This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

2000
The South Korean government issues more than W254.7 billion in treasury bonds to help finance the light water reactor project in North Korea under the Agreed Framework. Interest on the debt for the year totals W19 billion.
--Yonhap News Agency, 31 October 2000, in 'ROK’s Yonhap: Dong-ah, Hyundai Likely to Negatively Affect Nuclear Reactor Plan," FBIS Document KPP2001031000052; Chosun Ilbo, 15 July 2001, in 'Interest on LWR for DPRK Reaches 36.1 Billion Won," FBIS Document ID: KPP20010715000002.

6 January 2000
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily the Korean Workers Party, warns that 'the continuation of national division is bringing the holocaust of a nuclear war upon our fellow countrymen." The paper claims that North and South Korea 'will get nothing but national ruin from confrontation."
--'Korea’s Reunification Is Supreme Task of Nation," Korean Central News Agency, 6 January 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Chogukt’ong’il Minjokchisang’ui Kwaop/Rodongshimun," Korean Central News Agency, 6 January 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

11 January 2000
Japan and the EU reconfirm continued cooperation on their policies toward North Korea. At ministerial-level talks held in Brussels, Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono tells the EU delegation that the stability of North Korea is vital to nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
--Kyodo News Service, 11 January 2000, in 'Japan, EU Reconfirm Cooperation on North Korea," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 13 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

16 January 2000
The Sunday Telegraph reports that North Korea is trying to obtain uranium from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Shinkolobwe uranium mine, leading to increased suspicion that North Korea is still trying to develop nuclear weapons. According to the report, the director of a British mining company claims that several of his workers have observed North Koreans in Shinkolobwe. The report also quotes Richard Cornwall, a researcher at the South African Institute for Security Studies, as saying, 'We know that there have been North Koreans in that area and they are definitely training government forces, but whether they are soldiers or miners we do not know, and we can only speculate what they are getting in exchange."
--Christina Lamb, 'Alarm Over North Korea's Secret Deal for Congo Uranium," Sunday Telegraph, 16 January 2000.

20 January 2000
Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian tells South Korean Defense Minister Cho Song T’ae that Beijing fully supports efforts to make the Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons, and that China is actively working towards that end. Chi, meeting with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul, is the first Chinese Defense Minister to visit South Korea since its founding in 1948. Chi is in Seoul from the 19 to the 23 January.
--'S. Korea Asks for China’s ‘Constructive Role’ to Engage N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 19 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Chinese Defense Minister Calls for Nuclear-Free Korean Peninsula," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 20 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Hwang Yang Chun, '[Chungguk] Ch’uhaot’en Chungguk Kukpangbujang Ch’ot Panghan," Hankook Ilbo, 19 January 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr; Yu Yong Won, 'Hanjunggukpanghowdam Kunsagyoryu-Hyopnyok Hab’ui; Chung ‘Shilsejangsong’ Taego Panghan," Chosun Ilbo, 21 January 2000, p. 4, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr.

20 January 2000
The Swiss firm Asea Brown Boveri AG (ABB) announces that it recently signed contracts with Korea Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. and Korea Power Engineering Corporation to deliver $200 million worth of equipment and services for the KEDO light water reactor project.
--'ABB Wins 200 Mln USD Nuclear Power Plant Contracts in North Korea," AFX Europe, 20 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Swiss Firm Receives Order for Nuclear Project in N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 20 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

22 January 2000
North Korea says that the Washington’s claim that North Korea poses a nuclear and missile threat to the United States is merely an attempt to justify a missile defense program. A commentary appearing in the Rodong Sinmun says that the real nuclear and missile threat is from the United States. The paper says that US 'nuclear weapons and missiles, wherever they are deployed, will be targeted at (North Korea)."
--'U.S. Anti-DPRK Smear Campaign Dismissed," Korean Central News Agency, 22 January 2000, web.lexis-nexis.com; '<P’okt’anp’okpalshilhom>Sol’un Nukkorich’ang’anp’um/Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 22 January 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

22-28 January 2000
The United States and North Korea meet in Berlin to discuss a proposed visit by a high-ranking North Korean official to Washington. The delegations are headed by US special envoy for Korean affairs, Charles Kartman, and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Kwan. According to sources close to the talks, the two sides reach an agreement on the proposed visit of a high-ranking North Korean official to Washington and a further easing of economic sanctions against North Korea. The two sides agree to meet at a later date to finalize preparations for the proposed high-level meeting in Washington. [Note: The visit of a high-ranking North Korean official to Washington is one of the recommendations laid out by William Perry in his report assessing the US policy on North Korea. Perry’s report was presented to Congress on 14 September 1999.]
--Yonhap News Agency (Seoul), 29 January 2000, in 'South Agency Views USA-North Korea Agreement to High-Level Talks," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 29 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'US, N Korea Forge Deal to Open High-Level Talks: S Korean Official," Agence France Presse, 29 January 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

30 January 2000
The Rodong Sinmun cites 'an official US document" to report that Japan is 'allowing the US to use its entire territory as the latter’s nuclear base." The article says the Japanese government approved the deployment of US nuclear weapons on Japanese territory in 1960. The paper also says that Tokyo’s intention of pursuing this policy is to take participate in any US aggression in Northeast Asia so that it might regain its former colonial empire, with North Korea being the first target of combined US-Japanese aggression. The paper concludes that should Japan attack North Korea, it would be 'wholly responsible for the ensuing consequences."
--'Japan Urged to Think Twice over Consequences," Korean Central News Agency, 30 January 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Vietnam Chonjaengshigi Ilbon’ui Haengmugibanipsung’insashil’u Ronp’yong/Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 30 January 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

31 January 2000
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) signs a loan agreement with KEDO extending up to ¥116.5 billion in loans for the light water reactors to be constructed in [Kumho-chigu], Shinp’o, North Korea. [Note: The loans were originally to be provided by the Export-Import Bank of Japan, but on 1 October 1999 the Export-Import Bank of Japan merged with the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund to form the JBIC.]
--Kyodo News Service, 31 January 2000, in 'Bank Signs Loan Pact with KEDO for North Korean Reactors," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

February 2000
KEDO dispatches a 20-member 'peace maintenance corps" to protect the light water reactor construction site in [Kumho-chigu], Shinp’o and South Koreans working on the project. [Note: In July 1996, KEDO and North Korea signed the 'protocol governing privileges, immunities and consular protection" granting KEDO the responsibility of preserving public order at the light water reactor site and related facilities.]
--Donga Ilbo, 15 February 2000, in 'North Nuclear Energy Body to Send ‘Peace’ Corps to Construction Site," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 18 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

1 February 2000
The US, South Korea and Japan hold a meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG) in Seoul. The three countries discuss the results of the US-North Korea talks held in Berlin 22-28 January 2000 and agree to provide additional aid to North Korea if it takes further steps to allay international concerns over its suspected nuclear weapons program.
--Charles Lee, 'N. Korea Rejected Access to U.S. Aid," United Press International, 1 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Jan Perlez, 'US, North Korea Talks on Missile Program Set for March," New York Times, 31 January 2000, p. A3.

1 February 2000
Japanese State Foreign Secretary Ichita Yamamoto meets with KEDO Executive-Director Desaix Anderson in Tokyo to discuss current issues facing KEDO. Yamamoto tells Anderson, 'It is important that North Korea comply with safeguard inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as delivery of key nuclear components begins." Desaix agrees to press Pyongyang to accept full inspections of its nuclear facilities. The two also reaffirm the need to implement the KEDO project without delay, calling it 'the most realistic and effective framework" to prevent North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.
--Kohei Murayama, 'Japan, KEDO to Urge N. Korea over Promised Nuke Inspections," Japan Economic Newswire, 1 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

1 February 2000
Desaix Anderson, executive-director of KEDO, says that the timeframe for construction of the two light water reactors has been extended by at least four years.
--Alexander Kopnov, 'Reactors to Be Built in DPRK Four Years Later than Planned," ITAR-TASS, 1 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

2 February 2000
The EU’s Executive Commission recommends renewing EU support for KEDO after the current agreement expires at the end of 2000. The EU’s External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten, calling KEDO a vital to international nuclear nonproliferation efforts, says, 'It is only right that the EU should stand alongside the United States, Japan and Korea in a project as important to regional stability as KEDO." [Note: EURATOM, the EU’s nuclear agency, originally signed a contract with KEDO to supply €75 million over a five-year period.]
--'Continuing EU Role in KEDO Demanded," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 2 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Continued EU Participation in KEDO After 2000 Proposed," Japan Economic Newswire, 2 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

3 February 2000
The turnkey contract between KEDO and KEPCO becomes effective, and KEPCO begins construction on the two light water reactors in [Kumho-chigu], Shinp’o, North Korea. [Note: On 15 December 1999, KEPCO signed the turnkey contract with KEDO authorizing the commencement of construction on the actual reactors. Site preparation work began in August 1997.]
--'Full-Fledged Construction of N. Korean Reactors Began Feb. 3," Japan Economic Newswire, 14 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Light Water Reactor Project: Turnkey Contract," Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, www.kedo.org/au_members.asp.

