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1999 North Korea Special Weapons
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Missile
Proliferation News

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December

• JAPAN - N. KOREA SPY Voice of America 30 December 1999 -- Authorities in Japan confirmed Thursday that a Japanese citizen accused of spying by North Korea is being detained in a hotel in Pyongyang.
• NORTH KOREA / ESPIONAGE CHARGES Voice of America 29 December 1999 -- North Korea says it has detained a Japanese man on charges of espionage. Pyongyang accuses the man of gathering military and diplomatic secrets.
• Despite Appearances, N. Korea Still A Security Concern By Michael Baker Christian Science Monitor December 22, 1999 -- Military strategists say if North Korea were to attack, it would begin with a barrage of chemical-tipped artillery and missiles. Chemical weapons "are easy to acquire, deploy, and use," notes John Pike, a defense analyst at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington.
• JAPAN-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 22 December 1999 -- Officials from Japan and North Korea have completed preparatory discussions in Beijing, for talks aimed at normalizing relations between the two Asian neighbors.
• JAPAN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 21 December 1999 -- Japanese and North Korean Red Cross delegations meeting in Beijing have reached a deal on humanitarian issues.
• JAPAN-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 20 December 1999 -- Talks between Japan and North Korea on humanitarian and political issues are in danger of being postponed.
• KEDO SIGNS TURN-KEY CONTRACT FOR LIGHT-WATER REACTOR PROJECT IN NORTH KOREA December 15, 1999 -- The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) signed a Turn-key Contract (TKC) with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) on December15 at KEPCO headquarters in Seoul.
• Text: Foley Statement on KEDO Turnkey Contract USIA 15 December 1999 -- State Department said December 15 that it welcomes the signing of the "Turnkey Contract" between the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and the Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) to build two light-water nuclear reactors in North Korea.
• NORTH KOREA / NUCEAR Voice of America 15 December 1999 -- Officials from the United States, Japan, South Korea and the European Union signed a landmark deal Wednesday in Seoul, to build two non-weapons nuclear reactors in North Korea.
• JAPAN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 14 December 1999 -- Japan said Tuesday it will lift the remaining sanctions against North Korea, imposed a year ago after Pyongyang test fired a ballistic missile over Japanese territory.
• =NORTH KOREA FAMINE Voice of America 14 December 1999 -- The top United Nations official in North Korea says harvests in the famine-stricken country have improved but that it remains chronically short of food and dependent on international aid.
• U-S/NORTH KOREA Voice of America 07 December 1999 -- The United States and North Korea, once battlefield enemies and still ideological adversaries, are working toward normalizing relations.
• KOREA-REFUGEES Voice of America 07 December 1999 -- North and South Korea have differing accounts of the situation on the North's border with China.
• JAPAN - NORTH KOREA AID Voice of America 06 December 1999 -- News reports in Japan say the Japanese government is planning to lift sanctions it imposed on North Korea last year.
• NORTH KOREA FAMINE Voice of America 06 December 1999 -- A United Nations official stationed in North Korea says the famine-stricken country is on the way to a fragile recovery but still needs international assistance.
• JAPAN - NORTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 03 December 1999 -- North Korea's Central News Agency and Japanese media reports say the two nations have agreed to resume talks on establishing diplomatic relations.
• JAPAN / N. KOREA Voice of America 01 December 1999 -- A delegation led by former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama left Wednesday for North Korea on a mission to try to improve relations between the two countries.

  November

• PERRY - NORKOR FOOD Voice of America 29 November 1999 -- President Clinton's special advisor for U-S policy toward North Korea has dismissed congressional criticism of American food aid to that country.
• North Korea Unlikely to Collapse Any Time Soon, Perry Says By Jane A. Morse USIA 29 November 1999 -- Despite widespread starvation and horrific economic conditions, the current North Korean regime is unlikely to collapse any time soon, according to William Perry, special advisor on North Korea to President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1999 -- We have determined that Kazakhstan has transferred lethal military equipment, specifically MiG-21 fighter aircraft, to North Korea. We have imposed sanctions on the firms directly involved in the transactions. The Kazakhstan-owned Uralsk Plant Metallist and the private Czech firm Agroplast and against certain Agroplast officials. We're talking about 40 aircraft and they did get there and I don't believe that, since they are 1960s vintage technology aircraft, they are not deemed to be militarily significant.
• U-S - NORTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 20 November 1999 -- After three days of talks aimed at improving bilateral relations, North Korean and American negotiators have sounded a positive note.
• Text: State Department on U.S.-ROK-Japan Meeting 09 November 1999 -- At the conclusion of a two-day Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group meeting in Washington, D.C. November 9, U.S., South Korean, and Japanese delegations had reviewed their countries' contacts with North Korea and had exchanged views on the next round of U.S.-North Korea talks to be held in Berlin on November 15.
• Construction On Reactors For North Korea May Start Soon By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars and Stripes November 5, 1999 -- A contract to provide two light-water nuclear reactors to North Korea should be signed later this month, paving the way for the start of construction on the $4.6 billion project.
• KOREA / NORTH KOREA STRATEGY Voice of America 03 November 1999 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung says he believes the current U-S and South Korean policy toward North Korea - a policy known as engagement - is the best long-term strategy for peace on the peninsula.
• CONGRESS/NORTH KOREA Voice of America 03 November 1999 -- Republicans in the U-S Congress plan a direct challenge to the Clinton administration's North Korea policy. They say hearings will begin when lawmakers reconvene in the New Year.
• Text: Congressional Report on North Korean Threat 03 November 1999 -- The North Korea Advisory Group, comprised of nine senior members of Congress, released a report assessing the threat posed by North Korea. North Korea has increased its capabilities to threaten the Asia-Pacific region as well as U.S. security interests since 1994. The report noted that North Korea now has the missile capability to strike the continental United States.
• Text: Gilman News Release on North Korea Report 03 November 1999 -- The comprehensive threat posed by North Korea to U.S. national security has increased since 1994, according to House International Relations Chairman Benjamin Gilman.
• North Korea stockpiling chemical weapons, South reports By Jim Lea Pacific Stars & Stripes November 2, 1999 -- Pyongyang has produced and stored more than 5,000 tons of chemical agents. Additionally, North Korea has a "significant amount" of biological agents.
• North Korea Stockpiling Chemical Weapons, South Reports By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars and Stripes November 2, 1999 -- Pyongyang has produced and stored more than 5,000 tons of chemical agents. Additionally, North Korea has a "significant amount" of biological agents.
• JAPAN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 02 November 1999 -- Japan is lifting a ban on charter flights to North Korea, in the first easing of sanctions imposed when Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile over Japanese territory last year.

  October

• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing OCTOBER 29, 1999 -- N. KOREA -- US-N. Korea talks in Berlin/Visit to US of high-level North Korean Official / Issuance of gas masks to American civilians living in Korea
• GILMAN: NORTH KOREA "HOLDS OUT ONE HAND FOR AID, WHILE IN THE OTHER HAND IT HOLDS A GUN" (October 27) It is now believed that two types of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles can strike the continental United States with weapons of mass destruction.
• CONGRESS/NORTH KOREA AID Voice of America 27 October 1999 -- The General Accounting Office report says the North Korean government has too many constraints on shipments of U-S aid, which enter the country through the U-N's World Food Program.
• KOREA / U-S MILITARY Voice of America 26 October 1999 -- The joint military exercise, called "Foal Eagle," is an annual event. But what is also an annual event is the belligerent response from North Korea.
• Report: NK Rodong-1 Missile Battalions In Place Jim Lea Pacific Stars and Stripes October 26, 1999 -- North Korea has deployed four Rodong-1 missile battalions — one in North Pyongan Province bordering China and three stationed in North Hwanghae Province near the Demilitarized Zone. Each of the battalions has launch pads for nine Rodong-1 missiles.
• North Korea Blasts U.S. For Dragging Feet On Agreement Jim Lea Pacific Stars and Stripes October 26, 1999 -- North Korea marked the fifth anniversary of a 1994 nuclear agreement with the United States by blasting Washington for the near collapse of the deal because of American foot-dragging.
• Text: Chairman Gilman Oct. 21 Asia Society Speech on North Korea USIA 21 October 1999 -- Our nation is now arguably North Korea's main benefactor and despite this influx of aid, North Korea remains a significant threat to our nation's security interests.
• NK Says Foal Eagle Is Reason For Missiles By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars and Stripes October 19, 1999 -- North Korea pointed to the upcoming military exercise between South Korean and U.S. troops as a motive for conducting a missile development program, the official newspaper of Pyonyang’s ruling Worker’s Party said.
• Text: GAO Report on U.S./North Korea Agreement on Energy USIA 15 October 1999 -- The United States General Accounting Office (GAO) has sent a report onthe status of heavy fuel oil delivered to North Korea under the Agreed Framework of 1994 to House International Relations Committee Chairman Benjamin Gilman.
• GILMAN: "NORTH KOREA MAY STILL BE PURSUING A NUCLEAR PROGRAM" (October 13) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, said that "North Korea may still be pursuing a nuclear program" and "is arguably the largest proliferator of missiles and enabling technology in the world," at a committee hearing on North Korea today.
• Text: Statement of William Perry on U.S. North Korea PolicyUSIA 12 October 1999 -- If the United States fails to persuade North Korea to remove the threat of long-range missiles through dialogue and a significant improvement in relations, then the United States must be prepared to protect its interests and those of its allies by containing that threat, said William Perry, special advisor to the President and the Secretary of State on North Korea policy.

• Review of United States Policy Toward North Korea: Findings and Recommendations Unclassified Report by Dr. William J. Perry, U.S. North Korea Policy Coordinator and Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of State, October 12, 1999 -- Under present circumstances, deterrence of war on the Korean Peninsula is stable on both sides, in military terms. The United States and its allies would swiftly and surely win a second war on the Korean Peninsula, but the destruction of life and property would far surpass anything in recent American experience. While always subject to miscalculation by the isolated North Korean government, there is no military calculus that would suggest to the North Koreans anything but catastrophe from armed conflict. However, acquisition by the DPRK of nuclear weapons or long-range missiles, and especially the combination of the two (a nuclear weapons device mounted on a long-range missile), could undermine this relative stability. China realizes that DPRK ballistic missiles are an important impetus to U.S. national missile defense and theater missile defenses, neither of which is desired by China. If the DPRK moved to eliminate its nuclear and long-range missile threats, the United States would normalize relations with the DPRK, relax sanctions that have long constrained trade with the DPRK and take other positive steps that would provide opportunities for the DPRK.

