Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

On December 24, to mark the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's appointment as the Chief Commander, Kim enjoyed a performance given by the Korean People's Army (KPA) Merited Choir. Around Constitution Day, he visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to his deceased father Kim Il Sung. On December 27, he inspected power stations respectively built by KPA Unit Nos. 646 and 564.  

A national conference was held on December 24 at the April 25 Culture Hall to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's appointment as the Chief Commander. Present at the conference were senior party, state and military officials. The conference urged "all party members, servicemen and the people to honor the forthcoming major holidays of the nation by fulfilling their tasks."    

Central Broadcasting reported December 26 that, "the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium made a policy statement on December 13 announcing its decision to mark the 90th birthday of the leader Kim Il Sung with a major reprieve for those serving labor correction sentences. The initiative is effective as of January, Self-Reliant Year 1991 (the same as 2002 by the solar calendar)."

Pyongyang Broadcasting propagandized on December 30 that, "all the streets and villages are colorfully adorned, and a myriad of foods and exciting folk games are being prepared in anticipation of the New Year holidays."

The Rodong Sinmun asserted in its December 25th commentary that, "the United States occupation forces in Korea are the biggest impediment to national reunification and a reason for war. Therefore, the best way to prevent a war in Korea is for the U.S. forces to pull out."

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson commented on the December 22 sinking of a suspected DPRK ship in a press interview with the KCNA: "That the Japanese authorities link us with the incident is an act of insult to our republic."

Pyongyang Broadcasting (December 26) propagandized, "This year bears great significance, as the nation led powerful struggles to pave the way for reunification in accordance with the June 15 Joint Declaration. The South Korean Federation of University Student Councils fought particularly valiantly in the struggles with unrivaled determination and will. They acted as the forerunners and torchbearers of the struggle."

Pyongyang Broadcasting misleadingly argued, "Appointing Hong Sun Young as the Unification Minister has led to the deterioration of inter-Korean relations, largely owing to his inappropriate attitude toward the senior-level inter-Korean talks. There is no way we can implement the North-South Joint Declaration without first crushing anti-unification forces."