NAPSNet Daily Report Monday, July 17, 2006

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NAPSNet Daily Report Monday, July 17, 2006

NAPSNet Daily Report Monday, July 17, 2006

I. NAPSNet

II. CanKor

Preceding NAPSNet Report

I. NAPSNet

1. UN Resolution on DPRK

Agence France-Presse (“UN UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS “, 2006-07-15) reported that the UN Security Council unanimously imposed mandatory targeted sanctions against the DPRK over its recent missile tests in the direction of Japan after reaching a last-minute compromise with the PRC. Resolution 1695 condemning the July 5 launches sailed through after the PRC dropped its reservation once a reference to Chapter Seven of the UN charter, which authorizes tough wide-ranging sanctions or even military action, was dropped from the text. The text of the resolution “condemns” the seven missile tests — some of which landed in the Sea of Japan. It “requires all member states, in accordance with their national legal authorities and legislation and consistent with international law, to exercise vigilance and prevent missile and missile related items, materials, goods and technology being transferred to (the DPRK’s) missile or WMD programs.” It also underlines the need for the DPRK “to show restraint and refrain from any action that might aggravate tension” and to return to six-nation talks on resolving concerns over its nuclear and missile programs.

(return to top) Reuters (“NORTH KOREA “TOTALLY REJECTS” UN COUNCIL VOTE “, 2006-07-15) reported that the DPRK “totally rejects” the UN Security Council resolution condemning its recent series of missile tests, its UN ambassador said on Saturday. “It is clear to everyone that there is no need for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to unilaterally put on hold the missile launches under such a situation,” Ambassador Pak Gil Yon told the council following the vote. The measure had “the despicable aim of isolating and putting pressure” on his government, he said. “The DPRK’s missile development therefore serves as a key to keep the balance of force and preserving peace and stability in Northeast Asia.” The envoy’s remarks prompted a sharp retort from US Ambassador John Bolton. “This has been a historic day. Not only have we unanimously adopted Resolution 1695, but North Korea has set a world record in rejecting it within 45 minutes after its adoption,” Bolton said. (return to top) Reuters (“UN SANCTIONS VOTE PROMPTS NORTH KOREA REJECTION”, 2006-07-16) reported that the DPRK said on Sunday it was not bound by a UN Security Council resolution imposing weapons-related sanctions on it and insisted the country would “bolster its war deterrent” in every way. The Security Council had acted with “irresponsibility” by voting unanimously for a resolution requiring nations to prevent the DPRK from acquiring dangerous weapons, an unnamed DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman said. “Our Republic will bolster its war deterrent for self-defence in every way, by all means and methods, now that the situation has reached the worst phase due to the extremely hostile act of the U.S.,” the spokesman was quoted as saying by the official KCNA news agency. (return to top) Bloomberg (“RICE PRAISES CHINA VOTE FOR UNITED NATIONS NORTH KOREA MEASURE “, 2006-07-17) reported that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised the PRC for its support of a UN resolution demanding that the DPRK give up its nuclear weapons program, calling it a signal to the DPRK that they must return to six-party talks. Rice called yesterday’s unanimous Security Council vote “remarkable.” She said the PRC decision to vote for the resolution rather than abstaining meant that “we really now have a coalition. Ultimately, North Korea will have no choice but to return to the talks.” (return to top)

2. G8 on DPRK Missile Tests

Associated Press (“LEADERS PRESS NORTH KOREA ON MISSILE TESTS”, 2006-07-17) reported that world leaders on Monday called on the DPRK to stop its missile tests and to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Although the Group of Eight summit of industrial powers was dominated by worries the escalating warfare between Israel and Lebanon, leaders managed to address sensitive situations posed by the nuclear ambitions of the DPRK and Iran.

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3. ASEAN on DPRK Missile Tests

Chosun Ilbo (“ASEAN FORUM TO CONDEMN N.KOREA MISSILE TESTS”, 2006-07-17) reported that the ASEAN Regional Forum on July 28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will adopt a chairman’s statement criticizing the DPRK’s recent missile tests, officials said Monday. ARF nations are angry that the missile tests came without prior notice, a government official said, adding there was a high chance the forum would adopt a statement similar to the UN Security Council resolution. Malaysia, the current chair, will spearhead the move, the official added.

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4. ROK on DPRK Provocative Acts

Yonhap (“SEOUL WARNS PYONGYANG NOT TO TAKE FURTHER PROVOCATIVE ACTS”, 2006-07-16) reported that the ROK warned the DPRK Sunday to take no further provocative acts, following the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution against its recent missile tests. ROK security-related Cabinet ministers met on Sunday and agreed to put further pressure on the DPRK to immediately return to stalled six-way talks on its nuclear weapons program, the office of President Roh Moo-hyun said.