• NOKOR REPORT - SENATE Voice of America 12 October 1999 -- Former Defense Secretary William Perry says North Korea would have at least 50 nuclear weapons if not for the nuclear freeze it agreed to in 1994.
• The Method to the Madness By Leon V. Sigal Newsweek 09 October 1999 -- If North Korea was committed to building ballistic missiles to launch nuclear warheads, it would have been testing missiles for much of the last decade. Instead, Pyongyang has fired off just two ineffectual launches - both out of pique at US reluctance to negotiate.
• Lifting U.S. Sanctions Not A Benefit, N. Korea Says By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars and Stripes October 7, 1999 -- The United States’ recent lifting of economic sanctions against North Korea is "neither a benefit nor a gift" to the Stalinist state, the official newspaper of Pyongyang’s ruling Workers Party has declared.
• NORTH KOREA / REFUGEES Voice of America 07 October 1999 -- South Korea's Foreign Minister says between 10-thousand and 30-thousand thousand North Koreans have fled to China to seek refuge from famine. It is the first time the South Korean government has made public its estimate of the number of refugees from the North.
• JAPAN / N. KOREA Voice of America 06 October 1999 -- Newly appointed Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono says Tokyo may ease economic sanctions imposed on North Korea after it fired a missile over Japan 14 months ago.
• CHINA-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 6 October 1999 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan is in North Korea, in an effort to shore up ties with Beijing's secretive communist neighbor, amid a changing security situation in Northeast Asia.
• KEDO MEETING Voice of America 5 October 1999 -- Governments trying to eliminate suspected nuclear weapons programs in North Korea say construction of a safer light-water reactor in the North is likely to begin shortly.
• CHINA / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 04 October 1999 -- China's foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan begins a five-day visit to North Korea Tuesday, ostensibly to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two Communist countries. Western diplomats in Beijing say they expect Mr. Tang to press the North Koreans to curtail their nuclear ambitions.

  September

• NORTH KOREAN 'MISSILE MORATORIUM': CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM IN SEOUL USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 30 September 1999 -- North Korea's announcement on Sept. 24 that it would suspend missile tests as long as talks with the U.S. continue elicited a cautiously positive response in Seoul, but Tokyo papers remained skeptical. Observers in South Korea expected little immediate benefit to the North Korean economy from the U.S. announcement on Sept. 17 to ease some trade sanctions, but saw future potential for greater North/South Korean economic cooperation.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 29 September 1999 -- North Korea provided a pledge, that they then publicly acknowledged last week: that they would not conduct a further missile test, while negotiations between our two countries were ongoing, aiming towards achieving an improvement in our bilateral relationship.
• N. KOREA / ARMS Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- A report by the South Korean Defense Ministry says North Korea has exported millions of dollars worth of military hardware in recent years.
• CLINTON - NORTH KOREA Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- President Clinton says he believes North Korea will abide by its agreement to suspend missile testing, but he warns the United States would take unspecified action against Pyongyang if it reneges on its promise.
• U-S / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- Some experts in Asian politics and Members of Congress say they think Washington made a mistake in offering to drop economic sanctions against North Korea in exchange for a North Korean promise to stop missile tests. Other analysts say the only way to promote change in North Korea is to have more contacts with the isolated, impoverished, Communist regime.
• Transcript: Albright, Perry Sept. 17 Briefing on North KoreaUSIA 17 September 1999 -- Although former Secretary of Defense William Perry's recent review of U.S. policy toward North Korea and the Berlin understanding with North Korea on its missile program hold the possibility of long-term stability and eventual reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, the United States has no illusions about the process, according to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• Dr. William Perry, U.S. North Korea Policy Coordinator and Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of State Interview on The PBS NewsHour by Margaret Warner, September 17, 1999 -- We believe that deterrence is stable unless -- unless nuclear weapons and missiles are introduced. Therefore, we're trying to focus on not having the nuclear and nuclear weapons and missiles upsetting that deterrence.
• Dr. William Perry, U.S. North Korea Policy Coordinator and Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of State Interview by Natalie Allen of CNN, September 17, 1999 -- Five years ago, that deterrence was challenged by the emergence of a nuclear program in North Korea and we came at that time very close to a dangerous military conflict.
• Dr. William Perry, U.S. North Korea Policy Coordinator and Special Advisor to the President and the Secretary of State Interview by Sonia Russler of CNNI, September 17, 1999 -- I believe that the North Korean missile program -- their motivation for that program was for their own security. We have a hard time understanding that. We don't see ourselves as being threats to North Korea, but they see themselves as being threatened -- and I believe that's the purpose of their missile program.
• White House Briefing September 17, 1999 - We have sanctions here that we're talking about lifting, which is based on our, U.S., national interests in promoting security in the region. And we believe that this step will promote both of those. Our understanding is that they will refrain from long-range missile testing.
• Easing Sanctions Against North Korea FACT SHEET September 17, 1999 - Restrictions associated with North Korea?s designation as a terrorist-supporting state will remain in place. These restrictions affect trade and/or financial transactions with certain North Korean entities. In addition, statutory restrictions such as U.S. missile technology sanctions remain in place, as do restrictions based on multilateral arrangements and nonproliferation controls.
• Easing Sanctions Against North Korea STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY - September 17, 1999 - Today the President announced his decision to ease some sanctions against the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea), administered under the Trading With the Enemy Act, Defense Production Act, and the Department of Commerce?s Export Administration Regulations.
• CLINTON-KOREA SANCTIONS Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- President Clinton is easing restrictions on U- S trade and finance with North Korea in return for a commitment by Pyongyang not to test long-range ballistic missiles.
• U-S/NORTH KOREA Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- The United States has announced a lifting of some economic sanctions against Communist North Korea in response to the North's pledge to refrain from further tests of long-range missiles. Details on what could lead to the most significant thaw in relations between both countries since the end of the Korean conflict nearly 50 years ago.
• CLINTON-KOREA SANCTIONS Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- President Clinton is easing restrictions on U- S trade and finance with North Korea in return for a commitment by Pyongyang not to test long-range ballistic missiles.
• U-S / KOREA / SANCTIONS Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- President Clinton is easing commercial and trade sanctions against North Korea, which has pledged to forgo testing of long-range ballistic missiles
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 15 September 1999 - Perry will be in a position to speak more publicly about his findings and recommendations in the coming day or so. I'm not aware there is an unclassified summary of the report.
• DEALING ANEW WITH NORTH KOREA Voice of America 15 September 1999 -- More than a month ago, the U-S Central Intelligence Agency warned that the North Koreans were readying a new, longer-range missile. Now, the Clinton administration, together with the governments of Japan and South Korea have apparently headed off this threat.
• REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT UPON DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND September 14, 1999 -- Following talks in Berlin, we understand and expect that North Korea will refrain from testing long-range missiles of any kind, while our discussions continue. We're, in turn, considering measures to ease sanctions and move toward normalizing economic relations with North Korea.
• PRESS BRIEFING BY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SANDY BERGER, NATIONAL ECONOMIC ADVISOR GENE SPERLING, AND PRESS SECRETARY JOE LOCKHART September 13, 1999 -- It is now our understanding and expectation that the North Koreans will refrain from testing any long-range missiles for the duration of our negotiations to improve relations. This is an important initial step for addressing our concerns about North Korea's missile program. For our part, we are considering a number of measures to ease economic sanctions against North Korea, and expect to make a recommendation to the President in the near future.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 13 September 1999 -- NORTH KOREA Based on Berlin bilateral talks, US understands DPRK will refrain from testing long-range missiles while negotiations on improving relations continue. If DPRK were to forego testing, it would be of benefit to the relationship. Secretary Albright is prepared to recommend to the President easing restrictions on non-sensitive goods, investment, certain financial transactions and transportation restrictions. Food issue was not raised in Berlin talks. This understanding is a very substantial step forward. Initial deployment of missile defense not premised upon a DPRK missile threat . Sea boundary issue did not arise in Berlin talks.
• Text: U.S., North Korean Delegations Meet in Berlin Sept. 7-12 USIA 13 September 1999 -- Delegations from the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) met September 7-12 in Berlin, Germany, for more high-level talks on pending issues.
• NORTH KOREA MISSILE Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- The United States says that it has come to agreement with North Korea over Pyongyang's missile program, following six days of talks in Berlin.
• U-S NORTH KOREA MISSILE Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- The United States says it believes it has an agreement with North Korea in which Pyongyang will freeze tests of its long-range missiles as long as both countries remain in negotiations aimed at improving relations.
• CLINTON / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- President Clinton and the leaders of South Korea and Japan are considering easing sanctions against North Korea, if it gives up its weapons program.
• Trilateral Summit Joint Press Statement September 12, 1999 The three leaders confirmed that they are prepared to undertake measures to improve their respective relations with the DPRK as the DPRK addresses the concerns of the U.S., ROK, and Japan, and takes steps to reduce tensions and establish lasting peace on the Korean peninsula and beyond.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 07 September 1999 -- NORTH KOREA Bilateral meetings have just begun; sea boundary dispute came up in general officer talks last week in Panmunjom.
• Perry Report Recommends Package Deal Chosun Ilbo 05 Sept 1999 --US North Korean Policy Administrator, William Perry's report is known to have been completed and will be distributed at the US, South Korea and Japan summit in New Zealand on September 12, following the US, North Korean missile talks in Berlin on September 7. It details five measures: full implementation of the Geneva Accord, acceptance of the MTCR to solve the missile issue, talks at ministerial and above levels, a three stage economic assistance package and normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea.
• S. Korea warns NK not to cross sea border By Jim Lea Pacific Stars & Stripes September 5, 1999 -- South Korea put its forces in the Yellow Sea on higher alert Friday and warned North Korea not to violate the Northern Limit Line that has been the sea border between the two Koreas since 1953.
• North Limit Line Talks End In Impasse; NK Threatens Action Pacific Stars And Stripes Sept. 3, 1999 -- A meeting between North Korean army and U.N. Command generals at Panmunjom on Tuesday ended with no progress on the disputed sea border between South and North Korea. During the talks, the sixth such meeting since June, Pyongyang’s representatives threatened to take "decisive and resolute" action.
• KOREAS / BORDER Voice of America 03 September 1999 -- South Korea has pledged to defend a disputed sea border with neighboring North Korea.
• NORTH KOREA / BORDER Voice of America 02 September 1999 -- North Korea has threatened to take action over a disputed sea border with neighboring South Korea. It says that the so-called "Northern Limit Line," separating the waters of the two countries, is invalid.
• NORTH KOREA / MISSILE Voice of America 02 September 1999 -- The prime ministers of Japan and South Korea are promising to reward North Korea if it drops plans to test launch a ballistic missile.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 02 September 1999 -- NORTH KOREA -- US hopes contacts through general officer talks, as well as ROK-DPRK contacts, will result in amicable solution. Northern Limit Line was raised in Panmunjom talks yesterday. Sea demarcation dates from 1953, when area was a war zone. US-DPRK bilateral talks take place in Berlin next week.
• The Republic of Korea's Position Regarding North Korea's Attempt to Launch Another Missile 01 September 1999 -- President Kim Dae-jung outlines his policies with respect to the prospect of North Korea continuing its long-range missile program.

