Erick: The government boosts MSME products to form an economic ecosystem

Cianjur (ANTARA) - The government is boosting the MSME sector with superior local products as an effort to form an economic ecosystem in order to pursue Indonesia's target of becoming the four largest countries economically in the world by 2045, SOE Minister Erick Thohir said in Cianjur.

 

Planned trial of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train at the end of 2022

President Joko Widodo hopes that the trial of the Jakarta Bandung Fast Train, which currently has reached 79.9 percent, can be carried out by the end of 2022, and will be ready for operation in June 2023.

"Indonesia has geographical strengths that can improve the economy, but so far, many parties have been trapped and not focused on economic strength in Indonesia, such as the tourism industry which focuses on foreign tourists," said Erick.

Before the pandemic, he said, domestic tourist transactions reached IDR 1,400 trillion and transactions from foreign tourists only IDR 300 trillion, after the pandemic, the decline in foreign tourists reached 70 percent, while local tourists were only 30 percent.

"This is enough to prove that local tourists are quite promising compared to foreign tourists, so it is necessary to build local economic strength that remains high despite the pandemic," he said.

To take advantage of the market and local strengths, Indonesia must have its own economic ecosystem, one of which is by maximizing MSMEs with superior products that can compete in all markets, including foreign countries.

However, this effort, he said, requires the cooperation of various parties from the center to the regions, so that the target of making Indonesia, as the fourth largest country in the world economically, can be achieved.

"BUMN will support MSMEs to improve the Indonesian economy, starting from coaching to capital. However, there must be collaboration from all parties to realize economic improvement," he said.

Two children and five children were arrested in Mandalay

Some policemen are seen providing security in Mandalay

Two children under the age of 10 were arrested by military council members on January 22 along with five special guerrillas from Mandalay Division, according to members of the Mandalay Local Defense Force.

A member of the PDF force in Mandalay, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said that he was arrested by an informant in Patheingyi Township.

"I was arrested with specific information," he said. The owner of the house was also arrested and a 10-year-old boy and a 6-year-old boy were also arrested.

The Mandalay Division Special guerrilla force issued a statement on January 23 regarding the arrests and warned those involved to stay safe.

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Military Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended the opening ceremony of the Mandalay Division Attorney General's Office and the High Court on January 22, and locals said that security was tight and inspections were being carried out in Mandalay.

Air strikes continue in Kayah Fifteen people were killed

Kayah (Karenni) State In Demawso Township, members of the military council and the Karenni Army (KA) and the Karenni People's Defense Force (KNDF); Locals say fighting has been going on all day yesterday, Jan. 21, by the local resistance force.

A local resident in Dimso told RFA that the military fired two planes at about 5:30 pm and airstrikes at 9 pm.

"There are no more civilians in the area," he said. 5 miles from Daw Po Si; There will only be PDFs for every 6 miles. The war is over and gone. Gentlemen, Young people The baby is gone. We have not been here for six months. That's the place to start running. I can not go back yet. These are battlefields. "More than half of the houses have been burnt down."

The Karenni People's Defense Force (KNDF) says three members of the Karenni Armed Forces were wounded in the fighting. The KNDF believes that there may be more casualties on the part of the military council, but RFA has not been able to confirm this separately. The military council has not issued a statement.

It is said that the military council troops came down with paratroopers near Htee Tu Khu village in Daw Rok Khu village tract in the western part of Demawso Township.

"I can not go back until now. Those places are battlefields."

The Karenni Democratic Front (KDF) has also issued a warning to the remaining people in Loikaw to flee.

Ko Lin Lin, a spokesman for the Karenni Democratic Front (KDF), said the announcement was made to keep the people safe as some residents of Loikaw were also killed during the fighting.

"One day ago, According to our survey two days ago, about 15 people were killed in Loikaw. To that end, we have issued a statement urging people to move to safer places. It was released yesterday to evacuate to a safer place as soon as possible. It was not a declaration challenging the siege. People can do it safely. There is no battle to seize the city yet.

Fighting in Loikaw in the past two weeks has killed 15 local civilians, according to the director of the Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG), U Byan, who has been listed as 10 dead.

"It started on January 6, Six died in seven days. Five of the six were men. We learned that there was one woman. In addition, two people were shot while riding a motorcycle. So eight. In the meantime, we found two more dead bodies. No one knows what happened. Another was killed in a bomb blast at home. There are almost 11 in total. "

He said most of the dead were men and the exact age was still being investigated.

Demawso Township, Kayah State He said fighting was continuing daily in Loikaw Township and could spread to other states, including Phuso Township.

A resident of Dimawso Township said that the fighting was causing a lot of damage and that preparations were being made for the possibility of more fighting.

RFA has contacted General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the military council, to inquire about the ongoing fighting in Kayah (Karenni) State, and the military has used force, both on the ground and in the air, but could not be reached for comment.

