Korean Unification Bulletin ( No.52 Feb, 2003)
Korea-net
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Ministry of Unification of the Republic of Korea |
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Presidential Address |
Address by President Roh Moo-hyun at the 16th
Inaugural Ceremony6
- ¡°A New Takeoff Toward an Era of Peace and Prosperity¡±
My fellow Koreans,
Today I stand here having just been sworn in as the President of the Republic of Korea in the 16th inaugural ceremony. As a result of the great choice of a people, I have been given the honored responsibility of presiding over the new Administration of the Republic. I am very grateful to each and every one of you; with your support, I promise to fulfill this great call to duty.
Present here today are President Kim Dae-jung and other former Presidents of the Republic, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, congratulatory missions from many countries and numerous distinguished guests from home and abroad. I offer my deepest thanks to you all.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of the recent subway fire disaster in Daegu and offer my condolences to the bereaved families. To prevent any recurrence of such a tragedy, the Government will reexamine and drastically improve the disaster management systems throughout the nation and strive to ensure enhanced public safety.
Fellow citizens,
Historically, we Koreans have lived through a series of challenges and have responded to them. Having to live among big powers, the people on the Korean Peninsula have had to cope with countless tribulations. For thousands of years, however, we have successfully preserved our self-respect as a nation as well as our unique culture. Within the half century since liberation from colonial rule, and despite territorial division, war, and poverty, we have built a nation that is the 12th largest economic power in the world.
In recent years, we have successfully entered the age of information and knowledge, evolving from an agricultural community through the age of industrialization. Today, however, we are at a historical turning point. We are at a crossroad of having to decide whether to take off or retreat; to move toward peace or tension. The international security environment is rather unsettling. The Iraqi situation is extremely tense. In particular, global concern is rising over the North Korean nuclear issue. This is the time to make a determined effort to safeguard peace and have it firmly rooted on the peninsula.
The international economic situation is also deteriorating. Developed nations are incessantly exploring new frontiers and new markets while developing countries are rapidly closing in. Our nation, therefore, is in urgent need of a new economic growth engine and viable development strategies.
At the same time, we are also encountering diverse social problems that may have great impact on our destiny. They are waiting for your determination and wise decisions. We must cope with all these challenges. I know we can do it. Nothing is impossible when the whole nation joins forces.
We demonstrated our remarkable potential and recovered in record time from the major foreign exchange crisis that hit many Asian countries. Just last year, we succeeded in reaching the semi-finals in the FIFA World Cup. And, throughout the process of the presidential election, we saw participatory democracy fully blossom.
Fellow Koreans,
In this new age, our future can no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula. The Age of Northeast Asia is fast approaching. Northeast Asia, which used to be on the periphery of the modern world, is now emerging as a new source of energy in the global economy. Renowned international scholars have long predicted that the 21st century would be the Age of Northeast Asia and their predictions are coming true. Business transactions in the region already represent one fifth of global volume and the combined population of Korea, China, and Japan is four times larger than that of the European Union.
The Korean Peninsula is located at the heart of the region. It is a big bridge linking China and Japan, the continent and the ocean. Such a geopolitical characteristic often caused pain for us in the past. Today, however, this same feature is offering us an opportunity. Indeed, it demands that we play a pivotal role in the Era of Northeast Asia in the 21st century.
Korea is endowed with highly creative and well-educated people as well as a state-of-the-art information infrastructure. Logistics bases are being perfected on land and sea and in the air as seen in the up-to-date facilities at Incheon International Airport, Busan and Gwangyang Ports, and the projected super-speed railway systems. The country is being equipped with all the basic requirements necessary to lead the Era of Northeast Asia in the 21st century. The country is well poised to emerge as an international logistics and financial hub in Northeast Asia.
Initially, the dawn of the Era of Northeast Asia will come from the economic field. Nations of the region will first form a ¡°Community of prosperity,¡±and through it, contribute to the prosperity of all humanity and, in time, should evolve into a ¡°Community of peace.¡±For a long time, I had a dream of seeing a regional community of peace and coprosperity in Northeast Asia like the European Union. The Age of Northeast Asia will then finally come to full fruition. I pledge to devote my whole heart and efforts to bringing about that day at the earliest possible time.
