N. Korea Brags of `Taking Revenge on Enemies`

North Korea’s ruling party says it has “taken revenge on its enemies,” apparently referring to the sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan, a report said Tuesday.

Daily NK, a South Korea-based news site on the North, quoted a Workers’ Party secretary as saying in a lecture to party members Saturday, “The Korean People’s Army has recently taken merciless revenge on its enemies. After our retaliation, South Korea has been so afraid of our military strength.”

The news came from a source familiar with North Korean issues. “A Workers’ Party secretary made the comments in a lecture to party members working at a company in Onsong County (North Hamkyong Province) Saturday,” the source said.

“In the lecture, which was delivered on the anniversary of the Korean People’s Army’s foundation, the secretary urged participants to have pride and confidence in their country’s military strength. Though he didn’t directly mention the sinking of the Cheonan, his comments assured participants of rumors over the incident.”

O Kuk Ryol, senior official of the intelligence unit under the People’s Armed Forces Ministry in Pyongyang, and Kim Yong Chol, the unit’s general director, are believed to have been involved in the Cheonan incident. They have recently accompanied North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on visits to military camps.

North Korean media said Sunday that Kim Jong Il visited Military Camp No. 589 and released a photo of him accompanied by Kim Yong Chol. O accompanied Kim Jong Il on his trip to Military Camp No. 567 April 14.

The photos of Kim Jong Il being accompanied by Kim Yong Chol and O released by North Korean media were the first of their kind.

kyle@donga.com