Avian Influenza Outbreak at Duck Farm in Pyongyang

The Pyongyang Tudan Duck Farm in east Pyongyang, where an outbreak of avian flu was discovered in mid-April 2013 (Photos: Google image and KCNA/FLPH file photo)

An outbreak of a new strain of avian influenza (H5N1) has been found in the DPRK.  On 19 April 2013, the outbreak was discovered in one cage of ducks at the Pyongyang Tudan Duck Farm who exhibited symptoms  of avian flu.  After the initial cage of infected ducks began to die, cages of ducks were tested by the Central Veterinary Station (a national laboratory subordinated to the State Academy of Sciences) on 2 May 2013 and revealed that 20 cages of ducks were infected with avian flu.  Approximately 164,000 ducks died from avian flu or were killed.  The outbreak of avian flue at the Tudan Duck Farm was later corroborated by a second round of tests conducted by the Veterinary Institute of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences (subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture).  On 13 May 2013 the DPRK Ministry of Agriculture’s Anti-Epizootic Department submitted a formal notification of the avian flu outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health.  Since the initial outbreak, DPRK authorities moved to quarantine and cull infected animals, control the shipment of livestock inside the country and test other animals for the disease.  The outbreak of H5N1 has been speculatively linked to the ducks’ contact with wild birds or animals.  The summary of the DPRK’s report to the World Organization for Animal Health can be read here [PDF].

On 14 May 2013, KCNA interviewed two DPRK officials, Pak Myong Su from the Ministry of Public Health and Jon Song Hun from the Korea Pugang Pharmaceutical Company, on the development of a drug called Kumdang-2 which was touted an effective vaccination against human cases of avian flu.  According to the interview:

Question: Please tell me about danger of virus H7N9 and measures for prevention of infection.

Pak: The virus had been known to be low in toxicity with the cause and way of its infection uncertain, but later it was confirmed through gene analysis that it has a highly infectious toxicity.

With an increasing number of people infected or dead by this virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for taking strict measures against the spread of the virus.

What is most important for people is to enhance their immunity, while taking anti-epidemic measures.

Patients, infected with epidemics including the bird flu, are all weak in immunity. Therefore, it is advisable to take medicines helpful to enhancing immunity.

Q: I know that Kumdang-2 Injection, manufactured by the Korea Pugang Pharmaceutic Co., Ltd., has been considered worldwide to be one of highly effective adjuvants.

Jon: As early as in 2003, WHO warned that various strains of epidemic flu viruses would sweep throughout the world and inflict enormous damages on mankind, while calling for development of medicines to prevent infection of all strains of influenza viruses.

After many years of research and clinical trials, the Korea Pugang Pharmaceutic Co., Ltd. made Kumdang-2 Injection composed of the compounds of insam saccharides plus REE (rare earth elements) as main component and micro quantities of gold and platinum.

Kumdang-2 Injection, once injected into a living body, stimulates hypothalamus, the human body’s supreme nerve system, thereby optimizing its immune system as a whole, and boosts over 16 times the capacity of generating the interferon, the anti-virus effects whereof are so strong and wide that it can oppress the severe new flu virus, too.

Kumdang-2 Injection has enjoyed great popularity for its wonderful effects and many countries widely use it as not only immune activators but high-quality medicine, much more efficacious than antibiotics.

According to the clinical records, three rounds of its injection in every five minutes kill influenza virus H1N1.

On 18 May 2013, Rodong Sinmun published a fairly detailed account about what the central authorities were doing to deal with the outbreak of avian flu.  After the discovery of the outbreak in April, according to Rodong, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) “gave precious instruction on establishing thorough measures to ensure that bird flu does not come into our country, emergency anti-epidemic committees that include senior functionaries in relevant sectors were organized in every province, city (district), and county.”  Rodong also reported that “functionaries of the National Emergency Anti-Epidemic Commission are highly upholding the noble intent of the respected and beloved marshal, who always gives great attention to promoting the people’s health, and meticulously planning and coordinating organization work to ensure that patients with the new type of bird flu do not occur.”  The regional and local anti-epidemic committees “go deep among the masses and inform them in a mobile manner of issues that arise in pro-actively conducting this work, they are putting great effort into actively utilizing a variety of means to ensure the normalization of hygiene propaganda and examination work.”

Late DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Il visits the Tudan Duck Farm in October 2011 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Authorities of the Ministry of Public Health “sent explanatory and dialogue lecture materials on preventing the new type of bird flu to various places nationwide in a short time, and they are actively establishing measures to conduct hygiene propaganda and examination work at a high level for people on site.”  During late April, according to Rodong, “Ministry of Public Health functionaries and approximately 1,000 medical functionaries from various treatment and prevention organs, beginning with the Pyongyang University of Medicine at Kim Il Sung University, performed hygiene propaganda activities for well over 40,000 households in the capital, and hundreds of medical functionaries did so for citizens at dozens of spots along major bus routes.” From late April to mid-May Rodong reported that “many youths, students, and medical functionaries went out to people’s houses, coal mines, and farm villages and carried out hygiene propaganda for approximately 300,000 workers, and thousands of medical functionaries conducted examinations and checkups for nearly 500,000 people” and that “hygiene propaganda activities by social hygiene propaganda forces and propaganda vehicles such as the Youth League Central Committee and Education Committee are being actively conducted through various formats and methods.”  The informational campaign “activities are being carried out nationwide for an average of millions of workers at every level each day, and employees working at farms everywhere are receiving examinations and checkups by medical functionaries running clinics.”

The Ministry of Public Health and other central authorities were also taking practical measures to contain the avian flu outbreak.  Rodong Sinmun reported that “work to establish hygienic and cultural living environments and working conditions is being launched more vigorously than at any time before at various places nationwide, and medical functionaries at the Central Hygienic and Anti-Epidemic Station and provincial, city (district), and county hygiene and anti-epidemic stations are going down to their areas of responsibility and actively carrying out preventive work” and that “under the state’s unitary guidance, emergency anti-epidemic measures that can immediately eradicate bird flu if it appears in their particular area are thoroughly established now at every province, city (district), and county.”  Rodong also reported that “party members and workers everywhere are embracing a burning enthusiasm to display the superiority of our country’s socialist public health system that makes prevention its basis under the wise leadership of the respected and beloved marshal, and they are continuing to vigorously wage the struggle to prevent damage from bird flu in advance.”

Kim Jong Un Visits Mt. Myohyang Children’s Camp

Kim Jong Un (1) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (2) interact with children campers during a commemorative photo session after KJU toured the Mt. Myohyang Children’s Camp in North P’yo’ngan Province on 19 May 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (Ri So’l-chu) visited the Myohyangsan (Mount Myohyang) Children’s Camp in North P’yo’ngan Province on 19 May (Sunday).  KJU’s last reported public appearance was his visit to Ryongmun Liquor Factory.  Attending the visit to the children’s camp with KJU and RSJ were VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department), Choe Hwi (Senior Deputy [1st Vice] Director of the Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Propaganda and Agitation Department) and Pak Tae Song (Deputy KWP Department Director).  KJU began his visit to camp looking at a stone monument of a quotation by KJU’s paternal grandfather, late DPRK President and founder Kim Il Sung.  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un noted that “Kim Jong Il proposed on number of occasions the task for successfully rebuilding the children’s camp and personally examined its design in the last period of his life” and he “underscored the need to newly build the camp to be proud of in the world as early as possible and thus carry out without fail the behest of Kim Jong Il who made so much effort to provide a better camp to children.”

