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Weekly Report on North Korea (May 14, 2007 - May 20, 2007)

ROK Ministry of Unification

Internal Affairs

• The Central Broadcasting Station reported on May 13 that rice-planting began at Cheongsan-ri collective farm in Gangseogun on May 10 following the first one on May 12 at Wonhwa collective farm in Pyongwongun, Pyongannamdo.

• The Central Broadcasting Station reported on May 15 that waterway construction began between Gaechon and Taesong and between Jamjin and Daebo.

• A former ambassador to Russia Pak Uichun was named as the foreign minister, filling a post that has been vacant since Paek Namsoon died, reported the Central Broadcasting Station on May 18.

Inter-Korean Affairs

• According to the report by Pyongyang Broadcasting Services on May 17, North Korea criticized South Korea for planning to strengthen the national defense including building a naval base on Jeju Island .

• Regarding the test runs of the inter-Korean railways on May 17, Chosun Sinbo reported several comments and articles such as ‘Reunification Train,’ and ‘Pass MDL, sounding a whistle of independent unification.’

• The Central Broadcasting Station and Pyongyang Broadcasting Services reported on May 19 that the spokesperson of the Anti-imperial National Democracy Front announced a statement, instigating struggle against the U.S. and conservation.

Foreign Affairs

• According to reports by the Central Broadcasting Station, Pyongyang Broadcasting Services, and Korean Central News Agency, North Korean delegate led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Youngil made a tour of five nations such as Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, and Iran.

• In an interview with Korean Central News Agency, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the U.S. for reporting North Korea was using delay tactics in the BDA issue and maintained that North Korea would implement the initial step of the February 13 agreement when the remittance is made.

• The total amount of North Korean foreign trade in 2006 decreased by 0.2percent compared with the previous year, recording 3billion dollars.
• Export: 950million dollars (decreased by 5.2percent compared with the previous year)
• Import: 2.05billion dollars (increased by 2.3percent compared with the previous year)
• Trade balance: -1.12billion dollars (increased by 9.7percent compared with the previous year)