I. NAPSnet

1. UN on DPRK Nuclear Program

BBC News (“UN PRESSES N KOREA ON INSPECTORS”, 2005-09-19) reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for immediate access to the DPRK following the country’s promise to give up all nuclear activities. “The earlier we go back the better,” said IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei. As part of the joint statement adopted during the fourth round of six party talks, the DPRK “promised to drop all nuclear weapons and current nuclear programmes and to get back to the Non-Proliferation Treaty as soon as possible”. Rejoining the treaty is crucial, as it will allow IAEA inspectors to return to the DPRK’s nuclear sites.

(return to top)

2. US on DPRK Nuclear Program

Reuters (“US PLAYS DOWN N. KOREA CIVILIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM”, 2005-09-19) reported that the offer of civilian nuclear energy for the DPRK in Monday’s six party agreement is dependent on Pyongyang dismantling all of its nuclear activities, said the US State Department. “It’s a theoretical proposition in the future, contingent on dismantlement having taken place, re-signing up to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and having IAEA safeguards in place,” deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told a news briefing. The comments were an attempt to clarify what appeared to be a significant change in the US position on the DPRK’s right to a civilian nuclear program.

(return to top) Agence France Presse (“US DRAWS LINE IN ANTI-NUKE DRIVE AT URANIUM ENRICHMENT”, 2005-09-19) reported that although the US has conceded the DPRK’s right to civilian atomic energy, it appears to be drawing the line at sensitive fuel work. Under the accord reached in six party talks in Beijing, Pyongyang “committed to abandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs and returning at an early date” to the NPT. However, when asked about work on the nuclear fuel cycle, which includes uranium enrichment as well as the extraction of weapons-grade plutonium, US chief envoy Christopher Hill said “we haven’t gotten into questions like that.” (return to top) Kyodo News (“RICE SEEKS ‘VERY CLEAR’ ROAD MAP FOR N. KOREAN NUKE DISMANTLEMENT”, 2005-09-19) reported that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that the six party talks need to yield ”a very clear road map” for verification and dismantlement of the DPRK’s nuclear arms programs. ”This agreement to principles is a good first step on the way, we hope, to a fully denuclearized, verifiably denuclearized, Korean Peninsula,” Rice told reporters. ”We are going to now have to have a very clear road map for verification, a very clear road map for dismantlement, because that is the core issue here,” she said. (return to top) Forbes (“US SHRUGS OFF N KOREAN NUCLEAR STATEMENT AS NEGOTIATING TACTIC”, 2005-09-20) reported that US officials are playing down the DPRK’s vow to keep its nuclear weapons until it gets light-water reactors as a negotiating tactic. A State Department official insisted there was nothing new in the remarks made on Monday by DPRK envoy Kim Gye-gwan. The official, who asked not to be named, said all sides were making clear their interpretations of the joint statement ahead of a new round of six party talks scheduled for November. ‘This is simply the North Koreans starting the negotiations early,’ he said, adding the outlines of Pyongyang’s agreement to renounce its nuclear weapons in return for security guarantees and aid was unchanged. ‘As far as we are concerned, there has been no indication from the government of North Korea that it has suddenly decided to change its mind about an agreement made two days ago.’ (return to top)

3. ROK on DPRK Nuclear Program

The Korea Times (“SOUTH KOREA TO MEDIATE REACTOR DISPUTE”, 2005-09-20) reported that the ROK is confident the DPRK nuclear disarmament agreement reached in Beijing on Monday can be implemented despite a lingering dispute between Pyongyang and Washington over the sequencing of the deal. President Roh Moo-hyun told a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that Seoul will seek to mediate the difference of opinion, which hinges on Pyongyang’s demand for the construction of a light-water nuclear reactor in the DPRK. A top official at the Seoul’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said Pyongyang should drop its insistence on getting the reactor first, describing it as “unrealistic.’’ Meanwhile, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed hope that the US and DPRK can reach a compromise. He also said the ROK will review its offer to supply 2 million kilowatts of electricity to the DPRK in light of Monday’s agreement. The electricity incentive was originally offered as an alternative to the light-water reactor, but the DPRK insisted on keeping control of its energy supply.

