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Appendix 5: Chronology of Events Related to the U.S.-North Korean Agreed Framework
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Jan. 2:
Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company announced its plan to eliminate 2,000 jobs from its workforce.686
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Lee Joung-binn said his ministry would help North Korea advance into the international community this year and reinforce the ongoing inter-Korean cooperation via the international arena.687
Jan. 3:
South Korea sent its first shipment of food aid and other items worth approximately $917,000 to North Korea. The items were donated by religious and civic groups in South Korea.688
The Associated Press reported that the World Bank told North Korea it was willing to help train the country's officials and prepare an economic assessment to help its ailing economy. World Bank official, Bradley Babson, said he held talks with North Korean finance officials in Pyongyang in February 1998 and conveyed that the World Bank was ready to provide minimum assistance available to nonmember countries. Babson said: "We have not offered any technical assistance to North Korea, although we have said that we would support UNDP (UN Development Program) efforts to expand training in economics and finance and also would be willing to consider preparing an economic assistance, if asked."689
Jan. 5:
The Korea Herald reported that China's humanitarian aid to North Korea dropped sharply to a record low last year according to the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency. According to China's customs records, assistance provided during the first 10 months of last year was estimated at $12.67 million, compared to $48 million in 1999 and $32 million in 1998.690
North Korea accused Japan of pushing ahead with a policy of militarization and said that Japanese forces had emerged as the greatest threat to the country's security. KCNA quoted an article in the Rodong Sinmun citing Japanese military purchases and government efforts to change laws in order to allow its "Self-Defense Forces" to operate overseas. The report said that Japan embarked last year on a policy which aims to turn its "peace constitution" into a "war constitution" and that (together with the United States) it planned to increase its military presence in the region in order to "counter North Korea."691
Secretary of State Albright said that she regretted ending her four-year tenure as Secretary without having made a missile deal with North Korea, but said there was still a chance for the United States and North Korea to come to terms. Albright said in an interview: "There was, and I believe is, an opportunity to end the last vestige of the Cold War. There are a lot of things I'm sorry I have to leave kind of unfinished, and the North Korean issue is one of them. I do think that Kim Jong-il was not what people had thought he was, that he also sees the fact that this system cannot go on functioning the way it has. He was interested in making some arrangement that would limit his development of missiles in exchange for our launching of civilian satellites."692
Jan. 6:
Radio Pyongyang said the United States must end its "policy of hostility" towards it by signing a peace agreement. North Korea said a peace treaty was crucial to easing military tensions on the Korean peninsula.693
Jan. 8:
South Korea delivered a draft agreement on economic cooperation to North Korea through liaison officers via Panmunjom. The agreement reportedly included South Korea's position on North Korea's request for electricity, joint efforts on flood prevention in the Imjin River, construction of the railway project, and building the Kaesong Industrial Park. They agreed to hold another session of the joint Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee in Seoul early February.694
The Korea National Red Cross (KNRC) appointed professor Lee Byung-woong of Hanseo University to represent Seoul in the Red Cross talks on family reunions. Lee, a veteran inter-Korean negotiator and executive committee member of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, will lead the South Korean delegation for the inter-Korean Red Cross talks.695
Jan. 9:
South Korean Unification Ministry officials said KEDO had selected a Japanese business consortium as the supplier of turbine generators for the LWRs in North Korea, thereby replacing General Electric. The joint team of Hitachi and Toshiba will supply equipment and place orders for turbine generators worth $1million. Chang Sun-sup, the KEDO board chairman, said:
"We plan to sign the contract within six months and the Japanese will start providing the generators."696
Bo Lundberg, Swedish Ambassador to South Korea, said the European Union would continue to support the dialogue process on the Korean peninsula and fully back the engagement policy pursued by Kim Dae Jung. Ambassador Lundberg said his country's long involvement in the peninsula would help the EU contribute to inter-Korean dialogue.697
Jan. 9-17:
Gregor Gysi, former head of the Party for Democratic Socialism in East Germany and incumbent member of the German parliament, visited North and South Korea.698
Jan. 10:
President Kim Dae Jung pledged to implement his engagement policy with North Korea on a more reciprocal basis for the remaining two years of his presidency. In his New Year's press conference, President Kim said: "I will implement North Korea policy compatible with public support and, without the consent of the people, I will never provide assistance for Pyongyang."699
Jan. 11:
In an interview with the Korea Times, Russian Ambassador Evgeny Afanisiev said Russia was currently launching negotiations with its neighboring countries to connect the Seoul-Shinuiju railway with the Trans-Siberian Railway. He said Russia totally supported the project and was cooperating with China and both Koreas to establish this "Iron Silk Road."700
President Kim said North Korean leader Kim Jong-il would make a trip to Seoul "as scheduled" this year and the trip would help promote inter-Korean peace, exchange and cooperation. Kim said there would be no conditions attached to Kim Jong-il's visit to South Korea.701
Jan. 11-13:
A 10-member U.S. Congressional delegation led by House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt visited Seoul to discuss the Korean situation with top officials. During their three-day visit, the delegation met with President Kim Dae Jung and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Lee Joung-binn. The delegates discussed issues such as public opinion about U.S. forces in Korea in the wake of the inter-Korean summit. U.S. President-elect George W. Bush sent a message to President Kim Dae Jung via the group, which said that the incoming administration would closely cooperate with the Seoul government.702
Jan. 12:
President Clinton said he expected President-elect Bush to seal a deal curbing North Korea's missile program within a few months of taking office. In an interview with Reuters, Clinton said: "I think (the deal) will come. I think it will be one seized within the first few months of the incoming administration. I think it will be one of their first achievements because it is set and I think it will happen."703
North Korea proposed to hold a third round of Red Cross talks with South Korea for three days from January 29-31 at Mt. Kumgang to discuss humanitarian issues including family reunions. South Korea proposed a third round of family reunions be held for three days from February 26-28.704
North Korea said 2001 would be a pivotal year in efforts to reunify with South Korea and vowed to honor the Joint Declaration signed in June 2000. North Korean honorary vice-president Pak Song-chol said the two Koreas, whose 50 years of confrontation have begun to thaw in the wake of an unprecedented summit last June, were entering "a decisive phase."705
Jan. 15:
North Korea and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations. North Korea also agreed to a Dutch proposal that its ambassador to Seoul also serve concurrently as its envoy to North Korea.706
North Korean and Turkish officials signed an agreement after talks in Beijing stating their nations' intention to normalize relations. A Turkish Embassy official said that, while no specific date was set for opening ties, the agreement was a major step. Turkish officials raised concerns about North Korean missile sales.707
At a staff meeting, the United Liberal Democrats (ULD) decided to stick to its position opposing any revision of the National Security Law (NSL). Spokesman Byon Woong-jun announced that the ULD had reconfirmed its view that changes needed to be based on reciprocity, and as long as the North Korean Workers Party does not revise its charter or laws related to South Korea the NSL should remain intact.708
Jan. 15-20:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited China for talks on inter-Korean relations and North Korea's relations with the United States under incoming President George W. Bush. Kim also toured the Shanghai financial district and high-tech development zones such as Pudong and Shenzen during his stay. He met with Chinese President Zemin several times.
Jan. 16:
U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen pledged the continued presence of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region in his annual report to Congress, saying the forces served as "regional balancer and security guarantor" for U.S. allies. The 2001 Pentagon report also said North Korea still posed a significant military threat despite its dire economic conditions and efforts at reconciliation with the outside world.709
President Kim Dae Jung conducted his first National Security Council meeting of 2001. He said he would seek to sign a permanent peace agreement with Kim Jong-il when he visited Seoul. He added that Kim Jong-il's visit to China's development zones showed that North Korea was opening up more.710
Jan. 17:
After 20 rounds of talks since 1995, the United States agreed to let South Korea develop missiles within the limits of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which allows the deployment of missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers and a payload of up to 1,100 pounds.711
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell said: "We are open to a continued process of engagement with the North so long as it addresses political, economic and security concerns, is reciprocal and does not come at the expense of our alliance relationships." He noted North Korea's large conventional forces and their development of missiles as problems, but said: "In the meantime, we will abide and agree to the commitments made under the Agreed Framework, provided that North Korea does the same."712
Jan. 18:
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and North Korea agreed on $41.7 million in aid to North Korea's agricultural sector. North Korea's ambassador to Rome Kim Hong-rim, who is also Pyongyang's representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and IFAD vice president John Wesley signed the agreement in Rome.713
South Korean Foreign Minister Lee Joung-binn and U.S. Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell held a phone conversation and reached an agreement to maintain close consultations in promoting their North Korea policies. Lee and Powell also agreed to promote summit talks between President Kim Dae Jung and President-elect George W. Bush early to coordinate their policies and strengthen bilateral relations. The two sides agreed on a visit by Minister Lee to Washington for talks with Powell in the near future.714
Hyundai Asan Co. President Kim Yoon-kyu visited North Korea on a three-day mission to negotiate a reduction in its monthly tour fees it pays to Pyongyang. Kim proposed to halve the $12 million the group pays to North Korea to $6 million, while pledging to pay the overdue portion four years later.715
Japan loaded the first batch of 500,000 tonnes of rice it will send as aid to North Korea to alleviate food shortages. Japan decided in October to send the rice.716
The JoongAng Ilbo reported that North Korean ambassador to the UN, Ri Hyong-chol, and U.S. envoy Charles Kartman met in New York to discuss North Korea's missiles.717
Jan. 19:
Following a four-day trip to South Korea, Brazilian President Cardoso said his country would soon start talks to normalize relations with North Korea. He also said Brazil supported the efforts to establish Korean peace through dialogue.718
Jan. 21-23:
Kim Jong-il inspected light industrial factories in Shinuiju, a northwestern city in North Korea believed to be a possible site to be designated a free-trade zone. The inspection took place immediately after he returned home from a week-long visit to China.719
Jan. 22:
President Kim Dae Jung told his government to be ready in the event North Korea started to reform its economy. During a cabinet meeting, Kim said he expected North Korea to push ahead with considerable reforms. Kim said that any South Korean support programs related to North Korea would be pushed cautiously in close consultation with Japan and the United States.720
Jan. 23:
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said Japan's normalization of ties with North Korea was not only inevitable but also morally necessary. Kono said: "Diplomatic normalization with North Korea involves negotiations to normalize relations with an area which Japan once occupied as a colony. It is an issue of morality as well as an inevitable historical one. It is necessary for our country to tackle Japan-North Korea diplomatic normalization while not losing its momentum. It is extremely abnormal that Japan does not have any diplomatic relationship with such a geographically close country. It is in our country's interests as well as that of the international community-and not only of northeastern Asia-that North Korea joins in anti-proliferation efforts against weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery."721
Jan. 24:
The German government decided at a cabinet meeting to establish diplomatic ties with North Korea. Foreign Ministry spokesman Volker Pellet said that there was no concrete schedule yet, but negotiations with Pyongyang would determine when the two countries would set up the ties.722
Jan. 25:
Luxembourg decided to establish diplomatic relations with North Korea and would soon contact the North Korean authorities.723
KCNA denounced the Bush administration for making reckless remarks, referring to statements made by Secretary of State Colin Powell during his confirmation hearing about North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and North Korea's military. According to the KCNA statement: "The DPRK cannot but interpret what he said as a statement reflecting the sinister intention of hardliners in the U.S. to keep the U.S.-DPRK relations in the hostile and belligerent relationship forever."724
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced it would maintain its current policies towards North Korea and only consider normalizing diplomatic relations with the country once there were improvements in the state's human rights issues and compliance with the NPT.725
President Bush and Kim Dae Jung held a telephone conversation where the two presidents agreed that close U.S.-South Korean relations was the most important element in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in East Asia.726
Jan. 26:
Secretary of State Colin Powell and Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono met in Washington for their first high-level meeting. Powell told Kono that the United States was ready for a gradual improvement in relations with North Korea if Pyongyang fulfilled expectations on its long-range missiles and conventional forces. The two also agreed to arrange a Washington summit between Bush and Prime Minister Mori at an early date.727
Jan. 29:
Speaking at an annual conference to the heads of Korea's overseas diplomatic missions, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Lee Joung-binn said North Korea was sending a strong message to the global community that it would promote reform and openness. Lee said South Korea's foreign policy priority this year would be the establishment of a permanent peace regime on the peninsula and he urged the chiefs to step up diplomacy to achieve this goal.728
Unification Minister Park Jae-kyu said the government planned to form a governmental task force promoting the reciprocal visit by Kim Jong-il.729
Jan. 29-31:
Red Crosses from North and South Korea held talks at Mt. Kumgang. The two sides issued a six- point agreement at the conclusion of the meeting. They agreed to hold a third round of family reunions from February 26-28 in Seoul and Pyongyang. Letters containing up to two photographs from 300 confirmed family members in North Korea will be exchanged with their southern relatives on March 15. No agreement was reached on a permanent place to hold the reunions, nor was a date and location set for the fourth Red Cross meeting.730
Jan. 30:
The Yonhap News reported that the United States placed economic sanctions against a North Korean firm, Changgwang Sinyong Corp., because the company allegedly exported missile technology to Iran. This is the first time the United States imposed restrictions on a North Korean business since it eased sanctions against Pyongyang in June 2000.731
Hyundai Asan Co. said it only remitted $6 million, half of its $12 million monthly royalty payment, to North Korea for the Mt. Kumgang tourism project for the month of January.732
The South Korean Defense Ministry said the United States and South Korea had agreed to hold their security consultative meetings involving top foreign affairs and defense officials more frequently beginning in February 2001. The official said the two sides agreed on the regularization of the so-called "2+2 meetings" for closer coordination in working out joint North Korean policy and defense readiness.733
Jan. 31:
The fourth round of inter-Korean military talks were held in Panmunjom to discuss military assistance for construction works for re-linking the inter-Korean railway. The two sides reached an agreement on a package of joint regulations, which will be applied to military personnel in the DMZ in connection with the reconnection of the severed railway and road links. The joint regulations are aimed at averting accidental clashes in the DMZ. The two sides agreed to finalize the joint regulations at the February 6 working-level military talks.734
The Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) announced that it would seek to revise the National Security Law during the extraordinary session of the National Assembly, which will commence on February 5. The MDP called for the deletion of Article 2 of the law, which officially denies the existence of a North Korean government; Article 10, which criminalizes the non-reporting of espionage activities; and removing portions of Article 7, which criminalizes praise of North Korea.735
Feb. 1:
South Korea concluded a three-day annual conference for overseas diplomatic missions including 97 envoys, pledging to step up diplomatic support for North Korea's efforts to join the international community. "The participants resolved to spearhead diplomatic efforts so that we can play a leading role in expanding North Korea's participation in the global community and improving relations between them and Western nations," said a Foreign Ministry spokesman.736
Feb. 4:
The Japanese government decided to establish a working panel on legislation for
military contingencies, which was first proposed in 1977 but was urgently requested by the ruling parties in wake of the North Korean Taepodong missile launch in 1998. The working panel would be included under the Cabinet's national security council, chaired by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, and consist of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and high-ranking representatives from the Foreign Ministry and other related agencies and ministries.737
Feb. 5:
The Korea Times reported that an economic mission from the European Union (EU) arrived in Pyongyang. The three-member group will reportedly stay for about two weeks to inspect North Korea's agricultural and energy industries. EU officials said that the European Commission would study the possibility of providing technical assistance to North Korea based on the outcome of the team's inspection.738
Feb.6:
Canada announced the establishment of diplomatic ties with North Korea. Foreign Minister John Manley said that Canada believed forging closer relations with Pyongyang was the best way to contribute to security, nonproliferation, and humanitarian challenges in the region.739
Lee Guen, North Korean deputy ambassador to the UN, said in a meeting of specialists on the Korean Peninsula held in Washington: "During the last 8 years, there have been many discussions between Pyongyang and Washington, but now it is time to move onto action. We hope the Bush administration maintains the US engagement policy toward North Korea." He added, "Seoul and Pyongyang will have to get along and we are willing to have a good relationship with the South."740
Feb. 6-8:
South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Lee Joung-binn and U.S. Secretary of State Powell met in Washington to discuss plans for the upcoming summit between Presidents Kim Dae Jung and George W. Bush. The two sides released a joint statement, which said they agreed that reconciliation and cooperation between North and South Korea were essential to resolving the long-standing division of the peninsula. They concurred on the importance of maintaining a comprehensive partnership and close coordination on North Korea policy and pledged to continue regular consultations at senior levels.741
The fifth round of working-level military talks commenced at Panmunjom. South and North Korean militaries agreed on a 41-item accord, which addressed the width of both sides' administrative zones and the scope of land mine clearance inside the DMZ. It ensures the safety of soldiers and construction workers to be mobilized during cross-border construction work within the DMZ. Before concluding the talks, North Korean delegates declared that there would be no more defense ministers' meetings between the two sides unless the South Korean defense white paper was revised. However, South Korean negotiators made clear that the "main enemy concept" would remain until North Korea showed fundamental change in its policy toward South Korea.742
Feb.7:
