NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, October 28th, 2004

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NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, October 28th, 2004

NAPSNet Daily Report Thursday, October 28th, 2004

I. United States

II. Japan

Preceding NAPSNet Report

I. United States

1. DPRK on Relations with the US

Korean Central News Agency of the DPRK (“U.S. ANTI-DPRK SMEAR CAMPAIGN UNDER FIRE”, 2004-10-28) reported that the US is busy with an anti-DPRK smear campaign, letting loose a string of balderdash such as a “nuclear test”, a “missile test-fire”, state-sponsored “drug trafficking”, “suppression of religion” and the “training of hackers”, etc. in a bid to tarnish its image and brand it as an international “rogue state” and a “trouble-maker.” A more important aim sought by it through such mean smear campaign is to keep the situation on the Korean Peninsula unstable all the time and create an atmosphere favorable for realizing its strategy to dominate Northeast Asia.

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2. US on PRC, ROK Role in DPRK Nuclear Talks

Bloomberg (“DIFFERENCES OVER NORTH KOREA ARE EXAGGERATED, U.S. GOVT SAYS “, 2004-10-28) reported that differences between the US, ROK and PRC over nuclear talks with the DPRK are exaggerated, the US State Department said. The ROK and PRC told US Secretary of State Colin Powell when he visited the countries earlier this week that the US should be more flexible in its approach to the DPRK, the Washington Post reported yesterday. “The focus of our discussions on the trip was on how do we get the North Koreans to come back to talk,” State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said yesterday in Washington, according to an e-mailed transcript. The PRC and the ROK made clear “their emphasis is on resuming the talks at an early date. The differences are being exaggerated.”

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3. DPRK on Nuclear Talks

Financial Times (“N KOREA BLAMES US FOR NUCLEAR TALKS STALEMATE “, 2004-10-28) reported that Pyongyang yesterday tried to shift blame for the stalemate in talks over its nuclear program to the US. Kim Jong-il’s regime yesterday repeated its three conditions for resuming talks, demanding that the US end its “hostile policy” towards Pyongyang, that it provide compensation for freezing its nuclear activities, and that it put the ROK’s nuclear experiments on the six-party agenda.

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4. PRC on DPRK Nuclear Talks

Reuters (“KOREAN NUCLEAR TALKS MAY CONVENE IN NOVEMBER”, 2004-10-28) reported that the six parties trying to end a crisis over the DPRK’s nuclear ambitions could hold working group talks in November, diplomats said on Thursday, the first sign of progress since Pyongyang stalled after the last round. The PRC’s new lead negotiator, Wu Dawei, was quoted in the China Youth Daily newspaper as saying the six parties would meet near the end of November. However, he said he was not sure if it would be a plenary session, working groups or some other format.

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5. Russia on DPRK Nuclear Program

Interfax (“N. KOREA HAS NUCLEAR PROGRAM, BUT NO BOMB – RUSSIAN EXPERTS”, 2004-10-28) reported that the DPRK has a military nuclear program but does not yet have a nuclear bomb, said Russian experts who are taking part in a nuclear non-proliferation conference in Moscow. However, some experts think the DPRK has one or two nuclear weapons, an Interfax correspondent reported from the conference.

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6. DPRK Missile Program

The Associated Press (“ARMS BASE IN NORTH MONITORED”, 2004-10-28) reported that the US, Japan and the ROK are closely monitoring a missile base in the DPRK after military intelligence indicated that the DPRK might be preparing to test missiles, a ROK newspaper reported Wednesday. Beginning two or three days ago, “North Koreans began making moves at the Jeongju base, such as moving mobile missile launch stations,” according to Chosun Ilbo. “We are monitoring the movements to see whether this was part of their training or they actually intend to launch a missile.”

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7. ROK on DPRK Sanctions

Kyodo (“S. KOREAN RULING PARTY HEAD AGAINST ECO. SANCTION ON N. KOREA”, 2004-10-28) reported that the chairman of the ROK’s ruling Uri Party, Lee Bu Young, cautioned Thursday against Japan resorting to economic sanctions against the DPRK over unresolved issues surrounding the abduction of Japanese citizens and its nuclear ambitions, a Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker said. In a meeting with DPJ President Katsuya Okada, Lee said economic sanctions could prompt “something unwanted by both Japan and South Korea to happen,” according to the lawmaker.

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8. ROK on DPRK – Japanese Relations

Korea Times (“LEE URGES KOIZUMI TO SPEED UP TALKS WITH N. KOREA”, 2004-10-28) reported that Lee Bu-young, chairman of the ROK?s ruling Uri Party, urged Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Thursday to expedite negotiations to normalize ties with the DPRK. On the last day of his three-day visit to the neighboring country, Lee held talks with Koizumi over various regional issues, such as the DPRK nuclear standoff, as well as other matters of mutual concern, according to Lee?s aides.

