The Choson Sinbo, the mouthpiece of the General Association of North Korean Residents in Japan, has announced its top nine news stories of 2009.

Topping the list was North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s reelection as chairman of the National Defense Commission during the first round of the 12th session of the North’s parliament in April.

Coming in second was the launch of the “Gwangmyongsong Two,” which the Stalinist regime maintains was a satellite and which others allege was part of a missile test.

In third place was the second nuclear test that North Korea conducted on May 25th.

Rounding out the list were the North Korean soccer team’s entry into the 2010 World Cup, Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun’s visit to North Korea, and the visit to Seoul by a North Korean delegation to pay their respects following the death of former President Kim Dae-jung.