CONTENTS
1. Inter-Korean Talks
2. DPRK Ratification of Anti-Terror Convention
3. DPRK on Japanese Military
4. DPRK Famine
5. Japan’s Regional Relations
6. US Sinking of Japanese Ship
7. US-Philippines Military Cooperation
8. ASEAN Views on Terrorism
II. Republic of Korea 1. ROK-PRC Talks
2. DPRK Political Situation
3. Red Cross Meeting
III. Japan 1. Japanese Logistical Support for US
2. Opinions on Japanese Support for US
3. Afghan Refugees in Japan
4. Japanese Role in Pakistan
5. Japanese Financial Aid to Pakistan
6. Japan-DPRK Relations
7. Yasukuni Shrine Issue
8. Japan-Philippine Anti-Piracy Drill
I. United States
1. Inter-Korean Talks
The Associated Press (Soo-Jeong Lee, “CABINET TALKS TO RESUME IN N. KOREA,” Seoul, 11/3/01) reported that the ROK government said the ROK and the DPRK agreed on November 3 to a new round of Cabinet-level talks at Mount Kumgang in the DPRK from November 9-12.
2. DPRK Ratification of Anti-Terror Convention
The Associated Press (“N. KOREA TO SIGN ANTI-TERROR PACT,” Seoul, 11/3/01) reported that the DPRK said on November 3 that it will sign the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. A DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman said it decided to ratify the treaty to show “we have made every possible effort to combat worldwide terrorism.” The DPRK also decided to sign a 1979 international convention against hostage-taking. The spokesman did not say when the DPRK will sign the treaties.
3. DPRK on Japanese Military
The Associated Press (“N. KOREA CRITICIZES JAPAN TERROR LAW,” Seoul, 11/4/01) reported that the DPRK on November 4 criticized Japan’s passage of a new law that allows its troops to be sent overseas. Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the DPRK’s ruling communist party, said, “Japan is taking the road of overseas aggression again instead of drawing lessons from its defeat in the second world war.”
4. DPRK Famine
The Associated Press (Joe McDonald, “UN: N. KOREA RUNNING OUT OF FOOD,” Beijing, 11/3/01) reported that David Morton, representative of the UN World Food Program in the DPRK, warned on November 3 that the DPRK will run short of food by January. He also said that the agency will ask foreign donors for 610,000 tons of grain to get the country through the winter. Morton emphasized that despite a better harvest this year, aid officials see no sign of a sustained recovery. He said that DPRK officials are stressing economic development over aid in an attempt to end their dependence on donations. He added that the DPRK must attract private investment because aid agencies cannot supply enough money to rebuild the country. He noted that the DPRK has ventured into processing goods under contract for ROK firms and other businesses. However, Morton said, there is no indication that the DPRK is abandoning its state-run economy.
5. Japan’s Regional Relations
Reuters (“JAPAN, NEIGHBOURS EMPHASISE ECONOMY IN TALKS,” Brunei, 11/5/01) reported that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his counterparts from the PRC and the ROK agreed on Monday to broaden cooperation in a number of areas, with emphasis on the economy. They agreed to launch a series of meetings between economic ministers from the three nations to discuss ways of boosting trade and investment. When asked by reporters if he thought relations with the two nations had improved through these meetings, Koizumi said, ”I believe so.”
6. US Sinking of Japanese Ship
The New York Times (Howard W. French, “U.S. MAKES AMENDS TO JAPAN FOR SINKING OF SHIP,” Honolulu, 11/05/01) carried an analytical article which said that the sinking of the Japanese ship Ehime Maru left lasting scars in US-Japan relations. Charles E. Morrison, president of the East-West Center, stated, “What one must understand is that this wasn’t just an accident, it was an unjustifiable accident, and the American captain didn’t take responsibility for what appeared to the Japanese to be a joy ride. The initial handling of the accident clearly made things a lot worse than it ever needed to be.” Many Japanese expressed anger at Commander Scott D. Waddle’s appearing before a Navy court of inquiry to defend himself rather than accepting responsibility. Waddle was reprimanded but was allowed to resign and retire with full pension. George J. Tanabe Jr., a professor of religion at the University of Hawaii, stated, “You couldn’t have constructed a better scenario for the uncorking of the darker side of Japan’s love-hate relationship with the United States: a nuclear submarine sinks a school boat, not a freighter; Waddle appearing on TV, a big, physical guy strutting out there with his wife, as if in confirmation of American insensitivity; and then the court of inquiry. It was one humiliation after another for Japan, a reinforcement of deeply resented stereotypes of the relationship between the two countries as tough guys versus wimps.” [Ed. Note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for November 5.]