  August

• N. KOREA FOOD Voice of America 31 August 1999 -- A South Korean relief group says some three and one-half million North Koreans may have died of starvation and related illnesses since 1995. The mortality figure is dramatically higher than estimates made by the South Korean government.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 31 August 1999 -- Representative Hall says he talked to Kim Gye Gwan -- said, "I urged him in the strongest terms not to jeopardize the progress our countries have made by launching another missile and he agreed that there was a good chance that this problem might be resolved," to quote Mr. Hall.
• NK Warns It May Establish New Sea Border By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars And Stripes August 30, 1999 -- North Korea says it will establish a new sea border with South Korea if the U.N. Command does not agree to rewrite the Korean War armistice to specifically designate the line.
• N. KOREA - U-S Voice of America 30 August 1999 -- A U-S Congressman says North Korea is prepared to respond positively if Washington lifts economic sanctions. Representative Tony Hall was speaking after a four day visit to the reclusive state.
• S. Korea: NK Famine Left 270,000 Dead Pacific Stars and Stripes August 28, 1999 — About 270,000 North Koreans are believed to have died of famine between 1995 and 1998, or 26.4 percent of the 1.02 million deaths in that period.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 25 August 1999 -- NORTH KOREA US Special Envoy Charles Kartman to Lead Delegation to Meet with DPRK Counterparts / Prospects for Missile Test by North Korea / Status of Dr. Perry's Report / Prospects for Public Release
• Text: State Department on U.S.-N. Korea Talks in Berlin USIA 25 August 1999 -- U.S. Special Envoy for the Korean Peace Talks, Ambassador Charles Kartman, will lead a delegation of U.S. officials to meet with DPRK counterparts in Berlin, September 7-11.
• CHINA-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 25 August 1999 -- South Korea is trying to coordinate action by the United States, Japan, and China to get North Korea to call off a planned launch of a long-range missile. As part of its diplomatic initiative, Seoul sent its defense minister to Beijing for the first-ever meeting between defense ministers of the two former wartime enemies.
• HALL - N. KOREA Voice of America 25 August 1999 -- A member of the U-S Congress is on the eve of an unprecedented fifth trip to North Korea. Representative Tony Hall has admonished Tokyo for its refusal to provide humanitarian aid to Pyongyang. The Congressman, who is a member of the Democratic Party Task Force on Hunger, made a stop in Japan en route to Pyongyang.
• THE NORTH KOREAN MISSILE THREAT Voice of America 25 August 1999 -- For weeks now, U-S intelligence sources have been warning that North Korea is poised to test launch the latest in a series of regional and long-range missiles. This latest rocket, called the Taepo Dong Two, has an estimated range of 37-hundred miles.
• U-S / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 25 August 1999 -- U-S officials say they plan to hold another round of talks with North Korea next month to try to persuade the North not to carry out any new long range missile tests.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 24 August 1999 -- The burden-sharing agreement reached last August among KEDO members does not contain any commitment by the United States to contribute to the light water reactor project. But the United States is committed to seeking funding for the supply of heavy fuel oil and for other KEDO needs, as appropriate, from the US Congress and all other possible sources.
• War 'Unavoidable,' NK Newspaper Says By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars And Stripes August 24, 1999 — A joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea reveals the "increasing militarism" of the two countries and has made a second Korean War inevitable, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party said Sunday.
• JAPAN-KOREAS Voice of America 24 August 1999 -- Japan and South Korea say they see some positive signs from North Korea, including a willingness to talk. But the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers say they are not yet convinced Pyongyang has backed away from plans to test-fire another ballistic missile.
• CHINA-SOUTH KOREA Voice of America 23 August 1999 -- South Korean Defense Minister Cho Sung-tae has arrived in Beijing for talks a South Korean diplomat says are aimed at seeking China's help in persuading North Korea not to fire a long-range missile.
• JAPAN - S. KOREA TALKS Voice of America 23 August 1999 -- South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hong Soon-Young, is in Tokyo as part of a three- pronged diplomatic effort to stave off the threat of a second ballistic missile test by North Korea.
• Ready, Aim, Extort Time August 23, 1999 -- Any day now, North Korea is expected to test-launch a ballistic missile that could finger the very outer edges of America.
• Trigger-Happy By Barry Hillenbrand and John Pike Time August 23, 1999 Pg. 39 -- There's a reason they call it rocket science.
• KOREAN DIPLOMACY / L-O Voice of America 22 August 1999 -- South Korea's foreign minister has gone to Tokyo, as part of the country's diplomatic drive against the threat of another North Korean missile launch. The talks come amid signs reclusive North Korea is prepared to negotiate its missile program, in return for financial and diplomatic gains.
• U-S - NORTH KOREA Voice of America 18 August 1999 -- The United States says recent comments by North Korean officials have created an opportunity to improve relations.
• U-S - NORTH KOREA Voice of America 18 August 1999 -- North Korea says it is ready to negotiate its missile program. A statement from Pyongyang's official media follows an interview with a leading North Korean official who suggested tensions between his country and the United States could be reduced.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 18 August 1999 -- NORTH KOREA -- US believes a window of opportunity exists to improve relations. Issue of liaison offices under Agreed Framework not yet resolved. Region would be safer if DPRK would forswear long-range missiles, technology transfer.
• ON THE LINE:IS NORTH KOREA A THREAT? Voice of America 17 August 1999 -- On the Line - a discussion of United States policy and contemporary issues. This week, "Is North Korea a Threat?" Here is your host, Robert Reilly.
• State Department Noon Briefing, August 16, 1999 - The North Korean Secretary of the Workers' Party -- Kim Yong Son -- in an interview today with CNN has indicated a willingness to defuse the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
• ON THE LINE:IS NORTH KOREA A THREAT? Voice of America 12 August 1999 -- On the Line - a discussion of United States policy and contemporary issues. This week, "Is North Korea a Threat?."
• NORTH KOREA MISSILE Voice of America 11 August 1999 -- North Korea may be nearing a test of a new long-range missile that has been condemned by its neighbors and by the United States. A look at the possible ramifications of the new missile for international security.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1999 -- We have used every available opportunity to stress our interest in improving relations with the North Koreans. We have also used every available opportunity to convey our concerns about a possible missile launch and its consequences and have urged strongly they not take such an action.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 -- With respect to the Four Party Talks, we were disappointed that we were not able to achieve a consensus on any of the concrete proposals at this round place so that substantive work on the goals of tension reduction on the Korean Peninsula and replacing the Armistice with a peace regime could begin in earnest. I usually don't, in the foreign policy business, ever get happy. We have concerns that we resolve and then we work on new concerns and try to resolve them. So there's rarely a day I can remember of ever being happy here at the podium. When and if we are ready to talk about progress on the missile issue, we will do so.
• DoD News Briefing August 10, 1999 -- We don't anticipate that there will be a missile launch within the next few days or even within the next few weeks at this stage. There were reports I believe over the weekend that some pipes have been laid to a potential launch site. There was a report also that fuel may have been delivered to the launch site. I can't comment on specific intelligence reports. North Korea itself has talked about the possibility of a missile launch so we have to take the possibility of a missile launch seriously. And yes, an observation ship has left Japan on its way to the North Pacific so we will be in a position to monitor a launch should one occur. Talks are continuing. I don't think I want to predict the outcome of the talks.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 10 August 1999 -- Four party talks, involving United States, China, and North and South Korea, began in December, 1997 to try replace the temporary armistice that ended the Korean war of 1950 to 1953 by a permanent peace. The four countries have just held the sixth round in the series.
• KOREA TENSIONS Voice of America 10 August 1999 -- The United States and South Korea say they will begin annual military exercises on the Korean Peninsula next week. The maneuvers occur amid rising tensions in the region and growing expectations North Korea is preparing to test fire a missile. The military exercises are likely to bring strong denunciations from the North.
• Transcript: August 9 Background Briefing on Korea Four-Party Talks USIA 09 August 1999 -- The Four-Party Talks between the United States, China, North Korea, and South Korea on reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and putting a formal end to the Korean War "have begun to move into more substantive areas," according to a senior State Department official speaking on background.
• Text: Korea Four Party Talks August 9 Joint Press Statement USIA 09 August 1999 -- The sixth plenary session of the Four Party Talks, which includes delegations from the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States ended August 9 with an agreement by the parties to arrange the next round of talks as quickly as possible.
• N. KOREA HARVEST Voice of America 09 August 1999 -- North Korea has warned that its grain harvest will drop sharply this year, due to torrential rains and a typhoon which battered the peninsula last week. The country has requested food aid to the areas damaged by Typhoon Olga. The floods are likely to worsen the plight of a country which has experienced successive years of famine.
• U.S. 7th Fleet Always On Alert, Doran Says By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars And Stripes August 7, 1999 -- When the battle erupted between South and North Korean ships in the Yellow Sea in June, two 7th Fleet AEGIS guided-missile cruisers — the USS Mobile Bay and USS Vincennes — were sent to the area very quickly.
• NORTH KOREA MISSILE Voice of America 08 August 1999 -- Amid growing expectations of a missile launch by North Korea, it is maintaining it has a right to launch a missile. North Korean representatives have also rebuffed suggestions to discuss the issue with the United States.
• KOREA - TALKS Voice of America 05 August 1999 -- Negotiators from the United States, China, and North and South Korea opened the latest round of talks (today/Thursday) in Geneva to try to bring a permanent peace to the divided Korean Peninsula. So far, there has been virtually no progress and as Gordon Martin reports from Geneva, there is little prospect of significant results from this latest series of talks
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1999 -- The Four Party Talks is not the forum to discuss a subject like missile launches. We are pursuing, through bilateral channels, a resumption or scheduling of the next round of the missile talks, which would be the appropriate forum to focus exclusively on that issue. But we don't have a date to offer you.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing , AUGUST 2, 1999 -- NORTH KOREA Four Party Talks / Bilateral Talks in Geneva / US-North Korean Development / Nuclear Capability / US-North Korea Multilateral Agreement Food Supply Situation

