CPRK Statement Labels Satellite Interception Attempt “Act of War”

Office buildings of the KWP United Front Department. The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea is subordinate to UFD (Photo: Google image)

The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (CPRK; formerly known as Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland) released a statement on 5 April (Thursday) saying that an attempt to intercept the U’nha-3/Kwangmyo’ngso’ng will be construed as “an act of war.”  KCNA reports:

A spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea issued the following statement on Thursday: The South Korean puppet forces recently bluffed that they would “intercept” the DPRK satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, disclosing their attempt to make a fresh military provocation.

The group of traitors aligned with the U.S. is saying that it would track the orbit of the DPRK’s satellite projectile with the mobilization of war hardware including various monitoring machines, missiles and Aegis destroyer, and intercept the satellite in case its debris fall out.

The U.S. is now busy making the emergency transfer of an ultra-modern maritime radar base “SBX-1″ from Hawaii for the purpose of tracking and monitoring satellite and backing its interception. Meanwhile, Japan is making reckless remarks that it would intercept the DPRK satellite if its propeller body drops on Japan’s archipelago.

The puppet military warmongers worked out the “plan for mounting strike on corresponding targets” while talking about “assault” and “possibility of provocation” from someone. They did not hesitate to let loose a spate of such balderdash as “striking Pyongyang”.

The military warmongers including Kim Kwan Jin, puppet minister of Defence, openly blustered that they would attack Pyongyang if Seoul is attacked, claiming that now it has become possible to independently “punish” in line with the “right to self-defence”. They used to say in the past they could not but restrain themselves in the face of attack by the north due to the belligerence regulations of the Armistice Agreement and the relations with the “UN Command”.

The reckless racket for provocation kicked up by the puppet group of traitors is a dangerous act of causing an all-out war as it is a last-ditch effort of persecution maniacs.

The DPRK’s peaceful satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 is for the development of science and technology, whose legitimacy and transparency will be fully ensured in the whole course of its launch. The world already knows about this.

Several decades have passed since mankind launched the first satellite and thousands of satellites were put into outer space ever since. But there was no one who stoked confrontation recklessly trying to intercept the satellite for peaceful purposes.

A saying goes “only stick is seen by crazy dog”. Those obsessed by the idea of escalating confrontation with the DPRK and hostility towards it seem to regard the DPRK satellite as a nuclear war-head.

To intercept the satellite for peaceful purposes is just an act of war and it is bound to entail tremendous catastrophe.

What matters is whether the provocateurs are concerned about the consequences.

Their call for “strike at Pyongyang” is just hysteria of the puppet war-like forces.

Nobody should dare encroach upon the sky above

Pyongyang, sacred capital of the DPRK, and they are gravely mistaken if they think they can survive after attacking Pyongyang.

It would mean the miserable end of the puppet group and end of everything in South Korea.

Nevertheless, the puppet group is kicking off the racket of military provocation under the pretext of “interception” and “strike”, asserting that it would not rule out a war and going in league with its master. This is nothing but a ridiculous bid to hamstring the DPRK satellite launch at any cost and comfort its clan in fear of the powerful retaliatory strike by the DPRK.

Lurking behind this is the ulterior intention of the puppet group to justify the confrontation and war moves through the aggravation of the situation, intensify the anti-DPRK smear campaign, calm down the discontented south Koreans, divert elsewhere the public opinion and thus tide over the ruling crisis and create a favorable atmosphere for the “general election”.

The reality more vividly shows that South Koreans can neither lead a happy life even a single day nor escape from the danger of a war as long as such confrontation maniacs as Lee Myung- bak group are allowed to exist in south Korea.

The group of traitors should be well aware of what the “interception” and “strike at Pyongyang” would mean.

The army and people of the DPRK will never pardon the enemies’ attempt of reckless military provocations.

Whoever intrudes into the territorial air and seas even an inch under any pretext and intercepts the DPRK satellite or collects its debris will meet immediate, resolute and merciless punishment by the DPRK.

The DPRK will mete out the unimaginable and the most miserable punishment to its rival if it dares fire into the sky above the DPRK, Pyongyang, in particular.

The cause of war must be rooted out without mercy.

The group of traitors had better bear in mind the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless provocations.

Meanwhile, on 6 April (Friday), KCNA added another essay to its growing collection of news items and writings on what it terms “peaceful development and use of space.”

Several countries have become more brisk in their moves to develop and use the outer space since the outset of 2012.

On Feb. 6, China opened to public a video footage of the moon that has 7m-resolving capability, taken by the lunar satellite “Change 2″.

The State Administration of Science and Technology for National Defence of China said no country has ever made public a video footage of the moon that has 7m-resolving capability and contains its whole surface.

With a plan to launch 21 rockets with 30 satellites atop this year, China has already succeeded in launching four of them.

China set higher goals such as launching and operating its own space station and blasting off a satellite to prospect Mars till 2020 and has made positive efforts to put them into practice.

Russia announced an 18-year plan for developing space at the beginning of this year and has stepped up the work for development and use of the space.

It envisages a manned flight to the moon and landing on it as well as a long-term research.

It also contemplates operating a research center on Mars and manufacturing a transport spaceship that can be used several times to increase the efficiency of the international space station.

Russia has pressed ahead with the work to increase its satellites on the orbit and decrease the danger of meteorites and comet likely to affect the earth.

Iran succeeded in putting satellite Navid into its planned orbit in February this year in the wake of the successful launch of its first satellite in June of 2011. It is said that the weight of Navid is over treble that of the first one.

Vietnam, Venezuela, India, Nigeria, Argentina, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Turkey, Poland and many other countries have shaped aggressive space policies and development plans to suit their actual conditions and foundations and set about conquering space. Cooperation and assistance are being boosted among them.

Some countries in the world are taking bold approaches towards establishing and reinforcing their own global position systems, independent on the U.S. GPS.

China that planned to complete the global position system “Beidou” till 2020 is set to operate the system late this year.

Russia is also mulling reinforcing its own global position system “Glonas”.

It successfully blasted off space vehicles needed to establish the system late last year, making it possible to send position signals nonstop throughout the globe.

Russia aims at making “Glonas” superior to GPS. It is assertion of Russia that “Glonas” should not be inferior to GPS in all indexes but should be better than the latter.

The European Union invested a huge amount of fund in research and development of satellite flight in an effort to build infrastructure for the Galileo global position system and improve the service for flight.

It is said that the system is likely to go fully operational by 2018 and compete with the GPS and “Glonas”.

The facts go to prove that the global space science and technology have made rapid progress and it has become a trend in the 21st century to develop the outer space, common wealth of mankind, for peaceful purposes.

The international community’s approach towards peaceful development and use of the space will get more brisk and multi-polar.

Unhasu Orchestra Performs in Paris

The U’nhasu Orchestra gave its first performance in Paris on Wednesday, 14 March to a sold-out audience.  The concert was divided into two parts with the U’nhasu playing its own set of DPRK chestnuts, followed by a joint performance of Korean and European pieces with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.  KCNA reports:

The Unhasu Orchestra of the DPRK gave a performance before full house at Pleyel Theater in Paris on Wednesday.

The Pleyel Theatre opened in 1927 is one of the modern theatres for orchestra in France.

Enjoying the performance were Frederic Mitterand, minister of Culture of France, the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France, the former minister of Culture, personages of various strata, music experts of France, people from all walks of life in France, the chief and staff members of the DPRK mission and staff members of various foreign missions in France and Koreans living in different parts of France.

Prior to the performance, the French minister of Culture and the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France made speeches.

They welcomed the visit of the Unhasu Orchestra to France and introduced it.

In the first part of the performance, the Unhasu Orchestra gave a separate presentation and its second part was devoted to a joint concert with the French orchestra.

