Third "Ildangbaek Prize" sports contest of KPA

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA)-- The third "Ildangbaek Prize" sports contest of the Korean People's Army was held in Pyongyang from July 13 to 23. The contest involved boxing, foot-ball, judo, military pentathlon, marathon and wrestling. The Jebi sports group came top in the contest.

Japanese visitor interviewed by KCNA

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- General Secretary of the Nagano Prefectural Council for Japan-Korea Friendship and head of a delegation of the Nagano Prefectural People's Council for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea Yoshio Nakamura in an interview with KCNA said that the solidarity movement to support the reunification of Korea would be vigorously waged. He said that the national division of more than 50 years is a great misfortune and the worst tragedy to the Korean people. He added: "We think that the three principles of national reunification -- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity, the proposal for foundation of the Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo and the Ten-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation are most reasonable. "We plan to form more organizations of solidarity in Nagano Prefecture for more positive activities to support the reunification of Korea. "Through the solidarity movement we will support and encourage the Korean people in the struggle for the independent and peaceful reunification." He said that during the visit to Korea, the delegation looked round the flood-hit areas in Unpha county. He added that they would tell the people in the prefecture what they witnessed and felt and would increase assistance to the DPRK flood victims.

School named after Kim Song Ju

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- A decree of the Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on renaming the Pyongyang Taedongmun Primary School after Kim Song Ju, the childhood name of President Kim Il Sung, was released on July 4. On July 4, 1947, the President visited the school and saw pupils taking graduation exams and enjoyed an art performance given by pupils. On July 12, 1947, he met the school teachers and pupils and their parents and indicated how the children should be educated. He visited the school again on September 1, 1972 and gave important teachings, a guiding compass in completing socialist pedagogy. The school has become a model school in the country and takes the lead in educating the pupils to be revolutionaries loyal to the Party and the leader and equipped with knowledge, morality and good health. The decree said that the Pyongyang Taedongmun Primary School should be renamed "Kim Song Ju Primary School" to meet the unanimous desire of all people and schoolchildren of the country to uphold the president as the eternal father of the nation and exalt his imperishable feats for education of the rising generation.

Chosun Ilbo destined to doom

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- The south Korean puppet newspaper Chosun Ilbo recently carried a letter of the "Chairman of the world newspaper association". The venal newspaper obviously bribed the "chairman" of the bogus organization to write a letter slandering the north. As was already reported, Chosun Ilbo carried an editorial on June 24 calling for "overthrow of the north's system". It was something like a declaration of war against the north. So, it deserves the north's strong and merciless strike. Chosun Ilbo, however, is trying to justify its crime with such a disgusting letter, instead of making an apology to the north. It is also talking about "freedom of the press". Chosun Ilbo, under the direction of the "Agency for National Security Planning", enjoys no freedom of the press. It is ridiculous for it to charge the north with "encroachment upon its freedom". If it is freedom of the press to abuse the north's political system, the life and soul of our people, it is also our legitimate freedom to stigmatize the perpetrators as our enemy and deal a heavy blow at them. Through the letter, the south Korean puppets urged the north to stop "menace", but our strike is not such a thing. Our strike will continue until Chosun Ilbo are punished. The days of Chosun Ilbo are numbered.

