2000 North Korea Special Weapons - Nuclear, Biological Chemical and Missile Proliferation News

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2000 North Korea Special Weapons
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Missile
Proliferation News

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December

Clinton / North Korea, Voice of America, 28 December 2000 -- President Clinton - ending weeks of speculation about his plans - has announced he will not travel to North Korea before he leaves office January 20th to try to conclude a missile-control agreement.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 28 December 2000 -- Q: Could you help and tell us how - I assume the US policy hasn't changed, and he suggested it hasn't changed. What is it in the 20 - I don't know, what - 27 or 24 days the Administration has left that will be done to pursue this policy of reconciliation in North Korea? Can you hit some of the high spots?
Clinton December 28 Statement on U.S. Policy Toward N. Korea, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 28 December 2000 -- President Clinton outlined U.S. policy toward North Korea in a December 28 statement and announced his decision not to visit that country before the end of his term in office.
White House Daily Briefing - Presidential Visit to North Korea, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 22 December 2000 -- Q: Do you have anything to announce about the President's - of a possible visit to North Korea?
Korea talks, Voice of America, 21 December 2000 -- North and South Korea have resumed talks on reestablishing direct land links.
Korea talks, Voice of America, 16 December 2000 -- North and South Korea have agreed to set up a joint committee to discuss ways of helping the North rebuild its faltering economy.
Korea talks, Voice of America, 15 December 2000 -- North Korea has asked the South for a supply of electricity to ease severe energy shortages.
Korea talks, Voice of America, 14 December 2000 -- North Korea has expressed concern over a possible change in U-S policy under the Republican administration of President-elect George W.Bush.
Korea Talks, Voice of America, 13 December 2000 -- South Korea has asked the North to step up inter-Korean contacts.
DPRK Condemns S. Korea's White Paper as Making Barriers to Reconciliation, People's Daily, 12 December 2000 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday, December 10, rapped South Korea for naming the DPRK its main enemy in its newly published defense white paper for 2000, saying it has created grave barriers to the inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and reunification.
Korea / Talks, Voice of America, 12 December 2000 -- South and North Korean ministers are meeting in Pyongyang in the fourth such talks this year on improving relations.
North-South Korean family reunion talks put on hold, By Jim Lea, Stars and Stripes, 12 December 2000 -- The next talks between South and North Korean military officials on construction projects in the Demilitarized Zone will be Dec. 21. However, talks between the countries' Red Cross officials on more family reunions will not be held until next year, said officials in Seoul.
British, DPRK Officials Meet to Discuss Ties, People's Daily, 08 December 2000 -- British and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) officials met in London Thursday, December 7, for talks on how to improve their relations, British official said.
Special White House Briefing by NSC Advisor Berger, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 07 December 2000 -- Q: Sandy, what's the drop-dead date for North Korea? Beyond what date is it just too late to do it?
White Paper: In case of war, U.S. could send 690,000 to S. Korea, By Jim Lea, Stars and Stripes, 06 December 2000 -- The document, issued annually by the defense ministry to detail South Korea's defense policy and compare military forces of the two Koreas, said there has been no fundamental change in Pyong-yang's long-held aim of communizing the South.
First Military Hot Line to be Set up Between ROK and DPRK, People's Daily, 06 December 2000 -- DPRK and ROK came to a tentative agreement Tuesday to set up a military telephone hot line in the event of an unintentional military clash and the need to evacuate casualties in the Demilitarized Zone, where the two countries will be reconnecting a railway, a Defense Ministry official said in Seoul.
November
W-F-P - North Korea, Voice of America, 30 November 2000 -- The head of the U-N World Food Program says that millions of North Koreans will go hungry next year if they do not get international aid.
North Korea / Famine, Voice of America, 30 November 2000 -- The political climate in North Korea may be improving with recent thawing in relations with South Korea and the United States.
Korea Reunions, Voice of America, 30 November 2000 -- The second reunion of separated Korean families is taking place in Seoul and Pyongyang today / Thursday.
Congressman Hall Nov. 29 Remarks on Famine in North Korea, Congressman Tony P. Hall, U.S. House of Representatives, 29 November 2000 -- North Koreans are suffering through a famine that has grown worse in the past year, with children and the sick suffering especially, says Representative Tony Hall (Democrat of Ohio).
North Korea threatens to nullify nuclear agreement, Stars and Stripes, 28 November 2000 -- North Korea has threatened to nullify its nuclear agreement with the United States because of Washington's "deliberate attempts to delay" construction of two light-water nuclear reactors, the state-operated news agency reported Sunday.
DPRK Patrol Boats Intrude S.Korean Waters, People's Daily, 28 November 2000 -- Patrol boats of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have so far violated South Korean waters 12 times this year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said Tuesday, November 28.
DPRK Urges US to Honor Commitments on Light Water Reactors, People's Daily, 27 November 2000 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) called on the United States on Sunday to honor its commitments on construction of light water reactors (LWR) for the country.
U-N North Korea, Voice of America, 20 November 2000 -- United Nations aid agencies say North Korea is facing a critical food shortage and will need continued international assistance next year.
N. Korea: U.S. ambassador's comments 'provocative', By Jim Lea, Stars and Stripes, 16 November 2000 -- North Korea has blasted U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Stephen Bosworth for saying that Pyongyang could quickly change its decision to improve ties with the United States.
UN agencies warn of food shortages in Democratic People's Republic of Korea, UN News, 16 November 2000 -- Two United Nations aid agencies have warned that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is facing its seventh consecutive year of food shortages due to the combined effects of severe drought, typhoons, poor infrastructure and economic problems.
Korea Ships, Voice of America, 15 November 2000 -- North Korea has accused South Korean warships of intruding into its territorial waters.
Ambassador Sherman Briefing on Clinton-Kim Meeting, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 15 November 2000 -- In their meeting on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in Brunei, President Clinton and President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea discussed the potential of a trip by President Clinton to North Korea.
Clinton Photo Opportunity Remarks on Korean Peninsula, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 15 November 2000 -- The United States is working with North Korea on a number of issues, including North Korea's missile program, President Clinton said during a November 15 photo opportunity with President Kim Dae-Jung of the Republic of Korea.
Clinton Nov. 14 Interview with the Associated Press - North Korean Missile Talks, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 14 November 2000 -- Q: We wanted to ask you about also North Korea. Did the missile talks fail in Malaysia, did they fail to give you what you wanted to hear? How far apart is that and what's the prospect of a trip there?
Koreas/family reunions, Voice of America, 10 November 2000 -- Red Cross officials from the two Koreas are due to exchange (have exchanged) lists of candidates for a second set of family reunions due to take place later this month.
Korea's Railroad, Voice of America, 08 November 2000 -- UN military officials in South Korea have met their North Korean counterparts to discuss cooperation for building railroad and highway links across the world's most heavily defended border.
North Korea / U-S, Voice of America, 07 November 2000 -- North Korea says its relations with the United States look brighter, and is pledging to do its best to improve ties with Washington.
DPRK Urges US to Take Actions for Better Bilateral Ties, People's Daily, 07 November 2000 -- A signed article in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper on November 7 urged the US to take actions to push for the early normalization of relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States.
Clinton / North Korea, Voice of America, 06 November 2000 -- The Clinton administration says there was "substantial progress" in U-S-North Korean missile talks last week in Kuala Lumpur, but not enough to merit a visit to Pyongyang by President Clinton on the Asia trip he begins next week.
Clinton / North Korea, Voice of America, 06 November 2000 -- Asia analysts say President Clinton made a wise decision not to include a stop in North Korea when he travels to East Asia later this month.
IAEA chief hopes progress will lead DPR of Korea to cooperate on nuclear issues, UN News, 06 November 2000 -- The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today expressed hope that recent positive developments on the Korean Peninsula would lead Pyongyang to cooperate with the agency on nuclear matters.
White House Daily PRESS BRIEFING - Clinton Visit to North Korea, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 06 November 2000 -- Q Is the stop in Korea ruled out now?
U-S/North Korea, Voice of America, 03 November 2000 -- Another round of talks between the United States and North Korea on Pyongyang's missile program has ended without agreement.
U.S. overtures toward N. Korea drawing a mixed reaction, Stars and Stripes, 03 November 2000 -- America's recent diplomatic full-court press on North Korea, including last week's historic visit by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, is drawing mixed reactions from longtime Korea watchers in Japan.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea Missile Talks, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 03 November 2000 -- Q: Can you talk about the missile talks in Malaysia beyond what was said in the statement issued by Mr. Einhorn?
Einhorn Statement Nov. 3 on North Korea Missile Talks, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 03 November 2000 -- "Delegations of the United States and North Korea concluded three days of missile talks today..."
Remarks by Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and Question And Answer Session at National Press Club, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 02 November 2000 -- "Today, I want to report to you - and, through you, to the American people - regarding my recent trip to the Democratic People,s Republic of Korea..."
On the Line - The U.S. and North Korea, Voice of America, 02 November 2000 -- A conversation with James Lilley, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and China, Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Nicholas Eberstadt is the author of the recent book, The End of North Korea.
Albright Korea, Voice of America, 02 November 2000 -- A week after becoming the highest level U-S official to visit North Korea, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says she is optimistic about future relations with a country isolated from the rest of the world and ostracized as a supporter of terrorism.
Korea/joint exercises, Voice of America, 02 November 2000 -- In South Korea, U-S and South Korean forces are wrapping up the world's largest annual military exercises with hardly a mention in the local media.
Participants offer praise for Foal Eagle exercise, Stars and Stripes, 02 November 2000 -- The drill has involved airmen, soldiers and sailors. About 300 Air Force security forces troops have deployed to Kunsan to augment the base's own 8th Security Force Squadron.
Assistant Secretary of State Harold Hongju Koh on North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 02 November 2000 -- (This column by Assistant Secretary of State for democracy, human rights and labor Harold Hongju Koh first appeared in The Washington Post November 02 and is in the public domain. No republication restrictions).
Albright Remarks at National Press Club on N. Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 02 November 2000 -- Describing her visit last month to North Korea as part of "a historic process aimed at creating lasting stability on the Korean Peninsula," Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says the United States would pursue peace without any illusions about the Pyongyang regime.
U-S / North Korea, Voice of America, 01 November 2000 -- The United States and North Korea have resumed talks on the communist state's ballistic missile program.
U.S., Korean Marines take Foal Eagle exercise to the beaches, Stars and Stripes, 01 November 2000 -- U.S. Marines, from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa, landed in armored personnel carriers launched from the amphibious ships USS Fort McHenry and USS Essex. South Korean marines also came ashore in armored personnel carriers, spreading a smoke screen to cover the landing.
Einhorn Remarks Nov. 1 on U.S.-N. Korea Missile Talks, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 01 November 2000 -- The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) recently began another round of missile talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 01 November 2000 -- Q: New subject? The North Koreans emerged today from the first day of talks in KL sounding kind of optimistic. I was wondering what your read from Assistant Secretary Einhorn is on how things are going.
October
Russia To Link The Koreas By Rail?, RFE/RL Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 211, Part I, 31 October 2000 -- The Railway Ministry's press service told Interfax on 30 October that the Railway Ministries of Russia and North Korea will sign an agreement at the end of Russian First Deputy Railway Minister Aleksandr Tselko's current visit to North Korea whereby Russia will restore the railway service between North and South Korea.