Staged in the first part were numbers like orchestral music “Swinging Girl”, duet of national musical instruments “Vinalon Extending 3 000-ri”, orchestral music “Attraction”, unaccompanied violin solo “Nilliriya” and orchestral music “Sinau”.

Staged in the second part were numbers like “Brahms Concerto No.9″, orchestral music “Arirang” and “Carmen Suite”.

They sent warm applause to the performers, expressing admiration at the Korean musicians’ high level of rendition and conducting skill with deep understanding of the Western music, to say nothing of the national music.

Organizers of the performance expressed thanks to the dear respected Kim Jong Un with broad magnanimity and noble traits who made sure that the excellent orchestra perform in France.

The audience expressed their hope that the Unhasu Orchestra would often come to France to give performances.

Yonhap reported:

A North Korean and a French orchestra held a landmark joint concert in Paris on Wednesday, helping to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Pyongyang’s Unhasu Orchestra performed North Korean songs and French composer Camille Saint-Saens’s Violin Concerto at the packed Salle Pleyel theater before holding a joint concert with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.

The joint orchestras performed Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 and Korean folk song called “Arirang” under the baton of renowned South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun.

Chung, who organized the joint performance, said after the concert that he chose Arirang because it is the most well-known and loved song by Koreans before the division of the Korean Peninsula.

North and South Korea have remained technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The sold-out performance was broadcast live by a French network.

It marks the first time the Unhasu Orchestra has held a concert in Paris, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs.

On Tuesday, the Unhasu Orchestra paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.

The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchanges between the two countries would develop in the future, noting the joint performance would be of significance in showing the development of bilateral cultural relations, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

Kwon Hyok-bong, who leads the Unhasu Orchestra, also voiced hope that the joint performance would offer an opportunity to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries and expand their relations in various fields, the KCNA said in a dispatch from Pyongyang. Kwon made the comment in a news conference on Tuesday.

North Korea and France do not have formal diplomatic relations, but France opened an office in Pyongyang last year to foster cultural exchanges.

Chung unsuccessfully pushed for an inter-Korean concert due to lingering political tensions over the North’s two deadly attacks on the South in 2010.

Kwon Hyok Bong (2nd Row, 2nd R) stands behind Kim Jong Un at an U'nhasu Orchestra Concert. Kim Ok, Kim Jong Il's widow, is at the right (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Central Committee Vice (Deputy) Director Kwon Hyok Bong has given media interviews and conducted other public activities whilst in Paris.  During 2011-2012, this has been the second occasion Kwon led a DPRK performing arts group on a tour outside the country.  Kwon also ferried the P’ibada Opera Troupe through its tour of China from late October 2011 to January 2012, although he was not present for the entire tour.  KCNA reports:

Kwon Hyok Bong, advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute who is heading the Unhasu Orchestra on a visit to France, was interviewed by foreign reporters on Mar. 13.

The news conference followed the trial joint performance by the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra which was videoed by 41 leading mass media of the world including AFP, various TV channels and radios of France and Reuters, CNN, Yonhap News of South Korea and Asahi Shimbun of Japan.

Answering the reporters, Kwon said he was pleased to hold a joint performance at the invitation of the French government.

The cultural exchange between the two countries had already begun in the 1970s with the Mansudae Art Troupe’s visit to France, he said, adding the bilateral cultural exchange is given continuity by the orchestra’s visit.

The performance will be given, divided into two parts, and in the first part the Unhasu Orchestra will perform Korean music and French traditional music, he said, adding: In the second part the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra will jointly perform.

He stressed that this joint performance would mark an important occasion for boosting the bilateral cultural exchange and expanding the bilateral ties in various fields.

On Tuesday [13 March] Kwon met with the director of Radio France:

Kwon Hyok Bong, head of the Unhasu Orchestra on a visit to France, who is advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.

Present there were leading officials of the Unhasu Orchestra, the chief and staff members of the DPRK mission in Paris, those related to the Bureau of the Radio Broadcasting of France and the music director of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.

The general director warmly welcomed the Orchestra’s visit to France, saying that a joint performance of the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France would be of great significance in showing the development of cultural relations between the two countries as well as the DPRK’s level of culture and arts.

The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchange between the two countries would develop in all aspects in the future on the basis of the achievements made in the joint performance under the concern of the French government.

Kwon Hyok Bong said that this performance would mark a watershed in boosting the cultural exchange between musicians and, furthermore, expanding the bilateral relations to various fields.

He noted both France and the DPRK have rich potentials to comprehensively promote the development of the cultural relations for the commonness in long-standing cultural tradition and history.

He also expressed expectation that the concert would offer an important occasion in helping the French people understand the musical art of the DPRK and boosting the ties of friendship between the two peoples.

The U’nhasu Orchestra also met with the director of Radio France:

The Unhasu Orchestra led by Kwon Hyok Bong, advisor to the Korean Traditional Music Institute, on a visit to France Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the general director of the Radio Broadcasting of France.

Present there were leading members of the Orchestra, the chief of the mission of the DPRK in Paris and its staff members, officials concerned of the Radio Broadcasting of France and the music director of the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France.

The general director welcomed the Orchestra’s visit to France, saying that a joint performance of the Unhasu Orchestra and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra of France would be of significance in showing the development of cultural relations between the two countries as well as the DPRK’s developing culture and arts.

The general director expressed hope that the cultural exchange between the two countries would develop in the future on the basis of the success made in the joint performance to be given under the concern of the French government.

The head of the Unhasu Orchestra had a press conference on the same day.

Attending it were reporters of 41 major media of the world including AFP, various TV channels and radio broadcasting services of France, Reuters, CNN, Asahi Shimbun and Yonhap News of South Korea.

The head of the Orchestra, answering the questions raised by reporters, expressed belief that the joint performance would offer an opportunity of boosting the cultural exchange between the DPRK and France and expanding the relations between the two countries in various fields.

Former Minister of Culture Jack Lang, member of the National Assembly of France, visited the Unhasu Orchestra in the run-up to the performance and asked the head of the delegation to convey sincere thanks to the DPRK government for sending the prestigious or

Inter-Korea Scuffle at UN Panel

Inter-Korean tensions found their way to the UN Mission in Geneva.  On 12 March (Monday) the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 19th regular session held “interactive dialogues” on Iran, Myanmar and the DPRK. (Report available here as PDF)  According to a rough transcript prepared by the UNHRC:

Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, said that there had been a significant deterioration in the human rights situation in the country and that more than six million people urgently required food assistance. A number of constitutional and legislative provisions had seriously endangered the impartiality and independence of the judiciary in the country, while as many as 20 executions were reported to have been carried out in 2011. No progress had been made in resolving the question of the abduction of foreign nationals, and the safety and protection of refugees and asylum-seekers was of deep concern. Mr. Darusman called on all States to adhere to their obligation of providing international protection to asylum-seekers and to adhere to the principle of non-refoulement.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, speaking as the concerned country, said it did not recognize the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the country. This mandate was a product of political plot and confrontation by the United States, Japan, the European Union and other western countries in advocacy of a hostile policy. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea rejected the report of the Special Rapporteur and said that it was a document of political ploy full of unfounded and irrational allegations fabricated and spread by hostile forces.

In the ensuing debate, speakers noted with regret and concern the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. Countries called on the neighbouring States to deal with them in a humane manner and with respect for the principle of non-refoulement. The Government needed to resolve the question of separated families and abductees, repeal the death penalty and urgently address the flaws in the food production system that had led to the current food shortage. The new leadership might represent an opportunity to engage with the international community with a view to addressing all questions and concerns related to human rights and fundamental freedoms. The situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had been on the agenda of the Human Rights Council for far too long, some speakers said, adding that the Universal Periodic Review allowed examining human rights situation in States on an equal footing and in a cooperative manner.