7. US-Philippines Military Cooperation
The Wall Street Journal (James Hookway, “PHILIPPINE MILITARY CHIEF TO VISIT U.S. TO DISCUSS AID FOR FIGHTING REBELS,” Manila, 11/05/01) reported that General Diomedio Villaneuva, chief of the Philippine armed forces, said Saturday that he will travel this week to Hawaii to meet with Admiral Dennis Blair, commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command, to discuss military aid in tracking down Muslim separatists. Villaneuva’s visit follows that of around 20 US military advisers to the Philippines to assess how the US can help the Philippines combat the Abu Sayyaf secessionist group, which both countries say has links to Osama bin Laden. The US visit was arranged before the September 11 attacks. The U.S. team toured Basilan Island, where the Abu Sayyaf are holding 10 Filipinos and a US missionary couple hostage. Villaneuva stated, “They took note that we lack equipment. I’ll be talking personally with … Admiral Blair, and this is on the agenda.” Villaneuva said that the Philippine army badly needed to replenish its equipment, particularly transport and surveillance equipment. [Ed. Note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for November 5.]
8. ASEAN Views on Terrorism
The Associated Press (Patrick McDonwell, “ASIA LEADERS CONDEMN TERROR ATTACKS,” Brunei, 11/4/01) reported that leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting on November 4 “unequivocally” condemned the September 11 strikes, which they called “an attack against humanity and an assault on all of us.” They also rejected “any attempt to link terrorism with any religion or race.” Malaysia had asked ASEAN to back its appeals to stop US strikes on Afghanistan, but officials said the Philippines and Singapore opposed the proposal.
II. Republic of Korea
1. ROK-PRC Talks
Joongang Ilbo (Hwang Jang-jin, “PRESIDENT KIM HOLDS TALKS WITH CHINESE PREMIER ZHU RONGJI,” Seoul, 11/06/01) reported that on Monday ROK President Kim Dae-jung, while attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus three meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan of Brunei held talks with PRC Premier Zhu Rongji. According to the reports, President Kim explained the latest progress in inter-Korean ties to Zhu and expressed appreciation toward PRC President Jiang Zemin’s efforts last September to persuade DPRK leader Kim Jong-il to hold a second inter-Korean summit meeting. Zhu in response called for further solidifying bilateral relations in business and economy and disclosed the PRC’s intention to play a constructive role in improving future inter-Korean ties.
2. DPRK Political Situation
Joongang Ilbo (Brent Choi, “N.K. CHAIRMAN MAY COME UP WITH NEW POLICY,” Seoul, 11/05/01) carried an analytical article that said that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il is showing an overall change in his ruling style. Among the activities that Chairman Kim conducted since early this year was his field inspection that covered not only various military bases but also factories, farm sites and many other economy-related sectors nationwide. This year he conducted so-called “on-the-spot-guidance” 73 times from April to September alone, which represents an average of one inspection every 2-3 days. He conducted a total of 84 field inspections this year so far. Observers in Seoul presume that Chairman Kim is probably building another foreign strategy. “Other reports have that Pyongyang is going through a great shake up not only in the government sector but also in the fields of economy, and relatively young officials in their 40s are rising to the high seats,” one source said. “Chairman Kim may be preoccupied with the process of interviewing and reviewing the future economic policy of the North with ‘young bloods’ in accordance with the personnel list prepared by the Organization and Guidance Department.”
3. Red Cross Meeting
Joongang Ilbo (Kim In-gu, “RED CROSS SOCIETY OF NORTH AND SOUTH TO MEET IN GENEVA,” Seoul, 11/05/01) reported that the Red Cross representatives of the DPRK and the ROK are expected to join once again in the 13th International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) meeting slated for November 7 in Geneva, Switzerland. Suh Young-hoon, the head of the ROK’s Korean National Red Cross (KNRC), left Monday for the IFRC meeting with his six-member delegation. The DPRK is also known to have sent its Red Cross Chairman Jang Jae-on and other aides to the conference. “With the North Korean Red Cross attending the meeting and myself also taking part, it would be only too natural to discuss overlapping issues together such as resuming the suspended family exchange,” Suh said.
