Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


March 2003 South Korea Special Weapons News



  • Korean Unification Bulletin ( No.53 Mar, 2003) Korea-net
  • Overview of Intra-Korean Exchanges & Cooperation for Mar 2003 Korea-net
  • Commander, U.S. Pacific Command: U.S.-ROK alliance key to peace on Korean Peninsula PACOM 31 Mar 2003 -- Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, USN, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, met with Republic of Korea’s President Roh Moo Hyun and other senior officials during a visit to S. Korea March 27-29.
  • FM Agree to Hold Roh-Bush Summit in May Korea-net 31 Mar 2003 -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States will positively consider Seoul-initiated strategy for the settlement of the standoff involving North Korean nuclear development program.
  • ROK, Japan Reaffirm Cooperation on NK Nukes Korea-net 31 Mar 2003 -- Defense Minister Cho Young-kil and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba have reaffirmed the need for the two governments to closely cooperate on resolving the North Korean nuclear row in a peaceful way.
  • Ra Leaves for Russia, China for Talks on NK Korea-net 31 Mar 2003 -- National Security Advisor Ra Jong-yil left for Russia and China on Sunday (March 30) to discuss ways of resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis, Presidential spokeswoman Song Kyoung-hee said.
  • Struggle for national interests in S. Korea KCNA 31 Mar 2003 -- The All-People Council for National Reconciliation and Cooperation called a regular meeting of its deputies in Seoul on March 26, opposing any war on the Korean Peninsula, according to Yonhap News of South Korea.
  • Anti-U.S. surprise demonstration in S. Korea KCNA 29 Mar 2003 -- Over 30 students under the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils reportedly held a surprise demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in Seoul on March 26.
  • Widespread anti-war campaign in S. Korea KCNA 29 Mar 2003 -- Actions against the U.S. Iraqi war were staged by people of different social strata in South Korea on March 24 and 25, according to KBS of South Korea.
  • ROK, US Agree to Induce NK to Multilateral Talks Korea-net 28 Mar 2003 -- Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Yoon Young-kwan and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell held a meeting Friday to discuss pending issues including the lingering standoff over North Korea's nuclear program.
  • 'US Will Not Act on NK Without Seoul's Consent' Korea-net 28 Mar 2003 -- The U.S. will not take any steps on North Korea without full endorsement of the South Korean side, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Thomas C. Hubbard said on Friday (March 28).
  • Powell Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to South Korea Security Washington File 28 Mar 2003 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell reaffirmed America's commitment to the security of the Republic of Korea in remarks March 28 at the State Department following his meeting with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoon Young-Kwan.
  • FM's US Visit Crucial to Resolving Nuke Row Korea-net 27 Mar 2003 -- Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Yoon Young-kwan is set to hold an array of crucial talks with top U.S. security policymakers over the weekend, mindful of the high expectations placed on his visit to play an important role in resolving the escalating standoff over North Korea's nuclear program.
  • Hubbard Thanks for Seoul's Support Korea-net 27 Mar 2003 -- The United States on Thursday (March 27) conveyed its thanks for South Korea's support for its war on Iraq, Cheong Wa Dae said.
  • FM Yoon to Meet Powell on NK Nuke Issue Korea-net 26 Mar 2003 -- Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Yoon Young-kwan will leave for the United States on Wednesday (March 26) to discuss ways to resolve the standoff over the North Korean nuclear program with U.S. Secretary of States Colin Powell.
  • Changes in S-N Family Reunions Sought Korea-net 24 Mar 2003 -- North Korea may be allowed to bring a smaller number of separated family members than South Korea for future inter-Korean reunions, the Unification Ministry said on Monday (March 24).
  • N. Korea Suspends Planned Talks With Seoul Korea-net 24 Mar 2003 -- North Korea on Saturday (March 22) suspended planned economic talks with South Korea this week, citing the South's increased military alert position amidst the Iraq war and a joint military drill with the United States.
  • Roh Assures NK Is Different from Iraq Korea-net 24 Mar 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun on Monday (March 24) expressed his regret at “inaccurate and groundless” remarks made by U.S. officials regarding the North Korean nuclear row.
  • S. Korean authorities flailed for deliberately escalating tensions KCNA 25 Mar 2003 -- The South Korean authorities put all parts of South Korea on "high alert" dubbed "defense readiness condition 2" under the pretext of "north's possible provocation" after the U.S. start of the Iraqi war.