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5. Inter-Korean Relations

JoongAng Ilbo (“DESPITE UN ACTION, SEOUL STILL COURTS THE NORTH”, 2006-07-17) reported that despite its support of a UN Security Council resolution targeted at the DPRK and its missile tests, ROK officials say they are working hard to keep contacts open with Pyongyang. A senior government official said yesterday attempts are being made to convene another inter-Korean ministerial meeting quickly. This official said Lee Jong-seok, the unification minister, is also trying to negotiate a meeting with the DPRK’s leader, Kim Jong-il. Seoul is caught in a dilemma; the government wants to keep some remnants of a dialogue going with the DPRK, but both for its international image and because of domestic exasperation with its largely one-sided dealings with the DPRK, it cannot go too far.

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6. Inter-Korean Unification Festival

Korea Times (“UNIFICATION FESTIVAL TO BE HELD “, 2006-07-16) reported that the ROK and the DPRK have agreed to hold a joint pro-unification festival in the DPRK in mid-August, ROK promoters said Sunday. Both sides have agreed to hold this year’s festival from Aug. 14-16, a ROK civilian organizer said after two days of consultations with DPRK civilian leaders at the DPRK’s tourist resort of Mt. Kumgang.

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7. PRC-Russia Relations on DPRK

Interfax (“NORTH KOREA, MIDDLE EAST WILL BE DISCUSSED AT RUSSIA-CHINA SUMMIT -PUTIN “, 2006-07-17) reported that President Vladimir Putin said that the nuclear problem of the DPRK and the situation in the Middle East would be discussed at his meeting with PRC Chairman Hu Jintao. “We will return once more to certain items on the international agenda that greatly trouble us. We will be speaking about our common approach to the Middle East, to the North Korean problem and certain other issues,” he told a Monday news conference in Strelna.

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8. ROK on DPRK Military Spending

Chosun Ilbo (“N.KOREA ‘SPENDING HAND OVER FIST WHILE PEOPLE STARVE'”, 2006-07-14) reported that a Grand National Party lawmaker and member of the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee on Friday said the DPRK’s budget structure means it can pour money into its missile program while its people are starving. The comments from Chung Hyung-keun came at a meeting of leading party members a day after the DPRK slammed the ROK’s refusal to continue food aid until it returns to disarmament talks. “There are insufficient funds in the budget for the people, but the military budget is allotted separately and is abundant,” Jung said. There are three budgets in the DPRK, military, general and leader Kim Jong-il’s personal budget.

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9. Analyst on DPRK-PRC Relations

Reuters (“ANALYSIS – CHINA MAY PAY PRICE FOR NORTH KOREA’S MISSILES”, 2006-07-17) reported that the PRC’s failure to sway the DPRK and its weekend vote for the UN resolution condemning the missile tests exposed frustrations behind the PRC’s public vows of friendship, and raised the price PRC President Hu Jintao may pay as he seeks to somehow both comfort and cajole Pyongyang. “The Chinese find themselves groping for an effective way of dealing with North Korea,” said Peter Beck of the International Crisis Group in Seoul. “They’re stuck with this problem child they can’t get rid of.”

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10. Japan on US-DPRK Bilateral Talks

Kyodo (“N. KOREA CAN HOLD TALKS WITH U.S. IF RETURNS TO 6-WAY TALKS: KOIZUMI”, 2006-07-17) reported that the DPRK can have the bilateral dialogue with the US that it hopes for if it returns to the six-nation nuclear talks, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday. “I understand that North Korea wants bilateral talks with the United States. By returning to the six-way talks, bilateral dialogue is possible at various occasions,” Koizumi said at a news conference after the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

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11. ROK in Multinational Military Drill

Korea Times (“AIR FORCE TO PARTICIPATE IN PACIFIC DRILL”, 2006-07-17) reported that the ROK Air Force will participate in a multinational drill starting today in the waters off Alaska, the Air Force said. The drill, codenamed “Cooperative Corp Thunder 06-3,” brings together 11 air force units from around the world. The training, which is to be held between July 18 and August 11, will involve offensive and defensive operations, troop airlifts and close support missions, an Air Force spokesman said.

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12. US-ROK Trade Relations

Chosun Ilbo (“BUSINESSMEN, JOURNALISTS FAVOR FTA WITH U.S. “, 2006-07-17) reported that the ROK’s leading businessmen and journalists alike are to be in favor of a free trade agreement with the US, citing the competitive edge such a deal will bring to the ROK. A private organization of social leaders, called the Opinion Leaders’ Club says it conducted a survey of some 120 members, and nearly 71 percent of them said they are for the FTA.

