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*North Korean Studies*Pyongyang, August 31 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a medal marking the 50th anniversary of Nakhodka city and its diploma from Nakhodka city of Russia. Mayor of Nakhodka Victor Gnedilov on a visit to Korea conveyed the medal and diploma to an official concerned. He said that the city decided to award the medal and diploma to Kim Jong Il who has made immortal exploits for freedom and happiness of humankind.
Pyongyang, August 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, on August 23 sent a message of greetings to Moldovan President Peter Luchinsky on the occasion of its National Day. The message extended warm congratulations to the President and the people of Moldova on the occasion. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Moldova would as always develop on good terms, the message wished the President success in his responsible work for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of its people.
Pyongyang, August 28
(KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from Sazhi
Umalatova, chairperson of the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia, on a visit to the
DPRK.
The gift was handed over to an official concerned by the chairperson.
Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with the members of the delegation of the Russian paper Utro Rossi was held at Korea-Russia friendship Moranbong Senior Middle School no. 1 yesterday. Invited there were the members of the delegation headed by its deputy editor-in-chief Nina Maslova. A vice-chairman of the Korea-Russia Friendship Society, officials concerned and teaching staff and students of the school were present there. The guests looked round several experiment and practice rooms of the school and saw an art performance given by its students. And they conversed with each other, deepening friendly feelings.
Pyongyang, August 24 (KCNA) -- Officials of the DPRK Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Foreign Ministry and the DPRK-Russia Friendship Society yesterday visited the Russian embassy here to express condolences over the deaths of the crewmen of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine "Kursk." Present there were Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Il Chol, Korean People's Army generals and officers, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri In Gyu, a vice-chairman of the friendship society and officials concerned. They observed a moment's silence as a token of deep condolences to the bereaved families and the Russian people over the deaths of the crewmen. The Minister of the People's Armed Forces made an entry in the condolence book.
Tokyo, August 24 (KNS-KCNA) -- So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), on Thursday visited the Russian embassy in Tokyo to express condolences over the deaths of the crewmen of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine "Kursk." He expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and the Russian people over the deaths of the crewmen. He observed a moment's silence in memory of the victims and made an entry in the condolence book.
Pyongyang, August 23 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Leonid Kuchma, President of Ukraine, on August 21 on the occasion of its Independence Day, the National Holiday. Expressing the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries would continue to develop on good terms, the message wished him greater success in his work for the country's peace and prosperity and the Ukrainian people happiness.
The standing committee of the central committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan instructed all party organizations to organize colorful events including seminars, soirees and meetings together with the youth league, war veterans, women organizations and members of the friendship association on this occasion, the decision said, and continued: The party publications will carry information about the glorious path covered by the Korean people under the guidance of the great Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Yuri Vanin, section chief of the institute, was elected chairman of the society. The main duty of the society is to study and distribute famous works of the President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il, introduce the successes achieved by the Korean people in political, economic, cultural and other domains and apply the Juche idea in realities of Russia.
Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Korean junior sportspersons won 33 gold medals, 15 silver medals and 12 bronze medals in nine events, thus placing second in the team total in the 2nd international sports games "Children of Asia" held in Yakutsk, the capital of the Republic of Sakha of the Russian Federation. The games held from August 5 to 13 brought together at least 950 players from 15 countries including the DPRK, Mongolia, India and Vietnam and 17 regions.
The Korean women volleyball team beat the Indian team 3-0 in the final match. Pak Yong Jin won a gold medal in the men's Judo contest and Kim Song Gum, So Un Sim, Han Yun Mi, Pak Myong Hui, Hong Ok Son and Choe Hyon Ju bagged gold medals in the women's Judo competitions. Jong Kwang Hyok, carried off 4 gold medals and a silver medal. He placed first in horizontal bar, men's rings and vaulting horse and second in pommel horse. Pyon Kwang Sun obtained 3 gold medals in total points by coming first in balance beam and uneven bars and second in vaulting horse. Yang Chung Song, Paek Hyong Il, Kim Thae Chol and Paek Hong Chol came first in freestyle wrestling, Son Un Hui in women's 3,000 m race, Rim Kyong Ok in women's 1,500 m and 800 m races, Kim Song Chol in men's table tennis singles and Kim Pok Hui in women's singles.
Speaking at the meeting, Ri Song Ho, chairman of the society, paid homage to the President Kim Il Sung who led the anti-Japanese war to victory and referred to the immortal feats performed by him in the revolution and construction. Noting that the Soviet army performed great feats in battles for Korea's liberation, he said that the Korean people will always remember its bravery and sacrifices and blood shed by its soldiers. The DPRK-Russia friendship has a long history, he said, expressing the belief that the DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations would be further expanded and developed in conformity with the spirit of the historic DPRK-Russia joint declaration. We will in the future, too, strive to strengthen friendship and solidarity with the Russian people and other world progressives, he stressed.
Speaking next, charge d'affaires a.d. interim of the Russian embassy Alexander Timonin said that August 15, 1945 is the day of liberation when soldiers of the Soviet army and Korean patriots defeated the Japanese Kwantung Army. On that day friendship was forged between the two peoples to be eternal, he added. Touching upon support and disinterested assistance given to the Korean people in the 1950s when they were rehabilitating their war-destroyed country, he said the friendship between the Russian and Korean peoples has been further deepened. The historic meeting and talks between V.V. Putin and Kim Jong Il, the leaders of the two states, held in Pyongyang some time ago are a landmark event in laying a solid groundwork to further develop the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in all fields, he stressed. Sincerely hoping that the independent and peaceful reunification of the country, the cherished desire of the Korean people, would be achieved as soon as possible, he expressed belief that the mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and the DPRK would continue to develop in the future, too.
