Korea
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1. US-DPRK Talks
The DPRK said that the “unilateral” US decision to add new agenda items is holding up the resumption of talks, and it called on US President George W. Bush to return to an “identical” posture as that of former President Bill Clinton.
“US-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“US-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, August 20, US) |
2. Jiang Zemin’s DPRK Visit
Official PRC sources said that PRC President Jiang Zemin plans to visit the DPRK on September 3, but it was not clear how long he would stay.
“Jiang Zemin’s DPRK Visit” (Daily Report, August 21, US)
“PRC Leader to Visit DPRK” (Daily Report, August 22, Russia) |
3. Kim Jong-il’s Russian Visit
Russian analysts Sergey Kazennov and Vladimir Kumachyov argued that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il’s recent visit to the RF demonstrated how Russia can play an important mediating role as an “emerging important pole of the future multipolar world.” The Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) said that a series of “natural wonders” took place during Kim’s trip.
“DPRK Leader’s Visit to RF” (Daily Report, August 22, Russia)
“Kim Jong-il’s Trip to Russia” (Daily Report, August 23, US) |
4. Kim Jong-il’s ROK Visit
The Voice of Russia reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il is likely to visit Seoul within this year at the earliest, but added that preparation for the visit have not yet been made.
“Kim Jung-il’s Visit to ROK” (Daily Report, August 20, ROK) |
5. DPRK Famine
Catherine Bertini, Executive Director of the UN World Food Program, said that while the food situation in the DPRK remains precarious, international food aid has been successful in preventing widespread famine. She also said that the DPRK was unlikely to become self-sufficient in food production for years to come.
“DPRK Famine” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“DPRK Famine” (Daily Report, August 21, US)
“WFP Director Visits DPRK” (Daily Report, August 20, ROK) |
6. ROK National Security Law
Seven ROK activists were jailed on suspicion of violating the National Security Law by engaging in pro-communist activities during a visit to the DPRK for a joint celebration of the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
“ROK National Security Law” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“ROK National Security Law” (Daily Report, August 23, US)
“Detention of ROK Activists” (Daily Report, August 21, US)
“ROK-DPRK Joint Celebration” (Daily Report, August 20, US) |
7. US Forces in Korea
The Korean Employees Union of the U.S. Forces Korea held a rally demanding improved working conditions and criticizing local civic groups that demand the withdrawal of US troops. A civilian employee of the US military was arraigned by the Seoul District Court on charges of dumping toxic chemicals into the Han River, but the US maintained that the Status of Forces Agreement gave the US jurisdiction in the case.
“US Troops in ROK” (Daily Report, August 23, US)
“Arrest of US Civilian Employee” (Daily Report, August 23, ROK)
“US-ROK Jurisdiction Dispute” (Daily Report, August 22, US) |
8. Nogunri Massacre
The US publication firm Henry Holt posted declassified US documents on its website that show that US air force planes strafed ROK civilians on three occasions in and around Nogun-ri during the Korean War.
“Nogunri Massacre” (Daily Report, August 21, ROK) |
9. Ukishima Maru Shipwreck
Kyoto District Court ruled Thursday that the Japanese government must pay a total of US$375,000 to 15 Koreans who survived an explosion aboard the Japanese ship Ukishima Maru shortly after Japan’s surrender in World War II, but rejected the plaintiffs’ demand for an official apology. The ROK film rating committee is expected to issue approval for the screening of a DPRK film on the incident.
“Japanese WWII Shipwreck Case” (Daily Report, US, August 23)
“ROK-DPRK Cultural Exchange” (Daily Report, US, August 21) |
10. Japanese Textbook Issue
An unidentified ROK official said that the issue over a controversial Japanese history textbook has not been solved despite the decision of most school boards against adopting the textbook. ROK Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Han Seung-soo said that solving the textbook issue is a precondition for ROK- Japan summit talks.
“ROK on Japanese History Textbook” (Daily Report, August 22, PRC)
“ROK-Japan Summit Talks” (Daily Report, August 22, PRC) |
China
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1. US-PRC Nonproliferation Talks
A US delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Vann Van Diepen visited Beijing to hold talks with PRC officials on nonproliferation of missile technology. The PRC maintained that it had found no evidence that PRC companies were helping Pakistan and other countries to develop missiles.
