Gift to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Guinean President

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -Secretary Kim Jong Il was presented with a gift by President of Guinea Lansana Conte on the occasion of his 55th birthday. The gift was conveyed on Feb. 15 to the DPRK Ambassador to Guinea by the deputy general secretary and the director of the protocol department of the presidency upon authorization by the Guinean President. The deputy general secretary told the Korean Ambassador that the Guinean President warmly congratulated Secretary Kim Jong Il on his birthday and wished him a long life in good health and greater success in his noble work. The Guinean President sent a floral basket also to the DPRK Embassy in Conakry on the occasion. Authorised by him, the director of the protocol department of the presidency conveyed the floral basket to the Korean Ambassador on Feb. 13.

U.S. weekly marks Secy. Kim Jong Il's birthday

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- The weekly book review published by the U.S. newspaper New York times carried an advertisement to celebrate the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. His picture was in the middle of the advertisement titled "happy birthday". A book "Kim Jong Il, the polestar of the 21st century" was illustrated in the advertisement.

Art performances given to celebrate Feb. 16

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Art performances for celebrating February 16 have been given at theatres and cultural houses in Pyongyang and local areas since Feb. 15. "May the Kim Jong Il age shine" was given by artistes of the Mansudae Art Troupe at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre. Tthe song and dance ensemble of the Korean People's Army, the National Symphony Orchestra and the State National Art Troupe respectively performed at the April 25 House of Culture, the Moranbong Theatre and the Pyongyang Theatre. "Thank you, fatherly general" was performed by schoolchildren at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace, "General Kim Jong Il is the life of 700,000 Koreans in Japan" by the Korean Art Troupe in Japan at the Pyongyang Grand Theatre, and a performance by participants in the 7th "February 16 Art Prize" individual contest at the Yun I Sang Music Hall. Celebration art performances were also given at the Hamhung Grand Theatre and other theatres and houses of culture in provinces, cities and counties. The performers vividly represented in various artistic forms the immortal feats performed by Secretary Kim Jong Il in leading the Korean revolution to victory and glory for 30 odd years as well as the Korean people's conviction of sure victory and iron will to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche under the guidance of the party.

Vice-President Korean artists from Japan

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Vice-President Pak Song Chol Monday met and had a conversation with the leading officials and artists of the art troupe of Koreans in Japan on a visit to the socialist homeland in a compatriotic atmosphere. Present there were Vice-Premier and Minister of Culture and Art Jang Chol and officials concerned.

Rodong Sinmun on Japan's vaulting ambition for overseas expansion

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today carries a signed commentary denouncing the Japanese reactionaries for their vaulting ambition for overseas expansion. Former and incumbent ministers of the Japanese Government are openly denying the past crimes and right-wing organisations are whitewashing them, the analyst says, and continues: All this is motivated by the Japanese reactionaries' vaulting ambition for overseas expansion. As a matter of fact, Japan is restoring its past policy of aggression. It is now putting spurs on its conversion into a military power. This is illustrated by the ever-increasing military expenditures, the development of war equipment of new types and frantic nuclear arming. The operational theatre of the Japanese "Self-Defence Forces" expands into a broader area with emphasis laid on increasing long-distance attack capacities, so that they can carry out a modern war independently. Korea is the first target of Japan's reinvasion. The Japanese "SDF" are trying to hurl huge forces into the Korean Peninsula any moment in the event of "contingency" in the region. To this end, the aggression forces of Japan are crying for "countermeasures for an emergency situation", including "establishment of supply and control headquarters" of the ground "SDF" and "examination of sea lane defence". All this shows that the Japanese reactionaries' overseas aggression is imminent.

Review of Rodong Sinmun

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today frontpages a report that Secretary Kim Jong Il sent thanks to the members of the circus troupe of the Korean People's Army for their successful performance. Also carried in the paper is news that Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the Guinean President and floral baskets from the Guinean President, the chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party, the National Chairman of the Communist Party of the United States of America and the National Leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) on the occasion of his 55th birthday. Conspicuous in the paper are accounts of events in different countries to mark his 55th birthday. The paper conveys news that a monument to on-spot guidance of President Kim Il Sung was erected at the Kangso County Party Revolutionary Site in Nampho Municipality. Under the bannerline title "when man knows of himself, he grows strong and if not, weak", an aphorism of Secretary Kim Jong Il, the paper devotes one page to articles explaining the aphorism. Given in the paper are accounts of the First Kimjongilia Exhibition closed and "General Kim Jong Il is life of 700,000 Koreans in Japan" performed by the art troupe of Koreans in Japan for guests of honor. The paper comes out with a commentary denouncing the South Korean puppets' war provocations and an article exposing the crimes of the Kim Young Sam group in trying to find a way out with suppression, appeasement and deception. A commentary of the paper flails the Japanese reactionaries for trying to conceal the past crimes. "Global independence is common cause of humankind" is the title of an article of the paper.

