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*North Korean Studies*Joongang Ilbo reported that the Russian delegation headed by Russian Railways Minister Nicholi Akshonenko visited Pyongyang in order to discuss the railway-matters with the DPRK and stayed from March 16-20. Their aim is to restore the Traversing Korea Railways (approx. 930 km) that stretches from Hasan to the border of the ROK. If this project is realized, then the cargo transportation period of 40-45 days from the Korean Peninsula to Europe through the Suez Canal might be reduced to about 14 days and the owners of the cargo are likely to save about US$200 of freight per container. ("PYONGYANG AND MOSCOW CONCLUDES ON RAILWAY CONNECTION," Seoul, 03/28/01)
Izvestia published an interview of editors-in chief of four leading newspapers of RF with RF President Vladimir Putin, who summarized the results of his first year in power. Asked in particular about his visits to Cuba, Vietnam, Mongolia and the DPRK, Putin said, "Take for instance North Korea. First, it is our neighbor, we are vitally interested in stability and peace on the peninsula. Russia's adjacent regions are dependent on that. And not only the adjacent ones. We now have agreed with South Korea and in principle with North Korea on connection between the Trans-Korean and Trans-Siberian railways. That will substantially improve the performance of MPS [RF Railways Ministry] and the regions through which Trans-Siberian railway goes, and will facilitate the economic development of Russia." As for RF-US relations, Putin stated, "of course, the United States is a major partner of ours. As for the new Administration policies toward Russia and our mutual relations with the USA, I think nothing should be dramatized." ("VLADIMIR PUTIN: WE HAVE MADE A STEP ON THE PATH TOWARD CONSOLIDATION OF THE SOCIETY," Moscow, 1, 3, 03/22/01)
The Associated Press reported that the Education Center of Unification, a think tank affiliated with the ROK Unification Ministry, said Friday that the DPRK is believed to be capable of making one or two nuclear bombs. The center stated, "Verification on whether the North has fully given up its suspected nuclear weapons program should be pushed." It added that the DPRK began training nuclear specialists in the Soviet Union and the PRC in the 1960s, and their number is now believed to reach 3,000. ("NKOREA MIGHT HAVE NUKE BOMB SKILLS," Seoul, 03/23/01)
Pyongyang, March 20 (KCNA) -- The United States is putting the brake on the development of inter-Korean relations, pulling up the DPRK over the "missile issue" again, and hamstringing the positive development of the DPRK's foreign relations and the situation in northeast Asia, said the radio Voice of Russia on March 17. Commenting on the U.S. administration's hostile policy toward the DPRK, the radio said: Last year dialogues were likely to be held to stop the DPRK's missile development program and establish diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the U.S. but this hope was dashed. It is a well-known fact that last summer Pyongyang said it could cancel its missile program under certain conditions. Pyongyang proposed to discuss this proposal. Washington agreed to this and talks began. negotiations, however, remain suspended. This clearly proves that the U.S. policy does not take the interests of other state into consideration in order to meet its own interests.
By Georgi Toloraya
This essay is by Georgi Toloraya, Deputy Director-General of the 1st Asian Department in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Leading Research Fellow at the IMEMO of Russian Academy of Science. Toloraya argues that a number of developments over the past year have given watchers of North Korea the hope that North Korea is becoming just another developing, if not democratic, country, looking for its place in a new world order. Toloraya argues outsiders should abandon the hope of changing North Korea by forcing it to democratise, as otherwise engagement becomes a threat to the North Korean regime...
The Korea Herald reported that DPRK media has reported that talks between the railway ministers of the DPRK and Russia on linking train networks have resulted in an agreement to bolster cooperation on rail transport. The Korean Central News Agency report monitored by Radiopress News Agency in Tokyo did not elaborate on the content of the pact sealed by Russia's Nikolai Aksyonenko and the DPRK's Kim Yong-sam in Pyongyang. Russia's ITAR-Tass news agency has reported that the railway ministry would fund the reconstruction, but that Moscow hoped the ROK would convert some of the Soviet debt it holds into investment in the railway. Russian officials said that Aksyonenko will soon take part in a trilateral meeting with his ROK and DPRK counterparts to discuss details of the proposed rail link, including cost projections. ("NORTH KOREA, RUSSIA SEAL RAILWAY AGREEMENT," Tokyo, 03/20/01)
Министр путей сообщения РФ Николай Аксененко вылетел 16 марта в Пхеньян для подготовки предложений по модернизации и восстановлению корейских железных дорог и соединению их с российским Транссибом. Как подчеркнули ИТАР-ТАСС в Центре общественных связей МПС, поездка осуществляется в рамках договоренностей, достигнутых в ходе визита президента РФ
Владимира Путина в Республику Корея о соединении Транскорейской железной дороги с Транссибом.
МПС РФ готово вложить необходимые средства в модернизацию путевого хозяйства и оказать содействие в эксплуатации и поддержании железнодорожной линии в рабочем состоянии, а также помочь в подготовке специалистов для железных дорог КНДР. С восстановлением Транскорейской магистрали и выходом ее на Транссиб, отметили в МПС, будут созданы оптимальные экономические
условия для транспортировки грузов в Россию и страны Западной Европы за счет существенного сокращения сроков и стоимости их доставки. Реализация проекта займет не более 2-3 лет. МПС готово приступить к его осуществлению незамедлительно, подчеркнули в министерстве.
