Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

On the Occasion of the 12th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's assuming the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army (KPA), a central report rally was held at '4.25 Culture Center' on Dec. 23. The rally was attended by senior officials of the party, government and military including Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju, Jo Myong Rok and Kim Yong Chun, among others.

Kim Jong Il paid an inspection visit to KPA unit 2106 and ordered soldiers to beef up combat capabilities. He was accompanied by Generals of the KPA Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae, Pak Jae Gyong, and First Vice Department Director of the CC., the WPK Ri Yong Chol  (Dec.27, Central Broadcasting Station).

The Central Broadcasting Station denounced Japan on Dec.22 saying, "Japan should put an end to its mean and impudent attempt to cover up its past crimes and sincerely apologize for their crimes against people of the DPRK and whole Asia. In so doing, Japan must break away from their sinful past. "

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized Washington in a KCNA briefing on Dec. 24 over the U.S. State Department's recent "annual report on international religious freedom" which listed the DPRK as a nation of special concern, "In the DPRK, religious freedom is fully guaranteed by the constitution. The U.S. is completely mistaken if it thinks that the DPRK will be frightened by such a third-rate report."

In a KCNA briefing on Dec. 27, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said regarding Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the North (12.25-27), "Both parties expressed will to continue to make efforts to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue by convening the nuclear talks as early as possible next year. As the DPRK has already clarified, the actions at the first phase are for the U.S and neighboring countries to make measures in return for the DPRK's complete freeze of its nuclear activities."

- actions for the first phase: freeze nuclear activities(the DPRK) ¢¢ delist the DPRK
  from the list of terror-sponsoring nations; withdraw economic and military sanctions
  (the U.S.); energy support such as heavy oil and electricity (the U.S. and
  neighboring countries)

KCNA reported on Dec.23, "the 9th inter-Korean military working level talks were held in the South on Dec. 23. The talks adopted and effectuated an agreement on the establishment and management of check points in the areas jointly controlled by both Koreas, which was drafted through a series of contacts and exchanges between the two sides. "

The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Unification of the Fatherland said in its press release No. 855 on Dec.26, condemning the South Korean government for its decision to dispatch troops to Iraq, "it is unpardonable that under the pretext of 'South Korea-US alliance' and 'national interests,' the South Korean authorities and pro-U.S right-wingers are trying to send its young people to the combat field to take the bullet for U.S. imperialists."