CONTENTS
1. Bush’s Asia Tour
2. PRC Missile Tests
3. PRC Military Training
4. Helms on PRC, Russia
II. Republic of Korea 1. KEDO-DPRK Talks
2. DPRK-PRC Talks
3. Japanese Aid to DPRK
4. New Russian Envoy to DPRK
5. ROK Early Air Warning Project
6. Bush’s Visit to ROK Canceled
III. Japan 1. PRC, DPRK, and ROK Reactions to Japanese Deployments
IV. Announcements 1. Call for Papers
I. United States
1. Bush’s Asia Tour
Reuters (“BUSH CUTS SHORT ASIA VISIT NEXT MONTH,” Washington, 9/25/01) reported that US White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announced on September 25 that US President George W. Bush will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Shanghai on October 20 and 21 but has postponed planned stops in Japan, the ROK, and the PRC. Fleischer said, “President Bush has modified his planned travel to Asia in October.” Fleischer said, “These visits will be rescheduled when circumstances permit.”
2. PRC Missile Tests
The Washington Times (Bill Gertz, “CHINA TESTS POTENT, SUPERSONIC ANTI-SHIP CRUISE MISSILES,” 9/25/01) reported that US intelligence officials said that the PRC has conducted the first flight test of the SSN-22 Sunburn missile from its new Russian-Sovremenny-class destroyer on September 15. One US military official said, “This is the first test from sea, and it gets them close to an initial operating capability.” Testing of the Sunburn, called the Moskit by Russia, had been expected. US intelligence agencies monitoring the region had spotted both of the PRC’s Sovremenny destroyers in the northern PRC port of Bohai Bay a week before the test, as the ships were loaded with missile canisters. Richard Fisher, a specialist on the PRC military, said that the PRC missile ships are now operational, and “there is an expectation that China will be purchasing a more advanced version of this ship. The testing of the Sunburn serves as a reminder that as we seek cooperation with Beijing over the terrorist threat, we should keep in mind that Beijing’s ultimate goal is the conquest of the democracy on Taiwan for which the Sovremennys were purchased.” Fisher said that published reports have stated that the PRC also is planning to purchase a small, Russian- built attack boat that will be armed with two Sunburns. He added, “This would be an excellent blockade weapon” in a conflict with Taiwan. [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for September 25, 2001.]
3. PRC Military Training
The London Times (Oliver August, “BEIJING’S TROOPS TRAIN FOR WAR ON AFGHAN BORDER,” Kashgar, 9/26/01) reported that a unit of the PRC People’s Armed Police, usually based in Urumqi and believed to be among the nation’s best-trained, was moved last week to Kashgar and are practicing guerrilla warfare near the Afghan border in expectation of attacks by Islamic extremists inside the PRC. Several hundred members of the unit were rehearsing tactics on September 25 for close-quarter combat, including techniques for killing an enemy without a weapon. The troops have set up a temporary base at a sports stadium in Kashgar where dozens of trucks used to bring in the troops are lined up. A locally based soldier said, “The People’s Armed Police were sent here because of the attacks in America. The Government believes they are needed to keep order.” At a military exercise ground near Kashgar airport, a second group of troops has set up a new base. One Muslim in the region said, “The US should have proof of who is responsible for the attacks before they do anything. The Taliban are true believers. Here, we are governed by PRC rules, not the Koran.” A Western diplomat said, “We expected a troop deployment to the area by the Chinese but have to emphasize that it was in no way requested by us.” One Beijing-based diplomat said, “We assume that Beijing will take opportunistic actions, knowing the world will not object at the moment.” [Ed. note: This article appeared in the US Department of Defense’s Early Bird news service for September 26, 2001.]
4. Helms on PRC, Russia
ThePiedmontChannel.com (“HELMS: U.S. SHOULD BE CAREFUL WITH CHINA, RUSSIA,” 9/25/01) reported that according to a local US NewsChannel 12 report, US Senator Jesse Helms said that the US should be careful trusting the PRC and Russia. Helms said that he thinks US Secretary of State Colin Powell is wasting time talking to the two countries about fighting terrorism. He also said that the US should focus on unfinished business with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein
II. Republic of Korea
1. KEDO-DPRK Talks
Joongang Ilbo (Kim Ki-chan, “KEDO DELEGATION ENTERS NORTH,” Seoul, 09/26/01) reported that Radio Pyongyang reported Tuesday of the arrival of a delegation from Korea Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) to the DPRK. It said, “A KEDO delegation arrived here today by air to participate in the high-level DPRK- KEDO negotiation for the implementation of the agreement on the provision of light water reactors,” but did not mention other details including the exact schedules for the meeting. KEDO and the DPRK holds a high-level conference 2-3 times a year on a regular basis to discuss on the timelines of the construction schedules of the light water reactors.
