KJU Visits KPA Navy Unit #155

Kim Jong Un hands an automatic rifle to a member of KPA Navy Unit #155 during presentation ceremony which was part of his inspection of the unit (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 5 April (Thursday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) conducted an inspection of KPA Navy Unit #155, which was responsible for the capture of USS Pueblo in 1968.  KPA Navy Unit #155 also has the title of O Chung-hup-led 7th regiment.  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his inspection of Ryo Island in the East Sea.  During his inspection of the navy unit, KJU was accompanied by Gen. Kim Won Hong, Gen. Hyon Chol Hae, Lt. Gen. Ri Tu Song and Lt. Gen. Ri Jong Mu.  KCNA reports:

He first went round the monument to the field guidance of President Kim Il Sung and warships visited by the three commanders of Mt. Paektu.

This unit is marked with many footprints left by the President and leader Kim Jong Il to provide field guidance, he said, recollecting with deep emotion the unforgettable historical day he visited the unit, accompanying the leader.

The DPRK has such matchless fleet thanks to the wise leadership and meticulous care of the President and Kim Jong Il who worked heart ad soul for the founding and development of the naval forces, he said, adding that their undying feats will always go down in the history of the country.

He once again highly praised the unit for such laudable military feats that startled the world as sinking U.S. imperialists’ heavy cruiser “Baltimore” with just four torpedo craft in the naval battle in Jumunjin during the Fatherland Liberation War, the battle results unprecedented in the world history of naval war, and capturing the U.S. imperialists’ armed spy ship “Pueblo” when intruding into the territorial waters of the DPRK in peacetime.

He stressed the need for the seamen of the unit to firmly take over the baton of the revolutionary forerunners, send the enemies into the bottom of the sea if they dare intrude into the territorial waters of the DPRK and thus further glorify the tradition of the unit which has demonstrated only victories, a stalwart unit, generation after generation.

He then boarded patrol ship 1003 anchoring at the moorage and went round it.

Looking round with great attention different places of the ship used by the three commanders of Mt. Paektu, he praised the seamen of the unit for preserving and managing it to its original state with good care.

He said that the significant ship visited by the President four times, Kim Jong Il three times and anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk is the flagship of the KPA Navy.

He acquainted himself in detail with the unit’s combat duties, trainings, etc. before inspecting flotillas 1, 4, 5 and 83 under the unit.

He guided training in firearms of torpedo craft 1213 of flotilla 1 and its tactical drill.

He expressed satisfaction over the fact that seamen are undergoing intensive combat training and, at the same time, discharging their combat duty in a responsible manner while watching the enemy’s moves for aggression with vigilance. He set forth the tasks for rounding off combat preparations and bolstering the combat capability.

He made the rounds of sailors’ rooms, rooms dedicated to education and mess halls of flotillas to take deep care of their living.

He gave flotillas 1, 4, 5 and 83 pairs of binoculars and automatic rifles as souvenirs and had photo sessions with them.

Xinhua English reports:

Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un inspected a navy unit of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) recently, the official news agency KCNA reported on Friday.

During his inspection, Kim Jong Un, top commander of the KPA, said “if the enemies dare intrude into the territorial waters of the DPRK, the army would be ready and prepared to send them into the bottom of the sea.”

He stressed the need to firmly take over the baton of the “revolutionary forerunners,” and learned in detail about the unit’s combat duties.

The Navy Unit 155 once captured the U.S. ship “Pueblo” straying into the country’s territorial waters in 1968, according to KCNA.

The DPRK claimed it was a spy ship, but the United States denied the accusation, saying the ship was on an information collection mission and was sailing in international waters.

The unit also sank U.S. heavy cruiser “Baltimore” during the Korean War in the early 1950s.

On Wednesday, Kim also inspected a unit on Ryo Islet, a defensive forward post on the country’s east coast. He urged post guards to build the island into an “iron-wall” fortress so as to defend the DPRK from foreign invasion.

AFP reports:

North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong-Un has visited the naval unit that captured a US spy ship in 1968, the official news agency said, amid tensions over its planned satellite launch.

Any attempt to intercept the satellite would be “an act of war”, the North said late Thursday after South Korea and Japan prepared to shoot down the rocket should it fall towards their territory.

In the latest of a series of military visits, Kim inspected Navy Unit 155 in the southeastern province of Kangwon and highly praised its past feats, the agency said.

It “startled the world” by sinking the US heavy cruiser Baltimore with just four torpedo craft during the 1950-53 Korean War and also captured the US spy ship Pueblo, it said.

Kim “stressed the need for the seamen of the unit to firmly take over the baton of the revolutionary forerunners (and) send the enemies into the bottom of the sea if they dare intrude into the territorial waters”.

The North captured the spy ship with 83 crew members after it allegedly intruded into its territorial waters, sparking a Cold War crisis.

