Chronologies
China - Korea
Chronology from Jan 2003 to Mar 2003
: South Korea announces that it will send National Security Advisor Ra Jong-yil to China and Russia to gain support for peacefully solving North Korea’s nuclear crisis.
: North Korea’s request for weapons to prepare for “the U.S. military threat,” is turned down by China.
: ROK PM Koh Gun meets with Chinese Ambassador Li Bin in Seoul to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation vis-à-vis the North Korean nuclear issue.
: KOTRA launches a special “China Business School” course designed to educate Korean businesses about specialized topics regarding trade and investment with China.
: China’s UN Ambassador Wang Yingfan states that efforts are being made to draw the U.S. and North Korea together for dialogue, and opposes Security Council involvement “at this stage.”
: Korea Industrial Technology Foundation (KOTEF) and Shanghai Science and Technology Development and Exchange Center (STDEC) announce plans to hold an information-technology forum.
: Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan states that direct talks need to be held between the U.S. and North Korea in order to resolve the nuclear crisis, and that the PRC supports a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
: Two of 10 refugees from North Korea arrived in Seoul, while the other eight were repatriated to North Korea from China, according to the Human Rights Coalition for North Korean Refugees.
: A 73-year-old Korean man by the name of Park who had been incarcerated in Harbin on drug trafficking charges was released and allowed to return to South Korea. Of 100 South Korean nationals held in Chinese jails at the end of 2002, 28 were being held on drug charges, and six have been sentenced to death.
: Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) officials meet in Beijing with Chinese and Japanese counterparts at the “Strategic Conference for Expanding Exports to Japan and China” as part of efforts to realize Korea’s vision of becoming a regional hub in northeast Asia.
: Vice Premier Qian leads Chinese delegation to Roh Moo-hyun’s inauguration.
: Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen meets with members of ROK President-elect Roh Moo-hyun’s team, and states importance of a stable Korean Peninsula.
: The Korea Automotive Research Institute announces that China has overtaken Korea as the sixth largest global producer of automobiles in 2002.
: China rejects U.S. calls for greater involvement in diplomacy to halt North Korea’s nuclear weapons program stating, “the key to resolving this issue is the resumption of dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea.”
: The Korea Small and Medium Business Institute announces the results of a survey of 178 small- to medium-sized enterprises, 72.2 percent of whom hope to invest in China within five years.
: Kia Motors announces a month-to-month rise of 164 percent to almost 5,000 units in January on the strength of its new model for the Chinese market, the Qianlima.
: The Korea International Trade Association’s “Trend and Outlook of China’s Import Control Against Korean Exporters,” reveals that China targets South Korea for import restrictions more than any other country.
: ROK Ministry of Construction and Transportation announces that it will positively consider forming a sea and air logistics link with China to promote the establishment of a tariff-free zone at Incheon International Airport.
: Chinese police arrest 48 North Korean asylum-seekers and three aid workers in Shandong province.
: PRC and ROK immediately condemn Japanese PM Koizumi’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine.
: KEPCO signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Luoyang Shengsheng Power Company to build two thermal power plants.
: ROK Deputy FM Lee Tae-shik meets with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss diplomatic approaches to North Korea.