[Cankor] Report #245

[cankor at cankor.ca]

Dear subscriber,

Welcome to issue #245 of the CanKor Report.

In this week's QUIDNUNC, Charles Burton responds to the question: Has the 
Six-Party Talks process run its course?
Aidan Foster-Carter and Jake Buhler offer their take on the question: What 
is the DPRK's most urgent need?

Jeff Nankivell and Charles Burton wonder: How many people in North Korea 
have unfettered access to information about the world outside the DPRK?

Please do not hesitate to send to editor at CanKor.ca your replies or 
additional questions that may stump or amuse our many expert subscribers and 
contributors.

The CanKor team.

For articles not original to CanKor, direct links are available in the
Contents section, should you wish to consult the originals on the internet.

If the links no longer function, you may refer to the full text articles
appended to the issue.

For back issues, archives and other content, please visit our website:
http://www.cankor.ca
*************************************************
CANADA-KOREA ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE

CanKor # 245

Friday, 14 April 2006
*************************************************

Although both US and DPRK chief delegates to Six Party Talks attend a 
security conference in Tokyo, no bilateral contact is made between them, as 
many were hoping. DPRK chief negotiator Kim Gye Gwan calls on the USA to 
unfreeze financial assets in order to allow the resumption of the talks, but 
expresses no urgency. In the meantime, the DPRK would continue to "make more 
deterrent".

An eight-member bipartisan and bicameral US congressional aide delegation 
visits the Kaesong Industrial Complex to research the nature of the economic 
relationship between the two Koreas. At stake are the ROK's wish to join the 
Visa Waiver Program, and the US-Korea free trade agreement.

The fourth session of the 11th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) takes place 
in Pyongyang on 11 April. The annual meeting reviews the Cabinet's work, the 
status of the economy, plans for the coming year, and the most significant 
issues of interest to DPRK leaders. Although the urgent need to "build a 
nationwide information network and develop programming technology rapidly" 
figures high on the agenda this year, agriculture, coal and metals are seen 
as the most important tasks.

The DPRK appears on the verge of announcing dramatic new reforms dealing 
with real estate, such as leasing out state-owned mountains to individuals 
on a long-term basis, imposing taxes on state-owned land used by factories 
and businesses, and leasing out plots of collective farms to families.

The Research Institute for the North Korean Society, published by Good 
Friends: Centre for Peace, Human Rights and Refugees reports that the DPRK 
National Police has posted a decree on severe punishments to be meted out 
for slashing electric power or communication lines and illegal drug 
transactions. This week's FOCUS on crime and punishment in the DPRK 
reproduces an English translation of the decree, and reports on incidents 
that appear to be signs of its implementation.
*************************************************

Contents:
1.  DPRK THREATENS TO BOOST NUCLEAR ARSENAL
    http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-04-13T092228Z_01_SEO330018_RTRUKOC_0_US-KOREA-NORTH.xml

2.  US CONGRESSIONAL AIDES VISIT KAESONG INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
    http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200603/20/200603202215559909900090209021.html

3.  DPRK WEIGHING THE BENEFITS OF THE NUCLEAR CARD
    http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/login.php

4.  DPRK TO ANNOUNCE REAL ESTATE REFORMS
    http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=060000&biid=2006041377768

FOCUS: Crime and punishment in the DPRK
5.  DPRK POSTS DECREE WITH SEVERE PUNISHMENTS
    http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng/eng.html

6.  DECREE ON SLASHING POWER LINES, DRUG TRANSACTIONS
    http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng/eng.html

7.  EXPULSION OF 15 DRUG DEALERS' FAMILIES IN HOERYONG
    http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng/eng.html

8.  PUBLIC EXECUTION OF DRUG DEALERS AT CHONGJIN
    http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng/eng.html

9.  TEENAGER EXECUTED FOR IMITATING ROK FILM GANGSTER
    http://www.goodfriends.or.kr/eng/eng.html

QUIDNUNC: Readers ask and respond to common and uncommon questions
THIS WEEK: 1. Has the Six-Party Talks process run its course?
2. What is the DPRK's most urgent need?
*************************************************

1.  DPRK THREATENS TO BOOST NUCLEAR ARSENAL
    Reuters, 13 April 2006

North Korea said on Thursday it might boost its nuclear deterrent if 
six-country talks on ending its atomic programs remained deadlocked, but 
said it would return if Washington met a demand to unfreeze it assets. 
Pyongyang's top envoy to the stalled negotiations told a news conference in 
Tokyo the United States must lift what the North considers to be financial 
sanctions against it.

