*** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea from June 2 to June 8, 2011.

  
June
2 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reports that a law on a special zone for international tours of Mt. Kumgang was promulgated, citing a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA).

   2 Kim Yong-nam, president of the SPA Presidium, receives Yusuf Amuda Abubakar, outgoing Nigerian ambassador to Pyongyang, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang.

   2 Kim Yong-il, secretary of the Central Committee of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), receives Le Quang Ba, the new Vietnamese ambassador to North Korea.

   2 The KCNA reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and senior officials provided field guidance to the Natural Science Institute.

   2 The KCNA reports that Kim Jong-il and senior officials inspected the Kosan Fruit Farm.

   3 Kim Jong-il sends a congratulatory message to Choummaly Sayasone, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and president of Laos, on his 75th birthday.

   3 Kim Yong-nam receives a French delegation for the study of North Korea consisting of senators from various political parties at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

   3 A spokesman for the general staff of the (North) Korean People's Army (KPA) threatens "overall" military retaliation against the South after South Korean reserve forces were reported to have used photos of Kim Jong-il as targets during firing drills.

   4 The KCNA reports that Ri Jong-ryul was appointed as the new North Korean ambassador to Indonesia, citing an SPA decree.

   4 A taekwondo demonstration group of the North Korean Taekwon-do Committee, led by Vice Chairman Pae Nung-man, leaves for the United States.

   5 Kim Jong-il and senior officials watch a performance given by the art group of the builders for overseas projects.

   6 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Carl XVI Gustaf, king of Sweden, on its national day.

   6 A delegation of the Democratic Women's Union of (North) Korea led by Chae Chun-hui, vice chairwoman of its Central Committee, leaves for China.

   6 The KCNA reports that North Korea decided to set up its Hwanggumphyong and Wihwa Islands Economic Zone in order to boost North Korea-China friendship and expand and develop their external economic relations.

   7 A groundbreaking ceremony is held to renovate Kim Hyong Jik University of Education in Pyongyang.

   7 Kim Yong-dae, vice president of the SPA Presidium, receives a Vietnamese delegation headed by Pham Tat Dong, chairman of the Vietnam-North Korea Friendship Association, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.

   8 North Korea and China break ground on the Hwanggumphyong Island in the Amrok River, called the Yalu River in China, to develop it into an economic zone. Some 1,000 people from North Korea and China, including Jang Song-thaek, Kim's brother-in-law, and Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming, attend the ceremony.

   8 Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun receives Mexican Ambassador to North Korea Martha Ortiz de Rosas who paid a courtesy call on him.

  (END)