The crew were detained for 11 months before being released but the ship is still held by the North and moored on the Taedong River in Pyongyang.

Kim, supreme commander of the North’s 1.2-million-strong military, earlier inspected a unit guarding Ryo Island near the southeastern port of Wonsan.

He urged troops there to “protect the island with barricades of iron and bury the enemy in the water if they invade”, the news agency said in a report Wednesday.

Analysts said such trips and the upcoming launch are aimed at bolstering military loyalty to the young and untested leader.

The North says it will launch a peaceful satellite between April 12-16 to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of its late founder Kim Il-Sung.

The United States and other countries see it as a pretext for a long-range missile test banned under US resolutions.

KPA Promotions Issued for the Day of the Shining Star

Second Economy Commission Chairman Paek Se Bong (highlighted) applauds at the start of a national report meeting for Kim Jong Il's birthday on 15 February 2012. Paek was given the rank of Colonel General (sangjang) in a military promotions list issued on the occasion of KJI's 70th birthday. At past national events, Paek had been observed wearing business suits (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

In one of his first public acts as Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Commander, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) promoted 23 officials of security organizations to general-grade officers’ ranks, as part of the commemoration of Kim Jong Il’s official 70th birthday.  At the top of the list were three senior managers of the country’s military industries, all of whom are linked directly or peripherally to the country’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Pak To Chun, a central party secretary and the successor of Jon Pyong Ho, was given the rank of 4-star general (taejang).  Ju Kyu Chang, director of the KWP Machine-Building Industries Department (formerly known as the Munitions Industry Department) and a past president of the Second Academy of Natural Science [SANS], was promoted to Colonel General (sangjang).  Also promoted to Col. Gen. was Paek Se Bong (Paek Se-pong), who serves as Chairman of the Second Economy Commission [SEC] (a.k.a 2nd Economic Committee) which  operates the 200-odd factories and facilities comprising the country’s weapons and logistics business.  All three of these officials are members of the National Defense Commission [NDC].  When Jang Song Taek’s appointment as General is added in, all members and vice-chairmen of the NDC and the Party Central Military Commission [CMC] now hold the rank of Colonel General, or higher.

From an image of a national report meeting held on 15 February 2012, highlighted are Pak To Chun (2nd Row, L), Ju Kyu Chang (2nd Row, 2nd L) and Kim Yong Chol (3rd Row, R), all of whom were given military promotions on the occasion of KJI's birthday. (Photo: KBS screen grab)

Kim Yong Chol, a former bodyguard turned intelligence manager, received his fourth star and was promoted to General.  Kim heads the Reconnaissance General Bureau, under the NDC and Ministry of People’s Armed Forces and was promoted Colonel General in April 2010.   Kim Myong Sik, chief of the KPA Navy [KPN] East Sea Command, was promoted to Lt. General, along with 18 other officers and officials.  This latter category of promotions involves Kim Jong Un in contiuing to develop his political support network within the KPA. KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, on Wednesday issued Order No. 003 on promoting the military ranks of KPA commanding officers.

In the order he said that the Korean revolutionary armed forces, which have reliably guaranteed the revolutionary cause of Juche with arms for 80 years since their birth was declared in the thick forests of Mt. Paektu, are now strikingly demonstrating their dignity as elite army of Mt. Paektu in defence of the country and building of a thriving socialist nation while further adding luster to the glorious tradition of devotedly defending the leader.

He ordered to promote the military ranks of KPA commanding officers, the core of the Workers’ Party of Korea and vanguard fighters of the Songun revolution, on the occasion of the significant Day of the Shining Star, expressing firm belief that they would in the future, too, remain loyal to the WPK’s leadership over the Songun revolution, as befitting the descendants of President Kim Il Sung and soldiers and disciples of leader Kim Jong Il, and fully discharge their duties in the sacred struggle to successfully accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche generation after generation.

According to the order, Pak To Chun and Kim Yong Chol have been promoted to General, Ju Kyu Chang, Paek Se Bong and Kim Song Chol to Col. General and Kim Myong Sik, Hyon Sun Hak and 16 others to Lieut. General.

A separate joint promotion by the Party Central Committee, CMC and NDC was publicized.  In what appears to be a collective act, Kim Jong Gak, NDC Member and senior deputy (1st vice) director of the KPA General Political Department, was given the title of Vice Marshal (ch’asu).  KCNA reports:

The Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the National Defence Commission of the DPRK decided to award the title of Vice Marshal of the Korean People’s Army to Kim Jong Gak.

The decision was made public on Wednesday.