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9. Inter – Korean Summit

Donga Ilbo (“VICE UNIFICATION MINISTER, ?INTER-KOREAN SUMMIT FOR NEXT MARCH? “, 2004-10-28) reported that Rhee Bong-jo, Vice Unification minister, hinted at a push for an inter-Korean summit, causing a stir. Rhee was invited to speak at the ?National Reconciliation Academy? managed by the Korea Reunification Society of the Citizens? Coalition for Economic Justice and said, ?Next year will be the 60th anniversary of our liberation and also the fifth year since the June 15 summit, and so after discussing over the matter in November and preparing for plans in January and February of next year, a symbolic event should take place between South and North Korea in March.?

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10. DMZ Incursion

Joongang Ilbo (“CHEOLWON CALLED ?INFILTRATION CORRIDOR'”, 2004-10-28) reported that Cheolwon county in Gangwon province, where someone crossed the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday by cutting through fences and barbed wire, has long been an area of concern for the ROK military. Defense Ministry officials said that since the 1970s, a total of eight people have illegally traversed the heavily guarded area, either into the ROK or DPRK. The area is frequently foggy, making detection of infiltrators even harder.

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11. DMZ Incursion Investigation

Donga Ilbo (“GNP CONSIDERING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INVESTIGATION INTO CUT WIRED FENCES “, 2004-10-28) reported that regarding the matter of the cut wired fences, the Grand National Party (GNP) is considering an investigation by the National Assembly if the investigation results by the military authority turn out to be insufficient. GNP lawmaker Park Jin, a member of the National Defense Committee under the National Assembly, inspected the scene at an army division in Cheolwon, Gangwon Province. After the inspection, he said through a phone call with a reporter, ?I cannot understand the explanation by the military authority that a civilian crossed the border to North Korea. It became even more doubtful after seeing the actual spot. If needed, a National Assembly investigation should be conducted.?

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12. PRC on DPRK Defectors

The Associated Press (“CHINA THREATENS TO PUNISH ORGANIZERS OF NORTH KOREAN ASYLUM BIDS”, 2004-10-28) reported that the PRC will punish anyone who helps asylum-seekers break into diplomatic missions, an official said Thursday – a day after two ROK human rights activists were detained along with 65 DPRK citizens. Police arrested the two men in a raid in eastern Beijing amid a recent spate of cases of DPRK defectors breaking into diplomatic facilities.

(return to top) Kyodo News (“CHINA SAYS 62 DETAINED N. KOREANS LINKED TO ASYLUM-SEEKING”, 2004-10-28) reported that the PRC confirmed Thursday the detention earlier in the week of 62 DPRK illegal immigrants hoping for asylum, saying all the people and two non-Chinese who assisted them are in custody. The comments by PRC Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue clarified the number of detainees at 62. Earlier media reports and local residents had put the number between 50 and 65. (return to top)

13. Jenkins Case

Kyodo News (“SOGA, DAUGHTERS HEAD TO U.S. CAMP ZAMA FROM NIIGATA PREF.”, 2004-10-28) reported that Hitomi Soga, a former abductee to the DPRK, departed Thursday from Niigata Prefecture with her two daughters for a US Army camp in Kanagawa Prefecture where her American husband’s court-martial is scheduled next Wednesday.

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14. ROK on DPRK Nuclear Talks and the US Election

Yonhap (“ENVOY SEES NO MAJOR CHANGES IN U.S. POLICY ON N.K. AFTER ELECTION “, None) reported that the ROK’s top envoy to the US said Wednesday that whoever wins next week’s US presidential election, there will be no major changes in the US’s policy on the DPRK’s nuclear program.

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15. ROK on US Troop Realignment and the US Election

Chosun Ilbo (“U.S. ELECTION WILL NOT GREATLY AFFECT U.S. POSTURE IN KOREA: AMBASSADOR”, 2004-10-28) reported that Korean Ambassador to the US Han Seung-joo said Wednesday that there would be no change in the overall schedule of reduction of US forces stationed in the ROK if US Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry is elected.

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16. US – ROK Trade Relations

Chosun Ilbo (“FTA BETWEEN KOREA AND U.S. IMPOSSIBLE FOR NOW “, 2004-10-28) reported that an analyst said that it would be difficult for the ROK and the US to reach a free trade agreement (FTA) for the time being and that the Kaesong Industrial Complex in the DPRK might be a factor in slowing relations between the ROK and the US. Dr. Mark Manyin, an East Asia researcher at the US Congressional Research Service, said Wednesday (local time) during a lecture hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the US that the ROK has been excessively hastening the signing of an FTA with the US, while the US has not shown similar interest in an FTA with the ROK.

