|
On August 18, National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il returned from his visit to
Russia (July 26-August 18) by rail. On August 14, senior officials of the party, state, and
cabinet including Kim Young Nam participated in the 2001 Grand Festival for National
Reunification, and attended the dedication ceremony for the Statue of the Three Charters for
Reunification. Also present at the ceremony were overseas Koreans and unconverted
long-term prisoners from South Korea. |
|
|
In its August 15 editorial marking the 56th anniversary of Liberation Day, the Rodong Sinmun
argued, "We must espouse Kim Il Sung for his role in liberating the nation from Japan and the
revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il in building a powerful nation and achieving national
reunification." |
|
|
Regarding International Issues
|
On August 15, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station argued, "The new U.S.
Administration is raising issues about the threat posed by our missiles and is now even
discussing our conventional forces. Although we do not want confrontation and war, we
will not tolerate any infringement on our autonomy." |
|
|
In its August 14 commentary, the KCNA argued, "the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to
the Yaskuni Shrine on August 13 is a challenge to the judgment of history. There is no
way Japan can escape historic, political, and diplomatic responsibility." |
|
|
|
Regarding Inter-Korean Issues
|
On August 15, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported, "The South Korean
delegation to the 2001 Grand Festival for National Reunification has arrived in Pyongyang.
Some 4,000 people including Kim Young Nam, Kim Young Soon, unconverted long-term
prisoners from South Korea, and overseas Koreans attended the opening ceremony,
which was held in front of the Statue of the Three Charters of Reunification." |
|
|
On August 19, the North Korean Preparation Committee for the June 14-August 15
Campaign to Promote National Reunification issued a statement saying, "Some
anti-reunification forces in the South Korean Grand National Party are deliberately steering
public opinion towards confrontation by insisting on the prosecution of the South Korean
delegates." |
|
|
|
Major Developments in North Korea (August 13-19, 2001) 
