CIS and North Korea

CIS and North Korea (August ~ October 2002)

Minutes of talks signed between DPRK and Russia

Pyongyang, October 31 (KCNA) -- Minutes of talks were signed here today between the delegations of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the DPRK and the Khabarovsk territorial government of Russia. The minutes were signed by Kim Yong Jae, vice-Minister of Foreign Trade, and Alexander B. Levintal, deputy chairman of the Khabarovsk territorial government.

Hong Song Nam meets Russian guests

Pyongyang, October 30 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, Premier of the DPRK Cabinet, met and had a friendly conversation with Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, and his party on a visit to the DPRK at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there were Kim Yong Sam, Minister of Railways, Kung Sok Ung, vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Ryong Gang, vice-Minister of Railways, officials concerned and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov.

RUSSIA CHANGES COURSE ON NORTH KOREA

The Associated Press reported that in a change of course, Russia on Thursday accused the DPRK of being insufficiently forthcoming about its alleged nuclear weapons program, while the DPRK's ambassador to Moscow defended its right to develop nuclear weapons. US Undersecretary of State John Bolton then travelled to Russia to present Russian officials with evidence of the alleged uranium enrichment program. Russia reacted with caution, saying it would like to independently check the information before making any definite conclusions. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said that Moscow had received an explanation from the DPRK, Interfax reported. But he said it was insufficient. "There is some ambiguity in the statements by North Korean representatives," Losyukov was quoted as saying in an interview with the news agency. "In our view, such ambiguity is very dangerous because it leads to mutual suspicions and can negatively affect the situation on the Korean peninsula." ("RUSSIA CHANGES COURSE ON NORTH KOREA, CRITICIZING EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION OVER PYONGYANG'S 'AMBIGUOUS' EXPLANATIONS OF NUCLEAR PROGRAM," Moscow, 10/31/02)

Russian Minister of Railway Transport arrives in Pyongyang

Pyongyang, October 29 (KCNA) -- Gennadi Fadeyev, Minister of Railway Transport of Russia, and his party arrived here today. They were met at the airport by vice-minister of railways Kim Ryong Gang, officials concerned and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov.

Korean film shows in Russia

Pyongyang, October 28 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Ambassador to Russia hosted film shows and receptions in Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk-On-Amur on Oct. 17 and 21. Screened at the film shows was Korean documentary film "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il's Visit to The Far Eastern Region of the Russian Federation". The governor of Khabarovsk territory, addressing the reception, said that Kim Jong Il's two visits to Khabarovsk in recent years were the greatest honor of the people of the territory. He went on:

Kim Jong Il's current visit to the far eastern region shows well how favourably the Russia-Korea relations are developing. The meeting of the top leaders of the two countries is giving a strong impetus to the friendly and cooperative relations between the two governments and the two peoples. The bilateral relations will, no doubt, grow stronger in all fields including politics, the economy, science and technology, culture, and sports. The mayor of Komsomolsk-On-Amur in a speech, recalling the days of honor and excitement when Kim Jong Il visited the city, wished him good health and greater success in his work.

Russian delegation arrives in Pyongyang

Pyongyang, October 28 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Khabarovsk territorial government of the Russian Federation led by its deputy chairman Alexander B. Levintal arrived here today.

Message to Russian President

Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on Friday sent a message to Russian President V. V. Putin in connection with the fact that many people were held hostage by Chechen terrorists. The message strongly condemned the dastardly terrorism committed by Chechen rebels in pursuit of an extremist goal. It is the firm principled stand of the DPRK government to oppose all forms of terrorism and any support for it, it said, and continued: We have consistently supported the measures and efforts of the Russian government to put an end to terrorism and separatist attempt in Chechnya and to achieve the socio-political stability and territorial integrity of the country. Sending firm solidarity to the Russian President, the message hoped that the leadership and people of Russia would successfully settle this crisis as early as possible.

KCNA on terrorism of Chechen rebels

Pyongyang, October 26 (KCNA) -- Armed bandits of the Chechen rebels on Oct. 23 raided the theatre of the bearing factory in the heart of Moscow and killed a woman and are taking many innocent people hostage, according to an Itar-Tass report. Among the hostages are Russians and other nationalities of the Russian Federation, foreigners, women and children. The terrorists are now demanding the withdrawal of the armed forces of the Russian Federation from Chechnya and threatening to kill the hostages unless their demand is met.

This came as a great shock not only to Russia but to the international community. The dastardly terrorism committed by Chechen rebels is bitterly condemned by the Korean people and other peace-loving people of the world. Chechnya is an inalienable legitimate part of the territory of the Russian Federation and the Chechens had lived in harmony in the same family like various other nationalities of the Soviet state. However, the separatist forces in Chechnya, taking advantage of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, sparked and escalated bloody territorial and ethnic disputes in pursuit of the extremist goal of "independence of Chechnya," supported and patronized by foreign forces.

This situation compelled the Russian government to dispatch the armed forces of the Russian Federation to Chechnya and take steps to contain rebel forces in order to achieve the socio-political stability and territorial integrity of the country. This is a legitimate right and duty of a sovereign state. The hostage crisis took place in Moscow at a time when most of the armed rebels were mopped out and peace, stability and order are in the process of settling in Chechnya thanks to the positive steps of the Russian government in recent years. This cannot be viewed apart from the double-dealing policy, the hard-line policy of the United States toward the issue of terrorism.

The United States classified all the countries of the world into good and evil to achieve its extremist selfish aim under the pretext of "anti-terrorism war" after the September 11 incident last year and has left no stone unturned to carry out such policy. The Bush administration did not hesitate to resort to such extreme adventure as ordering the military to work out an emergency plan for the use of nuclear weapons against at least seven countries, including the DPRK, Russia, China, Iraq, and manufacture small nukes to be used in certain war theatres. Due to such hard-line policy of the U.S. the authority and role of the united nations and the publicly recognized norm and morality of the international community are seriously damaged and a cycle of evil such as terrorism, retaliation, war and bloodbath is aggravating.

This is pushing such extremists as Chechen rebels to reckless terrorism and the U.S. hard-line foreign policy encouraging them in desperate suicide operations is, in essence, little short of supporting terrorism.
It is the principled stand of the DPRK to oppose all forms of terrorism and any support for it and the DPRK government has consistently stood against terrorist acts. The Korean people who value the traditional Korea-Russia friendship wish the Russian government and people early and successful settlement of the crisis and will consistently support the steps and efforts of the Russian government to achieve and defend the territorial integrity of the country.

RUSSIANS, OPENLY SKEPTICAL BEFORE, ARE SILENT AFTER NORTH KOREA BRIEF

The New York Times reported that US Under Secretary of State John R. Bolton briefed Russian officials for a second day today on US intelligence evidence that the DPRK has an active nuclear weapons program. Russian officials, who indicated on Monday that the initial evidence fell short of proof, were silent after today's presentation. But it was not clear whether that silence signalled continued scepticism or Russian agreement that the program - which the DPRK has admitted to the US - must face united opposition, as the White House has urged. Bolton left Moscow today after talking with Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov about the DPRK, Iran and other issues that are likely to dominate talks this weekend in Mexico between President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and President Bush. US diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity said before that meeting that Russian officials "concur that what North Korea is doing in the uranium enrichment field amounts to a clear violation of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty" and a brace of other nuclear agreements. But Ivanov had nothing to say today about his meeting with Bolton. [This article from the New York Times appeared in today's edition of the US Department of the Defense's Early Bird news summary.] (Michael Wines, "RUSSIANS, OPENLY SKEPTICAL BEFORE, ARE SILENT AFTER NORTH KOREA BRIEF," Moscow, 10/23/020

Russian diplomats help members of Kochang co-op farm

Pyongyang, October 22 (KCNA) -- Andrei Karlov, Russian Ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of the Russian embassy helped farmers of the Korea-Russia Friendship Kochang Co-Op Farm in Chollima district, Nampho city, in harvesting on Monday. The guests carried sheaves of rice together with farmers. During a break, they enjoyed an art performance given by schoolchildren and talked with farmers, deepening the friendship. The ambassador said that he was deeply impressed to see the farmers working full of enthusiasm. He wished the Korean people great success in the agricultural production under the leadership of Kim Jong Il. The guests handed aid materials carrying their sincerity to the farm.

MEETINGS ON DPRK NUKE ISSUE HELD

China Daily reported respective response of PRC, ROK, US, Japan, Russia on DPRK acknowledging nuclear program. The Russian foreign ministry angrily denied the October 18 allegations from US that it had helped the DPRK develop its alleged nuclear weapons program. According to the report, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency said DPRK officials thought US had revealed DPRK's nuclear weapons program to put pressure on them in talks. The report said that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told reporters on October 17 that Russia would consult with the DPRK over the US allegations. Ivanov said he could not comment on the US charges until after discussions with DPRK and other states. The UN's nuclear watchdog said the same day that it was very concerned about US allegations that the DPRK admitted running a secret nuclear weapons program, said the report. ("US SAYS DPRK ADMITS TO NUCLEAR ARMS PROGRAM," Washington, 10/18/02, P11) China Daily ("MEETINGS ON DPRK NUKE ISSUE HELD," 10/19-20/02, P1)

Greetings to President of Azerbaijan

Pyongyang, October 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Friday sent a message of greetings to Geidar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, on the occasion of its National Day. The message extended sincere congratulations and warm greetings to the President and, through him, to the government and people of Azerbaijan on the occasion. Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries developing on good terms will as always grow stronger in various fields, it wished the president greater success in his work for the stability and prosperity of the country and the wellbeing of the people.

