NORTH KOREA THIS WEEK NO. 243 (MAY 22, 2003).

CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW (MAY 15-21)

May 15 The (North) Korean Red Cross Society holds a gathering in Pyongyang to report on its activities, with the participation of officials from the Red Cross Society and Flood Damage Rehabilitation Committee, and a delegation from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, on the occasion of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. 16 Kim Young-nam, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, sends a condolences message to Namibian President Sam Nujoma regarding Namibia's recent flood damage. 16 Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun meets in Pyongyang with Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey. 16 North Koran leader Kim Jong-il visits People's Army Unit No. 841. 17 A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry issues a statement denouncing three bills dealing with potential armed attacks by North Korea against Japan passed by the Japanese Diet on May 15 as moves that intensify the dangerous situation on the Korean peninsula.

18 North Korean leader Kim Jong-il watches a musical and dance performance staged by family members of servicemen at People's Army units No. 488 and 534, accompanied by three full generals, Ri Myong-su, Hyon Chol-hae, and Pak Jae-gyong, and three first deputy chiefs of the Workers' Party Central Committee: Jang Song-taek, Ri Je-gang, and Choe Chun-hwang. 18 Choe Ung-jun, head of the State Sanitation Inspection Institute under the umbrella of the Ministry of Public Health, says in an interview with the (North) Korean Central Broadcasting Station Television that no one in the North is infected with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). 19 The (North) Korean Central News Agency says that Kil Jae-gyong, former Deputy Chief of the International Department of the Workers' Party, died of a disease in June 2000, and his body was buried at the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery located in Sinmi Township, ...