Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


May 2003 South Korea Special Weapons News



  • Korean Unification Bulletin ( No.55 May, 2003) ROK Ministry of Unification
  • Overview of Intra-Korean Exchanges & Cooperation for May 2003 ROK Ministry of Unification
  • USFK FORCE ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES US Forces Korea Release 31 May 2003-- Gen. Leon J. LaPorte, Commander United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, met with Cho, Young-kil, Minister of National Defense and Gen. Kim, Jong Hwan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss future force enhancements for U.S. Forces in Korea.
  • SOFA JOINT COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING CONVENED TO ANNOUNCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO IMPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SOFA US Forces Korea Release 31 May 2003-- The Special Meeting for the SOFA Joint Committee was held at the Bilateral Conference Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 30 May 2003. During this meeting, both the ROK and the US representatives evaluated the positive accomplishments that have been made so far to improve the implementation of SOFA since the deaths of the two girls last year and checked the progress of implementation so that measures agreed upon by the two sides can be executed without failure.
  • Seoul Calls for Multilateral Talks on NK Nuke Korea-net 30 May 2003 -- South Korea joined the U.S. in pressing North Korea to accept multilateral dialogue to discuss the standoff over the North's bid to develop nuclear weapons, Seoul officials said on Thursday (May 29).
  • S. Korean forces infiltrate warships into north's territorial waters KCNA 30 May 2003 -- The South Korean military recently infiltrated one warship after another into the territorial waters in the West Sea of Korea, according to military sources.
  • Ministry Comments on Pyongyang's Anti-Seoul Move Korea-net 29 May 2003 -- The unification ministry in a comment Tuesday (May 27) expressed regret over North Korea's repeated references, through its media outlets, of "disaster" in South Korea as well as anti-Seoul denunciations.
  • Gov't Expresses Regret Over NK's Threat Korea-net 29 May 2003 -- The government on Tuesday (May 27) expressed regret over North Korea's repeated threat that South Korea will face disaster if it takes further steps against the reclusive nation.
  • Seoul to Send 38,300 Tons of Fertilizer to NK Korea-net 29 May 2003 -- South Korea will deliver 38,300 tons of fertilizer aid to North Korea by Sunday, part of the 200,000 tons it has pledged for this year, the South's Red Cross said on Tuesday (May 27).
  • South Korean authorities' trip to U.S. accused KCNA 28 May 2003 -- A spokesman for the central committee of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea issued a statement on May 26 to brand the recent trip of the South Korean authorities to the United States as the most dangerous anti-DPRK and anti-reunification tour intended to pave the way for a war against fellow countrymen in league with the foreign forces and bring inter-Korean relations back to confrontation.
  • Repeal of bills on "emergency" demanded KCNA 27 May 2003 -- The Alliance of South Koreans in Japan for Democracy and Unification, the South Korean Youth League in Japan and other organizations under the South Korean Residents Association in Japan on May 15 released a joint statement demanding Japan repeal the bills allegedly intended to cope with "emergency" which causes Asian people's apprehension and worry about its conversion into a military power and overseas dispatch of the "self-defence forces".
  • Gov't Hails NK's Readiness for Multilateral Talks Korea-net 27 May 2003 -- The South Korean government is positively assessing North Korea's recent announcement that it will accept a multilateral format for talks on its nuclear weapons program once the United States agrees to directly talk with the reclusive nation.
  • The 5th Meeting of Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee Korea-net 27 May 2003 -- The following is an unofficial English-language translation of the text of agreement reached at the end of the fifth meeting of the South-North Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee
  • 501st Military Intelligence Brigade displays capabilities 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 24 May 2003-- The 501st Military Intelligence Brigade showcased the strength of the ROK/U.S. Intelligence community alliance at their Capabilities Display Wednesday and Thursday.
  • South side delegation to inter-Korean committee leaves KCNA 24 May 2003 -- The south side's delegation led by vice-Minister of Finance and Economy Kim Kwang Rim, who is chairman of the south side to the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation, left here today after attending the 5th meeting of the committee.
  • Agreement on 5th meeting of north-south committee for promotion of economic cooperation KCNA 24 May 2003 -- The 5th meeting of the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation was held here from May 19 to 23.
  • SOKOR / BRIBE ARREST VOA 24 May 2003 -- South Korean prosecutors have arrested a former head of a large state run bank. The arrest relates to a massive bribe allegedly paid to North Korea to induce its leader to participate in the historic inter-Korean presidential summit in 2000.
  • Air boss conference discusses war plan AFPN 23 May 2003-- Leaders from around the world came together here May 22 to discuss deterrence and change the war plan regarding the North Korean threat.
  • Honor Guard showcases primary mission 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 23 May 2003-- The United Nations Command Honor Guard Company is best known for its performance at ceremonies, but, as showcased in Tuesday's Close Quarters Battle Exercise at the Joint Security Area, that is not its primary mission.
  • Army opens house to Daegu community 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 23 May 2003-- The 20th Area Support Group is hosting an Armed Forces Day Open House for the public at the Army Heliport (H-805) here Saturday.
  • ROK Prime Minister visits the Second Infantry Division 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 23 May 2003-- The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Goh Kun made an historic visit to the US Army's Second Infantry Division today.
  • Finance EXEVAL tests wartime readiness 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 23 May 2003-- The 177th Finance Battalion left their desks and headed out to the field at Camp Casey, May 1 through 4 to test its wartime mission.
  • HHC, 8th MP Bde. soldiers achieve DA level maintenance excellence 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 23 May 2003-- Soldiers from the Headquarters Company of the 8th Military Police Brigade were selected as the runner-up in the Department of the Army's fiscal year 2002, active table of organization and equipment, small unit category in the maintenance excellence competition.
  • MP Soldiers Hone Battle Skills Through Live Fire Exercise 8th US Army Release [MS WORD DOC] 23 May 2003-- Despite the rain that slapped their faces, the 57th MP Company soldiers were not hindered from spending 12 days honing their combat skills, while training on their wartime mission at Angang Range. They conducted a live fire exercise April 21st through May 1st in order to test their ability to fight tonight.
  • Koreas Near Agreements on Economic Issues Korea-net 23 May 2003 -- Delegates from the two Koreas are close to drafting an agreement on further economic cooperation after "overcoming" the impasse triggered by the threatening remarks made by the North's chief delegate at the fifth round of cross-border economic talks Friday.
  • Roh to Visit Japan on June 6 Korea-net 23 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun will travel to Japan on June 6 for a four-day visit including talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on North Korea's nuclear program and other bilateral issues, presidential spokesman Yoon Tae-Young said on Friday (May 23).
  • KOREAS TALKS VOA 23 May 2003 -- After spending most of the week in a standoff over implied threats, North and South Korea have reportedly made progress on a number of economic projects.
  • Anti-U.S. campaign called for in S. Korea KCNA 22 May 2003 -- Yun Ki Jin, chairman of the south headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification, reportedly released an appeal titled "the master of this land is our nation in the south and the north" on May 17.
  • Seoul Regrets Pyongyang's Threat Korea-net 22 May 2003 -- Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday (May 21) expressed regret over North Korea's threat that "Seoul will face disaster," a threatening remark made during the fifth Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee meeting in Pyongyang Tuesday.
  • KOREAS/TALKS VOA 22 May 2003 -- Delegates from North and South Korea met briefly for economic talks, but it is unclear if they made any progress in easing the dispute over the North's nuclear ambitions. The talks stalled two days ago after North Korea made threatening comments to the South's delegates.
  • Open letter to Bush published in S. Korea KCNA 21 May 2003 -- The All-People Measure Committee For Sin Hyo Sun and Sim Mi Son, Schoolgirls Killed By a U.S. Armored Car, reportedly issued an open letter addressed to U.S. President Bush on May 13.
  • Seoul to Donate 200,000 Tons of Fertilizer to Pyongyang Korea-net 20 May 2003 -- South Korea will provide North Korea with 200,000 tons of fertilizer to help enhance agricultural productivity and ease the North's chronic food shortage.
  • Int'l Meeting on Nuclear Imports Opens in Busan Korea-net 20 May 2003 -- Nuclear supplier nations on Monday (May 19) started a meeting in Busan to agree on intensified monitoring measures to prevent North Korea from obtaining nuclear equipment and materials, officials said.
  • Seoul Asks NK for Transparent Rice Distribution Korea-net 20 May 2003 -- Seoul demanded transparency in the distribution of rice aid to the North as well as the right to discuss the nuclear issue during the first round of inter-Korean talks in Pyeongyang on Tuesday (May 20).
  • South Korea: Perspectives on Continued Engagement with North Korea Korea-net 21 May 2003
  • KOREAS/TALKS VOA 21 May 2003 -- Economic talks between the two Koreas remain stalled for a second day in a standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons. South Korean economic aid to the North may be in jeopardy.
