S. Korean war maniacs criticised

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- The Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland on Tuesday issued information No. 741 denouncing the south Korean war maniacs for conducting large-scale war exercises against the north under different codenames one after another. They staged a civilian-government-army joint drill against chemical and gas terrorism on July 11 and called commanders and operational officers above regimental commanders of the white horse unit to discuss tactics. The puppets conducted a joint exercise to counter bombardment attack in the central sector of the front together with the U.S. second division stationed in south Korea and the 75th artillery brigade from the U.S. mainland for three days from July 9, which was aimed at striking the indepth of the north. Their histeric war provocation moves are no more than an attempt to seek a way out of the present ruling crisis in north-south confrontation and new war provocation moves, said the information. It warned that if the south Korean warmongers run amuck without discretion, misunderstanding our will for peace and patience as feebleness, our people and People's Army will mete out ruthless punishment upon the aggressors and provokers.

Iranian Ambassador gives party to mark third death anniversary of President Kim Il Sung

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Iranian Ambassador to Korea Seyed Morteza Mirheidari gave a party at his Embassy on July 15 on the occasion of the third death anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. The Ambassador said in his speech that President Kim Il Sung embarked on the road of struggle against enemies of the Korean people in his early years and built an independent state as required by the people, successfully overcoming all difficulties for decades. Noting that Iran and the DPRK have traditional relations transcending the international usage, he said the two countries will support each other in the future, too, as they did in the difficult period. High-ranking officials of Iran have always been deeply interested in relations with the DPRK and called for the maintenance of good relations between the two countries, he stressed. Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam, who is also member of the political bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, said in his speech that the 80-odd-year life of President Kim Il Sung was a brilliant life of a great revolutionary and the tender-hearted father of the people who devoted all efforts to the freedom and happiness of the people, the peace of the world and friendship and unity among the progressive people. He added: We will continue making efforts to develop in all fields the friendly and cooperative relations which are based on the intimacy between President Kim Il Sung and Iranian leaders and Secretary Kim Jong Il is deeply interested in.

Basketball game between Korea and Cuba

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- A women's friendly basketball game between the youth selected team of Korea and the national selected team of Cuba was held in Pyongyang on July 14. The Cuban team won the game 77-75.

Institution of Juche calendar and the Day of Sun welcomed

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Mass meetings hailing the resolution on exalting President Kim Il Sung's revolutionary life and immortal exploits for all ages of the Central Committee and Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea and the National Defense Commission, Central People's Committee and Administration Council of the DPRK were held in South Phyongan, South Hwanghae, North Hamgyong, Jagang and Ryanggang provinces and Kaesong Municipality. The resolution was read out at the meetings. Speakers said at the meetings that the resolution on instituting the Juche calendar with 1912, when President Kim Il Sung was born as the Sun of Juche, as the first year mirrors the historical reality of the present times which is associated with his revolutionary life and immortal exploits and the ardent aspirations and desire of the Korean people. They recalled that he visited provinces and put his heart and soul into the development of the national economy in provinces and improvement of the working people's living standard in each period and at each stage of the development of the revolution. The entire party members, officers and men of the Korean People's Army and the people are much pleased to accept the resolution which creditably guarantees his eternal life as they are led by Secretary Kim Jong Il, the supreme incarnation of moral obligation, speakers stressed.

UNDP-assisted project completed

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- The UNDP-assisted project for soiless culture of vegetable greenhouse has been completed. A commissioning ceremony was held on the spot on Tuesday. Attending the ceremony were Vice-Chairman of the State External Economic Affairs Commission Ri Song Rok and other officials concerned, resident representative Christian Lemaire and officials of the UNDP. Speeches were exchanged at the ceremony. The participants looked round soiless culture facilities and production processes.

Press review

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Papers here today frontpage a report that Secretary Kim Jong Il sent thanks to officials and employees of the Pyongyang Underground Stores on the 10th anniversary of its opening. Officials of commissions and ministries of the Administration Council and national institutions, servicemen and civilians have visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay homage to President Kim Il Sung, says the press. Given in the press are accounts of events held in different countries to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the death of President Kim Il Sung. Papers report that a meeting of staffers of the Ministry of Public Security and Jagang, North Hwanghae, Ryanggang provincial and Kaesong municipal mass rallies were held to welcome the resolution on instituting the Juche calendar and the Day of Sun. Rodong Sinmun deals with preparations that are being made at the final stage in Korea to participate in the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students. Printed in papers is a statement of the spokesman for the north headquarters of the National Alliance for the Country's Reunification, which denounced the Kim Young Sam group of south Korea for cracking down upon the south headquarters because it sent relief fund to flood victims in the north. Rodong Sinmun carries an article on the beginning in Korea of the month of solidarity with the Cuban people. It is reported in the paper that a ceremony was held in Cuba to receive the remains of Ernesto Che Guevara, an internationalist soldier. In the semi-monthly review of the south Korean situation the paper stresses that the desire for independence, democracy and national reunification has been growing among the south Korean people. Minju Joson runs an article titled national character is basis for great national unity and the reunification of the country.

Rodong Sinmun on month of solidarity with Cuban people

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates a signed article to a month of solidarity with the Cuban people which is beginning in Korea. The author of the article says: In this month, colorful functions supporting the just cause of the Cuban people will be significantly held in Korea. The course covered by the Cuban people was a worthwhile and proud road to defend socialism of their own choice and triumphantly advance it. In this rigorous and glorious struggle, they have defended the national dignity and sovereignty of the country against the vicious challenges and blockade moves of the imperialists and reactionaries and given full scope to the true advantages of socialism. Their just cause has been supported by the world progressive people. The planned 14th World Festival of Youth and Students in Cuba is a clear manifestation of the support and solidarity of the world progressive people for the just cause of the Cuban people. To strengthen and develop friendship between the DPRK and Cuba accords with the common demands and interests of the two peoples, and is greatly conducive to defending the socialist cause and accomplishing the human cause of independence. The Korean people will steadily develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the Cuban people based on the intimacy between President Kim Il Sung and the respected President Castro and fight shoulder to shoulder with them on the common front for socialism. On the occasion of this month of solidarity, the Korean people extend militant greetings once again to the fraternal Cuban people and sincerely wish them fresh achievements in their struggle to defend the revolution and push ahead with the socialist construction under the correct leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba headed by President Castro.

