Successful Forum Held in London by Friends of Korea on the Korean Nuclear Issue

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Successful Forum Held in London by Friends of Korea on the Korean Nuclear Issue

Spokesman for DPRK Foreign Ministry on Issue of Implementation of February 13 Agreement

Foreign Ministry Spokesman on Solution to Issue of Frozen Funds

The Agreement of February 13, 2007, at the Six-Party Talks

A successful forum with the title "Who Is Threatening Peace?" was held on Sunday, July 8, 2007, at a community centre in central London, organised by Friends of Korea.

The forum was held to inform those interested in political developments in Korea in the context of the world situation of the just stands of the DPRK, particularly over the "nuclear issue" and the successful agreement arising out of the Six-Party Talks. It provided an opportunity for a lively exchange of views and debate on how to advance the progressive movement against war and for peace and security.

Around 30 people participated in the forum. In the chair was Harpal Brar, Chair of Friends of Korea. Also on the panel of personages who had first-hand experience of visiting the DPRK were Andy Brooks and Ella Rule.

Michael Chant, Secretary of the Friends of Korea, gave a brief opening presentation of an update on the latest situation, as reported by KCNA, in order to set the context for the discussion. He also stressed the necessity to combat the disinformation of the monopoly media so as to be able to take a just stand. Every nation has the right to defend itself against a military invasion and to take whatever measures necessary to secure its independence and sovereignty against aggression. While it cannot be in the interests of the world’s peoples or of the cause of peace when nuclear weapons are manufactured and stockpiled around the world, nevertheless any nation which is prepared to defend its independence and sovereignty and wishes to exercise its right to self-determination must take whatever steps are necessary to deter military aggression by big powers. This was the stand of the DPRK when it developed its nuclear weapons programme, stressing that this programme was not intended for aggressive purposes but to deter a nuclear attack by US imperialism supported by the British government. The principled stand of the DPRK has now resulted in its victory at the Six-Party Talks, forcing the US to agree to a joint document. Now that the funds frozen in Macao have been released, this has opened the way with the principle of "action for action" to the prospect of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. This victory is also one for peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but in East Asia as a whole, and has ramifications for the world’s people as a whole. The Anglo-US imperialists must now demonstrate their good faith.

In the ensuing discussion, views were exchanged as to the significance of these developments for Korea and the world’s justice-loving people. In the course of discussion, people eloquently spoke about their first-hand experience of the people-centred system in the DPRK, and the leadership of Kim Jong Il, following in the footsteps of President Kim Il Sung.

An important point which was clarified in the course of discussion was that, as with any country, what type of social and economic system the Korean people choose is a matter for them and for them alone. The defence of a country’s independence and sovereignty is actually the key stand for progressive people to take when the big powers are attempting to impose their own system of global neo-liberalism by any means on the world’s people, and is a key contribution to consolidating the movement against war and imperialist domination and aggression. As such, the anti-war movement and justice-loving people should unite in support of the right of the DPRK and its people to determine their own social system and their own future. Different opinions on matters which pertain to the Korean people to decide cannot be allowed to divert from uniting to oppose Anglo-US warmongering in East Asia or any other part of the world.

In summing up the discussion, attention was drawn to the importance of the February 13 agreement if fully implemented. At the same time, as the DPRK Foreign Ministry has itself pointed out, all countries must fulfil their commitments, and if steps are not taken to make political and economic compensation as promised, even after the DPRK has suspending the operation of its nuclear facilities, the resumption of its nuclear activity would be legitimate. There can be no illusions about the nature of US and British imperialism.

Informal discussion continued well after the formal end of the meeting, relating to the just stands of the DPRK and the tasks of the anti-war and people’s movements.

(KCNA, Pyongyang, July 6)

A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to the question put by KCNA Friday as regards the issue of the implementation of the February 13 Agreement:

After the settlement of the issue of the remittance of the funds frozen in the Banco Delta Asia in Macao, the DPRK is implementing its commitments under the agreement much earlier than the promised time and order.

It was agreed at the six-party talks that the DPRK would suspend the operation of its nuclear facilities within 30 days after the lifting of the financial sanction against it.

The delayed remittance of the funds procrastinated on the start of implementation of the February 13 agreement but the DPRK allowed a delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit the DPRK just one day after the completion of the fund remittance proceeding from a goodwill stand to make up for the loss of time, substantially kicking off the process to suspend the operation of its nuclear facilities.

The above-said agreement calls for providing 50,000 tons of heavy oil to the DPRK in the same period, but it was reported that the shipment of the total quantity is expected to be completed early in August.

Prompted by the desire to facilitate the process of the six-party talks, the DPRK is now earnestly examining even the issue of suspending the operation of its nuclear facilities earlier than expected, that is from the moment the first shipment of heavy oil equivalent to one-tenth of the total quantity is made, without waiting for the total quantity of heavy oil to reach its port and making preparations for the job.

The parties concerned have already been informed of this.

Nevertheless, some elements are now spreading misinformation that the DPRK is raising a new demand as regards the implementation of the agreement. This indicates that the forces displeased with the smooth implementation of the agreement are still at work.

