North Korea Watch 2013-2019

reply to post by bekod



SnF

Thanks bekod,for your effort to put this informative thread.


Regarding those refugees, they had it coming at them, not that I am indifferent to their plights. They had escaped DPRK and thus free to blend in into the North Korean community in China and live a proper life but they have had to try to up the ante, to claim the ultimate prize, to make a statement, to disgrace NK in the eyes of the world and worst, becoming political stooges for the South Korean Government.


China has always treated those Koreans as one of their own but those who chooses to be political football can be assured of punishment if caught.

reply to post by mypan
I do not agree with your view on the matter, for they where seeking freedom, they did up the anti by going to Laos, here is the news link, one of them could,have been a Japan citizen english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/05/31 23:04 KST
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(3rd LD) Laos changes attitude over defector issue at last minute: source
(ATTN: CHANGES dateline; UPDATES with UNHCR's confirmation of deportation in last 3 paras)
SEOUL/GENEVA, May 31 (Yonhap) -- A high-level Laotian official gave South Korea a positive impression over an issue involving nine North Korean defectors even hours before his government deported them to their home country earlier this week, a diplomatic source here said Friday, giving to suspicion of a cover-up over the deportation.

South Korean ambassador to Laos Lee Gun-tae met with the unidentified vice minister-level official of the Laotian Foreign Ministry on Monday at 9:30 a.m. to repeatedly call for the transfer of the defectors. The official indicated that the situation would come to a smooth solution, the source said, asking not to be named.
However, the defectors were expelled aboard a flight at 2:45 p.m. the same day to North Korea via China, according to the source.

Also, according to the source, on May 10 -- the day the defectors were apprehended by Laotian authorities -- the Laotian government communicated to the South Korean embassy that the situation would be favorably handled. Laos went so far as to tell the embassy on May 20 and 22 to prepare for the transfer, according to the source.

However, on May 23 Laos suddenly changed its attitude, saying that they need more time to hand over the defectors.

At around 6 p.m. Monday, Laos notified the South Korean embassy of their deportation, several hours after the plane took off, the source said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Lee said in a telephone interview with Yonhap News Agency earlier in the day that he "knows nothing" about the identities of the nine defectors.

He made the remarks when asked about unconfirmed media reports that the son of a Japanese woman who abducted by North Korea in 1970s might be among the North Koreans.

"I knows nothing about the identities of the North Korean defectors," Lee said. Citing his brief conversation with the South Korean couple who helped them in Laos, Lee said, "When I met the South Korean couple, they didn't tell me about it."

Lee also said his embassy had asked the Lao authorities to visit the defectors on the day they were caught, denying a media report by the Wall Street Journal that it didn't request a meeting with them.

"The report is not true," Lee said, when asked about the report, which cited Khantivong Somlith, the minister consular at the Lao Embassy in Seoul, saying the South Korean Embassy didn't file an official request to visit the North Korean defectors.

Lee and other South Korean officials in Seoul have said their government has diplomatic letters and other documents that can prove the request was made to the Lao government.

The nine North Koreans, aged between 15 and 23, were flown home on Tuesday from China after being caught in Laos on May 10, despite South Korea's plea to send them to Seoul.

During their detention in Laos, South Korean officials have said their government had asked Laos to interview them as part of its efforts to send them to the South. But Khantivong Somlith, the minister consular at the Lao Embassy in Seoul, told the Wall Street Journal that Seoul didn't file an official request to visit them.

"We expected them to do that (request a visit)," the Journal quoted Somlith as saying in a Seoul-datelined report.

In a telephone interview with Yonhap News Agency on Friday, Somlith refuted the report.

"I didn't say that," Somlith said. "The comments are wrongly reported. I didn't say that."

Asked whether South Korea had asked the Lao government to visit them, Somlith replied, "Yes."

The nine North Koreans were detained by the Lao authorities "because they illegally entered Laos. At the time, we didn't know whether they were South Koreans or North Koreans."

"When they moved into Vientiane, our foreign ministry informed both South Korean and North Korean embassies of their detention," the minister counselor said.

South Korea's foreign ministry and its embassy in Laos have been under fire for allegedly failing their duty to protect the North Koreans.

The ministry has not officially confirmed information on North Korean asylum seekers in consideration of their safety and relations with countries involved.

Diplomatic sources in Seoul say at least one North Korean agent was on board the Air Koryo flight to Pyongyang with the defectors, indicating that the North Korean government was involved in the deportation.

