Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

NK weekly-domestic news

Summary of domestic news in North Korea this week

SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of domestic news in North Korea this week.

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

Pyongyang briefly reports Kim's New Year's greeting to China's Xi

SEOUL -- North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un sent a New Year's message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, state media reported Sunday, without releasing details, in a restrained move as Pyongyang deepens ties with Moscow.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim sent New Year's messages to several foreign leaders, including those of Vietnam, Singapore, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, but referred to the Chinese leader by his title and to his wife without naming her.

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

N. Korea calls S. Korea 'No. 1 hostile country' at indoctrination center

SEOUL -- A major indoctrination facility in North Korea displayed banners calling South Korea the "No. 1 hostile country" and inciting public animosity against Seoul, photos released by the North's media showed Monday.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published the photos while reporting on North Koreans touring the Central Class Education House in Pyongyang as part of celebrations marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, the country's largest youth organization.

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

(LEAD) N. Korea's Kim sacks vice premier over irresponsibility ahead of key party congress

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sacked a vice premier of the North's cabinet over the official's irresponsibility in modernizing a machinery plant, state media reported Tuesday, in a rare public dismissal ahead of a key party congress.

Kim dismissed Vice Premier Yang Sung-ho "on the spot" at an inauguration ceremony of the first-stage modernization project at the Ryongsong Machine Complex on Monday, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

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

N. Korea's Kim praises rebuilt Onpho hot spring resort

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended a ceremony inaugurating a hot spring resort in the country's northeastern province, praising it as becoming a "wonderful" holiday camp for the people after years of remodeling, state media reported Wednesday.

The ceremony to open the Onpho Working People's Holiday Camp took place the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The Onpho holiday camp, located in North Hamgyong Province, is North Korea's largest hot spring resort.

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

N. Korea ramps up 'people-first' policy push ahead of party congress

SEOUL -- North Korea is ramping up its "people-first" policy push to win public support in the run-up to an upcoming party congress, according to a North Korean newspaper Thursday.

The Rodong Sinmun, the most widely read newspaper in North Korea published by the ruling party, ran a front-page article emphasizing "the party's absolute sense of service" to the people.

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

N. Korea completes building another tourist area on east coast

SEOUL -- North Korea has held a completion ceremony for a new tourist zone on the east coast, state media reported Friday, after it opened the Kalma beach resort last year in an effort to foster the tourism industry.

The ceremony of inaugurating the Yombunjin Coastal Park Area in North Hamgyong Province took place Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

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

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved