North Korea-weekly review-8

NORTH KOREA NEWSLETTER NO. 25 (October 16, 2008)
*** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments
related to North Korea between Oct. 9-15, 2008.

October
9 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) sent a floral basket to the Central Committee of
the Workers' Party of (North) Korea (WPK) on the occasion of its 63rd
anniversary.
9 The "Graphic Painting of Poland" exhibition opens at the Polish embassy in
Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties between the DPRK (North Korea) and Poland.
9 Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Valery Sukhinin hosts a reception at the Koryo
Hotel in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and Russia.
10 Commanding officers of the (North) Korean People's Army (KPA) visit the
Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where former leader Kim Il-sung's embalmed body lies in
state, on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the WPK.
10 Youth and students' dancing parties are held in different parts of the country
to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the foundation of the WPK.
10 The KCNA says the famous work of Kim Jong-il, "The DPRK Is a Socialist State
of Juche (Self-reliance) with Invincible Might," a talk to Rodong Sinmun, organ
of the WPK, and Minju Joson, the organ of the DPRK government, was published on
Sept. 5, 2008.
10 The KCNA says Kim Jong-il inspected a women's battery unit of KPA Unit 821,
which apparently quelled recent speculation about his failing health.
11 The KCNA says Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun sent a message of greetings to
Guinean Foreign Minister Amadou Lamarana Bah on Oct. 5 on the occasion of the
50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and
Guinea.
11 A delegation of the (North) Korean Council of Religionists led by its Chairman
Jang Jae-on leaves Pyongyang to participate in the seventh meeting of the Asian
Conference of Religions for Peace to be held in Manila.
11 Premier Kim Yong-il sends a congratulatory message to Antonio Paulo Kassoma
upon his
appointment as prime minister of Angola, while Pak Ui-chun sends a similar message
to Assuncao Afonso De Sousa Dos Anjos upon his appointment as foreign minister of
Angola.
11 The KCNA says Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's
Assembly (SPA), sent a message of greetings to Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president
of Equatorial Guinea, on Oct. 7 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its
independence.
11 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranges a reception on the occasion of the
60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and
Mongolia.
12 A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry affirms the will of the DPRK to
cooperate in verification of nuclear disablement upon the U.S.'s delisting the
DPRK as "a state sponsor of terrorism."
12 The KCNA says DPRK player Jo Tae-won bagged a gold medal at the open
individual go contest of the 1st World Intellect Championships opened in Beijing
on Oct. 3.
12 Pak Ui-chun sends a message of greetings to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Viktorovich Lavrov on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and Russia.
13 A press conference and a photo exhibition take place at the Russian embassy in
Pyongyang on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Russia.
13 A Chinese government economic and trade delegation headed by Wang Chao,
assistant minister of Commerce, arrives in Pyongyang to attend the 4th meeting of
the Inter-governmental Committee for Cooperation in Economy, Trade, Science and
Technology between the DPRK and China.
14 The KCNA says DPRK women judoists bagged a trophy cup, two gold medals, three
silver medals and seven bronze medals at the 3rd East-Asian Judo Championships
and the 3rd Chinese Taipei International Judo Games.
14 Pak Ui-chun and his party leave Pyongyang to visit Russia.
14 The fourth meeting of the DPRK-China intergovernmental committee for
cooperation in the economy, trade and science and technology is held at the
Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang.
14 The KCNA says a 2009-2011 inter-governmental plan for cultural exchange was
signed between the DPRK and Mongolia in Ulan Bator on Oct. 8.
14 A visiting group of the "Yunisang Peace Foundation" of South Korea, headed by
Director Shin Geh-ryeun, arrives in Pyongyang by air to attend the 27th Yun
I-sang concert.
14 Dermot Hudson, chairman of the British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea,
visits the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.
14 Jose Manuel Galego Montano, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of
his embassy do friendship work at the DPRK-Cuba friendship Hwasong Cooperative
Farm in Ryongsong District, Pyongyang.
14 A photo exhibition of Russia is opened with due ceremony at the Pyongyang
International Cultural Centre under the co-sponsorship of the Korean Committee
for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, the Russian embassy here and the
DPRK-Russia Friendship Association on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Russia.
14 Kim Jung-rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, meets with
leading members of a Shenzhen children's art troupe of China led by Li Yizhen,
secretary of the Shenzhen City Educational Commission, who is a member of the
Standing Committee of the Shenzhen City Committee of the Communist Party of
China, at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang.
14 A children' art troupe from China's Shenzhen performs at the Mangyongdae
Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang on a recent visit to the DPRK.
14 German Ambassador to the DPRK Thomas Schafer hosts a reception at the Taedong
River Club for the Diplomatic Corps in Pyongyang on the occasion of the national
day of the Federal Republic of Germany.
15 The KCNA says the (North) Korean Documentary and Scientific Film Studio
recently produced the documentary "Builders of the Orangchon Power Station who
have done something great without being known to others."
15 A delegation of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by its Vice
Minister Ryszard Schnepf arrives in Pyongyang along with the Polish royal string
quartet.
15 The 27th Yun I-isang Concert is opened at the Yunisang Concert Hall in Pyongyang.
15 A photo exhibition is opened at the Pyongyang International Cinema House under
the co-sponsorship of the (North) Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with
Foreign Countries, the Vietnamese embassy in the DPRK and the DPRK-Vietnam
Friendship Association. The exhibition marked the 50th anniversary of late
President Kim Il-sung's visit to Vietnam and the first anniversary of the meeting
of Kim Jong-il with Nong Duc Manh, general secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party of Vietnam.
(END)