DPRK Premier Visits Steel Complex, Cement Plant Children’s Hosptial and Trade Fair

DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju (1) is briefed about the Ryonha Machinery Company’s exhibition at the 16th annual Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 17 May (Friday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Pak Pong Ju visited the Ch’o'llima Steel Complex, the Sunch’o'n Cement Complex, the construction of the Pyongyang Children’s Hospital and the 16th annual Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair.  Pak’s first visits were to the construction site of Pyongyang Children’s Hospital and to the international trade fair.  The trade fair, which includes exhibitions by 100 DPRK companies and 40 foreign companies, was held at the Three Revolutions’ Exhibition in Pyongyang from 13 to 16 May.  Pak later visited the Sunch’o'n Cement Complex in the city of Sunch’o'n, South P’yo’ngan Province.  At the cement complex, Pak Pong Ju held a meeting with local officials, factory managers and employees which addressed “issues on substantially supplying cement needed for implementing the new line of the Workers’ Party of Korea and stepping up the updating of production processes.”

Pak also visited the Posan Iron Works at the Ch’o'llima Steel Works, between Pyongyang and Namp’o, South P’yo’ngan Province, which was described as “waging a dynamic drive for increased iron production, the premier encouraged the officials, technicians and workers to work hard to implement the party’s policy.”  He convened a meeting of officials and factory managers at which Pak “he underscored the need for the officials and other workers of the complex to steadily increase the production capacity by stepping up Juche-orientation and modernization of the non-ferrous metal industry, with firm resolve to shatter the moves of the U.S. imperialists and their stooges to ignite a war in hearty response to the line advanced by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un on pushing forward economic construction and the building of nuclear force.”  According to KCNA, Pak also said that “more iron and steel are required at the worksites for building a socialist economic power” and he called “for making great innovations in production.”

According to Minju Joson the first expanded meeting of the DPRK Cabinet in mid-April 2013, the Cabinet said that “the Ch’o'llima Steel Complex should normalize production at Posan Iron Works and should thereby solve the raw materials problem for steel production and should increase rolled steel production and should thereby pay back the trust of the party that wants the complex to become a standard-bearer and a shock brigade in implementing the party’s simultaneous line.”

Kim Jong Un Visits Turf Institute at State Academy of Sciences

Kim Jong Un (1) visiting the Turf Institute of the Bioengineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences. Also in attendance are VMar Choe Ryong Hae (2) and Choe Tae Bok (3) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 5 May (Sunday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) visited the Turf Institute of the Bioengineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences.  KJU’s last observed public appearance was his attendance at May Day-themed concert of the U’nhasu Orchestra at the People’s Theater in central Pyongyang.  Joining Kim Jong Un for his visit to the Turf Institute were Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Supreme People’s Assembly Chairman Choe Tae Bok and KWP Deputy (vice) Department Directors Pak T’ae-so’ng and Hwang Pyong So.

The Turf Institute, which was the locale of previous visits by senior government and party officials, was described as “newly constructed by soldiers.”  Kim Jong Un visited the institute’s main building where he “was pleased to see the green-tiled outer wall” and he “praised the soldier-builders for erecting the monument to the institute in an imposing manner.”  KJU toured the institute’s exhibition of its accomplishments, various research facilities, a study center and its e-library.  Kim Jong Un noted “research rooms and laboratories were built well to suit the nature of the institute” and “he underscored the need to take measures for providing it with necessary equipment and scientific and technological information.”  He also toured the institute’s commissary and living quarters of its employees.

Kim Jong Un (1) talks with managers of the Turf Institute of the State Academy of Sciences during a visit there. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un toured the Turf Institute’s research greenhouse where he saw “various species of turf being cultivated.”  According to KCNA, KJU said “what is essential in the research into turf is to cultivate turf which remains green all the year round, strong in resistance to cold and treading and high in ornamental effect.”  KJU also toured experimental plots of turf “comprising the experimental field for species, experimental field for seed-selection and vegetative propagation, experimental field for turf cutting and other fields” where he “called for conducting research into species suited to the areas distinct in four seasons and different in their climatic conditions.”  Kim Jong Un also instructed that regional offices of the Turf Institute be established in the east, west and central areas of the DPRK.  KJU also looked at several species of turf  and instructed that additional research be conducted into developing grass that is green throughout the year.  Kim Jong Un also spoke of “the need to plant trees, create grassland and cultivate flowers and other plants in all lands except the cultivated land so that there may be no land left waste or overgrown with weed.”  KJU also inspected “various type machines including those for collecting turf seeds, sowing them and cutting turf and a ground-stiffening roller machine contrived and manufactured by the Academy”  and “called for widely applying them.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said he “would send modern equipment for researches to the institute” and he “underscored the need to turn the country into a socialist thriving nation and make it richer and more beautiful for the people by dynamically conducting the land management under a long-term plan.”

