Foreign Media Monitor # 8: Weds October 21
CHINA: NEWS
North Korean products receive warm welcome at commodity fair – Xinhua, October 15
The fourth China-North Korea expo opened in Dandong, Liaoning on October 15, featuring a commodity trade fair that morning, at which consumers warmly welcomed many types of everyday North Korean products. These included honey, spirits, cigarettes and health products, showcased by North Korean staff dressed in traditional clothing. North Korean paintings, stamps, clothing, footwear and other goods also attracted the attention of many visitors. This year's expo included a North Korean delegation of 400 participants, of whom 100 are exhibitors and 300 are trade representatives. In addition, 100 companies from Pakistan, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Russia and other countries and regions were present. The first China-North Korea commodity fair was held in October 2012, and all four have been hosted by Dandong. During the first three, deals amounting to RMB 370 million ($58.3 million) were reached, as were 25 investment projects, with a total value of $410 million. In addition to trade and investment, China and North Korea are to discuss tourism promotion in the form of simplified tourism regulations and procedures, as well as prospective tourism projects, such as landing tours in Sinuiju which depart from Dandong.
North Korea through my eyes: No Cultural Revolution – The Observer, October 16
Upon this author's arrival in North Korea for the anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, the widespread notion that the country is akin to China during the Cultural Revolution was quickly dispelled. The government is not as involved in the private lives of its citizens. According to the author's tour guide, North Koreans are free to openly pursue and express love. The guide aspired to become an international trade entrepreneur. North Korea highly values material rewards. If an athlete wins a gold medal, the government provides a car (driver and gasoline included) and a house as a reward. Still, North Korea is poor today; adult men are only allocated 600 grams of food daily. Two North Koreans on this author's flight did not even eat the hamburgers given to the passengers; instead, they wrapped them up and took them, presumably to share at home. The roads were extremely rough, and power blackouts innumerable. Even toilet paper is a luxury not available in most North Korean public restrooms. Though North Korea is dissimilar to China during the Cultural Revolution, this author concludes that its planned economy will not bring the country any closer to prosperity.
North Korean tour guide: ‘Do not slander China-North Korea friendship!’ – Sina, October 15
On a recent trip to North Korea, the author noted that people there now have more understanding of China’s economic development, and there are high hopes for China-North Korea relations. In many places in Pyongyang, renminbi, U.S. dollars and euros can be used directly with no need for exchange. However, UnionPay, China’s international bank card system, is not used in North Korea, because North Korea “fears the United States will freeze (its) account at the World Bank.” This author joked with the North Koreans that a networked payment system between China and North Korea should be established, both to protect the security of exchanged funds, as well as to make travel in North Korea more convenient for the large number of Chinese tourists. When asked if the North Korean government was attempting to downplay China’s role in the Korean War, or had demolished memorials to China’s aid to North Korea in recent years, the guide responded, “That is a reactionary conspiracy – North Koreans will forever remember the great achievements of the Chinese volunteers, and the friendship between the North Koreans and the Chinese will last forever! The friendship between the North Koreans and the Chinese cannot be slandered!”
CHINA: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Does public opinion forecast a visit by Kim Jong Un to China? – Qiu Lin, Hexun Online, October 14
Given China’s stature in the international community, Kim Jong Un should have met with Liu Yunshan personally during his visit to North Korea, but there are no reports that any meeting between the two took place. This was also not Liu’s first visit to North Korea – he visited in October 2007, and met with Kim Jong Il at the time. In high-level positions within the Chinese government, he met with North Korean officials several times. When Liu went to North Korea to participate in the anniversary celebration of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chinese analysts believe there were two things he needed to do. One was to relay Xi Jinping’s message of congratulations to Kim Jong Un, and invite Kim to visit China. The other was to put forward new initiatives related to restarting the Six-Party Talks. Kim does not have the same personal relationships with Chinese leaders that his father did. However, Liu’s visit may have provided Kim the opportunity to visit China by giving him the necessary contact with Chinese leadership. Therefore, public opinion suggests the strong possibility that Kim will receive an invitation to visit China, coming in the first half of 2016 at the earliest.
