Exhibition of works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il opens in Russia

Moscow, February 12 (KCNA) -- An opening ceremony of the exhibition of works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il was held at the building of the council of the union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on Feb. 10 with the approach of the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Present at the ceremony were Chairman of the council O. Shenin, other leading officals of the party and senior officials of the newspaper "Glasnosti". Shenin said that the public circle of Russia, along with progressive humankind, is significantly celebrating the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. He went on: "We deem it a great honor to open the exhibition in our party building on the occasion of the historical holiday. Expounded in the works of the two leaders are precious guidelines concerning the party building and the development of the socialist and communist movement of the world. We will make a deep study of these precious works and widely disseminate them."

Gifts to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Russians

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with gifts by Russian officials on the occasion of his 55th birthday. The gifts were handed to the Korean Ambassador to Russia by marshal Dmitry Yazov, Defense Minister of the former Soviet Union, and by Chairman of the Council of the Union of Communist Parties-the Communist Party of the Soviet Union O. Shenin and Director of the "Paleya" Publishing House Nikolai Mishin in joint name on Feb. 7. A gift to Secretary Kim Jong Il was conveyed to the Korean embassy in Moscow by Nina Andreyeva, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, on Feb. 3.

"Kim Jong Il's selected works" vols. 9-11 published

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House has brought out "Kim Jong Il's Selected Works" vols. 9-11. The books represent enduring exploits of Secretary Kim Jong Il, who made special contributions to the Korean and the world revolution with his outstanding ideo-theoretical activities and tested leadership. Contained in the books are 41 famous works including his speeches, discourses and letters written in the 1987-1989 period (vol. 9), in 1990 (vol. 10) and in the January-July 1991 period (vol.11). In his works, he put forward policies of strengthening the Workers' Party of Korea, enhancing its leadership role and stepping up economic construction, cultural development and defence building. Some works explain the essence of the party, the necessity of party leadership, the guidelines in party work and activity and the precious achievements and rich theoretical and practical experience in party building. Some others give clear answers to theoretical and practical problems in socialist economic management, including its essence, basic principle, system and method. There are also some works that deal with such theoretical and practical problems in the revolution and construction as implementation of the party's Juche-based line of building socialist national culture, the independent and peaceful reunification of the country and global independence.

Floral basket to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Yasser Arafat

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket from Yasser Arafat, President of the State of Palestine, on the occasion of his birthday. The floral basket was handed to an official concerned by Ibrahim Abu Mualek, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Palestinian embassy here, on Thursday.

Greetings to Austrian Federal Chancellor

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Premier Kang Song San of the Administration Council sent a message of greetings to Viktor Klima upon his assumption of office as Austrian Federal Chancellor. The message sincerely wished him success in his responsible work for prosperity of the country.

Gift to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Iranian President

Pyongyang, February 14 (kcna) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the occasion of his birthday. The gift was handed to an official concerned by Iranian Ambassador to Korea Seyed Morteza Mirheidari on Feb. 13.

Banquet given by acting Secretary of Libya

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Mohamed Ahmed Dallah, acting secretary of the People's Bureau of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in Pyongyang, gave a banquet Thursday on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between korea and Libya. Invited to the banquet were Chairman of the State External Economic Affairs Commission Ri Song Dae, Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil Yon, Vice-Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Vice-Chairman of the Korea-Libya Friendship Association Ri Song Ho and other officials concerned. Speeches were made at the banquet.

Meeting on 25th anniversary of publication of Pres. Kim Il Sung's work

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Pyongyang on Thursday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the publication of the famous work of the great leader President Kim Il Sung "On the Main Tasks of the Union of Agricultural Working People". The work is a speech President Kim Il Sung delivered at the Second Congress of the Union of Agricultural Working People of Korea (UAWPK) on February 16, 1972. The President made clear the struggle program and the main tasks of the UAWPK and way of their realisation. Choe Song Suk, Chairwoman of the Central Committee of the UAWPK, said in her report that the celebrated work of President Kim Il Sung is an important guideline which indicates the most correct way for the UAWPK to discharge its historic mission and duty in realising the far-reaching plan of the Workers' Party of Korea for rural construction in conformity with the requirement of the developing reality. She stressed that all the members of the UAWP and agricultural working people should creditably carry out the tasks set in the work to discharge their revolutionary obligation as soldiers and disciples of the great leader.