3 February 2000
In an interview published by the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean Vice Premier Cho Ch’ang Dok accuses the United States of blatantly violating the Agreed Framework, and hints that North Korea might reopen its frozen nuclear reactors if it does not receive compensation for the delays in the KEDO light water reactor (LWR) project. Cho blames North Korea’s recent electricity shortage on the US failure to honor its commitments under the Agreed Framework. Cho says, 'Due to the unreasonable US delaying tactics the LWR construction is not likely to be completed even in 2010, to say nothing of 2003, the (original) deadline." Cho claims that the US failure to honor its commitments has already caused a loss of 'tens of billions of KWH of electricity, bringing immeasurable adverse effect on the national economy and the people’s living." Cho concludes that 'if the US does not fulfill its commitments but persistently pursues the policy of stifling the DPRK, the DPRK will be left with no option but to go its own way."
--'Jo Chang Dok Interviewed on Serious Shortage of Electricity," Korean Central News Agency, 3 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Chon’gisajong’ul Kinjangshik’in Miguk’e Posangul Yogu/Cho Ch’ang Dok Puch’ongni," Korean Central News Agency, 3 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; David Jones, 'North Korea May Reopen Nuke Reactor; Blames U.S. for Power Outages," Washington Times, 4 February 2000, p. A1.

7 February 2000
KEDO’s Executive Board meets in New York. The board members discuss ways to speed up construction on the two light water reactors following the 3 February threat by North Korean Vice Premier Cho Ch’ang Dok that North Korea might resume its frozen graphite moderated nuclear program if delays continue.
--Yonhap News Agency, 5 February 2000, in 'International Group to Meet Over North Korean Nuclear Project," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 5 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Shim Kyu Son, 'KEDO Chiphaengui 7 Il Miso Pukkyongsurogonsol Kasokhwa Nonui," Donga Ilbo, 7 February 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

7 February 2000
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, says that North Korea’s 'energy situation is strained since the nuclear freeze." The commentary criticizes the United States for blaming rising oil prices for its difficulty in delivery the heavy fuel oil under the Agreed Framework, and says that the light water reactors will probably not be completed by 2010. The article says that North Korea 'has a choice and cannot just sit around."
--'Kyongsurojionch’aek’im’un Miguki Chge Toelgosida/Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 7 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

7 February 2000
North Korea criticizes Western press reports that North Korea has been acquiring uranium for nuclear weapons from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in return for military aid. The Korean Central News Agency dismisses the reports as 'sheer fabrication" and 'a charade intended to slander and hurt the DPRK." [Note: Beginning in August 1999, various press agencies have reported on the presence of North Korean military personnel near the Shinkolobwe uranium mine, leading to speculation that North Korea is providing military training for Congolese troops in exchange for uranium.]
--'KCNA on Fiction of DPRK’s ‘Purchase of Uranium’," Korean Central News Agency, 7 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; '<Uranium Kuip>Solun Wanjonhan Howi/Chosonjoongangt’ongshin," Korean Central News Agency, 7 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

15 February 2000
US President Bill Clinton sends a presidential determination to Congress stating that he could not confirm that North Korea has abandoned its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. Under the North Korea Threat Reduction Act of 1999, President Clinton must confirm that North Korea is not pursuing uranium enrichment or reprocessing spent nuclear fuel before any funds in fiscal year 2000 may be used for supplying North Korea with heavy fuel oil. Clinton does, however, certify that North Korea is complying with all its commitments under the Agreed Framework. In the presidential determination, Clinton informs Congress that while evidence of North Korea’s nuclear intentions is inconclusive, he is exercising his authority to waive the confirmation requirement and proceeding with the annual deliveries of heavy fuel oil.
--George Gedda, 'US Worried about North Korean Nuclear Intentions," Associated Press, 3 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Henry Sokolski, 'Implementing the Korean Nuclear Deal: What U.S. Law Requires," The Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, www.npec-web.org/essay/6-4-00-DPRK-Sokolski.htm.

22-25 February 2000
KEDO and North Korea hold a high-level meeting in Hyangsan, North Korea to discuss various problems that might arise during the construction of the two light water reactors being constructed in [Kumho-chigu], Shinp’o. The two sides agree to open a direct passenger boat service from Sokch’o, South Korea to Yanghwa-ri, Shinp’o, North Korea for South Koreans working on the light water reactor project. [Note: The meeting is the first between KEDO and North Korea since construction of the reactors began.]
--Yonhap News Agency, 29 February 2000, in 'North Korea Agrees to Direct Route for South Reactor Workers," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 29 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'KEDO, N.K. to Hold Expert Meeting on Reactor Construction," Korea Herald, 23 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'KEDO Delegation Here," Korean Central News Agency, 23 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'KEDO Kowi’gupchonmun’gahyopsangdaep’yodan Toch’ak," Korean Central News Agency, 23 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp;

23 February 2000
Pyongyang accuses the United States of being responsible for North Korean power shortage. The Korean Central News Agency claims that the freeze of North Korea’s nuclear program had resulted in billions of dollars in lost production, and the United States has not sufficiently compensated North Korea with heavy fuel oil promised under the 1994 US-North Korea Agreed Framework.
--'Serious Shortage of Electricity," Korean Central News Agency, 23 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Choson’ui Kinjanghan Chollyoksajong/Chosonjung’angt’ongshin," Korean Central News Agency, 23 February 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; Korea Central News Agency, 23 February 2000, in 'Serious Shortage of Electricity," FBIS Document ID KPP20000223000102.

24 February 2000
US President Bill Clinton announces that the United States will soon release $15 million earmarked for heavy fuel oil shipments to North Korea.
--'U.S. to Spend $15 Mil. for Shipment of Heavy Fuel Oil to N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 25 February 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

7 March 2000
Japan names Kojiro Takano as ambassador to KEDO and Tokyo’s representative to normalization talks with North Korea.
--'Japan Names Takano as KEDO Amb.," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 7 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

8-15 March 2000
The United States and North Korea hold high-level talks in New York to discuss various bilateral issues. The delegations, headed by Charles Kartman, US special envoy for Korean Affairs, and North Korean Vice Foreign Minster Kim Kye Kwan, address a wide range of sensitive issues such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, delays in implementing the Agreed Framework, North Korea’s designation by the State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism, and the proposed visit to the United States by a top-level North Korean official. The talks end on 15 March without any agreement between the two sides. Although the talks fail to produce an agreement, the two sides agree to resume the dialogue in the future. [Note: On 18 March, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry announces that at the talks the United States acknowledged the legitimacy of North Korea’s demand for compensation for electricity shortages caused by delays in the light water reactor construction. According to a ministry spokesman, discussions on the issue progressed to ways the United States could compensate North Korea for the lost electricity.]
--Sharon Behn, 'US, North Korea Set for Second Day of Negotiations on Landmark Visit," Agence France Presse, 9 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'U.S.-N. Korea High-Level Talks End Without Agreement," Japan Economic Newswire, 15 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'US, North Korea Agreement Possible of Conditions Are Ripe - Kim Gye-Gwan," Agence France Presse, 15 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman on DPRK-U.S> Talks," Korean Central News Agency (Pyongyang), 189 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, 16 May 2001, in 'Further on DPRK Report on Delay in LWR Construction," FBIS Document ID KPP20010517000069.

9 March 2000
South Korean President Kim Dae Jung delivers his 'Berlin Declaration," which proposes governmental talks between the two Koreas, and aims to increase inter-Korean exchanges.
--'S. Korea’s Kim Set to Work Directly with North," United Press International, 10 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Calls for Talks with North Korea," Agence France Presse, 9 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kim Ji-ho, '’Berlin Declaration’ Shows Seoul’s Will, Confidence in Inter-Korea Initiative," Korea Herald, 10 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kim Min Bae, 'Kim Taet’ongnyong ‘Berlin Son’on’ 4 Kaehang Palp’yo," Chosun Ilbo, 10 March 2000, p. 1, in KINDS, www.kinds.com; Kim Min Bae, 'Kim Taet’ongnyong ‘Berlin Son’on’ Pukchiwon, Chongbuga Chikchop Nasonda," Chosun Ilbo, 10 March 2000, p. 3, in KINDS, www.kinds.com.

16 March 2000
At a hearing of the House International Relations Committee, Ambassador Wendy Sherman of the State Department, states that the Agreed Framework 'continues to be our best means of capping and eventually eliminating the threat of North Korean nuclear weapons." She also announces that on 15 March, Pyongyang confirmed its agreement to allow a second inspection of the suspected underground nuclear facility in Kumch’ang-ri in May.
--'Hearing of the House International Relations Committee," Federal News Service, 16 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

18 March 2000
US Secretary of Defense William Cohen meets with South Korean officials in Seoul to discuss various issues including the continuing military threat from North Korea. Cohen and his South Korean counterpart Cho Song T’ae vow to respond 'immediately and sternly" if North Korea attempts a military provocation ahead of the South Korean presidential elections scheduled for April.
--Jim Mannion, 'Cohen Holds Talks in Seoul on North Korea," Agence France Presse, 18 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Han Kyong Hun, 'Han-Mi Kukpangjanggwan 18 Il Hoedam," Segye Ilbo, 18 March 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

21 March 2000
The Rodong Sinmun accuses the United States of raising suspicions about its nuclear program merely as a 'mean maneuver to try to evade its responsibility for having delayed the construction of the light water reactors in accordance with the DPRK-US Agreed Framework...and for even having failed to observe the schedule for the supply of heavy oil."
--'U.S. Urged to Drop Its Foolish Attempt," Korean Central News Agency, 21 March 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Mi’gug’ui <Haeg’uihok>Sol’ul Pinan/Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 21 March 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 21 March 2000, in 'USA Said to Be Using ‘Rumours’ of Nuclear Threat as Excuse to Delay Reactors," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 23 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

21 March 2000
In testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Wendy Sherman, a State Department counselor, announces that North Korea has agreed to 'recommence talks related to our concern about its missile program and to begin a new negotiation on implementation of the Agreed Framework." Sherman does not mention whether or not the two sides have decided on a date and venue for the talks.
--'U.S., N. Korea to Resume Nuclear, Missile Talks," Japan Economic Newswire, 21 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

29 March 2000
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, condemns the United States for intentionally delaying the implementation of the Agreed Framework and causing widespread electricity outages in North Korea. The paper warns that if the United States does not resolve the issue of compensation for the lost electricity, the DPRK will have no option but to revive its graphite moderated nuclear program.
--'U.S. Urged to Compensate for Loss of Electricity in DPRK," Korean Central News Agency, 29 March 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Mi’gug’un Chollyoksonshilbosangjoch’I’rul Ch’wihaeya Handa/Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 29 March 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

30-31 March 2000
The US, Japan and South Korea hold a meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG) in Tokyo to coordinate their policies on North Korea. According to reports, the US side suggests that one of the LWRs being supplied to North Korea under the Agreed Framework should be replaced with six conventional power plants. However, the South Korean delegation disagrees with the proposal.
--'Japan Foreign Minister Is in Seoul," Chosun Ilbo (Seoul), 30 March 2000; Chosun Ilbo (Seoul), 5 January 2001, in 'ROK Daily Notes US Aim To Build 6 Power Plants in DPRK, ROKG’s Objections," FBIS Document ID KPP20010105000068; Lee Ha Won, 'US Proposes Alternative Power Plants for NK," Chosun Ilbo, 5 January 2001, www.chosun.com; Lee Ha Won, 'Mi ‘Pug’e Hwajongonsol’ Chean," Chosun Ilbo, 6 January 2001, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

April 2000
US and IAEA technicians complete the process of canning over 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods in North Korea. A US State Department official announces on 13 June that the canning of the spent fuel rods was completed in April and that the IAEA has confirmed that the remaining rod fragments 'do not represent a proliferation concern." [Note: North Korea removed the spent fuel rods from its 5MW(e) reactor in Yongbyon-kun.]
--Steven Mufson, 'Threat of 'Rogue' States: Is It Reality or Rhetoric?" Washington Post, 29 May 2000, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kim Chin, 'Miguk, Sayonghan Pukhan Haekyollyobong Pong’in Wallyo," Joongang Ilbo, 31 May 2000, p. 1, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr; 'Canning of Spent Fuel in N. Korea Completed, U.S. Says," Japan Economic Newswire, 13 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

1-4 April 2000
KEDO and North Korean officials meet in Hyangsan, North Korea to discuss a protocol on the training of North Korean engineers who will operate the two light water reactors once they are completed. KEDO reportedly wants the engineers trained in South Korea, but North Korea insists the training take place in any country other than South Korea. According to a KEDO official, North Korea agrees to comply with KEDO’s decision to conduct the training at a South Korean nuclear plant.
--Yonhap News Agency, 27 March 2000, 'North Korea, Energy Organization to Discuss Signing of Protocol on Training," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 27 March 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; KBS Radio (Seoul), 16 April 2000, in 'North Agrees to KEDO-Designated Training Site," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 18 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'KEDO Delegation Here," Korean Central News Agency, 1 April 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Chosonbando’enerugigaebalgiguhyopsangdae’p’yodan Toch’ak," Korean Central News Agency, 1 April 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'KEDO Delegation Leaves," Korean Central News Agency, 4 April 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'KEDO Hyopsangdae’p’yodan’i Ddona Katta," Korean Central News Agency, 4 April 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; Korean Central News Agency (Pyongyang), in 'Energy Group Delegation Leaves," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

3 April 2000
North Korea denounces what it refers to as an attempt by 'US conservative hardliners" to amend the Agreed Framework to include a 'verification devices" in order to monitor North Korea’s compliance with the agreement. A report by the Korean Central News Agency states that 'if the US tries to ‘amend’ the agreed framework, skeptical over the DPRK measure of nuclear freezing and the Agreed Framework itself, instead of sincerely implementing it, the Agreed Framework will be bound to be abrogated."
--'U.S. Skeptical over DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework," Korean Central News Agency, 3 April 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

4-7 April 2000
North Korea and Japan hold high-level rapprochement talks for the first time in eight years. At the talks, held in Pyongyang, the Japanese delegation expresses concern over North Korea’s missile program and suspected nuclear weapons program.
--'N. Korea Threatens to Walk Out of Talks with Japan," Japan Economic Newswire, 5 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Japan Hints at Deal, But No Progress with N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 7 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 7 April 2000, in 'Japan, North Korea Agree to Resume Talks in Late May," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 8 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

9 April 2000
Diplomatic sources in Seoul announce that ongoing negotiations with North Korea on implementation of the Agreed Framework are failing to make significant progress due to Pyongyang’s continuing refusal to disclose the amount of plutonium it reprocessed prior to the 1994 agreement.
--Yonhap News Agency, 9 April 2000, in 'North Korea’s Refusal to Disclose Nuclear Acts Hampers Talks with USA," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 9 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

11 April 2000
Benjamin Gilman, chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and Edward Markey, ranking member of the House Commerce Committee, send a letter to President Bill Clinton expressing their concern over his 15 February decision to authorize the release of funds to be used for the delivery of heavy fuel oil to North Korea despite his stated inability to certify that North Korea is not pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons program, as required by the North Korean Threat Reduction Act of 1999. In the letter, Gilman and Markey tell Clinton, 'You did not hesitate to certify the third requirement, that ‘North Korea is complying with all provisions of the Agreed Framework,’ If, as you explain, the ‘the evidence is inconclusive whether North Korea is seeking to develop of acquire the ability to enrich uranium,’ then how can you certify that North Korea is complying with all aspects of the Agreed Framework?" [Note: The White House reportedly sends a reply to the House International Relations Committee stating that in order to release the funds for the second 2000 delivery of oil, Clinton will not waive the requirement that he certify that North Korea is not pursuing a nuclear weapons program.]
--Henry Sokolski, 'Implementing the Korean Nuclear Deal: What U.S. Law Requires," The Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, www.npec-web.org/essay/6-4-00-DPRK-Sokolski.htm.

11 April 2000
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announces that Australia will donate an additional A$1 million to KEDO, bringing Australia’s total donations since 1995 to A$15.8 million.
--Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade web site, 11 April 2000, in 'Australia Welcomes Inter-Korean Talks, Pledges Extra Funds for Energy Project," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 11 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

17 April 2000
The Joongang Ilbo, quoting nuclear experts, reports that North Korea possesses a superior plutonium extraction technology that South Korea never possessed. North Korea is believed to possess a know how in the area of radioactive chemicals and other sectors of the nuclear technology.
--Kim Ch'ang-yop, Chungang Ilbo (Soul), 17 April 2000, in 'North Korea's Technology Prowess Examined," FBIS Document ID KPP20000417000098; Kim Ch’ang Yop, 'Pukhan, IT Sop’ut’uweonun Sujunkup," Joongang Ilbo, 18 April 2000, p. 39, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

18 April 2000
The Korea Non-Life Insurance Association announces that LG Insurance will be the main insurance provider for the KEDO light water reactor project. The insurance association also announces that LG Insurance will soon conclude negotiations with KEPCO over the scope of the coverage.
--'LG Insurance Named Manager for N. Korean Reactor Insurance," Asia Pulse, 18 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

20 April 2000
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono claims that North Korea will be fully responsible if an accident occurs at one of the two light water reactors being constructed by KEDO. Speaking before the House of Councilors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, Kono says, 'North Korea cannot avoid taking responsibility because it is an internationally established principle that the operator of a nuclear reactor assumes full responsibility (in the event of an accident)."
--'N. Korea Responsible If Accident Occurs at KEDO Reactors: Kono," Japan Economic Newswire, 20 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