"I told them the minute we have the funds or I have the funds in my hand I 
will be at the talks. But if they continue to come with pressure and 
sanctions, we will respond with extremely strong measures," envoy Kim 
Kye-gwan said. "There is nothing wrong with delaying the resumption of the 
six-party talks. In the meantime we can make more deterrent. If the United 
States doesn't like that, they should create the condition for us to go back 
to the talks."

In an official media report on Thursday, North Korea reiterated it has been 
building a nuclear deterrent to counter what it views as Washington's 
hostile policy toward it. Washington has clamped down on a Macau-based bank 
it suspects of assisting Pyongyang in illicit financial activities, 
including money laundering. Kim has been in Tokyo, where he attended a 
security symposium along with most of the other chief delegates to the 
six-party talks, including US envoy Christopher Hill. At the airport before 
departing, Kim said it was up to the United States to seek bilateral 
discussions. "I always have patience," he said.

An analyst in Seoul said Kim's comments might indicate Pyongyang was fishing 
for a compromise, where the United States could say not all of the North's 
accounts frozen at the Macau bank were used for illicit activity and then 
free up some funds.

"Seoul's preference is for the US to find some gesture that will help North 
Korea save face. China's position is not all that different," said Kim 
Sung-han, head of North American studies at the Institute of Foreign Affairs 
and National Security.

Analysts have said a meeting between the US and Chinese presidents next week 
in the United States could also increase the pressure on North Korea to 
return to talks. Beijing is urging flexibility on the financial crackdown. 
Tokyo says Pyongyang must appreciate that unless the atomic issue and a 
separate standoff with Japan over abductees is resolved the North's already 
weak economic position would deteriorate further.

Hill, currently in South Korea, said Pyongyang was boycotting the 
discussions, but urged patience for the stalled process. Washington says the 
financial issue is separate from the nuclear talks and has urged Pyongyang 
to return to the talks. Hill said the amount of the frozen Macau funds was 
about $20 million, equal to approximately one week's worth of energy aid 
proposed by South Korea for the North in return for scrapping its nuclear 
programs.

"The DPRK needs to understand that as long as it is going to be producing 
nuclear weapons, we are going to be having a real close look at its 
finances," Hill said, referring to the North's official name, the Democratic 
People's Republic of Korea. Hill, who was in Tokyo until Wednesday, had no 
substantive discussions with Kim in the Japanese capital, dimming prospects 
for renewed progress in the nuclear talks. Hill said he was ready to meet 
Kim face-to-face within the six-party format. The last round of the talks 
among the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States was held in 
November.
*************************************************

2.  US CONGRESSIONAL AIDES VISIT KAESONG INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
    Joong Ang Ilbo, 12 April 2006

An eight-member US congressional aide delegation visited an inter-Korean 
industrial complex on Tuesday to look at the nature of the economic 
relationship between the two Koreas, the South Korean Embassy here said 
Wednesday. The delegation, made up of bipartisan, bicameral staff members, 
has been in Seoul from Sunday to meet with South Korean government, 
parliamentary and economic organization officials to discuss political and 
trade issues, the embassy said.

"The two key issues that have been raised during the staff delegation's 
extensive meetings include South Korea's efforts to join the Visa Waiver 
Program, as well as the US-Korea free trade agreement (FTA)," it said.

The Kaesong industrial complex, located just north of the heavily fortified 
Korean border, is a pilot project that combines the capital of South Korean 
companies with the cheap labor force of North Korea to manufacture export 
items at competitive prices. The venture has raised some questions in the 
United States about the use of sensitive items and technology that are on 
Washington's export control list, and more broadly, if such economic 
cooperation is in line with international efforts to press North Korea to 
give up its nuclear weapons.

It is now viewed in the context of the FTA negotiations, whether products 
out of Kaesong can be considered goods produced by South Korea and also if 
North Korean workers are being paid and treated according to international 
standards.