Kim Jong Un (1) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (2) pose for a commemorative photograph with campers, employees and officials at Mt. Myohyang Children’s Camp on 19 May 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Campers at the Mt. Myohyang Children’s Camp (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju toured the camp where they saw “bedrooms, the room for disseminating knowledge about camping, room for the Children’s Union, room for cultural information service, room for the preservation of gifts, music room, dinning room and hall to learn in detail about children’s camping.”  According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un said “to build the camp as required by the era of Military-First politics (So’ngun) is an important work for realizing the lifelong desire of the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il who did everything for the children as their tender-hearted father all their lives. He called for newly building the camp instead of remodeling it.”  Referring to the songs “We Are the Happiest in the World” and “General to Front, While Children to Camps,” Kim Jong Un said “I remember the loving care shown by the Generalissimos for posterity whenever I listen to those songs. There is a mountain of work to be done for building a thriving nation, but we must not spare investment in the building of camps. It is the determination of the party to excellently remodel not only this camp but all other camps, children’s palaces and children’s houses across the country.”

According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un also remarked that “when remodeling camps across the country, it is necessary to spruce up camps at the foot of mountains to match their landscape and those camps on seaside to do its landscape, and to this end it is important to work out designs well.”  KJU also “noted that the main objective of the revolution being made despite manifold difficulties and trials is to bring happiness to the children and it is necessary to enable them to lead a happy life with no more desire in the world.” Kim Jong Un met with some of the campers and posed for commemorative photos with them.

UNSC Approves New Sanctions for DPRK’s 3rd Nuclear Test (updated 8 March)

An animation of an experimental nuclear detonation included in a short video released by Urminzokkiri, a DPRK state media outlet, on 17 February 2013 (Photos: Urminzokkiri screengrabs)

The United Nations Security Council [UNSC] unanimously approved UNSCR # 2094 (2013 during a meeting  on 7 March (Thursday), in response to the DPRK’s third detonation of a nuclear device on 12 February 2013.  The text of the preamble and sanctions of UNSC #2094 (2013) is as follows [PDF available here]:

The Security Council today passed unanimously a resolution strengthening and expanding the scope of United Nations sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea by targeting the illicit activities of diplomatic personnel, transfers of bulk cash, and the country’s banking relationships, in response to that country’s third nuclear test on 12 February.

Acting under the Charter’s Chapter VII, through resolution 2094 (2013), the Council strongly condemned the test and maintained the sanctions it first imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 2006 under resolution 1718, deciding that some of those, along with additional restrictions, would apply to the individuals and entities listed in two annexes of today’s text.

In that connection, a travel ban and asset freeze were imposed on the Chief and Deputy Chief of a mining trading company it deemed “the primary arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons”, as well as on an official of a company designated by the Sanctions Committee to be the main financial entity for sales of conventional arms, ballistic missiles and goods related to assembly and manufacture.

The Council also froze the assets of a national-level organization responsible for the research and development of advanced weapons systems, and a conglomerate, designated by the Sanctions Committee in 2009, to be specializing in acquisition for the country’s defence industries and support to related sales.  Further, it added to the list of prohibited equipment and technologies, and included a list of luxury goods that cannot be imported.

States are directed under the resolution to enhance their vigilance over the diplomatic personnel of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in a provision aimed at halting any activities that could contribute to the country’s weapons programme, or which would violate any prohibited activities.

More specifically, States are directed to prevent the provision of financial services or the transfer of any financial or other assets or resources, including “bulk cash”, which might be used to evade the sanctions.  They are also called on to prohibit in their territories the opening of new branches or offices of “DPRK” banks and to prohibit such banks from establishing new joint ventures.

Moreover, in the effort to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to or from the Democratic People’s Republic or Korea or its nationals of any banned items, States are authorized to inspect all cargo within or transiting through their territory that has originated in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or that is destined for that country.  They are to deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory, if they have reasonable grounds to believe the aircraft contains prohibited items.

States were also asked to supply any information on non-compliance and to report to the Council within 90 days, and thereafter, at the Committee’s request, on measures they have taken to implement the text.  The Sanctions Committee is directed to respond to violations and is authorized to add to the list.  The expert panel, under the Committee’s auspices, was extended until 7 April 2014.

The Council promised to keep the situation under continuous review and stated it was “prepared to strengthen, modify, suspend or lift the measures as may be needed in light of the DPRK’scompliance”, or to “take further significant measures in the event of a further DPRK launch or nuclear test”.

The meeting began at 10:11 a.m. and ended at 10:14 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of Security Council resolution 2094 (2013) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous relevant resolutions, including resolution 825 (1993), resolution 1540 (2004), resolution 1695 (2006), resolution 1718 (2006), resolution 1874 (2009), resolution 1887 (2009) and resolution 2087 (2013), as well as the statements of its President of 6 October 2006 (S/PRST/2006/41), 13 April 2009 (S/PRST/2009/7) and 16 April 2012 (S/PRST/2012/13),

“Reaffirming that proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

“Underlining once again the importance that the DPRK respond to other security and humanitarian concerns of the international community,

“Expressing the gravest concern at the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“the DPRK”) on 12 February 2013 (local time) in violation of resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009) and resolution 2087 (2013), and at the challenge such a test constitutes to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (“the NPT”) and to international efforts aimed at strengthening the global regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the danger it poses to peace and stability in the region and beyond,

“Concerned that the DPRK is abusing the privileges and immunities accorded under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations,

“Welcoming the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) new Recommendation 7 on targeted financial sanctions related to proliferation, and urging Member States to apply FATF’s Interpretative Note to Recommendation 7 and related guidance papers for effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions related to proliferation,

“Expressing its gravest concern that the DPRK’s ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile­related activities have further generated increased tension in the region and beyond, and determining that there continues to exist a clear threat to international peace and security,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, and taking measures under its Article 41,

“1.   Condemns in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 12 February 2013 (local time) in violation and flagrant disregard of the Council’s relevant resolutions;

“2.   Decides that the DPRK shall not conduct any further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any other provocation;

“3.   Demands that the DPRK immediately retract its announcement of withdrawal from the NPT;

“4.   Demands further that the DPRK return at an early date to the NPT and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, bearing in mind the rights and obligations of States parties to the NPT, and underlines the need for all States parties to the NPT to continue to comply with their Treaty obligations;

“5.   Condemns all the DPRK’s ongoing nuclear activities, including its uranium enrichment, notes that all such activities are in violation of resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009) and 2087 (2013),reaffirms its decision that the DPRK shall abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately cease all related activities and shall act strictly in accordance with the obligations applicable to parties under the NPT and the terms and conditions of the IAEA Safeguards Agreement (IAEA INFCIRC/403);

“6.   Reaffirms its decision that the DPRK shall abandon all other existing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner;