Kim Jong Un Visits KPA Large Combined Unit

KPA Supreme Commander and acting chairman of the Party Central Military Commission Kim Jong Un (front, 3rd L) watches a performance during his inspection of KPA Large Combined Unit #324. Also in attendance are: Ri Yong Ho (seated, L); Kim Yong Chun (seated, 2nd L); Pak Jae Gyong (standing, 3rd R); Ro Hung Se (standing, 2nd L); and Ri Tu Song (standing, R) (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) was reported on 7 February to have visited Korean People’s Army [KPA] Large Combined Unit (taeyonhap pudae) #324.  His last reported public appearance was an inspection of KPA Navy Combined Unit (yonhap pudae) #597.  He was reported to have been accompanied by: VMar Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff; VMar Kim Yong Chun, Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC] and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces; Gen. Kim Myo’ng-kuk, Member of the Party Central Military Commission [CMC] and chief of the KPA General Staff Operations Bureau; Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, director of the KPA General Propaganda Department and Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces; and from the KPA Supreme Command apparatus, Lt. Gen. Ri Tu Song (GPD) and Lt. Gen. Ro Hung Se (portfolio not clear).  In December 2011, one of the last performances Kim Jong Il watched was an art performance given by the KPA Large Combined Unit #324′s propaganda squad.

KCNA reports:

The first leg of his inspection was the command of Large Combined Unit 324 of the KPA. He had a photo taken with its service personnel.

Then he went round the room for education in the revolutionary history and the room devoted to its history.

Recollecting with deep emotion the undying feats performed by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il which are recorded in the history of the unit, he said the unit grew to be a matchless elite unit under the wise leadership and meticulous care of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

Making the rounds of an operation study room, shooting gallery and other places, he acquainted himself with the training of the commanding officers.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the unit successfully built rooms for the study of military affairs so that its service personnel might deeply study and fully apply the Juche- based war methods of the WPK and is organizing effective trainings for boosting the ability to command operations.

He gave valuable instructions for preparing all the commanding officers to be competent ones capable of skillfully organizing and commanding any difficult combat duty in a modern war.

He inspected a forward command post of the unit. There he heard from the commander of the unit a report on the situation.

Standing before an operational map, he looked over the defence theatre and learned in detail about the topographical features and the distribution of forces.

Enjoying a bird’s-eye view of a city, villages, a lot of factories and fertile co-op fields, he said the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people are firmly guaranteed as the service personnel of the People’s Army are standing guard with arms over the socialist country which cannot be bartered for anything.

He set forth important tasks to be fulfilled to mercilessly wipe out the enemies in the forward areas along the defence line in view of their ceaseless moves to ignite a new war and thus safeguard the socialist country as firm as an iron wall.

He inspected Unit 156 of the KPA honored with the title of O Jung Hup-led Seventh Regiment. He had a photo session with its service personnel.

After hearing a report on the decision from the commander of the unit, he acquainted himself with its training.

The unit has a very important duty to perform, he said, putting forth important tasks to serve as guidelines for bolstering its combat capability.

Noting that the primary duty of a soldier is to undergo training well, he underscored the need for the unit to focus all efforts on intensifying training and prepare the service personnel of the unit as all-round fighters capable of performing themselves any combat duties satisfactorily, in particular.

He made the rounds of a library and other facilities for ideological and cultural education to learn in detail about how political work is conducted among its service personnel.

He went round a bedroom, education room and lecture rooms for training of a company under the unit’s direct control to take care of the living of its service personnel.

The appearance was another opportunity for Jong Un to recreate an iconic Mangyo’ngdae family picture:

Kim Jong Un points at a map during his inspection of KPA Large Combined Unit #324, reported in February 2012. Standing to the right is Kim Yong Chun (Photo: KCNA, Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il points at a map during an inspection of a KPA unit in September 1997, the month prior to his appointment as KWP General-Secretary and CMC Chairman. Standing to KJI's right in this image Kim Yong Chun (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Il presents watches to members of the Guard Command in July 2011. Seen in in attendance behind KJI are Kim Jong Un (L), Kim Ki Nam (2nd L), Ri Yong Ho (3rd L), Kim Jong Gak (rear, 3rd R) and employees of the Gifts Section of the Personal Secretariat (2nd R)

Kim Jong Un (L) filmed during an inspection of the KPA Navy Command headquarters in July 2011. In this image are SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (2nd R, 2nd L); Kim Myo'ng-kuk (2nd R) and Ri Yong Ho (R)

Meanwhile, on the theme of emulation of (not-so) hidden heroes, DPRK media has released another focused on Kim family leadership.  The latest release highlights Kim Jong Il’s inspections of KPA units and his attendance of art performances by KPA personnel or their families during 2011.  KJI, along with Kim Jong Un and other members of the central leadership are shown visiting a series of history exhibitions, barracks, mess halls, as well as handing out gold Swiss watches to members of the Guard Command.