Futile political and military pressure

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- The U.S. conservative hardliners and south Korean puppets are these days trying to put pressure upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They are alleging that they would "answer any provocation by the DPRK with military counteractions" and the "DPRK must take the road of reforms and opening instead of self-destruction through war". There is no need to say that such a third-rate pressure racket can not work on the DPRK. We cannot tolerate and pardon the fact that they intend to induce the DPRK to reforms and opening through a reckless and foolish political and military pressure. What policy we take and how we carry out economic construction is a matter related to our sovereignty. Their advertisement about "possible provocation" by the DPRK is nothing but a sophism to justify their forestalling attack on the northern half of Korea. Accordingly, "military counteraction" in essence can be said to be a pretext to attack the DPRK. It will only lead to their self-destruction. They must clearly know that those who have resorted to a strong-arm policy toward the DPRK have never gone scotfree, their attempts proving to be ineffective. Moreover, the "four-party talks" intended to ensure a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula is now put on the order of the day. At this very juncture, they abused the political system of the DPRK, the other party to dialogue, and urged it to take the road of reforms and opening. This is a foolish act which can be done only by those who have no political and diplomatic knowledge. There will be only one choice if the U.S. conservative hardliners and the south Korean puppets persistently try to lead the situation to the brink of war, extremely getting on the nerves of the DPRK. Needless to say, the choice will bring a fatal doom to the united states and the south Korean puppets. They must stop acting rushly and control themselves. They would be well advised to clearly know that our people will never pardon those who find faults with their dignified political system. Our people and People's Army regard the anthropocentric socialism of their own choice as their life and soul. They are firmly determined to sacrifice themselves for the defence of their system. If the U.S. conservative hardliners and the south Korean puppets persist in their hostile moves toward the DPRK, oblivious of this fact, they will be made to pay dearly for it.

Greetings to Indian President

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- The Central People's Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea sent a message of greetings on July 25 to H.E. K. R. Narayanan upon his assumption of office as President of the Republic of India. "Believing that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries will further strengthen and develop, we take this apportunity to sincerely wish you good health as well as great successes in your responsible work to build a new India independent, democratic and prosperous," the message said.

Military attaches visit Jonsung Revolutionary Site

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- The military attaches corps in Korea visited the Jonsung Revolutionary Site on Thursday to commemorate the 44th anniversary of victory in the Fatherland Liberation War (July 27, 1953). They heard an explanation that President Kim Il Sung led the people and army of Korea to victory with outstanding strategy and tactics and worked out the grand plan of the postwar reconstruction during the Fatherland Liberation War. They looked round office rooms, pits and other revolutionary relics used by President Kim Il Sung during the war. Arnaldo Fernandez Rodriguez, Cuban military attache and doyen of the corps, wrote in the visitor's book that they were deeply impressed by the great strategy and tactics, outstanding leadership and care for the people's livelihood of President Kim Il Sung, who led the war to victory.

Press review

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today frontpages a report that Secretary Kim Jong Il sent thanks to public security workers and working people for giving full play to the communist traits. Papers print a decree of the Central People's Committee of the DPRK on renaming the Pyongyang Taedongmun Primary School after Kim Song Ju, the childhood name of President Kim Il Sung. Given in Rodong Sinmun is an account of the construction of a monument to revolutionary activity of President Kim Il Sung who guided the Rihyon-ri Party General Meeting of Sadong district in the suburbs of Pyongyang and in Minju Joson an account of the construction of a monument to the on-the-spot guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il to the Panmunjom mission of the Korean People's Army. Papers report about the achievements in the production of coal and ordered equipment. Rodong Sinmun comments on the "Presidential candidate nomination contest" of the south Korean ruling party. It is reported in papers that the chief of the Syrian mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea had a press interview on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the publication of the July 4 North-South Joint Statement. "Intrigues of 'Agency for National Security Planning' for disorganizing South Korean Federation of University Student Councils should be shattered" is the title of a Rodong Sinmun article. Mass media, political and public figures of different countries and the International United Conferation of Koreans supported and welcomed the institution of the Juche era and the Day Of Sun, says the paper. Rodong Sinmun carries an article headlined "unity and cooperation are guarantee for success in building a new society" and Minju Joson an article captioned "imperialism is a waste of history".