Fellow Koreans,
In order to bring about a genuine Era of Northeast Asia, a structure of peace must first be institutionalized on the Korean Peninsula. It certainly is most unfortunate that the peninsula still remains the last legacy of the Cold War of the 20th century. In the 21st century, we have to change the peninsula into a land that sends out messages of peace to the rest of the world. It has to be reborn as East Asia's gateway of peace that connects the Eurasian landmass with the Pacific Ocean. We have to soon bring the day when passengers will be able to buy a train ticket in Busan and travel all the way to Paris in the heart of Europe via Pyongyang, Shinuiju and the many cities in China, Mongolia and Russia.
So far, we have made great efforts to promote peace in the land and the results have been remarkable. Exchanges of people and merchandise between the two Koreas are taking place routinely, almost on a daily basis. Inter-Korean travel routes are open on land and sea and in the air. In this process, however, we have come to learn that we need to pursue North Korea policies based on a broader national consensus. While trying to build on the good results reaped so far and to bring further progress, I intend to improve on the way the policies are actually implemented.
I have several principles that I plan to adhere to in pushing the ¡°Policy for peace and prosperity¡±on the Korean Peninsula. First, I will try to resolve all pending issues through dialogue. Second, I will give priority to building mutual trust and upholding reciprocity. Third, I will seek active international cooperation on the premise that South and North Korea are the two main actors in inter-Korean relations. And fourth, I will enhance transparency, expand citizen participation, and secure bipartisan support. I will implement my policy for peace and prosperity with the support of the general public.
The suspicion that North Korea is developing nuclear weapons poses a grave threat to world peace, not to mention the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. North Korea's nuclear development can never be condoned. Pyongyang must abandon nuclear development. If it renounces its nuclear development program, the international community will offer many things that it wants. It is up to Pyongyang whether to go ahead and obtain nuclear weapons or to get guarantees for the security of its regime and international economic support.
I would like to emphasize again that the North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue. Military tension in any form should not be heightened. We will strengthen coordination with the United States and Japan to help resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue. We will also maintain close cooperation with China, Russia, the European Union and other countries.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. Alliance. It has made a significant contribution in guaranteeing our security and economic development. The Korean people are deeply grateful for this. We will foster and develop this cherished alliance. We will see to it that the alliance matures into a more reciprocal and equitable relationship. We will also expand relations with other countries, including traditional friends.
Fellow citizens,
Our society must remain healthy and future-oriented if we are to build a structure of peace on the Korean Peninsula and usher in the era of Northeast Asia. We must build strength and maintain vision. That requires inexorable efforts for reform and integration. Reform is a driving force behind growth, and integration is a steppingstone for a takeoff.
On the basis of reform and integration, the new Administration will pursue democracy with the people, build a society of balanced development and open an era of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. To achieve these goals, I have set the following tenets for the operation of the new Administration. They are principle and trust, transparency and fairness, dialogue and compromise, and decentralization and autonomy.
We should create new driving forces for fresh growth in each sector. The various factors that caused the foreign currency crisis are still around for us to overcome. I want to make the country a favorable place to do business in and an attractive place in which to invest by reforming the markets and systems in a fair and transparent manner based on international standards.
The first order of business is to reform politics. We have to realize politics that respect our citizens as a genuine source of power. We should nurture a political climate in which the well-being of the people takes precedence over partisan interests. I hope to see the kind of political culture prevail that solves problems through dialogue and compromise, not through confrontation and conflict. I, myself, will pursue dialogue and compromise with the opposition parties.
I will help the rebirth of our country by promoting uninterrupted innovation in science and technology. I will promote the continued expansion of the infrastructure for a knowledge and information society and cultivate new industries. I will promote culture and extend active support for the progress of culture industries.
Education should also be renovated commensurate with these national goals. We will try to free our children from the yoke of entrance examinations and allow them to display their talents and creativity to the fullest possible extent.
Irregularities and corruption must be eliminated not only for the sustained growth of the economy but also for the health of society. For this purpose, I will search for a structural and institutional alternative. In particular, I ask all leaders in society to seriously reflect on themselves.
