• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

North Korea Weekly (Dec. 31-Jan. 6, 2008)

ROK National Intelligence Service

【Inside North Korea】

□ On January 1, North Korea published a joint editorial via the official organs of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee, the Korean People’s Army, and the Central Committee of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, urging, “Last year marked a breakthrough in national reunification. Let us join hands in keeping with uriminzokkiri, or ‘by our nation itself,’ to charter a new era of self-reliance, reunification, peace and prosperity.” The editorial stressed, “In order to build a powerful state by 2012, we should make the economic front our major battle front and uphold the ‘people's-standard-of-living-first idea,’ [the principle of putting top priority on improving the standard of living of the people].

□ On January 1, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) declared, “The New Year of Juche 97, or AD 2008, has dawned.” The KCNA sketched the unique scenery of the city of Pyongyang as it greeted the new year: “Hung in downtown Pyongyang to ring in the new year are banners reading, among others, ‘New Year’s Greetings to Comrade Kim Jeong-il,’ and ‘New Year 2008,’ and a stamp to celebrate the New Year has also been issued.”

□ On January 3, the North’s Rodong Sinmun stated, “Nothing can thwart the flow of history running toward independence.” The newspaper emphasized, “The creative Songun [military-first] politics of Comrade Kim Jeong-il strengthens and encourages the progressive people. In the New Year, our [North Korea’s] party and people will continue to actively contribute to triumphant progress in peace and independence for humanity, raising high the banner of independence and Songun.”

【Outside North Korea】

□ On January 4, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on a Foreign Ministry statement released through a spokesperson by saying, “Although the deadline for the October 3 Agreement reached at the six-party talks has passed, only the disablement of our [the North Korean] nuclear facilities has been in progress, whereas the other party states failed to implement even half their obligations as per the agreement.” The statement went on to say, “Since the action-for-action principle is applied to all agreements made at the six-party talks, including the September 19 Joint Statement, the speed of the disablement of our nuclear facilities will inevitably also be adjusted in part.”

【Inter-Korean Issues】

□ On January 2, North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun published an editorial titled “Fight Powerfully with Overflowing Conviction and Optimism” in which it stated, “The nation’s commitment to thoroughly implement the October 4 Declaration under the banner of the June 15 Joint Declaration is firm and unshakable,” adding, “The adoption of the October 4 Declaration was a significant event that pioneered a fresh turn toward a breakthrough and that further imbues our nation with patriotism and spirit.” The editorial emphasized, “Peace, prosperity and reunification hinge on the successful execution of the declaration.”

□ On January 2, Rodong Sinmun stated, “The furor of war exercises for an invasion of North Korea engaged in by the militaries of the US and South Korea is a central factor in the escalation of tensions and threats to peace on the Korean peninsula.” The official organ of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central Committee raised its voice to allege, “As renaming RSOI (Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, Integration) ‘Key Resolve’ and UFL (Ulchi Focus Lens) ‘Ulchi Freedom Guardian’ reflects a dangerous attempt by US war mongers, this renaming is not an issue that can be overlooked.”

□ On January 3, North Korea’s Pyongyang Broadcasting Service (PBS) said, “Joining forces uriminzokkiri, or ‘by our nation itself,’ in order to open a new era of independence and reunification as well as peace and prosperity is a steadfast ideal and ambition on the part of our nation, especially on the part of young students.” The PBS impelled, “Young adults should dedicate themselves to the battle for the thorough implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration, among others.”