Korean artistes from Japan perform for guests of honor

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- "General Kim Jong Il is life of 700,000 Koreans in Japan" was performed by the art troupe of Koreans from Japan in Pyongyang on Feb. 17 for guests of honor to celebrate the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The performance depicted his 50 odd years. It also depicted their indomitable spirit and will to vigorously advance for new victory of revolution in the spirit of the red flag and the spirit of "Ardous March" under his leadership. Vice-President Pak Song Chol, who is politburo member of the WPK Central Committee, senior officials, officials concerned, working people, artistes, young people and students in Pyongyang saw the performance. The congratulatory groups of Koreans from Japan and China, the loyalty-letter relay group of Koreans in Japan and overseas compatriots also saw the performance.

Korean residents in Japan meet to celebrate 55th birthday of Secy. Kim Jong Il

Tokyo, February 15 (KNS-KCNA) -- Korean residents in Japan met in Tokyo today to celebrate the 55th birthday of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Han Tok Su, Chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), in his congratulatory speech said that this significant year will be a very glorious year when the Korean people in the homeland, Chongryon and Koreans in Japan will open up a new era in the history of the noble cause of Juche and patriotism under Secretary Kim Jong Il, holding the great leader Generalissimo Kim Il Sung in eternal esteem. He noted that Chongryon should be strengthened and developed into a patriotic organization of compatriots which successfully embodies the idea and leadership of the general, true to the wish of the Generalissimo, so as to firmly defend the socialist homeland and contribute to the worthwhile cause of national reunification, the cherished desire of the nation. Ho Jong Man, Chief Vice-Chairman of Chongryon, in his report said: "The General has performed noblest and immortal exploits in the history of the nation and mankind for over 50 years, regarding the accomplishment of the Juche revolutionary cause started by the Generalissimo as his lifelong mission." "The most valuable one of his exploits is that he realized the desire of all people to uphold the Generalissimo as the immortal sun of Juche." "His exploit for the motherland and nation, the revolution and era is also that he has exalted the Juche idea founded by the Generalissimo as the guiding idea of the era of independence." "General Kim Jong Il gave wise guidelines in every period and stage of the movement of Korean residents in Japan and has shown warm love for Chongryon and Koreans in Japan." Ho Jong Man called on all the compatriots to vigorously advance with conviction of victory under the leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The meeting heard a letter of loyalty of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee to Secretary Kim Jong Il.

Monuments to on-site guidance of Pres. Kim Il Sung and Secy. Kim Jong Il erected

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- A monument to the on-the-spot guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il was erected at the seat of Maengsan county, South Phyongan Province. Secretary Kim Jong Il visited Maengsan on September 24, 1972, clearly indicated the way of leading a better life in mountainous areas like in plain areas and warmly looked after the life of the people in Maengsan county. The monument was unveiled on Feb. 14 with due ceremony. Ri Ryong Un, Chief Secretary of the Maengsan County Party Committee and Chairman of the Maengan County People's Committee, in his address said that the respected general, who visited Maengsan 20 odd years ago, underscored the need to protect land and make paddy fields through river improvement projects, develop pomiculture, sericulture and stock-breeding on hillocks and build cosy dwelling houses with local materials, and thus build up Maengsan county into a socialist paradise, and taught the tasks and ways in detail. A monument to on-site guidance of President Kim Il Sung and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Secretary Kim Jong Il was also erected at Ri Hyong Hwan unit of the KPA. The President and the Supreme Commander called at the unit for several times, indicated how the unit should advance, energetically led the unit's efforts, and took warm care of the soldiers' life with paternal love. The monument made of hundreds of tons of natural granite engraved with historic epitaph was unveiled on Feb. 15 with due ceremony. A monument to the on-the-spot guidance of President Kim Il Sung was erected at the Kangso County Party Revolutionary Site in Kangso district, Nampho Municipality. Through his historic on-the-spot guidance to Chongsan-ri and Kangso county in February 1960, the President created the great Chongsan-ri spirit and Chongsan-ri method, which have become the traditional idea and method of leading the masses of the Workers' Party of Korea. A ceremony for unveiling the monument took place on Feb.15.