(in Russian)
Pyongyang, March 11, 2001 (KCNA) -- A Russian preparatory committee of public circles was formed on march 5 to commemorate Sun's Day (April 15), the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. The committee decided to hold colorful functions on the occasion. It released an appeal to the progressive political parties and public organizations. The appeal called on all the progressive political parties and public organizations to inaugurate preparatory committees to significantly commemorate the day with the Korean people.
Nezavisimaya gazeta's Dmitriy Kosyrev made a commentary on RF President Vladimir Purin's visit to the ROK. In the author's opinion, the RF-ROK joint statement in favor of preservation of the ABM Treaty of 1972 demonstrated the ROK's well-known although rarely voiced position as concerns US missile defense plans. An anonymous ROK diplomat linked it to RO President Kim Dae-jung's visit to US to meet with US President George Bush, where Kim "will tell Bush where the Korean Peninsula is situated." In Nezavisimaya gazeta's author's words, "Seoul is much afraid that the new US administration will damage its policy of gradual involvement with the DPRK; a policy aimed at isolation of the DPRK might become necessary to justify US plans to build a National Missile Defense. Therefore Putin to a certain extent helped Kim Dae-jung to hurry up Bush who still has not made clear the substance of his policy as regards the Korean Peninsula." ("PUTIN HELPED KIM TO HURRY UP BUSH," Moscow, 1, 03/01/01)
Примиряя Сеул и Пхеньян, Владимир Путин добивается выгодной реализации крупных экономических проектов с участием российского бизнеса Смычку рельсов между Севером и Югом полуострова начали делать еще прошлой осенью. Москва, сказал Путин, готова теперь (в рамках всего проекта в целом) вложить в дороги КНДР несколько сот миллионов долларов для восстановления ее железнодорожного полотна и оборудования. О выгоде такой инвестиции говорит то, что путь контейнера по такой дороге из Азии в Европу составит 12 дней. Сейчас же этот срок - 22-25 дней, удешевление транспортировки получается значительное, иной раз до 300 долларов за контейнер. Одновременно это, очевидно, полезный международный проект, создающий единый хозяйственный механизм на полуострове... (in Russian)
by Yeo-sang YOON
While the number of North Korean refugees in Russia remains uncertain, the number of North Koreans who defected to South Korea via Russia is about ninety. The rest are unable either to safely settle themselves in another country or to return to North Korea. These refugees who wish either to stay in Russia or to go to South Korea range from 400 to 2,000. The number of North Korean refugees is bound to fluctuate according to the migration of North Koreans in search of safer abode and the repatriation of those who are captured...
Nezavisimaya gazeta's Dmitriy Kosyrev reported that RF President Putin, on an official visit to the ROK, had meetings with ROK President Kim Dae-jung and other top ROK leaders, as well as Park Yon-song, Chairman, ROK Chamber of Trade and Industry. Meeting with ROK businessmen, he said, "I am deeply convinced that settlement of Korean problems will be done by the Korean people themselves. We are prepared just to assist and create the necessary conditions." Kim Dae-jung told Putin, "Russia recently has been more consistently rendering assistance to solution of the Peninsula's problems." In a joint statement, the two leaders said that the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty was a cornerstone of strategic stability, that position principally being not a new one for Seoul. Yet, the emphasis during the visit was made on big economic projects as a prerequisite for the Korean settlement.
Those included connection of the future trans-Korean railway to the trans-Siberian railway of the RF., the Irkutsk (Kavytkinsk) natural gas project, possible participation of the ROK in oil and gas projects in Sakhalin, and some others. Almost all of those implied DPRK participation, which is expected to lead to more inter-Korean cooperation. Nezavisimaya gazeta's author described also, outside the RF-ROK summit context, the situation with RF arms sales to ROK and concluded with reference to RF Presidential Press Secretary Aleksey Gromov's information that Mr.Putin was not going to visit Pyongyang prior to visiting Seoul. ("MOSCOW WILL PROLONG TRANSSIB TO THE SOUTH OF KOREAN PENINSULA," Seoul, 1, 6, 2/28/01)
Izvestia's Viktoria Sokolova commented on RF President Vladimir Putin's visit to the ROK. Just a few hours prior to his arrival "a financial mini-scandal" emerged in Seoul, as the Korean Development Bank refused to postpone the payment by the RF of US$100 million interest from the RF's US$18 billion debt to the ROK. The issue is to be settled by late February, "therefore Putin came just on time." Prior to the visit, RF officials suggested paying the debt by arms deliveries to the ROK and "such exotic means" as RF investments to restoration of DPRK economy, as if telling ROK, "anyway you will restore the North after reunification." Concerning the project to restore Seoul-Pyongyang railway to the RF Trans-Siberian railway, the RF President said the project was "close to issues of a humanitarian nature."
