[Cankor] Report #232

[cankor at cankor.ca]

Dear subscriber,

Welcome to issue #232 of the CanKor Report. This is the first issue for the 
year 2006.
We wish all our readers a satisfying and profitable "year of the dog" and 
hope the year will bring many positive developments on the Korean Peninsula.

May we draw your attention to our QUIDNUNC section at the end of the Report, 
in which readers contribute questions and answers on a wide variety of 
subjects. This week you will find two answers to the question "Can I travel 
to North Korea?"

We solicit answers to the next question:
What is the meaning of "democratic" in the Democratic People's Republic of 
Korea?

Please send your answer (maximum 150 words) to: editor at CanKor.ca


The CanKor team.

For articles not original to CanKor, direct links are available in the
Contents section, should you wish to consult the originals on the internet.
If the links no longer function, you may refer to the full text articles
appended to the issue.

For back issues, archives and other content, please visit our website:
http://www.cankor.ca

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CANADA-KOREA ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICE

CanKor # 232

Friday, 13 January 2006
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More clues surface about a secretive visit by DPRK leader Kim Jong Il to 
China. The fact that his final destination seems to be Guangdong Province, 
the epicenter of Chinese economic reforms, fuels speculation that the main 
purpose of the visit is to learn from China's example.

The World Food Programme says it plans to resume food aid to the DPRK, but 
at a smaller level. Staff at the Pyongyang offices will be reduced by "about 
half" from its current level of 32 internationals, according to the WFP, 
although other sources guess that fewer than a third of the staff would 
remain. The Republic of Korea evacuates its 57 staff members from the 
construction site of the KEDO-sponsored light water reactors in the DPRK, 
citing concerns about personal security in light of the de factor 
termination of the project.

This week's FOCUS section features the English-language version of the New 
Year's "joint editorial", the DPRK equivalent of a "State of the Union" 
address. Since his death in 1994, the joint editorial replaces what used to 
be Kim Il Sung's annual New Year's speech that outlined government policies 
for the coming year. News articles from China and South Korea both comment 
on the lack of any mention of the nuclear issue or the Six-Party Talks. The 
editorial does, however, promote agriculture as the continuing national 
priority, economic modernization and profitability in management and 
business strategies, innovation in cultural construction, and a renewed push 
for inter-Korean cooperation while opposing US intervention and domination.
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Contents:
1.   IS DPRK LEADER IN CHINA? HINTS SAY SO, BUT CHINESE WON'T
     http://select.nytimes.com/mem/tnt.html?emc=tnt&tntget=2006/01/14/international/asia/14korea.html&tntemail1=y&oref=login

2.   WFP WORKING ON PLAN TO RESUME SUSPENDED AID
     http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2006/01/13/71111.html

3.   WITHDRAWAL OF KEDO STAFF FROM LIGHT WATER REACTOR SITE
     http://www.unikorea.go.kr/en/EPA/EPA0201R.jsp?brd_cd=eng0101&main_uid=1075

FOCUS: DPRK New Year's Joint Editorial
4.   MAKE A HIGHER LEAP FULL OF GREAT AMBITION AND CONFIDENCE
     Direct to CanKor from DPRK Permanent Mission to the UN in NY

5.   DPRK URGES CONTINUED EFFORTS FOR NATIONAL REUNIFICATION
     http://english.people.com.cn/200601/01/eng20060101_232195.html

6.   DPRK CALLS FOR ANTI-US UNITY
     http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2006010272828

QUIDNUNC: Readers ask and respond to common and uncommon questions.
THIS WEEK: Can I travel to North Korea?
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1.   IS DPRK LEADER IN CHINA? HINTS SAY SO, BUT CHINESE WON'T
     by David Lague, New York Times, 13 January 2006.

In a big Chinese city, a convoy of limousines with blackened glass windows 
and minibuses packed with security officers usually means inconvenience and 
delays for commuters. Without warning, thousands of police officers may 
block all approach roads so that a senior Chinese leader or visiting 
dignitary can sweep along empty avenues.

Rarely, though, do the authorities go to the extent of clearing out an 
entire five-star hotel without explanation ahead of time. So when the 
authorities in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou ordered all guests to 
leave the luxury White Swan Hotel on Thursday and threw up a tight security 
cordon around the building, it was clear that no ordinary dignitary was 
coming for the weekend.

