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As for North Korea¡¯s explanation of the big explosion that occurred back around Sept. 9 in Kim Hyong-jik County, Ryanggang Province, that described it as a blasting operation to build a hydroelectric power plant, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Tuesday, ¡°We are closely observing other possibilities.¡±
In front of the National Assembly¡¯s Committee on Unification, Foreign Affairs, and Trade, Chung said, ¡°North Korea has always reported the start of large construction work in advance so far, but there was no prior coverage in this case.¡± He added, ¡°We will carefully determine whether or not the explanation is true.¡± He also stated, ¡°The information exchange between the United States is working well. We¡¯ve maintained close cooperation such as exchanging information and providing to the U.S. the information we have gotten first.¡±
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A picture of the Ryanggang area in North Korea, where an explosion took place, looks blurry due to clouds. The picture was taken by multi-purpose satellite Arirang 1 of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. /courtesy of KARI
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On the other hand, the British ambassador to North Korea, who is known to have scheduled a visit to the site of the explosion in Kim Hyong-jik County with the permission of North Korean authorities, is finding his visit being delayed as itinerary discussions drag on. British Ambassador to North Korea David Slinn said in a telephone interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) that some diplomats were planning a visit to the site of the explosion, and it seemed that North Korea was cooperating with their itinerary. He added, however, that it would take some time. He said it was hard to reach Kim Hyong-jik County, and complicated discussions should take place first because of the distance involved. He said he hoped to visit the spot "within a few days."
About this, British Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell, who arrived at Beijing Airport in China after finishing his visit to North Korea, said at a press conference that the leaders of North Korea have confirmed that they didn't place much priority on human rights issues. He conveyed that there was a big difference in viewpoint between the U.K. and North Korea, and the North Koreans frankly acknowledged that they didn't place much importance on human rights like the countries of the European Union and other advanced nations.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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