Hersh also quotes a US intelligence official who, referring to the 2002 National Intelligence Estimate's assessment of the source of North Korea's uranium enrichment program, says, "It points a clear finger at the Pakistanis. The technical stuff is crystal clear – not hedged and not ambivalent."
—Seymour M. Hersh, "The Cold Test: What the Administration Knew about Pakistan and the North Korean Nuclear Program," New Yorker, 27 January 2003, pp. 42-47.

27 January 2003
Delegates of the North and South Korean militaries meet in Panmunjom for working level talks. The two sides agree to provide military assurances to each other while making preparations for the construction of a temporary road which would traverse the demilitarized zone and connect North and South Korea.
—"S. Korean Envoy in Pyongyang; Inter-Korean Talks Agree on Passage of MDL," Xinhua News Service, 27 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 27 January 2003, in "Koreas Agree to Security Terms on Military Demarcation Line," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 27 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 January 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying, "We oppose all attempts to internationalize the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula and are authorized to state that we shall not take part in any 'multilateral talks,' whatever the format." The Foreign Ministry adds, "The only way to reach a peaceful and fair settlement of the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula is direct and equitable talks between North Korea and the US. No other options are possible."
—Interfax News Agency, 28 January 2003, in "North Korea Rejects Multilateral Talks," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 28 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; ITAR-TASS News Agency, 28 January 2003, in "North Korea's Moscow Embassy Rejects Multilateral Talks to Defuse Crisis," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 28 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 January 2003
US President George W. Bush delivers the annual State of the Union address, in which he claims that the United States will not be blackmailed by North Korea into giving concessions based upon the threat of developing nuclear weapons. President Bush says, "America is working with the countries of the region—South Korea, Japan, China, and Russia—to find a peaceful solution, and to show the North Korean government that nuclear weapons will bring only isolation, economic stagnation, and continued hardship." President Bush also labels the ruling regime in North Korea an "oppressive regime" that "rules a people living in fear and starvation." "The gravest danger in the war on terror, the gravest danger facing America and the world," President Bush continues, "is outlaw regimes that seek to possess nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons."
—"President Delivers 'State of the Union,'" Office of Press Secretary, The White House, 28 January 2003, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>.

28 January 2003
The Korean Central News Agency reports that contrary to the wishes of the North Korean government, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has reached a level at which war may be inevitable. The KCNA report claims that the United States has begun making preparations for a preemptive attack.
—"Report of Korean Central News Agency," Korean Central News Agency, 28 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 January 2003
A commentary broadcasted on Pyongyang Radio condemns the Bush administration's recent calls for a peaceful resolution to the nuclear crisis as "a mere deceptive trick aimed at covering up its sinister war plot to invade our Republic and mislead the world's public opinion."
—Pyongyang Central Broadcasting Station, 29 January 2003, in "DPRK Commentary Says US U-2 Crash 'Due Mishap' for Raising DPRK Nuclear Issue," FBIS Document ID KPP20030129000102.

29 January 2003
A Korean Central News Agency commentary denounces the United States for adopting a policy of "tailored containment" toward North Korea, by which the United States hopes to "escalate the economic and political pressure to the extremes and push North Korea to collapse."
—"KCNA Blasts US 'Tailored Containment' Strategy," Korea Central News Agency, 29 January 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

29 January 2003
Pakistani Minister of for Information and Media Development Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed claims that Pakistan has never assisted North Korea in developing its nuclear program. Speaking to reporters in Qatar, Ahmed says, "We have our own scientists and technology and there are no relations whatsoever with North Korea in this regard."
—"No Pak N-Deal with N Korea: Minister," Gulf Times, 30-31 January 2003, <http://www.gulf-times.com>.

30 January 2003
Chang Jun Shik, North Korea's ambassador to the UN Conference on Disarmament, says that North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) because of the United States' "hostile policy," and the 6 January "impartial and unilateral resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which encroached upon our sovereignty and dignity." Jang also reiterates that North Korea's withdrawal from the NPT became effective on 11 January, one day after it was announced.
—Final Record of the Nine Hundred and Eighteenth Plenary Meeting of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament, CD/PV.918, 30 January 2003.

30 January 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement condemning US President George W. Bush's State of the Union address as "an undisguised declaration of aggression to topple the DPRK system."
—"Bush Hit for Slandering DPRK," Korean Central News Agency, 30 January 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp;> "DPRK Condemns Bush's State of Union Address," Xinhua News Agency, 31 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

30 January 2003
The EU Parliament adopts a resolution condemning North Korea for withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The resolution also condemns Pakistan for helping North Korea with uranium enrichment technology.
—Report from the Daily Notebook issued by the European Parliament on 30 January, in "EU Parliament Condemns North Korea's Withdrawal from Nonproliferation Treaty," FBIS Document ID EUP20030130000286.

31 January 2003
The New York Times, citing US intelligence officials, reports that US spy satellites have observed trucks transporting material from a nuclear storage facility, part of the Yongbyon nuclear complex. Intelligence officials suspect that the trucks, which have been observed for the past month, are transporting 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods to a reprocessing facility where they will be converted into weapons-grade plutonium. In this case, according to intelligence officials, North Korea could begin producing weapons-grade plutonium by March. In addition to the increased truck traffic around the storage facility, one defense official, without elaborating, says that the United States has detected other activities "you'd associate with an active weapons facility."

Some US officials remain skeptical about the interpretation of the satellite imagery. "There's still a debate about exactly what we are seeing and how provocative it is," one senior official is quoted as saying. "The North Koreans made no real effort to hide this from us."
—David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, "Satellites Said to See Activity at North Korean Nuclear Site," New York Times, 31 January 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Timothy L. O'Brien and Erik Eckholm, "US Warns North Korea Not to Advance Nuclear Arms Program," New York Times, 31 January 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Pauline Jelinek, "US Says Spy Satellites See Increased Activity at North Korea Nuclear Plant," Associated Press, 1 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

31 January 2003
IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei says that North Korea could have a "significant" amount of weapons-grade nuclear material within six months. He also calls the recent discovery of increased activity around a storage facility in Yongbyon-kun "a matter of grave concern."
—Timothy L. O'Brien and Erik Eckholm, "US Warns North Korea Not to Advance Nuclear Arms Program," New York Times, 31 January 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

31 January 2003
Ch'oi Chin Su, North Korea's ambassador to China, announces that the only way to resolve the growing nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula is through bilateral negotiations between the US and North Korea. Ch'oi says, "If the United States will sign a nonaggression treaty that will have binding force after being ratified by Congress, North Korea has a willingness to prove that it is not producing nuclear weapons." Ch'oi disregards the assertion by Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly that during his October 2002 visit to Pyongyang North Korean officials admitted to pursuing a nuclear weapons program based on enriched uranium. According to Ch'oi, the assertion is merely "a sinister plot invented by the extreme warmongers in the United States." The ambassador adds that Kelly had taken "an arrogant attitude during his visit to our country, groundlessly urging us to admit" to the clandestine program. Thus, according to Ch'oi, "we took the attitude of neither denying it nor confirming it."
—Timothy L. O'Brien and Erik Eckholm, "US Warns North Korea Not to Advance Nuclear Arms Program," New York Times, 31 January 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

February 2003
A former North Korean spy, Kinki Aoyama (pseudonym), tells the Japanese government that North Korea has nuclear weapons and has an "information sharing alliance" with Pakistan, Iran and Iraq. Aoyama claims that he learned of the nuclear weapons program and the cooperation with Pakistan, Iran and Iraq while he was an industrial spy in China during the 1990's.
—"Japanese-Born Former Spy Says Pyongyang Has Nuclear Weapons," Channel NewsAsia, 5 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

Early February 2003
According to South Korean and Japanese government officials, KEDO executive board members unofficially agree to slow down the project to construct two light-water reactors in North Korea by postponing the purchase of equipment necessary in order to proceed with the construction. The executive board, consisting of the United States, Japan, South Korea and the European Union, also reportedly agreed to halt air services between South Korea and the construction site in North Korea, and freeze a training program for North Korean engineers in South Korea.
—Kyodo News Service, 28 February 2003, in "KEDO to Delay Nuclear Reactor Project in N. Korea," FBIS Document ID JPP20030228000194; Yonhap News Agency, 1 March 2003, in "KEDO Members Said to Agree on 'Provisional Measure' to Delay Reactor," FBIS Document ID KPP20030301000009; So Hyon-chin, "KEDO Project Hits Snag," Korea Herald, 3 March 2003, in "ROKG Official Denies Delayed KEDO Project 'Deliberate Measure' to Slow Pace," FBIS Document ID KPP20030302000045.

1 February 2003
The Washington Post reports that in November 2001 intelligence analysts at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory sent a classified report to President George W. Bush in which they determined that North Korea had begun constructing a uranium enrichment facility. The Washington Post also quotes a "senior US official" as saying that Pakistan provided some of the new intelligence on North Korea after the United States dropped economic sanctions against Pakistan.
—Walter Pincus, "N. Korea's Nuclear Plans Were No Secret: US Stayed Quiet as It Built Support on Iraq," Washington Post, 1 February 2003, p. A1.

2-9 February 2003
Chung Tae Chol, South Korean President-elect Roh Moo Hyun's special envoy, travels to the United States and Japan to meet with top government officials and convey President-Elect Roh's intention to resolve the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula peacefully, as well as strengthen the US-South Korean alliance and South Korean-Japanese relationship. During 3-5 February, Chung is in Washington D.C. and meets with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell. While meeting with Rumsfeld, Chung reportedly conveys President-elect Roh's desire to make the South Korean-US alliance a "true partnership." While meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, Chung and Cheney agreed to establish a bilateral forum in which the United States and South Korea could discuss important issues of mutual concern such as North Korean nuclear program. While in Tokyo, Chung meets with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the two agree to remain committed to resolving issues related to North Korea's nuclear program peacefully.
—Yonhap News Agency, 2 February 2003, in "South Korean President-Elect's Envoy to Deliver Letter to Bush on North's Issue," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 2 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Ken Guggenheim, "Envoy of South Korean President-Elect Meets with Top U.S. Officials," Associated Press, 4 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Kyodo News Service, 7 February 2003, in "Japan, South Korean Envoy to Urge North to Scrap Nuclear Programme," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "S. Korea, US to Set Up New Body to Discuss N. Korea Policies," Japan Economic Newswire, 10 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 February 2003
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld orders twelve B-52 and twelve B-1 bombers on alert for possible deployment from bases in the United States to Guam. [Note: A few days earlier, Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander of US forces in the Pacific, reportedly requested additional air and naval forces as a deterrent against North Korea as the crisis over North Korea's nuclear program escalates. The bombers are deployed in early March and arrive in Guam on 6 March.]
—Thom Shanker and David E. Sanger, "US Bombers on Alert to Deploy as Warning to the North Koreans," New York Times, 4 February 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; David A. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, "Admiral Seeks Deterrent Force in Korea Crisis," New York Times, 1 February 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>;David E. Sanger and Thom Shanker, "US Sending 2 Dozen Bombers in Easy Range of North Koreans," New York Times, 5 March 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Sang Hun Choe, "US Heavy Bombers Arrive in Guam to Deter Hostility in West Pacific," Associated Press, 6 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 February 2003
The Korean Central News Agency claims that the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula cannot be settled unless the United States accepts North Korea's demands for "direct and equal negotiations and the conclusion of a nonaggression treaty."
—"US Hit for False Information," Korean Central News Agency, 3 February 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

3 February 2003
The US State Department releases its proposed budget for fiscal year 2004 and does not earmark any funds for the administrative costs of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) or heavy-fuel oil shipments to North Korea. [Note: The State Department earmarked $3.5 million for KEDO administrative costs in fiscal year 2003.]
— US Department of State, Special Briefing on 2004 Request for International Affairs Budget, Christopher B. Burnham, Assistant Secretary of State for Resource Management; Joseph W. Bowab, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance Programs and Budget; and Sharon A. Nell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for State Programs, Operations and Budget, 3 February 2003, <http://www.state.gov>; "US Not to Fund KEDO Administration Costs," Japan Economic Newswire, 3 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

4 February 2003
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage tells the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Bush administration is committed to resolving the nuclear standoff with North Korea peacefully. Armitage also says that even though the administration will consider all options in dealing with matters of national security, the situation with North Korea dictates that diplomacy is the best option "at this time." When committee chairman Richard Lugar urges the administration to begin direct talks with North Korea, Armitage replies, "Of course we are going to have direct talks with the North Koreans—there is no question about that."
—Prepared Statement of Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, WMD Developments on the Korean Peninsula, Hearing of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, 108th Congress, 1st session, 4 February 2003; "US Will Talk Directly to DPRK: Senior US Official," Xinhua News Agency, 4 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Ken Guggenheim, "Envoy of South Korean President-Elect Meets with Top US Officials," Associated Press, 4 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 February 2003
Following a hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld tells reporters that the United States has assessed that North Korea possesses one or two nuclear weapons, and, given the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea might soon declare itself a nuclear power.
—"N. Korea May Become Declared Nuke State, Rumsfeld Says," Japan Economic Newswire, 5 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 February 2003
The Korean Central News Agency quotes a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying, "The DPRK is now putting the operation of its nuclear facilities for the production of electricity on a normal footing after their restart." The spokesman adds that the nuclear program would be limited to peaceful uses "at the present stage." [Note: The North Korean Foreign Ministry later denies that North Korea has restarted its nuclear facilities, claiming that the Western media misinterpreted its 5 February statement.]
—"US Anti-DPRK International Pressure Campaign Assailed," Korean Central News Agency, 5 February 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korea Has No Nuclear Arms But Can Make Some – Russian Scientists," ITAR-TASS, 6 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 February 2003
Lee Pyong Gap, a deputy director in the North Korean Foreign Ministry, tells the British daily Guardian that North Korea reserves the right to launch a preemptive attack on US forces stationed in South Korea. However, Lee also urges the British to encourage the US to hold direct talks with North Korea.
—Richard Tomkins, "US Has 'Robust Plans' if N. Korea Attacks," United Press International, 6 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jonathan Watts, "Pyongyang Asserts Right to Pre-emptive Attack Tensions Rise Over American Build-up," The Guardian, 6 February 2003, <http://www.guardian.co.uk>; US White House, Daily Press Briefing by Ari Fleischer, 6 February 2003, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>.
.

6 February 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, official newspaper of the Korean Workers Party, claims that a US preemptive attack on its nuclear facilities would trigger "all-out war." A commentary published in the paper and broadcasted on Pyongyang Radio states, "It is foolish for the US to think that we sit idle with folded arms to wait until it gives orders for a forestalling attack to be started. We will answer a forestalling attack with a powerful counterattack and all-out war with all-out war."
—"Prelude to Provocation of War of Aggression," Rodong Sinmun, in Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 6 February 2003, in "North Korean Daily Warns 'Secret' US Plan to Destroy Nuclear Facilities," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 6 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

6 February 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says that while the United States is committed to resolving the issue of North Korea's nuclear program peacefully, the US is "still looking for the right formula" to provide North Korea with the security guarantees they are demanding. However, Powell says that the United States is "not going to just say you've got these guarantees and then hope they will satisfy our concerns and the world's concerns about what they have been doing with respect to plutonium activities and uranium enrichment." Powell reiterates that the best way to resolve the issue is through a multilateral framework that consists of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as Australia, the European Union, Japan, South Korea and North Korea. Powell also tells the committee that the Bush administration has not taken any options off the table in dealing with North Korea.
—"US Mulling 'Right Formula' for N. Korea Nuke: Powell," Japan Economic Newswire, 6 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Powell Fields Questions from Senate Foreign Relations Committee," Channel NewsAsia, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 February 2003
US President George W. Bush claims that the United States is committed to resolving the nuclear crisis with North Korea diplomatically, but adds that "all options are on the table," inferring that the United States has not ruled out military force or economic sanctions.
—"Bush: 'All Options' Available in Resolving N. Korea Standoff," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US President Says 'All Options' on Table to Deal with DPRK," Xinhua News Agency, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jennifer Loven, "President Bush Says 'All Options on the Table' to Deal with North Korea," Associated Press, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 February 2003
The Korean Central News Agency claims that the United States is attempting to avoid its responsibility of resolving the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula by insisting on multilateral talks. KCNA also claims that the current nuclear crisis on the peninsula is a result of the United States' hostile policy toward North Korea.
—"KCNA Urges US to Respond to Direct Talks with DPRK," Korean Central News Agency, 7 February 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

7 February 2003
A commentary appearing in the Rodong Sinmun, official newspaper of the Korean Workers Party, claims that the US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's decision to place 24 bombers on standby for redeployment to Guam proves that the United States is not interested in resolving the nuclear crisis peacefully. The commentary says, "This situation compels the DPRK to take due precaution and a counter-measure."
—Korean Central News Agency, 7 February 2003, in "North Korean Agency Says US 'Dangerous' Build-Up 'Blatant Challenge,'" BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 February 2003
The Joongang Ilbo reports that US reconnaissance satellites have detected steam billowing from North Korea's 5MW(e) reactor in Yongbyon-kun, indicating that the reactor has been reactivated on what US and South Korean officials believe to be a test basis. Another Seoul official, who said he was not familiar with the imagery, said the reactor could have been put into operation because the loading of the 8,000 fuel rods is probably complete. He added, however, that because the plant has been idle since 1994, it is probably not operating at full capacity.
—"N. Korea's Reactor May Reach Full Operation after Mid-Feb.," Japan Economic Newswire, 7 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Oh Young Hwan, "North May Have Started Its Reactor, Officials Say," Joongang Ilbo, 7 February 2003, <http://joongangdaily.joins.com>.

8 February 2003
A Rodong Sinmun commentary states that North Korea will never participate in multilateral talks to resolve issues related to its nuclear program.
—Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, 8 February 2003, in "North Korean Party Paper Rejects US Call for Multilateral Talks," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 8 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8-11 February 2003
Indonesian presidential envoy Nana Sutresna travels to Pyongyang in order to convey to North Korean officials that Indonesia is opposed to North Korea's nuclear weapons program and wants to help resolve the issue peacefully. North Korean officials reportedly reply that its nuclear program is an issue to be discussed only between the United States and North Korea.
—Shin Yong Bae, "NK Insists on Direct US Talks," Korea Herald, 14 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 February 2003
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Sok Su says that he does not believe that North Korea has nuclear weapons.
— Lee Jong Heon, "S. Korea, US to Consult on N. Korea," United Press International, 10 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Christopher Torchia, "South Korea's Prime Minister Says He Doubts North Korea Has Nuclear Weapons," Associated Press, 10 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10-12 February 2003
Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, travels to Seoul and meets with high ranking South Korean government officials, including President Kim Dae Jung and President-elect Roh Moo Hyun, to discuss ways to resolve issues related to North Korea's nuclear program peacefully. Solana says that the EU remains committed to resolving the crisis through dialogue and plans to send a high level delegation to Pyongyang to help defuse the growing tension on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul following the meetings, Solana says that economic sanctions against North Korea would be counterproductive and serve only to inflame the already high tensions.
—"S. Korean President Meets Visiting EU Senior Official," Xinhua News Agency, 11 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Solana Reconfirms EU Plan to Send Delegation to N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 11 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jong Heon Lee, "EU Seeks to Resolve N. Korea Nuke Crisis," United Press International, 12 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 February 2003
In testimony before the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, CIA Director George Tenet says, "Kim Jong Il's attempts this past year to parlay the North's nuclear weapons program into political leverage suggest he is trying to negotiate a fundamentally different relationship with Washington—one that implicitly tolerates the North's nuclear weapons program." Tenet also states that profits from missile exports are necessary for North Korea to continue funding its missile, nuclear, biological and chemical weapons programs.
—"The Worldwide Threat in 2003: Evolving Dangers in a Complex World," Prepared Statement by Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet, US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Current and Projected National Security Threats to the United States, 108th Congress, 1st session, 11 February 2003.

11 February 2003
Chung Tae Chol, a South Korean politician and recently returned envoy to the United Stated of President Kim Dae Jung, says that intelligence authorities believe North Korea possesses three plutonium based nuclear weapons.
—Yonhap News Agency, 11 February 2003, in "South Korean Lawmaker Says North Believed to Have up to Three Nuclear Bombs," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 11 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11-14 February 2003
Representatives from North and South Korea meet for the fourth round of inter-Korean economic talks. During the talks the South Korean delegation stresses that economic cooperation between the two countries is hindered mainly by suspicions of a North Korean nuclear weapons program. The North Korean delegation refuses to comment on its nuclear program, stating only that it is a matter to be resolved through direct talks with the United States.
—"Inter-Korea Talks End without Date for Cross-Border Rail," Japan Economic Newswire, 13 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Pyongyang Sidesteps Nuclear Issue at Inter-Korean Economic Talks," Korea Times, 13 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

12 February 2003
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, CIA Director George Tenet states that North Korea "probably" has one or two plutonium-based nuclear warhead. When asked by Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) if North Korea currently possesses the capability of striking the West Coast of the United States with a ballistic missile, Tenet replies, "I think the declassified answer is yes, they can do that." When asked to clarify whether or not North Korea currently has the capability to couple a nuclear warhead to an ICBM, Tenet says that he will address the issue in the closed session.
—US Senate Committee on Armed Services, Threats to U.S. National Security: Hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, 108th Congress, 1st session, 12 February 2003.

12 February 2003
The IAEA Board of Governors adopts a resolution finding North Korea "in further non-compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement." Noting North Korea's continuing non-compliance and the IAEA's inability to verify that North Korea has not diverted nuclear material to a nuclear weapons program, the Board of Governors decides to report the issue to the UN Security Council.
—"IAEA Board of Governors Adopts Resolution on Safeguards in North Korea," International Atomic Energy Agency, Media Advisory 203/48, 12 February 2003, <http://www.iaea.org>; Report by the Director General on the Resolution Adopted by the Board on 6 January 2003 and of the Agreement between the IAEA and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, International Atomic Energy Agency, GOV/2003/3, 22 January 2003.

13 February 2003
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelly tells the House International Relations Committee that North Korea's nuclear weapons program may prompt Japan to pursue a nuclear weapons program.
—"N. Korea Nuke to Affect Japan Nonnuclear Policy: US Official," Japan Economic Newswire, 13 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 February 2003
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, says that North Korea poses a larger threat as a proliferator of nuclear weapons than as an aggressor in Northeast Asia. Rumsfeld also says that the United States is working with South Korea to redeploy US forces further south on the peninsula away from Seoul and the demilitarized zone. Rumsfeld says that he would like to see US forces "more oriented toward an air hub and a sea hub with the ability to reinforce so that there is still a strong deterrent, and possibly with our improved capabilities of moving people, some of those forces come back home."
—Barry Schweid, "Powell: North Korea Rejects US Proposal for Regional Talks on Nukes," Associated Press, 13 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Bradley Graham, "US May Shift Troops in Korea," Washington Post, 14 February 2003, p. A20, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 February 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell tells the House Budget Committee that US-North Korean bilateral talks are not an acceptable way to address issues related to North Korea's nuclear program, saying that North Korea poses such a threat to neighboring countries, such as China, Japan, Russia and South Korea, that a multilateral talks, incorporating all concerned states, is the only option.
—Barry Schweid, "Powell: North Korea Rejects US Proposal for Regional Talks on Nukes," Associated Press, 13 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 February 2003
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Sok Su tells the National Assembly that North Korea has extracted enough plutonium to make two nuclear weapons, but Kim adds that the South Korean National Intelligence Service cannot confirm whether or not North Korea has actually succeeded in construction nuclear weapons.
—Shin Yong Bae, "Seoul Claims No Knowledge of Nuclear Bombs in North," Korea Herald, 13 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 February 2003
North Korean ambassador to the UN Pak Kil Yon says the only way to resolve the current standoff over North Korea's nuclear program is for the United States to sign a nonaggression pact. Claiming that North Korea's withdrawal from the NPT was a self-defensive maneuver, Pak says, "It is a big mistake if the United States thinks North Korea will sit idle while the United States is recklessly moving to overthrow the North Korean regime."
—Yonhap News Agency, 14 February 2003, in "Pyongyang to Resist US 'Overthrow' Attempt – North Korean Envoy," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 14 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 February 2003
Delegates from the United States and North Korea hold unofficial talks in Berlin on ways to resolve the standoff over North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons program. Official representatives from the United States and North Korea do not participate in the talks, but the experts on each side reportedly have close ties to their respective governments. At the 10 hour meeting, the North Korean delegation reportedly asked the US experts about the specifics of how the US government planned to verify the dismantlement of North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons program.
—"N. Korea, US Held Private Talks in Berlin over Nuclear Issue," Japan Economic Newswire, 5 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 February 2003
The Korean Central News Agency condemns the IAEA for referring the issue of North Korea's nuclear program to the UN Security Council. KCNA states that since North Korea officially withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty on 11 January, the IAEA, which it denounces as merely a tool of the United States, has no authority to discuss North Korea's nuclear program.
—"KCNA Blasts IAEA's Irresponsible Decision," Korean Central News Agency, 14 February 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

Mid February 2003
Kim Tae Ho, a North Korean defector who reportedly worked at North Korean nuclear facilities from 1985 to 1992, tells Japanese media that, in preparation for a special IAEA inspection in 1992, North Korea concealed the full amount of nuclear activities at the Yongbyon nuclear complex by using lead boards to eliminate radiation traces emanating from secret underground levels dedicated to a nuclear weapons program. Kim also reports second hand that missile base located in Musudan-ri was constructed at that location to launch nuclear missiles at US forces stationed in Japan in the event of a war with the United States. [Note: In early 2003, Kim, who reportedly worked at the April Enterprise in the Yongbyon nuclear complex and the Namch'on Chemical Complex in North Hwanghae Province, published a book in Japan entitled, The Truth about the North Korea Nuclear Plants That I Saw, in which he details his eight years working for North Korea's nuclear industry.]
—Tokyo Seiron, 3 April 2003, pp. 88-95, in "Ex-DPRK Nuclear Plant Worker on Facilities in Yongbyon, P'yongsan," FBIS Document ID JPP20030313000011; Yomiuri Shimbun, 16 February 2003, p. 7, in "Japan: DPRK Defector Says Yongbyon Facility Ready to Resume Operations Any Time," FBIS Document ID JPP20030218000028; Tokyo Shimbun, 19 February 2003, p. 5, in "Defector Interviewed on Poor Safety Management at DPRK Nuclear Facilities," FBIS Document ID JPP20030220000051; Kim Tae Ho, Watashi ga Mita Kitachosen no Kakukojo no Shinjitsu," (Tokyo: Tokuma Shoten, 2003); Yoshijharu Fujiwara, "'Scoop Information' – Nuclear Triggering Device Completed in 1990," Yomiuri Weekly, 16 March 2003, in "Japanese Defense Official Says DPRK Completed Nuclear Triggering Device in 1990," FBIS Document ID JPP20030304000056.

16 February 2003
White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice says that the United States will not hold bilateral negotiations with North Korea over its suspected nuclear weapons program. Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Rice says, "I know that the North Koreans would like nothing better than this to become a bilateral problem between the United States and North Korea." However, Rice says, "We cannot allow the North Koreans to step back into a bilateral discussion with the United States."
—"US Not to Hold Bilateral Talks with DPRK: Rice," Xinhua News Agency, 16 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Transcript: Condoleezza Rice on Fox News Sunday," 16 February 2003, <http://www.foxnews.com>.

16 February 2003
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Kim Chae Rok, North Korean government official, says that North Korea is planning to construct four new nuclear power plants to meet the energy needs of the country. Kim says that the new nuclear power plants will be able to produce up to 200MW of power.
—Mike Thomas, "North Korea to Build Four More Nuclear Reactors," Sunday Telegraph, 16 February 2003, <http://www.sundaytelegraph.com>.

17 February 2003
The New York Times, citing senior US government officials, reports that the United States is developing a plan to impose sanctions on North Korea aimed at encouraging North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program and halt its export of weapons of mass destruction, including ballistic missiles.
—James Dao, "US Planning Sanctions against North Korea," New York Times, 17 February 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 February 2003
A spokesman for the Korean People's Army (KPA) declares that North Korea will abandon the 1953 Armistice Agreement that ended the Korean War if the United States imposes economic sanctions or sets up a naval blockade, actions which North Korea would view as acts of war.[Note: On 26 March, the KPA sends a message to the United Nations Command (UNC) stating that North Korea would no longer send delegates to meet with US and UN officers for routine meetings at the liaisons office in the truce village of Panmunjom. In the official message delivered to UNC Deputy Chief of Staff Major General James Soligan, the KPA reiterates its claim that economic sanctions or a naval blockade would be viewed as an act of war and North Korea would react accordingly.]
—"Spokesman for Panmunjom Mission of KPA Issues Statement," Korean Central News Agency, 18 February 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

19 February 2003
The UN Security Council considers the issue of North Korea's nuclear program for ten minutes and then decides to refer the issue to a group of experts before discussing it further.
—"Security Council Sends N. Korea Nuke Issue to Experts," Japan Economic Newswire, 19 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 February 2003
Shin Kon, chief of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, tells the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee that although North Korea has prepared to reactivate its 5MW(e) reactor located in the Yongbyon nuclear complex, the reactor has not yet been reactivated.
—Yonhap News Agency, 19 February 2003, in "North Korea Shows 'No Sign' of Restarting Nuclear Plant – Seoul Intelligence," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 19 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N. Korea Has Yet to Fire up Nuclear Reactor: South Korean Spy Agency," Agence France Presse, 20 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 February 2003
A Rodong Sinmun commentary claims that the United States' talk about resolving the dispute over North Korea's nuclear program peacefully is "nothing but a deceptive trick to mentally disarm us and guarantee a pre-emptive strike." The commentary warns the United States that if it continues on its current path of aggravating North Korea, it will lead to a "disastrous explosion."
—Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 19 February 2003, in "NKorea: Paper Warns USA of 'Disastrous Explosion' over Nuclear Issue," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 19 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 February 2003
A North Korean MiG-19 fighter jet crosses the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea and temporarily flies about 13km into South Korean airspace. The incursion lasted only two minutes, as the North Korean jet retreated to North Korean airspace after several South Korean jets were scrambled to intercept it. South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Hwang Yong Su states that the incursion, the first North Korean penetration of South Korean airspace since 1983, could have resulted in "very serious consequences in the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. [Note: North Korea has repeatedly stated that it does not recognize the NLL, thus instigating several naval clashes in South Korean waters, including a confrontation in June 2002 that resulted in the deaths of six South Korean sailors and an unknown number of North Korean sailors.]
—Sang Hun Choe, "North Korean Fighter Jet Crosses Border with South Korea, Returns without Incident," Associated Press, 20 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 20 February 2003, in "N. Korean Jet 'Provocation' Possibly Related to Armistice Agreement Threat," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 20 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 21 February 2003, in "UN Command Probes Possible North Korean Armistice Breach with Jet Incursion" BBC Monitoring International Reports, 21 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Don Kirk, "North Korean MiG Swoops off Coast of South Korea," International Herald Tribune, 21 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 February 2003
The Korean Central News Agency warns that "the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia is so alarming that a nuclear war may break out any moment."
—"KCNA on US Hostile Policy toward DPRK," Korean Central News Agency, 20 February 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

20 February 2003
Ra Jong Il, Senior Advisor for National Security to South Korean President-Elect Roh Moo Hyun, meets with Chon Kum Ch'ol, vice chairman of North Korea's Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee. Ra reportedly initiated the contact in Beijing to propose an inter-Korean summit soon after Roh takes office.
—Oh Young Hwan and Lee Young Jong, "Roh Aide Met North Envoy in China," Joongang Daily, 5 March 2005.

22 to 25 February 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell travels to Japan, China and South Korea on a diplomatic mission to coordinate policies with the East Asian nations regarding Iraq and North Korea. After meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on 22 February, Powell says that both agreed that talks to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue should be held in a "multilateral forum." On 23 February, Powell meets with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his successor Hu Jintao in Beijing, and according to Powell, the two Chinese leaders insist that the North Korean issue should be resolved through bilateral talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Powell then travels to South Korea on 24 February to attend the inauguration of President Roh Moo Hyun, who reportedly tells Powell that Seoul supports resolving the issue of North Korea's nuclear program in a multilateral setting.
—US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Press Conference from Tokyo, 23 February 2003, US Department of State, <http://www.state.gov>; US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Press Conference from Seoul, 25 February 2003, US Department of State, <http://www.state.gov>; US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Press Conference from Beijing, 24 February 2003, US Department of State, <http://www.state.gov>; US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Press Briefing on Board Plane en Route Elmendorf Air Force Base, 25 February 2003, US Department of State, <http://ww.state.gov>; "North Korea Said to Restart Key Nuclear Reactor: US's Powell Consults Asian Nations," Facts on File World News Digest, 26 February 2003, p. 119D1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

25 February 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell announces that the United States will send 100,000 metric tons of food aid to North Korea in 2003 beginning with an initial delivery of 40,000 metric tons. [Note: The United States did not send any food aid to North Korea for the first two months of 2003, but Secretary of State Colin Powell claims that the suspension was merely due to congressional delays, not in order to exert pressure on North Korea.]
—US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Press Conference from Seoul, 25 February 2003, US Department of State, <http://www.state.gov>; "North Korea Said to Restart Key Nuclear Reactor: US's Powell Consults Asian Nations," Facts on File World News Digest, 26 February 2003, p. 119D1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

25 February 2003
Addressing the 13th Conference of Heads of State of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, says that North Korea's decision to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty was a self defensive measure and North Korea's "nuclear activities at this stage would be confined only to peaceful purposes such as the production of electricity."
—"DPRK Leader Defends Policy on Nuclear Issue," Xinhua News Agency, 25 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Lawrence Bartlett, "North Korea Warns over Nuclear Missiles at NAM Summit," Agence France Presse, 25 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 25 February 2003, in "North Korean Envoy's Speech at Non-Aligned Summit in Malaysia," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 26 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

25 February 2003
US reconnaissance satellites detect suspicious plumes of smoke emitting from North Korea's 5MW(e) reactor located in the Yongbyon nuclear complex, prompting US intelligence officials on 26 February to announce that North Korea has reactivated the nuclear reactor. [Note: Pursuant to the 1994 Agreed Framework, North Korea agreed to freeze operations at several nuclear facilities, including the 5MW(e) reactor in Yongbyon-kun. Therefore, by reactivating the reactor, North Korea directly violated the agreement.]
—David A. Sanger, "Reactor Started in North Korea, US Concludes," New York Times, 27 February 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; George Gedda, "US Says North Korea Has Reactivated Nuclear Reactor," Associated Press, 26 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korea Said to Restart Key Nuclear Reactor: US's Powell Consults Asian Nations," Facts on File World News Digest, 26 February 2003, p. 119D1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 27 February 2003, in "ROKG Allegedly Concedes Having 'Information' in DPRK's Reactor Reactivation," FBIS Document ID KPP20030227000079.

Late February 2003
The Chinese government closes an oil pipeline to North Korea for three days, reportedly as a warning to Pyongyang not to provoke the United States and escalate the crisis over North Korea's nuclear program.
—John Pomfret, "China Urges N. Korea Dialogue: Beijing Sees Risk of Losing Influence in Area Vital to Security," Washington Post, 4 April 2003, p. 16.

28 February 2003
A South Korean government official tells the Yonhap News Agency that the South Korean government, after studying intelligence provided by the United States, has confirmed that North Korea has reactivated the 5MW(e) nuclear reactor located in the Yongbyon nuclear complex. In 1994, North Korea agreed to freeze operations at the reactor as part of the Agreed Framework. Yet despite North Korea's latest violation of the agreement, the government officials says, South Korea will not halt construction of two light-water nuclear reactors being constructed in Kumho-chigu [Shinp'o], North Korea as part of the Agreed Framework.
—"South Korea Confirms Restart of North Reactor, Expresses 'Strong Regret," Yonhap News Agency, 28 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Seo Hyun Jin, "Seoul Regrets News of Reactivation," Korea Herald, 28 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 February 2003
South Korea's Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry issues a statement expressing "deep concern and regret" that North Korea decided to reactivate the reactor. In the statement, the ministry also "urge(s) North Korea to comply with our efforts, as well as those of the international community to find a peaceful resolution to the nuclear problem."
—"South Korea Confirms Restart of North Reactor, Expresses 'Strong Regret," Yonhap News Agency, 28 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Seo Hyun Jin, "Seoul Regrets News of Reactivation," Korea Herald, 28 February 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 February 2003
The Los Angeles Times quotes a US government source as saying that North Korea has been conducting activities at a plutonium reprocessing plant located in the Yongbyon nuclear complex. [Note: The "activities" referred to by the anonymous source could be a reference to the deliveries of coal and plumes of smoke emitting from the boiler detected by US and Japanese intelligence in January. The boiler, adjacent to the reprocessing facility, is used to maintain the temperature of the nitric acid solution used in plutonium reprocessing.]
—Sonni Efron, "Activity Seen at N. Korean Nuclear Plant: US Observers Are Unsure Whether Pyongyang Has Begun Reprocessing Plutonium that Could Be Used to Make Bombs," Los Angeles Times, 1 March 2003.

March to May 2003
According to an 11 June Sankei Shimbun report that cites "an informed source on Korean Peninsula issues," Iranian nuclear specialists visit North Korea three times from March to May. According to the "informed source," a delegation of Iranian officials from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran visit North Korea on 1 March for several days, and subsequently return to North Korea in April and May. The Iranian delegations reportedly seek advice from North Korean officials on how to manage IAEA inspections of a suspected nuclear weapons program.
—Sankei Shimbun, 11 June 2003, in "Sankei Reports Iranian Nuclear Experts Secretly Visited DPRK Thrice in 2003," FBIS Document ID JPP20030611000016.

