Friendship gathering with Austrian delegation
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- A friendship gathering with the visiting delegation of the society for the promotion of the relations between Austria and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place at Moranbong Senior Middle School No. 1 here on May 17.
The members of the delegation led by secretary general of the society Erich Zavadil were invited there.
Officials of the Korea-Austria Friendship Association and teachers and pupils of the school were on hand.
The participants looked round educational facilities of the school and appreciated an art performance given by pupils.
They then had a conversation, deepening friendship.
KCTU decides to start strike
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- The South "Korean Confederation of Trade Unions" (KCTU) on May 14 held a meeting and decided to start a strike mainly in metal industrial bussineses on May 27 and simultaneously hold rallies of workers across south korea from may 28, according to a radio report from Seoul.
The KCTU expressed its willingness to go on the second strike from early June after watching the stand of the "government."
It also vowed to fight against the "government" for the abolition of the lay-off and labour exchange systems, eradication of unjust anti-labour practices, ensuring of stable employment, disorganization of business groups and participation of workers in management.
Reception for home-visiting group of Chongryon
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- A reception given by General Kim Jong Il for a home-visiting group of the Saitama Credit Association of the Korean Bank under the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) took place at the Mansudae Art Theatre on May 17.
Present there were Kim Su Ik, director general of the General Bureau of Reception for Overseas Compatriots, and other officials concerned.
The members of the home-visiting group led by Jin Wi Gyong, managing director of the association, on a visit to the socialist homeland on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the association, were on hand.
Speeches were made at the reception.
An art performance was given there.
Rodong Sinmun on foreign policies of Korean party, government
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- "Independence, peace and friendship are the idea of invariable foreign policies of our party and government" from the calls issued by the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reflects the position and will the Korean party and government have consistently maintained in relations with other countries, says Rodong Sinmun today.
The present international situation requires humankind to hold the banner of independence, peace and friendship higher, the daily says in an article, and continues:
Independence is the life and main feature of a sovereign state.
Preventing war and safeguarding peace is a desire of humankind and a prerequisite to the building of a new independent world. Now socialist construction in our country requires a peaceful climate. The idea of our foreign policies stems from this requirement.
Friendship and solidarity among people advocating independence are vital to frustrating the imperialists' moves of aggression and war, ensuring independent progress of all countries and successfully promoting global independence.
Since the international reactionaries are trying with concerted efforts to divide and crush progressive nations and stamp out the cause of the independence of humankind, it is important for all the countries and people across the world to strengthen friendship and solidarity in advocating independence.
We will make efforts to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with socialist and non-aligned countries on the principle of independence. We will also develop good relations with capitalist countries that respect the sovereignty of our country.
National reunification desired by Kwangju martyrs called for
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- Ri Sang Chol, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea, made public a statement on May 17 on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the heroic Kwangju popular uprising.
The resistance was a patriotic deed that developed the national people's movement onto a higher stage, he said, and went on:
"The present ruler of South Korea, who once called for probing the truth behind the may 18 Kwangju incident and punishing all the chief culprits, made Chun Doo Hwan, Roh Tae Woo and all other chief criminals released from prison and is brutally cracking down on rallies and demonstrations of students and workers, calling them 'enemy-benefitting' and 'illegal.'
"He, crying for 'balance of forces in Asia' and deterrent to the north's surprise attack,' went the length of saying that even after the country is reunified, the U.S. troops should continue remaining in South Korea.
"We will advance under the uplifted banner of independence against the United States, conduct the valiant movement for independence, democracy and reunification, upholding the three charters of national reunification and the five-point policy of great national unity, so as to achieve without fail national reunification the Kwangju martyrs desired so ardently."
National symposium on normalisation of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- A national symposium on the promotion of the normalisation of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations took place in Tokyo on May 12.
Present there were representatives of various areas and people from different social standings of Japan.
Professor of Soka University Jiro Suzuki, who is Secretary General of the people's forum for promoting normalisation of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations, made a speech on behalf of the sponsor organisation.
"Though different outstanding issues have cropped up between Japan and the DPRK, we should clearly see the situation and direct primary efforts to normalizing diplomatic relations between them," he said.
"It is natural and in the interest of Japan that the assailant, Japan, apologizes to the victim, Korea," he stressed.
The symposium was addressed by O Hyong Jin, Vice-Chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, and Motofumi Makieta, Chairman of the Japan committee for supporting the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.
Prof. Narihiko Ito of Chuo University, who is Secretary pf the people's forum, made a report, which was followed by reports on activities by representatives of various areas.
The symposium adopted an emergency proposal demanding that the government and political parties of Japan promote the normalisation of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations as soon as possible and render humanitarian assistance to the DPRK without preconditions.
