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Appendix 5: Chronology of Events Related to the U.S.-North Korean Agreed Framework
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July 1:
South and North Korea resumed talks in Beijing
on the issue of reuniting families separated since the Korean
War. The North Korean delegation demanded that South Korea apologize for
sinking a North Korean gunboat in disputed waters on June 15.
Both sides left without setting a time to return. Seoul suspended
fertilizer shipments until Pyongyang agreed to discuss the reunions
"in good faith."37
Pyongyang declined to continue unofficial bilateral normalization talks with Japan after roughly seven months of informal dialogue. North Korea said it would not welcome Japan's coming to negotiations on normalizing relations until it first agreed to provide food aid. Japan decided to suspend the talks for the time being, since it could not compromise on key issues, including North Korea's missile program.38
July 2:
President Kim Dae Jung met with President Clinton and U.S. special envoy
William Perry in Washington.39
July 3:
Presidents Clinton and Kim Dae Jung warned North Korea against testing another
long-range missile. 40
South Korea signed a contract to lend $3.22 billion to KEDO to fund the LWR construction project.41
July 4:
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien called on North Korea to stop developing and exporting weapons of mass destruction and
agree to participate in bilateral talks with South Korea. He urged
Pyongyang to recognize Seoul's legitimacy and conduct dialogue
to ensure peace on the Korean peninsula. Chretien was speaking
on the eve of President Kim Dae Jung's summit trip to Canada.42
The Hindustan Times reported that Indian authorities had discovered missile parts on the North Korean freighter 'Koowolsanho,' which was detained on the suspicion it was carrying arms. The ship reportedly contained missile warhead cones and other machined parts designed to produce rocket casings and motors. It was believed that the parts were to be delivered to Pakistan as part of its nuclear program. Officials from the Indian government's defense institute were involved in the search of the vessel.43
July 6:
Japan warned North Korea that it would freeze its promised contributions
to KEDO if Pyongyang test-launched another missile.44
July 7:
North Korea's KCNA said that testing ballistic missiles was a
"sovereign right" and criticized the United States for
suggesting that a launch would threaten agreements with North
Korea.45
The Chosun Ilbo reported that a new North Korean underground missile base was detected near Youngjodong, Yanggang province, only 20 kilometers from the Chinese border. The new base was comprised of 10 missile sites and presumed to be about 70 percent complete. The report said North Korea was operating 10 missile bases throughout its territory, and that three more were being constructed.46
President Kim Dae Jung said that Seoul would maintain the existing framework of the engagement policy toward North Korea, including the reactor project, even if North Korea test-fired another ballistic missile.47
July 8:
South Korean lawmakers of both ruling and opposition parties cited the need
for the nation to develop long-range missiles.48
July 9:
The Washington Times reported that a recent, classified U.S. government
intelligence report estimated that North Korea had
between 25 and 30 kilograms of weapon-grade plutonium, enough
to make several nuclear warheads.49
North Korean defectors told Japanese legislators that up to 40 percent of the semiconductors and gas burners used in North Korean missiles were imported from Japan. This prompted the Japanese Diet to consider legislation that would tighten Japan's export control laws.50
North Korea's KCNA asked South Korea to resume shipments of 200,000 tons of fertilizer. KCNA stated: "The two issues (fertilizer and family reunions) are not interdependent."51
July 11:
North Korea urged Washington to renew the Korean War armistice
pact, saying a naval clash between the two Koreas on June 15th
would never have happened if an updated agreement had been in
place.52
July 12:
Defense News reported that "a dangerous network is emerging
among Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea involving the transfer of
ballistic missile technology and even complete missiles from North
Korea."53
India revealed the North Korean ship detained at Kandla was carrying equipment for the production of missiles intended for Pakistan (see report on July 4). Among the items found on board were 148 boxes, declared as machines and water refining equipment, but intended for the production of tactical surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. The seized items included fuel propulsion systems and hardware for the fabrication and launching of the missiles. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the cargo included "special material, equipment, components for guidance systems, blueprints, drawings and instruction manuals for the production of such missiles." The ship's crew reportedly knew that the cargo was bound for a company engaged in missile development. 54
July 13:
State Department spokesman James Rubin said that another
launch of a North Korean missile would have serious implications
for the prospects of improved relations between the United States
and North Korea. Rubin stated: "We do view North Korea's
missile activities as a serious threat to the region, and to our
nonproliferation interests."55
July 14:
South Korean and Japanese officials met in Tokyo to launch a brainstorming
session on a series of security issues facing the two countries
and Northeast Asia, including North Korea's projected missile
test.56
July 15:
Rep. Benjamin Gilman, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee,
urged President Clinton to present Perry's report on North Korea
policy to Congress.
July 20:
North Korea decided to "leniently pardon" Karen Han;
and deport her in consideration of her frank admission of misconduct (see entry of June 17).57
UN Command generals and their North Korean counterparts met to discuss the military tensions created by the June 15 naval skirmish in the Yellow Sea. The talks ended with no agreement.58
July 21:
The U.S. House of Representatives adopted H.R. 2415, which included the so-called "Gilman-Markey amendment." The amendment conditions all nuclear cooperation with North Korea upon presidential certification to Congress that North Korea is complying with all international agreements pertaining to nuclear proliferation and has terminated its nuclear weapons program. The measure passed the Senate August 8.59
July 25:
Secretary of State Albright met with South Korean Foreign Minister Hong
Soon-young, and Japanese Foreign Minister Koumura Masahiko in
Singapore at the ASEAN Regional Forum and Post Ministerial Conference.
They affirmed that close cooperation and coordination
on North Korea policy remained essential and pledged to continue
their regular trilateral consultations.60
July 26:
North Korea threatened to pull out of the 1994 Agreed Framework
unless the United States showed "good faith"
by removing economic sanctions. North Korea's KCNA quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying the "U.S. move
to link North Korea's missile development program to the provision
of funds for KEDO is threatening the entire agreement."61
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said that if the United States recognized North Korea's sovereignty and its freedom of making choices, then North Korea would develop relations with the United States on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.62
July 27:
U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen visited Japan for talks with Japanese
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and Defense Agency chief Hosei
Norota about security issues, including continued efforts to halt
North Korea's ballistic missile program.63
The recently drafted Japanese white paper on defense said North Korea's missile program and suspected nuclear weapons development posed a grave security threat to the world. The report urged Japan to beef up its intelligence-gathering capability and countermeasures and to coordinate with the United States, South Korea, and other countries concerned about the matter.64
High-ranking officials from the United States and several Asian nations again urged North Korea not to conduct a widely anticipated ballistic missile test, warning that a launch could derail efforts to improve North Korea's relations with the rest of the world. Defense Secretary Cohen said a launch would have "serious implications" for its relationship with the United States and for the construction of 2 LWRs in North Korea, as called for in the Agreed Framework.65
July 28:
At the fourth UN Conference on Disarmament Issues, Lee Seo-hang
of the South Korean Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security
said that South Korea and the international community should continue
with the current policy of economic and diplomatic engagement
with North Korea to defuse mounting tension in Northeast Asia.
North Korea refused an invitation to attend the conference.66
July 29:
The United States and South Korea warned North Korea that they would
mobilize "all available means" if North Korea went ahead with
another ballistic missile launch. The United States and South Korea agreed to take full military
measures to deter North Korea's missile tests, assessing that the tests threaten
not only South Korea, but also Japan and the United States.67
U.S. Defense Secretary Cohen said the United States would work with South Korea to develop longer-range missiles. Cohen said: "We support South Korea's interest in becoming a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime, and we are working with them now in order to accommodate their needs as far as their missile capabilities."68
Aug. 1:
South Korea decided to resume the Mt. Kumgang tours, a $942 million
tourism project between the two Koreas run by the Hyundai Group. The South Korean
Unification Ministry issued a statement that said: "The government decided to allow
the resumption of the tour, judging that the safety of tourists has now become better secured
after Hyundai and the North agreed on detailed rules and safety-guarantee measures."
The project had been halted months earlier, when a South Korean tourist
was arrested for allegedly encouraging a North Korean soldier
to defect.69
Aug. 2:
Lawmakers in the Japanese Diet's Upper House called for legal steps to
allow the Japanese government to block money being sent to North
Korea.70
KCNA said North Korea would push ahead with test-firing a missile if the United States increased its pressure. KCNA said: "For the U.S. to return challenge for our good faith will encourage us to significantly increase our national defense capabilities and continue to push ahead with the missile test-fire, to say nothing of a satellite launch. The further the U.S. escalates pressure upon us, the stronger our reaction will become to bring unpredictable consequences."71
Aug. 5-9:
The United States, China, South Korea, and North Korea convened the sixth plenary of the Four Party Talks in Geneva,
chaired by China. No progress was made during the talks, however U.S. Ambassador Kartman and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan met after the close of the talks. Kartman stressed the advantages for North Korea to improve its relations with the United States and the international community based on the ideas discussed by special envoy Perry.72
Ambassador Park Kun-woo, South Korean delegate to the Four-Party Talks, proposed that the two Koreas officially end the state of war and create a "peace agreement" containing such provisions as non-aggression and the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Park reiterated that the two countries should initially create mechanisms to reduce tension on the Korean peninsula.73
South Korea approved a plan by SN21 Enterprise, a South Korean company, for a series of pop concerts in North Korea in September. The South Korean Ministry of Unification said the plan was in line with the government's sunshine policy.74
Japan and South Korea conducted their first-ever joint naval exercise west of Kyushu.75
Aug. 6:
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Hong Soon-Young reaffirmed
that the construction of two LWRs in North Korea should continue, even if North Korea
conducted a missile test. He stated: "It is necessary to maintain the Geneva agreement because
it was directly related to the North's nuclear development programs."76
The Washington Times reported that U.S. military intelligence agencies were watching several hundred North Korean military advisers training Congolese government forces. Officials said that U.S. agencies were concerned that North Korea would be compensated in uranium ore from the Congo's Shinkolabwe uranium mine.77
South Korea decided that it would halt the Mt. Kumgang tour project if North Korea test-launched another long-range ballistic missile. The announcement came soon after the South Korean National Security Council revealed suspicions that North Korea had been purchasing weapons with the tour revenues. To date, North Korea had earned $166 million from the tourism program.78
Aug. 9:
Reuters reported South Korea planned to purchase eight U.S. surveillance
aircraft to be delivered within two years. The first four aircraft
would be delivered by April next year, and the other four in 2001.