  • Troop dispatch for U.S. opposed in South Korea KCNA 20 May 2003 -- The Solidarity of Youth and Students for the Implementation of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration reportedly issued a statement on May 15 under the title "Immediate Stop to Troop Dispatch for the U.S., Root Cause of War Crisis on Korean Peninsula."
  • KOREAS/TALKS VOA 20 May 2003 -- Economic talks between North and South Korea opened with a harsh warning from the North, and produced no progress on the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programs.
  • Anti-U.S. rally in S. Korea KCNA 19 May 2003 -- The people's action for the revision of the South Korea-U.S. "Status Of Forces Agreement", the All-People Measure Committee for the Closure of U.S. Bombing Range in Maehyang-ri, the Solidarity for the Return of U.S. Military Bases, young friends in the era of reunification and the headquarters of the movement for the return of U.S. military base in Ryongsan reportedly held the 44th anti-U.S. solidarity rally in Kwanghwamun of Seoul on May 13.
  • Anniversary of Kwangju uprising observed KCNA 19 May 2003 -- Newspapers here today dedicate articles to the 23rd anniversary of the heroic Kwangju Popular Uprising in South Korea. On May 18, 1980, youth and students and other people in Kwangju turned out in an armed popular uprising against the U.S. imperialists and their stooges who attempted to revive the military fascist dictatorship with the "May 17 military violence," stamping on a bud of democracy sprouting with the end of the "Yusin" dictatorship.
  • 5th Inter-Korean Economic Talks Open Monday Korea-net 19 May 2003 -- The two Koreas are to hold the first meeting after the South Korea-United States summit last week at the 5th Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee Meeting starting Monday in Pyongyang.
  • NOKOR / SOKOR RIGHTS VOA 16 May 2003 -- After meeting with President Bush on Wednesday, South Korean President Roh (pron: NO) Moo Hyun said the two would work closely to solve the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula. But some activists are upset about what the leaders did not say. They are threatening legal action against the South for preventing defectors from exposing human rights violations in the North.
  • S. Korean organization vows to intensify anti-U.S. and anti-war struggle KCNA 16 May 2003 -- The headquarters of the movement opposing the U.S. and war and urging the conclusion of a non-aggression treaty between North Korea and the U.S. reportedly vowed to intensify the struggle against the U.S. and war and for the conclusion of a non-aggression treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. under the banner of the June 15 Joint Declaration.
  • Roh, Bush Agree on Peaceful End of NK Nukes KCNA 16 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday agreed to pursue a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear row, but they did not exclude using economic pressure or military force as final options.
  • Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Korea-Common Values, Principles, and Strategy Korea-net 15 May 2003 -- The following is the full text of a statement issued Wednesday by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush after their summit meeting at the White House.
  • Bush, Roh to Work Closely on Korean Issues Washington File 15 May 2003 -- President Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun have agreed to work closely to maintain peace on the Korean peninsula.
  • U.S., South Korea "Will Not Tolerate" Nuclear North Korea Washington File 14 May 2003 -- President Bush and South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun, following May 14 talks at the White House, said in a joint statement that they "will not tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea."
  • BUSH / SOUTH KOREA VOA 14 May 2003 -- President Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun have agreed to work together to convince North Korea to give-up its nuclear weapons program. The White House says it is prepared to have further multi-lateral talks with North Korea
  • Bush Welcomes South Korea's New President to White House Washington File 14 May 2003 -- President Bush was to welcome South Korea's new President Roh Moo-hyun to the White House late May 14 for their first face-to-face encounter.
  • S. Korean authorities' move to increase defence budget under fire KCNA 14 May 2003 -- The Society of People Working for Peace and Reunification, an anti-war and anti-peace organization, reportedly has staged a demo in front of the building of the South Korean Ministry of Defence since may 7 in denunciation of the South Korean authorities' move to increase the defence budget.
  • Roh Talks With Annan on N. Korea Korea-net 14 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun spoke with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan during his visit to the international body's headquarters on Tuesday.
  • Kissinger Backs Seoul's Push on NK Issue Korea-net 14 May 2003 -- Henry Kissinger, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who helped end the Vietnam War, has given his full support to President Roh Moo-hyun's efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.
  • U-S / KOREA VOA 13 May 2003 -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is expected to urge President Bush to take a more conciliatory attitude towards North Korea when the two meet Wednesday at the White House. Mr. Roh, who is on his first trip to the United States, is expressing confidence the dispute over North Korea's nuclear weapons program will be solved peacefully.