Foreign diplomats visit different places

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Foreign diplomatic envoys and officials in Pyongyang visited different places on the occasion of the birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Diplomatic envoys and embassy officials of Botswana, Indonesia, Russia and Yemen visited the revolutionary museum of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces. On display at the Musuem are historic materials and relics showing the wise leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il in building up the Korean People's Army to be the invincible revolutionary armed forces. After the visit Botswanan Ambassador Alfred Majaye Dube said that the KPA is known as the strongest army in the world, which is entirely the fruition of the wise leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The military attaches' corps in korea visited the first Kimjongilia exhibition hall on Feb. 12 and cultural officials of foreign embassies on Feb. 13. The corps visited the April 25 Defence Sports Group on Feb. 13.

Fireworks displayed above Mt. Paektu secret camp

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Fireworks were displayed above the anti-Japanese war secret camp of Mt. Paektu, the holy mountain of the revolution, where Secretary Kim Jong Il was born, early on Thursday morning with the approach of his birthday. The Sobaek Stream Valley in the camp was crowded by officers and men of three services of the Korean People's Army and people of various social strata who gathered to celebrate his 55th birthday with enthusiasm. Seen among them were Pak Song Chol, politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Vice-President of the DPRK, and other senior party and state officials, commanders of arms and services of the KPA, generals and anti-Japanese revolutionary war veterans. After floral baskets and bouquets were laid in front of Secretary Kim Jong Il's old home, fireworks began to be shot in celebration of the February holiday. Fireworks were also fired from mid-slopes of Jong Il Peak, adorning the secret camp beautifully. The crowd raised cheers with deep reverence for and loyalty to Secretary Kim Jong Il. Meanwhile, KPA servicemen met in front of the old home vowing loyalty to Secretary Kim Jong Il, the Supreme Commander. KPA Vice Marshal Kim Yong Chun, Chief of the KPA General staff, said the birth of Secretary Kim Jong Il was a great fortune of the nation and a historic event that guaranteed a bright future of the era of independence. He called on all the servicemen to prepare themselves to unhesitatingly dedicate their youth and lives to the Supreme Commander, remaining unfailingly loyal and devoted to him, and make the whole army replete with the spirit of defending the leader at the cost of life, the spirit of human bombs and the spirit of suicide attack. Led by representatives of the three services, all the participants in the meeting vociferated that there is no fatherland, party, army and the socialist cause without Secretary Kim Jong Il, manifesting their firm determination to become fortresses, shields, seamen and airmen living as intended by him and defending him at the cost of their lives. When the day began to break, colorful fireworks were set off again above Jong Il Peak and different-colored parachutes came down bearing slogans and placards "Let us remain loyal and devoted to the respected Supreme Commander comrade Kim Jong Il " "Singlehearted unity", "Human bombs", etc.

UN name should not be abused -- Rodong Sinmun

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Vessels of the "United Nations Forces", which were formed during the Korean War (June 25, 1950-july 27,1953) with the U.S. Forces as the mainstay, have still visited U.S. bases in Japan frequently. Commenting on the fact, Rodong Sinmun today says: Still after 1975, many destroyers and submarines of various countries have visited Yokosuka and other U.S. bases under the name of the "United Nations Forces", revealing that the U.S. and Japanese reactionaries have invariably sought to stifle the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by abusing the name of the United Nations. The vessels' port access to U.S. bases in Japan can by no means be justified. The U.S. has been technically at war with the DPRK, while Japan has been hostile to the DPRK. If peace and security failed to be ensured on the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. and Japan too would be seriously affected by the consequences. The U.S. must stop trying to stifle the DPRK by abusing the name of the United Nations but clearly see the situation and dissolve the "United Nations Command", a legacy from the Cold War, which has been left without any real meaning. Nearly 22 years have passed since a resolution calling for the dissolution of the "United Nations Command" in South Korea was adopted at the UN General Assembly. The Cold War has been terminated and the implementation of the DPRK-U.S. framework agreement is now under way. It is high time that the U.S. delinked its military presence in South Korea from the name of the united nations, without losing face. If the U.S. thinks it can cover up its being a belligerent under the name of the united nations, it is a mistake. The prolonged belligerent relationship between the DPRK and the U.S. would be unfavorable to the U.S., either. So, the U.S. had better sign a tentative agreement with DPRK and jointly pave the way for a peace agreement. It would be favorable to the U.S. If it continues abusing the name of the united nations, the U.S. will be kept under fire for its arbitrariness and high-handedness and lose confidence from UN member nations. The Japanese authorities must discard the design of reinvasion for the sake of the Japanese people and avoid falling a prey to the U.S. The United Nations should take a step to withdraw its name and flag from U.S. Forces in South Korea. Those nations which remain registered in the "United Nations Command" should also take a step to quit it and substantially contribute to the conclusion of a tentative agreement between the DPRK and the U.S.

