U.S. Sec. State Condoleezza Rice, on Asia tour, warned North Korea against non-cooperation on 6-partytalks. State news agency announced lifting of moratorium on long-term missile testing as U.S.-North Korean dialogue, reason for ban, now suspended.

Set-back to nuclear talks with Pyongyang’s most explicit public announcement that it had nuclear weapons and intended to pull out of 6-party talks. Justification for hard-line stance given as response to “brazen-faced, double-dealing tactics” of Bush administration. U.S., Japan and South Korea envoys met in Seoul 26 February; insisted there be no incentives in advance of 6-party talks, suggesting NK raise issues of concern once dialogue is revived. After meeting envoy from China, Kim Jong-il announced would return to talks when situation “mature”.

NK government told U.S. congressional delegations to Pyongyang that 6-party talks would resume “in near future” - depending on direction of U.S. policy. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s “outpost of tyranny” comment 19 January produced sharp reaction. Japan-North Korea relations continued to slide after Japan returned “false” evidence supposedly proving fate of abducted Japanese citizens.

Rhetoric continued as progress on nuclear talks remained stalled. Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi pledged to delay sanctions to give Pyongyang more time to respond to demands for truth on abduction issue. North Korea warned if sanctions imposed, would hit back with “effective physical response”. No progress on 6-party talks after North Korea reacted to western media reports on possible regime weakness, calling U.S. “extremely disgusting and hateful”.

U.S. held consultations with Russia, Japan, China and South Korea at APEC summit in Chile, urging early resumption of 6-party talks, though no date set for 4th round. Bilateral negotiations between Japanese and North Korean officials failed to satisfy former's request for information on abducted Japanese. Refugees and defections from North Korea have increased dramatically since U.S. President Bush signed North Korea Human Rights Act 18 October, making North Koreans eligible for U.S. asylum.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited East Asia in attempt to revive 6-party talks. Negotiations remained on hold as Pyongyang awaits U.S. election results. U.S. President Bush signed North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 18 October, law that paves way for $24 million per year from 2005 to 2008 in humanitarian aid and makes refugees eligible for asylum in U.S.

Vice Foreign Minister Choe Su Hon announced to UN General Assembly 27 September North Korea has already reprocessed 8,000 fuel rods and “transformed them into arms”. Six-party talks remain on hold. Revelations of South Korean nuclear experiments in 2000 complicated issue, led to Pyongyang’s accusation of U.S. double standards. International concern following 9 September “mountain demolition” and military activity around Rodong missile launch sites 23 September. Bilateral talks with Japan over kidnap issue held 25-26 September; lack of progress led to postponement of aid shipment from Japan.

Pyongyang refused to attend working-level talks for fourth round of 6-party talks scheduled for September. Analysts suggest Pyongyang stalling on talks in anticipation of U.S. November election. Pyongyang launched verbal tirade at President Bush after he referred to Kim Jong Il as “tyrant”, putting further doubt on early resumption of talks.

Impasse continued as Pyongyang reiterated position that freeze of nuclear facilities, possibly leading to their eventual dismantling, only to occur after U.S. gives energy aid, lifts economic sanctions, and stops accusations of sponsoring terrorism. Fourth round of 6-party talks expected by end of September. Naval incident with South Korea 14 July setback to recent détente. North Korea responded by skipping scheduled 19 July meeting of military officers in Seoul. South granted asylum to 460 North Korean refugees; Pyongyang accused South of “abduction and terrorism”. U.S. to donate 50,000 tons of food aid in gesture independent of nuclear negotiations.

Six-way talks ended in Beijing 25 June. U.S. changed tactics with proposal involving energy aid, security guarantees in return for North Korean disclosure of nuclear program, submission to inspections and pledge to begin eliminating program after preparatory period of 3 months. ‘Cautious’ response from Pyongyang welcomed proposal but stressed remaining differences. All parties have agreed in principle to meet again in September.