In today’s Report:

I. United States

II. People’s Republic of China

III. Dr. Jeremy J. Stone, “Pointless Political Haggling While A Nation Starves”

I. United States

1. DPRK Food Crisis

Reuters (“RED CROSS WARNS OF CATASTROPHE IN N KOREA,” Seoul, 4/2/97) reported that Red Cross officials Wednesday warned of imminent famine in the DPRK. Red Cross official Yasuo Tanaka, who visited the DPRK last week, stated that “in some kitchens, there was no rice, no food at all. I asked them what they ate and they showed me natural grasses.” Tanaka also noted that “the children look weak and tired.” Red Cross Asia-Pacific region chief Johan Schaar warned that “without urgent international aid programs, a large number of North Koreans will face starvation. Food stocks in North Korea can run out any time now.”

Reuters (“JAPAN SAID MULLING OVER FOOD AID FOR NORTH KOREA,” Tokyo, 4/2/97) reported on UN World Food Program director Catherine Bertini’s appeal to Japanese officials for an immediate $87 million UN emergency food aid package for the DPRK. Bertini noted after the appeal that the officials “heard what we had to say and replied that they will consider it.” She warned that “if there are not massive amounts of food arriving in the country, people are going to be dying this summer.”

United Press International (“RED CROSS SAYS N KOREA AID PICKING UP,” Seoul, 4/2/97) reported that the ROK Red Cross Wednesday announced that it will send $1.2 million in additional food aid to the DPRK. The shipment of potatoes, powdered milk, radish seed, and cabbage seed is aimed at meeting the needs of 130,000 North Koreans and marks the largest such effort in two years. The shipment is a result of the ROK’s decision this week to permit the Red Cross to distribute rice aid donated by private organizations.

Kevin Sullivan reported in the Washington Post (“SOUTH KOREA LIFTS BAN ON RICE TO NORTH,” Seoul, 4/1/9

  I. United States 1. Gore Visit to South Korea Reuters (“GORE IN SOUTH KOREA FOR TALKS ON NORTH KOREA,” Seoul, 3/28/97) and CNN Interactive (“GORE ARRIVES IN SEOUL TO DISCUSS PEACE TALKS,” Seoul, 3/28/97) reported that US Vice President Al Gore arrived Friday in Seoul. He will discuss the progress of the four- party […]

In today’s Report:

I. Republic of Korea

II. Japan

I. Republic of Korea

1. ROK, UN Opposition of Taiwan’s Nuclear Waste Disposal Plans

The ROK’s endeavors to stop Taiwan from exporting nuclear waste to the DPRK received an international boost Wednesday when the UN General Assembly agreed to include a related clause in the closing document of its special session. ROK Foreign Minister Yoo Chong-ha said that participating countries in the Earth Summit agreed to stipulate opposition to “transboundary” transportation of radioactive waste. According to a relevant part of the document draft released by ROK officials, the UN urges countries to store radioactive waste within their respective territories. “…It is best for radioactive waste to be disposed of in the state in which it was generated as far as is compatible with the safety of the management of such material,” the draft read. “Governments should finalize this text and are urged to ratify and implement it as soon as possible so as to further improve practice and strengthen safety in this area… The issue of potential transboundary environmental effects of activities related to the management of radioactive waste and the question of prior notification, relevant information and consultation with states that could potentially be affected by such effects, should be further addressed within the appropriate forums,” the draft document added. ROK President Kim Young-sam, in a keynote speech to the UN conference Monday, appealed to all countries to pay heed to ROK’s concerns and pressure the Taiwanese government. (Korea Herald, Chon Shi-yong, “UN OPPOSES TAIWAN’S NUCLEAR WASTE SHIPMENT TO DPRK; MINISTER YOO SAYS FOLLOWING SPECIAL SESSION,” New York, 06/27/97)

  I. United States 1. Gore Visit to China John King of the Associated Press reported in the Washington Post (“GORE: CHINA RECEPTIVE ON RIGHTS”, Beijing, 3/26/97) that US Vice President Al Gore believes Beijing will do more to open its markets to US products and be more receptive to human rights discussions. Gore noted […]

In today’s Report:

I. United States

II. Republic of Korea 03/24/97

III. Russian Federation

I. United States

1. Hwang Defection

Seth Mydans reported in the New York Times (“REPORTERS HUNT FOR NORTH KOREAN DEFECTOR IN PHILIPPINES”, Baguio, Philippines, 3/24/97) that since DPRK defector Hwang Jang-yop arrived in the Philippines Tuesday, the media has been “scrambling in packs” among various cities following “new clues and hunches” in an attempt to locate him and fellow DPRK defector Kim Duk-hong. Officials have refrained from comment given the Philippines’ “delicate” diplomatic role in Hwang’s transfer. Officials appear amused by the press hunt, with Major General Benjamin Libarnes advising reporters that “maybe you are not looking hard enough.”

