【Internal Affairs】
On February 4, 8, and 9, the North Korean
media reported that Kim Jong Un participated in a test ride on board a
new trolley bus along with his wife, Lee Sol Ju, and delivered a
speech at a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the
foundation of the Korean People’s Army (KPA).
On February 8-9, the North Korean media reported that a military
parade marking the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the KPA was held.
On February 7, the North Korean media stated that the North
successfully launched Kwangmyongsong satellites (KMS 1, 2, 3, and 4)
and became a space power.
On February 5, the North Korean media reported that fisheries and
light industry production for January exceeded the people’s economic plan.
On February 4, the North Korean media reported that the Taedonggang
Beer Factory developed wheat beer.
【Inter-Korean
Affairs】
On February 3-9, the North Korean media reported news
regarding the North’s participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
On February 7, the North Korean media reported that a spokesperson
for the Consultative Council for National Reconciliation, in a
statement, condemned South Korean conservative organizations’
anti-North Korea protests involving burning the North Korean flag and
called on the ROK government to devise measures to prevent recurrences.
On February 4, the North Korean media blasted the South Korean
Defense Minister’s comment on North Korea (“The North Korean regime
will probably be removed from the map if it uses nuclear weapons,”
January 29).
【Foreign Affairs】
On February 4, the
North Korean media reported that a spokesperson for the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, in a Q&A session with KCNA reporters, denounced
Trump’s State of the Union Address.
On February 7, the North Korean media reported that a spokesperson
for the Institute for American Studies, affiliated with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, in a Q&A session with KCNA reporters, said
that the Nuclear Posture Review is a declaration of war and emphasized
that the North will take stern response.
On February 8, the North Korean media reported that Cho Yong Sam,
director-general of the North American department of the DPRK Foreign
Ministry, in a Q&A session with KCNA reporters, said that the
North has no intention of meeting US officials during the Winter Olympics.
On February 8, the North Korean media condemned some Chinese press
reports concerning inter-Korean relations including their emphasis on
the denuclearization of North Korea.
On February 6, the North Korean media reported that a spokesperson
for the Committee for Aiding Overseas Compatriots of Korea, in a
statement, denounced the Japanese government regarding the seizure and
search of affiliated organizations of the General Association of
Korean Residents in Japan or Chongryon.
On February 9, the North Korean media reported that a spokesperson
for the Institute for Studies of Japan, affiliated with the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, in a Q&A session with KCNA reporters, blasted
key Japanese officials for encouraging the international community to
implement sanctions against North Korea.
