JAPAN-SOUTH KOREA SUMMIT

1. Context 

2. Key points

• The two major Asian economies and U.S. allies have long hoped to cooperate on shared security concerns about China and North Korea, but previous rounds of diplomacy have foundered on unresolved issues from Japan's 35-year occupation of the Korean Peninsula.
• Seoul has offered Tokyo concessions on South Korean demands for compensation over wartime forced labour, but it remains to be seen whether the South Korean public will accept reconciliation.

3. Issues

• Japan effectively colonized the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945, in a regime that imposed Japanese names and language on Koreans and conscripted many into forced labour or forced prostitution in military brothels before and during World War II.
• Japan paid $800 million in reparations to South Korea's military-run government in 1965, but this money was never distributed to victims.
• A semi-government fund offered compensation to former "comfort women" when the government apologized in 1995, but many South Koreans believe that the Japanese government must take more direct responsibility for the occupation.
• The two sides also have a longstanding territorial dispute over a group of islands controlled by South Korea and claimed by Japan.
• Seoul and Tokyo have attempted to establish better ties before.
• In 2004, leaders began regular visits but these ended in 2012 after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited the disputed islands.
• Tensions escalated in the past 10 years as conservative Japanese governments moved to rearm the country while stepping up attempts to whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities and in 2018 South Korea's Supreme Court ordered Japan's Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to compensate forces labour victims.
• In 2019, Japan, in apparent retaliation, placed export controls on chemicals used to make semiconductors and displays used in smartphones and other high-tech devices.

4. Expectations at the Summit

• South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have met in multilateral settings, including on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in New York in September, this is the first formal bilateral summit since a meeting in Seoul in 2015.
• Kishida is expected to reaffirm Japan's past expressions of remorse over its wartime actions.
  Both sides have signalled hopes that this summit will lead to a resumption of regular bilateral visits.
• Tokyo is also considering an invitation to Yoon to return to Japan as an observer at the Group of Seven Summits Kishida will host in Hiroshima in May.
• Two sides are considering establishing a separate, private fund to promote bilateral economy, security, culture and other key areas of cooperation.

5. The stake in the region

• Improved ties between South Korea and Japan could pave the way for the two U.S. allies to cooperate more closely on shared security concerns related to China and North Korea.
• Washington is eager to get its allies on the same page and appears to have worked intensively to bring about the summit.
• The U.S. and its two allies had about 40 trilateral meetings and cooperation in the process helped to build up trust.
• While Japan increasingly bolstered defence ties with the U.K., Australia, India and the Philippines, challenges in Japan-South Korea relations were obvious and their closer relationship in the larger context of strategic alignment is a very big deal.
• South Korean officials have denied direct pressure from the Biden administration to resolve the historical discord with Tokyo, but the plan is part of the South Korean efforts to strengthen alliances to counter North Korea, which has been expanding nuclear-capable missiles and issuing threats of preemptive nuclear strikes.
• While pushing to expand U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, the Yoon government has sought Washington's stronger reassurances to swiftly and decisively use its nuclear weapons to protect its ally from North Korea.
• Seoul and Tokyo last week also announced plans for talks to restore the country's trade relations, which could relieve pressure from global high-tech supply chains.
• South Korean officials say stronger economic cooperation with Tokyo has become more crucial in the face of industrial supply chain disruptions and other global challenges.
• The need to strengthen South Korea-Japan cooperation has never been greater in the era of complex crises, brought by uncertainties in global geopolitics, North Korea's continued nuclear and missile testing activity and the disruption in industrial supply chains.

6. Japan South Korean history

• The two countries will have to find an accommodation on history if this round of diplomacy is to achieve lasting results.
• Seoul made a significant concession before the summit, announcing plans to use its funds to pay out compensation from the 2018 court order.
• South Korea will offer reparations to the plaintiffs through an existing state-run foundation that will raise money from South Korean companies that benefited from the 1965 accord accompanied by $800 million in economic aid and loans from Tokyo to Seoul.
• It's a major relief for Tokyo, which fears that further South Korean court orders could impose massive compensation demands on hundreds of other Japanese companies that used wartime forced labour.
• The plan has met fierce opposition from surviving forced labour victims, their supporters and opposition politicians, who have demanded compensation directly from Japanese companies and a fresh apology from Tokyo.
• Only three of the 15 forced labour victims who won damages in 2018 are still alive and all three refused to accept South Korean Payments in written notes submitted to the foundation.
• South Korean law allows for third-party reimbursements and officials said that they will do their best to persuade the victims to accept the payments.
• South Korean officials say they do not expect Nippon Steel or Mitsubishi to immediately contribute to funds for the forced labour victims and Japan's Foreign Minister said it's up to Japanese companies to decide whether to contribute to the funds voluntarily.
• The future of the deal may also rest on whether Kishida's government can win over South Korean Public opinion. 
• South Korean officials express hope that Yoon brings back a "Sincere response" from Tokyo as bilateral relations improve.

