InternalAffairs
Internal Affairs
o Through its various media outlets, North Korea has been repeatedly emphasizing the superiority of what it called "Socialism of Our Style" in an apparent effort to prevent the ideological laxity among its population. It tried to strengthen the unity of its regime around Kim Jong-il and shield the populace from the impact of changing circumstances such as growing external exchanges and cooperation.
o In an editorial of the Rodong Sinmun November 10, North Korea urged on a revolutionary shift in the development of science and technology so that it may attain world-class scientific and technological progress. The editorial, addressed to all the members of the Workers' Party, scientists, technicians and workers, said that the development of science and technology was the most important strategic line for the construction of an economically strong socialist nation.
o Through the Rodong Sinmun November 3, North Korea called on schools at every level to improve the educational environment in cultural and sanitary areas, saying the nation's fortunes depended on the education of the coming generation. It said the unity of and allegiance to the nation should be strengthened by fulfilling the desires of the youth and students who wish to adapt to changes in societal circumstances.
o The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported November 17 that the recent launch of a 3,000-ton-class "floating dock" was manufactured with North Korea's own technology, equipment and materials. The agency said the launch has enabled North Korea to repair ocean-going vessels at home, thus saving foreign exchange and freight costs.
o North Korea reported on November 12 that a livestock feed factory in South Hamgyeong Province, which was capable of producing tens of thousands of tons of feed annually, has recently been expanded and modernized.
o Through the KCNA November 10, North Korea argued that the "Sinji Characters" were Korean people's original letters in an apparent attempt to highlight the legitimacy of its regime by emphasizing the characters' link with Dangun, the legendary founding father of Korea, and it further insisted that Korean people's culture was centered around Pyongyang.
Relations with South Korea
o North Korea has continued to instigate a drive in South Korea to oppose the decision to send additional South Korean troops to Iraq. Through the Rodong Sinmun and other media outlets, it agitated for the opposition saying the October 18 decision had been coerced into by the United States and under pressure from the conservatives and rightist forces.
o Through its Rodong Sinmun on November 13, North Korea called on South Koreans to step forward on the road to anti-American struggles for the cause of peaceful unification of the country by the Koreans themselves under the banner of the June 15, 2000, South-North Joint Declaration. It said it was impossible to reconcile or unify the Koreans and realize unification of their fatherland without putting an end to dominance and interference of foreign powers.
External Affairs
o In reaction to the KEDO's decision to suspend the construction of light-water nuclear reactors, North Korea reiterated that the United States should pay it an indemnity without delay for noncompliance with relevant provisions under the U.S.-North Korea agreement on light-water reactors. The call was contained in an interview the KCNA made with the spokesman of the North Korean foreign ministry November 12.
o In a statement on November 11, North Korea's foreign ministry spokesman proposed that Pyongyang and Tokyo hold a meeting to deal with apologies and demands over the "reparations for crimes of human rights infringement committed by the Japanese against Koreans." The move apparently was intended to prevent Japan from raising the North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens during the upcoming six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue. It seems to indicate that it is hoping to discuss only the nuclear issue exclusively at the talks.
o A delegation of China's state meteorological agency visited North Korea November 11 for talks on the exchange of data on weather forecasts, support of equipment and exchange of technology as well as for discussions on mutual early-warning systems for floods, typhoons and draughts.
