DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (1) looks at a piece of equipment during a tour of the Sunchon Area Coal Mining Complex in South Pyongan Province (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK state media reported on 29 April (Monday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Sunch’o'n Area Youth Coal Mining Complex. Pak was briefed about coal production at the 8 February Jikdong Youth Coal Mine and learned about the deposit and yield of other coal mines in the area. Pak held a meeting with local officials and managers of the coal mines at which he “underscored the importance of the coal production in stepping up the building of an economic power and carrying out the new strategic line of the Workers’ Party of Korea on simultaneously pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force,” according to KCNA. The meeting also addressed ”issues of working out a correct business strategy as required by the socialist economic management in the new century and rationally and scrupulously managing enterprise and manpower” and “underscored the need for the relevant units to work out plans in line with the production capacity of coal mines and put the supply of materials on a par with production as immediate tasks.” Pak Pong Ju also toured others areas of the Sunchon coal mining complex and “discussed matters for combining production with technology. “
DPRK Vice Premier Kim Yong Jin (R) reads a citation at the 2013 ceremony for the 16 February Science and Technology Prize at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on 6 February 2013 (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK state media reported on 6 February (Wednesday) that two academic award ceremonies were held in Pyongyang. The 16 February Science and Technology Prize held a ceremony at the People’s Palace of Culture to “ scientists, technicians, teachers, researchers and officials in the DPRK. . .[that] made tangible contributions to the development of the country’s science and technology, building an economic power and improving the people’s living standard.” Attending the ceremony were DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier (for Education) Kim Yong Jin, State Science and Technology Commission Chairman Choe Sang Gon, Chairman of the Education Commission Kim Sung Du and President of the State Academy of Sciences Jang Chol.
According to KCNA “certificates and medals of the prize were awarded to various units including the Mathematics Faculty of Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology and the Heat Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Science,” “Certificates of the Scientific and Technological Innovation Prize were awarded to the Organic Chemistry Institute of the Hamhung Branch, the Central Experimental Analysis Institute and the Mathematics Institute of the State Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Koryo Medical Science,” and “certificates of the February 16 Science and Technology Prize and the Scientific and Technological Innovation Prize went to more than 90 scientists, technicians, teachers, researchers and officials including Myong Kum Chol, department head of Kim Il Sung University, Kang Yong Chol, room chief of the Rakwon Building Machine Design Institute at the Rakwon Machine Complex, and Mun Chang Won, teacher at Kim Chaek University of Technology.”
(Photos: KCNA)
Presentations and participants at 16 February Science and Technology Prize at the People’s Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on 6 February 2013 (Photos: KCNA)
Another ceremony that “awarded the state academic degrees and titles” to those “have made great contributions to building a thriving nation by waging a dynamic drive for pushing back the frontiers of latest science and technology, true to the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s idea of giving importance to science and technology.” The ceremony was held as part of commemorations of Kim Jong Il’s birth anniversary (16 February) was held, separately, the same day at the People’s Palace of Culture. KCNA reported that “Kim Song Gun, researcher of the Turf Institute of the State Academy of Sciences, and Kim Kwon Mu, researcher of the Forest of Economic Value Research Institute of the Ministry of Land and Environmental Conservation, were awarded the title of academician and that of candidate academician went to Kim Song Il, dean of a faculty of Kim Il Sung University” and “Jo Chol, vice-president of Kim Il Sung University, Pak Je Dong, room chief of University of National Economy, Ri Kyong Su, researcher of Kim Chaek University of Technology, and others were awarded academic title of professor.” Also, according to KCNA, “a doctor’s degree went to 38 persons including Yun Nam, head of a department of Kim Il Sung University, Kim Ryong Hwa, head of a department of Kim Chaek University of Technology, Ryom Song Chol, researcher of the Mathematics Research Institute of the State Academy of Sciences, and academic title of associate professor went to 127 others.”
The 16 February Science and Technology Prize ceremony received more prominent coverage in state media. The officials reported to have attended that ceremony are all leading officials of organizations involved the civilian research academic aspects of the DPRK nuclear community. One might also scan the names and find that some DPRK scientists linked to a possible forthcoming nuclear test are already receiving their state awards, regardless of the test’s outcome.
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt (L) takes a photograph of the Chuch’e Tower (R) from the balcony of the Grand People’s Study House in Pyongyang (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)
DPRK state media aired a brief story (33 seconds) at the end of its 9 January (Wednesday) television newscast which showed former Governor Bill Richardson, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Google Ideas Director Jared Cohen and members of their delegation touring the Grand People’s Study House in central Pyongyang. The television news story showed Richardson and members of the delegation visiting a circulation desk at the DPRK’s national library, using the library’s computer terminals and taking souvenir photographs of the Chuch’e Tower from the study house’s balcony.
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt (2nd L) and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (3rd L) begin a tour of the Grand People’s Study House in central Pyongyang on 9 January 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab)
The Richardson-Schmidt delegation visit an information desk at the Grand People’s Study House (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)
Google Ideas Director Jared Cohen uses a computer workstation during a tour of the Grand People’s Study House, the DPRK’s national library, on 9 January 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab)
DPRK state media also aired a brief story (32 seconds) on Gov. Richardson, Mr. Schmidt and the delegation touring the E-Library at Kim Il Sung University toward the end of the 8 January (Tuesday) newscast.
Eric Schmidt (2nd L) talks with Bill Richardson (3rd L) during a tour of the E-Library at Kim Il Sung University. Also in attendance is Korea expert Dr. Tony Namkung (L) (Photo: KCTV screengrab)
Bill Richardson, Eric Schmidt and members of their delegation tour a classroom at the E-Library at Kim Il Sung University (Photo: KCTV screengrab)
Bill Richardson and Eric Schmidt (C) tour a lecture hall at Kim Il Sung University’s E-Library (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)
During its stay in the DPRK, the delegation met with several groups of DPRK officials, including a vice minister of foreign affairs, and visited the Korea Computer Center and the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun. With the exception of these two brief stories on Korean Central Television [KCTV] news and several short news items in DPRK print media, the delegation’s visit was a low-visibility event in DPRK state media reporting.
The delegation departed Pyongyang on 10 January (Thursday) and arrived in Beijing. Richardson said that DPRK officials assured him at one meeting that a 44-year old Korean American who was arrested and detained since early November 2012 was in good health and would soon be put on trial. Richardson also said that during an interaction with DPRK officials he asked the country to stop nuclear and missile testing. At a media availability in Beijing, Richardson and Schmidt said that they encouraged DPRK officials to expand access to the internet and cell ‘phones. According to The Guardian Richardson said that “The internet is important for the welfare of the North Korean people, to expand mobile technology, to expand cell phone use” and Schmidt remarked that “As the world becomes increasingly connected, their decision to be virtually isolated is very much going to affect their physical world, their economic growth and so forth, and it will make it harder for them to catch up economically.”
DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (2nd R) tours a factory in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)
DPRK state media reported on 14 December (Friday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim visited a series of factories in Pyongyang where he “encouraged the workers in a high-pitched drive for the increased production to successfully decorate this significant year with high pride of having demonstrated to the world the might of great Paektusan nation through the successful launch of the second version of satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3.”
Choe’s first visit was to Ryuwon Footwear Factory where, according to KCNA, “measures were taken on the spot for producing more quality shoes favored by the people.” Choe then toured the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory where he “looked round various production processes of the Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory before convening a consultative meeting” which “took measures for keeping equipment in full capacity operation by properly managing equipment and technology so as to increase the production of confectionary, and ensuring satisfactory supply of raw and other materials and electricity by relevant units.”
Choe also visited the Pyongyang Electrical Appliances’ Joint-Venture Company, the Pyongyang Metal Building-materials Factory and the Pyongyang Trolley Bus Factory. During his visits he convened meetings with factory management and employees which, according to KCNA, “discussed the issue of increasing the generation of electricity and saving it, the issue of pushing ahead with the modernization of the factories and producing various kinds of more goods including convenient household articles suited to the people’s taste and the issue of increasing the production of new-type trolley buses.”
(Photo: Google image)
Meanwhile, Choe Yong Rim sent a message to Prime Minister of The Netherlands Mark Rutte, on 10 December which, according to KCNA, “wished the prime minister success in his work, expressing his conviction that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow strong” and congratulated Rutte on his re-election. DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun sent a note of congratulations to the new Dutch Foreign Minister, Frans Timmerman.
