DPRK ready for final battle -- spokesman for Ministry of People's Armed Forces

Statement of spokesman for Ministry of People's Armed Forces

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will not hesitate to fight the final battle with the United States and the south Korean authorities if they so earnestly wish to make a military showdown with the DPRK. The spokesman for the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces of the DPRK warns this in a statement today as the dangerous scheme of the enemies to mount a forestalling attack on the DPRK is being put in action rapidly. The spokesman said: On June 17, the south Korean puppet navy and marine corps staged a "joint landing exercise" involving various types of warships and large military forces as what they call a "demonstration of operations of combined battle groups" on the East Sea of Korea. On June 14, puppet marine corps units held a surprise landing exercise aboard I.B.S. rubber boats, simulating the distance between the Paekryong Island on the West Sea of Korea and the seashore of the north side. The enemies overtly describe the exercises as aimed at "enhancing the operability for landing on the enemy seashore anytime and anywhere." They have gone so far as to threaten they will take a "countermeasure" and spread a "sea of fire" against the DPRK on the military demarcation line and "retaliate" on the DPRK even by using chemical weapons stockpiled in south Korea. It is common military knowledge that landing exercise is attack exercise that goes beyond self-defence. We cannot overlook the fact that the recent exercises were landing exercises for attack. It is self-evident what the attack exercises are targeted at. The enemies' landing exercises are obviously part of their aggressive and offensive combat exercises against the DPRK. We have warned more than once that the rumour extensively spread by the United States and the south Korean puppets from the beginning of the year about "possibility of the outbreak of war" by the food shortage-stricken DPRK is to create circumstances for a forestalling attack on the DPRK. The enemies consider that the circumstances for the attack operations have been ripe in the main. Since the beginning of this month, we have sharply watched the ill-boding military movements of the south Korean puppet army on the East and West coasts of Korea and the mobile exercises of the U.S. imperialist aggression forces coinciding with them. On June 14 when the surprise landing exercise of the south Korean puppet army was going on, the U.S. military moved the control stations of the 13th marine flying regiment from Iwakuni of Japan and the West Coast of the U.S. mainland to the Osan Air Force Base in south Korea in order to carry out a long-distance nonstop flight exercise along the Iwakuni-Osan route and the U.S. mainland -Okinawa-Osan route. It is clear what the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppets seek. The enemies are thought to believe it is high time they made a forestalling attack since the DPRK is temporarily suffering from repeated natural disasters and numerous soldiers of its armed forces are engaged in farming in the socialist countryside. They are mistaken, however. The chief executive of south Korea is trying to aggravate the tensions and make a military showdown with the north in a bid to find a way out of the serious political crisis caused by the Hanbo incident, the "Presidential Election campaign funds" and other scandals. Dialogue and war are incompatible. The enemies are outwardly calling for "four-way talks" for a lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and, behind the scenes, making war preparations in earnest. At this moment when dark clouds of war are rushing toward our motherland and fighting is about to break out, our revolutionary armed forces cannot remain an onlooker to the situation, pinning hopes on dialogue for an indefinite period. It is the noble mission of the Korean people's army to safeguard the socialist motherland and the people reliably by force of arms. When aggression is triggered off, counterattack will follow inevitably. Our people's army will level its guns at every movement of the enemies and promptly take relevant countermeasures. If the enemies try to test our will and military strength despite our repeated warnings, our people's army will mobilize all potentials consolidated for scores of years and give vent to our people's pent-up grudges and wrath.

Song of General Kim Jong Il widespread in s. Korea

Pyongyang,June 18 (KCNA) -- Members of the Pusan Regional Branch of the "Haenim Pyolnim" song society sent to different patriotic organizations the cassettes which recorded the "Song of General Kim Jong Il" over radio Pyongyang, according to Seoul-based radio voice of national salvation quoting information of the Pusan City Committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea. Participants in a song-disseminating session on May 15 said that they feel the great honor and happiness of the Korean nation holding the respected general, a great man of the century, in high esteem as the leader of the nation. The song is the life-giving water implanting hope and ecstasy in the mind of the people in south Korea who have been undergoing sufferings owing to the 50-year-long division of the nation, they said, adding: "We should bring earlier the day when we will sing the song in the presence of the general at the square of reunification."

