northkorea

Yonhap has decided to get in on the KJI China trip action.  Citing an anonymous source and consulting some VIP calendars, Yonhap reports that Kim Jong-il may visit China later this month.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is likely to visit China later this month, a diplomatic source said Wednesday, a trip that could boost the prospect of resuming international talks on ending Pyongyang’s nuclear programs.

A senior South Korean politician, who wants to visit China late this month for a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, is expected to put the plan off, possibly because of Kim’s trip, the source said. When the North’s leader has visited China in the past, Beijing made sure that the schedule of its top leader did not overlap with other schedules.

Meanwhile, it seems that the Central Party has removed DPRK Premier Kim Yong-il re-education training wheels.  Either in preparation for the KJI trip or attending to the routine cleaning of the DPRK-PRC lips and teeth relationship, the new Chinese Ambassador Liu Hongcai visited with Premier Kim and Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission (GOSPLAN) Ro Tu-chol.  The visit occurred a week after Ambassador Liu presented his credentials  to SPA President and official head of state Kim Yong-nam.

Premier Kim Yong Il welcomed Ambassador Liu for the assumption of his new office in the DPRK, saying that Ambassador Liu had paid attention to DPRK-China relationship when he was working in China, and that he believed Ambassador Liu would, as always, make contributions to the development of the DPRK-China friendly and cooperative relationship during his term of office.

Kim Yong Il spoke highly of the current development in the Sino-DPRK friendly and cooperative relationship.

He said: In 2009, the DPRK and China celebrated the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the DPRK-China friendship year, which enabled the peoples of the two countries to have a better understanding of the history and tradition of the friendship between the DPRK and China. Thanks to the kind concern of the top leaders of the two countries, the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and China have maintained the good development trend since the beginning of this year. The DPRK people will never forget the material and spiritual support provided by the Chinese party and government to the DPRK’s socialist construction over a long period of time. It is an unswerving stand of the DPRK party and government to continuously consolidate and develop the DPRK-China friendly and cooperation relationship, and the DPRK will devote its utmost efforts to it.

Kim Yong Il gave a brief overview of the DPRK’s domestic situation, highly appreciated the tremendous achievements in the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics that the Chinese people had won under the leadership of the CPC, and wished the Shanghai World Expo a success.

Irish Independent: North Korea wishes #Irish president economic cheer on St. Patrick's Day http://bit.ly/9hUxah #DPRK

Pak Nam-gi, 2nd from Left, at the Mansudae Apartment Complex in Pyongyang with Kim Jong-il in October 2009 (Photo: KCNA).

Citing Seoul-based defectors with Northern ties, Daily NK reports that KWP Financial Planning Director Pak Nam-gi was recently arrested.  The story dispels rumors of Mr. Pak’s execution, but it cites his reports to KJI as what may have done him in:

It is alleged that before the redenomination he submitted a report claiming that the authorities would be able to improve the people’s lives and secure the national budget if they implemented it. This got Kim Jong Il’s agreement, however, soaring prices and exchange rates proved him wrong, and he was fired.

After Park’s dismissal, officials who had been in charge of trade with China and economic cooperation with the South apparently took on his tasks in the economic field of the Central Committee of the Party.

JP prof Mori Masataka: "I'm absolutely sure U.S. used germ warfare against NK during Korean War. I have no doubt." http://bit.ly/9zHsLy

Rumors swirl re: NK currency redenomination scapegoat Park Nam-ki: Public denouncement, arrest, execution. http://bit.ly/bQGbvk

Kim Yong-nam to Irish PM Mary McAleese: Happy St. Patricks Day, and hope your economic slump ends soon. http://bit.ly/9hUxah

SK Defense Minister: NK has added considerably to missile stockpile in past two years, upping total to around 1,000. http://bit.ly/bAzRWo

Junghee Lee, a professor of art history at Portland State University, let me know about a North Korea-related event which may be of interest to readers in the Northwest USA:

I would like invite you to come to the LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) screening of the documentary “Inside North Korea.”

What: “Inside North Korea,” a documentary produced by Lisa Ling and National Geographic. Lisa Ling, the sister of Laura Ling, one of two journalists captured in North Korea last year, goes undercover as a medical examiner to depict the current conditions of North Korea. This will be followed by a discussion and question/answer session by members of LiNK.

Where: Auditorium 92, Fifth Avenue Cinema (510 S.W. Hall St., Portland, OR 97201)

When: 4 April 2010 (Sunday), 3:00 P.M.-4:30 P.M.

Fee: Free and open to the public. On Sunday, the parking in the university parking lots is free. Streets have meter parkings.

Please contact Junghee Lee at leeju[at]pdx.edu if you have questions.

"Dear Leader is a dealer of fear" - Kim Jong Il #DPRK #NorthKorea RT: @winwithjeff "A leader is a dealer in hope." - Napoleon Bonaparte

RT @W7VOA: Yonhap: ROK Defense chief says #DPRK has 1,000 missiles. #Korea

RT @W7VOA: Yonhap: ROK Defense chief says #DPRK has 1,000 missiles. #Korea

Yonhap: ROK Defense chief says #DPRK has 1,000 missiles. #Korea

@geoffreycain @Diplomat_APAC: In almost every NK cartoon, those who stay faithful to Juche have happy endings. http://bit.ly/c6M98t

RT @W7VOA: Chosun Ilbo: Asst. US Sect'y of State Campbell quoted saying he doubts N. Korea's Kim Jong-il will live beyond 2013. #DPRK

Chosun Ilbo: Asst. US Sect'y of State Campbell quoted saying he doubts N. Korea's Kim Jong-il will live beyond 2013. #DPRK

Did U.S. drop "germ bombs" on NK in 1952? WATCH Tim Tate @AJEnglish revisit controversial evidence [4:43m]. http://bit.ly/cySa3q

During Feb SK visit, Asst U.S. Sec State Kurt Campbell suggested Kim Jong-il may only have three years to live. http://bit.ly/dxE0nI

RT @isaac: 金正日和食物们 #DPRK http://current.com/17ivc4c

According to Itar-Tass:

The Altai Territory will supply a test batch of flour to North Korea weighing 2,000 tons. The concern Altaiskiye Melnitsy (Altai Mills) signed a corresponding contract with the foreign trade state amalgamation of North Korea, ITAR-TASS learnt at the enterprise on Tuesday.

“Further increasing of volumes of supplies will mainly depend on the export price of flour,” general director Sergei Klinov said. The currently in force railway tariff from the Altai Territory to the border with North Korea, and this is about 3,600 roubles per ton, exceeds half the cost of flour in the export price structure. In such a situation, the issue of quality may become secondary for North Korea, and it will continue buying flour in China.”

Read the full stoy here: Altai to begin supplying flour to North Korea Itar-Tass 3/16/2010