DPRK orgs. on Kim Young Sam regime's political terrorism

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Public organisations in the DPRK issued statements Feb. 10 denouncing the Kim Young Sam regime for raiding the photo exhibition that was held in Los Angeles to mark the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. The central committee of the Korean Journalists Union branded the raid as a violation of and challenge to the conscience of the entire nation and progressives around the world as well as human ethics. The central committee of the General Federation of the Unions of Literature and Arts of Korea urged the U.S. authorities to promptly probe the South Korean raid and mete out a legal punishment to the criminals as the incident took place in the United States, which boasts of being a constitutional state. The Korean Committee for Aiding Overseas Compatriots earnestly called on all Koreans in the south and overseas never to overlook the vicious political terrorism of the Kim Young Sam regime but to join in the nationwide struggle to overthrow the "civilian" fascist government and disband the "Agency for National Security Planning." The central committee of the Korean Christian Federation expressed the belief that overseas Korean organisations and Christians and foreign Christians and their organisations would bitterly denounce the Kim Young Sam regime's terrorism.

Photo exhbn. held in U.S. to celebrate Secy. Kim Jong Il's birthday

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A photo exhibition was held in Los Angeles from Feb. 1 to 6 in celebration of the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il, according to Korean-Americans' newspaper Segye Ilbo. It was the first of its kind in the U.S. displayed at the exhibition hall were some 50 pictures of General Kim Jong Il giving on-the-spot guidance to several domains of the national economy and guiding the party and state affairs and pictures introducing the DPRK. An exhibition of Korean books will be open for three months from Feb. 10 under the joint auspices of the East Asian Library of the Los Angeles University and the newspaper Sinhan Minbo.

Work of Secy. Kim Jong Il published in Bulgaria

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party (Maxists) and the Dimitir Blagoyev Publishing House jointly brought out in booklet the work of General Kim Jong Il "The Workers' Party of Korea is the party of President Kim Il Sung", on the threshold of his 55th birthday.

Foreign guests visit Kim Il Sung University

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Economic and commercial officials of foreign embassies in Pyongyang visited the Revolutionary Museum of Kim Il Sung University on Tuesday on the occasion of the auspicious holiday of February. They went round historic materials and relics on display with deep interest, being briefed on the brilliant ideological and theoretical exploits performed by General Kim Jong Il for the era and humankind with his unremitting and energetic study and thinking at Kim Il Sung University and on his wise leadership over the work of the university.

Press review

Pyongyang, February 12 (kcna) -- Papers here today carry accounts of celebrations held at home and abroad on the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il and voices of world's political and public figures praising him under the bannerline titles "Comrade Kim Jong Il's birthday is common holiday of progressive mankind" and "World highly praises General Kim Jong Il as great leader who will lead the 21st century". General Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and a congratulatory letter from the military attaches' corps in Korea, says the press. Papers devote much space to an account of a national seminar held in Pyongyang to mark General Kim Jong Il's 55th birthday and a report and speeches made at the seminar. Given in the press is the news that the first Kimjongilia exhibition has opened in Pyongyang and a symposium on the greatness of General Kim Jong Il was held at the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces and a celebration meeting of trade union officials and members and a national art festival of workers were held. Rodong Sinmun comes out with an article calling for opening up an epochal phase of national reunification under the uplifted banner of national independence and a commentary berating Kim Young Sam's silly move to cover up irregularities.

Floral basket and congratulatory letter to Secy. Kim Jong Il from military attaches' corps

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a floral basket and a congratulatory letter by the military attaches' corps in Pyongyang on the threshold of his birthday. The floral basket and congratulatory letter were handed to politburo member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and Minister of the People's Armed Forces Choe Kwang, by doyen of the corps Arnaldo Fernandez Rodriguez, the military attache of the Cuban embassy here on Feb. 11.

Banquet given on holiday of February

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A banquet was given by the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces on Tuesday on the occasion of the birthday of General Kim Jong Il (February 16). Present at the banquet were politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, Vice-Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Minister of the People's Armed Forces Choe Kwang, generals and officers. Invited there were military attaches of foreign embassies in Pyongyang.

National symposium held to mark 55th birthday of Secy. Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A national symposium took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Feb. 11 to celebrate the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. Secretary of the WPK Central Committee Kim Ki Nam made a report "The great leader comrade Kim Jong Il is a great man who is leading socialist cause to victory."