Still, questions remain over why the deportation of the nine North Korean defectors from Laos to North Korea was carried out in a very speedy and special manner.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se sent a special envoy, Ambassador Lee Jeong-kwan, to Laos and lodged a "strong protest" with the Lao government for deporting the North Koreans, Seoul officials said.

Later in the day, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva confirmed that the defectors were forcibly deported, and called for the North to guarantee their safety during a press briefing.

It's the first time that a deportation of defectors has been confirmed by the U.N.

South Korean Representative to Geneva Choi Seok-young also said, "The UNHCR has confirmed that the young defectors were forcibly taken to the North via the Chinese authorities."

The agency is deeply concerned that they might be executed, he added.
[email protected]
(END)

yes they knew of the risks , but how far would go to seek freedom? It seems they we not important to save, SK Laos and China all failed them.

here are the head lines english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

Rep. Royce protests China's repatriation of nine North Koreans
WASHINGTON, May 31 (Yonhap) -- The head of the U.S. congressional panel on foreign affairs has lodged a strong protest with the Chinese government against its recent repatriation of nine North Korean defectors, his office said Friday. Full story

Laos changes attitude over defector issue at last minute: source
SEOUL/GENEVA, May 31 (Yonhap) -- A high-level Laotian official gave South Korea a positive impression over an issue involving nine North Korean defectors even hours before his government deported them to their home country earlier this week, a diplomatic source here said Friday, giving to suspicion of a cover-up over the deportation. Full story

S. Korean defense chief to discuss N. Korea at Singapore forum
SINGAPORE, May 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin arrived in Singapore Friday to attend a security forum where he will focus on coordinating efforts on North Korea as hope grows for talks to reduce tension following months of bellicose rhetoric from the communist country. Full story

Park urges N. Korea to agree to government-level dialogue
SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye said Friday North Korea should hold government-to-government dialogue with South Korea, rather than civilian-level exchanges, if it wants to normalize a suspended joint industrial complex and resolve other issues. Full story

will see if there is anything else, if there is... it will be posted.

I am back with more news .. SK defense Chief to give talk www.koreaherald.com... form the link

S. Korean defense chief to discuss N. Korea at Singapore forum



Published : 2013-05-31 20:44
Updated : 2013-05-31 21:39
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin arrived in Singapore Friday to attend a security forum where he will focus on coordinating efforts on North Korea as hope grows for talks to reduce tension following months of bellicose rhetoric from the communist country.

The Asia Security Summit, also called the Shangri-La Dialogue, was to open Friday evening for a three-day run, with the defense chiefs and security experts from 27 nations in attendance.

The 12th summit, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, will address pressing geopolitical challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, including North Korea's nuclear program, the U.S.'s "pivot" toward Asia amid financial tightening, as well as China's military buildup and conflicts with its neighbors.

On Saturday, Seoul's defense chief will have a bilateral meeting with U.S. defense chief Chuck Hagel to discuss ways to strengthen their alliance and coordinate their policies on North Korea as it is shifting its hostile stance towards conciliatory gestures.

The two will meet in person for the first time since Hagel's inauguration in late February.

"The South Korea-U.S. alliance is a central axis of for our security," Kim told reporters at the Shangri-La hotel, the summit venue. "I will try to seek ways to strengthen bilateral alliance in the meeting."

The allies will also have a trilateral meeting with their Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera to seek ways to expand defense cooperation and joint efforts to handle North Korea's missile and nuclear program.

"South Korea, the U.S., Japan will also discuss ways to cooperate humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and U.N. peacekeeping operations," ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters.

The North's envoy last week met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to show its readiness to rejoin the six-party nuclear disarmament talks, raising hope for easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The North angrily reacted to South Korea-U.S. joint drills in March and April with a new round of bellicose rhetoric. But Pyongyang has since toned down its language in recent weeks and Seoul officials said medium-range missiles placed along the communist country's eastern coast in April were no longer poised for launch.

Ahead of the defense forum's opening reception on Friday, Kim had bilateral meetings with his Singaporean and Mongolian counterparts, in which he asked them to take part in the 2nd Seoul Defense Dialogue set for November in Seoul.

Launched last year, the SDD is a senior-level multilateral security forum to discuss concerted efforts to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The first Seoul Defense Dialogue brought together vice minister-level officials from 15 Asia-Pacific countries, the European Union and two international organizations.

