April 24, 2018 Is DPRK Planning to Distory Existing Nuclear Warheads?
Upcoming summit expects to have Denuclearization is main focus with the around the world reporters at the KINTEX exhibition hall in Goyang, north of the capital Seoul, Arirang News Lee Ji-won, Arirang News reports that
Countless reporters and news studios are set up, all to deliver the unprecedented meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas. And our Lee Ji-won,... covered a lot of ground while in the huge venue.
She spoke to some of the reporters and news editors from various media around the world, for their perspective on this historic event. "With the world's spotlight this week on Friday's inter-Korean summit, hundreds of reporters and media crews from around the globe have gathered at the official summit press center in Goyang, northwest of Seoul."
Compared to the two previous inter-Korean summits where just over 1-thousand reporters registered, the third historic meeting has over 28-hundred press members signed up, from 360 media companies and 41 countries. From live connections every hour,... to stories, speculation and analysis on the summit, reporters are busy delivering the latest on the meeting. "Our newspaper for today filled one whole side with stories on this summit. 6 articles were posted, including stories on the route to be taken by the two leaders, what to expect from the summit, and even stories on this press center." Though reporters each have different points of view, many say the key issue to watch out for during Friday's summit is denuclearization. "You know were this happening at any other time, or were Kim Jong-un not going to meet President Trump, I think the two Koreas could focus on things that have short term relevance. But now I think what the top agenda needs to be is getting Kim Jong-un on paper, committing to denuclearization and committing to talks on denuclearization."
And it seems North Korea's increased nuclear threat and the high tensions on the peninsula last year grabbed more global media attention for this summit. "I think at least at the last summit, North Korea was certainly not as big of an international story as it is now. They hadn't demonstrated their ability to hit the United States with their long range missiles, now it has done all those things."
Many have also pointed out that improving inter-Korean ties is also an important issue. "Certainly the peace and the denuclearization. Whoever has family relations with North Koreans or vice versa, they can meet each other. The demilitarized zone, which is considered as the most sensitive borders in the world, should move back and people should come forward to meet each other."
And with so much at stake, the world will soon find out whether the solutions to these issues can be agreed upon during the summit on Friday.
North Korea has a militarynuclear weapons program, and also has a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons. As of 2003 North Korea is no longer a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The country has come under sanctions after conducting a number of nuclear tests, beginning in 2006.
The Korean Central News Agency claims that the "U.S. has long posed nuclear threats to the DPRK" and "the U.S. was seized by a foolish ambition to bring down the DPRK", so it "needed a countermeasure". North Korea has been suspected of maintaining a clandestine nuclear weapons development program since the early 1980s, when it constructed a plutonium-producing Magnoxnuclear reactor at Yongbyon. Various diplomatic means have been used by the international community to attempt to limit North Korea's nuclear program to peaceful power generation and to encourage North Korea to participate in international treaties.
In May 1992, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) first inspection in North Korea uncovered discrepancies suggesting that the country had reprocessed more plutonium than declared. IAEA requested access to additional information and access to two nuclear waste sites at Yongbyon. North Korea rejected the IAEA request and announced on March 12, 1993, an intention to withdraw from the NPT.
In 1994, North Korea pledged, under the Agreed Framework with the United States, to freeze its plutonium programs and dismantle all its nuclear weapons programs in return for the normalization of diplomatic relations and several kinds of assistance, including resources for alternative energy supplies.
By 2002, the United States believed North Korea was pursuing both uranium enrichment technology and plutonium reprocessing technologies in defiance of the Agreed Framework. North Korea reportedly told American diplomats in private that they were in possession of nuclear weapons, citing American failures to uphold their own end of the Agreed Framework as a motivating force. North Korea later "clarified" that it did not possess weapons yet, but that it had "a right" to possess them, despite the Agreed Framework. In late 2002 and early 2003, North Korea began to take steps to eject International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors while re-routing spent fuel rods to be used for plutonium reprocessing for weapons purposes. As late as the end of 2003, North Korea claimed that it would freeze its nuclear program in exchange for additional American concessions, but a final agreement was not reached. North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003.
Facilities
The major installations include all aspects of a Magnoxnuclear reactor fuel cycle, based on the use of natural uranium fuel:
• a fuel fabrication plant,
• a 5 MWe experimental reactor producing power and district heating,
• a short-term spent fuel storage facility,
• a fuel reprocessing facility that recovers uranium and plutonium from spent fuel using the PUREX process.
Magnox spent fuel is not designed for long-term storage as both the casing and uranium metal core react with water; it is designed to be reprocessed within a few years of removal from a reactor. As a carbon dioxide cooled, graphitemoderatedMagnox reactor does not require difficult-to-produce enriched uranium fuel or a heavy water moderator it is an attractive choice for a wholly indigenous nuclear reactor development.
The Magnox facilities were disabled in 2007 in accord with the six-party talks agreement, but following the breakdown of that agreement were partially re-enabled in 2009 to reprocess existing stocks of spent fuel. On 15 September 2015, North Korea announced that the reactor had resumed operation.
The center also has an IRT-2000 pool-type research reactor, supplied by the Soviet Union in 1963, operational since 1965. The reactor fuel is IRT-2M type assemblies of 36% and 80% highly enriched uranium. As the center has not received fresh fuel since Soviet times, this reactor is now only run occasionally to produce iodine-131 for thyroid cancerradiation therapy.
In 2009 the building of a small indigenous experimental light water reactor started. In 2010 a uranium enrichment plant began operating.
The North Korean nuclear program can roughly be divided into four phases.
Phase I (1956–80) dealt primarily with training and gaining basic knowledge.
Phase II (1980–94) covers the growth and eventual suspension of North Korea's domestic plutonium production program.
Phase III (1994–2002) covers the period of the "freeze" on North Korea's plutonium program (though North Korea pursued uranium enrichment in secret) and
Phase IV (2002–present) covers the current period of renewed nuclear activities.
Timeline of the North Korean nuclear program
Phase I
1956: The Soviet Union begins training North Korean scientists and engineers, giving them "basic knowledge" to initiate a nuclear program.
1958: The U.S. deploys nuclear armed Honest John missiles and 280 mm atomic cannons to South Korea.
1959: North Korea and the USSR sign a nuclear cooperation agreement.
1962: The Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center opens.
1965: The Yongbyon IRT-2000 research reactor reaches a power rating of 2 MW.
1974: The Yongbyon IRT-2000 research reactor reaches a power rating of 4 MW.
Between the late 1970s and early 1980s North Korea begins uranium mining operations at various locations near Sunchon and Pyongsan.
Phase II
1980–1985: North Korea builds a factory at Yongbyon to refine yellowcake and produce fuel for reactors.
1984: The DPRK completes construction of a "Radiochemical laboratory", which is actually a reprocessing plant used to separate plutonium from spent nuclear fuel at the Yongbyon site.
1984–1986: North Korea completes construction on a 5 MWe gas-cooled, graphite-moderated nuclear reactor for plutonium production. North Korea also commences with the construction of a second 50 MWe nuclear reactor.
1987: The Yongbyon IRT-2000 research reactor reaches a power rating of 8 MW.
1989: Soviet control of communist governments throughout Europe begins to weaken, and the Cold War comes to a close. Post-Soviet states emerge in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. As the USSR's power declines, North Korea loses the security guarantees and economic support that had sustained it for 45 years.
Through satellite photos, the U.S. learns of new construction at a nuclear complex near the North Korean town of Yongbyon. U.S. intelligence analysts suspect that North Korea, which had signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1985 but had not yet allowed inspections of its nuclear facilities, is in the early stages of building a nuclear bomb.
In response, the U.S. pursues a strategy in which North Korea's full compliance with the NPT would lead to progress on other diplomatic issues, such as the normalization of relations.
December 1990: North Korea conducts 70–80 high-explosives tests at its Yongbyon facility.
1991: The U.S. withdrew its last nuclear weapons from South Korea in December 1991, though U.S. affirmation of this action was not clear, resulting in rumors persisting that nuclear weapons remained in South Korea. The U.S. had deployed nuclear weapons in South Korea since January 1958, peaking in number at about 950 warheads in 1967.
1992: In May, for the first time, North Korea allows a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Agency inspection finds inconsistencies with North Korea declarations. Hans Blix, head of the IAEA, and the U.S. suspect that North Korea is secretly using its five-megawatt reactor and reprocessing facility at Yongbyon to turn spent fuel into weapons-grade plutonium. Before leaving, Blix arranges for fully equipped inspection teams to follow.
The inspections do not go well. Over the next several months, the North Koreans repeatedly block inspectors from visiting two of Yongbyon's suspected nuclear waste sites, and IAEA inspectors find evidence that the country is not revealing the full extent of its plutonium production.
1993: In March, North Korea threatens to withdraw from the NPT. Facing heavy domestic pressure from Republicans who oppose negotiations with North Korea, President Bill Clinton appoints Robert Gallucci to start a new round of negotiations. After 89 days, North Korea announces it has suspended its withdrawal. (The NPT requires three months notice before a country can withdraw.)
In December, IAEA Director-General Blix announces that the agency can no longer provide "any meaningful assurances" that North Korea is not producing nuclear weapons.
12 October 1994: the United States and North Korea signed the "Agreed Framework": North Korea agreed to freeze its plutonium production program in exchange for fuel oil, economic cooperation, and the construction of two modern light-water nuclear power plants. Eventually, North Korea's existing nuclear facilities were to be dismantled, and the spent reactor fuel taken out of the country.
26 October 1994: IAEA Chairman Hans Blix tells the British House of Commons'Foreign Affairs Select Committee the IAEA is "not very happy" with the Agreed Framework because it gives North Korea too much time to begin complying with the inspections regime.
Phase III
18 March 1996: Hans Blix tells the IAEA's Board of Governors North Korea has still not made its initial declaration of the amount of plutonium they possess, as required under the Agreed Framework, and warned that without the declaration IAEA would lose the ability to verify North Korea was not using its plutonium to develop weapons.
October 1997: spent nuclear fuel rods were encased in steel containers, under IAEA inspection.
31 August 1998: North Korea launched a Paektusan-1 space launch vehicle in a launch attempt of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1satellite. U.S. military analysts suspect satellite launch is a ruse for the testing of an ICBM. This missile flew over Japan causing the Japanese government to retract 1 billion in aid for two civilian light-water reactors.
2002
29 January: U.S. PresidentGeorge W. Bush in his State of the Union Address named North Korea as part of the axis of evil, aiming to threaten the peace of the world and posing a grave danger.
7 August: "First Concrete" pouring at the construction site of the light-water nuclear power plants being built by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization under the 1994 Agreed Framework. Construction of both reactors was many years behind the agreement's target completion date of 2003.
17 September: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi becomes the first Japanese prime minister to visit Pyongyang, making a number of political and cooperative offers.
3–5 October: On a visit to the North Korean capital Pyongyang, US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly presses the North on suspicions that it is continuing to pursue a nuclear energy and missiles programme. Mr Kelly says he has evidence of a secret uranium-enriching program carried out in defiance of the 1994 Agreed Framework. Under this deal, North Korea agreed to forsake nuclear ambitions in return for the construction of two safer light water nuclear power reactors and oil shipments from the US.
16 October: The US announces that North Korea admitted in their talks to a "clandestine nuclear-weapons" program.
17 October: Initially the North appears conciliatory. Leader Kim Jong-il says he will allow international weapons inspectors to check that nuclear facilities are out of use.
20 October: North-South Korea talks in Pyongyang are undermined by the North's nuclear program "admission". US Secretary of State Colin Powell says further US aid to North Korea is now in doubt. The North adopts a mercurial stance, at one moment defiantly defending its "right" to weapons development and at the next offering to halt nuclear program in return for aid and the signing of a non-aggression pact with the US. It argues that the US has not kept to its side of the Agreed Framework, as the construction of the light water reactors—due to be completed in 2003—is now years behind schedule.
14 November: US President George W Bush declares November oil shipments to the North will be the last if the North does not agree to put a halt to its weapons ambitions.
18 November: Confusion clouds a statement by North Korea in which it initially appears to acknowledge having nuclear weapons. A key Korean phrase understood to mean the North does have nuclear weapons could have been mistaken for the phrase "entitled to have", Seoul says.
27 November: The North accuses the US of deliberately misinterpreting its contested statement, twisting an assertion of its "right" to possess weapons into an "admission" of possession.
December: South Korean presidential election. The Grand National Party, who opposed the Sunshine Policy, made much of the North Korean situation, although it eventually lost the election.
4 December: The North rejects a call to open its nuclear facilities to inspection.
11 December: North Korean-made Scud missiles are found aboard a ship bound for Yemen. The US illegally detains the ship, but is later forced to allow the ship to go, conceding that neither country has broken any law.
12 December: The North pledges to reactivate nuclear facilities for energy generation, saying the Americans' decision to halt oil shipments leaves it with no choice. It claims the US wrecked the 1994 pact.
13 December: North Korea asks the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to remove seals and surveillance equipment – the IAEA's "eyes and ears" on the North's nuclear status—from its Yongbyon power plant.
22 December: The North begins removing monitoring devices from the Yongbyon plant.
24 December: North Korea begins repairs at the Yongbyon plant. North-South Korea talks over reopening road and rail border links, which have been struggling on despite the increased tension, finally stall.
25 December: It emerges that North Korea had begun shipping fuel rods to the Yongbyon plant which could be used to produce plutonium.
26 December: The IAEA expresses concern in the light of UN confirmation that 1,000 fuel rods have been moved to the Yongbyon reactor.
27 December: North Korea says it is expelling the two IAEA nuclear inspectors from the country. It also says it is planning to reopen a reprocessing plant, which could start producing weapons grade plutonium within months.
Phase IV
2003
2 January: South Korea asks China to use its influence with North Korea to try to reduce tension over the nuclear issue, and two days later Russia offers to press Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme.
6 January: The IAEA passes a resolution demanding that North Korea readmit UN inspectors and abandon its secret nuclear weapons programme "within weeks", or face possible action by the UN Security Council.
7 January: The US says it is "willing to talk to North Korea about how it meets its obligations to the international community". But it "will not provide quid pro quos to North Korea to live up to its existing obligations".
9 January: North Korea sends diplomats to meet with New MexicogovernorBill Richardson about the nuclear crisis;North Korea also agrees to hold cabinet-level talks with South Korea on 21 January.
10 January: North Korea announces it will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
20 January: US Secretary of State Colin Powell calls on the IAEA to refer the North Korean nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council for resolution.
21 January: Diplomatic talks commence between cabinet-level officials from both North Korea and South Korea; the North is represented by Kim Ryong Song.
24 January: Cabinet-level talks between North and South Korea end without making progress.South Korean President-elect Roh Moo-hyun proposes face-to-face meeting with Kim Jong-il.
28 January: In his annual State of the Union address, President Bush alleges North Korea is "an oppressive regime [whose] people live in fear and starvation". He accuses North Korea of deception over its nuclear ambitions and says "America and the world will not be blackmailed".
29 January: North Korea says President Bush's speech is an "undisguised declaration of aggression to topple the DPRK system" and dubs him a "shameless charlatan". At the same time, however, it reiterates its demand for bilateral talks on a non-aggression pact.
31 January: Unnamed American officials are quoted as saying that spy satellites have tracked movement at the Yongbyon plant throughout January, prompting fears that North Korea is trying to reprocess plutonium for nuclear bombs.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer delivers a stern warning that North Korea must not take "yet another provocative action... intended to intimidate and blackmail the international community".
4 February: The United States says it is considering new military deployments in the Pacific Ocean to back up its forces in South Korea, as a deterrent against any North Korean aggression that might arise in the event that the US initiated a new military campaign in Iraq.
5 February: North Korea says it has reactivated its nuclear facilities and their operations are now going ahead "on a normal footing".
6 February: North Korea warns the United States that any decision to build up its troops in the region could lead the North to make a pre-emptive attack on American forces.
12 February: The IAEA finds North Korea in breach of nuclear safeguards and refers the matter to the UN security council.
16 February: Kim Jong-il celebrates his 61st birthday, but state media warns North Korean citizens to be on "high alert".
17 February: The US and South Korea announce that they will hold joint military exercises in March.
24 February: North Korea fires a missile into the sea between South Korea and Japan.
25 February: Roh Moo-hyun sworn in as South Korean president.
2 March: Four North Korean fighter jets intercept a US reconnaissance plane in international air space and shadow it for 22 minutes.
10 March: North Korea fires a second missile into the sea between South Korea and Japan in as many weeks.
22 March: As a blistering bombing campaign pounds the Iraqi capital, and South Korean and US forces perform military exercises on its doorstep, a jumpy North denounces their "confrontational posture" and calls off talks with the South.1
1 April: The US announces that "stealth" fighters sent to South Korea for a training exercise are to stay on once the exercises end.
7 April: Ministerial talks between North and South Korea are cancelled after Pyongyang fails to confirm they would take place.
9 April: The United Nations Security Council expresses concern about North Korea's nuclear programme, but fails to condemn Pyongyang for pulling out of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
12 April: In a surprise move, North Korea signals it may be ready to end its insistence on direct talks with the US, announcing that "if the US is ready to make a bold switchover in its Korea policy for a settlement of the nuclear issue, [North Korea] will not stick to any particular dialogue format".
18 April: North Korea announces that it has started reprocessing its spent fuel rods. The statement is later amended to read that Pyongyang has been "successfully going forward to reprocess" the rods.
23 April: Talks begin in Beijing between the US and North Korea, hosted by China. The talks are led by the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian affairs, James Kelly, and the deputy director general of North Korea's American Affairs Bureau, Li Gun.
24 April: American officials say Pyongyang has told them that it now has nuclear weapons, after the first direct talks for months between the US and North Korea in Beijing end a day early.
25 April: Talks end amid mutual recrimination, after the US says North Korea had made its first admission that it possessed nuclear weapons.
28 April: US Secretary of State Colin Powell says North Korea made an offer to US officials, during the talks in Beijing, to scrap its nuclear programme in exchange for major concessions from the United States. He does not specify what those concessions are, but reports say that Pyongyang wants normalised relations with the US and economic assistance. Mr Powell says Washington is studying the offer.
5 May: North Korea demands the US respond to what it terms the "bold proposal" it made during the Beijing talks.
12 May: North Korea says it is scrapping a 1992 agreement with the South to keep the peninsula free from nuclear weapons – Pyongyang's last remaining international agreement on non-proliferation.
15 May: South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun meets US President George W Bush in Washington for talks on how to handle North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
2 June: A visiting delegation of US congressmen led by Curt Weldon says North Korean officials admitted the country had nuclear weapons and had "just about completed" reprocessing 8,000 spent fuel rods which would allow it to build more.
9 June: North Korea says publicly that it will build a nuclear deterrent, "unless the US gives up its hostile policy".
13 June: South Korea's Yonhap News Agency says North Korean officials told the US on 30 June that it had completed reprocessing the fuel rods.
18 June: North Korea says it will "put further spurs to increasing its nuclear deterrent force for self-defence".
9 July: South Korea's spy agency says North Korea has started reprocessing a "small number" of the 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods at Yongbyon.
1 August: North Korea agrees to six-way talks on its nuclear programme, South Korea confirms. The US, Japan, China and Russia will also be involved.
27–29 August: Six-nation talks in Beijing on North Korea's nuclear programme. The meeting fails to bridge the gap between Washington and Pyongyang. Delegates agree to meet again.
2 October: North Korea announces publicly it has reprocessed the spent fuel rods.
16 October: North Korea says it will "physically display" its nuclear deterrent.
30 October: North Korea agrees to resume talks on the nuclear crisis, after saying it is prepared to consider the US offer of a security guarantee in return for ending its nuclear programme.
21 November: Kedo, the international consortium formed to build 'tamper-proof' nuclear power plants in North Korea, decides to suspend the project.
9 December: North Korea offers to "freeze" its nuclear programme in return for a list of concessions from the US. It says that unless Washington agrees, it will not take part in further talks. The US rejects North Korea's offer. President George W Bush says Pyongyang must dismantle the programme altogether.
27 December: North Korea says it will take part in a new round of six-party talks on its nuclear programme in early 2004.
2004
2 January: South Korea confirms that the North has agreed to allow a group of US experts, including a top nuclear scientist, visit Yongbyon nuclear facility.
10 January: The unofficial US team visits the North's "nuclear deterrent" facility at Yongbyon.
22 January: US nuclear scientist Siegfried Hecker tells Congress that the delegates visiting Yongbyon were shown what appeared to be weapons-grade plutonium, but he did not see any evidence of a nuclear bomb.
3 February: North Korea reports that the next round of six-party talks on the nuclear crisis will be held on 25 February.
25 February: Second round of six nation talks end without breakthrough in Beijing.
23 May: The UN atomic agency is reported to be investigating allegations that North Korea secretly sent uranium to Libya when Tripoli was trying to develop nuclear weapons.
23 June: Third round of six nation talks held in Beijing, with the US making a new offer to allow North Korea fuel aid if it freezes then dismantles its nuclear programmes.