The mystery of Xi Jinping's message to Kim Jong Un – Hexun Online, October 14
When Xi Jinping telegrammed Kim Jong Un on October 9 to congratulate him on the anniversary of the founding of the WPK, Xinhua, China’s central news agency, did not release the full text of the message. On the same occasion in 2010, when then-President Hu Jintao sent a message to Kim Jong Il, Xinhua released the full text of the message. However, the excerpt that was released was addressed not only to Kim and the WPK at large, but to all party members and all North Koreans. Such a message was no doubt meant to increase Kim's and the WPK's cohesive power. From some of Kim’s actions as leader, it can be seen that he wants to lead the country along the road of reform and opening, and improve the livelihood of its people, but his intentions are still not clear. China-North Korea relations have not been as strong in recent years, but this was not because of a diplomatic mistake on China's part, but rather because North Korea behaved impatiently, conducting military activities without prior communication with China, and ignoring China's advice. However, as North Korea's loyal ally, China will not pay too much attention, and continue to provide assistance.
JAPAN: NEWS
Japan elected to the UN Security Council, will focus on North Korea – MainichiShimbun, October 16
Japan has been elected to the UN Security Council as a nonpermanent member for the 11th time, a record in the history of the organization. During a press conference in New York, Japan’s ambassador to UN Motohide Ishikawa said that his country will focus on North Korea’s human rights abuses from next year. “What Japan can do in the UN as a country is to deal with human rights issues in the DPRK,” he said. Japan will also actively seek to resolve the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens and ensure their safe return back home. Japan also wants to call for changes in the UN in order to open the permanent seat in the Security Council for other countries as well. However, China will most definitely oppose this proposal and try to avoid any human rights-related issues on North Korea.
New field research to find truth behind kidnappings from decades ago – Sankei Shimbun, October 15
A citizen group called the Special Investigation Commission for Missing Japanese has conducted field research in Ishikawa prefecture to learn more about the rumors spreading among citizens about kidnappings by North Korea. They talked to witnesses in the cases from decades ago and learned that the communities have lived with a sense of fear for many years because of mysterious disappearances of people from the community. “You’ll be taken by North Korea if you do something bad,” was one of the sayings among the people, according to 62-year-old Mr. Kanai. Witnesses say that they’ve seen suspicious ships that might have been North Korean. However, they said that, having notified the police, nobody took any action. Kume Hiroshi, one of the 17 missing confirmed by the Japanese government, was kidnapped from Ishikawa prefecture in 1977. The members of the commission have found out that in the ’70s another five people disappeared in the same area. “The lack of action by the police and the government could have led to the kidnappings,” they say. What’s worse, the passage of time is making it harder to find out the truth, as the witnesses are passing away and all the leads vanishing.
JAPAN: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Why was Shinzo Abe happy with the North Korean military parade? – Yamano Kazuto, Business Journal, October 18
The military parade in North Korea on the 70th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s foundation worried many because of the planned missile test. It was a very interesting parade to watch. However, even though North Korea had said it would be the biggest parade ever it was in fact smaller than the one from 2012. But most importantly, the fact that North Korea didn’t launch its missile made Shinzo Abe happier than anyone else. Most of you probably don’t know this, but Japan also had it’s own military parade going on at the same time. The Japan Self-Defense Forces Fleet Review, a huge naval spectacle organized by the Ministry of Defense, was held from October 10-18. A number of Maritime Self Defense Force ships take part in this open-to-the-public event on the shores of Yokosuka naval base. Shinzo Abe, just like Kim Jong Un, comes to watch the parade of his warships. For a politician it’s an important event when he can actually feel his greatness. The prime minister was probably really worried that the North Korean missile launch might ruin his parade, as he would have to cancel it to send the Aegis ships to the Japanese Sea. Thankfully nothing like this happened and Shinzo Abe was very pleased. However, there is still the possibility of North Korean submarine ballistic test left to worry about.
