ROK and Inter-Korean relations September 2005

ROK and Inter-Korean relations

September 2005

South Korean President Battles Lame Duck Status
By Bruce Klingner September 27th, 2005
Bruce Klingner, Korea analyst for Eurasia Group, the world's largest political risk consultancy firm, writes: "Pyongyang's actions will affect the public's perceptions of Roh's engagement policy. North Korea's agreement to a joint statement of principles on 19 September might have offered a respite to Roh's declining popularity had Pyongyang not followed with a provocative statement within 24 hours... Despite $3.5 billion in South Korean aid during the past decade, Seoul has achieved little change to North Korean behavior or the nature of its regime."
Concerning the cost of providing energy aid to North Korea for the next nine to thirteen years
It is inappropriate at this point to mention specific expenses for the provision of energy aid to North Korea which was agreed upon at the second-phase of the fourth round of the six party talks, since there still remains the process of consultations on implementation measures among relevant countries.
Basically, the South Korean government will bear the cost for the direct transmission of electric power to North Korea, a plan proposed by the government itself in a bid to settle the North Korean nuclear issue. However, matters concerning provision of alternative energy aid and the size of relevant countries' share of the expenses for the construction of light water reactors still remain to be dealt with among relevant countries through future consultations on implementation measures.
ROK Ministry of Reunification Press Release
A patriot's suicide and the odd origin of soju
September 26, 2005 ? Sept. 30, 1963 When Yi Jun, a Korean independence activist during the Japanese colonial period, was sent in secret to the Netherlands in 1907 as an envoy to promote Korea's independence during The Hague Peace Convention, he did not know how long it would be before he returned to his homeland. He did eventually come back to Korea on this date, 56 years after a lonely death in the Netherlands. His body was reburied in Suyuri, northeastern Seoul.
Oct. 1, 1995 Korea's strongest spirit, soju, has not won many converts outside of the country. But some Koreans say that these days, soju tastes "strangely sweet." Anyone who makes such a comment will be assumed to be bragging about their drinking skills ? you might as well warn your drinking buddies that tonight will be especially brutal. But even a good drinker will sometimes scrunch up their face and shudder at the strong taste of soju. The secret to making good soju is achieving the right percentage of glucose, citric acid and amino acid for the perfect taste and knock-out effect.
Unmanned Stealth Aircraft Due by 2020
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter The Defense Ministry plans to develop sophisticated unmanned fighter jets equipped with a radar-evading stealth function by 2020, a state-run defense agency said Saturday. In a report to the National Assembly, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), affiliated with the ministry, said it has started developing radar-evading stealth technology on its own in order to apply it to next-generation fighter jets. [Military balance]
Dynamic Action Plans Are Key to Peace Movement
By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Reporter The peace movement will only gain momentum if it is accompanied by a specific action plan, said Kwak Il-hoon, chairman of People to People Korea (PTP Korea), a non-governmental organization for peace. ``The concept of peace is abstract, so it is difficult to get public support in the movement ,'' he said in an interview with The Korea Times. ``It centered on developing friendship and strengthening mutual understanding, which often ended up without any real results,'' said Kwak, who is also serving as chairman of KNRC National Council of Red Cross Volunteers.
500 Picked for Video Family Reunions
The Korean National Red Cross (KNRC) has selected 500 people to take part in video reunions with their separated family members in North Korea, the KNRC said Saturday.
