Page 2 - Pyongyang Declaration News Today

Japan engaged in several informal contacts with North Korea this spring, sources close to the matter say, apparently to seek a breakthrough in a longstanding impasse surrounding the abduction of Japanese nationals in the past.

Japan engaged in several informal contacts with North Korea this spring, sources close to the matter say, apparently to seek a breakthrough in a longstanding impasse surrounding the abduction of Japanese nationals in the past.

The future of a milestone agreement between South Korea and North Korea, signed five years ago to reduce military tensions, is now uncertain following what Seoul considers a series of violations and military provocations by Pyongyang. Signed by the two Koreas on September 19, 2018, the Comprehensive Military Agreement outlined steps to ease military tensions…

Chung In Moon is a professor of political science at Yonsei University and Ambassador for International Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Republic of Korea. Chung In served as Dean of Yonsei's Graduate School of International Studies and as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northeast Asian Cooperation Initiative, a cabinet-level post. He has published over 40 books and 230 articles in edited volumes and such scholarly journals as World Politics, Inte...

Recently, in response to a written inquiry by Voice of America (VOA) asking about the U.S. governments position on resolving the issue of the six South Korean citizens detained in North Korea, the U.S. State Department spokespersons office said, “We continue to ask the DPRK [North Korean] government to release all political prisoners and to investigate the disappearance of Japanese abductees and of the six South Koreans detained in the DPRK.”

Recently, in response to a written inquiry by Voice of America (VOA) asking about the U.S. governments position on resolving the issue of the six South Korean citizens detained in North Korea, the U.S. State Department spokespersons office said, “We continue to ask the DPRK [North Korean] government to release all political prisoners and to investigate the disappearance of Japanese abductees and of the six South Koreans detained in the DPRK.”

According to international intelligence reports, for the last fiveweeks, North Korea has been steadily moving towards a test launchof the Taepodong 2, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)with a range up to 6,000 kilometers - enough to reach Alaska.Satellite intelligence reveals that Pyongyang has loaded boosterrockets onto a launch pad in Musuduan-ri, in the North HamkyongProvince of northeastern North Korea, and moved fuel tanks inpreparation for fueling. This action is in violation of ...

At first glance, amid the pomp and circumstance of the summit extravaganza, the Pyongyang Declaration appears to break new ground in inter-Korean relations. But a closer look leaves one with a sense of déjà vu. Indeed, much of the Declaration has been covered in previous inter-Korean agreements.

North Koreas firing of a ballistic missile, which crossed over Japan on Oct. 4 for the first time in five years, is likely to compel Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to contemplate how to tackle military provocations by Pyongyang.

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