Death sentenced for Japanese arrested in China? – Editorial, Shukan Gendai, October 14
The recent arrest of Japanese citizens in China for “spying” is something more than a coincidence. The new Chinese anti-spy law is very strict and has already resulted in the arrest of many foreign citizens accused of spying. This new policy by Xi Jinping is trying to remove all foreign influences in China except their investments. Three Japanese citizens have been arrested in recent months for violating the new law and are now facing serious charges. “Among them there are no spies. It’s all a Chinese fabrication and they won’t them let them go even if we negotiate,” one of the Japanese officials involved in the case says angrily. Some Japanese citizens who work in China have reported that they feel that someone is listening to their phone conversations and even hacking their e-mails. Recent tensions have been followed by the shrinking of Japanese investments and involvement in China. This new anti-spying policy has been already labeled in China as “West Chosun,” showing that it resembles the North Korean law and as China has the highest annual number of capital punishments carried out, real fear is being felt among Japanese and foreigners living in China.
What lies behind visit of high-ranking Chinese official for Pyongyang parade? –Suzuki Keisuke blog, October 12
From the standpoint of countries like Japan, the U.S. and South Korea one of the most important things in the East Asian policy is the relationship between North Korea and China. In the last few years we’ve witnessed events that might suggest the weakening of this bond between North Korea and China. However, the fact that China is still a lifeline for North Korea and has kept the Sino-Korean Mutual Defense Treaty suggests that North Korea is a vital strategic asset for China and the Chinese Communist Party. Recently everyone was focused on the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers’ Party of Korea and whether North Korea would test-launch a ballistic missile. In particular, everyone wondered what would be North Korea’s reaction to a situation of political and economical instability in Xi Jinping’s rule. As it turned out, North Korea didn’t start any provocation and, instead, China sent one of its highest-profile politicians to attend the military parade. This shows us a few things. First of all, North Korea is an important ally for China, as in the old days. Secondly, China has finally approved of the young leader Kim Jong Un and is backing his rule. However, I still believe there is a chance for improving relations among South Korea, Japan, the U.S. and China. I have great expectations for Japanese foreign diplomacy in this dynamic area of international relations in East Asia.
SOUTH KOREA: NEWS
Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung university will soon allow internet access – VOA, October 15
Park Chan-mo, president of Pyongyang University of Science & Technology (PUST), told Voice of America that the North Korean government is positive toward allowing internet access to Kim Il Sung University. “The North Korean government had given positive feedback on the temporary allowance of Internet access in PUST,” said Park. “This spring, I held a talk with Kim Il Sung University’s chief of foreign business, and he told me that the university has already finished all the preparations for allowing Internet access in its facility.” It is a widely known fact that North Korea has its own intranet, and Internet access is only allowed to very few in North Korea. According to Park, North Korea is concentrating on educating computer geniuses in a special high school backed by the North Korean government.
Chinese government blocked offensive terms describing Kim on internet –Chosun, October 15
Baidu, China’s biggest Internet search engine, has blocked offensive terms describing Kim Jong Un. During the reign of Kim Jong Il, the predecessor to current leader Kim Jong Un, many Chinese made fun of Kim Jong Il by calling him the “fatty the second of the Kim family.” Since Kim Jong Un’s regime, Chinese have made fun of him by calling him the “fatty the third of the Kim family.” In China, there have been numerous internet markings making fun of Kim Jong Un. But as of now, searching “fatty the third of the Kim family” in Chinese will not only bring you no search results, but also a warning that says “your search request is against policy.” Even in Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, any reference to “fatty the third of the Kim family” is completely banned at the moment. Some see it as the Chinese government’s favor towards Kim Jong Un. According to U.S.-basedForeign Policy magazine, there were around 15 million search results related to the inflammatory term in Baidu. But after the visit from Liu Yunshan, one of China’s top leaders, such inflammatory terms were all gone from Chinese search results.
North Korea slams naval review of U.S. aircraft carrier – Kookmin Ilbo, October 17
The North Korean media slammed the naval review of U.S. aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan. “Worries grow bigger as the naval reviews of U.S. aircraft and joint naval training will be held during the meeting of separated families. … It is an inhuman act against the ethics and morality of human beings to exhume the smell of gunpowder while these families are sharing their love and affection. … It is obvious that separated families will not be able to meet their beloved ones in peace, as the sound of bombshells and the smell of gunpowder would disrupt the meeting,” said North Korean state media. “The distrust between the two Koreas is getting deeper as the war equipment heads toward the Korean Peninsula and threatens the trustful inter-Korean dialogue … If the South Korean government really wishes to improve its relationship with us, they should halt any attempt to raise the tension.”
SOUTH KOREA: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Are our children really learning about ‘Juche’ from their history books? – Kyunghyang, October 14
“Our children are learning Kim Il Sung’s Juche ideology from the Korean history textbook,” said Saenuri’s political banners, which were placed all over Seoul. This is definitely the propaganda against South Korean populace. The propaganda is aimed to make people believe that the current South Korean history books are praising Kim Il Sung’s Juche ideology. But unlike what the banner claimed, there was no such sentence that promotes Kim Il Sung’s Juche ideology without criticism. One textbook company, which the South Korean government pointed out as “left-wing,” has stated in its textbook that, “Juche ideology was the Kim Il Sung-centric ideology that he used to centralize himself during the fight against Japanese imperialists. The ideology was later used to form the Kim Jong Il-cult in North Korea.” The South Korean government has already failed to provide hard evidence that current history books are polluted with Kim Il Sung’s ideology. Yet they keep lying to our citizens. During the questioning session, Hwang Kyo-an, the prime minister of South Korea was slammed by opposition party members for not being able to provide any evidence of praising Juche ideology in current textbooks, as the ruling Saenuri Party has previously claimed. “Some of the textbooks are introducing Juche ideology without any criticism,” Prime Minister Hwang mumbled when the opposition asked for the straight answer. It is evident why Hwang could not provide clear answer to the question: He had no evidence.
What to learn from the Syrian immigration outbreak – JoongAng, October 17
Due to the Syrian crisis, almost 11 million Syrians have fled from their own country. What would happen to the Korean Peninsula if a similar crisis occurred in North Korea? According to the Ministry of Unification’s data, a total of 28,000 defectors arrived in South Korea as of June 2015. The number is nothing compared to the South Korean population of almost 50 million, yet the government is having hard time providing aid to support defectors in adapting to South Korean society. If the North Korean government breaks down, the refugees’ first destinations would be China and South Korea. Refugees would soon flee to Japan or even Mongolia and Southeast Asian countries as well. Even if we completely block the 38th parallel, we would still fail to stop the boat people coming from Kangwha Island in west and Goseong area adjacent to East Sea. How can we stop our own brothers and sisters who have even risked drowning?
RUSSIA: NEWS
Belarus, North Korea to open direct air link – October 13 SB.by Belarus TodayOnline
Belarus and North Korea will connect direct air links. The flight is scheduled to start next May. They will operate the aircraft Tu-154 between Minsk and Pyongyang. Meanwhile, as explained to Belarus Today by the airline Belavia, the flight will be a one-off, organized by the Belarusian tourist agency Merlin Tour in order to increase the number of tourists from Eastern Europe to North Korea, said Olga Gerasenko, head of advertising and communications at Belavia.
Russia, North Korea agree on establishment of Asian trading house – October 15,Slon.ru
Russia and North Korea have agreed to study the establishment of an Asian trading house that would simplify the calculation of national currencies in mutual trade and proceed without intermediaries. This is stated in the message of the Russian Federation Ministry of Far East Development. "This mechanism involves the synchronization of Russian and Chinese marketplaces, as well as support for transactions through partner banks accredited to carry out trade in the national currencies of the two countries," according to the ministry. It is expected that the first trial of the Asian trading house may pass before the end of this year. The Ministry of Far East Development noted that there exists the possibility of mutual settlements in rubles between Russia and North Korea even today. The ministry also noted the importance of minimizing the participation of third countries in Russian-Korean trade. Thus, according to the agency, up to a third of China's exports to the DPRK (almost $900 million) are comprised of Russian-made products. In April, the Minister for Development of the Far East Alexander Galushka said that the trade turnover between Russia and North Korea in 2020 could grow to $ 1 billion. By comparison, in 2014, according to the Federal Tax Service, the trade turnover between the countries amounted to $92.3 million (18.1 percent less than in 2013).
DPRK steps up anti-smoking campaign – October 18, 365Info.kz
The DPRK has developed a new tool in the form of tablets to help smokers to get rid of the bad habit. The pill is based on natural herbs, including components such as ginseng powder and Ievleva tears, Istoda extract and several others, reports ITAR-TASS, citing local media. According to North Korean doctors, this tool enhances immunity and has no negative side effects for the human body. The product allows you to progressively eliminate smoking-caused diseases of the circulatory and respiratory systems, including coughing and asthma attacks. The course of the treatment is seven-10 days. North Koreans also utilize acupuncture to quit smoking. Despite the fact that fans of smoking in North Korea are still prevalent, in recent years, thanks to targeted anti-tobacco companies, their number has been steadily declining. These results were achieved due to the active promotion in the media of a healthy lifestyle. Smoke-free zones were declared in cinemas, concert halls, schools and hospitals. In the DPRK, only the stronger sex smokes. Seeing a Korean woman with a cigarette on the streets, in establishments, among company, in a cafe or restaurant is practically impossible. The public consciousness of this country does not permit the image of a woman smoking. The only exceptions are old women, living in rural areas, who became addicted to tobacco during the difficult period of Japanese occupation.
RUSSIA: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Expert: DPRK will defend itself from the US at any cost – October 13, Igor BukkerPravda.ru
North Korea is one of the most closed countries in the world. The closed nature of North Korea, in general, is of necessity – a defensive reaction from hostile external forces. In general, nuclear weapons were created in North Korea with these considerations in mind. On the current situation in North Korea, Pravda.Ru speaks with the director of the Center for Korean Studies, Alexander Zhebin.
Q: We last heard from the press that the intelligence services of South Korea and the U.S. are preparing some provocation against North Korea. Is it so? And how much of this information can be trusted?
A: At the moment it is difficult to say how serious and advanced these plans are. However, the fact that the United States and South Korea work out plans for the occupation of North Korea and its administrative centers is an indisputable fact. All this is very sad, and can bring only disappointment to neighbors of these countries.
Q: As far as you know, can we trust the information that North Korea has nuclear weapons?
A: The international community acts based on the fact that North Korea has such weapons. It is no accident the UN Security Council has adopted several resolutions in which North Korea is subjected to very tough economic and other sanctions for a nuclear test. With regard to missiles North Korea, as you know, in December 2012 launched an artificial satellite to orbit Earth, which is also forbidden to North Korea by UN Security Council resolutions, which ban any launches using ballistic technology. South Korea, the United States and Japan have expressed concern that North Korea has launched the technology of intercontinental ballistic missiles under the guise of a satellite. North Koreans have their own argument.
Q: As the head of the Russian Research Center, you do not differentiate between North and South Korea?
A: For us, Korea – this is one country, one nation, which is due to some tragic circumstances of Korean history is separated at the moment. I must say, this is not the first time in Korean history when Korea appeared divided into several states. There have also been times when several governments have existed within Korea and they all fought amongst each other.
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Thursday 22 October 2015
news from North Asia
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