  July

• COHEN / NORTH KOREA MISSILE Voice of America 30 July 1999 -- U-S Defense Secretary, William Cohen has warned North Korea must choose between confrontation and cooperation.
• NORTH KOREAN MISSILE FEARS Voice of America 30 July 1999 -- Recently, U-S intelligence satellites and other sources have suggested North Korea is getting ready to fire its longest range missile ever, the Taepo Dong Two. This is not good news for the United States, which for the first time could be within range of either a nuclear bomb or a chemical or biological weapon.
• NK Lobs New Threats By Jim Lea, Pacific Stars And Stripes July 30, 1999 -- A report by Pyongyang’s state-operated Korean Central News Agency monitored in Seoul on Monday quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying a missile will be launched "for peaceful scientific research into space and there is no need to be afraid of it."
• Determined Alliance Counters North Korean Threats American Forces Press Service 30 July 1999 -- The United States aims to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula through "deterrence, dialogue and determination," according to Defense Secretary William S. Cohen.
• President Kim and U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen Agree to Closely Cooperate to Deter N.K. Missile Launch 1999-07-29 -- President Kim today met with U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen at the presidential summer retreat Chong Nam Dae and agreed to closely coordinate efforts among Korea, the U.S. and Japan to deter North Korea's possible test launching of a missile for the second time in a year.
• KOREA MISSILE TALKS Voice of America 29 July 1999 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung says North Korea should be offered incentives to persuade the reclusive communist state to abandon plans for a controversial missile test.
• Joint Press Conference with Secretary Cohen and Defense Minister Cho July 29, 1999 -- North Korea is known to have been modifying and repairing the infrastructure at its missile base since a couple of months ago, and we believe that they are preparing for another launch. North Korea is currently doing their work on the infrastructure. North Korea would require considerable time before it actually launches another missile. Korea and the U.S. agreed to exert joint efforts to deter North Korea from launching another missile, based on the common perception that a missile launch would have serious negative consequences on peace and stability on the peninsula and in the region. In case North Korea proceeds with the launch, Secretary Cohen and I agreed to respond resolutely.
• Secretary Cohen and Minister Norota Joint Press Conference July 28, 1999 -- We see this as an opportunity for North Korea to embrace some economic and diplomatic initiatives that would lead to a lessening of tensions and an integration of North Korea into the international community. There are a number of opportunities that I can't spell out here but have been at least made clear through the work being done by Dr. Perry. A rejection of that path of integration into the international community would have the opposite result, and that is, it could lead to greater instability and tensions in the region, which would not be of benefit to anyone.
• COHEN-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 28 July 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen says North Korea will face serious diplomatic and economic consequences if it launches another ballistic missile.
• Cohen Calls for North Korean Cooperation on Missiles American Forces Press Service 28 July 1999 -- The United States has urged North Korea to stop developing, testing, and exporting missiles and missile technology. Another test launch will jeopardize North Korea's relations with the international community, Cohen said.
• Transcript: U.S., Japan, Korea Press Conference on North Korea 27 July 1999 -- Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Hong Soon-Young and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura warned North Korea July 27 that another long-range missile launch -- whether declared to be a missile test or an attempt to place a satellite in orbit -- would be highly destabilizing and would have very serious consequences for efforts to build better relations.
• North Korea Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs July 27, 1999 -- United States Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Hong Soon-Young, and Japanese Foreign Minister Koumura Masahiko called on North Korea to seize the opportunity, presented in May by Dr. William Perry in Pyongyang, to build a new and positive relationship with its neighbors and potential partners, and to accept the comprehensive and integrated approach which builds on the engagement policy.
• NORTH KOREA/MISSILE Voice of America 27 July 1999 -- The United States, Japan and South Korea are warning North Korea not to go ahead with another test of a long range missile, saying doing so would lead to serious negative consequences.
• COHEN-JAPAN-KOREA Voice of America 26 July 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen says even with spy satellites and other resources to help, the United States can not tell when, or if, North Korea will test launch a new ballistic missile.
• NORTH KOREA FAMINE IMPACT Voice of America 22 July 1999 -- FOUR YEARS OF FAMINE HAVE HAD A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE NORTH KOREAN POPULATION, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY OF NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES IN CHINA.
• CONGRESS - NORTH KOREA Voice of America 21 July 1999 -- BY AN OVERWHELMING MARGIN, THE HOUSE VOTED TO ADD CONDITIONS TO THE 1994 AGREEMENT. PRESIDENT CLINTON MUST CERTIFY THAT PYONGYANG IS IN COMPLETE COMPLIANCE BEFORE THE UNITED STATES FULFILLS ITS OBLIGATIONS.
• Text: Korea Four Party Talks Sixth Plenary to Convene August 5 19 July 1999 -- The United States, China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to convene the Sixth Plenary of the Four Party Talks in Geneva beginning August 5, 1999.
• JAPAN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 14 July 1999 -- JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI IS WARNING THAT ANOTHER LONG-RANGE MISSILE TEST BY NORTH KOREA WOULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT REGIONAL SECURITY AND HURT PYONGYANG'S OWN INTERESTS.
• US Department of State Daily Press Briefing 13 July 1999 -- I'm not going to speculate on what specific steps we would take if such a launch did indeed take place. It would not be appropriate for me to comment about what we know about the details of North Korea's missile development activities.
• JAPAN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 13 July 1999 -- JAPAN SAYS IT MAY WITHDRAW FUNDING FOR TWO NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN NORTH KOREA -- IF PYONGYANG TEST FIRES ANOTHER LONG-RANGE MISSILE.
• KOREA/ MISSILES Voice of America 12 July 1999 -- SOUTH KOREA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SAYS SEOUL WOULD CUT OFF ECONOMIC AID TO COMMUNIST NORTH KOREA IN THE EVENT OF A SECOND MISSILE LAUNCH BY THE NORTH.
• US Department of State Daily Press Briefing 08 July 1999 -- NORTH KOREA Status/Update on Access to Detained American Citizen North Korean Missile Activities and Development Status of Dr. Perry's Report Japan Diet's Consideration of Legislation on Export Controls
• KOREA / TALKS Voice of America 03 July 1999 -- NORTH AND SOUTH KOREAN NEGOTIATORS HAVE HELD A SURPRISE MEETING IN BEIJING. THE ONE-ON-ONE TALKS SATURDAY WERE SECRET. THE NORTH ASKED FOR A MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO CHIEF NEGOTIATORS.
• PRESS BRIEFING BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS July 2, 1999 -- President Clinton met today with President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea. Both sides agreed that a North Korean missile test would pose a serious obstacle to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and have serious consequences for improvement in relations with North Korea. I do not think that the U.S., South Korea and Japan, would wish to take steps that would violate the agreed framework.
• US Department of State Daily Press Briefing 02 July 1999 -- NORTH/SOUTH KOREA Collapse of talks / President Kim is in Washington / Missile test concerns / Fishing vessels / General Officer's Talks Arrest of American - No consular access / Dr. Perry's report/ discussions / Status of North East free trade area
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 02 July 1999 -- SOUTH KOREA HAS SUSPENDED ITS TALKS WITH NORTH KOREA IN BEIJING AND ACCUSED THE NORTH OF REFUSING TO DISCUSS THE KEY ISSUE OF REUNITING FAMILIES DIVIDED BY THE KOREAN WAR.
• KEDO AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA SIGN AGREEMENT ON FINANCING FOR LIGHT-WATER REACTOR PROJECT July 2 , 1999 -- The agreement, which is subject to approval of the ROK National Assembly, establishes the modalities related to the ROK’s contribution to the Light-Water Reactor Project. Last year, the ROK committed to provide 70% of the project’s actual cost.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 01 July 1999 -- NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE HELD ANOTHER ROUND OF THEIR ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN TALKS IN BEIJING, BUT SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAY THE MEETING BROKE DOWN WHEN NORTH KOREA REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF REUNITING FAMILIES DIVIDED BY THE KOREAN WAR.
• Visit of South Korean President Kim Dae Jung Foreign Press Center Briefing Transcript July 1, 1999 -- We have warned North Korea that a missile test of any such system would have serious consequences. We have indicated that the problem with the satellite issue is the satellite is simply the payload, it's what launches the satellite and whether there is any conceptual difference between a satellite-launched vehicle and a long-range missile. And so from our point of view, it is the vehicle and the range that is the most serious thing, and that's why we have focused on it. And so we do not think simply labeling something as a satellite makes the issue go away.
• South, North Korean navies clash in West Sea KORUS July 1999 -- For more than a week North Korean fishing boats, escorted by naval patrol boats, intruded south of the Northern Limit Line in the West Sea (Yellow Sea). This line has served for decades as a means of separating North and South Korean naval forces.

