SlashAsia » South Korea

Japan to sign on to International Renewable Energy Agency

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:06:04 +0000

The Japanese government has announced its intentions to follow the US lead and become a member of the new intergovernmental agency IRENA. The body, set up earlier this year to facilitate research and promotion of renewable energy, has 100 states on its board to date. Other regional signatory states include the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia and now Japan. The first IRENA meeting will convene next week in Egypt. Japan’s Yomuiri has reported the Foreign Minister saying the body could be key to promoting renewable energy around the globe.

Japan to join international renewable energy body, The Daily Yomuiri

Cambodia becomes 94th member of International Renewable Energy Agency, Xinhua News

NKorea increasingly belligerant, UN members increasingly intolerant

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:03:56 +0000

As North Korea continues to spew provocative threats, members of the UN security council and regional allies are responding with increasingly less tolerance. China’s policy towards North Korea, once favorable, is turning tough as some analysts like Peking University’s Zhu Feng point out that China always believed that the Stalinist state would give up nuclear weapons in exchange for economic and security interests. The US has also taken a stronger stance, with President Obama announcing on the weekend that the administration would take a “very hard look” at how to proceed with North Korea, calling its actions “extraordinarily provocative.” South Korean president Lee Myung-bak has also declared South Korea will not back down. Meanwhile, North Korea is holding two American journalists hostage, for allegedly illegally entering the country, and will use them as bargaining chips. The only glimmer of hope currently is a two Korea discussion next week, to take place in an industrial park they jointly own.

A changing Chinese tune on North Korea?, Pomfret’s China blog

Obama is taking a “hard look” at how to handle North Korea, The Wall Street Journal

S. Korea says no compromise against North’s threats, Reuters

Obama says North Korea has been ‘extraordinarily provocative’, Bloomberg

South Korean protestors blame President Lee for Roh’s suicide

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:03:29 +0000

The suicide of former president Roh Moo-hyun last week has spurred growing unrest and criticism of the current Lee administration. A rally and vigil held for Roh late Saturday was met with close to 20,000 police ready to round up those protesting against president Lee Myung-bak. Protesters are angry at the Lee administration for harassing Roh in a messy corruption scandal. Some see the corruption investigation against Roh as politically motivated, and analysts have been predicting his death might garner support for his more liberal policies, fundamentally opposite to Lee’s conservative ones.

Police break up anti-govt rally, Straits Times

Asia day ahead: Roh suicide raises stakes for South Korea’s Lee, Bloomberg

Roh’s death leaves South Korea tense, The Wall Street Journal

Former South Korean President Roh commits suicide

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:15:50 +0000

Former South Korean President and human rights lawyer Roh Moo Hyun jumped off a mountain to his death Saturday, amidst allegations of bribery. Roh admitted last month that his wife took money from a businessman accused of insider trading and tax evasion to pay family debt, but denied allegations that he took bribes. Known as “Mr. Clean”, Roh won the 2002 elections based on a platform to fight corruption and improve relations with North Korea. In his suicide note he apologized for the pain he had caused and said, “My remaining life could only become a greater burden for others.” Current president Lee Myung-bak said, “This is a truly unbelievable, lamentable and deeply sad event.” Some see the corruption investigation against Roh as politically motivated, and analysts say his death might garner support for his more liberal policies, fundamentally opposite to Lee’s conservative ones. More than 13,000 mourners have made pilgrimage to Roh’s hometown, Gimhae, over the weekend.

A president remembered, The Korea Herald

South Korean president Roh jumps to death amid bribery probe, Bloomberg

S Korea stunned by Roh’s suicide, BBC

SKoreans mourn death, pay respects to ex-president, Associated Press

Region tense as belligerent North Korea launches possible missile

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:30:14 +0000

North Korea launched it’s Taepodong-2 satellite on Sunday morning at 11:30 Pyongyang time from the Musandan-ri base. Japan did not intercept the launch with its own missiles, after vowing to do so if the rocket were to threaten Japanese territory. Two booster stages fell into the Pacific and it remains unclear if the satellite was launched into space successfully. America and South Korea, who kept destroyers on close watch near North Korea, said they would not stop the launch but strongly condemned it. China, the Year of DPRK-China Friendship host and a key broker in negotiations with the rogue state, has chosen not to take a strong stance, urging ‘close communication and coordination’ instead. Analysts now wait to see how regional powers and UN Security Council will deal with potential ensuing instability. An emergency meeting convened on Sunday for 3 hours, reaching deadlock as countries like China, Russia, Libya and Vietnam voice concern of alienating the rogue state.

DPRK premier leaves for Beijing for official visit, Xinhua News

Defiant N Korea launches rocket , BBC News
Launch, What Launch?, Analysis from Asia Times
Pyongyang’s account of events according to state propaganda KNCA

North Korea: In withdrawal from carrots

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:57:56 +0000

Pyongyang announced to two UN agencies plans to conduct a space launch planned for sometime between April 4-8 that will pass over Japan. The US and other countries responded with condemnation, and Japan said it will shoot down any vehicle flying overheard in accordance to Japanese national self defense law. Earlier in the week, Pyongyang also expressed anger at routine yearly US-South Korean military exercises by shutting off the inter-Korean border and withholding hundreds of South Koreans in the jointly-owned Kaesong complex. South Korean analysts, well versed in Kim Jong Il’s strange ways look at the past to offer analysis. In an article in South Korean Chosunilbo argues that Pyongyang is going through Sunshine ‘withdrawal symptoms’, now completely cut off from free aid under the Lee administration, an abrupt change of pace from the 8.38 trillion won the Stalinist state was given under both Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. According to the article, North Korea’s GDP was 24 trillion won in 2007. Shifting from a policy of carrots to one of sticks, Lee’s principle to give aid only after the nuclear issue is resolved has left North Korea stumbling with only one tactic ‘extreme brinksmanship.’

