NationStates Jolt Archive

조선민주주의인민공화국
(Democratic People’s Republic of Korea)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b9/Coat_of_Arms_of_North_Korea.png

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/flags/kn-flag.gif
Juche Year 103

Eternal President: Kim Il-sung
General Secretary of the Korean Worker's Party: Kim Jong-chul
Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army: Kim Jong-chul
Premier: Choe Sung-nam

President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly: Kim Yong-nam

Party Representation in the Supreme People's Assembly-
Korean Worker's Party - 687
TOTAL - 687

Central People's Committee-
Chairman of the National Defense Council: Kim Jong-chul
Chairman of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries: Yi Man-choi
Chairman of the Committee for Home Protection and Information: Kim Do-Hyun
Chariman of the Committee for Unification: Kim Hae-jul
Chairman of the Committee for Public Welfare and Education: An Chung-pil
Chairman of the National Council for the Advancement of Technology: Yi Jin-jae
Chariman of the Committee for Juche: Kim Hwang-in
Chairman of the National Economic and Industrial Council: Kim Ji-yae

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population - 25,400,000

Area - 120,540 km²

Capital - Pyongyang

Official Language - Korean

Officially Governed Districts:

Directly-governed cities
* Pyongyang Directly-governed City (평양 직할시)
* Raseon Directly-governed City (라선 직할시)
Special regions
* Kaesong Industrial Region (개성 공업 지구)
* Kumgangsan Tourist Region (금강산 관광 지구)
* Sinuiju Special Administrative Region (신의주 특별 행정구)
Provinces
* Chagang Province (자강도)
* North Hamgyong Province (함경 북도)
* South Hamgyong Province (함경 남도)
* North Hwanghae Province (황해 북도)
* South Hwanghae Province (황해 남도)
* Kangwon Province (강원도)
* North Pyongan Province (평안 북도)
* South Pyongan Province (평안 남도)
* Ryanggang Province (량강도)

http://www.mapscd.com/northkorea/img/northkorea_luxepolitical.jpg

GEOGRAPHY
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is on the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula that extends 1,100 kilometres [685 mi] from the Asian mainland. The DPRK shares its borders with three nations and two seas: to the west it borders the Yellow Sea and the Korea Bay and to the east it borders the East Sea [Sea of Japan in imperialist countries]. The DPRK borders South Korea, China, and Russia. The highest point in Korea is the Paektusan at 2,744 metres and major rivers include the Tumen and the Yalu.

The DPRK occupies the northern portion of a mountainous peninsula projecting southeast from China, between the East Sea and the Yellow Sea. Japan lies east of the peninsula across the East Sea. The DPRK shares borders with the PRC along the Yalu River, and with the PRC and Russia along the Tumen River.

The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season, and winters that can be bitterly cold on occasion.
- adapted from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea)


HISTORY SINCE 2006 (JUCHE 94)

2007 (JUCHE 95)
Jan - DPRK test launches 6 more rockets, inciting roars from the United States and neighbors; Avian flu epdiemic dies out as it leaves its toll on Korea - estimated 150,000 dead; Kim Jong-il suffers another assassination attempt and blames the imperialist pigs in Washington for failing to respect Korea's national sovereignty, citing also the continual build-up of American arms in the South.
Jul - Kim Jong-il visits China ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, hoping to secure a good spot to watch his Olympians - shortly after the visit, Chairman Hu Jintao died to liver failure; The National Council for the Advancement of Technology releases a domestic report, detailing the status of the Nyongbyon Facilities.
Aug - The Chairman of the National Economic and Industrial Council plots a plan to rejuvenate the Korean economy, considering the fallout between South Korea and North Korea over nuclear facilities and weapons maintenance.
Nov - Kim Jong-il anouunces the 5-year-plan, which intends to stretch the Korean economy by focusing on minimal private enterprises, following the example of Deng Xiao-Ping in China as a "reputable model"; another test missile launch lands a missile near Hokkaido, just 100 miles to the southwest of Sapporo.

