ROK and Inter-Korean relations May 2005

ROK and Inter-Korean relations

May 2005

Officials and students of both Koreas to meet
May 23, 2005 ? The two Koreas will hold a working-level meeting in Kaesong Tuesday to finalize specifics of next month's agreed-upon visit by a South Korean delegation to Pyongyang. The group, led by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, will attend the June 15 joint celebration marking the fifth anniversary of an inter-Korean summit. Besides administration officials, lawmakers including Uri Party Chairman Moon Hee-sang and Grand National Representative Kim Deog-ryong plan to attend the celebration. Additionally, university students from both Koreas will meet at the North's Mount Kumgang resort today and tomorrow to make plans for the inter-Korean celebration. About 450 South Korean students and 100 North Koreans will attend this week's gathering; their itinerary includes mountain climbing and cultural performances.
Koreas Prepare for June Event
Kim Dae-jung May Visit N. Korea as Main Architect By Ryu Jin Staff Reporter While a bit eclipsed by the nuclear standoff, South and North Korea have already started to liven up joint events to celebrate the inter-Korean summit in 2000 as the North has invited some high-profile figures from the South, including key aides to former President Kim Dae-jung. Lim Dong-won and Park Jie-won, main architects of the first-ever summit, were invited along with others who had pushed for the landmark event five years ago to visit Pyongyang to attend the June 14-17 festivities marking its fifth anniversary, according to officials yesterday.
North balks again on 6-way talks
May 20, 2005 ? Representatives of North and South Korea reached an accord on several issues involving inter-Korean relations yesterday, but failed to make progress on the key issue of when, or if, Pyongyang might return to the six- nation nuclear disarmament talks.
Roh says war almost never justifiable, must be avoided
May 20, 2005 ? President Roh Moo-hyun, addressing foreign diplomats yesterday, spoke extemporaneously about war, saying it is almost never justifiable. Mr. Roh had invited diplomats and their spouses from 92 diplomatic offices in Seoul to the Blue House for a reception. "For a particular nation or people, war may be recorded as great history," Mr. Roh said. "But for other people, war is never great or happy. Just how many wars have happened in history that were great for a nation or people and also great from the perspective of world peace, human dignity and values?" He continued, "We should prevent war by all means. I hope we can achieve world peace by our own hands."
Unification Minister Counters Criticism
By Reuben Staines Staff Reporter Unification Minister Chung Dong-young Saturday promised that Seoul will continue to press North Korea on the nuclear issue as he fended off criticism from conservatives who claim he is using the inter-Korean dialogue to boost his own political fortunes.
GNP bills would aid veterans, defectors
May 21, 2005 ? Opposition Grand National Party members have introduced a series of bills aimed at supporting veterans, defectors and others regarded as patriots. The measures will be submitted next month to the National Assembly for consideration. One bill for veterans would upgrade medical and social welfare benefits for the 359,000 soldiers who served in the Korean or Vietnam wars. About 245,000 of them who are over 65 years old now receive 60,000 won ($60) per month in veteran support payments. Another proposal, prepared by the lawmaker Park Se-hwan, calls for the government to exert more effort to discover and repatriate the remains of Korean soldiers who died during the two wars. A bill prepared by Representative Lee Kei-kyung seeks to recognize as "men of merit" the 12 surviving members of a band of 45 citizens who voluntarily guarded the Dokdo islands against Japanese aggression in the 1950s. After the Korean War, Japanese vessels sailed toward the islands, but residents from the nearby Ulleung island formed the civilian guard, sailed to Dokdo and successfully held off the Japanese.
Flames of Kwangju Resistance Must Be Kept Raging: Rodong Sinmun
Pyongyang, May 19 (KCNA) -- The flames of the Kwangju resistance in south Korea must be kept raging. The desire of the resistance fighters can be realized only by bringing earlier the reunification of the country through three forms of cooperation: cooperation for national independence, peace against war and reunification and patriotism. Rodong Sinmun Thursday says this in an article dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the heroic Kwangju Popular Uprising.
Inter-Korean Working-level Talks Close
Kaesong, May 19 (KCNA) -- The working-level talks between the north and south authorities, which opened in Kaesong on May 16, closed today. At the talks our side pointed to the principled issues of fundamental significance in tiding over the abnormal situation beclouding the prospect of inter-Korean relations and developing them in the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration. Our side underlined the need for the south side to have the stand of developing the inter-Korean relations in the idea of by our nation itself and on the principle of national cooperation, free from the outdated viewpoint of negating our bedrock, pursuing the showdown between the systems and attaching importance to cooperation with outside forces as evidenced by its action to prevent a civilian memorial delegation from visiting Pyongyang in July last year. At the talks both sides adopted a joint press release after agreeing on it.
North, South take a break from edgy talks
May 19, 2005 ? Representatives of the two Koreas stepped back yesterday from efforts to advance bilateral relations after negotiations bogged down following two days of talks. The delegations said they intended to resume their discussions today as South Korea's representatives returned yesterday to the capital for consultations. Seoul had held out hope that the contacts in Kaesong, North Korea, would conclude Tuesday with the announcement of a joint statement, but the two sides failed to reach agreement on almost every issue discussed, including North Korea's nuclear arms development, whether to revive family reunions and detailed arrangements for a visit to Pyongyang by South Korean officials next month. Unification Ministry officials in Seoul said a chief disagreement was whether the principle of keeping the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free would be cited in a statement at the end of the talks. Determined to address North Korea's nuclear programs, Seoul insisted the issue be included, but North Korea rejected the idea.
