InternalAffairs
Internal Affairs
o Chairman Kim Jong-il visited military unit 763 and its headquarters company June 20 and told them to stick to the tradition of struggle and strengthen combat capabilities. He also told them to achieve food self-sufficiency by being engaged in business on the side.
o The presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly announced that elections of deputies to the provincial, municipal and county assemblies will be held on August 3. Ahead of the 55th anniversary (September 9) of the founding of the North Korean regime, the move is an indication that a massive organizational and personnel overhaul is in the offing, such as the re-installment of Kim as the chairman of the National Defense Commission, and a fresh recruitment of people's deputies at all levels.
o On the eve of the rainy season, North Korea called on the relevant economic sectors to be fully prepared for rain-damage prevention measures, most of all in the agricultural sector.
o Through Pyongyang Radio, North Korea reported that construction of a modern bridge was under way over the Nam River, a tributary of the Daedong River, indicating that it was trying to solve transportation problems faced by the Seungho Cement Factory and other light industry plants and provide traffic convenience for the residents in the Seungho area.
o North Korea's Central News Agency reported June 19 that an Internet homepage dubbed "Among Our People" has been set up and operating since April 1. It is expected that the website will be used as a means to promote the regime.
o By winning the 14th Asian Women's Football Championship held in Bangkok June 8-12, North Korea qualified to compete in the FIFA's Women's World Cup, scheduled for September 20-October 12 in the United States.
Relations with South Korea
o On the occasion of the 30th anniversary (June 23, 1973) of the announcement of the "Five Courses of Action on National Unification," North Korea held a Pyongyang city report session. During the session, Yang Hyeong-seop extolled the achievements of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il for unification, describing them as "a historical event that elevated struggles for the unification of the fatherland to a higher phase" and "a brilliant fruition of the General's mature and refined leadership."
o In the report session, North Korea also emphasized development in dialogue, exchanges and cooperation between South and North Korea by a thorough implementation of the June 15, 2000, South-North Joint Declaration and grand unity of the Korean people, and instigated anti-American, anti-war struggle in opposition to the hostile US policy toward Pyongyang.
External Affairs
o On the occasion of the 53rd anniversary (June 25, 1950) of the outbreak of the Korean War, North Korea staged mass meetings in Pyongyang, where a crowd of 1 million people assembled, and elsewhere, to denounce and vow vengeance against the United States. The variety and scope of the agitation for anti-US struggles and instigation for hostilities toward the United States were unmatched by similar events of the previous years.
o Concerning the US move to adopt a statement of the President of the UN Security Council on the North Korean nuclear issue, North Korea through a commentary of the newspaper Rodong Sinmun June 20 reacted strongly saying, "If they take our problem to the United Nations, North Korea will cope it with strong 'emergency measures.'"
o In a Rodong Sinmun commentary on June 23, North Korea condemned Japan for going along with the "US ruckus over sanctions on North Korea." It warned that Pyongyang would counter the move with immediate physical retaliatory measures, if the move was judged to threaten North Korean rights to the right to live and independence.
o A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of Jeongbaek Temple, a Russian Orthodox Church, in Pyongyang June 24, an indication of brisk exchange and cooperation in the religious sector between North Korea and Russia.
