NAPSNet Daily Report 9 September, 2009
Contents in this Issue:
- I. NAPSNet
- 1. US Sanctions on the DPRK
- 2. US on DPRK Nuclear Talks
- 3. US, EU on DPRK Nuclear Program
- 4. PRC on DPRK Nuclear Program
- 5. Inter-Korean Relations
- 6. ROK on DPRK Economy
- 7. DPRK Military
- 8. DPRK Leadership
- 9. ROK-Indian Nuclear Cooperation
- 10. ROK Civil Society and ROK-PRC Relations
- 11. ROK Politics
- 12. Japan Foreign Policy
- 13. Japanese Politics
- 14. Japan Climate Plan
- 15. Sino-Japan Relations
- 16. Taiwan Premier Resigns
- 17. PRC Energy Supply
- 18. PRC Ethnic Unrest
- 19. PRC Bird Flu
- II. PRC Report
I. NAPSNet
1. US Sanctions on the DPRK
Kyodo News (“U.S. FREEZES ASSETS OF 2 N. KOREAN FIRMS”, Washington, 2009/09/08) reported that the State Department said Tuesday it has moved to freeze the assets of two DPRK companies for their alleged involvement in the reclusive country’s weapons of mass destruction and missile programs.
2. US on DPRK Nuclear Talks
Yonhap News (Hwang Doo-hyong, “U.S. TO DECIDE SOON ON WHETHER TO MEET N. KOREANS BILATERALLY: BOSWORTH “, 2009/09/08) reported that the US will soon decide on how to respond to the DPRK’s demand for bilateral talks on its nuclear ambitions, the U.S. point man on the DPRK said, reiterating that any bilaterals should be part of the six-party talks. “As we have indicated in the past, the United States is willing to engage with North Korea on a bilateral basis, and we are currently considering how best to respond to a North Korean invitation for bilateral talks,” Stephen Bosworth. “We have not reached a decision on how to respond to this invitation, and we will be considering that in Washington over the next few weeks. We have made no decisions on whether and when and how to hold bilateral talks with the North Koreans.”
3. US, EU on DPRK Nuclear Program
Agence France-Presse (“US, EU URGE NKOREA TO RETURN TO NUKE TALKS”, Vienna, 2009/09/08) reported that US and EU representatives pressed the DPRK at a meeting of the UN atomic watchdog Tuesday to return to six-party nuclear disarmament talks and allow UN inspectors back into the country. US envoy to the IAEA, Glyn Davies , said Washington “calls on North Korea to return without conditions to the six-party talks and honour its commitments to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula .” The European Union “strongly condemns these actions and urges the DPRK to abandon and completely dismantle any nuclear weapons-related programme in a prompt, transparent, verifiable and irreversible manner,” the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.
4. PRC on DPRK Nuclear Program
Xinhua News (“CHINA REAFFIRMS DIALOGUE AFTER DPRK’S URANIUM CLAIM”, 2009/09/08) reported that the PRC urged related nations to stick to dialogue when dealing with the DPRK nuclear issue. “We would like to make joint efforts with all relevant parties to bring the Korean nuclear issue back on the track of dialogue at an early date,” PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told the regular press briefing. “We expect relevant parties to have a big picture, continue the denuclearization process and safeguard peace and stability in Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia,” Jiang said.
5. Inter-Korean Relations
Yonhap News (“S. KOREA RETURNS BODY OF N. KOREAN BOY TO NORTH “, 2009/09/08) reported that the ROK returned to the DPRK the body of a DPRK boy, which had drifted downriver along with floodwater two days earlier, officials said. The boy, aged four or five, floated south along the countries’ shared Imjin River on Sunday after the DPRK discharged a large quantity of water from a dam. The body “was handed over to North Korea’s Red Cross officers” at the truce village of Panmunjom at 3 p.m., said Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo.
Associated Press (Kwang-tae Kim, “SKOREA: NKOREA INTENTIONALLY OPENED FLOODGATES”, Seoul, 2009/09/09) reported that ROK Unification Minister Hyun In-taek told lawmakers on Wednesday that it appeared the DPRK “intentionally” discharged the water that caused a flash flood in the ROK. Hyun did not imply the release was meant as an attack, ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo later said.
6. ROK on DPRK Economy
Chosun Ilbo (“UNIFICATION MINISTER URGES N.KOREA TO STUDY DENG’S ECONOMIC REFORMS”, 2009/09/08) reported that Unification Minister Hyun In-taek says the only way impoverished DPRK can boost its economy is to learn from the example of Deng Xiao-ping’s “Southern Tour.” Deng’s Southern Tour of the PRC in 1992 refers to the PRC leader’s initiative towards economic openness which formed the basis for the phenomenal growth of the PRC economy. Minister Hyun made the comment at a global forum on “The Future of China and Northeast Asia,” stressing that drastic reforms and liberalization of the economic system is the sole way to guarantee a bright future for the DPRK.
