Weekly on North Korea (May 12-18, 2006)

ROK Ministry of Unification

Internal Affairs

Chairman Kim Jong-il inspected navy unit 155, army unit 1891, and army unit 1464 from May 16 to 18.

“The Ninth Pyongyang International Goods Expo” was held at the Three Revolutionary Exhibition Hall in Pyongyang from May 15 to 18. The Central and Pyongyang Broadcasting Station reported on May 15 that the South Korean delegation had arrived along with 200 companies from ten countries. The major participating countries included China, Syria, Thailand, Spain, Sweden, France, etc. Several products were displayed at the Expo: iron, electrical and electronic products, petrochemical products, medicine and food.

North Korea has recently engaged in several activities so as to make inroads into foreign markets and attract foreign investment. By holding the exhibition on a regular basis, North Korea appears to acquire foreign goods and state-of-the art technology and to use them as gateways for establishing joint companies with South Korea and foreign countries.

China and North Korea reached an agreement on bilateral cooperation in check-ups and quarantine in Beijing on May 17, 2006.

The Syria Economy Delegation paid a visit to North Korea on May 12. After attending the fourth meeting of the North-Syria Economy Joint Committee, the delegation returned to its country on May 15. During the fourth meeting, the two sides signed a ‘protocol on economic trade and scientific technology of the fourth meeting of the North-Syria Economy Joint Committee’ and concluded a ‘memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation in housing and construction fields’ as well as an ‘accord on investment encouragement and protection.’ Agreements between North Korea and Syria are as follows: Double Taxation Prevention Agreement in 2002, Agreement on the Expansion of Exchanges in Science, Culture and Economy in 2002, the Agreement on Cooperation in Trade and Scientific Technology in 2004 and the Agreement on Air Routes between North Korea and Syria.

Inter-Korean Affairs

Both Koreas held the fourth working-level meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee in Gaeseong from May 18 to 19.

The South and the North held the working-level contact on former President Kim Dae-jung’s visit to Pyongyang at Mt.Geumgang from May 16-17.

Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Park Nam Jun, held talks with his counterpart of Malaysia on May 17, according to the Central Broadcasting Station on May 18, 2006. During the talks, the ministers were known to have exchanged their opinions on matters of mutual concern, including the strengthening of friendly ties and international affairs. There were no reports concerning the discussions of special pending issues between the two parties.