Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

On August 28, National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il inspected frontline guard posts under Unit No. 2796 of the Korean People's Army (KPA) and visited the Galma Resort Center for military servicemen. KPA Generals including Lee Myung Soo and Hyun Chucl Hae accompanied Kim Jong Il.

In its August 29 article titled, "Fortress for Building a Powerful Nation," the Rodong Sinmun stated, "a strong emphasis on the military will remain the core policy as long as imperialism exists, and is a strategic line we must steadfastly and permanently hold onto until we perfect socialism."

On August 27, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported, "Chinese President Zhiang Zemin will pay an official visit to North Korea from September 3 to 5 at the invitation of Kim Jong Il."

On August 28, the KCNA stressed, "Kim Jong Il's visit to Russia was a historic event that provided a breakthrough in the friendship between Russia and North Korea and for the cause of independence in the new millennium. The two countries will further strengthen and improve bilateral friendship and cooperation in accordance with the spirit of the agreement between the two leaders."

On August 27, the spokesperson for the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a statement to the effect that "The accusation of the South Korean Grand National Party (Hannara) against the South Korean delegates to the August 15 Festival is a challenge to the aspiration of the people to achieve independent national reunification in accordance with the spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration and a criminal act sabotaging reunification efforts."

On September 2, the Vice President of the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland sent an open message in a radio broadcast to South Korea's Unification Minister to "promptly resume government talks."