Japan Information and Culture Center, EMBASSY OF JAPAN SEARCH FOR STABILITY ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA PROVES ELUSIVE North Korea continues to persist with its nuclear and long-range missile development programs, dissemination of weapons of mass destruction and inflammatory rhetoric in defiance of international concerns even after Japan’s attempt to normalize relations by Prime Minister’s visit in late September. This poses a threat to the entire Asian-Pacific region and constitutes grave concerns in the countries of the region. Therefore, Japan, the U.S., South Korea, China and Russia have all been involved in diplomatic efforts to strongly urge North Korea to dismantley their nuclear, so far to no avail. Tokyo and Washington have been working together closely on the issue. ecretary of State, Colin Powell, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, hosted Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, and Minister of State for Defense and WINTER 2002 Director General of the Defense Agency, Shigeru Ishiba, in the W S December meeting of the Security Consultative Committee CONTENTS (SCC.) They addressed in particular, North Korea and its program for the development of weapons of mass destruction. The part of the joint The Pyongyang Declaration statement related to North Korea is as follows: In his landmark visit, Koizumi seeks to “The Ministers expressed grave concern about the threat North normalize ties with the enigmatic North. 2 Korea continues to pose to regional security and stability. The Ministers expressed great regret over North Korea’s recent letter to the IAEA and Diplomatic efforts pressed Normalization, trilateral and other talks the public statement that it plans to resume the operation and construction take place on a number of fronts. 3 of nuclear facilities, and agreed the North Korean decision flagrantly disregards the international consensus that the North Korean regime must fulfill all its commitments and, in particular, dismantle its nuclear Updating anti-terror measures 3 weapons program. The Ministers also agreed that North Korea’s pursuit Viewpoint of a nuclear weapons capability violates the Agreed Framework, the The search for a package deal on Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, its IAEA Safeguards Agreement, and disarmament and other issues is clouded by a strong domestic reaction over the South-North Joint abductees. 4 Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Chronology of North Korean Peninsula. The Korean ties 5 Ministers stressed that The quality of Afghan peace the international Sadako Ogata sees a precedence-breaking community has made it reconstruction effort underway there. 6 clear that North Korea’s Beyond Differences relations with the The “King of Japan” in dealing with outside world will hinge ancient China, was really a shogun on its willingness to seeking trade. 7 dismantle its nuclear Noble Prizes; new street artists weapons program. The For the first time, Japan has two winners Ministers urged North in one year; Tokyo streets come alive. 8 Korea to give up any Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, middle, with Undersecretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, left, and Secretary of nuclear weapons program State Colin Powell, right, in Washington, DC on December 16, Japan Now is online! (see page 2) 2002. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette) http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/index.htm in a prompt and verifiable fashion in order to be in they would make every possible effort for an early compliance with all of its international obligations. normalization of the relations, and decided that they They also expressed serious concern over North would resume the Japan DPRK normalization talks in Korea’s ballistic missile programs and urged North October 2002. Both sides expressed their strong Korea to cease all ballistic missile-related activities, determination that they continue to sincerely tackle including the development, testing, exportation, and any of the outstanding problems between Japan and deployment of ballistic missiles and related technology the DPRK, based upon their mutual trust in the and know-how. course of achieving the normalization, The Ministers also urged North Korea’s full 2. The Japanese side regards, in a spirit of humility, compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention the facts of history that Japan caused tremendous and adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention. damage and suffering to the people of Korea through The Ministers stressed that North Korean use of its colonial rule in the past, and expressed deep weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, remorse and heartfelt apology. chemical, and biological weapons would have the Both sides shared the recognition that, gravest consequences. providing economic cooperation after the Reaffirming their commitments under the U.S.- normalization by the Japanese side to the DPRK side, Japan Security Treaty, they reiterated their strong including grant aids, long-term loans with low interest interest in a peaceful resolution of security issues rates, humanitarian assistance through international associated with North Korea. The U.S. side reaffirmed organizations, over a period of time deemed that the U.S. has always been open to dialogue in appropriate by both sides, and providing other loans principle. The Ministers also reaffirmed that the Japan- and credits by such financial institutions as the Japan North Korea normalization talks and the Japan-North Bank for International Cooperation with a view to Korea security talks, based on the Pyongyang supporting private economic activities, would be Declaration between Japan and North Korea, serve as consistent with the spirit of this Declaration. They important channels to resolve security issues and the decided that they would sincerely discuss the specific abduction issue. The Ministers called for the scales and contents of the economic cooperation in expeditious resolution of such issues.” the normalization talks. Both sides, pursuant to the basic principle JAPAN-DPRK PYONGYANG that when the bilateral relationship is normalized both Japan and the DPRK would mutually waive all their DECLARATION property and claims, and those of their nationals, that had arisen from causes which occurred before August Prime Minister Koizumi visited 15, 1945, decided that they would discuss this issue Pyongyang on Sep. 17 (the first by a of property and claims concretely in the normalization Japanese Prime Minister) in the talks. attempt to normalize relations between Both sides agreed that they would sincerely the two countries, estranged since before World War discuss the issue of the status of Korean residents in II. During and after his trip, he made clear that Japan and that of cultural property. 3. Both sides confirmed that they would comply normalization talks will not be concluded until and with international law and would not commit conducts unless security issues including the DPRK’s threatening the security of the other side. With respect nuclearization and abduction issues are resolved. to the outstanding issues of concern related to the Subsequent reactions by DPRK, however, are clearly lives and security of Japanese nationals, the DPRK against the Pyongyang Declaration, which was side confirmed that it would take appropriate signed by Prime Minister and DPRK Chairman Kim measures so that these regrettable incidents, that took Jong-Il, and in which both sides pledged “to make place under the abnormal bilateral relationship, would every possible effort” to normalize ties and comply never happen in the future. with all related international agreements for an 4. Both sides confirmed that they would cooperate JAPAN overall resolution of the nuclear issues on the Korean with each other in order to maintain and strengthen NOW Peninsula. Here is the text of the declaration. the peace and stability of North East Asia. Both sides confirmed the importance of 2 1. “Both sides determined that, pursuant to the establishing co-operative relationships based upon spirit and basic principles laid out in this Declaration, mutual trust among countries concerned in this region, and shared the recognition that it is important to have a framework in place in order for these ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS BOLSTERED regional countries to promote confidence-building as the relationships among these countries are In their Dec. 16, Security Consultative Committee normalized. (SCC) meeting, Japan and the U.S. agreed that Sept. Both sides confirmed that, for an overall 11 represented “an assault on the basic values of resolution of the nuclear issues on the Korean freedom and democracy shared by the two nations,” and that “continued action and cooperation remain Peninsula, they would comply with all related of the highest importance.” The Ministers international agreements. Both sides also confirmed “expressed appreciation for each side’s the necessity of resolving security problems comprehensive efforts in the counter terrorism including nuclear and missile issues by promoting campaign.” On Nov. 19, the Cabinet decided to dialogues among countries concerned. extend the duration of logistic activities of the Self The DPRK side expressed its intention that, Defense Forces (SDF) in support of the anti- pursuant to the spirit of this Declaration, it would terrorism military activities by six months, and to further maintain the moratorium on missile launching enable the Maritime SDF to dispatch additional in and after 2003. Both sides decided that they transports, destroyers and amphibious ships and to would