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Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network DAILY REPORT For Friday, October 30, 1998, from Berkeley, California, USA |
1. Hyundai Founder's Trip to DPRK
The Associated Press ("HYUNDAI CHIEF'S TRIP HOME FROM NORTH KOREA TO BE
DELAYED," Seoul, 10/29/98) reported that ROK Unification Ministry
spokesman Hwang Ha-su said that the scheduled return home Friday of
Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung from a visit to the DPRK will be delayed
"one or two days." Hwang said that the DRPK abruptly asked Chung to
extend his stay. The DPRK gave no reason for requesting the change, but
there was speculation that the DPRK request may be related to possible
plans to allow Chung to meet Kim Jong-il.
2. DPRK Missile Development
The Washington Post carried an opinion article by University of Maryland
Professor Ken Conca ("FALSE ALARMIST," 10/24/98, A23) which disputed
arguments that DPRK missiles would soon be able to hit Alaska and Hawaii.
He stated that the DPRK satellite launch did not necessarily give it
intercontinental ballistic capability. The author argued, "In fact it
takes far less than intercontinental capability to put a satellite into a
low-earth orbit. Nor does a satellite-launch vehicle need the
sophisticated guidance technology that a ballistic missile requires to be
effective." He added, "The Korean peninsula is unstable, but raising the
false specter of a direct threat to American security does nothing to
help us to craft an effective, balanced approach to regional peace and
disarmament."
3. Japanese Emperor's Visit to ROK
Reuters ("MAJORITY OF JAPANESE BACK EMPEROR'S VISIT TO KOREA," Tokyo,
10/29/98) reported that a poll released on Friday by Japan's Mainichi
Shimbun said that 53 percent of Japanese support the idea of Emperor
Akihito making a visit to the ROK. Only 13 percent opposed the emperor
going to the ROK.
4. US Defense Secretary's Asian Trip
Reuters (Charles Aldinger, "U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY DEPARTS FOR ASIA ON
FRIDAY," San Francisco, 10/30/98) reported that US Defense Secretary
William Cohen was scheduled to fly to Hawaii Friday before a week-long
trip to Hong Kong, the ROK, and Japan. Cohen will attend annual joint
defense meetings with government and military leaders in Seoul next week
and later discuss potential joint cooperation on ballistic missile
defense with top officials in Tokyo. In Honolulu on Friday, Cohen was
due to meet Navy Admiral Joseph Prueher, commander of US forces in the
Asia-Pacific, to discuss the DPRK's August 31 rocket launch. Cohen will
meet Tung Chee-hwa, the PRC Chief Executive in the special economic
enclave of Hong Kong, on Monday before flying to Seoul for the annual US-
ROK security consultative meeting with Defense Minister Cheon Yong-taek
and military leaders. He will also hold talks in Seoul with President
Kim Dae-jung and later in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi
and Defense Minister Fukushiro Nukaga before returning to Washington on
November 6.
5. PRC-Taiwan Talks
The Associated Press (Annie Huang, "TAIWAN SEEKS CHINA TALKS RESUMPTION,"
Taipei, 10/29/98) reported that Sheu Ke-sheng, vice chairman of Taiwan's
government Mainland Affairs Council, said Thursday that Wednesday's
hijacking of an Air China Flight to Taiwan highlights an urgent need to
restart PRC-Taiwan talks on safety concerns. Sheu stated, "We should
resume the talks and sign an agreement as soon as possible."
Reuters ("TAIWANESE FIND BEIJING TOUGHER THAN EXPECTED," Washington,
10/29/98) reported that Su Chi, deputy secretary general to Taiwanese
President Lee Teng-hui, told a seminar in Washington that the Taiwanese
delegation to this month's dialogue with the PRC found the PRC government
more inflexible than they expected in its position on Taiwan's status.
Su said that the delegation thought the PRC might be moving away from its
view that Taiwan is just a renegade province. The head of the PRC
delegation, Wang Daohan, had once said that the phrase "one China"
referred to the future Chinese state after reunification. Su added, "We
had also heard academics talking about confederation, changing the
national flag and changing the national name. But now they have ruled
out all of those options. So we've come to the conclusion that the
leadership has become less flexible on this point." Another Taiwanese
delegate, Shi Hwei-yow, secretary general of the Straits Exchange
Federation, said that the delegation asked PRC Vice Premier Qian Qichen
whether there were different versions of the "one China" concept, but
Qian denied it. Kang Ning-hsiang of the opposition Democratic
Progressive Party, who was excluded from a meeting with PRC President
Jiang Zemin, stated, "How can we trust them, given their attitude and
their past record? The mainland authority hasn't shown any reciprocity,
so how can we move on from here?"