The agreement should be honoured not only by the DPRK but also by all the countries participating in the six-party talks on the principle "action for action".

Other participating countries are also obliged to hasten the preparations for honouring their commitments including energy aid amounting to 950,000 tons of heavy oil, the remaining quantity to be provided.

It is a stark fact already known to the world through the agreement that the DPRK cannot unilaterally suspend the operation of its nuclear facilities unless other participating countries fulfil their commitments.

The DPRK may not trust them if steps are not taken to make political and economic compensation as promised, even after it has taken to suspend the operation of its nuclear facilities. In that case, the resumption of its nuclear activity will assume legitimate nature.

(KCNA, Pyongyang, June 25)

A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA Monday as regards the settlement of the issue of the funds frozen in the Banco Delta Asia in Macao:

The funds frozen at the above-said bank were finally wired as demanded by the DPRK side, thus settling the controversial issue of the frozen funds.

It has thus become possible to use the de-frozen funds for improving the standard of people's living and humanitarian purposes, as planned.

The DPRK took a serious view of the issue of de-freezing the funds not because of that amount of money but the action taken to freeze the funds was a vivid manifestation of the hostile policy toward the DPRK.

This is also in line with the principle of "action for action" confirmed by the six parties. Now that the issue of de-freezing the funds has been settled, the DPRK, too, will start implementing the February 13 agreement on the principle of "action for action".

As part of it, the DPRK will hold a discussion on the suspension of the operations of nuclear facilities, its verification and monitoring with the working delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Pyongyang from June 26.

I. The Parties held serious and productive discussions on the actions each party will take in the initial phase for the implementation of the Joint Statement of 19 September 2005. The Parties reaffirmed their common goal and will to achieve early denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and reiterated that they would earnestly fulfill their commitments in the Joint Statement. The Parties agreed to take coordinated steps to implement the Joint Statement in a phased manner in line with the principle of 'action for action'.

II. The Parties agreed to take the following actions in parallel in the initial phase:

1. The DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea; North Korea] will shut down and seal for the purpose of eventual abandonment the Yongbyon nuclear facility, including the reprocessing facility and invite back IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] personnel to conduct all necessary monitoring and verifications as agreed between IAEA and the DPRK.

2. The DPRK will discuss with other parties a list of all its nuclear programs as described in the Joint Statement, including plutonium extracted from used fuel rods, that would be abandoned pursuant to the Joint Statement.

3. The DPRK and the US will start bilateral talks aimed at resolving pending bilateral issues and moving toward full diplomatic relations. The US will begin the process of removing the designation of the DPRK as a state-sponsor of terrorism and advance the process of terminating the application of the Trading with the Enemy Act with respect to the DPRK.

4. The DPRK and Japan will start bilateral talks aimed at taking steps to normalize their relations in accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration, on the basis of the settlement of unfortunate past and the outstanding issues of concern.

5. Recalling Section 1 and 3 of the Joint Statement of 19 September 2005, the Parties agreed to cooperate in economic, energy and humanitarian assistance to the DPRK. In this regard, the Parties agreed to the provision of emergency energy assistance to the DPRK in the initial phase. The initial shipment of emergency energy assistance equivalent to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil (HFO) will commence within next 60 days.

The Parties agreed that the above-mentioned initial actions will be implemented within next 60 days and that they will take coordinated steps toward this goal.

III. The Parties agreed on the establishment of the following Working Groups (WG) in order to carry out the initial actions and for the purpose of full implementation of the Joint Statement:

1. Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

2. Normalization of DPRK-US relations

3. Normalization of DPRK-Japan relations

4. Economy and Energy Cooperation

5. Northeast Asia Peace and Security Mechanism

The WGs will discuss and formulate specific plans for the implementation of the Joint Statement in their respective areas. The WGs shall report to the Six-Party Heads of Delegation Meeting on the progress of their work. In principle, progress in one WG shall not affect progress in other WGs. Plans made by the five WGs will be implemented as a whole in a coordinated manner.

The Parties agreed that all WGs will meet within next 30 days.

IV. During the period of the Initial Actions phase and the next phase -- which includes provision by the DPRK of a complete declaration of all nuclear programs and disablement of all existing nuclear facilities, including graphite-moderated reactors and reprocessing plant -- economic, energy and humanitarian assistance up to the equivalent of 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil (HFO), including the initial shipment equivalent to 50,000 tons of HFO, will be provided to the DPRK.

The detailed modalities of the said assistance will be determined through consultations and appropriate assessments in the Working Group on Economic and Energy Cooperation.

V. Once the initial actions are implemented, the Six Parties will promptly hold a ministerial meeting to confirm implementation of the Joint Statement and explore ways and means for promoting security cooperation in Northeast Asia.

VI. The Parties reaffirmed that they will take positive steps to increase mutual trust, and will make joint efforts for lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The directly related parties will negotiate a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula at an appropriate separate forum.

VII. The Parties agreed to hold the Sixth Round of the Six-Party Talks on 19 March 2007 to hear reports of WGs and discuss on actions for the next phase.