Early March 2003
According to Japanese government sources, North Korean and Japanese government officials hold several informal telephone conversations during which the North Korean officials indicate that Pyongyang would be willing to participate in multilateral talks to resolve issues related to its nuclear program, backing off from its earlier demand that only bilateral talks with the United States would resolve the crisis.
—Kyodo News Service, 11 April 2003, in "N. Korea Easing Stance for Multilateral Talks," FBIS Document ID JPP20030411000162.

2 March 2003
North Korean radio broadcasts a commentary stating, "Should war break out on the Korean Peninsula due to the US imperialists, it will escalate into a nuclear war." The commentary continues, "Then, not only the Korean people in the North and South but the people in Asia and many countries around the world will suffer from a frightful nuclear catastrophe."
—Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, 2 March 2003, in "North Korea Says US Plan to Attack Nuclear Facilities 'Presupposes' Nuclear War," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 2 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 March 2003
Four North Korean MiG-29s intercept a US reconnaissance plane over international waters 150 miles from the North Korean coast. The MiGs, one of which flew within 50 feet of the RC-135S reconnaissance plane, reportedly attempt to force the US plane to land in North Korea. Following the incident, the United States suspends reconnaissance flights over the Sea of Japan, but flights resume ten days later. [Note: Due to heightening tension on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea's test-launch of anti-ship missiles into the Sea of Japan on 24 February, the United States had been conducting routine reconnaissance flights in anticipation of a ballistic missile launch by North Korea.]
—Kathleen T. Rhem, "North Korean Fighters Intercept US Jet Over Sea of Japan," American Forces Pres Service, 3 March 2003; Matt Kelley, "US Considers Fighter Escorts for Surveillance Planes after Intercept by North Korea," Associated Press, 4 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
http://web.lexis-nexis.com; Doug Struck, "N. Korean Jet Keep Their Distance During US Missions," Washington Post, 1 April 2003, p. 16.

3 March 2003
In an interview with Sankei Shimbun, North Korean defector Kim Tae Ho says that North Korea's nuclear industry relies heavily on machinery and equipment imported from Japan via an unnamed Southeast Asian country. Kim says that materials and equipment used in the Yongbyon nuclear complex, from high acid resistant stainless steel liquid waste tanks and pipes, drainage pumps, hydraulic boring machines, to transportation trucks, were all of Japanese origin.
—Sankei Shimbun, 3 March 2003, in "Japan: DPRK Defector Says Nuclear Missile Aimed at Tokyo," FBIS Document ID JPP20030303000046.

4 March to 2 April 2003
US and South Korean forces conduct the annual Foal Eagle combined military exercises simulating a repelled invasion from North Korea. On 19 March, US and South Korean forces begin the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) combined military exercises integrating it with the second half of the Foal Eagle exercises. The United States deploys the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and six F-117 stealth bombers to participate in the RSIO exercises. [Note: North Korea repeatedly condemns the military exercises as a rehearsal for a preemptive nuclear attack and subsequent invasion of North Korea.]
—"US and South Korea Troops Start Major War Games," Agence France Presse, 4 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Blasts Major US-S. Korea War Games," Agence France Presse, 4 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "U.S. Test Nuclear War against DPRK Flayed," Korean Central News Agency, 5 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Jong Heon Lee, "US, S. Korea Launch Another War Game," United Press International, 19 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 March 2003
The Washington Post, quoting a Senate source familiar with the Bush administration's evolving North Korea policy, reports that the United States is resigned to North Korea becoming a nuclear power and is now focusing on preventing North Korea from exporting nuclear material. However, Ari Fleisher, White House press secretary, denies the report, claiming, "It is important to make certain that there is a denuclearized peninsula. And that's why we're working so hard on this and why we have called directly and publicly for North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programs."
—Doug Struck and Glenn Kessler, "Foes Giving in to N. Korea's Nuclear Arms," Washington Post, 5 March 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Press Briefing by Ari Fleisher, 5 March 2003, Office of the Press Secretary, United States White House, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>.

6 March 2003
In a televised news conference, US President George W. Bush says that the only way to resolve the nuclear issue with North Korea is through multilateral talks, and thus the United States must convince nations with vested interests that "they must stand up to their responsibility."
—President George Bush Discusses Iraq in National Press Conference, 6 March 2003, Office of the Press Secretary, United States White House, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>.

6 March 2003
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld says that the United States is currently considering moving US forces stationed in South Korea away from the DMZ. Speaking at a Pentagon town hall meeting, Rumsfeld says, "We still have a lot of forces in Korea arranged very far forward, where it's intrusive in their lives, and where they really aren't very flexible or usable for other things." Rumsfeld adds that while the Untied States remains committed to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea "has all the capability in the world of providing the kind of up-front deterrent that is needed."
—"Pentagon Town Hall Meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld," DoD News, 6 March 2003, <http://www.dod.gov>.

7 March 2003
South Korea's Prime Minister Ko Kun tells US ambassador to South Korea Thomas Hubbard that "the role of the US troops as a tripwire must be maintained." Responding to US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's statements on 6 March that US forces should be redeployed away from the demilitarized zone, Ko tells Hubbard that it would be "inappropriate to talks about redeploying US troops at this time, given the tension surrounding the nuclear issue."
—James Brooke, "Musing on an Exodus of GI's, South Korea Hails US Pressure," New York Times, 8 March 2003, p. A11, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Realignment of USFK," Korea Herald, 11 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 March 2003
The Korean Central News Agency says that the nuclear standoff between the United States and North Korea "can surely be solved if the US has a will to settle it through dialogues and negotiations with the DPRK."
—"KCNA Refutes Bush's Bellicose Remarks," Korean Central News Agency, 7 March 2003, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 March 2003
Kim Myong Ch'ol, executive director of the Tokyo-based Center for Korean-American Peace, a group with ties to the North Korean government, says that North Korea will test-fire a missile capable of "splashing down off Los Angeles or New York" if the Bush administration refuses to participate in bilateral talks. Kim also warns that if the United States carries out a preemptive strike on the Yongbyon nuclear complex, North Korea will retaliate with missile attacks that will "leave Washington, New York and Chicago aflame."
—"US 'in Range of Korea's Missiles,'" Sunday Mail (Queensland), 9 March 2003, p. 44, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 March 2003
A Minju Joson commentary claims that the United States is currently planning a preemptive attack on North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex. The commentary says that the US Department of Defense has developed plans to use not only air raids and cruise missile attacks, but also tactical nuclear weapons. The piece concludes that North Korea's "army and people will take every possible self-defensive measure to cope with the US forces' new war moves."
—"DPRK Ready to Repel Any US Military Attack," Korean Central News Agency, 9 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

10 March 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Korean Workers Party, says that the combined military exercises currently being conducted by US and South Korean forces are merely preparations for a preemptive nuclear strike on North Korea in the summer. The commentary also claims that North Korea will not sit by idly while it is just a matter of time before a nuclear war erupts on the Korean Peninsula.
—Central Broadcasting Station, 10 March 2003, in "North Korean Commentary Notes US 'Secretly' Drawing up Attack Plan," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 10 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 March 2003
The Rodong Sinmun calls on the United States to participate in bilateral talks to resolve the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program, saying "negotiations are neither a sort of reward to be given by one party to the other party nor a business dealing in which one party makes a profit while the other party suffers a loss."
—"DPRK-US Direct Talks Called For," Korean Central News Agency, 11 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

11 March 2003
The US Department of Defense announces that the United States is deploying six F-117 stealth bombers to South Korea to participate in joint military exercises. [Note: The bombers arrive at Kunsan Air Base on 14 March.]
—"US Sending Stealth Fighters to S. Korea for Exercises," Japan Economic Newswire, 11 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

12 March 2003
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Kelly, in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says that North Korea's uranium enrichment program is becoming a serious threat to international security, claiming it is "only probably a matter of months and not years behind the plutonium [program]."
—James A. Kelly, Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "Regional Implications of the Changing Nuclear Equation on the Korean Peninsula," 108th Congress, Session 1, 12 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; James A. Kelly, Prepared Statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "Regional Implications of the Changing Nuclear Equation on the Korean Peninsula," 108th Congress, Session 1, 12 March 2003.

12 March 2003
Speaking before the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, General Leon LaPorte, commander of US Forces Korea, says, "According to estimates by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency, North Korea has an untested ballistic missile capable of delivering a payload the size of a nuclear weapon to parts of the continental United States." General LaPorte also states that according to US military assessments, "the Kim regime believes possession of nuclear weapons will guarantee survival."
—General Leon J. LaPorte, Statement before the 108th Congress House Armed Services Committee, 12 March 2003.

12 March 2003
North Korean radio quotes Kim Jong Il as saying that the United States is solely to blame for the current nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula since it has continuously threatened North Korea with nuclear weapons located in South Korea.
—Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 12 March 2003, in "North Korean Radio Blames USA over Nuclear Issue," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 14 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 March 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the Korean Workers Party, quotes Kim Jong Il as saying that the United States' recent deployment of two dozen bombers to Guam is "none other than a part of their military adventure maneuvers aimed at suddenly launching a preemptive strike against our republic with nuclear weapons." Kim is also quoted as saying, "The US imperialists are trying to provoke a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula by all means and expand it into a global thermonuclear war."
—"Why Did B-52s Fly into Guam?" Rodong Sinmun, 13 March 2003, broadcast by Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, 13 March 2003, in "North Korea Says US Planning Attack as Prelude to 'Global Thermonuclear War,'" BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 13 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 March 2003
US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton claims in an article published in the Far Eastern Economic Review that the United States was surprised that when it confronted North Korea with evidence of a clandestine uranium enrichment program in October 2002, North Korean officials broke with tradition and "brazenly admitted to developing a uranium-enrichment program (sic)."
—John Bolton, "Why North Korea Is Different," Far Eastern Economic Review, 13 March 2003, http://www.feer.com.

14-15 March 2003
Representatives from over forty nations participate in track-two talks in Berkeley, California aimed at resolving the standoff over North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons program. While the talks are unofficial, many of the delegates, including three North Koreans, have close ties to their respective governments. The three participating North Koreans are Han Song Ryol, North Korean ambassador to the UN, Cho Kil Hong and Kim Sam Ch'ong, respectively deputy director and senior researcher at North Korea's Institute for Disarmament and Peace. During the talks, Kim reportedly says that North Korea's nuclear program is not intended to threaten anyone but is only intended to defend North Korea from the United States.
—Matthew Yi, "North Korean to Join Berkeley Nuclear Meeting; Unofficial Talks Aim to Jump-Start Communications," San Francisco Chronicle, 14 March 2003, p. A12, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Matthew Yi, "North Korean Official Explains Rationale for Nuclear Arms," San Francisco Chronicle, 15 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

15 March 2003
A commentary appearing in the Rodong Sinmun, official newspaper of the Korean Workers Party, claims that the current combined military exercises being conducted by the United States and South Korea—Foal Eagle and Reception, Staging Onward Movement and Integration—are aimed a preparing for an invasion of North Korea using nuclear weapons. The commentary states that by integrating the two military exercises, the United States is "trying to once and for all complete preparations for a nuclear war for northward aggression and launch a nuclear preemptive strike against [North Korea] at any given moment."
—"Challenge to Peace and Reunification," Rodong Sinmun, broadcast by Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, 15 March 2003, in "North Korea Claims US 'Pre-Emptive Strike' a Matter of Times," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 15 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 March 2003
Japan's Yomiuri Weekly, citing an anonymous military authority, reports that North Korea successfully developed a nuclear warhead triggering device in 1990.
—Yoshijharu Fujiwara, "'Scoop Information' – Nuclear Triggering Device Completed in 1990," Yomiuri Weekly, 16 March 2003, in "Japanese Defense Official Says DPRK Completed Nuclear Triggering Device in 1990," FBIS Document ID JPP20030304000056.

17 March 2003
Ra Jong Il, Senior Advisor for National Security to South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun, says that North Korea has not made any apparent preparations to begin reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods.
—"N. Korea Shows No Sign of Reactivating Reprocessing Plant," Japan Economic Newswire, 17 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 March 2003
South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun calls for multilateral talks to resolve the current standoff over North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons program. Speaking at the commencement ceremony of the Korea Air Force Academy, Roh says, "Not only dialogue with the North and cooperation with the United States and Japan, but also a cooperative framework involving China, Russia and the European Union should be activated. [Note: This is the first time that President Roh has explicitly called for multilateral talks to resolve issues related to North Korea's nuclear program.]
—"Roh Urges Multilateral End to NK Nuclear Standoff," Korea Herald, 19 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 March 2003
Robert Gallucci, special envoy to the Korean Peninsula during the Clinton administration, says that the Clinton administration knew of North Korea's uranium enrichment program. Speaking at Korea University, Gallucci says that the Clinton administration had planned to bring up the matter with North Korea but never had the opportunity.
—Yonhap News Agency, 19 March 2003, in "Former US Envoy Says Clinton Administration 'Knew' of N Korean Nuclear Programme," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 19 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Seo Hyun Jin, "After Iraq, U.S. Seen to Focus on N.K.," Korea Herald, 21 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

21 March 2003
In an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun, US Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker says that the United States would not consider a preemptive attack on North Korea until first consulting with Japan and South Korea. Baker reiterates Washington's position that it seeks a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula.
—Yonhap News Agency, 28 March 2003, in "ROK's Yonhap: US Would Never Consider Unilateral Preemptive Strike on NK," FBIS Document ID KPP20030328000004.

24 March 2003
The United States imposes economic sanctions on Pakistan's Khan Research Laboratories and North Korea's Ch'anggwang Shinyong Corporation for "engaging in proliferation activities." The sanctions, imposed pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act and Executive Order 12938, prevent the US governmental or private sector from conducting business with either of the named entities for two years. Since the United States did not conduct business with either entity in Pakistan or North Korea, the sanctions are mainly a symbolic protest of missile technology transfers from North Korea to Pakistan. [Note: Khan Research Laboratories is primarily responsible for Pakistan's nuclear weapons program and Ch'anggwang Shinyong Corporation is the financial institution that processes payments for North Korean missile-related exports. While Pakistan is suspected of transferring uranium enrichment technology to North Korea through the Khan Laboratories, a US State Department spokesman claims that the sanctions "were for a specific missile-related transfer." The US embassy in Islamabad issued a statement following the implementation of the sanctions, claiming that the Khan Laboratory is charged with "material contribution to the efforts of a foreign country, person or entity of proliferation concern, to use, acquire, design, develop and or secure weapons of mass destruction." However, in the purposefully vague statement the embassy does not mention whether the Khan Laboratory is being sanctioned because of transfers of nuclear technology or receipt of missile technology.]
—Imposition of Missile Proliferation Sanctions Against a North Korean Entity, Public Notice 4326, Federal Register, vol. 68, no. 63, 2 April 2003, p. 16113; Imposition of Nonproliferation Measures on a Foreign Entity, Including a Ban on US Government Procurements, Public Notice 4327, Federal Register, vol. 68, no. 63, 2 April 2003, p. 16113-16114; Nicholas Kralev, "Pakistan Purchases N. Korean Missiles," Washington Times, 31 March 2003, p. 1; Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman, "North Korea-Pakistan: Missile Related Sanctions and Executive Order 12938 Penalties," US Department of State Press Release, 1 April 2003; David E. Sanger, "US Rebukes Pakistanis for Lab's Aid to Pyongyang," New York Times, 1 April 2003.

Late March 2003
Cho Myong Rok, first vice chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission, travels to China to receive treatment for chronic kidney problems. [Note: In 2002, Cho, the highest ranking military official after Kim Jong Il, reportedly received a kidney transplant at the same Beijing hospital.]
—"North Korea's Military Chief Hospitalized in China: Report," Agence France Presse, 28 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

Late March 2003
According to South Korean Defense Ministry officials, Washington informs Seoul of its intention to relocate the Army's 2nd Infantry Division south of the Han River in the latter half of 2003. This move would put the 2nd Infantry Division out of range of North Korean long-range artillery.
—"Seoul Set to Block US Troop Reduction," Korea Times, 7 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

26 March 2003
The Korean People's Army sends a message to the United Nations Command (UNC) stating that North Korea would no longer send delegates to meet with US and UN officers for routine meetings at the liaisons office in the truce village of P'anmunjom. The message is reportedly delivered by Lee Chan Bok to UNC Deputy Chief of Staff Major General James Soligan by telephone. The Korean Central News Agency reports that Lee informed Soligan that any economic sanctions imposed on North Korea would be viewed as a breach of the 1953 Armistice Agreement, and if sanctions were imposed, North Korea would respond by abandoning all commitments made under the Armistice Agreement.
—Vincent Yu, "N. Korea Ends 50 Years of Key Meetings," Associated Press, 27 March 2003; "Telephone Message to Chief Delegate of US Forces Side," Korean Central News Agency, 26 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Yonhap News Agency, 26 March 2003, in "DPRK Threatens Not to Join P'anmunjom Talks Citing Military Drills," FBIS Document ID KPP20030326000076.

26 March 2003
Speaking before the US House Appropriations Committee, Secretary of State Colin Powell says that the United States has no intention of launching a preemptive military strike against North Korea. Powell also claims that while the administration does not want to withdraw all US forces stationed in South Korea, officials from Washington and Seoul have been discussing the possible redeployment of US troops in South Korea.
—Yonhap News Agency, 27 March 2003, in "ROK's Yonhap: US Has No Intention of Complete Withdrawal of USFK: Powell," FBIS Document ID KPP 20030327000013.

27 March 2003
North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly allocates 15.4 percent of the annual budget for defense expenditures, an increase from 14.9 percent for 2002. The increase in defense expenditures is part of a 14.4 percent increase in the overall expenditures. In order to fund the budgetary increases, the Supreme People's Assembly announces that it will sell government bonds for the first time since the Korean War. The Supreme People's Assembly also adopts a new military service law by which government officials who have not previously served in the military must join the Korean People's Army for at least three years. [Note: North Korean military budget figures are opaque, but the announced figures can be interpreted as a trend.]
—"Finance Minister on State Budget for 2003," Korean Central News Agency, 26 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "State Budget Discussed at Session of DPRK Supreme People's Assembly," Korean Central News Agency, 26 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "6th Session of 10th SPA of DPRK Held," Korean Central News Agency, 26 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Lim Chang Won, Hong Kong AFP, in "AFP: North Korea Boosts Military Spending as Nuclear Crisis Persists," FBIS Document ID JPP20030327000103.

28 March 2003
US Secretary of State Colin Powell informs South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Yong Kwan that China has proposed three-way talks between the United States, China and North Korea in order to discuss the ways of resolving to rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Yun, considering the "seriousness of the situation," accepts the three-party talks that exclude South Korea with the understanding that South Korea would participate in subsequent rounds of talks. [Note: The three-party talks are held in Beijing 23-24 April.]
—Yonhap News Agency, 16 April 2003, in "ROK's Yonhap: South Korea Confirms Three-Way Talks Over NK Nuclear Issue," FBIS Document ID KPP20030416000066.

