Korean Peninsula
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1. DPRK Missile Program
A senior ROK official said that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il’s proposal to give up the DPRK’s long-range missile programs was “not just a joke.” Russia and the US are taking it seriously and officials have discussed it together.
“DPRK Missile Program” (Daily Report, August 31, US)
“DPRK Missile Program” (Daily Report, September 1, US)
The PRC Vice Premier said continuation of a missile program by the DPRK creates problems but it is hard to have them abandon their program.
“PRC Stance on DPRK Missiles” (Daily Report, September 1, Japan) |
2. ROK-DPRK Talks
ROK and DPRK negotiators did not reach an agreement on military cooperation, but did agree to military dialogue to ease tensions on September 27-30. They were also to have discussed issues related to reunions for separated families and economic cooperation. ROK media pool reports said that the DPRK remained more interested in economic issues rather than sensitive military ones.
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, September 1, US)
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, August 31, US)
“DPRK-ROK Ministerial Meeting” (Daily Report, August 30, ROK)
“ROK-DPRK Military Talks” (Daily Report, August 30, US)
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, August 29, US)
“Inter-Korean Talks” (Daily Report, August 29, ROK)
“Inter-Korean Talks” (Daily Report, August 28, US)
ROK and DPRK negotiators agreed in principle to hold two more reunions this year for separated families, the timeframe for which will be discussed in early September in a meeting of Red Cross officials from the two countries. Both sides also agreed to exchange a group of about 100 tourists from each side to visit Mount Paektu in the DPRK and Mount Halla in the ROK. They were to discuss setting up a permanent “reunion point,” where the split families can meet regularly.
“ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, August 31, US)
“Reunion of Separated Families” (Daily Report, August 31, ROK)
“Reunion of Separated Families” (Daily Report, August 28, US)
The DPRK confirmed the acceptance of 63 prisoners from the ROK. The ROK government was criticized for its failure to demand in exchange the immediate return of hundreds of ROK prisoners of war said to remain in the DPRK. The list of POWs surviving in the DPRK is 360 by some counts.
“Repatriation of DPRK’s POWs” (Daily Report, August 30, PRC)
“ROK Policy toward DPRK” (Daily Report, August 29, US)
“ROK-DPRK Prisoner Exchange” (Daily Report, August 28, US)
“ROK POWs in DPRK” (Daily Report, August 28, US) |
3. ROK Proposals to the DPRK
The ROK proposed that the ROK and the DPRK open a military hot line and start military talks between generals. The ROK also proposed to establish a legal framework for boosting economic cooperation by signing accords to guarantee investment and avoid double taxation.
“Second Inter-Korean Talks” (Daily Report, August 31, ROK)
The ROK government formally issued a plan for the reconstruction of the Kyongui Railway between the ROK and DPRK.
“Inter-Korean Railway” (Daily Report, August 30, PRC)
The ROK government is pushing for the establishment of an ROK-DPRK joint research institute in the PRC, which would review the mid- and long-term policy direction of ROK-DPRK economic cooperation and try to materialize the cooperative relationship.
“Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation” (Daily Report, August 29, ROK) |
4. DPRK Economic Development
The ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) decided on August 29 to move ahead with a proposal to earmark about 470 billion won annually from the state budget for the Inter-Korea Economic Cooperation Fund (IKECF).
“DPRK-ROK Cooperation Fund” (Daily Report, August 31, ROK)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plans to invite the DPRK as a Special Guest to its upcoming annual general meeting. The ROK government reportedly welcomed the idea.
“DPRK Participation in IMF” (Daily Report, August 28, US) |
5. DPRK Famine
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) director-general Jacques Diouf said that the DPRK is recovering from serious food shortages but still needs international support. The DPRK admitted its severe food shortages, and the ROK agreed to loan it grain.
“DPRK Famine” (Daily Report, August 31, US)
ROK-DPRK Talks” (Daily Report, September 1, US)
The DPRK appealed to the Japanese local government of Hokkaido for 500 tons of potatoes and agricultural technical assistance.
“Japanese Agricultural Assistance to DPRK” (Daily Report, September 1, Japan) |
6. ROK Military
ROK President Kim Dae-jung declared the continuing need for the ROK to remain on security alert. ROK conservatives were alarmed by the government’s decision to scale back its annual war games and other exercises.
