InternalAffairs
Internal Affairs
o North Korea tried to enhance its status and the image of Kim Jong-il by holding celebratory meetings, discussions and exhibitions at various places abroad on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the installation of Kim as the general secretary of the ruling Korean Workers Party (KWP) and the 58th anniversary of the founding of the party.
o North Korea reported on October 12 that small and medium-sized mines under the control of the General Bureau of the Coal Industry achieved their annual coal production target ahead of original schedules, turning out 257,000 tons in excess of the plan. It said it owed to a massive raise in coal miners' wages and expansion of the progressive contract work system as well as to an intensive development of small- and medium-sized mines after the economic management improvement measures.
o North Korea reported October 15 that completion of a tidal barrier project at Gangryeong, South Hwanghae Province, will reclaim 11,000 jeongbo (one jeongbo is equal to 9,917 square meters) of rice paddies at Gangryeong and Ungjin areas to which irrigation systems will also be provided. The project is expected to contribute to agricultural development and an increase in grain production.
o North Korea reported October 13 that construction was under way for the "Hothouse of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il Flowers," in Hwoeryeong, a North Hamgyeong provincial city, where Kim Jeong-sook, the late mother of Kim Jong-il, was born. The project was seen as a move to idolize the ruling Kim clan by highlighting the greatness of the Three Great Generals of Mt. Baekdu and praise of their achievements.
o North Korea hosted a delegation's meeting and a discussion on the inter-Korean broadcasting cooperation (October 17-19). The events are expected to contribute to ease differences between the two Koreas and aid in the recovery of homogeneity among the Korean people, as exchanges of broadcasting take place at various levels.
Relations with South Korea
o The 12th inter-Korean ministerial meeting was held in Pyongyang October 14-17. Both sides fully expressed their opinions on issues pending before them and agreed to continue cooperation in the interest of inter-Korean reconciliation and collaboration as well as peace on the Korean peninsula pursuant to the June 15, 2000, South-North Joint Declaration.
o North and South Korea held the third meeting of their working-level council for inter-Korean economic cooperation system in Munsan October 11-12. Following the meeting, they issued a five-point joint press release, which included the adoption of the "Agreement on Composition and Operations of the South-North Commercial Arbitration Committee," enforcement on a trial basis of certificate of origin procedures and exchange of statutes concerning inter-Korean economic cooperation.
- Meanwhile, North and South Korea held the third working-level contact on inter-Korean shipping cooperation in Munsan October 11-12 and exchanged opinions on the implementation annex to the Inter-Korean Shipping Agreement initialed last December
External Affairs
o Denouncing the United States for foot-dragging for the resolution of the nuclear issue, while spreading words of readiness for concession to nurture favorable public opinions, North Korea said it would take steps to physically reveal its nuclear deterrence at an appropriate time. The denunciation and the nuclear bluster made October 16 in an interview with a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman were apparently intended to pressure the United States into responding to the nuclear issue and the Pyongyang's overtures.
o Reacting to the deployment of Patriot III missiles and the introduction of the latest unmanned "drone" reconnaissance aircraft by the U.S. troops in Korea, North Korea denounced the act as an attempt to put pressure on North Korea and to continue US occupation of South Korea. It said it possessed a strong nuclear deterrent of neutralizing the US war plans.
o In a speech at the 58th United Nations General Assembly on September 30, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Choi Soo-heon said the nuclear issue stems from America's hostile policy designed to isolate and strangulate Pyongyang, adding that the six-party meeting on North Korea could be successful only after the United States promises to convert its hostile policy.
o North Korea and Russia signed an agreement of cooperation in the customs sector October 8. Simplification of customs procedures was expected to contribute to vitalizing bilateral economic exchanges and cooperation.