For Prelims & Mains

Previous year questions

SUSPENSION OF MPs

 

1. Context

Over this week, the two Houses of Parliament have suspended 27 MPs between them, the latest being two AAP MPs and an independent MP from Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Lok Sabha has suspended four Congress MPs, and Rajya Sabha 23 MPs from the Trinamool Congress, DMK, TRS, CPI, CPI(M), and AAP, besides the independent. The Rajya Sabha suspensions are for the remaining part of this week, and those from Lok Sabha are for the rest of the session.

2. Suspension of MPs

• It is the role and duty of the Presiding officer- Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly.
• In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker/Chairman is empowered to force a member to withdraw from the House.

3. Why do MPs disrupt Parliament?

• Over the years, the presiding officers of the legislature and political leaders have discussed and identified four broad reasons leading to disorder in the legislature.
• One reason is the lack of time available to MPs for raising important matters; a second is the "unresponsive attitude of the government and retaliatory posture by Treasury benches".
• The other two reasons are deliberate disruption by parties for political or publicity purposes, and the absence of prompt action against MPs disrupting parliamentary proceedings.

4. Rules under which the Presiding Officer/Chairman acts

4.1 For Loksabha

Rule number 373 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.

• It empowers presiding officers to direct an MP to withdraw from the house for any disorderly conduct.
• This rule says that any Member so ordered to withdraw shall remain absent during the remainder of the day's sitting.

Rule Number 374 and 374A

• To deal with more recalcitrant (uncooperative)
• Rule 374 empowers the Presiding officers to name the legislators of the MP who continue disrupting the House even after repeated warnings.
• After that, the House can move a motion to suspend the MP for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
• Rule 374A was incorporated into the Rule book in December 2001. The intention was to circumvent the necessity of adopting a motion for suspension.
• Under this rule, the speaker can name an MP, who shall then automatically stand suspended for five days or the remaining part of the session, whichever is less.
• Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated.

4.2 For Rajya Sabha

Rule 255 of the Rule Book of Rajya Sabha

It empowers the Chairman of Rajya Sabha to direct any Member to withdraw immediately from the House for any disorderly conduct. 

Rule 256

• This rule empowers the Chairman to name the members who persistently disregard the authority of the Chair or abuse the rules of the Council.
• After that, the House may adopt a motion suspending the Member for a period not exceeding the remainder of the session.
• It should be noted that, unlike Lok Sabha (under rule 374A), Rajya Sabha can not suspend its members without passing a motion for the same.

5. Can courts intervene in a matter of suspension of MPs?

• Article 122 of the Indian Constitution says parliamentary proceedings cannot be questioned before a court.
• In some cases, however, courts have intervened in the procedural functioning of legislatures.
• For example, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in its 2021 Monsoon Session suspending 12 BJP MLAs for a year.
• The matter came before the supreme court, which held that the resolution was ineffective in law beyond the remainder of the Monsoon Session.

6. What has Parliament done to address these issues?

• The government and not Parliament decides the parliamentary calendar.
• Therefore, the decision about the time available with Parliament for discussions rests with the government.
• The parliamentary procedure also prioritizes government business over other debates that take place in the legislature.
• In this regard, Parliament has not updated its rules over the last 70 years to give Opposition parties a say in deciding the agenda for discussion.
• The stance of political parties on uninterrupted parliamentary functioning depends on whether they belong to the ruling party/coalition or are in the opposition.
• In 2001, Lok sabha amended its rules to give the speaker more powers to discipline MPs who disrupt House proceedings.

7. Other Key information

The BJP has asked Speaker Om Birla to set up a special committee of Lok Sabha to explore whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should be suspended for allegedly insulting the country, its democracy, and Parliament during his recent visit to the United Kingdom. Rahul has rejected the allegations and refused to apologize for his statements.

