NAPSNet Daily Report 26 July, 2010
Contents in this Issue:
- I. Napsnet
- US Sanctions on DPRK
- US, ROK on DPRK Regime Change
- ROK Green Energy
- Japan-PRC Environmental Cooperation
- PRC Energy Security
1. I. Napsnet
2. US Sanctions on DPRK
Asahi Shimbun (Tetsuya Hakoda, “U.S. TO BLACKLIST PYONGYANG FIRMS”, Seoul, 2010/07/26) reported that the United States plans to release a blacklist of DPRK companies and individuals believed to be involved in transactions of weapons of mass destruction and luxury items as part of new sanctions on Pyongyang. Under the new blacklist proposal, the United States hopes to provide financial institutions around the world with the names of individuals and companies with close ties to the DPRK. An ROK government official said, “If a foreign government or financial institution does not cooperate with the new sanctions, there is the possibility that it could lose trust so the blacklist would apply silent pressure to conform.”
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201007250290.html
3. US, ROK on DPRK Regime Change
Dong-A Ilbo (“`STRONGER ACTION ON NK AIMS FOR REGIME CHANGE` “, Seoul, 2010/07/26) reported that a high-level government official said Sunday that the ROK and the U.S. aim to take strong action against the DPRK’s sinking of the Cheonan to elicit a regime change. The official said, “Some within the [ROK] government have expressed opposition, saying a regime change could give rise to severe disorder.” A diplomatic source added, “There is strong debate within the government over whether to continue the strong sanctions or talk with Pyongyang. President Lee Myung-bak has apparently not decided on the direction of North Korea policy yet.”
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2010072641018
4. ROK Green Energy
Yonhap (“GOV’T TO SPEND 396 BLN WON ON TRAINING OF GREEN ERERGY PERSONNEL”, Seoul, 2010/07/26) reported that the ROK government said Monday it aims to inject 396.6 billion won (US$331.4 million) in the next five years to train expert personnel in the green energy sector to meet future demand. The blueprint to train and educate engineers in nuclear, solar, wind power and other renewable energy resources is designed to enable the ROK to meet global energy sector paradigm that is rapidly moving to reduce greenhouse emissions, according to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. The plan calls for state support, which stands at 33.9 billion won this year, to reach 100.2 billion won by 2015, with a total of 100,056 new engineers and technicians to be trained, a significant increase from the slightly more than 13,300 people to be trained this year.
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2010/07/26/0503000000AEN20100726003000320.HTML
5. Japan-PRC Environmental Cooperation
Asahi Shimbun (“JAPAN, CHINA TO JOINTLY DEVELOP HAINAN ISLAND ‘ECO-CITY'”, Tokyo, 2010/07/26) reported that a joint Japan-PRC project to build a model “green” city showcasing wind power generation and water-related businesses in Lecheng on the PRC’s southernmost island of Hainan is to be launched this summer, sources said. By 2013, power generated via solar energy, wind and biomass renewable energy systems will be distributed via a “smart grid” next-generation energy transmission system in the Lecheng district, according to Chambow Co., which is promoting the project.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201007250260.html
6. PRC Energy Security
Asia Times (Sreeram Chaulia, “CHINA TURNS ON DEMAND POWER”, 2010/07/24) reported that no survey of the oil sector’s present and future can now afford to omit the PRC factor and its multiple ramifications. The “rise of China” genre of opinion has rightly been focused on China’s exports, its record foreign exchange reserves and its fast modernizing military, but the flip side is the power that China is accumulating by virtue of the scale of its imports of raw materials and commodities.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/LG24Cb01.html