Kim also discussed with Mongolian Defense Minister Dashdemberel Bat-Erdene on the transfer of South Korean military equipment to support the Mongolian army's modernization plan.

On Saturday, Kim is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with defense chiefs of Indonesia, Australia and Canada. (Yonhap News)

this might make China a little mad, this might be worth keeping an eye on. Might be worth its own thread. here is the link to keep up on the talks er meeting www.iiss.org... worth checking out

reply to post by mypan



I strongly suggest you read up on the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch reports before saying that North Koreans are can live free in China and that China treats them as their own.

North Korean defectors can not live free in China as you stated. The Chinese government sees them as illegal aliens and will deport them as soon as they are caught.
Most North Koreans in China are in hiding. North Korean women who fled to China, are forced into prostitution by human traffickers or sold as import brides to Chinese men.
Also North Korean agents are working in China, whose task is to find defectors and to escort them back to North Korea.

for you few diehard's like me, here is the link for speeches and remarks from the talks www.iiss.org... some good, interesting reading for you that want to keep up with the Asia unrest preview of what you will read from the link

Date: 31 May 2013

Opening Remarks: Dr John Chipman
As Prepared. Check Against Delivery: Welcome to the 12th IISS Asia Security Summit: the Shangri-La Dialogue. It is a delight to see so many people who are here for the first time, and so many that are here again. The sustained enthusiasm for and interest in the Shangri-La Dialogue is a testament to the important institution that has been built. We re-convene after a year of heightened tensions in the Asia-Pacific...

Building Strategic Trust for Peace, Cooperation and Prosperity in the Asia-Pacific Region: Nguyen Tan Dung
As Prepared. Check Against Delivery: Excellency Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Dr John Chipman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends, At the outset, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong our Singaporean host, Dr John Chipman and the organisers of the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue for your kind invitation to me to attend and address this important forum. Since its inception 12 years ago, the Shangri-La Dialogue has truly become...

I hope you do read it.

Bekod
Shame on us for not thanking you enough for all of the work that you have put and continue to put into this thread! I feel that this thread is still VERY valid and I think you would be surprised if you knew how many of us are following the stories and I very much appreciate you continuing to keep it updated.

I'm curious as to what others think...this is TOTAL opinion question

What will be the trigger? Human Rights? Land? Egos? ETC...And who do you think will react?

IMHO: I change opinions and timelines on this almost daily. That whole area is so unrest in so many different ways. Sometimes I think that the human rights will finally be the scale tipper; starting our very different than what we are thinking every time the missiles get "pointed". And then I think, nope, its going to be some idiot who trips and hits the wrong button

Thanks again my friend

When I think of it, in regard to the defectors...

It reminds me of how we (Australia) and possibly other states treat Asylum Seekers...

In this post 9/11 world we treat everyone under suspicion. Everyone is a "terrorist" until proven innocent. And the meaning of the word terrorist has been bent and re-shaped to suit political ideologies at any time.

So I put it to you, if NK defectors came on a boat to Australia...there's 2 ways our government would go 1. Open arms 2. They are spies for NK. ....and in the meantime, they'd be held for a long time in a detention centre before whatever government we have decides what to do with them.

There is always the idea of a Trojan Horse. We have thought about that for millennia.

Another way to look at it, is the diplomatic ramifications of helping NK defectors... I guess we wouldn't understand seeing the majority of us aren't in close proximity of an aloof Nuclear State.

I am not feeling good so a quick thanks for you that read and support my efforts and posts, whit that here is tonight's new news english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

N. Koreans in Pyongyang seen wearing badge of young leader: sources
BEIJING, June 3 (Yonhap) -- Some North Koreans living in the capital Pyongyang have been sighted wearing the badge bearing the image of Kim Jong-un in a sign that the young leader is rapidly consolidating power, sources in China said Monday. Full story

Park urges N. Korea to guarantee safety of repatriated defectors
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Monday North Korea should guarantee the safety of a group of young North Korean defectors recently repatriated from Laos to their communist homeland where they are feared to face harsh punishment for fleeing the country. Full story

S. Korea, China hold talks ahead of Park's state visit to Beijing
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- Senior diplomats from South Korea and China held regular talks on Monday to discuss a range of issues, including North Korea, ahead of President Park Geun-hye's state visit to Beijing later this month, officials said. Full story