8. What is the legal basis for setting up the special committee?

• The House can set up a committee and decide its terms of reference. It is entirely within its power.
• A special committee could be formed by moving a motion for the establishment of such a committee and its terms of reference.
• The offense will have to be defined before anyone can be punished for it.
  A committee that was similar to the one that was set up to investigate the cash-for-votes scandal in 2008 could be formed to investigate and punish an MP.
• A mechanism to look into the “moral and ethical conduct of the members” already exists in the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha.
• However, the BJP does not want Rahul’s case to be “one of the many issues before the committee”.
• Instead, it wants a special committee along the lines of the one constituted to look into the cash-for-query scandal in 2005.

Previous year Question

1. Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha speaker, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2012) 1. He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President. 2. He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date of his/her election. 3. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A.  1 and 2 only                 B.  3 only                 C.  1, 2 and 3                 D. None Answer: B The Speaker is elected by the members of Lok Sabha from amongst its members (as soon as may be, after its first sitting).

For Prelims & Mains

For Prelims: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Rule Number 373, 374, and 374A of Lok Sabha, Rule 255 and Rule 256 of the Rule Book of Rajya Sabha, Special Committee. For Mains: 1. The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof. (UPSC 2017).

Source: The Indian Express

NASA's SPACE SUIT

 

Context

For the upcoming Artemis missions, NASA’s first attempt at landing astronauts on the moon since 1972, the spacesuit used will see a significant upgrade. Unlike the bulky and iconic suits in which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin skipped around on the lunar surface, the new suit will be more nimble, comfortable, and designed to fit a broader array of body types.

About NASAs new Space suit

• Demonstration at the Houston Space Center, James Stein, the suit’s chief engineer, showcased not just the increased mobility provided by the suit when compared to what was previously used, but also other interesting features. 
• The suit comes from Axiom space, a private company based out of Houston, Texas, though it incorporates design elements used in previous suits by NASA.
• It will be worn during the Artemis III mission, the program's first moon landing, which is scheduled for 2025.
• It is called the AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit).

What does a spacesuit do?

• Without a spacesuit, humans will not survive for long in the harsh conditions of outer space or the lunar surface.
• First, spacesuits protect the human body from the extreme temperature fluctuations of space. In absence of an atmosphere, areas that receive direct sunlight become extremely hot whereas areas in the dark are frigid.
• The first job of a space suit is to insulate the astronaut inside from extreme temperatures.
• Second, spacesuits also provide astronauts with a constant supply of air and optimum air pressure around their bodies. They are pressurized to this effect, making them more like human-shaped space vehicles than a piece of clothing.
• Third, spacesuits protect astronauts from space radiation which can be extremely harmful, as well as micrometeorites and other particles moving across space, often at incredible speeds.
• On the lunar surface, suits also protect astronauts from lunar dust, considered by NASA experts as the number one environmental problem on the moon.
• Much more abrasive than dust on the earth, it tends to corrode everything it comes into contact with and can potentially cause lung diseases.
• By helping astronauts survive even in the harshest conditions of space, spacesuits allow them to perform tasks in space, carry out experiments and fulfill the objectives of their mission.

Issues with Older Space suits

• The Apollo missions (1961-72) were a landmark achievement in space exploration.
• The spacesuits worn in the mission were also revolutionary for the time.
• Unlike rudimentary spacesuits used for previous space missions, the Apollo suits had their own life support systems and did not balloon when exposed to the vacuum of space.
• They also incorporated boots ideal for walking on the lunar surface.
• Technological tweaks aside, little has changed in the fundamentals of suits for spacewalking that are used in the International Space Station.
• However, these suits are rigid and uncomfortable to be in. While rubberized bellows at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees allowed a degree of flexibility,
• Astronauts struggle against the stiffness. This is why Armstrong and Aldrin soon discovered that “skipping” was easier than “walking” on the lunar surface, as it did not require bending knees. 
• Long handles were used in various tools as bending the waist was nearly impossible, though even holding things is difficult due to the gloves worn.
• Astronaut Kathy Thornton told Engineering and Technology that working in a space suit is like trying to adjust the carburetor on your truck while wearing baseball mittens.

Improvements made in the New Spacesuit

• During the demonstration, the most noticeable upgrade was in the mobility offered by the new spacesuits.
• Stein jumped, squatted, and performed a variety of different movements to show off AxEMU's nimbleness. He also performed a range of movements that would be impossible in the previous space suits. 
• The large clear bubble around the head provides a much wider range of visibility as well as lightning, which will be important when astronauts step into shadowed craters near the lunar south pole, where NASA hopes to study water ice.
• The headpiece also has a mount for a high-definition camera.
• Another important feature of the suit is its design which fits a broader range of body types comfortably, with provisions to make more specific adjustments in fit.
• An increased sizing and adjustability accommodate a wider range of the general population, providing a superior fit for astronauts while increasing their comfort and ability to perform tasks.
• As far as protection goes, the increased mobility has not come at its cost. The AxEMU has been specifically designed to better deal with lunar dust.