Central Leadership Visits Light Industry Exhibition

Senior members of the central leadership tour an exhibition of light industry goods in Pyongyang. Among the officials in this image are: Choe Tae Bok (5th R), Kim Yong Nam (4th R) Yang Hyong Sop (3rd R) and Pak To Chun (2nd R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 22 March (Friday) that members of the DPRK’s central political leadership toured an exhibition of light industry goods being held at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang on 20 and 22 March.  Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and SPA Chairman Choe Tae Bok, KWP Secretary Pak To Chun and SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop toured the exhibition of what KCNA reported were “142.000 items of consumer goods produced by light industrial establishments in Pyongyang and local areas,” saw “exhibition stands fully stacked with vinalon products, velvet cloth, shoes, seasonal clothes, sportswear, foodstuffs, cosmetics and household utensils” and “popular among visitors were products from provincial combined foodstuff factories and Ch’angso’ng County which made big contributions to producing consumer goods by developing local industry.”  According to KCNA “those consumer goods produced through the creative ingenuity of masses and the tapping of internal reserves clearly proved the validity and vitality of the August 3 Consumer Goods Production Movement. “

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (foreground, R) tours an exhibition of light industry goods at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

The 3 August Consumer Goods Production Movement was initiated on 3 August 1984 when the late supreme leader Kim Jong Il inspected the Pyongyang City Light Industrial Goods Exhibition.  According to one of his official biographies, “this movement prvoed very viable because it sharply increased the production of various consumer goods and relied on the masses’ intelligence and creativity.  Comrade Kim Jong Il suggested party organizations push on powerfully with the movement.  In May 1986 he paid a high tribute to P’yo’ngchon District, Pyongyang, as an exemplary unit and its experience generalized across the country.”

DPRK Premier Visits S. Hwanghae Farms and Mine

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (L) examines the conveyor belt (R) of the Unryul Mine in South Hwanghae Province (Photos: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 7 March (Thursday) that DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim visited the U’nryul Mine and several cooperative farms in South Hwanghae Province.  Choe’s first visit was to the U’ryul Mine, an iron ore where, according to KCNA he “underscored the need to take good care of large long distance belt conveyor built according to the far-reaching idea Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and under their energetic leadership and operate it on a regular basis and keep the iron ore production going at a high rate.”

Choe’s also visited Ryangdam Farm in Unchon County and the Oguk Cooperative Farm in Anak County where he was briefed about the farms’ work in general, and its preparations for spring agricultural work.  According to KCNA Choe “stressed the need for the officials and other people in the field of agriculture to successfully do farming this year as befitting the masters being responsible for the supply of rice to the country and reap a good harvest, bearing in mind the intention of the Party to solve the issue of food without fail, and thus make a contribution to firmly defending socialism” and he “called for increasing the per-hectare yield of grain, consistently introducing the cyclic production system to agricultural production and stock breeding. He also urged the relevant units to take measures to fully provide material conditions for farming.”

Choe Yong Rim last visited Oguk Cooperative Farm during a tour of agricultural sites and other locales in South Hwanghae Province in May 2012.  The late leader Kim Jong Il visited Oguk Cooperative Farm in December 2009.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (image on L, C) visits a cooperative farm in South Hwanghae Province (Photos: KCNA)

Taep’ung Investment Group Formally Dissolved

A 2010 meeting of borad members of the DPRK State Development Bank, linked to the Taep’ung International Investment Group. In this image are Jon Il Chun (R) and Ro Tu Chol (2nd R) (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Yonhap News Agency reported and confirmed on 1 February (Friday) that the Korea Taep’ung International Investment Group has dissolved.  Taep’ung began as an energy provider selling oil and gas (via Sinu’iju) to the Korean People’s Army [KPA] and Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee.  Its leading executive was Pak Chol Su, a Korean resident in China.  Through his sales of energy supplies to the party and army, Pak became part of the Pyongyang social scene and eventually developed close ties with senior KPA and KWP officials.  In 2006 Taep’ung was formally organized as one of the country’s direct foreign investment entities.  Until 2010 there was little reported about Taep’ung’s activities in the country.