  • U-S / SOUTH KOREA / MILITARY VOA 13 May 2003 -- When South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun meets with President Bush at the White House, North Korea's nuclear weapons program is expected to dominate their talks. But the two leaders are also likely to discuss the possible reduction in U-S forces stationed in South Korea and the problem of anti-Americanism in the South
  • KOREA / U-S VOA 13 May 2003 -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who is on his first official visit to the United States, is expected to urge President Bush to take a more conciliatory attitude towards North Korea.
  • BUSH / KOREA OVERNIGHTER VOA 13 May 2003 -- South Korean President Rho Moo-hyun is in Washington for his first meeting with President Bush. Growing tensions with North Korea are sure to top the agenda.
  • North Korea Tops Agenda As South Korean President Meets Bush RFE/L 13 May 2003 -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who arrived on his first trip to the United States this weekend, is due to hold talks with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House tomorrow. On the agenda will be North Korea and how best to de-escalate tensions with Pyongyang.
  • Roh, Bush to Address Counterproposal to P'yang Korea-net 13 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush are expected to announce a joint counterproposal to an offer made by North Korea during talks held in Beijing to resolve the international standoff triggered by the Stalinist country’s nuclear programs during their May 14 summit.
  • Roh Confident of United Front With Bush on NK Korea-net 13 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun on Sunday expressed confidence that he and U.S. President George W. Bush would work out a united front to bring the North Korean nuclear crisis to a peaceful end during their summit scheduled for Thursday.
  • ROK Becomes NK's No.2 Trading Partner Korea-net 12 May 2003 -- South Korea has replaced Japan as North Korea's second biggest trading partner for the first time last year.
  • President Roh Embarks on US Visit Korea-net 12 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun Sunday (May 11) embarked on his first visit to the United States on a mission to resolve critical issues including North Korean nuclear row tand the readjustment of the Seoul-Washington alliance.
  • 10th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks Korea-net 12 May 2003 -- The 10th inter-Korean ministerial meeting, held in Pyongyang April 27-29, 2003, discussed the North Korean nuclear issue, economic cooperative projects, reunion of separated families and other issues pending between the two Koreas, and announced the outcome of the talks in the form of a joint press release.
  • President Roh to Leave For US Sunday Korea-net 10 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George Bush are expected to adopt a joint statement at the end of their summit meeting scheduled for May 14 that reaffirms a resolve to prevent North Korea from possessing nuclear weapons under any circumstances, presidential aides said on Friday (May 9).
  • Gov't Confirms Smoke at NK Nuclear Plant Korea-net 09 May 2003 -- South Korea has detected smoke billowing out of the Yeongbyeon nuclear complex in North Korea but has yet to conclude whether this means the North is reprocessing spent fuel rods to make nuclear weapons, government officials said on Thursday (May 8).
  • U-S / SOUTH-NORTH KOREA VOA 08 May 2003 -- South Korea's new president Roh Moo-Hyun begins a week-long visit to the United States Sunday and is scheduled to meet with President Bush at the White House on Wednesday. Instead of the usual summit that highlights the positive aspects in a relationship, this one will focus on the North Korean nuclear crisis
  • Agreement of inter-Korean ministerial talks welcomed in S. Korea KCNA 08 May 2003 -- The south headquarters of Pomchonghakryon (the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification) in a statement on May 3 said that the publication of the joint press release of the tenth south-north ministerial talks marked a new turn in vigorously implementing the June 15 joint declaration on the track of national independence, according to a news report.
  • NORTH KOREA VOA 08 May 2003 -- South Korea defense minister has put the military on heighten alert as a precaution against what he called "possible provocative action." The alert comes amid reports that North Korea may be moving ahead with reprocessing its spent nuclear fuel rods.
  • SOUTH KOREA / U-S TALKS VOA 08 May 2003 -- South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun heads for Washington on Sunday to discuss ways of reducing the North Korean nuclear threat with President Bush. The two leaders also will as well as talk over possible changes to the U-S military presence in South Korea.
  • Action slogan put up in S. Korea KCNA 07 May 2003 -- Co-chiefs of the headquarters of the movement against the U.S. and war and for earlier conclusion of non-aggression treaty between North Korea and the U.S. reportedly put up an action slogan "Let us bring earlier the national reunification by the efforts of the Korean nation under the uplifted banner of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration" on May 2.
  • Correct English spelling of Country called for in S. Korea KCNA 07 May 2003 -- The South Korean newspaper Hankuk Ilbo May 3 called for restoring the English spelling of "Corea" to eliminate the leftover of the Japanese colonial rule.
  • KOREAS TALKS VOA 07 May 2003 -- South Korea's Foreign Ministry says Pyongyang needs to take the first step in resolving its nuclear standoff with the United States. Steve Herman reports that Seoul is telling the communist North that the move could lead to the security guarantees and economic aid that Pyongyang wants.