Kim Jong Il tours a plant affiliated with KPA Navy Combined Unit #597 in March 2011, accompanied by Admiral (Gen.) Jong Myong Do (R)

Kim Jong Il (5th L) stands for a commemorative photograph during his tour of a KPA Navy factory in March 2011. Seen in this image are: Col. Gen. O Chol San (L), political director of the KPA Navy; Jang Song Taek (2nd L); Gen. Jong Myong Do, commander of the KPA Navy (3rd L); Kim Jong Un (3rd R); Gen. Ri Myo'ng-su (R); and Gen. Hyon Chol Hae (R)

The films shows footage of KJI’s visit to a factory affiliated with KPA Navy Combined Unit #597 in March 2011.  No photographs of that visit were released; instead DPRK media showed an image of a visit made to the factory by Kim Il Sung.  The films also includes footage of KJI’s guidance to live fire exercises of KPA Unit #966, a subordinate unit of the Pyongyang Defense Command [PDC].  KJI’s guidance of the unit’s exercises was his final reported inspection of a KPA unit and occurred one week before he died.

It may not be legal to access the video below in some countries.

Kim Jong Il directs live fire exercises of KPA Unit #966, of the Pyongyang Defense Command. This was his final reported inspection or appearance at a KPA unit, reported 13 December 2011. Also seen in attendance are Kim Jong Un (C) and Gen. Kim Kyong Ok (R), senior deputy (1st vice) director of the party's Organization Guidance Department

A grab of of the film's closing image shows Kim Jong Il greeting spectators at the Worker-Peasants' Red Guard Parade on foundation day in 2011. Seen at the left is Jang Song Taek.

KJI Meets with Le Keqiang

Kim Jong Il shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Le Keqiang (Photo: Xinhua/KCNA)

Taking time from a recent spate of KPA field inspections and on-the-spot guidance visits, Kim Jong Il met with Chinese Vice Premier Le Keqiang and a delegation of senior PRC officials on Tuesday (25 October).  Le arrived in the DPRK on Sunday (23 October) where he was greeted on the tarmac by DPRK Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju, CC KWP Secretary and International Department Director Kim Yong Il, CC KWP Secretary Mun Kyong Dok and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Song Gi.  On Monday, Le had separate meetings with DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim and SPA President Kim Yong Nam.  Le met with KJI and attended a banquet.  Along with KJI, other members of the DPRK central leadership who dined with Le included Jang Song Taek, Kim Jong Un, VMar Ri Yong Ho, Kang Sok Ju and Kim Yang Gon.

Kim Jong Il receives presents from the Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier Le Keqiang (L) with other members of the DPRK central leadership in attendance (Photo: KCNA)

A decorative panel, among the gifts presented to Kim Jong Il, by the Chinese delegation during their visit during 24-25 October 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

Chinese Vice Premier Le Keqiang toasts with Kim Jong Il during a banquet he hosted for the Chinese delegation(Photo: KCNA)

On Monday (24 October), Le visited the Friendship Tower where he placed a wreath and signed the guest book.  He also toured a Chinese language class and the e-library at Kim Il Sung University.  KCNA reports:

After the DPRK military band played the national anthems of both countries, Li entered the tower where he skimmed through the martyrs’ book, watched the wall paintings describing how the Chinese volunteers joined the war and helped the DPRK people with construction.

Li said during the visit that peace does not come easily, so the achievements of construction should be treasured even more.

As a symbol of China-DPRK friendship, the Friendship Tower was completed in 1959.

Also on Monday, Li visited Kim Il Sung University where he observed Chinese-language studies and chatted with teachers and students.

Li said the future of the China-DPRK ties depends on the youths of both countries, encouraging DPRK students to promote cooperation between the two countries and pass down China-DPRK friendship from generation to generation.

Li toured the e-library of the university and donated education facilities and books. He arrived here on Sunday for an official goodwill visit to the DPRK

Le’s visit to Pyongyang, which will be followed by a trip ROK during 26 to 27 October, occurred amid other activities and events between the DPRK and PRC.  On 21 October (Friday) the P’ibada opera troupe departed to Beijing for a three month tour through China of its production Butterfly Lovers (Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai).  A delegation of Chinese media officials visited the DPRK at the beginning of the month for five (5) days and  (collectively?) commented they “were deeply moved by the profound friendship between China and the DPRK sealed with blood.”  On 18 October, Chinese press reported that officials of its Railways Bureau completed an inspection of the China-DPRK Friendship Bridge, which links Dandong to Sinuiju, North Pyongan.  The month-long inspection found the 70-year bridge safe for traffic.  PRC Ambassador to the DPRK, Liu Hongcai, along with his wife and embassy officials, took part in crop harvesting at the DPRK-China T’aegam Friendship Farm in Sunan District in Pyongyang on 13 October.  On Saturday, Liu told Xinhua:

He pointed out that the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has shown great potential, with bilateral trade and investment volume reaching new highs.

The bilateral trade volume was 3.1 billion U.S. dollars in the first seven months of this year, registering a year-on-year increase of 87 percent, the ambassador said.

