U.S. - North Korea

The U.S. Navy is tracking the North Korean cargo ship Kang Nam (shown here in a 2006 photo), which may be carrying illicit weapons.   President Obama Says U.S. Prepared for Any North Korean Threat By Merle David Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer June 22, 2009 Washington — The United States is prepared if North Korea launches a long-range ballistic missile in the direction of Hawaii near the July 4 weekend, President Obama says...more  June 18 - Defense Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen Press Conference

The U.N. Security Council votes June 12 to impose additional sanctions on North Korea.   United Nations Imposes Sanctions on North Korea By Merle David Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer June 12, 2009 Washington – The U.N. Security Council unanimously voted June 12 to impose additional security and economic sanctions and a trade and arms embargo on North Korea for testing a nuclear device May 25 and also for testing a long-range ballistic missile in April...more June 12 - North Korea Sanctions: Resolution 1718 Versus Resolution 1874 June 12 - Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice June 12 - Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs on Security Council Resolution 1874 on North Korea, June 12, 2009 June 12 - United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 (PDF version)

Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy, U.S. Department of State   North Korea: Back at the Brink? Stephen W. Bosworth Special Representative for North Korea Policy Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Washington, DC June 11, 2009 North Korea’s April 5 test of a Taepodong-2 missile and its May 25 nuclear test were serious and unacceptable threats to international peace and security that violated existing Security Council Resolutions and raised questions about North Korea’s intentions to honor its commitments to achieve complete and verifiable denuclearization...more

Defense Secretary Gates, right, meets with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee at the Shangri-La Dialogue May 30 in Singapore.   U.S. Will Not Accept North Korea as Nuclear Weapons State By Merle David Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer June 1, 2009 Washington — The United States will not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told an annual Asian security conference in Singapore...more

Secretary Clinton   Secretary Clinton Says North Korea’s Actions Will Bring Consequences By Merle David Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer May 27, 2009 Washington — The United States is working with the international community at the United Nations and in national capitals across the globe to determine the consequences that North Korea will face based on its latest behavior, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said...more

South Koreans in Seoul denounce North Korea’s nuclear test on May 25.   President Obama Calls North Korea’s Nuclear Test Reckless By Merle David Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer May 26, 2009 Washington — North Korea’s recent underground nuclear test and short-range missile launches pose “a great threat to the peace and security of the world, and I strongly condemn their reckless action,” President Obama said at the White House...more

President Barack Obama makes a statement about North Korea in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON NORTH KOREA THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rose Garden May 25, 2009 THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everybody.  We are on our way to Arlington to remember the fallen and those who have served America with extraordinary valor. But before I go there I wanted to say a few words about North Korea's announcement that it has conducted a nuclear test, as well as its decision to attempt a short-range missile launch...more

STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT REGARDING NORTH KOREA THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2009 Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law.  It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch.  These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations.  North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security...more

Amb. Stephen Bosworth's Press Conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Seoul, South Korea.    Press Conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Stephen W. Bosworth Special Representative for North Korea Policy Seoul, South Korea May 8, 2009 AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH: We just had a very useful exchange with the Foreign Minister. We assessed where we now stand with regards to negotiations with North Korea and the Six-Party process, and I find that our views are very, very similar. We also talked a bit about possible steps forward...more

South Koreans protest a missile launch by North Korea.   U.S. Delegation Seeks to Resume North Korea Talks By Merle David Kellerhals, Jr. Staff Writer May 6, 2009 Washington — A U.S. delegation is traveling to Northeast Asia and Moscow to determine if North Korea can be convinced to resume Six-Party Talks, says a State Department spokesman...more

Ambassador Susan Rice   Statement by the President of the Security Council April 13, 2009 Direct link to UN Security Council: http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/ At the 6106th meeting of the Security Council, held on 13 April 2009, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:...more

