DailyNK’s Top 5 North Korea News 2006

[imText1]This past year North Korea generated a variety of issues gaining interest from the international society. Of these, the nuclear experiment astonished the whole world. Also, at the second phase of the 5th rounds of 6 Party Talks that was reopened after 13 months, North Korea claimed itself to be a nuclear possessing state. While strengthening its nuke experiments and “military first politics,” North Korea placed its efforts on censoring the influx of capitalist ideologies and culture.

On top of all this was massive flooding which caused severe damages to property and the people. Even now, there is rising concern over the adversity of food crisis come spring farming.

Following North Korea’s degenerative measures, fierce criticism surfaced in South Korea around the Sun-shine policy. In December, the 6 Party Talks ended with little result with experts forecasting a greater threat to the Korean Peninsula in 2007 in the case North Korea does not agree to forfeit its nukes.

Following is the “Top 5 North Korea news of 2006” selected by the DailyNK

◆ North Korea, the weight of the missile launch on enforcing the nuclear experiment

On the early morning of U.S. Independence Day (4th) North Korea launches missiles on July 5th towards the East Sea. A total of 6 missiles are launched including the Taepodong 2 and scud missile. Within 3 months of the missile launch, North Korea makes an attack by executing a secret nuclear experiment on the morning of October 90th. At 11.48AM, North Korean authorities officially announce the success of the nuclear experiment.

From the nuclear experiment, North Korea requested the removal of U.S. sanctions only to be trapped with coupling financial sanctions by the U.N. Though the 6 Party Talks were resumed after a recess of 13 months on December 18th, North Korea focused its attention on the issue of Banco Delta Banks financial sanctions, rejecting preliminary measures to surrender its nukes. The end result, it seems that the nuclear experiment was Kim Jong Il’s intentions to unite its system and proclaim itself as a nuclear possessing state.

◆ International community hastening North Korea sanctions

As the U.S. alleges Macao’s Banco Delta Bank as a risky money-laundering bank, all North Korean accounts are frozen and the situation intensifies where all financial transactions by North Korea are rejected. With retraints on foreign financial transactions, North Korea begins to feel the threat on standard transactions. After North Korea’s missile launch, the U.N. passes the U.N. Security Council’s Resolution. Furthermore, China also agrees to participate which raises the ultimate signals to North Korean-Chinese affiliates. Following North Korea’s nuclear experiment, not only does the U.N. Security Council include luxurious goods on its list of embargos but the firm Resolution 1718 is passed.

China tightened inspections at customs and momentarily terminated bank transactions, with North Korean trade normalizing on resumption of the 6 Party Talks. Accordingly, many argue that without China’s proactive participation the sanctions would inevitably have been limited.

◆ December 6 Party Talks reconvene in Beijing

The 6 Party Talks in Beijing reconvene after 1 year. However, the talks end with little effect, only with the U.S. and North Korea expressing their different opinions. At these talks, while the U.S. presents an “official proposal” with fine details regarding the preliminary measures and responsive measures to end North Korea’s nukes, North Korea focuses on resolving the BDA issue and removal of sanctions.

China on the other hand, declares that it is satisfied with the fact the talks ended with the confirmation of each member nation stating their position and promises that the discussions would resume for the third phase of 5th rounds, next year January.

◆ July mass flooding and outbreak of epidemics

On July 15~16th in the districts of Shinyang and Yangduk of Pyongan province, heavy rain pours for 18 hours reaching roughly 448mm of rainfall. In the province of Hwanghae the heart of cereal production, rain fell upon 8 major cities including Shinpyong, Yeonsan, and Goksan. Not only were 6,900 farms submerged and 1,200 farms buried in water, many domestic animals such as cows and goats were swept away by the stream. Due to the flood damages, it was estimated that at most 10,000 people died though international organizations deny this fact.

In addition, an infectious disease scarlet fever spreads throughout North Korea with trains to some areas of North Korea like Yangkang suspended and citizens left in isolation. It was said that the fever originated from North Korea’s northern districts such as Yangkang in Hamkyung but spread south to Kangwon province and even Wonsan.

◆ Rising opinion to abandon the Sun-shine policy

The Sun-shine policy adjudicates bankruptcy wavering from North Korea’s declaration as a nuclear possessing state, resulting from the missile launch and nuclear experiment. The Sun-shine policy began from the notion that North Korea would change if supported with economic aid, however incurs a nuke experiment. Now, various surveys indicate that an increased number of people believe that North Korea’s actions should no longer be tolerated and aided.

The moment the Sun-shine policy was deemed a failure, former president Kim Dae Jung even visits the Honam district of Jeolla-do province in the southwestern party of Korea proclaiming a scandalous notion that “I am not concerned even if the people conduct nuclear experiments as a result of the Sun-shine policy.”