  June

• NORTH KOREA MISSILE Voice of America 30 June 1999 -- DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE KURT CAMPBELL SAYS U-S INTELLIGENCE HAS DETECTED SIGNS OF ACTIVITY NEAR NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE LAUNCH SITE. A LAUNCH COULD COME IN A FEW MONTHS, BUT IS PROBABLY NOT IMMINENT. THE UNITED STATES REPORTEDLY MOVED A SPECIALIZED SHIP WITH MISSILE TRACKING RADARS CLOSER TO KOREA IN THE PAST FEW DAYS.
• KOREA / TOURIST Voice of America 29 June 1999 -- A SOUTH KOREAN TOURIST WHO HAD BEEN HELD BY NORTH KOREA SAYS SHE WAS FORCED TO SIGN A CONFESSION TO OBTAIN HER RELEASE.
• FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA 29 June 1999 -- Irrespective of the incredibly high level of emphasis and care that is given to food production nationally, food output this year, even under an optimistic weather scenario, will remain well below needs.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 26 June 1999 -- NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE RESUMED TALKS IN BEIJING THE SOUTH HOPES WILL LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT ON REUNITING FAMILIES SEPARATED BY THE KOREAN WAR.
• NORTH KOREA / TOURIST RELEASE Voice of America 25 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS RELEASED A SOUTH KOREAN TOURIST (FRIDAY) AFTER HOLDING HER FOR SIX DAYS ON SUSPICIONS THAT SHE WAS A SPY.
• U-S / KOREA Voice of America 25 June 1999 -- U-S OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ACCESS TO AN AMERICAN CITIZEN ARRESTED IN NORTH KOREA LAST WEEK.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 25 June 1999 -- SOUTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS IN BEIJING SAY TALKS BETWEEN THEIR COUNTRY AND NORTH KOREA ARE BACK ON TRACK AFTER BEING SUSPENDED EARLIER IN THE WEEK -- WHEN NORTH KOREA DEMANDED AN APOLOGY FOR THE SINKING OF ONE OF ITS GUNBOATS.
• Report on the U.S. Visit to the Site at Kumchang-ni, Democratic People's Republic of Korea U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - June 25, 1999 -- Excavation of the complex, as currently configured, was almost complete but a great deal of additional finishing work remained to be done with almost all of the tunnels still bare rock. Given the current size and configuration of the underground area, the site is unsuitable for the installation of a plutonium production reactor, especially a graphite-moderated reactor of the type North Korea has built at Yongbyon. The site is also not well designed for a reprocessing plant.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 25 June 1999 -- NORTH/SOUTH KOREA The site at Kumchang-ni does not contain a plutonium production reactor or a reprocessing plant either completed or under construction. Given the current size and configuration of the underground area, the site is unsuitable for the installation of a plutonium production reactor - especially a graphite moderated reactor of the type North Korea has built at Yongbyon. The site is also not well designed for a reprocessing plant. Nevertheless, since the site is a large underground area, it could support such a facility in the future with substantial modifications.
• CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT CONCLUDES SECOND PART OF 1999 SESSION 25 June 1999 Press Release DCF/373 (UN Information Service) -- The use of nuclear weapons and the air campaign carried out against the former Yugoslavia showed that no person was safe from such interference. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was ready to see that anyone touching its territory would pay a very high price, Mr. Ri said.
• NORTH / SOUTH KOREA TALKSVOICE OF AMERICA 24 June 1999 --SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS PROPOSED RESUMING STALLED TALKS IN BEIJING THIS SATURDAY. THE HIGHEST LEVEL TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS IN MORE THAN A YEAR BROKE DOWN TUESDAY AFTER A BRIEF FIRST SESSION.
• KOREA TALKSUSIA 24 June 1999 --U-S AND NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS MET FOR A SECOND DAY OF TALKS IN BEIJING AS THE NORTH PROPOSED THAT A SEPARATE SET OF STALLED MEETINGS WITH SOUTH KOREA BE RESUMED ON SATURDAY. SOUTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS SAY THEY ARE CONSULTING WITH SEOUL TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE NORTH KOREAN PROPOSAL.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 23 June 1999 -- The next visit to the Kumchang-ni site, per the agreement negotiated in March, will be in May 2000. We expect the statement of our view to basically follow the following lines. While suspicions remain at present, there is still nothing that leads to the conclusion that there is a violation of the agreed framework.
• KOREAN TALKS VOICE OF AMERICA 23 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS OPENED TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES IN BEIJING BUT HAS PUT A SEPARATE SET OF TALKS WITH RIVAL SOUTH KOREA ON HOLD. THE LATEST DIPLOMATIC MOVES TO DEFUSE TENSIONS ON THE COLD WAR'S LAST FRONTIER.
• TEXT: TRILATERAL CONSULTATIONS ON NORTH KOREA USIA 23 June 1999 --U.S., Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan officials will meet in Washington beginning June 25 for trilateral consultations regarding North Korea.
• KOREA TALKS 22 June 1999 -- NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE HELD THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL TALKS IN MORE THAN A YEAR AT A BEIJING HOTEL. THE MEETING OPENED A DAY LATER THAN SCHEDULED BECAUSE NORTH KOREA REFUSED TO ATTEND UNTIL IT RECEIVED A PROMISED SHIPMENT OF SOUTH KOREAN FERTILIZER.
• NORTH KOREA / TOURISTUSIA 22 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS REJECTED (TUESDAY) DEMANDS BY SOUTH KOREA TO RELEASE A SOUTH KOREAN WOMAN DETAINED THIS WEEK. THE NORTH SAYS THE WOMAN IS A SPY AND HAS BEEN SENT BY SEOUL TO TRY TO COAX NORTH KOREANS TO DEFECT.
• N. KOREA / G-8 VOICE OF AMERICA 21 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA IS LASHING OUT AT THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND OTHER GROUP OF EIGHT NATIONS FOR WHAT IT SAYS IS A POLICY OF HOSTILITY AGAINST IT. LEADERS OF THE WORLD'S MOST INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN ABOUT NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE PROGRAM.
• KOREAS / TALKSVOICE OF AMERICA 21 June 1999 -- A TOP SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIAL SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS REFUSED TO ATTEND THE FIRST OFFICIAL NORTH-SOUTH TALKS IN 14 MONTHS UNTIL A PROMISED SHIPMENT OF SOUTH KOREAN FERTILIZER ARRIVES IN A NORTH KOREAN PORT. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME MONDAY THAT NORTH KOREA DELAYED THE OPENING OF THE TALKS.
• KOREA / TALKS VOICE OF AMERICA 20 June 1999 -- NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA ARE SCHEDULED TO OPEN FOUR DAYS OF TALKS MONDAY IN BEIJING, IN THE FIRST OFFICIAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES IN 14 MONTHS. THE MEETING -- WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH HUMANITARIAN ISSUES -- COULD FACE DIFFICULTIES IF THE NORTH BRINGS UP LAST WEEK'S SINKING OF ONE OF ITS GUN BOATS BY THE SOUTH.
• KOREAN PENINSULA: VIEWS ON YELLOW SEA 'GUN BATTLE,' SUNSHINE POLICY, PERRY VISIT USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 18 June 1999 -- The tense, ten-day standoff in the Yellow Sea between North and South Korea--which resulted in the sinking of a North Korean torpedo boat and a number of North Korean casualties three days ago--commanded the attention of media commentators in Seoul and a handful of others in Asia and in Europe who sought to come to grips with Pyongyang's "mysterious provocations." The incursions by North Korean fishing boats into the crab-rich waters of a disputed fishing zone between the North and the South, coming just two weeks after former Defense Secretary Perry's visit to Pyongyang, prompted editors in South Korea to debate the value of their government's Sunshine Policy toward North Korea, and moved others to examine whether the North's actions were a "call for help" or a ploy designed to limit efforts--by the U.S. and others--to "open" North Korea to the outside world.
• NORTH KOREA MISSILE VOICE OF AMERICA 18 June 1999 -- U-S INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE DETECTED SIGNS THAT NORTH KOREA IS GETTING READY TO TEST LAUNCH ANOTHER MISSILE, PERHAPS AN OCEAN-SPANNING VERSION OF ITS TAEPO DONG ROCKET. THE OFFICIALS SAY THE TEST COULD COME WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.
• DoD News Briefing Thursday, June 17, 1999 -- I don't think that it should be viewed as all that unusual that the USS VINCENNES and the USS MOBILE BAY were put out to sea to kind of monitor the situation.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 17 June 1999 -- The Northern Limit Line was and still is demarcated by the UN command as a practical way to separate forces. We believe it's been an effective means to prevent military tension between North and South Korean military forces for 46 years, since 1953. We continue to urge the DPRK to recognize this practicality by keeping its craft north of the line.
• WPK's Policy of Giving Prioirty to Army, The People's Korea, 16 June 1999 -- The mode of give-priority-to-the-army policy is a mode of leadership which solves all problems arising in the revolution and construction on the principle of giving top precedence to the military affairs and pushes ahead with the socialist cause as a whole, putting forward the army as the pillar of the revolution.
• DPRK Foreign Ministry Clairfies Statement on Satellite Launch June 16, 1999 - As for the satellite launch, this belongs to the legitimate right of an independent sovereign state. The satellite launch aimed at a scientific research for the peaceful development of the space allows no one to say this or that of it.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 16 June 1999 -- NORTH/SOUTH KOREA -- US in Close Consultation with South Korean Allies/US Monitoring/US Forces Remain in Normal State of Readiness Situation/No Crossings of Northern Limit Line by DPRK in Last 24 Hours/Contact of DPRK Through the New York Channel/Officer's Talks in Panmujom/Pentagon/Avoidance of Confrontation in Both Sides Interests/Perry Review
• DoD News Briefing June 16, 1999 -- There are two F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, 10 B-52 bombers, one Patriot and a battalion headquarters, eight F-16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft, and some additional EA-6Bs on alert to deploy if necessary at various places around the United States. The CONSTELLATION? It's going to depart from San Diego, it's homeport, on the 18th of June. My understanding is this was a previously planned deployment.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 15 June 1999 -- Regrettably, an exchange of fire broke out Tuesday morning as the standoff between South Korean and North Korean naval vessels continued. The incident occurred when North Korean ships opened fire on South Korean vessels that were attempting to push them back across the so-called Northern Limit Line. The South Korean vessels returned fire; one North Korean vessel was sunk and others damaged. There have been reports of casualties on both sides.
• DoD News Briefing , June 15, 1999 -- There is a line that is called the Northern Limit Line that runs out into the ocean between South Korea and North Korea. The North Koreans have always resented this line. There have been many skirmishes in the past, maybe hundreds over the last 40 or so years, challenging this line. I'm not aware that there's any change in the U.S. alert status at this stage. We're generally on a pretty high state of alert there.
• DPRK statement on Satellite Launch June 14, 1999 - The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK today issued a statement denouncing the Japanese authorities for their recent persistent anti-DPRK diatribe over the DPRK’s satellite launch for space research.
• N-S KOREA / SHIPSVOICE OF AMERICA 14 June 1999 -- FOUR NORTH KOREAN WARSHIPS RETURNED HOME LATE MONDAY MORNING AFTER INFILTRATING SOUTH KOREAN WATERS EARLIER IN THE DAY. ITS THE SEVENTH DAY OF A TENSE MILITARY STANDOFF IN THE YELLOW SEA.
• U.S. FORCES KOREA UPDATE MESSAGE Release No. 990613 -- While U.S. forces in Korea have not been placed on a higher state of alert, the command is monitoring the situation closely and will take appropriate steps as required. Additionally, the threat condition status or Threatcon for the command has not changed.
• KOREA STANDOFF Voice of America 13 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS AGREED TO MEET WITH UNITED NATIONS COMMAND OFFICERS IN AN EFFORT TO DEFUSE A TENSE STANDOFF AT ITS SEA BORDER WITH SOUTH KOREA. THE MEETING COULD COME AS EARLY AS TUESDAY.
• NORTH KOREA / STANDOFF Voice of America 12 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS THREATENED TO ATTACK SOUTH KOREAN WARSHIPS IN DISPUTED WATERS, AS AN ARMED STANDOFF PASSES ITS FIFTH DAY. FOUR NORTH KOREAN PATROL BOATS RE-ENTERED SOUTH KOREAN WATERS SATURDAY, AFTER WITHDRAWING THE PREVIOUS EVENING.
• UN Command and North Korean Generals Discuss Naval Incidents Release No. 990611 -- General officers from the United Nations Command (UNC) and the North Korean People’s Army (KPA) met today at Panmunjom to discuss the series of incidents involving South and North Korean naval vessels off the west coast of the Korean peninsula.
• KOREAN / SHIPS Voice of America 11 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREAN WARSHIPS WERE NUDGED BY SOUTH KOREAN NAVY VESSELS BACK INTO THEIR OWN TERRITORIAL WATERS ON FRIDAY, AS A TENSE STANDOFF IN THE YELLOW SEA ENTERED ITS FOURTH DAY.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing JUNE 11, 1999 -- Our North Korea policy of maintaining strong, deterrent alliances with our friends in the region, while engaging the DPRK in serious dialogue to reduce tensions and address our concerns, remains unchanged. Far from delaying his report to the President, Dr. Perry is working expeditiously to complete it.
• NORTH / SOUTH KOREA / STANDOFFVoice of America 09 June 1999 -- NAVY SHIPS FROM NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA ARE INVOLVED IN A TENSE STANDOFF NEAR THEIR HEAVILY-ARMED BORDER. SOUTH KOREAN PATROL BOATS WERE DISPATCHED ON WEDNESDAY AFTER THE NORTH SENT SIX SHIPS INTO A BUFFER ZONE AT THE WESTERN SEA BORDER.
• CHINA / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 03 June 1999 -- NORTH KOREA'S NUMBER TWO LEADER HAS ARRIVED IN BEIJING FOR A FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT AIMED AT SHORING UP TIES WITH HIS COUNTRY'S LAST MAJOR ALLY. KIM YONG-NAM, HEAD OF NORTH KOREA'S PARLIAMENT, IS THE HIGHEST-RANKING OFFICIAL FROM THAT COUNTRY TO VISIT CHINA SINCE THE LATE PRESIDENT KIM IL-SUNG WENT THERE IN 1991.
• N.KOREA / S. KOREA Voice of America 02 June 1999 -- OFFICIALS FROM NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET IN BEIJING LATER THIS MONTH, MARKING A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS.
• N. KOREA / S. KOREA Voice of America 01 June 1999 -- SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG SAYS THERE MAY BE A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN RELATIONS WITH COMMUNIST NORTH KOREA, WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THE REMARK COINCIDES WITH ANOTHER BLAST OF CRITICISM FROM PYONGYANG ON TUESDAY.
• TEXT: PERRY 5/29 REMARKS ON MEETINGS WITH NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS USIA 01 June 1999 -- In his most recent round of talks with North Korean officials, former Secretary of Defense William Perry said he stressed the concern of the United States, Japan, and South Korea over North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