7. DPRK Military
Associated Press (Hyung-jin Kim, “NKOREA MARKS 61ST ANNIVERSARY AMID NUKE STANDOFF”, Seoul, 2009/09/09) reported that the DPRK marked its 61st anniversary Wednesday. “Today, the U.S. imperialists and other enemies are increasingly running amok over its new war plot to stifle our republic with its forces,” the Rodong Shinmun editorial said. If the U.S. attacks, the North will “mobilize all military strengths and mercilessly annihilate the aggressors.” “The military power is the centerpiece of the national strength and we cannot think about our country’s prosperity without powerful guns,” the paper said.
8. DPRK Leadership
Mainichi Shimbun (“OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS CONFIRM KIM JONG UN AS NEXT RULER OF NORTH KOREA”, 2009/09/08) reported that official documents have confirmed that DPRK leader Kim Jong Il’s third son, Kim Jong Un, will succeed his father as the nation’s next leader. According to several internal documents of the DPRK authorities that the Mainichi has obtained, Pyongyang is hastily preparing the way for Kim Jong Un to take over. The three documents include one titled “Educational Resources on the Greatness of our Revered General Kim Jong Un,” apparently used as a textbook for high-ranking officials at the DPRK’s Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces and secret police to learn how to “admire” Kim Jong Un.
9. ROK-Indian Nuclear Cooperation
The Hindu (“TASK FORCE TO STUDY PURCHASE OF REACTORS FROM SOUTH KOREA “, 2009/09/08) reported that a joint task force will be set up to explore the possibility of India buying nuclear power reactors from the ROK, according to S.K. Jain, chairman and managing director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). It will consist of officials from the NPCIL and the ROK energy major, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The decision is consequent to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the NPCIL and KEPCO in Mumbai on August 27. The MoU includes development of nuclear electricity projects, operation and maintenance of reactors, supply of nuclear fuel, manufacture and supply of nuclear equipment and joint feasibility study on licensing and constructing APR 1400 units in India.
10. ROK Civil Society and ROK-PRC Relations
Korea Times (“NGOS GO TO INTERNATIONAL COURT TO RECLAIM GANDO”, 2009/09/08) reported that t en NGOs filed a petition with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week to seek global recognition of Gando, in the northeastern region of the PRC, as part of the Korean territory. Lawmakers have issued a resolution to reclaim Gando but the ROK government has remained cool to the diplomatically sensitive issue. “On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Convention, we are determined to seek global recognition of Gando as Korean territory and renew the world’s attention to the territorial dispute between China and Korea,” a spokesman for the movement said in a press conference last week in Seoul.
11. ROK Politics
The Korea Herald (“GNP MUST CHANGE TO WIN PUBLIC’S TRUST: CHUNG”, 2009/09/09) reported that the ruling Grand National Party’s new Chairman Chung Mong-joon said yesterday that the governing party should open up communication networks with opposition parties to gain the public’s trust. In his first press conference since taking the GNP’s top post, he said many people have expressed distrust for domestic politics because the political parties are not fulfilling their expected roles.
12. Japan Foreign Policy
Agence France-Presse (“JAPAN’S NEXT PM PLEDGES STRONGER FOREIGN POLICY”, 2009/09/08) reported that Japan’s incoming centre-left government promised a more vocal foreign policy as it reached out to Asian neighbours PRC and the ROK and pledged to stay tough on the DPRK. “It’s been said that Japanese diplomacy is quite weak in multilateral talks,” Hatoyama told a Tokyo conference. “We should not have that reputation during the DPJ’s diplomacy. We want to contribute to Japan’s national interest and to world prosperity through cooperation between politicians, bureaucrats and the private sector.”
13. Japanese Politics
Kyodo (“DPJ, 2 ALLIES BASICALLY AGREE ON COALITION, SET FOR LEADERS’ TALKS”, Tokyo, 2009/09/09) reported that executives of the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party, and the People’s New Party reached a basic accord to form a coalition Wednesday. The three parties agreed to present to Washington a review of the planned realignment of the U.S. forces in Japan and an amendment of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. In leaders’ talks scheduled for early evening, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama was expected to ask SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima and PNP Chief Shizuka Kamei to join his Cabinet.