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13. Japan Iraq Dispatch

The Associated Press (“JAPAN COMPLETES TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ”, 2006-07-17) reported that the last batch of Japanese troops touched down in Kuwait from southern Iraq on Monday, winding down Japan’s biggest overseas mission since World War II, the Defense Agency said. Japan’s mission to Iraq signaled the country’s eagerness to play a diplomatic and military role more commensurate with its economic might.

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14. Japan SDF Reform

Kyodo (“JAPAN’S DEFENSE CHIEF SAYS LAW DESIRABLE FOR OVERSEAS TROOPS DISPATCH”, 2006-07-17) reported that Japanese Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga said that he finds it desirable for Japan to institute a permanent law that will allow its Self-Defense forces troops to be dispatched abroad as needed. “It is desirable to create a law to expand the scope of activities to enable the SDF to respond promptly in international peace cooperation operations,” Nukaga said.

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15. Japan-India Trade Relations

Kyodo (“JAPAN, INDIA ADOPT FTA REPORT TO PAVE WAY FOR NEGOTIATIONS “, 2006-07-17) reported that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh adopted a report on a bilateral free trade agreement during their talks Monday following the end of the Group of Eight summit here. The two leaders welcomed the paper compiled by a bilateral joint study group to explore the possibility of signing an FTA, which is believed to pave the way for the launch of official FTA negotiations later this year, Japanese officials said.

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16. Japan Energy Supply

Agence France-Presse (“CRISIS PROMPTS JAPAN TO CUT HEAVY RELIANCE ON MIDDLE EAST OIL “, 2006-07-17) reported that the latest Middle East crisis has re-awakened Japan to the need to reduce its heavy reliance on oil from the volatile region and should spur it to step up efforts to secure alternative energy suppliers. “The Middle East crisis has again called Japan to reconsider its heavy reliance on crude oil from the region,” said John Kirton, director of the G8 Research Group.

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17. US Weapons Sales to Taiwan

Agence France-Presse (“US SAID TO SELL TAIWAN 66 FIGHTER PLANES “, 2006-07-17) reported that the US has agreed to sell Taiwan 66 advanced fighter jets to counter the PRC’s continued arms build-up, it was reported. A Taiwanese delegation proposed the procurement of the fleet of F-16C/D fighters during an annual military meeting with Washington early this month, the China Times said.

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18. US-PRC Military Relations

Reuters (“CHINA MILITARY OFFICIAL VISITS US “, 2006-07-17) reported that a vice-chairman of the PRC’s Central Military Commission has left for the US on the highest ranking military visit since a PRC fighter jet collided with a US surveillance plane in 2001. Guo Boxiong ranks second only to President Hu Jintao in the commission, the PRC’s top military body. His trip is the latest sign of improving military relations between Beijing and Washington.

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19. PRC Economy

Agence France-Presse (“CHINA ECONOMY CONTINUES TO BOOM BUT GROWTH UNBALANCED: ECONOMISTS “, 2006-07-17) reported that booming exports and robust investment in the PRC will ensure the world’s fastest growing major economy will show even faster growth in the second quarter, economists said. Investment and trade remain the growth drivers despite government attempts to develop domestic consumption to balance the external sector.

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II. CanKor

20. Report #255

CanKor (“CURRENT EVENTS”, 2006-07-10) The UN Security Council postpones a vote on sanctions against the DPRK, agreeing to give a chance for China’s diplomatic efforts. The DPRK Foreign Ministry issues a statement defending its right to test missiles as part of a “routine military exercize.” Relevant ROK government agencies fail to warn airlines and ships away from an air and sea exclusion zone that the DPRK announced prior to their missile launches. 14 passenger aircraft fly through the warning area on the day of the salvo. Japan considers whether a pre-emptive attack on the DPRK missile bases would be an acceptable form of self-defense under its current constitution. At a Seoul conference on knowledge sharing for the economic development of the DPRK, the ROK government pledges to promote various exchanges with the North. Organizations participating in the conference include the Asia Foundation, the Delegation of the European Commission to Korea, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP).

(return to top) CanKor (“OPINION”, 2006-07-10) This week’s CanKor OPINION section features the Nautilus Institute’s Australian-based Director Peter Hayes telling the USA to stop huffing and puffing about missile tests–strategically a non-issue–and concentrate energies instead on striking a deal with the DPRK on the “real issue,” namely to reduce its stock of plutonium. Peter Beck, Director of the International Crisis Group’s North East Asia Project, says that only direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang at a high level will work, and the top priority must be ending North Korea’s nuclear programme. (return to top)