First Kimjongilia exhbn. opens

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The first Kimjongilia exhibition has opened here on Tuesday. On display are some 800 Kimjongilias kept in full bloom by different units and people across the country with loyalty and filial piety to General Kim Jong Il. Also exhibited are Kimjongilias from a Japanese botanist Motoderu Kamo and overseas compatriots. Present at an opening ceremony were politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Vice-President Pak Song Chol, people of different social standings and overseas compatriots. Vice-Premier of the Administration Council Jang Chol said in his opening address that there are many flower exhibitions in the world, but it is the first time in the world to hold Kimjongilia exhibition. Kimjongilia, which is named after the peerless great man General Kim Jong Il, is blooming in many countries, he noted, and went on: The Korean people see the matchless grit and stamina of the great general from the flower and have the great national pride and honor of making revolution under the leadership of the general who is deeply respected by all the people. The opening ceremony introduced messages of greetings from the Nordic Kimjongilia Society, the China-Korea Friendship Floriculture Society in Yanji, China, and the Kumgangsan Opera Troupe of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

Rodong Sinmun on unchanged molitarist mode of thinking

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun in a signed commentary today denounces the Japanese reactionaries for denying the truth behind the criminal case of "Comfort Women for the Army" and trying to justify the past. A few days ago, Yoshinobu Shimamura, chief of the propaganda department of the liberal democratic party and former Minister of Education, told a press conference that most of the "comfort women" were not drafted unilaterally by Japan and they chose such a way for themselves, and Eiichi Nakao, a former Minister of the Japanese government, agreed with Yoshinobu Shimamura by contending that as a matter of fact, there was licensed prostitution. All these utterances cannot be pardoned at all because they were meant to distort history, conceal the past crimes and insult the "comfort women" who are alive, the analyst says, and continues: The Japanese reactionaries still refuse to atone for the past crimes by denying them and justifying them, while trying to bury them in oblivion and repeat the crime-woven past. They are mistaken, however. Postwar settlement is not a matter of choice. It is an unavoidable legal and moral obligation for Japan to admit past crimes and compensate for them. The Japanese government should admit, apologize and compensate for all the crimes of the past. The Korean people will get Japan to make an official, unconditional apology, reparation and compensation for the crimes it committed against them in the past.

General Kim Jong Il, symbol of victory

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Han Tok Su, Chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), published a lengthy article entitled "General Kim Jong Il, Symbol of Victory" to mark the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. The article explains where the future of the nation is and who will win the final victory. Its main idea is that the author and the Koreans in Japan believe the motherland and Chongryon will emerge ever-victorious, led by General Kim Jong Il. In the first part, the article describes the respected General Kim Jong Il as the greatest statesman who enjoys best wishes of all people in the world. The article says: Kim Jong Il's politics has been successful and victorious all the time despite any difficulties, as is proved by the situations of the motherland and Chongryon. Its secret is man-centred thought. This thought regards the people as heaven and puts forward, trusts and takes care of them as the absolute, most precious and powerful beings. The idea is based on love for the people, the nation and the country. Kim Jong Il's thought is popular and victorious and so is his politics. The politics is characterized by not only self-determination and benevolence but singlehearted unity. The motherland and Chongryon have covered a proud course of victory on the strength of singlehearted unity. Kim Jong Il is the only General in the world who wins victory on the strength of ideology and politics. In the second part, the article describes General Kim Jong Il as having unique and peculiar strength that no other "generals" have. The article says: His strength means mysterious intellect, matchless courage, faith and singlehearted unity of Korean style. the DPRK has not a large population and not a big territory but is famous as a strong country in the world because it is led by General kim jong il. He is the most brilliant general in the world who wins in war after war minus shooting on the strength of his faith, strategy and courage. In the third part, the article describes General Kim Jong il as the most famous commander and peerlessly great man for his noble virtues as well as ideology, politics and strength. Possessed of the three ideal qualities of a true General, he is a distinguished man of virtue, the article says, and relates moving stories about his great love for the revolutionary forerunners and the author. The article stresses: Kim Jong Il is a great general who wins victory on the strength of trust and love. Great victory always belongs to him. Korea and Chongryon will always belong to him. The future of Korea and the world and the 21st century depend on him. He is a symbol of eternal victory, indeed.