For the future of the country, the centralization and concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area can no longer be left unattended. Decentralization of power to the provinces and balanced national development have become tasks that cannot be put off any longer. The central and the provincial parts of the country should be developed in a harmonious and balanced manner. The provinces should design their own future autonomously, and the central part should help them out. I will press ahead with the task with unusual resolve.
National integration is the most important tasks of our times. My new Administration will take all possible measures to eliminate parochialism, including personnel management without regional consideration. In order to narrow the gap between different income brackets, I will review improvement measures in terms of benefits in education and tax systems. I will do my best to ensure labor-management conciliation and nurture a culture of cooperation.
We should try to build a compassionate society that pays more attention to the disaffected, including senior citizens and those who are challenged in various ways. For this purpose, I will try to improve our welfare policy. I will eliminate all kinds of unreasonable discrimination. I will pursue a gender-equal society. In this age of liberalization, I will develop measures to help agriculture and fisheries, farmers and fishermen. I will make particular preparations for the arrival of a ¡°Silver society.¡±
The time when privileges and violations of rules are tolerated must now come to an end. The preposterous climate in which justice is ignored and opportunism prevails must be cleaned up. Let us establish right principles and build a society of trust. Let us build a society in which those who work hard are justly assured of success. Rewards should go to the majority of honest and sincere citizens.
Fellow citizens,
For a long period of time, we have lived on the periphery. At times, we were forced to go through a history of dependence, unable to determine our own destiny. But, today we are at the threshold of a new turning point. Opportunity has come for us to take off as the hub of Northeast Asia. We should seize this opportunity.
We have overcome numerous challenges with inner strength. We have the wisdom to turn even crisis into opportunity. With such wisdom and strength, let us again overcome the challenge facing us today. Let us make future generations remember us as proud ancestors as, today, we remember our forefathers.
We are a people who can bring about miracles if united. Let us all pull together with all our hearts. I invite you all to join this historic march and make a new takeoff toward an age of peace and prosperity. I will always stand with you all.
Thank you.
The 4th Meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic
Cooperation Promotion Committee
The 4th meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee was held in Seoul from February 11 to 14, 2003. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged opinions to develop a compromise with regard to the North Korea nuclear issue and the inter-Korean economic cooperation projects. But the two parties failed to produce any concrete agreements and agreed to continue discussions at the next meeting. The two parties held two plenary meetings, and several contacts between chief delegates and between the negotiators.
The South expressed serious concerns over the North Korean nuclear issue that is drawing attention in and out of the Korean peninsula. The South also emphasized that an early settlement of the issue is critical to building an atmosphere in which the two parties can expand and develop exchange and cooperation in the economic sector on a sustained basis.
Concerning this point, the North held fast to the stance that the nuclear issue is not on the agenda of the meeting.
The two parties shared the view that they would, nevertheless, continue to implement the already-agreed matters such as the projects to link railways and roads, construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and prevention of floods along the Imjin River. They agreed to concentrate their efforts to develop a consensus on major points at issue that were raised at the working-level consultative meetings.
The two sides agreed to set a date for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex as soon as the parties(corporation) involved in the construction work agree on a date. The two sides also agreed that certain projects need to proceed without delay. These projects include : the linking of railways and roads, joint on-site surveys along the Imjin River and the implementation of the four sets of inter-Korean agreements on economic cooperation.
The South underscored the need for on-site inspections to ensure transparency over the distribution and use of the food, materials and equipment that South Korea provides on loan, and the North said it understood the view.
The two parties agreed to continue further discussions to develop concrete measures based on the results of the meeting and to hold the 5th meeting of the South-North Economic Cooperation Committee in Pyongyang in April.
The South took advantage of the opportunity to convey to the North the seriousness of the North Korean nuclear issue and to call on the North to resolve the issue first in order for the inter-Korean economic cooperation projects to proceed smoothly.
Even though the two parties failed to produce any concrete results on the already-agreed-upon matters, it is noteworthy that the occasion confirmed North's willingness to continue with the projects to link railways and roads, construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and prevention of floods along the Imjin River.