2008 (JUCHE 96)
Feb - Kim Jong-il is caught ill, just before the National Party elections; hidden from the international press, Kim Jong-il announces Kim Jung-chul's bid for Secretary General of the Korean Worker's Party and as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Liberation Army.
Mar - Kim Jong-il, among his last official actions while Chairman of the party, declares the solid support of their long-time friends in Pakistan.
Jun - KCNA [Korean Central News Agency] issues a 5-hour editorial, finding ways to poke ill into Japan's revision of their constitution to allow a larger military; Kim Jong-il addressed the Supreme People's Assembly in a speech, denouncing Japan and the United States as the two chief imperialist powers in the world, noting their continued aggression against the rights of nations, particularly of the DPRK and fellow other nations; Kim Jong-il spend much time, recounting Japan's militaristic history and every moment, he recounted his father's heroic battles against the Japanese occupation in Korea; every moment he cries for the blood of Japanese people, loud applause erupts from the Assembly.
Aug - Kim Jong-chul is elected as Secretary General of the Korean Worker's Party and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army; Kim Yong-nam is re-elected to the President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium; Choe Sung-nam is elected, in place of Pak Pong-ju; the Korea Worker's Party sweeps the Assembly elections.
Sep - Kim Jong-il retires from the Korean Worker's Party, but still continues make a dominating appearance, offering advice to his son.
Dec - In a trip to Baektusan, Kim Jong-il becomes seriously ill and is referred to the Kim Il-sung National People's Hospital in Pyongyang.

2009 (JUCHE 97)
Jan - Kim Jong-il makes a public appearance after thirteen days in the hospital; Kim Jong-chul makes his first official visit to Moscow since becoming Chairman of the Korean Worker's Party.
Apr - Kim Jong-il is hospitalized again; Kim Jong-chul announces a general moratorium of missile test launches, to "offer some peace to Dear Leader"; the People's Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries sponsored a major event in Beijing, in advance of the 2008 Olympics there.
May - Kim Jong-chul, despite warming relations with the US, strongly condemns the UN sanctions against Iran as an attack against its national sovereignty and the inherent right for every nation to develop nuclear energy peacefully without the intervention of the imperialist powers.
Oct - Kim Jong-il dies, to pneumonia and severe gastrointestinal complications following treatments for his severe case of the lingering avian flu in Korea; the public record states that he died in his sleep in the comforting glow of his father's passing; Kim Jong-chul orders 300 days of mourning for Dear Leader, compared to the order for 3-years of mourning.
Dec - Kim Jong-chul performs an inspection of troops at the DMZ, sparking fears in the rest of the world that the DPRK would invade their southern neighbor, but nothing comes of it.

2010 (JUCHE 98)
Jan - Kim Jong-chul orders a reorganization of the Korean People's Army, to focus primarily on defensive capabilities, more than offensive capabilities, although funding the Nyongbyo facilities and others like it are substantially increased.
May - May Day Parades focus on the late Kim Jong-il, with an honorary guard depositing him next to his father in the Great Leader's Mausoleum in Kumsusan Memorial Palace.
Oct - After the 300-mourning period ends, Kim Jong-chul announces an abortion to the Five-Year Plan, in place of another initiative to be announced soon.
Nov - To much furor from the entire Party, accused as a Japanese sympathizer, Kim Jong-chul formally offers an apology to the Japanese government for the abduction of their citizens in the 1970's and 80's admitting to the depth of the abductions; he also states that the DPRK also allowed abductions through other organizations of other national citizens throughout the period, and with a state investigation concerning the matter, he says that he will do all that he can to correct the errors of the government in those days; in hand with this apology, he also criticizes Japan for complaining about 2 decades worth of abductions when the Japanese government had abducted several thousands of foreign citizens throughout their entire history up until the USSR defeated Japan in 1945.
Dec - Kim Jung-chul begins a massive domestic reform to actualize the ideals of Juche, which upsets many in the high ranks of the DPRK military.