14. Japan Climate Plan
Associated Press (“EU WELCOMES JAPAN CLIMATE PLAN”, Brussels, 2009/09/08) reported that the European Union is welcoming plans by Japan ‘s incoming prime minister to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said Tuesday the proposal is “really very encouraging” for those trying to negotiate a new global climate change pact. The Democratic Party of Japan , which won last month’s national elections, promised during the campaign to reduce the country’s emissions 25 percent from 1990 levels. The EU has promised to cut its emissions 20 percent by 2020, but is willing to cut up to 30 percent if rich countries follow suit.
15. Sino-Japan Relations
Kyodo News (“CHINA’S NUKE ENVOY MEETS WITH DPJ’S PROSPECTIVE COALITION PARTNERS”, Tokyo, 2009/09/08) reported that PRC’s Vice Foreign Minister and top nuclear envoy Wu Dawei met Tuesday with the leaders of the two small parties expected to form a coalition government with the Democratic Party of Japan.
16. Taiwan Premier Resigns
Agence France Presse (“TAIWAN PREMIER RESIGNS OVER HANDLING OF TYPHOON”, Taipei, 2009/09/08) reported that Taiwan’s premier resigned Monday amid strong criticism of the government’s slow response to the most devastating storm to hit the island in 50 years, and the president immediately named a senior official from the ruling party to replace him. Liu Chao-shiuan said he was leaving office because his Cabinet had completed the initial stage of rehabilitation work after Typhoon Morakot slammed into the island Aug. 8-9 and left an estimated 670 people dead.
17. PRC Energy Supply
Associated Press (“CHINESE SOLAR PLANT EXPECTED TO BE THE BIGGEST”, New York, 2009/09/08) reported that First Solar Inc . said Tuesday it has received initial approval from the PRC government to build what may become the largest solar field in the world. First Solar , which makes more solar cells than any other company, said it struck a tentative 10-year deal to build in PRC ‘s vast desert north of the Great Wall . The project would eventually blanket 25 square miles of Inner Mongolia ?€” slightly larger than the size of Manhattan ?€” with a sea of black, light-absorbing glass.
18. PRC Ethnic Unrest
Reuters (“CHINA TO TEAR DOWN KADEER BUILDINGS IN RESTIVE URUMQI”, 2009/09/08) reported that three buildings owned by the family of exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer in Urumqi will be demolished, Xinhua news agency said. The Akida Trade Center, a building full of Uighur shops owned by the Akida Industry and Trade Co founded by Kadeer, were slated for demolition due to cracks in the walls and sunken footings, Xinhua said, confirming a report on Aug. 19 by the Uyghur American Association. More than 30 members of Kadeer’s family, including siblings, children and grandchildren, had been living on upper floors of the building, the UAA said.
CNN (“CHINA TO SEND ‘HARMONY MAKERS’ TO URUMQI”, 2009/09/08) reported that the PRC is sending 7,000 officials to the western city of Urumqi after last week’s deadly protests over a strange series of syringe stabbings, state-run media reported. The officials, known as “harmony makers,” are meant to ease tensions after demonstrators, demanding better police protection, clashed with police for two days. “The officials will go door to door to explain policies and solve disputes,” said Wang Lequan, secretary of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China, according to the Xinhua news agency.
19. PRC Bird Flu
Reuters (“CHINA FACES GRIM SITUATION AS H1N1 ESCALATES-MINISTER”, 2009/09/08) reported that the PRC faces a grim situation in containing the H1N1 strain of flu, as schools start up again and the number of domestic cases, as well as clusters of cases, rises, the PRC’s Minister of Health said. The PRC has reported 5,592 cases of H1N1 flu, from which 3,852 people have recovered. No-one has died in the PRC, although a patient in Shanghai is in a coma, with multiple organ failure. “There are some recent developments in H1N1 in China that mean we are facing a grim situation,” said Chen Zhu, one of only two ministers in the PRC who do not belong to the Communist Party.
II. PRC Report
20. PRC Environment
Xinhua Net (“ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH DEVELOPMENT FORUM TO BE HELD IN HEILONGJIANG”, 2009/09/08) reported that Environment and Health Development Forum is to be held in Yichun city of Heilongjiang province from September 15-17. The Forum is co-sponsored by the China Health Education Association, China Medicine and Health Career Development Foundation, and Yichun government. The theme is making prosperous both ecology and economy, developing both environment and health.
21. PRC Civil Society and the Disabled
Jinghua Times (“CHINA TO ESTABLISH LOVE BOOTHS FOR DISABLED PERSONS”, 2009/09/08) reported that China Welfare Foundation for Disabled Persons announced on September 7 th that it will invest 200 million RMB in 31 provinces on establishing love booths at streets, schools, hospitals, train stations and so on, to help disabled persons have business by selling books and newspapers.