|
INSIDE NORTH KOREA
 |
Chairman Kim Jong-il of North Korea's National Defense Commission, accompanied by Peoples Army generals Hyun Chul-hae and Park Jae-kyung, made a series of ¡°field- guidance¡± trips to military units and cooperative farms during May 7-13. On May 7, he visited the Imjin River Power Plant built by army units 415 and 567. On May 8, the group visited the army¡¯s 688th and 233rd units, as well as the Daedong cooperative farm in Kangryung County. On May 10, the North Korean leader paid a visit to 224th and 230th artillery companies, and Suwon cooperative farm in Baechun County. On May 13, he conducted ¡°field-guidance¡± at a catfish factory built by the 243rd artillery company and the 534th army unit, as well as a fruit farm and Ryongsupo Beach at Kwail County, South Hwanghae Province.
|
|
|
The North Korean Central Broadcast reported on May 9 that," the new century is an age in which wealth, power and prosperity depend on information industry and technology,¡± that all sectors of the economy must be modernized and information- oriented, and that the level of workers¡¯ scientific technology must be enhanced.¡± The Rodong Shinmun emphasized on May 9, ¡°the People¡¯s Army is the main battleforce of the revolution and the pillar of the nation. As long as the Army remains strong, we can rise up from the worst adversities, and defend the Party and the Regime."
|
|
|
|
|
FOREIGN RELATIONS
|
A Rodong Shinmun editorial asserted, "the EU delegation's visit to North Korea during May 2-9 was significant as it contributed toward building a new foundation for the peace and security of the Korean peninsula, and that efforts would be made toward the promotion of bilateral relations."
|
|
|
Radio Pyongyang in its commentary of May 9 criticized,"the fact that the United States lost the executive committee seat at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights was only proper, and it was a just consequence and fair assessment for the leading terrorist state and for a country with the world¡¯s worst record of human rights violations and discriminations."
|
|
|
|
|
INTER KOREAN NEWS
|
The Rodong Shinmun in its May 12 commentary criticized, "South Korea's request to the United States for the purchase of 3 standard missile launch pads demonstrates its intention to subdue us with missiles with the US support. Should South Korea participate in the US plans to establish the MD system, nothing but ruin and death would wait for them."
|
|
|
Radio Pyongyang in its May 9 news release entitled, "the time to form national united front," tried to agitate the public by saying, "in order to build up a self- reliant capability for unification, North, South and overseas Koreans should form a huge pan-Korean national united front around Kim Jong-il."
|
|
|
|
WEEKLY NK NEWS (2001. 5.7-2001. 5.13)