Statement by Robert Gibbs on the United Nations’ Condemnation of North Korea Launch THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release                              April 13, 2009 The President welcomes today's clear and united message by the United Nations Security Council condemning North Korea's recent launch of a Taepo-dong 2 Missile, confirming that it violates international law and would result in real consequences for North Korea.  The international community is united in demanding that North Korea abandon its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, and that it refrain from further provocations...more

Secretary Clinton's remarks with Secretary of Defense Gates, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, and Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.   Remarks With Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, and Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC April 9, 2009 SECRETARY CLINTON: Before I get started and talk about the important and substantive meeting we had today, I want to say a word about the situation involving the Maersk ship. Secretary Gates and I are fully engaged in this matter. We consider it a very serious matter. These people are nothing more than criminals. And we are bringing to bear a number of our assets, including naval and FBI work in order to resolve the hostage situation and bring the pirates to justice. Piracy may be a centuries-old crime, but we are working to bring an appropriate 21st century response...more

President Barack Obama   REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Hradcany Square Prague, Czech Republic April 5, 2009 10:21 A.M. (Local) PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much. Thank you for this wonderful welcome. Thank you to the people of Prague. Thank you to the people of the Czech Republic. (Applause.) Today, I'm proud to stand here with you in the middle of this great city, in the center of Europe. (Applause.) And, to paraphrase one of my predecessors, I am also proud to be the man who brought Michelle Obama to Prague...more

April 5 - Statement by President Obama from Prague, Czech Republic April 5 - President Obama Condemns North Korea’s Missile Launch

Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy, U.S. Department of State, Briefing at the Washington Foreign Press Center on "U.S. Policy Regarding North Korea."    FPC Briefing with Ambassador Bosworth on "U.S. Policy Regarding North Korea" Ambassador Stephen W. Bosworth Special Representative for North Korea Policy, U.S. Department of State Foreign Press Center Washington, DC April 3, 2009 MODERATOR:  Okay.  Welcome to the Washington Foreign Press Center.  We are very honored to have with us our Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Stephen Bosworth...more

Stephen W. Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy Remarks by Stephen W. Bosworth Special Representative for North Korea Policy Morning Walkthough, Incheon Airport Seoul, Korea March 10, 2009 AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH:  Well, I’ve learned a lot.  But I’ve particularly been impressed by the opportunities for close cooperation with the Government of Korea, and I’ve had very good meetings here.  I think we have broad areas of agreement on how to move forward in the Six-Party process and with the North Koreans...more

Stephen W. Bosworth, the U.S. special envoy on North Korea, left, shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Wi Sung-lac during their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, Pool) Remarks by Stephen W. Bosworth Special Representative for North Korea Policy Afternoon Walkthrough, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Seoul, Korea March 9, 2009 AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH:  Good afternoon.  We have had very useful and very extensive conversations here today, meeting with the President and other senior officials in the government.  This comes as part of our consultation with all of the other members of the Six-Party process.  We were in Beijing.  We were in Tokyo.  And we met here with the Russians on Saturday morning, and then of course today with the ROK.  I’d like to say just a couple of things, and then I’ll take just a couple of questions...more

Stephen W. Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy Remarks by Stephen W. Bosworth Special Representative for North Korea Policy Arrival at Incheon Airport Seoul, Korea March 7, 2009 AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH:  I’m very, very pleased to be back in Seoul.  I’m looking forward to good conversations here.  I will be prepared to say more at the time of my departure.  But I don’t really have any other substantive comment to make now.  [I’m] in the process of introducing myself to our partners in the Six-Party process. Thank you...more

Stephen Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy comments on Six-Party Talks after meeting Chinese envoy.   Evening Walkthrough at the Six-Party Talks Stephen Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy Westin Beijing Chaoyang Hotel Beijing, China March 4, 2009 AMBASSADOR BOSWORTH: Good evening. It’s a pleasure to be here in Beijing. As you know, this is my first stop as I work my way though the region with my colleagues. I go from here tomorrow to Tokyo. And after Tokyo, we’re going to Seoul...more

Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, left, talks to reporters in Beijing after returning from North Korea February 7.   Clinton Sends Envoys to East Asia for North Korea Talks Bosworth will travel to China, South Korea, Japan and Russia By Merle David Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer February 26, 2009 Washington — The new U.S. special representative for North Korea policy will meet with officials in four nations to revive nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea...more

Announcement by Secretary Clinton with Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Stephen Bosworth.   Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Special Representative for North Korea Policy Ambassador Stephen Bosworth February 26, 2009 Treaty Room Washington, D.C. SECRETARY CLINTON:  Good afternoon.  I am very pleased to be here today with Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, our Special Representative for North Korea Policy.  He will be our senior official handling North Korea issues, and he will report to President Obama and me...more

Press Conference by the President Office of the Press Secretary January 12, 2009 James S. Brady Press Briefing Room THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Tapper. We have been through a lot together. As I look through the room, I see Jake, Mike, Herman, Ann Compton. Just seemed like yesterday that -- that I was on the campaign trail and you were analyzing my speeches and my policies. And I see a lot of faces that travel with me around the world and -- to places like Afghanistan and Iraq and Africa. I see some new faces, which goes to show there's some turnover in this business...more

Envoys meet in Beijing during the latest round of the Six-Party Talks.   Six-Party Talks Stall as North Korea Refuses to Sign Agreement North Koreans rejected verification plan offered by China By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer December 11, 2008 Washington — The United States and other members of the Six-Party Talks are reassessing the arms control negotiations with North Korea after it refused to verify its past nuclear activities in a written agreement offered by the Chinese, the White House says...more

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant  Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Departure Walkthrough From the Six-Party Talks Excerpt Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Beijing International Airport Beijing, China December 11, 2008 ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  As you know this was... we had some very ambitious plans for this round. Unfortunately we're not able to complete some of the things we wanted to do. We worked very hard on verification but ultimately were not able to get an agreed verification protocol...more

Remarks on Six-Party Talks (December 10) Evening Walkthrough in Beijing (December 9) Evening Walkthrough in Beijing (December 8) Morning Walkthrough in Beijing (December 8) Evening Walkthrough in Beijing (December 7) Remarks Upon Arrival at Incheon Airport (December 6) Evening Walkthrough in Singapore (December 5) Morning Walkthrough in Singapore (December 5) Evening Walkthrough in Singapore (December 4) Remarks on Six-Party Talks (December 4)

Sung Kim Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks (© AP Images) Sung Kim Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks Remarks to Media upon Arrival, Incheon Airport Seoul, Republic of Korea November 24, 2008 AMBASSADOR KIM:  Good afternoon.  I’m here to attend a conference organized by the Korean government and the UN.  It’s taking place in Jeju-do and started today.  I’ll be joining them tomorrow.  I’m looking forward to having a good discussion at the conference and also meeting with Korean foreign ministry officials on the margins of the conference to discuss a range of issues related to the Six-Party Talks...more

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant  Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Remarks by Christopher R. Hill Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Press Stakeout, Marriott Hotel Lima, Peru November 23, 2008 ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL:  On the fuel, the South Koreans are working hard to identify other providers.  We’ve been trying to work to identify other countries.  Some have come forward; we need some more.  What we would like to do as we go to the head of delegation meeting -- which the Chinese are working to announce, and we hope very soon -- we would at this head of delegation...more

U.S. Removes North Korea from State Sponsors of Terrorism List   The cooling tower at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex was destroyed in June.   North Korea agrees to comply with nuclear verification requirements By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer October 14, 2008 Washington — The United States removed North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after the North Korean government agreed to resume dismantling a plutonium processing plant at Yongbyon and to allow international inspectors...more

ON-THE-RECORD BRIEFING: Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks Ambassador Sung Kim, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Sean McCormack, Assistant Secretary of State for Verification, Compliance, and Implementation Paula DeSutter, and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation Patricia McNerney On North Korea      Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Sean McCormack   Special Briefing Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC October 11, 2008 [View Video] MR. MCCORMACK:  Good morning, everybody.  I want to thank you for coming in on a Saturday morning.  I see a few faces that we don’t normally see in the briefing room...more

U.S.-North Korea Understandings on Verification Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 11, 2008 The participants in the Six-Party Talks have for some time been discussing the importance of verification measures that will allow the Parties to reliably verify North Korea’s denuclearization as the process moves forward...more

Existing Sanctions and Reporting Provisions Related to North Korea Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC October 11, 2008 For Proliferation Activities: Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act of 2000: Requires reporting to Congress of certain proliferation-related transfers to or from North Korea and allows for: a procurement ban; an assistance ban; a prohibition against certain arms-related sales under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA); and denial of licenses for export of certain “dual use” items...more

U.S.-DPRK Agreement on Denuclearization Verification Measures Press Statement Sean McCormack Washington, DC October 11, 2008 The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has agreed to a series of verification measures that represents significant cooperation concerning the verification of North Korea’s denuclearization actions. Those understandings are detailed in a separate Fact Sheet...more

Ambassador Hill Going to North Korea for Discussions   Assistant Secretary Hill, second right, Japanese Director-General Saiki, right, and South Korean envoy Kim Sook, left   Hill also will consult with other members of the Six-Party Talks By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer September 29, 2008 Washington — Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is headed to North Korea and other parts of the region for consultations over North Korea’s plans to restart its nuclear weapons development facility at Yongbyon...more

United States Says Talks Will Resume on North Korea     Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill   Six-party process has had difficult moments in the past By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer September 23, 2008 Washington — International efforts to convince the North Koreans to give up their fledgling nuclear weapons development program have hit a rough spot, but there is still time to work this issue, says the chief U.S. negotiator, Ambassador Christopher Hill...more

World Must Stand Against Terrorism, President Bush Says     President Bush delivers his final address to the U.N. General Assembly on September 23.   Democracy and development key to confronting extremism By David McKeeby Staff Writer September 23, 2008 Washington — The international community must redouble efforts against terrorism by supporting emerging democracies, alleviating poverty and continuing progress toward the United Nations Charter’s global vision of peace and security, says President Bush...more

Remarks by President Bush to U.N. General Assembly Bush addresses the 63rd Session of the General Assembly in New York THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary (New York, New York) September 23, 2008 THE PRESIDENT:  Mr. Secretary General, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen:  I'm pleased to be here to address the General Assembly. Sixty-three years ago, representatives from around the world gathered in San Francisco to complete the founding of the Charter of the United Nations.  They met in the shadow of a devastating war, with grave new dangers on the horizon.  They agreed on a historic pledge:  "to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and unite their strength to maintain international peace and security."...more

Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century Bush highlights the challenges to combat terrorism globally The White House Office of the Press Secretary (New York, New York) September 23, 2008 Meeting The Challenges Of The 21st Century President Bush Speaks To The United Nations General Assembly On Combating Terrorism And The Conditions That Give Rise To It Today, President Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting how the United States has partnered closely with other nations to address global challenges...more

Ambassador-Designate, Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks Sung Y. Kim Statement before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Washington, DC September 10, 2008      Madame Chairman, Senator Murkowski, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.  It is an honor and a privilege to be here as President Bush’s and Secretary Rice’s nominee to serve as Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks and, with your consent, to receive the rank of Ambassador for the duration of my tenure.  Few Asian-Americans have had the opportunity to serve the United States as an Ambassador, and I am deeply moved and grateful to be considered for this privilege.  If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working closely with this distinguished Committee and with other members of Congress to advance U.S. policy with regard to North Korea and the Six-Party process...more

Evening Walkthrough at Six-Party Talks

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs   Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs China World Hotel Beijing, China September 5, 2008 ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: I really don’t have much for you today. I’m planning to meet with Minister Wu Dawei tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. And prior to doing that, we thought this was a good opportunity to get together with our ROK and Japanese counterparts. So we had a meeting of the three of us tonight to kind of review the situation and see where we are. And I think both my Japanese and ROK counterparts will also be seeing Wu Dawei tomorrow. And then we’ll compare notes and see where we are. QUESTION: Why do you think North Korea is doing this right now? What’s the --...more