Various events mark holiday

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Various events are taking place in Korea to celebrate the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. Many students, working people and soldiers make an expedition with a loyal heart to his native home in the secret camp on Mt. Paektu, a holy place of revolution, while many others visit Kim Il Sung University, Jang Hill, Rihyon, Hasin and other places associated with his revolutionary activities. A national fine art show, a national photo exhibition and the first Kimjongilia exhibition have opened in Pyongyang, to be visited by many people every day.

Banquet given by Iranian Ambassador

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Iranian Ambassador to Korea Seyed Morteza Mirheidari gave a banquet at the Okryu Restaurant Tuesday evening on the 18th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Invited to the banquet were chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong Sop, Minister of city management and chairman of the Korea-Iran Friendship Association Ri Chol Bong and other officials concerned. Diplomatic envoys of different countries in Pyongyang and chief Ri Jong Sang of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea were also invited. Speeches were made at the banquet.

Symposium on greatness of Secy. Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A symposium of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces on the greatness of General Kim Jong Il was held at the April 25 House of Culture on Tuesday. KPA Vice-Marshal Kim Yong Chun and generals made speeches. They stressed that the infinite honor of the motherland and victory of our people lie in upholding the idea and leadership of the respected Supreme Commander with loyalty.

Young people called on to be standard-bearers in struggle for nat'l reunification

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Korean young people should be standard-bearers and vanguard fighters in achieving national independence, defending peace and opening up an epochal phase of national reunification with joint action of Koreans in the north, south and overseas. Choe Ryong Hae, First Secretary of the C.C., Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, said this in a press statement released February 11 in support of the proposal for making this "a year of solidarity between Koreans in the north, south and overseas for national independence and peace" and convening a joint conference of representatives of political parties and public organizations in the north, south and overseas this year marking the 25th anniversary of the announcement of the July 4 joint statement, which was put forward at the joint meeting of political parties and organizations in North Korea. The obtaining situation requires that all parties, groupings and people of all strata get united to resolutely smash flunkeyism and treachery, war and confrontation of the Kim Young Sam group and to open up a new phase of national reunification, he said, and pointed out: Our young people will fully demonstrate their resourcefulness and courage in the struggle to adorn this year as "a year of solidarity between Koreans in the north, south and overseas for national independence and peace". He expressed the belief that youth and student organizations and individual youth and students in South Korea and overseas will actively accede to the appeal and proposal made at the joint meeting of political parties and organisations in North Korea so as to fulfill their mission for the fatherland and the nation.

55th birthday of Secy. Kim Jong Il celebrated by trade unionists

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A meeting of officials and members of trade unions was held in Pyongyang on Feb. 11 to celebrate the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. The speakers at the meeting said that General Kim Jong Il is an iron-willed brilliant commander who is leading the Korean revolution to a glorious victory, a genius of the revolution and construction and an affectionate father of the people. They called upon all the officials and members of trade unions to firmly arm themselves with the idea of the Red Flag of the Workers' Party of Korea, firmly establish within trade unions the revolutionary habit of moving as one under the leadership of General Kim Jong Il and bring about miracles and innovations at all units of socialist economic construction. Present at the meeting were Secretary of the WPK Central Committee Kim Jung Rin and officials concerned.

Letter to Secy. Kim Jong Il from int'l seminar

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- A letter to Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the international seminar on the Juche idea which was held in Tokyo on February 9. Participants in the seminar on the 21st century and human position, which was held on the occasion of the auspicious holiday of February, sincerely discussed theoretical and practical problems in the 21st century such as the main course of historic development and new view of value, the letter said, and went on: "An outstanding thinker, theoretician and statesman, your excellency have performed brillinat exploits for the era and history and fully indicated the road of humankind through your unremitting ideological and theoretical activities. "And you are leading the progressive people to an independent and creative new era through the practical struggle to embody the Juche idea. "We vow to cherish the universal truth of the Juche idea, more actively disseminate this idea as required by the developing reality and people and develop the activities of embodying the idea in conformity with the reality of each country, nation and region, on to a higher stage. "Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we express firm support and solidarity for the just cause of the Korean people for the reunification of the country and the belief that Korea's reunification will be realised at an early date under your wise leadership."