Speaking in the interactive dialogue on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, United States, China, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Venezuela, Slovakia, Cuba, Syria, Ecuador, Spain, Canada, Viet Nam, Australia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and France. Also taking the floor were Human Rights Watch and United Nations Watch.

After DPRK Ambassador to the UN Mission Geneva, So Se Pyong, delivered the country’s official response (one of Ri Chol’s old jobs), he attempted to leave the meeting.  On his way out, a small delegation of South Korean elected officials and activists attempted to talk to So, which was followed by a bit of a commotion.  AFP reports:

A scuffle broke out Monday in the UN Human Rights Council and a man was detained by security after a North Korean diplomat said a critical report by an independent expert had been fabricated.

North Korea said it “roundly rejects this useless interpretation” which it said was “fabricated by hostile elements” and it called on the council not to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur on human rights Marzuki Darusman.

As the North Korean delegate was leaving the hall a scuffle ensued and a man was held by UN security officials before being later released.

The dispute erupted when council members took note of a report by Darusman, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea.

The report covers the period from September 2011 to January 2012, when the situation “continued to deteriorate” said Darusman’s report.

After the report was presented, several representatives took the floor, led by North Korea, followed by the European Union and Japan.

While the Japanese representative was about to finish his speech, the North Korean diplomat stood up to leave and the scuffle broke out.

The report said the human rights and humanitarian situation in North Korea has deteriorated in recent months, while adding that the leadership transition following Kim Jong-Il’s death in December was an opportunity for reform.

“The current transition may be a window of opportunity for the country to adopt a reform process and address all questions and concerns in relation to human rights,” said Darusman.

Kim Jong-Un took over as leader of the North Korean regime after his father Kim Jong-Il’s death on December 17 from a heart attack at the age of 69.

Kim Jong Un Conducts Inspections of Cho Islet and KPA Navy Unit

Kim Jong Un (3rd L) studies a map while reviewing the planning and operations of Cho Island's defense units. Also in this image are VMar Kim Yong Chun (2nd L), Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, and VMar Ri Yong Ho (R), Chief of the KPA General Staff (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) conducted field inspections of Korean People’s Army [KPA] Navy Unit #123 and the coastal defense unit on Ch’o Island.  His inspections occurred as the joint US-ROK military exercises Key Resolve were concluding south of the NLL.  KJU’s appearances cap off a week in which the DPRK conducted a number of media events and other activities that combined a negative response to Key Resolve and excoriated South Korea’s current political leadership.  In addition to a number of rallies and editorials, forward deployed ground forces of the KPA conducted live-fire exercises near the Koreas’ maritime border.

Kim Jong Un (C) poses for a commemorative photograph with service members of the Ch'o Islet's coastal defense unit in front of a monument commemorating an inspection by his father and late DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Il. Among the officials in this image are: Hwang Pyong So (L), Jang Song Taek (2nd L), Gen. Kim Yong Chol (3rd L), Gen. Kim Won Hong (4th L), VMar Ri Yong Ho (5th L) and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (3rd R) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

During his inspections Kim Jong Un was accompanied by Ri Jae Il, Pak To Chun, Gen. Kim Wo’n-hong, VMar Ri Yong Ho, VMar Kim Yong Chun, Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, Gen. Kim Yong Chol, Hwang Pyong So, Gen. Jong Myong Do, Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol, Col. Gen. Yun Tong Hyon and Jang Song Taek.  KCNA English has adopted a new hierarchy when listing the retinue attending KJU’s inspections.  Active duty, senior KPA officials are now listed before senior Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] officials.  This format has only been applied to Kim Jong Un’s field inspections and does not appear to be utilized in news items on his appearances in Pyongyang.

An image of Kim Jong Il's visit to KPA Navy Unit #123, at the unit's historical exhibition (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (C) poses for a commemorative photograph with members of KPA Navy Unit #123 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un (R) inspects equipment on a vessel of KPA Navy Unit #123 (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports on his Kim Jong Un’s inspection of KPA Navy Unit #123 which is identified as having the title O Chung-hup-led 7th regiment:

He got aboard Submarine Chaser No. 202 and headed for the unit despite rough waves. He learned about its arms and equipment and its seamen’s combat preparedness.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all officers and men of the ship have intensified their trainings to be fully prepared for actions and have been trained to be matchless combat ranks capable of firmly defending the territorial waters of the country.

He made the rounds of the room dedicated to the education in the revolutionary history and the room devoted to the history of the unit.

Watching historical materials on the peerlessly great men of Mt. Paektu displayed in the room for the education in the revolutionary history one by one with great attention, he said the undying feats of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il who worked heart and soul for the strengthening and development of the naval force would go down in the history of the country forever.

He looked back on the shining course of battles covered by the unit under the care of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) visits a mess hall kitchen during his inspection of KPA Navy Unit #123. Also in attendance are: Gen. Jong Myong Do (3rd L), VMar Ri Yong Ho (4th L), Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (2nd R) and Jang Song Taek (R) (Photo: KCNA)

Gen. Kim Yong Chol (background, on stairs) watches as Kim Jong Un is greeted by family members of the coastal defense personnel of Ch'o Islet. (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (2nd row, C) poses for a commemorative photograph with the family members of Ch'o Islet's coastal defense personnel (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Ferried by the KPA Navy, Kim Jong Un inspected one of the islands the DPRK has exclusively zoned for its military.  KCNA reports:

Watching the families of service personnel shouting “hurrah!” with excitement outside the barracks, he called them to his side.

He showed loving care and had a photo session with the families of service personnel, their eyes wet with tears of joy at having such a dream-like fortune.

He went round the room for the education in the revolutionary history and the room devoted to history.

Watching with keen attention the precious historical materials which bear witness to the leadership feats of leader Kim Jong Il, he looked back with deep emotion on the proud course covered by the defence unit on Cho Islet which has turned into an invulnerable fortress thanks to the devoted efforts of Kim Jong Il.

Saying that Cho Islet is a gate to the West Sea and Pyongyang is behind the islet, he instructed the service personnel of the defence unit to consolidate the combat positions as firm as a rock, always bearing deep in mind the instructions given by Kim Jong Il.

He walked the road on a steep hill and mounted a forward command post on top of a mountain.

After hearing a report on the situation from the commander of the defence unit, he feasted his eyes on the vast defence theatre of which the defence unit is in charge to acquaint himself with the terrain and the deployment of forces.

He asked in detail about forces and equipment of the enemy that may intrude into the operational theatre of which the defence unit is in charge, operational tactics, assignment of combat duties and the density of firing to beat back the enemy in the forward defence theatre. He examined an operational map with keen attention and lucidly clarified the issues arising in making preparations for battles.

He instructed the service personnel to step up combat preparations, always aware that their positions allow no retreat and there is no place to retreat even an inch there, and thus mercilessly wipe out the aggressors should they come in attack.

He had a photo session with the service personnel of a company under the unit before the monument to the field guidance of Kim Jong Il standing at the forward command post.

He made the rounds of the service personnel’s hall, library and mess hall to take deep care of the living of service personnel of the islet posts.

The service personnel of the defence unit are true patriots who have devoted their all to the security of the country and the people only though they live on the unfavorable remote islet, he said, stressing the need for the commanding officers to look after their living at all times with warm care as their real fathers would do.

At the end of the inspection, he told the commanding officers that he left Cho Islet to them and wished them greater achievements in rounding off the combat preparations in good health.