Spain and North Korea established diplomatic relations. The two countries agreed that representation would be at the ambassadorial level but the ambassadors would be nonresident.743
Radio Free Asia said Korean residents in the United States have provided humanitarian assistance worth more than $46 million to North Korea over the past five years. The aid was channeled into the Korean Sharing Movement, a South Korean private relief group. The bulk of the goods sent to North Korea were food and medicines.744
Feb. 7-10:
Meetings were held in Pyongyang to discuss South Korea's possible supply of electrical power to the North. Talks broke down over demands by North Korean negotiators to tap South Korea's power supply quickly, and to strictly limit South Korean access to North Korea's energy industry. In previous talks, North Korea had offered to have South Korea conduct an energy survey of Pyongyang. South Korean negotiators cited concerns about power sharing costs and said it would need to conduct a more complete study. Seoul also wanted to carry out a study of its own energy industry before deciding how much electricity it could spare. South Korean officials estimate it would take four years and $630 million to build new power lines across the border. As an alternative, Seoul is reportedly considering giving North Korea surplus coal for its thermal plants.745
Feb. 8:
Yonhap News reported that North Korea asked Russia to provide it with photo images taken by Russian satellites in order to reinforce its intelligence collection activities on the Korean peninsula.746
Feb. 10:
North Korea unilaterally postponed the implementation of an accord between it and South Korea to clear thousands of land mines along a portion of their border to build the inter-Korean railway. North Korea notified South Korea that it needed to change the schedule for "administrative reasons."747
Feb. 12:
The Washington Times reported that North Korea was continuing to build up its military forces and had shown few signs of matching diplomatic and military overtures offered by South Korea and the United States. The Pentagon said it had no plans to reduce the 37,000 troops based in South Korea until it saw clear signs that the North Korean military was reducing its hair-trigger posture. An official said: "Until we can get real verifiable confidence-building measures which move them back off the DMZ and increase warning time, I don't see changing [the troop numbers]."748
According to Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), North Korea's energy shortages stem from a lack of fuel, rather than power plants, and concluded that Seoul's annual provision of 250,000 tons of heavy fuel oil would be the best practical plan. Eleven different electricity-aid scenarios were examined and ranked based on two criteria-time needed to prepare the electricity provision and the amount of power generation. The second best plan cited was the provision of surplus hard coal, which could be shipped to the North without a preparatory period.749
Feb. 13:
Yonhap News reported that Hyundai Asan remitted an additional $6 million to North Korea as part of its January payment for its Mount Kumgang tourist project. Hyundai issued a statement which said: "After failing to reach an agreement through several attempts, we decided to send the additional $6 million and plan to hold discussions with the North on comprehensive issues regarding the Mount Kumgang tourist project within this month."750
Feb. 19-21:
U.S. Ambassador and representative to KEDO Chuck Kartman was in Seoul for talks on the LWR project. Kartman and the South Korean officials said they did not expect the Bush administration to seek changes to the project.751
Feb. 20:
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook met a senior delegation from the North Korean Foreign Ministry headed by Counselor Ri Yong Ho to discuss human rights issues and nuclear nonproliferation. It was the first meeting between Cook and a North Korean delegation since Britain and North Korea established diplomatic relations in December 2000. After the meeting, Cook told reporters that Britain would continue supporting dialogue between the two Koreas and expressed hope that the bilateral relations between Britain and North Korea would further develop.752
South Korean Defense Minister Cho Sung-tae told the National Assembly Defense Committee that South Korea would not consider participation in the U.S.-Japan led Theater Missile Defense system, citing South Korea's "regional characteristics." Cho said South Korea was studying an alternative that would fit its particular circumstances.753
Feb. 20-24:
Chung Mong-hun, chairman of Hyundai Asan, left for North Korea to negotiate payments for its Mt. Kumgang project with North Korean officials of the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee. Chung failed to reach a compromise, but said more time was needed to settle the matter.754
Feb. 21-24:
North and South Korea met in Pyongyang for their first working-level session on flood control measures on the Imjin River. South Korea proposed that both sides conduct field surveys of the area beginning in March and that, beginning in 2001, both sides exchange weather reports during the summer rainy season.755
Feb. 21:
North Korea warned the United States that it would scrap its moratorium on missile tests to protest what it called a hard-line policy by the Bush administration. North Korea accused the Bush administration of not being serious enough to study North Korea's offer to stop exporting missiles in return for compensation. In the same statement, issued through KCNA, North Korea said that if the United States did not fulfill the Agreed Framework, it would not be bound by it any longer. 756
