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Weekly Report on North Korea No. 895 (June 9 to 15, 2008)

ROK Ministry of Unification

Internal Affairs

On June 9, Rodong Sinmun reported that the military-first policy is a policy for national independence and patriotism which guards North Korea ’s national sovereignty and peace as well as clears the way toward national reunification.

Kim Jong Il gave field guidance to the tideland reclamation site on Taegye Islet, the Sinam Co-op Farm, Pukjung Machine Complex and the September General Iron Enterprise, reported KCNA on June 13, 14 and 16.

Inter-Korean Affairs

On the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration, KCNA issued a message titled “An appeal to all Koreans residing home and abroad” by the name of the Central Committe of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland.

In a statement made by the spokesperson for its Panmunjon mission, North Korea denounced the US and South Korean defense ministers for reaching an agreement on discontinuing the reduction of USFK troops, reported KCNA on June 9.

In a June 10th article titled “The North denounces President Lee Myung-bak’s governing philosophy,” Chosun Sinbo criticized the Lee administration’s pragmatic policy and insisted that the President find a way to break the current deadlock.

Foreign Affairs

In a Chosun Sinbo commentary titled “New changes” released on June 9, North Korea expressed its preference for Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

North Korean and Chinese government officials held friendship meetings and a banquet on June 10 commemorating the 25 th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s first visit to China , during which they emphasized the strong ties between the two countries.

North Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement on June 10, in which it expressed Pyongyang ’s strong opposition to terrorism and acts of sponsoring terrorism.

On June 13, in a KCNA report, Pyongyang disclosed the results of working-level talks between North Korea and Japan , and revealed its positions on the related issues in Chosun Sinbo commentaries.