“ROK’s View of Security Situation” (Daily Report, August 30, PRC)
“ROK Policy toward DPRK” (Daily Report, August 29, US)
Sung Chul-yang, the ROK’s new ambassador to the US, said that one of the major results of the inter-Korean summit was the DPRK’s agreement to a formula of reunification that would allow both Koreas to maintain separate military and diplomatic powers during the transition to a confederation.
“ROK Policy toward DPRK” (Daily Report, September 1, US) |
7. Proposed Multilateral Talks
ROK National Assembly Speaker Lee Man-sup and Russian House Speaker Guennadi N. Seleznev agreed to begin working-level officials’ meetings soon to arrange tripartite parliamentary talks with representatives from the ROK, Russia, and the DPRK.
“Three Way Parliamentary Talks” (Daily Report, August 31, ROK)
The ROK, the US, and Japan will hold the second meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG) to coordinate their respective DPRK policies.
“ROK-US-Japan Policy Coordination” (Daily Report, September 1, ROK)
The DPRK is pushing for bilateral summit talks with Japan, Sweden and some other countries during the UN Millennium Summit. The UN will likely adopt a statement supporting the recent inter-Korean summit during the Summit.
“UN Millennium Forum” (Daily Report, August 31, ROK) |
8. US Military Presence
According to ROK President Kim Dae-jung, DPRK leader Kim Jong-il said that it is “desirable” that US troops stay on the Korean peninsula. Yang Sung-chul, the ROK’s new ambassador to the US, said that this was one of the major results of the inter-Korean summit. He quoted Kim Jong-il as saying, “Yes, we are surrounded by big powers — Russia, China and Japan, and so therefore it is desirable that the American troops continue to stay.”
“US Troops in ROK” (Daily Report, August 30, US)
“ROK Policy toward DPRK” (Daily Report, September 1, US)
Several ROK environmental and civic groups demanded a parliamentary probe into the US Air Force’s Koon-ni bombing range, and called on the ROK Defense Ministry to make public all of its investigation results.
“US Bombing Range in ROK” (Daily Report, August 31, ROK) |
China
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1. PRC View of US Missile Defense
PRC President Jiang Zemin will use a speech at the UN Millennium Conference to stress the PRC’s opposition to a US missile shield plan. PRC parliamentary head Li Peng will deliver a speech at the opening ceremonies to introduce the PRC’s stance on international cooperation.
“PRC View of US Missile Defense” (Daily Report, August 31, US)
“PRC Participation at UN Summit” (Daily Report, August 28, US)
Zhao Qizheng, PRC Minister of the State Council Information Office, accused sectors of the US media and political establishment of conspiring against the PRC. Zhao said, “Many people in the U.S. are misinformed about what is going on in China, some U.S. media overestimate China’s threat and capabilities.”
“PRC-US Relations” (Daily Report, August 31, US) |
2. PRC-US Relations
PRC President Jiang Zemin said that the PRC wanted to improve its relations with the US even though the two countries “differ greatly in terms of our values.”
“US-PRC Relations” (Daily Report, September 1, US) |
3. Spratly Islands
The PRC on Wednesday said that nations involved in the dispute over islands in the South China Sea needed to show political sincerity and flexibility in order to agree on a “code of conduct” to ease tensions.
“Spratly Islands” (Daily Report, August 30, US) |
Japan
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1. Japan-PRC Talks
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono ended a four-day visit to the PRC, voicing satisfaction that the two sides could keep improving relations. He said that there are concerns about the PRC’s increasing military spending and that Japanese officials are becoming more worried about the PRC public’s low awareness of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) to the PRC. He was critical of PRC media coverage of Japan. “PRC-Japan Talks” (Daily Report, August 31, US)
“PRC Naval Activities” (Daily Report, September 1, Japan)
“Japan-PRC Talks” (Daily Report, August 30, US)As a step to resolving their dispute in the East China Sea, Japan and the PRC have agreed in principle that they should inform each other about any research in the disputed waters. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said that a Japanese newspaper reported that Japan will establish a new “off-the-island” force to counter PRC ships near the Japanese offshore.