2 July: US Secretary of State Colin Powell meets the North Korean Foreign Minister, Paek Nam-sun, in the highest-level talks between the two countries since the crisis erupted.
24 July: North Korea rejects US suggestions that it follow Libya's lead and give up its nuclear ambitions, calling the US proposal a daydream.
3 August: North Korea is in the process of developing a new missile system for ships or submarines, according to a report in Jane's Defence Weekly.
23 August: North Korea describes US President George W Bush as an "imbecile" and a "tyrant that puts Hitler in the shade", in response to comments President Bush made describing the North's Kim Jong-il as a "tyrant".
12 September: Clinton Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright admits North Korean "cheating" on the Agreed Framework occurred during the "Clinton Watch."[1]
28 September: North Korea says it has turned plutonium from 8,000 spent fuel rods into nuclear weapons. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Su-hon said the weapons were needed for "self-defence" against "US nuclear threat".
2005
14 January: North Korea says it is willing to restart stalled talks on its nuclear programme, according to the official KCNA news agency. The statement says North Korea "would not stand against the US but respect and treat it as a friend unless the latter slanders the former's system and interferes in its internal affairs".
19 January: Condoleezza Rice, President George W Bush's nominee as secretary of state, identifies North Korea as one of six "outposts of tyranny" where the US must help bring freedom.
10 February: North Korea says it is suspending its participation in the talks over its nuclear programme for an "indefinite period", blaming the Bush administration's intention to "antagonise, isolate and stifle it at any cost". The statement also repeats North Korea's assertion to have built nuclear weapons for self-defence.
18 April: South Korea says North Korea has shut down its Yongbyon reactor, a move which could allow it to extract more fuel for nuclear weapons.
1 May: North Korea fires a short-range missile into the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea), on the eve of a meeting of members of the international Non-Proliferation Treaty.
11 May: North Korea says it has completed extraction of spent fuel rods from Yongbyon, as part of plans to "increase its nuclear arsenal".
16 May: North and South Korea hold their first talks in 10 months, with the North seeking fertilizer for its troubled agriculture sector.
25 May: The US suspends efforts to recover the remains of missing US servicemen in North Korea, saying restrictions placed on its work were too great.
7 June: China's envoy to the UN says he expects North Korea to rejoin the six-nation talks "in the next few weeks".
22 June: North Korea requests more food aid from the South during ministerial talks in Seoul, the first for a year.
9 July: North Korea says it will rejoin nuclear talks, as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begins a tour of the region.
12 July: South Korea offers the North huge amounts of electricity as an incentive to end its nuclear weapons programme.
25 July: Fourth round of six-nation talks begins in Beijing.
7 August: The talks reach deadlock and a recess is called.
13 September: Talks resume. North Korea requests the building of the light-water reactors promised in the Agreed Framework, but the U.S. refuses, prompting warnings of a "standoff" between the parties.
19 September: In what is initially hailed as an historic joint statement, North Korea agrees to give up all its nuclear activities and rejoin the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the US says it had no intention of attacking.
20 September: North Korea says it will not scrap its nuclear programme until it is given a civilian nuclear reactor, undermining the joint statement and throwing further talks into doubt.
7 December: A senior US diplomat brands North Korea a "criminal regime" involved in arms sales, drug trafficking and currency forgery.
20 December: North Korea says it intends to resume building nuclear reactors, because the US had pulled out of a key deal to build it two new reactors.
2006
Main article: 2006 North Korean nuclear test
12 April: A two-day meeting aimed at persuading North Korea to return to talks on its nuclear program fails to resolve the deadlock.
26 June: A report by the Institute for Science and International Security estimates that current North Korea plutonium stockpiles is sufficient for four to thirteen nuclear weapons.
3 July: Washington dismisses a threat by North Korea that it will launch a nuclear strike against the US in the event of an American attack, as a White House spokesman described the threat as "deeply hypothetical".
4 July: North Korea test-fires at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2, despite repeated warnings from the international community.
5 July: North Korea test-fires a seventh missile, despite international condemnation of its earlier launches.
6 July: North Korea announces it would continue to launch missiles, as well as "stronger steps", if other countries were to apply additional pressure as a result of the latest missile launches, claiming it to be their sovereign right to carry out these tests. A US television network also reports that they have quoted intelligence sources in saying that North Korea is readying another Taepodong-2 long-range missile for launch.
3 October: North Korea announces plans to test a nuclear weapon in the future, blaming "hostile US policy". Their full text can be read at BBC News.
5 October: A US envoy directly threatens North Korea as to the upcoming test, stating "It (North Korea) can have a future or it can have these (nuclear) weapons, it cannot have them both." The envoy also mentions that any attempt to test a nuclear device would be seen as a "highly provocative act".
6 October: The United Nations Security Council issues a statement declaring, "The Security Council urges the DPRK not to undertake such a test and to refrain from any action that might aggravate tension, to work on the resolution of non-proliferation concerns and to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through political and diplomatic efforts. Later in the day, there are unconfirmed reports of the North Korean government successfully testing a nuclear bomb."
9 October: North Korea announces that it has performed its first-ever nuclear weapon test. The country's official Korean Central News Agency said the test was performed successfully, and there was no radioactive leakage from the site. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the test was conducted at 10:36 a.m. (01:36 GMT) in Hwaderi near Kilju city, citing defense officials. The USGS detected an earthquake with a preliminary estimated magnitude of 4.2 at 41.311°N, 129.114°E . The USGS coordinate indicates that the location in much north of Hwaderi, near the upper stream of Oran-chon, 17 km NNW of Punggye-Yok, according to analysts reports. In an interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, former Secretary of StateJames Baker let it slip that North Korea “ had a rudimentary nuclear weapon way back in the days when I was Secretary of State, but now this is a more advanced one evidently.” He was Secretary of State between 1989 and 1992.
10 October: Some western scientists had doubts as to whether the nuclear weapon test that took place on 9 October 2006 was in fact successful. The scientists cite that the measurements recorded only showed an explosion equivalent to 500 metric tons of TNT, as compared to the 1998 nuclear tests that India and Pakistan conducted which were 24–50 times more powerful.This could indicate that the test resulted in a fizzle. Some also speculated that the test may be a ruse using conventional explosives and nuclear material.
14 October: The United Nations Security Council passed U.N. Resolution 1718, imposing sanctions on North Korea for its announced nuclear test on 9 October 2006 that include largely symbolic steps to hit the North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, a reiteration of financial sanctions that were already in place, as well as keeping luxury goods away from its leaders, for example French wines and spirits or jet skis. However, the sanctions do not have the full support of China and Russia. The resolution was pushed in large part by the administration of George W. Bush, whose party at the time was engaged in an important mid-term election.
27 October: Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki, based upon U.S. intelligence, announces, "We reached the conclusion that the probability that North Korea conducted a nuclear test is extremely high."[45] He continued on to admit that Japanese aircraft could not confirm the U.S. and South Korean reports.
18 December: The six-party talks resume in what is known as the fifth round, second phase. After a week of negotiations, the parties managed to reaffirm the 19 September declaration, as well as reiterate their parties' stances. For more information, see six-party talks.
2007
13 January: North Korean official Song Il-ho was reported to have told his Japanese counterpart Taku Yamasaki that whether the North Koreans conduct a second nuclear test depends on "US actions in the future".[46]
16 January: In-between-round talks between North Korea and the US are held in Berlin, Germany. Certain areas of agreement have been reached, as confirmed by both sides. North Korea claims these were bilateral negotiations; the US claims these "set the groundwork for the next round of six-party talks".[46]
26 January: On 26 January 2007, Russian chief negotiator Alexander Losyukov told reporters that the third phase was most likely to take place in late January or early February 2007, most likely 5–8 February 2007, before the Lunar New Year.[47]
10 February: Reports emanating from Washington suggest that the CIA reports in 2002 that North Korea was developing uranium enrichment technology overstated or misread the intelligence. U.S. officials are no longer making this a major issue in the six-party talks.
13 February: The fifth round of the six-party talks conclude with an agreement. Pyongyang promises to shut down the Yongbyon reactor in exchange for 50,000 metric tons of fuel aid, with more to follow upon verification that the site has been permanently disabled. IAEA inspectors will be re-admitted, and the United States will begin the process of normalizing relations with North Korea.
19 March: The sixth round of six-party talks commences in Beijing.
25 June: North Korea announces resolution of the banking dispute regarding US$25 million in DPRK assets in Macau's Banco Delta Asia.
14 July: North Korea announces it is shutting down the Yongbyon reactor after receiving 6,200 tons in South Korean fuel oil aid.
17 July: A 10-person team of IAEA inspectors confirms that North Korea has shut down its Yongbyon reactor, a step IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei said was "a good step in the right direction". On the same day, a second shipment of 7,500 tons of oil aid was dispatched from South Korea for the North Korea city of Nampo, part of the 50,000 tons North Korea is due to receive in exchange for shutting down the reactor, according to the February 13 agreement.
11–13 September: Inspectors from the United States, China and Russia conduct a site visit at Yongbyon reactor to determine ways to permanently disable the reactor. U.S. delegation leader, Sung Kim, declared they "saw everything they had asked to see," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
2008
25 February: CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour toured North Korea's nuclear plant. CNN was one of only two U.S. news organizations at the facility.
10 May: Sung Kim, the U.S. State Department's top Korea specialist, returned to South Korea by land across the heavily fortified border after collecting approximately 18,000 secret papers of Yongbyon nuclear reactor activities during a three-day visit to Pyongyang.
26 June: North Korea hands over 60 pages of documents detailing its capabilities in nuclear power and nuclear weapons
27 June: North Korea destroys a cooling tower at Yongbyon's main atomic reactor.
11 October: The US removes North Korea from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
2009
5 April: North Korea's launch of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 satellite, intended to broadcast "immortal revolutionary songs," ends in failure.
14 April: Following a UN resolution denouncing its missile launch, North Korea says that it "will never again take part in such [six party] talks and will not be bound by any agreement reached at the talks." North Korea expelled nuclear inspectors from the country and also informed the IAEA that they would resume their nuclear weapons program.
25 April: North Korea says it has reactivated its nuclear facilities.
25 May: North Korea tests its second nuclear device.
2012
April: North Korea prepares to test its third nuclear device.
13 April: North Korea's launch of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite which fails shortly after launch. It is intended to mark the centenary of Kim Il Sung's 100th birthday and the satellite will estimate crop yields and collect weather data as well as assess the country's forest coverage and natural resources.
12 December: North Korea's launch of its Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 satellite that is meant to replace the failed Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 satellite, and became the 10th space power that is capable of putting satellites in orbit using its own launch vehicles. The launch came during the period when the DPRK was commemorating the first anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-il and just before the first South Korean domestic launch of a satellite and the South Korean presidential election on 19 December 2012.
2013
5 February: South Korea's President warned that North Korea could be planning "multiple nuclear tests at two places or more".
12 February: North Korea tests its third nuclear device.
March–April: North Korea crisis (2013)
2015
20 May: North Korea claims to have nuclear weapons capable of hitting the United States.
December: In early December, North Korea leader Kim Jong-un claimed that the country was prepared to detonate a hydrogen bomb, however significant doubts surround the claim.
2016
6 January: North Korea conducts its fourth nuclear test. Although the government claims it to be its first hydrogen bomb,the claim was met with significant skepticism.
6 July: A high-level DPRK Government spokesman’s statement was made defining a more precise meaning of "denuclearization", as covering the whole Korean peninsula and its vicinity, signalling a willingness to continue negotiations on the topic.
9 September: North Korea conducts its fifth underground nuclear test. With an estimate yield of over 10kt, it would make it the most powerful North Korean nuclear test thus far.
26 October: United States Director of National IntelligenceJames Clapper said during a speech that persuading North Korea to abandon its program is "probably a lost cause" since, to North Korea, it was "their ticket to survival" and any discussions about ending their nuclear ambitions would be a "non-starter".
2017
6 March: North Korea launched four ballistic missiles, three of which landed 200 miles off Japan’s coastline. Supreme leader Kim Jong-un promised that the country will eventually have nuclear-armed, intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the continental United States, thus challenging the Trump Administration of the United States to review its policy options, including preemptive strikes or further isolation of the North Korean economy.
15 April: at the yearly major public holiday Day of the Sun, North Korea staged a massive military parade to commemorate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung, the country’s founder and grandfather of current leader, Kim Jong-un. The parade took place amid hot speculation in the United States, Japan, and South Korea that the country would look to also potentially test a sixth nuclear device, which it did not do.
3 September: At 3:31 AM UTC, the United States Geological Survey reported that it had detected a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in North Korea near the Punggye-ri test site. Given the shallow depth of the quake and its proximity to North Korea's primary nuclear weapons testing facility, experts concluded that the country had conducted a sixth nuclear weapon test (2017 North Korean nuclear test). North Korea claimed that they had tested a hydrogen bomb capable of being mounted on an ICBM. The independent seismic monitoring agency NORSAR initially estimated that the blast had a yield of around 120 kilotons but subsequently revised to 250 kilotons of TNT (1,000 TJ) based on a tremor of 6.1M. According to State TV, USGS reported 6.3M.
According to 38 North exclusive with analysis by Frank V. Pabian, Joseph S. According to Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu, On April 21, 2018 the state-run Korean Central News Agency (c), quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying,
“under the proven condition of complete nuclear weapons, we no longer need any nuclear tests, mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests, and that the nuclear test site in northern area has also completed its mission.”
Commercial satellite imagery of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from April 20, the day before the site’s closure was announced, shows some unusual activity. Most notably, approximately one dozen mining carts—at least eight connected in a long train—could be observed in an unusual arrangement on the spoil pile in the area closest to the West Portal. It is too early to conclude whether this display is related to Kim Jong Un’s announcement.
Satellite Surveillance Detects Unusual Activity At North Korean Nuclear Site!lite
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Gibbons, S.J.,Pabian, F., Näsholm, S.P., Kværna, T. and Mykkeltveit, S., 2017. Accurate relative location estimates for the North Korean nuclear tests using empirical slowness corrections, Geophys. J. Int., 208, 1, 101-117, DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggw379
Gitterman, Y., Kim, S.G. and Hofstetter, R., 2016. Spectral Modulation Effect in Teleseismic P-waves from North Korean Nuclear Tests Recorded in Broad Azimuthal Range and Possible Source Depth Estimation, Pure appl. Geophys., 173, 4, 1157-1174, DOI: 10.1007/s00024-015-1169-8
Zhang, X. and Tang, L., 2015. Traveling ionospheric disturbances triggered by the 2009 North Korean underground nuclear explosion, Ann. Geophys., 33, 1, 137-142, DOI: 10.5194/angeo-33-137-2015
Ford, S.R. and Walter, W.R., 2015. International Monitoring System Correlation Detection at the North Korean Nuclear Test Site at Punggye‐ri with Insights from the Source Physics Experiment, Seismol. Res. Lett., 86, 4, 1160-1170, DOI: 10.1785/0220150029
Napoli, V.J., Russell, D.R. and Bonner, J.L., 2015. A unified Love‐ and Rayleigh‐wave magnitude for improved discrimination between earthquakes and explosions with application in the Korean Peninsula, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 105, 4, 2235-2241, DOI: 10.1785/0120140255
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Patton, H.J. and Pabian, F.V., 2014. Comment on “Advanced Seismic Analyses of the Source Characteristics of the 2006 and 2009 North Korean Nuclear Tests” by J. R. Murphy, J. L. Stevens, B. C. Kohl, and T. J. Bennett, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 104, 4, 2104-2110, DOI: 10.1785/0120130262
Murphy, J.R., Stevens, J.L., Kohl, B.C. and Bennett, T.J., 2014. Reply to “Comment on ‘Advanced Seismic Analyses of the Source Characteristics of the 2006 and 2009 North Korean Nuclear Tests’ by J. R. Murphy, J. L. Stevens, B. C. Kohl, and T. J. Bennett” by H. J. Patton and F. V. Pabian, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 104, 4, 2111-2115, DOI: 10.1785/0120140057
Che, I.Y., Park, J., Kim, I., Kim, T.S. and Lee, H.I., 2014. Infrasound signals from the underground nuclear explosions of North Korea, Geophys. J. Int., 198, 1, 495-503, DOI: 10.1093/gji/ggu150
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Murphy, J.R., Stevens, J.L., Kohl, B.C. and Bennett, T.J., 2013. Advanced Seismic Analyses of the Source Characteristics of the 2006 and 2009 North Korean Nuclear Tests, Bull. seism. Soc. Am., 103, 3, 1640-1661, DOI: 10.1785/0120120194
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Sources: FAS (Federation of American Scientists), Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, CNN, Fox, web archive. google, War and S tate Terrorism, 38 North, Washington Post, nukestarat.com, BBC, AFP IAEA, Newyork times, UN, Fox news, ABC News, Reuters, Yahoo. Wikipedia, Youtube DOD news, RT, News Trust, Bing, Yonhap News, USA Today, Satellite, Earthquake-Report, Google, Moxnews catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, April 24, 2018, Rev April 26, 2018
Breaking News - North Korea Freezes Immediately Its Ballistic Missile Launch, Announced by DPRK Leader Kim Jong-Un
Published on Apr 21, 2018
Youtube Mania,VOA NEWS, FOX NEWS, REUTERS TV: Breaking News - North Korea Freezes Immediately Its Ballistic Missile Launch, Announced Kim Jong-Un
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has announced the country will stop conducting nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles starting April 21, and shut down a nuclear test site in the north side of the country, through a broadcast on the state news agency KCNA reports, and President Trump announced in a tweet, later adding quotes from the message.
A message from Kim Jong Un: “North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles.”
Also will “Shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear tests.” Progress being made for all!
President Trump welcomes North Korea's decision, calling it "very good news" and big progress
;
Apr 21, 2018, Park Ji-won, Arirang News reported that As North Korea's surprise announcement filtered out, U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to welcome the news.
About an hour after the news broke, President Trump tweeted his response, saying "North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site. This is very good news for North Korea and the World - big progress "
He added that he looks forward to his summit talks with the North Korean leader.
Trump sent another tweet about five hours after his first, explaining Pyongyang's announcement in detail, "North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missile. And it will also shut down a nuclear test site in the country's Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear test." He added "Progress being made for all."
China also welcomed North Korea's move to halt its nuclear and missile tests, and to focus on developing its economy for the sake of the North Korean people.
In a statement Saturday, Beijing's foreign ministry said North Korea's decision would help achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and would help to further ease tensions in the region.
The statement added that China will play a role in supporting North Korea and other relevant parties to improve their relations through dialogue and consultation.
China also urged all relevant countries to cooperate in achieving lasting peace.
In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe labeled the North's decision as "forward motion,..." adding that he welcomed such moves. But he stressed the North's denuclearization has to be complete, verifiable and irreversible, adding that Japan will keep a close eye on the situation.
;
At Punggye-ri, 6 tests were given in Kilju county which is located in north Hamgyong province.
The site has three visible tunnel entrances. Based on satellite imagery, its exact location is 41°16′47.87″N 129°5′10.51″E in mountainous terrain in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province.
It is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Mantapsan, 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Hwasong concentration camp and 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of the Punggye-ri village. The most proximate settlement to the possible nuclear underground test site is Chik-tong, a small populated place located at 41°16′00″N 129°06′00″E.
Sungjibaegam is a settlement located 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the tremor of the 2013 test.[5]Punggye-ri railway station is located at 41.130833°N 129.163611°E.
The site has three visible tunnel entrances. Based on satellite imagery, its exact location is 41°16′47.87″N 129°5′10.51″E in mountainous terrain in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province.
It is 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Mantapsan, 2 km (1.2 mi) west of Hwasong concentration camp and 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of the Punggye-ri village. The most proximate settlement to the possible nuclear underground test site is Chik-tong, a small populated place located at 41°16′00″N 129°06′00″E.
Sungjibaegam is a settlement located 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the tremor of the 2013 test.[5]Punggye-ri railway station is located at 41.130833°N 129.163611°E.
Here is the timeline for Missile tests from North Korea:
A UN Security Council sanctions committee report stated that North Korea operates an international smuggling network for nuclear and ballistic missile technology, including to Myanmar (Burma), Syria, and Iran.
North Korea is a signatory to the Geneva Protocol, which prohibits the use of chemical weapons in warfare.[ North Korea is also a signatory to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).Although the nation has signed the BWC, it "has failed to provide a BWC Confidence-Building Measure declaration since 1990." North Korea is not a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It is one of four countries that have not ratified the CWC (the others are Israel, Egypt, and South Sudan).
North Korea has refused to acknowledge possessing chemical weapons, as called for by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, passed in 2006,
After the 2010 bombardment of Yeonpyeong (in which North Korea attacked Yeonpyeong Island with conventional weapons, killing a number of civilians), the National Emergency Management Agency of South Korea distributed 1,300 gas masks to South Koreans living in the western border (a flashpoint for conflict); the agency also distributed another 610,000 gas masks to members of the South Korean civil defense corps, which numbers 3.93 million. The agency also announced the renovation of underground emergency shelters.[ Gas masks are effective against some chemical agents, but not against blister agents such as mustard gas, Lewisite, and Phosgene oxime, which North Korea is thought to have in its stockpiles.