Kim Jong Un (L) applauds after the launch of the U’nha-3 during his visit to the General Satellite Command and Control Center in northern Pyongyang on 12 December 2012. Also in seen attendance is KWP Secretary Pak To Chun (R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)
DPRK state media reported on 14 December (Friday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the General Satellite Command and Control Center in Sanum-dong in northern Pyongyang, one hour after he “gave a final written order regarding the launch of the second version of the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 [KMS-3] to Korean Committee for Space Technology at 8 a.m. on December 12, 2012.” Attending the launch of the U’nha-3 with KJU were DPRK National Defense Chairman [NDC] and Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Administration Department, Jang Song Taek (Chang So’ng-t’aek), and KWP Secretary of Machine-Building and Military Industries and NDC Member, Pak To Chun (Pak To’-ch’un). KJU’s last reported public appearance was his meeting at the KWP #1 Office Complex with members of a Communist Party of China [CPC] delegation led by Li Jianguo.
Korean Central Television news anchor Ri Chun Hui delivering the news bulletin reporting on KJU’s visit to the GSCCC and observation of the launch of the U’nha-3 rocket on 12 December 2012 (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengran)
Kim Jong Un (R) greets KCST and KPA officials upon arriving at the General Satellite Control and Command Center in Pyongyang to observe the launch of the U’nha-3 and Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 satellite (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)
Kim Jong Un enters the GSCCC on 12 December 2012 to authorize and observe the launch of the U’nha-3 (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)
The order authorizing the launch of the U’nha-3 and Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 bearing KJU’s signature (L) and Kim Jong Un talking on the telephone to Korean Committee for Space Technology (R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)
KCST personnel at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station (Sohae Space Center) (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)
A view of monitors observing the U’nha-3′s launch on 12 December 2012 (Photo: KCNA)
(Photos: KCNA/KCTV screengrabs)
Kim Jong Un smokes a cigarette while watching the launch of the U’nha-3 on 12 December 2012 (Photo: KCNA)
KCST personnel at Sohae (L) talk with Kim Jong Un (C) following the successful launch of the U’nha-3. KJU departs the GSCCC (R) to congratulate KCST personnel stationed at the GSCCC (Photos: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)
After arriving at the GSCCC KJU “learned about the preparations for the launch and issued an order on the launch and keenly observed the whole processes of the launch” and he “expressed great satisfaction over the successful launch of the satellite by our scientists and technicians and highly estimated their feats.” KJU thanked personnel of the Korean Committee for Space Technology [KCST] on behalf of the KWP Central Committee. According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said that:
The second version of scientific and technological satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 is Juche satellite in every aspect as it was developed and manufactured by the DPRK with its own strength, technology and wisdom. Successful and accurate entry of the satellite into its pole-to-pole trajectory further consolidated the status of the DPRK as a space power and demonstrated that the country has reached the highest level in terms of cutting-edge science and technology.
The successful launch of the satellite served as an occasion that showed at home and abroad the unshakable stand of the WPK and the DPRK government to exercise the country’s legitimate right to use space for peaceful purposes and to develop the country’s science, technology and economy.
The launch was successful even though it was made in the winter time when difficult scientific and technological problems arise. This is a proud victory that demonstrated the high level the country’s science and technology have reached.
Kim Jong Un “stressed the need to continue to launch satellites in the future, too, to develop the country’s science, technology and economy” and “set forth important tasks” to “bring about a fresh turn in scientific researches into space and satellite launch field based on the successful launch of the second version of satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3.” According to KCNA, KJU “repeatedly spoke highly of the ardent loyalty and patriotic devotion made by scientists and technicians who greatly contributed to strikingly displaying the might of science and technology of Chuch’e Korea to the world.” After the launch and making his remarks, Kim Jong Un poses for commemorative photographs with KCST managers and personnel at the GSCCC.
Kim Jong Un at the General Satellite Command and Control Center on 12 December 2012. Also seen in attendance is KWP Secretary Pak To Chun (L) and NDC Vice Chairman Jang Song Taek (R) (Photo: KCNA)
Kim Jong Un greets Korea Committee for Space Technology personnel prior to a commemorative photograph with them on 12 December 2012 (Photo: KCNA)
KJU talks with senior officials (L) and greets GSCCC personnel after the successful launch of the U’nha-3 on 12 December 2012 (Photos: KCNA/KCTV screengrabs)
DPRK state media issued an official report on 12 December (Wednesday) on the launch of the U’nha-3 carrier rocket from the Sohae Space Center earlier in the day. The launch of the U’nha-3 and its payload the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 [KMS-3] was done “true to the last instructions of leader Kim Jong Il.” According to KCNA, “Carrier rocket U’nha-3 with the second version of satellite Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 atop blasted off from the Sohae Space Center in Ch’o'lsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province at 09:49:46 on December 12, Juche 101(2012). The satellite entered its preset orbit at 09:59:13, 9 minutes and 27 seconds after the lift-off.”
