![]() |
Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network DAILY REPORT For Thursday, November 12, 1998, from Berkeley, California, USA |
DPRK Underground Construction
Reuters ("NORTH KOREA UPS ANTE IN INSPECTION ROW WITH U.S.," Tokyo, 11/12/98) reported that the DPRK's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), in a report monitored in Tokyo by Radiopress, on Thursday demanded that the US pay "reparations" for the right to see its suspect underground construction site. The report said, "Should the U.S. wish, despite all, to see the (facilities), they must respond to our open and aboveboard demands and pay proper reparations." It added, "If the U.S. side wants to break off our agreement, let them." Referring to Tuesday's remarks by a US State Department official, KCNA said, "This statement by the State Department about the so-called inspection suggests they mean to search inside the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and slanders and blasphemes the DPRK, which is earnestly working to carry out the agreement. If they really want to see the site, they may. And when it becomes clear that it is not a nuclear plant, they must of course pay reparations for their slander."
2. US Missile Test
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer ("MISSILE WILL TEST U.S. DEFENSE RADAR,"
11/04/98) reported that the US on November 5 was set to test-fire a
US$5.5 million Air Force missile from Kodiak Island near Alaska to the
Pacific Ocean 300 miles off Seattle. The missile's flight path was
designed to mimic the trajectory that an intercontinental ballistic
missile would follow if one were fired from the DPRK in the direction of
Los Angeles, so that US military radar could watch the approach of such
an incoming missile.
3. DPRK Famine
Reuters (David Brunnstrom, "N.KOREA SITUATION 'VERY SERIOUS' --UNICEF,"
Bangkok, 11/12/98) reported that Runar Soerensen, UNICEF's resident
project officer in Pyongyang, said that malnutrition in the DPRK has
eased slightly in the past year but tens of thousands of children are
still hungry and infant and maternal death rates are climbing. Soerensen
stated, "The situation is still very serious, in many different areas --
not only in nutrition, but also with the health system, water and
sanitation." He said that a joint assessment by UNICEF and the UN Food
and Agricultural Organization had found there would be "quite a lot of
shortfall of food for 1999. I was in one of the southern provinces last
week and they stated that the food -- the rice and the cereal like maize
they have harvested in the 1998 harvest season -- would keep them until
around January or February but not any longer." Soerensen said that
while the malnutrition situation among children aged from six months to
five appeared to have improved in recent months, "we are also very
worried about children above that age in primary and secondary school.
We have also recently seen quite a lot of malnourished older children and
we are very worried about that." He said that the number of people
suffering malnutrition ran into the tens of thousands. However, he
added, "We don't believe in any of these horror stories that have been
told in the press that millions of people have died of hunger. UNICEF
believes that if this was the situation in the country, it would be
reflected in the whole society. The government states themselves that
there is a famine in North Korea, but it's not like the famines that we
are used to in Africa. It's not like people are laying and dying in the
streets, but people are living under very difficult situations." He
added that UN agencies were joining with the Red Cross in launching
appeals for relief programs for the DPRK in December. Senior Red Cross
officials said in Seoul on Thursday that the DPRK was heading towards a
"catastrophe" unless it received more assistance from the international
community.
4. ROK-PRC Summit
The Associated Press (Renee Schoof, "CHINA SEES BETTER KOREAN RELATIONS,"
Beijing, 11/12/98) reported that PRC Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu
Bangzao quoted President Jiang Zemin as telling ROK President Kim Dae-
jung on Thursday that the PRC expects tensions between the DPRK and the
ROK to ease. Zhu said that Jiang told Kim that the PRC wants to
safeguard peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and believes "the
situation on the whole is relaxing." Zhu added that closer relations
between the PRC and the ROK are "not directed against any third party.
We will continue to maintain and develop our relations with North Korea."
Kim and Jiang ended their meeting by signing an agreement on a new
"partnership for the 21st century." Zhu said that they would release
details of the agreement Friday. In a speech later at Peking University,
Kim said that the accord would expand cooperation to all areas beyond the
economic ties the two countries have enjoyed since opening diplomatic
relations six years ago. Kim added that he would ask the PRC to play a
more active role in four-party peace talks for the Korean peninsula. He
stated, "The region must be safeguarded from such weapons of mass
destruction as nuclear bombs and missiles."
5. Northeast Asia Security Dialogue
Reuters (Matt Pottinger, "S.KOREA PRESIDENT URGES NE ASIA SECURITY
GROUPING," Beijing, 11/12/98) reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung on
Thursday called for the creation of a Northeast Asian regional security
body to manage territorial disputes and military tension. Kim stated,
"Northeast Asia remains the only region in the world where there is no
regional cooperative system for the maintenance of peace. We cannot but
feel the need for the establishment of a cooperative regional
organization."