In October 2013, South Korea and the United States "agreed to build a joint surveillance system to detect biochemical agents along the demilitarized zone" and to share information,
Also in 2015, Melissa Hanham of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies released an analysis of photo of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un visiting the Pyongyang Bio-technical Institute, a factory supposedly for the production of bacillus thuringiensis of use in pesticides.
Hanham's analysis concluded that the factory actually produces weaponizedanthrax.Hanham noted that pesticide production factories are "an old and well-used cover for a biological weapons program" and an example of dual-use technology.
A number of other experts agreed that "the photos most likely show an operational biological weapons facility. The North Korean government denied the allegations; an official spokesperson for the National Defence Commission, through the official Korean Central News Agency, challenged the U.S. Congress to inspect the Institute and "behold the awe-inspiring sight of the Pyongyang Bio-technical Institute."
North Korea possesses various types of chemical weapons, including nerve, blister, blood, and vomiting agents, as well as some biological weapons, including anthrax, smallpox, and cholera.
In 2017, Kim Jong-nam, the estranged elder half-brother of Kim Jong-un, was assassinated with VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia by suspected North Korean agents.
However, Good News is North Korea will not testing missiles and nuclear test instead they are seeking to live normal and peace and prosperity for their own people if this is truth like what they say.....President Trump and the world will bless and support DPRK towards prosperity.... even if many are skeptical although there are a lot to work with verifiable, irreversible even irrevocable which until it's safe for human and for the earth.
Sources: Wikipedia, CNN, Fox News, VOA, Youtube Mania, Arirang News, Rodong News, REUTERS TV
US - Japan Summit demands Complete DPRK Denuclearization
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Abe of Japan in Joint Press Conference
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 18, 2018
Mar-a-Lago
Palm Beach, Florida
6:16 P.M. EDT
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. I want to begin today by expressing my deep condolences to the entire Bush family on the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush, a wonderful, wonderful person. For decades, Barbara was a titan in American life. Her presence and character were engraved into America’s identity.
Her strength and toughness really embodied the spirit of our country. And her warmth and devotion earned the admiration of an entire nation and, indeed, the entire world. She was a tireless champion for literacy. She was a fierce advocate for the American family. And she was a woman of proud patriotism and profound faith.
Our hearts are saddened by her passing, but our spirits are lifted by the memories of her goodness and her grace. She was a good person.
Melania and I send our prayers to Barbara’s husband of 73 years — I’ll never beat that record — President George H.W. Bush; to the surviving children — Jeb, and Neil, and Marvin, Dorothy, and former President George W. Bush; and to their many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
This evening, I also want to send a message to all of the brave service members from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom who were involved in the very successful strikes on targets associated with the Syrian chemical weapons program last week. Once again, the unmatched skill of the United States military, and our great partners and allies, was demonstrated to the entire world. Missiles were shot. They tried to knock them down; they weren’t in the least successful. They hit none.
The purpose of our strike was to establish a strong deterrent against the use of banned chemical weapons. Civilized nations must join together to prevent the horrors of chemical warfare and, in fact, warfare. And I think our allies really were absolutely world-class, wonderful. We thank them for their support.
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by my good friend, Prime Minister Abe of Japan. Highly respected gentleman. Prime Minister, Melania and I are honored to host you and Mrs. Abe once again at Mar-a-Lago. We’re grateful for the tremendous hospitality you showed us during our visit to your country last fall. It was a true privilege to be welcomed to the magnificent land of Japan, or as I’ve heard all my life, the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s true. So great.
During our visit to Asia in November, we had tremendous success enlisting support for our campaign of maximum pressure on the North Korean regime. As you know, I will be meeting with Kim Jong-un in the coming weeks to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Hopefully, that meeting will be a great success. And we’re looking forward to it. It would be a tremendous thing for North Korea and a tremendous thing for the world. So we will be doing everything possible to make it a worldwide success, not just for the United States or South Korea or North Korea or Japan, but for the entire world.
We hope to see the day when the whole Korean Peninsula can live together in safety, prosperity, and peace. This is the destiny of the Korean people who deserve and have gone through so much over the years. We hope it all works out, and we’ll be trying very hard.
I want to thank the Prime Minister for his insight and support over the past year as we have pursued the dream of a peaceful, nuclear-free Korea. Shinzo, you have worked very hard, along with us and all of our people, and we thank you very much. And we’re with you. And you’re a lot closer than we are, but we’re working on this together. Thank you very much. Your support has been critical to getting us to this important moment in time. It’s a historic moment, and possibly beyond that, if it works out properly.
Our discussions today reaffirmed the close cooperation between the United States and Japan on the issue of North Korea and our common defense.
We will not repeat the mistakes of previous administrations. Our campaign of maximum pressure will continue until North Korea denuclearizes. We have great respect for many aspects of what they’re doing, but we have to get it together. We have to end nuclear weapons, ideally in all parts of the world. That would be a goal for all of us, to hope for and to cherish.
As I’ve said before, there is a bright path available to North Korea when it achieves denuclearization in a complete and verifiable, and irreversible way. It will be a great day for them. It will be great day for the world.
During my visit to Japan last fall, I met with Japanese families who endured the terrible heartbreak of having their loved ones abducted by the North Korean regime. We want to see these families reunited as soon as possible. And I know for a fact that it’s one of the truly most important things on Shinzo’s mind. We talk about it often. So important to you. And we’re going to do everything possible to have them brought back, and bring them back to Japan. I gave you that promise.
The United States also supports Japan’s efforts to improve its defense capabilities, and we’re exploring ways to expedite the sale of American military equipment to Japan through the Foreign Military Sales program.
We’ve stepped up our effort not only with respect to Japan, but other allies, that when they order military equipment from us, we will get it taken care of and they will get their equipment rapidly. It would be, in some cases, years before orders would take place because of bureaucracy with Department of Defense, State Department. We are short-circuiting that. It’s now going to be a matter of days. If they’re our allies, we are going to help them get this very important, great military equipment. And nobody — nobody — makes it like the United States. It’s the best in the world by far.
We’re also working to improve our economic partnership by reducing our trade imbalance and removing barriers to U.S. exports. The United States is committed to free, fair, and reciprocal — very important word — trade. And we’re committed to pursuing a bilateral trading relationship that benefits both of our great countries.
Prime Minister Abe and I have agreed to intensify our trade and investment consultations. Ambassador Lighthizer, who’s with us today, will take the lead for the United States.
These past two days have been extremely productive. The friendship between Japan and the United States has never been closer. I truly believe it has never been closer than it is today. And the bonds between our people have never been stronger.
In the months ahead, we will rely on this great friendship as we face an array of old challenges and new opportunities, and we will face them together. We will work closely on trade. We will do something having to do with the imbalance that, frankly, should have been done for years and years and years.
Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you again for traveling to Mar-a-Lago for these important discussions and meetings. It’s been a true honor to welcome you here and to work with you toward greater security, prosperity, and peace for our two truly great and wonderful nations. And thank you for being here, Shinzo. Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Mrs. Barbara Bush, the former First Lady, she has passed away. On representing the Japanese people, I would like to express my condolences to former President Bush and to all the family members. We express our heartfelt condolences.
For the infinitely blue sky, refreshing and a soothing sea breeze, it was a great pleasure to be invited once again to this beautiful Mar-a-Lago and in a relaxed atmosphere to spend significant length of time with President Trump to engage in fruitful discussion in a frank and straightforward manner.
About a year ago at this place, at the very moment I was at dinner with President Trump, North Korea dared to launch ballistic missiles. It is absolutely intolerable. Immediately after I said so, President Trump stepped forward in front of the camera, though it was not planned, and made one following comment: The U.S. is with our ally, Japan, 100 percent. The President sent out a message of powerful commitment to the world.
Donald, your words on that occasion is still deeply etched in my mind, together with my wonderful memory of my stay here in Mar-a-Lago. With one single comment, you demonstrated a rather superbly strong Japan-U.S. alliance, which has a history of longer than half a century.
And once again express my deepest respect for your remarkable leadership. A year also has passed since then. The situation surrounding North Korea, due to the decisive decision by President Trump on the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit, is at a historical turning point. The past mistakes should never be repeated. On this point, President Trump and I were in full agreement.
On the occasion of the 1994 framework agreement or the 2005 Six-Party Talks agreement, North Korea committed to abandon nuclear weapons development. But those promises were broken, and the effort of the international community to engage in dialogue were all entirely exploited to buy time to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.
Based on such lessons learned, both the U.S. and Japan, together with the international community, we will demand that for all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles complete a verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles to North Korea.
By envisioning multiple scenarios, we carefully thought out our policies and directions at a concrete and detailed level. Just because North Korea is responding to dialogue, there should be no reward. Maximum pressure should be maintained, and actual implementation of concrete actions towards denuclearization will be demanded. This firm policy has once again been completely shared between us.
On this occasion, we also agree to continue our effort towards the earlier resolution of the top priority matter of abduction. Just now, President Trump, on this spot here, has mentioned that with the return of the abductees, maximum effort will be made. With a clear promise just made here, we are deeply encouraged, Donald.
Half a year ago, when you visited our country, you listened intently to each and every family members of the abductees. You listened carefully and kindly said you would like to help. Your image on that occasion is indelibly etched in the eyes and minds of many of the Japanese people. Going forward, we wish to work closely with the United States and towards the immediate return of all abductees. We are determined to strengthen our approach vis-à-vis North Korea.
North Korea has diligent workforce and is blessed with resources. If North Korea advances in the right direction, they can make their populations richer. If North Korea takes the right path under the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, there could be a possible path to settle the unfortunate past and to normalize diplomatic relationship.
For that to happen, a comprehensive resolution of multiple concerns — including abduction, nuclear, and missile — will be the fundamental precondition. Through the upcoming historic U.S.-North Korea summit, we certainly hope for a breakthrough in this situation.
The Japan-U.S. alliance is not just limited to the sphere of security, but it also contributes to the peace and prosperity of the world, as well as the region. On the economic front, Japan and the U.S. will take a lead and develop a free and fair market in the Indo-Pacific region.
I spent some time with President Trump to discuss ways to make that happen in a candid manner. First of all, we must further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. Under President Trump, exports from the U.S. — including energy, aircraft, amongst others — have already been increasing significantly. Further, following the bold tax reform by President Trump, Japanese companies’ investments in the U.S. have been gaining momentum, which is creating a large number of jobs in the U.S. and contributing to the expansion of the exports from the U.S.
In order to benefit both Japan and the U.S., we’ll further expand trade and investment between the two countries. Building upon that foundation, we’ll aim to realize economic development in the free and open Indo-Pacific region based on fair rules. To make that happen, at this time, President Trump and I agreed to start talks for free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals.
And Minister Motegi will be responsible for these talks on the side of Japan. Minister Motegi and the U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer, I hope, will have very fruitful discussions.
Over the last two days, President Trump and I have spent more than seven hours together over meals and playing golf, while at the same time, we were able to hold extremely fulfilling talks in a relaxing atmosphere. The last few days were the time when I was able to further deepen my friendship and relationship of trust with President Trump.
Lastly, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to Donald and First Lady Melania for their wonderful hospitality, as well as the continued warmhearted welcome of the people of the United States. Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much, Shinzo. Appreciate it.
Questions. Mark Landler? Mark.
Q Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. Prime Minister, nice to see you again.
Mr. President, you sent your CIA Director to Pyongyang a couple of weeks ago, and he returned without three Americans who are being detained there, and also without any other visible signs of concessions the North Koreans had made to the United States in advance of your meeting with Mr. Kim.
My question is: Do you intend or are you willing to sit down with Kim Jong-un if Americans are still being held in North Korea? And will you insist on other tangible concessions from the North Koreans in return for gestures like sending a potential future Secretary of State to North Korea?
And for the Prime Minister, if I may — you, a moment ago, alluded to new trade talks between your minister and Mr. Lighthizer. Should we interpret that to mean that you are now open to negotiating a bilateral trade deal between the United States and Japan?
And then, a second question. Japan is the only major American ally that was not exempted from the steel tariffs. Did you ask the President to exempt Japan? And if so, how did he reply?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you, Mark, very much. The fact is that they do have three prisoners. We have been talking about them. We are negotiating now. We are doing our very best. As you know, they’ve been there a long time and it’s harsh treatment. We fought very hard to get Otto Warmbier back. And when we came back, he was in very, very bad condition. It was a very sad event.
We are likewise fighting very diligently to get the three American citizens back. I think there’s a good chance of doing it. We’re having very good dialogue. We will keep you informed. But we are in there and we are working very hard on that.
We have come a long way with North Korea. We were, as you know — and when I say “we”, for many years, they’ve been talking to North Korea and nothing has happened. This should have been taken care of by past administrations when they were not nearly so far along. But we put unbelievably powerful sanctions on, and many other things.
I want to thank publicly President Xi of China, who has done more for us than he’s done for any other administration, or than any leader of China has done for any President or administration. He has clogged up the border, as you know, and he’s done it very, very powerfully. He would tell you himself that he never thought he would go to this extent, and I appreciate that very much. But it’s put a lot of pressure on.
As you know, 93 percent of the goods coming into North Korea come in from China. And President Xi understands that this is a very important set of months that are lying ahead. He doesn’t want to see a Korea — North Korea, or any Korea — that has nuclear weapons either. So he’s also fighting for China when it comes to this. But he has been terrific.
Can he be better? I always say yes, he can be better. I said, “President, you’ve been great. Can you be better? Yes.” But he’s been very good, and it’s had a big impact. And what we’ve done has had a big impact.
So we’ve never been in a position like this with that regime, whether it’s father, grandfather, or son. And I hope to have a very successful meeting. If we don’t think it’s going to be successful, Mark, we won’t have it. We won’t have it. If I think that it’s a meeting that is not going to be fruitful, we’re not going to go. If the meeting, when I’m there, is not fruitful, I will respectfully leave the meeting, and we’ll continue what we’re doing or whatever it is that we’ll continue. But something will happen.
So I like always remaining flexible, and we’ll remain flexible here. I’ve gotten it to this point. President Moon of South Korea was very generous when he said, if it weren’t for Donald Trump, the Olympics would have been a total failure. It was my involvement and the involvement of our great country that made the Olympics a very successful Olympics. If you look at ticket sales prior to what took place with respect to North Korea, it was going to be a big problem, and it turned out to be a very successful Olympics.
So we’ve gotten us here, and I think we’re going to be successful. But if for any reason I feel we’re not, we end. Okay? Thank you, Mark.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Between President Trump and myself, for benefitting both Japan and the U.S., we have expanded the investment and trade based on the foundation — open and fair economic development in the Indo-Pacific region. We have agreed to start talks for free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals at this time.
As for Section 232, Japanese steel and aluminum would not exert any negative influence on the U.S. security. Rather, it’s a position that the quality of Japanese product is high. Many of those products are difficult to be replaced with, and they are greatly contributing to the U.S. industries and employment. So recognizing that, we’d like to continue to respond to this matter going forward.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I will add that the 232, having to do with aluminum and steel tariffs — 30 percent, in one case; 25 percent and 10 percent — that it’s got us to the bargaining table with many nations, and, in other cases, they’re paying. And it’s billions of dollars coming into the coffers of the United States. So they’ve been, actually, very important.
If you look at what we did with solar panels, where we put 30 percent tariffs on, we had 32 companies opened with pretty new plants, because it’s a relatively new industry. Of the 32 plants, 30 were closed and 2 were not doing well. Since putting the tariffs on, the two are doing very well, seven or eight are going to be opening, and a lot more will open.
Same thing with washing machines. We were, believe it not, having washing machines dumped all over the country. We put tariffs on, and we’re now opening up and expanding companies that create and make — which is actually a very big business — washing machines and dryers.
So the workers of our country know what’s happening. We have companies moving up from Mexico — automobile companies — and they’re building new plants in Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and expanding their plants. A lot of things are happening. Our country is doing very, very well. And it’s going to continue. It’s going to continue. A lot of great momentum.
If you look at any chart, the enthusiasm for business in our country is at an all-time high. And unemployment — for African American workers, for Hispanic workers, unemployment is at an all-time low. In history — in the history of our country, it’s at the lowest point. If you look at unemployment for women, it’s at an 18-year low. So we’re very proud of our achievements.
And starting know, as you see, over the last few weeks, the tax cuts are kicking in. And it’s a beautiful thing to see. And people are spending money where they didn’t have the money to spend previously. So we’re very happy with that.
Shinzo, please.
Q (As interpreted.) I’m (inaudible). I’d like to ask a question about how to handle North Korean issues. Prime Minister Abe, the coordination for holding summits between the South Korea and North Korea, as well between the U.S. and North Korea, is underway. There is a concern in Japan that Japan may be left behind. So how are you going to proceed with dialogue with North Korea?
President Trump, you talked about the abduction issue. Are you going to consider the nuclear weapons disarmament the same level as abduction issue?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, maybe I’ll go first. Abduction is a very important issue for me because it’s very important to your Prime Minister. I will tell you that we were having dinner last night, and he started talking about abduction and how horrible it was. And his level of enthusiasm was unbelievable. And I said to him right then and there last night at the table, I said we will work very hard on that issue, and we will try and bring those folks back home. Very, very hard.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Whether Japan will be left behind, that is not at all the case. In the last two days, together with President Trump, we have spoken about North Korea. There will be the inter-Korean talks, and a U.S.-North Korea summit is planned. We have gone into really in-depth discussion. About our policy and direction, we have reached agreement.
Regarding the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit, we hope that it will lead to the resolution of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear missile, and of course, more than anything else, we hope it will be a historic summit that will lead to the resolution of abduction. And for that purpose, I have seriously and thoroughly discussed it with President Trump, and we have fully agreed about our direction going forward, in particular regarding abduction. As Donald has explained in our tête-à-tête, we have thoroughly discussed about this matter.
Last year, the President met with the victims of the abduction, as well as the family members. And the families’ feelings have been strongly felt and understood by the President, and he has given a very encouraging comment that he would appeal towards the resolution. I highly appreciate this encouraging comment. This gives us huge courage — a very encouraging comment. And for the families of the abductees, again, this is a massively, powerfully encouraging comment.
And, therefore, going forward between Japan and the U.S., or between the trilateral of Japan, U.S., and South Korea, we will cooperate closely and do our utmost to resolve the issues of North Korea, including abduction, nuclear, and missile.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: And we will be very loyal to Japan. Thank you.
Jennifer Jacobs.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. On the Mueller probe, have you concluded that it’s not worth the political fallout to remove either Special Counsel Mueller or Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein?
And, Prime Minister Abe, did the President ask you to provide more funding for U.S. troops in Japan? And what agreement did you reach here in Florida on buying more military equipment from the U.S.?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Jennifer, I can say this — that there was no collusion, and that’s been so found, as you know, by the House Intelligence Committee. There’s no collusion. There was no collusion with Russia, other than by the Democrats — or, as I call them, the “obstuctionists,” because they truly are obstructionists.
So we are giving tremendous amounts of paper. This was a — really a hoax created largely by the Democrats as a way of softening the blow of a loss, which is a loss that, frankly, they shouldn’t have had from the standpoint that it’s very easy for them. They have a tremendous advantage in the Electoral College. And this is what it is, and this is where it came from.
You look at the kind of money that was paid. Probably some went to Russia. You look at Podesta having a company in Russia where nothing happened and people don’t talk about it. You look at the fact that their server — the DNC server — was never gotten by the FBI. Why didn’t the FBI take it? The FBI takes what they want. They go in; they wouldn’t get the server.
This is a hoax. As far as the investigation, nobody has ever been more transparent than I have instructed our lawyers — “Be totally transparent.” I believe we’ve given them 1.4 million pages of documents, if you can believe this. And haven’t used — that I know of, or for the most part — presidential powers or privilege.
So we are hopefully coming to the end. It is a bad thing for our country — very, very bad thing for our country. But there has been no collusion. They won’t find any collusion. It doesn’t exist.
As far as the two gentlemen you told me about, they’ve been saying I’m going to get rid of them for the last three months, four months, five months. And they’re still here. So we want to get the investigation over with, done with, put it behind us. And we have to get back to business with negotiating with this gentleman and plenty of others. But this gentleman is a very tough negotiator, and we have to focus on that.
Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) Regarding the U.S. forces expenses, of the U.S. forces in Japan, the safety and security of Japan, and the peace and stability of the Far East is being maintained.
And for the forward deployment strategy of the United States in the Asia Pacific — in terms of the presence, their presence in Japan is very meaningful and significant. In the case of Japan, across the world, in terms of paying for the expenses, Japan accounts for the largest percentage of stationing compared to other countries. And the President understands very well.
Q I’m Taketa (ph) with Sankei News. I have a question for President Trump. This is the follow-up question for 232. So you don’t have any intention to exempt Japan at this point in time? And President Trump and Prime Minister Abe, with regard to trade, you are going to establish new talks for trade. Is it going to be in the direction of FTA or TPP? So I’d like to hear the views from both of you.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) So at this time, between President Trump, talks for free, fair, and reciprocal trade deals to initiate that has been agreed. As for this talk, Minister Motegi and Ambassador Lighthizer, USTR, will be the representative. And Mr. Asō and Vice President Pence, the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue where they will be receiving the report of these talks.
As for these talks, I thought that it would be the interest of both of the countries that the investment and trade between the two countries will be expanded. And we are going to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific economic growth.
So on the U.S. side, that they are interested in a bilateral deal, we are aware of that. But at any rate, our country’s position is that TPP is the best for both of the countries. And based on that position, we shall be dealing with the talks.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. The United States has a massive trade deficit with Japan. It’s anywhere from $69 billion to $100 billion a year. That’s massive by any standpoint. We are doing 232 on steel and aluminum. And if we can come to an arrangement on a new deal between the United States and Japan, that would certainly be something we would discuss — aluminum tariffs and steel tariffs. And I would look forward to being able to, at some point in the future, take them off.
But right now we have a deficit that’s a minimum of $69 billion a year. Japan sends us millions and millions of cars, and we tax them virtually not at all. And we don’t send so much product because we have trade barriers and lots of other things. So these are the things that the Prime Minister and I are going to be discussing over the next short period of time.
The media has not covered the TPP correctly. I don’t want to go back into TPP, but if they offered us a deal that I can’t refuse, on behalf of the United States, I would do it. But I like bilateral. I think it’s better for our country. I think it’s better for our workers. And I much would prefer a bilateral deal, a deal directly with Japan. We already have a deal with 6 of the 11 nations in the TPP. So we already have trade deals, and the others we can make very easily. They’re all calling wanting to make a deal. But we think that’s much better for us.
So unless they offer us a deal that we cannot refuse, I would not go back into TPP. We’ll see what happens. But in the meantime, we’re negotiating. And what I really prefer is negotiating a one-on-one deal with Japan. And that’s where we are right now, and I will say that the representatives who are sitting right here are extraordinarily competent and very tough — those representing Japan. And we will hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, have a very good deal — good for Japan and good for the United States. Okay?
Thank you all very much. We appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER ABE: Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much, Shinzo.
Q Anything sanctions on Russia, sir?
Q Why no sanctions on Russia, sir?
Q Mr. President, why did you delay the sanctions on Russia?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Yeah, we’ll do sanctions. As soon as they very much deserve it, we will have — that is a question. There has been nobody tougher on Russia than President Donald Trump. Between building up the military, between creating tremendous vast amounts of oil. We raised billions and billions of dollars extra in NATO. We had a very, very severe — we were talking about it a little while — fight in Syria recently, a month ago, between our troops and Russian troops, and that’s very sad. But many people died in that fight. There has been nobody tougher than me.
With the media, no matter what I did, it’s never tough enough because that’s their narrative. But Russia will tell you, there has been nobody tougher than Donald Trump. And then, the other night, we had a strike in Syria, which was absolute precision.
I leave it with this, with all of that said: If we can get along with China, and if we can get along with Russia, and if we can get along with Japan and other nations, that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. Just remember that. If we got along with other nations, that’s good, not bad.
Thank you very much everybody.
END
6:55 P.M. EDT
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According to Arirang News, Dated April 19th, 2018, Won Jung-hwan reported that Tomorrow, the two Koreas will be establishing a hotline between the office of the leaders of both sides.
The presidential office of Cheong WaDae announced on Thursday that Seoul and Pyongyang will be establishing a direct line of communication on Friday.
"The end of the hotline will be at the South Korean presidential office and on the North Korean side it'll be at the State Affairs Commission, an executive body headed by Kim Jong-un."
Cheong WaDae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom during a press briefing on Thursday said working-level officials from the two sides will conduct a trial call before connecting the line on Friday.
The two Koreas agreed that President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will hold phone talks prior the summit. However, the date for the phone talks has not been set yet.
The top office also announced six key aides who will accompany President Moon at the inter-Korean summit next week.
They are Chief Secretary ImJong-seok, National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong, National Intelligence Service Chief SuhHoon, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon, Defense Minister Song Young-moo, and Foreign Affairs Minister Kang Kyung-wha.
The spokesperson, however, pointed out that who will sit at the actual summit table will depend on the number of aides accompanying Kim Jong-un.
As for the summit venue, the top office said the Peace House at the truce village of Panmunjom underwent a renovation of facilities, which started on April 6. The final touches, expected to be finalized this week, include installation of carpets and hanging of paintings.
Cheong WaDae will have two situation rooms set up by next Tuesday -- one at the truce village of Panmunjom and the other at the main press center located in the KINTEX exhibition and convention center in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province, some 30 km south of Panmunjom.
The presidential office said rehearsals will be held at Panmunjom twice next Tuesday and Thursday ahead of the April 27th summit.
White House: Statement from the
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary on the Visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany
FOREIGN POLICY Issued on: April 18, 2018
President Donald J. Trump will welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to the White House on April 27, 2018. On the occasion of Merkel’s re-election as Chancellor, the two leaders will reaffirm the German-American partnership—a bedrock of the transatlantic relationship and the NATO Alliance—as both nations work together to address a broad range of geopolitical and economic challenges. The two leaders will convene for an extended set of bilateral meetings, followed by a press availability in the Rose Garden.
end main..
Meanwhile,
Former George W. Bush deputy assistant Brad Blakeman on CIA Director Michael Pompeo’s meeting with Kim JongUn in North Korea and the passing of Barbara Bush.
DENUCLEARIZATION IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE: CHAMP IS AVAILABLE
One of the options that the United States is looking at to counter North Korea’s nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles is an experimental weapon called CHAMP.
CHAMP stands for Counter-Electronics High-Powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project. It uses bursts of microwave energy — an electromagnetic pulse — to disable electronic systems.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes WHY U.S MAY USE CHAMP TO FRY NORTH KOREA’S MISSILES ?
CONCEPT & STATUS
The idea would be to launch a cruise missile such as an AGM-86C — which is carried by the Boeing B-52 — that is armed with a CHAMP warhead to disable Pyongyang’s nuclear forces.
CHAMP is like a super powerful microwave ovens that can generate a concentrated beam of microwave energy.
“These high-powered microwave signals are very effective at disrupting and possibly disabling electronic circuits,” Mary Lou Robinson, who heads development of the weapons at the Air Force Research Laboratory, told NBC News.
Missile, bombs etc all have complex electronic circuits, so such an attack would actually disable them.
The most important aspect is that it is not lethal for humans and will avoid human casualties.
CHAMP is not yet ready for operational deployment and it would take a little bit of time. But officials believe the weapon could be readied for a contingency operation within only a few days in an emergency. And indeed, the U.S Air Force has tested the weapon against simulated facilities that produce weapons of mass destruction.
BOEING B-52
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades.
This makes the B 52 an ideal launch platform for a AGM-86C missile armed with CHAMP.
AGM-86C CAPABLITIES
The AGM-86 is a subsonic air-launched cruise missile built by Boeing. This missile was developed to increase the effectiveness and survivability of the Boeing B-52 bomber as the missile can be fired from standoff ranges. In combination, the missile dilutes an enemy’s forces and complicates air defense of its territory.
It has a range of 1,100 to 2,400 km depending on variant. This enables the B 52 to launch it far off from the target.
A single B 52 can launch unto 20 of these missiles. Hence, an enemy force could have to counterattack more than one missile at a time, making defense against them costly and complicated. The enemy’s defenses are further hampered by the missiles' small size and low-altitude flight capability, which makes them difficult to detect on radar.
North Korea has no air defense system which is capable of taking out this missile.
DISADVANTAGES
Though seemingly a silver bullet , with CHAMP there are certain disadvantages.
1. The weapons would have to fly exceedingly close to the North Korean missiles before detonating.
2. There is also the very real possibility that North Korean nuclear facilities are hardened against an EMP just as American,Russian and Chinese systems are.
3. If North Korea can detect the missile, it’s likely they will try shoot it down or respond as if it were a kinetic attack. North Korea won’t know if/when it detects the missiles whether they are carrying CHAMP as opposed to a conventional or nuclear warhead. North Korea will see cruise missiles fly into the country and hear explosions. By the time they figure out they were less-lethal HPM payloads, they will have already retaliated. So, the situation will still escalate.
Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project
Boeing and the Air Force Research Laboratory proved the concept during an operational test in 2012. The missile shot across the Utah desert and zapped multiple targets at different locations, shutting down rooms full of computers.
“The CHAMP missile navigated a pre-programmed flight plan and emitted bursts of high-powered energy, effectively knocking out the target’s data and electronic subsystems,” Boeing explained in a 2012 press release. “CHAMP allows for selective, high-frequency radio wave strikes against numerous targets during a single mission.”
The CHAMP is superior to other electronic warfare weapons because it destroys electronics, rather than jamming which temporarily affects systems that come back online when it stops being applied. The Air Force has two separate "capability portfolios" for weapons and electronic warfare equipment which have been having trouble joining to produce an operational CHAMP system, so a cross-functional study is to be delivered in summer 2015. Congress has suggested repurposing excess cruise missiles demilitarized under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty to turn them into CHAMP weapons without violating it. On 14 May 2015, the Air Force nominated the Lockheed Martin JASSM-ER as the optimal air vehicle to carry the CHAMP payload. CHAMP is capable of up to 100 shots per sortie.
CONCLUSION
Keeping in view the limitations, CHAMP could be used by US in scenario where it targets a specific missile site. But this could result in all out war just like it would with traditional options.
In case of all out preemptive strike by U.S, the CHAMP will certainly give way to tactical nukes or conventional weapons , as it will be essential to eliminate all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons in one sweep and CHAMP won’t be suitable for that role.
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Meanwhile , Breaking News - Experts Warns U.S. Not In Rush Talking Denuclearization With N. Korea.
North Korea's nuclear has threatened in 2018 | The Economist.
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North Korea's nuclear threat in 2018 | Youtube The Economist speaks that North Korea claims it can now launch missiles that can hit anywhere in mainland America.
In April 2018, North Korea will hold a national celebration to mark the birthday of the country's founding "eternal president" Kim Il Sung. But 2018 will also mark another milestone. North Korea will have nuclear missiles that can reach American soil.
Communist North Korea is a secretive state of 25m people. Increasingly, North Koreans are fleeing the tyrannical regime. DPRK Defector Thae Yong Ho is one of the highest-ranking officials to defect to the West. He has unique insight into the inner workings of Mr Kim's government and its nuclear ambition.
The country is already believed to have the means to deliver nuclear warheads at short and medium range. In 2017, with the world watching, Mr Kim successfully tested his long-range missile.
In 2018 he will perfect and demonstrate the ability to fit a nuclear weapon on a missile and fly it all the way to the American mainland. San Francisco and Los Angeles will be in its reach.
The road ahead will be defined by the pugnacious personalities of Mr Kim and Mr Trump.
Despite the bluster and posturing there is nothing to suggest either leader wants to go to war. In 2018, Donald Trump must choose between military action and diplomacy. China is key to Mr Trump's diplomatic route. As a supplier of virtually all North Korea's oil, China could curb Mr Kim's behaviour.
But so far China has been reluctant to intervene because it wants to avoid the collapse of the regime which could result in a unified Korea, with American troops on China's border.
There is a chance, however remote, that in the year ahead, America could order pre-emptive surgical strikes against North Korea's nuclear-missile facilities.
The impact of an American military intervention would have devastating consequences. North Korea has vast conventional artillery at the ready. North Korea would retaliate by firing missiles already positioned to hit Seoul, South Korea's capital.
The megacity of ten million people is only 56km from the North's border.
America has 28,000 troops South Korea. President Trump is capable of deploying cruise missiles, submarines and carriers within hours.
So far, President Trump appreciates to China that China has been trying to support DPRK Denuclearization and increased pressure on North Korea with tougher sanctions.
although, we will know when it's resulted DPRK denuclearization completed without any hiding or broken promises which DPRK demonstrated broken promises more than 25 years. However the world sees difference than the older generations but, who knows......
Two Koreas hold working-level talks on installing hotline between leaders ahead of summit.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News dated April 7th, 2018 reporte that Before the U.S. and North Korea get together, if they do, there's the big summit coming up between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North Korean leader. That's less than three weeks away now, on April 27th.
And on Saturday, the two sides held working-level talks at the inter-Korean border with the focus on setting up a direct hotline between the leaders.
The two Koreas held working-level talks on Saturday to discuss the installation of a hotline between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Starting at ten in the morning, the talks lasted about three hours on the northern side of the truce village of Panmunjom.
While Seoul said no further details or briefings will be given on the talks in line with an agreement with the North that everything stay under wraps until all the details are ironed out, there's speculation the line will be installed in President Moon's office in Cheongwadae and Kim's office in the Pyongyang headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party.
The installation was one of the six agreements reached by the two sides when President Moon's special envoy to the North last month agreed that the hotline is needed for "close cooperation" and to "alleviate military tension" on the peninsula.
It's also said the two leaders would like to talk over the phone before they come face-to-face for their summit on April 27th.
The hotline was first established in the year 2000 between former South Korean President Kim Dae-Jong and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, but it was installed in other inter-Korean related agencies and the two leaders never used it to talk directly.
And amid worsening inter-Korean ties in 2008, the line was disconnected.
But with developments coming thick and fast amid the rapid thawing in ties it's likely the first phone conversation between the leaders of the two Koreas will happen in the very near future.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary on President Donald J. Trump’s Upcoming Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: April 2nd, 2018
President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to Mar-a-Lago from April 17-18, 2018. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe’s third summit meeting will reaffirm the United States-Japan alliance as a cornerstone of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders will discuss the international campaign to maintain maximum pressure on North Korea in advance of President Trump’s planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe will explore ways to expand fair and reciprocal trade and investment ties between the United States and Japan, two of the world’s wealthiest and most innovative economies.
S. Korean president calls Korea, U.S. FTA revision talks "job well done"
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue reported on Apr 2, 2018 that President Moon Jae-in has called the recently concluded negotiations between Seoul and Washington "a job well done" as it managed to remove a possible source of conflict at a time when close cooperation between the allies is more important than ever.
Our chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung reports. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is relieved that any potential conflict between Seoul and Washington have been settled... by concluding negotiations on the six-year-old Korea, U.S. free trade agreement.
Speaking at a weekly meeting of his top aides on Monday, the South Korean leader gave credit to his trade officials who spent weeks hotel-hopping in Washington as they raced to overcome major trade hurdles with their U.S. ally ahead of high-stakes nuclear discussions with North Korea. "As trade protectionism turns into a dominant trend around the world, removing external uncertainties by swiftly wrapping up talks for the Korea, U.S. FTA amendment is a huge accomplishment."
The trade officials' efforts culminated in a revised pact the two countries announced last week that gives U.S. automakers and pharmaceuticals more access to the South Korean market... while lifting the threat of a 25 percent U.S. tariff on South Korean steel in exchange for quotas that will cut imports of Korean steel by about 30 percent.
The president, however, still asked his government to carefully review possible impacts of the revised free trade deal and draw up necessary measures to make sure local industries aren't negatively affected.
"It's also a job well done in that it has removed potential conflicts between the two countries when close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is absolutely criticial for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula and resolving North Korea's nuclear issue."
"By securing a new approach to bilateral trade, the presidential Blue House believes... South Korea and the U.S. can focus on the road ahead... and keep all of their attention on the high politics of peace and security with the South Korean president set to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the end of this month and the first-ever North Korea, U.S. summit expected to take place by May.
A South Korean destroyer is off to rescue its nationals kidnapped at sea.
Due to security reasons not much detail has been disclosed regarding the situation in the waters near Ghana, other than the fact that the Cheonghae unit tasked with the mission is no stranger to such daring rescue operations.
Park Ji-won gets us up to speed with the developments. It's been around a week now, since three Korean nationals were abducted by pirates in the waters off the coast of Ghana on March 26th.
Details of the incident are yet to be confirmed, such as any demand or request made by the hijackers or even the whereabouts of the hostages.
Korea's defense ministry said the warship Munmu the Great has been dispatched to the area, and it is expected to arrive near the coast of west Africa on April 16th.
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Breaking News : April 2nd, 2018
Trump proposed Putin visit White House in March 20 phone call, Kremlin says
Japan's Abe to visit US to discuss North Korea with Trump
The Washington Post
April 2nd at 10:03 AM
Trump proposed Putin visit White House in March 20 phone call, Kremlin says
MOSCOW — In a phone call last month, President Trump proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two meet in the White House, a Kremlin aide said Monday.
The aide, Yury Ushakov, said no preparations for such a meeting have taken place since the March 20 phone call, according to Russian news agencies.
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
“If everything will be alright, I hope that the Americans will not back away from their own proposal to discuss the possibility of holding a summit,” Ushakov said, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. “When our presidents spoke on the phone, it was Trump who proposed holding the first meeting in Washington in the White House.”
Trump congratulated Putin in a phone call two days after the Russian president’s reelection to a fourth term last month. After the call, Trump said he and Putin would get together “in the not-too-distant future.”
Since then, relations between Moscow and Washington have taken a further plunge in the aftermath of the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain.
Given that environment, Ushakov said Monday, “it is of course difficult to discuss the possibility of holding a summit,” Russian news agency Interfax reported.
“I hope that the situation will allow us to discuss this issue,” Ushakov added, referring to the planning for a Trump-Putin summit, according to Interfax. “We believe that it is rather important and necessary for both countries and for the entire international community.”
Trump and Putin met last July at a Group of 20 summit in Germany.
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Russia’s Expulsion of American Diplomats
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 29th, 2018
Russia’s action today to expel American diplomats marks a further deterioration in the United States-Russia relationship. The expulsion of undeclared Russian intelligence officers by the United States and more than two dozen partner nations and NATO allies earlier this week was an appropriate response to the Russian attack on the soil of the United Kingdom. Russia’s response was not unanticipated, and the United States will deal with it..
AP: MSN: Reuters:
Japan's Abe to visit US to discuss North Korea with Trump
TOKYO — Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he plans to visit the U.S. this month to discuss North Korea with President Donald Trump ahead of expected summits between the North and the U.S. and South Korea.
Abe said he will travel to the U.S. from April 17 to 20 and hold two days of talks with Trump at the president's Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida to discuss North Korea and bilateral issues. Trump has said he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May.
"I hope to thoroughly discuss North Korea and other issues of mutual interest between Japan and the U.S.," Abe said at a meeting of representatives from his ruling coalition and the government.
Abe has said he wants to remind Trump of shorter-range missiles and other North Korean security threats for Japan, and seek U.S. help on the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago.
Abe is also expected to discuss stiff U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and urge Trump to exclude Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
The abductees' families last Friday urged Abe to seek Trump's help, saying this could be their last chance to win their loved ones' release.
Japan has said North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train agents in Japanese language and culture to spy on South Korea. Pyongyang, after years of denials, acknowledged in 2002 abducting 13 Japanese. The North allowed five of them to visit Japan later that year — and they stayed — but said the other eight had died, though their families say what the North said cannot be trusted.
Abe last visited Trump's resort in February 2017, soon after the president took office.
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MSN: Japan's Abe to visit US to discuss North Korea with Trump
TOKYO — Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he plans to visit the U.S. this month to discuss North Korea with President Donald Trump ahead of expected summits between the North and the U.S. and South Korea.
Abe said he will travel to the U.S. from April 17 to 20 and hold two days of talks with Trump at the president's Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida to discuss North Korea and bilateral issues. Trump has said he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May.
"I hope to thoroughly discuss North Korea and other issues of mutual interest between Japan and the U.S.," Abe said at a meeting of representatives from his ruling coalition and the government.
Abe has said he wants to remind Trump of shorter-range missiles and other North Korean security threats for Japan, and seek U.S. help on the issue of Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago.
Abe is also expected to discuss stiff U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and urge Trump to exclude Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
The abductees' families last Friday urged Abe to seek Trump's help, saying this could be their last chance to win their loved ones' release.
Japan has said North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train agents in Japanese language and culture to spy on South Korea. Pyongyang, after years of denials, acknowledged in 2002 abducting 13 Japanese. The North allowed five of them to visit Japan later that year — and they stayed — but said the other eight had died, though their families say what the North said cannot be trusted.
Abe last visited Trump's resort in February 2017, soon after the president took office.
Reuters:
Japan PM Abe likely to meet President Trump on April 18: source
Reuters Staff
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is finalizing details for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on April 18 to discuss strategy before a proposed meeting between North Korean and U.S. leaders, a ruling party official told Reuters on Wednesday.
Abe will also likely ask Trump to exempt Japan from his steel and aluminum tariffs, said the official, who has been briefed on the matter and asked not to be identified.
Abe, speaking at a parliamentary committee, said Japanese steel products were helping to make U.S. auto makers more competitive and cheaper for American consumers.
“Protectionism, at first glance, appears to benefit a nation which exercises it, but it is not necessarily so,” Abe said. “Japan wants to be a flag bearer to promote a free trade which will bring a win-win situation to each nation.”
His finance minister, Taro Aso, echoed that view and said some of responsibility for the trade imbalance rested with the United States.
“I understand the U.S. position that it cannot continue with a trade deficit, but the United States itself should make efforts,” Aso told the same committee.
The meeting between Abe and the U.S. leader is expected to be held at Trump’s Mar-a-Largo retreat in Florida, according to the source.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un is set to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April and then possibly Trump in May.
Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto and Kaori Kaneko; writing by Kaori Kaneko and Linda Sieg; editing by Paul Tait and Richard Pullin
Breaking News Out Of North Korea - Kim Jong Un Preparing NEW Nuclear Test - Japan Report
March 31st, 2018
;Latest News 360 dated March 31st, 2018: Breaking News Out Of North Korea - Kim Jong Un Preparing NEW Nuclear Test - Japan Report
Earlier this week Kim and President Xi Jinping of China met and it was believed the meeting would help ease tensions
Activity was seen at an underground tunnel giving clues that the North Korean leader is preparing for another test.
He added: “If South Korea and the US respond to our efforts in good faith, build a peaceful and stable atmosphere, and adopt phased and simultaneous steps for peace, the issue of denuclearization on the Peninsula can be resolved.
UK express also reported that North Korea MISSILE: Kim Jong-Un preparing NEW nuclear test - activity DETECTED by Japan
JAPAN has sent out a warning today that North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test.
Activity was seen at an underground tunnel giving clues that the North Korean leader is preparing for another test.
The country's Foreign Minister Taro Kono said: "[North Korea] is doing everything possible to prepare for the next nuclear test: it is currently extracting earth from an underground tunnel where the previous test was carried out".
The leader of the hermit kingdom said after meeting with President Xi Jinping of China that he was “committed to denuclearization” after sparking World War 3 fears with a series of missile tests.
He added: “If South Korea and the US respond to our efforts in good faith, build a peaceful and stable atmosphere, and adopt phased and simultaneous steps for peace, the issue of denuclearization on the Peninsula can be resolved.
“The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace.”
Two days ago it was announced that North Korea’s despotic dictator Kim Jong-un will face off with South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the “truce village” of Panmunjom.
The two states will host their first leaders summit in more than 10 years on April 27 at the village of Panmunjom in Korea’s Demilitarized Zone.
Both nations agreed to hold the summit after Mr Jae-in sent a delegation to Pyongyang to meet the North Korean leader.
The two sides said in a joint statement that they would meet on April 4 to hammer out final details of the summit such as news releases, security and staffing support.
Mr Gwon added: “We will have a fair number of issues to resolve on a working-level for preparations over the next month.
“But if the two sides deeply understand the historic significance and meaning of the summit and give them all, we will be able to solve all problems swiftly and amicably.”
Earlier this week Kim and President Xi Jinping of China met and it was believed the meeting would help ease tensions and lead to denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
Senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi said: “We believe (Kim's) visit will help the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, ensure peace and security of the Korean peninsula and resolve problems regarding the peninsula through political negotiations and discussions.”
The last nuclear missile test launched by North Korea was November 28 last year and the rocket traveled for 50 minutes and reached 2,800 miles, which was a new milestone for distance and height.
Not much is known about the missile atit's range, but experts believe it could reach up to 8,000 miles, which shocked residents of Hawaii in the US.
In September last year one of Kim's rockets were flown directly over Japan, worsening tensions in the region.
Ji Seong-ho is a North Korean defector currently residing in South Korea. He now runs an organization 'NAUH' helping other North Koreans escape. Here's why he thinks North Korea suddenly agreed to a meeting with Trump.
Breaking News - U.S. Begins Massive Ground Invasion Training, Iron Focus 18.1 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division conducted Iron Focus 18.1 in Orogrande, Nuevo Mexico.
This training exercise was designed to prepare the brigade for an upcoming National Training Center rotation and to ultimately meet future contingency requirements.
Iron Focus 18.1 emphasized leadership, training, and logistics to improve combat readiness.
CBS This Morning : March 28th, 2018: Ben Tracy: The White House says it was not told about North Korean leader Kim JongUn's secret visit to China until after it happened. Kim made the unannounced journey to Beijing this week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in his first trip outside North Korea since taking power in 2011.
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Breaking News Korea's anti-piracy warship searching for three Koreans abducted by pirates off coast of Ghana: A pril 1st, 2018
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Breaking News - China's State Councilor briefs S. Korean president on N. Korea, China summit
March 30th, 2018
According Arirang News, Dated March 30th, 2018 The Chinese president's special envoy, Yang Jiechi met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the presidential Blue House Friday to brief the South Korean leader on the summit earlier this week between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Xi Jinping.
"State Councilor Yang explained in detail the outcome of the North Korea, China summit which took place on the occasion of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to China to President Moon.
Based on the briefing, President Moon and State Councilor Yang carried out in-depth discussions on ways for successful bilateral summits between the two Koreas and North Korea and the U.S."
The Chinese official told the South Korean president that the China-North Korea summit will contribute to the inter-Korean summit as well as the U.S.-North Korea summit expected to be held in May.
The two also touched upon other areas of interest between South Korea and China.
President Moon had conveyed his concern over the slow progress in China's removal of anti-THAAD measures through his National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong who held a meeting with China's special envoy Thursday evening.
Those include normalization of Chinese tour group to South Korea, resumption of Lotte's Shenyang construction project and subsidies for electric cars equipped with batteries produced by Korean companies.
"State Councilor Yang said President Moon should be able to see visible results very soon in these areas and asked for President Moon's faith in his words."
“ . . ” .
The Blue House spokesperson said while President Moon and State Councilor Yang spent half of their 70-minute long meeting discussing the North Korea, China summit as well as the North Korean
leader's proposal for denuclearization to Chinese President Xi Jinping he could not disclose the details of those talks citing sensitivity issues.
Instead, the Blue House announced that also thoroughly reviewed in Friday's meeting was the fine dust problem in South Korea and the two countries' vow to bolster anti-fine dust cooperation centering on the early launch of Korea-China Environment Cooperation Center in Beijing.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House.
Reporter :jenmoon@arirang.co.kr
Same day, Arirang News also reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets IOC chief in Pyongyang: AP
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang.
According to the Associated Press, the two had a 30-minute formal meeting on Friday followed by casual discussions while watching a football match in the North Korean capital.
The IOC chief said Kim expressed his desire to have North Korea participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.
Bach also said Kim expressed his appreciation for the IOC's role in helping North Korea compete at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics,.which helped ease tensions in the region.
Reporter :hs_kim@arirang.com
Meanwhile, U.S. Calls On Other Nations To Help Denuclearize North Korea, Including China
Even if there is communications and meetings are holding between North Korea and South Korea even with China or any other parties for regarding North Korea Denuclearization, UN Sanctions are still the same and should be remaining the same until the another sanction orders stated from UN. even from U.S.A. There are no negotiation on Denuclearization. U.S.A. and the world is watching and very clear that complete denuclearization for DPRK and is must without any negotiation. President Trump is still willing to have meeting in May when it's denuclearization is committed and clear for denuclearization is Verifiable, irreversable is fully committed before meeting U.SA. President Donald J. Trump. There is no Negotiation allowed. Maximum Sacntion is still the same. Meanwhile, U.S. Calls On Other Nations To Help Denuclearize North Korea, Including China.
There is USS Wasp with F-35Bs Is Joining Massive Military Exercise Near N. Korea
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Experts Worry About The U.S. And North Korea Upcoming Summit
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Breaking News - Two Koreas to hold 2018 inter-Korean summit on April 27; no agenda yet
March 28th, 2018
According to Arirang News dated March 28th, 2018, Concerns still linger over the possibility of Pyong yang's hidden agenda, but some analysts express confidence, this time it could be different.
Cha Sang-mi Reported that The leaders of South and North Korea have only met twice since the Korean War ended in 1953.
The first inter-Korean summit was held in June 2000 in Pyongyang... between then-South Korean President Kim Dae-Jong and then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.
The second summit came seven years later,... between Kim Jong-il and the next South Korean President, Roh Moo-hyun, a former democracy activist. The purpose of both those summits was to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear programs, but denuclearization remained elusive.
On Thursday, the date was set for the third inter-Korean summit, this time between President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un on April 27th at the Peace House in the border village of Panmunjeom.
Concerns remain about North Korea's intentions, but some experts think the first summit in over a decade will be different. "This time, North Korea is not being capricious. In the past they broke their agreements many times, but this is the first time the North's leader has claimed a willingness to denuclearize and a need for talks with South Korea and the U.S."
Another expert says North Korea seems more at ease communicating with the current liberal South Korean administration. "The North Korean government would think trust can be restored with South Korea under the liberal Moon Jae-in administration... as a successor of the Kim Dae-Jong and Roh Moo-hyun administrations and their Sunshine Policy."
And some say, with the U.S.-North Korea summit planned in May, the issue of denuclearization will be discussed thoroughly. "The U.S.A. government has made it very clear that denuclearization will be the prerequisite for the successful outcome at the summit meeting between the North Korea and the United States."
Experts say the inter-Korean summit planned in April will serve as a stepping stone to the talks to follow between President Trump and Kim Jong-un.
On Mar.06 Bloomberg , 2018 Stephen Noerper, Korea Society senior director, discusses President Donald Trump signaling he's open to talks with North Korea. He speaks with Bloomberg's Julia Chatterley, Joe Weisenthal and Scarlet Fu on "What'd You Miss?".
Why North Korea's Overture to the U.S. Is Different This Time.
Breaking News - North Korea's Leader Kim Jong Un met Xi Jinping on surprise visit to China March 27th, 2018
The Chinese government confirmed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong Un made an “unofficial” visit to Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This comes after days of speculation over whether the leader had left the DPRK for the first time in his nearly seven years in power.
According to CNN dated March 27th, 2018,
Beijing (CNN): North Korea leader Kim Jong Un made a surprise trip to Beijing, Chinese state media confirmed Wednesday.
Images broadcast on Chinese state television CCTV showed Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, meeting with officials during the trip. It took place from March 25 to 28.
The trip is Kim's first abroad since he took the reins after his father, Kim Jong Il, died in late 2011. China is a traditional ally and major trading partner for North Korea.
The young North Korean leader held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and a handful of his deputies, including Li Keqiang, the Chinese premier, and Wang Qishan, the Chinese vice president who is considered one of Xi's closest confidantes, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency.
State media quoted Kim as saying that he is committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in China by train on March 25 and crossed the border back to Pyongyang on March 28.
"The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace," Kim said.
Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, also held a welcome banquet for their visitors. Kim told his hosts that he chose China as his first overseas destination as leader to show "his will to carry forward the tradition of DPRK-China friendship, and how he valued the friendship between the two countries."
"In this spring full of happiness and hopes, I believe my first meeting with General Secretary Xi Jinping will yield abundant fruits of DPRK-China friendship, and facilitate peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," said Kim.
Xi said Beijing is willing to work with North Korea to "promote long-term healthy and stable development of China-DPRK relations, benefit the two countries and two peoples, and make new contribution to regional peace, stability and development," Xi said.
Rumors first surfaced about a potential visit by a high-level North Korean representative Monday night in Beijing, when pictures of what appeared to be the Kim family train surfaced online.
CNN's Yazhou Sun contributed to this report.
Same day, Yahoo news reported:
Beijing had a heavy security presence overnight. Some media have speculated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was making a surprise visit to China.
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1:05 p.m.
A convoy of official Chinese cars has been seen leaving the Beijing guesthouse amid speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is making his first visit to China as the North's leader.
City police and the paramilitary People's Armed Police stood guard Tuesday in the area and unidentified men in plainclothes attempted to prevent photographers from taking pictures.
Cars in the convoy were identified by yellow stickers but carried no diplomatic license plates. The guesthouse had been the favored residence of Kim Jong Un's father, North Korea's former leader Kim Jong Il, during his visits to Beijing.
The younger Kim had long been expected to make a visit to the capital of his country's most important ally and chief economic partner.
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9:15 a.m.
South Korea says it's closely monitoring the arrival of a train in Beijing that looks like one used by North Korea's previous leader. Seoul doesn't know who's on the train, but some media speculate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made a surprise visit to China.
South Korea's presidential office said Tuesday that it cannot immediately confirm reports that the train carried Kim on what would be his first overseas trip since taking power in 2011. The office says it also cannot confirm a report that the train carried Kim's sister.
Some see a recent diplomatic push by Kim Jong Un as an attempt to improve the country's economy. He has planned meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and President Donald Trump.
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10 p.m.
Japanese media reports say a special North Korean train has arrived in Beijing under unusually heavy security, suggesting a senior delegation might have been aboard.
A spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday she was not aware of the situation and had no further comment. North Korea's state-run media had no reports of a delegation traveling to China.
Japanese television network NTV and public broadcaster NHK reported the arrival of the train and said the heavy security in the city suggested a senior official was aboard.
The reports sparked speculation that leader Kim Jong Un might have been on the train. Kim is expected to have a summit meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April and with U.S. President Donald Trump by May.
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It's Time to Arm the Navy's Super Hornet with the Ultimate Missile
Sources:CNN, Yahoo News, CGTN TV, CGTN America, Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, Fox, Tweeter, AP Reuters, Yahoo\wikipedia AP, and Youtube NoraeWang , Bloomberg, MSN, Reuters, AP, Arirang News, and White House catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, March 27th, 2018, Rev. March 28, 2018 Rev. March 29th, 2018, Rev March 30th, 2018, Rev. April 2nd, 2018
Breaking News - A Failed Talk With N.Korea Will Push U.S. To Ugly Second Phase March 21st, 2018
According to Arirang News Dated March 21st, 2018, Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House reported that The Moon Jae-in administration is making rapid progress in getting ready front for the upcoming inter-Korean summit.
Not only that, the President hinted at a possible trilateral meeting following the two one-on-ones. Our Chief Cheongwadae correspondent Moon Connyoung reported that "A North Korea-U.S. summit following an inter-Korean summit would be a historic event in and of itself. Depending on the venue, it could become even more dramatic. And, depending on the progress, it may even lead to a three-way summit between South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in's first mention of the possibility of a trilateral summit... following the first two one-on-ones which, the president stressed, should focus on ending the nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula once and for all.
The remarks came as he chaired the second meeting of the South's interagency preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un late next month.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also said he would meet the North's Kim by the end of May.
The historic rendezvous between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim are set to take place on the southern side of the border between the two Koreas in the truce village of Panmunjom and it could also serve as the venue for a possible three-way meeting between Seoul, Pyongyang, and Washington. "The series of summits must aim for a complete end to the nuclear and peace issues on the Korean Peninsula. Regardless of whether the two Koreas live together or separately, we have to make sure that the two prosper together and in peace, without interfering or causing damage to one another."
The South Korean leader added that cannot be made possible without the role of the U.S. "President Moon said the establishment of a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula can only be made possible with the guarantee from the United States... meaning normalization of North Korea-U.S. relations and economic cooperation involving Pyongyang and Washington."
Also discussed in Wednesday's meeting were the composition of an advisory panel made up of 40 to 45 as well as a media-friendly support system. "The members of the summit preparation committee decided to propose to the North holding high-level talks next Thursday on the northern side of the Korean border in the truce village to set the date and agenda to be discussed at the upcoming leaders' summit.
The Blue House says South Korea will be represented by a group of three high-level officials headed by Unification Minister Cho Myung-gyun.
Arirang News dated March 20th, 2018, reported that S. Korea-U.S.joint military drills to begin on April 1st
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BREAKING NEWS
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Statement from Vice President Mike Pence on North Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 9, 2018
North Korea’s desire to meet to discuss denuclearization – while suspending all ballistic missile and nuclear testing – is evidence that President Trump’s strategy to isolate the Kim regime is working. The North Koreans are coming to the table despite the United States making zero concessions and, in close coordination with our allies, we have consistently increased the pressure on the Kim regime. Our resolve is undeterred and our policy remains the same: all sanctions remain in place and the maximum pressure campaign will continue until North Korea takes concrete, permanent, and verifiable steps to end their nuclear program.
According to White House,
STATEMENTS & RELEASES
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with President Xi Jinping of China
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 9, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Xi Jinping of China about recent developments related to North Korea. The two leaders welcomed the prospect of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, and committed to maintain pressure and sanctions until North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might choose a brighter path for North Korea’s future.
Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 8, 2018
President Donald J. Trump spoke with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss the situation in North Korea and to continue the close coordination between our two countries. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe assessed that the maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this critical juncture. The leaders affirmed their strong intention to continue close trilateral coordination with South Korea to maintain pressure and enforce international sanctions until such point that North Korea takes tangible steps toward complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. President Trump expressed his hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s invitation signals his desire to give the North Korean people a brighter future.
OPEN to TALKS, NO Negotiations! urges Tillerson on North Korea
Trump will not meet Kim without seeing 'concrete' steps: White House
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Arirang News Hwang Hojun, reported that the U.S. and North Korea resuming dialogue after the surprise summit announcement, the White House has spelled out that President Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un requires certain actions by the regime.
"We've accepted the invitation to talk based on them following through with concrete actions on the promises that they've made. The president will not have the meeting without seeing concrete steps and concrete actions take place by North Korea."
Sanders said such concrete actions would have to reflect the promises made by North Korea -- that they stop nuclear and missile testing while recognizing the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises will continue.
She stressed that Washington has made "zero concessions" and the conversation will occur from a position of U.S. strength due to the administration's maximum pressure campaign.
Even so, the move is a sharp diversion from the past diplomatic policies of the U.S. towards North Korea, especially considering President Trump's belligerent rhetoric against Pyongyang.
In fact, on Friday, just a couple hours after Sanders' remarks, President Trump reiterated on Twitter that a deal with North Korea is in the making and if completed, will be a very good one for the world.
And to discuss preparations for the unprecedented summit, Chung Eui-yong and H.R. McMaster,... the top security advisers of South Korea and the U.S. held a meeting as well.
During the meeting Chung and McMaster reportedly pledged that South Korea and the U.S. will continue to work closely together, along with relevant nations and the international community to achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the Peninsula.
Meanwhile, a senior South Korean government official said a South Korean envoy delivered a quote "special message" from Kim Jong-un to President Trump in addition to the summit invitation.
While the content of the message was not disclosed, the official said it was part of Kim's effort to build trust and Trump showed a very positive response.
BREAKING NEWS - PRESIDENT TRUMP AGREED TO MEET KIM JONG-UN BY MAY, A DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH
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According to Youtube Mania, The White House says President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation to talks from North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, but that all sanctions against the North will stay in place.
Kim expressed his desire to meet with Trump through South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong. Chung made the historic and stunning announcement Thursday night outside the White House.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a tweet that Trump and Kim would meet at a time and place to be determi
"We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain," Sanders said.
Arirang News reported that Arirang News dated March 8th, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un by May. That announcement was made by South Korea's national security chief in Washington upon President Trump's request. Chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung reported that One historic breakthrough after another. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, has invited President Trump to meet for negotiations over its nuclear program and U.S.President Donald Trump has not only accepted, but said "let's do it by May."
The stunning announcement was made by South Korean President Moon Jae-in's National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong in Washington to discuss the outcome of a rare visit to Pyongyang by Seoul's presidential envoys earlier this week.
"he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible. President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong Un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization."
The U.S. president's acceptance came after the South Korean official relayed Kim's pledge to refrain from further nuclear tests and move toward denuclearization.
"I told President Trump that in our meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue."
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed the news saying Mr Trump would accept the invitation to meet Mr Kim at a place and time to be determined.
That was almost immediately followed by a tweet by President Donald Trump.
He said North Korea's Kim Jong-un had talked about denuclearization with the South Korean representatives, not just a freeze, that a meeting is being planned, but sanctions would remain in place for the time being.
The meeting, if it does take place, would make Trump the first sitting U.S. president to meet with his North Korean counterpart, a stunning diplomatic breakthrough with uncertain consequences.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the agreement. "President Moon Jae-in said that the two leaders' meeting, in addition to the inter-Korean summit in late April would place complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula right on track adding the May meeting will go down in history as a milestone to achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula."
"Experts in South Korea and the U.S. say the never-before-seen speed and level of developments in Seoul, Pyongyang, Washington ties can largely be credited to the type of leaderships in place in all three. Regarding today's decision, a senior U.S. official said it made sense to accept an invite to meet with one person who can actually make decisions instead of continuing with the "long slog of the past" - a sentiment that's also shared by South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House."
According to The White House
Remarks by Republic of Korea National Security Advisor Chung Eui-Yong
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 8, 2018
White House Stake Out
7:11 P.M. EST
CHUNG: Good evening. Today, I had the privilege of briefing President Trump on my recent visit to Pyongyang, North Korea. I’d like to thank President Trump, the Vice President, and his wonderful national security team, including my close friend, General McMaster.
I explained to President Trump that his leadership and his maximum pressure policy, together with international solidarity, brought us to this juncture. I expressed President Moon Jae-in’s personal gratitude for President Trump’s leadership.
I told President Trump that, in our meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he is committed to denuclearization. Kim pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands that the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue. And he expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.
President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.