Links and sources:

N.Korea suffers withdrawal of Sunshine Policy , Digital Chosunilbo

North Korea: Space launch set to go April 4-8

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:16:06 +0000

As Pyongyang’s intentions to conduct a space launch between April 4-8 are questioned, US intelligence head says the difference in technology between a space launch and an intercontinental ballistic missile is minimal. Speaking at a Senate Arms Services Committee, US Director of Intelligence Dennis Blair also added that if the three-stage space launch worked it could have the potential to reach the US mainland. Analysts say the Stalinist state is ramping up the rhetoric in an attempt to leverage aid, but in it’s own news sources like KCNA, it calls US an ‘imperialist’ and South Korean ‘puppet warmongers.’

Links and sources:

US intel chief says N. Korea launching a ’space vehicle’ , Digital Chosunilbo

Japan protests N Korea’s rocket launch plan , AP

Madcap exercises targeted against DPRK go on in S. Korea , Korean Central News Agency

Asia: Markets rally, currencies at 2009 high

Alexandra Stevenson — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:01:56 +0000

Asian currencies strengthened this week following an announcement that American banks could stand without government buyout, and optimism about new Chinese and Japanese stimulus packages. Japan’s Nikkei rose 5.15%, South Korea’s Kospi 6.7%, while Singapore’s Strait Times Index rose 5.6%. The Malaysian ringgit increased by 0.3% after the government announced a US $16 billion stimulus plan. The Taiwan dollar rose 0.8%, and the Thai baht 0.4%. Despite a regional rally, the Philippines peso and Vietnam dong were unaffected, and China’s Shanghai Composite actually dropped by 0.2%, after Wen Jiabao expressed concern about the stability of US Treasuries.

The Bank of America Corp., JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup Inc. announced this week that they do not need government support and may even see profits this year, boosting confidence in the Asia region as well as Europe. While analysts say this is just a temporary respite, things may be looking up in Southeast Asia. Citigroup has indicated it’s confidence that Southeast Asian countries will come out of the crisis soon, announcing plans to start equity brokerage business in Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia

Links and sources:

Citigroup to boost Asian equity trade , Gulf Daily News

Nikkei surges 5% as US bank hopes lift Asian markets , CNBC News

Asian stocks lifted , The Straits Times

Asian currencies best of week 2009, led by won, rupiah , Bloomberg

Asia: ASEAN countries to demonstrate self-sufficiency and open trade

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:35:08 +0000

Finance ministers in the Asia region are holding bilateral talks in the lead up the 14th Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) summit, in a show of greater strategic cooperation to prevent trade protectionism. Malaysia held bilateral talks with Indonesian and Chinese finance ministers this weekend, to promote trade. Officials from Japan, China and Korea met Saturday afternoon to discuss counter-measures to economic slowdown. Finance chiefs from Asean countries and Japan, China and South Korea will gather at the summit on February 27 in Thailand to discuss concrete and collective response to financial woes.

Asean will speak out against using trade protectionism as a way to cope with the current financial crisis, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said. Mr. Abhisit has encouraged Asean countries to seek aid from other regions, acknowledging that the IMF ” simply does not have the resources, money and time to look into the various problems in different regions.” The Asia Development Bank will participate in the summit as Asean members determine the details of a foreign reserve fund pool agreed upon last May. Contributing countries will discuss management and size of fund.

Links and sources:

Asean to resist protectionism, Straits Times

China, Indonesia and China trade talks, Malaysia Star

Asea foreign reserve pool, Xinhua

Asia: U.S. Secretary of State first trip abroad to Asia

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:44:07 +0000

Hillary Clinton will travel to Asia on Sunday for her first trip abroad as U.S. Secretary of State, in a diplomatic gesture that shows a shift of priorities in American foreign policy. Speaking at the Asia Society in New York on Friday Clinton announced the Asian region would be a priority for the Obama administration and is “of vital importance” to the U.S. today and in the future. Her first stop will be Tokyo, where local media have claimed, but not verified, Clinton would meet with opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader amidst political tension. Clinton will then travel to Indonesia, South Korea and finally China, where she will push for more engagement and cooperation on economic policies and environmental issues. North Korea will also be a key topic of discussion, as Beijing plays a key role in slowing Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

Links and Sources:

Speech at the Asia Society - State.gov

Japanese papers report Clinton meeting with opposition leader:

Mainichi

Japan Today

North Korea: The DPRK warns of military action against South Korea

Alexandra Stevenson — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:57:23 +0000

Pyongyang has stepped up rhetoric, declaring relations between the South and North at “the brink of war”. Pyongyang has threatened to discredit all previous military accords between the two countries and nullify a Western sea border, after s new South Korean unification minister, Hyun In-taek, was appointed last week. Hyun is known for his hawkish stance on North Korea and some analysts believe this is a diplomatic tactic from Pyongyang and not a serious threat. The North has called his designation a “naked provocation.”

Relations between the North and the South have been shaky since President Lee Myung-bak came into presidency eleven months ago. The two Koreas have not yet signed a peace agreement, only a cease-fire agreement decades after the 1950-1953 Korean war split the peninsula.

Sources:

North Korean news agency Korean Central News Agency http://www.knca.co.j

JoongAng Daily http://joongangdaily.joins.com

Yonghap News Agency http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr