DPRK Celebrates New Year, Scientific Accomplishments

Democratic Koreans celebrate New Year in the capital of Pyongyang. The leader Kim Jong-un says that the new year will represent efforts to improve living standards in the socialist state., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013 1:00 AM UTC

NKorea’s Kim wants better living standards, arms

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his people must pursue economic improvement with the same urgency scientists put into the launch of a long-range rocket last month.

Kim said in a speech Tuesday that boosting living standards is the new year’s most important task. But he’s also calling for the development of more advanced weapons.

North Korea struggles to grow enough food for its 24 million people.

Last year saw plunging inter-Korean ties, the collapse of a U.S.-North Korean food-aid-for-nuclear-freeze deal and two North Korean long-range rocket launches that Washington and others called covers for banned ballistic missile tests.

Kim took over after his father Kim Jong Il’s Dec. 17, 2011, death.

He also called for a “revolution” in science and technology and more amusement parks.


Choe Yong Rim Visits Lodgings of Contributors to Satellite Launch

Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim Thursday visited the lodgings of scientists, technicians, workers and officials who contributed to the successful launch of satellite Kwangmyongsong 3-2.

He warmly congratulated the space conquerors of thriving Korea who successfully launched the scientific and technological satellite this year marking the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung true to the behests of General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

The successful launch of Kwangmyongsong 3-2 is a special event which demonstrated the overall national power of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il's Korea before the world, he said.

He said that scientists, technicians, workers and officials should continue to display their loyalty and repay to the respected Marshal Kim Jong Un in the future, too, not forgetting even a moment his great benevolence.

He asked them to make positive contributions to demonstrating the might of space power over the world by steadily achieving great successes in science and technology with their tireless study and enthusiasm.