NORTH KOREA NEWSLETTER NO. 168

(July 28, 2011) *** CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The following is a chronological review of major developments related to North Korea from July 21 to July 27, 2011. July 21 The (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) says senior state officials and officials of the Cabinet, ministries and national institutions of North Korea on July 20 enjoyed the drama "We Will Recollect Today," winner of the Kim Il-sung Prize. 21 The KCNA says Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun on July 20 sent a congratulatory message to Hina Rabbani Khar upon her appointment as foreign minister of Pakistan. 21 The KCNA says North Korea won the women's 25m sports pistol title at the 5th Military World Games in Brazil on July 19. 21 Glyn Ford, member of the National Policy Forum of the British Labor Party, and his companion visit Mangyongdae, the birthplace of former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. 22 North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and his son Kim Jong-un visit the Taedong River Combined Fruit Farm and Taedong River Combined Fruit Processing Factory. 22 North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un watch a performance given by the National Symphony Orchestra. 22 A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry says that North Korea decided to dispatch its ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 22 The KCNA says that Kim Jong-il has recently met with a Chinese friendship delegation and a delegation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-Korea Friendship Association. 22 North Korean Premier Choe Yong-rim inspects Kimhyongjik University, which is under renovation. 22 Pak Ui-chun has talks with his Chinese and Russian counterparts Yang Jiezhi and Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Bali, Indonesia. 23 A delegation of the North Korean Ministry of Fisheries led by Minister Pak Thae-won leaves Pyongyang to attend the Asian Regional Ministerial Meeting on Aquiculture for Food Security, Nutrition and Economic Development to be held in Sri Lanka. 23 A delegation of Chinese People's University led by Secretary of its Party Committee Cheng Tianquan and a delegation of the Japanese Women's Society for the Study of the Juche Idea arrive in Pyongyang. 23 Vice Marshal Ri Jong-san dies from a long illness at the age of 87. 24 The KCNA says 99.97 percent of voters except those on foreign tours or working at sea participated in the election of deputies to the provincial (municipal), city (district) and county people's assemblies of North Korea. 25 Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un inspect the Command of the (North) Korean People's Army (KPA) Navy. 25 The KCNA says that Ju Wang-hwan was appointed as the North Korean ambassador to Bulgaria. 25 The KCNA says Kim Jong-il sent a wreath to the bereaved family of the late Ri Jong-san, alternate member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and vice marshal of the KPA. 25 Yang Hyong-sop, vice president of the SPA Presidium has a talk with outgoing Cuban Ambassador to North Korea Jose Manuel Galego Montano at the Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang. 25 A ceremony takes place in Pyongyang to receive the 26th batch of Songdowon international children's campers in Wonsan, Kangwon Province. 25 The KCNA says events took place to mark the 58th anniversary of the signing of the truce agreement of the 1950-53 Korean War across the country, which falls on July 27. 25 A ceremony is held for renaming Sakchang Secondary School in Songchon County, South Phyongan Province, after Luo Shengjiao, martyr of the Chinese People's Volunteers. 25 A delegation of Chinese People's University visits Kimilsung University, the University of National Economics and the Grand People's Study House. 26 Pak Ui-chun sends a congratulatory message to Olugbenga Ayodeji Ashiru upon his appointment as foreign minister of Nigeria. 26 The KCNA says the Cabinet of North Korea has released a decision on enacting regulations for the implementation of the Law on the Protection of the Environment. 26 The North Korean national team beats the Chinese national team 5-0 in the female juvenile football matches held at Yanggakdo Football Stadium in Pyongyang. 26 The KCNA says that North Korean students won three gold medals at the 52nd International Math Olympiad held in the Netherlands from July 17 to 23. 26 A national meeting is held at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement of the 1950-53 Korean War with KPA Vice Marshal Ri Yong-ho in attendance. 27 Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un watch a performance staged by the State Merited Chorus on the 58th anniversary of the truce agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. 27 Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un attend a banquet hosted by the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party and the National Defense Commission to mark the 58th anniversary of the truce agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. 27 A delegation of Lao People's Army led by Sanyahak Phomvihane, chief of the general staff, flies into Pyongyang.