U-N / Korea Resolution, Voice of America, 31 October 2000 -- In what diplomats call a "historic move," the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday approved a resolution which was jointly sponsored by the governments of North Korea and South Korea.
Mine Removal, Voice of America, 31 October 2000 -- The South Korean military is currently undertaking one of most complex tasks it has ever been assigned: removing thousands of landmines buried on its side of the Demilitarized Zone (D-M-Z) a buffer separating it from its former Cold War enemy North Korea.
General Assembly hails inter-Korean summit as major breakthrough, UN News, 31 October 2000 -- Hailing as a "major breakthrough" the historic summit meeting in Pyongyang between the leaders of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United Nations General Assembly today encouraged the two countries to continue to implement their recent accords.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 31 October 2000 -- "A couple of upcoming press events we wanted you to know about. The Secretary will be giving a speech on Thursday, November 2nd, at the National Press Club at 10 o'clock. The subject is North Korea, and she'll take questions afterwards from members of the press who are at the National Press Club."
Albright Interview with Jim Lehrer on PBS October 30, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 31 October 2000 -- MR. LEHRER: Did you accomplish what you set out to accomplish in North Korea?
Ambassador Plaisted UNGA Remarks on Korean Reunification, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 31 October 2000 -- Mr. President, the United States is pleased to co-sponsor this resolution recognizing the historic significance of the summit meeting between the two leaders of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Press Conference By Republic of Korea, UN Press Briefing, 31 October 2000 --
Clinton / North Korea, Voice of America, 30 October 2000 -- President Clinton discussed North Korean missile proposals with top advisers Monday, but is deferring a decision on whether to pay an unprecedented visit to Pyongyang as part of the Asian trip he begins in mid-November.
Japan-North Korea, Voice of America, 30 October 2000 -- Japan and North Korea have concluded their first day of talks on normalizing relations in Beijing.
U.N. Command expresses regrets over N. Korea flyover, Stars and Stripes, 30 October 2000 -- U.N. Command officials told North Korea on Saturday they "regretted" an incident last week during which two U.S. planes strayed across the communist country's border, according to a U.S. Forces Korea news release.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 30 October 2000 -- Q: Do you have anything more on North Korea, particularly the Einhorn consultations? When will they start, and so forth?
John D. Holum, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Interview With the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 30 October 2000 -- QUESTION: What can you share about the outcome of the discussions that were held with North Korean envoy Cho Myong-nok and senior U.S. officials on proliferation issues?
White House Daily Briefing - North Korea, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 30 October 2000 -- Q: Can you give any information on the meeting today on North Korea?
N. Korea demands apology after U.S. planes cross border, Stars and Stripes, 29 October 2000 -- North Korea demanded an apology after two U.S. fighter planes flew into the communist country's airspace Thursday.
U-S/North Korea, Voice of America, 28 October 2000 -- The US-led United Nations command in Korea has expressed regret over Thursday's incursion by two fighter planes into North Korean airspace.
Japan/ NorKor Talks Scenesetter, Voice of America, 28 October 2000 -- Japan and North Korea are set to open another round of talks on establishing diplomatic relations.
Clinton / North Korea, Voice of America, 27 October 2000 -- President Clinton says he has not yet decided whether to pay an unprecedented visit to North Korea before leaving office. But he says considerable progress has been made in thawing relations with Pyongyang and easing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Albright: U.S., Japan, South Korea must present united front, Stars and Stripes, 27 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stressed Wednesday that the United States, Japan and South Korea must move in unison in dealing with North Korea.
State Department Noon Briefing, October 27, 2000, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 27 October 2000 -- Q: Staying on Asia, can you say whether the State Department has been in touch with the North Koreans on the incursion incident where two US planes strayed into North Korean territory?
North-South Korean progress hits bump in road over list, Stars and Stripes, 26 October 2000 -- Some tiny cracks seem to be opening in the fragile d�tente between South and North Korea - postponing planned reunions of Korean families.
The Light And Shade Of Albright's Visit To North Korea, r, 26 October 2000 -- Foreign media commentary on Secretary of State Albright's trip to North Korea.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 26 October 2000 -- Q: North Korea today is quite critical of the US and South Korean joint exercise, and one official goes so far as to say that it is as good as spoiling the good atmosphere created with Secretary Albright's visit. Any comments?
Albright Sees Complicated Pyongyang-Seoul Relationship, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 26 October 2000 -- Press Briefing by Madeleine K. Albright, Secretary of State On Plane En Route Washington, D.C. from Seoul, Republic of Korea
White House Daily Briefing - North Korea, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 26 October 2000 -- Q: For years the leader of North Korea has been characterized by U.S. officials as unpredictable, erratic, strange, rogue. All of a sudden now, after Secretary Albright goes there and there have been all these reports that maybe he's not so bad after all, that he's not a madman. What's the U.S. take?
North Korea Security Triangle, Voice of America, 25 October 2000 -- While officials in Seoul and Tokyo say they welcome Washington's effort to quickly engage Pyongyang, privately, there are mounting concerns in South Korea and Japan that a too-rapid thaw between North Korea and the United States could sideline their own efforts to negotiate deals with the communist state.
China / Korea / Ann., Voice of America, 25 October 2000 -- China is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its entrance into the Korean War, by welcoming recent international efforts to improve diplomatic relations with North Korea.
Korea's / U-S, Voice of America, 25 October 2000 -- US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says she believes there has been progress in her security talks with North Korea. She made the comment in Seoul, where is has been briefing her South Korean and Japanese counterparts on her talks with the North Korean leader this week.
Albright Press Availability October 25 in Seoul, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 25 October 2000 -- QUESTION: My question is to Secretary Albright. During your visit to the North, they say there was no progress in the "missile problem." Was there any "terrorist list" problem? Was there any progress, please explain it to us. But if not, are you satisfied with the developments in the "missile problem," aside from the "terrorist list?" Is President Clinton going to visit North Korea or is he going to visit South Korea?
State Department Noon Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 25 October 2000 -- Q: I'd like to ask about North Korea. There are some reports that President Clinton may visit to Pyongyang just before the APEC. Do you have any information?
ALBRIGHT-NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 24 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is briefing South Korean and Japanese officials in Seoul today following an unprecedented visit to North Korea.
Albright - North Korea, Voice of America, 24 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says North Korea has agreed to a new round of talks on its ballistic missile program.
KOREA/ FOOD / ALBRIGHT, Voice of America, 24 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Albright's visit to North Korea has underscored the country's newfound desire to seek closer relations with the west. But despite the growing openness, the communist country's history of isolation could compound the enormous difficulties that lie ahead.
Euphoria in South Korea fading for some as Albright visits North, Stars and Stripes, 24 October 2000 -- In South Korea, concern is growing that the North may be following the path it has walked for years, pushing the South aside in favor of mending fences with the United States.
Albright October 24 News Conference in N. Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 24 October 2000 -- QUESTION: Madame Secretary, the quip you eluded to at the event last night: Do you take that as an unqualified pledge on Chairman Kim's part not to test missiles anymore?
Pentagon Spokesman's Regular Tuesday Briefing, U.S. Department of Defense, 24 October 2000 -- Q: What do you hear from the U.S. officials in Pyongyang regarding what commitments the North Koreans may have made on curtailing or eliminating their ballistic missile program?
White House Press Briefing, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 24 October 2000 -- Q: Jake, can you tell us what North Korea pledged to do, pledged not to fire - did they pledge not to fire missiles at the United States? And if so, how is that different from the previously-announced freeze?
White House Daily Briefing - North Korea Visit, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 23 October 2000 -- Q: Jake, has the President received any update from Secretary Albright on her trip to North Korea? Or what does the White House Hear?
Boucher's October 23 Pyongyang Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 23 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is bringing up the issues vital to the United States in her discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, said to State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher in an October 23 press briefing in Pyongyang.
Foal Eagle exercise toned down amid North-South cooperation, Stars and Stripes, 23 October 2000 -- The largest annual South Korean-U.S. military exercise will receive less media hype this year because of warming relations between the two Koreas, U.S. Forces Korea officials said Thursday.
Albright / NOKOR / Asia React, Voice of America, 23 October 2000 -- South Korea and Japan have offered words of support for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's visit to North Korea.
Albright-North Korea Wrap, Voice of America, 23 October 2000 -- U-S officials say Secretary of State Albright will have to make progress in her talks with North Korea's leader if President Clinton is to visit the country later this year.
Albright / North Korea, Voice of America, 23 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says the United States and North Korea are moving toward a fundamental improvement in their relations.
Albright / North Korea, Voice of America, 23 October 2000 -- U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has begun a second day of unprecedented talks in North Korea, where she has been discussing ways to improve long-strained relations.
Toast by Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright At Dinner Hosted by Chairman Kim Jong Il, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 23 October 2000 -- The "fundamental improvement" in relations between the United States and North Korea represented in part by her visit to Pyongyang could lead to "reconciliation and reunification" of the Korean Peninsula, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told Chairman Kim Jong Il in an October 23 dinner the North Korean leader hosted for Albright.
North Korea/China, Voice of America, 22 October 2000 -- China's defense minister has arrived in North Korea, just ahead of a state visit to Pyongyang by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Albright/Pyongyang, Voice of America, 22 October 2000 -- U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has opened an historic vist to North Korea, where she is holding talks on a further easing of tensions which date back five decades.
Europe/Asia summit, Voice of America, 21 October 2000 -- European and Asian leaders have ended a two-day summit with a declaration to work for peace on the Korean peninsula.
Korea: 'Sunshine' Policy Thaws Five Decade Freeze In Relations, r, 20 October 2000 -- Foreign media commentary on the U.S./North Korean detente.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 20 October 2000 -- Q: Is there anything new, anything more to report, on the details of the trip to North Korea?
Albright Visit Considered Breakthrough in U.S.-N. Korean Relations, USIS Washington File, 20 October 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's upcoming visit to North Korea is not expected to result in specific resolutions on major security issues, but "will establish a foundation to address the more complicated security concerns in the future," according Joel Wit, former U.S. State Department Coordinator of the U.S.-North Korean Agreed Framework.
North Korea Detente, Voice of America, 20 October 2000 -- An examination of the possible impetus behind North Korea's willingness to engage the United States as the communist state emerges from decades of self-imposed isolation.
State Department Noon Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 19 October 2000 -- Q: Tell us what you can about North Korea, the talks that have been held there this week, plus anything you can say about press arrangements.
Biden Says U.S. Should Test Pyongyang's Commitment to Peace, Congressional Register, 19 October 2000 -- Remarks by Sen. Joseph Biden on the impact of the thaw in relations with North Korea on US plans for a missile defense system.
North Korea / Britain, Voice of America, 19 October 2000 -- The British foreign secretary says his country will open diplomatic relations with North Korea for the first time.
