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Major Weekly Developments in North Korea (May. 9 - May. 15, 2005)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

Kim Jeong-il sent a greeting to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the “60th anniversary of Russia’s victory in World War II.” (Central Broadcasting Station)


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (May 10), “Scientists at the North Korean Academy of Sciences Laser Institute succeeded in manufacturing the nanosterilization equipment needed in various sectors including the health and food engineering sectors.”


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Mar. 13), “Hwanghae Iron Works has built a large-scale 100-ton, ultra-high power electric furnace and is performing a trial run.”

Outside North Korea

In a press conference with the Joseon Central News Agency (May 11), the spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented, “We (the DPRK) have successfully finished uploading 8,000 spent fuel rods from the 5-megawatt pilot nuclear plant and we are taking the necessary measures to bolster our nuclear arsenal for self-defense purposes in order to counter the situation imposed upon us.” (Central Broadcasting Station)


The Pyongyang Broadcasting Service alleged (May 12), “the Diplomatic Blue Paper approved by the Japanese government is a directive for appropriation of Dokdo Island,” and called for immediate nullification of this racketeering document that lays claims on the island.


In a conference with the Joseon Central News Agency (May 14), a spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “US Secretary of State Rice’s comments referring to North Korea as a ‘terrible regime’ exposed the fact that her remark about recognizing North Korea as a sovereign state was a ruse to conceal the attempt to overthrow our system.” (Central Broadcasting Station)

Inter-Korean Issues

The North Korean chief delegate to the Inter-Korean Ministerial-Level Conference (Cabinet Councilor Kwon Ho-ung) sent a message by telephone to the South Korean chief delegate (Minister of Unification Chung Dong-yeong) on May 14 notifying that “North Korea will send three delegates and three aides to Gaeseong May 16-17.” (Central Broadcasting Station, Pyongyang Broadcasting Service)


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (May 14), “The inaugural ceremony of the Academic Committee of South Korea’s ‘Preparatory Committee for Joint Functions of the North, the South and Overseas Koreans for the Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration’ took place in Seoul on May 10.”