Pacific Winds 20260627
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Unification minister calls for moving away from ‘denuclearization first’ policy for N. Korea
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626008300315
China seeks to ‘substantialize’ ties with N. Korea, but maintains denuclearization policy: expert
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626010200315
N. Korea talks not yet ripe, yet future engagement possible: ex-Trump adviser
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626009100315
U.S. extends national emergency declaration over N. Korean threats for another year
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626010900315
The Political Risks Facing Washington’s New Ambassador to South Korea
The Diplomat 20260625
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/the-political-risks-facing-washingtons-new-ambassador-to-south-korea/
U.S. lawmaker calls for S. Korea-U.S.-Japan joint deterrence against N. Korea, China, Russia
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626006600315
Countering disinformation could anchor Australia–Japan intelligence cooperation
ASPI 20260626
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/countering-disinformation-could-anchor-australia-japan-intelligence-cooperation/
Why the Trump-Xi relationship may be the weakest link in US-China ties
SCMP 20260626
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/article/3358566/why-trump-xi-relationship-may-be-weakest-link-us-china-ties
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Naoero’s east Micronesia cable goes live, ending reliance on satellite internet
Islands Business 20260626
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/naoeros-east-micronesia-cable-goes-live-ending-reliance-on-satellite-internet/
Operation IRENSIA Strengthens Regional Maritime Security
Island Times 20260626
https://islandtimes.org/operation-irensia-strengthens-regional-maritime-security/
Valuable training for Sea Patrol
MIJ 20260618
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/valuable-training-for-sea-patrol/
Island Waves
Vanuatu, Australia to sign Nakamal Agreement next week
Daily Post (VU) 20260626
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-australia-to-sign-nakamal-agreement-next-week/article_9179f5d7-eebf-547d-8900-8998dafeb806.html
Strategic competition in Pacific here to stay, Australian Minister says
PINA 20260626
https://pina.com.fj/2026/06/26/strategic-competition-in-pacific-here-to-stay-australian-minister-says/
Rabuka reaffirms Fiji–China ties
FBCN 20260626
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-reaffirms-fiji-china-ties/
PNG, SOLOMON ISLANDS SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR COOPERATION AGREEMENT
PNG Haus Bung 20260626
https://pnghausbung.com/png-solomon-islands-sign-new-five-year-cooperation-agreement/
𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐈-𝐏𝐑𝐂 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝
Solomon Star 20260626
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/%f0%9d%90%83%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%af%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%a5%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%a9%f0%9d%90%a6%f0%9d%90%9e%f0%9d%90%a7%f0%9d%90%ad-%f0%9d%90%82%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%a9%f0%9d%90%9e/
China pushes Pacific presence
Islands Business 20260626
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/china-pushes-pacific-presence/
China 'most influential' in Pacific despite massive Australian aid hand-out
ABC (AU) 20260626
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/china-influence/106844214
Australia says China seeking permanent security presence in Pacific
PINA 20260626
https://pina.com.fj/2026/06/26/australia-says-china-seeking-permanent-security-presence-in-pacific/
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳 – 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬
Solomon Star 20260625
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/%f0%9d%90%96%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%ab%f0%9d%90%a4-%f0%9d%90%80%f0%9d%90%ad-%f0%9d%90%8f%f0%9d%90%a8%f0%9d%90%a2%f0%9d%90%a7%f0%9d%90%ad-%f0%9d%90%82%f0%9d%90%ab%f0%9d%90%ae%f0%9d%90%b3-%f0%9d%90%87/
Taiwan + SCS
A Taiwan Crisis and America’s Industrial Base
The Diplomat 202606025
https://thediplomat.com/2026/06/a-taiwan-crisis-and-americas-industrial-base/
Lai orders stronger maritime resilience after China quarantine drill
CNA 20260626
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606260009
Speaker Han meets with Pentagon, White House officials
CNA 20260626
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202606260006
US says Taiwan arms sale not linked to China talks
Taiwan News 20260626
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6390319
US diplomat claims Taiwan arms sale does not ‘hinge on China’; official aligns with Congress stance, exposing its disruptive role
GT 20260626
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364534.shtml
Four countries try to team up to back ‘Taiwan independence’? Not a chance
GT 20260626
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364488.shtml
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 2 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20260626
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6390065
China tests Scarborough as Manila casts beyond US for help
Asia Times 20260626
https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/china-tests-scarborough-as-manila-casts-beyond-us-for-help/
Capabilities
U.S. missile moves in Japan send China clear message: A new era has arrived
Japan Times 20260626
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/06/26/japan/us-japan-missile-strategy-analysis/
Sustaining the Fight: Munitions Acquisition, Industrial Capacity, and Integrated Air and Missile Defense for Japan
Hudson 20260626
https://www.hudson.org/defense-strategy/sustaining-fight-munitions-acquisition-industrial-capacity-integrated-air-missile-masashi-murano-william-chou
Japan looking at U.S. AI military system for SDF decision-making
Asahi 20260626
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16676518
NZ internal report warns of Chinese military forays in Pacific
AFP 20260626
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260626-nz-internal-report-warns-of-chinese-military-forays-in-pacific
China's military development not targeted at any country: FM on so-called 'internal document' about China's presence in Pacific
GT 20260626
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364516.shtml
N. Korea’s Kim oversees tests of key weapons seen as aimed at S. Korea
Yonhap 20260626
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260626001700315
South Korea to train half a million military personnel to become ‘drone warriors’
Guardian 20260626
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/26/south-korea-drone-warriors-military-training
South Korea says to train 500,000 ‘drone warriors’ to counter North Korea
Reuters 20260626
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-expand-drone-forces-train-500000-operators-ministry-says-2026-06-26/
Hanwha Unveils Striker MUSV Family at Eurosatory 2026
Naval News 20260626
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/hanwha-unveils-striker-musv-family-at-eurosatory-2026/
How Australian SSNs will fit into multi-domain deterrence
ASPI 20260626
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-australian-ssns-will-fit-into-multi-domain-deterrence/
Nuclear submarines: bolt-cutters to ensure Australia is never wrapped in chains
ASPI 20260626
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/nuclear-submarines-bolt-cutters-to-ensure-australia-is-never-wrapped-in-chains/