NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, June 07, 2007
- 1. DPRK Missile Test
2. DPRK Missile Test
3. DPRK Energy
4. DPRK Humanitarian Situation
5. DMZ Wildlife Preserve
6. US-ROK Relations
7. Japan and Cross Strait Relations
8. Cross Strait Relations
9. Sino-Indian Military Relations
10. PRC Student Unrest
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.