President lauds Gwangju uprising 'victory'
May 19, 2005 ? GWANGJU ? To commemorate the 1980 uprising in support of democracy in the country, President Roh Moo-hyun said yesterday that Korean society has evolved to the point where it is now a major factor driving state affairs. Joined by other political leaders, Mr. Roh went to this southern city yesterday to attend the 25th-year anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement, one of the most tragic and important events in modern Korean history. "The history of May 18 is a history of victory," Mr. Roh said in his speech at the May 18 National Cemetery. "Brutal violence of military rule failed to dishearten Gwangju citizens' passion for democracy. It showed how great the power of the citizenry is."
[EDITORIALS]Fertilizing bilateral relations?
One wonders what exactly the objective of the government is in holding talks with the North when taking a look at its negotiating attitude. We have argued that the North's nuclear ambitions and bilateral relations cannot be dealt with separately at these talks. Nevertheless, the government is making a mistake by making a proposal that veers from nuclear disarmament talks. The proposal in question is asking the North to hold senior-level minister meetings at a joint celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of the June 15 inter-Korean summit between then- President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2000. The celebration is an annual event in which civic organizations from both the South and North and abroad participate. Thus, the event can be conducted on a civilian level. Why do we have to push for a minister-level meeting at this point? During talks with the North, we only briefly touched upon the North Korean nuclear issue like it was trivial matter. It looked like the government was trying to get a nod from Pyongyang for a ministerial meeting in Pyongyang. Does the government have no pride left?
Chung Wants to Meet NK Leader
By Joint Press Corps & Ryu Jin Staff Reporter KAESONG, North Korea - South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young will likely lead the government delegation to Pyongyang to jointly celebrate the fifth anniversary of the inter- Korean summit in 2000, officials said yesterday.
South, North Tentatively Agree to Cabinet Talks in June
Kaesong Talks Resume By Reuben Staines Staff Reporter Seoul and Pyongyang will resume tense vice- minister-level negotiations at the North Korean border town of Kaesong Thursday, with the South seeking to stabilize inter-Korean ties and woo the reclusive communist nation back to the nuclear bargaining table. The two Koreas have tentatively agreed to hold Cabinet-level talks in June but remain at odds over other major issues, Unification Ministry officials said Wednesday. ``A key stumbling block is the North's refusal to mention the nuclear issue in a statement to be issued at the end of the talks,'' a source close to the talks said.
Two Koreas to Hold Worship in Mt. Kumgang
By Kim Ki-tae Staff Reporter Christians from South and North Korea will hold a religious service together for the unification of the peninsula in the North's Mt. Kumgang on May 24. The National Council of Churches in Korea, the association of the South Korea's Protestant sects, yesterday announced that around 200 priests and laymen will cross the border to attend the service. Some 20 North Korean Christians are also expected to attend. The Communist nation has one Protestant church called ``Pongsu'' in its capital. ``The service will be monumental as it is the first of its kind to be held in the peninsula, attended by laymen from across the border,'' said Rev. Kim Tae-hyon, the council's executive secretary. The joint religious service was agreed upon by the council and the North's Korea Federation of Christians last October. During the ceremony, 20 South Koreans from Dong Kwang Church in Seoul and 10 North Koreans from the Pongsu church will form a joint choir.
North's Stalling Tactics
Don't Avoid Nuclear Discussion with Seoul Vice ministers from the two Koreas will meet again on Thursday to wrap up their extended talks with a package settlement. As expected, the biggest stumbling block was the difference over the North's nuclear program. There have been agreements on the resumption of Cabinet-level dialogue and joint celebration of the fifth anniversary of historic inter-Korean summit. All these, however, will lose luster if the two sides fail to include Pyongyang's commitment to the nuclear issue in the joint statement
Seoul's Offer Will Satisfy Both US, N.Korea'
_ Unification Minister May Explain Details to Kim Jong-il _ By Ryu Jin Staff Reporter South Korea has been drawing up a new proposal that can satisfy both North Korea and the United States so the multilateral talks on the North's nuclear program, once resumed, could see ``substantial progress,'' Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday. ``We will consult with concerned nations on what can be included in our proposal, based on the one we had already presented in the third round of the six-party talks last June,'' Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon said. He added Seoul will have the new proposal contain ``more common grounds'' between the U.S. and the North so they could find ``sufficient room'' to find a compromise to end the standoff over the nuclear issue. [Self delusion]
North, South wrangle at engagement talks
May 18, 2005 ? On the second day of inter-Korean talks in Kaesong, North Korea, representatives from Seoul and Pyongyang struggled yesterday to find common ground as negotiators argued over the specifics of fertilizer aid from the South and a planned visit next month by a South Korean delegation to the North. The two sides planned to end the meeting around 4 p.m. and to issue a statement, but the talks bogged down over almost all issues covered. On Monday in the first day of talks, the two sides agreed that Seoul would provide 200,000 tons of fertilizer aid to North Korea. At yesterday's meeting, North Korea requested that Seoul increase the amount and send the first shipment before the end of May, according to pool reports from the joint press corps. South Korea, however, said a ministerial meeting should be arranged in June to discuss additional aid. In January, the North initially asked for 500,000 tons of fertilizer, but the South was reluctant to provide the aid, citing worsening public opinioin at home and abroad over Pyongyang's nuclear arms development.
Mr. Chung became the unification minister in July, but inter-Korean contacts stalled shortly after he assumed the post. After Seoul secretly airlifted more than 460 North Korean defectors from Vietnam, Pyongyang cut off contacts in protest.
Inter-Korean Working-level Talks Open
Kaesong, May 16 (KCNA) -- The working-level talks between the north and south authorities were opened here Monday. The talks were attended by delegates led by Kim Man Gil, deputy director of the Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, and suite members from the north side and delegates with Ri Pong Jo, "vice-minister of Unification," as chief delegate and suite members from the south side.