Floral baskets to Secy. Kim Jong Il from foreign countries

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Floral baskets came to Secretary Kim Jong Il from foreign countries on his 55th birthday. General Secretary of the party for unity and progress of Guinea Abou Bacar Sompare and chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party Benazir Bhutto sent the baskets to the Korean embassies in their countries and national chairman of the Communist Party of the U.S.A gus hall and national leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist8-) Bains Easkethe DPRK Permanent Mission U.N.the envoy of the national leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) said that his party is actively learning from the experience that the Workers' Party of Korea achieved in party building and leadership of revolution under the leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il and expressed his hope that the relations between the WPK and his party would grow stronger and develop. The Director of the Education Department of the Communist Party of the U.S.A., as the envoy of gus hall, hoped that the fraternal relations between the WPK and the Communist Party of the U.S.A. would grow stronger and develop in the future. He wished Secretary Kim Jong Il good health and the strengthening and development of the relations between the two parties.

Warmaniacs act rashly

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- The Kim Young Sam group recently staged an "exercise for experiencing frontline alert", a "1997 exercise suitable for winter operation" and other war manoeuvres almost everyday. The exercises were aimed at attack on the north by breaking through the military demarcation line and adaptation to terrain and climate of the north. this is a clear evidence that the warmaniacs are making it a fait accompli to unleash a war against the north, stresses Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary. the daily says: The puppets' war manoeuvres on the pretext of the fictitious "threat from the north" are a revellation of the criminal moves to calm down the people's sentiment against Kim Young Sam at any cost, secure stability of "power" and unleash a war against the north. The adventurous act of the puppets will bring nothing but their own disgraceful destruction.

First Kimjjogilia Exhibition closes

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- The First Kimjongilia exhibition which opened on February 11 in Pyongyang closed on February 17. On display there were some 800 Kimjongilia plants from a lot of units in the capital city of Pyongyang and local areas, military units and working people. Senior Party and Government officials, broad segments of people, overseas Koreans and foreigners, more than 100,000 in all, visited the exhibition. At the closing ceremony the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the General Bureau of Mt. Taesong Administration, Ryanggang Province and many other units, servicemen and working people won high appreciation and souvenirs for their contributions to the successful holding of the recent exhibition. Vice-Premier of the Administration Council Jang Chol, addressing the closing ceremony, said that the recent exhibition was as successfully held as desired by the Korean people and the progressive people of the world. The Kimjongilia exhibits were associated with the ardent desire of the Korean people and officers and men of the People's Army to hold Secretary Kim Jong Il in high esteem and beautifully adorn the significant February holiday, his birthday, Jang Chol said, adding that the exhibition which will be held every year to celebrate his birthday will be a grand flower garden of all people's infinite reverence for and praises of the outstanding great man of the century.

Secy. Kim Jong Il's work published in India

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- The famous work of Secretary Kim Jong Il "Let Us Exalt the Brilliance of Comrade Kim Il Sung's Idea on the Youth Movement and the Achievements Made Under His Leadership" was published in booklet by the Everest Publishing House in India on Feb. 10 on the occasion of his 55th birthday. The booklet in the preface said that Secretary Kim Jong Il, Supreme Leader of the Korean people, is a great master of idea and theory, a genius of creation and construction and an ever-victorious iron-willed brilliant commander. He has energetically led the Korean and world revolution for tens of years, greatly contributing to development of the revolutionary idea and theory of the working class and accomplishment of the cause of independence of humankind with his tireless ideo-theoretical activities, the preface added.

Symposium of foreign crewmen

Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- Foreign crewmen held a symposium on the famous work of Secretary Kim Jong Il "socialism is a science" at Wonsan Port on the East Coast of Korea on Feb. 16 on the occasion of his 55th birthday. Captain of the Belizean ship "gorda" Ye Ngwe in his speech said that Secretary Kim Jong Il in the work clearly proved the truth and scientific character of socialism. for its invincible vitality, the Korean-style socialism well known to the world has unshakably advanced for victory in the teeth of pressure and blockade of foreign forces, he stressed. Korean socialism is the best system in the world because in this society the party, leader and people are united in one mind based on collectivism, he said. This society will bloom day by day and Korea will prosper as long as it is led by Secretary Kim Jong Il, he added. Second mate of the Chinese ship "yuhua" Yang Suhua and Vice-Captain of the Belizean ship "gorda" U Soe Naing in their speeches noted that the socialist cause of the Korean people will surely win under the leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. A congratulatory letter to Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the symposium.