The introduction of the aircraft would greatly increase South Korea's
intelligence coverage of North Korea.79
Aug. 10:
To mark the 54th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan following
World War II, North Korea's KCNA announced that Japan should abandon its suppression policy against North Korea; provide a sincere apology and full
compensation to the North Korean people for its past crimes; and that if Japan did not "abandon its force" against North Korea, appropriate measures would be taken.80
Aug. 11:
The South Korean National Intelligence Service confirmed that North Korea
had purchased approximately 30 MiG-21 fighters from Kazakhstan for $40 million.81
Aug. 12:
The South Korean National Assembly approved $3.2 billion to fund the construction of LWR
nuclear power plants in North Korea.82
Aug. 13:
Two employees of the North Korean embassy in Moscow were deported
from Russia for attempting to purchase blueprints of technology
related to the MiG-21 fighter aircraft. The two North Koreans were caught during a sting operation when they tried to exchange
$180 thousand for the blueprints.83
Aug. 16:
Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and U.S. Ambassador Thomas
Foley signed a plan to conduct joint research on a missile defense
system. Japanese government sources said that Japan and the United States
were ready to contribute $36 million each to support the effort.84
The United States and South Korea began the joint "Ulchi Focus Lens" military exercise involving warships, computer simulations and military personnel, including 19,400 U.S. and 56,000 South Korean troops. North Korea warned that the 12-day exercise would hurt relations between the two Koreas, and adversely affect talks between North Korea and the United States.85
The Korea Times reported that the number of South Koreans working in North Korea on the LWR project was expected to increase from 200 to about 500 personnel by the end of 1999. The Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), prime contractor of the $4.6 billion project, was to increase the scope of construction work in Kumho, in a phased manner.86
Aug. 17:
UN Command and North Korean generals met for the fifth time in
Panmunjom to discuss the disputed sea border between the two Koreas.
North Korea proposed working-level talks to settle the border
dispute, but the UN Command rejected the proposal, reiterating that the issue was best resolved by the inter-Korean Joint Military Committee, established in 1991.87
The South Korean government bureau responsible for building LWRs in North Korea announced it would extend the construction period for basic site formation by four months to December 15. The delay was necessary due to the stalled negotiations among the major sponsors of the project over the timetable and amount of contributions.88
Aug. 18:
The KCNA reported that North Korea was prepared to negotiate
over its reported plan to test-launch a Taepo Dong-2
long-range ballistic missile.89
Aug. 19:
The United States said that it was willing to consider normalizing
ties with North Korea, should North Korea agree to cease the development
and testing of ballistic missiles and their export.90
Aug. 21:
The Associated Press reported that China believes North Korea's
missile program is giving Japan and the United States an excuse to increase
their bilateral military ties.91
Aug. 22-24:
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Hong Soon-young visited
Japan to discuss joint strategies to counter missile threats from
North Korea.92
Aug. 23:
Analysts in Seoul reported that if North Korea decided to test-fire
a ballistic missile, it would destroy South Korea's sunshine
policy. Ruling party Assemblyman Jay K. Yoo stated: "The
Mt. Kumgang tour would have to stop. All of the aid must be halted
if they fire again." Lee Jung-hoon, an analyst at Yonsei
University, stated that the sunshine policy is naive, impractical
and so far, has had no effect on moderating North Korea's behavior.93
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Hastert asked nine senior congressional Republicans to form a North Korea Advisory Group to report on the threat posed by North Korea to the United States and its allies. The group was headed by Rep. Gilman, the Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and included Representatives Goss, Spense, Weldon, Cox, Fowler, Bereuter, Callahan, and Knollenberg.94
Aug. 24:
North Korea's Rodong Sinmun said that North Korea would
call for emergency measures if the LWR project continued
to be delayed. The paper stated: "If the U.S. continues to
delay the reactor construction, we will be forced to do what we
decide."95
Aug. 25:
Congressional Democrats expressed anger over
a Republican decision to exclude them from the North Korea Advisory Group.96
Chang Sun-sup, chief South Korean delegate to KEDO, said that work on two nuclear reactors in North Korea would be accelerated, following North Korean complaints that the project was behind schedule. Chang said that major construction would likely begin before the end of 1999.97
State Department spokesman James Foley said the United States did not believe there was a basis for North Korea's complaints that the United States was delaying construction on the LWR project. Foley stated: "The U.S. is meeting all of its obligations under the Agreed Framework and remains committed to the project. The burden-sharing agreement reached last August among KEDO members does not contain any commitment by the U.S. to contribute to the LWR project. But the U.S. is committed to seeking funding for the supply of heavy fuel oil and for other KEDO needs, as appropriate, from the U.S. Congress and all other possible sources."98
Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said Japan had no plans to resume food aid to North Korea until North Korea signaled a willingness to improve the bilateral relationship. He said Japan's relations with North Korea were uniquely abnormal, adding: "We want to have a better relationship with them. We have sent out messages many times. We have not received a positive, constructive reply from them."99
Aug. 23-29:
South Korean Defense Minister Cho Seong-tae visited China to meet Chinese Defense
Minister Chi Haotian to discuss ways to establish peace on the
Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia.100
Aug. 26:
South Korea announced it would send its humanitarian aid
directly to North Korea this year, instead of using international
organizations, including the United Nations World Food Program.101
Aug. 27:
South Korean Unification Minister Lim Dong-won met with William Perry in San Francisco.
The two officials conducted a last-minute review of Perry's report
on North Korea and discussed measures to be taken in the event that North Korea test-fired
a missile.102
The Associated Press reported that the Japanese Defense Agency planned to ask the government to increase its funding for the first time in three years. Its budget request for fiscal year 2000 will total $45 billion, up 1.6 percent from FY1999.103
Aug. 28:
North Korea criticized Russia for planning to sell weapons and
military hardware to South Korea.104
Aug. 29:
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranked North
Korea 27th in the world for sales of conventional military hardware
for the period of 1994-1998. According to the SIPRI Almanac, North
Korea sold $118 million-worth of arms over the 5-year period.
