Preparatory committees formed to celebrate February 16
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- Preparatory committees were formed in different countries to celebrate the 56th birthday of General Kim Jong Il.
The Indian national preparatory committee was organized on Jan. 12. It comprises 25 political parties and public organisations of India including the all-India indo-Korean Friendship Association, the Communist Party of India, the All-India Forward Bloc, and the All-India Students Federation.
The committee in an appeal said that General Kim Jong Il is the great leader of the world revolution who is working heart and soul for the unity of the world progressive humankind and peace-loving people, and declared its inauguration.
On the same day the Russian organizing committee to celebrate the 56th birthday of General Kim Jong Il was formed with academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Kapto, Deputy Director of the Russian Institute of Social and Political Affairs, as Chairman of the committee. And the Bulgarian preparatory committee was also formed on Jan. 9 to mark the Sun's Day and his 56th birthday.
Solidarity with Korean people's struggle
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- Alexander Paunov, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Bulgaria, expressed full support to and firm solidarity with the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people in their struggle, when he met with the DPRK Ambassador to his country on Jan. 9.
He said that his party believes that in this significant year on which falls the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK, the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people will win greater victory in the struggle for further consolidating the bulwark of Korean socialism and reunifying the country according to the three charters for the reunification of Korea under the wise guidance of General Kim Jong Il.
Continued food aid from abroad
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- The Korean people have stepped up preparations for farming from the beginning of the year with the firm determination to solve the food problem by themselves at any cost this year.
At this time, the World Food Program (WFP) made public an appeal again calling for offering some 657,000 tons of food to the DPRK this year.
This is an affirmative call reflecting noble humanitarianism.
The Korean people are grateful for this.
The food shortage is a key link in chains of the temporary economic difficulties plaguing the Korean people.
Last year, they directed all their efforts to farming, firmly determined to solve the food problem by their own efforts.
However, natural disasters hit the country again, severely affecting the agricultural sector. As a result, the food problem still remains acute.
A series of challenges are lying in the way of the Korean people. But they are full of optimism and resolution to overcome all trials and difficulties.
Encouraged by sincere material and mental assistance from the WFP and other international organisations and governments and people of different countries, the Korean people will make strenuous efforts to clear away the aftereffects of the natural disasters and drastically increase the agricultural production.
S. Korea's abuses of DPRK over "environmental pollution"
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- Recently, the South Korean "government" authority reportedly abused the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, alleging that air and water pollution is serious in the Rajin-Sonbong Free Economic and Trade Zone due to nonferrous metal factories located there densely.
His allegation is only what is denied by not only the DPRK people but foreigners and South Korean businessmen who visited the zone.
Admittedly, the zone is free from the density of nonferrous metal factories and air and water contamination.
The golden triangle is surrounded by the East Sea of Korea, the famous mountain of Chilbo and other scenic spots and spas, so it is perfect as a tourist resort.
The DPRK has legal and institutional mechanisms enough to prevent environmental pollution.
The South Korean authority's abuses are apparently motivated by a sinister political purpose.
As for environmental disruption, its model is none other than South Korea.
The South Korean authorities have introduced pollution industry en masse into South Korea from other countries. Now they have left its "dead economy" under "trusteeship" by the International Monetary Fund, drawing public criticism.
To make matters worse, foreign businesses have withdrawn their capital from South Korea.
Obviously, the South Korean authorities consider it very unfavorable to them that the development of the Rajin-Songbong Zone is being accelerated and investment in the zone is ever increasing.
This is why the authorities are resorting to such a foolish attempt in the hope of curbing the increasing number of foreign investors.
With the absurd allegation, however, they have nothing to get but nationwide denunciation.
Greetings to Yugoslav FM
Pyongyang, January 17 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam sent a message of greetings to Zibadin Jovanovic on his appointment as Yugoslav Foreign Minister.
The message wished him success in his responsible work and expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further strengthen and develop.