[imText1]In the midst of continuing support from civilian aid organizations for North Korea via the South Korean government in response to the flood damage which took place last month, it has been relayed that North Korean civilians have expressed their gratitude.
The Chosun Shinbo, a publication of the General Association of North Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) said at the end of an article relaying the news of aid support on the 11th with the subheading “Gratitude for South Chosun’s Support,” “The staff in charge of provincial People’s Committees, who received aid goods from the South, received so much help. They expressed thoughts and “sentiments of gratitude.”
The Chosun Shinbo revealed, “In various flood damage sites in North Korea, aid products sent by several international organizations along with the Chosun (North Korea) government are arriving in a timely manner and include many goods sent by South Chosun, such as food products, drinks, etc.”
Further, “On several streets via the Pyongyang-Kaesung Highway, we confirmed several times freight cars filled with gunny bags.” This can be analyzed as South Korean government acknowledging the discussions in South Korea criticizing the failure of South Korean government to implement any monitoring while providing support for the flood damages.”
The Chosun Shinbo criticized however, “The Chongyon’s aid goods, due to the interference of the Japanese government, have not arrived at the site yet.”
On one hand, the Chosun Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong Il, “expressed deep gratitude for the sending of heartfelt sympathy and warm consolation” to each country head who sent words of sympathy related to the flood damage last month.
The Agency revealed that Kim sent replied to the heads of states of approximately 10 countries, including: Thailand, Qutars, Ukraine, Guinea, Mali, Poland, Tunisia, Algeria, Vietnam, Cuba, and Laos. Kim Jong Il also expressed gratitude by sending a response to the words of comfort provided by China’s President, Hu Jintao, on the 26th of last month.
However, North Korea has not sent an official response yet to President Roh Moo Hyun’s autographed letter. North Korea made a grand introduction of the delivery of President Roh’s autographed letter through the media for two-days.
Regarding this, experts on North Korea gave the forecast that “At next month’s Summit Talks, Kim Jong Il will directly relay his sentiment of gratitude to President Roh.” However, they also pointed out that, “A humorous situation has unfolded where not a word of thanks has been offered to South Korea, who is providing the most active support.”
