Gift to Secy. Kim Jong Il from foreign lawyer

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the Chairman of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Amar Bentoumi, on his 55th birthday. Handing the gift to the Korean Ambassador to Algeria on February 12, the chairman said: "I present this gift to him in the hope that his excellency Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Korean people, an outstanding thinker and theoretician and prominent military strategist, will wisely lead the Korean and world's revolution to bring to mankind a free and peaceful new world free from arbitrariness, aggression and war of the imperialists. "Availing myself of this opportunity, I sincerely wish his excellency the great leader Kim Jong Il on his birthday a long life and good health as well as great success in his noble work for successfully carrying forward and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered by President Kim Il Sung."

Appeal to S. Korean parties, organizations, figures

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland on Feb. 15 sent to South Korean political parties, organizations and figures the appeal which was adopted at a joint meeting of political parties and organizations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It was sent to the chairman, senior advisers, Secretary General, floor leader and spokesman of the "New Korea Party", the President, acting president, floor leader and spokesman of the "National Congress for New Politics", the President, vice-presidents, Secretary General, floor leader and spokesman of the "United Liberal Democrats", the President, Secretary General and spokesman of the "United Democratic Party", the permanent adviser of the south headquarters of the national alliance for the country's reunification, Co-chairmen and Permanent Chairman of the National Council for Independence, Peace and Reunification, Permanent Chairmen of the "National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification", the Chairman and Secretary General of the "Confederation of Trade Unions", the Chairman of the "Federation of Korean Trade Unions", the Chairman of the "National Union of Teachers", the Chairman of the "National Federation of Peasants' Associations", the Chairman of the "National Council of Peasants' Organizations", the Chairman of the "Federation of University Student Councils", the Co-chairwomen of the "Federation of Women's Organizations", the Chairman of the "Council of Democratic Youth Organizations", the Chairman of the standing committee of the "Central Council of Korean Catholics", the Co-chairmen of the "National Congress for Independence, Democracy and Reunification", the Chairman of the Council of Buddhists for the Promotion of the Country's Peaceful Reunification, the Secretary General of the "Alliance of Environmental Movement", the co-Chairmen of the People Paving the Way for Peace and Reunification, the Executive Chairman of the Tangun Group, the Chairman of the Council for National Spirit, the Chairman of the Fellowship Society of the National Council of Student Representatives, the Chairman of the Society for Research of Social Development of the 21st Century, the Secretary General of the Paedal Green Federation, the Chief of the Headquarters for Saving Korean Language, the Chairman of the Council of the Movement for the Democratic Press, the Ordinary of the Central Headquarters of Chondoism, the Chairman of the "General Federation of National Artists", the Permanent Chairman of the Family Movement for Realising Democracy, the Director of the Unification Study Centre, the co-Chairmen of the "National Council of Teachers for Democracy", the Chairman of the National Association of Literary Men and Writers, the leader of Taejonggyo, co-Chairmen of the Council of Religionists for Reconciliation and Reunification of the Nation, the Permanent Chairman of the "National Alliance of the Buddhist Movement", the Chairman and Secretary General of the "National Council of Christian Churches", the Chairman and Secretary General of the "National Federation of Christian Youth Associations", the co-Chairmen of the "Council for Measures over the Volunteers' Corps", the Chairman of the Buddhist Committee for Human Rights, the Chairman of the Council for Memory of Rev. Mun Ik Hwan, the Advisor of the Civic Solidarity Movement for Democratic Society based on Suffrage and Human Rights, and others.

Press review

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today frontpages a report that Secretary Kim Jong Il sent gifts to teachers and students of Wonsan Middle School and a gift and a wedding table to the couple of hero of the Republic Pak U Ryon, an officer of the Korean People's Army, who distinguished himself in work with youth and in strengthening the combat power of his people's army unit. Papers devote almost all pages to celebrations held at home and abroad on the occasion of Secretary Kim Jong Il's birthday including news that Ri In Mo, former war correspondent of the Korean People's Army, sent a congratulatory letter to him on his birthday. Given in the press are accounts of a ceremony for presenting letters of loyalty, a celebration meeting held by Pyongyang youth and students, the national joint meeting of the Korean Children's Union organizations and the mass gymnastic display "Korea, I'll glorify you". The press carries telegrams of greetings from foreign state and party leaders and the news that a monument to on-site guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il was erected in Maengsan county, South Phyongan Province. The press also gives accounts of a meeting held by servicemen of the Ministry of Public Security to vow loyalty, a party given for Koreans from overseas, an evening dance held by Pyongyang youth and students, a central meeting of Japan-resident Koreans held in Tokyo and celebrations held abroad on the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Minju Joson carries an editorial headlined "Korean-style socialism with people rallied around Secretary Kim Jong Il in one mind is invincible".

