N.Korean Propaganda Machine Stresses Importance of Nukes

The North Korean regime is indoctrinating provincial Workers Party officials to the effect that giving up nuclear weapons means "death," Radio Free Asia reported Wednesday.

RFA quoted a source in North Hamgyong Province as saying, "In early July there was a meeting of high-ranking party officials from provincial organizations, party secretaries, and managers from business firms... to deliver Central Committee doctrines."

"The last speaker who ended the six-hour meeting emphasized that 'nuclear weapons are a precious legacy from the late leaders' and 'without them there is death,'" the source added.

That suggests the regime has no intention of giving up all its nuclear weapons and is aiming at best for a reduction.

Meanwhile, North Korea continues to pressure the U.S. to sign a peace treaty formally ending the Korean War. The official Rodong Sinmun daily said, "The U.S. bears the responsibility of announcing an end to the war."

But Washington wants to see progress in denuclearization first. Seoul also hopes for a peace treaty and enshrined the goal in the joint declaration by the leaders of the two Koreas in April.

A Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on Wednesday, "We hope that an end to the war could be announced in the near future if possible. We are continuing talks, with the format and timing all open for discussion."

In signs that the denuclearization process has not completely stalled, Chinese nuclear negotiator Kong Xuanyou arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday, according to Japan's Kyodo News. He is expected to meet with North Korean Foreign Ministry officials.