Last week China expressed concern that the U.S. decision to destroy an errant satellite (which was a success) was actually a thinly veiled missile defense test. The official U.S. explanation was that the satellite contained a potentially toxic fuel that was never used due to a malfunction soon after it was placed in orbit. By [...]
North Korea has detained a Russian cargo ship carrying Japanese cars to Vladivostok after strong winds forced it to take shelter near the DPRK coast, unfortunately for them near Musadan-ri, which is a missile test range. (h/t GS)
Late in 2007 Russia delivered “its most advanced long-range jet,” to North Korea’s Air Koryo (h/t GS). A variant of the Tupolev TU-204 twin-engined medium range Russian airliner was purchased, the TU-204-300:
It is a shortened, longer range and more efficient derivative of the Tu-204. It is about 6 meters (20 ft) shorter than the basic [...]
Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and U.S. lead in the Six-Party Talks has been awarded the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Gwanghwa Medal from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) (h/t P). I have to admit that when I first read this news, I thought it [...]
If ever there was a time to drop the hammer on North Korea for habitually reneging on nuclear deals, now would be the time:
Speaking to reporters in Beijing Saturday, [Sigfried Hecker] said North Korean officials have told him they will not provide a full declaration of the country’s nuclear programs until other countries provide fuel [...]
A few days ago Joshua discussed the report of 22 North Koreans executed after having drifted into South Korean waters in two rubber dinghies and being returned to the DPRK. Thirteen of those rumored to have been executed were family members.
According to ROK National Intelligence Service (NIS) official, the group was fishing and, “strongly demanded [...]
Asia Times: Another Korean ‘war’ casualty (Don Kirk)
Yonhap: N. Korea intensifies press oppression
Joongang Ilbo: Group: Official executed over calls
AP: US: N. Korea must declare nuclear plans
Bloomberg: North Korea Blames U.S. for Atomic Accord Delay
AP: U.S. researchers: NK wants energy aid before declaration
Reuters: U.S. envoy on North Korea in Beijing for talks
Kyodo: Photos Of N Korea [...]
From the VoA: “No North Korean racers took part in this first-ever dog sled race on North Korean soil. Nor were any North Korean spectators allowed to attend. It was seen only by a few confused North Korean kitchen staff peering through a nearby hotel window.” Engagement, DPRK style.
From the Korea Times: “President-elect Lee Myung-bak’s transition team is pushing ahead with overhauling the… nation’s spy agency…`We should know more about what’s going on in North Korea through HUMINT operations to resolve the stalemate over the North’s nuclear weapons program…’ ” Perhaps a letter to Kim Jong-il warning him, with a list of [...]
Joongang Ilbo:
• Aid for North’s hungry diverted to its military
• You call that intelligence?
• South’s stone gift for North Korea travels rocky road
• Will North lose FIFA game?
Daily NK: North Korea Will Not Be Recognized As a Nuclear State
Japan Times: Chinese views on North Korea [Must Read]
Bloomberg: Ex-U.S. Officials Orchestrate Korea Nuclear Diplomacy
Dong-a Ilbo: Rice [...]
Gizmodo has an excellent array of Kim Jong-il photos; In Which We Provoke Kim Jong Il in 77 Offensive and Hilarious Ways. Some are sure to become often used classics.
- #Missed it on the 30th as I was working late, but it's now been four years since DPRK Studies has been in blog format.
- #From the Japan Times: "Yasushi Chimura and his wife, Fukie, abducted by North Korea in 1978 but repatriated in 2002, expressed relief Friday that their children [now ages 27, 25, and 21] are adapting smoothly to Japanese life as they marked the fifth anniversary of their arrival in Japan."
- #Via the NYT: "Former President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea, who had been under criminal investigation for corruption, died on Saturday from a fall while hiking on a hill near his retirement home... it was unclear whether the fall was accidental or whether Mr. Roh had committed suicide ... Roh left a will, indicating that the death might have been a suicide." While the man never should have been president, it's sad to see what likely was a suicide.
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