Local paper headlines_Oct. 16

1. Chosun Ilbo

- The UN Security Council unanimously agreed to adopt a resolution containing strong economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea for its N-test, which, however, ruled out any military intervention. Pak Gil-yon, North Korean ambassador to the United Nations, countered North Korea “strongly rejects the resolution,” and “if the US mounts its pressure on North Korea, we will regard it as a declaration of war and continue ‘physical’ countermeasures.”

- According to the resolution adopted yesterday, there is a possibility that Kim Jong-il might be restricted to go overseas and Kim’s family members who are staying in a foreign country can be also restricted to move around.

- Korea’s second satellite Arirang II which was launched in July is reported to have failed to spot any unusual move in North Korea regarding the nuclear test. The satellite was cost about W266.3 bn and government officials once said it could be used for military purposes.

- The number of emigrant is increasing, up 20.7 per cent from 2002. The most popular destination is the US with 17,308 cases last year from 11,175 the previous year. Australia turned out one of the most-want-to-live countries with 1,761 last year from 673 the year before.

- The resolution can damage Kim Jong-il’s luxurious life style. Kim is said to enjoy expensive wines and exotic food made of caviar, lobster, and shark’s fin. He employed a Japanese cook for sushi and invited an Italian cook for pizza. A Japanese cook who once worked as a cook for Kim said “10,000 bottled wines were stockpiled in his private wine house and he ate shark’s fin soup every week.”

2. Maeil Business Daily

- The government concluded that the UN resolution 1718 has nothing to do with Mt. Kumkang tour and Kaesung Industrial Complex. A unification official said in his unofficial remark, “the freeze on capitals and assets are related to WMD but these two projects have nothing to do with that.”

- Domestic companies are at pains to design a business plan for next year largely due to uncertain factors such as North Korea, the exchange rate, oil prices, and the world economy.

- According to a report prepared by GNP representative Kwon Young-se, China has been providing North Korea with $910 m in conditional or unconditional assistance for the last five years.