Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


January 2003 South Korea Special Weapons News

  • Overview of Intra-Korean Exchanges & Cooperation for for Jan 2003 ROK Ministry of Unification
  • Korean Unification Bulletin ( No.51 Jan, 2003) ROK Ministry of Unification
  • S-N Railway Reconnection to Complete in Feb Korea-net 30 Jan 2003 -- Special envoy to North Korea Lim Dong-won said after his three-day North Korea visit Wednesday that the two Koreas agreed to finish first-phase construction of the cross-border Gyeongui Railway and start overland travel to the North’s Mt. Geumgang next month
  • Envoy Lim Returns From P'yang Korea-net 29 Jan 2003 -- President Kim Dae-jung's special envoy Lim Dong-won failed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during a three-day visit to Pyongyang, dashing Seoul's hopes of personally discouraging the North Korean leader from pursuit of nuclear weapons development
  • President Kim Asks Cabinet to Be Prepared for Inter-Korean Traffic Korea-net 29 Jan 2003 -- President Kim Dae-jung asked the cabinet Tuesday (Jan. 28) to be fully prepared for traffic following the reconnection of inter-Korean railways and roads and for the ground-breaking ceremony for the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, describing them as an important momentum of takeoff for the Korean people
  • Agreement Made at the 2nd Meeting of Working-level Consultations on the Connection of South-North Railways and Roads Korea-net 29 Jan 2003 -- The following is an unofficial translation of the text of an agreement reached between South and North Korea at the second meeting of Working-level Consultations on the Connection of Inter-Korean Railways and Roads held in Pyongyang January 22-25, 2003
  • KOREAS TALKS VOA 29 Jan 2003 -- South Korean presidential envoy returns to Seoul Wednesday after a three-day mission to North Korea to resolve an international dispute over that nation's nuclear activities. His expected face-to-face meeting with Northern leader Kim Jong Il did not take place, disappointing the South Korean government
  • Koreas Reach Border Crossing Accord Korean-net 28 Jan 2003 -- South and North Korea on Monday (Jan. 27) reached a long-awaited accord on civilian border crossings, allowing for the immediate resumption of key economic projects
  • 'Reunion Center Provides Hope for Families' Korea-net 27 Jan 2003 -- Seoul's chief negotiator back from the just-ended Red Cross talks said Friday (Jan. 24) the reunion center the two Koreas agreed to open next year will be a place of hope for the millions of separated families who have waited half a century to see their relatives again.
  • 28 North Korean Defectors Arrive in Seoul Korea-net 27 Jan 2003 -- A group of 28 North Korean asylum seekers who had taken refuge at the South Korean Embassy in Beijing arrived in South Korea early Monday for permanent settlement, after fleeing their hunger-stricken homeland last year
  • Envoy Lim Arrives in Pyongyang Korea-net 27 Jan 2003 -- President Kim Dae-jung's special envoy to North Korea Lim Dong-won on Monday (Jan. 27) arrived in Pyongyang for talks with top North Korean officials, including National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il, on the nuclear issue
  • KOREAS/TALKS VOA 27 Jan 2003 -- An envoy representing South Korean President Kim Dae-jung is in Pyongyang for talks on ending an international dispute over North Korea's nuclear weapons program. He carries a letter from the president to the North's leader, Kim Jong Il
  • 9th inter-Korean ministerial talks closes KCNA 25 Jan 2003 -- The 9th inter-Korean ministerial talks which opened in Seoul amid the great expectation of all the compatriots and deep concern of the world were closed on Jan. 24. At the talks both sides had an exhaustive discussion on the issues placed on the agenda with a will to firmly uphold and implement to the letter the idea of "By the Korean Nation Itself", the main spirit of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
  • Special envoy of south side to visit Pyongyang KCNA 25 Jan 2003 -- Rim Tong Won, special aide of Chongwadae on diplomacy, security and unification, will visit Pyongyang as a special envoy of President Kim Dae Jung from January 27, at the request of the south side
  • "New plan for S. Korea-U.S. combined military operation" flailed KCNA 25 Jan 2003 -- The south headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification reportedly issued a statement on Jan. 21, denouncing the United States and the South Korean military authorities for deciding on Jan. 17 to work out a "New Plan for South Korea-U.S. Combined Military Operation" till July this year under the pretext of the "north's nuclear issue."
  • NORKOR / IAEA VOA 25 Jan 2003 -- South Korea asks the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to postpone plans for a February third emergency meeting on North Korea's nuclear dispute. Seoul urges patience until talks are completed between its envoys and North Korean officials in Pyongyang.
