Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

On August 19, the day after his return from Russia on August 18, National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Korean People's Army Unit No. 696 and the Ranam Coal Mine Machinery Complex. Kim Young Chun, Hyun Chul Hae, and Park Jae Kyung accompanied Kim Jong Il. On August 26, Kim Jong Il inspected the Yongpo Revolutionary Site and Ullim Waterfall in Kangwon Province.

On August 26, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station stressed in a program titled "National Strength is an Important Guarantor of National Pride," that "the North Korean people are greatly revered around the world due to invincible armed forces. To main the armed forces, we must lay the foundation for a self-reliant national economy."

On August 23, the KCNA argued, "The U.S. refuses to rescind the unilaterally determined negotiation agenda, while talking about unconditionally resuming dialogue. We will resume dialogue only when the U.S. adopts the same standards taken towards the end of the Clinton Administration."

On August 22, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement arguing, "The Japanese Prime Minister's visit to the Yaskuni Shrine exposed his intention to carry on the expansionist spirit of Japanese militarism. It is a challenge to the aspirations of the Korean and Japanese people to achieve peace and justice."

On August 25, the Broadcasting Station of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, an anti-South Korea mud-slinging propaganda media outlet, argued, "The August 24 arrest of the seven delegates to the 2001 Grand Festival for National Reunification by the South Korean intelligence authorities is an unjust crackdown. They must be released unconditionally."

On August 22, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement concerning the Ulji Focus Lens military exercise: "The South Korean military authorities' participation in the U.S. military exercise targeted at North Korea is in violation of the June 15 Joint Declaration and a challenge to North Korea. Act sensibly, bearing in mind that you will pay for the consequences."