With unconfirmed reports already circulating that the North Korean leader, 
Kim Jong Il, had crossed the border into China aboard his special train 
earlier in the week, the hotel closing immediately fuelled speculation that 
the secretive Mr. Kim had arrived for a tour of prosperous Guangdong 
Province, including the booming city of Shenzhen, next door to Hong Kong, 
where the Chinese economic reforms began more than two decades ago.

Senior Chinese officials have said Beijing is encouraging North Korea to 
adopt some of the same free-market reforms that rescued the planned economy 
of China from decades of stagnation, and Beijing may be eager to show Mr. 
Kim its showcase example. For Beijing, a revived North Korea would ease 
fears of a potentially destabilizing economic or political collapse on 
China's border and reduce the need for regular aid to prop up the Kim 
government.

The unconfirmed reports of Mr. Kim's tour have coincided with the visit to 
Beijing by Christopher Hill, the American assistant secretary of state who 
is Washington's top negotiator with North Korea. But Mr. Hill, who is in 
China as part of an effort to restart talks aimed at a deal to persuade 
North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs, said Thursday that he had "no 
plans" to meet Mr. Kim.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kong Quan, said twice this week that 
he had no information about any visit by Mr. Kim, and the official Chinese 
news media carried no reports on the subject. But diplomatic analysts noted 
that the last time he visited China, in 2004, Beijing waited until he had 
returned home before breaking the news. Mr. Kim has always been demanding 
about security, according to accounts from defectors. When he travels, he is 
always heavily guarded, and information about his movements is kept secret.

Meanwhile, at the White Swan, a member of the reservations staff confirmed 
Friday that there were no vacancies at the 840-room hotel, but declined to 
give any further details. "Until the 16th of January, all the rooms are 
fully booked," she said.
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2.   WFP WORKING ON PLAN TO RESUME SUSPENDED AID
     by Joe McDonald, Associated Press, 13 January 2006.

The World Food Program is working on plans to resume food aid to North 
Korea, but to a much smaller number of people, after the UN agency suspended 
its operation there at the government's request, a WFP spokesman said 
Friday. The WFP shut down programs in December that had been feeding some 6 
million North Koreans after the government asked aid agencies to switch to 
development assistance. The impoverished North has relied on foreign 
donations for a decade to feed its people. The new plan would include 
economic development assistance while also feeding pregnant women, children 
and others, said Gerald Bourke, a WFP spokesman in Beijing. He said staff 
members in Pyongyang were working on the details, including how many people 
would be fed. The proposal is to be presented to the United States, Japan 
and other donors for approval at a meeting in February, Bourke said. He said 
the earliest that it could take effect would be March.

"Donors are reasonably aware of what we have in mind. Their initial response 
has been encouraging," Bourke said.

The new program probably would feed fewer than half the 6 million people 
that the agency tried to supply with food last year, he said. The plan was 
developed after WFP executive director James Morris visited Pyongyang in 
mid-December in an unsuccessful effort to persuade the North to let aid 
continue. Aid workers said the timetable to switch to development aid was 
too short and could leave people hungry. The North ordered nongovernmental 
aid groups in November to leave after the European Union introduced a UN 
resolution criticizing its human rights record. (...)

But the government of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il says harvests have 
improved enough to supply its needs with help from China, the North's main 
ally and aid donor, and South Korea. North Korea's intensely secretive 
government also is eager to limit the number of foreigners in the country. 
The new WFP plan would cut the agency's staff of 32 foreign employees in 
North Korea by perhaps half, Bourke said.

The United States and other donors have insisted that WFP employees monitor 
food distribution to ensure it isn't diverted to the North's huge military 
or to reward supporters of Kim's government. The WFP shut down five regional 
offices and 19 food factories in North Korea in December following the 
government's request, and Bourke said it wasn't clear how many might reopen.

"Basically, because this is going to be a significantly smaller operation in 
terms of tonnage of food and numbers of international staff, it cannot be 
countrywide," Bourke said. "It will have to be more focused, more targeted."

US officials have suggested that Washington might not be able to support a 
program that is deemed development, because American law bars all but 
emergency humanitarian aid to North Korea. But Bourke said the effort would 
be called a "protracted relief and recovery operation," not development.

