Reception on 66th KPA anniversary
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces gave a reception on April 23 on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
Invited were military attaches of foreign embassies here.
KPA vice Marshal Kim Il Chol who is also first vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces, said that President Kim Il Sung founded the revolutionary armed forces, achieved the historic cause of the liberation of the country through the heroic armed struggle and made tireless efforts to strengthen the KPA into the invincible revolutionary armed forces.
The officers and men of the KPA will always resolutely defend General Kim Jong Il and discharge its mission as the core unit, main force of revolution in the struggle to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche, he added.
Military attache of the Vietnamese embassy Vu Dinh Thang who is also a doyen of the military attaches corps here said that the KPA founded by President Kim Il Sung has traversed the road of protracted and rigorous struggle and glory.
Under the wise guidance of President Kim Il Sung and Marshal Kim Jong Il, Supreme Commander, the KPA has registered great achievements in strengthening the defence capacity of the country, he noted. Expressing the firm belief that the officers and men of the KPA are sure to win in socialist construction and in the work for the peaceful reunification of the country.
Tanzanian National Holiday observed
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- A lecture meeting was held here on April 23 by the Korea-Tanzania Friendship Association to mark the 34th anniversary of the foundation of the United Republic of Tanzania.
At the meeting, Kim Yong Sin, vice-Minister of Culture and the Arts who is vice-chairman of the association, gave a lecture on the subject "Tanzania Today."
KPA, invincible revolutionary armed forces
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- April 25 is the foundation anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
66 years have passed since President Kim Il Sung declared to the whole world the birth of the revolutionary armed forces.
The revolutionary armed forces of Korea have since waged a bloody struggle against the one million-strong army of the Japanese imperialists and achieved the historical cause of the national liberation (august 15, 1945).
The KPA, which has grown to be modern regular armed forces with the three services and all arms in a short span of time after the liberation, demonstrated its invincible might in the three-year Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950-July 1953) against the armed invasion by the U.S. It killed, wounded and took captive manpower of the enemy more than 1,567,000 strong, over 405,000 U.S. troops included, shot down, sank down, destroyed and captured more than 12,200 planes, 3,250 tanks and armoured cars, above 560 warships and a huge amount of other combat and technical materials. This is a typical example set by the KPA in battles to honorably defend the fatherland.
In the period of socialist construction it resolutely shattered the new war manoeuvres of the enemy -- the intrusion incident of the U.S. armed spyship Pueblo (January 1968), a large spyplane EC-121 incident (April 1969), Panmunjom incident (August 1976), resumption of the Team Spirit 93 joint war exercises, "nuclear inspection" racket -- and reliably defended the security of the country and the people.
The might of the heroic KPA has grown stronger since General Kim Jong Il, a genius of military affairs, was elected Supreme Commander of the revolutionary armed forces and Chairman of the National Defence Commission. He put forward the policy on modelling the whole army on the Juche idea and has wisely led the army building and activities.
The KPA has been developed into an invincible army, the strongest picked armed forces with modern means of attack and defence thanks to his extraordinary intelligence, outstanding strategy and tactics and tested commanding art.
Seeing the invicible revolutionary armed forces displaying their might as the pillar of Korean-style socialism, the Korean people are making the forced march, of socialism, optimistic of victory.
Minju Joson on U.S. anti-DPRK campaign
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The United States is likely to designate the DPRK, Cuba, Syria, Iran and other countries as "state sponsors of terrorism" in an "annual report on global terrorism" scheduled to be published in late April.
Commenting on the groundless charge, Minju Joson today says:
Motivated by a sinister intention, the United States is charging the anti-U.S. independent countries including the DPRK with being "sponsors of terrorism."
The United States, which is denounced as the kingpin of global terrorism, is resorting to the trite trick to evade world public criticism.
It also intends to contain one after another the anti-U.S. independent countries which are standing in the way of realising world supremacy.
What the United States is seeking in calling the countries "sponsors of terrorism" is killing two birds with one stone.
Our position concerning terrorism is clear. It is the consistent position of the DPRK government to oppose all kinds of terrorism and reject the encouragement and sponsorship of terrorism.
Reckless confrontation fostered
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The South Korean authorities reportedly decided to open to the public a military drill on Paekryong island located in a forward part and allow media to cover it.
It is nobody's secret that the island is a main forward base of the South Korean puppets for a war provocation and a hotbed of their anti-north espionage and sabotage activities.
Their decision is not a token of their "generocity" for the press and their "will for democracy." it only implies that they will openly follow in the footsteps of the successive warmongers of South Korea in engaging in anti-north military manoeuvres and plots.
Since a new regime appeared in South Korea, such conflicting utterances as "reconciliation and dialogue" between the north and the south, "possible provocation by the north" and "punishment" have come out from the South Korean authorities.