"Presidential candidate nomination contest" hits Kim Young Sam

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- Ri Hoe Chang was nominated as the "Presidential" candidate from the "New Korea Party" in south Korea some time ago. Commenting on this, Rodong Sinmun today says that the "Presidential candidate nomination contest" which was held by the ruling party turned out to be a blow at Kim Young Sam, "President" of the Party. The daily goes on: Kim Young Sam's advertizement about "alternation of generations" and a "new person" has become flat at the "contest". This clearly proves that the Kim Young Sam regime has already come to an end in south Korea. The puppet Kim is obliged to go to prison, cursed and denounced by the people. This shows that anyone who is opposed to the people, reigns over them, hampers their interests and goes against the interests of the nation will be put in a hopelessly miserable lot like Kim Young Sam.

July 26 armed uprising of Cuban people observed

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- A meeting was held on July 24 to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the July 26 armed uprising of the Cuban people. Attending the meeting together with working people in Sariwon were Secretary Choe Yong Gun of the North Hwanghae Provincial Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and officials concerned. Invited to the meeting were Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona, Cuban Ambassador to Korea, and embassy officials. Speeches were exchanged at the meeting.

Monument to Secy. Kim Jong Il's on-site guidance built

Panmunjom, July 24 (KCNA) -- A monument to on-the-spot guidance of Secretary Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, was built at the Panmunjom mission of the KPA. Secretary Kim Jong Il visited Panmunjom on the forefront time and again. When he visited the place on November 24 last year, he gave the People's Army soldiers unshakable faith in certain victory and courage and took care of their Living conditions as their real parents would and struck the enemies with terror. The monument was unveiled with due ceremony on the spot on July 24. Lieu. General Ri Yong Su of the KPA, addressing the unveiling ceremony, said that the Panmunjom visit of Secretary Kim Jong Il, the great man of the century, accompanied by wonders of nature, was a significant inspection which gave faith in sure victory and courage to the Korean people and the People's Army soldiers who were making the "arduous march" triumphantly under the red flag and it was a historic event which dealt a telling blow at the imperialists and the separatists.

Monument to President Kim Il Sung's revolutionary activity erected

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- A monument to President Kim Il Sung's historic guidance over a general meeting of the party organisation of Rihyon-ri was built. On January 20, 1961, the President went to Rihyon-ri on the outskirts of Pyongyang and acquainted himself with the affairs of the village for a few days. At the meeting held on January 23 he made a historic speech "the main thing in party work is to educate, remould and unite all people" to clearly indicate a new way of party work and the development of socialist rural economy. The monument was unveiled with due ceremony on the spot on July 24. At the unveiling ceremony the speaker said the President's imperishable revolutionary exploits are the foundation of eternal value for the Korean revolution and the most precious wealth of the revolution, and called for firmly defending and exalting the idea and exploits of the President down through generations.

NDFSK Pyongyang mission observes war victory day

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- A press conference was held at the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) on July 24 with the approach of the 44th anniversary of victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War. Ri Jong Sang, Chief of the Pyongyang mission of the NDFSK, said that the victory of the Korean people in the war was attributable to the outstanding military idea, strategy and tactics, Juche-oriented military method and art of leadership of Generalissimo Kim Il Sung, the respected leader possessed of iron will, indomitable faith and boundless care for the fatherland and people. He added: "Comrade Kim Il Sung led the Fatherland Liberation War to victory and safeguarded the Juche fatherland. This is a great historic exploit for the fatherland and revolution, era and humankind. He is immortal in the hearts of our people and progressive humankind. "Under the outstanding leadership of the respected Supreme Commander General Kim Jong Il, who is brilliantly carrying forward comrade Kim Il Sung's Juche-oriented military idea and exploits in army building the People's Army and people in the north are never afraid of any enemy and the ultimate victory in the cause of national independence is certainly guaranteed, come what may."