20 April 2000
North Korea’s Foreign Ministry calls on the United States to remove all weapons of mass destruction from South Korea. A ministry spokesman claims that despite Washington’s 1992 pledge that it had removed all nuclear weapons that were deployed outside its territory, it continues to 'massively deploy nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction...in and around South Korea." Calling the continued deployment of nuclear weapons clear evidence of the aggressive US ambitions toward North Korea, the spokesman warns that 'the Korean people and the people’s army are fully prepared fro any confrontation."
--'U.S. Practical Measure for Nuclear Weapons Reduction Called For," Korean Central News Agency, 20 April 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

24 April 2000
Director General of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, says that the IAEA has been unable to verify the state of North Korea's nuclear program because of its refusal to comply with the safeguards agreement it signed with the agency. Speaking at the opening session of the NPT Review Conference, ElBaradei say, "the agency remains unable to verify the correctness and completeness of North Korea's initial declaration of its nuclear material subject to safeguard and cannot, therefore, provide any assurance about non- diversion from non-military to military uses."
--Nicole Winfield, 'North Korea Under Fire at Nuclear Conference," Associated Press, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'South Korea Calls on North to Join Nuclear Safeguard Regime," Agence France Presse, 26 April 2000 in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 April 2000
KEDO’s Executive Board meets in New York to assess the implementation of the light water reactor project. At the meeting, Charles Kartman, US special envoy for Korean affairs, announces that he will soon travel to Beijing to request that the Chinese government assist in supplying heavy-fuel oil to North Korea.
--'U.S. to Ask China to Supply N. Korea with Fuel Oil," Japan Economic Newswire, 27 April 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

10-12 May 2000
A four member IAEA delegation led by Olly Heinonen, director general of IAEA safeguards, travels to Pyongyang to attend the 14th nuclear technology meeting between the IAEA and North Korea. The IAEA delegation reportedly calls on North Korea to submit details on its past nuclear facilities according to the 1994 Agreed Framework between the United States and North Korea.
--Agence France Presse, 11 May 2000, in 'IAEA: No Progress in N Korea Nuclear Talks," FBIS Document ID EUP20000511000060; Yonhap News Agency, 8 May 2000, in 'Nuclear Body Officials to Visit 10th-12th May," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 9 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'IAEA Delegation Here," Korean Central News Agency, 9 May 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Kukchewonjaryokkigudae’p’yodan Toch’ak," Korean Central News Agency, 9 May 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'IAEA Delegation Leaves," Korean Central News Agency, 13 May 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Kukchewonjaryokkigudae’p’yodan’i Ddona Katta," Korean Central News Agency, 13 May 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

12 May 2000
Officials from the United States, Japan, and South Korea meet in Tokyo for a meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG). The delegations are headed by Wendy Sherman, counselor of the US State Department, Chang Chae Ryong, South Korean deputy foreign minister, and Yukio Takeuchi, Japanese deputy vice foreign minister for foreign policy. In a joint statement the participants of the TCOG meeting praised Pyongyang’s decision to hold separate talks with each of the three nations. The delegations also 'reiterated their continuing commitment to consult closely and the coordinate their respective policies toward North Korea."
--Shin Yong-bae, 'Seoul, Washington, Tokyo Dovetail Positions Ahead of Their Respective Talks with N.K.," Korea Herald, 13 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kim Sung Il, 'Hanmiil ‘Chongsanghoedam Hanbando P’yonghwa Kiyo,’" Hankook Ilbo, 13 May 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

15 May 2000
An official from KEPCO, the primary contractor for the KEDO light water reactor project, announces that the current consortium of South Korean subcontractors for the project will be disbanded unless an agreement on how to divide the project is reached by the end of June. The statement is in response to complaint filed by Daewoo Construction on the same day to the Fair Trade Commission claiming that Hyundai Engineering and Construction is attempting to monopolize the third stage of construction. [Note: In 1996, Hyundai, Donga, Daewoo, and Korea Heavy Industries agreed to divide the light water reactor project 35%, 25%, 20%, and 20% respectively.]
--Yonhap News Agency (Seoul), 15 May 2000, in 'Koreas: South Subcontractors in Dispute over North Reactor Project," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 15 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Yonhap News Agency (Seoul), 15 May 2000, in 'Koreas: Daewoo Accuses Hyundai of North Reactor Project Monopoly," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 15 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

16 May 2000
The US House of Representatives passes an amendment to the North Korean Threat Reduction Act of 1999, entitled the 'Congressional Oversight of Nuclear Transfers to North Korea Act of 2000," requiring House and Senate approval of the president’s certification that North Korea is not pursuing a nuclear weapons program before funds will be released for heavy fuel oil deliveries for North Korea. [Note: Under the North Korean Threat Reduction Act of 1999, the president is required to certify to Congress that North Korea is not pursuing a nuclear weapons program. However, the president has the option to waive the requirement, as President Clinton did on 15 February.]
--House International Relations Committee Press Release, 'House Passes Gilman-Markey North Korea Oversight Bill," 16 May 2000; Henry Sokolski, 'Implementing the Korean Nuclear Deal: What U.S. Law Requires," The Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, www.npec-web.org/essay/6-4-00-DPRK-Sokolski.htm.

18 May 2000
The US House of Representatives passes an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act prohibiting the US government from indemnifying from liability any US company participating in the KEDO light water reactor project. The amendment is in response to General Electric’s request that the White House indemnify it from any future liability before it exports $30 million in steam turbines for the KEDO reactors. Following the House legislation, General Electric announces that it will not provide the turbines for the reactors, thus propagating further delays in the KEDO project since the reactor designs are based on using General Electric’s turbines.
--Amendment No. 3, Section 1205, Prohibition on Assumption by United States Government of Liability for Nuclear Accidents in North Korea, offered by Mr. Cox, Mr. Markey, Mr. Spenser, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Knollenberg, Mr. Bereuter, reprinted along with the floor debate in U.S. Congressional Record, 19 May 2000, pp. H3358-H3362.

24-30 May 2000
The US and North Korea resume talks in Rome to discuss various bilateral issues as well as finalizing arrangements for a high-level visit to Washington by a North Korean official. The delegations are once again headed by Charles Kartman, US special envoy for Korean affairs, and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Kwan. At the talks, Kim claims that delays in heavy fuel oil deliveries have caused severe economic harm to North Korea, and Kartman reportedly says that Washington will consider compensating North Korea for the economic losses.
--'U.S. to Consider Compensation for Delay in KEDO Project," Japan Economic Newswire, 25 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'North Korea Demands US Compensation for Electric Power Losses," Agence France Presse, 26 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Tonga-Ilbo, 28 May 2000, in 'Pyongyang Demands Food in Indemnity for Delay in Construction of Reactor," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'U.S. Says U.S.-DPRK Talks Make Progress," Xinhua News Agency, 30 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kim Se Won, 'Puk-Mi Hoedam/Pukoemusongbusang ‘Kyongsurogonsa P’ihae Mie Posangyogu’," Donga Ilbo, 27 May 2000, p. 5, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr; 'Pukhan, Mie Kyongsuro Chiyon Sonshil Posangyogu," Joongang Ilbo, 27 May 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

25-27 May 2000
A 12-member team of US nuclear experts conducts a second inspection of the suspected underground nuclear facility in Kumch’ang-ri. [Note: The first inspection, conducted 20-24 May 1999 revealed 'an unfinished site, the underground portion of which was an extensive, empty tunnel complex." While the inspectors did not find any evidence of nuclear activity at the Kumch’ang-ri facility, US officials, speaking after the first inspection, said that the facility could still be used to store nuclear equipment in the future, and that North Korea had plenty of time during the course of negotiations to remove any incriminating evidence.]
--'U.S. Says U.S.-DPRK Rome Talks Make Progress," Xinhua News Agency, 30 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Team Finds N. Korean Underground Complex Empty, Unchanged," Japan Economic Newswire, 31 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 May 2000
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, accuses conservatives in the US Congress of purposefully delaying the implementation of the Agreed Framework. The paper says that recent legislation demanding 'compulsory House and Senate approval" of any transfer of nuclear technology to North Korea is proof that Washington is only paying lip service to the agreement. [Note: The legislation to which the article refers is an amendment to the North Korean Threat Reduction Act of 1999, entitled the 'Congressional Oversight of Nuclear Transfers to North Korea Act of 2000." The amendment passed the House of Representatives on 16 May.]
--'U.S. Procrastination on LWR Project Flayed," Korean Central News Agency, 26 May 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Kyongsurogonsolch’aeg’im’un Mi’gug’i Chige Toelgos’ida/Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 26 May 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'DPRK Accuses U.S. of Deliberately Delaying Agreed Nuclear Project," Xinhua News Agency, 26 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 May 2000
South Korean Minister of Unification Im Dong Won pays a secret visit to Pyongyang to hold talks with Kim Jong Il. The talks last for four hours, and Im notes that Kim has a sense of humor and is respectful towards his elders. He also believes that Kim Jong Il is a much stronger leader than his father, and that he is a very good listener. According to Im, Kim directly took notes during the meeting, as if he were a student in class. [Note: Im’s observations are part of a report submitted to President Kim Dae Jung upon Im’s return to Seoul, which are cited in Don Oberdorfer’s revised edition of The Two Koreas. The revised edition is scheduled for release in December 2001.]
--Ch’oe Won Ki, 'Don Oberdorfer ‘Tugaeui Korea’ Kaejongp’an/’Im Dong Wonssi Kukpi Pangbuk," Joongang Ilbo, 5 December 2001, p. 10, in KINDS, www.kinds.or.kr; 'Spy Agency Chief Secretly Visited Pyongyang Prior to Summit," Korea Herald, 20 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

