Defence sports contests of Pyongyang youth and students

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- Defence sports contests of youth and students in Pyongyang were held at Kim Il Sung Square on April 5 to mark the fifth anniversary of the election of General Kim Jong Il as Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK (April 9). Participating in the contest were young working people, university students and senior middle school pupils in the city, more than 5,000 all told. Collective forced march contests were held, divided into university and district groups. Students of Kim Il Sung University, pupils of senior middle schools in central district and youth league members in Pothonggang district gave exhibition performances of bayonet charge, Taekwon-do and mass rhythmic gymnastics. Songyo district and Pyongyang University of Printing placed first each in the collective forced march contests.

LDP delegation visits Korean Hall

Tokyo, April 4 (KNS-KCNA) -- A delegation of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) which had visited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea called at the Korean Hall here on April 2. Chief Vice Chairman Ho Jong Man, Vice Chairman O Hyong Jin and International Department Director Kim Thae Hui of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) welcomed the delegation led by Masaaki Nakayama, member of the House of Representatives, and Yoshiro Mori, Chairman of the LDP Executive Council. The head of the delegation said it had discussions on the improvement of Japan-DPRK relations during its visit to the DPRK. Ho Jong Man said the improvement of the bilateral ties is an urgent demand and pledged cooperation for the establishment of good relations between the two countries after the LDP delegation's visit to the DPRK.

Basis of solid unity of anti-imperialism, pro-independence forces

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- President Kim Il Sung said that the idea of independence, peace and friendship is the basis of unity. Referring to this, a signed article of Rodong Sinmun today says: As the idea of independence, peace and friendship reflects the common desire and aspirations of the progressive people of the world, it constitutes the foundation of the correctest and most solid unity and makes it possible for the anti-imperialism, pro-independence forces to have an invincible might. Only when independence, peace and friendship are taken as the basis of unity can the most solid and powerful unity be achieved. The world people should unite in the idea of independence. When this idea is taken as the basis of unity, aspirations of the world people can be made unanimous and solid unity be achieved and demonstrate its great might in the struggle against the dominationist forces trying to stifle independence. The world people should unite also in the idea of peace. Only on the basis of the idea of peace can unity be easily made, the strength of the world progressive people be enlisted in the struggle against the imperialist moves of aggression and war and, furthermore, a new independent world be built at an early date. In order to make the unity of the world progressive people most solid and powerful, it is important to take the idea of friendship as its basis. In the state of confrontation, unity cannot be achieved. Unity is possible when friendship is promoted. When the idea of friendship is the foundation of unity of the people all over the world, unity can be strengthened into a new and solid one. Since the President said the idea of independence, peace and friendship is the basis of unity, the world progressive people have been able to increase their might in the vortex of history and ensure the triumphant advance of the cause of independence.

World art festival, traditional

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- The 16th April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be held here from April 8, with a large attendance. Artistes are arriving from different countries to participate in the festival. The April Spring Friendship Art Festival is an international art festival which has been traditionally held in Korea from 1982. It has been conducive to strengthening and developing friendship, solidarity, cultural exchange and relations among artistes of different countries. The 15 festivals so far were participated in by over 22,000 artistes from 650 odd countries and 60,000 Korean artistes from home and abroad. Among them were more than 1,000 world-famous actors and actresses and national and international concours prize winners. China, Cuba, Russia, Mongolia and other countries sent large art troupes to the festival every year to whip up its atmosphere. Put on the festival stage were colorful numbers such as songs, instrumental music, dances and circus which show customs of different nations. Performers sang of deep reverence for President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il who performed great feats for the independence of mankind. They wrote and composed hundreds of songs for the festival such as "Speculation of Comrade Kim Il Sung", "Happiness of Mankind", "Kim Jong Il, Lodestar of the Times in the East" and "The Eternal Sun". Performances in group, separate and joint forms given by them during the past festivals numbered 917. This festival marking the Sun's Day will be held in a more peculiar style amid deep attention of the world's progressives.

Letter to political parties, organisations and officials of S. Korea

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- The Islamic world and Arab regional leadership of the international front against zionism sent a letter to the political parties, organisations, conscientious and patriotic figures and organisation leaders of South Korea on March 23. The letter called upon them who are well aware of the realities of Korea to strive for the withdrawal of the U.S. troops obstructing the reunification of the country. There is no reason for the United States to remain in South Korea, the letter said. What is important is to terminate the fascist dictatorship and realize social democratization. "We cannot understand why South Korea has staged joint military exercises with the United States, which is contrary to peace and security in Asia and the Korean peninsula," the letter said, adding: "If you break with the anti-social cowardice of the South Korean authorities and maintain independence, you will take a sacred road of reunification."