2011 (JUCHE 99)
Jun - snip for later
Sep - The Supreme People's Assembly passed a resolution, condemning Pakistan, India, and the United States for dispensing nuclear weapons, revealing their utter reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of every person in the world; the resolution critically lambastes the United States for its "hypocritical policy in forbidding other nations from possessing peaceful nuclear energy facilities" but fails to usher restraint in their "tactical employment of devastating devices that ultimately show the character of the capitalist swine who inhabit the imperialist capital of Washington"; the resolution also blames the United States in their conspiracy to destroy the world by clouding the world from the sun and thus inhibiting the growth of their economies.
Dec - snip for later

2012 (JUCHE 100)
Jan - Kim Jong-chul visits farmers in Pyongan Province, to see what kind of work needs to go on to improve the agricultural condition.
May - In May Day Parades in Pyongyang, Kim Jong-chul announced a "reform policy" (개혁정책) to increase their economic advantage in the world and to better "attain the ideals of Juche"; in the first days after the speech, 2000 political prisoners were released from various retention facilties and allowed to freely speak their minds in front of the Juche Tower.
Jun - A failed coup attempt against Kim Jong-chul's "reform policy" (개혁정책) results in a consolidation of the Korean People's Army; Kim Jong-chul officially grants amnesty to all those who conspired against his policy, calling for their unconditional retirement.
Sep - snip for later
Oct - snip for later

2013 (JUCHE 101)
Jan - Despite heavey opposition from within the Party, Kim Jung-chul is listed as the leading candidate for the Chairmand of the National Defense Council, Secretary General of the Korean Worker's Party, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army; Premier Choe Sung-nam visited China with the intentions to improving diplomatic and economic ties while maintaining the reformed policies of Juche.
May - In May Day Parades, Kim Jung-chul proudly announced that agricultural made significant increases in all sectors, although he failed to mention that the country was still short of domestic production required for self-sustanency; another military coup nearly succeeds, except that the citizens of Pyongyang rebuff the attacking troops to give Kim Jong-chul enough time to counter with loyal forces; he again offers hi amnesty in return for their early retirement.
Aug - Elections in Korea reconfirm the present members, with Kim Jong-chul as the Chairman of the National Defense Council, Secretary General of the Korean Worker's Party, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army; upon his re-election, Kim Jong-chul solidifies his popularity with the people by releasing more political prisoners and officially granted freedom of speech, although the government still maintains large numbers of "unredeemable swine" in detention.
Sep - With public outcry at the conditions facing political prisoners, Kim Jong-chul announces reforms the detention system, although he promises nothing in the sort of improving their conditions.
Nov - There is incredible fear from the ranking members of the country that the country has fallen behind in the arms race, considering the Taoist Empire's rapid militarization, such that they call for a reformation of the military; Kim Jung-chul prepares to advance the Korean People's Army in terms of efficiency, mirroring changes in the Chinese military.

2014 (JUCHE 102)
Feb - The DPRK protests the growing imperialist nature of the United States and their puppet states, cancelling a previously held moratorium on missile launches, held since 2009; no missiles arer tested however.
May - May Day Parades celebrates DPRK's history... snip for later
Jun - snip for later
Aug - Kim Jung-chul announces part of the report from the investigation concerning the adbucted citizens of the world; he restates his apologies, to some furor (unless he is keen to neglect Japan, since it is sufficient to say he said enough to them); the citizens who were illegally abducted are offered the opportunity to return home, in which many opted to return, but a few decided to stay.
Sep - After the ROK begins mobilizing their forces, the DPRK opts to prepare their armed forces to counter against any incursion by the south capitalists into free Korean territory.
Nov - Premier Choe Sung-nam visits Beijing, hoping to garner support against the imperialist forces in southern Korea in the event of any military strike; he guarantees that the DPRK is not in the interest to force any conflict and that the United States and their puppet states will have full responsibility for any engagement that results.