In Izvestia's author's opinion, Putin thus hinted that "money and effort invested in the railway will help find a more useful employment for about 700,000 soldiers of the army of Beloved Leader Kim Jong-il." He said that he was sorry, though, that of 126 joint RF-ROK projects worth US$273 million "promised" by the ROK, only 91 projects worth US$137 million, about a half, had been undertaken. Symbolically, Putin started his visit by coming to the memorial dedicated to ROK servicemen who died during the Korean War, thus showing the RF's impartial approach to inter-Korean affairs. "By that Putin hardly claims the Nobel Prize. The goal is more pragmatic: establishment of peace in Korea will deprive the administration of G. Bush of one of its main trump-cards in favor of National missile defense deployment (aimed, in US words, against the 'rogue-states' like the DPRK). In that sense, the South Korean President's publicly voiced opposition to US plans is Putin's big diplomatic success." ("THE OTHER HALF OF KOREA," Seoul, 4, 02/28/01)
Nezavisimaya gazeta's Dmitriy Kosyrev reported that, during his visit to the ROK, RF President Vladimir Putin mentioned his recent journey via the Trans-Siberian railway, its excellent condition, and the US$1 billion invested in it in 2000. He said that the RF was prepared to invest several hundred million US dollars in renovation of the railway in the DPRK. RF Railways Minister Nikolai Aksyonenko, who accompanied him, will go to Seoul on March 1 to negotiate arrangements for an RF-ROK-DPRK meeting on the subject. Upon completion of the project, container transportation by railway from Asia to Europe is to take just 12 days, while now it takes 22-25 days, with a cheaper cost of US$300 per a container. The RF advocates linking the Trans-Siberian with the inter-Korean railway near the lake of Khasan to make the unified railway pass through its Primorsk territory, while the PRC lobbies for the conjunction to be made at Manchuria station, much further to the West. The RF President unexpectedly said in Seoul that both options were good. ("MOSCOW WILL PROLONG TRANSSIB TO THE SOUTH OF KOREAN PENINSULA," Seoul, 1, 6, 2/28/01)
Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin promised ROK President Kim Dae-jung that Russia would support the ROK's efforts to improve relations with the DPRK. Putin stated, "We all saw on the screens of Korean television yesterday the meeting of families that had been divided by the geopolitical events of the last decades. I think this is a very good step." The two sides pledged to work to link the ROK to Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway. Kim stated, "Once the Korean railway is linked to the Siberian railway, Russia, North Korea and South Korea would stand at the center of an 'iron silk road' linking the three countries to the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions." Putin added, "All the states in the region are included in this project. They will be more transparent, more understandable, more predictable because it will be coordinated." Kim and Putin also pledged to cooperate on developing the Russian Far East, but Putin acknowledged that economic links between the two countries have been a disappointment. The Joint Declaration issued after the summit described the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty as the "cornerstone of strategic stability." (Peter Graff, "PUTIN, KIM SAY TRADE TIES WILL HELP BRING PEACE," Seoul, 02/27/01)
Reuters reported that ROK President Kim Dae-jung and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday agreed to boost cooperation on development of a major natural gas field in Siberia and other oil and gas projects. A Joint Declaration issued after the talks stated, "The two parties agreed to closely cooperate on the gas development project in Irkutsk (Kovykta)." They also pledged "to continue to discuss issues of mutual concern such as Korea's participation in oil and gas development projects in Sakhalin and other areas of Russia as well as mineral resources trade." The Kovykta gas field near Irkutsk could yield 1.2 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, but would require some US$11 billion in investment, including a 4,115 kilometer (2,557 mile) pipeline to the ROK via the PRC and possibly the DPRK. (Christopher Park, "S.KOREA, RUSSIA AGREE TO STRENGTHEN OIL, GAS COOPERATION," Seoul, 02/27/01)
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Russian official Alexandre Tsurko revealed on February 22 that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il would pay an official visit to Moscow in April via the Siberian Railway. Tsurko said, "It would take him (Kim) about 6 days to get to Moscow from Vladivostok by the Siberian Railway." Tsurko also said that Kim's itinerary would include a visit to the planned railway construction site, which would link the DPRK Kyongwon Railway with the Siberian Railway and with the ROK. The report added that Tsurko did not specify how Kim would get to Vladivostok from Pyongyang and that Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il's father, also used the Siberian Railway when he visited
Moscow in 1984. (Toshikazu Seguchi, "KIM JONG-IL TO VISIT MOSCOW IN APRIL BY TRAIN," Moscow, 02/23/2001)
Two key topics of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Seoul Feb.26-28 will be his country's role in inter-Korean reconciliation and North Korea's missile program. Russia has been playing catch-up to Beijing and Washington in dealing with the two Koreas lately, facing several false starts and setbacks. In order to find its niche on the Korean Peninsula and increase its international standing, Moscow may propose tripartite cooperation with Seoul and Pyongyang to launch North Korean satellites.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Seoul Feb. 26-28 for a summit meeting with South Korean President Kim Dae Jung. While it is their third meeting since Putin became president, the visit is the first from an acting Russian president to South Korea in eight years. Among the key topics of the summit will be defining Russia's role in inter-Korean dialogue and North Korea's missile program.Moscow seeks a niche in the inter-Korean dialogue and in the international community. Thus far, Russia has had little of substance to offer to theKoreas other than access to its Trans-Siberian railway. Yet, Moscow was the first to reveal North Korea's offer to suspend its missile program in return for international assistance in launching satellites. Putin may be planning to use the upcoming summit to take the North Korean offer a step further - by proposing trilateral cooperation to launch North Korean satellites....
Pyongyang, February 25 (KCNA) -- A national seminar on the Juche idea entitled "The Juche Idea is a Guiding Idea of the 21st Century" took place in Kiev on Feb. 17 on the occasion of leader Kim Jong Il's birthday. Genadi Dmitrivich Berdyshev, vice-chairman of the Ukraine-DPRK Association, in his congratulatory address said that it was of special significance in the movement for the revival of socialism in Ukraine to hold a national seminar on the Juche idea.
