NAPSNet 12 May 2011

You are here: Home » Mailing lists » NAPSNet » Weekly Report » NAPSNet 12 May 2011

Recommended Citation

"NAPSNet 12 May 2011", NAPSNet Weekly Report, May 12, 2011, https://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-weekly/napsnet-12-may-2011/

NAPSNet 12 May 2011

  1. DPRK: S. Korea simulates N. Korea attack on nuclear site
  2. GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Lee conditionally invites N.K. leader to join Nuclear Summit
  3. DETERRENCE: A code of conduct for transfer of nuclear power plant technology to consumer countries
  4. ENERGY SECURITY: Shut down being considered for Fukushima No. 2
  5. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Cities and climate change: policy directions
  6. AUSTRAL SECURITY: Timor rejected Chinese spy offer

DPRK: S. Korea simulates N. Korea attack on nuclear site, AFP (13 April 2011)

South Korea in April staged an exercise simulating a North Korean attack on one of the ROK’s nuclear power plants. The drill assumed that North Korean agents would infiltrate the site and bomb it. The DPRK has threatened to attack the sites in the event of a war and could also target them via artillery and other means. South Korea currently has twenty nuclear plants and plans to build twelve more over the next fourteen years.

GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY: Lee conditionally invites N.K. leader to join Nuclear Summit, Korean Herald (10 May 2011)

During President Lee’s May 9 visit to Berlin he extended a conditional proposal for the DPRK to attend the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit. Many people doubt the effectiveness of the proposal and North Korea heavily criticized the conditions, apparently rejecting it. While the progressive parties actively try to build solidarity to expand policy consensus, two weeks after defeat in the off-year election, President Lee reshuffled his cabinet.

DETERRENCE:  A code of conduct for transfer of nuclear power plant technology to consumer countries, Nautilus Institute, (5 October 2011) [PDF, 0.3MB]

Thompson outlines a code of conduct for buyers and vendors that would apply to the transfer of Generation III nuclear power plant technology.  He discusses ten issue areas for benchmarking an adequate code of conduct, and outlines a process for constructing a code.

ENERGY SECURITY: Shut down being considered for Fukushima No. 2: Loss of public confidence in nuclear energy may lead to decommissioning of sister plant, Kyodo (8 May 2011)

The Japanese government is reportedly considering decommissioning or indefinitely suspending operations at the Fukushima No. 2 nuclear power plant in deference to those who have been affected by ongoing nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 plant.  The Fukushima 2 plant was stopped following the earthquake.  Even if the plant is retrofitted with sea walls and other safety measures, it might not operate for 10 years or more.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION: Cities and climate change: policy directions, UN-HABITAT (2011) [2.05 MB, PDF]

This UN-HABITAT report reviews the linkages between urbanization and climate change (two of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21st Century). It illustrates the significant contribution of urban areas to climate change while at the same time highlighting the potentially devastating effects of climate change on urban populations. The report argues that urban areas have a pivotal role in both climate change mitigation and adaptation and identifies strategies and approaches for strengthening this role.

AUSTRAL SECURITY: Timor rejected Chinese spy offer, Age (5 May 2011)

Dorling writes that leaked US diplomatic cables provided by Wikileaks show that Beijing’s proposal to build and operate a surveillance radar facility on East Timor’s north coast was rejected by Dili, which viewed the proposal as suspicious. This comes as questions continue to be raised over Beijing’s increasing influence and clout is East Timor and whether it is challenging Australia’s traditionally close relationship with its neighbour.

Editor

Contributors