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1. Domestic Affairs
o Chairman Kim Jong-Il received a delegation of the C.I.S. Estero Group of Italy on September 13.
o The Pyongyang International Economic Technology and Infrastructure Exhibition opened on September 17, featuring the latest facilities and technical resources in the areas of energy, postal services, telecommunications, building materials, railways, urban management, public health, etc. The exhibition was intended to promote and expand economic cooperation and exchanges with European corporations participating in the Exhibition.
- North Korean media propagandized that the versatile Kusong No. 10-C lathe was favorably reviewed at the International Exposition for the Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing Industry held in Shenyang, China from August 30 to September 5.
o The National Farm Machinery Exhibition and Technical Innovation Presentation were both held in Sukchon County, South Pyongan Province from September 11 to 13. About 200 newly developed farm machines were on display, promoting the achievements made towards farm mechanization.
o The 8th Pyongyang Film Festival took place from September 4 to 13. The festival was notable in that it showed films from the United States, Britain, Germany and Japan, demonstrating North Korea's interest in films from the West and in seeking export opportunities for North Korean films.
o North Korean media propagandized that the nation is making focused efforts to plant trees from superior varieties and build forest erosion-control facilities during the autumn total mobilization for national land management campaign throughout the country's regions.
2. South Korean Relations
o After two rounds (6th and 7th) of working-level military talks, the South and the North adopted a 6-point military assurance agreement, which laid the foundation for future military confidence-building measures. The agreement included the designation of South-North administration zones along the Western and Eastern borders and provision of military assurances for the re-linking of cross-border rail lines and roads.
o The first meeting of the Inter-Korean Panel for Re-Linking Railways and Roads was held at Mt. Kumkang from September 16 to 17, producing a 6-point agreement. The North described the meeting as a significant event fostering common prosperity and interests of the South and the North, revealing a sense of anticipation towards railway restoration projects.
- The South and the North separately conducted ground-breaking ceremonies for the project of re-linking the 9/18 Kyungui Rail Line and Tonghae Rail Line.
o Meanwhile, the working-level meetings for the joint survey of the Imnam Dam ended without any agreements due to differences of opinion on survey methods and other issues. Both sides decided to reconvene for a second meeting in early October.
o The 5th round of separated family reunions was held at Mt. Kumkang from September 13 to 18, while South Korean delegations of taekwondo martial art athletes and the KBS Orchestral Company visited Pyongyang from September 14 to 17, and on September 16 respectively. Civil exchanges between the South and the North are gaining momentum as government talks reopen in various sectors.
- However, North Korean media forcefully assailed the Grand National Party's presidential candidate for the expression of his views on Chairman Kim Jong-Il's return visit to Seoul, describing it as a significant blow to our pride and an outrageous action to hurt our dignity.
3. External Affairs
o Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi held a summit meeting in Pyongyang on September 17. The meeting produced a 4-point Pyongyang Declaration, providing the cornerstone for normalization of relations.
- On the issue of correcting past mistakes, Japan expressed atonement and agreed to discuss economic cooperation during the process of normalizing relations. North Korea, for its part, apologized for the abduction of Japanese citizens and affirmed its commitment to cooperate with Japan on nuclear weapons, missiles and other security issues.
- A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement on September 17, expressing regret on the abduction of Japanese citizens and promising to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to cooperate with the repatriation of the abductees still living in North Korea. The statement demonstrated a dramatic change of attitude on the part of North Korea towards Japan.
o In its September 14 issue, the Rodong Shinmun, the official newspaper of the Korea Worker's Party, reiterated its demands for the withdrawal of the U.S. Forces in Korea, arguing that the stationing of the forces based on the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty, is in violation of the Armistice Agreement and the principles of International Law.
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