137th anniversary of Chondoism
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- A "heaven day ceremony" marking the 137th foundation anniversary of Chondoism took place at the Central Church of the Korean Chondoists association on April 5.
Chairwoman Ryu Mi Yong of the Central Guidance Committee of the Korean Chondoists Association made a report at the ceremony.
She referred to the foundation of chondoism and the patriotic activities of Chondoists to promote "national interests and people's welfare" after the foundation.
She outlined the obtaining situation of Korea and clarified the impending tasks to realise of the ideal of Chondoism "earthly paradise".
She laid stress on invigorating the struggle to open an epochal phase of national reunification by making this a year of solidarity of Koreans in the north, south and overseas for national independence and peace and on supporting the south Korean people's movement for independence, democracy and reunification and their anti-Kim Young Sam struggle.
She appealed to the Chondoists and other patriotic national religionists in south Korea to turn out in the righteous struggle for creating a prerequisite to independent and peaceful reunification in defence of national dignity.
Commemorative ceremonies were also held by local Chondoists on the same day.
last-ditch efforts of the doomed
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed commentary denouncing the Kim Young Sam group for more frantically suppressing the "South Korean Federation of University Student Councils" (hanchongryon) and other pro-reunification, democratic forces in south Korea these days.
Recalling that the Kim Young Sam group supplied latest repressive tools to the first line police and issued warrants for arrest of the caretaker chairman of "Hanchongryon", the analyst of the commentary says:
Only the Kim Young Sam group of truculent fascist gangsters can ruthlessly crack down upon patriotic "Hanchongryon" for their personal luxury and glory and for the prolongation of their power.
The fascist suppression of the people is the last-ditch efforts of those traitors who are doomed to ruin.
The south Korean people and students are sharpening their vigilance against the ulterior intention of the Kim Young Sam group to find a way out in the harsh suppression of "Hanchongryon" and other pro-reunification democratic forces.
The Kim Young Sam group would be well advised to stop the brutal crackdown upon "Hanchongryon" at once and release all the illegally arrested and detained patriotic students without delay.
Rodong Sinmun on attempts of Japan to justify its past crimes
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Some Japanese authorities are continuously making absurd remarks justifying and beautifying the criminal acts committed by the Japanese imperialists in the past.
A former director general of the management and coordination agency of Japan defended the aggression of Korea by the Japanese imperialists by crying that it was "tantamount to annexing a village to a town in Japan". On top of it, some Japanese government officials and dietmen insulted "Comfort Women for the Japanese Army", alleging that they voluntarily engaged themselves in prostitution for the sake of money.
Commenting on this fact, a news analyst of Rodong Sinmun today says:
Foolishly enough, the Japanese authorities are trying to justify the past crimes committed by the Japanese imperialists.
This is because they seek to create an ideological and spiritual atmosphere needed for realising their wild design for overseas expansion by instilling militarism into the minds of the people and evade atoning for the past.
In the final analysis, the danger of the Japanese authorities' attempt to justify their past is that they intend to repeat the criminal past.
Japan must not follow militarism. The way for it to follow is to win confidence from the world by sincerely admitting, repenting of and making an adequate compensation for its past crimes instead of endeavouring to justify them.
The Japanese authorities must clearly know that to liquidate their past is an urgent task which must be carried through without delay today when the 21st century is in sight.
"'Magnolia' band" instituted for Pyongyang Festival
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- "'Magnolia' band" has been instituted for the 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival to stress the significance of the festival and add brilliance to its stage.
The band to be worn by a conductor of the festival is decorated with magnolia, which President Kim Il Sung loved most in his lifetime.
Inscribed in it are the festival emblem and letters "April Spring Friendship Art Festival" on a light blue ground, decorated with a big magnolia blossom.
The owner is to conduct the immortal revolutionary hymn "Song of General Kim Il Sung," which has been traditionally put on stage since the first festival in 1982.