At the end of the meeting its participants watched the Korean documentary film "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Meets with President Putin of the Russian Federation."
The message went on: Russia honors the memory of its compatriots who devoted
their lives to the freedom and independence of Korea. I am convinced that the
results of our meeting in Pyongyang some time ago laid solid foundations to
develop constructive cooperation based on friendship and good neighborliness
between our two countries and to strengthen the traditional relations of amity
and mutual understanding between the Russian and Korean peoples. These
relations, no doubt, will be a reliable guarantee for peace, stability and
security in the Korean peninsula and the whole northeast Asian region.
The message wished Kim Jong Il and the Korean people
happiness, good health and prosperity.
It said that the Korean visit of the President and the adoption of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration some time ago were a landmark event that put the long-standing relations between the two countries on a new stage. It expressed the conviction that the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia would expand and develop in all fields in conformity with the two countries' summit meeting and talks held in Pyongyang and the spirit of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration. The message sincerely wished the Russian President and government success in their work for protecting the sovereignty of the country and its territorial integrity and building powerful Russia and the Russian people peace and wellbeing. Meanwhile, premier of the cabinet Hong Song Nam and Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent messages of greetings separately to their counterparts Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov and Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov.
The Associated Press reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that President Vladimir Putin signed a cooperation treaty with the DPRK this week. The statement said, "The treaty gives Russia broader opportunities for the participation in the settlement in Korea, helps normalize the situation in the Korean peninsula." Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov signed the treaty during a visit to the DPRK in February, and both houses of Russia's parliament ratified it last month. ("RUSSIA, NORTH KOREA SIGN TREATY," Moscow, 08/11/00)
People's Liberation Army Daily reported that, according to the Russian President News Bureau, Putin has signed the Act of "Ratification of Russia-DPRK Friendly Neighboring Cooperation Treaty." It said that this Treaty will substitute the 1961 treaty that has lost its effect and become the only document to adjust bilateral relations. The DPRK ratified the treaty on April 26, 2000. ("PUTIN SIGNED ACT," Moscow, 08/06/00, P4)
The Asahi Shimbun reported that it was revealed on August 3 that during the July Japanese-Russian summit meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to cooperate in the Kyongwi railway project, which was already agreed on between the ROK and the DPRK. Putin said to Mori, "We have an idea of doing some economic projects with the DPRK, including the Kyongwi railway project. The railway may extend to the PRC and Russia. Russia and Japan are directly related to the Korean Peninsula. We should promote the project together." He also expressed his desire to deal with the project on a multilateral basis. Mori said in response, "The project is significant because it may link Asia with Europe in the future." However, Mori did not clearly answer whether or not Japan would cooperate in the project. ("PUTIN ASKS MORI FOR JAPAN'S COOPERATION IN INTER- KOREAN RAILWAY," 08/04/2000)
China Daily reported that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said on July 26 that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il has agreed to travel by train from Pyongyang to Moscow via Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok. ITAR-TASS news agency quoted Ivanov as saying at an ASEAN meeting in Thailand that the dates for Kim's trip had not yet been finalized. He said that Kim would first stop in Vladivostok before arriving in Moscow for talks. ("TOP LEADERS OF DPRK WILL TRAVEL TO RUSSIA," Moscow, 07/27/00, P12)
People's Liberation Army Daily carried a commentary on Russian leader's visit to the DPRK and the scheduled visit by DPRK leader Kim Jong-il to Russia. It said that visits show the sign of normalization of DPRK-Russian relations after 10 years of cooling. The improvement of bilateral relations is beneficial to both sides, the article said. Russia, which has long been kept outside of the "Four Party Talks," sees the urgency to strengthen its role in resolving problems in the Korean Peninsula. For the DPRK, to develop good relations with Russia can increase its leverage in dealing with the outside world, especially relations with the US and Japan. (Liang Min, Meng Xianjun, "RUSSIA, DPRK SHAKE HANDS AGAIN," 07/29/00, P4)
People's Daily reported that, in the talk with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov, PRC's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said PRC attaches great importance to PRC- Russian strategic partnership. It reported that Tang thought highly of Russian President Putin's visit to PRC. It is of great necessity for leaders of the two countries to strengthen contacts, Tang said. (Sun Wei, "TANG JIAXUAN MEETS DPRK AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS," Bangkok, 07/28/00, P6)
The Korea Times reported that the ROK is gearing up for a project to link another severed railway line between the two Koreas, after agreeing during the three-day inter-Korean ministerial meeting in Seoul to link the Seoul-Shinuiju line. It was reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung plans to propose an international project to link the ROK, the DPRK and Russia by restoring the Kyongwon line. Sources predict that the DPRK and Russia will welcome the railway plan, considering that the connection will speed up economic cooperation between the three countries. The project is based on Kim's ambition to construct a "new silk road" designed to connect the two Koreas with the Trans-Siberian Railroad (TSR), which stretches across to Europe. (Park Yoon-bae, "RESTORATION OF ANOTHER NORTH-SOUTH RAILWAY MAY LEAD TO LINK WITH TSR," Seoul, 08/02/00)
Joongang Ilbo reported that DPRK Foreign Affair Minister Park Nam-sun will visit Moscow at the end of September to meet with Russian Prime Minister Igor Ivanov. According to Yomiuri daily newspaper of Japan on August 2, the two ministers will primarily discuss details for DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's visit to Russia. Yomiuri made its report based on statements by Matsura Koichiro, UNESCO secretary general, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ivanov on July 31.
