Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Kim Jong Il paid an inspection visit to KPA unit 1925 and ordered soldiers to beef up combat capabilities. He also made an inspection tour of a revolution site  in Taechon, North Phyongan Province, and power stations including Unhung Youth Power Station and Thaechon Power Station No. 4.

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station reported on Dec. 17 that the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly decided on Dec. 11 to adopt 'the regulations on the establishment and operation of the Kaesong Industrial Zone Management Institution (No. 11, 21 articles)', and 'regulations on entrance, exit, temporary stay and residence in Kaesong Industrial Zone (No. 12, 30 articles)' and 'regulations on customs in Kaesong Industrial Zone (No. 13, 43 articles)'".

Rodong Sinmun said in its editorial dated Dec. 15, "the DPRK has made a big concession to the U.S. by proposing the first-phase measure for a 'simultaneous package solution' that it will no longer manufacture, test or transfer nuclear weapons and even freeze nuclear-powered industries for peaceful purpose. The U.S.' delaying tactics would only result in pushing the DPRK to steadily increase its nuclear deterrent force. "

A foreign ministry spokesperson said in a KCNA briefing on Dec. 17, "under the
pretext of "anti-terrorism," the U.S. president has endorsed a legislation to sanction against Syria on Dec. 12. It is a part of Washington's containment policy to openly pressure and blockade against independent nations which do not follow U.S. "

Rodong Sinmun said in its editorial dated Dec. 18, "the U.S. used a huge amount of depleted uranium shells, a type of nuclear weapon, when attacking Iraq which had neither strategic forces nor strong military capacity. Given that, it is self-evident that the U.S. will use stronger nuclear weapons when it invades the DPRK. Under this situation where the U.S. attempts to mount a preemptive nuclear strike against the DPRK, we have no choice but to keep and steadily increase our nuclear deterrence which is a self-defense measure."

The secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Unification of the Fatherland issued its information bulletin No. 854 on Dec. 14, commenting on South Korean police' apprehension of the former chairman of the South Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon), "Pomminryon is waging a patriotic and righteous campaign for unification of the nation as an alliance joined by patriotic organizations of the North, the South and overseas Koreans. People of all walks of life in the South are urged to more actively demand that the National Security Law be repealed."

A spokesperson for the so-called North Headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification (Pomminryon) issued a statement on Dec. 19, making a groundless claim, "If the fascist South Korean authorities turn a blind eye to the current situation where people of both Koreas are joined to seek reconciliation, cooperation and unification by ourselves, but continue to crack down on patriotic student activists, it will end up suffering from grave consequences."