The launch of the U’nha-3 on 12 December 2012 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)
U’nha-3 on the launch pad at Sohae Space Center in Tongch’ang-ri, Ch’o'lsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: KCNA)
Launch of the U’nha-3 from the Sohae Space Center on 12 December 2012 (Photo: KCNA)
Images of the 12 December 2012 launch of the U’nha-3 (Photo: KCNA)
The KMS-3 ” is going round the polar orbit at 499.7 km perigee altitude and 584.18 km apogee altitude at the angle of inclination of 97.4 degrees. Its cycle is 95 minutes and 29 seconds.” The KMS-3 “is fitted with survey and communications devices essential for the observation of the earth.” The U’nha 3′s launch “is a proud fruition of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s policy of attaching importance to the science and technology. It is also an event of great turn in developing the country’s science, technology and economy by fully exercising the independent right to use space for peaceful purposes.” The KCNA report implies that the launch of the U’nha-3 is linked to the one-year anniversary of the demise of supreme leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il) who passed away on 17 December 2011.
(Photos: KCNA)
According Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics the U’nha-3 launch was “a perfect success for north Korea.” McDowell wrote: “ The Unha-3 rocket carried the second flight model of the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite. Initial reports indicated that the first and second stages of the rocket fired successfully with second stage impact near the Phillipines. US tracking then cataloged object 39026 as 2012-072A in a 494 x 588 km x 97.4 deg sun-synchronous orbit with a 0900 local time descending node; two further objects were cataloged in similar 497 x 582 and 498 x 570 km orbits.”
On 12 December DPRK state media carried a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) which said that the “U.S. over-reacted to the DPRK’s satellite launch in April out of hostile feelings which compelled the DPRK to reexamine the nuclear issue as a whole” and that “we hope that all countries concerned will use reason and remain cool so as to prevent the situation from developing to undesirable direction.” The full English statement says:
The successful satellite launch in the DPRK was a desire at the behest of leader Kim Jong Il and part of peaceful work in line with the country’s scientific and technological development plan for the economic construction and improvement of people’s living standard.
All the people across the country are greatly excited at the news of the successful launch and progressives are extending sincere congratulations to them.
Hostile forces, however, are showing signs of sinister bid to take issue with the launch for peaceful purposes, while terming it “violation of resolution” of the UN Security Council.
The right to use outer space for peaceful purposes is universally recognized by international law and it reflects the unanimous will of the international community. So this issue is not one over which the UNSC can say this or that.
Only the DPRK’s satellite launch is regarded as long-range missile launch for military purposes, “provocation” and cause of increasing tension. This is prompted by the hostility toward the DPRK.
The U.S. over-reacted to the DPRK’s satellite launch in April out of hostile feelings which compelled the DPRK to reexamine the nuclear issue as a whole.
The concept of hostility will not be of any help, and confrontation will not help settle anything, either.
We hope that all countries concerned will use reason and remain cool so as to prevent the situation from developing to undesirable direction.
No matter what others say, we will continue to exercise our legitimate right to launch satellites and thus actively contribute to the economic construction and improvement of the standard of people’s living while conquering space.
Compare the DPRK Foreign Ministry’s statement with the 12 December remarks from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, according to Xinhua English:
China regrets the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) satellite launch amid the “universal” concern of the international community, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.
Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a daily news briefing, responding to a reporter’s question on DPRK’s satellite launch.
“The Chinese side always holds that (all sides concerned) should find an ultimate way to long-lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through dialogues and consultations,” Hong said.
“(We) hope that all sides concerned will keep calm on the issue and make joint efforts to safeguard the overall situation of peace and stability on the peninsula,” he added.
The DPRK successfully launched a satellite into orbit earlier Wednesday, the country’s official KCNA news agency reported.
“The DPRK is entitled to the peaceful use of outer space, but that right is currently restrained by relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” Hong said, adding that the DPRK, as a member of the United Nations, is obliged to observe the Security Council resolutions.