An image of Kim Jong Il's last reported visit to Ch'o Island at the unit's historical exhibition (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un responds to the applause and greetings of service members of Cho Island's coast defense units prior to taking commemorative photos of his visit (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (9th L), stands for a commemorative photograph with personnel of Cho Island's coastal defense units. (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (L) applauds during an 8 March 2012 concert of U'nhasu Orchestra to celebrate International Women's Day. Seated next to Kim Jong Un on the right is his uncle, Jang Song Taek. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

On Thursday (8 March) Kim Jong Un attended a concert by the Paris-bound U’nhasu Orchestra in Pyongyang.  The concert was held in recognition of International Women’s Day.  Prior to the concert, KJU’s last reported public appearance was (plosively) his inspection of the premises and personnel near P’anmunjo’m.  KCNA reports:

The concert began with the national anthem. Put on the stage were colorful numbers including female quintet and chorus “Mother of Korea”, mixed chorus and pangchang “The Women Are Flowers”, mixed duet “My Lover Has Returned”, female solo and female pangchang “Our Daughter-in-Law”, orchestral music “Swinging Girl”, male solo and pangchang “The Tinkle of the Golden Ox Bell on Rungra Islet” and chorus “Single Mind.”

Some of the audience were invited to the stage when the concert reached its climax.

In their concert the performers sang high praises of the feats of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il who built the socialist power of Juche on this land and the history of the Korean people’s struggle and successfully represented the strong will of the army and people of the DPRK to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche without fail, always sharing the destiny with Kim Jong Un who is ushering in a new heyday of Kim Il Sung’s nation and Kim Jong Il’s Korea with his outstanding Songun leadership.

They also vividly reflected the will of the Korean women and other working people to boost solidarity with the progressive women of the world who are struggling against imperialism and for peace, democracy, national independence, the socialist cause and equality and rights of the women.

Kim Jong Un acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the performers and audience and congratulated the performers on their successful presentation.

Enjoying the concert were Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Kyong Hui, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Ki Nam, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Gak and other senior officials of the party, state and armed forces organs, those who had the honor of being received by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, women members of the leadership bodies of the Party Central Committee and women deputies to the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang, officials of the C.C., the Democratic Women’s Union of Korea, women scientists of the Ryonha Machine Management Bureau and the State Academy of Sciences including the Biological Engineering Branch, women teachers and researchers of Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology and Kim Hyong Jik University of Education, women officials and innovators of industrial and service establishments and women writers, journalists, anchor persons, creators and artistes in Pyongyang, together with their spouses.

Also enjoying the concert were Chinese Ambassador to the DPRK Liu Hongcai, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Valery Sukhinin and official diplomats of the Chinese and Russian embassies here and their wives.

Kim Jong Un Visits Panmunjom

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) looks through binoculars across the DMZ into South Korea during an inspection of sites in and around P'anmunjo'm. Also in attendance is Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (L) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (R). Since 2009 Gen. Kim has managed military intelligence operations against South Korea. Closely linked to Kim Jong Un's succession, he was promoted to 4-star general in February 2012. (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 4 March (Sunday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) inspected P’anmunjo’m, a DPRK settlement near the demilitarized zone on the DPRK-ROK border.  According to KCNA Kim Jong Un told service personnel stationed there to “maintain the maximum alertness as they are standing in confrontation with the enemies at all times.”  Attending to his visit were Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, Gen. Kim Yong Chol and Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol.

Kim Jong Un (3rd L) visiting P'anmunjo'm. Also in this image are: Kim Yang Gon (5th L), Pak Pong Ju (6th L), Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (7th L), Kang Sok Ju (4th R), Jang Song Taek (3rd R) and Kim Ki Nam (2nd R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un (1st row, C) poses for a commemorative photograph near a monument of the autograph of Kim Il Sung, his grandfather, the late DPRK President and country founder. Also seen in this image are: Mun Kyong Dok (1st row, L), Choe Ryo'ng-hae (1st row, 2nd L), Pak To Chun (1st row, 3rd L), Jang Song Taek (1st row, 4th L), Kim Yang Gon (1st row, 2nd R), Kim Ki Nam (1st row, 3rd R), Ri Jae Il (2nd Row, 2nd L), Han Kwang Sang (2nd row, 5th L) Pak Pong Ju (2nd row, C), Gen. Kim Yong Chol (2nd row, 6th R), Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (2nd row 5th R), Col. Gen. Jo Kyong Chol (2nd row, 4th R) and Hwang Pyong So (2nd row, R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Also attendance were Kim Yang Gon (KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department), Jang Song Taek, Kang Sok Ju (DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier), Kim Ki Nam (KWP Secretary and Director of Propaganda), Pak To Chun (KWP Secretary of Military Industries), Mun Kyong Dok (KWP Secretary), Choe Ryo’ng-hae (KWP Secretary), Ri Jae Il (KWP Propaganda Senior Deputy Director), Hwang Pyong So (KWP Organization Guidance Deputy Director), Pak Pong Ju (KWP Light Industries Deputy Director) and Han Kwang Sang (KWP Finance and Accounting Deputy Director).

KCNA reports:

He was greeted on the spot by commanding officers of the unit standing guard over Panmunjom.

After receiving a report on the unit’s performance of combat duty, he went to the dangerous forefront.

He first visited the Monument to President Kim Il Sung’s Signature standing sublimely at Panmunjom.

He had a photo taken with the officials accompanying him before the monument.

Then he went up to the balcony of the Phanmun Pavilion to learn in detail about the enemy movements.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that all the soldiers on the outpost duty were following every move of the enemies with vigilance and performing their combat duties in a responsible manner with strong class resolution to defend the socialist country at the cost of their lives. He highly appreciated their feats.

He told the soldiers on the outpost duty at Panmunjom to always maintain the maximum alertness as they are standing in confrontation with the enemies at all times.

He met those soldiers who had finished their combat duties and had a photo taken with them.

He went round several places of Panmunjom including the Phanmun Pavilion, the Thongil House, the conference room of the armistice talks and the hall where the armistice agreement was signed.

He stressed the need to preserve and manage well the conference room of the armistice talks and the hall where the armistice agreement was signed associated with the history of the great Fatherland Liberation War in which the KPA defeated the imperialist allied forces and the Phanmun Pavilion and the Thongil House which reflect the will of the Korean people to reunify the country in order to show them to the generations to come who will live in the reunified country.

Underlining the need to glorify generation after generation the feats heroic Korea performed by winning victory in the war fought to beat back the U.S.-led imperialist allied forces, startling the world, he emphasized that if a fight occurs in the future, the army and people of the DPRK will force the enemies to sign a paper of surrender, not simply putting signature on the armistice agreement, their knees bent.

Going round a bedroom, mess hall and gymnasium of the soldiers standing guard over Panmunjom and other places, he learned in detail about their service and life.

He put forth the important tasks which would serve as guidelines for increasing the combat capability of the unit.

The Korean people can sleep well and he feels reassured as the soldiers on the outpost duty are defending the gate of the country as firm as an iron wall, he said, adding that he fully believes in them.

He gave them a pair of binoculars, an automatic rifle and a machine gun as souvenirs and had a photo session with them.

The late DPRK leader Kim Jong Il inspects an area near P'anmunjo'm on 24 November 1996, five days after the DPRK closed its liaison office there. Seen in this image are the late VMar Jo Myong Rok (R), Jang Song Taek (2nd R) and Gen. Hyon Chol Hae (4th R) (KCNA file photo)

Service members of the KPA gather for a mass rally on Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang, broadcasted on state television on Sunday, 4 March 2012. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Chief of the Korean People's Army General Staff, VMar Ri Yong Ho, delivers the keynote speech during a mass rally held in Pyongyang on 4 March 2012. Also on the rostrum in this image are: KWP Secretaries Mun Kyong Dok (2nd L) and Kim Yang Gon (3rd L); NDC Vice Chairmen Gen. O Kuk Ryol (4th L), VMar Ri Yong Mu (5th L) and VMar Kim Yong Chun (6th L); DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim (7th L); and, KWP Secretaries Kim Ki Nam (8th L) and Choe Tae Bok (9th L) (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un’s visit occurred before Korean People’s Army [KPA] personnel and DPRK citizens gathered for a mass rally in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.  Choe Sang Hun writes in the New York Times:

Such rhetoric notwithstanding, North  Korea struck a deal last week with its sworn enemy, the United States, agreeing to suspend its nuclear weapons tests and uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors to monitor activities at its main nuclear complex. In return, North Korea will receive 240,000 tons of food aid from Washington.