105
Aug. 30:
The International Herald Tribune carried an editorial by
South Korean President Kim Dae Jung which said that North Korea had not responded to South Korea's sunshine policy. Kim argued: "It is incumbent
upon South Korea to wage a diplomatic effort to preclude the missile
launch. To deter the test firing, we have to try to both persuade
and pressure the North Koreans. We are making it clear to the
authorities in Pyongyang that they will pay a high price for such
provocations while, on the other hand, a shift toward reconciliation
and cooperation would bring them benefits."106
A spokesman from the North Korean Foreign Ministry said North Korea would build up its defense capability to counter an anti-missile defense system being developed by the United States and Japan.107
North Korea said it would establish a new sea border in the Yellow Sea if the UN Command did not agree to rewrite the armistice to specifically designate the line.108
Aug. 31:
State Department spokesman James Foley announced that the United States
intended to use upcoming talks with North Korea in Berlin to
stress the advantages to North Korea of taking steps to improve
its relations with the United States and the international community.109
Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said that Japan was ready to resume dialogue with North Korea if there was progress in forthcoming missile talks between the United States and North Korea. Komura said that Japan's move to ease economic sanctions, imposed in September, 1998, following North Korea's ballistic missile launch, would come in coordination with the United States and South Korea.110
Generals from the UN Command and North Korea met for the 11th time in Panmunjom to discuss the easing of military tensions following the June 15 naval clash. UN Command rejected a North Korean demand that the maritime inter-Korean border in the Yellow Sea be redrawn. Representatives from the UNC stated that the existing Northern Limit Line had served as the sea border since the end of the Korean War and was non-negotiable. Instead, the UNC proposed that a South-North joint military commission establish a new maritime non-aggression line. North Korea refused.111
Sept. 1:
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Jong Pil arrived in Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi about discouraging a North Korean missile test-launch. Both agreed on the importance of smoothly implementing the KEDO
project. Obuchi said that if North Korea gave up its missile
intentions, Japan would seriously consider improving relations.112
North Korea announced that it would defend its sovereignty over contested waters in the Yellow Sea by taking "resolute and determined measure[s]."113
North Korea warned that it would increase its arms build-up to cope with a U.S. regional missile defense system. KCNA stated "We will continue to increase the country's national defense capabilities in every way to cope with any military offensive of the enemy."114
Sept. 2:
Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev assured South Korean Defense Minister
Cho Sung-tae that Russia would cooperate with South Korea to prevent
North Korea from test-firing a long-range missile.115
In a press release, U.S. Rep. Gilman stated that stopping a North Korean missile test was an insufficient measure for success of U.S. policy toward North Korea. Gilman questioned the administration's policy of "rewarding Pyongyang's recalcitrance" in order to prevent it from test launching another missile. He added that preventing a launch was "a short-term answer to a long-term problem."116
Sept. 3:
North Korea unilaterally declared the Northern Limit Line "invalid"
and announced it would exercise its defensive right to the line
by "various means and methods."117
In response, South Korea announced that it would not tolerate any North Korean intrusion into waters south of the Northern Limit Line. A spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated: "Our military will firmly defend the NLL [Northern Limit Line]. If North Korea crosses over the line, we will regard it as a provocation and will never tolerate it."118
Sept. 6:
In an interview with Asian Affairs, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung
contended that the North Korean military was behind North Korea's
unwillingness to respond to peace proposals because it would open
the regime to the outside world.119
Sept. 7-12:
U.S. and North Korean delegations met in Berlin to discuss North Korea's ballistic missile program.
Teams were led by U.S. envoy Kartman and North Korea's Vice Foreign
Minister Kim Gye Gwan. North Korea agreed to refrain from testing any long-range missiles for the duration of negotiations. In return, the United States agreed to partially lift trade and economic sanctions on North Korea. The United States and North Korea also agreed to hold future meetings to discuss diplomatic and economic relations and the end of North Korea's long-range missile development program.120
Sept. 9:
In a National Intelligence Estimate, the Central Intelligence Agency characterized North Korea as "most likely" capable of acquiring long-range missiles by 2015.121
North Korea rejected a plan for six-way peace talks on the Korean peninsula, which would involve the United States, South Korea, North Korea, China, Russia and Japan. South Korea would like to invite more foreign powers to resolve the Korean problem.122
Sept. 10:
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Hong Soon-young and U.S.
