Chronologies
North Korea - South Korea
Chronology from Jan 2004 to Mar 2004
: Song Du-yul, a dissident scholar long exiled in Germany, receives a seven-year jail sentence in Seoul for close contacts with and frequent visits to North Korea.
: Song Du-yul, a dissident scholar long exiled in Germany, receives a seven-year jail sentence in Seoul for close contacts with and frequent visits to North Korea.
: A ninth round of family reunions is held at Mt. Kumgan
: MOU says inter-Korean trade in the first two months of 2004 fell 26.4 percent on the year to $65 million, due to a steep fall in noncommercial trade (such as materials for KEDO and other aid projects). Commercial transactions were up 5.9 percent.
: The DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) meets for a single day to hear the budget speech and an economic report by the prime minister. There is no mention of inter-Korean relations or projects.
: MOU says inter-Korean trade in the first two months of 2004 fell 26.4 percent on the year to $65 million, due to a steep fall in noncommercial trade (such as materials for KEDO and other aid projects). Commercial transactions were up 5.9 percent.
: The DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) meets for a single day to hear the budget speech and an economic report by the prime minister. There is no mention of inter-Korean relations or projects.
: Annual joint U.S.-ROK military exercises, Foal Eagle and RSOI, held. North Korea pulls out of inter-Korean meetings on flood control and relinking railways while these wargames take place.
: Annual joint U.S.-ROK military exercises, Foal Eagle and RSOI, held. North Korea pulls out of inter-Korean meetings on flood control and relinking railways while these wargames take place.
: DPRK attacks the new ROK security doctrine, which defines the North as a “direct threat” (but no longer the “main enemy”), as “an unpardonable anti-national, anti-reunification crime and an intolerable insult to the army and people of the DPRK desirous of national cooperation.”
: DPRK attacks the new ROK security doctrine, which defines the North as a “direct threat” (but no longer the “main enemy”), as “an unpardonable anti-national, anti-reunification crime and an intolerable insult to the army and people of the DPRK desirous of national cooperation.”
: South Korean officials say the North wants a much higher rent for land in the Kaesong Industrial Zone, making it less attractive to South Korean firms.
: South Korean officials say the North wants a much higher rent for land in the Kaesong Industrial Zone, making it less attractive to South Korean firms.
: Northern officials fail to show up for working-level inter-Korean economic talks in Paju, South Korea following the DPRK chief delegate Choe Yong-gon’s demands on Radio Pyongyang that the venue be changed to the Northern city of Kaesong, citing the “anarchy” in the ROK caused by the impeachment of President Roh.
: Northern officials fail to show up for working-level inter-Korean economic talks in Paju, South Korea following the DPRK chief delegate Choe Yong-gon’s demands on Radio Pyongyang that the venue be changed to the Northern city of Kaesong, citing the “anarchy” in the ROK caused by the impeachment of President Roh.
: Pyongyang calls impeachment of ROK President Roh “a coup in the Parliament unprecedented in the history of world politics, which betrays the backwardness of South Korean politics.” It blames the U.S. for inciting this.
: Pyongyang calls impeachment of ROK President Roh “a coup in the Parliament unprecedented in the history of world politics, which betrays the backwardness of South Korean politics.” It blames the U.S. for inciting this.
: ROK FM Ban Ki-moon, after visiting Washington and Tokyo, calls on the DPRK to “get rid of all its nuclear programs and all its nuclear materials.”
: ROK FM Ban Ki-moon, after visiting Washington and Tokyo, calls on the DPRK to “get rid of all its nuclear programs and all its nuclear materials.”
: Echoing a South Korean diplomatic campaign, KCNA says that the sea east of the peninsula should be called East Sea or Korea Sea, instead of Sea of Japan.
: Echoing a South Korean diplomatic campaign, KCNA says that the sea east of the peninsula should be called East Sea or Korea Sea, instead of Sea of Japan.
