*** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea from Jan. 13 to Jan. 19, 2011.

  
January
13 The Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party of (North) Korea (WPK), in a signed article urges all "anti-imperialist" nations to united in order to prevail over imperialism.

   13 North Korea announces its best wrestlers and coaches for 2010. The wrestlers are Ri Hyok-chol of the North Phyongan provincial taekwondo team and Kwak Jong-min of the Pyongyang city taekwondo team. The coaches are Ri Si-hak of the North Phyongan provincial team and Ri Kyong-nam of the Pyongyang city team.

   13 A decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) calls for an upgrade of the State Price Bureau into the State Price Commission.

   14 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports that leader Kim Jong-il and his heir apparent, Kim Jong-un, inspect three factories in North Pyongan Province.

   14 A spokesman for the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea renews calls for the South to accept the North's proposal to hold unconditional cross-border dialogue.

   15 North Korea's Cabinet adopts a "10-Year State Strategy Plan for Economic Development" and decides to establish the State General Bureau for Economic Development to handle all issues arising in implementing state strategy projects for economic development.

   15 The KCNA reports that Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un provide field guidance to the Taegwan Glass factory.

   16 The Rodong Sinmun in a bylined article reiterates its call for the South to accept the North's proposal on holding dialogue, saying, "Negotiations are the only way for improving the inter-Korean relations and achieving the independent and peaceful reunification."

   16 The Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary blasts the recent South Korea-Japan defense ministers meeting and alleges Tokyo of spearheading a "scenario for staging" a re-invasion of the Korean Peninsula.

   16 Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the SPA, sends a message of sympathy to Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff in connection with the flood and landslide caused by torrential rain that hit the southeastern part of the country, claiming huge casualties and material losses.

   17 North Korea marks the 65th anniversary of the Kimilsung Socialist Youth League. A hall for education in the youth movement feats of former President Kim Il-sung was set up at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on the occasion.

   17 The Rodong Sinmun in an editorial calls for nationwide efforts in agriculture, saying that the nation should "bring about a radical turn in grain production this year."

   17 An arts performance is held at the Central Youth Hall to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Kimilsung Socialist Youth League.

   18 The Minju Joson, the newspaper of the North Korean Cabinet, in a commentary criticizes Japan for what it called an "ambition for overseas aggression," accusing Japan of posing "a serious threat to peace and security in Northeast Asia."

   18 The Rodong Sinmun urges the two Koreas to carry out the agreements of the past two inter-Korean declarations, saying it is "the basic way for ending the confrontation" of the divided countries.

   18 The Rodong Sinmun in a commentary criticizes the recent port call of the U.S. carrier Carl Vinson to South Korea, saying that the move "reveals the U.S. stand and strategic attempt to escalate military pressure" against North Korea.

   18 The KCNA reports that Kim Jong-il gave field guidance to a technologically updated General Machinery Plant.

   18 The KCNA reports Kim Jong-il sends his autographs to 12 discharged soldiers who were dispatched to Jonchon County, Jagang Province.

   19 The KCNA says that Kim Jong-il provided field guidance to the Bioengineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences and visited the Central Zoo in Pyongyang.

   19 Pak Ui-chun receives credentials from Yonas Tegegen Woldemariam, representative of the World Health Organization, in Pyongyang.

  (END)