U.S. imperialists' ignominious defeat in Korean War

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- The United States suffered great military, political and moral defeats in the Korean War (June 1950-July 1953). During the three years of war over 1,567,000 enemy soldiers, including more than 405,000 U.S. troops, were killed or taken prisoner and a huge amount of combat equipment and war supplies, including over 12,200 aircraft, 560 warships, 3,200 tanks and armoured cars, 13,000 trucks and 7,695 artillery pieces were destroyed or captured. The loss was nearly 2.3 times as much as they had suffered in the four years of the pacific war during world war II. The U.S. imperialists poured into the Korean war 20 billion dollars of military expenditure and war supplies of over 73 million tons, 11 times those in the 1941-1945 Pacific War. They had put into the Korean Peninsula a huge armed force and resorted to barbarous means of warfare unprecedented in the world history of war. However, they only got miserable defeats by the Korean people who turned out as one in the war for freedom and independence of the country. A number of U.S. military strategists could not but gain the unenviable distinction of being defeated generals. Among them were the then U.S. President Eisenhower, who had boasted of being a "world-famous general", the then commanders of the "U.N. forces" Macarthur, ridgway and clark, and walker and dean. Former U.S. State Secretary Marshall confessed that the myth of the United States was crushed, that the U.S. was not so strong as others thought and that the U.S. suffered an ignominious defeat in Korea. In the war the Korean people defeated U.S. imperialism for the first time in the world history and, thus, exploded the myth of its "mightiness" and opened up the beginning of its decline.

Unity, cooperation vital to successful building of new society

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today says it is the same aspiration of the people of developing nations to make a fresh progress, free from economic domination, subjugation and backwardness. In an article the daily notes that the desire to speed up economic development has ever been growing among countries and nations since the cold war was terminated and a new phase of peace opened. It says: Not only the developed countries but all other nations want to make a rapid development in scientific and technical domain, setting the first ten or twenty years of the next century as a period of zenith in economic development. For this purpose, developing nations intend to ensure a rapid economic development by enlisting every possible condition and potential. They consider it as their choice to establish a collective economic cooperation organization and strengthen cooperation and exchange through it. They, in order to counter economic exploitation and plunder by developed countries, have strengthened organizations for economic cooperation. When developing nations counter the imperialists' economic domination and plunder with concerted efforts, they will be no longer victims of the imperialists' economic plunder but defend their economic interests and have environment favorable to their economic development. Strengthening economic cooperation regimes is the best way for the developing nations to smash the imperialists' economic domination. Their efforts to establish a collective economic cooperation organization and develop it are a common struggle for establishing a new fair international order in place of the old one. If the imperialists intensify exploitation and plunder of other nations with an economic bloc, developing nations will redouble their efforts to achieve development independently with an economic alliance.

Serious damage by high temperature

Pyongyang, July 25 (KCNA) -- Unprecedentedly abnormal weather is exerting a catastrophic influence upon all sectors of the national economy in Korea. Owing to the heat above 30 degrees centigrade (5 degrees higher than usual) lasting 50 days with no rain throughout the country, the pondage of large reservoirs including lakes Unpha and Sohung, which were keeping high water level in July every year, decreased to 10-20 percent and over 620 minor reservoirs exposed their bottoms. More than 5,300 minor rivers and 126,000 underground water setups have already exhausted, leaving cultivated areas dried and cracked and affecting the growth of crops. Some 290,000 hectares have been damaged in the country as of July 21. The grain loss from the hectares is expected to be 704,300 tons. Especially, more serious is the damage of north and South Phyongan and North, South Hwanghae and Kangwon Provinces and other areas by a long spell of drought since may 31 when there was a little amount of rain. According to even initial surveys, the nation's granaries have been afflicted by drought (44,000 hectares in North Phyongan Province, 42,000 in South Phyongan and 42,000 in South Hwanghae) and no crops are expected from most of paddy and non-paddy fields. Devasted dry field crops including early-ripening maize which is harvested in July and August has rendered the food shortage all the more serious. Due to the continuing drought, more than 237,000 domestic animals have died and 46,000 hectares of forests burnt. The drought is expected to persist in the country several more days. Farmers, army soldiers, workers, office workers and students have turned out to cope with the drought in response to the call of the Party and the Government.