Joint Press Statement The South and the North held the 4th meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee in Seoul from February 11 to 14, 2003. In the meeting, the two parties shared the view that they would expand and develop exchange and cooperation, now in progress between the South and the North in the economic sector, on a sustained basis. They also agreed to continue discussions about devising concrete measures to promote the already-agreed matters such as the projects to link railways and roads, construction of the Gaeseong The two parties agreed to hold the 5th meeting of the South-North Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee in Pyongyang in April.
February 14, 2003 |
The Sixth Inter-Korean Reunion of Separated Families
¡áOverview ·
Dates and Venue of Reunion : February 20-25, 2003 at Mt. Geumgang
- February 20-22 : A group of 99 North Koreans were reunited with 461 long-lost South Korean relatives.
- February 23-25: Another group of 99 South Koreans were brought together with 191 North Korean kin.
·Number of reunion meetings : Six times (one group meeting, one individual meeting, one meeting for group tours and one farewell meeting, plus two group dinners)
·Composition of the Visiting Groups
- The Southern group (100 members) : one chief delegate and 99 members of separated families (plus 51 officials and 33 members of the media).
- The Northern group (100 members) : one chief delegate and 99 members of separated families.
¡áEvaluation
The sixth round of reunions were especially meaningful as it marked the first time that South Korean separated families visited the North by traveling over a temporary border-crossing road along Korea' east coast. The overland travel was far more convenient for the Southern travelers compared to the trip by cruise ship. For example, the traveling time was cut by two and a half hours. In case of an emergency, a patient could be immediately sent back to the South, which was a possibility for some separated family members of advanced age.
The North permitted the reunion of the South Korean families with those kidnapped by the North decades ago. It was made possible as North Korea favorably responded to a South Korean proposal to allow on humanitarian grounds the family reunions of the South Korean abductees and the South Korean prisoners of war (POWs) in the North.
Temporary Inter-Korean Roads Open for Traffic
¡á Advance Survey of Overland Mt. Geumgang Tour
- A South Korean advance survey team traveled overland to Mt. Geumgang from February 5-6.
The survey was intended to prepare for overland tour by checking out the operation of the South-North liaison office, which will handle such matters as customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ), and procedures for entry into and exit out of Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
The government approved the visit to North Korea on February 4 for those personnel who applied for the advance survey and notified the North of the visitors' list pursuant to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) crossing procedures agreed to by the two sides.
Participants in the advance survey numbered 87 and were made up of personnel from Hyundai Asan, the Korea National Tourism Corporation, and the government.
¡áOpening of Temporary Road for Traffic along East Coast Railway and the Overland Test Tour of Mt. Geumgang.
- The government held a ceremony marking the opening of a temporary road for traffic along the ¡°East Sea Railway¡±at 11 a.m. February 14. It was held at a temporary South-North liaison office for CIQ in Goseong County, Gangwon Province.
On hand at the ceremony were some 600 people, including the vice ministers of unification and construction-transportation, county residents, military officers and tourists. They celebrated the reconnection of a trans-border road, which had been severed for a half century.
Immediately following the ceremony, 498 people from the South, including chairman Chung Mong-hun of Hyundai Asan and his staff and dignitaries from various sectors, conducted an overland test tour of Mt. Geumgang. The February 14-16 tours were divided into two groups - one for a night and two days and the other for two nights and three days.
The government approved their visit on February 13 and notified the North of their list pursuant to the MDL crossing procedures agreed between the two sides.
Opening of a cross-border temporary road for traffic along the East Sea Railway and the overland tour laid a foundation on which human and material exchanges could expand in earnest. Now that a test run of the use of DMZ for peaceful purposes had taken place the opening of the road is expected to contribute to easing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
¡áAdvance Survey over the Temporary Road along Seoul-Sinuiju Railway
The Korea Land Corporation (KOLAND) and Hyundai Asan are partners in the construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex. The experts of the two partners conducted an advance survey of the complex site in the North traveling overland via the temporary road built along the Seoul-Sinuiju Railway (on the west coast) on February 21 and returning home the same day. A total of 37 personnel from Hyundai Asan, KOLAND, and the government participated in the advance survey.
The government approved the visit and notified the North of the visitors'list pursuant to the MDL crossing procedures agreed to between the two sides. The South Korean government hopes that through the advance surveys the construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex will move forward with a positive impact on the expansion of economic cooperation between the two Koreas.