Liu stressed that the DPRK’s increased emphasis on economic development and improving people’s living standard is broadening its foreign economic cooperation and attracting more Chinese enterprises to do business and invest in the country.

Liu expressed his belief that Chinese Vice Premier Li’s upcoming visit will further strengthen political mutual trust between the two countries, deepen the bilateral economic and trade cooperation, help promote the China-DPRK friendship and cooperation to a higher level, and make positive contribution to the maintenance and promotion of regional peace and stability.

The DPRK has not restricted its external contacts to the Chinese.  In Bangkok, Thailand, US and DPRK officials agreed on the resumption of recovery missions of US service members killed during active hostilities of the Korean (Fatherland Liberation) War.  In Geneva, the US and DPRK concluded its two-day interaction.  Neither a significant breakthrough nor announcement was expected, but outgoing special envoy Stephen Bosworth said the two countries “narrowed our differences.”  Heading the DPRK’s delegation in Switzerland was senior (first) vice minister of foreign affairs, Kim Kye Gwan, distinctly not present in Pyongyang to participate in the meeting with a senior official from his country’s closest ally.  AFP reports:

The parties were able to narrow some differences, although more time was needed to reach an agreement, Stephen Bosworth, outgoing US special representative told reporters following the talks.

“We had some very positive and generally constructive talks with the DPRK delegation. We narrowed differences on several points and explored differences on other points,” he said.

Bosworth noted that there remained sticking points, “not all of which can be overcome quickly.”

However, “I am confident that with continued efforts on both sides we can reach a reasonable basis of departure for formal negotiations for the return of the six party process,” he added.

Together with his successor Glyn Davies, Bosworth met the North Korean delegation led by first vice minister Kim Kye-Gwan over two days in Geneva. The meeting, which took place first at the US embassy on Monday, rotated to the North Korean mission on Tuesday.

It coincided with a visit by China’s vice premier Li Keqiang to Pyongyang, where he met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, according to Chinese state media.

Kim told Li that Pyongyang “hopes the six-party talks about the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula should be restarted as soon as possible”, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported early Tuesday.

The “principle of simultaneous action” should apply, it quoted Kim as saying — a reiteration of the North’s stance that the negotiations should begin again without preconditions.

Korean People's Navy (KPA Navy) Senior Vice Admiral Kim Myong Sik, commander of the East Sea Command (Photo: KCNA)

From Geneva, Kim Kye Gwan traveled to Moscow.  His arrival occurred a week following additional DPRK interactions with the Russian Federation.  On 20 October the KPA Navy’s commander of the East Sea (of Japan) fleet visited Vladivostok.  Senior Vice Admiral Kim Myong Sik met with senior officials of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, in addition to visiting other areas in the vicinity.  Kim’s meeting focused on finalizing preparations for a visit by a DPRK vessel to visit Vladivostok in November, as well as discussing a joint naval drill between the two countries.  In Pyongyang, Oleg Kozhemyako met with DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim on 19 October (Wednesday) and attended a dinner with Kim Jong Il.

Kim Jong Il poses for a commemorative photo with a delegation from the Amur Region of Russia during their visit to the DPRK (Photo: KCNA)

Write Offs & SAR Exercises

Kim Jong Il and Jang Song Taek at a dinner with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev near Ulan Ude (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il’s “fun trip” to Siberia and Russia’s Far East and his meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has started to yield fruit.  An anonymous official in Russia’s Ministry of Finance told Izvestiya that it had finalized plans to cancel 90% of the DPRK’s $11 billion debt to the former Soviet Union.  The remaining 10% will be invested in joint projects to be developed within the DPRK.  In Moscow, DPRK Minister of Oil Industry, Kim Hui Yong (Kim Hu’i-yo’ng) met with Gazprom officials to discuss “practical organization” in pipeline construction, as well as establishing a “working group.”  Kim’s meeting occurred about a week after Gazprom ceremoniously opened the Sakhalin-Vladivostok pipeline.  It also took place while the head of ROK’s KOGAS arrived in Moscow to meet with Gazprom officials. Kim So-hyun of  Korea Herald writes:

On Wednesday, the South’s Korea Gas Corp. said that its president, Choo Kang-soo, left for Russia for meetings with officials of Russia’s largest gas firm Gazprom. His departure came a day after North Korea’s Oil Industry Minister Kim Hui-yong headed to Russia, according to Pyongyang’s Korean Central News Agency.

Choo, as then vice president of Hyundai Corp., had assisted Lee as Hyundai E&C sought to ink the MOU with Moscow two decades ago.

KOGAS and Gazprom had signed a memorandum of understanding in September 2008 in which the two agreed to push for the pipeline natural gas project. Lee then named Choo as head of KOGAS.

“Talks on the PNG project began to speed up recently,” KOGAS spokesman Song Jae-ho said.