Written on the reverse of the band in Korean are names and nationalities of those who conducted this song ever in the festival.
The conductors were excellent artistes and contest winners who have been well known at home and abroad.
The following are their names:
1st festival Kim Jin Yong (Korea)
2nd Alberto Yentura (Italy)
3rd Dan-I-Kuma (Japan)
4th Youssef Ibrahim Elsisi (Egypt)
5th Olach Cox (Gdr)
Andre Bernard (France)
6th Georgy Pantsukov (USSR)
7th Yekodin (USSR)
8th Choysuregyn Jamsranjyab (Mongolia)
9th Karstsa Yoroniki (USSR)
10th Gert Meditz (Austria)
Kogan Semon (Russia)
11th Chen Xieyang (China)
Stepanov Nikolai Nikolayevich (Russia)
12th Timor Dynbayev (Kazakhstan)
Marco Antonio (Colombia)
13th Murad Kazlaev (Russia)
14th Kim Il Jin (Korea)
Orden Ochir (Mongolia)
The conductor for the 15th festival is Luccian Salwemini, who is a winner at the Carrayan, Italy, international conduct contest and the conductor of the opera "the Barber of Seville".
The "'magnolia' band" is to be taken over by conductors in next festivals.
Chinese troupes perform in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The Chinese art and acrobatic troupes, on a visit to Pyongyang to participate in the 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival, began performances here on April 4.
The performances were seen by Jang Chol, Vice-Premier and Minister of Culture and Art= Choe Hui Jong, Chairman of the State Commission of Science and Techonology and Chairman of The Central Committee of the Korea-China Friendship Association= officials concerned and working people and artiste in Pyongyang.
The audience also included Wan Yongxiang, Chinese Ambassador to Korea, his Embassy officials and members of the visiting Chinese government cultural delegation led by Pan Zhenzhou, Vice-Minister of Culture.
The art troupe put on stage various songs and dances such as "Dance of Changsha", "Song of Huanghe" and "Song of China" at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre. The songs and dances reflected warm love for the country and national sentiment.
Chinese artists also sang the Korean song "Turning of the Road to Mangyongdae" impressively, highly praising the immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung.
The Chinese acrobatic troupe performed "Piling Bowls" "Foot Talent," "Crossing Line" and other numbers at the Pyongyang International Cinema House.
Kim Young Sam group hit for fascist suppression
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The puppet Kwangju district court issued "advance warrants of arrest" for the caretaker chairman of the South korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) and the caretaker chairman of the Kwangju-South Jolla Provincial Federation of University Student Councils and also issued an "advance warrant of seizure and search" for offices of the student councils in a bid to spoil the meeting of deputies of "Hanchongryon".
It is a legitimate annual meeting to elect chairman and form a central body with deputies from all universities in attendance.
In this regard, the Korean Student Committee released a statement denouncing the Kim Young Sam group.
This is another ruthless fascist suppressive act, the statement said.
Kim Young Sam has now sunk into a worst crisis since he took office and is scheming to find a way out in hardening the suppression of pro-reunification patriotic forces including "Hanchongryon".
The statement said the south Korean people should overthrow the Kim Young Sam group without delay for democratization of south Korean society.
Senior Party and government officials plant trees
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Senior Party and government officials planted trees on Munsu Hill on April 6, Tree-Planting Day.
President Kim Il Sung mounted Munsu Hill and planted trees and made public the historic work "Let Us Launch a Vigorous Tree Planting Movement Involving All the Masses" 50 years ago (Apr. 6, 1947).
Since then April 6 has been marked as the Tree-Planting Day in Korea.
Senior officials including Ri Jong Ok, Pak Song Chol, Kim Pyong Sik, Han Song Ryong, Choe Thae Bok and Yang Hyong Sop, and officials of working people's organizations and anti-Japanese revolutionary veterans planted various trees with working people, youth and students.
