Transmission between SECSTATE WASHDC to CINCPAC Honolulu Hawaii

The relationship between North and South Korea has been exceedingly fragile since the end of World War II. In June 1999, a nine-day naval battle between the two countries led to the sinking of a North Korean torpedo boat. The continued U.S. military presence in the south and China’s vast influence in the north had the potential to further complicate US-PRC relations.

This report presents the reasons for exploring the possibility of increased aggression by North Korea and the influence of China on the DPRK.

“…we are mindful that Pyongyang might think at this time that the USG is so heavily engaged in a crisis in the near east that our attention and resources might be diverted from North Asia to a significant degree.” (p 4)

This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

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