Russia-proposed tripartite talks on connection of rail links hailed

Pyongyang, October 18 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Railways issued a statement on Friday as regards the issue of the connection of rail links between the DPRK and Russia. The statement said: Energetic efforts are being made by all parties concerned to connect the inter-Korean railways and Russia's trans-Siberian railroad amid the world interest. This railway project is an important work as it is greatly helpful to drastically expanding economic links and cooperation not only between the Korean and Russian peoples but also between countries in Northeast Asia and Europe and, furthermore, achieving peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region and the rest of the world and the common prosperity of humankind.

We have already opened some areas along the strictly guarded military demarcation line and held ground-breaking ceremonies for the project to reconnect the rail links between the north and south of Korea so as to link to railways between Korea and Russia at an early date. The Russian side, too, is vigorously pushing forward the project to put its railways on a modern basis. Some time ago, Russia proposed to hold tripartite talks of railway officials of the DPRK, Russia and South Korea, as part of the steps to connect inter-Korean railways and trans-Siberian railroad. We hail this proposal, considering that it will be conducive to successfully carrying out the Korea-Russia railway connection project in the spirit of the DPRK-Russia Moscow joint declaration. If the proposed tripartite talks would offer an opportunity to discuss at length various issues arising in connecting the inter-Korean railways and trans-Siberian railroad and produce positive results.

NORTH KOREA: HOPED-FOR ORTHODOX CHURCH "WILL BE FOR RUSSIANS"

by Felix Corley, Keston News Service

KESTON INSTITUTE, OXFORD, UK

A Russian Orthodox priest who has just completed his first visit to the North Korean capital Pyongyang has told Keston News Service that the proposed new Orthodox church now "under discussion" with the North Korean authorities will primarily be for locally-based Russian citizens. "We are mainly concerned about our compatriots," Fr Dionisy Pozdnyayev told Keston from Moscow on 17 October, "but if any North Koreans wish to attend of course we would be ready for them." Fr Dionisy reported that Jang Jae On, the chairman of the government-approved Council of Korean Religionists which had invited him to the country, had told him "officially" that it was the government's intention to allow a Russian Orthodox church to be built in the capital. "No agreement has yet been reached ?that will be worked out in further
discussions."

Fr Dionisy, who works in the Moscow Patriarchate's secretariat for inter-Orthodox relations - said that a planned visit to Moscow by Jang Jae On will allow further discussions to take place. "No date has yet been set for the visit, but I expect it to take place this year when a list of participants is submitted." Fr Dionisy declared that it was "premature" to talk about how priests would be provided for the proposed Pyongyang church and whether the North Korean authorities would be prepared to accept a priest sent from Russia.

North Korea severely restricts religious activity, although there are four officially-approved religious organisations, one each for Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and followers of Chundo Kyo (a faith which combines elements of Christianity and Buddhism). Some commentators believe the religious organisations are paper bodies run by people with little knowledge of the faiths they purport to represent and hold few public religious events. However, Fr Dionisy said he "had not been able to establish" if such claims were true or not. He also said he had not discussed religious freedom with Jang Jae On. "He didn't raise it and
nor did I. We had enough to discuss about the practical aspects of Orthodox plans."

Fr Dionisy told Keston that during his visit, which lasted from 1 to 8 October, he visited one Buddhist temple, one Catholic and one Protestant church. He said he spoke to representatives in each place of worship but did not attend any of their services. "The programme had already been planned and there was no time to attend services in these places of worship." He met the pastor of the Protestant church, who presented him with a Korean-language copy of the Bible published in Pyongyang. "He told me this had recently been produced in 20,000 copies," Fr Dionisy told Keston. Jang Jae On, who is also chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Roman Catholic Association, represented the Catholics when he visited their church.

While in Pyongyang Fr Dionisy had no meetings with government officials. "The government has no office dealing with religion." However, he was accompanied at his meetings by Russian diplomats. Fr Dionisy said he had held two religious services, a moleben (special service) in the Russian embassy on 6 October and a panikhida (service for the dead) on 3 October at a cemetery containing the remains of Russian soldiers. Also speaking at the cemetery was the Russian ambassador to North Korea, Andrei Karlov. "There was no discussion of the presence of North Korean citizens at these services." Fr Dionisy said
the services had not been announced or reported in the local media. "Jang Jae On told me there were no North Korean citizens who are Orthodox," Fr Dionisy reported, "but I suspect there could still be descendants of those who became Orthodox as a result of the Russian Orthodox mission in Korea opened a century ago." There are reported to be 130 Russian citizens living in Pyongyang.

The potential building of a Russian Orthodox church in Pyongyang follows the warming of relations between the North Korean and Russian leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea in July 2000, while North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited Russia in August 2001. During a visit to the Russian Far East in August of this year, Kim Jong Il visited St Innocent Orthodox church in Khabarovsk, where he spoke for nearly an hour with the parish priest about the Orthodox Church and the religious situation in Russia.

Plans by the Russian Orthodox Church to open a church in the North Korean capital Pyongyang (see separate KNS article) are part of a wider move to expand the Church's activity both in communist and non-communist countries of South East Asia, which has had the support of Russian diplomats. "Some of this is with the support of the Foreign Ministry, some is the personal initiative of individual diplomats," Fr Dionisy Pozdnyayev of the Moscow Patriarchate's secretariat for inter-Orthodox relations told Keston News Service from the Russian capital on 17 October. He said priests already hold services in the Russian embassy in the Chinese capital Beijing, there is one registered parish in the Mongolian capital Ulan-Bator and another smaller community, and that a priest based in the Thai capital Bangkok frequently visits Cambodia and Laos. The Orthodox are also planning to build a church in Vietnam. (END)

Reception given in Moscow

Moscow, October 17 (KCNA) -- The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on Oct. 15 on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the Russian Federation. Present there on invitation were Minister of Communication Gennadi Fadeyev and first vice-Minister of Communication Vladimir Yakunin, vice-Foreign Minister Alexandr Losyukov, Gennadi Revchenko who is Russian side's secretary general of the Russia-DPRK inter-governmental committee for cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology and other officials of the foreign ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Russia. DPRK Ambassador Pak Ui Chun and embassy officials were present.

The vice-Foreign Minister of Russia said in a speech that the anniversary is being celebrated at a time when the friendly relations provided by the two leaders through significant meetings and talks are given fresh momentum. The traditional and close bilateral cooperation between the two peoples is reaching a new qualitative level as the days go by, he said. Russia has invariably supported inter-Korean contacts and will do so in the future, too. Saying that he is confidently looking far into the future of Russia-DPRK relations, he added that this confidence is based on the decades-long tradition of bilateral relations and the DPRK-Russia Treaty of Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation. The recent meeting held in Vladivostok between the two top leaders proved their will to boost the bilateral relations in all fields.
A book and photo exhibition and a film show were held and a reception was given at the DPRK consulate general in Nakhodka on Oct. 11.

Joint seminar on Kim Jong Il's feats in party building

Pyongyang, October 16 (KCNA) -- A joint seminar on Kim Jong Il's feats for revolutionary party building in the era of independence was held at Moscow State University of Russia on October 7 on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of his election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 57th birthday of the WPK. Attending the seminar were Prof. and Dr. of Moscow State University Alexandr Kovalyov who is a chairman of the Russian Association of Scientists for the Study of Human Affairs in the present world, secretary of the c.c., the Communists Union of Russia Vladimir Markov, chairman of the Russian Youth Association for the Study of the Juche Idea Dmitri Kostenko, chairman of the Study Association on the DPRK of the Asia-Africa Institute under Moscow State University Maxim Tkachenko, members of Juche idea study organizations and teachers and students of the university.

At the seminar speakers recalled that socialism suffered setback and the ruling communist parties collapsed overnight in the former Soviet Union and East European countries. This lesson of history compels us to more highly praise the great feats of Kim Jong Il who has developed the WPK as an invincible party guided by one idea, the people-centred Juche idea, they stressed. The world is now taking a new attitude towards the DPRK just because it is led by Kim Jong Il, they said, adding: As long as there is his army-based policy, the DPRK will always remain a military power, a strong country which nobody dares provoke. A congratulatory message to him was adopted at the seminar.