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17. ROK – Russian Relations

Joongang Ilbo (“KOREA AND RUSSIA AGREE ON SPACE LAUNCH FACILITY “, 2004-10-28) reported that the ROK’s Science and Technology Ministry yesterday confirmed media reports from Russia that said the two countries have signed a deal to build a rocket-launch facility in the ROK. The launch facility for civilian satellites will be built by 2007 in Goheung, South Jeolla province, the ministry said.

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18. ROK Capital Relocation

Reuters (“THOUSANDS RALLY IN S.KOREA TO BACK NEW CAPITAL”, 2004-10-28) reported that ROK demonstrators shaved their heads and wrote slogans in blood on Thursday at a rally of 3,500 people to support a presidential plan for a new capital after a court ruled the move unlawful. The rally and a subsequent march through the main streets of the central city of Taejon lasted about two hours and went off in a generally peaceful mood, with hundreds of policemen deployed to control the flow of people and traffic.

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19. US – Japan Trade Relations

Kyodo (“DPJ PROTESTS OVER RECENT JAPAN-U.S. BEEF ACCORD ON BEEF TRADE”, 2004-10-28) reported that the Democratic Party of Japan staged a rally in Tokyo on Thursday to protest against a recent accord between Japan and the US to resume American beef exports to the country, saying a hasty conclusion had been reached in the face of pressure from the US. DPJ Secretary General Tatsuo Kawabata said the accord was struck because of the upcoming US presidential election.

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20. Japanese Hostage in Iraq

Washington Post (“JAPAN APPEALS FOR RELEASE OF HOSTAGE IN IRAQ”, 2004-10-28) reported that the Japanese government scrambled Wednesday to win the release of a 24-year-old Japanese man taken hostage in Iraq, dispatching senior diplomats to the Middle East and appealing for his freedom on Arabic television. But Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Japan would not grant the kidnappers’ demand for the withdrawal of its 550 troops from southern Iraq, where they are helping with reconstruction.

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21. PRC Economy

Reuters (“CHINA HIKES RATES TO COOL THE ECONOMY”, 2004-10-28) reported that the PRC’s central bank on Thursday raised interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade in its boldest move yet to guide its heated economy to a path of slower growth. “This move is obviously trying to rein in investment further and engineer a soft landing,” said Sarah Hewin, senior economist at American Express Bank in London.

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22. US on Cross Strait Relations

The New York Times (“WARNINGS BY POWELL TO TAIWAN PROVOKE A DIPLOMATIC DISPUTE”, 2004-10-28) reported that the PRC officials praised Secretary of State Colin L. Powell on Wednesday for warning Taiwan that it is not an independent nation and should not seek to become one. But Taiwanese leaders sharply criticized Mr. Powell for changing a longstanding policy in managing the diplomatically nuanced rivalry.

(return to top) Associated Press (“POWELL BACKS OFF OF TAIWAN COMMENTS”, 2004-10-28) reported that Taiwan’s government on Thursday applauded US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s decision to back away from his earlier controversial claim that both the PRC and Taiwan favor unification. Powell clarified his remarks in a TV interview Wednesday with the US television channel CNBC. He said the goal “really is to have a peaceful resolution of the problem” between Taiwan and the PRC. (return to top)

23. Sino – El Salvador Relations

Agence France-Presse (“EL SALVADOR TO STUDY POSSIBILITY OF FORMAL TIES WITH CHINA”, 2004-10-28) reported that the government of El Salvador will study the possibility of establishing diplomatic and trade relations with mainland PRC as leading local entrepreneurs have expressed an interest in opening the PRC market to Salvadoran goods, Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez said.

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24. PRC Protest

Agence France-Presse (“FIVE CHINESE SWEATSHOP WORKERS JAILED FOR PROTESTING UNPAID WAGES”, 2004-10-28) reported that five young sweatshop workers have been jailed after they rioted when a Taiwan-owned shoe factory making American brand name goods refused to pay salaries, rights group China Labor Watch says. The five defendants ranged from 16 to 21 years old and were jailed for up to three-and-a-half years. They were migrant workers who had found jobs in Dongguan’s burgeoning light industrial factories.

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25. Powell Asian Tour

The Asahi Shimbun (“POWELL: FAR EAST CLAUSE CAN REMAIN”, 2004-10-25) reported that US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday that Washington is not asking Tokyo to broaden the scope of the Japan-US Security Treaty in order to accept the transfer of an Army command center. Powell, who was in Japan through Sunday as part of a tour of three Far East countries, told reporters that the mission of the US Army I (First) Corps has yet to be determined, and that such a role would be decided through future talks.