North Korea Not Rebuilding Yongbyon Nuclear Complex, U.S. Says But North Korea still must give plan to verify halt to its nuclear program

North Korea demolishes the cooling tower at the Yongbyon nuclear facility in June.   By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer September 3, 2008 Washington — The North Koreans appear to be moving some equipment that previously had been stored at its Yongbyon nuclear processing facility, but they do not appear to be rebuilding the plutonium processing plant as North Korean officials had threatened August 26, a State Department spokesman says. "To my knowledge, based on what we know from the reports on the ground, you don't have an effort to reconstruct, reintegrate this equipment back into the Yongbyon facility," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a September 3 Washington briefing.  "It has been taken out of where it was being stored."...more

 

North Korea Must Provide a Verification Plan, U.S. Officials Say

Ambassador Hill addresses media members at the International Atomic Energy Agency in July.

Removal from state sponsors list awaits plan for international inspectors

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer
August 12, 2008

Washington -- North Korea cannot be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism until it submits a plan that would allow international inspectors to verify North Korea's nuclear program has been stopped, a State Department official says.

"It's really up to the North Koreans.  We need that strong verification regime," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said according to news reports...more

U.S. Envoy Says North Korea Must Improve Human Rights Conditions

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill

Assistant Secretary Hill pledges to continue raising concerns

By David I. McKeeby
Staff Writer
August 1, 2008

Washington -- North Korea’s human rights conditions are “abysmal,” says Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, and must be addressed if Pyongyang hopes to realize improved relations with the United States...more

North Korean Six-Party Talks and Implementation Activities

Assistant Secretary  Christopher Hill

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Statement before the Senate Committee on Armed Services
Washington, DC
July 31, 2008

Introduction

Thank you, Chairman Levin, Senator McCain, and distinguished Members for inviting me to update you on the status of our efforts to achieve the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party process. I also want to talk today about our broader vision – as outlined in the September 2005 Joint Statement – of a region where the benefits of human rights protections and economic development go along with progress on denuclearization...more

Burma, North Korea Top Southeast Asian Security Agenda

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Rice travels to Singapore for ASEAN Forum, Six-Party Talks

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
By David I. McKeeby
Staff Writer
July 21, 2008

Washington -- Against a backdrop of growing regional political and economic cooperation, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will discuss the challenges of Burma and North Korea as she meets with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) July 23-24 in Singapore.

“We certainly hope that [ASEAN] will continue to encourage the Burmese to open up and to begin to grapple with their broader political issues because it’s the broader political issues that...more

Afternoon Walk-Through at Six-Party Talks

Assistant Secretary   Christopher Hill

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

China World Hotel
Beijing, China
July 12, 2008

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Hi. I am trying to catch a plane, but I’ll just spend a minute. There will be a press communiqué issued by the Chinese Chair, which I think pretty accurately reflects the range of discussion we had. It will discuss the various elements we talked about, including verification, monitoring, and the North East Asia Peace and Security Mechanism. It also discusses fuel oil and a target time for completing the disablement of the Yongbyon facility. The most important issue is, of course, working out the overall protocol for verification....more

Six-Party Talks Shift to Confirming North Korean Nuclear Claims

Assistant Secretary   Christopher Hill

Envoys meet in Beijing to build on progress toward peace on Korean Peninsula

By David I. McKeeby
Staff Writer
July 9, 2008

Washington -- As envoys to the Six-Party Talks meet in Beijing to build on recent progress in stabilizing the Korean Peninsula, verifying North Korea’s nuclear claims will top the agenda, says Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill...more

Six-Party Talks Setting Stage for New Diplomacy in Northeast Asia

Assistant Secretary   Christopher Hill

America’s envoy offers insider’s view of Korean Peninsula’s path to peace

By David I. McKeeby
Staff Writer
July 2, 2008

Washington -- The diplomatic process behind North Korea’s abandonment of its nuclear arsenal could lead to a new era of peace and stability for the region, says America’s top diplomat for East Asia and the Pacific...more

 

June 26, 2008 - North Korea Nuclear Declaration Step in Right Direction, Says President  Bush

President Bush announces the easing of sanctions on North Korea June 26.

