1. Domestic Affairs
The 50th anniversary of the publication of the late North Korean
leader Kim Il-sung' work, titled "On making good preparations for universal,
free medical care," was commemorated at a ceremony in the People's Palace of
Culture on Jan. 19.
Choe Thae-bok, Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly,
Kim Su-hak, Minister of Public Health, and Pak In-gun, Secretary of Pyongyang
branch of the ruling Workers' Party, attended the ceremony.
Events were planned for the 60th birthday of North Korean
leader Kim Jong-il, Feb.16. They include the 12th Feb. 16 Arts Prize performance
contest from Jan. 30 to Feb. 17, the 13th National Youth Sports Festival on Feb.
10, a book exhibition on Feb. 7, and the 11th Paektusan Cup International
Festival on Feb. 12.
In an editorial on Jan. 22, Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper
of the ruling Workers' Party, urged the government to expand its projects to
strengthen residents' consciousness of class. Such demand was made on the
occasion of the 40th anniversary of Chairman of the National Defense Commission
Kim Jong-il's on-the-spot instructions in Sinchon Museum on Jan. 22.
The Central Broadcasting Station also noted in a news
commentary on Jan. 22 that it takes a strong political and ideological offensive
to carry through the tasks outlined in a joint editorial of some major news
organizations.
Rodong Sinmun emphasized the significance of developing
science and technology in its editorial on Jan. 23, on the occasion of 50th
anniversary of the foundation of the National Academy of Science on Dec. 1,
1952.
It also emphasized creativity and change in an editorial
on Jan. 25, titled "Let's innovate all our projects strictly based on the seed
theory (presented by Kim Jong-il)." A seminar had been held on the seed theory
in Pyongyang on the same day last year.
2. South Korean Relations
The North Korean government held a conference with
political parties and social groups at the People's Palace of Culture on Jan.
22. Yang Hyong-sop, Vice President of the Supreme People's Assembly, proposed
that a campaign be launched from May to August to strengthen the national
solidarity, presenting three petitions and three propositions.His "three petitions and three proposals" at the meeting
were supported by Kim Yong-dae, Chairman of the Social Democratic party, on Jan.
23, Ryu Mi-yong, Chairman of the Chondoist Young Friends Party, on Jan. 24 and
Ryom Sun-gil, Chairman of the General Federation of Trade Unions, on Jan. 25.
The North Headquarters of the Pomminryon (National
Alliance for the Country's Reunification) convened at the 10th general session
of its Central Committee in Pyongyang on Jan. 24.
On Jan. 21, Central and Pyongyang Broadcasting Stations
denounced the New Year's address on Jan.17 by Lee Hoi-chang, leader of the South
Korean Grand National Party. He made the address on Jan. 17.
3. External affairs
On the upcoming first anniversary of inauguration of the Bush
Administration, Pyongyang Broadcasting Station censured the administration's
hostile policy against North Korea on Jan.20 and 21, branding it as "maneuvers
to crush North Korea to death."
Pyongyang and Central Broadcasting Stations reported on
Jan. 22 that the North Korean representative in the United Nations had submitted
North Korean documents on the U.S. troops' massacre of civilians during the
Korean War to the Jan.15 meeting of U.N. Council.
North Korea denounced Japan for dispatching its troops
overseas and revising laws toward the reinforcement of its military.
Pyongyang-Euro-Asia Joint Venture Co. held its first
board meeting at the People's Place of Culture on Jan. 21. |