"My assumption is that if this operation incorporates a level of monitoring 
that would satisfy the Americans, then they could continue to give," he 
said. "I hope I'm right in saying that."
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3.   WITHDRAWAL OF KEDO STAFF FROM LIGHT WATER REACTOR SITE
     ROK Ministry of Unification Press Release, Seoul, 8 January 2006.

All 57 staff members stationed in the construction site of light water 
reactors in Keumho zone of North Korea were pulled out on Jan. 8, 2006. The 
workers departed from the North Korean port of Yanghwa at 10:50 am and 
arrived at the South Korean port of Seokcho at 14:20. In accordance with a 
de-facto guideline of termination of the KEDO light water reactor project, 
the South Korean government carried out the withdrawal of staff with a top 
priority given to the personal security of the South Korean workers.

The South Korean government maintained and managed all facilities and 
equipment on the site during a suspension period to ensure there is no delay 
in case of the resumption of the project. However, the South Korean 
"important proposal" for the early resolution of the North Korean nuclear 
issue and the joint statement adopted at the fourth round of the Six-Party 
nuclear talks made the continuation of the KEDO project difficult and 
accordingly withdrawal of staff from the site unavoidable.

The KEDO executive board members have been in close consultation for the 
resolution of financial and legal issues deriving from the termination of 
the KEDO project. In particular, the South Korean government is making 
efforts to work out a rational final agreement at an earliest date possible.
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FOCUS: DPRK New Year's Joint Editorial

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4.   MAKE A HIGHER LEAP FULL OF GREAT AMBITION AND CONFIDENCE
     Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang, 1 January 2006.

Papers here today carry "Make a higher leap full of great ambition and 
confidence", a joint editorial issued by Rodong Sinmun, the official organ 
of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, Josoninmingun and 
Chongnyonjonwi on the occasion of the New Year Juche 95 (2006).

The joint editorial says:

Last year Juche 94 (2005) was a year of fruitful efforts and a year of great 
creation and change replete with epochal events and outstanding feats in the 
history of our Party and the nation. Last year we splendidly celebrated the 
60th anniversaries of the Party and the country's liberation as a great 
festival of victors in the Songun revolution and fully demonstrated the 
political and ideological might of our revolutionary ranks. The grandiose 
military parade and other celebration events and the mass gymnastic and 
artistic performance "Arirang" were the epical scenes showing the solidness 
of single-minded unity, the might of the People's Army and the dignity of 
our nation.

Fresh progress was made in agricultural production by concentrating and 
mobilizing nationwide efforts in farming. The Taean Friendship Glass 
Factory, the Paekma-Cholsan Waterway and other structures of lasting value 
in the Songun era were built in all parts of the country and a large number 
of projects of great importance in the economic construction and the 
improvement of the people's living standard were reconstructed or updated. 
We resolutely foiled the US moves to isolate and stifle the country by 
maintaining a tougher stance and firmly defended our ideology, system and 
cause. The proud victory and achievements made in memorable last year are 
the brilliant fruition of leader Kim Jong Il's outstanding Songun 
revolutionary leadership.

New Year Juche 95 (2006) is a year of general offensive that will make a 
great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist 
nation on the basis of the proud victory and achievements in the Songun 
revolution. "Make another leap forward in building a great prosperous 
powerful socialist nation on the strength of Songun!" -- this is the 
militant slogan that we have to hold high.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Down-with-Imperialism Union 
formed by President Kim Il Sung. The DIU's 80th anniversary will be an 
important occasion to show the faith and will of the army and people to add 
glory to the great feats performed by the President who made the history and 
tradition of being ever-victorious under the banner of the Juche idea and 
complete the cause of socialism solidly united around the leadership of the 
revolution.

To give fullest play to the superiority of Korean-style socialism in 
political, military, economic, cultural and all other fields by putting 
spurs to the general advance of the Songun revolution once again -- this is 
the general fighting task for us at the present stage. We must fully display 
the might of the political and ideological position of Korean-style 
socialism.

