Japanese-Korean women to visit home

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- The spokesman for the Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee issued a statement today. The statement says: There live in Korea Japanese women who married Koreans. Some of them are those who married in Korea during the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule. Most of them, however, married Koreans who had been drafted for forced labor in Japan or gone to Japan to make a living. These women followed their husbands repatriating to the DPRK in 1959 and later. Under the magnanimous policy of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the DPRK Government, the Japanese women have acquired DPRK citizenship and become dignified citizens of the DPRK. They are enjoying socialist democracy and freely taking part in socio-political life as full-fledged members of the man-centred socialist society of Korea. They have received high education according to their hope, aptitude and ability, have stable jobs, enjoy material and cultural benefits from the state and society and lead a worthy and happy life. The case is the same with their children. They regard the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as their motherland that guarantees their present happiness and bright future. However, there are some people in Japan who raise a hue and cry over issue of Japanese women in Korea. Any issue related to these women belongs to the sovereignty of the DPRK, which looks after their destinies in a responsible manner. No one else is supposed to poke his nose into this issue. Ever since the issue of Japanese-Korean women's visit to home was put on the order of the day, the WPK and the DPRK Government have consistently paid deep attention to it, regarding it as a humanitarian issue. This humanitarian issue has not been solved because of the abnormal relations between the DPRK and Japan. The Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee has decided to take steps for Japanese-Korean women in advanced years to visit their hometowns in Japan in accordance with the humanitarian measure of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK Government, taking into account the women's wish to meet with their families and relatives and the requests made by Japanese politicians and authorities recently through various channels. A competent organ of the DPRK plans to have contact with its Japanese counterpart to discuss technical matters. We express hope that the Japanese side will take a sincere attitude toward the humanitarian measure of the WPK and the DPRK Government.

S. Korean newsmen urged to refrain from complying with ANSP's criminal demand

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Since the south Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo carried an anti-communist, anti-north editorial some time ago, anti-communist organizations and such human dregs as Pak Hong under the baton of the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP) have got frenzied with false propaganda against the north, sympathizing with Chosun Ilbo. In this regard, the journalists of the Korean Central News Agency and the DPRK Radio and Television Broadcasting Committee sent letters to the newsmen of the Yonhap News Agency and the broadcasting system of south Korea on Wednesday. Saying that Chosun Ilbo's editorial is something like a declaration of war, the most grave provocation against the north, the letters say: The Journalists of the News Agency and the Broadcasting Committee of the north consider that the editorial full of malicious abuses of our dignified political system is not a casual incident but a deliberate and premeditated crime against the north, a coproduction of the rulers, the ANSP and Chosun Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo, which has engaged in hackwork, defended by Chongwadae and the ANSP, has even called for overthrow of the system of the north. It is natural that Chosun Ilbo is branded as a group of criminals who have fueled confrontation within the nation, not as press organ. And it deserves severe retaliation. The south Korean pressmen should categorically reject such acts as fostering antagonism and confrontation, going against national reunification and reconciliation. We hope that you and other south Korean pressmen will neither comply with the ANSP's criminal manipulation and demand nor take the choice of making suicide together with the despicable mountebanks of the anti-national, anti-reunification civilian regime in its waning days. We express the belief that you will make efforts for the historic cause of national reunification, deeply aware of your mission for the time and history.

Secy. Kim Jong Il praised in s. Korea

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Members of the Patriotic Reunification Society Active in Mapho district, Seoul, held a symposium on the subject of co-ordinates of reunification and tasks of the people to mark the 25th anniversary of the publication of the July 4 Joint Statement, according to the Seoul-based radio Voice of National Salvation quoting information of the Seoul Municipal Committee of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK). The speakers highly praised the tireless efforts and immortal feats of President Kim Il Sung who put his heart and soul into the work for reunification from the first period of national division to the last moment of his life, saying that reunification is the biggest gift he will give to our nation. Chairman of the Society Kim Il Chun said in his concluding speech Secretary Kim Jong Il is a great lodestar of reunification who is just identical to President Kim Il Sung. The general is reunification. He appealed to all the members to devote themselves to the noble cause of reunification under the leadership of the General.

President Kim Il Sung's work published abroad

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA)-- A celebrated work of President Kim Il Sung 10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country was published in book form by the Ratindata Publishing House, Paraguay, to mark the third anniversary of his death. The pamphlet says in the preface that the publishing house introduces with satisfaction the 10-Point Programme advanced by the President of the DPRK, a great world-famous leader of the brave Korean people and socialism. It expresses support to the desire and will of the Korean people for reunification.