Minister Chung Seeks to Visit NK
By Joint Press Corps & Ryu Jin Staff Reporter KAESONG, North Korea _ South and North Korea on Tuesday agreed to jointly observe the fifth anniversary of the inter-Korean summit in 2000, with the South sending a government-level delegation to Pyongyang, officials said. However, the two Koreas engaged in late-night negotiations, falling short of a package deal that includes agreements on major agenda, including the resumption of inter-Korean ministerial talks and a new round of temporary reunion of separated families.
Seoul Woos N. Korea With Economic Aid
By Joint Press Corps & Ryu Jin Staff Reporter KAESONG, North Korea _ Will North Korea finally return to the multinational nuclear talks to unwrap the ``mysterious package'' offered by the South? Since South Korea has pulled a lure out of its pocket to coax the reclusive North back to the bargaining table, all the eyes of the world are fixed on one question: what is the ``important proposal'' that Seoul said it will spell out in the next round of six-party talks? Vice Unification Minister Rhee Bong-jo, the Southern chief delegate to the two-day talks between the two Koreas here in Kaesong, told his North Korean counterpart Kim Man-gil that Seoul would present a new proposal at the negotiation table once Pyongyang returns to the six-way talks. [Self delusion]
Making History in Cheju
By Andrei Lankov Cheju, the only island province of Korea, is now marketed as a sub-tropical paradise, a land of picturesque mountains, waterfalls and wild flowers. Few people outside Korea know that within living memory this paradise was the site of the worst civil conflict in the nation's recent history, second only to the Korean War in the loss of human lives. On April 3, 1948, at 2:00 a.m., signal bonfires were lit on the slopes of Cheju's mountainsides. Following the signal, the mobile well-armed groups proceeded to their targets: police stations, headquarters of ``reactionary'' (that is, anti-left) political associations, and government offices. The groups were poorly armed, but they had surprise and planning on their side. By dawn, all those symbols of authority had been put to the torch, their defenders killed or driven away. The Cheju Uprising had began.
South offers North payoff for 6-way talks
May 17, 2005 ? In the first high-level meeting in 10 months between representatives of the two Koreas, a Seoul official offered major incentives yesterday to Pyongyang if it would return to the stalled six-party nuclear disarmament talks. South Korean officials did not specify what the offer was. For its part, North Korea asked for supplies of fertilizer and rice. South Korean officials said they would provide the fertilizer. [Aid weapon] [Self delusion]
Two Koreas engaged in months of contact
May 17, 2005 ? For six months, top officials from North and South Korea have been carrying on secret communications as Seoul has sought ways of restarting a high-level dialogue with Pyongyang, senior officials of South Korea's Unification Ministry said yesterday. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, Seoul's top North Korea policymaker, exchanged three letters with Im Dong-ok, a senior North Korean Workers' Party official in charge of South Korea affairs, over the past six months, Seoul officials said. The latest exchanges took place early this month in hopes of resuming the stalled inter-Korean talks, they said. "The North Korean official who contacted Minister Chung three times in writing was Im Dong-ok, first deputy director of the Workers' Party's Unification Front Division," a high- ranking Unification Ministry official said. "Through such contact, secret high-level talks between the two Koreas, which ceased after the end of President Kim Dae-jung's administration, were restored."
Telephone Message to South Side
Pyongyang, May 14 (KCNA) -- Senior Councillor of the Cabinet Kwon Ho Ung who is heading the north's side delegation to the North-South Ministerial Talks today sent a telephone message to "Minister of Unification" of south Korea Jong Tong Yong who is chief delegate of the south side's delegation in connection with the dispatch of its delegates to the working talks between the north-south authorities. Noting that the fifth anniversary of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration is drawing near, the message said: To our regret, the relations between the authorities of the north and the south have not yet departed from confrontation contrary to the basic spirit of the joint declaration. This greatly disappoints all the fellow countrymen. Both sides should remain true to the idea of by our nation itself, the basic spirit of the joint declaration, under any circumstances. Proceeding from this, we have the pleasure to notify you that we will send three delegates and three suite members to Kaesong from May 16 to 17 for the working-level talks between the authorities of the north and the south, prompted by the desire to put the inter-Korean relations on a normal track in the idea of by our nation itself at an early date. We deem it advisable to discuss and decide on specific technical issues related to the talks through the contact between liaison representatives in Panmunjom. Looking forward to a positive response from your side.
Chung Expresses Hopes for S-N Talks
By Ryu Jin Staff Reporter Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, left, and other well-wishers wave good-bye to the Southern delegates before the delegates' departure for Kaesong in North Korea for a two-day meeting, in front of the Office of the South-North Dialogue in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
After enduring months of frustrations, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young finally smiled. ``It is very good news _ like welcome rain after a long drought!'' he said, expressing his excitement at the reopening of inter-Korean talks in Kaesong on Monday. And there are plenty of reasons for him to be so pleased at the outset of the first official inter-Korean talks in 10 months. Only days after he took the oath as the South's unification minister, a series of unsavory events took place to sour inter-Korean relations, which had slowly flourished in recent years since the first-ever summit in June 2000. On July 8, Pyongyang slammed Seoul's disapproval of a trip of a group of South Koreans who intended to present condolences to the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. The relations worsened when a total of 468 North Korean defectors were airlifted to Seoul later in the month. And, to his dismay, Chung, who took a one-month special lesson on inter-Korean affairs, had to helplessly see the 15th round of Cabinet-level talks, which he had so anticipated in August, canceled amid the soured relations.