6. Indian-France Nuclear Talks
Reuters ("INDIA AND FRANCE DISCUSS NUCLEAR AND OTHER ISSUES," New Delhi,
10/29/98) reported that India and France ended two days of talks on
Thursday on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. An Indian Foreign
Ministry statement said "The issues which were covered included non-
proliferation and disarmament ... bilateral cooperation and developments
in Europe and South Asia." It added, "There was convergence of views on
many issues." Indian media reports said on Thursday that the dialogue
with France included the possibility of transfer of civilian nuclear
technology to India, but an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman refused to
comment on whether civilian nuclear technology was discussed with the
French delegation.
1. The Controversial Views Of Professor Choi
Chosun Ilbo ("CRITICISM ON PROFESSOR CHOI'S VIEW," Seoul, 10/30/98)
reported that Professor Choi Jang-jip of Korea University, concurrently
head of the presidential policy planning committee, was criticized
harshly for his controversial views on the Korean War at a seminar of the
Sungwoo-Hoe, a veterans' organization of former generals. Retired
Brigadier General Park Kyung-suk, president of the military commentators'
association, stated that Professor Choi had gone overboard when he wrote
that the Korean War was a war of national liberation, that Kim Il-sung's
decision regarding the War was a "historic" one, and that Kim Il-sung was
a nationalist dedicated to national unification. He also criticized
Professor Choi for his remark that "the crossing of the 38th parallel by
the US and South Korean forces during the war could not be understood
except as a manifestation of aggressive expansionism. Lieutenant General
(retired) Chang Joon-ik, former dean of the Korean Military Academy,
commented that "Professor Choi's writings shake the foundations of the
Republic. It is incomprehensible that such a person was appointed to a
key advisory position to the President. The government has to make its
position clear on this issue." The seminar, held on October 29, was
attended by some 300 retired and active generals.
Chosun Ilbo ("THE CONTROVERSIAL VIEWS OF PROFESSOR CHOI," 10/25/98) noted
that in Professor Choi Jang-jip's books "An Understanding of the Korean
War" (Tae-am, 1990), and "The Conditions and the Prospects of Korean
Democracy" (1993), he made the following controversial arguments. Choi
cites US Professor Bruce Cumings' "Child of Conflict" as evidence that
Kim Il-sung was "a fervent nationalist, rather than a communist" who
sought to unify the two Koreas. Choi also said that the traditional view
of the Korean War is "a justification for U.S. hegemony and the raison
d'etat of South Korea," and that it failed to take into account the
national liberation movement. He attributed the deluge of refugees from
the DPRK during the war to the US Navy's siege of Wonsan. He argued that
the Korean War began as a fight for national liberation, "but ceased to
be a civil war between revolutionary nationalistic forces and separatists
with the explosion of internal contradiction within the country." He
maintained that Kim Il-sung likely expected a limited war, and argued
that the DPRK forces were welcomed by many in the ROK during the early
stages of the war. He also said that the swiftness of the US decision to
intervene suggested that "they had been waiting for the North to give
them an excuse to act." Choi argued that the US "crossing of the 38th
parallel together with the South Korean army and subsequent advance deep
into the North can only be interpreted as aggressive expansionism." He
questioned whether the source of the US bombing campaign was "the result
of the advance of western science and civilization or from U.S.
imperialism?" He also argued that while then-ROK President Syngman Rhee
may be described as a nationalist, "he must also be branded as a
fascist."
2. Hyundai Founder's Trip to DPRK
Chosun Ilbo ("CHUNG EXTENDS STAY IN DPRK," Seoul, 10/30/98) reported that
the Hyundai Group said Friday that its honorary chairman Chung Ju-yung,
who was due to come back that day, had postponed his return from the DPRK
for a few days. A group spokesperson said that officials accompanying
Chung on his trip to the DPRK called Hyundai's Beijing office to pass on
the message that Chung's date of return would be delayed for a day or
two. No reasons were given for the sudden postponement, but the
officials in the PRC said there were more things Chung wanted to do in
DPRK, according to Hyundai. Sources at the company could not be sure of
the reason for the extension of Chung's stay, but suggested several
possible developments, including the granting of a meeting with DPRK head
of state Kim Jong-il, or a disruption in negotiations for the Mt. Kumgang
tour project.
3. Asian Economic Crisis
Korea Times ("KIM ACCENTS GREATER US, JAPAN ROLE TO HELP SOLVE ASIAN
CRISIS," Seoul, 10/30/98) reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung has
called on the US and Japan to play more active roles in helping Asian
countries overcome their economic crisis. The President said he will put
forth the request to the respective country's leaders when he meets them
at the sixth annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting to
be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia November 17-18. Kim made this and
other remarks during an exclusive interview with the Korea Times Thursday
at his Chong Wa Dae office to mark the newspaper's 48th anniversary on
Friday. "I think the U.S. and Japanese role in the Asian crisis will
dominate the Kuala Lumpur summit which will gather the leaders of the 22
Asia-Pacific countries," said Kim.