“7.   Reaffirms that the measures imposed in paragraph 8 (c) of resolution 1718 (2006) apply to items prohibited by paragraphs 8 (a) (i), 8 (a) (ii) of resolution 1718 (2006) and paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 1874 (2009), decides that the measures imposed in paragraph 8 (c) of resolution 1718 (2006) also apply to paragraphs 20 and 22 of this resolution, and notes that these measures apply also to brokering or other intermediary services, including when arranging for the provision, maintenance or use of prohibited items in other States or the supply, sale or transfer to or exports from other States;

“8.   Decides further that measures specified in paragraph 8 (d) of resolution 1718 (2006) shall apply also to the individuals and entities listed in annexes I and II of this resolution and to any individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, and to entities owned or controlled by them, including through illicit means, and decides further that the measures specified in paragraph 8 (d) of resolution 1718 (2006) shall apply to any individuals or entities acting on the behalf or at the direction of the individuals and entities that have already been designated, to entities owned or controlled by them, including through illicit means;

“9.   Decides that the measures specified in paragraph 8 (e) of resolution 1718 (2006) shall also apply to the individuals listed in annex I of this resolution and to individuals acting on their behalf or at their direction;

“10.  Decides that the measures specified in paragraph 8 (e) of resolution 1718 (2006) and the exemptions set forth in paragraph 10 of resolution 1718 (2006) shall also apply to any individual whom a State determines is working on behalf or at the direction of a designated individual or entity or individuals assisting the evasion of sanctions or violating the provisions of resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution, and further decides that, if such an individual is a DPRK national, then States shall expel the individual from their territories for the purpose of repatriation to the DPRK consistent with applicable national and international law, unless the presence of an individual is required for fulfilment of a judicial process or exclusively for medical, safety or other humanitarian purposes, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall impede the transit of representatives of the Government of the DPRK to the United Nations Headquarters to conduct United Nations business;

“11.  Decides that Member States shall, in addition to implementing their obligations pursuant to paragraphs 8 (d) and (e) of resolution 1718 (2006), prevent the provision of financial services or the transfer to, through, or from their territory, or to or by their nationals or entities organized under their laws (including branches abroad), or persons or financial institutions in their territory, of any financial or other assets or resources, including bulk cash, that could contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, including by freezing any financial or other assets or resources on their territories or that hereafter come within their territories, or that are subject to their jurisdiction or that hereafter become subject to their jurisdiction, that are associated with such programmes or activities and applying enhanced monitoring to prevent all such transactions in accordance with their national authorities and legislation;

“12.  Calls upon States to take appropriate measures to prohibit in their territories the opening of new branches, subsidiaries, or representative offices of DPRK banks, and also calls upon States to prohibit DPRK banks from establishing new joint ventures and from taking an ownership interest in or establishing or maintaining correspondent relationships with banks in their jurisdiction to prevent the provision of financial services if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that these activities could contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution;

“13.  Calls upon States to take appropriate measures to prohibit financial institutions within their territories or under their jurisdiction from opening representative offices or subsidiaries or banking accounts in the DPRK if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that such financial services could contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, and other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution;

“14.  Expresses concern that transfers to the DPRK of bulk cash may be used to evade the measures imposed in resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution, andclarifies that all States shall apply the measures set forth in paragraph 11 of this resolution to the transfers of cash, including through cash couriers, transiting to and from the DPRK so as to ensure such transfers of bulk cash do not contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution;

“15.  Decides that all Member States shall not provide public financial support for trade with the DPRK (including the granting of export credits, guarantees or insurance to their nationals or entities involved in such trade) where such financial support could contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution;

“16.  Decides that all States shall inspect all cargo within or transiting through their territory that has originated in the DPRK, or that is destined for the DPRK, or has been brokered or facilitated by the DPRK or its nationals, or by individuals or entities acting on their behalf, if the State concerned has credible information that provides reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains items the supply, sale, transfer, or export of which is prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, for the purpose of ensuring strict implementation of those provisions;

“17.  Decides that, if any vessel has refused to allow an inspection after such an inspection has been authorized by the vessel’s flag State, or if any DPRK-flagged vessel has refused to be inspected pursuant to paragraph 12 of resolution 1874 (2009), all States shall deny such a vessel entry to their ports, unless entry is required for the purpose of an inspection, in the case of emergency or in the case of return to its port of origination, and decides further that any State that has been refused by a vessel to allow an inspection shall promptly report the incident to the Committee;

“18.  Calls upon States to deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contains items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, except in the case of an emergency landing;

“19.  Requests all States to communicate to the Committee any information available on transfers of DPRK aircraft or vessels to other companies that may have been undertaken in order to evade the sanctions or in violating the provisions of resolution 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, including renaming or re-registering of aircraft, vessels or ships, and requests the Committee to make that information widely available;

“20.  Decides that the measures imposed in paragraphs 8 (a) and 8 (b) of resolution 1718 (2006) shall also apply to the items, materials, equipment, goods and technology listed in annex III of this resolution;

“21.  Directs the Committee to review and update the items contained in the lists specified in paragraph 5 (b) of resolution 2087 (2013) no later than 12 months from the adoption of this resolution and on an annual basis thereafter, and decides that, if the Committee has not acted to update this information by then, the Security Council will complete action to update within an additional 30 days;

“22.  Calls upon and allows all States to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to or from the DPRK or its nationals, through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or not originating in their territories of any item if the State determines that such item could contribute to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, anddirects the Committee to issue an Implementation Assistance Notice regarding the proper implementation of this provision;

“23.  Reaffirms the measures imposed in paragraph 8 (a) (iii) of resolution 1718 (2006) regarding luxury goods, and clarifies that the term “luxury goods” includes, but is not limited to, the items specified in annex IV of this resolution;

“24.  Calls upon States to exercise enhanced vigilance over DPRK diplomatic personnel so as to prevent such individuals from contributing to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution;

“25.  Calls upon all States to report to the Security Council within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution, and thereafter upon request by the Committee, on concrete measures they have taken in order to implement effectively the provisions of this resolution, and requests the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1874 (2009), in cooperation with other UN sanctions monitoring groups, to continue its efforts to assist States in preparing and submitting such reports in a timely manner;

“26.  Calls upon all States to supply information at their disposal regarding non-compliance with the measures imposed in resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution;

“27.  Directs the Committee to respond effectively to violations of the measures decided in resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution, directs the Committee to designate additional individuals and entities to be subject to the measures imposed in resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), and this resolution, and decides that the Committee may designate any individuals for measures under paragraphs 8 (d) and 8 (e) of resolution 1718 (2006) and entities for measures under paragraph 8 (d) of resolution 1718 (2006) that have contributed to theDPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, or other activities prohibited by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, or to the evasion of measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution;

“28.  Decides that the mandate of the Committee, as set out in paragraph 12 of resolution 1718 (2006), shall apply with respect to the measures imposed in resolution 1874 (2009) and this resolution;