Inter-Korean Trade and Shipping Operation in 2002
¡á Inter-Korean Trade Totals $641 Million in 2002
Inter-Korean trade in 2002 recorded $641.7 million in value, up 59.3 percent from a year earlier. A total of $271.5 million worth of merchandise was shipped from North Korea to South Korea, a 54.2 percent increase, while $370.1 million worth of goods were sent to the North, a 63.2 percent surge. Major items brought into South Korea were mostly agricultural-fishery products and textiles, while the North bound shipments were largely chemical-industrial products and textiles.
In December 2002, the trade volume between the two Koreas declined by 41.5 percent from a month earlier, totaling $74.0 million.
In nominal trade, the South registered a $98.5 million surplus, while the North went into the black in actual trade by $197.4 million. The actual trade excludes the goods and services provided to the North under inter-Korean cooperative projects and humanitarian assistance.
A total of 432 companies, including 108 in the ¡°Processing-on-commission¡± industry, took part in the inter-Korean trade. Trade items amounted to 568, including 310 in the processing-on-commission category.
¡áInter-Korean Shipping Operation Posts 8.4 Percent Increase in 2002
There were a total of 1,827 cargo and cruise operations between South and North Korea in 2002, an increase of 8.4 percent from a year earlier. During the same period, inter-Korean shipping volume surged by 70.2 percent, totaling 1.09 million metric tons.
The cargo and cruise operations were provided to transport inter-Korean trade merchandise, construction materials for inter-Korean cooperative projects, as well as South Korean tourists to Mt. Geumgang.
The ministry attributed the surge to an increase in Mt. Geumgang cruises as well as material shipments for inter-Korean cooperative projects, including railway construction.
The volume of shipping to the North stood at 935,478 tons, while southbound shipments totaled 156,623 tons. Major items brought into the South were agricultural products including inter-korean food loan, fertilizers, chemicals, textiles and machinery were the major items of the shipments. On the other hand the North bound shipments were largely agricultural-fishery products, textile, steel and metal goods.
North Korea Submits Application to Join Berne Convention
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported on Thursday (Feb. 13) that North Korea submitted the application to the World Intellectual Property Organization on January 28 to join the Berne Convention.
The Berne Convention is an international copyright treaty signed by 150 countries including South Korea. South Korea joined the convention in August 1996. North Korea's application to join the Berne Convention takes effect on April 28, three months after it submitted the application to WIPO.
The ministry said that North Korea has signaled its intention to participate in the international copyright protection rule as it revised the copyright-related acts in April 2001. By submitting the application to join the convention, it has officially declared its positive willingness to promote international exchanges of intellectual properties.
South Korea protects the copyrights of North Korean intellectual properties in the same way as the locally produced works. But so far, there exists no legal ground for the copyright of South Korean intellectual properties to be protected in North Korea. The ministry said that North Korea's joining the Berne Convention would provide a legal basis for the South Korean intellectual properties to receive due protection in North Korea.
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1 Sat ·The South and North Korean athletes match together in opening procession of the fifth Winter Asian Games held in Aomori, Japan, February 1-8. 2 Sun ·President-elect Roh Moo-hyun sends a special delegation to the United States for talks in connection with the North Korean nuclear issue. 5 Wed ·Prime Minister Kim Seok-soo states that government will deal with the North Korean nuclear issue and the inter-Korean economic cooperation in tandem. ·The Ministry of Unification announces an improved loan system for the South-North Korean Cooperation Fund. ·The spokesman of North Korea's foreign ministry states resumption of operation of nuclear facilities to generate power. ·A South Korean enterprise conducts an advance survey for the overland tour of the Mt. Geumgang resort February 5-6. 6 Thu ·President Kim Dae-jung emphasizes close coordination among South Korea, the United States and Japan to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. 7 Fri ·The chief delegates of the South and North Korean national teams to the Aomori Winter Asian Games exchange letters of intent for sports exchange. - Under the measure, the South will invite some 20 North Korean figure skaters in April, while the North will invite the South to the Mt. Baekdu peak event in February 2004. - Both sides also agree to promote a revival of the Seoul-Pyongyang Relay Marathon Race, when the road to the Gaeseong Industrial Complex is opened n June. 8 Sat ·The South and North Korean athletes march together in the closing ceremony of the fifth Winter Asian Games held in Aomori, Japan, February 1-8. ·A delegation of South Korea's ¡°Mutual Assistance Movement¡±arrives in Pyongyang. 10 Mon ·President Kim Dae-jung emphasizes the importance of Japanese cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. ·The South's preparatory committee for ¡°Co-hosting the 2003 events of the Korean People¡±announces that it agreed with its Northern counterpart to hold together the March 1 Independence movement rally in Seoul. 11 Tue ·The North Korean delegation to the fourth meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee, set for February 11-14, arrives in Seoul ·Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyun emphasizes Seoul' intermediary role in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. 12 Wed ·The spokesman of the North Korean foreign ministry denounces the United States for pointing a finger at Pyongyang as a ¡°Terrorist regime.'s ·The IAEA adopts a resolution to send the North Korean nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council. 13 Thu ·Pak Kil-yon, ambassador of the North Korean mission to the United Nations, voices opposition to raising his country's nuclear issue as an international one, though the IAEA decided to refer it to the U.N. Security Council. 14 Fri ·President Kim Dae-jung says Hyundai's remittances to the North in June 2000 were decided based on a judgment that they were conducive to peace on the Korean peninsula and to the national interests. ·The fourth meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee is concluded. ·The South conducts a test run of overland tours to Mt. Geumgang February 14-16 following the opening to traffic of a temporary trans-border road along the East coast. ·Jang Jae-eon, chairman of the North Korean Red Cross society, says North Korea will allow the sixth round reunion of separated families to take place in Mt. Geumgang. |
15 Sat ·The South and the North conclude their first meeting of a team for the construction of the Mt. Geumgang reunion center for separated families. 16 Sun ·Chairman Kim Jong-il observes his 61st birthday. 17 Mon ·A spokesman of the North Korean People's Army at Panmunjom warns that if the United States imposes sanctions on North Korea, it could decide to relinquish obligations under the Korean armistice agreement. ·The Ministry of National Defense and the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command announce to conduct the RSOI exercise and the field maneuvers FOAL Eagle on March 19-26 and March 4-April 2, respectively. 18 Tue ·A spokesman for the North Korean foreign ministry denounces the United States for refusing to conclude a North Korea-U.S. non-aggression treaty. 19 Wed ·President Kim Dae-jung emphasizes the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. 20 Thu ·North and South Korea hold the sixth round of reunion of separated families in Mt. Geumgang February 20-25. - A group of 561 separated family members from the South arrives in Mt. Geumgang for reunion with their kin from the North via the trans-border temporary road along the east coast. ·A North Korean fighter jet intrudes the Northern Limit Line (NLL) off Yeonpyeong Island in the West Sea. ·The Ministry of National Defense lodges a strong protest with North Korea for the NLL intrusion of the North Korean aircraft. ·Jang Jae-eon, chairman of the North Korean Red Cross society, expresses condolences over the fatal Daegu subway fire that occurred February 18. 21 Fri ·A team from the South conducts an advance survey of the projected Gaeseong Industrial Complex. It reaches there via the cross-border temporary road along the Seoul-Sinuiju Railway. 22 Sat ·North Korea notifies of its non-participation in the Asian Table Tennis Championships scheduled for February 22-28 in Thailand. 23 Sun ·A South Korean company conducts its first overland Mt. Geumgang tour for the public. 24 Mon ·North Korea fires a missile over the East Sea. ·Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. secretary of state Colin Powell arrives in Seoul to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Roh Moo-hyun. 25 Tue ·President Roh Moo-hyun states in his inaugural address that North Korea must first abandon its nuclear program, then the South would assist the North. ·The sixth round reunion of separated families in Mt. Geumgang since February 20 concludes. ·U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell announces a plan to provide North Korea with 100,000 tons of grain. 28 Fri ·A spokesman for the South Korean foreign ministry states that North Korea' restart of the 5Mwe reactor runs counter to security and peace on the Korean peninsula as well as the international community' efforts to promote the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). |