Trees were also planted in other parts of the country such as Mt. Jang, pleasure ground on Mt. Taesong and Chongsan-ri on the day.
Review of Rodong Sinmun
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today frontpages a message of greetings Secretary Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, sent to Hafez Al Assad, General Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and President of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the Baath Party.
Famous works of Secretary Kim Jong Il have been published in booklet in many countries to mark his 55th birthday, says the paper.
"Victory of socialism is guaranteed by the strengthened people's army" is the title of a Rodong Sinmun article dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the election of Secretary Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.
Events have taken place in many countries to mark the 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, according to the paper.
The paper gives an account of a meeting of Pyongyangites held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tree planting by President Kim Il Sung on Munsu Hill, Pyongyang.
It carries a report that senior Party and government officials together with working people and school youths and children planted trees on the occasion of the Tree-Planting Day (April 6).
Appearing in the paper is news that the Chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) issued a statement to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the publication of the President's celebrated work "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole nation for the reunification of the country".
The paper in a commentary denounces the Kim Young Sam group for their brutal suppression of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils and forces for reunification and democracy.
The paper carries a statement released by the Korean Student Committee criticising the Kim Young Sam group for scheming to stifle the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils.
In another commentary the paper accuses the Japanese authorities of trying to justify the past crimes.
Secy. Kim Jong Il greets Syrian President
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, sent a message of greetings on April 6 to Hafez Al Assad, General Secretary of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and President of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of his Party.
The founding of the Arab Socialist Baath Party marked a historic event in the struggle of the Syrian and other Arab people to attain the unity of Arab world and defend national sovereignty, the message said.
It noted that through the "corrective movement" led by comrade Hafez Al Assad the Party further cemented itself both organizationally and ideologically and scored big success in the struggle to build a new society, meeting all sorts of challenges of imperialists and reactionaries.
The message expressed the belief that the relations of friendship and cooperation between the parties and peoples of the two countries, which were forged in a joint struggle for independence against imperialism, will invariably strengthen and develop in the future. It also wished comrade Hafez Al Assad bigger success in his responsible activities.
50th anniversary of tree planting by President Kim Il Sung marked
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Pyongyang on Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary since President Kim Il Sung climbed Munsu Hill to open a new history of land administration.
The great leader, busy leading the building of a new country, went up Munsu Hill on April 6, 1947 with a great plan to cover all the mountains of the country with green foliage.
He called for turning all the mountains into thickly-wooded mountains with rich resources to make the country a people's paradise.
He planted a young larch with his utmost sincerity, enkindling the first torch of afforestation. This brought about a historical turn in arousing all the people to land construction as well as tree planting.
At the meeting Kang Hyon Su, Chief Secretary of the Pyongyang Municipal Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the Pyongyang Municipal People's Committee, made a report.
August name known to the world
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The august name of President Kim Il Sung is known to all parts of the five continents.
Over 450 places in some 100 countries are named after him. A central street in the capital of Mozambique is named "Kim Il Sung Street" and the Phnom Penh Street of Cambodia "Generalissimo Kim Il Sung Street".
There are "Kim Il Sung Library", "Kim Il Sung Agricultural Science Institute", "Kim Il Sung Class" and bookstores and kindergartens named after him in Guniea, Tanzania, Lebanon, Somalia and other countries.
The organizations for the study of his Juche idea were formed in many countries including India, Bangladesh, Russia and Peru.
The study and dissemination of the Juche idea has been animated by the "Committee for the Study of Kimilsungism", the "Association for the Study of President Kim Il Sung's Works" and other institutes, theoretical and practical centres, editorial boards and publishing houses of his works named after him.
His works were published in some 60 national languages in nearly 100 countries including Pakistan, France, Syria and Italy.
"International Kim Il Sung Prize" is awarded to the personages who ardently follow the Juche idea and make an outstanding contribution to the cause of global independence and Kimilsungia is in full bloom all over the world.