“29.  Recalls the creation, pursuant to paragraph 26 of resolution 1874 (2009), of a Panel of Experts, under the direction of the Committee, to carry out the tasks provided for by that paragraph,decides to extend until 7 April 2014 the Panel’s mandate, as renewed by resolution 2050 (2012), decides further that this mandate shall apply with respect to the measures imposed in this resolution,expresses its intent to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding further extension no later than twelve months from the adoption of this resolution, requests the Secretary-General to create a group of up to eight experts and to take the necessary administrative measures to this effect, and requests the Committee, in consultation with the Panel, to adjust the Panel’s schedule of reporting;

“30.  Emphasizes the importance of all States, including the DPRK, taking the necessary measures to ensure that no claim shall lie at the instance of the DPRK, or of any person or entity in the DPRK, or of persons or entities designated for measures set forth in resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), or this resolution, or any person claiming through or for the benefit of any such person or entity, in connection with any contract or other transaction where its performance was prevented by reason of the measures imposed by this resolution or previous resolutions;

“31.  Underlines that measures imposed by resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013) and this resolution are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DPRK;

“32.  Emphasizes that all Member States should comply with the provisions of paragraphs 8 (a) (iii) and 8 (d) of resolution 1718 (2006) without prejudice to the activities of diplomatic missions in the DPRK pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations;

“33.  Expresses its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation and welcomes efforts by Council members as well as other States to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue and to refrain from any actions that might aggravate tensions;

“34.  Reaffirms its support to the Six-Party Talks, calls for their resumption, urges all the participants to intensify their efforts on the full and expeditious implementation of the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement issued by China, the DPRK, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States, with a view to achieving the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east Asia;

“35.  Reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east Asia at large;

“36.  Affirms that it shall keep the DPRK’s actions under continuous review and is prepared to strengthen, modify, suspend or lift the measures as may be needed in light of the DPRK’scompliance, and, in this regard, expresses its determination to take further significant measures in the event of a further DPRK launch or nuclear test;

“37.  Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

Annex I

Travel ban/asset freeze

1.    YO’N CHO’NG NAM

(a)   Description: Chief Representative for the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID).  The KOMID was designated by the Committee in April 2009 and is the DPRK’s primary arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons.

2.    KO CH’O’L-CHAE

(a)   Description: Deputy Chief Representative for the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation (KOMID).  The KOMID was designated by the Committee in April 2009 and is the DPRK’sprimary arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons.

3.    MUN CHO’NG-CH’O’L

(a)   Description: Mun Cho’ng-Ch’o’l is a TCB official.  In this capacity he has facilitated transactions for TCB.  Tanchon was designated by the Committee in April 2009 and is the main DPRK financial entity for sales of conventional arms, ballistic missiles, and goods related to the assembly and manufacture of such weapons.

Annex II

Asset freeze

1.    SECOND ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

(a)   Description: The Second Academy of Natural Sciences is a national-level organization responsible for research and development of the DPRK’s advanced weapons systems, including missiles and probably nuclear weapons.  The Second Academy of Natural Sciences uses a number of subordinate organizations to obtain technology, equipment, and information from overseas, including Tangun Trading Corporation, for use in the DPRK’s missile and probably nuclear weapons programmes.  Tangun Trading Corporation was designated by the Committee in July 2009 and is primarily responsible for the procurement of commodities and technologies to support DPRK’s defence research and development programmes, including, but not limited to, weapons of mass destruction and delivery system programmes and procurement, including materials that are controlled or prohibited under relevant multilateral control regimes.

(b)   AKA:  2ND ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES; CHE 2 CHAYON KWAHAKWON; ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES; CHAYON KWAHAK-WON; NATIONAL DEFENSE ACADEMY; KUKPANG KWAHAK-WON; SECOND ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE; SANSRI

(c)   Location: Pyongyang, DPRK

2.    KOREA COMPLEX EQUIPMENT IMPORT CORPORATION

(a)   Description: Korea Ryonbong General Corporation is the parent company of Korea Complex Equipment Import Corporation.  Korea Ryonbong General Corporation was designated by the Committee in April 2009 and is a defence conglomerate specializing in acquisition for DPRK defence industries and support to that country’s military-related sales.

(b)   Location: Rakwon-dong, Pothonggang District, Pyongyang, DPRK

Annex III

Items, materials, equipment, goods and technology

Nuclear items

1.    Perfluorinated Lubricants

They can be used for lubricating vacuum pump and compressor bearings. They have a low vapour pressure, are resistant to uranium hexafluoride (UF6), the gaseous uranium compound used in the gas centrifuge process, and are used for pumping fluorine.

2.    UF6 Corrosion Resistant Bellow-sealed Valves

They can be used in uranium enrichment facilities (such as gas centrifuge and gaseous diffusion plants), in facilities that produce uranium hexafluoride (UF6), the gaseous uranium compound used in the gas centrifuge process, in fuel fabrication facilities and in facilities handling tritium.

Missile items

1.    Special corrosion resistant steels — limited to steels resistant to Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) or nitric acid, such as nitrogen stabilized duplex stainless steel (N-DSS).

2.    Ultra high-temperature ceramic composite materials in solid form (i.e. blocks, cylinders, tubes or ingots) in any of the following form factors:

(a)   Cylinders having a diameter of 120 mm or greater and a length of 50 mm or greater;

(b)   Tubes having an inner diameter of 65 mm or greater and a wall thickness of 25 mm or greater and a length of 50 mm or greater; or

(c)   Blocks having a size of 120 mm x 120 mm x 50 mm or greater.

3.    Pyrotechnically Actuated Valves.

4.    Measurement and control equipment usable for wind tunnels (balance, thermal stream measurement, flow control).

5.    Sodium Perchlorate.

Chemical weapons list

1.    Vacuum pumps with a manufacturer’s specified maximum flow-rate greater than 1 m3/h (under standard temperature and pressure conditions), casings (pump bodies), preformed casing-liners, impellers, rotors, and jet pump nozzles designed for such pumps, in which all surfaces that come into direct contact with the chemicals being processed are made from controlled materials.

Annex IV

Luxury goods

1.    Jewelry:

(a)   Jewelry with pearls;

(b)   Gems;

(c)   Precious and semi-precious stones (including diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds);

(d)   Jewelry of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal.

2.    Transportation items, as follows:

(a)   Yachts;

(b)   Luxury automobiles (and motor vehicles): automobiles and other motor vehicles to transport people (other than public transport), including station wagons;

(c)   Racing cars.

The United States [US] Mission to the UN Mission in New York provided a gist of the UNSCR #2094.  According to a news release from the United Nations:

Following its strong condemnation of the nuclear test conducted last month by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations Security Council today tightened sanctions on the country’s trade and banking, as well as travel by targeted officials.

Detailing the new sanctions through a resolution adopted unanimously by the 15-member body, the Council demanded that the country retract its announcement of withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and reaffirmed its decision that “the DPRK shall abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.”

Toward that goal, an existing ban on DPRK trade in items related to the nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and officials involved in it was specified as applying to a raft of items detailed in the resolution’s annexes, ranging from “pyrotechnically actuated valves,” to luxury goods such as jewelry with pearls and race cars.

The travel ban and asset freeze was extended to additional individuals and companies, including those involved in the trade of arms-related material and to the Second Academy of Natural Sciences in Pyongyang.

