| April
2. | - The U.S. hosts a trilateral
meeting of security officials from the Republic of Korea and
Japan in Annapolis.
･ “The national security advisors
shared their concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and
ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed their commitment
to resolve these issues through concerted trilateral
cooperation towards denuclearization.”
･ “They agreed
on the imperative for full implementation of the relevant UN
Security Council resolutions by the international community,
including North Korea, prevention of proliferation, and
cooperation to strengthen deterrence and maintain peace and
stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
･ “They discussed
the importance of reuniting separated Korean families and
the swift resolution of the abductions issue.”
|
| April 3. |
- The foreign ministers from China and the Republic of
Korea hold a meeting in Xiamen.
･ “ROK Foreign
Minister Chung noted with appreciation China’s support for
the ‘Northeast Asia Cooperation for Health Security’
initiative and expressed hope for its continued support and
ongoing cooperation, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang said
he actively supports the implementation of the
initiative.”
･ “The two foreign ministers exchanged
views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed
that the two countries share the goals of realizing
denuclearization and establishing permanent peace on the
Korean Peninsula. The two sides agreed to continue to expand
cooperation to good control of the situation on the Korean
Peninsula and to create conditions for progress in the peace
process on the Korean Peninsula.” |
| April 5. | - North
Korea’s Olympic Committee decides not to participate in the
Tokyo Olympics (at its general meeting on March 25).
･
“The Committee, at the suggestion of its members, decided
that North Korea will not take part in the Tokyo Olympic
Games in order to protect players from the global health
crisis caused by COVID-19.” |
| April 6. | - The ROK
government commences a 2021 survey of separated
families.
|
| April 6. |
- The director of the Research
Institute for Nutrition Care of Children under the Academy
of Medical Science of the DPRK Ministry of Public Health
releases a statement.
･ “According to the news, a
‘report’ published by a UN panel of experts contains such
groundless information that many children are suffering from
malnutrition in our country and cannot receive proper
treatment due to the state emergency anti-epidemic measures
taken to check the spread of COVID-19.”
･ “Distorting
the situation of our country cannot but be viewed as a
black-hearted act of hostility to tarnish the image of our
country.”
･ “Taking this opportunity, I warn the
quasi-media of South Korea taking the lead in the anti-DPRK
smear campaign by echoing rubbish-like information no one
lends an ear to.” |
| April
8. | - The ROK’s Inter-Korean
Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council holds its 320th
session.
･ It deliberated upon and resolved such
matters as funding the reconstruction of Bima Bridge in the
Cheorwon section of the DMZ Peace Trails and the
establishment of the comprehensive DMZ system from the
Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund; and an amendment of the Asset
Management Guidelines of the Inter-Korean Cooperation
Fund. |
| April 12. | - China appoints Liu Xiaoming, a former
ambassador to North Korea, as its new special representative
on Korean Peninsula affairs.
|
| April 14. | - North Korean
Ambassador to China Ri Ryong Nam presents his credentials to
Chinese President Xi Jinping.
|
| April 15. | - North Korea
marks the birthday of Kim Il Sung (Day of the Sun).
|
| April 15. | - The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission,
a U.S. bipartisan congressional caucus, holds a hearing on
South Korea’s ban on flying anti-DPRK leaflets into North
Korea (by video conferencing).
･ “Civil and Political
Rights in the Republic of Korea: Implications for Human
Rights on the Peninsula”
･ Congressional members
present (4 persons): Chris Smith and Jim McGovern
(co-chairs), Young Kim (Republican Party, California), and
Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic Party, Texas)
･
Witnesses (6 persons): Gordon Chang, a columnist, author,
and lawyer; Inho Lee, former ambassador of the Republic of
Korea to the Russian Federation; John Sifton, Asia Advocacy
Director of Human Rights Watch; Suzanne Scholte, chair of
the North Korea Freedom Coalition; Jessica Lee, senior
research fellow for East Asia at the Quincy Institute for
Responsible Statecraft; and Jeon Su-mi, chair of the
Conciliation and Peace Society. |
| April 16. | - The ROK
government announces that the ROK-U.S. summit is slated for
late May in Washington D.C.
|
| April 16. | - Japanese Prime
Minister Yoshihide Suga visits the U.S., and Mr. Suga and
his US counterpart adopt the U.S.-Japan Joint Leaders’
Statement: “U.S. – Japan Global Partnership for a New Era.”
･ “The United States and Japan reaffirmed their
commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea,
urging North Korea to abide by its obligations under UN
Security Council resolutions, and called for full
implementation by the international community. We intend to
strengthen deterrence to maintain peace and stability in the
region and will work together and with others to address the
dangers associated with North Korea’s nuclear and missile
program, including the risk of proliferation. President
Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the
immediate resolution of the abductions issue.”
･ “We
also concurred that trilateral cooperation with the Republic
of Korea is essential to our shared security and
prosperity.” |
| April 27. |
- President Moon Jae-in gives
opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting on the occasion of
the third anniversary of the Panmunjeom Declaration.
･
“It has been three years since South and North Korean
leaders announced the Panmunjeom Declaration for Peace,
Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula in front
of the 80 million Koreans. Although the scenes at the foot
bridge are still vivid, it is very unfortunate that there
has been a protracted impasse in dialogue between North
Korea and the United States since the collapse of their
summit in Hanoi.”
･ “The Panmunjeom Declaration is a
milestone for peace that no one can undermine. In no way can
the progress toward peace as laid out in the Panmunjeom
Declaration be reversed. Many difficulties remain in the way
of advancing the outcome of the Panmunjeom Declaration due
to external conditions and realistic limitations. However,
the situation on the Korean Peninsula is being managed in a
more controlled manner than ever before without military
conflict, despite issues large and small in inter-Korean
relations. Peace continues even amid the strain in
relations.”
･ “However, the present peace is
incomplete. On the foundation of the Panmunjeom Declaration,
we have to move toward irreversible and permanent peace. The
moment to end the long deliberations and resume dialogue is
approaching. It is time to prepare to restart the clock of
peace based on the lessons learned while enduring
pain.”
･ “I hope that the summit between the Republic
of Korea and the United States scheduled for late May will
serve as an opportunity to further solidify the ROK-U.S.
alliance and, at the same time, to closely coordinate policy
toward North Korea and set the direction for progress. Our
government will explore ways to advance the peace process on
the Korean Peninsula by building upon solid cooperation with
the Biden administration. My hope is that a breakthrough can
be made to restore dialogue and cooperation between the two
Koreas and between the United States and North Korea.”
|
| April 27. | - Unification Minister Lee In-young
states, “We remain willing to talk with North Korea anytime,
anywhere, and in any way they want” (in his congratulatory
speech on the third anniversary of the Panmunjeom
Declaration).
･ “I once again emphasize that we remain
willing to talk with North Korea anytime, anywhere, and in
any way they want, regardless of agenda.”
･ “The
government will pursue the approval of the National Assembly
for the Panmunjeom Declaration, which will become the
‘foundation for unwavering peace.’” “I would like to make it
clear that it will complete the procedures to get approval
from the National Assembly at an appropriate time after
building the consensus among political parties, the National
Assembly, and the people.” |
| April 28. | - US President
Biden first gives an address to a Joint Session of
Congress.
･ “On Iran and North Korea’s nuclear
programs that present a serious threat to America’s security
and world security, we will be working closely with our
allies to address the threats posed by both of these
countries through diplomacy and stern deterrence.”
|
| April 28. | - The US Department of State issues a
statement: “On the Occasion of North Korea Freedom
Week.”
･ “We stand with the millions of North Koreans
who continue to have their dignity and human rights violated
by one of the most repressive and totalitarian states in the
world.”
･ “We are appalled by the increasingly
draconian measures the regime has taken, including
shoot-to-kill orders at the North Korea-China border, to
tighten control of its people under the guise of fighting
COVID-19.”
･ “The United States will continue to
raise awareness of North Korea’s egregious human rights
situation, investigate abuses and violations, support access
to independent information for the North Korean people, and
work with the United Nations and likeminded allies to
promote accountability for the Kim regime.”
･ “We also
honor the courage of the North Korean defector and human
rights community and will always support their efforts to
shine a spotlight on these grave injustices.”
|
| April 30. |
- The Blue House and the White House announce that the
ROK-US summit will be held on May 21.
|
| April 30. | - Park
Sang-hak, a vocal North Korean defector, states that his
organization (Fighters for a Free North Korea) floated 10
giant balloons carrying half a million anti-DPRK leaflets,
500 reading pamphlets critical of North Korea, and 5,000 $1
bills from frontline areas into North Korea.
|
| April 30. |
- The White House spokeswoman tells reporters on Air Force
One that U.S. officials have completed a months-long review
of North Korea policy.
･ “(Has the administration
finished the North Korea policy review? And if so, what
approach will they be taking?) Sure. I can confirm that
we’ve completed our DPRK policy review, which was thorough,
rigorous, and inclusive.”
･ “We consulted closely with
outside experts and our predecessors from several previous
administrations, and our way forward draws from their
lessons learned and shared.”
･ “Our goal remains the
complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. With a
clear understanding that the efforts of the past four
administrations have not achieved this objective, our policy
will not focus on achieving a grand bargain, nor will it
rely on strategic patience.”
･ “Our policy calls for a
calibrated, practical approach that is open to and will
explore diplomacy with the DPRK, and to make practical
progress that increases the security of the United States,
our allies, and deployed forces.”
･ “We have and will
continue to consult with the Republic of Korea, Japan, and
other allies and partners at every step along the way.”
|