29 March 2003
A commentary appearing in the Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, states that North Korea "would have already met the same miserable fate as Iraq's had it compromised its revolutionary principle and accepted the demand raised by the imperialists and its followers for 'nuclear inspection' and disarmament."
—"DPRK Will Not Make Any Concessions or Compromise," Korean Central News Agency, 29 March 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

31 March 2003
During talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, Thomas Fargo, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, says that a strong deterrent is necessary in dealing with North Korea. Fargo adds that while North Korea should not be provoked, the international community must demonstrate that North Korea's nuclear weapons program is intolerable.
—Kyodo News Service, 31 March 2003, in "Kawaguchi, Fargo Agree N. Korea Nuke Program Intolerable," FBIS Document ID JPP20030331000109; "Strong Deterrence Needed for N. Korea: US Commander," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 31 March 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 April 2003
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov says that the US-led war against Iraq is pushing North Korea to improve its defenses. Losyukov claims that it "is absolutely clear" that North Korea will pursue nuclear weapons more vigorously as a result of perceived threat of a US-led war against Iraq.
—"North Korea May Seek Nuclear Weapons Because of Iraq War: Russia," Agence France Presse, 1 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 April 2003
Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid, responding to recent US sanctions on Pakistan's Khan Research Laboratories, claims that Pakistan has never imported nor exported nuclear weapons technology. [Note: The United States imposed the sanctions on 24 March pursuant to Executive Order 12938. While Pakistan is suspected of transferring uranium enrichment technology to North Korea through the Khan Laboratories, a US State Department spokesman claims that the sanctions "were for a specific missile-related transfer."]
—Hong Kong AFP, 1 April 2003, in "AFP: Pakistan Wants Proof from Washington of Alleged Nuclear Trade with DPRK," FBIS Document ID JPP20030401000152.

6 April 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying that US military actions against Iraq "suggest that even the signing of a nonaggression treaty with the US would not help avert a war." The Foreign Ministry says that the only way to avert war is for North Korea to develop a "tremendous military deterrent force."
—"Statement of FM Spokesman Blasts UNSC's Discussion of Korean Nuclear Issue," Korean Central News Agency, 6 April 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

Early to Mid April 2003
North Korea attempts to import three direct-currency stabilizers from Japan. The stabilizers are seized before they are unloaded in Thailand, where they were reportedly to be diverted to North Korea. On 8 May, Tokyo police raid Meishin, the Japanese company that exported the stabilizers. [Note: Direct-currency stabilizers, also called frequency converters, can be used for gas centrifuges.]
—Joby Warrick, "N. Korea Shops Stealthily for Nuclear Arms Gear; Front Companies Step Up Efforts in European Market," Washington Post, 15 August 2003, p. 19; "Firm Admits to Exporting Nuke-Related Devices to N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 8 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 April 2003
The UN Security Council meets to discuss ways to resolve the growing nuclear crisis in North Korea but is unable to reach agreement reportedly due to China's refusal to support even a non-binding statement by the Security Council president condemning North Korea's recent moves to reactivate its nuclear weapons program. [Note: The five permanent members of the UN Security Council had met many times leading up to the 9 April meeting, but on 8 April, the Chinese representative expressed strong opposition to any statement or resolution condemning North Korea. Speaking at an 8 April press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said, "We think intervention by the UN Security Council now cannot help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue." Russia also did not support the resolution and reportedly informed the United States of its belief that if the Security Council adopted a resolution denouncing North Korea, Pyongyang would retaliate by officially declaring itself a nuclear power.]
—"Security Council Holds Talks on DPR of Korea Nuclear Issue," UN News Service, 9 April 2003, <http://www.un.org>; Colum Lynch and Doug Struck, "China Blocks U.N. Statement Condemning N. Korea: Move Hampers Security Council's Efforts to Pressure Pyongyang over Nuclear Weapons Program," Washington Post, 9 April 2003, p. 16; James Brooke, "North Korea's Neighbors Seek Crisis Role," New York Times, 9 April 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Barbara Slavin, "North Korea Pulls Out of Non-Nuclear Treaty," USA Today, 10 April 2003, p. 10; Kyodo News Service, 12 April 2003, in "Kyodo: 'Diplomatic Source' Says UN Rebuke May Prompt DPRK to Declare Owning Nukes," FBIS Document ID JPP20030412000005.

10 April 2003
South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Yong Kwan meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing. The two agree to work together to persuade North Korea to participate in a multilateral dialogue in order to resolve issues related to its nuclear weapons program in a multilateral forum.
—Yonhap News Agency, 10 April 2003, in "ROK FM Official: ROK, China 'Might Have Agreed' on Multilateral Talks for DPRK Nuclear Issue," FBIS Document ID KPP20030410000115.

10 April 2003
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officially recognizes that North Korea has withdrawn from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). [Note: On 10 January, Pyongyang issued a statement announcing its withdrawal from the NPT, but the IAEA claimed that North Korea had to wait 90 days from the time of notification before the withdrawal would be official. North Korea is the first country to withdraw from the NPT since it came into force in 1970.]
—Barbara Slavin, "North Korea Pulls Out of Non-Nuclear Treaty," USA Today, 10 April 2003, p. 10.

12 April 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying that since North Korea is no longer a signatory to the NPT, there is no reason to resolve issues related to its nuclear program in a multilateral forum. The spokesman adds that North Korea seeks direct bilateral talks with the United States in order to confirm whether or not Washington has the political willingness to abandon its hostile policy toward North Korea. However, the spokesman states that North Korea is prepared to resolve the crisis without sticking "to any particular dialogue format."
—"Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Peaceful Solution to Nuclear Issue," Korean Central News Agency, 12 April 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

12 April 2003
The Korean Central News Agency reports that at the 9 April UN Security Council meeting addressing North Korea's nuclear program, only the United States and one other country supported a resolution calling on North Korea to retract its withdrawal from the NPT.
—"Majority of UNSC Members Stand for Peaceful Solution to Korean Nuclear Issue," Korean Central News Agency, 12 April 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

12 April 2003
French and German authorities board the French ship Ville de Virgo and seize 214 aluminum tubes bound for North Korea. The aluminum tubes, made of a special alloy called 6061-T6, could have been used in the construction of up to 3,500 gas centrifuges for uranium enrichment.
—Joby Warrick, "N. Korea Shops Stealthily for Nuclear Arms Gear; Front Companies Step Up Efforts in European Market," Washington Post, 15 August 2003, p. 19.

15 April 2003
US President George W. Bush meets with Secretary of State Colin Powell and reportedly approves a negotiating strategy for the upcoming trilateral talks with China and North Korea by which the United States will not settle for a freeze on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Instead, the United States will demand that North Korea completely dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Senior administration officials announce the negotiating position on 16 April, adding that they had low expectations for the first round of talks scheduled to begin on 23 April.
—David E. Sanger, "Bush Takes No-Budge Stand in Talks with North Korea," New York Times, 17 April 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

15 April 2003
Speaking at a meeting of Japanese and Iranian lawmakers, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohsen Aminzadeh says that Iran will not export nuclear or missile-related technology to North Korea.
—Jiji Press (Tokyo), 15 April 2003, in "Iran Not to Transfer Arms Tech to N. Korea: Deputy Foreign Min.," FBIS Document ID JPP2003415000074.

16 April 2003
Japanese government officials announce that Japan and South Korea will participate in the second round of multilateral talks aimed at reducing tension on the Korean Peninsula and resolving issues related to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The first round of talks, scheduled to begin on 23 April, will only involve delegations from the United States, North Korea and China.
—Kyodo News Service, 16 April 2003, in "Japan, S. Korea to Join N. Korea Talks from 2nd Round," FBIS Document ID JPP20030416000158.

18 April 2003
The Korean Central News Agency quotes a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying, "as we have already declared, we are successfully reprocessing more than 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods at the final phase as we sent interim information to the US and other countries." [Note: Many observers believed the statement to be an admission by the North Korean Foreign Ministry that North Korea had not only begun reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods but had also informed other nations when it did so. However, officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan deny having been informed by North Korea that it had commenced reprocessing the fuel rods. On 19 April, the US government Foreign Broadcast Information Services (FBIS) determined that the Foreign Ministry spokesman had not stated that North Korea had begun reprocessing spent fuel rods, but instead, KCNA had mistranslated an ambiguous statement. The FBIS translation is as follows: "We are successfully completing the final phase to the point of the reprocessing operation for some 8,000 spent fuel rods." On 21 April, KCNA posts a revised version of the English translation which states that North Korea has progressed "to the point of reprocessing fuel rods."]
—"Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Expected DPRK-U.S. Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 18 April 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; CNS, "Factsheet on North Korean Nuclear Reprocessing Statement," 23 April 2003, <http://cns.miis.edu/research/korea/repro.htm>; "No Indication N. Korea Reprocessed Spent Fuel Rods: US State Department Official," Channel NewsAsia, 18 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http:///web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 18 April 2003, in "South Korea Not 'Informed' on North Nuclear Reprocessing," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 18 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Paul Eckert and Arshad Mohammed, "Pyongyang Statement Puzzles Cites Banned Work on Spent Fuel Rods; Translation Disputed," Boston Globe, 19 April 2003, p. A5, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Charles Whelan, "North Korea Revises Statement, Removes Obstacle to Nuclear Talks," Agence France Presse, 21 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 April 2003
The Weekend Australian reports that in late 2002, American and New Zealanders, working at arms length from their respective governments, helped Kyong Won Ha, a reported North Korean nuclear scientist, and other high ranking North Korean officials and scientists defect from North Korea. Operation Weasel, as it was called, incorporated the help of the Pacific Island nation of Nauru to help transport the defectors from China to the United States or US allies. The US State Department denies that the United States offered any incentives to Nauru to help high-ranking North Koreans defect. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher calls the Weekend Australian report "great reading but untrue." However, the State Department neither confirms nor denies that the defections reported in the article actually occurred. [Note: On 3 June 2003, the director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), tells that National Assembly that NIS has learned that Kyong is still in North Korea.]
—Martin Chulov and Cameron Stewart, "N. Korean Scientists Defect," Weekend Australian, 19 April 2003, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Story on North Korean Defections False: US," Agence France Presse, 21 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 3 June 2003, in "S. Korean 'Source' Cast Doubts on Reported Defection by North Nuclear Scientist," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 3 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 April 2003
Kim Ryong Song, chief North Korean delegate to the inter-Korean ministerial talks, sends a message to South Korean Unification Minister Chong Sae Hyon proposing the that the next round of talks be held on 27-29 April in Pyongyang. On 21 April, South Korea agrees to participate in the delayed talks. [Note: The tenth round of ministerial talks were originally scheduled for 7-10 April, but North Korea failed to respond to South Korea's requests for preliminary talks and never invited the South Korean delegation to Pyongyang, the scheduled venue.]
—Jong Heon Lee, "N. Korea Proposes Talks with South," United Press International, 19 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 21 April 2003, in "Further on Inter-Korean Agreement to Hold 10th Cabinet-Level Talks 27-29 April," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 21 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 April 2003
The Australian Report, citing "well-informed sources close to US thinking," reports that the US Department of Defense has developed a detailed plan to carry out precision strikes against North Korea's nuclear facilities and selected artillery units located near the demilitarized zone if North Korea begins reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods.
—"US Draws up Plan to Bomb North Korea's Nuclear Plant: Australian Report," Agence France Presse, 22 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 April 2003
South Korean Defense Minister Cho Yong Kil tells the National Assembly that he believes that even though North Korea has completed preparations to reprocess 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods, it has not actually started reprocessing.
—"N. Korea Has Not Yet Begun Reprocessing Nuclear Fuel Rods – S. Korea," AFX-Asia, 22 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 April 2003
Thomas Hubbard, US ambassador to South Korea, tells the South Korean press that the United States will not compensate North Korea for merely placing a freeze on its nuclear activities. However, Hubbard says the United States is prepared to implement a new "bold approach" in dealing with North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons program in a verifiable and irreversible manner."
—"North Korea Must Abandon Nukes First," Korea Herald, 23 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

23-24 April 2003
China, the United States and North Korea hold trilateral talks in Beijing aimed at resolving the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program. The Chinese, US and North Korean delegations are headed respectively by Fu Ying, director general of the Asian Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Ministry, James Kelly, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, and Li Gun, deputy director general of the American Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Ministry. During the first day of talks, Li reportedly claims that North Korea has almost completed reprocessing 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods. Li also reportedly tells Kelly on the sidelines of the talks that North Korea already possesses nuclear weapons and threatens to conduct a nuclear test or export nuclear material. According to the Washington Times, Li tells Kelly, "We can't dismantle them. It's up to you whether we do a physical demonstration or transfer them." However, according to other accounts of Li's statement, Li did not explicitly threaten that North Korea would conduct a nuclear test or sell nuclear material, stating vaguely that North Korea might take "physical actions." At the talks, the North Korean delegation also presents a proposal for resolving the nuclear standoff by which the United States would offer diplomatic recognition and provide security assurances and economic assistance in return for North Korea's pledge to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. The North Korean proposal also reportedly calls for US-North Korean bilateral talks to be followed shortly by multilateral talks including China, Japan and South Korean. The talks, originally schedules for 23-25 April end a day early. [Note: The exact meaning of Li's claim that North Korea has almost completed reprocessing 8,000 nuclear fuel rods is not clear since sources present at the talks contend that Li used the same ambiguous language as the 18 April Foreign Ministry statement which sparked diplomatic tension due to an apparent mistranslation by KCNA.]
—Glenn Kessler, "N. Korea Says It Has Nuclear Arms; At Talks with U.S.; Pyongyang Threatens 'Demonstration' or Export of Weapons," Washington Post, 25 April 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; David E. Sanger, "North Korea Says It Now Possesses Nuclear Material," New York Times, 25 April 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US and North Korea Break Off Dialogue on Nuclear Issue," ITAR-TASS, 25 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Wolf Blitzer and Andrea Koppel, "Administration Sources: North Korea Threatens Nuke Weapon Test," CNN, Transcript #042401CN.V00, 24 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Bill Gertz, "N. Korea Reiterates Plans for Fuel Rods; Starts Talks Vowing Reprocessing Work," Washington Times, p. A1, 24 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korea, in Talks with US, Says It Possesses Nuclear Arms; Said to Offer 'Deal' for Concessions," Facts on File World News Digest, 23 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N. Korea's 'Bold Proposal' Features 4 Points," Japan Economic Newswire, 28 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US Urged Not to Raise Format of Talks as Precondition," Korean Central News Agency, 24 May 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

24 April 2003
Kim Il Chol, minister of the North Korea People's Armed Forces, claims that the North Korean army is "equipped with powerful offensive and defensive means capable of defeating any formidable enemy at one swoop."
—"Revolutionary Armed Forces of DPRK Fully Ready to Wipe out Aggressors," Korean Central News Agency, 24 April 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

24 April 2003
US President George W. Bush, commenting on the recently concluded Beijing talks, tells NBC News that North Korea is "back to the old blackmail game." On the same day, Secretary of State Colin Powell says that North Korea should not walk away from the Beijing talks "with the slightest impression that the United States and its partners will be intimidated by bellicose statements or by threats."
—David E. Sanger, "North Korea Says It Now Possesses Nuclear Material," New York Times, 25 April 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Secretary Colin L. Powell, "Changing Dynamics in the Asia-Pacific Region: Implications for U.S. Business and Policy," Speech at the United States Asia Pacific Council Symposium, 24 April 2003, US Department of State, <http://www.state.gov>; Tom Brokaw Interview of US President George W. Bush, Transcript, 25 April 2003,
<http://usinfo.org>.

25 April 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry releases a statement saying that at the recently concluded Beijing talks the North Korean delegation offered a "new bold proposal" to settle the nuclear standoff. However, the Ministry claims the US delegation replied only be saying that it would not continue dialogue until North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons program in a verifiable manner.
—"DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on U.S. Attitude toward DPRK-US Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 25 April 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

27-30 April 2003
North and South Korea hold the tenth round of ministerial-level talks in Pyongyang. The North and South Korean delegations are respectively headed by North Korean Senior Cabinet Councilor Kim Ryong Song and South Korean Unification Minister Ch'ong Sae Hyon. During the talks, the South Korean delegation demands that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons program, but the North Korean delegation reportedly dismisses the demand, refusing to clarify the reported admission at talks with the United States and China in Beijing, and claiming that its nuclear program is an issue to be discussed only in bilateral US-North Korean talks. In a joint statement released at the conclusion of the talks, the two sides agree to "cooperate in resolving the nuclear standoff peacefully through dialogue."
—"North Korea, in Talks with US, Says It Possesses Nuclear Arms: Said to Offer 'Deal' for Concessions," Facts on File World News Digest, 7 May 2003, p. 324B3, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N. Korea Stalls During Weapons Talks," Newsday (New York), 28 April 2003, p. A12, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Seo Hyun Jin, "North Deaf to South's Call for Disarmament," Korea Herald, 28 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 28 April 2003, in "N. Korea 'Reluctant' to Include South's 'Demand' on Nuclear Issue in Statement," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 28 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jong Heon Lee, "S. Korea Fails to Get North's Nuke Pledge," United Press International, 29 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 29 April 2003, in "North, South Korea Issue Joint Statement from Ministerial Talks," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 29 April 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 April 2003
In a daily press briefing, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher confirms that at talks held in Beijing on 23-24 April the head of the North Korean delegation stated that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons.
—Richard Boucher, US Department of State Daily Press Briefing, 28 April 2003,
<http://www.state.gov>.

29 April 2003
White House spokesman Ari Fleisher says that the United States "will not reward North Korea for bad behavior." Commenting on the proposal presented by North Korea to the United States at trilateral talks held in Beijing on 23-24 April, Fleisher says, "We will not provide them (North Korea) with inducements for doing what they always said they were going to do anyway."
—"US Rules Out Concessions to DPRK on Weapons Issues," Xinhua News Agency, 29 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Daily Press Briefing by Ari Fleischer, White House, 29 April 2003,
<http://www.whitehouse.gov>.