China - North Korea, Voice of America, 19 October 2000 -- China is hailing the warming diplomatic ties between North Korea and the international community, as Britain announces the normalization of relations and the U-S secretary of state prepares for a landmark visit to Pyongyang next week.
State Department Noon Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 18 October 2000 -- QUESTION: Do you have anything on North Korea and the talks there with US officials?
Annan welcomes progress between US and DPR of Korea, UN News, 17 October 2000 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the progress achieved between the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States during the recent visit to the US by a special envoy of Kim Jong II, the Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.
Secretary-General Welcomes Progress Between Democratic People's Republic of Korea And United States, UN Press Release, 17 October 2000 -- "The Secretary-General welcomes the progress between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States, achieved during the visit on 9-12 October to Washington by Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok, special envoy of Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the Democratic Republic of Korea National Defence Commission."
Press Briefing By Jake Siewert, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 12 October 2000 -- Q: What are the prospects of the President actually taking this trip to North Korea? When would that be, and what would the purpose of that trip be?
U-S / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 12 October 2000 -- The announcement that President Clinton may be going to North Korea before his term ends in January has come as a surprise to many Korean analysts.
U-S/KOREA VISIT, Voice of America, 12 October 2000 -- The United States and North Korea have wrapped up their highest-level talks with an announcement that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright plans to go to Pyongyang this month.
Daily Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 12 October 2000 -- Q: Could you give us a rundown on Mr. Jo's talks this morning?
U.S.-N. Korea Communique Calls for Permanent Peace Arrangements, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 12 October 2000 -- Recognizing the changed circumstances on the Korean Peninsula created by the historic inter-Korean summit, the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have decided to take steps to fundamentally improve their bilateral relations in the interests of enhancing peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
Albright to Visit North Korea, Clinton Visit Possible, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 12 October 2000 -- Our discussions with the DPRK representatives reflected the serious approach that both sides brought to the table, and during these two days, we took a very substantial step away from the frozen and distant relations of the past. This progress is evidenced by the joint communiqu� the United States and the DPRK are releasing today, and that communiqu� outlines agreement on a number of key points.
U-S/NORTH KOREA VISIT, Voice of America, 11 October 2000 -- The highest ranking North Korean official ever to visit the United States has had a second day of talks in Washington including a meeting at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary William Cohen.
Albright Says Cold War Can Thaw Even in Korea, USIS Washington File, 11 October 2000 -- With goodwill and effort, the issues that divide communist North Korea from South Korea, the United States and others in the region can be resolved, according to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Press Briefing By Special Envoy To The President And Policy Coordinator On North Korea Wendy Sherman, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 10 October 2000 -- The North Korean delegation, led by Vice Marshal Cho Myong Rok, came to Washington last night, staying at the Mayflower Hotel. We greeted him there. He is the Special Envoy of Chairman Kim Chong-il and comes here as his personal representative. He began his day with his delegation including First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, with a courtesy call on the Secretary of State.
CLINTON / KOREA, Voice of America, 10 October 2000 -- President Clinton has held talks with the vice chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission, Cho Myong-Nok -- the highest-ranking official of the Pyongyang government ever to visit Washington.
White House Daily Briefing, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 10 October 2000 -- Q: North Korea -- two things. One, can you describe for us a little bit about the letter of ideas that President Kim sent along? And second of all, can you tell us whether we should be expecting in the next day or so some further declarations from the President on progress of North Korea towards getting off the terrorism list?
NORTH KOREA RESHUFFLE, Voice of America, 07 October 2000 -- More than forty generals have been promoted in the second large-scale military reshuffle under the leadership of Kim Jong-Il.
Clinton-Korea, Voice of America, 06 October 2000 -- President Clinton is expressing cautious optimism about the Washington visit next week by the chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission, Cho Myong-nok.
U-S/NORTH KOREAN VISIT, Voice of America, 06 October 2000 -- Vice Chairman of Pyongyang's National Defense Commission, Cho Myong Rok, is considered a personal envoy of President Kim Jong Il and will be the most senior official from the North to ever visit the United States and meet with President Clinton.
JAPAN / NOKOR RICE, Voice of America, 06 October 2000 -- Japan's government has unveiled a plan to dramatically increase food aid to impoverished Communist North Korea.
U.S. and North Korea Move Closer on Anti-terrorism Stance, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 06 October 2000 - The text of the Joint U.S.-DPRK Statement on International Terrorism
Daily Press Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 06 October 2000 -- Q: This morning, United States and North Korea released a joint statement on international terrorism. How meaningful this step is? It can be a step you needed for North Korea to take?
Press Briefing By Jake Siewert - North Korea, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 06 October 2000 - Q: Jake, let me ask you about Asia. The President is going to meet with a top North Korean official next week. Are you looking for any concrete progress in improving the relations with North Korea?
Preparations under way for N. Korean official's U.S. visit, Stars and Stripes, 06 October 2000 -- South Korean, Japanese and U.S. officials will meet Saturday in Washington to map out a strategy for the upcoming visit of a senior North Korean official.
U-S/NORTH KOREAN VISIT, Voice of America, 05 October 2000 -- Vice Chairman of Pyongyang's National Defense Commission, Cho Myong Rok, is considered a personal envoy of President Kim Jong Il and will be the most senior official from the North to ever visit the United States and meet with President Clinton in what U-S officials consider a potential turning point in relations.
Briefing on Washington Visit of North Korean Official, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 05 October 2000 -- Briefing By Counselor of The Department Ambassador Wendy Sherman And Special Envoy For The Korean Peace Talks Ambassador Charles Kartman On The Visit of A High-Level North Korean Official
Fact Sheet on Visit of North Korea Special Envoy, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 05 October 2000 -- Talks with the special envoy and his delegation are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including nuclear and missile issues, terrorism, and other issues related to improvement in relations.
STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 03 October 2000 -- Q: I understand the North Korea talks have ended and that there were some - my understanding is that there is going to be some kind of an announcement - more details of Vice Marshall Cho's visit are - have been - are known now...
Albright, Iceland's Asgrimsson Press Conference - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 03 October 2000 -- QUESTION: Madame Secretary, following the announcement yesterday about the high level North Korean visit to Washington, what significance does the Clinton administration at this time attach to this and could this possibly lead to you going to North Korea before your term is over?
Daily Press Briefing - North Korea, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 02 October 2000 -- Q: Let me ask you about an upcoming meeting between Secretary Albright and the North Korea special envoy. Do you think that the military issue -- for example, the issue related to changing the armistice -- (inaudible) -- peace agreement between the United States and North Korea -- it will be discussed in the meeting?
September
State Department Statement on North Korean Special Envoy, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 29 September 2000 -- Democratic People's Republic of Korea National Defense Commission First Vice Chairman Cho Myong Nok will visit Washington October 9-12 as the Special Envoy of Chairman Kim Jong Il.
Presidential Determination No. 2000-31 - KEDO, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 28 September 2000 -- Transfer of Economic Support Funds, Peacekeeping Operations Funds, and Foreign Military Financing Funds to the International Organizations and Programs Account and Use of Funds to Provide a U.S. Contribution of $29,407,000 to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO)
Secretary of Defense Cohen Press Conference - North Korea, U.S. Department of Defense, 22 September 2000 -- QUESTION: You just mentioned in comments to Japanese parliamentarians that the North [Korea] is going to have to soon realize that it will rather quickly have to make some kind of concessions on the military side to keep receiving economic and other assistance from South Korea and the West. Could you tell us why you think that?
British report: N. Korea sending missiles to Libya, Stars and Stripes, 26 September 2000 -- Libya has received 50 North Korean Rodong missiles and launchers which give it the capability of hitting Israel, according to a report Sunday in Britain's Daily Telegraph.
State Department on New North Korea Policy Coordinator, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 25 September 2000 -- Dr. William Perry, former Secretary of Defense, is stepping down from his duties as North Korea Policy Coordinator effective immediately.
Cohen: Despite warming trend, North Korea still threat to South, Stars and Stripes, 23 September 2000 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen said Thursday that in spite of warming relations between the two Koreas, the North still poses a threat to the South.
North 'Must Reciprocate' to Keep Reconciliation on Track, American Forces Press Service, 22 September 2000 -- North Korea must reciprocate by lessening tensions if it wishes the continuation of South Korean economic aid, Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said here.
Joint Communiqu� Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting, Office of The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), 21 September 2000 -- The two Ministers shared the view that the inter-Korean summit meeting was the result of four factors: a) the engagement policy towards North Korea, which has been consistently pursued by the Republic of Korea and the United States; b) a strong ROK-US security alliance; c) close ROK-Japan-US trilateral coordination; and d) support by the international community.
Korea Security Meeting Filled with Hope, Realism, American Forces Press Service, 21 September 2000 -- The Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting held here is starting to address changes in the region resulting from the engagement between South and North Korea.
Cohen: U.S. encouraged by Korea steps, but 'prudence is watchword', Stars and Stripes, 21 September 2000 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen said Tuesday that while the United States supports the growing detente between South and North Korea, "prudence is the watchword" in regard to the South Korean-U.S. security alliance.
U.S. Optimistic, but Cautious About Changes in Korea, American Forces Press Service, 20 September 2000 -- The historic meeting in June between South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Chong-il carries much promise for the people of both Koreas.
Secretary Cohen Sept. 19 News Briefing in Bangkok, U.S. Department of Defense, 19 September 2000 -- Q: Do budding talks between North and South Korea, the upcoming meeting between the defense ministers of the two countries, and the opening of a rail linethrough the DMZ between the two countries signal a major easing of tensions on the peninsula? And, do you expect any progress or perhaps a final conclusion to a new SOFA agreement, while you are there?
U-S / KOREA, Voice of America, 19 September 2000 -- U-S Defense Secretary William Cohen is urging caution in dealing with the rapid political changes on the Korean peninsula.
State Department Statement Sept. 19 on U.S.-DPRK Talks, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 19 September 2000 -- The two sides will hold comprehensive talks encompassing Agreed Framework implementation, missile issues, and terrorism.
KOREAS/RAILWAY UPDATE, Voice of America, 18 September 2000 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has inaugurated work on a railway link with North Korea - the first such project in decades.
Koreas' defense chiefs may meet next week, Stars and Stripes, 18 September 2000 -- Hope is high that defense ministers from the two Koreas will meet next week to discuss military tension reduction, the Defense Ministry in Seoul has announced.
DPRK Leaders To Visit The ROK, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 15 September 2000 -- On September 14, 2000, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued an announcement stating that National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il would visit the Republic of Korea in the near term.
UN agency appeals for nearly $100 million for food aid to DPR of Korea, UN News, 15 September 2000 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today appealed for nearly $100 million to feed people at risk in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, where serious droughts have affected irrigation reservoirs, drying up potential rice fields.

