Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Kim Jong Il met with the delegation from China's International Liaison Department on Jan. 19. The Chinese delegation was led by Wang Jiarui, head of the department who is alternate member of the Central Committee of the CPC (Communist Party of China). (Jan.20, Central Broadcasting Station)

On the occasion of the lunar new year's day(Jan.22), the Central Broadcasting Station reported on Jan.21, "Wishing comrade Kim Jong Il good health and happiness in the new year and forever more, all people and members of the military sends him a sincere new year's greeting." The Central Broadcasting Station also broadcast lunar new year's events such as students' playing folk games (kite flying, top spinning), workers and soldiers' visiting Kumsusan Memorial Palace and people's laying floral baskets before the statue of President Kim Il Sung in different parts of the country.

The Central Broadcasting Station reported on Jan. 25 regarding "Potato Agricultural Revolution Pioneer Rally" held in Pyongyang, "Participants arrived in Pyongyang Jan.24-25. The event inludes discussions on how to bring about revolutionary changes in agricultural production."

Rodong Sinmun commented in its editorial dated Jan. 19, "Recently, the U.S. attempts to arouse public opinion that effects from what Washington did in some countries in the Middle East can also occur in the DPRK. However, the DPRK's military and people will continue to uphold the principle of self-reliance under the banner of Songun, and be prepared for any circumstance or developments of the situation."

"Pyongyang Broadcasting Station said on Jan. 21, "Japan should make practical and sincere efforts to improve the DPRK-Japan relation, believing that faithful implementation of the Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and the DPRK is also conducive to Tokyo. Therefore, Tokyo should drop its pro-US, anti-DPRK policies.

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station propagandized on Jan. 19, "A joint meeting of the government, political parties and organizations was held at the People's Palace of Culture(Jan. 19). The meeting was attended by Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.  The meeting discussed ways to achieve independent reunification through national cooperation under the banner of 'our nation-first spirit.' and suggested that national meetings should be held in Pyongyang, Seoul and other locations agreed upon such as Kumgangsan etc."

Rodong Sinmun denounced Washington Jan.23, "in such a high-handed manner, the imperialist U.S demands that South Korea pay all the costs for moving the USFK base from Yongsan. The outrageous situation speaks volume about the current status of South Korea which is under the bondage of the U.S."