30 April 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman states that even though North Korea supported denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, "the reality requires the DPRK to deter the escalating US moves to strike the DPRK with a physical force, compels it to opt for possessing a necessary deterrent force and put it into practice."
—"DPRK FM Spokesman Accuses U.S. of Derailing Denuclearization Process in Korea," Korean Central News Agency, 30 April 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

Late April to Early May 2003
US reconnaissance satellites reportedly discover increased human activity at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and plumes of smoke coming from the Radiochemistry Laboratory, which indicates that North Korea has likely begun reprocessing its 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods. However, commenting on the reports, White House spokesman Ari Fleisher says that intelligence analysts have come to "no hard conclusions" on whether or not North Korea has begun reprocessing the fuel rods.
—Glenn Kessler, "Plan for N. Korea Will Mix Diplomacy and Pressure," Washington Post, 7 May 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Stephen Collinson, "'No Hard Conclusion' on Reported North Korean Reprocessing: White House," Agence France Presse, 7 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Daniel Cooney, "South Korean Official: US Spy Photo Shows Signs North May Be Reprocessing Fuel Rods ," Associated Press, 8 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "New Activity Spotted at North Korean Nuke Plant in Late April: South," Agence France Presse, 8 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 May 2003
According to the New York Times, US President George W. Bush informs visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard that the United States may refocus its strategy from trying to prevent North Korea from acquiring nuclear weapons to preventing North Korea from transferring nuclear material to other states or non-state actors. The New York Times quotes an anonymous official present at the talks as saying, "The president said that the central worry is not what they've got, but where it goes. He's very pragmatic about it, and the reality is that we probably won't know the extent of what they are producing. So the whole focus is to keep the plutonium from going further." However, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking to reporters on 5 May following the New York Times report, denies that the US has shifted its North Korea policy, stating that the US is still committed to impressing upon North Korea that it should eliminate its nuclear weapons program.
—David E. Sanger, "Bush Shifts Focus to Nuclear Sales by North Korea," New York Times, 5 May 2003, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Remarks with NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson after Their Meeting, US Department of State, 5 May 2003, <http://www.state.gov>.

7 May 2003
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yun Yong Kwan says, "Only the verifiable and irreversible scrapping of North Korea's nuclear programs can lead to security guarantees and economic aid for the North." Yun adds, "The United States and the international community will not reward North Korea for its bad behavior."
—Jong Heon Lee, "N. Korea Must First Scrap Nukes: Seoul's FM," United Press International, 7 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Pyongyang Must Earn Aid: Minister," Korea Herald, 8 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 May 2003
Tokyo police raid Meishin, a Japanese company run by pro-Pyongyang Korean residents in Japan, for reportedly attempting to export to North Korea frequency converters that could be used in a uranium enrichment program. Hong Kong authorities reportedly seize the devices after being alerted by Japanese officials. [Note: In mid-1999, the US Department of Energy issued a report stating that North Korea's Taesong Yushin Trading Company had recently ordered two frequency converters from a Japanese company, but the transfer was not confirmed.]
—John Larkin and Donald Macintyre, "Arsenal of the Axis: North Korea Already Supplies Missiles to Rogue States. Now It Poses a New Threat: Nuclear Proliferation," Time Asia, 14 July 2003, vol. 162, no. 1,
<http://www.time.com/time/asia/>; Bill Gertz, "Pyongyang Working to Make Fuel for Nukes," Washington Times, 11 March 1999, p.A1, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US Concerned about Nuke Moves by N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 11 March 1999, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Shane Green, "Japan's Missile Parts Slipped into N. Korea," Sydney Morning Herald, 17 May 2003, p. 22, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 May 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, claims that the United States' hostile policy has forced North Korea to arm itself with "the necessary deterrent and translate it into action."
—Kang Chol-su, "Fate of Denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula Depends on the United States' Policy," Rodong Sinmun, 11 May 2003, p. 6, in BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 28 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

12 May 2002
The Korean Central News Agency reports that the 1992 North-South Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula has been reduced to a "dead document" because of the hostile US attitude against North Korea. The report also states that North Korea will arm itself with a "physical means of deterrence" in order to cope with hostile US intentions.
—"US to Blame for Derailing Process of Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Korean Central News Agency, 12 May 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

13 May 2003
Germany's Interior Minister Otto Schily presents a report of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution stating that North Korean diplomats in Germany are involved in "intelligence service activities," and have been attempting to procure "sensitive goods" for North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
—"Schily Warning of Spies from North Korea," Bild, 13 May 2003, in "Germany Criticizes Behavior of Some North Korean Diplomats," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 13 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 May 2003
South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Chong No says that despite Pyongyang's admission that it possesses nuclear weapons and has begun reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods, construction of the two KEDO light-water nuclear reactors continues. According to Kim, 605 South Koreans, 353 Uzbeks and 99 North Koreans are currently working on the reactors. Kim also announces that as of April 2003, South Korea has spent $850 million on the project.
—"Two Nuclear Reactors under Construction in N. Korea," ITAR-TASS, 14 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jae Suk Yoo, "Construction of Nuclear Reactors in North Korea Ongoing, Despite Tension," Associated Press, 14 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 May 2003
US President George W. Bush and South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun meet in Washington. After the meeting the two leaders issue a joint statement in which they state that they "will not tolerate" nuclear weapons in North Korea and will continue to work toward "the complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination of North Korea's nuclear weapons program through peaceful means based on international cooperation."
—"Bush, Roh 'Will Not Tolerate' Nuclear Weapons in N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 14 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Tom Raum, "South Korean President, Bush Agree They Can't Tolerate a Nuclear Armed North Korea," Associated Press, 14 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 15 May 2003, in "Full Text of South Korea-US Summit Joint Statement," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 15 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 May 2003
At inter-Korean economic cooperation talks held in Pyongyang, South Korean Vice Finance and Economy Minister Kim Kwang Lim tells the North Korean delegation that if North Korea continues to raise tension on the peninsula with its nuclear weapons program, South Korea will not be able to promote inter-Korean business projects. In response, Pak Ch'ang Ryon, head of the North Korean delegation, warns that South Korea will suffer an "unspeakable catastrophe" if it continues to support US efforts to force North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
—"S. Korea Conveys Concern to North about Nuclear Program," Japan Economic Newswire, 20 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Korean Economic Bilateral Suspended after North Korean Threat," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 21 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 21 May 2003, in "Inter-Korean Economic Talks Suspended after North's Warning," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 21 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 May 2003
Testifying before the US Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee, North Korean defector Lee Bok Koo (pseudonym) says that ninety percent of the equipment used in North Korea's nuclear weapons program has been imported from Japan. [Note: This figure is not credible or reliable.]
—Testimony of Bok Koo Lee (Alias) Before the Subcommittee on Financial Management, the Budget, and International Security Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, May 20, 2003,
<http://www.senate.gov>; George Gedda, "Defectors, Their Faces Hidden, Testify on Weapons, Drug Exports," Associated Press, 20 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

23 May 2003
US President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi meet at the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Immediately following the meeting, Bush says at a joint press conference that the two leaders remain confident that the standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons program can be resolved diplomatically, but "further escalation of the situation by North Korea will require tougher measures from the international community."
—Sarah Suk, "Koizumi, Bush to Get Tough with N. Korea if Needed," Japan Economic Newswire, 23 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Bush, Koizumi Vow to Not Be Intimidated by Pyongyang," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 23 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Scott Lindlaw, "Bush, Koizumi Present United Front against North Korean's Nuclear Program," Associated Press, 23 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

30 May to 1 June 2003
Curt Weldon, vice chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee, leads a group of six US congressmen to Pyongyang to meet with North Korean officials including Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, and Ch'oi Tae Bok, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly. After the trip, Weldon tells reporters in Seoul that senior North Korean officials confirmed that North Korea currently possesses nuclear weapons and is in the final stages of reprocessing 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods. Despite the admission, Weldon claims that the "extensive and lengthy meetings" with senior North Korean officials were amicable, leading him to believe that there is "a window of opportunity" to resolve the crisis peacefully before it erupts into military conflict.
—Don Kirk, "Disparate Views Emerge over North Korean Nuclear Strengths," New York Times, 2 June 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; "US Lawmakers Seeking to Ease Tensions Arrive in North Korea," Associated Press, 30 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "DPRK Officials Meet US Legislators," Xinhua News Agency, 31 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "SPA Chairman Meets Delegation of US Congressmen," Korean Central News Agency, 31 May 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

31 May 2003
US President George W. Bush announces a plan to interdict ships and planes suspected of transferring weapons of mass destruction. Bush announces the plan, called the Proliferation Security Initiative, at a speech in Krakow, Poland.
—US President George W. Bush, Remarks by the President to the People of Poland, Krakow, Poland, 31 May 2003, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>.

June 2003
In an interview with Gendai, a Japanese monthly, An Yong Chol (pseudonym), a former general in the Korean People's Army, claims that North Korea imported four intercontinental ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads from the Soviet Union in 1983. According to An, the nuclear missiles, which have a range of 8,000km and are targeted at the US mainland, are located at an underground facility in P'odae-ri, Samjiyon-kun, Yanggang Province. In addition to the four Soviet origin nuclear missiles, An claims North Korea has indigenously developed dozens of nuclear missiles with a range of 4,000km. These missiles are reportedly targeted at US military bases in Okinawa. An also states that North Korea, under the guidance of the Soviet Union, built a secret nuclear base in Cuba in the 1970s. [Note: An's claims are highly suspect. Many North Korean defectors exaggerate claims and distort information in order to inflate their personal value to the countries to which they defect. Hideshi Takesada, a professor at Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies, tells Agence France Presse that An "may possibly be a defector who has been sent by the North or wants to whip up fear as a gift for the North.]
—Gendai, June 2003, pp. 28-40, in "DPRK: 'Ex-General' Describes Underground Military Bases to Japan Journal," FBIS Document ID JPP20030507000011; "N. Korea Has Dozens of Nukes, Top Defector Tells Magazine," Agence France Presse, 14 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 June 2003
Time reports that in May the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) recruited a foreign nuclear scientist who had worked on North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Citing two anonymous US officials and a "foreign government source," Time reports that the scientist has provided information on the "location, degree of development in capabilities, where they are, how far along they are in developing multiple-weapons capabilities." The scientist reportedly tells the CIA that North Korea's nuclear weapons program is much further along than it had thought.
—Timothy J. Burger and Perry Bacon Jr., "A New Eye on North Korea," Time, 2 June 2003, vol. 161, no. 22, p. 19.

4 June 2003
Speaking before the House International Relations Committee, John Bolton, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, says that because many rogue states seeking weapons of mass destruction "are nearly immune to conventional diplomatic dialogue," the United States is considering other "robust techniques" to combat WMD proliferation such as economic sanctions, interdiction and preemptive attacks. With regard to North Korea, Bolton says, "While all options remain on the table, the United States has made clear repeatedly and at the highest levels that we seek a peaceful, diplomatic end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program."
—John R. Bolton, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Testimony before the House International Relations Committee, US Department of State, 4 June 2003, <http://www.state.gov>.

7 June 2003
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun meet in Tokyo to discuss various bilateral issues including how to deal with North Korea's nuclear weapons program. The two leaders agree that North Korea must dismantle its nuclear weapons program in a "verifiable and irreversible manner," and they also agree that the issue should be resolved in a "peaceful and diplomatic manner."
—Yonhap News Agency, 7 June 2003, in "'Unofficial Translation' of Japan-South Korea Joint Statement," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 7 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 June 2003
The Korean Central News Agency reports that if the United States does eliminate its hostile policy toward North Korea, Pyongyang "will have no option but to build up a nuclear deterrent force." According to KCNA, North Korea's intention to build up a nuclear deterrent is based on a desire to reduce the size of conventional forces while maintaining the same level of military deterrence. The report also claims that since North Korea is no longer a party to the NPT, it is as entitled under international as the United States to possess nuclear weapons.
—"KCNA on DPRK's Nuclear Deterrent Force," Korean Central News Agency, 9 June 2003, <http://www.kcna..co.jp>.

12 June 2003
Delegates from eleven countries meet in Madrid to discuss a program of interdicting vessels from "rogue states" suspected of shipping weapons of mass destruction technology or missile technology. The eleven countries that participated in the meeting are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Australia and the United States. [Note: The meeting is part of the Proliferation Security Initiative, which was first introduced by US President George W. Bush during a 31 May speech in Poland.]
—Steven R. Weisman, "Plan to Block North Korean Nuclear Shipments Gains Support," New York Times, 18 June 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; Sonni Efron and Barbara Demick, "11 Nations to Discuss Blocking Shipments of Weapons Material; US-led Talks in Madrid Seek Ways to Stop Such Trade by 'Rogue' Countries or Terrorists," Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2003, p. 13, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

12-13 June 2003
Representatives from the United Stated, Japan and South Korea meet in Hawaii for a meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group aimed at coordinating policies on North Korea. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the talks, the delegations state that while North Korea's nuclear weapons program will not be tolerated, the conflict should be resolved peacefully and diplomatically through five-party talks that include Japan, South Korea and China. At the talks, the US delegation reportedly suggests halting the project to build two light water nuclear reactors in August and beginning talks to dissolve KEDO, the consortium in charge of the light water reactor project.
—"Japan, US, S. Korea to Seek 5-Way Talks with N. Korea," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 12 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Kyodo News Service, 13 June 2003, in "Japan, US, South Korea Agree to Urge N. Korea to Abandon Nukes," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 13 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 14 June 2003, in "South Korea, Japan, US Issue Statement in Dealing with Pyongyang," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 14 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 14 June 2003, in "South Korean Official Says Seoul Keen to Continue North Energy Project," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 14 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Seoul Hints at Complying with US to Halt Nuclear Plant in NK," Korea Times, 26 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 June 2003
South Korean Unification Minister Chong Se Hyon says that if North Korea "worsens the nuclear situation, it will inevitably affect exchanges and cooperation between South and North Korea."
—Sang Hun Choe, "South Korea Threatens to Cut Economic Cooperation with North Korea," Associated Press, 13 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 June 2003
A commentary appearing in the Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, claims that the United States' insistence that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons program before commencing negotiations is merely "intended to contain (North Korea) with ease after forcing it to disarm itself."
—"DPRK's Determination to Strongly React to US Hard-Line Measure Reiterated," Korean Central News Agency, 18 June 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

18 June 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement saying that North Korea "will put further spurs to increasing its nuclear deterrent force for self-defense as a just self-defense measure to cope with the US strategy to isolate and stifle (North Korea)."
—"DPRK to Put Spurs to Increasing Its Nuclear Deterrent Force for Self-Defence," Korean Central News Agency, 18 June 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

19 June 2003
At the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and North Korean Ambassador Ho Jong meet informally for three minutes. Powell reportedly reiterates the United States desire to resolve the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program through multilateral talks that include China, Japan and South Korea.
—Glenn Kessler, "N. Korea's Nuclear Ambition Are Urgent Issue, Powell Says," Washington Post, 19 January 2003, p. A23, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 June 2003
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf tells US President George W. Bush that Pakistan will have no military cooperation with North Korea in the future. Speaking to reporters the following day, Musharraf says, "It is an issue of the past, there is no linkage whatsoever between Pakistan and North Korea."
—"Pakistan Vows Not to Have Military Contact with N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 24 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Musharraf – Pakistan Will Not 'in Future' Proliferate Its Nuclear Technology," AFX – Asia, 25 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 June 2003
Minju Choson, a North Korean publication, reports that aggressive moves by the United States compel North Korea "to increase its nuclear deterrent."
—Korean Central News Agency, 24 June 2003, in "North Korea Stresses 'Nuclear Deterrent Force' to Counter US Moves," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 24 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

Late June 2003
Charles Kartman, executive director of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), travels to Japan and South Korea to discuss the future of KEDO. On 27 June, Kartman meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Katsunari Suzuki, the Japanese official in charge of KEDO issues. Kawaguchi reportedly warns Kartman that suspension of the KEDO project at this time could seriously hinder the proposed upcoming multilateral talks. On 30 June, Kartman meets with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Yong Kwan and warns that the future of KEDO depends on the amount of progress made in talks with North Korea regarding its nuclear weapons program. [Note: During a meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group held in Hawaii from 12 to 13 June, the United States representative suggested abandoning the KEDO project in August if no progress had been made in urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.]
—"Reactor Project Depends on Progress in N. Korea Nuke Crisis: KEDO Chief," Agence France Presse, 30 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Gary Schaefer, "Minister: Japan Doesn't Want to Pull Plug on North Korean Nuclear Project," Associated Press, 27 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Japan Cautious about Suspending KEDO Project," Japan Economic Newswire, 27 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

27 June 2003
US Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker warns North Korea that the international community could easily grow impatient "in the face of serial provocations" by North Korea, adding that the United States has not taken any option off the table.
—Natsumi Mizumoto, "US Unlikely to Stick to KEDO Program for N. Korea: Envoy," Japan Economic Newswire, 27 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

Early July 2003
Park Kap Tong, a North Korean defector currently living in Japan, meets with the US National Security Council and advises high ranking Bush administration officials that Kim Jong Il has made the decision to develop nuclear weapons and will not stop even if a the United States tries to implement a system of verifiable inspections. Warning that North Korea will use nuclear weapons against South Korea, Japan and the United States if given the time to develop a miniaturized nuclear warhead, Park advises the administration officials to carry out preemptive strikes against "selected targets" in North Korea in order to destroy Kim Jong Il's regime. [Note: Park is the head of the National Salvation Front, a group of high ranking military and civilian defectors from North Korea.]
—"Defector to Bush Officials: Strike N. Korea before It's Too Late," World Tribune, 11 July 2003, <http://www.worldtribune.com>.