KOREA VISIT, Voice of America, 14 September 2000 -- Officials from the two Koreas have reaffirmed that the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il will visit the South soon.

N-S KOREA TALKS, Voice of America, 13 September 2000 -- Senior North and South Korean officials meeting in Cheju have reportedly agreed on a plan for North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il to make his first-ever trip to the South.

Joint Press Availability With Japanese Foreign Minister Kono, Japanese Defense Minister Torashima, U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen, And U.S. Secretary Of State Madeleine K. Albright, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 12 September 2000 -- QUESTION: Foreign Minister Kono, I am sure you have heard of the reports made from North Korea by Kim Jong-il that the North Koreans might be willing to give up their missile program in exchange perhaps for some assistance in satellite launches. Does the Japanese Government think that this is a genuine offer?

U-S/JAPAN/NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 11 September 2000 -- Top U-S and Japanese officials met in New York Monday to discuss strategy toward North Korea.

KOREA'S / POLITICS, Voice of America, 11 September 2000 -- An envoy sent by the leader of North Korea has arrived in South Korea for four days of talks.

On-The-Record Remarks By Spokesman Richard Boucher, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 11 September 2000 -- We are currently working through the New York channel to schedule another round of missile talks with the North Koreans.

Secretary Of State Madeleine K. Albright On-The-Record Remarks At Meeting With State Department Press Corps, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 11 September 2000 -- SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: And then one thing, if I might, on the record, is in terms of Korea and searches. I sent a letter of regret to Foreign Minister Paek about what had happened in Germany. And we have received a reply.

S. Korean leader suggests 'two-plus-two' treaty approach, Stars and Stripes, 09 September 2000 -- In a meeting with President Clinton in New York on Thursday, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung proposed that the two Koreas negotiate and sign a treaty on their own, with the United States and China signing as guarantors, officials at both the presidential press office and the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry in Seoul said. Kim calls it a "two-plus-two" approach.

NORTH-SOUTH KOREA, Voice of America, 07 September 2000 -- After the recent Korean summit and family reunions, some observers describe the mood in South Korea as euphoric - with many people hoping for speedy reunification of the divided peninsula, but analysts in the United States say their optimism should be tempered by a large dose of caution, as this week's incident in Frankfurt, Germany, indicates.

Remarks By The President In Photo Opportunity With South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, THE WHITE HOUSE, Office of the Press Secretary, 07 September 2000 -- Q On Korean unification, do you see any prospects, sir?

Report says N. Korea still leery of U.S. intentions, Stars and Stripes, 07 September 2000 -- North Korean officials still believe the United States is intent on destroying the communist country, according to a bimonthly think tank report.

N. Korean Missiles Have Russian Roots, Explosive Theory Suggests, Los Angeles Times, 06 September 2000 -- "We've taken a close look at the design of the [Korean missile] and it's clearly a knockoff of the [Russian] SS-4," says John Pike of the Federation of American Scientists.

NORTH KOREA / AIRPORT SECURITY, Voice of America, 06 September 2000 -- North Korea is warning the United States it might take action in response to what it says was rude and provocative treatment of a senior government delegation travelling to a meeting at the United Nations in New York.

NOKOR NO-SHOW REACT, Voice of America, 06 September 2000 -- Japan and South Korea have expressed disappointment (Wednesday) after North Korea pulled out of the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York.

NORTH KOREA-U-S SECURITY FLAP, Voice of America, 05 September 2000 -- North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations announced today (Tuesday) that his nation will not attend the U-N Millennium Summit because of what he characterized as rude and hostile acts by United States security officials.

Annan disappointed that leader of DPR of Korea will not attend Millennium Summit, UN News, 05 September 2000

PRESS BRIEFING BY JOE LOCKHART, THE WHITE HOUSE, Office of the Press Secretary, 05 September 2000 -- North Korea is asking for an apology for the American Airlines search of the North Korean delegation as it was headed to the U.N. summit. Are you going to apologize for that?

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, UN Press Briefing, 05 September 2000 -- With international attention focused on the United Nations on the eve of an unprecedented gathering of world leaders, it was extremely regrettable that the United States had blocked participation of a delegation from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Li Hyong Chol, Permanent Representative of that country, told correspondents this afternoon.

Land-mine removal is key issue in Korean highway plan, Stars and Stripes, 05 September 2000 -- Removing land mines in the Demilitarized Zone in order to reconnect rail service and build a new highway between the two Koreas is "very dangerous" for South Korean security unless some countermeasures are taken in advance, a senior member of South Korea�s major opposition political party said.

S. Korean leader: Military talks will 'pave the way to peace', Stars and Stripes, 05 September 2000 -- North Korea�s agreement to discuss ways to reduce military tension will "pave the way to peace" on the Korean Peninsula, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung said Sunday.

KOREAN PRISONERS, Voice of America, 04 September 2000 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung says he believes there are up to 800 South Koreans being held in neighboring North Korea and that many of them may have been there since the Korean War of the 1950's.

KOREA SPIES, Voice of America, 02 September 2000 -- One of the world's most heavily fortified borders opened today for a few minutes to allow a group of elderly former spies and guerillas to return home.

No progress on military issues in talks between Koreas, Stars and Stripes, 02 September 2000 -- South and North Korean negotiators on Thursday agreed to hold two more family reunions this year but failed to work out military issues and extended ministerial talks by one day, a Unification Ministry spokesman said in Seoul.

KOREAS - SPY REPATRIATION, Voice of America, 01 September 2000 -- As part of the landmark summit accord reached between the two Koreas in June, South Korea on Saturday will return North Koreans convicted years ago for spying for the communist North.

Intelligence assets convene on launch anniversary, Stars and Stripes, 01 September 2000 -- U.S. intelligence aircraft and a missile-monitoring ship visited bases in Japan this week, coinciding with the second anniversary of North Korea�s Aug. 31, 1998, launch of a Taepodong-1 missile over Japan.

North Korea: Ulchi Focus Lens exercises 'inappropriate', Stars and Stripes, 01 September 2000 -- North Korea on Wednesday called the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command�s Ulchi Focus Lens military training exercises "inappropriate" in the current atmosphere of warming relations between the two Koreas.

Combined Rear Area Operations in the Korean Theater, Army Logistician, Vol. 32, Issue 5, September-October 2000 -- The combined rear area (CRA) of the Korean peninsula is the same as the area of operations of the commander in chief (CINC), United Nations Command (UNC) and Combined Forces Command (CFC). Operations occurring in the CRA are crucial to the implementation of the CINC's warfighting objectives. Those operations will be successful only when the broad functions performed there are coordinated and synchronized to provide swift, decisive support to the deep and close battles.

August

NORTH KOREA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING, 31 August 2000 -- Ambassador Sherman had good meetings in Russia, is now in Korea. Will have trilateral with South Korea and Japan tomorrow. US thinks it important to follow up North Korean offer.

KOREAS / TALKS, Voice of America, 31 August 2000 -- North and South Korea have agreed to arrange more family reunions and to boost economic cooperation.

NORTH KOREA / U-S TROOPS, Voice of America, 30 August 2000 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung says that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has agreed to a continued U-S troop presence on the Korean peninsula - even after reunification.

KOREAS TALKS, Voice of America, 30 August 2000 -- South Korea has proposed to North Korea that they set up a military hotline and hold top-level security talks between the two countries.

KOREA TALKS, Voice of America, 29 August 2000 -- Delegations from North and South Korea are set to open a new round of ministerial talks in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.

KOREAS / D-M-Z MINES, Voice of America, 29 August 2000 -- North and South Korea say they will start work in mid-September on a groundbreaking rail and highway projects that will connect the two Koreas for the first time in 50 years, but the biggest obstacle builders face is the array of landmines that need to be cleared from the border area before construction can begin.

Hot line is on the agenda for next round of Korea talks, Stars and Stripes, 29 August 2000 -- South Korean officials hope to begin smoothing over 50 years of military tension between the two Koreas when they meet with North Korean officials in Pyong-yang on Tuesday in the second round of ministerial talks.

NORTH KOREA MARKET OPPORTUNITES, Voice of America, 28 August 2000 -- The new thaw is relations between North and South Korea is stirring interest in the global business community.

S. Korean leader: Peace treaty key to better relations with North , Stars and Stripes, 26 August 2000 -- Replacing the Korean War armistice with a peace treaty is essential to developing better relations on the peninsula, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung told cabinet ministers Thursday.

Kim Jong-il's Trip to Moscow, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING, 24 August 2000 -- How much does this have to do - the trip to Moscow - have to do with Putin's meeting with Kim Jong-il and his supposed offer of scrapping the missile program in exchange for money and space satellites?

JAPAN-NORKOR TALKS END, Voice of America, 24 August 2000 -- Japan and North Korea remain at odds after a another round of talks aimed at setting up diplomatic ties. As Bickers reports from Tokyo, sources say there was virtually no change from previous rounds, in the two sides' negotiating positions.

NORTH / SOUTH KOREA RAIL ROAD, Voice of America, 24 August 2000 -- North and South Korea have agreed to build a four-lane highway and reconnect railroad tracks that will cross the heavily armed border dividing the two countries.

U-S NORTH KOREA JOINT VENTURE, Voice of America, 23 August 2000 -- A small U-S based mining firm says it has become the first American company to conclude a business deal in communist North Korea.

JAPAN /NOKOR TALKS OPEN, Voice of America, 22 August 2000 -- Negotiators from Japan and North Korea have reopened normalization talks Tuesday after a four month hiatus.

Friendship, cooperation bywords on Korean Peninsula these days , Stars and Stripes, 22 August 2000 -- As relations continue to warm between the two Koreas, President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea is studying how to amend laws forbidding South Koreans from speaking too kindly of their northern neighbor.

North Koreans: Exercise threatens contacts with South, Stars and Stripes, 22 August 2000 -- North Korea has threatened to stop all contacts with South Korea if the Ulchi Focus Lens 2000 military training exercise is held.

USA/ROK Joint Military Exercises, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING, 21 August 2000 -- The North Koreans are saying [the exercises] should be called off or else it could affect reconciliation between the two Koreas. Does the US have an opinion and would you cover whether such activities 50 years after the Korean War, in light of what's going on between the two Koreas, still makes sense?

SOKOR / US MILITARY EXERCISES, Voice of America, 21 August 2000 -- South Korea and the United States have opened an annual 12-day military exercise, despite warnings from North Korea that the war games could scuttle warming inter-Korean relations.

KOREAS / SPY REPATRIATIONS, Voice of America, 21 August 2000 -- Two North Korean spies, set free by South Korea after disavowing communism, are demanding to be sent back to North Korea.

JAPAN / NOKOR TALKS, Voice of America, 21 August 2000 -- Japan and North Korea will reopen talks Tuesday in Tokyo on normalizing relations.

KOREAN FAMILIES, Voice of America, 20 August 2000 -- The head of the South Korean Red Cross says there may be further reunions between separated family members from the two Koreas and that a permanent meeting place for divided families is being considered.

JAPAN / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 18 August 2000 -- The Tokyo government and Japanese media are giving conflicting reports of what concessions, if any, Japan will make to North Korea when the two sides meet next week for the second round of talks to normalize diplomatic relations.

KOREAS REUNIFICATION, Voice of America, 18 August 2000 -- The reunion of long-separated families engulfed North and South Korea this week as several hundred people met for four days after some 50 years apart.

KOREA REUNION ENDS, Voice of America, 18 August 2000 -- The reunion of 200 divided Korean families came to a bittersweet end on Friday.

KIM JONG IL FEVER, Voice of America, 18 August 2000 -- Suddenly and surprisingly, South Koreans are rediscovering a passion for all things North Korean.

NORTH KOREA COVERAGE / REUNIONS, Voice of America, 18 August 2000 -- South Korea's Unification ministry says North Korean broadcasters have provided unusually in-depth coverage of this week's reunions of families separated since the Korean War.

KOREAS REUNION SECOND DAY, Voice of America, 16 August 2000 -- The reunion of 200 members of separated Korean families continued for a second day Wednesday.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING, , 15 August 2000 -- And if I can ask a question on North Korea, there are reports that the President of North Korea now says he was just kidding when he had talked to Putin about stopping their missile program.

KOREAS / DEFENSE, Voice of America, 15 August 2000 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung says he will propose a meeting between the defense ministers of South and North Korea to seek ways to reduce military tensions on the Korean peninsula.

KOREAS REUNION, Voice of America, 15 August 2000 -- A plane carrying 100 North Koreans arrived in Seoul Tuesday for a four-day reunion of long-lost relatives separated by the Korean War.

US / NORTH KOREA, AMY BICKERS, Voice of America, 8/14/2000 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il says his nation would consider establishing diplomatic ties with the United States if Washington removed it from a list of states which sponsor terrorism.

KOREAS REUNION PREVIEW, AMY BICKERS, Voice of America, 8/14/2000 -- Two-hundred people from North and South Korea will participate in a family reunion that starts Tuesday in Seoul and Pyongyang.

KOREAS / LIAISON OFFICES, AMY BICKERS, Voice of America, 8/14/2000 -- North and South Korea have reopened liaison offices in a village located in the no man's land between their heavily armed border.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING, Philip Reeker, Department of State, 8/14/2000 -- Was Kim Jong-il only kidding when he offered to stop North Korea's missile program?

Kim Jong-il's Dialogue with South Korean Media Heads Chosunilbo (English Edition) 13 August 2000 -- The North Korean government has been engaged in rocket engineering in a bid to promote science development. A rocket launch costs US$200 to US$300 million. I told Russian President Putin that we will stop developing rockets when the United States comes forward and launches our satellites. I don't know what the new U.S. administration would say on this issue, as Clinton is due to step down soon. North Korea has been moving ahead with launching the satellite and it costs US$900 million for about two to three satellite launches a year. It is vastly uneconomical for my country to launch twice a year. North Korea has been selling rockets to Surinam and Iran. It is a ridiculous to claim that North Korea will be able to beat the U.S. by developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and blasting them off to the U.S. but Washington has been picking on North Korea's research for satellite technology. Certainly it will be a headache for the U.S. because the country will hate to give money freely to us on one hand, and on the other, the U.S. must stem our scientists research on satellite technology.

US / NOKOR TALKS, Voice of America, 09 August 2000 -- US and North Korean officials, scheduled to meet in Pyongyang Wednesday and Thursday, will discuss what North Korea must do to be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The US delegation is being led by counter-terrorism coordinator Michael Sheehan.

North, South Korea agree to reopen liaison offices, Stars and Stripes, 01 August 2000 -- Seoul and Pyongyang have agreed to reopen liaison offices at Panmunjom, giving rise to hope that the 1991 Basic Agreement between the once-bitter enemies finally will be implemented.

July

KOREA MEETING, Voice of America, 31 July 2000 -- The two Koreas have agreed to reopen border liaison offices and reconnect a major inter-Korean rail line.

KOREA - MEETINGS, Voice of America, 30 July 2000 -- North and South Korea have agreed to hold regular high-level discussions and have proposed reopening their suspended border liaison offices, following talks in the South Korean capital.

Report: North Korea would OK U.S. presence as 'peacekeeper', Stars and Stripes, 30 July 2000 -- Pyongyang would accept the long-term assignment of U.S. troops to South Korea in the role of "neutral peacekeepers," according to a Chinese government publication.

Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright Press Stakeout Following Bilateral Meeting With DPRK Foreign Minister Paek, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 28 July 2000 - "My meeting today with Foreign Minister Paek constitutes a substantively modest but symbolically historic step away from the sterility and hostility of the past and towards a more direct and promising approach to resolving differences and establishing common ground. I remain realistic in expectations and firmly committed to coordination with our allies. I'm also somewhat more hopeful than before about the prospects for long-term stability on the Korean peninsula and throughout the region."

NORTH KOREA EMERGENCE, Voice of America, 28 July 2000 -- Since North and South Korea promised to end a half century of Cold War hostility during last month's historic summit in Pyongyang, the communist North has begun to emerge from decades of isolation.

US / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 28 July 2000 -- The United States and North Korea have held their highest level meeting in more than five decades.

ASEAN - SECURITY, Voice of America, 27 July 2000 -- North Korea has made its debut appearance at an Asia regional security meeting in Bangkok.

U-S / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 26 July 2000 -- The United States says it will hold its highest level meeting ever with North Korea in Bangkok Friday when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright meets her North Korean counterpart, Paek Nam-Sum, on the sidelines of an Asian security conference.

Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 26 July 2000 -- Secretary Albright will meet with North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun in Bangkok on Friday afternoon. This is the first meeting at the ministerial level with North Korea. This is an introductory meeting but nonetheless a historic one. She looks forward to discussing bilateral relations and the progress being made on issues of concern to the United States.

Media Availability with Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen and Minister of Defense Serzh Sarkisyan of Armenia, U.S. Department of Defense, 24 July 2000 -- The reported offer by North Korea as described by President Putin to abandon entirely its missile program if it gets international assistance in launching space satellites, does that influence in any way your thinking about the need for national missile defense?

Fao, Wfp Release Special Report On Democratic People's Republic of Korea, UN Press Release, 24 July 2000 -- According to a special report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea published today by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), there are encouraging signs that the relaxation of trade and economic sanctions imposed on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and prospects of greater economic interaction with other countries in the region will undoubtedly have a positive impact on longer term food security in the country.

NORTH KOREA / U-S, Voice of America, 24 July 2000 -- North Korea says it is will hold the highest level of talks to date with the United States.

N. KOREA - U-S MEETING, Voice of America, 23 July 2000 -- North Korea says the country's Foreign Minister and the U-S secretary of State will hold talks next week in Bangkok.

CLINTON-NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 22 July 2000 -- President Clinton - in Okinawa for the G-Eight summit -- says a reported North Korean offer to scrap its missile program in exchange for help with space launches is worth exploring, but administration officials are skeptical.

NORTH - SOUTH KOREA, Voice of America, 22 July 2000 -- North Korea has accepted a proposal from the South for high level talks in the South Korean capital, later this month.

Readout To The Travel Pool By Jim Steinberg, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 22 July 2000 - Q: Jim, can you offer any kind of readout on the reaction of the other leaders to the proposal that President Putin talked to the President about?

Remarks By The President And Prime Minister Mori In Photo Opportunity, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 22 July 2000 - Q: Mr. President, what is your assessment of North Korea's offer to curb its missile program in exchange for space exploration assistance? Is there any reason to believe that's credible?

Background Briefing By Senior Administration Officials On Presidents Clinton And Putin Bilateral, The White House, Office of the Secretary, 21 July 2000 - Q: On North Korea, did the President have a specific discussion of North Koran leader Kim Chong-Il's proposal of stopping ballistic missile research in exchange for access to other nations' rockets. And did you get any more of a sense of whether you now view that offer as any more sincere or likely to actually be carried out?

Landmark event in DPRK-Russia history, The People's Korea, 21 July 2000 -- The declaration signed by Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and President V. V. Putin of the Russian Federation in Pyongyang on July 19 deals with the bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern.

G8 - CLINTON-PUTIN, Voice of America, 21 July 2000 -- U-S officials at the G-Eight summit in Okinawa are skeptical about a reported North Korean offer to scrap its ballistic missile program in exchange for outside help in launching satellites.

PUTIN / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 20 July 2000 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is on his way to Okinawa (has arrived in Okinawa) for a major international summit, following his unprecedented trip to North Korea.

DoD News Briefing, U.S. Department of Defense, 20 July 2000 -- Has this Putin announcement that the North Koreans are ready to give up their missile program, has that created problems, created questions about this whole thing?

Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 20 July 2000 -- QUESTION: What do you think of the Pentagon comments that they'd be willing to help the North Koreans with their space program if it didn't have anything to do with missiles? Do you have any?

DPRK-Russia joint declaration released, The People's Korea, 19 July 2000 - The text of the joint declaration signed by General Secretary Kim Jong Il and President V.V. Putin of the Russian Federation

Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 19 July 2000 -- QUESTION: Do you have anything more to say about North Korea? Have you guys had a look at what President Putin had to say?

NORTH / SOUTH KOREA TALKS, Voice of America, 19 July 2000 -- The South Korean government has proposed the two Koreas hold a high-level meeting next week - to follow-up on agreement signed at the first inter-Korea summit last month.

NORTH KOREA / MISSILE DEFENSE, Voice of America, 19 July 2000 -- North Korea has denounced U-S plans to build a proposed national missile shield - which Washington says is designed to defend against attacks from countries such as North Korea.

PUTIN / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 19 July 2000 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, following a state visit to Beijing.

KOREA MISSILES, Voice of America, 14 July 2000 -- U-S envoy Robert Einhorn has been holding talks with South Korean officials this week on a possible deal to allow Seoul to produce missiles with longer range capabilities.

US / SOKOR MISSILES, Voice of America, 14 July 2000 -- Senior U-S and South Korean officials are discussing a possible deal that would allow Seoul to build missiles that could strike any where in North Korea.

U-S/NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 12 July 2000 -- Talks between the United States and North Korea over the communist nation's missile program ended in stalemate Wednesday.

PRESERVING KOREA'S D-M-Z, Voice of America, 12 July 2000 -- As North and South Korea try to build on the goodwill from their recent summit, the two countries are looking to increase economic cooperation and arrange reunions of divided families.

Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 12 July 2000 - "I think it's important to make very clear that we think the North Koreans should not be compensated for agreeing to stop conducting activities that they shouldn't be conducting in the first place."

G-8 / NORTH KOREA, Voice of America, 11 July 2000 -- Foreign ministers from the world's seven most industrialized nations and Russia, known as the G-8, are expected to endorse Wednesday North Korea's moves to improve relations with South Korea and the international community.

DoD News Briefing, U.S. Department of Defense, 10 July 2000 -- Q: Do you believe that North Korea is going to have intercontinental ballistic missiles by 2005 or has any information come up that would make you question that time-frame?

U-S - NORTH KOREA TALKS, Voice of America, 10 July 2000 -- The United States and North Korea have opened another round of talks about North Korea's missile program.

U-S - NORTH KOREA Voice of America 09 July 2000 -- Talks are due to resume tomorrow (Monday) in Malaysia between the United States and North Korea concerning Pyongyang's missile program.

NORTH KOREA / ECONOMIC AID Voice of America 07 July 2000 -- South Korea says it is sending much more aid to poverty-stricken North Korea this year than it did last year.

June

Text: U.S., ROK, Japan Joint Statement on North Korea 30 June 2000 -- The United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Japan concluded the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, by jointly releasing a statement.

NORTH KOREAN FAMINE Voice of America 28 June 2000 -- The top United Nations representative in North Korea says the country is on the way to recovery from a five-year famine and may be able to feed itself in two years.

CLINTON-KOREA MISSILES Voice of America 28 June 2000 -- President Clinton says this month's North-South Korean summit was a positive development, but it has not eliminated U-S concern about Pyongyang's long-range missile program.

ALBRIGHT/KOREA, Voice of America, 23 June 2000 -- U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says American troops should stay in South Korea to assure the stability of the region.

Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Joung Binn Lee Press conference, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 23 June 2000 -- QUESTION: Concerning the American forces on the Korean Peninsula, the question is to Madame Albright. With the improvements in South-North Korean relations, there is a debate that, if not a withdrawal of the U.S. forces in South Korea, perhaps a change in the status of the forces or perhaps a reduction in the size of your military presence here is inevitable....What are your views on this issue, and along the same line, Minister Lee, what is our government's position on this issue?

ALBRIGHT-CHINA Voice of America 22 June 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says the Chinese told her the North Korean ruler was a much different person from the image the world had of him before he visited Beijing last month for his first international appearance in recent years.

KOREAN SUMMIT RAISES SECURITY ISSUES Voice of America 22 June 2000 -- Analysts are now contemplating how a less-threatening North Korea, while still maintaining its huge army and potential for long-range nuclear or biological missiles, will change security calculations in Asia and the world.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 21 June 2000 -- QUESTION: Do you have any comment on Pyongyang's announcement on its renewed missile moratorium?

SANCTIONS / U-S BUSINESSES Voice of America 20 June 2000 -- North Korea watcher and consultant Michael Breen thinks what those companies will likely encounter in North Korea are not endless opportunities but stubborn resistance.

NORTH KOREA/JAPAN Voice of America 20 June 2000 -- Japan said Tuesday it will consider taking measures to support the inter-Korean dialogue, following the partial easing of sanctions announced by the United States.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, 19 June 2000 -- "Second of all, we'll be giving you a fact sheet on the easing of sanctions on North Korea that we've talked about before. The Federal Register notice is out today with a full and complete description. We'll give you a fact sheet as well. And we are going forward with implementation of these steps that were announced in September of last year, and you'll remember the context was the improvement in relations, the missile talks that we had had, and the continuation of the missile moratorium. All those things continue and remain important to us."

U-S-KOREA SANCTIONS Voice of America 19 June 2000 -- The administration decided to ease the economic sanctions last September following contacts with the Pyongyang government by former Defense Secretary William Perry and a North Korean pledge to refrain from further testing of long-range ballistic missiles.

NORTH KOREA / U-S Voice of America 19 June 2000 -- Only days after hosting a historic summit to improve ties with South Korea, North Korea is accusing the United States of increasing the danger of war and escalating tensions.

Text: State Department Fact Sheet on Sanctions Against North Korea 19 June 2000 -- State's Office of the Spokesman said the decision to ease sanctions was taken in view of North Korea's assurances that it will continue its moratorium on the testing of long-range ballistic missiles.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT June 19, 2000 -- Since last September, when I announced the measures being implemented today to ease sanctions against North Korea, North Korea has maintained its moratorium on missile tests.