About Artemis III mission

Image Source: NASA

Previous year Questions

1. What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news? (UPSC 2008) A.  To study the possibility of life on Mars B.  To study the satellites of Saturn C.  To study the colorful display of high-latitude skies D. To build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions Answer: C   2. In the context of space technology, what is “Bhuvan”, recently in the news? (UPSC 2010) A.  A mini-satellite launched by ISRO for promoting distance education in India B.  The name was given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayaan-II C.  A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India D.  A space telescope developed by India Answer: C   3. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? (UPSC 2014)                Spacecraft                                                         Purpose 1. Cassini-Huygens:                                 Orbiting Venus and transmitting data to the                                                                            Earth 2. Messenger:                                            Mapping and investigating the Mercury 3. Voyager 1 and 2:                                   Exploring the outer solar system Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B

For Prelims

For Prelims: NASA, Artemis I, Artemis II, Artemis III, AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit), Axiom space, Apollo missions (1961-72), and Lunar Surface.

Source: The Indian Express

 

DEFENCE ACQUISITION PROCEDURE

1. Context

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,  accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisitions worth more than Rs 70,500 crore. This includes additional BrahMos missiles, utility helicopters, Marine Diesel Engine for the Navy, and Long-Range Stand-Off Weapon for IAF’s Su-30s

2. About

The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 was established 2020 as a potential catalyst for AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in the sector of defence manufacturing.

3. Background

The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was first initiated in 2002 to streamline the procurement of military hardware for the Armed Forces in a systematic and time-bound manner. 

It was reformed in 2016, putting an emphasis on indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured weapon systems, and eventually moved towards self-reliance in the field of defence manufacturing

4. Advantages of Defence Acquisition Procedure

• The DAP eases the procurement and acquisition of upgraded technology, products, and services for the Tri-Services and other allied defence services.
• Through its many improved features, it hopes to boost the Make in India efforts in the field– especially to MSME.
• It also establishes a greater degree of public accountability, transparency, fair competition, and a level playing field in the sector

5. Purpose

•   To encourage wider participation and a broad base indigenous defence manufacturing sector in the country, the total order quantities in acquisition cases are to be split between shortlisted vendors, wherever viable.
•  Further, the other technically qualified bidders who have not been awarded a contract will be issued a certificate by the Services indicating that the product has been successfully trial evaluated, to facilitate vendors to explore other markets
•  To create an ecosystem that fosters innovation and encourages technology development in Defence by engaging R&D institutes, academia, industries, startups, and individual innovators
• To enable the budding startup talent pool of the country to contribute towards the twin mantras of self-sufficiency and indigenization, the procurement process under the iDEX procedure of DAP 2020 has been simplified. 
•  As advised by the Ministry of Finance and to reduce the financial burden on the Indian Defence Industry whilst maintaining financial safeguards, the requirement of Integrity Pact Bank Guarantee (IPBG) has been dispensed with.

5. Key Features

5.1.Reservation in Categories for Indian vendors: With FDI in defence manufacturing permitted up to 100% (up to 74% under the Automatic route and beyond 74% under the Government route), there is an opportunity for the domestic industry to increase production in the sector.

5.2.Enhancement of Indigenous Content: Each of the categories has seen an increase in the procurement and acquisition of indigenously manufactured products and technologies in the sector. This would also be facilitated by Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGAs) that would help import substitution of defence products, technologies, and spare parts.

5.3.Rationalization of Trial and Testing Procedures

The Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) was set up for incubation and infrastructure support to startup enterprises in the sector.

It mandates that the entire or part of the manufacturing procedure for equipment / spare parts / Maintenance or Repair must be conducted by the Indian subsidiary of foreign investors. 

5.4.Ease of Doing Business

Easier and faster facilitation of operations and decision making through the Project Management Unit; Preference is given to manufacturers producing complete defence products, rather than parts; Increase of multipliers in the offset policy concerning the direct purchase, TOTs, and FDI to incentivize the discharge of offsets; Easing of trials and testing such as avoidance of duplicate trials, modification of the scope of trials, removing repeat inspections, etc.

For Mains:  1.Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 has been the potential catalyst for AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in the sector of defence manufacturing. Critically analyze. (250 Words)

Source: pib

NASA's SPACE SUIT

 

Context

For the upcoming Artemis missions, NASA’s first attempt at landing astronauts on the moon since 19

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