But the country spurned a repeated call by Washington to improve ties with South  Korea, and has instead kept up its criticism of the South, where elections later this year will serve as a referendum on President Lee Myung-bak’s  policies toward the North.

Over the weekend, North Korea escalated its militaristic rhetoric and  threats, criticizing a joint American-South  Korean military drill. It  also seized on a poster in a South  Korean military barracks that was  leaked last week. That poster said: “Let’s beat  Kim Jong-il to death! Let’s strike Kim  Jong-un to death!”

On Sunday, North Korean television  broadcast a rally of 150,000 people  in the capital of Pyongyang vowing to punish  the South for insulting their leader.

Photographs by the North  Korean media showed soldiers  and railroad workers shaking their  rifles and fists under slogans like “Let’s  tear the traitor Lee Myung-bak to  pieces!” or “Let’s beat the psychopathic traitor Lee Myung-bak to death!”

Also on Sunday, the North’s foreign  ministry accused Mr. Lee of trying to  disrupt American efforts to engage the  North.

South Korean officials stood by their  policy of not responding to  these invectives, which  they considered propaganda aimed  at driving a wedge between  Washington and Seoul and inciting a  political dispute within the South in an  election year.

Another view of the rostrum overlooking Kim Il Sung Square where VMar Ri Yong Ho (8th L) delivers a speech to a mass rally. In this image are: Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (L), Minister of People's Security Gen. Ri Myong Su (2nd L), Ministry of State Security Political Bureau Director Col. Gen. Kim Chang Sop (3rd L), NDC Member and Minister of State Security Gen. U Tong Chuk (4th L), NDC Member and KPA General Political Department Deputy Director VMar Kim Jong Gak (5th L), KWP Secretary and Director of General Affairs Tae Jong Su (6th L) and NDC Member and KWP Secretary of Military Industries Pak To Chun. (Photo: KCNA)

Prior to Kim Jong Un’s inspection the National Defense Commission [NDC] Policy Department held a press conference in Pyongyang.  The Associated Press reports:

On Saturday, a spokesman for North Korea’s National Defense Commission told a news conference that the United States must halt the joint military drills if it is serious about peace on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea calls the U.S.-South Korean war games a threat to peace at a time when U.S. and North Korean officials are holding talks aimed at improving relations.

The U.S. and North Korea announced last week that Washington had agreed to provide 240,000 metric tons of food aid in exchange for a freeze of North Korea’s nuclear activities. A U.S. envoy is scheduled to meet with North Korean officials in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss the distribution of food.

The deal is seen as a first step toward resuming six-nation nuclear disarmament-for-aid talks suspended in 2009, and a tentative move toward improving the tense relationship between the wartime foes. The six-nation talks involve the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.

“Talks and military exercises are contradictory,” Maj. Gen. Kwak Chol Hui, deputy director of the National Defense Commission’s Policy Department, told the news conference Saturday in response to a question from The Associated Press.

North Korea considers the drills an additional affront because they are being staged during the semiofficial 100-day mourning period following Kim Jong Il’s Dec. 17 death.

Across Pyongyang, vans mounted with speakers drove through the streets Saturday broadcasting the statement denouncing South Korea. State media reported that 1.7 million young North Koreans signed up for military service in a 24-hour period and that hundreds of thousands signed petitions calling for revenge. The figures could not be confirmed independently.

Meanwhile, in another indication of his status in the central leadership, a documentary film on Kim Jong Un’s military inspections and other public activities during January 2012 has been released.

Kim Jong Un Visits Missile Command

Kim Jong Un (3rd R) looks at training equipments during his visit to the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command in the suburbs of Pyongyang. Also in attendance is Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK state media reported on 2 March 2012 (Friday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) inspected what KCNA identifies as the Korean People’s Army’s [KPA] “Strategic Rocket Force Command” northeast of Pyongyang between Kangdong and So’ngch’o'n Counties.  Reported to be in attendance were VMar Ri Yong Ho (Chief of the KPA General Staff), Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, Ri Jae Il (Senior Deputy Director, Party Propaganda and Agitation Department) and Hwang Pyong So (Deputy Director, Party Organization Guidance Department).

KCNA reports:

He was greeted by commanding officers of the command.

After receiving a salute, he looked round the monument to the on-the-spot instructions of President Kim Il Sung and the monument to the field guidance of leader Kim Jong Il, conducted by commanding officers.

He made the rounds of military targets, the room for the study of military affairs and military lecture rooms to acquaint himself with the unit’s performance of duty, training and normal combat preparedness.

He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the unit has conducted dynamic trainings for firmly arming its service personnel with the WPK’s Juche-oriented idea of military strategy and tactics and war methods after successfully building a room for study of military affairs and military lecture rooms meeting the need of a modern warfare and a drill ground for undergoing trainings under the simulated conditions of an actual battle.

He praised the unit for having in place apparatuses helpful to sufficiently giving education with the help of vivid visual aid, education combined with practice and education in actions and conducting effective trainings under the simulated conditions of a battle.

He told the service personnel of the unit to make thorough-going preparations for battles, aware that nothing is more important for the army whose mission is to protect the destiny of the country and the nation with arms than making preparations for battles, and reduce the citadel of the enemy to a sea in flames by merciless firing strikes if it goes into action.

He went round an education room, bedroom and wash-cum-bath house of the company honored with the title of twice three-revolution red flag under the unit and its mess hall and daily provision store.

He looked round the Unjong Health Complex built by the unit itself.

He had pictures taken with the servants of the complex and the service personnel of the unit separately.

He planted memorial trees together with service personnel of the unit.

He planted Picea Koraiensis and Magnolia Kobushi which he had brought with him in the place where the monument to the on-the-spot instructions of Kim Il Sung and the monument to the field guidance of Kim Jong Il are standing.

He underlined the need for the KPA to plant and cultivate more trees around its units to turn the areas where they are stationed into pleasure grounds and recreation centers.

Kim Jong Un (R) looks at equipment during his visit to the Strategic Rocket Force Command. Also seen in attendance is VMar Ri Yong Ho (L). (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

During his visit to the rocket command, Kim Jong Un (2nd R) visits a commissary, where KWP Deputy (vice) Director Hwang Pyong So (2nd L) samples food (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (10th L) poses for a commemorative photograph with the service personnel of the KPA Strategic Rocket Command. Also in attendance are Hwang Pyong So (6th L), Ri Yong Ho (7th L), Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (7th R) and Ri Jae Il (6th R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

During his inspection of the rocket command, Kim Jong Un, the members of the central leadership who accompanied him and the unit commanders, planted trees in observation of the country’s tree-planting day on 2 March.  This presented the opportunity for Pyongyang image makers to recreate another “generation after generation” image.

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) plants a tree at the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Il (2nd R) plants a tree at the Mangyo'ngdae Revolutionary School in western Pyongyang in 1991 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

This inspection was Kim Jong Un’s first public appearance since the 29 February 2012 announcement that the DPRK would suspend nuclear and long-range missile testing in exchange for US-provided nutritional assistance.  KJU’s inspection occurred after the DPRK issued another statement (through the KPA Supreme Command) threatening “sacred war” against South Korea.  Yonhap reports:

The latest harsh rhetoric comes despite cautious optimism following a nuclear deal between North Korea and the United States. It also came hours after South Korea’s point man on North Korea urged Pyongyang to accept Seoul’s recent offers for talks.

