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North Korea Weekly (November 12-18, 2007)

ROK National Intelligence Service

【Inside North Korea】

□ On November 12, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, “On November 12, UNESCO, the DPRK National Commission for UNESCO, and the Organizing Committee of the Pyongyang International Science and Technology Book Fair jointly hosted a UNESCO science and technology book fair at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang.”

□ On November 13, the North’s Rodong Sinmun featured an editorial that claimed, “Presently, our [North Korea’s] political circumstances have shifted in a remarkably favourable manner to advance our international status and authority and imbue our economy with immense vitality.” The editorial emphasized, “In the coming years, breakthroughs will be made in building up our economy and enhancing our people’s lives to fling open the gate to the path toward becoming a powerful nation.”

□ On November 15, the KCNA said, "Traditional Korean foods are developing and being fine-tuned to modern Korean tastes,” adding, “According to the Collection of Korean Dishes, there are over 160 kinds of bap (boiled rice), more than 200 varieties of tteok (rice cake), and over 40 types of guksu (noodles). Kimchi is also prepared in a variety of forms.” The news agency also reported, “The Chilgol Folk Restaurant in the Mangyongdae district of Pyongyang serves a wide range of traditional dishes, including tteokguk (rice cake soup), Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles) and bibimbap (boiled rice mixed with a variety of vegetables and other ingredients), for the gastronomic pleasure of workers, who are their guests.”

【Outside North Korea】

□ On November 14, North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun blasted the upcoming US-Japan joint military exercise code-named “Sharp Spear,” comparing it to “recklessly playing with fire with the aim of sparking another Korean war.” The newspaper also compared the military exercise to “stabbing someone in the back after shaking hands with them” since “while the agreements reached in the six-party talks are in the process of being implemented and the climate for dialogue to improve DPRK-US relations is ripe, they are carrying out a military drill, citing the presence of threats.”

□ On November 15, Rodong Sinmun insisted, “The US’s unfair, double-standard policy increases the risk of a nuclear war on the planet rather than decrease it.” The newspaper continued, “The US not only turns a blind eye to the development of nuclear weapons by some countries with which it has relations, but also seeks nuclear pacts with them for cooperation in nuclear technology. On the contrary, the US tries to rob countries that go against it of their right to peaceful nuclear activities.”

【Inter-Korean Issues】

□ On November 12, reporting on the progress of the military working-level meeting held on the same day in Panmunjeom, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, “The two parties have agreed to hold North-South defence ministerial talks from November 27 to 29 to discuss methods for implementing the Declaration for the Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity and related matters with military implications.”

□ On November 14, the KCNA said, “The first North-South Korea premiers’ talks were held in Seoul on November 14. Our [The North Korean] delegation, led by Cabinet Premier Kim Yong-il, met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other officials.” The news agency stressed, “At the talks the two parties should make full efforts to lay a joint foundation for the successful and early implementation of the October 4 Declaration.”

- Meanwhile, on November 16, the KCNA reported, “The DPRK delegation, headed by Cabinet Premier Kim Yong-il, met with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun today.” It added, “Premier Kim delivered Kim Jeong-il’s greetings to President Roh. In response, President Roh expressed his deep gratitude. President Roh also mentioned his appreciation for the successful outcomes of the premiers’ talks and his wishes for the smooth implementation of inter-Korean agreements.”

□ On November 15, the North Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) reported, “On November 14 and 15, the 7th round of video meetings of separated families took place,” adding, “The participating families from each party were able to see their loved ones on the other side of the border and converse with them using video equipment. They were separated due to the nation’s division by foreign forces and have lived for many years without knowing whether their loved ones in the other Korea had survived or not.”