  • Inter-Korean Relations: Agreement Made at the 3rd South-North Korean Red Cross Working-level Contact 24 Jan 2003 -- South and North Korea held their 3rd Red Cross Working-level Contact in Mt. Geumgang from January 20 to January 22, 2003 to discuss implementation procedures for the agreed points at the 4th Red Cross Talks and agreed as follows:
  • Inter-Korean Document: Joint Press Release of the 9th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks - Seoul January 24, 2003 -- During the talks, the two sides affirmatively rated the development of inter-Korean relations since the announcement of the historic June 15 South-North Joint Declaration and agreed to continue to observe and implement the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration.
  • Compensation for damage of mines laid by U.S. troops demanded in S. Korea KCNA 24 Jan 2003 -- The Anti-Personnel Mine Measure Committee of South Korea called a press conference in Seoul on Jan. 15 to make public the results of investigation into the South Korea-based U.S. troops' laying of anti-personnel mines in the Korean Peninsula and damage, according to a news report
  • Gov't to Send Envoy to P'yang on NK Nuke Issue Korea-net 24 Jan 2003 -- Lim Dong-won, a top aide of President Kim Dae-jung, will visit North Korea from Monday, South and North Korea announced on Friday (Jan. 24), prompting expectations that he will try to persuade Northern leader Kim Jong-il to give up nuclear weapons development.
  • Koreas to Resolve NK Nuke Issue Peacefully Korea-net 24 Jan 2003 -- South and North Korea pledged Friday (Jan. 24) to cooperate with each other in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully at the end of their four-day ministerial talks held in Seoul
  • KOREAS / TALKS UPDATE VOA 24 Jan 2003 -- South Korea will send a presidential envoy to Pyongyang Monday to discuss the dispute over North Korea's nuclear programs. The announcement came after the two sides wrapped up four days of ministerial talks in Seoul with a general agreement to resolve the nuclear crisis but no specifics
  • KOREAS / TALKS WRAP VOA 24 Jan 2003 -- South Korea is sending presidential envoy to North Korea Monday to discuss the dispute over Pyongyang's nuclear programs. The announcement came after the two sides wrapped up four days of ministerial talks in Seoul - with a general agreement to resolve the nuclear crisis but no specifics
  • DAVOS/KOREAS VOA 24 Jan 2003 -- A special representative of South Korea's president-elect said Friday that time is running out for North Korea to settle the dispute over its nuclear program. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland the envoy said the world will not turn a blind eye if North Korea threatens the peace
  • Koreas Struggle to Produce Joint Statement Korea-net 23 Jan 2003 -- The Koreas on Thursday (Jan. 23) engaged in a heated debate over the North's nuclear program, in their attempt to produce a joint statement for the ninth ministerial talks. North Korean delegates are scheduled to fly back home on Friday
  • Koreas Agree to 6th Family Reunions Feb. 20-25 Korea-net 22 Jan 2003 -- The Koreas reached a last-ditch agreement on Wednesday (Jan. 22) to start construction work on a permanent reunion center for separated family members in April. They also concurred to hold the sixth round of family reunions Feb. 20-25 at this North Korean mountain resort
  • Seoul Demand NK Return to NPT Korea-net 22 Jan 2003 -- South Korea on Wednesday issued one of its strongest warnings yet to North Korea regarding its nuclear program, saying there may be serious repercussions for inter-Korean ties unless Pyongyang comes clean on the issue
  • KOREA TALKS VOA 22 Jan 2003 -- Red Cross officials from the two Koreas have agreed on another round of reunions for families separated by the divisions on the peninsula. The agreement comes as diplomatic moves continue to resolve the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear development program
  • Eighth Army stands down for safety Army News 21 Jan 2003 -- Eighth U.S. Army held a stand-down dubbed "New Horizons Day" earlier this month, command officials said, in order to teach, educate and inform soldiers about principles to help ensure mission readiness, training safety, and foster good relations with the people of Korea
  • Roh to Send Delegations for NK Nuke Issue Korea-net 21 Jan 2003 -- President-elect Roh Moo-hyun appears to want to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis through close consultations with the four major powers surrounding the Korean peninsula -- the U.S., Russia, China and Japan
  • S-N Talks on Railways to Open in P'yang Korea-net 21 Jan 2003 -- The Koreas open talks in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, on Wednesday (Jan. 22) to discuss the future of the cross-border land links they are building
  • S-N Ministerial Talks Open in Seoul Korea-net 21 Jan 2003 -- The ninth inter-Korean ministerial talks opened in Seoul Tuesday. A 24-member North Korean delegation, led by Senior Cabinet Councilor Kim Ryong-song, arrived in Seoul to be welcomed by their Southern counterparts, including chief negotiator Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun
  • ROK Proposes Family Reunions Late Feb Korea-net 21 Jan 2003 -- South Korea on Tuesday (Jan. 21) proposed to North Korea the next round of reunions for elderly men and women torn apart during the 1950-1953 Korean War be held late February
  • Roh Insists on Dialogue With North: NYT Korea-net 18 Jan 2003 -- In an interview with the New York Times, President-elect Roh Moo-hyun insisted on a peaceful approach over the North Korean nuclear issue. Roh also vowed to keep South Korea's relationship with the United States strong, while trying to usher North Korea out of its international isolation
  • Substantial Aid to North Possible': Roh Korea-net 17 Jan 2003 -- South Korea will offer "substantial rewards" to North Korea if the communist state complies with the international demand to remove its nuclear threat, a top aide to President-elect Roh Moo-hyun said Thursday in an interview with the Korea Herald
  • Koreas Conduct Active Dialogue Next Week Korea-net 17 Jan 2003 -- The two Koreas are hoped to reach a turning point in the current nuclear dispute by actively conducting dialogue next week
  • KOREA / U-S TROOPS VOA 16 Jan 2003 -- As the dispute between Washington and North Korea over that country's nuclear weapons program has intensified in recent weeks, calls have come from both sides of the Pacific Ocean for a change in the American military presence in South Korea
  • SOUTH KOREA/DEFENSE VOA 16 Jan 2003-- South Korea's defense minister says the country's army is prepared for anything in the crisis over North Korea's nuclear program. Speaking before the parliamentary defense committee, Lee Jun says war could break out
  • S-N Ministerial Talks to Be Held Jan. 21-24 Korea-net 15 Jan 2003 -- South Korea next week goes to inter-Korean ministerial talks painfully aware of the difficulties it will face in producing meaningful results
  • JAPAN/SOKOR RELATIONS VOA 15 Jan 2003-- Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi arrived in South Korea Wednesday for talks on the nuclear crisis brewing in North Korea.
  • Roh Cautious on NK Nuclear Issue Korea-net 14 Jan 2003 -- President-elect Roh Moo-hyun has taken a cautious approach in presenting his own solution to resolve North Korea¡¯s nuclear adventure, which has surfaced one of the most challenging foreign policy issues for the incoming administration
  • Seoul Urges NK to Scrap NPT Withdrawal Korea-net 13 Jan 2003 -- The government Frirday called on North Korea to cancel its declared withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) immediately and take steps to resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue.
  • Kim Calls for Peaceful Solution to Nuke Crisis Korea-net 13 Jan 2003 -- President Kim Dae-jung stressed Monday the need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis triggered by North Korea's recent annoucement to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  • NK Nuclear Program Not Tolerable: Roh Korea-net 13 Jan 2003 -- South Korea will not tolerate a nuclear weapons program in North Korea, President-elect Roh Moo-hyun said on Monday
  • KELLY / SOUTH KOREA VOA 12 Jan 2003 -- A top U-S diplomat has arrived in South Korea to discuss the growing crisis over North Korea's nuclear programs. James Kelly's visit is part of intense international efforts to pressure Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear ambitions. Concerns grew last week after Pyongyang announced it would withdraw from a global arms agreement
  • Roh Regrets NK's Decision to Quit NPT Korea-net 11 Jan 2003 -- President-elect Roh Moo-hyun Friday expressed deep regret at North Korea's decision to quit the international nuclear safeguards agreement
  • Seoul Calls National Security Council Meeting Korea-net 11 Jan 2003 -- The government held an emergency National Security Council meeting Friday to decide its reaction to North Korea's withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
  • SOUTH KOREA/DIPLOMACY VOA 05 Jan 2003 -- South Korea is continuing its diplomatic push to defuse the North Korean nuclear crisis
  • YOUNG SOUTH KOREANS/NUCLEAR VOA 04 Jan 2003 -- South Koreans are deeply divided over how serious a threat they feel is posed by North Korea's program for nuclear weapons development. Older people express great concern, but many younger South Koreans appear to shrug off the issue.
  • SOKOR/SECURITY MEETING VOA 04 Jan 2003 -- South Korea's national security council has met (Saturday) to search for a solution to the North Korean nuclear crisis. Seoul expects to outline its proposals at a meeting next week in Washington with U-S and Japanese officials
  • KOREA ELECTIONS: ROH RODE TIDE OF 'ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT' Foreign Media Reactions 02 Jan 2003-- President-elect Roh Moo-hyun's victory means policy "continuity" in Seoul. / Roh's "newfound assertiveness" could risk "breaking the solid alliance" with the U.S. / Asian outlets emphasized the need for "international unity" as Roh seeks "a leading role in resolving nuclear issues with North Korea."