Choo met with Alexander Ananenkov, deputy chairman of Gazprom’s management committee, early last month in Russia. North Korea’s Kim also met with Ananenkov early July in Pyongyang.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il said he supports Moscow’s long-sought project to push for gas exports to Korea during summit talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The discussions between KOGAS and Gazprom are expected to be followed up by Korea-Russia joint economic committee meetings on Oct. 24-25 in Seoul, in which Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan and Russian Minister of Regional Development Viktor Basargin will take part as head of delegations.

Basargin held similar meetings with North Korea late last month in which the two sides negotiated the PNG project.

Trans-Siberian railway (Photo: rail.co)

In October, Russia has planned to run a “demonstration” railway trip from Khasan, the city where KJI first arrived in August, to Rajin-So’nbong (Naso’n).  Rail.co reports:

The project aims to reconstruct an existing section of the railway, the Port of Rajin cargo terminal, and the subsequent use of this infrastructure for transit, with access to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The project aims not only to restore this section of railway, but also to make full use of the container port of Rajin.

“Now we shall consider the question of the transportation of coal”, noted Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin.

The shortest path between the European Union and Southeast Asia (a region which produces up to 70% of the world’s GDP) is through Russia.

Traditionally, the choice has boiled down to either shipping things by sea or via the Trans-Siberian, but the increased demand for transcontinental transportation is now generating corresponding proposals, and there are about two dozen different versions of new corridors that could potentially win up to 40% of the traffic from the traditional routes.

In this regard, the implementation of international projects that could be acquired for the Far Eastern Railway are of ‘particular importance’.

In the course of the reconstruction project in 2011, Russian Railways will install 56 track switches and more than 64 km of main and secondary rail routes. To date, 36 track switches have been installed by contractors, who have repaired 14.6 km of secondary tracks and 6 km of the main line.

Asahi Shimbun, citing a source in the DPRK, and other media report that the Russian and DPRK navies will conduct joint search and rescue (SAR) exercises in 2012.  The agreement to conduct the exercises was reached when the Russian Federation Armed Forces Eastern Military District Commander visited the DPRK.  He met with KPA Chief of the General Staff, Ri Yong Ho (Ri Yo’ng-ho) on 25 August.  The DPRK has not conducted any official or reported military or security exercises with another country for some time.  During the 1980s the KPA Navy (Korean People’s Navy) used to send a flotilla on alternate years to visit Vladivostok.

There may be an additional military exchange between the DPRK and Russia.  Russian military officials would like to increase its number of sniper units, in the event that Jasmine winds should blow in its direction.  RIA Novosti reports:

An RBC Daily source in the Defense Ministry said that each brigade will most likely have a sniper platoon. The source admitted that initially sniper rifles will be bought abroad. Contract sergeants, who will be hired starting in mid-2012, will form the core of the sniper corps.

“This is an absolutely correct decision, since the experience of the first and second Chechen wars has proven the importance and effectiveness of sniper groups in military units,” Igor Korotchenko, a member of the Defense Ministry’s public council, told RBC Daily. “It is important that the snipers attached to brigades will be armed with good foreign-made rifles, which promises higher effectiveness and greater shooting power.”

“Currently, the North Korean military has the largest number of snipers with ten sniper brigades,” Anatoly Tsyganok, director of the Military Forecasting Center at the Political and Military Analysis Institute, told RBC Daily. “Moreover, the North Korean military is the only in the world to have not only snipers but also 300 professionally trained suicide servicemen. Of course, Russia need not draw on that kamikaze experience, but it should analyze North Korea’s experience of sniper training because our next task will be to train a large number of snipers. We must decide where to recruit them, how to train them and who will train them.”

The Soviet school of sniper training was very good, but it gradually went into decline, analysts say. “Each sniper is unique. It takes years to train one, which means they must definitely be contract servicemen,” Korotchenko said. “We cannot hope for conscripted servicemen to fill the gap like they did in the past, when naturally gifted people were recruited from among conscripts and trained to shoot faultlessly from a Dragunov sniper rifle.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Blank penned a fascinating analysis of KJI’s trip to Russia for Eurasia Daily Monitor:

Moscow’s motives are also discernible. Medvedev has added a major new impetus to Russia’s desire to be seen as a key player in Northeast Asia, mainly through energy, and as a corollary of this standing, through its position in the six-party talks that had been less than prominent. Therefore, many Russian writers talked of possible breakthroughs stemming from this meeting and its agreements (The Voice of Russia, August 25; Moskovskiy Novosti Online, August 22). Likewise, these talks help foster a much less threatening atmosphere than was the case in 2010, when Moscow literally feared that the Korean peninsula was on the brink of war. Stability in Korea is a sine qua non of Russia’s East Siberian development strategy upon which its entire “Ostpolitik” stands. So, to the degree it can seemingly upgrade its standing and facilitate that stability, Moscow will seize any such opportunity. Third, as noted above, Russia is able to resume rivalry with China, albeit under the guise of a strategic partnership with China for influence in and over North Korea, and gain leverage over Beijing by actually building a gas pipeline to Asia. Chinese-Russian talks on a gas pipeline to China are deadlocked, while the idea of such a trans-Korean pipeline is almost a decade old (the idea of the railroad dates back further to Sergei Witte). These manifestations of an energy silk road or iron silk road, as they are called, are integral to Russian policy in Asia, but have been blocked due to the conflict over Korea. By receiving assent to a Korean pipeline, Moscow not only advances toward achieving multiple long-held goals, it also raises pressure on China (or at least thinks it does) with the fact that Moscow now has alternatives in Asia. And at the same time, it gains more access to North Korea – apparently, a Russian intelligence officer will mentor Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il’s son and successor, on world affairs.

KJI’s Yachting Holiday

One of Kim Jong Il's yachts at Lake T'aesong, between Pyongyang and Namp'o (Photo: Google Earth)

Kim Jong Il’s (Kim Cho’ng-il’s) last public appearance was a guidance tour of the 8 February Vinalon Complex which was reported by DPRK media on, or around, 8 August.  The country has undertaken reconstruction and recovery work from typhoons and floods, which have killed over 30 and caused extensive damage to homes, agriculture and infrastructure.  KCBS reported on 11 August that “a struggle to heal from the aftermaths of the consecutive natural disasters is actively being waged nationwide.”  To that effect, according to Asahi Shimbun, DPRK traders in China were ordered around 10 August to purchase 5,000 tons of grain a piece or “what appears to be over 100,000 tons.”  Meanwhile, overseas agents of the Ministry of State Security are being recalled to Pyongyang because many of them are under investigation for hiding money and other assets in their assigned countries.

One of Kim Jong Il's residences on the coast in South Hamgyo'ng Province (Photo: Google Earth)

This deluge of activity might demand the attention of the micromanaging party center, who is allegedly reading his briefings and ‘phoning instructions from his yacht somewhere off the country’s east coast.  Yonhap, via Korea Herald, reports:

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has been enjoying sailing on his yacht along the east coast in recent weeks, a person familiar with the issue said Thursday, as his country is struggling to recover from devastating floods.

Kim has been sailing in waters off a coastal villa, where he has been staying since August for a summer holiday, as he did in previous years, the person said on condition of anonymity. He was not authorized to speak to the media on intelligence matters on the record. He did not elaborate on the type of boat and who accompanied the leader during the cruise.

The development underscored that Kim’s lavish lifestyle has not changed despite international sanctions banning the sale of yachts and other luxury goods to North Korea to try to squeeze Kim and his ruling elites.

Despite years of economic difficulty and food shortages, Kim has engaged in the gift politics of showering his top aides and other elites with luxury goods to win their loyalty.

Kim’s summer holiday comes as the North is working to recover from the floods in the recent past that left dozens of people dead, injured or missing, while destroying thousands of homes and submerging or washing away tens of thousands of hectares of farmland.

There was no report in the North’s state media on whether he traveled to the flood-stricken areas.

KJI does not necessarily restrict his yachting activities to the summer months.  When he visited an Office #39-managed seafood plant in Ku’mya County, South Hamgyo’ng, during February 2010, he traveled by boat.  In 2009, Italian authorities seized two Azimut yachts purchased for KJI by European and Asian front companies.

A view of the premises of a KJI residence in South Hamgyo'ng Province (Photo: Google Earth)

One of KJI’s South Hamgyo’ng residences is down the coast from a KPA Navy (Korean People’s Navy) station, under its East Sea Command.  When the Chinese PLA Navy visited Wo’nsan during 4-8 August, the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble participated in a performance with their PRC counterparts.  A Chinese military blogger has published over a dozen photographs of the ensemble; some are candid shots of the women prior to going on stage, and others are of the performance.

Members of the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble, prior to their 6 August performance, part of a program of events during the PLA Navy's goodwill visit to the DPRK during 4-8 August (Photo: Sina.com)

A part of the performance given by the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble on 6 August, during a goodwill visit from 4 to 8 August of the PLA Navy (Photo: Sina.com)

A performer of the KPA Navy Song and Dance Ensemble. Highlighted in the image is her digital camera (Photo: Sina.com)

Chinese Ships Depart the DPRK

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy band gives a performance at an outdoor theater in North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan, Kangwon Province, on Aug. 7. (KCNA-Yonhap)

The PLA Navy ships Zheng He and Luoyang left the port of Wo’nsan on 8 August (Monday) after a four-day visit to the DPRK.  Over the weekend the PLA Navy band and the KPA Navy ensemble gave performances.  However, these were not the Chinese ships the DPRK was looking for.  Kyodo reports that in April the DPRK proposed some joint DPRK-PRC exercise in response to US-ROK joint military exercises.  According to this account, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) proposed that KPA officers be allowed to board Chinese submarines, however the Chinese rejected the proposal because it would interpreted as provocative to the US and ROK.