It indicates that they have no intention to improve inter-Korean relations but have failed to draw a proper lesson from the disgraceful ends of their predecessors who committed monstrous crimes against the nation and history.
Their call for "reconciliation" is an empty talk. They are foolish enough to try to slay the fellow countrymen in the north with the backing of outsiders.
A foreign press report, linking the opening to the public of the drill with the inter-Korean dialogue deadlocked recently by the South Korean authorities, said that through the drill the South Korean authority wants to show that South Korea is keeping a watchful eye on the north.
The South Korean authorities should know that if they openly stage military manoeuvres against the north, calling for "dialogue" without changing their policy for the improvement of inter-Korean relations, it will result in precipitating their doom.
Coal production up
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- April 24 is day of coal miners.
The coal miners across the country are greeting their holiday with increased coal production.
According to Kim Chol Man, Director of the Production Guidance Department of the Ministry of Coal Industry, 57,000 more tons of coal than the previous month have been produced as of April 24.
The Tokchon, Kaechon, Kujang and Anju area coal complexes have secured dozens of large cutting faces and turned out much coal day by day.
Coal mines with a capacity of millions of tons each are being built in South Phyongan Province, Myongchon and Saeppyol areas with rich deposits.
The February 8 Jiktong and Chonsong Youth Coal Mines in Sunchon and the Namyang Coal Mine in Pukchang are being rebuilt on an expansion basis.
Coal prospecting is kept ahead.
Millions of tons of coal deposits have been found in Tokchon and 18 other areas.
National meeting held to celebrate Army Day
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- A national meeting was held with a large attendance at the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang today to mark the 66th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army, the revolutionary armed forces of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Senior party, state and army officials were present at the meeting.
Invited there were foreign diplomatic representatives, members of the military attaches corps and foreign guests.
The foundation of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army by President Kim Il Sung on April 25, Juche 21 (1932), 66 years ago was a historical event which declared the birth of the revolutionary armed forces of new type with the immortal Juche idea as its guiding idea.
KPA vice Marshal Kim Il Chol, first vice-Minister of the People's Armed Forces, made a report under the title "The Korean People's Army is pillar of the revolution and main force of the revolutionary cause of Juche".
The reporter said the revolutionary armed forces which made the first gunshot in the thick forests of Mt. Paektu defeated the Japanese imperialists and accomplished the historic cause of national liberation through the 15 year-long hard-fought anti-Japanese revolutionary war thanks to the Juche-based military idea and wisdom of the President, his outstanding strategy and tactics and rare commanding art.
The KPA which succeeded the KPRA and strengthened and developed into regular armed forces after the liberation of Korea inflicted an ignominious defeat upon the U.S. aggressors which boasted of being the "strongest" in the world and their stooges in the last Fatherland Liberation War under the leadership of the President and honorably defended the freedom and independence of the country, he said.
As the revolutionary army has General Kim Jong Il with literary and military accomplishments and virtue and talent as its Supreme Commander, it has greeted its best days of development as the main force for the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche. He opened up a new era of historic change in the building of Juche-based army, the reporter said.
Kim Il Chol further said:
"Today our people's army has prepared itself to be the lifeguards and death squads most faithful to the Supreme Commander. The army is filled with the spirit of unity between officers and men, between superiors and subordinates based on loyalty to the leader and revolutionary comradeship. It is able to annihilate the enemy wherever he may be on the earth.
"In recent years Korean socialism has advanced along the road of Juche, though the imperialists and reactionaries have intensified their campaign to isolate and stifle the DPRK as never before and the confrontation with the enemy has reached a dangerous phase in which a war may break out any moment. The realities of Korea vividly prove the greatness of General Kim Jong Il's revolutionary guidance over the army.
"His on-the-spot guidance to people's army units is a brilliant model of the art of the revolutionary leadership over the army, which will brilliantly be recorded in history of the revolutionary struggle as an event which fully demonstrates the potentials of the invincible people's army based on the harmonious whole of the supreme commander and his men."
The reporter called for firmly establishing the leadership system and revolutionary morale under which the whole army acts as one upon the orders of General Kim Jong Il. He also called for worshiping only the Supreme Commander absolutely and making revolution to the end under his leadership.
Referring to the reckless military threat and arms buildup by warmaniacs of the U.S., Japan and South Korea which get on the nerves of the DPRK, he warned them not to act rashly, mindful of the indomitable fighting spirit and will of the people's army and people of Korea.
DPRK delegate criticizes west over human rights
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The delegate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, at the 54th meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva recently, bitterly accused the west of slandering the DPRK with false materials on its situation of human rights.
He denounced the west's abuses of the DPRK over its human rights records and withdrawal from the "international convention on citizens' political rights" as a foolish attempt to launch another political provocation against the DPRK.