III. Japan
1. Japanese Logistical Support for US
The Japan Times (“JAPAN MULLS SEARCH-RESCUE SUPPORT FOR U.S.,” Tokyo, 11/01/01) reported that Japanese government sources said on October 30 that officials are considering designing the basic action plan for supporting the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan to include the rescue of US personnel operating in the Arabian Sea. However, analysts said that such action, if launched near US forces under attack, could pose a problem because the counter-terrorism law limits the area of operation for the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) supporting the US-led coalition to non-combat areas. Sources said that for rescue operations, the government would include the 5,200-ton destroyer Kurama, equipped with helicopters, in the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) contingent to be sent to the Indian Ocean in mid-November. So far, the government plans to include in the basic plan operations for cooperation and support centering on the transportation and supply of water and fuel. The officials believe that as long as the SDF is in the region, rescue missions could be unavoidable.
The Asahi Shimbun (“SDF PLAN SETS RANGE FOR SUPPORT MISSIONS,” Tokyo, 11/02/01) reported that Japanese government sources said on November 1 that the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) ships and aircraft supporting US actions will operate from the Arabian Sea and Hawaii. The basic plan will be completed in mid-November after further consultations with the US. It contains five elements, including basic policy, the extent of support activities, geographic range of SDF activities and the number of personnel to be deployed. Up to six destroyers from the Maritime Self- Defense Forces (MSDF) will be deployed, along with four C-130 Hercules transport planes from the Air Self-Defense Forces (ASDF), until February. An extension is possible depending on the conditions of the fighting in Afghanistan. Foreign land on which SDF personnel will operate includes the island of Diego Garcia, Oahu in the Hawaiian chain and Guam. SDF ships and planes will transport supplies from Hawaii to the Indian Ocean for US and British troops deployed there. SDF troops will also handle the provision and transport of supplies for US troops stationed in Japan to free up US ships and planes for transport near the areas of fighting. Sources also said that any information gathered by SDF personnel would be shared not only with US military but also with Britain and France.
2. Opinions on Japanese Support for US
The Asahi Shimbun (“US SHOULD LEARN TO RESPECT OTHER CULTURES,” Tokyo, 10/31/01) reported that former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone criticized current Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for failing to clearly explain the legal grounds on which Japan should exercise its right to collective defense. Nakasone said, “The current leadership is so afraid of being blamed again for tardy action – which was the case during the Gulf War- that it can only think of putting together a first- aid package of counter-terrorist measures in a hurry. Any globally- minded politician worth his salt should be exploring measures that would please the Arab world and bring honor to Japan at the same time.” On the interpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution, he asserted, “The Cabinet Legislation Bureau’s rhetoric is being demolished like a fragile piece of glass. Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa insists that SDF deployment must wait until the government officially re-interprets the Constitution as allowing the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense. I personally believe this is the way to go because it leaves no ambiguities. However, the Cabinet Legislation Bureau is opposed to it, so the Prime Minister is not arguing.” Objecting to the view that his argument will lead to an endless expansion of the nation’s self-defense capabilities, he said, “That is precisely why I am calling for a fundamental law on national security.” He also said that he did not believe that the Constitution needs to be rewritten this time, arguing that Japanese logistical support for the US can find its legal foundation in Article 73, which gives the Cabinet the prerogative to “manage foreign affairs.”
The Asahi Shimbun (“MILITARY ACTION ALLOWABLE ONLY IF OTHER MEANS FAIL,” Tokyo, 11/01/01) reported that Japanese Communist Party Chairman Tetuszo Fuwa said that what is needed in the wake of the September 11 attacks is not military action but UN-centered action to bring the perpetrators to justice based on international law. He also said that only when non- military measures fail should armed force be used under a UN initiative to apprehend the terrorists. He said, “Military action by the UN is police action. Since it is action promoted by the international community with utmost reason, it is not the same as the US selfishly waging war against governments without consulting anyone.” However, he rejected the possibility of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) participating in such military action because of the Japanese Constitution. He said, “But there is no need for Japan to feel inferior. On the contrary, there is all the more reason for it to take the initiative in UN- centered activities. Because it has Article 9, Japan should make an international contribution in non-military areas such as foreign affairs, refugee relief and postwar reconstruction. If it does, the international community will recognize the way Japan works.”
3. Afghan Refugees in Japan
The Japan Times (“BARRING AFGHANS FROM JAPAN REEKS OF HYPOCRISY: REFUGEE SUPPORT GROUPS,” Tokyo, 10/31/01) reported that refugee support groups protested Japan’s reduction of the number of Afghans allowed into the country since the fall of 2000. The numbers of Afghan refugees has been on the rise since the launch of US-led attacks on Afghanistan early this month.
