North and South Korea begin Peace Accord

Since 2000, there have been several talks between Kim Dae-jung and Kim-jong-il about the idea of ending the division of the two countries.  In that time, multiple events have derailed the talks from becoming deplomacy.  Such topics as South Korea's allied countries' (USA and Japan) intentions during and after the contacts have stallled previous encounters.  However now, the idea of a unified Korean peninsular seems to be possible even with allied help.  One key factor is South Korea's part in hosting the World Cup in the coming future.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1918162.stm

UK urges stronger sanctions on N. Korea from UN

After the nuclear weapons testing in North Korea, the United Kingdom called the act irresponsible.  Tony Blair went on to say according to BBC. com he "condemed the test, which he said showed North Korea's 'disregard' for international concerns."  The UK also went on to say that after these tests North Korea has isolated themselves from the rest of the international community.  Some sanctions are already in place, but Ms. Beckett is calling for a heavier hand.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6032811.stm

North Korea Denies Allegations of Cooporation with Syria:

Last week in the "New York Times" and the "USA Today," there were talks of North Korea helping Syria in building a nuclear weapons program.  Foreign Ministry officials from North Korea denied the statements and blamed the U.S. for the fabrication.  Officials said U.S. hard-liners were the backing of the statements in efforts of blocking or delaying talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/09/F7915574-E181-47CA-89BE-B99E4853BD0A.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7000171.stm

1 September 2007:  CNN.com reports on U.S. talks with North Korea

Geneva, Switzerland is the site of talks between six countries trying to make the Korean Peninsula nuclear free.  North Korea currently has undeclared nuclear weapons and a known nuclear complex.  There are also allegations of North Korea having another undeclared nuclear weapons program using uranium.  After nuclear testing in October, North Korea was asked by the United States along with China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan to denuclearlize.  These talks are the beginning of the process.  Here, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill plans to address some key issues that could impede the process of the talks.  These are the issues:

• A resolution of the dispute between North Korea and Japan about Japanese civilians being abducted.
• Discussion of the uranium weapons program (North Korea does not acknowledge having this program)
• Declaration of nuclear weapons and disabling its plutonium-nuclear weapons complex
• The U.S. taking North Korea off their list of countries possibly harboring terrorists.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/08/31/koreas.us.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText

Small Step on long road for N. Korea

Ever since 1995, the International Atomic Energy Agency has been monitoring the electrical reactor in North Korea's known nuclear site of Yongbyon.  At the time there were talks between the main super powers of the world and North Korea about shutting down the reactor with Bill Clinton as president of the US.  Things fell apart and Kim Jong-il  proceeded in researching nuclear energy.  In 2003, more talks began again in the idea of N Korea shutting down its reactor.  This time the talks were with both Koreas, China, US, Russia, and Japan.  Another action took place between the United States and North Korea to make Kim Jong-il back out of the talks in 2005.  Now North Korea in small compliance with the world is coming back to the talks to settle international conflict.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6901861.stm

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