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PYONGYANG'S 'DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE'
Overview
There has been a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months. Talks in Berlin in September 1999 between the United States and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) led to a suspension of rocket tests on the DPRK side and an agreement from the Americans that they would lift economic sanctions. The DPRK reported that the US also promised to move towards normalisation of relations. The sanctions have not been totally lifted but arrangements are being made for a senior DPRK official to go to the US for more substantive talks in April.

Japan has resumed aid, and negotiations on normalisation, following the parliamentary visit led by former prime minister Murayama in November. On 4 January 2000 the DPRK made a significant breakthrough with the establishment of diplomatic relations with Italy. A number of other European countries already have formal relations with Pyongyang but Italy is the first G-7 country. It has been reported that Japan, Philippines and Canada are likely to follow suit. The Australians sent a delegation to Pyongyang in February to discuss the reestablishment of relations that were broken off in the mid 1970s.

The success of the DPRK diplomatic offensive owes much to the Republic of Korea government which has been encouraging countries to develop links with the north as part of President Kim Dae-Jung's 'sunshine policy'. Kim himself, when launching his new party - the Millennium Democratic Party - in January vowed that if he wins a mandate in the April elections he will propose a inter-Korean summit with DPRK leader Kim Jong Il.

A new friendship treaty was signed with Russia on February 9th

U.S., DPRK to Resume Talks for High-level Visit
(State Department 1 March 2000)

Delegations from the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), led respectively by Ambassador Charles Kartman and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan, will meet in New York beginning March 7 to finalize preparations for a DPRK high-level visit to Washington about a month from now.

We will also hold talks on the margins of these discussions with the DPRK on terrorism issues. Ambassador Michael A. Sheehan, Coordinator for Counterterrorism, will lead the U.S. side in these talks.

In January, Vice Foreign Minister Kim formally conveyed the acceptance by his government of a U.S. invitation for a high-level DPRK delegation to visit Washington, reciprocating the May 1999 visit to Pyongyang by U.S. Presidential Special Envoy William Perry and State Department Counselor, Ambassador Wendy Sherman.

The DPRK high-level visit will provide an important opportunity for serious talks and progress on issues central to peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, including improving U.S.-DPRK relations.

Source
United States Information Agency Washington File website [filename="00030109*EPF"]
How to locate files on the Washington File

Italy sets up diplomatic ties with N.K.
Italy established formal diplomatic ties with North Korea Tuesday, becoming the first G-7 state to open ambassadorial-level relations [..] Representatives from Italy and North Korea exchanged letters sealing the agreement in Rome, said the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Italian government said [ ] that the establishment of formal ties with the North concludes Italy's diplomatic relations with all U.N. member countries. It also said Italy's ambassador to China would represent Italy in North Korea. North Korea also announced the diplomatic advance, saying it had made the decision on the basis of "the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality." Welcoming the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the South Korean government expressed hope that it will help the North to open up its society and lead to the resumption of deadlocked inter-Korean dialogue. "We respect Italy's decision to set up ties with North Korea in that it will contribute to drawing the North into the international community," said Chang Chul-kyoon, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Noting that the setup of formal ties between the two countries corresponds to South Korea's engagement policy toward the North, he said the government anticipates that it will play a positive role in encouraging the North to open itself and resume inter-Korean dialogue.

Source: The Korea Herald 06/01/2000

Breaking news
Envoy says time is right for N.K.-Japan talks

Announcement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki on Policies vis-à-vis North Korea
December 14, 1999

The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that a mission of Japanese parliamentarians of all the major political parties, led by former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, achieved its intended objectives, and takes seriously the joint announcement issued with the North Korean side. As has been made clear in many instances, on the issue of the Korean Peninsula, Japan, the U.S. and the R.O.K., in close contact with each other, have been exploring ways of reducing "threats" that the three countries and North Korea perceive in each other along the approach jointly elaborated the initiative taken by Dr. Perry. In the course of time, certain positive moves have been witnessed such as progress in the U.S.-North Korea Talks, and the announcement by North Korea of moratorium on missile launching.

