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Weekly Report on North Korea (December 10, 2007- December 16, 2007)

ROK Ministry of Unification

Internal Affairs

* The Korean Television Broadcasting Station reported on December 7 about Samjigang cooperative farm’s preparations for next year’s farming and the results of land readjustment project of Byeongcheonbeol in Gaeseong.

* Pyongyang Broadcasting Services reported on December 10 that the Ministry of the Territorial Environment Protection has engaged in programs of afforestation to create forests throughout the country.

* North Korea will expand its financial activities including settlement necessary in the process of economic trade by strengthening ties with banks around the world and international financial institutions, and train bankers and financial experts through international cooperation, reported Chosun Sinbo on Dec. 11.

* The Central Broadcasting Station stressed in its editorial on Dec. 12 that “a great prosperous and powerful nation can be successfully built firmly based on the militant spirit and an economic powerhouse should be promptly built by making self-reliant reconstruction efforts based on the development of modern scientific technologies.

* Chosun Sinbo reported on Dec. 13 the holding of 3 rd North Korea-EU Economic Forum from Oct. 23 to 24 in Pyongyang , forecasting the trade between the North and EU will be facilitated.

* Kim Jong-il inspected Korean People’s Army Unit 255 and KPA Unit 1971, reported the Central Broadcasting Station on Dec. 15 and 16, respectively.

Inter-Korean Affairs

* North Korean media, quoting the South Korean broadcasts as reporting, reported South Korea ’s worst-ever oil spill on the west coast, according to the Central Broadcasting Station on Dec. 10 and Pyongyang Broadcasting Services on Dec. 13.

* Chosun Sinbo, mouthpiece of a pro-Pyongyang Association of Korean residents in Japan, maintained that the 2007 Inter-Korean Summit Meeting advanced inter-Korean relations into a new phase and the resolution of fundamental issues are prerequisite for the progress in inter-Korean relations.

* The Central Broadcasting Station reported on Dec. 12 and 14 on the proceeding and closing of the 7 th inter-Korean General-level Military Talks, as well as the keynote speech of the North Korean delegate and the contents of consultations and agreements.

Foreign Affairs

* In a series titled “Recollections on the Political Circumstances of the Korean Peninsula in 2007,” Chosun Sinbo assessed on Dec. 10 that North Korea has pursued omni-directional diplomacy in such fields as economy and culture this year. The series appreciated that the North pushed ahead with omnidirectional diplomacy through visits by high ranking officials.

* According to Rodong Sinmun on Dec. 10, North Korea emphasized that it would pay sharp attention on the Japanese Self-Defense Forces’ modernization schemes, claiming that Japan is actively establishing missile defense (MD) through missile intercept tests.

*Chosun Sinbo, in its editorial on Dec. 13 under the title of “noticeable bilateral talks between DPRK and the U.S. and the abiding by the action for action principle,” emphasized the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the principle of “action for action.”

*Chosun Sinbo, in a commentary on Dec. 14 titled “Music Diplomacy,” gave a positive assessment of New York Philharmonic’s decision to play in North Korea , adding it would contribute to resolving hostile relations with the U.S.

*The North Korean Television Broadcasting Station reported on Dec. 14 that North Korea and China agreed to hold a celebrative event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang on April 28, 2008 .

*Chosun Sinbo, in its series titled “Recollections on the Political Circumstances of the Korean Peninsula in 2007,” maintained on Dec. 14 that Japan ’s adherence to hostile policy towards North Korea caused its international isolation.

*Chosun Sinbo, after interviewing Rhee Hak-gwon, the head of the North Korean Chamber of Commerce, carried on Dec. 17 an article titled “DPRK actively promoting foreign investment on the condition of introducing advanced technologies.” The article claimed North Korea is making efforts to actively attract foreign capital and investment.