Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Kim Jong Il paid an inspection visit to KPA unit 614 (date unreported) and expressed satisfaction that the construction of a powerful wind power plant has been successfully completed in such a short time due to the efforts of the KPA soldiers and the scientists at Kim Chaek University of Technology. He was accompanied by KPA generals Ri Myong Su, Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Kyoung, as well as Ri Yong Chol, member of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and first vice department director of its Central Committee.

On the occasion of Kim Jong Il's 62nd birthday (Feb. 16), various celebratory events took place, including Youth Alliance and Federation of Agricultural Workers conferences, the 14th "Feb. 16 Art Award" competition (Feb. 2), the "Pyongyang Exposition of the Kim Jong Il Flower," and the "National Youth Expedition to Mt. Paektu."

A foreign ministry spokesperson claimed in a KCNA briefing on Feb. 2, "Japan's 'Fund for Relief of North Korean Refugees' secretly transported DPRK citizens to Japan, suddenly separating happy families and preventing members from communicating with each other. Such abduction of DPRK citizens is a crime against humanity as it violates international law as well as DPRK law." (Central Broadcasting Station)

The Central Broadcasting Station said on Feb. 3, "the DPRK, the U.S., and the major parties involved in the six-way talks, including China, the host country, have agreed to resume the six-way talks and hold the next round from February 25, after having a series of discussions."

A spokesman for the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC) issued a statement on Feb. 4 regarding the unprecedented slump in tours of Mt. Kumgang, warning, "Now that payment for the tours is being delayed due to the South Korean authorities' indifference and tourists are no longer available due to the suspension of tours by sea, if the current slump goes unchecked, the North cannot keep the tours available any longer."

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station and Central Broadcasting Station reported on Feb. 6, "The 13th inter-Korean ministerial talks were held in Seoul from Feb 3-6, 2004. At the end of the meeting, the two parties released a joint press statement, agreeing to the following: i) the rendering of mutual cooperation to make the upcoming 2nd round of six-way talks fruitful; ii) to hold the inter-Korean military talks at the earliest possible date.