Letter of resolution to Secy. Kim Jong Il from the United States

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- A letter of resolution came to Secretary Kim Jong Il from the Cleveland city congress in Ohio state, the United States, on February 6 in congratulation of his 55th birthday. The letter officially confirmed the presentation of best wishes to Secretary Kim Jong Il, the respected leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on the occasion of his 55th birthday. It noted the city congress decided to recognize the distinguished contributions and exploits of Secretary Kim Jong Il, praise his promise and dedication to the DPRK and wish him greater success and happiness in the future.

Pyongyang youths celebrate 55th birthday of Secy. Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang youths and students held a meeting at the may day stadium on February 16 to celebrate the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Choe Ryong Hae, First Secretary of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, made a report at the meeting. He said that the birth of the respected General Kim Jong Il, a peerlessly great man, was a great fortune of Kim Il Sung's nation in having another great leader, who will lead the Juche revolutionary cause to a brilliant victory, and a historic event which promised a bright future of the progressive people all over the world. The reporter further said: In his early years, General Kim Jong Il set forth unique ideas and theories of the youth movement and youth question to constantly develop and enrich the Juche-based idea and theory of the youth movement and strengthened the league of socialist working youth into the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League, so that the Korean youth movement may develop into the youth movement which firmly defends and exalts President Kim Il Sung's idea of the youth movement and leadership exploits for all ages, the reporter added. He called upon the youths and students to prepare themselves more firmly to be possessors of strong faith and will who are armed with the idea of the red flag of the Workers' Party of Korea and the unshakable spirit of resolutely safeguarding the leader and to be human bombs who will take the lead in defending General Kim Jong Il with their lives. He stressed that all the youths and students should firmly unite around General Kim Jong Il, the sun of the Korean revolution and the peerlessly famous general, and dynamically advance toward the final victory of the Juche revolutionary cause with redoubled courage, holding aloft the red flag of the revolution associated with the whole life of President Kim Il Sung.

Floral basket and gift to Secy. Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il received a floral basket and a gift from the Chinese no. 1 motor group company on the occasion of his birthday. The basket and gift were handed to an official concerned by deputy general director of the company Lin Ganwei, who is heading the visiting delegation of the company, on Sunday.

Congratulatory letter to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Ri In Mo

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory letter from Ri In Mo, former war correspondent of the Korean People's Army, on February 16 on the occasion of his 55th birthday. In the letter, Ri In Mo wrote that he, who experienced all difficulties, realised belatedly that the life and dignity of man can be glorified only in the bosom of General Kim Jong Il and a worthwhile life can be enjoyed under his genuine loving care. The letter said: "Now that you the general gave me a valuable life, I am now living a true life worthy of man, knowing what a true love and happiness are, and I am enjoying everything in a few years, which I had lost for half a century. "You stand veterans on platform whenever national functions are held, you place revolutionary forerunners in the first row of columns when visiting the Kumsusan Memorial Palace where the fatherly leader President Kim Il Sung lies in state and send gifts to them first on holidays. This is precisely the policy of you the General". The letter stressed that General Kim Jong Il is the sun of life and dignity of man, love and pride.

Performance given by Japan-resident Korean artistes

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- A performance "General Kim Jong Il is the life and soul of 700,000 Koreans in Japan" was given by the art troupe of Koreans in Japan here Sunday to celebrate the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. The performers raised the curtain with a poem and song "Father's birthday" which represents the will of of 700,000 Koreans in Japan to uphold and follow General Kim Jong Il as heaven. Put on the stage were colourful numbers including "We are steadfast as we are led by the General", women's duet "You, believe us", mixed chorus "our true mind", men's solo and women's Pangchang (off-stage song) "Red Flag of Patriotism".

First camping of this year begins

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The first camping of this year has begun at the Jangjasan Children's Union Camp, the Mangyongdae Children's Union Camp and the Soho Children's Union Camp on the auspicious holiday of February. Enjoying their pleasant days at the well-furnished camps, campers will consolidate what they learned and train themselves in body and mind. Entrance ceremonies took place on the spot on Feb. 15 and 16.

Book "aphorisms of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il" off the press

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The book "Aphorisms of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il" was off the press by the Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House. The book, which consists of 18 systems including "Socialism and Revolution" and "Leader, Party and Masses", contains numbers of aphorisms advanced by General Kim Jong Il while leading the revolutionary cause of Juche only to victory. Consummated in General Kim Jong Il's aphorisms are contents of establishing the ideas on the position and role of the leader in the revolution and construction and the singlehearted unity of the leader, the party and the masses on a scientific and theoretical basis as well as deep-going contents that should be taken by revolutionaries as lessons in ideological, mental and moral traits and manner of work. The book carries aphorisms giving profound philosophical answers to the important questions arising in the revolution and construction, including the popular characters of the benevolent politics of the Workers' Party of Korea, the main principle of socialist economic construction, the question of strengthening the people's army, the content of leading a proud life for the fatherland and the people and the content of loving and bringing up young people in a desirable way.