United States lifts sanctions as Six-Party Talks turn to verification

By David McKeeby
Staff Writer

Washington -- President Bush welcomed North Korea’s delivery of information about its past nuclear activities and announced the United States will lift key trade sanctions and remove Pyongyang from its list of state sponsors of terrorism...more

• President Bush Remarks on North Korea
• Congress Welcomes North Korea's Nuclear Declaration

 

 June 26, 2008 - United States to Ease North Korea Political, Economic Sanctions

Spent nuclear fuel rods are stored in a cooling pond at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear reactor facility.

North Korea to be removed from State Sponsors of Terrorism list

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States will remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism within 45 days, as long as it can be verified that North Korean leaders have kept their promises and dismantled their nuclear bomb-making program, says National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley...more   

June 26, 2008 - Diplomacy Is Working on North Korea, Secretary Rice Says

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Wall Street Journal op-ed on Six-Party Talks

The following op-ed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, “Diplomacy is Working on North Korea,” first appeared in the June 26 edition of the Wall Street Journal and is in the public domain. There are no republication restrictions...more             

          

June 26, 2008 - Diplomacy Is Working on North Korea, Secretary Rice Says

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Long-delayed disclosure could move Six-Party Talks forward

By David McKeeby
Staff Writer

Washington -- North Korea may be ready to issue its long-delayed declaration of past nuclear activities, marking a step forward for international efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice...more

Secretary Rice Interview with Wall Street Journal Editorial Board

 

June 23, 2008 - Evening Walk-Through at Six-Party Talks

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
China World Hotel
Beijing, China

[View Video]

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Hi. I really don’t have a lot for you tonight. I met with Wu Dawei this afternoon. We discussed the sequence of events with respect to the Six-Party meeting starting with the submission that the DPRK will make to the Chinese on their...more     

June 19, 2008 - Rice Emphasizes Successes in U.S.-East Asian Relations

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington -- Since the beginning of the Bush administration in 2001, one of the highest goals of U.S. foreign policy has been to deepen the chances for peace and security in Northeast Asia, and the effort seems to be succeeding...more

 May 27, 2008 - Evening Walk-Through Remarks at Six-Party Talks

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant  Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Beijing, China

 

[View Video]

ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL: Hi. Well, good to see you all here. Let me just say this is the first visit back to China since the earthquake, and I just want to say or express, as I have before, but I think as we all continue to feel a great sense of sorrow at the loss of life caused by the earthquake and the sense of solidarity we all have with the Chinese people as they cope with this terrible, terrible tragedy...more

• Morning Walk-Through With Journalists at Six-Party Talks (May 28)

May 16, 2008 - Resumption of U.S. Food Assistance to the North Korean People

USAID FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have reached an understanding on the parameters of a program for the resumption of U.S. food assistance for the North Korean people. International organizations and experts have expressed concern about a severe food shortage in North Korea, and the DPRK has explained to the United States that it faces a major shortfall in food supplies. In response, the United States has pledged significant assistance. The two sides have agreed on terms for a substantial improvement in monitoring and access in order to allow for confirmation of receipt by the intended recipients...more

May 16, 2008 - United States Rushing Aid Flights to China, Burma

Burmese children get in line to receive cups of clean water on the outskirts of Rangoon May 16. (© AP Images)

North Korea also to receive 500,000 metric tons of food aid

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States will provide direct humanitarian relief to China in the wake of a magnitude 7.9 earthquake that struck the region around Sichuan province May 12. In addition, the United States already has provided vital satellite imagery of the region to Chinese authorities to help them locate victims and identify damaged roads and infrastructure...more