Anniversary of establishment of DPRK-Russia ties observed

Pyongyang, October 12 (KCNA) -- Newspapers here today observe the 54th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Russia. The flower garden of friendship between the two countries is coming into full bloom under the deep care of General Secretary Kim Jong Il and President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and through their energetic activities, says Rodong Sinmun. It continues: Multi-faceted cooperation and exchange between the two countries are now being activated in political, economic, cultural and other fields. This propels the building of a powerful nation in the DPRK and a strong state in Russia and contributes to ensuring the regional stability and the world peace, and sound development of the international relations and building a just, new world structure.

Today the work to build a strong state is successfully being propelled in Russia by the energetic efforts of its people under the correct leadership of Putin. The Korean people appreciate the successes made by the Russian people in their efforts to build strong Russia and protect the security and interests of the country and hope for their greater successes. It is the common desire and demand of the two peoples to consolidate and develop the DPRK-Russia friendship with a long history and tradition in the new century, too. To strengthen this friendship is fully in accord with the interests of the two peoples and helpful to developing the international cooperation and ensuring the regional stability and the world peace. Minju Joson says that the DPRK will as ever work hard to further develop the friendship with Russia and glorify the annuals of the DPRK-Russia friendship.

Celebration meeting in Moscow

Pyongyang, October 10 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Moscow on October 3 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 57th anniversary of the WPK. Present at the meeting were leaders of Russian political parties and organizations and prominent figures of academic, media and other circles. Roild Sabeliev, section chief of the Institute of the Far East of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other speakers said that the WPK has glorified its dignity as a tested and trained, vanguard organization of the working people and a powerful guide of socialist construction in the past five years since Kim Jong Il was elected General Secretary of the WPK.

Referring to the glorious struggle and brilliant achievements of the WPK, they pointed out that an epochal turn has been brought in the development of the party since he began his work at the central committee of the party. They eulogized him as the greatest man who startled the world, admiring his iron will and rare diplomatic strategy once again after witnessing the reality that the position of the DPRK is daily rising and those countries which were hostile toward the DPRK are establishing diplomatic relations with the DPRK. A message of greetings to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.

Russian diplomats visit Taedonggang Beer Factory

Pyongyang, October 9 (KCNA) -- Ambassador Andrei Karlov and staff members of the Russian embassy here visited the Taedonggang Beer Factory in Pyongyang on Tuesday on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the 57th anniversary of the WPK. Being briefed on the modern factory with a big production capacity, they looked round various production processes. At the end of the visit, the Russian Ambassador in the visitor's book wrote that he hoped the workers of the factory would achieve fresh success in production.

Society for study of DPRK inaugurated in Russia

Pyongyang, October 9 (KCNA) -- An inaugural ceremony of the society for the study of the DPRK was held at Asia-Africa College under Moscow National University of Russia on September 28. Present at the ceremony were teachers and students of the college. Addressing the ceremony, Pavel Leshakov, Assistant Professor at the college, said that world attention is focusing on the DPRK and its international prestige is remarkably increasing. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Il the Korean people have made great achievements in building a powerful socialist nation by applying the Juche idea, he stressed. He expressed belief that the society would help students learn much more from the Juche idea, politics, economy and culture of the DPRK. Chairman and vice-chairman of the society were elected at the ceremony. A letter to Kim Jong Il was adopted at the ceremony.

NORTH WEIGHING SMALL FORCE CUT, NEWS REPORT SAYS

Joongang Ilbo reported that DPRK is considering a plan to thin its military concentration along the inter-Korean border and cut back its conventional forces, the Japanese Kyodo News Agency reported Monday. "North Korea is considering easing its war readiness along the Demilitarized Zone at the 38th parallel and cutting its military forces by between 20,000 and 50,000 troops," the report said, quoting unidentified Russian government sources. "Pyongyang unofficially notified Moscow of its plan in September," Kyodo added. Although trimming 50,000 from the 1.2 million on active duty in its military forces is relatively insignificant, DPRK may insist that US reduce its forces stationed in ROK in return, the news report suggested. Before carrying out the plan, DPRK will study how its relations are developing with US and Japan, as well as other factors including ROK's presidential election in December, the report said. (Lee Chul-hee, "NORTH WEIGHING SMALL FORCE CUT, NEWS REPORT SAYS," Seoul, 10/08/02)

Kim Jong Il congratulates V. Putin

Pyongyang, October 6 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, congratulated Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin on his 50th birthday. He, in a congratulatory message sent on Oct. 6, extended sincere congratulations and warm greetings to Putin.
The message said: I am pleased that the state power of your country is increasing and its international authority and say are steadily growing strong thanks to your correct leadership and the positive efforts of the Russian people.

The DPRK-Russia relations are favorably expanding and developing in conformity with the aspiration, desire and basic interests of the peoples of the two countries through a series of meetings and talks between us in recent years. I am convinced that the traditional friendly ties between the DPRK and Russia will be more broadly deepened and developed in different fields in the spirit of the agreements reached at the meetings between us. Availing myself of this opportunity, I sincerely wish you good health and happiness as well as greater success in your responsible work.

Friendly gathering with Russian artistes

Pyongyang, October 4 (KCNA) -- A friendly meeting with the artistes of the State Academy Ensemble of the Russian Ministry of Interior took place at the Taesongsan fun fair on Oct. 3. Present at the meeting were the Russian artistes and artistes of the ensemble of the DPRK Ministry of People's Security.
Following speeches, the participants gave an art performance and played colorful sports games and amusements, deepening the feelings of friendship.

First Russian Orthodox Church to Be Established in Pyongyang

JoongAng Ilbo. October 4, 2002. A Russian Orthodox church will be built for the first time in North Korea before long, the Voice of Russia reported Thursday. Quoting a Russian Orthodox priest, Father Dyonisy who is visiting Pyeongyang from Tuesday, the news said the decision to build has already been made after meeting with Jang Jae-on head of Korean Religionists' Council. The two also discussed on dispatching about dozen North Korean college students to the education center of Orthodox church. The broadcast said though there are about 50,000 Christians in the North none are acquainted with Russian Orthodox teachings and the construction of new church will bring about new changes in the country.

Kim Jong Il meets with Russian artistes

Pyongyang, October 2 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il met with Viktor Petrovich Eliseyev, head of the visiting State Academy Ensemble of the Russian Ministry of Interior and chief conductor of the ensemble, and its leading members and principal artistes. Present on the occasion were chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Chun, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Kuk Thae, Jong Ha Chol and Kim Ki Nam and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei G. Karlov. Kim Jong Il warmly welcomed the ensemble's visit to the DPRK and expressed thanks for its successful performance. Then, he conversed with the guests in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Eliseyev expressed heartfelt thanks to him for having appreciated the performance of the ensemble and given encouragement to it though he was very busy. Kim Jong Il posed for a picture with the artistes of the ensemble.

Kim Jong Il enjoys art performance of Russian artistes

Pyongyang, October 2 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoyed a performance given by the visiting State Academy Ensemble of the Ministry of Interior of Russia at the Ponghwa Art Theatre. When he appeared in the auditorium of the theatre, Russian artistes said congratulatory words to him, presenting him with a floral basket carrying their boundless reverence. The performance began with the immortal revolutionary paean "Song of General Kim Il Sung". Its repertoire included choruses "Just War", "Lamp" and "Suburbs of Moscow At Night", male vocal solos and choruses "White Birch Standing in the Field" and "Kalinka", dances "Dance Celebrating Victory" and "Sailors' Dance Yablochko" and Korean songs "Dear General, Where Are You", "My Native Home" and "Song of Sea".

The performers vividly represented the love of the Russian people for the motherland and their optimistic life with their high artistic skills. They drew down the curtain, loudly singing "Song of General Kim Jong Il" in Korean. Kim Jong Il sent a floral basket to the artistes in congratulation of their successful performance. Enjoying the performance were Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army, Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Kuk Thae, Jong Ha Chol and Kim Ki Nam, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, leading officials of the party and armed forces organs, servicemen and people's security workers. Also seeing the performance was Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Gennadievich Karlov.

Russian artistes see performance given by artistes of Ministry of People's Security

Pyongyang, October 1 (KCNA) -- The State Academy Ensemble of Ministry of Interior of Russia saw a song and dance performance given by the ensemble of the DPRK Ministry of People's Security at the Ponghwa Art Theater on Monday. Among the audience were Viktor Eliseyev, head of the ensemble, and its members and Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Andrei Karlov and staff members of the embassy. Korean ensemble's repertoire included Korean songs and dances "Song of General Kim Jong Il," "As general is a crack shot we never miss targets" and "At the spring" and Russian songs "Day of Victory," "Ryabinushka in the Ural mountains". A floral basket was presented to the performers in congratulation of their successful performance.

Как хвост вертит собакой

Василий МИХЕЕВ, доктор экономических наук, заместитель директора Института Дальнего Востока РАН

Наивными рискуют выглядеть те московские либералы, которые высокомерно относятся к северокорейской дипломатии. С помощью простой и неизменной тактики Пхеньян умудряется добиваться своих целей и одновременно создавать у других впечатление, что и они не остаются ни с чем. Для этого Пхеньян обостряет ситуацию на полуострове, вынуждая всех, прежде всего Вашингтон и Сеул, искать пути общения с КНДР. Затем он вступает в диалог, уже за сам факт начала переговоров получая экономическую помощь и выигрывая политическое время для режима.