Meanwhile, the representatives asked the Chief Cabinet Secretary to convey a letter of request calling for an early normalization of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations to the Japanese Prime Minister.
The letter said that Japan should renounce the hostile policy toward Korea, liquidate the historical misdeeds at an early date and develop Japan-DPRK relations on good terms.
Rodong Sinmun marks 18th anniversary of Kwangju popular uprising in S. Korea
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today dedicates a signed article to the 18th anniversary of the Kwangju popular uprising in South Korea.
The author of the article says:
The uprising teaches South Korean people a valuable lesson that if they are to defeat armed enemies, they should firmly rally fighting ranks in an organisational way, join hand with each other and conduct a resolute joint struggle under unified command in all parts of South Korea.
Since the uprising, South Korean people have struggled for independence, democracy and reunification under the banner of anti-U.S. independence. However, their national dignity and freedom are still violated by outside forces as 18 years ago.
As long as the U.S. military occupation of and colonial rule over South Korea continue, the South Korean people cannot enjoy genuine independent rights and democratic liberty nor can the reunification of the country be achieved.
The South Korean puppets try to curry favour with their masters and prolong their power under their patronage by leaving the half of the country to outside forces as their colony and ruthlessly suppressing the popular movement for independence, democracy and reunification.
Realities require the South Korean people to valiantly fight for independence, democracy and reunification, inheriting the indomitable spirit of the heroic Kwangju uprisers. National independence, democracy and reunification are their only way out. The South Korean students and people from all walks of life should closely unite under the banner of anti-U.S. and anti-fascist democracy and resolutely fight to build a new life and society, independent, democratic and reunified.
Japan should draw lesson from its diplomatic stance toward DPRK
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- A press conference on relations between DPRK and Japan was held at the Korean embassy in Beijing on May 14.
Ju Chang Jun, Korean ambassador to China, said that the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government put forward a just policy for normalization of diplomatic relations with Japan and made assiduous efforts for its implementation.
Since DPRK-Japan preliminary talks between deputy department directors of foreign ministries for resumption of the talks for DPRK-Japan normal diplomatic relations were held in Beijing in August last year, the full-dress talks have not yet been opened, which is attributable to Japan's viewpoint and attitude towards the agreement reached between the two governments, he noted.
He accused Japan of impeding the opening of the 9th round of the full-dress talks by raising the settlement of the groundless "suspected kidnapping" as a precondition for the talks.
This is related to the diplomatic character intrinsic to Japan, which is blindly complying with others' solicitation, pressure and instructions and to its haughty diplomatic stance and impudent method of thinking as if it were making a present of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan for someone, the ambassador said.
The Japanese government should not make much ado about "suspected kidnapping" but admit inhuman crime of kidnapping, tormenting and brutally killing millions of innocent Koreans, apologize to the Korean and Asian peoples for it and discharge its obligation and responsibility, he stressed.
He exposed Japan's unprincipled diplomatic stance of keeping in tune with the South Korean puppets in the anti-DPRK campaign.
There is no change in our stand to normalize DPRK-Japan relations in conformity with the desire of the two peoples, he said, stressing: If Japan is not willing to resume the talks, we will not have talks with Japan. Japan should have known it already.
Japan should calmly review its stand concerning DPRK-Japan relations and its diplomatic stance towards the DPRK and draw a serious lesson, he said, and added:
If Japan continues such unprincipled, reckless and foolish act, we will not contact with it for the sake of our dignity.
Out-of-class-time education
Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- In the DPRK, where a universal 11-year compulsory education is in force, schoolchildren are being brought up to be knowledgeable, morally impeccable and physically strong.
Out-of-class-time education is not less important than a regular programme of instruction.
There are specialized organs and institutions in charge of extracurricular education. Senior middle and primary schools are staffed with youth league and children's union instructors. Their main mission is to help pupils to participate in the organizational and after-school activities. Teachers are also involved in guidance work.
After school is over, various forms of meetings are organized to educate pupils on revolutionary principles.
Many pupils take part in arts and crafts, computer and other technical hobby group activities and still others in sports group activities in schoolchildren's palaces and halls built in Pyongyang and local areas. This helps them to expand the intellectual horizons and get more knowledge about science, technology, literature and arts and improve their physical fitness.
Pupils visit factories, enterprises and cooperative farms to entertain the working people inspiring them to make further efforts.
They also take part in massive drives to keep streets, villages and schools tidy.
Free access is allowed to well-equipped libraries set up in towns, counties and districts.
Children's union camps are available in every scenic spot. Pupils go camping at old battle fields and other revolutionary sites and sometimes go hiking to toughen their bodies and get more courage.
After-school activities are free of charge.
The future of Korean schoolchildren is bright, since they enjoy the benefits of the universal compulsory education system.