Disarmament Diplomacy
Issue No. 18, September 1997
North Korea Leaves Missile Discussions;
Nuclear Deal Remains On Course
On 27 August, talks between the US and North Korea on missile
proliferation and export policy were broken off by North Korea in
protest at the defection of two of its diplomats to the US. The
move was regretted, rather than denounced, by White House
spokesperson Barry Toiv:
"While this decision by the North was not unexpected, it is
nonetheless disappointing... We see no linkage between the
defection[s] and the missile talks and we believe it is in North
Korea's interest to remain engaged in the talks..."
The setback followed encouraging progress in the process of
replacing North Korea's suspended nuclear facilities. On 19 August,
a 'groundbreaking' ceremony (see last issue) was held at Kumho, in
North Korea's South Hamgyong province - the proposed site of new,
light-water reactors which are to be provided by a consortium, the
Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO), led by the US, Japan
and South Korea. The ceremony, complete with fireworks and,
according to KEDO officials, a "symbolic blast", was welcomed by
the Executive Director of KEDO, US official Stephen Bosworth: "This
groundbreaking ceremony...marks the fulfilment of a promise - a
promise made over two years ago by the Republic of Korea, Japan and
the United States." KEDO's senior South Korean official, Chang
Sun-sup, enthused:
"...the light-water reactor project was initiated to help ensure
the peace and stability of a denuclearized and war-free Korean
peninsular...
[This ceremony] is the promising product of a concerted
international effort to realize these ideals on the Korean
peninsular."
Reports: Ground broken in N. Korea nuclear
project, Reuters, 19 August; White House calls N. Korea move
disappointing, Reuters, 27 August; 'Insulted' North Korea
skips missile talks, Reuters, 27 August; US urges N. Korea
to return to missile talks, Reuters, 28 August.
© 1998 The Acronym Institute.
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