Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, speaker of the North Korean Supreme People's Assembly Kim Young-nam, and Prime Minister Hong Young-nam issued a joint message congratulating the Chinese government on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the PRC to Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the People's Assembly Li Peng, and Premier Zhu Rongji on October first, focusing on `progress in mutual friendship that has lasted through generations.'

Chairman of the North Korean National Defense Council Kim Jong-il, along with Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee Kim Yong-soon and its deputy chairman Song Ho-kyung, held talks at the Seoho Reception Lodge in Hamhung with Hyundai founder Chung Ju-young and group chairman Chung Mong-hun.

The North Korean government attempted to bolster the spirits of front-line civil servants by organizing a convention of the low-level members of the Youth League and heads of police substations, presenting medals to a number of participants and emphasizing continued loyalty to Kim Jong-il.

The North also organized a joint conference of its political and social organizations for `debates' concerning the abolition of the ROK National Security Law, and issued a statement calling for `a nationwide struggle for the complete abolition of the National Security Law.'

The North reiterated its previous calls for `establishment of a unified Korea along confederal lines, [and] struggle for unification based on the Five Principles for National Unity,' along with continued demands for the withdrawal of the USFK and the abolition of the ROK National Security Law during Foundation Day ceremonies at the so-called `Tangun Mausoleum.'