“US-PRC Nonproliferation Talks” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“US-PRC Missile Talks ” (Daily Report, August 23, US)
“China Arms Sales” (SANDNet, V2 N34) |
2. PRC Military Exercises
The PRC held what were described as its largest-ever military exercises, with most of the activities concentrated around Dongshan Island near Taiwan.
“PRC Military Exercises” (Daily Report, August 24, US) |
3. PRC-US Military Exchanges
Peter Rodman, US Assistant Defense Secretary for International Security Affairs, said that the Defense Department is resuming limited military exchanges with the PRC, but has no schedule for resuming a high-level strategic dialogue with the PRC military. Two US aircraft carriers visited Hong Kong following military exercises in the South China Sea, but the PRC denied the request for an EP-3 reconnaissance plane to also make a visit.
“US-PRC Military Exchanges” (Daily Report, August 22, US)
“US Port Visit to Hong Kong” (Daily Report, August 21, US)
“Military Exercises in South China Sea” (Daily Report, August 20, US)
“US Military Visits in Hong Kong” (Daily Report, August 20, US) |
4. US Spy Plane in PRC
The PRC turned down the US offer to pay US$34,000 for expenses related to storage of the spy plane that crashed on Hainan Island, claiming that it was insufficient. William Arkin and Robert Windrem wrote that the mission of the plane was not only to monitor the PRC’s voice communications and radar signals, but also to gather information on PRC data codes for use in information warfare.
“PRC-US Payment Dispute” (Daily Report, August 22, PRC)
“US-PRC Information Warfare” (Daily Report, August 21, US) |
5. US-Taiwan Relations
US Representative Henry J. Hyde called for the US to strengthen ties with Taiwan. The Far Eastern Economic Review reported that the US is strengthening military ties with Taiwan.
“US-Taiwan Relations” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“US-Taiwan Military Relations” (Daily Report, August 23, US) |
6. Taiwan Admission to WTO
Taiwan Vice Minister for Economic Affairs Steve Ruey-long Chen said that Taiwan’s application to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) would likely be approved at a November ministerial meeting in Qatar.
“Taiwan Admission to WTO” (Daily Report, August 23, US) |
Missile Defense
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1. US-Russian Missile Defense Talks
US Under-Secretary of State John Bolton had talks with Russian officials on US plans for missile defense. Although Bolton warned that the US would withdraw unilaterally from the Anti- Ballistic Missile Treaty if it could not reach an agreement with Russia, he denied that there was a deadline.
“US-Russia Talks” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“US-Russia Missile Defense Talks” (Daily Report, August 22, US)
“US-Russian Missile Defense Talks” (Daily Report, August 21, US) |
2. ABM Treaty
US President George W. Bush said that the US would exercise its option on its own timetable to unilaterally withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty if it could not reach an accommodation with Russia. The PRC urged the US to heed international concerns and act cautiously. Indian scholars debated whether or not to support US missile defense plans.
“Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty” (Daily Report, August 23, US)
“PRC View of ABM Treaty” (Daily Report, August 24, US)
“India Views on Missile Defense” (SANDNet, V2 N34) |
South Asia
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1. Indian Nuclear Policy
Nusrat Javeed argues that a recent US Defense Department report “in a very subtle way projects India as a responsible kid on the South Asian nuclear scene.”
“India Nuclear Policy” (SANDNet, V2, N34) |
2. India-PRC Relations
Abanti Bhattacharya argues that the 1962 India-PRC border conflict casts a shadow over current India-PRC relations. Indian analysts discussed the likelihood of a future nuclear clash between the PRC and India.
“China-India Relations” (SANDNet, V2 N34)
“India-China Nuclear Relations” (SANDNet, V2, N34) |
3. India-Pakistan Relations
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said that there was already a “broad framework” for future talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, but complained that Musharaff had obstructed the Agra summit by focusing exclusively on Kashmir. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq called on India to resume dialog with Pakistan.
“Pakistan-India Relations” (SANDNet, V2, N34)
“India-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet, V2, N34) |
4. US-Pakistan Relations
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq met in Washington with US Under Secretary of State Marc Grossman for discussions that reportedly focused on Pakistan government plans to restoration of democracy. Pakistani officials said that the US has requested Pakistan help in operations inside Afghanistan against Osama bin Laden.
“US-Pakistan Relations” (SANDNet, V2, N34)
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