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.

Generals from North and South Korea had first ever meeting 26 May, agreed to meet again 3 June. Six-party working groups started 12 May, ended with agreement for further discussions. Main stumbling block remains: U.S. seeking complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement (CVID), while North Korea insisting on ‘freeze’. International Atomic Energy Agency reportedly found evidence Libyan uranium came from North Korea; denied by Pyongyang. Japan summit 22 May focused on repatriation of abducted Japanese nationals.

Low-level 6-party talks to begin in Beijing 12 May to prepare for further talks in June. U.S. vice president Cheney called on Beijing to recognise that evidence from Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan confirms Pyongyang already has nuclear weapons: China had cast doubt on U.S. and South Korean claims that North Korea was developing uranium weapon. Kim Jong-il travelled to Beijing 19 April for talks with Hu Jintao: China reportedly urged Jong-il to soften stance towards U.S. to break impasse over ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. Massive rail explosion, apparently accidental, shook Pyongyang into asking for international aid.