Chronologies
US - Korea
Chronology from Jan 2019 to May 2019
: US federal judge orders three Chinese banks to provide documents on a Hong Kong-based front company for North Korea’s nuclear program.
: North Korea warns of “undesired consequences” if no change in US position.
: North Korea accuses US of pressuring South Korea on implementing sanctions.
: Air forces of the United States, South Korea, and Australia undertake two weeks of “scaled-back” joint air drills around the Korean Peninsula, replacing the large-scale Max Thunder drill.
: North Korea dismisses Bolton’s call for denuclearization sign as “dim-witted.”
: Despite North Korean criticism, Pompeo underscores that “it’ll be my team” on North Korea.
: North Korea tests new tactical weapon, or a short-range guided missile, and calls for Pompeo to be dropped from talks.
: CSIS report reveals April 12 imagery of five specialized rail cars near its Uranium Enrichment Facility and Radiochemistry Laboratory at Yongbyon.
: Trump calls for a third summit with Kim and hope for a removal of nuclear weapons and sanctions on North Korea.
: Kim Jong Un signals end-of-year deadline for new US stance.
: DPRK central committee meets amid “tense situation.”
: President Moon travels to Washington DC to meet President Trump for a summit on North Korean diplomacy.
: Former UNC/CFC/USFK Commander Gen. Vincent Brooks calls for a “visible but not accessible” international development fund to promote North Korean denuclearization.
: South Korea detains a domestic ship over North Korea sanctions violation.
: Moon Jae-in describes hope that North Korea responds positively to US-South Korea efforts in advance of his Washington trip.
: DPRK describes Spain embassy raid as “grave terrorist attack,” but refrains from blaming the US directly.
: Reuters reports Trump called on Kim to denuclearize completely in one-page Bolton memo delivered at Hanoi. Pompeo meets counterpart Kang Kyung-wha in New York.
: UNC/CFC/USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams describes North Korean activity as “inconsistent with denuclearization” to House Armed Services Committee.
: South Korean Unification Minister-designate Kim Yeon-chul promises to seek a “creative solution” for the US and North Korea to meet again.
: Free Joseon, a political organization that opposes Kim Jong Un, claims responsibility for raid on the North Korean Embassy in Spain on Feb. 22. Information stolen from the embassy was later shared with the FBI, but the US government claims no involvement in the operation.
: North Korean officials return to liaison office after weekend pullout and Trump move to stem new sanctions.
: Trump blocks new “large-scale” sanctions directed at North Korea, in reality aimed at two Chinese shipping companies in violation of sanctions.
: ROK Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo advises a parliamentary defense committee that despite US think tank reports of DPRK launch preparation, “it’s hasty to call it missile-related activity.”
: Pompeo says US hopes to continue talks with North Korea.
: North Korea warns it may suspend nuclear talks, but describes leaders’ relationship as “mysteriously wonderful.”
: Blue House adviser Moon Ching-in suggests US “all or nothing” approach won’t work with North Korea.
: UN Panel of Experts reports North Korea sanctions violations by 20 countries in 66-page report.
: Special Representative Biegun suggests diplomacy is “very much alive,” despite CSIS reports around Sohae rocket testing site.
: North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun reports that the public blames the US for the Hanoi summit ending without agreement.
: South Korea FM Kang signs Special Measures Agreement with US Ambassador Harry Harris, formally agreeing to pay $915 million for the upkeep of US Forces, Korea.
: North Korea Hanoi documentary focuses on Kim-Trump relationship, not summit breakdown.
: US analysts from 38 North and CSIS’s Beyond Parallel report that North Korea’s Sohae Launch Facility is returning to normal operating status after being moderately dismantled following the Singapore Summit, analysis based on commercial satellite imagery acquired on March 6.
: National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon says ROK and US military intelligence has a “detailed grasp” of DPRK uranium enrichment and other nuclear and missile facilities.