Polishuk, chairman of the Ukrainian Association for the Study of the Juche Idea, in his report said that socialism has entered a new stage of its development because Kim Jong Il has wisely led the world socialist movement holding aloft the banner of the Juche idea. He continued: The Juche idea is a great guiding idea of the era which indicates a road for humankind to follow. Humankind, who has entered a new century, new millennium, will certainly revive socialism under the banner of the Juche idea. The 21st century will be a century in which the victory of the Juche idea would be proclaimed. Speakers noted that Korean socialism, to which the Juche idea has been applied, is most ideal socialism they should build in future. A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the seminar.
Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- A press conference was held at the russian embassy here yesterday on the occasion of "the day of the defenders of the fatherland." Vladimir Dombrovski, military attache of the embassy, in his speech referred to the bravery and exploits performed by the soviet people in the second world war. Saying that the Russian armed forces have the mission to guarantee state military security and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, he referred to the newly-set out military principle of the Russian federation. He stressed that the historic meeting and talks between Russian President Putin and leader Kim Jong Il marked a new occasion in developing the relations between the two countries. The participants saw a documentary film showing the features of the Russian armed forces.
Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- A poem "ever-lasting red flag of faith" dedicated to leader Kim Jong Il was written by Kantamirov Leonid Pavlovic, Russian war veteran and poet. He in the poem called upon the revolutionaries and peoples of the whole world to follow Kim Jong Il, holding aloft the same ever-lasting red flag of faith as that fluttering in the DPRK. The history of the working-class revolutionary struggle records red flags of the commune of Paris and the October revolution, the poem said, but it is only the red flag of the Korean revolution that is fluttering still today. Noting that one can see enduring vitality and spirit of Korea on the red flag of the DPRK, the poem praised Kim Jong Il as its bearer and defender. The red flag in the DPRK remains fadeless despite rain and snow, making the blue sky in the era of independence turn red. The red flag, which conveys Kim Jong Il's immortal feats to posterity, is a pride of Korea in the east, honour of our planet, hope of humankind and a bright future of the world, it emphasized.
Russia has proposed paying back part of the $1.7 billion it borrowed from South Korea through a joint investment in outdated key industrial facilities in North Korea, a government official said. Russia plans to discuss the issue during the summit talks between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Kim Dae-jung in Seoul early next week, said the official, who asked not to be named. According to the proposed repayment system, Russia will provide the technologies and facilities required to renovate time-worn Soviet-built facilities in North Korea, the official said.
The cost of the Russian technology, labor and materials involved in the renovation project would then be deducted from the amount Russia owes South Korea, the official said. North Korea would provide most of the manpower. "As far as I know, Russia is strongly hoping for tripartite development of the North's key industrial facilities, including steel mills and refineries (as its repayment of debts to the South)," the official said. ( The Korea Herald 2001.02.22)
by Aidan Foster-Carter
"Self-reliance" is one of North Korea's most oft-repeated slogans and claims. It is one translation, if a
rather loose one, for Pyongyang's guiding ideology of Juche
. A more elaborate version proclaims chaju, chalip, chawi: self-reliance in general, in economics, and in defense, a sort of relentless cha-cha-cha. But what if you live in a mining area, sending out coal but not getting food in return?
Tough luck, comrades. Your heroic sacrifice will shine forever. Just don't try slipping over the border into China...
Заместитель министра иностранных дел России Александр Лосюков встретился 13 февраля с послом Корейской Народно-Демократической республики /КНДР/ в Москве Пак Ы Чуном. Как сообщили в департаменте информации и печати МИД РФ в ходе беседы стороны обсудили некоторые вопросы двусторонних отношений... (in Russian)
Pyongyang, February 16 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings from V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation, on February 14 on the occasion of his birthday. The message extended heartfelt congratulations to him on February 16, a significant national day of the DPRK. It expressed sincere understanding and support to his efforts to bring a new peak to the development of Korea and strengthen security and cooperation on the Korean peninsula. It said that cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is positively developing on the solid foundations of the relations of friendship and good neighbourliness between the two peoples, which have been strengthened by the new treaty between states, and in the spirit of the Russia-Korea joint declaration adopted on July 19, 2000, which conforms with the interests of the two countries and constitutes a great contribution to peace and strengthening of security on the Korean peninsula.
Pyongyang, February 15 (KCNA) -- The Maritime Territorial Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Maritime Territorial Women's Union, the Maritime Territorial Officers' Union held a joint meeting on February 2 and inaugurated a preparatory committee for celebrating the February holiday and commemorating Sun's Day. First secretary of the Maritime Territorial Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation V. V. Grishukov was elected chairman of the preparatory committee.
Russia seeks to link Korean railway with trans-Siberian
SEOUL - Russia wants to hold discussions with South and North Korea about linking a now severed inter-Korean railway to the Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) after Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Seoul late this month. Alexander Tselko, Russia's First Vice Minister of Railways, says the three nations plan to discuss ways to push the project forward and spread the costs among all three parties.
Pyongyang, February 13 (KCNA) -- Famous work of leader Kim Jong Il "our socialism centred on the masses shall not perish" was published in booklet by the publishing house of the International Bookmen's Union of Russia. The work was made public on May 5, Juche 80 (1991).
