Japan to demand N. Korea repay loans for KEDO project
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작성자 TETSYUYA WATANA… 작성일05-11-25 22:55 조회1,345회 댓글0건관련링크
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Japan will demand that North Korea repay about $406 million (48 billion yen) in loans for a now-scrapped light-water nuclear reactor project, but odds are Tokyo will be stuck with the tab, officials said.
The decision was made in response to Tuesday"s agreement of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) to end the long-suspended project in the reclusive country, they said.
KEDO was jointly established by Japan, the United States and South Korea in 1995 with the goal of constructing two light-water nuclear reactors in North Korea to help the country meet its electricity needs and to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
However, the project has been suspended since October 2002 when North Korea"s uranium-enrichment program came to light, fueling fears that the country was trying to build nuclear weapons.
KEDO directors on Tuesday decided to finally end the project and dissolve the organization.
The contract for the project stipulates that North Korea must repay construction costs in 20 years without interest after the completion of the light-water reactors.
"As for the financial loss of KEDO, the government should demand North Korea make repayments," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said in a news conference Thursday.
Japan was responsible for 22 percent of the reactors" total construction cost of about $4.6 billion. The Japanese government had offered about $406 million in the form of loans by the end of July this year through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
In addition, the government has provided about $87 million from state coffers to help operate KEDO offices.
The Japanese government is also considering requesting North Korea pay the $87 million because Pyongyang neglected to fulfill its duties.
But government officials say there is a low possibility that North Korea will comply with the requests for repayment.
"We don"t know how much amount will return from North Korea," Senior Vice Foreign Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki said.
The government decided in 1999 to take every measure to secure the repayment of the loans offered through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
If North Korea does not repay the loans, the Japanese government will be obliged to shoulder the repayment.(IHT/Asahi: November 26,2005)
The decision was made in response to Tuesday"s agreement of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) to end the long-suspended project in the reclusive country, they said.
KEDO was jointly established by Japan, the United States and South Korea in 1995 with the goal of constructing two light-water nuclear reactors in North Korea to help the country meet its electricity needs and to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
However, the project has been suspended since October 2002 when North Korea"s uranium-enrichment program came to light, fueling fears that the country was trying to build nuclear weapons.
KEDO directors on Tuesday decided to finally end the project and dissolve the organization.
The contract for the project stipulates that North Korea must repay construction costs in 20 years without interest after the completion of the light-water reactors.
"As for the financial loss of KEDO, the government should demand North Korea make repayments," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said in a news conference Thursday.
Japan was responsible for 22 percent of the reactors" total construction cost of about $4.6 billion. The Japanese government had offered about $406 million in the form of loans by the end of July this year through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
In addition, the government has provided about $87 million from state coffers to help operate KEDO offices.
The Japanese government is also considering requesting North Korea pay the $87 million because Pyongyang neglected to fulfill its duties.
But government officials say there is a low possibility that North Korea will comply with the requests for repayment.
"We don"t know how much amount will return from North Korea," Senior Vice Foreign Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki said.
The government decided in 1999 to take every measure to secure the repayment of the loans offered through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
If North Korea does not repay the loans, the Japanese government will be obliged to shoulder the repayment.(IHT/Asahi: November 26,2005)
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