4. DPRK Underground Construction
Yonhap ("KARTMAN TO VISIT SEOUL BEFORE FLYING TO PYONGYANG ON NUKES,"
Seoul, 10/30/98) reported that Charles Kartman, US Special Envoy for
Korean Affairs, will visit Seoul just before he flies to Pyongyang on
November 16. He will discuss possible inspection of the DPRK's suspected
underground nuclear facility, an official of the ROK Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade said Friday.
1. PRC-Taiwan Relations
The Sankei Shimbun ("TAIWAN'S CONCERN ABOUT PRC PRESSURE ON POLITICAL
DIALOGUE," 10/30/98) reported that the Taiwanese President's Policy
Adviser, Zen Yong-xian, told the Sankei Shimbun that the statement by PRC
Vice Premier Qian Qichen in a series of unofficial meetings that "since
1949, the ROC (Republic of China) has not existed" is putting Taiwan
under heavy pressure to agree to political dialogue for unification. Zen
said that the recent meetings between Koo Chen-fu, chairman of the
Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), and PRC officials have: 1) provided a
new step to political dialogue between the PRC and the ROC; 2) clarified
both sides' stance; and 3) especially clarified Taiwan's stance that
political dialogue toward unification requires the PRC's democratization.
However, Zen pointed out that despite Qian's statement that both sides
should maintain contact without the fear of separation,
institutionalization of dialogue has still a long way to go. Regarding
PRC President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan slated for late next month,
Zen said, "Although the Mainland says that the Taiwan issue is a domestic
one, the Mainland is urging Japan to state in a written form that Taiwan
belongs to the Mainland. This indicates that the Mainland is trying to
internationalize the issue and that the Mainland is contradicting
itself." The Sankei Shimbun also cited Chang Rong-gong, Director of the
Kuomintang Committee on Mainland Affairs, as saying that Qian's statement
that despite disagreements both sides should continue dialogue indicates
a fundamental disagreement between the two sides. Chang also expressed
concern about Qian's statement, "The continuation of diplomatic bashing
against Taiwan is a trend of the international community, and Taiwan will
lose its friends over time."
2. Japanese Information Satellite
The Asahi Shimbun ("LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (LDP) PROJECT TEAM PROPOSES
ALLOCATION OF BUDGET FOR INTRODUCTION OF INFORMATION SATELLITE,"
10/29/98) reported that the LDP project team on information satellite,
led by former Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama, proposed on October 29 to
the LDP Policy Research Council to immediately select a ministry or
governmental agency to deal with information satellites and to allocate a
budget for an information satellite in this or next fiscal year. The
proposal points out, "To prevent threats and crises, to promote positive
peaceful diplomacy, and to contribute to a defense-oriented security
policy, it is necessary to introduce an information satellite as soon as
possible. It is also necessary to self-develop and produce within four
to five years an information satellite that is capable of identifying
even small things that are less than 1m." As for the 1969 Diet decision
on the peaceful use of space, the proposal sates, "Satellites are used
for civilian purposes including prediction of and dealing with large-
scale disasters and accidents. Therefore, introduction of a satellite
will not contradict 'peaceful purposes.'"
3. Japanese-Russian Relations
The Yomiuri Shimbun ("GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AID AND
VISALESS TRIP PROCEDURE TO FOUR NORTHERN TERRITORIAL ISLANDS," 10/29/98)
reported that the Japanese government decided on October 28 to provide
emergency medical aid to the four northern territorial islands (Kurils).
The aid includes visaless trips by medical personnel between Japan and
these islands in the times of emergencies, including disasters. The
decision will be announced at the time of Japanese Prime Minister Keizo
Obuchi's official visit to Russia slated for November 10. According to
the report, the existing procedures for humanitarian aid from Japan to
the northern territorial islands have been restricted to the earthquake
that hit the eastern coast of Hokkaido in 1994 and the procedures have
been complicated. The decision aims to clarify and simplify the
procedures between Japan and Russia.
1. DPRK Underground Construction
Jie Fang Daily ("US MISSION TO DPRK," 10/30/98, A3) reported that the US
State Department announced on October 28 that a diplomatic mission, led
by Charles Kartman, will visit the DPRK on November 16-18. The mission
will hold talks with its DPRK counterparts on access to an underground
construction site. The US suspected that the construction is related to
a nuclear weapon program. To dispel US suspicion, the DPRK agreed to a
US inspection. The two sides agreed to hold negotiation on this issue.
2. US-ROK Military Exercises
China Daily ("'98 US-ROK WAR GAMES ON DESPITE PEACE TALKS," 10/27/98,
A11) reported that the DPRK warned on October 26 that it will not stand
by passively during major US-ROK war games scheduled to start this week.
