Kim Jong Un Attends Commemorative Photo Sessions

Kim Jong Un poses during a photo op with participants of the 4th Korean Workers' Party Conference and representatives to the centenary celebrations of Kim Il Sung's birth. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported Tuesday (17 April) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended three commemorative photo sessions in Pyongyang.  The first photo session occurred at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace (Ku’msusan Palace of the Sun) where KJU and other members of the central leadership had their pictures taken with participants of the 4th Party Conference and various revelers from KIS’ 100th birthday.   KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK], first chairman of the National Defence Commission [NDC] of the DPRK, and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army [KPA], had a photo session with the service personnel of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

Present there were senior party, state and army officials Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Hyon Chol Hae, and Kim Won Hong.

Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated the service personnel who have displayed intense loyalty in the work to preserve with best care and manage the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun as an eternal holy site of the sun before having a photo session with them.

He expressed expectation and conviction that the service personnel would as ever creditably discharge their honorable mission and duty in the struggle for holding President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il in high esteem for all ages and glorify the glorious revolutionary history of the peerlessly great men and their immortal exploits.

Kim Jong Un (seated, 3rd R) attends a photo op with the KPA personnel involved in the construction of the recently completed People's Theater in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

KJU’s second photo op was with the Korean People’s Army [KPA] construction brigades, architects and designers who worked on the People’s Theater.  KCNA reports:

Present at the photo session were Choe Ryong Hae, Jang Song Thaek, and Kim Won Hong.

Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated them on their proud labor feats performed in the building of the theatre by fully displaying the revolutionary soldier spirit before having a picture taken with them.

He repeatedly appreciated their shining feats, saying that the above-said soldier-builders and designers successfully built many monumental edifices in the past, thus powerfully demonstrating the might of juche Korea before the whole world and making a great contribution to the prosperity of the country.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that they successfully completed the theatre in a matter of less than a year and creditably implemented the behest of leader Kim Jong Il, noting that he conceived the plan for its construction more than 10 years back and paid special attention to its project in the last period of his life to make sure that it was built as a gift of loyalty to the 100th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and provided to the people.

He expressed expectation and belief that they would fully display patriotic devotion and popular heroism in the socialist construction in the future, too, and thus make a positive contribution to the cause of building a thriving nation.

Kim Jong Un (seated 8th R) attends a commemorative photo session with the personnel of the Ku'msusan Memorial Palace (also called the Ku'msusan Palace of the Sun) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Finally, Kim Jong Un had his photo taken with the staff and KPA soldiers who work at Ku’msusan.  These personnel are subordinate to the Office of Military Officers, which historically resided in the Personal Secretariat, but is probably now subordinate to the Guard Command.  This photo op was KJU’s most recent reported public appearance.  KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, had a photo session with the service personnel of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

Present there were senior party, state and army officials Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Hyon Chol Hae, and Kim Won Hong.

Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated the service personnel who have displayed intense loyalty in the work to preserve with best care and manage the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun as an eternal holy site of the sun before having a photo session with them.

He expressed expectation and conviction that the service personnel would as ever creditably discharge their honorable mission and duty in the struggle for holding President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il in high esteem for all ages and glorify the glorious revolutionary history of the peerlessly great men and their immortal exploits.

Huichon Power Station Opened

Photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 6, 2012 shows the inauguration ceremony held at the Huichon power station in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on April 5, 2012. The DPRK said on April 6 that its Huichon power station has started operations, which will help ease electricity shortages in the capital. The power station, located in Jagang Province, will also help protect cultivated land and residential areas along the Chongchon River from flooding, and ensure an ample supply of water to the industrial establishments in Huichon and Namhung areas, according to official media reports. (Xinhua/KCNA)

The DPRK opened the Hu’ich’o'n Power Station in Chagang Province on Thursday (5 April).  Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, National Defense Commission [NDC] Vice Chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces VMar Kim Yong Chun, KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok, KWP Secretary and Director of General Affairs Tae Jong Su, Gen. Yun Jong Rin and DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol were among the members of the central leadership to attend the opening ceremony.  Choe Yong Rim delivered the keynote address.  Choe was last reported to have visit the construction site of Huichon Power Station on 20 February 2012.  Xinhua reports:

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Friday that its Huichon power station has started operations, which will help ease electricity shortages in the capital.

Premier Choe Yong Rim told an inauguration ceremony on Thursday that the Huichon power station was “a brilliant fruition of the wise guidance of late leader Kim Jong Il,” official newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported.

The power station, located in Jagang Province, will also help protect cultivated land and residential areas along the Chongchon River from flooding, and ensure an ample supply of water to the industrial establishments in Huichon and Namhung areas, according to official media reports.

The Central Committee and Central Military Commissions of the Workers’ Party of Korea sent a joint congratulatory message to builders and members of shock brigades.

The party “will always remember the heroic feats performed by the builders who erected a gigantic structure for the country’s prosperity and its people’s happiness,” the message said.

The message said it took only three years to complete the construction of the power station, a project which normally needs more than 10 years to finish.

The Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly issued a decree on April 1 awarding the Kim Il Sung Prize for the design of the Huichon power station.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim delivers the keynote address during an opening ceremony of Huichon Power Station in Jagang Province on Thursday, April 5 (Photo: KCNA)

Photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 6, 2012 shows the Huichon power station in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK said on April 6 that its Huichon power station has started operations, which will help ease electricity shortages in the capital. The power station, located in Jagang Province, will also help protect cultivated land and residential areas along the Chongchon River from flooding, and ensure an ample supply of water to the industrial establishments in Huichon and Namhung areas, according to official media reports. (Xinhua/KCNA)

Yonhap reports:

North Korea said Friday that it has dedicated a new hydroelectric power plant in its central northern area bordering China, a project long touted as a symbol of its bid for the construction of a “strong and prosperous state.”

“The construction of the Huichon Power Station has been completed in the DPRK,” the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, adding that a dedication ceremony took place on Thursday.

DPRK is the acronym for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“The builders finished the construction of the power station in a matter of three years though it would have taken more than a decade at normal pace,” the KCNA said.

Chronic shortage of electricity and other energy has long been one of the problems beleaguering the North’s moribund economy, which has been under sanctions by the international community due to its nuclear and missile tests.

“The completion makes it possible to more satisfactorily settle the shortage of electricity in Pyongyang, protect cultivated land and residential areas along the River Chongchon from flooding and ensure an ample supply of industrial water to the industrial establishments in the Huichon and Namhung areas,” KCNA said.

The plant, which has a generating capacity of 300,000 kilowatts, was launched by late leader Kim Jong-il, who reportedly visited the construction site eight times before his death last December to order an early completion of the project.

North Korea has designated 2012 as a moment in its history to rise as “a great, powerful and prosperous nation” — a propaganda slogan that was spearheaded by Kim Jong-il.

New economic goals were announced in 2009 that called for undertaking major construction projects as well as modernizing farms and factories in time for the centennial birth of the communist country’s founder, Kim Il-Sung, on April 15.

Earlier, North Korea announced plans to launch a satellite on the back of a long-range rocket as part of the April celebrations. The international community has urged Pyongyang to cancel the launch, warning that it would be seen as a violation of a ban on missile activity.

The Associated Press reports:

The opening of the Huichon Power Station in Jagang Province, north of Pyongyang, was the first big ceremony in a month of celebrations timed for the April centenary of the birth of late President Kim Il Sung.

The power station on the Chongchon River, which had been under construction for more than three years, was a favored project of late leader Kim Jong Il. Kim had visited the project at least five times before his December death.

Son Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s new leader, visited the construction site with his father in August 2011.

The power station is North Korea’s largest, with two dams and a network of tunnels. The dams harness water from the Jangja and Chongchon Rivers. Construction on a second power station further down the Chongchon River is due to begin soon, said the top officials who spoke at Thursday’s ceremony.

North Korea suffers from an acute power shortage.

New economic goals announced in 2009 called for undertaking major construction projects such as the Huichon Power Station as well as modernizing farms and factories in time for the April 2012 festivities.

North Korea will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth on April 15.

North Korea also has announced plans to launch a satellite on the back of a long-range rocket as part of the celebrations. The United States and other nations have urged Pyongyang to cancel the launch, warning that it would be seen as a violation of a ban on missile activity.

SPA To Convene on 13 April

DPRK state media reported on 24 March (Saturday) that the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] will convene on 13 April 2012 for its fifth session (plenum; plenary session).  The meeting of the country’s unicameral legislature has been scheduled during the range of possible launch dates of the U’nha-3 reported to international organizations by the Korea Committee for Space Technology.  The 12th SPA’s fifth session is also scheduled to occur at about the same time as the 4th Party Conference which was scheduled for “mid-April,” as well as 12 days ahead of the official 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  KCNA reports:

The Fifth Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK will be held here on April 13.

A relevant decision of the Presidium of the SPA was released on Thursday.

Kyodo English reports:

North Korea will convene a parliamentary session on April 13, the country’s official media reported Saturday, fueling speculation that leader Kim Jong Un may be elected chairman of the National Defense Commission, the leading state organ.

Analysts have been watching to see when Kim, who became supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army in late December, will inherit two other major posts his later father Kim Jong Il possessed as leader — general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defense Commission.

Article 100 of North Korea’s Constitution says the chairman of the defense commission is ”the supreme leader” of the country.

”The Fifth Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK will be held here on April 13,” the Korean Central News Agency said in a short dispatch from Pyongyang, referring to North Korea by the acronym for its official name the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The session comes two days before the country marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of state founder Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Un’s grandfather.

There is growing speculation that Kim Jong Un may become general secretary of the party at a party conference slated for mid-April.

