1. Domestic Affairs
The Magic Theater of the Pyongyang Circus has opened, Central
and Pyongyang broadcasting stations reported on May 9. "The theater will help
develop our magic skills and enhance the cultural life of North Korean
residents," the stations said.
A seven-language dictionary on science and technology was
published, Central Broadcasting Station reported, on May 8. "It connects Europe
with Asia and will contribute to North Korea's scientific and technological
exchanges with foreign countries," the network said.
Central TV aired
feature programs, May 10, on a mass gymnastics performance entitled Arirang.
The Kaesong City government held a ceremony to
commemorate 10th anniversary of the late leader Kim Il-sung's inspection at the
city, Pyongyang Broadcasting Station reported on May 5.
The construction of a mid-sized power plant began on the
upper stream of Songryong a tributary of taedong River in South Pyongan
Province, which is a tributary to Taedong River, Central TV reported on May 6.
2. South Korean Relations
North Korea boycotted the second round of its economic
cooperation meetings with South Korea May 6, citing South Korean Foreign
Minister Choi Sung-hong's remarks on the North. "The conference cannot be held
as scheduled, because South Korea has not taken responsibility for and any
plausible measure on his remarks for quite a long time," a North Korean official
said. A spokesman for the Ministry of Land and Environmental
Protection issued a statement on May 6, dismissing South Korea's argument that
North Korea's Mt. Geumgang Dam is in danger of collapse. "It is a scheme against
North Korea's People's Army, that constructed the dam and a provocation for
confrontation," Pyongyang Broadcasting Station reported on May 8, quoting the
statement.
South Korean Rep. Park Geun-hye, who is organizing a new
political party, will visit Pyongyang on May 11, Central and Pyongyang
broadcasting stations reported on May 7. A group of residents in South Korea's
Cheju Island arrived in Pyongyang, Central Broadcasting Station said on May 10.
3. External affairs
Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong visited North Korea
from May 2 to 5 to meet Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong-il
and President of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong-nam. They signed
agreements on bilateral investment protection, barter and trade.
A Chinese Communist Party delegation, led by Jia Qinglin,
a member of the political bureau of the Central Committee and the Secretary of
the Beijing City Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), visited North
Korea from May 6 to 10. Chairman Kim met the delegation on May 9 and visited
their lodgings on May 10.
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry denounced the U.S.
annual report on international religious freedom, on May 10, for designating
North Korea as a state violating freedom of religion . He called the designation
a provocation and intervention in North Korea's internal affairs.
The Foreign Ministry hosted a film show and a reception
for North Korea-based European diplomats and officials of European
organizations, Central Broadcasting Station reported on May 8. "North Korea will
develop its friendly and cooperative relations with European countries in the
spirit of self-reliance, peace and goodwill," the Ministry said. |