The South Korean Government Administration and Home Affairs Ministry said it was conducting research comparing the two Koreas' administrative systems in order to help both Koreas better understand each other in their exchanges.757
Yonhap News reported that Russia proposed paying back part of its $1.7 billion it borrowed from South Korea through a joint investment in outdated key industrial facilities in North Korea.758
Feb. 22:
U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said North Korea's talk of ending its suspension of long-range missile tests was unhelpful and counterproductive. Rice said: "We have said that we are very concerned about the proliferation of missile technology that is coming out of North Korea and about the North Korean indigenous program. If that's a hard-line position, then so be it."759
The Associated Press reported that the Bush administration has decided to put priority on seeking a reduction in North Korean conventional forces. According to U.S. sources, the administration views the reduction as an "issue that should be realized clearly and immediately," and will aim at reaching a pact with North Korea. The U.S. has already discussed this idea with South Korea.760
Russian official Alexandre Tsurko revealed that Chairman Kim Jong-il would pay an official visit to Moscow in April.761
President Bush announced his intention to nominate James A. Kelly to be Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.762
U.S. envoy Evans Revere said that although there were concerns North Korea would not permit IAEA inspectors to carry out examinations on certain nuclear sites, the United States would insist on full compliance with the Agreed Framework. Revere also stressed that the reactor core of the LWRs would only be shipped to North Korea after suspicions were put to rest.763
The South Korean government said it would actively participate in settling the issue of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction. Foreign Minister Lee said: "We will seek to resolve the North's WMD issue through close consultations with the United States."764
Feb. 23:
Ambassador to Japan Thomas Foley, in his farewell speech, said: "There is a possibility that there will be a new political alignment on the Korean peninsula, but so far-although there is a possibility and a hope that the conditions will improve-from a security standpoint there are still as many North Korean missiles, there are still as many North Korean troops, there is not a dramatic change in the security situation." Foley also said that he was satisfied the Bush administration would continue the "spirit of cooperation and collaboration and consultation" with Japan and South Korea on North Korea matters.765
South Korean Ambassador to the United States Yang Sung Chul urged the new U.S. administration to abide by the Agreed Framework saying: "It's not prudent for anybody to undermine that framework." On missile issues, Yang also urged Bush to work further with Pyongyang on the basis of the progress made under the Clinton administration. Yang said: "We should not go back to the drawing board again," citing what he viewed was considerable progress made during the Clinton administration.766
The South Korean Ministry of Science and Technology announced that it is considering establishing a Nuclear Export Review Committee as an advisory group. The measure is being considered as the government expects to face a greatly increased workload for processing export licenses due to the coming transfer of two light-water reactors to North Korea under the KEDO project.767
Feb. 26-28:
The third round of meetings of separated family members took place between the two Koreas.768
Feb. 27-Mar. 3:
A small delegation of North Korean government officials visited the United States at the invitation of U.S. civic organizations. The North Korean officials from the Foreign Trade and Finance Ministries toured major U.S. cities for five days and inspected international finance organizations including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.769
Feb. 27-28:
Russian President Putin visited Seoul to meet with President Kim Dae Jung. The two leaders concluded a seven point joint communiqué, which reaffirmed their mutual efforts to secure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula through inter-Korean reconciliation and exchanges. Both shared the view that it was necessary to accelerate inter-Korean rapprochement and strengthen cooperation in various fields including trade and investments, energy and resources, and industry. The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to nonproliferation and the importance of the June 2000 inter-Korean summit. The Russian Federation confirmed its willingness to continuously support the course of enhancing inter-Korean contacts and productive cooperation between South and North Korea and Russia's willingness to invest several hundred million dollars into North Korea's railroad system to help speed up the connection of the Trans-Siberian Rail Line with the Korean peninsula.770
U.S. media speculated that the joint communiqué, which declared that the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty was a "cornerstone of strategic stability and an important foundation of international efforts on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation," showed that Kim publicly took Russia's side in the debate over the proposed US missile defense system.771
Notes for January 2001
686 "Hyundai construction to Cut 2,000 Jobs," Yonhap News, January 2, 2001.
687 "FM Says Govt. to Help N.K. Advance into Int'l Community," Yonhap News, January 2, 2001.688 "Koreas-Aid," Associated Press, January 3, 2001.
689 Toshimitsu Sawai, "World Bank offered economic support to N. Korea," Associated Press, January 2, 2001.
690 "China's aid to North plunged last year," Korea Herald, January 5, 2001.
691 "North Korea Says Japan Presents Dangerous Threat," Reuters, January 5, 2001.
692 Elaine Monaghan, "Albright Sorry to Leave N. Korea Issue unfinished," Reuters, January 5, 2001.
693 "N. Korea says U.S. peace agreement crucial," Reuters, January 5, 2001.
694 "Seoul sends draft on economic cooperation to Pyongyang," Associated Press, January 9, 2001.
695 "Chief negotiator for Red Cross talks," Korea Herald, January 8, 2001.
696 "Japanese firms to assume reactor project in N.K. instead of GE," Korea Herald, January 9, 2001.
697 Shin Yong-bae, "EU to continue backing inter-Korean talks," Korea Herald, January 9, 2001.
698 "German lawmaker Gregor Gysi Visits North, South Korea," Yonhap News, January 9, 2001.
699 Oh Young-jin, "President Kim Dae Jung pledged more reciprocal North Korean policy," Korea Times, January 11, 2001.
700 Son Key-young, "Russia seeks to link railway to TSR," Korea Times, January 11, 2001.
701 Cho Kyung Wook, "N. Korean leader Kim to visit Seoul 'as scheduled'," Associated Press, January 11, 2001.
702 "U.S. Congressmen to visit Seoul Thursday," Korea Herald, January 8, 2001 and "Bush Promises Closer Cooperation with Seoul," Yonhap News, January 13, 2001.
703 "Clinton sees U.S.-Korea agreement soon on missiles," Reuters, January 12, 2001.
704 "N. Korea proposes talks with South from Jan. 29," Reuters, January 12, 2001.
705 "N. Korea calls 2001 decisive year for reunification," Reuters, January 12, 2001.
706 "N. Korea forges diplomatic ties with Netherlands," Reuters, January 16, 2001.
707 "NKorea-Diplomacy," Associated Press, January 16, 2001.
708 "ULD Opposes National Security Law Revision," Chosun Ilbo, January 15, 2001.
709 "U.S. to remain 'security guarantor' in E. Asia," Associated Press, January 17, 2001.
710 Kim Min-bai, "Government to seek permanent peace system," Chosun Ilbo, January 17, 2001.
711 Sang-hun Choe, "SKorea-US Missiles," Associated Press, January 17, 2001.
712 Son Key-young, "Bush Team to Pose New Challenges," Korea Times, January 19, 2001.
713 "IFAD to Lend US$40 million in agricultural aid to N. Korea," Yonhap News, January 18, 2001.
714 "Minister Lee, Powell agree on close consultations on N. Korea policies," Korea Herald, January 19, 2001.
715 Kim Ji-ho, "Hyundai seeks to cut losses from Mt. Kumgang tours," Korea Herald, January 19, 2001.
716 "Japan begins loading rice for shipment to N. Korea," Associated Press, January 17, 2001.
717 "U.S. North Discuss Missile Question," JoongAng Ilbo, January 28, 2001.
718 Lee Chul-hee, "Brazil, in shift, Seeks Ties with the North," JoonAng Ilbo, January 20, 2001.
719 "NKorea-Kim Jong-il," Associated Press, January 24, 2001.
720 "Koreas-China," Associated Press, January 22, 2001.
721 "Normalization of Japan-NKorea Diplomatic Ties Inevitable, Agence France Presse, January 23, 2001.
722 "Germany decides to establish ties with North Korea," Associated Press, January 24, 2001.
723 "Luxembourg to open diplomatic ties with N.K.," Associated Press, January 25, 2001.
724 Elaine Lies, "Speech by Powell inflames leaders," Washington Times, January 26, 2001.
725 Park Hae-hyon, "France Makes No Moves for Ties with NK," Chosun Ilbo, January 26, 2001.
726 "S. Korea says Kim-Bush summit over," Reuters, January 25, 2001.
727 Jonathan Wright, "U.S. ready for engagement with N. Korea," Reuters, January 26, 2001.
728 Shin Yong-bae, "N.K. signals change through reform, openness," Korea Herald, January 29, 2001.
729 Shin Yong-bae, "N.K. signals change through reform, openness," Korea Herald, January 29, 2001.
730 Kim In-gu, "Third Family Reunions Set on February 26-28," Chosun Ilbo, January 29, 2001.
731 "U.S. Imposes Economic Sanctions on North Korean Firm," Yonhap News, January 30, 2001.