  • Text of Joint Press Release of 10th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks - Pyongyang ( April 29, 2003 ) Korea-net 07 May 2003 -- The following is an unofficial English-language translation of the text of a joint press release issued following the 10th Inter-Korean Ministerial Talks. South and North Korea issued the six-point joint press release in their final plenary session at 1:00 a.m. April 30, one day past the meeting schedule, at Goryeo Hotel in Pyongyang. The chief Southern delegate was Jeong Se-hyun and his Northern counterpart was Kim Ryeong-seong
  • Change of responsibility 8th Army News Release 06 May 2003-- Soldiers from the 8th U.S. Army Band and Honor Guard lined Knight Field May 2 for the change of responsibility ceremony welcoming Command Sgt. Maj. Troy J. Welch as he took the reigns from Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin C. Palacios for the top enlisted position for the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea and 8th U.S. Army.
  • Foreign Service Tour Extension Affects More Than 1800 Soldiers in Korea 8th Army News Release 06 May 2003-- The Department of the Army has implemented a second involuntary extension for selected 8th U.S. Army soldiers. More than 1800 soldiers and warrant officers in the 8th U.S. Army whose previous departure dates were June 1, to Aug. 30, 2003 are affected by the involuntary extension.
  • NDFSK vows more vigorous struggle for reunification KCNA 06 May 2003 -- The National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) will fight it out, together with working masses in this land, to drive out Yankee aggressors, establish national sovereignty and achieve the reunification of the country and genuine labor liberation.
  • Seoul Mapping Out Counterproposal Korean-net 06 May 2003 -- South Korea is working out its own counterproposal in response to North Korea's proposal presented during the three-way talks in Beijing last month to discuss the festering standoff over the reclusive nation's nuclear weapons program, a senior Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry official said.
  • National Guard division visits Korea to analyze terrain 8th Army News Release 05 May 2003-- A National Guard unit from Texas came to Korea last week to participate in a "terrain walk" of the area that will be used for a simulated exercise this summer.
  • S. Korean students stage anti-war struggle KCNA 03 May 2003 -- Over 1,000 students affiliated to the South Korean Committee for Struggle of Students held a meeting for April 30 struggle of students in Seoul on Wednesday, according to Yonhap News of South Korea.
  • Release of prisoners of conscience urged in S. Korea KCNA 03 May 2003 -- People of different strata in South Korea reportedly launched a struggle in Seoul on April 27 in demand of the release of prisoners of conscience and the lifting of the police search for wanted members of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon).
  • S. Korean students protest dispatch of troops to Iraqi war KCNA 03 May 2003 -- Students in South Korea reportedly staged a surprise demonstration in front of the "Defence Ministry" building in Ryongsan, Seoul, on April 30 in protest against the authorities' dispatch of troops to the Iraqi war.
  • ASEAN Supports Dialogue on NK Nukes Korea-net 02 May 2003 -- The Senior Officials' Meeting of the ASEAN plus Three, including South Korea, China and Japan, expressed hope that the momentum of dialogue following the recent three-way talks will be maintained, assessing last week's Beijing meeting as a starting point toward the resolution of the brewing North Korean nuclear brawl, a Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry official said on Thursday (May 1).
  • 'Roh-Bush Summit a Chance to Repair Alliance' Korea-net 02 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun said on Thursday (May 1) he intends to use his May 15 summit with U.S. President George W. Bush to affirm the South Korea-U.S. alliance and boost bilateral economic cooperation.
  • Return of U.S. military base demanded in S. Korea KCNA 02 May 2003 -- The headquarters of the Movement for the Return of the U.S. Military Base in Ryongsan reportedly held a rally in front of the U.S. military base on April 26 in protest against the war of aggression in Iraq and in demand of a halt to troop dispatch and an unconditional return of the U.S. military base in Ryongsan.
  • S. Korean authorities accused of blocking inter-Korean youth and students meeting KCNA 02 May 2003 -- A spokesman for the central committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League issued a statement on April 30 denouncing the South Korean authorities for the traitorous anti-reunification action taken to block a meeting of representatives of youth and students of the north and the south under an absurd pretext.
  • Roh Wants to See US-NK Talks Continue Korea-net 01 May 2003 -- President Roh Moo-hyun expressed hope on Wednesday (April 30) to see the continuation of negotiations with North Korea over the latter's nuclear programs, despite reports of the United States' lack of enthusiasm about the offer made by the North in the first round of talks held in Beijing last week.