As of January 22, the Karenni Human Rights Group (KNHRG) put the number of refugees fleeing the fighting in Kayah (Karenni) State by more than 170,000.

As a result of the fighting, local people are hiding in the forests and mountains of Kayah State. Some fled to other states and divisions. Some are fleeing to the Thai border.

North Korea's resumption of ICBMs 'attention' amid spurs on development of short-range nuclear missiles

Anchor : Attention is focused on North Korea's next move, which has hinted at the resumption of nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, as well as carrying out a total of six missile test launches four times in the new year .

North Korea experts from the United States and South Korea noted that North Korea is spurring its development of short- and medium-range nuclear missiles, and pointed out that the possibility should be low, but caution should not be relaxed. Reporter Park Soo-young reports .

North Korea seems to have established a development strategy focused on medium- and short-distance

[ Chosun Central TV] The powerful reality of Joseon's power soared to the sky as the roar of the firing of Juche weapons shook the heavens and the earth as the silence of the dawn sky and the veil of ignorance were pushed away, and the flames heated the earth.

[ KBS Korea ] North Korea fired two ballistic missiles again in three days . It's already been the third time this year .

[ MBC South Korea ] North Korea has already launched a short-range ballistic missile for the fourth time this year alone .

In the past two weeks, North Korea has launched a total of four missiles with an interval of three or four days .

On the 5th and 11th , hypersonic missiles with gliding technology were test-fired, and on the 14th and 17th , ballistic missiles presumed to be KN-23 and KN-24 were fired from trains and airfields, respectively .

North Korean experts from the United States and South Korea have taken note of the latest trends in North Korea's commitment to developing medium- and short-range missiles .

Harry Kazianis, director of South Korea at the Center for National Interest in the United States , explained to the RFA on the 19th that short-range ballistic missiles are a game-changing trick for North Korea . Development and experimentation are relatively free in the international community and the US surveillance network .

[ Harry Kazianis ] I think North Korea has changed its tactics . I think that General Secretary Kim Jong-un is fully aware that the intercontinental ballistic missile test is a line that the United States and the international community should not cross .

Kim Jong-un confirmed during the Trump administration that a long-range ballistic missile test launch, which poses a direct threat to the United States, could provoke war with the United States, so he began to build armaments mainly on short-range ballistic missiles.

Bruce Klinger you, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, the United States is also (19 days ), hypersonic missiles, as well as 2010 developed new short-range ballistic missile that has since years , KN -23 and KN -24 was noted that dwaetdaneun combat deployment .

[ Bruce Klingner ] The improvement of North Korea's missile capability to hit South Korea, Japan and the United States is very worrying . In particular, over the past few years, North Korea has been developing a wide variety of missiles, mainly short-range and medium-range .

Dr. Marcus Schiller of 'ST Analytics ' in Germany, an expert on North Korean missiles, also pointed out to RFA on the 19th that " General Secretary Kim Jong-un has started to regularly conduct test launches focusing on medium- and short-range missiles " . He added, “ This is a phenomenon that was not seen under President Kim Il-sung and Chairman Kim Jong-il . ”

Jeffrey Lewis , director of the East Asian Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS) in the United States , also said in a self-run radio ( podcast ) broadcast on the 8th , “ North Korea, which has decided that it cannot win a war by possessing long - range tactical nuclear weapons alone, has We are committed to increasing the number of nuclear missiles . ”

[ Jeffrey Lewis ] North Korea seems to be shifting its focus from securing a deterrent against the United States to a larger stockpile of multiple tactical nuclear weapons . I think this is the reason why North Korea has recently been conducting short-range ballistic missile launches .

Possibility of hitting Seoul and Busan with hypersonic ballistic missiles mixed

Experts were divided on whether the hypersonic missile that North Korea is developing could actually hit Seoul and Busan, South Korea.

Analysts suggest that North Korea's hypersonic missiles can change their strike point from the East Sea to Busan through gliding technology, but it is not effective, said Shin Seung-gi, a research fellow at the Center for Security Strategy Research at the Korea Institute of Defense, an expert in analyzing North Korean weapons systems and defense costs.

[ Shin Seung- gi ] While North Korea's new ballistic missiles come to Busan via the East Sea through turning or detour maneuvers, it is highly likely that many of the major maritime Aegis ships of the ROK-U.S. alliance will be deployed in the East Sea . Then, it can be said with certainty that Aegis ships with the capability to defend against multiple missiles can continuously and precisely detect , track , and intercept North Korean-launched ballistic missiles and various cruise missiles .

In particular, the hypersonic missile released by North Korea is highly likely to be intercepted by South Korea's missile defense systems, such as THAAD and Patriot, because the speed drops significantly during the terminal phase, the phase of falling toward the target, researcher Shin said. .

