The human factor

Article Abstract:

North Korean permission for around 15 Japanese women living in North Korea to make short visits to Japan represents a slight thaw in North Korean/Japanese relations. The Japanese may provide $20 million food aid to North Korea. Many problems in relations between the two countries still remain, but North Korea's new willingness to negotiate on human rights issues in return for aid is significant. Around 1,800 Japanese spouses of North Koreans went to live in North Korea in the 25 years after 1959, but few have been able to maintain contact with their families.

Intnl Affairs & Finance, National Security and International Affairs

---

Through a Japanese lens

Article Abstract:

Japan's efforts to normalize relations with North Korea reflect considerable frustration and confusion, but are a natural effort given the inability other countries have shown to resolve the Korean Peninsula's problems. Many segments of Japanese society have conflicting views on Korea: the military fears a resurgent threat, businessmen have few hopes of profits there, and many politicians refuse to apologize for previous Japanese colonialism. US plans to use military force against North Korea if necessary could alienate the Japanese.

International relations

---

Japan: stop funding Kim Il Sung

Article Abstract:

An estimated 60 to 80 billion yen move from Japan to North Korea each year, mostly through a network of credit associations for Korean residents. The total is twice that of North Korea's budget. Japanese efforts to use economic sanctions to pressure North Korea to comply with nuclear non-proliferation agreements will be meaningless unless these financial transfers are halted.

Column, Economic assistance, Foreign economic assistance, Emigrant remittances, Korea, North

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Japan's lame-duck support. A Japanese puzzle
• Abstracts: The farmbelt breaks free. The trough: America's farm subsidies. What makes farming different?
• Abstracts: The new convert. The reluctant sheriff. World cop?
• Abstracts: The hazards of enterprise. Their men in Havana. New clothes: Cuba
• Abstracts: Port in a storm. Tirana-on-Thames. Island of exclusivity: immigrants

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.