1 July 2003
The New York Times reports that in recent weeks the US Central Intelligence Agency has discovered a new high-explosive test site in Yongdok-dong, Kusong, North P'yon'an Province, North Korea. According to US intelligence officials cited in the report, the test site is could be used to develop high-explosive triggering devices necessary for miniaturizing nuclear warheads. [Note: The site is not new.]
—David E. Sanger, "CIA Said to Find Nuclear Advances by North Koreans," New York Times, 1 July 2003, p. A1, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

1 July 2003
The chief of the P'anmunjom mission of the Korean People's Army (KPA) warns the United States that any type of economic sanctions or blockades will be met with "merciless retaliatory measures" as the KPA will no longer be bound by the Armistice Agreement.
—"Statement of Chief of KPA Panmunjom Mission," Korean Central News Agency, 1 July 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

2-3 July 2003
Representatives from the United States, Japan and South Korea meet in Washington to discuss how to diplomatically resolve the standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons program. All three delegations agree to call on North Korea to resolve the nuclear standoff through five-party talks that would include representatives from the United States and North Korea as well as China, Japan and South Korea. According to sources close to the talks, the three sides agree to discuss suspending the KEDO light water reactor project if negotiations with North Korea do not produce any results by the end of August. [Note: US officials reportedly want to make a decision on the suspension or cancellation of the KEDO project before Congress begins debate in early September on the budget for fiscal year 2004.]
—"US, Japanese, S. Korean Officials Meet on DPRK Nuclear Issue," Xinhua News Agency, 2 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Japan Proposes Suspension of KEDO Reactor Construction," Japan Economic Newswire, 3 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 3 July 2003, in "South Korea Presents USA, Japan with Blueprint to Resolve North Crisis," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 3 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "No Decision Made for KEDO Project for N. Korea," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 4 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US Eyes KEDO Decision by Aug. to Stop Reactor Construction," Japan Economic Newswire, 8 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 July 2003
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yun Yong Kwan says that there is no evidence that North Korea has begun reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods.
—Yonhap News Agency, 3 July 2003, in "South Korean Minister: 'No Clear Sign' North Reprocessing Spent Fuel Rods," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 3 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

4 July 2003
Hwang Chang Yop, the highest ranking North Korean ever to defect to the South, tells the South Korean National Assembly that in 1996 Kim Jong Il and Chon Pyong Ho, one of Kim's top aides on national security, told him personally that North Korea had developed nuclear weapons. Hwang also says that by the time he defected in 1997, North Korea had concluded a deal to obtain uranium enrichment technology from Pakistan. In addition, Hwang claims, North Korea had plans to conduct an underground nuclear explosion in 1991 or 1992.
—Yonhap News Agency, 4 July 2003, in "Top Defector Says North Korea, Pakistan Agreed Uranium Enrichment Deal," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 4 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jae Suk Yoo, "Defector Says North Korean Leader Claimed Nuclear Capability in 1996," Associated Press, 4 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 July 2003
A South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade official says that North Korea has not begun full-scale reprocessing of 8,000 spent nuclear fuel cells in its possession. Instead, the official claims, North Korea conducted limited tests of its reprocessing facilities between late April and Early May.
—"North Korea Has Not Yet Begun Reprocessing Spent Fuel: South Korean Official," Agence France Presse, 5 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Yonhap News Agency, 5 July 2003, in "South Korea Believes North Ran Reprocessing Facilities on Trial Basis," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 5 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

6 July 2003
Colonel Shin Chae Kon of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) says that following the 1994 Agreed Framework, North Korea diverted all of its top scientists from working on its plutonium-based nuclear weapons program to a uranium-based nuclear weapons program. In an article published in the JCS magazine, Shin also claims that North Korea is most likely developing a "gun-type" uranium bomb instead of a more technologically complicated implosion device.
—Yonhap News Agency, 6 July 2003, in "North Korea Developing Uranium-Based Nuclear Bombs, Says South Military Official," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 6 July 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 July 2003
During an unannounced meeting at the UN in New York, North Korean representatives to the UN reportedly tell Charles "Jack" Pritchard, a State Department official, that on 30 June North Korea completed reprocessing 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods and is currently using the plutonium to make additional nuclear weapons.
—David E. Sanger, "North Korea Says It Has made Fuel from Atom Bombs, New York Times, 15 July 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

9 July 2003
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) reports to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that according to NIS estimates, "North Korea has recently reprocessed a small number of the 8,000 fuel rods it was keeping in Yongbyon-kun." The NIS also reports that North Korea has conducted over 70 tests of suspected nuclear triggering devices in Yongdok-dong, Kusong, North P'yon'an Province.
—"North Korea Reprocessed Nuclear Rods, Seoul Says," New York Times, 9 July 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

9-10 July 2003
Representatives of eleven nations meet in Brisbane, Australia to support a US plan to intercept North Korean shipments of weapons of mass destruction and missiles. The eleven nations involved in the plan, called the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), are Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Britain and the United States. In a statement adopted on 10 July, the participant nations of the PSI voice support for the initiative and also agree to increase the level of intelligence sharing regarding suspect shipments. [Note: North Korea has stated on numerous occasions that it would consider any interdiction an act of war.]
—Bob Burton, "11 Nations to Help US Intercept North Korean Transport," Inter Press Service, 10 July 2003.

10-12 July 2003
Representatives of North and South Korea meet in Seoul for the eleventh Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting. The North and South Korean delegations are headed by Kim Ryong Song and Chong Se Hyon respectively. In his opening speech, Kim blames the United States for the current nuclear standoff and says that North Korea is prepared for both dialogue and war. The South Korean delegation urges North Korea to accept a multilateral forum for discussing the issue with the United States, but the North Korean delegation remains recalcitrant, insisting that bilateral US-North Korean talks are the only way of resolving the standoff and thus must precede any multilateral talks.
—P.S. Suryanarayana, "N-Arms: Seoul to Harden Stance," The Hindu, 12 July 2003, <http://www.thehindu.com>; "High-Level Dialogue Put Off in Seoul: Wording of Joint Statement Causes Delay," Bangkok Post, 12 July 2003,
<http://www.bangkokpost.com>.

11 July 2003
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yun Yong Kwan, referring to North Korea's refusal to participate in multilateral talks on resolving the current nuclear standoff, tells that National Assembly that "if the North continues to refuse to abandon its existing policy and does not agree to negotiations, it will affect the way the (South Korean) government pursues the 'peace and prosperity policy' or the contents of the policy itself."
—P.S. Suryanarayana, "N-Arms: Seoul to Harden Stance," The Hindu, 12 July 2003, <http://www.thehindu.com>.

Mid July 2003
US and South Korean intelligence sources discover evidence suggesting that North Korea might possess a second plutonium reprocessing plant. According to US officials, sensors set up on North Korean borders have detected elevated levels of krypton-85, a signature emission released when the cladding of spent fuel rods is cut. While the levels of krypton-85 do not indicate that North Korea has reprocessed all 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods as North Korean officials have claimed, computer analysis of wind direction and the path of the krypton-85 gas indicates that it did not originate from the known reprocessing facility in Yongbyon-kun. In addition, a South Korea intelligence agent reports the existence of a second reprocessing plant northeast of the Yongbyon nuclear complex. [Note: Several scholars and South Korean officials dispute the conclusion that elevated levels of krypton-85 indicates that North Korea has a second reprocessing plant or has even begun reprocessing plutonium at the Radiochemistry Laboratory in Yongbyon-kun. These skeptics contend that the krypton gas could have originated from Russia, China or Japan, or North Korea could have deliberately released krypton gas that had been stored from earlier reprocessing in an attempt to exaggerate its nuclear progress. However, it might not be possible to "store" krypton-85 emissions for later release.]
—David E. Sanger and Thom Shanker, "North Korea Hides New Nuclear Site, Evidence Suggest," New York Times, 20 July 2003,
<http://www.nytimes.com>; Rob Edwards, "Krypton Clue to North Korean Nuclear Progress," New Scientist, 21 July 2003,
<http://www.newscientist.com>; Bill Gertz, "2nd N. Korean Nuclear Site Not Likely," Washington Times, 22 July 2003, p. 8; Daily Yomiuri, 20 July 2003, in "Source Says US Informs Japan, ROK of DPRK's Second Plutonium Plant," FBIS Document ID JPP20030720000043.

15 July 2003
In an interview with the Washington Post, former US Secretary of Defense William Perry says that the nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula is spiraling out of control. Perry says, "The nuclear program now underway in North Korea poses an imminent danger of nuclear weapons being detonated in American cities."
—Thomas E. Ricks and Glenn Kessler, "US, N. Korea Drifting Toward War, Perry Warns: Former Defense Secretary Says Standoff Increases Risk of Terrorists Obtaining Nuclear Device," Washington Post, 15 July 2003, p. 14.

18 July 2003
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the IAEA, calls North Korea "the most serious threat to the nuclear nonproliferation regime."
—"UN Official Warns of North Korea's Nuclear Threat," New York Times, 18 July 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

18 July 2003
China's Deputy Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo meets with high ranking US officials in Washington to discuss ways to resolve the nuclear standoff with North Korea diplomatically. Bush administration officials reportedly tell Dai that the United States will participate in another round of trilateral talks with North Korea and China if the talks are immediately followed by multilateral talks that incorporate South Korea, Japan and possibly Russia. The officials also reportedly claimed that at the latter of the two meetings, the United States will present a plan for resolving the nuclear standoff.
—David E. Sanger and Thom Shanker, "North Korea Hides New Nuclear Site, Evidence Suggests," New York Times, 20 July 2003,
<http://www.nytimes.com>; Glenn Kelller, "Proposal to N. Korea Weighed: US Might Offer No-Attack Pledge," Washington Post, 22 July 2003, p. 1.

21 July 2003
U.S. News and World Report, citing anonymous Bush administration officials, reports that senior officials in the Department of Defense are drafting a new war plan for a possible future military conflict with North Korea. The new plan, called Operation Plan 5030, reportedly calls for provocative pre-war maneuvers by US forces in Korea in order to deplete North Korean military resources before an actual confrontation. Such pre-war maneuvers would include flying RC-135 reconnaissance planes closer to the North Korean border in order to encourage North Korea to send fighter jets to intercept the plane and thus deplete limited supplies of jet fuel. Operation Plan 5030 has not been approved yet.
—Bruce B. Auster and Kevin Whitelaw, "Upping the Ante for Kim Jong Il: Pentagon Plan 5020, a New Blueprint for Facing Down North Korea," U.S. News and World Report, 21 July 2003, <http://www.usnews.com>.

23 July 2003
Reuters, citing a source with close ties to the North Korean government, reports that North Korea is prepared to declare itself a nuclear power on 9 September if the nuclear standoff is not resolved by then.
—So Su Min, "NK Threatens to Declare Itself Nuclear State Nuclear State by Sept. 9," Korea Times, 24 July 2003, in "ROK Cites Reuter Report on DPRK Plan to 'Declare Itself a Nuclear State' on 9 Sep," FBIS Document ID KPP20030723000084.

31 July 2003
North Korean ambassador to Russia reportedly tells Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov that North Korea supports resolving the nuclear standoff on the Korean Peninsula through multilateral talks that would involve delegates from North Korea and the United States as well as China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.
—David Stout, "State Dept. Sees North Korea as Ready for 6-Way Negotiations," New York Times, 31 July 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

31 July 2003
Representatives from the United States and North Korea meet in New York to discuss the format of future high-level talks aimed at resolving North Korea's nuclear weapons crisis. According to the North Korean Foreign Ministry, the North Korean representative proposes a six-party format at which the United States and North Korea will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of talks that incorporate representatives from China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.
—"Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Recent DPRK-US Contact," Korean Central News Agency, 1 August 2003, http://www.kcna.co.jp.

4 August 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement that says six-party talks aimed at resolving the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program will soon be held in Beijing.
—"DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Six-Party Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 4 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "Choson'oemusong Taebyon'in 6 Chahoedam'i Beijing'eso Kot Yollige Toenda," Korean Central News Agency, 4 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>.   

4 August 2003
The Los Angeles Times reports that North Korean "military scientists were recently monitored entering Iranian nuclear facilities." The report cites "people inside Iran and foreign intelligence officials" as having asserted that the North Koreans are assisting Iran develop a nuclear warhead. According to the report, so many North Koreans are residing in Iran working on its missile and nuclear weapons programs that a resort on the Caspian Sea has been set aside for their personal use.
—Douglas Frantz, "Iran Closes In on Ability to Build a Nuclear Bomb; Tehran's Reactor Program Masks Strides toward Weapons Capability," Los Angeles Times, 4 August 2003, p. 1, in Proquest.

11 August 2003
During a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing announces that China will host six-party talks in Beijing aimed at resolving the standoff over North Korea's nuclear crisis. The talks will take place over three days in late August.
—Jiji Press, 11 August 2003, in "China to Host 6-Way Talks in Beijing Late August," FBIS Document JPP20030811000052.

13 August 2003
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issues a statement that says the upcoming six-party talks will amount to nothing if the United States insists upon North Korea abandoning its nuclear weapons program before first signing a nonaggression treaty, normalizing diplomatic relations, and removing all economic sanctions. Until the United States takes these steps, the Foreign Ministry says, North Korea "will not abandon its nuclear deterrent force."
—"DPRK's Stand on Six-party Talks Clarified," Korean Central News Agency, 13 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; Korean Central Broadcasting Station, 13 August 2003, in "DPRK Radio Carries FM Spokesman's Press Statement on 6-Way Talks," FBIS Document KPP20030813000062; "Choson'oemusong Taebyon'in 6 Chahoedam'e Rimha'nun Uriui Ch'wiji Palkhim," Korean Central News Agency, 13 August 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp/>.

13 August 2003
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov tells reporters that "it would be fair to provide some security guarantees for North Korea." He questions whether the United States is ready to provide them, adding that the main goal of the six-party talks is to overcome the differences between the US and North Korea. 
—Moscow Interfax, 13 August 2003, in "Russian Foreign Ministry Considers Security Guarantee for North Korea Fair," FBIS Document CEP20030813000337; Xinhua News Agency, 13 August 2003, in "Russia Says DPRK's Demand for Security Guarantees ‘Absolutely Logical,'" FBIS Document CPP20030813000131. 

14 August 2003
China's Foreign Ministry announces that it will host six-party talks in Beijing 27-29 August in an effort to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff. The participants will include representatives from the US, China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia.
—Reuters, "Beijing to Host North Korea Talks," New York Times, 14 August 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com/>; "Beijing Confirms Six-way N Korea Talks Set for August 27-29," Agence France Presse, 14 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

22 August 2003
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi states that her South Korean counterpart, Yun Yong Kwan, supports Japan's plans to raise the issue of North Korea's past abductions at the upcoming six-party talks. North Korea admitted in September 2002 that it abducted 13 Japanese nationals decades earlier. 
—Kyodo World Service, 22 August 2003, in "S. Korea Supports Japan's Plan to Raise Abductions," FBIS Document JPP20030822000106; Jiji Press, 22 August 2003, in "Kawaguchi Says Japan to Raise Abduction Issue in Six-Way Talks," FBIS Document JPP20030822000094. 

22 August 2003
Mitoji Yabunaka, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau, requests that the United States not withdraw its extended nuclear deterrence for Japan, regardless of the outcome of the six-party talks. Reflecting fears that Japan may lose the protection of the US nuclear umbrella after North Korea obtains security guarantees from the US, Yabunaka states that such guarantees should not ban the use of nuclear weapons in return for North Korea's nuclear disarmament. 
—"Japan Asks US to Maintain Nuclear Deterrence," BBC Monitoring, 22 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>. 

22 August 2003
North and South Korea agree on details to reconnect railways that have been severed since 1950. South Korea, which will provide all of the equipment, materials, and construction expertise, will be sending several teams of engineers to the North.
—Yonhap News Agency, 22 August 2003, in "Koreas Agree on Details of Relinking Railways," FBIS Document KPP20030822000091; Korean Central News Agency, 22 August 2003, in "Working-Level Contact for Reconnecting Inter-Korean Rail and Road Links," FBIS Document KPP20030822000065; "Working-level Contact for Reconnecting Inter-Korean Rail and Road Links," Korean Central News Agency, 22 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>. 

23 August 2003
A senior official of the US State Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, says the US would consider establishing diplomatic relations with North Korea but would not concede to North Korea's demand for a nonaggression pact at the six-party talks.
—Yonhap News Agency, 23 August 2003, in "US to Consider Establishing Ties with North Korea; Official," FBIS Document KPP20030823000004. 

24 August 2003
North Korea discloses details of a four-phase solution to the nuclear problem. The four phases are: 1) North Korea would announce its intention to abandon its nuclear program; 2) the United States would resume supplying fuel oil to North Korea; 3) the US and North Korea would sign a nonaggression treaty; and 4) North Korea would dismantle its nuclear facilities in exchange for the completion of a light-water power reactor. The proposal, which fails to address nuclear weapons, extracted plutonium, ballistic missiles, and Japanese abductions, is expected to be rejected by the US, Japan, and South Korea. [NOTE: The proposal was verbally presented during the US-DPRK-PRC trilateral talks in April 2003.] 
—Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 24 August 2003, in "DPRK Calls for Four-Phase Process to Scrap Nuclear Facilities," FBIS Document JPP20030824000042. 

27 August 2003
The first round of six-party talks to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue begin in Beijing. Heads of the delegations to the talks are James Kelly, assistant US secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Wang Yi, Chinese vice-foreign minister, Kim Yong Il, DPRK deputy foreign minister, Alexander Losiukov, Russian deputy foreign minister, Lee Su Hyok, South Korean deputy minister of foreign affairs and trade, and Mitoji Yabunaka, director-general for the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
—" Six-party Talks Begin in Beijing," Xinhua News Agency, 27 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Andrei Kirillov and Vladimir Pavlov, "First Day at Six-sided Talks in Beijing Concluded," ITAR-TASS News Agency , 27 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "DPRK Delegation to Six-way Talks Leaves for Beijing," Korean Central News Agency, 26 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>.

27-29 August 2003
A North Korean delegate tells diplomats at the Six-Party Talks that the DPRK has "no choice but to declare its possession of nuclear weapons" and "conduct a nuclear weapons test." North Korean diplomats, however, reiterated that the DPRK would be willing to dismantle its nuclear programs if the United States "changed its hostile policies, stopped obstructing North Korea's economic growth, and aided the energy needs of North Korea." The US voiced optimism and called the Beijing meeting a "positive session." The six delegations maintained their respective positions and failed to make progress but agreed to continue talks and meet again in Beijing within two months. 
—Peter Slevin and John Pomfret, "N. Korea Threatens Nuclear Arms Test: Delegate to Talks Cites US Hostility," Washington Post, 29 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Kyodo World Service, 28 August 2003, in "Russian Envoy Says 6 Nations Agree to Meet Again within 2 Months," FBIS Document JPP20030828000154; Kyodo World Service, 28 August 2003, in "6 Nations Set for Accord to Continue Dialogue," FBIS Document JPP20030828000155; "Keynote Speeches Made at Six-way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 29 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>.

