G.S. Kim Jong Il's work published in Italy

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il's famous work "Let Us Carry Out the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions for National Reunification" was published in booklet on Dec. 17 by Apublishing House of Italy on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of his election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 80th birth anniversary of the communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Seen in the booklet is a portrait of General Kim Jong Il.

Message of greetings to G.S. Kim Jong Il from Cambodian King

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a message of greetings from Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia, on December 20, four days before the sixth anniversary of his election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. In the message the King, in the name of the Cambodian people and himself, extended warmest congratulations to Marshal Kim Jong Il, the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on the most auspicious sixth anniversary of his election as Supreme Commander of the KPA. The Cambodian people would always remember the most precious and full support and the feelings of firm friendship the Generalissimo Kim Il Sung invariably showed for them, the king said. Marshal Kim Jong Il, the most faithful heir to the Generalissimo Kim Il Sung, shows the noblest support for them as the Generalissimo did, Norodom Sihanouk said, and added that this has further deepened the particular fraternal friendship between the two countries and two peoples, and that they express deepest thanks to him for the support. The message further said: The friendship between the two countries and the two peoples which was forged nearly 40 years ago has further been consolidated and developed on the basis of the common idea and persistent struggle for the defence of the sovereignty and dignity of the countries against hegemonism and for mutual support and cooperation. No force on earth can break such a beautiful, excellent and eternal friendship. The King wholeheartedly wished the greatest glory to great Korea and the courageous Korean people. He also sincerely wished Marshal Kim Jong Il, the most distinguished supreme leader of the glorious DPRK, good health and a long life. He hoped for the growth in strength of the invincible revolutionary armed forces led by him.

Party given to mark anniversary of Vietnamese army

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- Vu Dinh Thang, military attache of the Vietnamese Embassy here, gave a party on Dec. 22 to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Army of Viet Nam. Invited to the party were Jong Chang Ryol, Vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces, foreign diplomatic envoys and military attaches here. Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea Le Xuan Vinh and embassy officials were present. Speeches were made at the party.

Cocktail party given to mark 35th anniversary of Korea-Cuba Solidarity Committee

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and the Korea-Cuba Solidarity Committee hosted a cocktail party on December 22 to mark the 35th anniversary of the inauguration of the Korea-Cuba Solidarity Committee. Invited to the party were Jose Ramon Rodriguez Varona, Cuban Ambassador to Korea, and his embassy officials. Acting Chairman Mun Jae Chol of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and other officials concerned were on hand. Speeches were made at the party.

Korea-Lithuania basketball game

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A women's basketball game between the Phokphung team of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Lithuanian National Selected Team took place at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on Monday. The Korean basketballers beat their opponents 107:96.

G.S. Kim Jong Il's aphorism carved on Mt. Kuwol

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) - General Kim Jong Il's aphorism "Mt. Kuwol, a scenic place on the West Coast. Kim Jong Il. May 1, 1997" was carved on a rock of Mt. Kuwol to commemorate the 6th anniversary of his election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 80th birth anniversary of the communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Each of the letters is 13 metres high, 5.5 metres wide and 0.5 metres deep. The aphorism carved on the highest level in harmony with the beautiful scenery of Mt. Kuwol on the West Coast is one more national wealth of the Workers' Party era. The unveiling ceremony took place on December 22. Present there were Choe Thae Bok, alternate politburo member and Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and other officials concerned.

National art show opens

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A national art show began to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of the communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. On display are some 200 fine art pieces of high ideological and artistic value, including works showing the brilliant revolutionary activity, undying feats and noble traits of mother Kim Jong Suk. The Korean painting "Indomitable communist revolutionary fighter comrade Kim Jong Suk devotedly defending the headquarters of the revolution" and the oil painting "With the spirit of Mt. Paektu" drew the particular attention of the visitors. Also exhibited are works depicting the greatness of Supreme Commander General Kim Jong Il. The opening ceremony was held at the Korean art gallery on December 22.

National meeting to commemorate 80th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Suk

Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- A national meeting took place at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on Tuesday with a large attendance to commemorate the 80th birth anniversary of the communist revolutionary fighter mother Kim Jong Suk. Present there were Ri Jong Ok, Pak Song Chol, Kim Yong Nam, Kye Ung Thae, Jon Pyong Ho, Han Song Ryong and other senior party and state officials, members and alternate members of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee, deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly and people from all walks of life. A report was made by Choe Thae Bok, alternate politburo member and Secretary of the WPK Central Committee, at the meeting. The reporter said that the birthday of mother Kim Jong Suk is a national holiday of the Korean people like birthdays of the great men of the nation acclaimed by modern Korea. He continued: She was born in Hoeryong, north Hamgyong Province, on December 24, Juche 6 (1917) and covered a rigorous road of revolution for 20 years and died at the age of 32. Hers was the most brilliant life of the indomitable communist revolutionary and woman General of Mt. Paektu who performed undying feats for the country. She was an ardent patriot and a distinguished national heroine who dedicated her whole life to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle and the building of a new country under the guidance of President Kim Il Sung. She was a distinguished political activist and an outstanding commanding member of the Korean revolution who made immortal contributions to laying a solid foundation for the victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche with unfailing loyalty to the ideas and cause of the leader and extraordinary leadership art. The reporter pointed to the great efforts of mother Kim Jong Suk, who performed immortal feats in providing a cornerstone of the Juche revolutionary cause and building its hardcore, always remaining unfailingly loyal to President Kim Il Sung in the rigorous revolution. She is the mother of the revolution who, with a transparent outlook on the leader defended him at the risk of her life and made sure that his cause is being carried forward successfully, the reporter said, and went on: At the dawn of national liberation she gave birth to the great son of the sun's nation, blessed by the era and history. This was a great event for the Korean people and a historic event that definitely ensured the continuity of the Korean revolution. We should regard her ideas, spirit, trait and feats which stemmed from her transparent revolutionary outlook on the leader and noble revolutionary view of life as precious asset of the Korean revolution and the great textbook of life and struggle and should staunchly fight to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche under the leadership of General Kim Jong Il. Meetings were also held at all provinces, cities, counties and industrial complexes.