Once he inherits all three titles, North Korea will have effectively completed the transition of power to the younger Kim from Kim Jong Il, who died of a heart attack on Dec. 17 at age 69.

At the parliamentary session, delegates are likely to deliberate issues such as government activities and the state budget. They may also elect members of the National Defense Commission.

Xinhua English:

The Fifth Session of the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) of the DPRK will be held onApril 13, and representatives of the SPA should be registered on April 11-12, said the KCNA ina brief dispatch, without elaborating its agenda.

The SPA is the supreme power organ of the DPRK, which holds the highest position andauthority of the country and exercises legislative power.

The announcement came as the country’s preparations for a satellite launch ”have entered afull-fledged stage of action,” a spokesman for the DPRK’s foreign ministry said Friday.

According to the KCNA, the projected launch of the Satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 is to mark thecentenary of the birth of late President Kim Il Sung, and it is a worldwide trend to launch anduse satellites needed for a country’s economic development.

The spokesman said peaceful satellite launching is an exercise of ”an independent andlegitimate right” for all countries.

The DPRK’s satellite launch is ”an issue fundamentally different from the February 29 DPRK-US Agreement,” as the DPRK has consistently clarified that ”the satellite launch is not includedin the long-range missile launch” covered by the DPRK-U.S. high-level talks, the spokesmanadded.

Kim Jong Un has not been reported to be a deputy (delegate) to the SPA.  According to some Pyongyang watchers, KJU was elected under a pseudonym during the SPA election in March 2009.  He has also not been reported in attendance at any SPA sessions and no images or video footage of him attending a session have surfaced in documentary films or other media promoting his succession.  After the announcement of the 4th party conference, some watchers estimated that the 5th session of the 12th SPA would be held to appoint KJU as his father’s replacement as Chairman of the National Defense Commission [NDC].

However, the central leadership may defer KJU’s NDC appointment until another 12th SPA session in 2012 or 2013, or wait until 2014 when the country elects and convenes the 13th Supreme People’s Assembly.  Kim Jong Il did not become an SPA deputy until the convocation of the 7th Supreme People’s Assembly in 1982, which took place after he was elected to the Political Bureau Presidium, Party Secretariat and Party Central Military Commission during the 6th Party Congress in October 1980.  And yet, there is no constitutional mandate  that the NDC Chairman be an active deputy of the SPA to qualify for election to the DPRK government’s highest office.

Even if Kim Jong Un is a deputy to the SPA, he is most likely its youngest member.  According to a brief news item published on Urminzokkiri (Urminjokkkiri) on 23 February 2012, 49.5 % of SPA deputies were ages 35-55 and 50.5 % were age 56 or older.  The same news item reported that of the 12th SPA’s 687 deputies: 15.6 % were women; 16.9% were officers or service members of the KPA; 10.9% were factory or clerical workers; 10.1% were agricultural workers; 94.2% graduated from an institution of higher learning; and, 42.4 % were recipients of the Kim Il Sung Award, Hero of the Republic or other state titles.

The last session of the 12th SPA was held on 7 April 2011.  In addition to approving the DPRK Cabinet’s policy and budget proposals for the year, Gen. Ri Myo’ng-su was appointed Minister of People’s Security to replace the dismissed Gen. Ju Sang Song.  Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary Pak To Chun was elected a member of the National Defense Commission [NDC] to replace Jon Pyong Ho.  Neither Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un nor Mr. Pak attended the 12th SPA’s 4th session.  At the time, KJI was touring factories and other locales in Chagang Province.  It is highly likely that during this particular tour, KJI was involved in setting policy guidance around the Sohae Center’s maiden launch

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.

Kwangbok Supermarket Opens

Kwangbok Area Supermarket in Mangyo'ngdae District in west Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

The Kwangpok Area Supermarket in west Pyongyang opened on Thursday, 5 January.  One of the largest shopping centers in the DPRK, the Kwangpok market is a joint venture between the DPRK T’aesong General Trading Corporation and the PRC’s Feihaimengxin Trading Company.  A grand opening event was held on 5 January.  One of the participants at the opening ceremony was Jon Il Chun (Chon Il-chun), deputy director of the Korean Workers’ Party’s Finance and Accounting Department and section chief of Office #39.  Mr. Jon accompanied Kim Jong Il on a visit to the Kwangpok store in mid-December 2011, which was KJI’s last reported public appearance before his death.

Jon Il Chun (R) stands with DPRK and Chinese participants at an opening ceremony held in front of the main entrance to Kwangpok Area Supermarket on 5 January (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

All business service at the supermarket built as a commercial service center has been put on IT and digital basis. Customers can buy varieties of goods according to their taste and requirements in the sales rooms on each floor stacked with household appliances, electronic products, foodstuff, fibre, sundries and others.

Present there were officials concerned, officials of the Korea Taesong General Trading Corporation, officials and employees of the Kwangbok Area Supermarket, members of the Feihaimengxin Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd. staying in the DPRK and the Chinese embassy here.

