Korea take steps to abandon its nuclear program. Huge concessions given to Iran (and China in the US-China climate agreement) would seem to justify this view.

So, as Obama tours Cuba, Pyongyang is no doubt watching very closely, and in the weeks and days leading up to Obama's Cuba visit, DPRK media have been showcasing DPRK-Cuban relations in what is perhaps a subtle "me too!" gesture. 

On March 9 "a meeting was held at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Fidel Castro Ruz’s visit to the DPRK. Present there on invitation were ambassador Jesus De Los Angeles Aise Sotolongo and staff members of the Cuban embassy in the DPRK" KCNA reported. 

Kim Sung Du, chairman of the Educational Commission and chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with Cuba "said in a speech that Fidel Castro Ruz’s visit to the DPRK was an important occasion that strikingly demonstrated the firm will of the parties and the peoples of the two countries to carry on the struggle for the victory of the socialist cause under the uplifted banner of independence against imperialism.

"He stressed that the Korean people will regard the Cuban people as the brothers and sisters of the same class and comrades-in-arms standing together on the forefront of the struggle against the imperialists and the US and will make all efforts to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries."

That, or, trying to woo the imperialists into injecting some much needed capital into their economies. 

On March 14 Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK met with "a delegation of the Centre of the Cuban Workers headed by General Secretary Ulises Guilarte De Nacimiento, who paid a courtesy call on him, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall."

The following day was the annual meeting of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with Cuba "attended by Kim Sung Du, chairman of the Education Commission who doubles as chairman of the above-said committee, So Ho Won, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, members of the solidarity committee, Jesus De Los Angeles Aise Sotolongo, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, and staff members of his embassy." 

According to KCNA, "The meeting reviewed last year’s work of the committee and discussed this year’s action program."

One can't help but wonder if as Pyongyang watches Havana and Tehran opening to Washington, there is a case of "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" going on. 

KCNA - Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, first chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, declared the construction of Ryomyong Street and set forth the tasks for it on the spot, though he was very busy with his guidance over the 70-day campaign while disciplining the enemies' anti-DPRK moves in the Paektu attack spirit.

The street is to be built in an area between the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and Ryonghung Crossroads in Pyongyang.

Seeing the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of Juche where President Kim Il Sung and leaderKim Jong Il lie in state, and Ryongnam Hill where the leader made a historic oath "O Korea, I Will Add Glory to Thee", Kim Jong Un named the street to be built "Ryomyong Street" in the meaning that it is a significant place from where the dawn breaks in the Korean revolution.

He examined a layout of the street, a map showing the bird's eye view of it and its model board and gave instructions for building the street into a monumental edifice strikingly displaying the WPK's idea of attaching importance to science and talents and the might of socialist Korea.

The essence of its construction is to splendidly build apartment houses for scientists and researchers including educators of Kim Il Sung University, nursery, kindergarten, laundry, post office and other public buildings and public service amenities, he said, stressing the need to push forward the construction of Building No. 3 of the university at the same time.

It is the Party's intention to turn Ryomyong Street into an energy-saving and green street in the 21st century, he said, adding that the designing and construction units should set it as a goal to ensure the lighting and heating systems for the houses and public buildings with solar panels, geothermal energy and natural lighting and build rooftop greenhouses to go green.

Saying that he would dispatch the solider-builders, who took part in the construction of Mirae Scientists Street, to the construction of Ryomyong Street on the order of the KPA Supreme Commander, he gave an instruction that the entire party, state and society should render positive assistance to the construction and the Cabinet, commissions, ministries and national institutions take the lead in this work.

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As Curtis Melvin points out: “This is the sixth overhaul of a specific housing area in Pyongyang since the 2012  'Strong and Prosperous Nation (강성대국) Policy' was implemented. The successfully completed efforts are Mansuade Area 1, Mansudae Area 2, Unha Scientists Street (for employees at the Second Academy of Natural Sciences), Satellite Scientists Street in Unjong District (next to State Academy of Sciences and new SEZ), and finally the Mirae Scientist Street in Phyongchon District, which houses facilities for Kimchaek University, a health club, lots of shops and restaurants, and possibly the Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry (address in Haeun-2 dong). There are still many housing units that were started in 2012, but never completed, particularly in Hyongjesan and Rakrang Districts."

Seen on the upper parts of the stamps are letters “70th Anniv. of Issue of DPRK’s First Postage Stamp”.

One of them shows stamps and postcard, including “Samsonam” issued on March 12, Juche 35 (1946), and a peasant doing farm in his own land provided after the country’s liberation from Japan’s colonial rule and a woman peasant reading a letter in happiness.
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The other shows a stamp depicting the flattering DPRK flag, the Korean Stamp Exhibition Hall and recently-issued stamps.

Prospecting corps under the Ministry of State Natural Resources Development in the DPRK have over-fulfilled their daily plan in the ongoing 70-day campaign.

Ri Kye Dong, vice-director of the ministry, said: The ministry set up targets to be hit for 15 days from the first day of the campaign and carried out the industrial output, one of the targets, by 20 percent.

The South Phyongan Provincial Prospecting Bureau secured several millions of tons of anthracite deposits in the area of Tokchon, while the Puksan Geological Survey Team topping its daily boring plan.

The Anbyon Geological Survey Team under the Kangwon Provincial Prospecting Bureau stroke a vein of high-grade magnetic iron ore.

The Poptong Geological Survey Team is carrying out detailed prospecting for ultra-anthracite deposits at the final stage after proving them. Experts say those deposits would be greatly conducive to the improvement of people’s living.

Prospecting corps in different parts of the country, including Inhung, Komdoksan, Ongjin and Jangbang, stroke lead, zinc and other mineral deposits and, on this basis, brought about good results in boring by operating all equipment at full capacity.
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Meanwhile, big efforts have been made to upgrading prospecting equipment.