Public security men welcome institution of Juche calendar and the Day of Sun

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- A meeting of the Ministry of Public Security men was held in Pyongyang on July 15 to welcome the resolution on exalting President Kim Il Sung's revolutionary life and immortal exploits for all ages issued by the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee and Central Military Commission and the DPRK National Defence Commission, Central People's Committee and Administration Council. Chae Mun Dok, Director of the Political Department of the Ministry of Public Security, read out the resolution at the meeting. Speakers, saying the resolution, which instituted the Juche calendar with 1912, when the President was born, as the first year and his birthday April 15, the greatest holiday of the nation, as sun's day, reflected aspiration of the Korean people and humankind, fully welcomed it. They said all public security men and soldiers of the Korean People's Security Forces have kept the glory and pleasure in their mind, determined to firmly defend the cause of the sun and to exalt it for all ages. They should absolutely believe in, deeply venerate and devotedly defend the Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il, the headquarters of our revolution, in any adversity.

Reverence for President Kim Il Sung in south Korea

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- The Kwangju Patriotic Citizens' Committee for Honoring the Memory of President Kim Il Sung sponsored a seminar on the first volume of part 1 the anti-Japanese revolution of his reminiscences with the century in Kwangju city to commemorate the third anniversary of his death, according to the Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation quoting information of the Kwangju City Committee under the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK). The speakers at the seminar said that the reminiscences is a biography which contains the brilliant life of President Kim Il Sung, a peerless hero and the greatest of outstanding great men in the present era, and a treasure house of ideas and theories which are followed by all people and a practical textbook for revolutionary movement. They quoted the President as recalling in the preface of his reminiscences: 'to believe in the people as in heaven' has been my constant view and motto. With this motto he ruled over the country and made an ever-victorious history all his life, they said. They stressed that the President was a great thinker and a great statesman who was born for the people and devoted all his life to the people. The participants hardened their determination to move up the glorious day of national reunification, bearing the reminiscences in mind as a philosophy of life, a banner of life and struggle, as the president wished in his lifetime, saying as the solar system is immutable, President Kim Il Sung will live forever as the brilliant sun which all the people hold at the head of the world and follow.

Institution of Juche calendar and the Day of Sun welcomed by Koreans in China

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA)-- Chairman of the Federation of the Korean Nationals in China Yang Yong Dong warmly welcomed the resolution on instituting the Juche calendar and the Day of Sun. He said that the resolution reflects the unanimous desire and aspirations of the Koreans in china to exalt the revolutionary life and immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung . With the adoption of the resolution which firmly guarantees his eternity, our nation will proudly record the history of the sun's nation for all ages and our country will shine forever as Kim Il Sung's Korea, he noted, adding: We Koreans overseas will commemorate April 15, the President's birthday, as sun's day with the people in the homeland generation after generation and exalt the revolutionary life and immortal exploits of the President for all ages.

Preparations in Korea for World Youth and Student Festival

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Preparations for participating in the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students are being accelerated towards completion in the DPRK The Korean Preparatory Committee for the festival was formed in July last year and held meetings three times to discuss matters concerning the participation of the Korean delegation in the festival. The third meeting held on May 26 finally decided to send a 500-member delegation to the festival and discussed the dispatch of an advance party, securing of assisting materials to the festival and the activity of a Korean youth art troupe. The preparatory committee, attaching great importance to the festival, organised subcommittees for political, cultural, artistic and sports activities. The Korean delegation will participate in opening and closing ceremonies and all other events to show strong sense of organisation and discipline of the Korean young people.

U.S. decides to donate food to the DPRK

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- The U.S. Government decided to donate 100,000 tons of food amounting to about 27 million U.S. dollars to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on July 14. The humanitarian measure is the U.S. Government's response to the July 9 call of the world food programme for sending food to the tune of 45,700,000 U.S. dollars to the DPRK. The U.S. Government has already sent food amounting to 25 million U.S. dollars to the DPRK in accordance with the measures it adopted on February 19 and April 15 this year.

Armed conflict on military demarcation line

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- The south Korean puppets fired recoilles guns and 12.7 mm machine-guns, about 3,060 shells and bullets in all, at People's Army soldiers on routine patrol duty near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) in the central sector of the front this morning. The firing left some of the People's Army soldiers seriouly injured and destroyed the outpost buildings. The People's Army soldiers were compelled to take self-defensive measures under the grave situation. The two sides, therefore, went into fierce armed conflict on the MDL. The reckless armed provocation of the puppets is part of Kim Young Sam's deliberate and premeditated moves to find a way out of the most serious ruling crisis in a shocking incident. Many a time, we have already criticised the puppets for obstructing the routine patrol duty in the area along the MDL. The south Korean puppets should act with discretion.

FM meets new Austrian Ambassador

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam met and conversed with new Austrian Ambassador to Korea Gerhard Ziegler who paid a courtesy call on him today.

Vice-President Ri Jong Ok meets Bulgarian Ambassador

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- Vice-President Ri Jong Ok met and conversed with Bulgarian Ambassador to Korea Yordan Mutafciev at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today when the latter paid a farewell call on him. Present there was Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Chang Ryong.