  May

• KOREA / PERRY Voice of America 29 May 1999 -- U-S PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY TO NORTH KOREA WILLIAM PERRY HAS RETURNED FROM A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO THE STALINIST COUNTRY -- ANNOUNCING SATURDAY HE SUCCESSFULLY CONVEYED WASHINGTON'S CONCERNS ABOUT ITS SUSPECTED WEAPONS PROGRAMS.
• NORTH KOREA FOOD Voice of America 29 May 1999 -- OFFICIALS OF AN AID GROUP THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOOD-RELIEF EFFORT IN FAMINE-STRICKEN NORTH KOREA SAY THE RECLUSIVE COUNTRY'S GOVERNMENT FEELS THE CRISIS STAGE IS OVER. HOWEVER, IT STILL NEEDS FOREIGN HELP.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing MAY 28, 1999 -- The US team reported that the underground site at Kumchang-ni is an extensive, empty tunnel complex. The underground portion of the site is a large, empty tunnel complex. Construction was unfinished and no equipment was present. It was at a stage of construction prior to the time when any relevant equipment, other than construction equipment, would be expected to be present. A fuller technical analysis is underway to determine as best we can what the site might have been intended for. Based on what we know thus far, there is no basis to conclude that North Korea is in violation of the agreed framework.
• Suspected North Korean Atom Site Is Empty, U.S. Finds The New York Times 28 May 1999 -- U.S. investigators in North Korea have discovered that an underground site that Washington suspects could be used to revive that nation's nuclear weapons program is a huge, empty tunnel.
• N. KOREA / U-S Voice of America 26 May 1999 -- WASHINGTON'S TOP ADVISOR ON NORTH KOREA WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET WEDNESDAY WITH LEADERS IN PYONGYANG. WILLIAM PERRY ALSO HOPES TO MEET NORTH KOREA'S TOP OFFICIAL -- KIM JONG IL.
• JAPAN / PERRY Voice of America 25 May 1999 -- U-S PRESIDENTIAL ENVOY WILLIAM PERRY GOES TO NORTH KOREA TUESDAY, HEADING THE HIGHEST U-S DELEGATION TO VISIT THE STALINIST STATE SINCE THE KOREAN WAR. MR. PERRY IS CARRYING PROPOSALS FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON TO EASE TENSIONS ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA
• PERRY / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 24 May 1999 -- BEGINNING TODAY (TUESDAY), SPECIAL WHITE HOUSE ENVOY WILLIAM PERRY IS IN NORTH KOREA FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT AIMED AT IMPROVING TIES WITH PYONGYANG'S LEADERSHIP. MR. PERRY'S TRIP IS BEING WATCHED WITH CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM IN SOUTH KOREA.
• TEXT: JOINT U.S.-ROK-JAPAN STATEMENT ON NORTH KOREA POLICY USIA 24 May 1999 -- The United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan will continue to closely coordinate their policies toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to a joint statement released May 24.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing MAY 24, 1999 -- With respect to the team in Kumchang-ni the US team concluded its work. They received good cooperation from North Korean officials.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing , MAY 21, 1999 -- The US team at Kumchang-ni continued their work. I'm not in a position to report their findings. They'll stay as long as necessary to satisfy themselves that the work has been completed and they have the necessary access to the facility and to continue their work. There is no time limit set, and they will make that decision. But it's my understanding they're still there as of today. Dr. Perry is not going to North Korea to negotiate and offer incentives in some negotiation. He's going there to get an assessment as the final piece in his review to try to ascertain whether the North Koreans want to see a change in their relationship with the outside world.
• U-S / N. KOREA Voice of America 21 May 1999 -- U-S OFFICIALS SAY SPECIAL ENVOY WILLIAM PERRY WILL HOLD TALKS WITH JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER HIS PLANNED VISIT TO NORTH KOREA NEXT WEEK.
• U-S / KOREA Voice of America 17 May 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES HAS ANNOUNCED IT IS DONATING AN ADDITIONAL 400 THOUSAND TONS OF FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT DURING TALKS WITH VISITING SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER HONG SOON YOUNG.
• TEXT: U.S. TO PROVIDE 400,000 TONS OF FOOD TO NORTH KOREA USIA17 May 1999 -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced May 17 that the United States has agreed to donate 400,000 tons of food to North Korea. The food will be distributed through the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP).
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing , MAY 14, 1999 -- Certification for the remaining appropriated funds for fuel oil - that is, the $20 million - is now under review by the Administration. There is no "deadline" for its completion. The US expects to meet its obligations regarding the supply of heavy fuel oil to KEDO under the agreed framework. In short, the previous moneys we've obtained from Congress are sufficient for us to continue to provide fuel oil for some time. We do want to be able to get the additional $20 million soon, however; but there is no deadline
• N. KOREA / FAMINE Voice of America 10 May 1999 -- FAMINE-HIT NORTH KOREA HAS ADMITTED FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ITS CITIZENS HAVE DIED FROM HUNGER. THE CONFESSION COMES AS THE COUNTRY STRUGGLES TO SURVIVE THE LEANEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing , MAY 7, 1999 -- On March 16, 1999, the United States and North Korea reached agreement on American access to the underground construction in Kumchang-ni. A US team of technical experts will arrive in North Korea May 18. The purpose of this visit it to remove fully US concerns about the nature of this site and about the activities there.
• KEDO AND JAPAN SIGN AGREEMENT ON FINANCING FOR LIGHT-WATER REACTOR PROJECT May 4, 1999 -- The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and the Government of Japan have signed an agreement on the provision of financing for the Light-Water-Reactor Project.
• NORTH KOREA ECON Voice of America 03 May 1999 -- THE CHIEF U-S NEGOTIATOR WITH NORTH KOREA SAYS HE EXPECTS THAT COUNTRY'S ECONOMY TO BEGIN IMPROVING SOON -- A DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD HELP IT OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
• NORTH KOREA- TUBERCULOSIS Voice of America 03 May 1999 -- WITH NORTH KOREA EXPERIENCING ITS FOURTH-YEAR OF FAMINE, OBSERVERS SAY DISEASE IS A PROBLEM THAT IS GROWING WITH MALNUTRITION. ONE ILLNESS THAT IS NOT OBVIOUSLY LINKED TO FAMINE, BUT IS A DIRECT OUTCOME OF IT, IS TUBERCULOSIS.

  April

• NORTH KOREA FOOD Voice of America 28 APRIL 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS APPARENTLY RUN OUT OF FOOD FROM ITS LAST HARVEST AND IS NOW DISTRIBUTING EDIBLE ROOTS AND BARK. BUT HE SAYS THE OVERALL SITUATION SEEMS BETTER THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR.
• NORTH KOREAN THREAT Voice of America 28 APRIL 1999 -- A NEW BOOK SUGGESTS THE NORTH KOREANS ARE USING NEGOTIATIONS AS A PRETEXT WHILE THEY PREPARE FOR A POSSIBLE WAR. THE AUTHOR'S VIEWS AT A RECENT WASHINGTON CONFERENCE AND SOME OPPOSING ONES.
• TEXT: KOREA FOUR-PARTY TALKS APRIL 27 JOINT PRESS STATEMENT USIA 27 April 1999 -- The fifth plenary session of the Korea Four Party Talks, chaired by the United States, concluded April 27 with an agreement by the parties to consider and fashion measures to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula during their next round of talks.
• TRANSCRIPT: APRIL 27 BACKGROUND BRIEFING ON NORTH KOREA TALKS USIA 27 April 1999 -- The fifth plenary session of the Korea Four Party Talks resulted in "a great deal of frank and serious discussion" of difficult issues relating to the reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, according to a senior State Department official speaking on background April 27.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 28 APRIL 1999 --A FIFTH ROUND OF FOUR-PARTY TALKS ON KOREA HAS WRAPPED UP WITH NO SIGNS OF PROGRESS HAVING BEEN MADE IN ACHIEVING A PERMANENT PEACE IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA.
• NORTH KOREA/FAMINE Voice of America 27 APRIL 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS RUN OUT OF FOOD FROM THE LAST HARVEST. THE COUNTRY'S GENERAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM,WILL HAVE NO MORE FOOD AVAILABLE AGAIN FOR ABOUT TWO MORE MONTHS.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 24 APRIL 1999 -- A FIFTH ROUND OF FOUR-PARTY TALKS AIMED AT ACHIEVING A PERMANENT PEACE IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA HAS BEGUN IN GENEVA. DELEGATES ARRIVING FOR THE MEETING DAMPENED EXPECTATIONS FOR MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN THIS ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS SAYING SUCH A COMPLEX MATTER REQUIRES PATIENCE.
• U-N / NORTH KOREA FOOD Voice of America 23 APRIL 1999 -- THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM LAUNCHED AN APPEAL TODAY FOR 260 MILLION DOLLARS TO PROVIDE MORE FOOD AID TO NORTH KOREA.
• TEXT: USAID PRESS RELEASE ON NORTH KOREA POTATO PROJECT 22 April 1999 -- The United States and North Korea have reached an agreement on a potato production project in North Korea, according to an April 22 press release from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
• TEXT: FIFTH ROUND OF KOREA FOUR-PARTY TALKS TO CONVENE APRIL 24 13 April 1999 -- The United States, China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to convene the Fifth Plenary of the Four Party Talks to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula in Geneva beginning April 24, 1999.
• THE CONTINUING CRISIS IN NORTH KOREA Voice of America 10 April 1999 -- NORTH KOREA, ONE OF THE LAST COMMUNIST REGIMES IN THE WORLD, IS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR OF FAMINE. AN ESTIMATED TWO MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF HUNGER AND DISEASE. BUT THE CRISIS HAS NOT SLOWED NORTH KOREA'S EFFORTS TO ACQUIRE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. AMONG OTHER THINGS, DESPITE AN ACCORD NEGOTIATED WITH THE U.S. IN 1994 TO CEASE ITS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM, PYONGYANG HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN A SUSPECTED NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANT IN KUMCHANG-NI.
• TEXT: DAS EINHORN 4/2 REMARKS ON NORTH KOREA MISSILE TALKS 02 April 1999 -- If North Korea continues with its provocative missile program, that course of action will have "serious negative consequences" for North Korea's relations with the United States, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation Robert Einhorn.
• NORTH KOREA/FAMINE Voice of America 02 April 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS IS RENEWING ITS APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR FOOD AID TO BELEAGUERED NORTH KOREA -- SAYING THE FOOD SITUATION THERE IS NOT GETTING ANY BETTER.

