Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons has emerged to be one of the key foreign policy priorities of the Obama administration. Despite efforts among Western powers to form a united front in trying to pressure Iran to become more transparent with its nuclear program, questions remain regarding Tehrans intentions, and …
March 27, 2012
Iran Sanctions: Impact on the Koreas
March 19, 2012
DPRK to Launch Application Satellite
Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) — The DPRK is to launch a working satellite, Kwangmyongsong-3, manufactured by itself with indigenous technology to mark the 100th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. A spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said this in a statement Friday. After successfully launching two experimental …
March 15, 2012
S.Korea to Mark 2nd Anniversary of Cheonan Sinking
Ahead of the second anniversary of the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan on March 26, the Defense Ministry has announced plans for various commemorative events as well as military drills.No specific dates and details have been confirmed yet, but the Navy and Marines plan joint drills in waters near …
March 13, 2012
Korean Delegates Scuffle at UN Meeting in Geneva – Voice of America
South Korean lawmakers clashed with a North Korean diplomat on Monday outside a United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Switzerland. The scuffle broke out when a delegation of South Korean politicians approached North Korea’s ambassador to Geneva, So Se-pyong, after he rejected the contents of a U.N. report on …
March 5, 2012
North Korea’s Kim Game for ‘Let’s Make a Deal’, by William Pesek
The deadliest words in economics are “This time things are different.” They are even more perilous when applied to a nuclear power run by a paranoid, repressive regime. In other words,North Korea. We have every reason to roll our eyes and scoff at Kim Jong Un’s first foray into diplomacy. …
March 4, 2012
NK Nuke Moratorium Suggests No Change in Medium / Long-term Policy
US and North Korean talks in Beijing has led to Pyongyang’s agreeing to a moratorium on its Uranium Enrichment Program (UEP), nuclear and long-range missile tests, and allowing the Yongbyon nuclear facility to be inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to verify the moratorium. In response, the United …
March 1, 2012
North Korea Agrees to Suspend Its Nuclear Program
WASHINGTON — North Korea announced on Wednesday that it would suspend its nuclear weapons tests and uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors to monitor activities at its main nuclear complex. The surprise announcement raised the possibility of ending a diplomatic impasse that has allowed the country’s nuclear program to continue for years without international oversight. The …
February 29, 2012
DPRK-US Agreement Does Not Reflect Significant Policy Change (Yet) by Choson Exchange
With the news that North Korea has agreed to halt uranium enrichment and allow inspectors into the country to verify its nuclear activities, we are probably going to hear from pundits making claims about Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Kim Jong Eun’s role in this decision and whether it marks a sea change …
February 27, 2012
N. Korea says it is ready for both dialogue and war
(2nd LD) N. Korea says it is ready for both dialogue and war SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) — North Korea said Monday it is fully ready for both dialogue and war as South Korea and the United States kicked off joint military drills that Pyongyang claims are rehearsals for a …
January 13, 2012
North Korea after Kim Jong Il: The Risks of Improvisation, by By Ruediger Frank
Kim Jong Il’s death was announced less than three weeks ago. But the world is …