According to Yomiuri's report, Matsura had explained that Ivanov
had stated that the schedule for Kim's visit is unavailable at this time but
that Kim make an official visit to Moscow after minister-level talks by
the two nations. Ivanov said that Kim will make a short stop at
Vladivostok in Siberia, and then meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in
Moscow. Matsura is scheduled to visit Pyongyang on August 19. (Ye
Yong-june, "NORTH KOREA-RUSSIA FOREIGN MINISTERS SLATED TO MEET IN
SEPTEMBER," Seoul, 08/02/00)
China Daily reported that the PRC Foreign Ministry on July 20 hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the DPRK. PRC ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said, "This is an important exchange of visits between Russia and the DPRK. As a friendly neighbor of Russia as well as the DPRK, we are glad at the development of Russian-DPRK ties and also extend our congratulations on the outcome of the visit." Zhu said that the PRC had taken note of reports that Putin said on July 19 that the DPRK has agreed to freeze its missile program in exchange for access to space rocket technology. Zhu said that the PRC is waiting further details from both nations. (Shao Zongwei, "PUTIN'S KOREAN TRIP HAILED," 7/21/00, P12)
People's Daily carried a report on Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the DPRK. During the visit, Putin held talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il and the two countries signed a friendship treaty on July 20 allowing for reinforcement of bilateral relations. The two sides also announced that at the invitation of Putin, Kim will visit Russia at his convenience. Both the DPRK and Russia regard this visit as an important event in the history of bilateral relations, adding that it marked a new turning point in the DPRK-Russian relationship. Analysts believed that Putin's visit to the DPRK is an important step of Russia to adjust its Asia strategy and actively push forward a balanced relationship between the DPRK and the ROK so that Russia can play a more important role in the Korea issue. For their own strategic interests, the article said, the DPRK and Russia are approaching each other again and promoting the further improvement of their relations. (Zhang Xinghua, "DPRK, RUSSIA RENEW OLD FRIENDSHIP," Pyongyang, 7/22/00, P3)
The New York Times reported that Russian officials said on Wednesday that DRPK leader Kim Jong-il is planning to visit Vladivostok in the Russian Far East in September. Arrangements for the visit were confirmed Wednesday by aides to Yevgeny Nazdratenko, the governor of Russia's Primorsky region, which borders the DPRK. The trip is being billed as an "unofficial" visit to the region, not a negotiating session with Russian leaders, but the agenda includes trade, economic cooperation and other measures to expand ties between Russia and the DPRK.
The invitation to visit Vladivostok was made by Nazdratenko, who accompanied Russian President Vladimir Putin on his recent trip to Pyongyang. The DPRK consulate in the Primorsky region declined to comment on the visit. Natalya V. Vstovskaya, a spokeswoman for Nazdratenko, said on Wednesday that she and Nazdratenko had proposed several agricultural projects to Kim during the Russians' visit to Pyongyang and hoped to encourage new business, including the use of Russian railroads for trade with the DPRK. (Michael R. Gordon, " NORTH KOREAN LEADER REPORTED TO BE PLANNING TRIP TO RUSSIA," Moscow, 7/26/00)
(by Joo, Seung-Ho)
This research explores the evolution of the Soviet Union's Korea policy between 1985 and 1991, focusing on the correlation tween Gorbachev's shifting power position within the Soviet leadership and the development of the Soviet Union's new policy toward the two Koreas. Soviet leaders utilized policy issues (foreign and domestic) to mobilize support in their internal power struggle. Conversely, they needed to establish a firm power base before launching new policies. Thus, power and policy in the Soviet political system often enjoyed a mutually reinforcing relationship, and foreign policy issues became entangled in the domestic political process.
As Gorbachev's power position improved and his reform policy (new political thinking) was refined, Soviet policy toward the two Koreas correspondingly evolved in three phases: (1) Gorbachev rising: the formulation of the new political thinking (March 1985-summer 1988); (2) Gorbachev ascendant: the implementation of new political thinking (fall 1988-summer 1990); and (3) Gorbachev in decline: the continuing momentum of the new policy (fall 1990-December 1991). In late 1990-1991, Soviet Korea policy was characterized by an undisguised tilt toward Seoul Nevertheless, the Soviets did not consider Soviet relations with the two Koreas to be a zero-sum game. Moscow sought to establish a balanced relationship with both Pyongyang and Seoul, and hoped to play an active role in peace and security on the Korean peninsula...