732 "Hyundai Remits Only $6 Million to N. Korea For Monthly Royalty," Yonhap News, January 30, 2001.
733 Kang Seok-jae, "Korea, U.S. to hold security consultative meetings regularly," Korea Herald, January 30, 2001.
734 "Koreas Reach Agreement on DMZ Joint Regulations," Korea Times, January 31, 2001.
735 "MDP to Revise National Security Law," Chosun Ilbo, January 31, 2001.
Notes for February 2001
736 Shin Yong-bae, "Top Diplomats Pledge Support for N.K." Korea Herald, February 1, 2001.
737 "Government decided to set up working panel on contingency legislation," Asahi Shimbun, February 4, 2001.
738 Oh Young-jin, "EU Economic mission arrives in Pyongyang," Korea Times, February 5, 2001.
739 "Canada forges diplomatic ties with North Korea," Reuters, February 6, 2001.
740 "NK Official Calls for US to continue engagement," Chosun Ilbo, February 6, 2001.
741 U.S. Department of State, "Joint Statement by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Joing-binn," Office of the Spokesman, February 7, 2001.
742 Kang Seok-jae, "N.K. delays implementation of DMZ accord," Korea Herald, February 12, 2001.
743 "Spain, N. Korea establish diplomatic relations," Associated Press, February 7, 2001.
744 "Korean Americans' assistance to North Korea tops $46 million," Korea Herald, February 6, 2001.
745 Sang-Hun Choe, "Koreas-Electricity," Associated Press, February 10, 2001.
746 "N.Korea Asking Russia for Military Satellite Images of Korea," Yonhap News, February 8, 2001.
747 "Koreas-Military Talks," Associated Press, February 12, 2001.
748 Bill Gertz, "N. Korea continues military buildup," Washington Times, February 12, 2001.
749 "KEPCO favors heavy fuel oil for North Korea," Korea Herald, February 12, 2001.
750 "Hyundai Pays N.K. Additional $6 Million for Mt. Kumgang Project," Yonhap News, February 13, 2001.
751 Song Jung-a, "No change in N. Korea nuke project under Bush-KEDO," Reuters, February 20, 2001.
752 "British Foreign Secretary meets N. Korean delegates," Associated Press, February 20, 2001.
753 "Korea not considering TMD, minister says," Korea Herald, February 21, 2001.
754 "Hyundai fails to reach accord on tourism fee," Korea Herald, February 23, 2001.
755 "Reports: Progress in Korea Talks," Associated Press, February 23, 2001.
756 Teruaki Ueno, "N. Korea threatens to scrap missile deal," Reuters, February 22, 2001.
757 Chang Jae-soon, "North Korea's administration under study," Korea Herald, February 21, 2001.
758 "Russia Hoping to Offset Its Debt to S.K. Through N.K. investment," Yonhap News, February 21, 2001.
759 Jonathan Wright, "Rice says North Korean missile talk counterproductive," Reuters, February 23, 2001.
760 "Bush to seek cut in N. Korea's conventional forces," Associated Press, February 22, 2001.
761 Toshikazu Seguchi, "Kim Jong-il to Visit Moscow in April by train," Yomiuri Shimbun, February 23, 2001.
762 "James Kelly Nominated as Asst. Secretary of State for E." White House Office of the Press Secretary, February 22, 2001.
763 Lee Joon-seung, "U.S. envoy says Pyongyang should fulfill promises," Korea Herald, February 22, 2001.
764 Shin Yong-bae, "Seoul to Help Resolve N. Korea Weapons issue with U.S.," Korea Herald, February 23, 2001.
765 "Ambassador Thomas S. Foley Farewell Speech," Department of State, February 23, 2001.
766 "S. Korean envoy urges Bush to honor 1994 accord," Associated Press, February 24, 2001.
767 Newsletter of the Technology Center for Nuclear Control, "Most plans to establish the export control procedures," January/February 2001.
768 Kyong-Hwa Seok, "Koreas Hold Third Round of Reunions," Associated Press, February 26, 2001.
769 "NK Economic Mission to Make Private Trip to US," Korea Times, February 20, 2001.
770 "S.K.--Russia Joint statement," Yonhap News, February 27, 2001.
771 Patrick E. Tyler, "South Korea Takes Russia's side in dispute over U.S. missile defense plan," New York Times, February 27, 2001.