(return to top) Yonhap News (“SEOUL OPPOSES SITE OF KEDO PROJECT IN N. KOREA FOR ‘NEW’ REACTOR’”, 2005-09-20) reported that the ROK government opposes resuming construction of light-water reactors in the DPRK by an international consortium, and will seek a different site for similar reactors should one be required, the country’s vice foreign minister said Tuesday. Lee Tae-sik said the suspended project by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) is now defunct, claiming the agreement at the six party talks stipulated that the countries provide the DPRK with light-water reactors different from those pursued by KEDO in Sinpo, a city in the country’s eastern South Hamkyong Province. (return to top)

4. Japan on DPRK Nuclear Program

Xinhua (“JAPAN WELCOMES JOINT STATEMENT OF SIX-PARTY TALKS”, 2005-09-19) reported that the Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura cautiously welcomed the joint statement adopted at the six party talks, saying the agreement has shown the six nations’ “final goals” of solving the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula. In a statement, Machimura urged the DPRK to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a verifiable manner for the first time. “Only after the DPRK implements its commitment to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a verifiable manner, may we discuss the issue of a light-water reactor,” Machimura said.

(return to top) Xinhua (“JAPANESE FM SAYS DPRK’S DEMAND UNACCEPTABLE”, 2005-09-20) reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said Tuesday it was unacceptable for the DPRK not to scrap nuclear programs before the demand for light-water nuclear reactor is met, Kyodo News reported. Machimura said Japan “cannot accept the claim,” adding that issues concerning the reactors would be discussed after Pyongyang abandons its nuclear weapons and returns to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Machimura’s comments come a day after he cautiously welcomed the joint statement, saying “it will provide an important basis for the six-nation talks to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” (return to top)

5. DPRK on Nuclear Program

Reuters (“N. KOREA STICKS TO NUCLEAR ARMS UNTIL GIVEN REACTORS”, 2005-09-19) reported that the DPRK will not give up its nuclear weapons until the US gives it civilian atomic reactors, the DPRK Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in a statement that significantly undermined a deal reached on Monday. “The U.S. should not even dream of the issue of the DPRK’s dismantlement of its nuclear deterrent before providing LWRs, a physical guarantee for confidence-building,” said a statement published by the KCNA. The statement said Pyongyang would not need a single nuclear weapon if relations with Washington were normalized. “What is most essential is, therefore, for the US to provide LWRs to the DPRK as early as possible as evidence proving the former’s substantial recognition of the latter’s nuclear activity for a peaceful purpose,” it said.

(return to top)

6. ROK on Six Party Talks

Chosun Ilbo (“SEOUL SAVED SIX-PARTY TALKS: UNIFICATION MINISTER”, 2005-09-19) reported that ROK Unification Minister Chung Dong-young lauded the compromise settlement reached at the six party talks as “a victory of South Korea’s diplomacy, launching the initial step toward resolving the Cold War structure on the Korean Peninsula and building a permanent peace structure in Northeast Asia.” Chung told a press conference, “(Seoul’s) important proposal revived the near-death six party talks and decisively contributed toward the talks’ adoption of a joint statement of principles.” In evaluating the compromise reached at the six party talks, Chung attached the significance of dismantling the Cold War system on the Korean Peninsula with the three axes of tension on the Korean Peninsula–the hostile relations between the US and DPPRK, and between Japan and the DPRK–crumbling.

(return to top) Xinhua (“ROK CHIEF NEGOTIATOR: CHINA’S ROLE “OUTSTANDING””, 2005-09-19) reported that, according to chief ROK negotiator Song Min-soon, the PRC played an “outstanding” role in the six party talks. Song said on Monday that the common document drafted by the PRC reflects the positions of concerned parties in a balanced way, which has laid a solid foundation for the six party talks to score further development. He said that the joint statement lays a foundation for the US and the DPRK, and the DPRK and Japan to normalize their relations. “The statement also opens a door for the DPRK to further involve into the international community”, Song said. (return to top) Xinhua (“S. KOREA HAILS OUTCOME OF FOURTH ROUND OF SIX-PARTY NUCLEAR TALKS”, 2005-09-19) reported that ROK political and business circles hailed the joint statement adopted at the six party talks on Monday. ROK President Roh Moo-hyun welcomed the joint statement calling it an “epoch-making” one, which formulated “principles” for the ending of the nuclear issue. Local business sectors hailed the joint statement as “a great achievement,” expressing their excitement over the possible benefits that it could have on their business activities. Officials at the Federation of (South) Korean Industries, (South) Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and local influential enterprises held that the agreement will contribute to “easing the tensions on the Korean Peninsula” and help more foreign direct investment flood in. (return to top)