The Washington Post reported that Russian Foreign Minister Igor
Ivanov said on July 23 that the DPRK is leaving open the kind of
satellite-launching capability that it could receive from other
countries in exchange for giving up its own ballistic missile program. The
Russian Itar-Tass news agency quoted Ivanov as saying, "This might be
assistance by certain states, or a pool [by multiple countries].... In
other words, there are choices in solving this question. [The issue] has
been raised and needs to be solved." Ivanov added that the DPRK is
ready to abandon its current missile program if it can launch one or two
satellites for scientific purposes each year from the territory of other
countries and with their assistance. He said, "It will be a step
forward if this operates and everyone understands it. Everybody has
displayed interest in North Korea's proposal, and this is without doubt. They understand that if this formula works, this will be an important step
toward relieving tensions" on the Korean peninsula. (David
Hoffman, "RUSSIAN OUTLINES SOME OPTIONS IN N. KOREAN MISSILE
PROPOSAL," Moscow, 7/23/00)
Agence France Presse reported that the DPRK's official media confirmed on July 23 that an expected meeting between US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and her DPRK counterpart Paek Nam-sun, the highest ever level of contact between the two, was scheduled to take place on July 26 in Bangkok before the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting. Soon afterwards, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori hinted at the possibility of direct talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, saying it was "important to have communications at the leaders' level." He added, "We would like to consider what would be the most effective way of achieving communications between myself and Mr. Kim Jong-il." On July 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly urged his colleagues at the Group of 8 to do more to draw the DPRK out of its shell. He said that only direct contact could ease regional tension and concerns over the DPRK's missile program. Putin said, "If we listen to the thesis that there is a permanent danger from the rocket program that North Korea is developing, we must know precisely what is in the program, what is its extent, what is the extent of the threat." ("NORTH KOREA'S EMERGENCE FROM ISOLATION GATHERS PACE," Nago, 7/23/00)
The Washington Post reported that according to senior US White House officials, US President Bill Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked at length about a DPRK offer to give up its missile program if it gets international assistance in launching space satellites. Clinton and Putin discussed the top on July 21, during a break at the Group of Eight economic summit in Okinawa. An anonymous US administration official said, "There are more questions than there are answers [about the offer.]" He said that the US might agree, "if it was clearly understood that the launch capability was going to be outside the territory of North Korea and thoroughly subject to international technology controls. But a very dangerous idea would be that the international community would provide actual launch capability, that is, rockets to be launched from North Korean territory." A second U.S. official said on July 22, "President Putin himself was not entirely clear about precisely what is intended by the DPRK." US officials said that Putin brought up the DPRK proposal because "he clearly thought it was something to be studied and discussed with us. President Putin did not say that what he heard in Pyongyang was some sort of slam-dunk rebuttal to the premise of NMD." ("U.S. WEIGHS N. KOREAN OFFER," Nago, 7/22/00)
Agence France Presse reported that analysts said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has scored a diplomatic coup by securing a pledge from DPRK to halt its missile program. Russian newspapers said that the timing, ahead of a Group of Eight (G8) Summit in Okinawa, will boost Putin's stature on the world stage. Mark Galeotti, a expert on Russian affairs from Britain's Keele University, said, "Putin is helping the North Koreans to basically get one over the Americans. It gives Putin a chance to tell the G8 look, here I am trying to make peace on the Korean peninsula." However, Galeotti and other analysts said that the DPRK offer could not be taken seriously. He stated, "I can't see that they would be genuinely prepared to wind up such a significant program without very good reasons." Alexander Golts, a defense expert from Russia's Itogi weekly said, "The experience of relations with North Korean leaders has shown it is risky to take such declarations at face value." Paul Beaver from the Jane's Defence publishers in London said, "It is highly unlikely that the North Koreans will give up their missile program unless they have substantial guarantees and they will want to be bribed to do it. They will want American money to do it." US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said that "concrete action" was needed to prove that the DPRK was serious about ceasing missile production. ("PUTIN SCORES DIPLOMATIC COUP WITH EMPTY NKOREAN MISSILE OFFER: ANALYSTS," Moscow, 7/20/00)
It deals with the bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern discussed at the summit meeting and talks held between the DPRK and Russian Federation. The meeting and talks in Pyongyang marked landmark events in the history of the friendly relations between the two countries. The declaration demonstrated each other's desire to strengthen the traditional relations of friendship, good neighborliness, mutual trust and multilateral cooperation and to make positive efforts for disarmament and global stability and security against all the policies of aggression and war.
It says: Both sides reached a consensus of views on not allowing any outside interference in the reunification of the country and consider it important for the countries concerned to support it. The DPRK and Russia have confirmed their respect for the objective and principle of the UN Charter and oppose interference in other states' internal affairs and support each other's efforts to defend its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The DPRK and Russia call for strengthening strategic and regional stability and, at the same time, further reducing factors of use of force in international relations. In particular, the DPRK stated that its missile program does not pose any threat to anybody but is purely peaceful in its nature.
The DPRK and Russia are convinced that both sides should cooperate with each other in combating any form of international terrorism and multi-national criminal activities. All peoples of the world should expand equitable and mutually beneficial international cooperation to ensure sustainable economic growth while cementing their own economic foundations. Acknowledging the invariable importance of cooperative relations between the two countries, both sides manifested the willingness to actively develop trade, economic and scientific and technological ties between the two sides and pay attention to cooperation in security, national defence and other fields.
Нужна ли Москве совместная с Вашингтоном ПРО?
Проблема американской противоракетной обороны станет одной из главных тем начинающегося сегодня на Окинаве саммита "восьмерки". Президент Владимир Путин делает все, чтобы дискуссия закончилась в его пользу: в совместной декларации, подписанной им по итогам визита в КНДР с руководителем этой страны Ким Чен Иром, говорится о несостоятельности разговоров о северокорейской ракетной угрозе. Но такие декларации Запад вряд ли воспримет всерьез. Вот если бы Владимир Путин мог дать твердые гарантии, что любая запущенная Пхеньяном ракета будет уничтожена, крыть Вашингтону было бы нечем. Возможно ли это технически? На вопросы Евгения АНТОНОВА отвечает генерал-лейтенант запаса Василий ЛАТА, бывший первый замначальника Главного штаба РВСН. Василий Лата -- ведущий научный сотрудник Военной академии РВСН и советник ПИР-Центра политических исследований...