6. ROK Economic Crisis
The Associated Press ("S KOREA WATCHDOG SLAPS $16M FINES ON 5 BIGGEST
CONGLOMERATES," Seoul, 11/12/98) reported that the ROK Fair Trade
Commission (FTC) fined the ROK's five biggest conglomerates a total of
US$16 million Thursday for illegally subsidizing weak subsidiaries. Park
Sang-jo, a chief auditor at the FTC, stated, "We may investigate the top
conglomerates again." Park added that a separate investigation was
already underway in smaller conglomerates accused of similar illegal
trade practices. Hyundai was fined US$7 million, Samsung US$2.3 million,
Daewoo US$3.4 million, LG US$1.7 million and SK US$1.6 million.
7. Alleged PRC Missile Technology Transfers
The Associated Press (Charles Hutzler, "CHINA MAY HAVE MOVED MISSILE
DATA," Beijing, 11/12/98) reported that an anonymous US official said
Thursday that the US suspects the PRC may have transferred missile
technology to Iran and Pakistan despite Chinese pledges to strengthen
missile export controls. The official would not comment on whether the
PRC may have assisted the missile program of the DPRK, but he noted that
the PRC has been a constructive partner in the four-party peace talks.
He added that the US has determined that Pakistan received DPRK, not
Chinese, help in developing the Ghauri missile launched in April. He
added that the issue of PRC missile transfers was discussed during a day
and a half of meetings between senior US arms-control negotiators, led by
Undersecretary of State John Holum, and their PRC counterparts, led by
Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and senior military commander General Zhang
Wannian. The two sides also discussed the DPRK's rocket launch in
August. Holum met with his counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang
Deguang, for the first time since the Clinton-Jiang summit. The US team
reportedly answered Chinese questions about joining the Missile
Technology Control Regime and how it operates. Holum said, "We are
working with them on a road map and a set of steps to take to" secure PRC
adherence to the treaty.
8. PRC Missile Development
The Washington Times (Bill Gertz, "CHINA PREPARED TO TEST ICBM WITH
ENOUGH RANGE TO HIT U.S.," 11/12/98) reported that the US intelligence
agencies said that the PRC is set to conduct the first flight test next
month of a new mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that
could reach the western US. The article quoted unnamed officials
familiar with classified intelligence reports as saying that satellite
photographs taken within the past several weeks over the PRC's Wuzhai
Missile and Space Center revealed increased test preparation activity and
appear to include plans for an "ejection test" of the new DF-31 ICBM.
According to the officials, the DF-31 is the first PRC ICBM capable of
being moved on roads. The missile will have a maximum range of about
5,000 miles and will use solid fuel, which makes it capable of being
launched within minutes. It also will be equipped with a "second-
generation" thermonuclear warhead with a yield of about 500 kilotons. A
1996 report by the US Air Force's National Air Intelligence Center in
Ohio said the DF-31 will "narrow the gap between current Chinese, US, and
Russian ballistic missile designs." The report said that the DF-31 "will
give China a major strike capability that will be difficult to
counterattack at any stage of its operation, from pre-flight mobile
operations through terminal flight phases." It added, "Road-mobility
will greatly improve Chinese nuclear ballistic missile survivability and
will complicate the task of defeating the Chinese threat." The article
quoted an unnamed US Defense Department official as saying, "The Chinese
have indicated they will do something around the time of the [December 5]
Taiwan elections. We don't know what it is." Li Zhaoxing, PRC
Ambassador to the US, declined to comment when asked about the upcoming
missile test, but said that the PRC is "extremely concerned" about any
developments that would alter Taiwan's status. He added that the PRC's
People's Liberation Army (PLA) modernization process is "peaceful." Li
said that the PRC is as open with the UN about its arms programs as "any
other world power."
9. PRC Military's Business Activities
Reuters (Bill Savadove, "THE BUSINESS OF CHINESE MILITARY STILL IS
BUSINESS," Shanghai, 11/12/98) reported that, despite a decree by PRC
President Jiang Zemin four months ago ordering the PRC military to cease
commercial activities, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) continues to
run many firms. Gerald Segal, director of studies for the International
Institute for Strategic Studies, stated, "So far there is little to show
for it, but that may be expecting too much. This process was always
going to take time. The PLA divestiture issue is also tied up with state
enterprise reform more widely and that is clearly stalled." He added
that military spending was likely to rise sharply next year to compensate
for forcing the army out of business. One large Guangdong-based
military-run company, the Sanjiu Enterprises pharmaceutical firm, has
promised to be handed over to the State Council. An official from
Shanghai Jinhong (Group) Co. Ltd., which includes 10 companies with links
to the Public Security Bureau, stated, "We will be independent soon -- by
the end of this year. It won't affect business."