31 May 2000
State Department spokesman Philip Reeker says, 'The team [that inspected Kumch’ang-ri] found conditions unchanged since the first visit a year ago...It remains an unfinished site, the underground portion of which is an extensive empty tunnel complex." Reeker also reports that North Korea informed the inspection team that the complex was originally intended as an unspecified 'national security-related facility," but they would consider other uses for the site.
--'Team Finds N. Korean Underground Complex Empty, Unchanged," Japan Economic Newswire, 31 May 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

June 2000
During a meeting of the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG), the US delegation repeats the suggestion made in March 2000 about replacing one LWR under the Agreed Framework with six conventional power plants. The South Korean government disagrees with this proposal.
--Lee Ha Won, 'US Proposes Alternative Power Plants for NK," Chosun Ilbo, 5 January 2001, www.chosun.com; Lee Ha Won, 'Mi ‘Pug’e Hwajongonsol’ Chean," Chosun Ilbo, 6 January 2001, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

4 June 2000
Tsugio Uchinishi, a scrap yard owner from Tokyo’s Nakano Ward, mails envelopes containing small amounts of monazite powder to 9 Japanese government offices and Prime Minister Mori’s personal residence. Uchinshi explains in memos accompanying the radioactive material that 'seventy tons of a radioactive substance is being smuggled from Niigata Port into North Korea to produce nuclear missiles." Uchinishi claims that an associate of Hiroshi Ikeda, director of Nihon Bosei Bunka Kyokai, sold monazite to a broker who in turn transferred the radioactive material to North Korea. However, the unnamed associate told police that he refused to sell the substance after learning that the prospective buyer had ties to North Korea. [Note: Ikeda later admits in interviews with police that he had imported the monazite from Thailand over twenty years ago because 'it can be used in hot spas."]
--Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 14 June 2000, in 'Japan: Man Questioned Over Radioactive Mail Sent to Government Offices," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 14 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Man Admits Selling 10 Tons of Radioactive Material," Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo), 16 June 2000, p. 2, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Gov’t Ignores Radioactive Mineral Stash," Mainichi Daily News, 15 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Man Arrested in Radioactive Mail Case," Japan Economic Newswire, 17 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Japanese Suspected of Smuggling Nuclear Material to North Korea," Agence France Presse, 17 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

7 June 2000
Robert Einhorn, US Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation, says that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program continues to threaten the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region. However, according to Einhorn, Pyongyang’s recent efforts to normalize relations with various countries shows that a diplomatic approach to dealing with North Korea’s nuclear weapon’ program, embodied in the Agreed Framework, is beginning to pay off.
--Ben Rowse, 'North Korean Nuclear Program a Key Threat to US: Official," Agence France Presse, 7 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

9 June 2000
A Korean Central News Agency commentary says that due to the delays in heavy fuel oil deliveries and the resulting negative economic impact on North Korea, several officials within the North Korean leadership are calling for the nullification of the Agreed Framework and restarting North Korea’s indigenous nuclear program.
--'Kibonhab’uimun Pullihaengch’aeg’im’ul Ch’u’gung/Chosonjung’angt’ongshin Ronp’yong," Korean Central News Agency, 9 June 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'KCNA Accuses U.S. of Evading Its Responsibility," Korean Central News Agency, 10 June 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

10 June 2000
An editorial in North Korea's Pyongyang Times says the US attempt to establish a nuclear verification system over all North Korean territory is not part of the Agreed Framework. Citing the remarks of James Lilly, a former US ambassador to South Korea, the editorial says the Agreed Framework is likely to collapse due to the US failure to honor its commitments, including its failure to deliver heavy fuel oil and the indefinite delay in the completion of the LWR project.
--'Option is Not US Monopoly," Pyongyang Times, 10 June 2000 in FBIS Document ID KPP20000712000096.

13 June 2000
KEDO asks the US Nuclear Regulation Commission to allow North Korean nuclear inspectors to receive technical training in the United States. After the completion of the two KEDO light water reactors, North Korean inspectors will be tasked with conducting safety checks and regulatory audits of the reactors. However, the would-be inspectors have no experience with light water nuclear reactors.
--'U.S. Nuclear Regulators Asked to Train N. Korean Inspectors," Japan Economic Newswire, 13 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

13-15 June 2000
North Korea’s National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung meet in Pyongyang to discuss various bilateral issues. On 14 June, the two leaders sign an agreement, the 'Joint North-South Declaration," by which they pledge to work for reconciliation and eventual reunification of the two countries. The agreement contains a clause by which the two Koreas agree not to engage in offensive military operations against each other. Upon returning to Seoul following the historic talks, Kim Dae Jung announces that he raised the issue of international concerns over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. According to South Korean government spokesman Park Chun Yong, President Kim Dae Jung, in a 16 June telephone conversation with US President Bill Clinton says that he comprehensively discussed the North Korean weapons development program with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during their summit in Pyongyang. Park says, "President Kim told President Clinton that he strongly urged the North Korean leader to successfully conclude negotiations with the United States on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and that leaving these weapon issues unsettled could impede regional peace and cooperation."
--Thomas Wagner, 'Korean Leaders Sign Agreement to Work Toward Reunification," Associated Press, 14 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Charles Lee, 'Korean Summit Ends with Historic Agreement in Hand," United Press International, 15 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; '2 Kims Discussed Nuclear, Missile Issues in Summit Talks," Japan Economic Newswire, 15 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Howard W. French, 'Korea’s ‘New Day’: Historic Summit Praised by All, But Concerns Remain," The Gazette (Montreal), 16 June 2000, p. B1, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'President Says He Urged N.K. Leader to Resolve Nuclear, Missile Issues with U.S. at Summit Talks," Korea Herald, 17 June 2000, www.koreaherald.co.kr; Ch’oe Yong Bom, 'DJ-Clinton Chonhwat’onghwa, Nambukhoedam Songkwa Tung Solmyong," Munhwa Ilbo, 16 June 2000, p. 3, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

19 June 2000
The US eases economic sanctions against North Korea. The measures are said to be 'the final phase of what President Clinton announced last September 17." The end of sanctions will allow North Korea to export raw materials to the United States and allow US companies to invest in agriculture, mining, roads, ports travel and tourism in North Korea. However, since North Korea remains on the State Department’s list of states sponsoring terrorism, prohibitions on the sales of high technology and dual-use goods remain intact.
--James Gerstenzang, 'U.S. Lifts Some Sanctions against N. Korea, Stops Calling It ‘Rogue’," Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2000, p. A6, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; John Burton and Stephen Fidler, 'US Eases Sanctions against Pyongyang," Financial Times, 20 June 2000, p. 14, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Ben Barber, 'White House Ends Embargo on Trade with North Korea; Action Follows Pyongyang Summit," Washington Times, 20 June 2000, p. A1, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Shin Yong-bae, 'U.S. Lifting of Sanctions Expected to Boost Mood of Détente on Peninsula," Korea Herald, 20 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'US Sanction Lifting Toward NK Takes Effect," Korea Times, 20 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

Late June 2000
The fifteen member nations of the EU agree to give the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, the authority to negotiate additional funding for KEDO with the other executive board member nations.
--Kyodo News Service, 24 July 2000, in 'EU to Discuss North Korean Reactor Funding with USA, Japan, South Korea," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 24 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

23 June 2000
US Secretary of State Madeline Albright meets with South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and Foreign Minister Lee Chong Bin in Seoul. Albright reaffirms the South Korean leaders that US troops will remain in South Korea indefinitely in order to maintain stability in East Asia.
--Barry Schweid, 'Albright Assures South Korea That U.S. Troops Will Stay," Associated Press, 23 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Jane Perlez, 'Albright Says U.S. Pullout Isn’t Planned in South Korea," New York Times, 24 June 2000, p. A4, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 June 2000
KEDO holds an executive board meeting in New York. At the meeting, Charles Kartman, US special envoy for Korean affairs, remarks that due to current high crude oil prices, it would be difficult to provide fuel oil to North Korea by 22 October 2000, as provided by the Agreed Framework. Kartman says the United States will call for financial contributions from the international community to cover the cost of fuel oil for North Korea. In addition, KEDO sources report that financial compensation demanded by North Korea for the delay of the LWRs was not discussed in the board meeting since it is unacceptable.
--'U.S. Says Difficult to Fulfill Fuel Oil Pledge to N. Korea," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 27 June 2000; 'Mi ‘Taebuk Chungyugongkup Kakkun Kyakch’ul’," Hankook Ilbo, 28 June 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