The North claimed Friday that a South Korean army unit in the western port of Incheon scrawled unspeakable defamatory words below portraits mocking the North’s leaders carelessly hung on walls and doors.

The Supreme Command of the Korean People’s Army warned in a statement that it “will indiscriminately stage its own-style sacred war to wipe out the group of traitors.”

The North’s “sacred war with main emphasis on physical attack” would continue until all acts hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the North are brought to an end, according to the statement carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

North Korea has recently ratcheted up verbal threats against South Korea over its ongoing military exercises with the U.S. that Pyongyang says are rehearsals for a northward invasion.

A South Korean military unit in Incheon posted two photos of North Korea’s late leader Kim Jong-il and his youngest son, new leader Kim Jong-un, inside a building with a sign that read “let’s kill Kim Jong-un,” according to local media.

Defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said in Seoul that it is “very inappropriate” for the North to issue a threat, noting Seoul did not protest any of the North’s slandering. He also said the North’s warning is “not worthy of a response.”

North Korea has frequently called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak a “traitor” for having aggravated inter-Korean ties.

The North has bristled at any outside criticism of its leader and has made similar verbal threats against the South for leaflets over the past several months, although no actual attack has occurred.

Also revealed in the same Yonhap report was the construction of a new statue of Kim Jong Il, which will stand in front of the Museum of the Korean Revolution on Mansu Hill next to the one of Kim Il Sung.  There have been several reports of both DPRK citizens and foreign delegations bringing flowers to pay respect to the KIS Statue on Ryongnam Hill near KIS University, most recently railway officials visiting the country to attend a regional meeting of the Organization of Railways Cooperation.

Koryo Tours’ Hannah Barraclough writes:

A new statue of Kim Jong Il on a horse was unveiled at Mansudae Art Studio on the 15^th Feb. It has been placed alongside the one already existing there of Kim Il Sung on a horse. It also appears that they are making a new large statue of Kim Jong Il which will go on Mansu Hill next to the one of Kim Il Sung there which is currently covered up. This is expected to be completed by April. Nick and I visited this new statue but we were unable to get any photos – you can see images here though

Kim Jong Un Inspects IV Army Corps Units

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) watches members of an artillery company training during an inspection of IV Army Corps in South Hwanghae Province (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK media reported on 25 February (Saturday) that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) inspected several units under the Korean People’s Army [KPA] IV Corps, including its 4th battalion which was responsible for the artillery shelling of  Yo’np’yo’ng Island on 23 November 2010.  According to KCNA he was accompanied by Gen. Kim Myong Kuk, Gen. Kim Won Hong, Gen. Pak Jae Gyong, Col. Gen. Hwang Pyong So, Col. Gen. Kim Chun Sam and personnel of the KPA Supreme Command.

He inspected the 1st and 4th Battalions under KPA Unit 403 stationed in the forefront area.

He gave the service personnel of the battalions pairs of binoculars and automatic rifles as souvenirs before having photo sessions with them.

He inspected combat positions of the 4th Battalion to learn in detail about its combat preparations.

The battalion is a proud sub-unit well known to the world as it turned Yonphyong Island into the one in flames by retaliating against south Korean puppet warmongers’ reckless shelling into territorial waters of the DPRK side to launch aggression through merciless shelling.

He highly appreciated the feats the soldiers performed by showing what the arms in the hands of the powerful revolutionary army of Mt. Paektu and the battle fought by it were like.

He went round a soldiers’ bedroom and wash-cum-bath house of a company under the battalion and took deep care of their living.

After viewing the combat positions of the sub-unit in the light of terrains and combat preparation, he said the present deployment of the sub-unit was not suitable from a tactical point of view, setting forth a task to courageously transfer and deploy its forces in new positions.

He went round a soldiers’ bedroom, education room and various other places of a company under the 1st Battalion to take warm care of the soldiers’ living.

He inspected a forward command post of KPA Unit 688 stationed in a forefront area.

He mounted the forward command post where he learned about the deployment of reinforced forces and equipment of the unit defending Yonphyong Island of the south Korean puppet army.

Feasting his eyes on vast defence theatres in the forefront area and the land of the south whose sky is overcast with dark clouds of war due to the enemy’s preparations for a new war of aggression such as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises, he learned in detail about the terrains, the distribution of forces of the unit and its guard duty.

He put forward the important tasks which would serve as guidelines for increasing the combat capability of the unit in every way and consolidating the defence theatre as firm as a rock in view of provocations of the enemy.

He continued his journey to inspect a battalion under KPA Unit 493 stationed in a forefront area.

He mounted a watch post of a costal artillery battalion under the unit where he looked over Paekryong Island near from it and learned about its guard duty.

Asking if there is any change in the enemy’s recent movements and how combat and technical equipment and forces are deployed, he underlined the need to further increase the density of firing in the future and steadily revise and supplement the proposal for sharing the firing duties and using equipment as required by a modern warfare and the changing deployment of enemy’s forces.

He guided soldiers of Artillery Piece No. 1 of the Second Company under the battalion in firepower training.

He inspected a battalion under KPA Unit 641 stationed in the forefront area.

He gave the soldiers of the battalion a pair of binoculars, automatic rife and machinegun as souvenirs before having a photo session with them.

Making the rounds of an education room, bedroom, mess hall and other cultural and educational and supply service facilities, he paid deep attention to the service and living of soldiers.

The southwestern sector of the front is a hot spot where a war may break out any moment due to the enemy’s reckless provocations for aggression, he noted, calling for keeping the service personnel on utmost alert in view of the touch-and-go situation. He ordered them to make a powerful retaliatory strike at the enemy, should the enemy intrude even 0.001 mm into the waters of the country where its sovereignty is exercised.

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) visits a coastal defense position during an inspection of the IV Army Corps (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) looks through binoculars from a command post, as part of an inspection of the IV Army Corps. Also seen in attendance are Gen. Kim Won Hong (L), Col. Gen. Pyon In Son (2nd L) and Gen. Pak Jae Gyong (R) According to South Korean media, Col. Gen. Pyon, a former deputy defense minister, assumed command of IV Corps in August 2011 (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

KJU’s appearance was reported not long after the DPRK’s National Defense Commission [NDC] published a report in state media that threatened “a sacred war to counter of our own style and protect the security of the nation and the peace of the country” as a reaction to the annual joint US-ROK military exercises Key Resolve/Foal Eagle.  The NDC’s statement was released as US and DPRK diplomats concluded a third interaction over the DPRK’s nuclear weapons program in Beijing.

The Lee Myung Bak group of traitors has embarked upon the road of kicking off again DPRK-targeted Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises in league with the brigandish U.S. imperialists, defying strong domestic and foreign public protest and condemnation.

Huge troops of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and their strike means have already been deployed in south Korea and in its vicinity and huge forces of the three services of the puppet army have been put on a wartime posture.

Key Resolve and Foal Eagle are unpardonable war hysteria kicked up by the hooligans to desecrate our mourning period and an unpardonable infringement upon our sovereignty and dignity.

This is, at the same time, a blatant challenge to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and an undisguised act of disturbing them.

The on-going development goes to prove that the Lee group which is more dead than alive, forsaken by the times, is still resorting to the last-ditch moves for war, backed by its American master.

In view of the prevailing situation, the National Defence Commission of the DPRK clarifies the following principled stand internally and externally:

First. Our army and people will foil the moves of the group of traitors to the nation and warmongers at home and abroad for a new war with a sacred war of our own style.

We have so far made every possible effort to avert a war and defend peace with a high degree of patience and magnanimity.

The Lee group and the warmongers at home and abroad are, however, unhesitatingly plunging to the road of an adventurous war, dreaming of “Egyptian style change” and “Libyan style victory”, ignorant of who their rival is.

