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North Korea Weekly (July 2-8, 2007)

ROK National Intelligence Service

Inside North Korea

o On July 3, North Korea held a reporting meeting of the City of Pyongyang to mark the 35th anniversary of the announcement of the July 4 South-North Joint Statement at the Central Workers’ Hall. The meeting was attended by workers and officials from all walks of life, including Kim Ki-nam, DPRK Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and An Kyong-ho, Director of the Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland (CPRF).

o On July 8, with Regard to the 13th Anniversary of Kim Il-seong’s Death:

- On July 5, the North Korean Central TV, with the 13th anniversary of the death of Kim Il-seong (July 8, 1994) around the corner, poured its efforts into urging the public to bolster its loyalty to him, and to that end employed a variety of propaganda media to highlight the alleged feats of Kim Il-seong. For instance, it showed the teachers and students at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education having an assembly to commemorate Kim Il-seong’s alleged achievements and also aired news of residents of South Hwanghae Province (Hwanghaenam-do) touring a provincial museum dedicated to the revolutionary history of Kim Il-seong.

- On July 8, the North Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) reported that “people from all walks of life, including executives of the party and the cabinet and commanders of the army, visited Kumsusan Memorial Palace” to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the death of Kim Il-seong. The KCBS also added, “Being overwhelmed with the most solemn ambience possible on the occasion of the greatest commemoration day of the nation, participants paid highest tribute to Kim Il-seong, who had pioneered the great feat of the Songun [military-first] revolution as well as contributed to the creation, reinforcement and development of our [North Korea’s] revolutionary forces, to the construction of socialism, and to the realization of [many] historical achievements of humanity.”

Outside North Korea

o In Connection with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi’s Visit to North Korea (July 2– 4):

- On July 2, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, “Upon the invitation of DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun, a delegation led by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, where they were greeted by DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il and officials from the Chinese embassy in North Korea, including Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Liu Xiaoming.”

- On July 2, the North Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) said, “The DPRK hosted a banquet at Mansudae Assembly Hall for Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his delegation and officials of the Chinese embassy in North Korea, including Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Liu Xiaoming. Among those in attendance were DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun and DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong-il.”

- On July 3, the KCNA reported, “Kim Jeong-il met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his delegation,” adding, “Kang Sok-ju, DPRK First Vice Foreign Minister, also attended the meeting.”

- On July 4, the KCNA said, “Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his delegation concluded their visit to [North] Korea and departed from Pyongyang on July 4.”

o On July 4, the KCNA stated, "Japan's meddlesome comments related to our [North Korea's] implementation of the February 13 Agreement are becoming a source of worry to other relevant nations. For example, [it even utters] '[Japan] will strongly demand that progress be made on the issue of [North Korea's] kidnappings [of Japanese citizens]'." The KCNA contended, "As Japan does not welcome any progress in the talks and has been refusing to fulfil its obligations in accordance with the February 13 Agreement, its participation in the six-party talks is a source of instability in all respects."

Inter-Korean Issues

o On July 2, North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun said, “As the frequent appearance of clouds promises rain, frequent provocations may cause a physical clash.” It contended, “Around this time each year, provocations from South Korea’s belligerent forces aggravate military tensions [on the Korean peninsula], but the situation has never been as severe as this year’s,” and went on to threaten, “Another armed clash here would escalate into a full-scale war.”

o On July 4, North Korea’s Pyongyang Broadcasting Service (PBS) said, “Nowadays, Songun politics are widely propagandized among the South Korean public and numerous videos and printed materials are being circulated to capture people’s attention,” and insisted, “Especially popular are video copies made from the original DPRK documentary Under the Guidance of the Great and Brilliant Commander and distributed by members of the communication teams of hometown friendship associations.”