  • SOUTH KOREA IRAQ VOA 25 Mar 2003 -- South Korea's Parliament is postponing a vote on a government plan to send non-combat troops to support the U-S led war in Iraq. The decision was made as civic groups, students and celebrities held anti-war protests in Seoul.
  • Appeal of joint meeting supported KCNA 24 Mar 2003 -- A spokesman for the National Democratic Front of South Korea issued a statement to the press on March 20 in support of an appeal to the 70 million Koreans which was adopted at a joint meeting of the DPRK Government, political parties and organizations, Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation said.
  • "Love-Neighbor Society" visiting group arrives KCNA 22 Mar 2003 -- A visiting group of the "Love-Neighbor Society" of South Korea led by its chairman Ri Il Ha arrived here today.
  • Gov't Brings Forward NK Aid Plans Korea-net 21 Mar 2003 -- The government plans to give humanitarian aid to North Korea at an earlier date than first proposed through various U.N. agencies, an official at the Ministry of Unification said on Thursday (March 20).
  • Dick Cheney to visit Seoul in April Korea-net 20 Mar 2003 -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney will visit Seoul on April 17-19 to discuss matters of mutual concern, including finding a breakthrough in the U.S. nuclear standoff with North Korea, according to an Official at the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul on Wednesday(March 19.)
  • Roh Calls for Multilateral Talks on NK Nuke Row Korea-net 19 Mar 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun said Tuesday (March 18) that the international standoff over North Korea's nuclear programs should be resolved peacefully within a multilateral framework involving not only the two Koreas and U.S., but also other countries.
  • SOUTH KOREA/U-S VOA 19 Mar 2003 -- South Korea, a key U-S ally, says it may send non-combat troops to support the impending military campaign in Iraq. South Korea is underscoring the importance of its military alliance with the United States amid growing concerns over North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
  • Korean exercises kick off AFPN 18 Mar 2003 -- Forces from all U.S. services started arriving here March 11 for the peninsula's largest exercises.
  • U-S/SOUTH KOREAN RELATIONS VOA 18 Mar 2003 -- South Korea's newly elected president will travel to the United States later this year for direct talks with President Bush. President Roh Moo Hyun (PRON: NO MOO HYUHN) was voted into office on his pledge to continue South Korea's so-called "sunshine policy" or engagement with the North, a policy the Bush Administration considers a failure, even more so in light of revelations that North Korea has a highly enriched uranium program and has developed nuclear weapons.
  • S-N Joint May Day Event Planned in P'yang Korea-net 18 Mar 2003 -- South and North Korean labor unions on Monday (March 17) agreed to jointly hold a “May Day” event in Pyongyang on May 1, after a meeting in Pyongyang to discuss ways to build up inter-Korean labor exchanges.
  • Anti-war rallies and demonstrations in S. Korea KCNA 18 Mar 2003 -- Big rallies and demonstrations were held in main cities of South Korea such as Seoul, Pusan and Taejon on March 15 to denounce the United States for its war moves, according to South Korean radio reports.
  • Roh, Bush Agree on Peaceful Solution of NK Nuke Korea-net 14 Mar 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun held telephone talks with U.S. President George W. Bush Thursday (March 13) night on North Korea and Iraq, Cheong Wa Dae said.
  • U.S.-South Korea Alliance Will Endure, U.S. Commander Says Washington File 13 Mar 2003 -- The alliance between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States will endure, despite recent tensions, says the top U.S. commander of military forces on the Korean Peninsula.
  • Koreas to Start Relinking Railways in March Korea-net 13 Mar 2003 -- Working-level officials from South and North Korea agreed Wednesday to start reconnecting two sets of railways late this month from the military demarcation line inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the Ministry of Unification said.
  • U-S MILITARY/NORTH KOREA VOA 12 Mar 2003 -- The top U-S military commander in South Korea has told Congress there are no signs the North is planning a conventional military attack. But he and another senior military officer, say U-S and South Korean military forces are fully prepared to handle any eventuality.
  • U.S. troops and South Korean army stage river-crossing drill KCNA 12 Mar 2003 -- The U.S. troops and South Korean army on Sunday reportedly staged a river-crossing drill on the River Rimjin flowing along the MDL, part of the foal eagle military exercise aimed at invasion of the DPRK.
  • Nation to Prepare for Security Status Change Korea-net 11 Mar 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday (March 11) stressed the need for the country to be prepared for possible changes to the security situation on the peninsula.
  • Seoul Condemns P'yang's Military Provocation Korea-net 10 Mar 2003 -- The Defense Ministry on Friday (March 7) condemned the North Korean military for ratcheting up tensions on the Korean Peninsula through a series of military actions since last month and urged it to act in a more “prudent and responsible manner.”