  March

• Department of State Daily Press Briefing WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1999 -- We continue to have serious concerns about North Korea's development, testing and export of missiles and missile technology. We are seeking tight constraints on these questions. We have made clear that we oppose further North Korean launches of long range missiles. This includes launches intended to orbit satellites.
• KOREA - U-S / MISSILES Voice of America 31 March 1999 -- UNITED STATES OFFICIALS RETURNED TO SEOUL WEDNESDAY FROM TWO DAYS OF MISSILE TALKS IN PYONGYANG WITH NORTH KOREAN OFFICIALS.
• Department of State Daily Press Briefing , MARCH 30, 1999 -- The US and North Korea met March 29-30, for another round of missile talks. The talks occurred in Pyongyang in North Korea, and the US delegation was led by our Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Einhorn. The talks were business like, substantive and detailed. In particular, we stressed that further launches of long missiles or further exports of such missiles or their technology would have serious negative implications for US-North Korean relations.
• Department of State Daily Press Briefing , MARCH 29, 1999 -- We previously held missile talks with the North Koreans in April '96, June '97 and October '98. As you know, North Korea's missile proliferation activities are of great concern to us, and will be addressed in full at the talks.
• U-S/ N. KOREA MISSILE TALKS Voice of America 29 March 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE STARTED TWO DAYS OF TALKS IN PYONGYANG, ABOUT NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE PROGRAM.
• ROK Official Comments on DPRK Missile Plants, Bases Seoul Yonhap 25 March 1999 -- North Korea has at least four missile factories and is building additional bases to add to the 10 it already has.
• North Korea operates at least 4 missile factories, 10 launch sites, official says By Lee Sung-yul Korea Herald 26 March 99 -- The 10 missiles sites in the North, have been confirmed to be located in Mt. Kanggamchan, Mayangdo, Paekun-ri, Rodong-Taepodong, Chonggang-up, Okpyong, Jiha-ri and three Pyongyang metropolitan areas. Two new bases are also under construction in the two South Hamkyong Province areas of Tuksong-gun and Yongoh-dong.
• NORTH KOREA / MISSILES Voice of America 25 March 1999 -- SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAID THURSDAY NORTH KOREA HAS AT LEAST FOUR MISSILE FACTORIES AND 10 LAUNCH BASES. THE NUMBER OF MISSILE-PRODUCING FACTORIES COULD BE AS HIGH AS EIGHT, WHILE MISSILE BASES COULD TOTAL AS MANY AS 12.
• AMB. BOSWORTH AT KOREAN REGIONAL POLICY INSTITUTE USIA 25 March 1999 -- North Korea remains a military threat to the security of the Korean peninsula and, as long as the threat exists, the United States will be committed to a strong deterrent, according to U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Stephen Bosworth.
• JAPAN / SHIPS Voice of America 24 March 1999 -- JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SOURCES SAY THEY SUSPECT THAT NORTH KOREA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO SUSPICIOUS SHIPS WHICH WERE SPOTTED IN JAPANESE WATERS TUESDAY.
• THAILAND / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 23 March 1999 -- THAILAND HAS ORDERED THE EXPULSION OF SIX NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS, FOLLOWING THE APPARENT BUNGLED KIDNAPPING OF A FELLOW ENVOY.
• U.S.-NORTH KOREA: 'SUSPICIONS STILL REMAIN' OVER KUMCHANG-RI INSPECTION DEAL USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 22 March 1999 -- Analysts in East and South Asia, Europe and Canada expressed varied reactions to the announcement last week that Pyongyang would allow U.S. officials to inspect a suspected underground nuclear facility at Kumchang-ri, North Korea. Although many welcomed the agreement, which calls for the first inspection to take place this May, most were cautious in their assessments of North Korea's intentions and whether the deal was the result of diplomacy, "brinkmanship" or "bribery."
• U-S/NORTH KOREA Voice of America 22 March 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FOOD AID TO HELP NORTH KOREA DEAL WITH WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS WIDESPREAD STARVATION.
• CHINA / NORTH KOREA-U-S Voice of America 18 March 1999 -- CHINA IS WELCOMING AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD LET U-S INSPECTORS VISIT A SUSPECT UNDERGROUND NORTH KOREAN WEAPONS SITE, NORTHWEST OF PYONGYANG.
• KOREA TALKS / REACT Voice of America 17 March 1999 -- UNDER THE AGREEMENT, U-S OFFICIALS WILL BE GIVEN ACCESS TO THE SITE STARTING IN MAY. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONFIDENT THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THEM WITH ENOUGH ACCESS AND FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AT THE SITE TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS OR COULD BE USED FOR NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES.
• TRANSCRIPT: KARTMAN/KIM JOINT STATEMENT ON U.S.-DPRK TALKS USIA 17 March 1999 -- U.S. efforts to improve political and economic relations with North Korea will likely begin with a joint bilateral program in the agricultural area, given that the food situation in the DPRK remains quite dire, according to U.S. Special Envoy Charles Kartman.
• TEXT: U.S.-DPRK JOINT PRESS STATEMENT USIA 16 March 1999 -- At their most recent meeting in New York, delegations from the United States and North Korea (DPRK) agreed that North Korea would invite the United States to visit Kumchang-ri in May 1999 to remove U.S. concerns about that underground site.
• TEXT: ALBRIGHT ON AGREEMENT WITH N. KOREA ON SITE ACCESS USIA 16 March 1999 -- The United States and North Korea have reached an agreement on access to the suspect underground site at Kumchang-ni, according to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• TEXT: BACKGROUND BRIEFING ON U.S.-NORTH KOREA TALKS USIA 16 March 1999 -- The agreement to allow U.S. inspection of a suspicious underground site in North Korea was directed more at solving an acute problem than starting the process of lifting U.S. sanctions against North Korea, according to a senior U.S. official.
• KOREA TALKS / REACT Voice of America 16 March 1999 -- NORTH KOREA SAYS IT IS HAPPY WITH AN AGREEMENT IT REACHED WITH THE UNITED STATES TUESDAY, ALLOWING U-S INSPECTIONS OF AN ALLEGED NUCLEAR SITE.
• U-S / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 16 March 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS AGREED TO ALLOW INSPECTION OF A CONTROVERSIAL UNDERGROUND SITE SUSPECTED OF BEING A NUCLEAR FACILITY.
• PRESS RELEASE FROM USIS TOKYO ON PERRY'S VISIT USIA 11 March 1999 -- Former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry met March 10 with Japan's Prime Minister Obuchi and other Japanese officials regarding policy options toward North Korea.
• W-F-P / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 10 March 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, W-F-P, SAYS NORTH KOREA CONTINUES TO SUFFER FROM FAMINE -- WITH A CRUCIAL PERIOD COMING UP IN A FEW WEEKS.
• THAILAND / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 10 March 1999 -- A NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMAT IS IN THAI GOVERNMENT HANDS AFTER WHAT WAS AN APPARENT ATTEMPT BY HIS OWN COUNTRYMEN TO KIDNAP HIM.
• PERRY / JAPAN Voice of America 10 March 1999 -- THE U-S COORDINATOR ON NORTH KOREA, WILLIAM PERRY, WON SUPPORT FROM JAPANESE LEADERS WEDNESDAY FOR A SET OF POLICY PROPOSALS HE INTENDS TO PRESENT TO PRESIDENT CLINTON LATER THIS MONTH.
• NORTH KOREA / U-S Voice of America 08 March 1999 -- WILLIAM PERRY'S VISIT COMES IN ADVANCE OF THE REPORT HE WILL MAKE TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ON FUTURE U-S POLICY ON NORTH KOREA. SOUTH KOREA FEARS THAT MR. PERRY MAY CHOOSE TO RECOMMEND A TOUGHER LINE THAN THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG WOULD LIKE.
• Presidential Determination No. 99-16 March 5, 1999 -- North Korea is complying with all provisions of the Agreed Framework and with the Confidential Minute between North Korea and the United States.
• U-S / KOREAS Voice of America 04 March 1999 -- WILLIAM PERRY WILL USE HIS WEEK-LONG VISIT TO ASIAN CAPITALS TO GAUGE THE OPINIONS OF KEY POLICY-MAKERS IN TOKYO, SEOUL AND BEIJING, TOWARD NORTH KOREA'S SUSPECTED MISSILE AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAMS.
• U-S - NORTH KOREA / NEGOTIATIONS Voice of America 02 March 1999 -- U-S INTELLIGENCE EXPERTS SAY THE SITUATION CONCERNING NORTH KOREA IS VERY DANGEROUS. THEY SAY THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT NORTH KOREA IS PURSUING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.

