Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

On October 28, the Pyongyang Broadcasting Station ran a program titled "The Noble Cause of Scientific and Technological Development, " propagandizing that "under the leadership [of Kim Jong Il], the nation is aggressively implementing computerization, building bases to train computer specialists, and constructing information and communications infrastructure. Enthusiasm for learning information technology is sweeping the nation."

On October 28, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported that "In accordance with the intentions [of Kim Jong Il] to alleviate suffering in flooded areas of the Kangwon Province, party workers, the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium, Ministry of People's Armed Forces, cabinet committees, and ministerial organs, as well as people from all over the country, are sending relief supplies."

On October 23, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson released a statement on President Bush's October 16 comments on North Korea. "Bush has slandered our top leader, whom he had not even met, as suspicious and secretive. It was a rash remark that does not become the dignified position of the presidency of a superpower, and exceeds common sense and basic diplomatic propriety."

The Rodong Sinmun maintained in its October 24 commentary titled "Tenacious Expansionist Aspirations" that "Japan is providing logistical support to the U.S. military retaliation in a bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. The first task Japan should fulfill in order to become a deserving member of the international community is to compensate for its countless past wrongdoings and clear its name as an enemy state of many countries."

The Rodong Sinmun argued in its October 25 editorial marking the 51st anniversary of China's participation in the Korean War (in 1950), "The Korean People's Army and the North Korean people sent warm regards to the Chinese people and the People's Liberation Army, expressing their highest respect for the Chinese sacrifices during the Korean War."

The Rodong Sinmun argued in its October 22 commentary, "The U.S. has strengthened its imperialist forces in South Korea in the wake of retaliatory operations against Afghanistan. What the U.S. truly seeks is to crush North Korea, and we are following the situation very closely with fully loaded rifles."

The Rodong Sinmun denounced the U.S. in its October 23 commentary for "continuing to designate us as a terror-sponsoring nation, and implementing a hostile policy against us that threatens our autonomy. However, our military and the people are fully prepared to deal with any contingencies, and will ruthlessly punish those who seek to compromise our autonomy and security."

On October 24, the Rodong Sinmun ran an article titled "Act With Manners," falsely accusing South Korea of "inviting brethren and then suddenly blocking their way with guns," which it described as "rude behavior that exceeds the bounds of social propriety. South Korea had better learn to act with manners."  

Minju Josun, North Korea's official daily, argued in its October 26 commentary that "if South Korea is committed to improving relations with North Korea, it must first abandon a confrontational approach, and create a climate for reconciliation and national unity by responding to our request as soon as possible."