The crew of Luoyang, a training ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, visit an agricultural university in North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan, Kangwon Province, on Aug. 7. The boat, along with another training ship, the Zheng He, entered the port on Aug. 4. (KCNA-Yonhap)

Chinese Naval Ships Visit DPRK

The honor guard of the Navy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) welcomes the visiting fleet of Chinese Navy in Wanson, DPRK, Aug. 4, 2011. The Chinese fleet composed of training ship "Zheng He" and missile frigate "Luoyang" arrived here Thursday for a four-day visit. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

Two days after departing Vladivostok, (Chinese) People’s Liberation Navy ships Zheng He and Luoyang arrived at the port of Wo’nsan on 4 August (Thursday), the first such visit in 15 years.  The Chinese were received by Korean People’s Navy Vice Admiral Kim Myong Sik (Kim Myo’ng-sik) and Wo’nsan’s local party and power organ officials.  PLAN Vice Admiral Tian Zhong met on Thursday with the chief secretary of the Wo’nsan KWP City Committee, Yom Pong Jin , and commander of the KPN, Admiral Jong Myong Do (Cho’ng Myo’ng-to).  KCNA reports:

A flotilla of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by Vice Admiral Tian Zhong, commander of the North Sea Fleet of the CPLA Navy, arrived at Wonsan Port on Thursday. The flotilla consists of training ship “Zheng He” and frigate “Luoyang”.

Members of the flotilla landed on the quay.

Present there to greet them were Major General Kim Myong Sik and other generals and officers of the Korean People’s Army, Mun Hak Won, secretary of the Wonsan City Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Won Il, vice-chairman of the Wonsan City People’s Committee, Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai and Sun Yanfeng, military, naval and air attache of the Chinese embassy.

A welcome ceremony took place at the wharf.

KPA servicepersons and working people in the city gave hearty welcome to commanding officers and sailors of the flotilla.

PLAN frigate Zheng He arrives in Wo'nsan on 4 August 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

PLAN frigate Luoyang arrives in Wo'san on 4 August 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

KPA Naval Commander, Jong Myong Do (4th L) and PLAN Vice Admiral Tian Zhong (3rd L) on 4 August (Photo: KCNA)

Tian Zhong also visited Pyongyang where they toured Mangyo’ngdae, the Friendship Tower and visited the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery.  On Friday (5 August) they met with NDC Vice-Chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Kim Yong Chun.  While Tian was in Pyongyang, the PLAN and KPN sailors had friendship meeting and concert aboard Zheng He.

A meeting of seamen of the Korean People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army took place on China’s training ship “Zheng He” on Friday.

The KPA seamen looked round equipment and facilities of the ship and frigate “Luoyang”, conducted by leading officers of the flotilla of the CPLA Navy.

The meeting speakers said the armies of the two countries are contributing to protecting the regional peace and stability while supporting and cooperating with each other in the struggle for socialism against imperialism.

They expressed the will to contribute to boosting the friendly and cooperative relations between the armies of the two countries, the navies in particular.

An art performance was given by soldiers of the two countries.

The seamen of the two countries talked to each other with joy at their meeting, deepening friendship.

NDC Vice-Chairman and Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun (4th L) met with PLAN Vice Admiral Tian Zhong and PRC Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai (3rd R) on 5 August 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

Performance during a meeting between the Korean People's Navy (KPA Navy) and People's Liberation Army Navy on board the Zheng He which was reported as taking place on 5 August 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

A performance from members of the KPA during a KPN-PLAN meeting on 5 August 2011 in Wo'nsan (Photo: KCNA)

On Saturday (6 August), Pak Jae Gyong (Pak Chae-kyo’ng), Vice-Minister of the People’s Armed Forces (primarily for external affairs) and Jong Myong Do, among others, visited Zheng He and Luoyang.

Senior officers of the Korean People’s Army and leading officials of local party and power bodies Saturday visited the flotilla of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

Among the visitors were Vice-Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Pak Jae Gyong, KPA Admiral Jong Myong Do who is commander of the KPA Navy, KPA Rear Admiral Kim Myong Sik, Chief Secretary of the Wonsan City Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea Yom Pong Jin and Chairman of the Wonsan City People’s Committee Ri Il Sop.

A welcome function took place on the ships.

The visitors looked round equipment and facilities of frigate “Luoyang,” being briefed on it by its captain.

PLN ships Zheng He and Luoyang in Wo'nsan (Photo: KCNA)

The Chinese fleet arrives in Wanson, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Aug. 4, 2011. The Chinese fleet composed of training ship "Zheng He" and missile frigate "Luoyang" arrived here Thursday for a four-day visit. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)