Easing of Export Restrictions on North Korea; Final Rules [Federal Register: June 19, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 118)] The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement the President's statement of September 17, 1999 easing sanctions against North Korea. The United States is taking this action in order to pursue improved overall relations.

Repeal of Traffic Restrictions to North Korea [Federal Register: June 19, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 118)] On September 17, 1999, the President announced his intention to ease certain sanctions against North Korea in order to pursue improved relations. There is also a need to facilitate transportation to and from North Korea in support of the Agreed Framework of October 1994.

CLINTON - KOREA Voice of America 16 June 2000 -- President Clinton - traveling in New York Friday - met with a top South Korean envoy to discuss this week's historic summit between North and South Korea.

KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 16 June 2000 -- An overwhelming majority of South Koreans view this week's inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang as an overwhelming success.

KOREA SUMMIT / MEDIA Voice of America 16 June 2000 -- South Korean news media gave unprecedented coverage to the history-making summit between South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il this week.

REFLECTIONS ON THE KOREAN SUMMIT Voice of America 16 June 2000 -- The event is being seen by some however, as nothing less than the beginning of the end to the Cold War's final chapter.

Pentagon Resists Korea Reunification Euphoria by Blair Case ADA Magazine 16 June 2000 -- Pentagon spokesman Kenneth H. Bacon Thursday termed the prospects of Korean reunification talks cause for "controlled exuberance" but said they do not justify a reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea or cancel the requirement for a National Missile Defense system to protect the United States from missile attacks.

DOD: North Korea still poses missile threat By PAMELA HESS United Press International 15 June 2000 -- "I think it significantly reduces the urgency of deploying NMD," says John Pike, a senior analyst with Washington, D.C.-based Federation of American Scientists and an outspoken critic of the program. "It should (slow NMD down) but it won't.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2000 -- We haven�t quite suspended the sanctions that we said we suspended in September -- that we said we were going to suspend in September. The President in September announced, on September 17th, 1999, that we were going to ease certain economic sanctions. I expect that we will soon complete the process of implementing that easing of sanctions, and the details will be made available in public as soon as they are ready.

Text: Representative Tony Hall Remarks on Korean Summit 15 June 2000 -- Representative Tony Hall (Democrat of Ohio) said in an extension of remarks in the House of Representatives June 15 that South Korean President Kim Dae Jung should be generous in providing food and medicine to North Korea.

TWO KOREAN LEADERS MEET, DIFUSEING TENSIONS Voice of America 15 June 2000 -- Some papers are calling the Korean summit nothing less than the final act of the Cold War. Editorial writers struggled to describe the significance of the three-day meeting between North Korea leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung.

U-S - KOREA Voice of America 15 June 2000 -- Administration officials say preparations are nearly complete for the easing of sanctions against North Korea, and an announcement is expected in the coming days.

North-south joint declaration signed (June.15.2000) General Secretary Kim Jong Il together with President Kim Dae Jung, signed a north-south joint declaration on June 14. The north-south joint declaration is a good fruition of the historic Pyongyang meeting reflecting the desire and will of all the fellow countrymen to achieve the sacred cause of reunification and build a prosperous and powerful country by the united efforts of the nation.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2000 -- I don't think we see in this summit in particular the seeds of any changes that would change the possible threat that we might face. Certainly a reduction in tensions is important, but on the specific issues of possible missile threats I haven't seen nor heard of anything in this summit that negates that.

THE TWO KOREAS SUMMIT Voice of America 14 June 2000 -- The meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il and South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung could spell the beginning of the end of the isolationist stance long adhered to by Mr. Kim's father, Kim Il Sung.

US-KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 14 June 2000 -- President Clinton is praising the unprecedented meeting between the leaders of North and South Korea as a hopeful first step toward reunification of the divided peninsula.

KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 14 June 2000 -- Optimism about possible breakthroughs between the two longtime adversaries is running high following Kim Jong-il's warm welcome of Kim Dae-jung on Tuesday.

KOREA SUMMIT / SYMBOLISM Voice of America 14 June 2000 -- South Koreans are euphoric over the unexpected warmth shown by North Korea's reclusive leader, Kim Jong-il, during Tuesday's historic first meeting with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.

KOREA SUMMIT OVERNIGHTER Voice of America 13 June 2000 -- The summit got off to a dramatic start when North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il showed up at the airport to personally greet South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.

HISTORIC KOREAN SUMMIT BEGINS Voice of America 13 June 2000 -- Some analysts say the discussions between North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il and South Korean President Kim Dae- Jung could signal dramatic changes in the government of North Korea.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2000 -- I think we're going to reserve any comment. We'd like to see a continued dialogue and, as I indicated, this is an important step in a process of dialogue, which is the best way to move forward and maintain peace and stability on the Peninsula.

KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 12 June 2000 -- South Korean President Kim Dae-jung meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-il Tuesday at the beginning of an historic three-day summit in Pyongyang.

KOREA SUMMIT SCENESETTER Voice of America 12 June 2000 -- The leaders of North and South Korea are scheduled to begin an historic three-day summit Tuesday in Pyongyang.

KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 11 June 2000 -- The long-awaited summit between the leaders of North and South Korea has been delayed by one day at North Korea's request.

PUTIN / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 09 June 2000 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will become the first leader of his country to visit North Korea when he goes to Pyongyang later this year.

NORTH - SOUTH KOREA Voice of America 07 June 2000 -- When South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung goes to Pyongyang for a summit next week (June 12-14) with Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, it will mark the first meeting ever between the leaders of the two Koreas.

NORTH-SOUTH KOREA Voice of America 07 June 2000 -- Washington is pleased the leaders of North and South Korea will finally meet face to face (June 12-14) to begin working out their differences.

CHINA-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 01 June 2000 -- China has acknowledged that reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited Beijing earlier this week on his first known foreign trip in 17 years.

May

Text: State Department Release on Visit to North Korean Facility 30 May 2000 -- The team found conditions at Kumchang-ni unchanged since the first visit in May 1999, i.e. the facility remains an unfinished site, with an underground portion consisting of an extensive, empty tunnel complex.

Text: State Department Release on May 24-30 Meetings with North Korea 30 May 2000 -- The two sides also agreed to hold a preparatory session on May 31 for the next round of missile talks. One purpose of this preparatory session will be to set the stage for the next formal round of U.S.-North Korea missile talks in the near future.

U-N / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 26 May 2000 -- The United Nations says there has been a slight improvement in the food situation in North Korea. But, it says the crisis is far from over.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing MAY 24, 2000 -- I wouldn't want to add much to what I didn't say yesterday. We're using this meeting to begin talks on Agreed Framework implementation, and we're going to continue to discuss the full range of issues of common concern, including missiles.

KOREAS SUMMIT Voice of America 18 May 2000 -- Officials in Seoul say the two Koreas have fully agreed on the agenda and arrangements for their landmark June summit in Pyongyang.

JAPAN/NORTH KOREA RELATIONS Voice of America 18 May 2000 -- North Korea has offered no explanation for its decision Wednesday to delay negotiations with Japan on the establishment of diplomatic ties.

JAPAN/NORTH KOREA TALKS POSTPONED Voice of America 17 May 2000 -- Japanese government sources say Tokyo and Pyongyang remain at odds over several key issues.

Text: House International Relations Committee on North Korea Oversight 16 May 2000 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has endorsed legislation authored by Representative Ben Gilman (Republican of New York), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and Representative Ed Markey (Democrat of Massachusetts) that would ensure no nuclear equipment or technology is transferred to North Korea without Congressional review and approval.

Text: Second U.S. Visit to Kumchang-Ni Starts May 23 15 May 2000 -- A U.S. team will make a second visit to the underground construction site at Kumchang-ni in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) May 23.

ASEAN-NORTH KOREA Voice of America 11 May 2000 -- North Korea has formally applied to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' regional security forum.

NORTH KOREA / AUSTRALIA Voice of America 08 May 2000 -- Australia and North Korea are to restore full diplomatic relations after a 25 year freeze.

KOREA AID Voice of America 06 May 2000 -- South Korea says it will provide 200-thousand tons of fertilizer to North Korea as a humanitarian gesture.

NORTH-SOUTH KOREAN SUMMIT: SIGN OF A THAW? Voice of America 05 May 2000 -- With the third round of preparatory talks having wound up, the skepticism has given way to another question: why does normally xenophobic North Korea want such a meeting with its arch-enemy.

NORTH-SOUTH KOREA: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM BUILDS IN ADVANCE OF JUNE SUMMIT Issue Focus - Foreign Media Reaction 03 May 2000 -- As preparations for the bilateral meeting got underway, however--with the third round of preparatory talks concluding today amid plans to resume again on Monday--observers began to temper their wariness, arguing instead that Pyongyang appeared to be "serious" about the upcoming summit.

KOREA / TALKS Voice of America 03 May 2000 -- North and South Korea moved a step closer Wednesday to reaching an agreement for procedures on their long awaited summit.

April

NORTH-SOUTH KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 27 April 2000 -- South Korea says it has reached agreement with North Korea on most of the procedural details for the forthcoming summit between their leaders.

KOREA SUMMIT QUESTIONS Voice of America 25 April 2000 -- Doubts are being raised in South Korea about whether the reclusive leader of North Korea plans to negotiate directly with the South Korean president at their planned summit meeting in June.

KOREA TALKS Voice of America 22 April 2000 -- Representatives from North and South Korea have met to prepare for the first ever summit between the leaders of their country, due to take place in June.

Text: Congressman Saxton on Possible IMF Lending to North Korea 18 April 2000 -- International Monetary Fund (IMF) lending to North Korea in the foreseeable future would be inappropriate and would spark intense opposition in Congress, Vice Chairman Jim Saxton (Republican of New Jersey) of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) said.

KOREA TALKS Voice of America 18 April 2000 -- South Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister says the June summit between North and South Korea could end half a century of hostilities between the two countries.