May 14, 2008 - North Korean Nuclear Documents a Step Forward, United States Says

U.S. diplomat Sung Kim shows one of over 18,000 pages of new North Korean nuclear documents. (© AP Images)

Materials may mean forward progress for Six-Party Talks

By David McKeeby
Staff Writer
May 14, 2008

Washington -- As translators and analysts review 18,882 pages of newly released North Korean nuclear documents, a top U.S. diplomat says the materials may represent “an important first step” toward a long-delayed declaration of Pyongyang’s nuclear activities...more

May 13, 2008 - Nuclear Weapons States Issue Strong Nonproliferation Signal

DPRK soldier accompanies State’s Korean expert, Sung King, in Panmunjom May 10 with North Korea nuclear documents. (© AP Images)

Serious concerns expressed about proliferation risk from Iran’s program

By Jacquelyn S. Porth
Staff Writer
May 13, 2008

Washington -- Delegates to a two-week conference in Geneva to review the 40-year-old nuclear nonproliferation regime spent considerable time on challenges posed by Iranian and North Korean nuclear endeavors.

At the conclusion of the discussions May 9, the nuclear weapons states attending the 2008 Preparatory Commission meeting to examine the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) issued a statement pointing to the proliferation risks posed by Iran’s nuclear program and calling them “a matter of ongoing serious concern.”...more

May 12, 2008 - North Korea Discloses New Nuclear Details

U.S. envoy Sung Kim, center, leaves North Korea with documents detailing the country's nuclear activities at Yongbyon. (© AP Images)

Documents may help Six-Party Talks get back on track

By David I. McKeeby
Staff Writer
May 12, 2008

Washington -- A top U.S. official has returned from North Korea with new details of Pyongyang’s nuclear activities that will help advance international efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula.

“Our top three priorities are going to be verification, verification, verification,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said as a U.S. delegation returned to Washington with 18,000 pages of newly released documents.  The documents date back to 1986 and outline operations at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, where North Korea produced weapons-grade plutonium that was used in an October 2006 nuclear detonation...more

• Fact Sheet: Update on the Six-Party Talks

April 29, 2008 - Talks to Continue Despite North Korean Proliferation Activities

U.S. envoy Alexander Vershbow says Six-Party Talks will continue despite evidence of North Korean nuclear aid to Syria. (© AP Images) State Department says six-party process “appropriate and best way forward” By Stephen Kaufman Staff Writer April 29, 2008 Washington -- Despite revelations that North Korea was helping Syria to build a nuclear reactor, the Bush administration says the United States remains committed to the Six-Party Talks process it established in 2005 with North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, and Russia to remove nuclear material from the Korean Peninsula...more

April 25, 2008 - Syria Did Not Disclose Building Nuclear Reactor

This photo, released by the CIA April 24, shows the covert Syrian nuclear reactor under construction near al-Kibar. (© AP Images) White House says it was destroyed in 2007 in an Israeli air strike April 25, 2008 By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr. Staff Writer Washington -- Syria did not tell the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) it was building a nuclear reactor in a remote area of eastern Syria with help from North Korean nuclear scientists and engineers, and after it was destroyed in September 2007, made every effort to...more

April 24, 2008 - Statement by the Press Secretary

Office of the Press Secretary April 24, 2008 Today, administration officials have briefed select Congressional committees on an issue of great international concern. Until Sept. 6, 2007, the Syrian regime was building a covert nuclear reactor in its eastern desert capable of producing plutonium...more

April 17, 2008 - U.S. Wants Full Accounting of North Korea's Nuclear Programs

Negotiators and delegates gather for six-nation talks in Beijing on North Korea's nuclear disarmament. (© AP Images) Six-Party Talks have shown progress, Rice says By Merle D. Kellerhals, Jr. Staff Writer April 17, 2008 Washington –- The six-nation nuclear talks with North Korea over its weapons program have shown progress, but there is still reason for caution and skepticism, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice...more