Kwon Released From Prison
By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter
Kwon Roh-kap Kwon Roh-kap, 75, a former Millennium Democratic Party advisor, was set free on Sept. 15 for a two-month suspension of his jail term as his health has gotten worse because of diabetes and depression. However, prosecutors said that he is confined to Samsung Cheil Hospital in central Seoul and his home. ``He is suffering from complications of diabetes,'' a doctor said. He was arrested in August 2003 on charges of taking 20 billion won in bribes from Chung Mong- hun, late chairman of Hyundai Asan, before the 2000 general elections. In December 2004, the Supreme Court sentenced Kwon to five years in prison and 20 billion won in fines as he was found guilty of taking the bribes in return for business favors for Hyundai Asan. The court discovered that Hyundai offered the money to Kwon in a bid to seek his influence in facilitating the firm's casino project in Mt. Kumgang, North Korea, and its investment projects in the North. [Hyundai loan] [Corruption]
Seoul eyes $6-billion bill for aid in energy
September 23, 2005 ? South Korea will need at least 6.5 trillion won ($6.3 billion) and perhaps as much as 11 trillion won over the next decade to meet its obligations for energy aid to North Korea, Unification Minister Chung Dong- young said yesterday. The estimates assume that Pyongyang honors its pledge to end its nuclear programs, which would trigger the development aid, primarily in energy projects. Critics promptly complained that the government's estimates of the cost were unrealistically low. The figures were Seoul's first official assessment of the costs of providing help for the energy-starved Stalinist state. Mr. Chung was speaking at a hearing at the National Assembly on his ministry's activities. Ministry data given to the lawmakers said that Seoul's share of the cost of heavy fuel oil for the North would be about 150 billion won over the next three years while Pyongyang dismantles its nuclear facilities. Then electricity generated in South Korea would begin to flow North, at a cost of 4 trillion to 8 trillion won for that power over six to 10 years. In addition, the transmission facilities would cost another 1.7 trillion won, the ministry said. Finally, Mr. Chung estimated that South Korea's share of the cost of a light water nuclear power reactor for the North would be about 1 trillion won. The minister said Seoul would foot the entire bill for the electrical power transmission project because that was an offer made by the government here. But he said, perhaps optimistically, that the parties to the nuclear talks would discuss further the bills for fuel oil and, more critically, for a nuclear reactor.
Seoul Intends to Repatriate 29 N.Korea Spies
By Park Song-wu Staff Reporter Seoul will consider repatriating 29 unconverted North Korean ex-prisoners to their home country, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said at a parliamentary session on Thursday. The North Koreans, formerly soldiers or spies, had served long prison terms in South Korea due to their refusal to renounce communism. ``The government is willing to consider sending back those who wish to go back to the North on a humanitarian basis,'' Chung told the National Assembly committee on unification, foreign affairs and trade. Hundreds of North Korean soldiers or spies who were captured in the South during or after the 1950-53 Korean War served prison terms. Those who switched their political beliefs were released from prison, while others, refusing to swear to the capitalist ideology, remained captives until 1999. All North Korean captives in South Korea have now been released. A group of 63 North Koreans were repatriated to Pyongyang in September 2000, following the historic inter-Korean summit in June that year. They reportedly received a hero's welcome in the North. Chung said that the 29 North Koreans who previously wanted to stay in South Korea apparently changed their mind after receiving reports that Pyongyang is warmly treating those who returned to the North in 2000.
Meanwhile, Chung indicated at the parliamentary inspection of his ministry that he would consider the possibility of inviting a high- ranking North Korean leader to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Pusan in November. ``If the six-party talks proceed smoothly, it would be possible to ask other member countries whether North Korea is able to attend the meeting as an observer,'' Chung said. The ministry later said in a press release that the North Korean leader whom Chung had in mind was not Kim Jong-il but Kim Young-nam, chairman of the North Korean legislature. North Korea needs approval from the U.S. and other member nations to participate in the annual summit, Chung said. A few lawmakers urged the government to invite Kim Jong-il to the APEC summit or to have President Roh Moo-hyun visit North Korea for the second inter-Korean summit. Roh has said he would only consider a summit with Kim Jong-il after the standoff over Pyongyang's nuclear program is resolved. [Human rights] [US dominance]
Kim Jong-il May Be Invited to Pusan APEC
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young Thursday indicated that he would consider the possibility of inviting North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Pusan in November. He made the comment during a National Assembly audit of the Unification Ministry Thursday. "If the six-party talks proceed smoothly, it would be possible to ask other member countries whether North Korea is able to attend the meeting as an observer," Minister Chung said. North Korea needs approval from the U.S. and other member nations to participate in the annual summit, Chung said. [US dominance]
Yoon Apologizes for Criticism of Retired Generals
By Lee Jin-woo Staff Reporter Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung has apologized to angry retired military generals after accusing retired veterans of maintaining Japanese imperial military views. In a recent interview outlining his military reform policies with Shindong-A, a monthly magazine, Yoon condemned retired generals for having old-fashioned ways of thinking and hampering his efforts to downsize the inefficient manpower-based military system. ``The problem is that retired generals are still obsessed with their old imperial Japanese-style views and believe the military still leads the whole nation [Japanese colonialism]
N. Korea Energy Aid May Top $12 Bil.
By Lee Jin-woo Staff Reporter With the North Korean nuclear disarmament agreement reached during the six-party talks in Beijing Monday, experts estimate over 12 trillion won ($11.5 billion) will be required to keep South Korea's massive energy and power supply promise by 2018. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young first unveiled his ``important proposal,'' to provide electricity to North Korea if Pyongyang agrees to dismantle its nuclear weapons programs on July 12. According to the plan, Seoul will supply around 2 million kilowatts of electricity per year beginning in 2008 at the earliest as it would take at least three years to construct transmission facilities. The government expects the electricity supply would continue through 2018, upon completion of the nuclear reactors.