Но вместо реальных уступок (переговоры и инспекции по ядерным и ракетным технологиям, сокращение обычных вооружений, рыночные реформы, внутрикорейское сотрудничество, воссоединение семей) предлагаются лишь «виртуальные» обещания. И в тот момент, когда внешняя помощь начинает напрямую обусловливаться ответными действиями, КНДР находит предлог для выхода из диалога. Сначала Ким Чен Ир показал Пекину, обеспокоенному наплывом северокорейских беженцев и ужесточившему подход к КНДР, что у него может быть другой «главный друг» -- Россия... (Время Новостей Online 17 сентября 2002г. in Russian)

RUSSIA'S PUTIN PRAISES JAPAN'S KOIZUMI FOR PLANS TO VISIT NORTH KOREA

The Associated Press reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Thursday, praising his planned summit with DPRK leader Kim Jong Il this month and saying easing tense relations in Northeast Asia would boost the region's economies. In a telephone conversation, Putin - who met with Kim last month in the Russian Pacific port of Vladivostok - welcomed Koizumi's plans for a Sept. 17 visit to the DPRK, the Russian president's press service said in a statement. It said Koizumi asked Putin about his talks with Kim, who rarely travels abroad but was making his second trip to Russia in just over a year, and that they exchanged views on prospects for improving ties between the DPRK and the ROK. "It was underlined that improving the situation in Northeast Asia would promote the establishment of economic cooperation," the statement said, making specific mention of a proposal to link the rail systems of the ROK and DPRK. ("RUSSIA'S PUTIN PRAISES JAPAN'S KOIZUMI FOR PLANS TO VISIT NORTH KOREA," Moscow, 09/05/02)

Kim Jong-il Enjoyes a Joint Russo-Korean Musical Performance

See a video clip filmed on 4 September 2002.

NORTH KOREAN CARD PLAYING

Nezavisimaya Gazeta's Georgiy Bulychyov and Aleksandr Vorontsov commented on RF-DPRK summit in RF Far East. In their opinion, DPRK is successfully playing on contradictions between RF, USA and PRC. In particular he tries to demonstrate to PRC that it has got "a Russian alternative," and RF seems to be eager to assist DPRK in that. RF in its turn got an opportunity to play a middleman between DPRK and USA, Japan and even ROK. ("NORTH KOREAN CARD PLAYING," Moscow, 6, 08/26/02)

MANEUVERS AROUND THE AXIS OF EVIL

Sovetskaya Rossiya's Vasiliy Safronchuk commented on RF-DPRK summit in Vladivostok and the fact that mainly economic cooperation issues were discussed that, although RF corporations are interested in economic projects, they should not be too eager about capitalist-style reforms in DPRK and opportunities to make money there. DPRK is much more inclined to replicate some reforms of PRC or Vietnam, rather than those of RF. Also the author argued that the importance of RF Premier Mikhail Kasyanov's visit should not be exaggerated PRC is not yet ready to open the road to WTO for RF and puts some demands concerning economic relations. ("MANEUVERS AROUND THE AXIS OF EVIL," Moscow, 1, 08/27/02)

NK Head Surfed Web All the Way to Moscow

By Seo Soo-min, The Korea Times Staff Reporter

North Korea's National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il's reputation as an Internet addict was again reinforced with the recently released recount of a Russian official who accompanied the Northern leader during his visit to Russia last summer. According to Konstantin Pulikovsky, Russian presidential representative to the Far East, Kim used his satellite connections to surf the Web during his 24-day rail journey. ``In conversations, he always picked up from where the conversation ended the day before, and threw in new information that he found on the Internet,'' Pulikovsky said in an interview with the Japanese newsmagazine Sapio.

Kim made a state visit to Russia from July 26-August 18 last year and met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The extraordinary rail trip was a result of Kim's dislike of air travel. The special train Kim used was Russian-made, a gift from Joseph Stalin to his father, the late president Kim Il-sung, Pulikovsky said. Only the car Kim slept in was bullet-proof, and other cars for conferences, eating, and one containing two bullet-proof Mercedes Benzs were also connected. Every car was hooked up to the Internet.

In the conference compartment, two large screens were installed, one for movies and television, and another showing maps of the region through which the group was traveling. Female secretaries of utmost beauty and intelligence, besides speaking Russian fluently, were also present, Pulikovsky said. ``Interestingly, a young and elegant woman accompanied Chairman Kim to almost every meeting,'' the Russian official said, adding that her role was somewhat of a mystery. Fifty Russian snipers and 20 Russian secret service agents, in addition to 25 North Korean guards, were also on the train.

``Until the age of 50 or so, I drank a lot of strong liquors like whiskey and brandy, but at the recommendation of my doctor, I now drink only half a bottle of good red wine like Bordeaux,'' Kim was quoted as saying. During a dinner, Kim even made a Russian-style toast by crossing the arms with a female Russian official for a drink and bade her goodbye by kissing her on the cheek.

He also remarked that drug peddlers are shot in North Korea. ``If the dealer is Chinese, we don't kill, we just give them a lashing. If a Korean is caught with drugs in Khabarovsk, you have my permission to shoot him on the spot,'' he said to vice mayor of the Russian city, without a hint of joking, according to Pulikovsky. 2002/04/18 17:34 [email protected]

RUSSIA IN HURRY TO LINK KOREAS TO THE TRANS-SIBERIA RAILWAY

Joongang Ilbo reported that Russia has been leaning toward a final decision to link its Trans-Siberian Railway to the Gyeongui and Cheongnyeon Icheon lines in a railroad project that will eventually connect Europe and the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, an ROK researcher said Thursday. "Sergey Sharapov, the deputy director of Russia's State Technical and Economics Institute for Railway Research and Design, told me about the plan when I visited Russia last month," said Ahn Byong-Min, a research fellow at the Korea Transport Institute. Ahn said Russia plans to link Seoul to Pyeongsan, north of the industrial city Gaeseong, DPRK, via the Gyeongui Line. A number of shorter lines would then link the Gyeongui Line to the east coast. Russia reportedly conducted two site surveys in DPRK last year to assess the feasibility of the plan. The details of the studies were not made public. Russia is reportedly considering forming a consortium with the two Koreas and Japan to raise the money for the project. (Kang Kap-seang, "RUSSIA IN HURRY TO LINK KOREAS TO THE TRANS-SIBERIA RAILWAY," Seoul, 08/30/02)

North Korean, Russian ties firmly on track

With train trips on the brain, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was particularly susceptible to Moscow's overtures to link the Trans-Siberian railroad to the Korean peninsula during his just-completed rail journey to Russia. Significantly, he also found the time to visit a fighter jet factory. - Sergei Blagov (Aug 26, '02)

NORTH KOREA TO RECONNECT RAIL LINE

The Associated Press reported that the DPRK has agreed to reconnect severed road and rail links with the ROK this year in return for food and fertilizer, a joint statement said Friday. The agreement wrapped up three days of inter-Korean economic talks that ended in Seoul on Friday - the latest step toward reconciliation. If plans go smoothly, the first road connection would be completed as early as November and the first railway before year's end. Plans to build a railway and a parallel road across the western sector of the border were originally included in an agreement reached at a historic inter-Korean summit in the summer of 2000. The ROK completed work on its side of the border, but the DPRK stopped construction early last year amid tension with the US. (Paul Shin, "NORTH KOREA TO RECONNECT RAIL LINE," Seoul, 08/30/02)

Chosun Ilbo reported that wrapping up a four-day inter-Korean economic cooperation meeting in Seoul officials from ROK and DPRK agreed, Friday, to commence re-linking the Seoul-Shinuiju railway from September 18 for completion by the end of the year. In addition the two will commence construction of a road link in the same area on the same day to be completed by spring 2003. Road (14.2km) and rail (27km) links will also be established on the east coast between Jijin and Onjongni to be finished within one year. A temporary 1.5km road will also be constructed for over ground tourism to Mount Kumgang and family reunions. ROK will supply all the equipment for the construction projects and provide 400,000 tons of rice on deferred credit and 100,000 tons of fertilizer for free. One called for setting up an industrial base in the DPRK city of Kaesong. Also joint efforts will start in November on anti-flood measures along the cross-border Imjin River, including planting trees in denuded areas. The next meeting will take place in Pyongyang from November 6 to 9. (Kim In-ku, "RAILWAY WORK TO NK TO START SEPTEMBER 18," Seoul, 08/30/02)

Пхеньян и Сеул налаживают сообщение

Представители Северной и Южной Корей проводят первые за последние два года переговоры о восстановлении железнодорожного и автомобильного сообщения между двумя странами. Консультации, проходящие в столице Южной Кореи Сеуле, последовали за встречей министров двух стран, которая состоялась в начале августа. Как ожидается, на переговорах будет обсуждаться конкретный вопрос организации транспортного сообщения в так называемой демилитаризованной зоне - на одном из наиболее укрепленных участков границы в мире. Обозреватели рассматривают новый раунд переговоров как еще одну попытку со стороны Пхеньяна провести дипломатическое наступление с тем, чтобы получить помощь со стороны своего южного соседа и США.

