Satellite imagery shows housing built after N. Korean floods

Satellite imagery shows housing built after N. Korean floods

Housing consistent with that shown in DPRK media, though difficult to estimate size of project

Leo Byrne 

December 16th, 2015

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Recently updated satellite imagery shows part of North Korea’s new housing construction in Sonbong, where flash flooding in August caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

The photos only show a section of the completed housing, though it does look relatively consistent withimages released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) approximately one month after the flood.

Numerous KCNA and Korean Central Television (KCTV) articles showed the large-scale project throughout its construction, with large numbers of military personnel apparently drafted to help with the building work.

“The North uses military units as an organized labor force for various purposes including construction projects and agriculture” NK News intelligence director John Grisafi said.

“North Korea has a proportionately very large military and the economic system is state managed and so there is little to no distinction between what the government does and does not do in that regard,” he added.

The new housing is located just to the North of the Sonbong area, and is visible in satellite imagery from November though some smaller structures to the east of the new houses also appear to have been cleared in the intervening month.

KCNA claimed more than 1,800 new homes had been built in the region, though this is difficult to confirm with the new satellite imagery, which currently only shows the northern-most houses. The November photo shows approximately 150 new buildings, though none of the greenery visible in some of the later photos from DPRK media.

Another large construction project has also been carried out slightly to the south, though it is difficult to tell exactly when it occurred, with the next previous image of the area dating back to 2013.

The river in 2013 (top) and 2015 (bottom). Image: Google Earth

Satellite photos of the area taken roughly two weeks after the floods show the size of the river compared to those taken in the same month two weeks previously.

In the most recent images the river appears to have burst its banks and is many times larger than in September 2013.

The area was last featured by KCNA when North Korean Kim Jong Un visited the reportedly finished construction.

Featured image: Google Earth

DPRK: Girls, interrupted

about evil

Upon Evil, Andre Malreux noted that: Yes, Evil does exist...but you never find it in serial killers, or molesters, you find it only in the highest seats of government, military, and religion in our world, because this is the only setting in which Evil can do its real and profound work upon us, day after day, until evil is normal to us.

Who is George Pell?

Thinking about things...like why the Bishop of Sydney has to have his own fully cashed up team of Queens Councillors defending him in Sydney when he has just be asked to come along to an enquiry about abuse...why does a simple God-inspired monk/priest need that? Honestly? Are we not all equal and mortal men? Can he not speak his truth without the caveat of others in his employ? What kind of society is this that he has, indeed, had more than a fair hand in creating over the years? What kind of wise man is this who firstly only considers the advice of his experts before saying anything from his own lips about his own realvdealings? George Pell: Who the fuck is this cunt?

Russia, China fail to stop Security Council discussion of N.Korean human rights

Russia, China fail to stop Security Council discussion of N.Korean human rights

Beijing, Russia's objections to UN vote joined by just two other members of the 15-member UNSC

Jiwon Song 

December 11th, 2015

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday emphasized the need to bring international attention to the human rights situation in North Korea.

A press released quoted him as saying that “the DPRK’s deplorable human rights violations such as those involving extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrest, rape and other forms of sexual violence, forced labor, forced abortions, torture and the detention of an estimated 80,000-120,000 political prisoners in a network of political prison camps” needed to be brought to international attention.

Kerry also called for North Korea to “comply with its international obligations and commitments, including those reflected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

CNN quoted UN’s senior official Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein’s testimony that China and Russia attempted to block the meeting with procedural vote. Venezuela and Angola joined Beijing and Moscow in opposing the measure, while nine member states of the 15-member Security Council voted in favor.

Chad and Nigeria abstained.

Late last year the UN General Assembly voted to condemn the North’s human rights violations following the release of the UN Commission of Inquiry’s report on the North’s multiple, systematic human rights abuses. The vote also recommended referring the North’s leadership to the International Criminal Court at The Hague in the Netherlands.

But the General Assembly vote, unlike a Security Council vote, is non-binding. Now that that the matter has been brought before the Security Council China and Russia, as permanent UN members, are expected to exercise their right to veto a Security Council vote that would have legal consequences for the North.

Featured Image: New York City, USA – Security Council of the United Nations by plusgood on 2005-01-26 14:34:14

Featured Image: New York City, USA - Security Council of the United Nations by plusgood on 2005-01-26 14:34:14

N. Korean band’s visit to China may prompt new era of relations

N. Korean band’s visit to China may prompt new era of relations: Experts

Band’s visit will change Chinese public's perception towards N. Korean government

JH Ahn 

December 11th, 2015

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Experts saw the visit to China as signaling the beginning of a rapid improvement in the relations between the two countries, even potentially foreshadowing Kim Jong Un’s visit to China in upcoming year.

“This performance will be helpful in strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between people from both countries,” said Hua Chunying, spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry.

The Moranbong Band was first introduced to world in 2012 as the successor to the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble. Being organized by Kim Jong Un himself, the band has been often referred to as the symbol of North Korea’s step towards cultural openness.

Lee Woo-young, professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul has previously explained that Moranbong Band symbolizes changes in North Korea’s culture.

“Last year Kim Jong Un ordered the improvement in the quality of cultural life in North Korea by modernizing it and allowing a generous spectrum as well,” said Lee.

“The Moranbong band’s renewal reflects North Koreans’ need for better, more modernized quality in cultural products.”

Two other North Korea-China experts saw the band’s visit to China as a vivid symbol of improving relations between two countries.

“We can see the band’s visit to China as the flare that signals the further improvement in relations between two countries,” said Lee Chang-ju, a Ph.D candidate at Fudan University in Shanghai focusing on North Korea-China relations.

Lee saw that this cultural exchange between two might be advanced work to prepare for Kim Jong Un’s visit to China in near future.

“The last time Liu Yunshan, the one of the top leaders of China, visited North Korea, Kim Jong Un asked Liu about his intent to visit China sometime in future. Liu has given Kim a positive answer,” said Lee.

Chung Jae-hung, the North Korea-China relations expert from the Institute for Far Eastern Studies has explained band’s visit to China as part of Chinese government’s effort to change public’s perception towards North Korea.

“Recently on Chinese media, there have been numerous introductions about Moranbong band. This is Chinese government’s effort to change public’s perception towards North Korean government, which is usually portrayed as dark and abnormal.”

Chung explained that the new perception of North Korea, produced by the modern-style Moranbong Band will be crucial in making progress should Kim Jong Un visit China in future.

“There will be huge difference between Kim Jong Un’s visit to China with or without improving Chinese public’s perception towards today’s North Korea,” said Chung.

“Mass Chinese coverage of Moranbong Band is the message that the government is trying to send to its people.”

Featured image: Rodong Shinmun

North Korea minister gives speech on climate change at UN

North Korea minister gives speech on climate change at UN

Foreign minister Ri Su Yong said the North will look to reduce emissions by 37 percent

Jiwon Song 

December 9th, 2015

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North Korea has signaled a commitment to participating in the global campaignagainst climate change following Kim Jong Un’s “declaration of war” against deforestation.

Speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris on Monday, Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong said North Korea would actively contribute to protecting the global environment.

Ri unveiled a plan claiming North Korea “aims to reduce CO2 emission by 37.4 percent by 2020 and engage in the global environmental effort as one of the parties to the UN Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.”

The effort comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared “war” on deforestation. Kim has initiated tree-planting campaigns to take place over next decade, and said all mountains will be turned into “golden (and) thickly wooded with trees.”

“North Korea wants to improve its image,” Chang Yong-seok, a senior researcher at Institute for Peace and Unification Studies at Seoul National University told NK News.

“It is basically a strategy to expand international cooperation. The Kim Jong Un regime has stayed stuck to its peace line and ‘people first’ policy rather than talking about satellites, autonomy and dignity, like in the past.”

Chang said Ri’s speech could also contain a political message, telling onlookers that North Korea is well-positioned to be active on climate change.

“North Korea nowadays is not satisfied with its image of receiving international aid all the time,” added Chang.

“More than that, they want to prove to the world that they are rather open now. They want to deliver a message that they are ready to make a contribution to international agenda like climate change.”

Recent reports from Pyongyang, North Korean media and anecdotal evidence indicate that North Korea is embracing renewable technologies.

A relatively large percentage of their generated electricity comes from hydro power, though the capacity drops off in winter, as rivers and dams freeze over.

Featured Image: Pyongyang Haze by m•o•m•o on 2012-03-10 01:55:54