N.K. defector issue to be on agenda for U.S.-China summit: source
SEOUL, June 2 (Yonhap) -- Leaders of the United States and China will likely discuss the issue of North Korean defectors in the wake of the forced repatriation of nine North Koreans from China, a diplomatic source here said Sunday. Full story

will be interesting to see how all involved handle and respond to these issues: Un might do the unthinkable.
Park and Xi might push Un into a corner.
China will say to bad.
Un just want so to be seen in public, a pic on a patch says a thousand words, ie [bow when you see me I support you , Un is god. ] well you get the idea...

feeling a litter better, here is today's head lines english.yonhapnews.co.kr... form the link

China says no country asked Beijing not to repatriate N. Korean defectors
BEIJING, June 3 (Yonhap) -- China's foreign ministry said Monday that no country had asked Beijing not to repatriate a group of nine young North Korean defectors to their home country, contrary to remarks made by South Korean officials that they appealed to China on behalf of the defectors. Full story

Nine repatriated N. Korean defectors originally destined for U.S.: activist
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- The nine young North Korean defectors who were sent back home from Laos late last month had originally planned to seek asylum in the U.S., a South Korean human rights activist said Monday. Full story

No nuclear talks with N. Korea unless Pyongyang changes course: envoy
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new nuclear envoy said Monday a resumption of stalled multilateral nuclear talks with North Korea won't take place unless the North changes its course on its nuclear weapons program. Full story

N. Koreans in Pyongyang seen wearing badge of young leader: sources
BEIJING, June 3 (Yonhap) -- Some North Koreans living in the capital Pyongyang have been sighted wearing the badge bearing the image of Kim Jong-un in a sign that the young leader is rapidly consolidating power, sources in China said Monday. Full story

looks like we have "lets point fingers , whom wants to play the blame game" . ] Un still wants nukes and no talks till he says otherwise, 9 to head west head north , by gun point , China's new travel policy if you get out of DPRK.

here is more new news english.yonhapnews.co.kr... form the link

N. Korea set to restart Yongbyon reactor: U.S. institute
WASHINGTON/SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea looks ready to resume the production of weapons-grade plutonium at its main nuclear site in Yongbyon, a move expected to make efforts to revive the six-way denuclearization talks more difficult, according to a U.S. institute. Full story

S. Korean military chief visits China to deepen defense ties
BEIJING, June 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military chief visited China on Tuesday to push for stronger military ties as part of efforts to set the tone before leaders of the two nations have their first meeting later this month. Full story

Nine N. Korean defectors originally heading to S. Korea, not U.S.: Scholte
WASHINGTON, June 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea was the original destination for nine North Korean defectors who were eventually sent back to their communist homeland, a human rights activist here said Monday, refuting a claim that they initially hoped to seek asylum in the United States. Full story

S. Korea asked China not to deport N. Korean defectors: official
SEOUL/BEIJING, June 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea had indeed asked China not to repatriate a group of nine young North Korean defectors last week, a senior Seoul official said Monday in an apparent rebuttal to a Chinese claim that no party had requested cooperation regarding the defectors. Full story

checking on an other related DPRK news item , see if it for fact if so it will be seen here. if not well then you wont see it

here is the news for the day english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

Seoul 'strongly demands' Pyongyang to ensure safety of repatriated defectors
SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea "strongly demands" North Korea to ensure the safety of nine young North Korean defectors who were forced to return home last week from China after being caught in Laos, an official said Tuesday. Full story

Main opposition party seeks parliamentary probe on N.K. defectors
SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said Tuesday it will seek bipartisan support for a parliamentary investigation into the recent repatriation of nine North Korean defectors from Laos to Pyongyang via China. Full story

N. Korea set to restart Yongbyon reactor: U.S. institute
WASHINGTON/SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea looks ready to resume the production of weapons-grade plutonium at its main nuclear site in Yongbyon, a move expected to make efforts to revive the six-way denuclearization talks more difficult, according to a U.S. institute. Full story

S. Korean military chief visits China to deepen defense ties
BEIJING, June 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military chief visited China on Tuesday to push for stronger military ties as part of efforts to set the tone before leaders of the two nations have their first meeting later this month. Full story

The two that need focusing on are ;

S. Korean military chief visits China to deepen defense ties
BEIJING, June 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military chief visited China on Tuesday to push for stronger military ties as part of efforts to set the tone before leaders of the two nations have their first meeting later this month.

and this one;

N. Korea set to restart Yongbyon reactor: U.S. institute
WASHINGTON/SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea looks ready to resume the production of weapons-grade plutonium at its main nuclear site in Yongbyon, a move expected to make efforts to revive the six-way denuclearization talks more difficult, according to a U.S. institute.

any one have thoughts besides me? DPRK is hurting now that China is backing away form DPRK and Un, and it seems that the reactor was not dismantled to the point of not being reused , so does that say our Intel is not what it seems, or were we lied to by TPTB? or a combination of the 2?... and....

