Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

During this week, National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il was active in giving on-the-spot guidance and inspections, including the following: on-the-spot guidance to Musan Mining Complex (Nov. 4); attendance at a performance of the Art Propaganda Squad of KPA Unit No. 264 (Nov. 6); on-the-spot guidance during a visit to Mt. Chilbo Resort (Nov. 7); inspection of KPA Unit No. 165 and enjoyment of a performance of the Art Propaganda Squad of KPA Unit No. 324 (Nov. 9); and on-the-spot guidance to Chicken Factory No. 112 (No. 10).

A Rodong Sinmun editorial on November 8 said, "the tragic reversion of socialist countries to capitalism is attributable to the lack of class indoctrination by the proletarian parties and their neglect of class-centered principles."

The Korean Central News Agency made the following assertion on November 6 in connection with the inauguration of the North Korea Human Rights Commission in the U.S.: "This is living proof that the U.S. is toughening its hostile stance toward us, all the while talking loudly about dialogue."

A November 8 Rodong Sinmun commentary denounced the Japanese Upper House for passing a bill permitting its forces to fire on unidentified ships, describing it as a "dangerous first step toward the re-invasion of Korea."

Pyongyang Broadcasting asserted on November 15, "On November 1, Japan agreed to establish a coordination committee with the U.S. to handle basic planning for logistical support to be provided by the Self Defense Forces to U.S. forces. This is a collusion of Japanese reactionaries and U.S. war-mongers conspiring for a war of invasion."

On November 16, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson made the following comment with regards to the proclamation of the Law on Special Measures to Combat Terrorism (Nov. 2) in Japan: "Japan regards U.S. retaliatory attacks against Afghanistan as a godsent opportunity to further its expansionist ambitions."

On November 9, Central Broadcasting and Pyongyang Broadcasting covered a keynote speech Kim Ryong Song, chief North Korean delegate to the 6th inter-Korean ministerial talks, delivered at the first-day session held that day; it did not cover the speech of the South Korean chief delegate.

On November 10, KCNA and Central Television quoted Kim Ryong Song's assertion during the second-day session of the ministerial talks as follows: "If South Korea removes the emergency security alert before the end of November, we are ready to adjust exchange schedules and discuss inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation."

Rodong Sinmun falsely accused South Korea on November 11, asserting, "The South has characterized us, the dialogue counterpart, as its principal enemy; waged provocative war exercises with foreign forces; and harshly cracked down on pro-unification figures, invoking the National Security Law. There is no way inter-Korean dialogue can succeed under these circumstances."