The DPRK said that the exercises prove the allies are not serious about
peace. The DPRK, in a signed commentary in its Rodong Sinmun newspaper,
accused the allies of honing their preparations to attack Pyongyang
instead of promoting peace. It noted that the Foal-Eagle '98 maneuvers--
aimed at thwarting a possible attack from the north--were due to start
immediately after the Geneva Four-Party peace talks ended on Saturday.
3. Four-Party Talks
Jie Fang Daily ("FOUR-PARTY TALKS REACH AGREEMENT," Geneva, 10/26/98, A3)
reported that the third plenary session of the four-party talks ended on
October 24, achieving concrete accomplishments. In the session, the four
parties agreed to establish two sub-committees where they will
respectively discuss the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean
Peninsula and tension reduction. The joint statement issued after the
meeting said that the PRC, the US, the DPRK, and the ROK held beneficial
and constructive discussions in the four-day meeting and approved a
memorandum on the establishment and operation of the subcommittees.
4. PRC-US Relations
People's Daily ("FM OPPOSES ANTI-CHINA US BILLS," 10/30/98, A4) reported
that the PRC Government expressed strong resentment and firm opposition
to the anti-China contents in two recent bills passed by the US Congress.
The report said that the Omnibus Appropriation Act and the 1999 Fiscal
Year Department of Defense Authorization Act serve to interfere in
China's internal affairs by supporting Tibetan separatist elements,
putting Taiwan into the theater missile defense (TMD) system, and
allowing the sale of arms to Taiwan, and obstruct normal Sino-US
cooperation in major sectors. PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Tang
Guoqiang said on October 29 that the US Congress's act has gravely
violated the fundamental norms of international relations and the
principles set out in the three Sino-US Joint Communiques, interfered in
the PRC's internal affairs, and created obstacles to the PRC's course of
peaceful reunification, and also to normal bilateral exchanges. Also,
Tang said, the PRC wishes the US would loosen control on high-tech
exports to the PRC, adding that more bilateral trade will be beneficial
to both sides now that huge US investments in the PRC are earning high
profits.
5. Hijacking of PRC Airliner
China Daily ("TAIWAN URGED TO REPATRIATE HIJACKERS," 10/30/98, A2)
reported that the Taiwan authorities are being urged to repatriate to the
mainland those responsible for hijacking Air China flight CA 905 on
October 28, PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Tang Guoqiang said in Beijing
on October 29. Repatriation of the hijackers will help safeguard the
safety of passengers and planes across the Taiwan Straits, Tang said.
The Boeing 737 was hijacked by flight co-commander Yuan Bin and his wife
between Beijing and Kunming, Yunnan Province. Sources from the local
prosecuting office in Taoyuan near Taipei said the hijacking is under
investigation. The two hijackers will be "tried" in Taiwan and should
serve at least part of their sentences there before they can be
repatriated, according to Liu Dezhen, the office's spokesman. Taiwan
repatriated two hijackers in July last year after long negotiations
between the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and
Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation.
6. PRC-Russian Relations
People's Daily ("JIANG MEETS SELEZNEV," 10/28/98, A1) reported that PRC
President Jiang Zemin met with Gennady Seleznev, chairman of the Russian
Duma, in Beijing on October 27. During the meeting, Jiang said that the
PRC and Russia should maintain and develop long-term good-neighborly
friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. Jiang said that
friendship and cooperation are not only based on a consensus reached by
Russian and Chinese leaders, but represent the aspirations of people in
both nations. Seleznev said the Russian Duma is willing actively to
advance the overall development of the Sino-Russian strategic
partnership. Seleznev also briefed Jiang on Russia's domestic situation.
Jiang expressed his confidence that the Russian people will overcome
their temporary difficulties and embark on the road to revitalization as
soon as possible.
7. PRC-Japanese Relations
China Daily ("JIANG: TREATY STABILIZES JAPAN TIES," 10/23/98, A1)
reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin met with former Japanese prime
minister Hashimoto Ryutaro and Murayrama Tomiichi and former Japanese
House of Representatives Speaker Sakurauchi Yoshio. Jiang said that the
PRC and Japan should adhere to principles enshrined in the Sino-Japanese
Treaty of Peace and Friendship to ensure long-term stable ties in the
21st century. The Japanese delegation is in the PRC to participate in
activities marking the 20th anniversary of the signing of the peace and
friendship treaty.
8. Russian-Japanese Relations
China Daily ("OBUCHI'S TRIP OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR PEACE PACE,"
10/28/98, A11) reported that Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's
official visit to Russia next month is still on, despite reports of
Russian President Boris Yeltsin's failing health, chief spokesman Hiromu
Nonaka said on October 27. Tokyo believes the visit, the first official
to Russia by a Japanese prime minister since 1973, is a key opportunity
for progress towards a peace treaty to end World War II hostilities. The
two sides are working to complete the treaty by 2000.
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