2018 (JUCHE 106)
Aug - Elections reconfirm the current government; Kim Jong-chul's power cements as popular opinion rises drastically because of his concern with the people.

2019 (JUCHE 107)
Chairman Kim Jong-chul visits UNBS.

조선인민군
The Korean People's Army

http://www.military.com/pics/mhqsum00DRAGONSf2.jpg

Ranks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_military_ranks_of_Korea) - when I get the time to post because I feel lazy now...

The Korean People's Army Land Forces:
-adapted from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea_Ground_Force), which in turn adapted their info from GlobalSecurity (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/kpa-equipment.htm)

* Basic Armaments
o AK-47 Assault Rifle

* Main Battle Tanks
o Type 59 Main Battle Tank
o T-62 Main Battle Tank
o T-54 Main Battle Tank
o T-34 Main Battle Tank
o PT-85 Amphibious Battle Tank
o PT-76 Amphibious Battle Tank
o Type 62 Main Battle Tank

* Armoured Personal Carriers
o BMP-1 Armoured Personal Carrier
o BA-64 Armoured Personal Carrier
o VTT-323 Armoured Personal Carrier
o YW-531 Armoured Personal Carrier
o BTR-60 Armoured Personal Carrier
o BTR-50 Armoured Personal Carrier
o BTR-40 Armoured Personal Carrier
o BTR-152 Armoured Personal Carrier

* Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1989 170mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1978 170mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1977 152mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1974 152mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1992 130mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1991 130mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1981 130mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1975 130mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1991 122mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1985 122mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1981 122mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1977 122mm Self-Propelled Artillery
o M-1992 120mm Self-Propelled Artillery

* Towed Artillery
o M-1985 152mm Towed Artillery
o M-1943 152mm Towed Artillery
o M-1938 152mm Towed Artillery
o M-1937 ML-20 152mm Towed Artillery
o D-20 152mm Towed Artillery
o M-46 130mm Towed Artillery
o D-74 122mm Towed Artillery
o D-30 122mm Towed Artillery
o A-19 122mm Towed Artillery
o M-30 122mm Towed Artillery
o M-1937 122mm Towed Artillery
o M-1931 122mm Towed Artillery

* Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicles
o M-1991 240mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o M-1989 240mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o M-1985 240mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o BM-24 240mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o BMD-20 200mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o BM-14 140mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o RPU-14 140mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o Type-63 130mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o M-1993 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o M-1992 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o M-1985 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o M-1977 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o BM-21 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o BM-11 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle
o Type-63 107mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System Vehicle

* Air Defense Vehicles
o ZSU-23-4 Shilka Anti-Air AAA Gun Vehicle
o ZSU-57-2 Anti-Air AAA Gun Vehicle

* Assault Helicopters
o Mi-24 HIND Gunship Helicopter

* Transport Helicopters
o Mi-2 Hoplite Transport Helicopter
o Mi-8 Hip Transport Helicopter
o Mi-17 Hip H Transport Helicopter
o Mi-4 Hound Transport Helicopter


The Korean People's Army Naval Forces:
-adapted from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korean_Naval_Force), which in turn adapted their info from GlobalSecurity (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/ship.htm)

* Frigates
o FF Soho class frigate
o FFL Najin class frigate

* Submarines
o Golf class submarine
o Romeo class submarine
o Whiskey class submarine
o Yugo class submarine

* Corvettes
o Sariwon class corvette
o Tral class corvette

* Missile Craft
o Soju class missile craft
o OSA I class missile craft
o Huangfeng class missile craft
o Sohung class missile craft
o Komar class missile craft

* Torpedo Craft
o Shershen class torpedo craft
o Sinnam class torpedo craft
o Sin Hung class torpedo craft
o P-4 class torpedo craft
o Song class torpedo craft