Welcoming the adoption of the resolution, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called its measures “effective and credible,” adding that “the Security Council has sent an unequivocal message to the DPRK that the international community will not tolerate its pursuit of nuclear weapons and related acts,” according to a statement released by his spokesperson.

Mr. Ban called on DPRK and all other Member States to fully comply with the resolution, reaffirming his commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through dialogue.

The statement noted the Secretary-General’s deep concern over heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula, and urged DPRK to refrain from any further destabilizing steps or “bellicose rhetoric.”

“At a time of new political leadership throughout the region, the Secretary-General urges Pyongyang to reverse course and build confidence with the country’s neighbours,” it stated.

Sanctions were first imposed on DPRK by the Council following nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, including a ban on the import of nuclear and missile technology. The sanctions were further tightened in January 2013 after the country reportedly launched a long-range Unha-3 rocket from its west coast.

Views of an army-people solidarity rally in Kim Il Sung Square on 7 March 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

In advance of the sanctions passage, the DPRK staged a mass Army-People solidarity rally in Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang on 7 March, ostensibly to support a recent statement of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Command.  On the platform (reviewing stand) for the rally were a number of DPRK senior officials including Kim Yong Nam (President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium), Choe Yong Rim (DPRK Cabinet Premier), VMar Kim Yong Chun (Vice Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission), Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary Pak To Chun, KWP Secretary Choe Tae Bok, KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon, Director of the KWP Machine-Building Industry Department Ju Kyu Chang and DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier and State Planning Commission (Gosplan) Chairman Ro Tu Chol along with “other senor party and state, officials of the party, armed forces and power organs, working people’s organizations, ministries, national institutions and scientific, educational, literary and art, public health and media fields, service persons of the KPA and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces and officials and working people of institutions, industrial establishments and farms at all levels and teachers and students of universities and colleges here, more than 100 000 in all.”

Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, Gen. Kang Pyo Yong, read the rally’s keynote statement.  The statement and the rally’s speakers “amounts to a declaration of the will of all service personnel and people to win a sure victory by ending at an early date the final decisive battle with the brigandish U.S. imperialists who are working hard to usurp the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK,” “warned that the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean warmongers should clearly understand who is their rival and what miserable fate awaits them and be fully aware that the right to preemptive nuclear attack is not their monopoly” and that “if the U.S. and puppet war-like forces bring the dark clouds of a nuclear war to hang over this land, the army and people of the DPRK will never miss the opportunity but sweep away the aggressors from the earth and glorify this year which marks the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War as a historic year of national reunification.”

On 6 March (Wednesday) Rodong Sinmun published an editorial for internal dissemination, of the conventional, official political mood in the DPRK:

Respected and beloved Comrade Kim Jong Un stated the following. “Our cause is just, and the final victory is ours.”

The invincible mettle of our entire army and people, who have heard the Korean People’s Army [KPA] Supreme Command spokesman’s statement, awesomely shakes this land and this sky. The unchanging faith and unyielding position of military-first Korea is that it absolutely cannot miss a precious opportunity to clearly show before history and the world what kind of power the great Mt Paektu state has, which the world does not yet know nor imagine.

This is how KPA General Jong Hyon Il expresses his soaring anger at the brigandish US imperialists and lackey forces such as the South Korean puppets.

“Clearly know that the US imperialists and lackey forces such as the South Korean puppets.”

The Worker-Peasant Red Guards [WPRG] and Young Red Guards [YRG], as well as all the services and branches of the KPA beginning with our front-line army groups, are in the status of having entered a war of all-out confrontation in accordance with the operations plan finally signed by the respected and beloved comrade Supreme Commander.  Our army never makes empty talk.  It is the mettle of the revolutionary strong army of Mt Paektu to mean what it says.

If the US imperialists brandish nuclear weapons, we — in complete contrast to former times — will by means of diversified, precision nuclear strike in our own style turn not just Seoul, but even Washington, into a sea of fire.

We are fully prepared to strike at will any target, at any time, with no limitation.

The unchanging position of our army and the Mt Paektu-style of response is that if the enemies pull out a knife, we knock it away with a long sword; if they show a gun, we shatter it with a missile; and if they threaten us with nuclear weapons, we meet them with a means of precision nuclear strike in our style, which is yet unknown to the world.

All of our people’s army officers and men regard the KPA Supreme Command spokesman’s statement as the cannon-roar of victory, and they wait only for the comrade Supreme Commander’s order.

Metals Industry Minister Han Hyo Yon said that the serious measures that were made clear to everyone through the KPA Supreme Command spokesman’s statement are the will of our people and a declaration of annihilation, and he spoke out as follows.

“For nearly 60 years, from the time the armistice agreement was signed until today, we have lived preparing for the final decisive battle with the US imperialists.

Every portion of metal our working class put in during that time was turned straightway into tanks and rocket launchers, and into strategic rockets and nuclear weapons.

We have everything for completely eliminating the sworn enemies from the face of the earth.”  The “Key Resolve” and “Foal Eagle” combined military exercises the US imperialists and South Korean puppets are conducting now are clearly offensive exercises for northward aggression and a nuclear test war against our Republic.

It seems that the enemies still do not understand very well how powerful our war deterrent and nuclear deterrent is.  Our people will embrace the spirit of annihilating the enemy and completely wipe out the US imperialist aggressors and the South Korean puppet warmongers through a war of all-out decisive confrontation and struggle by all the people.

With the US imperialists, who regard the law of the jungle as the law of survival, one has to resolve things only through the gun barrel, not by words.

We do not make empty talk. Beginning from the forthcoming day of 11 March, there is no such thing as an armistice agreement.

There can be no such thing as a second armistice agreement, either; there can only be a document of surrender from the US imperialists.

Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League Central Committee Chairman Jon Yong Nam remarked that he is boiling over with conviction of victory and the will to annihilate the enemy after hearing about the KPA Supreme Command spokesman’s statement, and he and stated the following.

“Today’s grave situation, in which the anti-Republic ‘sanctions’ maneuver of the US imperialists and South Korean puppets is proceeding toward military provocation, calls our youth to a patriotic holy war of justice.”

The national defense spirit of the 1950s’ young heroes who entered on the path of decisive war knowing that, although it is a single life for the only fatherland one has, there is no valuable life, no beautiful hope, and no great joy like that of sacrificing youthful days is beating powerfully in the heart of each of our youth.

The KPA Supreme Command spokesman’s statement saying that [the DPRK] will smash the US imperialists and South Korean puppet warmongers, who dare to come at us wielding the nuclear club and saying they will harm us, with means of a diversified precision nuclear strike in our own style, has put all of our youth, waiting only for the order, into the highest state of excitement.

Our youth, who have a never-changing faith that we will win without fail if only the respected and beloved Marshal Kim Jong Un is there, solemnly pledge that they will become 5 million gun barrels and 10 million bombs for the party, leader, fatherland, and people, fill the first-line trenches and be the first to dash forward to annihilate and wipe out the enemies, and fly the Supreme Commander’s flag that shines the marshal’s starlight and the flag of the Republic high on the ridge of Jeju Island’s Mt Hanna.

Kang Ji Yong, director of the Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, noted that the Supreme Command spokesman’s statement is a firm statement of the revolutionary strong army of Mt Paektu for the final victory in the great DPRK-US confrontation that has continued across a century.

The reckless behavior of the puppet army warmongers, who are unchangingly rushing about now saying they will join in with their US master’s plot for a war of northward aggression and make a “first strike” on us, is truly absurd.

The unlimited, powerful strength of our revolutionary armed force, which has entered on an all- war of confrontation according to the operations plan finally signed by the respected and beloved comrade Supreme Commander, is exploding awesomely.

The South Korean puppets, who are utterly destroying North-South relations as the colonial lackeys of the US imperialists and even bringing the calamity of nuclear war to this land without hesitation, will come to clearly know how bitter is the price for being the puppet of outside forces and betraying the nation.

For the diabolical anti-reunification traitors who cruelly mutilated the brethrens’ earnest yearning for reunification, there can be not a shred of mercy.

Get ready, puppet Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jeong Seung-jo , the traitors who are desperately running about to harm fellow countrymen with the backing of outside forces.

The traitors will have to pay a hundred-fold and thousand-fold price for viciously opposing the nation’s reconciliation, unity, and reunification up to now and engaging in confrontation racket.

Tree Planting Day Observed

DPRK state media reported on 1 March (Friday) that Korean Workers’ Party [KWP], Korean People’s Army [KPA], the DPRK Government and various social organizations participated in the planting of tree in observance of “tree-planting day.”  KCNA reported that “with this day as an occasion, many trees of good species have been planted in different parts of the country, including the Arboretum of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and Moran Hill in Pyongyang” and that the “Ministry of Land and Environmental Conservation and other forestry fields channeled big efforts to providing saplings of species suitable to different zones and plots, paying attention to increasing the rate of rooting.”

Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Kim Kyok Sik speaks a meeting of KPA personnel prior to planting trees near Ku’msusan in Pyongyang (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

KPA service members and officers (L) and senior KPA officials (R) attend a meeting before planting trees near Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun (Photo: KCTV screengrabs)

KPA service members and officers plant trees in the parks and arboretum near Ku’msusan on 1 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

On 1 March KPA service members and officers held a meeting in the park and arboretum near the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun.  Attending the meeting were members of the KPA’s high command including Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Kim Kyok Sik and 1st Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces and Director of the KPA General Logistics Department VMar Hyon Chol Hae, along with KPA service members along with cadets and students of military schools “at all levels.”  Gen. Kim delivered the meeting’s report which was followed by a speaking program where it was said “Generalissimo Kim Jong Il put forward the KPA in the mass tree-planting movement, true to Generalissimo Kim Il Sung’s intention of building a prosperous country.  Mapping out a grand plan of the land development, Kim Jong Un made sure that modern tree nurseries were built, and energetically led the work for spreading new species of lawn to the whole country.”  According to KCNA “they called on all the service personnel to turn out in the tree planting, true to the intention of Kim Jong Un and fully display their patriotic enthusiasm.”  After the speeches, the meeting participants planted trees around Ku’msusan.

Jon Yong Nam (L), Chairman of the Kim Il Sung (Socialist) Youth League Central Committee, addresses a meeting (C) prior to planting trees (R) (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

On 1 March DPRK state media reported that “working people and school youth and children across the country turned out in the patriotic work with a single mind to successfully embody Kim Jong Il’s patriotism for turning the country into the people’s paradise and a socialist fairyland in thick verdure on the occasion of March 2, the Tree-Planting Day.”  Members of the DPRK’s central leadership attended various tree planting events in and around Pyongyang, and tree planting events were held in North P’yo’ngan Province, South Hamgyo’ng Province, North Hamgyo’ng Province and the city of Wo’nsan, Kangwo’n Province.  Attending events in and around Pyongyang were Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, KWP Secretary and SPA Chairman Choe Tae Bok, SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop, DPRK Vice Premier and State Planning Commission Chairman Ro Tu Chol and Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City (municipal) KWP Committee Mun Kyong Dok.  Speaking programs were held prior to the tree planting activities.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim, KWP Secretary Pak To Chun and other officials (L) attend a meeting prior to planting trees in Pyongyang (R) on 1 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

KWP Secretary Choe Thae Bok and Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang City KWP Committee Mun Kyong Dok and other officials (L) attend a Korean Democratic Women’s Union tree planting event (R). KDWU Chairwoman Ro Song Sil (C) delivers a report. (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Tree planting activities held in the provinces on 1 March 2013 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

According to the speeches noted “President Kim Il Sung, together with general secretary Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk, an anti-Japanese war hero, climbed Moran Hill in Pyongyang on March 2, Juche 35 (1946) and called for planting many trees on mountains” and “called upon all people to turn out in the spring tree-planting campaign with one mind of ardent patriotism to plant and grow many trees in the country.”  The speeches also noted that in March 2012 Kim Jong Un “personally planted a tree he took there, they said, underscoring the need to turn the mountains and fields into thick and green socialist fairyland” when he visited the KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command (identified by KCNA as “a unit of the People’s Army”).

Kim Il Sung (L), Kim Jong Il (C) and Kim Jong Un (at the Strategic Rocket Force Command) ceremoniously planting trees over the years (Photos: Foreign Languages Publishing House, KCNA-Yonhap, Rodong Sinmun, Party History Institute)

Dennis Rodman and Harlem Globetrotters Practice with DPRK B-Ball Players

The Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Indoor Gymnasium where US and DPRK basketball players practiced on 27 February 2013 (Photo: Google image)

DPRK state media reported on 27 February (Wednesday) that former NBA player Dennis Rodman, along with members of the Harlem Globetrotters, “conducted joint training” (work out session and practice) with teenaged (U-18) DPRK basketball players at the Ryugyong Jong Ju Yong Indoor Stadium (gymnasium).  According to KCNA “match tactics, training mode and technique movement of the players of the two countries were exchanged at the joint training” and “a workshop on basketball technique took place that day.”

According to Xinhua Rodman and the other US basketball players will play in an exhibition game against a DPRK team on 28 February (Thursday) and that “foreign embassies and non-government organizations have been invited to watch.”  It is not clear if Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) will attend the game.  Xinhua reported that  DPRK officials declined “to reveal whether their top leader Kim Jong Un, widely believed to be a big basketball fun, would watch the game.”

Xinhua also reported that members of the Harlem Globetrotters received their invitation to visit the country from the DPRK Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports about one month ago and that “local media have given timely coverage of the visit that started on Tuesday, which is different from the case of Google delegation that came to Pyongyang last month. The visit was kept quiet until they flew back to the U.S.”  It was also reported that while most members of the basketball delegation will remain in country until 5 March, Dennis Rodman will depart the DPRK at an earlier date.