Secretary of State Madeline Albright reaffirmed the two countries'
close cooperation on issues related to North Korea.123
Sept. 12:
Following talks in New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the United
States issued a joint statement that said they would work to improve
relations with North Korea provided that it "takes steps
to reduce tensions and establish lasting peace."124
China urged restraint over fears about North Korea's ballistic missile program, warning that the development of a U.S. anti-missile system would harm stability in the region.125
Sept. 13:
U.S. National Security Adviser Sandy Berger confirmed that North Korea
had pledged to observe at least a temporary freeze on testing long-range
ballistic missiles for the duration of U.S.-North Korean negotiations
to improve relations.126
Sept. 14:
Reuters reported that the Japanese Defense Agency was working
on contingency plans in case North Korea launched missiles with
biological or chemical warheads. The Agency said that several
factories in North Korea were producing toxic gas and germs that
could be used in weapons. The Defense Agency was seeking $22.6
million for the next fiscal year to deal with possible attacks
involving nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. The head of the Japanese Defense Agency stated that, while Japan will continue to coordinate with South Korea and the United States, the Defense Agency remained skeptical
about North Korea's intentions.127
North Korea and Russia agreed to sign a new treaty in October that does not include an agreement on automatic military assistance when either nation is attacked. According to Japanese Defense Minister Hosei Norota, the new treaty would replace the "Korea-Soviet Friendly Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Treaty," signed in 1961.128
Sept. 15:
Special envoy William Perry released his report to Congress. The report contains five principal recommendations: to take a comprehensive approach
in implementing North Korea policies; to appoint an ambassador-level
official to coordinate policies among different government agencies;
to continue coordinating policy with Japan and South Korea through
the TCOG; to take steps to ensure greater bipartisan Congressional
support; and to remain prepared for any possible North Korean provocations
in the future.129
In response to Perry's report, Rep. Gilman declared that the United States should refrain from lifting any sanctions on North Korea until it is understood how lifting these sanctions might threaten American interests.130
Buoyed by progress in the U.S.-North Korean missile talks, South Korea was actively pushing the resumption of governmental dialogue with North Korea. The Korea Herald reported that South Korea believed that improved ties between North Korea and the United States should also lead to favorable relations between the two Koreas, stressing that neither of the two sets of relations could advance alone.131
The Korea Herald reported that South Korea applauded the Perry proposal as a meaningful report that will likely serve as a manual for Washington, Seoul and Tokyo in working out their respective policies toward North Korea. South Korean Ministry officials expected the United States to promote dialogue with North Korea to discuss the peace proposals.132
Sept. 16:
Nucleonics Week reported that leading firms and banks involved
in the LWR project met in New York to try to finalize the terms and conditions
of the LWR contract.133
According to the Korea Times Japan was unwilling to lift sanctions unless North Korea declared a complete moratorium on missile tests.134
South Korean Vice Unification Minister Yang Young-shik said that problems on the Korean peninsula should be solved through dialogue and cooperation between the two Koreas. He called on North Korea to faithfully implement the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement and come forward immediately to reactivate its four subcommittees.135
Sept. 17:
President Clinton announced the decision to ease U.S. sanctions
on North Korea. The easing of sanctions would allow most consumer
goods to be available for export, and also would permit the import into the United States
of most North Korean-origin goods. The decision to lift sanctions does not
affect counter-terrorism or nonproliferation controls.136
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka announced his full support for the Perry proposal.137
Sept. 18:
KCNA warned the United
States against avoiding the Northern Limit Line issue. The warning
said that U.S. avoidance of the issue was tantamount to renouncing
its obligation as a party to the Korean War armistice agreement.138
Sept. 19:
South Korean President Kim Dae Jung announced that he would end the Cold War
on the Korean peninsula by the end of his tenure.139
South Korean Unification Ministry announced that it was restarting its support program for inter-Korean economic cooperation, which calls for increasing short-term loans from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund for small-and medium-sized companies to do business in North Korea. The Ministry also planned to invest in improving facilities at the North Korean port of Nampo.140
South Korea announced that North Korea had effectively finished the sealing of approximately 8,000 spent fuel rods at the 5 megawatt (electric) reactor in Yongbyon and the removal of radioactive residue in the water in spent-fuel holding tanks.141
Sept. 21:
North Korea welcomed the easing of U.S. economic sanctions, but said the United
States should show good faith by lifting the remaining sanctions
so as to make it a "comprehensive and substantial measure."
North Korea also urged the United States to withdraw its forces
from South Korea and sign a peace agreement with North Korea.142
U.S. envoy Kartman and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan announced that they were to meet in Beijing in October, 1999, to follow up the Sept. 7-12 Berlin missile talks.143
Sept. 22:
William Perry reported that the United States expected a North Korean announcement in the coming weeks
on the suspension of its missile program.144
Perry met with South Korean President Kim Dae Jung in Seoul to discuss how to follow up on the Berlin talks.145
Sept. 23:
Perry briefed South Korean President Kim Dae Jung on his report. President Kim and Perry reaffirmed close cooperation
between the United States and South Korea in promoting a comprehensive engagement policy on North Korea.146
Sept. 24:
Perry reiterated his expectation that there would be "definitive actions"
by Pyongyang in the coming weeks to suspend long-range missile testing
in line with the Berlin agreement. Perry did not believe that the United States
would need to pursue a policy of containment with regard to North
Korea, but acknowledged that containment remained an option.147
North Korea announced it would refrain from testing the Taepo Dong-2 missile as long as the two countries were engaged in official talks. It marked the first significant gesture from North Korea since the Clinton administration lifted economic sanctions.148
Sept. 25:
North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun delivered a message