2. DPRK-PRC Talks
Joongang Ilbo (“HEAD OF N.K. PEOPLE ARMED FORCES GREETS CHINESE DELEGATION,” Seoul, 09/26/01) reported that the Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) said that Kim Il-chol, minister of the People’s Armed Forces in the DPRK, met with a delegation from the PRC People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) headed by General Wu Yuquian, deputy commander of the Shenyang military command at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang on Tuesday. KCBS however did not elaborate further on the details of the meeting except that the two sides conversed in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
3. Japanese Aid to DPRK
Joongang Ilbo (Kim Ki-chan, “JAPANES FIND NO PROBLEMS IN FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA,” Seoul, 09/26/01) reported that Japanese lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who took part in a mission to the DPRK said on September 22 that there are no concerns over the distribution and management of rice donated to Pyongyang by Japan. Japanese Lower House members Yasuhisa Shiozaki and Makoto Taki said the distribution and management systems that they monitored are well controlled. The two lawmakers spoke at a press conference at the Beijing airport on their way back from the DPRK. Shiozaki and Taki, along with Shigekazu Sato, deputy director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, and two other ministry staff, arrived in the DPRK on September 18 and visited 24 food distribution sites, kindergartens and citizen’s homes in seven districts, including Pyongyang.
4. New Russian Envoy to DPRK
The Korea Herald (“RUSSIA NAMES NEW ENVOY TO P’YANG,” Seoul, 09/26/01) reported that according a Voice of Russia broadcast, Andrey Karlov will be the new Russian ambassador to the DPRK. Karlov arrived in Pyongyang on September 21 and has already assumed his post. He will replace Valeri Denisov. The 47-year-old diplomat graduated from Moscow University and has worked at the Foreign Ministry since and is fluent in Korean.
5. ROK Early Air Warning Project
The Korea Herald (Shin Yong-bae, “S. KOREA TO LAUNCH $1.5 BIL. EARLY AIR WARNING PROJECT,” Seoul, 09/26/01) reported that ROK defense officials said that the government will launch a new project to develop the Air Force’s early aerial warning system, estimated to cost about US$1.46 billion, next year. The government has earmarked about US$15 million from next year’s defense budget of 16.3 trillion won to go to the project. The ROK Defense Ministry is expected to announce the successful bidder and model for the Air Force’s early aerial warning system in the first half of next year.
6. Bush’s Visit to ROK Canceled
Joongang Ilbo (Kim Hee-sung, “PRESIDENT BUSH CANCELS TRIP TO SEOUL,” Seoul, 09/26/01) reported that US President George W. Bush has postponed his expected Asian tours to the ROK, Japan and the PRC slated for October. US White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announced in a written statement on September 25 Bush has modified his planned travel to Asia. However, he will still attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Shanghai scheduled from October 20-21. Diplomatic sources in the US said Bush would hold a summit meeting with ROK President Kim Dae-jung in Shanghai instead.
III. Japan
1. PRC, DPRK, and ROK Reactions to Japanese Deployments
Asahi-Shinbun (“BEIJING, SEOUL KEEP TABS ON NEW SDF LAW,” 09/22/01) and BBC World Service (“NORTH KOREA BACKS ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM,” 09/25/01) reported that the PRC, the DPRK, and the ROK are monitoring Japanese moves in support of US retaliatory strikes for assaults on New York and Washington. PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhu Bangzao expressed concern over Japan’s justification for a new bill that allows for the dispatch of Self-Defense forces personnel and ships. He urged Japan to act with caution, saying, “Considering the history between China and Japan, we are sensitive to suggestions Japan will play a military role (in expected US strikes).” He added that the bill could extend the range of rear-echelon support determined by existing law. The DPRK also expressed wariness by accusing Japan of trying to use the anti-terrorism campaign to redefine the role of its armed forces. On the other hand, although the ROK is also paying close heed to the decision on the deployment of the SDF, ROK officials said that it is illogical to presuppose Japan would regain military prowess simply because the SDF is providing logistical support for US forces.
IV. Announcements
1. Call for Papers
The International Journal of Korean Unification Studies is seeking manuscripts. The Journal is published bi-annually by the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, which has functioned as a think-tank for the government of the Republic of Korea in an area of unification policy as well as DPRK Studies and International Relations. The Institute will provide honorariums for the articles that have been accepted for publication. The deadline for submission of manuscripts is 10 November, 2001. Although the main subject for this volume is “Non-Conventional Threats and Inter-Korean Relations in International Relations,” authors are free to write on anything they would be interested in an International Relations area. For further inquires regarding manuscript submission, please contact: International Journal of Korean Unification Studies, 535-353 Suyu 6-dong, Kangbuk-ku, Seoul 142-076, Republic of Korea, Tel: (822) 9012-592/658, Fax: (822) 9012-543/541, E-Mail: krkim@kinu.or.kr or kimmik@kinu.or.kr
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Gee Gee Wong: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States
Timothy L. Savage: napsnet@nautilus.org
Berkeley, California, United States
Kim Hee-sun: khs688@hotmail.com
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Hibiki Yamaguchi: hibikiy@dh.mbn.or.jp
Tokyo, Japan
Rumiko Seya: rumiko-seya@geocities.co.jp
Tokyo, Japan
Hiroya Takagi: hiroya_takagi@hotmail.com
Tokyo, Japan
Peter Razvin: icipu@glas.apc.org
Moscow, Russian Federation
Yunxia Cao: yunxiac@yahoo.com
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
John McKay: John.McKay@adm.monash.edu.au
Clayton, Australia