Troubleshooters Meet as Chief Delegates
By Joint Press Corps & Ryu Jin Staff Reporter KAESONG, North Korea - ``Long time no see.'' ``Let's try to make it.'' A well-prepared negotiator from Seoul and a rising star from Pyongyang, both called ``troubleshooters,'' met again yesterday more than a year after their last encounter. South Korea's Vice Unification Minister Rhee Bong-jo and Kim Man-gil, a deputy director at North Korea's Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, sat down for one-on-one talks in the North's border city of Kaesong. In August 2002, when the inter-Korean ministerial talks had stalled after a fatal naval clash in June the same year, Rhee and Kim attended a working-level officials' meeting at the North's scenic Mt. Kumgang, which led to the seventh round of Cabinet-level talks between the two Koreas.
South Korea Makes Offer To North as Talks Resume
High-Level Meeting Is Attempt at Reviving Nuclear Negotiations By Anthony Faiola Washington Post Foreign Service Tuesday, May 17, 2005; Page A12 TOKYO, May 16 -- South Korea resumed high-level diplomatic talks on Monday with North Korea and said it had made a new proposal for jump-starting stalled international negotiations to dismantle the North's nuclear weapons program. South Korean officials refused to provide details, but the offer marked another attempt by the Seoul government to position itself as a mediator in the nuclear crisis with North Korea that has raised tensions across East Asia. During the last round of six-nation disarmament talks 11 months ago, South Korea floated an unsuccessful proposal involving aid and security guarantees to the North. Officials in Seoul on Monday suggested that the new offer may be more attractive than the previous one. South Korea has been pressing the Bush administration to be more flexible in negotiations with North Korea. [Friction] [Self delusion]
North, South resuming direct talks at Kaesong
May 16, 2005 ? After a halt of almost a year in direct contact between the two Koreas, the two sides said over the weekend they would resume high-level talks today over fertilizer supplies from the South, plans to improve the inter- Korean rail system and when to restart ministerial negotiations. A senior government official involved in talks with the North said yesterday that South Korean and North Korean officials would meet today in Kaesong over two days to address ways to improve bilateral ties.
"Law on Past History" Recently Adopted in S. Korea Termed Unpopular
Pyongyang, May 13 (KCNA) - The "law on the past history" that had long remained a controversial issue between the ruling and opposition camps formally passed through the south Korean National Assembly recently. But it turned out to be an unpopular one as it is quite contrary to its original purport. It was a product of the compromise between the two camps. The law calls for ncluding what they call "violence by pro- north and pro-communist forces" denying and antagonizing the "true nature" of the south Korean system among the objects of the probe into the past crimes
South, North Meet on Monday Amid Hopes for Nuke Talks
By Ryu Jin Staff Reporter Senior officials from South and North Korea will hold talks on Monday after a 10-month hiatus to discuss the ever intensifying standoff over Pyongyang's endeavor to develop nuclear weapons and normalize the inter-Korean dialogue.
English Defense Paper Issued
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter The Defense Ministry Saturday published an English version of its annual defense white paper, in which the Dokdo islets are specified as being part of the country's outer territories.
The latest white paper avoids labeling North Korea the country's ``main enemy,'' only referring to the communist regime's conventional weapons, weapons of mass destruction and forwarded-deployed troops as a ``direct threat.''
Two Northern boats briefly cross border
May 14, 2005 ? Two North Korean patrol boats briefly violated the maritime inter-Korean border in the Yellow Sea yesterday, but pulled back after warnings from the South Korean Navy, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. "We don't think they were trying to raise tensions," said an official with the Joint Chiefs. North Korea does not acknowledge the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, which was established by the United Nations Command at the end of the Korean War in 1953. The navies of both Koreas last year established a radio and flag communication system to reduce the risk of confrontations in the area, which have happened sporadically. South Korea last month said it was considering deploying small, radio-controlled planes with cameras and sensors to monitor the area.
Samsung Donates W30 Bil. to Yonsei University
By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Reporter Samsung Group has decided to donate 30 billion won ($30 million) to a prestigious private school, Yonsei University in celebration of its 120th anniversary.
Virtual reunions
May 13, 2005 ? South Korea's Red Cross demonstrated yesterday a model video from Byun O-nam, 87, whose family was separated during the Korean War. It is hoped that similar videos can be sent to North Korea for relatives of divided families. The Red Cross intends to make 4,000 videos this year for eventual delivery to the North.
Roh Stresses Securing Peace on Korean Peninsula
By Shim Jae-yoon Korea Times Correspondent TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - President Roh Moo-hyun told his fellow countrymen Wednesday that the pace of reunification of the two Koreas should not be hasty. ``It will take lots of time for us to achieve the reunification of the Korean Peninsula, although all of us long and strive for it,'' Roh said during a meeting with a group of ethnic Koreans here. ``I think the slower reunification comes, the less costs and the fewer side effects will be involved,'' he said. [Diaspora]
Rush on to abandon citizenship
May 12, 2005 ? Prompted by a revision in laws governing Korean nationality, parents with sons who have dual citizenship have been rushing to immigration bureaus in the country to give up their children's claim to Korean citizenship so that the sons need not serve in the military. Responding on the sudden surge in applicants seeking to renounce their citizenship, an official with the Immigration Bureau said yesterday, "With more than 95 percent of the applicants being male nowadays this has the look of a draft-dodging attempt by those who do not want to face mandatory military service." The rush to drop Korean citizenship was triggered by a bill passed on Wednesday that would bar individuals with dual citizenship from renouncing their Korean citizenship until after fulfilling their military duties. The law will take effect at the end of this month or the beginning of next month. After completing a medical examination and being declared fit, all South Korean males must serve 24 months of military service sometime after the age of 20. The lengths of service vary by a few months depending on the branch of the military.
Young Men Abandoning Nationality Over New Law
By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter A surging number of young Korean males with dual nationality have given up their Korean citizenship in a bid to avoid mandatory military service.