The unshakeable creed and the revolutionary mettle of our people who regard 
socialism as the lifeblood should be demonstrated to the full. It is 
necessary to have transparent anti-US class awareness and consolidate the 
working-class position of socialism as an iron wall and eternally glorify 
the gains of revolution defended in a do-or-die spirit on the road of 
Songun. It is necessary to prepare all the Party members and the working 
people into staunch revolutionary fighters who are thoroughly equipped with 
the Songun philosophy and the Songun revolutionary line of our Party and who 
have acquired the revolutionary soldier spirit as their lifeblood by 
decisively strengthening education in the Juche idea and the Songun idea. We 
must strengthen the military might of Korean-style socialism in every way. 
Ours is invincible socialism with a strong military foundation and national 
defence is the most important matter in building a great prosperous powerful 
nation. Whatever situation is, the principled stand of our Party and state 
to give top priority to the military remains unchanged. The People's Army is 
the core of the self-reliant defence capability and the pillar of socialism.

The People's Army must become the first adherents to the Songun idea and 
must be the first to defend and implement Songun politics. All the 
servicepersons should become fighters of Ri Su Bok and Kang Ho Yong-type in 
the era of Songun who readily dedicate their precious lives to the fight for 
the only motherland in the staunch spirit of defending socialism and ardent 
patriotism. They should be in perfect combat preparedness to destroy the 
aggressors at a stroke if the enemy troops invade an inch of the airspace, 
land and waters of our country.

The habit of attaching importance to the military affairs should be 
thoroughly established throughout the society. Top priority should be given 
to ensuring everything necessary for the national defence industry as 
required by the line of economic construction in the Songun era. The proud 
traits of Songun Korea that the people assist the army and vice versa should 
be brought into fuller bloom.

A radical turn should be brought about in socialist economic construction 
and the improvement of the people's living standard. It is the intention of 
the Party and our fighting objective to revitalize all the economic sectors 
and get the people to benefit virtually from our economic foundations in the 
near future. We should confidently build an economic power in the 21st 
century through a high-pitched drive for effecting a great Songun 
revolutionary surge just as we brought about the great Chollima upswing in 
hearty response to the decision of the December plenary meeting of the Party 
Central Committee 50 years ago to advance toward a socialist power.

Agriculture should be put forward as the main front of the economic 
construction this year, too, and all the forces be mobilized and 
concentrated on farming once again. The whole country must turn out as one 
in the agricultural front true to the vital instructions of President Kim Il 
Sung who said that "Rice means socialism". Labour forces, equipment and 
materials needed in the agricultural sector should be provided 
preferentially without any reservation. It is important to buckle down to a 
job in a revolutionary way as the People's Army does so as to make fresh 
progress in implementing the Party's policies of bringing about innovations 
in seed production, potato and soy bean cultivation and two-crop-a-year 
farming. The officials and other working people in the field of agriculture 
should do the farm work tenaciously as befitting the master responsible for 
the nation's rice supply while all helpers should sincerely assist the 
countryside just as they did last year.

Workers in the power industry should ease the shortage of electricity, fully 
conscious of the heavy responsibility they have assumed in the building of a 
great prosperous powerful nation. Nationwide efforts should be put into the 
coal industry and efforts be concentrated on major coal mines with rich 
deposits and favourable mining conditions so as to boost coal output. The 
metal industry should positively apply the Juche-oriented steel production 
method and bring about a turn in the production of iron and steel. The 
railway transport sector should organize and manage transportation 
scrupulously and in a revolutionary manner and establish strict discipline 
and order like in the army so as to satisfy the growing demands for 
transport.

All the sectors of the national economy such as the mining, 
machine-building, chemical and building-materials industries and forestry 
should first solve basic problems while consolidating material and 
technological foundations to effect a fresh upsurge in production.

Light industry should positively update production processes to turn out 
quality consumer goods en masse. All the people should turn out in land and 
environment conservation to turn our country into a socialist land of 
beautiful scenery which is good to live in.

All the sectors and units of the national economy should push ahead with 
modernization work audaciously and in a big and innovative way, proceeding 
from the standpoint that they start anew by setting the work as an important 
economic strategy. It is needed to speed up updating on the principle of 
self-reliance and in such a way as to give priority to the projects that are 
of weighty importance and profitable and complete them one by one.

It is necessary to establish a well-regulated system and order whereby 
economic work is left to the Cabinet and it is handled under its uniform 
command. The guiding officials in the economic field should have scientific 
management and business strategies to ensure profitability and plan and 
command the economic work in a responsible manner on their own initiative. 
It is one of the major targets in the building of a great prosperous 
powerful nation to develop socialist culture in the Songun era by boldly 
bringing about innovation in all fields of cultural construction.

