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Major Weekly Developments in North Korea (Jan. 2 - Jan. 8, 2006)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Jan. 4), “A large-scale rally of Pyongyang residents was held on Jan. 4 at Kim Il Sung Square, and was attended by over 100 thousand residents imbued with a burning passion to arrive at the splendid heyday of Korean-style socialism by thoroughly fulfilling the tasks presented in the Joint New Year Editorial.” The editorial suggested the following major tasks: Maintaining pride in living in the capital city, where the leadership of revolution is based; building an atmosphere that places significance on the military throughout the entire capital; revitalizing the economy; exceptionally fulfilling plans for agricultural production; and developing Pyongyang to become the most modernized and civilized city.


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Jan. 4, 6), “Kim Jeong-il provided field guidance (date unreported) at the new e-library and gymnasium built at Kimchaek University of Technology (Pyongyang), and spoke of fostering a large pool of talented technology manpower required for the building of a great, prosperous and powerful nation.” It went on to say, “Kim Jeong-il met with the students of Bonbu Kindergarten in Shineuiju City and attended a performance of Blue Sky Over My Country given in celebration of the New Year (date and venue unreported).” When meeting with the children, Kim gave instructions to “raise the children well to help them become brilliant persons,” and while watching the performance, Kim called for the “forceful staging of revolutionary artistic activities in the new year as well.”


In an editorial titled “Agriculture is the main front of the economic construction of socialism,” the Central Broadcasting Station stated (Jan. 7), “Resolving the food problem by increasing agricultural production is the leading requirement for stabilizing the people’s lives.” It contended, “The intention of the Party in once again putting forward agriculture as the main front of the economic construction of socialism this year should be engraved deep in our minds, and we should contribute to resolving the issue of food for the people at the earliest possible time.”

Outside North Korea

In a commentary titled, “Basic factors disrupting talks must be eliminated,” the Central Broadcasting Station emphasized (Jan. 3), “The more the United States exerts pressure on us (the DPRK) without lifting sanctions against us, the stronger our countermeasures will become, and prospects for resolving the nuclear issue will become even more dismal. The United States should lift its sanctions against us (the DPRK), the basic factor disrupting the talks, instead of rambling on about the resumption of the six-party talks.”


In an editorial titled, “Toward the construction of a new world that is independent, peaceful and friendly,” the Pyongyang Broadcasting Service propagandized (Jan. 5), “Kim Jeong-il’s diplomatic relations activities last year contributed to securing peace and security on the Korean peninsula, in Asia and around the world.” It further contended, “Our (the DPRK’s) Party and people will contribute to driving the construction of a new world that is independent, peaceful and friendly by holding high the banner of socialism.”


The Pyongyang Broadcasting Service blasted (Jan. 6), “The financial sanctions imposed by the United States are a political maneuver aimed at impeding us financially and interrupting the building of a great, prosperous and powerful nation.” It further stated, “If the United States wishes the resumption of and progress in the six-party talks, it must take practical action toward lifting the financial sanctions against us (the DPRK).”

Inter-Korean Issues

The Pyongyang Broadcasting Service contended (Jan. 7), “When the 70 million people of Korea launch the three major patriotic movements (independent reunification, peace and great national unity) set forth in the joint editorial, there will be remarkable accomplishments in the reunification movement of the fatherland this year.”