Evening gala of Pyongyang youth and students

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- An evening gala of youth and students in Pyongyang took place at the Central Youth Hall Sunday to celebrate the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. The gala was attended by Pak Song Chol, Kim Yong Nam, Yang Hyong Sop and other senior party and government officials. Invited to it were overseas Koreans' congratulatory groups, Koreans from overseas, foreign diplomatic envoys and embassy officials in korea and other foreigners. When the song "Congratulations on February Holiday" rang out at the gala hall, the participants danced hand in hand each other, enjoying their infinite happiness of being youths blessed in the great Kim Jong Il's era. Various kinds of sports and art numbers, including Taekwon-do and acrobatics, were performed to the tune of songs "Look at Us" and "Youth and Courage", which sing of optismism and enthusiasm, courage and bravery of young people.

Study committee of Juche idea inaugurated in Nigeria

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- An inaugural meeting of the Committee of Nigerian Youths for the Study of the Juche Idea was held by the Nigerian youth consultative assembly on Feb. 8 on the occasion of the 55th birthday of General Kim Jong Il. Present at the meeting were Chairman Ewe Chukudolue and members of the Nigerian youth consultative assembly. The chairman explained the backgrounds of the inauguration, the essence, philosophical principle and socio-historical principle of the Juche idea, the struggle of the Korean people to apply the Juche idea and their achievements and outlined tasks of the Nigerian young people to apply the Juche idea. The meeting decided to send a letter to General Kim Jong Il to let him know of the inauguration of the study committee.

Secy. Kim Jong Il's work published in booklet in Cuba

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The famous work of Secretary Kim Jong Il "Let Us All Live and Struggle Like Heroes" was brought out in booklet by the printing house of the Cuban Ministry of Economy and Planning on Feb. 7 to mark his 55th birthday.

Foreigners visit Korean embassies on birthday of Secy. Kim Jong Il

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- President of the Malian National Assembly Ali Nouhoum Diallo who is a special envoy of the Malian President, Chairman of the Christian Arab Democratic Party of Jordan Samizuda, Coordinator (head) of the National Executive Committee of the Workers' Party of Mexico Alberto Anaya Gutierrez and General Secretary of the Socialist People's Party Central Committee of Mexico Manuel Fernandez Flores visited the Korean embassies in their countries on the occasion of the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The Malian special envoy hoped that Secretary Kim Jong Il would lead the Korean revolution and the global socialist revolution to victory with vigour and energy in good health. Chairman of the Christian Arab Democratic Party of Jordan said that General Kim Jong Il is a symbol of justice, peace, progress and prosperity and wished him great success in his work for socialist construction and the country's reunification in the New Year. The heads of the political parties of Mexico handed to the Korean Ambassador floral baskets for Secretary Kim Jong Il. General Secretary of the Socialist People's Party of Mexico Central Committee said that Secretary Kim Jong Il is building Korean socialism successfully, creditably carrying forward the revolutionary cause of President Kim Il Sung. National chairman of the Cardenas Party of Mexico Rafael Aguilar Talamantes sent a floral basket for Secretary Kim Jong Il to the Korean embassy.

Meeting of foreign crew

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- A meeting of foreign crew was held on February 15 to celebrate the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The celebration meeting held at Nampho port on the west coast of Korea was attended by captains and crewmen of the Chinese ships "Wan Sheng" and "Lu Hai 602", the Hondran ship "Svetlana", the Panamanian ship "Crient Pearl" and the Belizian ship "North Prosper". Captains and crew made speeches at the meeting. The speakers said that Secretary Kim Jong Il is the genius of creation and construction, who is leading socialism to victory with his iron will and tested guidance. He has performed undying exploits for the times and the revolution by skilfully solving complicated matters arising in carrying out the socialist cause, they said, adding: For his great contributions to the Korean revolution and the international communist movement, Secretary Kim Jong Il is highly respected and praised by the world people as "the lodestar of the socialist movement in the era of independence" and "the leader who will lead the 21st century". The speakers expressed the belief that under the guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il loyal to the cause of President Kim Il Sung, the Korean people would firmly defend the socialist cause and the dignity of their country, upholding the banner of the Juche idea. A congratulatory letter to Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the meeting.

Greetings to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Russian President

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings from Russian President B. Yeltsin on February 16 on the occasion of his 55th birthday. The message expresses the belief that the friendly relations between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will develop on the principle of good-neighbourhood and reciprocity and in the interests of peace and security in northeast Asia.

DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman interviewed

Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea answered a question raised by KCNA on the Hwang Jang Yop incident today. He told KCNA: We asked the Chinese side to investigate the disappearance of Hwang Jang Yop in Beijing, China on Feb. 12. Our stand is simple and clear. If he was kidnapped, we cannot tolerate and we will take decisive countermeasures. If he sought asylum, it means that he is a renegade and he is dismissed.