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North Korea Weekly (May 12-18, 2008)

ROK National Intelligence Service

【Inside North Korea】

o On May 12, the North Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCNA) reported, “The 11th Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair opened at the Three Revolution Exhibition on May 12,” adding, “Present at the opening ceremony were Vice Premier of the DPRK Cabinet Ro Tu-chol, Foreign Trade Minister Ri Ryong-nam, foreign delegates and embassy staff from a range of countries.”

o On May 12, North Korea’s Central TV said, “Rice planting has commenced at the Chongsan Co-op Farm, a land of glory where the immortal, guiding feats of matchlessly great people dwell.” Looking back, Central TV said, “Some 37 years ago in Juche Year 60, or A.D. 1971, Comrade Kim Jeong-il visited this farm and personally planted rice seedlings together with farm members in a field of Farming Group III.”

o On May 13, Radio Free Asia (RFA) said, “In order to carry out a population census this coming October as promised, North Korea is continuing with the overseas training of officials.” RFA quoted the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) as saying that North Korean officials are currently undergoing intensive training in the Philippines in data management, processing and entry.

o On May 14, Central TV said, “Comrade Kim Jeong-il provided on-site guidance in the county of Kilju and the Bukgwan Daecheop Bi, or the Bukgwan Great Victory Monument [which was erected in 1707 to commemorate a victory over Japanese invaders, stolen by the Japanese during the Russia-Japan War, and recently returned], in the city of Kimchaek.” Central TV also praised party members and workers of Kilju and Kimchaek, saying that they “highly exalt our party’s policy for agricultural revolution and focus their capabilities on farming to bring about a drastic turning point in the production of grains. By farming scrupulously and economically, they have surpassed the production target every year.”

o On May 15, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, “The 11th Pyongyang Spring International Fair Trade has drawn plenty of foreign visitors.” The KCNA also reported, “The head of a delegation from Harbin, China, said that he could recognize the achievements made by the DPRK people and the advanced level of the DPRK’s economic development from the modern machinery products on display.”

【Outside North Korea】

o On May 13, the North Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) said, “A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province, China, followed by over 310 aftershocks,” adding, “The quake was felt in 16 provinces, autonomous regions, and other parts of China, including Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Guizhou, Tibet and Beijing.”