17 April 2013 (01:36 UTC-07 Tango)/06 Jumada t-Tania 1434/28 Farvardin 1391/08 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

South Korean media reporting that the Japanese ambassador announced his country is prepared to sign a military intelligence pact with Republic of Korea.  It turns out Japan and ROK was supposed to sign the military pact in July 2012!  It was put off because of protests by South Koreans. If you understand the violent recent history between Korea and Japan then you’ll understand the significance of such a pact.

ROK media also reporting that U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, told Chinese officials that the United States was willing to reduce its missile systems in the area, if the DPRK gave up nuclear weapons.

North Korea insists that its nuclear program is not negotiable.  DPRK media has published front page articles telling people to prepare for war.  Articles also point out that North Korea has every international right to its own nuclear program.  In 2003 the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea pulled out of the UN’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.