China will have to make a choice SK or DPRK, I do not think China could back DPRK and SK. China will not stand for DPRK having nukes. this is fact, not an opinion. english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link, a brief intro,

2013/05/03 17:08 KST
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China will not accept N. Korea as 'nuclear-armed state': official
SEOUL, May 3 (Yonhap) -- China's chief nuclear envoy has told his South Korean counterpart that Beijing will not accept North Korea as a "nuclear-armed state," a high-ranking Seoul official said Friday, adding that Seoul, Washington and Beijing reached a consensus on the stance.

The Chinese envoy Wu Dawei made the remarks when he held talks on Thursday in Beijing with his Seoul counterpart Lim Sung-nam, said the official at Seoul's foreign ministry who is familiar with the Lim-Wu talks.

DPRK will not do with out nukes, [ i would post the link but it is KCNA.. do i need to say more?]

Un is in for deep doo doo US to talk to Xi about DPRK er Un giving up nukes www.koreaherald.com... from the link

U.S. says Obama, Xi to talk about pressing N. Korea to abandon nukes



Published : 2013-06-05 09:31
Updated : 2013-06-05 09:31
U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, will discuss ways to press North Korea to rid itself of nuclear technology when they meet in California later this week, an official here said Tuesday.

"The United States and China share the view that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is essential if we are to move forward in any diplomatic process with North Korea," State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said at a press briefing.

"That's an issue that we work closely with them on. I'm sure it will be an issue discussed this weekend and moving forward."

She added China is working with the U.S. and other members of the six-way talks in pressing North Korea to abide by its international obligations, including the Sept. 19, 2005, joint statement. Under the deal, Pyongyang agreed to abandon all nuclear weapons in return for political and economic incentives from South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.

"We remain focused on pressing North Korea, as do, of course, the Chinese, and we have a shared goal of a denuclearized peninsula," Psaki said.

Obama is scheduled to meet Xi at Sunnylands, a Southern California estate, on Friday and Saturday. It would be their first meeting since Xi became China's leader in March.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said earlier Obama and Xi will use the rather informal sessions for wide-ranging discussions on U.S.-China relations and joint efforts to resolve regional and global challenges.

"Certainly a topic of conversation would be North Korea, stability in Asia, expanding our bilateral military ties, climate change and cybersecurity," he told reporters.

Some Korea watchers say Obama and Xi may touch on the issue of North Korean defectors.

The topic has drawn keen media attention, especially since the forced repatriation of nine North Koreans, largely in their teens, who were caught in Laos last month and deported to China. China eventually sent them back to North Korea.

The White House did not respond to Yonhap News Agency's inquiry over whether the presidents will discuss the North Korean defector issue this week.

Bruce Klingner, senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation, said Beijing should stop repatriating North Korean refugees, which would be a sign of a possible shift in its policy on its nuclear-armed neighbor.

"During his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Obama should press Beijing to increase pressure on North Korea for its repeated violations of U.N. Security Council resolutions and international law," Klingner said in an op-ed piece for the institute's website. "One tangible sign that China had altered its policy toward Pyongyang would be for Beijing to cease forcing refugees to return to the brutal living conditions and punishment imposed by the North Korean dictatorship."

Meanwhile, Rose Gottemoeller, acting under secretary of state for arms control and international security, will make a two-day trip to Beijing from Wednesday, her department announced.

Leading the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-China Security Dialogue, she will have discussions with senior Chinese officials on arms control, nonproliferation and international security issues, it said. (Yonhap News)

now if you do not care to read the whole thing here is the issue

"The United States and China share the view that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is essential if we are to move forward in any diplomatic process with North Korea," State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said at a press briefing.

"That's an issue that we work closely with them on. I'm sure it will be an issue discussed this weekend and moving forward."

She added China is working with the U.S. and other members of the six-way talks in pressing North Korea to abide by its international obligations, including the Sept. 19, 2005, joint statement. Under the deal, Pyongyang agreed to abandon all nuclear weapons in return for political and economic incentives from South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.