Basketball hoops positioned behind Kim Jong Il in state media images from a December 2008 inspection of KPA Air Force Unit #1016 and a visit to the Kim Jong Suk Naval Academy in 2009 (Photos: KCTV screengrab, KCNA)

Kim Jong Un inspects a multi-purpose gymnasium with a basketball court at Mangyo’ngdae Revolutionary School, and bounces a basketball during another visit, in 2012 (Photos: KCTV screengrabs, KCNA-Yonhap file photo)

Dennis Rodman and Members of the Harlem Globetrotters Arrive in Pyongyang

Dennis Rodman (6th R), members of the Harlem Globetrotters and a film crew from VICE Media Group poses for a commemorative photograph at Pyongyang Sunan Airport after their arrival on 26 February 2013 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media and the Associated Press reported on 26 February (Tuesday) that former National Basketball Association [US] forward and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman arrived in Pyongyang, along with members of the Harlem Globetrotters, at the head of an international delegation involved in what has been termed “basketball diplomacy.”  During his visit Mr. Rodman may meet with current DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Un.  According to KCNA, Rodman and the delegation of basketball players were greeted by Vice Chairman of the DPRK Olympic Committee and Vice Minister of Physical Culture and Sports, Son Kwang Ho.  Rodman told Xinhua that ”All the players are so excited to visit the country, and it will be a great fun in interacting with the Korean people” and Harlem Globetrotter  Bull Bullard remarked that ”We are expecting to have great exchanges with the Korean kids and families which we always love, no matter South or North.  As far as basketball I know, we will show our skills and the magic of basketball as much as we can.  We are going to have big smiles and many handshakes, and lots of entertainment with them.”

Dennis Rodman also tweeted that “I come in peace.  I love the peoples of North Korea!,” “It’s true, I’m in North Korea. Looking forward to sitting down with Kim Jung Un. I love the people of North Korea,” “They love basketball here. Honored to represent The United States of America” and “I’m not a politician. Kim Jung Un & North Korean people are basketball fans. I love everyone. Period. End of story.”

Dennis Rodman (R) shakes hands with Vice Minister of Physical Culture and Sports and Vice Chairman of the DPRK Olympic Committee Son Kwang Ho (arrow) (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

According to Xinhua Rodman and the Globetrotters will stay in the DPRK from 26 February to 5 March.  In addition to participating in basketball clinics with DPRK students and players, they will also visit Panmunjo’m and the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun.  A DPRK spokesperson told Xinhua that a “detailed schedule” would be disclosed later on Tuesday.  Rodman’s trip is part of a documentary under production by the VICE Media Group, which will be aired on HBO in April.

Kim Jong Un, like his father the late leader Kim Jong Il, and his brother Kim Jong Chol, is a fan of basketball.  KJU used to play pick-up games with his cousins and members of his security detail when he was teenager.  One of the DPRK’s former basketball players, Choe Pu Il, is currently Vice Chief of the KPA General Staff.  The last major sports exchange visit to the DPRK occurred in November 2012, and involved Japanese and DPRK wrestling and soccer (football) exhibition matches.  One of the heads of the Japanese delegation was Kenji Inoki, a former wrestler who manages his own professional wrestling company.  Interestingly, Dennis Rodman also had a career in professional wrestling in the late 1990s, a sport also enjoyed by members of the Kim family.

In reporting on Dennis Rodman’s arrival in the country Jessica Phelan of Global Post included remarks from DPRK expert Robert Carlin from a 2006 interview in which Carlin said “I think that would be a very useful, positive step.  If someone wanted to make a serious opening gesture, that would probably not be a bad idea. These things carry only so much diplomatic freight, but they are the little things that begin to open relations.”

Annual Loyalty Meeting Held at Mt. Paektu for KJI Birthday

KPA service members (C) watch a fireworks display (L, R) held after a loyalty meeting near Kim Jong Il’s mythic birthplace on Mt. Paektu on 12 February 2013 to commemorate KJI’s birth anniversary (Photos: KCTV screengrabs, Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 12 February that the annual loyalty meeting was held near Kim Jong Il’s mythic birthplace next to Mt. Paektu.  Attending the ceremony, held the same day as the country tested a nuclear device, were KWP Secretary Kim Ki Nam, National Defense Commission Vice Chairman VMar Kim Yong Chun, Director of the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces’ Political Bureau Ri Pyong Sam, Chairman of the Kim Il Sung (Socialist) Youth League Jon Yong Nam, Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Kan Phyo Yong and “officials of the party and armed forces organs, working people’s organizations, ministries and national institutions, service personnel of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces and people from all walks of life.”

KWP Secretary and Department Director Kim Ki Nam speaks during a loyalty meeting held near Mt. Paektu on 12 February 2013 (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Vice Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Gen. Kang Phyo Yong (C) delivers a speech at a loyalty meeting held near Mt. Paektu on 12 February 2013 to commemorate Kim Jong Il’s birth. Also seen in attendance in this image behind Gen. Kang are Col. Gen. Ri Pyong Sam (L) and VMar Kim Yong Chun (R) (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

Several speeches were made before “fireworks were displayed in the sky above the Paektusan Secret Camp.”  Kim Ki Nam said that “Kim Jong Il developed the WPK into the glorious party of President Kim Il Sung, the invincible guiding force and laid an eternal foundation for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Chuch’e” and “stressed the need to achieve the final victory in an all-out action against the U.S. in the new century and build the most powerful country and the people’s paradise on this land looked up to by the world, under the uplifted banner of the WPK led by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un.”  Gen. Kang Phyo Yong** said “The revolutionary feats of Kim Jong Il who provided the invincible military muscle and single-minded unity, holding arms and with intense love for the country and people, will shine long.”  Jon Yong Nam said “Kim Jong Il enforced the policies of attaching importance to youth and loving youth and brought them up to be the reliable political reserves of the party and the successors of the revolution” and “resolved to display the pride of being reserve combat unit and detached force of Kim Jong Un and win the final victory in building a thriving nation, holding high the torch of revolution given by Kim Jong Il.”

**Kang Phyo Yong may have been promoted as he was last  known to hold the rank of KPA Colonel-General (sangjang)

Students Hold Lunar New Year’s Concert

DPRK central leadership attend schoolchildren’s Lunar New Year’s concert at Mangyo’ngdae Schoolchildren’s Palace on 10 February 2013. In this image (L-R) are Kang Sok Ju; Yang Hyong Sop; Choe Tae Bok; Choe Yong Rim; Kim Yong Nam; Kim Ki Nam; VMar Kim Yong Chun; VMar Ri Yong Mu (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

10 February 2013 Lunar New Year’s concert including a musical number including costumed character that anthropomorphizes the U’nha-3 rocket (Photos: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

DPRK state media reported on 11 February (Monday) that the schoolchildren gave a Lunar New Year concert at Mangyo’ngdae Schoolchildren’s Palace on Sunday.  Attending the performance from the central leadership were Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, DPRK Cabinet Premier Choe Yong Rim, Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretaries Kim Ki Nam and Choe Tae Bok, NDC Vice Chairmen VMar Kim Yong Chun and Ri Yong Mu, SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop,  DPRK Cabinet Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju along with “officials of party, armed forces and power organs, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons of the Korean People’s Army and the Korean People’s Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, literature and arts, public health and media, persons of merits and Pyongyangites and “present there on invitation were the chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, overseas Koreans, and diplomatic envoys of different countries, representatives of international organizations and members of the military attaches corps here and their wives.”  According to KCNA, Director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department, VMar Choe Ryong Hae, attended the performance, but was not observed in photographs or film footage of the performance.