Over 100,150,000 visitors to Mangyongdae

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- Visitors to Mangyongdae are now daily growing with the approach of Sun's Day. Mangyongdae is a time-honored place where President Kim Il Sung was born on April 15, 1912, and spent his childhood. The Korean people instituted his birthday April 15 as Sun's Day. According to data available, this place has been visited by Koreans from the north, the south and overseas and foreigners, over 100,150,000 all told, in 50 years since April Juche 37 (1948). The visit has been on a high tide since the participants in the north-south joint conference called at Mangyongdae in April Juche 37, and especially since the Mangyongdae Revolutionary Museum opened august Juche 48 (1959). In half a century visitors were 2,003,000 on an annual average, 167,000 monthly and 5,500 daily. It was also visited by 1,672,000 foreigners from 150 odd countries. Over 1,200,000 trees of 100 odd species were planted in Mangyongdae during their visits.

R. S. calls for early achievement of national independence, reunification

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today editorially calls for an early achievement of national independence and reunification through unity of the whole nation. The editorial is dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the publication of "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country" by President Kim Il Sung. The 10-Point Programme published on April 6, Juche 82 (1993), contains the general goal, ideological basis, principles and ways of great national unity. The daily says in part: The programme serves as important guidelines for opening the way out for the nation with its concerted efforts and as the banner of reunification and patriotism. The Korean nation is faced with heavy yet honorable tasks to win national independence and promote national reconciliation, unity and reunification through the implementation of the programme. We held a joint meeting of political parties and organizations at a crucial time when a fresh turn should be made in the solution to the reunification issue. At the meeting we put forward an important proposal for opening a way out for the nation independently with unity of the north and the south. The South Korean rulers should make a policy switchover towards national independence, replace the wrong anti-north confrontation policy with a pro-north reconciliation one and make efforts to shape the destiny of the nation by pooling efforts with the north. For the implementation of the programme, it is imperative to maintain the principle of national independence. All the compatriots at home and abroad, aspiring after national independence and rejecting outsiders, should demand the U.S. troop pullout from South Korea and fight to check such treacherous acts as trying to slay fellow countrymen with the backing of outsiders. They should unite closely for the reunification of the country, irrespective of difference in ideology, idea, political view, religious belief, class and stratum. For This purpose, the "National Security Law" and the "Agency for National Security Planning," which are standing in the way of national unity, should be eliminated in South Korea. Anti-war, peace-keeping activities should also be conducted to thwart new war preparations and arms buildup by local and foreign warmongers. If the great unity of the whole nation is to be achieved, the political parties, organizations and compatriots of South Korea and overseas should actively join the three-way solidarity struggle for national reconciliation, unity and reunification, in hearty response to the proposal of our joint meeting.

World people support 10-Point Programme for Great National Unity

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- Over 48,000 events for supporting "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country" were held in 160 odd countries and by 60 odd international and regional organizations for five years after it was advanced by President Kim Il Sung. More than 450 heads of state and government and political party leaders expressed full support to the 10-Point Programme in their messages and letters to President Kim Il Sung and General Kim Jong Il and when they met with Korean ambassadors or delegations. Among them was Fidel Castro, First Secretary of the C.C., the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba. Parties and organizations and 320 odd solidarity groups in different countries conducted various forms of solidarity movement and expressed full support to the programme at international meetings. The signature paper was signed by heads of state of different countries including the presidents of guinea and Palestine and by political and public figures in 160 odd countries, including the General Secretary of the Togolese People's Rally, on behalf of their own organizations and by 60 odd international and regional bodies including the World Federation of Trade Unions. As a result, over 1,970 million people from all walks of life in the world took part in the signature campaign. The programme was also widely reported by more than 1,800 mass media in 160 odd countries. Many newspapers of Indonesia, Iran and other countries carried its full text while press organs in Pakistan, Romania, Peru and other countries brought it out in booklet.