7. Inter-Korean Peace Framework

The Korea Herald (“AGREEMENT BOOSTS KOREAN PEACE TALKS”, 2005-09-20) reported that ROK officials expect the agreement at the six party talks to add momentum to Seoul’s initiative to establish a permanent peace regime on the peninsula. In the statement issued in Beijing, the countries involved confirmed their commitment to lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The “directly related parties” will negotiate a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula at a separate forum, the statement said. “Through adopting an agreement at the six party talks, I think we made a big step toward denuclearizing and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said after the announcement of the six party agreement. “I expect the talks on peace on the Korean Peninsula to be held promptly,” Chung said.

(return to top)

8. Inter-Korean Scientific Cooperation

Yonhap News (“S. KOREA EYES JOINT RESEARCH ON N. KOREA’S WIND RESOURCES”, 2005-09-20) reported that the ROK plans to push ahead with a project for joint research on the DPRK’s wind resources by scientists from the two countries, government officials said Tuesday. The Ministry of Science and Technology has selected 11 projects for inter-Korean science cooperation, ministry officials said.

(return to top)

9. ROK Aid to DPRK

Yonhap News (“ROH CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE AID TO N. KOREA”, 2005-09-20) reported that President Roh ordered the government on Tuesday to establish comprehensive plans to aid the economic development of the DPRK as there are signs of a peaceful resolution of the dispute over Pyongyang’s atomic ambitions. “North Korea urgently needs rice and fertilizer at the moment, but energy, logistics and telecommunications infrastructure are important in the long term,” Roh said in a weekly Cabinet meeting. “The South Korean government should prepare systematic plans on that.”

(return to top)

10. DPRK-Japanese Relations

China Daily (“JAPAN, NORTH KOREA TO RE-OPEN BILATERAL TALKS”, 2005-09-20) reported that the DPRK and Japan have agreed to resume bilateral talks stalled since the end of last year, Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said on Tuesday. The news came a day after the DPRK signed an agreement at six party talks. Machimura told reporters the talks would cover a range of bilateral issues including the nuclear issue and the abduction of Japanese citizens by Pyongyang decades ago.

(return to top)

11. DPRK on INGOs

Chosun Ilbo (“N. KOREA KICKS OUT INTERNATIONAL NGOS”, 2005-09-20) reported that the DPRK is kicking out most foreign NGOs by the end of the year, the Itar-Tass agency reported Monday quoting a foreign source in Pyongyang. The source said the country’s Foreign Ministry recently asked NGO officials to put their affairs in order by December and turn their duties over to the DPRK. That would completely end activities of 15 NGOs operating in the DPRK, while the World Food Program and other humanitarian support groups will have to substantially reduce their efforts. The source explained that one contributing factor behind the government’s decision was the displeasure of the DPRK leadership over the recent repeated leaking of secret information.

(return to top)

12. DPRK Leadership

Chosun Ilbo (“KIM JONG-IL’S SECOND SON TO INHERIT DICTATORIAL MANTLE”, 2005-09-20) reported that Kim Jong-il has decided to pass the mantle of leadership of the DPRK to his second son Kim Jong-chul, according to AERA magazine. The magazine quotes an informed official as saying Kim Jong-il’s mind was made up. Numerous sources said the last few months have seen a political education campaign on all levels of the country including the workplace, exalting Kim Jong-chul as the legitimate successor to his father’s personality cult. Jong-chul is referred to as “the Commander” in these lectures. AERA said “the Commander” could make an appearance in the memorial ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the Workers Party of Korea on October 10, likely to be a massive celebration provided the DPRK’s relationship with the US improves.