O Ryong Il, general president of the Corporation, said in his speech that the work to build the supermarket was successfully completed under the energetic leadership of leader Kim Jong Il and the dear respected Kim Jong Un and the positive efforts of the peoples of the two countries.

He expressed belief that the supermarket would help towards improving the people’s living standard and promoting the well-being of the two peoples through better service and management.

Xue Rifei, executive managing director of the Feihaimengxin Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd., said in his speech that Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un gave field guidance to the supermarket on December 15, 2011 and named it the Kwangbok Area Supermarket.

He expressed the expectation that an effort will be made to reenergize the supermarket to win high appreciation for its best management, service and credit.

People tour the aisles of the Kwangpok Area Supermarket after an opening ceremony on 5 January (Photo: KCNA)

Xinhua English reported:

The shopping center was the last place the leader paid a public visit to before he died in mid-December. It is jointly run by China and DPRK, with China holding 65 percent of its shares.

At the opening ceremony on Thursday, DPRK business representatives said they will try their best to provide quality service in order to contribute to the livelihood of people from the two countries.

Chinese delegates responded that the shopping center’s opening will give a new boost to DPRK trade and economy.

The shopping center is now selling a complete variety of items, ranging from food to clothes, and from household appliances to electronic products, most of which are imported from neighbouring China.

KJU Officially Named KPA Supreme Commander

At a 30 December (Friday) meeting of Political Bureau of the Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee, Kim Jong Un was formally identified Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army [KPA].  The last reported (publicized) Political Bureau meeting occurred on 6 June 2011.   KCNA published two separate items on the 30 December meeting.  The first reported on KJU’s assumption of the position which occurred on 8 October 2011:

The dear respected Kim Jong Un vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People’s Army at the behest of leader Kim Jong Il on Oct. 8 Juche 100 (2011).

A second item detailed the proceedings of the Political Bureau’s meeting.  The first item on the agenda was the announcement of KJU’s appointment as KPA Supreme Commander, after this announcement KCNA reports that “all the participants stood up to welcome him with enthusiastic applause.”  The remainder of the Political Bureau meeting, as reported by KCNA, focused on reviewing the joint calls of the Party Central Committee and Party Central Military Commission for the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth and the endorsement of a statement and general policy guidance under the heading of “On Affecting a Great Surge in Building a Thriving Nation True to the Behests of the Great Leader  Kim Jong Il.”  In the reading and execution of KJI’s will, the Political Bureau established Jong Un “as the only center of unity, cohesion and leadership of the WPK”:

Standing at the helm of the Korean revolution is Kim Jong Un, the only successor to Kim Jong Il, the decision said, calling upon all the party members, servicepersons and people to turn sorrow into thousand-fold strength and courage and more dynamically struggle to win a great fresh victory in the Juche revolution under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

Underlining the need to hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the eternal leader of the WPK and revolution and glorify his sacred revolutionary life and undying revolutionary feats forever, the decision referred to the relevant decisions.

The decision also called for more dynamically accelerating the cause of building a thriving socialist nation true to the behests of Kim Jong Il.

It underlined the need to hold Kim Jong Un in high esteem as the only center of unity, cohesion and leadership of the WPK, devotedly defend him politically and ideologically and give fuller play to the might of the political and ideological power.

It called for giving fuller play to the might of the socialist military power and firmly defend the gains of revolution, invariably adhering to the Songun idea and the Songun revolutionary line of Kim Jong Il.

Stressing the need to make the torch lit by Kim Jong Il in South Hamgyong Province, the torch for the industrial revolution in the new century, flare up all over the country to effect a great surge in building a socialist economic power, the decision set forth relevant tasks.

The decision called for turning the country into a highly civilized power in the 21st century where Kim Jong Il ’s Juche-based idea of cultural construction is blooming in all fields.

The meeting discussed the joint calls of the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK on the centenary of birth of Kim Il Sung.

On or around 9 October, DPRK media reported that Kim Jong Il conducted guidance tours at a factory in P’yo’ngso’ng and at the Central Tree Nursery in the northern section of Pyongyang.  It is likely these visits occurred on 7 or 8 October.  If KJI was formulating and dictating final instructions and orders behind a potential power transfer, then the more relevant public appearance was his attendance of a concert by the U’nhasu Orchestra in central Pyongyang which was reported on 11 October.

Kim Jong Il talking with the heads of the Unhasu Orchestra in October 2011. Seen in attendance in the rear (L-R) are: Kim Jong Un; VMar Ri Yong Ho; CC KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok; Gen. Kim Jong Gak; Jang Song Taek; and a musical director (Photo: KCNA)

This event gathered a number of key secretaries, party department directors and security officials.  Images of the central leadership from that event show many of the same people whose names are currently being bandied about by Pyongyang watchers such as Kim Jong Gak and Ri Yong Ho.  Also in attendance were Gen. Hyon Chol Hae and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong.  Until their respective 2007 appointments to other positions, Gens. Hyon and Pak constituted two-thirds of the public face of the KPA Supreme Command’s apparatus.  During the early 2000s, they were the most frequently reported members of KJI’s retinue.  Approximately one week after secretly appointing Kim Jong Un as KPA Supreme Commander, KJI attended a concert by a KPA art squad, which Gens. Hyon and Pak were reported and photographed as having attended.  Gens. Hyon and Pak would go on to attend a number of visits and inspections with KJI and Kim Jong Un from October into early December.

Gen. Hyon Chol Hae (L) and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (3rd R) attending a KPA art squad performance in October 2011 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Between 17 October and his death in December, Kim Jong Il conducted eleven field inspections of KPA units;  until mid-October KJI had only been reported as having inspected three KPA units.  On 24 November the KPA Supreme Command published in DPRK media what it termed a report which denounced ROK exercises in the West Sea.  On 26 November KJI was reported to have visited forward-deployed units under the IV Army Corps in South Hwanghae Province.  During all of these military visits, included among senior officials identified by name, KJI was reported to have been accompanied “by staff members of the KPA Supreme Command.”

Kim Jong Il Conducts KPA Field Inspections After “Sea of Fire” Statement

Kim Jong Il (6th L) stands for a commemorative photo following his inspection of KPA large combined Unit #233. (KCNA-Yonhap)

A view of Kaemori, South Hwanghae Province (Photo: Google image)

Kim Jong Il traveled to South Hwanghae Province and inspected two Korean People’s Army [KPA] units, one day after the KPA Supreme Command issued a report that threatened “a sea of fire” in the south.  DPRK media reported on 26 November that he inspected KPA Air Force (KPAF) Unit #1016 and KPA large combined unit (taeyonhap pudae) #233, described by KCNA as being in “the western sector of the front.”  KCNA reports:

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the commanding officers and servicepersons of the unit have turned all operational theatres into impregnable fortresses to devotedly protect the Party, the revolution, the country and its people and firmly guarantee the great revolutionary surge with a powerful military force and are fully prepared to beat back any enemy’s surprise invasion in good time.

He praised them for standing firm guard over the forefront of the country with strong fighting spirit and faith in sure victory to wipe out all enemies on this land with just retaliatory blows and get the Korean people’s long-pent up grudge settled without fail if they disturb the DPRK’s legitimate exercise of sovereignty through reckless saber-rattling.

He expressed expectation and conviction that all servicepersons of the unit would boost its combat capability in every way to cope with the enemies’ provocations and consolidate all its defense theatres as firm as a rock, thus performing laudable military feats on the sacred road of defending the country.

This photo shows a graveyard (circled in red) in the North Korean border county of Kangnyong in South Hwanghae Province. The photo was taken from an observatory on South Korea's western border island of Yeonpyeong on Nov. 21, 2011, the first anniversary of North Korea's indiscriminate bombardment on the island. Scores of tombs were built recently in the graveyards, sparking off assumptions that they might be coastal positions. (Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il visits a stone factory in an image broadcast on KCTV 26 November. Also seen in attendance are Kim Jong Un (R) and Gen. Hyon Chol Hae (2nd R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il’s visit to the area followed reports that the KPA added or reinforced a number of coastal artillery positions.  According to ROK media, some coastal artillery guns may have been placed and concealed in a cemetery in Kangryong County.  Incidentally, Kim Jong Il was reported to have visited a stone factory on 25 November.  During his KPA inspections KJI was reported to be accompanied by Pak Jae Gyong, Kim Won Hong, Jang Song Taek, Kim Jong Un, Ri Yong Ho, Hyon Chol Hae and Kim Kyong Ok.  Also reported to be in attendance were “staff members of the KPA Supreme Command.”    On 24 November (Thursday) the KPA Supreme Command published a report denouncing ROK military exercises held in the West Sea:

The military warmongers dared to announce that the rehearsal is aimed to remind the DPRK of victims and lesson from the Yonphyong Island Shelling and review their “perfect readiness for counteraction.”

It is also intended to show their will to decisively punish “not only the base of provocation but also commanding posts of all echelons including supporters in the north” with the combined forces of three services in case the DPRK starts a military action, they asserted.

As for last year’s Yonphyong Island shelling, it was a legitimate self-defensive step against the provocateurs who dared to make a clumsy fire on the inviolable territorial waters of the DPRK despite its army’s advance warning.

This being a hard reality, they launched the anti-DPRK war rehearsal far from drawing due lesson on the first anniversary of the shelling. It is little short of a new political and military provocation to the army and people of the DPRK.

Such disgusting behavior by the military warmongers, who go recklessly without knowing about the present trend of situation and their domestic condition, will arouse criticism and ridicules from among the people at home and abroad.

They should not forget the lesson taught by the Yonphyong Island Shelling one year ago.