War maneuvers staged against the belligerent party are, in essence, a silent declaration of a war.

The declaration of the war is bound to be accompanied by a corresponding physical retaliation.

Now that a war has been declared against us, the army and people are firmly determined to counter it with a sacred war of our own style and protect the security of the nation and the peace of the country.

The target of this war is the Lee group and hordes of warmongers at home and abroad.

The Lee group is hordes of traitors for all ages as it is rubbing salt into the wound of the compatriots grieving over the great loss to the nation through a renewed saber-rattling, not content with the high treason it had already committed during that period.

The U.S. imperialists are the sworn enemy keen to launch another war of aggression to impose “American style political mode” upon us, not content with the painful tragedy of division forced upon our nation, the tragedy that has lasted for more than half a century.

The sacred war will make a clean sweep of the Lee group and those warmongers from this land by the war mode of our own style, our strong striking means unknown to the world.

Second. The just struggle of the people in the south and overseas compatriots will be further intensified to bring down the Lee regime under the motto of peace against war.

The Lee group is nothing but human scum which had been forsaken by all Koreans already long ago.

“Myung Bak, quit” and “Let’s judge the Lee Myung Bak regime and set up a new government for national reconciliation.” This is the shout of the political and social circles in south Korea and the mind-set there.

The Lee regime is little short of a ship in distress which began sinking in face of the stormy waves of the angry public.

We admonished the group enough to make it understand and set an example in the four years of its office and showed it through an actual battle what our strike that turned waters into a sea in flames.

This being a hard reality, the Lee regime is still persisting in sycophancy, submission and treachery, failing to come to its senses.

That is why we branded the group of traitors as the one which should not be let to go scot-free.

In response to the mind-set in the south, our army and people will encourage and firmly back the people in the south and overseas compatriots in their nation-wide struggle to bring down the Lee regime in the idea of attaching importance to the nation and putting it above anything else and from a patriotic stand.

Third. Our army and people will show the U.S. imperialist warmongers hell-bent on war of aggression and intervention what their arms and real war are like.

It is the U.S. imperialist aggressors who are chiefly to blame for having driven into a phase of war the unstable situation on the peninsula where neither war nor peace has persisted for such a long period. It is again those warmongers who have staged ceaseless provocative war maneuvers in south Korea and in its vicinity, pursuant to their scenarios for a war of aggression against the north to confirm their feasibility.

In view of the intensified moves of the U.S. imperialists to ignite a war against the DPRK, they will shatter reckless military provocations, arms build-up and war maneuvers with increased posture to fight a resolute battle against the U.S. and launch a struggle of high intensify to drive out of this land the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces, the main hurdle lying in the way of achieving peace and security on the peninsula.

They will always keep the bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces and centers for their military operations against the DPRK within striking range and wipe them out at a single blow, should they provoke us.

Nuclear weapons are not the monopoly of the U.S. We have war means more powerful than the U.S. nukes and ultra-modern striking equipment which no one has ever possessed.

The U.S. is sadly mistaken if it thinks it is safe as its mainland is far away across the ocean.

There is no limit to the striking intensity and range of our army and people to wipe out the aggressors.

It is their unchangeable stand to show the enemy what their arms and real war are like.

The ongoing struggle to bury the group of traitors and warmongers at home and abroad is a patriotic struggle on which the destiny of the nation in the new century of Juche year hinges.

No force on earth can overpower the single-mindedly united army and people of the DPRK.

Under the leadership of the peerless brilliant commander of Mt. Paektu they will usher in a new era of national reconciliation and peace and prosperity proudly and forcefully, shattering every war move of the enemy.

NDC Statement Says “Should Not to Expect Any Change from the DPRK”

On 30 December 2011, DPRK media reported that postage stamps memorializing KJI have been released. This one depicts Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Il visiting Kaeso'n Youth Fun Fair (amusement park) on 4 December 2011 (Photo: KCNA)

The DPRK government returned to work on 30 December (Friday), after the country finished a 10-day mourning period and funeral ceremonies for Kim Jong Il.  The government’s supreme policymaking organization, the National Defense Commission (formerly chaired by KJI), issued a statement thanking those who sent condolences, berating the ROK and South Korean officials and indicating, “the army and people of the DPRK [will] win the final victory…closely rallied behind the dear respected Kim Jong Un.”  The NDC statement also reiterated previous rhetoric from May 2011 that the country “will never deal” with the current leadership in ROK.  KCNA reports:

We feel grateful to the heads of state and party leaders, governments, organizations and personages of many countries of the world and compatriots at home and abroad for expressing profound condolences, sharing sorrow with us, and sending sincere sympathy and encouragement during the mourning period. We will never forget them.

When the whole nation is overcome with grief over the great loss, only the south Korean puppet group committed thrice-cursed crimes.

The DPRK National Defence Commission, above all, discloses before the world and the nation the truth about those crimes of the south Korean puppet group.

Though the country remains divided into the north and the south due to foreign forces, we are one nation.

The army and people of the DPRK, though suffering pain resulting from the division, have valued this homogenous nation more than anything else, always regarding as their faith the truth that the nation is above the ideology and system.

But this time the south Korean puppet group perpetrated such rash act as hurting the grief-stricken compatriots and rubbing salt into their wounds, determined to stop remaining as part of the nation of its own accord.

No sooner had the important report of the DPRK been released than the south Korean puppet group convened an emergency “state security meeting” and “state affairs meeting” and put even overseas missions on emergency alert duty, kicking off rackets to create the impression that a “contingency” was created as expected, and a “golden opportunity” presented itself to lead the north to “system change”.

The south Korean authorities put the three services of the puppet army on an emergency alert and ordered them to adopt combat posture, creating a war-like atmosphere on the ground and in the seas and air. They let over 30 right-wing conservative reactionary organizations flock to the forefront areas to scatter anti-DPRK leaflets whose content was hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and inciting disturbance.

Traitor Lee Myung Bak spearheaded all these operations.

He sought to attain his foolish goal by taking the advantage of the mourning period, and if that fails, to lead the DPRK to “contingency” and “change of system”.

From the olden times, it was considered inhumane to raise one’s fist at the neighbor visited by misfortune and seek profits.

Even a foreign country which has no diplomatic relations with the DPRK stopped the planned military exercises being considerate of the sorrow of the army and people of the DPRK and set a mourning period to express condolences. In the light of this, the traitorous group’s bullying acts can not but be viewed as one defying human ethics and morality.

Lee group’s stepped-up show of enmity toward the DPRK culminated in its act of blocking south Koreans who wanted to visit Pyongyang to mourn the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

South Koreans from all walks of life upon the news of Kim Jong Il’s demise that came like a bolt from the blue strongly called for expressing condolences and dispatching mourners group regardless of whether they belonged to progressive or conservative camps and ruling or opposition parties.

The traitorous group of Lee turned down all the demands, describing south Koreans’ request to express condolences as “sympathy to north’s citizens separated from its regime”. It banned the dispatch of mourners’ group talking about “chaos of south Korean society”. It foolishly tried to estrange the popular masses of the DPRK from its headquarters on one hand and totally ban the Pyongyang visits much hoped by broad south Koreans by taking the measures of “selected visits” and “restricting mourners groups” on the other hand.

Shared sorrow lessens while shared pleasure increases.

Expressing condolences and sending condolatory messages have been good manners and customs and ethical tradition peculiar to the Korean nation from the ancient times.

It is for this reason that we brand the evil act of the Lee group as treason bereft of elementary human reason and morality.

The group dared try to link the “final responsibility” for the warship “Cheonan” sinking and shelling on Yonphyong Island with the supreme leadership of the DPRK. They let loose such reckless remarks that the DPRK must present justifications for south Korea to move if it wants to have the “May 24 measure of the authorities” retracted and the north-south relations mended this time.

