Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

North Korea Weekly (Sept. 11 - Sept. 17, 2006)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

The Chosun Central News Agency reported (Sept. 11-14), “Kim Jeong-il inspected the construction of Geumya River Power Station in South Hamgyeong Province and a company of KPA Unit 8211. He also gave field guidance at Mt. Geumgang.” It went on to say, “During his visit to Mt. Geumgang, Kim Jeong-il said that our people are extremely proud of fully enjoying a worthy life in this beautiful socialist country and underscored the need to intensify education through scenic spots.”

The Central Broadcasting Station reported (Sept. 11), “The cooperative farms in North Pyeongan Province are making practical preparations for the autumn harvest by performing maintenance on transport equipment, including tractors.”

Outside North Korea

The Chosun Central News Agency reported (Sept. 16), “During a speech delivered at the 14th summit of Non-Aligned nations held in Havana, Cuba on September 16, Kim Yeong-nam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly stated, ‘The United States pushed the six-party talks to a stalemate by reneging on the pledge made in the Sept. 19 Joint Statement and imposing sanctions on us [the DPRK]. We chose to own nuclear deterrence for self-defense in response to the threat from the United States.’”

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration (Sept. 17, 2002), the Pyongyang Broadcasting Service emphasized (Sept. 17), “Japan has recently taken advantage of the maneuvers by the US imperialists to stifle the DPRK and have further instigated the clamor of sanctions. As stipulated in the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration, Japan must bear in mind that making restitution for its criminal past is the basis of the implementation of the declaration and must act with discretion.”

Inter-Korean Issues

Quoting a commentary from the Rodong Shinmun, the Chosun Central News Agency contended (Sept. 15), “South Korea, under the instigation of foreign forces, is taking part in the international uproar to exert pressure on us [the DPRK], and is siding with foreign forces to impose sanctions on North Korea, which runs counter to national interests.” It further noted, “Cooperation with foreign forces treads the path of inter-Korean confrontation and toward the invasion of North Korea.”