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North Korea Weekly (August 11-17, 2008)

ROK National Intelligence Service

【Inside North Korea】

o On August 12, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, “The mass gymnastics demonstration ‘Prosper the Motherland!’ choreographed in celebration of the 6oth anniversary of the founding of the DPRK was staged at May Day Stadium today.” The KCNA gave an overview of the show in which it said, “The mass gymnastics performance comprising six acts, including ‘The Fatherland Is Our Leader’s Embrace,’ ‘My Songun [military-first]Fatherland” and “A Rich and Strong Korea, My Fatherland” grandly depicts the 60-year revolutionary history of the republic [DPRK] resplendent with victories and glory.”

o On August 12, the KCNA said, “At the 29th Beijing Olympic Games, Pak Hyon-suk of [North] Korea clinched a gold medal in weightlifting,” adding, “Pak, who competed in the women’s 63 kg weightlifting division, lifted a total of 241 kg—106 kg in the snatch and 135 in the clean and jerk—with a swift snatch and powerful jerk to earn first place overall.”

【Outside North Korea】

o On August 12, the North Korean Central Broadcast Station (KCBS) said, “At a time when the world is experiencing a severe food crisis, the US is doggedly pursuing its so-called alternative fuel plan to produce biofuels from corn, which is sparking criticism and accusations in the international community.” The KCBS gave details of the plan, saying, “As the US is planning to mass produce cars that run on biofuels by 2017, the country is expected to produce 132 million liters of biofuels from corn. This is creating anticipation of rising food prices across the globe.”

【Inter-Korean Issues】

o On August 13, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, “Around 2:25 on August 12, Dongi-No. 1, a South Korean vessel loaded with sand and heading south collided with a North Korean fishing boat east of Kosong. The KCNA provided details of the accident, and quoted a working-level person in charge of the North-South section of the East Coast as saying, “The captain of the South Korean sand transport ship let his tired crew go to sleep, leaving him to steer the boat alone. He failed to notice the presence of our [North Korean] ship just ahead.” The KCNA added, “This created a serious accident for us [North Korea], as from our side the collision cost the life of two innocent fishermen and sank the fishing boat.”