An animation of a tunnel (L) a nuclear device (C) and a detonation (R) included in a short video released by Urminzokkiri, a DPRK state media outlet, on 17 February 2013 (Photos: Urminzokkiri screengrabs)
DPRK state media reported on 20 February (Wednesday) that personnel involved in the country’s third nuclear test have been invited to Pyongyang, in a similar fashion to the personnel involved in the 12 December 2012 launch of the U’nha-3 rocket. According to KCNA the group will include “scientists, technicians, workers, soldier-builders and officials who fully demonstrated the tremendous might of the great Mt. Paektu (Paektusan) nation by successfully conducting the third underground nuclear test will come to Pyongyang under the care of the Workers’ Party of Korea.” Echoing recent DPRK rhetoric in public speeches and essays, KCNA described the test as “a historic result of the devoted efforts by the scientists, technicians, workers, soldier-builders and officials who have devotedly defended the party, revolution, country and its people on the forefront for an all-out action against the U.S.”
During their visit to Pyongyang the nuclear test personnel will “will spend significant days of Pyongyang visit, enjoying the greatest privileges and preferential treatment” and “spend joyful and delightful time at the People’s Open-air Ice Rink, Skate Park and other places.” They will also pay their respects at the Ku’msusan Memorial Palace of the Sun, Kim il Sung’s birthplace and childhood home in Mangyo’ngdae and other locales.
Filed under: 12 February 2013 Nuclear Test, 2nd Academy of Natural Science, Central Committee, Central Military Committee, Civil Defense Department, colonel general, corps command, critical infrastructure, DPRK Cabinet, DPRK External Relations, DPRK General Department of Atomic Energy, Financial Planning Department, General Affairs, gsd, gsob, Guard Command, Hong Sung Mu, Kim Jong-un, KJI Personal Secretariat, Korean People's Army (KPA), Korean People's Internal Security Forces, Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KPA construction battalions, KPA construction brigades, KPA General Staff, KPA General Staff Nuclear Chemical Bureau, KPA Large Combined Units, KPA supernumerary organizations, kpif, KWP Science and Education Department, Lt. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (SRFC), Machine Building Industry Department, military security command [msc], Minister of People's Security/KPISF construction units, Ministry of Extractive Industries, ministry of people's security, Ministry of People's Security engineering units, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (MPAF), National Academy of Defense Sciences, National Defense Commission (NDC), NDC Administration Department, North Hamgyo'ng Province, North Korean press, nuclear weapons, O Kuk Ryol, O Kuk-yol, Organization and Guidance Department, Pak To Chun, party life, People's Open Air Ice Rink, Political Bureau, Propaganda and Agitation Department, Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site, Pyongyang Skate Park, Second Economic Committee, Second Economy Commission, Secretariat, Six Party Talks, State Academy of Sciences, State Planning Commission (SPC), State Security Department, Supreme People's Assembly, Third Floor, tunnel construction, Unha-3 Carrier Rocket, VMar Hyon Chol Hae, VMar Kim Jong Gak, VMar Kim Yong Chun