(return to top)

13. USFK Leadership

Chosun Ilbo (“NEW USFK COMMANDER NAMED”, 2005-09-20) reported that US President George W. Bush has named Gen. Burwell B. Bell as the next commander of the US Forces Korea to replace popular forces chief Gen. Leon La Porte, USFK command announced. Bell has commanded the US Army in Europe since December 2002 but has some experience in the ROK, having served as an armored operations officer at Camp Casey in Dongducheon in 1979 and 1980 and as commander of the III Corps, the core unit that would be sent to the ROK in the event of an emergency.

(return to top)

14. Japan Emissions Goals

Kyodo (“JAPAN STRUGGLING TO MEET GOAL TO CUT GREENHOUSE GASES: RESEARCHERS”, 2005-09-20) reported that Japan may well have difficulty meeting a goal set under an international pact to cut greenhouse gas emissions if its economy grows at a pace of around 1 percent annually, according to a recent study by a team of environment experts from Japan and Britain. At that pace of economic growth, the country’s carbon dioxide emissions are estimated to increase by nearly 5 percent by 2012 from the 1990 level, experts at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies and the University of Surrey say.

(return to top)

15. Sino-Japanese East Sea Gas Dispute

The Associated Press (“JAPAN: CHINA EXTRACTING GAS FROM CHINA SEA “, 2005-09-20) reported that the PRC has begun extracting natural gas from an area of the East China Sea at the center of a territorial dispute with Japan, the Japanese trade minister said Tuesday. “We confirmed a flame alight in the chimney on a drilling facility set up by China in the East China Sea,” Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa told reporters, saying this showed the PRC was already removing natural gas from the area.

(return to top)

16. PRC on UNSC Reform

Agence France Presse (“CHINA URGES CONSENSUS, NO DEADLINE IN SEARCH FOR SECURITY COUNCIL EXPANSION “, 2005-09-20) reported that PRC Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing called for consensus and “no artificial timeframe” in the search for a contentious enlargement of the UN Security Council. “China supports the reform of the Security Council aimed to strengthen its authority and efficiency and improve its working methods,” he told the UN General Assembly here.

(return to top)

17. PRC Income Disparity

Xinhua (“INCOME GAP IN CHINA REACHES SERIOUS LEVEL”, 2005-09-20) reported that after rapid expansion since 2003, the income gap in the PRC has reached the second most serious “Yellow Light” level, or alert level, says an article on state media. “Unless effective measures are taken, the gap may drift further to the dangerous ‘Red Light’ level in the next five years,” says the article in Study Times, quoting from a research report of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

(return to top)

18. Sino-US Agricultural Cooperation

Xinhua (“CHINA, US HAIL AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION”, 2005-09-20) reported that the PRC government highly values its agricultural technological cooperation with the US, and encourages companies of both sides to actively participate in Sino-US agricultural cooperation, said PRC Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Tuesday.

(return to top)

19. PRC One Child Policy

Agence France Presse (“CHINA ADMITS FORCED ABORTIONS, STERILIZATIONS IN EASTERN PROVINCE “, 2005-09-20) reported that the PRC’s family planning agency admitted that officials in the eastern province of Shandong had carried out forced abortions and sterilizations, state media reported. National Population and Family Planning Commission spokesman Yu Xuejun said the commission and Shandong family planning agency had sent two joint teams to investigate reports of forced abortions and sterilizations in Linyi city since early this year, Xinhua news agency reported.

(return to top)

20. PRC Internet Censorship

San Francisco Chronicle (“CHINESE INTERNET VS. FREE SPEECH “, 2005-09-20) reported that US tech giants are helping the Chinese express themselves online — as long as they don’t write about democracy, Tibet, sex, Tiananmen Square, Falun Gong, government corruption or any other taboo subject. Microsoft bans “democracy” and “Dalai Lama” from the PRC version of its blog site. Yahoo recently turned over information that helped the PRC government track down and imprison a journalist for the crime of forwarding an e-mail. Google omits banned publications from its PRC news service.

(return to top)