10. PRC-Japan Relations
Reuters ("JIANG SAYS JAPAN TRIP TO LOOK AT PAST, BUILD TIES," Tokyo,
12/11/98) reported that PRC President Jiang Zemin said in an interview
with Japan's Asahi Shimbun conducted on Wednesday and published on
Thursday that he hopes his visit to Japan later this month will allow the
two countries to squarely face their past and build a relationship for
the future. Jiang stated, "Although the people of China, Asia and even
Japan itself suffered greatly in the past, this was the responsibility of
the Japanese military. The object of my trip to Japan will be for our
two countries to take a look at the past together and then build a
framework for future friendship and cooperation." Regarding a possible
apology by the Japanese government, Jiang stated, "A statement is
meaningless if it is only written prettily and can't be actually carried
out."
11. Japan-Russia Summit
The Associated Press (Mitchell Landsberg, "RUSSIAN, JAPANESE LEADERS
MEET," Moscow, 11/12/98) reported that Russian President Boris Yeltsin
presented visiting Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Thursday with
a plan to resolve the conflict over the Kuril Islands. The two leaders
were expected to sign previously resolved agreements on investment
protection and cooperation in transport, tourism, and environmental
protection. Yeltsin stated, "It's good that our agreements are being
implemented. I think we should fulfill the program." Russian officials
did not immediately describe in detail the proposal Yeltsin handed
Obuchi, but Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov described it as creating
conditions that would allow joint activity by both countries in the
Kurils.
12. Russian Ratification of START II
The Associated Press ("NEW RUSSIAN BILL MAY PAVE WAY FOR START II
RATIFICATION," Moscow, 11/12/98) reported that Gennady Seleznyov, speaker
of the Russian State Duma, said that several parliamentary committees
agreed Thursday to revise a bill that could pave the way for ratification
of the START II nuclear arms reduction treaty. Seleznyov said that the
bill was ready for consideration by the chamber and the government and
could be acted upon within weeks if President Boris Yeltsin accepts its
provisions. He said that the bill would specify how START II would be
implemented and financed. He added that Russian lawmakers objected to
Yeltsin's call to approve START II because it only gave them the option
of ratifying the treaty without spelling out other details. Roman
Popkovich, head of the Duma's Defense Committee, said Thursday that
ratification of START II would enhance Russia's defense capability by
allowing Russia to devote large sums of money to developing new weapons
and reviving the military. He added that Duma deputies were concerned
about such issues as the expansion of NATO and deployment of nuclear
forces and NATO forces closer to the Russian border, but he claimed that
possible revisions of the treaty would not alter its "essence."
13. Pakistan Nuclear Safety
The Associated Press ("U.S. OFFERS TO TRAIN PAKISTANIS," Islamabad,
11/12/98) reported that the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said that the US
offered Thursday to train Pakistanis in customs and export controls to
prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The ministry added,
"Pakistan remains committed not to export sensitive materials and
technologies to third countries and on this score its record is
impeccable."
1. ROK-PRC Summit Meeting
Chosun Ilbo ("KIM AND JIANG EMPHASIZE PARTNERSHIP," Seoul, 11/12/98)
reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung and his PRC counterpart Jiang
Zemin held summit talks Thursday in which it was agreed that the
diplomatic relationship between the two countries will be geared to
building comprehensive "partnership" ties for the next century. The two
presidents made a joint communique which set forth 34 concrete items
which will see bilateral cooperation increased to realize a partnership
bond. Projects include increased association between the heads of state,
governments, parliaments, and political parties of the two countries. As
well, they have agreed to enhance cooperation for political stability on
the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia; coordinate efforts to overcome
the economic crisis in Asia; and see the participation of ROK businesses
in projects in the PRC, such as highway and railroad construction.
During the summit meeting, President Kim urged that the ROK and the PRC
coordinate closely to establish partnership ties for the 21st century,
and Jiang lauded Kim's support for an improved political relationship
between the DPRK and the US. Meanwhile, Kim asked Jiang to visit the ROK
at his convenience, and Jiang answered that he would like to visit Seoul
at an appropriate time.
2. ROK-DPRK Economic Cooperation
Chosun Ilbo ("HYUNDAI AND SAMSUNG WARNED ON DPRK PROJECTS," Seoul,
11/12/98) reported that ROK Deputy Minister of Unification Chung Sae-hyun
announced Thursday that he had sent a warning to the Hyundai and Samsung
groups for issuing statements on DPRK projects without consulting the
government. In addition, the two companies were warned about
announcements concerning ventures that have not been agreed upon with the
relevant body in the DPRK, namely Hyundai's oil field development and
Samsung's west coast industrial plant. Chung said the two companies were
disrupting the order of economic cooperation between the ROK and the
DPRK. He continued that the principle of separation of politics and
business entrusts feasibility studies, methods and timing to companies,
but government approval is necessary for a project to go ahead. In the
future the administration will use licensing to control work in the DPRK,
and companies ignoring procedure will be penalized. The minister called
on the media only to report on DPRK projects that had been confirmed by
the government. A team has been established led by a deputy minister for
unification to ensure smooth operation of the Mount Kumgang Tour.