The Government of Japan deems that establishing a full-fledged forum for overall dialogue between the authorities of Japan and North Korea will contribute not only to redressing the anomalous Japan-North Korea relations, after World War II, but also to easing the tension on the Korean Peninsula and promoting Japan's security. Considering that the climate for dialogue fostered by the Murayama mission offers a good opportunity for proceeding with Japan-North Korea talks based on the policy of 'dialogue and deterrence', the Government of Japan has decided to seize this opportunity and start coordination toward the holding in the course of this year of preliminary talks for resuming normalization talks and talks on humanitarian issues between the Red Cross societies of the two countries.

Source: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Japanese Lawmakers Vow to Establish Friendly Relations with North Korea

A general meeting of voluntary Diet members gathered on Feb. 23 to formally establish a Diet members union to promote north Korea-Japan friendly relations, led by 15 promoters who had visited the DPRK as Japan's suprapartisan group of Diet members last December.

At its founding meeting, Murayama Tomiichi, who had acted as head of the suprapartisan group, was elected president of the Dietmen's union which was composed of some 169 Diet members from both houses.

The chairman said in his speech, "Japan will be isolated in the future in its diplomatic ties with the DPRK unless the current deadlocked situation is terminated, which was created by the "missile thread" and things like that." He continued, "I think we can achieve a breakthrough if we strongly call for the normalization of diplomatic ties with the DPRK."

Source: People's Korea website

Italian Firms Advised to Join Hands With ROK Cos. to Invest in NK

MILAN _ President Kim Dae-jung advised Italian companies to join hands with Korean firms to invest in North Korea during a speech before more than 100 Italian businessmen, Monday.

Kim suggested that Italian businessmen contact Korea's state-run research institutes to gather information on North Korea for investment in the communist country.

``It is a good idea for Italian firms to team up with South Korean companies to invest in North Korea,'' Kim said [ ]

He sought to ease the lingering foreign hesitation in investing in the divided Korea. ``Foreign investors have no reason to worry about stability on the Korean peninsula any longer,'' he said.

``I have pursued the comprehensive engagement policy toward North Korea in a consistent and persevering way. During my remaining tenure, I will do my best to remove the Cold War legacy on the peninsula,'' Kim said. [ ]

Source: Korea Times website

DPRK, Australia Heading for Improved Bilateral Ties

Pyongyang and Canberra moved closer toward normalizing diplomatic relations, as the official Australian delegation visited Pyongyang from Feb. 22 to 26 with a $3 million aid plan for the DPRK for the first time since 1975. The two sides agreed to continue normalization talks and meet again in Canberra later this year.

During their stay in Pyongyang from Feb. 22 to 26, both sides discussed the reestablishment of ambassador-level diplomatic relations between the two countries. The four-member delegation of the Australian Foreign Ministry, led by Colin Heseltine, first assistant secretary of the Foreign Ministry's North Asia Division, also had talks with DPRK Vice-Foreign Minister Pak Kil Yon and other officials of Pyongyang on issues relating to regional security around the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia, the provision of food aid and other assistance to the DPRK's agriculture. [ ]

"The north Korean officials expressed their strong hopes that the two countries would open embassies in each others' capitals as soon as possible," Heseltine said after returning from his Pyongyang visit. He reportedly delivered his government's message to the DPRK's officials, which included an invitation to visit Canberra in the second half of this year for further discussions.

Meanwhile, the Australian government announced on Feb. 17 that it would offer A$6 million or U.S. $3.9 million in humanitarian aid to the DPRK, an action regarded as part of "Australia's efforts to help alleviate north Korea's food shortages and to create a favorable atmosphere prior to a bilateral meeting in Pyongyang."

According to news reports, Australia will provide A$3.2 million to the World Food Programme's (WFP's) food aid and agricultural rehabilitation program. In addition, Australia plans to donate A$250,000 to the United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) respectively, to support the organizations' rehabilitation plans. Furthermore $500,000 will be provided to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Crescent Societies (IFRC) to enable them to conduct public health education programs and purchase medical supplies.

The DPRK and Australia set up diplomatic ties in 1974. After 25 years of suspension of bilateral relations, the two sides had working-level talks in Bangkok, Thailand, in June last year to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries, and in September last year, the DPRK's Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer held talks in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

In its diplomatic efforts to normalize relations with Western countries, the DPRK established ambassador-level diplomatic ties with Italy in early January. Pyongyang also improved relations with Russia, one of its closest allies, as both sides signed the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighborliness and Cooperation on Feb. 9.