Нехватка продовольствия

Северная и Южная Кореи должны проложить путь к процветанию и воссоединению, открыв дорогу сотрудничества сквозь разделяющие нас преграды. Глава делегации Северной Кореи Пак Чанг Рен заявил, что восстановление транспортных связей имеет ключевое значение для решения проблем с нехваткой продовольствия и энергоресурсов.
"Северная и Южная Кореи должны проложить путь к процветанию и воссоединению, открыв дорогу сотрудничества сквозь разделяющие нас преграды", - заявил он в интервью агентству Франс пресс.

По мнению аналитиков, на переговорах может быть затронут вопрос о конечном пункте восстановленной железной дороги между двумя странами. Южная Корея выступает за то, чтобы поезда могли идти в Китай. Пхеньян же предлагает, чтобы транскорейская железнодорожная магистраль была соединена с российскими железными дорогами. На состоявшейся на прошлой неделе встрече президента России Владимира Путина и лидера Северной Кореи Ким Чен Ира российская сторона предложила построить недостающую часть железной дороги и призывала Пхеньян ускорить решение этого вопроса.

Помощь в индустриализации

Воссоединение железнодорожного сообщения между двумя Кореями может не только улучшить отношения между сторонами, но и помочь в индустриализации Северной Кореи и наладить международную торговлю. В соответствии с соглашениями, достигнутыми в 2000 году, железная дорога должна дойти до Пхеньяна. Южная Корея почти закончила свою часть строительства, в то время как с северной стороны было мало что сделано. Северная и Южная Кореи до сих официально находятся в состоянии войны, несмотря на то, что боевые действия между сторонами закончились в 1953 году. Источник: (BBC, 28.08.2002 in Russian)

Russia flirts with US's axis of evil

When it comes to looking after its own interests, Russia is quite prepared to go against the US - as amply evidenced by Moscow's friendly dealings with Washington's axis of evil - Iran, Iraq and North Korea. - Ehsan Ahrari (Aug 28, '02)

RUSSIA SELLS MILITARY SPARE PARTS TO NORTH KOREA

Reuters reported that Russia provides the DPRK with spare parts for its Soviet-built fighter jets and armor and has no intention of giving it any offensive weapons, the Russian defense minister said Monday. "We are supplying some equipment that cannot be called modern, let alone offensive, to North Korea," Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said on a trip to the Buryatia region of southern Siberia, according to the Interfax news agency. He said that Russia is supplying the DPRK with defense systems and spare parts for tanks and fighter planes, but didn't elaborate. "We have certain plans for developing military-technical cooperation, but not everything depends on us here," he said. "A lot also depends on the economic and financial capabilities of North Korea." ("RUSSIA SELLS MILITARY SPARE PARTS TO NORTH KOREA," 08/26/02)

'UNEXPECTED' RAIL IDEAS DUE

Joongang Ilbo reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il will soon make public new initiatives on the Russian rail link, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency reported Saturday. The new proposals will be about the Trans-Korean main line reconstruction, the news agency quoted Kim as saying in a meeting with Russian Railways Minister Gennadiy Fadeyev before his departure from Vladivostok. The railroad construction project was the main issue addressed at Friday's meeting between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. PRC, Japan and countries in Central Asia have expressed interest in the project that would eventually link Europe to the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. (Oh Dae-young, "'UNEXPECTED' RAIL IDEAS DUE," Seoul, 08/25/02)

В Корее Россией остались довольны...

24 августа лидер Северной Кореи Ким Чен Ир завершил свой визит на российский Дальний Восток и отбыл из Владивостока в Пхеньян, пишет РБК. На вокзале главу северокорейского государства провожали полномочный представитель президента России в Дальневосточном Федеральном округе Константин Пуликовский, министр путей сообщений РФ Геннадий Фадеев, губернатор Приморья Сергей Дарькин.

Во время визита во Владивосток Ким Чен Ир встретился в президентом России Владимиром Путиным. Путин подтвердил заинтересованность России в межкорейском взаимодействии и отметил положительную динамику развития российско-корейских отношений. За год, прошедший после последней встречи руководителей двух стран, на 10% вырос товарооборот между двумя странами. 70% его приходится на торговлю КНДР с регионами Дальнего Востока.

Путин подчеркнул, что Россия будет способствовать процессу дальнейшего урегулирования отношений между КНДР и Республикой Корея, в "котором искренне заинтересована". В контексте этого заявления стороны обсудили возможности реализации проекта создания Транскорейской железной дороги с выходом ее на Транссиб, а также широкий круг вопросов сотрудничества двух стран и международной жизни. Ким Чен Ир высказал глубокое удовлетворение ходом своего нынешнего визита в Россию. Источник: MIGnews.com, 25.08.2002.

PUTIN PROPOSES RAIL EXTENSION

China Daily reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin pressed the DPRK on August 23 to forge a new Asia-Europe freight route by extending Russia's trans-Siberian railway across the Korean Peninsula. Putin said in the report that the new link would help revitalize Russia's depressed and underpopulated Far East. He also told regional leaders earlier that Russia needed the freight link from the peninsula to Europe to cross Russia's Far Eastern region. According to the report, Russia stands to reap billions of dollars in transit fees once the DPRK opens its part of the railway and ROK goods start pouring to Europe across Russia. The report quoted Putin's words that "Russia has helped and will continue to do its best to contribute to a settlement on the Korean peninsula", and "There are positive elements (in the talks between Seoul and Pyongyang) and, in any case, the DPRK's goodwill is obvious." ("PUTIN PROPOSES RAIL EXTENSION", Vladivostok, 08/24/02, P8)

N. Korea's Leader Ends Russia Visit

By JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press Writer

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) - After five days of observing what a decade of struggles and successes with economic reforms has done in Russia, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il headed home Saturday to a country undertaking some changes of its own. Kim's train crossed back into North Korean territory, according to Russian news reports, after heading out early from Vladivostok, Russia's main Pacific port. Kim had spent the night there after meeting with President Vladimir Putin ( news - web sites) and touring a department store and a bakery in a city where glossy new development and decayed Soviet-era buildings stand side by side.

He visited defense plants, heavy industries and a pharmaceutical plant in other cities earlier in the trip, the second venture to Russia in a year for the usually reclusive leader of one of the word's most isolated countries. Kim made no public statements, but his activities and Putin's synopsis of the meeting with him indicated that Kim's primary interest was in economic redevelopment of his impoverished nation. Putin drew particular attention to Russian interest in a proposal to link the rail systems of South and North Korea ( news - web sites), which were severed a half-century ago, and improving the system's connection with Russia's Trans-Siberian railroad. Such a linkage would give export-driven South Korea ( news - web sites) an alternative to shipping its goods to Western Europe by sea and would boost Russia's revenues with tariffs for the journey across its sprawling expanse, although critics say the estimated $3 billion proposal is inefficient and unwieldy.

North Korea, plagued by famine and by the industrial decline after the collapse of European communism undermined its trade relations, has begun some economic reforms, although it says they are aimed at making central planning work better rather than eliminating it. Russia, and Vladivostok in particular, offers a mixed message on reforms. Although the hilly city of 700,000 has sprouted stores offering an array of goods unimaginable during Soviet times, it also holds countless shabby and rotting buildings and has suffered through severe electricity shortages in recent years.

Putin said Kim's visit had political elements, and emphasized Russia's interest in helping to bring rapprochement between the two Koreas. Russia could gain much by cultivating ties with North Korea. The communist country is a potential market for Russian coal, minerals and skilled technicians. The talks with Kim also highlighted Putin's effort to boost Russia's prestige in foreign affairs after a decade of being upstaged by the West. [...] Just hours before the Kim-Putin meeting, a U.S. State Department official said the Bush administration had imposed sanctions on a North Korean company for selling Scud missile parts to Yemen. Sat Aug 24,10:02 AM ET

Друзья познаются

ГЕОРГИЙ БОВТ, Gazeta.Ru

Скажи мне, кто твой друг, и я скажу, кто ты. Это, оказывается, совершенно в наше циничное время неверная поговорка? Ее надобно, получается, отменить указом? Потому что посмотрите на друзей нашего президента. И что вы про него скажете, руководствуясь только этим списком, в котором кого только нет? Кто скажет, кто он, наш президент Путин, совершенно не боясь ошибиться?

[...] Постепенно наш президент подружился едва ли не со всей Европой, включая сильно помнящую «совок» незлым тихим словом Восточную Европу. Где успел побывать – подружился и с азиатами, особенно с китайцами.

Есть, правда, у нашего президента люди, общение с которыми, по всему видно, не овеяно аурой взаимной приязни. Вот, к примеру, хотя они с Эдуардом Амвросиевичем, грузинским нынешним президентом, и улыбаются друг другу при всякой редкой встрече, но заметно, что как-то уж через большую внутреннюю работу над собой. А поскольку опыт предыдущей работы обоих дал на сей счет изрядную практику, то губы в приветствии все же раздвигаются и даже удается пожать друг другу руки.

