Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Major Weekly Developments in North Korea (Oct. 31 - Nov. 6, 2005)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Nov. 1, Nov. 6), “Kim Jeong-il gave field guidance at Pyongyang 326 Electric Wire Factory, Pyongyang Elevator Factory, Pyongyang Joint Venture Bicycle Factory and the new Duck Farm No. 116 built by the servicemen of the KPA (dates unreported).”


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Nov. 1), “A ceremony marking the operation of Naepyeong No. 2 Gunmin Power Station was held on Oct. 31, and was attended by Kim Il-cheol, minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Goh Jong-deok, chairman of the People’s Committee of Gangwondo Province, among others.”


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Nov. 6), “With regard to the recent spread of avian flu, all the officials and workers across the country, including those of the Cabinet Secretariat, ministries and national institutions, are directing concerted efforts to prevent avian flu.”

Outside North Korea

In an editorial, the Pyongyang Broadcasting Service blasted (Nov. 2), “The Japanese Association of Assemblymen on the Issue of Abductees demonstrated lunacy, claiming that it would put forth strenuous efforts for the return of all victims of abduction.” It went on to say, “Japan is trying to cast off responsibility for its crimes of forceful detention and abduction under Japanese colonial rule by linking them with the issue of certain abductees, but this can never be.”


In an editorial, Rodong Shinmun stated (Nov. 2), “The recent visit by Comrade Hu Jintao to the DPRK marked a special event as it marked a brilliant chapter in the history of the DPRK-China friendship.” It further emphasized, “The DPRK-China friendship bound by a blood relationship and that has survived historical ordeals will be solidly developed.”


In a commentary, Rodong Shinmun lashed out at the US (Nov. 12), saying, “The United States is taking measures to freeze North Korean assets, which is aimed at isolating and stifling us by exerting pressure on us (the DPRK) to abandon nuclear weapons first, and by blocking our trade channels.”

Inter-Korean Issues

The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Nov. 1), “Both a ceremony marking the restoration of Yeongtongsa Temple in Gaeseong and an academic seminar were held on Oct. 31, participated in by scholars and experts from North and South Korea in the field of cultural relics.”


The Pyongyang Broadcasting Service lashed out at the South Korean authorities (Nov. 1), saying, “The act of South Korean authorities of offering Jikdo, an island off the west-coast port city of Gunsan, to the US imperialistic, aggressive army, to be used as a rifle range constitutes pro-US, subservient behavior.”