NORTH KOREA NEWSLETTER NO. 57 (June 4, 2009)

*** NEWS IN BRIEF (Part 1)

North Korean Leader Inspects Chemical Complex

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il inspected a chemical complex
and called for the early completion of a gasification project to increase
fertilizer production, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)
reported on May 28.

The KCNA did not say when Kim made the visit to Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in
the city of Anju in the North's South Pyongan Province.
During the visit, Kim instructed officials at the complex to use modern
production processes to increase the varieties of chemical goods produced for the
country's economic development and the people's lives, the KCNA said.
According to the KCNA, Kim also said "the most important task facing the complex
at present is to finish the gasification process construction in a short span of
time (so as to) start fertilizer production."
Kim was accompanied by Workers' Party Secretary Kim Ki-nam, as well as the
party's department directors, Jang Song-thaek and Pak Nam-gi.
The KCNA also said on May 31 that Kim watched an art performance given by the
State Merited Chorus on the occasion of the opening of the Kalma Theater at an
army rest home in Wonsan, Kangwon Province.
One day later, the KCNA said Kim Jong-il watched a performance given by the
members of the art groups of families of servicemen of Unit 529 and the Navy
Command of the (North) Korean People's Army (KPA) who participated in the second
round of the second-term contest among art groups of families of KPA servicemen.

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North Korea Looks to Reduce Number of Smokers

SEOUL (Yonhap) - North Korea is aiming to cut the number of smokers in the
country to 30 percent of the population next year, state media said on May 30,
quoting a senior public health official.
Hong Sun-gwang, vice director of the State Hygienic Control Board, said in an
interview with the North's Korean Central News Agency that the nation's smoking
rate decreased to 54.7 percent as a result of the government-led drive to combat
smoking.
Pyongyang signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control presented by the
World Health Organization in June 2003, according to the report.
Hong attributed the drop to efforts by the North Korean government that set a
goal of decreasing the smoking rate to 30 percent by 2010 and has directed
greater attention to the campaign.
"The government, above all, provided the legal environment for lowering the
smoking rate. On this basis, it has consistently conducted the anti-smoking
campaign such as establishing a smoking order, controlling disorderly smokers
through education and strictly banning all kinds of advertisements promoting
tobacco goods," Hong was quoted as saying.
Pyongyang organized a state committee to control smoking in order to convert the
anti-smoking campaign into a state hygienic activity, he said.
He also said North Korea plans to mark this year's World No Tobacco Day which
falls on May 31 with various events under the theme of "tobacco health warnings."
"On the occasion of the day, anti-smoking propaganda activities ... are
vigorously conducted at provincial hygienic propaganda halls and non-smoking
signs are put up in public health and educational institutions and public
places," the official added.

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N.K. Teens Actively Participating in Red Cross Volunteer Service

SEOUL (Yonhap) - The (North) Korean Red Cross has organized various volunteer
activities for teenagers, a pro-Pyongyang daily in Tokyo said on May 30.
The Red Cross has put its focus on teenagers since it opened local branches in
provinces, cities and counties throughout the country in 2004, according to
Choson Sinbo, a daily put out by the General Association of Korean Residents in
Japan.
A branch office in South Pyongan Province, for instance, has recently launched a
hygienic guard and a forestation guard, both composed of teenagers, and various
other programs to raise the role of youth volunteers, the newspaper said.
"These programs include teaching of the first-aid general knowledge for primary
and middle school students and planting of 2 million trees participated by some
20,000 Red Cross Youth members," it said.
Propaganda activities have been vigorously conducted on various occasions to
teach youth members about measures to prevent traffic and other accidents and the
importance of tree planting, the daily said.
Youth activities also provide a good chance for adults to learn about rules and
basic principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the
report added.

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North Korea Celebrates International Children's Day

SEOUL (Yonhap) - North Korea on June 1 observed International Children's Day with
various commemorative events, state media said.
Nurseries and kindergartens in Pyongyang and local cities offered sports and
amusement games and art performances on the day, the North's official Korean
Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
In Pyongyang, there was a joint meeting of North Korean and foreign children as
well as women at an amusement park, the report said.
Also on hand at the meeting were Kim Jung-rin, secretary of the Workers' Party,
Education Minister Kim Yong-jin and female foreign diplomats residing in
Pyongyang.
An exhibition of calligraphic works and drawings by North Korean and Chinese
children was also opened at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in the
capital city in celebration of the anniversary, the KCNA said. It did not mention
when the exhibit closes.
The opening ceremony was attended by Jon Yong-jin, vice chairman of the (North)
Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, officials
concerned and schoolchildren in Pyongyang. Also present was a delegation of the
Shanghai Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries, led by Gao
Ling, assistant to the secretary general of the association, and staff members of
the Chinese embassy there.
North Korea has observed International Children's Day since 1950. Another major
commemorative day for children is the June 6 founding day of the Children's
Union, a social organization for students aged seven to 14.
(END)