Category Archive: USA

Dec 18

North Korea vows harsh retaliation if Yeonpyeong drills begin

Categories:

China, Military, North Korea, Russia, South Korea, USA, War

December 18, 2010

sk_soldiers_yeonpyeong

South Korea this Saturday has delayed planned artillery drills from Yeonpyeong Island, the contested island near the Northern Limit Line battered by North Korean artillery on November 23rd. The cause of the delay is “bad weather”, however South Korea has been under a lot of foreign pressure from Russia and China to scrap the drills in order to ease tensions on the peninsula. The North has been very vocal over their protesting of the drills, but despite military threats, the drills are said to be proceeding regardless sometime before Tuesday.

The citizens who haven’t already evacuated Yeonpyeong are understandably nervous; if South Korea goes through with these drills, there can be no saying if North Korea won’t stick to its words and attack again. North Korea’s state news mouthpiece, KCNA, accused the US of using the remaining civilians on the island as a “human shield” against a North Korean attack. Such a provocation could ignite further disputes and potentially lead to all out war between the Koreas. Both sides have a lot to lose from a rekindled war.

Source: Associated Press / Yonhap News / KCNA

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/722

Dec 16

Bill Richardson arrives in Pyongyang

Categories:

China, North Korea, USA

December 16, 2010

New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who has made several diplomatic trips to North Korea in the past, has arrived in Pyongyang with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer tagging along. In an interview at Beijing airport, Richardson said the following:

“We are heading to North Korea in hopes of bringing peace. My message is that we need to persuade them to stop some of the aggressive actions that North Korea has taken… I hope I can help out. I hope I can make a difference… Whenever the North Koreans contact me, they always want to send a message of some kind. My hope is that they provide messages that can lessen tensions on the Korean peninsula.”

Blitzer, a seasoned reporter who has not been to North Korea in the past, will be providing press coverage of Richardson’s talks and travels. Richardson was invited to North Korea by Kim Kye-Gwan, DPRK’s top nuclear negotiator. The trip begins today and is scheduled to end on the 20th. 

Source: Associated Press / CNN

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/719

Dec 08

Governor Richardson returning to North Korea for talks

Categories:

Nuclear, South Korea, USA

December 8, 2010

bill_richardson_evan_carl_hunzikerBill Richardson, governor of New Mexico who has is previously travelled to North Korea on diplomatic missions to release American prisoners and bring back Korean War remains, is once again taking off for Pyongyang later this month. Richardson is travelling as a private citizen, much as former President Jimmy Carter did earlier this year. However, Richardson isn’t going to secure the release of an American prisoner, but rather hoping to cool tensions on the unstable Korean peninsula. Richardson was apparently invited by North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator (a very high position within the North Korean power structure), so it seems plausible that the North wants to use the governor as a proxy for communication with an Obama administration not interested in discussions. The meeting is happening from December 16-20th.

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/704

Nov 30

Wikileaks: China wouldn’t mind a unified Korea under Seoul

Categories:

China, North Korea, Reunification, South Korea, USA, War

November 30, 2010

463119-Two-Brothers-2

Yet another Wikileaked cable regarding North Korean diplomacy, this one details China’s relationship with the reclusive DPRK. Turns out the relationship isn’t as rosy as many observers might believe, and that China really doesn’t know what’s going on with North Korea at any given time. China has apparently warmed up to the idea of a South Korean led united Korea—just as long as the US military presence doesn’t encroach past the DMZ dividing the two Koreas at the 38th parallel.

China’s vice foreign minister described North Korea as acting like a “spoiled child” in regards to missile tests launched in April 2009. It is also stated that China would be willing to deal with 300,000 North Korean refugees should the other shoe drop eventually. The Guardian, a chief source of many of the “juicier” leaks, has many of the details in the link below. I’ll post the entire cable when I can get my hands on it. The leak is below.

It would be interesting to see the North Korean response to this leak. If legitimate, this could have serious implications on the North Korea-China relationship. China is the only major power considered to be an ally to the Stalinist state, and to lose their support officially could eventually lead to a regime collapse. However, North Korea has endured much worse, so all we can do is wait and see what happens.

Monday, 22 February 2010, 09:32
S E C R E T SEOUL 000272
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 02/22/2034
TAGS PREL, PGOV, KNNP, ECON, SOCI, KS, KN, JA“>JA“>JA, CH
SUBJECT: VFM CHUN YOUNG-WOO ON SINO-NORTH KOREAN RELATIONS
Classified By: AMB D. Kathleen Stephens. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
  1. South Korea’s vice Foreign Minister Chun Yung-wo tells the Americans that senior Chinese officials have told him that China is fed up with the North Korean regime’s behaviour and would not oppose Korean reunification. Chun says North Korea has already collapsed economically and will collapse politically when Kim Jong-il dies. Key passage highlighted in yellow.
  2. Read related article

Summary

——-

1. (S) Vice Foreign Minister Chun Yung-woo told the Ambassador February 17th that China would not be able to stop North Korea‘s collapse following the death of Kim Jong-il (KJI). The DPRK, Chun said, had already collapsed economically and would collapse politically two to three years after the death of Kim Jong-il. Chun dismissed ROK media reports that Chinese companies had agreed to pump 10 billion USD into the North’s economy. Beijing had “no will” to use its modest economic leverage to force a change in Pyongyang’s policies — and the DPRK characterized as “the most incompetent official in China” — had retained his position as chief of the PRC’s 6PT delegation. Describing a generational difference in Chinese attitudes toward North Korea, Chun claimed XXXXXXXXXXXX believed Korea should be unified under ROK control. Chun acknowledged the Ambassador’s point that a strong ROK-Japan relationship would help Tokyo accept a reunified Korean Peninsula. End summary.

VFM Chun on Sino-North Korean Relations…

——————————————

2. (S) During a February 17 lunch hosted by Ambassador Stephens that covered other topics (septel), ROK Vice Foreign Minister and former ROK Six-Party Talks (6PT) Head of Delegation Chun Yung-woo predicted that China would not be able to stop North Korea’s collapse following the death of Kim Jong-il (KJI). The DPRK, Chun said, had already collapsed economically; following the death of KJI, North Korea would collapse politically in “two to three years.” Chun dismissed ROK media reports that Chinese companies had agreed to pump 10 billion USD into the North’s economy; there was “no substance” to the reports, he said. The VFM also ridiculed the Chinese foreign ministry’s “briefing” to the ROK embassy in Beijing on Wang Jiarui’s visit to North Korea; the unidentified briefer had “basically read a Xinhua press release,” Chun groused, adding that the PRC interlocutor had been unwilling to answer simple questions like whether Wang had flown to Hamhung or taken a train there to meet KJI.

3. (S) The VFM commented that China had far less influence on North Korea “than most people believe.” Beijing had “no will” to use its economic leverage to force a change in Pyongyang’s policies and the DPRK leadership “knows it.” Chun acknowledged that the Chinese genuinely wanted a denuclearized North Korea, but the PRC was also content with the status quo. Unless China pushed North Korea to the “brink of collapse,” the DPRK would likely continue to refuse to take meaningful steps on denuclearization.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

—————————————–

4. (S) Turning to the Six Party Talks, Chun said it was “a very bad thing” that Wu Dawei had retained his position as chief of the PRC’s delegation. XXXXXXXXXXXX said it appeared that the DPRK “must have lobbied extremely hard” for the now-retired Wu to stay on as China’s 6PT chief. [NAME REMOVED] complained that Wu is the PRC’s XXXXXXXXXXXX an arrogant, Marx-spouting former Red Guard who “knows nothing about North Korea, nothing about nonproliferation and is hard to communicate with because he doesn’t speak English.” Wu was also a hardline nationalist, loudly proclaiming — to anyone willing to listen — that the PRC’s economic rise represented a “return to normalcy” with China as a great world power.

…China’s “New Generation” of Korea-Hands…

———————————————

5. (S) Sophisticated Chinese officials XXXXXXXXXXXX stood in sharp contrast to Wu, according to VFM Chun.XXXXXXXXXXXX Chun claimed XXXXXXXXXX believed Korea should be unified under ROK control.XXXXXXXXXXXX, Chun said, were ready to “face the new reality” that the DPRK now had little value to China as a buffer state — a view that since North Korea’s 2006 nuclear test had reportedly gained traction among senior PRC leaders.

…PRC Actions In A DPRK Collapse Scenario…

———————————————

6. (S) Chun argued that, in the event of a North Korean collapse, China would clearly “not welcome” any U.S. military presence north of the DMZ. XXXXXXXXXXXX Chun XXXXXXXXXXXX said the PRC would be comfortable with a reunified Korea controlled by Seoul and anchored to theUnited States in a “benign alliance” — as long as Korea was not hostile towards China. Tremendous trade and labor-export opportunities for Chinese companies, Chun said, would also help salve PRC concerns about living with a reunified Korea. Chundismissed the prospect of a possible PRC military intervention in the event of a DPRK collapse, noting that China’s strategic economic interests now lie with the United States, Japan, andSouth Korea — not North Korea. Moreover, Chun argued, bare-knuckle PRC military intervention in a DPRK internal crisis could “strengthen the centrifugal forces in China’s minority areas.”

…and Japan

————

7. (S) Chun acknowledged the Ambassador’s point that a strong ROK-Japan relationship would help Tokyo accept a reunified Korean Peninsula under Seoul’s control. Chun asserted that, even though “Japan’s preference” was to keep Korea divided, Tokyo lacked the leverage to stop reunification in the event the DPRK collapses. STEPHENS

Source: Yahoo! News via Associated Press / The Guardian

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/687

Nov 29

Wikileaks: North Korea provided advanced missiles to Iran

Categories:

China, Iran, Japan, Military, North Korea, Nuclear, Propaganda, South Korea, USA, War

November 29, 2010

BM25

The latest release from Wikileaks depicts over 200,000 diplomatic cables of intelligence gathering from various US embassies. Of particular interest, a cable dated February 24th 2010 revealed the transfer of 19 ballistic missiles from North Korea to Iran. The missile, the BM-25. is a modified Russian design capable of hitting targets 3200km away and has the potential to be armed with a nuclear warhead. It is believed that neither country is able at present time to construct a warhead small enough to arm a missile. You might recall the BM-25 being driven around during the 65th anniversary celebration parade of the Korean Worker’s Party.

Other interesting details from a separate Feb 22nd Wikileaks release are the revelation of political dissent in the form of a bomb on a train from Pyongyang to Beijing. There are also discussions of a “Cash for Corpses” arrangement for the US to retrieve the remains of MIA soldiers from the Korean War in exchange for money to the DPRK. Posted below is the full text of the Feb 22nd leak for posterity.

Monday, 22 February 2010, 08:54
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000290
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 02/23/2030
TAGS PREL, PGOV, SOCI, MARR, ECON, ETRD, KN, KS, CH
SUBJECT: A/S CAMPBELL’S FEBRUARY 3 MEETING WITH NSA KIM
Classified By: Ambassador D. Kathleen Stephens. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

——-

1. (C) During a February 3 meeting, National Security Adviser Kim Sung-hwan told EAP Assistant Secretary Campbell the ROKG wished to have discussions with Washington about delaying the planned transfer of wartime operation control to Korea. Kim agreed that turbulence in Sino-American relations meant Beijing would be hesitant to call a new round of the Six Party Talks. It was encouraging, however, that veteran DPRK negotiator Kim Gye-gwan was slated to visit Beijing next week. NSA Kim asserted that Kim Jong-il needed to visit China soon in order to get more economic assistance, as the DPRK’s internal situation appeared to be significantly more unstable. NSA Kim acknowledged it was important to reach out directly to key DPJ officials like Foreign Minister Okada and Finance Minister Kan. The North Koreans, Kim said, were clearly using several different channels to “knock on the DPJ’s door.” President Lee may visit a Korean factory in the United States to help sell KORUS to the American public. Kim suggested that President Obama and President Lee pay a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial in Washington to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Campbell asked for ROK understanding for U.S. plans to resume MIA remains recovery operations in North Korea. Kim emphasized that President Lee would never “buy” a summit with Pyongyang. End summary.

OPCON Transfer

————–

2. (C) During a February 3 meeting with Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, ROK National Security Adviser Kim Sung-hwan said he wished to have discussions with the USG on the planned April 2012 transfer of wartime operation control (OPCON) to Korea. Kim agreed with Campbell’s observation that it was important for the Korean public to understand that any change that may be considered concerning OPCON transfer timing, and the U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review, would not diminish America’s commitment to the ROK’s security, and should not be so interpreted. China Unlikely to Call New 6PT Round

————————————

3. (C) NSA Kim agreed with Campbell’s observation that the current turbulence in Sino-American relations meant Beijing would be hesitant to call a new round of the Six Party Talks (6PT) anytime soon. Referring to POTUS’ upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama, Kim said the Chinese were “far too sensitive” about the Tibetan spiritual leader’s meetings with foreign officials. A few years ago, Kim related, the PRC had crudely pressured the ROK government into canceling a planned speech by the Dalai Lama at a Buddhist conference on Cheju Island.

4. (C) NSA Kim said he was encouraged by reports that veteran DPRK negotiator Kim Gye-gwan was slated to visit Beijing next week at the invitation of Chinese 6PT chief Wu Dawei. NSA Kim said he understood Kim Gye-gwan might also visit New York. Campbell noted it was important for the DPRK authorities to hear from the Five Parties that Pyongyang’s attempt to shift the focus from denuclearization to a peace treaty was not working.

