Secy. Kim Jong Il congratulates KPA song and dance ensemble

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), met and had a picture taken with creators and artistes of the KPA song and dance ensemble, congratulating them on its 50th anniversary. Present there were KPA vice marshals Jo Myong Rok, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Il Chol and Jon Jae Son, generals Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong and col. general Ri Myong Su. Secretary Kim Jong Il expressed the belief that the song and dance ensemble will as ever successfully discharge its honorable mission and duty as the forerunner of struggle, Thus greatly contributing to the modelling of the whole army on the Juche idea.

Secy. Kim Jong Il enjoys art performance

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) - Secretary Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), enjoyed a performance given by the merited choir of the KPA song and dance ensemble to mark the 65th birthday of the KPA. The choir sang many songs including "National Anthem," "Song of the Korean People's Army," "The General is on the Frontline" and "We will defend the headquarters of revolution with our lives." The performers well showed the proud 65-year long history of the heroic KPA and the great national pride and honor of the servicemen and people of Korea blessed with the leaders and generals through generations. The performance demonstrated the militant stamina, indomitable fighting spirit, firm faith and will of the servicemen and people to become human rifles and bombs in devotedly defending Supreme Commander and accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche started in the forests on Mt. Paektu, under the leadership of the party without fail. After seeing the performance, Secretary Kim Jong Il noted with great satisfaction that the choir performed well in a revolutionary, militant manner and with high artistic skills as an art unit of the revolutionary army. He described the choir as a powerful ideological weapon of the KPA and highly praised the choir for instilling great strength and courage into the army and people and inspiring them to perform fresh feats in the allout movement for socialism. The audience included Choe Thae Bok, Yon Hyong Muk, Kim KukThae, Kim Ki Nam, Kim Jung Rin, Kim Yong Sun, Hyon Chol Hae, Kim Ha Gyu, Pak Jae Gyong and KPA generals and officers. Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, was also among the audience.

"Song of General Kim Jong Il", immortal revolutionary hymn

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The members of the Moranbong concert for disseminating music of the northern half of Korea, which is active in Pusan, south Korea, discussed a measure to widely disseminate the immortal revolutionary hymn "Song of General Kim Jong Il", the Seoul-based radio voice of national salvation quoted information of the Pusan city committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea as saying. The head of the concert said at a meeting that General Kim Jong Il is another peerless great man produced by the Korean nation as the people all over the world respect him. He went on: "The song was created as a famous song of the times, singing of his greatness. It is the immortal revolutionary hymn, which fascinates all the people, like 'Song of General Kim Il Sung'". He called for doing their best to make "Song of General Kim Jong Il" as well as "Song of General Kim Il Sung" ring loudly in the whole southern land. The meeting discussed the tasks to actively disseminate "Song of General Kim Jong Il", followed by a musical performance on the hymn by the members of the concert.

Congolese Senate delegation to visit Korea

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Senate of the Republic of the Congo led by its President Augustin Poignet will shortly visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the invitation of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly.

Rodong Sinmun urges withdrawal of U.S. military bases

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The U.S. troops stationed in south Korea and Japan pose constant threats to peace on the Korean Peninsula. This is the topic of a signed commentary of Rodong Sinmun today. Recalling that the U.S. Defence Department plans to deploy a cruiser equipped with aegis guided missile system in Yokosuka port within august this year and replace all its aircraft carriers with nuclear-powered ones, the analyst of the paper says: If peace is to be ensured on the Korean Peninsula, all the U.S. military bases in south Korea and Japan must be withdrawn. Peace cannot be ensured on the Korean Peninsula as long as the U.S. troops are present in south Korea and Japan. The U.S. clamourings about "military threats" from the DPRK are no more than a pretext to justify the augmentation of its military bases and the presence of its troops in south Korea and Japan. The U.S. design to strengthen its military bases in south Korea and Japan will only bring calamities upon itself.

Truth on "suspected kidnapping of Japanese girl"