All these facts show how ardently the world people are revering him and how earnest is their desire to exalt the brilliance of his historical exploits for the human cause of independence.
President Kim Il Sung passed away, but his august name will shine forever.
Victory of socialism is guaranteed by strengthened people's army
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The energetic guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il over the people's army makes sure that the Korean-style socialism makes a long drive without wavering in any adversity.
Rodong Sinmun today stresses this in a signed article dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the election of the Supreme Commander Secretary Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The article reads in part:
His idea of attaching importance to the military affairs is the philosophy of the harmonious whole of the Workers' Party of Korea, the army and the people.
The existence of a nation, a socialist state and a party is unthinkable without a strong army and vice versa.
The idea is the philosophy of victory and advance which is very instrumental in pushing ahead with socialist construction as a whole.
The loyalty of the people's army has no limit. No force on earth can match the people's army.
Secretary Kim Jong Il has made the invincible army a model for the whole party, the whole country and all the people so that they may live and fight in the revolutionary way the people's army does.
Whenever the Korean revolution is confronted with heavy tasks as well as difficult situation, he always finds himself among the people's army soldiers so as to pull through difficulties and bring about an epochal phase in the Korean revolution in reliance upon the army.
With the embodiment of the idea the headquarters of the Korean revolution, the heart of socialism, is firmly defended.
Today the people's army has the honor of being the first death-defying corps and lifeguards in the defence of the leader.
His revolutionary philosophy of attaching importance to the military affairs and his wise guidance have been a source of the grit and qualities of the people's army which is able to defeat any formidable enemy as well as of the matchless courage and fighting spirit of soldiers.
Russian Party commemorates anniversary of Pyongyang Declaration
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks of Russia issued a statement in a plenary meeting of the Party on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Pyongyang Declaration "Let Us Defend and Advance the Cause of Socialism".
The statement said the significance of the Pyongyang Declaration is that it indicated how to adhere to main methods and revolutionary principles for socialism, defend the socialist banner, conduct activities in accordance with specific conditions of each country and strengthen mutual support and solidarity in the struggle to advance socialism.
The cause of the Pyongyang Declaration, the cause of socialism, peace and people's democracy, is alive and will be strengthened, it stressed.
He will always be with us
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Yasili Grishaev, a Russian writer, published an epic "He Will Always Be With Us".
He dedicates the epic to the 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung.
Praising the President as the great leader of the people, the sun of humankind and the undying hero, the epic says that though he passed away, he will always be with us.
President Kim Il Sung, the great son of Korea and the bright sun in the history of 5,000 years, was a great forerunner on this planet, the epic notes.
The world people are sincerely praising the President generation after generation as they know what he is like.
Referring to the achievements made by the President for over 80 years since he was born, the epic says that Juche is the spirit of Korea.
People invariably believe the 20th century as Kim Il Sung's century, it stresses.
Though the President, a genius of creation, passed away, world people will always remember him, the epic says, adding that his idea sheds eternal rays and serves as an eternal banner.
Noting that Secretary Kim Jong Il leads people to victory as the President did, the epic says the world knows that the 21st century will become Kim Jong Il's century.
Praying for the President's eternal life as the sun of the world, the epic extends glory to Secretary Kim Jong Il.
Munsu Hill and Mt. Jang associated with great leaders' ardent patriotism
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Pyongyang people and students have planted a large number of trees on Munsu Hill and Mt. Jang around Tree-Planting Day (April 6).
A new history of tree-planting started on the hill in the eastern part of Pyongyang and the mountain in the northern part of the city.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of President Kim Il Sung's tree-planting on the hill and the 40th anniversary of Secretary Kim Jong Il's tree-planting on the mountain.
On April 6, 1947, two years after the liberation of the country, the President climbed the hill and planted trees with people.