Memorial committee for President Kim Il Sung formed in Cambodia

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Cambodian Committee for Honoring the Memory of President Kim Il Sung was formed in Phnom Penh on June 12. King Norodom Sihanouk was elected the Honorary chairman of the Committee and First Prime Minister and Chairman of the Funcinpec Party Prince Norodom Ranariddh elected the chairman of the committee. The committee has Princess Norodom Bophadevi as its First Vice Chairperson, deputy prime minister in charge of the royal palace and member of the Standing Commission of the People's Party of Cambodia Kong Sam Ol as its vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Funcinpec Party Om Rasady as its Secretary General. The committee decided to hold memorial events and memorial evening, improve Generalissimo Kim Il Sung street and introduce the greatness of President kim Il Sung and the achievements made under his leadership through mass media.

War manoeuvres against north

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Kim Young Sam group on June 17 mobilized the puppet naval force and marine corps for a large-scale landing exercise against the north on the East Coast, a Seoul-based radio reported. The "civilian"-veiled war maniacs announced that the exercise was "aimed at increasing the operability for landing on the coastal areas of the enemy irrespective of time and place," undisguisedly revealing the aggressive nature of the exercise. This unprecedented fact shows how far the "civilian"-veiled regime's acts against the nation have gone. On the same day, they staged a frantic war exercise in Seoul by setting in motion a unit of the puppet army. The facts prove that the Kim Young Sam group are hellbent on war preparations against the north.

Period for honoring memory of President Kim Il Sung set in Nepal

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A ceremony of setting a period for honoring the memory of President Kim Il Sung was held in Kathmandu on June 8. A declaration adopted at the meeting said that President Kim Il Sung National Memorial Commission of Nepal decided to set a memorial period from June 8 to July 8 and called upon the Nepalis and progressives around the world and various organizations of different countries promoting friendly relations with the DPRK to conduct activities to exalt his life and ideas. C. P. Mainali, Chairman of the Commission, said in his speech: "The Nepali people ardently revere President Kim Il Sung, the great leader of the Korean people. "The President created the Juche idea, the original idea of revolution, and opened up the Juche-oriented revolutionary road." "The President led the Korean revolution to victory without any turns and twists and contributed to accomplishing the world people's cause of independence." "The socialist cause pioneered by the president is being carried forward by Secretatry Kim Jong Il." "The progressive people of the world are rejoiced over this fact."

Japan has nothing to do with "four-way talks"

Pyongyang, June18 (KCNA) -- The Japanese right-wing reactionary forces have nowadays busied themselves with asking some countries for "cooperation" in making the northern half of Korea participate in the "four-way talks" and with calling directly upon the north to attend the talks, says Rodong Sinmun in a commentary today. Criticising their behaviour as a shameless and imprudent one, the news analyst continues: Japan is not a party to the "four-way talks." Therefore, She has no justification to poke her nose into it. The north has neither asked Japan for intervention in the Korean question nor does it need to do so. It is the DPRK and the United States that are responsible for settling the Korean question. The Japanese authorities' interference in the "four-way talks" represents their frivolent diplomatic attitude. It is absurd that they consider the "influence" of a third party and their "direct call" would work on the DPRK. In handling its own issues, the DPRK does not read other's face nor wants other's advice. Regardless of anyone's advice or call, the DPRK will handle its own issues according to its decision and judgement. The Japanese right-wing reactionaries had better stay calm before they suffer bigger disgrace. They should learn to mind their p's and q's rather than Poke their nose into the "four-way talks".

False drama

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) - The Kim Young Sam group are clamouring about what is called "murder of a citizen" by the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon). This case is a political trick, says Rodong Sinmun in a commentary today. "Hanchongryon" declared through a wall-paper on June 12 that the person who beat to death an unidentified citizen at Hanyang University in Seoul on June 4 was a police agent in the guise of student, the paper notes, and says: The drama invented by the Kim Young Sam group reminds one of last year's August 15 events. At that time they charged "Hanchongryon" with "murder of a policeman" in a bid to cause an unprecedented bloodbath. They must immediately stop the repression of "Hanchongryon", mindful that the reckless move will only precipitate their disgraceful doom. Now that it has been made clear the case was cooked up by Kim Young Sam on the point of ruin, students and people in south Korea should on no account pardon the traitor but oust him through a united struggle.