The Associated Press reported that the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-il on Thursday urged the US to scrap its proposed anti-missile shields. KCNA released a Kim-Putin statement that promised close relations between the two countries. The statement also focused on the missile issue. The DPRK "stated that its missile program does not pose any threat to anybody but is purely peaceful in its nature." However, analysts said that they did not take the statement to mean that the DPRK would abandon its entire missile program. The joint statement and Putin comments later Thursday did not mention anything about the offer. In Washington, US officials said that they were not certain how to interpret Putin's remarks on July 19. A senior US official said that if Putin was talking about a partnership with other countries to provide the DPRK with the capability of launching satellites from boosters in Kazakstan or some other country, it would be worth exploring. However, the official said, if Putin had in mind providing technology or other hardware to an existing missile program, that would aggravate the threat the DPRK poses.
ROK government officials and experts on the DPRK doubted the DPRK's intentions to give up its long-range missile technology. Chung Kyong-man, an analyst at the state Korea Institute for Defense Analysis, said, "It is the biggest diplomatic card North Korea can play in high-stake dealings with the United States." ("RUSSIA, NORTH KOREA OPPOSE U.S. ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD," Seoul, 7/20/00)
Chosun Ilbo reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the DPRK on July 19 for a two day official state visit to the DPRK. During the visit, Putin will have both private and open summit meetings with Kim Jong-il on cooperation between the two countries, and also discuss collaboration on international issues. Both Putin and Kim have expressed strong opposition against the proposed US National Missile Defense System (NMD) and Theater Missile Defense System (TMD). They will produce a DPRK-Russia joint statement based upon the ten elements which they will agreed upon. Joining Putin on the visit is Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev. and Education Minister Vladimir Filippov. ("RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VISITS NORTH KOREA," Seoul, 07/19/00)
The Korea Herald reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit the
DPRK Wednesday for talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il. ROK analysts said that the talks are aimed at strengthening
bilateral relations in the face of new developments springing from the June inter-Korean summit.
Putin
is scheduled to hold two rounds of summit talks with Kim during his two-day visit to the DPRK, the first trip by a Russian president to the
country's former Cold War ally. The two leaders are expected to announce a joint declaration pledging economic cooperation and efforts to bring
peace to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. ROK officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that
Putin's visit to the DPRK means that relations between the two countries have normalized.
Analysts
said that Putin's visit falls in line with Russia's desire to increase its influence on the Korean Peninsula following the inter-Korean summit. The Russian president is also expected to mention DPRK's nuclear and
missile programs. An unnamed expert said, "Putin will likely request
the North to abstain from pushing the programs over worries they may give the United States an excuse to push ahead with the National Missile Defense
(NMD) plan." (Shin Yong-bae, "PUTIN'S VISIT TO
PYONGYANG AIMED AT
CEMENTING TIES WITH N.K., EXPANDING INFLUENCE ON PENINSULA," Seoul,
07/19/00)
Associated Press and the Associated Press reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin began a two-day visit to the DPRK on Wednesday. Putin was scheduled to hold two rounds of talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, focusing on economic cooperation and the DPRK's missile capability. Chon Hong-san, a political science professor at Pusan University said, "If Putin can persuade North Korea to make gestures or express in any form its intentions to stop or not to pursue further missile developments, that would greatly strengthen his voice at the G-8 meeting. Putin will do all he can do to persuade North Korea, because it considers the U.S. anti-missile system a direct threat to its security." Putin is also scheduled to talk about rebuilding economic ties with the DPRK, many of whose major industrial plants were built with Soviet technology. Most of those plants are reportedly outdated and need renovation. Putin is expected to offer to refurbish those idle plants with Russian experts and technology if the ROK provides financing. Associated Press (Paul Shin, "PUTIN VISITS NORTH KOREA," Seoul, 7/19/00) and the Associated Press ("PUTIN RAISE QUESTION OF NORTH KOREAN MISSILES WITH KIM JONG IL," Seoul, 7/19/00)
Agence France Presse reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that after talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, the DPRK vowed to shut down its missile program if other nations provide it with rocket boosters for space exploration. The Interfax news agency in Moscow quoted Putin in Pyongyang as saying, "North Korea on the whole is ready to use exclusively other nations' rocket technologies, if it receives rocket boosters for peaceful space exploration." Putin stressed that other nations, besides Russia, would be responsible for making sure that the DPRK received rocket boosters that could be put to peaceful space use. Putin said, "We think that Russia's efforts in this alone are not enough. Everyone, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South Korea, as well as the United States, China and Japan should support this process." Russia and the DPRK also signed a friendship treaty on Wednesday. Putin said that the treaty allowed the "reinforcement of bilateral relations." Putin also invited his DPRK counterpart to visit Russia. DPRK's official media welcomed Putin's visit, describing it as being of "great significance" in the development of relations between the two countries. ("N.KOREA PLEDGES TO GIVE UP MISSILE PROGRAM IN LANDMARK PUTIN VISIT," Seoul, 7/19/00)
By Paul Shin Associated Press Writer Wednesday, July 19, 2000; 6:11 AM
SEOUL, South Korea –– Russian President Vladimir Putin began a historic two-day visit to North Korea on Wednesday to mend strained relations between the once-staunch ideological allies. The visit, the first by a Russian or Soviet leader, comes on the heels of a breakthrough summit in June between leaders of the two Koreas. Afterward, Putin vowed to play a mediating role. Putin arrived in Pyongyang from Beijing and was met by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a report monitored in Seoul. Hundreds of thousands of people turned out to welcome Putin along his 10-mile motorcade route, it said...