Inter-Korean Cabinet Talks End With Flicker of Progress
By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter The 16th round of inter-Korean Cabinet talks ended its four-day run on Friday, with mixed evaluations on the results from the Southern side following over the weekend. As for the six-point joint press release, Seoul officials especially welcomed the second, which said that South and North Korea would make efforts to ensure stable peace on the Korean Peninsula and seek practical ways to ease military tensions on one of the world's most heavily fortified borders. It also added that the two sides shared a notion regarding the importance of military talks and each would suggest it to its own military authorities.
Korean Anti-Air Missile to Debut
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter Sophisticated portable anti-air missiles developed with the country's own technology will be deployed in the military next month after passing a trial test successfully, a state-run defense agency said last Friday. A spokesman for the Defense Quality Assurance Agency said the anti-air missiles, called ``God's Bow,'' succeeded in hitting a low-flying target during a trial test last Friday at a site off the West Coast. [Military balance]
Korea Cannot Be Peacefully Unified
[Opinion] Citizen reporter Samuel Lee says the world must face some hard questions about North Korea
. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has ruled the North with an iron fist and fear; they have suppressed and eliminated any opposition to their power by brutal means. The North has put the well-being of their army first at the expense of millions of starving North Korean civilians. The DPRK is the most brutal and merciless dictatorship in the world (not including China). They are responsible for the longest state of misery and despair the Korean people have ever experienced, even longer than the Japanese occupation of Korea. The dictatorship's ruthlessness and stubbornness has resulted in their refusal to acknowledge faults. They have put on the masquerade that North Korea is strong, while millions have died through starvation, public and private executions and torture or "re- education."
Samuel Lee has a blog site eastasiaaffairs.blog.com/ Sam is a Korean, born and raised in Australia. He has a BA in Commerce (Accounting) and is currently employed as an accountant in Sydney
Two Koreas agree to push for peace
Korea herald
South and North Korea have agreed to push for measures to solidify peace and ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula during four days of inter-Korean Cabinet-level talks held in Pyongyang last week. Delegates from the two Koreas adopted a six-point statement Friday at the end of the talks. "The South and North agreed to make efforts to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula and seek substantial measures to reduce military tension," a joint press statement said lacking concrete details, including not stating an actual peace treaty.
16th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Close
Pyongyang, September 16 (KCNA) -- The 16th north- south ministerial talks came to a close Friday. At the talks both sides had a sufficient exchange of opinions on the issues of taking practical measures for refraining from practices to save faces and terminating the hostile relations in the inter-Korean ties and removing the barriers in the field of economy and implementing the points agreed upon at the 15th north-south ministerial talks. They reached an agreement on a series of issues at the end of an exhaustive discussion. A joint press release of the 16th inter-Korean ministerial talks was made public. (text follows)
Jo Yong Phil Performs in Pyongyang
Jo Yong Phil, South Korean singer who is on a visit to Pyongyang at the invitation of the National Reconciliation Council, gave his performance of vocal solos at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Gymnasium on Aug 23.
The 11th Meeting of Separated Families at Mt. Kumgang Resort
"Dreamlike Meeting Attained Thanks to the June 15 Accord"
The 11th meeting of separated families started at the Mt. Kumgang resort on Aug 26. Separated families having a group meeting on Aug. 26 at the Kumgangsan Hotel. It was held according to an agreement at the 15th inter-Korean Senior talks held on June in Seoul for the first time in 13 months after the last. A total of 146 people of 99 families from the south side's separated families met 223 people from the north side until Aug 28. The separated families, who had been unable to contact each other for a long time, had a group meeting on Aug 26 at the Kumgangsan Hotel, and embraced each other with deep emotion.
Separated Families Meet their Relatives on TV Screen
Re-linked Cables will Make Inter-Korean TV Conferences Possible
Separated families and their relatives met each other again on TV screens on Aug. 15 as part of the inter-Korean project of reuniting families separated from each other during the 1950-53 Korean War. Optical fiber communication cables were re- connected between North and South Korea, and a ceremony of connecting the cable links took place in the Demilitarized Zone on July 18. As a result, the cable links were connected between Kaesong and Munsan.