29 June 2000
US President Bill Clinton certifies to Congress that North Korea appears to be living up to its commitment under the Agreed Framework to freeze its nuclear weapons program. The presidential certification, required by Congress, authorized the release of $20 million to be used for heavy fuel oil deliveries to North Korea.
--'Chronicle of Major Events in South and North Korea (June-July 2000)," Korea and World Affairs, Vol. 24, No. 3, Fall 2000, Research Center for Peace and Unification of Korea, P. 514; 'U.S. Releases 20 Million Dollars for DPRK Oil," Xinhua News Agency, 30 June 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

1 July 2000
The North Korean Foreign Ministry announces that if the United States does not compensate North Korea for the losses incurred due to delays constructing two light water reactors, North Korea will have no choice but to revert to producing electricity using its graphite moderated reactors.
--'Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Compensation for Loss of Electricity," Korean Central News Agency, 1 July 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Chollyoksonshilbosangmunjehae’gyoltoeji Anh’nunda’myon Hug’yon’gamsong’no’shig’uro/Oemusongdaebyon’in," Korean Central News Agency, 1 July 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

3-4 July 2000
KEDO and North Korea hold talks but fail to make progress on quality assurances and warrant protocol for the construction of light water reactors. According to a KEDO source close to the talks, 'since the negotiations are related to technical matters, the breakdown is not due to KEDO's delay of construction of the light water reactors."
--Yonhap News Agency, 5 July 2000, in 'DPRK, KEDO Fail to Agree on Quality Protocol for Nuclear Reactor," FBIS Document ID KPP20000705000059; 'KEDO Delegation Here," Korean Central News Agency, 1 July 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'KEDO Tae’p’yodan Toch’ak," Korean Central News Agency, 1 July 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

11 July 2000
A Korean Central News Agency commentary says that if the United States fails to compensate North Korea for the loss of electricity incurred from delays in implementing the Agreed Framework, North Korea 'will be left with no option but to restart its independent nuclear power industry."
--'Chollyoksonshilbosangmunje’nun Pandushi Hae’gyoltoeyoya Handa/Chosonjung’angt’ongshin Ronp’yong," Korean Central News Agency, 11 July 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Compensation for Loss of Electricity," Korean Central News Agency, 12 July 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

19 July 2000
Charles Kartman, US special envoy for Korean affairs, and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Kwan meet in Berlin to discuss various bilateral issues. While the talks were originally scheduled to deal with North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues, Kartman and Kim use the meeting to prepare for the upcoming meeting between US Secretary of State Madeline Albright and North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun.
--Kim Ji Ho, 'Senior U.S., N.K. Officials to Meet to Prepare Foreign Ministers’ Talks," Korea Herald, 17 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Puk-Mi, Yangguk Kwanggyegaeson Pang’an Nonui," Segye Ilbo, 20 July 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

18 July 2000
An anonymous EU source says that the EU plans to provide at least €75 million over the next five years to KEDO to help finance the light water reactor project. According to the source, the EU will soon meet with the other KEDO executive board member nations to discuss the issue of additional funding.
--'EU to Provide $70 Mil. For N. Korea Nuke Project," Japan Economic Newswire, 18 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

28 July 2000
US Secretary of State Madeline Albright meets with her North Korean counterpart Paek Nam Sun in a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting in Bangkok. Albright and Paek address a variety of bilateral issues including North Korea’s suspected efforts to produce nuclear weapons. Albright says her meeting with Paek, 'constitutes a substantively modest but symbolically historic step away from the sterility and hostility of the past and toward a more direct and promising approach to resolving differences and establishing common ground." The meeting between Albright and Paek represents the highest level talks between the United States and North Korea since the Korean War.
--John Hail, 'Albright Hails ‘Historic Step’ Away from Hostility with North Korea," United Press International, 28 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Albright and North Korean FM in Historic Bilateral Meeting," Channel NewsAsia (Singapore), 28 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'ASEAN Regional Forum: Pyongyang and US Break The Ice: Paek and Albright in Historic Handshake," Bangkok Post, 29 July 2000, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Nam-Puk-Mi, Haek-Missile Tung Kwangyegaeson Chinjon Uigyon Habui," Segye Ilbo, 29 July 2000, p. 3, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

29 July 2000
Representatives from the EU and KEDO meet in Seoul prior to the KEDO executive board meeting to discuss additional contributions by the EU to the international consortium.
--'KEDO to Hold Executive Council Meeting in Seoul Monday," Korea Times, 28 July 2000, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

30-31 July 2000
North and South Korea hold ministerial-level talks in Seoul. At the talks, the two sides agree to reopen the South-North liaison office in the truce village of Panmunjom by 14 August 2000. They also agree to hold a new round of talks from 29-30 August.
--Phil Chetwynd, 'Inter-Korean Talks Open After Historic Week for Pyongyang," Agence France Presse, 30 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Phil Chetwynd, 'Two Koreas Agree Liason Offices and New Peace Talks in Pyongyang," Agence France Presse, 31 July 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; '‘Nambukyolgi’ Hanbando 8 Wol Talgunda," Kukmin Ilbo, 2 August 2000, p. 5, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

31 July 2000
KEDO holds an executive board meeting in Seoul. At the meeting, the EU reportedly asks for one of the deputy executive director positions in exchange for a larger contribution to the consortium. [Note: The United States currently holds the executive director’s seat, while Japan and South Korea, the other two founding members of KEDO, hold the deputy executive director seats.]
--Shogo Kawakita, 'EU Seeks Executive-Level Post on KEDO Board," Japan Economic Newswire, 7 August 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

August 2000
According to the Joongang Ilbo, US intelligence later believes that North Korea completes the final high-explosives tests for a uranium bomb.
--Lee Yong Chong, 'Miguk, ‘Puk Haekp’okt’an 2 Kaebun Nongch’uk Uranium 30kg Poyu’ Han’gug’e T’ongbo," Joongang Ilbo, 25 October 2002, nk.joins.com.

6 August 2000
Bulat Nigmatulin, Russian vice minister for atomic energy, announces that Russia is interested in joining KEDO. Nigmatulin adds that due to the inability of KEDO to gain sufficient funding for the timely construction of the two light water reactors, Russia is proposing that KEDO instead use two, less expensive Russian model reactors.
--'Russia Wants to Take Part in KEDO Project: Official," Japan Economic Newswire, 6 August 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Russia May Join KEDO," Nuclear Review, September 2000, no. 385, p. 12.

9 August 2000
Chen Kuo Yuan, deputy chief head of Commission of National Cooperation in Taiwan’s Economics Ministry, announces that Taiwan has given permission to the Taiwan Power Company to renew a 1997 contract with North Korea by which it would ship up to 200,000 barrels of low grade radioactive material to North Korea for storage. [Note: Taiwan backed out of the original agreement in 1998 citing North Korea’s lack of proper facilities to dispose of the waste.]
--'Taiwan to Renew Nuclear Waste Disposal Pact with N. Korea," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 9 August 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Taiwan to Extend Nuclear Waste Deal with N. Korea," Japan Economic Newswire, 10 August 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

14 August 2000
North and South Korea reopen the inter-Korean liason office in truce village of Panmunjom. The liaison office, the only direct channel of communication between the two Koreas, had been closed since 1996.
--'Korean Reconciliation Moves Closer with Joint Liaison Office," Agence France Presse, 14 August 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Nambuk Yollaksamuso 14 Il Kaeso," Segye Ilbo, 15 August 2000, p. 4, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

29 August-2 September 2000
Desaix Anderson, executive director of KEDO, travels to North Korea accompanied by his two deputies, Cho Kyu Yong of South Korea and Masaaki Uno of Japan. While in North Korea, the KEDO delegation travels to Shinp’o to inspect the progress of the light water reactor construction.
--Yonhap News Agency, 30 August 2000, in 'KEDO Chief Arrives to Inspect Reactor Site," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 1 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'KEDO Chief Visits N.K. to Inspect Reactor Building Site," Korea Herald, 1 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

September 2000
According to Yonhap News Agency, 80 percent of land-leveling work for the light water reactor project under the Agreed Framework has been completed in Kumho-chigu, Shinp’o. The news agency later says that the construction work might face snags due to management of a crisis facing the subcontractors, and also due to financing problems.
--Yonhap News Agency, 31 October 2000, in 'ROK’s Yonhap: Dong-Ah, Hyundai Likely to Negatively Affect Nuclear Reactor Plan," FBIS Document ID KPP20001031000052; Lee Pyong Son, 'Pukkyongsuroe Ilso ‘Haekshimgisul’ Ch’amyo," Munhwa Ilbo, 4 September 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

8 September 2000
Terusuke Terada, Japan’s ambassador to KEDO, warns that the light water reactor project will continue to experience delays until North Korea allows the IAEA full access to its frozen graphite moderate nuclear facilities. Terada adds that Japan will not normalize relations with North Korea until it resolves suspicions about its nuclear program.
--Shin Yong Bae, 'Japanese Demand Inspection of North Korean Reactors," Korea Herald, 9 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

11 September 2000
IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, addressing the IAEA Board of Governors, says, 'The Agency is still unable to verify that the DPRK has declared all nuclear material which should be subject to safeguards." 'We want access to all sites," ElBaradei states, 'and at the moment we are just being given documents." ElBaradei stresses that North Korea must come into full compliance with its safeguards agreement before any key nuclear components for the KEDO light water reactors will be delivered.
--'IAEA Says North Korea Not Allowing Nuclear Access," Agence France Presse, 11 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

12 September 2000
The US Defense Department issues a report to Congress stating, 'While North Korea denies possession of nuclear weapons and has frozen its nuclear program at Yongbyon, we remain concerned the North could revive a weapons production program."
--US Secretary of Defense, '2000 Report to Congress: Military Situation on the Korean Peninsula," 12 September 2000, www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2000/korea09122000.html.