Paper calls for upholding banner of national independence

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- The entire fellow countrymen in the north, south and overseas should rise as one with the firm conviction of reunification in the patriotic struggle to make 1997 "a year of solidarity of the north, south and overseas Koreans for national independence and peace" under the banner of national independence, a by-lined article of Rodong Sinmun today says, and goes on: No foreign forces will be able to interfere in the internal affairs of the nation, the danger of war be removed and the country be reunified peacefully when all the Koreans, with eager desire for reunification and enough strength and capability for its realization, turn out in the struggle for national independence in a responsible manner. In order to vigorously wage the national struggle to defend national independence and peace, the fellow countrymen should give priority to the idea of national independence and subordinate everything to it, irrespective of idea, system, political view and ism. the political parties, organizations and people of all Strata in the north, south and overseas should resolutely Reject the south korean puppets' flunkeyism, treachery and Dependence on foreign forces and smash their frantic arms Buildup and new war provocations so as to defend national Dignity, interest and peace of the country. The Korean nation's cause of reunification will be completed because their road is indicated by the three mainstay, three charters of national reunification advanced by the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung -- the three principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity, the proposal for founding the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo and the 10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation -- and the reunification movement is led by General Kim Jong Il.

Art festivals of workers, peasants held for February holiday

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- National art festivals of workers and farmers were separately held in Pyongyang in celebration of the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. The festivals were participated in by art circles from different units which proved successful at contests. They put on the stage chorus, poem and story, instrumental music, dance, etc. Showing deep trust in and reverence for General Kim Jong Il. Their performances fully reflected the determination of the workers and farmers to bring this year's forced march of socialism to a triumphant end. They also represented the happiness of the Korean workers and peasants and their life full of faith and optimism.

Good fortune of planet to have Kim Jong Il as sun of humankind

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- Vishwanath, Secretary General of the council of the "International Kim Il Sung Prize" and Secretary General of the Juche Idea Study Society of India, was interviewed by the KCNA correspondent in India on Feb. 1 with the approach of the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. He noted that he visited Korea in April, 1982 and had a great honor to meet the recognized leader and politician of the world comrade Kim Jong Il. "His excellency Kim Jong Il has performed immortal exploits for the era and the revolution, victoriously leading the Juche revolutionary cause started by the great leader President Kim Il Sung for tens of years," he said, and went on: "Monumental edifices in korea including the West Sea Barrage are the shining results of the tireless efforts made by his excellency Kim Jong Il to realise the far-reaching plan of the fatherly leader President Kim Il Sung. "His excellency Kim Jong Il is the leader of the people who has great human love. It is a good fortune of the planet that mankind, who found the true way for human liberation thanks to the Juche idea founded by his excellency President Kim Il Sung, has his excellency Kim Jong Il, the most brilliant general of the world, as another sun of humankind. "I wish his excellency the great leader Kim Jong Il a long life in good health for the victory of the Korean revolution and the accomplishment of the cause of global independence."

Kim Young Sam said to seek sanctuary abroad after retirement

Pyongyang, February 12 (KCNA) -- It has been widely whispered in South Korea that Kim Young Sam will flee from South Korea after retirement, Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation said. The word began racing throughout South Korea since a "secretary of chongwadae" said it to a religionist who is one of his friends, the radio said. The plan of his exile was worked out long ago and preparations are now under way. The radio continued: With the expiration of his term drawing near, Kim Young Sam has been worried about his "safety" after retirement. In August last year he was closeted with Choe Hyong U and other confidents, several times over his future before deciding to exile himself abroad. Kim formed a Choe-bossed team for arrangement of his exile and has made preparations in a secret way. After long deliberation, the team worked out a plan for Kim's "honorable exile". It envisages that the "foundation for research of political affairs in the 21st century" (tentative name) is formed just before Kim retires and he becomes its president as soon as his term expires. Kim finally approved the plan and decided to draw d20 willion from banks in New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Switzerland and other countries for the establishment and operation of the foundation. Kim had not finally decided on the location of the foundation until he recently designated Canada as the place of exile and began lobbying Ottawa's help. He is said to have had a one-to-one meeting with Choe again on January 10 over his exile.