions.

What’s Next?

China is likely to maintain its heavy maritime presence in the region.

• The Philippines is expected to continue defying China's sweeping South China Sea claims.

• President Marcos Jr. has stated he would avoid deploying naval warships to contested areas to prevent escalation.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
FBI: Las Vegas Bombing,
Not Terrorism

Despite many outlets initially labeling the Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas as a “terrorist attack,” the FBI now believes it was a suicide by a veteran struggling with PTSD.

The Incident

Explosives, Trump Tower, and a Tesla—this looked like a textbook attack with a clear motive, but apparently, it wasn’t.

• Livelsberger, a 37-year-old active duty member of the Army Special Forces, was identified as the driver.

• Livelsberger shot himself inside the car before the bombing.

• The explosion occurred in the hotel's valet area on January 1, 2025.

Investigation Findings

The FBI revealed Livelsberger had PTSD and other personal issues.

• Investigators found writings on his phones detailing his activities and grievances.

• And it revealed that Livelsberger held no animosity toward President-elect Donald Trump.

• Interviews with family, friends, and military associates confirmed this.

• The FBI found no connection between Livelsberger and any terrorist organization.

Unrelated to New Orleans Attack

The bombing was not linked to the deadly terror attack in New Orleans on the same day.

• Both incidents involved rented vehicles and military personnel from the same base, but no direct connection was found.

• The FBI continues to investigate the contributing factors.

Online

Understandably, online critics aren’t buying the story, arguing that authorities are now trying to bury the political ties after it was revealed that the New Orleans terrorist and Livelsberger served at the same base, Fort Bragg.

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
Arrest Efforts Suspended

South Korean investigators have hit the pause button on their efforts to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol after a dramatic standoff yesterday.

The Standoff

Investigators tried to detain Yoon at his residence but were blocked by a “human wall” of soldiers and security.

• Around 80 police and investigators entered the presidential compound early in the morning.

• They were met by 200 soldiers and security members forming a blockade.

• Several altercations occurred, leading to the suspension of the arrest warrant enforcement.

Public Reaction

The atmosphere around Yoon’s residence is charged, with hundreds gathering to support him.

• Supporters held signs with “Stop the steal” and waved American flags.

• Some described his arrest as treason and called for the arrest of the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO).

• Yoon’s lawyer called the warrant “illegal” and vowed to take legal action.

Context

The arrest warrant for Yoon remains valid until January 6 and could be extended.

• Yoon is wanted for questioning in multiple investigations, including accusations of leading an insurrection.

• The warrant was approved earlier this week, marking the first time such action has been taken against a sitting president.

• Yoon has refused to answer three summonses by investigators.

What’s Next?

The CIO expressed “deep regret” at Yoon’s defiance and will request the acting president to comply with the arrest warrant.

• Yoon’s defense team has filed an injunction to suspend the warrant.

• If detained, Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours for questioning.

🇵🇱 POLAND
Poland Snubs
Hungarian Envoy

Poland has officially taken over the six-month rotating EU presidency from Hungary.

First order of business? Give Hungary the cold shoulder by not inviting its ambassador to the EU presidency gala. This diplomatic snub comes after Hungary granted asylum to a fugitive Polish politician, causing a rift between the two nations. 😬

The Gala Drama

• The gala is held the gala at Warsaw’s Grand Theatre on Friday.

• Hungary’s asylum decision for Marcin Romanowski, a fugitive Polish ex-deputy justice minister, sparked the snub.

• Poland’s Foreign Minister Sikorski sent a note to the Hungarian ambassador, stating he’s not welcome.

Hungary’s Reaction

Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Ministry didn’t mince words in response to Poland’s decision.

• Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called the decision “pathetic and childish.”

• The Hungarian ambassador had confirmed his attendance weeks ago.

• Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was also not invited.

The Fugitive

So, who is this Marcin Romanowski?

• Romanowski faces 11 charges in Poland for misuse of public funds during his tenure from 2019 to 2023.

• A Warsaw court issued a European arrest warrant for him just before Hungary granted him asylum.

• Romanowski is an MP with the nationalist opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Political Fallout

Understandably, relations between Poland and Hungary have soured since late 2023.

• The two countries have opposing stances on the European response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

• Poland is pro-Kyiv, while Hungary is sympathetic to Moscow.

🇸🇾 SYRIA
European Ministers Visit Syria

European ministers from Germany and France have made a historic visit to Syria to strengthen ties with the new government. This marks the first high-level Western diplomatic visit since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last month.

Diplomatic Visit

German and French foreign ministers visited Damascus to meet Syria’s new leaders.

• Annalena Baerbock of Germany and Jean-Noël Barrot of France represented the European Union.

• They met Ahmad al-Sharaa (a.k.a. al-Jolani), the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the new ruling group.

• The visit included a tour of the infamous Sednaya prison.

New Leadership

Ahmad al-Sharaa is working to project a moderate image for the new government.

• HTS is still blacklisted as a terrorist group by the US and the United Nations.

• Al-Sharaa has called for the lifting of all sanctions on Syria.

• He aims to reassure minority groups and focus on rebuilding the country.

• Despite this, al-Sharaa recently announced that elections would be postponed for up to four years to ensure stability and focus on rebuilding critical infrastructure.

International Relations

Western powers are gradually opening channels to the new Syrian authorities.

• France urges a political transition that includes all Syrian communities.

• The US has begun forging ties with the new government.

• Barbara Leaf from the US State Department met with al-Sharaa in December.

Regional Concerns

However, some Syrians and neighboring countries are wary of the new government.

• Minority groups, including Christians, are uncertain about al-Sharaa’s Islamic State roots.

• Israel has conducted airstrikes against Syrian military sites since al-Assad’s fall.

• Gulf States like the UAE are cautious about groups embracing political Islam.