Press review

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang-based newspapers today report that Secretary Kim Jong Il sent an autographic letter and thanks to the creators and employees of the Mansudae Art Studio. Papers carry news that Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift and a floral basket from the Iranian President and the President of the State of Palestine and gifts from Russian public figures on the occasion of his birthday. The Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House brought out "brief biography of comrade Kim Jong Il" and firecrackers fizzled and officers and men of the three services of the Korean People's Army held a meeting to vow their loyalty to him on February 13 at the secret camp on Mt. Paektu where Secretary Kim Jong Il was born, says the press. Taking much space of the press are accounts of functions held at home and abroad to celebrate the birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Highlighted in the press is news that on the occasion of the auspicious holiday of February, an exhibition of works of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il opened in Russia with due ceremony, seminars and celebration meetings were held and articles published in different countries, foreign public figures paid congratulatory visits to the DPRK embassies in their countries, the Cuban Ambassador to Korea hosted a reception and foreign diplomatic envoys, military attaches' corps and cultural secretaries of foreign embassies in Korea toured various places of Pyongyang. Rodong Sinmun devotes one whole page to a congratulatory poem "Blizzard of the General" contributed by poet Kim Man Yong to the 55 years of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Given in the paper is an account of a meeting held to mark the 25th anniversary of the publication of "on the main tasks of the union of agricultural working people", a famous work of President Kim Il Sung. Appearing in the paper is a statement released by the spokesman for the foreign ministry of the DPRK denouncing Japan for more undisguisedly scheming these days to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Secy. Kim Jong Il's birthday celebrated in Moscow

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- A meeting and a scientific symposium on ideas, leadership and greatness of virtues of Secretary Kim Jong Il were held to celebrate his 55th birthday in Moscow on February 10. The celebration meeting was co-sponsored by the Russian United Confederation of Koreans (Kothongryon), the Moscow Kothongryon and the Korean Veterans Committee in Moscow and the symposium by the Russian and Moscow Kothongryon. Participants in meeting laid a floral basket and bunches of flowers before the oil painting picturing President Kim Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il on horses by the Lake Chon of Mt. Paektu. Congratulatory speeches were made at the meeting, followed by adoption of a congratulatory letter to Secretary Kim Jong Il. Speakers at the meeting and symposium highly praised the undying feats Secretary Kim Jong Il has performed in leading the party and the revolution for over 30 years with his virtues and leadership talents as a flawless political leader of socialism.

Minju Joson urges Kim Young Sam to clarify truth of Hanbo scandal and face judgement

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Minju Joson today comes out with a signed commentary on the illegal loaning for the Hanbo steelworks exposed in South Korea some time ago. Pointing out that the South Korean public suspicion is now focussing on Kim Young Sam in connection with the Hanbo scandal, the analyst of the paper says: The spokesman for the opposition "National Congress for New Politics" in South Korea on February 12 said that Kim Young Sam and others in the hierarchy were involved in the Hanbo scandal. Earlier, on February 11, the "NCNP"and the "United Liberal Democrats", another opposition party in South Korea, held a joint meeting of "National Assemblymen", at which they declared that Kim Hyon Chol, the second son of Kim Young Sam, was involved in the Hanbo scandal. As were claimed by public circles of South Korea, the case of the illegal loaning for the Hanbo steelworks was a power-backed extra-large financial scandal caused by Kim Young Sam. Kim Young Sam and his second son, who are the behind-the-scene characters of the unlawful loaning of a sizable sum of money, are impostors who unhesitatingly resort to any means and method to earn money. All facts show that Kim Young Sam is wholly responsible for the Hanbo scandal. Kim Young Sam is making a formalistic investigation into the Hanbo scandal with the mobilisation of the prosecution, saying that it is a "deplorable case". However, this is nothing but a stop-gap measure to bury his crimes in obscurity. If he thinks that he can conceal his crimes, it is as foolish as a daydream.

Reception by Cuban Ambassador

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Cuban Ambassador to Korea Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona gave a reception at the embassy Thursday on the threshold of the birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Invited to the reception were Vice-President Ri Jong Ok, Minister of the People's Armed Forces Choe Kwang, Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam, Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee Kye Ung Thae, who are politburo members of the C.C., WPK, and other officials concerned. Addressing the reception, the Cuban Ambassador said that under the leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is enjoying respect and admiration from the world with its full-fledged position in the international arena. "This is fully attributable to the foresight and intelligence of the great leader comrade Kim Il Sung, who surely guaranteed the future of socialist Korea by perfectly settling the question of succession to leadership," he said. He expressed the hope that friendship and solidarity between the two peoples which was arranged by comrade Kim Il Sung and the respected comrade Fidel Castro Ruz and has been developed by Secretary Kim Jong Il will be steadily strengthened. Kim Yong Nam said in his speech that the birth of the respected General Kim Jong Il was a solemn declaration promising the successful inheritance and accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by President Kim Il Sung as well as a historical event that made the Korean people greet another great leader identical to President Kim Il Sung. "To invariably consolidate and develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with Cuba is the behest of President Kim Il Sung and the steadfast will of Secretary Kim Jong Il as well," he noted. The Foreign Minister expressed firm solidarity once again with the Cuban people in their struggle to firmly defend socialism, closely rallied behind the Communist Party of Cuba headed by the respected comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, successfully frustrating the U.S. isolation and stifling moves.

Honorary citizenship to Secy. Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The Colombian Santiago De Cali city assembly decided to confer honorary citizenship upon Secretary Kim Jong Il on the threshold of his 55th birthday. The decision said that Secretary Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is wisely guiding the Korean people. The decision said that the conferment was an expression of friendship with the Korean people.

Great man praised worldwide

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- People around the world increasingly praise secy. Kim Jong Il with the approach of his birthday (Feb. 16). Preparatory committees have been formed in tens of countries, people called for celebrating his birthday as a common holiday of humankind and various events are taking place worldwide. Mass media of Ghana, Nigeria, the United States, Russia, India, Pakistan, Uganda, Mongolia, Egypt, Mali and other countries describe him as a great man with perfect leadership ability, a veteran statesman in modern times, an elder of the world revolution and a brilliant thinker-theoretician as well as a great leader.

Secy. Kim Jong Il sends autographic letter and thanks to Mansudae Art Studio

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il sent an autographic letter and thanks to the creative workers and employees of the Mansudae Art Studio, who have created works picturing image of President Kim Il Sung and other paintings worthy of national treasure. The letter says: "February 6, 1997 Kim Jong Il I wish you comrades of the Mansudae Art Studio intensely loyal to the party greater success in creative work." A meeting for conveying his autographic letter and thanks was held on the spot Wednesday. Speakers at the meeting renewed their resolution to work ready to die in harness, upholding the idea and leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il with loyalty and filial piety in one mind, keeping his autographic letter and thanks deep in their hearts.

Industrial output value up

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) - Working people across the country are bringing about a great upsurge in production, greeting the February holiday. They increased the output of January by 12 percent as compared with that in December, 1996. And the industrial output value in ten days of this month is 50 percent up as against the same period of last month. Production of major indices of the national economy such as coal, power, lead and zinc has jumped during the period. Coal mines across the country carried out their production at 118.8 percent, heading tunnelling at 110 percent, preliminary tunnelling at 106 percent, pit concreting at 147 percent and removal of soil and rock at 205 percent in this period.

Indian and Laotian ambassadors present credentials to Pak Song Chol

Pyongyang, February 14 (KCNA) -- The new Indian Ambassador to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Jagjit Singh Sapra, and the new Laotian Ambassador, Soukthavone Keola, presented their credentials to Pak Song Chol, Vice-President of the DPRK, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Present there was Ri In Gyu, Vice-Minister of Foreign affairs. After receiving their credentials separately, the Vice-President conversed with them.