Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

During his inspection visit to military units 675.699 and 821.287 of the Korean People's Army (KPA), which received the O Jung Hup's Seventh Regiment title, Kim Jong Il stressed the importance of strengthening combat capabilities.  He also made an inspection visit on April 16 to a goat farm operated by KPA Unit 757.

On Aug. 3, Kim Jong Il, accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA), Kim Yong Chun, and General Hyun Cheol Hae, participated in the election for deputies to the 11th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) at Kim Il Sung National War College. 

During an Aug.1 KCNA (Korean Central News Agency) briefing, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "In the July 31 meeting with the U.S. in New York, we (North Korea) made a new proposal not to hold further three-way talks but to have six-way talks where bilateral talks between the DPRK and the US will also be held. The proposal is currently under negotiation."

In its July 30 editorial, Rodong Shinmun denounced the annual Ulji Focus Lens military exercise held jointly by U.S. and South Korea forces saying, "The scheduled Ulji Focus Lens military exercise poses even more danger as it will be held against the backdrop of the peninsula already pushed to the brink of a crisis. Faced with such anti-DPRK military attempts of the U.S. to stifle us, we have no choice but to pursue strong countermeasures." 

The DPRK's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland criticized the U.S. over military drills held by the U.S. SBCT (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) in a statement issued by its spokesperson on July 31, saying "the U.S. must put an unconditional stop to its senseless rehearsal for invading the DPRK and immediately scrap any attempt to obstruct inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation. " 

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station commented, "Unless the anti-national, anti-reunification idea which casts its brother as a major enemy is withdrawn, national cooperation cannot be achieved. As such, if anybody puts a break on implementation of "the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration", he or she cannot avoid the curse and condemnation of all people on the peninsula."

The Democratic National United Front Broadcasting, a malicious anti-South propaganda media outlet, propagandized, "The Voice of National Salvation Broadcasting expressed full support and endorsement of the patriotic proposal made by the North in the 11th inter-Korean ministerial talks that the two Koreas stop airing all propaganda broadcasts beginning August 15 Liberation Day, and accordingly, it will cease airing anti-South Korean broadcasts starting on Aug. 1."