Countermeasure to Japan's moves will be taken

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- If Japan continues to seek confrontation with the DPRK, the latter will have no other alternative but take a countermeasure according to the international law. The Korean Democratic Lawyers' Association said this in a statement on June 17 denouncing the Japanese reactionaries for implanting sentiments of confrontation with the DPRK into the minds of Japanese people and intensifying the hostile policy toward it over the "four-way talks" and the "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl". The statement noted: it is ridiculous for the Japanese reactionaries to interfere in the internal affairs of others without any reason, qualification and ground, calling for the DPRK's participation in the "four-way talks". The "four-way talks" is a question pertaining to our sovereignty which we should resolve according to our judgement and not on the recommendation of others. The Japanese reactionaries are making a fuss, suspecting the DPRK of having "kidnapped a Japanese girl," a case which was faked up by the "Agency for National Security Planning" of south Korea. This is aimed at inciting hostile feelings toward the DPRK and avoiding atoning for the past crimes against the Korean people despite the world people's strong demand. We can never allow Japan to hurl mud at us, interfere in our internal affairs and encroach upon the sovereignty of the Korean people, far from discharging its legal responsibility and moral obligation for the crimes against Korea at an early date. Considering that Japan cannot evade the blame for the crimes against the Korean people, we strongly demand it immediately apologize for slandering us over the "four-way talks" and the "suspected kidnapping of a Japanese girl."

Press review

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today gives frontpage prominence to events held in different countries to mark the third anniversary of the death of President Kim Il Sung under the banner title "H.E. Kim Il Sung is a distinguished statesman, philosopher and leader of the world." Under the fixed title "They always worked together for the people", the paper carries an article entitled "The road covered by great men together", illustrated by a picture of President Kim Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il going round Kwangbok Street (May, 1989). Papers dedicate articles to the 2nd anniversary of the publication of Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "Giving Priority to Ideological Work is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism" (June 19, 1995). Papers also introduce the experience of ideological work in different units. Papers convey news that trade unionists of Korea made an excursion to Jong Il Peak, 41 years since Secretary Kim Jong Il paved the way for excursion to Mt. Paektu revolutionary battle sites. Papers introdue the three-revolution exhibition, which was inspected by Secretary Kim Jong Il a few days ago. Given in the press is an account of a Pyongyang meeting held to mark the 10th anniversary of the June popular resistance in south Korea. Printed in papers are a statement issued by the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Working People of Korea denouncing the Kim Young Sam group's suppression of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) and an article saying that the "Agency for National Security Planning" is behind the row of secession from "Hanchongryon." Rodong Sinmun in a commentary says that "murder of a citizen" by "Hanchongryon" is a political trick. Appearing in papers is a statement issued by the Korean Democratic Lawyers' Association with regard to the recent anti-DPRK campaign of the Japanese right-wing reactionaries. Rodong Sinmun in a commentary denounces the Japanese reactionaries for their interference in "four-way talks". Seen in the paper is an article headlined "Without revolutionary conscience you can not defend socialism".

U.S. urged to cooperate in repatriation of long-term prisoners from s. Korea

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Chairmen of the Guyana-Korea Friendship Association, the Guyana Labor Union and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union and the Secretary General of the National Association of Workers in Agriculture, Commerce and Industry sent letters in joint name to the U.S. President and Congress on June 5, requesting cooperation in the repatriation of the unconverted long-term prisoners in south Korea. The letters said with deep concern that Kim In So, Ham Se Hwan and Kim Yong Thae, former soldiers of the Korean People's Army and prisoners of war, have not yet been sent back to the DPRK. It said: we hold that the U.S., one side of the Korean War, should pay due attention to them and exert full influence upon the south Korean authorities with a view to settling their repatriation issue. "We are convinced that their repatriation will have good influence on detente in the Korean Peninsula and improvement of relations between the DPRK and U.S."

Better treatment of Korean schools demanded

Tokyo, June 16 (KNS-KCNA) -- Organizations under the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) conducted a signature campaign in demand of better treatment of Korean schools. Some 590 Chongryon officials and Korean compatriots, teaching staff and students got signs from 8,580 Japanese people at the major stations of Tokyo on June 11. On June 4 and 7 the signature campaign was held by Chongryon organizations in Hiroshima prefecture and Nishikobe, Hyogo prefecture.

Stop to suppression of "Hanchongryon" urged

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Working People of Korea (UAWPK) made public a statement on Tuesday denouncing the Kim Young Sam fascist clique for brutally scheming to disorganize the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon). The manoeuvres to undermine "Hanchongryon" more clearly show the brutal and treacherous colors of the Kim Young Sam group, the statement said, and went on: All the struggle of "Hanchongryon" is for the country and the nation. It is absolutely just both in view of the south Korean people's aspiration for independence, democracy and reunification and in view of their demand for immediate resignation of Kim Young Sam. In the name of the agricultural working people in the northern half of Korea the UAWPK Central Committee bitterly condemns the south Korean fascist clique's brutal suppression of "Hanchongryon", branding it as the last-ditch efforts to calm down the daily growing anti-Kim Young Sam Struggle and bridge over the serious ruling crisis. The Kim Young Sam fascist clique must stop the suppression of "Hanchongryon" at once and step down without delay as demanded by the south Korean people. The statement expressed the hope that the south Korean peasants will valiantly join other people in the struggle to overthrow the Kim Young Sam fascist clique, who crack down on the righteous struggle of their sons and daughters at the point of the bayonet.