He said:
"At every meeting, western countries made no mention about themselves condemned by many countries for their human rights problem but arrogantly abused other nations, acting a 'human rights judge.'
"The delegate of the European Union alleged that the DPRK has obstructed the visit to it of delegates of UN bodies and non-governmental organizations. The allegation is, however, an expression of his ignorance of our reality.
"Now representatives of several UN bodies and non-governmental organizations are staying in our country for a long or short period to work.
"As far as the DPRK's withdrawal from the 'international convention' is concerned, there is no country which wants to remain a passive onlooker to its national sovereignty and dignity trodden. The people deprived of sovereignty have no human rights.
"The DPRK government will as ever not tolerate any attempt to hurt the sovereignty and dignity of the country under the pretext of human rights."
The DPRK delegate called on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and government delegates to pay special attention to preventing specific forces from infringing upon the sovereignty of other countries willfully.
Also discussed seriously at the meeting was the unethical crime committed by Japan in the past.
The DPRK delegate said the settlement of Japan's past is not a matter which is confined only to the atonement for its crime but a matter of liquidating the thinking pattern of discrimination against other nations which has reappeared in Japan. It is also a condition for an atmosphere of genuine reconciliation and friendship in Asia, he said.
He bitterly denounced the Japanese government for evading its reponsibility and compensation for the "comfort women" crime.
He described the establishment of the "Asia Fund for Women" as a token of Japan's discrimination against other nations. Japan must admit its crime politically, morally and legally and demonstrate its willingness to thoroughly atone for the crime, he urged.
Greetings to Iranian Foreign Minister
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- Foreign Minister Kim Yong Nam sent a message of greetings to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Kamal Kharrazi on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Iran.
The message said that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have been fully expanded and developed in various domains including politics, the economy and culture since the DPRK visit by esteemed Seyed Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and his historic meeting with President Kim Il Sung.
It expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations established in the common struggle against imperialism and for independence would continue to be consolidated and developed in the future by deep concern and common efforts of the leaders of the two countries.
It wished the Iranian people a new progress in their efforts to achieve a durable peace and stability in the Persian Gulf region and make Iran independent and prosperous and also wished the Foreign Minister success in his work.
Congratulatory letters to G.S. Kim Jong Il from military attaches
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a congratulatory letter from the military attaches corps here on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA).
It was handed today to KPA vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok, Director of the General Political Department of the KPA, by Vu Dinh Thang, military attache of the Vietnamese embassy and doyen of the corps.
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese, Egyptian, Russian, Cuban, Iranian and Peruvian military attaches here asked an official concerned to convey congralutatory letters and gifts to General Kim Jong Il.
Gift to G.S. Kim Jong Il from Pakistani delegation
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) - General Secretary Kim Jong Il received a gift from the visiting delegation of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan.
The gift was handed to an official concerned by Parliamentary Secretary for Information Anwarul Haq Ramay, who is heading the delegation.
S. Korean authorities responsible for deadlocked inter-Korean talks
Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- As was already reported, vice Minister-level talks between the north and the south of Korea were held in Beijing on the initiative of the north to discuss the South Korean authorities' official offering of fertilizer supply to the north.
Regrettably, however, the contact was deadlocked due to the south side's unreasonable position and wrong behavior.
The north side suggested that as the contact was arranged as regards the fertilizer supply, the issue be discussed and solved at the contact and other matters concerning inter-Korean relations dealt with at contacts between authorities and Red Cross organizations to suit their characteristics.
But the south side raised some political issues which have nothing to do with the fertilizer supply as preconditions, talking about "reciprocity," and asserted that unless its demand is met, fertilizers cannot be supplied.
When South Korea suffered from floods in the past, the DPRK government sent it large quantities of relief goods with a strong sense of compatriotism and humanitarianism without raising any conditionalities. It set a precedent for mutual assistance.
The south side's assertion at the contact proved that it has no intention to solve the fertilizer supply and the improvement of inter-Korean relations and it foolishly attempts to get something political in return for "fertilizer supply."
Worse still, the South Korean authorities, ignoring the agreement that the contact would be held behind closed doors, allowed the "Korean broadcasting system" to plant a tapping apparatus and at the negotiating table unilaterally open to the public the contact process.
The result of the contact makes us believe that important matters of the nation can hardly be discussed with the South Korean "Ministry of National Unification" headed by Kang In Dok.
Nothing can be solved if negotiations for a solution to national issues are held in a commercial way. And we have no intention to hold contact with traders.
By intentionally breaking off the contact with unjustifiable preconditions, the South Korean authorities chilled the expectation and desire of the people at home and abroad for an early improvement of deteriorated inter-Korean relations. They also revealed that they seek confrontation with the north as the Kim Young Sam regime did.
They should be held whollly responsible for all the consequences to be entailed by the deadlocked talks.