to the UN General Assembly calling on the United States to do more to improve
relations with North Korea. In his speech, Paek asked the United States to
lift all sanctions and remove all its troops from South Korea.149
Sept. 26:
South Korea welcomed North Korea's pledge not to test-fire
a long-range missile during talks with the United States. South Korea stated
that the pledge was an important start that would hopefully lead to
a complete stop of missile tests.150
Sept. 28:
KEDO and North Korean officials met in Pyongyang to discuss the
construction of the LWRs. The South Korean administrator for the LWR project,
Chang Sung-sup, said that the negotiators were trying to clear
up technical issues such as setting up communication lines and
evacuation procedures.151
The South Korean Defense Ministry released a report, which found that North Korea imported $156 million worth of weapons since 1995. Most of the weapons came from Kazakhstan and other former Soviet republics and from China. North Korea also sold $800 million worth of military hardware, including missiles, to the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries between 1991 and 1998. The report stated that North Korea exported weapons worth $50 million since 1997, making up 7.1 percent of the country's total exports.152
Sept. 29:
Japan agreed to buy U.S. parts and components to build its first
spy satellites, which were planned for launch in early 2003. Japanese government
sources said that Japan could end up "virtually importing whole
satellites" from the United States because it was not currently capable
of developing key functions.153
North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun stated North Korea was ready to hold summit talks with South Korea if South Korea agreed to comply with North Korea's three principles of self-reliance, peaceful unification and national solidarity. Paek also described the sunshine policy as an "anti-North Korea scheme aimed at absorbing the North into the South in the name of reconciliation and cooperation."154
Construction began in Pyongyang on the inter-Korean gymnasium, where North and South Korea would hold regular matches in various sports. Hyundai staff members and North Korean representatives held a ground breaking ceremony.155
The South Korean Unification Ministry said the Hyundai Group's tour project of Mt. Kumgang had earned North Korea about $183 million, even as Hyundai lost $258 million since the tours began in November, 1998. The Ministry also reported that it found no evidence of money diversion from the tourism project to the North Korean military.156
North Korea dispatched 442 military officers to 12 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, apparently for the purpose of raising foreign currency. Most of the officers sent abroad were in charge of development of military technology, in particular missiles and mining. The largest number of officers (147) was sent to the Congo Republic, followed by Iran and Ethiopia.157
Sept. 30:
North Korea maintained that it retained the right to test launch a
new missile. Rodong Sinmun stated: “The issue of
a missile launch is a matter wholly pertaining to our sovereignty
and North Korea will launch a missile and a satellite any time it
feels necessary.”158
President Kim Dae Jung said North Korea would most likely use biological or chemical weapons if war erupted on the Korean peninsula.159
South Korean Foreign Minister Hong Soon-young told the UN that South Korea had no wish to either absorb or undermine North Korea. Hong appealed to North Korea to respond to the sunshine policy: “We are prepared to offer far more in terms of food and fertilizer as well as assistance in agricultural restructuring. We urge the North Korean authorities to come out and join us in dialogue for cooperation on this and other matters.”160
South Korean Grand National Party representative Seo Chang-won, a member of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, stated that North Korea possessed seven types of germ-warfare agents, including cholera and typhoid, and thirteen biological agents, including eruptive typhus and smallpox viruses, at ten production research facilities nation-wide.161
38 "Pyongyang Squelches Small Talk with Tokyo," Washington Times, July 1, 1999.
39 "Clinton and South Korean Leader warn the North Against Testing Missile," New York Times, July 3, 1999.
40 "Clinton and South Korean Leader warn the North Against Testing Missile," New York Times, July 3, 1999.
41 "South Korean Leader Stresses Close Ties with Clinton." Reuters, July 3, 1999.
42 "Korea-Canada Summit talks," Chosun Ilbo, July 4, 1999.
43 "North Korean ship detained in Kandla," Hindustan Times, July 3, 1999.
44 "U.S. and ROK Agree to Japan's Freezing of Contribution to KEDO if DPRK Launches Another Missile," Asahi Shimbun, July 7, 1999.
45 North Korea Says Missile Test is 'Sovereign Right'," Reuters, July 7, 1999.
46 "North Korea Building New Missile Facility Near Border with China," Chosun Ilbo, July 7, 1999.
47 "North Korean Missile Test will not derail engagement policy," Korea Times, July 7, 1999.
48 Shim Jae-yun, "Lawmakers call for Tougher Missile Policies," Korea Times, July 8, 1999.
49 Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, "Plutonium Tally," Washington Times, July 9, 1999.
50 Nicholas D. Kristof, "North Korean Missile Parts Said to be from Japan," New York Times, July 9, 1999.
51 "North Korea asks South for Fertilizer," Associated Press, July 9, 1999.
52 "North Korea urges U.S. to renew armistice agreement," Reuters, July 11, 1999.
53 Denis Dragovic, "Missile Network Grows: N. Korea at Center of Proliferation Ripples," Defense News, July 12, 1999.
54 Sudha Magalingam, "Sensitive Cargo," India's National Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 15, July 22, 1999.
55 James Rubin, United States Department of State Daily Press Briefing, Spokesman James Rubin, July 13, 1999.
56 Linda Sieg, "Japan Warns N.Korea not to launch missile," Reuters, July 14, 1999.
57 "North Korea to Deport Detained U.S. Woman," Associated Press, July 19, 1999.
58 "UNC-NK Border Talks End with No Agreement Again," Korea Times, July 20, 1999.
59 "House Amendment Places Conditions on Nuclear Aid to North Korea," Inside the Pentagon, July 23, 1999.
60 "Trilateral Meeting Joint Press Statement," Department of State, Press Statement, Office of the Spokesman, July 27, 1999.
61 "North Korea calls for U.S. 'Good Faith' on KEDO," Reuters, July 27, 1999.
62 "DPRK wants to improve relationship with U.S.," People's Daily, July 29, 1999, p. A6.
63 Jim Lea, "Cohen's Pacific Visit to Focus on NK Threat," Pacific Stars and Stripes, July 21, 1999.
64 "Pyongyang Missile Posturing an Extreme Concern" Japan Times, July 27, 1999.
65 Keith Richburg, "U.S., Asian officials warn North Korea not to conduct missile test," Washington Post, July 27, 1999.
66 Justin McCurry, "Forum Told Dialogue with North Korea Needed," Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 1999.
67 Yoo Yong-won, "U.S. Beefs up Presence in Korea," Chosun Ilbo, July 29, 1999.
68 John Whitesides, "U.S. to work with Seoul on Longer Missile Range," Reuters, July 29, 1999.
Notes for August 1999
69 "Koreas Tourism Trips to North to Resume," Los Angeles Times, August 1, 1999.
70 George Nishiyama, "Japan Lawmkers urge Cutoff in funds
to North Korea," Reuters, August 2, 1999.
71 "North Korea says it may fire missile," Associated
Press, August 3, 1999.
72 Department of State Daily Press Briefing, Spokesman James Rubin, August 9,
1999.
73 "Seoul calls for end to state of war between two Koreas," Korea Times, August 5, 1999.
74 Kim Ji-ho, "Inter-Korean Joint Pop concert likely to be
held," Korea Herald, August 5, 1999.
75 Toshi Maeda, "Japan, South Korea hold first joint naval
drill," Japan Times, August 5, 1999.
76 Shin Yong-bae, "Hong Reaffirms KEDO Project will continue,"
Korea Herald, August 6, 1999.
77 Bill Gertz and Rowarn Scarborough, "North Koreans in Congo,"
Washington Times, August 6, 1999.
78 Shim Shang-bok, "NK's Missile fire will end Mt. Kumgang
tours," JoongAng Ilbo, August 6, 1999.
79 "South Korea to get Eight U.S. Spy planes," Reuters,
August 9, 1999.
80 "DPRK's Unprecedented announcement on policy toward Japan,"
Asahi Shimbun, August 11, 1999.
81 Kim Min-bai, "NIS Confirms NK Purchase of MIG-21s."
Chosun Ilbo, August 11, 1999.
82 "South Korea Oks North Korea Nuke Plant Funds,"
Associated Press, August 12, 1999.
83 Hwang Song-joon, "NK Diplomats expelled from Russia,"
Chosun Ilbo, August 13, 1999.
84 "Japan, U.S. to Share Missile Research,"
Associated Press, August 16, 1999.
85 "U.S., South Korea Military Exercise Begins,"
Associated Press, August 16, 1999.
86 "More S. Korean Workers to engage in LWR work in NK," Korea Times, August 16, 1999.
87 "North Korea Proposes Talks to Settle Border Dispute," Reuters, August 17, 1999.
88 "Construction of Reactors in North Delayed," Korea Herald, August 17, 1999.
89 Sang-Hun Choe, "North Korea Ready for Missile Talks,"
Associated Press, August 18, 1999.
90 Park Doo-shik, "U.S. Responds to NK Gesture," Chosun
Ilbo, August 19, 1999.
91 Sang-Hun Choe, "China, South Korea to Discuss Peace,"
Associated Press, August 21, 1999.
92 Park Joong-hoon, "Foreign Ministers Meet in Tokyo,"
Chosun Ilbo, August 23, 1999.
93 Doug Struck, "Rain on Sunshine Policy," Washington
Post, August 23, 1999.
94 David Briscoe, "State Department Wants North Korea Visit,"
Associated Press, August 23, 1999.
95 "North Korea Says will respond if Reactor plan delayed,"
Reuters, August 24, 1999.
96 James Morrison, "Outrageous Move," Washington
Times, August 25, 1999.
97 Paul Shin, "North Korea Reactor Plan to be Sped Up,"
Associated Press, August 25, 1999.
98 Department of State Daily Press Briefing, Spokesman James Foley, August
25, 1999.
99 Kiriko Nishiyama, "Japan Says no Plans to Resume Food
Aid to North Korea," Agence France-Presse, August
25, 1999.
100 Yoo Yong-won, "China, Korea Defence Ministers to Meet,"
Chosun Ilbo, August 19, 1999.
101 Kim Ji-ho, "Seoul Switches to Direct Channel in Sending
Aid to Pyongyang," Korea Herald, August 26, 1999.
102 Kim Ji-ho, "Unification Minister Lim to Meet Perry during
visit to U.S.," Korea Herald, August 21, 1999.
103 Ginny Parker, "Japan Defense Agency Raising Budget,"
Associated Press, August 27, 1999.
104 "Russian Arms Sales to Seoul Draw North Korean Warnings."
Agence France-Presse, August 28, 1999.
105 Bong Hwa-shik, "North Korea Ranks 27th for Conventional
Weapons Sales," JoongAng Ilbo, August 29, 1999.
106 ROK President Kim Dae Jung, "Seeking to Prevent a North
Korean Missile Test," International Herald Tribune,
August 30, 1999.
107 "North Korea Vows to Build up Defense Capability,"
Associated Press, August 30, 1999.
108 Jim Lea, "North Korea Warns It May Establish New Sea
Border," Pacific Stars and Stripes, August 30, 1999.
109 James Foley, United States Department of State Noon Briefing,
August 31, 1999.
110 Ginny Parker, "North Korea Marks Missile Launch,"
Associated Press, August 31, 1999.
111 "UNC Rebuffs N.K. Claims on Sea Border,"
Korea Herald, September 2, 1999. Notes for September 1999 112 Shin Yong-bae, "Kim, Obushi Reaffirm Cooperation to Prevent
N.K. From Firing Missile," Korea Herald, September
3, 1999.
113 "N Korea Threatens 'Decisive Step' in Disputed Waters,"
Associated Press, September 1, 1999.
114 "North Korea Promises Arms Buildup to Cope with TMD Missile
Defense System," Korea Herald, September 1, 1999.
115 "Russia, S.Korea Seek to Curb North's Missile Plan,"
Reuters, September 2, 1999.
116 "Gilman Questions North Korean Policy," U.S. House
of Representatives International Relations Committee press release,
September 2, 1999.
117 Kim Ji-ho, "Pyongyang Declares Unilateral Nullification
of Sea Border," Korea Herald, September 3, 1999.
118 Kim Myong-hwan, "S. Korea Says to Defend Sea Border with
North," Reuters, September 3, 1999.
119 Chon Shi-yong, "President Blasts Pyongyang's Unresponsiveness
to Peace Deal," Korea Herald, September 6, 1999.
120 "North Korea-U.S. Settlement: What Happens Now,"
JoongAng Ilbo, September 13, 1999.
121 Robert Burns, "CIA Warns on North Korea, Iran Missiles,"
Associated Press, September 9, 1999.
122 Bong Hwa-shik, "North Korea Against 6-Way Talks,"
JoongAng Ilbo, September 9, 1999.
123 "Albright Reaffirm Close Cooperation on North Korea,"
Korea Herald, September 10, 1999.
124 Steve Holland, "U.S., S. Korea, Japan Urge North Against
West," Reuters, September 12, 1999.
125 "China Urges Restraint Over N. Korea," Korea
Times, September 12, 1999.
126 William Drozdiak, "N. Korean Pledge Eases Fears of Missile
Test," Washington Post, September 13, 1999.
127 "Japan Concerned Over N. Korea Biochemical Warheads,"
Reuters, September 14, 1999
128 "Russia to Sign New Treaty with NK," Chosun Ilbo,
September 14, 1999.
129 "U.S. Envoy Urges Stepped-Up N. Korea Policy-Reports,"
Reuters, September 15, 1999.
130 "Gilman Opposes Easing Sanctions on North Korea,"
U.S. House of Representatives International Relations Committee
press release, September 15, 1999.
131 Kim Ji-ho, "Buoyed by Improved Atmosphere, Seoul pushes
for Resuming Inter-Korean Talks," Korea Herald,
September 15, 1999.
132 Shin Yong-bae, "Perry Proposals Likely to Serve as Field
Manual on Policies Toward N. Korea," Korea Herald,
September 16, 1999.
133 Mark Hibbs, "KEDO, KEPCO Aim to Nail Down Turnkey Liability,
Financing," Nucleonics Week, September 16, 1999.
134 Son Key-young, "Japan Set to Lift Sanctions on N. Korea,"
Korea Times, September 16, 1999.
135 Kim Ji-ho, "Vice Unification Minister Urges Pyongyang
to Return to Dialogue Table with Seoul," Korea Herald,
September 16, 1999.
136 "Easing Sanctions Against North Korea," White House
Office of the Press Secretary, September 17, 1999.
137 "Chief Cabinet Secretary Supports Perry's Review on U.S.
Policy Toward DPRK," Asahi Shimbun, September
17, 1999.
138 "N.K. Again Warns Against Intrusion into West Sea Border,"
Korea Herald, September 18, 1999.
139 "S. Korea's Kim Vows to End Cold War with N. Korea,"
Reuters, September 19, 1999.
140 Kim Ji-ho, "Eased U.S. Sanctions on North Korea to Speed
Up Inter-Korean Business," Korea Herald, September
19, 1999.
141 Kim In-ki, "NK Completes Spent Rod Sealing," Chosun
Ilbo, September 19, 1999.
142 "N. Korea Wants Lift on All Sanctions," Associated Press, September 21, 1999.
143 Shin Yong-bae, "U.S., N. Korea to Meet Later This Month
on Follow-up Measures to Missile Accord," Korea Herald,
September 21, 1999.
144 Sang-Hun Choe, "Perry: North Korea to Suspend Tests,"
Associated Press, September 22, 1999.
145 "U.S. Perry Meets S.Korea's President Kim to Discuss
North Korea," Associated Press, September 22,
1999.
146 "Kim, Perry Reaffirm Close N.K. Cooperation,"
Korea Herald, September 23, 1999.
147 "Perry expects N. Korea to take definitive actions,"
Associated Press, September 24, 1999.
148 Tom Carter, "N. Korea to stop tests during talks."
Washington Times, September 25. 1999.
149 Christopher Wren, "North Korean, at UN Urges U.S. to
lift economic embargo," New York Times, September
26, 1999.
150 Yong-bae Shin, "Seoul Welcomes North's Missile-Test Moratorium,"
Korea Herald, September 27, 1999.
151 "KEDO Meets in NKorea to Clear Way for Reactors,"
Reuters, September 28, 1999.
152 "N. Korea Buys Weapons despite Famine," Associated Press, September 28, 1999.
153 "Japan Agrees to Buy U.S. Parts for Spy Satellites,"
Reuters, September 29, 1999.
154 "NK Minister says P'Yang Ready for S-N Summit,"
Korea Herald, September 29, 1999.
155 Bong Hwa-shik, "Groundbreaking ceremony for Pyongyang
stadium," JoongAng Ilbo, September 29, 1999.
156 Kim Ji-ho, "North Korea Earns U.S.$183 million From Hyundai
Tour Project," Korea Herald, September 29, 1999.
157 "NK Sends 442 Military Officers O'Seas for Dollars,"
Korea Times, September 29, 1999.
158 "N. Korea Says it has Missile Right," Associated
Press, September 29, 1999.
159 "NKorea to Use Bio-Chem Arms if War Erupts SKorea,"
Reuters, September 30, 1999.
160 David Ljunggren, "South Korea Says has No Wish to Undermine
North," Reuters, September 30, 1999.
161 You Yong-won, "NK Moves Forward Military Units,"
Chosun Ilbo, September 30, 1999.