Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

NK weekly-domestic news

Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

SEOUL, Sept. 26 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.

------------

N. Korea keeps mum on outcome of key parliamentary session

SEOUL -- North Korea has not, as of Sunday, disclosed the results of a plenary session of its parliament that was set to take place last week, raising views the event could extend over a longer period than planned.

The standing committee of the North's Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) decided to convene the session on Sept. 20, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported last month.

------------

N. Korea's Kim says no reason not to sit down with U.S. if denuclearization demand dropped

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said Pyongyang has an intent to sit down with the United States if Washington drops its "hollow" obsession with denuclearization, saying he has a good memory of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kim made the remarks during his speech at a key parliamentary meeting held Saturday and Sunday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

------------

Kim tells China's Xi that Pyongyang will further bolster ties with Beijing

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Pyongyang will further strengthen relations with Beijing, adding that he would "more vigorously promote" ties with China, the North's state media reported Tuesday.

Kim made the remarks in a reply message to Xi on Sunday, following the Chinese president's congratulatory note for North Korea's 77th founding anniversary earlier this month, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

------------

N. Korea promotes offseason tour activities at Kalma beach resort

SEOUL -- North Korea is seeking to attract tourists to its east coast Kalma beach resort by promoting various tourist programs as it has entered the offseason, according to the North's state media Tuesday.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that a cuisine festival kicked off at the Kalma tourist zone in Wonsan the previous day, attended by competitors from Pyongyang and around 100 other cities and provinces.

------------

N. Korea's Kim chides officials responsible for delay in building general hospital in Pyongyang

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reprimanded officials responsible for delaying the completion of a general hospital in Pyongyang, blaming their "desire for fame" for undermining the ruling party's key project, according to state media Wednesday.

Kim made the remarks during his visit to the Pyongyang General Hospital the previous day ahead of its official opening, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

------------

N. Korea urges discipline among officials ahead of party anniversary

SEOUL -- North Korea on Thursday urged discipline among ruling party officials, calling on them to earn the people's trust as the country prepares to mark a key party anniversary next month.

The Rodong Sinmun, the country's most widely read newspaper, made the call in an article as the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) is set to mark the 80th founding anniversary on Oct. 10.

------------

N. Korea opens large restaurant near borders with China, Russia

SEOUL -- North Korea has opened a large restaurant in the northeastern city of Chongjin near the borders with China and Russia, state media reported Thursday, as the country seeks to attract foreign tourists.

The opening ceremony for the namesake restaurant, Chongjingwan, in North Hamgyong Province was held the previous day, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

------------

N. Korea's top diplomat to visit China from Sept. 27-30: reports

SEOUL -- North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui will visit China this week for a four-day trip, North Korean and Chinese state media reported Thursday.

The trip will take place at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the North's Korean Central News Agency said, while China's Xinhua News Agency reported that it will last from Saturday to next Tuesday.

------------

N. Korea confirms vice FM Kim Son-gyong will attend U.N. General Assembly

SEOUL -- North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong will attend the ongoing United Nations General Assembly to represent the country, the North's state media reported Friday.

A delegation led by Kim departed Pyongyang the previous day for the 80th U.N. General Assembly, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

------------

N. Korea, China vow to deepen bilateral ties

SEOUL -- Senior officials from North Korea and China have held a meeting and pledged to deepen bilateral ties, according to the North's state media Friday.

China's ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, held the meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang the previous day to mark the 76th anniversary of China's founding on Oct. 1, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved