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Appendix 5: Chronology of Events Related to the U.S.-North Korean Agreed Framework
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Oct. 1:
President Kim Dae Jung proposed a peace initiative with North Korea, which would replace the 47-year-old armistice signed at the end of the Korean War. Kim said he also wanted to resume the Four-Party Talks in order to have "peaceful coexistence, peaceful exchanges and eventual unification."532
Oct. 2:
South Korean Finance and Economy Minister Jin Nyum said international investors should actively take advantage of the potential investment opportunities in North Korea. Jin said: "Closer economic cooperation with the North presents an important turning point for greater stability and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and, ultimately, in the world."533
South Korean Defense Ministry announced its defense budget for FY2001 with a notable 6.5 percent increase from FY2000. The Ministry said the draft budget was subject to change in the process of parliamentary debate, but said it would place priority on arms procurement in preparing for "unspecified threats" surrounding the Korean peninsula.534
German Ambassador Hubertus von Morr said Germany and North Korea were already working on establishing diplomatic ties. He stressed that the establishment of diplomatic relations should be pursued in due process, by taking into account the rapprochement between the two Koreas, the pace of institutional reforms in Pyongyang, progress on nonproliferation of nuclear and missile programs and improvement of human rights conditions in North Korea.535
The Korean Newspaper Association (KNA) announced that for the first time in the countries' history, North and South Korean daily newspapers would be exchanged at Panmunjom every day beginning immediately. Five copies of 14 South Korean newspapers will be swapped with 70 copies of 2 North Korean newspapers, the Rodong Shinmun, and the Minju Choson. The service is managed by the KNA and the North Korean Reporters' Alliance.536
Oct. 3:
North Korea delivered 30 invitations to Chong Wa Dae and other South Korean political parties, prominent NGOs and religious groups to attend the Worker's Party 55th anniversary in Pyongyang. A day later, the government said it could not permit the leaders of various political and social organizations to visit Pyongyang for such a purpose, citing public opinion, possible controversy and insufficient preparation time.537
Oct. 4:
The food aid on credit contract for the supply of 500,000 tonnes of assorted grains to North Korea was signed by the Korean Export Import Bank and North Korea's Chosun Bank. The agreement specified that Seoul would provide 100,000 tonnes of grain free of charge through the UN World Food Program. North Korea will repay the loan over 30 years. A Ministry of Unification official said a clause in the contract stated "the food aid will not be used in a manner that damages reconciliation, cooperation and confidence building." Once the contract was signed, South Korea made its first shipment of 20,000 tons of Chinese corn.538
Oct. 6:
A joint anti-terrorism declaration was made by North Korea and the United States in New York. Both agreed to exchange information on international terrorism and to work toward removing North Korea from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The declaration stated that both agreed terrorism "poses an unacceptable threat to global security and peace, and that terrorism should be opposed in all its forms." North Korea said as a matter of official policy it opposed all forms of terrorism against any country or individual.539
Japan announced that it would dramatically increase food aid to help North Korea, making a fivefold increase in its shipments. Japan promised 500,000 tonnes of rice at the request of the UN World Food Program to encourage North Korea to continue working toward reunification with South Korea and to help normalize relations with Japan. The donation was approved by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's Cabinet but still required the Diet's approval.540
Oct. 7:
The TCOG met in Washington, D.C. 541
Oct. 8:
KCNA reported that Kim Jong-il ordered a military shake-up, promoting 44 generals ahead of the anniversary of the Worker's Party. It was the second military reshuffle since Kim was officially named supreme leader of the state two years ago.542
Oct. 9:
President Kim Dae Jung and GNP head Lee Hoi-chang met at Chong Wa Dae and agreed to hold bi-monthly sessions together to discuss issues related to the economy, as well as reactivating a special parliamentary committee on North Korea and an inter-party policy consultation panel. President Kim said a national referendum was necessary in the future on unification as constitutional changes may be needed.543
The South Korean Defense Ministry proposed to North Korea that the two sides hold a working-level military commission meeting at Panmunjom to discuss the proposed reconnection of the cross-border railway and adjoining highway project. The ministry also proposed the formation of a five-member panel to be headed by a brigadier general for the talks.544
The Korea Times reported that U.S. Secretary of State Albright would visit North Korea in the future to meet with Kim Jong-il and other North Korean leaders. President Kim Dae Jung said he had advised President Clinton to dispatch an envoy to Pyongyang for high-level talks with Kim Jong-il.545
South Korean Prime Minister Lee Han Dong said it would take several decades to achieve the reunification of the Korean peninsula despite increasing contacts between the two Koreas. It is clear, he said, that: "Pyongyang and Seoul must keep their own political systems. It should not be forgotten that Pyongyang and Seoul are still in a state of Cold War."546
Oct. 9-12:
Jo Myong-rok, First Vice Chairman of the North Korean Defense Commission, visited the United States for talks with President Clinton, Secretary of State Albright and Secretary of Defense Cohen. At the end of the week, the United States and North Korea issued a joint communiqué, which said the two sides had decided to take steps to fundamentally improve their bilateral relations. The communiqué established that "neither government would have hostile intent toward the other" and agreed "on the desirability of greater transparency in carrying out their respective obligations under the Agreed Framework." Both sides affirmed their commitment to "achieving peace and security on a nuclear weapons free Korean peninsula." The conclusion of the communiqué said Secretary of State Albright would visit North Korea in the near future and indicated a possible visit by President Clinton.547
South Korean Prime Minister Lee Han Dong met with his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Kasyanov, during a four-day official visit to Moscow. Lee and Kasyanov discussed how to further consolidate economic cooperation and good will relations between the two countries. The two prime ministers signed an agreement for development projects on natural resources and agreed to accelerate efforts to link an inter-Korean railway with the Trans-Siberian Railroad.548
Oct. 10:
North Korea celebrated the 55th anniversary of its Worker's Party. Forty-two South Koreans representing social organizations and unions arrived in North Korea to celebrate. South Korean opposition and ruling political parties rejected the offer. The South Korean government permitted the 42 Koreans to attend as long as they swore not to make any politically motivated moves or speeches there.549
Oct. 11:
Unification Minister Park Jae Kyu said North Korea had requested construction materials from South Korea needed for the restoration of the inter-Korean Kyongui railway.550
Oct. 12:
North Korea halted a daily newspaper exchange with South Korea after only five days of exchanges. The exchange was suspended without comment.551
Oct. 13:
President Kim Dae Jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in lowering tensions on the Korean peninsula and promotion of peace and reconciliation.552
Germany's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ludger Volmer arrived in Pyongyang to meet North Korea's Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun and Kim Yong-nam. Volmer's visit was to enhance humanitarian assistance to North Korea.553
Oct. 14:
Remains of 15 Americans missing in action from the Korean War were repatriated in a formal ceremony at Pyongyang. The Defense Department said it was the largest number of remains recovered in one operation since the joint recovery work began in North Korea in 1996.554
Oct. 16:
Rep. Kim Deog-ryong, a GNP lawmaker, claimed that South Korea and United States had reached a "secret" agreement to replace one of the two nuclear reactors KEDO is building in North Korea with a thermal power plant. Kim said the agreement included a plan for direct power provisions from Seoul to Pyongyang. Kim based his claim on a classified report, made by South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Jang Jai-ryong and U.S. envoy Charles Kartman, in May.555
Oct. 17:
An advance party of 40 U.S. officials, headed by Thomas Hubbard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, crossed into North Korea via Panmunjom to prepare for a visit by Secretary of State Albright. The delegation went to North Korea to discuss the agenda, security, communications, protocol and other details.556
Oct. 18:
The second round of inter-Korean economic meetings was supposed to have been held in Pyongyang, but North Korea postponed the talks a day before. North Korea delivered the message via Panmunjom citing no reason for the postponement.557
Russian First Vice Minister of Railways, Mikhail Ivankov, said the Russian government was ready to provide Pyongyang with technology and materials required to rebuild the inter-Korean railway. Ivankov said the railway would significantly help boost the flow of goods between Europe and the Far East, including South Korea and Japan, if the line were connected with the Siberian Railway.558
German Deputy Foreign Minister Ludger Volmer said Germany would seriously consider establishing diplomatic relations with North Korea, but said three criteria were very important. Germany asked North Korea to open up the country to journalists, humanitarian organizations and representatives from the United Nations; allow the phased reduction of its military; and continue rapprochement in inter-Korean dialogue. Volmer added that the criteria were not meant as preconditions.559
The Korea Times reported that the United States and South Korea had reached a working-level deal in Washington on the extension of Seoul's ranges of ballistic missiles. South Korean Ministry officials said the two sides had narrowed down their opinions on the contents of the agreement, but remained apart on the question of how Seoul should word a policy statement to Washington, which would express Seoul's voluntary observance of steps agreed upon between the two countries.560
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited President Kim Dae Jung ahead of the ASEM meeting to discuss economic cooperation and Four-Party Talks. Zhu said he supported the Four-Party Talks and would work together for the establishment of a permanent Korean peace mechanism.561
South Korea's Prime Minister's Office revealed to the National Assembly that 487 people abducted to North Korea were officially confirmed detained as of September 2000. The document said that since the country's partition, a total of 3,790 people had been kidnapped and forcefully taken to North Korea.562
Oct. 19:
French President Jacques Chirac made a state visit to South Korea to discuss areas of mutual concern, including the recent developments in inter-Korean relations.563
Germany and Britain announced plans to open diplomatic ties with North Korea. However, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said the British move did not imply acceptance of the North Korean regime or its human rights record. Cook added that: "If our action, and the actions of similar like-minded European countries, helps to take forward that process of reducing the tension between the two countries, this will be a valuable and helpful step towards world peace."564
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori commented on the Joint Communiqué issued by the United States and North Korea. Mori called the communiqué a breakthrough and added Japan heartily welcomed the developments. Mori hoped the trend would have a positive impact on Japan-North Korea relations and said Japan intended to move with the trend and make persistent efforts for a great advance in Japan-North Korea relations.565
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) gave a statement on the Senate floor thanking former Defense Secretary William Perry for his contribution as special adviser to the President on North Korea policy. Biden said: "Under Bill Perry's leadership, the U.S. launched a hard-headed initiative designed to test North Korea's willingness to abandon the path of confrontation in favor of the road to peace." Biden also acknowledged that stakes on the peninsula were high and that events in northeast Asia would also affect the U.S. decision to deploy a limited national missile defense system.566
Oct. 20-21:
The third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was held in Seoul. The 26-member countries adopted the Seoul Declaration for Peace on the Korean Peninsula, which expressed support for the inter-Korean peace process. The document also allowed non-members, such as North Korea, to participate in cooperative projects. The European Union also announced new aid plans, including a $23.4 million package to assist North Korea in improving its farming sector and said it would ease quotas on North Korean textile products and expand cooperation in the agricultural, coal mining and energy industries.567
Oct. 20:
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said Spain intended to open diplomatic relations with North Korea.568
KEDO and North Korea signed the training protocol for the implementation of the LWR project in Pyongyang. The protocol was signed by KEDO Executive Director Desaix Anderson and Deputy Director General of North Korea's General Department of Atomic Energy Kim Hui Mun.569
A spokesman for the Belgium government said Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel would recommend that Belgium open diplomatic relations with North Korea. Following talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Lee Joung Binn at the ASEM conference, Michel said he would submit a proposal on North Korea at the next Belgian cabinet meeting.570
The 15 member states of the European Union and its executive branch, the European Commission, revived talks on a North Korean proposal that it be allowed to set up a Brussels office as a link between Pyongyang and the nine EU member countries without diplomatic ties with North Korea. Leaders said the possibility of allowing Pyongyang to set up a "Bureau of Interest" was increasing.571Russia and North Korea signed a bilateral agreement to expand bilateral ties in energy, agriculture, transport and other areas at a meeting of a joint trade and economic cooperation council in Pyongyang. North Korea reportedly wants Russia to participate in the reconstruction of a machine-tool making plant and three thermal power plants.572
Oct. 22:
Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian visited North Korea to hold talks on strengthening bilateral ties and to mark the 50th anniversary of China's entry into the Korean War. Chi said he supported the improving relationship between the United States and North Korea because China hoped the Four-Party Talks could resume.573
Oct. 23-24:
U.S. Secretary of State Albright visited Pyongyang for two days of talks with Kim Jong-il. Albright was the most senior American official ever to go to North Korea. Albright sought further details on Pyongyang's suggestion that it might abandon its missile program in return for financial and/or other assistance. Albright held six hours of formal talks on North Korea's missile program, security issues, diplomatic relations, terrorism, and other issues.574
Oct. 24:
Seventeen Republican Senators sent a letter to President Clinton opposing any consideration of removing, or downgrading North Korea from the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, since "North Korea has yet to demonstrate any material change in its policies or actions towards its neighbors, its commitment to international agreements, or its willingness to behave as a responsible player on the world scene." The senators also cited North Korea's violation of the NPT and its refusal to accept IAEA inspections; its role as a supplier of ballistic missile equipment and its previous acts of terrorism.575
Oct. 25:
Foreign Ministers from Japan and South Korea met in Seoul with Secretary of State Albright to discuss the outcome of Albright's talks with Kim Jong-il. During a joint press conference, Albright stated the North Korean nuclear issue was one of central importance to the United States and to the Agreed Framework. Albright elaborated that the nuclear issue "has been central to several discussions, and the agreement and implementation of it is important, and transparency is key." Albright added that transparency and confidence building measures were essential if the U.S.-North Korean relationship was to move forward.576
South Korea and United States began a joint 10-day military exercise, code-named Foal Eagle. The Joint Chiefs of Staff did not announce the exact size of the exercise, so as not to provoke North Korea. However, North Korea accused the United States and South Korean militaries of harming thawing relations by holding the exercise.577
Roh Dong-suck, senior researcher at the Seoul based Energy Economics Institute, said the LWR project was expected to generate large economic benefits for South Korea. Roh estimated the project would create employment for some 54,000 workers during the project period, and add an increase of exchanges in terms of personnel, materials, technologies and economic cooperation.578
President Kim Dae Jung urged President Clinton to visit North Korea saying a U.S. presidential trip to North Korea would help establish stability and peace not only on the Korean peninsula but also in East Asia and the whole world.579
Oct. 27:
After an unexplained two-week delay, North Korea put its contacts with South Korea back on track by proposing new schedules for family reunions and economic talks.580
The Korea Development Bank released a report, which said labor-intensive light industries such as food and apparel were promising areas in which South Korean businesses could invest over the short-term in North Korea. Over the long term, technology and capital-intensive business sectors such as steel and chemicals were suitable.581
Two U.S. military aircraft inadvertently crossed into North Korean air space, but were safely brought back by emergency radio calls to the pilots, the U.S. military command in Seoul said. The two aircraft were on a training mission when they mistakenly flew into North Korean air space across the DMZ.582
Oct. 28:
The UNC expressed regrets over the accidental incursion of the two U.S. military aircraft into North Korea's airspace. UN Command officials explained to North Korea that the aircraft crossed the Military Demarcation Line inadvertently, and were immediately turned back. A UNC news release said: "the UNC informed the North Korean People's Army that they regretted the incident and that an investigation is ongoing." The aircraft were participating in the Foal Eagle exercise.583
According to Yonhap News, the UNC also proposed the establishment of a hot line between high-level officers of the UNC and North Korea to prevent any future accidental military clashes in the DMZ.584
Oct. 30-Nov. 1:
Japan and North Korea held their 11th round of normalization talks in Beijing. Japanese negotiator Kojiro Takano said the talks had been serious and covered issues of great magnitude. The two sides agreed to continue making efforts to establish diplomatic ties, but did not make any major breakthroughs on contentious issues.585
Yonhap News reported North Korea had established a research institute to study capitalism and the market economy.586
Oct. 30:
Yonhap News reported that South Korea was considering offering smokeless coal to North Korea to help the North operate its thermoelectric power plants.587
President Clinton met with Secretary Albright and his national security team to discuss North Korea and Albright's trip to Pyongyang.588
North Korea's chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Choe Thae-bok began an official five-day visit to Thailand to strengthen relations. Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said Thailand would help develop North Korea. Choe said Thailand's expertise on developing road and traffic infrastructure would be particularly useful.589
Oct. 31:
The UN General Assembly adopted the first resolution ever introduced jointly by representatives of North and South Korea, encouraging the leaders of the two rival nations to implement the June 2000 Joint Declaration. The resolution was introduced by Ambassadors Li Hyong-chol of North Korea and Sun Joun-yung of South Korea and co-sponsored by more than 150 other countries.590
The Korea Herald reported that liquidity problems affecting Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company and Dong Ah Construction Industrial Co. were feared to add problems to the construction of the two LWRs in North Korea. Hyundai and Dong Ah are two leading contractors in the consortium to build the plants, accounting for 50 percent and 20 percent of the project, respectively.591
President Kim Dae Jung gave an interview to the Korea Times, in which he said the two Koreas would tackle the issues of military control and arms reduction in the future after the two eased tension and signed a peace treaty. Kim emphasized that he was opposed to the signing of a peace treaty between the United States and North Korea, saying "any Korean peace treaty not signed by both Koreas is meaningless."592
North Korea issued three commemorative stamps to celebrate the June 2000 inter-Korean summit, Kim Jong-il's visit to Beijing, and Russian President Putin's visit to Pyongyang.593
Officials of the pro-North Korean General Association of Korean Residents in Japan said that they have agreed with the South Korean Red Cross Society on a plan to take associated members to South Korea on a six-day tour starting November 17 in the second group visit to South Korea. A total of 120 people will take part in the tour.594
Nov. 1:
Hyundai Company has lost more than $200 million in its Mt. Kumgang tourist project, according to the South Korean Unification Ministry. Hyundai has spent $375 million in fees to North Korea, but has earned only $170 million in souvenir sales and income. A spokeswoman for the company said Hyundai expected to begin making profit between 2002 and 2003.595
Nov. 2:
U.S. Secretary of State Albright delivered a speech at the National Press Club to report on her trip to North Korea. Albright said the United States was in no hurry to rush into an agreement on missile proliferation, because "the substance of an agreement matters far more than the timing." She stated: "We would be irresponsible if we did not take advantage of an historic opportunity to move beyond fifty years of Cold War division and reduce the danger North Korean missiles pose to us and to others around the globe." She stated, "I believe the risks of trying to work with North Korea are less than the ongoing costs of confrontation."596
Nucleonics Week reported that the IAEA had obtained limited access to safeguards-related data on nuclear installations in North Korea, including the operating history of the reactor and reprocessing plant at Yongbyon. However, the originals of the documents remained in the possession of North Korea, and therefore the IAEA has been unable to conduct forensic tests to determine their authenticity. An unnamed senior IAEA official stated last month: "It is not likely that the DPRK will give us access to the waste sites," as finding that undeclared reprocessing had taken place "would show that they had lied."597
A study sponsored by the Washington, DC-based Nonproliferation Policy Education Center urged an overhaul of the 1994 Agreed Framework, proposing replacing at least one of the reactors with a non-nuclear power plant and rebuilding North Korea's electric grid. The study argued that Kim Jong-il uses his military and the threat of nuclear capability as a means of extracting aid for its short-term survival without having to make fundamental reforms.598
Japan and the United States began their first joint military exercise in line with the August 1999 adoption of new security guidelines. Forces from the United States and Japan's Self Defense Force participated in the 17-day exercise. China and North Korea opposed the exercises, but the United States and Japan reiterated that they were not targeted at any specific country.599
IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei visited South Korea to speak at the 12th meeting of the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference. El Baradei said North Korea's compliance with IAEA safeguards would help to facilitate its budding rapprochement with South Korea. He also stated his hope that the U.S.-North Korean discussion would amicably resolve the issues related to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.600
Nov. 3:
North Korea threatened to reconsider the scheduled family reunions, expressing displeasure with remarks made by South Korean Red Cross chief Chang Choong-sik. Chang gave an interview to a monthly magazine, in which he described North Korean society as "poor, lacking freedom and controlled." North Korea complained his comments were "severe provocations" and "unbearable insults."601
Nov. 5:
United Nations Command and North Korea held a meeting to discuss preparation for the construction of the inter-Korean railway and adjacent road passing through the DMZ.602
Nov. 6:
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Lee Joung Binn made an official visit to Japan to discuss areas of mutual concern, and the recently concluded Japan-North Korean normalization talks. Lee conducted consultations with his Japanese counterpart Yohei Kono on ways to reinforce bilateral cooperation in dealing with North Korea.603
IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei told the UN General Assembly that nuclear inspectors would like to start work immediately to verify that North Korea was not developing atomic bombs. He said he was hopeful that recent, positive developments on the Korean peninsula would spur North Korea to allow inspections of its nuclear program.604
The White House announced that President Clinton would not travel to North Korea in November, but left open the possibility he might still go during his final two months in office. Spokesman Jake Siewert said there were gaps between the United States and North Korea in clarifying each other's positions in the missile talks. Siewert stated: "We want to be perfectly clear about where we are and where the North Koreans are and have a full understanding of that."605
Nov. 8:
Mortaza Soltanpour, a press officer of the Iranian government said Iran had never purchased North Korean missiles and would not do so in the future. He said: "Iranian missile technology is superior to that of North Korea and the Iranian government has not cooperated with Pyongyang in any of the latter's missile programs."606
Nov. 8-11:
North and South Korea held a second round of economic talks in Pyongyang. The two countries signed four agreements to reduce the risk and costs of Southern firms opening businesses in North Korea. The four agreements have yet to be approved by the parliaments of the two Koreas, but are expected to dramatically boost trade and other economic exchanges across the divided peninsula. The new deals call for the two sides to protect each other's investments, end double taxation, open a direct route for financial transactions, and establish a panel to settle trade disputes.607
While in North Korea for the economic talks, South Korean officials were allowed to visit a grain storage facility near Pyongyang called Seohung Food Distribution Center. It was the first time officials have been able to confirm the transparent distribution of food aid. As requested by the South, North Korea also turned over reports about the current distribution process and a geographical breakdown of the food aid.608
Nov. 9:
South Korean Defense Minister Cho Seong-tae delivered a letter to his North Korean counterpart Kim Il-chol demanding that a working-level military meeting be held immediately to discuss details related to the proposed second inter-Korean defense ministerial talks.609
North Korea proposed limiting presents that would be given to family members during the reunions scheduled to take place November 30 to December 2. North Korea suggested that the presents be limited to one item of clothing for parents, simple souvenirs for siblings, and that cash presents should not exceed $500. South Korea stated it would accept the suggestion and inform the family members prior to the meeting.610
Nov. 11:
The remains believed to be those of 15 U.S. soldiers missing in action since the Korean War were flown from North Korea to Japan and handed over to the U.S. military in a ceremony to coincide with Veterans Day. The ceremony marked the fifth and final operation with North Korea this year.611
The Hyundai Group sent a 20-member task force to North Korea to conduct geological and land surveys in Kaesong, a city where the company plans to build a large industrial complex. Hyundai is expected to break ground on the industrial park in spring 2001.612
The Dutch government said it was ready to establish diplomatic ties with North Korea, in accordance with other European Union member nations. However, in the statement released by the Dutch government, close relations between the two countries would not be realized unless progress was made on human rights, as well as on political and economic reforms in North Korea.613
Nov. 13:
North Korea and the United Nations Command met at Panmunjom to discuss jurisdiction over a section of the DMZ.614
Nov. 14:
North Korea strongly condemned what it called the illegal intrusion of four South Korean warships in its coastal waters, and warned that Pyongyang was in a full state of combat readiness to meet the threat. KCNA reported that the South Korean warships "were hiding" among several fishing vessels in North Korean territorial waters in the Yellow Sea and called the action a "serious military provocation." The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff denied that the incident occurred.615
A delegation from the Vatican concluded an official visit to North Korea. Vatican officials said the trip was aimed at affirming the solidarity with Catholics in North Korea and keeping up relations with the North Korean government. According to Vatican estimates, at least 2,000 North Korean Catholics are affiliated with the association.616
South Korea's two main political parties, the GNP and MDP, clashed during a session on unification, foreign affairs, and security at the National Assembly. Opposition lawmakers claimed that the government and the ruling party were weakening the security alertness of the Korean people when North Korea's strategy to communize South Korea hadn't changed at all. Another lawmaker suggested that South Korea should come up with more constructive and realistic military measures to prepare for possible arms reduction by both sides.617
Nov. 14-16:
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer visited Pyongyang to discuss regional security and humanitarian issues. Downer said Australia was working with the United States and with other countries to encourage North Korea to cooperate with the IAEA in order to remove concerns about its nuclear ambitions. He said Australia was willing to provide North Korea with technical assistance on nuclear safeguards as part of its bid to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. He also added that he wanted North Korea to come to a settlement that dealt "comprehensively with the threat its missiles pose to the region and to the broader nonproliferation regime."618
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, President Kim Dae Jung proposed North Korea join the forum in the future. Kim made the proposal on the condition that Pyongyang wanted to become a member of the group. North Korea's membership is not likely to come soon, however, since APEC has a moratorium on new members until 2007. In the meantime, North Korea could observe as a guest member if it so chose. 619
Nov. 15:
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said that Beijing supported a proposed visit by U.S. President Clinton to North Korea. Tang made the remarks at a meeting with Secretary of State Albright on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the APEC forum in Brunei. Tang said, "China will support anything as long as it benefits the promotion of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."620
Russian President Putin met with President Kim Dae Jung and pledged Moscow's support for further efforts to harmonize ties between the two Koreas. Putin and Kim discussed the possibility of a visit by Kim to Moscow next spring and that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il would visit Russia around the same time.621
Nov. 16:
The United Nations Command and North Korea signed a border agreement at Panmunjom paving the way for South Korea to assume nearly full responsibility for military and other matters inside the DMZ during construction of the Seoul-Shinuiju railway and road links. Military authorities from the two Koreas will deal with military and technical matters for the project through consultations. The accord called for the two Koreas to open a section of the DMZ before designating the district as a South-North administrative zone.622
Nov. 17:
One hundred and nine members of the pro-Pyongyang group of ethnic Koreans living in Japan, known as "Chochongryun" arrived in Seoul for a six-day stay to be reunited with family members. The homecoming was arranged by the Korean National Red Cross.623
Nov. 18:
Inter-Korean liaison officers from South and North Korea met at Panmunjom to exchange the lists of names and personal security guarantee warrants for the participants in the second round of inter-Korean family reunions. A total of 151 delegates, including 100 separated family members, are to participate in the reunions.624
Nov. 20:
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Foley said he expected Japan to pay "significant reparations" to North Korea in any normalization agreement. Foley said he thought the Japanese in general were willing to pay the reparations, preferably in the form of money for projects. Foley added: "I would imagine that the Japanese, unless the climate changes, would want to express the assistance through some support for projects, rather than deliver cash to the North Koreans, which in a change of climate could produce more unpleasant consequences."625
Diplomatic envoys from New Zealand and Luxembourg called for Pyongyang to adhere to the CTBT and arms control to further promote diplomatic relations. In addition, the envoys urged North Korea to address key security concerns and continue engagement with the South to further reduce tensions in the Northeast Asia.626
The Korea Herald reported that the European Union would increase its contribution to KEDO from 15 million euros to 30 million. The EU's move to increase its financial support follows its decision to renew its membership on KEDO's Executive Board.627
Nov. 20-22:
EU foreign ministers met to discuss policy towards North Korea. At the conclusion of the meeting, the French Foreign Ministry said that EU countries agreed to coordinate their moves on establishing diplomatic ties with North Korea. Countries interested in establishing diplomatic ties with North Korea would consult other members and inform the Council of Foreign Ministers of their discussions.628
Nov. 21:
Voice of America reported that a delegation consisting of presidents of leading U.S. universities would visit North Korea in March 2001 to start educational exchange programs. North Korea observed the school system in the Western part of the United States and expressed an interest in research exchange programs between students and teachers. They also discussed the possibility of sending English teachers to Pyongyang.629
Nov. 22:
The South Korean Ministry of Unification reported that the UN Bureau of Humanitarian Aid said it would donate $68 million in aid to North Korea along with an unspecified amount of food supplies.630
Nov. 23:
The Japan Economic Newswire reported that diplomatic sources said that United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan would visit North Korea for the first time next January and was expected to meet with Chairman Kim Jong-il. UN sources said that Annan had expressed a strong desire to visit North Korea, and the North Korean government recently told the UN that he would be made welcome.631
Nov. 26:
KCNA reported that North Korea denounced the United States for its delay in building two LWRs saying it would require a "corresponding measure." The commentary said the United States was deliberately delaying the project in an attempt to "block the development of the independent nuclear power industry in the DPRK, weaken its economic and military potentials and watch for a chance to stifle it by force of arms."632
The South Korean Grand National Party (GNP) claimed that the government intentionally misled the public concerning Seoul's economic aid to North Korea by providing inaccurate and incomplete figures. The GNP said that actual economic support to North Korea since President Kim Dae Jung took office topped $800 million, more than seven times the $119 million maintained by the government. GNP said the government had failed to taken into account development funds invested in Mt. Kumgang and into the construction of the LWRs. The GNP said it did not object to closer economic cooperation with North Korea, but that aid be distributed in a transparent manner and that the aid should not burden the South Korean economy.633
Nov. 27:
The European Union sent a high-ranking team to North Korea for a third round of political dialogue on the stability and security of the Korean peninsula. The EU mission consisted of 10 director level officials, including delegates from France, Sweden and the European Commission. At the meeting, the EU raised issues such as human rights, missile technology and nuclear nonproliferation.634
Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev said Russia was keen on expanding cooperative ties with North Korea, including cooperation in the field of military technology. He stated that Russia would continue to work toward maintaining a balance in policies between North and South Korea.635
During a talk in Singapore organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, President Kim Dae Jung said South Korea, the United States and China would soon propose to Pyongyang the resumption of the Four Party talks. He said the last session in August 1999 ended because of North Korea's insistence on the withdrawal of U.S. troops. President Kim said Kim Jong-il dropped this precondition at the June summit so work could now proceed.636
Also at the Singapore lecture, President Kim Dae Jung called for East Asian enterprises to seek business opportunities in North Korea through the establishment of joint ventures with South Korean firms. He pointed out that North Korea is in dire need of public infrastructure, but has an excellent labor force, abundant natural resources and beautiful tourist destinations.637
Nov. 28:
North and South Korea met at Panmunjom and discussed cooperation between their militaries in reconnecting the Seoul-Shinuiju railway. South Korea proposed safeguards for smooth cooperation between the troops during construction.638
Nov. 29:
U.S. Congressman Tony Hall (D-OH) made his sixth visit to North Korea on November 25-28 to observe hospitals, orphanages, and cities outside the capital. He said the food situation and power shortages remain as dire as ever and in some cases had worsened since last year. He called for renewed international support for North Korea, but the international community had to rethink its "band-aid" approach to this crisis.639
Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev said that North Korea could afford to cut its 1.2 million military, given signs of a reduction in tension on the Korean peninsula. Sergeyev urged Japan and other Asian neighbors to hold talks with North Korea to try to bring peace and stability to the peninsula. Sergeyev made the remarks in a meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono.640
The Associated Press reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin would pay his first visit to South Korea sometime in the first half of next year, according to a senior official in Russia's Foreign Ministry.641
Thirty-three South Korean National Assembly lawmakers issued a parliamentary resolution, which said Japan must apologize for its 35 years of colonial rule of Korea and make appropriate compensations before it normalizes ties with North Korea. The lawmakers also said Tokyo must declare that all treaties leading up to the 1910 annexation of Korea are null and void and express remorse for pain inflicted on Koreans during their rule. The lawmakers added that the treaty signed between South Korea and Japan in 1965 was an unfair pact that purposely overlooked the seriousness of the crimes committed by the Japanese and stressed it not become a basis for any new North Korea-Japan normalization treaty.642
Nov. 30:
Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama visited North Korea and held talks with North Korean officials on ways to promote diplomatic relations between the two countries. Murayama led a delegation of the newly established non-government group known as National Council for the Promotion of Diplomatic Ties between Japan and North Korea.643
The second round of inter-Korean family reunions began in Seoul and Pyongyang for a three-day visit, which brought together 100 separated family members from each side.644
Dec. 1:
Li Hyong-chul, North Korean ambassador to the United Nations, delivered an address at Columbia University. Li said that since the June summit, both Koreas were advancing rapidly toward reunification. Li said that both Koreas had more common ground than differences, but added: "We are fully determined to continue our own way of life. Don't expect any change."645
The firm ABB signed a cooperation pact with North Korea during a visit by ABB president Goeran Lindahl, to Pyongyang. Though no financial details were available, Reuters reported that the pact covered investment and technical cooperation in modernizing North Korea's power grid, upgrading electrical equipment and control systems in power plants and industrial plants, cooperation in the wind and solar power systems, and the opening of a representative office in Pyongyang in 2001.646
Dec. 2:
South Korean lawmaker Yoo Jae-gun, head of the National Security Law Revision Board, announced that the National Assembly needed more thorough consultation before it could decide to revise the law during the plenary session. He added, however, that the party's position of revising the law remained the same.647
Dec. 4:
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense issued its Defense White Paper 2000, which still referred to North Korea as the number one threat to South Korean security. A Ministry spokesman said the concept of a main threat had to be maintained because a realistic peace treaty had not been signed. He added that soldiers would be educated on the ongoing reconciliation, however. The paper said that despite the halt of propaganda broadcasting along the DMZ, North Korea maintained 50 percent of its troops in forward positions.648
South Korean ambassador to the United States, Yang Sung-chul, spoke at an Asia Society luncheon in Washington D.C. He said South Korea's policy of engagement with North Korea was making progress toward the reunification of both nations. However, he recognized that the inter-Korean peace progress, "would surely encounter ups and downs, temporary stalemates and setbacks."649
The Asahi Shimbun reported that, according to the New China News Agency in Pyongyang, former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and his delegation met with the North Korean Supreme People's Committee Chair, Kim Yong-nam, on December 4. Murayama reportedly stated: "The Japanese government should improve relations with the DPRK based on Japan's own principle." Kim emphasized, "In midst of temporal changes, the improvement of DPRK-Japanese relations has been delayed. That is because of the Japanese government's insincere attitude toward the issue of the past. Normalization cannot be achieved without the Japanese government's sincere apology and compensation for the past."650
Dec. 5:
North and South Korean military authorities met at Panmunjom to discuss the railway project. A tentative agreement was reached to set up a telephone hot line in the event of an unintentional military clash and the need to evacuate casualties in the DMZ during the railway project. A Defense Ministry official said a final agreement on the hot line was likely to be reached at the third round of talks, set for later this month. Another agreement was reached to begin clearing land mines in their respective areas along the railway's path.651
The European Commission announced it had approved emergency aid worth 600,000 Euros (about $530,000) to North Korea to finance winter clothing for children and blankets for flood victims.652
Dec. 6:
The Associated Press reported that Japan, South Korea and the United States again requested that the European Union increase its contribution to KEDO. The request was made at the ambassador-level KEDO board meeting in Tokyo. KEDO partners called for an increase in the EU contribution in light of the Euro's decreased value and the additional expenses KEDO will incur due to delays in the construction of the reactors.653
Dec 7:
A protest rally in downtown Seoul was held by approximately 40 family members of people kidnapped and forcibly detained in North Korea. The demonstrators called on the government to enact a law, which would solve the abductee issue, and set up a department in charge of the problem. The resolution called for the government to find out the exact number of POWs and abductees before launching the repatriation campaign.654
Thai Deputy Minister of Commerce Goanpot said Thailand and North Korea would discuss the repayment of a Thai loan made to North Korea in the first quarter of 2001. Goanpot said that the North Korean ambassador to Thailand informed him that the North Korean trade minister would visit Thailand to discuss the issue. North Korea owes Thailand $96.15 million for rice sold on credit in 1993.655
Representative Kim Yong-kap of the Grand National Party urged the government to ask Kim Jong-il for an indefinite postponement of his plan to visit South Korea next year. Rep. Kim said the government must shift its policy focus from North Korea to economic revival in order to overcome its current difficulties.656
The IAEA said it expected to reach an agreement soon with KEDO on safety inspections of the two LWRs being built in North Korea. IAEA Director General Mohamed El Baradei added that North Korea was not being fully cooperative with the IAEA on inspections of its nuclear-related materials.657
A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said that in the event that General Electric did not participate in the LWR project, KEDO would seek the supply of reactor turbine generators from the Japanese companies Hitachi and Toshiba.658
According to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Unification, six out of ten South Korean residents see North Korea's political system as the biggest obstacle to reunification. Other reasons included the attitude of the North Korean leadership and its economic system. On the prospect of inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, 67 percent said that these exchanges should be actively promoted.659
Dec 7-12:
North Korea and Great Britain held working-level talks in London to discuss establishing diplomatic ties. On December 12, Great Britain agreed to establish diplomatic relations in recognition of Pyongyang's warming relationship with South Korea and its decision to suspend missile launches. The decision marked the first time Britain has had diplomatic ties with North Korea since its creation 50 years ago. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said: "We believe that dialogue and negotiation are the best ways of securing peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."660
Dec 8:
South Korea and Japan held a third security policy dialogue meeting in Seoul. They discussed developments in the region, their respective policies towards North Korea, Japan's defense reorganization plan, and other military cooperation issues.661
A delegation from Japan's main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) traveled to North Korea for a four-day visit. The delegation was led by Eisei Itoh, a member of the House of Representatives and Minister for Diplomacy and Security in the party's next Cabinet. The delegation met with high-ranking officials to discuss bilateral relations and security issues in Northeast Asia.662
Dec 9-12:
The American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul (AmCham) sent a delegation on a four-day visit to North Korea to gauge the investment climate there. AmCham Chairman Jeffrey Jones led the group comprised of representatives from ten U.S. firms.663
Dec 10:
President Kim Dae Jung accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. He predicted that the Cold War division of the Korean peninsula would eventually end, but his dream of unification was decades away. Kim said South Korea was preparing a proposal to North Korea to restart the Four-Party Talks. He added: "I believe it would be very good -- delightful-- if Chairman Kim were here with me receiving the award together."664