  • S-N Talks Due for Reconnection of Railways Korea-net 10 Mar 2003 -- A South Korean delegation went to North Korea on Monday (March 10) via a temporary road running through the western part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for working-level talks with North Korean officials to complete re-linking two sets of inter-Korean railways and their adjacent roads in the DMZ.
  • Rumsfeld Talks of Shifting U.S. Troops in Korea AFPS 07 Mar 2003 -- The United States will work with its Korean allies to "rebalance" U.S. forces in the country, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said March 6.
  • Unceasing GI crimes under fire KCNA 07 Mar 2003 -- The unceasing GI crimes in South Korea clearly prove once again that the U.S. imperialist aggressors are shameless criminals who stoop to any murder, violence and plunder, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary.
  • U.S. anti-north war scenario denounced in South Korea KCNA 06 Mar 2003 -- The headquarters of the Movement against the U.S. and War and for the Conclusion of a Non-Aggression Treaty between North Korea and the U.S. in a statement on March 1 denounced the U.S. for its moves to invade the north, according to a news report.
  • Roh Reaffirms Objection to US Troop Reduction Korea-net 06 Mar 2003 -- The government on Thursday (March 6) reaffirmed its stance against any reduction in the number of U.S. troops stationed here, citing the international standoff triggered by North Korea's nuclear programs.
  • SOKOR US TROOPS VOA 06 Mar 2003 -- South Korea's prime minister says American troops in his country should be left in place for the time being. The prime minister carried that message to the U-S ambassador in Seoul the same day the United States flew several bombers to the western Pacific.
  • NOKOR / U-S VOA 05 Mar 2003 -- Pacific allies - the United States, South Korea and Japan - say they remain committed to diplomacy to end a dispute over North Korea's banned nuclear programs. But Seoul and Tokyo are increasingly worried as the United States beefs up its regional military presence and has begun publicly acknowledging it will consider all options to resolve the matter.
  • North-South Joint Academic Symposium held KCNA 04 Mar 2003 -- A north-south joint academic symposium to probe the truth behind Japan's distortion of the history of Korea took place in Seoul on March 2 on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the historic March 1 Popular Uprising.
  • "Evening of Praying for Peaceful Reunification" held in S. Korea KCNA 04 Mar 2003 -- An "evening of praying for peaceful reunification" was held in Seoul on march 2 on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the historic March 1 Uprising.
  • NK Mother, Daughter in Seoul Seeking Asylum Korea-net 04 Mar 2003 -- North Korean defector Ryu Mi-wha and her daughter Han Sul-hee have arrived in Seoul following their release from a prison in Tumen, China's Jilin Province, officials at South Korean bodies helping North Korean asylum seekers said Tuesday.
  • SOKOR/U-S WAR GAMES VOA 04 Mar 2003 -- The United States and South Korea have started annual military exercises amid rising concerns over North Korea's nuclear programs. The drills begin just a few days after North Korean fighter jets pursued a U-S spy plane in international air space.
  • March 1 National Meeting held KCNA 03 Mar 2003 -- The March 1 National Meeting for Peace and Reunification was held in Seoul on March 1. Present at the meeting were members of the north side's delegation consisting of leading officials of religious organizations such as the Korean Council of Religionists, the Korean Catholic Federation, the Korean Christian Federation and the Korean Buddhist Federation and believers, and representatives of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea, the Korean Democratic Women's Union, the National Reconciliation Council, the North Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification and the North Headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification and other public organizations and different social standings.
  • Rally for Peace and Disarmament held in S. Korea KCNA 03 Mar 2003 -- The Society of People Working for Peace and Reunification, the Council for National Reconciliation and Independent Reunification, the headquarters of the Movement for Return of the U.S. Military Base in Ryongsan and other civic organizations of South Korea reportedly held the 23rd rally for peace and disarmament in front of the building of the Defence Ministry on Feb. 26.
  • S-N Religious Leaders Vow to Promote Peace Korea-net 03 Mar 2003 -- Religious leaders from South and North Korea vowed over the weekend to make combined efforts to promote peace and stability on the peninsula on the firm basis of independence and sovereignty.
  • KOREAS RALLY VOA 02 Mar 2003 -- Rallies are being held in South Korea today (Sunday)to mark the anniversary of an uprising against Japanese colonial rule. This year's ceremonies are unusual because delegates from North Korea are taking part.