То же самое с другим соседом – Лукашенкой. По Лукашенке же видно – ну не любит наш президент дурных людей, глупых и вздорных самодуров и деспотов. Как по Шеварднадзе видно, что не любит он и коварных хитрованов, потворствующих его врагам. Но – общается с обоими через силу. А вот, к примеру, с человеком по имени Ким Чен Ир Владимир Владимирович общается, видимо, совершенно непринужденно и без всякой внутренней работы над собой. Отчего так? Что сближает нашего обожаемого всей страной Владимира Владимировича с этим северокорейским человеком? Уж не то ли, что и тот тоже – сильно обожаем на родине, и даже пуще нашего.

Он приезжает к нам уже второй раз. Приезжает основательно, надолго, со вкусом и ставя враскоряку население страны, его пригласившей. Потому как приезжает он снова этим своим странным образом – на поезде, как ездил в свое время разве что товарищ Сталин, также не переносивший самолетов. И, разумеется, устраивает многочисленные транспортные проблемы всем остальным смертным. Это уже становится даже смешно.

О нем мало что известно. Известно, впрочем, что он наследственный диктатор. Известно, что уморил и продолжает морить голодом, возникшим вследствие дурной экономической модели имени чучхе, своих поданных. Известно, что он не любит весь окружающий его мир за то, что он боится этого мира, который может рассеять чары его дикого для современности царства, где он, кажется, запретил все достижения цивилизации, которые только смог придумать запретить. В голове у этого человека, судя по всему, творится такой кошмар, что его впору заносить в Красную книгу политических мастодонтов. Впрочем, он уже и так там: общаться с этим ископаемым в цивилизованном обществе считается неприличным. Ведь тогда его, из уважения к себе самому хотя бы, непременно надо спрашивать, как они на пару со своим даже более легендарным папашей Ким Ир Сеном умудрились не только довести до полуголодного существования миллионы людей, но и научили их экзальтированно радоваться своему скотскому существованию, не уставая прославлять своих божественных вождей-мучителей. И это и есть их главный политический секрет. Делился ли им гость в России?

Разумеется, Ким Чен Иру в России никто не задавал негостеприимных вопросов. Местные чиновники, похоже, его искренне и сильно любят. Словно он для них – воплощение вековечной мечты всякого настоящего русского чиновника (независимо от экономического уклад, конституционного демократического или, напротив, самодержавного авторитарного строя) вылизать до самых гланд всякую вышестоящую задницу. Они подобострастно заглядывали ему в рот. Они им откровенно восхищались, не считая даже нужным скрывать это перед телекамерами как бы демократической страны. Полпред Путина Пуликовский даже написал целую восторженную книгу, где делится своими добрыми реминисценциями – как он соприкоснулся с Великим Вождем. Каждый из них, включая хладнокровно-циничного бизнесмена-губернатора пригласившей Вождя российской провинции, конечно же, в глубине своей номенклатурной душонки хотел бы быть на ЕГО месте. И в ЕГО системе чучхе. Но не случилось: они оказались не в том месте, где им всем надо бы оказаться, и не в том времени, в котором все они гляделись бы куда более гармонично, чем в нынешнем. Увы.

Но вот почему так тепло и задушевно с этим человеком целовался Владимир Владимирович Путин? Может быть. У Ким Чен Ира есть свой ответ на тот самый сакраментальный вопрос – Who is Mister Putin? Впрочем, Любимый корейский руководитель, конечно же, звал его не мистером Путиным, а товарищем. По-свойски. (Gazeta.Ru, 26 АВГУСТА 13:48, in Russian)

NORTH KOREA'S KIM SEES IN RUSSIA WHAT'S ABSENT AT HOME

The Associated Press reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong Il capped his second visit to Russia in a year with a long meeting with President Vladimir Putin and a taste of the consumer delights that are in short supply in his hermetic and impoverished country. Putin and Kim talked for about 3 1/2 hours at a government meeting house outside Vladivostok, Russia's main Pacific Coast city. Kim made no comments after the meeting, but as he walked away with Putin he appeared pleased, smiling and spreading his arms wide. The Russian president said little more, giving only a short synopsis of the talks, which he said focused on economic development. In particular, he said the two leaders talked about potential Russian involvement in a proposal to link the rail systems of the ROK and DPRK. Such a linkage would give export-driven ROK an alternative to shipping its goods to Western Europe by sea and would boost Russia's revenues with tariffs for the journey across its sprawling expanse. (Jim Heintz, "NORTH KOREA'S KIM SEES IN RUSSIA WHAT'S ABSENT AT HOME," Vladivostok, 08/23/02)

Russian, N. Korean Leaders Meet

By JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press Writer

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) - North Korea ( news - web sites)'s Kim Jong Il, leader of one of the world's most closed countries, came Friday to what once was one of Russia's most closed cities in a trip focusing on economic reform. Kim met with President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on the final stop of a four-day trip through Russia's Far East. "I am very glad you accepted my invitation," Putin said as he opened the meeting. "We met a year ago and I am happy that we have kept up contact."

"I am 1,000 percent happy," Kim replied. Before the meeting, Kim visited a seaport, a store and a bakery. The local Vostok Media news agency said Kim chose the Vladivostok Commercial Seaport because it was where Soviet troops boarded ships to depart for Korea for battles with the Japanese army during World War II. Kim then proceeded to the Ignat department store, which remained open to the public during the half-hour visit. Vladivostok Mayor Yuri Kopylov, who accompanied Kim on his city tour, said the North Korean leader was interested in a department selling Russian Orthodox icons, and he bought one as a present for Kim. According to Kopylov, Kim is going to build a small Orthodox church in Pyongyang and hang the icon there.

After the store, Kim, North Korean and Russian officials had a lunch featuring traditional Russian dumplings, beet and cabbage soup, seafood and cold vodka, Kopylov said. Next Kim's delegation went to a baking plant where they spent about 40 minutes. Kim's aides were seen taking a picture, wrapped up in paper, out of a small truck that trailed Kim's motorcade. They then carried the picture inside, apparently to give as a present. After Kim left, the truck backed up to the bakery and Russian workers loaded it with several dozen cakes. "He was very interested in new products and new technology," Kopylov said, adding that Kim especially liked bread that contained kelp and charcoal.

On previous stops on his Far East tour, Kim visited shipyards, defense plants and other manufacturers including a pharmaceutical plant and a cable factory. Kim's interest in heavy industries and medicines underlines the desperation into which North Korea, a communist country where Kim inherited a cult of personality from his late father, has fallen since the collapse of European Communism. Trade relationships with countries that once had an ideological kinship with North Korea have disintegrated, and the country's crumbling manufacturing sector has little to offer.

Russian-North Korean trade turnover fell some 80 percent in the decade since the Soviet collapse, to $115 million in 2001, according to the Russian Ministry for Economic Development. Most of North Korea's exports to Russia are clothing, fabric and fish, along with re-export of goods brought in from Japan and China. The economic troubles, aggravated by a severe famine, appear to have pushed Kim to undertake elements of market-oriented reforms, although North Korea says the recently enacted changes are aimed at making central planning work better rather than to eliminate it.

Vladivostok provides a deeply symbolic and cautionary background for a man hesitantly opening himself to the world. As the home base of Russia's Pacific Fleet, it once was closed off not only to the rest of the world but even to most Soviet citizens. Now, with its fine port and proximity to vast expanses of timber and other natural resources, Vladivostok is trying to reinvent itself as a boomtown. Russia potentially has much to gain economically and politically by cultivating ties with Kim's regime. North Korea is hungry for Russian coal and minerals and for skilled technicians to rebuild Soviet-built refineries and factories. Meeting with Kim, meanwhile, underlines Putin's drive to boost Russia's influence in foreign affairs after a decade of being overshadowed by the West. Fri Aug 23, 7:35 AM ET

Russian, N. Korean Leaders to Meet

By Jim Heintz, Associated Press Writer

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia –– North Korea's Kim Jong Il, leader of one of the world's most closed countries, came Friday to what once was one of Russia's most closed cities in a trip focusing on economic reform. Kim was to meet with President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on the final stop of a four-day trip through Russia's Far East, during which he has visited shipyards, defense plants and other manufacturers, including a pharmaceutical plant and a cable factory.

He toured Vladivostok's commercial port on Friday ahead of the planned late afternoon meeting with Putin, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. Kim's interest in heavy industries and medicines underlines the desperation into which North Korea, a communist country where Kim inherited a cult of personality from his late father, has fallen since the collapse of European Communism.

Trade relationships with countries that once had an ideological kinship with North Korea have disintegrated and the country's crumbling manufacturing sector has little to offer on a strictly economic basis. Russian-North Korean trade turnover fell some 80 percent in the decade since the Soviet collapse, to $115 million in 2001, according to the Russian Ministry for Economic Development. Most of North Korea's exports to Russia are clothing, fabric and fish, along with re-export of goods brought in from Japan and China.