2. Gore Arrival in China

John King of the Associated Press reported in the Washington Post (“GORE ARRIVES IN CHINA”, Beijing, 3/24/97) and Reuters (“GORE ARRIVES IN CHINA TO DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS”, Beijing, 3/24/97) reported on US Vice President Al Gore’s arrival in Beijing Monday. Gore noted his desire “to affirm the vital importance of relations between our nations and to continue building a lasting peace between China and the United States.” He added that “the landscape of US-China relations is filled with many rivers, some flowing together, others apart. Such variety befits the interaction of two great nations and civilizations.” Before departing Tokyo for Beijing, Gore noted that human rights will figure prominently on his agenda as an issue “important to us as Americans.” Gore is the highest-ranking US official to visit China since 1989. He hopes to lay the framework for a Clinton-Jiang summit in Washington later this year.

3. Gingrich Arrival in South Korea

Reuters (“GINGRICH KICKS OFF ASIAN TOUR IN SOUTH KOREA”, Seoul, 3/24/97) reported that US House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and eleven other Congressmen arrived in the ROK Monday for a three-day visit. The delegation will focus on bilateral trade issue and the situation in the DPRK. Yonsei University Professor Moon Chung-in noted that Gingrich “has picked the wrong time to come to Korea” given that the ROK “is embroiled in a domestic battle and President Kim Young-sam is entering a lame-duck stage. It’s not a good time to pressure South Korea to open its markets.” The Congressional delegation also will visit China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

4. US Cancellation of Okinawa Drill

The Washington Post carried an Associated Press report (“US DRILL CANCELED IN OKINAWA”, Tokyo, 3/24/97) that US Marines today canceled an “unpopular” four-day live ammunition drill in Okinawa while Vice President Gore met with senior Japanese officials. However, Gore and PM Ryutaro Hashimoto offered “little in statement…to encourage Okinawans” of a reduction in the US presence. Gore noted that the United States “will continue to maintain deployed force levels in East Asia.”

5. China War Games Report

The Washington Post carried an Associated Press report (“REPORT: CHINA PLANNING WAR GAMES”, Taipei, 3/24/97) that the PRC “is threatening to stage a new round of war games” near Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s United Daily News. The Taiwan military reportedly has obtained information that the PRC is planning maneuvers for April, but is waiting to make a final decision while monitoring Taiwan behavior during the visit of the Dalai Lama. Reuters (“DALAI LAMA SAYS TAIWAN TOUR AIDS CHINA TIES”, Taipei, 3/24/97) reported that the Dalai Lama expressed hope that his visit ultimately would generate “positive indications” from the PRC.

II. Republic of Korea 03/24/97

1. Hwang Defection

An official with the Philippines’ Intelligence Agency (ISAFP), the agency responsible for Hwang Jang-yop’s security, denied reports of his having to move quarters (Joong Ang Ilbo, “SECRETARY HWANG SPENDS TIME WATCHING CABLE TV,”03/24/97”). He added the provision of security services for Hwang are not especially strenuous: “We are not going out of the way to hide Secretary Hwang, but have about 20 security agents guarding him.” The official also declared that Secretary Hwang’s stay in the Philippines will not exceed a month and added there have been no terrorist threats against Hwang so far. However, the Filipino press reported ISAFP is beefing up coastal area security in preparation for the possible incursion of a submarine from the DPRK. According to the ISAFP, Hwang is mainly spending his time watching cable TV and eating Korean food prepared by a skilled chef. A medical team is on stand-by at all hours for the 74-year-old secretary.

2. US Delegation Arrives in ROK

A US congressional delegation including House Speaker Newt Gingrich arrived here yesterday, while two more major US delegations are due to visit the ROK within the week. (Korea Times, “SPEAKER GINGRICH ARRIVES HERE FOR SECURITY TALKS,” 03/24/97) The DPRK’s volatile situation, caused by food shortages and a prolonged delay in the power succession, will be a key topic of discussion. A second group of six US Congressmen is scheduled to make an inter-Korean visit tomorrow to get information on the North’s current food shortages and discuss ways to step up the U.S. alliance with Seoul. On Friday, U.S. Vice President Al Gore arrives in Seoul along with a 124-member entourage. With a top DPRK communist party officia

In today’s Report:

I. United States

II. Republic of Korea

III. Japan

IV. Russian Federation

I. United States

1. US Food Aid to DPRK

US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns (“STATE DEPT. NOON BRIEFING, MARCH 20,” USIA Report, 3/21/97) told reporters during “on-the-record” discussions with reporters after his regular briefing that two US ships will deliver 27,000 metric tons of grains and foodstuffs to North Korea May 4 and May 12. The humanitarian aid is being given in response to an appeal by the World Food Program.

The Associated Press (“U.S.-KOREA FOOD AID DUE IN MAY,” Washington, 3/21/97) reported that the first shipment of a US$10 million US food aid package for the DPRK is expected to arrive May 4 at the port of Nampo. In the DPRK, the rice, corn and corn-soy blend will be delivered to officials of the World Food Program. Much of the food is intended for malnourished children under 5. The aid program was announced last month.

2. US Defense Department on Foreign Assistance

US Defense Secretary William Cohen (“DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN ON U.S. SECURITY ASSISTANCE,” USIA Transcript, 3/21/97), in a March 20 appearance before the US House Committee on International Relations, argued that the US pursues policies of engagement around the world to ensure that diplomacy and military power act “in concert.” “Diplomacy without power,” he explained, “can produce dialogue without decision, while power without diplomacy can lead to arrogant chauvinism and senseless conflict.” In remarks during testimony to support of the Clinton administration’s request for fiscal year 1998 funding for International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing programs, C