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26. Japan-US Security Alliance

The Japan Times (“JAPAN, U.S. SHOULD BROADEN SCOPE OF SECURITY PACT: ONO”, 2004-10-20) reported that the Japan-US security alliance should be upgraded to contribute to “international peace,” not just security in the Asia-Pacific region as currently defined under the bilateral security pact, Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono said. Ono did not specify whether he thinks the security pact should be revised to allow the US presence beyond the stated purpose of maintaining security in Japan and the Far East, but said “there must be no ambiguity” in a new US military posture in Japan.

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27. US Forces in Japan Realignment

The Japan Times (“ONO OK WITH U.S. MILITARY TRANSFER”, 2004-10-21) reported that Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono told a Diet session that relocating the headquarters of a US military unit to Japan would not violate the Japan-US security treaty — even if the range of the unit?s activity goes beyond the Far East. Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said the Japanese government intends to retain the Far East clause in the security pact when negotiating US troop realignment plans. But Hosoda indicated that Japan will continue to tacitly allow US troops to be deployed from Japan to final destinations beyond East Asia, such as the Middle East, a policy critics say is inconsistent with the treaty.

(return to top) The Japan Times (“ONO RETRACTS COMMENTS ON U.S. COMMAND TRANSFER”, 2004-10-22) reported that Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono was forced to retract earlier comments supporting the US-proposed transfer of command functions of the US Army First Corps in Washington state to Camp Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda had rushed to iron out differences in opinion between the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, Defense Agency and Foreign Ministry, and told reporters that he had urged Ono to withdraw his comments made in the Diet. (return to top)

28. Yasukuni Shrine Issue

The Asahi Shimbun (“KOIZUMI CRITICIZES CHINA ON YASUKUNI”, 2004-10-19) reported that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi knocked China?s criticism of his controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine and said he won?t be dissuaded from going to the memorial that honors Japan?s war dead along with Class-A war criminals. ?I know that my visits to Yasukuni Shrine are not pleasant for China. But I don’t think it’s wrong for the Japanese to pay respects to the war dead and express thanks to them,? Koizumi said in a Lower House Budget Committee. When asked about the possible construction of a state-run secular war memorial, Koizumi said, ?Even if it is built, it is not a facility that will replace Yasukuni Shrine.?

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29. Japan UNSC Bid

Kyodo (“PANEL REPORT DOESN’T BACK JAPAN’S DRIVE FOR PERMANENT UNSC SEAT”, 2004-10-22) reported that an advisory panel does not recommend Japan and Germany as permanent membership candidates of the UN Security Council in its draft report. The report, compiled by a UN advisory panel on Security Council reform, will be submitted to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in December. The panel is unlikely to make major revisions to the draft and the two countries are unlikely to be named in a final report. Instead of expanding the Security Council, the advisory panel recommends establishing a new group made up of five to eight nations representing each continent, with the group positioned between permanent and nonpermanent members.

(return to top) The Japan Times (“MACHIMURA UNMOVED BY UNSC REPORT”, 2004-10-23) reported that Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said he is unconcerned by media reports that a UN advisory panel on reforming the world body will not propose Japan as a candidate for permanent membership of the UN Security Council in its recommendation report. Machimura told a news conference: “There is no need for us to comment as we have not seen it. But in general, I don’t think it is the nature of the document to say whether certain countries should or should not become permanent Security Council members. (return to top)

30. Japan Nuclear Reprocessing Policy

The Japan Times (“ATOMIC COMMISSION VOTES TO CONTINUE POLICY OF REPROCESSING SPENT NUKE FUEL”, 2004-10-23) reported that the Atomic Energy Commission?s draft for a new nuclear policy plan advocates maintaining the current policy of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. According to the draft, reprocessing is “superior” to burial due to potential advantages in terms of energy security and environmental protection. Burying the spent fuel, however, is far more economical. The commission released a new estimate that reprocessing all spent nuclear fuel would cost 42.9 trillion yen, while burying it would cost between 30 trillion yen and 38.6 trillion yen. The estimate was based on predicted power generation between 2002 and 2059.

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31. Japan Foreign Residents? Suffrage

The Asahi Shimbun (“SENSE OF BETRAYAL: LDP, NEW KOMEITO TUSSLE OVER BILL TO LET FOREIGN RESIDENTS VOTE”, 2004-10-23) reported that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in an apparent attempt to appease junior coalition partner New Komeito, decided to allow Diet deliberations to begin on a bill to give foreigners with permanent resident status the right to vote in local elections. New Komeito had pushed for inclusion of the provision when it agreed to join forces five years ago with what then was a three-party coalition that included the now-defunct Liberal Party. But the LDP continued to put up strong resistance to giving suffrage to long-term foreign residents. A group of LDP members calling for a cautious approach to giving foreign residents the right to vote confirmed at a meeting that it would continue to oppose the proposal. It cited constitutional concerns.

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