The Republic of Korea, along with the United States, Japan, and our many partners around the world remain fully and resolutely committed to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Along with President Trump, we are optimistic about continuing a diplomatic process to test the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
The Republic of Korea, the United States, and our partners stand together in insisting that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, and that the pressure will continue until North Korea matches its words with concrete actions.
Statement from Vice President Mike Pence on North Korea
FOREIGN POLICY
Issued on: March 6, 2018
Whichever direction talks with North Korea go, we will be firm in our resolve. The United States and our allies remain committed to applying maximum pressure on the Kim regime to end their nuclear program. All options are on the table and our posture toward the regime will not change until we see credible, verifiable, and concrete steps toward denuclearization.
end main.
March 8th 2018: Arirang News: [LIVE/NEWSCENTER] S. Korean president's chief envoys leave for U.S. carrying "plus alpha"...
According to Arirang News, Moon Connyoung, the Blue House."
Dated 8th, 2018,
South Korea's presidential envoys are now heading to Washington to discuss the outcome of their North Korea trip with their U.S. counterparts.
The meetings will be critical in the next phase of the latest detente with North Korea: Pyongyang, Washington talks on denuclearization.
Arirang News chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung explains that Two days after they returned from a historic trip to North Korea, South Korea's chief presidential envoys headed for the U.S. on Thursday to meet officials there and discuss the outcome of their meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un earlier in the week. "At this point I cannot discuss any details of this trip. But, the most urgent issue for us is to make sure the United States and North Korea will engage in talks."
President Moon Jae-in's directors of National Security Office and National Intelligence Service are scheduled to meet with their U.S. counterparts over the next two days and possibly even President Donald Trump.
U.S. officials will be looking to see if the South's Chung Eui-yong and Suh Hoon reaffirm that the North's Kim has promised to refrain from nuclear and missile tests and to engage in negotiations on giving up its nuclear arsenal if its security is guaranteed.
"Obviously, we are cautiously optimistic that there's some forward progress here. But we've been optimistic before so we're going to have watch actions and see if they match words"
That much was announced by the South Koreans upon return from their Pyongyang trip earlier this week, but the South Korean leader's chief envoys have said they are carrying additional offers from North Korea's Kim Jong-un to pass on to U.S. President Trump.
They did not announce what the "plus alpha" entails but local media in South Korea are raising speculations. Among them - Pyongyang's vow to halt its development of intercontinental ballistic missiles BUT dependent on (quote) U.S. attitude to the release of three U.S. citizens detained in the reclusive state.
If Washington takes up on the offer, the Americans' step likely will be to ask the North Koreans directly reiterate that position which could be done through a special envoy from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"If North Korea reaffirms that stance, that probably would represent a sufficient basis for the U.S. to begin talking with North Korea.
But, the ball is now in the U.S. President Donald Trump's court.
What's for sure is that the" plus alpha" that South Korea's presidential envoys are to pass on to Washington will serve as the make-it or break-it factor in what has the potential to become a historic turning point.
;
March 6th 2018: Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Löfven of Sweden in Joint Press Conferencerence
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Löfven of Sweden in Joint Press Conference
Foreign Policy
Issued on: March 6, 2018
East Room
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. I’m honored to be joined by Prime Minister Löfven of Sweden at our first meeting in the White House.he White House.
Sweden is one of our oldest and closest partners, and was among the first European nations to offer the United States an unsolicited treaty of friendship — a treaty signed, believe it or That’s a long time ago. long time ago.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: That was something, huh? That But that wasn’t expected, but that’s okay. We’ll take it. nbsp;We’ll take it. Right? All of the athletes should be immensely proud of the great job they did.
The Prime Minister and I have just concluded a series of very productive meetings. The relationship between the United States and Sweden is one based on shared values, including respect for individual rights, the rule of law, and human dignity. These common principles are the foundation of our partnership. And we have had a great partnership for many years.
We look forward to exploring further opportunities to increase our security and our cooperation in every other way. And we encourage nations around the world to share responsibility for our common defense.
The United States is also grateful to Sweden for advocating for Americans detai I particularly want to thank the Swedish government for its assistance in securing the release of American college student Otto Warmbier last year. Warmbier last year. Terr We continue to pray for Otto’s parents, Fred and Cindy — two terrific people — over the tragic death of their son. death of their son.
In economic matters, we are striving for a relationship grounded in fairness and reciprocity. The United States is one of the largest investors in Sweden, and the Swedish investments in the United States support over 200,000 American jobs.
Earlier this afternoon, I heard from several Swedish business executives — some of the greatest in the world. Where are you, folks? Please. Some of the great execu People I’ve known for a long time and certainly know of. certainly know of. And they’re investing tremendous amounts of money in the United States and supporting, also, vocational training for American workers. We are grateful for those investments, and we are committed to working with Sweden to pursue even greater economic cooperation.
We’re also continuing to pursue bilateral agreements to advance I’m pleased that Sweden intends to procure the Patriot air and missile defense system — finest in the world — in a deal worth over $3 billion. th over $3 billion. This system will increase stability and security in the Baltic Sea region.
A strong and balanced economic relationship strengthens security and prosperity in both of our countries. And this is just the beginning. We have a lot of things that we’re working on. And we’re working on them, really, very hard.
Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you again for joining us. And I want to thank your great staff, who we’ve met with, and your great business leaders. It was a very interesting and productive meeting.
The longstanding friendship between our people, anchored in our shared beliefs and values, has greatly enriched both of our countries. And this is just the beginning. Our relationship has never been better. An honor to have you here. Thank you. Thank you very much.
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: VEN: Thank you, Mr. President, for a warm and generous welcome. It is a true pleasure to be here at the White House. This year, Sweden and the United States celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations, and this meeting reaffirms the strength of our relations.
History has shown that our two nations share fundamental values and interests, such as democracy and human rights. We also share a strong partnership that continues to evolve.
For Sweden, that means embracing new sustainable technologies which permit our economy to grow, but at the same time reducing emissions, and also how we can secure good jobs in a labor market constantly changing due to automation and digitalization.
Sweden and the United States are two of the most innovative economies in the world, and we see great opportunities ahead. Swedish prosperity is built on cooperation, competitiveness, and free trade, and I am convinced that increased tariffs will hurt us all in the long run. And as a Swede, I, of course, support the efforts of the European Union to achieve trade with fewer obstacles and as few as possible.
Turning to security, the President and I have discussed some key regional and global security challenges, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, but also the developments in Sweden’s neighborhood.
We have also addressed the constructive cooperation between Sweden and the United States in the United Nations Security Council.
I would like to underline that the transatlantic link is strong, and it remains crucial to responding to global security challenges. Sweden is a military non-aligned country, but we build security in partnership with others, and we greatly value our broad security and defense cooperation with the United States.
One important example of that is our joint efforts to fight and combat terrorism. Sweden and the United States stand shoulder to shoulder in the global coalition against ISIS and also in the resolute support mission in Afghanistan. And these vital military efforts must go hand in hand with strong political, diplomatic, and also civilian support to create sustainable results.
So, in conclusion, as we celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations, we’re also planning for shared prosperity and security for many, many years to come. And once again, I thank you, Mr. President, for a constructive and successful meeting, and for the very warm welcome that both my delegation and I received. Thank you so much.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much.
John.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. You spoke about North Korea in the Oval Office, so I’d like to turn to trade, if I could. My understanding is that the Prime Minister came to you with a message from the European Union Commission President saying, if you put tariffs on steel and aluminum, we’ll slap you back with punitive tariffs on bourbon and jeans and the motorcycles that you talk about from Wisconsin. Are you still planning on going ahead with these tariffs? There are some people in your party who have suggested it’s not a good idea.
And, Prime Minister Löfven, what’s your perspective on tariffs? And what message did you convey to the President from Sweden and from the European Union? Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the United States has been taken advantage of by other countries, both friendly and not so friendly, for many, many decades. And we have a trade deficit of $800 billion a year, and that’s not going to happen with me. We have been mistreated by many, sometimes fairly, but there are, really, very few instances where that’s taken place.
And I don’t blame the countries. I blame our leadership for allowing it to happen. When I was with President Xi in China — as an example, we lose $500 billion a year on trade. We have a deficit of approximately $500 billion a year with China. And we’re doing things with China which are very strong, but they understand it. But I was with him and I said to him in public, I said, “Look, I’m not blaming you. I blame our people for not doing a better job, for allowing this to happen.”
But it’s like that with many countries, other than small — the European Union has been particularly tough on the United States. They make it almost impossible for us to do business with them, and yet they send their cars and everything else back into the United States. And they can do whatever they’d like, but if they do that, then we put a big tax of 25 percent on their cars. And believe me, they won’t be doing it very long. The European Union has not treated us well, and it’s been a very, very unfair trade situation.
I’m here to protect. And one of the reasons I was elected is I’m protecting our workers, I’m protecting our companies. And I’m not going to let that happen.
So we’re doing tariffs on steel. We cannot lose our steel industry. It’s a fraction of what it once was. And we can’t lose our aluminum industry. Also a fraction of what it once was.
And our country is doing well. The massive tax cuts and all of the deregulation has really kicked us into gear. But I have to work on trade deals. We’re working on NAFTA right now. And if we’re able to make a deal with Canada and Mexico in NAFTA, then there will be no reason to do the tariffs with Canada and Mexico.
But again, other countries we won’t have that choice, unless they can do something for us. As an example, if the European Union takes off some of the horrible barriers that make it impossible for our product to go into there, then we can start talking. Otherwise, we’re going to leave it the way it is.
So the fact is we’ve been mistreated as a country for many years, and it’s just not going to happen any longer.
Q How do you avoid this escalating — how do you avoid this escalating into a trade war?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’ll have to see. You know, when we’re behind on every single country, trade wars aren’t so bad. You understand what I mean by that? When we’re down by $30 billion, $40 billion, $60 billion, $100 billion, the trade war hurts them; it doesn’t hurt us. So we’ll see what happens.
You know, you can also take it — in some cases, we lose on trade, plus we give them military where we’re subsidizing them tremendously. So not only do we lose on trade, we lose on military, and hence we have these massive deficit numbers in our country. We’re going to straighten it out. And we’ll do it in a very loving way. It will be a loving, loving way. They’ll like us better and they will respect us much more. Because even they say — right now, they say, “We can’t believe we’ve gotten away.” I mean, two countries have said, “We cannot believe, to be honest with you, we’ve gotten away with this so long.” Now, one of them made that statement before I got elected. He said, “I can’t believe I made that statement before I got elected.” But it’s one of those things.
We have to straighten it out. We really have no choice.
Q And, Mr. Prime Minister, how forceful was your message to the President on what the consequences will be if he goes ahead with tariffs?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: First, trade is a European Union mandate, so we’re a member of the European Union. It’s a European mandate to handle the trade issues. But as a member of the European Union, I think it’s important for us to try to find a way to cooperate between the European Union and the United States.
I fully understand and respect the President’s view that they have to look after his own country — the country that you’re leading. I under that fully. That’s my primary task, as well.
But for me, leading a small country, depending on open trade, the best way for us is to do that with others, because our export equals to 50 percent of our GDP. So for us, it is crucially important that we have this open and free trade.
Today, also, I believe that the supply chains are very, very complicated to see. I know that, for example, when we sell our fighter aircraft, which is a very good aircraft, the content is perhaps 50 percent American. So we want this to be resolved in cooperation. And when it comes to steel, yes, we have an overcapacity in the world. That’s obvious. But at the same time, it is China that is producing about 50 percent of the steel in the world, and European Union perhaps 10 percent and less than that.
So, to summarize, I think it was a pity. Again, it’s a European Union mandate. But it was a pity, also, that the T-TIP negotiations ended, because perhaps with negotiations and talks, we can come into a situation where the European Union and the United States can cooperate. I think that would be a very good solution.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Just to add maybe a little bit further: If you talk China, I’ve watched where the reporters have been writing, 2 percent of our steel comes from China. Well, that’s not right. They transship all through other countries. And you’ll see that a country that doesn’t even have a steel mill is sending us 3 percent steel for our country. And many countries are doing it, but it comes from China.
So China doesn’t send us 2 percent; they send us a much, much higher level than that. But it’s called transshipping. So it doesn’t look good when it all comes out of China, so they send it through other countries, and it comes to us. And it’s putting our steel mills out of business. Our aluminum mills are going out of business. And we need steel and we need aluminum.
And you know there’s a theory that if a country doesn’t have steel, it doesn’t have a country. And it’s true. So this is more than just pure economics. This is about defense. This is about the country itself.
But again, remember this: We lose $800 billion a year in trade. And I think I was elected, at least partially, on this issue. And I’ve been saying it for 25 years — our country has been taken advantage of by everybody. By everybody. Almost everybody. And we cannot let that happen any longer, not for our companies and not, most importantly, for our workers. So we’re not going to let it happen.
Please.
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: Okay. Tina, TT News Agency.
Q So, Mr. President, thank you for hosting us. You mentioned that Sweden has helped the United States with North Korea. How do you see your collaboration in the future to create a future of a peaceful Korean Peninsula? How do you see Sweden’s role there? How do you both view the collaboration?
And as a follow-up to that, if I may — Mr. President, I know that you follow the development in Sweden closely, especially when it comes to immigration politics. Now that you’ve spent some time with our Prime Minister, how do you view Sweden in general? What is your take? And also, on our immigration politics? Thank you.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I think you have a wonderful Prime Minister, I have to say. We’ve gotten to know each other. Certainly, you have a problem with the immigration. It’s caused problems in Sweden. I was one of the first ones to say it. I took a little heat, but that was okay because I proved to be right. But you do have a problem, and I know the problem will slowly disappear — hopefully, rapidly disappear.
But as far as our relationship with Sweden, it’s going to be only stronger, only better, both in a military sense and a trading sense, and economic sense. You know, Sweden is, I think, the largest — the eighth largest investor in the United States. And they like me very much because the market is up almost 40 percent since Election Day. So I’ve made a lot of these business geniuses look even better. So they like Trump. But, you know, it’s been up very substantially.
But I believe Sweden is about the eighth largest investor in the United States, and that’s quite an achievement.
Q What about the collaboration on North Korea?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’ve been working on North Korea. Sweden has somewhat of a relationship with North Korea. We’ve been working with North Korea. As I said, Otto was really brought home, unfortunately in very poor condition, but Otto was brought home largely with the help of Sweden. They’re terrific — terrific people. People from Sweden, the Swedish people, are fantastic people. I have many friends in New York and Washington from Sweden, and they are fantastic people.
Thank you.
Q And, Mr. Prime Minister, how do you view Sweden and North Korea and the U.S.?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: We have to find a dialogue. I know it’s not easy, but that’s the way it has to be. It’s a very dangerous situation, and we need all to be very concerned about the development of nuclear weapons.
But we must look at the Peninsula, the region, the world, and this has to do with world peace or something else. So the key actors is obviously the two countries, South and North Korea, as well as the United States and other big countries. They’re the key actors.
We’ve said that we can provide — we can be a channel or do whatever we can to see that the dialogue is smooth. Not being naïve. It’s not up to us to solve this problem, but we can definitely, with our long presence on the Peninsula — both in South and North. We have an embassy in Pyongyang, for example. We’ve had that since 1973.
So with that relation with North Korea, I believe that they trust us. We are a non-aligning country, and — on military, non-aligning country. And I think if we can — if the President decides, the key actors decide if they want us to help out, we’ll be there.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: They really have been terrific. Really terrific.
Saagar Enjeti, Daily Caller. Please, Saagar.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Since it’s my first time before you, I thought you might indulge me with two questions. First, sir, do you believe that North Korea’s recent willingness to talk is sincere, or is it an effort to buy time for their nuclear program? And to what do you owe this recent openness to talk?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Me. No, I think that — (laughter). Nobody got that. (Laughter.) I think that they are sincere, but I think they’re sincere also because the sanctions and what we’re doing with respect to North Korea, including, you know, the great help that we’ve been given from China. And they can do more, but I think they’ve done more than, certainly, they’ve ever done for our country before. So China has been a big help. I think that’s been a factor.
But the sanctions have been very, very strong and very biting. And we don’t want that to happen. So I really believe they are sincere. I hope they’re sincere. We’re going to soon find out.
Q Sir, you tweeted today that you would like to see some change in the people around you. Does that include your Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, or either of your Cabinet secretaries?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, I don’t really talk about that. I just said that the White House has tremendous energy. It has tremendous spirit. It is a great place to be working.
Many, many people want every single job. You know, I read where, “Oh, gee, maybe people don’t want to work for Trump.” And believe me, everybody wants to work in the White House. They all want a piece of that Oval Office; they want a piece of the West Wing. And not only in terms of it looks great on their résumé; it’s just a great place to work.
It’s got tremendous energy. It’s tough. I like conflict. I like having two people with different points of view, and I certainly have that. And then I make a decision. But I like watching it, I like seeing it, and I think it’s the best way to go. I like different points of view.
But the White House has a tremendous energy, and we have tremendous talent. Yeah, there will be people — I’m not going to be specific — but there will be people that change. They always change. Sometimes they want to go out and do something else. But they all want to be in the White House. So many people want to come in. I have a choice of anybody. I could take any position in the White House, and I’ll have a choice of the 10 top people having to do with that position. Everybody wants to be there.
And they love this White House because we have energy like rarely before. Okay? Thank you very much.
Q Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Please.
Q Mr. Prime Minister, last year you criticized the President for drawing a link between immigrant crime and the recent arrivals of refugees. This week, one of our own flagship papers, The New York Times, actually profiled a link between hand grenade violence and immigrant gangs in your country. Do you stand by your criticism of the President?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: First, Sweden — we have our share of domestic challenges, no doubt about that. And we inherited a legislation that was not sustainable legislation on migration, which meant that, in 2015, we received 163,000 refugees seeking refuge. Bear in mind, we’re a country of 10 million inhabitants. So that was a lot. Seventy percent of them came from September to December, which meant it was a dramatic increase.
We changed the legislation, so now we have decreased the number of refugees entering Sweden, and we’re also putting pressure on the other European Union countries to take their share of the responsibility. This is not a responsibility for one, two, three or four countries. It is a shared responsibility. We are working with that now, within the European Union.
And we, of course — we also have problems with crime, organized crime, in Sweden — shootings. But it’s not like you have these no-go zones. We have dealt with it. I’m dealing with it every day, allocating more resources to the police, more policemen trained, more resources to the security police, tougher law on crime, tougher law on terrorism, supporting terrorism. So we do a lot to combat that.
And we can also see some results now in our three major cities — decreased shootings — because we’re attacking the organized crime very tough. And we’ll keep on doing that because there is no space in Sweden for organized crime because they decrease freedom for ordinary people.
At the same time, Sweden has a high growth. Unemployment is going down; employment is going up. We have high investment rates. We are allocating resources to the welfare. We have a strong, strong economy with a surplus — huge surplus — that we’re now using to develop our society with, for example, the welfare that we want.
So the pictures we need to be — it’s two pictures. Yes, we have our share of domestic problems and challenges, no doubt about that. But we’re dealing with them. And we also have a good foundation for dealing with them, not least with the strong economy and the shrinking unemployment.
Okay. So it’s (inaudible), Swedish Radio.
Q Thank you. This is an election year for both of our countries, and I want to ask you, Mr. Trump: What do you think Sweden should learn from how the Russian influence campaign affected the presidential election in the U.S.?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, the Russians had no impact on our votes whatsoever. But, certainly, there was meddling and probably there was meddling from other countries and maybe other individuals. And I think you have to be really watching very closely. You don’t want your system of votes to be compromised in any way. And we won’t allow that to happen.
We’re doing a very, very deep study, and we’re coming out with some, I think, very strong suggestions on the ’18 election. I think we’re going to do very well on the ’18 election, although, historically, those in the White House have a little bit of a dip. But I think we’re going to do well because the economy is so good and because we’re protecting our job, like — our jobs are being protected, finally, like with what we’re doing with the tariffs.
But the big thing would be the tax cut and the regulations cuts. Also, the judges. I mean, we have outstanding judges. Judge Gorsuch in the Supreme Court, and many, many judges going onto the bench all over the country.
So I think we’re going to do very well, and I think it will be a tremendous surprise to people how well. The economy is so good; jobs are so good. Black unemployment, Hispanic unemployment at all-time lows. I mean, we’re really doing well.
So based on that, I guess we should do pretty well, and I hope so. But you have to be very vigilant. And one of the things we’re learning is, it’s always good — it’s old-fashioned, but it’s always good to have a paper back-up system of voting. It’s called “paper,” not highly complex computers — paper. And a lot of states are doing that. They’re going to a paper backup, and I think that’s a great idea.
But we’re studying it very closely. Various agencies, including Homeland Security, are studying it very carefully.
Q But are you worried about Russia trying to meddle in the midterm election?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, because we’ll counteract whatever they do. We’ll counteract it very strongly. And we are having strong backup systems. And we’ve been working, actually — we haven’t been given credit for this, but we’ve actually been working very hard on the ’18 election and the ’20 election coming up. Thank you very much.
Q Mr. Löfven, are you guys on the same page when it comes to evaluating the threat from Russia when it comes to meddling in elections, you think?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: Well, we both agree upon that the election in a country should — the result of the election in a country should be decided by nobody else but the voters in that country. And that is also our clear stance.
And that is why our intelligence agencies now also increase in their own capacity to detect and counter, whether it’s hacker attacks or financing, or producing or spreading propaganda, whatever it is. We are increasing our capacity to handle that. We are cooperating with other European Union countries. Some of our agencies are also cooperating with American counterparts. And this we’ll continue to do.
So any foreign power that believes that they can interfere with our election, we will find out and we will call them out very clearly, loud.
Q ;And since this is the first time that you two meet, just the two of you, where did you find most common ground and where do you differ most on political issues.
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: (Laughs.) We — First, we —
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Maybe almost everything?
PRIME MINISTER LÖFVEN: (Laughs.) Yeah. We — no, first, we — I mean, we both come from outside politics, into politics. I’ve spent 30 years in industry as a welder but also as a trade unionist — trade union leader — spending 75, 80 percent of my time cooperating with the company leaders, with the employers’ organization in an effort to strengthen our industry. So that’s, perhaps, a similar background. Not similar — because it’s different — but we come from outside politics.
But, of course, also, friends differ from time to time. The Paris Agreement, the importance of the Paris Agreement, we stand by that. We think it’s very important that we implement and fulfill the Paris Agreement because of the climate issue. And on that, we might differ. Terrorists, as well.
But having said that, still we know that the relationship is a good — yes, so we can take — that we differ as well, because the values are there and we cooperate very, very good on economic issues, making sure that we create jobs and growth, and also on security issues, both when it comes to combatting terrorism but also when it comes to defend ourselves.
Q Just finally, a follow-up for Mr. Trump. Do you think that trade is where Sweden and the U.S. differ most right now?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Oh, I think we have very good relationships on trade. We have had, and we are constantly in touch. We have, on the military, great cooperation, including design of various components of aircraft, et cetera. And we are — we were discussing that. We have some of the great makers of these components in the room with us today.
No, we have a very good relationship on trade, and we always will have. Sweden is a great country. It’s small, but it’s very sharp, I will tell you. They are very sharp.
Thank you very much, everybody. I appreciate it. Thank you.
END
4:10 P.M. ES
Time reports North Korea To Stop Nuclear Testing If The U.S. Agrees To Talks, South Korean Official Says. North Korean leader Kim JongUn has agreed to meet with South Korea’s president next month and impose a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests if his country holds talks with the United States, a senior South Korean official said Tuesday.
CBSN reported that In a rare move, North Korean leader Kim JongUn met with South Korean delegates in Pyongyang. The South says Kim would possibly be willing to give up his nuclear weapons if certain conditions are met. Meanwhile, there's also growing fallout from President Trump's proposed tariffs. Eurasia Group president and CBS News senior global affairs contributor Ian Bremmer takes CBSN through the latest.
CNN on Mar 5, 2018
North Korean leader Kim JongUn hosted a dinner for a high-ranking South Korean delegation in Pyongyang, according to a South Korean government official.
It's believed to be the first time the young leader has spoken face-to-face with officials from the South since he took power in 2011. Among those Kim met were South Korea's national security chief, Chung Eui-yong, and the country's spy chief, SuhHoon.
Their trip north is part of South Korean President Moon Jae-in's attempt to broker a diplomatic solution to North Korea's nuclear weapons program in the wake of the thaw brought about by North Korea's attendance at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics last month.
March 6th 2018: ROK Special Envoys Returned to South Korea From North Korea
According to Alzeejara and Arirang News dated, March 6th, 2018, The leaders of North and South Korea have agreed to hold a historic summit in April as hopes build for a breakthrough on the peninsula. It follows a high-level meeting between a South Korean delegation and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang. With search News stated that there will be no DPRK nuclear test during the meeting proceeding time althoug there was no commitment about denuclearization from DPRK however, ROK Special Envoy Chung Eui Yong stated that He is planning to visit U.S. and China and Russia and S. Hoon planning to visit Japan
They have agreed to install a hotline between the two leaders to de-escalate military tensions and North Korea has said it would consider freezing its nuclear programme under the right circumstances. Is clear that ROK special envoys has delivered to DPRK leader Kim Jong-un from President Moon's message DPRK denuclearization is very important.
U.S and The world is hoping to have break through that DPRK's Denuclearization and have prosperity in North Korea.
Youtupe Maia reported that N.Korea Agreed On Denuclearization Talk With The United States.
March 5th 2018: BREAKING NEW:S. Korean president's special envoys fly to Pyongyang for two-day visit
Aaccording to Arirang News, Dated March 5th, 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in's senior delegation took a chartered flight to North Korea this Monday afternoon for the start of historic talks.
Arirang News Reporter Moon Conn-young reported that a chartered flight carrying South Korean President Moon Jae-in's special delegation led by his top national security adviser and represented by his chief intelligence officer took off for North Korea Monday afternoon marking the first such visit under the Moon administration and the first in 11 years.
Prior to leaving for Pyongyang on Monday, President Moon's national security director leading the delegation said he will relay the South Korean leader's hopes for North Korean nuclear disarmament and a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. "I will certainly deliver President Moon's firm resolve to achieve a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and genuine and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. My team and I will also push for 'in-depth' talks to find ways to help arrange the restart of dialogue between North Korea and the U.S."
North Korea has repeatedly said it will not put its nuclear program on a negotiating table, while the United States has made it clear that it doesn't want talks for the sake of talks and said all options, including military measures, are on the table.
Chung , a longtime diplomat, heads a 10-member delegation that includes intelligence chief S Hoon with a 30-year career at South Korea's intelligence agency who has been involved in the coordination of the two previous inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007 and vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung, another veteran official in North Korean affairs for the next two days in Pyongyang that will most likely include talks with leader Kim Jong-un. "The high-profile delegation is to reciprocate the trip by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister and special envoy, Kim Yo-jong, on the occasion of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games."
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Kim Yo-jong delivered an invitation from her brother for the South Korean president to visit Pyongyang at an early date for what would be a third inter-Korean summit.
South Korea's special envoys are also carrying a written message from President Moon which they may be able to deliver to the North Korean leader as early as Monday evening if Kim shows up to
host dinner for the South Koreans.
If and when that meeting is realized, it would mark the first time for any South Korean to meet Kim in person since he took power upon his father's death in late 2011.
After the two-day Pyongyang trip, President Moon's special envoys are to fly to the United States to brief officials about the outcome of their talks with North Korean officials.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House.
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Meanwhile, same day, According to Arirang News, Dated, March 6th, 2018, The South Korean envoys weren't completely sure of what they'd be doing or when before embarking on their two-day journey to North Korea, but it seems they were able to meet with the highest levels of the regime's leadership.
According to South Korea's presidential office, the envoys landed Monday afternoon at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang, where they were met on the plane by RiHyon, an official from North Korea's ruling Workers' Party.
Ri belongs to the United Front Department, the intelligence arm of the Workers' Party leadership.
Then they were greeted at the airport by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland and another senior official from the United Front Department, MaengKyong-il.
The envoys then moved to a resort at Mount Kobang in the North Korean capital at around 3:40 PM. There they were met by the head of the United Front Department, Kim Yong-chol, the same official who attended the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea last month. They discussed the details of the two-day itinerary and were invited to dinner with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Finally, at 6 PM, the envoys met Kim for the dinner at the headquarters of the Workers' Party. They were also joined by the leader's sister Kim Yo-jong, his wife Ri Sol-ju, and his chief of staff, Kim Chang-son.
Kim's wife is rarely seen at diplomatic events, so experts interpret her presence as a way for Kim to try and show the world that his regime is, in a sense, "normal." The 10-member delegation held another meeting with North Korean officials on Tuesday... before heading back to South Korea.
Judging from the initial reports, experts say there's a noticeable difference in the diplomatic approach taken by the regime's current leader compared to his father.
"Kim Jong-il was a reclusive leader who kept South Korean envoys on the edge of their seats, but Kim Jong-un has been greeting our envoys very proactively. The fact that they had dinner at the headquarters of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party is unseen."
The expert adds that although it's hard to predict whether this will lead to dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang the proactive attitude on Kim Jong-un's part definitely reflects a open attitude towards future talks with South Korea, as well as the U.S.
February 28th 2018: BREAKING NEW: S. Korean Foreign Minister says sanctions are not aimed at bringing down N. Korea
North Korea demanding not to have South Korea and US Annual Defense Excercise
S. Korean Foreign Minister says sanctions are not aimed at bringing down N. Korea
U.S. Disarmament Ambassador Washington will never recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapon state.US
According to Norae Wang Korean Broad Cast dated February 28th, 2018, there was concerns about DPRK nuclear tests becoming the furious concern that radioactive contamination and leak and it is becoming a huge concern around the neighboring countries and among the people who knows about it. Also DPRK is continue to digging and breaking the rocks in Mount Manta area to have continuous nuclear tests. Norae Wang broadcast mentioned that North Korea possibly carry another nuclear test before March 31st, if there is one, the test will be the biggest explosion which it may be the 14 times bigger than the 5th Nuclear test.
Meanwhile,
The United Nations Conference on Disarmament is meeting this week in Geneva in a renewed push to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
It's been over 20 years since the conference has been able to agree on anything, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to work together and make progress. North Korea, though, is defiant as ever.
Won Jong-hwan reports. Diplomats from both South and North Korea addressed the UN Conference on Disarmament on Tuesday.
North Korea's envoy to the UN, Han Tae-song, said the international sanctions and pressure against North Korea to get it to abandon its nuclear program will never work.
Han also said plans by South Korea and the United States to resume their joint military exercises will be a setback for inter-Korean relations, which have improved since the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
And Han urged the Trump administration to stop what he called its "provocations."
"Stop all provocations that accelerate tensions including deployment of nuclear assets around Korean peninsula. Second, completely stop the joint military exercises which is key factor that undermines regional peace and security."
Addressing Han's statement, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said North Korea must realize that as long as it continues down the path of nuclear development, it will only face more sanctions and pressure.
But Kang also said the sanctions on North Korea are not aimed at toppling the regime, but pressuring it to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
"Sanctions are not an end in themselves and not meant to bring down North Korea but to make it understand that its future lies not in nuclear weapons but in working with the global community towards denuclearization,"
The South Korean foreign minister called on the international community to faithfully implement the sanctions on the North,… but she also said that if Pyongyang makes the "right decision," Seoul will be ready to work "towards a brighter and prosperous future."
Meanwhile, U.S. disarmament ambassador Robert Wood was adamant that Washington will never recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapon state.
He said North Korea needs to drop that as a demand and respond to calls for it to halt its banned weapons programs.
South Korea would like to see its current thaw in ties with North Korea lead to dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington
However, the U.S. says any such talks will only be possible under the right conditions -- that is, on the principle of denuclearization.
North Korea continues Stronger Nuclear Plan
U.S. says any such talks will only be possible under the right conditions that is, on the principle of denuclearization
PBS reported how deep have been making nuclear materials in DPRK
NORTH KOREA MUST CONFIRM BEFORE TALK OR ANY DIALOG WITH US.
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CLEAR THAT DENUCLEARIZATION IS MUST AND NO MORE TESTS… US AND SOUTH KOREA DEFENSIVE EXCERSICE RESUME BEFORE APRIL, 2018
February 26th, 2018: BREAKING NEWS
February 23, 2018: Press Briefing by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on North Korea Sanctions
Briefing on North Korea Sanctions
According to The White House
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
11:40 A.M. EST
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Hello, everybody. Today, the Treasury Department is announcing the largest set of sanctions ever imposed in connection with North Korea.
This action targets the deceptive shipping practices that have enabled the Kim regime to fund its dangerous weapons programs. Our actions target shipping and trade companies, vessels, and individuals across the world who we know are working with North Korea’s behalf. Specifically, we are sanctioning 27 entities, 28 vessels, and 1 individual, all involved in sanctions evasions schemes.
Today’s actions will significantly hinder North Korea’s ability to conduct evasive maritime activities that facilitate illicit coal and fuel transports, and limit the regime’s ability to ship goods through international waters.
Our actions are part of the ongoing maximum economic pressure campaign to cut off sources of revenue that this regime derives from U.N. and U.S. prohibitive trade to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
We are also issuing a global shipping advisory, in conjunction with the Coast Guard and the State Department, to put everyone on notice of North Korea’s illicit maritime tactics and underscore the significant sanctions risk of engaging in maritime business with North Korea.
We are releasing new imagery of the deceptive shipping practices used by those who aid and profit from illicit trade with North Korea. These images from December 2017 reveal ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other products destined for North Korea in an attempt to evade sanctions. They shine a spotlight on the practices employed by the government of North Korea to falsify identifying information on ships and conceal illicit cargo.
These sanctions — evasion tactics are prohibited by U.S. Security Council resolutions, and we are fully committed to shutting down those who engage in trade with them.
Through today’s actions, we are putting companies and countries across the world on notice that this administration views compliance with U.S. and U.N. sanctions as a national security imperative. Those who trade with North Korea do so at their own peril.
The United States will leverage our economic strength to enforce President Trump’s directive that any company that chooses to help North Korea fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs will not be allowed to do business with anyone in the United States.
Kim Jong-un’s nuclear program serves one goal: to keep him in power, even as his people starve and suffer. The United States will not sit idly by while he threatens American allies and territories.
This administration is committed to full, irreversible, and permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. And our actions today, against those who continue to fuel this rogue regime, amplifies our strong resolve to achieve that end.
And I’m happy to answer any questions.
Q Mr. Secretary, in recent weeks there seems to have been a little bit of a thaw, at least between South Korea and North Korea; their participation in the Olympic games. There hasn’t been a missile test, certainly not a nuclear test, in recent weeks. Why these sanctions, and why now, when it looked like there was the beginning of an opening, at least between South and North Korea?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Okay, well, I’d say, while we appreciate the fact that there haven’t been tests, that’s not exactly a terrific standard of what we’re applying.
It was very clear that this has been a directive that the President has issued, going back to his time at the U.N. When the Vice President was over in the region, he made it very clear that we were working on these sanctions. And as you know, there’s a huge process that goes into preparing these sanction packages. And as soon as they were ready, we were prepared to release them today.
Q Secretary Mnuchin, real quick question about the nuclear — you mentioned nuclear weapons. Do we have any specific — two questions. Do we have any specific example of this being used to enhance their nuclear program? Do you have specific examples of where they breached trade to do that?
Secondly, is there a linkage between a speech the President made earlier last week, when he said we’re going to be so far ahead of everyone else in nuclear like you’ve never seen before, far in excess of anyone else? Was he talking about North Korea?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, those are independent issues. Our capabilities are obviously — far surpass the rest of the world in those capabilities.
I’m not going to make any comments on direct — on the source of funds. But I can assure you that he is diverting money from the people of the country to support his programs.
Q Thank you very much. And thank you for doing this. This targets 27 entities, 27 vessels. When you talk about ship-to-ship, like the picture behind you there, give us some sort of scope or some context. Is that a small portion of the ships involved and the transfers involved? Is this a larger portion, or in the middle? How impactful, actually, is going after these 27 entities and these 28 vessels?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: This is very impactful. This is virtually all the ships they’re using at this moment in time. We will obviously continue to monitor and use all of our resources to monitor activities going forward. And we will do new sanctions as needed going forward.
But this is a very, very significant action, along with, I might just say, the advisory that the Coast Guard has worked on with us that we think will be very impactful.
Q If it’s virtually all of the ships, do you expect these ship-to-ship transfers to essentially be eliminated after this?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: We’re going to do everything to stop these ship-to-ship transfers.
Q Mr. Secretary, to that point, and using the words you just spoke, we will do everything to stop ship-to-ship transfers. Clearly, we have the intelligence to identify them. This feels like the economic equivalent of a blockade. Is that the next step? A military blockade to, in fact, block these ship-to-ship transfers if these sanctions are not effective?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I think, as the President has said before, we’re not going to announce in advance anything that we may do in the future on military actions. We are monitoring.
What I would say again is, right now we are using the full power of the United States economically, and working with our allies to cut them off economically. That’s the priority of the maximum pressure campaign at the moment.
Q Do you disagree with that characterization that it’s like an economic blockade?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to confirm that. What I will say is we’re using all of our sanctions capabilities, and we will continue to do so, to economically cut off illicit activities.
Q I’ve got two questions for you, Mr. Secretary. The first is on the superlative, “largest.” Is that just purely the number of entities and vessels and companies that are being sanctioned? The President also called it the heaviest sanctions —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I think we think it’s both the largest in number we’ve ever done against them, as well as impactful. I would just say that this brings up the total to over 450 sanctions that we have on North Korea. I would say approximately half of those have been done in the last year. So we’ve had sanctions since 2005. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve done half of those in the last year.
Q Mr. Secretary, some of those sanctions of Chinese companies and banks that have done hundreds of millions of dollars of business with the North are — I mean, when you say — so just from a superlative standpoint, wouldn’t those be bigger? Your argument is these are more impactful than taking action against a Chinese entity.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to make any specifics. Again, Chinese entities, we will continue to look at them like everyone else. We expect people to follow through on the obligations of the U.N. sanctions and our sanctions programs.
Q Mr. Secretary, to what extent is Russia helping North Korea evade the sanctions?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I’m not going to make any comments specifically on that, other than to say that, obviously, Russia and China are two countries that have traded with them. And we are working actively with both of those.
Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary. What indicators will you use to measure whether or not these sanctions are successful?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: We have both classified and unclassified indicators that we monitor, as to the success. And I will tell you, we believe that the economic sanctions are beginning to have a significant impact on their ability to fund their programs.
Q Could you let us know about some of the unclassified indicators that you use?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, in this setting I’m not prepared to go through the difference in classified and unclassified. But we’ll follow up.
Q Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Two questions for you. To follow up on Steve, why not blacklist Russian ships?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, we’re prepared to blacklist Russian ships to the extent there are Russian ships. So let me be clear. Whether they’re Russian ships, whether they’re Chinese ships, we don’t care whose ships they are. If we have intelligence that people are doing things, we will put sanctions on them and we will go forward with that.
Q And the second question on timing here, specifically today. This is a time, obviously, when the Olympics Closing Ceremonies are happening on the Korea Peninsula. The President’s daughter and senior advisor just arrived in South Korea. Is that timing more than a coincidence? Or are you trying to send a coordinated message by rolling these sanctions out today?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Well, first let me say, Ivanka Trump has been briefed on this. She’s been part of the team. She had dinner with President Moon. They had a private discussion in advance about this occurring. And this has been an interagency process.
So I think, as I said earlier, when the Vice President went over there, he announced these. These sanctions were not ready at the time. Had they been ready to release, we would have done them earlier. And there’s an extensive process, an enormous amount of work that’s been done with the intel community on an interagency basis to get where we are today.
In the back. Yes.
Q What are you going to do when you exhaust all the sanctions? In other words, what if it shows that it doesn’t work? What’s the next —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I don’t think we’re going to make any comments on what our options are or aren’t in the future. We will continue — as we see things that should be sanctioned, I can assure you we will continue to roll our new sanctions.
So as you know, since I’ve been here, this has been an evolving process. And although we don’t comment on future sanctions, I can assure you we have a large team — the largest ever — dedicated at Treasury to focus on North Korea illicit activities. And as there are more actions that need to be sanctioned, we will do that in the future.
Q Mr. Secretary, you said that — do you mind going into a little bit more detail about Ivanka briefing the South Korean President? Does she have the proper security clearance to have been able to know what these sanctions were and brief the South Korean President?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Yeah, she has the appropriate access to brief President Moon.
Q Do you think the greatest effect by this will be military or economic?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to comment on any military issues. I am going to comment that we think the economic activities are significant and the sanctions are working.
Q But you think there will be military —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I’m not commenting one way or another. You shouldn’t interpret that.
Q Regarding North Korean people who are under the U.S. — under the sanctions, and Kim Yong-chol, who is the military chief in the North Korea. He was (inaudible) in South Korea. So he’s coming for the closing ceremony the 25th. So what is the U.S. position of this terrorist guys enter the South Korea? Do you have anything —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: That’s for South Korea to decide. I’m not making any comments on that. But again, let me just emphasize, our actions are not against the people of North Korea. Our actions are against the leadership of North Korea and the illicit activities, and our commitment to have safety and security on the Peninsula.
Q Can you rule out the United States boarding and inspecting North Korean ships full stop?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: No, I cannot rule that out. So again, under the U.N. sanctions, with the consent of state flags, there are certain rights that we and other countries have. And I’m not ruling anything out.
Q Sorry, just with the consent of state flags. So say a ship doesn’t give you consent — it’s a North Korean ship and it’s suspect — do you rule out then boarding it forcibly?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to make any comments on what the military may or may not do. I would direct you to — under the U.N. sanctions, we do have the right, with the consent of the state flag. And we will actively — and we expect states that, as we give them information, they de-flag the ships. I think that’s also something that’s very important.
Yes, in the back.