They should be mindful that If they dare to impair the dignity of the DPRK again and fire one bullet or shell toward its inviolable territorial waters, sky and land, the deluge of fire on Yonphyong Island will lead to that in Chongwadae and the sea of fire in Chongwadae to the deluge of fire sweeping away the stronghold of the group of traitors.

The DPRK revolutionary armed forces are in full readiness to go into a decisive battle to counter any military provocation.

This report was one of several missives issued by the DPRK during the week that marked one year since the 23 November 2010 Yo’np’yo’ng Island artillery shelling incident which resulted in the death of two ROK Marines and two civilians.  According to Yonhap, the first mention of the anniversary appeared in a 22 November essay on Urminjjokkiri which said West Sea exercises were “clearly an attempt to create another military provocation like the Yeonpyong-do incident, and ultimately carry out an all-out attack on the North.”  This essay was similar to information bulletin #987 released by the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea [CPRK]:

They are seriously mistaken if they think they will go scot-free after they commit provocation in the future, too.

The puppet group is kicking off the sinister confrontation racket, instead of drawing due lesson from last year’s Yonphyong Island shelling case. Such action will bring itself to shame and reveal its colors as a war hawk more glaringly.

The reality clearly shows that “flexibility of the policy toward the north” much touted by the group is no more than wordplay to deceive the public opinion.

The puppet group has only the extreme hostility toward fellow countrymen and sinister intention to go for confrontation and war with the DPRK.

Its reckless confrontation moves are a last-ditch effort to arrest the daily growing demand of the South Korean people for switchover in the policy toward the north, quell the desire for reunification through alliance with the north and free itself from the wretched plight into which it has been driven at home and abroad due to its serious ruling crisis.

The army and people of the DPRK are now in full readiness to go into action and annihilate the enemy, with surging indignation at the evermore pronounced anti-DPRK smear campaign and war moves of the puppet group.

ROK officials did not respond to the DPRK’s statements.  Yonhap reports:

“We don’t find it worth responding to North Korean rhetoric that flies in the face of common sense,” a military official said on the condition of anonymity. “If North Korea wants to engage in dialogue, it should stop clinging to irrational logic and immediately apologize for its torpedoing of the Cheonan warship and its shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.”

The official was referring to two deadly armed provocations by North Korea last year, which killed 50 South Koreans, mostly soldiers.

Another official at the Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, also made a similar comment on the North’s latest harsh rhetoric.

On Thursday, the North’s military threatened to turn Cheong Wa Dae, South Korea’s presidential office, into “a sea of fire.” It came a day after South Korea held military exercises in the Yellow Sea to mark the first anniversary of the Yeonpyeong shelling.

The South Korean official said these exercises only strengthened the military’s defense posture and its determination to strike back against future North Korean provocations.

“If North Korea provokes again, our forces will thoroughly punish them and make them regret their action,” the official said.

Sources said North Korea put its forces on heightened alert as South Korea staged exercises in the Yellow Sea.

KJI Conducts KPA Inspection Tour

Kim Jong Il greeting members of KPA Unit #322. Also in attendance are Ri Yong Ho, Kim Myong Kuk, Pak Jae Gyong, among others (Photo: KCNA)

Since mid-October, Kim Jong Il has conducted six (6) inspections of KPA units.  Until an account of his field inspection of KPA Unit #4303 appeared in DPRK media on or around 19 October 2011, KJI was reported to have made only three KPA unit inspections in 2011, with one visit a the command element of political officers in February and two headquarters inspections in July.  This does not mean the KPA has lost the affection of the party center.  Even though KJI has conducted only three field inspections, he has visited a number of military-affiliated factories and production sites, as well as attended numerous concerts and cultural events (such as the September Worker-Peasant Red Guards’ parade) of the KPA’s supernumerary organizations.

Kim Jong Il talks to members of KPA Unit #4304 (Photo: KCNA)

The first of these inspections was his visit to KPA Unit #4304.  During this visit KJI focused on political education and ideological indoctrination.  He was also reported to have observed training exercises of the unit, prior to posing for a commemorative photograph with officers and service members.  The most significant participant at this inspection was arguably Lt. Gen. Ri Tu Song (Yi Tu-so’ng; Ri Tu-so’ng), who attended a concert by soldiers which was KJI’s last reported public appearance before the inspection of Unit 4304.  Lt. Gen. Ri attained his current rank on the 27 September 2010 military promotions list which included, among others, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n).  KCNA reports:

After watching the training of the stalwart fighters, he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the soldiers of the unit are getting ready to creditably perform their duties under any unexpected circumstances by using training apparatuses manufactured by the unit itself.

Then he went round the servicepersons’ hall, library and mess hall to learn about the political and ideological education of them and supply service for them.

He visited a company of the unit.

He went round an education room, bedroom, wash-cum bath house and other places of the company and took deep care of the soldiers’ living.

He gave precious instructions on the issues arising in strengthening the company, telling the commanding officers who were accompanying him that to strengthen the company, a main combat unit, is a very important and responsible work for building the KPA into an invincible revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu.