"According to sources close to the delegation, the trip to the Kaesong 
industrial complex was pivotal because members of Congress need to 
understand the nature of the economic relationship between the two Koreas, 
particularly in light of the launching of negotiations for a US-South Korea 
free trade agreement," the embassy said. Doug Anderson, a staff member of 
the House International Relations Committee, visited Kaesong last month.
*************************************************

3.  DPRK WEIGHING THE BENEFITS OF THE NUCLEAR CARD
    Stratfor, 13 April 2006

SUMMARY
North Korea's parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), met April 11 
to discuss government and economic performance for the past year and the 
coming year, and to plan out the government's priorities. Though the SPA is 
often considered a rubber-stamp parliament, its discussions in recent years 
have offered insight into the shape of upcoming North Korean policies. In 
the plans for 2006, the emphasis is again on agriculture, but there also is 
a clear impetus to accelerate international economic interactions -- and 
these could indicate Pyongyang's further intentions regarding the ongoing 
nuclear crisis.

ANALYSIS
The fourth session of the 11th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) of North 
Korea met in Pyongyang on April 11 to review the Cabinet's work and the 
status of the economy, as well as to discuss plans for 2006 and the role of 
technology in North Korea's development. The annual meetings of the 
oft-described "rubber-stamp" parliament may not set policies, but they do 
provide insight into the most significant issues of interest to North 
Korea's leaders.

The underlying theme of the 2006 session was "stepping up the development of 
science and technology to give strong impetus to the building of a great 
prosperous powerful nation." While this sounds rather grandiose, it is no 
coincidence that much of leader Kim Jong Il's January visit to China focused 
on technology as the underpinning of economic development, from the 
traditional high-tech industries all the way down to core sectors such as 
agriculture.

Two key high-tech initiatives were laid out in the SPA session. First was 
the "urgent [need] to build a nationwide information network and develop 
programming technology rapidly" in order to turn North Korea "into a power 
in software development." Pyongyang may intend to have foreign firms 
outsource to North Korea, as international animation studios already do. 
Second was the call for the establishment of science and technology hubs 
that bring together scientists for research, study and development of new 
ideas and technologies. These technology incubators will also try to draw on 
cooperation with foreign scientists.

As with many developing nations, and particularly with socialist ones, 
technology is seen as the path toward greatness. But it also is seen as a 
pragmatic necessity to leap over the various stages of development in order 
to catch up with the rest of the world.

Although technology got top billing as a theme, the most important tasks 
laid out related to agriculture, coal and metals. North Korea has seen five 
consecutive years of increased grain output following a terrible year in 
2000, and at the end of 2005 negotiated an end to grain donations from the 
World Food Program in favour of assistance in growing its own foods. The 
larger crop yields were still insufficient, but the push on agriculture, 
which was the main focus of the April 2005 SPA session, apparently has begun 
to pay off. In the future, North Korea intends to increase research and 
development into bioengineering better crops and into additional fertilizer 
production utilizing coal gasification for the feedstock.

Coal takes second billing, but only slightly so. North Korean coal 
production continues to climb, and Pyongyang not only uses it at home for 
energy but also exports it to China. Although coal remains a primary source 
of energy, Pyongyang also continues to expand the development and use of 
hydropower. The government also has recognized the critical state of the 
energy infrastructure and called for an increased focus on energy 
management, the development of renewable energy sources (such as wind and 
biomass) and energy-efficient devices, and the use of energy-saving 
practices. Given the huge increase in international oil prices, these are 
even more critical issues for North Korea than perhaps for its neighbours. 
Interestingly, Pyongyang also laid out the need to develop its oil 
exploration and production technology, perhaps with an eye on potential 
resources in the West Sea.

Metal is the final piece of the economic trinity. Pyongyang is looking to 
increase metal production, particularly steel, and divert that production to 
critical areas such as improving the energy infrastructure and the rail 
infrastructure. Both are in a particularly poor state (as the 2004 Ryongchon 
blast showed), though Pyongyang has over the past few years increased 
attention to rail as part of a regional push to connect South Korea by 
railroad to Russia and China (and eventually on to Europe), all via North 
Korea. In addition, rail remains the most effective way of moving coal and 
other energy resources, as well as grain, through the country.