On the other hand, a South Korean diplomat and security expert , who requested anonymity, explained in an interview with RFA on the 18th that " North Korea's gliding technology is not to change the point of impact, but to avoid interception from THAAD or air defense networks . "

Kazianis said that the North's ultimate goal would be to hit Incheon, Busan and other key areas with missile gliding technology, and that interception is possible, but tensions cannot be eased.

Ballistic missiles , potential for containment of US naval vessels in the East Sea

Experts paid attention to the possibility that China and North Korea may have engaged in missile cooperation to contain the United States.

Director Kazianis pointed out that North Korea should keep in mind that it can obtain the technology and materials it needs to develop missiles through China. 

[ Harry Kazianis ] What worries me is that China can ' weaponize ' relations with North Korea . China can give North Korea access to the latest ( missile-related ) technology, and it also has several ballistic missiles . For example, North Korea will at least have access to China's ' carrier -killer' technology . I think the US should take note of this .

Dr. Schiller also pointed out that " North Korea's recently launched hypersonic missile is similar to China's DF-21D in booster performance, shape and size " . It is said that it would have similar performance to the ' Carrier Killer ' , an anti-ship missile that prevents US naval vessels from approaching the Chinese coastline . He explained that China's DF-21D is a weapon designed to provide a deterrent to naval surface ships to prevent US aircraft carriers from approaching the East Sea .

Research Fellow Shin Seung-gi analyzed that North Korea is currently in a transitional stage in relation to the development of hypersonic missiles.

In reality, North Korea lacks technology related to hypersonic missile development , so it is developing a new missile by improving the performance of some of the warhead and propulsion technology developed in 2017, and then installing a warhead with improved functions on the existing maneuverable warhead re- entry vehicle (MaRV) .

North Korea likely to continue missile test launch despite economic hardship

Researcher Shin Seung-gi predicted that North Korea would continue to test missiles, although it would cost a lot of money.

[ Shin Seung-gi ] Kim Jong-un continues to mention and emphasize that he will rebuild the economy, but what matters more than this is the sure security of North Korea's core ruling system, led by Kim Jong-un .

Senior Researcher Klingner also said that North Korea is conducting missile tests at a rapid pace, and predicted that additional missiles unveiled at military parades and defense development exhibitions in 2020 and 2021 will be launched in the future . However, he predicted that even if North Korea completes its nuclear force, it will not be recognized as a nuclear power by the international community unless it violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty .

[ Bruce Klingner ] Clearly , North Korea has nuclear weapons and missiles against the United States and its allies . However, the international community cannot officially accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state and will continue to deter nuclear proliferation .

North Korea is propagating that it has test-fired a new ballistic missile to North Koreans to strengthen its national defense and war deterrence capabilities.

The 6th Politburo meeting held three days after the 4th missile launch this year opened up the possibility of nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests , which were virtually suspended, saying that they would reconsider measures of trust in the United States .

The situation on the Korean Peninsula surrounding North Korea is expected to fluctuate once again according to North Korea's next move, which has focused on developing medium- and short-range missiles amid evaluation that its strategic goals have changed.

Reporter Park Soo-young, Editor Park Jung-woo , Web Team Kim Sang- il

North Korean executives displeased with 'free school supplies'

Anchor: Parents are welcome to the news that the North Korean authorities are providing free school supplies to students, but officials involved in the production of school supplies are raising concerns, local sources said.

Reporter Lee Myung-chul reports inside North Korea.

A resident of Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, said on the 19th, “At the 4th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Party Central Committee, as a major measure in the field of education, uniforms and school supplies for all school-age children (kindergartens) and students of elementary, elementary, and high school It has recently been announced that the government will pay the full cost of the supply from now on.” He said, “It will be implemented from the new school year (April) this year, so there are many concerns among the executives in charge of the production of school supplies, including securing materials.” It was announced on Radio Free Asia.

A source said, “In the past period, school uniforms had to be purchased with money at the market, and it was a burden on parents as they had to pay for all school supplies, including study books, on their own. Parents are welcome because the state has provided it free of charge.”

The source also said, “As news spread that the state would provide students with school supplies free of charge, people were cut off from the school supplies in the market. There is a saying that we need to change,” he explained.

The source continued, "A student bag manufacturer in Chaeha-dong, Sinuiju, has been making bags by purchasing a large amount of fabric for the new school year.

In this regard, an education-related source in Chongjin, North Hamgyeong Province, said on the same day, “Parents are happy to hear about the free supply of school uniforms and school supplies, but executives at the state-run factories in charge of producing school uniforms and school supplies are getting worried.” School uniforms and school supplies have to be produced according to the number of students in the region, but difficult problems such as guaranteeing raw materials are expected.

A source said, “The authorities say that the state guarantees complete guarantees, but the actual production cost is unsettling because each regional factory has to solve it on their own,” a source said. It is difficult for anyone to predict in what direction this measure will go,” he said.

Reporter Lee Myung-cheol, Editor Oh Jung-seok, Web Team Kim Sang-il