Rodong Sinmun on " Presidential Election" due in south Korea

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today comes out with a signed commentary on " Presidential Election " to be held in south Korea at the end of this year. The author of the commentary says: The election will become an unprecedentedly fraudulent one with Government power being invoked and money being squandered. This is illustrated by scrambles and swindles among bosses of "New Korea Party" for a candidate. The Kim Young Sam group intend to turn the upcoming "Presidential election" into an unheard-of theatre of vote rigging at the point of the bayonet and with Government power and money as they did in the former presidential campaign. They desperately try to realise their design for resumption of power, but in vain.

Rodong Sinmun calls for no expectation from imperialists' prescription

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- There is no reliance to be placed on the imperialists' prescription allegedly for a solution to some countries' economic difficulties and disputes, says Rodong Sinmun today. In an article the daily says the prescription they are advertising in different parts of the world is only aimed at interfering in and dominating other nations. The imperialists have described their aid as choice of developing nations for their economic development, but it only brings economic dependence to them, the daily says, and continues: Their prescription for a solution to disputes is nothing but a pretext for interference. The imperialists want to benefit from the disputes, acting mediators. If some nations are to solve economic difficulties and disputes, their people should preserve the Juche character and national character and solve all the problems with their own efforts.

Hanchongryon on August reunification festival

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) vowed to hold a grand reunification festival of youth and students in August in the teeth of Kim Young Sam group's repression, said radio No.1 from Seoul. Hanchongryon in its action program sent to the universities throughout south korea on July 16 declared it would participate in the grand reunification festival to be held simultaneously in the north, south and overseas for three days from August 13 under the sponsorship of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification. Hanchongryon said it will hold a general rally to coincide with the congress of the New Korea Party for the nomination of candidates for presidency on July 21 and hold a meeting for training officials of the grand festival for three days from July 29 to make full preparations. The radio added it is expected that the fascist clique would mount a wholesale suppression like the Yonsei University situation related to the August reunification festival last year and the Hanyang University situation concerning the inaugural ceremony of Hanchongryon.

Floral baskets from foreign party and state leaders

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Algerian President Liamine Zeroual and General Secretary of the General People's Congress of Yemen Abdul Karim Al Iriyani sent floral baskets to the DPRK embassies in their countries on July 8 on the occasion of the third death anniversary of President Kim Il Sung. A ceremony for laying a floral basket before a portrait of President Kim Il Sung was held at the DPRK Embassy in Harare on July 8 to commemorate the third anniversary of his death. The National Chairman of the Central Committee of the Patriotic Front of Zimbabwe laid a floral basket before the portrait of President Kim Il Sung in the name of Robert G. Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, First Secretary and President of the Central Committee of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic front. The National Chairman of the Central Committee of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, the speaker of parliament, the Minister of Transport and Energy, the Minister of State of the Presidential Office, the Minister of Environment, Political and public figures laid floral baskets, bouquets and flowers before the portrait of President Kim Il Sung.

Friendship gathering on month of solidarity with Cuban people

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- A friendship gathering was sponsored by the Korea-Cuba Solidarity Committee on July 16 on the month of solidarity with the Cuban people with the approach of the 44th anniversary of the July 26 armed uprising of the Cuban people. Present there were Kim Myong Chol, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural Working People of Korea, and other officials concerned and Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona, Cuban Ambassador to Korea, and Embassy officials. The participants deepened the feelings of friendship, talking about strengthening and development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two peoples based on the intimacy between President Kim Il Sung and the respected President Fidel Castro Ruz and about joint front for socialism.

Institution of Juche era and the Day of Sun welcomed

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Mass rallies were held in North Phyongan, Kangwon and South Hamgyong provinces and Nampho Municipality on Tuesday to hail the resolution on instituting the Juche era and the Day of Sun. At the rallies, speakers representing different social strata expressed their full support for the resolution, saying it reflects the unanimous wish and will of regional Party members and other working people to uphold President Kim Il Sung as the Sun of Juche for all ages. They made up their minds to exalt the revolutionary life and immortal exploits of the President forever under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Stop to crackdown on Hanchongryon urged

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- The overseas headquarters of the National Alliance of Youth and Students for the Country's Reunification (Pomchonghakryon) in a statement on July 3 said it would make a strong counter-attack on the Kim Young Sam group, considering the arrest of the Chairman of the South Korean Federation of University Student Councils (Hanchongryon) and crackdown on the organisation to be a challenge to all the overseas youth and students who want reunification. It warned that however much the Kim Young Sam group may resort to repression, they can never break the desire of 70 million fellow countrymen for reunification and the stamina of youth and students and that the successive dictators betraying the wish of the nation met a miserable end. It demanded that the authorities of the south side immediately stop destroying and suppressing Hanchongryon, set free its Chairman Kang Wi Won and other hardcore members and repeal the National Security Law, an evil law. It also demanded that the authorities of the south side stop brutal suppression of the civil movement for reunification and ensure independent interchange of youth and students in the north, south and overseas.