"ANSP", wirepuller of secession from "Hanchongryon"

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Secession from the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) that is now sweeping some universities of south Korea is an act manipulated by the "Agency for National Security Planning ", a plot-breeding headquarters, stresses Rodong Sinmun in a commentary today. The news analyst goes on: In a bid to divert elsewhere the public attention with "security-oriented politics", Kim Young Sam instructed the "ANSP" to invigorate activities of the "headquarters for joint investigation into left-wing offenders of Hanchongryon" and to conduct in full scale the operation to undermine and disorganize "Hanchongryon", which stands in the van of struggle against the traitorous regime, from within. On his instructions, the "ANSP" mobilizes its agents in student councils in this operation. Some days ago, an agent of the "ANSP" disguised as a student beat to death an unidentified "young citizen" at Hanyang University which was crowded with students for inaugural ceremony of "Hanchongryon". And the "ANSP" has shifted the blame for the death on to "Hanchongryon". Facts illustrate that the abnormal situation within the south Korean student movement is another product of the despicable plot of the Kim Young Sam group to evade the crisis by "stamping out Hanchongryon".

Wang Su Bok's vocal recital held

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A vocal recital of merited actress Wang Su Bok (80) was held at the Pyongyang International House of Culture some time ago. The recital was all the more impressive with the performance of her disciples. She is a popular singer who sang "The girl in a swing", "sound of water and machines in fields", "The song of Mt. Myohyang" and other folk songs. At the recital, she sang well "Ryonggang Kinari", "Our Peasants", "The Ballad of Plum Tree", "Feed-Bag", "Cuckoo" and other folk songs loved by the people. She told reporters that she had the honor of holding her recital thanks to the benevolent loving care of Secretary Kim Jong Il. In the middle of April, the general sent the 80th birthday table to her. He arranged the vocal recital and selected songs for Her. And he saw to it that she could perform with her disciples to make the recital more significant. Wang Su Bok is an honorary singer at the Yun I Sang Musical Institute.

Committees to honor the memory of President Kim Il Sung formed abroad

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Committees for Recalling and Honoring the Memory of President Kim Il Sung have been formed in more than 30 countries to pay deep homage to him on the occasion of his third death anniversary. The committees consist of the Angolan Minister of Public Information, the Maltese Minister of Communications, Aghanaian Minister, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Tajik Communist Party, and other senior government officials, leaders of political parties, political and public figures. Speakers at inaugural meetings of the committees said that it is the natural obligation of the progressive people of the world to recall and honor the memory of President Kim Il Sung on the occasion of his death anniversary and that they will make all efforts to organize ceremonies best in contents and forms. The meetings decided to set a memorial month from June 8 To July 8 and hold memorial meetings, photo exhibitions, film shows, lecture meetings, publication of bulletins, press interviews and media propaganda and so on. An appeal to political parites, public organisations and friendship organisations in different countries was adopted at an inaugural meeting of the Zimbabwean National Committee for Recalling President Kim Il Sung. The appeal called upon political parties, public organisations and friendship organisations in different countries to set July 8 as a day of praying for the eternal life of President Kim Il Sung, the great sun of Juche and hold various ceremonies to praise and follow his exploits and pray for his eternal life on the day. The committees in different countries are widely holding various ceremonies according to their plans.

Socialist ideological position cemented under party's leadership

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) - Rodong Sinmun today dedicates a signed article to the second anniversary of the publication of Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "Giving Priority To Ideological Work Is Essential for Accomplishing Socialism" (June 19, 1995). The work comprehensively consummates the essence and necessity of ideological work, its basic task and content, principle and method, and all the theoretical and practical problems arising in cementing the socialist ideological position. The article says: with the socialist ideological position built impregnably under the wise leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il, the Korean people have firmly defended the Korean-style socialism in spite of the vicious anti-DPRK manoeuvres of the imperialists and the temporary economic difficulties. Secretary Kim Jong Il is constantly developing and inriching the Juche-based socialist ideas with new principles and contents in conformity with the requirement of the present time and the developing revolution by conducting his ideological and theoretical activities with extraordinary inquiry and energy. He consistently pays attention to the ideological work to firmly arm the entire people with the socialist ideas. He makes all the ideological work of the Workers' Party of Korea consistent with education in the Juche idea, leads the ideological work to be conducted freshly and substantially in the reality and ensures that ideological work can be the concern of the party, the state and society under the leadership of the WPK. With steadfast revolutionary principle, he does not allow any ideological elements alien to the socialist ideas to infiltrate into our society. He has firmly defended the purity of the Juche idea, decisively smashing any reactionary theory to distort the Juche idea and weaken its attraction. Our socialist ideological position will be eternally impregnable under the revolutionary and principled leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il, who is holding high the banner of the Juche idea, the article stresses.