: ROk says the North has agreed to authenticate origins of goods exported to the South, which are duty-free, to prevent abuse by mislabelled Chinese products.
: ROk says the North has agreed to authenticate origins of goods exported to the South, which are duty-free, to prevent abuse by mislabelled Chinese products.
: A KEDO delegation arrives in Pyongyang to discuss the removal of materials – mainly belonging to ROK contractors – from the LWR site at Kumho.
: A KEDO delegation arrives in Pyongyang to discuss the removal of materials – mainly belonging to ROK contractors – from the LWR site at Kumho.
: South Korea’s Vice Finance Minister Kim Kwang-rim says over 1,500 South Korean companies want to move into the Kaesong Industrial Park.
: KCNA reports that the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), North Korea’s Parliament, adopted a decision on regulations on the management of foreign currency and advertisements in the Kaesong Industrial Zone on Feb. 25.
: South Korea’s Vice Finance Minister Kim Kwang-rim says over 1,500 South Korean companies want to move into the Kaesong Industrial Park.
: KCNA reports that the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), North Korea’s Parliament, adopted a decision on regulations on the management of foreign currency and advertisements in the Kaesong Industrial Zone on Feb. 25.
: President Roh admits differences with U.S. on how best to tackle the North.
: President Roh admits differences with U.S. on how best to tackle the North.
: Eighth inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee meeting in Seoul. It ends with a seven-point agreement to expedite cooperative projects.
: Eighth inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee meeting in Seoul. It ends with a seven-point agreement to expedite cooperative projects.
: At railway talks in Kaesong, the Koreas agree on maintenance for cross-border railways, building an asphalt factory, and provision of necessary materials.
: Northern and Southern delegations announce in Athens that they will begin discussions on fielding a unified team for the 2004 Olympics in Greece in August.
: At railway talks in Kaesong, the Koreas agree on maintenance for cross-border railways, building an asphalt factory, and provision of necessary materials.
: Both Koreas participate, with the U.S., China, Japan and Russia, in a second round of six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, held in Beijing.
: Northern and Southern delegations announce in Athens that they will begin discussions on fielding a unified team for the 2004 Olympics in Greece in August.
: Both Koreas participate, with the U.S., China, Japan and Russia, in a second round of six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue, held in Beijing.
: 100 professors from the South-North Academic Exchange Association fly direct to Pyongyang for a conference on recovery of common cultural assets stolen by Japan during its 1910-45 colonization of Korea.
: 100 professors from the South-North Academic Exchange Association fly direct to Pyongyang for a conference on recovery of common cultural assets stolen by Japan during its 1910-45 colonization of Korea.
: South Korea accepts the North’s revised proposal to hold a ninth round of family reunions at Mt. Kumgang from March 29 to April 3.
: South Korea accepts the North’s revised proposal to hold a ninth round of family reunions at Mt. Kumgang from March 29 to April 3.
: ROK Ambassador to the U.S. Han Sung-joo says the DPRK must discuss its uranium enrichment nuclear program at the six-party talks, now that revelations from Pakistan have confirmed its existence.
: ROK Ambassador to the U.S. Han Sung-joo says the DPRK must discuss its uranium enrichment nuclear program at the six-party talks, now that revelations from Pakistan have confirmed its existence.
: Inter-Korean ministerial talks end with agreement to hold bilateral military talks, to cooperate on finding a peaceful solution to the nuclear crisis, and to continue construction of the Kaesong Industrial Park. They fail to agree on flood prevention measures for the Imjin River and a joint entrance at the 2004 Olympics.
: ROK Foreign Ministry says it has created a special task force for the nuclear crisis.
: Inter-Korean ministerial talks end with agreement to hold bilateral military talks, to cooperate on finding a peaceful solution to the nuclear crisis, and to continue construction of the Kaesong Industrial Park. They fail to agree on flood prevention measures for the Imjin River and a joint entrance at the 2004 Olympics.
: ROK Foreign Ministry says it has created a special task force for the nuclear crisis.
