Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Kim Jong Il paid inspection visits to KPA units 844 and 493 and ordered soldiers to beef up combat capabilities (dates unreported). He was accompanied by vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission Yon Hyong Muk, KPA Generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong, and Central Military Commission member of the WPK and first vice department director of its Central Committee Ri Yong Chol (Jan.30-31, Central Broadcasting Station).

"Potato Farming Revolution Pioneer Rally" was held at People's Palace of Culture Jan. 27-28. The rally was attended by Pak Pong Ju, Yon Hyong Muk, Lee Yong Mu, Kye Ung Thae, and other officials and members from the cabinet, government departments, central organizations, workers' groups, relevant organizations of provinces, cities and counties, exemplary farmers in every agricultural sector, scientists and engineers, Chongryon delegation of potato farming engineers, among others.

Rodong Sinmun propagandized in its editorial titled, "Love your Chongdae (armed force) family", by saying,  "Chongdae family is a new type of family created by the DPRK, whose family members are all soldiers. More Chongdae families are a sign of prosperity of the Songun(military-first) era. The Chongdae family incorporates the Songun principle of comrade Kim Jong Il. As a new type of family unique to the Songun era, the Chongdae family stands at the forefront of protecting the revolution leadership. Armed with full of patriotic spirits, this is the most active and crucial Songun unit that leads our society."

The Central Broadcasting Station reported on Jan. 28, "The DPRK delegation led by Yang Hyong Sop, vice-chairman of the SPA standing committee, visited Nigeria and met with Alhaji Atiku Ababakar, vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Abuja on Jan. 27. The meeting was also attended by an economic adviser to the vice president and a standing secretary of the foreign ministry in charge of international organizations among others.

A spokesperson for the DPRK foreign ministry issued a statement on Jan. 30, "Japan passed a bill to revise the Foreign Exchange Law on Jan 29, making it possible to suspend remittance to and trade with the DPRK when necessary, paving ways to pose sanctions against the DPRK even without an international resolution from the UN. As it constitutes a grave violation of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration, the DPRK will never let it go unchallenged but take necessary measures to deal with Japan's attempt to infringe our sovereign rights, implementing hostile policy against the DPRK."

The Central Broadcasting Station reported on Jan. 29, "the second working level talks on inter-Korean transaction and settlement as well as the first working level talks on  inter-Korean economic cooperative system were held in Gaeseong Jan. 27-28. At the working level talks on inter-Korean transaction and settlement, both sides agreed to adopt the 2004 agreement and an agreement on settlement of accounts between the Foreign Trade Bank and the Import and Export Bank to implement the "agreement on inter-Korean settlement." Also, at the fist working-level talks on economic cooperative system, the two Koreas adopted an agreement on entry and stay in the Gaeseong Industrial Zone and Mt. Geumgang tourist zone."

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station denounced Seoul on Feb. 1, "If the South Korean authorities, forced by the U.S., dispatch combat troops to Iraq, it is tantamount to a criminal act supporting the military aggression of U.S. which is now trying to target its military offensives against the Korean peninsula."