Secy. Kim Jong Il's start of work at Party Central Committee commemorated

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held today at the 6,000-seat theatre of the April 25 House of Culture 33 years after Seceratry Kim Jong Il started working at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on June 19, 1964. It was attended by Ri Jong Ok, Pak Song Chol, Kim Yong Nam and and other senior party and state officials. Choe Thae Bok, alternate member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, delivered a report entitled "Let us fill the whole party and society with the idea of the red flag and the spirit of resolutely safeguarding the leader". The reporter said that, with Secretary Kim Jong Il directing the party work, an epochal turn has been effected in the party building and activities and the Korean revolution has developed onto a new higher stage under the banner of modelling the whole society on the Juche idea. The reporter further said: Directing the WPK and the Korean revolution in the van for more than 30 years, Secertary Kim Jong Il, possessed of political and military intelligence, the great idea and noble virtues and outstanding leadership, has firmly cemented the political, ideological, military, economic and cultural foundations for the accomplishment of the cause of President Kim Il Sung, the Juche cause of socialism. Right after he started his work at the Party Central Committee, Secretary Kim Jong Il clearly indicated the originality of the Juche idea, the revolutionary idea of President Kim Il Sung, and its position in the history of the world. He is a great statesman and lodestar of socialism who successfully formed a harmonious whole of the party, the army and people, three major forces of the revolution, and built an impregnable fortress of socialism on this land with the might of the harmonious whole. Secretary Kim Jong Il is a genuine people's leader who, regarding the people as his god, has devoted his all to their freedom and happiness. He had covered more than 624,700 ri to guide party organisations, people's army units and other units, more than 7,090 all told, till the end of last year since he directed the party and the revolution. The reporter further said: if we are to resolutely defend and accomplish the cause of the Korean-style socialism centred on the people, it is imperative to strengthen the WPK and enhance its leading role. The party leadership is the life and soul of socialism and means the guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il. All the party members and people should prepare themselves to be faithful revolutionary soldiers of Secretary Kim Jong Il. They should invariably uphold their leader singleheartedly with the steadfast revolutionary outlook on the leader, come what may. The idea of the red flag and the spirit of resolutely safeguarding the leader should be prevalent in the whole society and, to this end, all the party members and people should actively learn from the spirit of revolutionary soldiers. The more strained the situation, the greater efforts should be put into strengthening the people's army on the basis of the revolutionary philosophy that the destiny of socialism and the development of the country are guaranteed by the might of the people's army. The imperialists and the reactionaries may try desperately and there may be some traitors and renegades as the revolution is prolonged and manifold difficulties crop up, but we do not feel surprised at all. With no desperate efforts can the enemy block the great struggle and triumphant advance of the Korean people, the reporter declared.

Ill-intentioned behaviour of U.S. company revealed

Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- The Chief Secretary of the Korean Committee for the Promotion of International Trade gave answers to questions put by KCNA today as regards the rumour about the failure to implement its contract for barter trade with the Cargill Inc. of the United States. He said: As already reported, the Korean Committee for the Promotion of International Trade signed a contract with the Cargill Inc. of the United States on exchanging electric zinc for 20,000 tons of wheat. However, the contract is still under discussion because of some different opinions which occured in the course of its implementation. This is a common practice in international trade activities and is also envisaged in the contract. Nevertheless, the Cargill Inc. is setting abroad groundless rumours that the contract was unilaterally abrogated by the DPRK because it is receiving sufficient food from the international community. The company's behaviour is an inhumanitarian act throwing a wet blanket over the sincerity of different countries, international organisations and public organisations which have rendered humanitarian assistance to the DPRK as an expression of their sympathy for its present food shortage. The act was urged by a sinister design to deliberately distort the fact. By hurling mud at the DPRK, the company revealed its true intention to hurt the DPRK. Contrary to their intention, however, the humanitarian assistance to the DPRK from the international community will enjoy due appreciation and bear a good result. All the Korean people including the servicemen have turned out as one in the campaign to clear away the consequences of the natural disasters. We will surmount the present temporary food shortage by our own efforts at any cost.