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Measure Committee for Japan's Compensations to the "Comfort Women for the Army" and Pacific War Victims made public detailed information on the "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl" case. It says: A queer probe into the "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl by an operative of north Korea" is being tenaciously made in Japan. Judging from the fact that not only an opposition politician but also Japan-resident Koreans were kidnapped unhesitatingly by the puppet agency for National Security Planning (ANSP) of South Korea in the land of Japan styling itself a "law-governed state", it is clear what the current racket is seeking. We have warned more than once that the conservative politicians and venal media of Japan should clearly distinguish between justice and injustice and open their mouth instead of joining the "ANSP" of south Korea in its third-rate trick. In disregard of our repeated warnings, however, they, on a political order from the south Korean puppets, have persistently misled the public opinion, vociferating about a fiction full of falsity and deception and reversing white and black. To make matters worse, some Japanese politicians who pretend to have reasonable judgement took as true the "testimonies" given by "witnesses" produced by the "ANSP" and inaugurated a "superpartisan dietmen's league" to probe the suspected abduction in an attempt to make the case a fait accompli. This compels us to clarify the truth behind "the suspected kidnapping case". "Kidnapping case" faked up by the headquarters of terrorism and kidnapping There is no need to say that the case of "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl" was a dastardly political drama produced by the south Korean puppets to incite the oonsciousness of extreme confrontation against the DPRK and an anti-DPRK campaign of some pro-south Korean conservative politicians of Japan who have joined in the trick of the south Korean puppets. History proves that south Korea is a hotbed of terrorism and abduction. The successive rulers of south Korea unhesitatingly committed acts of terrorism and abduction and invented shocking cases against the DPRK whenever they were seized with the ruling crisis. In 1967 when feelings of democratisation of society and peaceful reunification showed signs of activity in south Korea, the "Korean Central Intelligency Agency", the predecessor of the "ANSP," fabricated a "case of operatives' team aimed at communising south Korea". In consequence, famous musician Yun I Sang and scores of overseas Koreans were kidnapped and carried to south Korea from West Germany, France, Italy and other west European countries. Many of them were harshly executed. South Korean opposition figure Kim Dae Jung was kidnapped in broad daylight in the centre of Tokyo on august 8, 1973. The south Korean puppets kidnapped Han Yong Gil, an official of the south Korean trade legation in Paris, after killing his wife in August 1979. The south Korean puppets murdered Kim Hyong Uk, former chief of the "Korean Central Intelligence Agency", at an underground cell of "Chongwadae". Cases of terrorism and abduction of Japan-resident Koreans in Japan more glaringly disclosed the true colors of the south Korean puppets as terrorists and kidnappers. Among them were the case of the kidnapping of the deputy director of Sidae in downtown Tokyo on September 17, 1976, the abduction of "Mindan-lining Japan-resident Korean Son Yu Hyong, his wife and son in June 1981 and the "case of spy Ryang Tal Jin" whom the south Korean puppets kidnapped after inviting him to "visit the hometown." The "ANSP" has fattened up and its methods of terrorism, abduction and murder have become more cruel since the Kim Young Sam "civilian"-veiled regime made its appearance. A large number of cases of terrorism and abduction including the "spy case of Kim Sam Sok and his sister" of September 1993 have been produced by the "ANSP" under the "civilian"-veiled "Government." This time, the agency produced a false drama called "kidnapping of a Japanese girl by a north Korean operative" in the land of Japan. If it is true that some Japanese girls have been missing since the 1970s, it is certain where they were taken to and for what purpose they have been used. The culprit is none other than the "ANSP" of south Korea, which worked out even the worst script for confrontation with the DPRK. What the "suspected kidnapping" case seeks All cases of terrorism and abduction produced by the south Korean puppets have been used as a political gamble to incite the consciousness of extreme confrontation with the DPRK, divert elsewhere the attention of the people and the political camp and thus bring the ruling crisis under control. The "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl" was also faked up as a link in the chain of operations of the "ANSP" to bridge over the crisis. It is a trite method of the south Korean puppets to produce false cases whenever their ruling crisis goes into the extremity. The Kim Young Sam group are in a crisis owing to the crimes they have committed and to their involvement in the Hanbo incident, the largest-ever scandal of irregularities and corruption. Foreign press reports said that the Hanbo typhoon, which blew away the "absolute power" and morality of Kim Young Sam, is shaking the south Korean regime to its very foundation. Although the Kim Young Sam group employed all conceivable tricks and artifices, they could not win support and divert elsehwere the attention of the people and press media. So, as the last method, they needed to fabricate a shocking case with another country as a theatre. This is one of the main purposes sought by the Kim Young Sam group when they produced the "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl" with Japan as a theatre. Another purpose of the Kim Young Sam group is to incite the consciousness of confrontation against the DPRK among the Japanese people, bar the progress of the relations between the DPRK and Japan and weaken the humanitarian assistance of the international community to the DPRK. to attain these sinister purposes, the south Korean puppets stood as "witnesses" those criminals who defected from the DPRK, and conservative politicians and venal media of Japan joined in the campaign for their own purpose. Japan is the only country which has refused to atone for the indelible crimes against the Korean people for more than half a century. The clamourings of the conservative politicians of Japan about "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl" are aimed at escaping from the moral blame for this refusal, by branding the DPRK as a terrorist state. However, it is a miscalculation. They would be well advised to know that the false drama will only bring their immorality and political ignorance into bolder relief. The more frenziedly they may engage themselves in anti-DPRK smear campaign, the bitterer the denunciation of them by the people at home and abroad will become. The conservative politicians and venal media of Japan should look squarely at the reality, stop joining hands with the south Korean puppets in their frantic smear campaign and try to make probe into the truth before it is too late. That is a correct prescription for the "suspected kidnapping case".