30 August 2003
A North Korea Foreign Ministry spokesman, commenting on the Six-Party Talks that concluded yesterday in Beijing, says that the North Korean delegation "made clear its consistent stand on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and set out reasonable and comprehensive ways to realize it." However, the spokesman also accuses the US delegation as having "raised undisguised brigandish demands." He says the US rejected "a package solution and the order of simultaneous actions," and that according to the US side, a wide range of issues could only be discussed after North Korea dismantles its nuclear program in a verifiable and irreversible manner. He concludes that "there is no other option for us but to further increase the nuclear deterrent force as a self-defensive measure to protect our sovereignty."
—"DPRK Foreign Ministry on Six-way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 30 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "Chosonwoemusongdaepyon'in 6 Chahoedam'e To'nun Ku Oddon Hungmina Kidaedo Kajilsu Opta," Korean Central News Agency, 30 August 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "North Korea Rejects US Proposal – DPRK Embassy in Moscow," Financial Times, 1 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Joseph Khan, "Korea Arms Talks Close with Plans for a New Round," New York Times, 30 August 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

3 September 2003
North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, during its first session of the 11th term, reelects Kim Jong Il as the chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC). This position is considered to be the highest post in North Korea. Kim is also the general secretary of the Korea Workers Party and commander of the Korea People's Army. Other elected members of the NDC are: Cho Myong Rok, First Vice-Chairman; Yon Hyong Muk and Ri Yong Mu, Chairmen; Kim Yong Ch'un, Kim Il Ch'ol, Chon Pyong Ho, Ch'oe Ryong Su, and Paek Se Bong, Members. 
—"DPRK's New Premier Gives ‘Oath' in First Session of 11th SPA," Korean Central News Agency, 3 September 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Kim Jong Il Reelected Chairman of DPRK National Defense Commission," Korean Central News Agency, 3, September 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Reelection of Kim Jong Il Congratulated," Korean Central News Agency, 4 September 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "DPRK National Defense Commission Elected," Korean Central News Agency, 3 September 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Choson Minju Chu ui Inmin Konghwakuk Kukpang Wiwonhoe Son'go," Korean Central News Agency, 3 September 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Korean Central Broadcasting Station, 3 September 2003, in "DPRK's Kim Yong-nam, Ch'oe T'ae-pok Address Kim Chong-il's Nomination as NDC Chairman," FBIS Document ID KPP20030903000126; Jong-heon Lee, "Analysis: N. Korea Toughens Nuke Stance," United Press International, 3 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 September 2003
North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly passes a resolution supporting the Foreign Ministry's handling of the nuclear standoff with the US. The resolution blames Washington's "hostile policy" for the current nuclear crisis, and criticizes the Bush administration for having "termed the DPRK ‘part of an axis of evil' and ‘a target of preemptive nuclear attacks'." The resolution also supports the Foreign Ministry's view that North Korea "would have no other option but to keep and increase its nuclear deterrent force."
—"SPA Approves Measures Taken by Foreign Ministry as Regards Nuclear Issue," Korean Central News Agency, 3 September 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Chomihaengnunjewa Kwallyonhayo Choson'oemusong'i Ch'wihan Taeoejokchoch'idurul Sung'inham'e Taehan Kyolchong," Korean Central News Agency, 3 September 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Sang-Hun Choe, "North Korean Parliament Supports Pyongyang's Decision to Build up Nuclear Capabilities," Associated Press, 3 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

4 September 2003
Chong Ha Ch'ol, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Korea Workers Party, says the DPRK will continue to increase its military deterrent force because the US has not abandoned its "hostile policy" towards the DPRK. Chong made the remarks in a speech delivered to congratulate Kim Jong Il on his reelection as the chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC).
—"Pyongyangites Congratulate Kim Jong Il on His Reelection as Chairman as NDC," Korean Central News Agency, 4 September 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

8 September 2003
Mohamed ElBaradei of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says North Korea's nuclear buildup poses a "serious and immediate challenge" to the nuclear nonproliferation regime. In his introductory statement to the IAEA Board of Gvoernors, ElBaradei says that "the Agency has been unable to implement fully its comprehensive NPT safeguards agreement with the DPRK."   
—Mohamed ElBarardei, "Introductory Statement to the Board of Governors," 8 September 2003, <http://www.iaea.org>; "North Korea a Grave and ‘Immediate' Threat to Nonproliferation: ElBaradei," Agence France Presse, 8 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 September 2003
Vice Marshal Kim Yong Ch'un, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA), says the DPRK will continue to increase its nuclear deterrent force. Kim makes the remark in a speech to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK. 
— "DPRK to Steadily Increase Its Nuclear Deterrent Force," Korean Central News Agency, 9 September 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "James Brooke, "North Korea Celebrates without Missile Test," International Herald Tribune, 10 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Charles Whelan, "North Korea Sets Bellicose Tone for 55th Birthday Bash," Agence France Presse, 9 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Soo-Jeong Lee, "North Korea Marks 55th Anniversary with Military Parade, But No Nuke Test," Associated Press, 9 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N. Korea Holds Military Parade, No Missiles Displayed," Kyodo News Service, 9 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 September 2003
"A US official" says North Korea has halted activities at the Yongbyon nuclear complex. According to the Los Angeles Times, the official says, "various sensors and imagery and other things we have don't show activity." The official also says that North Korea easily start and stop activities at the site and that it would be very hard to conceal activities there.
—Paul Richter and Greg Miller, "Halt in Work Seen at N. Korea Nuclear Site," Los Angeles Times, 11 September 2003, in Proquest; . 

12 September 2003
North Korea agrees in principle to hold a second round of the six-nation talks in early November. The first round was held on 27-29 August 2003 in Beijing.
—"North Korea Reportedly Agrees to Further Six-Way Talks in November," Financial Times, 12 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korea Agrees in Principle to Six-Party Talks in November: Report," Agence France Presse, 12 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N.K. Agrees to Second Round of Six-way Talks in November: Report,"  Yonhap News Agency, 12 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

23 September 2003
The Korean central News Agency dismisses the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution to rejoin the NPT, citing that the "hostile" US government is using the IAEA and that the DPRK is not bound to the NPT. 
—"KCNA Dismisses Resolution of IAEA Meeting," Korean Central News Agency, 23 September 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>.

30 September 2003
A spokesman for North Korea's Foreign Ministry says the DPRK is "taking practical measures to steadily beef up the nuclear deterrent force as a just self-defensive means to repel the US nuclear preemptive attack." The spokesman says the measures are necessary because of the US "hostile policy."
—"U.S. Much Publicized Efforts for ‘Peaceful Solution' to Nuclear Issue Dismissed," Korean Central News Agency, 30 September 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korea to ‘Steadily Beef Up Nuclear Deterrent' – Spokesman," BBC, 30 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Lim Chang-won, "N Korea Has No Interest in Crisis Talks, Wants More Nukes," Agence France Presse, 30 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

30 September 2003
North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Ch'oe Su Hon tells the UN General Assembly in New York that his government may not participate in the next six-party talks. Ch'oe says the DPRK is driven to lose "interest in or expectations on such talks" due to Washington's "hostile policies."
—"Pyongyang Says It will Make No Promises on Further Nuclear Talks," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 30 September 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Lee Mi Suk, "Puk ‘2 ch'a 6 chahoedam kwanshimopta,'" Munhwa Ilbo, 1 October 2003, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr>. 

1 October 2003
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Ch'oe Su Hon tells reporters that while North Korea is committed to a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue, Washington's "hostile policy" and the lessons from the Iraq war force the DPRK to defend itself with a "nuclear deterrence force." Ch'oe also says that North Korea will only use its "nuclear force" for deterrence and will not proliferate.
—"DPRK Vice FM Praises Friendship with PRC, Denies Nuke Proliferation Intention," Financial Times, 2 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "DPRK Feels Safe with ‘Strong Nuclear Deterrence': Top Diplomat," Xinhua News Agency, 1 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 October 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman declares North Korea has successfully completed the reprocessing of 8,000 spent fuel rods that can be used to produce nuclear weapons, and more spent fuel rods may be reprocessed in the future. He also states that, contrary to rumors, the DPRK has not made any commitments to resume the six-party talks in Beijing. 
—"DPRK to Continue Increasing Its Nuclear Deterrent Force," Korean Central News Agency, 2 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Chosonwoemusong taebyonin 8,000 yotaeui p'eyollyobongchaech'ori songgwajoguro kkut'naetta," Korean Central News Agency, 2 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "N Korea Completes Nuclear Fuel Rod Reprocessing – Foreign Ministry," Agence France Presse, 2 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jong-Heon Lee, "Analysis: N. Korea's Nuke Game Going Further," United Press International (UPI), 2 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 October 2003
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun release a joint statement while attending the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bali, Indonesia. Among several issues, the statement addresses the North Korean nuclear issue, stating, "The three countries [China, Japan, and South Korea] reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful solution of the nuclear issue facing the Korean peninsula through dialogue and to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while addressing all the concerns of the parties and working together to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula." The statement marks the first time that China, Japan, and South Korea have joined together to make a declaration of policy.
—"Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea, Bali, Indonesia," 7 October 2003, in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, <http://www.mofa.go.jp>; "Japan, China, S. Korea Pledge to Deal with N. Korea Nukes," Kyodo News Service 7 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Roh Says N. Korea Nuke Standoff Will Ultimately Be Resolved," Yonhap News Agenyc, 8 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Hiroshi Ito, "Asia Giants: No Nukes in Koreas," Asahi News Service, 8 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 October 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry statement says that Japan should not take part "in any form of negotiations" for resolving the nuclear weapons issue. According to the statement, Japan is only an obstacle to the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue due to their "black-hearted" intentions. Subsequently, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher rejects North Korea's demand stating, "Japan clearly must and will continue to be a participant in the six-party talks in order to achieve a diplomatic solution to North Korea's nuclear arms program."
—"Chosonwoemusong taebyonin haekhyopsangmadang'e ilbon'i kkiyodunun'gossul yongnaphaji ant'a," Korean Central News Agency, 8 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Japan Urged Not to Meddle in Any Negotiations to Solve Nuclear Issue," Korean Central News Agency, 7 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korea says Japan Not Allowed in Nuclear Negotiations," BBC, 7 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korean Radio Carries Official Statement Barring Japan from Nuclear Talks," BBC, 8 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "DPRK Bars Japan from Future Talks on Nuke Issue on Korean Peninsula," Xinhua News Agency, 7 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "U.S. Rejects N. Korean Call for Excluding Japan from Nuke Talks," Kyodo News Service, 7 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "U.S. Insists on Japanese Role in Talks with North Korea," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 7 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 October 2003
An unidentified senior Bush administration official criticizes North Korea for attempting to drive a wedge between the five other members of the six-party talks and adds, "We can talk about this in the [United Nations] Security Council if North Korea doesn't want to cooperate."
—"U.S. May Seek U.N. Sanctions if N. Korea Rejects 6-way Talks," Kyodo News Service, 8 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

9 October 2003
US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher states during a press briefing that the US will continue to pursue the six-party talks. Referring to a comment about raising the issue with the UN Security Council, Boucher says, "We're not headed off in another direction at this point."
—"U.S. Not to Take N. Korea Nuke Issue to UN for Now," Kyodo News Service, 9 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Daily Press Briefing Transcript, 9 October 2003, U.S. Department of State, <http://www.state.gov>. 

9 October 2003
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue say the six-party talks should continue.
— "China Urges Continuation of Six-Party North Korea Talks," Financial Times, 9 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Chinese Leader Urges More Multi-national Talks on North Korea," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 9 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 October 2003
In an apparent rejection of North Korean demands, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuriy Fedotov says the six-party talks should continue to include Japan because it is "a successful format which may provide a solution."
—"Russian Minister Insists Six-Sided Talks on North Korea Must Continue," BBC, 9 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Russia Favors Continuation of Six-Nation Talks on N. Korea," Financial Times, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China, Russia Support Japan Staying in N. Korean Talks," Jiji Press, 9 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 October 2003
Wang Guangya, China's ambassador to the UN, reiterates the need to continue the six-party talks and speculates that December may be ideal for the next round of talks.
—"China Wants Resumption of North Korea Talks," Agence France Presse, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
 
10 October 2003
Konstantin Pulikovsky, presidential envoy in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia, while visiting Beijing says that efforts are being made to continue the six-party talks.
—Yasuo Naito, "Japan: Senior Russian Foreign Ministry Official Comments on Six-Nation Talks," Financial Times, 9 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Russia Works for Resumption of North Korea Nuclear Talks – Official," BBC, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Vera Pavlova, "Russia Pressing for More Talks on N Korea's Nuc Problem," ITAR-TASS News Agency, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

10 October 2003
Yun T'ae Yong, spokesman for South Korea's presidential Blue House, tells reporters that South Korea will urge North Korea to continue the six-party talks when the two Koreas hold an inter-ministerial meeting in Pyongyang 14-17 October.
—"Seoul to Urge Pyongyang to Participate in Multilateral Nuke Talks," Yonhap News Agency, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "S. Korea to Urge Pyongyang to Accept Next Round of Nuclear Talks," Xinhua News Agency, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "South Korea to Raise Six-Way Nuclear Negotiations at Cabinet Talks with North," Financial Times, 10 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

16 October 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman blames the Bush administration's "hostile policies" for the current nuclear issue and, in order to dispel doubts concerning its nuclear force, he says that North Korea will display "its nuclear deterrent to the public" at the "appropriate time." Subsequently, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and State Department spokesman Adam Ereli dismiss the North Korean statement as unclear and nothing new. South Korea's National Security Advisor Na Chong Il [Ra Jong Il] also discounts the threat as "another bargaining chip for negotiations to get the upper hand at the next round of six-party talks."
—"Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on U.S. Rumor Over Nuclear Issue," Korean Central News Agency, 16 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Chosonwaemusong taebyonin ddaega toemyon uriui haeg'okcheryog'ul mullijoguro konggae," Korean Central News Agency, 16 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "DPRK to Unveil Its Nuclear Deterrent at Appropriate Time," Xinhua News Agency, 17 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N Korea Says It will ‘prove' It Has Nukes – Foreign Ministry," Agence France Presse, 18 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "U.S. Dismisses N. Korea Statement on Possible Nuke Test," Kyodo News Service, 16 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Charles Whelan, "Nuke Test Threat a Bargaining Ploy – South Korea," Agence France Presse," 17 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

16 October 2003
Gen. Leon LaPorte, Commander of US Forces Korea, says North Korea is "a very, very credible threat" with its 800 mid-range missiles. He also indicates support for the six-party talks by saying, "We need to have all the nations with vested interests involved." 
—"N.K. Has 800 Mid-Range Missiles," Korea Herald, 17 October 2003, <http://www.koreaherald.com>; "North Korea ‘A Very Credible Threat' says Commander of US Forces in South," BBC, 16 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

19 October 2003
US President George W. Bush says he is willing to commit to a multilateral written security guarantee not to attack North Korea in exchange for steps by Pyongyang toward abandoning its nuclear weapons program. However, he has ruled out a formal bilateral treaty of nonaggression that North Korea has demanded.
—Mike Allen and Glenn Kessler, "Bush says Pact with N. Korea Possible," Washington Post, 20 October 2003, <http://www.washingtonpost.com>; "U.S. Tries to Coax N. Korea," USA Today, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Roh, Bush Agree on Security Guarantee for N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Sim Sung-tae, "Bush May Assure N.K. Security; Surprise Move Depends on Progress in Nuclear Talks," Korea Herald, 21 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Bush Back Security Guarantee for NK," 21 October 2003, Korea Times, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Joseph Curl, "Security Pledge Offered to N. Korea; Pyongyang Fires Missile after Talks," Washington Times, 21 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "South Korean Agency: North ‘responded' to US ‘overtures' with Missile Launch," Financial Times, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.  

20 October 2003
Members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum summit, which is being held in Thailand, welcome the United States' policy shift on the North Korea nuclear issue. Although President George W. Bush has rejected North Korea's demand for a formal nonaggression treaty, he wants to offer a multilateral written security assurance.
—"APEC Welcomes US Call for Diplomatic solution to N. Korea Nuclear Crisis," Channel NewsAsia, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Japan Welcomes Softer US Stand on North Korea Security Guarantee," Kyodo News Service, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Russian Defence Minister Praises Bush Offer of Guarantee to North Korea," BBC, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Sim Sung-tae, "Bush May Assure N.K. Security; Surprise Move Depends on Progress in Nuclear Talks," Korea Herald, 21 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Terence Hunt, "Bush Pushes for Compromise in Nuclear Standoff with North Korea," Associated Press, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Mike Allen and Glenn Kessler, "Bush Says Pact with N. Korea Possible," Washington Post, 20 October 2003, <http://www.washingtonpost.com>; "Bush, Roh Discuss Possible North Korea Compromise," Agence France Presse, 20 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

21 October 2003
North Korea dismisses a US offer of a multilateral written security guarantee in exchange for an end to its nuclear weapons program, and renews its demand for a bilateral nonaggression pact. 
—"DPRK's Stand on Talks with U.S. Clarified," Korean Central News Agency, 23 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Migug'ui chongch'aekjonhwani opnun oddon hwoedamedo hungmiga opda," Rodong Sinmun, in Korea Central News Agency, 23 October 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korea Reportedly Rejects US Security Guarantee Offer," BBC, 22 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N Korea Rejects as ‘Laughable' US Offer of Multilateral Security Guarantee," Agence France Presse, 22 October 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

26 October 2003
US House member Curt Weldon (Republican from Pennsylvania) says opposition from the White House caused him to abandon plans to lead a group of US lawmakers to the nuclear reactor in Yongbyon-kun, the site of North Korea's main nuclear complex.
— Associated Press, "Congressional Trip to N. Korea Called Off: White House Objected to Visit to Nuclear Weapons Plant," Washington Post, 27 October 2003, p. 9; Associated Press, "Lawmaker: White House Nixed N. Korea Trip," New York Times, 27 October 2003, <http://www.nytimes.com>; "Congress Delays North Korea Trip," BBC, 27 October 2003,
<http://news.bbc.co.uk>. 

29 October 2003
The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), the international consortium financing the construction of light-water reactors in North Korea, discusses suspending the project due to the deepening of the nuclear standoff. Members of KEDO, which includes South Korea, Japan, the United States, and the European Union, add that the decision would be tentative and can be retracted if North Korea abandons its nuclear weapons program. 
—Yonhap News Agency, 29 October 2003, in "KEDO Set to Suspend Reactor Construction in N. Korea," FBIS Document ID KPP20031029000138; Yonhap News Agency, 29 October 2003, in "KEDO Decides to Suspend Reactor Construction in N.K.," FBIS Document ID KPP20031029000011; Barbara Borst, "Suspension of N. Korea Reactors Discussed," Associated Press, 4 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "KEDO to Suspend N. Korea Reactor Project for 1 Year," Kyodo News Service, 4 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

4 November 2003
The North Korean delegation votes against the non-binding UN resolution backing the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). North Korea's Deputy Ambassador Kim Chang Guk refers to the IAEA as "a tool of the United States" and walks out of the General Assembly chambers immediately following the vote of 129-1 that approved the resolution.
—Edith Lederer, "North Korea Opposes Resolution Supporting U.N. Nuclear Agency, Calling It a U.S. Tool," Associated Press, 4 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; United Nations Resolution A/58/PV.54, Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 4 November 2003, <http://www.un.org>.

6 November 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman comments on the impending decision by the United States and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) to halt the construction of light water reactors in North Korea. He states that if construction is suspended, the U.S. and KEDO would be obliged to pay compensation and the DPRK will "never allow them to take out" the equipment and documents from the construction areas.
—"Chosonwoemusong taebyon'in migug'ui kyongsuro'gonsolchungjimunje'e ongub," Korean Central News Agency, 6 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Spokesman for DPRK FM on U.S. Intention to Stop LWR Construction," Korean Central News Agency, 6 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Glenn Kessler, "N. Korea Reactor Project May End," Washington Post, 4 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "International Consortium May End DPRK Nuclear Reactor Project," Xinhua News Agency, 4 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jun Kwanwoo, "N Korea Threatens to Seize US-led Consortium's Assets," Agence France Presse, 6 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Sang-hun Choe, "North Korea to Seize Key Data, Equipment from Nuclear Reactors after U.S., Allies Stop Building," Associated Press, 6 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

6 November 2003
President Pervez Musharraf tells a news conference that Pakistan had not transferred nuclear technology to North Korea although it had bought short-range missiles and related technology from North Korea. He says the visits to North Korea by Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan were related to purchases of missiles only, and Pakistan now produces missiles on its own and no longer conducts defense-related business with North Korea.   
—"Musharraf Denies Role in NK Nuke Program," Pakistan Press International, 6 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Musharraf: No N. Korea Nuclear Swap," Associated Press, November 7, 2003, in CNN.com, <http://www.cnn.com>.

11 November 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Korean Workers Party, argues that American efforts to develop nuclear weapons may be reasons for other nations and North Korea to develop similar weapons, and that US moves "may spark a new arms race."
—"Migug'ui sohyonghaengmugi'gaebal chungjirul yogu," Korean Central News Agency, 11 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "U.S. Moves to Develop Smaller Nukes Under Fire," Korean Central News Agency, 11 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korean Paper Says US Development of Small Nukes May Spark ‘New Arms Race,'" BBC, 11 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 November 2003
A Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) editorial condemns the announcement by South Korea to purchase and deploy US-made surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. KCNA warns the move as being "a very dangerous development" and threatens that "both the north and the south will fall victim to a nuclear war if it breaks out on the peninsula."
—"Chosonjungangt'ongshin ronp'yong namchosondanggug'ui sajong 300km missail olhaean silchonbaech'i," Korean Central News Agency, 14 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "KCNA Blasts New Type Missile Deployment in S. Korea," Korean Central News Agency, 14 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "N Korea Denounces S Korea's Missile Deployment as US Aggression," Agence France Presse, 14 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korean Agency Says South's Missile Deployment ‘Intolerable,'" BBC, 14 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 November 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman says North Korea may consider accepting a multilateral written security guarantee in place of the nonaggression treaty with the United States at the next round of talks if Washington ceases to maintain a hostile policy toward and threaten North Korea.
—"Woemusongdaebyon'in migug'ui choktaeshijongch'aek ch'olhoedoe'myon haekkyehoekp'ogi," Korean Central News Agency, 16 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Next Round of Six-way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 16 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "US Envoy in Japan to Discuss New Round of North Korean Talks," Agence France Presse, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korea Offers to ‘Modify' Phraseology of Simultaneous Action Principle," Financial Times, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N. Korea Voices Readiness to Halt Nuclear Program: KCNA," Kyodo News Service, 16 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

17 November 2003
US Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld visits and meets with South Korean Minister of Defense Cho Young-kil [Cho Yong Kil] as part of the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). They issue a joint statement following SCM that, among other things, expresses concerns over the nuclear issue with North Korea and urges Pyongyang to "completely, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle it nuclear weapons programs."
—"S. Korea, US Hold Security Meeting with Joint Statement," Xinhua News Agency, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Rumsfeld Pledges Continued Security in South Korea Amid Nuclear Dispute," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "S Korean, US Defence Chiefs Begin Talks ‘Amid' Anti-war Protests," Financial Times, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Jae-Suk Yoo, "U.S. Envoy Discusses North Korean Nuclear Crisis in Seoul," Associated Press, 20 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 November 2003
Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly discusses the North Korean nuclear issue with Mitoji Yabunaka of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda. Kelly says he expects the next round of six-party talks to occur in mid-December.
—"Kelly Meets Japanese Officials for Talks over North Korean Row," Channel NewsAsia, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US Official Expects 6-Party Talks to be Held in Mid-December," Xinhua News Agency, 17 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.  

18 November 2003
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao says Beijing welcomes the ‘positive message' from the DPRK referring to a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman's statement made on 16 November that the DPRK continues to seek a negotiated peaceful solution to the ongoing nuclear issue.
—"Spokesman Says China Welcomes Recent ‘Positive Message' from North Korea," Financial Times, 28 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Martin Parry, "US Envoy in China as Beijing Welcomes ‘Sincere' N Korean Gesture," Agence France Presse, 18 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China Welcomes DPRK's Latest Declaration to Maintain Peaceful Solution to the Nuclear Issue," Xinhua News Agency, 18 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

19 November 2003
An editorial in the Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Korean Workers Party, states that the redeployment of US forces in South Korea farther south and away from the Demilitarized Zone is intended for the launching of a preemptive nuclear attack against North Korea.
—"Sinister Designs Behind Relocation of U.S. Military Bases Exposed," Korean central News Agency, 19 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Mi'gun'giji chaebaech'i norumun pukch'imul wihan kunsajokchoch'i," Korean Central News Agency, 19 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korean Paper Says Aim of US Forces Relocation in South Is Invasion," Financial Times, 19 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korea Radio Says US Military Relocation Aimed at ‘Northward Aggression'," BBC, 19 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

19 November 2003
Chinese Vice Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Dai Bingguo meet with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly to prepare for the second round of the Six-party Talks. A Foreign Ministry spokesman says both sides want the next round of discussions to take place as soon as possible.
—"China, US Agree on Need to Start Six-Party Talks as Soon as Possible," Financial Times, 20 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China, U.S. Discuss North Korea Nuclear Stand-Off," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 19 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>;

21 November 2003
The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) decides to suspend the construction of two light-water reactors in North Korea. The United States, South Korea, Japan, and European Union make up the KEDO consortium, which has committed $4.6 billion for the project. The one-year suspension, which is to begin on 1 December, is a reaction to North Korea's alleged violation of the 1994 Agreed Framework.
—Peter James Spielmann, "Nuclear Consortium Suspends Work on Two Reactors for North Korea," Associated Press, 21 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "KEDO Suspension of North Korea Reactor Project Set to Begin 1 December," Financial Times, 21 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Construction of North Korea Nuclear Projects Suspended," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 21 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "KEDO Suspends North Korea Nuke Project for One Year," Agence France Presse, 21 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Shim Jae-yun, "Allies to Suspend NK Nuclear Plant Project," Korea Times, 5 November 2003, <http://times.hankooki.com>.

25 November 2003
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao says that North Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il met with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Vice Foreign Ministers Dai Bingguo and Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss and prepare for the second round of Six-party Talks. The DPRK representative to the six-way negotiations reassured Chinese officials of North Korea's final goal of a denuclearized peninsula and willingness to scrap its nuclear weapons program under the right conditions.
—"Spokesman Says China, North Korea Meeting on Six-way Talks ‘Productive'," BBC, 25 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "N Korea's Nuclear Talks Envoy Briefed by China," Agence France Presse, 25 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman's 25 November News Conference," Financial Times, 25 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "China Hopes Korean Peninsula Free of Nuclear Weapons: Chinese Premier," Xinhua News Agency, 24 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 November 2003
The Korean Central News Agency states that "Japan should not be allowed to participate in the [six-party] talks as it is persistently trying to bring up" abduction grievances during the negotiations.
—"Ilbon'un 6 chahoedam'e kkiyodul chagyogi obda," Korean Central News Agency, 29 November 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "Japan Not Qualified to Participate in Six-way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 1 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp>; Jae-suk Yoo, "North Korea Rejects Japan's Participation in Nuclear Talks," Associated Press, 29 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 November 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Korean Workers Party, demands financial compensation from the United States and KEDO for the losses to be incurred by the suspension of the light water reactor projects. 
—"Migukkwa kedo'e taesanggonsolyaksok pullihaeng'ui wiyakkum yogu," Korean Central News Agency, 19 November 2003,
<http://www.kcna.co.jp>; "North Korea Demands US Compensation over Light Water Reactor Suspension," BBC, 29 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "North Korea Demands Compensation from US for KEDO Nuke Project," Channel NewsAsia, 29 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Boris Cambreleng, "North Korea Demands Compensation from US for KEDO Nuke Project," Agence France Presse, 29 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Soo-Jeong Lee, "North Korea Says United States Must Pay for Delay to construction of Nuclear Reactor," Associated Press, 30 November 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>. 

1 December 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Korean Workers Party, urges the United States to accept Pyongyang's proposal based on "the principle of simultaneous actions" to resolve the nuclear issue. The actions would be "the US switchover in its hostile policy toward the DPRK, the DPRK's renunciation of its nuclear program followed by the opening of diplomatic relations between the two countries."
—"Migug'e tongshihaeng'dong'wonch'ikkwa ilgwalt'agyoran suyongch'okku," Korean Central News Agency, 1 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "U.S. Urged to Accept Simultaneous Action and Package Solution," Korean Central News Agency, 1 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "DPRK Urges US to Accept Proposed Package Solution," Xinhua News Agency, 1 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "North Korea Urges US to Accept Nuclear Package Deal," Agence France Presse, 1 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

3 December 2003
Officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan reject a draft of a Chinese proposal for a joint statement on the Six-party Talks. The officials sense the China-sponsored draft is too favorable to North Korea because it calls for security guarantees in exchange for Pyongyang's declaration of its intention to dismantle its nuclear programs. However, the draft does not contain details of the implementation of the dismantlement.
—"Japan, U.S., S. Korea Reject Proposed 6-way Statement," Japan Economic Newswire, 3 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Japan, US, South Korea Reject China Draft of Six-Way Talks Statement," BBC, 3 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "6-Way Meet on N. Korea May Be Delayed into Next Year," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 3 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

3 December 2003
South Korea's Unification Minister Chong Se Hyon says the dispatch of ROK troops to Iraq is linked to "U.S. cooperation for peace on the Korea peninsula." The statement reveals the view of many in South Korea that the United States is too firm regarding the North Korea nuclear issue.
—"Seoul Expects Troop Dispatch to Help Get U.S. Support on N.K. Nuke Issue," Yonhap News Agency, 4 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "South Korea Urges US to Soften Stance on North Korea," BBC, 4 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "South Korean Minister Says Troops Decision Linked to Nuclear Issue," BBC, 3 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

7 December 2003
Officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan draft a joint statement of principles for resolving the North Korea nuclear crisis. The proposal, which does not call for North Korea's return to the NPT, proposes coordinated steps where the other five nations of the Six-party Talks offer incentives to North Korea as it verifiably dismantles its nuclear facilities. South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Su Hyok says, "For the parts on which the countries have some disagreements, we used indirect and implicative words." The joint statement is to be sent to Beijing to be passed on to Pyongyang.
—David E. Sanger, "U.S. and 2 Allies Agree On a Plan for North Korea," New York Times, 8 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Glenn Kessler, "U.S. Agrees to Statement on North Korea Talks; Text Urges ‘Coordinated Steps' to End Pyongyang's Nuclear Program," Washington Post, 8 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Members of 6-Way Talks Discussing Draft Statement: White House," Kyodo News Service, 8 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "US Confirms It Is Seeking Joint Statement for North Korea Talks," Agence France Presse, 8 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Seo Hyun-Jin, "China to Contact N.K. on Talks; Beijing to Convey Allies' Position on 6-Way Forum," Korea Herald, 8 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

9 December 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman says the DPRK would freeze its nuclear activities in exchange for political and economic concessions. The statement also declares that "the resumption of the Six-party Talks in the future entirely depends on whether an agreement will be reached on the DPRK-proposed first-phase step or not."
—"Spokesman of DPRK Foreign Ministry on Issue of Resumption of Six-Way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 9 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; Soo-Jeong Lee, "North Korea Offers Proposal in Nuclear Standoff with Washington; Bush Says It Falls Short," Associated Press, 9 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Barry Schweid, "Bush Says North Korea's Nuclear Freeze Offer Isn't Good Enough," Associated Press, 9 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Bush Rejects N Korea's Nuclear Freeze Offer," Xinhua Financial News, 10 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

9 December 2003
US President George W. Bush rejects North Korea's offer to freeze its nuclear program, insisting, "The goal of the United States is not for a freeze of the nuclear program; the goal is to dismantle a nuclear weapons program in a verifiable and irreversible way." White House spokesman Scott McClellan responds to the preconditions for continued talks by stating, "We, along with the rest of the members of the six-party talks, are ready for a new round of talks at an early date, and without any preconditions whatsoever."
—"President Bush and Premier Wen Jiabao Remarks to the Press," White House Press Briefings, 9 December 2003, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>; Barry Schweid, "Bush Says North Korea's Nuclear Freeze Offer Isn't Good Enough," Associated Press, 9 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Bush Rejects North Korea's Nuclear ‘Freeze' Offer," Agence France Presse, 9 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Soo-Jeong Lee, "North Korea Offers Proposal in Nuclear Standoff with Washington; Bush Says It Falls Short," Associated Press, 9 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Bush Rejects N Korea's Nuclear Freeze Offer," Xinhua Financial News, 10 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Anwar Iqbal, "U.S. Rejects N. Korea's Terms for Talks," UPI, 9 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

11 December 2003
South Korea's Unification Minister Chong Se Hyon says he has confirmed the delivery of the joint statement draft to resolve the nuclear issue from Beijing to Pyongyang. Representatives from the United States, South Korea and Japan drafted the proposal earlier in the week, and Chinese officials, the host of the Six-party Talks, were to relay the draft to North Korean officials.
—Jae-Suk Yoo, "South Korea: U.S.-Backed Proposal to End Nuclear Crisis Delivered to North Korea," Associated Press, 11 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Revised Statement Conveyed to N. Korea, Japan-U.S.-S. Korea," Kyodo News Service, 12 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

11 December 2003
A statement released by the North Korean embassy in Moscow says that Pyongyang desires a nuclear-free Korean peninsula but will not abandon its nuclear programs without concessions. The statement directly refers to a perceived US nuclear threat by declaring "the United States legitimized and appropriated large amounts of money for the development of miniature nuclear weapons in order to keep us under constant threat."
—"DPRK Rules Out Unconditional Freezing of Nuclear Programs," Xinhua News Agency, 11 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "North Korean Embassy in Moscow Lists Conditions to USA to Resume Talks," BBC Monitoring, 11 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

12 December 2003
A nine-member European Union delegation led by Guido Martini of Italy meets with North Korea's Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun and Vice Foreign Minister Kung Sok Ung and other North Korean officials to urge the DPRK to return to the Six-party Talks.
—Yonhap News Agency, 12 December 2003, in "EU Delegation Urges N. Korea to Return to Nuclear Talks," FBIS Document ID KPP20031212000075; Jun Kwanwoo, "Top EU Delegate Says North Korea Trip ‘Good for All,'" Agence France Presse, 12 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Hans Greimel, "European Diplomats Cross from North Korea to the South Amid Fading Hopes for New Talks," Associated Press, 12 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Seo Hyun-Jin, "EU Envoys Debrief Seoul on N.K. Visit," Korea Herald, 13 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

15 December 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, rejects the US-backed blueprint proposal for ending the nuclear issue for its failure to mention North Korea's proposed "simultaneous package solution." The newspaper also demands "complete, verifiable and irreversible security assurances" in exchange for complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement (CVID).
—"Uri'ui tongshi'ilgwal t'agyoranul padadulyoya handa," Korean Central News Agency, 15 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "U.S. Urged to Accept DPRK-Proposed Simultaneous Package Solution," Korean Central News Agency, 15 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; Sang-Hun Choe, "North Korea Rejects U.S. Proposal on Ending Nuke Crisis," Associated Press, 15 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

15 December 2003
US President George W. Bush tells reporters that he wants to settle the North Korean nuclear issue diplomatically. Bush offers his comments following the capture of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
—Press Conference of the President, White House Press Briefings, 15 December 2003, <http://www.whitehouse.gov>; "Bush Opts for Diplomacy over N. Korea's Nuke Standoff," Kyodo News Service, 15 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

18 December 2003
The Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Korean Workers Party, vows that North Korea will "keep and steadily increase its nuclear deterrent force" to deter a preemptive attack by the United States.
—"Chonjaeng'bangjiui kyolchongjoksuda'nun haeg'okcheryokpakke opta," Korean Central News Agency, 18 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "DPRK Stand to Increase Nuclear Deterrent Force Remains Unchanged," Korean Central News Agency, 18 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; Sang-Hun Choe, "North Korea Says It will Never Give Up Nuke Program without U.S. Concessions," Associated Press, 18 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "N Korea Sticks to Decision to Increase Nuclear Force – Paper," BBC, 18 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>. 

24 December 2003
US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher announces the United States will donate 60,000 metric tons of food to North Korea through the UN World Food Program despite North Korea's persistence in developing nuclear weapons. The decision brings US food aid donations for North Korea to a total of 100,000 metric tons for the year 2003.
—Stephen Collinson, "US to Give 60,000 Tonnes of Food to North Korea," Agence France Presse, 24 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "U.S. Decides to Offer Food to DPRK," Korean Central News Agency, 24 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; Reuters, "U.S. Will Give More Food Aid to North Korea," New York Times, 25 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.  

25-27 December 2003
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Pyongyang for three days to prepare for a tentative second round of Six-party Talks. Wang meets with North Korea's Vice Foreign Ministers Kim Kye Kwan, Kang Sok Chu, and Kim Yong Il.
—"Chosonwoemusongdaebyon'in chochungi che 2 ch'a 6 chahoedam naenyonjogigaech'oe'e noryok," Korean Central News Agency, 27 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Six-way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 28 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "Chinese Official in DPRK for Preparation for Six-way Talks," Xinhua News Agency, 26 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Visits North Korea to Discuss Six-party Talks," BBC, 26 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.  

27 December 2003
North Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Sok Chu expresses willingness to hold the next round of Six-party Talks early next year to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
—"Chosonwoemusongdaebyon'in chojungi che 2 ch'a 6 chahwoedam naenyonjogigaech'oe'e noryok," Korean Central News Agency, 27 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Six-way Talks," Korean Central News Agency, 28 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "DPRK Seeks Holding Next Round of Six-Party Talks Early Next Year," Xinhua News Agency, 28 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "North Korea Signals Readiness to Attend Nuclear Talks Early Next Year," Agence France Presse, 28 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "North Korea Has Agreed to a New Round of Nuclear Talks: Report," Agence France Presse, 27 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

27 December 2003
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman tells Korean Central News Agency that the United States' continued efforts to increase its military presence in South Korea is "casting a darker shadow on the prospect of solving the nuclear issue." The spokesman cites the recent decision by Washington to spend $11 billion to reinforce military hardware in South Korea.
—"Chosonwoemusongdaebyon'in migunui mujangjangbi chunggangch'aektong'un hyon daehwa'gwajong'e chongmyonbaech'i," Korean Central News Agency, 27 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "U.S. Escalated Arms Buildup Assailed," Korean Central News Agency, 28 December 2003, <http://www.kcna.co.jp/>; "DPRK Slams US for Upgrading Weapons in S. Korea," Xinhua News Agency, 27 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Transcript of North Korean Radio Broadcast, "North Korea Needs ‘Physical Deterrent' to Cope with US Deployment – Spokesman," BBC, 27 December 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "USFK Unveils Massive Force Reinforcement Program," Korea Times, 2 June 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "U.S. to Add $11 Billion to Spending on U.S. Forces in South Korea," Associated Press, 31 May 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>.

29 December 2003
Fu Ying, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Asian Affairs Bureau, states that Beijing does not believe North Korea has a clandestine uranium enrichment program. Fu makes the statement during his meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan [Yun Yŏng Kwan] and Japanese director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanic Affairs Bureau Motoji Yabunaka while in Seoul to discuss North Korea’s nuclear program.
—Glenn Kessler, “Chinese Not Convinced of North Korean Uranium Effort,” Washington Post, 7 January 2004, in Lexis-Nexis,
<http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; “China Unconvinced North Korea Has Enriched Uranium Program: Report,” Agence France Presse, 7 January 2004, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Kyodo News Service, 8 January 2004, in “China Doubts US Views on DPRK Uranium Enrichment Program,” FBIS Document ID JPP20040108000044; “U.S. Says North Korea Has HEU Program,” Yonhap News Agency, 8 January 2004, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

	Updated November 2005