70 million Koreans' Will to National Reunification
8.15 Grand National Festival for Independence, Peace and Reunification
The August 15 Grand National Festival for Independence, Peace and Reunification was held in Seoul from Aug 14 to 16. The opening ceremony of the Aug.15 Grand National Festival for Independence, Peace and Reunification. The festival opened on Aug. 14 in Seoul with the participation of the delegations of North, South Korea and overseas Koreans, with a main meeting, a grand national march, an inter-Korean soccer game and several panel meetings. Inter-Korean exchange projects have been promoted through a new desire of Korean people for reunification since the June 15 grand festival for national reunification which was held as the first meeting of its kind from June 14 to 17 in Pyongyang.
The 6th Inter-Korean Red Cross Talks
Red Cross Societies to Continue Discussions
The 6th inter-Korean Red Cross talks were held at the Mt. Kumgang resort from Aug 23 to 25. The North and the South of Korea made approaches in some issues, and decided to continue discussions on other issues.
The inter-Korean Red Cross talks were held from Aug. 23 to 25 in accordance with the agreement of the inter-Korean senior officials' talks. A joint report was issued on Aug 25 as follows.
Talks Held Between KSDP and DWP of S. Korea
Kim Yong Nam, president of the presidium of the SPA with delegation of the DWP led by its representative, Kim Hye Gyong (fifth from left). Talks were held between the delegations of the Korean Social Democratic Party (KSDP) and the Democratic Workers' Party (DWP) of South Korea at the People's Palace of Culture on August 25. Present at the talks from the North side were Chairman Kim Yong Dae and officials of the KSDP Central Committee and from the South side members of the DWP delegation headed by Kim Hye Gyong, representative of the party.
North-South Military Working Talks Held
The fourth north-south military working talks took place at the Thongil House in the north side of Panmunjom on Aug 12 to discuss the issue of implementing the agreement reached at the north-south general-level military talks. The north side stressed that huge propaganda means, remains of the Cold War that had been used in fostering mistrust, discord, confrontation and tension between the fellow countrymen for more than 40 years in the past, have been removed so that they cannot be directly used for psychological warfare and information activities against the opposite side. It is one more precious fruition gained in implementing the June 15 joint declaration, a landmark for national reunification and a great program for great national unity, stressed the north side. The north side said that there had been some problems from which to draw lessons in the process of removing the propaganda means. The north side noted that the south side had proposed to discuss a schedule concerning the third general-level military talks to be held at Mt. Paektu. The north side said that it was not suitable to hold the general-level military talks whose focus was on easing military tension now that the south side was seeking to launch the Ulji- Focus Lens 05 joint military exercises, large- scale nuclear war exercises against the north, together with the U.S. from August 22 to September 2 despite its proposal to discuss the schedule of military talks [Joint US military]
North Korea's Ships Sail Through Jeju Straits After Aug 15
5th Inter-Koran Working Contact for Cooperation in Marine Transport The 5th inter-Korean working contact for cooperation in marine transport was held in Munsan, south Korea, from Aug 8 to 10. Both sides discussed practical issues concerning the implementation of the bilateral agreement on marine transport which had already been reached in the basic spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration, and issued a joint pres release. According to the press release, the North and the South of Korea agreed to start the passage of North Korea's civilian ships through the Jeju Straits and each other's use of sea routes in their waters during direct sailing toward designated ports starting on Aug 15. They also decided to operate cable communication between the marine authorities of the two sides through the Panmunjom as line from Aug 12.