As Pyongyang lays out its 2006 plans, it sees the six-party nuclear talks 
languishing, and wonders if they are even necessary anymore. There is a 
clear impasse, and Pyongyang increasingly doubts whether Washington is 
either willing to make a deal or capable of enforcing any deal that might be 
made. Furthermore, South Korea continues to work economically with the 
North, and once again, international economic cooperation plays a prominent 
role in the SPA plans for the coming year. As such, the need for a 
settlement with Washington appears to be waning.

The initial intent of the 2003 nuclear crisis, after all, was to force a 
peace settlement with the United States, thus breaking the international 
taboo on doing business with North Korea and carefully managing the opening 
of special economic zones to take advantage of cheap North Korean labour --  
all while bringing in cash and technology to North Korea to be redistributed 
throughout the rest of the country by the central government. If Seoul 
continues to work with North Korea in Kaesong and elsewhere, and Pyongyang 
wants to retain a close hold over the pace and scope of economic 
experimentation, having Seoul on its side even without a peace accord with 
Washington is not a bad position.

For Pyongyang, however, there is a question of time. While it sees little 
potential progress from Washington any time soon (and is thus refraining 
from taking the necessary steps to satisfy Washington and restart the 
six-party talks), Pyongyang also sees its rapprochement with South Korea 
facing a troubling time as the South's December 2007 presidential election 
approaches. Pyongyang foresees the likely return of a more conservative 
government in Seoul, one not nearly as open to sharing money and technology 
with the North, making 2006 and the first half of 2007 critical years for 
North Korean economic developments. A deal with Washington would reduce the 
risk of a change in the South Korean government, but it also would be of 
questionable value until perhaps after the 2006 US congressional 
elections -- but those are well beyond the spring deadline Washington has 
laid out for the potential continuation of six-party talks.

The ball is now clearly in North Korea's court. The ability to restart the 
six-party talks rests in Pyongyang's willingness, or lack thereof, to 
identify its nuclear sites for future dismantling. Pyongyang could easily 
accede, submit the sites and restart negotiations. But if it deems it 
unlikely that Washington will go so far as to sign a peace accord to replace 
the armistice or finally establish formal diplomatic relations, Pyongyang 
might look at the cost-vs.-benefit of continued drawn-out talks over an 
artificially created crisis and decide simply to focus on its economic ties 
with Seoul and a few other select states. It could then let the nuclear 
question remain unresolved until there is another opportunity -- or need --  
to play the nuke card.
*************************************************

4.  DPRK TO ANNOUNCE REAL ESTATE REFORMS
    Donga Ilbo, 13 APRIL 2006

North Korea seems to be preparing for new economic reforms centered on real 
estate reform. According to sources knowledgeable to North Korea, measures 
that North Korea is about to take contain some dramatic changes, including 
leasing out state-owned mountains to individuals on a long-term basis, and 
imposing taxes on state-owned land which is used by factories and 
businesses. Other measures include granting rights to develop and operate 
roads on a long-term basis to local and foreign businesses as well as 
individuals, and recognizing ownership of new apartments constructed and 
sold by businesses or individuals.

In addition, North Korea is said to be considering a plan to lease out plots 
of collective farms to families. The review for the plan was completed early 
last year, but it has been put on the shelf for a year due to the political 
situation at home and abroad. Sources say that the new measures will be 
implemented by the order of the cabinet starting this April. One source said 
on yesterday, "For five days starting April 4, the North Korean authorities 
held working-level meetings that gathered together production unit 
supervisors in major cities around the country and taught them the new real 
estate policies."

According to the source, on the first day of the meeting, the participants 
were informed that taxes would be imposed on land used by factories and 
businesses depending on the size of land occupied. Moreover, it has been 
recently confirmed that a new department called the "real estate development 
department" was established inside each people's committee, which is the 
North Korean equivalent of a local government. What it means is that real 
estate, a relatively new concept for North Koreans, has been first 
introduced into North Korean governmental agencies.

Yang Mun-soo, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies said, 
"In the past also, North Korea had to inevitably lease out state-owned 
stores and shops to individuals for national financing. The reform measures 
that North Korea is about to embark on seem to be in line with that." He 
added, "However, what is notable is that the subjects of lease-out have been 
expanded to state-owned land."

North Korea demonstrated its will to restore the socialist system when it 
reinstated the rationing system last October. However, there is an analysis 
that since the National Defense Committee Chairman Kim Jong Il made a visit 
to China last July, North Korea has taken a turn toward reforms and opening 
up once again. In particular, this round of reform measures is expected to 
further inspire capitalist ways of thinking into North Korean residents, as 
the Economic Management Improvement Measure announced on July 1, 2002, did. 
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported on April 9, "North Korea will embark 
on a new round of economic reform measures immediately after the birthday of 
its late leader Kim Il-sung (April 15)." It said, "The new measures will 
start quietly."

Kevin Shepherd, a researcher at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies 
affiliated to the Kyungnam University, told the Financial Times, 
"Considering the recent reports from North Korean state-owned media outlets, 
North Korea seems to be preparing to bring about another round of changes to 
the North Korean economy." In particular, he brought to the attention the 
fact that the North Korean state-owned media outlets recently mentioned ways 
to improve labor. According to him, the North Korean state-owned media 
outlets said, it is more desirable for wages to be given to workers on a 
daily or a weekly basis, rather than on a monthly basis. The Financial Times 
also reported that for the first time in 10 years, "the national labor 
planning meeting" was held, and North Korean Prime Minister Pak Pong Ju and 
a large number of economic officials participated in the meeting.

The Financial Times forecasted that if North Korea takes on additional 
economic reforms, legal changes would take place so that more authority will 
be given to supervisors of businesses, and businesses and production units 
can attract foreign capital more actively. The Financial Times added, "The 
financial sanctions of the United States against North Korea also seem to 
have motivated North Korea into taking on economic reforms. Those who have 
visited North Korea recently say that it is more difficult than before to 
gain hold of foreign currencies in North Korea."
*************************************************

FOCUS: Crime and punishment in DPRK

*************************************************

5.  DPRK POSTS DECREE WITH SEVERE PUNISHMENTS
    North Korea Today, Research Institute for the North Korean Society, 13th 
Issue, 20 March 2006

The State Department of the US government has published the 'Report on the 
Strategies to Control the Illegal Substances' on the March 1st, 2006. 
Although there is a disclaimer that more precise evidences are needed, but 
the United States government criticised that the enough evidences show the 
involvement of the North Korean government. The North Korean government on 
the March 7th, 2006 have condemned that this report is part of the coercive 
US policy, to conspire defamation and pressure against North Korea. In 
addition, the ship crew of the 'Bongsooho' was held in prison for accusation 
on smuggling heroin to Australia in 2003. The entire crew were found 
innocent from the trial that went on for two years and ten months, thus, 
this has put a break on the coercive US policy towards North Korea from 
laying allegations on counterfeiting notes to drug issues.

Meanwhile, the North Korean government has released a decree on the March 
1st, 2006 before the US State Department released the annual report on the 
Strategies to Control the Illegal Substances'. The decree outlines anyone 
who gets involved in slashing electrical lines or telecommunication lines or 
any involvement in producing, dealing with drugs will be sentenced with 
severe punishments. This is an indirect acknowledgement from the North 
Korean Government that the drug is being a serious social problem despite 
the determination of the government.

The confrontation of the US versus North Korea is apparent with series of 
issues such as human rights violation, counterfeiting on notes and drugs 
while the Six Party Talks seem to be in a slump. The reconciliation between 
the US and the North Korea is still seemed have lost its way in the midst of 
the mistrust between the two states.
*************************************************

6.  DECREE ON SLASHING POWER LINES, DRUG TRANSACTIONS
    National Police Agency of DPRK, 1 March 2006

Slashing electric power or communication lines and illegal drug transactions 
are anti-state crimes impeding our economic development and national defence 
that paralyzes our people's revolutionary consciousness and demolishing our 
whole-hearted solidarity on political ideology of the leaders of the 
revolution.