The economic troubles, aggravated by a severe famine, appear to have pushed Kim to undertake elements of market-oriented reforms, although North Korea says the recently enacted changes are aimed at making central planning work better rather than to eliminate it. Kim also is showing more inclination to venture outside his small country's tightly guarded borders. Although he is famously reclusive, the current visit is his second to Russia in just over a year. Last summer, he made a surprising 24-day train trek across the sprawling country's length.

Vladivostok provides a deeply symbolic and cautionary background for a man hesitantly opening himself to the world. As the home base of Russia's Pacific Fleet, it once was closed off not only to the rest of the world but even to most Soviet citizens. Now, with its fine port and proximity to vast expanses of timber and other natural resources, Vladivostok is trying to reinvent itself as a boomtown. But as shiny cars cruise the hilly streets past new, glossy shops, corruption and contract killings have mushroomed, giving Vladivostok the nickname "The Wild East."

All of Russia's Far East has suffered in Russia's rocky reconstitution, as jobs disappeared and services declined. While Kim was touring Vladivostok, Putin was meeting with regional officials to hear of its troubles and prospects for improvement. Khabarovsk governor Viktor Ishayev told Putin that the region, which makes up about one-third of Russia's area, had lost more than 10 percent of its population over the past decade, falling to about 9.3 million.

Russia has much to gain economically and politically by cultivating ties with Kim's regime. North Korea is hungry for Russian coal and minerals and for skilled technicians to rebuild Soviet-built refineries and factories that have gone idle. An ambitious proposal to relink North and South Korea's railroads and then tie them to Russia's Trans-Siberian railroad could, if realized, bring substantial revenue to Russia in tariffs for goods shipped to Western Europe. However, critics say that the estimated $3 billion plan is impractical because Russian railroads are a different gauge than the Koreas' or Western Europe's.

Meeting with Kim, meanwhile, underlines Putin's drive to boost Russia's influence and prestige in foreign affairs after a decade of being overshadowed by the West. President Bush has labeled North Korea, Iran and Iraq an "axis of evil," and although Putin has supported the U.S. campaign against terrorism, he has worked for ties with those countries rather than denouncing them. Some analysts suggest Russia's moves toward these countries aim at reducing their potential threat by improving their domestic conditions and drawing them into the mainstream. In addition, the moves fit the Kremlin's often-stated foreign policy goal of a "multi-polar world" in which the United States is not dominant. © 2002 The Associated Press, Friday, August 23, 2002; 1:53 AM

Russia, N. Korea Leaders to Meet Today

By Jim Heintz, Associated Press Writer

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia –– North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited a pharmaceutical plant, a cable-producing factory and a Russian Orthodox church on Thursday, the third day of a rail tour advertised as an effort to acquaint him with the opportunities of economic reform. Kim, leader of one of the world's most closed countries, then left for the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, what was once was one of Russia's most closed cities. Once he reaches Vladivostok, the final stop of a four-day trip through Russia's Far East, Kim will meet with President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in the city early Friday.

On Thursday, chimes pealed as Kim ducked into the St. Bishop Innokenty of Irkutsk church in Khabarovsk, about 3,800 miles southeast of Moscow. He questioned clergymen about the differences between Orthodoxy and other religions, the ITAR-Tass and Interfax news agencies reported. Kim also visited Dalkhimfarm, one of the Far East's largest producers of pharmaceuticals, and the Amurkabel cable-producing plant. Interfax said that he examined production processes and asked about the situation of plant workers.

"He's received an awful lot of information and that's what he needs because he is searching for what Far East products could be most useful. This is perhaps his greatest goal," said Konstantin Pulikovsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin's top representative in the Far East region, who was accompanying Kim on his four-day tour. Kim's interest in heavy industries and medicines underlines the desperation into which North Korea, a communist country where he inherited a cult of personality from his late father, has fallen since the collapse of European Communism.

Trade relationships with countries that once had an ideological kinship with North Korea have disintegrated and the country's crumbling manufacturing sector has little to offer. Russian-North Korean trade turnover fell some 80 percent in the decade since the Soviet collapse, to $115 million in 2001, according to the Russian Ministry for Economic Development. Most of North Korea's exports to Russia are clothing, fabric and fish, along with re-export of goods brought in from Japan and China.

The economic troubles, aggravated by a severe famine, appear to have pushed Kim to undertake elements of market-oriented reforms, although North Korea says the recently enacted changes are aimed at making central planning work better rather than to eliminate it. Kim also is showing more inclination to venture outside his small country's tightly guarded borders. Although he is famously reclusive, the current visit is his second to Russia in just over a year. Last summer, he made a surprising 24-day train trek across the sprawling country's length.

Vladivostok provides a deeply symbolic and cautionary background for a man hesitantly opening himself to the world. As the home base of Russia's Pacific Fleet, it once was closed off not only to the rest of the world but even to most Soviet citizens. Now, with one of the world's finest natural ports and proximity to vast expanses of timber and other natural resources, Vladivostok is trying to reinvent itself as a boomtown. But as shiny cars cruise the hilly streets past new, glossy shops, corruption and contract killings have mushroomed.

Kim spent Thursday afternoon at the training center of the Far Eastern Military District, outside Khabarovsk, where he saw Russian military hardware, Interfax said. ITAR-Tass said he was interested in acquainting himself with the life of servicemen there. Later in the day, Kim boarded his special train and departed for Vladivostok. His black armored limousine was sent ahead by air, ITAR-Tass reported. © 2002 The Associated Press (Thursday, August 22, 2002; 4:37 PM )

N.Korean Leader Visits Defense Plant

By Sarah Karush, Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW –– North Korean leader Kim Jong Il quizzed the chief of a defense plant about weapons technology Wednesday then relaxed at a children's concert, before leaving for the next stop on his tour of the Russian Far East. In an event reminiscent of Soviet-era spectacles, children at the Kosmos summer camp on the Amur River performed for Kim, the ITAR-Tass news agency said. Once it was over, he invited 100 Russian children to visit North Korea, ITAR-Tass said. The agency said Kim and the other spectators were besieged by mosquitos during the performance. Kim rode a riverboat to the camp from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where he toured the shop floor of a defense plant earlier in the day.

The reclusive leader arrived Tuesday for his second visit to Russia in two years. Before heading home, Kim will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said. A year ago, Kim spent 24 days traveling Russia's expanse by train. He toured several Russian cities and met with Putin in Moscow. The latest trip is said to focus on developing economic ties, and Russian officials have suggested that Kim would use the opportunity to ask Russian leaders about their experiences with economic reform. Last month, communist North Korea launched reforms that include elements of a market-based economy. But North Korean officials have described the reforms as a way to make central planning more efficient, not to dismantle it.

There are also signs that Russia is improving ties with North Korea, Iraq and Iran, which President Bush has labeled the "axis of evil," despite Putin's strong support for the U.S.-led post-Sept. 11 anti-terrorism coalition. Kim expressed interest in economic issues during a tour of the defense plant where Russia's famous Sukhoi fighter jets are built. He asked officials at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association if their computer technology led to cuts in personnel, and how it improved production quality, the Interfax news agency reported. Sukhoi Corporation Director-General Mikhail Pogosyan told Russian news agencies that Kim expressed "profound respect" for Russian aircraft builders in a note he left in the plant's guest book.

Kim then traveled to the Amursky shipyard, where director Nikolai Povzyk led him up steep metal ladders so he could get a better view, ITAR-Tass reported. Kim, who reportedly dislikes flying, showed no signs of being afraid of heights as he followed Povzyk up the ladders, ITAR-Tass said. Kim was scheduled to arrive in Khabarovsk, 250 miles southwest of Komsomolsk, on Thursday morning, according to Interfax. Once there, he is expected to visit Dalkhimfarm, the largest pharmaceutical plant in the Far East. © 2002 The Associated Press (Wednesday, August 21, 2002; 7:04 PM)

Kim Jong-il rolls into Russia

North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il has begun a visit to the Russian far east. The plane-shy leader's private train crossed the two countries' border at Khasan where he was met by regional officials as the train's wheels were changed to fit the Russian gauge. Mr Kim was accompanied by senior officials including the army's chief of general staff, Kim Yong Chung. He is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the region's main city, Vladivostok, on Friday.

Russian officials reported earlier that special care had been taken to ensure the North Korean leader's train would not snarl up rail traffic in the region after a similar visit last summer caused widespread disruption. "The railway authorities have... given an

assurance that the timetable will be drawn up so that passenger train schedules are not violated," said Yevgeny Anoshin, a regional official in Vladivostok.

Mr Kim was due to travel on to the defence industry town of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, 900 km (560 miles) to the north, after an hour's stopover at Khasan. He is expected to visit defence plants there. The North Korean leader earlier sent a message to Mr Putin in which he talked of the two countries' relations entering a new phase. Russian diplomats said the main reason for the visit was for Mr Kim to witness Russia's experience of economic reforms.

