Korean Peninsula
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1. ROK-DPRK Summit Agreement
The ROK and the DPRK reached an agreement on all issues regarding their summit meeting scheduled for June 12-14 in Pyongyang. The agreement called for a broad summit agenda, and the holding of future summits.
“ROK-DPRK Summit Agreement” (Special Report)
“Inter-Korean Summit” (Daily Report, May 19, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, May 18, US)
“Inter-Korean Summit” (Daily Report, May 18, ROK)
“Future ROK-DPRK Summits” (Daily Report, May 18, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Summit” (Daily Report, May 17, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, May 17, PRC)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, May 16, US)
“Inter-Korean Summit” (Daily Report, May 16, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Summit” (Daily Report, May 15, US) |
2. Japanese-DPRK Talks
Japan and the DPRK agreed to postpone their next round of talks. Japanese officials did not expect the postponement to derail the normalization process.
“Japanese-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, May 19, Japan)
“DPRK-Japan Talks” (Daily Report, May 18, US)
“DPRK-Japan Talks” (Daily Report, May 17, US) |
3. DPRK Participation in ARF
The Association of Souteast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum decided to allow the DPRK to participate in the forum, as none of the members objected to DPRK entry.
“DPRK Participation in ARF” (Daily Report, May 19, Japan)
“DPRK Participation in ARF” (Daily Report, May 18, US)
“DPRK Membership in ARF” (Daily Report, May 16, ROK) |
4. DPRK-European Relations
Great Britain sent a delegation to the DPRK to discuss bilateral relations, and announced that it would send two English teachers to work in Pyongyang. France and Spain also have plans to send delegations to the DPRK.
“DPRK-European Relations” (Daily Report, May 19, Japan)
“British Delegation to DPRK” (Daily Report, May 17, ROK) |
5. DPRK Opening
Analysts disagreed on the significance of the DPRK’s recent diplomatic activity. Whereas some observers expected further gradual opening, many organizations involved in food relief projects complained about continuing lack of access.
“DPRK Diplomatic Opening” (Daily Report, May 18, US)
“PRC View on the DPRK Opening” (Daily Report, May 17, PRC)
“Challenges in Expanding External Economic Relations with North Korea” (Special Report) |
6. Implementation of Agreed Framework
The US Congress passed an act requiring Congressional approval before the US government can transfer any nuclear equipment to the DPRK.
“Implementation of Agreed Framework” (Daily Report, May 16, US) |
7. Korean War Massacre
US News and World Report questioned the accuracy of the Associated Press’s (AP) story on the alleged massacre at Nogunri in 1950, but the AP defended its reporting. The US Army said it had reached no conclusions in its ongoing investigation of the incident.
“Korean War Massacre” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“Korean War Massacre” (Daily Report, May 17, ROK)
“Korean War Massacre” (Daily Report, May 16, US)
“Korean War Massacre” (Daily Report, May 16, ROK)
“New Findings About No Gun Ri” (Daily Report, May 15, US) |
Taiwan Straits
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8. Taiwan Presidential Inauguration
Observers said that Taiwan President-elect Chen Shui-bian was not expected to say anything that would be considered provocative by the PRC during his inauguration speech on Saturday. The PRC warned its diplomatic partners not to send official delegations to attend the inauguration.
“Japanese Attendance at Taiwan Inauguration” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“Taiwan Presidential Inauguration” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“New Taiwan Vice President” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“Cross-Straits Relations” (Daily Report, May 18, US)
“Cross-Straits Relations” (Daily Report, May 16, US)
“Australia-PRC Relations” (Daily Report, May 18, Australia) |
9. Cross-Straits Relations
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Australian intelligence sources as saying that the PRC was planning a blockade of the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung, but Taiwanese officials dismissed the report. PRC papers repeated calls for Taiwan President-elect Chen Shui-bian to accept the “one-China” principle.
“Alleged PRC Blockade Plans for Taiwan” (Daily Report, May 17, US)
“Cross-Straits Relations” (Daily Report, May 17, US) |
10. US Role in Cross-Straits Talks
Tsai Ing-wen, the top Taiwanese official handling PRC policy, asked for the US to play a mediating role between Taiwan and the PRC. US officials, however, said that the US does not seek to play such a role. The PRC said that the matter should be handled by people on the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, without outside interference.
“US Intervention in Cross-Strait Relations” (Daily Report, May 15, US)
“The Taiwan Issue” (Daily Report, May 17, PRC) |
People’s Republic of China
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11. US Trade Bill on PRC
US Congressional Republicans reached a compromise on Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for the PRC, tying it to the establishment of a committee to monitor PRC human rights. Observers said that passage of PNTR is likely.
“US Trade Bill on PRC” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“PRC Ascension to WTO” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“The Future of US-China Relations: Do Progressives Have a Vision?” (Policy Forum Online)
“US Bill on Trade with PRC” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N, 18) |
12. Russian Missile Sales to PRC
The Washington Times reported that Russia had delivered supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles to the PRC. Critics warned that the missiles could give the PRC an advantage in naval warfare with Taiwan.
“Russian Missile Sales to PRC” (Daily Report, May 19, US) |
Japan
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13. Japanese Elections
Following the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, acting Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori set June 25 as the date for parliamentary elections, but critics warned that his ruling Liberal Democratic Party could have its electoral chances damaged by Mori’s recent remark describing Japan as a “divine country centered on the emperor.”
“Japanese Elections” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“Prime Minister’s Controversial Statement” (Daily Report, May 19, Japan)
“Japan’s Former Prime Minister Dies” (Daily Report, May 15, US) |
14. Japanese Nuclear Policy
Japan’s Central Disaster Prevention Council passed new regulations requiring a nuclear facility to report any accidents within 15 minutes. Motoko Mekata argued that the Japanese government needs to do more to make its anti-nuclear rhetoric match its actual deeds.
“Japanese Nuclear Policy” (Daily Report, May 19, Japan)
“Japanese Disarmament Policy” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 18) |
Missile Defense
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15. US Missile Defense
A US Central Intelligence Agency Report warned that the deployment of US missile defense could set off a chain reaction of proliferation, starting with a buildup of PRC nuclear forces.
“Effects of US Missile Defense” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“PRC-Russian Missile Defense Talks” (Daily Report, May 19, US)
“US Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 18)
“Russian View of Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 18)
“Other Views of Missile Defense” (NPP Flash, V. 2, N. 18)
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