*** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea from January 12-18, 2012.

  
Jan. 12 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says that the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of (North) Korea (WPK) announced its three decisions to lay the body of late leader Kim Jong-il in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, erect statues of him across the North and designate his birthday of Feb. 16 as the "Day of the Shining Star."

   12 The KCNA says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a number of books to the Grand People's Study House in Pyongyang on Jan. 2 and 3.

   12 The KCNA says Premier Choe Yong-rim visited the Jenam Coal Mine under the Tokchon Area Coal Mining Complex located in South Pyongan Province on Jan. 11 to call for an increase in coal production.

   13 Premier Choe Yong-rim visits the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex, North Korea's leading chemical industrial base located in South Pyongan Province.

   13 The KCNA says North Korea's acrobatic stunt "Flying Girls" took the top honors at the 28th International "Golden Circus" Festival held in Rome from Dec. 23 to Jan. 8.

   13 The KCNA says a duck farm was built on the banks of the Chungman River in Usi County, Jagang Province.

   13 The KCNA says cooperative farms in North Korea are now working to introduce the cyclic production system and organic farming method in response to a call from a joint New Year's editorial.

   14 A delegation of the Associated Press of the United States headed by its President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Curley arrives in Pyongyang.

   14 A joint performance by the Moranbong and Wangjaesan art troupes opens at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang.

   15 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches the music and dance performance "We Will Hold Our Supreme Commander in High Esteem for All Ages" being staged before a full house at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang.

   15 The KCNA says Kim Jong-un gave Ri Se-gyun, an "unconverted" long-term prisoner who was held in South Korea before being repatriated to the North in 2000, a "birthday spread" for his 90th birthday.

   15 The KCNA says that the 16th Kimjongilia Festival (based off a hybrid flower named for Kim Jong-il) will open in mid-February in Pyongyang on the late Kim Jong-il's birthday.

   16 The Pyongyang Bureau of the Associated Press (AP) of the United States is opened with the participation of Thomas Curley, chief executive of the AP and Kim Pyong-ho, director general of the North's official News Agency, KCNA.

   16 Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of the SPA Presidium, meets with a delegation of the Associated Press of the United States headed by its President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Curley.

   16 The KCNA says Kim Jong-un sent "birthday spreads" to Rim Song-nyo and Kim Pok-sul on the centenary of their births.

   16 The KCNA condemns the policy toward North Korea for 2012 of the South Korean government, which seeks conditional dialogue with the North.

   16 The International Figure Skating Festival for Mount Paektu Prize takes place to commemorate the birthday of the late Kim Jong-il on Feb. 16.

   17 A delegation of the AP leaves Pyongyang, wrapping up its four-day visit.

   17 The KCNA says a law on management of seed crops was adopted in North Korea.

   17 A delegation of the Academy of Agricultural Science headed by its President Kye Yong-sam returns home after visiting Guinea to attend celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Kim Il-sung Institute of Agricultural Science in Guinea.

   18 The KCAN says Kim Jong-un sent a birthday spread to Ham Se-hwan, an "unconverted" long-term prisoner who was held in South Korea before being repatriated to the North in 2000, on his 80th birthday.

   18 Kim Jong-un visits the Unit No. 169 of the (North) Korean People's Army honored with the title of the O Jung-hup-led Seventh Regiment, accompanied by Vice Marshal Ri Yong-ho.

   18 The KCNA says the WPK Publishing House released Vol. 100 of complete collection of Kim Il-sung's works.

   18 The KCNA says a law on higher education consisting of seven chapters and 68 articles was enacted.

  (END)