1. Domestic Affairs
o On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Joint Meeting of the Regional Party and Economic Workers in Changsong County, North Korea stressed the role of counties in invigorating regional economies and improving the living standards of the people, through a national research forum on August 6, a national reporting session on August 8, and in the August 8 editorial of the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Korea Worker's Party.
- The August 4th editorial of the Rodong Sinmun urged the implementation of the guidelines for North-Korean-style economic management which include such initiatives as the modernization and informatization of the people's economy. On August 6, the newspaper emphasized the principle of guaranteeing maximum practical benefits to improve and realize socialist economic management.
o North Korean media reported on a tape-cutting ceremony for Youth Power Station No. 6 and the Kumjingang Dam on August 5, commenting that the facilities would provide solid infrastructure for the agriculture industry in South Hamgyong Province.
- Meanwhile, the Central Broadcasting Station said on August 8 that the country was making progress towards restoring its production to normal levels through such activities as the construction of raw-material production facilities and small-and-medium-sized power stations in Kim Jong-Suk County and Daehongdan County.
o North Korean media propagandized on the success of the West Sea Barrage, reporting that about 100,000 ships, including 20,000 cargo vessels, have passed through the Barrage since its installation 16 years ago.
o Kim Jong-Il conveyed his gratitude to the builders of the Mt. Baeku revolutionary battle sites (August 6, Central Broadcasting Station) and to those who have contributed to army-supporting projects (August 3, Central Broadcasting Station). Kim also encouraged the continuation of the building of revolutionary monuments to the three Mt. Baekdu Generals (August 3, Central Broadcasting Station) and encouraged other activities for defending the system and for ideological education.
o On the occasion of the first anniversary of Kim Jong-Il's visit to Russia from July 26 to August 18, 2001, the National Defense Commission hosted a party on August 4 to celebrate the expansion and improvement of bilateral relations.
2. South Korean Relations
o Following working-level contacts for the seventh round of inter-Korean ministerial talks held on Mt. Kumkang from August 2 to 4, North Korea unveiled a Joint Press Release for the meeting (which included agreements on the provision of support for August 15 civic unification events, etc.,) and a timetable and agenda for inter-ministerial talks. It also announced the North's participation in the Busan Asian Games in the South.
o On August 3, major cadres of the party and state gathered for the Meeting of Pyongyangnites to mark the fifth anniversary of the August 4, 1997 publication of Kim Jong-Il's works on unification. The meeting gave expression to hope for better relations with the United States, with a remark made that said the relations would proceed well if the U.S. implements existing agreements.
o Pyongyang Broadcasting Station described the Northern Limit Line as a ghost ship for northern invasion on August 5, in a continuation of attacks on the NLL based on the Armistice Agreement and international laws.
3. External affairs
o Central and Pyongyang Broadcasting Stations reported August 7 on North Korea's participation in general-level officers' talks at Panmunjom on August 6, shortly after the West Sea naval clash. North Korea had been refusing to participate in the talks so far. The reports said that the meeting covered counter-plans to prevent military clashes in the West Sea in the future and the issues of salvaging the sunken vessel and of the Northern Limit Line.
- In highlighting the improved mood for dialogue, the Central Broadcasting Station reported on the ARF Chair's Statement saying that the ARF welcomes North Korea's proposal for reopening inter-Korean dialogue and hopes for the fruitful proceeding of DPRK-U.S. and DPRK-Japan dialogues.
o North Korean media reported, albeit briefly, on the concrete-pouring ceremony for the Light-Water Reactor project on August 7, expressing interest in the progress of the LWR project.
o Central Broadcasting Station reported on August 7 that DPRK-Japan Red Cross talks were to be held in Pyongyang from August 18 to 19. It said the meeting would cover the investigation of the missing and home visits of Japanese women married to North Korean men, showing a more active approach to the concerns of the Japanese.
o The U.N. Under-Secretary General and a delegation from the Thai Senate visited North Korea from July 30 to August 3.
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