Pyongyang Declaration signed by more parties

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang Declaration "let us defend and advance the cause of socialism" was signed by the Party for peace and unity in Russia and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh on April 10 and 15. Earlier, on April 5 the Arab Defenders' Party of Jordan and the Christian Arab Democratic Party of Jordan joined in signing the declaration.

Friendship gathering with Brazilian Party delegation

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A friendship gathering with the visiting delegation of the October 8 Revolutionary Movement of Brazil was held here on Thursday. Present at the gathering were members of the delegation led by General Secretary Claudio Campos and vice-chairman of The Korean Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Mun Jae Chol, who is chairman of the Korea-Brazil Friendship and Cultural Association, and others. The participants deepened feelings of friendship, talking with each other.

Repression of students in s. Korea

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The Kim Young Sam "civilian" fascist clique of south Korea issued an order of rounding up leading members of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon), the vanguard organization of one million students, with the 37th anniversary of the April 19 Popular Uprising approaching, according to a radio report from Seoul. On April 15, chairman of the general student council of Hanyang University Jong Yong Hun, who is a spokesman of "Hanchongryon," was arrested. Such repression of Kim Young Sam is intended to check in advance possible struggle of the students.

Press review

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The press here today reports that Secretary Kim Jong Il received gifts from the delegation of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh and the former deputy leader of the National Party of Thailand and his entourage on a visit to the DPRK. Papers devote articles to the fifth anniversary of the publication of the historic work of Secretary Kim Jong Il "let Us Exalt the Great Exploits of the Respected Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung" (April 17, 1992). It is reported in the press that a monument to on-the-spot guidance of President Kim Il Sung was built in Phyongsan county, north Hwanghae Province. Papers carry the news of a joint meeting held in Pyongyang and accounts of events in many countries to mark the 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. Rodong Sinmun says that foreign political parties signed the Pyongyang Declaration "Let us defend and advance the cause of socialism" and public figures of Zaire joined in a signature campaign supporting the DPRK's peace proposal. Papers inform the readers that the United States decided to take a humanitarian measure for food supply to the DPRK damaged by flood for two consecutive years. The vice-presidents, Ri Jong Ok and Pak Song Chol, met Party delegations of different countries, Rodong Sinmun says. Seen in the press is a statement published by the spokesman of the Central Committee of the Korean Educational and Cultural Workers' Union condemning the Kim Young Sam group's suppression of the National Teachers Union in South Korea. Rodong Sinmun runs an article titled "S. Korean Federation of University Student Councils will fight more vigorously" and accounts of struggle of south Korean people. The paper carries an article titled "Without confidence, you cannot defend socialism".

Gift to Secy. Kim jong Il from Bangladesh Party delegation

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the visiting delegation of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh. The gift was handed to an official concerned by General Secretary of the Party Central Committee A.S.M. Abudur Rob, who is heading the delegation.

DPRK vice-presidents meet foreign Party delegations

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Ri Jong Ok and Pak Song Chol, politburo members of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and vice-presidents of the DPRK, separately met with the delegations of the Belgian Labour Party, the Funcinpec Party of Cambodia and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Thursday. Head of the Belgian delegation Ludo Martens, who is Chairman of the Party Central Committee, told Ri Jong Ok he highly estimated the efforts made by the Korean people to accomplish the revolutionary cause under the wise leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Head of the Laotian delegation Oudom Khattiya, politburo member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the C.C., The National Construction Front, told Pak Song Chol they fully support the principled stand of the Workers' Party of Korea to defend the gains of socialism and accelerate socialist construction. Head of the Cambodian delegation Chat Nhalyvoud, member of the Party Steering Committee and deputy mayor of Phnom Penh, told Pak Song Chol the delegation could see at first hand the achievements made by the Korean people under the wise leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il, who is carrying forward the revolutionary cause of Generalissimo Kim Il Sung. "The development of Korea is beyond our imagination," he added.