* Patrol Craft
o T class patrol craft
o Mayang class patrol craft
o Taechong I class patrol craft
o Taechong II class patrol craft
o Hainan class patrol craft
o Chodo class patrol craft
o Chongju class patrol craft
o SO-1 class patrol craft
o Shanghai II class patrol craft


The Korean People's Army Air Forces:
-adapted from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korean_Air_Force)

* Bomber Aircraft
o H-5 (Il-28) Bomber
o Q-5 Close Air Support Bomber
o Su-7 Fitter Close Air Support Bomber
o Su-25 Frogfoot Close Air Support Bomber

* Fighter Aircraft
o J-5 Fresco (MiG-17) Interceptor Fighter
o J-6 Farmer (MiG-19) Interceptor Fighter
o J-7 Fishbed (MiG-21) Interceptor Fighter
o MiG-23 Flogger Interceptor Fighter
o MiG-29 Fulcrum Interceptor Fighter

* Training Aircraft
o Yak-18 Trainer Aircraft
o MiG-15 Fagot Trainer Aircraft
o MiG-19 Farmer Trainer Aircraft
o MiG-21 Fishbed Trainer Aircraft
o H-5 (Il-28) Trainer Aircraft


Airbases:
Northwest District
Uiju - 24th Air Regiment (1 ACC) (H-5).
Panghyon/Naamsi - Air Regiment (1 ACC) (MiG-17F/J-5, F-5/FT-5).
Taechon - Headquarters, 5th Transport Division. Air Transport Regiment (5 TD) (An-2/Y-5).
Kaech'on - Headquarters, 1st Air Combat Command. 35th Air Regiment (MiG-19/J-6).
Pukch'ang - 60th Air Regiment (1 ACC) (MiG-23ML/MiG-23UB/MiG-15UTI); Air Transport Regiment (5 TD) (H500D/H500E/MD-500).
Samjangkol - Air Transport Regiment (6 TD) (Mi-2).
Sunchon - 55th Air Regiment (1 ACC) (Su-25K/Su-25UBK/Su-7BMK/MiG-29).
Kanch'on - Air Transport Regiment (6 TD) (Mi-4/Z-5/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2).

Pyongyang District
Onchon - 57th Air Regiment (1 ACC) (MiG-19/J-6/MiG-29/MiG-29UB).
Hwangju - Headquarters, 3rd Air Combat Command. 56th Air Regiment (3 ACC) (MiG-21U/MiG-21PF/J-7).
Kwail/Pungchon - 4th Air Regiment (3 ACC) (F-6/FT-5/J-5/MiG-17/MiG-19).
Taetan - Air Regiment (3 ACC) (F-5/FT-5/H-5).
Pyongyang Sunan International Airport - Air Transport Regiment (Air Koryo) (Tu-134B/Tu-154B/Il-62/Il-76MD/Il-14/Il-18/An-24).

DMZ
Chunghwa - Headquarters, Air Command.
Koksan - 86th Air Regiment (3 ACC) (J-7/MiG-21PF/MiG-21U).
Hyon-ni - Air Regiment (F-5/FT-5).

East Sea District
Toksan - Headquarters, 2nd Air Combat Command. Air Regiment (2 ACC) (MiG-21PF/J-7/F-7).
Sondok - Air Transport Regiment (Y-5/An-2).
Kowon - Air Transport Regiment (6 TD) (Z-5/Mi-4/Mi-8/Mi-17).
Pakhon - Air Transport Regiment (6 TD) (Z-5/Mi-4/Mi-8/Mi-17/Mi-2).
Wonsan - Air Regiment (2 ACC) (F-6/FT-5/J-6/MiG-19).