China is and has been pushing for Un to give up nukes, if your like me this is the first time it has been in Print by an official source, this could be why Un has tamed him self down , he got a spanking by China.

here is today's head lines and one of note worthy read DPRK helping out in Syria?? english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

S. Korea trying to verify report of N. Korea aiding in Syria conflict
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been trying to verify a media report that North Korean military officers were helping the government forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, a senior Seoul official said Wednesday. Full story

Seoul adamant against private group's trip to North for joint event
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea stands firm against a private organization's visit to North Korea to arrange a joint event, the unification minister said Wednesday, making clear the government will only accept working-level official talks to resolve all outstanding inter-Korean issues. Full story

N. Korea bashes Osaka mayor's justification of wartime 'comfort women'
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Weeks after Japan's Osaka mayor made controversial remarks justifying Japan's wartime sexual enslavement of women from neighboring countries, North Korea on Wednesday denounced the comments to be "self-destructing" and "enraging." In mid-May, Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto said Japan's sexual enslavement during the World War II was necessary for Japanese soldiers fighting in life-threatening situations. The remarks immediately drew seething criticism from South Korea and China. Full story

S. Korean FM to meet Lao Deputy PM next week over N. Korean defectors
SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se plans to meet with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith next week to discuss the recent deportation of nine young North Korean defectors, a Seoul diplomatic source said Wednesday. Full story

well until SK confirms the report of DPRK being in Syria , ill say BS on that one, but I would not put it past Un to do it , how else could they know how to conduct a war with out knowing what war is??; other than words, and they DPRK and Un seem to do that very well

Oh boy .. now you too can see first hand what Un is up to , just go to facebook english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

N. Korean broadcaster starts real-time Facebook broadcasting
SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state broadcaster started real-time Facebook broadcasting as the communist country moves to expand its propaganda efforts into the social networking realm, official sources said Thursday. Full story

and here is the rest of the new news, from the above link

N. Korea calls for working level gov't talks to normalize Kaesong complex, Mt. Kumgang
SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Thursday called for working level government talks to discuss the normalization of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tours. Full story

S. Korean president calls on Pyongyang to accept 'trust building' process
SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- In a Memorial Day speech at the Seoul National Cemetery, President Park Geun-hye on Thursday urged North Korea to accept her administration's "trust building" policy initiative that could open a new era of peace and hope on the peninsula. Full story

N. Korean concentration camp escapee receives int'l human rights award
GENEVA, June 6 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean concentration camp escapee received an international human rights award on Thursday for raising global awareness of the atrocities taking place in the communist country. Full story

well that's all for now, thought you would like to know

Un er DPRK leaves out China in new Economic law www3.nhk.or.jp... from the link

N.Korea draws up law to build new economic zone

North Korea has drawn up legislation to set up special economic zones. The move is an apparent attempt to lure foreign investments and rebuild the ailing economy.

North Korea's state-run media reported the creation of the law on Wednesday.

The report says foreign corporations and individuals will be allowed to set up businesses in the zones. The law covers the industrial, agricultural and tourist sectors.

The report says the law guarantees free business activities and protects the rights and assets of foreign investors. It also offers preferential use of land, employment and taxes.

The report says foreign investment will be encouraged in infrastructure, high-end technology and manufacturing.
But the report says the new law does not cover the Kaesong industrial complex operated with South Korea, or other zones operated with China.

North Korea unilaterally withdrew more than 50,000 workers from the Kaesong complex in April, forcing the whole district to close down.

Analysts say it will be extremely difficult to dispel distrust among foreign investors.

Jun. 5, 2013 - Updated 19:43 UTC

Un is doing all he can to get China upset at him , he must be either nuts or suicidal, leaving out Kaesong complex is also a sign that he is nuts.

wel it seems that Un has changed his mind on Kaesong after all www.china.org.cn... from the link

DPRK proposes talks with ROK

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, June 6, 2013

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday proposed holding talks with South Korea on issues including the normalization of the operation in the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ) and the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang, the official KCNA news agency reported.

The proposal was made by the DPRK's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK) in a special statement issued by its spokesman.

"We propose holding talks between authorities of the north and the south for the normalization of the operation in the KIZ and the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang on the occasion of the anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration," said the statement.

The June 15 declaration was issued at the historic 2000 summit meeting between late South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il. It led to a period of rapprochement between the two sides that saw large scale bilateral cooperation and the promotion of economic ties.

The CPRK also proposed realizing joint events to mark the 13th anniversary of the June 15 declaration and jointly commemorating the 41st anniversary of the July 4 joint statement on peaceful reunification in the presence of the authorities of both sides.

the 15 is getting closer , wounder what other rabbit he'll pull out of his hat?

