CHINA: NEWS
Choe Ryong Hae returns to North Korea without meeting Xi Jinping
On September 3 Chinese leaders were busily engaged in diplomatic outreach, taking turns meeting with the more than 40 heads of state in attendance. However, little was seen of North Korean special envoy Choe Ryong Hae. A news program on the television station North Korea Today announced that Choe and the North Korean delegation had returned to Pyongyang that evening after participating in the festivities in Beijing. Upon arrival at Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport, Choe was met by Zhang Chenggang, a representative of the Chinese embassy in North Korea. The program did not indicate that Choe met with the Chinese leadership while in China. Having departed for Beijing on September 2, Choe's one-day stay in China was the shortest of all representatives in attendance. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website included information on standing committee-level meetings scheduled between China and representatives of other nations in attendance. Though no other national representative had fewer than three such meetings scheduled, Choe's name did not appear on the site. The Singaporean media outlet Lianhe Morning Post speculated that Choe went to China without any message from Kim Jong Un to Xi Jinping, and therefore did not meet with him. – The Observer, September 6
Kunming youth soccer team's special 6-day trip to Pyongyang
In late August, the Kunming Football Association represented China at a Pyongyang soccer tournament for boys age 15 and under. Before departing, parents explained to the players that North Korea was a lot like China in the 1960s and '70s. Players were instructed not to bring cellphones or electronics, and noted the strict luggage and travel document inspection requirements in North Korea. On several occasions they were asked to delete photos they had taken, including one of a stewardess on a Koryo Air flight. The team stayed at the Yanggakdo International Hotel. Even there, the availability of warm water was restricted, and there were only three channels on television. On the way to the May Day stadium, the visitors saw poorly stocked shops and soldiers on patrol along the roads, cracks in the image-conscious facade Pyongyang presents to foreigners. During the matches, the stadium was filled with tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators, who left no trash behind in the stands when they departed, cheering on a North Korean team with such focus that it would not celebrate after game-winning goals, but restart play immediately. One player summed up the experience by observing: “One can feel this country's rigor.” – City Times (Kunming), September 8
Pyongyang quietly changing
A friend of the author recently visited Pyongyang and met a Chinese journalist who had worked there for several years. Upon looking out of the spacious windows of a hotel on Kurata Street, the author's friend remarked that, with its bright lights, steady traffic and colorful neon, Pyongyang's nightlife wasn't any different than that of large cities in China. The reporter, who had left Pyongyang for two years in 2012, responded that Pyongyang had changed even in that time. Pyongyang now has a functioning e-commerce system, known as “Jade Flow,” where one can select a product and pay by electronic card online. The reporter had also noticed greater numbers of taxis on Pyongyang's streets; in 2013, an estimated 1,500 taxis were in Pyongyang. Most are made by BYD, with fares starting at US$2. Outside the city, there are also ski and equestrian clubs, such as the Mirim Equestrian Club, which includes an airstrip, skating rink, hotels, ski resort and complete supporting facilities. Observers will find new buildings under construction in Pyongyang as well as residents dressed stylishly, carrying smartphones. Many aspects of change are becoming subtly integrated into the lifestyle of Pyongyang residents, and quietly influencing their future. – People's Daily, September 9
CHINA: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Will Kim Jong Un regret his absence from the 9/3 parade?
Kim Jong Un's deliberate absence from the September 3 celebration could have been part of an effort to strike a balance between China and Russia, or perhaps passive hostility toward China. As Kim Jong Un continues to cause trouble on the Korean Peninsula, China has voted in favor of UN sanctions on North Korea, insisted on the implementation of these sanctions, and cut off most aid to North Korea, including crude oil exports. As a result, Kim Jong Un is turning his attention to Russia and beginning to snub China. This will have three consequences for North Korea: first, China will adopt an even harder stance on North Korea's nuclearization and destabilizing behavior, demanding concrete action from North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs. Second, relations between China and South Korea will continue to warm. Third, China will continue to adhere to the implementation of sanctions on North Korea, and most Chinese aid to North Korea will remain suspended. Kim wants to succeed among the world's major powers regardless of his country's situation, but doesn't understand why he is only met with sanctions and tougher sanctions. If China keeps tightening Mr. Kim's waistband to help him lose weight, the author hopes North Korea will invest more in fields other than nuclear weapons development. – Linfei He,China CDC Forum, September 8
North Korea very dissatisfied with ‘a certain country,’ ‘external forces’
Pyongyang is no longer unhappy with only South Korea and the U.S.; this sentiment has spread to its “blood allies,” the Chinese. In response to Park Geun-hye's comments that China had played a “constructive role in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” the spokesperson for North Korea's Ministry for Peace and Reunification expressed its dissatisfaction to a KCNA reporter. This discontent was clearly pointed at Park, but the statement's language also betrays criticism of China. In response to Park's praise of China's role in defusing the situation on the peninsula, North Korea was unwilling to describe China as its “blood ally,” as it has in the past, instead referring to China as “a certain country.” The spokesperson emphasized that improving North-South relations and safeguarding peace on the Korean Peninsula was solely the responsibility of the Korean people, and not “external forces.” Over the past several days, North Korea has referred to Park not as a “South Korean puppet” but as “the South Korean leader,” and wants to keep open the door to contact with the South, but it does not want “a certain country” to be an “external force.” – Haidong Li, Sohu, September 6
JAPAN: NEWS
North Korea's report on abductees ‘almost ready’
North Korean authorities have told Japan that their report on the abduction issue is “almost ready.” The release of the report was postponed from its previous July deadline, but now the North Korean authorities say that the investigation is coming to an end. A Japanese government official has also stated that his remark on Japan's refusal to receive the report from North Korea, as was reported last month, was simply a misunderstanding. He emphasized that North Korea wants to clear all issues between the two countries and answer all questions about Japanese citizens in North Korea. – Nikkei, September 10
New video from families of Japanese abductees released
An official government website has published a new video with messages from families of abducted Japanese citizens. The 30-minute film, entitled “Will Definitely Bring Them Back to Their Loved Ones!” was publicly shown in the Japanese parliament cinema with the families present in the audience. “I hope that this video reaches those left in North Korea, so that they can see we are waiting for them,” said the mother of abductee Megumi Yokota. The movie consists of 17 short messages by 17 family members with relatives officially confirmed to have been kidnapped by North Korea. The video is a way to reach other Japanese and to raise awareness of the issue. English subtitles will be added to the video later. –Rachi, September 11
Picture exhibition showing Japanese abductee in Tokyo
A special photo exhibition showing pictures of Megumi Yokota, kidnapped by North Korea when she was 13 years old, opened at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on September 8. Thirteen years have passed from the 2002 September meeting between Kim Jong Il and Junichiro Koizumi where North Korea admitted to the kidnappings of Japanese citizens. Yokota's parents and the Asagao support group organized the exhibition. "With this exhibition we want to show that many Japanese are praying for the resolution of the abduction issue," one of the Asagao members said. – Niigata Nippo, September 8, 2015
Chongryon Sapporo HQ raided by police
Japanese police have conducted a search of Chongryon's headquarters in Sapporo on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. An investigation into the embezzlement of social welfare funds by small companies in Sapporo led the police to Chongryon. According to the police, private companies have been faking employment registers to receive money from the government, and a connection to Chongryon was found in all of these companies. Based on this link, the police searched the organization’s headquarters and one of its schools for evidence. The police raids on Chongryon's headquarters in Sapporo didn't result in any new evidence, with the search ending in just under an hour. According to the police, the search was limited only to rooms that were not locked. "The Sapporo Chongryon headquarters has nothing to do with this case," Chongryon’s chairman said. – Sankei, September 6, 2015
JAPAN: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Behind Chongyron’s and the administration's power struggle
Last week Japanese police searched Chongryon's Hokkaido headquarters. At the same time, Chongryon was celebrating Japan's defeat in World War II and Chongryon's chief said publicly that Japan is pursuing a racist policy against North Koreans in Japan, emphasizing that a new report on the abduction issue depends on the Japanese government's behavior. A few months ago, after the arrest of Chongryon's members on charges of smuggling North Korean mushrooms, North Korea threatened to back out of dialogue with Japan. However, they didn't do so as Chongryon's flow of money to the North is not as great as it used to be. North Korea is having a hard time in the United Nations due to human rights issues. They wish to use the abduction issue concerning Japan to win its support in the UN. Even though Chongryon's and North Korea's relationship seems very close, in fact it's not. Can the Japanese government see this situation and use this to form an effective strategy against North Korea? – Koh Youngki, Blogos, September 8
SOUTH KOREA: NEWS
South Korean military to reinforce UAV defenses
On September 11 the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced that they are planning to enhance their early detection and striking capabilities against North Korea’s small Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV). From 2018 to 2023, the JCS is planning to install dozens of local air defense radars designed to detect UAVs. According to the JCS, current low-altitude surveillance radars are not suitable for detecting North Korea’s UAVs. On August 22, in the middle of negotiations between South Korean and North Korean officials, a North Korean UAV crossed the Military Demarcation Line and flew over the South Korean Army’s General Outpost. The South Korean military responded by sending Cobra Attack Helicopters and Air Force fighters, but the UAV returned to North Korea unharmed. No detailed information about this type of UAV has been released to public, but it is known that it was bigger than the UAVs found at Baengnyeongdo Island and Samcheok, South Korea last March-April. – Voice of America, Korea, September 11
Separated families should meet even if missile launched: Hong
On September 11 South Korean Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo announced that there would be “no changes” in Seoul’s position regarding the May 24 Measures, which ban nearly all inter-Korean trade outside of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. “North Korea’s responsible reaction towards South Korea is crucial as these measures are directly related to the national security and safety of the South Korean people,” he said. “There are many private interchanges that could be done even under the May 24 Measures, but North Korea simply has not responded to such requests.” But Hong indicated that the Ministry of Unification will proceed with the meetings of separated families even if North Korea launches a missile on October 10, the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. When lawmaker Park Sang-eun of the ruling Saenuri Party asked whether there were any chance of cancelling the meetings of separated families due to a potential missile launch, Hong at first avoided a direct answer. “I can clearly say that North Korea should not take such an action,” but later said that “we will do our best to proceed with the meeting of separated families even if North Korea provokes us with a missile launch.” – Donga Ilbo, September 12
SOUTH KOREA: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Don’t let minor mistakes dim torch of unification
On her way back from China, President Park Geun-hye stated that “agreement from the international community is crucial for achieving unification on the Korean Peninsula.” Her view of the Korean Peninsula is actually quite correct if one hopes to lead the current inter-Korean relationship toward the path of peaceful unification. Many Korean citizens seem to support her point of view on unification, as her approval rating has risen to 54 percent, the highest since before the sinking of the Sewol ferry last April. This shows that now is the most suitable time to proceed with her “trust-building process” between the two Koreas. Despite a favorable view of the future of the Korean Peninsula, there is one thing that the president should not miss if she does not wish for the torch of unification to dim. The support and understanding of China is important, but support from the U.S., Japan, Russia and other surrounding countries is equally crucial for the peaceful future of the Korean Peninsula. Our traditional allies the U.S. and Japan worry that the president’s visit to China may make South Korea more “pro-China” than before, possibly weakening the traditional alliance the three countries share. In order to wipe out such suspicions, South Korea should show a well-balanced diplomacy in the near future. President Park’s diplomatic skill will soon be tested in the South Korea-U.S. summit on October 16 and the trilateral South Korea-China-Japan talks in November. – Editorial, JoongAng Ilbo, September 7
Politics should not halt meetings between separated families
Making the meetings between separated families a permanent event between South and North Korea is the priority for developing the inter-Korean relationship. Due to the candidates’ advanced ages, the number of deaths is increasing, meaning fewer chances of meeting one’s family members while they are alive. The fact that such meetings are held only as one-time events is not boosting the hopes nor easing the sadness of these separated families. In order to make this event permanent, we have to make the upcoming meeting as successful as possible. There is news that North Korea might launch missiles on October 10, the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, but political incidents should not affect the meetings of separated families at all. North Korea should refrain from such military provocations to show that they have a clear intent to carry out what the two Koreas agreed to on August 25. Meetings between separated families are the most critical humanitarian missions on the Korean Peninsula. Both Koreas should participate in building an environment and conditions that will not be shaken, even by surprise political incidents. To make that happen, the South Korean government must answer North Korea’s request for humanitarian aid. – Editorial, The Kyunghyang Shinmun, September 8
Regrets over the recent agreement on separated families
We have to remember that North Korea has been using the reunions of divided families only as a political bargaining chip for dealing with South Korea. Looking back at North Korea’s past, there is very little chance that their basic point of view on meetings between separated families has changed. We are not even sure if North will agree to the upcoming South-North meeting through the Red Cross. South Korea should look for ways to change the North’s point of view. The South should also build a step-by-step roadmap for providing humanitarian aid to the North to resolve issues over separated families. Should North Korea proceed with launching a missile on the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, there is a serious chance that it will negatively affect the upcoming reunions. North Korea already has a history of cancelling the meeting: They did so in September 2013, just four days before the actual meeting between families was supposed to happen. If North Korea does the same this time, thus violating the August 25 Agreement, South Korea must take action through sanctions. One way or the other, they should learn that cancelling the meetings between separated families is not acceptable. – Editorial, Chosun Ilbo, September 9
RUSSIA: NEWS
Lukashenko announces approval of Belarus-DPRK cooperation
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated a need for the development of ties between Minsk and Pyongyang, according to DSNews. "Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence in the further successful expansion of the fruitful cooperation between the two countries and development of the traditionally friendly bilateral relations," a statement revealed. Lukashenko recently sent a message of congratulations to the first chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK Kim Jong Un on the occasion of the Day of Education in North Korea. Earlier, it was reported that Belarus is ready to increase exports of industrial goods to the DPRK. In particular, Belarus is interested in exports to North Korea of machinery, petrochemicals and other industrial goods. – DSNews, September 10
DPRK deal shows Belarus does not seek ‘unidirectional’ trade: Expert
“Economy Today” discusses the current Minsk-Pyongyang trading relations, and whether Russia will win something from their increasing trade. The main imports to the DPRK are oil, coal, engineering products, metals, grains and textiles. Pyongyang buys tractors, trucks and components, in turn supplying batteries for their production. This spring, at a meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Lee Yong Soo, Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov outlined the priorities in trade and economic cooperation between the two countries in exports of agricultural and automotive engineering, production management, technology in the field of delivery of light industry products, and cooperation in the field of agriculture. This demonstrates that the idea that Belarus holds a “unidirectional pro-Russian policy” is a misconception, one expert said. “In fact, Belarus has always declared its principle of a multi-vector policy, Lukashenko is even a theorist of this view, as he has repeatedly stated, favoring the country's participation in integration projects in both the East and the West,” said Oleg Nemensky, leading researcher at the Russian Institute of Strategic Research. “And for those who believe Minksk’s foreign policy is unidirectional, it is the fault of the West, which blocks the development of its relations with Belarus." – RUEconomics.ru
September 9
Defecting official says Kim Jong Un’s days are numbered
The current regime of Kim Jong Un is at its most unstable, according to a North Korean defector who previously worked with the ruling elites in North Korea. TV journalists met with the refugee from North Korea, who fled from the North about a year ago. "The current regime of Kim Jong Un is at its most unstable. His term in office will be the shortest," said the source. After the death of his father Kim Jong Il in 2013, Kim Jong Un took control of North Korea and indicated a desire to improve the situation within the country. But this was a "false image" and the current dictator has shown his true colors, said the defector. He pointed out that Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father, threw people in jail, with some of them dying of hunger, but he did not kill people from his inner circle, as is happening now with Kim Jong Un. "I can tell you for sure: the North Koreans, who are in the upper middle class, do not trust Kim Jong Un," said the fugitive. "The question is what will follow (his rule).” – ZN Ukraine, September 8
RUSSIA: OPINION & ANALYSIS
Five Interesting Facts about North Korea
Internet
In North Korea, access the World Wide Web is a privilege. Only about a thousand people are free to view pages on the Internet. Basically, these are the officials, foreign missions, some scientists and employees of the intelligence services. The North Korean leader personally approves organizations that have access to the network.
Almost 100 percent literacy
According to official statistics, the literacy rate in North Korea is 99 percent. However, this is determined by one’s ability to write the name of the national leader. Education in Korea is a free and compulsory system, reminiscent of the Soviet system: a six-year primary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school, then university.
The cheapest metro
On September 6, 1973, officials in the capital of North Korea opened the underground. The Pyongyang subway consists of two lines with a total length of 22.5 km (16 stations). Construction of the third branch was planned in 1980, but was postponed due to a lack of funding.
Empty highways
In North Korea, the streets have almost no cars. Basically, the military and government elite use personal vehicles, while ordinary people move around on bicycles, trams, trolley buses and the metro.
Legal marijuana
In North Korea, smoking marijuana is totally legal. The government considers cannabis a simple plant, not a drug. Moreover, marijuana is perceived as a kind of "medicine.” Cannabis bushes grow along the trails and roads, as well as decorate the gardens and courtyards of residents of the DPRK. – TVC.ru, September 9