KJI China Trip and Deteriorating Conditions Inside DPRK

——————————————————–

5. (C) NSA Kim asserted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il needed to visit China soon in order to get more economic assistance. The PRC was in the process of delivering a portion of the food aid promised during Premier Wen’s visit to the DPRK last fall; approximately 6,000 metric tons (MT) of rice and 20,000 MT of soybeans has been delivered, but the DPRK needed a lot more. The situation inside North Korea, he added, appeared increasingly unstable. The North’s currency replacement had created strong resentment throughout DPRK society, Kim said, adding that DPRK Finance Chief Pak Nam-gi had apparently been sacked. Kim asserted there were credible reports of unrest in the North; according to ROK intelligence sources, DPRK police recently found a bomb on a passenger train en route from Pyongyang to Beijing.

U.S.-Japan Relations

——————–

6. (C) Kim concurred with Campbell’s assessment that the DPJ

was “completely different” from the LDP and agreed it was important for the DJP to coordinate with Seoul and Washington as it made preliminary overtures to Pyongyang. The North Koreans, Kim said, were clearly using several different channels to “knock on the DPJ’s door.” Kim acknowledged Campbell’s point that it was important to reach out directly to key DPJ officials like Foreign Minister Okada and Finance Minister Naoto Kan.

FTA Prospects

————-

7. (C) It was the ROK government’s view, Kim said, that there might be a window of opportunity to pass KORUS immediately after the U.S. Congressional elections this fall. Kim added that the ROK Embassy in Washington was working on a possible FTA event for President Lee during his upcoming trip to the United States for the nuclear summit. One idea, Kim explained, was to have President Lee visit a Korean factory to help underscore to the American public that the FTA was about creating jobs in America as well in Korea. Campbell praised ROK Ambassador Han Duck-soo for his public outreach on KORUS and noted that the U.S. business community needed to “stop being lazy” and help get KORUS through Congress.

Korean War Memorial Visit

————————-

8. (C) NSA Kim asked if, during the April nuclear summit in Washington, it would be possible to have POTUS and President Lee pay a joint visit to the Korean War Memorial. Campbell acknowledged the powerful symbolism for both the Korean and American audience of such a visit during the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, but cautioned that it would be extremely difficult to arrange during the nuclear summit.

MIA Remains Recovery in North Korea

———————————–

9. (C) Campbell asked for ROK understanding about the U.S. position on resuming MIA remains recovery operations in North Korea. The USG felt strongly, Campbell explained, that this was an important humanitarian issue. Campbell stressed that the U.S. would coordinate closely with the ROK on the issue to “avoid sending the wrong signal” to the DPRK. Pressed by Kim about paying the North Koreans cash to help recover U.S. remains, Campbell agreed it was distasteful; he noted, however, that the United States had made similar payments to the Burmese and Vietnamese governments to facilitate cooperation on MIA issues.

Prospects for a North-South Summit

———————————-

10. (C) On prospects for a North-South summit, NSA Kim clarified remarks that President Lee made in an interview with the BBC in Davos. Kim said that, beginning last fall, the ROK has had contact with the DPRK about a summit. The North, however, has demanded that Seoul provide a certain amount of economic aid prior to any summit. That precondition was unacceptable, Kim stressed, noting that the Blue House had emphasized to the ROK press this week that President Lee would never “buy” a summit with the North. STEPHENS

 

Source: New York Times / The Guardian

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/684

Nov 23

DPRK fires artillery shells at South, killing 1 and injuring 13

Categories:

Kim Jong-Il, Kim Jong-Un, Military, North Korea, Propaganda, South Korea, USA, War

November 23, 2010

yangbeyon map

A salvo of 50 artillery shells were fired at Yeongpyong, island village in South Korea that is uncomfortably close to North Korea on the East. The shells killed 1 marine and injured 13 others, and shots were quickly returned by the South. The South Korean military is at is highest alert. More shots were exchanged on either side sporadically for about an hour. 10 houses were set ablaze as a result of the North’s shelling.

State run news North Korean news outlet KCNA is reporting that the South Korea fired first, which is most certainly a farce. Later in their report they also claimed that these types of attacks will continue if South Korea does not stop violating maritime borders. (Thanks W7VOA via Twitter, for the live updates).

The attacks come mere days after the discovery that North Korea has ramped up efforts for nuclear weapons proliferations by starting construction of a light water nuclear reactor. This is habitual of North Korea to provoke the South and the USA during times of increased tensions as a method to return to 6 Party Talks. 6 Party Talks (China, SK, NK, Japan, USA and Russia) historically have ended up benefitting the North in the form of food and construction aid, while they give basically nothing up in return. This type of attack will likely be used to bolster support for incumbent leader Kim Jong-Un by strengthening his grip on the “military first” policies created by his father.