: Seoul calls for a quick resumption of talks after Hanoi breakdown.
: Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Chris Van Hollen introduce the Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) act.
: South Korean Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon visits Washington DC to meet Special Representative Biegun to coordinate plans following the US-DPRK second summit.
: US and South Korean militaries hold the inaugural Dong Maeng joint military exercise, a scaled-back version of the annual Foal Eagle and Key Resolve series.
: Trump says North Korea has no economic future with nuclear weapons.
: KCNA reports that the US and North Korea “deepened mutual respect and trust” in Hanoi. Kim vows to meet again, Trump says both sides know the issues.
: President Moon pledges to work with Trump and Kim after failed talks. US and South Korea suggest replacement of spring exercises with smaller drills.
: On second day of Hanoi summit, Trump walks away over reported DPRK sanctions demands. Trump credits China as a “big help” with North Korea.
: Trump hails North Korea’s “awesome” potential and that he is “satisfied” with pace of denuclearization.
: Twenty House Democrats introduce a resolution calling for an end to the Korean War but maintenance of US troops on the Peninsula.
: North Korea urges Trump to disregard skeptics.
: Special Representative Biegun meets DPRK counterpart in Hanoi for a second day of pre-summit negotiations.
: Trump confirms decreasing US troops in ROK not on summit agenda. White House suggests that if North Korea follows through on denuclearization, the US will explore “how to mobilize for investment, improve infrastructure, enhance food security, and more.”
: Chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel, Armed Services Committee Adam Smith, and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Adam Schiff send letter to Trump urging the White House to stop withholding information on North Korea negotiations.
: Trump suggests he expects to meet Kim again after Hanoi and raises prospect of easing North Korea sanctions.
: The Wall Street Journal reports the US is weighing opening a liaison office in North Korea.
: Secretary Pompeo says US is hoping to get “far down the road” with North Korea, adding pillars to “reduce tension, reduce military risks” in addition to denuclearization.
: US Indo-Pacific Commander Adm. Philip Davidson supports US intelligence community position that North Korea is unlikely to give up all its nuclear weapons or production facilities.
: South Korea agrees to pay $915 million in 2019 for US troops in Korea.
: Special Representative Biegun holds talks in Pyongyang.
: In comments at Stanford University, Special Representative Biegun notes North and South militaries working with UNC and USFK for confidence building and tension reduction. He notes that the US is willing to wait on key objectives, and that Trump is ready to formally end the Korean War.
: Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats tells Senate Intelligence Committee that “we currently assess North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capability and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capability.”
: US National Security Adviser John Bolton calls on North Korea for a “significant sign of a strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons.”
: ROK Foreign Minister Kang calls for “concrete results on denuclearization” at Trump-Kim second summit.
: State media reports Kim Jong Un will advance “step by step” and was “satisfied” by recent Washington meetings and a letter from Trump. Secretary of State Pompeo hails “progress” in talks in Washington and Stockholm.
: CSIS report describes Sino-ri, one of 20 undeclared ballistic missile bases in North Korea, as a missile headquarters.
: Seoul describes US demands for funding increase for support of US forces in South Korea as “unacceptable.”
: US Special Representative for North Korean Policy Biegun meets Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Stockholm.
: ROK and US officials agree to seek a UN Security Council sanctions exemption for inter-Korean joint projects.
: Trump meets Worker Party Vice Chairman Kim Yong Chol and Special Envoy Kim Hyok Chol at White House.
: Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha notes that US and South Korea are discussing “corresponding measures” to reward North Korea for steps toward denuclearization.
: President Donald Trump unveils the US Missile Defense Review, which labels North Korea an “extraordinary threat.”
: North Korean Special Envoy Kim Yong Chol travels to Washington DC to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun to “make progress on the commitments President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un made at their summit in Singapore.”
: President Moon Jae-in calls for “bold steps: ahead of second Trump-Kim summit.