The Korea Herald reported that Russia is anticipating holding railway talks with the two Koreas to discuss the restoration of severed inter-Korean railways, after Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Seoul late this month, a visiting Russian official said Monday. First Vice Minister of Railways Alexander Tselko said that Russia has received a green light from both Koreas for holding a three-way meeting on the railway. "We got an affirmative answer from North Korea last year during our visit. We got a similar response from the South later when we made a visit here. The three-way talks are likely to be held following President Putin's visit to Seoul. We are likely to discuss on measures to facilitate the connection of inter-Korean railways and (Russia's) possible investment in the project," Tselko said. Tselko is here to attend a two-day presentation on Trans-Russian Railways (TSR), which opened Monday at Plaza Hotel in downtown Seoul. He's heading a 53-member delegation. (Kim Min-hee, "RUSSIA ANTICIPATES RAILWAY TALKS WITH 2 KOREAS," Seoul, 02/12/01)
People's Daily reported that in a banquet celebrating the anniversary of the conclusion of the "DPRK-Russian Good Neighbor Cooperation Treaty" on February 8, the Chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly said that the DPRK wishes to develop an all-around relations with Russia in the new century. Chairman Choi said that the conclusion of the Treaty in the last February reflected the good wish of the two countries to further develop bilateral relations, which also paved the way for equal and mutual beneficial future relations. He added that the DPRK is satisfied to the cooperation between the two countries in all fields. He also expressed his optimism on the overall bilateral relations in the new century because it is not only beneficial to common prosperity, but also to world peace. (Zhang Jinfang, Li Zhengyu, "DPRK: HOPE TO DEVELOP ALL-AROUND RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA," Pyongyang, 02/10/01, P3)
Agence France Presse reported that ITAR-TASS news agency quoted an informed source in the Russian foreign ministry on Friday as saying that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il will visit Moscow in April for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A Russian government spokeswoman confirmed that talks were under way with the DPRK on a summit but that the "timing is still being discussed" and that no announcement could yet be made. Dmitry Trenin from the Carnegie Moscow Center think-tank said, "When Putin talks to the northern Kim he is clearly sending a message to Seoul, the United States and whoever in Asia is watching the Korean situation that Russia is a player, that there are certain things that Russia can do that no one else can do. Putin is after economic benefits and wants to put Russia back on the political and strategic map of Asia.
Russia is seeking to expand its ties with South Korea while at the same time becoming active in the north." According to the Russian foreign ministry source, Kim and Putin will discuss the situation in the Korean peninsula, the rapprochement between the DPRK and the ROK, and developing ties between Russia and the DPRK. The source said that an advance team from the DPRK is expected in Moscow soon to prepare the summit. [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for February 9, 2001.] ("PUTIN TO CROWN ASIAN DIPLOMATIC PUSH WITH NORTH KOREAN SUMMIT," Moscow, 2/9/01)
Pyongyang, February 9 (KCNA) -- Valery Denisov, Russian ambassador to the DPRK, hosted a reception on Feb. 8 to mark the 1st anniversary of the signing of the Russian-DPRK treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation. Valery Denisov in his speech said that the conclusion of the new treaty laid a solid groundwork for the development of the relations between the two countries in the 21st century. He noted that the signing of the Russian-DPRK joint declaration as an outcome of the historic meeting and summit between President Putin and leader Kim Jong Il was an event recorded by Russia and the DPRK in the late 20th century. He expressed the belief that the active cooperation between the two countries would be boosted by the new inter-state treaty and the Russian-DPRK joint declaration would greatly contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia. He wished the Korean people success in their efforts to build a powerful nation and achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
Choe Thae Bok, chairman of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, in his speech said that the treaty has demonstrated the aspiration and desire of the two peoples to expand and develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia on a fresh basis, adding that the treaty is a basic legal document which laid a solid foundation for developing on to a new high level the bilateral relations on the principle of mutual respect for independence, non-interference in other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefits. He noted with great satisfaction that the two countries have discussed the issues of boosting the support and cooperation in various fields including politics, economy, military affairs and culture according to the DPRK-Russian joint declaration and the new treaty signed between the two countries. He expressed the belief that the DPRK-Russian relations would expand and develop in all fields in the interests of the common prosperity and wellbeing of the people and global peace and security in the new century, too. He wished the Russian government and people greater success in their efforts to build powerful Russia and establish a fair and peaceful world order. In another development a reception was sponsored by the Russian consulate general in Chongjin to mark the anniversary.
Pyongyang, February 9 (KCNA) -- Papers here devote articles to the first anniversary of the DPRK-Russian treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation. Rodong Sinmun in a signed article says that the signing of the new treaty was a demonstration of the aspiration and stand of the DPRK and Russia to strengthen the traditional friendship, good neighbourliness, mutual trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, respect the purpose and principles of the U.N. Charter, achieve international security and stability and develop the equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation in northeast Asia and the rest of the world.
The article goes on: The signing of the treaty provided a legal foundation to develop the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries onto a new phase in conformity with the changed international environment and the interests of the two countries. It is the common aspiration and wishes of the two peoples to steadily develop the long-standing DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations. The treaty, therefore, serves as an important guarantee for their realization. Following the signing of the treaty the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries entered a new phase of development. Especially, President Putin's Korea visit on the invitation of leader Kim Jong Il in July last year provided a momentous occasion of placing the DPRK-Russia frienship on a more solid basis.
The DPRK-Russian summit meeting and talks and the adoption of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration marked a landmark event in the history of the friendly relations between the two countries. Russia is going ahead with its plan to build a powerful state. Russia opposes hegemonism and is strongly countering the U.S. attempt to deploy the "National Missile Defence" system, which may upset the strategic balance and stability in the world. Russia is opposed to the unipolarization of the world and stands for multipolarization. The development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries is conducive to giving an impetus to the trend of the times and the development of international relations in the new century. Minju Joson in an editorial article says that the workers' party, government and people of Korea will make all efforts to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the government and people of Russia on the principle of independence, equality, non-interference in others' internal affairs and mutual benefits in the future, too.
Pyongyang, February 9 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to his Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov on the occasion of the first anniversary of the DPRK-Russia treaty of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation. The message said that the signing of the new treaty provided a firm legal groundwork to develop the bilateral relations on to a new higher level. Convinced that the traditional friendly relations between the two countries would expand and develop in all fields in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia joint declaration and this treaty inked by the heads of the two countries, Paek Nam Sun wished him success in his responsible work.
Pyongyang, February 6 (KCNA) -- A Kirgyz preparatory committee was inaugurated on January 29 to celebrate February 16, the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il. At the inaugural meeting Klara Ajibekova, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kirgyzstan, was elected chairwoman of the committee. An action programme of the preparatory committee was announced at the meeting. Klara Ajibekova in her speech said that the world people are deeply impressed by the political ability and leadership of general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Il possessed of outstanding wisdom and perspicacity. She noted that the committee would significantly mark the birthday of Kim Jong Il by arranging multifarious events and introduce his exploits among the Kirgyz people.
Chosun Ilbo reported that DPRK leader Kim Jung-il will pay an official visit to Russia from April 17-18, it was announced Tuesday by the Asahi Shimbun. The newspaper quoted a diplomatic source saying that the preparation for the visit will get underway now that the concrete date for Chairman Kim's visit to Moscow has been decided. The paper commented that Chairman Kim would, during the visit, discuss his visit to the ROK as well as strengthening relations with Russia prior to holding negotiations with the Bush administration. (Kwon Dae-yeol, "NK'S KIM TO VISIT MOSCOW IN APRIL," Seoul, 02/06/01)
The Korea Times reported that an ROK military source said Tuesday that the DPRK has been seeking to purchase Russian interceptor missiles and assemble Russian fighters in its territory. "It is highly likely that North Korea will buy S-300 interceptor missiles from Russia by the end of the year," the source said, noting that DPRK and Russia, through a basic agreement signed by the two nations in February last year, have been increasing defense equipment transactions. "I understand that the two countries were discussing ways to allow North Korea to assemble Russia's SU-27 or MiG-29 fighters in North Korea," the source said. Russia has also been discussing the sale of 10 BTR-80 armored personnel carriers and 100 BMP tanks to the DPRK, the source added. [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for February 7, 2001.] ("NK SEEKING PURCHASE OF MISSILES FROM RUSSIA," Seoul, 02/07/01)
The Korea Herald reported that ROK Ambassador to Russia Lee Jai-chun said on February 1 that summit talks between the ROK and Russia will precede the planned visit by DPRK leader Kim Jong-il to Russia. Lee said, "It is becoming a fait accompli that Kim will visit Russia some time in the first half of this year after Putin makes a trip to South Korea later this month." Russian officials reportedly said on
January 31 that Russia and the DPRK had fixed the dates for Kim's visit, but declined to reveal when. Speculation in the ROK has it that Kim will likely visit Russia in March or April.
Lee said the purpose of Kim's visit to Russia is to consolidate their support for a policy of reconciliation and cooperation with the ROK. Lee disagreed with some ROK views that Kim's trip to Russia is intended to seek a three-way alliance including the PRC to stand up to expected challenges from the new US administration. He stated, "It is true that Russia and China have different positions from that of the United States over some international issues. But we don't need to interpret his visit to Russia as an attempt to form a bloc." [Ed. note: This article was included in the US Department of Defense's Early Bird news service for February 2, 2001.] (Shin Yong-bae, "SEOUL-MOSCOW SUMMIT TO PRECEDE VISIT
BY N.K. LEADER KIM TO RUSSIA," 2/2/01)
Pyongyang, February 1 (KCNA) -- A friendship gathering was held by pupils of the Russian embassy school in Pyongyang and the Korea-Russia Friendship Moranbong Senior Middle School no.1 at the embassy school on Jan. 31. Present there were the Russian ambassador to the DPRK, embassy officials, teachers and pupils of the embassy school and the Moranbong Senior Middle School no. 1.
They looked round education facilities of the school and sang songs and danced together, deepening the DPRK-Russia friendship growing stronger as the days go by. Sports and amusement games also took place there.
Pyongyang, January 30 (KCNA) -- A preparatory committee was formed in Moscow on Jan. 22 to celebrate the February holiday. The preparatory committee is made up of leaders of various political parties and social organizations and prominent figures of Russia. A document on the inauguration of the committee called on all the political parties and social organizations of different countries to celebrate with splendour the significant holiday--the birthday of leader Kim Jong Il by holding colourful functions. Meanwhile, the Nakhodka City Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation at its plenary meeting held on Jan. 16 adopted a resolution on forming a preparatory committee to celebrate the day.
