Science and Technology Festival Opened

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (2nd R) tours the Science and Technology Festival on Friday, 27 April in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

On Friday (27 April) DPRK state media reported that the a Science and Technology Festival opened at the Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall.  DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim and KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok, among other central leadership, attended the opening ceremony.  The festival was announced   KCNA reports:

The festival is divided into 13 panels of light industry, agriculture, foodstuff, railway transport, energy, construction and building materials, basic science, state of the art and others.

Presented to the festival are achievements of more than 200 units in the process of putting the production processes on a modern and scientific basis by pushing back the frontiers of latest science and technology together with many research findings of scientists, technicians and working people highly appreciated at local festivals.

Attending the ceremony were Choe Yong Rim, premier of the Cabinet, Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, Ri Ja Bang, chairman of the State Science and Technology Commission, officials concerned, scientists, technicians and working people.

Meanwhile, 372 km (231 miles) northeast of the Three Revolutions Exhibition Hall, excavation and construction work proceeds.  The ongoing activity suggests that preparations are under way for the DPRK to conduct a third nuclear detonation at its test site in P’unggye-ri, Kilchu County, North Hamgyo’ng Province.  Kyodo reported on 25 April that Russia raised its alert level on the expectation that the DPRK’s nuclear test would be within the week.  38 North reports:

The latest imagery, taken April 18, 2012, documents continuing preparations for an upcoming nuclear test and shows a train of mining carts on top of the spoil pile and random unidentified structures or objects on or near the piles (see figure 3). Based on an examination of previous satellite photos, their position and number appear to vary on a day-to-day basis, indicating the continued movement of vehicles, structures and other objects on or near the spoil piles at the mouth of the test tunnel. According to one press report on April 21, the North had completed the removal of the large spoil pile near the test site, probably to seal the tunnel for the explosion. However, this imagery shows the size of the pile largely unchanged. Whether the test device has been emplaced in the chamber and stemming with other material has been completed, remains unclear.

Images of a tunnel entrance (top) and tunnel leading to the nuclear detonation site. These images appeared in episode 4 of the 2009 Korea Film Studios' feature The Country I Saw, which included a depiction of the 25 May 2009 nuclear test

The DPRK’s third nuclear test may not be as imminent as some in the neighborhood foresee.  Korea Herald reports:

Pollack was in Seoul last week to attend the 2012 Asan Plenum, a three-day international forum on global challenges that kicked off last Wednesday. The annual forum was organized by local think tank Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Pyongyang may face a tougher response from its crucial patron China should it take another destabilizing action following the recent rocket launch, he pointed out. In an unusual move, Beijing agreed at the U.N. Security Council to condemn Pyongyang on April 16, three days after the botched launch.

“They may also be weighing the implications. This time, China would really impose some severe costs on them. We have the Chinese vice foreign minister in the forum, giving some very forceful remarks,” he said.

“They will test it at some point, but not now yet,” Jonathan Pollack of the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank, told The Korea Herald.

“The reason might not be technical, but political that another nuclear test would probably be damaging to North Korea from the point of view of seeing a future South Korean president more aligned with their interests.”

“He did not say a nuclear test, but you could see what he was talking about to make clear that China’s disapproval of any such third test would be very strong, potentially very harsh.”

Pollack paid particular attention to the fact that Pyongyang has not been explicit yet about its preparation for a nuclear test while it gave some explanation before their past nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

“There has been no explicit threat to test the nuclear weapon. The other thing I want to emphasize that in both 2006 and 2009, they developed almost what we would call an immediate campaign over a period of time,” he said.

“I don’t know, it was perhaps, weeks or months, but it was trying to build the case for why they would then proceed to a nuclear test.”

Although it would not be easy for Beijing to change its core policy toward its impoverished ally considering that it favors stability on the peninsula, China could make some adjustments in it to protect its national interests, he argued.

“The Chinese are not, in my own view, likely to discard North Korea, but under some circumstances, it is possible that they might really try to put limits on the relationship if North Korea is affecting their Chinese vital interests,” he said.

“China’s larger worries concern North Korea undertaking actions to which the ROK (Republic of Korea) would respond this time, and then, this triggers an environment that draws in both the U.S. and China on the peninsula.”

Ponghwa Clinic Expanded During 2009-2010

The Ponghwa Clinic in Pyongyang in an image from October 2010 (Photo: Google)

Kyodo reports that medical personnel from the DPRK completed training courses at a Singapore hospital in 2010.  Via Chosun Ilbo:

The teams “consisted mostly of women who looked about 30 years old. The Singaporean government accepted the North’s request for their training and let them enter Singapore,” it quoted a source as saying.

The two North Korean medical teams received a month of intensive training at the internal medicine and surgery departments of a Singaporean hospital.

The North chose Singapore because healthcare is considered the best in Southeast Asia, the news agency added. The North has an embassy in Singapore.

Images available on GoogleEarth show that a medical center that treats core DPRK elites, including members of the Kim Family, was expended after an extensive renovation between 2009 and 2010.  The Ponghwa Clinic (also known as Ponghwa Recuperative Center, the Presidential Hospital) is located in Sokom-dong, Pot’onggang-kuyok (Pot’ong River District) in Pyongyang, 1.5 km (or just less than a mile) northwest of Kim Il Sung Square.

Image of construction activity at the Ponghwa Clinic from December 2009 (Photo: Google)

An image taken on December 2009 shows a significant amount of construction activity occurring on the premises of the Ponghwa.  A building attached to the Ponghwa’s main complex was under development and the image shows construction equipment and structures containing building materials.  The labor crews mobilized for the project had made significant progress in a short period of time with the ground floors and frames completed for two buildings attached to the Ponghwa’s main complex and two unattached buildings near the Ponghwa’s northeastern gate.

Another view of construction activity at the Ponghwa during December 2009

The new wing of the Ponghwa and additional buildings in an October 2010 image (Photo: Google)

Imagery from October 2010 shows that all exterior construction was completed.  Attached to the Ponghwa’s main complex were two buildings which form one L-shaped structure.  The new structure brings the Ponghwa’s east entrance approximately 120 m closer to the eastern gate.  The eastern entrance for vehicle traffic is a porte cochere, a common architectural feature in Pyongyang buildings; prior to this recent renovation, the Ponghwa had four entrances in this style.

Image of new building and security gate at Ponghwa in October 2010 (Photo: Google)

The east end of the new structure is highly ornate with two shorter wings on either side.  Two buildings and a parking lot and service area were added to the Ponghwa’s northeastern perimeter, opposite of the new L-shaped structure.  One building is three stories high and extends to a personnel and service vehicle access point.  The other building sits beside the Ponghwa’s north gate and is between six and seven stories.  These buildings may be connected to the main complex via underground corridors.

The Ponghwa’s recent renovation also included several modifications to security facilities for both the new buildings and the complex in general.  The Ponghwa’s eastern gate was upgraded and reinforced and moved approximately 20 m away, toward Ponghwa Street, from the nearest entrance.  An additional guard station and gate were added west of the new structure.  A fence erected during construction was retained and upgraded, or a new fence constructed in its place.  These latter security measures seem intended to discourage curious personnel or visitors from access to the new buildings.  For cosmetic, as well as security reasons, there have been a number of plantings of trees with heavy foliage.

The last major construction at the Ponghwa Clinic, based on available images, occurred during 2003 through 2005.  This construction added a number of support buildings around the perimeter of the main complex.

The Ponghwa Clinic has a number of unknown acute, specialty and support departments (emergency, laboratories, general surgery, etc).  Physicians and nurses are educated at Pyongyang Medical College which is linked to Kim Il Sung University.  Many physicians working at Ponghwa received additional education outside the DPRK.  According to Helen Louise Hunter, patients are given apartment-stye rooms with a sitting area because, unlike most all other medical facilities within the DPRK, patients are permitted to receive visitors.  Patient rooms also have regular heating, air conditioning and running, hot water.  Unlike other hospitals in the DPRK health care system, Ponghwa Clinic does not experience shortages of equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals, food and electricity.

The Ponghwa Clinic is technically part of the DPRK hospital system which is subordinate to the Ministry of Public Health.  It derived from the implementation of the DPRK’s hospital system and basic medical service policies in the late 1960s.  It was founded in 1971 based on an instruction from Kim Il Sung to his personal physician.  It was modeled after the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow, which treated senior Soviet officials (i.e. Andropov, Chernenko).  The Ponghwa is not the only hospital available to senior DPRK elites in Pyongyang.  There are also the Namsan Hospital, the MSS Hospital, the MPS Hospital, Kim Man Yu Hospital and the Pyongyang Medical College Hospital, however Ponghwa Clinic is the most exclusive.

There are no accounts of foreigners either visiting or receiving treatment at the Ponghwa Clinic.  Foreign visitors to the DPRK are treated at Pyongyang Medical College Hospital, the IORC Hospital or Pyongyang Friendship Hospital, the latter two located in east Pyongyang.  The Ponghwa is also not included in tours of DPRK medical facilities conducted by the World Health Organization and other NGOs.  The only accounts of foreigners visiting the Ponghwa are unconfirmed reports that a team of Chinese doctors treated KJI there in 2008.   The Ponghwa Clinic has been sanctioned by Japan under UNSC resolutions after the attempted purchase of freeze drying equipment which can be used in the production of biological weapons.

Medical services at Ponghwa are restricted to core members of the DPRK leadership.  Its patients include: members of the extended Kim Family; those who have the title (or equivalent) of Cabinet Minister; members of the Political Bureau, Central Military Commission or Secretariat; department directors and vice directors of the central party.  In some cases DPRK officials have been given a job title which serves as a cover to provide them access to service.  Deceased DPRK elites who have received treatment at Ponghwa include: NDC 1st Vice-Chairman, VMar Jo Myong Rok; CC KWP Secretary Kim Jung Rin; and, CC KWP Vice (Deputy) Department Director, Ri Yong Chol.    In some cases, North Korean elites receiving treatment at Ponghwa are referred to hospitals located outside the DPRK.

In the past, Kim Jong Il received medical treatment at the Ponghwa.  Since the late 1980s, KJI has been attended to by a separate, personal medical service.  Equipment and personnel for KJI’s health has been observed during his trips outside the country, most recently during his August 2011 trip to Russia and China.  KJI also has his own medical clinic (technically part of the Guard Command) located west of his office complex in central Pyongyang.  When he is working in Pyongyang, KJI receives a daily medical examination at this facility.

Additions to the Ponghwa Clinic took place during 2003-2005 (red) and 2009-2010 (green) and the complex as it appeared prior to 2000 (yellow) (Photo: Google)

DPRK Commemorate CPC’s 90th

A reception for the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Communist Party of China held on Wednesday (29 June) at the PRC Consulate in Cho'ngjin, North Hamgyo'ng Province hosted by Consul General Dong Mingjie (Photo: PRC Embassy in the DPRK)

The DPRK commemorated the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Communist Party of China.  Kim Cho’ng-il sent a message of congratulations to PRC President Hu Jintao which, according to KCNA, read in part:

The triumphant path covered by the CPC for nine decades fully demonstrated the validity and invincible vitality of its leadership and the socialist cause.

Our Party and people are rejoiced over as their own over all the successes achieved by the Chinese people in socialist construction under the leadership of the CPC and sincerely congratulate them.

The Chinese people have embarked on the new advance to attain the high goal of the 12th Five-Year Plan and build a harmonious socialist society based on the scientific outlook on development.

I heartily wish the CPC with you as its general secretary greater successes in building a comprehensively well-off society and achieving the complete reunification of the whole country by maintaining social stability and achieving sustainable development of the economy, while firmly adhering to the idea of governing for the people.

The traditional DPRK-China friendship has greeted a new heyday thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, given strong impetus to socialist construction in the two countries and greatly contributed to peace and stability of the region.

It is the steadfast stand of our Party to protect and steadily consolidate and develop the friendship, precious asset common to the two parties and the two peoples.

PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai (3rd R) at a 30 June reception held to commemorate the CPC's 90th anniversary. Seen in attendance with Liu are: Kim Ki-nam (L); Kim Yo'ng-nam (2nd); DPRK Premier Choe Yo'ng-rim (2nd R); and, Choe T'ae-pok (R) (Photo: PRC Embasy in the DPRK)

Guests attending a reception hosted by the PRC Embassy in the DPRK on 30 June at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang (Photo: PRC Embassy in the DPRK)

On Thursday [30 June], PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai hosted a banquet at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang.  Members of the DPRK’s central leadership in attendance included SPA Presidium President, Kim Yo’ng-nam (Kim Yong Nam), DPRK Premier Choe Yo’ng-rim (Choe Yong Rim), CC KWP Secretary Kim Ki-nam, CC KWP Secretary Choe T’ae-pok, Chair of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Kim Cho’ng-suk (Kim Jong Suk) and  CC KWP International Department Deputy Director Kim So’ng-nam (Kim Sung Nam).  According to KCNA, also in attendance were DPRK Vice Premier Kang So’k-chu (Kang Sok Ju), Foreign Minister Pak U’i-ch’un (Pak Ui Chun) and Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryo’ng-nam (Ri Ryong Nam).  KCNA reports:

Present there were staff members of the Chinese embassy here, Chinese guests staying in the DPRK, Chinese students and residents.

PRC Ambassador to the DPRK, Liu Hongcai (2nd L) delivers remarks during a reception hosted by the PRC Embassy on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the CPC (Photo: PRC Embassy in the DPRK)

Liu Hongcai said at the banquet that the two parties, two governments and two peoples have struggled shoulder to shoulder against the aggression by outside forces both in the period of the struggle for national independence and liberation and in the period of the socialist revolution and construction.

General Secretary Kim Jong Il visited China for several times and met with leading officials of the Chinese party and state including General Secretary Hu Jintao and clarified the orientation of the development of Sino-DPRK relations, he stressed.

He expressed conviction that the relations between the two parties and the two countries would greet more beautiful future thanks to the joint efforts by the two sides.

CC KWP Information and Publicity Secretary, Political Bureau Member and Vice Chairman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, Kim Ki-nam, delivers a speech congraulating the CPC on its 90th anniversary at a Pyongyang reception (Photo: PRC Embassy in the DPRK)

Kim Ki Nam said in his speech that the glorious course covered by the CPC over the last nine decades taught the Chinese people the profound truth that there is no new China without the CPC.

A series of historic meetings held by the top leaders of the two parties marked an important occasion in helping the two parties and peoples of the two countries boost their friendship and solidarity and dynamically promoting the socialist constructions in the two countries, he added.

It is the consistent stand of the WPK and the DPRK government to boost and carry forward the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relations through generations, he said, declaring: We will make every possible effort together with the Chinese comrades to satisfactorily implement the issues agreed upon between the top leaders of the two parties in various fields.

DPRK Ambassador to Singapore Cho'ng So'ng-il (Jong Song Il) (L) visits his Chinese counterpart, Wei Wei, on the 90th anniversary of the CPC (Photo: PRC Embassy in Singapore)

DPRK Ambassador to the UK, Cha So'ng-nam (L), meets with PRC Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming on 30 June at the PRC Embassy in London. (Photo: PRC Embassy in UK)

In London, DPRK Ambassador to the UK, Cha So’ng-nam [Ja Song Nam] visited PRC Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming at the embassy.  From 2006 to 2009 Liu served as China’s ambassador in Pyongyang.  He was replaced by Liu Hongcai which some say came after the DPRK requested for a more party-oriented man.

DPRK Minister of Public Health and Chairman of the DPRK-China Friendship Association, Choe Chang Sik, speaks at the opening of the photo exhibition (Photo: PRC Embassy in the DPRK)

Meanwhile Liu Hongcai joined Choe T’ae-pok (CC KWP Secretary); Kim Cho’ng-suk (Chairwoman, Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries; former editor, Minju Choson) and Ch’oe Chang-sik (Minister of Public Health; Chairman DPRK-PRC Friendship Committee) on 28 June for the opening of a photo exhibition on the CPC’s 90th anniversary at held at the People’s Palace of Culture.  KCNA reports:

A photo exhibition was opened at the People’s Palace of Culture here on Tuesday to mark the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party of China.

On display at its venue are photos on the activities conducted by leader Kim Jong Il for the development of the DPRK-China friendly relations during his visit to China. They include pictures of him meeting with President Hu Jintao and senior party and state officials of China and touring various places.

Also displayed are photos showing the glorious history of the CPC.

Present there were Choe Thae Bok, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jong Suk, chairperson of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Minister of Public Health Choe Chang Sik, chairman of the C.C., the DPRK-China Friendship Association, and others.

Also on hand were Ambassador Liu Hongcai and staff members of the Chinese embassy here, Chinese students and residents and Chinese guests staying in the DPRK.

Choe Chang Sik in a speech said that with the foundation of the CPC the Chinese people came to have the staff of the revolution for the first time in history and covered the glorious course of struggle and creation under the banner of the Party.

The DPRK-China relations of friendship are continuing to develop on good terms under the deep care of Kim Jong Il and Hu Jintao, he said, declaring that the DPRK will make every possible effort to develop these relation.

PRC Ambassador to the DPRK, Liu Hongcai (3rd R) attends the opening of a photo exhibition for the 90th anniversary of the founding of the CPC on 28 June at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang. Also seen in attendance are Ch'oe Chang-sik (2nd R) Choe T'ae-pok (3rd L) and Kim Cho'ng-suk (2nd R) (Photo: KCNA)

New FMD Outbreak

A view of Rihyon-ri in Pyongyang, where the DPRK media reported its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred in December 2010 (Google image)

According to the DPRK government’s own reporting to international organizations, the country saw new cases of foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] in late Febraury and March.  Yonhap reports:

A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred in four counties in North Korea last month [March] and infected nearly 300 pigs and cows, a news report said Wednesday.

A total of 141 out of 298 animals died after being infected with the disease, the Voice of America said, citing a North Korean report submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on Monday. The news report said Pyongyang quarantined the infected areas in an apparent attempt to stem the spread of the disease.

The North confirmed its first case of the disease in December, and the virus has since spread to six other cities and provinces, Seoul’s Agriculture Minister Yoo Jeong-bok said in February.

Vice Premier of the Cabinet, Kim Rak-hu'i (Kim Rak Hui), was tasked in January 2011 to manage the government's response to FMD

DPRK Media Reports on FMD

A view of Rihyon-ri in Pyongyang, where the DPRK media reported its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred "late last year" (Photo: GoogleEarth)

The DPRK media externally reported the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] in the country on 10 February [Thursday].  KCNA reported that the first case was found in Rihyon-ri in Pyongyang.    ROK media reported on the possibility of FMD affecting DPRK livestock on 18 January.

Suffering the severest damage among the FMD-stricken regions are Pyongyang, North Hwanghae Province, and Kangwon Province.

Type O FMD is inflicting damage on the livestock at cooperative farms and milk cow and pig farms in these regions.

As of now, around one million heads of draught oxen, milk cows, and pigs have been infected with the FMD virus, and thousands of them have died.

The State Veterinary Epidemic Prevention Committee headed by Vice Cabinet Premier Kim Rak Hui has been organized, and emergency quarantine measures have been declared.

Yonhap, citing RFA, reported that a team from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization would be traveling to the country:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the U.N. will dispatch “three to five experts, including a veterinarian,” to North Korea to determine what sort of assistance North Koreans will need in light of the FMD outbreak, the RFA reported. Citing an anonymous FAO official, the report said the agency held an emergency meeting immediately after North Korea requested aid earlier this week.

“We’re very pleased that North Korea informed us of its FMD outbreak and officially asked for help,” the official was quoted as saying.

DPRK Contends with Foot-and-Mouth

Dorasan Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Office near the inter-Korean border in May 2010 (Korea Times)

The DPRK is dealing with its first reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease since 2007.  The DPRK banned ROK pork and beef shipments into Kaesong Industrial Complex in late December, as well as ROK poultry in November due to concerns over avian flu.  Both diseases hit the ROK in the last few months, and ROK authorities have been vigorous in their management.  Yonhap reports:

Citing recent visitors to the impoverished communist country, South Korean government officials said Tuesday that the North is believed to be stepping up its quarantine efforts after outbreaks of the deadly animal disease were reported.

