Courcy’s Intelligence Brief

*** In praise of Kim Jong-un.  A new book has been published in North Korea praising the achievements of new leader Kim Jong-un.  The book describes the North’s third-generation leader as having been a child prodigy who is now an expert in international politics and military matters.  The book is following a long-established tradition.  Over 1,000 books in praise of the current leader’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung, were published, followed by a further 70 volumes praising his father Kim Jong-il.

In another sign of a burgeoning cult of personality, senior government officials have been issued with badges bearing Kim’s image “to instil loyalty”.  This follows on from the issuing of commemorative stamps with Kim’s portrait in August.  The Rodong Sinmun, the organ of the ruling party, is also displaying a new slogan on its banner calling for people to rally round Kim Jong-un as their great leader.  This replaces a previous message referring only to the need to unite behind socialist goals.

*** Increase in jamming of broadcasts.  A conference hosted by the BBC on 20 November heard that there has been a sharp increase in the jamming of broadcasts.  The satellite owner Eutelsat reported a doubling of jamming efforts between 2010 and 2011, followed by a threefold increase from 2011 to 2012.  A similar threefold increase in jamming between 2011 and 2012 was reported by Arabsat.  According to Eutelsat, the worst offender is Iran, which was responsible for between 30% and 50% of jamming incidents in 2010.  This year, Syria has been the worst offender.

China was also fingered as an offender.  Access to BBC Chinese has been blocked in China since its launch in 1999.

*** FARC ceasefire provides breathing space.  The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), has declared a ceasefire from 20 November to 20 January.  The purpose is twofold: to provide a breathing space for its guerrillas, which are under increasing pressure from the military, and to gain some international goodwill as it enters into talks with the government.

However, Minister of Defence Juan Carlos Pinzon has expressed scepticism, saying: “The reality that history demonstrates is that this terrorist organization never honours anything; that’s why it is difficult to believe that they will stop killing children, that they will stop carrying out attacks against the civilian population as we have seen in recent weeks.”

A similar ceasefire was declared by the Farc in December 1999, but the peace talks with the then Pastrana administration were a complete failure.