South and North Korea formally decided to put off another round of Red Cross talks aimed at arranging additional reunions of separated families to next year, citing the lack of time for preparations. The three-day Red Cross meeting was originally scheduled to open on December 13.665
Dec 11:
North Korea strongly condemned South Korea's Defense White Paper 2000, which referred to North Korea as South Korea's main enemy. North Korea said inter-Korean dialogue was meaningless if Seoul still regarded North Korea as an enemy. A North Korean statement from the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland warned that reconciliation agreements would not be implemented unless South Korea retracted its identification of North Korea as the "main enemy."666
Nuclear Fuel reported that Uzbekistan held talks with South Korea about joining KEDO. Membership of Uzbekistan would open the prospect that the Navoi Integrated Mining & Metallurgical Plant may be tapped to contribute the supply of U3O8 for the two LWRs. According to KEDO, it will conduct negotiations with potential foreign suppliers for uranium fuel. Thus far, no negotiations with uranium suppliers have been held. The Navoi complex is one of the world's largest uranium producers.667
Dec 11-13:
Approximately 50 lawyers and professors launched a three-day sit-in in Seoul calling for the abolition of the anti-Communist National Security Law within the year.668
Dec 12:
President Kim Dae Jung held a summit meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson and asked Sweden to lead Europe's efforts to improve its relationship with North Korea and help accelerate North Korea's openness next year, when Sweden assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union.669
The Korea Herald conducted an interview with Asian Development Bank's (ADB) vice president of finance and administration, John Lintjer. Lintjer said North Korea's application for membership had been received, but ADB was still in the process of notifying its shareholders. Once completed, the matter will go up for discussion and ultimately taken up for a general vote. Lintjer declined to speculate on how long the whole process would last but noted that it took Portugal two years for its application to be processed in full.670
President Kim Dae Jung revealed that he intended to expand his sunshine policy further. He said: "I will seek to come up with a more concrete package of measures aimed at a greater inter-Korean détente next spring when North Korean leader Kim Jong-il pays a reciprocal visit to Seoul." Kim also said he planned to visit the United States to negotiate a commitment to be made by the new U.S. administration with regard to his engagement policy toward Pyongyang.671
The Korea Times reported that, according to the Institute of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. sought to form an international consortium as part of its efforts to raise funds for compensation for North Korea's suspension of its ballistic missile programs. The report said the United States wanted South Korea to join the consortium and provide financial support. However, a Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry official ruled out the existence of this plan and said the Seoul government was not in a position to make contributions.672
Dec 12-15:
The fourth round of inter-Korean ministerial talks began in Pyongyang, led by South Korea's Unification Minister Park Jae-kyu and his North Korean counterpart Jon Kum-jin. South Korea urged North Korea to push forward on joint projects. North Korea conveyed its need for electricity and requested Seoul provide it with a total of up to two million kilowatt hours with an initial input of 500,000 kilowatts of electricity. In a joint news release, negotiators agreed to hold a high-level economic meeting in late December, a vice-ministerial panel to discuss the North Korean demand for electricity, and other economic assistance and a third round of family reunions in late February.673
Dec 12-16:
Australia's first private-sector trade mission visited North Korea to pave the way for Australian investment in North Korea's energy sector. Peter Bergman, the Australian Trade Commission's Northeast Asia manager, led the delegation and called it "an extremely useful exercise in identifying commercial opportunities and understanding North Korea's energy problems." The delegation visited several mining, power generation and transmission facilities in and around Pyongyang and held talks with foreign trade and energy production officials.674
Dec 13:
A U.S. team of negotiators from the Office of POW/MIA Affairs, began discussions in Kuala Lumpur with their North Korean counterparts to establish a schedule for recovery operations for the year 2001. Significant progress was made resulting in an increased number of recovery operations and increased length for the operations. Each operation will last 32 days, up from 26 this year and also cover a new area near Kaechon.675
Dec 15:
The South Korean Army announced that it had suspended its construction work on the cross-border railway and road project for the winter. The Army official said: "We completed removing all landmines planted in the areas south of the DMZ in early November and plan to resume mine-clearance work within the DMZ next March."676
Spain decided to formally establish diplomatic relations with North Korea saying the move would contribute to reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. A Spanish government statement said: "The establishment of diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is deemed acceptable because it will contribute to the process of reconciliation and normalization on the Korean peninsula. It will allow us to address with the authorities in North Korea the issues that are of concern to the Spanish government."677
Dec 16:
President Kim Dae Jung and President-elect Bush held a telephone conversation in which the two leaders agreed to have their aides fix a date for summit talks early in 2001. Kim called Bush to congratulate him on his election and discussed U.S.-South Korean bilateral relations in foreign policy, security and the economy.678
Dec 17:
U.S. State Department Counselor Wendy Sherman and White House Asia expert Jack Pritchard briefed Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell and National Security Adviser-designate Condoleezza Rice on the status of the missile talks with North Korea. Ari Fleischer, transition spokesman for President-elect George W. Bush, said that Bush would not oppose a trip by President Clinton to North Korea, saying: "We won't weigh in on decisions the administration has to make between now and January 20."679
Dec 19:
The Associated Press reported that the European Union offered approximately 100 million Euros (about $90 million) to KEDO over the next five years to finance the LWR project. According to diplomatic sources, the EU sought a high-ranking post in KEDO in return for the bigger contribution, and asked KEDO to promote Europe's participation in the construction of the reactors.680
Dec 20:
North Korea opened normalization talks with Netherlands in The Hague, as part of its effort to establish diplomatic ties with European countries. A North Korean delegation headed by Kim Chun Guk, director of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Department, met with Flip De Heer, director for Asian affairs at the Dutch Foreign Ministry.681
Dec 22:
White House spokesman Jake Siewert said the Clinton administration was still working on a "range of issues that are associated with North Korea." He said Clinton will evaluate whether a trip to North Korea would make the Korean peninsula a safer place and help curb a missile threat from North Korea.682
Dec 28:
The South-North Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee met for the first time in Pyongyang for three days of talks. North Korea's demand for electricity dominated the agenda. In response to the North Korea request for electricity, the South Korean side proposed forming a joint team to first conduct a survey into North Korea's energy shortages. South Korea maintained that a national consensus was required to supply electricity to North Korea. Other items on the agenda included the railway and Kaesong industrial park projects, and erecting a dam on a river shared by the Koreas to prevent flooding.683
President Clinton announced his decision not to visit North Korea before the end of his term in office, concluding that there was not enough time "to prepare the way for an agreement with North Korea that advances our national interest and provides the basis for a trip." However, Clinton noted that there was sufficient promise to continue the discussions aimed at eliminating North Korea's missile export and development programs.684
Dec 31:
The Los Angeles Times reported that A-Ju tours Inc. of Los Angeles, California began offering a vacation package to see Mt. Kumgang in North Korea on the Hyundai Merchant Marine cruise line in September. So far, the company has sent approximately 200 Americans, but the company expected business to pick up after a marketing campaign. The basic five-day package costs $1,299.685
Notes for October 2000
532 "South Korean Leader Urges New Korean Peace Initiative," Agence France Presse, October 1, 2000.
533 "North Korea Has Potential Investment Opportunities: Minister," Asia Pulse, October 2, 2000.
534 Chang Jae-soon, "Defense budget for 2001 up 6.5 percent from this year," Korea Herald, October 2, 2000.
535 Kil Byung-ok, "German envoy hints at formal ties with N.K.," Korea Herald, October 2, 2000.
536 Kim In-gu, "Two Koreas to Swap Newspapers," Chosun Ilbo, October 2, 2000.
537 Lee Joon-seung, "NGOs angered by Seoul's refusal to permit visits to N. Korean event," Korea Herald, October 4, 2000.
538 Kim Ji-ho, "Seoul to ship first batch of N.K. food loan today," Korea Herald, October 3, 2000.
539 Jonathan Wright, "U.S., N. Korea to cooperate on "terrorism," Reuters, October 6, 2000.
540 Chisaki Watanabe, "Japan Announces aid to North Korea," Associated Press, October 6, 2000.
541 "U.S., Republic of Korea, Japan to Meet October 7," U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman Press Statement, October 4, 2000.
542 "North Korean Leader orders Military Shake-up," Agence France Presse, October 8, 2000.
543 Kim Min-bai, "President Hints at Referendum," Chosun Ilbo, October 9, 2000.
544 "Seoul proposes working-level talks on S-N projects," Korea Herald, October 10, 2000.
545 Lee Chang-sup, "Albright to Visit N. Korea for talks with Kim Jong-il," Korea Times, October 9, 2000.
546 "Korean Reunification Could Take Decades," Associated Press, October 9, 2000.
547 "Joint U.S.-DPRK Statement on International Terrorism," Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, October 6, 2000 and "U.S.-DPRK Joint Communique," Department of State, October 12, 2000.
548 "P.M. Lee says Russia visit consolidated bilateral ties," Korea Herald, October 12, 2000.
549 Kim Ji-ho, "42 S. Koreans leave for P'yang to attend event," Korea Herald, October 10, 2000.
550 Kim Yong-born, "North Asks South to Provide Construction Materials for Kyongui Railway: Min Park," Korea Times, October 11, 2000.
551 "Koreas-Media," Associated Press, October 12, 2000.
552 "President Kim Dae Jung Awarded Nobel Peace Prize," Chosun Ilbo, October 13, 2000.
553 Kil Byung-ok, "Germany steps up effort to bring peace to Korean peninsula," Korea Herald, October 14, 2000.
554 "Remains of 15 U.S. Servicemen Recovered in North Korea," Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, October 13, 2000.
555 "Oppositionist hints at change of nuclear reactor in North," Korea Herald, October 17, 2000.
556 Sang-hun Choe, "NKorea-US," Associated Press, October 17, 2000.
557 "2nd Round of Inter-Korean Economic Talks Postponed," Associated Press, October 17, 2000.
558 "Russia offers to help N. Korea rebuild inter-Korean railway," Associated Press, October 18, 2000.
559 Seo Soo-min, "Germany Outlines 3 Criteria for Opening Ties with NK," Korea Times, October 18, 2000.
560 Son Key-young, "Korea, US Reach Deal in Missile Range Talks," Korea Times, October 18, 2000.
561 Chon Shi-yong, "China supports Korean peace regime through Four-Party talks," Korea Herald, October 18, 2000.
562 "Prime Ministers Office Confirms Abductee List," Chosun Ilbo, October 18, 2000.
563 "President Chirac to make state visit to Seoul Oct. 19," Korea Herald, October 7, 2000.
564 "N. Korea dominates Seoul summit," BBC News, October 20, 2000.
565 "Comment by Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister of Japan, on the Joint Communiqué issued by the U.S. and North Korea," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, October 19, 2000.
566 "Testing North Korea's Commitment to Peace," Congressional Record, October 19, 2000.
567 Lee chul-hee, "ASEM to Adopt Seoul Declaration to Support Inter-Korean Summit," JoongAng Ilbo, October 20, 2000.
568 "Spain to open diplomatic ties with N. Korea," Reuters, October 20, 2000.
569 "KEDO and North Korea Sign Training Protocol for Light-Water Reactor Project," KEDO Press Release, October 20, 2000.
570 "Belgium to consider diplomatic ties with N. Korea," Reuters, October 20, 2000.
571 Vincent Georis, "EU moves closer to forging ties with N. Korea," Associated Press, October 20, 2000.
572 "Russia and North Korea sign energy, transport accord," Associated Press, October 20, 2000.
573 "PRC Hopes for Resumption of Four Party Peace Talks," Asahi Shimbun, October 22, 2000.
574 "Korean Missile Breakthrough," BBC News, October 24, 2000.
575 "Domestic pressure rises on Clinton over North Korea," Associated Press, November 1, 2000.
576 Shin Yong-bae, "Foreign Ministers of S. Korea, U.S., Japan meet today on Albright's trip," Korea Herald, October 25, 2000.
577 "Koreas-US Military," Associated Press, October 26, 2000.
578 "Lightwater Reactors to have Huge Economic Impact," Yonhap News, October 25, 2000.
579 Chon Shi-yong, "Kim urges Clinton to visit North Korea," Korea Herald, October 26, 2000.
580 "N. Korea offers to resume economic talks," Associated Press, October 27, 2000.
581 "Labor Intensive Light Industries Cited for Short-Term Investment in North Korea," Korea Development Bank News Release, October 27, 2000.
582 "N. Korea-US- Border Crossing," Associated Press, October 27, 2000.
583 Sah Dong-seok, "UNC Regrets Fighter Jets' Incursion in to NK," Korea Times, October 29, 2000.
584 "UNC Proposes High-level Military Hot Line with N. Korea," Yonhap News, October 30, 2000.
585 Naoko Aoki, "Japan, N. Korea end ties talks without breakthroughs," Associated Press, October 31, 2000.
586 "N.K. Establishes Research Institute on Capitalism, Market Economy," Yonhap News, October 31, 2000.
587 "Seoul Considers Offering Coal to N.K. to Help Operate Factories," Yonhap News, October 30, 2000.
588 "Clinton to discuss N. Korea with national security team," Reuters, October 30, 2000.
589 "Thailand pledges to help develop N. Korea," Associated Press, October 30, 2000.
590 Anthony Goodman, "U.N. Assembly hails historic Korean summit," Reuters, October 31, 2000.
591 Kim Ji-ho, "Builder cash squeeze threatens N.K. reactor project," Korea Herald, October 31, 2000.
592 Lee Chang-sup, "Kim Seeks S-N Arms Talks After Peace Treaty," Korea Times, October 31, 2000.
593 "N. Korea issues stamps to commemorate inter-Korean summit," Associated Press, October 31, 2000.
594 "Chongryon, Red Cross agree on 2nd ROK visit," Yomiuri Shimbun, November 1, 2000.
[Back to October 2000]Notes for November 2000
595 Kyong-Hwa Seok, "N. Korea-Hyundai," Associated Press, November 1, 2000.
596 "Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright: Address at National Press Club," U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, November 2, 2000.
597 Mark Hibbs, "IAEA Making some quiet progress in verification on talks with DPRK," Nucleonics Week, November 2, 2000.
598 Eduardo Lachica, "U.S. Security Panel says North Korea shouldn't be given satellite know-how," Wall Street Journal, November 2, 2000.
599 "Japan, U.S. start first joint military exercise," Reuters, November 2, 2000.
600 Kil Byung-ok, "IAEA official says N.K. compliance with nuclear safeguards will foster rapprochement," Korea Herald, November 2, 2000.
601 Kim Ji-ho, "North Protests Red Cross chief's remarks," Korea Herald, November 3, 2000.
602 "UNC holds meeting with N.K. on railway project," Korea Herald, November 6, 2000.
603 Shin Yong-bae, "Foreign Minister Lee to visit Japan Monday," Korea Herald, November 1, 2000.
604 Edith M. Lederer, "UN-North Korea-Nuclear," Associated Press, November 6, 2000.
605 "Clinton-North Korea," Associated Press, November 6, 2000.
606 Kil Byung-ok, "Iranian diplomats flatly deny missile deals with N. Korea," Korea Herald, November 8, 2000.
607 Sang-Hun Choe, "Koreas-Economic Exchanges," Associated Press, November 11, 2000.
608 "Two Koreas agree to use special currency for business," Reuters, November 10, 2000.
609 "Defense Minister Delivers Letter to NK Over 2nd Talks," Korea Times, November 9, 2000.
610 Kim In-mok, "North Wants to Limit Gifts at Family Reunions," Chosun Ilbo, November 9, 2000.
611 Eric Prideaux, "N.Korea-US-MIAs," Associated Press, November 11, 2000.
612 "Hyundai survey team in N.K. for industrial park," Korea Herald, November 9, 2000.
