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South-North Relations

Weekly Report on North Korea

본문영역

Weekly Report on North Korea No.

writer
관리자
created
2002-11-08
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14035
Weekly on North Korea

1. External affairs
- Chairman Kim Jong-il visited military units in the central frontline area, There, he commended the military for their training performance and expressed interest in ways to improve soldiers' barracks and living conditions. He then conducted an on-site inspection and instruction session at industrial facilities in the Wonsan region and exhorted his listeners to do their part in normalizing the railway sector.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the railway ministry issued a statement endorsing Russia's proposal for holding a trilateral meeting of the two Koreas and Russia in connection with the proposed connection of the Trans-Korean Railway/Trans-Siberian Railway.

- Chairman Kim also visited Nakwon Machinery Union Company in North Pyeongan region, indicating that he was actively engaged in the military and economic affairs.

- After holding an expanded cabinet session recently, North Korea opened an analysis and lecture meeting of the General Federation of Trade Unions and the GFTU's 48th plenary session of its central committee. During the session, the Kim discussed progress in economic management reform and future courses of action.

- By completing an irrigation network between Gaecheon and Taeseongho, North Korea can now expect improved agricultural output in the western part of South Pyeongan region and press for an international cooperation in the agricultural sector as indicated by a visit of the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

It was reported that fish farming has been significantly increased nationwide over the last five years, and indicated that considerable progress has been made in solving the problem of chronic food shortages.

- On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the announcement of a Kim Jong-il's visionary plan for improving urban management, North Korea announced that progress has been made in urban construction projects, such as roads, buildings and apartment houses in Heungnam and the refurbishing and repair of Pyongyang's Younggwang Avenue.

- North Korea observed the 6th "Day of People's Immunity" in the presence of delegates of WHO and other international organizations. Children received vaccinations.

2. Relations with South Korea
- The 8th inter-Korean ministerial meeting, the first government-level encounter between the two Koreas since North Korea's admission of its nuclear weapons program, was held. Departing from its earlier negative stand, North Korea agreed to solve the nuclear issue by dialogue, which would also help the two Koreas to continue to implement their cooperative projects.

Showing their willingness to go ahead with government-level dialogue, both sides agreed to hold the 9th ministerial meeting in January 2003.

- In return for an earlier demonstration performance in the North by a South Korean taekwondo team, a North Korean team reciprocated the gesture in the South. This move was viewed as a strong sign of willingness for future sports exchanges between the two sides.

- North Korea vehemently denounced the "clean government" and other pledges that the South Korean opposition Grand National Party's presidential candidate has put forth. North Korean officials pointed out that the same candidate reportedly requested the North to stage an armed provocation to help his cause in 1997.

3. External Affairs
- In a statement issued by its foreign ministry spokesman on October 25, North Korea rejected a U.S. demand for renunciation of its nuclear weapons program without negotiations. It then formally proposed that the nuclear issue be resolved by concluding a US-North Korea non-aggression treaty.

On the 8th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva agreement, North Korea called for a more faithful implementation of the Agreed Framework. It harshly denounced what it called U.S. attempts to start a war against Iraq and the alleged crimes committed by U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, apparently hoping to galvanize an anti-American sentiment in the international community.

- Vietnam's military politburo delegation visited North Korea, pledging friendly ties in military affairs.

- Marking the U.N. Day on October 24, the Rodong Sinmun reported that major international issues must be resolved smoothly by enhancing the role and functions of the United Nations.

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