"Panel Urges The U.S. To Make A Better Plan For North Korean Nukes"

The 26 members for the panel that plan for aid in the north if the North disarms. Well the panel called on washington to create a "sweeter" plan. "North Korea is not likely to move toward complete denuclearization ... unless the United States is prepared to match North Korean concessions with reciprocal steps toward the normalization of political and economic relations," said the international policy group for Aisa. It is clear that the panel believes if the U.S. offers a better aid then North Korea will look at it and maybe will accpet it.

Golf in North Korea?

Interesting tidbit I found today. The DPRK is planning to build a lavish golf course at the Mt. Kumgang resort to try to attract more South Korean tourists. This is still so ironic, how people are starving yet the government wants to bring in foreign dollars to fill its own pockets.

Here's the article

More Rights for North Korean citizens?

Hello again,

This is an article about the North Korean government's revision to the "criminal and civil rights laws" in the DPRK. Here are some changes as quoted from the article:

Under the new guidelines, an individual found guilty of illegally seizing another's possession will be sentenced to more than 10 years of hard labor from the current less than 10-year period.

Also, as indication of expectations within the country for more foreign investment, the revised framework includes a clause speaking against tax evasion. With respect to civil rights law, authorities have slashed the term for hard labor for defectors from the present less than three-year requirement to less than 2 years.

I wonder whether there is hope to believe that the North Korean government is ready to implement some changes, or whether this is another one of Kim's schemes to perhaps receive aid from the international community. Hm, this possibility is one to consider.

"North Has Up to Six Nukes"

Hello all,

This article discusses North Koreas possession of nuclear weapons. According to the IAEA, "since Pyongyang refused access to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors almost two years ago, the Stalinist enclave has had time to secure enough plutonium for four to six nuclear weapons."

However, this is not based on any factual information, but only on "assessment," which brings us back to the question about whether North Korea actually has nuclear weapons. Although many believe that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons, the question is one that we should think about further, as discussed at length during one of the professors lectures and class discussions.

North Korean Food Harvest

North Korea's food harvest is up 2.4% from last year. Despite this, Korea will still suffer a large food shortage, even after foreign aid is considered. Many poorer families will still be lacking in basic nutritional foods due to declining purchasing power--prices in private markets are up. See full story at: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200411/kt2004112322235311990.htm

The "red line"

According to a New York Times article today North Korea says that the United States' red line policy towards them will cause war. This red line is the United States' way of calling for the end of North Korea's nuclear proliferation. North Korea feels like the United States is falsely charging it with sponsoring terrorism. According to the article "The United States has pressured the North with `distorted rumors' about the nuclear issue, `threatening a military punishment,' the newspaper said." This article is yet another example of the uncertainty over North Korea. You can find the article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/politics/politics-korea-north-usa.html?oref=login

To Follow Up

Charles Jenkins, the American deserter to North Korea was released from jail sometime last week. He served less than a month in a military jail. The case of Charles Jenkins is the longest case of desertion before turning oneself in. He deserted in 1965. Most of this article is information we have already discussed, here is the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/26/korea.jenkins/index.html