It is hideous crime that can never be pardoned in any case to dare hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK over its army’s self-defensive shell-firing on Yonphyong Island for coping with preemptive provocation in the wake of the “Cheonan” warship sinking case which is not related to the DPRK.

The group of traitors even hatched a plot to prompt the DPRK make a “change”, while talking about its non-existent “contingency” and “instability” of its dignified system and regime. This evildoing adds to the said crimes.

Upon joint authorization of the Party, state, army and people of the DPRK, the DPRK National Defence Commission clarifies the following principled stand on the group of traitors’ hideous crimes committed at the time of the great misfortune of the nation:

As already declared, the DPRK will have no dealings with the Lee Myung Bak group of traitors forever.

To keep company with them is a disgrace for the clear and honest-minded Korean nation as they are ignorant in politics, vulgar in morals and lack elementary human nature.

We will surely force the group of traitors to pay for its hideous crimes committed at the time of the great national misfortune.

The veritable sea of tears shed by the army and people of the DPRK will turn into that of retaliatory fire to burn all the group of traitors to the last one and their wailing into a roar of revenge to smash the stronghold of the puppet forces.

The conservative media of south Korea would also face due punishment as they are backing and following the group of traitors in its treacherous act against humanity through false report, fabrication, speculation and presumption, oblivious of their mission to be fair speaker for the public and pioneer of true public.

The south Korean puppets and world reactionaries should no longer make a fool of themselves in their bid to lead the DPRK to “contingency” and make its “system instable”, something unimaginable.

All the soldiers and people of the DPRK turned out to mourn the demise of leader Kim Jong Il since the announcement of his demise, an indication of the great unity of the party, army and people behind the headquarters of the revolution in single mind and invincibility of the Korean-style socialist system.

The army and people of the DPRK will unswervingly keep to the path of Juche indicated by Kim Jong Il true to the intention of President Kim Il Sung.

Taking this opportunity, we solemnly declare with confidence that the south Korean puppets and foolish politicians around the world should not expect any change from the DPRK.

The army and people of the DPRK will keep to the path of improving north-south relations and achieving peace and prosperity.

Mended north-south relations we want are not improvement based on “high-handedness” and “flexibility” as touted by Lee Myung Bak group of traitors or on crafty gimmick of those rhetorics.

The DPRK wants to improve relations with the south and bring peace and prosperity through the nationwide drive to implement the historic June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration under the banner of independence, peace and reunification.

The world will see how the army and people of the DPRK win the final victory after turning their sorrow and tears into strength and courage, closely rallied behind the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong Il posthumously received, once again, the DPRK’s highest state honor and declared “Hero of the Republic.”  Xinhua English reports:

The title of “Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)” was awarded to late leader Kim Jong Il, the official KCNA announced Friday, citing a decree by the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly on Dec. 19.

Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, “performed undying revolutionary feats for the country and its people, the times and history,” said the decree.

“He developed in depth the Juche idea, the Songun idea founded by President Kim Il Sung,” and developed the WPK, army and state “shining with his immortal name and placed the country’s dignity and power onto the highest level,” said the KCNA, citing the decree.

True to the president’s last instructions for national reunification, the decree said that Kim Jong Il led all his countryfellows on the road of independence and great national unity and ushered in the June 15 era of reunification.

He contributed greatly to “achieving the victory of the socialist cause, world peace and stability, friendship and solidarity among peoples under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism.”

Business at shops near the North Korean Embassy in Beijing picks up on Dec. 30, 2011, as North Korean officials and residents returned to Beijing from their home country after the Dec. 19-29 mourning period for late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. (Photo: Yonhap)

Kim Jong Il Kicks Off KPA Winter Training Cycle

Kim Jong Il is briefed prior to directing what DPRK media reported to be "combined tactical exercises" of KPA Large Combined Unit #630. Also in attendance is son and designated successor, Kim Jong Un (R), who holds the position vice-chairman of the Party Central Military Commission (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

DPRK media reports that Kim Jong Il supervised the “combined tactical exercises” of Korean People’s Army [KPA] large combined unit 630.  The accounts of the military exercises came amid the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs [MOFA] saying the development of a light water reactor and low enriched uranium is “progressing apace” and also as an international aid conference began in the south.  KCNA reports:

After receiving a salute Kim Jong Il mounted the commanding post where he was briefed on the exercises and commanded the combined tactical exercises of the unit.

When the exercises started, a-match-for-a-hundred stalwart fighters stormed the enemy positions and carried out their duties under various situations, attacking and obliterating targets at a stroke.

The exercises strikingly demonstrated the firm determination of the servicepersons to mercilessly destroy provocateurs if they fire even a single bullet into the inviolable territory of the DPRK, and accomplish the historic cause of national reunification at any cost. They also showed that not a single enemy can survive the unpredictable counterattack of the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK which are carrying forward the shining traditions of the anti-Japanese struggle.

Watching the high-level exercises to which the Juche-oriented war tactics are applied, Kim Jong Il expressed great satisfaction with the fact that soldiers have been fully prepared to timely foil any surprise invasion by enemies and defend the socialist homeland as firm as a rock.

He highly estimated their successful exercises.

He repeatedly expressed satisfaction with the fact that the commanding officers of the large combined unit are rounding off their combat preparations with high innovative insight to handle manifold situations while keeping themselves abreast of modern military science and technologies and modes of combat actions.

He praised the soldiers for stirring up the hot wind for intensive exercises, saying they are acquiring combat rules applicable to an actual war by conducting effective exercises away from formalism with the revolutionary determination and enthusiasm to unconditionally attain the remarkably high goal of the exercises.

The army is under obligation to defend the destiny of the country and the nation with arms, he said, calling for intensifying combat exercises and perfecting combat preparations, cherishing that nothing is more important than combat preparations for the army.

The socialist homeland is impregnable as dependable soldiers as those of the large combined unit stand guard over it, ready to creditably carry out any combat order given by the party and the country at a moment’s notice, he added.

It is essential to continue channeling big efforts into strengthening the KPA in order to accomplish generation after generation the revolutionary cause of Juche, the Songun revolutionary cause that was started in the thick forests of Mt. Paektu, he said. He urged soldiers to put spurs to increasing the military capabilities which represent the sovereignty of the country and the nation and state power, and thus increase the combat capabilities in every way so that a soldier can match a hundred enemies.

He then went round a company under KPA Unit 169 honored with the title of the O Jung Hup-led 7th Regiment.

Going round a bedroom, education room, mess hall and other places, he learned about the military service of the soldiers.

Very pleased with the excellent conditions for military service provided to the soldiers by the unit, he called on the commanding officers to consider it as their noble moral obligation to take care of soldiers’ life so that they can glorify their military service with feats without feeling any inconvenience.

On Tuesday (29 November), Korean Central Television [KCTV] aired a film of Kim Jong Il watching joint, live fire military exercises with other members of the central leadership during September, which was followed by a radio editorial reiterating the DPRK’s earlier trope of turning the south into “a sea of fire.”  Yonhap reports:

North Korea on Wednesday renewed its threat to turn South Korea’s presidential office into a “sea of fire,” once again stepping up its offensive against the Seoul government.

North Korea’s military first issued the warning last week in response to military exercises by the South near the inter-Korean maritime border. The drills were conducted to mark the first anniversary of the North’s Nov. 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, in which four South Koreans were killed, but Pyongyang viewed them as a rehearsal for war against it.

“(South Korea) should understand clearly that our warning is not empty talk, and refrain from rash acts,” said the official Radio Pyongyang.

The report also repeated North Korean claims that the attack on Yeonpyeong was a justified response of self-defense to South Korea’s military exercises at that time.