hankyoreh

Kim Jung-il

Following a statement by a North Korean National Defense Commission (NDC) spokesman Jan. 15 threatening retaliatory holy war and the exclusion of the South Korean government from all dialogue and negotiations due to a South Korean news report of a contingency plan in the event of sudden changes in North Korea, the North Korean media rather extraordinarily released news Sunday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s observation of a joint army, navy and air force training session.

The Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday morning that Kim had observed the training, while the Korea Central Television released four photos of the training through a special program at noon. The North Korean media did not reveal, however, when he attended the training session. Military and intelligence officials said North Korea is undergoing the same level of training as previous years, and they have detected nothing unusual.

This is reportedly the first time North Korea has announced externally through its media that Kim has observed a joint training exercise since the North Korean leader gained complete command over the military when he become supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army in December 1991 and chairman of the National Defense Commission in March 1993. Government authorities and experts are formulating a variety of explanations as to the background to North Korea’s hardline messages.

The Lee Myung-bak administration thus far plans to carry out its planned schedule with North Korea while watching what North Korea does as it formulates a response. An administration official said Sunday that the administration plans to hold a meeting with North Korea, scheduled for Tuesday, to evaluate a joint inspections of industrial complexes and to take working-level measures needed to send 10,000 tons of corn aid to North Korea. The official added that the administration plans to decide on a response regarding North Korea’s proposal for working-level contacts to restart the Mt. Kumgang and Kaesong tourism projects at Mt. Kumgang on Jan 26 and 27 after reevaluation the situation following Tuesday’s meeting in Kaesong.

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