Agence France Presse reported that Russian foreign ministry sources denied Japanese media reports on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong-il would hold a February 25-26 summit in the Siberian city of Irkutsk. In reference to a Sankei Shimbun report, an undisclosed foreign ministry source told Interfax, "These reports are not true. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's visit to Russia has been set for an entirely different time." ("MOSCOW DENIES RUSSIA-NKOREA SUMMIT TO BE HELD THIS MONTH," Moscow, 2/1/01)
Chosun Ilbo reported that rumors began to circulate in diplomatic circles in Moscow on Tuesday that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin there prior to the latter's visit to Seoul. These started on January 18 when a high-ranking Russian official announced that Kim was not going to Russia directly after his visit to the PRC, but would almost definitely visit in February. Kremlin sources said that Putin wants to confer with Kim before the Russian president holds summit talks with ROK President Kim Dae-jung in Seoul. In related news, Putin is going to visit Seoul on February 27 and 28 although no official announcement has been made. ("KIM JONG IL RUMORED TO VISIT MOSCOW," Seoul, 01/31/01)
Nezavisimaya gazeta's Igor Rotar reported that it was possible that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il would go to the RF directly from the PRC. According to sources in the PRC, his special train suddenly changed direction and went to Harbin close to the PRC-RF border instead of to Pyongyang. Yet, so far the DPRK Foreign Ministry had been denying even the reports about his visit to PRC. The reason for the secrecy is security. The special train is considered more secure as well, as it can accommodate up to a battalion of armed soldiers. On the other hand, the DPRK Ambassador in the RF, who usually rarely meets with the press, suddenly gave a press conference on January 15 at the DPRK Embassy in Moscow.
RF President Vladimir Putin is expected in Beijing on February 28, and RF Security Council Secretary Sergey Ivanov already stated that in Moscow they wanted to see Kim Jong-il prior to that date. Kim Jong-il is to go to Seoul this March, therefore it would seem logical for him to gain additional support both from the PRC and the RF before then. At the same time, "all those sure-proof explanations might prove to be just nice inventions.... A high-ranking Russian official in irritation even called those inventions 'a duck cooked the Beijing way'." ("WILL KIM JONG-IL COME TO RUSSIA," Moscow, 1, 01/19/01)
Russia's Korea policy has been very much in the news in the past year. First, in February 2000, Russia and North Korea signed a new cooperation agreement. Then in July, President Vladimir Putin made a high profile visit to Pyongyang in an effort to demonstrate that Russia could play an effective part in ongoing efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. How do we explain the recent activity in Russia's Korean diplomacy? A new book by Vladimir Li, an eminent expert on Korea and Russia's Asia policy at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy, provides important historical context for current Russian diplomatic efforts...
Pyongyang, December 31 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a friendly meeting with members of the Russian embassy here at the Mokran House yesterday on the occasion of the New Year Juche 90 (2001). Invited to the meeting were Valery Denisov, ambassador of Russia to the DPRK, staff members of the embassy and Russian guests. Present there were Paek Nam Sun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ri In Gyu, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned. Speeches were exchanged at the meeting. A performance was given by artistes in Pyongyang at the meeting.
Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Friendship medals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea were awarded to members of the Russian Association for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK. An awarding ceremony was held at the DPRK embassy in Moscow on December 21. At the ceremony a decree of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK on awarding the friendship medals was read out and medals were awarded to chairman of the association Vladimir Tolstikov and its members.
Pyongyang, December 29 (KCNA) -- A reception was given at the consulate general of the Russian Federation in Chongjin on December 28 on the New Year Juche 90 (2001). Invited to the reception were Kim Song Gwon, vice-chairman of the North Hamgyong Provincial People's Committee, and officials concerned. Present there were consul general Oleg Davidov and members of the consulate general. Speeches were made at the reception.
Pyongyang, December 28 (KCNA) -- The International United Confederation of Koreans (International Kothongryon) held a meeting in Uzbekistan on Dec. 22 to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Present there were members of the International Kothongryon and the United Confederation of Koreans and Koreans in the Uzbek Republic. The participants laid a floral basket and bouquets before the portraits of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Speeches were made at the meeting. At the end of the meeting the participants appreciated Korean documentary films showing celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea and saw round photos on display.
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- The Russian newspaper Pravda on December 21 carried a photo of the great leader Kim Jong Il meeting with Russian President Putin together with an article titled "Washington could not bring Pyongyang to its knees. North Korea keeps to the road of socialist development." The west tried hard to isolate and stifle the DPRK, but it could not succeed, the article said, and went on:
It is not the west which is exerting influence on Kim Jong Il but he who has great impact on the west.
The United States attempted to destroy socialism in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the period of "nuclear crisis" on the Korean peninsula in March 1993. But at that time Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il demonstrated his courage and resolution. It compelled the U.S. administration to begin a dialogue with North Korea whether Washington liked or not. The DPRK established official diplomatic relations with Italy, Australia and the Philippines. There are noticeable positive moves to open state relations between the DPRK and Canada, France, Germany and other western countries. This clearly proves that the U.S. long-standing blockade against North Korea is collapsing.
Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Colorful functions were held in various countries on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. A video tape "the mass gymnastic display and artistic performance celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea 'ever-victorious Worker's Party of Korea'" was shown at a function held in Moscow on Dec. 21 and there was a photo exhibition under the titles "President Kim Il Sung always finds himself among the people" and "Significant celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea." Speeches were made at the function.
Oleg Shenin, chairman of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, said that Kim Jong Il, the leader of the Korean people, has firmly defended socialism in the DPRK by wisely leading them, true to the intention of the great leader Kim Il Sung. Sazhi Umalatova, chairwoman of the Party of Peace and Unity, said that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea enjoys a high international authority as it is led by Kim Jong Il endowed with strong principle and will. Karpov, first secretary of the central committee of the former Soviet Writers' Union, said that the soldiers of the KPA have sincerely followed Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il. He is a military strategist who is well versed and erudite in all issues, he added. V. I. Anpilov, chairman of the executive committee of the "Working Russia" Movement, said that the DPRK has turned into an impregnable fortress as the leader, the party, the army and the people are single-heartedly united. Alexander Paunov, first secretary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Bulgaria, said at a meeting held in Sofia on December 20 that the members of his party and progressive humankind are greatly honored and pleased to observe December 24. A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.
Celebration meetings were held in Pribram city of the Czech Republic, the Kim Il Sung Institute of Agricultural Science of Guinea and the Publishers' Association of Indian Media today from December 12 to 18. Korean photo exhibitions and film shows were held by the Socialist People's Party of Mexico, artistes' association and a company of Indonesia, Dolphin International Trading Company of India and the joint venture company of Uzbekistan-DPRK Light Industry from Dec. 13 to 18.
Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- A protocol of the 14th meeting of the DPRK-Russia joint fisheries commission for cooperation in the field of fishing industry was signed in Pyongyang yesterday. Present at the signing ceremony were members of the DPRK delegation to the commission and members of the delegation of the National Fisheries Committee of the Russian Federation.
Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, sent a message of sympathy to Artur Tair Ogli Rasizade, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Upon hearing the sad news that Baku and its surrounding areas were recently hit by successive earthquakes which claimed heavy casualties, the message expressed deep condolences to the Prime Minister and, through him, to the people of the country and the bereaved families. The message sincerely hoped that the government and the people of Azerbaijan would recover from the earthquake damage as early as possible.
Dipkirier's Tatiana Sitnikova reported that DPRK Deputy Foreign Minister Li In-gu visited Vladivostok to meet with Primorskiy Krai Governor Yevgeny Nazdratenko in order to implement some of the agreements made by RF President Vladimir Putin earlier this year. In particular they discussed the issue of transferring the DPRK Consulate General from Nakhodka to Vladivostok.("D.P.R.K. CONSULATE GENERAL TO GO TO VLADIVOSTOK", Vladivostok, 15, 12/07/00, #19(19))
Pyongyang, December 9 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to Mikhail Mikhailovich Khbostov on his appointment as deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister of Belarus. He in the message expressed belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would grow stronger in the interests of the two peoples and wished him success in his responsible work.
Pyongyang, December 1 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with pupils of the school at the Russian embassy here was held at DPRK-Russia friendship Moranbong Senior Middle School no. 1 yesterday. Present there were a vice-chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, officials concerned and staff members of the Russian embassy here. The participants looked round several laboratories and practice rooms at the school and enjoyed an art performance staged by schoolchildren. They sang and danced together and played amusement and sports games.
Nezavisimaya gazeta reported that Leonid Moiseyev, Director, 1st Asia Department, RF Foreign Ministry, commenting on RF-DPRK deputy foreign minister level consultations going on in Moscow, said that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il's visit to the RF "most probably" would take place in the first half of 2001. ("KIM JONG-IL WILL COME TO RUSSIA IN 2001," Moscow, 1 12/2/00)
Sovetskaya Rissia's Zhanna Kasyanenko reported that the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of the RF took place in Moscow on December 2-3. Representatives of 80 foreign Communist parties took part. The Congress made standing applause to the speeches by representatives of the Communist parties of "China, Cuba, Vietnam and North Korea that lead the building of socialism in their countries and firmly believe that socialism is the future of the planet." ("PLENIPOTENTIARY REPRESENTATIVES OF RUSSIA'S PEOPLE," Moscow, 4, 12/5/00)
Nezavisimaya gazeta published an article by Andrey Fyodorov, Director of Political Programs, RF Council on Foreign and Defense Policies, who that thought the expected Korean re- unification would be a much more complex process than the German one and stressed its economic implications for RF:
1) "the unique capacities" of the proposed inter-Korean railway in terms of the RF transit role between the East Asia and Europe;
2) ROK participation in Kovytkino natural gas development;
3) RF interest in attraction of East Asian human resources to develop RF Far East and Siberia - "for us it would be more advantageous if the priority in that direction were to be given to Korea rather than China";
4) "united Korea will become a most important economic center" in the Asia Pacific "because combination of the capacities of the South with all resources of the North can bring about "an economic miracle. Russia has got a chance to take an active enough part in the inevitable modernization of the industry of the North";
5) "Korea re-unification process seems to be a
weighty argument ... to remove the myth of a missile threat on the part of
DPRK" and it permit Moscow to talk to Washington about the problem of
the ABM Treaty in a somewhat different plane."
In the author's opinion, RF should not repeat here the mistake it committed as regards the Middle East peace process. Considering the above-said, "there are all necessary prerequisites for a fruitful visit by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to Seoul to take place early next year." ("KOREAN DIMENSION OF RUSSIA'S FOREING FOLICY," Moscow, 3, 12/06/00)