S-N Families to Get Video Messages
By Reuben Staines Staff Reporter The emotional messages and life stories of thousands of elderly South Koreans who were separated from relatives in the North by the Korean War will be recorded on film, the Unification Ministry said Wednesday. Jung Seung-hun, director of the ministry's separated family division, said Seoul is seeking an agreement with Pyongyang to have the video messages from South Koreans delivered to their long-lost family members.
S. Korean Publisher to Pay $150,000 for NK Novel
SEOUL (Yonhap) - A South Korean publishing firm said Wednesday it will pay $150,000 in copyright royalties to a North Korean writer, marking the first such deal since Seoul vowed to honor the copyright of North Korean publications in April.
GNP Proposes Joint Fishing Zone in West Sea
The main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) on Wednesday proposed that the government designate a joint fishing zone for the two Koreas around the sea border that divides the two countries. The area surrounding South Korea's Yonpyong Island, which is 180 meters south of the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border, has been congested with Chinese fishing boats at the peak of crab catching season. In June 1999 and June 2002, vessels from the South and North's navies clashed in waters around the western sea border.
N. Korean Novel to Be Made Into S. Korean Film
By Kim Ki-tae Staff Reporter A South Korean filmmaker will screen a North Korean novel on the life of the 16th century hostess Hwang Chin-i. Siz Entertainment yesterday said that it had recently signed a copyright agreement with unidentified North Korean authorities. The novel ``Hwang Chin-i'' was written by North Korean novelist Hong Sok-jung in 2002 and also published in South Korea last year. ``We reached the agreement during a recent visit to Kaesong in the North,'' Siz's president Jo Seong-won said. However, he declined to comment on the details. The filmmaker is to hold a relevant press conference at 2 p.m. today. Meanwhile, Yonhap News Agency yesterday reported the filmmaker will likely shoot most of the scenes in the North from spring next year. If the reported plan is realized, it will be the first South Korean film shot on North Korean soil.
Korea University chief rejects resignations
May 10, 2005 ? Korea University President Euh Yoon-dae rejected yesterday resignations handed in by 10 senior officials, who offered to step down following protests at last Monday's honorary degree conferment ceremony for Samsung's chairman, Lee Kun-hee.
S. Korean Top Diplomat's Anti-North Outcries Flailed
Pyongyang, May 7 (KCNA) -- It is an undeniable reality and publicly recognized fact that the U.S. attempt at invading the north is frustrated, peace and security are ensured on the Korean Peninsula and the destiny of the Korean nation is protected by the powerful nuclear deterrent of the DPRK. A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said this in an answer given to a question put by KCNA on Friday denouncing the "minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade" of south Korea for making impudent remarks seriously getting on the nerves of the north.
It is needless to say that but for the DPRK's nuclear treasured sword, the U.S. would have ignited a war on the Korean Peninsula more than a hundred times and south Korea, too, would have not gone safe. Now that south Korea, in actuality, has benefited from the Songun policy and nuclear umbrella of the north, the former should have condemned the U.S. moves to impose war disasters upon the Korean nation.
Opposition promotes human rights in North
May 09, 2005 ? The Grand National Party said yesterday it will hold legislative discussions Thursday to establish a North Korea Human Rights Act
Top universities face off with celebratory vintages
May 09, 2005 ? The annual sports showdown between the nation's long-time rival universities has not begun yet, but Yonsei University and Korea University are staking their prestige in a challenge of a different vintage: What wine goes best with what university. At an event to commemorate Yonsei's 120th anniversary, a Californian red wine was unveiled to represent the school. "We chose the Hawk Crest Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the United States in 2000," the school announced. Park Young-ryeol, head of the school's external relations office, said Yonsei received 3,000 bottles of Hawk Crest Cabernet from an alumni group. Each bottle costs 30,000 won ($30). Yonsei decided to add an extra wine label with a picture of an eagle, Yonsei's mascot. The bottles will only be used for school and will not be sold to the public. Korea University bought 20,000 bottles of Medoc wine last July to commemorate its centennial this year. The Chateau La Cardonne was also made in 2000. "It was sold to alumni for 33,000 won each," Korea University said. The bottles had a label attached depicting the school campus.
DJ Illusion, Completely Off the Limit
Final Edition of DJ's Self-Absorption By Kwak Dae Jung, Editorial Board [ 05.02.2005(Mon) 15:46 ] Former president Kim delivering a speach in Asia Association Kim Dae Jung, the former South Korean president finished his seven day trip to the US and returned to South Korea yesterday. Looking into the speeches DJ made during his trip, we soon discover his self-absorption has come to a serious level. During his visit to the US, DJ made speeches in various places including Asia Association, University of San Francisco, Stanford University. Since his speeches were pretty much the same from one to the other, let's look into his key points without going through each of the speeches.
Some other statements made by DJ include US must first provide economic compensation and regime maintenance assurance to North Korea, North Korea's goal is not nuclear weapons possession but an improvement of US-DPRK relations, and South Korea accepted all the North Korea defectors until now and other gibberish statements. At this point, there is no need to even respond, but ignore them by saying, "we can clearly see the level of DJ's Sunshine Policy."
Cooperation for Peace against War Called for
Pyongyang, May 4 (KCNA) -- Cooperation for peace against war is a patriotic cause aimed at shattering the evermore reckless moves of the U.S. and Japanese aggressive forces for a war by the concerted efforts of the Koreans, defending the peace of the country and the security of the nation and achieving the reunification of the country, says Rodong Sinmun Wednesday in a signed article. Now that the United States is getting overheated in its moves to ignite a new war, cooperation for peace against war presents itself as a vital task to defend the security of the Korean nation and dynamically advance the cause of independent national reunification, the article says, and goes on: It is a vital issue related to the existence of the Korean nation and its development to oppose aggression and war and defend peace on the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. is the enemy of peace and an empire of evils because it is engrossed in aggression, war, murder and destruction in all parts of the world while challenging the aspiration of humankind for peace.