Joint meeting commemorating 85th birthday of President Kim Il Sung held

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A joint meeting was held in Pyongyang on April 17 to commemorate the 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. Present there were foreign Party delegations, delegates and visitors who have come to Korea on the occasion of this anniversary. Also present were Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the political bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and working people in the city. Choe Thae Bok spoke first. Then, speeches were made by Chairman of the Central Committee of the Belgian Labour Party Ludo Martens= Chairman of the Dominican Workers' Party Ivan Rodriguez= General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh A. S. M. Abdur Rob= head of the visiting group of Mongolia commemorating April 15 Badanmin Baigalmaa= Secretary General of the International Liaison Committee for Reunification and Peace in Korea Guy Dupre= Secretary General of the Movement for Peace and Socialism of Italy Roberto Gabriele= permanent member of the Central Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (United Marxism-Leninism) K. P. Oli= chief of the Group of Youths for the Study of the Juche Idea of Kim Jong Il in Vienna Thomas Losch= director of the secretariat of the Japan Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification Hiroshi Wakabayashi= and General Secretary of the October 8 Revolutionary Movement of Brazil Claudio Campos. The speakers noted that Korea is a country in which the desire of the people has been realised and Korea has built the most advantageous socialism centred on the popular masses. This is a result of the wise guidance of President Kim Il Sung, they pointed out. They sincerely asked the Korean people to hold in higher esteem Secretary Kim Jong Il, who is leading Korean socialism to victory. The artistes of the Mansudae Art Troupe and the members of the visiting group of Mongolia commemorating April 15 gave an art performance at the meeting.

Reception given on Syrian Independence Day

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Anwar Al-Fadel, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Syrian embassy in Pyongyang, hosted a reception at the Okryu Restaurant here on Thursday to mark the 51st anniversary of the Independence of Syria. Invited to the reception were Vice-President Ri Jong Ok, Minister of Finance Yun Ki Jong, who is chairperson of the Korea-Syria Friendship Association, and officials concerned. Diplomatic envoys of different countries to Korea and Ri Jong Sang, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, were also present on invitation. On hand was the visiting delegation of the Arab Socialist Baath Party of Syria led by Said hamadeh, member of the regional leadership of the Party and director of the Youth and Sports Department of the Party. Speeches were made at the reception.

Rodong Sinmun on defence of socialism

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed article stressing that whether one is possessed of an unshakable faith in socialism or not is a serious and crucial matter related to the destiny of socialism. The author of the article says that if one loses faith, he cannot value things which belong to him but harbours an illusion about capitalism and takes the road of treachery and betrayal. The article further says: Renegade socialists totally negated revolutionary principles which must be adhered to in the building of socialism. As for the former Soviet Union, it had a 70-odd-year-long history of building socialism and more than 18 million members of the communist party. But, as a result of the weakening of faith in socialism among people, it failed to check anti-socialist moves of the reactionaries. Those who have no faith cannot defend their own idea and interests= they play into the hands of others, making havoc with the revolution. Socialism in east European countries, in essence, was not socialism which they built with their own faith and strength but an "imported socialism". Because they fell short of faith and failed to maintain independence, they sided with "reforms" and "restructuring" carried out by the former soviet union, without giving thoughts to whether the trend was in their favour or not. As seen above, if one has no faith, he will be deprived of the gains of the revolution made at the cost of blood and socialism, even if it is scores of years old, will collapse.

Talks between NDFSK and Laotian Party delegations

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Talks were held between the delegations of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, at the Pyongyang mission of NDFSK on Thursday. The delegations are staying here to commemorate the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. At the talks, both sides informed each other of their parties' activities and discussed the matter of strengthening solidarity between the two parties as well as issues of common concern. Present there were members of the NDFSK delegation led by Kim Kwang Min and members of the Laotian Party delegation led by Oudom Khattiya, politburo member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the C.C., the National Construction Front.

S. Korea's "NSL" rejected

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A delegate of the international association against torture denounced south Korea's fascist "national security law". The denunciation was made when he spoke in a discussion on the issue of human rights of all prisoners at the 53rd session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Noting that amendments to "labour laws" and "law on the Agency for National Security Planning" were approved at the December 1996 "national assembly" of south Korea in the absence of opposition members, the delegate disclosed the reactionary nature of the "NSL". He said the "NSL", a leftover of the cold war, allows the "government" to punish south Korean inhabitants if they make any action of support to the north Korean government.

Rodong Sinmun on undying exploits of Pres. Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates a signed article to the 5th anniversary of the publication of "Let Us Exalt the Great Exploits of the Respected Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung" (April 17, 1992), a work of Secretary Kim Jong Il. The great exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung for the people are that he provided the popular masses with the correctest guiding idea to shape their destinies successfully, formed a Juche-type revolutionary organisation which takes good care of their destinies in a responsible way and built genuine revolutionary armed forces, the author of the article says, and continues: The greatness of his exploits finds its expression, above all, in that they are immortal ones. For its justness, truthfulness and absolute advantages, the Juche idea has been disseminated as an uncheckable ideological trend to all the continents and regions of the world. It has a great influence upon the development of the revolutionary movement in our times in which a new independent world is being created. The greatness of his exploits is also illustrated by the fact that they are very rich and multifarious ones involving all domains and spheres of the revolution and construction. President Kim Il Sung directed all domains and spheres of the revolution and construction to victory, assuming responsibilities for them as the leader of the Party and the revolutionary ranks, the head of state and as the Supreme Commander of the revolutionary armed forces. In this proud course, brilliant achievements were made in all domains of the revolution and construction= man was remoulded in a communistic way and an independent national economy, a Juche-based socialist culture and a self-reliant defence power were built. The greatness of his exploits is that they are wholly for the good of the people and made in cooperation with them. He, regarding the people as his god, shared weal and woe with them and paved a thorny road of the revolution for a long period. This is why all his revolutionary exploits are consistent with the popular character and enjoy the absolute praise of the people.

15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival closes

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival closed on Friday. It had been held since April 7. The art festival has been traditionally held in Pyongyang on the occasion of the birthday of President Kim Il Sung since 1982. Adhering to the ideas of independence, peace and friendship, the festival has creditably discharged its mission of being the stage of friendship of the progressive artistes. The closing ceremony took place at the 6,000-seat theatre of the April 25 house of culture in the capital city of Pyongyang. Present there were Pak Song Chol, politburo member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Vice-President of the DPRK= Yang Hyong Sop, alternate politburo member of the WPK Central Committee and Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly= Jang Chol, Vice-Premier, Minister of Culture and Art and also chairman of the festival organizing committee= and foreign diplomatic envoys in Korea, foreign guests, overseas Koreans and citizens. Festival prizes were awarded to troupes and artistes who distinguished themselves in the festival. At the ceremony, a letter of thanks to Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted in the name of the festival participants. A message of thanks sent by the DPRK Central People's Committee was conveyed to the participants in the festival. Addressing the closing ceremony, Jang Chol said the current festival has encouraged the world's progressives to the cause of justice and fully demonstrated the great vitality of friendship and solidarity.

DPRK's peace proposal supported

pyongyang, april 18 (kcna) -- a signature campaign was conducted in Zaire to support the DPRK's proposal for establishing a new peace-keeping mechanism on the Korean Peninsula. On April 8, Secretary General Ngoy Nduba of the Lumumba Democratic Party signed the paper on behalf of 50,000 party members. Attending the campaign were also parliamentarians from different parties, political, public and academic figures including the chairman of the Zaire-Korea Friendship Association, and other people.

Natural cavern and scenic underground spots discovered in Korea

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A mysterious-looking natural cavern and scenic underground spots were recently discovered in south and north Phyongan provinces. The newly-discovered cavern, which proved tens of thousands of years old, has some different aspects from other caverns. Stalagmites and stalactites of the Ryongmun and Paekryong caverns are large and beautiful, while those of the newly-discovered cavern are very fine, delicate and graceful. The scenic spots were discovered in areas of Ryongmun and Paekryong caverns in Kujang county, north Phyongan Province. They are blessed with a 70-metre-high underground waterwall and an underground river. The water of the underground river and waterfall flows steadily at a fixed speed. Multitudes of stalactites and stalagmites surrounding them add beauty to their scenery. Secretary Kim Jong Il sent thanks to units which discovered the natural cavern and scenic underground spots.

Holiday of April commemorated

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung was commemorated in the DPRK as the greatest national holiday. Senior party and state officials on April 15 visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace and paid homage to President Kim Il Sung, who is preserved in state. The working people, soldiers of the people's army, students and children throughout the country laid floral baskets and flowers before the President's statues and revolutionary sites and old battle fields and paid tribute to him. On the occasion of April 15, more than 2,000,000 Koreans and foreigners visited the President's Statue on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang. Over 30,000 people called at his birthplace in Mangyongdae on a daily average. Functions took place to mark the holiday. Symposiums on the Juche idea were held by educators, scientists, public organizations and other sectors from the beginning of April. A national symposium on the Juche idea took place. A national meeting was held at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on April 14, with over 10,000 people attending. The meeting was broadcast live over TV, watched by all the people. Commemorative meetings took place in provinces, complexes and army units. The mass gymanstic display "The Leader Will Always Be With Us" was performed by 50,000 schoolchildren in Pyongyang at Kim Il Sung Stadium on April 15. Evening entertainments, art performances, a ten-day film show, a national art exhibition, a photo exhibition, Mangyongdae Prize Sport Contest and other events were held. "Kim Il Sung's Works" vol. 45-50 were published by the Workers' Party of Korea Publishing House. Artistes from five continents participated in the 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival in Pyongyang and put on the stage songs praising the greatness of President Kim Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il and other songs, dances, instrumental music and acrobatics, which represented the aspiration and demand of the times, to commemorate the holiday of April.

Festival prizes awarded

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Festival prizes were awarded to creators, persons of meritorious service and art organisations and artistes who showed refined artistic skills at the 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival, which was held in Pyongyang from April 7 to 18 with a large attendance. Collective prizes (certificate and cup) were conferred upon the Chinese Art Troupe, the "Berioska" Dance Troupe of Russia, the Ukrainian "Verevka" Choir, the Mongolian Art Troupe, the Art Troupe of Koreans in Japan and the Chinese Acrobatic Troupe. Prizes of merits were awarded to head of the art troupe of the Japan-Korea Musical and Art Interchange Association Mitsuko Ogasawara, Madagascan vocal soloist Ralai Narivo Noel Harvey, deputy head of the "Berioska" dance troupe of Russia Mira Koltsova, head of the Art Troupe of Koreans in the United States Hong Jong Ja, deputy head of the art troupe of Koreans in China Ri Sun Ok, deputy head of the delegation of the society for supporting the Kumgangsan Opera Troupe of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) Kim Kap Saeng, head of the visiting group of Koreans in Japan Kim Pom and head of the cyprian Musician's group Adamos Katsantonis. Individual prizes were conferred upon 38 artistes (vocal soloists) of Australia, Cuba, China, Mongolia and other countries and the art troupe of Koreans in the United States and other overseas Korean artistes, seven conductors of Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Romania, Mongolia and art troupes of Koreans in Japan and the United States and 13 foreign and overseas Korean artistes who played instrumental solos or ensemble. Art prizes were given to 49 excellent art pieces. Prizes of creation were awarded to 12 pieces including art work of a Mongolian artiste.

DPRK Central People's Committee thanks festival articipants

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sent a letter of thanks to the participants in the 15th April Spring Friendship Art Festival on April 18. The message says: The DPRK Central People's Committee extends warm thanks to the participants for sincerely praying for the eternal life of President Kim Il Sung, expressing support and solidarity for the just cause of the Korean people and greatly contributing to the cultural development of humankind. The festival has carried out its mission as a friendship stage of the progressive artists in the idea of independence, peace and friendship for the past 15 years since it started to meet the unanimous desire of artists of different countries. During the period foreign artistes and overseas Korean artistes strengthened solidarity and enhanced cultural exchange and cooperation through art activities so as to contribute to deepening friendship and cohesion among countries. The festival held around the 85th birth anniversary of the President greatly encouraged and delighted the Korean people in the vigorous efforts to progress the Korean-style socialism with confidence and optimism under the wise leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Expressing the belief that all the participants would actively participate in the traditional festival held every April in conformity with the desire of the world people for social progress, the DPRK Central People's Committee wishes them success in their activities of literature and art and cultural exchange.