Q Do you believe these sanctions will create or will entice North Korea to have a change of heart?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I’m not going to speculate what their change of heart will be or won’t be. Again, what I’ve said is we do believe the sanctions work. There’s no question. The case of Iran, the sanctions and unified sanctions is what brought Iran to the table. We believe that the economic might of the United States and our allies, cutting them off will limit their ability to continue their programs.
Q What if some of these companies actually don’t have much economic exposure in the U.S.? What is there you can do to pressure them further?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: So again, I think, as you’re aware, we have the ability to do both primary sanctions and secondary sanctions. So if these companies are doing business in other places in the world and that is facilitated, we have the ability to cut off the banking system in other parts of the world. And we will look at that very seriously.
Q Mr. Secretary, are you right now actively considering any further designations under the Patriot Act, Section 311, of any banks or financial institutions (inaudible)?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, as a matter of policy, I’m not going to give specifics as to what we are considering and what we’re not considering. But I assure you, we are reviewing information as it associates with banks that are doing illicit activities.
Q Can I sneak one in on taxes while we have you here?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Go ahead.
Q Last time you were here was because of it. And there was supposed to be this calculator on the Treasury website — the IRS website — so that people could go and sort of figure it out.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Yeah, I’ve —
Q It hasn’t been posted yet. There’s this kind of turf battle between Treasury and IRS and OMB on how to deal with regulations on the tax code. Has this rollout gone as smoothly as you expected it?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Absolutely. So let me just comment. First of all, the calculator is on track. I think it’s being released next week.
STAFF MEMBER: Correct.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: It is being released next week. I think we’re going to give the press a demonstration of this.
And again, I would just emphasize — I think the rollout of the tax plan, we’ve had very close coordination between the IRS and our team at Treasury, and the White House and the OMB. I think there have been some articles about a memorandum of understanding that Treasury has had for 30 years with OMB.
But again, I assure you that Mick Mulvaney and I are working very closely together. And to the extent that it makes sense to reconsider how things have been done over the last 30 years, we’re already doing that.
Q And the President said today at CPAC that past administrations, when talking about the deficits and debt, have let it go to hell, I believe were his words. Yet the projections are still close to trillion-dollar deficits that are going to be racked up in the future years here. Is the administration on the same track as past ones?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Let me comment on that because I think that’s an important issue. Again, as we’ve said, the debt has gone from $10 trillion to $20 trillion over the last eight years. The President is concerned about that. A big component of that was spent in the Middle East on wars, as the President has talked about.
The President has been very clear that getting more money for the military was a major priority of his, and that’s something that was achieved. And as part of that, the Democrats required us to raise nonmilitary money. I think given the importance of what the President wanted to do with the military, that was critical that we get it done. And we’ll be looking at the issue of budget deficits going forward.
Q Mr. Secretary, while we’re on the subject of taxes, where is the administration on the idea of a 25-cent rise in the gas tax that the President has suggested in meetings with members of Congress?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I will tell you it’s something that’s being considered. There is no decision on that. I think, as some of you noted in my testimony, the President is focused on the idea of Internet sales tax. Again, let me just say, this is not a new tax. This is, most states have a sales or use tax, and the President wants to make sure that the states are getting the money that they deserve and that they can spend on infrastructure.
Q Another question on the gas tax. Do you, Mr. Secretary, believe it will be in any way economically harmful to raise it on — maybe keep it on a inflation-adjusted basis as some in the infrastructure community have suggested would be necessary?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, I would just comment, we haven’t had an increase in the gas tax in a long time. It’s one of the things that we’re looking at. It’s just one of the issues. We haven’t made any decisions.
Q Have you made any determinations on whether or not it would be economically harmful?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, we’ve done some analysis on it. But it’s on a preliminary basis, and nothing we’re prepared to decide on right now.
Why don’t we take —
Q Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Yes.
Q Mr. Secretary, can you update on the monitoring of the China-North Korea corridor that is the lifeline for North Korea, which is not monitored by any international organization?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I’m not going to comment on specifically what ability we have to monitor things and what ability we don’t. But I can assure you that we have a lot of capabilities.
Q Mr. Secretary, yesterday you met with our Prime Minister, and he quoted you as suggesting that 70 percent of the benefits of the tax cuts go to workers. He’s got a similar agenda he’s trying to get through back home. What’s the evidence to suggest that that flow-through is there for workers?
And secondly, on North Korea — the sanctions. You briefed him on that as well. Do you expect to have strong support from Australia on that —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: I do. So I’ve known the Prime Minister for a long period of time. He is trying to focus on a very similar to economic agenda to what we’ve done. He explained to me how he’s lowered the corporate tax rate on the small- and medium-sized companies, and how he’s focused to do it on bigger companies. And he congratulated us on our success, and hopefully that will show the success for him there.
And we’ve talked about this statistic in the past. We believe that a major part of the burden of corporate taxes are borne by the workers.
And then on North Korea, we had a very productive discussion on North Korea. He’s very supportive, and we’ve encouraged him to work with us on sanctions and other areas.
So a very productive discussion. I know he’s looking forward to see the President today.
Q On that modeling, Mr. Secretary, with the 70 percent dividend that goes to workers that you mentioned to Malcolm Turnbull yesterday, is that all in wage growth or some other dividend?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: It’s mostly in wage growth.
All right. Why don’t I take one or two more questions? But I don’t want to leave here without emphasizing — you haven’t asked me yet — we are working on Russia sanctions. I can assure you that is in the process. I will be back here within the next several weeks to talk about that.
But again, I just want to emphasize, I think you know under Section 241, we did deliver both the unclassified and classified report. And as I’ve repeatedly said, we are working on sanctions as a follow-up to that.
So why don’t we take the last question.
Q (Inaudible) related to election meddling, sir? Is that what you —
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: We’ll continue to look at election meddling. I might just add we are closely working with the FBI on them giving information, as it relates to the recent suit. And as appropriate, we will look at sanctioning individuals from the information they had.
And I would also just comment, we already had sanctions against one of the very significant people that were on their list.
Q Sir, did the indictment change anything?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Didn’t change anything.
Thank you, everybody. Appreciate your help.
Q (Inaudible) Russian sanctions. Are they having anything to do with North Korea, or just, as Steven pointed out, about the election meddling?
SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Again, let me just say quickly, again, as it relates to North Korea, we’re looking at everybody the same. So the ability that we have under North Korea is not differentiated by country. We’ve done over 100 sanctions under our Ukraine and Russia abilities that we’ve done since the President has been in office. We will continue to look at those abilities, as well as the authority we’ve been given under CAATSA, which I think you know has huge bipartisan support, and election meddling.
Thank you very much.
END
12:01 P.M. EST
On February 7th, 2018: Vice President Pence stated that The U.S. Will Unveil New Tough and Aggressive Sanctions on North Korea
Vice President Mike Pence completed his first day in Japan where he met with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, participated in a bilateral meeting and a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the United States-Japan alliance.
The Vice President’s day began with a visit to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. There he saw one of the Patriot missile batteries that protect Tokyo. The Vce President said that the full range of American military capabilities is dedicated to the protection of Japan.
Afterwards, the Vice President arrived at the Kantei to begin his meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Abe. The Vice President announced the United States will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever.
“We have brought unprecedented diplomatic and economic pressure to bear on North Korea through our maximum pressure campaign,” the Vice President said
“We will continue to isolate North Korea until it abandons its nuclear and ballistic missile programs once and for all.”
According to Arirang News South Korea's Moon administration makes all efforts to keep Olympic-driven and N. Korea 'willing to talk' with U.S. even though, Pres. Moon's mention of nuclear although there was no mentioned about commitment for DPRK denuclearization
There is dialogue between South and North Korea lasts beyond the Olympic Games which is important that we need China's support not only inter-Korean talks but also North Korea, U.S. dialogue aimed at denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
There is North Korea delegation Kim Yong Chol who was masterminding Cheonan ship sinking while the respective delegations - U.S. led by its presidential adviser and first daughter, Ivanka Trump and the North by a former spy chief Kim Yong-chol- were in town.
The Ivanka-led delegation left South Korea on Monday and there has not been any word of interaction between the Americans and the North Koreans.
The Blue House did announce, however, that President Moon's chief security adviser and other key officials had lunch with the North Korean delegation released a brief statement that read "the two sides agreed to work together for permanent peace on the Korean peninsula, sustainable relations between North and South Korea and balanced cooperation with the international society."
Little is known at this point - whether there has been any progress in the South Korean president's efforts to bring North Korea and the U.S. to the dialogue table whether there had been any interaction between the two, even if low-key, working-level and whether North Korea has attached preconditions for starting talks with the U.S.?
Arirang News also stated that "What we do know is that something is in the works behind closed doors between the two Koreas with the South Korean president ever mindful that he must make headway before the Winter Paralympic Games end on March 18th when Seoul and Washington have said their mass military drills, which North Korea may have laid out as precondition for talks with the U.S., will begin shortly thereafter."
According to Youtube Mania, there will U.S & South to Begin Military Drill Aimed At N. Korea After The Winter Olympic .
According to PBS News, This American scientist Sig Hecker, has seen North Korea’s nuclear program up close nuclea who has visited seven times and given eye-opening access to their facilities. Science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on how experts try to access the North’s capabilities.
Meanwhile, Pyoeng Chang Olympic media survey shows that Pyeong Chang Olympic 2018 was a huge success and most of the people who were in the olympic and tourist reported that South Korea had great coordination compare to speaking in Korean for many places and organized very well people felt their kindness and graceful manner although many of social people from South Korean have felt uncomfortable with North Korean Human rights abused person Kim Yo Jong and Cheonan masterminding person who have killed for 46 people as guests in South Korea Olympic Game also Yahoo News, Businessinsider.com, Reuters reported that the North Korea plans to send a man blamed for the death of 46 South Korean sailors to the Winter Olympics closing ceremony puting the photos of Members of the South Korean special warfare command salute in front of the portraits of the deceased sailors from the sunken South Korean naval ship Cheonan during a memorial service at Seoul City Hall Plaza in South Korea, Sunday, April 25, 2010. The defense minister says that a torpedo attack likely has torn apart and sank a South Korean warship that went down near the tense border with North Korea last month.
Anyway, The Pyeong Chang Olympic 2018 was a huge success and extraordinary and made many people happy and great memory to keep in many athletics generated great historic moment!! Way to go South Korea and the world athletic people all of you pulled one world together and exchanging the energetic sportmanship power in a healthy way!!!
Sources:Arirang News, Day Break, Go News, Youtube Mania, Military News, CNN, Fox, References: Eskify, NORAE Wang Vocal King Youtube, Yahoo Sports VOA, Cross ,Olympic chanel, CHANNEL90seconds Youtube mania, newscom, U.S. Military News, Olympic closing Highlights before 2018: Tweeter, Reuters, Yahoo\wikipedia and Youtube DOD news, catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund, February 23th, 2018, Rev. Feb 26th, 2018 Rev. Feb 27, 2018,
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February 21st, 2018: BREAKING NEWS
News Alert -North Korea Fully read for dialogue and war: state media
South Korea planning to warm welcome Ivanca Trump
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News Alert: According to Arirang News,Yutube mania, GoNews, and News media search dated Feb. 19th, 2018:
North Korea's state-run news agency says the regime is "fully ready for both dialogue and war" and stressed it's prepared to respond to any U.S. provocation with a prompt counterstrike.
The Korean Central News Agency also took aim at the U.S. over what it said were moves to stifle thawing inter-Korean ties.
Also targeting the annual joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington the North slammed the acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea for saying the postponed drills would be held in April.
The North's outburst comes a day after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the White House is willing to work with the North Korean leadership and Washington is waiting to hear from Pyongyang that the regime is ready to talk.
That said, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also stressed that the Trump administration will keep up its campaign of maximum pressure on North Korea.
The Washington Post reported that Vice President Pence stated " No pressure comes off until they are actually doing something that the alliance believes represents a meaningful step towardd denuclearization," Pence told the Post, "... But if you want to talk, we'll talk." Vice president was schedule to meet DPRK officials but, DPRK cancelled before 2 hours for meeting scheduled. Arirang News also reported that North Korea and South Korea may propose to have next winter olympic however, The IOC has selected Pyeongchang, South Korea, to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Beijing, China, to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. As of 2017 no city in the southern hemisphere had applied to host the cold-weather-dependent Winter Olympics, which are held in February at the height of the southern hemisphere summer.
Meanwhile, According to Arirang News, Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News dated Feb. 20th, 2018
Ivanka Trump will be visiting South Korea later this week for the Olympic closing ceremony.
Seoul is looking to use the chance to convince Washington to allow inter-Korean talks.
Kwon Jang-ho shows us how the Moon administration will be driven by a singular purpose when welcoming America's first daughter. Seoul is preparing a warm welcome for Ivanka Trump for her trip to South Korea later this week. She is set to arrive on Friday and stay for three nights.
The main purpose of her visit will be to lead the U.S. delegation at the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics on Sunday, where she is expected to be seated next to President Moon Jae-in. Foreign ministry officials have said that a separate meeting between the two is also likely over the weekend.
There's also talk that President Moon, or another senior official, such as Seoul's foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha, might accompany Ivanka Trump to Olympic events to support Team USA.
Seoul is also reportedly arranging events that are in line with her role as an advocate for women's rights and empowerment.
It's unusual for the family member of a world leader to receive such treatment a foreign ministry official has said that there are no official guidelines to help them prepare.
But Seoul's lavish reception of Kim Yo-Jong , North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, who came as part of the North Korean delegation for the opening ceremony, has led to pressure to provide similar hospitality to the U.S. first daughter. Ivanka Trump is also considered to have her father's ear, and Seoul is looking to court her potential influence, at a time when South Korea looks to orchestrate talks with North Korea. But observers aren't expecting too much from the visit.
"I don't think there should be any expectation, I think this should be about creating a good mood and understanding. I think we need to be careful not to go too far in overestimating her influence over the President. But at the same time I don't think it hurts the South Korean government to have a good relationship with some of the closest advisors to President Trump, and Ivanka Trump clearly is one of them."
When U.S. Vice President Mike Pence came for the opening ceremony, he met with a group of North Korean defectors to highlight North Korea's human rights abuses.
A similar event might also be on the cards for Ivanka Trump to make a similar statement and keep the pressure on Pyongyang.
February 12th, 2018: BREAKING NEWS:
News Alert - ROK President Moon Jae-In At Odd With Trump's Administration If Accept N. Korea's Invitation
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s invitation to South Korean President Moon Jae-in to visit Pyongyang, could complicate the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts to pressure the reclusive communist state, to abandon its nuclear weapons program, analysts say.
DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un's Sister Kim Yo Jong extended the rare invitation to the South Korean leader through his closest confidante: his only sister Kim Yo Jong, who was visiting the South as part of the North Korean delegation to the Winter Olympics, according to South Korea’s presidential office on Saturday. Moon said he wanted to “create the environment for that to be able to happen,” according to the office.
The North Korean diplomatic initiative comes amid growing international pressure, led by the United States, aimed at imposing maximum economic and diplomatic pressure on the regime. Former U.S. officials and analysts say the North Korean move could put Moon, who supports Trump’s pressure campaign while pursuing dialogue with the North, at odds with the Trump administration.
The 2018 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games WHICH IS The 23rd Anniversary of Winter Olympic and commonly known as PyeongChang 2018, is an on going international multi-sport event hosted by the county of Pyeongchang, South Korea. The county was selected as the host city in July 2011, during the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, South Africa. It marks the first time that South Korea has hosted the Winter Olympics, and the second Olympics held in the country, the first being the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
The Winter Olympics runs from 9 to 25 February 2018, with certain events being held on 8 and 9 February 2018 prior to the opening ceremony. The games feature 102 events in seven sports with fifteen disciplines, including the addition of big air snowboarding, mass startspeed skating, mixed doubles curling, and mixed team alpine skiing to the Winter Olympic programme. A total of 2,952 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees are slated to compete, including the debut of Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore.
The lead-up to these Games was affected by the ongoing tensions between South Korea and North Korea, and also the ongoing missile crisis involving the country. These led to security concerns, with several countries threatening to skip the games if their safety was not ensured, including the United States. In January 2018, after their first high-level talks in over two years, North Korea agreed to participate in the Games. The countries also marched together during the opening ceremony and agreed to field a unified women's hockey team.
North Korean relations: Many of ROK people complained with Pyeong Chang 2018 as Pyong Yang Winter Olympic instead Pyeong Chang Winter Olympic 2018 due to decision of inviting many North Korean people to enteraining and cheer leaders even if North Korea is in UN sanctions are involved and people are complaining with President Moon Jae in invited DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong who is on the sanction lists (daily news, Fox News). Protesters at Gwanghwamun Plaza criticizing game's pro-North Korean measures, calling it the “Pyongyang Olympics”
Due to the state of relations between North and South Korea, concerns were raised over the security of the 2018 Winter Olympics, especially in the wake of tensions over North Korean missile and nuclear tests. On 20 September 2017, South Korean president Moon Jae-in stated that the country would ensure the security of the Games.
The next day, Laura Flessel-Colovic, the French Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, stated that France would pull out of the Games if the safety of its delegation couldn't be guaranteed.
The next day, Austria and Germany raised similar concerns and also threatened to skip the Games. France later reaffirmed its participation. In early December 2017, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, told Fox News that it was an "open question" whether the United States was going to participate in the games, citing security concerns in the region. However, days later the White House Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, stated that the United States "looks forward to participating" and is attending.
In his New Year's address on 1 January 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un proposed talks in Seoul over the country's participation in the Games, which would be the first high-level talks between the North and South in over two years. As a result of the talks, held 9 January, North Korea agreed to field athletes in Pyeongchang.
On 17 January 2018, it was also announced that North and South Korea had agreed to field a unified Korean women's hockey team at the Games, and enter together under a Korean Unification Flag during the opening ceremony.
These moves were met with opposition in South Korea, including protests and online petitions; critics argued that the government was attempting to use the Olympics to spread pro-North Korean sentiment, and that the unified hockey team would not be successful. A rap video entitled "The Regret for Pyeong chang" (평창유감), which echoed these criticisms and referred to the event as the "Pyong yang Olympics", went viral in the country. Japan's foreign affairs ministerTarō Kōno warned South Korea to be wary of North Korea's "charm offensive", and not to ease its pressure on the country.
Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, attended the opening ceremony. This marked the first time since the Korean War that a member of the ruling Kim dynasty had visited South Korea.
On February 11th, 2018, DPRK Leader Kim Jong Un's Sister Kim Yo Jong Personally invited ROK President Moon to North Korea although ROK President Moon have mentioned that he will discuss with U.S.A. However, U.S.A. President Trump and Vice President Pence firmly believes that DPRK has to committed denuclearization before even any consideration to visit North Korea which many are believe not to even consider unless Denuclearization is committed and for sure, otherwise, ROK is falls into making complete DPRK KIM JONG UN regim.
OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE
February 7, 2018: BREAKING NEWS:
USA VP Mike Pence: DPRK PROSPERITY WITH DENUCLEARIZAION
OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE
According to Arirang News dated February 7th, 2018, Oh Jong-hee reported that Kim Yo-jong's inclusion is likely to irritate the U.S. that has sent its own delegation led by Vice President Mike Pence to counter North Korea's charm offensive. Also Day break reported that she is on the U.S. Black Lists as humanitarian abuse lists.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong will be the first of Pyongyang's Kim dynasty of the so-called Mount Baekdu bloodline to visit South Korea.
The North notified the South on Wednesday of its high-level delegation, and Seoul's unification ministry said Pyongyang seems to have taken into account both Kim Yo-jong's position within the regime as well as the fact that national leaders tend to send their family members to other countries for celebrations.
Experts say Pyongyang aims to maximize the effect of the sudden change of atmosphere on the Korean peninsula... by using Kim Yo-jong as a card.
The scheduled presence of U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump... is another reason. "President Trump is sending his country's vice president, Mike Pence, as well as his daughter, and the North would have considered that. By sending delegates who're at the same level with those of the U.S., like Kim Yo-jong and Kim Yong-nam, the North aims to show it's willing to improve ties with the South."
Pundits add that another person making the trip South, Choe Hwi is going not only because he's the regime's highest authority in sports, but also a very close aide to Kim Jong-un.
Also Ri Son-kwon as a control tower-like figure... since he led the North Korean delegation at the high-level talks a month ago.
By sending Kim Yo-jong to the South, experts believe Pyongyang aims to show the world that it's sincere about improving inter-Korean ties.
They see it as highly likely that Kim Yo-jong will deliver proposals or messages to South Korean president Moon Jae-in... on behalf of her brother. "North Korea could make some dramatic proposals to the South through Kim Yo-jong like holding Seoul-Pyongyang summit talks... or having a high-level South Korean delegation visit the North. So the Seoul government will have to be ready for all possible scenarios."
Pundits also stress that it's crucial for Seoul to maintain close coordination and communication with Washington.
The Security system for the Winter Olympic Game Should be fully prepared for any contingencies and provide assurance to the public so they can continue on with their daily routine to protect homeland and global security in the case of rule out the possibility of an unexpected situation, such as a reckless provocation.