NORTH KOREA NEWSLETTER NO. 73 (September 24, 2009)

*** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments
related to North Korea between Sept. 17-23, 2009.

September
17 Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
(SPA), meets with a delegation of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party led by
Asang Laoly, a party secretary, at Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang.
17 Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of the SPA Presidium, confers with the
delegation of the Laos-Korea Friendship Association led by Vice-Chairman
Khamphanh Sitthidampha, who is secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao
People's Revolutionary Youth Union, at Mansudae Assembly Hall.
17 A delegation of foreign affairs officials of the Chinese People's Liberation
Army led by Major General Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of
the Ministry of National Defense, arrives in Pyongyang.
17 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says a national contest of
hygienic propaganda teams made up of health officials is held in Anju City, South
Pyongan Province from Sept. 15 to 17.
17 The KCNA says Kim Jong-il provided field guidance at the Huichon Power Station
construction site.
17 Kim Yong-nam, together with State Councilor of the People's Republic of China
Dai Bingguo, acting as special envoy of Hu Jintao, watched the opera "The Dream
of the Red Chamber" at the Pyongyang Grand Theater.
17 The M.E. Pyatnichki Russian State Academic People's Chorus, on a visit to
North Korea, gives its premiere in Wonsan, Kangwon Province.
18 Kim Jong-il meets with Chinese special envoy Dai Bingguo.
18 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Michelle Bachelet, president of
Chile, in observance of its independence day.
18 The SPA Presidium issues a decree to appoint Pak Su-gil as vice premier of the
Cabinet and minister of finance, replacing Kim Wan-su.
18 Dai Bingguo leaves Pyongyang to return home.
18 A delegation of the Vietnam Journalists Association headed by Permanent Deputy
President Le Quoc Trung and Eddie Kekana, chairman of the Group for the Study of
the Progressive Ideas of South Africa, fly into Pyongyang.
18 The Democratic Women's Union holds a meeting in Pyongyang to commemorate the
60th anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-suk, Kim Jong-il's mother.
18 The SPA Presidium issues a decree to set up the State Science and Technology
Commission.
19 A North Korean delegation led by Pak Kil-yon, vice-minister of Foreign
Affairs, leaves Pyongyang to participate in the 64th UN General Assembly.
19 Premier Kim Yong-il sends a message of greetings to Denzil Douglas, prime
minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of its
independence.
19 Delegates from Germany, Australia, Austria, and Vietnam, along with Chinese
Hong Kong and Taipei, arrive in Pyongyang to participate in the 5th Pyongyang
Autumn International Trade Fair.
19 Vice Marshal Kim Yong-chun, minister of the people's armed forces, meets with
the delegation of foreign affairs officials of the Chinese People's Liberation
Army led by Maj. General Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of
the Ministry of National Defense.
19 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Edward Fenech-Adami, president of
Malta, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of its independence.
21 The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea issues a report on the
"successful" conclusion of the "150-day battle" for economic development and
calls upon the people to turn out for a similar 100-day campaign.
21 A remembrance concert, "The Great Life," is held in Pyongyang to mark the 60th
anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-suk.
21 A delegation of People's Daily of China led by Zhang Yannong arrives in
Pyongyang for a visit.
21 Premier Kim Yong-il sends a congratulatory message to Jose Manuel Barroso upon
his reelection as president of the European Commission.
21 The 5th Pyongyang Autumn International Trade Fair opens with due ceremony in
Pyongyang, attended by O Su-yong, vice premier of the Cabinet, and Ri Ryong-nam,
minister of Foreign Trade.
21 Premier Kim Yong-il sends a message of greetings to Prime Minister of Belize
Dean Barrow on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the independence of
Belize.
21 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Serge Sarkissian, president of
Armenia, marking its national day.
21 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Amadou Toumani, president and
head of state of Mali, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the
proclamation of Mali.
21 A reception is given by Jose Manuel Galego Montano, ambassador of Cuba to
North Korea, at his embassy on occasion of the 61st founding anniversary of North
Korea, attended by Yang Hyong-sop, Kim Yong-jin, minister of Education who is
chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with Cuba.
22 Delegates of banks and companies from Russia, Mozambique, Mongolia, India,
Thailand and France arrive in Pyongyang to participate in the celebrations of the
50th founding anniversary of the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea.
22 A national memorial service is held in Pyongyang to observe the 60th
anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-suk.
22 A military delegation of the Korean People's Army led by Pak Jae-gyong, vice
minister of the People's Armed Forces, leaves Pyongyang to visit China.
23 Premier Kim Yong-il meets with ddelegates of various countries participating
in celebrations for the North's Foreign Trade Bank at Mansudae Assembly Hall.
23 Kim Yong-nam meets with the delegation of People's Daily of China headed by
its President Zhang Yannong at Mansudae Assembly Hall.
23 Kim Yong-nam sends a message of greetings to Malam Bacai Sanha, president of
Guinea-Bissau, marking the 36th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic.
(END)