The joint editorial refers to the tasks facing the fields of education, 
science and technology, public health and literature and art.

It goes on:

The young people should exalt infinitely the idea of youth movement and 
achievements of President Kim Il Sung and display greater stamina of the 
young vanguard who builds the future of the Songun cause in this significant 
year of the 60th anniversary of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League. The 
key to sure victory lies in steadily maintaining the socialist principles. 
It is the steadfast stand of our Party that all work should be done in a 
creative and innovative manner as required by the developing reality and, at 
the same time there should be not the slightest deviation in observing the 
revolutionary principle. It is necessary to continue to strictly abide by 
the revolutionary principles maintained by us with all consistency including 
the issue of ensuring the Party's unitary leadership and the state's uniform 
guidance.

All the problems arising in the economic management and social life should 
be solved strictly in line with the collectivist nature of socialism. All 
the fellow countrymen in the north and the south and abroad should more 
vigorously push the cause of national reunification that has entered a new 
phase.

"Let us vigorously forward the patriotic movement for independent 
reunification, peace against war and great national unity under the banner 
of 'by our nation itself!' -- this is the slogan to be held up in this 
year's movement for national reunification.

We should solve all the problems arising in accomplishing the cause of 
reunification by placing the dignity and interests of the nation above 
anything else in line with requirements of the idea of "by our nation 
itself." The spirit of giving top priority to the nation and the 
nation-first manner should prevail and the hurricane of independent 
reunification should sweep everywhere Koreans live. The grand celebration of 
June 15, the day of the publication of the North-South Joint Declaration, as 
the "day of by our nation itself" should be made a tradition.

All the Koreans in the north and the south and abroad must resolutely reject 
the US intervention and domination with inter-Korean cooperation and must 
never tolerate treacherous acts of anti-reunification forces who are 
conspiring with foreign forces.

We should launch a dynamic campaign against war and for peace. The entire 
nation should firmly defend peace and security on the Korean Peninsula by 
turning out in the struggle to resolutely foil the US attempt to launch 
another war. We must remove the root cause of war completely from this land 
by launching a nationwide campaign for driving out the US troops. An 
atmosphere of promoting national reconciliation and unity should be 
heightened continuously and solidarity be promoted further between 
reunification-oriented organizations.

The pro-US conservatives in south Korea are now making last-ditch efforts to 
reverse the era of June 15 reunification to that of confrontation in the 
past and achieve their ambition for power. The people from all walks of life 
in south Korea should destroy the tie-up and challenge of 
"neo-conservatives" by dint of great alliance of progressives and push the 
group of traitors to final ruin. This year all the Koreans in the north and 
the south and abroad should wage a vigorous struggle with the basic tasks of 
the patriotic movement for independent reunification, peace against war and 
overall national unity, thus demonstrating once again the might of the 
Koreans who are closely united under the banner of the June 15 Joint 
Declaration and setting up a new milestone in the cause of national 
reunification.

The cause of our revolution is the cause of justice and invincibility for 
successfully shaping the destiny of the motherland and the nation and 
realizing global independence. We will, in the future, too, make a positive 
contribution to building a new world, independent, peaceful and friendly, 
holding aloft the banner of anti-imperialist independence and socialism.
*************************************************

5.   DPRK URGES CONTINUED EFFORTS FOR NATIONAL REUNIFICATION
     People's Daily Online, Beijing, 1 January 2006.

The three major newspapers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
(DPRK) on Sunday called for continued efforts in the new year to promote 
national reconciliation and unity and push for reunification.

"This year all the Koreans in the north and the south and abroad should wage 
a vigorous struggle with the basic tasks of the patriotic movement for 
independent reunification, peace against war and overall national unity," 
the newspapers said in a joint New Year editorial. "The national 
reunification movement is a nationwide drive to be launched jointly by all 
the Koreans irrespective of ideology, ideal, system, political party and 
affiliation," the editorial added. (...)

The editorial also called on all the Koreans to resolutely reject 
Washington's intervention in the inter-Korean cooperation. On domestic 
issues, the editorial stressed the importance of strengthening its military 
might and vowed to boost its national defence industry. Meanwhile, the 
editorial laid emphasis on agricultural development.

"Agriculture should be put forward as the main front of the economic 
construction this year... and all forces be mobilized and concentrated on 
farming once again."

But the editorial did not mention the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula 
and the six-party talks. The talks, launched in August 2003 and involving 
China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan, are aimed 
at resolving the nuclear issue on the peninsula.
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6.   DPRK CALLS FOR ANTI-US UNITY
     by Myoung-Gun Lee, Donga Ilbo, 2 JANUARY 2006.

North Korea called for "unified anti-Americanism" and "forming a grand 
anti-conservative coalition in South Korea" in a joint New Year's editorial 
under the name of three government organs -- Rodong Shinmun, the Korean 
People's Army and the Youth Vanguard. The joint New Year's editorial, which 
is announced on January 1 every year, encompasses North Korea's policy 
directions in various fields such as politics, diplomacy, economy, and 
social affairs.

In the joint editorial, North Korea stressed, "The North, South and all 
Koreans overseas should unite as one and resolutely oppose the intervention 
and dominance of the United States, and not tolerate anti-reunification 
forces working in collusion with foreign powers." It also suggested 
designating June 15, the anniversary of the adoption of the Inter-Korean 
Joint Statement in 2000, as the "Day of Korean People."

North Korea went on to claim, "It is essential to establish a grand 
anti-conservative union in South Korea. Pro-American conservatives in the 
South are making their last frantic efforts to turn the era of June 15 
reunification back to the era of confrontation in the past, and they are 
plotting to take office."

It is analyzed that such a remark reflects North Korea's plan to take an 
active role in expanding inter-Korean exchanges and strengthen the 
anti-American front in cooperation with pro-North progressives within the 
South this year. Meanwhile, North Korea did not mention nuclear and human 
rights issues, and speculation over its alleged currency forgeries in this 
year's joint editorial, which the Ministry of Unification believes was 
"intended not to provoke the United States unnecessarily." North Korea did 
not refer to the nuclear issues in last year's joint New Year editorial 
either, but it declared its possession of nuclear weapons all of a sudden in 
February of the same year.
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QUIDNUNC
In this section of CanKor, we invite readers to send questions, answers, or 
responses. Answers should be under 150 words and may be edited for space.

*************************************************

CAN I TRAVEL TO NORTH KOREA?

Anyone who is not a professional journalist or US passport-holder can travel 
to North Korea via accredited travel agencies. However, what if you are a 
journalist, an American, or (even "worse") an American journalist? Then you 
have to wait until a special event takes place to join a "cultural 
delegation", and will be treated as a special guest visiting the country 
off-duty. You will not need a "journalist visa" which is so difficult to 
obtain. Last year, journalists from the TIME magazine, Financial Time, 
Associated Press, and other press agencies managed to visit North Korea by 
applying for a visa through a competent consultant. The New Year will bring 
us many exciting opportunities to visit North Korea, like the Pyongyang 
International Exhibition for Science, Technology and Publishing (2-5 June 
2006), the International Film Festival in Pyongyang (13-22 September 2006), 
and the Arirang Festival, which opens on 15 August and continues until 10 
October 2006.

Leonid Petrov, Executive Director, L&J Development and Consultancy 
(www.LJinfo.boom.ru LJinfo at narod.ru)
*************************************************

If you are a US, Israeli or ROK citizen or journalist you are restricted 
from visiting DPRK. However there are occasions when tourist visas are 
issued, for example the Arirang Mass Games performance last year, when we 
took in 150 of the 180 US tourists who visited. Restrictions apply to your 
visit. Your itinerary is worked out beforehand, and you are accompanied by 
two Korean guides at all times. You can visit destinations such as 
Pyongyang, Kaesong, DMZ at Panmunjom, Wonsan, parts of Kumgangsan, Nampo, 
Myohyangsan, Kuwol mountains, and Mt Chilbo and Mt Paektu if you have enough 
friends or funds to charter a flight. Work visas are rarely granted, 
although this is dependent on the work you are involved with and your North 
Korean host. Without a North Korean invitation letter it is almost 
impossible for a DPRK mission or embassy abroad to issue a work visa.

Nicholas Bonner, Director of Koryo Tours, co-makers of the award winning 
films "A State of Mind" and "The Game of Their Lives". (www.korogroup.com 
info at koryogroup.com)
*************************************************

WHAT NOW?

What is the meaning of "democratic" in the Democratic People's Republic of 
Korea?

[Answers should be e-mailed to: editor at CanKor.ca]
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End CanKor # 232

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