National Police Agency, therefore, decrees as follow on behalf of the 
Government of Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

1. Do not Slash nor Destroy Electric Power or Tele-Communication Lines.
-- Do not commit any acts of cutting or stealing the power and communication 
lines.
-- Do not get involved in any acts of buying and selling of copper, 
especially to other countries.
-- Institutions, businesses, organizations, and citizen are forbidden to use 
copper to manufacture various products to sell.
-- Electrical and telecommunication workers shall not violate the 
management, supervision and guarding regulation regarding the electrical and 
telecommunication equipments.

2. Illegal Transactions of Drugs Ought Not to be Engaged.
-- Do not sell, buy nor use drugs illegally.
-- Do not cultivate raw materials nor manufacture drugs illegally.
-- Institutions, workplaces and organisations should not illegally produce 
nor export drug.
-- Institutions, workplaces and organisations should not offend the 
storages, handlings and usage order of drugs.

3. Watch out for any illegal activities on slashing electric and 
telecommunication lines or drug transactions, and report it to the police 
authorities immediately.
-- Do not delay nor hinder from informing, nor take revenge on informers.

4. Those who have engaged in slashing electric and telecommunication lines 
and illegal drug transactions should voluntarily surrender themselves to the 
police.
-- Those who surrender within 10 days after this decree shall be generously 
forgiven.

5. Offenders of this decree shall be sentenced to death regardless of their 
status, services and achievements.
-- Anyone who organised or initiated activities that offend this decree 
shall be sentenced to heavy penalty up to death, and their family shall be 
expelled.
-- Anyone who conspire or support the activities that offend shall also be 
sentenced to heavy penalty.
-- Supervisors and Guardians of the institutions, workplaces and 
organisations that the offender of this decree is belonging to shall take 
due responsibilities for the act committed.
-- Transportations, equipments, money and materials used for the activities 
offending this decree shall be confiscated in all circumstances irrespective 
of their positions.
-- Anyone who hinders or resist execution of this decree shall be arrest in 
the act.

6. This decree shall be adopted in all institutions, workplaces, 
organizations (including military and special institutions) and people, in 
the lawful territory of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
*************************************************

7.  EXPULSION OF 15 DRUG DEALERS' FAMILIES IN HOERYONG
    North Korea Today, Research Institute for the North Korean Society, 14th 
Issue, 20 March 2006

The residents of Hoeryung had a general assembly at the Tangang Machenary 
Factory on the March 14, 2006. The agenda was on the expulsion of the 
individuals and their families who dealt (bought, used or sold) with drug 
called 'er-reum (a kind of amphatamine -- also known as "speed"). As a 
result from the general assembly, 15 households including the individuals 
and family who dealt with drugs and gambling were expelled from the city. 
Residents are living in insecurity and fear unknowing who will be arrested 
and expelled the next.
*************************************************

8.  PUBLIC EXECUTION OF DRUG DEALERS AT CHONGJIN
    North Korea Today, Research Institute for the North Korean Society, 14th 
Issue, 20 March 2006

On March 30, 2006, there was a public execution for two people on the bank 
of the Soo-sung-chun creek near Soonam District Marketplace. According to 
the decree that was posted on March 1, 2006 about the offenders slashing 
electrical and tele-communication lines, any one who deal drugs will be laid 
heavy punishment regardless of their position, achievements and statues. It 
then specifically mentions the punishment is up to death penalty and the 
rest of the family will be expelled from the town. The decree also mentions 
those who come forward and self-report their offence to the authority before 
the March 10, 2006 will be graciously forgiven.

The two men who had public execution, were arrested before the posting of 
the decree and the public execution was held as a model case. The one of the 
offenders was guilty of drug smuggling and another was found guilty of 
showing forbidden films.
*************************************************

9.  TEENAGER EXECUTED FOR IMITATING ROK FILM GANGSTER
    North Korea Today, Research Institute for the North Korean Society, 14th 
Issue, 20 March 2006

In early March, Song, a 6th grade high school student in Chongjin city, was 
executed by shooting. After seeing a South Korean movie about mobsters, Song 
formed an organization with other secondary grade students from Pohang and 
Soonam regions. They would gather, call in other female students and drink 
and watch movies.

They killed traitors who leaked their secrets out or those who have 
abandoned their group. The followers of Song who tattooed themselves 'Song's 
Special Guard' on their wrist were also apprehended. Song, found guilty on 
charges of murder and acts of violence, received the maximum penalty of 
death and other teenagers were sent to the Hoeryung Junguri Re-Education 
Centre.

