North Korea cancelled its 72nd anniversary ceremony of the People¡¯s Army that was scheduled for Sunday because of the Ryongchon Station disaster, China's Xinhua News Agency reported. Cancelling the military foundation day celebration, a major national ceremony in the North, was inevitable as many North Korean soldiers are now stationed in the Ryongchon area for rescue operation.
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A ruined building is seen near the railway station in Ryongchon, North Korea ,Saturday.
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Earlier, North Korea made an official announcement on Saturday concerning the train accident after only two days since the explosion, and thanked the international community for its humanitarian efforts. It is exceptional for North Korea to announce news of a major disaster within only two days of it occurring, and especially rare for it to inform its own citizens of a calamity.
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A ruined building is seen near the railway station in Ryongchon, North Korea, Saturday.
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The Korean Central News Agency, Central Broadcasting Station, and Central TV all reported that ¡°an explosion occurred at Ryongchon Railway Station in North Pyongan Province due to an electrical contact caused by carelessness during the shunting of wagons loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer and tank wagons¡± and reported that the damage was serious and investigation into the accident is being conducted. North Korean media reported also that ¡°it appreciates the willingness expressed by the governments of various countries and international bodies and organizations to render humanitarian assistance to North Korea.¡± North Korea organized the ¡°Ryongchon Disaster Counterplan Committee¡± and appointed official Jang Song Gun as its head.
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Eight trucks loaded with relief goods from China cross the iron bridge over the Yalu River. Posted on the side of the two trucks is a sign that reads, ¡°Presented by the People¡¯s Republic of China.¡±
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Meanwhile, North Korea has reportedly requested aid through UN Ambassador Pak Gil Yeon, diplomats in Pyongyang and representatives of international organizations. China has promised to deliver relief goods worth W1.5 billion to North Korea, and Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent telegraphic message of condolences to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, North Korean news agencies reported Sunday.
(Lee Ha-won, may2@chosun.com )
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