It is ‘Global Village Today’ that delivers major news from various countries around the world.
Host) What news do you have today?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered increased border security following a series of drone strikes on the Russian mainland. The second plenary session (second plenary session) of the 20th Communist Party Central Committee concluded with the appointment of President Xi Jinping for the third term. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found uranium particles at a concentration of over 80% in Iranian nuclear facilities.
Host) Global Village Today, this is the first news. Russia is stepping up border security?
Reporter) Yes. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to strengthen border security between Russia and Ukraine at a meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB) on the 28th. Putin told Russian security officials to step up measures to counter increasing Ukrainian and Western espionage and sabotage against Russia.
Moderator) It seems that your remarks were made in consideration of the drone attacks on the Russian mainland over the past two days?
Reporter) Yes. However, President Putin did not comment on the recent drone attack at this meeting. However, analysts say that President Putin’s order to strengthen security reflects Russia’s intelligence failure or potential vulnerability.
Host) What else did President Putin talk about?
Reporter) Yes. Putin stressed the need to prevent “sabotage groups” from entering Russia from Ukraine and strengthen protection of Russian infrastructure. He also said that Western intelligence agencies must stop efforts to resurrect terrorists or extremist organizations inside Russia. Putin said Western intelligence agencies have always been espionage in Russia, but now they are putting more manpower, technology and resources into the country. Putin also ordered to increase security in four regions of Ukraine.
Moderator) If you are referring to the four regions of Ukraine, are you referring to the places that Russia declared annexation last year?
Reporter) That’s right. On September 30 last year, President Putin signed a treaty under which four regions of Ukraine—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson—are incorporated into Russian territory. As a result, Russia formalized these four regions as administrative divisions of the Russian Federation. However, most countries, including the United States, consider it illegal and do not recognize it.
Moderator) There were drone attacks in various areas?
Reporter) Yes. On the night of the 27th and the 28th, drones appeared in the skies near Moscow and over several areas in the west and south, Russian officials said. There were no casualties or serious damage as a result. But the attack, which occurred more than a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, calls into question Russia’s defense capabilities, the Associated Press analyzed.
Moderator) One of them said that it appeared in the area near Moscow, the capital city. How far is it from Moscow?
Reporter) Yes. It is near the village of Gubastovo, about 100 km from Moscow. Moscow Governor Andrei Vorobyov said in a statement that the drone had crashed and no damage was caused. But he said it appeared to be targeting civilian facilities. If you look at the photos released by the Russian authorities, it is a small Ukrainian model with a maximum range of 800 km. However, it is a drone that is evaluated for not being able to carry a large amount of explosives.
Moderator) Please tell us about the situation in other regions.
Reporter) Yes. In Belgorod, Russia’s western border city, three drones appeared on the night of the 27th, local authorities said. As a result, cars and buildings were slightly damaged, but there were no casualties. On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that there were also Ukrainian drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure on the night of the 27th in southern Krasnodar and Adygea. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the drones were shot down and no damage was done. Early the next day, on the 28th, a Ukrainian drone appeared in the southern Bryansk region and was shot down by Russian forces, local authorities said.
Moderator) Has there been any disruption to aircraft operation due to the advent of drones?
Reporter) Yes. In St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, the airspace around Pulkovo Airport was temporarily closed and the airport was suspended. As a result, several Russian domestic flights heading to St. Petersburg were diverted to their origins. Flights to Kaliningrad, an extra-Russian territory accessible only through St. Petersburg, were also affected.
Moderator) Then, is the airspace still closed?
Reporter) No. The airport resumed operations at 12:00 noon, about an hour earlier than the originally announced scheduled time. Officials at Pulkovo Airport have not made any official announcement about the action. However, some Russian media reported that it was because of the appearance of an unidentified object. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said it had conducted air defense exercises in the western region.
Host) What is Ukraine saying about the series of drone strikes?
Reporter) Ukraine has not issued any official response. Ukrainian officials often insist that Ukraine has the right to strike any target in Russia in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. But it has avoided acknowledging responsibility for direct attacks.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech on the first day of the 20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China in October last year. (data photo)
Host) Global Village Today, this time we will go to China. Has the CCP’s “Second Plenary Session” ended?
Reporter) Yes. The Second Plenary Session (Second Plenary Session) of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China ended on the 28th after a three-day schedule. It has become customary for the Central Committee, the highest leadership body of the Communist Party of China, to hold seven plenary sessions between Party Congresses, held once every five years.
Moderator) So this is the second plenary meeting, right?
Reporter) That’s right. In the usual double plenary session, the recommended list of leaders who will lead China for the next five years, such as the ‘State Council’, China’s cabinet, the ‘National People’s Congress (NPC)’, and the National People’s Political Consultative Conference (PPPC), an advisory body for state affairs, are included. It plays the role of finalizing the party and government organization reform bills, etc.
Moderator) This is like announcing the beginning of the third term of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s presidency?