4. Japanese Role in Pakistan
Yomiuri Shimbun (Yuji Anai, “MUSHARRAF WELCOMES SDF AID TO AFGHAN REFUGEES,” 11/05/01) reported that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday praised the planned dispatch of the SDF to provide logistical support to the U.S.-led military campaign against the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, Japanese officials said. Noting that Japan’s armed forces were different from those of other countries, Musharraf said during talks with a Japanese delegation comprising the secretaries general of three ruling coalition parties, “We welcome the SDF wholeheartedly.” “The Pakistani people in general have a great affinity with the Japanese people, so we would appreciate it very much if the SDF, instead of troops from the Western world, come to Pakistan,” Musharaff was quoted as telling the delegation. The delegation consisted of Taku Yamasaki of the Liberal Democratic Party, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of New Komeito, and Toshihiro Nikai of Hoshuto (New Conservative Party). However, Yamasaki on Friday reacted unfavorably to Pakistan’s hope that a basic plan to be drawn up under the Anti- terrorism Law would incorporate assistance for refugees from Afghanistan and personnel lost during U.S.-led military operations. Yamasaki said that Japan would not assist refugees unless the Office of U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees specifically requested Japan to do so.
5. Japanese Financial Aid to Pakistan
Asahi Shimbun (“PAKISTANI ENVOY SEEKS ECONOMIC AID,” 11/02/01) reported that Pakistani Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, a special envoy of President Pervez Musharraf, asked Japan on Thursday for further economic aid and an extension of the repayment period for its outstanding foreign debt, Japanese officials said. Aziz made the requests in a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Koizumi indicated that Japan will consider aid for Pakistan “given its current international role as well as its role in mapping out a future for Afghanistan,” the officials said. Koizumi also said that he respected Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism in cooperation with the US and other nations. “We will keep close contact with Pakistan and consider what Japan can do,” the officials quoted Koizumi as telling the envoy.
6. Japan-DPRK Relations
Mainichi Shimbun (“POLITICIANS TIE FOOD AID FOR PYONGYANG TO ABDUCTED JAPANESE,” 11/03/01) reported that the World Food Programme (WFP) is set to ask Japan to give some 200,000 tons in food aid to the DPRK. However, some Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) politicians are dissatisfied with the DPRK’s stance on investigation of Japanese nationals believed abducted by DPRK agents. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, LDP Secretary-General Taku Yamazaki, and LDP Policy Chief Taro Aso opposed the food aid campaign. In the last meeting for normalization of relations between Japan and the DPRK, Japanese diplomats insisted that the issue of normalized relations should be linked with the abduction issue, while the DPRK officials said that Japan first had to make an apology for its brutal behaviors before and during the Second World War, and start a compensation program before diplomatic normalization is fully negotiated.
7. Yasukuni Shrine Issue
Asahi Shimbun (“ENSHRINING KIN WITH WAR CRIMINALS OFFENDS KOREANS,” 11/02/01) reported that the people filing suit over Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine include citizens of the ROK whose relatives worked for or were in the Japanese military before the end of World War II. They are unhappy that family members are honored at Yasukuni Shrine along with other war dead, including Class-A war criminals. Seoul resident Im So-un said that he could not stop weeping when he heard news reports of Koizumi’s visit to the shrine. “Since my father is honored there along with Class-A war criminals and was paid a visit by the prime minister of the nation that occupied our country, there is a strong possibility my father will be seen as having played a role in Japan’s aggression,” Im said. Shrine officials said that the 2.46 million war dead enshrined there include about 21,000 from the Korean Peninsula and about 27,800 from Taiwan.
8. Japan-Philippine Anti-Piracy Drill
The Asahi Shimbun English edition (Fusako Go, “JAPAN, PHILIPPINE IN ANTI-PIRACY DRILL,” Manila, 11/02/01) reported that the Coast Guards of Japan and the Philippines staged a joint anti-piracy exercise on October 31 off Manila Bay to test their responses. It was the first time the two countries have held such a joint drill. In the scenario, the Japanese patrol cutter Mizuho, with 62 aboard, chased a Philippine patrol boat playing the part of a Japanese vessel held by pirates. Japanese coast guard members, armed with rifles, swarmed onto the hijacked vessel to overpower the “pirates.” Concern over piracy prompted Japan and other Asian nations to form a joint agreement in Japan in April 2000 for such exercises.
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