In response to a question on “what action the Security Council should take,” Hong said the Chinese side holds that the Security Council’s response should be “prudent and moderate” and conducive to maintaining the overall peace and stability of the peninsula instead of escalating tensions there.
Images of the General Satellite Command and Control Center in Pyongyang (Photos: KCNA)
DPRK state media reported on 12 December that journalists based in Pyongyang were given a tour of the General Satellite Control and Command Center. The center was described as “a combined base for observing and controlling satellite of Kwangmyo’ngso’ng series and a hub for scientific researches essential for the development of the national economy and improvement of people’s living standard including earth observation and communications.” The invited journalists “were briefed on the fact that the DPRK manufactured the second version of satellite Kwangmyo’nggso’ng-3 and carrier rocket U’nha-3 on its own efforts and by its technology and successfully launched the satellite, true to the last instructions of leader Kim Jong Il” and “looked round the general control and command room.” The journalists also “watched a video showing carrier rocket U’nha-3 putting the satellite into orbit” and “heard in great excitement signals of immortal revolutionary hymns “Song of General Kim Il Sung” and “Song of General Kim Jong Il” transmitted from the satellite.”
The next likely DPRK-based events linked to the success of the U’nha-3 launch will be Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) and members of the DPRK central leadership attending a commemorative photo-op session with the technicians, experts and other personnel who participated in the launch, as well as a celebratory mass rally in Pyongyang.
DPRK state media announced on 10 December (Monday) an seven-day extension to the U’nha-3′s launch period. According to KCNA the Korean Committee for Space Technology [KCST] “decided to extend the satellite launch period up to Dec. 29.” According to KCNA, the KCST said that although “scientists and technicians of the DPRK are pushing forward the preparations for the launch of the second version of Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3, a scientific and technological satellite,” they had ”found technical deficiency in the first-stage control engine module of the rocket carrying the satellite.” According to a 10 December report in Yonhap an unnamed South Korean (ROK) government official said that “the North had not remove a camouflage net covering the rocket” and reported that the ”latest satellite images show that North Korea had moved a new rocket component to the launch site over the weekend, which is seen as the engine module for the first stage rocket.”
A satellite image shows North Korea is preparing fuel injection to fire off a long-range rocket in the launch site in the nation’s northwestern area. (Yonhap)
DPRK state media reported on 8 December (Saturday) that a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology [KCST] said that technicians and relevant experts at the Sohae Satellite Launch Station (Sohae Space Center) were “seriously examining the issue of readjusting the launching time of” the Kwangmyo’nso’ng-3 satellite and U’nha-3 carrier rocket “for some reasons.” KCST originally scheduled the U’nha-3 launch from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm on any day during 10 December to 22 December. AFP, citing the US-Korea Institute, reported that “that the preparations for the launch may have been delayed by heavy snow.” The KCST spokesman’s remarks came after South Korean media reported that technicians at the Sohae Center may have begun the process of injecting fuel into the rocket. In a 7 December report, Yonhap quoted an unnamed South Korean government official who said satellite images showed that ”that the North is examining the rocket’s body and the observation post is inspecting the communications network,” but said “it is hard to detect the actual fuel injection because the fuel pipeline is installed underground.”
South Korean media reported on 5 December (Wednesday) that the installation of the U’nha-3 rocket was complete. According to KBS an unnamed South Korean (ROK) military official said “circumstantial evidence was detected at the Dongchang-ri (Tongch’ang-ri) launch site in North Pyeongan (P’yo’ngan) Province Wednesday morning, showing the North has finished installing the third and final stage of the Eunha-3 (U’nha-3) rocket.”
According to Yonhap, another unnamed South Korean official said that “ ”Some workers are pulling out of the site,” in anticipation of the next phase of launch preparations including the installation of “support equipment, such as radar, cameras and measuring equipment,” prior to the fuel injection process. The South Korean government official told Yonhap that “If the North begins fueling the rocket, fuel tanks will be seen around the launch site. ”If many fuel tanks are spotted, we should take that as meaning that fueling has begun.”
Meanwhile, DPRK-Japan intergovernmental talks scheduled to take place in Beijing during 5-6 December have been formally postponed, after the 1 December (Saturday) launch announcement. Kyodo reported on 5 December (Wednesday) that Shinsuke Sugiyama, Director of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs “canceled a planned visit to China ahead of Pyongyang’s rocket launch later this month, government sources said Wednesday.”