“Military personnel are said to have been mobilized in the fight,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information was currently classified as intelligence.

It remains unclear where the foot and mouth disease, if confirmed, may have originated, but since November, South Korea has been struggling to contain the disease on its soil.

North Korea has banned the inflow of pork and beef from South Korea since late last month for fear that the disease may spread there.

In 2007, North Korea suffered outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, prompting South Korea to dispatch a team of animal health experts amid a mood of reconciliation.

According to a report in JoongAng Ilbo, DPRK authorities are restricting access to Pyongyang.  There are also reports that people have consumed tainted meat.  The DPRK managed a swine flu outbreak in December 2009.  Christine Kim reports:

Although the extremely contagious disease has only been detected in areas near North Korea’s capital of Pyongyang, the communist military is known to raise livestock in large numbers to feed its soldiers. The source said that North Koreans have been consuming infected pigs and cattle instead of culling them.

FMD is known to be harmless to humans. South Korea has been battling the disease for weeks.

This is the second time that North Korea has experienced an outbreak of the disease. The first outbreak was reported in 2007.

At that time, officials from other countries and from the World Organization for Animal Health visited the country on a consultative mission and said there was a “limited danger” for severe outbreaks in the country. Roughly 4,000 animals were culled during that outbreak. It’s not yet known if the same aid will be given this year from international organizations.

North and South Korea cooperated in 2007 against the outbreak, but frigid current relations may preclude that.

(Daegu, South Korea) A veterinarian vaccinates mountain goats against foot-and-mouth disease using a blow gun at Dalseong Park in Daegu on Jan. 17. The vaccination was part of a nationwide effort to block the spread of the deadly disease, which was first reported in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on Nov. 29. (Yonhap)

PRC Military Delegation in DPRK to Mark 60th Anniversary of CPV Entry in Korean War

Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong (L) and President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Yong Nam watch the "Arirang" performance in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, Oct. 23, 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean War front. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

The CPV cemetery in Hoechang County, South Pyongan, where PRC Central Military Commission Vice Chairman, Gen. Guo Boxiong, presided over a memorial service on Sunday, 24 October, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the CPV's entry into the Korean War (Photo: GoogleEarth)

General Guo Boxiong, a Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, arrived in the DPRK on Saturday to participate in several events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) entry in the Korean War.  General Guo attended a welcome ceremony in Pyongyang.  Conducted by VMAR Ri Yong Ho, Chief of the KPA General Staff Department, Guo met members of the KPA leadership including: Senior Deputy Director of the MPAF GPD, Gen. Kim Jong Gak; Vice Minister of the PAF, Gen. Pak Jae Gyong; Commander of the Korean People’s Navy, Gen. Jong Myong Do; Commander of the Korean People’s Air Force, Gen. Ri Pyong Chol; and Vice Chief of GSD, Gen. Choe Pu Il.

Gen. Guo (L) in Pyongyang with KPA Chief of the General Staff and Vice Chairman of the CMC, VMAR Ri Yong Ho (R) (Photo: KCNA)

A group of MPAF officials, including Kim Jong Gak (L), Pak Jae Gyong (2nd L) and Jong Myong Do (3rd L) attend a welcome ceremony for Gen. Guo and his delegation (Photo: KCNA)

On Saturday (23 October), the National Defense Commission hosted  a banquet.  Speaking for the DPRK, VMAR Ri said that General Guo’s visit to the country “was an important occasion” in the countries’ relationship.  Guo also attended an Arirang mass games performance, escorted by SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam and other members of the DPRK leadership.  Xinhua reports:

The delegation, led by Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, is on a four-day visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). They were joined at the show by Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.

Before the show, Guo met Kim and a number of other DPRK leaders, including Choe Yong Rim, premier of the cabinet, and Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission.