Reporter) Yes. The decisions made at this second plenary session will be submitted in the form of proposals to the plenary session of the National People’s Congress, which will open on March 5. It is known that the second plenary ratified Chinese President Xi Jinping’s third consecutive term and appointed former Shanghai party secretary Li Chang as prime minister. It is unlikely that you will be rejected at the National People’s Congress, which is called a rubber stamp and a raise.
Host) What other people were included in the leadership?
Reporter) The personnel confirmed at this second plenary session will be officially announced at the National People’s Congress (NPC) to be held on March 5th. First of all, the four deputy prime ministers are observations that Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Political Bureau, and members of the Central Political Bureau, Heifeng, Liu Guozhong, and Jiang Guoqing, are influential. On the other hand, it is known that Zhao Leji, third in the party’s ranks, and Wang Huning, fourth in the party’s ranks, will serve as chairman of the National People’s Congress, respectively.
Moderator) Organizational reform was also covered in this 2nd plenary session?
Reporter) Yes. The official announcement issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China after the closing of the second plenary session did not mention the details of the institutional reform plan. However, he emphasized that he was fully aware of the need and urgency for reform of the party and state apparatus. In addition, in the field of science technology and finance, it was recommended that administrative organizations be reorganized into organizations directly under the party.
Moderator) What other main contents were covered in this 2nd plenary session?
Reporter) China’s economic problems were also dealt with in depth. The public notice of the second round pointed out that China’s economic development is under the triple pressure of contracting demand, shocking supply, and deteriorating forecasts, and pointed out that the foundation for recovery is not yet solid. Accordingly, he stressed the need for measures such as expanding domestic demand and improving the supply chain.
Atom concept map and Iranian flag (file photo)
Presenter) Global Village Today, let’s see one more news. The news that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has discovered highly enriched uranium particles in an Iranian nuclear facility?
Reporter) Yes. Several media reported on the contents of the quarterly report that the IAEA recently distributed to member countries. IAEA inspectors said they found uranium particles enriched to 83.7% concentration in samples taken at Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility in late January. The report also said the IAEA was in discussions with the Iranian side to clarify the matter.
Host) You said you discovered uranium particles, not enriched uranium?
Reporter) Yes. This suggests that there was no stockpile of uranium enriched to more than 80% concentration.
Moderator) There have already been reports that uranium enriched to more than 80% concentration has been released from Iranian nuclear facilities, right?
Reporter) Yes. It was said that inspectors had found 84% concentration of uranium. According to related reports, the IAEA found two cascades of advanced centrifuges at Iran’s Fordo underground nuclear facility, connected in a significantly different mode of operation than Iran reported to the IAEA, which yielded 84% concentrated uranium.
Moderator) According to this report, isn’t this report true? How did the Iranian side explain the IAEA report?
Reporter) Yes. The Iranian side explained that an unintended fluctuation in the concentration level occurred while concentrating to 60% concentration. Mohammad Eslami, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, downplayed the IAEA findings. He told reporters on the 1st, “The sample is just a particle that cannot be seen even under a microscope,” and emphasized that “the important thing is the amount of material that accumulates after concentration.”
Moderator) While concentrating at 60% concentration, by-products with a concentration of 80% or more came out unintentionally, and the amount was at the level of particles. Still, wouldn’t it be a concern for Western countries and the IAEA, who are concerned about Iran’s nuclear program?
Reporter) Yes. This is because, as Iran claims, enrichment concentrations of any particle are approaching the levels required for weapons-grade uranium. The uranium enrichment required for nuclear weapons is 90%. Many experts pointed out that if the uranium enrichment concentration exceeds 80%, it is no longer enriched for civilian use. Experts say even a concentration of 60% in Iran is beyond civilian use.
Host) The Iranian nuclear deal signed in 2015 places limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment, right?
Reporter) Yes. The uranium enrichment concentration is limited to 3.67%, and the uranium stockpile is limited to 300 kg. Uranium enriched to 3.67% can be used for nuclear power generation.
Moderator) But hasn’t Iran gradually increased its uranium enrichment since 2018?
Reporter) Yes. At that time, the US administration of Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and restored sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran raised its uranium enrichment level to 60%.
Host) Did you know that not only the enrichment concentration but also the uranium stockpile has been greatly increased?
Reporter) Yes. The IAEA put Iran’s uranium stockpile at about 3,700 kg as of February 12. About 87kg of this is uranium enriched to 60% concentration.
Moderator) When Iran raises the concentration of uranium enrichment, aren’t there concerns that Iran is trying to make nuclear weapons?
Reporter) Yes. Mainly Israel makes such a claim. However, the US intelligence agency’s judgment is still a bit different. “As far as we know, it does not appear that Iran’s supreme leader has decided to resume a nuclear weapons program that appears to have been halted in late 2003,” CIA Director William Burns said in a recent press conference.
Host) Global Village Today, I will listen to this.