Text: Missile Proliferation Sanctions Imposed on Entities in Iran, N.Korea 14 April 2000 -- The United States Government has determined that entities in North Korea and Iran have engaged in missile technology proliferation activities that require imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act.

NORTH - SOUTH KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 11 April 2000 -- The leaders of North and South Korea have agreed to meet for the first time, marking a major step forward in relations between the two nations that technically remain at war.

U-S - KOREA Voice of America 10 April 2000 -- President Clinton is welcoming plans by the leaders of North and South Korea to hold a first-ever summit later this year.

NORTH KOREA / SOUTH KOREA TALKS Voice of America 10 April 2000 -- The leaders of South and North Korea - two nations still technically at war -- are to hold a summit meeting in June.

NORTH - SOUTH KOREA SUMMIT Voice of America 10 April 2000 -- American experts on Korean issues say a summit between the leaders of North and South Korea could go a long way toward easing tensions between the two countries.

Text: Albright on Summit Meeting between South Korea and North Korea 10 April 2000 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright hailed the announcement of a summit June 12-14 between North and South Korea in an April 10 statement. Direct dialogue between the two governments, Albright said, "is central to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

NORTH KOREA - JAPAN Voice of America 07 April 2000 -- Talks aimed at establishing diplomatic relations between North Korea and Japan have ended without an agreement.

JAPAN / NORKOR TALKS Voice of America 05 April 2000 -- North Korea and Japan have begun talks aimed at establishing diplomatic ties. North Korea has demanded Japan pay compensation for its past rule of the Korean peninsula.

NORTH KOREA / TALKS Voice of America 04 April 2000 -- Talks on establishing diplomatic ties between Japan and North Korea are poised to resume after a break of over seven years.

March

NORTH KOREA DIPLOMACY Voice of America 29 March 2000 -- Italy's Foreign Minister is to wrap up a two day visit to North Korea Wednesday, as the reclusive state continues it efforts to broaden its international contacts

PRESS CONFERENCE BY DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA 24 March 2000 -- The United Nations should establish a tribunal to investigate "massacres" committed by United States troops during the Korean War.

JAPAN - NORKOR TALKS Voice of America 22 March 2000 -- Japan says talks about establishing normal ties with North Korea are to be held in early April.

COHEN - KOREA Voice of America 18 March 2000 -- Korean Minister of National Defense Cho Seong Tae says there is a `high possibility' of some kind of North Korean military provocation in the near future.

CHINA KOREA Voice of America 17 March 2000 -- The commander of U-S Forces in Korea says U-S intelligence is watching North Korea with special care in case Pyongyang tries to launch any surprise military action while Washington is preoccupied by the tensions between neighboring China and Taiwan.

Text: International Relations Chair Gilman on N. Korea 16 March 2000 -- North Korea is a threat to U.S. interests despite a six-year effort to engage that regime and $1,000 million in aid, says Representative Ben Gilman, chairman of the House International Relations Committee. A three-stage Taepo Dong II "would be capable of delivering a several-hundred kilogram payload anywhere in the United States."

Text: U.S. State Department Statement on U.S.-DPRK Bilateral Talks 15 March 2000 -- The United States and North Korea concluded bilateral talks held in New York with both sides agreeing to schedule further talks.

U-S / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 16 March 2000 -- The U-S State Department is denying suggestions of a breakdown in talks with North Korea -- though the two nations have yet to agree on terms for a historic North Korean visit to Washington.

JAPAN / N. KOREA Voice of America 07 March 2000 -- The Japanese government says it will resume food aid to North Korea as well as negotiations on establishing diplomatic ties.

Text: Briefing by Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Pacific Forces 07 March 2000 -- "I think the North Koreans are probably working on everything that doesn't violate existing commitments or can't be detected," Blair said. "I think they're churning away inside their laboratories doing the things they can do without testing," he said.

Text: Korea Forces Commander on Korean Peninsula Security 07 March 2000 -- North Korea remains a contradiction as well as a threat to the United States, according to General Thomas Schwartz, commander-in-chief United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command and Commander, United States Forces Korea. Their ballistic missile inventory now includes over 500 SCUDs of various types. They have produced munitions stockpiles estimated at up to 5,000 metric tons of several types of chemical agents.

Text: State Department on Upcoming U.S.-North Korea Talks 01 March 2000 -- Delegations from the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will meet in New York beginning March 7 to finalize preparations for a DPRK high-level visit to Washington in roughly one month.

February

NORTH KOREA / RUSSIA Voice of America 09 February 2000 -- Ivanov would seek North Korea's support for a global system of control over missiles and weapons technology. He added that both Moscow and Pyongyang are opposed to the creation of an anti-missile defense system in Asia.

N KOREA / NUKE Voice of America 03 February 2000 -- North Korea is demanding compensation from the United States for delays in the promised construction of two nuclear reactors.

Text: Bereuter Feb. 2 Speech on Asia and U.S Security Policy USIA 2 February 2000 -- If, for example, the North were to resume its flight testing of ballistic missiles, I believe the Congress would overwhelmingly interpret this as a rejection of engagement. Only time will tell whether the Administration would agree.

January

KEDO CONCLUDES A 116.5 BILLION-YEN LOAD AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR LIGHT-WATER REACTOR PROJECT IN NORTH KOREA January 31, 2000 -- The loan from JBIC will be used for KEDO�s Light-Water Reactor (LWR) Project to be supplied to the Democratic People�s Republic of Korea (DPRK), along with a loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea.

Text: North Korean Officials Agree to High-Level Visit to U.S. USIA 31 January 2000 -- North Korean officials have agreed to a high-level visit to the United States, the State Department announced January 31.

NORTH KOREA / WORLD BANK Voice of America 21 January 2000 -- South Korea says it will support any move by North Korea to join world economic organizations.

SOUTH KOREA / CHINA MILITARY Voice of America 20 January 2000 -- China and South Korea have warned against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on the Korean peninsula, saying it would set off an arms race. The statement is seen as being directed at reclusive North Korea.

Sale to Public of Satellite Photos Debated By BOB DROGIN Los Angeles Times Saturday, January 15, 2000 -- The images of North Korea's Nodong missile site first were shown on Jan. 3 on a Cable News Network broadcast. They next appeared in Japanese newspapers and then were posted on the Federation of American Scientists' Web site. They immediately became political fodder in the battle over national missile defense. John E. Pike, head of space policy at the federation, said that the images showed "an underwhelming missile test facility" most notable for its lack of paved roads, storage facilities or staff housing.

A Missile Is a Missile MARK M. LOWENTHAL [letter to the editor] The New York Times January 14, 2000 - John E. Pike of the Federation of American Scientists is mistaken when he declares that if a site is not up to United States standards, it is not a threat.

UNHCR NORTH KOREA REFUGEES Voice of America 13 January 2000 -- The United Nations refugee agency, the U-N-H-C-R, says it is seriously concerned by China's decision to deport seven people to North Korea where they could face severe reprisals.

S.Korea warns against under-estimating N.Korea's missile threat Agence France Presse January 12, 2000, Wednesday -- The Federation of American Scientists which had revealed the satellite images on its website said the facility lacked paved roads, propellant storage, and staff housing that would be needed to support an extensive test facility. "The modest ambitions of the North Korean test program are clearly revealed by the scale and nature of the Nodong test facility, which is surely the antithesis to Cape Canaveral," it said.

Commercial Satellite Photos of DPRK Missile Base Viewed Yonhap [Seoul] 12 January 2000 -- The private Federation of American Scientists (FAS) insisted the rural site featured in the photo lacks basic facilities in order to qualify as a missile base such as rail links, paved roads, fuel tanks and staff housing needed to support one.

Spy pictures show Korea's empty threat Michael Evans, The Times (London) January 12, 2000, Wednesday -- John Pike, director of the Federation of American Scientists, a private organisation in Washington that bought the pictures from the space company in Denver, Colorado, said: "These photographs make a nonsense of American foreign policy, which has been dominated in recent years by the perceived ballistic missile threat from North Korea."

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2000 -- We certainly welcome the entrepreneurial analysts' effort to assess the capabilities of other countries, and we recognize the serious effort that organizations like the Federation of American Scientists make in this area and other areas. But it is our judgment from a panoply of intelligence sources and methods that go far beyond this rather limited capability that the Federation of American Scientists has put on its website that there is a genuine threat and a risk from the potential missile program of North Korea. We believe this is a real danger that we are dealing with.

DoD News Briefing Tuesday, January 11, 2000 -- Q Ken, what about these satellite pictures of the North Korean launch site, which appear to show pretty primitive conditions there, including no rails to move missiles? John Pike called it, I believe, the "mouse that roared." But have you all got any comment on that?

US Group Puts N.Korea Missile Site Pictures on Web By Tabassum Zakaria (Reuters) Tuesday 11 January 2000 -- The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has posted photos of a North Korean missile test site on its Web site, giving the public access to previously top-secret spy satellite imagery and sparking debate over how serious the missile threat is.

Spy Photos of Korea Missile Site Bring Dispute By WILLIAM J. BROAD The New York Times January 11, 2000 -- "It's the mouse that roared," said John E. Pike, director of the group's space program and author of the analysis. "It's a singularly unimpressive facility, and we've looked at all the main ones in the world."

Text: State Department January 6 Release on U.S.-N. Korea Talks USIA 06 January 2000 -- The State Department announced on January 6 that U.S. bilateral talks with North Korean officials will begin in Berlin on January 22.

NORTH KOREA/ITALY Voice of America 05 January 2000 -- Japan and South Korea Wednesday welcomed Italy's decision to forge diplomatic relations with North Korea.

U-S / NORTH KOREA Voice of America 05 January 2000 -- North Korea has ruled out sending a senior envoy to the United States for an unprecedented high-level visit.

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