Guo hailed the DPRK’s attention to its relations with China. He said the visit of the delegation was to implement the important consensus reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and the DPRK’s top leader Kim Jong Il.

China would work with the DPRK side to make an active contribution to the continuous promotion of the Sino-DPRK friendship, Guo said.

Kim Yong Nam warmly welcomed the visit of the Chinese delegation.

The DPRK cherished its friendship with China. To consolidate and develop the relations was the firm will of the DPRK, Kim said.

The “Arirang”, a mass gymnastic and artistic show with some 100,000 performers, showcased the achievements made by the DPRK people in socialist construction, and their love of the fatherland, aspiration for reunification and peace.

The CPV entered the DPRK on Oct. 25, 1950, about four months after the Korean War broke out.

In an article marking the anniversary, the DPRK’s official KCNA news agency said Thursday that the CPV not only displayed a spirit of self-sacrifice and heroism but also promoted friendship.

Members of the delegation of senior Chinese military officers Li Jijun (R) and Li Yongtai watch the "Arirang" performance in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Oct. 23, 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean War front. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2010 shows a scene of the "Arirang" performance in Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Oct. 23, 2010, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) into the Korean War front. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

On Sunday (24 October) Guo attended a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at the CPV cemetery in Hoechang County, South Pyongan.  Xinhua:

Wreaths in the name of leaders of the Communist Party of China and Chinese government as well as the visiting delegation were laid in front of the cemetery for the CPV martyrs.

A wreath signed jointly by the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee, the Presidium of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Supreme People’s Assembly and the DPRK cabinet was also laid to mourn the fallen CPV martyrs.

Addressing the memorial ceremony, Guo said that 60 years ago the CPV crossed the Yalu River to support the DPRK people to fight the imperialist invasion and safeguard justice and peace and won a great historic victory.

During the tough war, the Chinese volunteers sacrificed themselves and demonstrated the great internationalism and they forged, with their blood, the unbreakable China-DPRK friendship, Guo said.

Many of the volunteers died in the DPRK, and they represent the best of China’s fine sons and daughters, and their names will go down in history, Guo said.

Thanks to the close care by DPRK’s late top leader Kim Il Sung and the direct guidance of General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the bodies of the CPV martyrs were buried properly and the cemetery has been under careful maintenance, he added.

Is H1N1 Outbreak in DPRK Contained?

Yonhap reports that the World Health Organization is saying the nine (9) identified cases of A/H1N1 Influenza have recovered and that there are no further reports of any other outbreaks in the DPRK.  According to the report: “The country acknowledged nine cases of the highly infectious disease on Dec. 9, but no additional reports have come out of the country. Westman said the first of the patients, aged between 11 and 14, was discovered on Nov. 25 and the last case appeared on Dec. 4. Three of the confirmed infections were in Pyongyang, with the remaining six in Sinuiju on the border with China.”  Westman refers to WHO’s Suzanne Westman.  Westman notes one contributing factor is the “good surveillance system in place.”  It seems central control is not completely dead, after all.

More on the DPRK’s Swine Fever

UPDATE

Yonhap reports that the ROK will send, and the DPRK shall accept, 500,000 doses of Tamiflu in order to stem the spread of H1N1 (a/k/a Swine) Flu.

ORIGINAL

According to Yonhap, the DPRK is “working closely” with the World Health Organization to contain the outbreak of H1N1 in the country.  Dong-a Ilbo, citing Good Friends, reports that the DPRK is importing Tamiflu, but only ladling out doses to North Korean elites.

Below is the KCNA report about H1N1 in the DPRK:

Anti-A/H1N1 Flu Campaign Intensified in DPRK

Pyongyang – New Influenza A/H1N1 broke out in some areas of the DPRK amid the growing of its victims worldwide.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, nine cases were reported from Sinuiju and Pyongyang.
The relevant organ is further perfecting the quarantine system against the spread of this flu virus while properly carrying on the prevention and medical treatment.

The State Emergency Anti-epidemic Committee has taken steps to enhance the role of prevention and treatment centers at all levels and increased checkup stations across the country while directing efforts to the medical treatment of its cases.