April 17, 2008 - On-the-Record Briefing by Secretary Rice

Secretary Condoleezza Rice Secretary Condoleezza Rice Washington, DC April 17, 2008 SECRETARY RICE: Good morning, everyone. I came by just to take a few of your questions, but I’d like to make a few comments first on several issues. First, the rapid rise in global food prices is an urgent concern. Those who are hit hardest are the poorest people, and, of course, this is a matter of social justice because no one should have to spend all of their daily wages just to buy their daily bread. Rising food prices are a source of social instability, as we are seeing in a number of places around the globe....more

April 2, 2008 - Assistant Secretary Hill Comments on the Six-Party Talks

Christopher R. Hill Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Seoul, South Korea April 2, 2008 In particular we need to know what the plutonium situation is, but also we know that DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) was engaged in procurements of things for uranium enrichment, so we need to know that status. We also need to know what has gone on with any foreign nuclear cooperation...more

March 28, 2008 - North Korea Should Focus on Six-Party Talks

Sean McCormack, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs

Daily Press Briefing
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 28, 2008

Spokesman McCormack (Mar. 28): "North Korea should refrain from any of these kinds of missile launches. ...We would hope that they would direct their energies towards fulfilling their obligations under the Six-Party Talks, and as they are fulfilling their obligations...more

 

Six-Party Talks Await Complete and Correct Declaration from Pyongyang
State's Hill says partial declaration politically unsustainable for participants

The stalemate in Phase 2 of the Six-Party Talks is not a result of problems with sequencing, timing, or formatting issues; the real problem has been getting North Korea to agree to a "complete and correct" declaration of all its nuclear materials, capacity, and knowledge -- without exceptions...more

Moving Forward in 2008: The U.S.-East Asia Relationship

Christopher R. Hill at FPC Christopher R. Hill, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the Foreign Press Center. Pleased to have a group here today to hear from Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill from the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He'll be discussing 2008 as we move forward throughout the year and the U.S.-East Asian relationship. Just a reminder, when we move to the question and answer period, if you would please state your name and your news organization before you ask your question, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you so much and I will turn the podium over to Assistant Secretary Hill..more

Progress Being Made on North Korea Nuclear Issue, Rice Says
Secretary urges full cooperation from North Korea

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura February 27. (© AP Images)

By Merle D. Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington –- The United States believes that considerable progress has been achieved on removing the threat of nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula, and even more can be expected with improved cooperation from the North Korean regime.

The essential ingredient is the political will to end the nuclear threat completely, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"We have made progress on disablement [of the Yongbyon nuclear facilities].  But we do now need the declaration of the North Koreans that would be complete and would, in its accuracy, show us that there is a way forward," Rice says...more

February 26, 2008 - New York Philharmonic Performs in North Korea
Shared musical values evoke warmth, friendship

Washington -- The music was Gershwin, Dvorak and Wagner; the national anthems were North Korean and American; and the theme was shared musical values.  The orchestra combined Korean folk songs with some of the best-known classical music into a mixture of cultural blends that evoked warmth and friendship even among strangers.

When it was over, the New York Philharmonic received a five-minute standing ovation from a cheering audience in the East Pyongyang Grand Theater, in North Korea, according to news reports.  Members of the audience and orchestra alike did not want it to end.more...

February 6, 2008 - State’s Hill’s Remarks at Senate Foreign Relations
Briefs on Six-Party Talks for denuclearization of Korean Peninsula

Thank you, Chairman Biden, Ranking Member Lugar, and distinguished Members for inviting me to discuss with your committee recent developments in our efforts to achieve the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party process.

I have had the opportunity to brief many of you on the Six-Party Talks over the last few months. Since that time, we have made progress on implementation of the October 3, 2007 agreement on “Second Phase Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement,” particularly on the disablement of more...