Most advanced medical service

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- The medical workers of Korea are rendering better medical service to the people in sections under their charge. All the doctors frequently go to the sections under their charge to do hygienic propaganda, vaccination and preventive treatment. After this advanced section doctor system was established according to the Workers' Party of Korea's policy of preventive medicine, all the people are under the medical care of doctors. The doctors always check up the health of people in sections. All conditions for the section doctor system have been provided. The number of doctors per 10,000 people is 29.7 and the number of hospital beds 136. The number of junior doctors per 10,000 people is 39.9. Medical workers have been dispatched to cities, countryside, factories, fishing villages, remote forestry workers' villages, solitary islands and all other places where people live. A large number of medical workers are produced every year by universities of medicine and medical workers training centres at all levels built in all provinces. medical care networks and pharmaceutical bases across the country are also contributive to the promotion of the working people's health.

Anniversary of 10-Point Programme marked

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- A Pyongyang meeting was held today to mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of President Kim Il Sung's work "10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation for the Reunification of the Country." Attending the meeting were Vice-President Pak Song Chol who is a politburo member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Vice-President Kim Pyong Sik who is Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, and other cadres. The work gives a comprehensive exposition of the general target, ideological basis and principles of great national unity, questions of putting a period to all political disputes, which is a source of division and confrontation among the fellow countrymen, and of building confidence and achieving unity between the north and south of Korea and ways of achieving great unity. Kim Yong Sun, Secretary of the WPK Central Committee and Chairman of the Reunification Policy Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, delivered a report at the meeting. He said: For its noble idea, profound logic, all-embracing objects of unity and possibility of carrying it into practice the 10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation laid down by President Kim Il Sung is the most fair and aboveboard political programme of national unity and a great charter of national reunification which is acceptable to any Koreans who truly love the country and the nation. True to the noble intention of President Kim Il Sung, the WPK has energetically fought for the independent, peaceful reunification of the country under the banner of the 10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation, regarding it as its revolutionary duty and obligation to accomplish the cause of national reunification. Politicians of national conscience in South Korea should not hesitate to join hands with the fellow countrymen to solve the national reunification problem by the efforts of the nation. All the fellow countrymen in the north, south and abroad hope that the traiterous act of the "civilian-"veiled ruling quarters who nullified the agreement with the fellow countrymen on reconciliation, cooperation and non-aggression and sought socalled "cooperation" with outsiders to isolate and stifle them will not be repeated in South Korea. There are still antagonism and military tensions between the two sides of Korea. Under this situation they cannot achieve reconciliation and unity any time. Nor can they take any positive steps for the improvement of north-south relations and the reunification of the country. The "National Security Law" should be unconditionally abolished and the "Agency for National Security Planning" be immediately dismantled in South Korea. The "NSL" and the "ANSP" are an obstacle to reconciliation and dialogue between the north and south and a stumbling block in the way of national reunification. Arms buildup, introduction of vast sophisticated military equipment and joint military manoeuvres with foreign troops for a war against the fellow countrymen and escalating tensions of the country should be discontinued. South Korea should turn its back on the anti-national, anti-reunification past and make a policy switchover for the sake of the nation and reunification. All the fellow countrymen in the north, south and abroad should work harder for the reunification of the country in hearty response to the 10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation laid down by President Kim Il Sung and the great reunification programme advanced by General Kim Jong Il so as to make this year a year of historic advance in achieving the reunification of the Korean nation, stressed the reporter.

"Heaven Day Ceremony" held

Pyongyang, April 6 (KCNA) -- A "Heaven Day Ceremony" was held at the Central Church of the Korean Chondoists Association on Sunday to mark the 138th anniversary of Chondoism. It was attended by officials and advisor O Ik Je of the Central Guidance Committee of the Association and Chondoists in Pyongyang. In her report at the ceremony, Ryu Mi Yong, chairperson of the Central Guidance Committee, reviewed the foundation of Chondoism and the patriotic activities of Chondoists for the ideals of "national and public welfare" and "earthly paradise." She outlined the tasks to realise the ideals of Chondoism in the present situation. She called for giving full play to the Juche character and national identity in all spheres of social life, defending Korean socialism and bringing its advantages into full play under the leadership of General Kim Jong Il. "If the country is to be reunified, the three charters of national reunification should be taken as guidelines and both the north and the south should take the line of independence and unity," she said. "To this end, the 'National Security Law' in South Korea, a 'legal' obstacle to reconciliation with the north, should be abolished, and the 'Agency for National Security Planning' in South Korea, the anti-north plot-breeding centre, should be dissolved. Contact and dialogue between northern and southern Chondoists should also be developed." The report was followed by a congratulatory address of O Ik Je. Ceremonies also took place at Chondoist temple offices in local areas on Sunday.