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NORTH KOREA THIS WEEK NO. 462 (August 16, 2007)
*** NEWS IN BRIEF (Part 1)
North Koreans respond calmly to news of second inter-Korean summit: report
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Koreans gave a calm response to news that a second inter-Korean summit will be held in late August, though they want great development of relations between the Koreas, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper said.
The Choson Sinbo, organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, said Aug. 9 that the response was not overly enthusiastic because they were disappointed by a series of events.
The events include a military exercise by the United States and South Korea during the summit period and previous fruitless general-level and minister-level talks between the Koreas, according to the newspaper.
"Local people are regarding such events seriously," the newspaper said, implying the North may raise such political and military issues at the summit.
However, the Choson Sinbo reported that North Koreans expressed support, saying that the North's leader Kim Jong-il made a historic decision for the second summit at a time when there are many obstacles and difficulties on the road to unification of the nation.
"Citizens were reminded of the first inter-Korean summit seven years ago upon hearing the report for the second summit," the newspaper said.
A woman in her 20s was quoted by the newspaper as saying she felt excitement in June 2000, when she went out into the streets of Pyongyang to welcome then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in the first summit.
"After the June 15, we have seen things which were unimaginable in the past, and I expect this summit to upgrade inter-Korean relations," the organ added.
A man in his 50s claimed Japan will be more internationally isolated after the summit, the newspaper said.
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Pyongyang holds annual exhibition of consumer goods
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea, which has encouraged development of light industry as a means of improving people's lives since the mid-1980s, held its annual exhibition of consumer goods in early August, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper said.
The Choson Sinbo, the organ of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, said on Aug. 9 that the exhibition of August 3 Consumer Goods was being held at an exhibition center of light industry in Pyongyang from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10.
The exhibition has been carried out annually since Kim Jong-il, then North Korea's successor designate, gave on-the-spot guidance at the exhibition center in the North's capital on Aug. 3, 1984.
This year's exhibition holds as many as 17,000 daily necessities produced from more than 20 districts and counties in Pyongyang, such as a large fans, liquid soap, children's clothing, bowls, folding beds and computer tables.
"The August 3 consumer goods are made from production waste, byproducts, local natural materials and cultivated sources," said Ko In-sil, director of the Municipal People's Committee in Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, South Korea is set to provide the North with US$80 million in raw materials for light industry starting in late July to help it produce clothing, footwear and soap.
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North Korea stresses more opportunities for young scientists to go overseas
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea, which has encouraged the development of science and technology as a means of boosting its sagging economy, stressed the need to develop young scientists by guaranteeing graduate students have more time and opportunities for overseas trips.
A North Korean weekly newspaper on education acquired in Seoul recently said in its July 26 edition that in order to raise excellent scientific talents in their 20s and 30s, they should go through undergraduate and graduate courses consecutively, without interruption.
North Korea has since the 1980s carried out education for gifted children by the order of its leader Kim Jong-il by emphasizing talent in science and technology, along with foreign languages.
Undergraduate courses should teach students the basics of natural science, while graduate courses have to equip them with deep professional knowledge, the weekly said, adding that students today should have a good command of computer technology while actively attending science study projects.
The newspaper also stressed the need to give them enough time and the necessary conditions for study. "However good they are in talent, they cannot keep abreast with the developing reality by only adhering to laboratories and research rooms," it said.
"They should know international trends in science and technology by going out and participating in presentations, workshops and exhibitions in other countries," it added.
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Kim Jong-il carries out brisk activities in Hamgyong provinces
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is set to have a summit with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun later this month, made inspection tours to industrial facilities in North and South Hamgyong provinces almost every day starting in late July.
The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Aug. 13 that Kim gave on-site guidance at the Hamhung Disabled Soldiers' Plastic Daily Necessities Factory and the Tanchon Mining Machine Plant and the Tanchon Smeltery in South Hamgyong Province, along with a unit of the (North) Korean People's Army (KPA).
The KCNA said on the previous day that Kim made an inspection tour of the Hamhung Wood Processing Factory in South Hamgyong Province and Jonggwang Temple in the neighborhood.
According to the North's news outlets, since Kim voted in local elections on people's assemblies in South Hamgyong Province on July 29, he has continued to make on-the-spot guidance tours to economic facilities and army units in the South and North Hamgyong provinces almost every day until Aug. 13, indicating that he stayed in the provinces.
The KCNA said on Aug. 11 that Kim gave on-the-spot guidance at the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex in South Hamgyong Province, following the previous day's report on Kim's on-site guidance at other industrial establishments such as the February 8 Vinalon Complex and the Ryongsong Machine Complex in the same province.
The KCNA also said on Aug. 10 that Kim even noted the supply service during his inspection of a sub-unit of KPA Unit 156.
In early August, Kim made inspection tours of the Ranam Coal Mining Machine Complex, the newly built North Hamgyong Provincial People's Hospital, the Kimchaek Iron and Steel Complex and the Songjin Steel Complex in North Hamgyong Province.
In relation to these inspections, Kim is also expected to discuss upgraded inter-Korean economic cooperation with President Roh at their three-day summit slated to start on Aug. 28.
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N. Korea urges concerted efforts for economic reconstruction on liberation day
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korea, celebrating the 62nd anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule on Aug. 15, called on its people to make concerted efforts to build a strong socialist economy.
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's Workers' Party, said in an editorial that there is no more urgent task than reconstructing the national economy and improving people's livelihoods.
"On the economic front, the principles of socialism and utilitarianism should be thoroughly observed... All potentials and resources should be fully mobilized to boost production and construction," said the paper, which was carried by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"The food problem has to be addressed, while the light industry sector has to be revolutionized in order to mass-produce high-quality consumer products. Economic reconstruction and the improvement of public livelihoods are the most urgent tasks facing the nation."
But the editorial still allotted much of its space to eulogizing the accomplishments of the North's late founding leader Kim Il-sung and his "Songun" (military-first) policy.
"The president's plan for building a rich and powerful country is being carried out in all fields thanks to the Songun leadership of Kim Jong-il. The country in which the great Songun politics is being successfully applied will make ceaseless creations and leaping progresses and the president's behest will come true in the socialist country," the paper said, referring to the elder Kim as the president.
Meanwhile, the leaders of North Korea and Russia exchanged messages of greetings on the occasion of Korean Liberation Day, reconfirming their commitment to friendly ties, according to the KCNA. The two leaders shared their common desire to improve bilateral ties, the KCNA added.
(END)
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