: 13th North-South ministerial talks are held in Seoul. They mainly focus on economic projects, but also argue over the nuclear issue.
: KCNA announces second round of six-party talks will start Feb. 25 in Beijing.
: 13th North-South ministerial talks are held in Seoul. They mainly focus on economic projects, but also argue over the nuclear issue.
: KCNA announces second round of six-party talks will start Feb. 25 in Beijing.
: MOU says that Hwang Jang-yop has set up an NGO dedicated to democratizing the DPRK, the North Korea Democratization Union, and is its chairman.
: MOU says that Hwang Jang-yop has set up an NGO dedicated to democratizing the DPRK, the North Korea Democratization Union, and is its chairman.
: DPRK defectors in the ROK say they will set up an Internet broadcasting radio station, Free North Korea Broadcasting, starting in April. Its aims are “to improve human rights in the DPRK and help democratize the country.”
: ROK President Roh Moo-hyun replaces National Security Adviser, Ra Jong-yil. As in the sacking of FM Yoon a fortnight earlier, this reflects tension in Seoul between Roh’s desire for a more “independent” foreign policy and the U.S.-ROK alliance – including differences over how to handle North Korea.
: Working-level inter-Korean economic talks held in Kaesong to discuss settlement and clearance systems and other practicalities. Immigration procedures for Southern business people visiting the Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang special zones are agreed: ROK will have jurisdiction over its nationals who offend while on business there.
: Seoul-based Inter-Korea Economic Association says it is completing an IT complex in Pyongyang, and several ROK IT companies will move there in March.
: ROK National Police Agency reports that there exist 31 websites that propagandize for the DPRK. Eight are directly operated by Pyongyang.
: Working-level inter-Korean economic talks held in Kaesong to discuss settlement and clearance systems and other practicalities. Immigration procedures for Southern business people visiting the Kaesong and Mt. Kumgang special zones are agreed: ROK will have jurisdiction over its nationals who offend while on business there.
: Seoul-based Inter-Korea Economic Association says it is completing an IT complex in Pyongyang, and several ROK IT companies will move there in March.
: ROK National Police Agency reports that there exist 31 websites that propagandize for the DPRK. Eight are directly operated by Pyongyang.
: ROK court for the first time recognizes DPRK notarial deed, ruling for a South Korean publisher who, having brought out a Northern book on medicine under contract with the original DPRK publisher, sued the Seoul publisher of a pirate edition.
: North Korea attacks recent U.S.-ROK agreement to relocate U.S. forces to a line south of Seoul as “a product of the master-servant relationship between the U.S. and South Korea,” and claims this is a preparation for a war against the DPRK.
: North Korea attacks recent U.S.-ROK agreement to relocate U.S. forces to a line south of Seoul as “a product of the master-servant relationship between the U.S. and South Korea,” and claims this is a preparation for a war against the DPRK.
: MOU reports that the international community gave 38 percent less aid to North Korea in 2003 than in 2002. South Korea increased its contributions by 17 percent to a total of $160 million.
: MOU reports that the international community gave 38 percent less aid to North Korea in 2003 than in 2002. South Korea increased its contributions by 17 percent to a total of $160 million.
: ROK Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries says that inter-Korean sea transport fell slightly by 8,000 tons in 2003 compared to 2002. South Korea carried cargoes totalling 841,000 tons to the North, which sent 207,000 tons to the South.
: ROK Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries says that inter-Korean sea transport fell slightly by 8,000 tons in 2003 compared to 2002. South Korea carried cargoes totalling 841,000 tons to the North, which sent 207,000 tons to the South.
: Unification Ministry rescinds permission for Hoonnet, a South Korean firm, to engage in inter-Korean business. Hoonnet refuses to end unauthorized activities, notably its Pyongyang-based joint venture online gaming sites (www.jupae.com).