Nation to Dig Into Suspicious Deaths
By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter Lawmakers seem set to raise doubts on a number of issues related to the nation's murky past, following the passage of a bill aimed at reviewing and cleaning up suspicious cases in modern history. The bill was passed in a plenary session of the National Assembly last Tuesday after months of tug-of-war between the ruling Uri Party and the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP). As a result, an independent committee will be able to inquire not only into power abuse cases of previous authoritarian regimes as the ruling party wanted, but also into the atrocities committed by ``those who deny or antagonize the legitimacy of the government,'' as the GNP pushed for.
Rep. Lee In-young of the ruling party said during a news conference at the Assembly that now the truth must be told about a case of an allegedly faked will in 1991. According to a statement signed by 113 lawmakers, the government, led by former President Roh Tae-woo, pinned trumped up charges on Kang Ki-hoon, an activist, for forging the will of his friend and fellow activist, Kim Ki- sul.
Activists Disappointed By NK Rights Act
By Reuben Staines Staff Reporter Controversial North Korean human rights legislation passed by the United States last year has so far failed to improve the situation for defectors fleeing the communist nation, activists in Seoul said Friday. ``We think the progress in implementing the act has been too slow,'' said Kwon Un-kyong, assistant secretary of NK Gulag, a civic group that assists North Korean defectors hiding out in China. ``Many defectors say they can't feel any direct effects.''
Feeding children little but ideology
The symbol of the Sonyondan ? the Boys' Band of North Korea ? is the red kerchief. North Korean boys from age seven to 13 take this oath: "As part of the faithful reserve troops to build communism, I swear before the Sonyondan to grow up to be a strong person." This ceremony is pathetic to see on North Korean television. It becomes even worse when the screen is filled with a close-up of the eyes of one of these boys, who should be growing up free but are shouting for revolution. The Sonyondan has a long history. Founded in June of 1946, the organization is about to turn 60. But its origins go further back. It is known that around 1930, when Kim Il Sung was a guerrilla fighter against Japan, a form of Sonyondan existed at Milmyeong, a secret guerilla camp at Mount Baekdu.
A great day for the kids
Korea celebrated Children's Day yesterday, and many parents had the day off in order to treat kids to their heart's delight. There were parades, gifts, good times at amusement parks and, for some, even a chance to meet President Roh Moo-hyun. Above: A military unit stationed in Cheolwon, Gangwon province, near the inter-Korean border, invited children from nearby towns to the base.
Rodong Sinmun on Three Principles of National Reunification
Pyongyang, May 3 (KCNA) -- 33 years ago, President Kim Il Sung met with the south side's delegate who came here to attend the High-Level Political Talks between North and South of Korea and clarified the three principles of national reunification, the cornerstone for the accomplishment of the cause of national reunification. In this regard Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed article.
Korea University Fetes 100th Anniversary
By Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter Korea University, one of the most prestigious private colleges in the nation, has marked the 100th anniversary of its foundation.
Documentary on NK Food to Be Made
By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter A documentary about North Korean cuisine will be made by a South and North Korean production company. The Koreans' Reunification of Hana said Wednesday that they will make a documentary introducing North Korean's 100 most favorite dishes.
Dictator's Bunker Found in Yoido
By Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter A 600-square-meter bunker has been found in Yoido during a field study to construct a public transportation transfer center. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that it has found a bunker under a road in front of a site where the Seoul Yoido Exhibition Center was once located. The government presumed the bunker was dugout and built during the era of former President Park Chung-hee.
S-N Exchanges Surge Despite Nuke Tensions
By Reuben Staines Staff Reporter Inter-Korean business and social exchanges have surged this year despite worsening tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons programs, according to government statistics released Thursday. The Unification Ministry said it approved applications for 11 organizations to operate in the inter-Korean cultural and social exchange field in the first three months of this year. It is the most applications ever approved in one quarter. Only 15 applications for social and cultural collaboration were approved in 2004 and 2003. The approved companies and associations included three major South Korean broadcasters _ KBS, MBC and SBS _ as well as a film company and a football institute. The ministry said the broadcasters' collaborative activities in the North are becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from joint sporting events to advertisements featuring North Korean cultural performances.
Korea University embarrassed by protesters
May 04, 2005 ? Embarrassed by a student protest at Korea University during which the chairman of Samsung Group, Lee Kun-hee, was brusquely jostled, 10 senior officials at the school said yesterday they would resign to take responsibility for the incident. On Monday, more than 100 students from the student council and a pro-labor student group turned out to demonstrate against a university decision to give Mr. Lee an honorary degree in philosophy. The group blocked the entrance to the hall where the award was to be given and loudly criticized Mr. Lee, calling him the leader of a corporation "that suppresses labor unions and discriminates against irregular workers." Mr. Lee had to be escorted by bodyguards, who fought off students who were trying to reach him. When several students attempted to barge into the building where the ceremony was to be held, school officials pulled down a shutter to block the entrance. In the end, the president of the university, Euh Yoon-dae, conferred the doctorate on Mr. Lee in an office of the school's director instead of in the appointed hall. Mr. Lee abandoned his plan to give the speech he had prepared for the occasion. Samsung Group has been active in funding the nation's educational institutes; it donated over 40 billion won ($40 million) for Korea University's Centennial Memorial Samsung Hall, the opening presentation of which will be a part of the school's celebration of its 100th anniversary tomorrow.
History bill passes despite Uri objections
May 04, 2005 ? Despite angry opposition from many lawmakers in the governing Uri Party, the National Assembly yesterday passed a compromise version of a long-disputed bill that sets up a fact-finding commission to investigate aspects of Korea's painful modern history. The bill passed by a vote of 159-73, with 18 abstentions. Uri Party lawmakers were split almost evenly on the bill, with 58 voting in favor and 51 against.