13 September 2000
Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono meets with Chris Patten, EU external affairs commissioner, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session to convey Japan’s disappointment that the EU decided not to increase financial contributions to KEDO.
--Kohei Murayama, 'Kono Displeased with EU over N. Korea Nuke Project," Japan Economic Newswire, 13 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Japan Calls for More EU Contributions to KEDO," Jiji Press Ticker Service, 14 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

22 September 2000
At the IAEA’s 44th General Conference in Vienna, the IAEA passes a resolution calling on North Korea to 'come into full compliance with it safeguards agreement with the IAEA, to cooperate fully and promptly with the Agency in the implementation of the safeguards agreement and to take all steps the Agency may deem necessary to preserve all information relevant to verifying the accuracy and completeness of the DPRK’s initial report on the inventory of nuclear material subject to safeguards."
--Agence France Presse, 22 September 2000, in 'IAEA Urges N Korea to Comply with Safeguards Accord," FBIS Document ID EUP20000922000174, 22 September 2000; 'IAEA Concerned Over NK Nuke Program," Korea Times, 25 September 2000, www.hankooki.com/times.htm; 'IAEA Concerned Over NK Nuke Program," Korea Times, 25 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

23 September 2000
Pyongyang Radio carries a report threatening that North Korea will restart its graphite moderated nuclear program unless the United States promptly fulfills its obligations under the Agreed Framework.
--Central Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang), 23 September 2000, in 'Pyongyang Threatens End to Nuclear Freeze over Reactor Project Delays," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 26 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 September 2000
KEDO holds its fifth annual meting in New York. At the meeting, Charles Kartman, US representative to KEDO, asks the other member states to assist the United States in financing the annual heavy fuel oil deliveries to North Korea. At the executive board meeting held a day before the general meeting, Chang Son Sop, head of South Korea’s Office of Planning for the Light-Water Reactor Project, is named the new director general.
--'KEDO Opens 5th Annual Meeting in New York," Japan Economic Newswire, 26 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Chang Elected KEDO Chief," Korea Herald," 27 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Chang Named 1st Korean KEDO Chief," Korea Times, 27 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'U.S. Requests Funds for N. Korean Oil at KEDO Meeting," Japan Economic Newswire, 27 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 September-2 October 2000
Charles Kartman, US special envoy for Korean affairs, and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Kwan meet in New York to discuss various bilateral issues including North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs and North Korea’s alleged support for terrorism. Following the talks, both Kartman and Kim report progress on a number of issues.
--'U.S., North Korea Hold Talks on Missiles, Terrorism," Japan Economic Newswire, 27 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'U.S., N. Korea Say Progress Made in Talks in N.Y.," Japan Economic Newswire, 3 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'US, North Korea Wrap Up New York Talks as Landmark Visit Nears," Agence France Presse, 3 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

28 September 2000
The Korean Central News Agency criticizes the IAEA resolution on North Korea that was passed on 22 September. The news agency calls the resolution 'a grave challenge to the sovereignty of the DPRK and a very unreasonable action which endangers the Agreed Framework."
--'Unreasonable Resolution of IAEA," Korean Central News Agency, 28 September 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Kukchewonjaryokkigu’gyolui Pinan/Chosonjungangt’ongshin," Korean Central News Agency, 28 September 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; Agence France Presse, 'North Korea Accuses US of Using IAEA to Inflate Nuclear Threat," 29 September 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

October 2000
The US State Department begins 'seriously looking at what provisions might be necessary to include in a formal nuclear cooperation agreement between the United States and North Korea."
--Michael Knapik, 'New Part 810 Authorization needed for North Korean LWRs," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 21, No. 45, 9 November 2000.

October 2000
South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials acknowledge that the US government has been proposing the provision of fossil fuel plants instead of one or both of the LWRs to be built under the Agreed Framework. The officials also say that the US government has considered alleviating North Korea’s energy problems by supplying electricity from South Korea’s Korea Electric Power Company, but thus far this option has been politically unacceptable to Pyongyang.
--Mark Hibbs, 'U.S., ROK Also Proposed Fix to Send Power North to DPRK," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 41, No. 43, 26 October 2000.

9-12 October 2000
Cho Myong Rok, first vice chairman of North Korea’s National Defense Commission, travels to the United States to meet with various high ranking officials. Cho, considered third in North Korea’s hierarchy of power, is the highest ranking North Korean ever to visit the United States. On 9 October, Cho meets with President Bill Clinton to discuss various global and bilateral issues including North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. During the meeting, Cho reportedly delivers a letter to Clinton from Kim Jong Il putting forth a series of proposals by which the two countries can further ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. While in Washington, Cho also meets with Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Defense Secretary William Cohen. Following Cho’s historic trip, the United States and North Korea issue a joint statement noting the benefits of normalized relations and stating the intention to arrange a formal peace treaty to replace the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.
--'North Korean Envoy Holds Landmark Meeting with Clinton," Japan Economic Newswire, 10 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; David E. Sanger, 'North Korean at White House," New York Times, 11 October 2000, p. A3, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'U.S., N. Korea to Issue Joint Communique Thursday," Japan Economic Newswire, 11 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Charles Lee, 'N. Korea, US Agree to End the State of War," United Press International, 12 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

20 October 2000
Desaix Anderson, executive director of KEDO, and Kim Hui Mun of North Korea, sign a protocol in Pyongyang on training 529 North Korean workers for the LWR project under the Agreed Framework. According to a South Korean government official, the training site is undecided and is likely to be finalized in April 2001.
--Joongang Ilbo, 27 October 2000, in 'DPRK LWR Workers May Train in ROK," FBIS Document ID KPP20001027000095; Kim Yong Shik, 'KEDO-Puk, Kyongsuroyowon Unyonggyoyuk Hullyonuijongso Somyong," Donga Ilbo, 21 October 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

23-24 October 2000
US Secretary of State Madeline Albright travels to North Korea and meets with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il. Albright is the highest ranking US official ever to visit North Korea and the first US official to meet with Kim Jong Il. Albright presents Kim with a letter from President Bill Clinton addressing various bilateral issues. Following her visit to North Korea, Albright informs the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea that her talks with Kim focused on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
--Matthew Lee, 'Albright Meets Kim Jong-Il on Historic Trip, Presents Clinton Letter," Agence France Presse, 23 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Associated Press, 'U.S. Ends Historic Talks with North Korean Leader," Leader-Post (Regina), 25 October 2000, p. E8, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Albright: Transparency of North Korean Nuclear Programme a Must," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 25 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; George Gedda, 'Albright Says Pyongyang Must Disclose Nuclear Program," Associated Press, 25 October 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

Early November 2000
The South Korean National Assembly holds hearings on the KEDO light water reactor project amid concerns about the project’s obstacles. The main problems appear to be a strike by North Korean workers at the site, potential financial shortfalls, the North Korean power grid, and the refusal of General Electric to provide technology for the reactor turbines. Many South Koreans are also concerned that the South Korean government may have to assume loan guarantees for the project.
--Lee Yong Chong, 'Taebuk Kyongsurosaop ‘Kiu’ddung’," Joongang Ilbo, 10 November 2000, p. 9, www.joins.com; Yi Yong-chong, Joongang Ilbo, in 'Problems Involved in DPRK LWR Project Noted," FBIS Document ID KPP20001110000030.

