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Major Weekly Developments in North Korea (Jan. 9 - Jan. 15, 2006)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

North Korea is showing no response at all with regard to the recent international media reports on Kim Jeong-il’s visit to China.


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Jan. 10), “A rally for the youth vanguard to thoroughly carry out the tasks suggested in the Joint New Year Editorial was held on Jan. 9 at the open-air theatre of the Youth Park (Pyongyang).” It went on to say, “This year, which marks the 60th anniversary of the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League (founded on Jan. 17, 1946), the organizations of the League must be reinforced and ideology cultivation projects must be empowered so that all young people could create a new miracle in difficult and strenuous circumstances.”


The Rodong Shinmun emphasized (Jan. 12), “The national defense project is the most important matter in government politics, that guarantees the wealth and power of the fatherland, the welfare of the people, and victorious progress in the revolution, as well as the lifeline determining the victory or defeat of the revolution, and the rise and fall of the nation.”


On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League (Jan. 17, 1946), Rodong Shinmun contended in an editorial titled “The youth are the hope and future of Seon-gun (military-first) Politics in North Korea” and that “young people are the force safeguarding the North Korean-style socialism.” It further emphasized, “The young people must become the reliable workers who will be responsible for the brilliant future of the great, prosperous and powerful nation.”

Outside North Korea

In a press conference given by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Jan. 9), the Chosun Central News Agency blasted the financial sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United States as “an obliteration of the system designed to stifle us (the DPRK) and a violation of the spirit of the joint declaration.” It contended, “If the United States had imposed sanctions based on factual data, there would be no reason for it not to sit down with us and disclose them rightfully.” It went on to say, “The United States must join in the six-party talks after lifting the financial sanctions.”


The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Jan. 14), “On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Turkey, a commemorative assembly and a photo exhibition was held at Cheollima Cultural House (Pyongyang) on Jan. 13.”


The Pyongyang Broadcasting Service alleged (Jan. 15), “The commotion made by the US ruling class regarding the peaceful resolution of the DPRK-US nuclear issue and the six-party talks is yet another deception, and what the United States actually pursues on the Korean peninsula is the provocation of a new war of aggression.”

Inter-Korean Issues

In an editorial titled “The movement against war and for peace and patriotism is an important guarantee for achieving the grand task of reunification,” the Pyongyang Broadcasting Service propagandized, “The withdrawal of US forces from South Korea is a requirement of the times that is unavoidable, and the entire Korean people must eradicate the root of war from its soil through the struggle forcing the withdrawal of US forces, backed by a lucid sense of independence.”


In a report by the Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, the Chosun Central News Agency stated (Jan. 13), “The demand for compensation by the ‘unconverted long-term prisoners’ [who were imprisoned in South Korea for decades and who never renounced communism throughout their imprisonment] is justifiable in light of the immoral nature of the crime, the aspirations of the people and international practices, and a judgment and compensation must be delivered regardless of the statute of limitations.” It insisted, “The Hannara Party must apologize, provide compensation for the suffering, and disappear, and the South Korean authorities must see to it that appropriate measures are soon taken.”