That day, which was set as tree-planting day later in the country, he said tree-planting was very important in developing the nation's economy, improving the people's living, protecting land and adding beauty to the landscape of the country. He also called on all the people to take part in the tree-planting campaign with a strong sense of patriotism.
On March 31, 1957, four years after the ceasefire in Korea, Secretary Kim Jong Il climbed Mt. Jang together with students to plant trees.
He told the companions that more trees should be planted and tended with the utmost care for the future of the country and the prosperity of Pyongyang.
The Korean people have turned the hill and mountain into revolutionary sites to learn from ardent patriotism of the great leaders.
Forests for economic use, oil and timber production and scenic beauty can be seen in all parts of the country.
During the latest fifteen days, 310 million trees of various species were planted in some 60,000 hectares throughout the country.
15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival opens
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival opened at the 6,000-seat theatre of the April 25 house of culture in Pyongyang this afternoon.
The festival has been held in Pyongyang every year in the idea of independence, peace and friendship on the occasion of the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung from 1982.
Taking part in the festival are thousands of artistes, including local and international contest winners and famous artistes from tens of countries in the five continents, overseas Korean artistes and home artistes.
An opening ceremony was attended by Vice-President Pak Song Chol, member of the political bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea= Yang Hyong Sop, Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly and alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee= Jang Chol, Vice-Premier and Minister of Culture and Art and chairman of the festival organizing committee= diplomatic envoys accredited to the DPRK, foreign guests, overseas compatriots and working people in the city.
Pak Song Chol said in his congratulatory speech that the Pyongyang festival is a grand international festival which propels the development of human literature and art and powerfully inspires the just cause of the progressive people of the world aspiring after independence, peace and friendship.
The festival is being held when all of us are yearning for President Kim Il Sung more strongly than ever before, he noted, adding:
"The festival will implant the eternal image of the great leader deeper in the hearts of our people and progressive humankind."
Speeches were made by the head of the Chinese government cultural delegation, the leaders of the Cuban art troupe and the Egyptian acrobatic group and an artiste of the Russian Verezka Dance Troupe.
An opening performance was given.
The art troupes will perform seperately and jointly.
The festival will be closed on April 18.
Kim Yong Sun meets Japanese delegation
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Sun, Chairman of the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, today had a talk with the Japanese delegation of agricultural technicians headed by Yasuhiro Nakagawa, General Director and Vice-President of the National Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Japan, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall.
Vice-President Ri Jong Ok meets Kazakh guests
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- Vice-President Ri Jong Ok met and had a friendly talk with the visiting judicial delegation of Kazakhstan led by Justice Minister K. A. Kolpakov at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.
The head of the delegation said that he extends congratulations to the Korean people on their greatest national holiday, the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, and wishes them prosperity.
He wished Secretary Kim Jong Il a long life in good health and greater success in his work for carrying forward the revolutionary cause pioneered by President Kim Il Sung.
Gift to Secy. Kim Jong Il from Kazakh delegation
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the visiting judicial delegation of Kazakhstan.
The gift was handed to an official concerned by K. A. Kolpakov, Minister of Justice who is heading the delegation.
Treaty of mutual legal assistance signed between Korea and Kazakhstan
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- A treaty of mutual legal assistance in civil and criminal cases between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Kazakhstan was signed at the People's Palace of Culture on Monday.
Present there on the DPRK side were Kim Yong Hwan, First Deputy Chief Justice of the Central Court, and officials concerned and on the opposite side were the members of the Kazakh judicial delegation led by K. A. Kolpakov, Minister of justice.
Korea-China cultural exchange plan signed
Pyongyang, April 7 (KCNA) -- The 1997-1998 cultural exchange plan between the governments of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China was signed here today.
Present at the signing ceremony on the DPRK side were Chon Yon Ok, Vice-Chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned and on the opposite side were the members of the Chinese government cultural delegation headed by Pan Zhenzhou, Vice-Minister of Culture, and the Cultural Councillor of the Chinese embassy here.