President Kim Il Sung's days at the Jilin Yuwen Middle School published in China

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- A book President Kim Il Sung's days at the Jilin Yuwen Middle School (Chinese version) was published in China to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of the middle school. Described in detail in the book are the revolutionary activities made by President Kim Il Sung while studying at the Yuwen Middle School in Jilin from January 1927 after he formed the down-with-imperialism union in Huadian. Also contained in the book are stories related to his early revolutionary activities. In chapters titled independent research, unique idea, new generation, new start, for justice, denouncing the wicked enemies and to mix with the popular masses the book says the President brought up hardcore members of the Korean revolution, laid the mass foundation for the revolution and trained the communist revolutionary ranks of the new generation in the practical struggle against Japanese imperialism and the reactionary warlords of China. it adds that the President created the Juche idea, a new guiding idea of the revolution, in his early years and indicated correct lines, strategies and tactics of the Korean revolution on the basis of this idea. The President enjoyed unbounded respect and trust from all people for his outstanding wisdom, leadership and noble virtues, and the Korean people called him the sun and upheld him as the leader of the Korean revolution, the book says in the chapters titled anecdotes about the great man's traits, wish of all people and recollection with respect.

Korean people's efforts supported

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Head of State of Nigeria Sani Abacha expressed support to the Korean people's cause of struggle when he met the DPRK Ambassador to Nigeria a few days ago. He hoped that the Korean people would change their sadness over the loss of President Kim Il Sung into strength and courage and successfully carry forward and accomplish his cause under the leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Supporting the DPRK Government's efforts to achieve the reunification of the country by means of confederacy, he said that the proposal for reunification by means of confederacy is reasonable. He hoped that good relations of friendship between the two countries would be developed in the future.

Great event in history of Korean nation

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Ri Jong Sang, Chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK), issued a press statement on July 15 to welcome the resolution on exalting President Kim Il Sung's revolutionary life and immortal exploits for all ages. It is, he said, the infinite honour and good fortune of the Korean nation led by Secretary Kim Jong Il to institute the Juche era and the Day of Sun in the third year of mourning so as to exalt the great revolutionary life and immortal exploits of President Kim Il Sung for all ages. It is a great event in the history of the Korean nation and auspicious event for humankind, he noted, and went on: President Kim Il Sung is immortal for all ages and a firm guarantee is provided for keeping a new history of the Korean nation and humankind opened up by independence in the eternal era of Juche under the leadership of Secretary Kim Jong Il. Herein lie the great historic significance and eternity of the resolution.

S. Korean defector interviewed

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- A south Korean defector Han Kyong Son, 36, was interviewed by reporters here today. Before coming over to the north via a third country, he served as a boilerman at a hotel in Taejon city. He has a younger sister and a younger brother left in south Korea. He began engaging in odd jobs at the age of 14, helping his father. He told reporters that he defected to the north because ordinary people including him cannot live a life worthy of man in south Korea. He said: Working as a handy man at the hotel, I could see many rich, influential and privileged men and women indulging in luxury, dissipation and depravity. Since Kim Young Sam become "President", a large number of decadent amusement and service centres have appeared in south Korea, causing such evils as murder, raping and robbery. South Korean people have turned out in the anti-Kim Young Sam struggle because they do not want to live in the corrupt society, subjected to exploitation. Giving his impressions of the north, he said: All the people in the north are deeply venerating President Kim Il Sung and Secretary Kim Jong Il. I vow to be faithful to Secretary Kim Jong Il for the prosperity of the DPRK and the reunification of the country, deeply cherishing the great glory of being a member of the dignified Kim Il Sung-Kim Jong Il nation.

Austrian Ambassador presents credentials to Vice-President Pak Song Chol

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- New Austrian Ambassador to Korea Gerhard Ziegler presented his credentials to Vice-President Pak Song Chol of the DPRK at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Chang Ryong was present. The Vice-President had a talk with the Ambassador after receiving the credentials.

Vice-President Ri Jong Ok meets Iranian Ambassador

Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- Vice-President Ri Jong Ok of the DPRK met and had a talk with Iranian Ambassador to Korea Seyed Morteza Mirheidari, who paid a farewell call on him at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today. On hand was vice-minister of foreign affairs Kim Chang Ryong.