He had a picture taken with servicepersons of the unit with profound care for them.

Commemorative photograph taken during Kim Jong Il's inspection of KPA Unit #985 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

On 22 October Kim Jong Il was reported to have inspected KPA Unit #985, which is linked to the Guard Command.  The KCNA report was dated 22 October, however it is highly likely that KJI visited and inspected Unit 985 on or around 21 October, putting the visit within 24 hours after the death of former Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddaffi.  The timing of KJI’s visit to a unit whose primary mission is the personal security of the leadership with the death of a former DPRK ally and strongman leader caused some Pyongyang watchers to correlate these two events.  Based on KCNA’s account, the visit was characterized by nostalgia, although it also referred to KJI asking for the soldiers’ “vigilance against the enemies’ moves for aggression”:

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all the commanding officers and staff members of the unit are getting ready to creditably perform their duties under any unexpected circumstances through their effective training of thoroughly arming themselves with the Juche- oriented military idea of strategy and tactics set forth by the WPK.

Then he toured the servicepersons’ hall and a library to learn about the political and ideological education of them and dropped in at a mess hall to take care of the diet of soldiers directly under the unit as their real parents would do.

Watching carefully one by one the staple and non-staple food on the cooking-stand, he learned in detail about the unit’s bean farming this year, the amount of bean service for the soldiers a day and the supply of meat.

He went to the Koagol revolutionary site situated in the area where the unit is stationed.

He recollected with deep emotion the immortal feats the President performed by foiling the “new offensive” of the U.S. imperialists with his farsighted wisdom and gifted military strategy to open a turning phase in the Fatherland Liberation War.

He praised the unit’s soldiers for making their full devotions to preserve the site associated with the giant footprints of the President in its original state.

Highly estimating once again all the servicepersons of the unit for keeping sharp vigilance against the enemies’ moves for aggression to creditably perform their guard duty, he set forth the important tasks to be carried out by the unit in increasing its combat capability in every way: The unit should intensify combat training in atmosphere of real war to reliably prepare all the commanding officers and soldiers to be versatile commanders and fighters who uphold the military-first will of the WPK with arms.

It is necessary to improve the commanding and management of the unit and establish the strong military discipline and thus fully demonstrate the militant spirit and might of elite revolutionary army.

Kim Jong Il waves to members of KPA Unit #789. Also seen in attendance are Ri Yong Ho (2nd R) and Kim Kyong Ok (R) (Photo: KCNA)

One day prior to meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK, Kim Jong Il inspected KPA Unit #789.  This visit focused on the education of operations planning, as well as ongoing indoctrination efforts within the KPA.  Interestingly, this visit included the only reported appearance of NDC Vice Chairman and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces [MPAF], VMar Kim Yong Chun, during this batch of KPA inspections.  VMar Kim returned to Pyongyang to attend other public events.  While VMar Kim increasingly appears to be operating in a diminished capacity, it is not clear if he is being deliberately sidelined or if he has assumed a semi-retired status in the central leadership.  His current position at MPAF is a ceremonial position with its substantive functions residing under the National Defense Commission and General Staff.  Many of VMar Kim’s peers and cohorts within the KPA have either been marginalized or have passed away.

KJI watches training exercises of the KPAF's combined unit. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

On 2 November KJI was reported to have inspected the combined unit of the KPA Air Force [Korean People's Air Force] and supervised the unit’s flight training.  KJI’s last reported visit to a KPAF unit occurred during May 2009 when he was reported to have inspected KPAF Unit #814, however KPAF fighter planes participated in joint exercises which KJI watched with other members of the central leadership during 2010.  On 7 November KJI was reported to have inspected and supervised the training of KPAF Unit #813:

He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the unit officers have indulged themselves in deep thoughts of ways for winning victories in the fight by skillfully using war method and tactics of our own style suited to the enemies’ changed war method, combat action control law and the trend of development of arms equipment and put them into practice while placing the unit on a high alert.

He praised the pilots for preparing themselves to be skilful combat pilots, well aware that preparation for fight precisely means training and vice versa.

He climbed the commanding post and guided their flight training.

After watching the training he expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all the pilots have grown to be competent combat pilots. He congratulated them on their successful training.

He then went round the revolutionary historic site of the unit.

Looking around various places of the site including a monument to revolutionary history, a barrack and a well, he recollected with deep emotion the immortal exploits by President Kim Il Sung who achieved the great cause of building the flying corps in a brief span of time after the liberation and defended the country from the enemy aggression.

KJI’s 2011 KPAF inspections fit the pattern of previous visits in 2007 and 2008 whereby KJI visited one KPAF unit, followed up with an inspection of another unit several days later.  On 23 November 2007, KJI was reported to have inspected KPAF Unit #874 which was followed by a 5 December 2007 report of his inspection of KPAF Unit #378; in 2008 he was reported on 1 December to have inspected KPAF Unit #1016, followed by his being reported on 29 December to have visited KPAF Unit #1017.