In early 2010, Taep’ung was designated as a key investment entity of the DPRK through authorization by Kim Jong Il and the National Defense Commission.  On 20 January 2010, the Korea Taep’ung International Investment Group was formally incorporated and held a meeting of its 7 member board of directors in Pyongyang.  KWP Secretary and United Front Department Director Kim Yang Gon was appointed director-general of the board in his capacity as Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Peace Committee with Pak Chol Su appointed a deputy director-general of the board.  According to DPRK state media Taepu’ng was organized under the auspices of the DPRK National Defense Commission, the DPRK Cabinet and Ministry of Finance and the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee.  Incorporated and organized alongside Taepu’ng’s expansion was the State Development Bank, which would be led by Jon Il Chun, a proxy for the National Defense Commission and a close aide to the late leader Kim Jong Il.  Jon, also (and currently) a deputy director of the KWP Finance and Accounting Department, was elevated to head the State Development Bank at the same time he was appointed to manage the powerful DPRK conglomerate Taeso’ng Group and as the key head of Office #39, lucrative entities earning foreign currency for the DPRK.  Taep’ung had attained such a flavor-of-the-week status  that one of its key KPA contacts appeared on an April 2010 military promotions list.

Despite several attempts, including the internal transfer of several state-owned enterprises, and a high profile trip by Jon Il Chun at the head of a large delegation of executives under the auspices of Taepu’ng, the company attained little to no foreign direct investment.  There were also unconfirmed  (and likely erroneous) rumors Taepu’ng became the business rival to another DPRK entity, reportedly  established as a competing venture by Gen. O Kuk Ryol.  According to Yonhap, Taep’ung “oversaw the now-suspended joint tourist program in Mount Kumgang on the eastern coast of North Korea” and  was dissolved along with “another extra-governmental organization in charge of trade promotion and foreign investment with its work believed to have been reassigned to the government’s Commission for Joint Venture and Investment.”  It appears that a lot of direct foreign investment has now been consolidated under the Joint Venture and Investment Commission [JVIC], which is under the direction of Ri Ryong Nam and Ri Chol, along with the heavy hand of the Ryo’ngdoja, Jang Song Taek.  There also became problems with Taepu’ng’s Chinese backer Pak Chol Su and it did not help Taepu’ng’s external activities to have the imprimatur of the National Defense Commission, which is subjected to numerous United Nations and unilateral sanctions.

Similarly Taepu’ng’s existence may have presented a fundamental obstacle, or proven the wrong entity, for progress in the development of Special Economic Trade Zones in Rajin-So’nbong (Raso’n) and Hwanggu’mp’yo’ng/Wihwa Islands.  Of course, one corporation is but a small obstruction to howeverUnited Nations Security Council reacts to the potential nuclear test.   And yet, development in Raso’n (despite what one might read in the general lit.) seems to making some progress, likely in anticipation of the thaw of Unggi Bay.  It remains to be seen if the upcoming nuclear detonation and its UNSC blowback will affect the activities and formation of various PRC-DPRK development working groups (anchored in China) in late December 2012, and the signing of additional and explicit agreements on infrastructure and design using both DPRK and Chinese entities (no one will use the term iron-clad, just yet).

On 23 January, Chinese media reported that the DPRK Government approved the opening of a Chinese commercial bank primarily to settle transactions in Raso’n.  The bank was founded and a ribbon cutting ceremony held on 18 January.  According to Hunchun Rexian “Chinese Commercial Bank was put together and founded by China Gold Trade Exchange (Dalian) Company Ltd. The bank’s primary business is renminbi settlement, handling letter of credit, bill of exchange, letter of guarantee, and guaranty for cross-border renminbi transactions, and offering savings, loans, banking, and other financial services. Chinese Commercial Bank was founded to conform with the needs of massive development of Sino- DPRK economic and trade at present as well as the needs of the “Outline of General Program for Joint Development and Joint Management of Naso’n Economic and Trade Zone As Well As Hwanggu’mp’yo’ng Economic Zone,” which was signed by China and the DPRK; it will act as a bridge and a bond in promoting and safeguarding Sino-DPRK economic and trade development.”   Hunchun (PRC) Vice Mayor Ren Puyu said that, ”Agreement on Joint Development and Joint Management of Raso’n Economic and Trade Zone” between the Chinese and the DPRK governments, and is the bridge and bond for serving Sino-DPRK financial cooperation and trade interactions; it will definitely play a positive role in promoting Sino-DPRK economic and trade interactions as well as economic prosperity in the future.”