Scenes (L, R) from a 10 February 2013 Lunar New Year’s performance by Pyongyang schoolchildren and invited foreign audience members (C) (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Performances which were part of a Lunar New Year’s concert held at Mangyo’ngdae Schoolchildren’s Palace in western Pyongyang on 10 February 2013 (Photos: KCNA)

The schoolchildren began their performance “with prologue “We Make Lunar New Year’s Bow to Marshal Kim Jong Un.”  They also performed “New Year’s Performance in Star Country,” “trio and chorus ‘We Are Happy under Care of Marshal Kim Il Sung,’” “duet and chorus ‘Let Us Sing Louder Song of General Kim Jong Il,’” “small chorus of immortal classic masterpiece ‘We Will Carry Forward the March That Started on Mt. Paektu,’” “piano and chorus ‘Let’s Learn for Thriving Korea,’” “Thank You Marshal Kim Jong Un,” “music and dance of Korean schoolchildren in Japan ‘Our country led by Marshal is best’” and “national instrumental music and song ‘Flower Gate of Happiness.’” According to KCNA, the ”performers highly praised the great Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il as eternal sun who devoted their all to the rising generation, calling children as the king of the country” and “vividly depicted the bright appearance of schoolchildren growing up to be kid doctors, talents and soldiers under the blue sky of the country.”

KJI Birthday Events Begin

On 7 February the DPRK’s State Stamp Bureau issued commemorative stamps to mark Kim Jong Il’s birth anniversary. According to Rodong Sinmun “the stamps show how Kim Jong Il cultivated his qualification and traits as leader to carry forward the revolutionary cause of President Kim Il Sung after his birth as the son of Mt. Paektu.” (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported during 7-9 February (Thursday-Saturday) that events commemorating the official 71st birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il, called the Day of the Shining Star, began in and around Pyongyang.  On 7 February (Thursday), a 10-day nationwide film festival that will screen official documentary and feature films in Pyongyang and in the provinces.  According to KCNA “all of them deal with the glorious revolutionary history of Kim Jong Il and his undying feats” and the films will include Under the Guidance of the Great Brilliant Commander, The Great Leadership for Pushing Back the Frontiers of Science and Technology, Shining Star Above Mt. Paektu, Legacy, White Gem, Wish and Comrade Kim Goes Flying.  Ceremonies which opened the film festival were held in Pyongyang and provincial capital cities.  The Pyongyang ceremony occurred at the People’s Palace of Culture on 7 February.  It was attended by Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Director of the KWP Propaganda and Agitation [publicity and information] Department Kim Ki Nam, along with “ officials concerned, creators and artistes in the field of movie art and Pyongyangites.”

8 February 2013 ppening ceremony for a photo exhibition to commemorate Kim Jong Il’s birthday at the Grand People’s Study House in Pyongyang (Photos: KCTV screengrabs)

Photographs which form an exhibition about Kim family leadership at the Grand People’s Study House, which opened on 8 February 2013, to commemorate late leader Kim Jong Il’s official 71st birthday (Photos: KCNA)

On 8 February (Friday) a photo exhibition titled ”They Were Always Together to Bring about the People’s Well-being” showing photographs of the country’s later founder and president, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un and “dealing with the feats the great Generalissimos who led all the Koreans to the road of independence and the great national unity and energetically worked for global peace and stability, friendship and solidarity among the peoples under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism.”  KWP Secretary Kim Ki Nam and Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop along with “officials concerned and people in the city” attended the opening ceremony.

Also, on 8 February (Friday) recipients of the Kim Jong Il Prize and Order of Kim Jong Il, based on 6 February 2013 decrees of the SPA Presidium, were publicized. The KJI Prize was presented to  Kim Sang Ok for “a great contribution to the development of the nation’s science and technology by displaying intense loyalty to the party and the leader and devoting creative wisdom and enthusiasm” and the Kwangmyo’ng Encyclopedia because it “helps officials and people raise the levels of political theories and cultural knowledge as required by the building of a thriving socialist nation and the age of knowledge-based economy.”

The Order of Kim Jong Il was given to “units and officials, service persons and people made great contributions to bolstering up the national defense capabilities and building an economic giant through a dynamic drive for consolidating the political and ideological position of the Korean revolution as firm as a rock and devotedly carrying out the lines and policies of the Workers’ Party of Korea by rallying the broad masses close around the Party, true to the Military-First (So’ngun) revolutionary leadership of the Party.”  Institutions receiving the Order of KJI were the Rakwo’n Machine Complex, the 5 March Youth Mine in Chagang Province, Kanggye U’nha Garment Factory and Migok Cooperative Farm.  Among the individuals receiving the Order of KJI were Paek Kye Ryong (Chief Secretary of the Kangwo’n Provincial KWP Committee) and O Su Yong (Chief Secretary of the North Hamgyo’ng Provincial KWP Committee) along with several third-generation officials from the KWP, DPRK Government and KPA: Kim Chang Myong; Ro Kyong Jun; Choe Tae Il; Pak Cho Yong; Ryom Chi Gwon; Kang Kil Yong; Mi Chang Guk; Yun Ho Nam; U Tok Su; and. Ryom U Jun.

On 8 February (Friday) DPRK state media reported on the end of cooking contest held during 6-8 February.  According to KCNA “competition was divided into the fields of public service and service of ministries and national institutions, hotels and provincial public catering and service. Present there were cooks and waitresses of 32 organizations” and “held by such methods of experts and masses’ judgment of preparations for cooking, sanitation, dressing processes and taste.” On 9 February (Saturday) DPRK state media announced that the 22nd Paektusan (Mt. Paektu) Prize International Figure Skating Festival will be held during 15-17 February in Pyongyang to commemorate KJI’s birthday.  According to KCNA the “is an annual event reflecting the unanimous desire and aspiration of the Korean people, world progressives and athletes to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il as the greatest holiday of the nation and holiday common to humankind” and “will bring together foreign and Korean skaters who proved successful in international and national contests. It will involve exhibition ice dances and pair and individual events.”

The events commemorating KJI’s birthday ceased what had been a slow news week in the state media.  Much of the content targeting an external audience consisted on various essays and editorials focused on the country’s response to the passage of United Nations Security Resolution #2087 (2013), such as the possibility of a third nuclear test and what were described as “the firm resolution to take substantial and high-profile important state measures in view of the prevailing situation.”  Content targeting an internal audience focused ongoing development efforts throughout the country, including the renovation of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation (Korean War) War Museum, and study tours of revolutionary historical battle sites by members of the Korean Children’s Union and the Kim Il Sung (Socialist) Youth League.  For a few days, members of the central leadership appeared to have gone to ground, or at least to senior level meetings that were not reported in state media.  On 8 February (Friday) a DPRK media outlet said the a third nuclear test was a matter of “the U.S. and hostile forces jumped to conclusions that the republic is planning the third nuclear test, citing their hypothesis and argument,” that any upcoming activities “are aimed at safeguarding its national interest, not at threatening anyone” and  ”it remains to be seen what the important state measures are, though it is clear that any U.S. reactions to them may prove to be only irrevocable losses.”