  February

• CONGRESS-FOREIGN POLICY Voice of America 25 Feburary 1999 -- ALBRIGHT MADE CLEAR THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT PYONGYANG'S MISSILE PROGRAM, AND SUSPECTS THE NORTH KOREANS MAY BE CONDUCTING NUCLEAR RESEARCH AT A SECRET SITE.
• NORTH KOREA REMAINS GREATEST THREAT IN ASIA, ALBRIGHT SAYS Jane A. Morse USIA 25 Feburary 1999 -- North Korea presents the greatest military threat in Asia and may be violating its agreement with the United States to suspend its nuclear weapons programs, says Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
• KIM / NORTH-SOUTH KOREAN TIES Voice of America 24 Feburary 1999 -- SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE-JUNG ON WEDNESDAY URGED NORTH KOREA TO ABANDON ITS MILITARY PROGRAMS, IN EXCHANGE FOR WHAT HE CALLED A PACKAGE DEAL OF BENEFITS.
• TEXT: STANLEY ROTH ON NORTH KOREA USIA 23 Feburary 1999 -- A "normal" North Korea, that is part of the "family of nations," is America's policy goal, according to Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Stanley Roth.
• TEXT: NEXT ROUND OF U.S.-NORTH KOREA TALKS SLATED FOR FEB. 27 16 February 1999 -- The next round of U.S.-North Korea (DPRK) discussions on the Kumchang-ni underground construction will be commence in New York on February 27.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing , FEBRUARY 16, 1999 -- KOREA (NORTH) QUESTION: Regarding Dr. Perry's report, do you have information on his travel plans, prior to the release and then also after the release of his repor, to the region? If you decide to leak the report, why don't you leak it to somebody who comes to the briefings every now and then?
• Department of State Daily Press Briefing , FEBRUARY 09, 1999 -- The North Koreans have obviously, at various times, put out different versions of what it would take to allow us multiple site access. We will not pay compensation to be permitted to ensure that an agreement is being properly implemented. That is our principled position.
• KOREA / TALKS Voice of America 08 February 1999 - NORTH KOREA HAS WELCOMED SEOUL'S CAUTIOUSLY-POSITIVE RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK'S PROPOSAL FOR OFFICIAL TALKS. BUT SOUTH KOREAN OBSERVERS SAY THE NORTH'S OVERTURE MAY HAVE MORE TO DO WITH ITS NEED FOR FOOD, THAN A DESIRE FOR A PEACE AGREEMENT.
• North Korea's Coming ICBM Larry Niksch, Pacific Forum CSIS PacNet No. 5, February 5, 1999 U.S. intelligence has reportedly concluded that: North Korea will have a longer-range ICBM capable of striking the U.S. west coast and other parts of the continental United States within five years; it will have a missile capable of striking Alaska and Hawaii by 2002; and it is constructing underground sites to deploy these missiles.
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 04 Feburary 1999 -- SOUTH KOREA ON THURSDAY CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMED A RARE PROPOSAL BY NORTH KOREA FOR HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL TALKS.
• NORTH KOREA / FAMINE Voice of America 03 Feburary 1999 -- THERE ARE SIGNS THAT FAMINE IN NORTH KOREA MAY BE EASING.
• Department of State Daily Press Briefing WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1999 -- We have known for some time that North Korea is developing a Taepo Dong missile. While we had expected a Taepo Dong I launch for some time, its use of a small third stage in the attempt to deploy a very small satellite was not anticipated. North Korea would need to resolve some important technical issues before being able to use the Taepo Dong I with a small third stage to deliver a very small payload to intercontinental ranges. North Korea also has been working for some time on a larger missile, the Taepo Dong II, that could deliver a somewhat larger payload to ICBM ranges. North Korea could be able to test-launch this missile for the first time as early as 1999.
• NORTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 03 Feburary 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS PROPOSED DIRECT HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL TALKS WITH SOUTH KOREA.
• U-S / KOREA Voice of America 03 Feburary 1999 -- C-I-A DIRECTOR GEORGE TENET SAYS HE IS WORRIED NORTH KOREA IS ON THE VERGE OF DEVELOPING MISSILES THAT COULD REACH THE CONTINENTAL UNTIED STATES.
• Department of State Daily Press Briefing MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1999 -- Let me simply make a few points. Number one, we've made clear that we need multiple site access to the Kumchangni facility in order to resolve our concerns that this facility could affect the viability of the Agreed Framework. With the North Koreans, there is no agreement until there's an agreement. Anybody who tries to characterize the words "near" or "far," or this or that, ends up eating their words. I'm going to avoid eating my words, because I use a lot of words, and that would fill me up.

  January

• NORTH KOREA FAMINE Voice of America 30 January 1999 -- THE FOOD SITUATION REMAINS SERIOUS AND MASSIVE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE HAS KEPT THINGS FROM GETTING WORSE.
• DoD News Briefing Tuesday, January 26, 1999 -- North Korea does have a significant missile capability, and our primary response to a missile capability is called deterrence. It's served us well for nearly 50 years, and we continue to maintain a very, very significant deterrence. Anybody who would use long-range missiles or weapons of mass destruction against us or our forces or our allies would have to expect a very significant response from us. I don't anticipate North Korea is going to fire missiles any place.
• ASIAN SECURITY ISSUES: COUNTERING PYONGYANG'S 'BRINKMANSHIP;' DEBATING U.S.-JAPAN TIES; TAIWAN; SPRATLYS USIS Foreign Media Reaction Report -- January 26, 1999 -- -Editorials in Japan and South Korea gave top billing to the "threat" posed by North Korea's "unacceptable brinkmanship." Tokyo papers identified North Korea as the "biggest potential threat" to their country's security, and urged a "resolute stance" on the part of the U.S., Japan and South Korea in dealing with Pyongyang. Analysts in Seoul lamented the "failure" of the Four-Party Talks to achieve any significant progress, and charged that North Korea was only interested in pursuing bilateral talks with the U.S., and "alternated between threats and signs of flexibility in order to reap benefits."
• State Department Briefing -- 25 January 1999 -- After both delegations - US and North Koreans - took part in those Four Party Talks, which ended on January 22, discussions on Kumchang-ni again took place, first at the DPRK mission on Saturday, and then at the US mission yesterday. There was also a brief meeting this morning in Geneva. In keeping with our general practice, when we're in the middle of negotiations, which we still are on this issue, I can't comment more specifically.
• NORTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 23 January 1999 -- FOUR PARTY TALKS AIMED AT CREATING A LASTING PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA HAVE WRAPPED UP WITH LITTLE SIGN THAT PROGRESS TOWARD THAT GOAL HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.
• TEXT: KOREA FOUR PARTY TALKS JOINT PRESS STATEMENT USIA 22 January 1999 -- The two subcommittees established at the third plenary of the Four Party Talks on Korea to discuss, respectively, the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and tension reduction there held meetings during the fourth plenary January 20-21.
• DoD News Briefing Thursday, January 21, 1999 -- Q: The South Korean President today said that North Korea has adopted a strategy of rapid preemptive military strikes using weapons of mass destruction against South Korea. A: We believe that we have a very substantial, well trained, and well equipped counterforce of American and Republic of Korea soldiers and weapons, and we would prevail in any military engagement on the Korean Peninsula.
  Q: Are there any indications at the moment that North Korea is preparing for the test of another Taipo Dong missile? A: Not that I'm aware of.
• KOREA DEFECTORS Voice of America 20 January 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS ACCUSED SOUTH KOREA OF KIDNAPPING ONE OF ITS DIPLOMATS IN GERMANY. BUT SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS CALL THE ACCUSATION GROUNDLESS.
• JAPAN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 19 January 1999 -- NORTH KOREA HAS CRITICIZED (TUESDAY) U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN'S VISIT TO SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN LAST WEEK, DESCRIBING IT AS "RECKLESS."
• State Department Briefing -- 19 January 1999 -- QUESTION: US and North Korea had talks in Geneva. And there is one report that North Korea requested one million ton of food aid for the price of the access for the sites?
• KOREA TALKS Voice of America 19 January 1999 -- A NEW ROUND OF FOUR-PARTY TALKS AIMED AT ACHIEVING A PERMANENT PEACE ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA HAS BEGUN AMIDST FEARS A 1994 NUCLEAR-ARMS-CONTROL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA MAY BE UNRAVELING.
• NORTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 17 January 1999 -- UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREAN NEGOTIATORS HAVE MET AGAIN IN GENEVA, TRYING TO SETTLE A DISPUTE OVER AN UNDERGROUND SITE IN NORTH KOREA THAT WASHINGTON SUSPECTS IS BEING USED TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
• NORTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 16 January 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA HAVE BEGUN TWO DAYS OF CRUCIAL TALKS TO DISCUSS AMERICAN CONCERNS REGARDING A NORTH KOREAN UNDERGROUND SITE IT SUSPECTS MAY BE A NUCLEAR FACILITY.
• U-S / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 16 January 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA ARE SET FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS ON AMERICAN ACCESS TO A SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR SITE.
• SOUTH KOREA / COHEN Voice of America 15 January 1999 -- : U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN FRIDAY CALLED ON NORTH KOREA TO ABANDON WHAT HE TERMED "PROVOCATIVE" ACTIONS IN FAVOR OF MORE DIALOGUE WITH SOUTH KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES.
• State Department Briefing -- 15 January 1999 -- QUESTION: Jamie, how concerned is the US Government that if the North Koreans do not give us access to the underground site and do not give us the assurance that they won't again test fire a ballistic missile, that that will impact the talks that will take place next week to bring about a permanent peace to the Korean Peninsula.
• Press conference by ROK Minister Chun and Secretary Cohen, Seoul, South Korea January 15, 1999 --Q: The U.S. has gained conclusive evidence with regards to the Kunchangri underground facility and the high explosives facility at Yongduk Dong. These were based on soil gatherings from these areas, as well as photograph - satellite photographs. Is this true?
• TRANSCRIPT: COHEN PRESS CONFERENCE WITH ROK MINISTER CHUN USIA 15 January 1999 -- "North Korea's continuing infiltration attempts, recent Taepo Dong missile launch, and the resistance to allow inspections of an underground facility that could be an attempt to evade the Agreed Framework threaten to frustrate that promise."
• Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen Press Conference Tokyo, Japan January 14, 1999 -- With respect to the underground facility, the United States has received a variety of sources of information that causes us some concern about the purpose of this underground facility. We are suspicious of the nature of the facility. We need to satisfy those suspicions. We need to have access to the underground facility so that we can be assured and satisfied that the North Koreans are, in fact, complying with the agreement that was negotiated back in 1994.
• Cohen Raps North Korea, Lauds Asia Security Ties Douglas J. Gillert American Forces Press Service 13 January 1999 -- Defense Secretary William S. Cohen reacted sharply to North Korea's demand for payment in order to open a suspected nuclear site. "The North Koreans have said they want $300 million for just the right to look," Cohen said during a Jan. 12 speech to hundreds of service men and women at nearby Yokota Air Base. "That is a pretty expensive peek."
• JAPAN / COHEN Voice of America 12 January 1999 -- THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY HAS AGAIN REJECTED A SUGGESTION FROM NORTH KOREA THAT THERE BE A PRICE TAG ATTACHED TO ANY INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR SITES.
• CHINA / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 12 January 1999 -- CHINA SAYS A KEY NUCLEAR AGREEMENT NORTH KOREA HAS THREATENED TO SCRAP IS WORKING WELL AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED. BEIJING HAS RENEWED ITS PLEDGE TO PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN REDUCING TENSIONS ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA.
• TEXT: STATE ON U.S.-DPRK TALKS ON UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION USIA 06 January 1999 -- The United States and North Korea are set to meet in Geneva January 16-17 to discuss American concerns about North Korean underground construction sites, according to a January 6 statement by the Department of State.
• TEXT: UPCOMING MEETING OF FOUR PARTY TALKS ON KOREA USIA 06 January 1999 -- Representatives from the United States, China, South Korea, and North Korea met January 5 to discuss arrangements for the fourth plenary meeting of Four Party talks set for January 19, according to a January 6 statement from the Department of State.
• DPRK's New Year Joint Editorial, The People's Korea, 01 January 1999 - An editorial trumpeting North Korea's achievements in 1998 and promising more in the future.
• The Chronology of Major Provocations by North Korea ROK NIS - January 1999
• North Korea's Violation of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) ROK NIS- January 1999
• North Korea's Violation of Northern Limit Line (NLL) ROK NIS - January 1999

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