Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

North Korean media reported that on October 1 Kim Jong-Il visited a farm in Pyongyang which is under the control of the Korea People's Army Unit 534, accompanied by military officials including Jo Myong-Rok and party secretaries including Kim Kuk-Thae and Kim Ki-Nam. That same day, he enjoyed performances by the State Academy Ensemble of the Russian Interior Ministry, which was on a visit to North Korea.

Rodong Shinmun, the official newspaper of the Korea Workers' Party, wrote that "in order to strengthen economic management in accordance with the need to build a great and powerful nation, we must hold fast to socialist principles," while urging the people to "create greater miracles and progress in all areas based on the juche (self-reliance) ideology to meet the demands of the new century."

In connection with the scheduled visit of U.S. special envoy James Kelly to Pyongyang, the Central Broadcasting Station and others reported: "Assistant Secretary Kelly is scheduled to visit North Korea from October 3 to October 5, to explain the Bush Administration's North Korea policy and their stance on the resumption of dialogue with the North, and to exchange opinions on issues of mutual interest."

Rodong Shinmun, the official newspaper of the Korea Workers' Party, said that "As long as the U.S. characterizes us as part of an "axis of evil" and an object of nuclear attack, we have no other option but to strengthen independent self-defense capabilities. We would rather die than choose the subservient peace of slaves."  

In connection with the Busan Asian Games, North Korean Central TV aired taped scenes from the September 29th opening ceremony and the September 28th men¡¯s football match between North Korea and Hong Kong. It showed tapings of matches and competitions in which North Korean athletes participated for about an hour everyday.

The North Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported that ¡°a Dangun Festival event took place at the Dangun Mausoleum at Gangdong County, Pyongyang on October 3 as part of the celebrations for the National Foundation Day, bringing together representatives of the Dangun National Unification Council and Koreans from the North, South and overseas.¡±