People's Daily reported that before Russian President Vladimir Putin began his visit to the
PRC, the DPRK and Japan, he told Japanese media that Russia would maintain balanced and
good-neighborly relations with the DPRK and the ROK. Putin said that the relations with the DPRK and the ROK would exercise positive influence on
the situation on the Korean Peninsula. According to Putin, Russia believes that the relaxing of confrontation on Korean Peninsula and the
normalization of DPRK-ROK relations ought to be promoted. Putin said that Russia is closely concerned with the US military presence on the
Korean Peninsula and that Northeast Asia area has immediate significance to Russia's security.
He also pointed out that the argument that
Northeast Asian theater missile defense and national missile defense must be established on the excuse of the "DPRK's missile threat" is
groundless. He said that Russia thinks that any country that wants to implement missile defense programs should abide by international laws. Putin suggested providing a concrete security guarantee to the DPRK in
order to strengthen the regime of non-proliferating missile technology in the Korean Peninsula.
(Sheng Shiliang, "PUTIN: RUSSIA TO
MAINTAIN BALANCED
RELATIONS WITH DPRK AND ROK," Moscow, 7/18/00, P6)
MOSCOW, June 8 -- President Vladimir V. Putin plans to visit North Korea next month, a move that underscores his active foreign policy and seems calculated to counter the Clinton administration's plan for a national missile defence. Russian officials said today that it would be the first trip by a Russian leader to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. "This is an unprecedented event, a bold step, as no head of state from our country has ever been in North Korea, neither in Soviet nor in Russian times," Georgi Toloraya, an official in the Foreign Ministry, told the newspaper Vremya Novostei....
NORTHEAST ASIA PEACE AND SECURITY NETWORK
*****
THE DPRK REPORT, No. 24 (May-June 2000)*****
The following "DPRK Report" is the product of a joint project between the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) of the Monterey Institute of International Studies (Monterey, California, USA) and the Institute for Contemporary International Problems (ICIP) (Moscow, Russia). It is written by Russian analysts associated with the ICIP and edited by the CNS.
| Позиция Корейской Народно-Демократической Республики в программе "Туманган" |
| КНДР весьма заинтересована в программе Туманган, позволяющей ей развивать северные провинции, в первую очередь провинцию Северный Хамген, имеющую два железнодорожных выхода из КНР к Японскому морю через порты Раджин, Чхончжин и Сонджин (Ким Чак). Участие в этой программе, помимо привлечения иностранного капитала в развитие экономики КНДР, поднимает авторитет, уменьшает изолированность КНДР от мирового сообщества. |
| КНДР активно начала создавать свободную экономическую и торговую зону Раджин - Сонбонг - т.н. "золотой треугольник", приняты правовые акты, создающие инвесторам очень льготные условия для работы в этой СЭТЗ, введены очень низкие ставки земельного налога на предоставляемые инофирмам земельные участки и т.п. >преференции. |
|
Однако по ряду причин, прежде всего политического характера, развитие этой СЭТЗ идет пока еще медленно, но постепенно налаживающийся процесс смягчения конфронтации "север - юг" дает основания полагать о возможности взрывного развития зоны, если будут созданы условия для южнокорейского и японского капитала. |
| КНДР даже предложила занять дефицитнейшие территории рисовых полей в устье Тумангана под строительство международного аэропорта, обслуживающего TREDA, пытается привлечь канадский, американский и австралийский капиталы для развития портов Чхончжин и Раджин и строительства нового порта Сонбон |
| КНДР подготовила национальную часть программы Туманган, хорошо оформленную и богато иллюстрированную на двух языках - корейском и английском. Очень детально представлен проект свободной зоны Раджин - Сонбон в красочном исполнении... |
The Washington Times reported that a June 8 intelligence report from the US National Security Agency said that Russia is selling missile technology and components to the DPRK and nuclear weapons components to Iran. The parts being sold included a special aluminum alloy, laser gyroscopes used in missile guidance and connectors and relays used in missile electronics. An intelligence official said, "This intelligence shows the Russians are playing both sides of the fence. They are talking missile defense while helping boost the missile threat." Officials familiar with the report explained that the gyroscopes for DPRK Scud B missiles were first sold to the DPRK's Changgwang Sinyong company in Kazakhstan and then resold to Yemen. US Representative Curt Weldon, senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said that the Russian arms proliferation is "another clear indication of this administration's total failure in the arms-control arena. They have consistently denied the reality that these problems exist and now we're continuing to pay the price as rogue states continue to develop systems to be used against America, our allies and our troops that we have to defend." (Bill Gertz, "RUSSIA SELLS MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO NORTH KOREA," 6/30/00)
The Baltimore Sun reported that a report newly declassified by the US National Security Agency (NSA) shows that William Weisband alerted the Soviets to extensive US eavesdropping in 1948, resulting in a complete blackout of information from the communist bloc for more than two years. This crippled the NSA's intelligence gathering efforts in the late 1940s and begins to explain why the US was caught unprepared for the DPRK's 1950 invasion of the ROK. NSA historian David A. Hatch, who authored the report, said, "This report answers several significant questions. Up until now, there has been a great lack of knowledge surrounding some of these events ... and this should help sharpen [the public's] understanding." (Laura Sullivan, "SPY'S ROLE LINKED TO US FAILURE ON KOREA," 6/29/00)
It also said that Kim Jong Il's works on the issues of developing socialism which failed temporarily in some countries that had taken the road of socialist development, and on national reunification and development of the Korean revolution are making great contributions to the history of human development. The letter in the name of the Russian heroes association extended sincere congratulations to Kim Jong Il on holding the high title of academician of the Petrovsk Science and Art Academy.