: Unification Ministry rescinds permission for Hoonnet, a South Korean firm, to engage in inter-Korean business. Hoonnet refuses to end unauthorized activities, notably its Pyongyang-based joint venture online gaming sites (www.jupae.com).
: South Korea says it will help the North preserve relics of the Koguryo kingdom (37BC-668AD), which occupied northern Korea and part of northeast China. A UN body is considering Koguryo sites in the DPRK and China for world heritage site status, amid a drive by China to claim it as part of Chinese rather than Korean history.
: South Korean media reports the appearance of Pyongyang’s first commercial billboards: six large advertisements (10m x 4m) for two Fiat car models assembled in Nampo by a joint venture of Pyonghwa Motors.
: South Korea says it will help the North preserve relics of the Koguryo kingdom (37BC-668AD), which occupied northern Korea and part of northeast China. A UN body is considering Koguryo sites in the DPRK and China for world heritage site status, amid a drive by China to claim it as part of Chinese rather than Korean history.
: South Korean media reports the appearance of Pyongyang’s first commercial billboards: six large advertisements (10m x 4m) for two Fiat car models assembled in Nampo by a joint venture of Pyonghwa Motors.
: DPRK and ROK Red Cross organizations meet at Mt. Kumgang to discuss further the construction of a family reunion center, but fail to agree.
: MOU reports that inter-Korean trade grew 12.9 percent in 2003, to reach $724 million. North Korea exported goods worth $289 million, mostly agro-fishery and textile products. ROK “exports,” totalling $434 million, were mainly noncommercial aid.
: DPRK and ROK Red Cross organizations meet at Mt. Kumgang to discuss further the construction of a family reunion center, but fail to agree.
: MOU reports that inter-Korean trade grew 12.9 percent in 2003, to reach $724 million. North Korea exported goods worth $289 million, mostly agro-fishery and textile products. ROK “exports,” totalling $434 million, were mainly noncommercial aid.
: MOU reports that North Korean defectors to the South totalled 1,281 in 2003, an increase of 12 percent from 2002.
: MOU reports that North Korean defectors to the South totalled 1,281 in 2003, an increase of 12 percent from 2002.
: Officials from the ROK defense and foreign ministries, the national intelligence service, and other agencies hold their eighth meeting on prisoner-of-war issues, focusing on how to help those still trickling out of North Korea half a century after the Korean War.
: Officials from the ROK defense and foreign ministries, the national intelligence service, and other agencies hold their eighth meeting on prisoner-of-war issues, focusing on how to help those still trickling out of North Korea half a century after the Korean War.
: Unification Minister Jeong says his ministry is considering using government funds from the South-North Exchange and Cooperation Fund to help small- and medium-size firms (SMEs) involved in inter-Korean trade or setting up in the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
: Unification Minister Jeong says his ministry is considering using government funds from the South-North Exchange and Cooperation Fund to help small- and medium-size firms (SMEs) involved in inter-Korean trade or setting up in the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
: ROK Unification Ministry (MOU) announces a new three-year draft strategy to enhance its capacity to educate the Southern public on reunification issues.
: ROK Unification Ministry (MOU) announces a new three-year draft strategy to enhance its capacity to educate the Southern public on reunification issues.
: North Korea and KEDO announce a meeting Jan. 14-16, to discuss materials and equipment at the light-water reactor (LWR) site at Kumho. Since KEDO suspended this, the DPRK has frozen these, causing losses to ROK construction firms.
: North Korea and KEDO announce a meeting Jan. 14-16, to discuss materials and equipment at the light-water reactor (LWR) site at Kumho. Since KEDO suspended this, the DPRK has frozen these, causing losses to ROK construction firms.
: South Korea Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun sets priorities for the new year. These include: constructing the Kaesong Industrial Complex, improving transparency in aid distribution, and opening a channel of military dialogue North Korea
: South Korea Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun sets priorities for the new year. These include: constructing the Kaesong Industrial Complex, improving transparency in aid distribution, and opening a channel of military dialogue North Korea