Northeast District
Samjiyon - Training Regiment (8 AD) (J-2/MiG-15UTI).
Hyesan - Training Regiment (8 AD) (An-2/Y-5).
Hwangsuwon-ni - 72nd Air Regiment (2 ACC) (A-5/FT-5/J-6/MiG-19).
Kilchu - Training Regiment (8 AD) (Mi-2).
Orang - Headquarters, 8th Air Division. Training Regiment (8 AD) (MiG-15UTI/J-2/MiG-15). Air Regiment (H-5).
Changjin-up (Chongjin) - Most pilot training is conducted here at Kim Ch'aek Air Force Academy. Training Regiment (8 AD) (CJ-6/Yak-18).


Missiles:
Rodong-1 [range 1400km]
Hwasong-5 [range 300km]
Hwasong-6 [range 500km]
Taepodong-1 [range 2000km]
Taepodong-2 [range 5000km - 15000km (unconfirmed by state records, as there were no test launches at this range]

Korean People's Economy:

GDP (estimate): $45 bil USD

GDP per capita (estimate): $1800 USD

Budget (estimate):

TBD


Trade:

Imports -
Import Partners -
Import Amount -

Exports -
Export Partners -
Export Amount -

Foreign Relations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea:

CUE -
AT WAR
HOSTILE
CORDIAL
WARM
FRIENDLY
ALLIED
UNDECIDED

Argentina
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Germany
Great Britain
India
Indonesia
Iran
Japan
Korea, Republic
Panama
Poland
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Spain
United Duchy of Benelux
United National Bolshevist States
United States of America
Venezuela

Member of the Following Organizations:
UN

Signatory to the Following Treaties:
N/A


CURRENT RPS:

친구 또는 적? - [Earth 2015] (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=492921)

PAST RPS
N/A

OOC: Looks good so far, you want to be either the economy or realism mod for E2015?

KCNA News


Kim Jong-woon, second son to the Dear Leader, passed away earlier this evening in Pyongyang. He was found, lying over a picture of the Great Leader and Eternal President, with a note in his hand declaring - "I have lived my life all for the people of Korea, that my dream for a unified Korea may be realized. Long live Great Leader! Death to Japan! Death to America! May the Glorious Korean Revolution live on!

Kim Jong-chul, elder brother to the late Kim Jong-woon, said that the death was a sudden and harsh reality, but how he passed his life was honorable and had his body prepared for cremation, so that his ashes may spread across Korea.

Is that regular to have state leaders cremated -not that I have a problem with cremation itself- without a good funeral? Hard to explain that bullet hole in his front temple is it? :sniper:

Anyhow, I think your thread is perfect, mine is detail-less enough that I think everything works.

(ooc: It's regular to cremate bodies in DPRK, since burials are considered "too" religious and it saves ground space. Anyways, he was never a powerful enough leader to earn the "right" to be embalmed like his father and grandfather. And BTW, the bullet went through the neck, so as to insure he died painfully for his crimes against the people - whatever they were. thanks for the critique, I'll still trying to arrange it in working order - just finished editing out all of those anti-Taoist stuff.)

That sounds like it hurts

*rubs back of neck*

but you never know in North Korea.


East Sea [Sea of Japan in imperialistic countries]....


Those evil imperialists, like the Swiss, ethnic cleasing and imperialism is their sword and shield.

KCNA News

Chairman Kim Jong-chul has announced a surprise visit to the newly established United National Bolshevist States to render our support for comrades in the Glorious Revolution. Cooperative work and support against the Imperialist vandals are expected to top the list of items to discuss during the Chairman's stay in UNBS.

OOC: I don't think that Lee Seung-Mai would invite Kin Jong-IL to bejing, say something about it being Hu Jintao's last diplomatic visit before his death or something. That would be wonderful. Thanks

Then again China is always looking to get at the "5 Little Dragons" and would love to be able to get NK under it's wing to due a list of things; getting a chance at ROK, pretty sure that NK won't nuke them anymore, get a little potshot at America, a bargaining chip against America ['I give up NK if you give up Taiwan], or even just to annex it later on.