Here is the ROK China update www.china.org.cn... from the link this is page one of two

ROK military leader visits China

2 Comment(s)Print E-mail China Daily, June 5, 2013

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Jung Seung-jo, chairman of the Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Beijing on Tuesday — the first such visit by an ROK military chief in six years — after Monday's meeting between foreign affairs officials from the two countries.

Observers said the series of visits by ROK officials to China is to enhance their comprehensive ties and to pave way for ROK President Park Geun-hye's visit at the end of June.

Jung led a 15-member delegation to Beijing. He talked to Fang Fenghui, chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, about ways to strengthen military ties, China's Ministry of National Defense said.

China and the ROK agreed during Jung's visit to establish a mechanism for routine communications between high-level military officials, ROK's Yonhap News Agency reported.

Yonhap said Beijing and Seoul decided to establish more channels of communication and joint international relief efforts. The countries will maintain communication in an effort to decide whether to upgrade their existing hotline or create a new one.

The agreement is in line with Park's China policy of further enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries to strengthen Beijing-Seoul military ties, said Wang Junsheng, a researcher on East Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Military ties between China and the ROK are not as strong as economic and political relations, said Shi Yuanhua, director of the Center for Korean Studies under the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University in Shanghai.

He said the agreement is an improvement of ties.

"The ROK wants to find a balance between the ties with China and with the United States, so it hopes to improve military ties," Shi said.

With deeper military ties, China and the ROK can also cooperate more when dealing with the situations on the Korean Peninsula, especially when there is tension, Wang said.
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and here is page two

Strategic meetings

Yonhap said the two countries will resume the mechanism of strategic meetings between the ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff and the PLA's general staff and enhance cooperation between the two armies on patrol in the Gulf of Aden and in other UN peacekeeping work.

China and the ROK have been exploring new ways to strengthen military cooperation since upgrading their ties to a strategic partnership in 2008.

Diplomats from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the ROK's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade gathered in Beijing on Monday to exchange views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common interest, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Tuesday.

Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Yesui and ROK First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Kyou-hyun co-chaired the sixth China-ROK Foreign Ministry High-Level Strategic Dialogue on Monday.

Leaders from both countries have made the nations' friendship and cooperation a major priority, and China highly emphasized the ROK president's upcoming visit to China, Zhang said.

Beijing is willing to work closely with Seoul to ensure a successful visit to boost greater development of ties, Zhang added.

China seeks to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, to ensure peace and stability of the peninsula, and to resolve the issue through dialogue and reconciliation, Zhang said.

Beijing has reacted positively to Park's proposal for the peninsula's trust process, and it supports the improvement of ties between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the ROK, Zhang said.

The situation on the peninsula has been tense since Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket in December and conducted its third nuclear test in February.

China and other countries have made mediation efforts to ease the situation.

All the involved parties are expected to engage in dialogue and reconciliation to create conditions for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks and a fast turnaround of the situation, Zhang said.

The mechanism of the China-ROK Foreign Ministry High-Level Strategic Dialogue was inaugurated in 2008 on the basis of the consensus reached between the two countries' leaders.
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well this is going to be something to fallow up on, US might be losing the foot hold in SK, naw to many years there to turn around and bug out.

here are the new news stories of today

N. Korean set up paper company in tax haven: S. Korean journalists' group
SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean ran a shell company in a tax haven region, an independent South Korean online news outlet said Thursday in its latest revelation of a list that included three paper companies believed to be linked with Pyongyang. Full story
N. Korea slams move to create new S. Korea-U.S. combined command structure

SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Thursday claimed the move to create a new military command structure following the transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean forces in late 2015 constitutes a grave provocation. Full story
S. Korea 'accepts' Pyongyang's Kaesong complex, Mt. Kumgang talks proposal

SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday "effectively accepted" calls by North Korea to hold working-level talks between government officials aimed at normalizing stalled inter-Korean economic business ventures in Mt. Kumgang and the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Full story

the above is from the link of, english.yonhapnews.co.kr... it seems kaesong is going to reopen article in full, worth a read here is linky english.yonhapnews.co.kr... and here it is from it

2013/06/06 15:20 KST
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(2nd LD) S. Korea 'accepts' Pyongyang's Kaesong complex, Mt. Kumgang talks proposal
SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday "effectively accepted" calls by North Korea to hold working-level talks between government officials aimed at normalizing stalled inter-Korean economic business ventures in Mt. Kumgang and the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

The Ministry of Unification that handles all dialogue and sets policies in regards to North Korea, said in a statement that the government views the North's latest proposal in a positive light.

"We hope (upcoming) talks will become an opportunity to help forge trust," it said. The ministry added that the agenda, date and place for the first talk will be announced later on, and said it is engaged in deliberations with the presidential office, foreign ministry and other related agencies.

Seoul's response, which came an hour after Pyongyang's surprise announcement, is expected to allow the two sides to sit down and discuss all outstanding issues that have strained cross-border relations and fueled uncertainties on the Korean Peninsula this year.

Earlier in the day, North Korea released a special statement by the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK), calling for official talks aimed at discussing such issues as the normalization of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tours. The communist country has preferred private, non-governmental talks between various groups and businessmen, but Seoul had rejected such moves and made clear it will only accept government-to-government talks to resolve all outstanding issues confronting the two sides.

"We propose holding talks between authorities of the north and south for the normalization of operations at Kaesong and the resumption of tours to Mt. Kumkang on the occasion of the anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration," the CPRK statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency said.

All operations at the Kaesong complex, located just north of the demilitarized zone, came to a halt after Pyongyang ordered all of its 53,000 laborers hired by 123 South Korean companies not to report to work on April 9. Seoul countered by pulling the last of its personnel from the industrial complex, which is a symbol of cross-border cooperation. Tours to Mt. Kumgang were stopped in June 2008 after a South Korean female tourist was shot dead by a North Korean guard.

Pyongyang also said that if Seoul accepts the talks proposal, it will re-establish the Red Cross liaison channels that run through the truce village of Panmunjom, which will make it possible for the two sides to communicate with each other. The Red Cross hotline along with those operated by the military were disconnected by the North earlier in the year in response to joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises and Seoul's condemnation of the North's third nuclear test.

The communist country said talks can touch on humanitarian issues, such as allowing the reunion of families separated by the Korean War (1950-53), which have not been held for three years.

The North's committee added that it wants to hold ceremonies marking not only the June 15 declaration, but the July 4th North-South Joint Statement reached in 1972.

"We propose realizing the joint national events to mark the 13th anniversary of the June 15 declaration and jointly commemorating the 41st anniversary of the July 4 joint statement in the presence of the authorities of both sides," it said. The CPRK said that the events can take place with both government authorities and non-governmental organization (NGO) members in attendance. It repeated its calls for Seoul to allow South Korean NGOs and businessmen to visit the North, which have thus far been rejected by Seoul as a ploy to fuel internal discord in the South.

The June 15 declaration was signed between late liberal South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and his late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2000, while the July 4 statement was reached under former South Korean President Park Chung-hee and North Korean founder Kim Il-sung. Park is the father of incumbent South Korean President Park Geun-hye, while Kim is the grandfather of Kim Jong-un, the current leader of the North.

The North claimed that the latest offer is consistent with its stance of promoting national reconciliation and unity and achieving reunification.

It had said that if the South Korean authorities truly want to build confidence and improve relations between the two sides, they should not miss this opportunity, but should positively respond to the decision.

Meanwhile, lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri and main opposition Democratic Party all welcomed the North's call for government-level talks.

Saenuri spokesman Rep. Yoo Il-ho, said the move can be seen as the North accepting South Korea's position on how to proceed with dialogue.

"The party hopes that talks will be held as soon as possible and hopes such a move will be the first step in forging ahead with President Park Geun-hye's trust building process that aims to ease tensions and lay the foundation of peace and prosperity," the lawmaker said.

DP spokesman Park Yong-jin said the liberal party welcomes the latest actions taken, and hopes the talks will open a new chapter in doing away with tensions that have spiked in recent months.

Besides detonating a nuclear device, the North unilaterally nullified the Armistice Agreement that halted the Korean conflict, said it will not honor its denuclearization pledge and threatened to launch nuclear attacks against South Korea and the United States.

In addition to political parties, businessmen with factories in Kaesong said they hope the latest proposal will lead to normalization at the industrial park that has been shut down for nearly two months.

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well China might be putting some sense in Un, or Un is just toying with the SK just like the Peace Plan, a flash in the pan.

If you have missed top headlines or want to know what China thinks or says about Un and the DPRK here is a link to see search.news.cn... thought it might be interesting reading... enjoy