North Korea has recently introduced a number of economic changes, including price and wage hikes. Analysts suspect the measures are designed to lift production and rein in the black market rather than a genuine reform of the state-controlled system. North Korea has also embarked on a number of new diplomatic initiatives in recent weeks - meeting South Korean officials, planning talks with Japan and offering to host a US delegation. Correspondents say all Pyongyang's moves are being scrutinised to see if its often erratic behaviour can be trusted. (Tuesday, 20 August, 2002, 13:09 GMT 14:09 UK)

N. Korean Leader Arrives in Russia

By ANATOLY MEDETSKY, Associated Press Writer

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il began his second trip to Russia in as many years Tuesday, a four-day train trip through the country's Far East region that will include a meeting with President Vladimir Putin ( news - web sites).

Kim started his visit at the Russian border station of Khasan, where he was joined by presidential envoy Konstantin Pulikovsky and other Russian officials who will accompany him on the trip, said a spokeswoman for the Russian state customs committee in the Pacific port of Vladivostok, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity. Kim and his entourage then headed to the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, where he was due to arrive on Wednesday morning, the spokeswoman said.

From there, Kim is to travel to Khabarovsk, said Pulikovsky's press secretary, Yevgeny Anoshin. Local media, citing anonymous sources, reported that Kim would tour two defense plants in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. One plant produces submarines, the other Sukhoi fighter jets, according to the reports. Kim is then expected to head back home, stopping on the way in Vladivostok or elsewhere in the vicinity on Friday to hold a meeting with Putin, said Yelena Sukhinina, a government spokeswoman in Vladivostok.

A year ago, Kim spent 24 days traveling Russia's expanse by train. He toured several Russian cities — with the heavy security measures surrounding his trip tying up rail and road traffic and severely testing the patience of rank-and-file citizens — and met with Putin in Moscow. The two leaders pledged to build closer strategic and economic ties and criticized American plans for a missile defense system. By now, that issue that has faded with Putin's quiet acquiescence to the U.S. withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Russian officials have stressed that Kim's trip is to focus on economic cooperation. Projects already under discussion include refining Russian oil in North Korea ( news - web sites), transporting cargo though North Korean ports and agriculture and forestry projects. Kim may also want to consult with Putin ahead of a possible resumption of high-level talks with the United States, which have been interrupted since October 2000. (Mon Aug 19, 8:46 PM ET)

RUSSIA RAIL JOURNEY SET FOR NORTH'S KIM

Joongang Ilbo reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il will travel to Russia's Far East from August 20 to 26, an ROK government source said Sunday. Konstantin Pulikovsky, the Russian president's plenipotentiary to the Far Eastern region, invited Kim, and he is expected to have a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Mr. Kim will travel to Russia aboard a train, using the North Korean railways and the Trans-Siberian Railway," the ROK official said. "Mr. Kim will visit Vladivostok, Khabarovsk and the Amur region in Russia. It is highly possible that the Kim-Putin summit will take place between August 22 and 24." The summit agenda will reportedly include Korean Peninsula affairs, the project of linking the Russian railroad to the planned inter-Korean railway and Russia's supplying electric power to DPRK.(Oh Young-hwan, "RUSSIA RAIL JOURNEY SET FOR NORTH'S KIM," Seoul, 08/12/02)

RUSSIA OFFERS TO SELL SOUTH KOREA WEAPONS WORTH USD 550 MILLION

Reuters reported that Russia has offered to sell the ROK US$550 million worth of military hardware, with half of the cost covered by debts it owes the ROK. The ROK agreed to provide Moscow with $US3 billion in long-term, low-interest loans. The ROK extended US$1.47 billion in loans until the mid-1990s, when it stopped further instalments after Russia failed to pay back the interest. The outstanding debt has now swelled to dlrs 1.95 billion. In a letter in July, Russia offered to sell the ROK tanks, missiles and helicopters worth $US550 million, said Yoo Byung-suk, an official at the ROK Ministry of Finance and Economy. Russia proposed that the ROK pay half the total in cash and cover the other half with the outstanding debt, he said. The ROK previously purchased dlrs 370 million worth of Russian military hardware and industrial raw materials in a deal linked with the loan package. ("RUSSIA OFFERS TO SELL SOUTH KOREA WEAPONS WORTH DLRS 550 MILLION," Seoul, 08/12/02)

NORTH'S KIM, PUTIN EXPECTED TO CONFER

Joongang Ilbo reported that DPRK leader Kim Jong-il and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold talks in the Pacific port of Vladivostok in the second half of August. For security reasons, however, the Russian government did not disclose the dates of the meeting. It is considered a custom not to disclose the schedule of the Russian president, the government said. Last week the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Kim's possible visit to Russia this month. International media saw Kim's visit as an attempt to plant an impression in the global community of the firm relationship between DPRK and Russia before DPRK resumes talks with US. ("NORTH'S KIM, PUTIN EXPECTED TO CONFER," Moscow, 08/09/02)

Pyongyang Undercutting Russian Influence Over the Koreas

Jul 29, 2002. North Korea expressed regret July 25 for a recent clash between North and South Korean naval forces and called for resuming inter-Korean talks. This comes as Russia's foreign minister is about to visit the Koreas to offer Moscow's help in restarting inter-Korean dialogue. The timing of the apology thus robs Russia of any significant role in inter-Korean reconciliation.
Analysis

Pyongyang expressed regret July 25 for a clash last month between North and South Korean naval forces in which five South Korean sailors were killed. A fax sent by Kim Ryong Song, Pyongyang's chief negotiator for ministerial-level contacts with the South, said the "accident of the armed clash in the Yellow Sea was truly a regretful incident" and suggested a resumption of working-level talks with Seoul in August.

Such discussions would pave the way for renewing ministerial-level negotiations between the two sides, which have not been held since November 2000. Not coincidentally, Pyongyang's apology comes as Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov begins a visit this week to both countries to offer Moscow's help in smoothing inter-Korean relations

One of the key elements of his visit, according to South Korea's Chosun Ilbo daily, is expected to be a proposal to host a second summit between the two Koreas' leaders in the city of Khabarovsk, in the Siberia province, in September -- a summit Russian President Vladimir Putin would also attend. But Pyongyang is wary of Moscow's intentions and wants to limit its influence.

Ivanov intended to play peacemaker during his visit to the two countries and use his leverage to put Russia's interests on the agenda of a future Korean summit. By doing so he would also demonstrate Russia's importance to Washington. But by already calling for talks and essentially saying that Ivanov's mediation isn't needed, Pyongyang has yanked the rug out from under Russia's feet, leaving Ivanov without much to offer and little influence over the Korean reconciliation process.

Last month's naval clash was timed by North Korea to refocus the agenda of then-expected talks with the United States and to demonstrate that Pyongyang was still a force to be reckoned with. But the sinking of a South Korean ship during the battle, whether intentional or not, left South Korean President Kim Dae Jung with little room to maneuver. Kim called for a full apology from Pyongyang and demanded those guilty of the action be brought to justice before any progress could be made between the two sides.

Pyongyang has now offered Kim enough of a concession to revitalize the stalled Korean dialogue. South Korean Unification Minister Jeong Se Hyun July 25 said it was "undesirable for South-North and North-U.S. dialogue to be suspended for much longer," especially considering the potential for a <security crisis on the peninsula next year http://www.stratfor.com/standard/analysis_view.php?ID=203710>.

Jeong was referring to Seoul's concern about the fact that 2003 marks the end of North Korea's self-imposed missile moratorium. It could also be the year that North Korea declares itself a de facto nuclear state, since construction on light water nuclear reactors -- which Pyongyang accepted in exchange for abandoning its nuclear programs under the 1994 Agreed Framework with the United States -- will not be completed on time as promised.

With Seoul still eager to talk to the North, Pyongyang wants to ensure that it has a significant say in whatever dialogue takes place. With South Korean presidential elections approaching in December, the North Korean government is hoping that outgoing President Kim will offer major political and economic concessions, similar to U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision shortly before leaving office to send Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Pyongyang. What North Korea doesn't want, however, is foreign interference in this process, even from Moscow and Beijing, its former allies and sponsors.

The North Korean regime's relations with both China and Russia have been strained over the past few months, and Pyongyang resents Moscow's attempts to exploit its leverage with North Korea to improve its own relations with the United States and Europe. Pyongyang snubbed a July 24 Moscow-sponsored international meeting on revitalizing the Trans-Siberian Railroad and creating a Eurasian transport corridor. North Korea's participation is key to the success of the project, as it would allow a direct land link between South Korea and Europe via Russia, reducing Seoul's interest in a similar transit route through China.

By reducing inter-Korean tensions ahead of Ivanov's visit, Pyongyang has weakened the Russian envoy's ability to influence or claim credit for new negotiations. This does not mean that North Korea is abandoning Russia, but rather that it is not entirely satisfied with its current relationship with its former mentor. More directly, however, North Korea steadily is working to shape the inter-Korean relationship as Kim nears the end of his term. And it does not want interference from Moscow or any other power undermining its plans and goals.

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