“PRC-Japanese Relations” (Daily Report, August 30, PRC)
“PRC-Japan Maritime Row” (Daily Report, August 29, US)
“Japan-PRC Talks” (Daily Report, August 28, US) |
2. Japan-DPRK Normalization Talks
Negotiators from Japan and the DPRK failed to resolve differences on August 24, but they agreed to meet again in October. The DPRK is demanding more than US$10 billion in compensation for the Japanese occupation of Korea. The Nezavisimaia Gazeta noted that Japan is the only regional power endowed with the resources for economic modernization of the DPRK. Japanese negotiators repeated their refusal to accept demands for “compensation,” but hinted that Japan was willing to “settle the past” with funds. Analysts said that the only way to persuade the DPRK to make a concession on the issue of alleged abductions would be a promise of cash. Mori’s statement indicates that his priority now lies with establishing economic cooperation.
“DPRK-Japanese Relations” (Daily Report, August 30, PRC)
“DPRK-Japan Talks” (Daily Report, August 30, RF)
“DPRK-Japan Normalization Talks” (Daily Report, August 28, US)
“DPRK-Japan Normalization Talks” (Daily Report, August 28, US)
“Japanese-DPRK Normalization Talks” (Daily Report, September 1, Japan) |
3. DPRK on the Japanese Military
The DPRK’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said that Japan was trying to reorganize its army ahead of schedule, adding that this was “a clear indication that the Japanese reactionaries are frantically stepping up their preparations for overseas reinvasion.”
“Japan-DPRK Relations” (Daily Report, August 30, US) |
4. Japanese Proposed 6-Way Talks
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono reiterated Japan’s proposal for the establishment of a six-way forum involving the PRC, Japan, the DPRK, the ROK, Russia and the US.
“Japanese Proposal of Six-Way Forum” (Daily Report, September 1, Japan) |
5. Japan-US TMD Research
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono defended Japan-US joint research on a theater missile defense (TMD) system and dismissed the PRC’s concerns over the re-emergence of a militaristic Japan.
“Japanese Stance on TMD” (Daily Report, September 1, Japan) |
6. US Military Presence
Okinawa’s governor will present the Japanese government and the US Embassy in Tokyo with a proposal that would make it easier to prosecute US military personnel for any crime under Japanese law, and would encourage the military to garnish a serviceman’s wages if he fails to make child-support payments.
“US-Japan SOFA” (Daily Report, August 30, US) |
Russia
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1. Russian Asian Diplomacy
An article on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “new Asian diplomacy” said that Russia’s plan was to participate actively in the Asia-Pacific affairs and it aimed at putting the development of relations with powers in Asia-Pacific on a high agenda, especially the strengthening of the strategic partnership with the PRC.
“Russia’s Asian Diplomacy” (Daily Report, August 30, PRC) |
2. Russian Military Exercises
Command staff exercises of the Far Eastern and Siberian military districts of the RF began Tuesday, the first of such scale and level since 1998.
“RF Far Eastern Military Exercises” (Daily Report, August 30, RF) |
3. Russia-Japan Relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan in early September entails a plan to sign a Memorandum of cooperation between RF Border Guard Service (BGS) and Japan’s Maritime Security Agency (MSA). Under this agreement, border guards of both countries will plan to join efforts to combat drug traffic, arms smuggling and illegal migration and to perform rescues at sea.
“RF-Japan Border Security Cooperation” (Daily Report, August 30, RF) |
South Asia
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1. Japan PM Visit
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori visited Pakistan and India. He discussed the resumption of an India-Pakistan dialogue, signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, areas for new economic collaboration, and terrorism. Mori said that aid to India or Pakistan will not resume until they sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The SANDNet weekly report carried in-depth coverage.
“Japan PM Visit” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32)
“Japan PM Visit” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32)
“Japan PM Visit” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32) |
2. India Nuclear Policy
If India has decided on nuclear deterrence as a policy, nuclear weaponization will require further testing.
“India Nuclear Policy” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32) |
3. Kashmir
A ceasefire would reportedly again be in force in two months by the Hizbul Mujahideen. There are divisions within and between groups in the Hizbul and the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference over merits of peace dialogue and over which group should take the lead.
“Hizbul Mujahideen Ceasefire” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32)
“All-Parties Hurriyat Conference” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32)
“Militant Groups” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32)
“Commentary on Dialogue” (SANDNet Weekly Update, V.1, #32)
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