One day later, North strangely quiet

No mention of test, nor large Labor Party anniversary celebration

North Korea, on the 61st anniversary of the foundation of its Labor Party on October 10, scaled back anniversary events, instead seeming to emphasize its mantra of recent years: unity and defense as the top line of the party.

North Korea’s official Rodong newspaper urged North Koreans to join their forces to defend their leader Kim Jong-il and the ruling regime. "Because of U.S. imperialists’ hostile policy against North Korea, our people’s movement for reunification is facing a huge challenge and dark clouds of war are cast on the Korean peninsula," the newspaper said.

However, the newspaper kept silent regarding the declared nuclear weapons test only one day prior. State-run television and radio, which on October 9 had repeatedly hailed the success of the nuclear test, did not comment on the test on October 10, airing programs relating to the party’s anniversary instead.

In an apparent sign of internal tension within the reclusive state, scattered, small-scale anniversary events were held, a marked break from tradition. In fact, only foreign ambassadors in North Korea visited a tower to commemorate the party’s foundation and attended small-scale banquets. In 2004, the 59th anniversary of the party’s foundation, a variety of events, including performances by laborers and military choirs, was held. There were also other cultural events, all widely publicized.

Meanwhile, following the test, Chinese military activity picked up. The Chinese army ordered base camps near the border with North Korea to cancel leave for their soldiers immediately after Pyongyang performed its nuclear test, Hong Kong-based Wenweipo reported. Several military camps in Shenyang conducted training on atomic, biological, and chemical attacks, the newspaper reported. When speculation over North Korea’s possible nuclear test first began circulating, China increased the number of soldiers on the border between China and North Korea and performed war exercises using missiles and tanks near Mt. Baekdu, which straddles the border.

On October 10 the North Korea-China border city of Dandong, where some 80 percent of bilateral trade between the two nations is exchanged, the customs office was closed. Sources cited the anniversary of the North Korean Labor party’s foundation, and said the closure was not related to any Chinese sanctions against North Korea. But in 1994, when North Korea snubbed a call by the International Atomic Energy Agency for inspections of its nuclear facilities, China was believed to have suspended the Dandong customs office for a week, citing the need to repair a bridge.