Early November 2000
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the IAEA, says that North Korea’s compliance with the IAEA safeguards would help to further facilitate its rapprochement with South Korea. He makes these remarks at the 12th meeting of the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference (PBNC), which is held in Seoul from 29 October to 2 November 2000. Welcoming the recent diplomatic normalization talks between North Korea and the United States, ElBaradei says he hopes that the US-North Korea discussions will amicably resolve the issues related to North Korea’s nuclear and missile program. Later, while speaking to the UN General Assembly on 6 November 2000, ElBaradei says that nuclear inspectors would like to start work immediately to verify and assess North Korean claims made in September 2000 that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. ElBaradei adds that since verification may take two to three years, work should begin immediately so that the light water nuclear (LWR) project under the Agreed Framework may proceed as scheduled.
--Kil Byung Ok, 'IAEA Official Says N.K. Compliance With Nuclear Safeguards Will Foster Rapprochement," Korea Herald, 3 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kil Byung Ok, 'IAEA Official Says N.K. Compliance with Nuclear Safeguards Will Foster Rapprochement," Korea Herald, 3 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Edith M. Lederer, 'Nuclear Agency Hopeful for Access to N Korea Program," Associated Press, 6 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

8 November 2000
Glyn Ford, a member of the European Union Parliament and the British Labor Party, says the light water reactors to be built under the Agreed Framework are unlikely to be completed before 2010. Ford visited North Korea from 31 October to 4 November, and met with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Supreme People’s Assembly, and with Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun. Ford says, 'If you are going to have a seven-year delay, it would lead to a doubling of the cost."
--Shogo Kawakita, 'KEDO Project to Be Delayed Beyond 2010, Says EU Lawmaker," Japan Economic Newswire, 9 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

14-15 November 2000
Australian Foreign Minster Alexander Downer meets with North Korean Foreign Minster Paek Nam Sun in Pyongyang. During the talks, Downer indicates that Australia would be willing to provide training and technical assistance on nuclear safeguards to North Korea.
--'Australia Wants to Train North Korea in Nuclear Safety," Agence France Presse, 17 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Downer to Meet N. Korean Leaders," The Age (Melbourne), 15 November 2000, p. 14, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'Australian Foreign Minister Arrives," Korean Central News Agency, 14 November 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Paek Nam Sun Oemusang’i Australia Oemusang’ilhaeng’ul Mannatta," Korean Central News Agency, 14 November 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Talks Held between Foreign Ministers of DPRK and Australia," Korean Central News Agency, 14 November 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Choson Oemusanggwa Australia Oemusang’iui Hoedam," Korean Central News Agency, 14 November 2000, www.kcna.co.jp.

19 November 2000
A South Korea government official announces that the EU has pledged €150 million ($130 million) over the coming five years for the KEDO light water reactor project. The official says that an EU delegation visiting Pyongyang from 25-28 November 2000 is likely to inform North Korean officials of the increase in the EU’s annual contribution to KEDO from €15 million to €30 million for the next five years.
--Yonhap News Agency, 19 November 2000, in 'EU to Provide 130M Dollars for Two Light Water Reactors," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 20 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'EU ‘5 Nyongan KEDO 1500 Ok Chiwon’," Kukmin Ilbo, 20 September 2000, p. 2, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

26 November 2000
The Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the Korean Workers Party, condemns the United States for delaying the KEDO light water reactor project. According to the paper, the United States is purposefully delaying the project in an attempt to 'weaken (North Korea’s) economic and military potentials and watch for a chance to stifle (North Korea) by force of arms." The paper adds that if the delays continue, North Korea will have to take a 'corresponding measure."
--'U.S. Urged to Fulfil [sic] Its Commitments in Good Faith," Korean Central News Agency, 26 November 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'Shin’i Ittkye Uimu’rul Rihaenghaeya Handa / Rodongshinmun," Korean Central News Agency, 26 November 2000, www.kcna.co.jp; 'North Korea Denounces U.S. for Delay in Building Nuclear Power Plants," Associated Press, 26 November 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

30 November 2000
Nucleonics Week reports that General Electric (GE) might refuse to provide the turbines for the LWRs to be built in North Korea under the Agreed Framework. If GE pulls out of the project, the entire balance of plant (BOP) will have to be redesigned, and the extra work will cost several million dollars according to some analysts. The Agreed Framework requires North Korea to obtain liability insurance, but Pyongyang is not yet a member of the Vienna International Nuclear Liability Convention, and there is still no insurance for the LWR project. GE is concerned about liability in North Korea because of the weak power grid.
--Mark Hibbs, 'GE Walkaway from KEDO Would Threaten Costly BOP Redesign," Nucleonics Week, 30 November 2000, pp. 16-18.

4 December 2000
Nine senior experts from KEDO meet with a three-man delegation from North Korea’s Department of Nuclear Safety in the State Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the first time. The North Korean delegation is led by Kim Yong Il, director of the department. The meeting is held to introduce KEDO to North Korea’s nuclear regulatory environment. KEDO will have to submit plans for the light water reactors to the regulatory agency to receive a construction permit. KEDO invites the North Koreans to another round of talks in April 2001.
--'North Koreans Invited to Attend More Nuclear Safety Talks in New York," Agence France Presse, 7 December 2000.

6 December 2000
During an ambassador-level KEDO executive board meeting in Tokyo, the United States, Japan, and South Korea ask the EU to increase its contribution to the light water reactor project. The EU’s current share is 75 million Euros ($68 million) over five years through 2000. At the meeting, the executive board members also discuss several pending issues, such as the increasing price of heavy fuel oil and contracting a firm to supply materials and equipment for the reactors. According to a Japanese Foreign Ministry statement released on 7 December, the executive board decided that Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. will most likely receive contracts to provide the turbines for the reactors following General Electric Co.’s decision to back out of the KEDO project.
--Sarah Suk, 'Japan, S. Korea, U.S. Urge EU to Increase KEDO Budget," Japanese Economic Newswire, 6 December 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Hiroshi Hiyama, 'North Korean Nuclear Reactor Contract may Go to Hitachi, Toshiba," Agence France Presse, 7 December 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

7 December 2000
Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the IAEA, announces at an IAEA board meeting that North Korea is not cooperating with the Agency on inspecting its nuclear facilities and material. However, ElBaradei adds, the Agency will soon reach an agreement with KEDO on safety inspections of the light water reactors currently under construction in North Korea.
--'IAEA to Ink Accord with KEDO on N. Korea Nuclear Checks," Japan Economic Newswire, 7 December 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

11 December 2000
Uzbekistan becomes a member of KEDO.
--KEDO 2001 Annual Report, p. 10, Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, www.kedo.org/pdfs/KEDO_AR_2002.pdf; 'About Us: Member Nations," Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, www.kedo.org/au_members.asp.

18 December 2000
Nucleonics Week, quoting Republican Party sources, reports that the new US administration headed by the President-elect George W. Bush is expected to reconsider the 1994 US-North Korea Agreed Framework. Republican Party sources state that several key administration figures question the efficacy of the Agreed Framework. Included in this group are Secretary of State-designate Colin Powell; National Security Advisor-designate Condoleeza Rice; former ambassador to China James Lilley, who is likely director-designate of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); and Paul Wolfowitz, who may be appointed head of CIA or the Department of Defense. The official sources said that Wolfowitz and Rice are highly critical of providing two nuclear energy power projects to North Korea under the 1994 agreement. They would prefer to 'get into a transition to provide non-nuclear energy sources," which would require renegotiation of the deal with North Korea. At the same time, the sources said that Powell, Wolfowitz and Rice would take action solely regarding US policy towards Agreed Framework and Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). They would not attempt to force South Korea to abandon its Sunshine Policy of developing a relationship with North Korea.
--Mark Hibbs, 'Key Figures in Bush Transition Favor Stopping DPRK Reactor Deal," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 41, No. 51, 21 December 2000, pp.1-2.

16 December 2000
Percy Westerlund, a senior official in charge of Korean affairs at the European Commission, reportedly meets with Desaix Anderson, KEDO executive director, in New York and informs him that the EU will increase its donations to KEDO to €100 million ($90 million) over the next five years.
--Shogo Kawakita, 'EU Offers $90 Mil. For KEDO Project over Next 5 Years," Japan Economic Newswire, 19 December 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com.

22 December 2000
KEPCO signs a contract with Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Donga Construction, Daewoo Corp. and Korea Heavy Industries for the secondary stages of construction of the two KEDO light water reactors. The four firms are contracted to complete construction of the reactors, turbines, generators and other related facilities January 2009.
--Yonhap News Agency, 22 December 2000, in 'South Korean Corporation, Building Consortium Sign Contract on North Reactors," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 22 December 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; 'KEPCO Signs Contract with 4 Local Builders on N.K. Reactor," Korea Herald, 25 December 2000, in Lexis-Nexis, web.lexis-nexis.com; Kim In Hyon, 'Puk Kyongsuro Chusolbigonsa Kyeyak," Hankyoreh Shinmun, 24 December 2000, p. 4, in KINDS, www.kinds.co.kr.

22 December 2000
Japan and China agree to work together to have North Korea sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Chinese arms control experts agree to a proposal from their Japanese counterparts for considering ways to persuade North Korea to sign the CTBT.
--Jiji Press (Tokyo), 22 December 2000, in 'Japan, China Agree to Urge DPRK to Sign Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," FBIS Document ID JPP20001222000080. KEDO delivers 559,613 metric tons of heavy fuel oil to North Korea: KEDO 2001 Annual Report, p. 10, Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, www.kedo.org/pdfs/KEDO_AR_2002.pdf.

	Updated May 2006