【Internal Affairs】
On December 22, the North Korean media
reported that Kim Jong Un chaired the 3rd plenary meeting of the 7th
Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
On December 23, the North Korean media emphasized an educational
program to arm the entire population with the revolutionary traditions
of Mt. Baekdu.
On December 26, the North Korean media reported that the North
amended the Electricity Act.
On December 27, Constitution Day, the North Korean media emphasized
the importance of establishing a law-abiding ethos, holding fast to
the state socialist system, and accelerating the construction of an
economic powerhouse.
On December 27, the North Korean media reported that Pak Pong Ju,
vice chairman of the Central Committee of the WPK gave field guidance
at the Sangwon Cement Complex.
【Inter-Korean Affairs】
On December 23, the North Korean media
condemned South Korea’s position on its programs to offer humanitarian
assistance to the North.
On December 27, just ahead of the year-end deadline, the North
Korean media denounced South Korea and the United States regarding the
deadlock in inter-Korean relations.
【Foreign Affairs】
On December 21, the North Korean media
reported that a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a
Q&A session with KCNA reporters, blasted the US assistant
secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor affairs for
his remarks that Washington has to engage with a human rights violator
like North Korea.
On December 24, the North Korean media condemned the Japanese
Minister of Defense for referring to what he termed “North Korea’s
pressing threat (test-firing of a ballistic missile)” in a statement
on December 21.