KJI shakes hands with a member of KPA Air Force Unit #874 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Between visits to the KPAF units, Kim Jong Il inspected KPA Unit #322 and visited the T’aeso’ng Machine Plant.  His visit to Unit 322, part of which functions as an intelligence training school, was notable because of the prominent, albeit unreported, presence of Col. Gen. Kim Yong Chol.  Col. Gen. Kim has attended several of KJI’s visits during 2011 and 2010, and during the 3rd Party Conference he was seated with Kim Kyong Hui and a few places away from Kim Jong Un.  During KCTV’s news account of the inspection of Unit 322, Col. Gen. Kim appeared in a photo with both KJI and KJU.

Dropping in at the education room, he acquainted himself with the political and ideological education among the soldiers. He stopped for a long while before the photos of the heroes produced by the unit and added shine to their exploits. Standing before an honor bulletin board, he carefully looked at the photos of the soldiers who distinguished themselves in the military and political trainings.

Looking round the daily provision store, he was satisfied with the soldiers’ rich diet.

He once again highly praised the soldiers of the unit for following the moves of the enemies for aggression with vigilance and putting spurs to the training, always keeping themselves in high combat readiness.

It is not particularly unusual that Kim Jong Il engaged in a brisk round of KPA inspections.  Rather, what was unusual was that until mid-October he had only inspected three KPA units.  KJI likely curtailed his public KPA inspections as regime propaganda makers emphasized development activities in the domestic economy.  The decision to focus on the military may be a reaction to several external events.  KJI’s first inspection occurred after a state visit to the US by the ROK President.  His inspection of KPA Unit #985 took place after the DPRK and US reached an agreement on the recovery of remains of US service members killed during the Korean War, while a DPRK official visited the US for an academic forum and just after the demise of Qaddaffi in Libya.  The remainder of these KPA inspections occurred after a visit to Pyongyang by the Chinese Vice Premier and a US-DPRK interaction in Geneva on denuclearization.  Based on editorials in Rodong and KCNA, these four (4) inspections also could be read as a reaction to US-ROK solidarity which has been underscored by the visit to ROK by the US Secretary of Defense, and ongoing joint military exercises.

KJI’s inspections may also represent the beginning of the public phase of the Kim Jong Un succession within the KPA.  Reports on the military unit inspections included references to their historical significance to the KPA’s history as well as their past relationships either to Kim Il-so’ng or KJI.  Current and past unit members were singled out for their accomplishments.  The accounts of KJI’s visit to Unit 4304 and Unit 789 referred to “an invincible revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu.”  An account of KJI’s inspection of the KPAF combined unit said that the flight training “vigorously demonstrated the militant and lightning declaration of the powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu.”  Accompanying images of the inspections set Kim Jong Un apart from the other members of the central leadership in attendance.  The inspections also presented an opportunity for KJI’s image makers to acquire additional documentation for use in films and other media ahead of both February and April 2012.

Based on the names publicized in DPRK media reports, KJI was accompanied at all of these inspections by his son, Kim Jong Un, and Jang Song Taek, NDC Vice Chairman.  Also in attendance at all of these inspections, as well as his other visits and interactions, were KPA Generals Pak Jae Gyong and Hyon Chol Hae.  For most of the 2000s Gen. Pak and Gen. Hyon (along with current Minister of People’s Security, Gen. Ri Myo’ng-su) were reported or observed attending nearly every public appearance by KJI, in their capacity as officials under the KPA Supreme Command apparatus.  Pak is one of the most powerful, and understated, general-grade officers in the KPA and his absence on the “distant path of on-the-spot guidance” did not represent a loss of status or power in the central leadership.  Pak may have replaced Ri Myo’ng-su as director of the NDC Administration Department, while retaining his other titles.  The presence of Gen. Pak and Gen. Hyon was not restricted to the military inspections because they also attended KJI’s dinner for the Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK which suggests that KJI is attempting to balance out the party’s place in his entourage during 2010 and 2011.  Their presence may also be related to reported DPRK weapons sales to Syria.

Attending some, but not all of the inspections was Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff.  VMar Ri may have supplanted the role previously assumed by Kim Yong Chun, as the central leadership’s key military escort.  Senior deputy (first vice) director of the CC KWP Organization Guidance Department Kim Kyong Ok, featured prominently in images positioned next to or behind Kim Jong Un, attended five inspections.  Military Security Command chief Gen. Kim Won Hong was reported to have attended four inspections.  The party’s military industry boss and NDC Member Pak To Chun was reported as having attended three inspections.  The chief of the General Staff Operations Bureau (which houses the office of the KPA Supreme Command), Kim Myong Kuk also attended three inspections, as did deputy (vice) director of Organization Guidance, Hwang Pyong So.

Despite the fact that several members of the Party Central Military Commission were reported as members of his entourage or greeted him during his inspections, the only person identified by his CMC affiliation was Kim Jong Un.

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)