5th anniversary of Pyongyang Declaration marked

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held at the People's Palace of Culture on April 18 to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of the Pyongyang Declaration "Let us defend and advance the cause of socialism". It was attended by Vice-President Ri Jong Ok, politburo member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials of party and power bodies and scientific, educational and foreign affairs organs as well as working people in Pyongyang. Present were foreign party delegations and delegates on a visit to Korea to commemorate the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. Delegations of 70 communist and workers' parties of the World, which were visiting Pyongyang to celebrate the 80th birthday of President Kim Il Sung, adopted the Pyongyang Declaration representing their commondesire to defend and advance the cause of socialism, on April 20, 1992. It clarified that setbacks of socialism in some countries could never mean negating the superiority of socialism to capitalism and the setbacks were caused by the failure of those countries to build socialism correctly in keeping with the aspirations and demands of the popular masses for independence. On this basis, it stressed that socialism must be built into a society true masters of which are the popular masses and that the revolutionary parties must independently conduct the socialist movement in accordance with the aspirations and demands of the people and the real conditions of their countries, upholding the banner of socialism. The parties which signed the Pyongyang Declaration have increased to 235 from 70 at the time of its publication. Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the political bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, said in his speech at the meeting that the publication of the Pyongyang Declaration was a historic event which dealt a decisive blow to the anti-socialist offensive of the imperialists and reactionaries and instilled confidence in sure victory of socialism into the hearts of progressive people and indicated the way for the international socialist movement to tide over the confusion and setbacks and make a new advance. He recalled that President Kim Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il made tireless efforts to frustrate the anti-DPRK, anti-socialist moves of the imperialists and save the international socialist movement from the crisis. A large number of revolutionary parties of many countries, drawing serious lessons from the setbacks of socialism, are making strenuous efforts to pave a revolutionary road of building the party independently and creatively, the speaker said, and continued: As a result, the international socialist movement has made a new start along the road of independence and the anti-socialist offensive of the imperialists been frustrated. The workers' Party and people of Korea will as ever strengthen international friendship and unity with the revolutionary parties, all the progressive parties aspiring after independence and actively support and encourage their cause of justice, upholding the banner of socialism, the banner of independence. Roberto Gabriele, secretary general of the movement for peace and socialism of Italy, said in his speech: The Pyongyang Declaration proved the truthfulness and justness of the socialist cause and the inevitability of its final victory and declared to the whole world the might of the powerful forces determined to remain loyal to the idea of socialism. To defend Korea's socialism is part of all the struggles of the communist, workers' and progressive parties of the world. Hardial Bains, national leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), said in his speech that socialism represents the present and the future of humankind. The Pyongyang Declaration on unity and cooperation among all the political parties fighting in the cause of socialism and communism is demonstrating greater vitality, he added. K. P. Oli, permanent member of the Central Committee of the Nepal Communist Party (United Marxism-Leninism), noted that the Pyongyang Declaration is a creation of the noble and common faith and aspirations of the communists, the working class and peaceloving people of the world for the socialist movement. "Our party will as ever fight in firm unity with the Korean people for the triumphant advance of socialism and greatly contribute to the victory of socialism by powerfully advancing the Nepali revolution in the spirit of the Pyongyang Declaration," he declared.

Greetings to Angolan Prime Minister

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, acting Premier of the Administration Council, sent a message of greetings to Fernando Jose Do Franza Dias Van-Dunem, angolan Prime Minister, on the inauguration of a government of national unity and reconciliation in Angola. The message said that the inauguration of the new government in Angola opened broad vistas for ending the prolonged civil war and achieving durable peace and stability in the country. It wished the Prime Minister success in his efforts for national unity, prosperity, economic development and improvement of the people's standard of living. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam sent a message of greetings to Angolan Foreign Minister Venancio Da Silva Moura on the same occasion.