613 "Netherlands ready to establish ties with N. Korea," Associated Press, November 10, 2000.
614 "N. Korea, UNC hold talks on DMZ jurisdiction," Korea Herald, November 14, 2000.
615 "N. Korea accuses S. Korean navy of intrusion," Associated Press, November 14, 2000.
616 "Vatican delegation concludes visit to N. Korea," Associated Press, November 14, 2000.
617 "Parties Clash Over Views on the North," Chosun Ilbo, November 15, 2000.
618 "Australia says U.S. remains crucial to stability," Associated Press, November 17, 2000.
619 Teruaki Ueno, "APEC leaders discuss North Korea membership," Reuters, November 16, 2000.
620 "China supports Clinton's visit to N. Korea," Associated Press, November 14, 2000.
621 "Russia ready to help two Koreas find peace," Reuters, November 15, 2000.
622 Sah Dong-seok, "UNC-NK Pact to Allow ROK Partial Control of DMZ," Korea Times, November 17, 2000.
623 "Pro-North Koreans From Japan Meet Southern Relatives," Chosun Ilbo, November 17, 2000.
624 "South, North Korea to Exchange Lists for 2nd Family Reunion Sat.," Yonhap News, November 18, 2000.
625 Jonathan Wright, "US expects Japan to pay North Koreans reparations," Reuters, November 20, 2000.
626 Kil Byung-ok, "N.Z., Luxembourg call on Pyongyang to fulfill CTBT for ties," Korea Herald, November 20, 2000.
627 Shin Yong-bae, "EU to expand contribution to KEDO project," Korea Herald, November 20, 2000.
628 "EU states agree to consult on N. Korea ties," Reuters, November 22, 2000.
629 "U.S. university delegation to visit N. Korea," Korea Herald, November 21, 2000.
630 "UN to Supply NK with Food and W80billion," Chosun Ilbo, November 22, 2000.
631 "Annan to visit N. Korea for first time in January," Japan Economic Newswire, November 23, 2000.
632 "U.S. urged to fulfill its commitments in good faith," KCNA, November 26, 2000.
633 Lee Joon-seung, "GNP accuses govt of misleading public on aid to North Korea," Korea Herald, November 27, 2000.
634 Shogo Kawakita, "EU, N.Korea to hold political dialogue in Pyongyang," Associated Press, October 30, 2000.
635 "Russia eager to expand military ties with N. Korea," Associated Press, November 27, 2000.
636 "S. Korea to propose to North new four-power talks," Reuters, November 27, 2000.
637 Oh Young-jin, "President Kim calls for East Asian Companies to Invest in North Korea," Korea Times, November 27, 2000.
638 "Koreas-Talks," Associated Press, November 28, 2000.
639 Christopher Torchia, "NKorea-US Congressman," Associated Press, November 29, 2000.
640 Teruaki Ueno, "N. Korea could cut military," Reuters, November 29, 2000.
641 "Putin to visit S. Korea in first half of 2001," Associated Press, November 29, 2000.
642 "Lawmakers issue resolution on N.K.-Japan normalization," Korea Herald, November 30, 2000.
643 "Ex-Premier Murayama to visit North Korea Nov. 30," Associated Press, November 27, 2000.
644 Seo Soo-min, "2nd Family Reunions Start in Seoul, Pyongyang Today," Korea Times, November 30, 2000.
Notes for December 2000
645 Edith M. Lederer, "UN Ambassador Meets Korean Students," Associated Press, December 2, 2000.
646 "ABB in North Korea power pact," Reuters, December 1, 2000.
647 "MDP Shelves Security Revision for this Session," Chosun Ilbo, December 5, 2000.
648 "MND Issues Defense White Paper 2000," Chosun Ilbo, December 4, 2000.
649 "Kim's sunshine policy," Washington Times, December 5, 2000.
650 "Murayama Delegation Meets Kim Young-Nams in Pyongyang," Asahi Shimbun, December 5, 2000.
651 Lee Soo-jeong, "First Military Hot Line," JoongAng Ilbo, December 6, 2000.
652 "EU gives 600,000 euros to help N. Korean children," Associated Press, December 5, 2000.
653 Sarah Suk, "Japan, S. Korea, U.S. urge EU to increase KEDO budget," Associated Press, December 6, 2000.
654 Kang Seok-jae, "Family members of abductees hold protest rally in Seoul," Korea Herald, December 8, 2000.
655 Nitsara Srihanam, "Thailand, North Korea to Discuss Debt Repayment IQ 2000," Dow Jones Newswires, December 7, 2000.
656 "Seoul advised to ask for delay in North Korean leader's visit," Korea Herald, December 7, 2000.
657 "IAEA to ink accord with KEDO on N. Korea nuclear," Associated Press, December 7, 2000.
658 "Japanese Firms May Supply Generators for Reactor Project in N. K.," Yonhap News, December 7, 2000.
659 "NK Political System Greatest Obstacle to Unification," Chosun Ilbo, December 7, 2000.
660 "Britain-North Korea," Associated Press, December 12, 2000.
661 "Japanese team to visit Seoul for defense discussions," Korea Herald, December 5, 2000.
662 "DPJ mission departs for N. Korea," Associated Press, December 7, 2000.
663 "AmCham group to visit N.Korea for investment survey," Korea Herald, December 4, 2000.
664 Alister Doyle, "Nobel winner says unification inevitable," Reuters, December 10, 2000.
665 Kim Ji-ho, "Koreas Formally Delay Third Red Cross Talks until Next Year," Korea Herald, December 12, 2000.
666 "N. Korea blasts South's defense white paper," Associated Press, December 11, 2000.
667 Mark Hibbs, "Uzbekistan to Discuss Joining KEDO, Could Supply Uranium to PWR Project," Nuclear Fuel, December 11, 2000.
668 Kang Seok-jae, "Lawyers, professors demand abolition of anti-Communist law," Korea Herald, December 12, 2000.
669 Oh Young-jin, "Kim Calls for Sweden's Active Role in Opening Up North Korea," Korea Times, December 12, 2000.
670 Cho Young-sam, "Red Tape holding back N.K.'s entry into ADB," Korea Herald, December 12, 2000.
671 Oh young-jin, "Kim Poised to Intensify 'Sunshine' Policy," Korea Times, December 12, 2000.
672 Son Key-young, "Seoul Might Pay to Stop NK Missile Program," Korea Times, December 12, 2000.
673 Sang-Hun Choe, "Koreas-Cabinet Talks," Associated Press, December 16, 2000.
674 Australia eyes investment in N.Korea's energy sector," Associated Press, December 22, 2000.
675N. Korea allows U.S. to step up searches for Korea," Associated Press, December 16, 2000.
676 South Korean military suspends work for cross-border railway until next March," Korea Herald, December 15, 2000.
677 Spain opens diplomatic ties with North Korea," Agence France Presse, December 15, 2000.
678 Chon Shi-yong, "Kim to Visit U.S. for talks with Bush on N.K.," Korea Herald, December 18, 2000.
679 Carla Anne Robbins, "Bush says he won't interfere with Clinton trip to North Korea," Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2000.
680 EU offers $90 million for KEDO project over next five years," Associated Press, December 19, 2000.
681 N. Korea, Netherlands begin normalization talks," Associated Press, December 20, 2000.
682 Clinton decision on Pyongyang unlikely until after next week," Associated Press, December 22, 2000.
683 Koreas to hold 3-day economic talks in Pyongyang," Associated Press, December 26, 2000.
684 Clinton December 28 Statement on U.S. Policy Toward N. Korea," White House Office of the Press Secretary, December 28, 2000.
685 Cruise to North Korea Opened to Americans," Los Angeles Times, December 31, 2000.