Angry Uri hardliners said the intent behind the new clause was to investigate dissidents during the regimes, who were often accused of being "pro-Pyongyang."
Anti-Chaebol Sentiment Converges on Samsung
By Kim Tae-gyu Staff Reporter In Korea, Samsung is almost ubiquitous as the country's biggest group retains a raft of iconic affiliates in such fields as electronics, securities, insurance, heavy industries and it even has an amusement park. As the Samsung brand is seen everywhere, the nation's anti-chaebol sentiment also pivots about the group as demonstrated by a curious mishap earlier this week. On Monday, Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee went to Korea University to receive an honorary Ph.D., the degree Lee decided to accept due to continual requests from the university. The ceremony should be a glorious occasion for the 63-year-old business magnate. However, it quickly turned to humiliation as a group of students made efforts to spoil it. Roughly 100 Korea University students protested in front of the Inchon Memorial Hall of the university to block him from entering the ceremony's venue. They chanted slogans saying that Lee does not deserve the degree since he has oppressed union activities in Samsung Group. However, most subsidiaries of the group don't have trade unions.
Assembly OKs Bill for Freer S-N Exchanges
By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter Beginning in November, South Koreans who want to meet North Koreans will just have to report it to the authorities prior to the visit, or after the meeting in unexpected cases. A revision of the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Law, aimed at freer exchanges between the two Koreas, passed the National Assembly on Tuesday. Previously, South Koreans who planned to meet North Koreans had to wait for approval from the Unification Ministry. But when the revision takes effect, all they need to do is notify the ministry. ``We expect it will do away with bureaucracy and be more convenient for everyone,'' an official at the Unification Ministry told The Korea Times. ``Unexpected cases'' refer to when South Koreans encounter North Koreans in the South or foreign countries without prior intention, according to the official. Although those who want to visit the North will still need to obtain approval from the government, there will be two kinds of certificates introduced; a certificate for one- time visits and another for occasional visits. Those with a certificate for occasional visits issued by the unification minister just need to report the visit without providing further documentation. Inter-Korean trade will be officially recognized as ``internal trade between one people,'' not between countries. It will be useful in blocking international society from filing complaints about inter-Korean trade without tariffs, according to Rep. Im Jong-seok, a ruling Uri Party lawmaker who has been pushing for the bill.
'Nationalism in N-E Asia Feeds on Feelings of Inferiority'
By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter One common characteristic of nationalism in Northeast Asian countries is that it serves to soothe the inferiority complex of people in the region, a South Korean scholar at a Chinese university claimed on Tuesday. ``A bundle of issues, such as the North Korean nuclear program and China-Japan and South Korea- Japan conflicts take turns, casting a shadow over the future of Northeast Asia,'' said Park Chang-geun, a professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University in Shanghai. ``At the root of the conflicts lies nationalism indigenous to Northeast Asia,'' he said during the ``World and Northeast Asia Peace Forum'' on escalating nationalism in Northeast Asia, at Seoul National University. Jang Sung-min, former lawmaker, leads the forum.
Crab season renews feuds in Yellow Sea
May 03, 2005 ? YEONPYEONGDO, Incheon - Lately, the fishermen living near this island complain that they have little to do but that ?_complain. Fishermen near Yeongpyeongdo, South Korea's northernmost island off the west coast, say their spring crab catch is being depleted by Chinese fishing boats operating near the Northern Limit Line, the maritime border with North Korea. On Sunday, some of them decided it was time to do something about it. Just before 11 a.m. Sunday, fishermen say they spotted four Chinese boats on the South Korean side of the border. About 30 South Korean boats went out and surrounded them. Encircled and outnumbered, the Chinese vessels were led to a nearby port on the island and held there before being handed over to the Incheon Maritime Police. Police said they would question the Chinese about violating the territorial waters law.
Another scene yesterday illustrated how Yeonpyeongdo fishermen are often helpless while others snatch up what they see as their livelihood. Yesterday afternoon, about 100 Chinese fishing boats were working the North Korean side of the Northern Limit Line. In a split second, as one of the ships approached the line, South Korean naval vessels moved to block it. But the Chinese boat quickly pulled farther back.
Deal reached on truth commission
May 03, 2005 ? Leaders of the Uri and Grand National parties reached agreement on major bills yesterday that include the controversial bill to establish a fact-finding commission to investigate the modern history of Korea. After a long discussion yesterday, Chung Se- kyun, floor leader of the governing Uri Party, and his Grand National counterpart Kang Jae-sup released a joint statement saying they had reached an agreement on the truth commission bill, as well as a bill that would allow the National Assembly to investigate allegations of "backdoor dealings" surrounding the opening of the nation's rice market last year. The two bills will likely be approved by the full Assembly today or tomorrow. The two parties have sparred over the truth commission bill since last year. The Uri Party introduced it as part of a reform package, with the goal of investigating human rights abuse and oppression committed by the military regimes in the decades after the Korean War. The Grand National Party wanted to expand the scope to include "terror, violence, or massacre incidents committed by the force that denies the legitimacy of the South Korean government" ?_that is, by North Korea and any of its agents. Yesterday, the Uri Party agreed to accept the Grand National position.
