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North Korea Weekly (Mar. 19 - Mar. 25, 2007)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

(Mar. 19–21) The North Korean Central News Agency reported, “Following an inspection of the command of KPA Unit 350, Kim Jeong-il attended a concert of works by People’s Artist Jang Ryong-shik.”

(Mar. 22) The North Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported, “A national meeting marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean National Association was held on March 22 at the April 25 House of Culture. Continued efforts should be made to uphold the Songun [military-first] ideology and to strengthen national defense capabilities.”

(Mar. 25) The North Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported, “A meeting of the members of the youth vanguard for the Songun revolution is being held in Pyongyang. Participants in the march arrived at Pyongyang Station on Mar. 24 and 25, where signboards bearing welcoming slogans have been set up.”

(Mar. 25) In an editorial, North Korea’s Rodong Shinmun emphasized, “Building an economically powerful nation is a task that can be easily achieved in the near future. Let us forcefully stage a battle of aggression to seize the summit of the mountain pass for an economically powerful state.”

Outside North Korea

(Mar. 20) In a commentary titled “Impure actions to disrupt the implementation of agreements reached at the six-party talks,” the North Korean Central News Agency emphasized, “Instead of raising the issue of abductees, Japan should settle its past and faithfully carry out the fulfillment of agreements reached at the six-party talks.”

(Mar. 22) In an interview with the North Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry “hailed the establishment of a unified national government in Palestine.” He expressed hope that “the new Palestinian government will become unified and cooperate, and realize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent nation.”

(Mar. 20 & Mar. 24) The North Korean Central News Agency reported, “An economic delegation headed by Minister of Trade Im Gyeong-man and assembled to attend the fourth conference of North Korea-Russia Committee on Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science & Technology held in Russia left Pyongyang on Mar. 20. Also, a delegation of the North Korean Federation of Science and Technology, headed by chairman Choi Sang-gun of the Central Committee of the North Korean Federation of Science and Technology, left Pyongyang for China on Mar. 24.”

(Mar. 25) The North Korean Central Broadcasting Station blasted, “The belligerent forces in the United States and South Korea have staged the RSOI and Foal Eagle joint military exercises aimed at fortifying US forces in the event of an emergency on the Korean peninsula. The US imperialists are the disturbers of the peace and the cause of war that destroy peace and security on the Korean peninsula and bring the dark clouds of war to northeast Asia.”

Inter-Korean Issues

(Mar. 20) North Korea’s Pyongyang Broadcasting Service propagandized, “Songun politics are the precious sword that stands firm against the antagonistic policies and oppressive maneuvers of the United States against North Korea. The people of South and North Korea as well as overseas Koreans should be fully aware that the only way to bring peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula closer is to uphold Songun politics. They must therefore launch a struggle to advance the time for the realization of peace and reunification on the Korean peninsula.”

(Mar. 22) In an interview with the North Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry contended, “The combined wartime military exercises and outdoor movement exercises staged by the United States and South Korea are risky provocations that cast a shadow over the implementation of the agreement reached on Feb. 13 and over the progress of the talks. The United States and South Korea shall be responsible for the negative consequences resulting from the enforcement of the military exercises.”

(Mar. 25) North Korea’s Pyongyang Broadcasting Service contended, “The organization of the grand coalition of anti-conservatives shall become the means for achieving peaceful reunification of the nation. People of all sectors and progressive organizations in South Korea must become solidly unified under the banner of the grand coalition of anti-conservatives and bury the treacherous groups pursuing confrontation and war, including the Grand National Party.”