BBC has some photos of the destruction for your perusal. This is the biggest land based provocation from the DPRK in quite some time, however Yeonpyeong has been the site of naval battles between the divided countries in 1999 and 2002, due to the close proximity of the Northern Limit Line.

Source: Yahoo! News via AFP / BBC News

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/630

Nov 18

Hankyoreh documentary questions Cheonan investigation

Categories:

Military, North Korea, South Korea, USA, War

November 18, 2010

cheonan_simThe Hankyoreh, a South Korean independent newspaper, has released a documentary questioning the evidence surrounding the March 26 2010 sinking of the Cheonan warship. The South Korean led international investigation team implicated a North Korean submarine torpedo attack, and the North has vehemently denied the allegation, often causing a breakdown in discussions on other inter-Korean issues.

The documentary, which is about half an hour long, raises some interesting concerns over the investigation into the sinking. Questions over the size and energy of the water column created by the blast, bent propellers and fishing line that seem to indicate the ship might have run aground, eye witness testimonies claiming the incident happened much closer to shore than reported, conflicting Russian reports, and inconsistent timestamps on CCTV footage aboard the warship all raise the issue that the investigation should be reopened and studied from more angles than a North Korean torpedo attack. The video does not openly allege that North Korea did not sink the ship, nor does it claim a grand conspiracy theory between SK and US governments. Rather, an appeal is made to initiate a new, independent and transparent investigation into the tragedy.

You can watch the entire documentary in 720p via HaniTV on Youtube.

Source: The Hankyoreh

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/627

Nov 13

North Korea building light water nuclear reactor

Categories:

North Korea, Nuclear, USA

November 13, 2010

121464625113_20080629

In October it was revealed that satellite imagery at the Yongbyon Nuclear site showed recent activity and construction on the site of the cooling tower demolished in 2008. Kyodo News in Tokyo is reporting that Los Alamos former chief Siegfried Hecker confirmed that a light water reactor with an expected output of 25-30MW is being constructed at the site. As construction is still in early stages, it will be several years before the reactor is complete. Light water reactors are not suitable for proliferating nuclear weapons. In 1994, the Agreed Framework between the USA and North Korea stated that the DPRK be provided with two 1000MW light water reactors in exchange for peaceful nuclear disarmament, however the deal was scrapped in 2006 when it was determined that North Korea was not following through on its end.

Source: Yahoo! News via Reuters

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/616

Nov 12

North Korea behaves itself during G20 Summit in Seoul

Categories:

Economy, North Korea, South Korea, USA

November 12, 2010

Much to the relief of South Korean officials, North Korea has been quiet during the G20 economic meetings this week in Seoul. One unconfirmed report warns that North Korea has been planning to attach chemical weapons to balloons and parachutes across the border, however I have only seen this reported in UK press and there is no official word at present to back this story up.

US President Barack Obama solidified America’s stance on protecting the South from an attack on the North, and advised the hermit state that it would risk further isolation if it continued on its path of nuclear proliferation. Obama reiterated the South Korean stance that opening up North Korea’s economy and dismantling its nuclear programme would go a long way towards relations with the international community. In a Memorial Day speech, Obama also honoured the 37 000 American troops killed or MIA in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Source: The Independent

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/612

Oct 26

PUST – The Pyongyang University of Science & Technology

Categories:

Economy, North Korea, South Korea, USA

October 26, 2010

A foreign university in Pyongyang has opened its doors and started classes. PUST, the Pyongyang University of Science & Technology was created by Christian South Koreans for educating students in North Korea with foreign professors and tools. The general ambition of the university is to enlighten a new generation of young North Koreans to raise their economy and modernize technologies in the isolationist state. North Korea authourities can review all of the curriculum, and has hand selected the first 160 students to attend the school. One of the founders, Park Chan-Mo, believes the creation of the university in such a reclusive and authoritarian state is a miracle from god. Park was arrested in North Korea in 1998 under suspicions of spying but was later released, and was approached in 2000 by the same man who ordered him arrested about the school project. 16 professors from the USA and Europe have arrived for teaching at the fledgling institute, none from South Korea however, as tensions are still high on the peninsula. The school will specialize in IT, industrial management, biotechnology, architecture & engineering, and health care, and all curriculum will be in English. The school has pointed out that it is not training North Koreans in sensitive subject matter such as nuclear technology. Visit the website for the school, hosted in North Korea on their recently popularized .kr top level domain.

Source: PUST.kr and the New York Times.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.openingupnorthkorea.com/archives/552

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