| February 4-6 | - US-Korea
joint navy exercise takes place
|
| February 6 | - Spokesperson
for North Korea’s National Economic Cooperation Federation
holds an interview
- “If anyone, in any form, touches
the industrial zone, we will withdraw all privileges granted
to the Gaeseong Industrial Zone.”
|
| February 9 | - North
Korea’s Research Center for the Reunification of the
Fatherland announces its list of ten of the biggest crimes
by South Korea and assesses and criticizes five years of
policies towards North Korea conducted by the Lee Myung Bak
administration.
|
| February
12 | - North Korea conducts its
third nuclear test in the region of Punggyeri, Gilju in
Hamgyeongbukdo Province (11:57 AM)
|
| February 12 | - South
Korea’s President holds a National Security Council meeting
(1:00 PM)
|
| February 12 |
- South Korean government issues a
statement (2:30 PM)
- “North Korea will have to bear
the responsibility for all the consequences resulting from
its provocative acts.”
- “South Korea will seek all
necessary measures in close consultation with the
international community for the nuclear disarmament of North
Korea.”
|
| February 12 |
- North Korea announces that “the
third nuclear test has been successful” (2:43 PM)
- Argues that a “smaller and lighter nuclear bomb was
used”, “boasted the high competitiveness in diversified
nuclear deterrent capabilities”
|
| February 12 | - Emergency
meeting between President Lee Myung Bak and President Elect
Park Geun Hye (3:00 PM)
|
| February 12 | - North
Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds an interview (8:01
PM)
- “This nuclear test was a first-phase response
with the utmost self-restraint. If the US continues to take
a hostile stance, second and third-phase responses of higher
intensity will be taken.”
|
| February 12 | - UN Security
Council etc. issues a statement regarding North Korea’s
third nuclear test
- UN Security Council’s statement
to the press (strong denunciation of the act, moves to
discuss additional sanctions)
- The White House
issues a statement (“serious act of provocation)
- China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement
(“we strongly oppose such acts”)
- Japan’s Prime
Minister issues a statement (“it is deeply regretful”)
|
| February 25 | - President Park Geun Hye delivers her
inauguration speech
- “North Korea should lay down
its nuclear arms as soon as possible. We hope North Korea
joins us in the path to peace and co-prosperity.”
- “The security situation in which South Korea finds
itself at the current moment is indeed serious but we need
to look forward. Through the Trust-Building Process on the
Korean Peninsula, we seek to lay the foundation for a
prosperous post-unification era.
|
| February 27 | - North
Korea’s Joseon Shinbo reacts for the first time since
President Park’s inauguration address (February 25)
- “The last five years has taught us that if the nuclear
issue is presented as a condition for talks, no progress can
be made. The new leader should not follow in the footsteps
of her predecessor.”
|