So Chang Sik Presents Letter of Credence to Kuwaiti Emir

DPRK Ambassador to Kuwait So Chang Sik (R) shakes hands with Kuwaiti officials prior to a ceremony at which Ambassador So presented his diplomatic credentials on 15 January 2013 (Photo: (Photo: Al Diwan Al Amiri of Kuwait State)

DPRK state media reported on 21 January (Monday) that newly appointed DPRK Ambassador to Kuwait So Chang Sik presented his diplomatic credentials (letters of credence) to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on 15 January 2013.  According to the Al Diwan Al Amiri of Kuwait State, attending the presentation ceremony were Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, Amiri Diwan Undersecretary Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Shatti and HH the Amir’s Office Director Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad along with Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Abdullah Abulhassan, Head of Amiri Protocol Sheikh Khalid Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, Foreign Ministry Protocols Director Ambassador Dhari Al-Ajran and Amiri Guard Commander Colonel Abdullah Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

According to KCNA, the Amir “wished the dear respected Kim Jong Un good health and greater success in his work for leading the Korean people in their struggle to build a thriving country” and “He hoped that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger. He was convinced that the friendly Korean people would continue making progress and prosperity and wished them progress in their work for ensuring the peace on the Korean Peninsula and reunifying it.”  So was one of two foreign ambassador presenting his credentials to the Amir on 15 January, the other being the recently appointed Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait.  So Chang Sik replaces DPRK Ambassador-at-Large Ho Jong who returned to the DPRK in November 2012.

A view of a meeting between Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other senior Kuwaiti officials and DPRK Ambassador to Kuwait So Chang Sik on 15 January 2013 (Photo: Al Diwan Al Amiri of Kuwait State)

KJI’s Yacht Moved to Ku’msusan Memorial Palace (updated)

Two luxury ships (annotated, L) and Kim Jong Il’s personal yacht (annotated, R) in the eastern port city of Wo’nsan prior to being transported to Pyongyang via the western port city of Namp’o in October 2012 (Photo: Yonhap)

An estimated route of KJI’s yacht from Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province to Pyongyang via Namp’o (Photo: Google image; route drawn by Michael Madden)

South Korea media reports that Kim Jong Il’s yacht and two luxury ships were relocated from the DPRK’s east coast to the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang in a 2800 km (1,739 mile) journey over sea and land during late October 2012.    Yonhap, citing South Korean (ROK) government officials, reported on 7 December (Friday) that at the end of October, Kim Jong Il’s Azimut yacht departed the eastern port city of Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province.  The ships traveled south around the Korean Peninsula and made their way to Namp’o.  The yacht was then placed on customized railway cars for the 48 km (30 miles) journey to Pyongyang.  In order to transport the yacht from Namp’o to Pyongyang electricity poles were demolished and relocated, and parts of the railway lines were reconstructed.

A view of Namp’o Port in Namp’o, South P’yo’ngan Province. The outlined facility at the left is most likely where KJI’s pleasure boats were transferred for delivery to Ku’msusan in Pyongyang via railway (Photo: Google image)

An estimated railway land route made from Namp’o Port to Pyongyang (Photo: Google images; route drawn by Michael Madden)

After the late DPRK supreme leader’s remains are prepared for public display at Ku’msusan, Kim Jong Il’s yacht will be part of a public exhibition of his possessions in a similar fashion to those of his father, the late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung.  KJI enjoyed spending time on his pleasure boats.  When he was in Wo’nsan or Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province, he enjoyed fishing and party excursions as well as working vacations on his yacht.  His last known yachting vacation occurred in August 2011, prior to his departing for his visit to the Russian Far East and China later that month.

An image of facilities for KJI and DPRK elite boats at Wo’nsan Port where the ships docked prior to their journey for Pyongyang (Photo: Google image)

Overview of Wo’nsan (Photo: Google image)

Overview of the Kim Family and DPRK elite residential compound in Wo’nsan (Photo: Google image)

Facility for pleasure boats at the Kim Family and DPRK elites’ residential compound in Wo’nsan (Photo: Google image)