NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, June 07, 2007

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, June 07, 2007", NAPSNet Daily Report, June 07, 2007, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-daily-report/napsnet-daily-report-thursday-june-07-2007/

NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, June 07, 2007

NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, June 07, 2007

I. NAPSNet

Preceding NAPSNet Report

I. NAPSNet

1. DPRK Missile Test

Reuters (“NORTH KOREA MISSILE LAUNCH DRAWS WHITE HOUSE IRE”, 2007-06-07) reported that the DPRK fired up to two short-range missiles off its west coast on Thursday, the second launch in as many weeks, drawing quick criticism from Washington. White House National Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the missile test activity was “not constructive” and Pyongyang should focus on dismantling its nuclear program.

(return to top)

2. DPRK Missile Test

Reuters (“YEN SLIPS, DOLLAR RISES AFTER NORTH KOREA REPORT”, 2007-06-07) reported that the yen slipped against the dollar on Thursday after reports that the DPRK fired short-range missiles, triggering broad-based buying of the U.S. currency particularly against European units.

(return to top)

3. DPRK Energy

Reuters (“N KOREA BOUGHT $100 MLN WORTH OF CRUDE OIL”, 2007-06-07) reported that the DPRK has bought USD$100 million worth of crude oil from the PRC as it anticipates a delay in energy aid from the stalled nuclear disarmament deal. With oil prices at around USD$70 a barrel, that works out at about 1.4 million barrels of crude.

(return to top)

4. DPRK Humanitarian Situation

Mercy Corps Press Release (“AMBASSADOR TONY HALL WARNS OF FOOD SHORTAGES IN NORTH KOREA”, 2007-06-07) reported that former congressman and U.S. Ambassador Tony Hall stated today that he is deeply concerned about the chronic food shortage in the DPRK. He warned that politics between Pyongyang and food donor countries threaten the well-being of the Korean people, and could contribute to a humanitarian crisis. Ambassador Hall traveled to the DPRK last week representing Mercy Corps, an international aid agency that has worked there for more than a decade.

(return to top)

5. DMZ Wildlife Preserve

Associated Press (“WILDLIFE PRESERVE PLANNED FOR KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE”, 2007-06-07) reported that the DPRK has taken a first step toward creating a wildlife preserve in the heavily armed DMZ dividing the Korean Peninsula. The DMZ Forum, a U.S.-based nonprofit group campaigning to preserve the area, said it had agreed with the DPRK to establish operations and to begin a project meant to attract rare red-crowned cranes. The demilitarized zone separating the Koreas has been all but off limits to people since the fighting stopped in 1953. The result is a 240-kilometer, or 150-mile, strip of nearly pristine nature. Environmentalists are trying to preserve the thriving ecosystem and the often rare wildlife that it shelters.

(return to top)

6. US-ROK Relations

Korea Times (“‘S. KOREA-US ALLIANCE MANIFESTED IN FTA'”, 2007-06-07) reported that the half-century ROK-US military alliance will continue to evolve throughout the 21st century because of the two countries’ “convergence of national interests” beyond security issues, the top US military officer said. In a lecture at Korea University in Seoul late last month, Gen. B. B. Bell, commander of US Forces Korea (USFK), said, “Our two nations share common interests in a peaceful and stable international system, within which people can move and trade freely and securely.” “When we couple this with our political, cultural, historical and mutual economic interests, the ties that bind our alliance are comprehensive and remain, in my view, very healthy and very strong.”

(return to top)

7. Japan and Cross Strait Relations

The Associated Press (“EX-TAIWAN LEADER VISITS JAPAN WAR SHRINE”, 2007-06-07) reported that former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui visited a Tokyo war shrine to pay respects to his late brother, drawing a quick rebuke from the PRC and complicating already delicate relations between Beijing and Tokyo. Yasukuni has been a frequent flashpoint between Japan and the PRC, and Lee’s action threatened to inflame the issue again.

(return to top)

8. Cross Strait Relations

The Associated Press (“TAIWAN TRIES TO HOLD ONTO ALLIES “, 2007-06-07) reported that Taiwan’s foreign minister ordered “extreme precautions” be taken to hold on to the island’s allies in Latin America after Costa Rica switched diplomatic relations to political rival the PRC, further isolating the Taipei government. Taiwanese Foreign Minister James Huang told reporters he had ordered Taiwanese embassies in Latin America to guard against further PRC inroads.

(return to top)

9. Sino-Indian Military Relations

Agence France-Presse (“INDIA AND CHINA TO CONDUCT FIRST JOINT ARMY EXERCISES”, 2007-06-07) reported that India and the PRC have agreed to hold their first ever joint army exercise as part of a wider effort to improve ties between the one-time Asian enemies, military officials said. The manoeuvres are slated for October and will see 100 Indian troops sent to the PRC for a workout in anti-terrorism tactics, the Indian army chief, General J.J. Singh, was quoted as saying by the Indian Express newspaper.

(return to top)

10. PRC Student Unrest

The Associated Press (“ACTIVISTS SAY STUDENTS RIOTING IN CHINA “, 2007-06-07) reported that a thousand college students rioted in central PRC this week, scuffling with police and overturning cars after city inspectors beat a female student, a human rights group said. It was not clear why the city inspectors assaulted the female student or whether her stall was illegal. The inspectors regulate street vendors, making sure they have proper licenses and are selling in permitted areas.

(return to top)