[EDITORIALS]Defense Ministry's serious lapse
The Ministry of National Defense reacted disappointingly to North Korea's test firing of a missile, and we feel extremely concerned about our nation's security. The White House chief of staff quickly confirmed that the North test-fired a short-range missile. Japan's chief cabinet secretary also practically confirmed the information, saying that a short- range missile had appeared to be test-fired based on the intelligence coming from its neighbors. While Korea's neighbors were confirming North Korea's sensitive military action, South Korea's Defense Ministry remained tight-lipped. It is difficult to understand why the ministry is doing everything to downplay the case, declining to issue an official announcement. Journalists requested confirmation from the ministry. The ministry replied, "It is not a matter that can be discussed. Please understand." Then, some senior government officials said the missile test was "nothing significant." If it is nothing significant, why can't the government provide a detailed explanation to its people? The ministry sources have been stressing that the range of the missile fired was only 120 kilometers (75 miles) and it was a part of a routine exercise that has taken place in the past.
Navy to Launch Stealth Destroyer Wednesday
The Navy said Monday that it will launch its fourth 4,000-ton-class destroyer with a stealth- like radar evading function, under a force improvement program Wednesday. The 4,200-ton ship, equipped with a range of sophisticated weaponry systems, will be set afloat in a shipyard in Ulsan, about 410 kilometers southeast of Seoul, it said in a statement.
The Navy commissioned three 3,000-ton-class destroyers in the late 1990s under the KDX-I program, and plans to build three 7,000-ton- class Aegis-equipped destroyers by 2010 under the KDX-III program, it said. In a separate naval force build-up program, the Navy plans to construct by 2010 two 13,000-ton- class large-deck landing ships, which can carry up to 700 troops, 10 helicopters, 10 armored vehicles and two small landing boats.
Hong said the Navy is also considering dubbing one of the two large-deck landing ship to be built as ``Dokdo. [Military balance]
Decision on Fighter Jets to Be Made This Month
The government will determine this month whether to buy additional next-generation fighter jets, after it completes introducing 40 F-15Ks under a procurement project, code-named F-X, the Defense Ministry said Monday. South Korea has been pushing to introduce another 40 fighters after it concludes the F-X project in 2009 to replace its aging F-5 and F-4 jets. [military balance]
Lee Youn-gil
An Old Shadow-War Warrior Speaks Out A living, walking history of Korea - 1945 to the present Lee Wha Rang, April 28, 2005
Seattle, WA - A few days ago I spent all-day listening to an unassuming Korean octogenarian, who turned out to be a fearsome warrior in the shadow war to topple North Korea's government that began in 1945. His grandfatherly look and demeanor hid a former street gang, terrorist, assassin, spymaster, and active tireless fighter for Korea's reunification. Despite his advanced age, he travels to China, America, and former Soviet republic in his crusade to topple Kim Jong Il's regime. His name is Lee Youn-gil, chairman, Council of Promoting Democratization in North Korea and president, KLO Veterans' Association (KLO - Korean Liaison Office - an American spy organization established in 1949). Few people know that it was Lee who had persuaded Hwang Jang-yup, North Korea's 'father of Jucheism" and onetime No 2 man under Kim Il Sung, to defect to Seoul. Kim's strategy is to turn North Korea's elite against Kim Jong Il - indeed turn Kim's own family and relatives against him. So far, Hwang Jang-yup is Lee's biggest catch. The full story of Hwang's defection is yet to be told (will be told in Lee's memoirs to be released in America soon).
Photo: Lee Youn-gil (left) and Hwang Jang-up in a Beijing hotel room. Lee bribed Hwang's escort with $2,000 - about twice his annual pay in North Korea - to gain access to him and used a promise of a 'huge sum of money' from a Korean-American businesspersons to get Hwang's attention. Lee worked on Hwang for several years on his own until toward the end, when things became too involved for one person to handle, he brought in the Korea's intelligence service, which was initially skeptical of Lee's claim of turning Hwang. Early on, Hwang told Lee about North Korea's nuclear warheads on the ready and passed this intelligence on to his government contact. Hwang was rewarded amply by Seoul. He was given a large sum of money. He charges for his frequent seminars, speeches, and interviews. He has written prodigally and collects fat fees. He left his wife and children behind - it is believed they have been severely punished. Meanwhile, he has fathered two children with a lissome young South Korean woman, and does not seem to be overly concerned over the family he left behind.
North, South celebrate summit
May 02, 2005 ? An event to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the June 15 inter-Korean summit will take place in Pyongyang in June. In a joint statement, Seoul and Pyongyang said they have agreed to hold the "June 15 Grand Festival for Reunification" between June 14 and 17. A total of 1,500 participants, including 900 officials from both Koreas and overseas, will gather in Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Stadium for a mass rally, photo exhibition and artistic and sports performances. South Korean participants will arrive in Pyongyang using a Yellow Sea route. On June 15, 2000, former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang. It was the first-ever meeting between leaders of both Koreas. Seoul and Pyongyang will also celebrate Korea's liberation from Japan in Seoul in August.
Korea University Sets Sights High
Mike Weisbart Korea Times Columnist Korea University is not satisfied with being in the top-tier of Korean post-secondary institutions. It is no longer content to be judged by local standards, preferring instead to take its cues from the best universities overseas. That's the key message of the university's dynamic president, Euh Yoon-dae, who is working overtime to shake things up at the 100-year-old institution and push it to even greater heights. ``Our goal is to make Korea University internationally competitive, to make it one of the top 100 schools in the world,'' he said in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times. Responding to a question about the traditional rivalry with Yonsei University, the president added that he doesn't worry any more about how his school stacks up against other Korean schools. ``We're benchmarking ourselves against the Harvards and the MITs of the world.''
In preparation for this year's events, the university has spent the past 10 years renovating its campuses and, in the process, remodeling its image. Much has been made of President Euh's decision to purchase red wine from California and France for the celebration, and his attempt to move the university beyond its staunch nationalistic image but, according to the president, the ceremony is much more about school pride and showing that it belongs in the top tier of institutions worldwide.

Return to ROK and Inter-Korean relations page