Their behaviour is considered more than simple acts of imitation by 
teenagers, were deemed anti-regime as they imitated 'The Great Leader's 
Special Guards' and severe punishments were given accordingly.
*************************************************

QUIDNUNC
In this section of CanKor, we invite readers to send questions, answers, or 
responses. Answers should be under 150 words and may be edited for space.

*************************************************
HAS THE SIX-PARTY TALKS PROCESS RUN ITS COURSE?
*************************************************

The Six Party Talks are intended to lead to the DPRK regime providing 
verifiable evidence that it poses no nuclear threat to the USA, China, 
Russia, Japan and the ROK. Once it is ensured that the DPRK has no capacity 
to explode a nuclear bomb, presumably the next step would be to induce the 
DPRK to come into compliance with other international norms. The domestic 
institutional changes necessary to come into compliance would threaten the 
existing political status quo in North Korea. So the DPRK does not find it 
in its interest to initiate such a process by ceasing to project a 
perception that it poses a nuclear threat to neighbouring countries. So the 
Talks make no substantive progress. Mostly they seem to wile away the months 
and years in negotiations about the process. In the long term this could end 
up badly.

Charles Burton, Professor, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada

*************************************************
WHAT IS THE DPRK'S MOST URGENT NEED?
*************************************************

The DPRK's most urgent need is a change of government.

Aidan Foster-Carter, Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Sociology & Modern 
Korea, Leeds University, UK
*************************************************

As the birthday of Kim Il Sung nears, it seems right to ask what the 
Democratic Republic of Korea's greatest need might be. As someone from a 
wealthy country, and as a Canadian whose Government is cool to the DPR of 
Korea, perhaps the question could be reversed. I would like to ask what 
Canada's greatest needs are regarding that sovereign state. One question 
might be what Canada could do to reduce tension in the Korean Peninsula. Our 
posture at present is to view the DPRK as a possible threat. We take our 
cues from the Americans, and as long as we do, we will see the DPRK as an 
adversarial nation. While our influence in that region is small at best, 
Canada could use its reasonably good reputation to leverage changes more 
widely. Often, a warm gesture invites a warm response. What keeps us from 
giving unconditional gestures is the human rights issue. We hang it like a 
curtain to block out the sun.
Before our Government can dialogue with the Government of the DPRK on 
substantive issues, we must find low-level ways to communicate with them. 
Having worked with academics in Pyongyang for 3 months, I was impressed at 
the openness with which I was able to work with them. I walked about the 
entire city without restriction. I was received kindly by academic 
institutions. Canada has an opportunity to engage Korean academics by 
offering them opportunities to study in Canadian universities. Methods to 
improve Korea's food security issue is a priority. Korea needs to develop 
ways to multiply its imported food products through secondary manufacturing. 
We can send wheat to the DPRK, but the multiplier effects are not present. 
Wheat can be integrated and transformed into other forms of food. Let's work 
at exchanges to make it happen. With grants from the Canadian International 
Development Agency and IDRC, such exchanges and expertise could be 
developed. In the meantime, while Korea, with its high literacy rate, could 
benefit from exchanges to promote communication technology, improve 
transportation, sustainable mineral development, and address good governance 
issues.
In turn, we Canadians have a lot to learn. We cannot assume this is a one 
way street. Exchanges create opportunities for us to see what it has been 
like for Koreans to live in fear of attack -- real and imagined -- from 
neighbors near and far away. When you talk with someone with a pencil or 
textbook or computer in hand, and the one you are talking to has a book and 
a calculator in his hand, there is less chance that you are going to be 
shooting at each other. Academic exchanges are Canada's greatest need at the 
moment as a way to facilitate understanding with the DPR of Korea. We could 
be a leader.

Jake Buhler, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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WHAT NOW?
How many people in North Korea have unfettered access to information about 
the world outside the DPRK?
(Jeff Nankivell, CIDA, Ottawa & Charles Burton, Brock University, St. 
Catherines, Ontario, Canada)

[Answers should be e-mailed to: editor at CanKor.ca]
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End CanKor # 245

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