The Korea Times reported that Grigory Bezyuk, Russian trade representative to the ROK, said that he is optimistic over the possibility of linking the railroad systems between the two Koreas and then connecting them with the trans-Siberian railroad. Bezyuk also said that, in spite of President Vladimir Putin's forthcoming trip to the DPRK, Russia is unlikely to offer military aid packages to the DPRK. "Taking into consideration recent efforts by President Kim Dae-jung for the Korean unification, the economic situation, [and] the international support of this railroad project, I am sure it will have a positive result," he said. "The Russian trade representation thinks one of the most important ways to develop our cooperation is to support the projects of cooperation between the Korean National Railroad and the Russian Ministry of Railroad on the inter-Korean railway system," he added. If this project succeeds, Bezyuk said, then the linked railroad system would be able to transport cargoes from the ROK to Russia via the DPRK at a very low cost. (Son Key-young, "RUSSIA HOPES FOR S-N RAILROAD LINKING MOSCOW UNLIKELY TO OFFER MILITARY AID TO NK," Seoul, 06/28/00)
Dow Jones Newswires reported that an ROK Energy Ministry
official reported that the ROK may invite the DPRK to participate in a natural
gas pipeline that would connect Northeast Asian countries to Russia's natural
gas reserves. The official stated, "There is no
agreement. We are just considering this as a possible long-term project
for the two Koreas." An official from the ROK Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Energy said that this is just one of many possible projects to
develop and nurture cooperation between the DPRK and ROK. Lee Tai-
hwan, an energy specialist with the Sejong Institute in Seoul, said that
construction of the pipeline would also eliminate the ROK's need to secure a
strategic natural gas reserve. Lee also said, "This pipeline was
suggested a long time ago, but it wasn't implemented, because there was no trust
and no money. But now, oil prices are going higher and higher, and many
countries are thinking about natural gas as an alternative; this makes the
pipeline a more attractive project." (Soozhana Choi,
"S KOREA MAY INVITE N KOREA TO JOIN GAS PIPELINE PROJECT," 6/29/00)
The Associated Press reported that Russian Foreign Minister Igor
Ivanov reported that a DPRK delegation briefly visited Moscow on Tuesday. He said that Putin's future visit to the DPRK is intended to "strengthen
security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the Pacific region as
a whole." He did not comment on whether Putin would try to discourage
the DPRK from developing long-range missiles. ("PUTIN ACCEPTS INVITATION TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA THIS
YEAR," Moscow, 6/29/00)
When the world reactionaries were clamorous about "failure" of socialism, Kim Jong Il authored such works as "The Historical Lesson In Building Socialism and the General Line of Our Party" and "Socialism Is a Science" and wisely led revolutionary parties of the world to release the Pyongyang Declaration in April 1992, which solemnly stated that socialism is alive and is bound to triumph. He directs his special attention to the ideological work in carrying out the socialist cause, saying that it is a truth confirmed by history that socialism will win, if it holds fast to ideology and, if not, it will fail. Socialism of Korea is vigorously advancing, guided by the Juche idea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Il, great thinker and theoretician and distinguished statesman. The Russian communists are fully confident that the Korean people will certainly emerge victorious thanks to the great Kim Jong Il, he added.
The book has 34 subtitles such as "Small Brushwood Gate Which Produced Great Miracle of Korea," "Lodestar of 21st Century" and "Korea Running At a Canter On a Steed." The book gives a detailed account of the successes achieved by the Korean people in different fields under the wise leadership of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il despite difficulties. The book says these achievements made by the DPRK through the application of the Juche idea to every field are, indeed, great miracles rare to be seen in any other parts of the world. The DPRK will surely emerge as a powerful country in the near future, stresses the book.
The Korea Times reported that Russia's Interfax news agency reported that Russia's government gave official approval Tuesday to the first summit meeting the two Koreas. According to Interfax, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Losyukov stated that the inter-Korean summit "gives rise to hope for the start of a constructive dialog between the two countries." ("RUSSIA GIVES NOD OF APPROVAL TO KOREAN SUMMIT," Seoul, 06/14/00)
China Daily reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an unprecedented visit to the DPRK next month to consolidate efforts at reconciling the ROK and the DPRK. "The president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, will visit Pyongyang soon at the invitation of the chairman of the Defense Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-il," the Kremlin said. "This will be the first trip by a leader of our country to DPRK," the Kremlin press service's statement said on June 9. Russian media reports on June 9 said that Putin had also accepted an invitation to visit the ROK this year during a recent telephone conversation with ROK President Kim Dae-jung, but Kremlin officials could not confirm that.
Diplomatic sources said that the visit is likely to take place on July 19 or 20, sandwiched between trips to Beijing and the Japan summit of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who visited Pyongyang in February to sign a friendship deal, told a news conference that economic cooperation and world security would be on the agenda at Putin's talks in the DPRK. The report said that a senior Russian diplomat, Georgy Toloraya, revealed the visit in the daily newspaper Vremya Novostei, saying that the trip would play a key role as the top leaders of DPRK and ROK meet next week, and that Moscow supported their efforts at reconciliation. Toloraya, deputy head of the Foreign Ministry's First Asia Department, said that the trip had been initiated by Russia. Toloraya said that Putin and his DPRK hosts would discuss military issues, including a US proposal to alter the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to enable it to build a National Missile Defense system. ("PUTIN TO VISIT DPRK," Moscow, 6/10/00, P8)
Reuters and the Associated Press reported that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an invitation from the DPRK to visit the country, and that the visit will take place shortly. Ivanov stated, "Naturally, the talks will touch above all on bilateral relations. They have slackened over the last years. We think that this period has to be overcome." Ivanov said that the updated friendship treaty signed in February "lifted ties to a modern level." Asked whether Putin would try to persuade the DPRK to halt its missile work, Ivanov said: "President Putin is coming on a visit to a friendly country and he does not intend to talk anybody out of anything. We proceed from the view that presently, there is no realistic threat. In terms of the future, naturally, nothing can be excluded." Russian media suggested that Putin may stop in the DPRK on July 19 or 20 between trips to the PRC and the G-8 summit in Japan on July 21-23.
One Russian diplomatic source said, "It will be much better if North Korea feels secure and can balance its approach to the outside world. Putin may well help to draw North Korea out of its shell." Another diplomatic source said, "South Korea wants North Korea to come out into the outside world. In this regard, the Russian president's visit to North Korea will encourage the North to open their society." Ivanov said that Putin also was considering an invitation from the ROK, but noted that it was "too early" to speak of anything definite. The Russian news agency Itar-Tass also reported that a DPRK delegation arrived at Sakhalin Island in Russia's Far East to discuss joint construction projects. (Martin Nesirky, "PUTIN SEEKS TO EASE N.KOREA FROM STALINIST SHELL," Moscow, 6/9/00), Reuters (Michael R. Gordon, "PUTIN TO VISIT NORTH KOREA; U.S. ABM PLAN MAY BE TARGET," Moscow, 6/9/00) Associated Press (Sergei Shargorodsky, "PUTIN TO VISIT NORTH KOREA," Moscow, 6/9/00)
Reuters the Associated Press reported that the US sees Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the DPRK as a further sign that the DPRK is lowering its barriers to the outside world. One US official said, "If it were true, it would fit into our basic attitude to say that's a good thing. As a general principle we've said we welcome greater contact between North Korea and other members of the international community." US Defense Department spokesman Ken Bacon said, "I hope President Putin will try to convince the North Koreans to stop work on their long-range missile program and concentrate on feeding their people, and that he will also convince them to stop attempting to sell their weapons all around the world."
Alexander Mansourov, an analyst with the Brookings Institution in Washington said, "This would give [Putin] a chance to re-engage in the end game in the Koreas. This is an attempt to correct some imbalance in Russia-China relations. It is also an attempt to throw a bone to the United States, to show he is doing diplomatically what the United States is trying to do militarily." (David Storey, "U.S. WELCOMES REPORT PUTIN TO VISIT NORTH KOREA," Washington, 6/8/00) and the Associated Press (Sergei Shargorodsky, "PUTIN TO VISIT NORTH KOREA," Moscow, 6/9/00)
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the Russian Presidential Office announced on June 9 that Russian President Vladimir Putin would visit Pyongyang in the near future. The report said that although the Russian Presidential Office did not reveal the exact date of the President's visit, governmental sources said that the visit would take place before the G-8 Summit Meeting in Okinawa, slated for July 19. The report also said that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il invited Putin and that the Russian President's visit to Pyongyang would be the first of its kind. The report quoted a Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying that during his visit to Pyongyang, Putin would discuss with Kim the result of the inter-Korean summit talks, the US-led national missile defense (NMD) initiative and other security issues related to the Korean Peninsula. ("RUSSIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT DPRK," 06/09/2000)
The International Herald Tribune carried an opinion article by Georgi D. Toloraya, deputy director-general in the First Asian Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which said that next week's summit meeting in Pyongyang should signal the beginning of official international recognition of the status quo on the Korean Peninsula. The author argued, "But it should be clear that North Korea will not accept reforms and openness if they mean the present ruling elite's loss of power and the country's eventual absorption by South Korea.... Its leaders cannot be expected to endorse moves to improve the social and economic environment in their country unless that concern is relieved."
He stated, "The international community should accept the prospect of long-term coexistence between two Korean states, paving the way for reconciliation, convergence and eventual unification taking into account the interests of both parts of the divided nation." He argued, "The practical strategy based on such an understanding is to keep the North afloat. That means providing it with security guarantees and a minimum subsistence level for the population." He concluded, "Such progress can start only if military and political guarantees of noninterference are in place; this would involve diplomatic recognition of North Korea by the West. It would involve mutual recognition by North and South Korea, maybe in a form of special intergovernmental relations, and the signing of treaties and agreements." ("NORTH KOREA IS CHANGING AND OUGHT TO BE HELPED," Moscow, 06/09/00)
Константин Победин (in Russian)
Нам было
велено, чтобы мы не выходили в город без
удостоверения, висящего на шее на веревочке.
Всюду, куда я попадал, на меня смотрели, как
на очень дорогое пальто с ценником. А когда
я в городе присаживался на скамейку,
сидящий рядом кореец быстро смотрел на мой
«ценник», вскакивал и убегал в неизвестном
направлении. В музее, в пустынном вестибюле,
стояла группа молодежи. Группа молодежи
кинулась ко мне, затеребила бирку на моей
шее, наперебой заверещала: «Сорён, сорён,
сорён» (я не знаю, как точно перевести «сорён»
-- «Россия» или «СССР», это мы, короче), и
убежала. Кроме одного юноши и одной девушки....