3. DRPK Famine
Korea Times ("RED CROSS CHIEF REVEALS GRAVE DPRK FOOD SITUATION," Seoul,
11/12/98) reported that an international Red Cross leader, citing the
grave food situation in the DPRK, said that her agency will double
humanitarian works in the reclusive country next year, especially in
health services. Dr. Astrid Heiberg, president of the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, made the remarks in a
press conference in Seoul after a five-day visit to the DPRK that began
November 6 and included the city of Sinuiju. Heiberg paid a courtesy
call on ROK Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil and held talks with Chung Won-
shik, president of the Korea National Red Cross (KNRC), before leaving on
Wednesday. "We trust that the world will respond. We hope to double our
work in health services in 1999," she said. She revealed that her agency
will appeal for US$9 million to help the DPRK. With her agency focusing
on health services, the other humanitarian organizations are expected to
play a central role in distributing food aid. The Red Cross society
showed a four-minute film illustrating the situation in the DPRK, which
included scenes of children suffering from malnutrition and disease. She
also appealed to the ROK, noting that they should not discontinue
assistance to their "brothers and sisters."
4. ROK-US Trade Relations
Korea Herald ("US-ROK TRADE RELATIONS LIKELY TO WORSEN," Seoul, 11/12/98)
reported that the ROK and the US are likely to enter into another round
of trade disputes as the US is stepping up pressure to restrict imports
from Asia, including the ROK. Trade relations between the two countries
had been relatively smooth until recently, owing in large part to the
recent settlement of the bilateral auto trade issue and the decision to
resume investment in the ROK by the US Overseas Private Investment Corp.
(OPIC). The hard-won thaw in trade ties, however, may prove to be short-
lived, the sources said, citing US President Bill Clinton's remarks
Tuesday that the US will no longer tolerate the importation of low-price
products from Russia and Asia, as they endanger the job security of US
workers. His remarks came after he met representatives of US steel firms
and unions who called for immediate steps to restrict imports of steel
goods, including those from the ROK. The US government is also working
out measures to cope with the complaints from other US industries,
including automobile parts and components, machinery and semiconductors,
who also report cases of injuries. "The latest move by the United States
seems to have been sparked by ROK steel exporters' strategy to increase
shipments to the United States and the European Union (EU), to make up
for losses from the shrinking domestic consumption under the IMF-led
stringency," said a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial
Economics and Trade. The US import regulations on steel products from
Asia will likely continue until 2000, unless the ongoing financial market
crisis sweeping the Asian region eases before then, she added.
1. Job Opportunity
Project Underground, a non-profit, human rights organization dedicated to
supporting communities threatened by the mining and oil industries,
announces an opening for the position of Development Director.
Responsibilities include developing relationships with potential donors
and foundations; soliciting grants and donations; "membership" supporter
development; proposal and report writing; and lead implementation of
marketing/ communication plan for Project Underground. The position
offers a full-time salary with competitive rates depending on experience,
plus benefits. The closing date for this position is December 10th,
1998. Project Underground is an equal opportunity employer encouraging
women and people of color to apply. To apply, send resume and three
references to: Project Underground, ATTN: Search Committee, 1847 Berkeley
CA 94703.
The NAPSNet Daily Report aims to serve as a forum for dialogue
and exchange among peace and security specialists.
Conventions for readers and a list of acronyms and
abbreviations are available to all recipients.
For descriptions of the world wide web sites used to gather
information for this report, or for more information on web
sites with related information, see the collection of
other NAPSNet resources.
Produced by the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development in partnership with:
Wade L. Huntley: napsnet@nautilus.org
Timothy L. Savage: napsnet@nautilus.org
Lee Dong-young: UNPOL@netsgo.com
Hiroyasu Akutsu: akutsu@glocomnet.or.jp
Peter Razvin: icipu@glas.apc.org
Chunsi Wu: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
Dingli Shen: dlshen@fudan.ac.cn
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Next Item][Contents]
[Prev. Item][Contents]
We invite you to reply to today's report, and we welcome
commentary or papers for distribution to the network.
International Policy Studies Institute
Seoul, Republic of Korea
The Center for Global Communications, Tokyo, Japan
Center for American Studies,
Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Berkeley, California, United States
Berkeley, California, United States
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Tokyo, Japan
Moscow, Russian Federation
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Return to the Top of this Daily Report