Chondonists of North and South Korea Issue Joint Declaration
From July 29 to November 17, a Period for "Campaign for Opposing Foreign Forces and Prompting the National Interests and Welfare of People"
Chondonists and activists engaged in the national movements in the North and South of Korea proclaimed that a period from July 29 to November 17 has been set aside for a "campaign for opposing foreign forces and prompting the national interests and welfare of people". July 27 is the day of a hundred years ago when the piratical "Taft-Katsura agreement" was signed by the U.S and Japan, and November 17 is the day a hundred years ago when the "Ulsa Five- point Treaty" was concluded. They held a meeting on July 29 in Pyongyang and Seoul and issued a joint declaration, and appealing to Korean people to actively develop movements against Japan's re-aggression through cooperation between North and South Korea under the idea of "By Our Nation Itself". [Religion]
South Korean Soap Operas Win Large Audiences Throughout Asia - and beyond
By Vanessa Hua
Japan Focus 1 September 2005
The "Korean wave" of pop culture - known in South Korea as hallyu - is a point of national pride, helping introduce the country to the world and breaking down historical grudges with its neighbors [Hallyu] [Softpower]
Time to get stern with North
The recently reconvened six-nation talks in Beijing aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear arms programs are on the brink of rupture after the United States flatly rejected North Korean demands for light-water nuclear reactors. In the first stage of the talks, North Korea claimed that it has the right to pursue nuclear development programs for peaceful purposes and that it should have the right to operate light- water reactors. The United States, however, turned down the demands, saying that the North has broken past agreements. A compromise was worked out between Washington and Seoul: If the North gives up all its nuclear programs and returns to international nuclear safeguards and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, it will be given the right to run peaceful nuclear programs. The possibility of an agreement was high just before the talks began, but the hope has now disappeared. North Korea, from the beginning of the talks, claimed that the supply of light- water nuclear reactors should be included in the agreement. That is a clear indication that it will show absolutely no respect to the U.S. position. In other words, the North has shown that it has no intention of giving up nuclear programs. North Korea, by securing light-water reactors, wants to hold on to the last nuclear card while maximizing the compensation. This shows that the North has failed to give up its attitude of the past. If Pyongyang continues ignoring the good will of Seoul and Washington as well as other participants in the talks, it will lose all. [nuclear energy]
Roh to Look Into Past State Crimes
By Ryu Jin Staff Reporter Exactly one year after he launched a drive to ``correct the sad history'' of the nation's modern era, President Roh Moo-hyun caused a fresh stir on Monday with the offer of a strengthened law for that aim. His second drive to correct history, however, faces fierce opposition from his opponents. [Japanese colonialism]
Address by President Roh Moo-hyun on the 60th Anniversary of National Liberation"
August 30th, 2005 South Korea President Roh Moo-hyun delivered this speech on the 60th anniversary of Korean liberation. President Roh said: "History now gives us another calling. It is none other than putting an end to the history of divisiveness and opening an age of national unity. It is also to build a springboard to overcome the age of national division and usher in a new age of national unification for peace and prosperity."
Achievements and Prospects of the Participatory Government's Policy toward North Korea after the First Half of its Term
(August 26,2005) 1. Outline For the past two and a half years since its inauguration, the current participatory government has consistently pursued the `policy for peace and prosperity' aimed at promoting peace on the Korean peninsula and inter-Korean co-prosperity in the midst of ever-changing security environments in Northeast Asia. In particular, it has played a proactive and leading role in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue within the framework of international cooperation such as the six-party talks
Scattered Koreans turn homeward
September 15, 2005 ? It has been exactly 100 years since the first Koreans migrated to Mexico, and 141 years since they moved to Russia. This Chuseok holiday, after living in other countries for so long, the descendants of brave immigrants say they have never forgotten their homeland. And their homeland has not forgotten them. [Diaspora]
North-Targeted War Preparations Stepped Up by S. Korea in Iraq Flailed
Pyongyang, September 14 (KCNA) -- The south Korean troops are busy rounding off the preparations for a war against the north under the signboard of "peace and reconstruction" after being dispatched to Iraq under the U.S. pressure. Commenting on this, Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says: The south Korean authorities' dispatch of troops to Iraq quite contrary to the interests of the nation is a crime. Worse still, the south Korean troops in Iraq are keen on acquiring "experience" for an actual war against the north [Role of SK military] [Military balance]
Seoul Proposes S-N Liaison Offices
Unification Minister Also Suggests Military Talks to Ease Tensions By Seo Dong-shin & Joint Press Corps Staff Reporter
PYONGYANG, North Korea _ South Korea proposed Wednesday that permanent liaison offices be set up in Seoul and Pyongyang, saying it would significantly help build trust between the two Koreas. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, the South's chief delegate to the inter-Korean Cabinet talks, also suggested talks between military authorities, including defense ministers, be resumed to ease tensions.
Kwon Ho-ung, the North's chief delegate, proposed that the South abolish ``out-of-dated laws that fail to recognize other countries' systems,'' apparently referring to the South's anti-communist National Security Law. He also demanded joint military drills between South Korea and the United States be stopped and inter-Korean economic cooperation be accelerated. [Joint US military]
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young enters Buddhist Temple in Pyongyang
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, second from left, the South's chief delegate to the inter-Korean Cabinet talks, enters the Kwangpop- sa Buddhist Temple in Pyongyang, Wednesday. The temple was built during the Koguryo Kingdom (37 B.C.-668 A.D.). At left is Kwon Ho-ung, the North's chief delegate. [Photo]]
'More Defense Spending Is Burden to Economy'
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter With the announcement of the government's military reform plan Tuesday, the country's political circles are raising concerns over a possible drastic increase in military spending over the next 10 years. Under the 15-year reform plan, dubbed the ``Defense Reform 2020,'' the Defense Ministry will seek to boost the defense budget by 11.1 percent per year until 2015, to build smaller but stronger armed forces equipped with sophisticated weapons systems. For the increase of 11.1 percent, the country needs to spend more than 680 trillion won ($680 billion) in military expenditures, including 289 trillion won in procuring state-of-the-art weapons systems by 2020. ``The whopping increase in the defense budget, higher than the nation's economic growth rate, will become a burden to the economy,'' said Rep. Im Jong-in of the ruling Uri Party. ``The plan also may undermine the warming inter-Korean relations, provoking North Korea to further focus on arms buildup.'' [Military balance] [Role of SK military]
Seoul Brings Water From NK for Chonggyechon Ceremony
By Kim Tong-hyung Staff Reporter The Seoul city government will combine waters from each region of the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea, for its restoration ceremony of the city's downtown Chonggyechon stream scheduled for Oct.
S. Korea: World Must Be Ready to Aid North
By KELLY OLSEN
The Associated Press Thursday, September 8, 2005; 5:57 AM SEOGWIPO, South Korea -- The international community must be ready to help North Korea economically once the issue of the communist country's nuclear issue is settled, South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said. "Something must be done," Han told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum finance minister's meeting that began Thursday on the South Korean island of Jeju. He said such a need should be clear to the global community. [Aid weapon]
South Side's Delegation Here
Pyongyang, September 13 (KCNA) -- The south side's delegation with Jong Tong Yong, minister of Unification, as its chief delegate arrived here Tuesday to participate in the 16th inter- Korean ministerial talks. It was greeted at the airport by members of the north side's delegation to the inter-Korean ministerial talks including Choe Yong Gon, vice-minister of Construction and Building-Materials Industries who is the north side's chairman of the North- South Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation. A working woman presented a bouquet to the south side's chief delegate. Pak Pong Ju, premier of the DPRK Cabinet, hosted a reception at the People's Palace of Culture Tuesday evening in honor of the south side's delegation.
Seoul to Boost Defense Budget
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter The Defense Ministry wants a 11.1-percent increase in military spending per year over the next 10 years, as part of measures to build a more future-oriented armed forces, Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said Tuesday. Announcing a comprehensive military reform plan for the next 15 years, Yoon said the plan focuses on developing the country's manpower- intensive force into a ``smaller but stronger'' one suitable for the warfare of the future [military balance]
16th Inter-Korean Cabinet Talks Open
By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, left, shakes hands with Kwon Ho-ung, senior North Korean Cabinet councilor and chief delegate to the inter-Korean Cabinet talks, at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, Tuesday. / Yonhap South Korean delegates led by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young met with their Northern counterparts in Pyongyang Tuesday, where they will hold the 16th round of inter- Korean Cabinet talks through Friday. Chung, who flew directly to Pyongyang on a chartered plane, was welcomed by Kwon Ho-ung, the North's chief delegate, at the Koryo Hotel in the North Korean capital. Kwon expressed his thanks to Chung for fertilizer aid sent recently to the North. Chung replied he hoped to present a thanksgiving present to the Korean people in this season of harvest by hammering out good results at the talks.
Korean Detained in London for Making Disturbance on Flight
By Kim Rahn Staff Reporter A South Korean businessman was taken into police custody in London last week for causing a disturbance on a Korean Air flight to London.
Peninsula peace is on Seoul's mind
September 13, 2005 ? Seoul wants to begin talks with Pyongyang at a meeting this week on steps toward inter-Korean peace, a senior Unification Ministry official said yesterday. But, he conceded in answer to reporters' questions, it is unclear whether Pyongyang is willing to talk about the subject. Kim Chun-sig, the director general of the ministry's bureau for inter-Korean cooperation, told the press that this week's 16th round of ministerial meetings should be the start of steps for peace, initially by broadening the range of cross-border exchanges to include political and military affairs. "We do not have a detailed agenda, but it is Seoul's position that peace discussions should begin," Mr. Kim said. "The South Korean government has been stressing the importance of peace and prosperity, but this will be the first time that we will hold realistic consultations on the matter. What the form of the establishment of a peace will be and whether the armistice should be replaced will be discussed further."

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