Source: People's Korea website

Call for NZ to normalise relations
Press release 17 January 2000 by Rev Don Borrie, Chairperson, NZ-DPRK Society

"The establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea) is yet another indication that it is time for New Zealand to rethink its position on North Korea and to move forward on normalising relations.

The Italian move has been welcomed around the world. In Northeast Asia, Japan, China and South Korea have all approved. Italy kept South Korea informed of negotiations and Seoul has said that recognition was in line with Kim Dae-Jung's 'engagement policy'. The Japanese, who have resumed talks with North Korea following the Murayama mission late last year, have asked for Italian help in progressing negotiations. The United States response has been non-committal but it is likely that it has privately approved the Italian initiative. Despite ups and downs, relations between Pyongyang and Washington are improving and a normalisation has been hinted at.

Italy joins a number of European states, including Austria, Finland, Denmark, Portugal and Sweden, having diplomatic relations with North Korea, while France and Germany have informal contacts. Reports suggest that Canada, the Philippines and Japan will be following the Italian road and Australia is resuming negotiations with Pyongyang in February.

Establishment of diplomatic relations would not entail much financial cost for New Zealand. We could follow the Italian example and accredit our embassy in Beijing. This already covers Mongolia. The DPRK for its part would probably accredit its embassy in Jakarta, if one were not established in Canberra before then.

Establishment of diplomatic relations with Pyongyang would not harm our relations with any other country but would, if anything, enhance them. South Korea would react favourably in public and the United States likewise in private. It is congruent with New Zealand's position as a small, non-threatening country with a pro-active peace policy. It would help promote peace in Northeast Asia.

Recognition should be coupled with the provision of aid on a bilateral basis. New Zealand government aid is currently funnelled through the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization. Sending direct aid and providing much needed expertise in fields such as agricultural development, environmental protection, language training and international trade would not only help alleviate the still-desperate humanitarian crisis in the DPRK but would win us friends now, and commercial opportunities in the future. Once out of the current crisis the DPRK, with its population of 22 million, has the potential to become a significant market for New Zealand.

It is timely for a new government of New Zealand to take fresh initiatives. DPRK diplomats have made it clear that Pyongyang is keen to establish diplomatic relations with New Zealand. We call upon Foreign Minister Phil Goff to move forward quickly and decisively to normalise relations with Pyongyang and show that New Zealand will take steps actively to promote peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula."

Rev Don Borrie can be contacted at tel/fax+64 4 236 6422

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OTHER NEWS
The World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization said that the situation was still critical and that continued foreign aid was necessary but that it was also time to think of rehabilitation of the economy as well.
Reports from WFP

At the end of 1999 the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO) signed a turn-key agreement for the construction of light-water reactors as part of implementation of the Agreed Framework between US and DPRK.
Further details from KEDO

DPRK television bought airtime on a Thai commercial satellite. The footprint covers most of the world, including Australia, but just misses out New Zealand so it is not viewable from here.
Details

There were fresh revelations about US atrocities in the early days of the Korean War, and about South Korea forays into the north which preceded the outbreak of the war in 1950.

Commercial spy satellite pictures of the North Korean launch site at Nodong were released by the American Federation of Scientists which said they showed that the hype about a 'missile threat from North Korea' was nonsense.

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NORTH KOREA: THE POLITICS OF AID (MARCH 1998) BY JON BENNETT offers the most comprehensive review of the crisis in N Korea yet published, drawing on a wide range of intl sources, & inquiring about agricultural trends, the prospects of North/South reunification, & gaps in foreign aid. He finds "the accumulated anecdotal evidence of UN, donor & NGO missions points to uneven access to public food rations resulting in long-term nutritional deficits pockets of malnutrition." & that the aid effort of UNICEF, MSF, IFRC & other NGOs "combined with the extensive food aid program, was deemed to have averted major famine by mid-1998." Bennett writes "In contrast to famine in Africa, where state disintegration & weakening of civil society are the norm, N Korea is characterized by stability, centrality & civil order. That the N. Korean govt "has deliberately exaggerated data to attract food aid remains a possibility, though notoriously difficult to verify." Bennett expects that "the N Korean govt will continue to exploit differences between agencies to their advantage & are fully appraised of differences of opinion emanating from NY, Brussels, Rome or elsewhere."
Sallie W. Yea (from Humanitarian Times)