Punishment of Kim Hyon Chol urged in s. Korea

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Members of three civil Organizations, including the citizens' solidarity for democratic society and human rights, rallied in front of the building of the south Korean "national assembly" on April 25 to urge punishment of Kim Hyon Chol, a Seoul-based radio said. They criticized the ruling and opposition "assemblymen" for being at feud with each other, urging the arrest and investigation of Kim Hyon Chol, opening to the public of the "Presidential election" funds and the introduction of special prosecutors' system. The opposition "national congress for new politics" in a "parliamentary" hearing on April 25 vehemently denounced Kim Young Sam's ruling "New Korea Party" for instructing the ruling members of "special parliamentary panel for investigation into state affairs" to protect Kim Hyon Chol. Kim Hyon Chol denied all facts at the "parliamentary" hearing. His denial touched off anger from citizens.

Secy. Kim Jong Il's thanks to military paraders

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Secretary Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, sent thanks to the participants in the military parade held in commemoration of the 85th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and the 65th anniversary of the KPA. Secretary Kim Jong Il said the paraders should take the lead and become hardcore in carrying into practice the loyal pledge, which officers and men of the KPA three services took to Generalissimo Kim Il Sung this time. A ceremony of conveying the thanks took place on Sunday. Speakers renewed their resolution to hold Generalissimo Kim Il Sung in high esteem for all ages and become human rifles and bombs to defend the headquarters of the Korean revolution headed by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il, remaining loyal to his leadership with the unshakable faith that guided by him, they will always win. A letter of pledge to Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted at the ceremony. KPA Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok, Director of the KPA general political department, was present there.

Foreign Ministry spokesman on anti-DPRK campaign in Japan

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued a statement today on the anti-DPRK smear campaign which is being conducted in Japan over a "case of suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl." The statement says: Some Japanese media say the "case" is based on "unofficial information" the south Korean puppet security authorities provided to their Japanese counterpart. According to the "information," an unidentified "ex-operative" of north Korea who is also a "defector" heard from a hospital mate that north Korea "kidnapped" a Japanese middle school girl who is supposed to be the one missing in Niigata, Japan, twenty years ago. The "case" is thus based on preposterous speculation and supposition so that even the Japanese authorities call it a "suspicion." Judging from the fact that the "case" was raised by the puppet agency for National Security Planning of South Korea, it is not hard to guess the nature and truth of the "case." We have no need and no wish to kidnap a middle school girl in Japan. Although the Japanese Government is "investigating" the "case," facts clearly show that the DPRK has nothing to do with it. Because hostile forces had often launched an anti-DPRK smear campaign and we had no idea of the "case," we did not mind it at first. But, the background of the "case" is being brought to light and the "case" is turning into something against the dignity of the DPRK, we cannot but make our position clear. It is obvious that the south Korean puppets abruptly concocted the false case in a bid to prevent Japan from setting out on the improvement of relations with the DPRK in step with the progress in DPRK-U.S. relations. Nevertheless, some officials and media of Japan in concert with the south Korean puppets link the cases of people missing in Japan with the DPRK in a far-fetched way and raise the problem at the diet. They even formed a lliaison society of families of missing people" and "dietmen's league for probe into the suspected kidnapping," inciting hostile feelings toward the DPRK as never before. Japan will be the only victim if it is involved in the plot of the south Korean puppets. If the Japanese authorities, far from atoning for the past crimes and making sincere efforts to improve ties with the DPRK, continue with the smear campaign against the DPRK over the false case, we will be compelled to think that Japan is not interested in improvement of bilateral ties but is willing to stand in confrontation with the DPRK. and then, we will have to take legitimate countermeasures.

Working contact in Beijing proposed

Pyongyang, April 28 (KCNA) -- Ri Song Ho, acting chairman of the Central Committee of the Red Cross Society of the DPRK, today sent a telephone message to south Korean Red Cross president Kang Yong Hun with regard to the venue of the working contact between red cross delegates. The message said: The agenda and form of the contact, the composition of delegations and other major issues are believed to have been agreed upon by both sides, so we think that the issue of the venue can also be solved without an interim consultation, if the sides take a compatriotic and humanitarian stand. As was already pointed out by our side, Beijing is a place where the north and the south met and produced good results before and a proper place where the sides can hold contact without any burden. And it will not take much time to meet in Beijing. If your side has no other purpose, we believe that there is no reason to persistently oppose our proposal for holding the contact between red cross working delegates in Beijing. Ri Song Ho expressed the expectation that the south side would agree to the north side's proposal for the Beijing contact on May 3.